Honorary casket bearers were his nieces and nephews, John Stern, Mark Stern, Jason Stern, Ryan Didio, Mike Stern, Diena Mennenga, Kelsey Prewitt, Natalyn Daniels, Andrea Daniels and Erin Strong. Casket bearers were, Harold Buseman, Phil Buchanan, Dale Smith, Jack Fulton, Edwin Johnson, Kenneth Hawley, Daren Mennenga, Dan Thompson, Tom Strong, Tom Hill, Bob Hinman, Arturo Alvarado and Rick Tanza.

Charles Alan Didio, was born on January 26, 1941 in Belmond, to parents Carlyle and Marian (Larsen) Didio. He attended country school, St. John Catholic in Clarion and graduated in 1959 from the Belmond High School where he participated in music and FFA.

Chuck enlisted in the United States Army, where he completed the radiology technologist program at the Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He served in field hospitals in Korea until 1962.

From 1962 until 1966 he was a radiology technologist at the Mayo Clinic, Galena, Illinois and the Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.

In 1966, he re-enlisted and served in hospitals in Vietnam for two tours of duty. Chuck was the recipient of many honors, including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross Gallantry, Vietnamese Campaign Medal with four stars, Vietnamese Service Medal and the Combat Medic Badge.

After an honorable discharge in 1970, Chuck received a business administration degree at Mankato State University.

For fifteen years he was employed in the radiology department at the Veterans Hospital in Des Moines. For the past 15 years he had been employed at Veterans Hospital in San Bernardino, California. He also was a fireman for the San Bernardino Fire Department.

Chuck loved to hunt and fish in Iowa. He was a member of Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and was an avid cribbage player. He enjoyed sharing special interests and activities with each of his nieces and nephews.

Chuck was preceded in death by his father; sister-in-law, Kathy; and grandparents, Ed and Mary Didio and Joe and Ruth Larson.

Ethel was born on December 7, 1908 in Klemme, the daughter of Arthur and Lydia Griewe Wellemeyer. She attended Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) for two years and taught school near Klemme, Titonka, Buffalo Center and Lake Mills.

She married Donald LeRoy Bacon in 1935 in Klemme. They lived in Lake Mills, Thompson and Klemme. They farmed and for a time ran Wellemeyer Furniture.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; brother, Andrew Wellemeyer; and sister, Clarice Carlson.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 10, at the United Church of Rowan, with Pastor Janet Wearda officiating. Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery near Rowan. Music was provided by Leola Holmes, organist and a duet of Eugene and Randy Frohling.

Casket bearers were her grandchildren, Mark and Sharon Aldrich, Diane and Ken Little, Jeanette and Jeff Morris, Beth and Bruce Rydberg, Mary and Eric Bisinger, Michael and Narela Beyer, David and Jane Beyer, Janice and Wayne Booth, Jason Beaver, Nancy Beyer, Wanda Babe and Sandra Aldrich. Ushers were Lee Aldrich and Robert Leist.

Neva Fae, daughter of S. Dwight and Nellie B. Carter Hinckley, was born on March 10, 1911 in Armour, South Dakota. At an early age the family moved to the Alden and then Rowan areas, where Neva attended country school. She graduated from the Rowan High School in 1929.

Neva married Raymond Aldrich at the Methodist Parsonage in Rowan on April 25, 1931. The couple made their home on the family farm between Rowan and Belmond. Neva worked as a housewife and mother. She moved to Rowan in 1995 after Raymond died.

Neva loved to crochet, cook and read. Neva and Ray were avid sports fans. They enjoyed watching ball games on television and attending games in Belmond. They never missed their children's high school or 4-H events.

Neva was a member of the United Church of Rowan where she was active in the women's society. She was also a member of the KYN Club in Rowan.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sisters; and two brothers.

Marilyn was born on June 30, 1931 in Belmond, the daughter of Christal and Emma (Ludtke) Friesleben. She graduated from the Belmond High School in 1949, from Wartburg College in 1952, Eastern Washington State University in 1966, and graduate study at Seattle Pacific University.

She taught elementary grades at Waverly and Dubuque and in Cheney and Edmonds, Washington, retiring in 1991.

Marilyn married Clair L. Grube in 1954, and one son was born to them, Martin Allen.

Preceding her in death were her parents; and a brother, Donald Friesleben.

Ruth Mabel, daughter of John and Esther (Schuldt) Abele, was born on November 12, 1913 near Garner. She attended rural schools, graduating from the Garner High School in 1931. Ruth taught for six years.

On December 29, 1937, she married Bernard Pringnitz and they farmed until 1980 when they retired and moved to Klemme. She became a resident of the Concord Care Center in Garner in 1999.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; great-granddaughter, Kaylee Jass; sister, Madeline Abele; and brother, Harold Abele.

Lois Marie, was born on February 25, 1924 near Scranton, Iowa, the daughter of William Herbert Sailer and Irma Jane Jenison Sailer. She graduated from the Jefferson High School in 1942.

She married Levi Turner Hockett in 1948 and they lived on a farm near Jamaica, where they raised six children. They retired to Boone in 1984. She entered a Boone care facility two years ago.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband in 1987; and brothers, Clark and Paul.

Myrtle U. Reppe, was born on September 26, 1912 in Lily, South Dakota, the daughter of John and Malena (Skram) Reppe. She attended rural school in Spring Valley, South Dakota, then attended three years of high school in Brookings and a year at Bradley High School. Following high school she attended two years of Normal Teacher's School in Aberdeen, South Dakota and taught in the Aberdeen area.

Myrtle was employed at Boeing Corporation in Washington state during World War II. In 1946 she returned to Lily where she married Hugh J. Porterfield on December 29, 1946. The couple moved to Alexander where they farmed northeast of Alexander for 55 years.

In addition to helping with the duties of the farm, Myrtle was a homemaker, loving wife, and mother. Myrtle and her husband enjoyed wintering in Arizona for many years. She was active in the St. John Lutheran Church in Belmond, the LCW at the church, and taught Sunday School for many years. Myrtle enjoyed the piano, crocheting, sewing and any activity involving her family. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh, on April 22, 2002; her parents; grandson, Joshua; brother, Einar; and sister, Clarice.

Don was born on December 11, 1919 in Belmond, the son of Jack & Luella (Parker) Finn. He entered the Navy in 1942 and served until 1946.

He married Helen Mae Crabb in 1947 at Red Oak. He graduated from barber college in Sioux City. The couple moved to Clear Lake in 1953 and Don went to work for a local barbershop. He later became sole owner of Don's Barber Shop. He retired in 1998.

He was a member of the St. Patrick's Church, Belmond VFW and the Knights of Columbus.

Don is survived by his daughter, Julie Cummings of Cedar Rapids; and two grandchildren, Sue of Waterloo and Sean of Cedar Rapids.

Betty was born on August 27, 1921 near Belmond, the daughter of Knute and Alma (Gunderson) Severson and was baptized and confirmed at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church near Belmond.

She attended rural school and graduated from the Belmond High School in 1938.

In 1940, she moved to California. Betty married Jack Lynch in 1946 and they lived in the Fairfield, California area. She was employed by Salarno County in California for 25 years. She entered the Paradise Valley Healthcare Center in 1999.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack; and two sisters, Leila Wion and Myrtle Chauncy; and a nephew, Jerry Wion.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 4, at the United Church of Rowan, with burial in the Graceland Cemetery, Rowan.

Joann Junice Boelkes, was born on September 27, 1933 in Franklin County, the daughter of Hilko and Lena (Meyers) Boelkes. She graduated from the Hansell High School. Following graduation, Joann worked at a variety of jobs.

On March 18, 1956, Joann married Garold Martin in New York. They lived on farms near Hampton, Sheffield, Alexander and Rowan.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; daughter, Debbie Dee Martin; and two brothers.