Juliet Bernice Johnson

June 11, 2002

Juliet Bernice Johnson, 79, of Northwood, died on Monday, June 3, 2002, at the Lutheran Retirement Home, Northwood.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Rev. Paul Holmer officiating. Burial will take place in the North Blue Earth Lutheran Cemetery, Bricelyn, Minnesota. The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, was in charge of the arrangements.

Julie Johnson, was born on February 6, 1923 in Crosby, North Dakota, to Ole and Matilda (Wesby) Overland. She married Ray Amundson in 1940. She raised three children. In 1951, she was employed at Munsingwear in Albert Lea, Minnesota. In 1961, she moved to Little Falls, Minnesota, to continue her work at the factory. She worked until she was 59 years old. After her retirement she continued with her sewing and crafts.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Ray Victor Amundson and Harold Johnson; and one son, Robert.

Survivors include two daughters, Sharon Aase of Northwood and Carol Heath of Woodbridge, Virginia; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Orville Overland of Crosby, North Dakota and Gordon Overland of Alamo, North Dakota; two sisters, Luella Johnson and Doris Johnson, both of Crosby, North Dakota.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Irwin Martinus Sorenson

June 11, 2002

Irwin Martinus Sorensen, 81, of Northwood, Iowa, died on Wednesday, June 5, 2002, in a motorcycle accident west of Northwood.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 8, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Spencer Thury, (Riverside Friends Church, Mason City, Iowa) officiating. Interment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Military Honors were presented by the Clear Lake VFW.

Irvin was born on July 21, 1920, the son of Chris and Petra (Bach) Sorensen at their home in Clear Lake, Iowa. When Irvin was a small child, the family moved to a farm south of Clear Lake. He received his education in country schools, starting south of Clear Lake. Later the family moved to a farm northwest of Mason City, Iowa in Lime Creek Township. Irvin graduated from the 8th grade at Lime Creek # 4 in 1934.

Irvin made a scooter in 1937. He traded this for his first motorcycle-a single cylinder Harley Davidson the first of many he has owned. He had won several trophies racing motorcycles.

Irvin served in the U.S. Navy from February 1945 to August 1946 on an Amphibious Cargo Ship, the U.S.S. Truesdale in the South Pacific area. When he returned home, he farmed with his father north of Clear Lake. They moved to a farm northwest of Northwood, in March of 1947, where he had since resided.

Irvin is survived by two brothers, Thorvald Sorensen of Plymouth, Iowa and Hans Sorensen and his wife, Beth of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin; three sisters, Edith Skene of Ventura, Iowa, Helen Bergman of Britt, Iowa and Frances Miller of Ventura, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Alta Sorensen of Rockford, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

Irvin was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Olga Smeby in 1966; a brother, Verner Sorensen in 2001; four brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; and a nephew, Chris A. Sorensen in 1974.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Lawrence Arrett

June 11, 2002

Lawrence Arrett, 82, of Northwood, died on Thursday, June 6, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, at the Northwood United Methodist Church, Northwood, with Rev. Richard Jensen officiating. Burial was in the State Line Cemetery, Northwood. The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, was in charge of the arrangements.

Lawrence was born on March 29, 1920 in Freeborn County, Minnesota, to William and Ethel (Cunningham) Arrett. He attended rural schools in Freeborn County. He married Evalyn Barber on November 1, 1940. They farmed in Minnesota and Iowa. He worked briefly at the Wilson Packing Plant in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

He was a member of the Northwood United Methodist Church and Eagles Club in Minnesota. He loved farm life, enjoyed horses, attending fairs, traveling, fishing and camping. He was a caring devoted husband, father and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; two infant brothers; grandson, Todd Hove; and four brothers-in-law.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Evalyn of Northwood; son, Robert and wife, Jean of Northwood; daughter, Karen Hove and husband, Chuck of Northwood; son, Donald and wife, Debby of Gordonsville; daughter, Lois Patterson and husband, Richard of Northwood; son, James of Kansas City, Missouri; grandchildren, Mark Hove, Teresa Stehn, Sandy Arrett, Mary Branstad, Darci Sanderson, Kim Soost, Julie Chrs, Robyn Wilder, Valerie Patterson, Michael Arrett, Lisa Arrett; step-grandson, Chad Patrick; great-grandchildren, Matthew Sandberg, Nicholas Hove, Danielle Taylor, Joshua Walker, Michael Walker, Jamee Hove, Rachel Taylor, Derek Sanderson, Nathan Wilder, A. J. Branstad and April Soost, Jordyn Hove, Jacob Sanderson and Zachary Swalve; step-great-granddaughters, Brianna Sanderson and Nicole Sanderson; two step-great-grandchildren, Jonah and Caleb Patrick; great-great-granddaughter, Mikayla Sandberg; sisters, Jurene Johnson, Marjorie Barber, Mae Richow, Kathy Olson, Lib Maternowski and Marlene Brown; and one brother, Jerry Arrett.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Rodney M. Hall

June 18, 2002

Rodney M. Hall, 65, formerly of Hanlontown, presently residing at Lake Jefferson, Cleveland, Minnesota and Sun City, Arizona, died on Tuesday, June 11, 2002, near his home at Lake Jefferson.

Funeral services were held on Friday, at the Grace Lutheran Church in Hanlontown, with the Rev. Duane Everson officiating. Burial was in the Brush Point Cemetery, near Hanlontown.

Rodney was born n Mason City on December 1, 1936, the son of Marion O. and Leona (Gesme) Hall. He received his education in Hanlontown and graduated from the Hanlontown High School in 1954. He continued his education at Luther College in Decorah, graduating in 1958. He began working at the Union State Bank in Winterset, where he continued until 1960. He married Lorean K. Jackson in Winterset on July 17, 1960.

Rod was vice-president of the Citizen Savings Bank in Hanlontown, from 1960 until 1981. He served as Mayor of Hanlontown, from 1974 to 1984 and was active in the Volunteer Fire Department for more than 20 years.

In 1991, the couple began spending their winters in Sun City, Arizona and their summers at Lake Jefferson, Cleveland, Minnesota.

He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, earning his Eagle Scout award as a young man. He was a scoutmaster, district chairman and council vice-president and received several awards recognizing his efforts in scouting: the District Award of Merit the Vigil Honor and the Silver Beaver. He also served on several congregational and church district committees. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Hanlontown and an associate member of the American Lutheran Church in Sun City, Arizona, where he sang in the church choir. Rod served in the National Guard for many years. He had a keen interest in genealogy and was an active member of the Torske Klubben.

Survivors include his wife, Lorean Hall of Cleveland, Minnesota; son, Ross M. Hall of Mankato, Minnesota; daughter and son-in-law, Martha and David Dey of Vacaville, California and grandchildren, Cameron and Kiersten; brother, Lowell and wife, Pat Hall of Hanlontown; and sister, Maxine and her husband, Harold Beckner of Clear Lake; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Rosalie F. Enfield

June 18, 2002

Rosalie F. Enfield, 48, of Collins, Iowa, died on Thursday, June 13, 2002, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa, from cancer.

Funeral services were held on Monday, at the Collins United Methodist Church, with Rev. Don Carlson officiating. Burial was in the Brethren Cemetery south of Maxwell.

Rosalie was born on March 29, 1954 at Osage, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Alfrieda (Pagel) Crooks. She married Calvin Enfield on June 18, 1988 in Collins. Rosalie graduated in 1972 from the Nevada High School and attended Iowa State University where she majored in journalism. She was an administrative assistant in the Engineering Department at Iowa State University. Prior to working at Iowa State University, Rosalie worked for the Iowa Hospital Association for a number of years. Rosalie was baptized at the Immanuel Lutheran Church at St. Ansgar, Iowa on Easter Sunday of 1954 and was a member of the Collins United Methodist Church, where she had taught Sunday School.

Rosalie enjoyed cross-stitching, the jumble puzzle, music and being a soccer mom.

She is survived by her husband, Calvin of Collins; three sons, Dan Enfield of Tempe, Arizona, Nicholas Enfield and Andrew Enfield, both at home in Collins; one daughter, Emily Enfield of Urbandale, Iowa; her mother, Alfrieda Crooks of Dows, Iowa; two brothers, Adrian Crooks of Boone, Iowa and Randy Crooks of Ames; six sisters, Carolyn Loftaas of Kensett, Glenita Brown of Mason City, Marjorie Tuthill of Kensett, Cynthia Mallette of Boone, Mary Casterton of Mason City and Ramona Parkin of Norwalk; and her mother-in-law, Betty Enfield of Maxwell, Iowa.

Her father, Henry Crooks; and father-in-law, Earl Enfield; preceded her in death.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Mearl B. Dixon

June 25, 2002

Mearl B. Dixon, 93, of rural Sheffield, died on Saturday, June 15, 2002, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, at the Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City, with the Rev. Pete Forde officiating. Interment was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood.

Mearl was born on January 12, 1909 in Green Castle, Missouri, the son of William and Ida (White) Dixon. He married Dorothea Mae Noe on December 24, 1935 in Northwood. They farmed in the Northwood area until 1940, when they moved to Manly. They also farmed and Mearl worked as a carpenter in that area until 1955, when they moved to Mason City. Mearl worked as a janitor at Sedars Motors for 18 years, retiring in 1976. In 1977, they moved to Sheffield, where Mearl had more free time to mow lawns, a job/hobby he enjoyed all his life. He also enjoyed the many pet dogs they owned over the years, but his great joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mearl is survived by two daughters, Doris Magnuson of Albert Lea and Joan Forde of Katy, Texas; one daughter-in-law, Sharon Dixon of Sheffield; two sisters, Icle Beenken of Mason City and Helen Pederson of Rosecreek, Minnesota; two brothers, Harold Dixon of Manly and Tom Dixon of Mason City; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothea Mae Dixon; one daughter, Carol Jean Dixon; one son, Mearl Dixon; a twin brother, Earl Dixon and another brother, Emil Dixon; and three great-grandchildren.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Helen Joan Tanner

June 25, 2002

Helen Joan Tanner, 71, of Northwood, died on Wednesday, June 19, 2002, at her home.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with the Rev. Paul Holmer officiating. Interment was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood. The Conner Colonial Chapel of Northwood was in charge of the service.

Helen was born on January 29, 1931 in Humboldt, Iowa, the daughter of Carl and Selma (Skorpen) Torkelson. She graduated from the Humboldt High School in 1949 and married James H. Tanner on November 17, 1950 in Humboldt. During Jim's career as an educator, they lived in the communities of Ayrshire, Odebolt, and Renwick, settling in Northwood in 1965.

Helen was a lifelong homemaker who dedicated herself to her family and the countless activities that her husband, children, and grandchildren were involved with over the years. She was a wonderful cook who enjoyed flowers and gardening. Helen was also an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and a faithful member of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood.

Helen will be greatly missed by her son, Jim Tanner and Arlene Rosdahl of Northwood; three daughters, Susan Tanner of Northwood, Sandy and Marty Aves of Manly and Sherry Tanner of Glenwood, Iowa; four granddaughters, Kristine and Steve Lentz of Mason City, Jaime Tanner of Atlanta, Georgia and Allison and Joanna Aves, both of Manly; one brother, Thomas Torkelson of Appleton, Wisconsin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jim in November 2001; five sisters; and two brothers.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Maynard W. Mogk

July 2, 2002

Maynard W. Mogk, 78, of Kensett, Iowa, died on Tuesday, June 25, 2002, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral services were held on Monday, at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, with Rev. Robert Cumings from the Bolan United Methodist Church officiating. Burial was in the Kensett Cemetery, Kensett. The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, was in charge of the arrangements.

Maynard was born on May 22, 1924 in Nora Springs, Iowa, to William and Ellen (Schindler) Mogk. On July 13, 1946, Maynard married Nora Thelma Johnson at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa. One of his biggest joys was playing cribbage with his wife before her death. His hobbies included gardening, finding asparagus patches and watching nature. His grandchildren added great joy to his life. He often said that he was growing up with his grandchildren.

Survivors include one daughter, Vickie Flo and her husband, Bradley of Kensett; three sons, Robert Mogk of Kensett, Bruce Mogk and his wife, Shirley of Alden, Minnesota and Dennis Mogk of Kensett; nine grandchildren and spouses, Melissa (Mogk) and Wesley Romig, Mike Mogk, Isaac and Jenn Mogk, Christy and Jay Ferstle, Joe Ferstle, Amber and Abigail Flo, Randy and Samantha Mogk; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Marcella Stalker and her husband, Willam of Naples, Florida; one nephew, Gregg Stalker; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Elvira and Russell Olson of Fairfax, Iowa, Olga and Frances Ouverson of Hanlontown, Iowa, Evelyn Johnson of Mason City and Silence Johnson of Fertile, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Nora in 1996; one brother in infancy; and one granddaughter, Jennifer Mogk.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

R. W. "Buzz" Kaplan

July 2, 2002

R. W. "Buzz" Kaplan, 78, died on Wednesday, June 26, 2002.

A memorial service will held on Wednesday, July 3, at 7:00 p.m., at the Heritage Halls Museum, next to Cabelas in Owatonna, with a private internment.

Buzz graduated from the Owatonna High School in 1943 and immediately entered the U.S. Army. He served in Patton's Third Army throughout Europe and upon his return to Owatonna in 1946, he entered the University of Minnesota.

Buzz earned his pilots license in 1946 and has since accumulated over 10,000 hours as a pilot. He has flown his own airplane throughout the world, having visited six out of seven continents and more than 76 countries. His flying accomplishments were recognized with his induction into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame. Buzz was president and founder of Heritage Halls Museum in Owatonna.

Buzz married Dorothy Frahman in 1946. She preceded him in death in 1994. Buzz remarried in 1995 to Betty Allison.

Buzz was the retired chairman and CEO of the Owatonna Tool Company. During the nearly 50 years that he managed the Owatonna Tool Company and its subsidiary companies, he witnessed and supervised growth from 30 people to over 3,000 employees.

In addition to flying, Buzz enjoyed hunting and fishing and had pursued wild game and fish throughout the world.

Survivors include one son, Kent Kaplan; two daughters, Karen Kaplan and Kim (Tom) Wavrin and nine grandchildren, Lindsay, Kirstin and Jenna Kaplan, Matt, Marc, Mitch and Maren Olson and Joseph and Bonnie Wavrin; second wife, Betty's children, Mark (DJ), Kirk (Lisa), Kyle (Deb) and five grandchildren, Zach, Joey, R.J., Berit and Reaghan.
© Northwood Anchor 2002