James Allen Hanson

November 5, 2008

James Allen Hanson, 78, of Northwood, died on Sunday, November 2, 2008, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, November 7, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Reverend Daniel R. Hart officiating. Burial will be in the London Deer Creek Cemetery, rural Northwood, with military graveside honors conducted by members of the “Our Buddies” Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6779, of Northwood. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service time on Friday at the church. The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the scholarship program at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood or to the Hospice of North Iowa in his memory.

James Allen Hanson, was born on February 7, 1930 in Linn Grove, Iowa, the son of Hiram and Agnes (Fonley) Hanson. He attended and received his education in the Lynn Grove School System, graduating from the Linn Grove High School. Jim was inducted into the U.S. Navy in 1947, and served during the Korean Conflict until his honorable discharge in 1951. He was united in marriage to Virginia Albright on June 7, 1952 in Oregon, Illinois. She preceded him in death on November 2, 2003.

Jim attended Barber College in Sioux City, Iowa, and did his barbering in Spencer and Northwood. Jim also was the Worth County Treasurer for 20 years, and served on the Northwood City Council. He enjoyed fishing, horses, traveling, and having coffee with his friends at the Corner Post Restaurant in Northwood, but his greatest love and enjoyment was his family and grandchildren, and attending all their school events.

Jim was a member of the First Lutheran church in Northwood, where he had served on the church council and as a Bethel instructor and Sunday School teacher, he was also a member of the Jaycees, American Legion, and was a member of the “Our Buddies” Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6779 of Northwood.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Greg Hanson of Northwood, Jim (Kathy) Hanson of Northwood, Steve (Connie) Hanson of Nampa, Idaho, Harlan (Marilyn) Hanson of West Des Moines, Scott Hanson and his special friend, Jeanette Smith of Northwood and Ruth (Jim) Hanson of Northwood; 18 grandchildren, Jake (Tristan) Hanson, Jim (Becky) Hanson, Mitch (Jessica) Hanson, Sam (Jenny) Hanson, Dan, Randi and Blair Schmidt, Jason and Nicholas Hanson all of Northwood, Sarah (Lawrence) Lee of Piney Flats, Tennessee, Jon Hanson of Boone, Beth Hanson of Pella, Mary Beth, Mark, Adam, and Aaron (Linnea) Hanson of Nampa, Idaho and Rachel and Jamie Hanson of West Des Moines; four great-granddaughters, MacKenzi, Madalynn, Haddie and Merrin Hanson of Northwood; two brothers, John (Gayle) Hanson of Fresno, California and Harold (April) Hanson of Sioux City; two sisters, Rachel (Chuck) Storm of Sioux City and Donna Benson of Denver, Colorado; two sisters-in-law, Susan Hanson of Sioux City and Ruth Hughes of Oregon, Illinois; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Virginia; a brother, Robert Hanson; two sisters, Carol Norton and Janet Angert; two brothers-in-law, E.H. Hughes and Bill Benson; and a daughter-in-law, Vickie Hanson.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Clara Amanda Cartmell

November 26, 2008

Clara Amanda Cartmell, 96, of Anacortes, Washington, passed away on Monday, November 10, 2008, at the Island Hospital in Anacortes. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Clara was born on November 19, 1911 in Northwood, Iowa, the daughter of Jacob H. and Mary Belle (Tiffany) Huus. She was baptized into the Norwegian Lutheran Church by the Reverend O. T. Lee and confirmed in 1926 by the Reverend Carl B. Ylvisaker. Clara attended public school and graduated as valedictorian from the Northwood High School in 1929. She attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, for a year and then worked for a year, before entering the Mounds- Midway School of Nursing in St. Paul, Minnesota. After graduating at the top of her class in 1935, Clara took post-graduate work on scholarship at the Lying-In Hospital at the University of Chicago. She later worked as a nurse in Billings Hospital, also of the University of Chicago, and later at Woodlawn Hospital in Chicago, and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Mason City, Iowa.

On July 13, 1942, Clara married James Cartmell. They moved from Chicago to Iowa in 1952 and to Anacortes in 1954. Clara started work as a nurse in the "old" hospital and participated in the move to the Island Hospital in 1962. She did general nursing at Island Hospital until her retirement in 1973.

Clara was an active member of the Anacortes Lutheran Church, especially in the sewing group and was known as the "Lutefisk Lady" for the lutefisk suppers. She was a nonresident member of the Helen Hinman Dwelle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution of Northwood and for a time was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Anacortes.

Clara enjoyed sewing, cooking, and entertaining and maintained an active correspondence with friends. She made over twenty Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls for relatives and friends.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Jim Cartmell in 1981.

She is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, James Cartmell of Seattle and Richard and Lori Cartmell of Anacortes; daughter-in-law, Carol Cartmell of Seattle; five grandchildren and their spouses, Jenny and Angel Sebastian of Anacortes, Derek Cartmell of Anacortes, Michael, Jeffrey, and Jessica Cartmell of Seattle; great-grandchildren, Miranda and Oliver Sebastian; sisters, Ada and Helen Huus, of Anacortes; and other relatives and friends.

Memorials may be given to the Anacortes Lutheran Church or to the Island Hospital Foundation. Arrangements are in the care of the Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, Washington and the San Juan Islands.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Chester Anderson

November 19, 2008

Chester Anderson, age 91, of Kensett, died on Tuesday, November 11, 2008, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral services were on Saturday, November 15, at the Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, with Rev. Tom Martin officiating. Burial took place in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Manly. Visitation was on Friday, at the Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home.

Chester was born on January 7, 1917 in Northwood, to Charles and Ida (Anderson) Anderson. He served his country during WW II. He married Adelaide Hebel on February 15, 1947, at the Catholic Church Rectory in Manly. He was a Lion’s Club member receiving the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award and the oldest charter member of the Kensett Club.

Chester owned and operated a grocery store in Kensett for over 40 years. He retired in 1985 and enjoyed fishing and playing pool after retirement.

Survivors include his children, Judy Barrow of Montgomery, Alabama and James and his wife, Kathy Anderson of Fayetteville, Tennessee; his grandchildren, Melissa Anderson, J.C. Anderson, Thomas Anderson and Caitlin Chamberlin and her husband, Joseph.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Adelaide; three brothers; and three sisters.

The Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home assisted the Anderson family with the arrangements.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Ethel Walk

November 19, 2008

Ethel Walk, 91, died on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral services were held at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, November 17. Visitation was at the Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home in Northwood, on Sunday and one hour before the burial service.

 Ethel Alice Alma Kuntz, was born on October 17, 1917, on a farm in rural Worth County, Iowa, the daughter of Fred and Lydia (Bruesewitz) Kuntz. Her baptism and confirmation were in the Lutheran faith at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton. Education was obtained at a rural county school, parochial school and Grafton town school. On May 28, 1939, she was united in marriage to Clarence Walk at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

After marriage, they lived on and operated the Walk family farm east of Bolan. In 1991, they moved to a home in Northwood. After Clarence passed away in 1998, she moved into the Maple Courts Apartments, then in 2000, to the Lutheran Retirement Home where she lived until her death.

Ethel was employed for 15 years at Walker-Deluxe in Lake Mills. She also maintained a large garden on the farm, had flowers, raised chickens and helped with the field work. She was known as a hard worker. When her grandchildren visited, it was a time of happiness and she enjoyed her family. She was an excellent quilter and made one quilt each winter. Clarence and Ethel took many bus and auto tours, enabling them to see much of the country. Her religious beliefs were the strength and guidance of her life. Many will remember her for her dry wit, sense of humor, genuine friendship, strength and optimism.

She is survived by a son, Daryl (Linda) Walk of Ft. Myers, Florida; two daughters, Sharon Walk of Northwood and Susan O'Brien of Milton, Wisconsin; granddaughters, Mandy Walk, Megan (Justin) Bent, Darcey (Rick) Bedward and Christie (Victor) Baumel; two grandchildren, Kael Bedward and Alexa Bent; four sisters, Ruth Krueger of Osage, Ella Priem of St. Ansgar, Marcella Kuntz of Mason City and Lois (Claire) Westendorf of Des Moines; one brother, Gene (Arliene) Kuntz of St. Ansgar; sisters-in-law, Edna (Bud) Schaub and Laura Kuntz, of Grafton and Harriet Kuntz of Mason City; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Clarence; her parents; her sister, Pearl Rosenberg; and brothers, Earl, Vern and Kermit Kuntz.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Kirkwood W. Adams

November 19, 2008

Kirkwood W. Adams, age 88, of Glenville, died on Thursday, November 13, 2008, at the Albert Lea Medical Center.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 17, at the Church of St. Theodore in Albert Lea. Father James Berning and Deacon Mike Ellis officiated. Interment was in the Greenwood Cemetery in Glenville, with Military Honors accorded by veterans. Visitation was on Sunday, November 16, at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to the Church of St. Theodore, Glenville Senior Citizens Center or the Donor’s choice.

Kirkwood W. Adams, was born on October 28, 1920, to William and Josie (Perkins) Adams in Lake Mills, Iowa. He grew up and went to school in Glenville. Kirkwood served in the United States Army Air Corps during WW II. He was awarded two bronze stars for his service in the South Pacific and New Guinea. Kirkwood was a top turret gunner on the B-17, B-25 and B-35 airplanes.

He was united in marriage to Ruby Skahan on February 4, 1946, at the Church of St. Theodore in Albert Lea, where he and Ruby were members. They made their home in the Glenville area, where he farmed until his retirement in 1979. He was a lifetime member of the VFW in Northwood and the Glenville American Legion, where he had served as Past Commander. He was a life member of the Elks Lodge. Kirkwood was also a Past President of the Northwood Country Club, former Mayor of Glenville and served on the Board of Directors of the United Way, the Citizen’s State Bank of Glenville, and the Greenwood Cemetery Board. He also served on the Freeborn County ASC Committee for many years. Kirkwood was an active member of the Glenville Senior Citizen’s Center.

His pride and joy were his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed bowling, golf, and playing cards at the Senior Citizen’s Center in Glenville.

Survivors include his wife, Ruby; children, Terry (Bonnie) Adams of Albert Lea, Dean (Sherry) Adams of Glenville, Maureen (Rob) Dolan of Plymouth, Julie (David) Greibrok of Lyle, Teresa Reeder of Fort Dodge, Iowa and daughter-in-law, Diane Webb of Glenville; grandchildren, Chad Adams (special friend, Amy Linderholm), Brett (Kelly) Adams, Kristen (Hans) Rivrud, Lisa (Randy) Hunter, Darren Adams. Brad (Janice) Adams, Zach, Josh and Michael Adams, Katie Dolan, Danny, Joey and Jamie Greibrok, Casey Reeder, and Jordan Reeder (special friend, Nick Skow); great-grandchildren, Terri, Danielle and Amanda Hunter, Liam and Phoebe Adams, and Jayce Skow; sister-in-law, Evelyn Irvin; and many nieces and nephews.

Kirkwood was preceded in death by his son, Danny Adams; parents, Bill and Josie Adams; sisters, Ardeth and Ardell Adams, Bette (Frank) Hacker, Merle (Kenneth) Sandvig; mother and father-in-law, William and Mary Skahan; and brother-in-law, Joe Irvin.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Ronald T. Burdick

November 26, 2008

Ronald T. Burdick, age 81, of Lake Mills, died on Saturday, November 15, 2008, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, November 25, at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Lake Mills, with Pastor Wendi Gillan officiating. Visitation was on Monday, November 24, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills and one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial took place in the Sunnyside Cemetery, Lake Mills.

Ronald was born on October 22, 1927, to Clarence “Bub” and Merle (Tapager) Burdick of Lake Mills. He was raised on the family farm and attended the Bristol Country School and graduated from the Lake Mills High School, Class of 1945. On February 4, 1951, he married Noreen Elaine Vinge at the Lime Creek Lutheran Church, rural Emmons, Minnesota. They made their home on the Burdick farm, where they lived their entire married lives.

Although the village is gone, Ronald was the self-proclaimed “Mayor of Bristol” carrying this through to even meeting the Lord Mayor of Bristol, England in his chambers. Ronald had a lifelong love of farming and exemplified successful farming practices. He was widely known for raising delicious sweet corn and was always so generous with it. An avid outdoorsman, he spent many years hunting, especially for pheasant and deer. He and Noreen had many fishing trips to Minnesota and Canada. Ronald’s love of hunting and fishing led him to teach his children and grandchildren to enjoy the outdoors as well. Ronald was a perfectionist when it came to refinishing antiques, building furniture, and repairing Noreen’s auction finds.

Reading fiction, the daily newspapers, and following sports were some of Ronald’s passions. He was always well versed with the news and current events. He had a gift for telling jokes and always displayed a great sense of humor. In their early years, Ronald and Noreen enjoyed dancing, playing cards, going to the movies, and out for dinner frequently with friends. Throughout their married lives, Ronald and Noreen traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad. Seeing new sights and meeting new people were highlights of these trips. One of Ronald’s favorite memories was asking people if they had ever met someone who had flown on the Concorde.

Ronald was a lifelong member of the Asbury United Methodist Church in Lake Mills. He was proud of his English and Danish heritage and of his active involvement in the Democratic Party over the years. Having three grandsons brought great joy to Ronald’s life.

Ronald is survived by three children, Bruce and his wife, Diane Burdick of Lake Mills, Nancy and her husband, Gary White of Independence and Mary Nell Fullerton of Mason City; three grandsons, Tyler and Thomas Burdick of Lake Mills and Samuel Fullerton of Mason City; a brother; Blaine C. “Jim” and his wife; Brigette of Excelsior, Minnesota; two sisters, Mary Joy Norton and Carmen Boyington of Bandera, Tesas; and nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Preceding Ronald in death were his parents; wife, Noreen on April 8, 2008; and brothers-in-law, Nile B. Norton and William Boyington.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

1st Lt. Jesse A. Alne

November 26, 2008

1st Lt. Jesse A. Alne, USAF, 26, of the Little Rock Air Force Base in Little Rock, Arkansas, died on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, as the result of a motorcycle accident in Little Rock.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday, November 26, at the Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls, with the Rev. Paul Oppedahl officiating. Interment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls. Military honors will be provided by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard from the Grand Forks Air Force Base in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Visitation hours were from 4-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, November 25 at the Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls, where the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council paid their respects at 4:00 p.m. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service on Wednesday, at the church. Memorials in Jesse's honor may be made to the organization of the donor's choice.

He was born on August 31, 1982 in Kansas City, Missouri, to Jody (Hopperstad) and Scott Alne. They lived in Joice, Iowa, until moving to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, when Jesse was in the third grade. He graduated from the Chippewa Falls High School in 2001. Jesse joined the U.S. Air Force and spent one year on active duty as a crew chief on the B-2 bomber at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. He was then nominated to go to the Air Force Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Material Engineering in 2006. Following graduation from the Academy, he went on to flight school, receiving his pilot's wings in June 2008. After Jesse's graduation from the Academy, he fulfilled his one dream of traveling around the world and bringing us along with his ongoing photo portfolio.

Jesse enjoyed skiing, mountain biking, rocketry, growing giant pumpkins and making Christmas wreaths. Jesse grew as a person being involved in his church at Our Saviour's Lutheran, 4-H, Habitat for Humanity and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Jesse's joy in life was spending time with friends and family.

He will be dearly missed by his parents, Scott and Jody Alne of Elk Mound, Wisconsin; a sister, Krystine Alne of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; maternal grandparents, Jan and Jerry Hopperstad of Northwood; paternal grandmother, Jean Alne of Kensett; five uncles, Rod (Carol) Alne of Butte, Montana, Larry (Helen) Alne of Forest City, Rick (Cindy) Alne of Bothell, Washington, Marty (Sandy) Alne of Ft. Dodge and Jay (Robin) Hopperstad of Northwood; close dear friend, 1st Lt. Sarah Tasker, USAF of Fairbanks, Alaska; and many other relatives and friends.

Jesse was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Roger Alne.

His life was a gift to us all.
© Northwood Anchor 2008

Luella Martha Mittag

November 26, 2008

Luella Martha Mittag, age 93, of Albert Lea and formerly of Myrtle, died on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, at the St. John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 9:00 a.m., on Wednesday, November 26, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Myrtle, Minnesota. Rev. Ronald Myers will officiate. Interment will be in the Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery. Visitation was from 5-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, November 25 at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Luella Martha Mittag, was born on December 14, 1914, to Fred and Florentina Schilling in Freeborn County. Luella was a lifetime resident of Freeborn County. She attended the Schilling School #138 near Myrtle, through the 8th grade. Luella was united in marriage to Waldemar Mittag on December 14, 1938 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. She was a devoted wife and mother.

Luella was a lifetime member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church where she was active in the ELCW and circle. She was also active in the Mother’s Club and a charter member of the Myrtle 4-H Club, where she served as a key leader when her children were growing up. Luella was a quilter, making hand sewn pattern quilts for her children and grandchildren. She was her husband’s helper in woodworking.

Luella enjoyed gardening, canning, pickling, baking, and dancing. She was a loving, gentle lady who will be missed by us all. She always enjoyed her loyal visitors, Lila Ellingson, Ruth Schilling, Ruth Thompson and Rita Seeger.

Survivors include her son, Douglas and wife, Mary Mittag and daughter, Shilynn of  Bolingbrook, Illinois; daughter-in-law, Donna Mittag of Glenville; grandchildren, Dorenne and husband, Mike Hansen and their children, Heidi and fiancée, Sean Gaston, Alex and Logan of Glenville, Bonnie and husband, Curt Anding and their children, Bethany and Lindsey of West Concord, David and wife, April Mittag and their children, Skylar and Mariah of New London, Missouri, Brenda and husband, Troy Wehking and their children, Emma and Olivia of Avoca, Walker and Jennifer Elliott and their children, Kyle and Jonathan of Woodstock, Illinois, Jessica Chaidez and her children, Antonio, Olivia and Isaac of South Elgin, Illinois.

Luella was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Waldemar; son, Bruce Mittag; sister, Lillian Schilling; and brothers, Albert (Bertha) Schilling, Verner (Wilma) Schilling and Art Schilling.
© Northwood Anchor 2008