Donald Janssen

January 10, 2007

Donald Wayne Janssen, 70, entered into rest with loved ones by his side on Monday, January 1, 2007, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa. 
 
Memorial services were held for Donald at 1:00 p.m., on Friday, January 5, at the First Lutheran Church in Northwood, with Kris Sorensen officiating. Internment was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood, with military honors by the VFW Post No. 6779. Visitation was held at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, on Thursday, January 4, from 3-6:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial be given for a scholarship fund to be established for students in the Northwood schools.

Donald was born in Ackley, Iowa on April 6, 1936, son of Hannes and Fannie (Riebkes) Janssen. The family later moved to Northwood and farmed east of Northwood.

Don entered into the Army on May 15, 1953 and married Marlys Williamson in 1955. After honorable discharge in April 1958, Don drove truck and they began farming. They purchased a farm five miles east of Northwood where along with a son, Michael they farmed for many years.

Don married Linda Clark in 1985 and continued on the farm until 2005 when they moved to Osage to be closer to family.

Don loved working with 4-H kids and at the Worth County Fair. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, telling stores, playing cards, and spending time with his three grandchildren. Don and Linda raised Percheron horses for many years and enjoyed going to the Waverly Draft Horse Sale each year. Don served on the Northwood State Bank Board of Directors, Northwood Co-op Elevator Board, and the AGRI Industries Board.

Don is survived by his wife, Linda Janssen; step-daughter, Tammy (Kris) Sorensen and their daughter, Shelby Sorensen of Parker City, Indiana; brother, Bud (Doris) Janssen of Northwood and their children, Mary Janssen of Minneapolis and John Janssen of Northwood; daughter-in-law, Jana (Pave) Walsh and their children, Caden Michael and Jadee Mae Walsh of Osage; and many other nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marlys Janssen; his best friend and son, Mike Janssen; and his sister, Joan Bright.

He will find great peace in the hands of his loved ones that he has missed so much.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

William "Bud" Kragenbrink

January 10, 2007
    
William "Bud" M. Kragenbrink III, 72, of Northwood, died on Tuesday, January 2, 2007, at his home.

A Celebration of Life Service was held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, January 5, at the Northwood United Methodist Church, with Pastor Wendi Gillan officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood, with military graveside honors by members of "Our Buddies" VFW Memorial Post #6779 of Northwood. Visitation was held from 3-8:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 4, at the Conner Colonial Chapel,  Northwood. Visitation was also held one hour prior to service time on Friday at the church.

The family of William "Bud" M. Kragenbrink has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the United Methodist Church, to a community project in Northwood, or to a charity of ones choice, in his memory.

William "Bud" M. Kragenbrink, was born on July 8, 1934 in Earlville, Iowa, the son of William Martin II and Margaret (Yelden) Kragenbrink. He attended the Earlville Community School and graduated from the Earlville High School in 1951. He also attended Drake University. Following his education, Bud moved back to Earlville and worked at the lumberyard. 

Bud was inducted into the United States Army and served in an Artillery Regiment in the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, until his honorable discharge. Bud moved to Northwood in 1959, and began working for the Great Plains Lumberyard. 

He was united in marriage to Kay Annette Kester on February 11, 1962, at the United Methodist Church in Northwood. She preceded him in death on October 22, 1992. After their marriage Bud and Kay opened B&K Lumber Company in Northwood until 1986, when he started the Northland Construction Company in Northwood, and was actively involved until the time of his death. 

He was united in marriage to Carol (Goldsmith) Meyer on April 18, 1997, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Epworth, Iowa.

He enjoyed fishing, gardening, was a sports enthusiast, loved nature and being very active in the community of Northwood, but his great love and enjoyment was his family and grandchildren.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church, where he was Chairman of the Administrative Council. He was a member of the Northwood Lions Club, Northern Lights Masonic Lodge, Northwood Development Corporation, TUNE board member, N.I.A.C.C. dormitory board member, Mercy Medical Center board member in Mason City, Opportunity Village board member in Clear Lake, Chairman of corporate giving for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and had served on the school board. Bud was a Boy Scout Master, served as a volunteer fireman and was instrumental in fundraising for the Northwood Volunteer Fire Department.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Carol Kragenbrink of Northwood; his mother, Margaret Kragenbrink of Earlville, Iowa; his children, Dr. David (Lisa) Kragenbrink and their children, Kaelene, Karin, and Kent of Dubuque, Iowa, Michael (Suzette) Kragenbrink and their children, Calvin, Mitchell, and Jack of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, Kathryn (Erik) Thompson and their children, Jacob and Mikayla of Ankeny, Iowa and Renee (Loren) Nydegger and their children, Anna and Benjamin of Mt. Vernon, Iowa; step-children, Thomas (Misty) Meyer and their children Zane, Bridgett, and Quinnten of Paradise, Texas, Terry (Bonnie) Meyer and their son, Ryan of Concord, California and Barb (Mike) Archer and their children, Greyson and Amanda of West Des Moines, Iowa; a brother, Eugene (Melody) Kragenbrink of Ankeny, Iowa; sisters, Joann (Jim) Laxson of Earlville, Iowa, Carol State of Englewood, Colorado and Virginia Strief of Yukon, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces and nephews as well as other relatives and many, many friends.

Besides his wife Kay; his father also preceded Bud in death.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Alice Nack

January 17, 2007

Alice A. (Okland) Nack, died on Thursday, January 11, 2007, at the St. John's Lutheran Home, Albert Lea, where she had lived the past 11 months. She was 94 years of age.
    
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 16, at 1:30 p.m., at the Bonnerup Funeral Service Chapel in Albert Lea, the Rev. Karl Hermanson officiating. Visitation was held on Monday evening at the Bonnerup Funeral Service from 4-7:00 p.m. and one hour before the service. Interment was in the South Shell Rock Cemetery, Northwood.

Alice was born on January 28, 1912, to Ben and Ella (Alberts) Westendorf at Buffalo Center, Iowa. In 1928, she married John M. Okland and to them were born 10 children. John died in 1950. She later married Wilmer Nack. He died in 1984. 

Alice was a member of the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church of Northwood. She had participated in the activities at Shady Oaks Apartments in Albert Lea where she lived for over 21 years.

She loved being with her family and enjoyed gardening, cooking and baking, reading and working crossword puzzles.

Blessing her memory are her children, Donald (Pat) Okland of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Robert (Juanita) Okland of Lake Mills, Virgil Okland of Westminister, Colorado, Verna Okland of Denver, Colorado, Marilyn (Ralph) Olson of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Ronald (Carolyn) Okland of Leland, Iowa, Richard (Kim) Okland of Norwalk, Iowa, Karen (Duane) Abrahams of Northwood and Patricia (Myron) Levisen of Albert Lea, Minnesota; 22 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are three sisters and one brother, Jeanette Herfindahl of Fairmont, Minnesota, Ann Lien, Helen Pederson, and Ray Westendorf all of Albert Lea; sisters and brothers-in-law, Ione (Clarence) Kruse of Mason City, Luther (Ruby) Okland of Lake Mills, Lloyd (Margaret) Okland of Lake Mills, Ruth (Ted) Zingg of Leland and Ruby Butler of Des Moines, Iowa: and many nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by step-children, Richard Nack of Grafton, Ramona (Al) Meyer of Austin, Minnesota and Laurie Bublitz of Grafton; step-grandchildren; great-grand-children; and great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her husbands; her parents; two sisters, Minnie Williams and  Frances Brackey; one brother, Benny Westendorf; daughter, Linda Irvin; son, Michael; and four grandchildren.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Edna Halvorson

January 24, 2007
    
Edna Cora Halvorson, 96, of Northwood, died on Wednesday, January 17, 2007, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood. Edna had been a resident of the Lutheran Home since December 29, 2006.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, January 22, at the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Reverend Karl Hermanson officiating. Burial was in the Somber Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Lake Mills. Visitation was held from 3-6:00 p.m., on Sunday at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood. Visitation was also one hour prior to service time on Monday at the church.

The family of Edna Cora Halvorson has requested that memorial contributions be made to the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church or to the Somber Lutheran Church Cemetery Association in her memory.

Edna Cora Halvorson, was born on May 5, 1910, in Freeman Township in Freeborn County, Minnesota, the daughter of Emil and Minnie (Peterson) Nelson. She attended school in Freeborn County and graduated from the Albert Lea, Minnesota High School. Edna also received her teachers certificate at the teachers college in Albert Lea. After completing her schooling, she taught in country and public schools for 30 years in Freeborn County.

She was united in marriage to Melvin Halvorson on August 16, 1931. He preceded her in death on May 7, 1980.

Edna enjoyed traveling, reading, playing cards, sewing, making quilts for missions, flowers, especially Geraniums and was making lefse until a year ago. Edna also enjoyed spending time with her family.

Edna was a member and very active in her church, the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church and was a former member of the Somber Lutheran Church, rural Northwood.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Phyllis Jacobs and special friend, Jesse Wright of Mission, Texas, Betty (Duane) Peterson of Emmons, Minnesota, Ron (Esther) Halvorson of Joice, Marliss "Molly" (Gary) Bachtle of Northwood and Roger "Bud" (Arlyce) Halvorson of Glenville, Minnesota; fifteen grandchildren, Mark (Julie) Jacobs, and Michael Jacobs and fiancée, Cindee Stumo of Albert Lee, Minnesota, Danny Peterson and special friend, Sammie Smith of Las Vegas, Nevada, Terry (Audrey) Peterson of Clear Lake, Debbie (Bruce) Madsen of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Linda (Greg) Ordway of Branson, Missouri, Lori Halvorson and Lonna (Dan) Nielsen of Winterset, Iowa, Lee (Dana) Halvorson and Jeff  (Michele) Bachtle of Northwood, Scott (Becky) Bachtle of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Cynthia (Jim) Williamson, Mary (Dar) Wagner, Troy (Dawn) Bachtle and Jason (Jodie) Bachtle all of Northwood; four step-grandchildren, Clark (Becky) Mittag of Glenville, Minnesota, Craig (Anita) Mittag of Prescott, Iowa, Jay (Heidi) Mittag of Aplington, Iowa and Jill (Jeff) Strangstalien of Westby, Wisconsin; 32 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Dena Peterson of Emmons, Minnesota; as well as other relatives and many friends. 

Edna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Melvin; son-in-law, John I. Jacobs; seven sisters and three brothers and their spouses.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Richard Buenzow

January 31, 2007
    
Richard Merlin “Muskrat-Mad Dog Dick” Buenzow, 54, of Readlyn, Iowa, died suddenly on Friday, January 26, 2007, at the Covenant Medical Center, Waterloo, Iowa after a short battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 30, 2007, at 10:30 a.m., at the Zion Lutheran Church, Readlyn. Burial was in the Zion Cemetery, Readlyn. Visitation was held on Monday, from 4-8:00 p.m., at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home, Readlyn. Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice, Waverly, Ducks Unlimited and Zion Lutheran Church.

Richard was born on April 28, 1952 in Waterloo, the son of Merlin George and Jean Helen (Thurm) Buenzow. He was baptized on May 11, 1952 and was confirmed on April 3, 1966, both at St. John’s Buck Creek-Sumner. He graduated from the Wapsie Valley High School in 1970.

He was united in marriage to Brenda Jean Frahm on November 3, 1973, at Grace Lutheran in Tripoli, Iowa. He previously worked for Lutheran Mutual and had worked for John Deere for 29 years. He was a member of the Army National Guard from 1970-1979.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, trapping, spending time with his family, his dog Taz and running his Hook-n-Shot Outdoor catalog business.

Richard is survived by his wife, Brenda of Readlyn; two sons, Shane Buenzow and his wife, Angie and their children, Grady and Hadley of Northwood; Ben Buenzow and his wife, Julie of Ankeny and Lindsay Buenzow of Iowa City; his parents, Merlin and Jean Buenzow of Readlyn; one brother, Mike Buenzow and his wife, Deb of Readlyn; his mother-in-law, Pauline Frahm of Tripoli; one brother-in-law, Brian Frahm of Charles City; four sisters-in-law, Maureen Oberbroeckling of Sumner, Diane Foster of Waverly, Janis Hennings of Tripoli and Janell Staack of Shell Rock; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Wilbert Frahm; and a brother-in-law, Jim Oberbroeckling.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Lynn G. Ehler

February 7 & 14, 2007

Lynn G. Ehler, of Cincinnati, Ohio, retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and corporate pilot, passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2007. Funeral services were held at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Thursday, February 1. 
 
Lynn Ehler, was born to H. Gerald Ehler and Dorothy (Mason) Ehler on August 6, 1949, and was raised together with his sister, Kim on a farm near Sac City, Iowa. He attended school at the Sac Community Schools, graduating in 1967. That fall he began his college education at Drake University, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He received his degree in business administration from Drake in 1971.

After graduating from college, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and received his officers' and pilot training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio. His military career as an Air Force officer and pilot spanned twenty years and involved assignments including Guam, Randolph Air Force Base, Offutt Air Force Base, and his favorite assignment, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He also received his master's degree in business administration from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

Lynn was the leader of the flight department and pilot for Bohlke Veneer Corporation in Cincinnati, Ohio, for the past ten years. Prior to that, he was a top pilot for Lear Jet.

As a husband, father, and grandfather; son, brother, and uncle; brother-in-law, colleague, and friend, Lynn will be missed by so many, forever. He will be remembered for his love of life and his devotion to living every day to its fullest.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah (Johnson) Ehler, a 1967 graduate of the Northwood-Kensett High School and daughter of the late Richard (Bud) and Josephine Johnson of Northwood; his daughters, Grace (Arnaud) Kraaijvanger, Emily, Maggie and Abigail Lynn Ehler; his parents, Gerald and Dorothy (Mason) Ehler of Early, Iowa; sister, Kim (Tom) Johnson; and grandchildren, Jane and Ben Kraaijvanger and Miles Ehler.

Attending his funeral from the Northwood area were Sarah’s sister, Jane and her husband, Jim Bloomingdale and their children, Mary and Mike and family friends Gene and Kim Hagen and their son, Kristopher.
© Northwood Anchor 2007