Eunice E. Kurtz

February 14, 2012

Eunice E. Kurtz, 99, of Belmond, died on Thursday, February 9, 2012, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Services were held on Tuesday, February 14, at the United Methodist Church in Goodell, with burial in the Amsterdam Cemetery east of Goodell.

Eunice Esther, the daughter of Lewis and Nina P. Emerson Wesenberg, was born on November 16, 1912 in Goodell. She grew up in Goodell and graduated from the Goodell High School in 1929. She attended Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls, but had to leave because of the Depression. Eunice held several important jobs over her life and never turned away from opportunity. She worked for the Hancock County Farm Bureau in Garner and the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California. She returned to Iowa and did accounting for the family farm equipment business, Jim Howie J.D. Farm Equipment and Urich Implement in Garner.

Eunice was united in marriage to Ernest Kurtz on July 13, 1940. They made their home in Garner. She raised her brother’s three daughters while living in Garner. Eunice entered the Belmond Community Apartments after Ernie died in 1991. She moved to the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond in 2007.

Eunice was a woman before her time. She liked nice things and worked hard to acquire them. Eunice traveled throughout the United States. She enjoyed dancing, playing cards and doing crossword puzzles. Eunice and Ernie were accomplished antique collectors. She loved to do china painting, quilting and complicated hardanger. Eunice was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church in Goodell. She served the church in numerous capacities: led the choir, played the piano, taught Sunday School and chaired the ladies aid. Eunice also was a member of the Eastern Star since 1934.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Wayne (Viola) and Lewis in infancy; sister, Naida (James) Wilkinsen; and nieces, Pamela Wesenberg Christiansen and Paula Wesenberg Rowland.

Eunice is survived by her niece, Patricia (Howard) Weisbrot of Cushing, Maine.
©Belmond Independent 2012

Everlyn Arnold

February 15, 2012

Everlyn Arnold, 89, a longtime Klemme resident, died suddenly on Wednesday, February 15, 2012.

A private family service will take place at a later date. Memorials may be made to the family at P.O. Box 236, Klemme. The Andrews Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
©Belmond Independent 2012

Sarah Stang

February 29, 2012

Sarah Ann Stang, 78, of Osage, died on Wednesday, February 22, 2012, at the Mitchell County Health Center in Osage.

She donated her body to the Mayo Clinic with the hope that her gift would assist education and research. A memorial service was held on Saturday, February 25, at the First United Methodist Church in Osage. The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.

Sarah was born on June 16, 1933 in Spencer, the daughter of Benjamin and Ruth (Langland) Hudtloff. She graduated from the Kamrar High School in 1951, the University of Iowa in 1956, and Mankato State University in 1980. Sarah married Dale Stang on June 7, 1958 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Osage. Sarah was a music teacher at Osage, Little Cedar, Mitchell and Sacred Heart, and taught students with learning disabilities at Belmond. She also was a corn detasseling supervisor.

Sarah was a member of the Methodist Church, where she was a choir member and director, a member of the United Methodist Women and the Naomi Circle. She was also a member of the Eastern Star, Alpha Writers and was a member and director of the Sweet Adelines Music City Chorus. She was a home school supervisor and exchange student coordinator.

Sarah enjoyed golfing with friends and family, riding with Dale on the motorcycle, puzzles of all kinds, knitting, visiting nursing homes with their dog Pepper, gardening and taking care of her grandchildren.

Sarah is survived by her husband; children, Mark (Marcia) Stang of Dover, Arkansas, Eric (Ellie) Stang of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, Alan Stang of Phoenix, Arizona and Jeanne (Gary) Swenson of Kelley; grandchildren, Joshua Prince, Kaleb Prince, Ben Stang, Brendan Stang and Timmy Stang; six great-grandchildren; and sisters, Ruth Strackbein of Gibbon, Minnesota and Louise Young of North Liberty.
©Belmond Independent 2012

Wilma Friesleben

February 29, 2012

Wilma M. Friesleben, 83, died suddenly on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at the Belmond Medical Center.

Services were held on Tuesday, February 28, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond, with interment in the Belmond Cemetery.

Wilma Muriel was born on a farm west of Belmond, to Carlton and Adina (Hefte) Johnson on March 6, 1928. She was baptized and confirmed at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church. She attended country school and graduated from the Belmond High School in 1945. She worked for the Schultz Drug Store and in the office of Thompson Hybrid Seed Corn.  Wilma married Donald Friesleben on January 8, 1949, at St. Olaf Lutheran. She worked at Central Telephone for many years and at the savings and loan for 16 years before retiring in March 1993. She continued to work for Tenold Funeral Home and Andrews Funeral Home.

Wilma and Don lived on a farm east of Belmond for 45 years until they purchased a home and moved into Belmond in 1994. Later she became a resident of the Belmond Community Apartments.

She was a very active member of Trinity Lutheran and the Mary Magdalene Circle. Wilma loved to be involved in numerous organizations and gave countless hours of service to others. She was meticulous and conscientious in all her duties. She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter LV, Progress Club, Belmond Hospital Auxiliary where she was memorial chairman and the Belmond Country Club where she loved to golf.

She truly loved to interact with people. Wilma was always ready to play a game of cards, start working on the next card at bingo, or assemble a jigsaw puzzle. She thoroughly enjoyed working funeral visitations and greeting all who crossed her path. She loved to see the world and traveled to many destinations. Her love and compassion covered far and wide among numerous friends.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don; sisters, Laura (Telford) Simon, Edith (Stanley) Shanhan, Carol (Earl) Christianson and Aileen (Clifford) Johnson; brother, Gaylen (Delores) Johnson; and infant brothers, Claire and Stanley.

Her love and memories will continue to live on in the hearts of her brothers, Dudley (Janice) Johnson of Kanawha, Arland (Avis) Johnson of Hector, Minnesota and Gary (Barbara) Johnson of St. John’s, Newfoundland.
©Belmond Independent 2012

Donald Thompson

February 29, 2012

Donald D. Thompson, 81, of Belmond, died on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, March 2, at the Belmond United Methodist Church. Pastor Cindy Morrison and Pastor James Harbaugh will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will take place in the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Dugger Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church. Memorials may be made to the family in Don’s name.

Donald Dean, the son of Glen and Hazel Thomason Thompson, was born on July 26, 1930 in Goldfield. He attended country school near Goldfield. In 1943, the family moved to Belmond and Don graduated from the Belmond High School in 1947. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1950 and was honorably discharged in 1953. Don was united in marriage to Helen Loeffler in August 1952, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Belmond. They made their home first north of Goodell and then later east of Belmond, where they were blessed with sons, Douglas Dean and David Don. Don worked as a farmer his entire life. Don and Helen moved into Belmond in 1981. Helen died in 1987. On March 4, 1989, he married Mary Wedekin Dorr at the St. John Lutheran. Don and Mary made their home in Belmond. Mary died in 2004. Don moved to the Bel Aire Condominiums and then entered the Rehabilitation Center in 2009.

Don loved life. He was an avid golfer and belonged to the Belmond Country Club. Throughout his life he traveled, eventually spending numerous winters in Florida and Arizona. Don was a devoted member of the St. John Lutheran. He served the church in many different offices and as usher. Don was a true friend to all who knew him. He is remembered for the pride he had for his family and the love and devotion he received in return.

Don was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen; his second wife, Mary; son, Douglas in 1977; exchange student son, Werner Lae-kamp; sister-in-law, Dorothy in 1979; and brother-in-law, Paul Dieger in 1989.

Don is survived by his son, David (Rhoda) of Belmond; grandson, Brian (Sarah); sister, Darlene Dieger of Belmond; and brother, Duane (Jean) of Belmond.
©Belmond Independent 2012