Don Lancaster

October 8, 2009

Don L. Lancaster, died on Friday, October 2, 2009, at the Iowa Methodist Hospital, of complications of lung cancer.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, October 6, at the Immanuel United Methodist Church. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Fairview Cemetery in Dows.

Don was born on May 10, 1938 in Hamilton County, Iowa, the son of William Allen and Aletha Lentz Lancaster. He was confirmed at the First Lutheran Church in Dows and graduated from the Dows High School in 1956. He graduated from Iowa State Teachers College in 1960, where he was a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. Don married Barbara Ann June in 1959. They were the parents of two children, Dr. Leslie Ann (Ray) Ludwig and David Lancaster. After teaching five years in Belmond, Don joined Central Soya. He served plants at Gibson City, Illinois, Kansas City, Missouri, Belmond and Des Moines. He retired in 2000 after 35 years of service, as regional controller.

Don was always involved in his community. He was part of the initiation of Meals on Wheels in Belmond and served on the NIACC Foundation. He was active in Jaycees. His church was a first priority. In addition to many committees, a special satisfaction came to him after his retirement when he joined his friend, Norm, in the "Bread Ministry."

Don was a passionate man. His special loves were his three grandchildren, Dows, the Dodgers (since Brooklyn), the Lakers (since Minneapolis), basketball, and agriculture.

Don is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter, Dr. Leslie (Ray) Ludwig of Algona; son, David Lancaster of Des Moines; grandchildren, Maggie and Sam Ludwig of Algona and Josh Lippert of Norwalk; sister, Shelby Toussaint of Ellsworth; mother-in-law, Ethel Askren of Mt. Pleasant; nephew, Brad Toussaint of Ankeny; and aunts and cousins.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Elmer Peterson; father-in-law, Merton Askren; a brother-in-law; and a nephew.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Marjorie Van Der Linden

October 8, 2009

Marjorie Van Der Linden, 84, of Spirit Lake, died on Saturday, October 3, 2009, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday afternoon, October 10, at the Schuchert Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Inurnment will be held later in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood, next to her first son, who died in infancy.

Marjorie Rose, was born on February 19, 1925 in Marshall, Minnesota, the daughter of Rodger Roe and Millicent Alvina Wetherbee. She graduated from the Marshall High School and the University of Minnesota where she was a music major and a member of Sigma Alpha Iota. Marge was a school music teacher for one year in Plains, Montana. She met her future husband, John E. Van Der Linden of Ames, in the summer of 1948, while he was working at the Marshall Messenger and they were both singing in the Federated Church Choir in Marshall. They were married on November 27, 1948 and moved to Northwood, where John was the editor of the Northwood Anchor. Marge set up their first home and they both sang in the Methodist Church Choir. While living in Northwood during the 1950's, four boys were born.

In 1960 the family moved to Sibley where John was the publisher of the Gazette-Tribune. Marge was a member of the United Methodist Women, the P.E.O., a bridge club, an informal "sewing club", and served as a Cub Scout den mother for several years. Marge and John continued to sing in the church choir and for a time, Marge was the director.

In 1982, the couple built a retirement home at North Templar Park on Big Spirit Lake and became part of that community. They continued singing and Marge also served in the UMW and on the board of trustees at the Methodist Church. John and Marge liked to travel -- from Alaska to Central America, and from Hawaii to Europe.

Marge's family and home were everything to her. She took pride in keeping her house neat and clean at all times despite three active boys and their dogs, cats, white rats and other pets. She made sure her sons had music lessons. Family meals were important to Marge and everyone was expected home for supper nightly at 6:30 p.m. She enjoyed entertaining and opening her home for choir parties, P.E.O. meetings, their potluck supper group and her bridge club. After the boys left home and married, Marge looked forward to family gatherings at the lake. She baked for days in advance, making the family's favorite foods. 

Her hobbies included interior decorating, bridge, petite point, cross stitch and quilting. Marge sang in various church choirs for more than 50 years. She was very proud of her five grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her son, John Rodger and her two brothers-in-law and their wives.

Survivors include her husband of Spirit Lake; her sons, Peter (Judy) of Spirit Lake and their children, Gretchen, Mark and John, Dirk (Lee) of Belmond and their children, Kathryn and Grant and Thomas (Jean) of LaCrescent, Minnesota; her brother, Rodger (Martha Jean) Wetherbee of Conyers, Georgia; and five nieces and two nephews. 
©Belmond Independent 2009     

Levi Landphair

October 13, 2009

Levi G. Landphair, 21, of Des Moines and formerly of Belmond, died on Saturday, October 3, 2009, in Des Moines.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, October 8, at the Belmond United Methodist Church, with Pastor Mike Druhl officiating. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner, with Military Rites provided by the Iowa Army National Guard.

Levi Gustafson, the son of Connie Suntken and Larry Landphair, was born on June 22, 1988 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He moved to Belmond where he was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church. Levi graduated from the Garner High School in 2006 and joined the National Guard. He was part of the 1133rd and helped with flood recovery.

Levi's hobbies included hunting, riding his bike, being with family and spending time on the farm. He worked at the Fareway Store.

Levi was preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Mamie Holocek and his grandfather, Har Landphair.

Levi is survived by his mother, Connie (Doug) Suntken of Garner; father, Larry (Kristy) Landphair of Des Moines; brother, Louie (Mary Beth) of Davenport; sister, Elizabeth Suntken of Hampton; maternal grandparents, Roger and Carole Halfpop of Belmond; paternal grandmother, Doris Landphair of Leon; grandparents, Don and Marlene Suntken of Belmond; aunts and uncles, Cary and Julie Halfpop and their children, Trey, Brady and Kelby of Ankeny, Chris and David Thompson and their children, James and Jennifer of Denver, Colorado, Chris and Dinna Landphair and their children of Des Moines and David and Diane Suntken and their children, Taylor and Regan of Ames.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Ervin Ausborn

October 13, 2009

Ervin A. Ausborn, 80, of Belmond, died on Monday, October 5, 2009, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 10, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Belmond, with Pastor Jim Harbaugh officiating. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery.

Ervin Albert, the son of Albert and Anna Groh Ausborn, was born on April 22, 1929. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran and grew up in the Klemme area. Ervin graduated from the Klemme High School in 1947. He married Nellie Sherwood on August 14, 1948, at the Klemme United Methodist Church. They made their home for 48 years on the same farm southeast of Klemme. He milked cows all his life, built a new barn and took pride in selling grade A milk. After quitting milking because of health, he raised cow-calf herds and then beef cows for five years. He went strictly grain farming until 1997 when he moved to Belmond. He drove tractors for area farmers until he quit for health reasons.

He was a very active member of St. John Lutheran all his life and served as deacon and vice president of the church council.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harvey and Donald; and a grandson, Billy Prescott.      

Ervin is survived by his wife, Nellie; children, Lavonne (Dennis) Prescott of Belmond, Terry (Sue) Ausborn of Ventura and Linda (John) Lillebo of Goodell; grandchildren, Cathy Prescott, Joe Prescott, Kristy Prescott, Larry (Kris) Ausborn, Scott (Melissa) Ausborn, Brent (Keri) Ausborn, John Ryan (Becky) Lillebo, Anna (Mike) Kasuboski, Mark (Tric) Lillebo and Sarah (Don) Yarbor; nineteen great-grandchildren; brothers, Leonard of Belmond and Bob (Mary) of Ames; brother-in-law, Frank (Gloria) Sherwood of Mason City; and sister-in-law, Corrine Ausborn of Britt.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Lyle DeYong

October 13, 2009

Lyle D. DeYong, 84, of Lincoln, Nebraska, died on Tuesday, October 6, 2009.

Lyle was a retired sales manager with Cargill. He was a World War II Army veteran and participated in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

Lyle enjoyed a richness of life brought on by his desire to meet and converse with everyone he met. His priorities included family, friends, and the Hope Community Church.

Survivors include his wife, Lucille; daughters, Charlene (Bob) Nelson of Belmond and Karen (Terry) Beek of Lincoln, Nebraska; four grandchildren, Marietta (Bradford) Bittle, Matthew (Chris) Nelson, Allyss (Arthur) Haecker and Ashtyn (Sue Ellen) Beek; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jane (Marvin) Goodding of Lincoln and Margie (Max) Peterson of Dayton, Ohio.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Gerald VanBuskirk

October 20, 2009

Gerald "Barney" M. VanBuskirk, 80, of Klemme, died on Saturday, October 10, 2009, at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 17, at the Klemme United Methodist Church. Interment, with military honors, was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. The Andrews Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Gerald, the son of Lloyd and Annie (Brass) VanBuskirk, was born on July 27, 1929 in Twin Lake Township, Hancock County. He graduated from the Belmond High School in 1947. Barney served in the United States Air Force where he attained the rank of sergeant. He served from July 1948 through July 1949 and re-enlisted in 1949, serving during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in July 1955. Barney married Neva Ann Anderson on February 6, 1955, at the Klemme United Methodist Church.

For many years Barney was self-employed as a professional truck driver. He also spent many years farming, enjoying the hard work and reaping the fruits of his labors. He had also been a salesman, where his salesmanship and knowledge often came with the acknowledgment that "Barney could sell ice to an Eskimo!". He definitely used the gift of conversation and his innate ability to communicate with both friends and acquaintances to it's fullest.

Barney loved a good adventure, whether it was a cruise in one of his beloved fast cars, a fishing excursion with one of his buddies, or a trucking journey across the country. He was known as "Crapshooter" on the CB radio and Ann would often ride shotgun with him. He loved exploring new things and his children brought him a computer at age 80.
Barney also enjoyed teaching his grandchildren to play solitaire and cribbage, family get togethers (which would include the games of Pepper and Buck Yuker), playing cards with his buddies and working with his flowers. His grandchildren had a special place in his heart. He and Ann also enjoyed their "adopted family" in the community. 

Barney was a past member of the Masonic Lodge and was an active member of the American Legion Post in Garner.

Barney was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; and two brothers.

He is survived by his wife, Ann of Klemme; his daughter, Kathy (companion Bob) of Rogers, Arkansas and her children, Tanya (Allen) Jarchow and children, Allison and Abigail, Nicole (Dan) Kies and their children, Raven, Alexi and Austin, Jeanie (Ken) Farr and their children, Zain and Isiah and Rick Thurman and his children, Kelsey, Jake, Ashley and Luke; his daughter, Paula (Gary) Kruse of Minot, North Dakota and their children, Mandy Kruse and Trent, April (Raymond) Lockhart and their children, Kristen and Diamond and Kelly Kruse; his son, Gerald VanBuskirk, Jr. of Klemme and his daughter, Jessica VanBuskirk; four sisters; and one brother.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Ardeth Laake

October 20, 2009

Ardeth Laake, 81, died on Sunday, October 11, 2009, at her home in Belmond.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, October 15, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond. Interment was in the the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery near Belmond.

Ardeth Jenison, was born on September 11, 1928, to Earl and Hazel Sandburg Jenison on the family farm north of Belmond. She was educated in country school through the eighth grade and graduated from the Belmond High School in 1946. In 1949, she graduated from the Iowa Methodist School of Nursing, achieving a childhood dream to become a registered nurse.

Her early positions included psychiatric nursing and caring for premature babies in the St. Louis area. In 1957, she returned to Belmond and worked at the Steele Memorial Clinic until 1963, when she became the school nurse at the Belmond Community School until 1981. Raising four children alone, she needed to supplement her income, so she worked weekends at the Belmond Community Hospital where she also took obstetrical calls at night. She often said that witnessing the miracle of birth was her favorite part of nursing, assisting hundreds of mothers to bring new life into the world. 

In 1972, she married her best friend, Belmond businessman Walter Laake. Their blended family included ten children. Ardeth and Walt enjoyed fishing in Canada, going to girls basketball games, gardening and spending time with family and friends. 

Ardeth's contributions included helping to start the Belmond Ambulance Service in 1972. She taught the first class of ambulance volunteers and served with them, rescuing injured people from car accidents and other situations.

Knitting and embroidery were favorite activities for Ardeth. Upon her retirement she became interested in quilting. She hand-pieced and quilted over 100 quilts, the complicated "Baltimore Album" style being her specialty. Ardeth was recognized nationally as a master quilter. She also helped sew costumes for the Iowa River Players. Ardeth never took the easy way, never did anything part way and always gave her best.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walt; twin brother, Arnold; brothers, George and Robert; step-daughter, Haggi (Elizabeth Laake) Holtzman; step-son, Jos Laake; grandson, Joey Laake; and son-in-law, Steve Schnell. 

She is survived by her children, Luanne Paule (Cal) Krabbe, Kathy Paule Schnell, Nancy Paule Huisinga and David Paule; step-children, Michael (DJ) Laake, Henry Laake, Teresa Laake (Dung) Nguyen and Maria Laake (Ami) Vaknin; grandchildren, Andrew Christian Williams, Daniel Krabbe, Suzanne Schnell, Kaitlyn, Kelly and Samuel Huisinga, Alan, Christopher and Paul Laake, Laura (Nate) McVey, Jessie, Jennifer and Julia Laake, Anthony, Alexander and Benjamin Nguyen, Noam, Shachar, Lior and Micah Holtzman and Moti, Lianna, Tori and Hila Vaknin; brother, Leland (Norma Jeanne) Jenison; and sister, Elna (Gary) Day.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Donald Braner

October 20, 2009

Donald A. Braner, 87, of Belmond, died on Sunday, October 11, 2009, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 19, at the Immanuel Reformed Church east of Belmond, with burial in the church cemetery.

Donald Adolph, the son of Harm and Lillian Meinders Braner, was born on March 26, 1922 in Belmond. He attended country schools and graduated from the Belmond High School in 1940. On November 8, 1942, he married Eileen Ruka, the daughter of Earl and Buelah Ruka of Goodell. Don farmed with his dad until 1949, when his parents moved into town. Don and Eileen kept farming east of Belmond until they moved into town. Don worked with his son, Les after Les returned from serving his country in Vietnam. They farmed together until Les passed away in 2002.

Don was a member of Immanuel Reformed, where he was baptized and confirmed. He was a member of the church cemetery board since 1962, becoming chairman in 1975. In addition to his service at church, Don and Eileen helped serve Thanksgiving and Christmas meals at the Leinbach Center for over ten years and Don drove the Care Car for many years. He also enjoyed wood-working and several of his wood creations can be found at Immanuel Reformed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Les; brother, Walter; and brother-in-law, Don Kepley.

Don is survived by his wife; son, Randall (Vicki) of Cibolo, Texas; grandsons, Joshua of Texas, Les, Jr. (Jeami) of California, Michael (Jodi) of California, Nathan of Iowa and Brandon of Iowa; granddaughters, Colleen of California, Ericka (Wayne) Ross, Deri of Texas and Lesly (Chris) Stephens; great-grandchildren, Ashli, Kelli, Lucas, Eric, Colin and Rebecca; sister, June Kepley; and daughter-in-law, Kathleen Braner.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Jay Negrete

October 20, 2009

Jesus (Jay) Negrete, 81, died on Wednesday, October 14, 2009, at his home in Belmond.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, October 22, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond, with Rev. Mnsgnr. John Hemann and Deacon Nick Schmit officiating. Burial will take place in the St. Francis Cemetery near Belmond. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Dugger Funeral Home. A scriptural wake and parish rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m., at the funeral home.

Jesus, the son of Simon and Angelina Hernandez Negrete, was born on December 1, 1928 in Leon, Wanawato, Mexico. Jay was baptized into the Catholic faith while still living in Mexico. At the age of five months his family moved to the United States. Eventually settling in Belmond. Jesus graduated from the Belmond High School in 1947. He worked at General Mills, which later became Central Soya. Due to an industrial accident, Jay was forced to retire in 1985.

He was a friendly person who enjoyed a conversation with anyone and everyone.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rose; and brothers, Joseph and John.

Jesus is survived by his sisters, Jean Schwartz of Belmond, Conie (Cecil) Swanson of Des Moines, Mary Negrete of San Francisco, Isabel Negrete of San Diego, Nellie (Marvin) Fleming of Omaha, Ruth (Tom) Matthews of Neptune Beach, Florida and Stella (George) Bangous of Mio, Michigan; and brothers, Simon Jr. (Rose) of Salt Lake City and Robert of Spirit Lake.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Virginia Mennenga

October 20, 2009

Virginia "Ginny" E. Mennenga, 66, formerly of Clear Lake, died on Sunday, September 13, 2009, at her daughter's home in Lusby, Maryland.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, October 24, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. According to her wishes, her body was donated to the Anatomy Gifts Registry in Maryland.

Ginny was born on April 3, 1943 in Rowan, the daughter of Weston and Ada (Shahan) Hughes. She attended the Belmond and Clear Lake Schools. Virginia married Kyle Mennenga on July 23, 1960 in Belmond. They farmed in the Steamboat Rock area, moved to California in 1984 and returned to Iowa in 1991. For many years Ginny enjoyed cooking at the Oakwood Care Center.

Ginny enjoyed her family, collecting owls, reading and listening to country music.

Ginny was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in January 1999; sisters, Lola Mae Hughes and Barbara Pals; and her father and mother-in-law, Arnold and Beryl Mennenga. 

She is survived by her daughter, Eva (Robert) Burns of Lusby, Maryland; son, Robert (Wanda) Mennenga of Radcliffe; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Rebecca (Steve) Frerichs of Steamboat Rock and Linda (Gene) Helland of Fonda; brothers, Lee Hughes of Clear Lake, Gary (Joann) Hughes of Peoria, Arizona, Lyle (Margaret) Hughes of Marion, Darwin Hughes of Clear Lake, Keith (Suzette) Hughes of Truesdale and Paul (Judy) Hughes of Parkersburg.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Eleanor Pals

October 27, 2009

Eleanor Maxine (Soma) Pals, 82, of Belmond, died on Friday, October 23, 2009, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Dugger Funeral Home in Belmond and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, with Pastor Troy Pflibsen officiating. Burial will take place in the Belmond Cemetery.

Eleanor, the daughter of Norris and Eveline (Johnson) Soma, was born on February 17, 1927 in Belmond. She grew up in the Belmond area where she attended schools. Eleanor graduated from the Belmond High School in 1945. She was united in marriage to Alvin Pals on January 1, 1946 at her parents' home. The couple farmed together for many years until moving to town in 1988. Eleanor entered the Belmond Health Care Center in 2001.

Eleanor was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church. She enjoyed sewing, baking, working on puzzles and especially search-a-word. The children and grandchildren savored dinners at Eleanor and Alvin's home on Sundays. Their lake home was enjoyed by everyone in the family. Playing 500 with their card club was another of Eleanor's favorite pastimes in addition to going to Ridiculous Days and garage sales. Eleanor was a homemaker extraordinaire. Eleanor and Alvin enjoyed traveling, but her family was most important to her.

Eleanor is survived by her children, Douglas (Diana) of Moscow, Idaho, Barbara (Jim) Boelman of Belmond, Curtis (LuAnn) of Belmond and Luann (Steve) Huling of Hampton; grandchildren, Joel (Mindy) Pals, Karena (Michael) Houser and Danielle Pals; Angela (Clint) Johnson and Andrea (Matt) Insko; Kevin, Steven and Laura Pals; Amanda, Deborah and Christopher Huling: great-grandchildren, Sam, Henry and Gretchen Pals: Chloe and Alaina Houser and Benjamin Insko; brothers and sisters, Murial Durant of Dallas, Texas, Gilman (Sandra) Soma of Belmond, Betty (Don) Dorenkamp of Thornton, Lois (Jim) Beisner of Iowa Falls, Shirley (Arlen) Pals of Lake Mills and Charles (Phebe) Soma of Belmond; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alvin in 2007; and a sister, Dorothy.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Herman Stadtlander

October 27, 2009

Herman T. Stadtlander, 86, of Meservey, died on Sunday, October 25, 2009, at the Belmond Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, at the First Reformed Church in Meservey, with Rev. Rodney Meester officiating. Burial was in the Meservey Cemetery.

Herman Stadtlander, the son of Carl J. and Grace (Dirks) Stadtlander, was born on October 7, 1923 in Hancock County. He was baptized at Meservey in March l924. Herman attended school at Thornton and worked as a hired hand for various farmers. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943. He completed basic training in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Herman was united in marriage to Phyllis I. Schmidt in Meservey, on August 14,1943 and was sent overseas to join other troops in WW II shortly after. He was wounded in combat and underwent surgeries at various military hospitals. He was awarded the Purple Heart and was honorably discharged in November, 1945.

Upon return from service, he worked for an area farmer. He was also employed by Fischer Implement and Sunray Fertilizer in Meservey. He later worked for Raecker Chevrolet and Duke's Auto as a mechanic. In the early 1970s, he and a partner purchased the business, renaming it D & H Auto. He retired in 1985.

Herman served as Meservey's mayor for several years. He was a lifelong member of the Meservey American Legion Post 171, VFW and DAV. He enjoyed fishing and took many trips to Canada with friends and family. He loved gardening and tending his apple trees. He also did some woodworking and refinishing. After retiring, he spent numerous hours tinkering in his shop. He had a talent for fabrication and there was very little he couldn't create when given a few small parts. He took great joy in his five grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Phyllis; his daughter, Patricia (Lloyd) Suntken of Meservey; his sons, Gary (Nancy) Stadtlander of Mason City and Jerry (Janette) Stadtlander of Belmond; his grandchildren, Anjanette (Adam) Bills of Dodge Center, Minnesota and their children, Peyton and Mason; Darin (Erin) Suntken of Sheffield and their children, Alexandra, Sage and Dax; Torey (Gwen) Stadtlander of Owatonna, Minnesota and their children, Madeline and Owen; Melissa (Bob) Decker of Mapleton, Minnesota and their children, Ellie, Casey, Noah and Thayne; Travis (Sarah) Stadtlander of Overland Park, Kansas and their daughter, Reghan; one brother, Myron (Sally) Stadtlander of Rockford; and five sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Grace Stadtlander; one sister, Berniece; and three brothers, Louis, Leonard and Delbert Stadtlander.
©Belmond Independent 2009

Mary Pringnitz

November 3, 2009

Mary Pringnitz, 96, of Belmond, died on Monday, October 26, 2009, at the Kanawha Community Home.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 2, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Belmond, with Pastor James Harbaugh officiating. Interment was in the Belmond Cemetery.

Mary, daughter of Phillip and Elizabeth Erdman, was born on January 1, 1913 in Maywood, Illinois. She was baptized in the Lutheran Church in Maywood, confirmed in the Cuba Church north of Kanawha and attended rural schools in the Kanawha and Belmond areas. She married Arthur Pringnitz on January 27, 1937, at St. John Lutheran in Belmond. The couple was proud of their farming operation. They worked together on the farm until 1975 when they retired and moved to Belmond. Mary and Art were always very proud of their adopted daughter, Karen.

Art and Mary enjoyed traveling and spending winters in Mesa, Arizona and their trips to Ohio to visit their daughter and family. Mary was a great cook and enjoyed spending time with family and friends over a cup of coffee. Playing cards, gardening and flowers were just a few of her passions. She was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; brother, Harold "Sonny" Erdman; and sisters, Mollie Kalkwarf, Hilda Lee, Minnie Johnson, Betty Faulkner and Ann Pierce.
 
Survivors include her daughter, Karen (Phil) Rooney; grandson, Jeffrey Rooney; and great-grandchildren, Maxwell, Mega and Madelyn, all of Hamilton, Ohio.
©Belmond Independent 2009