Kenneth Edmond Gordon

October 6, 2004

Kenneth Edmond Gordon, 48, of Fort Madison, Iowa, formerly of Northwood, died on Saturday, October 2, 2004, at the University Hospitals, Iowa City, Iowa, as the result of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, October 5, 2004, at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, with Rev. Lance Kittleson officiating. Burial was in the St. Ansgar Cemetery, St. Ansgar. Visitation was held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.

Kenneth Edmond Gordon, was born on August 3, 1956 at Austin, Minnesota, to James K. and Beverly J (Thistlethwaite) Lee. Beverly Lee married Laurel "Buzz" Gordon in 1960 and Kenneth was adopted by Buzz. Kenneth was a member of the Deer Creek Lutheran Church and was confirmed there. Kenneth attended the Northwood School System and after school attended a computer school in Kansas City. He joined the U.S. Navy, but became ill and was given a medical discharge. Kenneth returned to Iowa where he was employed at Winnebago Industries.

Left to cherish his memory are his father, "Buzz" Gordon; and grandmother, Mildred Hinders of Albert Lea, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Beverly; his father, James; and five grandparents.
© Northwood Anchor 2004

Bertha Alvina Dishon

October 13, 2004

Bertha Alvina Dishon, 94, of Northwood, died on Tuesday, October 5, 2004, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, October 8, 2004, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood, with Reverend Jay Amundson officiating. Burial took place in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation was held on Thursday, October 7 and one hour prior to the service time on Friday at the chapel. The family of Bertha Alvina Dishon has requested that memorial contributions be made in her memory.

Bertha Alvina Dishon, was born on November 10, 1909 in Barton Township, near Ft. Dodge, Iowa, the daughter of Fredrick and Minnie Caroline (Berner) Kruse. She attended and received her education in the rural Northwood Country Schools. After completing her schooling she worked as a Home Health Aide for various families in the Northwood area. She was united in marriage to Ralph Dishon on November 18, 1935 in Mason City. He preceded her in death on November 21, 1970. In 1942, the family moved to Mason City where Bertha began working as a seamstress for 12 years for Mode O' Day before moving back to Northwood in 1956, where Bertha helped her husband, Ralph on the Grain Truck until the time of his death. Bertha lived at her home in Northwood until September 25, 2002, when she became a resident of the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood. While living at home Bertha went to the congregate meals.

She enjoyed gardening; crocheting, loved and enjoyed growing African Violets which she took great pride and joy in. Bertha also enjoyed doing needlework and received numerous ribbons, and she also enjoyed doing ceramics at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood, and showing her ceramics at the Worth County Fair. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Northwood.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Jeanette Jacks and her husband, Larry of Eaton, Colorado; 6 grandchildren, Mike Jacks and his wife, Doreen of Greeley, Colorado, Doug Jacks and his wife, Mari Jo of Longmont, Colorado, special granddaughter, Becky Jacks of Northwood, Brad Jacks and his wife, Tracy of Eaton, Colorado, Denise Kalvig of Northwood and Dennis Jensen and his wife, Teresa of Culpeper, Virginia; 13 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; 2 great-step-grandsons; 3 great-great-step-grandchildren; a son-in-law, Bill Jensen of Northwood; a sister-in-law, Marie Dahle of Mason City; as well as other relatives and friends.

Besides her husband Ralph, Bertha was also preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Marcele Jensen; 3 brothers; and 3 sisters.
© Northwood Anchor 2004

Gregory “Greg” Donald Gaarder

October 13, 2004

Gregory "Greg" Donald Gaarder, 54, of Kensett, died on Thursday, October 7, 2004, at Opportunity Village in Clear Lake.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, October 11, 2004, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Reverend Wayne Hagen officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation was held at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood and one hour prior to the service time on Monday at the church. The family of Gregory Donald Gaarder has requested that memorial contributions be made to Opportunity Village in Clear Lake, the Northwood-Kensett Athletic Boosters or to the First Lutheran Church in Northwood in his memory.

Gregory Donald Gaarder, was born on December 9, 1949 in Mason City, the son of Donald and Carol (Banken) Gaarder. He was baptized and reaffirmed the faith of his baptism through confirmation at the First Lutheran Church in Northwood. He attended and received his education in the Northwood-Kensett School system and was a graduate of the Northwood-Kensett High School Class of 1969. While in high school, he was a member of 4-H. After completing his schooling, he worked at various businesses for Comprehensive Systems in Osage, NIVC Placement services in Mason City and for the past seven years had been a resident of Opportunity Village in Clear Lake.

He was an avid sports fan, especially following Northwood-Kensett School sports. He also enjoyed golfing and was self taught, and enjoyed bowling and participating in the Special Olympics. Greg was a very social and friendly person and felt that no one was a stranger. He was a life member of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood. While living at Opportunity Village, he attended churches in Clear Lake.

Left to cherish his memory is his father, Don Gaarder of rural Kensett; four sisters, Marsha Hasseler and her husband, Robert of Watertown, New York, Janice Jefferson and her husband, Bruce of Dunkerton, Iowa, Susan Mechem and her husband, Mike of Clarion, Iowa and Yvonne Wolsmann and her husband, John of Omaha, Nebraska; nieces and nephews, Bjorn Hasseler, Annikka Trabucco and her husband, Bill, Lars, and Anders Hasseler, Johana, Laura and her daughter, EllieAnna, Kenneth, and Michael Jefferson, Amanda and Kimberly Mechem and Inga and her children, Connor and Kaylee Webner and Erin Webner; as well as other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Carol Gaarder who died on October 4, 1996; and his paternal and maternal grandparents.
© Northwood Anchor 2004

Themla Orlee Forbes

November 10, 2004

Themla Orlee Forbes, 84, of Sunnyvale, California, died on Sunday, October 10, 2004.

Funeral services were held on Friday, October 15, at 11:00 a.m., at the Hope Lutheran Church, Santa Clara, California. Interment followed in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos.

A native of Kensett, Thelma was born on September 20, 1920, to Ole and Thea Moen. She graduated from high school in 1938 and married Edgar Forbes in 1941. They moved to Burbank, California, after their marriage where her husband worked for the Lockheed Aircraft. Co.

She was a long standing and beloved member of the Nordahl Grieg Lodge of Los Gatos, a member of Daughters of Norway and a member of Hope Lutheran Church for 50 years. She was always a good friend and had lots of friends. While she was thrifty with herself, she was always generous to others, especially with her family. She was a great baker, especially of Norwegian foods like lefse. She was a fine person and a wonderful grandmother. The love for her grandchildren was evident as she listened to them and lent them her support. She had five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was the beloved wife of 49 years to the late Edgar Eugene Forbes; dearest mother of Sharon (husband, Jack) Kalp and Linda (husband, Wayne) Toledo; loving sister of Gladys Corckhill and the late Arnold Moen and Raymond Moen; devoted grandmother of Ronald Kalp, Kristine Henke, Trisha McMahon, Kelly Hering and Lisa Emde; and great-grandmother of ten great-grandchildren.
© Northwood Anchor 2004

Russell Jon Herberg

October 20, 2004

Russell Jon Herberg, 48, of Northwood, died on Friday, October 15, 2004, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, October 21, 2004, at the United Methodist Church, Northwood, with Reverend Wendi Gillan officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Family will greet friends from 5-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood and one hour prior to the service time on Thursday at the church.

Russell Jon Herberg, was born on August 12, 1956 in Mason City, the son of George and Phyllis (Johnson) Herberg. Russell received his education in the Northwood-Kensett School System, and graduated from the Northwood-Kensett High School Class of 1977. Russell also attended NIACC in Mason City. Russell worked as a chef for the Holiday Inn in Albert Lea, Minnesota, Best Western INN in Clear Lake and Rochester, Minnesota, the Albert Lea Country Club, and at the Glenville Restaurant in Glenville, Minnesota.

Russell had a deep abiding faith and was very active in the United Methodist Church in Northwood. He was a certified lay speaker, membership secretary, Sunday School Superintendent, head usher, communion assistant, was on the alter committee, member of the Administrative Council at the church, and was a Sunday School teacher. Russell was very active in the Northwood Lions Club, in which he was past president and secretary. Russell was also active in the district level of the Lions.

Left to cherish his memory is his step-father and mother, Delos and Delores Cook of Mason City; step-brother, Darren and his wife, Jeanine of Calgary, Canada; his step-sister, Michelle Quintin and her husband, Maurice of Calgary, Canada; a step-brother, Terry Cook of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a step-sister, Rebecca Chiafos of Watkins, Iowa; a cousin; Linda Wigant and her son, Jason of Northwood; aunts, Mary Zmolek of Boone, Marilyn Kastler of Rochester, Minnesota and Ann Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona; his uncles, Ray Zmolek of Boone and John Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona; a great-aunt, Marie Wemken of Manly; special friends, George and Joanne Kesler of Northwood; as well as other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; maternal and paternal grandparents; uncles, Charles Johnson and Richard Kastler; and a great-uncle, George Wemken.
© Northwood Anchor 2004

Glenn E. Bultman

November 3, 2004

Glenn E. Bultman, age 89, of Faribault, died on Tuesday, October 19, 2004, at the Infinia at the Faribault Care Center.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, October 22, at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church at Sacred Heart in Faribault, with Fr. Kevin Finnegan, pastor, officiating. Interment was in the Calvary Cemetery in Faribault. Visitation was held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault, on Thursday, from 4-8:00 p.m. and on Friday for one hour prior to the services at the church. The parish prayers were held on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Glenn Edward Bultman, the son of John and Mary Ellen (Joachim) Bultman, was born on February 27, 1915 in Wells Township, Rice County, Minnesota. He was united in marriage to Marie Sartor on June 12, 1940, at the St. Lawrence Church in Faribault. She preceded him in death on April 9, 1987. Glenn was a life long farmer in Wells Township. He also was a handyman for many friends in the area and enjoyed fixing lawnmowers and playing cards. Glenn loved being around children.

He is survived by five children, Francis (Sonny) (and Lorraine) Bultman, Ronald Sr. (and Barb) Bultman, Marlys (and Ben) Knopik, Mary Ellen (and Hank) Velzke, all of Faribault and Marcella (and Larry) Brevig of Kensett, Iowa; 29 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; two sisters, Mildred Friesen and Leona Weinberger, both of Faribault; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; three brothers, Gerald, Lester, and Harvey Bultman; a sister in infancy, Elsie; grandson, Troy Knopik; and great-granddaughter, Jenny Bultman.
© Northwood Anchor 2004

Donna R. (Matton) Florence

October 27, 2004

Donna R. (Matton) Florence, 60, of Northwood, died on Wednesday, October 20, 2004, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, October 22, at the Fullerton Funeral Home in Mason City, with Rev. Spencer Thury officiating. Following the service, Donna was cremated. The family greeted relatives and friends on Friday prior to her service at the funeral home.

Donna Rae (Matton) Florence, was born on October 11, 1944 in Ames, Iowa, to Kenneth and Margaret (Hall) Alcorn. She was the first-born daughter and second child born to her parents. From the age of two, Donna lived with and was provided for by her aunt and uncle, Raymond and Hazel Alcorn. She was raised in Cumberland, Wisconsin, on a dairy farm and attended a one-room schoolhouse the first eight years of her education. Donna graduated among the class of 1962 from the Cumberland High School. She furthered her education at the Barbazon Modeling School in St. Paul, Minnesota. For approximately the last 33 years, Donna was at home in the Northwood and Mason City areas.

Through the years of her youth and young adulthood, Donna could be found roller-skating and socializing at the local roller rink, which is where she met her future husband, Jerome Matton. The couple was married on March 10, 1963 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Donna and Jerome became the parents of one son, Andrew Steven Matton. Even though they later separated, Donna and Jerome always had a mutual respect for each other in regards to Andrew's interests. In February of this year, Donna retired from her employment at HyVee West (and Cash Wise prior to HyVee) in Mason City, where she worked for many years as a scanning consultant. Her earlier employments included tenure at Iowa Kemper Insurance, North Iowa Transition Center and the Globe Gazette.

Many in the community will remember Donna as a person who enjoyed working among the public. She was an easy-going woman who was always eager to assist anyone in any capacity at any time, she was always, "there for you." Donna was quick to welcome others into her home and she was considered the "Neighborhood Ma" to visitors. Some of Donna's favorite interests, hobbies and leisure activities include her enthusiasm toward finding bargains at flea markets, garage sales and auctions, adding to her collection of copper pieces, tending to her cat, "Angel" and taking scenic rides in the country. She treasured her large collection of country music albums, especially favoring the artists, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn and Alan Jackson. Her family recalls that she was kind-hearted toward small animals, very giving and had a close relationship with her son and his family. Donna's only grandson, Jesse, will cherish the memory of playing board games and putting together puzzles with his grandma, eating Donna's homemade dumplings and dining at The Corner Post in Northwood on Thursday evenings, where they looked forward to the meal of cream chicken and biscuits.

She is survived by her son, Andrew "Andy" Matton and his wife, Kris of Northwood; her only grandson, Jesse Matton of Northwood; her siblings, William K. (Donna) Alcorn of Vienna, Ohio, Stephanie Lemke (Steve Teske) of Des Moines, Tim (Linda) Lemke of West Des Moines, Bob (Lucy) Lemke of Des Moines and Joe (Margueritte) Lemke of Des Moines. She will also be sadly missed by her close friends, Tammy and Kevin Hamilton of Waterloo and Tammy Diekhuis of Leland; and many other numerous relatives and friends.

Preceding Donna in death were her parents, Kenneth and Margaret Alcorn-Lemke; and her aunt and uncle, Raymond and Hazel Alcorn.
© Northwood Anchor 2004

Hoyt Gaarder

November 3, 2004

Hoyt Gaarder, 85, of Sibley, Iowa, died at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Saturday, October 23, 2004.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, October 26, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Sibley, with the Rev. Kim Peterson officiating. Interment was in the Elk Creek Lutheran Cemetery, Kensett, the same day.

Hoyt Gaarder, was born on September 28, 1919 in Northwood, the son of Hilman and Inga (Tenold) Gaarder. Hoyt attended high school in Kensett and college at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Hoyt entered the U.S. Army in May of 1941 and served in the European Theater of Operations. He participated in the invasion of North Africa on November 8, 1942, and was captured in Tunisia in February of 1943. For over two years, Hoyt was a Prisoner of War and was held in POW camps in Germany and Poland. The Bronze Star was awarded to him for service to his country while he was a non-commissioned officer, and he was discharged from the U.S. Army in September of 1945. Hoyt was united in marriage to Thelma Julseth in December of 1941 and to this union three children were born, Angelynn, Brian and Scott. Hoyt, Thelma and family farmed in Worth County from 1946 until 1957.

In 1957, Hoyt was employed by the Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, and in 1962 he accepted the management position for Farmers Mutual Association in Sibley, serving as Manager and Director for 40 years. Other lifetime activities were many and varied. Hoyt had the opportunity to serve on the Trinity Lutheran Church Council, was a member of the Sibley Rotary Club, and was a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow award of the Rotary International. Hoyt also served as President of the Iowa Association of Mutual Insurance Companies in 1971 and served on the board of the Country View Manor in Sibley for nine years. Of utmost importance to Hoyt were his church, family and friends. He also took great pride in his Norwegian heritage and had hobbies which included football, traveling and the outdoors.

Hoyt is survived by his wife, Thelma of Sibley; daughter, Angelynn Dolan and her husband, Robert Corey of Sioux Falls; two sons, Brian Gaarder and his wife, Carolyn of Fargo, North Dakota and Scott Gaarder and his wife, Judy of Sibley; brother, Don Gaarder of Kensett; sister, Audry Appel of Oregon, Wisconsin; two brothers-in-law, Connie Julseth and Truman Julseth and his wife of Northwood; along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Ileen Torvick.
© Northwood Anchor 2004

Ruth E. Nelson

November 3, 2004

Ruth E. Nelson, 86, of Osage, Iowa, formerly of Clear Lake, Iowa, died on Monday, October 25, 2004, at the Mitchell County Regional Healthcare Center.

Memorial services were held on Friday, October 29, at the Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Osage, with the Rev. Roy Ott officiating. The family visited with friends and relatives at the church following the service. Inurnment was held in the Kensett Cemetery, Kensett. The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel of Clear Lake was in charge of the arrangements.

Ruth was born on January 3, 1918 in Osage, Iowa (Cedar Township) the daughter of William L. and Johanna Charlotte (Becker) Dieterichs. Ruth attended the Osage High School. She did house work in Osage. Ruth married Conrad Nelson on March 17, 1939, at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Osage. They lived in Plymouth, Albert City, West Bend, Kensett, Des Moines and in 1974 moved to Clear Lake. Ruth moved to Osage in 1992.

Ruth loved joking with people, cooking, and having family come to Clear Lake for the 4th of July. She was a member of the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Birdie Hauge and her husband, Mike of Madison, Missouri; four grandchildren, Kelly Hauge and Cory Hauge of St. Charles, Missouri, Crystal Hauge of Shawnee, Kansas and Teri Craig and her husband, Keith of Yates, Missouri; two great-grandchildren, Alexis and Mickael Craig; three step-great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Hopper, Kiersten & Kameron Craig; a sister-in-law, Gert Dieterichs of Osage; and several nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Conrad in 1991; one son, Dennis Nelson; grandson, Mike Hauge; two sisters; and six brothers.
© Northwood Anchor 2004

Carol R. McLaughlin

November 3, 2004

Carol R. McLaughlin, 67, of Belmond, died on Tuesday October 26, 2004, at the Belmond Medical Center, with her husband at her side.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, October 30, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond. The Rev. Rob Hopp officiated. Burial was in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, Belmond.

Survivors include her husband, Alfred McLaughlin; sons, Terrance and wife, Linda of Des Moines and Kevin McLaughlin of Rochester, Minnesota; daughters, Lori and her husband, Allen of Corwith, Angela Rasmussen and husband, James of Evergreen, Colorado, Michelle Schaeffer and husband, Bryon of Ankeny, Elizabeth Engberg and husband, Allen of Puyallup, Washington and Susan McLaughlin of Algona; her sister-in-law, Marge Johnson; brothers, Charles and wife, Betty, Harley and wife, Clarissa, Ivan and wife, Kathy, all of Osage; her sister-in-law, Frances Johnson of Osage; and sister, Eleanor Schallock of Osage; brothers-in-law, Lowell Olsen of Osage and LaVerne Schael; sisters, Mildred Sponheim and husband, Norman of Nora Springs and Sharon Boyce and husband, James of Roseville, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Dale and Kenneth Johnson; two sisters, Margaret Olson and Florence Borcherding; one infant sister and one infant brother; and a brother-in-law, Alvy Borcherding.
© Northwood Anchor 2004

Julie E. Hill

November 10, 2004

Julie E. Hill, 57, of Waterloo, died on Friday, October 29, 2004, at her home of natural causes.

Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, November 1, at the Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home, Cedar Falls, with inurnment in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Cedar Bend Humane Society.

She was born on July 3, 1947 in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Ingvald & Flavia (Hill) Loberg. Julie graduated from the Mason City High School in 1965. She married Robert J. Chudek on September 3, 1977 in Northwood and they were later divorced. Julie was employed as a legal secretary at the Mosier, Thomas, Beatty, Dutton, Braun, & Staack Law Firm in Waterloo, was then employed as a secretary with Waterloo Paper Company, Doerfer Engineering and Pro Farmer. She later co-owned and operated the Data Services Company in Roseville, Minnesota for 20 years. She volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Unit for 10 years in Roseville.

Survivors include her mother, Flavia Loberg of Cedar Falls; her sister, Angela Burrell and her husband, Steve of Cedar Falls; one niece, Ambria Root of Cedar Falls; and one nephew, Ryan Loberg of Butler, Pennsylvania.

She was preceded in death by her father; and brother, Brant Loberg.
© Northwood Anchor 2004