Bernie Biddle
(Note-For funeral
information see October 2011 of this archive.)
January 4, 2011
Bernie Biddle, a long time Rowan resident, died on Saturday,
January 1, 2011 (her 97th birthday) in Phoenix, AZ.
©Belmond
Independent 2011 |
Karl Watne
January 11, 2011
Karl J. Watne, 70, of Galt, died on Sunday, January 2, 2011,
at his home, following a two-year battle with cancer.
Services were held on
Friday, January 7, at the Missionary Alliance Church in
Blairsburg. Interment was at the Lutheran Cemetery in
Holmes.
Karl was born on May 11, 1940 in Clarion, the son of Olaf
and Bernice (Hovland) Watne. He married Judy Schaa on August
26, 1961. They lived on a farm southwest of Galt. Karl
farmed with his brothers Tom, Knute and Stan.
He was was preceded in death by his infant sister Ruth and
brother Pete.
He is survived by his wife; children Kim (Rick) Lee, Steve
(Lana) Watne and Doug (Kristin) Watne; sister Miriam (Dave)
Britt; and brothers Sam (Lois) Watne, Tom (Jan) Watne, Knute
(Etter) Watne, Stan (Pam) Watne; and foster daughter Tuyet
(Le) Vu.
©Belmond
Independent 2011 |
Marie Vierkant
January 11, 2011
Marie Vierkant, 99, Tyler, TX, formerly of Meservey, died on
Wednesday, January 5, 2011, in Tyler.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, January
14, at the Meservey Cemetery. Pastor Jon Vierkant will
officiate. Friends and relatives are invited to the First
Reformed Church basement in Meservey for fellowship after
the service at the cemetery. The Dugger Funeral Home of
Belmond is in charge of the arrangements.
©Belmond
Independent 2011 |
The Rev. Robert
Vander Schaaf
January 11, 2011
The Rev. Robert Vander Schaaf, 91, of Alton, died on
Thursday, January 6, 2011, at the Orange City Area Health
System Long Term Care Facility.
Services were held on
Monday, January 10, at the Alton Reformed Church.
Robert Samuel was born December 16, 1919 in Leota, MN, the
son of the Rev. John J. and Adriana Maria (Muilenburg)
Vander Schaaf. At the age of two Bob moved with his family
to Denver, CO. Six years later they moved to Springfield,
SD. He graduated from Springfield High School and spent two
years at the Southern Normal School. He then worked a year
to finance two years at Central College in Pella. After
graduating in 1942, he enlisted in the United States Naval
Reserve.
Bob served in the military for 3½ years during World War II,
working his way up to Aviation Radioman First Class. He
logged over 2200 flight hours in PBMs that patrolled for
submarines near the Panama Canal, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the
Galapagos Islands, and both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts
of America.
On May 10, 1943, he married Esther Lydia Keizer in Alton.
After the war they made their home in Alton where Bob
purchased the Floyd Hatchery. He was a member of the Alton
Reformed Church. In the fall of 1958, feeling God’s call to
the ministry, Bob entered Western Theological Seminary in
Holland, MI, graduating in 1961. During his years as a
minister, he had only two pastorates: Immanuel Reformed near
Belmond (nine years) and Trinity Reformed in Fulton, IL
(fifteen years).
In 1985, Bob and Esther retired to Alton. She died in May
2001. In January 2005 he moved to the Pioneer Memorial Home
in Orange City, a facility that his grandfather, Samuel
Muilenburg, helped found decades earlier. In May 2008, he
transferred to the long term care facility.
He genuinely loved interacting and learning about people
from all walks of life: family, friends, children, “down and
outers”, underdogs, and strangers. He had a great sense of
humor, loved to tell stories, and showed kindness and
compassion to many. However, his greatest love was for his
faithful Savior, who he joyfully served with a grateful
heart.
He was preceded in death by daughter-in-law Bonnie Vander
Schaaf; brother Merrill Vander Schaaf; and sisters Laura
Lensink and Ruth Thompson.
Survivors include his daughter Rachel (Rich) Aalbers of
Mount Vernon; son Rev. Robert (Sharon) Vander Schaaf of
Sioux City; grandchildren Daniel (Shelly) Aalbers of
Hampton, Benjamin (Heather) Aalbers of Greensboro, NC,
Abigail (Louis) Desaulty of Chicago, Aaron (Staci) Vander
Schaaf of Quitman, TX, Adam (Jill) Vander Schaaf of Sioux
City and Amber (Tyler) Brinks of Littleton, CO; nine
great-grandchildren; sisters Ada Fisher of Marion, IN and
Amy Breisch of New Glarus, WI; and brother Howard Vander
Schaaf of Cedar Rapids.
©Belmond
Independent 2011 |
Gerald McNulty
January 18, 2011
Gerald W. McNulty, 94, of Belmond, died on Monday, January
10, 2011, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.
A Mass of Christian Burial
was held on Saturday, January 15, at the St. Francis Xavier
Catholic Church in Belmond, with burial in the church
cemetery. The Andrews Funeral home was in charge of the
arrangements. Memorials may be directed to the
Belmond-Klemme Scholarship Foundation or Hospice of Wright
County.
Gerald "Jerry" Wilfred was born on January 7, 1917 in
Belmond. He graduated with honors from Belmond High School
where he excelled in football and basketball. After
graduation Jerry attended the University of Iowa for one
year, receiving straight A's. He then returned home to help
his father on the farm. Jerry married MaDonna Hofer on May
6, 1939. They briefly lived in town while Jerry operated a
local service station. Then they moved to the family farm
north of Belmond where they spent the next 60 years. They
later moved into a condo in Belmond. Jerry farmed his entire
life and also worked as a hail adjuster for 25 years. He
visited many places and always returned home having met new
friends.
Jerry was a kind man who took great pride in his hometown.
He served as a member and president of the Belmond School
Board and was instrumental in the decision to buy the land
where the schools are now located. He enjoyed being a member
of the Gridiron Club and supported Belmond sports throughout
his life. For many years he could be found in the bleachers
cheering the Broncos. Jerry served on the Belmond Volunteer
Fire Department and was a member of the Knights of Columbus
in Eagle Grove, and later in Belmond. He was an active,
lifelong member of St. Francis Xavier.
Jerry was a fan of the Minnesota Vikings and had season
tickets for over 30 years. He looked forward to attending
games with his children, grandchildren and friends. A proud
Irishman, he was an avid fan of the Fighting Irish of Notre
Dame. Jerry will be remembered for his dedication to his
family and friends, his sense of humor, and his hearty
laugh.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, MaDonna (December
2005); sisters, Marian McNulty, Donna Castle and Patricia
Rowe; and brothers, Donald, Father Edward, and Paul.
Survivors include his sons, Tom (Diane) of Naples, FL, Mark
(Marcia) of Clear Lake and Dennis of Belmond; daughter,
Shannon McNulty of Santa Fe, NM; son, Edward of Belmond;
daughter-in-law, Cyndy McNulty of Belmond; grandchildren,
Maureen (Scott) Dockstader of Ames, Michael (Lisa) McNulty
of Zimmerman, MN, Monica (Jeff) Gribben of Mason City,
Matthew (Theresa) McNulty of Polk City, Mitchell (Melissa)
McNulty of Ankeny, Meagan (Kyle) Rolfes of North Liberty,
Kathleen (Chad) Pliester of Belmond and Lisa Alexander of
Lincoln, NE; and 19 great grandchildren.
©Belmond
Independent 2011 |
Frances Redfield
January 18, 2011
Frances V. Redfield, 89, formerly of Algona and Leander, TX,
died on Friday, January 14, 2011, at the Rehabilitation
Center of Belmond.
Services were held on
Tuesday, January 18, at the Andrews Funeral Home with
Reverend James Harbaugh officiating. Burial was at Riverview
Cemetery, Algona.
Frances Virginia was born on September 25, 1921 in Humboldt,
to Arthur H. and M. Camilla (Laursen) Schultz. She lived in
the area until 1936 when the family moved to Estherville
where she graduated from high school. On September 7, 1942,
she married Clark D. Redfield and they settled in Des
Moines. Frances had several jobs, and in 1958 she started
with the United States government. In 1966, she and Clark
moved to Kansas City and continued working for the
government until she retired in 1985.
Frances enjoyed playing cards, cooking, sewing, watching the
birds at her feeders, and spending time with her
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by children, Duwaine (Peggy) of Belmond,
Merlin of New Port Richey, FL and Suzanne of Leander, TX;
grandchildren, Jason Redfield, Camille Usher, Jennifer
Adkins, Megan Kuhlers and Brie Redfield; and
great-grandchildren, Ashton Redfield, Addie Marie Usher,
Koty Kuhlers, Trevor Usher, Jackson Redfield, Triston
Adkins, Chloe Hobscheidt, Aidan Adkins, Aiden Hobscheidt and
Addison Adkins.
©Belmond
Independent 2011 |
Neva VanBuskirk
January 25, 2011
Neva VanBuskirk, 75, of Klemme, died unexpectedly on
Tuesday, January 18, 2011, at the Rehabilitation Center of
Belmond.
Services were held on
Saturday, January 22, at the Klemme United Methodist Church.
Neva Ann Anderson, the only daughter of David P. and Geneva
(Schultz) Anderson, was born on January 31, 1935 at Mason
City. She graduated from the Klemme High School and attended
business college for two years in Mason City. Ann married
Gerald M. "Barney" VanBuskirk on February 6, 1955 at the
Klemme United Methodist Church. The couple's union was
blessed with two daughters, Kathy and Paula and a son,
Gerald Jr.
Ann worked in the restaurant/ hospitality profession at the
Golden Goose in Clear Lake and the Country Club in Conrad.
She had been employed as a teacher's aide when the family
lived in New London, OH. She was also employed at Dr.
Alder's chiropractic office in Forest City. Ann also rode
"shotgun" on many of her husband's trucking trips, where she
went by the handle of the "Blonde Bomber". She and Barney
had been to Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Hawaii and other
places as a result of awards from his sales career. Her
children also reflect fondly on family excursions to
Minnesota.
Ann's family and grandchildren were foremost in her life.
She strived diligently to provide her children with a warm
and nurturing environment while Barney was out on the road
making a living. Her home always had and open door policy
for her many "adopted" children and grandchildren. She and
Barney enjoyed their many adopted family members in the
community.
In earlier years Ann enjoyed showing and riding horses. She
loved raising flowers and was especially fond of roses. She
loved her cats, a favorite was Sam. Ann had also been a Cub
Scout Leader and Sunday School teacher. She was a member of
the Klemme Grandmother's Club, Klemme American Legion
Auxiliary and while in Ohio was active in the Order of the
Eastern Star, serving as Matron.
She will be remembered for her straight forward attitude,
her love of her family and young people, and her wit and
unique sense of humor.
She was preceded in death by her husband in October 2009.
Ann is survived by her daughter, Kathy (companion Bob) of
Rogers, AR and her children and their families, Tanya
(Allen) Jarchow and their children, Allison, Abigail and
Aiden; Nicole (Dan) Kies and their children, Raven, Alexis
and Austin; Jeanie Farr and her children, Zain and Isiah;
and RickThurman and his children, Kelsey, Jake, Ashley and
Luke; Ann's daughter, Paula (Gary) Kruse of Minot, ND and
their children and families, Mandy Henderson and Trent;
April and Raymond Lockhart and their children, Kristen and
Diamond and Kelly Kruse and daughter, Fiona; Ann's son,
Gerald VanBuskirk, Jr. of Klemme and his daughter, Jessica
VanBuskirk and her four children; Ann’s “sister” Helen Roths
of Klemme; and Ann’s “adopted” children and grandchildren,
Mike (Patty) Graham, Cody, Sierra and Lacey; Clay Kilgore,
Charlie Nygard, Neal Conrad, Mike Pannoff and David Gouge.
©Belmond
Independent 2011 |
James Christie
Peterson
January 25, 2011
James Christie Peterson, 85, of Goodell, died on Friday,
January 21, 2011, at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.
Services were held on
Tuesday, January 25, at the Goodell United Methodist Church,
with military honors by the American Legion
Robbins-Christians Post #420 of Goodell. Burial of cremated
remains will take place at a later date in the Amsterdam
Cemetery east of Goodell.
James Christie, the son of Lauretz and Laura Christie
Peterson, was born near Goodell on December 12, 1925. He was
baptized and confirmed in the E.U.B. Church in Goodell. He
grew up in the Goodell area and graduated from the Goodell
High School in 1944. He joined the U.S. Army in 1951 and
served in Europe until being honorably discharged in 1953.
Christie married Blondie Green on December 8, 1961 in
Garner. They made their home west of Goodell where Christie
farmed and together they raised their family. In 1978, the
Petersons moved to Charles City and then they lived for a
time in Greene. They returned to Goodell in 1985. Blondie
passed away in 2008. Christie lived in Goodell until his
death.
Christie is remembered for his love of the outdoors. He
especially loved gardening. Tomatoes were his passion, often
tending to over fifty plants. He also enjoyed fishing and
spending time with his large number of relatives. Christie
was a member of the Goodell American Legion Post and the
Goodell United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife;
granddaughter, Jennifer in 1991; seven sisters; and three
brothers.
Christie is survived by his children, Jay Peterson of
Goodell, Monique Seaman of Goodell, Karen Green of Goodell,
Perry Green of Belmond, Pam Litzel of Clear Lake, Vickie
Green of Garland, TX, Kelly Green and Deb of Virginia Beach,
VA, Keith Green of Mason City, Marvin Green of Algona and
Dick Green of Pensacola, FL; eighteen grandchildren; 21
great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and
sister, Lula (Fred) Bell of Klemme.
©Belmond
Independent 2011 |
Lillian McLaughlin
February 1, 2011
Evelyn Lillian McLaughlin, 99, a lifelong resident of
Belmond, died on Monday, January 24, 2011, at the Belmond
Medical Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial
was held on Saturday, January 29, at the St. Francis Xavier
Catholic Church, Belmond. Burial was in the St. Francis
Cemetery near Belmond. The Andrews Funeral Home was in
charge of the arrangements.
Evelyn Lillian, the daughter of George Albert and Katherine
Georgiana (Trumblee) McNutt, was born on December 21, 191 in
Lamont. Lillian's parents met at the School for the Deaf in
Council Bluffs. Lillian grew up in Belmond and graduated
from the Belmond High School in 1930. She worked as a
secretary for the superintendent of schools for four years.
She substituted as a telephone operator from 1925-1934.
Lillian was united in marriage to Eugene Patrick McLaughlin
on April 16, 1934. The couple lived on a farm and Lillian's
life was devoted to being a wife and loving mother.
She loved playing the
piano, singing, quilting, reading, writing poetry,
gardening, spending time with family and keeping busy with
church activities. Lillian was an original member of the St.
Elizabeth Study Club since 1934. She was also a member of
the St. Francis Rosary Society and was a CCD teacher for
grade 6. She was often asked to play the piano for different
activities and was always eager to help on church
committees. Lillian loved feeding the birds, animals,
growing old-fashioned flowers and watching butterflies. She
was a conservationist before her time, making sure to reuse
or recycle and taking care of the earth.
Lillian was a strong, independent lady who chose to live in
the same neighborhood (next to the house she grew up in)
until she was 99 years of age. She drove her car until she
was 95. Her family was proud of her courage and strength.
She was always optimistic, positive and deeply religious.
Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; husband,
Eugene in 1986; sister, Cora McNutt; a brother, Alfred
George McNutt; daughter-in-law, Carol McLaughlin; and
several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Survivors include four sons and two daughters and their
families: Alfred George McLaughlin and Elaine Wessels of
Belmond, Robert Eugene McLaughlin and Judy of Arlington,
Virginia, Kathryn Lillian and Mike Sammons of Keokuk, Jean
Patricia and Denny Carlson of Sioux City, Donovan David
McLaughlin and Gloria of Cascade and Samuel Roger McLaughlin
and Kim of Zanesville, Ohio; 22 grandchildren; 22 great
grandchildren; and one great-great granddaughter.
©Belmond
Independent 2011 |
Herbert Becker
February 8, 2011
Herbert Becker, 81, of Alexander, died on Wednesday, January
26, 2011, while recovering from heart surgery in Cedar
Rapids.
His remains were cremated
and laid to rest in the Hilltop Cemetery in Sheffield.
Memorial services were held on Saturday, February 5, at the
First Reformed Church in Alexander.
©Belmond
Independent 2011 |
Herschel Lemke
February 15, 2011
Herschel R. Lemke, 65, of Rough and Ready, California, died
on Friday, January 28, 2011, after a two-year battle with
cancer.
A memorial service was
held on Friday, February 4, at the Twin Cities Church in
Rough and Ready.
Herschel was born on June 13, 1945 in Klemme, the son of
Reuben and Edith Swanson Lemke. He attended school in Klemme
through the 8th grade. The family moved to California in
1960 and he graduated from the Poly High School in Long
Beach in 1964. He served in the Army from 1968-1972 and was
in Vietnam. Herschel worked as an auto mechanic for 40
years, starting in the Los Angeles area. Later he owned a
mobile mechanic business in Concord, California, called the
Mobile Wrench. He moved to the Grass Valley area in 2000
after his divorce. He kept his business going there until
retirement a few years ago.
He married Patricia Sawyer on September 24, 2007 in Rough
and Ready, where they made their home. They were very active
in the Twin Cities Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gordon;
and sister, Kathleen Dodson.
Herschel is survived by his wife, Patricia; step-sons, Tom
and Alan; step-daughter, Debbie; sisters, Beverly (Dennis)
Morrison of Yucaipa, California and Audrey (Merlyn) Olson of
Santa Maria, California; seven nieces; and three nephews.
©Belmond
Independent 2011 |
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