Marvene M. Boyer

May 4, 2011

Marvene M. Boyer, 76, of Clear Lake, died on Sunday, May 1, 2011, at the Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, May 4, at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church. Visitation is one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m., in the Riverside Cemetery in Riceville. Memorials may be given to the Marvene M. Boyer Memorial Fund.

Marvene was born on August 23, 1934 in McIntire, the daughter of Arthur C. and Marie E. (Bemus) Kesten. She graduated from the McIntire High School in 1951. She then attended Mason City Junior College where she got a teaching degree in education. Marvene married Donald R. Boyer on June 27, 1954 in McIntire, at the Methodist Church. She taught in a variety of schools, while pursuing her master's degree at Drake University. In all, she taught one year in the Renwick School, Woden-Crystal Lake and then 23 years at Thompson retiring in 1988. After retiring, she managed the Drake Apartments in Des Moines for three years.

She enjoyed reading, sewing, embroidery, quilting and making wooden plaques. She was a member of the Royal Neighbors of America and the Clear Lake United Methodist Church.

Marvene is survived by her husband, Donald R. Boyer of Clear Lake; five children, Norman Craig and his wife, Sheila of Preston, Minnesota, Beth Boelman and her husband, Kim of Slater, Roger Boyer of Clear Lake, Richard Boyer and his wife, Monika of Muscatine and Karla Hills and her husband, Doug of Cedar Park, Texas; 10 grandchildren, Adam (Dena) Boelman, Joshua (Jessica) Boelman, Andrew (Tara) Craig, Lee (Teresa) Craig, Kolton (Molly) Boyer, Kaleb Boyer, Kally Boyer, Katherine Hills, Geoffrey Hills and Nicole Boyer; four great-grandchildren, Emma Boelman, Alexis Boelman, Luke Boyer and Evan Boelman; and one brother, Bob Kesten and his wife, Nanc of Riceville.

Marvene was preceded in death by her parents.

The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements.

Richard Espeland

May 11, 2011

Richard Espeland, age 78, of Forest City, died on Monday, May 9, 2011, at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, May 12, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery in Forest City. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 11, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City and will continue an hour prior to the services at the church.

Austina Johnson

May 11, 2011

Austina Johnson, age 100, of Lake Mills, died on Friday, March 11, 2011, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

As per her wishes, her body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, May 14, at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson, with the Rev. Mark Decker officiating. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Thompson.

Austina Johnson, the daughter of Osmund and Andrine (Knutson) Tungesvik, was born on November 12, 1910, on the family farm near Radcliffe. On May 6, 1929, she was united in marriage to Mandius (M.O.) Johnson in Adel. The couple resided in McCallsburg for a short time, later moving to Radcliffe where M.O. operated a corn shelling and trucking business. In 1945, they moved to a farm near Thompson where they farmed and raised their family of seven children.

Austina was busy with her large garden, flowers, farming and raising hundreds of chickens and selling eggs. She also made many hand stitched quilts, tied quilts, and braided rugs that her family enjoyed receiving as gifts.

Austina was very active in her church, Bethany Lutheran, in her circle, Ladies Aid, and organizing the quilting projects each winter for several years. She also was active in the JFF Club and the Young at Heart Club in Thompson. She enjoyed spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren. M.O. and Austina enjoyed taking road trips around the country visiting family and seeing the sights. In 1969, they started building their retirement home in town and moved in December of 1970 in time to enjoy Christmas. In 1984, Austina and twelve Tungesvik family members made a 15 day tour to Norway where her father grew up and visited their Norwegian family.

Austina's son, Ronald was her caregiver for five years so she could stay in her home as long as possible. In 1997, when she broke her hip, she then entered the Lake Mills Care Center.

Austina is survived by her seven children, Marcella Hauan of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Joan Jacobson of Thompson, Lois (Morris) Bjornsen of Blue Earth, Minnesota, Ronald Johnson of Bullhead City, Arizona, Dorothy (Ralph) Zenker of Escanaba, Michigan, Sharon (Freeman) Fox of Garner and Linda Brandau of Nora Springs; 17 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 44 years, Mandius on October 25, 1973; four sons-in-law, Ray Hauan, Edwin Jacobson, Kjell Bjornsen and Harlan Brandau; two sisters, Bertha and Mabel and four brothers, Andrew, Omer, Jacob and Silas.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Lake Mills Care Center for the excellent care they gave Mom these past 14 years.

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

Harry T. Tjelta

May 25, 2011

Harry T. Tjelta, age 81, of Forest City, died on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at his home in Forest City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, May 20, at the United Methodist Church in Forest City. Burial was in the Madison Township Cemetery in rural Forest City, with Graveside Military Rites provided by the Forest City American Legion Post 121.

Harry Tilford Tjelta was born on a farm south of Forest City, in Hancock County, on July 26, 1929, the son of Abraham and Mary (Bower) Tjelta. He received his education in the Forest City and Fertile Schools, graduating from the Fertile High School in 1947. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Alaska. Following his honorable discharge from the service, he returned to the Forest City area. On August 26, 1955, he was united in marriage to Peggy Faber and the couple farmed for many years in Worth County. In 1969, they moved to Forest City.

Harry loved to work ~ working at the grist mill, driving school bus, doing some trucking ~ anything he could set his hands to. For 17 years he worked at Winnebago Industries, retiring in 1994. Even now he was working part-time at Krysilis as a bus driver. Harry loved to garden, liked raising tomatoes and was working on a bell collection that was quite substantial.

He enjoyed traveling and every year throughout their married lives, Harry and Peg always looked forward to a fun vacation together somewhere. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Forest City American Legion Post 121.

Harry is survived by his wife of 55 years, Peggy Tjelta of Forest City; his sister, Thelma Lewis of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

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

Harlan "Hal" Hanna

May 25, 2011

Harlan "Hal" James Hanna, 68, of Dayton Ohio, born in Forest City, died Monday, November 15, 2010, of complications due to Alzheimer's.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, at the Community Center in Woden.

Dorothy C. Gannon

June 8, 2011

Dorothy C. Gannon, 89, formerly of Forest City, died on Monday, May 23, 2011, in Phoenix, Arizona.

A Mass of the Resurrection was held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 4, at the St. James Catholic Church in Forest City, with the Rev. Dennis Miller officiating. Burial was in the St. James Catholic Cemetery.

Dorothy Catherine Gannon, was born on January 23, 1922 at Dell Rapids, South Dakota, the daughter of Peter and Clasina (VanDam) DeGreeff, recent immigrants from the Netherlands. She was the oldest of 10 children. Her first job was as a telephone operator in Lake Wilson, Minnesota and later in Farmington, Minnesota, where she met her future husband, Edward Gannon. The two of them were married on December 28, 1941. The couple had five sons.

She also worked for an optometrist in Pipestone, Minnesota. Dorothy and her husband were in the restaurant business for years. She was the main cook and also tended bar in most places while raising her boys. She was a hardworking woman and a wonderful cook. The family owned and operated a steakhouse in Hatfield, Minnesota, a restaurant in Lake Wilson, Minnesota and a restaurant and bar in Forest City. After Edward passed away in 1987 she moved to Waseca, Minnesota, to be near her sister. She lived there until 1994 when her sons in Phoenix, Arizona, convinced her the Arizona climate would help her arthritis. She made Arizona her home until passing away. She was a lifetime member of the 3rd Order of St. Francis and the Catholic Daughters.

Dorothy is survived by her sons, Michael and David, both of Phoenix, Jerry of Everett, Washington and Darryll of Northfield, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brothers, Nick DeGreeff of Zimmerman, Minnesota, John DeGreeff, Peter DeGreeff and Arnold DeGreeff, all of Slayton, Minnesota and Steve DeGreeff of Spicer, Minnesota; and sister, Rosemary Drager of Zimmerman, Minnesota.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward; son, Donald; sisters, Catherine and Nellie; and brother, James.

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

Karen Kay Reindl

June 1, 2011

Karen Kay Reindl, 71, of Manly, died on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at the Manly Nursing and Rehab Center, surrounded by people she loved and who loved her.

A Memorial Mass was held on Saturday, May 28, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Manly, with the Rev. Michael J. Schueller and Msgr. Joseph J. Slepicka as Concelebrants. Burial followed in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Manly.

Karen Kay Jacobson, was born on March 29, 1940 in Forest City, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Render) Jacobson. Karen attended school at the Forest City High School and graduated amongst the class of 1957. Following high school she attended the Hamilton Business School in Mason City. On October 16, 1965, Karen was united in marriage to Kay Reindl at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manly. This union was blessed with three children. Throughout the years Karen worked at North Ag Fertilizer, Standard Oil, Hebel Fertilizer, North Iowa Co-op Elevator-Portland and Harold Alt Accounting until her retirement.

Karen always loved the outdoors. She enjoyed planting her yearly flower and vegetable gardens, as well as canning and freezing her vegetables in the fall. Karen also loved to read and she cherished the time spent with her family, fishing, boating and camping. In the winter months, Karen and Kay enjoyed wintering in Zapata, Texas. Karen was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Manly, the Rosary Society, church circles and was a former Cub Scout Leader.

Those grateful in sharing in her life are her husband, Kay Reindl of Manly; her three children, Lisa (Barry) McNulty of Washington, David (Mary Grace) Reindl of Gardner, Kansas and Craig (Sarah) Reindl of Mason City; six grandchildren, Brenden McNulty, Brant McNulty, Kiley Reindl, Joseph Reindl, John Reindl and Charles Reindl; her sister-in-law, Vera Jacobson of Cedar Falls; step mother-in-law, Iva Dene Reindl of Manly; many nieces, nephews and many other extended family members and friends.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Glen "Bob" Jacobson.

The Bride Colonial Chapel of Manly, was in charge of the arrangements.

Orla A. Nelson

June 8, 2011

Orla A. Nelson, age 89, of Forest City, died on Friday, May 27, 2011, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Forest City.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, June 2, at the Winnebago Lutheran Church in rural Lake Mills, with the Rev. Bill Peters officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Orla A. Nelson, the daughter of Albert B. and Amanda (Roslien) Holstad, was born on February 15, 1922, on a farm in Bristol Township, Worth County. She was baptized and confirmed at the Elk Creek Church, rural Kensett. She attended rural schools and graduated from the Joice High School in 1942. Orla was chosen by the school students to represent the school and community as their queen at the North Iowa Band Festival in Mason City on June 16, 1942. After graduation Orla worked at the Joice Post Office one year followed by employment with the U.S. Office of Price Administration in Mason City, where she worked until the end of rationing. She then worked one year for the Fisher Typewriter Company.

On September 3, 1948, Orla was united in marriage to Gordon P. Nelson at the Elk Creek Church. They made their first home in Denver, Colorado, where Gordon attended the University and Orla worked for Jeppeson and Co., a company that published a flight operations manual for airline pilots. Following a year at graduate school at the University of Minnesota for Gordon when Orla worked for an automobile dealer, Gordon was recalled to active duty in the Air Force and stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio. Their children, Steven and Gregory were born during the years they lived in Ohio. Subsequent tours of duty took them to Los Angeles and Edwards Air Force Base in California. Gordon retired from the Air Force in 1969 and the family moved to their farm near Joice, which they had previously purchased. Orla helped raise her two children and maintain the household while the family farmed from 1973 to 1979.

She enjoyed cooking, baking and sewing and helped remodel the farm house. She and her family, accompanied by her sister Berniece and husband Edward, vacationed in Western Europe during the summer of 1972 and visited some of the early family's homesteads in Norway. In 1998, she and Gordon moved to a new home they had built where she lived until she passed away. During this time she and Gordon took many trips in their motor home to visit friends and children in different parts of the county and enjoy retirement.

Orla is survived by her husband, Gordon; sons, Steven Nelson of Joice and Greg Nelson of Golden, Colorado; four grandchildren, Derek Nelson, Daniel Nelson, Eric (Amie) Nelson and Jennifer Nelson; a great-granddaughter, Scotlyn Nelson; a sister, Lorette Kroneman of Mason City; brothers, Arnold Holstad of Mason City and Harlan (Virginia) Holstad of Hampton; brother-in-law, Alvin (Karen) Albertus and sister-in-law, Eldora Holstad.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Berniece (Edward) Rodemeyer, Alva (Fredrick) Reetz, Marcella (Donald) Picken and Loraine Albertus; a brother, Sophus Holstad; daughter-in-law, Rachel Nelson; brother-in-law, Merle Kroneman; and sisters-in-law, Viola Holstad and Amy Holstad.

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

Gary Knudtson

June 8, 2011

Gary Knudtson, of Forsyth, Missouri, formerly of Lake Mills, died on Saturday, May 28, 2011, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 4, at the Lake Taneycomo Elks Lodge 2597 in Forsyth, Missouri.