Cornelia M. Backman funeral

Cornelia Maurine Backman, age 96, of Osage, died Saturday, January 29, 2011, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage with Rev. Roy Ott officiating. Burial will be in the Whalan Lutheran Cemetery in Whalan, Minnesota, at a later date. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church.

Cornelia Maurine Backman, born December 20, 1914, was the first of five children born to Oscar S. and Jessie O. (Askegaard) Reitan. Following her graduation from Comstock (Minnesota) High School, she went to Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where she graduated in 1935 with degrees in education, music, and English. Her first two teaching jobs were in small high schools in northern Minnesota. She then moved to Brockton, Montana, where she taught high school on the Indian reservation.

While in Brockton, she was the church organist and choir director. It was there that she met Pastor Arden H. Backman. They were married on August 9, 1942, at Hoff Lutheran Church, in rural Moorhead, Minnesota. Arden and Cornelia served congregations in Brockton, Bainville and Culbertson, Montana, Whitefish, Montana, Circle, Montana, Wykoff, Minnesota, Lime Springs, Iowa, and Carpenter, Iowa.

They retired to Osage in 1978, where they were active members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

Cornelia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, Arden; her brother, Pernell; her sister, Evelyn Holth; an infant sister; and a nephew, David Holth.

She is survived by four children, Dwight of Sparta, Wisconsin, Charles of Osage, Afton (Russell) Duenow of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Stephen of Clear Lake; five grandchildren, Bradley Backman , Bjorn Backman, Lt. Col. Corbin Backman, Bryan Duenow and Lt. Victor Duenow. She also enjoyed her great-grandchildren, Gunnar and Kai Backman, Colton and Kennedy Anne Backman, Elsa Rane Backman, and was looking forward to the birth of another in the summer. She is also survived by her sister, Marcelle Horton of Breckenridge, Minnesota.

Cornelia loved music and was involved as organist or choir director in numerous churches. Upon retirement, she maintained her love of music by performing organ and piano duets at church. She was active in Sons of Norway, taking great pride in her Norwegian heritage. Never afraid to express her opinions, her constant energy, ideas, and genuine curiosity will be greatly missed. “We love you, Mom.”

Wilmer (Bill) Gerlach funeral

St. Ansgar, IA--Wilmer G. (Bill) Gerlach, 98, of St. Ansgar, died Thursday, February 3, 2011 at Good Samaritan Society Center, St. Ansgar.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at United Methodist Church, St. Ansgar with Rev. Peter Chang officiating. Burial will be in Priem Cemetery, Rural St. Ansgar. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 5:00-7:00 PM at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, 207 S. School Street, St. Ansgar. Bill was born on December 24, 1912, in rural Newburg Township in Mitchell County, Iowa, to Frank and Emma (Priem) Gerlach.

Bill was one of nine children, and he attended public schools in Carpenter and St. Ansgar. Bill graduated from St. Ansgar Community High School in 1932. He entered the US Army in June 1942. Bill served in the European Theater Operations of World War II from October 1944 to July 1945. He was honorably discharged in July 1945. Upon return from the military, Bill farmed with his mother Emma and his brother Arthur on the Newburg Township farm until Art’s retirement in 1978.

The Gerlach family farm was recognized as a Century Farm in 1997, having been first settled by Bill’s pioneer grandparents from Germany, Frederick and Christina Gerlach.

Bill was a member of the St. Ansgar United Methodist Church, where he served on the board of trustees and various church committees. He was also active in community affairs, a township trustee, and on the board of directors for the fire departments of St. Ansgar and Carpenter. He was a board member for the Maple Manor Apartments and the North Iowa Regional Housing Authority. He was also a committee member for the ASCS, served as a member of the St. Ansgar Lions Club for 32 years, was a Farmers Union member, and active member and a state delegate of the Democratic Party, and for 63 years a member of the American Legion.

Bill and his brother Gene were inducted into the St. Ansgar Booster Club Hall of Fame in 2000. The brothers were also honored as Grand Marshall of several St. Ansgar Community parades. Bill enjoyed life, especially his hobbies, church work, local sports (including baseball and the Minnesota Twins), fishing, golf, and travel. Bill was a long-time resident of the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Center, from November 13, 2003 to February 3, 2011. Bill celebrated his 98th birthday on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2010.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Emma; his brothers Roy, Earl, Arthur and Gene; sisters Irma (John) Ball, Lucille (Irling) Groth, Rose (Harold) Nickerson and infant sister Rose Ruth; nephew Dale (Arlene) Gerlach; and nieces Dorothy (Harold) Johnson and LuAnn Gerlach.

Bill is survived by Verle (Evelyn) Nickerson, St. Ansgar; Roger (Florence) Gerlach, St. Ansgar; Helen (Don) Bortz, Rudd, IA; Virginia (Leo) Wilkens, Waterloo, IA; Joan (George) Borchardt, Holland, IA; Gene (Nedra) Nickerson, Paradise Valley, AZ; James (Gretta) Nickerson, Marshfield, WI; Mary (Nickerson) Loomer, St. Paul, MN; Phil (Ellie) Groth, Pella, IA; David (Beverly) Groth, Centennial, CO; and Gary G. (Karen) Gerlach, Scottsdale, AZ.

Eunice Dieterich service

Eunice R. Dieterich, 77 of Tomah, died Saturday, February 5, 2011 at the Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. She was born on September 9, 1933 to Fredrick and Rita (Schwagmeyer) Neusiis in Logansport, Indiana. She was a member of the Rochester Indiana High School Graduating Class of 1951.

She attended the Concordia College, in River Forest, IL, and in 1955 received her degree in education. On August 14, 1960 she was united in marriage to Gerald “Jerry” Dieterich in Fort Wayne, IN. Trained as a Lutheran parochial school teacher, Eunice taught at schools in Fargo, ND, Fort Wayne and New Haven, IN and Mt. Calvary and Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Schools in La Crosse, WI. She also taught at the Hintgen Public School in La Crosse, and at public schools in Canton, SD and Jackson, TN.

Eunice had a strong faith in Jesus Christ, and always used her gifts to serve. She was a church organist for many years, a member of the choir, she was a Bible Class Teacher, and at her church in Canton, S.D. started a “Kitchen Band". She was a talented artist and enjoyed painting in watercolors, she enjoyed cross stitching, and working in her garden.

She was an advocate for Alzheimer’s Education. Eunice was a devoted wife, and a loving mother, grandmother, and sister.

She is survived by husband of 50 years, Jerry of Tomah, 3 children, Andrew (Marlene) of Minneapolis, MN, Michael (Ruth) of Oshkosh, and Julie (Jeff)Lederman of Sun Prairie, 5 grandchildren, Brock and Brody Lederman, Jutta, Kaia, and Aaron Dieterich, 3 sisters, Louise (Jim) Kruger of Hadar, NE, Paula (Jerry) Schmidt of Fort Wayne, ID, Elizabeth (Rev. Jim) Eggert of Keystone, IA, a brother, Tom (Jennie) Neusiis of Spring Lake, MI, 2 sisters-in-law, Judy (David) Everts of Owatonna, MN, Jean (George) Currier of Red Wing, MN , a brother-in-law, Keith (Susan) Dieterich of St. Ansgar, IA, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister, Lois Ann Neusiis, a father-in-law, Bill Dieterich and mother-in-law Agnes Dieterich.

A Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, 11:00 A.M. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1121 La Grange Ave., Tomah. Pastor Mark W. Benning officiated. Burial will be at a later date. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service.

The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. The family requests that memorials be given to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1121 LaGrange Ave. Tomah, and the American Alzheimer’s Association, 115 Fifth Ave. South Suite 421 LaCrosse, WI 54601 in Eunice’s Memory.

Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.

Lindon Dau service

Mitchell, IA—Lindon (Lindy) P. Dau, 80, of Mitchell Died Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at Mitchell County Hospice in Osage, IA after a long struggle with cancer.

A prayer service will be held February 12, at 2:00 PM at the Faith Lutheran Church in Mitchell, IA. Inurnment will be at a later date at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Mitchell, IA.

Lindon Perry Dau, youngest son of William and Olga (Lind) Dau, was born at Little Cedar, IA on January 26, 1931. He attended rural schools and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1948.

He served in the US Army from 1951 until being honorably discharged in 1953. December 1954, he married Bonnie Lee Beyer at Prairie du Chien, WI and they renewed their vows in 1965.

Lindon farmed and drove truck for Karks, Osage, for years before driving for Ruan Transport, Mason City for 20 years and retiring to enjoy woodworking, antiquing, and keeping an eye on the farming with his good friend David Olson.

Lindon is survived by his wife, Bonnie of 56 years, a sister Sylvia (Robert) Wilson, St. Ansgar, IA; Brothers-inlaw Robert Beyer, Rochester, MNand Gary Roby, Osage, IA; nephews David, Eric, Jeff; nieces Suzette, Penny, Candy and Laurie, and numerous grand nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Henry in 2005 and an infant brother.

Mary Belle Horgen funeral

Mary Belle Horgen, age 94, of Osage, died Saturday, February 12, 2011, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage with Rev. Dennis Hanson and Rev. Roy Ott officiating. Burial was at the Osage Cemetery.

Mary Belle was born March 20, 1916, in David, Iowa, the daughter of Oscar and Belle Edith (McKinney) Fleenor. She attended school in David.

Mary Belle was united in marriage to Glendon Horgen on November 3, 1938 at the parsonage of the Osage Lutheran Church. Mary Belle enjoyed her time as a farm wife, cooked at the Faith Home for 20 years and was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school for several years.

Mary Belle is survived by her daughters, Charlotte Wright of Charles City; Helen (Ron) Tucke of St. Ansgar; sister, Betty (Roger) Moore of DeKalb, IL; a daughter-in-law, Sandi Horgen of MN; 10 grandchildren, Bonnie (Dan) Coyle of Ankeny, Bruce (Suzanne) Wright of Iowa City, Mary (Jim) Spitz of Osage, Glen (Heather) Wright of Osage, Ruth Wright of Des Moines, Kevin (Jennifer) Tucke of Osage, Dan (Laurie) Tucke of Rose Creek, MN, Larry Hall of Virginia, Lonnie Lybarger of MN, Lorrie Lybarger of MN; and 19 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Glendon; a son, Lowell; a brother and four sisters; a grandson; and a son-in-law Donald Wright.

Marcella Stock-Thomas Obituary

Marcella Edna Stock- Thomas, of McAllen, Texas, passed away on January 29, 2011 in McAllen, Texas.

Marcella was born February 10, 1921, the daughter of Caleb Stock and Mary Edith Fuller-Stock, formerly of Kensett, Iowa. Marcella was the devoted wife of Ralph William Thomas.

She and her husband had celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in December, 2010.

She is also survived by her daughter Kathleenellen Thomas- Ford, of Evanston, IL. and her son, George William Thomas, (Janet), of Monterey, CA. Her grandchildren Elizabethellen Ford- Weese, (Kirk), Thomas Ellis Vincent, (Stacey), Jodie Douglas, George William Thomas III, (Pam), Marcella Kate Vincent-Robertson, Douglas Lyman Ford, Robert George Ford, (L. Maria), Geoffery Allan Vincent, (Aimee), Michael Oneil, Alexa Janet Thomas, ErinKathleen Thomas-Hellar, (Shawn). Her great grandchildren, Matthew Weese, Cheyenne Marcella Hasenberg, Katherine Hasenberg, Spencer Douglas Ford, Sofialouise Ford, Michael H. Vincent, Sofia Grace Vincent, Olivia L. Douglas, Alexander Lyman Ford, AnnaElizabeth Vincent, Aubrey Teagren Hellar, Grayson William Thomas and Desmond Ulyssus Hellar. Her nephews, Darryl Stock,( Kay), and Joseph, Jerry and Michael Stock, her nieces Margaret Stock and Mary Margaret Kehr-Grant and their families.

Her daughter Marcella Elizabeth Thomas-Vincent Oneil predeceased her in 2010. She will be remembered by all with love and memories to cherish. A memorial service is pending.

Any donations can be made in her name to the FoodPantry, c/o St. John's Episcopal Church , McAllen Texas.78501