Kelmer “Kelly” Sorenson

March 9, 2005

Kelmer “Kelly” Sorenson, 96, of rural Hanlontown, died on Tuesday, March 1, 2005, at the Muse-Norris Hospice of North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 4, at the Grace Lutheran Church in Hanlontown, with Rev. Linda Johnson-Prestholt and the Rev. Kris Snyder officiating. Interment will be in the Brush Point Cemetery in rural Hanlontown. Visitation was held at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake and continued one hour before the services on Friday, at the church. Memorials may be given to the Citizens Savings Bank Museum, Hanlontown.

Kelly was born on August 3, 1908, at the family home in rural Hanlontown, the son of Austin and Alice (Brattrud) Sorenson. He lived his entire life in the house in which he was born. He married Evelyn Gooden on August 14, 1937 in Kensett, Iowa. Kelly farmed his entire life. He enjoyed fixing up old machinery and sharing stories from his past. He was baptized, confirmed and remained a life-long member of the Grace Lutheran Church.

Kelmer is survived by his children, Deloris Downs and husband, Dan of Lake Havasu City, Arizona and Lynn Sorenson and his wife, Cindy of rural Hanlontown; five grandchildren, Stacey Lunsford and her husband, Victor of Whitewater, Wisconsin, Joel Lemmerman and his wife, Leah of North Branch, Minnesota, Jamie Sorenson and his wife, Angie of Hanlontown, Michelle Gobrecht and her husband, Duane of St. Paul Park, Minnesota and Christina Sorenson of Decorah, Iowa; and nine great-grandchildren.

Kelmer was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn in 2001; his parents; two brothers; two sisters; and one adopted sister.
© Northwood Anchor 2005

Arlene Vivian Baia

March 9, 2005

Arlene Vivian Baia, 82, of Mason City, Iowa, died on Tuesday, March 1, 2005, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 4, at the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, Mason City, with Reverend Dennis Ganz officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation was at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City, with an Eastern Star Service on Thursday, by members of the Eastern Star Northern Light Chapter 262 of Northwood. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service time on Friday at the church. The family of Arlene Vivian Baia has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Arlene Baia Scholarship fund at NIACC in Mason City.

Arlene Vivian Baia, was born on August 15, 1922 in Duluth, Minnesota, the daughter of Theodore "Ted" and Pearl (Thompson) Skjeveland. Arlene graduated from the Duluth Central High School in 1940, and obtained a BS Degree in nursing education from the University of Minnesota in 1945, and a MS Degree in education from Iowa State University in Ames in 1973. She spent 37 years of her life in nursing education in Minnesota and Iowa. Arlene retired from NIACC in Mason City where she was employed from 1968 until 1988. The last 10 years she was the Chairperson of the Health-Related Division.

Arlene was an active member of the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Mason City, 50-year member of the Northern Light Chapter of the Eastern Star #262 in Northwood, PEO Member in Mason City, the American Nurses Association, and National League of Nursing. She received a certificate for 10 years of excellence in teaching from the Rochester, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. In 1982, she received the Iowa Nurses Edith Ruppert award for contributions significant to the improvement of nursing. Arlene is listed in the who's who in the Midwest, the world's who's who of women in education, who's who in American Nursing and who's who among contemporary nurses.

She enjoyed doing crewel, sewing, reading, golf, and knitting. After her retirement she was active in volunteer work at the McNider Museum, Docent for the Stockman House, Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa Auxiliary in the East and West Campuses, as well as volunteer work in other areas.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Barbara Roeder and her husband, Don of Waverly, Iowa; a special grandson, AJ Wahl; and special cousins.

Her parents; daughter, Bonnie; and her brother, Richard preceded her in death.
© Northwood Anchor 2005

Dr. Theodore Hanwick
Fern M. Hanwick

March 9, 2005

Dr. Theodore J. Hanwick, WW II Veteran, age 95, of Minnetonka, died on Wednesday, March 2, 2005, and his wife of 64 years, Fern M. Hanwick, also age 95, followed in death 19 hours later.

Memorial services were held on Tuesday, with visitation one hour before at the Calvary Lutheran Church of Golden Valley. Private interment — Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Theodore Hanwick Scholarship Fund at Augsburg College or to the Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley

Dr. Hanwick was a retired professor and chairman of the Physics Dept. at Augsburg College.

Preceded in death by their parents; and siblings including Evelyn Warden of Golden Valley.

Survived by their daughter, Linda (John) Putnam; their son, Theodore T. (Jeanette) Hanwick; grandchildren, Eric, Bjorn, Christine, Timothy, Aaron & Nathan; and two great-grandchildren.
© Northwood Anchor 2005

Sylvia Geneva Hotson

March 9, 2005

Sylvia Geneva Hotson, 84, of Northwood, died on Thursday, March 3, 2005, at the Manly Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

There will be a private family graveside service held at the Woodbury Cemetery, Lyle, Minnesota, with Reverend Barbara Finley-Shea of the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lyle, Minnesota officiating. According to her wishes her body was cremated. The Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood, is in charge of the arrangements. The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lyle, Minnesota in her memory.

Sylvia Geneva Hotson, was born on November 16, 1920, in rural Worth County, Iowa, the daughter of Sever and Julia (Olson) Pederson. She graduated from the Otranto, Iowa High School and received her LPN Degree from the Austin Vocational School. Sylvia was employed at the St. Olaf Hospital in Austin, Minnesota, and worked throughout the hospital but mostly in the Geriatrics Department. She was united in marriage to Dean Hotson on December 22, 1938, in St. Ansgar, Iowa. He preceded her in death on March 20, 1987.

She enjoyed doing word puzzles, but her great love and enjoyment was her family. She was a member of the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lyle, Minnesota.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Helen Orvedal and her husband, Dennis of Northwood and Richard Hotson of Corning, California; six grandchildren, Annette Stein and her husband, Ed of Northwood, Jody Orvedal of Northwood, Stacie Dingman and her husband, Dan of Mason City, Rick Hotson of Los Angeles, California, Lynn VanderPlas and her husband, Dave of Oregon and Kathy Bevier and her husband, Stan of Corning, California; four great-grandchildren; and two very special great-grandchildren, Hunter and Alli Dingman; one sister, Hilda Lerud of Valley City, North Dakota; one brother, Olaf Pederson of St. Ansgar, Iowa; two sisters-in-law, Arlene Hotson of Austin, Minnesota and Ruth Hotson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; as well as other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dean Hotson; one sister, Clara Dieterichs and her husband, Ray; one sister-in-law, Bonnie Pederson; and a brother-in-law, Orris Lerud.
© Northwood Anchor 2005

Clara Paulina Horgen

March 16, 2005

Clara Paulina Horgen, 93, of Northwood, died on Thursday, March 10, 2005, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 15, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Reverend Wayne Hagen officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation was held on Monday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood and one hour prior to the service time on Tuesday at the church.

Clara Paulina Horgen, was born on January 23, 1912 in Hubbard, Iowa, the daughter of August and Hulda (Ostrich) Becker. She was baptized in February 1912 by Reverend H. A. Mars in Hubbard and reaffirmed the faith of her baptism through confirmation on June 27, 1926, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Myrtle, Minnesota, by J. O. Staehling. Clara attended the Myrtle School in Myrtle, Minnesota. She was united in marriage to George Horgen on August 26, 1933 in Forest City and to this union three children were born, Orlin Dean Horgen and twins, Rita Jane and Richard Duane. Clara was a homemaker and worked at Deluxe in Lake Mills for 13 years.

Clara was known for her knitting and crocheting, which she taught to many. She also did ceramics and belonged to a ceramic's club in Northwood. Clara had been a resident of the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood since October when she fell and fractured her hip and had just been chosen as resident of the month. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood.

Left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Rita Davis and her husband, Sheldon of Glenville, Minnesota; a daughter-in-law, Sondra Horgen of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, Julie Gibbs and her husband, Kevin of Corona, California, Shelly Woitas and her husband, Mike of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Bruce Horgen and his wife, Michelle of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Cynthia McDonald and her husband, Darrin of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Christopher Horgen and his wife, Katie of Wichita Falls, Texas and Stacy Davis of Rochester, Minnesota; great-grandchildren, Aaron and Andrew Woitas of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Matthew, Miranda and Michael McDonald of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Kali and Reece Alger of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two sisters-in-law, Ardine Horgen and Gay Horgen both of Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George in July 1971; her sons, Orlin Dean and infant son, Richard Duane; granddaughter, Suzanne Davis; her sisters, Lenore Will and Bertha Schilling; and brothers, William, Herman, Ernest and Carl Becker.
© Northwood Anchor 2005

Agnes Katherine Mellem

March 23, 2005

Agnes Katherine Mellem, 97, of Northwood, a member of Worth County's pioneer family, died on Sunday, March 20, 2005, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, March 24, at the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church, Northwood, the Reverend Karl Hermanson officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation will be held from 4-6:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church in Northwood or to the charity of one's choice.

She was born on August 18, 1907 in Northwood, the daughter of Lewis G. and Signe Rorvig Mellem. She attended Northwood Schools, graduating in 1925. She received her teaching certificate and later earned her B.A. in Education from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. She taught in rural Worth County, Persia, Iowa, Park Ridge, Illinois, and for many years at the Lowell Elementary School in Waterloo, Iowa, until her retirement in 1975. After retirement she returned to Northwood and assisted at the Northwood Library until she found it interfered with her other interests.

She had a life long interest in her Norwegian heritage. Other interests included nature conservancy, gardening, wildlife, travel, reading, knitting, and homemaking. However her greatest devotion was to her family and church. She was a life long member of the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church in Northwood and former president of the ladies aid.

Left to cherish her memory are three siblings, Elvira Mellem of Northwood, Virginia Evenson of Sheldon, Iowa and Lewis R. Mellem of Louisville, Kentucky; five nieces and one nephew, Clare (Jack) May of Montclair, New Jersey, Joan Cassidy of Martinez, California, Katherine (Robert) Elgas of Waterloo, Jeanette (Charles) Metrebian of Santa Barbara, California, Carolyn (Francis) Willi of Winchester, Virginia and Lewis Robert (Sharon) Mellem of Louisville, Kentucky; and many great and great-great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Esther, Geneva and Valborg; and a brother, Victor.
© Northwood Anchor 2005

Darrell Young

March 30, 2005

Darrell Young, 63, of Renton, Washington, passed away on Friday, March 25, 2005, after a courageous battle with cancer.

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, April 3, at 2:00 p.m., at the St. Mathews Lutheran Church in Renton.

Darrell was born to Ernie and Verla Young on July 14, 1941. The Youngs owned and operated the Mid-way Cafe and later the Paramont Theatre during the 1950's and early 60's. Darrell was a member of the graduating class of N-K 1959. Darrell was in the siding business in the Seattle Region for many years. His son continues with "The Young's of the Northwest" vinyl siding business.

Darrell is survived by his wife of over 42½ years, Arvilla (Ann) Hempen Young; daughter, Kim and her husband, John Crotty of Renton; a son and his wife, Stephanie of Kent, Washington; four grandchildren, John Crotty III (Joey) Britanny Crotty and Ryan and Reese Young; mother, Verla Young of Renton; and a brother, Merrill and his wife, Toni of Texas.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ernie Young; and his mother and father-in-law, Herman and Annie Hempen of Northwood.
© Northwood Anchor 2005

Arthur L. Skram

April 27, 2005

Arthur L. Skram, 80, of Mason City, died on Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at the Mercy Medical Center North Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Friday, April 1, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Mason City, with the Rev. James Magelssen officiating. Interment was in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation was held at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, in Mason City.

Arthur L. Skram, was born on May 23, 1924 in Grafton, the son of Peder and Emma (Sorenson) Skram. He graduated from the Kensett High School in 1941. Arthur attended Waldorf College until drafted into the United States Army Air Corps, where he served with the 20th Air Force in the China-Burma-India Theatre during World War II. Art married Marcile Mostrom on August 4, 1946 and they established their first home in Kensett. The family moved to Mason City after he founded the Art Skram Music Co. in 1950. The company was one of the first in the state of Iowa to provide background music, paging and sound equipment systems to businesses. He later opened a real estate and professional farm management office, overseeing Northwestern State Portland Cement and Indianhead Farms. He was widely known as a farm realtor and appraiser.

Art was a longtime member of the Chamber of Commerce, serving in many years on the agriculture committee. He was also a member of both the National and Iowa Farm and Land Brokers Associations. Art was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he served on numerous church boards. He belonged to the Mason City Country Club, the Euchre and Cycle Club, and volunteered time to help youth at the YMCA. Art was especially proud of his Norwegian heritage and enjoyed many trips to Norway to visit family and friends. He would always have time to tell about his affection for the good times he had vacationing in Norway. He also enjoyed collecting model planes and trains, spending time at this summer home on Clear Lake and working at his farms. Art was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

He is survived by his wife, Marcile; daughter, Mary Ann (Robert) Reddall of Cedar Rapids; son, Paul (Betty) of Cedar Rapids; four beloved grandchildren, Jennifer (James) Gonsalves, Stephen Skram and fiancée, Book Runyan, John Reddall and special friend, Elizabeth Whipple and Kristen Reddall; one cherished sister, Phyllis (Truman) Knudtson; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.
© Northwood Anchor 2005