Arlene Roma Wallin

February 10, 2010

Arlene Roma Wallin, 83, of Glenville, Minnesota, died on Monday, February 1, 2010, at her home.

Funeral services were held on Friday, February 5, at the First Lutheran Church, Glenville. The Rev. Krista Stokke officiated with interment in the Greenwood Cemetery, Glenville, Minnesota. The Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, was in charge of the arrangements.

Arlene was born on December 23, 1926 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to William and Etta (Onnan) Attig. She attended country school. Arlene was baptized and confirmed at the First Presbyterian Church, Albert Lea. She belonged there until 1947 and then joined the First Lutheran Church of Glenville, where she belonged to the ladies aid and Bible study group.

Arlene married Lyle Wallin on August 31, 1947, at the First Presbyterian Church, Albert Lea. She worked with her husband on the farm. She hauled grain, sold eggs and cared for animals. Arlene also volunteered for many years at the St. John’s Lutheran Home.

Arlene enjoyed boating, gardening and being outdoors. She especially enjoyed watching sunrises and sunsets and sitting with her family by the campfire.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Lyle Wallin; children, Linda Wallin of Glenville, Minnesota, Philip (Nancy) Wallin of Glenville, Minnesota and Laureli (Randy) Buehrer of Northwood; grandchildren, Sheila (Rodney) Steele, Michael (Jessica) Wallin, Matthew Wallin and fiancée, Kassi, Nicole Storvick, Megan Storvick, Nathan (Beth) Buehrer and Terra (David) Barlow; great-grandchildren, Madison, Tyler, Katelynn, Rachael, Kaci, Chevy, Abigail, Marcus, Kyle and Mason.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, William and Etta Attig; sister, Marleda Wittmer; brother-in-law, Harold Wittmer; and niece, Mary Stanley.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Lyle Neriel Wallin

February 24, 2010

Lyle Neriel Wallin, of Glenville, Minnesota, died on Monday, February 8, 2010, surrounded by his loving family, at his home in Glenville. He was 86 years of age.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, February 11, 2010, at the First Lutheran Church in Glenville. Pastor Krista Stokke officiated. Visitation was held on Wednesday evening from 4-7:00 p.m., at the Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment was in the Greenwood Cemetery, Glenville, Minnesota.

Lyle was born on February 20, 1923 in Glenville, Minnesota, the son of Rea and Mary (Lilleskau) Wallin. He attended county school in Glenville. Lyle was a lifetime member of the First Lutheran Church in Glenville, where he was baptized and confirmed. On August 31, 1947, he was united in marriage to Arlene Attig at the First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea, Minnesota. He farmed the family farm for many years, working with livestock and crops. He also did custom farming in the area, shelling corn and baling hay. Lyle was a Northrop King Seed Corn Dealer and a member of the Farmers Union. He drove school bus for the Glenville Schools for over 30 years.

Lyle was more than just a bus driver; he enjoyed his time spent with special needs children that he transported to Faribault. Lyle loved boating and fishing, trips up north and sitting around the bonfire listening to the night sounds. His pet dog, Angel could always be found at his side.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Linda Wallin of Glenville, Minnesota, Philip and his wife, Nancy Wallin of Glenville, Laureli and her husband, Randy Buehrer of Northwood and Barbara Ramirez and family; grandchildren, Sheila (Rodney) Steele, Michael (Jessica) Wallin, Matthew Wallin and fiancée, Kassi, Nicole Storvick, Megan Storvick, Nathan (Beth) Buehrer and Terra (David) Barlow; great-grandchildren, Madison, Tyler, Katelynn, Rachael, Kaci, Chevy, Abigail, Marcus, Kyle and Mason; three brothers, Verl (Vera) Wallin of Glenville, Dale (Erma) Wallin of Northwood and Arlo (Julie) Wallin of Glenville; one sister, Violet (Eddie) Hanssen of Glenville; and one sister-in-law, Suzie Wallin of Glenville.

Lyle was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 62 years, Arlene on February 1, 2010; and brother, Merlin Wallin.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Luella Kuhlmann Leidal

February 24, 2010

Luella "Mom" Genette (Holstad) Kuhlmann Leidal, passed away on Thursday, February 18, 2010, at the Lutheran Retirement Home, Northwood, Iowa, surrounded by her loving family.

Visitation was from 5-7:00 p.m., on Sunday, February 21, at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood. Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., on Monday, February 22, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood.

Luella was born on March 7, 1915, the fifth of the 11 children of Bendik and Hilda (Erickson) Holstad, in Montpelier, North Dakota. She was baptized in Ypsilanti, North Dakota. The family moved to Northwood, Iowa, in 1918. She was confirmed at the North Shell Rock Lutheran Church, Northwood. Luella and her sisters sang at many church, school, and social functions. Bendik was always happy to take “his girls” wherever they were invited to sing. Luella graduated from the Northwood High School in 1933, taking Normal (teacher‘s) training during high school. She also attended summer school at Teachers’ College, Cedar Falls, Iowa. She taught in several area schools and always enjoyed keeping in contact with her students over the years.

On June 21, 1936, Luella married Vernon Kuhlmann. He was killed in a traffic accident in October 1936 and she returned to live with her parents. Her daughter, LaVerne, was born June 10, 1937. Luella married Curtis Leidal on September 21, 1940 in Northwood, Iowa and Curtis adopted LaVerne. Luella and Curtis had four more children, Karen, LeRoy, Kathy and Kevin. They farmed east of Northwood until 1965, when they moved into Northwood. They also lived briefly in Charles City, Iowa and then returned to Northwood for the last of their 69 years of marriage.

Luella was a homemaker, Sunday School teacher, enjoyed bible studies and was one of the first women to serve on the First Lutheran Church Council. She enjoyed going to her grandchildren’s activities wherever they might be. She was always ready to read a story to them.

Luella is survived by her husband, Curtis of Northwood; sons, Leroy (Lonna) Leidal of Hudson, Wisconsin and Kevin (Becky) Leidal of Solon; daughter, Kathy (Tom) Christianson of Northwood; son-in-law, Kenneth Fredrickson of Grafton; sisters, Burnette (Lean) Sanderson of Glenville, Minnesota, Mildred Patterson of Osage and Idena Hagen of Plymouth, Minnesota; a brother-in-law, Kermit Leida; grandchildren, Julie Fredrickson of Clear Lake, Mark (Brenda) Fredrickson of Grafton, Kevin Ganje of Sioux Falls, Iowa, Marni (Brad) Waznik of Menomonie, Wisconsin, Jana Leidal of Menomonie, Wisconsin, Leigh (Kevin) Alexander of Emerald, Wisconsin, Tim (Sara) Christianson of Northwood, Kim (Heath) Merz of Iowa Falls, Luke Leidal of West Des Moines and Nathan Leidal of Cedar Falls; great-grandchildren, Averrell Jensen, Erina Gordon, Areylla (Jesse) Hennigar, Josh Ganje, Bryan Waznik, Dana Waznik, Brett Waznik, Kyle Alexandar, Ben Alexander and Gavin Merz; great-great-grandchildren, Selena and Tristen Jensen; and several nieces, nephews and friends. She will be missed by her family.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Vernon; her daughters, LaVerne and Karen; her parents, Bendik and Hilda; parents-in-law, Albert and Laura Leidal; sisters, Gilma Holstad, Julia Stumo, Evelyn Gordon and Lillian Thompson; sisters-in-law, Fern Holstad, Dorothy Holstad, Anna Dorle and Helen Leidal; brothers, Marvin, Irving and Aldon; brothers-in-law, Gerhard Stumo, Roy Gordon, Max Patterson, Stan Hagen, Quinten Leidal, Richard Dorle and Glen Leidal; niece, Eunice Olson; and nephew, Steven Holstad.

Memorials can be given in her memory to Opportunity Village, Clear Lake, Iowa; the Lutheran Retirement Home Auxiliary, Northwood; or the choir fund of the First Lutheran Church, Northwood.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Dean E. Toft

February 24, 2010

Dean E. Toft, 79, of Northwood, died on Friday, February 19, 2010, at his home with his family by his side.

Memorial services were held on Tuesday, February 23, at 10:30 a.m., at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Rev. Daniel Hart officiating. Visitation was held on Monday from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood.

Dean was born on January 18, 1931 in Slayton, Minnesota, to Benard and Elsie (Johnson) Toft. He enjoyed being raised on the family farm near Hadley, Minnesota. Dean married Darlene Johnson on October 30, 1954, in the Hadley Lutheran Church. They eventually settled in Owatonna, Minnesota, before moving to Northwood in 1965. Dean worked for the railroad for 36 years, primarily with the Rock Island.

He was a member of the Lions Club and Fire Department, was very active in the First Lutheran Church and was a board member for Meals on Wheels. His hobbies included bowling, fishing, golfing and the Minnesota Twins. Dean also enjoyed his casino trips, as well as the annual family reunions at Lake Shetek. His love for his family and friends was exhibited every day.

He was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother, Darrel; sister, Adele Shrader and her husband, Les; sister-in-law, Lucille Liebswager; and brothers-in-law, George Johnson, Les Kathman and Edgar Hourscht.

Dean is survived by his wife, Darlene of Northwood; daughters, Colleen (Jerry) Jacobs of Leland and Constance Butler of Northwood; son, Craig (Marcia) Toft of Northwood; grandchildren, Kimberly (Bryan) Odegaard, Kelli Jacobs, Mikaela and Samantha Butler, Mitchell (Jessica) Hanson, and Colby and Callie Carlson; great-grandchildren, Haddie and Hallie Hanson; sisters, Beulah Hourscht of Hadley, Minnesota and Neva Kathman of Boone.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Wayne Frank Finley

March 3, 2010

Wayne Frank Finley, 78, of Northwood, died on Friday, February 19, 2010, at his home.

Memorial services were held on Thursday, February 25, at 11:30 a.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, with Dr. Wilheim DeHough officiating. Family received friends after 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, at the funeral home.

Wayne was born on September 10, 1931, to Paul and Ella (Cooper) Finely of Riceville, Iowa, at their home. He attended the Stone School House on Little Cedar Road. Wayne farmed near Riceville with his father. He then operated Finley Surge Services, Rock Valley, Osage, after which he went back to farming with his father. Wayne worked at Story City Plumbing & Heating and eventually bought the business. He moved to Wisconsin and dairy farmed for 15 years. Then he moved to Northwood, Iowa, where he opened his own plumbing and heating business from 1987 to 2001, when he retired. Wayne was united in marriage to Dawn Fuller at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa on September 17, 1988.

He was preceded in death by his father, Paul in 1995 and mother, Ella in December of 2009.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Dawn of Northwood; brother, Merlyn (Shirley) Finely of Decorah; children, Tracy (Tracy) LaCount of Little Saumico, Wisconsin, David Zeno of Osage, Connie (James) Phillips of Story City, Patti (James) Beck of Story City, Deborah (Brian) Holmes of Story City, Doug (Kim) Finley of Story City and David (Annie) Finley of Story City; grandsons, Allen and Dale LaCount of Little Saumico, Wisconsin and Treg Knospe of Merrill, Wisconsin; granddaughters, Arwen Knospe of Merrill, Wisconsin and Ashley (Anderson) LaCount of Little Saumico, Wisconsin; great-grandson, John LaCount of Little Saumico, Wisconsin; several other grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends; his extended family, Ernest and Mary Fuller of Arpin, Wisconsin, John and Linda Fuller of Mosinee, Wisconsin, Diana and Tom Kundinger of Auburndale, Wisconsin, Debbie and Charlie Triplat of Pittsville, Wisconsin, Juantia and Mike Varsho of Arpin, Wisconsin, Gary and Tammy Fuller of Pittsville, Wisconsin, Vanessa and Jim Bugman of Pine Island, Minnesota, Vickie and Steve Varsho of Hewitt, Wisconsin, Seth and Cheryl Fuller of Sierra Vista, Arizona and Ernestine and Frank Neve of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Eugene Allen Bartz

March 3, 2010

Eugene Allen Bartz, 74, of Grafton, died on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, at his home.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home in Northwood.

Gene was born on March 2, 1935, son of Alvin and Vera (Hartwig) Bartz. He was baptized and confirmed at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, Iowa. He graduated from the Grafton High School, class of 1953. He married Joann Heizelman on March 4, 1956. They had four children. He farmed all his life in the Grafton area.

He was preceded in death by his son, Michael Bartz; mother, Vera Bartz; father, Alvin Bartz; and brother, Roger Bartz.

He is survived by his daughter, Bonnie (Dean) Crosier of Bloomington, Illinois; granddaughter, Kathryn (Matthew) Lollar; great-grandchildren, Bridget and Graham; grandson, Kelsey Thayer; daughter, Brenda (Greg) Evenson of Boone; grandsons, Ryan Billings and Karl Billings; son, Mark (Rebecca) Bartz of Mason City; grandsons, Adam and Trevor Bartz (sons of the late Michael Batz), the children’s mother, Joann Bartz of Mason City; and his sister, Marjorie Lane of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
© Northwood Anchor 2010