Jennie Lewerke, 91

Published June 8, 2005, Page B-5

Jennie Lewerke, 91, of Mason City, died on Saturday, June 4, 2005, at the IOOF Home in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 9, at the Rolling Acres Christian Reformed Christian Church in Mason City, with Pastor Jack Vanden Heuvel officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City, with the Hogan-Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel in charge of the arrangements.

Jennie Lewerke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dick Van Ravenhorst, was born on August 3, 1913 in Barnevold, Holland. At the age of six, Jennie moved to America with her parents and siblings. They settled in Rock Valley and later the Hollandale, Minnesota area, where she attended school. On February 26, 1934, she was united in marriage to Lewie Lewerke in Hollandale, Minnesota. They moved to the Crystal Lake area where they were vegetable farmers. In their vegetable growing years, truckers from the Midwest and local customers made sure they arrived around coffee, tea or dinner time. They would always be invited in to dine and socialize. Due to their strong Christian beliefs, there was a large entry sign stating "No Sale on Sunday" that greeted everyone. They retired in 1967 and moved to Mason City. Jennie worked as a banquet waitress for over 25 years at the Sheraton and Hanford Inn Mason City.

Jennie enjoyed canning, gardening, morning coffee and afternoon tea with her family and friends, but the greatest joy in life was spending time with her family. She was a member of the Woden Christian Reformed Church, until she moved to Mason City and became a member of the Rolling Acres Christian Reformed Church.

Jennie will be sadly missed by her four children, Ella Frenz, Dick Lewerke and his wife, Bonnie, Al Lewerke and his wife, Barb and Zelda Elwood and her husband, Larry, all of Mason City; twelve grandchildren, Cindy (Dan) Mueller, Bob Frenz, Penny (James) Frenz Thornton, Kim Richardson, Brian (Jan) Lewerke, Sherry Lewerke, Brad Lewerke, Christine Lewerke, Toma Elwood, Greg Bennett, Troy (Amy) Elwood and Trevor (Sarah) Elwood; six great-grandchildren, Brook Frenz, Brianna Lewerke, Brandon Lewerke, Taylor Richardson, William Elwood and Madelyn Elwood; three sister-in-laws, Hilda Loecker of Clarks Grove, Minnesota, Esther Van Ravenhorst of Albert Lea, Minnesota and Lois Van Ravenhorst of Lake Mills.

Jennie was preceded in death by her parents; husband and his 14 brothers and sisters; son-in-law, Bob Frenz; and her 12 brothers and sisters.
© 2005 Forest City Summit

Orle Severson, 92

Published June 15, 2005, Page B-5

Orle M. Severson, 92, of Forest City, died on Monday, June 6, 2005, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 8, at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Leland, with the Rev. Lee Laaveg officiating. Burial was in the Forest Home Cemetery in Leland, with the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Orle Milford Severson, son of Edd O. and Isabel (Indvick) Severson, was born on February 15, 1913, on a farm in Winnebago County. Orle was baptized and confirmed at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Leland. He attended the rural schools in Newton Township. On February 18, 1939, he was united in marriage to Neva A. Bell in Mason City. They lived in Leland where they raised their three children. Neva passed away on March 27, 1945. On June 5, 1976, he married Sylvia A. Haugen in Cedar Rapids. Orle owned Severson Trucking and trucked for 38 years before retiring.

He enjoyed traveling and spending winters in Texas for 26 years with family and friends. In October of 2002 he entered the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City.

Orle is survived by his wife, Sylvia of Forest City; three children, Jerry (Mary Lou) Severson of McDonough, Georgia, Marilyn (Ed) Hrubes of Henderson, Nevada and Dennis (Cathy) Severson of Eagan, Minnesota; six grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and seven sisters-in-law, Almira Bell of Thompson, Marjorie Sorenson of Britt, Opal Devries of Buffalo Center, Virginia Meinecke of Leland, Cleora Severson of Escalon, California, Virginia Wessels of Forest City and Lois Hanna of Woden.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Neva; his parents; a sister, Lorraine Olson; and four brothers, Ellsworth, Merle, Edward and John "Bob" Severson.
© 2005 Forest City Summit

Elwyn "AL" Schaefer, 74

Published June 29, 2005, Page B-5

Elwyn H. Schaefer, 74, of Guttenberg, died on Wednesday, June 8, 2005, at the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital following a sudden illness.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 11, at the St. John's Lutheran Church, Guttenberg, with Rev. Harold McMillin officiating. Casket bearers were Gerald Block, Dave Tschantz, Dave Zimmer, Kevin Mommer, Howie Bell and Gary Sloper. Interment was in the Guttenberg City Cemetery.

Elwyn H., the son of Emery and Caroline (Smid) Schaefer, was born on September 8, 1930 in Klemme. "Al" graduated from the Forest City High School, then served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He worked as an Iowa Highway Patrolman and for the Guttenberg Police Department for many years.

He was a member of the Northeast Iowa Peace Officers; president of the Pool League DCLPA; Eagles Aerie No. 4114 and AMVETS. He enjoyed cooking, gardening, mowing the lawn, spending time with his family on the river, water skiing, fixing motors and was a Golden Gloves boxer. He was united in marriage with Marilyn Jordahl in Forest City.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Marilyn; daughter, Lynn (Dan) Schmitt of Guttenberg; sons, Don (Tammie) Schaefer of Colesburg and Mike (Tonya) Schaefer of Guttenberg; brothers, Don (Mary) Schaefer of Bettendorf, Roger (Mary) Schaefer and Harvey (Ole) Schaefer, both of Forest City; grandchildren, Cole Schaefer, Clayton Schaefer, Nathan Schaefer, Dalton Grinstead, Jarid Grinstead and Ciaira Grinstead.

He was preceded in death by his parents.
© 2005 Forest City Summit

Daniel Thorland, 85

Published June 22, 2005, Page B-5

Daniel T. Thorland, 85, of Thompson, died on Saturday, June 11, 2005, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames from cancer.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 15, at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson, with Rev. Mark Decker officiating. Burial took place in the Rose Hill Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the Thompson Color Guard. The Winter Funeral Home & Cremation Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Daniel Thomas Thorland, son of Osmund R. and Emma Olive (Mattison) Thorland, was born on August 16, 1919, on the family farm south of Thompson. He was baptized at the Linden Lutheran Church, confirmed and a life-long attendee of the Bethany Lutheran Church. He attended country school and graduated from the Thompson High School in 1937. Daniel attended Iowa State College (University) and then enlisted in the Army in 1941. He served primarily in Dutch Harbor (Aleutian Islands) and India (Burma Theatre) until 1945. On December 26, 1944, he was united in marriage to Mary Lavonne Doyle at the church parsonage. They made Thompson their home. After his honorable discharge from the service, Daniel worked first for Ira Link Farm Machinery & Sales, then the Thompson Farmer's Co-Op Elevator. He became a Thompson rural mail carrier in 1948 and also worked part time at Standard Oil for Bill Erickson for 10 years. In 1961, Dan and Mary purchased the Anderson's farm south and west of Thompson and he then farmed part time. He retired in 1980 as the rural mail carrier.

Dan enjoyed family, reciting poetry, teasing kids, telling corny jokes, playing frisbee, watching college sports, listening to music, fishing, camping and marveled at the wonders of nature.

Daniel is survived by his wife, Mary; a sister, Rachel Retland of Thompson; two daughters and grandchildren, Vicky Thorland-Oster and her husband, George Oster and their children, Nathaniel and Jessica of Ames and Cynthia Thorland and her husband, Fritz Weitz of Des Moines; a son-in-law, Richard Rabb of Omaha, Nebraska and his children, Carla Bukalski and her husband, Mark and their daughter, Jackie of Oak Park, Illinois and Daniel Rabb and his wife, Laura and their daughter, Karen Grace of St. Louis, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Char Oulman of Thompson; and by many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Jacque Rabb; one son, Larry Thorland; and nine siblings, Harold, Judith, Emmet, Victor, Randolph, twin brother David, Irene, Paul Stanley and Erling.

Donations may be made to the Winnebago County Conservation Board in Forest City or in support of the Oncology Department at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.
© 2005 Forest City Summit

Diane K. Oldfather, 60

Published June 22, 2005, Page B-5

Diane K. Oldfather, 60, of Lake Mills, died on Tuesday, June 14, 2005, at her home.

Funeral services are pending at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills.
© 2005 Forest City Summit

Ileene Ptacek, 84

Published June 22, 2005, Page B-5

Ileene Agnes Ptacek, 84, of Britt, died on Thursday, June 16, 2005, at the Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 20, at 10:30 a.m., at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt, with Father Jerry Blake officiating. Interment was in the St. John Cemetery in Duncan, with the Ewing Dugger Funeral Chapel in charge of the arrangements.

Ileene, daughter of Bernard and Caroline Lang Kunkel, was born on June 7, 1921 in St. Benedict. Ileene was raised on the family farm along with her 14 siblings. As a young child, Ileene attended parochial school at the St. Benedict Catholic School. On January 6, 1942, Ileene was united in marriage with Anton Ptacek in St. Benedict. The couple made their home on a farm near Corwith where Ileene was a fulltime wife and homemaker. The family left the Corwith area in 1954 and moved to the Ptacek family farm south of Duncan. They resided there until 1959 when they moved into Britt. Ileene was employed with the Nebraska Milk Packaging Company in Britt until it was closed; she then went to work at Winnebago Industries in Forest City until 1986 when she retired.

Following her retirement, Ileene enjoyed playing cards, knitting, reading and making crafts. She also enjoyed playing bingo and volunteering for the residents at the local care center. She was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt and the Rosary Society. Ileene was also a member of a birthday club and knitting group.

Ileene is survived by three daughters, Sondra Schleuger and her husband, Darold of Forest City, Jan Farquhar and her husband, John of Klemme and Sharon Holck and her husband, Tom of Quincy, Illinois; eleven grandchildren, Cheryl Goll and her husband, Brian, Carol Kirschbaum and her husband, Mike, Carla Campbell, Curt Schleuger and his wife, Gina, Tracy Potbury and her husband, Philip, Tony Raw and his wife, Jennifer, Tammy Bigwood and her husband, Steve, Ryan Holck, Steve Holck, Kevin Holck and Ian Holck; fourteen great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; nine brothers and sisters, George Kunkel and his wife, Evelyn, Kathleen Becker, Rita Frankl and her husband, Gerald, Bernard Kunkel and his wife, Elsie, Virgil Kunkel, Omer Kunkel and his wife, Margaret, Conrad Kunkel and his wife, Rosella, Edna Ziemet and Rose Marie Schiltz and her husband, Ed; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Anton in 1991; two sisters, Veronica Spangler and Jean Marie Kunkel; three brothers, James, Robert and Clarence Dean; and son-in-law, Bill Raw.
© 2005 Forest City Summit

Dewie Gibbs, 86

Published June 29, 2005, Page B-5

Dewie Gibbs, 86, of Gamer, died on Tuesday, June 21, 2005, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services were held on Friday, June 24, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with the Rev. David Wagner officiating. Music was provided by organist, Mary Kopacek who accompanied soloist, Warren Torkelson and congregational hymns. Ushers were Marvin and Maynard Schoneman. Casket bearers were Scott VanDusseldorp, Ray Ryerson, John Strange, Arlyn Askildson, Gary Schisel and Darl Schmidt. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery in Gamer. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Dewie Harriet, the daughter of Halvor and Josephine (Beckjordan) Halvorson, was born on November 13, 1918 at Leland. She was baptized and confirmed at the Winnebago Lutheran Church northeast of Leland. She attended the rural schools near Leland. When she was six years old her father died and she and her siblings helped her mother on the farm. On January 7, 1939, she was married to Joe Virgil Schultz at the Methodist Parsonage in Klemme. They lived in Forest City until 1948 when they moved to Gamer where she did some baby sitting and worked at several cafes in town. She also worked for the Gamer-Hayfield School District in the lunch program and later at the Concord Care Center until she retired at the age of 67. On December 31, 1990, her husband, Joe, passed away. On April 9, 1994, she was married to Asa Gibbs at the United Methodist Church in Gamer. In August of 2004, they moved to Cardinal Grove Assisted Living in Garner. The past few months Dewie had resided at the Concord Care Center.

She enjoyed her family, gardening, playing cards, working puzzles, reading, fishing and going to garage sales. Dewie was a member of the United Methodist Church and UMW - Ruth Circle.

Dewie is survived by her husband, Asa of Gamer; children, Judy Wetterling and fiancée, Ray Ryerson of Garner, Susan Strange and husband, John of Azle, Texas and Tom Schultz and wife, Julia of Gamer; a stepson, Joe Gibbs and wife, Kathy of Gamer; grandchildren, Jim Wetterling of Garner, Debra (Brian) Morel of Watagua, Texas, Kim Gibson of Fort Worth, Texas, Ron (Ellen) Wetterling of Parker, Colorado, Tracy (Justin) Klimisch of Galveston, Texas, Angie (Scott) VanDusseldorp of Gamer, Joe Schultz of Garner, Tara Schultz of Garner, Heather Ross of Azle, Texas and Marisa Gibson of Azle, Texas; step-grandchildren, Pam Hrubes of Chanhassen, Minnesota, Dan (Carol) Hrubes of Ankeny, Melissa (Bob) Obomy of Ankeny and Joe Gibbs, Jr. of Mason City; ten great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Pearl Peters of Forest City; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Joe; her parents; son, Gary on November 19, 1976; sisters, Lillian, Bella, Amy and Florence; and a brother, Menford.
© 2005 Forest City Summit

Lois Smidt, 85

Published June 29, 2005, Page B-5

Lois Smidt, 85, died on Tuesday June 21, 2005, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, June 17, at the Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake, with Pastor Dave Wiersbe officiating. Interment was in the Madison Township Cemetery, Forest City, with the Ward Van Slyke Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Lois Alvina, the daughter of Ezra and Fern (Dingman) Smidt, was born on March 10, 1920 in rural Thompson. Lois lived at home with her parents until her mother died and then spent her remaining years at Duncan Heights, Concord Care Center, Opportunity Village and Oakwood Care Center. The family would like to thank the staff for the wonderful care that was given to her. Lois enjoyed her visits with her family, friends, her pastor and listening to Rod Carlson sing. She will always be known for her beautiful smile. She was a member of the Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake.

Lois is survived by her sisters, Ruth B. Ouverson of Fertile and Darlene Holecek and her husband, Glen of Centuria, Wisconsin; brother, Donald Smidt and his wife, Marvel of Forest City; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother-in-law, Harold "Moke" Ouverson; and an infant sister.
© 2005 Forest City Summit

Fredrick Follman, 47

Published July 13, 2005, Page B-5

Fredrick L. Follman, died on Thursday, June 30, 2005, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 2, at the United Methodist Church in Forest City, with Reverend Catherine Luck officiating. Burial was in the Buffalo Township Cemetery in Titonka. Arrangements were handled by the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Titonka.

Fredrick LaVerl, was born on September 18, 1957 in Blue Earth, Minnesota, the son of LaVerl and Caralee Rippentrop Follman. In 1960, the family moved to Titonka from Delavan, Minnesota. Fred attended school in Titonka and graduated from the Titonka High School in 1976. After his schooling he went to work at Winnebago Industries in Forest City. In September of 1976 Fredrick was united in marriage to Colleen Jentz in Titonka. He started with the Iowa Department of Transportation in 1989, was currently employed with them at the time of his death.

Fred was a hard worker and enjoyed his job very much, as well as fishing, hunting and his cows. He was a member of Pheasants Forever, the United Methodist Church in Forest City and a past member of Duck's Unlimited.

He is survived by his sons, Troy (Petra) Follman of Bullhead City, Arizona, Josh (Sandra) Follman of Forest City and Benjamin Follman of Forest City; three grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; parents, LaVerl and Marge Follman of Titonka and Caralee and Bob Wright of Clinton. Also surviving are three sisters, Saralee and Dan Vulich of Parkersburg, West Virginia, Jeannie and Michael O'Rourke of Forest City and Thalia and Joel Clement of Clinton; special friend, MaDonna Merriam of Forest City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Vanessa and Valerie Follman; and maternal and paternal grandparents.
© 2005 Forest City Summit