Kermit Elton Leidal
November 20, 1919 - January 31, 2013  

Kermit Elton Leidal, 93 formerly of Austin , died January 31, 2013 at the Homestead Hospice House at Owatonna, MN.

Kermit was born November 20, 1919 on a farm near London, MN, the son of Albert and Laura (Berguson) Leidal. Kermit attended area schools and worked the family farm until he entered the US Army in 1941. He was stationed in many posts overseas including Iwo Jima . He returned home on leave to marry his longtime sweetheart Helen Marie Watney on November 7, 1943 at the Deer Creek Lutheran Church. Following Kermit’s discharge, the couple started farming near the Leidal family farm. In 1963 he and Helen purchased a 120 acre farm in Oakland Township of Freeborn County. In 1983 they retired from the farm and moved into Austin and in 2008 they sold the farm.

In 1950, the Leidals adopted a son Mark and in 1952 a daughter Susan. They were members of the Trondhjem Lutheran church while living on the farm and joined Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin after moving to town. In retirement, Kermit and Helen enjoyed traveling; Kermit began golfing and started bowling. Mark took his father to the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C.

Kermit was preceded in death by his parents, wife Helen in 2010, sisters Clara Leidal and Anna Dorlye, and brothers Quentin and Glen Leidal.

He is survived by his son Mark Leidal, Dodge Center, MN, daughter, Susan Goodnature, Austin, MN; grandchildren, Kelly Goodnature, Mankato, MN, Kerri Ellegard, Austin, MN, Kristy Ellegard and John Rathke, Austin, MN, Rory and Reina Ellegard, Chandler, AZ, K.C. Leidal, Dodge Center, MN; four great grandchildren, Karter, Kole, Ashley and Kaylee, brother, Curtis Leidal, Northwood , IA, close family friend, Laurie Oelslager, nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 12:00PM noon on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary with the Reverend Glenn L. Monson officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery with Austin Post #91 American Legion in charge of military rites. Visitation will be from 11:00 am Tuesday until the time of the service.

Clarine Norma Neumann
January 31, 1926 - January 31, 2013

Clarine Norma Neumann, 87, Lake Mills, formerly of Northwood and Manly, died Thursday, January 31, 2013, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

A funeral service for Clarine will be held 10:30 A.M. Friday, February 8, 2013, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. South, Northwood, with Pastor Solveig Zamzow officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 7, 2013, at the chapel and one hour prior to service time on Friday at the chapel.

Clarine Norma (Bergo) Neumann was born on January 31, 1926, in Emmons, MN, the daughter of Oscar and Alvina (Anderson) Bergo. She was the youngest of her family; she had three brothers, Harry, Marvin, and Irving Bergo, and two sisters, Gladys Flaten and Rose Forde. Clarine was baptized on March 28, 1926, and reaffirmed the faith of her baptism through confirmation on June 16, 1940, at the Lunder Lutheran Church, and attended rural country schools.

She was united in marriage to August H. H. Neumann on December 11, 1946, in Albert Lea, MN, and to this marriage three children were born; Connie Allen, Ronald Leslie, and Tamara S.

Clarine worked at the L.M. Plastics for several years and did cleaning jobs for businesses, and families in the area. She also loved to drive and take people to appointments and to go get their groceries. She was a very thoughtful person and would do anything for anyone needing help.

She enjoyed playing cards, the color Blue, Yahtzee, loved to dance, and listen to old time music and older country music, and also loved to tell jokes, and play little pranks on friends, but her greatest love and enjoyment was her family and grandchildren, and looked forward to her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren come to visit her.

She was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Ronald L. Neumann of Eagan, MN, and Tamara S. Schuttler and special friend David Busta of Grafton; her six grandchildren, Randy (Kris) Neumann of Hayward, WI, Roxanne (Gerry) Horgan of Eagan, MN, Justin (Jennifer) Schuttler of Charles City, Callie Schuttler and fiancé Jason Athey of Grafton, and Skylar Schuttler of Grafton; nine great-grandchildren, Brittani Neumann, Ethan and Lacy Neumann, Betsy and Amelia Horgan, Quinzey Prahaska, Jadince and Justine Schuttler and Simon Collins; many nieces, nephews and many other extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Alvina Bergo; her siblings, Harry, Marvin and Irving Bergo, Gladys Flaten and Rose Forde; her husband, August H.H. Neumann; her son, Connie Neumann; and her grandson, Rodney Neumann.

Conner Colonial Chapel: (641) 324-1543 www.colonialchapels.com

Kevin Lee Klitzke
February 10, 1963  -  January 31, 2013

Kevin Lee Klitzke, 49, Mason City, formerly of Northwood, died Thursday, January 31, 2013, at his home.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 5, 2013, at the First Lutheran Church, 309 North 9th Street, Northwood, with Pastor Judy Converse officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time on Tuesday at the church.

According to his wishes cremation has taken place.

The family would like to suggest that those wishing to give a memorial in his memory, may direct them to the family.

Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. South, Northwood is in charge of the arrangements.

Kevin Lee Klitzke was born on February 10, 1963, in Mason City, the son of Kenneth and Elaine (Oakland) Klitzke. Kevin was baptized and reaffirmed the faith of his baptism through confirmation at the First Lutheran Church in Northwood. He attended Northwood-Kensett Community School and graduated in 1981. Kevin worked as a welder for Winnebago Industries in Forest City, ADA Corporation in Northwood, and Graham Manufacturing in Mason City.

Kevin enjoyed fishing, camping, riding his bike, seeing his grandchildren, and spending time outdoors.

He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Northwood.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Brad (Bobbi) Logeman of Kensett, Iowa, Brian (Ginny) Klitzke of Des Moines, Iowa, and Cassie Klitzke of Grinnell, Iowa; his mother and father, Elaine and Jim Hill of Northwood, Iowa; his step-mother, Florence Klitzke of Northwood, Iowa; his grandchildren, Emma, Dalton, and Harley Logeman of Kensett, Iowa, and Kenneth Klitzke of Des Moines, Iowa; two brothers, Larry Klitzke of Northwood, Iowa, and David Klitzke and Ann Fuller, and niece and nephew, Nicole and Joseph of Maple Grove, MN; his step-sisters, Linda (Mike) Reberry of Littleton, CO, Wendy (Doug) McMullen of Spencer, Iowa; step-brother, Larry (Karen) Foley of Northwood, Iowa, and Ruben (Kari) Foley of Minneapolis, MN; as well as other special nieces, nephews, and many other extended family members and friends.

Kevin was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Klitzke.

Conner Colonial Chapel: (641) 324-1543 www.colonialchapels.com

Posted on 8 February 2013

JAMES G. SCHOOLCRAFT
January 5, 1939 - February 22, 2013

James G. Schoolcraft, 74, of Hudson, died on Friday, February 22, 2013, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home.

He was born on January 5, 1939, in Renwick, Iowa, son of George and Grace Lamfers Schoolcraft. James attended Forest City Elementary and Community High School. Later, he attended Hawkeye Institute of Technology and Iowa State University for Welding Courses. He graduated from Tulsa welding school with honors receiving a diploma in welding and graduated with honors from Port Huemene Naval School in California.

James married Dorothy Kalvig on September 14, 1958, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, Iowa. He served in the Armed Forces for 38 years, receiving an honorable discharge in 1999.

James was on call for five conflicts and was awarded “Sailor of the Year” in 1997. He earned seven Meritorious Medal Awards, two Armed Forces Medals/Ribbons, the Helm Award and 16 Medal/Ribbon Awards. He was honored by Marine, Navy, Seabee, Air Force and National Guard units in which he served.
Throughout his life, James served in some way. He was a member of the American Welding Assoc. and held an elected Directorship Office, Davenport, Iowa, for several terms. He owned and operated Jim’s Portable Welding and Fabrication for over 46 years, working in 96 of 99 counties in Iowa. He carried four certifications in his specialized field. Washington D.C. , Home Security and the Des Moines, Iowa, State Dept. utilized him for consultations. He semi-retired in 2004 and went to work three days a week for KW Electric in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

He was a member of Hudson AmVet Post 82 American Legion Post 559. He was a life member of the NERA, served as a church deacon, usher and council member and belonged to several antique Tractor clubs. The joy of his life was attending Antique Power Shows ,which he competed in with his Oliver 1600/ 1962 and his 1948 Allis Chalmers.

James is survived by his wife, Dorothy;three daughters, Abbie J. Schoolcraft of Anamosa, Garnet-Rae S. (Brian) Wright of St. Paul, Minn, and Jessie Schoolcraft of Hudson; two Brothers, Fred Schoolcraft of Dungan, Iowa, and Ben (Martha) Lamfers of Jenison, Michigan; and four sisters: AnnaMae Pannhoff, Lucille Nelson Kalvig, Opal Schoolcraft and Bernice (Vern) Kauffman, all of Mason City, Iowa.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Arthur Schoolcraft.

Funeral Services are at 11 a.m. today, (Wednesday, February 27, 2013) at the rural Zion Lutheran Church, Hudson.

Burial will be in Hudson Cemetery, Hudson, Iowa, with Military Rites by the Hudson AmVet Post #82 and the Iowa National Guard.

Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday before the services at the church.

Posted on 2 March 2013 by Jay Lehmann