Funeral services were held on Wednesday, October 6, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond.

Cynthia Trees was born on February 28, 1952, at the Steele Memorial Hospital in Belmond, the daughter of Paul and Marjorie (Wigg) Trees.

She graduated from the Belmond High School in 1970 and then attended Mankato Commercial College where she majored in Accounting. Cindy was married to Neal A. Rabe on July 17, 1971.

She began her career as a bookkeeper/accountant at Acco Seed in Belmond. She later worked for Lloyd Anders CPA, the Belmond Independent Newspaper and PSI. In October 1995 she became the Executive Director for the Chamber and BIDCO (Belmond Industrial Development) until last winter, when ill health forced her to retire.

Cindy was devoted to her community. In her role as the Executive of the Chamber and BIDCO she relished the opportunity to promote the attributes of Belmond and the surrounding areas. She was always searching for new ways to put the community in the spotlight. Her willingness to lend an open ear and explore the ideas of others, her passion for learning and striving to make the area a better place, was strengthened by her involvement in groups such as the Iowa Chamber Executives, Professional Developers of Iowa, Wright County Tourism, Central Iowa River Partnership, Belmond Promotion Council, Wright County Economic Development and many others.

Cindy loved time spent with her family. They had been on several fishing excursions to Canada and in the fall of 2003, a fishing trip to Wisconsin. Cindy was very excited about her new granddaughter, Molly Hartwig. Cindy loved times spent with friends, going shopping, crafting, home decorating, family gatherings, camping, and going out to dinner with friends.

Cindy was preceded in death by her father, Paul in 2003; brother, Terry in 1964; grandparents, Estella Hanson and Racine Wigg, Vern and Violet Trees; and uncle, Robert Wigg.

Casket bearers were Matthew and Jesse Armour, Michael and Sarah Havens, Rita Simmons and Jason, Steven, Bill, Travis, Taylor and Emily Walrod.

Douglas, the son of William and Jeanette Mickelson Walrod, was born on April 27, 1926 in Belmond. He graduated from the Belmond Community School in 1944. Later that same year he joined the United States Navy and served until being honorably discharged in 1946.

Douglas married Colleen Dorr on November 9, 1946 in Garner. The couple made their home in Belmond where they raised their four children.

Through the years Douglas held many jobs. He was employed by the telephone company, owned and operated Belmond's Skelly Station, worked at Elliott's Hardware, and was a Belmond Policeman. He then was employed by Packard Electric and finally owned his own electrical business, Walrod Electric. He was a member of the Belmond VFW.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sisters, Helen Busick, Lois Hanson and June Hansen; brothers, Clayton, Charles, Gerald, Lawrence and William; and son-in-law, Terry Armour.

Sadie, the daughter of Thomas and Esther (Gunsell) Dahl, was born on March 2, 1912 in Hancock County, the oldest of three children. She grew up in the Kanawha area and attended the Kanawha High School.

Sadie married Edward Gentry on December 21, 1935 in Eagle Grove. The couple made their home in Belmond. For a time they operated the theater.

Sadie held many jobs. She was employed by the theaters in Sheffield and Belmond, at Redder Drug in Belmond, and as a nurse's aide at the hospital in Belmond. She entered the Belmond Health Care Center in 1995 and later transferred to the Hampton Care Center.

She was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church and the ladies aid.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brother, Everett.

Organist was Joann Hansen and singers were Gary and Velda Steenblock. Ushers were Burton and LeRoy Cooper. Casket bearers were Bruce Adams, Clint Mongan, Joshua Mongan, Randy Kaster, Russell Peters, Donald Kraft and Jim Weiss.

Colleen Renee, the daughter of Harvey and Dorothy (Gano) Steenblock, was born on December 3, 1955 in Belmond. She lived on a farm southeast of Kanawha until her father died in 1968 and the family moved into Kanawha. Colleen graduated from the Kanawha High School in 1974. She was confirmed at the Kanawha United Methodist Church.

As a child, Colleen enjoyed spending time swinging on the swings and playing with Barbies. She and her daughter, Kelsie loved to shop and spend quality time together. Colleen had beautiful handwriting and would spend hours practicing calligraphy. She never gave a gift without writing a note or a limerick to include with it.

She was preceded in death by her father; grandparents; father-in-law, Robert; and sister-in-law, Jody.

Esther Louise, was born on October 9, 1915 in Meservey, to Melvin and Emma (McAllister) Smith. She graduated from the Meservey School and attended nursing school in Mason City. She taught in a one room rural school house.

Esther married Arnold Groen in 1937 and they lived in Meservey nearly all of their years together. She worked as an aide in the Belmond, Dows and Clear Lake Nursing Homes.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brothers and sisters, Hugh, Melvin, Harry, Senor, George, Ruth and Ethel.

Pianist was Carol Severson and soloist was Marilyn Janssen. Casket bearers were her children. Honorary casket bearers were Bob and Tom Hill, Jeff Pentico, Rich Peddicord, Dale Walrod and Leslie Thompson.

Mary, the daughter of Maynard and Edna Wedekin was born on October 10, 1934 in Dows. She graduated from the Dows High School in 1953. She married O'Larry Dorr at the St. Francis Catholic Church on June 17, 1952. They made their home in Belmond where they raised seven children.

Mary went to work as a real estate agent at Fern and Bob Tomson's Agency in 1971, then at the Bunnell Agency, and most recently at the First Gabrielson Agency. She was the first woman to serve on the Iowa Realtor's Board. A fighter and an intelligent business woman, Mary thrived on closing the deal. She not only sold homes, she sold her love of Belmond.

On March 4, 1989 she married Donald D. Thompson at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Belmond. Don and Mary made their home in Belmond.

Mary is remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was always full of life. Mary enjoyed golf, bridge, crafts and traveling, especially to the casinos for a good bingo game. Sharing time with friends usually included a cup of coffee. Whether it was with the Dow's girls or the many Belmond groups, coffee was always a wild and humorous experience.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Adrian Oliver Echelberger; step-brother, Vern Echelberger; and step-sister, Avonelle Jetmund.

Albert Earle, was born on September 13, 1908, to Marion (Finch) and Earle Martin on a farm west of Belmond. He attended Belmond Schools, St. Thomas Military Academy in Minneapolis, Marquette University and Iowa State University. Upon graduation from Iowa Sate in 1931 he worked for the extension service.

On February 10, 1934, he married Dorothy Sweeney. They lived in Marshalltown and Des Moines. In 1936 they moved to Indianapolis, where Albert became Regional Director with the Farmers Home Administration.

In December 1940, he was called to active military service with the U.S. Army and assigned to an Artillery Unit at Camp Stewart, near Savannah, Georgia. In June 1943 he was sent to north Africa with the 45th Infantry Division where he was assigned responsibility for a self-propelled anti-aircraft unit. After landing in Sicily, the unit was reassigned to the 3rd Infantry Division that landed at Salerno, Italy and moved north to help liberate Rome. They landed in southern France and fought north. The division moved east through Germany, eventually capturing Hitler's "Eagles Nest" southwest of Munich. After 27 months of combat, with a purple heart and a bronze star, Albert returned to the U.S. in August 1945. He joined an Army Reserve Unit in which he remained active until 1961 when he retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel.

After the war, Albert worked for the Veterans Administration and state agricultural organizations to establish the first farm training program for veterans. It became the model for a national program. He retired from the VA in 1966 and soon after took on administrative responsibilities at the Ames Laboratory at Iowa State University for ten years. In Ames, Albert was active in St. Cecilia's Parish and Iowa State Alumni and Fraternity Associations.

In 1986, he and his wife returned to Belmond. He was a member of the St. Francis Xavier, the Knights of Columbus, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Belmond Historical Society and other organizations.

Albert and Dorothy enjoyed travel as a form of education and a way of meeting new friends. By 1960 they had visited every state. Later they visited many countries, and Albert shared slides of their trips at retirement and community centers. In late May of this year Albert returned to Italy for the 60th anniversary reunion of U.S. soldiers who had landed at Salerno and Anzio beaches. This summer he continued to enjoy his garden, sharing produce with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife; son, James; and daughter, Marion.

Music was provided by organist, Eldoris Bunnell and soloist, Marilyn Janssen. Ushers were Glenn Meints, Al Charlson and Loren Bamford. Honorary bearers were Ronald Borcherding, David Johnson and Donald Sponheim. Casket bearers were Bradley Johnson, Robert Johnson, Trent Johnson, Allan Schallock, Dennis Johnson, Tracy Johnson, Jim Olsen and Christopher Ludwig.

Carol Ruth, was born on April 29, 1937 in Carpenter, the daughter of Clarence Alvin and Ruth Verda (Parker) Johnson. She attended the Rock Creek Country School for a time and then Osage Schools, graduating in 1955.

She married Alfred George McLaughlin on August 8, 1959, at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City. They recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.

Carol and Al lived for a time in Belmond, then Hampton, then Grinnell. In 1973 they returned to Alfred's parents' farm home near Belmond, where they farmed until moving to their present home in Belmond in 1983.

As an adult, Carol attended the Hamilton Business College in Mason City, graduating in 1981. She was employed by the Iowa Division of Soil Conservation from 1981-2002.

Throughout her life, Carol put the needs of others before her own. She was a devoted wife and partner to Al. Her passion was her family and nurturing her children. They will remember her teaching them her values, her love of music, and the importance of education.

Carol cherished any opportunity to be a spectator of any activity her children or grandchildren were involved in. She looked forward to family gatherings and reunions with her siblings. She and Al looked forward to taking their children on annual summer vacations. After the children moved away, Al and Carol loved to visit their children's homes.

Carol was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, where she had served as president of the church council, Sunday School Teacher, the Mary Circle, and recently completed Visionary Task Force. She was involved with the Belmond Hospital Auxiliary, as a Wright County Soil Commissioner, and was Past President of the Culture Club. She volunteered at the Belmond Care Center. Carol was a league bowler for many years and was Vice President of the Happy Eight Bowling League.

Carol's concern for the land and conservation continued as she and Al traveled around the countryside delivering seed drills to farmers. She had earned numerous awards for her conservation work.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Dale and Kenneth Johnson; sisters, Margaret Olson and Florence Borcherding; two infant sisters; and brothers-in-law, Alvy Borcherding and LaVerne Schallock.

Lector was Deb Abel. Organist was Janyce Kluss. Cantor was Rose Mickelson. Casket bearers were Verlyn Boelman, Steve Rolland, Joey McLaughlin, Charlie Soma, David Dorr and Darrin Soma. Ushers were Dr. Art Benetti and Stephen McLaughlin.  

Kevin, the son of Paul and Maxine (Kinseth) Dorr, was born on November 5, 1952 in Belmond. He graduated from the Belmond High School. On May 19, 1972 he married Kathleen Perkins at St. Francis Xavier. They made their home in Belmond.

Kevin was employed by Kinseth Plumbing and Heating in Belmond since 1972, with the exception of 1984-1986 when he attended DMACC to pursue a degree in computer programming. In 1998 he became a partner at Kinseth Plumbing and Heating.

Kevin enjoyed road trips and vacations to new and old favorite places. He had a life long interest in pheasant hunting and fishing, and loved the time spent with family and friends on trips to Canada and Minnesota. Kevin was a member of the St. Francis Xavier Church and the Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his father; maternal grandparents, Bernold and Neva Kinseth; and fraternal grandparents, A. R. and Nellie Dorr.

Dean was born on May 3, 1934, on a farm east of Dows, to Nellie and Louis Freese. He was a graduate of the Rowan High School and Drake University. He joined Frye Copysystems in 1954 as a machine operator and was named President of Frye in 1967. In 1975 he was named group Vice President of Wheelabrator Frye in New Hampshire, went on to be Chairman and CEO of Universal Oil Products Illinois and group Vice President of Allied Signal New Jersey. He retired as Chairman and CEO of U.O.P. in 1986. Dean and his wife, Donna moved to Scottsdale, Arizona and remained Arizona residents with a summer home in Clive.

Dean was a member of the Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, Hyperion Field Club, Camel-back Country Club in Scottsdale, Rio Verde Country Club in Rio Verde, the Printing Industry of America, International Business Forms Industry, and the Black Leaf Society, an honorary society of the printing industry. Dean enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, hunting, fishing trips to Canada, and the Green Bay Packers.

Dean was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathryn; and his parents.

William A. Thompson, 81, of Mason City, died on Sunday, October 31, 2004, at the USA Healthcare in Mason City of a broken heart.

Funeral services for Bill and Dory were held on Friday, November 5, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City, with Rev. Kenneth Hatland officiating. Interment was in the Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery, with military rites.

Bill was born on April 26, 1923 in Belmond, the son of Richard and Matilda Thompson and Helen Nelson.

Dorothy was born on November 16, 1924 in Mason City, the daughter of William and Minnie (Watson) Toinbee.

They had a storybook romance. Bill met Dory in the summer of 1940 and spent the summer together roller skating and swimming at the Bay Side Amusement Park in Clear Lake, and bowling in Mason City. Bill graduated from the Belmond High School in 1941 and Dory from the Mason City High School in 1942.

Bill's first job was a telephone lineman and he then worked as a farm handyman. In 1942, he became employed at State Brand Creamery (AMPI) in Mason City until he was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1943. Bill traveled across Africa and Italy where he was wounded in action. After recuperating, he rejoined his company and fought across France and into Germany. He was involved in six major campaigns, received 14 medals, and attained the rank of Sergeant. Among his medals were the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

Dory worked for Decker's Packing Co. and eagerly awaited the end of WW II.

Honorably discharged from the Army, Bill made a mad dash for Mason City to marry his sweetheart. One month later, on her birthday in 1945, they were married at the Little Brown Church. He returned to State Brand Creamery where he worked for 42 years.

Dory was a wonderful wife and mother. She always welcomed family and friends into their home, often asking if they were hungry or offering a roll and coffee. She enjoyed cooking and would watch cooking shows for new ideas. She kept her mind sharp by working crossword puzzles and her hands busy with crocheting. Each fall she looked forward to a trip to the apple orchards.

Bill was a great husband and father. He passed on his hobbies to his children. He was competitive in billiards and was the Mason City champion for several years. Bill also enjoyed bowling, golfing and woodworking.

Bill and Dory loved spending time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Every Wednesday was family supper night. Together they enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and were diehard Cubs fans.

They were preceded in death by daughter, Sally Ann Thompson; Dory's parents; her sisters, Lucille Boehmer, Edna Albertson, Patricia Murl and Marcella Hugo; her brothers, Robert, William and LeRoy Toinbee; Bill's parents; his sister, Anita Whipple; and his brothers, Richard, Donald and Roger Thompson.

Herman was born on March 24, 1931 to Herman, Sr. and Jennie (Kuiper) Gruis in Hollandale. He attended school through the 8th grade.

On April 10, 1953, he married Adeline Ruth Abbas at the Ackley Christian Reformed Church. He received his GED from the Austin High School in 1964, his AA from Austin Junior College in 1966, and his BA in Political Science and Economics from the Mankato State University in 1967.

He attended Western Theological Seminary, earning his Master of Divinity in 1970 and become an ordained minister. He was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the political science honor society, received first prize in Theology WTS, and was given the Pietenpol Award.

Herman served at Lakeland Reformed Church in Vicksburg, Michigan from 1970-78, at First Reformed in Edgerton, Minnesota from 1978-84, at Bethany Reformed in Clara City, Minnesota from 1984-91, at Emmanuel Reformed in Morrison, Illinois from 1991-98, as interim pastor for eight months at the Reformed Church in Firth, Nebraska and at Bethany Reformed in Belmond from 1998-2004.

He was a member of Rotary from 1970-78, Lions from 1984-91 and Kiwanis from 1991-97, serving as President in all three organizations.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Elizabeth.