LaForest B. Sherman

April 17, 2008

LaForest B. Sherman, died on Sunday, February 3, 2008, at the St. Francis Manor, at the age of 92.

LaForest the son of LaForest B. and Ida Albrecht Sherman, Sr., was born on January 3, 1916 in Mitchell County, Iowa. He was a graduate of the St. Ansgar High School and later received a BSE degree in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University. Following his education, he was employed for several years at Interstate Power and Light Company in Oelwein. He was a veteran of the United States Army Air Force during World War II and was discharged from the Air Force Reserve in 1976 as a Lt. Colonel.

On July 16, 1939, he was married to Mary Edna Pilgrim in Grinnell. During the war, the couple lived on military bases in Colorado, Alabama and South Carolina and then returned to Grinnell after the war where they farmed for many years. They have been residents of the Seeland Park in Grinnell since 2002.

He was a member of the Grinnell First Baptist Church where he served as a trustee, a member of the Red Cross, Alpha Sigma Phi and the Farm Bureau. He also served on the County Board of Education.

LaForest loved his life on the farm, taking care of animals and growing things. For many years he sold Grade A Milk. He loved the outdoors, gardening and fishing in northern Minnesota. He enjoyed traveling which took him throughout the United States, Mexico and Europe. He was a loyal fan of the Grinnell Tigers and Iowa State Cyclones.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Edna of Grinnell; four children, LaForest “John” (Winnie) Sherman III of Grinnell, Jack (Cynthia) Sherman of Grinnell, Mary Pat (Tom) Griffin of Apple Valley, Minnesota and Raymond (Sheryl) Sherman of Camas, Washington; nine grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Lenora Moeller and Beulah Cleveland.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Colleen Hengesteg

February 28, 2008

Colleen May Hengesteg, 79, of Northwood, died on Thursday, February 21, 2008, at the Lutheran Retirement Home m Northwood.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, February 25, 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 4-6:00 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.

Colleen May Hengesteg, was born on January 8, 1929 in Rockford, the daughter of Donald and Gwendolyn (Crowell) Palmer. Colleen grew up around the Mason City and Rockford areas, where her father worked at Decker's in Mason City. She attended and received her education in the Rockford School System, graduating from the Rockford High School. Colleen also graduated from the Hamilton Business College in Mason City, where she roomed with her soon to be, sister-in-law, Janet (Hengesteg) Timmerman and met and married Eldor S. Hengesteg.

They married in 1949 and to this union four children were born, Truman Hengesteg, Eldora (Hengesteg) Stehn, Karen (Hengesteg) Betz and Craig Hengesteg. After their marriage they lived in the Austin. Minnesota area before moving to Northwood, where they lived on the farm and raised their family. After her husbands death in 1981, Colleen stayed on the farm until a year ago. She was living at the Maple Court Apartments in Northwood, where she enjoyed all her friends even though she still would have liked being on the farm again.

She was a wonderful cook and had many good recipes that she passed on for others to enjoy. Colleen also loved to garden and enjoyed wild flowers, but her great love and enjoyment was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Colleen was a very loving and caring person.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Truman and Craig Hengesteg and Eldora Stehn, all of Northwood and Karen Betz of Brooklyn Center. Minnesota; grandchildren, Hans (Sanya) Hengesteg, Rachael (Kent) Hanna, Kallie (Cory) Christian, Tracey (Jim) Hibbert, Toni Nix, Rodney (Teresa) Stehn, Harold "Shooter" Betz III, Brad  (Alisa) and Amber Hengesteg; great-grandchildren, Trevor and Garret Hanna, Gage Hengesteg, McKenzie Beenken, Tyler and Landyn Christian, Tiffany and Austin Dunn, James and Katie Hibbert, William Hibbert, Danielle and Rachel Taylor, Cassidy Stehn, Jordon Branstad, Erin Maynard and Chandler and McKayla Hengesteg; her sisters and brothers, Donaldeen Rowe, Sue Jongward, Keith Palmer and Terry Palmer; and many nieces, nephews, as well as many extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eldor in 1981; her parents; son-in-law, James Stehn; and brothers and sisters-in-law.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Arvin M. Groven

March 20, 2008

Arvin M. Groven, 73, passed away unexpectedly at home on Sunday, February 24, 2008. Arvin retired in 1996 from Western Forge where he was employed as a set-up man.

Arvin was born in Kensett, Iowa, to Albin and Anetta (Bratrud) Groven who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; sons, Ken (Kay) of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Tim (Connie) of Woodland Park, Colorado; three granddaughters; one grandson; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Jerry (Pati) of Springs, Texas, Alton of Northwood, Don (Linda) of Colorado Springs; sisters, Geneva (Sid) Jennings of Vidalia, Georgia, Darlene (Roger) Haley of Visalia, California; one aunt, Fran Lacina of Colorado Springs; and, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation was Friday, February 29, at Swan-Law Funeral Home. The funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 1, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado, burial followed in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Following the graveside service family and friends were invited to a luncheon at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Arvin's memory to Our Savior's Lutheran Church.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Barbara L. Tietjens

March 6, 2008

Barbara L. Tietjens, 77, died on Tuesday, February 26, 2008, after a short battle with cancer, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, February 29, at the Bethel United Methodist Church, Manly, with Pastor Don Preston officiating. Interment was in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City. Visitation was held on Thursday, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Bride Colonial, Manly. Memorials may be directed to the Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa.

Barbara Louise Tietjens, was born on May 26, 1930 in Mason City, the daughter of Elton and Edith (French) Cady. She graduated in 1948 from the Mason City High School. Barbara worked for St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Mode-O-Day, and did babysitting in her home. On March 16, 1957, Barbara was united in marriage to Dale Tietjens at the Bethel United Methodist Church, Manly and to this union three children were born.

Barbara enjoyed spending time with her family, camping, cooking, and antiques. She was a member of the Mason City Post Office Women's Auxiliary and Bethel United Methodist Church.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Dale Tietjens of Kensett; children, Rebecca Sue (Rick) Lowers of Mendota, Illinois, Bradley Scott (Teresa) Tietjens of Kensett and Brian Keith (Maureen) Tietjens of Wheaton, Illinois; grandchildren, Nickolas Tietjens, Farrell, Jon and Jay Lowers, Dayle and Emma Tietjens; brother, Mike Cady of Roy, Utah; along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Arleen B. Birdsell

March 6, 2008

Arleen B. Birdsell, 80, died on Tuesday, February 26, 2008.

A memorial service was held at 1:00 p.m., on Monday, at the Faith Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jean Hansen officiating. There are no calling hours. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church, Fairlawn, Ohio or a charity of one’s choice. 

She was born on June 30, 1927, in Northwood, Iowa, to Louie and Christine Mostrom. Arleen attended Luther College, where she met her late husband and graduated from the University of Akron, with a Master’s Degree in Education.

She was active in the Faith Lutheran Church and was a member of P.E.O. and several bridge groups.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald.

Arleen is survived by her son, Mark (Charlene) Birdsell; daughter, Lisa Birdsell; grandchildren, Kelly, Madeline and Brandon Birdsell; sister, Karen (Willard) Larson; nieces, Cindy and Laurie; and nephew, Jay.
© Northwood Anchor 2008