Alberta Kennedy

March 10, 2009

Alberta Kennedy, 89, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, died on Monday, March 2, 2009.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 5, at the Bismarck United Methodist Church. Pallbearers were Bruce Wiegand, Paul Meinert, John McAlpine, Burt McAlpine, Steve Spaeth, Pete Spaeth, Brenda Spaeth, Sara Cala, Rob Cetinich and Eric Cetinich. Graveside services were held on Saturday, March 7, in Stratford, Iowa. Memorials may be sent to the Hospice of Central Iowa.

Alberta was born in Dows, on January 7, 1920, the youngest of seven siblings. She passionately believed in the value of education and was a teacher in a country school in Wright County. In 1940 she married Ronald Kennedy. She was a farm wife and later in life an active volunteer with hospice, where she was named Volunteer of the Year in 1995. In 1989, Alberta moved to Hot Springs to be near her daughter, Bobbie. On July 27, 2001 she married Roger Dwinell.

She was preceded in death by her siblings and her husbands.

Alberta is survived by her daughters, Rachel (Don) Meinert of Tucson, Arizona, Carol (Glenn) Wiegand of Appleton, Wisconsin, Bobbie (Harold) McAlpine of Bismarck, Arkansas and Linda Kennedy (Mike Cetinich) of Conifer, Colorado; six grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Ivan Pingel

March 10, 2009

Ivan Harlan Pingel, 62, of Latimer, died on Monday, March 2, 2009, at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 6, at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Latimer.

Ivan was born on March 13, 1946 in Cherokee. He graduated from the Aurelia High School and Iowa State University. He served in the United States Army Reserves. Ivan married Connie Lee Schermer on May 23, 1970, at St. Paul's Lutheran. He worked as a farmer.

He is survived by his wife; sons, Randy (Monica) of Adel, Scott (Pam) of Clear Lake and David of Latimer; four grandchildren; and four brothers.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Fandelene VanHorn

March 10, 2009

Fandelene B. VanHorn, 90, died on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at the Sheffield Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 7, at the Zion Reformed Church in rural Sheffield.

Fandelene Bertha, the daughter of Bertus and Katie (Meinderts) Stadtlander, was born on September 25, 1918, on a farm northwest of Meservey. She graduated from the Meservey High School and attended Iowa State Teachers College. On January 25, 1940, she married John F. VanHorn at the Meservey Reformed Church Parsonage. They made their home on a farm north of Latimer and in 1978 they retired to Sheffield.

Fandelene was preceded in death by her husband in 2000; brothers, Harvey and Clarence Stadtlander; and sisters, Irene Stadtlander and Caroline Schmidt.

She is survived by her children, Myron (Jan) VanHorn of Sheffield, Duane (Dixie) VanHorn of West Des Moines and Vernon (Audrey) VanHorn of Latimer; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Jake Gruis

March 24, 2009

Jake T. Gruis, 79, of Apopka, Florida, died on Thursday, March 5, 2009.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 14, at the First United Methodist Church in Apopka.

Jake Theodore was born on December 29, 1929 in Meservey, to Klaas and Maika Gruis. He graduated from the Belmond High School in 1947. Jake served in the U.S. Air Force at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska. He received a Masters of Science Degree in Horticulture from the University of Florida. He began working for the O.M. Scotts company in Apopka in 1962 and held a co-patent for Seville Saint Augustine grass.

In 1975 Jake was presented the The Man Who Has Done The Most To Beautify The City Of Apopka from the chamber of commerce. He enjoyed spending time with his dog Freddy.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Ernest and Harm; and sisters, Anna Busick, Margaret Geary, Minnie Davenport, Karry Hatfield and Grace (in infancy).

Survivors include his children, Alan Gruis and Janet Webb; grandchildren, Eric Webb and Sarah Gruis; sister, Tena Sandry; niece, Sharon Sandry; and nephews, Donald, Marvin Sandry and Calvin Sandry.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Bernice Koerner

March 17, 2009

Bernice Koerner, 99, of Klemme, died on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services will be held at a date yet to be determined, at the Klemme United Methodist Church. The Andrews Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Minnie Johnson

March 17, 2009

Minnie L. Johnson, 83, of Belmond, died on Sunday, March 8, 2009, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Blairsburg.

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 13, at the St Olaf Lutheran Church west of Belmond, with Pastor James Gochenouer officiating. Burial was in the Belmond cemetery.

Minnie Lillian, the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Groh Erdman, was born on May 4, 1925 at Olaf. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran in Belmond and grew up near Olaf where she attended country school. Minnie married Richard Kolpin at the St John Parsonage in Belmond, on September 5, 1943. Their children were Richard and Karleen. Richard died in 1946. Minnie married Harris Johnson on December 30, 1953. They made their home near the St. Olaf Church where they farmed. Harris and Minnie's children were Dallas and David. Minnie and Harris moved to Belmond in 1978 and Harris died in 1999.

Minnie enjoyed cooking, crochet and cross-stitch, and looked forward to working in her flower garden. Family was of the utmost importance to Minnie, she loved them all so dearly. She looked forward to coffee with her brother and sisters. Minnie was very proud of her children and grandchildren and followed their lives and activities closely.

Minnie was a devoted employee of Printing Services for over 25 years where she worked in the binding department. She was an active member at St. Olaf and served in numerous capacities.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Richard and Harris; son, Richard; daughter-in-law, Paula; sisters, Betty Faulkner, Mollie Kalkwarf, Hilda Lee and Ann Pierce; and brother, Harold Erdman.

Minnie is survived by her children, Karleen (Dave) Humphrey of Clear Lake, Dallas of Belmond and David (Ruth) of Belmond; daughter-in-law, Wendy Kolpin of Kennwick, Washington; grandchildren, Mike (Kari) Mennenga, Angie (Steve) Luther, Allen Kolpin, Brandon Kolpin, Elizabeth Johnson, Kyle (Lisa) Johnson, Seth Johnson, Erin Johnson, Brook (Chad) Hayes, Kelly (Jimmy) Walbaum, Jennifer Dittmer and David Dittmer; great-grandchildren, Shelby, Stephen, Nolan, Mikayla, Marisa, Kaleena, Nicole, Brandon, Jr., Kaitlyn, Cooper, Brittney, Josh, Megan and Madeline; and sister, Mary Pringnitz of Kanawha.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Keith Myers

March 17, 2009

Keith O. Myers, 86, of Alexander, died on Saturday, March 14, 2009, at the Franklin General Hospital Nursing Facility in Hampton.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, at 1:30 p.m., at Maynes Grove south of Hampton, with Pastor Ed Bard officiating. Burial will be in the Alexander Cemetery. 
     
Keith O. Myers, was born on July 17, 1922 in Dows, to Scott and Lucha (Klinefelter) Myers. He attended the one-room school house near Dougherty and then went to school in Hansell. He graduated from the Alexander High School. Keith married Iva June Westaby on December 16, 1943 in Alexander. He farmed for many years outside of Alexander until retirement in 1995.

Keith and Iva June were members of the Alexander United Methodist Church, where they were charter members of the Under 80's Club. He enjoyed bowling, dancing, golfing, traveling with his family, and his model train collection.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Iva June; sister, Oma Fae; and granddaughter, Nicole Sosalla.

Keith is survived by his daughters, Diana (Richard) Sosalla of Cambridge, Denise (Norval) Korth of Hampton, Donyce (William) Paisley of Omaha, Darlynn Myers of Omaha and Danette (Chuck) Ogden of Omaha; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Arlene Thayer

March 24, 2009

Arlene (Watt) Schroder Thayer, 102, most recently a resident of the Scenic Manor in Iowa Falls, died on Sunday, March 15, 2009, at the Ellsworth Community Hospital in Iowa Falls.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 19, at the Calvary Baptist Church in Belmond, with Pastor Steven Hill officiating.  Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery at Dows. The Andrews Funeral Home handed the arrangements.

Arlene was born on the family farm in Vernon Township, Wright County, on July 5, 1906, to Tom and Maude (Lavell) Watt, the middle child of five. She attended the Vernon #5 School. On September 22, 1926, she married Harry W. Schroder at her home near Galt. Harry died on October 23, 1964. She married Ralph Thayer of Belmond in January 1966. He died in August 1975.

Arlene's lived her entire life in Wright County. She spent several winters in Florida. Arlene was an active member of the Calvary Baptist Church. She was a long time member of the Blaine Friendship Club. Arlene loved her garden and flowers and enjoyed doing hand work. She was a life long homemaker and worked for a time as a cook at the Belmond Health Care Center. She had the unique privilege of having her driver's license renewed when she reached age 100.

After suffering a stroke in May 2007 she resided at the Scenic Manor Care Center in Iowa Falls.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husbands; sister, Mae; brothers, David, Tom and Don; son, Erwin (Jack) Schroder; daughter-in-law, Doris Schroder; grandsons, Wayne Whipple and Douglas Schroder; granddaughter, Shelly Schroder; and great-grandsons, Ryan Schroder and Calieb Schroder.      
     
Survivors include her daughters, Va Donna (John) Whipple and Rita (Dwight) Daniels, both of Iowa Falls; daughter-in-law, Mabel Schroder of Charles City; sisters-in-law, Marjorie Watt of Swaledale and Jeanette Schroder of Belmond; 12 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Robert Burk

March 31, 2009

Robert E. "Bob" Burk, 64, died on Sunday, March 29, 2009, at his home in Story City.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 2, at 2:00 p.m., at the Soderstrum Funeral Home in Story City, with visitation on Wednesday, from 4-7:00 p.m.

Robert Ellis was born on August 3, 1944 in Belmond, to Donald and Doris (Davis) Burk. Bob graduated from the Belmond High School where he was a good athlete in track and basketball. He married Karen Swift on February 20, 1971 and they moved to Story City in the mid 1970's.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Bob is survived by his wife; brother, Tom Burk of Goodell; and sister, Pat Formanek of Clear Lake.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Victor Meyer

March 31, 2009

Victor Meyer, 90, of Sheffield, died on Monday, March 30, 2009, at the Muse-Norris Hospice in Mason City.

Victor was born on August 18, 1918 in rural Latimer, to Ernest and Ida (Bruns) Meyer. He attended the Latimer High School. He married Ruth A. Kemp on October 4, 1941 in Belmond. Victor worked as a farmer and also held positions in tiling and construction.

He was preceded in death by his wife; sister, Mardell Havens; and brother, Norman Meyer.

He is survived by his son, Terry (Pamela) Meyer of Thornton; grandchildren, Stacy (Jeff) Palmer of Parkersburg, Jason Meyer of Thornton and Kimberly Meyer of Waterloo; and sisters, Ilene (Don) Moore of Decorah and Evon Bailey of Terrill.
©Belmond Independent 2009