Russell M. Low

March 12, 2002

Russell M. Low, 84, of Northwood, died on Monday, Monday, March 4, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Friday, at the Northwood United Methodist Church in Northwood, with Rev. Richard Jensen and Hospice Chaplain Tom Healey officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood. The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, was in charge of the arrangements.

Russell was born on September 3, 1917 in Gordonsville, Minnesota, to Manley and Blanche Wells Low. He served in the U.S. Army for six months prior to his marriage to Dorothy Gentz on June 24, 1942. He farmed and lived in the Northwood area since 1942. In 1971 they moved to Northwood and he worked for Continental Grain for 10 years and continued to farm.

He was a member of Eagles No. 2258 in Albert Lea, Minnesota. He liked his livestock, pigs, cattle and milked cows for over 35 years. He loved playing cards, farming, and loved being with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Delbert; one grandson, Tony Low; four brothers, Vale, Clarence, Harold and Lyle; and three sister, Lucille, Pearl and Arlene.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Northwood; one daughter, Arlene Meland of Clinton, Iowa; three sons, Arlen Low and his wife, Ann of Northwood, Lonnie Low of Northwood and Rocky Low and his wife, Connie of Northwood; three brothers, Carroll and his wife, Francis of Lake Mills, Allen and his wife, Delores of Northwood and Richard and his wife, Marge of Northwood; one sister, Bernice Estes and her husband, Drexel of Northwood; four sisters-in-law, Bernice Low of Albert Lea, Luella Low of Fertile, Eleanor Low of Northwood and Pat Low of Northwood; three brothers-in-law, George Matthews of Mason City, Leif Weston of Mason City and Carl Grosland of Mason City; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and close friend, Candace Low; and many nieces and nephews.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Beverly Blanche Cook

March 12, 2002

Beverly "Bev" Blanche Cook, 80, of Manly, died on Monday, March 4, 2002, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, at the Bethel United Methodist Church in Manly, with Rev. Robert Cumings officiating. Burial will be in the Manly Cemetery.

Beverly Blanche Knowles, was born on July 13, 1921 in Manly, the first child born to Ellis and Velma (Kimmel) Knowles. At the time of her birth, she had nine living grandparents, two on her father's side and seven on her mother's side. Her birth made five generations.

Beverly attended the rural school and graduated from the Manly High School in 1939. She attended Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, Iowa for a year and taught two years in a rural school south of Manly, which was also the first school that her mother taught.

Beverly married Edward Francis Metzger in Princeton, Missouri on August 20, 1941. They farmed south of Manly until his death on November 29, 1969. Beverly worked as a secretary at the Bethel United Methodist Church for about six years prior to her husband's death. Following Francis' death, Beverly moved into Manly and was employed at Iowa Kemper in Mason City for 11 years. On November 1, 1997, Bev married Gale Edwin Cook of Vinton, Iowa at Manly, and they have lived in Manly since that time.

Beverly has taken an active part in her church, Bethel United Methodist, Entre Nous Study Club, Christian Home Builders, Worth County Historical Society, North Iowa Genealogical Society in Mason City, Manly Senior Citizens, the Camera Club, study club, and the DAR of Mason City.

Bev is survived by her husband, Gale Cook of Manly; her children, Raymond Edward (Rick) Metzger and his wife, Delores of Manly, Racinda Alice (Cindi) Metzger of Atlantic, Iowa and Ranita Frances DeRocher and her husband, Ron of Westfield, Iowa; grandchildren, Cassie Jo and Cory Francis DeRocher of Westfield and Sandra Steele and her two daughters, Jennifer and Melanie of Glenwood, Iowa; brother, Robert Knowles of Manly; step-daughter, Carol Patterson and her husband, Kenneth of Lafayette, Indiana; three step-grandchildren, Scott Patterson and his wife, Toni of Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Bret Patterson and his wife, Heather of Lafayette, Indiana and Krista Minton and her husband, Troy of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and three step-great-grandsons; two nieces, Rebecca Real and her husband, Kevin of Plymouth, Minnesota and Roxanne Knowles of Ames; nephew, Phillip Metzger and his wife, Kathy of Belvedere, Illinois; as well as other relatives and many friends.

Her parents; her first husband, Francis Metzger; her granddaughter, Callie Marie DeRocher; and her sister, Lola Mae Knowles; preceded Beverly in death.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Florence M. Taylor

March 12, 2002

Florence M. Taylor, 92, formerly of Nashua, now of Palmyra, Missouri, died on Tuesday, March 5, 2002, at the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Palmyra. 

Funeral services were held on Saturday, at the United Methodist Church, with burial in Greenwood Cemetery, Nashua.

Florence was born on February 25, 1910 in Floyd County, to Charles and Nellie (Merritt) Carpenter. She graduated from the Nashua High School in 1927. In 1937 she married Curtis Taylor. Florence taught in country schools for 10 years. Florence and her husband moved to St. Ansgar in 1950 and then Carpenter where he ran the coop.

Survivors include two sons, Leonard of Filmore, Missouri and Loren of Quincy, Illinois; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one sister, Blanche Light of Peoria, Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis Taylor in 1974; her parents, Charles and Nellie (Merritt) Carpenter; six brothers, Howard, Roy, Phillip, Arthur, Guy and Winton Carpenter; four sisters, Mable Eckoff, Margaret Ferch, Alice Krumrey and Clara Faulkner; three half-brothers, Frank, Lewis and Charles Carpenter; and two half sisters, Grace Zimmerman and Myra Bachelor.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Eldon W. Buehrer

March 12, 2002

Eldon W. Buehrer, 80, of Northwood, died on Friday, March 8, 2002, at the North Iowa Mercy Medical Center, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Rev. Paul Holmer officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood. The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, was in charge of the arrangements.

Eldon Walter Buehrer, was born on April 15, 1921 at Grafton, Iowa, to Carl and Caroline (Trettin) Buehrer. He was baptized at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, and was confirmed at the same church in 1936. He lived with his parents on the Buehrer farm one-half mile east of Grafton. He went to school at Rural #1 School east of Grafton and the Grafton Independent School. He entered the U.S. Navy on August 26, 1942. After his honorable (medical) discharge he returned to Grafton and later moved to Mason City, where he worked a short time at Jacob E. Decker & Sons meat processing plant. He then drove bus for the Winnebago Lines out of Mason City to Des Moines, Estherville and Fort Dodge.

He married Ellen June Wolff of Northwood on June 9, 1946 at the Zion Lutheran Church, Northwood. He then was employed at Rilco Laminating Products for 2 1/2 years. He was employed at King Seeley Thermos Company of Albert Lea for 31 years, retiring in 1984. He established Riverside Auto Parts in Northwood in 1965 along with his employment in Albert Lea, Minnesota. In 1986 his son, Mark took over the business.

Eldon was a 57 year member of the American Legion and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans in Mason City. He held the offices of Commander, Vice Commander, Service Officer and many years as Adjutant of Smith-Perry Post #144 of Northwood. He was very proud of his children and their achievements. He dearly loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter. He and Ellen enjoyed camping in the summer. He was a member of Moose Lodge in Mason City and the Eagles Lodge in Albert Lea. He enjoyed visiting his daughter, Sharon and son-in-law, Rick and his grandchildren and great-granddaughter in Tucson, Arizona. He enjoyed gardening and liked to help his son, Mark in the business.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen on March 16, 2001; his parents; a sister, Hazel; twin brothers, Marvin and Melvin; brother, Leslie; and a sister, Gladys Kanzenbach of Faribault, Minnesota.

He is survived by his son, Mark and wife, Lori, grandsons, Ryan and Cory; daughter, Sharon Kay Haugebak and son-in-law Rick, grandchildren, Heather DeBerry and her husband, Charles, granddaughter, Nicki Haugebak, great-granddaughter, Emma DeBerry; son, Randy and wife, Laure, grandchildren, Nathan, Terra, Megan and Nicole; daughter, Dawn and husband, Warren; many nieces and nephews; a sister, Muriel Bork of Wanamingo, Minnesota; and several cousins.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Herman William Hartwig Kohnke

March 19, 2002

Herman William Hartwig Kohnke, 61, Lyle, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, March 12, 2002, at his home in Lyle.

Funeral services were held on Friday, at the Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Lyle, with Rev. Barbara Shea officiating. Interment was in the Osage Cemetery, Osage, with military honors by the Lyle American Legion Post 105.

Herman was born on April 25, 1941, to Herman and Elsa (Pruter) Kohnke in Postville, Iowa. He lived in the Postville and Manly areas until the age of 12. He attended schools in Manly and Mona and graduated from the Lyle High School in 1959. Herman entered the U.S. Army on July 25, 1961, serving in Germany with the 595th Transportation Company for two years and being honorably discharged on July 10, 1964. After the service he started farming and driving truck. Later years he was farming south of Otranto.

A member of Mona Lutheran Church and Lyle American Legion Post 105, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and being with friends.

Survivors include his son, Jay (Shelly) Kohnke of Austin; grandson, Nathan Kohnke of Austin; mother, Elsa Kohnke of Osage; brother, John (Pauline) of Glenville; and two nieces.

He was preceded in death by his father, Herman Kohnke, Sr. in 1980; grandparents; uncles and aunts.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

William David Roberts

March 19, 2002

William David Roberts, 58, of Northwood, died on Friday, March 15, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, with Rev. Richard Jensen officiating. Burial was in the Priem Cemetery, St. Ansgar. The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, was in charge of the arrangements.

Bill was born on February 6, 1944 in Mason City, the son of Howard C. and Esther (Cawelti) Roberts. He attended Northwood Schools, graduating in 1962. He was married to Marlene Olson in 1996. He was a Mason and had been active in the Mason City Jaycees.

He enjoyed woodworking and furniture making. Traveling also brought him great pleasure, as did the company of family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Marlene Roberts of Northwood; one daughter, Deborah Tesar and her husband, Mark of Clear Lake; granddaughters, Anne and Christina Tesar; brother, John Roberts of Memphis, Tennessee; and numerous cousins; Marlene's children, Rhonda Schukei and her children, Neletts, Rocco and Kacey, Sheila Olson, Ricky Olson and children, Jakki and Jade; also special friends, Evelyn and Chief.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

James O. Erickson

April 2, 2002

James O. Erickson, 80, of Yuma, Arizona, formerly of Mason City, died on Saturday, March 16, 2002, at the Yuma Regional Medical Center at Yuma.

Graveside services will be held on April 6, at 10:00 a.m., at the Memorial Park Cemetery, with the Rev. Jim Magelsson officiating. Military Honors will be provided by VFW Post 733. A lunch will follow at the Mason City Moose Lodge.

James was born on December 28, 1921, on a farm near Northwood, Iowa, to Carl and Olga (Knutson) Erickson. He graduated from the Northwood High School and continued on to graduate from Mason City Junior College. He then served in World War II and Korea.

James married Ruby Leeper on July 27, 1946 in Albert Lea, Minnesota. They moved to Mason City in 1955, where he had a 34 year career in sales with Sears and Roebuck.

James was past Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge 375, past Administrator of Moose Lodge 1328, and a lifetime member of the VFW. He also taught Sunday School at the Trinity Lutheran Church and was the church Boy Scout Troop 14 Scoutmaster for several years.

He retired from Sears and Roebuck in 1984. He and his wife, Ruby enjoyed traveling before settling in Yuma, Arizona, where he became Tour Chairman for the Sun Vista Resort.

James is survived by his wife, Ruby of Yuma, Arizona; his daughter, Linda Lambertsen and husband, Roland of Ackley; son, Dan and wife Susan of Florissant, Missouri; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was proceeded in death by his parents and a brother.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Orville Walker Nelson

April 2, 2002

Funeral services for Orville Walker Nelson, were held on Saturday, at the Round Prairie Lutheran Church, with Pastor Kent Otterman officiating. Interment was in the North Round Prairie Cemetery.

Orville was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on February 18, 1913, the son of Lewis W. and Henrietta Nelson. He was the ninth of 10 children born to Lewis and Henrietta. He graduated from the Lake Mills High School in 1931. Orville was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army. He married Marian McColley on September 1, 1951. They were married 45 years before Marian died in 1997. He worked at Queen Stove Products for many years before retiring in 1975. After retirement they went to Texas and were called winter Texans.

Orville was a member of the Round Prairie Lutheran Church and sang in the church quartet. He loved music and played in a band for many years. He also enjoyed playing guitar.

Survivors include his daughter, Kathy Bailey and husband, Gary of Northwood; grandson, Robert Bailey of Northwood; step-granddaughter, Sherry Harper of Ankeny, Iowa and her children, Dana, Elisa, Callie; sisters-in-law, Margaret McColley of Alden, Minnesota, Arlet Rokke of Belmond and Genevieve Larson of Florida; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marian; and nine brothers and sisters.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Earl Frank Finch

April 9, 2002

Earl Frank Finch, 80, of Cambridge, Minnesota, died on Sunday, March 17, 2002, at the Health East Senior Care Center in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, at the Cambridge Funeral Home-Strike Chapel, with Rev. Erling Tungseth officiating. Interment was in the Cambridge Union Cemetery. Military honors were provided by the Howard McCarty American Legion Post 290 of Cambridge.

Earl was born on November 26, 1921 at Deer Creek Township, Worth County, Iowa, to Melvin and Alice Finch. He graduated from the Otranto High School in Otranto, Iowa. Earl then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving his country from August 1942 to December 1945. After the service he did various jobs until 1960, when he started working for the Department of Natural Resources. He was a heavy equipment operator and built dams at the Carlos Avery Game Refuge. He retired from the DNR in April 1982.

Earl married Hazel Evgen on September 15, 1978. They made their home on Skogman Lake in Cambridge. He enjoyed working with wood, stamp collecting, playing cards, traveling and wintering in Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Hazel; sisters, Florence, Elna and Iva; and brother, Russell.

Survivors include his son, Gordon Evgen of Cambridge; sister-in-law, Margaret Finch of Manling, Iowa; six grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Hiram B. Ellingson

March 26, 2002

Hiram B. Ellingson, 81, died on Monday, March 18, 2002, at the Ebenezer Luther Hall in Minneapolis.

Memorial services were held on Sunday, at the Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

Hiram was born on May 15, 1920, to John and Barbra Ellingson at their farm home in Northwood. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in Northwood. In 1938 he graduated from high school in Northwood. He helped his father farm for several years and then attended the Albert Lea Junior College from September 1941 to December 1941, after which he enlisted in the Army and served in the 694th Signal Corps until 1946. He attended the University of Iowa and transferred to Luther College for his final year of college, where he graduated in 1949. He entered Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and graduated in 1952.

He was ordained upon accepting a call to serve as a missionary to Madagascar. He left for Paris, France, where he studied the French language in preparation for work in Madagascar. He married Hannah Dewitz in 1956 at Ft. Dauphin, Madagascar.

Hiram and Hannah were in rural evangelism at several different stations, including Tsivory, Behara, Bezaha and Ampaniliy. He was director of the Ambovombe Bible School and taught for about two years. Hiram served as chairman of the ELCW Mission in Madagascar from 1971 to 1979.

He was preceded in death by a stillborn son; daughter, Mary; sisters, Crystle Nelson and Kristine Helgeland.

Survivors include his wife, Hannah; sons, Matthew and John (Carrie); three grandchildren; sister, June Hermanson; brother, Lemoyne (Jean); and nieces and nephews.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Ingebor J. Broitzman

March 26, 2002

Ingebor J. Broitzman, 82, of Northwood, died on Friday, March 22, 2002, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Myrtle, with Rev. Daniel Baker officiating. Interment was in the Wanderer's Rest Cemetery, rural Gordonsville.

Ingebor was born on September 19, 1919, to Jake and Inga (Thompson) Oakland in Winnebago County, Iowa. She was baptized on October 16, 1919, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Scarville, Iowa, by Rev. R. Malmin and confirmed on July 22, 1934, at the Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church, by Rev. Hans Fosner. On September 21, 1938, she married Martin F. Broitzman at the Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church.

Ingebor was a homemaker and active in her community. She was a member of the Women of the Church and the Mary Circle and taught Sunday School. Ingebor had been a member of the District #104 School Board, a 4-H Leader and a volunteer for many charities. She enjoyed sewing, gardening and spending time being mom and grandmother to her family.

Survivors include her children, Betty Broitzman of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Marlene and her husband, David Nelson of Glenville, Duane and his wife, Deb Broitzman of Glenville and Carolyn and Ron Yocom of Austin; special niece, Lorraine and her husband, David Horning; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; special grandnieces, Julie Hunt and family of Illinois, Joan Pillera and family of Lakeville and Vicki Hanson and family of Clarks Grove; sisters, Eleanor Buchanan, Elaine Hill and husband, Jim and Idella Hinds; brothers, Norman Oakland and Robert Oakland and wife, Donna; and sisters-in-law, Marvyl Oakland and Carol Oakland.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Martin; infant daughter, Dorothy; grandson, Wayne David Nelson; brothers, Lawrence, Walter, George and Kenneth; and many sisters and brothers-in-law.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Donald J. Hassler

March 26, 2002

Donald J. Hassler, 83, of Albert Lea, died on Saturday, March 23, 2002, at the Mason City Hospice Unit in Mason City, IA.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 26, at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Chapel. Rev. Einar Unseth officiated.

Donald James Hassler, was born on December 21, 1918, to Herman and Anna (Brandt) Hassler in Worth County, Iowa. He was confirmed at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church near Myrtle. Donald attended School District 77 in Freeborn County. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1942, serving in Europe during World War II in 1945. He was honorably discharged and began working at the Albert Lea Foundry. In 1974, Donald became ill with Guillian Barre Syndrome and has resided in nursing homes ever since.

He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood, a member of the American Legion, VFW and the Moose Lodge before becoming ill. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, birthday parties and traveling.

Survivors include one sister, Arline Hanson of Albert Lea; sisters-in-law, Ethel Hassler of Glenville, Edna Hassler and Lucille Hassler of Albert Lea; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers, Cecil, Clarence, Russell, Victor in infancy, Harvey, Arlo and Roland Hassler; and one nephew, Sanford Hanson.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Almo Milfred Jahr

April 9, 2002

Almo Milfred Jahr, 73, of Toeterville, died suddenly on Sunday, March 31, 2002, at his winter home in Mesa, Arizona.

Funeral services were held on Friday, at the Faith Lutheran Church in London, Minnesota, with Rev. Reuben Unseth officiating. Interment was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Mona, Iowa.

Almo was born on March 17, 1929, to Adolph and Marian (Nelson) Jahr in Otranto Township, Mitchell County, Iowa. He was baptized on June 2, 1929 and confirmed on May 16, 1943 at the Mona Lutheran Church. Almo graduated from the St. Ansgar High School in 1947, where he was recognized by the FFA as a "Star Farmer". On August 22, 1953, he married Lillian Ardine Johnson at the Mona Lutheran Church. Seven children were born to this union.

Almo was a livestock and grain farmer north of St. Ansgar, retiring from farming in 1992. Almo also operated the Bolan Store in Bolan, Iowa, for the past 25 years. Almo and Lillian had enjoyed spending the last 15 years wintering in Mesa, Arizona. They moved to Toeterville in the fall of 2001.

Almo enjoyed farming, singing, hunting, fishing, playing cards, traveling, vacationing and camping with his family and friends.

Surviving are his wife, Lillian of Toeterville; five daughters, Liana (Dean) Church of Osage, Marilyn (Keith) Pitzen of Stacyville, Nancy (Dallas) Huddleson and Julie (Elton) Butler, both of St. Ansgar and Paula (Dana) Milbrandt of Osage; two sons, John (Diane) Jahr and Peter (Beth) Jahr, both of St. Ansgar; 20 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two sisters, Marlys (Loyal) Moore of Harlan, Iowa and Eileen (Marly) Kittleson of St. Ansgar; aunt, Helen Nelson of St. Ansgar; and many sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Philip Church in 1988; and granddaughter, Melissa Jahr in 1992.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Irene B. Klann

April 9, 2002

Irene B. Klann, 78, of Rochester, Minnesota, died on Sunday, March 31, 2002, at the Season's Hospice in Rochester.

Memorial services were held on Thursday, at the Mahn Family Funeral Home-Rochester Memorial Chapel, with Pastor Bruce Buller officiating. Burial of her remains will be in the Center Grove Cemetery, Douglas, Minnesota.

Irene Beth Abby, was born on December 2, 1923 in Northwood, Iowa, to Chauncey S. and Minnie (Thompto) Abby. She attended Northwood Schools and after graduation moved to Rochester. She worked for the St. Mary's Hospice and later worked at Knowlton's Department Store and also at Daytons.

On October 17, 1953, she married James Klann at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester. Following their marriage she returned to the Methodist Hospital and retired after serving 25 years in 1988. Irene enjoyed traveling, flowers, redecorating her home, reading and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, James of Rochester; two daughters, Margot Klann of Lowell, Massachusetts and Patty (John) Belton of Lawerence, Massachusetts; one brother, Charles Abby of Albert Lea, Minnesota; two sisters, Fern Becker of Rochester, Minnesota and Edna (Walt) Jersa of Glenville, Minnesota; and four grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Clifford and Lloyd Abby; and two sisters, Bessie Fenske and Pearl Petersen.
© Northwood Anchor 2002