Marge Van Der Linden

October 7, 2009

Marge Van Der Linden, 84, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, died on Saturday, October 3, 2009, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday afternoon, October 10, at the Schuchert Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Inurnment will take place later in the cemetery in Northwood.

Marjorie Rose, was born on February 19, 1925 in Marshall, Minnesota. She married John E. Van Der Linden on November 27, 1948, in Marshall and they moved to Northwood, where John was the editor of the Northwood Anchor. In 1960 the family moved to Sibley, Iowa. In 1982, the couple built a retirement home at Spirit Lake.

Survivors include her husband of Spirit Lake; three sons; five grandchildren; and her brother.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Fern M. Wettlaufer

October 14, 2009

Fern M. Wettlaufer, 91, of Albert Lea, was called to her eternal home on Tuesday, October 6, 2009.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 10, at 10:30 a.m., at the Bonnerup Funeral Service Chapel, Albert Lea. Pastor John Holt officiated. Interment was in the Hillcrest Cemetery. Following interment friends and family were invited to share in fellowship and lunch at the funeral home. The family has suggested memorials to Peace and Power of the First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea or to the Crossroads Community Hospice, Albert Lea.

Fern was born on October 1, 1918 in Emmons, Minnesota, the daughter of Knute and Betsy (Loberg) Sveen. Fern was the last surviving of 11 children born to them. She was baptized and confirmed at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church in Worth County. Fern was, at one time, an employee of the American Gas Machine Co. of Albert Lea. In 1941, she was united in marriage to Eldon Wettlaufer, formerly of Madison, South Dakota. They resided in San Francisco, California, for several months before Eldon was sent overseas during the Second World War. Fern then took employment at the Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond, California. After Eldon's discharge from the service they resided in Albert Lea until 1948 when they purchased the Maid Rite Café in Northwood. After two years ownership, they returned to Albert Lea, where Eldon joined the Albert Lea Fire Department and later served as chief. Fern was employed by Drs. Sward and Blunt as a dental assistant.

She was a member of the First Lutheran Church and an active member of the Altar Guild. She was a volunteer for the A.L. Art Museum and Naeve Partners in Health. She loved music and was one of the Kulana Ukettes, a Does Ukelele and singing group and a long time member of Albert Lea Civic Music. She often recalled fond memories of her golf-playing days at Green Lea Golf Club.

Left to hold dear her memory are her son, Larry Wettlaufer (Marlee Griffith) of Spokane, Washington; her two daughters, Vicki (Gaylen) Ordalen of Kenyon, Minnesota and Marilyn (Robert) Cleveland of DeForest, Wisconsin; and six grandchildren, Gabriel Ordalen, Brady (Carrie) Wettlaufer and family, Jessica (Zach) Smith of Aurora, Colorado, Richard (Tami) Cleveland and family of Stoughton, Wisconsin, Kim (Darryl) Franklin and family of Indianapolis, Indiana and Kerry (Dan) Roeske and family of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; besides beloved nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death and welcoming her into heaven are her husband, Eldon; her granddaughter, Andrea Marilyn Ordalen; her sisters, Lillian (Gordon) Johnson, Lulu (Stanley) Sanderson, Cora (Rasmus) Sundal and Bertha (Norris) Dahl; her brothers, Arthur (Irene) Sveen, Obert (Gladys) Sveen, Tony (Karen) Sveen, Franklin Sveen, Oliver (Mabel) Sveen and Melvin (Henrietta) Sveen.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Truly I. Levorson

October 14, 2009

Truly I. Levorson, 83, of Lake Mills, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills, surrounded by her family and under Hospice Care.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, October 10, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, with Rev. Wayne Halvorson from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church ELS in Albert Lea, Minnesota, officiating. Visitation was from 4-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills and again one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial took place in the Somber Synod Lutheran Cemetery in rural Lake Mills.

Truly Irene Levorson, was born on Janusry 21, 1926 in Brookfield Township, Worth County, the daughter of Thomas and Ida (Strom) Ellingson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She attended rural country school in Worth County and graduated from the Lake Mills High School in 1943. She later graduated from a computer programming course in Mason City. Truly was united in marriage to Morris Levorson on November 11, 1944, at the Bristol Lutheran Church in rural Joice. To that union, three children were born, Marcia, Ronald and Medara. They resided on the family farm east of Lake Mills. Truly taught in a rural school setting for some years and worked at Larry’s Clothing Store, but spent most of her life as a homemaker and helping on the farm.

She was a member of the Somber Lutheran Church, taught Sunday School, was active in Ladies Aid, attended Bible Study and enjoyed all church activities. Truly was involved in 4-H as a leader for many years. She also enjoyed sewing, embroidery and quilting. Together, Morris and Truly enjoyed traveling, dancing and playing cards.

She is survived by her loving husband, Morris of Lake Mills; her three children, Marcia Turvold of Florissant, Missouri, Ronald (Gail) Levorson of Albert Lea, Minnesota and Medara (Bart) Winter of Lake Mills; grandchildren, Nina Matuszewski, Nicole (Ted) Liebig, Matthew Levorson, Kessa Olson, Tyler Olson and Natalie Winter; three great-grandchildren, Aurianna Salem, Miranda Matuszewski and Grant Liebig; brother-in-law, Donald Munyon of Des Moines, Iowa; along with many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Dorothy Ann Munyon; and an infant grandson, Chad Michael Turvold.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Carol Julaine Kobernusz

October 14, 2009

Carol Julaine Kobernusz, 87, of Manly, died on Saturday, October 10, 2009, at the Mercy Medical Center- North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, October 15, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Manly, with Pastor Linda Johnson- Prestholt officiating. Burial will be in the Manly 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. Those wishing to express their sympathy through a memorial may wish to direct them to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in her memory.

Carol Julaine Kobernusz, was born on February 28, 1922 in rural Northwood, the daughter of Charles "Bennie" and Jennie (Sime) Harmon. Carol graduated from the Northwood High School in 1939 and the Mason City Junior College in 1941. After completing her education Carol taught for one year in a rural country school. Carol moved to Baltimore, Maryland, to live with her sister, Adeline, where Carol worked for the Social Security Administration for two years before transferring to Chicago, Illinois and then to Albert Lea, Minnesota, where she continued to work for Social Security until Carol and Earl were married. Carol was united in marriage to Earl Kobernusz on August 25, 1946, at the Sion Lutheran Church in rural Lake Mills and to this union five children were born, Paul, an infant son, Julaine, Pamela and Alvin Charles. Carol loved taking care of her children and spent several years in the pediatrics unit at Mercy Hospital in Mason City while her children were in high school. Carol and Earl spent several years on the farm before moving to Northwood and later to Manly in 1988.

Carol was an avid Twins and Iowa Hawkeyes fan, and enjoyed traveling with Earl, cooking and baking; but her great love and enjoyment was taking care of her family. She was a very active member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church where Carol enjoyed doing church work and she was also a member of the Mary Circle at the church.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Earl Kobernusz of Manly; her children, Paul (Diane) Kobernusz of Hutchinson, Minnesota, Julaine Jarvis of Manly, Pamela (Robert) Dow of West Burlington, Iowa and Alvin Charles Kobernusz of Manly; 10 grandchildren, Jeffery (Dana) Kobernusz, Kelly (Raeanna) Kobernusz, Terry (Patricia) Kobernusz, Scott (Shannon) Jarvis, Angella Dow, Andrew (Lyndsey) Dow, Benjamin (Mindy) Dow, Daniel Dow, Dustin Kobernusz and Rachel (Tim) Leemkuil; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Nova (Gale) Cook of Manly; as well as several nieces, nephews and other extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son; brother, Ernest Harmon; and a sister, Adeline Lindblom.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Leona I. Richards

October 21, 2009

Leona I. Richards, age 89, of Osage and formerly of Carpenter, passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage, where she had been a resident for nearly two years.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, October 16, at the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage, with Rev. Dennis Hanson and Dr. Stephen Grunlan officiating. Burial was in the Osage Cemetery. Visitation was from 4-8:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage. 

Leona was born on July 9, 1920 in Osage, the daughter of Frederick and Ida (Hartwig) Havig. She attended and graduated from the Osage High School. Leona was united in marriage to Glenn C. Richards of Otranto, on June 3, 1942, at her family home. They are the parents of three children, Nancy, Kathy and Lynn. Her husband, Glenn, was the love of her life and when he passed away in 1998, part of her went with him. Leona then moved to the Evergreen Assisted Living in Osage.

She was a lifelong member of the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage. Leona enjoyed attending the Birthday Club, gardening and canning, planting flowers and lots of baking for her family.

Survivors include her two daughters, Nancy (Leland) Minnis of Riceville and Kathy (Delbert) Schulz of Warrenville, Illinois; son, Lynn (Janet) Richards of Des Moines; seven grandchildren, Karrie (Steve) Belanger, Tammy Schulz, Heather Schulz, Kevin (Kim) Minnis, Kelly (Rose) Minnis, Ryan Richards and Cassie (Josh) Davenport; five great-grandchildren, Madison and Brianna Minnis, Jayden and Josie Minnis and Daniel Davenport; and two sisters, June Jahnel of New Haven and Fern (Jim) Hughes of Riceville.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Glenn; two sisters; and four brothers.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Elmer Donald Harmon

October 21, 2009

Elmer Donald Harmon, 92, of Lake Mills, died on Thursday, October 15, 2009, at the Albert Lea Medical Center in Albert Lea.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, October 22, at the Salem Lutheran Church. Visitation will be on Wednesday evening, October 21, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills and again one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will take place in the Salem Memorial Cemetery in Lake Mills.

Elmer Donald Harmon, was born on a farm in Silver Lake Township in Worth County. He was the son of Martin and Anna (Holstad) Harmon. He was baptized and confirmed at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church. On July 28, 1940, Elmer was united in marriage to Adelle Lillian Ferly at the Silver Lake Lutheran Parsonage by Rev. C.T. Fjelstul. They had two sons, Robert Donald and Thomas James. In March of 1948, his nephew, Donald, came and made his home with them. From 1944, to his retirement, he owned and operated grocery stores in Silver Lake and Lake Mills.

He was very active in his community and church. He has lived at Mill Harbor for nine years and enjoyed all his old and new friends.

Elmer is survived by his two sons, Robert and Thomas Harmon; his wife, Sheila (Renshaw) Harmon, all of Bemidji, Minnesota; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; Donald Harmon’s family, his wife, Dureen and their two children; his brother, Marvin and his wife, Hazel Harmon; a special granddaughter, Melissa Dykstra; along with numerous other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Adelle; a special nephew, Donald; and seven siblings.

A special thank you to Duaine and Ellyn Harmon for all they have done over the years.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Anna Sanden

October 21, 2009

Anna Sanden, age 98, of Albert Lea, Minnesota and formerly of the Joice and Northwood, Iowa areas, died on Friday, October 16, 2009, at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center in Albert Lea.

Funeral services were held at 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, October 20, at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, in Northwood, with Rev. Lydia Mittag officiating. Visitation was from 5-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the funeral home. Burial will take place in the Bristol Cemetery, rural Joice.

Anna Sanden, was born on May 29, 1911 in Worth County, Iowa, to Andrew and Charlotte (Gregerson) Land. Anna and her husband, Helmer, lived and farmed in the Joice, Iowa, area and later moved to the Northwood area.

She enjoyed going to auctions, her animals and doing embroidery work. Gerald Erickson looked after her for many years.

Survivors include several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Helmer; two sisters; and three brothers.
© Northwood Anchor 2009

Dr. Truman Kenneth Mostrom

November 4, 2009

Dr. Truman Kenneth Mostrom, 88, formerly of Manly, died on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at the Lutheran Retirement Home, Northwood.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Dr. Mostrom has been cremated.

T.K. Mostrom, was born in rural Lake Mills, Iowa on August 14, 1921, to Arthur and Sarah (Dolen) Mostrom. He graduated from the Lake Mills High School in 1939 and served as a U.S. Navy fighter pilot in World War II. Following discharge from the Navy, he became an Iowa Highway patrolman and married Miriam Moran on July 2, 1949 in Decorah, Iowa. He graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa in 1956 and practiced veterinary medicine for over 30 years in Manly, Iowa.

He loved working and caring for animals, fishing in northern Ontario and golfing.

T. K. Mostrom is survived by his wife, Miriam of the Lutheran Retirement Home, Northwood; daughters, Ann (Les) Stowe of Asheville, North Carolina and Dr. Michelle Mostrom of Grandin, North Dakota; three lovely granddaughters attending universities in North Carolina, Katy (John) Stowe Brandt, Chelsea Stowe and Brittany Stowe; a sister, Lorraine Stolen of Hampton; a brother, Marvill Mostrom of Vinton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family deeply appreciates the caring staff at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood, Iowa.
© Northwood Anchor 2009