Arthur M. Amundson, Jr.

May 4, 2011

Arthur “Art” Melvin Amundson, Jr., 77, of Northwood, died on Sunday, May 1, 2011, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, May 5, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Pastor Karen Rossing Grandall officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Valley Township Cemetery, rural Swaledale, with military graveside honors. Visitation will be from 4-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service time on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the First Lutheran Church in Northwood, or to a charity of one’s choice in his memory.

Arthur Melvin Amundson, Jr., was born on September 2, 1933 in Thornton, Iowa, the son of Arthur Amundson, Sr. and Katherine (Peters) Amundson. Art was baptized in Thornton and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in Swea City. He was educated in the North Iowa schools, graduating from the Estherville High School in 1951. He also attended Estherville Junior College and graduated from the University of Iowa with a business degree in 1957. He was inducted into the Army on August 11, 1953, in Estherville and was stationed in Austria as a radio operator, serving his country honorably and faithfully until his discharge on June 9, 1955, at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois. After his honorable discharge, he worked as a salesman for JC Penney Company in Mason City and as a produce manager for grocery stores in several Iowa and Minnesota communities. His career also included many years with the Worth County Co-Op Oil Company in Northwood, until his retirement in 1995.

He was united in marriage to Nancy Deming on August 22, 1965, in Oakland, California and to this union four children were born, Chamaine, Erik, Eileen and Heather. Art and Nancy were married for 45 ½ years.

Art enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking, collecting LP records, listening to music, following his children’s school activities when they were younger and presently the grandchildren’s activities. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood and enjoyed serving as a reader and greeter at the church.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Nancy Amundson of Northwood; his beloved children and grandchildren, Chamaine and husband, Loren, Reid and Brycen Snell of Cedar Rapids, Erik Amundson and his wife, Callie Chenault and Sam and Sophia of St. Paul, Minnesota, Eileen Amundson and Evelyn and Megan Ocel of Northwood and Heather and her husband, Jacob and Max and Gwen Musich of St. Paul, Minnesota. Art will also be missed and fondly remembered by nieces, nephews and cousins from the Peters, Amundson and Kruggel families. Also left to cherish his memory are his sisters-in-law, Carole and her husband, Larry Harstad of Sun City, Arizona and Judy and her husband, William Burton, Joan and her husband, Steve Combs, all of San Angelo, Texas and Gea Amundson of Evergreen, Colorado; as well as many friends.

Art was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donnie Amundson; and his mother and father-in law, Gerry and Bill Deming.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Ilyce Stumo

May 11, 2011

Ilyce Pauline Stumo, 75, of Northwood, died on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, May 6, at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church, Kensett, with Reverend Tom Martin officiating. Inurnment was in the Elk Creek Lutheran Cemetery, rural Kensett. Visitation was held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood. Visitation was also held one hour prior to the service time on Friday at the church. Those wishing to give a memorial in her name may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, in her memory.

Ilyce Pauline Stumo, was born on August 12, 1935 in Mason City, the daughter of Paul and Irene (Domholdt) Nelson. Ilyce was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church, rural Kensett. Ilyce attended the Kensett community schools and graduated in 1953. She was united in marriage to Gene Stumo on November 19, 1955, at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church and to this union three children were born, Scott, Dan and Donavon. Gene preceded Ilyce in death on February 12, 2005. Ilyce worked for Carroll George in Northwood from 1966 until 1967, before working for Worth Mutual Insurance Company in Northwood from 1968 until 1975. In 1976, Ilyce began her career as office manager for the Worth County Assessor’s office in Northwood until her retirement in 2001. After her retirement Ilyce was the hostess for the Conner Colonial Chapel in Northwood.

Ilyce enjoyed reading, gardening, shopping, traveling, going for rides in the evening with Gene and loved and enjoyed her family. Ilyce was a member of the Elk Creek Lutheran Church, Neighborhood Circle, Sorosis Club of Northwood, Our Buddies VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Northwood and the 3M Circle.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Scott (Chloe Ann) Stumo, Dan Stumo and Donavon Stumo, all of Northwood; five grandchildren, Jessica Beyer of Truman, Minnesota, Jaime (Carl) Wolert of Putnam Valley, New York, Keith Stumo of Hudson, Iowa and Shelby and Kyle Stumo of Northwood; her sister, Ann (Tom) Baker of Minnetonka, Minnesota; brothers and sisters-in-law, Helen Olness and her husband, Reverend Roger Olness of Benson, Minnesota, David (Clarice) Stumo of Paynesville, Minnesota and Charles (Mary) Stumo of Northwood; and several nieces, nephews and many other extended family members and friends.

Ilyce was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Gene.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Anita Rustad

May 11, 2011

Anita Joan Rustad, 79, of St. Ansgar, died on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, May 7, at the First Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar, with the Rev. Robert Porisch officiating and burial in the First Lutheran Cemetery following the service. Visitation was held on Friday, from 5–7:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home in St. Ansgar.

Anita was born on February 17, 1932, to Clifford and Marie (Mehus) Thorson. Anita spent her entire life in the St. Ansgar area, graduating from the St. Ansgar High School in 1950. Anita married her high school sweetheart, Robert Rustad on October 21, 1951. This October would have been their 60th anniversary. To this union, six children were born. A busy mother and farm wife, she devoted her life to raising her children and helping on the farm. When her own children were grown, Anita became a day care provider for many of the area youth.

Anita was a lifelong member of the First Lutheran Church, where she was baptized, confirmed and married. She enjoyed singing in the choir, quilting, doing crafts and playing cards. One of her greatest joys was watching her children and grandchildren participate in their numerous activities. Anita rarely missed a school concert or sporting event from the 1970s until just before her death. In 1996, Anita suffered from a renal disease, which left her requiring lifelong dialysis. She was a fighter, spending 14 and half years on dialysis, the longest for any patient of the Mason City Mercy Dialysis Center.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Robert; her children, Deb and her husband, Dan Freeman of St. Ansgar, Dennis and his wife, Michelle of Des Moines, Duane and his wife, Patti of Grafton, Dave and his wife, Cindy of St. Ansgar and Deanna Rustad of Waterloo; grandchildren, Jon (Tracy) Heimer, Joe (Sam), Danielle and Rachel Freeman, Bayley, Violet and Opal Rustad, Aaron, Megan, Taylor and Klay Rustad, Jamie Rustad, Mandi (Casey) Graham and Tyce Rustad; great-grandchildren, Shelby, Zach and Ashley Heimer and Drew Freeman; step-grand­children, Jeff (Bobbi), James Freeman and Jennifer (Kevin) Tucke; step-great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Jessie Jo Freeman and Coryssa, Makaya and Brayden Tucke; sisters, Delores Feldt and Arlene (Rudy) Tesch; sister-in-law, Cleo (Ray) Kolpin; and three nieces and three nephews.

Anita was preceded in death by her parents; mother and father in-law; and infant daughter, Gloria.

Memorials may be given to the First Lutheran Church Building Fund or to the St. Ansgar Booster Club.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Ardis Lucille Sorenson

May 18, 2011

Ardis Lucille Sorenson, 71, of Thornton, Colorado, formerly of Northwood, passed away at her home on Thursday, May 5, 2011.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, May 27, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Rev. Karen Grandall officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood.

Ardis was born to Alfred and Alice (Alertson) Hanson of Northwood, Iowa on August 4, 1939 in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She attended the Northwood High School where she graduated and went on to receive an Associate of Arts from Waldorf College, in Forest City. Ardis worked at the North Valley Bank in Thornton, Colorado, for over 24 years and was also a parish worker at Trinity Lutheran in Albert Lea, Minnesota, and St. Matthew Lutheran in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was also an active member at the Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Broomfield, Colorado.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and aunts, uncles and a niece.

She is survived by her loving husband, Carroll Sorenson, whom she married on July 15, 1962, at the First Lutheran Church, in Northwood; her children, Debra (Bill) Asiano, David (Jan) Sorenson, Darin Sorenson and Daniel Sorenson; and grandchildren, Evan Asiano, Jackson Sorenson and Kayden Sorenson; and many other relatives and friends.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Kadyn Jade Halverson

May 18, 2011

Kadyn Jade Halverson, 7, of Kensett, Iowa, died on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, from a tragic accident.

A funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, May 14, at the Bethel United Methodist Church, in Manly, with Pastor Don Preston officiating. Interment was in the Kensett Cemetery. Visitation was held on Friday from 4-8:00 p.m., at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood and then one hour before the service on Saturday at the church. The family suggests memorials to the Kadyn Jade Halverson memorial fund.

Kadyn was born on September 21, 2003 in Phoenix, Arizona, the daughter of Matthew M. Kellogg and Kari L. Halverson. Kadyn was presently attending the Northwood-Kensett Elementary School, where she was a student in the first grade. Kadyn enjoyed listening to music (Black Eyed Peas and Hannah Montana), watching TV (especially Sponge Bob and I Carly), playing softball and soccer, camping, fishing, roller skating, bowling, swimming, attending school, bicycling and loved flowers. Kadyn loved playing with her brother Kyler and her many cousins. Kadyn was an extremely loving and caring little girl, bringing smiles and joy to all.

Kadyn is survived by her mother, Kari Halverson and stepfather, Ryan Meyer of Kensett; father, Matt Kellogg and stepmother, Mandy Smith of New Hampton; brother, Kyler Meyer of Kensett; maternal grandparents, Ladeena Halverson of Phoenix, Arizona, Ken Halverson (Becky Mast) from Benson, Minnesota and Dennis and Kathy Meyer of Northwood; paternal grandparents, Randy and Barb Kellogg of New Hampton and Melony Smith of Elma; maternal great-grandparents, Thelma Winterhalt of Yuma, Arizona, Mickey & Marilyn Halverson of Geneseo, Illinois, Dale and Shirley Meyer of Kensett, Vern & Floris Yezek of Manly and Delores Jaeger of Benson, Minnesota; paternal great-grandparents, Marvin and Thelma Kellogg of Charles City, Marvin and Marilyn Njus of New Hampton, Dennis and Wanda Meyer of Elma and Joe and Jeanne Smith of Jerico, Iowa; and aunts and uncles, Brandi Halverson (Jesse Boles), Laine Halverson (Recco Barlow), Heather (Brian) Tank, Kristen Meyer, Travis and Tori Meyer, Jamie Smith, Mitchel Smith, Josh Smith and Lee Smith; and also many great aunts and uncles, cousins and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by an uncle, Benjamin Mast; grandfather, Mike Smith; great-grandpa and grandma Bray; great-grandpa, Floyd Willis; and great-aunt, Dorothy Kellogg.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Raymond J. Ihnen

May 18, 2011

Raymond J. Ihnen, 85, of Northwood, died on Sunday, May 15, 2011, in the Hospice Unit at the Lutheran Retirement Home, Northwood, with his wife of 63 years at his side.

His body has been cremated per his wishes. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, May 23, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Rev. Karen Grandall officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Sunday, at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home in Northwood.

Raymond J. Ihnen, was born on February 3, 1926, to Tjark and Irene (Dirks) Ihnen of Palmer, Iowa. He attended and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He attended school in Palmer, where he graduated from high school. After graduating high school, Raymond attended Wartburg College, where he obtained his BA Degree in Business with teaching emphasis. This college education was interrupted by WW II when he served in the Navy in the Pacific theater. He later went on to obtain his Master’s Degree in Business from the Mankato State University.

Raymond was united in marriage to Mary Ellen (Harris) Ihnen on August 29, 1948 in Charles City, Iowa. To this union five children were born, Jeffrey, Bryan, Stephanie, Kerry and Joel. Raymond began his teaching career in Manilla, Iowa, where he taught high school business courses for three years. He was also a coaching assistant in football and basketball. From there he went on to teach high school in Burt, Iowa, for nine years as well as being a coach for high school football, high school boys and girls basketball and boys baseball. He next taught in Sutherland, Iowa, for three years with coaching duties of assistant high school football and head coach of junior high boys’ basketball. His last teaching job took him to Northwood, where he taught for 24 years. Here he also did football scouting as well as coaching high school boy’s baseball, high school girls’ softball and track and junior high girl’s basketball. Raymond retired from teaching in 1987. Raymond was also involved in summer youth baseball, coaching Midgets, Peewee’s and coach pitch/T-ball.

He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood, serving on the church council as well as serving as president of the church council. He later served as one of the regular money counters for offerings. He served as treasurer for the Meals on Wheels program in Northwood. His hobbies included fishing, camping, traveling and attending his children’s and grandchildren many activities. Anyone who knew Raymond also knew that he was very involved in baseball, being an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He thoroughly enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as his dog Rascal.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Raymond is survived by his wife, Mary of Northwood; children, Jeffrey (Marcia) of Arlington, Virginia, Bryan (Karen) of Des Moines, Kerry (Joan) of Streator, Illinois, Joel (Jean) of Princeton, Minnesota and Stephanie (Butch) Perkins of Northwood; sister, Edna (Eldon) Arends of Wayzata, Minnesota; grandchildren, Andrew and Joel Ihnen, Tiffany Ihnen, Nathan (Jessica) Ihnen, Zeb Ihnen, Naomi (Dan) Schutz, Jacob (Jessica) Gentz and Julia Ihnen; great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Hunter Ihnen, Jace and Olivia Gentz and Aydan Schutz; and nephew, Jon (Jenni) Arends of Minnetrista, Minnesota.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Olga Kathleen Dahl

May 25, 2011

Olga Kathleen (Kaasa) Dahl, 88, of Manly, died on Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at the Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, May 21, at the Bethany Lutheran Church, Kensett, with Pastor Linda Johnson Prestholt officiating. Burial was in the Kensett Cemetery. Visitation was from 4-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Bride Colonial Chapel, Manly. Visitation was also held one hour prior to the service time on Saturday at the church. Olga's family would like to suggest that those wishing to give a memorial in her memory may wish to consider the Bethany Lutheran Church in Kensett or Hospice of North Iowa.

Olga Kathleen (Kaasa) Dahl, was born on April 29, 1923 in rural Lake Mills, the daughter of Oscar and Inger (Sorbo) Kaasa. She was baptized and reaffirmed the faith of her baptism through confirmation in the Sion Lutheran Church, rural Northwood. Olga attended rural Lake Mills School and graduated from the Lake Mills High School. After completing her schooling, Olga worked at the American Gas Company in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She was united in marriage to Palmer Dahl on August 20, 1944, at the Sion Lutheran Church, rural Northwood. After their marriage, together they farmed in rural Manly. Olga was a very devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

Olga loved to cook, family gatherings, canning and baking, but her great love and enjoyment was her family and spending time with them. Olga was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Kensett and the Martha Circle.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Palmer Dahl of Manly; two children, Dennis (Yolanda) Dahl of Manly and Patricia (Paul) Formo of Mason City; three grandchildren, Kristin (Chadd) Price of Livonia, Minnesota, Daniel (Jennifer) Formo of Blair, Nebraska and Kelsey Dahl of Minneapolis, Minnesota; two step-grandchildren, Lanie (Joseph) Spence of Waterloo and John (Angela) Mensink of Lake St. Louis, Missouri; two sisters, Norene Rod of Mason City and Ina Misel of Lake Mills; as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Olga was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers-in-law, Herbert Rod and Dean Misel; and a close family friend for many years, Tony Knutson.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Dennis Sutton

May 25, 2011

Dennis Sutton, formerly of Kensett, Iowa, passed away on Friday, May 20, 2011, in the evening at 10:30 p.m., at his home in Los Cruces, New Mexico.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Thomas E. Richardson

June 1, 2011

Thomas Earl Richardson, 68, of Muscatine, Iowa, formerly of Northwood, went home to be with his Lord and Savior and to attend his heavenly family reunion on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at the University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa, after a brief illness.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., today (Wednesday), June 1, in the Silver Lake Lutheran Cemetery, rural Northwood, with Pastor Randy Baldwin officiating. Military honors will be conducted by members of the Our Buddies VFW Memorial Post #6779 of Northwood. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service time today (Wednesday) at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood. Conner Colonial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

The son of Harry John and Jeannie Leola (Phillips) Richardson, he was born on March 30, 1943 in Muscatine, Iowa. His marriage to his wife Wilma Ann Mollenhauer took place on September 3, 1988 in Muscatine, Iowa. Wilma preceded him in death on December 14, 2005. Thomas was inducted into the United States Army on November 18, 1964, in Des Moines and served his country honorably and faithfully during the Vietnam War as a military police officer. He was stationed in Spangdahlen, Germany, and was honorably discharged on October 28, 1966, at which time he returned to his home in Letts, Iowa, after completing 18 months of service. He was a professional fence builder, a trade that he had learned from his father.

He loved spending time with his family and friends, reading, fishing, hunting for mushrooms and arrowheads and playing euchre.

Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Cindy and husband, Randy Matejcek of Brainerd, Minnesota; three sons, David Wendt of Faribault, Minnesota, Steve Allison of Northwood and Paul and Mary Allison of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert and Carol of Morning Sun, Iowa; one sister, Beth and Joe Foster of Winfield, Iowa; 11 nieces and nephews; 20 great-nieces and nephews; one very special friend and cousin, Anita Titus of Muscatine, Iowa; and his selfless and wonderful caregiver, Stacy Day, also of Muscatine, Iowa; as well as many extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and two sisters, Patsy Fuson and Barbara Richardson, who died in infancy.
© Northwood Anchor 2011