Myrle J. Jefson, 82

October 9, 2007

Myrle J. Jefson, age 82, of Forest City, died on Thursday, October 4, 2007, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, October 9, at the United Methodist Church in Forest City, with Pastor Jerald Swanberg officiating. Burial was in the Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City. Visitation was held on Monday, October 8, at the funeral home and an hour prior to the service at the church. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Myrle James Jefson, was born in Ellington Township near Miller, Iowa, on October 29, 1924, to Sam and Florence (Schlichting) Jefson. He received his education in Ellington and graduated from the Forest City High School in 1942. Myrle enlisted in the Army and served three years in the European Theater in the 60 MM Mortar Squad, G Company, 347th Regiment, 87th Infantry Division, 3rd Army under General George S. Patton. He earned a Purple Heart for wounds sustained during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944.

Myrle farmed with his father for two years after the end of WW II. During this time he married Marjorie Zavitz on June 19, 1946 at the Little Brown Church in the Vale. He started working for the Forest City Motor Company operating a parts truck, then selling farm machinery and eventually General Motors vehicles and Winnebago Motor Homes. The Forest City Motor Company became Teslow Chevrolet-Oldsmobile and then Lichtsinn Motors. When Myrle retired in 1988 he was the Sales Manager.

Myrle was active in the community. He served 23 years on the Forest City Park Board. As a life member of the American Legion he held many official positions including Commander of Post 121 and Winnebago County, District Vice Commander and Commander, and Vice Commander for the State of Iowa. He was President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce at the same time he served on the 1955 Forest City Centennial Board. Myrle was a life-long member of the Forest City United Methodist Church.

Myrle enjoyed his life. He enjoyed his work as a salesman and the people he sold cars to. Myrle took many trips to Canada fishing and to Wyoming hunting. He thoroughly enjoyed the sport of golf. Myrle always said it wasn't the activity but the people with you and in this he was blessed with many great companions. Myrle loved his extended family and always looked forward to two annual events, the July 4th Jefson Reunion and the Thanksgiving Day feast and football game.

Myrle is survived by his wife, Marjorie of Forest City; his sons, Monte and his wife, Pauline (Poticha) Jefson of Wichita, Kansas and Mark and his wife, Elizabeth (Martin) Jefson and their sons, Jacob and Aaron; and daughter, Lea, all of Anchorage, Alaska. Myrle is also survived by his sister, Ruth (Jefson) Anderson of Forest City; and many nieces and nephews and their families.

Myrle was preceded in death by his parents; his grandson, Ian; his brother, Lyle and his wife, Velma Jefson; his brother-in-law, Carroll Anderson; and his niece, Ellen and her husband, Dan Lehto.
© 2007 Forest City Summit

Caden Matthew Purcell, Infant

October 9, 2007

The exciting moments of pregnancy have turned to sorrow and heartfelt loss with the death on Thursday, October 4, 2007, of the infant, Caden Matthew Purcell, son of  Matthew Purcell and Brenda Teneyck, of Clear Lake and brothers, Brandon, Seth and Caleb Teneyck; grandson of Robert and Janice Purcell, Vicki Sharp, Randy Teneyck and Terry and Jan Lampe.
© 2007 Forest City Summit

Harold Hill, 82

October 9, 2007

Harold Gordon Hill, 82, of Kanawha, died on Thursday, October 4, 2007, at his home.

Private graveside services will be held at a later date. The Cremation Society of Eastern-Central-Western Iowa is assisting with the funeral arrangements. Memorials may be made in Harold's name to the Kanawha Lutheran Church or to the Kanawha Emergency Medical Technician Program.

Harold was born on July 2, 1925 in Kanawha, to Helmer and Marie (Faust) Hill. He graduated from the Corwith High School in 1943. Harold married Audrey Mae Fosen on September 4, 1948 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. He was born, raised, and lived his entire life on the family farm in Kanawha and also worked at Kiefer Built Industries for many years.

Harold served his country in the United States Army during World War II and was stationed in Luzon in the Philippines.

Harold was a member of the Kanawha Lutheran Church and the American Legion. He enjoyed sports of any kind at any time and he was the first person to score a perfect 300 at the Kanawha bowling alley. In 1943, Harold and his brother, John were both State Baseball Champs for the Corwith baseball team. He was a St. Louis Cardinal fan and played in Bancroft and with other traveling baseball teams. Harold also played baseball while in the service during World War II.

Survivors include his two sons, Spencer (Joice) Hill and Rex (Deb) Hill, both of Kanawha; two daughters, Emily Hill of Kanawha and Terri (Duane) Hermen of Mason City; and one brother, John (Evelyn) Hill of Kanawha.

Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Nathanial, Patrea, Remington, Molly, Haley, Lanse, Hillary and Aaron; and seven great-grandchildren, Kelli Jo, Liliana, Ethan, Julia, Zackary, Teaghan, and Colin.

His parents and wife preceded him in death.

Harold will be missed by many.
© 2007 Forest City Summit

Fern L. Hauan, 95

October 16, 2007

Fern L. Hauan, age 95, of Thompson, died on Friday, October 12, 2007, at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, October 17, at 1:00 p.m., at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson, with Pastor Mark Decker officiating. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Thompson. Visitation was on Wednesday, October 17, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Fern Lucille Lura, was born in McCallsburg, Iowa on August 27, 1912, the daughter of Paul and Sophia (Strum) Lura. She moved with her family to Winnebago County in 1920 and received her education in Thompson. She graduated from high school there in 1930.

Fern married Henry Hauan on December 28, 1935 in Dows, Iowa. The couple farmed for many years near Thompson where they attended the Linden Lutheran Church. In the late 1970s they retired and moved into town.

Fern was an active member of the Bethany Lutheran Church after moving to Thompson. She enjoyed being a member of her community and loved participating in all the local events. She was involved with the Senior Center and treasured time spent with her family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Louis Seitz of Monona, Iowa and five grandchildren, Jan (Devin) Guyer and family, Kent (Lissa) Seitz and family, Kevin (Lisa) Seitz and family; Kerry Seitz and Kris (Amy) Seitz and their son; and nieces, nephews and friends.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Henry; two brothers; and a sister.
© 2007 Forest City Summit

Marcia J. Hermanson, 55

October 16, 2007

Marcia J. Hermanson, age 55, of Scarville, died on Saturday, October 13, 2007, at the Albert Lea Medical Center in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Memorial services were held on Tuesday, October 16, at the Bethel Lutheran Church, Vinje, Iowa, with Pastor Chris Fiske officiating. Inurnment will take place in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Scarville, Iowa.

Visitation with the family was one hour prior to the services at the church.
© 2007 Forest City Summit

Ruth Nyhus, 88

October 23, 2007

Ruth Nyhus, age 88, of Forest City, died on Wednesday, October 17, 2007, at the Mayo Medical Complex in Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral service were held on Saturday, October 20, at the United Methodist Church in Forest City, with Pastor Jerald Swanberg officiating. Burial was in the Oakland Cemetery in Forest City. Visitation was held on Friday, October 19, at the funeral home and an hour prior to the service at the church. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Ruth Maxine Nyhus, daughter of Louis and Mary (Munson) Nyhus was born on May 1, 1919 in Forest City. She graduated from the Forest City High School and furthered her education by taking correspondence classes.

Ruth spent several years working for Ralph Bowen in his grocery store. She began working as a teller at the Forest City Bank, eventually becoming a loan officer. She later worked for Manufacturers Bank and Trust until her retirement in 1994.

Ruth was an active member of the United Methodist Church, Winnebago Retired School Personnel, a former member of the Lioness Club and other local organizations. She enjoyed traveling, flowers & gardening and spending time with family and friends.

Ruth is survived by a sister, Lorraine Nyhus of Forest City; and five nieces, JoAnn Kellis of Des Moines, Nancy Swenson of Forest City, Jane Benson of Forest City, Kathy Fick of Luverne, Minnesota and Jean Pederson of Minneapolis.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, James and Thomas Nyhus; sisters, Edna Bakken and Helen Gustafson; and a nephew, Ron Bakken.
© 2007 Forest City Summit

Leslie Schroader, 80

October 23, 2007

Leslie Schroader, age 80, of Alden, Minnesota, died on Friday, October 19, 2007, at the Albert Lea Medical Center in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 24, at the Peace United Church of Christ in Minnesota Lake, Minnesota. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 23, at the Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Pastor Susan Cline will officiate and burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery in Forest City.

Leslie Franklin Schroader, was born on May 16, 1927, the son of Franklin and Ula (Andersen) Schroader in Thompson. Les graduated from the Forest City High School and attended the Wells Teachers Training and Mankato State Teachers College. On June 21, 1953, he was united in marriage to Beata Neubauer in Kiester, Minnesota.

He taught elementary grades 5 & 6 along with high school art classes. After his retirement he taught art classes and English composition at NIACC. He taught school for 37 years. Les also loved flowers and had worked many years at Wedge Nursery in Albert Lea. Les enjoyed horticulture and was a certified master gardener, having judged arrangements at the fairs. Over the years, he arranged flowers for weddings and special occasions. He did demonstrations and presentations on flowers all over the United States. Leslie loved horses, and was a charter member of the saddle club in Kiester, Minnesota.

Les enjoyed traveling, meeting new people and experiencing new things. He was active in the Peace Church in Minnesota Lake, Minnesota.

He is survived by his wife, Beata Schroader of Alden, Minnesota; 5 children, Denise Olsen of Albert Lea, Jacquie Gilham of Helena, Montana, Scott (Janice) Schroader of Albert Lea, Craig (Christine) Schroader of Mapleton, Minnesota and Ramona Anderson of Albert Lea; 14 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Marian “Dolly” Bitker of Tuscan, Arizona; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents and one sister, Leona Nesheim.
© 2007 Forest City Summit

Dorothy Larson, 88

October 23, 2007

Dorothy H. Larson, 88, of Britt, passed away on Friday, October 19, 2007, at the Westview Care Center in Britt.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 24, at 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Britt, with Pastor Robert Dodge officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday.
© 2007 Forest City Summit

Jerome A. Nyguard, 62

October 30, 2007

Jerome (Jerry) Arthur Nyguard, age 62, of Leland, died on Tuesday, October 23, 2007, in the Fairview Hospital at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 27, at the Winnebago Lutheran Church in rural Lake Mills, with Pastor Bill Peters officiating. Burial was in the Winnebago Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation was on Friday, October 26, at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Jerome (Jerry) Arthur Nyguard, was born in Forest City on October 6, 1945, the son of Edward Arnold and Ruth (Bechtel) Nyguard. He was baptized at the Winnebago Lutheran Church in rural Lake Mills on January 8, 1946 and was confirmed on June 5, 1960. Jerry was a life-long member of the Winnebago Lutheran Church, where he had previously served on the church council and as Congregation President.

Jerry received his education in Lake Mills and graduated from the Lake Mills High School in 1963. After graduation, he worked for Marlin Nolte doing custom corn shelling and then at Walker Deluxe in Lake Mills. Jerry began working as a plumber on the line at Winnebago Industries on April 10, 1967, before beginning work at Customer Service in November of 1971, where he was a service technician and supervisor. In 1994, he became Service Advisor for Dealer Technical Support, a position he held until health problems forced him to quit working in May of 2007. He achieved the status of Master Certified Technician by RVDA. Also, he was very proud of being a charter member of PEO (Plant Emergency Organization). In April, he celebrated his 40th anniversary with Winnebago.

On September 15, 1973, he was united in marriage to Ruth Elaine Schomburg at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Latimer, Iowa. This union was blessed with three children, Kent, Kurt and Keri.

Jerry farmed the family farm with his dad and continued farming for several years after his dad's death. He enjoyed keeping his older model John Deere tractors running and attending tractor pulls. Being a Ham Radio Operator was another favorite hobby of his.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Nyguard of Leland; three children, Kent Nyguard and Heather Richardson of Crystal Lake, Kurt Nyguard and Chrissy Wolf of Duluth, Minnesota and Keri Nyguard of Leland and Jared Peterson of Scarville; granddaughter, Sydney Michelle Nyguard; three aunts, Arlene Nyguard of Lake Mills, Iva Nyguard Nordskog of Nevada, Iowa and Evelyn Hovik of Story City, Iowa; and several cousins.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; a still-born brother; several aunts and uncles; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Herman and Christina Schomburg of Alexander, Iowa.
© 2007 Forest City Summit

John "Jack" Noethe, 63

November 6, 2007

John “Jack” Clarence Noethe, age 63, of Britt, passed away on Sunday, October 28, 2007, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, October 31, at 1:30 p.m., at the First Lutheran Church in Britt, with Pastor Lee Nelson officiating. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt. Visitation was held on Tuesday, October 30, from 6-8:00 p.m., at the Ewing Dugger Funeral Chapel, Britt and continued one hour prior to the services at the church.

Jack, the son of Lawrence and Gladys (Schwebach) Noethe, was born on March 28, 1944 in Sheldon, Iowa. Jack spent his childhood on the family farm, near Melvin, Iowa. He graduated form the Melvin High School in 1962 and joined the United States Air Force in 1963. Following his tenure in the service, he returned to the Melvin area where he farmed with his dad and worked at Banner Beef in Hospers, Iowa.

Jack married Patti Kroese on July 22, 1978 at Sanborn, Iowa. The couple eventually settled in Britt, where they raised their family of five daughters. 

Jack was employed in Britt at the ConAgra (Armour) Food Company. In 1991 Jack and Pat turned their small hobby business of raising dogs into a full-time business as whole sale pet distributors, Oleo Acres Kennels.

Jack was a member of the Kanawha Lutheran Church. He was a founding member of the Iowa Pet Breeders Association.

Jack enjoyed camping, boating, and fishing with his family. He also liked bowling, playing cards, dancing, traveling, and watching baseball on television. He especially enjoyed family gatherings and spending time with his children and grandchildren, and attending their many activities.

Jack is survived by his mother, Gladys Noethe of Sibley, Iowa; wife, Patti of Britt; his daughters, Jolyn Noethe of Britt, Pamela and Larry Subject of Britt, Amy and Michael Larson of Britt and Merri Fransen of Mason City; one brother, Monte Noethe of Cherokee; three sisters, Bernice Bentz of Des Moines, Paula Krieger and Mike of Sibley and Gail Buchholtz and Roger of Sibley; six grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father; two sisters, Alice (Foreman) and Mary Ellen (Baughfman); and a daughter, Michelle.
© 2007 Forest City Summit

Nora Charline McDonald, 72

November 6, 2007

Nora Charline McDonald, died peacefully on Monday, October 29, 2007, at her home in Vancouver. She was 72.

A Rosary Service will be held at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Vancouver. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the church, followed by graveside services at the Mother Joseph Catholic Cemetery (formerly St. James Acres Catholic Cemetery) in Vancouver. Hamilton Mylan Knapp Gunderson of Vancouver is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children-Portland, Portland, Oregon or to the Friends of Hospice Southwest Washington, Vancouver, Washington.

Nora was born on June 4, 1935 in Danville, Illinois, to Daniel and Margaret (Sullivan) Sheehan. After graduating from the Holy Family Academy in Beaverville, Illinois in 1951, she attended nursing school at St. Mary's at Notre Dame and studied nursing at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

She left school to marry Phillip Anthony McDonald on December 31, 1955 at St. Paul's in Danville. They made their home in Iowa, moving from Forest City to Livermore, Oelwein and Decorah. In 1964, the family moved to Longmont, Colorado and in the early 1970s, both Nora and Phil returned to college, traveling to Denver each weekday while raising six children between the ages of 3 and 12.

After graduating in nursing, Mrs. McDonald worked for a year at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fort Lyon, Colorado, before transferring to the VA Hospital in Vancouver, Washington in 1974. She worked on the respiratory ward of the VA Hospital for five years. In 1979, she started working at the Battle Ground School District as a school nurse, a position she held for 20 years until retiring in 1999.

She enjoyed gardening, traveling, and genealogy. An excellent seamstress, she sewed wedding gowns for two daughters and many, many bridesmaids' dresses. Her greatest loves were God and her family, including her 13 grandchildren.

Nora was preceded in death by her husband in July 1998.

She is survived by six children, Charline Wright of Washougal, Washington, Cathleen Cooney of St. Charles, Missouri, Julie McDonald Zander of Toledo, Washington, Susan McDonald of La Grande, Oregon, Jackie Young of Woodland, Washington and Phil McDonald Jr. of Denver, Colorado; 13 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
© 2007 Forest City Summit

Charles S. Albertson, 79

November 6, 2007

Charles S. Albertson, age 79, of Leland, died on Wednesday, October 31, 2007, near his home in rural Leland.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 3, at the Evangelical Free Church in Clear Lake, Iowa. Visitation was on Friday, November 2, at the funeral home and an hour prior to the service at the church. Burial was in the Ellington Township Cemetery in rural Forest City. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Charles Stanley Albertson, was born on April 20, 1928 in Forest City, Iowa, to Simon and Gladys (Rygmyr) Albertson, the second of three children. He was born again in May, 1950 when he received Jesus as his personal Savior. He attended country school near his home and later the Leland Community School. After high school he worked briefly at the Wilson Packing Plant in Albert Lea, Minnesota and helped his father farm.

On November 25, 1948, he married Julaine Carola Torkelson at Forest City. To this union were brought three children.

In 1948, he started farming his parents homestead and later farmed various properties in the north Iowa area. In 1970, they moved back to the homestead and continued farming until his death. While farming he also took up other interests of electrician, plumbing, heating, woodworking, and golf, but still farming was his favorite. He also worked for a short time at Winnebago Industries from 1972-1973.

He served on the Thompson/Leland Coop Elevator Board for several years and has served the past few years on the Hauge Lutheran Federation Board.

He is survived by his wife, Juliane and three children, Barb (Roger) Jacobson of Estherville, Iowa, Dave (Sheryl) Albertson of Leland and Joel (Tanda) Albertson of Forest City; nine grandchildren, Angela (Will) Pazurek of Austin, Minnesota, Kara (Paul) Quam of Springfield, Missouri, Amber (Ben) Dahl of Moorhead, Minnesota, Laurann (James) Anderson of Leland, Betsie (Dan) Feldkamp of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Tisha (Scott) Thompson of Forest City, Ethan (Michelle) Albertson of Florence, Arizona, Luke (Monica) Albertson of St. Paul, Minnesota and Erika (Aaron) Willey of Cherokee, Iowa; eleven great-grandchildren; sister, Darlene (Ken) Pinke of Dexter, Minnesota; brother, Rodney (Sue) Albertson of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sister and brother-in-laws, Thelma Sunde, Louise Jermeland, Orrin (Marion) Torkelson, Bonnie Torkelson, Darlene (Marvin) Hanna; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two great-grandchildren, Louisa Feldkamp and Marta Anderson.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (II Timothy 4:7) Charlie started the race on May 1950 and he finished well.
© 2007 Forest City Summit