Mildred Hoeft

February 3, 2009

Mildred M. Hoeft, 92, of Belmond, died on Monday, February 2, 2009, at the Belmond Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, at the Belmond United Methodist Church, with Rev. Mike Druhl officiating. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery, Forest City.  Visitation will from from 6-8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Andrews Funeral Home in Belmond and one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday.

Mildred Marie, the daughter of Nathan and Malena (Felland) Brones, was born on July 6, 1916 on her parent's farm near Forest City, one of nine children. She attended rural school in Mt. Valley Township. Mildred married Victor Fred Hoeft on February 1, 1936 at Mason City and they farmed for a time in Iowa before moving to a farm near Leroy, Minnesota. After three years they returned to Iowa and farmed near Lake Mills, Thompson and Scarville for 27 years. Mildred was a lifelong homemaker, loving wife and partner in the farming operation. She was a devoted mother to her three sons and two daughters.

Following her husband's death on July 11, 1973, Mildred moved to an acreage near Forest City for five years before moving to Belmond in 1979. She lived for the past four years at the Belmond Community Apartments. 

Mildred was a member of the Belmond United Methodist Church and belonged to the Rebecca Circle. She looked forward to her Monday morning coffee gatherings and enjoyed other activities at the Community Apartments. Mildred enjoyed reading and playing cards with her many friends. She looked forward to family gatherings, especially the Hoeft and Brones family reunions. In later years she spent part of the winter in the Brownsville, Texas area.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Darold in 1947; great-grandson, Zackery Christenson; brothers, Lyle, Stanley, Harold, Archie and Palmer; sisters, Alpha, Gladys and Margaret; and a son-in-law, LuVerne Wessels. 

Survivors include sons, Duane (Mary) Hoeft of Marshalltown and Arlo Hoeft of Klemme; daughters, Elaine Wessels and her special friend, Al McLaughlin, and Karen Christenson, all of Belmond; brother-in-law, Clyde Mitchell and sister-in-law, Lydia Hoeft, both of Lake Placid, Florida; grandchildren, Dwight Wessels of Goodell, Duane (Barbara) Wessels of Belmond, Lila (Chad) Pfleger of Knoxville, Tennessee, Jason (Jennifer) Wessels of Nevada, Lynne (Nathan) Henn of Des Moines, Greg Hoeft of Boston, Massachusetts, Teresa Hoeft of Chandler, Arizona, Trudy Hoeft and special friend, Scott Basham of Chandler, Kim Christenson and special friend, Tim Tegland of Garner, Kelly Christenson and special friend, Tiffany Dontje of Britt, Kurt Christenson, currently stationed in Iraq and Cody and Jesse Hoeft of Belmond; and great-grandchildren, Bradley (Amanda) Wessels, Luke, Matthew and Johnathan Pfleger, Elizabeth, Megan and Ryan Wessels, Johnathan Henn, Ty and Brock Abele and Donivan Christenson.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Marjorie Sturm

February 11, 2009

Marjorie M. Sturm, 61, of Belmond, died on Monday, February 2, 2009, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 16, at the Belmond Cemetery. Pastor Paddy Druhl will officiate. Arrangements are being handled by the Dugger Funeral Home.
 
Marjorie Mae, the daughter of Albert G. and Nellie M. Robertson Sturm, was born on May 4, 1947 in Belmond. She grew up in Belmond, earned her GED and completed her education as a Certified Nurse's Assistant. Marjorie worked at the Belmond Health Care Center for over twenty years. She retired in 2006 and became a resident of the nursing home in 2008.

Marj was a proud mother and grandmother. She enjoyed playing cards and attending family gatherings.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Scott in 2006; and sister, Darlene Mallow.

Marjorie is survived by daughter-in-law, Sheri of Belmond; grandchildren, Zach and Kayla at home; and brothers, Harvey (Delores) of Belmond, Roy (Leverna) of Belmond, Ardell (Shirley) of Humboldt and Albert Lee (Karen) of Geneva.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Andrea Allen

February 11, 2009

Andrea R. Allen, 32, died on Tuesday, February 3, 2009, in Fresno, California, after a three-year battle with angiosarcoma, a rare form of cancer. 

Andrea Rebecca Cox, was born on May 2, 1976 in Minneapolis. She graduated from the Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, California in 1994. She attended the Foothills College, Colorado State University and Montana State University. She married David Allen on August 11, 2007 in Santa Cruz and they made their home in Madera.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Luin B. Cox of Belmond; her maternal grandparents; and aunt, Mary Lu Cox Olson of Houston, Texas.
 
Survivors include her husband; her father, James L. (Karen) Cox of Beaverton, Oregon; her mother, Barbara (Jim) Shaw of Issaquah, Washington; her mother- and father-in-law; brother, James Ross Cox of San Jose; grandmother, Mary Jane Cox (Robert) Campbell of Minneapolis; a step-brother and step-sister; aunts, Cindy Cox McNeely of Lynden, Washington and Martha Cox Ho of Minneapolis; and uncle, Robert L. Cox of Phoenix.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Ralph Johnson

February 17, 2003

Ralph Johnson, 82, of Belmond, died on Saturday, February 14, 2009, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 17, at the Belmond United Methodist Church, with Pastor Mike Druhl officiating. Burial with military honors was in the Belmond Cemetery.

Ralph LaVern was born on January 24, 1927 at home in Cedar township, Cherokee County. His parents, Eric and Ellen Ericksen Johnson, both emigrated from Sweden in their teens. Ralph showed baby beef cattle while active in 4-H. He graduated from high school in Larrabee in 1944. In January 1945, he enlisted in the Navy and attended radio school in Indianapolis. He also played tuba in the Navy band. He was honorably discharged as a Radioman 2nd Class after having been stationed at the fleet broadcasting station in Guam.

He married Maurene Smith of Paullina on June 5, 1947. After farming in northwest Iowa for ten years, Ralph became an assistant plant manager for the Steckley Genetic Giant seed corn company in DeWitt. He served as a district sales manager in Chillicothe, Missouri and later was transferred to Sycamore, Illinois by successor company Tomco Genetic Giant.

Ralph served as president of the Sycamore parent-teacher organization and president of the DeKalb Public Speaking Club. He also served as committee chairman for Boy Scout troops in both Sycamore and Chillicothe. Upon his promotion to Regional Sales Manager for Acco Seed Company, he moved to Belmond in 1968 and resigned from that position in 1979. During the 1970's he served as president of the Central Iowa Sales Executive and Marketing Directors Association. Ralph retired from his sales career in 1995 after working six years with Confinement Engineers of Atlantic and ten years with the Iowa Lottery.

Church activities were an important part of his active life during retirement. He served on a number of church committees and the board of trustees at the Belmond United Methodist Church. He was a volunteer driver for the Belmond Community Care Car and was president of its board of directors in 2000. He loved to help with spring planting and fall harvesting at Buseman Farms. One highlight was watching his grandson, Jonathan graduate from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center where he also received his naval training.

He was preceded in death by daughter, Julie Sue; brother, Loren of San Diego; brother, Vernon in infancy; and sister, Lenora Bengtson of Aurelia.

Ralph is survived by his wife; sons, Jay (Marilyn) Johnson of Granger and Eugene (Jane) Johnson of Le Mars; grandchildren, Eric (Jennifer) Johnson of Des Moines, Andrew Johnson (fiancée, Amy Kreamer) of Grimes, Jessica (James) Lindsey of Urbandale, Jonathan Johnson of Norfolk and Rebecca Johnson of Ames; and great-grandchildren, Ella Ann Johnson of Des Moines and Jesse James Lindsey of Urbandale.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Ronald Smith

February 17, 2003

Ronald "Ronnie" Smith, 70, of Belmond, died at his home on Saturday, February 14, 2009, of a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, February 19, at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church west of Belmond, with Rev. James Gochenouer officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Andrews Funeral Home and continue an hour prior to the service at church on Thursday. 

Ronald Dean was born on May 15, 1938 at Belmond, the son of Lavern and Marion (Luick) Smith. He graduated from the Belmond High School in 1956. He later attended college in Marshalltown and studied German at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Ron also served in the United States Army for a time. Ron married Karen Stites of Clear Lake on November 30, 1963 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake. He was the owner of Smith Insulation of Belmond for more than 30 years, a commercial insulating business that took him to construction jobs all over Iowa.

Ron enjoyed nature and the outdoors and was especially fond of trapping, hunting and fishing. You'd often find him out walking and he relished every moment he was able to spend on his land and other wildlife areas. Ron also loved to polka, traveling to polka fests throughout northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. Ron was proud of his German heritage and his link to the Luick family of Belmond. He looked forward to special times with his family and granddaughter, Kelsey. Ron was always ready for a good visit, whether it included family history, a favorite hunting or fishing story, or a discussion on the latest in trapping and hunting innovations. He was a longtime member of the Iowa Trapper's Association and the National Trapper's Association.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Larry Smith; and special aunt, Mattie Farmer.

Ron is survived by his wife; son, Thad Dean and special friend, Christina Cagley of Garner; daughter, Nicole Kay Smith of Garner; beloved granddaughter and special polka partner, Kelsey Lynn Smith; brother, Richard Smith of Belmond; five nephews; and three nieces.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Marvin Jaacks

February 24, 2003

Marvin D. Jaacks, 76, of Alexander, died on Wednesday, February 18, 2009, at the Belmond Health Care Center, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services were held on Friday, February 20, at the Alexander United Methodist Church, with Pastor Tony Hershey officiating. Burial with military honors was in the Alexander Cemetery. 

Marvin, the son of Alfred and Bertha (Stephenson) Jaacks, was born on March 30, 1932 at Remsen. He graduated from the Alexander High School and enlisted in the United States Army in 1952. He served part of his military tenure in Germany and was discharged as a Corporal First Class in 1954. Marvin married Jollene Ann Tinkey on May 19, 1953 at the Alexander United Methodist Church. In earlier years he operated Marv's Appliance Service and also farmed from 1961-1962. For most of his life he made a living in agriculture. He was a plant foreman at the Latham Seed Corporation for more than 43 years and was proud to be a part of the company's growth. He retired in 1997. 

Marvin's wife and family were always the main focus in his life. He and Jollene attended many of the extra-curricular activities of their children and grandchildren. They will remember his fatherly ways and gentle caring. Marvin served as a scout leader for a number of years, coached farm team baseball, and served in various roles at the church in Alexander. He served many years on the Alexander City Council, helping out around town when needed and will be missed by his community and friends.

Marvin loved county fairs, antique power shows and tractor pulls. He enjoyed working on his favorite Allis-Chambers tractor, and he drove it in tractor rides and in parades. Marvin was a handyman and skilled carpenter and was always willing to lend a hand to family, friends and neighbors. He also enjoyed spending time in his yard. Marvin and Jollene liked to travel and made excursions to Hawaii and Cozumel.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in October 2007; daughter, Kim Smith; and son-in-law, William Smith.

Survivors include his sons, Greg (Donna) Jaacks of Belmond, Jeff (Beth) Jaacks of Hampton and Steve Jaacks of Alexander; grandchildren, Luke Smith and special friend, Jess of Alexander, Trisha Jaacks of Clear Lake, Sandy (Zach) Willms of Belmond, Lindsey (Josh) Showalter of Sheffield and Jeremy Jaacks of Hampton; great-grandchildren, Samantha Smith of Alexander and Ashlynn and Ashton Willms of Belmond; and sisters, Patricia (Milford) Benson of Gladstone, Missouri and Geraldin (Phillip) Haaf of Cedar Rapids.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Milford Benson

February 24, 2009

Milford "Benny" Benson, 82, most recently of Pleasantville, died on Thursday, February 19, 2009, at the Pleasant Care Living Facility.

Funeral services wee held on Monday, February 23, at the Kanawha Lutheran Church. Burial with military honors was in the Kanawha Cemetery.

Milford Eugene, the son of Anton and Anna (Johanssen) Benson, was born on February 9, 1927 on his parents' farm in Twin Lake Township near Kanawha. "Benny"  attended Belmond Schools and served in the U.S. Navy where he trained as a medic at the end of WW II. He spent part of his service on the maiden voyage of the USS Siboney. Milford married Patricia Aileen Jaacks on December 19, 1948 at the Alexander United Methodist Church. He loved to share the story of how they met at the theatre in Clarion. The couple built a small home on his parent's farm where they lived for a time. They were blessed with ten children. For many years Milford was a long distance trucker. Later he was employed as truck dispatcher and broker. He had been employed by many different companies. In earlier years he farmed near Goldfield.

The family lived in many places, including Kanawha, Alexander, Goldfield, Hampton, Kingsley, LeMars, Merrill, South Sioux City, Sioux City and at the Pleasantville care facility since 2006. 

Milford and Patricia liked to hook up their camper and go on excursions to enjoy the outdoors and presence of family and friends. They enjoyed dancing. He loved all kinds of country music, played the steel guitar and shared his wonderful singing voice. Milford held a pilot's license for many years. He enjoyed woodworking and helping his family and friends when they needed a hand. For many years he was the transportation support crew for his son, Joel's RAGBRAI team. Milford was active in the Mason and Shrine organizations, helping at the Abu Bekr Shrine Temple in Sioux City with breakfasts, dinners, game nights, and Shrine Circuses. He was active in the United Methodist Church in Sioux City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Dale; daughter, Jacqueline; daughter-in-law, Tracy Morris Benson; three sisters; six brothers; granddaughter, Amanda Benson; and great-granddaughter, Jennifer Hesse.

Survivors include his wife (most recently of Gladstone, Missouri); daughters, Melinda (John) Dodds of Castle Rock, Colorado, Julie (Dan) Benson-Grant of North Kansas, Missouri and Traci Stabile of Gladstone; sons, Joel (Susie) Benson of Urbandale, Michael (Terry) Benson of Murphy, North Carolina, Larry (Sonya) Benson of Springfield, Missouri, Lee Benson of Sioux City and James Benson of Sparks, Nevada; 33 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
©Belmond Independent 2009

David White

February 24, 2009

David D. White, 59, of Belmond, died on Thursday, February 19, 2009, at the Veteran's Hospital in Des Moines.

Private graveside services were held in the Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion. Pastor Mark Pluff officiated. Military honors were conducted by the Clarion American Legion and VFW.

David Duane, the son of Chester D. and Kathryn A. Graves White, was born on April 3, 1949 in Webster City. He grew up in the Webster City and Clarion areas. In 1969, David joined the U.S. Navy. After returning home from the Navy, David operated the Our Place Restaurant and Bar in Clarion. Later he operated the Our Place Restaurant at Lake Cornelia. In 2002 he sold the restaurant at the lake and moved to Belmond.

David's hobbies included radio controlled airplanes, ham radio, and his beloved dog Bailey.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and uncle, Orlan Graves.

David is survived by his sister, Rita Anderson of Belmond; brother, Tim (Danona) White of Cedar Rapids; aunts and uncles, Jerry (Thelma) White of Webster City and Wanda (Gene) Graham of Altoona; one niece; and one nephew.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Evelyn Bierman

March 24, 2009

Evelyn Margaret Bierman, 85, of Tempe, Arizona, died on Thursday, February 19, 2009.

She was born on January 24, 1924, to Carl and Minnie Bock in Plymouth County. She attended the Western Union College (Westmar) in LeMars, where she earned her teaching degree and then taught 5th and 6th grades at the Grand Meadow School near Marcus. She married Merlin Bierman on June 21, 1946 in Pierson. They farmed and raised their family near Pierson, later moving to Belmond and then retiring to Garner. They moved to Tempe in 1979.

Evelyn was a devoted member of the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Tempe, where she had many friends. She enjoyed reading and being involved in service to her church and her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband; and her brother, Harold Bock of Belmond.

She is survived by her daughters, Gail (Kent) Mortensen, Ellen (Jon) Nieman and Fay (Chuck) Wehofer; brother, Dean (Sharon) Harvey of Marcus; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Enid Andrews

March 3, 2009

Enid E. Andrews, 93, a native of Rowan, died on Sunday, February 22, 2009, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 28, at the United Church of Rowan, with burial in the Graceland Cemetery near Rowan. 

Enid Effie, the daughter of Edwin and Eva (Madsen) Nelson, was born on July 29, 1915, on her parent's farm east of Rowan. She attended Rowan area schools and later attended school in Minnesota. At an early age she began helping to care for her dad and younger brother. Enid began her church life in the Danish United Methodist Church at Coulter. She married Vergene Andrews on August 31, 1938, at Mason City and they farmed for many years near Rowan. She was not only a homemaker, but a partner in the operation of the farm, raising poultry and harvesting eggs.

Enid was a dedicated wife and nurturing mother who relished the role of providing for her family's needs. She raised a large garden and always had a house full of beautiful plants, a favorite of which were African violets. Enid and Vergene loved to go camping with family and friends, and were long time members of the Dows Road Runner's camping group. They participated in area card clubs. She enjoyed fishing, and looked forward to fishing treks to Mille Lacs Lake and the Waterville, Minnesota areas as well as around north Iowa.

Enid lived for a number of years at the McBurney Apartments in Belmond before becoming a resident of the Belmond Health Care Center seven years ago. She enjoyed various activities there until poor sight made things difficult.

Enid and Vergene were active members of the Rowan Congregational Church (later the United Church of Rowan) where she was involved with the Women's Fellowship. They made sure to support the new church when it was built. After moving to Belmond in 1977, they attended the Calvary Baptist Church and Enid participated in Bible studies there.

Enid was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1978; step-mother, Bertha Nelson; granddaughter, Candice Andrews; brother, Everett; and sister, Edna.

Survivors include daughters, Janet (Larry) Hansen of Dows and Jerene (Chuck) Daniels of Simpsonville, South Carolina; sons, Myron (Diane) Andrews of Newton and Verlynn (Lyn) Andrews of Alexander; brother, Ernie (Iris) Nelson of Rowan; step-sister, Phyllis Smith of Deep River; sister-in-law, Bernice Andrews of Belmond; grandchildren, Jeffery (Terri) Hansen of Clarion, Jay Hansen of Dows, Jim (Barb) Hansen of West Des Moines, Jackie (Michael) Mays of Plainfield, Illinois, Becky (John) Delvaux of Greer, South Carolina, Jodi (Jamie) Fleming of Simpsonville, Michael Andrews of Newton, Timothy Andrews of Newton, Kamera (Steven) Loroenz of Cary, North Carolina, Shawn (Tawnda) Andrews of Mapleton, Minnesota and Laura Andrews (fiancée, Brandon Bird) of Sheffield; and 13 great-grandchildren.
©Belmond Independent 2009

James R. Larson

March 3, 2009

Lt. Col. James Russell Larson, USAF Ret., died on Monday, February 23, 2009, at Blanco, Texas.

He will be buried with military honors on Friday, March 6, at the Ft. Snelling Military Cemetery in Minneapolis, next to his wife, Alice.

Russ, the son of Joseph and Ruth (Richardson) Larson, was born on a farm seven miles south of Kanawha on February 27, 1920. He graduated from the Belmond Township #4 Country School and the Belmond High School. He farmed with his family and enlisted in the military after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He graduated from the Army Air Corps Flying Cadet Program at Brooks Air Base in Texas. When a buddy called him "Swede," the nickname stuck, even though his family was Norwegian. 

"Swede Larson" was first assigned to Panama to protect shipping routes and then to North Africa. From Sicily and Corsica he flew into Italy, southern France and eastern Europe with the 4th Fighter Squadron. He served as an exchange officer with the British Royal Air Force, protecting the oil fields of the Middle East. He flew the P-39, P-40, Spitfire and P-51. After WW II, he served at several posts in the U.S. and was the military governor of Hokkaido, Japan during the occupation. From Japan he participated in the police action in Korea, flying the F-80, the first use of jet-powered aircraft in combat. In all, he flew 208 combat sorties and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, eight air medals, three unit citations, and many other awards.

After a peace-time career as "Jim" that took him to the Azores, Germany and several states, he retired from the Air Force in 1970. He returned to Iowa and received his last nickname "the Colonel." With his youngest son, Joseph, he farmed until his passing. He maintained his love of flying and for many years kept a single-engine plane at the Clarion airport. In later years he spent winters in Blanco where several of his flying buddies had retired. During his lifetime he flew 43 different types of aircraft and logged over 17,000 hours of military and civilian pilot time.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Owen who died in 1980 after a long illness; sister, Marion Didio Ernst; brother, Lowell; and granddaughter, Adrienne Generalis.

He is survived by daughter, Patricia (Peter) Saunders of Chicago; sons, James, Jr. (Mary) of Philadelphia, John of Corvallis, Oregon and Joseph (Peggy) of Goodell; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Doris Shear of Kanawha, Clarice Yarger of San Diego and Joanne Betten of New Hampton. 
 
The family invites all who knew him to come to a memorial party at the family farm he loved on Saturday, July 18, 2009.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Raymond Blank

March 3, 2009

Raymond Albert Blank, 85, of Kanawha, died on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at the Belmond Medical Center, with his wife at his side.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 28, at the Bethany Reformed Church in Belmond, with Rev. Phillip Arnold officiating. Burial was in the Amsterdam Township Cemetery, Kanawha. 

Ray, the son of Berend and Grace (Nieman) Blank, was born on September 13, 1923, on the family farm northwest of Klemme. He attended the local country school through the 8th grade. His father died when Ray was 16 years old, so he took over the family farm and provided for his mother and four younger sisters. On September 4, 1945, Ray married Ann Vander Ploeg at her parents farm. They continued to farm for a few years and then moved to Kanawha where Ray started a carpenter business which he continued until 2002. In 1955, Ray built his wife and children a home in Kanawha.

Ray became an expert in all aspects of building, from pouring foundations, laying basement walls, plumbing and electrical, kitchen cabinets and finish work, all beginning with him drawing his own blueprints. By the time he retired he had worked from Northern Minnesota, through Iowa, and down into mid-Missouri.

Ray delighted in telling stories of his past to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also took great pride in taking his grandson to work and taking all of his grandchildren fishing. In the 1960's Ray decided to get his high school GED and was proud when he tested at the second year of college level. Ray was a member of the Bethany Reformed Church where he served as an elder.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Cecil; brothers-in-law, Clarence Vander Ploeg, Homer Schoenwetter, Herman Schreur and Don Marchand; son-in-law, August Harms; and granddaughter, Carey Blank. 

He is survived by his wife; son, Bernard (Shirley) Black of Yuba, Wisconsin; daughter, Janine Harms of Hubert, North Carolina; grandchildren, Angela Daugherty of Grandview, Missouri, Sgt. Austen (Brandy) Harms of Hubert, Sheena Harms of Rapid City, South Dakota and Tara Harms of La Crosse, Wisconsin; great-grandchildren, Lyndy Daugherty, Kayleen, Alexander and Haleigh Ann Harms; sister-in-law, Marian Blank of Garner; sisters, Lillian Vander Ploeg of Kanawha, Ada Schoenwetter of Garner, Edna Schreur of Lyndne, Washington and Leona (Kenny) Sorenson of Crystal Lake.
©Belmond Independent 2009