Arline M. Williams

March 6, 2007

Arline M. Williams, 91, died on Friday, March 2, 2007, in Austin, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held on the morning of Wednesday, March 7, in Austin and in the afternoon of March 7 at the Dows United Methodist Church. Interment was in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Dows.

Arline Merle was born on May 23, 1915 in Garner, the daughter of Edward and Merle (Simcox) Ford. She attended school in Mankato, Minnesota, through the 11th grade when her family moved to Dows, where she graduated. On February 23, 1934 she married Lyle Williams in Northwood. Arline and Lyle farmed near Olaf, then near Adams, Minnesota and finally settled in Dows.

Survivors include her daughter, Catherine Andree of Austin and son, Lyle (Sheryl) Williams of Austin; seven grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; and three sisters-in-law.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Violet Bode

March 15, 2007

Violet Bode, 87, formerly of Belmond, died on Saturday, March 3, 2007, at the USA Health Care Center in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 7, at the Belmond United Methodist Church, with Pastor Mike Druhl officiating. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery.

Violet was born on March 17, 1919 in Belmond, to Thomas and Elsie May (Ainger) Harty. She was raised and attended school in the Belmond area. Violet married Darwin Glen Bode on June 4, 1935 in Algona.

Violet enjoyed playing pinochle, cooking, fishing, crocheting and reading. She was an excellent cook and worked at the Sundowner in Clarion.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Darwin; daughter, Audrey Darlene; son, Ray Bode; granddaughters, Janese and LaDonna; grandson, David; great-granddaughter, Angel Mae; great-great-grandson, Spencer Hansen; brothers, Lester, Ray, Maynard and Cleatis; and sister, Marie.

Violet is survived by her children, Ellen (Dale) Brobst of Necedah, Wisconsin, Dan Bode of Goldfield, Cindy Espeseth of Apache Junction, Arizona, LuCretia Bartels of Necedah and Kaye Roelofsen and special friend, Robert Piekarski of Algona; thirty-one grandchildren; fifty-eight great-grandchildren; and many great-great-grandchildren.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Dale C. Jones

March 15, 2007

Dale C. Jones, 65, of Rowan, died on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held at the Dayspring Assembly of God in Belmond, with Rev. Mark Pluff officiating. Burial with military honors was in the Belmond Cemetery.

Dale Cletus, the son of Donald and Elsie Marie (Harty) Jones, was born on December 21, 1941 at Iowa City. As a young child he moved with his family to the Belmond area where he attended Belmond Schools through the 11th grade. He later worked towards his GED. Dale married Betty Miller on October 26, 1968, at the Belmond United Methodist Church.

Dale served in the United States Army for four years, receiving a variety of awards and commendations during his tenure. Upon returning to civilian life he was employed at Cargill in Belmond as a grain sorter and also at Winnebago Industries. Dale worked as a truck driver for U.S. Steel for 14 years.

He was a baptized member of the Dayspring Assembly of God.

Dale and Betty enjoyed playing cards in the early years of their marriage. He looked forward to taking his sons fishing at Humboldt, Marble Rock, and elsewhere in search of walleyes, catfish and northerns. He enjoyed teaching them how to trap and to hunt pheasants. Dale loved the outdoors. He liked to work jigsaw puzzles and had done some woodworking. He was fond of his pet parrot, Joe and Nascar racing, especially driver #18, Bobby LaBonte.

His family and friends will remember him at times as a prankster and one who liked to pull a practical joke from time to time.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; in laws; nephew, Jason Moore; and brother, Tom Cordes.

Dale is survived by his wife of Rowan; and sons, Byron and Dusty.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Donald J. Olson

March 20. 2007

Donald J. Olson, 89, of Forest City, died on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, at the Muse Norris Hospice Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 12, at the First Baptist Church in Forest City, with Pastor Doug Snyder officiating. Burial was in the Oakland Cemetery in Forest City.

Donald John, the son of John A. and Ellen Matilda Drugg Olson, was born on July 3, 1917. He was raised in Forest City and graduated from the Forest City High School in 1935. He then attended Waldorf College and later worked in his father's furniture store. Donald purchased the furniture store with his brother, Lloyd in 1940.

Donald served with the Army Air Corps during World War II as a communications supply technician for the radio signal corps and was stationed in India and China. In 1946 Sgt. Olson returned to Iowa where he enrolled in a cabinet making school in Des Moines. He then became employed by Maynard Eames Construction in Forest City.

On November 28, 1947, he married Alpha Jean Olson in Forest City. They moved to Hampton where Don was employed at Hampton Furniture. In 1953 he purchased the Coast-to-Coast store in Belmond which he operated for 20 years. He sold the business in 1973 and worked part time for Fullerton Lumber and Meyer Brothers Construction in Belmond. He later built speculation homes, delivered Winnebago motor homes, and drove a bus for the Belmond schools.

Alpha died on May 10, 1974. Don moved back to Forest City in 1978. On February 17, 1979 he married Eva Amelsberg.

Don was a charter member of the Belmond Bible Church (now the Evangelical Free Church) and was a member of First Baptist in Forest City. In earlier years he found success as a pitcher in the Belmond church softball league. He enjoyed woodworking, golfing, playing checkers and card games, and spending time with his family.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Alpha; sister, Dorothy Westerberg; and brother, Lloyd.

Survivors include his wife, Eva of Forest City; daughters, Anita (Jim) Davids of Urbandale, Jennifer (Steve) Brown of Ft. Dodge and Wendy Schulte of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; sons, Kevin (Robin) Olson of Coon Rapids, Minnesota and Tim (Sally) Olson of Mt. Pleasant; step-son, Jim (Lorraine) Amelsberg of Forest City; step-daughter, Julie (Alan) Steiff of Brainerd, Minnesota; eight grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Esther Trail of Roselle, Illinois.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Thelma Fahrmann

March 15, 2007

Thelma Fahrmann, 78, of Latimer, died on Sunday, March 11, 2007, in Hampton.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 15, at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Latimer. Burial was in the St. Paul's Cemetery.

Thelma, the daughter of George and Bessie (Harms) Modderman, was born on September 15, 1928, and raised in Alexander.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence; and a son, Loren.

Survivors include son, Leon (Marilyn) Fahrmann; daughter, Arlis (Jim) Mapes; sisters, Glenda (Paul) Jepsen, Delores (Ed) Robbins and Linda (Don) Carpenter; sisters-in-law, Marlys (James) Picht and Lorna (Lee) Hansen; daughter-in-law, Linda Christensen; and 11 grandchildren.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Fredrick H. Weide

March 20, 2007

Fredrick H. Weide, 82, of Meservey, died on Wednesday, March 14, 2007, at the Muse Norris Hospice Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 17, at the First Reformed Church in Meservey, with Pastor Rodney Meester officiating. Burial with military rites was in the Belmond Cemetery.

Fred, son of Walter Weide and Jennie (Stadtlander) Weide Gruis, was born on March 3, 1925 in Belmond. He attended country school through fifth grade and then began working as a farm hand in the area.

Fred married Edna J. Wessels on July 13, 1943 at the First Reformed parsonage.

Fred joined the Army in 1945 and served as a military policeman. After his discharge he worked for Raecker Chevrolet. Fred then bought a truck, grain grinder and grain sheller, becoming an entrepreneur, grinding, shelling and hauling grain and livestock for farmers in the Meservey area.

Fred enjoyed cars, giving pony and covered wagon rides to children, attending flea markets with his wife, and especially going on an annual fishing trip to Cedar Lake, Canada with his son, Darwin. Fred was a member of First Reformed and the Meservey American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Edna; sons, Fredrick and Gary; granddaughter, Macy; and special friend, Mary Terhark.

Fred is survived by his sons, Jerry Weide of Mason City, Larry (Dianne) Weide of Clear Lake, Dennis Weide and special friend, Shelley Nelson of Faribault, Minnesota and Darwin Weide and his significant other, Deb Kloster of Meservey; daughter, Sharon (Gerald) Bailey of Belmond; half-brother, LeRoy (Shirley) Goeman of Belmond; sister-in-law, Trentta (Bruce) Smith of Michigan; 16 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Estella State

March 20, 2007

Estella State, 89, of Belmond, formerly of Galt, died on Sunday, March 18, 2007, at the Belmond Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, March 22, at the Dugger Ewing Funeral Home, with Pastor Stan Watne officiating. Burial will take place in the Galt Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the funeral home in Belmond and one hour prior to the service.

Estella Augusta was born on November 24, 1917 at Waltham, Minnesota, to Edward Ferdinand Johann and Emma Louisa Eva Jorges Draves. She was one of ten children. Estella was baptized at the St. Johns Lutheran Church in Sargeant, Minnesota.

In 1920 the family moved back to Iowa, living at Cresco and then Hanlontown, where Estella started school. In 1929 the family moved to Rowan where the children attended school and the family belonged to the Lutheran Church in Dows. Estella was confirmed on November 8, 1931. In 1934 the family moved to Dows, where Estella graduated from high school in 1935.

On November 16, 1936, Estella married Donald L. State at the Lutheran Parsonage in Mason City. They worked on farms near Aredale, Dows and Galt. In 1953, they moved into Galt where Donald was employed at Nelson Grain and Feed. Estella did house work for families, worked as a clerk at Shupe's Hardware in Clarion, for a time had a small grocery in Galt, worked at HH&B Golf Bag in Clarion, and in 1974 became Postmaster at Galt until she retired in 1983. Estella taught Vacation Bible School for the Congregational Church in Galt and the Lutheran Church in Dows.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter-in-law, Mary Lou State; son-in-law, Robert E. Johnson; and seven brothers and sisters.

Estella is survived by her children, Darlyle State of Eldora, Arlyce (William, Jr.) Rout of Kanawha, Avonne Johnson of Mason City and Vernon (LaVonne) State of Dows: grandchildren, Brad Johnson and Kelly, William L. Rout and friend, Jody, Rhonda Rainwater and John, Wade Rout and Colleen, Michael Rout and friend, Shannon, Bret State and Krista, and Brian State and Emily; great-grandchildren, David, Rozella, Kara, Logan, Amber, Kassidy, Riley, Connor and Emma; sister, Hilda Jury of Ankeny; and brother, Emil Draves of Webster City.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Dorothy N. Barkema

April 3, 2007

Dorothy N. Barkema, 81, a native of Wright County, died on Friday, March 23, 2007, at the Concord Care Center in Garner, where she had been a resident for the past four years.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 31, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond, with Rev. Troy Pflibsen officiating. Burial was in the Immanuel Reformed Church Cemetery east of Belmond.

Dorothy was born on November 13, 1925 in Wright County, the daughter of Norris and Eveline (Johnson) Soma. She attended grades 1-4 at Hickory Grove, grade 5 in Goodell, and grades 6-12 at rural Belmond and the Belmond High School. Dorothy's first career was a country school teacher.

Dorothy married Lyle Barkema on October 26, 1945 at her parents' home near Belmond. They farmed in the Belmond, Goodell and Klemme areas before moving to Clear Lake in 1977, living on North Shore Drive, a long time dream of Dorothy's.

She loved decorating the house, enjoying the view, and dancing at the Surf Ballroom. Dorothy also worked as a nurses aide at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brother-in-law, Duane Durant.

Dorothy is survived by her daughters, Deanna (John) Lindblad of Napa, California, Rebecca (Robert) Rise of Storden, Minnesota and Sharane (George) Springer of Asheville, North Carolina; sons, Rodney (Kathryn) Barkema of Forest City and Dane Barkema of Mason City; grandchildren, Heather Havard of Sacramento, California, Arianne Rise of Eagan, Minnesota, Meredith (Mike) Wilbur of North Mankato, Minnesota and Rachel Springer of Savannah, Georgia; great-grandchildren, Jacob and Allie Wilbur; sisters, Eleanor (Alvin) Pals of Belmond, Muriel (Duane) Durant of Dallas, Texas, Betty (Donald) Dorenkamp of Thornton, Lois (James) Beisner of Iowa Falls and Shirley (Arlen) Pals of Lake Mills; and brothers, Gilman (Sandra) Soma of Belmond and Charles (Phebe) Soma of Belmond.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Eva Mae Hanson

March 29, 2007

Eva Mae Hanson, 67, a long time resident of this area, died n Saturday, March 24, 2007, at her home in rural Thornton.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, March 28, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme, with Rev. Donna Buckman officiating. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme.

Eva Mae was born on May 5, 1939 at Klemme, the daughter of Alvin and Jennie (Albers) Thiemann. She attended Klemme Schools and later completed her G.E.D. Eva married Larry Hanson on May 24, 1956 in Council Bluffs. They lived in Council Bluffs and then Klemme before moving to a farm near Greeley, Colorado. They later returned to the Goodell area, then moved to a farm near Belmond in 1969. Eva also resided for a time in Alexander.

Eva was a homemaker, devoting her love, energy and nurturing to her children. Over the years she was employed with Spawn & Rose Lumber in Belmond, Printing Services, ACCO Seeds, and the Belmond Medical Center.

Eva was a loving mother, grandmother, sibling, companion and friend. She loved to be in the middle of the action, be it hosting a summertime barbeque of grilled burgers, her delicious canned corn, homemade ice cream and fudge, or in the middle of a bowling tournament. Eva truly loved to be in the company of others. Her house was always full of neighbor kids. She followed her children and grandchildren's many activities.

Eva welcomed any opportunity to take a trip with her friends to the casino. She took trips to Louisiana, Colorado and Idaho to visit family. A favorite journey was to the Air Show in Omaha. She was a bowler for more than 35 years. Her favorite sports teams were the Hawkeyes and Twins.

Eva's hobbies included crafts, working jigsaw and crossword puzzles, and making gifts for her family. It would be unusual for a visitor to stop by her home and not hear a country tune playing on the radio outside.

Preceding her in death were her parents; daughter, Laura Shafer; grandson, Jeremy Hanson; and sister, Delores.

Survivors include her children, Barbara Hanson of Des Moines, Douglas (Marla) Hanson of Goodell, Kenneth (Kelly) Hanson of Meservey, Donna (Robert) Roe of Des Moines and Roger (Kay) Hanson of Klemme; her long time companion, Merle Fiedler of Thornton; brothers, Donald (Judy) Thiemann of Holdridge, Nebraska and Robert (LaVerna) Thiemann of Shawnee, Oklahoma; brother-in-law, Floyd DeLawyer of Boise, Idaho; and son-in-law, Ed Shafer of Newton, Illinois; grandchildren, Amber Hanson, Jeff Hanson, John Shafer, Jennie Shafer, April Reynolds, Ben Hanson, Danielle Brooks, Megan Hanson and Mathew Hanson; and great-grandchildren, Courtney Hanson, Phoenix Reynolds and MacKenzie Brooks.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Beverly Boyd

April 3, 2007

Beverly A. Boyd, 75, died on Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at the Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 31, at the Dayspring Assembly of God in Belmond, with Pastor Mark Pluff officiating. Interment was in the Belmond Cemetery.

Beverly Anne, the daughter of Arlo and Bessie Larson McAtee, was born on June 30, 1931 in Nevada. She attended country schools in the Nevada area. She married Walter A. Boyd and eventually moved to Belmond. Besides being a housewife and mother, Bev also drove a school bus for the disabled for 16 years.

Bev enjoyed watching television, especially sports and QVC. She also liked bowling, cards, gardening, crafts, sewing, and coffee with friends. Bev's treasures were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is remembered for the way she cared for small animals such as fox and raccoons. She belonged to the Belmond VFW Auxiliary, held offices in the bowling leagues, belonged to the Birthday Club, and was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church.

Bev was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Terry; brother, Darrell McAtee; and great-grandson, Matthew Terrill.

Bev is survived by her children, Peg Fosnaugh and David of Oak Harbor, Washington, Rex (Nell) Boyd of Belmond and Bonnie (Walt) Hill of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Kelli Jo (Rick) Terrill of Oak Harbor, Terri Jo and Wallace Forslof of Arlington, Washington, Jasmine and Craig Nelson of Sheffield, Emily Boyd of Waterloo, Garrett Boyd and special friend, Maranda Depew of Belmond, Rondi Poppe of St. Joseph and Rob and Emily Lamfers-Hill of Belmond; sisters, Velletta (Gene) Pousch of Nevada, Jeanne (Darrell) Starbuck of Ames, Nancy (Kurt) Haas of Eldora and Judy Rasmussen of Grand Island, Nebraska; great-grandsons, Jacob Hummel and Joshua Terrill of Oak Harbor and David Michael Forslof of Arlington.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Audrey Arends

April 3, 2007

Audrey L. Arends, 94, died on Thursday, March 29, 2007, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 3, at the First Reformed Church in Alexander, with Pastor Philip Arnold officiating. Burial was in the Alexander Cemetery.

Audrey Lavina, daughter of Herbert and Rena (March) Clark, was born on October 2, 1912 in Chapin. She graduated from the Sheffield High School in 1943.

Audrey married Benjamin Lewis Arends on November 24, 1937 at Winona, Minnesota. They farmed near Alexander for many years and then moved to Carlisle and did home building for 15 years. They then owned a cafe in Carlisle for eleven years and retired to Alexander.

Audrey was a member of First Reformed. She was an accomplished artist and painted many oil landscapes of mountains and Southwest scenes. Audrey had a sweet, kind and gentle spirit. She enjoyed watching sports on television, especially football and basketball, reading, and the neighborhood children. Audrey was active in the cemetery society and the Kitchen Klatter Band.

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1988; sisters, Hildred, Bessie, Verda and Venetta; brother, Frank; and special friend, Elmer Larsen.

Audrey is survived by her sister, Ardice (Donald) Blanhenhorn of Washington, Iowa; sister-in-law, Audrey Clark of Carlisle; and many nieces and nephews.
©Belmond Independent 2007

Duran Hill

April 3, 2007

Duran D.C. "Hootch" Hill, 89, of Belmond, died on Friday, March 30, 2007, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

He donated his body to the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine for scientific purposes. No funeral service will be held. His family is planning a wake to celebrate his life on April 14 at his home.

Duran was born on August 31, 1917 in Belmond, the son of Arthur W. and Edith B. (Luick) Hill. He graduated from the Belmond Schools. From a very young age he had a desire to fly and worked in exchange for flying lessons. He became a service and flight inspector prior to enlisting in the Army Air Force in 1943, serving until 1946.

Duran married Marie Osborne of Centralia, Illinois in 1946 and they returned to Belmond where he worked at the General Mills plant for several years. He installed floor coverings for family and friends until it became his full time trade. Then he worked for Winnebago Industries until he retired.

Duran enjoyed music, dancing and playing the drums. He was a member of the Bob and the Raiders Band and sat in with others whenever there was an opportunity. He loved his family and looked forward to visits from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as he always had an imaginary tale to tell them.

Airplanes continued to be his favorite pastime, owning, flying, building, and restoring several until recently. He was an active young member of the Civil Air Patrol and later the EAA, Chapter 94 and Chapter 13 Antique Classics, traveling to Oshkosh annually. He volunteered his time and knowledge to the Young Eagles Program.

Preceding him in death were his parents; sisters, Muriel and Norma Jean; half-brothers, Clair and Raymond; and former wife, Marie.

He is survived by his daughter, Jorja (Jim) Erickson of Clarion; son, Bruce (Tina) Hill of Manly; grandchildren, Jimi (Lindsay) Hill of Springfield, Missouri, Neil Wood (and friend Kris) of Des Moines, Ryan (Jodi) Wood of Ankeny, Dante (Jennifer) Hill of Portland, Oregon and Amber (Travis) Knapp, Ciara Hill, Trenton Hill and friend, Marissa all of Manly; eight great-grandchildren; and special friend and companion, Lena Peyton of Belmond.
©Belmond Independent 2007