Melvin Russell Sorenson, the son of Russell and Angie Seward Sorenson, was born on December 15, 1923 in Elk Point, South Dakota. He attended school in Akron and graduated in 1941. He attended the University of Iowa where he played saxophone and clarinet. Melvin joined the U.S. Army in 1942 and served during WW II. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

On December 16, 1945, he married Dorotha Carpenter of Goodell. They owned and operated an ice cream parlor in Tyler, Minnesota before moving to Belmond where they raised their children and Melvin worked at Iowa Electric until retiring in 1983.

Melvin and his wife were members of the EUB church in Goodell, the Belmond Bible Church, Evangelical Free Church in Clear Lake and currently members of the Evangelical Free Church in Belmond.

They enjoyed traveling with family and camping in the nation's largest national parks. After retirement they spent winters in Lake Wales, Florida and loved having family spend time with them there.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents.

Sharen June Strait, was born on September 21, 1936 at Rowan, the daughter of Emra and Almira (Larson) Strait. She was baptized and confirmed at the St. Olaf Church near Belmond and graduated from the Belmond Community High School in 1954. Sharen married Arnett D. TerHark on October 17, 1954, at St. Olaf.

In 1970 the family moved to Ft. Lauderdale. In Florida, Sharen worked at the Coral Springs Bank and was assistant to the Principal at the Everglades Middle School. She was also manager of the Family Eye Clinic until she retired.

Sharen enjoyed gardening, painting, dancing, and times spent with her friends. Her children and grandchildren were very important to her and she had been involved with their activities at school and home. She had been very active with school age children in the Broward County Schools. In earlier years she had been involved with the 4-H program, a member of the Belmond Busy Bees until 1954, and had served as a Cub and Boy Scout Leader in Spring Valley, Minnesota, for a number of years. She had also been active in girls softball and basketball.

Preceding Sharen in death were her parents; infant sister, Peggy Ann; partner, Barbara Lusk; ex-husband, Arnett TerHark; and sister-in-law, Kathie Strait.

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, LaVerne.

Pio Ramos, the son of Benilda and Julie (Rodriguez) Ramos, was born on December 31, 1921 at Aguss Buenes, Puerto Rico. He served two tenures in the United States Army. He was stationed in Panama during World War II and later spent time in the combat zone during the Korean War. Pio had received numerous awards and medals for his active duty in military service. He continued with a career in the military, serving as an administrative transportation specialist.

Pio married Sally Esquival on September 28, 1953 at San Antonio, Texas. The couple made their home and raised their family in various places, including Texas, Alaska and Minneapolis as they followed Pio's military career. In 1985 he retired as a staff sergeant after nearly 21 years. He then began a career with the Postal Service and was employed in Minneapolis, working nights for 17 years before retiring.

Pio always put the needs of others before his own, did a great deal of community activist work and worked diligently at integrating immigrants into the American culture. He assisted with translation and mentoring people in new business ventures. Pio and Sally hosted many family and neighborhood gatherings. They loved animals and would provide for the needs of strays.

Pio and Sally moved to Belmond from the Twin Cities several years ago to be near their daughter, Julia.

Pio was preceded in death by his parents; son, Ramon Barrientas; infant daughter, Gloria Ramos; grandson, Michael Hudson; three sisters; and five brothers.

Organist was Dona Cleveland and Marilyn Janssen was the soloist. Casket bearers were, Duane, Dwight, Jason, Troy and Steven Wessels, Lynne Henn, Tracy McGinnis, Katrina Herink, Lila Pfleger, Lisa Blumenshine, Brenda Johnson and Lori Steerman.

Leona Wilma, the daughter of William Robert and Anna Janssen Prilipp, was born on February 19, 1914 in Hancock County, near Meservey. She attended country school and Meservey Schools.

She married Luke Wessels on November l, l933. They farmed in the Meservey, Thornton and Belmond areas. In l966 the couple lost their home in the Belmond tornado. Luke died in l971. In l984 she married Lyle Goulty and lived in Kenyon, Minnesota. Lyle died in 1986 and in 1994 Leona moved back to Belmond.

Leona was an active woman. She was a member of the Belmond United Methodist Church and the Rebecca Circle, the Iowa Blacksmith and Welders Association, past Secretary of the North Iowa Wine Club, and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed the bingo crowd and being in charge of the kitchen in Belmond. She was a member of the Monday morning coffee club and enjoyed meeting at various homes. She loved to read cook books and tried many new recipes on family members. She was an avid gardener, made doll clothes and honored all of her grandchildren with an afghan at their weddings.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Luke and Lyle; sons, Kenneth in l979, LuVerne in 1988 and Bernard in 2002; and brothers, Virgil and Marvin Prilipp.

Donna was born on September 28, 1925 at Colfax, the daughter of Claude James and Mima Price Waddington. She graduated from the Belmond High School in 1943.

She married Winston M. Priebe on June 1, 1947. They owned the Family Shoe Store in Creston from 1950 until 1987. After they retired they traveled extensively and rode on RAGBRAI several times.

Donna was a member of the United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Lady Elks, P.E.O., the hospital Guild and Auxiliary and was an original board member of the Southern Prairie YMCA.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1994; brothers, Bobby, Jim and Ray; and granddaughter, Ashley Montague.