North Central Iowa
Genealogical Society
Box 237
Mason City, Iowa 50402-0237

Obituary Archive

Worth County

Northwood Anchor

801 Central Avenue
Northwood, IA
50459
-1519


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The NCIGS Worth County Archive



Tillman Kermith Christianson

January 7, 2009

Tillman Kermith Christianson, 86, of Northwood, Iowa, died on Thursday, January 1, 2009, at the Mercy Medical Center, Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Monday, January 5, at 10:30 a.m., at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Rev. Daniel Hart officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood. Visitation was on Sunday, from 2-4:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Tillman Kermith Christianson, was born on March 24, 1922, to Owen C. and Bertina (Brelseth) Christianson in Hartland Township, Worth County, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church, rural Northwood. He attended the Hartland #1 Country School and graduated from the Northwood High School. On October 6, 1946, he was united in marriage to Clarice Marjorie Anderson at the Scarville Lutheran Church Parsonage, Scarville, Iowa. The couple farmed in rural Hartland Township.

He was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Northwood and a past member of the Silver Lake Lutheran Church, rural Northwood. Tillman retired from farming in 1996 and moved into Northwood. He worked at ACT and later at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Owen and Bertina Christianson.

Tillman is survived by his wife, Clarice; two sons, Tom (Kathy) Christianson and Ron (Linda) Christianson; grandchildren, Tim (Sara) Christianson, Kim (Heath) Merz and Erin (Phil) Bubb; and one great-grandson; brothers and sisters-in-law, Howard (Joyce) Anderson and Robert (Leona) Anderson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
© Northwood Anchor 2009



Duane LeRoy Groe

January 21, 2009

Duane LeRoy Groe, of rural Albert Lea, Minnesota, died on Monday, January 12, 2009, at the North Memorial Medical Center, Robbinsdale, Minnesota. He was 81 years old.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, January 17, at the Ascension Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. Pastor Mark Boorsma officiated. Visitation was from 4-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment was in the Hillcrest Cemetery. 

Duane was born in Worth County, Iowa on October 29, 1927, the son of Elmer and Pearl (Sime) Groe. Duane lived in North Iowa until moving to Freeborn County in the late 1940's. He graduated from the Northwood High School. Duane was married to Laurene Anderson on July 7, 1947, at the Silver Lake Church. Duane was a member of the Ascension Lutheran Church and had been a member of the Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church. He had farmed in Freeborn County and worked at Wilson & Co for over 40 years and had also owned the Wells Car Wash.

Duane enjoyed farming and driving around checking his crops, yard work, gardening and having coffee with friends. His greatest enjoyment was the time he spent with his family and grandchildren.

Duane is survived by his wife of 61 years, Laurene of Albert Lea, Minnesota; children, Debbie (Terry) Bolinger of Hayward, Minnesota and Lonnie (Jackie) Groe of Golden, Colorado; grandchildren, Mark Bolinger, Randy Groe and Scott Groe; brother, Arlen (Rhodette) Groe of Albert Lea; sisters, Evelyn Fjelstad of Lake Mills, Iowa and Carmen (Melbourne) Butler of Northwood; sisters-in-law, Nina Anderson of Ellendale, Minnesota, Lillian Pixley of Northwood, Myrtle Berge of Osage, Carol (Erling) Brudvig of Scarville and Mavis (Marvin) Klouse of Rose Creek, Minnesota; and nieces and nephews.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Burnell, Donald, Gene, Elton, Jerry, and a brother in infancy, Orin.
© Northwood Anchor 2009



Mavis Mardell Roppe

January 21, 2009

Mavis Mardell Roppe, 72, of Northwood, died on Thursday, January 15, 2009, at the St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., on Monday, January 19, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Reverend Daniel R. Hart officiating. Burial was in the South Shell Rock Cemetery, Northwood. Visitation was held from 3-6:00 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.

Mavis Mardell Roppe, was born on July 12, 1936 in Hartland Township, rural Northwood, the daughter of Arthur and Bertha (Hanson) Hillman. She attended and received her education at the Northwood Community School. She was united in marriage to Dewayne Roppe on March 14, 1952 at the Lutheran Parsonage in Northwood. Mavis worked for 22 years at the Trading Post in Gordonsville, Minnesota.

Mavis enjoyed playing Norwegian Wist, as well as other card games, cooking and entertaining family and friends. Family was very important to Mavis, as well as daily phone calls to her sister, Dorothy Estes. Mavis was instrumental in starting the Lutefisk Dinners at the First Lutheran Church in Northwood and she was known as the Lutefisk Queen. Mavis was a very active member at the First Lutheran Church, and the Julia Circle at the church. Mavis was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Glenville, Minnesota.

Those that are left to cherish her memory are her husband, Dewayne Roppe of Northwood; her children, Julie (Dennis) Gore of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Debby (Claire) Wahl of Northwood, Bonnie (Charles) Hengesteg of Northwood, Mary Willand and special friend, Michael Davey of Northwood and Amy (Daryl) Hennigar of Northwood; twelve grandchildren, Rusty (Jennifer) Wahl, Ryan (Jennifer) Wahl, Robby Wahl, Holly Rothove-Low, Todd Rothove, Samuel Hengesteg, Benjamin Hengesteg, Paul Ubben, Diane Ubben, Jayne Ubben, Mark Willand and Matthew (Jennifer) Willand; thirteen great-grandchildren; three sisters, Dorothy (Wayne) Estes of Northwood, Bernice (Roy) Stevens of Albert Lea, Minnesota and Junice (Merle) Skogen of Albert Lea, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Pat Low of Northwood; brothers-in-law, Jerry (Diane) Roppe of Aurora, Oregon and Scott (Carol) Roppe of Omaha, Nebraska; as well as many other extended family members and friends.

Mavis was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Bertha (Hanson) Hillman; brothers and sisters, Arlington Hillman, Harris Hillman, Dale Hillman, Inez (Hillman) Henrichs, Deloris (Hillman) Appel, Ruth (Hillman) Stevens and Ruby Hillman; and a son-in-law, Bruce Hengesteg.
© Northwood Anchor 2009



Eleanor Edna Aldrich

January 28, 2009

Eleanor Edna Aldrich, age 87, of Northwood, Iowa, died on Sunday, January 18, 2009, at the St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, January 21, at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Chapel. Rev. Ronald Myers officiated. Interment was in the Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation was one hour prior to the service.
© Northwood Anchor 2009



Esther M. Ferley

January 28, 2009

Esther M. Ferley, age 82, of Philip, South Dakota, died on Friday, January 23, 2009, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Visitation was held from 3-6:00 p.m., on Monday, January 26, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip and one hour preceding the service at the church on Tuesday. Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., on Tuesday, January 27, at the First Lutheran Church in Philip, with Pastor Frezil Westerlund officiating. Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery, Philip. A memorial is established to the Haakon County Prairie Transportation. Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

Esther M. Noe, was born on July 27, 1926 in Northwood, Iowa, the daughter of Phinis and Belva (Dingman) Noe. She grew up in the Northwood community and graduated from the Northwood High School in 1943. As a young lady she worked as a receptionist for a medical doctor and later worked for the Social Welfare Service of Iowa. Esther was united in marriage to Glenn M. Ferley on July 2, 1944 at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church in Silver Lake, Iowa. They made their home in Northwood, where Esther worked as a secretary at the Wilson Packing Plant office in Albert Lea, Minnesota. In October 1946, the family moved to Pierre, where Glenn worked for the Dukelow and Ferley Jewelers.

In 1949, Glenn moved to Philip, where he operated Ferley Jewelers within Husband’s Bakery. Esther and the boys joined him in Philip in February 1950. While in Philip, Esther worked for Harold Covey in the Law and Abstract Office and later as a bookkeeper for Mike Groven’s Phillips 66 Station. She also worked at the Philip Livestock Auction from 1974 through 1988, then as a bookkeeper for Wampler Lumber Company from 1976 through 1993 and for Moses Building Center until August 1997. Esther was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Philip.

Grateful for having shared her life include her husband of 64 years, Glenn Ferley of Philip; three sons, Steve Ferley and his wife, Beth Anne of Rapid City, Jerry Ferley and his wife, Lee Ann of Oelrichs and Dan Ferley and his wife, Lana of Ft. Collins, Colorado; a daughter-in-law, Mary A. Ferley of Evansville, Indiana; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Mike Noe; three sisters, Roberta Wilkuski, Lorene Schutz and Belva Hove; and two sisters in infancy.
© Northwood Anchor 2009



William “Bill” Gary Pangburn

February 4, 2009

William “Bill” Gary Pangburn, 75, of St. Ansgar, died on Wednesday, January 28, 2009, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, following a stroke.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 1:30 p.m., at the Northwood United Methodist Church, Northwood, with Reverend Wendi Gillan officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service time on Saturday at the church. According to his wishes, cremation has taken place. The family of William Gary Pangburn has suggested that memorial contributions be made to the Northwood United Methodist Church or to the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City in his memory. The Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood, is in charge of the arrangements.

William “Bill” Gary Pangburn, was born on March 13, 1933 in Northwood, the son of Milo and Marjorie (Gabriel) Pangburn. He attended and received his education in the Northwood Community School, graduating from the Northwood High School. After completing his schooling, Bill drove trucks for various companies in Albert Lea, Minnesota and the surrounding areas. For 35 years Bill worked as a brakeman and conductor for the Rock Island Railroad, and later for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, and for a short time for the Short Line Railroad in Manly, until his retirement. Bill was active and happy right up until the end and will be remembered always riding his motorcycle even when he turned it into a trike. He was united in marriage to Eunice Hansen on July 15, 1989, at the Northwood United Methodist Church.

Bill enjoyed camping at National Parks and fishing trips to Canada with his family and snowmobiling. His kids and grandkids remember his determination to teach them how to water and snow ski. Bill also enjoyed visiting and playing cards with his family and friends. He was a 50-year member of the Northern Light Masonic Lodge in Northwood.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Eunice Pangburn of St. Ansgar; children, Debbie (Dave) Wallukait, Lori (Charlie) Williams, Susie (Kevin) Leinen, all of Des Moines and Gary Pangburn of Northwood; step-children, Laurie (Kevin) Springer, Kristy (Chuck) Howrey and Darrell Johnson; seven grandchildren, Connie Scheff of St. Paul, Minnesota, Sarah Davis and Nicole Sullivan of Norwalk, Iowa, Angela Sisco of Farmington, Minnesota, Riley Pangburn of Northwood, Austen and Masen Leinen of Des Moines; six step-grandchildren, Jacob and Morgan Springer, Aubrey Johnson, Kylee, Josh and Zach Howrey; five great-grandchildren, Lily, Colton, Caleb, Hailey and Christian; his brothers and sister, Buck (Beverly) Pangburn of Northwood, Dan (Donna) Pangburn of Phoenix, Arizona and Nancy (Jonathon) Appleton of Fair Oaks, California; as well as other extended family members and friends.

His parents; his former wife, Sharrell Hagen; his daughter, Diane Pangburn; an infant son, William G. Pangburn, Jr.; and a granddaughter, Jenna, preceded him in death.
© Northwood Anchor 2009



Harlan A Peterson

February 4, 2009

Harlan A Peterson, 61, died at his home on Thursday, January 29, 2009, in Emmons, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, January 31, at the Emmons Lutheran Church in Emmons, Minnesota, with Pastor Julie Fiske officiating. Military Rites were performed by the Emmons Louis/Tviete Post #317. Emmons Volunteer Fire Department performed Fire Fighters “Last Call”. Visitation was from 4-7:00 p.m., on Friday evening, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills, Iowa and again one hour prior to the services at the church. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Emmons. Family requests that memorials be made to the Oak Lawn Cemetery, Emmons.

Harlan Arthur Peterson, was born on July 17, 1947 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to Henry and Alice (Christian) Peterson. He was baptized and confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Scarville, Iowa. He graduated from the Lake Mills High School in 1965 and from Waldorf College in 1967. He helped on the family farm and worked at the Scarville and Thompson elevators before being drafted into the Army in July of 1970. Harlan was united in marriage to Linda (Lawrence) Thompson on March 24, 1973. Harlan worked at the Speltz Elevator in Emmons and for the City of Emmons. He started in propane sales in 1979 in Albert Lea at Superior Gas/Thermogas. He worked for Ron’s LP Gas in Lake Mills for eleven years. He then entered into a partnership, H & K Propane, business with Bob and Lou (Larry) Knutson in Glenville, Minnesota and continued until December 31, 2008, when he retired due to health reasons.

Harlan was a “people person” who really enjoyed his family, friends and people in general. He loved spending time at the farm, camping, reading, mowing, tinkering in his shop, driving Stanley (his ’46 Chevy truck), and napping.

Harlan leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 35 years, Linda of Emmons; four children, Rod Thompson of Scarville, Lance (Carol) Thompson of Joice, Iowa, Pam (Thompson) (Russ) Heinzerling of Ankeny, Iowa and Howard (Carrie) Peterson of Lake Mills; five grandchildren, Kayla and Codi Thompson, Austin and Marissa Heinzerling and Lily Thompson; one brother, Homer (Penny) Peterson of Scarville; one sister, Harriett (Warren) Willand of Northwood; along with Al, Ron and Gil Thompson and families and numerous extended family and friends.

Harlan was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Alice Peterson; granddaughter, Casey Thompson; and nephew, Ryan Peterson.
© Northwood Anchor 2009



Robert D. "Don" Griffiths

February 4, 2009

Robert D. "Don" Griffiths, 67, of Lake Mills, died on Thursday, January 29, 2009, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, February 2, at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Lake Mills, with Pastor Wendi Gillan officiating. Visitation was from 5-7:00 p.m., on Sunday, February 1, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills. Cremation followed the services, with family inurnment held at a later date. The family requests that memorials be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church, Lake Mills or to the Hospice of North Iowa, Mason City.

Don was born on April 16, 1941, to Lyle and Charlene (DeNise) Griffiths in Charleston, West Virginia. His family moved to Lisbon, Iowa, when he was a small boy. He attended the Lisbon High School and was a member of the Lisbon United Methodist Church. On March 13, 1959, he was married to Carol Jean James. They lived in Lisbon and Buffalo Center before moving to Lake Mills in 1964. For many years Don drove a semi tractor trailer throughout the country. He later went on to work for Randall Transit for 22 years.

Don enjoyed spending time with family and friends, listening to country and gospel music, reading, watching and attending NASCAR races, relaxing with his spoiled dog Reggie, boating, and snowmobiling. He was an active member of the Worth County Fence Stretchers and previously served as a volunteer for the Lake Mills Ambulance Service. He was known to always have a new joke to tell, and was a great friend.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; his daughter, Deb and son-in-law, Dennis Langerud of Jacksonville, North Carolina; daughters, Lisa Griffiths and Jody Griffiths, both of Lake Mills and LaRae Griffiths of Santee, California; his sister, Lela Carroll and brother-in-law, Mort Emerson of Cave Creek, Arizona; grandchildren, Christopher, Cal, and Denie Langerud, Lacey, Ben and Haley Mathews and Wyatt Madson; great-grandchildren, Gage and Savanah Baker; numerous nieces and nephews; and many sisters and brothers-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Charlene.
© Northwood Anchor 2009



Jeanette Kay Zipse

February 4, 2009

Jeanette Kay Zipse, 47, of Northwood, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family, on Thursday, January 29, 2009.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, January 31, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Reverend Daniel R. Hart officiating. Visitation was from 4-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood. Visitation was also held one hour prior to the service time on Saturday at the church. Following the service, cremation took place with inurnment to be held at a later date in the Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Cemetery, rural Northwood.

Jeanette Kay Zipse, was born on March 4, 1961 in Mason City, the daughter of Doyle and Barbara (Harders) Eilertson. Jeanette was baptized at the Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church, rural Glenville, Minnesota and reaffirmed the faith of her baptism through confirmation at the First Lutheran Church in Northwood. She attended and received her education in the Northwood-Kensett Community School, graduating from the Northwood-Kensett High School in 1980. She was united in marriage to Brad Zipse on August 20, 1994 in Mason City. Jeanette worked for the Worth County Abstract Company in Northwood.

Jeanette was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood and was very active in the Worth County 4-H, and was a Girl Scout Leader. She was also a member of the Twilight Treadlers of SE Minnesota, Mason City Spinners Guild, and Yarn Basket Babies in Northwood.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Brad Zipse of Northwood; her children, Melissa Harang and special friend, Ben Barringer of Rochester, Minnesota, Jesse Harang of Northwood and Samantha Zipse of Northwood; her parents, Doyle and Barbara Eilertson of Northwood; her brothers, Rob (Bess) Eilertson of Northwood and Gene (Kathy) Eilertson of Northwood; her sister, Diane (Doug) Meyers of Dixon, Illlinois; her father and mother-in-law, John (Nalda) Zipse of Northwood; brother and sister-in-laws, Craig (Debbi) Zipse and Cliff (Karen) Zipse of Northwood and Melissa Johnson and special friend, Dan Heiken of Northwood; and many special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other extended family members and special friends.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her grandparents, Leslie and Irene Eilertson, and Clarence and Ruth Harders; a step-grandfather, Emil Wiese; and an aunt and uncle, Kay and Ken Small.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

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