Arvid Nybroten

November 7, 2012

Arvid Ole Nybroten, 59, of Kensett, died on Friday, November 2, 2012, at his home in Kensett.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, November 7, at the Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, with Rev. Tom Martin officiating. Visitation will be two hours prior to the services.

Arvid Ole Nybroten, was born on May 9, 1953. He was born in Monroe, Wisconsin as a twin with a sister, Ida, who died at birth. He attended the Adams Lutheran Church, where he was baptized, attended bible school and confirmed. Arvid attended his first years of grade school in Hanlontown from 1958-1960. His teacher was Norma Berge. He moved back to Argyle, Wisconsin with his family and went to school at Meadowbrook, Wisconsin and graduated from Argyle, Wisconsin, on May 27, 1971. He went to Waldorf College in Forest City and graduated with a two year degree. During the summers he would go back home to Argyle, to his mother and father's. He then went to the St. Johns University, Collegeville, Minnesota and graduated with a two year degree. He then moved back home to Kensett, where his family was living then. After a short time in Kensett he moved to the Twin Cities and lived with his Aunt Magnild and brother, Allen and their "special friend" Tristen, which was Allen’s pet dog.

He worked at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, where he was a receptionist and he also worked at the Social Security Office. Arvid took courses in language and modeling while living in the Twin Cities. He then went to the Graduate Theological Union, University of California, Berkeley, where he got his Master of Theology. He then moved to Marquette, Wisconsin and attended the Marquette University in Milwaukee, where he was working on his Doctorate Degree. Arvid had a Masters of Arts and was working on his PhD when he moved back home to Iowa, where he was working on his Dissertation prior to his death.

Arvid is survived by his mother, Thora; brother, Allen, both of Kensett; cousins in Wisconsin and Norway; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Victor Nybroten; twin sister, Ida; grandparents; and aunts and uncles from Wisconsin, Iowa and Norway.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

Dan Martin

December 5, 2012

Dan Ray Martin, 62, died peacefully at his home in Loveland, Colorado, on Tuesday, November 13, 2012.

A memorial service will be held in Northwood at a later date.

Dan was born on August 28, 1950 in Albert Lea, Minnesota and treasured his roots here and old friends. He learned young the value of a good day's work helping his father with clean up at construction sites. In his teens he learned the skill of drafting and construction from his father (and Bob Wilder's workshop at N-K). He mastered construction to perfection with building projects at their home in St. Collins, Colorado. Dan's work career included a Globe Gazette paper route, clerking at Klein Drug and pumping gas and oil changes at Bob Sistek's gas station. During slow time at the station he was busy polishing his first car from "the Besty's," a 1957 Chevy 4-door sedan, black with chrome trim.

In 1968, he graduated from the Northwood-Kensett High School. He graduated from NIACC in 1972, Drake University in 1974 and Nova University School of Law, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1977. He spent 35 years working as a well respected attorney in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Dan married his childhood sweetheart, Sandi Dybvad in June of 1969. Together they shared many wonderful experiences, including the birth of their children, Benjamin and Angela, and their beloved granddaughter, Elexis Nan. He was a humble and honorable man and lived his life to the fullest. He will be in our hearts forever.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sandi; his son, Benjamin (Amy) and Kaeden; daughter, Angela (Mike) and Elexis; brother, Ron Martin (Lyn) and family; sister, Nancy (Gary) Hengesteg and family; brother-in-law, Larry (Darla) Dubvad and family; and sister-in-law, Jo (Dave) Rederius and family.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

Arnold Johnson

November 21, 2012

Arnold Hubert Johnson, 92, passed away at Sunrise Cottage in Rochester, on Saturday, November 17, 2012.

A Memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m., on Wednesday, November 21, at the Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea. Interment will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood. Military Honors will be accorded by the Albert Lea veterans organizations. Visitation will be two hours before the services at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice in his memory.

Arnold was born on July 25, 1920, in Pocahontas, Iowa. On December 21, 1941, he married his school sweetheart, Evelyn Carlson. He served his country in World War II in the Army, moving across France and Germany. He was a part of the "Greatest Generation." Returning to Iowa, he and Evelyn began farming in the Pocahontas area where their children were born. In 1960, they moved to the Spring Valley area in Minnesota. They also lived on farms near Dexter, Minnesota, Northwood, Iowa and eventually retiring in Glenville, Minnesota. He enjoyed going to farm auctions, collecting baseball caps, telling stories and attending family events.

Left to remember him are his sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis and Gail of Stewartville, Minnesota, Larry and Peggy of Nisswa, Minnesota and Brian and Betty of Owatonna, Minnesota; son-in-law, Russ Julseth of Northwood. Ten grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren will treasure their memories of him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; seven siblings; wife, Evelyn in 1996; daughter, Colette in 2010; and infant great-granddaughter, Ensly in 2008.

Condolences may be sent to www.bonnerupfuneralservice.com or by mail to Bonnerup Funeral Service 2210 East Main Street, Albert Lea, Minnesota.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

Nora Pacey

November 21, 2012

Nora Elvera (Flatness) Pacey, 95, of Northwood, died on Sunday, November 18, 2012, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood. Nora was a lifelong resident of Worth County.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, November 24, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Pastor Wayne Hagen officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation will be held from 4-6:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service time on Saturday at the church. Those wishing to give a memorial in her memory may wish to consider contributions be made to the Maple Court Apartments in Northwood or to the First Lutheran Church in Northwood.

Nora was born on December 27, 1916, to Hans and Anna (Pedersen) Flatness on the Flatness family farm. She was baptized and reaffirmed the faith of her baptism through confirmation in the Shell Rock Lutheran Church in rural Northwood. She attended the Grove Township #4 School and graduated in the class of 1934 from the Northwood High School. She was united in marriage to R. Howe Pacey on March 10, 1940 and to this marriage four daughters were born, Breta, Jane, Mary and Sonya. After their marriage they farmed in Worth County for many years.

Nora was very active in the First Lutheran Church as a Sunday School teacher, a member of Ladies Aid and the church circle. She also enjoyed being a member of the Golden Tones singing group at the church. Nora loved to cook, bake and enjoyed flowers and was a member of the Green Thumb Garden Club.

Those left to cherish her memory are four daughters, Breta (Denny) Jackson of LaVista, Nebraska, Jane Grosland of Lindsborg, Kansas, Mary (Lonny) Hopperstad of Albert Lea, Minnesota and Sonya (Jim) Dahle of Northwood; nine grandchildren, Kelly (Jim) Kingsley of Bellevue, Nebraska, Darin (Becci) Jackson of Omaha, Nebraska, Nicole (Craig) Long of Omaha, Nebraska, Mark (Becky) Grosland of McPherson, Kansas, Jill (Jim) Wehner of Leawood, Kansas, Ann Hopperstad of Phoenix, Arizona, Tom Hopperstad of Leland, Iowa, Jason (Angie) Dahle of Athens, Tennessee and Joel Dahle of Knoxville, Tennessee; 15 great-grandchildren; one sister, Arlene Hamsund of Keister, Minnesota; two brothers, Alton (LaVonne) Flatness of Northwood and Earl (Marge) Flatness of Winona, Minnesota; three sisters-in-law, Carol Blakestad of St. Ansgar, Iowa, Carol Pacey of Florida and Jean Flatness of Northwood; as well as many nieces, nephews and many other extended family members and friends.

Nora was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two brothers, Dale and LuVern Flatness; two sisters, Opal Mielke and Doris in infancy; son-in-law, Lanny Grosland; six brothers-in-law; and three sisters-in-law.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

Trudy Bendickson

November 28, 2012

Trudy Mae (Flaaten) Bendickson, 60, of Northwood, passed away on Sunday, November 18, 2012. at the Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, of liver failure.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 24, at 10:30 a.m., at the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church, with Rev. Erich Hoeft officiating. Burial was in the Elk Creek Cemetery in rural Kensett. Visitation was on Friday, November 23, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home in Northwood.

Trudy was born on November 20, 1951, at the Park Hospital in Mason City, to Truman and Truly (Ones) Flaaten of rural Kensett. She was baptized and confirmed at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church in Kensett. Trudy graduated from the Northwood-Kensett Schools in 1970, then went on to the medical transcriptionist school in Mankato, Minnesota. She then procured a job at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, going next to Naeve Hospital and then to Greve Law office in Northwood. She was joined in marriage to Drew Bendickson on August 7, 1976, at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church in Kensett. They were married for 36 years.

Trudy was a completely honest and bold person. She enjoyed softball in her younger years, bowling for many years also until rheumatoid arthritis prevented her from continuing on with that. After the rheumatoid arthritis, casinos became Trudy’s fun. Her love of reading was well known and the local libraries knew her well and had a hard time keeping enough books available for her to read.

Trudy is survived by her husband, Drew; her sisters, Karen Rollenhagen and Ruby Flaaten; her brother, T. Kevin Flaaten; her brothers-in-law, Terry (Joan) Bendickson, Wade (Bobbie) Bendickson, Lee (Linda) Bendickson; her sister-in-law, Dedra (Tony) Harris; her mother-in-law, Jeannette Bendickson-Harmon; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, nephews and many wonderful friends, all of whom will miss her sense of humor and love.

Trudy was preceded in death by her parents, Truman and Truly Flaaten; and her fathers-in-law, Harlan Bendickson and Obert Harmon.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

Dennis Bergo

November 28, 2012

Dennis Allen Bergo, 71, peacefully departed this life on Wednesday, November 21, 2012, at his home in rural Lake Mills.

Funeral services were held at the Sion Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills, on Monday, November 26, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation was held on Sunday, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills and again one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial was in the Sion Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Lake Mills.

Dennis Allen Bergo, was born on March 19, 1941 at the Northwood Hospital, to Orvin and Mildred (Holstad) Bergo. He was baptized and confirmed at the Sion Lutheran Church. He attended the Hartland #6 country school and the Northwood High School. He received a welding certificate at NIACC. He married Susan Renee (Yoho) Bergo on November 1, 1969. They were blessed with three children, Andrea Sue, Jennifer Denise and Jonathan Julian.

Dennis lived life to the fullest after overcoming many serious illnesses and surgeries, with God‘s help and his strong faith. He was always willing to work or lend a helping hand to others. Dennis had an infectious laugh, and was a light in many lives. Besides being a life-long farmer, he was employed by Wilson’s, Winnebago, Ruan Trucking and retired from the maintenance department at Fleetguard. His latest work was in the field with his friends, for the fall harvest. He and his son, Jonathan appreciated antique machinery….especially anything Allis Chalmers "Orange." They had a business together called Band B Restoration.

Dennis loved to go on tractor rides across Iowa and was blessed with many friends that he met while participating. His 1949 Allis Chalmers CA has traveled over 3,000 miles…at 10 miles an hour. He was always tinkering with something at the farm and loved country music, finding treasures at auctions and traveling with his wife. For many years, he organized the antique tractor show during July Jubilee days and was so proud of the FFA organization at school when they accepted the responsibility of organizing it. He also played on the Fleetguard golf team. His greatest joy was his children and his two granddaughters.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Susan Renee; his daughter, Andrea Thornton and granddaughter, Anja Luella of Phoenix, Arizona; his daughter, Jennifer (Jason) Chose and granddaughter, Lydia Renee of Polk City, Iowa; his siblings, Barbara (Sonny) Paulson of Emmons, Minnesota, Judy (Alan) Rohne of Glenville, Minnesota and Bruce Bergo of Northwood; his Aunt Mavis Bergo of Lake Mills; and numerous cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orvin and Mildred Bergo; and his son, Jonathan Bergo.

He will be greatly missed.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

Reva Fredrickson

November 28, 2012

Reva Darlene "Muggs" Fredrickson, 86, of Northwood, died on Friday, November 23, 2012, at her home.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, November 27, at 10:30 a.m., at the Mona Lutheran Church, Mona, Iowa, with Rev. Lydia Mittag officiating. Visitation was scheduled for Sunday, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood, Iowa.

"Muggs," as she was known to her family and close friends, was born on April 20, 1925 in Pleasanton, Kansas, to Frank and Grace (Rees) Hinds. She married Harold Fredrickson on September 11, 1944. She was an avid quilter and well known around the Carpenter and Osage areas for their interest in auctions.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; parents; brothers, Claude, Pat, Skinny, Lefty and Hubert; and sisters, Hazel, Maxine and Alice.

Muggs is survived by two sons, Gary (Becky) Fredrickson of Byron, Minnesota and Scott (Ginny) Fredrickson of Placerville, California; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; sister, Carol (Jerry) Anderson of Utah; and numerous nieces and nephews, especially Kyla, who frequently visited Muggs.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

June Stevens

November 28, 2012

June J. Stevens, 94, of Manly, died on Friday, November 23, 2012, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, November 27, at the Bethel United Methodist Church, with Pastor Don Preston officiating. Burial took place in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Monday, November 26, at the Bride Colonial Chapel, Manly. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be donated to the Hospice of North Iowa in June’s name.

June Joyce Stevens, daughter of Amandus and Cora (Alitz) Tietjens was born on September 20, 1918, in rural Cerro Gordo County. She graduated from the Mason City High School in 1935. June taught private music lessons before marrying Ray Field. Ray and June moved to many places, including Phoenix and Canada, before returning home to rural Kensett, where she moved back to the farm. Ray passed away in 1956 and June remarried Morris Stevens. They lived in rural Kensett before he died. June has lived at the Manly Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the past five years.

June enjoyed being outdoors, especially gardening and mowing. Sewing and quilting is what she did as a pastime. She also had a passion for shopping and making purchases. Most importantly, she had a gift of giving, donating her time and money to anyone that needed it. She was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church, past member of the Kensett Methodist Church, where she was active as a music director and organist, and past member of the Ladies Aid at the Kensett Methodist Church.

She leaves behind her nieces and nephews, Roger (Cheryl) Tietjens of Mason City, Mike (Jan) Seidel of Rochester, Minnesota, Clyde Tietjens of Mason City, Jerry (Barb) Tietjens of Waterloo and Peggy Tietjens of St. Paul, Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; three brothers, Irvin, Harold and Merrill; one sister, Delphia Seidel; and three nieces and two nephews.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

Ryan Weisert

November 28, 2012

Ryan Michael Weisert, 25, of Northwood, died on Saturday, November 24, 2012, as the result of a traffic accident.

Funeral service will be today (Wednesday, November 28, 2012) at 11:00 a.m., at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Rev. Wayne Hagen officiating. Burial will be in the State Line Cemetery, rural Northwood. Visitation was scheduled for Tuesday, November 27, from 4-8:00 p.m., at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Ryan was born on July 19, 1987 in Mason City, Iowa, to Michael and Wendy (Willand) Weisert. When young, he would be dressed in his blue jean overhauls, cowboy boots and cowboy hat and was going farming at grandpas. He attended the Northwood-Kensett Schools, graduating with the class of 2006, where he was involved in football (All State selection), wrestling, track and baseball. He attended NIACC in the Building Trade Program for one year and was employed by Kenison Construction of Northwood.

Ryan had coached youth wrestling in Northwood since 2006. He enjoyed kids, frequently teasing and picking on them. He loved to hunt, and his dogs, Drake and Benelli, were his pride and joy. Every evening after work he stopped by his father’s shop for a Gatorade before heading out to work on friends projects. Ryan loved Hawkeye football and wrestling. He enjoyed snowmobiling, golfing and his Harley. He would tease his grandmother (constantly), stopping at Hy-Vee to visit and eating the sample pizzas she would be handing out. Ryan’s gleam in his eye and smile on his face got him out of a lot of trouble.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Joyce Willand; paternal grandfather, Harold Weisert; and his great- grandparents.

Ryan is survived by his parents, Mike and Wendy Weisert; brothers, Brandon Weisert and his fiancée, Morgan Johnson and Jason Weisert; maternal grandfather, Wayne and Bev Willand; maternal great- grandmother, Margaret Godfrey; paternal grandmother, Almira Weisert; aunts and uncles, Wynnette and Frank Flores, Wanda and Jim Christensen, Wayde and Jill Willand, Wendell and Penny Willand, John and LuAnn Rottinghaus, Duane and Lori Weisert, Al and Laura Weisert, Becky and Randy Enfield and Bob and Mary Weisert; and numerous cousins, other family members and friends and dogs, Drake and Benelli.

The family requests people wear casual attire, particularly Hawkeye or wrestling clothing.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

Lila Ellingson

December 5, 2012

Lila Annie Linda Ellingson, 93, passed away on Tuesday, November 27, 2012, at the Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea, where she was for a short time after a hospital stay.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, December 1, at the First Lutheran Church in Glenville. Pastor James Rushton officiated. Interment was in the Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation was from 4:30-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea, as well as one hour prior to the services at church.

Lila was born on November 8, 1919 in Shellrock Township. The daughter of Ervin and Emma (Fevold) Lau, she grew up on a farm near Gordonsville and attended the Northwood High School, where she received her Normal Teaching Degree. On September 21, 1940, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Ellingson. The two were together for 56 years and raised four children. After marriage the family moved from Gordonsville to the family farm outside of town, before moving to Northwood. After five years, the family moved back to the farm outside of Gordonsville. After Kenneth’s death in 1996, Lila settled in Glenville. On November 11, 2000, she married Derwin Dahl.

She was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood, where she taught Sunday School for 25 years and was active in Lady’s Aid and Church Circle. After moving, she was an associate member of the First Lutheran Church in Glenville, where she was an active church and circle member. Lila was a social butterfly, participating in organizations with special friends of the State Line Stinkers Birthday Club, Riverside Couples Club, Senior Center of Glenville, Camper’s Club, The Eagles and the REC Travel Club. She loved dancing, cooking, entertaining, shopping, camping, fishing and traveling to Arizona in the winter months in her motor home, which she proudly drove until age 90.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Kenneth Ellingson; second husband, Derwin Dahl; brother, Clifford Lau; brothers-in-law, Sophus Holstad and Alvin Ellingson; and son-in-law, Bruce Mittag.

Lila is survived by her children, Donna Mittag of Glenville, Connie (Larry) Thompson of Glenville, LeRoy Ellingson of Clemson, South Carolina and LaDon Ellingson of Glenville; eleven grandchildren; twenty seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister, Eldora Holstad of Clear Lake, Iowa.; and sisters-in-law, Marjorie Lau of Albert Lea and Claire Ellingson of Clover, South Carolina.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

James "Jim" Parks

December 5, 2012

James B. "Jim" Parks, 67, of Manly, died on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, at the Mercy Medical Center North Iowa.

A Vigil Service was held at 7:00 p.m., on Friday, November 30, at the Bride Colonial Chapel, Manly, with the Reverend Neil Manternach as celebrant. A private graveside service was held on Saturday, December 1, in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation was held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Friday, November 30, at the funeral home in Manly. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be designated to the Jim B. Parks Memorial Fund in care of his family.

James B. "Jim" Parks, son of William and Teresa (Ballard) Parks was born on February 4, 1945 in Mason City, Iowa. He graduated from the Mason City High School in 1963, before enlisting in the United States Navy. Jim received an honorable discharge in 1966 and began working for the railroad, being employed by the Great Western, the Chicago Northwestern and the Union Pacific Railroads for 38 years before retiring in 2005. On February 24, 1968, he was united in marriage to Vicky Olson of Lakota, Iowa. To this union, three children were born, Greg, Gary and Julie.

Jim will be missed by his wife of 43 years, Vicky; sons, Greg (Kristie) of Northwood and Gary (Lisa) of Kensett; daughter, Julie (Dan) Pate of Raeford, North Carolina; grandchildren, Kole, Jaela, Dylan, Kaylee, James and Tyler; and sister-in-law, Betty (Dewey) Kruger of Northwood; along with other extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, William.
© Northwood Anchor 2012

Orville Walswick

December 5, 2012

Orville Carl Walswick, 92, of Northwood, died on Friday, November 30, 2012, at the Lutheran Retirement Home.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 4, at 2:00 p.m., at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Rev. Judy Converse officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood. Visitation was held on Tuesday one hour prior to the services at the church.

Orville was born on February 4, 1920 on the Walswick farm in Grove Township, to Oscar and Jennie (Lee) Walswick. He was baptized and confirmed at the Northwood Lutheran Church. He attended Grove No. 5, the Swensrud School House. He attended the Northwood High School for two years and then decided to farm. He lived on and farmed the Walswick farm, which became a Century Farm in 1976. He later moved to Northwood, where his parents were living. He worked for Great Plains Lumber and later for B&K Lumber, along with maintaining the Walswick farm and acreage.

He eventually became a resident of the Northwood Lutheran Retirement Home, where he passed away. He was a life long member of the First Lutheran Church. He enjoyed flying with Gene Bohl in Gene’s plane and also watching Bud Kragenbrink and his Sky Divers.

He is survived by sisters, Irene Anderson a resident of the Northwood Lutheran Retirement Home and Edna Turvold of Northwood; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; sister and brother-in-law, June and Jason Gilbertson; brother, Lee and sister-in-law, Geraldine; brother-in-law, Glenn Anderson; and Odean Turvold.
© Northwood Anchor 2012