Mabel Evans

June 12, 2007

Mabel Evans, 96, of Clarion, died on Wednesday, June 6, 2007, at the USA Health Care in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 12, at the Clarion Church of Christ with interment in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Mabel Elizabeth, was born on March 25, 1911 in Hancock County, the eighth of eleven children of Teeke Tjaard and Helen (Frey) Lieuwen. She was born on the family farm three and one half miles west of Meservey. Her parents were immigrants, Teeke from Terschelling, Netherlands and Helen from Ostfriesland, Germany. Mabel often joked that there were so many children that she was called Baby until the next baby was expected. Her brother, George was given the honor of naming her.

Mabel went to country school and then her family allowed her to work and board in Belmond so she could attend high school. She graduated from the Belmond High School in 1928. Then she taught country school at Pleasant Township #6.

Mabel married Clifton M. Evans in Mason City on October 5, 1936. They had met at a dance at Lake Cornelia. Clif and Mabel made their home in Clarion.

Mabel was a wonderful homemaker. She was famous for her baking, especially her delicious tea rings. Her calm, steady personality kept the home running smoothly, and her efficiency and home management allowed Clif to pursue his successful business career.

Mabel was a member of the Clarion Church of Christ, Navy Mothers and the Kensington Club. She spent time as a 4-H Leader and was a supporter of the Heartland Museum.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years; son, William; her parents; brothers, George, Bert and Don; and sisters, Grace Barkema, Nellie Barkema, Rose Baker, Helen Kelly, Maurine Pals and Margaret Parker.

She is survived by her children, Bill (Pat) Evans of Costa Mesa, California, Terry (Sharon) Evans of Clarion and Kathryn Sehnert of Mancos, Colorado; grandchildren, Bill Evans of Costa Mesa, Susan and Rob Meade and Mackenzie of Mesa, Arizona, Diahann and Mark Russell and Taylor and Ryan of Minnetrista, Minnesota and Todd and Robin Sehnert and Brandon, Connor and Evan of Mancos; sister, Mary Jasperson of Ft. Mohave, Arizona; and sister-in-law, Jenny (Mrs. George) Lieuwen of Belmond.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Doug Roseth

June 19, 2007

Doug Roseth, 52, died at his home in Americus, Georgia, on Sunday, June 10, 2007.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 13, at the First United Methodist Church in Americus, with Rev. Jim McIlarth officiating. Burial was in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Born on October 25, 1954 in Mason City, Doug was the son of the late Brandon David Roseth and Herma Gladys Halverson Roseth. He was a mechanic who could fix anything, a carpenter who could build anything, and a person who would do anything for anybody. He was employed as shop foreman at the Agrium fertilizer plant in Americus.

He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, the Wesley Sunday School class, and served on the administrative board for several years. He enjoyed working as a Boy Scout volunteer. Doug and his family lived in Belmond in 2001 and 2002.

Survivors include his wife, Jayme and son, Douglas Jr. of Americus; brothers, Paul (Debbie) Roseth of Pembroke Pines, Florida and Jim (Beverly) Roseth of Plainfield, Illinois; nephew, Brandon Roseth of Pembroke Pines; aunts and uncles including Peggy Halverson of Belmond, Gus and Shirley Halverson of Belmond and Merlin and Marcella Halverson of Kanawha.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Americus, Georgia, the Americus-Sumter County Hospice, Americus, Georgia or to the First United Methodist Church of Americus.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Donna Orte

June 12, 2007

Donna Belle (Wigg) Orte, 73, of Clarion, died on Monday, June 11, 2007, at the Wright Medical Center Hospice Unit following a battle with lung cancer.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 14, at 10:30 a.m., at the Clarion Church of Christ, with Rev. Timothy Platt officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. Visitation will be from 5-7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, at the church and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Donna Belle Wigg, the daughter of Hartwig Racine and Estella Marie (Smith) Hansen, was born on March 21, 1934 at Clarion. She was baptized at the Clarion Church of Christ. Donna graduated from the Clarion High School in 1952.

Donna was then employed with the Birdsall, Archerd, Nagel Law Firm in Clarion for three years. She moved to Clinton and was employed by General Electric in Morrison, Illinois. There she met her husband, Marvin Ray Orte. They were married on February 11, 1956 at the Clarion Church of Christ.

Donna was employed for many years at the Clarion Care Center and also for a time at the Fairfield Care Center. She also owned and operated a bakery in Fairfield for eleven years, a career torch that has been continued by the Orte's Bakery in Mason City.

Donna's number one focus in life was her children, teaching them the value of caring for others and the ethic of hard work. She cherished time spent at a family gathering, spectating at one of the grandkids extracurricular activities, traveling to see family, or just spending precious time visiting with them.

Donna was very proud of the Christian values her mother instilled in her as a child, and she in turn took great pride in passing these values on to her kids. She was a devoted member of the Clarion Church of Christ where she was active in the Pioneer Club, youth programs, church camp, Vacation Bible School and adult Sunday School. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels and at the Wright Medical Center.

Donna enjoyed raising flowers and vegetables, a friendly but competitive game of 500, crossword and word search puzzles, and in earlier years bowling and golf. For many years she enjoyed a special bond with her friend, Anton Prechtal of Fairbanks, AK.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Hans Hansen; and brother, Robert Wigg.

Survivors include her children, Marty (Susan) Orte of Sheffield, Connie (Scott) Erickson of Belmond, Steven (Tamara) Orte of Clear Lake, David Orte of Tucson, Arizona, Linda Orte of Fairfield and Susan Erickson (fiancée, Brian Larsen) of Belmond; grandchildren, Matthew Orte, Ben Tedrow and Heidi, Chad (Lacey) Tedrow, Amy Tedrow, Shawn Orte, Courtney Orte, Colton Orte, Julie (Greg) Hall, and Kara and Kassie Erickson; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Phyllis Arthur of Mason City and Marjorie Trees of Belmond; sister-in-law, Imogene Wigg of Clarion; and special friend, Anton Prechtal.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Marcella Cunningham

June 19, 2007

Marcella J. Cunningham, 75, of Goodell, died on Wednesday, June 13, 2007, at the Belmond Medical Center, Belmond.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, June 16, at the Goodell United Methodist Church, with Pastor Paddy Druhl officiating. Inurnment was in the Amsterdam Cemetery near Goodell.

Marcella Jeanne, the daughter of Ray C. and Mabel L. Garberich Green, was born on July 17, 1931 near Belmond. She graduated from the Belmond High School in 1950.

Marcella married Harold Cunningham on February 14, 1953 in Belmond and they farmed in the Goodell area. Marcella was a teller at the First State Bank in Belmond for many years, retiring in 1996.

Marcella enjoyed visiting with family, Camp Cunningham activities, weekly gatherings with the lunch bunch, crossword puzzles, baking and gardening.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Gail and son-in-law, Lynn Bailey; and sisters and brothers, Luella Green, Kenny Green, Harry Green, Roy Green and Marian Pals.

Marcella is survived by her husband; children, Marc (Sylvia) of Portsmouth, Virginia, Sharon (Don) Millage of Ames, Tracey (Bill) Mikesh of Medway, Massachusetts, Dwight of Goodell, Corrine (Jeff) Vander Vegte of Rock Valley; grandchildren, Becky Statsman, Bethany (Matt) Reineke, Melanie (Dave) Rogotzke, Daniel (Olya) Mikesh, Taylor Millage, Melissa Mikesh, Michelle Millage, Heidi (Dave) Samia, Carrie (Jason) Bileau, Katie Vande Vegte, Daren Vande Vegte and Megan Vande Vegte; four great-grandchildren; and sisters, Betty Barkema of Belmond and Deloris Robbins of Goodell.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Marjorie Holtzbauer

July 10, 2007

Marjorie Nora Holtzbauer, 92, a former resident of the Belmond Community Apartments, died of cancer on Thursday, June 14, 2007, at her home in Sparta, Michigan.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., on Wednesday, July 18, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond. Inurnment will be in the Norway Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Wright County.

Marjorie Janson, was born on April 28, 1915, to Hjalmar and Anna Enge Janson. A graduate of the Clarion High School in 1932, she pursued her dream of becoming a teacher, and taught at a country school in Kanawha until her marriage to John Holtzbauer in 1938. They settled for a short time at Titonka and then embarked on a grand adventure to San Diego where she would live for over 60 years.

During World War II she worked at an aircraft factory and later managed the Customer Service Department for Sears, Roebuck. After raising her family she returned to education and became an admissions counselor for the University of California.

Although she spent most of her adult years in southern California, she never forgot her midwestern values. She spent many summer vacations on the family farm in Iowa. In 2005 Marjorie moved to Belmond and renewed old acquaintances and made new friends.

A true character with a quick wit and a sharp mind, Marjorie had a wide range of friends. She was a kind and gentle woman who took the time to listen to her friends and family with empathy, and never failed to offer a "sprinkling of wisdom" when it was requested. Her surprise 92nd birthday party this past April became a celebration of life when over 37 relatives gathered at the Eagle Grove Country Club. Celebrations continued after she moved to Michigan, where she enjoyed visits from her grandchildren and their families from Washington, Colorado and Oklahoma.

She was preceded in death by her husband of forty years; brothers, Tolford and Eldon; brothers and their wives, Kenneth (June), Harley (Helen) and Joel (Bernice); sister-in-law, Grace Janson; brother-in-law, William Leffingwell; and John Menzyk, her loving friend and companion in her later years.

Survivors include daughters, Tracy (Judy) Mezeske of Sparta and Betty Stanton of San Diego; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; brother, Edgar Janson of Belmond; sisters, Evelyn Leffingwell of Chicago and Anna Elaine (Ritchie) Kane of Westgate; sisters-in-law, Helen Janson of Gravity and Harriet Janson of Clear Lake; and best friends of many years, Delores Paplow and Irene Stanton of San Diego and Helen Perlock of Bristol, Connecticut.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Pamela Sharp Huelsman

June 19, 2007

Pamela R. Huelsman, 47, died on Saturday, June 16, 2007, after a battle with cancer.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, July 21, at the Hillcrest Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City.

Pamela René, was born on October 11, 1959 in Belmond, to Elaine (Carroll) and George Sharp. In 1981 she moved to Oklahoma City when the family relocated. She graduated with a degree in accounting while working full-time as manager of the night shift at Globe Life. She began working for Norick Brothers as an accountant and soon was promoted to human resources director. Then she earned her master's degree with honors in human resources from Southern Nazarene University and became an adjunct professor at SNU. In 2000 she was hired at Rexam Beverage Can Company as human resources manager.

She was a member of the National Human Resources Directors Association, the Society for Human Resource Management, the Oklahoma City Human Resource Society, and the American Management Association.

Her interests included drama and music. She sang in the El Reno Community Chorus and acted in several community plays and musicals. She enjoyed reading and collecting angels, crosses and handmade crafts and art. She loved her church family at Hillcrest Presbyterian, where she sang in the choir, was active on committees, and served as a church elder. Pam was a deeply committed Christian with a tender heart and spirit. She was devoted to her entire family. The central focus of her life was her son, Aaron.

She is survived by her son and his father, Daryl of Mustang, Oklahoma; her father of Yukon, Oklahoma; sisters, Carol (George) Lamkins of Las Vegas, Nancy Sharp of Yukon and Diane (Greg) Johnson of Yukon; and nephews, Jordan and Cameron Johnson of Yukon.

Pam was preceded in death by her mother.

In lieu of flowers, Pam asked that donations be made to the Hillcrest Presbyterian Church "Helping Hands" fund, which helps members in crisis or financial need.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Cindy Darling Neck

June 19, 2007

Cindy Darling Neck, 45, of San Diego, California and formerly of Belmond, died on Saturday, September 16, 2006. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, June 23, in Harvest Hall at Twin Lakes Christian Center on North Twin Lake, which is seven miles southwest of Manson.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Mildred Thomson

June 26, 2007

Mildred Catherine Thomson, 93, of Cedar Falls, formerly of Belmond and Fort Dodge, died on Monday, June 18, at the Windsor Nursing and Rehab Center.

Committal services were held on Tuesday, June 19, at the Immanuel Reformed Church Cemetery near Belmond. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Pauline Ulrich

June 26, 2007

Pauline Delores (Kline Ausborn) Ulrich, 86, of Klemme, died on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at the Belmond Medical Center, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Funeral services were held on Friday, June 22, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme, with Rev. Donna Buckman officiating. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery.

Pauline, the daughter of John and Anna Julia Alvina (Ausborn) Kline, was born on January 31, 1921 in Ervin Township, Hancock County. She went to live with her grandparents, Richard and Anna (Nieman) Ausborn, on a farm southeast of Britt when she was six months old, taking the Ausborn name while living with her grandparents.

Pauline attended local schools. She met her husband, Richard when they were both working at the Clear Lake Bakery. They were married on October 19, 1942 at Glenville, Minnesota. Her passions were family, cooking, dancing, gardening, camping, genealogy and laughter.

She was preceded in death by her son, Larry; grandson, Richard; son-in-law, Robert; and good friend, Lorraine Woiwood.

Survivors include her husband; daughters, Patricia (the late Robert) Lee of Mason City and Donna (Lynn) Katter of Rochester, New York; grandchildren, Wendell, Richard, Lynetta, Denise, Dawn, Michael, Lathryn, Paul, Melissa and Allison; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Margaret Martin

June 26, 2007

Margaret May Martin, 88, of Clarion, died on Thursday, June 21, 2007, at the USA Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 25, at the United Presbyterian Church in Clarion, with Pastor Bill Kem officiating. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Margaret May, the daughter of Edward and Pearl (Griffith) Graves, was born on March 11, 1919 in Eagle Grove Township. She graduated from the Goldfield High School. Maggie married Leighton Earl Martin in Bethany, Missouri on June 27, 1942.

Maggie was a member of The American Legion Auxiliary and VFW. She enjoyed playing cards, doing crossword puzzles and watching TV.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant son and daughter; two brothers; and one sister.

Maggie is survived by her children, Gary (Laurie) Martin, Ed (Jane) Martin and Sandie (Bill) Malooly, all of Clarion; grandchildren, Danielle (Paul) Hansch, Bradd Martin, Rod (Tara) Martin, Jeff Martin, Marissa (Bryce) Hamilton and Ariel Malooly; great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Quinn and Lauren Hansch and Jacob Martin; and sisters, Norene (Charles) Elberg of Eagle Grove and Mary (Hans) Thompson of Goldfield.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Kurt Ahlstrom

July 3, 2007

Kurt V. Ahlstrom, 80, of Belmond, died on Monday, June 25, 2007, at his home, following a battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 28, at the Belmond United Methodist Church, with Rev. Michael Druhl officiating and military honors provided by the Belmond Honor Guard. Burial was in the Egg Harbor Cemetery, New Jersey.

Kurt Vincent, the son of Herman and Blenda (Ljunberg) Ahlstrom, was born on July 12, 1926 in Vexjo, Sweden. As a young child he immigrated with his family to the Belmond-Goodell area where he received his education in country schools. Kurt later continued his education in the electronics field in Des Moines and Rockford, Illinois.

He was employed for a time as a tool and die maker at Rockford prior to being drafted in October 1950. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Kurt transferred to the Army Reserve in October 1952 and was honorably discharged in February 1957 as a PFC.

Kurt lived for six years in Alaska where he attended flight school. He also received hundreds of hours of training at the Federal Aviation Academy in Oklahoma City, completing requirements as a Flight Inspection Technician. That career took him to many places throughout the world. Much of his focus was on the certification of airports. He retired in 1974. He then worked for a time in real estate and electronics in the development of whatever project was at hand.

Kurt married Joan B. Naugle in January of 1968 on a beach in Atlantic City. During their time together raising a son and daughter, the couple enjoyed taking family trips to Alaska and the western United States. Joan died in 1982. Kurt continued to reside in New Jersey until 1995 when he started returning to Iowa to spend time and take trips with his brothers.

In June 1999, he married Betty R. (Green) Barkema at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Their years together included travels to Florida, Sweden, Alaska and Hawaii.

Kurt was a man who enjoyed exploring and experiencing all that life had to offer. He made trips to 26 different countries and six of the seven continents. He spent time in Paris, Luxor, the Tomb of King Tut, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Stations of the Cross in the Holy Land, and Lebanon. He appreciated a good conversation and story sharing with family and friends, and simple things such as bird watching and raising flowers. He was a long time member of the DAV, the Aircraft Owner's and Pilots Association, and an Alaskan flight club he helped charter back in the 1950's.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Joan; brothers, Stanley (and Beulah) and Carl (and Carolyn); and sister, Pearl (and Wilbur) White.

Survivors include his wife, Betty R. Barkema of Belmond; son, Kurt Ahlstrom II (Denise) and their sons, Jacob and Alexander of Dallas; daughter, Karen (Edward) Rodriquez and their daughters, Kayla and Marissa of Westmont, New Jersey; brother, Roy (Mildred) Ahlstrom of Belmond; nieces, Barbara (Ted) Watne and Sonja (Brett) Lobdell, all of Belmond; and nephews, Randy (Gail) White of Richmond, Virginia and Bob (Ginger) White of Pancea, Florida.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Warren Bales

July 3, 2007

Warren D. Bales, 69, of Alexander, died on Tuesday, June 26, 2007, at his home, following a battle with cancer.

A service to celebrate his life was held on Thursday, June 28, at the Andrews Funeral Home with military honors by the Belmond Honor Guard.

Warren Duane, was born on December 1, 1937 in Arkansas. As a young man he served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged. He then was employed for much of his life in the heat treatment manufacturing process and had also worked in security.

Warren was married to Dawn Marie Rivard on April 29, 1960 in Southgate, California.

He enjoyed times spent in the presence of family and friends and looked forward to a good conversation. In earlier years he enjoyed a competitive game of pool or darts. Warren also looked forward to playing poker with friends and family and the challenge of various electronic games. Other past times included old cars and of course his dogs, Taco and Jackson.

Warren is survived by his wife; son, Warren Bales II of Erie, Pennsylvania; daughter, Pattie Sue (Donald) Gordon of California; son, Raymond Bales and companion, Sarah Mulford of Hampton; daughter, Dee (Marshall) Barr and their children of Alexander; brothers, Ronnie (Francis), Steve (Jane), Kelly and Kevin; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Grace Johnson

July 3, 2007

Grace Johnson, 97, of Meservey, died on Wednesday, June 27, 2007, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 30, at the First Reformed Church in Meservey, with Pastor Rodney Meester officiating. Interment was in the Meservey Cemetery.

Grace, daughter of Benjamin and Ella (Eckhoff) Boelman, was born on January 28, 1910, on the family farm west of Meservey. She grew up in the Meservey area and attended country schools. Grace married Cornelius Keeley Johnson.

Grace spent much of her life putting up wall paper, cleaning houses, baby sitting, and taking care of her grandson, Dennis. Grace was a member of the First Reformed Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Kenneth in 2004; daughter-in-law, Mary Syble; sisters, Rena, Hannah, Emma and Alice; and brothers, Harry, Clarence, Henry, Benjamin and Andrew.

Grace is survived by her grandson, Dennis Johnson and his life partner, Don Seeberger of Bellevue, Washington; brother, Don (Grace) Boelman of Tucson, Arkansas; and sisters-in-law, Bonnie Boelman and Phyllis Boelman.
©Belmond Independent 2007