Helen Margaret Huus

February 9, 2011

Helen Margaret Huus, was born on November 1, 1913 in Northwood, Iowa, the daughter of Jacob Haaverson and Mary Belle (Tiffany) Huus. She died on Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at the San Juan Rehab and Care Center in Anacortes, Washington.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, February 9, at the Anacortes Lutheran Church, with interment in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, in Northwood. Arrangements are in the care of the Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, Washington and the San Juan Islands. In lieu of flowers, please remember a favorite charity.

After high school graduation as valedictorian in 1932, she attended the University of Northern Iowa, interspersing teaching in a one-room rural school. In 1940, Helen received her BA degree, magna cum laude. Helen then attended the University of Chicago, receiving her Master’s in 1941, and her PhD in 1944, majoring in Teacher Education and Reading. She was the research assistant to Dr. Williams S. Gray, the noted reading authority and author of the “Dick and Jane” reading series. During World War II, Helen enlisted in the WAVES, commissioned as an Ensign, and commanded the Educational Services Office in Washington, D.C. She stayed in the Naval Reserve, retiring as a Commander, USNR, in 1973.

Helen’s professional career included teaching for two years at Wayne State University, 20 years at the University of Pennsylvania and 11 years at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. A Fulbright Research Scholarship to Norway allowed Helen to spend the 1950-1951 academic year studying their schools and resulted in a book, "The Education of Children and Youth in Norway." She also authored many other publications, journals and articles for the elementary grades. After retirement she wrote and implemented a curriculum in literature for the elementary grades for the State of Missouri.

Her travels included 15 trips to Norway, two trips around the world, every US state and Canadian province, plus tours to Russia, Israel, China, Central America and South America. Helen was also a member of the Helen Hinman Dwelle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Clara Cartmell.

She is survived by her sister, Ada Huus of Anacortes; and her nephews and their families, James and Richard Cartmell, along with other relatives and friends.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Geneva Lucille (Torgerson) Hove

March 2, 2011

Geneva Lucille (Torgerson) Hove, 92, of St. Louis, Missouri and formerly of Northwood, died on Monday, February 21, 2011, at the Bethesda Dilworth Nursing Home in St. Louis, Missouri.

A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., on Friday, February 25, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood, with Pastor Linda Johnson Prestholt officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in the Brush Point Cemetery, rural Hanlontown. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service time on Friday at the chapel.

Geneva Lucille (Torgerson) Hove, was born on July 19, 1918 in Hanlontown, the daughter of Olaf and Christena (Thorson) Torgerson. Geneva graduated from the Northwood High School in 1936. In 1939, Geneva, with friend Elsie Lein, opened the Paramount Café. Geneva’s mother, Christena Torgerson and sister, Mildred (Torgerson) Johnsrud, worked alongside Genny and Elsie to make the Paramount a popular place to eat in Northwood. Genny was united in marriage to Rueben M. Hove in 1942, in Northwood and traveled with Rueben to various military bases from Colorado to Mississippi until Rueben was sent to Pearl Harbor. Genny lived much of her adult life in St. Paul, Minnesota, with Rueben, JoAnn and Susan. Her mother came to live with Genny in 1952; she stayed with them until her death in November 1966.

In her earlier years, Genny enjoyed going to dances. In 1998, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Genny moved to St. Louis, Missouri, to live with her oldest daughter, JoAnn, and her family. There she was able to enjoy her grandson and great-granddaughters. Susan, daughter, joined the family in St. Louis in 1999. In January 2002, Genny moved to Bethesda Dilworth Nursing Home in St. Louis. Genny remained there until her death on Monday, February 21, 2011.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, JoAnn (Hove) (Melvin J.) Sanden of St. Louis, Missouri and Susan (Hove) Franson of Ballwin, Missouri; grandson, Steven M. (Nicki) Sanden of Eureka, Missouri; great-granddaughters, Madison, Lauren and Claire Sanden, all of Eureka, Missouri; niece, Katy (Johnsrud) (Allen) Jaspers of Northwood; nephew, Bobby J. (Shirley) Johnsrud of Huntington Beach, California; and other extended family members and friends.

Geneva was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Mildred Johnsrud; and brother-in-law, Bob Johnsrud.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Harriet Willand

March 2, 2011

Harriet Willand, 65, of Northwood, Iowa died on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at the Hospice of North Iowa, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, February 25, 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 held on Thursday evening, from 5-8:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood.

Harriet Ann Peterson, was born on August 29, 1945 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to Henry and Alice (Christian) Peterson of Scarville, Iowa. She attended school and graduated from the Lake Mills High School in 1963. She then attended the Austin Area Vocational School (now Riverland College), Austin, Minnesota, where she was certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse upon graduation. She was united in marriage to Warren Willand on April 25, 1964, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Scarville, Iowa and from this union three children were born. For 41 years she worked as a nurse, the last seven years at the Mercy Medical Clinic, Northwood. In addition to her career, she served as a caregiver to her immediate and extended family. Countless sutures, fractures, illnesses and hospitalizations were treated under her guidance.

Harriet was fond of traveling, her eight grandkids, reading books on her Kindle, playing organ and piano, fishing and reading in a boat at the same time. Also, she was a collector of many angel figurines. She was known for her many years of organ playing at the First Lutheran Church and surrounding area churches.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents; father-in-law, Walter Willand; brother, Harlan Peterson; sister-in-law, Joyce Willand; and nephew, Ryan Peterson.

The family members who were graced by her life were Warren Willand (husband of 46 years); her three children, Wesley and his wife, Linda and their children, Walter and Elizabeth, Sara and her husband, Steve and their children, Spencer, Skyler, Sawyer and Sage and Dan and his wife, Jennifer and their children, Ian and Alex; mother-in-law, Ellnora Willand; brother, Homer Peterson and his wife, Penny; along with Wayne Willand and his wife, Beverly; brother-in-law, Ward Willand and his wife Emilie; and Linda Peterson, sister-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

The family requests memorials are made to the Hospice of North Iowa.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Nora O. Peterson

March 2, 2011

Nora O. Peterson, age 96, of Lake Mills, formerly of Northwood, died on Sunday, February 27, 2011, at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, March 3, at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church, rural Northwood, with Pastor Randy Baldwin officiating. Burial will be in the Silver Lake Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 2, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday.

Nora Olina (Holstad) Peterson was born on October 2, 1914, north of Leland in Winnebago County, Iowa, to parents Knut and Marie (Johnson) Holstad. She was baptized at the North Prairie Lutheran Church and was confirmed at the Center Lutheran Church. Nora attended country school in Winnebago County. On September 10, 1939, Nora was united in marriage with Elton Peterson at the Immanuel Lutheran Church Parsonage by Rev. Justin A. Peterson. To this union two sons were born, Larry and Harlan. The couple farmed in rural Northwood for 54 years prior to moving into Northwood and later to Lake Mills.

Nora was a homemaker who loved to garden, bake, sew and quilt. She and Elton wintered in Texas where they enjoyed dancing, especially the Texas waltz. Nora had been a member of the Bristol Lutheran Church and later became a member of Silver Lake Lutheran, where she was the eldest woman member at the time of her passing.

She is survived by her two sons, Larry (Patty) Peterson and Harlan (Sharon) Peterson, all of Des Moines, Iowa; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Martha Peterson of Lake Mills and Agnes Jensen of Grand Meadow, Minnesota; a sister-in-law, Nina Peterson of Lake Mills; and many nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.

Nora was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elton in 2009; a great-grandson, Blake Peterson; and nine siblings, Andrina Flugum, Christina Flugum, Bella Helvig, Joe Holstad, Mabel Bolsinger, Carl Holstad, Manda Brue, Cora Brue and Hazel Holstad.
© Northwood Anchor 2011