Olga Ouverson

December 17, 2002

Olga Ouverson, 80, of Hanlontown, died on Monday, December 9, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, at the Church of Christ in Fertile. Burial was in the Grant Center Cemetery in rural Clear Lake.

Olga Marie Earlina Ouverson, was born on July 16, 1922, on a farm in Mountrail County, North Dakota, the daughter of Ole and Mary (Anderson) Johnson. She received her education there and after moving with her family to Iowa, graduated from the Kensett High School. She attended Mankato State College and received her teaching certificate. She taught in country schools for a year. She married Francis Ouverson on December 26, 1943 at his parent's home. The couple made their home in Fertile for a short time before moving to their present farm north-east of Fertile.

Olga was a dedicated and active member of her church, serving as secretary, treasurer and pianist for many years.

Olga is survived by her husband, Francis and three children, Craig Ouverson of Hanlontown, Joyce Hagen and husband, Leon of Hanlontown and Dr. Richard Ouverson and wife, Dr. Anna Ouverson of Madison, South Dakota; five grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Evelyn Johnson of Mason City and Elvira Olson and husband, Russell of Fairfax, Iowa; two sisters-in-law, Silence Johnson of Fertile and Marian Mulder of Slayton, Minnesota; and a brother-in-law, Loris Scobee of Fertile.

Olga was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Helmer, Walter, Adolph and Earl Johnson; and three sisters, Hazel Lundt, Florence Sanderson and Nora Mogk.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Florence Davis

December 17, 2002

Florence Davis, 97, died on Wednesday, December 11, 2002, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, with Rev. Richard Jensen officiating. Burial was in the St. Ansgar Cemetery, St. Ansgar.

Florence was born on November 4, 1905 in Cathay, North Dakota, to Mark A. and Lillie (Beeghley) Cornwall. She married Northrup Ensrud in 1927 and together they had two sons. She moved to Carpenter, Iowa in 1934. In 1944 she married George Davis. Florence moved to Northwood in 1989.

Florence was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Northrup Ensrud and George Davis; two sisters, Edith Belz and Lottie Larson; and one brother, Harold Cornwall.

Survivors include two sons, Duane Ensrud of Sioux City, Iowa and Robert Ensrud of Henderson, Nevada; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Laverne Orville Rohlfsen

December 17, 2002

Laverne Orville Rohlfsen, 74, of Grafton, died on Friday, December 13, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, with the Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating. Burial was in the Grafton Cemetery.

Laverne was born on October 25, 1928, to Orville and Clara (Beermann) Rohlfsen in Cherokee, Iowa. He attended country school for his first three years of schooling, then the Lutheran Parochial School, Germantown, Iowa through the eighth grade. He attended high school in Paullina, graduating in 1947. He enrolled in Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls, in 1947. He was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps in 1951, he played football a Camp Pendleton, California and made the base team. He was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1953. Laverne returned to college, at what is now the University of Northern Iowa and graduated in 1954. While there he received three football letters.

His first teaching job was in Rockwell City, where he coached and taught from 1954-1956. He married Mary E. Purdie on May 29, 1955 in Rockwell City. They moved to Northwood where he was a teacher and coach from 1956 to 1960. He sold insurance for two years. They moved to Grafton in 1962 where he was a junior high school teacher and coach from 1962 to 1989 and he retired in 1989. Laverne sold multi-peril crop insurance for 20 years.

Survivors include his wife, Mary of Grafton; three sons, Dar and his wife, Ann of Ankeny, Bill and his wife, Renee of Mason City and Todd and his wife, Netty of Jessup; one daughter, Robin and her husband, Karl Johnson of Auburn, Alabama; 10 grandchildren; one brother, Orlen Rohlfsen and his wife, Phyllis of Newell; a brother-in-law, Melvin Kisher of Newell; sister-in-law, Miriam Rohlfsen of Des Moines; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Elaine (Rohlfsen) Kisher; and a brother, Dr. Don Rohlfsen.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Bonnie Joan Schutz

December 17, 2002

Bonnie Joan Schutz, 56, of Northwood, died on Saturday, December 14, 2002, at the Muse-Norris Hospice In-patient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, December 18, 2002, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Rev. Paul Holmer officiating. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood and one hour prior to the service time on Wednesday at the church. Following the service and according to her wishes, cremation will take place.

Bonnie Joan Schutz, was born on July 1, 1946 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, the daughter of Clifford and Alice (Hilborn) Olson. She was baptized and reaffirmed the faith of her baptism through confirmation at the First Lutheran Church in Northwood. She attended and received her education in the Northwood Community School, graduating from the Northwood High School in 1964. Bonnie also attended and graduated from Hamilton Business College in Mason City. After completing her schooling, she worked for many years for Fleet Guard Incorporated in Lake Mills, retiring due to ill health. Bonnie also worked for the Northwood Public Library.

She was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood, the church circle, and was a former Sunday School Teacher.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Julie Schutz of Northwood, Brian Schutz of Northwood and Donna Navratil and her husband, Jon of Northwood; her fiancée, Cecil Reyerson of Northwood; two brothers, Keith Olson and his wife, Fran of Northwood and Larry Olson and his wife, Marjorie of Northwood; and many nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and twin sons, David and Donald Schutz.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Carl Oliver Flattum

December 17, 2002

Carl Oliver Flattum, 73, died on Monday, December 16, 2002, at the Good Samaritan Center, Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, December 19, at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church, rural Northwood. The Rev. Steve Smith will officiate. Burial will be in the Silver Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour before the services at the church. Military honors will be accorded by the Albert Lea Veterans' Organization.

Carl was born on March 17, 1929 in rural Northwood, Iowa, the son of John Alvin and Anna (Anderson) Flattum. He attended the Silver Lake #6 Rural School. During the Korean War he served with the U.S. Army from 1951-1952. He received the Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and the United Nations Service Medal. He was a member of the Lake Mills and Emmons American Legion.

During his life, Carl had worked at various jobs: truck driver for Hartland Creamery, backhoe work for Roy Bjorklund, house moving and remodeling for Lynn Skellenger, drove truck for Larson Manufacturing in Lake Mills, worked several years for Knutson and Oline John Deere dealership in Emmons, Minnesota and for the past 20 years he had worked for his brother at the Art Flattum Salvage.

Survivors include two brothers and two sisters, Josephine (Harold) Sherwood of Lake Mills, Gladys (Ralph) Sabin of Albert Lea, Minnesota, George (Sadie) Flattum of Albert Lea and Arthur (Debora) Flattum of Albert Lea; and nieces and nephews.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Orville.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

John Levorson

December 26, 2002

John Albin Levorson, 23, of rural Northwood, died on Tuesday, December 17, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, at the Lime Creek Evangelical Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills, with Rev. Karl Hermanson officiating. Burial was in the Somber Lutheran Cemetery, rural Lake Mills.

John was born on April 10, 1979, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to Albin and Judy (DeFor) Levorson. At the age of six, John was treated for a malignant brain tumor. He was a member of the Somber Lutheran Church, where he was baptized on April 22, 1979 and confirmed at the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church on June 18, 1995, both by Rev. Alf Merseth.

John attended the Lake Mills Community School through 6th grade and finished his schooling at the Forest City Community School, graduating in 1998, where he especially enjoyed participating in Special Olympics. In August of 1998, John moved to the Four Seasons Cottage at Opportunity Village in Clear Lake, where he lived and worked until shortly before his death. John collected teddy bears, caps and enjoyed doing abstract art.

Survivors include his parents, Albin "Red" and Judy Levorson of Northwood; brothers, Matthew and Peter of Northwood; grandparents, Clifford and Josephine DeFor of Austin, Minnesota; uncles and aunts, LeRoy and MaryJo Levorson of New Ulm, Minnesota, Irwin and Wanda Levorson of Adel, Iowa, Paul and Helen Levorson of Oakfield, Wisconsin, Ruth Levorson of Appleton, Wisconsin, Paula and Robert Martinsen of Austin, Minnesota, Donald DeFor of Austin, Minnesota and Clifford and Meg DeFor of Prior Lake, Minnesota; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Albin and Hannah Levorson.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Olga Liljedahl

December 26, 2002

Olga Liljedahl, 96, of Northwood, died on Thursday, December 19, 2002, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral services were held on Monday, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Rev. Paul Holmer and Rev. Allan Stoa officiating. Burial was in the South Shell Rock Cemetery in Northwood.

Olga Liljedahl, was born on December 15, 1906, near Lake Mills, the daughter of Amund and Johanna (Jordre) Groe. She was baptized and reaffirmed the faith of her baptism through confirmation on May 28, 1922, in the Silver Lake Lutheran Church, rural Northwood. She attended and received her education in the Lake Mills Community School, graduating from the Lake Mills High School. After completing her schooling, Olga taught school in the Brookfield #2 School in Worth County.

She married John Liljedahl on February 26, 1928, at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church Parsonage. He preceded her in death on April 30, 1988. After their marriage they farmed west of Northwood until moving to Northwood in 1966.

She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, gardening and cooking.

She was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood, where she taught Sunday School and was a member of the Lutheran Church Women.

Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Ila Hebel of Manly and Eileen Snider and her husband, Gary of Forrest City, Arkansas; two sons, Marlin Liljedahl and his wife, Carol of Northwood and Orin Liljedahl and his wife, Sandra of Northwood; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Edith Wright of Northwood; two sisters-in-law, Wilma Groe of Burlington, Iowa and Elizabeth Groe of Northwood; as well as many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Besides her husband, John; she was also preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Cynthia who died in infancy; a son, Arden Liljedahl; a granddaughter, Amy Liljedahl; four sisters, Clara, Lily, Elvina and Cora; and three brothers, Norris, Alfred and Kenneth.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Ev Steele

December 26, 2002

Evelyn "Ev" Steele, 91, died on Thursday, December 19, 2002.

Funeral services were held on Monday, December 23, at the St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, Minnesota, with Rev. John Keller presiding. A private burial occurred on the same day in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood, Iowa.

Ev (Huus) Steele, daughter of Ole H. and Anna Marie (Nystuen) Huus, was born on August 28, 1911 in Northwood, Iowa. She graduated from the Northwood High School in May 1929. She attended one year of post-graduate study in shorthand and typing at Northwood High School. She graduated from the Mounds-Midway School of Nursing (St. Paul, Minnesota) and obtained her Registered Nurse (RN) designation in May of 1934. Evelyn was a Registered Nurse for 23 years at the Hudson Memorial Hospital in Hudson, Wisconsin.

On November 14, 1936, she married Merle C. Steele of Minneapolis, Minnesota, at her parents home in Northwood. They lived in St. Paul and Minneapolis from 1936-1947 and in Hudson, Wisconsin until 1976. After the death of Merle, Ev moved to Northwood into her childhood home in June 1976.

She was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood and active in church circles. In May of 1996, she moved to the Briarcliff Manor in Mahtomedi, Minnesota, to be closer to immediate family. While in Mahtomedi she was a member of the St. Andrews Lutheran Church.

Ev found great joy in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed bridge, cribbage, quilting, bird watching and baking. She maintained many friendships with those encountered throughout her life.

Ev was a gifted nurse truly caring about others. Her extroverted personality, caring nature and humor drew others toward her.

Besides Merle and her parents; she was preceded in death by her brother, Ernest L. "Ike" Huus; and five sisters, Olga M. Huus, Cora A. Petersen, Palma J. "Polly" Christiansen , Inga Swensrud and Hannah Watkins.

Surviving are her sons, Tom Steele and his wife, Joanne of La Crosse, Wisconsin and Bob Steele of Reading, Pennsylvania; her daughter, Janet Jones and her husband, Terry of Stillwater, Minnsota; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Dr. Jeff and Julie Steele, Collin and Susannah of Edina, Minnesota, Carolyn and Steve Husten and Zachary of Stillwater, Minnesota, Paul and Erin Jones of Annapolis, Maryland and Amy Jones of Stillwater, Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Elizabeth C. L. (Hendrikson) Weieneth

January 7, 2003

Elizabeth C. L. (Hendrikson) Weieneth, 82, of Ankeny, Iowa, died at the Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa, on Monday, December 30, 2002, following a stroke.

The body was cremated and memorial services were held on Friday, January 3, 2003, at the Ankeny First United Methodist Church and Saturday, January 4, at the Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church, rural Northwood, Iowa - Glenville, Minnesota. Burial of the remains will be in the Northwood Cemetery on July 1, 2003.

Elizabeth was born on July 1, 1920, to Peder and Clara (Bergeson) Hendrikson in Deer Creek Township in Worth County, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed in the Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church. She attended elementary school in Deer Creek #4 and graduated from the Northwood High school. Elizabeth married Arnold E. Weieneth on January 24, 1943 and the couple farmed near Meltonville, Iowa, for 23 years before moving to her parent's homestead in 1966. In 1979, following the death of her husband, Elizabeth moved to Northwood where she lived until moving to Ankeny in 1989.

An active partner in their farming operations, Elizabeth also worked many years for attorneys O. J. Wardwell and Floyd Ensign in Northwood, during the income tax season. In 1963 she was employed by the Northwood State Bank, working there for 21 years until her retirement in 1984.

She was a member of the Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church (with membership at Deer Creek Lutheran Church at Carpenter while farming and briefly with First Lutheran Church at Northwood.) She was active in Sunday Schools and church circles and served on the church council and cemetery board. She was a member of the Northern Light Lodge Order of Eastern Star where she served as Worthy Matron and held many other offices. She worked with the Deer Creek Boy's 4-H clubs for many years, was a Cub Scout Den Mother and was a member of the Worth County Historical Society.

In recent years Elizabeth took great pleasure in planting and tending a rose garden at Maplewood Condominiums for the enjoyment of many residents. She had also been a regular volunteer with the Soul Food Cafe at the Ankeny First United Methodist. She gave generously of her time and talents to many other non-profit groups and numerous individuals. Elizabeth enjoyed traveling making several trips to Europe and Scandinavia and a memorial trip to China with Friendship Force.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Roger in 1957; her husband, Arnold in 1978; and three brothers.

Survivors include one daughter, Kathryn Strand of Emmetsburg; two sons, Arlyn Weieneth of Elkhart and John Weieneth of Newhall; and eight grandchildren.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Dorothea "Dora" Christians

January 7, 2003

Dorothea "Dora" Christians, 99, of Grafton, died on Monday, December 30, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, January 2, 2003, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, with Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating. Interment was in the Grafton Cemetery.

Dora was born on June 18, 1903 in Grafton, Iowa, a daughter of August and Ernstine (Duenow) Wagner. She grew up and received her education in the Grafton area. She was baptized on July 12, 1903 and confirmed on April 1, 1917, both at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton. Dora married Harry W. Christians on January 9, 1927, also at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, by Rev. Carl Landeck. Harry, Dora, and her brother-in-law, Roy Christians, operated the Christian Brothers Store in Grafton for many years. Dora also worked as a postal clerk in Grafton while she was a fulltime homemaker. Dora was a lifelong member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church and a member of the Mary Martha Circle.

Dora is survived by her son, Don Christians of Mill Valley, California; daughter, Harriet Kuntz of Mason City; two grandsons, Dave Kuntz and his wife, Terri of Mason City and Brent Kuntz and his wife, Julie of Grafton; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harry; a son-in-law, Kermit Kuntz; a daughter-in-law, Joan (Clay) Christians; three sisters, Lydia McCann, Minnie Christians and Clara Bartz; and four brothers, Robert, Walter, Art, and Oscar Wagner.
© Northwood Anchor 2003