Jason was born on October 15, 1974 in Hampton, the son of Frederick and Mary Harris Abbas. He graduated from the Ackley-Geneva High School in 1994, Ellsworth Community College in 1996, and Iowa State University in 1998 with distinction and a BS in agronomy. He did internships at Pioneer and Dupont. Following graduation he worked as a production agronomist for J.C. Robinson Seed Co. (Golden Harvest) in Belmond.

Jason was active in the Belmond Jaycees and was named Rookie of the Year for 2000, for his efforts with Senior Citizen Bingo and the July 4 Celebration. He enjoyed fishing.

Preceding him in death were his maternal grandparents; and his paternal grandfather.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 11, at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church near Belmond, with Pastor Lowell Halvorson officiating. Interment was in the St. Olaf Church Cemetery.

Music was provided by Carol Severson, organist, Janyce Kinseth, accompanist and Steve and Joleen Rolland, vocal duet. Ushers were Raymond Burras, Alfred Johnson and Rodney Toftey. Honorary casket bearers were Mike Laake, Daryn Obrecht, Lloyd Christenson, Kae Myers, Tim Griffin, Ralph Janssen and Fred Wenzel, Jr. Casket bearers were Jared Rokke, B. J. Mayer, Jason Rokke, Steve Little, Josh Obrecht and Steve Prohaska.

Debra will be remembered for her love of others, her sense of humor, her great compassion for her patients and their families. She accepted her fate with dignity and grace.

Debra Ellingston was born on September 21, 1959, at Belmond, the daughter of Raymond and Rebecca (Janssen) Ellingston. She was baptized and confirmed in the St. Olaf Lutheran Church of rural Belmond, where she remained a life time member. She graduated from the Belmond High School in 1978, received her LPN from NIACC in Mason City, certification as an Operating Room Technician from DMACC in Ankeny and her Associate Arts degree as a registered nurse from NIACC in Mason City.

She married DaLon Obrecht at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church on July 31, 1982.

She worked for many years at the Belmond Community Hospital and most recently at the Belmond Health Care Center where a nursing scholarship has been established in her name.

Funeral services were held at the Kanawha Lutheran Church, Kanawha on Friday, April 13, 2001. Rev. Dr. William H. Breen officiated at the service. Interment was in the Amsterdam Township Cemetery, Kanawha. Military services were by the Kanawha American Legion, Severson Post #77.

Special music was provided by Twila Schroeder, organist. Ushers were Arlan Anderson and Vern Dietel. Honorary casket bearers were Gardon Osby, Harlan Carlson, John Van Hove, Jerry Hobscheidt and Marvin Nuehring. Casket bearers were Larry Anderson, Merlyn Assink, Mike Christians, Daryl Ruter, Jim Weiss and Mike Yeakel.

Jim, the son of Duane "Duke" and Virginia (Townsend) Yeakel, was born on May 31, 1946, in Garner. Jim lived in Kanawha most of his life. He attended the Kanawha Community School and graduated from the Kanawha High School in 1964. Jim entered the Army in 1965, and served his country for two years. Following his discharge, Jim returned to Kanawha and was employed by his uncle at Oral's Auto Repair.

In 1972, Jim married Janet Jackson at the Kanawha Lutheran Church. Six years later the couple purchased Oral's Auto Repair, which became Yeakel Garage. Yeakel Garage has been a part of the Yeakel family since 1923. Jim ran his business until the summer of 2000 when he became ill.

Jim was an avid race fan. He drove, sponsored and supported the racing industry for many years. He was also a member of the Kanawha Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years. Jim enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Duane "Duke" and Virginia Yeakel.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 16, at at the Church of Christ in Clarion, with Michael Whaley officiating. Burial was in the Lake Lutheran Cemetery in rural Renwick.

Robert Wigg was born on May 4, 1939, at Clarion to H. Racine and Estella (Smith) Wigg. He attended school at Clarion.

On November 26, 1961, he was united in marriage to Imogene Heggen at the Church of Christ in Clarion.

He worked in the construction of grain elevators and feed mills for Younglove Construction, Lambert Hamlin Construction, Todd and Sargent Construction and also for Hagie Manufacturing for a few years.

He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Rebekah Lodge, Encampment and Canton Grand Patriach of the Grand Encampment of Iowa from 1999 to 2000. He was a member of the Royal Members of America and the Clarion Church of Christ. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Memorial Liturgy of the Word will be celebrated on Saturday, May 26, 2001, at 1:30 p.m., at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond.

James, the son of James L. and Mary A. (Mamie) Fulton McVey, was born on February 15, 1932 in Belmond.

He is survived by his children, James McVey of San Diego, California, Brian McVey and his wife, Bobbi of Belmond, Denise Scheller and her husband, Jim of Windsor, Colorado, Stacey McVey of Des Moines and Michael McVey of Baltimore, Maryland; former wife, Maxine McVey Whitty; his grandchildren, Nathan, Jacob, Adam, and Kaylie; a half-sister, Jeananne; and a sister, Patty.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, April 28, at the Dugger Ewing Funeral Home in Belmond, with the Rev. Carl Hiemstra officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Graceland Cemetery near Rowan. Jeanie donated her body to the University of Iowa Hospitals for medical research.

Jeanie, the daughter of Lester L. (Shorty) and Lillian McAlpine Smith, was born on November 28, 1949, in Hampton. She grew up on Snarl Street near Rowan. Jeanie attended school in Rowan and Belmond, graduating from the Belmond High School in 1967.

On March 10, 1967, Jeanie married Merle Hilpipre. They had two children, a son, Todd and a daughter, Angela.

On March 30, 1988, Jeanie married David Hiemstra. The couple made their home in Clarion.

Jeanie was a life long resident of the Belmond, Rowan and Clarion communities. She worked at City Directory in Belmond.

Jeanie enjoyed reading, quilting and sitting on her porch swing watching a good lightning show. She most enjoyed the time she spent with her grandchildren.

Jeanie was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, John in March, 2001.

On November 3, 1939, she was united in marriage with Thomas R. Proctor in Garner. They farmed in the Swaledale area and the Meservey area after 1960. In 1976, they retired and moved to Clear Lake. Thomas died in 1981. In October 1993, she moved to the Sheffield Care Center where she had lived since.

She was a member of the Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aide.

Laurine was preceded in death by her parents; and husband.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 1, at the United Methodist Church in Belmond, with Pastor Janet Wearda officiating. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery. Military rites were given by the Belmond Honor Guard.

Gerald, the son of Grant and Ruby Parks Whipple, was born on October 7, 1922 near Clarion. He attended country schools and graduated from the Belmond High School in 1940.

Gerald entered the U.S. Navy in August of 1941. He served on the USS Missoula during WW II. He was stationed at Brookland Navy Hospital and Navy Hospital in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. As a corpsman, he worked in the Navy dispensary. Red was also a member of Occupational Forces in North China. He received the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the American Defense Service Medal. Red was honorably discharged from the Navy as a Chief Pharmacist Mate.

On September 27, 1947, Red was united in marriage to Anita Thompson in Trenton, Missouri. The couple made their home in Belmond, where Red worked at General Mills/Central Soya. He retired in 1982.

Anita and Red enjoyed traveling, and spent many winters in Las Vegas after his retirement. Red was a member of the General Mills Men's Club and the Belmond V.F.W. He volunteered as a Care Car Driver and was a member of the United Methodist Church in Belmond.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Ruth Ann; and one brother, Merle.