Ira O. Wallace “Wally”

May 19, 2004

Ira O. Wallace "Wally" of Springfield, Virginia, died of leukemia on Sunday, May 2, 2004.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 12, at the St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Springfield, with interment at the Quantico National Cemetery, Quantico, Virginia. Fern Nelson and Blanche and Arnie Hogen visited their brother-in-law in February, but were unable to attend his funeral. Those from Mardell's family attending were Renita and Dean Weiland, Independence, Iowa and Marine Cpl. Nathan Dolan of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Wally was born on March 17, 1925, the sixth of eight children. He completed high school and joined the Marine Corps in July 1942. He served on active duty until 1951, attaining the rank of Technical Sergeant. In a joint venture with the Marine Corps Exchange, Wally started an on-base tailor shop which he ran for 40 years until his retirement in 1992. On October 29, 1950, Wally married Mardell Johnson at Northwood. They moved to Springfield where he resided until his death.

Wally dedicated his life to loving and providing for his family. He enjoyed socializing, bargain hunting, walking, watching sports on TV and country music. Wally loved holidays. For Easter he would shop for candy for the kids weeks in advance and enjoyed watching egg hunts. For Christmas he was especially generous to everyone. He would start shopping months in advance.

Wally is survived by his sons, Tom and wife, Brenda and Scott and wife, Susan. He has two grandchildren by his son Tom, Alexander Thomas and Ashley Lydia Talore and two by his son Scott, Sarah Katherine and Sean Upton. Also left to cherish his memory are a sister and three brothers.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mardell Talore on March 4, 1999; his parents; and three brothers.
© Northwood Anchor 2004

Frank Richard "Dick" Shepherd

May 12, 2004

Frank Richard (Dick) Shepherd, 71, of Marshalltown and Des Moines, died on Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at the Iowa Veterans Home.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, at Hamilton’s near the Highland Memory Gardens. Burial of the cremains will be in the Pine Hill Cemetery.

Frank was born on August 10, 1932 in Guthrie County, to Odell and Sarah Shepherd. He grew up in Guthrie County, attended high school in Guthrie Center and graduated from the Dexter High School. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1952, during the Korean War and married Elaine M. Mielke in Northwood on November 2, 1957. Frank worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier. After retiring from the U.S. Postal Service, he worked at the Green Leaf Florist Supply. While a resident at the Iowa Veterans Home, Frank worked as a security guard.

He was a member of the Navy Veterans of the Korean War, AMVETS #2 and U.S. Postal Union. Frank loved fishing and gambling at Tama and Prairie Meadows. He was an avid sports fan, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, St. Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and the Boston Celtics. Frank also enjoyed reading westerns and listening to country western music.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Elaine Shepherd of Des Moines; daughters, Karen (companion Alonzo Hall) of Des Moines and Cindy (Mitch) Gruber of Fort Dodge; grandsons, James Allen Shepherd and Shawn Richard Shepherd; great-grandson, Damian Harris; sister, Mildred Kness, all of Des Moines; and brothers, Lloyd Shepherd of Grimes and George Shepherd of Stuart.

He was preceded in death by a son, James Russell Shepherd; parents; sister, Dorthea Tuffin; and two brothers, Ora (Lucky) and John.
© Northwood Anchor 2004

Margery “Marge” A. Ferch

May 26, 2004

Margery "Marge" A. Ferch, 67, Oquawka, Illinois, died at Galesburg, Illinois, on Thursday, May 20, 2004.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 25, at the Turnbull Funeral Home, Oquawka, with burial in the Oquawka cemetery. The Revs. Suzanne Geevnad and Donovin Calmer officiated.

She was born on July 18, 1936 at Mason City, the daughter of Clifford and Ruth (Dishok) Perry. She attended Northwood Schools, graduating in 1954. She then attended Hamilton Business College, Mason City. She married William E. R. Ferch on October 15, 1955 in Northwood. Margery moved to Oquawka on June 1, 1969.

She was active in the Henderson County Historical Society and delivered Meals on Wheels for several years. Margery was a homemaker and of the Lutheran faith. She was a charter member of the Oquawka Eagles Auxiliary, holding offices of President, Past President and Treasurer for 18 years, captain of the drill team, and was Heart Fund Chairman for many years. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Monmouth and the Galesburg American Legion Auxiliary. Margery enjoyed cooking, crafts, reading, volunteering and fund raising.

Survivors include two sons, James W. and Lannette Ferch of Oquawka and Jeffrey A. and Lori Ferch of Monmouth; her special friend, Albert Keever of Oquawka and his children, Bruce and Dana Keever; Brenda and Steve Lox of Oquawka; Becky and Jim Kelley of Gladstone, Illinois; Patty Kay and Will Miner of Oquawka; Rodney Schultz of West Burlington, Iowa; Kathy Hillier of Gladstone and John Reeder of Orlando, Florida.; five grandsons, Joe, Kent, Tyler, Austin and Aaron Ferch; one brother, Clifford "Butch" Perry and Peggy of Oquawka; sisters, Judy Van Unnik and Dennis of Knoxville, Illinois and Vickie Harman and Reese of Marian, Iowa; seven nephews; two great-nieces; and three great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and her grandparents.
© Northwood Anchor 2004

Helen L. Spilde

June 9, 2004

Helen L. Spilde, 88, of Northwood, died on Monday, May 24, 2004, at the Manly Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, at the First Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Wayne Hagen officiating. Interment was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood.

Helen L. Spilde, was born on April 14, 1916 in Grinnell, Iowa, to Osmen Tobias and Lillie Ida (Christianson) Alertson. She married Merlin T. Spilde on October 6, 1938. She was a longtime member of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood. She was active in her circle at the church. She enjoyed making her own clothes and loved to garden.

Survivors include her daughter, Shirley (Gerald) Tweed of Bellevue, Washington; sons, Arlo of Northwood and Mark of Oelwein; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and one sister, Orpha Alertson of Northwood.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merlin; and siblings, Leslie Eilertson, Alice Hanson Olson and Edwin Alertson.
© Northwood Anchor 2004

Lana "Lannie" K. Hanson

June 2, 2004

Lana "Lannie" K. Hanson, 63, of Fertile, died on Wednesday, May 26, 2004, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral service were held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, at the Fertile Lutheran Church in Fertile, with the Rev. Clarence Baalson officiating. Inurnment will be in the Oakland Cemetery in Forest City.

Lana (Lannie) K. Hanson, was born in Mason City, Iowa on June 22, 1940. She was the daughter of Lenus and Katherine (Buckley) Hanson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She received her education in Forest City, graduated from the Forest City High School in 1958 and continued her education at Waldorf College.

Lannie spent many years in the food and beverage industry. During the past 20 years, she worked intensively raising funds for worthy causes, most often with fire departments and law enforcement. She was especially proud of a drug awareness program she developed called “Kids Talk To Kids.” She loved to plant and care for flowers. She enjoyed watching old movies and was an avid John Wayne fan.

Lannie is survived by her husband, Earl Kilen of Fertile; her children, Jerry Abrahamson and wife, Julie and their children, Jessica Bennedict and Jennie, Jeremy and Jacob Abrahamson; Stephenie K. Abrahamson and her children, Sheyanne Oudekerk and Sara Jo O’Connell; Kenneth Kimes and wife, Sharon and their daughter, Grace Kimes; Timothy Kimes and wife, Shari and their children, Nicolle and Katie Kimes; and an adopted son, Rance. J. Amen; and six great-grandchildren.
© Northwood Anchor 2004