Frances V. Low

April 8, 2009

Frances V. Low, age 87, of Lake Mills, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills, Iowa, surrounded by her family.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, April 4, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, with Rev. W. Paul Weeg officiating. Burial took place in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood. Visitation was on Friday, April 3, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, in Lake Mills and continued one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday.

Frances Virginia Low, was born on September 5, 1921 in Brookfield Township, Northwood, Iowa, the daughter of Ole and Nellie (Sime) Turvold. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She attended country school in Worth County and high school in Northwood. Frances was united in marriage to Carroll (Mickey) Low and they just celebrated 71 years together this past January. They spent their earlier years of marriage in Northwood, then moved to Lake Mills, where Frances was employed at Deluxe and Fleetguard and retired from there after 24 years.

Frances was a longtime member of the Women of the Moose Lodge #1069, Spencer, Iowa. Frances and Mickey enjoyed camping. When the weekends came around they would get things ready and head out for camping, where they would meet up with other family members. Frances enjoyed playing cards, dancing and dining out. She was a very good cook and anyone who had ever been to her house, knew she was a perfectionist. She liked nice things and everything had to be in the right place. They traveled some and had been to see their kids in Nashville, Kentucky, Oklahoma and California and enjoyed vacations in Branson, Missouri.

Christmas time was a special time at her house. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When they'd come over to visit, she would have delicious meals, fun and games, singing and of course presents for everyone. She will be deeply missed by her family.

Frances is survived by her loving husband of 71 years, Carroll "Mickey" Low of Lake Mills; daughter, Janell and husband, Eldren Holstad of Spencer; sons, Darrell and wife, Sharlene Low of Yale, Okllahoma and David, Sr. and wife, Loraine Low of Lake Mills; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Low of Franklin, Kentucky; twelve grandchildren, Tommy and wife, Cynthia Low and Terry and wife, Connie Low, all of Yale, Oklahoma, Tracy Geer of Wichita, Kansas, Tammy and husband, Michael Prince of Yale, Oklahoma, Juli Baird of Wells, Minnesota, David, Jr. and wife, Kristanne Low of St. Ansgar, Lynne Holstad of Spencer, Deanna Hewitt of St. Peter, Minnesota, Kimberly and husband, Gary Sliger, Monica Hesson, Valerie and husband, Jesse Curtis and Darrin Low, all of Franklin, Kentucky; one step-grandchild, Larissa and husband, Kevin Madewell of Kentucky; 33 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; brother, Leighton Turvold of Austin, Minnesota; and sister-in-law, Edna Turvold of Northwood.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Burnell Low; sisters, Edna Johnson and Hazel Lau; brothers, DuWayne in infancy, Vernon, Odean and Maurice Turvold; sisters-in-law, Jean Turvold and Daninah Turvold; brothers-in-law, Leonard Lau, Clarence Anderson and Lawrence Johnson.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Wallace Blakestad

April 15, 2009

Wallace Blakestad, 75, died on Monday, April 6, 2009, at the Humboldt Care Center South.

A celebration of his life was held on Thursday, April 9, at 11:00 a.m., at the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Humboldt. Visitation was on Wednesday, April 8, from 6–7:30 p.m., at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home. Burial was in the Union Cemetery before the funeral.

Wallace Franklin Blakestad, was born on a farm near Otranto Station, Iowa, to Sophus Blakestad and Vera Clark Blakestad on July 5, 1933. He was born in the same house as his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He attended school in Northwood, Iowa, and graduated in 1951. He attended Luther College, where he sang and toured with the Nordic Choir. He then attended the University of Iowa where he received a B.S. Degree in Pharmacy in 1955. He worked at Osincup Drug in Washington until he was drafted in 1957 and served in Korea. He married Marie Dorothy Kaufman from Wayland on May 16, 1957, in Swedesburg.

After Wally’s return in 1959 they moved to Humboldt, where he worked for Larson Drug until 1972, when he purchased the store from Charles Larson. The store was razed and a new one built in 1978, when the business was renamed Blakestad Drug. He and Marie worked there until 2001, when Wally retired after 44 years as a pharmacist and business owner.

He belonged to the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, where he sang in the choir, served as church council president and taught Sunday School. He and Marie made coffee at the church every Sunday for many years. He was also a 50-year Mason, belonged to the H.A.R.K. amateur radio club and was also a volunteer ambulance driver for many years, being a member of the first class of trainees. He also set up and ran the pharmacy at the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital when it first opened in 1970.

Wally enjoyed many hobbies, including woodworking and carpentry, amateur radio and music. As a high school student, he was selected to sing and play baritone horn in the first All State Band and Chorus and in Humboldt he sang in the Community Chorus. In later years he enjoyed fishing trips to Canada, e-mailing with friends and relatives and watching Hawkeye sports. Two of his greatest pleasures were having his daughter, Janet, return to Humboldt to join him in the pharmacy and traveling to England to see his daughter, Nancy receive her Ph.D. at Oxford University.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marie; daughters, Janet (Ken) Bade of Humboldt and Dr. Nancy Blakestad of St. Paul, Minnesota; two step-grandchildren, Dan and Scott (Erika) Bade of St. Paul; one brother, Neil (Beth) Blakestad of Two Harbors, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Daniel Lee Hoff

April 22, 2009

Daniel Lee Hoff, 50, formerly of Manly, Iowa, died of a sudden heart attack, on Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at his home in Aurora, Colorado.

Funeral services and visitation were held on Tuesday, April 14. The service was at 2:00 p.m. and visitation at 12 noon, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Denver, Colorado. A special remembrance by regional auto dealers and associates, were held at the Colorado Auto Auction on Wednesday, April 15, at 4:00 p.m. It was a time of sharing of special memories from a multitude of good friends that were an important part of Dan's life.

He was born on October 28, 1958 in Mason City, Iowa, the son of Adelbert and Gynith (Abbs) Hoff. Dan graduated from the North Central High School and attended the North Iowa Community College. He went into business for himself, opening up a car lot in Mason City at the age of 19 and remained an entrepreneur all of his life. Dan was one of those rare individuals who always loved what he did and shared that enthusiasm and sense of fun with everyone he met. He either owned his own businesses or partnered with trusted friends throughout his career. After his auto business was sold in 1981, he moved to Grand Island, Nebraska, where he started a rotating electrics remanufacturing company, Midwest Rebuilders.

Dan was a tireless worker and continued to be involved in automobile dealer businesses in parallel with his development of the remanufacturing business. Dan always loved the excitement and challenge of the automobile business and eventually relinquished active involvement in the remanufacturing company. He then devoted his time to working with long time associate and friend, Don Janzen, by buying, selling and delivering cars to dealerships in several western states. It was a remarkable thing to see Dan at car auctions, sometimes with three cell phones, buying and selling cars over the phone, while at the same time bidding on the vehicles there.

It was while working in this field that he met the love of his life Lanetta, who he married in Denver on October 26, 1996. Lanetta quickly became the focus of his life. Dan was a devoted, involved parent and grandparent who will be missed. Dan was full of fun and it is impossible to sum up all the joy and happiness that he brought to the lives of all who knew him, or to convey how much he loved Lanetta and his family. It can only be said that Dan put his whole being, energy and all his love into each and every day of his all too short life.

Those who were privileged to share Dan's life were his wife, Lanetta Lee (Hargis-Keck) Hoff; children, Schaine Keck of Aurora, Colorado, Tehran (Stephany) Keck of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Chelsay (Thomas) Hislop of Honolulu, Hawaii; grandchildren, Christian, Tyler, Schianne Keck and Mia Hislop; sisters, Charlene (Dennis) Hauser of Manly and Geraldine "Gerri" (Frank) Gallagher of Cherokee; brothers, David (Beckey) Hoff of Aurora, Illinois and Dale Hoff of North Hollywood, California; nieces and nephews, Richard, Robert (Janean) and Ronald Hauser, Shawn Gallagher, Isaac (Heather), Andrea, Amelinda and Jason Hoff; great-nephews and great-nieces; aunts, Beatrice (Ernie) Reda of Tacoma, Washington and Florence Abbs of Reedsburg, Wisconsin; mother-in-law, Mary Montoya; brother-in-law, Joseph "Joe" Marquez; special friend, David Gibson; and numerous cousins and other relatives.

Preceding him in death were his parents; grandparents, John and Lydia Hoff, Samuel William and Nora Abbs; many aunts and uncles; several cousins; father-in-law, Andrew Marquez; and sister-in-law, Andrea Marquez.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Ruth F. Blakely

April 22, 2009

Ruth F. Blakely, 76, of Mason City, Iowa, died on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, April 18, at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City, with Rev. Jon Seda of the Holy Family Catholic Church, Mason City and Rev. Mark Walker of the St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, Vilmar, Iowa officiating. Following the service she was cremated and inurnment will be at a later time in the Riverside Cemetery, Blue Earth, Minnesota. Visitation was one hour before the services. Family suggests memorials to Hospice of North Iowa or Salvation Army in lieu of flowers.

Ruth was born on December 18, 1932 in Blue Earth, the daughter of Frank and Florence (Benson) Steiner. She was baptized and confirmed at the St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, Blue Earth. She graduated from the Blue Earth High School in 1950 and went on to the Mankato Commercial College, where she completed course work in secretarial skills. Ruth worked for the Southern Minnesota Supply Company in Mankato and from there went to the Minnesota Highway Department, also located in Mankato. She transferred to the Highway Department in Rochester, where she met Barton Blakely. Bart and Ruth were united in marriage on Feb. 23, 1957. They moved back to Mankato where Ruth worked at Mankato State College as a secretary for the Dean. She worked in that position for six years and then transferred back to the Minnesota Highway Department where she worked for the District Engineer in Mankato until her retirement in 1989.

In their retirement years, Bart and Ruth enjoyed traveling out west with friends and visiting family. Ruth was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and the VFW in Mankato. Ruth moved to Mason City in the fall of 2005, following her husband’s death. She resided during this time at the Homestead Assisted Living.

Ruth is survived by her only sister, Helen Jean (Tom) Fretty of Kensett and several nieces and nephews to whom she was known as Aunt Ruthie. Ruthie’s eight great-nieces and one great-nephew served as honorary pallbearers.

Ruth’s gift for recalling family stories, her devotion to those she loved and her generous spirit will be missed greatly by her family and friends.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bart; and several-in-laws, including Everett (Curly) Blakely and Dick and Doris VanWy of Rochester, Minnesota.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Kenneth Cooper

April 22, 2009

Kenneth Cooper, 93, of Lime Springs, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2009, in Mission, Texas.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 24, at 11:00 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Lime Springs. Friends may call at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco, from 4-7:00 p.m., on Thursday evening and also one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will follow services at the church at 3:00 p.m., in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Thornton, Iowa.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Arlene Blanche (Sbiral) Kuennen

April 29, 2009

Arlene Blanche (Sbiral) Kuennen, 94, of Northwood, died on Wednesday, April 22, 2009, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

A Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, April 27, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Manly, with Reverend David Kucera and Deacon Bob Mega officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation was on Sunday, with a parish rosary at 6:00 p.m., followed by a scriptural wake service at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood. The family suggests that those wishing to give a memorial may do so to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manly or to the Hospice of North Iowa in her memory.

Arlene Blanche (Sbiral) Kuennen, was born the daughter of Edward and Lucy (Novak) Sbiral on December 26, 1914, in the Czechoslovakian community of Spillville, Iowa. Arlene graduated from the Immaculate Conception Academy High School in Dubuque, Iowa. Arlene was united in marriage to Arnold John Kuennen on June 12, 1934 and together they farmed and raised their family of eight children near Festina, Iowa. As a young married couple they loved to attend Knights of Columbus and wedding dances where they swayed and twirled to the music of the big band era. In 1958, they moved to a flatter, larger, more fertile farm near Northwood. Like other farm wives who needed to supplement the family income, she sought employment outside the home, working for Deluxe Products in Lake Mills. There she worked for 17 years as a supply clerk in the filter company’s tool crib.

Arlene’s greatest love was large family gatherings, but she also enjoyed reading, fishing, sewing, knitting, crocheting, baking and gardening. She was especially fond of flowers, having a dozen or more African violets blooming in her living room. It gave her great satisfaction to make something for someone else. Over the years, she gave away many quilts, Afghans, baby blankets, doilies, hot pads, pillow covers, church vestments and altar cloths, baked goods or any other needed item. She also enjoyed traveling across the United States and catching big “Northerns” with her husband, Arnold, in Canada.

She was an active member of the Altar and Rosary Society of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Festina and later St. Mary’s Guild at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manly. As an active member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Northwood, she brought in her share of potluck items for the VFW dinners. As a volunteer she helped in the Clerk of Court office at the Worth County Courthouse.

Left to cherish Arlene’s memory are her children and their spouses, Allan (Marian) Kuennen of Hudson, Alyce Mellick of Fall City, Washington, Ann Hannigan of Chesapeake, Virginia, Ardath (Mark) Junge of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Arthur (Barbara) Kuennen of Kensett, Aaron (Carol) Kuennen of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Joseph (Tina) Kuennen of Northwood and Amy (James) LeCocq of Waseca, Minnesota; and special friends, Bob and Sue Mega of Northwood. Arlene proudly claimed 18 granddaughters; 2 grandsons; 23 great-grandchildren; as well as other extended family members and friends.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold; her parents, Edward and Lucy Sbiral; her brother, Alden Sbiral; son-in-laws, James Hannigan and Donald Mellick; and great-grandson, Blake Wilson.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Jay Michael Balek

May 6, 2009

Jay Balek, 24, died on Sunday, April 26, 2009, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, following a six year battle against brain cancer.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, April 30, 2009, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Mason City, Iowa, with Rev. James Magelssen officiating. Burial was in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City. Visitation was held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, April 29, at the Hogan- Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City.

Jay Michael Balek, was born on June 13, 1984 in Mason City, the beloved son of Larry and Sue (Pixley) Balek. He was baptized and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City. Jay graduated from the Mason City High School in 2003. He met the love of his life, Lauren Semler, as a senior in high school on a music scholarship visit to Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Lauren and Jay attended Wartburg together, both graduating in 2007. They were married on July 21, 2007, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City and made their home in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where Jay worked for Mudd Advertising.

As a youth, Jay participated in Boy Scouts, youth baseball, basketball and football. A lifelong sports fan, Jay followed his favorite teams including the Seattle Supersonics, Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Vikings and Iowa Hawkeyes. Jay was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, participating in youth groups, mission trips, worship music, teaching Sunday School or whatever needed to be done. Jay began playing the saxophone in elementary school, participating in band and jazz band through junior high, high school and college. He was selected to participate in many honor bands and also played in the Mason City Municipal Band. Jay was a two time Iowa All State Musician and performed with bands touring Europe twice and Japan once. "SaxyJay" loved to play his saxophone and continued to play as an adult with his college friends in their band, Funk Lotion.

Jay loved fishing and enjoyed annual fishing trips to northern Minnesota starting at the age of four. He became a golfer in junior high and spent many happy hours on the golf course playing with his friend, Eric, or whoever might be there and meeting many interesting people. He was an avid movie fan and enjoyed playing cards and board games with family and friends. Jay was most happy spending time with his wife, Lauren, and dog, Ruby. Jay made many friends working at HyVee, the Mason City Parks Department, as an intern for the Mason City Chamber of Commerce and Mudd Advertising. While at Wartburg College, he participated in Wind Ensemble, Knightliters Jazz Band, Student Alumni Council, Phi Beta Lambda and many mission trips. He met many wonderful people during his years at Wartburg.

Jay will be greatly missed by his wife, Lauren of Cedar Falls; his parents, Larry and Sue Balek and brother, Jeff Balek of Mason City; paternal grandmother, Lucille Balek of Mason City; godparents, Terry and Mary Balek and Steve and Becky Tosel, all of Mason City; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He is also survived by his special in-laws, Craig and Mary Lou Semler and brother-in-law, Scot Semler of Hampton; best friends, Eric Bell, of Chicago, Illinois and Trevis Young of Troy, South Carolina; and his beloved black lab, Ruby.

Jay was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Merrill Balek; maternal grandparents, Robert and Verna Mae Pixley; and cousin, Daniel Beeson.

Jay lived each day to the fullest. He was a very caring and considerate man whose strong faith kept him positive day to day. He was quick to share his friendship and was eager to help everyone. “What you give in life comes back one-hundred fold”…the outpouring of love and support from so many throughout Jay's illness is a true reflection of what he gave in life to all of us. He wanted to make a difference and there is no doubt that he did. “You are our hero, Jay. You truly did LIVE STRONG.” “You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all he has left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see him, or you can be full of memories you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live in yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember him and only that he is gone, or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.” We will always love and miss you, Jay, until we see you again."
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Almira Felland

May 6, 2009

Almira Wilma (Olson) Felland, 82, of Northwood, died on Sunday, April 26, 2009, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Memorial services were held on Wednesday, April 29, at the Conner Colonial Chapel in Northwood, with Reverend Barbara Wills of the First Lutheran Church officiating. Inurnment was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation was held one hour prior to the services at the chapel.

Almira Wilma (Olson) Felland, was born on April 1, 1927 in Northwood, the daughter of William and Alma (Penning) Olson. Almira attended and graduated from the Northwood High School with the class of 1945. Almira also graduated from La James College of Cosmetology in Mason City. Almira worked for the Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator in Northwood and also worked for Halland Beauty and Barber Shop in Northwood. She was united in marriage to Roy Delmain Felland on May 6, 1950 in Northwood. Roy preceded her in death on November 10, 2007. After their marriage the couple made their home in the Austin, Minnesota, area before moving to Arizona in the late 50s before moving back to Northwood.

Almira enjoyed rosemaling, collecting dolls, clothing for her dolls and dollhouses. Almira also enjoyed flowers and gardening, but her great love and enjoyment was raising and loving her family. She was a 50-year member of the Sorosis Study Club in Northwood and various church circles.

Those left to cherish her memory are her three sons, James Felland of Northwood, Dennis Felland of Nora Springs and Thomas Felland of Northwood; a sister-in-law, Adeline Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska; a brother-in-law, Wallace (Marge) Felland of Forest City; many nieces and nephews, as well as other extended family members and friends.

Almira was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Roy.
© Northwood Anchor 2009