Carmen Butler
LeRoy Melbourne Butler

March 7, 2012

Carmen Alliene (Groe) Butler, 86, of Northwood, died on Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood. Her husband, LeRoy Melbourne Butler, 88, died on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at his home in rural Northwood.

A funeral service for Carmen and Melbourne will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday, March 7, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Pastor Karen Rossing Grandall officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation was held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service time on Wednesday, at the church. In lieu of flowers and should friends desire, memorial contributions for Carmen should be made to the First Lutheran Church Sunday School, the First Lutheran Church youth fund or to the Lutheran Retirement Home Alzheimer’s Unit, in her memory. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for Melbourne should be made to Meals on Wheels, the First Lutheran Church general fund or to the American Heart Association in his memory.

Carmen Alliene (Groe) Butler, was born on July 9, 1925 in Silver Lake Township, rural Lake Mills, the daughter of Elmore and Pearl (Sime) Groe. Carmen went to grade school and high school in Lake Mills and graduated from the Northwood High School in 1942. She attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, and began her teaching career west of Northwood in 1943. Carmen taught in three different country schools. Carmen was united in marriage to LeRoy Melbourne Butler on November 30, 1947, in the Silver Lake Lutheran Church, and after their marriage they moved into their new house on the farm and to this marriage three children were born, Larry, Robert and Richard. Carmen was a devoted farm wife, mother and grandmother.

She taught Sunday School at the First Lutheran Church and was a 40 year member of the Sarah Circle at the church. Carmen and Melbourne enjoyed going dancing with friends and later square dancing with the Grapevine Twist Club. Carmen and Melbourne also enjoyed traveling with family and friends. Carmen loved and enjoyed her family, especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed working in her flower and vegetable garden. Carmen and Melbourne were baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

LeRoy Melbourne Butler, was born on November 11, 1923 in Kensett Township, the son of Palmer and Georgina (Knutson) Butler. Melbourne attended rural country school and graduated from the Northwood High School in 1942. After high school, Melbourne worked on the family farm and continued in the farming operation after their marriage, raising crops, cattle and hogs. Melbourne was a 4-H Leader for the Kensett Go Getters, served on the Farm Service Board and the First Lutheran Church Council. He was a seed corn dealer for many years, but his passion was farming.

Melbourne also enjoyed taking the grandchildren on tractor rides and following their accomplishments in their school activities. Melbourne and Carmen enjoyed going to coffee with family and friends after church. Melbourne was an avid Minnesota Twins fan.

Those left to cherish Carmen and Melbourne’s memory are their children, Larry (Lisa) Butler of Pearland, Texas, Robert (Jeni) Butler of Lonsdale, Minnesota and Richard Butler of Northwood; grandchildren, Mikaela and Samantha Butler of Northwood, Christian Butler of Pearland, Texas, Kory Butler of Pearland, Texas and Nathan Butler of Lonsdale, Minnesota; Carmen’s sisters, Evelyn Fjelstad of Lake Mills and Arlyn (Rhodette) Groe of Albert Lea, Minnesota; Melbourne’s sisters, Genevieve Methus of Northwood, Margaret (John) Weingart of Manly and Shirley (Norman) Olson of Northwood; as well as many nieces, nephews and other extended family members and friends.

Carmen was preceded in death by her parents; and her brothers, Bernel, Elton, Duane, Donny, Jerry and Gene. Melbourne was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Annette Miller; and a brother, Earl Butler.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

Siram “Si” M. Thompson

March 14, 2012

Siram “Si” M. Thompson, of rural Northwood, died peacefully at his home on Monday, March 5, 2012. He was 81.

Funeral services  were held at 1:30 p.m., on Friday, March 9, at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church, rural Northwood. The Reverend Randy Baldwin officiated. Interment was in the Silver Lake Lutheran Cemetery. Military Honors were accorded by the Emmons American Legion. Visitation was from 4-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea and one hour before the services at the church.

Si was born on June 1, 1930, on his home place in rural Northwood. He attended rural country school. He was baptized and confirmed at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church. At the age of 17, Si enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was a gunner, serving his country from 1947 until his honorable discharge in 1951. After returning from the service, Si returned to the home farm where he spent his life farming and raising dairy and beef cattle. He married Beulah Ashpole on November 21, 1954, at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church. In 2000, when Si retired from farming, he used his woodworking skills and began building a home “in the woods” for him and Beulah. Si enjoyed having coffee and talking with friends.

Si is survived by his wife, Beulah of rural Northwood; four children, Angie (Steve) Hannegrefs of Manchester, Minnesota, Scott (Kelly) Thompson, Kim (Dan) Swanson and Jason (Laura) Thompson, all of Northwood; foster son, Paul (Deb) Degn of Waseca, Minnesota; grandchildren, Tricia Hannegrefs of Garner, Melissa (Adam) Dahlen of Hartland, Minnesota, Josh (Tiffany) Thompson of Lake Mills, Whitney (Dan) Thompson of Trainer, Brooke Swanson of Lake Mills, Derek (fiancée, Jamie) Swanson of Northwood, Rayanna Thompson of Burlington and Sidney, Savannah and Sierra Owen of Forest City; great-grandchildren, Coy, Jasmine and Isaac Schumacher of Garner, Alex and Makayla Dahlen of Hartland, Minnesota, Braden Kane of Lake Mills, Caleb, Tasha and Jaden Swanson of Lake Mills; brother, Ernest Thompson of Emmons, Minnesota; sister, Helen (Robert) Edwin of Albert Lea; sisters-in-law, Betty Thompson of Glenville, Minnesota and Betty (Mervil) Christian of Emmons, Minnesota; brother-in-law, Richard (Deloris) Ashpole of Glen Allen, Virginia; and several nieces and nephews.

Si was preceded in death by his parents, Selmer and Mabel Thompson; brother, Lauritz Thompson; sister, Mavis Nordaas and her husband, Haakon; sister-in-law, Dorothy Thompson; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Russell and Jeanette Ashpole; and step-mother-in-law, Eldora Ashpole.

He will be greatly missed. Blessed be his memory.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

Harlan E. Jackel

March 21, 2012

Harlan E. Jackel, 78, of Mason City and formerly of Manly, died on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home in Rockwell.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 22, at 10:30 a.m., at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Kensett, with Pastor Tom Martin officiating. Interment will follow in the Manly Cemetery, Manly. Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening, March 21, at the Bride Colonial Chapel, Manly, from 5-7:00 p.m., as well as one hour prior to Harlan’s service on Thursday. Should friends desire, memorials may be left in Harlan’s name in care of his family.

Harlan Ellsworth Jackel, was born on May 26, 1933 in Claremont, Minnesota, the son of Walter and Esther (Schmidt) Jackel. He was baptized and confirmed the faith of his baptism through confirmation at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Havanna Township. Harlan attended the St. John’s parochial school as well as the Claremont High School, graduating in 1951. Following high school Harlan began working at the Bordan’s Dried Milk Plant in Owatonna. On August 2, 1964, Harlan was united in marriage to Carolyn Hill in Manly. In 1967, the family moved to a farm northeast of Manly where they quickly settled in and were blessed with the arrival of their daughter, Heidi.

Farming was one of Harlan’s passions; even after his retirement he and Carolyn would take drives to admire the crops across North Iowa. Over the years he held a position on the Farmer’s Co-op Elevator Board, was a township trustee and served on the FSA County Committee as well as the church council numerous times. In his free time he and Carolyn enjoyed dancing. Harlan’s favorites were the Polkas and Waltz’s, and playing 500 and dominos. They also enjoyed taking road trips with Carolyn’s sisters and their spouses. Anyone who knew Harlan knew he was a very social fellow; he enjoyed getting to know others and never knew a stranger. Harlan’s greatest love was for his family; his daughter, Heidi was the “apple of his eye," and he was overjoyed with the birth of his twin grandsons.

Those grateful in sharing in Harlan’s life are his wife, Carolyn of Mason City; his daughter, Heidi Willert and her husband, Brian of Mason City; his grandsons, Jack and Holden Willert; his siblings, Vernon Jackel, Don (Barb) Jackel, Eunice (LaVern) Ehlers and David (Dorothy) Jackel; his sisters-in-law, Marge (Ken) Johnson, Janet (Francis) Kreb and Susan Hill; as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister-in-law, Harriett Jackel; and his brother-in-law, Byron Hill.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

Ardella Hagen

March 21, 2012

Ardella Geneva Hagen, age 88, of rural Northwood, died on Thursday, March 15, 2012, at the Manly Nursing & Rehab Center in Manly, Iowa.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, March 19, at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church, rural Northwood, with Pastor Randy Baldwin officiating. Visitation was from 5-7:00 p.m., on Sunday, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills and again one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial was in the Silver Lake Lutheran Cemetery in rural Northwood.

Ardella Geneva Hagen, was born on April 26, 1923 in Freeborn County, near Emmons, Minnesota, the daughter of Alfred and Gena (Loken) Ferley. She was baptized and confirmed at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church. She attended elementary school in Emmons and later graduated from the Lake Mills High School. On January 1, 1945, she was united in marriage to Leo J. Hagen at her parents’ home by Emmons. Together, they farmed for many years.

Ardella was a homemaker extraordinaire. She loved to cook for all of the big holiday feasts. Her grandchildren knew that when they went to Grandma’s they were going to get all of the “good stuff.” She loved baking, apple pies in particular, and was very proud of her Norwegian heritage and she spoke the language. Ardella and Leo worked together on their farm, and were especially proud of their Black Angus herd of cattle. She enjoyed her flower gardens, spending time with her family and friends; she loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Above all else, she loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and remained very active in her church. Leo passed away on December 8, 2004.

Ardella is survived by her loving children, Leon (Joyce) Hagen of Hanlontown and John (Vera) Hagen and daughter-in-law, Annette Hagen, both of Northwood; grandchildren, Tiffany (Chris) Kragnes, Christopher (Beth) Hagen, Eric (Elizabeth) Hagen, Michael (Hannah Rasmussen) Hagen, Nathan Hagen and Cory Hagen; great-grandchildren, James, Jesse Hagen, Evin, Katie, and Gavin Hagen and Taylor Hagen; step-great-grandchildren, C.J. and Alicia Kragnes, Paige Sauve and Jay Lakes; and one brother, Seymour (Darlene) Ferley of Emmons, Minnesota; along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leo; one son, Robert; one grandson, Daniel; and one brother, Glen Ferley.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

Richard Dean Fisher
July 15, 1946-March 16, 2012

April 4, 2012

Richard Fisher, died at the University of Louisville Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday, March 16, 2012.

His ashes were buried in the Northwood Cemetery, on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, in a private graveside service with military honors, officiated by Pastor Tom Martin.

Richard graduated from the Northwood-Kensett High School in 1964. He attended Iowa State before joining the U.S. Air Force. After Basic Training he was assigned to intelligence work in southeast Asia. After his tour of duty in the Air Force, he put skills he learned in the service to use in the electronics field for a few years and later worked in real estate and property management in many different locations across the country. He was retired at the time of his death.

He is survived by one brother, Dale (Judy) of Hubbard, Iowa; and one nephew, David (Sonja) of Jewell, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Szymour and Beatrice Sorenson.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

Richard Tuthill

April 4, 2012

Richard Frank Tuthill, 79, of St. Ansgar, died on Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Center.

Memorial services were held on Monday, April 2, at 11:00 a.m., at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, with Rev. Dr. Byron Northwick officiating. Burial was in the Kensett Cemetery, Kensett, Iowa. Family received friends on Sunday, from 4-7:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar.

Richard was born on September 11, 1932 in Mason City, Iowa, to Frankie and Clara (Tobsing) Tuthill. He was raised by his grandparents and uncle in Mason City. He graduated from the Mason City High School. Richard entered the U.S. Army in June 1950 and served until July 1953, serving as a combat medic in Korea, where he was highly decorated. He returned to Mason City and helped his Uncle, Jack build houses.

Richard married Marjorie Crooks on April 20, 1960, in West Union, Iowa. He worked for the Mason City Brick & Tile Company for 17 years; AMPI for 17 years; and has been retired for the last 17 years.

Richard enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping, his poker group in Kensett, traveling and playing cribbage.

Richard is survived by his wife, Marjorie of St. Ansgar; two daughters, Rebecca (Anton) Lichtenberger of Richardson, Texas and Kristina (Bryan) Shupe of St. Ansgar; two sons, Brian Tuthill of Dallas, Texas and Bruce Tuthill of Mason City; his sister, Nancy Tuthill of Killeen, Texas; and his grandchildren, whom he loved, Aaron, Nathaniel and Sara Tuthill, Cody Malli, Reese and Emma Lichtenberger and Grace and Grady Shupe.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

Marcy (Hendrickson) Olson

April 4, 2012

A memorial service for Marcy Olson, who passed away on January 8, 2012, will be held on Saturday, April 14, at 2:00 p.m., at the Deer Creek Lutheran Church, Carpenter. Burial will be in the London-Deer Creek Cemetery. A lunch at the Deer Creek Lutheran Church, Carpenter, will follow the burial.

An obituary appears in the January archive.
© Northwood Anchor 2012