Donna Mae Lackore

September 7, 2011

Donna Mae Lackore, 73, of Garner, died on Friday, September 2, 2011, at the Forest City Good Samaritan Center.

A memorial service celebrating her life was held on Monday, September 5, at the Pilot Knob Lutheran Church, in rural Forest City. In lieu of flowers the family has asked donations be made to the Pilot Knob Lutheran Church in Forest City or the Alzheimer's Association.

Donna Mae (Ryerson) Lackore, was born on March 25, 1938, the daughter of Herbert and Agnes (Bakke) Ryerson. After graduating high school, Donna received her teaching certificate from Waldorf College and also attended Mankato State. She was united in marriage to Eugene Lackore on October 4, 1957 in Miller. Donna taught school for several years in Thompson, Hayfield, Muscatine and Garner. Later in her life she worked for Winnebago Industries. Gene and Donna also farmed for several years north of Hayfield and taught square dancing to many. They were blessed with three daughters.

Donna had a very strong faith and personal witness. She loved her family very much. Donna's hobbies included traveling, gardening, watercolor painting, reading, sewing and spending time with her family. Donna enjoyed many friends in square dancing, church and the Rockport 35 RV Park in Rockport, Texas. Donna was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church, Pilot Knob Lutheran Church and Come As You Are Church at Rockport 35 RV Park.

She is survived by her husband, Eugene Lackore of Garner; three daughters, Renee (Fred) Sweers of Moville, Linda (Tim) Tuttle of Fertile and Lisa (Eddie) May of Fertile; nine grandchildren, Jessica (Jay) Sweers Delp, Christine (Adam) Sweers Jastram, Josiah Sweers, Gabriel Sweers, Rachel Tuttle, Mitchell Tuttle, Isaac Tuttle, Sharayah May, Joshua May; one great-grandchild, Emma Delp; 4 brothers, Tom (Marge) Ryerson of West St. Paul, Minnesota, Ray (Judy) Ryerson of Garner, Mike (Tinker) Ryerson of Homer, Alaska and Jon (Diane) Ryerson of Nichols; 2 sister-in-laws, Roberta (Chuck) Lackore Morkin of Holyoke, Massachusetts and Mary Ryerson of Scarville; and many nieces and nephews.

She was proceeded in death by parents, Herbert and Agnes Ryerson; three sisters, JoAnne (Ryerson) Davis, Sandra (Ryerson) Birkey and Mary (Ryerson) Holder; three brothers, Ron Ryerson, Jerome Ryerson and Doug Ryerson; two brother-in-laws, Sam Davis and Cliff Holder; one sister-in-law, Francine Ryerson; and mother and father-in-law, Clayton and Ethel (Grell) Lackore.

Special thanks to the staff of the Forest City Good Samaritan Center and Hospice of North Iowa for the wonderful care she received.

Darlene Rayman

September 21, 2011

Darlene Rayman, age 74, of Albert Lea, died peacefully of cancer on Thursday, September 15, 2011, with her family at her side at the St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held at  1:30 p.m., on Monday, September 19, at the First Lutheran Church in Glenville. Rev. Gregory Ofsdahl officiated. Interment was in the Bohemian National Cemetery. Visitation was from 4-7:00 p.m., on Sunday, September 18, at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services at the church. 

Darlene Georgina Rayman, was born on November 19, 1936 in Forest City, to George and Dorothy (Meyer) Edwin. She grew up in Forest City and graduated from the Forest City High School in 1954. Darlene married Norman Peterson on November 19, 1955. Together they had 10 children. Norman passed away. Darlene worked for Land O Lakes for over 20 years. On January 6, 1979, she married Roger Rayman and the couple made their home in the Albert Lea area. Darlene worked at Shopko for 19 years. After her retirement, Darlene delivered Freeborn County Shoppers. 

She was a member of the First Lutheran Church at Glenville and had been active in the ladies auxiliary. Darlene was also a member of WFLA, Lodge 44 and LeSeuer Pioneer Power Association. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, gardening, crossword puzzles, riding motorcycle, fishing and attending sporting events for her children and grandchildren. She was an avid Twins and Gophers fan and enjoyed listening to polka music as well as collecting many things. Darlene was a very strong and caring woman and she treasured the time spent with her family and grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her husband, Roger; children, Diane (Dan) Bridges, Dorene (Randy) Brandsoy, Dawn (David) Thomas, Darla (Allan) Terpstra, Debra McGaheran and special friend, Marty Rethemeier, Donica (Timothy) Lee, Norma (Scott) Rasmusson and Nancy (Wayne) Jacobs; step-children, Daniel (Kathy) Rayman, Craig (Marcia) Rayman, Jeff (Michelle) Rayman, Lisa (Daniel) Ziebell and Laurie (Edward) Lundmark; 37 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; siblings, Lois (Eugene) Low and Marilyn (Kenneth) Kobriger; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Norman; sons, Dale Peterson and Danny Peterson; granddaughter in infancy, Shanna Rayman; and sister, Edith Taylor.

To sign the guest book, go to www.bayviewfuneral.com

Margie Kirschbaum

September 21, 2011

Margie Kirschbaum, 92, of Forest City, died on Thursday, September 15, 2011, at the Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.

A Mass of the Resurrection was held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, September 19, at the St. James Catholic Church in Forest City, with Fr. Dennis Miller officiating. Burial was in the St. James Catholic Cemetery in Forest City. Visitation was held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Sunday, September 18, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City, with a Scripture Service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation continued an hour prior to the services at the church.

Margie Kirschbaum, was born on March 19, 1919, to Robert and Rosa (Gelner) Clark in rural Forest City. She attended country school through the eighth grade and lived around the Forest City area all of her life. On November 23, 1937, she was united in marriage to Cecil Kirschbaum at the St. James Catholic Church in Forest City. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in November 1987. They farmed most of their life. She also worked as a nurses aid at the Forest City Hospital for several years and dearly loved her job.

She was a member of the St. James Catholic Church all of her life. She also belonged to the Senior Citizen Club in Crystal Lake for many years and was very involved in that. They had a "Kitchen Band" of which she was the drum player and thoroughly enjoyed playing in that band. She loved to dance.

In December 1996 the couple moved off the farm and made their home in a condo in Forest City. Margie continued living there after Cecil died until August 2007, when she moved to the Apple Valley Assisted Living in Clear Lake and then in September of 2009 moved to Good Shepherd in Mason City, where she resided until her death.

Margie is survived by five daughters, Ruth Smith of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, Carol (Russell) Burress of Ventura, Judy (Jim) Prideg of Cedar Falls, Cathy (Paul) Yoch of LeRoy, Minnesota and Susan Kirschbaum of Fox Lake, Illinois; sister, Sharon (DeWayne) Schneckloth and a brother, Robert (Jan) Clark of Stewartville, Minnesota; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-eight great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Marjorie (Louis) Vavrik and Michaela Clark; brother-in-law, Eugene (MaDonna) Kirschbaum; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; infant twin daughters, Marlys and Marlene; four brothers, Kenneth, Milton, Gordon and Richard Clark; and two sons-in-law, Gary Hulme and Dewey Smith.

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

Kathryn G. Sexton

September 28, 2011

Kathryn G. Sexton, 81, of Titonka, died on Monday, September 19, 2011.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, September 22, at the United Methodist Church in Titonka. Pastor Todd Hartsock officiated. Burial was in the Buffalo Township Cemetery in Titonka.

The Oakcrest Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.

John Osnes

September 28, 2011

John Osnes, age 86, of Forest City, died on Monday, September 19, 2011, at the St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, September 23, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, with Pastor Rod Hopp officiating. Burial was in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Rake, with graveside military rites by the Forest City American Legion Post 121. Visitation was held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, September 22, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City and continued an hour prior to the services at the church.

John Thyron Osnes II, was born on June 3, 1925, the second child of Barbara (Pederson) and John Osnes on a farm called the "Forty" near Garner. He graduated from the Ventura High School in 1942 and served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946. One of the highpoints of his life was taking the Honor Flight last year to Washington, D.C. to tour the WW II Memorial. After his discharge from the Navy, he attended Waldorf College where he received a liberal arts degree and then St. Olaf where he graduated in 1949 with a degree in physics. He attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota for a year, at which point he decided not to pursue the ministry.

He first met his future wife, Betty Havnen Osnes, while at Waldorf. They married in 1951 and had three children, John III, Kris and Mary Beth. He worked as a lineman for the Winnebago Co-op Telephone Co., moving to Madelia, Minnesota, to manage the telephone company there from 1956 to 1959. In 1959, he accepted a supervisory position for the Central Telephone Company in Fairmont, Minnesota. In 1967, the family relocated to Madelia where John served as the Administrator of the Luther Memorial Home. In 1973, he returned to Forest City, after purchasing what would become Osnes T.V. and Stereo. He retired in 2003 at the age of 80.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son, John III; siblings, Virgil, Thelen, Paul, Russell and Janis; as well as his beloved cocker spaniel, Lady.

He is survived by daughters, Kris and Mary; sisters, Arlet and B.J.; as well as several nieces, nephews and their children.

John was a kind and caring person who participated in numerous church and civic activities and who helped people whenever and however he could. He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent either to Fairview Foundation (Transplant Center), 2200 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454, or to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Forest City.

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

Ruth Ouverson

September 28, 2011

V. Ruth (Ballentyne) Ouverson, 92, of Fertile, passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Forest City.

A funeral service was held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 24, at the Fertile Church of Christ, with Pastor Dennis Ganz and Pastor Rob Perry officiating. Burial followed in the Grant Township Cemetery, rural Fertile. Visitation was held one hour prior to Ruth's funeral at the church. According to Ruth's wishes, memorials may be designated to the Cookson Hills Christian Home in care of the Fertile Church of Christ, Fertile.

Ruth was born on January 9, 1919 in Clear Lake. She grew up on a farm just north of Ventura and would often recall how she would walk four miles each day to attend classes at the Grant Township School. While in high school, Ruth lived with her grandparents in Fertile where she attended the Fertile High School. On July 4, 1936, Ruth was united in marriage to Virgil Ouverson at the Fertile Church of Christ. Together they made their home in Fertile for over 75 years. Throughout her adult years Ruth's first priority was raising their children and tending to their home.

She was accomplished in knitting and crocheting and made many afghans for family members and friends throughout the years. Ruth also enjoyed crossword puzzles and was available to lend a hand whenever the Fertile Church of Christ Christian Workers had an event or activity. Ruth enjoyed going out for dinner with Virgil each Friday evening at Pizza Hut and they did their weekly grocery shopping afterward. Ruth liked watching her weekly episode of "The Lawrence Welk Show" on Saturday.

Those grateful in sharing in Ruth's life are her husband, Virgil of Fertile; her sons, Larry (Judy) Ouverson of Yellville, Arkansas, Dennis Ouverson of Sebring, Florida and Roger (Susan) Ouverson of Vinton; 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Dick (Ethel) Ballantyne of Mason City and Bill (Irene) Ballantyne of Clear Lake; and a sister-in-law, June Ballantyne of Clear Lake; as well as extended family members and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Dora Ebaugh; a son in infancy, Jimmie Ouverson; a daughter, Rosalie Ouverson; and two brothers, Stan and Darrel Ballantyne.

The Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of the arrangements. www.colonialchapels.com.