AGNES POTTER
August 10, 1917 - March 28, 2013

Agnes Potter, age 95 of Buffalo Center passed away Thursday March 28, 2013 at Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City

Funeral service will be held at 1:30 PM Saturday March 30 at the United Methodist Church in Buffalo Center with Pastor Deb Devine officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Buffalo Center.

Agnes Ora Johnson was born August 10, 1917, on a farm near Buffalo Center, Iowa. She was the second of eleven children born to Carl Johnson and Josephine Anderson Johnson.

On August 20, 1934, she was united in marriage to Richard Orville (Tiny) Potter. Agnes took great pride in having been married to Richard for 67 years, and she also took great joy in their five children and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her family, her other joys included playing cards (pinochle, five hundred and 88), gardening, cooking, and exercising. She also enjoyed visiting with friends and acquaintances.

Agnes and Richard were lifetime farmers. For many years Agnes and Richard lived on a farm four miles east and two miles south of Buffalo Center. In 1969 they bought and moved to a farm along the river road southeast of Forest City. They retired from farming in 1975 and returned to Buffalo Center.

For over sixty years Agnes was a member of the United Methodist Church.

Agnes passed away on Thursday, March 28th, 2013, at Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City.

She will be fondly remembered by her daughter Dolores M. Badje of Buffalo Center; her son Donald D. Potter and wife MaeAnne of Elma; her daughter Sandra L. Mireles and husband Tony of Forest City; her daughter Carol Jo Smidt and husband Jack of Woodbine, Georgia; son Rick Potter and wife Linda of Buffalo Center; her grandchildren; Tina M. Pickett, Thomas D. Potter, Jason L. Smidt, Dawn M. Cross, Donald Dean Potter, Jr., Jonathan R. Potter, Jessie M. Mireles, Andrew C. Potter, Ryan D. Potter and Cody A. Mireles; and her great-grandchildren; Joshua T. Potter, Matthew R. Potter, Christopher R. Potter, Nicholas W. Smidt, Lillian Potter, Jackson T. Potter, Gavin Potter, Isla J. Potter, Simon H. Potter and Fiona K. Potter; her great-great- grandchildren; Avery W. Potter, John Dallas Donaldson Potter, and her siblings Arlene of Ventura; Cora, Rosemary, Jo Ann and Della all of Portland, Oregon.

Agnes was preceded in death by her husband Richard; parents; siblings Margaret, Lester, Harold, Ardis and Betty and one infant grandson Tiny Potter.

JANET WEST
February 6, 1934 - March 25, 2013

Janet West, 79, of Forest City, died Monday, March 25, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa in Mason City.

As per her wishes, her body has been cremated.

Her children will have a private family gathering at a later date.

Janet Jean West was born on February 6, 1934 in Britt, Iowa. She was the daughter of Forrest and Fern (Fillenwarth) Reibsamen. Janet was a graduate of the Britt High School. Janet married Cletus West in August, 1954 in Britt, Iowa and lived in Wesley Iowa. They later divorced and Janet made her home in Forest City. She worked at Stitchcraft, Winnebago Industries for 29 years. Janet was a very talented seamstress and she also did beautiful stitch craft needlework and crocheting.

Survivors include her nine children, LuAnn (Douglas) Widen, Cedar Falls, LaDonna (Charles) Struckman, Bellevue, Mike (Janis) West, Wesley, Pat West, Mason City, Lynnette (John) Sorensen, West Des Moines, Lorri (Greg) Helleckson, Reno Nevada, Linda (Greg) Hendren, Cedar Falls, Rob (Danae) West, Des Moines and Rich West, Des Moines; 24 grandchildren; 9 great- grandchildren; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; her long time friend, David Courtney, Forest City; a brother, Bill Reibsamen, Hampton. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Robert Reibsamen.

WAYNE BANG
October 21, 1925 - April 1, 2013

Wayne H. Bang, 87, died Monday, April 1, 2013, at Cox Hospital Branson, Mo.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2013, at Pilot Knob Lutheran Church, rural Forest City, with Pastor Robert Snitzer officiating.  Burial will be in Pilot Knob Lutheran Church Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to Pilot Knob Lutheran Church.

Visitation will be from 7 - 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10 at Pilot Knob Lutheran Church.

Wayne Harlan Bang was born on Oct. 21, 1925 in Worth County, Iowa to Martin and Ada (Nelson) Bang. 

He was baptized at Beaver Creek Lutheran, rural Joice.  He grew up on a farm and attended Leland school for several years and was confirmed at Zoar Lutheran Church in Lake Mills.  He graduated from Joice High School in 1943.  After high school he served in the merchant marine corps.  He was working in a roller skating rink in Garner, where he met Dorothy Meling who he married on June 11, 1952 at Immanuel Lutheran in Forest City.

Wayne and Dorothy had three children and made their home in the Forest City area during the childrens’ school years.  Wayne enjoyed farming but also had a livestock buying station in Joice for a year.  He also worked as a draftsman at Winnebago Industries in Forest City working on plans for modular homes.  He also built and worked on several homes on a housing development he began on his farm east of Pilot Knob State Park.  In 1978 they moved to Cassville, Mo., where they owned and operated the Rainbow Motel for five years.  Wayne also worked in real estate and had several rental properties in Missouri including a hog farm.  They moved back to Iowa in 1996.  He was a long-time member of Pilot Knob Lutheran Church.  He loved working with tractors and cars.  He loved the Lord and was a generous and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy of Forest City; three children, Gloria (Marion) Peterson of Aurora, Mo.; Steve (Jonie) Bang of Lampe, Mo.; Brenda (Scott) Bartley of Pensacola, Fla.; two grandchildren, Chad (Marcy) Hanson of Forest City; Tanya Droessler of Forest City; four great grandchildren, Dakota, Colby, and Haley Droessler and Keaton Hanson.  He is also survived by two sisters and two brothers, Ardis Helland of Lewiston, Minn.; Hazel Monson of Mason City; Darrell (Marilyn) Bang of Joice; Darwin (Thelma) Bang of Rochester, Minn., and many special nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, brother Roger Bang, three brothers-in-law, Amos Helland, Bub Huso, and Clem Monson, and sister-in-law Lila Bang. 

Thoughts, memories, and condolences can be emailed to: poohbang@msn.com

Robert truly appreciated the fact that he and Betty enjoyed robust health in their later years oflife. He was proud of his exercise regimen and always ready to go for a walk. Together, they led an active social life. In recent weeks, after learning of his terminal illness, he responded to his physician, "We all have to go sometime", typical of his calm nature. He was surrounded by his wife Betty, his brother Donald, his daughter Becky, and his son Bradley, at the time of his passing in Costa Mesa, CA, on March 31, 2013.

Robert was the middle son of three and is survived by his older brother, Gene (Marian) Johnson, and his younger brother, Donald (Paula) Johnson; his wife, Betty Langpap; his daughter, Rebecca (Phil) Brand; his son, Bradley (Kathy) Johnson; his daughter, Barbara (Peter) Johnson-Vinna,; his three grandchildren, Jason Brand, Jennifer Merritt, and Spencer Vinna; and one great~grandchild, Ryne Merritt. Sisters~ and brothers-in-law include .Atltie;and Janie Van Gerpen; Gene and LaVonne Leland; Arlene Larson; Gerald ang Sheri Voldahl; Dorothea Brozek; and Dennis and Delores Jacobson; he is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Harold Johnson, and his wife Helen.

Memorials may be sent to the Rake Library or Zion Lutheran Church in Rake.

EUNICE ROCKWELL
February 27, 1922 - March 31, 2013

Eunice Rockwell, age 91 of Thompson passed away Sunday March 31, 2013 at Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center.

Funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM Wednesday April 3 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson with Pastor Elaine Siemsen officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Thompson.

Eunice Mildred Rockwell was born on February 27, 1922, to Andrew and Annie Larson near Leland, Iowa. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith at West Prairie Church and confirmed at North Prairie.

She married Harold Leslie Rockwell on June 28, 1941, near Springfield, Missouri. To this union five children were born: Patricia (Clifton) Hill, Thompson, Iowa; Wendell (Muriel) Rockwell, Waunakee, Wisconsin; Marceen (John) Sorensen, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Helen (Donald) Amundson, Jordan, Minnesota, and Warren (deceased) (Marie) Rockwell, Prairieville, Louisiana.

Eunice finished the 8th grade and then went on to work for families who had become new parents and also other families in need of household help.

After marriage, Eunice and Harold moved to a farm near Thompson where they started their family. She later went to work for Fleetguard (Walker Deluxe) and worked there for 27 years where she made many friends.

She was also an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church. Among her activities at church were participating in her circle and the quilting club.

Eunice was an excellent cook and she enjoyed preparing pot roast dinners for her family, especially for her grandchildren. She also loved to grow flowers and tend to her many flowerbeds. Eunice truly loved quilting and she made a quilt for each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Eunice passed away peacefully on Easter morning, March 31, 2013, at the Timely Mission Nursing Home where she had lived since March of last year.

Eunice is survived by her grandchildren; Teresa (Lonnie) Jurrens, Sibley, Iowa, Jodi DeLay, Plano, Texas, Debra (Brian) Throne, Lake Mills, Iowa, Robert (Sherri) Hill, Moore, South Carolina, Brad (Lisa) Rockwell, Gainesville, Virginia, Mike (Sherri) Rockwell, Poynette, Wisconsin, Mark (deceased) (Anne) Rockwell, Waunakee, Wisconsin, Brian (Courtney) Rockwell, Madison, Wisconsin, Diana (Matt) Thatcher, Ames, Iowa, Ryan (Samantha) Sorensen, Blaine, Minnesota, Lisa Amundson & special friend, Brian Colin, Shakopee, Minnesota, Alan (Ann) Amundson, Waukasha, Wisconsin. Eighteen great grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren; sisters, Alice Ulve, El Paso Texas, and Edith Knudtson, Rochester, Minnesota, and many nieces and nephews.

Eunice was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harold, son Warren, grandson Mark, her brothers, Orion and Clarence, and her sisters, Jessie, Clara, Laura and Mavis.

VELMA P SEVERSON
January 8, 1918 - April 8, 2013

Velma P. Severson, age 95 of Forest City, died Monday, April 8, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Forest City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, April 12, 2013 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, with Pastor Rod Hopp officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.

Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Forest City.

Velma Priscilla Severson, the daughter of Thomas and Alta (Eikenberry) Potter, was born on January 8, 1918 in Grimes, IA. She received her education in Buffalo Center rural schools.

In 1940 Velma moved to Forest City and began working at the Central Cafe, where she met her future husband, Orville Severson. They were married in Forest City on April 12, 1941. The couple made their home on a farm, east of Forest City, their entire lives.

Velma was a long-time member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. She recently retired after 42 years at Waldorf Food Services, a job she "loved every minute of", she said. She was an avid quilter. Velma loved her extended family very much and enjoyed being part of their lives as often as she could.

She is survived by her son, Julius Severson of Forest City; her daughter, Elizabeth (Joe) Ritscherle of Naperville, IL.; three grandchildren, Bob (Paulette) Gray, Lisa (Gary) Gramm, and Lynn (Mike) Patton; and five great-grandchildren, Dan, Kelly, Paige, Liam and Emily.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Orville; six brothers and one sister.

ROGER E JOHNSON
February 15, 1933 - April 10, 2013

Roger E. Johnson, 80, of Forest City, died Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Pastor Rod Hopp officiating.

Burial will be at Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City, with Graveside Military Rites.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 PM, Friday, April 12, 2013 at Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark Street, Forest City, Iowa and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Roger Eugene Johnson was born February 15, 1933 to Gus and Eunice (Stoddard) Johnson in Gowrie, IA. He attended Gowrie Community School and graduated in 1951. Roger enlisted in the U.S. Navy on February 1, 1952. He married Sonja Bergquist on January 12, 1963 at the Skaraborg Swedish Lutheran Church in Rockwell City, IA.

While in the service they were stationed in San Diego, CA where he worked as an Aviation Electrician. They moved to Dubuque, IA where he served as a Naval Recruiter after serving in Vietnam for one year. They then welcomed their twin daughters into the world and four years later moved to Brunswick, ME. He continued his service until his retirement on June 4, 1974 giving 22 years of service. Roger and his family moved to Forest City where he worked at Winnebago Industries for 11 years.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 121, Fleet Reserve Association and Immanuel Lutheran Church. He enjoyed woodworking, working outdoors, collecting trains, traveling to Branson, MO. and you could always count on him to be watching the Saint Louis Cardinals. He also looked forward to receiving his annual boxes of chocolate turtle candies every Christmas.

Roger is survived by his wife, Sonja of 50 years; his twin daughters, Carla (Randy) Jutting of Huxley, IA and Colleen (Brad) Lamping of Forest City. He has twin granddaughters, Grace and Hanna Jutting; 3 step granddaughters, Amy, Randi and Beckie Jutting; 2 step grandsons, Chris Lamping and his fiance, Tiffany, and her son Dominik, and Brandon Lamping and his wife, Kelsey and 1 step great-grandson, Carter Lamping; along with several special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Marvin, Pete, Don and Jim; and sisters Dixie and Pat.

LOIS TRIMBLE
February 15, 1924 - April 9, 2013 

Lois Trimble, 89, Clear Lake, IA died Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, IA.

A Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 13, 2013 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1001 9th Ave S., Clear Lake, IA with Rev. John Gossman and Msgr. John Hemann co-celebrating. Visitation will be held Friday from 5:00 – 7:00 PM with a Scriptural Wake service at 6;30 PM at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake; and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery, Hwy 122 W., Mason City, IA. Memorials may be given to the Lois Trimble Memorial Fund.

Lois was born on the family farm near Wesley, IA on February 15, 1924, the daughter of Anthony Joseph and Oma Elizabeth (Downs) Hildman. She attended first grade in Whittemore, and 2nd – 8th in parochial school in Wesley. She graduated from Wesley High School in 1942, then graduated from Hamilton Business College in Mason City, IA. She worked for the Globe Gazette in the classified advertising department for four years.
Lois married Morris Trimble October 8, 1947 in Wesley, IA. She worked with her husband at Forest City Aviation Inc. from 1971 – 1992. She loved gardening, was an avid reader, enjoyed sewing and her Busy Bee Club. Lois was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake, IA.

Lois is survived by her husband Morris Trimble, Clear Lake, IA; five children James David (Diane) Trimble, Iowa City, IA, Thomas John (Elvira) Trimble, Champlin, MN, Nancy Ann (Steven) Toepfer, Oacoma, S.D., Richard LaVerne (Theresa) Trimble, Forest City, IA and Ted Allen (Lori Hackbarth) Trimble, Clear Lake, IA; eleven grandchildren Alicia (Ian Lyttle) Trimble, John Trimble, Jake (Stephanie) Trimble, Heather (Jesse Amundson) Trimble, Christine Mallare, Davine Trimble, Eric Toepfer, Amber (Jason) Stone, Tyler (Maggie) Trimble, Tricia Trimble and Josh (Brook Mueller) Trimble; two great grandchildren Evan and Breah Trimble; brother Dennis (Glenda)Hildman, Northwood, IA and sister Joyce Sankey, Britt, IA and several nieces and nephews.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, infant son Sidney Allen Trimble, two brothers Kenneth and Larry Hildman.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, IA 50428 (641)357-2193 ColonialChapels.com

ORVILLE W. BEENKEN
March 29, 1927 - April 13, 2013  

rville Wayne Beenken was born March 29, 1927, in rural Titonka, Iowa, the third son of Warner and Mattie (Sonnenberg) Beenken. When he was 11 the family moved to a farm three miles southwest of Ledyard to what became the Beenken "Home Place". This would be his home for the next 70 years. He attended country school until the move to Ledyard where he continued his education at the Ledyard Community School, graduating in 1944. On June 11, 1950, he married the neighboring farmer's daughter, Norma Logemann. Born to this union were four children, Dan, Diane, Michelle and Melanie.

As a young man he came to realize that being good, attending church and baptism were not enough to get you to heaven and he put his faith and trust in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He strived to live his life serving the Lord in all he did. He loved to study the scripture and taught Sunday School most of his adult life. Another love of his was music. He sang with the E&R church "Octet", with his brothers, duets with Norma and others and performed solos. He always enjoyed raising his voice to heaven in congregational hymn singing and listening to his kids' special music. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bancroft and served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher.

After graduation from high school he started farming with his father, and on his own after Warner retired. When Dan finished college they farmed together until his own retirement in 1991. Orville loved to drive the tractor and combine for Dan and then his grandsons until 2004 when he was no longer physically able. He then looked forward to spring and fall and talking Norma into driving him out to the farm to observe the operations and occasionally offering a word of advice.

Orville and Norma lived on the home place by Ledyard until 2008, when they moved to Van Buren Terrace Apartments in Algona. He entered Good Samaritan Society - Algona in 2010 and died there Saturday, April 13, 2013. He was 86.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 63 years, Norma Beenken of Algona; son, Dan and Verlaine Beenken of Buffalo Center; daughters, Diane and Steve Davis of Maple Grove, MN; Michelle and Ramon Brant of Glidden; Melanie Holt of Owatonna, MN; grandchildren, Nate (Sandi) Beenken, Joel (Tyann) Beenken; Seth (Lacey) Beenken, Ben Davis, Justin and Kristin Brant, Matt, Bethany and Jessica Holt; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Miriam, Isaac, Noah and Naomi Beenken; Ascher Beenken and Axel Beenken. Also surviving is a brother, Leonard and LaVonne Beenken of Streator, IL; brothers and sisters-in-law, Wallace and Doretta Logemann of Ledyard; Juniece Beenken of Titonka and Elvera Logemann of Swea City and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Warner and Mattie Beenken; brothers, Gilbert and Herbert Beenken; son-in-law, Roy Holt and stillborn son, Michael Lee Beenken.

As a popular song says this was just a "Temporary Home" today we are confident that Orville is walking on streets of gold and singing in the heavenly choir.

JAMES D. ROEDER
March 10, 1949 - April 12, 2013

James Roeder, age 64 of Thompson passed away Friday April 12, 2013 at his home in Thompson surrounded by his family.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday April 20 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson with Pastor Bill Peake officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at a later date.

James Daniel was born on March 10, 1949 in Charles City, Iowa to Agnes (O’Neill) and James Martin, Jim was the youngest of five sons.

He attended Greene Community School in Greene, Iowa and graduated in 1968. He was united in marriage to Vicki Lyne Bean on July 14, 1967. To this union they had a daughter Lyne and son James. After graduation from high school, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army for three years. He served one year combat service in Vietnam and finished his duty at Fort Belior, Virginia.

Jim then worked at Winnebago Industries in Forest City, Iowa as a security guard and was one of the first to train with the security dogs in the early 1970’s. Later Jim returned to school at Sheldon, Iowa to become a power lineman and worked for Winnebago Rural Electric (Heartland Power) in Thompson for 23 years. Jim was also a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 790.

Jim and his wife Vicki enjoyed traveling and spending winters in Somerville, Texas as volunteers for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Jim enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife Vicki, daughter Lyne Roeder (Scott Sevley) of Thompson, son Jim (Darcy) Roeder of Buffalo Center; grandchildren: Kristen, Brittany, Jamie, Samantha, William, and Robert; and great-grandsons Axl and Lincoln; brothers Gary Roeder of Nashua and Thomas (Mary) Roeder of Springfield MO; special nephew Bruce Roeder of Springfield, MO; and aunts and uncles.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, stepfathers Herman Roeder and Glenn O’Neill, brothers John and Bruce Roeder, brother-in-law Donald Bean, and a niece Brenda Roeder-Franklin.

ROBERT CARL KNUDTSON
December 9, 1933 - April 12, 2013

Robert C. Knudtson, 79 of Forest City, IA, died Friday, April 12, 2013 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea, MN.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, April 16, 2013, at Winnebago Lutheran Church in rural Leland, IA, with Pastor Bill Peters officiating.

Visitation will be 4-7 PM Monday Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 East Main Street, Lake Mills, IA 50450, and again one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will take place at Winnebago Lutheran Cemetery in rural Leland, IA.

Robert Carl Knudtson was born December 9, 1933, the eighth child of Knudt B. and Clara (Haugen) Knudtson on the farm, Winnebago County, near Forest City, IA. He was baptized and confirmed at Winnebago Lutheran Church, where he remained a life-long member.

He attended Paulson Country school in Mt. Valley Township for eight years, then attended and graduated from Forest City High School in 1951.

On April 24, 1955, he was united in marriage to Delores Davidson at Zion Lutheran Church in Thompson, IA. They would have celebrated 58 years of marriage on April 24, 2013.

After their marriage, they lived on the original homestead where Robert raised livestock and worked in the fields. He was very proud of his dairy herd and livestock he raised. He started milking cows and farming with his father Knudt at age 18.

Robert had a love for the land and for the farm he called home for so many years. He lived on the Knudtson home place for 72 years before he and Delores moved to Forest City in November 2007. Even then, a trip to “the farm” was one of his daily routines as well as riding exercise bike at the YMCA, shooting pool and playing ping pong. He often talked about the “good ol days” working the horse drawn, two bottom plow, to most recently driving a tractor “hands free” allowing him to multi-task (LOL). He enjoyed the tractor rides every year with his nephews and friends, ice fishing, playing cards, golfing at Rice Lake and dancing.
Robert was a very active member of Winnebago Lutheran Church serving in numerous capacities from the cemetery board, was a Trustee, to Brotherhood and Winnebago Couples Club. Robert also served on many area boards, everything from Farm Bureau, Creamery Board, Elevator Board and rural Forest City Fire Department.

He is survived by his loving wife, Delores, his daughters, Karen Kester (her fiancé Mark Stenzel), Kathleen (Bernal) Hanna, Brenda (Mark) Kingland, and son, Brian (Carmen) Knudtson, all of Forest City, IA; his grandchildren, Rachel (Jeremy) Rognes, Kimberly (Rob) Scott, Levi Kester, Justin (Michelle) Kester, Jeremy (Elissa) Hanna, Jessica (Nick) Kudej, Alyssa (Ash) Lange, Josh Hanna, Ben (Sara) Kingland and Sara Kingland, Kalin and Truman Knudtson; eleven great-grandchildren, Brynn and Calvin Rognes, Wesley and Spencer Scott, Millie Kester, Ethan and Owen Kudej, Jonah and Benjamin Lange, twins, Pemberley and Paisley Hanna. Also surviving are in-laws, Ruth Knudtson, Cleone Knudtson, Evelyn Knudtson, Mavis Thorson, Lois and Valdean Lembke, Gloria Davidson; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Knudt and Clara; step-mother, Mabelle; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ernest (Avis) Knudtson, Charles (Irene) Knudtson, Melburn Knudtson, James Knudtson, Victor Knudtson; sisters and brothers-in-law, Edith (Raymond) Knutson, Florence (John) Albaugh, along with brothers-in law, Robert Thorson and David Davidson.

MELBA E BORCHARDT
July 4, 1933 - April 18, 2013

Melba E. Borchardt, 79, of Forest City, died Thursday, April 18, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM, Saturday, April 20, 2013 at United Methodist Church in Forest City with Pastor Jerry Swanberg officiating.

Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Forest City.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.

Melba Elaine Fox Borchardt was born on July 4, 1933, in her grandmother Fox's house in Forest City, to Mearle and Evelyne (Reed) Fox.

She started kindergarten in 1938 in Forest City and graduated from Forest City High School in 1951. Melba attended Waldorf College for one year, then taught in country schools four years. She returned to Waldorf College and graduated in 1957. In 1963, Melba received a BA degree from Luther College.

Her teaching career at Twin River Community School started in 1957 and ended 30 years later with her retirement in 1987. She taught sixth grade in Ottosen and later fifth and sixth grade language and social studies in Livermore.

On June 17, 1973, she married Galen Borchardt in the United Methodist Church in Forest City. They made their home in Livermore for the next fifteen years.

Melba retired from teaching school in 1987 and moved to Forest City where she and her husband completed building their home on West Halverson Street.

Melba was a 64 year member of the United Methodist Church in Forest City and was a member of the Winnebago Election Board. Galen and Melba belonged to the Winnebago County Cousins. For years, they delivered clothes to needy people. They also worked at Sharing and Caring Hands, a shelter in Minneapolis where she helped preparing a meal and serving it.

Melba is survived by her husband, Galen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a half brother and sister-in-law, Delbert and Marge Fox.

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NORMAN TAYLOR
February 24, 1951 -  April 18, 2013

Norman D. Taylor, 62, of Hanlontown, Iowa, died following a courageous battle with cancer Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at the Grace Lutheran Church, Hanlontown, with Pastor Linda Johnson-Prestholt officiating. Visitation will be Saturday from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, and then one hour before the service at the church. Inurnment will be at a later time in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Family suggests memorials to Norman D. Taylor Memorial Fund.

Norman was born Feb. 24, 1951 in Mason City, the son of Howard F. and Elaine Joyce (Peter) Taylor. He attended North Central High School, in Manly, Iowa, and was a member of the class of 1969. On March 20, 1984 Norman married Janet R. Wogstad and they had two daughters.

Growing up he helped on the family farm and later worked for the Dept. of Transportation and Martin Marietta. In 1976 he purchased and operated his own dump truck for several years. In 1989 he and his brother, Rex, operated the Forest City Cow Palace. In 1999, he began working for Ron Holland House Moving and then C.R. Holland Crane Service as a crane operator.

He was a Worth County Reserve Officer for many years; member of Hanlontown Community Club; Winnebago Historical Society; and the Grace Lutheran Church. He enjoyed camp fires with friends, driving his Corvette, sailing, playing his guitar, skiing, smoking turkeys for family gatherings, collecting antique tractors and farm equipment and helping at Heritage Park. He especially enjoyed being with family and friends.

He is survived by his mother, Elaine J. Taylor, Clear Lake; two daughters, Madalyn (Dan) Franks, Clear Lake, and Meggie Taylor, Hanlontown; granddaughter, Emma Franks, Clear Lake; three siblings,
Kathleen (Pete) Tollenaere, Fairfield, Iowa, Rex (Connie) Taylor, Hanlontown, and Joyce (Bill Welp) Taylor, Marshalltown, Iowa; nieces and nephews, Cheryl, Keith, Marilyn, Brad, Stacy, Scott, Sarah, Crystal and Katie; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Howard, and sister, Barbara Dellit.

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

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Posted 7 June 2013 by Jay Lehmann