North Central Iowa
Genealogical Society
Box 237
Mason City, Iowa 50402-0237

Obituary Archive

Winnebago County
 Iowa

and surrounding areas
Forest City Summit
105 Clark St. S.  
Forest City IA
50436-1710 

Buffalo Center Tribune
124 N. Main Street
Buffalo Center IA
50424


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Mabel Coomes, 100

November 6, 2002

Mabel A. Coomes, 100, of Mason City, died on Friday, November 1, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 5, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City. Burial was in the Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City.

She is survived by nieces and nephews, Alvada Helvick of Forest City, Donald Johnson and wife, June of Clear Lake, Arlene (Johnson) Goepel and husband, Gene of Britt, Charles Johnson and wife, Virginia of Chula Vista, California and LaVonne (Johnson) Harmon's husband, Dick Harmon of Forest City; grandnieces and grandnephews; great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews; a step-grandson, Jack; and many friends.

A complete obituary appears in the November 6 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Jonathan Bergo, 23

November 6, 2002

Jonathan Julian Wallace Bergo, 23, of Lake Mills, died on Saturday, November 2, 2002, as the result of an automobile accident on his way to his new home at the farm.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 5, at the Sion Lutheran Church in rural Lake Mills. The Reverends Thomas Hagen and Al Stoa officiated. Burial was in the Sion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Lake Mills, with the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his parents, Dennis and Susan Renee Bergo of Lake Mills; sisters, Andrea and husband, Earl Thorton of Chandler, Arizona and Jennifer and husband, Jason Chose of Ventura; step-grandmother, Alica Bergo of Northwood; "Special Grandma", Grace Luella Thompson of Albert Lea, Minnesota; aunts and uncles, Carl and Barb Paulson of Emmons, Minnesota, Alan and Judy Rohne of Glenville, Minnesota, Bruce Bergo of Poway, California, Wallace and Pat Yoho of Des Moines and DeVon and Mary Etta Yoho of Muncie, Indiana; cousins, Scott Paulson and family, Beth and David Benson and family, Matthew Rohne, Mickey and Greg Severtson and family, David and Melissa Yoho, Shawn and Heather Yoho and family, Andrea and Gary Agness and family, Lance and Connie Yoho and family, and Rachel and Jeff Blacker; his God Parents, Bruce Bergo, Ron and Esther Halvorson and Gary and Nancy Hengesteg; "Special Friend", Kim Burt of Belmond; along with several other relatives and friends.

A complete obituary appears in the November 6 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Joe Wubben, 68

November 6, 2002

Joe Wubben, 68, of Buffalo Center, died on Sunday, November 3, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, November 7, at the First Baptist Church in Buffalo Center. The Rev. Paul Haugen will officiate. Burial will be in the Olena Mound Cemetery, Buffalo Center. Visitation will be from 4-8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Winter Funeral Home in Buffalo Center and again one hour before the services at the church.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Alan Henry, 69

November 13, 2002

Alan Henry, 69, of Lake Mills, died on Monday, November 4, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

His body was cremated and there will be no services.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Ora Blanche Thompson, 96

November 13, 2002

Ora Blanche Thompson, 96, died on Tuesday, November 5, 2002, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 9, at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson. The Rev. Mark Decker officiated.

Survivors include her two daughters, Shirley Moklestad and her husband, Bob of Thompson and Joy Dee Bray and her husband, Gil of Galveston, Texas; her daughter-in-law, Charlaine Thompson of Forest City; six grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

A complete obituary appears in the November 13 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Marion Elaine Boyd, 86

November 13, 2002

Marion Elaine Boyd, 86, of Northfield, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, November 5, 2002, at the Dilley Unit of the Northfield Hospital.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 9, at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Northfield. The Rev. John Quam officiated.

Survivors include her son, Neil Boyd and wife, Leah of Forest City; her daughter, Mary Bierman and husband, Jim of Northfield; five grandchildren, Betsy and Max Bierman of Northfield, Jesse Bierman of Portland, Oregon and Brent and Ryan Boyd of Keystone, Colorado; sister-in-law, Lillian Anderson of New Richland; and six nieces and nephews.

A complete obituary appears in the November 13 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Mildred Elizabeth Cordes, 76

November 13, 2002

Mildred Elizabeth Cordes, 76, of Forest City, died on Wednesday, November 6, 2002, at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 9, at the Calvary Baptist Church in Forest City. The Rev. Doug Farrell officiated. Burial was in the Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City, with the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Al Cordes of Forest City; a daughter, Carla Baker of Watertown, New York; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a host of friends.

A complete obituary appears in the November 13 edition of The Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Harley William Brandt, 85

November 13, 2002

Harley William Brandt, 85, of Titonka, died on Wednesday, November 6, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 11, at the Good Hope Lutheran Church in Titonka. The Rev. James Berka officiated.

Survivors include his wife, Elida of Titonka; his children, Ardith Loeschen of Forest City, Margaret Phelps and husband, Merle of Titonka, Dorothy Meisterburg of Des Moines, Robert Brandt and wife, Carolyn of Titonka and Bonnie Eisenstadt and husband, Fred of Sacramento, California; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Marie Bartelt of Titonka; and two brothers, Edward Brandt of Bancroft and Clarence Brandt and wife, Lois of Titonka.

A complete obituary appears in the November 13 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Byron Dean Smeby, 62

November 20, 2002

Byron Dean Smeby, 62, of Rockford, died on Friday, November 8, 2002, after a long courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his family, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 12, at the United Methodist Church in Rockwell. The Rev. Bruce Wittern officiated. Burial was in the Brush Point Cemetery, rural Hanlontown, with the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Smeby of Rockwell; three sons, Terry Smeby and his wife, Janie and their boys, Jordan and Collin of Mason City, Todd Smeby and his wife, Tracy and their girls, Ashley and Brielle of Klemme and Troy Smeby of Rockwell and Katie Pederson of Swaledale; four brothers, Jr. Smeby and his wife, Ruth of Mason City, Royden Smeby and his wife, Verna of Joice, Wally Smeby of Mason City and Glenn Smeby and his wife, Janet of Mason City; a sister, Viola Jurasek and her husband, Jerry of Mason City; his father-in-law, Oscar Davis of Clear Lake; six aunts and uncles; 21 nieces and nephews; as well as other relatives and many friends.

A complete obituary appears in the November 20 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Lyle V. Johnson, 62

November 20, 2002

Lyle V. Johnson, 62, of Amarillo, Texas, died on Sunday, November 10, 2002, at Lubbock, Texas.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, November 14, at the Paramount Baptist Church. Dr. Gil Lain, Rev. David Abbey and Rev. Hobert Baxter officiated.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Johnson of Amarillo; three sons, Tedd Carl Johnson and wife, JoLynn of Denver, Colorado, Christopher David Johnson and wife, Cindy of Dumas, Texas and Daniel Scott Johnson and wife, Melanie of Lubbock, Texas; a sister, Margaret Abbey of Greenville, Tennessee; a brother, Ralph Johnson of Forest City; seven grandsons, Holden Lyle, Dylan, Kastle Lee, Connor, Denim Cole, Carson and Colton.

A complete obituary appears in the November 20 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Emma L. Boman, 94

November 20, 2002

Emma L. Boman, 94, of Forest City, died on Monday, November 11, 2002, in Denver, Colorado.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, November 16, at the First Baptist Church in Forest City. The Rev. John Messer officiated. Burial was in the First Baptist Cemetery in Forest City, with the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include a son, Gerald Boman and wife, Mary Jo of Palm City, Florida; a daughter, Sue Messer and her husband, John of Littleton, Colorado; a son-in-law, Lowell Waldemar and his wife, Marilynn of Hesperia, California; seven grandchildren, Douglas Waldemar and his wife, Bonnie of Washington, Illinois, Becky Card and her husband, Doug of Hesperia, California, Karen Schardt and her husband, Doug of Deshler, Nebraska, Janet Coe and her husband, Rob of Mukilteo, Washington, Greg Boman and his wife, Becky of Castle Rock, Colorado, Jennifer La Fleur and her husband, Mark of Seattle, Washington and Tasha Herron and her husband, Daniel of Littleton, Colorado; 14 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

A complete obituary appears in the November 20 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Sanford Rogeness, 85

November 20, 2002

Sanford Rogeness, 85, of Britt, died on Wednesday, November 13, 2002, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, November 17, at the United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake. The Rev. Gary Marzolf officiated.

Survivors include a sister, Lila Rogeness of Britt; two sisters-in-law, Gladys Rogeness of Britt and Ruby Rogeness of North Riverside, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.

A complete obituary appears in the November 20 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



William H. "Buster" Cooper, 87

November 20, 2002

William H. "Buster" Cooper, 87, of Clear Lake, died on Thursday, November 14, 2002, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 18, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake. Rev. Kermit Roisen and Rev. Ed Bard, Chaplin of Hospice of North Iowa, officiated. Burial was in the Madison Township Cemetery, Forest City, with the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Muriel Cooper of Clear Lake; two children, Wayne Cooper and his wife, Jean of Des Moines and Vicki Anderson and her husband, William of Clear Lake; six grandchildren, Gregory Cooper of Oskaloosa, Michelle Lane of Omaha, Nebraska, Kimberly Cooper of Des Moines, Chad Willis of Chicago, Illinois, Stephanie Willis of Ames and Brent Willis of Clear Lake; three great-grandchildren, Jamie, Katie and Emily; and one sister, Gertrude Knoll and her husband, Bud of Mason City.

A complete obituary appears in the November 20 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Agnes E. Peck, 102

November 20, 2002

Agnes E. Peck, 102, of Forest City, died on Thursday, November 14, 2002, at the Westview Care Center in Britt.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 16, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City. The Rev. Gary Marzolf officiated. Burial was in the Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City.

There are no survivors from her family.

A complete obituary appears in the November 20 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Doris Gangstead, 87

November 27, 2002

Doris Gangstead, 87, of Decorah, died on Monday, November 18, 2002, at the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah.

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Friday, November 29, at the Decorah Lutheran Church. The Rev. James Glesne will officiate. The Fjelstad Funeral Home in Decorah is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial gifts may be directed to Waldorf College, Luther College, Luther Seminary, or to a beneficiary of individual choice.

Survivors include her husband, Owen; her children, Lois Kremer of Helmstedt, Germany, Rebecca Ferguson of Spring, Texas, Stephen of Minneapolis and Dan of Cedar Rapids; nine grandchildren, Johanna, Nikolaus, Susanne, Pamela, Tim, Peter, Elisabeth, Rachel and Jonas; two brothers; and one sister, along with her extended family.

A complete obituary appears in the November 27 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Lois S. Otis, 76

November 27, 2002

Lois S. Otis, 76, of Forest City, died on Monday, November 18, 2002, at her home. 

Funeral services were held on Thursday, November 21, at the St. James Catholic Church in Forest City. The Rev. Jerry Blake officiated. Burial was in the St. James Catholic Cemetery in Forest City, with the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City in charge of the arrangements..

Survivors include her daughter, Susan Ouverson and her husband, Lowell and their daughter, Amanda of Joice; her sons, Dennis Swalve of Denver, Colorado and Douglas Swalve of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and his children, Jason and Rachel Swalve of Santa Barbara, California and Nathan Swalve of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; great-granddaughter, Kailee Swalve of Oklahoma City; brothers, Kenneth Sorenson and wife, Leona of Crystal Lake and Wilbur Sorenson and wife, Arlene of Rochester, Minnesota; sisters, Doryce Hanna of Woden, Dorothy Brown and husband, Gary of Corwith, Paulette Dahle and husband, Ron of Woden and Elizabeth Barnum and husband, Ed of Blaine, Minnesota; brothers-in-law, Herbert Schubert of Garner, LaVern Holtorf of Ankeny and James Otis and wife, Agnes of Forest City; sisters-in-law, Genevieve Sorenson of Forest City, Marjorie Sorenson of Britt, Wilma Sorenson of Maine, Ellen Sorenson of Woden, Vivian Sampson of Forest City, Violet Otis of Madison Lake, Minnesota and Gloria Eymann of Olathe, Kansas; along with many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

A complete obituary appears in the November 27 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Lewis Charles "Chuck" Lindgren, 56

November 27, 2002

Lewis Charles "Chuck" Lindgren, 56, of Clear Lake, died on Tuesday, November 19, 2002, at his home.

Memorial services were held on Friday, November 22, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake. The Rev. Kermit Roisen officiated. Inurnment will be at a later date. The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy Lindgren of Clear Lake; his children, Andrea Baltzell and her husband, John of Eden Prairie, Minnesota and Erik Lindgren and his wife, Dawn of Osage; two grandchildren, Morgan and Lauren Baltzell of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; as well as other relatives and friends.

A complete obituary appears in the November 27 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



James J. Helwig, 61

November 27, 2002

James J. Helwig, 61, of Mondovi, Wisconsin, formerly of Forest City, died unexpectedly at his residence on Wednesday, November 20, 2002.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 25, at the Central Lutheran Church in Mondovi. The Rev. James Tallman officiated. Burial was in the Oak Park Cemetery in Mondovi, with the Poeschel Funeral Home in Mondovi in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Rosie; two daughters, Jamie (Robert) Davison of Forest City and Jodie Vaage of Clear Lake; five grandchildren, Ashlee, Christina and Jenna Davison and Drew and Jennie Vaage; a sister, Mary Jo (Marlow) Geske of Fall Creek, Wisconsin; two sisters-in-law, Ruth Chrisler of Phoenix, Arizona and Gwen (Mark) Browskowski of Mondovi; two step-sisters and a brother-in- law, Nancy (Walt) Wilson of Rochester, Minnesota, Sue (Alan ) Czarnowsky of Woodbury, Minnesota and Paul (Solveiga) Kisselburg of Stillwater, Minnesota; along with nieces and nephews.

A complete obituary appears in the November 27 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Vincent M. Zrostlik, 70

November 27, 2002

Vincent M. Zrostlik, 70, of Forest City, died on Saturday, November 23, 2002, at his home. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, November 30, at the St. James Catholic Church in Forest City. The Rev. Jerry Blake will officiate. Burial will be in the St. James Catholic Cemetery in Forest City. Visitation is from 5-8:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City. There will be a Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary Service following.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Cheryl; their daughter, Kathleen Knox and husband, Troy of Des Moines; brothers, Leonard of Clear Lake, Don and wife, Connie of Austin, Texas, Edwin and wife, Annabelle of Norco, California and Bernard of Martinez, California; sisters, Regina Studer and husband, Jerry, Dorothy Hestness and husband, Jerry, all of Mason City, Margaret Mostrom of Clearwater, Florida, Rose Mary Zrostlik of Omaha, Nebraska and Rita Shipman and husband, Sam of Grimes; along with many uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A complete obituary appears in the November 27 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Josephine Balvance, 87

November 27, 2002

Josephine Balvance, 87, of Buffalo Center, died on Sunday, November 24, 2002, at the United Hospital in Blue Earth, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., today Wednesday, November 27, at the First Congregational Church in Buffalo Center. The Rev. David Langer will officiate. Burial will be in the Olena Mound Cemetery in Buffalo Center, with the Winter Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include two sisters, Mary Ross of Marshalltown and Bertha Roth of Titonka; along with many nieces and nephews.

A complete obituary appears in the November 27 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit



Lloyd Rygh, 83

November 27, 2002

Lloyd Rygh, 83, of Rake, died on Sunday, November 24, 2002, at his home after a lengthy battle with ALS.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., today Wednesday, November 27, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Thompson. The Rev. Dani Jo Ninke-Greaver will officiate. Burial will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, with the Winter Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Wanda; five children, Linda and her husband, John Reuter of Jesup, Ronald Rygh of rural Thompson, Suzanne and her husband, Frank Wedel of Lake Mills, Wisconsin, Thomas Rygh of rural Thompson and Lance Rygh of Dubuque; seven grandchildren, D.J. Cagley and his wife, Nicole, Amy (Cagley) and her husband, Brian Bucknell, Vicki and Adam Lamos and Zach, Eli and Charlie Wedel; and two sisters, Bernice Rygh and Mavis Flo, both of Albert Lea, Minnesota.

A complete obituary appears in the November 27 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

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