George M. Grosland

October 14, 2009

George M. Grosland, 81, of Mason City, died on Tuesday, October 7, 2003, at his home, the cause of death a rare disease.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Paul Finger officiating. Interment was in the Memorial Park Cemetery.

George was born on October 24, 1921 in rural Northwood, the son of Ole and Clara (Halter) Grosland. He received his education in the Brookfield Township Schools. He was baptized at the Bristol Lutheran Church in rural Northwood. He worked for many farmers in the area and for the International Harvester Company of Northwood as a mechanic. He joined the Army in 1942 as a member of the International Harvester Unit and got his basic training at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He was assigned to the 134th Unit of the 12th Armored Division, Company A. He saw action in England, France and Germany as a mechanic and tank hauler. Following his military service, he again worked for International Harvester Company of Mason City until 1955. He then bought a truck and was employed by West Truck Line of Mason City and Bonner Truck Line of Swaledale. He was then an owner-operator and hauled for the Leonard and Harvey Boyd Line Stock Companies of Mason City, his last employer was Warren Transport of Waterloo. George than retired in 1982. He married Della Feldt on March 6, 1948, in Iowa City. They lived in Mason City their entire marriage where they raised their three children.

He was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church. George enjoyed fishing, hunting and traveling all over the United States and spent many winters in Harlingen, Texas.

Survivors include his wife, Della; son, Craig D. Grosland of Clear Lake; daughter, Jane D. Jensen and her husband, Bruce of Omaha, Nebraska; five grandchildren; sisters, Martha Dahl of Austin, Minnesota and Evelyn Garnas of Hanlontown; brother, Dr. August J. Grosland and his wife, Loret O. Grosland of Gunnison, Colorado; sister-in-law, Esther Grosland of Marshfield, Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Gene in 1991; and five brothers, Louis, Oscar, Elmer, Carl and Adolph Grosland.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Helen P. Martin

October 28, 2009

Helen P. Martin, 94, of Northwood, formerly of Mason City, died on Tuesday, October 7, 2003, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, with Rev. Kenneth Hatland officiating. Interment was in the Elmwood Cemetery, Mason City.

Helen P. Fiala, was born on January 4, 1909 in Mason City, the daughter of Frank F. and Anastasia (Slavik) Fiala. She attended school in Mason City and on February 23, 1927, Helen was united in marriage to Fred J. Navratil in Plymouth. She later married James Martin on October 4, 1967 in Mason City. Helen worked for several years at Younkers in the women's department and also did some modeling for the store.

She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and volunteered for many years at Mercy Hospital and for the American Cancer Society. Helen enjoyed baking and was famous for her fried chicken and mashed potato's, as well as her kolache. She never missed a relative's or friend's birthday and always delivered a cake. Helen also enjoyed gardening vegetables and flowers, sewing, and traveling.

Helen is survived and lovingly remembered by her daughters, Mary Anne Marreel and her husband, Enri of Chandler, Arizona and Rose Marie Kruger of Northwood; her grandchildren, Anne Marreel of Tempe, Arizona, Rosanne Carlson and her husband, Steve of Tempe, Arizona, Thomas Marreel and his wife, Julia of Chandler, Arizona, Laurie Kruger of Lexington Park, Maryland, Jerry Navratil of Charles City, Randy Navratil and his wife, Mary of Story City, Joleen Bakken and her husband, Erik of Bettendorf and Rory "R.T." Navratil of Grafton; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren;, sisters-in-law, Madalene Fiala of Mason City and Gladyce Fiala of Mason City; a daughter-in-law, Ilene Milbrandt of Grafton; and a treasured friend, Marilyn Korte of Mason City.

Helen was preceded in death by her husbands; her parents; her son, Richard Navratil; and her brothers and sisters, Joseph Fiala, Marie Olsen, Frank F. Fiala, Wesley Fiala and Merrill "Joe" Fiala; and a son-in-law, Harvey M. Kruger.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Milton Thomas Julson

October 21, 2009

Milton Thomas Julson, 80, died on Sunday, October 12, 2003, in Arlington, Texas.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, at the First Baptist Church of Arlington. Burial was in the Frost Cemetery.

Milton was born on July 14, 1923 in Austin, Minnesota. He lived in Northwood until high school graduation in the NHS Class of 1941, when he started working for his uncle in Gordonsville, Minnesota. He was hired by the U.S. Treasury Department in Washington, D.C. in 1942 and continued employment with that department until his retirement in the Philippines in 1978 as Director of Disbursement for Southeast Asia. He had lived in Arlington, Texas since that time. He served with the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C.; Birmingham, Alabama; Juneau, Alaska; Manila, Philippines; Portland, Oregon and Chicago.

Milton was a member of the First Baptist Church of Arlington, Masonic Lodge of Arlington, Mosiah Shrine Temple of Fort Worth, Order of Eastern Star, Chapter #7, Juneau, Alaska and the local chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He served in World War II in the European Theater of Operations and was in many battles, including the Battle of the Bulge in Patton’s 3rd Army.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Mary Kathleen Julson; and by many beloved nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors of long standing.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Richard Allen "Dick" Cooper

October 21, 2009

Richard Allen "Dick" Cooper, 60, of rural Nora Springs, died on Sunday, October 19, 2003, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. Dick had been diagnosed with stomach cancer on September 5, 2003.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, October 23, at the Bethel United Methodist Church in Manly, with Rev. Robert Cumings officiating. Burial will be in the Manly Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service time on Thursday at the church.

Richard Allen "Dick" Cooper, was born in Mason City on August 24, 1943, the son of Emery and Velma (Bartusek) Cooper of rural Manly. He was baptized and reaffirmed the faith of his baptism through confirmation at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Manly. Dick attended rural school near Manly and Plymouth and graduated from the North Central High School in Manly in 1961. On March 4, 1962, he married Janice Tietz in the Bethel United Methodist Church at Manly. Dick worked in construction helping to build the large silos at the Manly Elevator. He also worked at the Sugar Beet plant in Mason City. Following his marriage he worked for Christiansen Farms in Osage. In 1963, he began working for the Massey-Ferguson Company and worked there for eight years. On his birthday in 1970, he began driving truck for the Crouse Cartage Company and drove professionally for them for 30 years.

Dick was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church in Manly, Teamsters Union Local 828 for 30 years and the Moose Lodge.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 41 years, Janice Cooper of rural Nora Springs; son, Rick and wife, Cindy of Mason City; daughter, Theresa and husband, Richard "Dick" Trimble of Forest City; grandchildren, Justin and Stephanie Cooper and Tyler and Tricia Trimble; a brother, Wayne (Donna) Cooper of Iowa Falls; seven sisters, Bonnie (Marcus) Doebel of Clear Lake, Shirley Martin of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Maxine DeVries of Iowa Falls, Jean (George) Dreier of Williams, Gloria (John) Mathis of Jacksonville, Arkansas, Joyce (Chuck) Shropshire of Crystal Lake and Doris (Don) McCourt of Shellsburg; sisters-in-law, Darlene Weitzel of Mason City, Rose (Dale) Lamprecht of Charles City, Laura (Robert) Roffman of Postville and Linda (Leland) Lutzke of Big Lake, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Mary; brothers, Robert, Roger, and Ronnie; and father and mother-in-law, Richard and Edna Tietz.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Margret F. (Patterson) Furness

October 28, 2009

Margret F. (Patterson) Furness, 81 of Joice, Iowa, died on Monday, October 20, 2003, at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Joice, with Rev. Bill Peters officiating.

Margret Frances Patterson, was born on April 21, 1922 in Grand Forks, North Dakota, to Mabel (Danielson) and Howard Patterson, the first of four children. The family moved to Bemidji, Minnesota, where Margret attended and graduated from the Bemidji High School. She married Melvin Furness on August 30, 1941 in Longview, Washington. They lived in Longview until Melvin entered the service in 1942. Margret lived with family in Hanlontown, Iowa and Bemidji, Minnesota, while Melvin was stationed overseas. In 1943, Margret joined Melvin, who was then stationed at Camp Hood in Killeen. When Melvin was discharged from the service in 1945 the couple returned to Iowa where he joined his brother-in-law, Burton Aasland in a plumbing business in Joice, Iowa.

Margret lived in Joice for 45 years and was very involved in community and church activities including the American Legion Auxiliary, UGO-IGO, Friends of the Library, PTA and Mother's Club. She was the Joice correspondent for the Lake Mills Graphic for many years. Past-time interests included cooking for her family, playing bridge, golf, camping, many craft activities and family gatherings. Shortly after moving to Joice, Margret began cooking hot lunches for the Joice school. Margret also held several part time jobs in Joice while raising her family. With her family mostly raised, Margret began working at the Lake Mills Care Center and was employed there for more than 20 years, initially as a nursing assistant and later as activities director.

Margret is survived by her children, Ardythe and Jerry Waldrop of Owatonna, Minnesota, Patty and Marvin Abbott of Forest City, Iowa, Mark and Nancy Furness of Owatonna, Minnesota and Martha Furness and Rod Dalton of Madrid, Iowa; fourteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; step-grandchildren; step-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews; sister, Lillian (Pat) Barr; brother, Howard (Pete) Patterson; and five half-brothers and sisters, Douglas, Judy, Roger, Sherry and Randy Patterson; along with aunt, Nora Evenson of St. Cloud, Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; her parents; sister, Evelyn Woodbury; half-brother, Patrick Patterson; and grandson, Joel Furness.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Dustin C. Wagner

October 28, 2009

Dustin C. Wagner, 18, of Northwood, died on Sunday, October 26, 2003, as the result of an automobile accident southwest of Northwood.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, at the First Lutheran Church in Northwood, with Rev. Richard Jensen officiating.

Dustin C. Wagner, was born on April 17, 1985, the son of Dennis and Debra Wagner in Iowa City, Iowa. Dustin was a 2003 graduate of the Northwood-Kensett High School and was a NIACC student. Dustin loved to hunt and drive his race car. He was loved very much by his friends and family.

Dustin was an engineering student and determined to win the Powerball one day. Dustin cherished the time he spent with his friends and family. He had a charismatic personality and knew how to make everyone around him smile. He had a great friend and mentor in his grandpa, Harvey and his dad. Dustin had aspired to be a part of the NASCAR racing team someday. He was a self-proclaimed genius and had dreamed of becoming a success.

Those left to cherish his memory are his mother, Deb Wagner and her special friend, Bill Imlau of Northwood; sister, Kristen Wagner and her fiancée, Jonathan Penn of Northwood; grandpa, Harvey Patterson and his special friend, Evy Hanson of Northwood; grandma, Carol Patterson of Mason City; grandparents, Roger and Marge Wagner of Northwood; great-grandma, Geneva Patterson of Northwood; niece, Madyson Penn of Northwood; and many special aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Dustin was preceded in death by his dad, Dennis Wagner; brother, Nathan Wagner; and several great-grandparents.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, was in charge of the arrangements.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Roger L. Larson

November 4, 2003

Roger L. Larson, 72, of Swaledale, Iowa, died on Monday, October 27, 2003, at his home in in Swaledale.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, at the United Methodist Church in Swaledale, with Rev. Bruce Wittern officiating. Inurnment will be Saturday, at the Deer Creek Cemetery, Carpenter. A light lunch will be served at the Deer Creek Lutheran Church after the inurnment takes place.

Roger Lewellyn Larson, was born on May 13, 1931 in Otranto Township, Mitchell County, Iowa, to Leonard and Dorothy Collins Larson. Roger graduated from the Carpenter High School in 1949. He served his country in the United States Navy. He moved to Carpenter, Iowa in 1941 and lived in the Carpenter area until 1985 when they moved to Swaledale.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly of Swaledale; four sons, Timothy Larson of Swaledale, William Larson and wife, Sandy of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Ronald Larson of Minneapolis, Minnesota and David Larson; five grandchildren; and one sister, Carolyn Davis and husband, Dennis of Kensett.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; daughter, Marsha; and nephew, Daniel Davis.

The Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, was in charge of the arrangements.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Lyla C. Ferley

November 4, 2003

Lyla C. Ferley, 78, of Northwood, Iowa, died on Wednesday, October 29, 2003, at the Muse Norris Hospice Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church rural Northwood, with Rev. Tom Hagen officiating. Burial was in the Silver Lake Lutheran Cemetery, rural Northwood.

Lyla C. Ferley, was born on June 19, 1925, on a farm in Winnebago County, Iowa, the daughter of Tommy and Stena (Rustad) Jacobson. On December 19, 1943, she was united in marriage to Glenn O. Ferley at the First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, Minnesota by Rev. Knutson. Lyla was a loving, "full-time" mother of seven. She was Glenn's best friend and helper in everything they did.

She loved her family and she loved crocheting and making gifts each one of them, along with gifts for a countless number of dear friends. She was very active in the Silver Lake Lutheran Church and community and will always be remembered for her "Memorial Day Potato Salad".

Lyla is survived by her loving husband of almost 60 years, Glenn Ferley of Northwood; seven children, Cheryl and her husband, Larry Schuttler of Grafton, Paul and his wife, Sharyl Ferley of Northwood, Linda and her husband, Jerry Holty of Hastings, Minnesota, Gerald and his wife, Lucretia Ferley of Northwood, Shirley and her husband, Terry Turvold of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, Duane and his wife, Solla Ferley of Hastings, Minnesota and Glenda and her husband, Steve Schiller of Prescott, Wisconsin; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one brother, Glen and his wife, Colleen Jacobson of Albert Lea, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Janice Jacobson of Lake Mills, Iowa; along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Lyla was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Arlo Jacobson.
© Northwood Anchor 2003