Dorothy Agnes Helgeland

September 7, 2011

Dorothy Agnes Helgeland, 98, of Northwood, died on Friday, September 2, 2011, at the Heritage Care Center, Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 7, at 2:00 p.m., at the Northwood United Methodist Church, with Rev. Wendi Gillan officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood.

Dorothy Agnes Wright, was born on December 24, 1912, to Edward and Julia (Mitchell) Wright in Spokane, Washington. The family moved back to Northwood when she was a small child. After graduating from the Northwood High School, Dorothy was the bookkeeper for her father at the International Harvester Dealership. In 1937, she married Elmer Helgeland and they farmed west of Northwood until 1942 when they moved east of Northwood to farm until their retirement in 1967.

Dorothy enjoyed gardening, sewing, traveling, card clubs and her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; her parents; her daughter, Janice Jones; brother, Donald Wright; sister, Margaret Schaub; daughter-in-law, Sheila; sister-in-law, Edith Wright; brother-in-law, Robert Helgeland; and a still­born great-grandchild.

Dorothy is survived by a son, Keith Helgeland of Arvada, Colorado; granddaughters, Angela (Mike) Wilkins of Northwood, Sarah (Tim) Carpenter of Arvada, Colorado and Kirsten (Rodney) Morton of Arvada, Colorado; four great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Gladys Bogue of Manly, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Mildred B. Harris
February 18, 1918-September 5, 2011

Mildred Beatrice Harris, 93, of Northwood, died on Monday, September 5, 2011, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, September 8, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Pastor Karen Rossing Grandall officiating. Inurnment will be in the South Shell Rock Cemetery, rural Northwood. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service time on Thursday at the church. According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. The Conner Colonial Chapel of Northwood, is in charge of the arrangements.

Mildred Beatrice Harris, was born on February 18, 1918 in Northwood, the daughter of Lars and Anna (Numedal) Butler. Mildred was baptized and confirmed in the North Shell Rock Lutheran Church, rural Northwood. After graduating from the Northwood High School in 1935, Mildred taught in rural country school for six years. She was united in marriage to Don Harris on July 23, 1953 in Wyoming. Don preceded her in death on May 15, 1998. Mildred worked for Olson Electric, the Northwood drive inn, as a cook at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood and also was a cook for the Northwood-Kensett Community School from 1969 until her retirement in 1983.

Mildred had a heart of gold, and was a very giving person. Mildred also enjoyed golfing, bowling, ceramics and bingo. Mildred was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood, Our Buddies VFW Memorial Post #6779 Ladies Auxiliary and playing bingo.

Those left to cherish her memory are her nieces and nephews, Harlan (Barb) Helgeson of Northwood, Joanne Moretz of Northwood, David (Marge) Tenold of Northwood, LouAnn (Ted) Mattick of Kiester, Minnesota, Marjorie (Robert) Hengesteg of Northwood, Lynn (Mindy) Tenold of Northwood and Mary Ellen Ihnen of Northwood; as well as many other extended family members and friends.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don; sisters, Evelyn Helgeson, Arlene Tenold and Opal Tenold.
© Connor Colonial Chapel 2011

Clair Patterson

September 14, 2011

Clair Eugene Patterson, 65, of Northwood, passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2011, at the Hospice of North Iowa. Clair was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his death.

Visitation was held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, September 13, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday September 14, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Lunch will be served at the church following the burial.

Clair was born on February 8, 1946 in Mason City, Iowa, to Robert and Geneva (Brazel) Patterson. Clair was born as the fourth of five brothers. He attended school and graduated from the Northwood-Kensett High School class of 1964. Following high school, Clair attended NIACC and received his AA Degree. Clair was united in marriage to the love of his life, Rebecca Ann Barnes, on September 15, 1972, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mason City. To this union, a son, Michael and a daughter, Janna were born. Clair spent the majority of his working years employed by Randall Transit/Falkstone in Northwood. There, he worked for 27 years and reluctantly retired in the fall of 2010 due to his deteriorating health.

Clair was loved and cherished by his family and multitude of friends. He was always the person friends and family could call on for a helping hand. Clair epitomized all that is good about small town friendships. Clair was an avid sportsman, spending the years hunting pheasants, deer and later in life he mastered the luck of turkey hunting. He enjoyed sitting for hours waiting out the elusive gobbler. Fishing was his passion that was only limited by time and resources. He counted the days to his annual trip to Lac Seul, Ontario, Canada, with his fishing buddies and son. Here, they were graced by fertile waters of plentiful walleyes. His buddies even named an island after him the year he caught the big walleye of the trip. Clair was most at ease with a fishing rod and beer in hand on the waters of Lac Seul. Clair was beyond passionate about the Iowa Hawkeyes. He and Becky spent many fall weekends traveling to Iowa City to cheer on the Hawks with friends and family. Over the years, there were many instances where people mistakenly took Clair for resembling legendary Hawkeye football coach Hayden Fry. While feeling a small sense of embarrassment at the time, those that knew him knew that deep down inside, Clair took great pride in those humorous moments. Clair was also a dedicated racing fan, enjoying watching his brother and nephews race stock and modified cars on dirt tracks through the years. Clair was a big NASCAR fan, cheering on Jeff Gordon to all his victories over the years. Clair and Becky traveled to Texas on numerous occasions to visit their dear friends and attend the race. Ironically, Clair missed Jeff Gordon’s only victory at the Texas track in the spring of 2009 as he and Becky did not travel there due to his health. Clair held a deep appreciation for classic automobiles. He and Becky had an early 50s Chevy pick-up that they enjoyed driving to the Aristocrats Car Club events. They also attended the Back to the 50s car show at the Minnesota State fairgrounds on a yearly basis. Clair’s family will sadly miss him and will always remember him as a great husband, father and grandfather. His friends will miss his generosity, quick wit and booming smile.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Becky, of 39 years; his children, Michael (Lisa) Patterson of Lone Tree and Janna (Chad) Arndt of Mason City; his grandchildren, Natalie, Cadence and Jackson Patterson, and Caleb, Alexis and Brooklyn Arndt; his mother, Geneva; and brothers, Harvey (Evy), Howard, Larry (Barb) and Richard Patterson, all of Northwood; father and mother-in-law, Russell and Dorothy Barnes of Cresco; brothers-in-law, John (Theresa) Barnes of Cresco and Dan (Sue) Barnes of Adams, Minnesota; and sisters-in-law, Michaeleen (John) of Lakeville, Minnesota and Colleen (Kevin) of Cresco; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert; and his sister-in-law, Lois.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Randy Whelan

September 14, 2011

Randy Edward Whelan, age 55, of Alden, Minnesota, died on Monday, September 12, 2011, at the St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 15, at 10:30 a.m., at the St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells, Minnesota. Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 14, from 5-8:00 p.m., at the Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday. Father Thomas Niehaus will officiate. A private burial will take place at a later date. The Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Randy Edward Whelan, was born on July 20, 1956 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, the son of Thomas E. and Shirley A. (Lawrence) Whelan. He was very involved in track, football and was a state wrestler at the Alden-Conger High School, where he graduated with the class of 1976. After graduation, Randy worked at Wells Concrete and Bushlack’s Hog Farm. On September 12, 1980, he was united in marriage to Nancy VanRiper at the Round Prairie Church in Twin Lakes, Minnesota. To this union two children were born and the two later divorced.

Randy enjoyed hunting and fishing. Randy especially enjoyed and loved his grandchildren. For the past 10 years he delivered the Albert Lea Tribune to the Wells and Alden areas.

Randy is survived by his daughter, Shirene (Richard) Mirelli; son, Chad Whelan; three grandchildren, Keira, Richard III and Teagan, all of Alden, Minnesota; brothers and sisters, Lugene Anderson (special friend Kevin Johnson) of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Craig (Terry) Whelan of Alden, Minnesota, Brian Whelan (fiancée, Chandra) of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Brad (Lisa) Whelan of Grand Meadow, Minnesota, Sheryl (Nick) Kalis of Wells, Minnesota, Danny (Brenda) Whelan of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Traci (Carlisle) Corson of Preston, Minnesota and Matthew (Trisha) Whelan of Albert Lea, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and nephew, Landon Corson.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Betty Jane Bratrud

September 21, 2011

Betty Jane Bratrud, 87, of Mason City, formerly of the Kensett area, died on Thursday, September 15, 2011, at the Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, September 19, at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church, Kensett, with Pastor Tom Martin officiating. Burial was in the Elk Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation was held from 2-5:00 p.m., on Sunday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood. Visitation was also held one hour prior to the service time on Monday at the church. Family has suggested that memorials may be directed to the Elk Creek Lutheran Church, Alzheimer’s Memory Walk or to the Hospice of North Iowa in her memory.

Betty J. Bratrud, was born on September 3, 1924 in Mason City, the daughter of Reinhard and Neva (Higley) Beisel. Betty was the middle child of three. Betty was raised in Mason City and attended Mason City Schools, graduating in 1943. Betty worked for a short time in the slice bacon department at the Decker’s Meat Packing Plant before marrying Orrin Bratrud on October 2, 1949 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City, and to this union three girls were born, Jean, Jane and Judy, who died in 1988. Betty and Orrin farmed west of Kensett until the fall of 1986 when Orrin passed away. Betty moved into Kensett and lived there for 16 years, then three years at the Kentucky Ridge Assisted Living in Mason City, and then at the Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City until her death.

Betty held many jobs at her church, TOPS, and was a 4-H Leader for many years. She enjoyed the refinishing of furniture, sewing and baking. Her favorite baking was an assortment of Christmas Cookies, doughnuts and Norwegian foods. Betty loved her family very much and loved to spend time with them and making crafts for them. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. In countless ways, she had a positive influence on the lives of those who loved her and she will be sadly missed and fondly remembered. Betty’s family is grateful to all the nurses and care staff of Hospice, Good Shepherd and Kentucky Ridge, for their compassion missed.

Those left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Jean (Larry) Oltjenbrun of Reed Springs, Missouri and Jane (Everett) Johannes of Mason City; six grandchildren, Rhonda Felbab of Imperial, Missouri, Jody Schulz and special friend, Chris Mehmen of Charles City, Brian (Genesis) Oltjenbrun of Kimberling City, Missouri, Christopher Bentzin and special friend, Brook Smith of Mason City, Julie (Brian) Ntem of Ankeny and Andy (Mary) Bratrud of Charles City; six great-grandchildren, Dylan, Stephanie, Rayne, Kyle, Aleah and Michael; three step-great-granddaughters, Lindley, Charlie and Cherokee; and three step-great-great-grandchildren; and special friend of the family, Bruce Full of Sgt. Bluffs, Iowa; as well as many nieces, nephews and many other extended family members and friends.

Waiting for her in heaven are her husband, Orrin; daughter, Judy; her parents, Reinhard and Neva Beisel; two brothers and their wives, Everett and Alvena Beisel and Harold and Eleanor Beisel; a son-in-law, Mike Bentzin; a sister-in-law and a brother-in-law, Joel and Bernice Janson; and a grandson-in-law, Chris Felbab.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Clyde E. Black

October 12, 2011

Clyde E. Black, 91, of Tucson, Arizona, formerly of Northwood, died in the Casa de la Luz Hospice Facility in Tucson, on Tuesday, September 27, 2011. Clyde lived his last days surrounded by his three loving daughters.

Clyde is being cremated. Clyde and Sadie’s ashes will be interned in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood, at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family and memorials to the Casa de la Luz Foundation, 400 West Magee Road, Tucson, AZ 85704.

Clyde was born on October 28, 1919, to Oliver and Lydia (Stockstill) Black in Annut, Missouri. His family moved from Missouri to a farm near Atwater, Illinois in 1927, where he attended rural schools. At the height of the Depression, he had the opportunity to work in the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC). He worked on various construction projects in national and state parks, spending two and one half years at Starved Rock State Park in northern Illinois as well as a park in Oregon. After his CCC experience, he went to work helping to build the Fort Leonard Wood Army Base. In 1942, he started working at the Litchfield, Illinois, and creamery. During this time, he met his future wife, Sadie Halford. They were married on March 28, 1943. They had three daughters and one son, Donald, who passed away in July 1970 at age six. In February 1955, Clyde and Sadie moved their family from Illinois to Iowa. They lived near Clyde’s brother, William Black and family, just south of Northwood Iowa. They then moved to a farm near Hanlontown, Iowa, for two years before moving back to Northwood.

While living in Northwood, Clyde worked as a mechanic for Ingebritson Motors, then Methus Implement before becoming director of transportation for the Northwood-Kensett Community School District. Clyde worked in Northwood for 19 years. While there, he made many close friends, was quite well known and even ran for the Northwood Sheriff position at one point.

Clyde’s best friend was Allen Low, who died in July 2009. Clyde was deeply honored to be an honorary pall bearer for Allen. Clyde and Sadie were members of the Northwood First Lutheran Church where Clyde was baptized in 1960. In 1974, they left Northwood when Clyde became the director of transportation for the North Scott County School District in Eldridge, Iowa. Northwood remained a special place in their hearts, where they returned for visits many times after moving away. At age 62, Clyde was diagnosed with throat cancer. He chose to retire at that time (1981) because of his extensive radiation treatments and uncertain health outcome. He did recover and Clyde and Sadie traveled extensively in their RV, visiting every state. They also traveled to many countries, including Germany, England, Italy, Switzerland, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Columbia and Panama.

In 2001, they moved from Iowa to Tucson, Arizona, where Clyde and Sadie lived in their home in Sun City Vistoso until moving to the Country Club of LaCholla, a retirement community. They were members of the Resurrection Lutheran Church, Oro Valley, Arizona. On June 29, 2011, Clyde lost his loving wife, Sadie, after 68 years of marriage. On September 10, 2011, an early birthday party was held for Clyde at the Oro Valley Hospital, where he was a patient. In attendance were his three daughters; his grandson, Jeff Bassett and family; nephews, Wayne and Allen Black; and special friends, Steve Mooneyham and Rick and Sharon Haugebak.

Clyde is survived by his three daughters, Debra Arrett of Oro Valley, Arizona, JoAnne (John) Skillicorn of Mora, Minnesota and Joyce (Teddy) Bassett of Cary, North Carolina; his grandchildren, Lisa Arrett of Fargo, North Dakota, Michael (Emily) Arrett of Salt Lake City, Utah, Bradley (Kelly) Skillicorn of Winona, Minnesota and Jill (Todd) Bachmann of Vancouver, Washington, Jeffrey (Denise) Bassett of Scottsdale, Arizona and Lori (Chris) Boyd of Raleigh, North Carolina; six great-grandchildren, Amanda Bassett, Anni Skillicorn, Reagan Boyd, McKenna Boyd, Henry Bachmann and Emmett Bachman; one brother, Eugene Black; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

Clyde was preceded in death by his wife, Sadie; his parents, Oliver and Lydia Black; his son, Donald; four brothers, Wilson, Aubrey, William and Alvin Black; and his sister, Thelma Pence.
© Northwood Anchor 2011