Robert Hinman

December 14, 2010

Robert A. Hinman, 69, Klemme, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 7, 2010, at the Mercy Medical Center West Campus Dialysis Unit, in Mason City.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held December 13, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond. Burial with military honors was in the Belmond Cemetery. The Andrews Funeral Home in Klemme was in charge of the arrangements.

Robert Arthur, the son of Robert Owen and Grace (Ruiter) Hinman, was born December 14, 1940 at the Belmond Hospital. He grew up in the Belmond, Clarion and Klemme areas. Bob graduated from Belmond High School in 1959. In 1961, Bob began a four-year stint in the United States Army. He was initially based in Milwaukee, WI where he specialized in the training of German shepherd dogs for the military. Much of his time was spent at a Nike missile site near Brown Deer, WI. On June 13, 1964 he was united in marriage to Caroline S. Gesinski at the Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee. He was then stationed for a time in San Antonio, TX. Bob was honorably discharged in 1964 as an E-4.

Upon returning to civilian life Bob spent a year as a mechanic in the Milwaukee area. His longing to return to his roots, farming and the outdoors led the couple back to the Goodell area where Bob would farm with his father and their family was raised. Bob loved to be outdoors, working the land, and reaping the bounties of his labors. He enjoyed all that life on the farm had to offer. Though his farming career began in 1966 and he retired in 2000, he never truly quit farming. Even this past fall Bob helped his son Jeff with whatever tasks his health would allow.

Bob appreciated any time he could spend with his family. His wife, children and grandchildren were of utmost importance in all he did. Bob's love of the outdoors carried him on numerous motorcycle excursions through several states around the country with his wife, kids and many friends. He enjoyed family camping trips and fishing journeys to Canada. He enjoyed prairie dog hunting and the excitement and adventure of bear hunting in Minnesota, where he had even successfully harvested "Gentle Ben". In prior years Bob enjoyed hunting deer and pheasants.

Bob had a positive nature, and though he didn't like big crowds, he was always up for a good visit, a bit of humor and story telling. He was an avid Elvis fan and had visited Graceland. Another favorite past time was NASCAR, especially if the driver was driving a Ford. Bob loved fast cars. He loved animals and had fond memories of his favorite dog "Turk" from his time in the service.

Bob was a member of the Goodell American Legion and had served on the Klemme Co-op board of director's, including a term as president.   He will be remembered by his family as a loving husband, nurturing father, and doting grandpa. His friends and acquaintances will miss his easy going nature, wit, and ability to strike up a conversation.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law Edward Gesinki; and brother-in-law Jerome Gesinski.   

His memory lives on in the hearts and minds of his wife Carol Hinman of Klemme; son Jeff (Angie) Hinman and their children Jessica and Lisa of Belmond; daughter Pam Hinman and her husband Mike Hlas and their son Ike of Cedar Rapids; mother-in-law Esther Gesinski of Belmond; sister-in-law Nancy (Dwight) Brookshire and their children Christine (John) Full of North Carolina and Bradley John of Cumming, GA; nephews Richard Halsne of Thornton and Michael Halsne of Sheffield; and nieces Mary and JeriLynn of the Milwaukee area.
©Belmond Independent 2010

William Luick

December 15, 2010

William “Bill” Luick, 93, Lincoln, NE, died December 8, 2010.

A graveside service was held December 10 at the Belmond Cemetery. A memorial service was held December 12 in Lincoln.

Bill was born September 7, 1917 in Belmond, the son of Ernest and Grace Glidden Luick. He married June Abbot, and she preceded him in death.

He is survived by daughters Ginger Colton of Lincoln, Linda Jones of New York City, and Karen Mullen of Louisville, KY; five grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.
©Belmond Independent 2010

Gerald Draper

December 14, 2010

Gerald R. “Jerry” Draper, 84, Mason City, died December 12, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 16, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, Mason City, with Pastor Ed Bard of Hospice of North Iowa officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Inurnment will be at a later date in Belmond. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Gerald Draper memorial fund in care of the family.

Gerald was born December 21, 1925 in Blairsburg, the son of William L. and Irene L. (Scott) Draper. He attended school in Dows. He married Valva Nelson in August 1943, and they had six children. He later married Eloise Meyers on September 24, 1965 in Glenville, MN. Gerald worked for Mitchell Transport for 20 years. He also did a lot of volunteer work in the Mason City area. He belonged to the Eagles, Moose Lodge and the Elks. Gerald enjoyed camping and playing horseshoes. He spent his winters in San Juan, TX for 18 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son Timothy; and daughters Nancy, Kathy and Linda.

Gerald is survived by his wife Eloise of Mason City; children Larry (Cheryl) Draper of South Jordan, UT, Judy (Bob) Huth of Las Vegas, NV, Jean (Mike) Scholl of Mason City, and Becky Peters of Austin, MN; 13 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; brother Virgil (Opal) Draper of Belmond; sister Deloris Story of Dows; and nieces and nephews Gary Draper of Randall, Diane (Dave) Lieberknecht of Belmond, Janice Draper of Clear Lake, Marilyn Hanson of Klemme, Susan (Ron) Graham of Garner, Roberta (Dennis) Chapula of Newton, and Roger Story of Missouri.
©Belmond Independent 2010

Larry Aldrich

December 21, 200

Larry A. Aldrich, 77, died on Tuesday, December 14, 2010, at his home near Rowan.

Services were held Sunday, December 19, at the United Church of Rowan. Burial was at Graceland Cemetery west of Rowan. The Dugger Funeral Home in Belmond was in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Larry's name.

Larry Allen, the son of Raymond and Neva Hinckley Aldrich, was born January 5, 1933 in Iowa Township, between Rowan and Belmond. He attended Iowa Township No. 4 school and graduated from Rowan High School in 1950. Larry was united in marriage to Wilma Whitten on December 28, 1952 at the Congregational Church in Rowan. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Bliss, TX and in Germany. Larry was honorably discharged in 1955. He and Wilma made their home near Rowan where Larry began farming. Working first with the Frohlings and Wilma’s father, then later for himself, farming and welding were Larry’s life-long pursuits. He practiced his welding skills for many years at Bruns Machine & Welding in Rowan. Wilma and Larry raised their children on the family acreage northeast of Rowan.

Larry was an active member of the Rowan community and a member of the United Church of Rowan. He served his church in numerous offices and capacities. A member of American Legion Andrew Whitten Post No. 159 in Rowan, Larry served as Commander. As a member of Rowan Lions Club, he headed up many chicken barbeques, served as club president, and as district governor. He was a recipient of the Melvin Jones and Warren Coleman Awards for service to Lions. Of all his accomplishments, none were more important to him than his family. Larry had an abiding love for them, and his pride shone bright. His life awards were that of husband, father, grandfather, brother, son and friend.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife; children Beth Rydberg (Bruce) of Des Moines, Janice Booth (Wayne) of San Jose, CA, Jeanette Morris (Jeff) of Radcliffe and Mark (Sharon) Aldrich of Lake Orion, MI; grandchildren Lena Rydberg-Freese (Brad), Kate Rydberg-Banasiak (Mike), Neal Rydberg, Joel Rydberg, Derek Booth, Alexander Booth, Jacob Morris, Tyler Aldrich, Austin Aldrich and Logan Aldrich; sister Lois Beyer (Ray) of Rowan; and brother Don (Kay) of Rowan.
©Belmond Independent 2010

Carol Christenson

December 21, 2010

Carol D. Christenson, 89, died on Saturday, December 18, 2010, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 23, at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Thompson. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Carol Deloris, the daughter of Carlton and Adina (Hefte) Johnson, was born January 29, 1921 in Belmond Township, Wright County. She was baptized at St. Olaf Lutheran Church and confirmed at Kanawha Lutheran Church. She attended Belmond Township #2 School through the eighth grade and worked for the Tyrrell family in Belmond. Carol was 16 when she went on her first date with a young man named Earl Christenson. They were introduced by Earl's brother, Lloyd. Carol and Earl dated for three years and then were engaged for one year. They married on September 14, 1941 at the Congregational Church in Belmond. Earl started farming in 1942 in the Kanawha and Clarion areas. In 1952 they moved to a farm near Bricelyn, MN where they farmed until he retired in 1983.

Carol enjoyed raising chickens and had a huge strawberry bed and flower beds. Carol helped with the farming and worked in the sweet corn factory in Bricelyn.

In 1993 they moved to Forest City and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2001. Carol enjoyed spending time with her family, golfing, playing cards, bowling and dancing, whether it be square dancing, polkas or waltzes. She crocheted afghans for all of her children and grandchildren, and also embroidered dish towels for each of them. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran where she was a member of the Altar Guild, WELCA, and a circle. In 1995 she transferred her membership to Immanuel Lutheran in Forest City where she was active in circle. She was a member of the Kum Along Club in Forest City. Carol entered the Lake Mills Care Center on May 1, 2009.

She was preceded in death by her husband (2002); three sisters; three brothers (two in infancy); son-in-law Gary Anderson; and great-grandson Zackery.

Survivors include son Larry (Mary) Christenson of Phoenix, AZ and their family Diana (Jim) Kostas, Alex, Christopher and James of Glen Ridge, NJ and Paul (Jessica) Christenson of Phoenix; son Keith Christenson and his family Kim Christenson and Bob Martin, Ty, Brock, Caleb and Austin of Klemme, Kelly Christenson and Carrie Morin and their son Donivan of Mason City, and Kurt Christenson of Fort Riley, Kansas; daughter Kathy (Dan) Swearingen of Thompson and their family Tammy (Mark) Solberg of Conway, AR, Kristin (Matt) DeMott of Centerton, AR, Laura and son Aiden, Brandon, Blake and Megan Solberg of Conway, Kevin Swearingen of Thompson, and Troy (Shannon) Swearingen, Paige, Braden and Jessa of Forest City; daughter Pat (Gordon) Sevley of Thompson and their family Michelle (Kallin) Kurtz, Riley and Gretchen of Lakeville, MN, Scott (Arin) Anderson of Thompson, Michelle (John) Blong, Tyler, Jacob and Kayla of Brainerd, MN, and Renee (Lamont) Andrews, Megan and Joshua of St. Ansgar; daughter Eloise (Lyle) Wirtjes of Thompson and their family Ryan (Jennifer) Wirtjes, Kasey, Krisanne of Denver, Allison (Chad) Hinders, Taylen, Elise, Kinzee, Mylie of Buffalo Center, Emily of Cedar Falls, and Cody (Alicia) Wirtjes of Thompson; daughter Deborah (Harlan) Nyhus of Forest City and their family Sara (Jeff) Penning and Abigail of Clear Lake, Holden and Heidi of Ames; sister Wilma Friesleben of Belmond; brothers Dudley (Janice) Johnson of Kanawha, Arland (Avis) Johnson of Hector, MN, and Gary (Barb) Johnson of St. John's, Newfoundland.
©Belmond Independent 2010

Roberta Abbas

January 4, 2011

Roberta Mae Abbas, 58, of Des Moines, died at her home on Saturday, December 18, 2010.

Services were held on Wednesday, December 22, at the Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home with a private burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Des Moines.

Roberta was born December 24, 1951 in Des Moines, to Bert and Wanda Dunning. She attended Lincoln High School and graduated as a registered nurse from the Methodist College of Nursing in 1973. She married Gary Abbas on December 8, 1973. They had three children.

Roberta was a member of Clifton Heights Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir. She loved music and singing. She was a gifted artist and an animal lover. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren, and they gave her the greatest joy in her life.

She was preceded in death by her father; and brother Ronald.

Roberta is survived by her husband; children Aaron (Carrie) Abbas, Nathan (Cindi) Abbas and Beth (Chad) Sealine; grandchildren Saylor, Avery, Spenser, Emerson, Abby, Seth, Thaden and Corrin; brothers Larry and Randy; sisters Debbie and Pam; her mother Wanda Dunning; and her mother-in-law Dorothy Abbas of Belmond.
©Belmond Independent 2011

Daryl Hafermann

January 4, 2011

Daryl E. Hafermann, 83, died on Wednesday, December 29, 2010, at his home in rural Thornton.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, January 3, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond, with Rev. John Hemann and Deacon Jerry Temeyer officiating. Burial with military honors was in the Meservey Cemetery.

Daryl Elmer was born April 3, 1927 in Meservey, the only child of Elmer and Millie (Schmalle) Hafermann. He grew up on the family farm near Thornton and attended country schools through the 8th grade. He graduated from Meservey High School in 1945. At age 17 Daryl obtained his private pilot's license and was engaged in farming with his father. He served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1953 during the Korean War. Before Daryl left for the service, he became engaged to Lois Ann Avery of Goodell. Following his discharge they were married on November 28, 1953, and he resumed farming on the home place.

Daryl enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was an avid bowler. However, nothing was more important to Daryl than time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife's parents Anson and Ethel Avery; and grandson Matthew Hafermann.

Daryl is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lois; daughter Sherri (Ron) Barnes; son David Hafermann; son Scott (Jo) Hafermann; and grandchildren Melanie (Joe) Worley, Luke (Eun Jung) Dickerson, Jason Dickerson, Lyndsay Hafermann, Caitlin Barnes, Jeffrey Hafermann and Samantha Hafermann.
©Belmond Independent 2011

Leila Jacobson

January 12, 2011

Leila Jacobson, 86, died on Thursday, December 30, 2010, in Sun City, AZ.

A celebration of life was held on Monaday, January 10, at the American Lutheran Church in Sun City. A memorial service will be held in Moorhead, MN at a later date.

Leila was born on May 22, 1924, to Ned and Julia Packard in Belmond. She was baptized into the Christian faith at Trinity Lutheran on June 9, 1924. She was educated in the public school in Belmond. Following this she graduated from the Lutheran Bible School in Minneapolis, including two years of regular curriculum and a one year mission course in preparation for serving in Madagascar. Leila was married to Pastor Arvild Jacobson for 63 years, 1 month. Together they took a year of French language study in France in 1954. Following this they spent 17 years as missionaries in Madagascar. When they returned to the states, they served parishes in Hannaford, Arthur and Northwood, ND and Good Shepherd Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran in Moorhead.

After retiring in 1988 they lived in Moorhead and later in Sun City where they were members of the American Lutheran Church. Leila was active in the congregation and was a member of the Intercessory Prayer Group. Leila had a passion for making porcelain dolls of which she gave to family and friends. She had the ability to make friends and to be of help to those in need. Many people enjoyed receiving a fresh loaf of French bread which she had made. Leila was also quick to speak a word for Jesus. She was always ready to tell of Jesus’ love to any whom she met. Her legacy was seeing faith and works in action. She was a radiant personality, possessing the fruits and the gifts of a spirit-filled life.

She was preceded in death by her brother Bud Packard; sister Phyllis Pals; daughter Paula Jacobson; and grandson Jeremy Rueckert.

Leila is survived by her husband; her children Naomi Vincent of Gwinner, ND, Daniel (Sandy) Jacobson of Cooperstown, ND, Rolf (Rita) Jacobson of Sidney, MT, and Lisa (Mike) Guillemette of Fergus Falls, MN; 10 grand children and 15 great grandchildren; and sister Norma Jeanne (Leland) Jenison of Belmond.
©Belmond Independent 2011

Phyllis Steenhard

January 4, 2011

Phyllis L. Steenhard, 88, of Meservey, died on Friday, December 31, 2010, at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Mason City.

Services were held on Tuesday, January 4, 2011, at the First Reformed Church in Meservey. Burial was in the Meservey Cemetery.

Phyllis Lucille, the daughter of John and Annie Eckhoff Koenen, was born January 4, 1922 near Meservey. She was baptized at Zion Reformed Church near Sheffield. Phyllis grew up and attended school in Meservey.  Phyllis married Engelard Steenhard on March 26, 1941 at the Zion Reformed Parsonage. They made their home farming in north Iowa before settling north of Meservey where they farmed for 24 years. In 1968 they moved into Meservey. Phyllis worked as mother and homemaker the majority of her life, and also did cooking and cleaning for people. She especially enjoyed the work she did for Marie Hensel and at P&G Deli. Phyllis will be remembered for her pies, potato salad and banana bread, as well as her kind heart and fun-loving nature. She adored her family and friends.

Phyllis was a member of the Meservey Reformed Church and the Reformed Church Women, as well as the American Legion Auxiliary, Golden Years Club and Monday morning coffee club, and she shared coffee with friends at Bloemke Pharmacy on Fridays.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband (1996); infant son David; grandchildren Ryan and Renae Kropp; daughter-in-law Dawn Steenhard; sisters Edna Trager and Leona Wenzel; and brothers Virgil and Elvin (Bud) Koenen.

Phyllis is survived by her children Vernon (Carol) of Olathe, KS, Barbara (Jerry) Kropp of Garner, Alan (Ann) of Mason City, Wayne (Donna) of Mason City, Warren of Mason City, and Mark (Debra) of Cypress, TX; grandchildren Julie (Wes) Rains, Scott (Brooke), Brenda (Grant) Anderson, Shelby (Alana), Haylee (Ryan) Miller, Cade, Coltie and Rhett; great grandchildren Erica, Abby and Joel Rains, Emma, Carter and Ainsley Steenhard, Derek, Mara, Kylie and Jaelyn Anderson, and Evan Miller; brothers-in-law George and Merle Steenhard; and sister-in-law Marjorie Steenhard.
©Belmond Independent 2011