Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 16, at the Calvary Baptist Church in Belmond, with Rev. Garry Schneider officiating. Music was provided by Sherry Peterson, organist and Steve Sorenson, soloist. Casket bearers were Blake, Brett and Tracy Lobdell, Jerry Greenwood, Gary Meyer and Larry Turner. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Cleo was born on September 11, 1906 at Xenia, Illinois, the daughter of Harry and Ethel (Jones) Sefton. She moved with her family to Webster city when she was 8 years old.

She married Harold Nicholson in Webster City in the mid 1930s. She was a life long homemaker and worked for a number of years as a cook at the Belmond Schools.

Cleo was a long time member of the Calvary Baptist Church. She looked forward to Sunday morning services and then traveling to visit her sisters, Irene and Thelma. Family was a very important part of her life, whether it was time spent visiting, crocheting afghans, making clothing, or playing cards with her grandson, Tracy. She loved cats and dogs.

Cleo lived for 13 years at the Belmond Retirement Center and then at the Belmond Health Care Center since February 1998.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Eugene "Nick" Nicholson; an infant son; step-grandson, Kurt Lobdell; and sister, Irene Sefton.

William was born on February 6, 1918, at the home of his parents, Johann and Freda Grulke Oltmann in Marion Township in Franklin County. He attended the Marion Township School.

On August 9, 1944, Bill was united in marriage with Edna Imerman at the Zion Reformed Church of Sheffield. He served in the U.S. Army during WW II.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Dean.

Music was provided by Carol Severson, organist. Harry Gimberg sang a solo accompanied by Janeen Gimberg. A duet was sung Jerry Christians and Sue Toftey. Honorary bearers were Reed and Austin Lette, Sanford Severson and Cliff Toft. Casket bearers were Larry Severson, Steve McLaughlin, Phil Johnson, Edwin Johnson, Wayne Lonnevik, Jeff Erickson and Marvin Lonnevik.

Mary Agnes was born on November 7, 1913 in Peekskill, New York, the daughter of George Washington and Catherine Cecilia (Quinn) Bell. She attended schools through the 10th grade and then stayed at home to help raise her siblings.

She married Arthur Reed Trager on January 6, 1946, at the First Methodist Church in Peekskill. They made their home on the Trager family farm near Belmond. Two years later they returned to the eastern U.S. In 1958 they moved back to the farm in Iowa where they raised their children. They moved into Belmond in 1991.

Mary was devoted to her family. She and Art would enjoy traveling to visit their daughters. Much of Mary's time was spent raising their niece and nephews, to whom she was like a mother. Time shared with her grandsons, Austin and Reed Lette, was especially precious to her.

Mary was a long time member of The Chit & Chat Club. She loved gardening and raising flowers. Music also brought her great joy and relaxation. She was a meticulous and tireless housekeeper. Mary was a faithful member of the St. Olaf Lutheran Church for the past 40 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant son, Arthur Reed Jr.; brothers, Haviland, George, Samuel and Bernard; and sisters, Catherine and Bernadine.

Ellen was born in Belmond on February 4, 1904, the eldest child of Arthur C. and Elizabeth (Keenen) Hinman. She graduated from the Belmond High School.

She married Gunnar Ahlstrom on February 9, 1924 and they farmed for many years near Belmond and Goodell. They celebrated 66 years of marriage. In 1986 Ellen moved to Parkersburg to be near her daughter. The past seven years she lived at Maple Manor.

Ellen made herself useful wherever the need arose. She participated in school, church and community activities and took on most any responsibility she was asked to do. She was a good cook, a fine seamstress, an avid gardener, and helped with all the farm work. She was a wise and devout person who often helped her children and siblings make good decisions.

Ellen was a member of the Belmond United Church of Christ until 1986, when she joined the Christian Reformed Church in Parkersburg.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son-in-law; infant twin brothers; step-mother; brothers, Stephen, Bob and Earl Hinman; and sisters, Agnes Hinman and Ethelyn Benson.

Eldoris Bunnell was organist and Marilyn Janssen was soloist. Casket bearers were Gary Berkland, Steve Been, Rod Been, Rod Tomson, Chuck Tomson, Zack Vosburg and Brian Worden. Honorary bearers were Merle Been, Soupy Cramer, Dale Hauge, Gus Halverson and Ralph Turner.

Fern, the daughter of Henry and Ida Anderson White, was born on November 2, 1918, near Carpenter in Worth County. She graduated from the Northwood High School in 1936 and attended Hamilton School of Business in Mason City. She moved to Belmond in 1938 and was employed as a secretary for Hogenson Construction.

Fern married Robert J. Tomson at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Kensett on December 14, 1941. Fern lived in Webster City and Kensett while Robert was in the Navy. Following his discharge the couple moved back to Belmond where they opened Tomson Grocery across from the school. Fern was later employed by attorney Roy Henderson for ten years, and then self-employed as an insurance agent and real estate broker at the Tomson Insurance Agency.

Fern volunteered for various projects including, Belmond Community School Board, Belmond Park Commission, Belmond Planning and Zoning Commission, Belmond Community Care Car, VFW Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, Congregate Meals, Rebekah Lodge and Belmond Senior Citizens. Fern was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, where she was involved with ALCW, Pearl Circle, and the church council.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brothers, Leslie V. White and J. Richard White.

Loretta was born on March 24, 1916 in Rowan, the daughter of William and Lottie Rowen Bingham. She was a retired postmaster and had lived in Fallon since 1981.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rex; and grandson, Anthony Berns.