Mary Anna Pitzen

March 15, 2012

Mary Anna Pitzen, 98, of Stacyville, died on Monday, March 12, 201, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center, Osage, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, March 17, at 10:30 a.m., at the Visitation Catholic Church, Stacyville, with Father Jack McClure CPPS officiating. Burial will be in the Visitation Cemetery, Stacyville. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 16, from 4-8:00 p.m., at the Visitation Catholic Church, with a rosary at 4:30 and a scripture service at 7:30.

Mary Anna was born on June 1, 1913 in Randolph, Nebraska, to James and Anna (Gubbels) Reding. Her family moved to Stacyville when she was 5 years old. She married Alfred Pitzen on September 2, 1936, at the Visitation Catholic Church, Stacyville. Mary worked beside Alfred on the farm helping where needed especially taking care of the calves. She was able to be outside and cook a wonderful meal in the house at the same time. After retirement from the farm they moved to Stacyville in 1978.

Mary was active in Christian Mothers and the Catholic Order of Foresters as well as being a 4-H Leader for many years. Family always came first to Mary, who loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed flowers and her garden, quilting, refinishing furniture, oil painting and playing cards. Mary was famous for hosting her Sunday morning breakfast for family and serving her homemade cinnamon rolls.

Mary is survived by her children, Gene (Cheryl Renwick) Pitzen of Stacyville, Ronnie (Becky) Pitzen of Stacyville, Mary Jane (Jim) Mauer of Lisle, Illinois, Betty Ann (Marly) Stoltenberg of Mason City and Carol (Vaughn) Rossum of Osage; son-in-law, Doug Malo of Brookings, South Dakota; daughter-in-law, Vernie Pitzen of Austin, Minnesota; 25 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren; a brother, Melvin (Bernice) Reding of Stacyville; and sister, Anna Kramer of Dubuque.

She was preceded in death by her husband; son, James; daughter, Rosalie Malo; daughter-in-law, Jane Pitzen; parents; infant brother, Joseph; and sister, Alvina Brown.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, of St. Ansgar, Iowa is in charge of the arrangements.

Neva Hungerford

March 20, 2012

Neva Irene Hungerford, 81, of Osage, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, March 21, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, with Father Jack McClure, CPPS officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation was held on Tuesday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, with a rosary and a scripture wake service.

Neva was born on November 22, 1930, at home on a farm in Hardin County, the daughter of Albert and Emma Fuhrman. She graduated from the Iowa Falls High School in 1948. On February 14, 1952, Neva was united in marriage to Charles R. Hungerford, at the Sacred Heart Church in Osage. She worked at the Home Trust and Savings bank as a secretary prior to having a family. Neva was a stay at home mother until her children were older, and then she worked at Art’s Shoes and in the OB department at the Mitchell County Memorial Hospital, holding both positions part-time for twenty years and retiring in 1996.

Neva enjoyed flowers and gardening, dancing and shopping for clothes, but mostly spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Neva was a member of the Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary and a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage.

She is survived by three sons, Tim Hungerford of Danville, Mark (Cyndi) Hungerford of Gladstone, Illinois and Todd (Tina) Hungerford of Sierra Vista, Arizona; a daughter, Ann Kienzle of Riceville; a sister, Myra Hodnefield of Radcliffe; two sisters-in-law, Wilma Hungerford of Osage and Betty DeMar of Bloomington, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Jennifer Hungerford, Nikki Schulte, Jared and Gavin Hungerford, Shane and Samantha Mackelprang; two step-grandchildren, Travis (Tami) Dodd and Mandy (Ron) Wise; two great-grandchildren, Rylee Schulte and Mace Mackelprang; three step-great-grandchildren, Trey and Trenton Wise and Mia Dodd; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charlie in 2003; a daughter, Mary Mackelprang in 2005; a brother, Verner Fuhrman; a nephew, Dennis Fuhrman; and brothers-in–law, Jean and John “Jim” Hungerford.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

David Carl Schmidt

March 27, 2012

David Carl Schmidt, 66, was called to heaven on Sunday, March 25, 2012. He died peacefully at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar, Iowa.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 28, from 4-7:00 p.m., at the Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home in St. Ansgar. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 29, at 11:00 a.m., at the St. Peter Lutheran Church in Toeterville, Iowa, with Rev. Lance Kittleson officiating.

David was born on May 21, 1945 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to Reverend Walter and Ruth Schmidt. Throughout his life, he was dedicated to his faith and his family. He was confirmed in Christ on March 22, 1959. He graduated from the Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Nebraska in 1967 and then attended Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. On June 20, 1970, he married JoAnn "Joni" Maples. David moved his family to St. Ansgar in 1981, where he resided until his passing.

He enjoyed supporting and attending the St. Ansgar School sporting and community events and was active in the area Cub Scouts, serving as Cub Master. David was also active in the Forte Milers Barbershop Chorus. He always cheered for the Chicago Cubs and Bears win or lose, and cherished his time playing cards with his friends. For twenty years, David was the pastor at the Otranto Community Church, leaving in 2010 due to his declining health.

He is survived by his wife, Joni; their children, Emily (Alex) Edwards of Elkhorn, Nebraska, Julie (Mike) Morische of Carpenter, Amanda (Jon) Heiny of Austin, Minnesota and Jonathan Schmidt of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Alexander Schmidt, Ashley, Tyler, Whitney and Ellen Heiny, Anna and Owen Edwards; his mother, Ruth Schmidt of Omaha, Nebraska; sisters, Linda (Walt) Duda and Diane (Rodney) Christianson; brother, Dennis (Sue Hoaglund); and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Walter.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, was in charge of the arrangements.

Lawrence H. Dieterich

March 27, 2012

Lawrence H. Dieterich, 95, of St. Ansgar, died on Monday, March 26, 2012, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center, Osage, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 30, at 2:00 p.m., at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, with Rev. Dr. Byron Northwick officiating. Burial will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, St. Ansgar. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, from 6-8:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar.

Lawrence was born on April 1, 1916 in Floyd County, Iowa, to Carl and Bertha (Kroneman) Dieterich. He was baptized at the St. Johns Lutheran Church south of Osage, by Pastor Bertram on April 30, 1916. They moved to Mitchell County in 1919 to a farm south of St. Ansgar. He was confirmed by Pastor Brammer at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar. He attended high school in St. Ansgar and graduated in 1935. Lawrence started farming in 1939 south of St. Ansgar. He married Evelyn Billings in 1941, at the Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Osage, by Pastor Solemn. They lived on a farm ½ mile east of St. Ansgar for 2 years before moving to a farm 3 ½ miles south of St. Ansgar, purchasing the farm in 1945 and continued farming until he retired and moved to St. Ansgar in 1982.

Lawrence held many offices during his lifetime including; State secretary for the State Rural Youth Organization, elected to the first Soil Conservation Board in Mitchell County, on the board for the Mitchell County Beef Association and on the board for the Mitchell County Swine Association, Rock Township Trustee, Farm Bureau voting delegate, on the St. Ansgar School Board a few years after the first reorganization in the early 50’s, president of the School Board for 3 terms, member of the Federal Land Bank Board for 17 years and president for several years, one of the two on the Iowa Advisory Board for the Federal Land Bank of Omaha, served on the church board for many years in various positions and as chairman for several years, sold Pioneer Seed Corn from 1947 to 1982, and served on the St. Ansgar City Council from 1992 to 1996.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; wife; infant daughter, LaDonna; three brothers and one sister.

He is survived by his children, Rita (David) Kicherer of St. Ansgar, Darla (William) Stiles of West Des Moines and Dennis (Ann) Dieterich of St. Ansgar; grandchildren, Misti (Jon) Peppler, Michele Kicherer, Dan Kicherer, Ryan Stiles, Nicholas Stiles, Ben (Amanda) Dieterich and Christine Dieterich; 8 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, was in charge of the arrangements.

Harvey Norby

March 27, 2012

Harvey Myron Norby, age 89, of St. Ansgar, died on Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, March 31, at the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage, with Rev. Roy Ott, Rev. Stephen Bohling and Rev. Lance Kittleson officiating. Burial will be in the St. John’s Cemetery, Rock Township. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.

Harvey was born on April 20, 1922 in rural Osage, Iowa, the son of Hjalmer and Matilda (Olsen) Norby. His father died when Harvey was six years old so he grew up helping his mother and sisters manage the family farm. He graduated from the Osage High School. Harvey was a Standard Oil bulk agent, worked for Farm Service and later drove school bus for the St. Ansgar Community Schools. He married Mary Louise Champion on June 20, 1943. They later divorced. Harvey married Phyllis Boeset Rosenberg on October 29, 1988, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rock Township.

He was a member of the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and for many years was a member of the Osage Volunteer Fire Department. Harvey was always willing to help others and many said, “Oh, Harvey knows everyone.” He enjoyed going out and helping Phyllis’ boys on the farm. His nickname on the farm was “Walking Eagle”. Harvey’s grandchildren were very important to him.

Harvey is survived by his wife, Phyllis Norby of St. Ansgar; his daughter, Colette (Randy) Slycord of Redmond, Washington; daughter-in-law, Cheryl (John) Whalen of Dubuque; and sister, Lorraine Creager of Sumner; grandchildren, Christopher Slycord of Redmond, Washington, Tony (Linda) Norby of Fort Collins, Colorado, Darcy (Jason) Putz of Farley, Meagan (Rob) Clarkson of Laclede, Missouri; and great-grandchildren, Macy and Banks Norby, Grace, Ella and Payton Putz, Carly, Sam and Cooper Clarkson. He is also survived by Phyllis’ children, Richard (Betty) Rosenberg of St. Ansgar, Rebecca Kofron and Marc of Clear Lake, Bradley Rosenberg and Pearl of Roberts, Wisconsin, Jeffrey Rosenberg and Kris of Grafton, Susan (Frank) Horsfall of Carpenter; and their children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Dr. Laurence Harvey Norby; his sister, Gertrude Crowell; and two brothers-in-law, Glenn Crowell and Richard Creager.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.