Warren J. Brooker

July 27, 2011

Dr. Warren J. Brooker, 90, of Duluth, Minnesota, died on Friday, July 1, 2011, in the Hospice Care Unit at St. Luke's Hospital. In his final days Warren was blessed to have the support of his family, many friends and the wonderful staff at St. Luke's Hospital.

A memorial service at the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Duluth, has been scheduled for August 6. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Warren's memory may be made to the Brooker Scholarship at the Forest City Education Foundation, Forest City or a charity of one's choice.

Warren was born on December 12, 1920 in Mason City. He grew up on the family farm near Forest City, where he helped with the family dairy business. Among his many chores was delivering milk before school. He spoke proudly of sitting in the back of his dad's truck and running fresh milk up to the houses in town. Warren had many fond memories of his childhood, including riding his pony to school, participating in sports, choir, band, skating on the frozen river and working on his 4-H projects. He also enjoyed Scouting and became an Eagle Scout.

After high school Warren received a scholarship to attend Grinnell College. He later transferred to the University of Iowa to pursue his dream of attending medical school, encouraged by his parents and his grandfather, Dr. P.H. Vesterborg of Forest City. It was there where he became engaged to the love of his life, Marjorie Berg, best known as Midge, whom he had first met during her summer stays in Iowa with her grandparents. June 18 marked their 67th anniversary.

While in school, Warren joined the U.S. Army, which allowed him to complete his medical training. After school, he and Midge came to Duluth for his medical internship at St. Luke's Hospital. They soon fell in love with Duluth, the lake, and its beautiful country. Warren set up a private practice in Duluth and also became the first Director of Student Health at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Beginning in 1951, Warren served in the U.S. Air Force, spending the next two years with his young family in the Azores. Upon returning to Duluth, he was inspired by his good friends Dr. Malcolm Fifield and Dr. John Streitz to go into urology and in 1957 he attended the University of Minnesota to advance his studies in urology and surgery. He spent the next four years at the VA and University Hospitals. Returning to Duluth in 1961 he joined his friends in establishing the practice of Fifield, Streitz and Brooker, to be joined by Dr. Curtis Hutchens in 1974. He remained with his partners until his retirement in 1990. During that time, he served as Chief of Staff at St. Luke's Hospital, taught at the UMN Medical School, authored articles for medical journals and helped establish the Urological Society of Minnesota.

In 2004, the Lake Superior Medical Society honored Dr. Brooker with the Thomas A. Stolee Award for Exceptional Dedication to the Practice of Medicine. He enjoyed his many colleagues and his friends in Rotary Club #25 and his Tuesday luncheon group. His love of the outdoors and all that it has to offer was passed on to his children. Dr. Brooker loved medicine and nursing, his family and his community. He was deeply grateful for his opportunities. Warren was an advocate for education and with his mother and family established the Jay E. Brooker Cup and Award in 1957 in honor of his father. The award is made to an outstanding Forest City High School male athlete /scholar graduate.

Dr. Brooker was preceded in death by his parents, Jay Ellis Brooker and Ruth Vesterborg Brooker of Forest City.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Alice of Duluth and their five children and two grandchildren, Valerie Brooker (Melvin Duncan) of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Kathleen Brooker (Tim McDonald) of Tacoma, Washington, Tim (Carol) Brooker of Plains, Montana, Steve Brooker of Duluth and Jay Booker of Missoula, Montana; grandsons, Anders Brooker (Tim and Carol) of Missoula and Owen Brooker (Jay) of Bozeman.

The Bell Brothers Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home of Duluth, Minnesota, was in charge of the arrangements.

Berneta A. Gambell

July 13, 2011

Berneta A. Gambell, 98, of Forest City, died on Thursday, July 7, 2011, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Forest City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 11, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. Burial was in the Madison Township Cemetery in rural Forest City. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Berneta Amanda Gaarde Gambell, was born at home in Halfa on August 25, 1912, the daughter of Peter and Myna (Churchill) Gaarde. She was baptized in the Danish Lutheran Church in Ringstead. When she was three the family moved to Armstrong where she graduated from high school in 1931. She played basketball and loved to dance. Berneta attended Waldorf College and graduated in 1933 with a teacher's certificate and taught a few years in Swea City. She met her husband Doland Keith Gambell at Waldorf College. They were married in Armstrong at the home of her parents on May 29, 1938. The couple made their home in Forest City. They celebrated 62 years of marriage, enjoyed camping and spent 20 winters in Texas with their travel trailers.

Berneta was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sarah Circle, Prayer Shawl Committee, WELCA and volunteered at the church. She was a member of the Forest City Art Club and the Kum Along Club where she enjoyed her friends at meals, cards and gatherings. She was an honorary member of the Forest City Firemen, as Doland served many years on the department. She was so proud to attend their annual meetings, dinners and soup suppers. She was an avid crafter for years and crocheting was her favorite hobby. She made hundreds of hats and mittens for Forest City Schools, Sioux City Schools and Omaha Schools. She made many sweaters for WELCA, baby kits for missions and many prayers shawls. Prayer was her mission and she prayed for family and friends as well as wrote letters to old friends to keep in touch. She was a Twins fan, loved to watch bowling and basketball on TV and read a lot, especially her Bible.

Berneta is survived by four children, Judith (Wayne) Buckley of Omaha, Nebraska, John (Janet) Gambell of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kathryn (Paul) Sorensen of Forest City and Charles (Sally) Gambell of Sergeant Bluff; 10 grandchildren, Kristi Buckley Sheffler, Tom Buckley, David Buckley, Kathryn Buckley Wachtler, Amanda Sorensen Kopischke, Susan Gambell Frazier, Anthony Gambell, Elizabeth Sorensen Smith, Nicole Gambell Opsal and Kathleen Gambell DeRouchey; fourteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Earl Gaarde of Modesto, California; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Doland in 2000; a brother, Arnold Gaarde; and two sisters, Fern Askeland and Grace Gaarde.

Thelma E. Mitchell

July 20, 2011

Thelma E. Mitchell, 91, of Garner, died on Friday, July 15, 2011, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, July 21, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner, with Rev. Dale Glawatz officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Harvey and Thelma Mitchell Radio Ministry Fund, Lutheran Laymen's League or to the Hospice of North Iowa.

Thelma Elida Mitchell, the daughter of Theodore Charles and Malenda (Rosaaen) Rogness, was born on March 12, 1920, on a farm in Ellington Township, southeast of Forest City. In the fall of 1926, Thelma lived with her grandparents in Thor, where she attended her first year of school. She attended Ellington #5 for the rest of her elementary education. She graduated from the Forest City High School in 1938 with a Normal Training Teacher's Certificate. Thelma continued her education at the La James Cosmetology School in Mason City. After graduation she taught at La James until 1942. During World War II, Thelma moved to Omaha, Nebraska and was employed at Glen L. Martin as a final assembly electrical inspector for airplane bombers. During her employment at the bomber plant she met her future husband, Harvey Mitchell. On February 6, 1944, they were married at the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller. Thelma and Harvey lived with her parents before moving into Garner in 1946.

Thelma was a stay-at-home mother for their children and in 1966 became the assistant librarian at the Garner-Hayfield Elementary School, retiring in 1988. In 1976, she began working as an assistant librarian at the Garner Public Library. She continued working at the Garner Public Library until 1995. Thelma enjoyed reading and was instrumental in establishing libraries at the St. Paul Lutheran Church and at Prairie View Apartments. She also enjoyed traveling, golfing, sewing, using her computer and communicating with friends and relatives. She was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, LWML, Garner Wa-Tan-Ye Club, WIT and the Book Worms Book Club.

Thelma is survived by her three children, Harvey "Dan" (Cari) Mitchell, Jr. of Hastings, Minnesota, Dennis (Barb) Mitchell of Hollywood, Florida and Deb (Mike) Schmidt of South Haven, Minnesota; seven grandchildren and their families, Mitzi Mitchell (Greg Huff), Mindi (Gunnar) Nelson and their three children, Masayda, Cassian and Joakim, Shayne (Sarah) Mitchell and their two daughters, Adrianna and Mackenzie, Caryn (Jason) Smith and their two sons, Brayden and Rylan, Bryan (Stacy) Mitchell, Christian Schmidt and Gretchen (Jeremy) Etzler; a brother, Martin (Miriam) Rogness of Forest City; two sisters, Alma (Arno) Olson of Iowa City and Marie Jordahl of Enid, Oklahoma; a sister-in-law, Phyllis Rogness of California; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey on September 29, 1997; parents; and two brothers, Lester and Emmet Rogness.

James Heesch

July 27, 2011

James Heesch, age 65, of Seymour, died on Monday, July 18, 2011, following a 3 year, 9 1/2 month courageous battle with stage four melanoma cancer.

He was born on April 5, 1946 in Algona, to Melbourne and Evelyn (Hanson) Heesch. Jim graduated from the Buffalo Center High School in 1964. He worked as a hired hand for area farmers until being drafted into the Army in 1965. He was stationed at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Ala. as a chemist and was discharged in 1967 as SP/4. In October of 1967, he purchased his first farm west of Joice. He simultaneously worked at Paper Calmenson and Electric Machine in Minneapolis in 1969. In September of 1969, he married Norrine (Nelson) Heesch of Scarville and to this union two children, a daughter Codi and a son Clint were born. While farming Jim worked at Winnebago Industries until 1973 and delivered motor homes during the off-farming season until 1976, when he and his wife farmed full time. He custom harvested in the Dakotas' for a few years and also custom harvested for the area farmers. Jim purchased farm ground southwest of Seymour in 1983 and moved to their current residence in 1990.

His hobbies included construction of buildings, houses and machinery. He bred and trained American quarter horses for over 35 years. He was passionate about the heritage of farming he shared with his children and grandchildren.

James is survived by his wife, Norrine; daughter, Codi (Heesch) Christianson and her husband, David; son, Clint Heesch and his wife, Andrea (Honsey) Heesch; five grandchildren, Tuff Christianson, Colt Christianson, Tell Heesch, Wyatt Heesch and Paige Heesch; brothers, David Heesch, Miles Heesch; sisters, Susan Heesch, Elaine Heesch and Barbara and her husband, Lonnie Flake; also one sister-in-law, Helen (Nelson) Coumes and her husband, Michel; 3 brothers-in-law, Gerald Nelson and his wife, Cynthia, Tim Nelson and his wife, Linda and Arlyn Nelson and his wife, Kris; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melbourne Heesch and Evelyn Heesch; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Norris Nelson and Florain Nelson; and brother-in-law, Aaron Rognehaugh.

According to family wishes, Jim has been cremated and there will be no public services. He will be buried at a family plot. Condolences may be left online at www.langefh.com. Memorials may be left at or mailed to the Lange Funeral Home, Centerville, Iowa.

Lavern C. Jones

July 27, 2011

Lavern Carl Jones, 83, of Forest City, died on Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

A graveside service was held on Friday, at the Madison Township Cemetery, Forest City. A memorial service was held on Friday, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Forest City, with the Reverend Greg Anderson officiating.

Lavern Carl Jones, was born on March 31, 1928 in Sheffield, the son of Archie and Harmine (Voss) Jones. After graduating from the Forest City High School, he was drafted into the United States Army where he served his time with the Chemical Corp Unit during the Korean War. Vern worked as a store manager at Clifton's Supermarket in Mason City. His fondest memories were of his time at Clifton's, helping and knowing everybody. He moved to Forest City to continue his career as the Winnebago Company Store Manager, Forest City, for 18 years retiring in 1992.

He spent his life enjoying the company of his family and friends. He had a diversity of interests including boating, fishing, camping, carpentry, woodworking, motorcycles, sports cars, farm tractors, building model airplanes and taking advantage of his pilot's license, flying. He was always amazed by the people he met along his journey and the life long friendships it created.

Vern is survived by his children, Carsjen Jones, Kelvin Jones, Sandi Jones, Loren Jones, Terri Gross and Sherri Jones; six grandchildren, Keri, Tiffany, Trisha, Jeffrey, Andrew and Kelly; eight great-grandchildren, Jessica, Alexander, Briana, Brooklyn, Joshua, Emily, Benjamin and Abigail; one sister, Mary Lou Dahlien of Portland, Oregon; along with nieces nephews other relatives and numerous friends. He will be forever missed.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Marvin Jones.

The Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City, was in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Jane Weible

July 27, 2011

Mary Jane "Jane" Gjellefald Weible, 94, of Rochester, Minnesota, died on Friday, July 22, 2011.

She was born on March 13, 1917 in Forest City. On October 14, 1939, she married John Dudley Weible and he precedes her in death. Dudley and Jane had 3 daughters, Susan, Debbie and Libby; 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, July 26, at the Charter House in Rochester. Private interment was to be held in the Oakland Cemetery, Forest City.

Special memories or condolences may be sent to the family at www.ranfranzandvinefh.com

The Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, Rochester, Minnesota, was in charge of the arrangements.

Virgil A. Swanson

August 3, 2011

Virgil A. Swanson, age 98, of Forest City, died on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, July 30, at the First Baptist Church in Forest City, with Pastor Doug Snyder officiating. Burial was in the First Baptist Cemetery in Forest City. Visitation was held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Friday, July 29, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City and continued an hour prior to the services at the church.

Virgil A. Swanson, was born on the family farm southeast of Forest City, Iowa, on September 27, 1912, the son of Jonas and Emma (Lewis) Swanson. He attended school in Ellington Township #2 and graduated from the Forest City High School in 1929. Later he graduated from Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, Illinois. Virgil farmed with his father until June 1942 when he was inducted into the U.S. Army during World War II. He served at various camps in the United States and for 2 1/2 years he was stationed in England where he was attached to the 8th Air Force as a mechanic in a service group at a P51 air base. On December 7, 1945, he married Lorraine Fox in Duluth, Minnesota, after which they farmed southeast of Forest City.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church, where he was a member of the choir and served in various capacities through the years. He always enjoyed his family, farming, hunting and serving his Lord through the church. He went to be with his Lord on July 27, 2011 after a very short stay at the Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Robert in February 1947; brother and sister-in-law, Delmer and Lillian Swanson; sister and brother-in-law, Ethel and Chester Gunderson; and brother-in-law, Art Beekmann.

Virgil is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Lorraine; son, Dana (Marci) Swanson; daughter, JoLayne (Paul) Widen; four grandchildren, Emily (Chad) Anderson, Matt (Diane) Swanson, Josh Widen and Mandy (Cory) Champney; five great-grandchildren, Seth, Trevor and Brandon Champney and Cooper and Riley Marie Anderson; sister-in-law, Darlene Beekmann; and many nieces and nephews, including Lee (Stephanie) Swanson, Richard (Doreen) Gunderson and Philip (Carol) Gunderson and their families.

The Petersen Lund Funeral Home of Forest City, was in charge of the arrangements.