William Paschka

August 8, 2007

William “Pudge” F. Paschka, 78, of Marshalltown, formerly  Mason City, died on Friday, August 3, 2007, of kidney failure and other health related complications. Bill has been a resident of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown for the last two years.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, August 7, at the Fullerton Funeral Home, Mason City, with the Rev. Thomas Healey officiating. Inurnment will take place on Wednesday, at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.

Bill was born in Chaska, Minnesota, on April 16, 1929, to Erwen and Myrtle (Johnson) Paschka. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Bill married Irene Rezabek in 1953 and they lived in the Mason City area.

He was employed at the Northwood Anchor in Northwood until they moved to Newton, Iowa in 1964. Bill worked at the Newton Daily News until his retirement in 1992.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Dale Flatness

August 15, 2007

Dale R. Flatness, age 76, of Northwood, died on Wednesday,  August 8, 2007, at his home in Northwood.

Memorial services will be held at l:00 p.m., on Saturday, August l8, at the Sunset Rest Cemetery, with the Northern Light Lodge No. 266 A.F. and A.M. in charge of the service. Following the service there will be a time of fellowship in the Fireside Room at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood.

Dale R. Flatness, son of Hans and Anna (Pederson)  Flatness, was born on August 26, l930, on the family farm Northeast of Northwood. He attended rural school and graduated from the Northwood High School in l949.

On October 23, l949, he married Jean Hendrikson and to this marriage were born four children.

He farmed in the area and did road construction as a heavy equipment operator. He enjoyed home remodeling and carpentry and made many wood crafts and toys for his family.

Dale is survived by his wife, Jean; three sons, Gary (Brenda) Flatness of Ridgecrest, California, Curt Flatness of Garnerville, Nevada and Tim Flatness  of Northwood; grandchildren,  Paul Flatness, Gary Flatness Jr., Chris Flatness, Scott Flatness and Tony Flatness; great-grandson, Randy Flatness; sisters, Nora Pacey and Arlene Hamsund; and brothers, Alton Flatness and Earl Flatness.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Susan Jaye; an infant sister, Doris; sister, Opal Mielke; and brother, LuVern Flatenss.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Marie Johanna Elizabeth Aves

August 22, 2007

Marie Johanna Elizabeth Aves, 101, died on Thursday, August 16, 2007, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City. 
 
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday August 20, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Manly, with Pastor Linda Johnson Prestholt officiating. Interment was in the Manly Cemetery. Visitation was held on Sunday, from 4-7:00 p.m., at the Bride Colonial Chapel, Manly, and continued one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Marie was born on December 5, 1905, at home in rural State Center, the daughter of William and Mary (Markusch) Hennies. She was baptized and confirmed at the St. John's Lutheran Church in State Center. 

On April 23, 1924, she was united in marriage to Lyell Aves at Toledo, Iowa. They lived in Marshall County for four years and then moved to the Mason City area. In 1958, they moved to Manly where she resided until her death. Marie was a long time cook at the Manly School, retiring in 1971.

Marie enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, singing, dancing, fishing, quilting, and playing the piano, but she especially loved being part of a large family and continued it with her own family and extended family. She was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Manly.

Marie is survived by nine children, LuVerne Aves of Waterloo, Lavonne (Roger) Clagett of Kensett, Shirley Wohler of Sigourney, Lila Johnston of Henning, Minnesota, Ray (Mary) Aves of Manly, Jeanette (Harold) Galligan of New Hampton, Linda (Ozzie) Dahle-Melsaether of Manly, Richard Aves of Manly and Susan Aves of Mason City; along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lyell Aves; son, Glen "Bob" Aves; daughter, Donna Olson; sons-in-law, Gerald Wohler, Robert Johnston and Ray Olson; daughter-in-law, Arline Aves; one granddaughter, Debra Olson; and brothers and sisters.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Fern Elvesether

August 22, 2007

Fern Elvesether, died on Sunday, August 19, 2007, at Waterford at All Saints in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Her memorial service will be held at the Grace Lutheran Church in Hanlontown, Iowa, on Saturday, August 25, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be in the Brush Point Cemetery near Hanlontown.

Fern was born on July 26, 1915, on a farm north of Hanlontown. Her parents were Olaf and Aasine (Huso) Hoel.

She married Orville Elvesether on February 10, 1934 in Mason City, Iowa. They moved to the Elvesether farm near Hanlontown, where she lived for the next 63 years. She moved to Sioux Falls in 1999.

She worked at the Citizen's Savings Bank in Hanlontown for many years.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her sisters, Mandeline Brunsvold, Violet Hoel, Cora Chamberlain and Lillie Thomas; her brothers, Clarence, Alvin and Aulger Hoel; and a niece, Inez Ott.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Joe Colby of Sioux Falls; a granddaughter, Emily Colby of Iowa City; a grandson, Chris Colby and his wife, Jennifer of Bastrop, Texas; nieces, Sylvia Evans of Northwood, Karen Hoffman and Lonna Leidal; and nephews, Stanley and Richard Hoel.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

James "Jim" Gillan

August 29, 2007

James Dee "Jim" Gillan, departed this life on Wednesday, August 22, 2007, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa at the age of 73 years old. 

A Celebration of Jim's life was held at l0:30 a.m., on Saturday, August 25, at the Northwood United Methodist Church, with Rev. Ed Kail officiating. There was also a Celebration of Jim’s life at the Central City United Methodist Church, Central City, Nebraska, at l0:30 a.m., on Tuesday, August 28, with Rev. Joy Savage officiating.

James Dee "Jim" Gillan, the son of Leland and Cecil (Griffee) Gillan was born on January l, l934 in York, Nebraska. Jim attended school in York before moving to Central City, Nebraska. He graduated from the Central City High School in l953. During his school years he loved playing football, being active in FFA, and special times with friends.

On November 21, l954, Jim and Ruth Ellison were united in marriage. This union was blessed with two children, DeAnna Lea and Kenton James. The only thing Jim loved more than his kids were bragging about them and how proud he was of them. The only ones he enjoyed more than his kids were his grandchildren.

Jim was a practical joker and his laugh was his distinctive trademark. He loved his life and he loved people. Jim had a way of finding people that no one else would associate with and then help them to see their possibilities and help them grow in their self worth. Jim never knew a stranger, just a friend he hadn't met, and most of those he met at the local coffee shops where he loved visiting with friend and stranger alike.

Nieces and Nephews were also very important to Jim. He loved any time he could spend with them. Jim especially enjoyed the time he spent with nieces, Erinn and Georgi. He also loved the time he spent in the Rocky Mountains hunting with brother, Sam and his family. Nephew, Sammy was especially important to Jim. And, just so Sammy could be there, on November 24, l982, Jim and Wendi Persons were united in marriage in the Evanston United Methodist Church in Denver, Colorado.

Jim loved it when he entered college at the age of 50, studying computers and business courses. School and all kids were important to him. He was School Board President of the Central City, Nebraska rural schools, and he proudly served on the North Kossuth School Board in Swea City, Iowa.

Jim enjoyed cooking, especially baking, hunting, gardening, and anything electronic. Even though he was legally deaf he ran the sound systems in each church Wendi served. He taught himself to make Native American Flutes, Cross necklaces out of nails, and even an Irish Brogan Drum.

Throughout his life Jim had a variety of careers. He farmed, drove school bus, managed the American Legion Club in Central City, Nebraska, co-owned the LT Printer's Ink, printing shop with his wife, Wendi and retired in l996 from Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital as their in-house pressman. Jim was a Certified Lay Speaker and was an active member of the Northwood United Methodist Church.

Jim was welcomed into life eternal by his parents; grandparents; brothers, Bill and Sam Gillan; sisters, Lauree Lorensen and Norma Haith; nephew, Jim Lorensen; sister-in-law, Sally Persons-Beck; and special pet, Snooki.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Rev. Marilee (Wendi) of Northwood; his children, DeAnna and Tim Way of Portland, Oregon and Kenton and Chelle Gillan and their children, Emily, Isabella, and Katrina of Central City, Nebraska; brother, Don and Janet Gillan of Lampe, Missouri; special caregiver mother-in-law, Maxine Olson of Albion, Nebraska; father and mother-in-law, Lynn and Frances Persons of Mesa, Arizona; sister-in-laws, Marge Gillan of Denver, Colorado and Connie and Bill Cornwell of Albion, Nebraska; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews as well as other relatives and many, many friends.  He will be greatly missed by all.

The Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, is assisting the Gillan Family with the arrangements in Northwood and the Wagner Funeral Home  will be assisting the Gillan Family with the arrangements in Central City, Nebraska.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Loren Hrubetz

August 29, 2007

Loren Edward Hrubetz, 57, of rural Lake Mills, died on Wednesday, August 22, 2007, at his home.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, August 25, at the Bethany Lutheran Church, Joice, with Reverend Bill Peters officiating. Burial was in the Kensett Cemetery, with military graveside honors conducted by members of the "Our Buddies" Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 6779 of Northwood. Visitation was held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood. Visitation was also held one hour prior to the service time on Saturday at the church.

Loren Edward Hrubetz, was born on October 1, 1949 in Mason City, the son of Charles and Lucile (Knudtson) Hrubetz. He was baptized on January 15, 1950, at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Kensett and reaffirmed the faith of his baptism through confirmation on May 17, 1964, at the First Lutheran Church in Northwood.

He attended the Northwood-Kensett Community schools and graduated from the Northwood-Kensett High School with the class of 1968. Loren was inducted into the U.S. Navy on March 5, 1969 from Northwood and was honorably discharged on April 19, 1972 at Treasure Island, San Francisco, California. After his honorable discharge he came back to Northwood and began working for Don Dahlby on his farm in rural Northwood. Loren also worked for 28 years for the Worth County secondary road department and at the time of his death was their foreman. 
 
He was united in marriage to Jean Reyerson on September 8, 1979, at the First Lutheran Church in Northwood and to this union two children were born, Dustin and Jackie.

Loren enjoyed being with his family, farming, enjoyed cars, car shows, going to car races, belonging to the Aristocrats Car Club in Northwood, dancing, music, and Buddy Holly Days in Clear Lake.

He was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Joice.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Dustin Hrubetz and his fiancée, Sarah Cruise of Emmons, Minnesota and Jackie Hrubetz of Rochester, Minnesota; his brothers and sister, Richard (Mary) Hrubetz of Joice, Kathy (Dave) Gallaher of Joice and Ron (Rhonda) Hrubetz of Joice; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Dave Hrubetz.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Patricia Yount

August 29, 2007

Patricia Lynn Yount, 48, died on Friday, August 24, 2007, at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Osage, due to complications following a lengthy illness.
 
Memorial services will be held at 5:30 p.m., on Thursday, August 30, at the First United Methodist Church, Nora Springs, with Reverend Jim Turner and Reverend Wendy Johannesen officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial service at the church on Thursday.

Patty was born on April 13, 1959 in Owatonna, Minnesota, to Don and Marge (Meyer) Yount. She received her education in the Nora Springs-Rock Falls Community Schools, where she was very active in sports, music, and journalism. She still holds several school track records. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly and graduated with a B.A. in Business Education and Physical Education in 1981.

She was involved in education as a teacher in the Sigourney, Deep-River-Millersburg, Mason City Newman and Northwood-Kensett schools. At the time of her death, she worked part-time as a bookkeeper and substitute teacher.

Patty took great pride in researching family history, organizing reunions and keeping in touch with her extended family. She was an avid Hawkeye fan and was very proud of the accomplishments of her nieces and nephew.

She is survived by her sister, Chris Haacke; her brother-in-law, Warren Haacke; nieces and nephews, Elisa and Adam Haacke of Riceville, Michelle Berentsen and husband, Kent and their children, Brittany, Paige, and Amanda, also of Riceville, Ryan Haacke and his wife, Michelle and son, Nolan of Des Moines; aunts, Maxine Meyer and Helen Meyer; a very special great-aunt and great-uncle, Bill and Dorothy Shugar of Ackley and their families; as well as several cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Marge Yount in 2001; maternal and paternal grandparents; uncles, Eugene Meyer and William Meyer; and aunt, Ruth Meyer.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Victor Knudtson

August 29, 2007

Victor D. Knudtson, age 78, of Lake Mills, died on Saturday, August 25, 2007, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, August 29, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, with Rev. W. Paul Weeg and Rev. David Jordon officiating. Visitation was from 5-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, August 28, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home and again one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be in the Salem Memorial Cemetery in Lake Mills, with military rights performed by the Lake Mills Otto/Chose Post #235.

Victor Duane Knudtson, was born on October 9, 1928, the seventh child of Knudt B. and Clara (Haugen) Knudtson on the farm in Winnebago County, near Forest City. He was baptized and confirmed at the Winnebago Lutheran Church. He attended  the country school nearby, then attended and graduated form the Lake Mills High School in 1946.

Victor helped his father and brothers with farm work until September of 1951, when he enlisted in the US Navy. After boot camp in San Diego and Machinists Mate school at Great Lakes, he spent 40 months as a Machinists Mate on a cruiser. He was honorably discharged in September of 1955.

On November 29, 1953, Victor and Evelyn Hoeft of Ventura, were united in marriage at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura. In March of 1956 they moved to Silver Lake Township, Worth County, and started farming. They have lived there to this day. To this union, five children were born, Dorthy, David, Diane, Donald and Douglas.

Victor was a member and supporter of the Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills since 1956. He served on the  Worth County Extension Council, the Lake Mills Elevator Board the WCTA Board for 18 years, the REC Board for 29 years and the Board of Dairyland Power Corp. in La Crosse, Wisconsin for nine years.

Victor felt very fortunate to have done some traveling, having visited all 50 US States, Canada, Mexico, and most of the countries of southern, western and northern Europe. But he very much enjoyed coming back home to the Midwest.

Victor was diagnosed with leukemia ten years ago and had been a regular giver of blood for Leukemia Research at Mayo Clinic in hopes of helping others fight this disease.

Victor is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Evelyn of Lake Mills; his five children, Dorthy (Tim) Neubauer of Clear Lake, David (GayJean) Knudtson of Forest City, Diane (Todd) Ranes of Lake Mills, Donald (Nancy) Knudtson of Lake Mills and Douglas (Melissa) Knudtson of Worthington, Minnesota; fourteen grandchildren, John Neubauer of Clear Lake, Jennifer (Steven) Farquhar of Des Moines, Jarod, Andrew and Gabrielle Knudtson of Forest City, Tony Ranes of Lake Mills, Sara, Laura, Ryan and Megan Knudtson of Lake Mills, Tyler, Victoria, Zachary and Lydia Knudtson of Worthington, Minnesota; great-grandchildren, Hayden Farquhar of Des Moines and Jules Neubauer of Clear Lake; brothers, James (Ruth) Knudtson of Lake Mills, Charles Knudtson of Joice and Robert (Delores) Knudtson of Forest City; sister, Edith Knutson of Forest City; sisters-in-law, Cleone Knudtson of Lake Mills and Marilyn Schotanus of St. Ansgar; brothers-in-law, Tom (Kay) Hoeft of Ft. Collins, Colorado and Robert (Betty) Hoeft of Ventura; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Victor was preceded in death by his parents, Knudt and Clara; step-mother, Mabelle; a six week old grandson, Thomas James Knudtson; brothers, Ernest and his wife, Avis Knudtson and Melburn Knudtson; sister, Florence and her husband, John Albaugh; sisters-in-law, Irene Knudtson and Charlotte and her husband, Kenneth Hyde; and brothers-in-law, Raymond Knutson, Gerald Schotanus and Leslie (Pete) Hoeft.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Floyd "Gib" Gilbertson

September 5, 2007

Floyd "Gib" Gilbertson, of Apple Valley, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, August 25, 2007, from a short but courageous bout with cancer.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, September 1, at the Christus Victor Church, Apple Valley, at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation one hour prior to the services. Internment will be at a later date in the Beaver Creek Cemetery in Joice, Iowa.

Floyd was born on February 21, 1924 in Joice, Iowa, to Ancel and Hulda (Tweed) Gilbertson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He graduated from the Hanlontown High School in Hanlontown in 1942, where he excelled in baseball and basketball. On July 21, 1946, Floyd was united in marriage to Margie Parsons at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City, by Pastor Alvin N. Rogness. Floyd owned and operated Sheboygan Paint of Minnesota in Dassel, Minnesota, until his retirement.

Floyd enjoyed traveling with his wife and family, golfing and watching his Minnesota Twins play baseball. Most of all, Floyd loved spending time with his family, especially with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Floyd is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Marge; two daughters, Julie (Dick) Groven of Rogersville, Missouri and Jane (Scott) Berg of Apple Valley; one son, Jon Gilbertson of Remer, Minnesota; nine grandchildren, Jennifer (Jeff) Chan of Mesa, Arizona, Sara Stark of Nixa, Missouri, Jeffrey (Donna) Groven of Rogersville, Missouri, Molly Berg and fiancée, Scott Bergman of Shakopee, Minnesota, Tyler, Thomas, and Daniel Berg of Apple Valley, Cole Gilbertson of Clear Lake, Iowa and Haley Gilbertson of Cedar Falls, Iowa; nine great-grandchildren, Nick, Alex, Jordan, Trevor, Carter, Andrew, Austin Gib, Aden and Gwen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Wanda Gilbertson and Mavis Jensen; and an infant son, Jeffrey Kyle.
© Northwood Anchor 2007