Elry Armond Wolff

December 9, 2009

Elry Armond Wolff, 83, of Northwood, Iowa, died on Friday, December 4, 2009, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 8, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Rev. Ronald Myers officiated. Interment was in the Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church or Pilgrim’s Rest.

Elry Armond Wolff, was born on October 28, 1926, at home in rural Gordonsville, the son of Werner and Renetta (Virchow) Wolff. He attended country schools in rural Myrtle and Gordonsville. On September 28, 1949, he was united in marriage to Lois Heideman at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Myrtle, Minnesota. The couple made their home in the rural Glenville area. Elry was a lifelong farmer and in the early 1970s he and Lois also owned and operated the Glenville Grocery Store.

Elry was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where he had served as a trustee. He had also served on the Shell Rock Township board. Elry loved farming and his family. He had a warm smile and would talk “farming” with anyone. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his daughter, Valerie and husband, Clark Cipra of Austin; grandchildren, Brian Cipra of White Bear Lake and Suzanne and husband, Todd Haag of Rockford; great-grandchildren, Jack Cipra and Reese Haag; sister, Marvelyn and husband, Bill Hoyt of San Diego, California; aunt, Luetta Wolff; sisters-in-law, Eunice Anderson of Albert Lea and Annie Heideman of Glenville; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Elry was preceded in death by his parents, Werner and Renetta Wolff; step-mother, Martha Wolff; wife, Lois in 2000; son, Stuart in 1974; sister, Loretta and husband, Norman Fredrickson; brother, Harold and wife, Agnes Wolff; sister, Arlene and husband, Roy Baumunk; brothers-in-law, Clair Anderson and Harlan Heideman; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Helen Amundson; and mother and father-in-law, Herman and Grace Heideman.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Doris L. Dirksen

January 13, 2010

Doris L. Dirksen, 81, of Huron, formerly of Bancroft, died on Wednesday, December 23, 2009, in Huron, South Dakota.

Doris was born on July 3, 1928 on a farm near Northwood, to Clarence and Elsie (Ball) Diedrich. She was baptized on July 29, 1928 and confirmed on July 5, 1942, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Northwood. Doris attended the Worth County Rural School System and graduated from the Kensett High School in 1946. She attended Wartburg College of Waverly and taught in Iowa elementary schools. Doris married Clifford A. Dirksen of Bancroft, South Dakota on June 25, 1950, at Zion Lutheran in Northwood, while Clifford was attending Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. They lived in Wausau, Wisconsin, for a year where Clifford interned at St. Stephen Lutheran Church and Doris taught the parochial school upper grades. After Clifford’s final year and graduation from Wartburg Theological Seminary, they served the congregations at Warner, South Dakota, Chokio, Crystal, Silver Bay, Duluth and Proctor, Minnesota.

Doris worked with advertising and public relations at McDonalds Restaurants in the Duluth area. She worked closely with Ronald McDonald at fundraisers and events. Doris then worked in an antique store in downtown Duluth. Doris’s main interests throughout her life were serving the Lord, raising her family and being a housewife. They retired in 1987 in Duluth and in 1995 moved to Clifford’s hometown of Bancroft, where they enjoyed family, friends, gardening and Clifford continued to help congregations in need of his services.

Clifford passed away in September 2001 and Doris stayed in Bancroft until 2003, when she moved to Huron to be closer to family. Due to her failing health, she moved to the Sunquest Healthcare Center and then to the Violet Tschetter Memorial Home until the day of her death.

Surviving Doris are her children, Beverly (Stuart) Hendershot of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Alan (Kris) Dirksen of Duluth, Minnesota and Eunice (Gus) Manolis of Huron; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Lavern Diedrich of Northwood; a sister, Mildred (Udell) Larson of Golden Valley, Minnesota; sisters-in-law, Deora Gehrke of Clark and Rosella Beninga of Grundy Center, Iowa; a brother-in-law, Eldon (Ivanelle) Dirksen of Carson City, Nevada; along with many nieces and nephews.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Clifford.

Memorials in honor of Doris may be made to the Special Needs Retirement Fund of the ELCA, South Dakota Synod ELCA, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Phyllis Ann Mitchell

December 30, 2009

Phyllis Ann Mitchell, 80, of Mason City and formerly of Kensett, died on Sunday, December 27, 2009, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, December 31, at the Bethel United Methodist Church, Manly, with Pastor Don Preston officiating. Burial will be in the Kensett Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Bride Colonial Chapel, Manly. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service time on Thursday at the church. The family of Phyllis Mitchell has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association or to the American Diabetes Foundation in her memory.

Phyllis Ann Mitchell, was born on April 13, 1929 in Bloomfield, Nebraska, the daughter of John and Emma (Schmeckpepper) Barker. Phyllis attended schools in Bloomfield, Nebraska and the Northwood Community Schools. Phyllis was united in marriage to Charles Mitchell on November 6, 1949, in Northwood and to this union eight children were born, Barbara, Jerry, Russell, David, Donald, Emilie, Jon and Ann. Charles preceded her in death on February 20, 1997.

Phyllis was a stay at home mom where she loved and enjoyed taking care of her family. Phyllis also loved to baby sit in her home for many children in the Kensett area. Phyllis also worked for a short period as a Certified Nursing Assistant for the Manly Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Phyllis enjoyed doing crafts.

Phyllis was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bolan, former member of the United Methodist Church in Kensett where she taught Sunday School for many years and was a member of the Ladies Aide. Phyllis was also a member of the Kensett Women's Club, Den Mother for the Cub Scouts in Kensett and a volunteer for the Kensett Currier newspaper.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Barb (Michael) Berge of Kensett, Jerry (Elizabeth) Mitchell of Knoxville, Russell (Linda) Mitchell of Guyton, Georgia, David (Tracey) Mitchell of Northwood, Donald (Brigett) Mitchell of Clear Lake, Emilie (Ward) Willand of Northwood, Jon (Loree) Mitchell of Mason City and Ann Mitchell of Red Wing, Minnesota; 20 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Elaine Dierks of Osage and Mae Ewald of Tucson, Arizona; as well as nieces, nephews and other extended family members and friends.

Her parents, husband, Charles; three brothers, Douglas, Lyle and Bob Barker; a sister, Vernice Olson; and a son-in-law, Gary Luther, preceded her in death.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Richard D. Graham

January 6, 2010

Richard D. Graham, 75, of Forest City, died on Monday, December 28, 2009, due to complications of ALS at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Memorial services were held at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, with Pastor Rod Hopp officiating. Inurnment will be held in the spring in the Oakland Cemetery in Forest City.

Richard D. Graham, was born on February 7, 1934 in Fort Dodge, the son of Joseph and Gladys (Jennison) Graham. On September 14, 1951, he was married to Janice Helvick.

Richard is survived by his three children, Gregory (Paula) Graham of Belton, Texas, Linda Mason (Howard Julius) of Buffalo Center and Lisa (Kevin) Lunning of Forest City; seven grandchildren, Thomas, Anthony and Jennifer Mason, Kelsey Lunning, Christine Graham, Brittney (Eric) Douglas and Ashley Graham; and one great-granddaughter, Kalea; and many nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Janice; his parents; a sister, Betty Teague; and a brother, Don Graham.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Ella Isabel Finley

January 6, 2010

Ella Isabel Finley, age 102, died on Monday, December 28, 2009, at the Riceville Family Care and Therapy Center in Riceville.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 31, 2009, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, with Pastor Ole Winter officiating. Burial was in the Osage Cemetery. Visitation was from 12-1:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Ella Isabel Finley, was born on April 21, 1907, to Frank and Emma (Himes) Cooper in Tama County. At the age of seven, Ella moved with her family to a farmstead near LeRoy, Minnesota, on the State Line Road. Ella attended rural country school. In her early years, Ella worked in Marshalltown at a gauge factory. She met her future husband at a box social in Marshall County. On April 5, 1930, she married Paul Finley at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. To this union two sons were born, Wayne and Merlyn. Ella farmed side by side with Paul on a farm west of Riceville. The couple retired to Osage in 1971. Ella moved to Decorah in 1998 and currently was a resident at the Riceville Family Care and Therapy Center. Ella's pride and joy were her sons, Wayne and Merlyn. As a product of the Great Depression, she always wanted life to be easier for her boys.

Ella was known for opening her home to her extended family. She created beautiful hand work and loved to square dance.

Ella is survived by her sons, Wayne (Dawn) Finley of Northwood and Merlyn (Shirley) Finley of Decorah; sister, Frankie Kent of Adams, Minnesota; grandchildren, Connie Phillips, Pattie Beck, Debbie Holm, Doug Finley, David Finley, Laurie Even and Mark Finley; sisters-in-law, Faith Tompkins of Houston, Texas and Chris Finley of Waterloo; and several great and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul in 1995; and sister, Arlene Roesler.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Helmer Osheim

January 6, 2010

Helmer Osheim, age 100, of Lake Mills, formerly of Kiester, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills, Iowa.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, January 2, 2010, at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Kiester, with the Rev. Richard Steffen officiating. Burial will take place in the Our Savior's Lutheran Cemetery, Kiester. Visitation was on Friday, January 1, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills and continued one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday.

Helmer Osheim, was born on December 15, 1909, to Hans and Annie (Quam) Osheim. He was the seventh of 14 children. Helmer was baptized and confirmed at the West Prairie Church, rural Thompson, Iowa. He attended school at the Dybendahl Country School south of Thompson. Helmer married Maurine Clara Hesby on June 16, 1935 at Scarville, Iowa. Rev. S.J. Fretheim performed the ceremony. After finishing school, he worked with area farmers and did carpentry work.

Answering the call of adventure, Helmer and a friend traveled west on unpaved roads, working their way through North Dakota and Montana. They worked by day and spent numerous nights in their Model T before returning to Iowa. He shared many of these stories with a granddaughter after learning that she and her husband were moving to Montana. He must have been impressed with Great Falls, Montana during his travels. Grandpa would repeatedly ask Melissa if she had visited Great Falls, Montana yet. When she told him about her train ride home from Montana, he immediately asked her if the train stopped in Why-not Minot, North Dakota. She was amazed to hear her grandfather ask that question, because Why-not Minot was a much-repeated comment heard during her train ride.

Helmer and his brother, Gunnar, farmed together for several years north of Thompson. Following his marriage, Helmer and Maurine moved to a farm south of Mansfield, locally referred to as the "hotel." In March of 1943, they purchased their farm two miles east of Kiester, where they lived for 55 years. He raised cattle, hogs, chickens and traditional crops. They moved to Lake Mills, Iowa, in September 1998. Helmer and Melvin Larson built and operated the roller skating rink in Kiester, Minnesota. They operated the roller skating rink for many years offering an entertaining meeting place for many area youth. Numerous couples tell of meeting at the roller skating rink and spending many of their dates at the rink. Helmer also built small suitcases for purchase and sold men's suits to supplement his farm income. The suit fabric samples were later sewn together for a quilt, which still exists today.

When area congregations agreed to merge and form the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Kiester, Minnesota, Helmer was one of many that worked tirelessly to build the church, stone by stone. He told of countless wheelbarrows of mortar wheeled up and down planks to cement the stones together. When the time came for shingling of the roof, there were many too hesitant to climb that high and work on the steep pitch of the church. Helmer and Pastor I.Z. Hyland shrugged and said, "That's not so bad," and shingled the roof.

Helmer was preceded in death by his wife, Maurine in 2005; daughter, Marcia in 2008; and 12 siblings.

He is survived by his children, Roger (Sandi) Osheim of Emmons, Minnesota, Gloria (Doug) Fallgatter of Northwood and Phil (Tamera) Osheim of Mahtomedi, Minnesota; son-in-law, Jerry Bergeson of Radcliffe, Iowa; 10 grandchildren, Todd (Susan) Bergeson of Alpharetta, Georgia, Tim (Sherry) Bergeson of Los Gatos, California, Tony Osheim of San Clemente, California, Cindy (Joe) Galli of Glyndon, Maryland, Angie (Justin) Senne of Northwood, Melissa (Mike) Michaelis of Somers, Montana, Holly (Greg) Hankins of North Liberty, Iowa, Jenna (Josh) Cadwell of Richland, Washington, Trisha Osheim and fiancée, Travis Burnett of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and Christa (Ryan) Cadwell of Pasco, Washington; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Vernon (Lorraine) of Thompson; one sister-in-law, Bernice Kloster of Buffalo Center, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.
© Northwood Anchor 2010