David Richards

October 18, 2011

David G. Richards, 56, died on Saturday, October 1, 2011, at his home north of Alexander.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, October 15, at the Alexander United Methodist Church. Burial was in the Alexander cemetery. Arrangements were handled by the Dugger Funeral Home.

David George, the son of George and Carol Kepler Richards, was born on August 23, 1955 in Belmond. He grew up on the family farm near Alexander and graduated from the CAL Community High School in 1973. He then entered Iowa State University in Ames and graduated with a BS in Agronomy in 1978. Soon after graduation he moved to Ottumwa and worked for a seed company. In 1983, Dave moved to Des Moines where he worked as a stock and commodities broker. In 1990, he left the brokerage business to manage Vintage Wine, a wine distribution company until 1992. After the death of his mother he moved back to the family farm in Alexander.

Dave enjoyed gardening, cooking, dog training, boating and politics. He hosted many dinner parties and always made sure there was a little extra for his guests to take home. He will be fondly remembered by his large and diverse circle of friends for his keen intellect, sharp wit and compassion for others.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother; and his younger brother, Edward.

David is survived by his sister, Joan Richards of Johnston.
©Belmond Independent 2011

Katherine Mennenga

October 4, 2011

Katherine “Kaye” Kratky-Mennenga, 77, died on Sunday, October 2, 2011, at Arbor Springs in West Des Moines.

Visitation will be from 6-8:00 p.m., on Thursday, October 6, at the Ankeny Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, at the First United Methodist Church in Ankeny, with burial in the Lincoln Township Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Kaye worked as a teacher’s associate for the Ankeny School System from 1972-1999. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Ankeny for 53 years and enjoyed devoting her time to the Martha Circle. She was a quilter and an excellent seamstress, even sewing her daughter’s wedding dress. Some of her creative creations were selected for publication in the August 1990 Holiday Craft issue of Better Homes and Gardens. She had a lot of artistic and decorative talent. Her friends would often call her for decorating ideas.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Kratky; her parents, Maynard and Geneva Harty; daughter, Klarissa Schoening; and sister-in-law, Mary Harty.

She is survived by her husband, Curtis; sons, Stephen (Karen) Kratky and Todd Kratky, both of Ankeny; grandsons, Joshua and Andrew; great-grandson, Aiden; and brother, Gary Harty of Belmond.
©Belmond Independent 2011  

Bernice Biddle

October 4, 2011

Bernice Maud Biddle, 97, a long time resident of Rowan, died on Saturday, January 1, 2011, in a Phoenix hospital.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., at the United Church of Rowan.

Bernice is survived by her daughter, Jan (Tink) Granath of Glendale, Arizona; grandson, Mike (Rita) Biddle of Lake Mills; and sisters, Dixie (George) of Missouri and Mildred in Florida.
©Belmond Independent 2011

Charles Wilmarth

October 11, 2011

Charles E. "Chuck" Wilmarth, 90, of Belmond and Shreveport, Louisiana, died on Thursday, October 6, 2011, at the Live Oaks Health Care Center in Shreveport.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, October 11, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Charles Earl, the son of Earl and Rose Barry Wilmarth, was born on January 26, 1921 in Oregon, Illinois, where he grew up. Chuck graduated from the Oregon High School and attended the University of Illinois in Champaign, graduating in 1942 with a bachelor’s and master’s degree. In 1943, he moved to Belmond and began work as research director for Thompson Hybrid Corn Company. Chuck married Ruth Fulton in 1944 in Belmond. They made their home on the Oak Ridge Farm near Belmond, where they raised their family. Chuck continued his life-time love of research work at R.B. Thompson’s seed business. The company went through ownership changes over the years and Chuck retired from Cargill in 1987.

He was a member of St Francis Xavier and belonged to numerous trade organizations devoted to the development of better crops for farmers. Chuck was an active community member, serving on both the Clarmond Country Club and Belmond Country Club boards, as well as numerous other community organizations.

Ruth passed away in 2002. In 2003, Chuck married long-time family friend Betty Lieuwen Griffen. Chuck and Betty originally spent summers at the farm in Belmond and winters at Betty’s home in Benton, Louisiana. In 2010, they moved to the Live Oak Retirement Center.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth; and siblings, Frances, Marion, Clara Rose and Eugene.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Betty; children, Sue Wilmarth of Minneapolis and Lee (Paula) Wilmarth of Decorah; grandchildren, Beth (Paul) Theede of Rushford, Minnesota, Melissa Wilmarth of Athens, Georgia and Kevin Wilmarth of Dallas, Texas; great-grandchildren, Avery, Madelyn and Andrew Theede; and Betty’s children, Dr. F. Dean (Carolyn) Griffen of Shreveport, Darla Griffen Taylor of Haverhill, Massachusetts and Fred Griffen of Cincinnatus, New York; as well as ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren Betty brought to Chuck’s life. Chuck loved all the children and they loved him.
©Belmond Independent 2011

Eleanor Casteel

October 11, 2011

Eleanor G. Casteel, 102, a former resident of Rowan, died on Sunday, October 9, 2011, at the Madrid Nursing Home.

Per Eleanor’s request, her body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, October 15, at the Carson-Stapp Funeral Home in Ogden. Rev. Carla Werre will officiate. Visitation will be on Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Glenwood Cemetery in Ogden.

Eleanor Gertrude, was the the first of three girls born to Charles and Gertrude (Patton) Martin. She was born on February 17, 1909, in Rowan and graduated with the Rowan High School Class of 1926. She went on to graduate from Cornell College in 1930, with a teaching degree. It was while teaching in Boone County that she met and married Robert H. Casteel.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Robert in 1960; an infant son, Robert at birth in 1936; sister, Gladys Poulson; and niece, Barbara Godfrey.

She is survived by her sister, Marian Carter; and nieces and nephews, Carolann Ballenger, Diane James, Richard Carter, Phyllis Burkhart, Elaine Lyftogt, Donna McDermott, Bob Carter, Marcia Godfrey and Dennis Carter.
©Belmond Independent 2011

Donald Worster

October 11, 2011

Donald E. Worster, 82, a longtime resident of Keokuk, died on Sunday, October 9, 2011.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, October 14, at the Trinity United Methodist Church. Burial with military rites, will follow in the Keokuk National Cemetery. The family will greet visitors on Thursday, October 13, from 6-8:00 p.m., at the DeJong Greaves Funeral Home. A Masonic Service will be held at 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Donald Eugene, was born on July 1, 1929 in Keokuk, the son of Harold and Lela Thomas Worster. He was the youngest of three children. He married Gwendolyn Rae Thomas of Hastings, Nebraska, on August 31, 1952 in Keokuk. He served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War, touring in Japan and Saipan. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. He graduated from Simpson College in Indianola and continued his education to become a science teacher. He taught 8th grade science for 34 years, most of that time at the Keokuk Middle School. He retired in 1991.

Don was a 50+ year member of the Keokuk Masonic Lodge, where he was a District Lecturer and served as Senior Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of Iowa in 2002-2003. Don’s many hobbies included bicycling (he rode on RAGBRAI for 28+ years), camping, outdoor activities, woodworking, ham radio and swimming every morning after he retired. In earlier days he taught scuba diving and swam for the Keokuk Rescue Corps. He coached both boys and girls high school swim teams. He was the assistant manager at the Keokuk pool for several years. He and his wife enjoyed going to Branson, traveling across the U.S. and Alaska cruises during retirement.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Harold Thomas Worster; and his grandson, Jason Knudtson.

Survivors include his wife, Gwendolyn; sister, Betty (Jim) Grothaus of Ft. Madison; sons, Don (Bridget) of Keokuk and Tom (Ty) of Bloomington, Indiana; daughters, Peggy (Phil) Knudtson of Belmond and Lora of Sacramento, California; 12 grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.
©Belmond Independent 2011

Irene Waddingham

October 18, 2011

Irene E. Waddingham, 89, died on Tuesday, October 11, 2011, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Services were held on Friday, October 14, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme, with Reverend Donna Buckman officiating. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme.

Irene was born on January 25, 1922 in Mason City, to Henry and Minnie (Koenen) Dirks, one of five children. She attended country school in rural Cerro Gordo County and married Virgil Waddingham on January 29, 1940. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Darrel, Linda, Lyle and Arlyn. Irene spent most of her life living and working on the farm.

Irene enjoyed the companionship of friends and family, whether it was having coffee with friends or spending time with the kids and grandkids.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil in September 2005; brothers, Harm, Ted and Tenus; and sons, Darrel and Arlyn in June 2011.

Irene’s love and memory will continue in the hearts and lives of her daughter, Linda (Ron) Benson of Carlisle; son, Lyle (Nancy) Waddingham of Klemme; daughter-in-law, Nola Waddingham of Meservey; sister, Bertha Trager of Meservey; grandchildren, Rodney (Robin) Benson, Lorene (Al) Cosimo, Brian (Jen) Waddingham, Jamie Waddingham, Tory (Meredith McWilliams) Waddingham and Tully (Wendy) Waddingham; great-grandchildren, Chelsie (Donnie) Hyde, Jessica Benson, Micheal Cosimo, Katie Waddingham, Anthony Cosimo and Haley Benson; and great-great-grandchildren, Ashton, Zoey, Byron, Brianna, Tessa, Jaidyn and Hunter.
©Belmond Independent 2011

Eleanor Misner

October 25, 2011

Eleanor Venyce Misner, 92, died peacefully on Wednesday, October l9, 2011, with her husband of 69 years at her side.

A memorial service was held on Monday, October 24, at the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Yorktown, Virginia. Interment will be in the Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Eleanor was born on April 21, 1919, to Samuel and Emma (Lewison) Rundell on a farm in Turner County, South Dakota. She graduated from the Sioux Falls College and taught school prior to having her own children. She married her childhood sweetheart Robert E. Misner on March 21, 1942 in Albany, Georgia. In 1950, Eleanor moved to Belmond after Bob completed his education at Iowa State University. They lived in Belmond for 47 years where her husband practiced veterinary medicine. In 1997, she and her husband moved to Yorktown, Virginia, to be near their children.

Eleanor was very active in the Belmond United Methodist Church and the community. She enjoyed playing bridge and golfing with her Belmond friends, reading, dancing, fishing and RVing. She was a wonderful Bible school teacher and scout leader. She loved her family and supported them in every way. All who knew her will miss her warm loving spirit and the twinkle in her eye.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her brother, Dugie and his wife, Ruth Rundell.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband; son, Bob (Patti) of Falls Church, Virginia; daughter, Deb (Wayne) Smith of Yorktown, Virginia; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
©Belmond Independent 2011

Donald Smith

October 25, 2011

Donald “Donnie” Smith, 80, died on Saturday, October 22, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City.

Services were held on Wednesday morning, October 26, at the First Reformed Church in Meservey. Interment with military honors was in the Meservey Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Hospice of North Iowa or the Meservey American Legion.

Donald was born on December 26, 1930 in Ventura, a son of Clyde and Grace (Groen) Smith. He attended school in Ventura as his family farmed in the Clear Lake and Ventura areas. Donnie married Rakel Sand in Nannestad, Norway on April 12, 1958. They were blessed with three daughters. Donnie entered the United States Air Force and worked as a motor pool mechanic in Norway, England and the United States. He retired in 1971 as a Master Sergeant. Then the family moved to Meservey where he worked for the city, retiring in the mid 1980’s.

He was a member of the First Reformed Church in Meservey, the American Legion, and served on the Meservey Fire Department for 18 years. Donnie was very friendly and would talk with anyone he met. He liked to fish and had many memorable family fishing trips to Canada. Most of all Donnie loved and admired his daughters and three grandsons. He loved spending time with them and was looking forward to the birth of his first great-grandson, expected in December.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Frances Rabe; sister-in-law, Myrnot Smith; and brother-in-law, Barry Rabe.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Elsie (Tim) Patrick of Post Falls, Idaho, Shirley Kaduce of Meservey and Mary (Dave) Smit of Sheffield; grandsons, Christopher Kaduce and Derek and Ryan Smit; sister, Vivian (Kim) McCraken; brothers, Kenneth (Grace) Smith, Virgil Smith, Russell Bobbie) Smith and Michael "Mickey" (Betty) Smith; aunt, Frances Groen of Clear Lake; and best friend and former wife, Rakel Smith.
©Belmond Independent 2011

Douglas Dana

November 1, 2011

Douglas J. Dana, 60, of Belmond, died on Monday, October 24, 2011, at his home in Belmond.

Services were held on Friday, October 28, at the Belmond-Klemme High School Gym. Pastor Troy Pflibsen of the Trinity Lutheran Church officiated. Memorials may be directed to the Belmond-Klemme Scholarship Fund.

Douglas Joseph, the son of Joseph and Anna Loots Dana, was born on September 9, 1951 in Fort Dodge. At an early age Doug and his family moved to Belmond where he attended school, graduating in 1970. He then attended Waldorf College and Wartburg College. Doug graduated from Wartburg College with a bachelors degree in journalism in 1977. After college he moved back to Belmond and worked as the sports writer for the Belmond Independent for over 30 years.

Doug was much more than just a sports writer. Belmond Klemme athletics were truly his passion. He did so much for the students, coaches, teachers and citizens of Belmond Klemme. Win or lose, he made people proud to wear Bronco Blue and Green. Doug was a fixture at most high school sporting events. He could be seen standing at the sideline and taking notes at every football game, sitting at the scoring table at home volleyball, basketball and wrestling contests, and doing the announcing at track meets and softball games. He kept records of all the high school athletic contests for many years, and could recall statistics from memory. In recent years he was the announcer at the Iowa high school girls softball all-star game in Des Moines. In 2009 he was given the Jerry Wetzel Service Award by the Iowa Girl’s Coaches Association.

Doug was a big Belmond supporter. He volunteered to help with the Dog Days Triathlon, belonged to the Gridiron Club, attended all the music and drama productions at the high school, was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and attended community fundraising events of every kind.

Doug is survived by his sister, Mary Jo Dana of Iowa City; nephews, Jeffrey (Jill) of St. Louis, Missouri, Scott (Angela) of Lakewood, California and Kyle (Britni) of St Louis Park, Minnesota; and great-nephews, Bryce, Colin, Jacob and Joshua; and great-niece, Hannah.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ed.
©Belmond Independent 2011

Cecil Mosiman

November 1, 2011

Cecil Mosiman, 82, of Belmond, died on Tuesday, October, 25, 2011, at the Taylor Hospice House in Urbandale.

A celebration of Cecil’s life was held on Friday, October 28, at the Belmond United Methodist Church

Eugene Cecil, was born on December 10, 1928, to Simon and Catherine Mosiman in Corwith. He became an orphan at an early age and spent years striving to keep the family bond with siblings that were so special to him. He served in the United States Army in Italy during World War II from 1944-1946. Cecil moved to Belmond in 1946 and began a career at General Mills. He met the love of his life, June Boelman, in Belmond and married her on March 13, 1950. Cecil worked for General Mills from 1946 to 1966. He then worked at Belmond Dairy from 1966-1969. He spent the remainder of his career working for Wright County until his retirement in 1992.

Cecil didn’t know a stranger. He loved being with his family and friends and was loyal to those around him. He enjoyed summers on the golf course and winters in Texas, traveling with June. He always looked forward to his time spent with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His witty personality, contagious laugh and tender smile radiated to everyone.

Cecil spent his last days at the Taylor Hospice House surrounded by his family. This time was spent remembering moments, sharing stories through many smiles and tears.

Cecil was preceded in death by his wife, June; his son, Brian; his brothers, Art Mosiman, Bob Mosiman and Rollin Mosiman; and his sister, Claramae Steenblock.

He is survived by his children, Phyllis (Jerry) Stadtlander of Waukee, Dan (Mary) Mosiman of Ames and Jeff (Kim) Mosiman of Ames; grandchildren, Jody (Brandon) Hufford, BJ (Allison) Stadtlander, Kathryn, Madelyn, Lauren, Hillary, Zach Sam; his great-grandchildren, Taylor, Brady, Sydney, Ryder and Brooklyn; sisters, Beverly (Lloyd) Faaborg and Esther Daniels; and sister-in-law, Irene Mosiman.
©Belmond Independent 2011