Barbara Jones

July 11, 2007

Barbara L. (Poulin) Jones, 61, of the Manly Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, died on Wednesday evening, July 4, 2007, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Cremation has taken place at the Cremation Services of North Iowa in the care of Fullerton Funeral Home, Mason City. Memorial arrangements are incomplete at the Fullerton Funeral Home.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Irene Franke

July 11, 2007

Irene Franke, age 86, of Spring Valley, Minnesota, died on Wednesday morning, July 4, 2007, at her home in Spring Valley.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, July 8, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, with Rev. Dennis Timmerman officiating.  Burial was in the church cemetery.

Friends called at the Thauwald Funeral Home in Spring Valley from 5-8:00 p.m., on Saturday and then at the church on Sunday an hour before the service. The Thauwald Funeral Home in Spring Valley was in charge of the arrangements.

The former Dorothy Irene Drinkall, was born on January 9, 1921, on a farm northwest of Spring Valley, to Elwin and Verna (Davidson) Drinkall. She attended rural school and then graduated from the Spring Valley High School in 1939. She worked for a few years at the Spring Valley Telephone Office and then at the First National Bank of Spring Valley. 

She was baptized and confirmed on October 31, 1943, at the former Zion Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, by the late Rev. William Uhrich. She married Ervin Carl Franke on May 30, 1945, at the same Zion Lutheran Church, with the same Rev. Uhrich officiating. 

Irene and her pastor husband served congregations in Belgrade, Minnesota, West Union, Iowa, Cresco, Iowa and Carpenter, Iowa, where she served as church secretary, was active in the Women of the Church and was a Sunday School Teacher.  She also managed the Share Shoppe in Carpenter for four years. 

On March 31, 1995, the couple retired and moved to Spring Valley. She was active in community affairs, serving as President of the Twentieth Century Federated Women’s Club in Cresco, was President of the St. Ansgar Women’s Club in Carpenter and the Carpenter Friendship Club. Her hobby was sewing for her daughters and granddaughters. She loved gardening and entertaining friends and family.

She is survived by her husband, Ervin; two sons, John (Debbie) of Raleigh, North Carolina and Mark of Austin, Texas; two daughters, Joyce (Al) Hansel of Claremont, Minnesota and Linda (Scott) Bengfort of Davenport, Iowa; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Mildred Baier of Chatfield, Minnesota; one brother, Lyle (Violet) Drinkall of Lanesboro, Minnesota; one half-sister, Shirley Lee of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and a half-brother, George (Dorothy) Drinkall of Missouri. 

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Leona Keune; an infant half-sister, Dawn Drinkall; and a half-brother, Harold Drinkall.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Bonny Smith 

July 11, 2007
 
Bonny Sue (Van Sabben) Smith, 77, of Marshalltown, passed away on Friday, July 6, 2007, following a brief illness.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service at the Elim Lutheran Church, Marshalltown, on Saturday, July 14, at 11: a.m.  Memorials may be made to The Grimes Nature Farm.

Bonny was born on January 30, 1930 in Kensett, Iowa and graduated from the Kensett High School and has many friends and family still remaining in the Northwood area. Bonny resided in Marshalltown for 35 years and worked as an Administrative Assistant at the Iowa Veteran's Home for 23 years before retiring in 1995. 

She was an active member of the Singles in Agriculture and volunteered at the Marshalltown Hospital, The Grimes Nature Farm, and for her church, Elim Lutheran. Bonny was nicknamed the Road Runner by her friends due to her extensive travels, visiting far-away places, and her many friends and family. 

Beloved mother of Rebecca (Dan) Hoberland of Cincinnati, Ohio, Robert (Darla) Smith of Morrisonville, Wisconsin and Amie (David) Trautman of Edmund, Oklahoma; loving grandmother to Emilie (Hoberland) Pauciulo, Sarah (Smith) Ebert, Kimberly Smith, Christian Hoberland, Peter Smith and Samuel Trautman; and loving great-grandmother to Lindsay Sue Pauciulo.  

Bonny is survived by one sister, Rosemary Brodersen of Manly, Iowa; and one brother, Jon Van Sabben of Northwood, Iowa. 
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Ruth Millis 

July 18, 2007

Ruth Elizabeth Millis, 94, of Northwood, died on Monday, July 9, 2007, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood, where she had resided since 2002. 

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Friday, July 13, at the United Methodist Church, Northwood, with Pastor Wendi Gillan officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. The Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood, was in charge of the arrangements.

Ruth was born in Worth County, Iowa on November 18, 1912, the daughter of Henry Oscar Ruffridge and Myra Jane Graves. She attended country school in rural Grafton, until the age of 12, when her mother passed away and she remained at home to help her father care for her four brothers and sister.

She married Clarence Millis on December 14, 1933. In 1944 they moved to the Christian and Doris Hansen farm near St. Ansgar, where they helped in the farming of produce for over 25 years. After retirement, they moved to a small acreage south of Lyle, Minnesota.

Ruth will be missed by her daughters, Shirley Schoppers of Harmony, Minnesota and Sherry (Donald) Posthumus of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota; grandchildren, Sandra (John) Fahlberg of Beresford, South Dakota, Eric (Julie) Halvorson of Owatonna, Minnesota, Larry (Lorry) Schoppers of Cresco, Lori (Terry) Bruner of Mandan, North Dakota, Cheryl Hansen of Sheldon, Iowa, Steve (Barb) Schoppers of Alden, Minnesota, Jayna Jacobsen of Oakdale, Minnesota and Sara Jacobsen of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota; 13 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Donald and Harvey Ruffridge of Northwood; and nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Preceding Ruth in death were her husband, Clarence; sisters, Lucille Van Orden and Pearl Grundel; and brothers, Lloyd and Myron Ruffridge.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Beva Pixley

July 18, 2007

Beva Mae Pixley, passed away on Monday, July 9, 2007, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood. We celebrate her life of 105 years.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, July 12, at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, with Rev. Wendi  Gillan officiating. Burial was in the State Line Cemetery, rural Northwood. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the funeral home. The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, was in charge of arrangements.

Beva Mae Godfrey, was born on October 18, 1901 in Parsons, Kansas. She was the first of six children born to James William and Elva Mae (Kugler) Godfrey. The family moved to Worth County in the early 1900’s.   

Beva met Glenn Nelson Pixley at a local dance and they were married on November 23, 1923. Glenn and Beva made their home on a farm north of Northwood, where they raised three children, John, Virginia and Robert. In 1937 Glenn was stricken with polio leaving him paralyzed. Beva was a devoted wife and mother. Her German fortitude, faith, and family support helped Beva keep her family together and the family farm running during this difficult time. Glenn and Beva operated Pixley’s Furniture Repair Shop both at their farm home and in Northwood where they moved in 1950. Beva was the shop’s seamstress until her late 80’s continuing to work with her son, Bob, when he took over the family business.

Beva was an excellent cook and always had goodies baked for company. Her cinnamon rolls and pies were best sellers at the Methodist Church bazaars where she as an active  church member. Beva loved her garden and flowers. She was a seamstress, made many crocheted afghans and was the family barber. She volunteered with various community groups and enjoyed her local birthday club. She is lovingly remembered for family gatherings and fun activities she taught her grandchildren, including the art of  popcorn balls and taffy pulls.

Beva continued living in her home until the age of 95. She had been a resident at the Lutheran Retirement Home since 1997, where she is remembered for her smiles and gentle demeanor. 

Beva is survived by her daughter, Virginia (Russell) Perry; daughter-in-law, Lillian Pixley; sister-in-law, Margaret Godfrey; grandchildren, Dennis Pixley, Galen (Karen) Pixley, Sharon Petersen, Earl Pixley, Michael Pixley, Steven (Julie) Pixley, Susan (Larry) Balek, Beverly Pixley, Bruce (Grace) Pixley, Roger Perry and Wayne Perry; 17 great grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. 

Beva was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn in 1971; her parents; Glenn’s parents; sons, John and Robert; daughter-in-law, Verna Mae Pixley; all of her siblings, Irene Eilertson, Ioam Godfrey, Orble Godfrey, Carl Godfrey and Ruth Logeman; grandchildren, Sandra Pixley and Jerry Pixley; and many friends and loved ones.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

Aileen Griffith

July 18, 2007

Aileen Griffith, 85, of Mason City, died on Tuesday, July 10, 2007, at the Good Shepherd Health Center, Mason City. 

A Memorial service was held on Friday, July 13, at 1:30 p.m., at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with Rev. John R. Tilp officiating. Visitation with the family began at Noon. Inurnment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery. According to her wishes, her body was cremated. 

Aileen was born on January 14, 1922 in Mason City, the daughter of Eugene Walding and Kittie Lora (Holland) Wilkinson. She graduated from the Mason City High School. She married Arnold Paul Griffith Sr. in 1942, in Clear Lake. Aileen worked at the Clear Lake Bakery, did maid work at the Blue Horizon and cleaned houses. She also did volunteer work at the Good Shepherd. 

Aileen enjoyed going on trips to Tucson, Arizona, playing cards, shuffleboard, word puzzles and helping at church. She was a lifelong member of the St. Patricks Catholic Church, later moving to Mason City and joined the St. Josephs Catholic Church. 

Aileen is survived by her son, Arnold Griffith Jr. and his wife, Linda of Northwood; three grandchildren, Gail Hakes of St. Charles, Minnesota, Paul Griffith and Kari Griffith of Northwood; two great-grandchildren, Alex Griffith of Northwood and Erica Hakes of St. Charles, Minnesota; one sister, Maxine Ziemann of Mason City; one sister-in-law, Carolyn Bird of Winona, Minnesota; special friend, Harold Tremble; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. 

Aileen was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Kittie; her husband, Arnold in 1970; her mother-in-law, Jennie Griffith in 1975; two sisters, Darlene and Josephine; one brother, Eugene; and longtime friend, Harold Vanness.
© Northwood Anchor 2007    

Etta Swartwood

August 1, 2007

Etta Gertrude (Ackerman) Swartwood, 88, of Ocala, Florida, formerly of Northwood, died on Tuesday, July 24, 2007, at the Oakhurst Rehab & Nursing Center in Ocala, Florida.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, July 30, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood, with Pastor Wendi Gillan of the United Methodist Church in Northwood officiating. Burial was in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation was one hour prior to the service time on Monday at the chapel.

Etta Gertrude (Ackerman) Swartwood, was born on October 17, 1918, in Bristow, Iowa in Butler County, the daughter of Fred and Grace (Freese) Ackerman, and siblings, Anna Mikkelson, Joe Ackerman and Henry Ackerman. Etta became a sister-in-law to Ingval Mikkelson, Carmen Ackerman and Mabel Ackerman. She attended the Allison-Bristow Community Schools in the First grade beginning September 13, 1926. 

She received many certificates of recognitions for her great talent in spelling contests and was recognized to go to the Iowa State Spelling Bee. At the age of 18, Etta became the bride of Donald Brown Swartwood of Nora Springs on December 17, 1937 in Charles City. Etta and Donald made their home on a farm near Rudd and Nora Springs. They were blessed with five children, Neva Mae, Rodger Gale, Mary Anna, Judith Marie and Donna Louise. Etta became grandmother to 30 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren. After her life with Donald, whom was deceased in January 1, 1980, Etta was caretaker of her mother, Grace for many years.    
   
After that, she resided in Ocala, Florida near her daughters, Neva Mae and Judith Marie for 10 years. Due to ill health she became a resident of the Oakhurst Nursing Center of Ocala, Florida up until her death. Etta always took the hard times with a smile as the Oakhurst Nursing Center came to love her sweetness and smiles. 

Etta enjoyed crossword puzzles, and playing solitaire, but her great love and enjoyment was her family and all her grandchildren.

At the end of church services, Etta would love to sing, May the good Lord Bless and keep you, whether near or far away.  May the good Lord give you that long awaited golden day. May your troubles all be small ones, and your fortunes 10X10. May the good Lord Bless and keep you, till we meet again. All God's children say it, "A Men" 

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Neva Mae (Edward) Fuhrer of Ocala, Florida, Rodger Gale Swartwood of Northwood, Mary Anna (Bruce) Craven of Belle plane, Kansas, Judith Marie (Richard) Williams of Jacksonville, Florida and Donna Louise Gilbertson of Denver, Colorado; a brother, Joe Ackerman of Northwood; as well as other relatives and friends.
© Northwood Anchor 2007

James Stehn 

August 1, 2007
 
James Roger Stehn, 58, of Northwood, died on Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City, after a brief battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, July 30, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Reverend Daniel R. Hart officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation was held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Sunday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood. Visitation was also held one hour prior to the service time on Monday at the church.

James "Hairy" Roger Stehn, was born on June 17, 1949 in Emmetsburg, Iowa, the son of Delmer and Edna (Floy) Stehn and brother of Ron, Dan and Kathy Stehn. He was baptized and reaffirmed the faith of his baptism through confirmation at the Deer Creek Lutheran Church in Carpenter. He attended school in Carpenter and Grafton, and graduated from the St. Ansgar High School in 1967. While in school Jim wrestled and played football.

After completing his schooling, Jim worked at Central Soya, Wilson Foods, Winnebago Industries, and the Northwood Co-Op Elevator for 27 years and was presently working for the Worth County Public Health as a transit driver.

He was united in marriage to Eldora Hengesteg on July 17, 1970, at the First Lutheran Church in Northwood, and to this union three children were born, Tracey, Toni and Rod. Jim and Eldora were also blessed with ten grandchildren. 
 
Jim loved to spend time with his family and friends. Jim also loved to bowl, play softball and raise livestock. 

He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood, and was on the Worth County Fair Board. 

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Eldora Stehn of Northwood; his children, Tracey (Jim) Hibbert of Perry, Iowa, Toni Nix of Charleston, South Carolina and Rod (Theresa) Stehn; 10 grandchildren, James, Kaitie, and William Hibbert, Tiffany and Austin Dunn, Jordan Branstad, Erin Maynard, Danielle and Rachel Taylor, and Cassidy Stehn; two brothers, Ron Stehn of Waukee, Iowa and Dan (Donna) Stehn of Cresco, Iowa; his sister, Kathy Stehn of Waupun, Wisconsin; mother-in-law, Colleen Hengesteg of Northwood;    brothers-in-law, Truman Hengesteg of Northwood and Craig Hengesteg of Northwood; sister-in-law, Karen Betz of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; and father-in-law, Eldor Hengesteg.
© Northwood Anchor 2007