Lanny Keith Grosland

October 20, 2010

Lanny Keith Grosland, 68, died Oct. 9, 2010, at home in Cheney (Kingman County), Kansas.

He was born Oct. 25, 1941, in Mason City, Iowa, to Carl and Arlene Grosland. He graduated of Orange City High School, Orange City, Iowa. He was a United States Air Force veteran. He was Deputy Sheriff in Worth County from 1965 -1967. He graduated from Central Missouri State University with a B.S. degree in Law Enforcement and Political Science. Lanny worked at the Warrensburg, Missouri Police Department and served 25 years with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation as a Special Agent (Retired). He graduated from the 140th session of the FBI National Academy. He was the first investigator for the Kansas Commission on Peace Officer Standard 1999-2007. He was a member of the Kansas Sheriff Association, Kansas Peace Officer Association and Pretty Prairie Saddle Club.

Lanny is survived by his wife, Jane; son, Mark (Becky), grandchildren, Jacob, Nathan and Alex of McPherson, Kan.; daughter, Jill Wehner (Jim), and grandchildren, Sofia and Joshua of Leawood, Kan.; sister, Carlene Grosland; nephews, Kyle, Casey and Kip Mussman, all of Mason City, Iowa; mother-in-law, Nora Pacey, of Northwood; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial service was held Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010 in Cheney, Kansas.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Glenn Roy Rezabek

October 20, 2010

Glenn Roy Rezabek, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010, at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, Iowa, at the age of 87.

Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010, at 10 a.m. at the Martin-Mattice Funeral Home, Ruthven, Iowa, with Rev. Roger Maize officiating of the United Methodist Church, Ruthven, Iowa. Inurnment was in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Ruthven, Iowa, with military graveside rites performed by Ruthven American Legion Post #33.

Glenn, son of James and Myrtle (Olson) Rezabek, was born February 1, 1923, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He attended grade school in Rutland and graduated from Fort Dodge High School. Following graduation, Glenn attended Fort Dodge Junior College for one year. In March 1943, Glenn was inducted into the United States Army Corps of Engineers during World War II, serving in the European and Pacific Theaters. He was honorably discharged in March 1946. Glenn was united in marriage to Lois LeClair.

He was employed in the telephone business in Ruthven for nine years. Glenn entered a partnership with Gus Probst, operating a retail business selling appliances and doing television and radio repair in Ruthven. He moved to Slater, Iowa, where he worked for two years in the telephone business. Glenn then returned to college at Buena Vista and graduated with a teaching degree. Glenn taught chemistry and physics at Northwood High School for 30 years before retiring. Glenn retuned to Palo Alto County after Lois’ death and enjoyed being closer to his brother and sister. Glenn most recently lived in the assisted living apartments in Ruthven.

Glenn was very active in the United Methodist Church in Northwood, serving on the financial board. He attended the First United Methodist Church in Emmetsburg after moving here. Glenn enjoyed gardening and took great pride in his gardens. He truly loved education and teaching his students at Northwood.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and his sister, Marian Meng. 

He is survived by his brother, Charles Rezabek, and his wife, Rita of Emmetsburg, Iowa; nieces and nephews; as well as other relatives and many friends. Arrangements were made by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home of Emmetsburg, Iowa.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Benjamin Sterling Redman

October 20, 2010

Benjamin Sterling Redman, 45, of Scottsdale, Ariz., passed away on October 13, 2010.

A Celebration of Life Service was held at La Casa De Cristo Lutheran Church on Monday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m. Ben’s magnificent life was interrupted and cut short by a rare sarcoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor cancer, which he fought bravely to overcome for the past four years.

Ben was born Dec. 20, 1964 in Leon, Iowa. He earned an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University in 1988 and a Master of Business Administration degree in 1994 from Arizona State University. Ben served in the Air National Guard of Iowa and Arizona, leaving the military with a rank of Captain in 2006. Ben worked for KB Home, Del Webb and Pulte Homes, where he was able to use his creativity in land development and intellect and leadership gifts in management. Ben most enjoyed the years with Del Webb planning and developing a family friendly master planned community in Arizona called Anthem by Del Webb. Before his illness forced his early retirement in 2009, he served as Arizona Division President for KB Home.

Ben was passionate about his family, his wife, Kari, and three children, McKenzie, Casey and Gage, and the rock band KISS. He was a devoted husband, father and fan who always placed family first. He was a loyal and loving son, brother, son-in-law and friend to many people. Ben also loved his hobbies, music and sports and his guitar collection. He taught himself to play guitar, write music and sing. He loved the energy he felt playing and creating music with his band mates. Rock and Roll was his music of choice but he saw the beauty and meaning in all genres. He enjoyed watching, coaching and playing sports and favored the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals in football.

Ben was preceded in death by his grandparents, Louise and Clifton Redman and John and Ethel Burrell.

Ben’s legacy will live on through his wife and three children; his parents and in-laws, Sharon and Larry Long and Suzanne and Jerry Olson; sister, Christine Hayes, and her family; and the thousands of people he touched during his life. They will miss him dearly.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Shirley Lois Johnson

October 27, 2010

Shirley Lois Johnson passed away Saturday, October 16, 2010.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 21, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Aurora, Colo., with Rev. Inga Oyan Longbrake officiating. Burial will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colo. Arrangements were made by Dignity Memorial.

Shirley Lois Johnson was born on April 14, 1928, in Forest City, Iowa. She lived with her parents, Frank J. and Emma Helvick, and was raised with eight brothers and sisters on a farm in rural Winnebago County. She attended her first eight years of education in a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Forest City High School. Shirley also attended Hamilton School of Business in Mason City, Iowa, and then worked in the insurance industry. Shirley married Wallace E. Johnson of Northwood, Iowa, on June 13, 1948, at which time they moved to Ames, Iowa, while Wally finished his education at Iowa State University. Wally and Shirley farmed for a short time in Worth County then moved to Northwood, Iowa, to begin their career in real estate management and sales. Shirley and Wally's son Tom was born in 1950 and daughter Sue was born in 1956, both in Mason City.

In 1961 the family relocated to Aurora (Denver), Colorado, to continue in residential real estate. In 1963 Shirley and Wally opened their own real estate office in Aurora. Shirley was very instrumental in the start-up of the office, bookkeeping for the management side of the business, as well as some residential sales. The office operated for 20-plus years, at which time the operation was sold to daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Jay Bergan. Shirley retired at that time.

Shirley was a wonderful mother for Tom and Sue, and performed many of the office duties at home so she could always be there for the family. She enjoyed garage sales and antique scouting, crafts and glass cutting, as well as travel, bridge clubs, country drives and picnics.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Wally of Aurora; children, Tom (Liz) Johnson and Sue (Jay) Bergan; and two granddaughters, Jennifer Johnson and Jena Bergan and two grandsons, Matt Johnson and Cody Bergan.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Ernest E. Walser

November 3, 2010

Ernest E. Walser, 90, of Northwood, died Tuesday, October 26, 2010, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 29, 2010, at the Northwood United Methodist Church, with Rev. Wendi Gillan officiating. The burial was in Sunset Rest Cemetery. Visitation was held Thursday evening from 4-7 p.m. at Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home, Highway 65 South in Northwood.

Ernest was born on March 6, 1920, in Northwood to Peter and Emma (Stehn) Walser. He graduated from Northwood High School in May 1938. His passion was farming, which he did all of his life. He married Frances Culbertson on February 28, 1948, at Deer Creek Lutheran Church in Carpenter.

He enjoyed traveling to all 50 states, Canada, several countries abroad and he especially enjoyed his 35 winters spent in Arizona. He was a member of the Northwood United Methodist Church and served on several church committees over the years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Walser, parents and brother, Arthur.

Ernest's greatest joy was his family, including his two children, Dennis and wife Barbara Walser of Northwood, and Debra and husband Ronald Reuvers of Northwood; four grandchildren, Chad and wife Valerie Walser of Gill, Colo., Tracie Walser of Marina del Ray, Calif., Teresa and husband Josh Bjork of Madrid, Iowa, and Kristi and husband Todd Steinkamp of Marshalltown, Iowa; three step-grandchildren, Jennifer and husband Chris Bengston of Sioux City, Nebr., Jon and wife Dawn Reuvers of Vermillion, S.D., and Johanna Reuvers of Sioux Falls, S.D.; one great-grandchild, Caitlin Walser Deuel of Princeton, Minn.; two step-great-grandchildren, Kade and Taylor Reuvers of Vermillion, S.D.; sister, Ruth Martin of Mason City; sister-in-law, June (Chuck) Low; and nieces and friends.

Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home in Northwood was in charge of the arrangements.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Dana Kay Atkinson

November 3, 2010

Dana Kay Atkinson, 63, died Thursday, October 28, 2010, at her home in Northwood, Iowa.

A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, November 6, at 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mason City, Iowa.

Dana was born June 5, 1947, in Rapid City, South Dakota, to Dale A. and Viva M. (Banta) Wallace. She lived in various states as a child and graduated from Lincoln Northeast High School in Lincoln, Nebraska. As an adult she was well traveled and had a passion for life and her family. One of her favorite pastimes was to take long rides with her husband Wayne in their Model T Ford. They also enjoyed spending time together restoring antique cars. She was an active member of her church and served with Wayne as missionaries in the Czech Republic before moving to Northwood.

She is survived by her husband, Wayne Atkinson of Northwood; son, Chad (Elizabeth) Anderson of Richfield, Minn.; daughter, Tiffany (B.J.) McCarty of Chicago, Ill..; one granddaughter, Paige Brewer, also of Chicago; brother, Brooke (Linda) Wallace, Denver, Colo.; sisters, Joan Jacobsen, Murray, Utah, and Valerie (Arlen) Throne, Ames, Iowa.
© Northwood Anchor 2010

Donald A. Burgess

November 10, 2010

Donald A. Burgess, 98, of Marion, formerly of Northwood, Iowa, died Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010, at Heritage Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Cedar Rapids.

Private family memorial services will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation. Internment will be at Dunkard Cemetery, Toddville. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion is in charge of arrangements. Memorials should be directed to the Living Water United Methodist Church Food Bank in Don's memory.

Don was born Dec. 29, 1911, in Linn County, Iowa, the son of Norman and Georgia (Springer) Burgess. He graduated from Cedar Rapids Washington High School in 1930. On Nov. 25, 1937, Don was united in marriage to Reva M. Morlan at Church of the Brethren in Unionville, Iowa. Don partially owned and operated Burgess & Edwards Printing Company in Cedar Rapids. In 1958, he purchased the Coast-to-Coast store in Northwood, Iowa, where he worked until retiring in 1977.

Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Reva; four children, Barbara (Robert) Vavra of Marion, Janet (Lon) Chappell of Nevis, Minn., Kent (Carol Herbert) Burgess of Victor, Colo., and Donald (Mary) Burgess of Scottsdale, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a great-grandchild. 
© Northwood Anchor 2010