Marlin Blau

March 9, 2010

Marlin D. Blau, 71, died on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at his home in Alexander.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 9, at the Dugger Funeral Home in Belmond, with Pastor Jim Turner officiating. Burial was in the Alexander Cemetery.

Marlin Dean, was born on February 11, 1939, to Dick and Leona Blau. He spent his childhood working on the family farm and attending the Alexander Schools. While growing up, Marlin was able to go on several out-of-state hunting and fishing trips that became cherished memories throughout his life. While Marlin recuperated from back surgery he met a nurse, his future wife, Linda Hillson. Marlin and Linda married on March 23, 1974 in Mason City and they lived in Alexander. In 1976, Marlin and Linda had a daughter and in 1980 they had a son. Marlin was an employee of Yohn Ready Mix for over 10 years and retired in 2001.

Marlin had many hobbies, including gardening and cooking, but was most passionate about his ponies. He had ponies most of his life and enjoyed hitching them up and driving them around town and in parades. Marlin passed his knowledge of hunting and fishing to his son, taking him out whenever he could. Marlin enjoyed many happy memories while at Retta's house for coffee.

Marlin's daughter has three sons and during retirement, Marlin did all he could to spend time with them, driving them around on his John Deere tractor and his golf cart. Marlin's son was to be married this September, but was able to re-schedule the wedding so Marlin could be present.

Preceding Marlin in death were his parents; and brother, Gary.

Survivors include his wife; children, Angela (Chad) Armour of Belmond and Clark and (Mylinda) Blau of Nevada; grandchildren, Tyson, Cole and Jack Armour; brothers, Richard, Duane and Gene Blau; and sisters, Madonna Brcka and Sandra Dorenkamp.
©Belmond Independent 2010

Ronald Kelling

March 23, 2010

Ronald D. Kelling, 71, died on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, in Roseville, California.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 15, at the First Presbyterian Church of Roseville, with burial in the East Lawn Sierra Hills Cemetery in Sacramento.

Ronald Dennis, was born on August 26, 1938 in Waverly. He was the devoted, caring husband of Janean Kelling for 49 years, a loving father to Kim Arens and Jill Brown and a loving grandpa to Kaitlin Arens, Logan Arens, Lauren Arens and Jacob Brown.
 
The family asks that contributions may be made in his name to your favorite charity.
©Belmond Independent 2010

Marion Gabrielson

March 16, 2010

Marion L. Gabrielson, 96, of Belmond, died on Thursday, March 11, 2010, at her home in Belmond surrounded by her family.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, March 14, at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church, rural Belmond. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery. 

Marion Leona, was born on January 26, 1914, the daughter of Otto and Barbara (Thorson) Odegard near Waterville, in Allamakee County. She was baptized and confirmed at the Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church. She attended rural schools and graduated from the Waterville High School in 1931. Marion married Gerhard Gabrielson of Belmond on January 15, 1938, at the St. John's Lutheran Parsonage in Waukon. They farmed more than 30 years in the Belmond and Waukon areas. In 1972, they moved to Waukon and in 1978 they moved to Belmond. In addition to farming with Gerhard, Marion was a lifelong homemaker. 

Marion was active in the Old Paint Creek and St. Olaf Lutheran Churches and their women's organizations. Her family was most precious to her. She enjoyed baking, genealogy, making quilts (magic blankets as the grandchildren might call them) and growing flowers. She will be remembered in many wonderful ways.

She was preceded in death by her husband; son, James; grandson, Benjamin Gabrielson; brother, Ray and his wife, Beulah; sister-in-law, Barbara Odegaard; and son-in-law, Cletus Liska.

Survivors include her son, Dale (Kathleen) of Arlington, Tennessee; daughters, Marjorie Liska of Clear Lake and Margaret (Larry) Mennenga of Belmond; grandchildren, Duan Mennenga, Daren (Diena) Mennenga, Carolyn Oeltjenbruns, Christine (Brent) King, John (Jennifer) Gabrielson, Dan (Andrea) Gabrielson and Caroline Reid; great-grandchildren, Jessica and Jamie Gabrielson, Anna and Nathan Oeltjenbruns, Tristan and Ty Mennenga, Brinley, Carly and Benjamin Gabrielson and Wyatt and Alexandra King; and brother, Alf Odegaard.
©Belmond Independent 2010

Kathryn McMurray

March 16, 2010

Kathryn Ann McMurray, 71, of West Des Moines, died on Monday, March 15, 2010, at the Mercy Hospice House in Johnston, with her son at her side.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday morning, March 17, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond. Interment will be in the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery near Belmond.

Kathryn Ann, was born on December 13, 1938, to Otto and Coletta Dorr.  After graduating from high school she worked in Des Moines while pursuing her love of theatre. She later worked as a member of the medical community in Des Moines and Fort Worth, Texas.

She was an avid reader, well spoken and mildly opinionated. More than just an expert story teller and local historian of more than just her own family, she was a loyal friend and extremely giving to the community. She always brought laughter with her wherever she went and could always be found with her family and friends in Belmond and Des Moines. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her son, Hezekiah McMurray; daughter-in-law, Jill McMurray; and granddaughter, Piper McMurray, all of Long Beach, California; her extended family; and countless friends. 
©Belmond Independent 2010

Sylvia Tyrrell

March 23, 2010

Sylvia Tyrrell, 84, died on Saturday, March 20, 2010, at the Fairacres Manor Nursing Home in Greeley, Colorado.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, March 27, at the United Church of Christ in Belmond. Sylvia's urn will be interred at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of North Iowa.

Sylvia was born on October 1, 1925 in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, to Joseph and Clara (Still) Shoemaker. She lived in Belmond from 1949 until 1976. Then she resided in Alexandria, Virginia, for 30 years before moving to Greeley in 2006. Sylvia received a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics from Iowa State University. Sylvia was a homemaker and after raising her five children she became a realtor in Virginia. 

She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greeley and former member of the United Church of Christ in Belmond. Sylvia was also a member of Ikebana International and Kappa Delta Sorority. She enjoyed time with family and friends, visiting museums and galleries, flower arranging and her time at the lake.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Elizabeth Parman; and brother, William Shoemaker.

Survivors include her daughter, Claire (Patrick) McNear of Greeley; sons, Douglas (Marilyn) Tyrrell of Mason City, Tom (Pam) Tyrrell of Belmond, Jim (Dorothy) Tyrrell of New Rochelle, New York and Alan Tyrrell and friend, Sarah Oblinger of Dixon, New Mexico; 10 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and her caregiver, Glenda Carpio of Greeley.
©Belmond Independent 2010

Mary Myers

March 30, 2010

Mary H. Myers, 80, of Belmond, died on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at the Belmond Medical Center.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 27, at the United Church of Rowan, with burial in the Graceland Cemetery near Rowan.

Mary Helen, the daughter of William and Winifred McKinney Hannah, was born on March 14, 1930 in Hansell. She grew up in the Hansell area and graduated from the Hansell High School. Then she attended Iowa Methodist School of Nursing. Mary married William Myers on November 23, 1952, at the United Methodist Church in Hampton. They made their home on a farm near Rowan. Mary worked as the Director of Nursing at the Belmond Hospital, as a nurse at the Belmond Health Care Center and as the CAL School Nurse in Alexander. Later, Bill and Mary would move to Alexander and Belmond.

Mary entered the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond in 2009, where she found herself surrounded by and cared for by co-workers, care-givers and friends. Mary loved being a mother and grandmother. Family was most important to her. She enjoyed baking, embroidery and gardening. Mary was a member of the Iowa Methodist Nursing Alumni and the United Church of Rowan.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Mary is survived by her husband of Belmond; children, Cathy (Ron)Schmitz of Minneapolis, John (Brenda) Myers of Kansas City and Jeff (Sheryl) Myers of Plano, Texas; grandchildren, Jeff, Chris, Amber (Bryon), Nick, Micah and Jacob; sister, Jo Ghrist of Des Moines; and brothers, Bill (Marilyn) Hannah of Hampton, Dick Hannah of Kellogg and James (Doris) Hannah of Hansell.
©Belmond Independent 2010

 
Dean Becker

April 6, 2010

Dean R. Becker, 84, of Meservey, died on Monday, March 29, 2010, at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, April 2, at the Dugger Funeral Home in Belmond, with Pastor Rodney Meester officiating. Burial was in the Pleasant Hill cemetery near Blairstown, with graveside military rites provided by the American Legion Post #167 of Newhall.

Dean Russell, the son of Walter and Nola Koser Becker, was born on November 16, 1925 in Blairstown. He grew up in the area and graduated from the Blairstown High School in 1943. Then Dean entered the U.S. Army. Following his discharge from service, Dean returned to Blairstown where he worked for the Iowa Highway Commission.

Dean loved to dance. It was once said, if there was a dance in the area, he would be there. It was at a dance in Cedar Rapids that Dean met his beloved wife, Beulah "Bea". They were married on August 19, 1952, at the Westminister Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. Dean worked for the Dows Manti Dairy as a route salesman for 14 years. Dean and his brother operated Becker Brother's Standard in Coralville. Dean and Bea bought the bowling alley in Newhall in 1969. They sold the business in 1982 and moved to Meservey to be closer to the cabin in Minnesota where they enjoyed fishing.

Dean was a member of the Presbyterian Church and the American Legion Post in Newhall. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, Boston Celtics and Dallas Cowboys. Dean was an umpire for semi-pro baseball for 12 years and he officiated high school basketball for seven years. Dean also enjoyed golfing and fishing. Dean carried a dollar bill in his shirt pocket since October 1972.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother and sister-in-law, John and JoAnn Becker.

Dean is survived by his wife; sons, Curtiss of Newhall and Kevin of Marshall, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Doug Becker and Shallen Becker; and sister, Irene Furler of Newhall.
©Belmond Independent 2010

LaVerne Ackerman

April 6, 2010

LaVerne B. Ackerman, 83, died on Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at the Pocahontas Community Hospital.

LaVerne Bernice was born on August 24, 1926 near Pocahontas, the daughter of Fred and Mary (Dirks) Hohensee. She graduated from the Pocahontas High School in 1944. On June 7, 1945, LaVerne married Edwin Ackerman. The couple lived near Palmer and Clear Lake before settling in Belmond. Ed died in 1969. In 1971, LaVerne moved to the Pocahontas Residential Center and in 1998 she moved to the Pocahontas Manor.

LaVerne was a member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church.

Survivors are her son, Larry (Janet) Ackerman of Hamilton, Virginia; sisters, twin Larene Nomann of Pocahontas and Lucille (Roger) Boelman of Belmond; brothers, Lester (Louise) Hohensee of Monet, Missouri and Leonard (Shirley) Hohesee of Pocahontas.
©Belmond Independent 2010

Howard DuFlo

April 20, 2010

Howard John DuFlo, 70, died on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, following a short illness.

He was born on July 3, 1939. Howard worked for the Eaton Corporation for 29 years -- 18 in Battle Creek, Michigan and 11 in Belmond, where he was the aircraft department foreman. Howard and his wife, Joyce, lived in Meservey for 11 years. He helped his wife operate the Meservey Cafe from July 1987 to July 1988. They retired in 1994 to Florida and then Mississippi.

John enjoyed playing drums, fishing, hunting, boxing and football.

Survivors include his wife of Tunica, Mississippi; son, Lloyd Torrance of Bellevue, Michigan; and sister, Carolyn Rice of Union City, Michigan.
©Belmond Independent 2010