Mildred L. Perry, 96

May 13, 2010

FOREST CITY-Mildred L. Perry, 96, of Forest City, died on Sunday, May 2, 2010, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Forest City.

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, May 13, at the First Congregational Church in Forest City, with the Rev. Jon Rollefson officiating. All are invited to a time of fellowship and refreshments following the service in the Church Hall.

The Petersen Lund Funeral Home,  Forest City, is in charge of the arrangements.
© 2010 Forest City Summit

Rita R. Swenson, 85

May 13, 2010

Rita R. Swenson, 85, of Britt, died on Monday, May 3, 2010, at the Westview Care Center in Britt.

Funeral services were held on Friday, May 7, at 10:30 a.m., at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt. Visitation was held on Thursday, May 6, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Ewing Funeral Chapel in Britt and continued one hour prior to the services at the church. A scriptural wake service was held at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral chapel.

Rita Rose Swenson, the daughter of Raymond and Ella (Weides) Mahowald, was born on January 16, 1925 in New Prague, Minnesota. She attended school at the St. Wenceslaus School in New Prague and at the New Prague High School, where she was involved in sports and cheerleading. Upon graduation, Rita went to beauty school in Minneapolis and returned to New Prague to operate her own beauty shop until she was married.

Rita was united in marriage to Dale Swenson on June 12, 1948. The couple made their home in Waseca, Minnesota, where they raised their family of four children. The family moved to Britt in 1964. Rita worked for Wellik Insurance as a receptionist for several years and she utilized her seamstress abilities doing alterations for Vi-Mil.

Rita was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt, where she was an active worker. She also taught Catholic education classes for a number of years. She was an excellent cook and baker who gave many hours of her time to charitable causes.

Rita is survived by her loving husband, Dale; four children, Mary Swenson of Britt, Kurt (Cathy) Swenson of Kansas City, Missouri, Paul (Jean) Swenson of New Hampton and Jon (Jane) Swenson of Britt; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, Allen (Virginia) Mahowald; two sisters, Mary (William) Proshek and Margaret (John) Sexton; sister-in-law, Patricia Mahowald; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Dr. LeRoy Mahowald; and sister, Jane Kallal.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the West Hancock Scholarship Fund.
© 2010 Forest City Summit

Donald E. Eisenman, 84

May 13, 2010

Donald E. Eisenman, 84, of Britt, died on Friday, May 7, 2010, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held today, May 13, at 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Britt, with Rev. Robert Dodge officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt, with military rites by the Britt Veterans Ceremonial Unit. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Donald Eugene Eisenman, the son of Chester Sr. and Catherine (Blankenship) Eisenman, was born on August 5, 1925 in Britt. He attended the Britt Rural School No. 5 and graduated from the Britt High School in 1943. Don served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy from July 17, 1944, until his honorable discharge on June 6, 1946. He served in the south Pacific Theater and was in the invasion of Okinawa on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945. On April 30, 1949, he was married to Lola Lee at the Britt United Methodist Church, by Rev. F.F. Robinson. They farmed northeast of Britt until 1992, when they retired and moved into town. 

He enjoyed fishing and all sports. One of his greatest joys was his children and especially his grandchildren and great-grandson. Don was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in Britt, where he had taught Sunday School and served on many different church boards. He also was a member of the Britt American Legion and served on the following boards: Hancock County Pork Producers Board, Britt School Board, Britt Co-op Elevator Board, Hancock County Medical Clinic Board and was a Britt Township Trustee.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Lola of Britt; four sons, Ronald (Peggy) Eisenman of Britt, Mark (Darcy) Eisenman of Britt, Robert (Kathy) Eisenman of Grundy Center and Craig (Deanne) Eisenman of Osage; 13 grandchildren; a great-grandson; a brother, Chester (Sandra) Eisenman Jr. of Britt; a brother-in-law, Duane "Bud" Michelson of Independence; along with several nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Cyrus and Daryl, who was killed in the Korean Conflict; a sister, Blanche Michelson; a sister-in-law, Wilda (Frederick) Hite; and a brother-in-law, William Lee.
© 2010 Forest City Summit

Edward John Weiss Jr., 69

May 20, 2010

Edward John Weiss Jr., 69, died on Friday May 14, 2010, at his home after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

The family will greet friends on Thursday, May 20, from 2-4:00 p.m., at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Britt, with a prayer service officiated by Father Huber. Following the prayer service, burial will be in the St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Britt, with military honors provided by the Corwith Legion.

Edward was born on June 27, 1940, the son of Edward John and Rita Mae (Lovejoy) Weiss in Des Moines. He graduated from the Britt High School. Edward joined the United States Marine Corp at the age of 17. He served during the Vietnam War and retired from the Marines after actively serving for over 21 years, retiring as a master sergeant. Following the service he lived in North Carolina and then moved to Kanawha to be closer to friends and family.

He enjoyed cooking for his friends, helping them, playing the lottery and gardening.  He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and going to Sturgis. He attended the St. Patrick's Catholic Church and was a member of the Corwith Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Mazie Weiss of Kanawha; five children, Edward John Weiss III and his wife, Leann of Las Vegas, Nevada, Anthony P. Weiss and his wife, Sue of Phoenix, Arizona, Dawn Herrera and her husband, Anthony of Thornton, Colorado, Nicole Beenken of Marshalltown and Holly Schmid and her husband,  Joshua of Britt; six step-children, Margie Harrison and her husband, John of Baltimore, Michelle Brown of Kanawha, Henry Jones and his wife, Meta of Hubert, North Carolina, Phillip Jones and his wife, Marquita of Kings Land, Georgia, Andrew Jones of Hubert, North Carolina and Daniel Jones and his wife, Dreama of Kanawha; three brothers, Joe Weiss and his wife, Kelly of Britt, Tim Weiss of Kanawha and Jim Weiss, and his wife, Pam of Kanawha; one sister, Rita Weiss of Britt; 27 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, John Weiss.
© 2010 Forest City Summit

Billy J. Cook, 49

June 16, 2010

Billy J. Cook, 49, of Burien, Washington and formerly of Britt, died on Friday, May 21, 2010, due to complications of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 19, at 10:30 a.m., at the Ewing Funeral Chapel in Britt, followed by a time of fellowship at the Britt Hospitality Room.

Billy was born on November 20, 1960 in Britt, to Kenneth and Patricia (Wilson) Cook and was the third of four children (Duane, Robert, Don). Billy graduated from the Britt High School in 1979 and soon after went to work with the Iowa D.O.T. Bill then went on to join the Army in the summer of 1982 and served as a cook and paratrooper. He left the service due to the (unknown at the time) symptoms of M.S. and moved to Brooklyn, New York, where he drove taxi for 5 years.

Due to the progression of M.S., Bill moved back to Britt, where he would eventually be diagnosed in an Iowa City hospital. Bill moved to Seattle, Washington in December 1994, to live with his father in the milder climate. He lived in Burien, Washington, until his death.
© 2010 Forest City Summit

Judy Becker, 70

June 3, 2010

Judy Becker, age 70, of Forest City, died on Tuesday, May 25, 2010, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, May 28, at the United Methodist Church in Forest City, with Pastor Jerald Swanberg officiating. Burial was in the Madison Township Cemetery in rural Forest City. Visitation was from 5-8:00 p.m., on Thursday, May 27, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home, Forest City and continued an hour prior to the services at the church.

Judy Ann Becker, was born on December 23, 1939 in Britt, the daughter of Robert and Mavis (Rapp) Hiscocks. She attended school in Britt and graduated from the Britt High School in 1957. She continued her education at the Omaha School of Business in Omaha, Nebraska. She was united in marriage to Merwyn Dahle of Britt in 1959. The couple had three children Kevin, Kim and Tony. Judy married Myron Becker in 1976 and the couple had a son, Andrew.

Judy worked for K&C Electric of Leland as a secretary and ran a home-based daycare for a time. She later owned and operated the Village Lounge and most recently Uptown Liquor, from which she retired in 2008.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Forest City and active in Circle. She enjoyed being a Cub Scout Den Mother when the boys were younger and was honored as the “Iowa Special Olympics Grand Marshall”. She loved spending time with family and friends at Lake Jefferson, playing cards and baking with the grandchildren.

Judy is survived by her children and their families, Kevin (Beth) Dahle of Northfield, Minnesota and their children, Kalista, Greenlee and Griffith; Kim (Matt) Jennings of Hanlontown and their children, Tyler, Courtney and Sarah; and Tony (Colleen) Dahle of Mason City and their children, Branden and Danielle; stepchildren, Sharylyn (Larry) Pardubsky of Urbandale, Pam (Harley) Urbatsch of Forest City, Gary (Teresa) Becker of Marshall, Minnesota, Rick Becker of Shakopee, Minnesota and Karla Woodward of Mason City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Myron; her son, Andy; brothers, Robert, Monte, William and Alan; sisters, Nancy and Jane; and step-son, Michael “Butch” Becker.

Memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church Elevator Fund or the Iowa Special Olympics.
© 2010 Forest City Summit

Galen Wooge, 83

June 3, 2010

Galen Wooge, age 83, of Crystal Lake, died on Tuesday, May 25, 2010, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Memorial services were held at 3:00 p.m., on Friday, May 28, at the United Methodist Church in Forest City, with Pastor Jerald Swanberg officiating. Inurnment was held at 2:30 p.m., on May 28, in the Oakland Cemetery in Forest City. Visitation was from 4-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, May 27, at the United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake.

Galen William Wooge, was born in Forest City on November 28, 1926, the firstborn of six children to William and Grace (Hefte) Wooge. He attended the Linden #5 Country School and graduated from the Forest City High School in 1945, honored as a member of the All-State football team. Galen farmed with his father in Linden Township and married Helen Steffensen on August 1, 1950. They were blessed with five children. They farmed northwest of Forest City from 1957-1967 when they purchased and moved to the Wooge home farm. Galen maintained a registered Holstein dairy herd, Hereford beef cattle and Hampshire hogs, promoting his interests with membership and leadership positions on various agricultural boards.

Galen served his community as mayor of Crystal Lake from 1998-2002. He was active in the Forest City and Crystal Lake United Methodist Churches by teaching Sunday School, serving on various church boards and participating in mission trips with NOMADS for over six years. Fishing in Canada was one of Galen's joys and he liked to travel, having visited all 50 states, Australia, Jamaica and Israel.

Galen is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helen; his children, Gaylord and wife, Jody of Forest City, Harriet and husband,  Doug Adams of Otho, Lynn and wife, Cindy of Forest City, Penny and husband, Harley Beenken of Forest City and Scott and wife, Cynthia of St. Louis, Missouri; 11 grandchildren, Jason Adams, Colleen (Tim) Koester, Lt. Cdr. Chaldon (Linda) Wooge, Miranda (Mark) Stover, Courtney Wooge, Lukas (Stephanie) Wooge, Laurie (fiancée, Carlos Oropeza) Wooge, Tasha (Adam) Beenken-Grimm, Rebecca (fiancée, Erik Belford) Wooge, Kimberly Wooge and Loretta Wooge; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters, Arlene Baker and Wilma (Richard B.) Thompson, of Forest City, Darlene (Dean) Nelson, of Amherst, Wisconsin and Betty Lou (Thomas) Foster of Barstow, California; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Wooge of Indianhead, Minnesota and Lois Steffensen of Vienna, Virginia; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Galen was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lt. Col. LuVern Wooge in 2007; and brothers-in-law, H.R. "Bud" Steffensen in 1981 and Allen Baker in 2009.
© 2010 Forest City Summit

Howard Roger Smidt, 65

June 16, 2010

Howard Roger Smidt, 65, joined his parents in heaven on Saturday, May 29, 2010.

Per Howard's wishes, no funeral was held. A memorial visitation for family and friends was held on Thursday, June 3, from 6-8:00 p.m., at the Hamilton's on Westtown Parkway in West Des Moines. Memorials can be sent to the Hospice of Central Iowa.

Howard the son of Darius and Minnie (Ganseveld) Smidt, was born on June 7, 1944 in Forest City. Howard grew up in the Forest City, Joice and Lake Mills areas, helping his parents on the farm. As a young man, he lived in the Mason City area before moving to West Des Moines.

Howard loved spending time with his family and friends. He also loved camping, fishing, mushroom hunting, race car driving and spending time helping his family, friends and neighbors.

Preceding Howard to heaven were his parents; grandparents, Jan and Anke (Kaiser) Smidt and Klass and Fannie (Abbas) Ganseveld; and many aunts and uncles.

Howard is survived by his daughter, Kim (Mike) Hughes; two step-grandchildren, Kayla and Dylan Hughes of West Des Moines; brothers, Raymond (Neoma) of Grafton, Russell (Pat) of Austin, Minnesota and Ronald (Terri) of McPhearson, Kansas; sisters, Sharon (Leland)Levenhagen of Mason City and Beverly (Marvin) Boomgarden of Britt; plus many nieces, nephews and friends.

Howard was greatly loved and surely will be missed.
© 2010 Forest City Summit

Donald G. Tiedman, 86

June 10, 2010

LAKE MILLS-Donald G. Tiedman, 86, of Lake Mills, died on Sunday, May 30, 2010, at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, June 2, at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Lake Mills, with the Rev. Wendy Throne Johannesen officiating. Burial was in the Sunnyside Cemetery in Lake Mills. Memorials can be directed to the Asbury United Methodist Church in Lake Mills..

Donald Gordon Tiedman, was born on January 30, 1924 in Lake Mills, Iowa, the son of Carl Adolf and Charlotte Nellie (Thompson) Tiedman. Don lived in Lake Mills all of his life, graduating from the Lake Mills Community School, Waldorf College in Forest City and was a life-long member of the Asbury United Methodist Church. On November 19, 1935, Don was united in marriage with Betty Florence Bergland at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Together, they farmed in the Lake Mills area.

Don loved his family and was extremely proud of his grandchildren. His favorite, year round past-time was fishing for perch at Rice Lake. Don and Betty were avid Iowa Hawkeye fans, watching and attending every game possible. He loved to travel and his favorite trip was to Washington, DC, with Betty and his brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Ruth Hermanson.

Don is survived by his two sons, Dan (Sonja) Tiedman and Dave (Carol) Tiedman, all of Lake Mills; four grandchildren, Sara of Carroll, Mick, Josh, and Casey Tiedman, all of Lake Mills; brother, Leslie Tiedman of Wells, Minnesota; sisters and brothers-in-law, Ruth and Roger Hermanson of Lake Mills, Rachel and Don Gilmann of Lincoln City, Oregon and Elaine and Bob Hallstrom of Idaho; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty in March of 2007; sister-in-law, Carmen Tiedman; sisters and brothers-in-law, Bernice and Dr. Bud Wehman, Charlotte and Orin Tiedman.
© 2010 Forest City Summit