Kenneth Elwood Houg

June 9, 2010

Kenneth Elwood Houg, age 76, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at the Good Samaritan Center.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 5, at the First Lutheran Church in Glenville. Rev. Krista Stokke officiated. Interment was in the First Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation was from 5-7:00 p.m., on Friday, June 4, at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Kenneth Elwood Houg, was born on July 26, 1933, to Merton and Lila (Towne) Houg at the Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea. He was baptized, confirmed and married by Pastor A.C. Korsrud. Kenneth graduated from the Albert Lea High School. On August 10, 1957, he was united in marriage to Janice Flatness at the First Lutheran Church in Glenville. Kenneth farmed for 14 years, after which time he went to work for Master Mix/Central Soya as a salesman. When Kenneth retired he drove his grandson, Chase, to the Minnesota School for the Deaf in Faribault.

He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Glenville, where he had served as President of the congregation. Kenneth also served for nine years on the Freeborn County Planning Commission until 2007, was the treasurer of the Freeborn County DFL for eight years and had served as president of the Glenville Senior Citizens for three years. His hobbies included fishing, golfing and playing cards. He will be greatly missed by his wife and family.

Survivors include his wife, Janice; children, Susan Devens, Scott (Sherry) Houg, Julie Houg and Jeff Houg; grandchildren, Matthew  (Lora), Dustin, Joshua, Jordan, Abigail, Colt and Chase; brothers, Harold (Nancy) Houg, Myron (Shirley) Houg and Herb (Pat) Houg; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; and grandchildren, Ryan and Jessica Budach.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

William L. Read

June 9, 2010

William L. “Bill” Read, 63, of Northwood, Iowa, died on Thursday, June 3, 2010, at the Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea, Minnesota.

A memorial service was held at 1:30 p.m., on Monday, June 7, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Reverend Daniel R. Hart officiating. Internment followed in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood with Military honors conducted by the members of the Our Buddies Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6779 of Northwood. A visitation was held from 4-6:30 p.m., on Sunday, June 6, at the Conner Colonial Chapel in Northwood. Visitation was also held one hour prior to the service time on Monday at the church.

William Lynn Read, was born on October 2, 1946 in Webster City, to Weldon and Viola (Stout) Read. He attended high school at the Northwood-Kensett High School. Following high school, Bill enlisted in the United States Army, where he honorably served his country during the Vietnam Conflict. On June 27, 1984, Bill was united in marriage to Gail Bremseth in Northwood. Always having been known as a “Jack of All Trades,” Bill was very handy with any mechanical, electrical or carpentry work that needed to be done around the house. Bill owned and operated “Bill’s Service” in Carpenter during the 70s, while also serving on the Carpenter Fire Department.

In addition to his time spent as a mechanic, Bill also had many hobbies. He enjoyed playing cards, especially Cribbage and Huckly Buck, as well as watching NASCAR and cheering for Dale Earnhardt for many years. Bill also liked bowling and spent numerous years on a bowling league. In more recent years he found entertainment in riding his golf cart around Northwood and visiting with his friends. In addition, he enjoyed spending time with his family around the holidays and other special occasions.

Bill was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood and the Northwood Men’s Club, as well as a lifetime member of the V.F.W. and the Glenville Legion.

Those grateful in sharing in his life are his wife, Gail of Northwood; children, Michael (DeAnn) Read of Northwood, Amy (Mark) Wallin of Alden, Minnesota and Benjamin Read of Northwood; his mother, Viola Read of Northwood; grandchildren, Joseph and Justin Read, Spencer, Jacob and Ryan Wallin; sister, Carol (Allan) Johnson of Northwood; and nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and in-laws, as well as other relatives and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Nathan; his father, Weldon; and two siblings, Mary Alice in childhood and Jimmy in infancy.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Marjorie A. Wescott

June 9, 2010

Marjorie A. Wescott, 80, of Mason City, died on Friday, June 4, 2010, at the Good Shepherd Health Center.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, with the Pastor Kathy Graves officiating. Inurnment will be held at 3:30 p.m., in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. A gathering of friends and family will be held one hour prior to the services on Wednesday at the church.

Marjorie was born on March 1, 1930 in Northwood, the daughter of Glenn and Olga Thoen. She attended schools in Northwood and graduated in 1948. She maintained close friendships with some of her classmates throughout her life. Following graduation, Marjorie was selected to go to Washington, D.C., to be a part of a huge pool of selected young women from all over the United States to help with the massive amount of paperwork following WW II. She was there for nearly two years working in the U.S. Navy Department and the Pentagon. Upon returning to Iowa, Marjorie married George L. Wescott Jr. on September 30, 1950 in Northwood. While living there she worked at Tenold Insurance and the Worth County ASCS office. In 1958, the family moved to Milbank, South Dakota, as George’s career with Northwestern States Portland Cement Co. required the move.

In 1960, they returned to Iowa settling in Hartley, Iowa. While living in Hartley, Marjorie was very active in community events, taught Sunday School every year, belonged to several bridge clubs and raised three children, all of whom graduated from the Hartley High School. She lived in Hartley until 1989, when she moved to Mason City and lived with her daughter, Julie Nauss and family, giving them the benefit of her cooking skills and helping to raise three grandchildren while Julie worked. In 2008, Marjorie moved to the Shalom Towers II in Mason City, where she made many more friends and enjoyed many hours of cards and bingo with them. She became ill May 20 and passed away on June 4. Throughout her life she enjoyed reading, doing crosswords, playing bridge and interacting with her family.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Julie Nauss (Dave Smith) of Mason City, Kirk (Jeri) Wescott of Hartley and George Wescott III of Mason City; her sisters, Donna Stoltenberg of Mason City, Ruth Erion of Lexington Park, Maryland, Susan (Keith) Dieterich of St. Ansgar and Sandy Thoen of Mason City; her brothers, Bob (Teri) Thoen of Burke, Virginia, David (Helen) Thoen of Manly and John (Drenda) Thoen of Windsor, Colorado; her grandchildren, Katie Wescott of Spencer, Nathan Wescott serving in the U.S. Navy, Greg (Magan Haag) Nauss of Mason City and Jessica Gutierrez of Mason City; and great-grandchildren, Ethan and Timothy Wescott and Aubrie Nauss; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceding Marjorie in death were her parents; infant son, Gregory Lee Wescott in 1951; granddaughter, Jennifer Wescott in April 2002; grandson, John Nauss in May 2002; her husband, George Wescott Jr. in March 2000; and brother-in- law, Roger “Chris” Stoltenberg in June 2007.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Carrol Reisetter

June 16, 2010

Carrol Reisetter, age 88, of Northwood, died on Monday, June 7, 2010, at the NAEVE Hospital in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Memorial services were held at 1:30 p.m., on Tuesday, June 15, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellsworth, Iowa. Burial was in the Greenwood Cemetery in Ellsworth. Memorials may be sent to the Trinity Lutheran Church, Ellsworth or to the First Lutheran Church, Northwood. The Boeke Funeral Home in Radcliffe, handled the arrangements.

Carrol Burton Reisetter, was born on September 3, 1921, to Archie and Percy (Bergeson) Reisetter. Carrol grew up near Radcliffe, Iowa. He graduated from the Radcliffe High School with the Class of 1940. Carrol was a rural letter carrier for over 30 years and past president of the Iowa Rural Letter Carriers Association. Carrol served in Japan during World War II and was proud to be a participant in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., last April.

Carrol was an avid golfer, a storyteller and he loved to play cards. He and Thora enjoyed camping and spent winters in south Texas during their retirement years. Carrol was married to Thora Mae Thompson for 67 years. They were faithful members of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellsworth, Iowa, all of those years. In December 2008, they moved to Northwood, Iowa.

Carrol is survived by his wife, Thora of Northwood; sons, Tom (Doreen) from Ardmore, Oklahoma, Dick (Carolyn) from Savannah, Missouri and Bill (Susan) from Jacksonville, Florida; one daughter, Susan (Dick) Sandera from Northwood; six grandchildren; five brothers, Gene (Lois) of Grinnell and Howard (Naomi) of Story City; sisters, Phyllis Oakland of Story City and Joyce Hughes of Mitchellville; sister-in-law, Cleone Reisetter; and many nieces and nephews.

Carrol was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Don; and brother-in-law, Hank Oakland.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Betty Jane Belshan

June 16, 2010

Betty Jane Belshan, age 82, of Northwood, died on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, at the Northwood Lutheran Retirement Center.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, June 11, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Rev. Ronald Myers officiated. Interment was in the Bohemian National Cemetery. Visitation was from 5-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, June 10, at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Betty Jane Belshan, was born on December 19, 1927, in Lerdal, Freeborn County, Minnesota, the daughter of John P. and Elida (Noreen) Johnson, both recent Swedish immigrants at that time. She was baptized and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea and attended the Albert Lea High School’s class of 1945. Her first employment was as a young waitress in the Hotel Albert Coffee Shop and later at the egg drying plant. She quit her job in Albert Lea’s Wilson & Co. office to be a farm gal when she was united in marriage to Milo Belshan of Myrtle on September 5, 1948. To this marriage three children were born, Marilyn, Michael and Daniel. The couple first farmed north of Myrtle in Hayward Township. In 1956, they moved to a farm they purchased just across the corner in London Township.

Betty was a homemaker and good cook, making great dill pickles, pies and beet wine. She loved to care for the baby chicks and laying hens and was a good mid-wife at piglet furrowing, preferring that to field work. In 1984, the couple retired to an acreage southwest of Albert Lea in Pickerel Lake Township. Here they enjoyed several good years. In 2004, they moved to Northwood, more centrally located between their sons’ families. They converted this home to handicap needs as Betty had been suffering with debilitating osteoarthritis, which caused many surgeries and eventually resulted in her move into the Lutheran Retirement Home.

Betty loved music. She played piano and accordion, but her specialty was singing, which she did well. She amazed others with her recall of hundreds of songs from the 30s to the 80s. Many times in her better days she would sing for the residents at the Lutheran Home.

Survivors include her husband, Milo; children, Marilyn (Craig) Carrigan of Granada, Minnesota, Michael (Kim) Belshan of Lake Mills and Dan (Bonnie) Belshan of Myrtle, Minnesota; grandchildren, Tyrone Carrigan, Sarah (Mike) Martinson, John (Jody) VanBeek, Matt, Jason and Andrea Belshan (friend Jason Horn); great-grandchildren, Bailey, Olivia, Morgan and Tate; sister, Phyllis Nordstrom; brother, John (Sherry) Johnson; sisters and brothers-in-law, Emily Cech, Fred (Gladys) Belshan, Helen Dockwell and Alva Belshan; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins here and in Sweden.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Ellen; sisters and brothers-in-law, Louis & Alice, Ed & Helen, Tony & Doris and Shirley Belshan, Anton & Josephine and Richard Cech, Harry Dockwell and Rodney Nordstrom.

The family wishes to acknowledge and thank friends, the staff of the Northwood Retirement Home, Hospice of North Iowa and Pastor Ronald Myers for their devoted care and concern.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

David Dale Leegaard

June 16, 2010

David Dale Leegaard, 33, of rural Northwood, died on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, as a result of a motorcycle accident.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., on Monday, June 14, at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church, rural Northwood, Iowa, with Pastor Randy Baldwin officiating. Burial took place in the Silver Lake Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation was from 2-5:00 p.m., on Sunday, June 13, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills and continued one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday.

David Dale Leegaard, was born on May 27, 1977 at Loveland, Colorado, to parents, Dale James and Rose (Quade) Leegaard. He attended and graduated from the Northwood-Kensett High School in 1995. As an ASE Certified Master Technician, David owned and operated Central Auto Body in Lake Mills.

David would do anything to help his family and friends. He was a very loving fiancée, father, son, brother and friend who never had a problem expressing the love and adoration he felt for others. His fishing trips were priceless, he enjoyed time spent on his motorcycle, boating and traveling abroad. He loved his fiancée Desiree dearly, as well as her family.

He will be greatly missed by his fiancée, Desiree Miller; his daughter, Ashley Beth Leegaard; and his parents, Dale and Rosie Leegaard, all of Northwood; five siblings, Victoria (Tim) Earing of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Randy Dale (Carla) Leegaard of Emmons, Minnesota, Susan Leegaard of Northwood, Rhonda Leegaard of Ft. Collins, Colorado and Dr. John Dale Leegaard of Lake Mills; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Rodney Dale Leegaard in 2002; and his grandparents.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Merle Luverne Nelson

July 7, 2010

Merle Luverne Nelson, 88, passed away on Saturday, June 26, 2010, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

A memorial service will be held at Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home in Northwood on Saturday, July 10, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow the service in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood, followed by lunch and fellowship at Signatures Restaurant downtown Northwood. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer remembrances in Merle’s name be sent to the Lutheran Retirement Home Auxiliary, Northwood, Iowa, for those so inclined. Schroeder & Sites is in charge of the arrangements.

Merle was born on September 16, 1921 in Freeborn County, Minnesota, to Reuben and Mabel (Johnson) Nelson. He attended school in Northwood, Iowa, where he played high school football and played in the band, graduating in 1939. Following high school he attended Luther College for one term. WW II intervened where he served in the U.S. Navy, being at sea most of the time. Following his military service, his many careers included grocery store owner, bread truck route driver and construction work. His last and longest career was with the U. S. Postal Service. His final years with the Post Office involved helping many colleagues in the capacity of a Substance Abuse Counselor. Upon retiring from the Postal Service he returned home to his hometown of Northwood.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Roger and Howard; his sister, Verneal; and his life companion of many years, Ruth Ann Hilborn.

He is survived by sons, Donald of Arizona, Craig of Fairmont, Minnesota and Todd of San Diego, California; four grandchildren, Wade and Cody Nelson, both of Scottsdale, Arizona, Serena Nelson of Chico, California and Annika Nelson of San Diego, California; and six great-grandchildren all of Scottsdale, Arizona; his sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Dan Pangburn of Phoenix, Arizona; one aunt, Veona Nelson of Vacaville, California; Ruth Ann’s son, Mike and Ann Ingersoll and family; and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Merle also leaves behind many friends from a long life lived in California, Montana, Arizona, Texas, Iowa and his many visits to Alaska.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Marvin Peterson

July 7, 2010

Marvin Peterson, 64, of Kensett, died on Sunday, June 27, 2010.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, July 1, at 10:30 a.m., at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Kensett, with Rev. Linda Johnson Prestholt officiating. Burial was in the Kensett Cemetery. Visitation was held on Wednesday, June 30, from 4-7:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood and continued one hour prior to the services at the church.

Marvin was born on June 24, 1946, to Roy and Gail (Brunsvold) Peterson of Hanlontown. He attended the Hanlontown and Northwood Schools. Marvin served in the Army, was stationed in Korea and discharged in December 1967. He married JoAnn Polsdofer on August 1, 1970 in Mason City. They had two children, Mike and Kathy. Marvin worked for his brother-in-law, Arden Bergan, before starting his own excavating business in 1968. He continued to expand his business and worked until the time of his death.

Marvin was a member of the Kensett Fire Department for over 40 years, serving as fire chief for 15 years. Marvin was a Ford man at heart. He enjoyed model trains, woodworking, metal fabrication and their trips to Branson, Missouri. He enjoyed spending time with good friends, going out to eat with JoAnn and watching his grandson’s school activities. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with all the grandsons at the cabin, especially with a fishing pole in his hand. Marvin was a wonderful husband and father and a terrific grandpa.

Marvin is survived by his wife, JoAnn; his son, Mike (Julie) Peterson of Kensett; his daughter, Kathy (Tony) Buhr of Mason City; grandsons, Justin Peterson, Aaron Peterson, Adam Buhr, Isaac Buhr and Ryan Buhr; sisters, Murial Bergan of Hanlontown and Marian (Roger) Jennings of Fertile; mother-in-law, Phyllis Polsdofer of Mason City; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, Chuck Polsdofer; and brothers-in-law, Arden Bergan and John Polsdofer.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Elvira Olson

July 14, 2010

Elvira Olson, of Fairfax, died on Sunday, June 27, 2010, at the Mercy Medical Center.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, by the Rev. Dr. Kay Slocum of the First Lutheran Church. Interment was in the Fairfax Cemetery, Fairfax. A visitation was held at the Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel. The Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.

Elvira was born on May 2, 1931 in Palermo, North Dakota, to Ole and Mary Johnson. She married Russell Olson in Northwood, Iowa, on December 21, 1952. Elvira was a woman of great inner strength who was welcoming and loved to cook and entertain people in her home. She was known for her artistic and decorating abilities. She was generous, always giving people a second chance.

Her interests included bird watching and charcoal drawings. She liked to tend her flowers but most of all she loved caring for and being with her family. She made her house a home.

Elvira is survived by her husband, Russell; children, David (Nancy) Olson of Fairfax and Cindy (Tim) Kay of Eugene, Oregon; sister, Evelyn Johnson of Mason City; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers; and four sisters.
© Northwood Anchor 2010