Mark Alan Asbjornson

September 10, 2002

Mark Alan Asbjornson, 40, of Hollywood, Florida, formerly of Kensett, died on Sunday, September 1, 2002, in Hollywood.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, September 14, at the Bethany Lutheran Church, Kensett, with Pastor Sam Hernes officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Elk Creek Lutheran Cemetery, rural Kensett. Visitation will be held from 5-8:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Bride Colonial Chapel, Manly and also for one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.

Mark was born on August 11, 1962 in Mason City, the son of Alden and Doris (Forde) Asbjornson. He grew up in Kensett and attended the Northwood Kensett High School. Mark worked for Miller Tree Service in Mason City for a short time before moving to Florida. Mark worked for a tree cutting and hauling business in Florida. He enjoyed hunting and playing cards and loved spending time with children, especially his son, nieces, and nephews.

Mark is survived by his parents, Alden of the Manly Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Doris of Kensett; his son, Brent Asbjornson of Mobile, Alabama; three sisters, Pam Patterson and Tony Villela of Clear Lake, Paula and Mike True of Clear Lake and Penny Miranda of Northwood; six nieces and nephews, Brandi Patterson and her son, Hudsen of Sioux Falls South Dakota, Travis Patterson and his son, Tyler, of Sioux Falls, Jason and Jeremy True, both of Clear Lake and Jamee Hove and Misty Miranda, both of Northwood; two uncles, Stanley and Cynthia Forde of Hempstead, Texas and Ron and Liz Forde of Louisiana; three aunts, Beverly Nelson of Northwood, Shirley Peterson of Kimballton, Iowa and Norma Sparks of Le Mars, Iowa; and his Godparents, Bud and Dorothy Williams of Northwood. He is also survived by Ina Berg-Ladouceur of Northwood, who is like an aunt to Mark and a special family, Robert and Joyce Bieger and their children of Hollywood, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Lee A. Candee

September 10, 2002

Lee A. Candee, 97, of Northwood, formerly of Maynard, Iowa, died on Wednesday, September 4, 2002, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Rev. Allan Stoa officiating. A second service was held at the United Methodist Church, Maynard, with the Rev. Roger White officiating. Interment will follow in the Long Grove Cemetery, Maynard. The Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood, was in charge of the local arrangements.

Lee was born on September 14, 1904 in Hardin, Iowa, a son of Asa and Eva (Hinman) Candee. He attended elementary school in Hardin, middle school in Luana, Iowa and graduated from the Postville High School in 1923. Lee married Ethel Johnson of Richmond, Minnesota, on June 26, 1928 in Davenport, Iowa. He worked at the Northeastern Power Company for 12 years writing electric bills by hand. Lee then operated grocery stores in Calmar and Volga City, Iowa for several years. After Ethel's death in 1937, Lee married Margaret Ashbaugh Snodgrass on December 19, 1945 in Maynard, Iowa.

Lee was employed as a turkey grower in Volga City and Maynard for many years. He served as the mayor of Maynard from 1947 until 1950 and was a member of the United Methodist Church, serving as the church treasurer. Lee spent many years helping to prepare income taxes for farmers and families in the area. He was employed in the Clayton County Auditors Office in Elkader, Iowa and most recently, was the Assessor of Fayette County, where he was rated the #1 assessor in the State of Iowa for several years. Lee finally retired in 1979, at the age of 75, after 25 years as the Fayette County Assessor.

Lee is survived by a daughter, Janet Wilder and her husband, Robert of Northwood; a son, Roger Candee and his wife, Donna of West Union, Iowa; and four children from his second marriage, Janet De Timmerman of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jean Mech of Crown Point, Indiana, Robert Snodgrass and his wife, Delores of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Keith Snodgrass and his wife, Pauline of Scottsdale, Arizona. He is also survived by nineteen grandchildren and their spouses, Joann Wilder-Manges and Boyd, Marcia Wilder Cole and Frank, Amy Louise Wilder Parcher and Tim, Connie Jo Candee Finck and Monty, Kevin Candee and Barb, Kent Candee and Lori, Cheryl De Timmerman Gallagher and Tim, Deborah De Timmerman Miles and Steve, Mike De Timmerman and Jill, Cynthia Mech, Brenda Mech Hoffman and Eric, Craig Mech and Kelly, Kristine Mech Carlson and Jim, Gregory Snodgrass and Tammy, Jennifer Snodgrass Harper and Ron, Stephanie Snodgrass Anderson and Paul, Susan Snodgrass Plote and Larry, Sherry Snodgrass Johnson and Aaron, and Sandra Snodgrass Kroschell and Verl; and numerous great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Ethel; his second wife, Margaret; a sister, Floy; three brothers, Roy, Lance and Clifton; a son, Duane Snodgrass; a son-in-law, Robert De Timmerman; one grandchild; and one great-grandchild.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Mildred Bernice Kuntz

September 10, 2002

Mildred Bernice Kuntz, 76, of Northwood, formerly of St. Ansgar, died on Saturday, September 7, 2002, at the Manly Nursing & Rehab Center, Manly.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, September 11, at the Deer Creek Lutheran Church, Carpenter, with Rev. Allan Stoa officiating. According to her wishes, her body was donated to the University of Iowa. There will be no visitation. The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, was in charge of the arrangements.

Mildred was born on March 22, 1926 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to Lars and Sarah (Van Horn) Larson. She married Wilmer Kuntz on December 17, 1944 in Northwood. They farmed around Northwood, Austin, Minnesota, Swaledale and rural Carpenter. When they retired from farming they moved into St. Ansgar. They moved into the Lutheran Retirement Home, Northwood, in 1999.

Her hobbies included baking, sewing, playing cards, bingo and taking pictures. Her greatest love was spending time with her family and friends. They had had 20 foster children throughout the years. She was active in church, being a Sunday School Teacher, Luther League sponsor and a member of church circles. Mildred was a very caring and giving person throughout her life. Her last wish was to donate her body to the University of Iowa in Iowa City to continue helping others.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Johnie; sisters, Mable, Esther and Donna.

Survivors include her husband, Wilmer of Northwood; sons, Alan Kuntz and his wife, Diana of Mason City and Dennis Kuntz of Northwood; daughters, Joan Adams and her husband, Joe of Sheffield and Marilyn Skellenger and her husband, Ron of Northwood; grandchildren, Bradley Kuntz of Forest City, Brenda Bilharz and husband, Brian of Charles City and their children, Bryce and Brooklyn, Tony Kuntz and wife, Juanita of Hampton, Arkansas and their children, Autumn and Jesse, Riva Dodson and husband, Bubba of Camden, Arkansas and their child, Seth, Jason Adams of Joice and his children, Jadyn and Emily, Joey Adams and wife, Sarah of Sheffield, Julie Peltier and husband, Bill of Nashua and their children, Melisa and Jonathan, Mike Skellenger, Mark Skellenger and Rodney Skellenger, all of Northwood; one brother, Donald Larson of Albert Lea; one sister, Dovie Stone of Bloomington, Minnesota.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Hans "Jr." Philip Meng

September 17, 2002

Hans "Jr." Philip Meng, 73, of Emmetsburg, died on Tuesday, September 10, 2002, at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Emmetsburg, with Rev. Dennis Angland officiating. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Emmetsburg.

Hans "Jr." Philip Meng, was born on July 8, 1929, the son of Hans and Hazel (Frederick) Meng. He was baptized and reaffirmed the faith of his baptism through confirmation in the Bethany Lutheran Church in Emmetsburg. He attended and graduated from the Ayrshire High School in 1948. He married Jean Akre on September 24, 1949, at the Bethany Lutheran Church Parsonage in Emmetsburg and to this union was born three daughters, Linda, June, and Julie.

After their marriage Jr. worked at the Baker Lumber Company in Emmetsburg and after its sale to J.F. Anderson, he continued to work for them for several years before moving to Cylinder in 1963, working for the Cylinder Lumber Company for a short time before moving to Ayrshire. After moving to Ayrshire, he began working as a salesman for Purina Seed Company, and also worked as a salesman for Cargill Seed company before moving to Curlew in 1974, where he worked for the Curlew Elevator before moving to Emmetsburg in 1975, working for Werhspanns Lumber Company until he retired in 1994. Jr. also worked for many people in the Emmetsburg area doing carpentry work for several years.

He enjoyed fishing and playing pool with his many friends and family, hunting, bowling, plants, and working with wood, but his great love and enjoyment was his family, grandchildren, and friends.

He was a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Emmetsburg, former member and very active in the Zion Lutheran Church in Ayrshire and was the church treasure, Emmetsburg pool league, and in earlier years was on a bowling league in Emmetsburg.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Jean Meng of Emmetsburg; two daughters, June Nerlien and her husband, Gary of Northwood and Julie Freeburg and her husband, Rich of Garden City, Kansas; five grandchildren, Jennifer Wahl and her husband, Rusty of Northwood, Adam Nerlien of Nora Springs and PFC Justin Nerlien with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division stationed at Twenty-Nine Palms, California, Billy Herrmann of Denver, Iowa and Chrissy Herrmann of Garden City, Kansas; three great-grandchildren, Nicole, Abby and Cody Wahl all of Northwood; two sisters, Alice Westfall of Estherville and Betsy Frerichs and her husband, Ed of Graettinger, Iowa; a brother, Henry "Hank" Baldwin of Spencer, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Jim Baldwin; a daughter, Linda Meng; four brothers, Melvin and LeRoy Meng and Jim and Lloyd Baldwin; and two sisters, Evelyn Cullen and Ruth Baldwin.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Robert S. Hanson

October 22, 2002

Robert S. Hanson, 92, of Edina, Minnesota, died on Thursday, September 26, 2002. A memorial observance at the family residence was held.

Robert was born on June 17, 1910 in Northwood. Following the untimely death of his father in 1922, the family moved to Minneapolis, where Robert attended the Central High School and the University of Minnesota. He received his B.A. Degree in Economics at the end of his third year at the University, graduating in June 1930 with honors and a Phi Beta Kappa key. He played on the University tennis team and was a member of the "M" Club. His business life spanned 45 years, primarily with the American Hardware Mutual Insurance Company in Minneapolis. He was President of the company for 16 years from 1959 until his age-65 retirement in 1975. He served as President of American Mutual Insurance Alliance, Chicago, Illinois, a national organization of mutual property and casualty insurance companies. He was on the Executive Committee of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Washington, D.C.

In 1942, he joined the Army Air Corps as an administrative officer. He was stationed at Napier Field in Alabama, a flying school for American and British cadets. He was a Major at war's end and retired from the armed services in 1946.

He was preceded in death by Margaret, his wife of 59 years; and by parents, T. Sophus and Rose (Savre) Hanson of Northwood.

Survivors include his sons, Thomas R. Hanson and Douglas W. Hanson, both of Edina; also by special friends, Lorna Bjorkman and Jing Mei Mo.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Lowell K. Hall

October 8, 2002

Lowell K. Hall, 68, of Hanlontown, died on Sunday, September 29, 2002, at his home in Hanlontown.

Funeral service were held on Thursday, at the Grace Lutheran Church in Hanlontown, with Rev. David Werges officiating. Burial was in the Lincoln Township Cemetery in rural Hanlontown.

Lowell K. Hall, was born in Mason City, Iowa on March 16, 1934, the son of Marion and Leona (Gesme) Hall. He received his education in Hanlontown and graduated from the Hanlontown High School. He continued his education at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. On June 24, 1956, he married Patty Eckard at the Grace Lutheran Church. The couple has made their home in Hanlontown their entire married lives.

Lowell was an active involved member of his community and his church. He worked at the bank in Hanlontown. He served as Secretary-Treasurer for the Kinney Lindstrom Foundation Board of Directors, served on the Board of Regents at Luther College and managed the Kinney farms in Nevada, Iowa and locally.

Lowell was a volunteer fireman for over 35 years and enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Patty Hall of Hanlontown and three children, Kent Hall and his wife, Cynthia and their daughter, Olivia, of Clear Lake, Iowa; Kyle Hall of Mason City, Iowa; and Kristin Swenson and her husband, Craig and their son, Carston of Phoenix, Arizona; a sister, Maxine Beckner and her husband, Harold and daughter, Shanie of Clear Lake, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Lorean Hall of Cleveland, Minnesota; a nephew, Ross and niece, Martha Dey and her husband, David and their children, Cameron and Kiersten.

Lowell was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Rodney Hall.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Patricia Louise Coen

October 8, 2002

Patricia Louise Coen, 63, of Mason City, formerly of Northwood, died on Sunday, September 29, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, Mason City, with Rev. William Smith of the St. Anthony Church, Des Moines, officiating. Following cremation, inurnment will take place in the Osage Cemetery, Osage.

Patricia was born on June 29, 1939 in Creston, Iowa, the daughter of Robert D. and Ruby M. (Campbell) Smith. Patricia lived in various communities in Iowa most recently in Northwood, moving to Mason City in July of this year. She worked for Fieldstone Cabinetry in Northwood and most recently as a C.N.A. for the Lutheran Retirement Home. She retired in December of last year.

She enjoyed crocheting doilies for her family and friends, gardening, flowers, vegetables, riding her bike and had a special place in her heart for her great-grandson, Christopher.

Survivors include her children, Pamela Marie Clausen of Cincinnati, Ohio, Diana Mae Fleenor and husband, Joel of Mason City, Timothy Lee Coen of Mason City and Laurie Ann Duryee of Mason City; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brothers, Robert D. Smith, Jr. and wife, Dorothy of Sedalia, Missouri, Rev. William Smith and wife, Pat of Des Moines, Eugene Gary Smith of Kansas and Ray Smith and wife, Marcia of Osage; sisters, Beverly Broege and husband, Keith of Poplar Bluffs, Missouri, Joyce Schmidtke of St. Ansgar and Rozella Melancon and husband, Bruce of Lafitte, Louisiana.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and son, Larry Coen.
© Northwood Anchor 2002

Otto O. Ostby

October 8, 2002

Otto O. Ostby, 87, of Kensett, died on Monday, September 30, 2002, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, October 3, at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Kensett, with Rev. Selmer G. "Sam" Hernes officiating. Interment was in the Kensett Cemetery, where military honors were conducted by the Our Buddies VFW Post #6779 of Northwood.

Otto O. Ostby, son of the late Paul I.D. and Emma (Gavle) Ostby was born on October 12, 1914 in rural Emmons, Minnesota. He was baptized by his grandfather, Rev. P.G. Ostby. Otto received his education in rural Freeborn County Schools. He moved with his parents to a farm in rural Kensett in 1931. Otto married Genevieve Berge on July 16, 1939.

He entered the Army in April of 1944 and was assigned to the 28th infantry division and served overseas. He was captured by the Germans in the Battle of the Bulge and was liberated on March 30, 1945. He spent the next six months in various hospitals and received an honorable medical discharge in September of 1945. He was one of five brothers who served in WW II. He was appointed Kensett Postmaster on May 1, 1946, where he served until his retirement in 1978. He enjoyed fishing and playing cribbage with his cronies.

Otto was very active in community affairs, serving on the Kensett and later the Northwood-Kensett School Board for 29 years. He was scout leader for two years and little league baseball coach for several years. He served on the Kensett Library Board, was Secretary of the Kensett Telephone Co., served as city clerk, and also as councilman. He was an avid fund raiser for the Little League Baseball. He served on the Kensett Fire Dept. for several years. At the time of his death he was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church, where he had served on the council and also as president of the congregation. He was instrumental in the completion of the Kensett cemetery sidewalk project. Otto was a charter member of the Kensett Lions Club, life member of the VFW, Ex POWs, and the DAV.

He is survived by a son, Paul Ostby and his wife, Charlene of Richmond, Michigan; a daughter, Janice and her husband, Larry Christensen of Mason City; two grandchildren, Dennis Ostby and his wife, Rita and Diane Muglia and her husband, Aldo; one step-grandchild, Sherri Slifka; five great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Roger Ostby and wife, Naomi; three sisters, Mildred Bakken, Edythe Stovern and Clarine Ryan; six sisters-in-law, Norma Berge, Connie Berge, Ina LaDouceur, Frida Ostby, Helen Ostby and Bobbi Ostby.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Genevieve; three sisters, Palma Nygaard, Rachel Gauthier and Pearl Erickson; and four brothers, William, Paul Eugene, Thomas and Wallace.
© Northwood Anchor 2002