Music was provided by Eldoris Bunnell, organist and Annie Avery, soloist. Casket bearers were David Dockwell, Kent Thoe, Kim Dockwell, Gordon Sandman, Lance Thoe and Kevin Nye. Ushers were Loren Bamford and Al Charlson.

Bertha was born on January 22, 1929 near Rowan, the daughter of William and Della (Langdon) Retleff. She was baptized and confirmed in the Congregational Church in Rowan. She graduated from the Rowan High School in 1947.

On November 21, 1948, she married George Dockwell at her parent's home near Rowan. George and Bertha farmed near Coulter, Rowan and Riceville, moving to Belmond in 1966.

Bertha worked for the Belmond Schools as a cook. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and Know Your Neighbor Club in Rowan.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Irma was born on August 15, 1916 in Donnellson, the daughter of Harry J. and Edna L. Krebill. After graduating from the Donnellson High School she attended Parsons College in Fairfield and Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. On June 10, 1939, she married Clement W. Griffiths.

Irma was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and son-in-law, Don Cleveland.

Organist was Carol Severson. Ushers were Alfred Johnson and Clifford Toft. Casket bearers were Jared Rokke, Jason Rokke, Steve Prohaska, Wayne Lonnevik, Bob Berns and Nelson Rokke.

Honorary bearers were Paul Thompson, Martina Rokke, Kirsten Rokke, Roger Lonnevik, Byron Nelson, Curtis Nelson, Gina Prohaska and Arlie Olson.

John was born on June 26, 1911 in Skatval, Norway the son of Paul and Martine Hedstein Rokke. He was baptized and confirmed in the Skatval Kirke. He attended country school in Norway where he excelled in track.

John worked on the farm until the age of 18, when he immigrated to America and the home of his Uncles Nickolie and Henry Nelson and Aunt Kristine and Oline Mehus. He worked as a farm hand for Jake and Gerhard Thompson and at the Olaf elevator. During the summer of 1936 he worked on a fishing boat in Alaska.

He married Hazel Oscarson on October 7, 1939 at the Danish Lutheran Church in Alden, Minnesota. They farmed near Olaf for 40 years, moving to Belmond in 1979. They spent winters in Arizona for 14 years, traveled frequently, and visited his brother and sister in Norway many times. Hazel died in 1988 and John continued to work on the farm and in his woodworking shop.

John married Arlet Halvorson Nelson at the Little Brown Church on August 19, 1989. They lived in Belmond.

Preceding him in death were his first wife; daughter, Charlotte Wright; six brothers; and one sister.

Ethel Bier, one of nine children, was born August 19, 1914 in Meservey, the daughter of Henry G. and Priscilla (Pals) Bier. She attended Meservey schools.

Ethel worked the early years of her life as a waitress in a cafe where she met her husband, Urie T. Young. They were married January 10, 1934. She traveled with Urie as he sold cookware throughout the country. They lived in various places, and she worked for Woolworth's and at the Plaza in Kansas City.

Ethel returned to Belmond in the 1970s and moved to the Belmond Community Apartments in 1980. She enjoyed simple things and had strong convictions. She was a devoted mother, wife, grandma and caregiver and was a wonderful cook. She never drove an automobile in her 89 years.

Ethel was active in the United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, the senior citizens group and the Belmond Care Car.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; son-in-law, Rusty Rusnak; sisters, Laura Haupt, Iva Beek and Wanda Bier; brothers, Warren, Glenn and Lloyd Bier; and an infant brother, Lester.

Music was provided by Eldoris Bunnell, organist and Marilyn Janssen, soloist. Ushers were Al Charlson and Loren Bamford. Casket bearers were Scott Long, Larry Long, Tim Long, Jeff Kinseth, Mark Carson, Robert V. Nelson, Dave Nelson, Earl Kalkwarf and Randy Turner.

Pearl Larson was born on December 27, 1906, on her parents' farm in Norway Township near Kanawha, the daughter of Lewis J.R. and Betey (Nelson) Larson. She was baptized on March 3, 1907, at the Norwegian Lutheran Church in Kanawha.

Pearl attended Kanawha area schools until 1919 when the family moved to a farm near New Richland, Minnesota. She graduated from the New Richland High School in 1925.

Pearl attended Normal Training at Morningside College in Sioux City for one year before returning to live with her mother and two younger sisters in Belmond.

Following her mother's death, she taught primary grades at New Richland rural schools. Pearl later worked for a time as a nanny in Minneapolis while attending Lutheran Bible College in St. Paul. She graduated in 1933.

Pearl was accepted as a missionary to the Sudan in March 1935 and was commissioned at Trinity Lutheran Church by Pastor Guldseth. She began her missionary work in 1936, traveling by boat from New York to Germany, and then on to Cameroon, Africa. Pearl and her team of missionaries arrived at Meiganga in January 1937. Her vocation as a missionary continued until her retirement in 1975.

Upon retirement she returned to St. Paul where she spent one year speaking about her career.

Pearl moved back to Belmond in 1976 and later made her home at the Community Apartments. She became a resident of the Belmond Health Care Center in 1999. Pearl had been active at Trinity Lutheran Church for many years, teaching Sunday School and participating in the ALCW.

Preceding her in death were her parents; brothers, Ralph, Alfred, Elmer and Dr. A.M. Larson; sisters, Mabel Sybilrud, Lillian Engel and Dorothy Higgins.

Walter was born on March 15, 1919 in Goodell, the son of Adolf and Martha (Watermiller) Schlichting. He graduated from the Klemme High School in 1938. He farmed with his father and then entered the military in May 1941. He served in the Army Medical Corps with the 34th division and gave first aid at the hospital. His battalion received a citation for caring for more wounded than any other unit. He went to Ireland, Scotland, England, Africa and Italy, participating in five major battles including Cassino, Salerno, and Naples. He was awarded the good conduct medal and received an honorable discharge in July 1945.

Walter married Marcele Hoeft on July 25, 1945, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner. They farmed in rural Garner for five years, then moved southeast of Clear Lake. In 1975 they moved to town but continued to farm with his sons until the age of 80.

Walter enjoyed his fishing trips to Canada with Marcele, being "snowbirds" in the winter, going to both Texas and Arizona and fixing up his 1930 John Deere GP tractor. He served on the Clear Lake Farmers Coop board many years and was a 4-H Leader. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and the Garner V.F.W.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, George and Glen.

Verner Emil, the son of Emil and Alma Ella (Haberkamp) Lau, was born on October 15, 1920 on a farm south of Klemme. After graduating from the Klemme High School in 1938 he farmed with his father. From 1944-46 he was in the U.S. Army. On June 4, 1958 he married Velma Larsen.  

Verner was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Allen and sister, Lois Happel.

Phyllis was born on December 30, 1938 in Belmond, the daughter of Archie and Hilda Lee. She and her husband, Bill founded AP/M Permaform in Johnston.

She was preceeded in death by her parents; and sisters, Donna Goeman and Lavonne and Lois Lee.

Edna Viola, the daughter of Hero (Hix) and Anna (Schulte) Frohling was born on October 23, 1918 in Alexander. Edna grew up in the Alexander area and graduated from the Alexander High School in 1936. Then she worked for a time cleaning and cooking for local farmers. She later graduated from the LaJames Beauty School in Mason City.

Edna was married to Leroy Green on October 8, 1945 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The couple made their home on a farm near Belmond and later moved into town. Edna was a housewife and mother and operated a beauty shop in her home. She enjoyed fishing, golfing, and crochet.

Edna was a member of the Belmond United Methodist Church. She also belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star and the V.F.W. Auxiliary. Edna volunteered for the Belmond Health Care Center and Belmond Community Chest. She belonged to the Belmond Country Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and sisters, Sylvia and Magdalene.

Music was provided by Shirley Kuhlers, organist and Jerry Boelman, soloist. Ushers were Alvin and Don Braner. Casket bearers were Ken Loats, Mark Loats, Jeffrey Loats, Fred A. Loats, James Riggins and Robert Larson.

Jessie was born on January 17, 1906 in Belmond, the daughter of Frederick and Lena (Arenholz) Loats. She attended rural schools. She was a housekeeper at the Hill Motel in Belmond for many years.

Those who knew Jessie will especially remember her for her attention to family history and for her love of the outdoors and nature.

Preceding her in death were her parents; sister, Willamine Smith; and brothers, Benjamin and Andrew Loats.

Wilma Faye Erdman, the daughter of James and Clara (Martinson ) Gambell, was born on October 19, 1924 at Forest City. On October 4, 1941, she married Virgil Gordon at Benson, Minnesota. They lived in the Garner area where they raised their family and Wilma worked as a cook. In 1975, she married Harold Erdman. They made their home in Belmond. Wilma returned to Garner in 1981 and continued to work as a cook at several restaurants.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Virgil Ron Gordon; and husbands, Virgil Gordon and Harold Erdman.

Rhoda was born on August 24, 1941 in Belmond, the daughter of Paul Andrew and Esther Pauline Dorenkamp Bohning. She graduated from the Alexander High School in 1959. She married and moved to Key West and Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Then she settled in the Eugene and Portland, Oregon areas. About twenty years ago she was declared legally blind. She worked for the Society for the Blind for many years.

Rhoda was preceded in death by her father; and a stillborn infant.

He was born on May 9, 1917 in Goldfield, the son of William and Gertrude (Riefe) Peterson. As a youth he lived in Belmond for a time. He graduated from the Ft. Dodge High School. He returned to Belmond in 1939 and worked at First State Bank. In 1941 he became the first person in Wright County to be drafted into the U.S. Army. Following military service he lived in West Bend, Clear Lake and then Algona.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 23, 2004, at 1:30 p.m., at the United Methodist Church in Belmond, with Pastor Mike Druhl officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery with military rites by the U.S. Navy Funeral Detachment from the Great Lakes Naval Base in Chicago, Illinois.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Dugger Ewing Funeral Home and one hour prior to services at the church.

Paul was born on January 22, 1965, the son of Paul E. and the late Etta Ann (Leonard) Christensen at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Oakland. He attended schools in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Manassas, Virginia, Dixon, Missouri, Eagle Grove, Iowa and graduated from high school in Loyal, Oklahoma. Paul attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman prior to entering the U.S. Navy. During his career in the Navy, Paul received his bachelors degree in history from the University of Maryland and his masters degree in business from Troy State University.

He attended many service schools, including the Defense Language School (Russian) in California and Communications School in Florida. While in the Navy he served throughout the world including Iceland, Scotland, Japan, Washington D.C., Pensacola, and San Diego. Paul served on the USS LaSalle in Bahrain and served in the first Gulf War. Paul was a life member of the Belmond VFW.

Paul was preceded in death by his mother, Etta Ann Christensen; his maternal and paternal grandparents; and an uncle.

Music was provided by Dona Cleveland, organist and Marilyn Janssen, soloist. Honorary casket bearers were Sandy Anderson, Betty Barkema, Marcie Halverson, Cleona Tegland, Marcey Foss, Carmel Hammond, Renee McLaughlin, Lynna Smith. Casket bearers were Rick Middleton, Merlin Halverson, Lee Wilkerson, Doug Stoffer, Chris McMurray and Bob Mourlam.

Alberta Jean, the daughter of Claude Harold and Clara Belle (Spurlin) Thayer was born on August 2, 1924 in Belmond. She was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church. She graduated from the Belmond High School in 1942.

On March 2, 1942, she married Richard Guy Middleton in Bethany, Missouri. They lived in Waco, Texas, and Clarion before settling in Belmond.

Alberta worked part-time for Drs. Bob Misner and Les Classick at the Veterinary Clinic and for Ris Van. She then worked for Dr. A.M. Larson from 1961 to 1987. Alberta loved to golf and was a member of the Belmond Country Club. She also bowled for over 25 years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Belmond.

Alberta was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Dorothy; and brother-in-law, George (Coonie) Smith.

Charlie was born in Perry on July 8, 1942, the son of Thorsten and Winifred (Hight) Hellman. He grew up in Jamaica, Iowa and graduated from the Jamaica High School in 1961. In 1978, Charlie married Margaret Weinberger.

Charlie worked for Triggs Manufacturing in Perry and moved to Belmond with the company in 1965. He also worked for USS Agri Chemicals for 14 1/2 years and at Kiefer Built for six years until he was unable to work anymore.

He enjoyed fishing, photography, family games, and having coffee with the True Value guys. Charlie belonged to the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Masonic Lodge and was a life member of the DeMolay.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Virgil June was born on November 22, 1918 in Belmond, the daughter of Elling and Nettie Ellingston. She was baptized and confirmed at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church near Belmond. She taught at Country School No. 5. She married O. Keith Bailey on October 29, 1939.

Virgil was a homemaker and an active member of the Mason United Methodist Church. She will be remembered for her inner strength and love for family. She liked to travel back to the Midwest by train to visit. Virgil enjoyed flowers and the outdoors, sunrises and sunsets. She gave her family strength, much love, and wisdom her entire lifetime.

She was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Maxine and Elmer Michelson.

She is survived by her husband, Keith of Tacoma, Washington; son, Michael of Tacoma; daughter, Miriam (William) Durham of Gig Harbor, Washington; sisters, Eunice (Lloyd) Christensen, Bernice (Robert) Nelson and Avis Hopkey; and brothers, Leo (Opal) Ellingston and Ray (Rebecca) Ellingston, all of Belmond.
©Belmond Independent 2004

Music was provided by Rachel Boelman, organist and Marilyn Janssen, soloist. Ushers were Henry Gerdes, Robert Kalkwarf and Robert Wenzel. Casket bearers were Wayne Bruggeman, Dan Didio, Maynard Holmgaard, Frank Quigley, John Ysker, Daren Mennenga and the "Belmond Fire Department".

Marion Rohn was born on December 12, 1914 at Sheffield, the daughter of Fred and Amanda (Witt) Rohn. She graduated from the Sheffield High School in 1932. During her school years she participated in basketball and was an excellent swimmer.

Marion worked for a time as a waitress at Petersen's Cafe in Belmond. She met her future husband, Wallace "Soupy" Cramer, when he made deliveries to the cafe from Petersen's Meat Market across the street.

They were married on September 19, 1937, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Sheffield. They opened Soupy's Shell Service on Highway 69 in Belmond, and Marion helped in the cafe.

Shortly after they were married Marion was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Through the love and support of her husband of more than 66 years, she made the best of life. Friends and family will remember her for her wonderful smile and words of encouragement.

Marion loved bridge and playing cards with the ladies at the Leinbach Center. She was an avid reader, watched television, and enjoyed visits with friends and family. Marion had been a member of the Culture Study Club and groups at the St. John Lutheran Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Carl, Wilfred and Frederick.

G. J. was born on April 19, 1922 in Belmond, the son of Glenn C. and Hulda S. (Nelson) Baker. After graduation from the Belmond High School, he attended Iowa State University. He married Dorothy Holgate on February 8, 1944 in Iowa Falls. He obtained his Iowa brokers license in 1956.

In 1961, the family moved from Ames to Colorado Springs. After obtaining his Colorado real estate brokers license, he owned and operated Baker Real Estate. Later he established Baker Real Estate and Appraisers after additional studies at the University of Colorado. His eldest son, Dennis, worked with his father in both the real estate and the appraisal businesses.

G.J. was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Pikes Peak Association of Realtors, and the Colorado Association of Real Estate Appraisers. He was honored by CAREA as the founder and president. He was also a former member of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Singing.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Wayne, Curtis, Claire and Jack; sister, Mary Lou Tice; and granddaughter, Camela Michelle Baker.