Margaret Winifred Sigmond

August 7, 2008

Margaret Winifred Sigmond, 93, of Northwood, died on Friday, August 1, 2008, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, August 5, at 10:00 a.m., at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church, Kensett, with Rev. Thomas Martin officiating. Special music was by the Bethany Lutheran Church and Elk Creek Lutheran Church Choirs. Interment was in the Elk Creek Cemetery. Visitation was on Monday, from 4-6:00 p.m., at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood and one hour before the services on Tuesday at the church.

Margaret was born on July 30, 1915 in Brookfield Twp. rural Kensett, the daughter of Alfred and Alena (Brunsvold) Anderson. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith on August 15, 1915 and reaffirmed the faith of her baptism on June 24, 1929. She received her education in a rural school in Brookfield Twp. and graduated from the Kensett High School in 1934. Margaret assisted at the farm home until September 17, 1944, when she was united in marriage to Phillip Sigmond at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church.

Margaret and Philip made their home in Kensett and wintered in Clearwater, Florida for 21 winters. Philip preceded her in death on May 9, 1984. She continued to live in Kensett until 1987 when she moved to Northwood. She had a special place in her heart for Waldorf College, Forest City, where she established a scholarship in loving memory of her husband, Philip in 1986. She has had the pleasure of presenting scholarships to students with a disability.

As a young woman, she sang in the Elk Creek Choir and the Norwegian Solveig Chorus. While residing in Kensett she was an active member of WELCA, altar guild and the choir of Bethany Lutheran Church. In Clearwater, Florida, she was a choir member of the Grace Lutheran Church. Music was a big part of her life and she enjoyed playing the organ for family and friends. She also enjoyed taking care of her lawn and flowers. Margaret was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary.

Margaret is survived by her nieces, Linda Hanwick Putnam of Excelsior, Minnesota and Verna Kittleson of Bettendorf, Iowa; and nephew, Theodore T. Hanwick of Minnetonka, Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Philip; sister, Amey Johnson; brothers, Alvin Anderson and Morris Anderson; sisters-in-law, Alice Anderson, Blanche Anderson, Fern Sigmond Hanwick and Marcella Anderson; and brothers-in-law, Alvin Johnson and Theodore J. Hanwick.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Lawrence A. "Larry" Bonker

August 21, 2008

Lawrence A. "Larry" Bonker, 83, of Waverly, died on Friday morning, August 8, 2008, at the Bartels Lutheran Home, Waverly, following a brief illness.

A memorial service was held at 2:00 p.m., at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Waverly, on Sunday, August 17, with the Rev. Curt Schneider officiating. Interment was in the Lynnwood Cemetery, Clarksville. A gathering time was held from 1-2:00 p.m. at the church prior to services. The Cremation Society of Eastern Iowa assisted the family.

Lawrence Arthur Bonker, was born on July 30, 1925 in Manly, Iowa, the son of Arthur & Alma (Walter) Bonker. After a year of attending Carthage College, he served in the U.S. Air Force for seven years during the Korean Conflict. Larry worked in the Insurance/Investment field for over 30 years.

He was a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Stephen Ministries, First Lutheran Church in Northwood, 30 year plus member of the Lion's Club, serving as a board member & Master Key holder, American Legion Post #176 of Waverly, and received the Governors Leadership Award. His hobbies included computers, golf and his music collection. Larry took great joy and pride in his marriage of almost 58 years and in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Josephine; son, Larry (Deborah) Bonker of Perrysburg, Ohio; daughter, Dana (Michael) Wedeking of Waverly; granddaughter, Teri (Whitley) Burrier of Davenport; grandson, David Wedeking of Waverly; a sister, Betty (Virgil) Beck of Bloomington, Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Mary Ann Bodermann and Sandra Rae Aske; and brother, Rev. Milus Bonker.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Faith Elaine Turner

August 21, 2008

Faith Elaine Turner, precious infant daughter of Daniel Scott and Lori Renae (Butler) Turner, was born on August 7, 2008, and died on Monday, August 11, 2008, at the Presbyterian Hospital in Plano, Texas.

A private graveside service for Faith will be held at the South Shell Rock Cemetery, rural Northwood, with Reverend Barbara Wills of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood officiating.

Those left to cherish her memory are her parents, Lori and Dan Turner of McKinney, Texas; her sister, Megan Marie Turner of McKinney, Texas; grandparents, Luane and Elaine Butler of Northwood and Marie and Harvey Edwards of Mesa, Arizona; her aunt and uncle, Susan and Brian Nelson of Northwood; and her first cousin, Ashley and Brock Nelson of Northwood; as well as other extended family members.

Faith was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal great grandparents; and her uncle, Troy Turner.

The Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood, was in charge of the arrangements.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Virginia Holt

August 21, 2008

Virginia Holt, age 88, of Lake Mills, died on Tuesday, August 12, 2008, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, August 16, at the Lime Creek Synod Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills, with Rev. Karl Hermanson officiating. Burial was in the Somber Lutheran Cemetery, rural Lake Mills. Visitation was on Friday, August 15, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, in Lake Mills, and continued one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday.

Annie Virginia (Blackburn) Holt, was born on June 15, 1920 in Lebanon, Tennessee, to parents Hugh and Alta May (Roberts) Blackburn. She was raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, by her mother and step-father, Alta May and Tom Hughes. On December 19, 1945, Virginia was united in marriage with Reuben L. Holt in Corpus Christi, Texas. The couple met while Reuben was stationed at a United States Naval Airbase.

They made their home in north Iowa, where they raised dairy cattle on the farm. Virginia kept records for their farm and precisely knew every cow by name. She also loved to plow the fields, and enjoyed making top-notch pecan pies for church bazaars. Virginia was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at the Somber Lutheran Church on March 23, 1947, by the Pastor J.B. Madson. She remained active in her faith, teaching Sunday School, Bible School and participating in Somber Ladies Aide.

Virginia is lovingly survived by her husband, Reuben Holt of Lake Mills, Iowa; three sons, David (Marilyn) Holt of Sulphur Springs, Texas, Joseph (Marcia) Holt of Northwood and Gregory (Marilyn) Holt of Joice; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Matthew (Ashley) Holt and their children, Ty and Haylee, Andrew (Lindsey) Holt and their son, Reese, Christopher (Cathy) Hensley, Timothy Hensley and his son, Riley, Jennifer Owens and her children, Aiken and Abbi, Jonathan Holt, Chad (Laurie) Holt and their children, Danielle, Paige, Noah, and Jaiden, Kristine (Chad) Aubrey, Joshua Holt, Jeffrey Holt, Ricki Dee Miller, Phillip (Sharon) Miller and their children, Amber, Rebecca, William, Kendall, Jessica and Kassie, and Aaron Miller and his sons, Jonathan and Jacob; and by a special nephew, Tom (Connie) Jacks of Tennessee.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Sue Jacks; and two brothers in infancy.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Carol Holstad

August 21, 2008

Carol Holstad, born on August 18, 1918, to Clarence and Ida Thompson of Hanlontown, Iowa, died on Friday morning, August 15, 2008, three days before her 90th birthday.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, August 21, at the First Lutheran Church of Northwood. Pastor Barbara Wills will preside over the services. Burial will be beside her husband, Arleigh at the South Shell Rock Cemetery. The Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home was in charge of the burial arrangements.

Carol spent the past approximately three years living with her family in Colorado, partly due to her fragile health. Carol grew up in the Hanlontown-Northwood-Mason City areas with her parents and her sister, Elaine. Carol and Elaine were uncommonly close to one another as sisters and as friends. Carol married Arleigh Holstad on June 20, 1941. They made their home together in Northwood for the balance of her lives. She and Arleigh attended High School in Northwood and both graduated in 1936.

Carol completed nurses training in 1940 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. Nursing and helping comfort the sick and injured was her life-long passion. Carol worked on the pediatrics floor at the Albert Lea Naeve Hospital for decades. She assisted at the hospital with the birth of countless Worth County babies. She often commented on assisting with the delivery certain baby's, their baby's babies and in some cases their baby's, babies, babies and then her memory began to fail her. Carol was a deeply faithful woman who adored her family, especially her sons, Dick and Donn and his wife, Cathy and grandchildren, Mark and Mary. She enriched people's lives with her open heart and accepting spirit.

Carol enjoyed her friendships, knitting, gardening, and all types of music. She was a member of the award winning NHS 1936 concert band. Carol lived her final days in the company and comfort of her family in Colorado. A choice made due largely to the availability of extraordinary professional medical care in the Fort Collins/Larimer county area of Colorado. On July 3, 2008 Carol suffered a fall and a broken hipbone from which she was not able to recover.

In addition to her sons and families, her sister, Elaine Emrich and daughter, Linny Emrich, both of Manchester, Iowa, survives Carol.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Ida Thompson; her husband, Arleigh; by Arleigh's brother, Eddie; and by Arleigh's sister, Clarene Lee and Clarene's husband, Bob Lee, as well as Arleigh's parents, Edward and Augusta. Dick's teenage daughter, Sally Anne also preceded Carol in death.

Throughout her illness Carol, was sustained and comforted by her faith in God. Her doctors and caregivers all expressed what a humble, cheerful, and caring individual she was even in her final hours. She will be dearly missed. We thank God for Carol's life and the lessons she so gently taught us. Even after 90 years with her among us, we are a filled with sorrow at her passing. The family requests that memorials be directed to your individual personal charities. Carol read and deeply appreciated all the get well greeting cards and 90th birthday greeting cards sent by her dear friends in the Northwood area.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Michael Arnold Lien

September 4, 2008

Michael Arnold Lien, age 63, a Northwood native, died on Sunday, August 24, 2008, at the St. Mary's Hospital, Reno, Nevada, from complications of emphysema.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, August 28, at the Lemon Valley Calvary Church of the Nazarene, Reno, Nevada, with Rev. Kevin Moore officiating. Burial was in the Northern Nevada Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, Nevada. The O'Brien, Rogers and Crosby Funeral Directors handled the arrangements.

Michael was born on September 19, 1944, to Arnold Manly and Elsie Marie (Hagen) Lien. Born and raised in Northwood, Michael attended the Northwood- Kensett Grade and High School where he enjoyed playing basketball and football, and was named to several all conference honors for the state of Iowa. Mike attended the Mason City Junior College, then entered the U.S. Navy and served proudly for six years.

Mike married Sarah Afflitto, in Bath, Maine on August 29, 1969. To this union, two children were born, Michael and Katrina Marie. Over the years the family lived in Maine, Iowa, New York, Nevada, Missouri, and recently returned to Reno, Nevada. Mike owned and operated an appliance repair shop, was a co-owner of a Texaco Station in New York, and was employed as a Security Supervisor until his retirement in 1997, due to ill health.

Mike was an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoyed his video camera, golf, traveling and football. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends, and being active in his church.

Mike is survived by his wife, Sarah of Sparks, Nevada; son, Michael and his children, Joseph, Taylor, Alexa, and Jacob; daughter, Katrina Marie Green and her children, Kayla and Kimberly Herrick, Tyler and Breanna Green, all of Reno, Nevada; a son, David, from a previous marriage; sister, Carol and her husband, Ken McMiller of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; and a number of cousins and a host of friends throughout several states and many in the north Iowa area.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Colby S. Hakes

September 4, 2008

Colby S. Hakes, 23 month old son of Mallory Hakes and Randy Hakes, died on Saturday, August 30, 2008, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, September 5, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Mason City. Officiating will be the Rev. Kathy Graves. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 p.m., on Thursday, at Fullerton Funeral Home, Mason City. Interment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery.
© Northwood Anchor 2008