Margaret Elizabeth Diedrich, 81, of Northwood, died Wednesday, July 31, 2002, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.
Funeral services were Saturday, August 3, 2002, at the First Lutheran Church, 309 North 9th Street, Northwood, with Reverend Allan Stoa officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Margaret Elizabeth Diedrich was born on May 12, 1921, to Hans and Mary (Follmuth) Kuhlmann in Kensett Township. She was baptized at Deer Creek Lutheran Church, rural Carpenter, and reaffirmed the faith of her baptism through confirmation at Bethany Lutheran Church in Kensett. She attended and received her education in the Kensett Community School. On November 28, 1943, Margaret was united in marriage to LaVerne Diedrich at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Kensett. After their marriage, together they farmed in the Kensett, Grafton, and Northwood rural area until they moved to Northwood in 1968. Margaret worked on the farm, gardened, and later she worked as a cook in the Northwood-Kensett Elementary School. Margaret also worked at the Kountry Kitchen Café, and at the Quality Café, both in Northwood.

Margaret enjoyed cooking, baking, quilting, crocheting, embroidering, sewing, plus numerous other crafts. Her favorite pass times were her family gatherings, getting together with friends to play cards, and going camping.
Margaret was a member of the First Lutheran Church, where she was active in the Deborah Circle and was also involved in making kits for mission work, Altar Guild at the church, folding bulletins for church services, and also enjoyed putting the church Focus together.
Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband, LaVerne Diedrich of Northwood; three daughters, Carolyn Byrne and her husband Richard of Sioux City, Kathleen "Kathy" Berg and her husband Jim of Northwood, and Marilyn Ellwood and her husband Frank of Coon Rapids, MN; four grandchildren, Tony Harris and his wife Dedra of Northwood, Larry Harris and his wife Sheri of San Diego, CA., Brenda Hanssen and her husband Paul of Glenville, MN, and Alyssa Ellwood of Coon Rapids, MN; six great-grandchildren, Shelby, Tori, and Lindy Harris of Northwood, Sydney Harris of St. Ansgar and Daniel Harris, of San Diego, CA, Mackenzie Hanssen of Glenville, MN.; several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren; two sisters, Arlene Stoddard of Baldwin, Wisconsin, Dorothy Greibrok and her husband Carlyle of Austin, MN., and a brother, Carl Kuhlmann and his wife Donna of Baldwin, Wisconsin; as well as many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. Her parents, Hans and Mary Kuhlmann, a brother-in-law, Leland Stoddard, and a stillborn great-grand baby preceded Margaret in death.

GEORGIA ANN ARLENE LIEVROUW

Georgia Ann Arlene Lievrouw, age 83, of Mitchell, died Saturday, July 20, 2002, at her daughter's residence in Osage under Hospice care.

Georgia was born March 30, 1919 in Northwood, the daughter of George and Katheryn (Van Pelt) Scofield. She attended schools in Northwood and Mitchell, and graduated from Mitchell High School. She was united in marriage to Morris Lievrouw on September 2, 1936, in Osage. They were engaged in farming in Mitchell County. Georgia retired after working many years at the Mitchell County Care Facility. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, rummage sales, cooking, baking, and taking her dog, Mitzi, for rides in the car.
Funeral Services were Tuesday July 23, 2002, at Faith Lutheran Church in Mitchell, IA, with the Rev. Rose Marie Nack officiating. Interment was at the St. Ansgar Cemetery in St. Ansgar, IA.Survived by: 1 daughter, Peggy Hanson and her husband Kent of Osage 1 son, David Lievrouw of Mitchell and his friend Pam Trygsted of Mason City 9 grandchildren: Lisa, Spencer, Dustin, and Samantha Lievrouw; Jeff and James Freeman; Jennifer Tucke; and Shelby and Casey Hanson 2 step-grandchildren: Lennie and Cindy Hastings and 5 great-grandchildren Preceded by: parents; husband, Morris in 1995; 2 sons, Gary and Morris Jr.; 2 daughters-in-law, Tammy Lievrouw and Jeannette Sigler.

LaVerne "Bud" Eugene Kirchgatter
August 06, 2002

LaVerne "Bud" Eugene Kirchgatter, 77, of 222 South Pierce, Mason City, formerly of Plymouth, died Saturday, August 3, 2002, at the USA Health Care Center in Mason City.

Funeral services were Tuesday, August 6, 2002, at the Old Stone United Methodist Church in Rock Falls, with Reverend Lisa Locoh officiating. Burial was at the Oakwood Cemetery in Plymouth, with military flag presentation and taps by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association.

The family of LaVerne "Bud" Eugene Kirchgatter has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Old Stone United Methodist Church in Rock Falls in his memory.

LaVerne "Bud" Eugene Kirchgatter was born on January 31, 1925, in Mitchell County, Iowa near St. Ansgar, the son of Albert and Selma (Grap) Kirchgatter. He was baptized in the German Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar, and reaffirmed the faith of his baptism through confirmation in the Lutheran Church in Osage. He attended and received his education in the Carpenter Community school. He was inducted into the U.S. Army serving overseas in the European Theater during World War II. After his honorable discharge he moved to Mason City and was united in marriage to Marilyn Aase on February 14, 1942, in Northwood. She preceded him in death on March 17, 1992. LaVerne "Bud" drove for State Brand Creamery in Mason City for several years and also worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation for several years until his retirement. After his retirement he drove a grain truck for Jerry Fritz.

He enjoyed fishing, and gardening, but his great love and enjoyment was his family and grandchildren.

He was a Lutheran by faith.

Left to cherish his memory is a son, Steve Kirchgatter and his wife Becky of Nora Springs, a daughter, Sue Paulson and her husband Dennis of Rock Falls; three grandchildren, Bobbi Sue Paulson of Mason City, Nichole Paulson of Rock Falls, and Kyle Kirchgatter of Nora Springs; one great-granddaughter, Skylar Simon of Rock Falls; two sisters, Ruth Braun of Waterloo, and Doris Hanson of Northwood, one brother, Lloyd Kirchgatter of Tracy, California; as well as many nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and many friends.

Besides his wife Marilyn, he was also preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Melbourne Kirchgatter, and a sister, Alice Smith.

©St. Ansgar Enterprise Journal 2002

DOROTHY MAE RUEHLOW

August 06, 2002 

©St. Ansgar Enterprise Journal 2002

Updated by Chuck Prickett 08/07/2002

William Peter FrodI Funeral Held August 8

Funeral services for William "Bill" Peter FrodI, 81, of Owatonna, Minnesota, who died Monday, August 5, 2002 at a Owatonna hospital, were held on Thursday, August 8 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Owatonna with the Rev. Kirk Griebel officiating.

Bill was born May 29,1921 in Waseca County, Minnesota, the son of Peter and Alwina (Krienke) Frodl. He loved to play cards with his friends, hunting and fishing, spending time with his grandchildren, and listen to old time music, spending time with his friends, and enjoyed traveling. He served in School District Board #2116. He was a farmer most of his life.

Bill is survived by his wife, Helen Frodl of Owatonna; two sons, Steven and Dee Ann Frodl of Owatonna; Doug and Jennifer Frodl of St. Ansgar; four daughters, Mary and Don Williams of Greenville, Ohio; Judy and Jim Quinlivan of Owatonna; Carolyn Frodl of Woodsboro, Maryland; Kim and Kirk Sorensen of Hayfield, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Peter Frodl. his mother Alwina Krienke, two sons and a sister.

Burial was in the Owatonna Memorial Gardens in Owatonna, Minnesota.

Updated by Chuck Prickett 05/27/2003

Laura M. Buechele, age 92, of Grafton died Friday, August 23, 2002 at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar, Iowa. Laura was born on April 11, 1910 in Grafton, Iowa to Edmund and Emilie (Erdman) Schmidt. Rev. John Landdeck baptized her on May 6, 1920 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton. Rev. Carl Landdeck confirmed her in her faith on April 13, 1924 at Emmanuel Lutheran.

Laura graduated from Osage High School in 1928. She worked for one year at the Christian Brothers Store in Grafton, and taught school for four years in a country school.

On October 15, 1933 she was married to Alvin Buechele, who preceded her in death on January 18, 1970. They were blessed with two daughters, Ruth Anderson and Marie Blom.

She was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Grafton all her life.

She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Harvey and Ruth Anderson of Plano Texas, and Paul and Marie Blom of Spring, Texas. Five grandchildren, including Joel Anderson, Matthew Anderson, Nicole Anderson, Sara (Blom) Slaughter and Nathan Blom as well as six great grandchildren also survive her.

Funeral services were held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday August 27, 2002, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, with the Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating. Interment was at the Grafton Cemetery.

©St. Ansgar Enterprise Journal 2002

Updated by Chuck Prickett 10/13/2002