George J. Parkhurst

Lieutenant Colonel George J. Parkhrurst, USAF Ret., of Osage, died Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage. He was 91 years old.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 4, 2011, at the Champion- Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage with Rev. Anna Blaedel officiating. There was a flag presentation by the Osage American Legion Post 278. Visitation was held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. before the service at the funeral home on Monday. Following the funeral service, cremation will take place. Inurnment will be at a later date at Oak Grove Cemetery in Mitchell.

George was born April 6, 1919, in Mitchell, Iowa, the son of George and Agnes (Ross) Parkhurst. He attended Mitchell schools from grades K-12. He then attended Iowa State University and worked for Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California, prior to entering Aviation Cadet training in August of 1942. George served in the European Theater during World War II, flying the A-26 attack bomber.

Following the war, George returned to Iowa and worked in the Carpenter bank prior to being activated in the Air Force Reserve for combat service in Korea. He remained on active duty with the Air Force until his retirement in 1972, including a tour in Viet Nam in which he completed 100 missions over North Vietnam. His combat decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters.

George is survived by his wife of 66 years, Bernadine Parkhurst of Osage; two sons, Lt. Col. Allen R. Parkhurst, USMCR Ret. of St. Ansgar, and Col. Philip S. Parkhurst, USMC Ret. and his wife, Marilou, of Carlsbad, California; three grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Information available and condolences accepted at www.champion-bucheitfuneralhome.com. 

Champion - Bucheit Funeral Home 641-732- 3706

Osie Adrian

Funeral Services for Osie Adrian of Baudette, MN were held on Tuesday, April 5, at the Wabanica Lutheran Church, at 10:30 a.m. A public visitation was held at Helgeson’ Funeral Chapel in Baudette on Monday, April 4, from 5-7 p.m., and also one hour prior to the funeral at church.

Osie Mae Adrian was born on May 18, 1919 in Newburgh Township, near Carpenter, Iowa to Lisetta (Klienwort) and Ernest Hollatz. She graduated from Carpenter High School In 1936. Osie married Virgil Adrian in 1940. They lived in Iowa until 1952 when they moved their family to Baudette.

They brought carpenters from Iowa to help them build seven cabins on the Rainy River. This was the start of Adrian’s Resort in Baudette, MN., which is still owned by the family today. The resort now can house many families in their 21 cabins, lodge, and campground. Adrian’s resort was the first in Baudette to offer ice fishing packages.

Osie loved nature, the outdoors, and ice fishing. She trapped skunks in the early years, and had a love for animals. She played cards every day and looked for people to play cards with her. She was very intelligent and enjoyed solving crossword puzzles. She always had the coffee pot on for friends and guests.

Nobody was a stranger to Osie. Osie Adrian passed away on March 31 at the Lakewood Health Center. She was 91 years old.

Osie is survived by her children, Faye(Dan) Coughlin of San Antonio, Texas, Judy (David) Duitscher of Anchorage, AK, Marlene Adrian of Baudette, Darlene (Jim) Ney of Baudette, and Sharon Opp of San Jose, CA;grandchildren, Lisa, Lori, Kelly, Denise, Derrick, Debra, Jimmy, Susan, Brian, Cory, Kristie, and Eric; also 14 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Virgil, her parents, , Lisetta and Ernest Hollatz, daughter Kaye Ann Adrian, son-in-law Will Opp, sister Bernice Ehlke, and brother Ernest Hollatz Jr.

Mrs. Howard (Elda) Madsen

Mrs. Howard (Elda) Madsen, 90, of St. Ansgar, died on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Center.

Funeral service was held on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at 10:30 AM at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, with Rev. Dr. Byron Northwick officiating. Burial was in the St. Ansgar Cemetery.

Elda was born on May 17, 1920 to Emil and Amelia (Viergutz) Feldt in St. Ansgar. She attended school in St. Ansgar , graduating from St. Ansgar High School. Elda, as well as Howard, were confirmed by Rev. Brammer at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar.

Elda married Howard Madsen on February 23, 1941 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. They farmed on the family farm west of St. Ansgar, where they raised three children, Lester, Arthur and Sarah. Elda was a devoted wife and mother as well as a faithful member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Leland Feldt and sister in law Carol Feldt.

Elda is survived by her husband of 70 years, Howard; son Lester of St. Ansgar; son Arthur (Judy) of Faribault: daughter Sarah (Gary) Moore of Riceville, Iowa; five grandchildren, Bryan (Becky) Madsen, Emily (Matt) Smalley, Tim (Diana) Moore, Kelly Moore and Jeff Moore: four great grandchildren, Gordon and Hunter Madsen, Caroline Smalley and Andrew Moore.

Allen G. Koethke

St. Ansgar, IA—Allen G. Koethke, 79, of St. Ansgar, died on Saturday, April 16, 2011.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Toeterville, IA with Rev. Barbara Finley-Shea officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter Cemetery, Toeterville, IA. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 5:00-7:00 PM at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, 207 S. School Street, St. Ansgar, IA.

Allen George Koethke was born on January 5, 1932, the son of Elmer and Lydia (Schroeder) Koethke. Baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Toeterville, IA, he attended church there all his life serving as a deacon and on cemetery committee.

Allen attended Drown Country School through 8th grade and graduated from St. Ansgar High School. He was active in FFA, 4-H, and rural youth group. Allen lived on the family century farm most of his life. He was a grain and livestock farmer, raising Guernsey cows and hogs.

On July 19, 1981, he married Karen (Newton) Bruggeman.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Lydia Koethke; sister Viola Holstad and brother Glen Koethke.

Allen is survived by his wife Karen Koethke of St. Ansgar; two stepchildren Jim Bruggeman of Clear Lake and Robin (Doug) Bless of Toeterville; five grandchildren Amanda (Cory) Ransom, Samantha Bruggeman, Jonathon and Lizzie (Fusilier) Bless, Jacob and Jesse Bless; two greatgrandchildren Dayne and Ruby Rose Ransom; two nieces Vicki Suhl, Worcester, MA and Nancy (Scott) Anderson, Hartsel, CO; brother-in-law Arnold Holstad of Mason City, and sister- in-law Noreen Fink of Osage.

Mary Alice Papouchis

Mary Alice Papouchis died on April 1, 2011 at home surrounded by her loving family. She had fought a valiant battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held on April 5 at Major Erickson funeral home.

Mary was born on March 31, 1947 at Savre Hospital in Osage to Henry and Alfrieda Crooks and went home to the little house in the woods near Carpenter. In 1955 the family moved to Kensett. Mary graduated from Northwood- Kensett in 1965.

Mary was married to Jim Papouchis in 1965, they moved to Dubuque, and eventually settled in Mason City. They became the parents of Teresa and Tony. Mary graduated from Hamilton College. In the early years, Mary waitressed for her father-inlaw, Tony, at Northwestern Steakhouse.

For the last 13 years she worked for Woodharbor. Mary is survived by her children, Teresa (Michael) King; Anthony (Jen) Papouchis; 6 grandchildren, Brianna, Peyton, Tyson, Zachary, Acacia, and Brighton; her mother, Alfrieda (Pagel) Crooks; Sisters, Carolyn Loftaas, Glenita Brown, Marjorie Tuthill, Cynthia DiMarco, Adrian Crooks, Ramona Parkin; a brother, Randolph Crooks; and former spouse and constant companion, Gene Casterton.

Mary was preceded in death by her father, Henry Crooks; sister, Rosalie Enfield; niece, Lisa DiMarco; and Grandparents, Henry and Ida Pagel, and Perry and Alma Crooks.