|
Joycelyn R. Steil,
62
February 3, 2009
Joycelyn R. Steil, age 62, of Leland, died on Sunday,
February 1, 2009, surrounded by her family at her home in
Leland.
Memorial service will be
held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, February 5, at the Petersen
Lund Funeral Home in Forest City, with Pastor Dan
Christensen and Pastor Timothy Miller officiating.
Visitation will be held an hour prior to the services at the
funeral home.
Joycelyn
R. Steil, was born in Forest City on August 19, 1946, the
daughter of Raymond and Julia (Johnson) Peterson. She had
two brothers, Harold "Pete" and Paul and a sister, Delight "DeeDee".
The love affair that will last beyond a lifetime began on
June 3, 1966 when Joyce married Kenneth Steil. They had two
children, Todd and Wendy. Todd married Stacey and gave Joyce
and Ken their two precious grandchildren, Taylor (13) and
Jacob (10). These are the most important accomplishments and
greatest joys to Joyce's life.
Joyce is survived by her
husband, Ken; daughter, Wendy; son, Todd; and
daughter-in-law, Stacey; two grandchildren, Taylor and
Jacob; her sister, Delight; and several nieces, nephews,
cousins, aunts and uncles.
Joyce is also survived by
close friends Bob & Becky Zea, Jay & Toni Eggert, Lee &
Vicki Cornick, Bob & Glenice Schinnow, Sharon & Ray Hansen,
Jenny Gilbertson (Joyce's 3rd daughter), Verna Hugelen,
Loren & Vicki Swenson and Judy Hoffman. Also surviving are
her pets Gabby, Pudgie, Lilly and Bear.
Joyce was preceded in
death by her parents; her brothers, Pete and Paul; aunts,
Esther, Ann & Olga, other aunts and uncles; and her
mother-in-law, Dorothy Steil.
A special thank-you to
Pastor Dan Christensen and Pastor Timothy Miller.
© 2009 Forest City Summit |
|
Gladys Rogeness, 98
February 12, 2009
Gladys A. Rogeness, 98, of Britt, passed away on Monday,
February 2, 2009, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in
Britt.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday,
February 7, at the Zion Church of the Nazarene in Britt,
with Pastor Ron McKee officiating. Burial was at 1:30 p.m.,
at the Crystal Township Cemetery in Crystal Lake. Visitation was held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Friday, February 6,
with the family present to greet friends at the Ewing Funeral
Chapel, in Britt and continued one
hour prior to the services at the church.
Gladys Agnes (Balk)
Rogeness, was born on June 7, 1910 at Walnut Grove, Minnesota, to
Dirk and Lillie Balk. In 1918 the family moved to University
Park, Iowa. She graduated from the John Fletcher Academy in
University Park in 1929 and completed her Registered Nurse
Degree at the Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa in 1931. On June 18, 1937, she
married Roy W. Rogeness and lived on their farm near Crystal
Lake all her married life.
Gladys was a member of the First
United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake until 1951 and then
became a member of the Britt Zion Church of the Nazarene for
her remaining 57 years. She worked as an RN for the Hancock
County Memorial Hospital in Britt, for Dr. Safely in Forest City
and the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Forest City. In the fall
of 2003, she moved to The Summit House in Britt and due to
failing health spent her remaining time at the Britt
hospital.
Gladys had a radiant smile
for everyone, unconditional love for family and friends and
a deep faith in God. She will be forever loved and missed.
Gladys is survived by her
three children, Richard and Marie Rogeness of Forest City
and their children, Gary (Michelle), Sheila, Swen “Joe” and
Steve Rogeness, Stephanie (Doyle) Smidt and Chris (Chris)
Larsen; Elaine and David Hart of Berthoud, Colorado and
their children, Dennis, Donald and Daniel Hart; and Mary and
Bruce Halverson of Britt and their children, Brent and Jody
(Peggy) Halverson; 17
great-grandchildren; a nephew, Alfred (Phyllis) Balk and
their two daughters; and a niece, Virginia Pickering.
Preceding her in death
were her husband, Roy Rogeness; an infant son, James Leroy;
her parents; Dirk and Lillie Balk; and her brothers, Alfred
and Leslie Balk.
The family is most
grateful to the staff of the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in
Britt. Their caring, loving kindness was most appreciated.
Also special thanks to Pastor McKee for his support and
caring and his wonderful visits.
© 2009 Forest City Summit |
|
Eleanor Barbara
“Dolly” Smith, 90
February 17, 2009
Eleanor Barbara “Dolly”
Smith, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday,
February 5, 2009.
Funeral services will held
at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Crown of
Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West, Arizona. A lunch will
follow at the Hampton Inn, Surprise, Arizona.
She was born on September
5, 1918 in Chicago, Illinois, the eighth of nine children.
She married Robert H. Smith on September 3, 1938. After
World War II they moved from Chicago to Forest City, to open
a hardware and appliance store. They retired from their
business after 32 years.
From her parents she
learned to “Take each day as it comes and do the best you
can.” All who knew and loved her will attest that she did an
exceptional job. She lived life to the fullest and enjoyed
traveling, camping, bowling, golf, bridge, and making many
life-long friends. She never forgot to recognize a birthday,
anniversary or other occasion with a card and personal note.
She was an active member of the Crown of Life Lutheran
Church in Sun City West, Arizona. Dolly will be in our
hearts forever!
Dolly is survived by her
daughters, Priscilla Turvold of Surprise, Arizona, Pamela
(Robert) Garrett of Phoenix, Arizona and Roberta (Paul)
Chock of Redwood City, California; grandchildren, Wade
(Jennifer) Turvold of Misawa, Japan, Tyler (Jennifer)
Turvold of Davidsonville, Maryland, Susan (Rico)
Pietrykowski of Alexandria, Virginia, Teresa (Jim) Hunt of
Phoenix, Arizona, Caitlin Chock of Brooklyn, New York and
Rachel Chock of Redwood City, California; step-grandson,
Greg (Nikki) Johnson of Crown Point, Indiana; and
great-grandchildren, Tanner and Lindsay Turvold, Cosette and
Marit Turvold, Max and Luke Pietrykowski, Garrett and Megan
Hunt, Maddie and Lucas Johnson.
She was preceded in death
by her beloved husband of 61 years, Robert; daughters,
Penelope and Eleanor; and grandsons, T.R. Garrett and
Nicholas Johnson.
In lieu of flowers,
memorial donations may be made in Dolly's' name to the
Phoenix Rescue Mission, Phoenix, Arizona or to the
Alzheimer's Association, Chicago, Illinois or to your
favorite charitable organization.
© 2009 Forest City Summit |
|
Carolyn Johnson, 56
February 12, 2009
Carolyn Johnson, 56, of Kanawha, passed away on Saturday,
February 7, 2009, at her home in Kanawha.
Memorial services were held
on Wednesday, February 11, at
10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Kanawha, with
Rev. Cynthia Morrison officiating. Visitation was held on Tuesday, February 10, from 5-7:00
p.m., at the Ewing Funeral Home
in Kanawha and will continue one hour prior to the services
at the church. According to her wishes, her body has been
cremated.
Carolyn Johnson, the
daughter of Francis and Bonnie Ruppert was born on August
25, 1952 in Forest City, Iowa. Carolyn grew up in Garner and graduated from
the Garner High. She was united in
marriage with Gary Johnson on September 23, 1972 at the
United Methodist Church in Kanawha. Carolyn devoted
her days to providing daycare for children in the local
area. Without fail, Carolyn put smiles on the faces of all
children who came in contact with her.
She is survived by her
husband, Gary Johnson of Kanawha; her children, Taalena
(Mike) Chavez of Westminister, Colorado, Stacy (Eric) Cox of
Britt, Jeramiah (Erin) Johnson of Westminster, Colorado;
and very close family friend, Tom (Becky) Smith of Des
Moines; and six
grandchildren, Brianna and Michael Chavez, Eric, Katelynn
and Brody Cox and Lauren Smith.
Merle (Chris) Ruppert of
Northwood, Iowa, Pam (Marv) Dye of Helena, Montana, Troy (Candie)
Ruppert of Sommerville, South Carolina, Kenny (Kathy)
Ruppert of Fayetteville, North Carolina and Connie (Bob)
Pavelka of Clear Lake, Iowa are the siblings Carolyn has
left behind. There are many other family members and friends
that Carolyn has left behind who will forever remember her
legacy. If memories were miles, we could walk to the end of
the Earth thinking of the joy Carolyn has brought us.
Carolyn was preceded in
death by her parents, Francis and Bonnie Ruppert; her
sister, Joanie Johnson; her in-laws, Carl and Anna Johnson;
and her nephew, Dale Johnson.
© 2009 Forest City Summit |
|
Frank R. Clark, 73
February 17, 2009
Frank R. Clark, 73, of Garden City, Kansas, formerly of
Rocky Ford, Colorado, died on Monday, February 9, 2009, in
Garden City, Kansas.
Funeral services were held
at the First United Methodist Church, Rocky Ford, Colorado,
on Monday, February 16, with Rev. Olga Hard officiating.
Friends were invited to call on Sunday, at the Ford-Ustick
Funeral Home. Interment was in the Hillcrest Cemetery in
Rocky Ford. A memorial fund has been established with the
American Cancer Society.
Frank was born on January
9, 1936, to Milo Peter Clark and Nora Kathryn Kalmoe in
Britt, Iowa. Frank joined the Army at age 16, was stationed
in Kitizen, Bavaria, West Germany for 27 months. Frank
returned home in December, 1957. Frank married Sharon Ann
Walsh on August 9, 1958 in The Little Brown Church In The
Vale in Nashua, Iowa.
In 1962, they moved from
Britt to Cedar Crest, Colorado, where Frank attended the gas
station and was a mechanic. In 1963, they moved to Rocky
Ford, Colorado, where Frank worked for North American
Dehydrating. In 1968, Frank started working for himself
under Frank's Hydraulic Service - many years he was a
welder/millwright, working all across the State of Colorado.
Later Frank ran Rocky Ford Tractor parts, later having used
tractor parts under Clark & Company.
Frank is survived by his
daughters, Robin (Merle) Blood of Garden City, Kansas, Kay
(Eugene) Jackson of Prince George, British Columbia and
Missy (Rob) Saucerman of Gilbert, Arizona; brothers and
sister include, Ken (Bev) Clark of Beaman, Iowa, Curt (Mary)
Clark of Forest City, Loren Clark of Denver, Colorado, Doug
(Jan) Clark of Granite Bay, California, Bob (Judy) Clark of
Wesley, Iowa, Betty (Bill) Bruner of Des Moines, Iowa;
brother-in-law, Raymond “Buzz” Walsh of The Villages,
Florida; grandchildren include, Julia Blood of Lexington,
Kentucky, Jessica (Lee) Rochholz of Bellevue, Nebraska,
Jared Blood of Garden City, Kansas, Addie Jackson of Prince
George, British Columbia, Jason Blood of Loveland, Colorado,
Blake Jackson of Prince George, British Columbia and Wiki &
Kiki Saucerman (Missy & Rob's Yorkies) of Gilbert, Arizona;
and many nephews, nieces and friends.
Frank was preceded in
death by his wife, Sharon; parents, Milo & Nora Clark;
brother, Dennis; sister-in-law, Jan; and nephew, Michael.
Funeral arrangements have
been entrusted to the Ford-Ustick Funeral Home.
© 2009 Forest City Summit |
|
Mildred Arlene
Alitz, 79
February 24, 2009
Mildred Arlene Alitz, 79, of Mason City, died on Wednesday,
February 11, 2009, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa,
Mason City.
Funeral services were held
on Saturday, February 14, at the Plymouth United Methodist
Church, with Pastor Wendy Johannesen officiating. Visitation
was held on Friday, at the Major Erickson Funeral Home.
Interment was in the Oakwood Cemetery in Plymouth.
Arlene Alitz, was born on
January 24, 1930 in rural Worth County, the daughter of
George and Minnie (Sunsvold) Sanvik. She graduated from the
Northwood High School and was baptized and confirmed in the
Lutheran faith. She was united in marriage to Raymond Earl
Alitz on August 10, 1952, at the Little Brown Church in
Nashua, Iowa. She worked for Northwestern Cement Plant, J C
Penney, Iowa Hardware Insurance, later called Iowa Kemper,
and later Economy Insurance.
She enjoyed scrap-booking,
shopping, baking, running lunch stands for her son-in-law's
Auction company, and participating with her Relay for Life
team. She loved her family and the time she spent with all
of them. She will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved
her.
She is survived by two
daughters, Connie and Rex Taylor of Hanlontown and Sandra
and Glen Moretz of Lake Mills; 6 grandchildren, Stacy and
Corey Brown of Sioux Rapids, Scott Taylor and Darby Shannon
of Ames, Sarah and Ryan Hagen of Hanlontown, Kelly and Chad
Heuton of Ankeny, Ben Moretz of Kensett and Mike Moretz of
Storm Lake; six adored great-grandchildren, Landon, Connor
and Kennedy Brown, Sydney, Carly, and Jenna Heuton; sisters,
Senora Brunsvold of Lake Mills, Eleanor Stromley of Manly
and Gladys Andersen of Mason City; brothers-in-law, Cliff
and Arlene Alitz of Mason City, Don Alitz of Mason City,
Harvey and Elaine Alitz of Mason City; and many nieces,
nephews and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death
by her parents; and husband, Raymond in 2001.
© 2009 Forest City Summit |
|
Merle Muhm, 83
February 17, 2009
Merle L. Muhm, 83, of rural Britt, died on Thursday,
February 12, 2009, at his home.
Funeral services will be
held at 1:30 p.m., on Monday, at the Upper Flat Evangelical
Free Church north of Britt, with Rev. Jason Boomgarden
officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in
Britt, with Military Rites by the Britt Veterans Ceremonial
Unit. Visitation will be held from 4-6:00 p.m., on Sunday,
at the Cataldo Funeral Home, Britt and will continue one
hour prior to the services at the church. Memorials may be
directed to Upper Flat Evangelical Free Church or the
American Diabetes Association.
Merle LeRoy Muhm, the son
of Fred and Claire (Hartwig) Muhm, was born on January
13, 1926, on a farm west of Kanawha. He attended country
school near his home and graduated from the Kanawha High
School in 1943. On August 26, 1950, he married Lola K.
Madson at her parent's home north of Britt. Merle served his
country during the Korean Conflict as a corporal in the U.S.
Army. Following his discharge, he returned home and farmed
north of Britt. Along with farming, Merle had worked at
Marting Manufacturing, Winnebago Industries, North Iowa
Grain and North Iowa Feed & Supply.
Merle enjoyed his family,
water skiing, reading Western books, taking care of his
livestock, antique tractor rides, and fishing trips to
Thunder Bay, Canada. He was a member of the Upper Flat
Evangelical Free Church and the Britt American Legion.
Merle is survived by his
children, Kevin (Patti) Muhm of LeMars, Paulette (Kevin)
Westerberg of West Frankfurt, Illinois, Brad (Sonja) Muhm of
Miller and Brian Muhm of Janesville, Wisconsin; four
grandchildren, Jill (Randy) Lindhorst, Tony Muhm, Eric Muhm
and John Westerberg; three great-grandchildren, Dana
Westerberg, Adonis Westerberg and Kendall Lindhorst; a
sister, Pat Eggers of Sparta, Wisconsin; two brothers, Bob
(Janet) Muhm of Cherry Hill, New Jersey and John (Joyce)
Muhm of Bourbannais, Illinois; two sisters-in-law, Kay (Ben)
Benjamin of Coppell, Texas and Joann Muhm of West Des
Moines; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death
by his wife, Lola on December 25, 2006; parents; sister,
Carole Cassel; and two brothers, Ralph and Don Muhm.
© 2009 Forest City Summit |
|
Virginia R. Van
Duzer, 93
February 17, 2009
Virginia R. Van Duzer, 93, of Menlo, Iowa, passed away on
Friday, February 13, 2009, at the Good Samaritan Care Center
in Forest City.
Per Virginia's wishes, her
body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held at
10:30 a.m., on Saturday, May 23, 2009, at the Menlo
Methodist Church, Menlo, Iowa. A “celebration of Virginia's
life” bonfire will be held at the Springbrook State Park,
CCC Shelter, following the church luncheon.
Survivors include her two
daughters, Carole (Richard) Schneider of Aguanga, California
and Sarah (Creighton) Nelson of Forest City; four
grandchildren, Stephen Pritchard, Nicolle Whalen, Noelle
Tichy and Nash Nelson; five great-grandchildren; brother,
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Andrew Lyman Cooley of Sedalia, Colorado;
and sister, Mary Cooley Miller of Lindale, Texas.
She was preceded in death
by her husband, John Frederick Van Duzer; and her parents,
Andrew and Mabel Cooley.
Memorials may be given in
Virginia's name to the Animal Lifeline of Iowa, Special
Needs No Kill Shelter or Hospice of North Iowa.
The Cremation Society of
Eastern-Central-Western Iowa is assisting with the
arrangements.
© 2009 Forest City Summit |
|
Dennis Cink, 71
February 17, 2009
Dennis Eugene Cink, died on Saturday, February 14, 2009, at
the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, Iowa. He was
71.
A Funeral Mass was
celebrated on Tuesday, February 17, at 10:30 a.m., at the
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley, with Father Randy
Schon officiating. Burial was in the St. Joseph's Catholic
Cemetery.
Dennis Eugene Cink, was
born on September 15, 1937 in Algona, Iowa, the son of
Eugene and Irene (Kirschbaum) Cink. He grew up in Algona
where he attended school, graduating from the St. Cecelia's
Academy. Having begun farming at the age of 14, he continued
farming after his schooling. On August 11, 1959, Dennis was
united in marriage to Janice Brcka at the St. Wenceslaus
Catholic Church in Duncan, Iowa. After their marriage they
lived in Sexton for a short time before settling on a farm
West of Wesley where they have lived ever since. He felt as
though he was a steward of the land and just loved to farm.
Dennis' first love was his
wife and children and he was appreciated by all of them as
being a great teacher. He also enjoyed working and playing
with his grandchildren and was very proud of them
all. Dennis was also known for his gardening and for
planting flowers along the highway for the last 14 years. He
enjoyed having parties and entertaining, woodworking,
fishing and traveling, especially on the trips sponsored by
Casey's General Stores. Dennis was a member of the St.
Joseph Catholic Church.
He is survived by his
wife, Janice of Wesley; children, Randy and Diana Cink of
Mason City, Cindy and Ed Volcko of Ames, Tom and Lori Cink
of Wesley, Julie Cink of Wauconia, Minnesota, Susanne and
Mike “Fred” Reding of Cylinder, Larry and Jeanette Cink of
Clear Lake, Carol and Joey Schnuelle of Ossian, Kris and
Hans Auen of Carroll and Tony and Jody Cink of Wesley;
foreign exchange son, Petr and Marketa Dokoupil of Brno,
Czech Republic; 26 grandchildren; a sister, Evelyn Ferstl of
Algona; brothers, Jim and Sharon Cink of Madison Lake,
Minnesota and Michael and Marilynne Cink of Algona;
brother-in-law, Bud Sheppard of Algona; and numerous nieces
and nephews.
He was preceded in death
by his parents; two sisters, Helen Gengler and Phyllis
Sheppard; brother-in-law, Louis Ferstl; and niece, Karen
Goecke.
Funeral arrangements were
handled by the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home of
Wesley.
© 2009 Forest City Summit |
|
Mary Lois Hagen, 81
February 24, 2009
Mary Lois Hagen, 81, of Clarion, formerly of Britt, passed
away on Sunday, February 15, 2009, at the Careage of Clarion
in Clarion.
Funeral services were held
on Friday, February 20, at 1:00 p.m., at the St. John's
Catholic Church in Clarion, with Fr. Nils Hernandez
officiating. Burial was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery
in Clarion. Visitation was held on Thursday, February 19,
from 5-7:00 p.m., with a scriptural wake service following
at 7:00 p.m., at the Ewing Funeral Home in Clarion.
Visitation continued one hour prior to the services at the
church on Friday.
Mary Lois, the daughter of
Harold and Della (Hilpipre) Rohrer, was born in Clarion on
January 1, 1928. She attended Clarion Schools and graduated
from the Clarion High School in 1945. After graduation, Mary
Lois taught country school for three years. Mary Lois was
united in marriage to Wallace Hagen on November 3, 1948, at
St. John's in Clarion. In 1963, the family moved to Britt
where she worked at the We-3 Market for 17 years. Upon
returning to Clarion in 1980, the couple purchased Tomke's
Drug Store, renaming it Hagen's Gift Store, which they ran
for 12 years. Following her retirement Mary Lois became a
homemaker and took care of Wallace when he became ill. After
suffering a stroke, Mary Lois became a resident at Careage
of Clarion in 2005.
Mary Lois loved her family
and being a wrestling mom. She enjoyed knitting, playing
cards, riding her bike and shopping. Mary Lois will be
remembered as a great cook, who made good fried chicken and
tasty blueberry pies. She was a very loving mother and
grandmother.
Mary Lois was a member of
the St. John's Catholic Church in Clarion, where she was
involved in various circles. She was also a member of
Catholic Daughters of the Americas in Clarion and Britt.
Mary Lois is survived by
two sons, John Hagen of Amery, Wisconsin and Brent (Carol)
Hagen of Denison; four grandchildren, Austin, Adam, Erin and
Katie; her siblings, Francis Rohrer of Eagle Grove, Duane
(Carol) Rohrer of Mason City, Edward (Fritz) Rohrer of
Dunwoody, Georgia, Gary (Shirley) Rohrer of Clarion, Caryl
(Carol) Rohrer of Clarion and Diane (Gary) Dahlgren of Fort
Dodge; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other family
members and friends.
Mary Lois was preceded in
death by her parents; husband, Wallace in 2002; and one
infant brother.
© 2009 Forest City Summit |
|
Otto A. Anderson,
93
February 24, 2009
Otto A. Anderson, age 93, of Ventura, died on Wednesday,
February 18, 2009, at the Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City.
Funeral services were held
on Monday, February 23, at the Pilot Knob Lutheran Church in
rural Forest City, with Pastor Robert Snitzer officiating.
Burial will be in the spring in the Pilot Knob Lutheran
Cemetery. Visitation was held on Sunday, February 22, at the
Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City and one hour prior
to the services at the church.
Otto A. Anderson, was born
on October 2, 1915, to Oscar and Emma Caroline Anderson in
rural Garner, Iowa, as was his identical twin brother, Orion
C. Anderson. He attended and graduated from the Ventura
School District. He married O. Geneva Johnson on December
21, 1940. One son was born to them, O.K. Anderson. Otto
farmed in rural Ventura his whole life and retired at 65. He
and his wife traveled in Europe and Israel. They also spent
one year in Florida and California.
Otto was a very devout
Christian and was well known for his witness to anyone about
his love of his Lord. He was a member of the Ellington
Prairie and Pilot Knob Lutheran Churches and was very active
as a leader in many areas in the congregation.
He was deeply loved by his
family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, plus many
friends. He also hosted many coffees for anyone stopping by
to visit him.
Otto was the last of nine
children. He is survived by his son, Rev. O.K. and wife,
Kathleen; foster-daughter, Violet Keniry; two grandchildren,
Sara Campbell and husband, Jason and Nathan Anderson and
wife, Sarah; four great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Emily,
Christopher and Anna; as well as many nieces and nephews.
© 2009 Forest City Summit |
|
Ellen Sorenson, 85
March 3, 2009
Ellen Sorenson, 85, of Woden, passed away on Thursday,
February 19, 2009, in Sun City West, Arizona.
Funeral services were held
at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, February 28, at the United
Methodist Church in Crystal Lake, with Pastor Jerald
Swanberg officiating. Burial was in the Crystal Lake
Cemetery in Crystal Lake. Visitation was held on Friday,
February 27, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., at the Ewing Funeral
Chapel in Britt and continued one hour prior to the services
at the church.
Ellen P. Sorenson,
daughter of Paul and Ella (Johnson) Sill, was born on
November 8, 1923, on a farm north of Thompson, Iowa. She
attended country school near her home and graduated from the
Thompson High School. Ellen attended the Britt Junior
College where she received a teacher's certificate. She
began her teaching career in the area country school.
On December 9, 1944, she
was united in marriage with Maynard Sorenson at the
Methodist Church in Thompson, Iowa. They farmed southwest of
Crystal Lake and later moved to a farm northwest of Crystal
Lake. Ellen resumed teaching at the Woden-Crystal Lake
Elementary School and later received her Bachelor of Science
Degree from Mankato State College in 1972. In 1977 they
moved to their home in Woden. Ellen retired from teaching in
1979.
She enjoyed traveling,
gardening, reading, crafts and painting. Spending time with
her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren created
many happy memories. Ellen was an active member of the
Crystal Lake United Methodist Church, serving as Sunday
School Superintendent, a faithful servant on several
committees and participating in women's circles and Ladies'
Aid.
Ellen is survived by her
four daughters, Vicki (Ed) Hillenga of Wesley, Pat (Dan)
Stewart of Viroqua, Wisconsin, Nancy Sorenson of Hinckley,
Minnesota and Donna (Paul) Kurtzleben of Orange City; twelve
grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, Floyd Sill
of Wabasha, Minnesota; sister, Winifred (Mike) Larson of
Panama City, Panama; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Sill of
Ottumwa and Arlene Sorenson of Rochester, Minnesota; and
several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death
by her parents; husband, Maynard; brother, Orville Sill;
sisters-in-law, Lois Otis and Mary Sill; and brother-in-law,
Wilbur Sorenson.
© 2009 Forest City Summit |
|
LuVerne Helland, 84
March 3, 2009
LuVerne Helland, 84, of Sioux City,
formerly of Crystal Lake, passed away on Monday, February
23, 2009, at the St. Luke's Hospital in Sioux City.
A memorial service was
held at 2:30 p.m., on Saturday, February 28, at the United
Methodist Church in Crystal Lake, with Pastor Jerald
Swanberg officiating. Burial took place in the Crystal Lake
Cemetery in Crystal Lake. Visitation was held one hour prior
to the services at the church.
LuVerne
was born on a farm outside of Crystal Lake, Iowa on February
1, 1925, to Levi and Clara (Jacobson) Helland. He joined a
six year old sister, Ceola. His father passed away during
the depression when he was nine years old. Times were tough
for his mother so LuVerne started selling the “Saturday
Evening Post” on the street corner in Forest City and Ceola
helped out by teaching piano lessons. In 1936, his mother
married Hans Mortenson and they moved to the family farm 1
1/2 miles south and west of Crystal Lake.
In May 1942, he graduated
from high school and the United States had been at war since
December 1941. At this time, he was seventeen but wanted to
enlist in the Navy so he talked his mother into signing for
him. He was stationed for boot camp in Farragut, Idaho.
After boot camp, he chose to be trained in electrical school
and was later assigned to Gyro Compass school in San Diego.
In Portland, Oregon, he was part of the commissioning
ceremony of a new aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Tulagi. His
carrier was involved in the invasion of southern France on
August 15, 1944. On January 4, 1945, the ship had its first
major attack in the Lingayen Gulf, Philippines with a
Japanese suicide bomber missing the carrier by ten feet. He
attained the rank of E.M. 1/c.
On March 6, 1946 after the
war ended, he received his discharge from the Navy. At this
time, he returned to the farm and started farming with his
stepfather. His stepfather died in 1954. He continued to
farm and moved his mother to a house on the farm to take
care of her. He married Katherine Henken in 1955 at the
Little Brown Church in the Vale and they made their home on
the farm. They had three girls born within three years,
Sharon, Marna and Leslie. They not only farmed but had a
dairy farm with about 23 cows, all of them named. From time
to time, he raised hogs and always kept sheep to keep the
groves clean. The barn was full of cats, also all of them
with names and a family dog.
In the early seventies,
his emphysema made it harder to continue farming and he and
Katherine started delivering motorhomes all over the country
for Winnebago Industries. They saw many areas of the country
and fell in love with the warm climate of Phoenix, Arizona.
They retired and moved to
Phoenix in 1983, the year after they finished putting all
three daughters through college. They made many lifelong
friends there while golfing, playing cards and soaking up
the sun at the pool. They continued to travel, his love of
which was developed with his Navy experience and motor home
driving. In 2006, they moved back to Iowa to be closer to
the farm and relatives from Crystal Lake and daughter,
Sharon. He wanted to see the windmills constructed on the
farm and saw them for the last time in October.
He enjoyed having his
grandchildren Michael, Lauren, and Mark visit and they
enjoyed watching basketball and baseball games on television
with him. He was a member of the American Legion in Crystal
Lake, the V.F.W. in Sun Lakes, Arizona, the Crystal Lake
United Methodist Church and the Sun Lakes United Methodist
Church. He served on the Woden-Crystal Lake School Board and
the Crystal Lake Creamery Board.
He was a lifelong reader
and had read most books about World War II naval battles. He
loved to watch the Phoenix Suns basketball and the news on
CNN and could visit in depth about many subjects. He was
most of all a gentleman.
Survivors include his
wife, Katherine of Sioux City; daughters, Sharon (Keith)
Blom of South Sioux City, Nebraska, Marna Helland of Dallas,
Texas and Leslie (Jim) Marshall of Brawley, California; and
three grandchildren, Michael and Mark Davis, and Lauren
Marshall.
He was preceded in death
by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Ceola and Kenneth
Hefte; and a son in infancy.
© 2009 Forest City Summit |
|
Darlyne Geneva
Engebretson, 82
March 3, 2009
Darlyne Geneva Engebretson, age 82, of
Vinje, died on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at the Good
Samaritan Center in Forest City.
Funeral services were held
on Saturday, February 28, at the Bethel Lutheran Church in
Vinje, Iowa, with Pastor Chris Fiske officiating. Visitation
was on Friday, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills
and again one hour prior to the services at the church.
Burial took place in the Bethel Lutheran Cemetery, Vinje.
Family request that memorials be made to the Bethel Lutheran
Church.
Darlyne
Geneva (Johnson) Engebretson, a fun-loving, hard-working
Christian lady of 82 years, left her earthly home on
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 to be with her Heavenly Father.
She lived her Christian beliefs and values in word and deeds
every day and leaves behind a legacy of integrity and the
respect of her family, friends, students, and neighbors. She
was a super teacher, dedicated “church lady,” and a caring
friend and neighbor. She will be missed by all her family
and friends.
She was born on November
10, 1926, to Benjamin and Jeanette (Aske) Johnson in Amund,
Iowa. The family soon moved to the family farm at Vinje,
Iowa. She attended school at Logan #2, north of Vinje,
attended teacher training at the high school in Kiester,
Minnesota and graduated from the Lake Mills High School in
1944. Darlyne was united in marriage
to Merel H. Engebretson at the Lutheran Parsonage in
Scarville, Iowa on July 29, 1945. They made their home in
rural Vinje until Merel's death in 1999 and Darlyne's
eventual move to Forest Plaza in Forest City and eventually
to her final earthly home, Good Samaritan Society in Forest
City, which was the perfect place to end her life on this
earth as she was the epitome of a good Samaritan.
She was a life-long member
of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Vinje, where she was
baptized and confirmed and the church was inseparable from
all other aspects of her life as well, until the very
end. She sorely missed attending services at Bethel and
missed her church family very much. Darlyne was involved in
all the Ladies Aid and Circle activities as well a teacher
in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Junior
Lutherans.
“Mrs. Engebretson “ was a
dedicated, hands-on teacher, who strived to instill a love
of learning and appreciation of peoples and cultures in her
students. She received Normal School Training at Kiester,
Minnesota as well as Lake Mills. After many years of night
school and summer school, she received her B.S. Degree cum
laude from Mankato State University. She first taught
country school at Eden Township and Logan Township. Later
she started at the Lake Mills Community School as a
substitute teacher. She taught at the elementary school in
Joice before she came to Lake Mills as a Reading instructor
and then as a full-time elementary school teacher. She
retired in 1989.
Darlyne
loved music, bowling, fishing, card parties, bingo, camping
and travel and just about anything else that involved
laughing and talking with other people. She was always
ready, willing, and able to volunteer for any community
organization and church activity. She was also one of the
first to offer help to anyone in any kind of need or
distress. She felt it truly took a community to raise a
child and she loved being “everyone's” Mom and Grandma
whether they lived down the road or across the world. She
felt comfortable shaking her finger and scolding anyone or
giving them a thumbs-up when they earned it. She loved and
appreciated the opportunity to use her special talents to
volunteer with RSVP, 8th Grade QUEST Classes, Lake Mills
Care Center and the Neighborhood Food Bank in Forest City.
She is survived by five
children, Mary Engebretson of Mobile, Alabama, Darrel and
Liz Engebretson of Des Plaines, Illinois, Deb and her
husband, Steve Roberts of Lake Mills, Pamela and her
husband, Al Divan of Vinje and Wendy and her husband, Mike
Nesset of Garner; nine grandchildren, Stacy (Johnny), Jeremy
(Krystal), Jason (Michele), Craig (Patty), Josh, Sarah,
Jake, Jesse, Jeff; five great-grandchildren, Jade, Ethan,
Johnny, Ian and Caitlin; two sisters, Gloria Langfald of
Scarville and Ione and her husband, Norman Nelson of Forest
City; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Darlyne
was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one
daughter, Marlene Diane in infancy; one infant
granddaughter, Angela; and two brothers, Donald and Marvin.
© 2009 Forest City Summit |
|
Alton J.
Brandl, 83
March 3, 2009
Alton J. Brandl, age 83 of Mason City, died on Tuesday,
February 24, 2009, very peacefully at his home.
Funeral services were held
on Friday, February 27, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in
Forest City. Inurnment was in the Oakland Cemetery in Forest
City. Visitation was on Thursday, February 26, at the
funeral home and an hour prior to the services.
Alton John Brandl, was
born on a farm in Wausa, Nebraska on October 17, 1925, the
son of Nick and Lillie (Pospisil) Brandl. He received his
education in rural schools near his home. His father died at
an early age. His mother Lillie married Edd Hettenbach and
the family moved to Iowa, ending up in Forest City. Alton
graduated from the Forest City High School in 1942. He
worked in a defense plant for a year and joined the US Navy
in 1943. He served in the South Pacific.
On January 11, 1957, he
married Margie Ann Fox at the First Congregational Church in
Forest City. Alton worked for Gjellefald Associates for over
30 years. He later worked for Holland Construction and then
Clark's Sawmill, both in Forest City.
Alton was a story teller
and there was nothing he liked more than sitting around with
family and friends telling stories about his life. He was a
very good marksman, an avid gardener and loved playing
cribbage.
Alton is survived by his
wife, Margie; daughters, Susan Brandl and her husband,
Emmitt Hart and Jeanie (Larry) Peterson and son, Dean Sweet;
six grandchildren, Shane (Lisa) Peterson, Amy Sweet, Sarah
(Randy) Martinson, John Ricke, Jessica Sweet and Chrystal
Hubbard; nine great-grandchildren, Brianna, Maggie, Ella,
Greta, Jack and Ruby Joy Peterson and Matt, Nick and Emily
Martinson; brothers, Vernon Brandl and Aaron Hettenbach; and
a sister, Sylvia Hockenson.
Alton was preceded in
death by his parents.
© 2009 Forest City Summit |
|
