Rex Aldinger

July 17, 2012

Rex T. Aldinger, 93, died on Monday, July 2, 2012, at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton.

Services were held on Thursday, July 5, at the Hampton United Methodist Church.

Rex was born on May 3, 1919. He graduated from the Alexander High School and served in the U.S. Army during WW II. He married Betty Quintus on January 23, 1944. He worked most of his life at the W.P. Aldinger Store in Alexander, first for his father, and later as the owner. He retired in 1985.

He is survived by his wife; son, Dwight (Pam); and daughter, Kathy (Gary) Kriegel.
©Belmond Independent 2012

Leona Lieberknecht

July 11, 2012

Leona B. Lieberknecht, 92, of Belmond, died on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at the Iowa Specialty Hospital - Belmond, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 11, at 10:30 a.m., at the Belmond United Methodist Church, with Reverend Cindy Morrision officiating. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial might consider the Iowa Specialty Hospital - Belmond or the Hospice of Wright County. The Andrews Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Leona Berniece Dorenkamp, the daughter of Jacob and Rosa (Pals) Dorenkamp, was born on June 24, 1920, on her parents' farm in rural Alexander. She was one of 11 children to to bless this union. Leona attended rural school and later attended Meservey Schools where she graduated with the Class of 1937. She was united in marriage to Wilbur Lieberknecht on November 26, 1938, by Reverend Kampman at the Meservey Reformed Church Parsonage. The couple's union brought six children in to the world, Janean, Janet, David, Kirk, Jolene and Joan. Together Leona and Wilbur farmed in rural Meservey where they raised crops and dairy cattle. Leona was a diligent and hardworking partner in the farming operation, assisting Wilbur with many tasks. She was a wonderful and nurturing caregiver for her husband and children, working tirelessly to provide a wonderful home for her family. She truly lived for her family and her compass in life was her faith, which she followed every second and every moment, every day of her life.

Wilbur and Leona moved their family into Belmond in 1960. Soon Wilbur built his own tire dealership from the ground up. Initially the business was known as Rubber Welders and later was named OK Tire. Wilbur worked hard to develop his business until retiring in 1988, when he sold it to his son, David.

Leona's children reflect fondly on the wonderful and delicious meals she provided for them, including hardy breakfasts to start their days. She was a classy and refined lady who relished opportunities to entertain and host her family and friends, meticulously setting the dining room table for wonderful feasts. She also shared her creative and loving skills by spending hundreds of hours handcrafting many beautiful and intricately designed quilts for her children and grandchildren.

Leona and Wilbur took numerous journeys to visit their children overseas and in the United States. They took various cruises, and in later years Leona enjoyed bus trips. Their trips took them to the continent of Zaire, Africa and many other destinations. The couple and family enjoyed traveling in a fifth-wheel together, and following Wilbur's passing, Leona traveled with her children. For many years she was a devoted and loving caregiver to he son, Kirk who was injured in a motor vehicle accident, while continuing to be a full time homemaker.

Leona was a long-time, devoted member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Belmond, where she assisted it's ministry in many different roles. In recent years as her health deteriorated, she attended the Belmond United Methodist Church with her children and grandchildren. Following Wilbur's death in 1994, Leona continued to reside in her home where she cared for Kirk. In 2005, she moved to the Belmond Community Apartments where she would spend the next six years until her health made it time to move to the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond. Those having the privilege of crossing in Leona's life journey will remember her as a lady of boundless faith, immeasurable love for her family and limitless kindness and care for others, a true lady of elegance and dignity.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Janet; son, Kirk; grandson, Scott Bubeck; and siblings, Lewis, Lester, Robert, Nettie, Martha, Ethel, Luella, Ruth and Marie.

Her memory will be carried forward in the hearts and minds of her daughter, Janean (Larry) Bubeck of Blairsburg and their children, Bradley (Erika) Bubeck and Kimberly (Gordon) Hall and their children, Cassandra, Maxwell, Zachary and Lucas; son, David (Diane) Lieberknecht of Belmond and their daughter, Debra (Mark) Jenison and their children, Michael, Danielle and NIcholas and son, Daniel Lieberknecht; daughter, Jolene (Duane) Mennenga of Meservey and their family, Jennifer (Kurk) Haack and their children, Ben, Andy and Abby, Jason Baldwin, Josh (Shari) Baldwin and their son, Jaxson, Katelyn (Adam) Hartman and their children, Makayla and Meya; daughter, Joan Lawin (special friend Kevin Shillinlaw) and children, Erin Burt and her son, Owen, Kylee (Eric) Lamb and their children, Adasyn, Kysen and Lynken; sister, Bonnie Boelman of North Liberty; and sister-in-law, Ruth Dorenkamp of Clear Lake.
©Belmond Independent 2012

Shirley Milligan

July 17, 2012

Shirley Milligan, died on Thursday, July 5, 2012, in Banning, California.

She was born in Des Moines on August 28, 1930, the daughter of Edward and Lillian Gealow Milligan. Her early years were spent in Belmond. In 1941, the family moved to Ohio and two years later to California. Shirley married Earl Stratton in 1949, Ralph Frye in 1953, and Leon Wells in 1965. About 30 years ago she began to document the families in her heritage -- Steenblocks, Milligans, Bohnings, Gealows and others, most of whom lived in and around Belmond.

She is survived by daughters Suzanne Frye Young, Rochelle Frye Arellano, Lisa Frye Rutherford and Frances Frye, all of California.

Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
©Belmond Independent 2012

Marie Watermiller

July 17, 2012

Marie G. Watermiller, 101, died on Saturday, July 7, 2012, at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton.

Services were held on Tuesday, July 10 in Hampton, with burial in the Amsterdam Cemetery near Goodell.

Marie Landon, was born on June 24, 1911 in Indiana. She graduated from the Belmond High School in 1929. She married Raleigh Watermiller in 1934 in Garner. They farmed near Thornton and retired to Hampton in 1973.

Survivors include her daughters, Eleanor of California and Shirley of South Dakota; son, David of California; and sister, Helen Hinman of Belmond.
©Belmond Independent 2012

Corrine Kessler

July 17, 2012

Corrine J. Kessler, age 98, a long-time resident of Belmond, died on Friday, July 13, 2012, at the Bishop Drumm Care Center in Johnston.

A private family funeral well be held on Wednesday, July 18, at the Dugger Funeral Home, with Pastor Troy Pflibsen officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery.

Corinne was born on April 10, 1914 in Belmond, to Charles A. and Selma (Hanson) Johnson. She graduated from the Belmond High School as the valedictorian of the Class of 1932. Her work outside the home was at the Belmond Post Office, where she met and later married Gordon Kessler in 1938. She also worked in Harold’s Clothing Store and Thompsen’s Clothing Store in Belmond.

Corinne was a life-long member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond.

She was preceded in death by her husband; sons, Gordon and Greg; son-in-law, Mike Long; brothers, Harold (Iola) Johnson and Ardell (Alice) Johnson; and sister, Leona (Norman) Simonson.

Corinne is survived by her children, Diane (Arlyn) Frohling of Bradenton, Florida and Dr. Dennis (Debra) Kessler of Urbandale; grandchildren, Steve (Suzanne Bentler) Long of Iowa City, Marc (Beth) Long of Coralville, Susan (Don) Scarlett of Sarasota, Florida, Matt (Erin) Kessler of West Des Moines, Brett (Missy) Kessler of Ames and Grant Kessler of Ames; great-grandchildren, Eric, Michael, Ella Corinne and Jack Scarlett of Sarasota, and Ethan and Rhys Long of Coralville.
©Belmond Independent 2012

Chester Hiddleston

July 24, 2012

Chester C. Hiddleston, 93, died on Friday, July 20, 2012, at the Westwing Place in DeWitt, Iowa.

A graveside service was held on Tuesday, July 24, the Rock Island National Cemetery. Military rites and interment will follow the graveside service.

Chester Charles was born to Ralph and Hazel (Bowling) Hiddleston on April 22, 1919 in Gardner, Kansas. He was a 1937 graduate of the Gardner High School. Chet married Imogene Peters in St. Joseph, Misspiro, on September 6, 1941. He served in the United States Navy during WW II as a Boatswain’s Mate on Guam. Chet and Imogene owned the Belmond Department Store for many years. During retirement they wintered in Arizona. In 2007, they moved to DeWitt so their daughter, Roberta and her husband could care for them. Chet and Imogene enjoyed 71 years of married life. He was lovingly by her side until her death on March 22 of this year.

Chet was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church and the Atlantic Elks Lodge #445. He belonged to the American Legion for many years, most recently the Eugene McManus Post #238 of DeWitt. Chet was an avid golfer and former member of the Belmond Country Club.

Preceding him in death were his wife; two sisters; and a brother.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Roberta and Fred Hepburn of DeWitt; granddaughter, Stephanie (David) Pillers and their children, Emma and Kyle of DeWitt; and grandson, Dr. Robert Hepburn of Scottsdale, Arizona.
©Belmond Independent 2012

Yvonne B. Eichmann

August 7, 2012

Yvonne B. Eichmann, 87, died on Thursday, July 26, 2012, at the Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.

Yvonne Berneda was born on October 7, 1924 in Galt, the daughter of Jay Irvin and Nina Cerl Burt Knuths. She graduated from the Rowan High School. She graduated from Waldorf College and then taught school in Alexander. She married Fred Eichmann in 1950 and they farmed near Mason City for many years.

She is survived by a son; three daughters; and sister, Ruth (Dwight) Willey of Riceville.
©Belmond Independent 2012