JOHN S. GRADY
September 11, 1918 - May 17, 2013

John S. Grady passed away at Loma Linda Medical Center on May 17, 2013.

Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on September 11, 1918, John was the second son of Charles Dudley and Beatrice Grady. In 1924 he moved to Keene, Texas, where he graduated from Southwestern Junior College, which later became Southwestern University.

Prior to his induction into the Army in February 1942, John served as a postal clerk in Keene where his father was postmaster. Following his basic training at Fort Walter in Texas he attended and graduated from Officers Candidate School at Camp Davis, North Carolina, as first lieutenant and was assigned to Battery G, 532nd Separate Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion, Fort Bliss, Texas. In February 1943 his unit was shipped from New York to a staging area in Casablanca, North Africa. Once the North African campaign was over he was then transferred to Italy, landing in Naples. From there his unit went to Venafro, Italy, where they protected airfields until reassignment to the 36th Division which supported the 143rd Infantry Regiment in their attempt to cross the Rapido River near Cassino. After this action he was directed to provide air protection for a battalion of self-propelled 105 artillery howitzers, which ultimately ended up in the city of Rome. After Rome was declared an “open city,” he was moved to Monecatini, where the unit was converted to infantry to be known as the 2nd Battalion of the 473rd Infantry Regiment, and John was promoted to captain. During this time there were several engagements with the Germans and he eventually found himself in Genova. When the war in Europe ended he was transferred to the 88th Division which administered a Prisoner of War Camp in Brescia until the war in Japan ended.

Returning to the U.S.A., John’s first jobs were as a conductor with the Pullman Company, a Yellow Car (streetcar) operator in Los Angeles and then he moved his family to Los Alamos, New Mexico, to accept a job as a Security Inspector with the Atomic Energy Agency.

In 1954, John took a position with the Phillips Petroleum Company at their rocket production facility in McGregor, Texas, where he became a safety inspector and he also met his future wife, Wanda Lou Ostendorf, daughter of Enno and Irene Ostendorf of Meservey, Iowa.

John and Wanda were married September 9, 1955. From this point on it was all about rockets and family.
Through the years, John worked in Sacramento, California, for Aerojet-General Corp as a Quality Control Analyst and Safety Engineer for the Polaris missile program, and in 1967 when Aerojet lost the missile contract for Polaris, Lockheed Propulsion Co. received new contracts, including one for solid rocket motors for the Apollo project and the family moved to Redlands, California, to stay. In 1972 John accepted a job at Covington Engineering Corp., from which he retired in 1998. During his time in Redlands he became a member of the American Legion and Elks Lodge where he enjoyed playing cards.

John is survived by three sons: Jay Grady, James (Jim) and wife Diane Grady and Jerry Grady, and his granddaughter Lauren Grady, all from California.

Funeral service has been scheduled for Thursday, July 12, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at the Retz Funeral Home, Meservey.

Interment will be in the Meservey Cemetery next to his loving wife, Wanda.

Visitation will be one hour before the service at the funeral home.

Retz Funeral Home, www.retzfh.com.

JERRY L. WEIDE

Jerry L. Weide, 69, of Mason City died June 30, 2013, at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Mason City.
Graveside memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 11, at the Belmond Cemetery in Belmond.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, 2013, at the Dugger Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane S., Belmond.

Dugger Funeral Home, 641-444-3248, www.duggerfunerals.com.

TOM FRYETT
November 27, 1925 - July 3, 2013

Tom Fryett, 87, of Aredale, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at the Mercy Medical Center North Iowa in Mason City, Iowa.

He was born November 27, 1925, in Belfast, Ireland, the son of Tom and Lilley (Lemming) Fryett. He attended Catholic schools in Belfast, Ireland.

He was married to Betty Seath on October 25, 1951, in York, England, she passed away in 2005, and he then married Betty Claypool Lohrbach on February 14, 2007, at the West Fork Church in rural Sheffield, Iowa.

Tom was a member of the British Air Force where he was a bomber pilot in World War II and Korea. He worked as a tool and die machinist, and worked at Boeing, United Hydraulics and Eaton Corporation.

Tom was a member of the West Fork United Methodist Church, Hampton Lions Club, Anchor Lodge 191, American Legion, Hampton Senior Center and Elder Bridge. He enjoyed flying, helping people and animals and country living, where he took on many projects.

He is survived by his wife Betty of Aredale, son Paul Fryett of Omaha, Nebraska, son Patrick Fryett of Cincinnati, Ohio, step daughter Joy and Tom Russell of Dallas, Texas, step son Jon and Coleen Lohrbach of Mason City, Iowa, step son Jeff and Becky Lohrbach of Latimer, step daughter Jan and Kevin Kew of Coulter, step son Joel and Donna Lohrbach of Coulter, step son Jay and Dani of Springfield, Missouri, step son Justin and Annette Lohrbach of Coulter, numerous step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, wife, sister and a brother.

Burial will take place at the Hampton Cemetery in Hampton.

DOROTHY QUINT
July 2, 1930 - July 3, 2013

Dorothy Quint, age 83, passed away on July 3, 2013 after a long battle against the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Belmond, IA on July 2, 1930 and just made it to her 83rd birthday. In 1949, she married John Quint and spent 62 years happily married until his death in 2010. They worked jointly for many years operating the WCCO Smoke shop, where Dorothy’s soups and egg salad sandwiches were legendary. In 1990, she and John retired to Potato Lake in Chetek WI. In 2007, she entered Knapp Haven Nursing Home until she joined her beloved John in Heaven. Her sweet and loving temperament will be missed.

She is survived by her son, Michael (Nancy) Quint of Chisago City, MN. ; two daughters, Sandra Quint of Champlin, MN and Patti Quint of El Cajon, CA; her sisters, Wilhelmine Vestweber, Phyllis Baumgardner, and Joan (Airell) Clark; two brothers Richard (Linda) Kriens and Kenny (Florence) Kriens.; four grandchildren, Cameron, Amy, Mary and Brandon. She was preceded by her husband, John Quint, and her parents, John and Minnie Kriens.

Funeral Service will be Tuesday, July 9th at 11:00 am at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Chetek, WI.  Visitation will be Monday, July 8th from 4 pm to 7 pm at Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home in Chetek and one hour prior to the Service at Church on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or Knapp Haven Nursing Home in Chetek for the wonderful care and love they gave her during her time there.

The Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Chetek has been entrusted with arrangements.

MERLE "Flash" FLETCHER
December 29, 1921 - July 1, 2013

Merle “Flash” Fletcher, 91, of Clarion passed away Monday, July 1, 2013 at his home at Lake Cornelia.

Funeral services for Flash Fletcher will be held on Friday, July 5, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion with Pastor Bill Kem officiating.  Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Rowan.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 4, 2013 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East, in Clarion and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.  

Merle Dean "Flash" Fletcher was born on December 29, 1921 to Gaylord and Grace (Fitz) Fletcher on the family farm near Rowan, Iowa.  He attended Clarion High School and graduated in 1940.  He worked for Ed Whitman in the Teenie Weenie grocery store and later for Glenn Barker in the D-X gas station, which he later came to own.  He served his country in the Navy from September 3, 1942 thru January 12, 1946, serving on multiple vessels and stations.  He married Darlene Ellen Groom on September 19, 1948 and they were married for over 62 years.   

Flash owned and operated the D-X station/Fletcher Oil Company for 40 plus years. He was known for his trademark front bumper on his tank truck "Here Comes Flash" and ran the tank truck from December of 1950 until his retirement in 1987.  On his tank truck route, he was known to give tootsie rolls to all the kids of his customers.  He also drove school bus for 18 years.  After retirement he took up the game of golf, which he thoroughly enjoyed.  He and Darlene wintered in Weslaco, Texas for over 20 years. Coffee time and Happy Hour were fun times!

His many hobbies included bowling, motorcycles, boating, sailing and water skiing on Lake Cornelia.  He enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren how to ski.  His uncle Kenneth developed a "saucer" and they were expert at this, sitting and standing on a chair on this flat board pulled behind a boat around and around the lake.   For several years in their early marriage, Darlene and Flash belonged to an AMA motorcycle club: Ghost Town Ramblers. During their membership in the club they made several trips on their own and with other members around the country.  

Flash was a 50 year plus member of the United Church of Christ, Congregational in Clarion and served as an usher and on many boards.  He enjoyed noodle making and helping with the yearly church bazaar.  He was also a 67 year member of the American Legion.

Merle (Flash) is survived by his children; Sara (Dale) Smith, Tim (Shelley) Fletcher, Jim (Cindy) Fletcher and John (Kathy) Fletcher. He has 15 grandchildren:   David (Jenny) Smith, Andrea Anderson, Benjamin Fletcher Foster, Hannah Fletcher Foster, Shannon (Todd) Lerdal, TJ (Jessica) Fletcher, Courtney (Greg) Lehrman, Eugene Waage, Beth (Terry Hatfield) Waage, Dustin Waage, Nicole (Josh) Askvig, Rachel Fletcher, Kama (Dr. Galaxy) Rasmussen-Li, Ben Rasmussen and Noel Rasmussen.  16 Great Grandchildren; Sister, Mildred (Eddie) Rollins of Anaheim, California;  Sister-in-law, Margrete Jones of Dows; brothers-in-law, Tom (Edna) Groom of Belmond and Dwight (Marjorie) Groom of Rowan, along with numerous nieces and nephews, other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Darlene; his parents, and a brother- in-law, Ordean Jones.   

WALTER L MOORE
August 29, 1935 - June 30, 2013

Walter L. Moore, age 77, of Dows passed away Sunday June 30, 2013 at his home in Dows.

Memorial services for Walter L. Moore will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday July 3, 2013 at the First Lutheran Church in Dows. Pastor Ron Nelson will officiate. Military rites for Walter will be given at the church by the Dows Watson-Beach American Legion Post #523. Burial will be in the Otis Grove Cemetery near Dows. 

Visitation for Walter L. Moore will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Dugger Funeral Home, 100 North Lee Street in Dows is in charge of arrangements.

Walter Lyle, the son of Percy and Gunda Evans Moore was born August 29, 1935 in rural Franklin County. He attended school in Popejoy and graduated from Popejoy High School in 1953. After high school, Walter joined the U.S. Army. He served in Germany and returned home in December of 1955.

Walter was united in marriage to Marlys Simpson on January 22, 1956 at the First Lutheran Church in Dows. The couple farmed west of Dows and were blessed with two children, Lynn and Lori. The couple lived for ten years in Ramsey, MN. Walter retired in 1997. Then Walter and Marlys returned to Dows.

Walter was a member of the Popejoy Lions Club and a long-time member of First Lutheran Church in Dows. Walter loved to read, but spending time with his family was most important throughout his life.

Walter is survived by his wife, Marlys, two children, Lynn of Ramsey, MN and Lori Payton and husband, John of San Diego, CA, four grandchildren, Ashley, Courtney, John Aaron, Meagan, great granddaughter, Ellie, two brothers, Herb of Williams, Don and wife, June of Belmond, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, five sisters, Thelma, Mary, Doris, Helen, Lucille, and a brother, Max

DUGGER FUNERAL HOMES
100 NORTH LEE STREET
DOWS, IOWA 50071
(515) 852-4134
www.duggerfunerals.com

ALVINA M KUHLERS
January 20, 1919 - July 9, 2013

Alvina M. Kuhlers, 94, of Belmond, died of cancer Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond. 

A Funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2013 at the Bethany Reformed Church in Belmond with Reverends Phil Arnold and Melvin Voss officiating. Burial will follow in the Meservey Cemetery. 

Visitation for Alvina M. Kuhlers will be held on Thursday July 11, 2013 from 5p.m. to 7p.m. at the Dugger Funeral Home in Belmond and continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. 

Alvina Magdalena Kuhlers was born January 20, 1919, at home, on a farm northeast of Meservey, Iowa, the youngest of 9 children to Albert and Grietje (Vierkant) Kuhlers. Alvina graduated from Meservey High School in 1935, and in 1936, graduated from catechism from First Reformed Church in Meservey, where she was a member. In 1938, she began clerking in the grocery store in Meservey, a vocation she enjoyed for over 45 years. As was customary in those years, the youngest in the family stayed at home to care for the parents, which Alvina did until they passed away in the 1960’s. Alvina said that the 4 years she took care of her mother before her mother’s death were the best years of her life.  
Alvina lived in the family home in Meservey until moving to the Belmond Community Apartments, where she resided for over 20 years until her recent move to the Belmond Rehabilitation Center. Following her move to Belmond, she attended Bethany Reformed Church, where she very much appreciated the fellowship and activities of the congregation.

Alvina loved hearing from friends and family and enjoyed serving tea and cookies (especially chocolate chip) to her many visitors. She was fond of taking pictures of her family, and was never far from her camera. She was partial to “reindeer” and numerous ceramic deer in her apartment reflected this fondness.

She was preceded in death by her parents Albert & Grietje Kuhlers, and brothers Herman (Rena), Albert (Leona), George (Thada); sisters Reka (Harm) Pals, Alice (George) Dirks, Grace (Elmer) Mennenga, Marie (Louis) Dirksen, sister-in-law Shirley Kuhlers, nieces Aileen (Al) Moss and Grace Dirksen, and nephew Robert Dirksen.

Alvina’s many nieces and nephews and their families were very special to her. She greeted all with warmth and love, treating each as her own. Left to cherish her memory are one brother Carl Kuhlers, and her nieces and nephews. Herman’s son Richard (Joanne) Kuhlers; Reka’s sons Eldon (Lola) Pals and Ron (Shirley) Pals; Alice’s children Eiola (Robert,deceased) Kramer, son-in-law Dirk Dirksen, George (Ellen Kay) Dirks, and Don (Mae) Dirks; Albert’s daughter Norma (Dave, recently deceased) Keaton; George’s daughters Jan (Cleon) Prestholt, Melva (Gary, deceased) Dunton, and Sharon (LaVurne) Josten; Grace’s children Alan (Lori) Mennenga, Duane (Jolene) Mennenga, and Diane (Chuck) Rehm; Marie’s daughter Karen (LeRoy) Bobst; and Carl’s children Terry (Eileen) Kuhlers, Wil Kuhlers, and Penny (Jeff) Fitzgerald. Her presence will be felt in the stories told by her extended family and friends.


DUGGER FUNERAL HOMES
111 LUICK'S LANE SOUTH
P.O. BOX 233
BELMOND, IOWA 50421
www.duggerfunerals.com

ETHEL BRUNES
July 26, 1918 - July 11, 2013

Ethel Brunes, age 94, of Belmond, passed away Thursday, July 11, 2013, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Funeral services for Ethel Brunes will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 15, 2013, at the United Methodist Church in Belmond. Pastor Cindy Morrison will officiate. Burial will take place in the Amsterdam Cemetery east of Goodell.

Visitation for Ethel Brunes will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. today, Sunday July 14, 2013, at the Dugger Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane South in Belmond, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

The family wishes that memorials for Ethel Brunes be directed to the United Methodist Church in Belmond and/or the donor’s choice.

Ethel Marjorie, the daughter of Herman and Anna Rust Brunes, was born July 26, 1918, in Ortonville, Minn. At an early age, the family moved to a farm near Goodell. Ethel attended Twin Lakes Township country school. Later Ethel would begin attending school in Belmond. She graduated from Belmond High School in 1936.

After high school, Ethel attended Hamilton Business College in Mason City. After graduating from college in 1937, she returned to Belmond. Ethel began working for Dr. Larson and Roy Henderson. Ethel then began her career at the First State Bank in Belmond in 1943. She worked as a cashier and was a bank vice president at the time of her retirement in 1992. Ethel was truly a woman ahead of her time. She was devoted to the time she gave to First State Bank in Belmond.

Throughout Ethel’s life in Belmond, she gave of herself freely and generously to many groups and organizations. Ethel was a very generous and giving person. She was treasurer for the United Methodist Church in Belmond where she was a member. Ethel belonged to the Belmond Community Apartments Board, Library Board of Trustee, P.E.O, and Friends of the Belmond Public Library. Ethel was a Laureate Member of the Beta Sigma Phi in Belmond and held numerous offices. Ethel is remembered as a wonderful speller, for which she was very proud. She is also remembered as a great lover of board games and games in general, especially Scrabble.

Ethel is survived by a brother, Stanton Brunes and wife, Helen of Belmond; three nephews, Steve (LuAnn) Brunes of Belmond, Don (Kristi) Brunes of Groton, S.D., Kevin (Suzan) Brunes of Klemme; five great-nieces and nephews, Adam, Amber, Logan, Kristine, Jessie; seven great-great-nieces and nephews, and numerous other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Belva and Annalee.

Dugger Funeral Home, 111 Luicks Lane South, Belmond, Iowa 50421, 641- 444-3248, www.duggerfunerals.com.

ELLEN M DODGE
February 13, 1920 - July 9, 2013

Mrs. Ellen M. Dodge of Winter Haven, Fla., died Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at Life Care Center of Winter Haven. She was 93.

She was born on February 13, 1920 in Coulter, Iowa. She moved to Winter Haven from Rochester, Minn. She was a member of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church and Lake Region Yacht and Country Club, Winter Haven.

Mrs. Dodge was preceded in death by her husband Otis Dodge, her brother Gordon Guldberg of Dows, Iowa, her sister Corrine Reed of Des Moines, Iowa and her stepdaughter Kay Hansen of Mesa, Arizona.

She is survived by two stepdaughters; Dr. and Mrs Donald Layton (Phyllis) of Rochester, Minnesota, Dr. and Mrs. Francis Moore (Susan) of Ft. Myers, FL, sister in law Daphne Guldberg of Clear Lake, Iowa, three nieces; Mr. and Mrs. Randy Hendricks (Denise) of Clear Lake, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. DuWayne Barkema (Dawn) of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Koenig (Shelly) Westchester, Illinois and 2 grand nieces.

Graveside services will be held later in Dows, Iowa.

BERNEITA JENNIE SOESBE
August 11, 1938 - July 13, 2013

Berneita Jennie Soesbe, 74, of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at her daughters home in Des Moines.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, July 18, from 5-8:00 p.m., at the Dwelling Place on Central Ave E in Clarion. Interment will be at a later date. Berneita Jennie (Isaacson) Soesbe, was born on August 11, 1938 in Belmond. The daughter of Clyde D. Isaacson and Jennie (Johnson) Isaacson.

She attended school in Clarion. Berneita worked at Palco Manufacturing for many years and later worked for Clarion Care center until she retired.

On April 29, 1954 Berneita was united in marriage to William “Bill” Soesbe Sr. in Clarion. To this union four children were born. Berneita collected Dolls , Bells, and Pens. She loved to do crafts, garage sales, in her younger years she enjoyed roller skating and bowling.

She dearly loved all her children, grand children, great grand children, and a great-great grand child. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary.

Berneita is survived by her children: two daughters, Deanna “Dee” Anderson and husband, Tom of Goldfield and Janelle Basinger and husband Scott Field of Des Moines: two sons, William “Bill” Jr. of Clarion and fiancee Mary Beth and Willis “Willie” and wife Sally of Clarion; 1O grandchildren; 18 great grand children; and one great-great grandchild.

Berneita was preceded in in death by her husband Bill, her parents Clyde D. and Jennie Isaacson, her brothers Milford Isaacson and Lenvif Isaacson, and her daughter in-law Teresa Soesbe.

ALVA CALVIN MORTON
January 16, 1924 - July 13, 2013

Al Morton, 89, of Webster City, died Saturday, July 13, 2013 at the Van Diest Medical Center. Memorial services will be held at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Missionary Alliance Church in Blairsburg, with Rev. Ron Lotz officiating. Military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post #633 of Williams. Visitation will be at the church from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. prior to the memorial service.

Alva Calvin Morton, son of Lawrence and Margurerite Vaughn Morton, was born January 16, 1924 at Russell, Iowa. He attended and Chariton high school. He joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre of Action from 1943 to1946. On November 17, 1946, he married Shirley Fay Clark at Hubbard. The couple resided at Buckeye, Dows and Stratford. He was working for Pierre Pounds Painting and was painting at the Webster City Police department when he was asked if he was interested in working for the police department. In 1960, the family moved to Webster City and he joined the Police Force.

He also owned and operated the Morton Painting and Decorating Service. He always had one more job to complete. He remodeled a Farmall tractor and took grandchildren too many parades. The apartment he had lived in for 25 years was his domain where he baked and shared his cakes and did many errands for the widow ladies who live there.

Al is survived by his wife, Shirley; sons and daughters, Sandra (Gordon) Ewing of Mason City; Melody (Larry) Olson of Clarion; Carol (Tim) McKinney of Webster City; Nick (Natalie) Morton of Wichita, KS; Pam (Paul) Vetter of Nashua; Matt (Tina) Morton of Carthage, Mo; Steven Morton of Fort Dodge; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Diane (Darrell) January of Roundtree, TX; several nieces and nephews; and long-time painting partner, Arnie Bechtel.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two great-granddaughters; brothers and sisters, Lula; Everett; James; Beulah; Harvey; Ramona and Lawrence, Jr.

Al was a member of the Missionary Alliance Church at Blairsburg.

CLIFFORD W CURTIS
May 10, 1940 - July 26, 2013

Clifford W. Curtis, age 73, of Rowan, Iowa, died peacefully, Friday, July 26, 2013, at his home in Rowan, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2013, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Belmond. Father Nils Hernandez will be officiating. Burial will be in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery near Belmond.

Visitation will be today, Monday, July 29, from 5 until 7 p.m., at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond, and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday.
Memorials may be directed to the family or the donor’s choice.

Clifford Wayne Curtis, the son of Charles and Minerva (Warne) Curtis, was born May 10, 1940, in Fairmont, Minn. He attended Burt, Iowa, schools and graduated from Burt High School with the class of 1959.

He was united in marriage to Beverly Diers on December 20, 1960, in Alexandria, Virginia.

The couple raised their family in the Lakota and West Bend areas as Cliff worked as a farmhand. He began driving truck for Michaelson Trucking of Mason City, Iowa, which brought the family to Rowan in 1974. Clifford commenced his career as a truck driver with Michaelson Trucking of Mason City, Iowa, and continued driving semis for Decker Transport of Fort Dodge, Iowa, after they acquired the company. He eventually retired from the profession in 2008.

Cliff was a very social man who could easily strike up a conversation with both friends and acquaintances. He truly never met a stranger. If you had the privilege of meeting him on one of his life journeys, before long his warm and friendly demeanor captured your attention and in time you were like “old friends.”

After retiring from life as a truck driver, Cliff worked at the Rowan and Dows Co-op. In more recent times he enjoyed delivering cars throughout the countryside for Fred Hoiberg’s Dealership in Clarion, Iowa.

Clifford had a lifelong love of sports. In his early adult years he had played softball and basketball in various adult leagues in the Rowan and Dows areas. He was NASCAR fan and enjoyed watching football.
He and Bev were die-hard fans of their children’s various extra-curricular activities and in more recent years they could be seen sitting in the bleachers and auditorium seats at as many of their grandchildren’s games and activities as they could make. Cliff not only looked forward to cheering them all on, but his outgoing and friendly character would once again captivate those around him as he would visit with others and build many new friendships.

Clifford was very much a family man and enjoyed his roles as husband, father and grandpa. He loved classic country music, old Westerns on TV and fishing. He looked forward to fishing excursions to Minnesota with his brother, Dallas. He was a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Cliff, or “Curly,” as he was known on the highways and by-ways during his trucking years, will be remembered by all who knew him as a gentleman who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, including family, friends, fellowship and fun. He will be missed for his friendly smile, warm welcoming hello, and concern for well-being of others, and that magnetic smile and the twinkle in his eyes.

His memory will be cherished in the hearts and minds of his and their families: daughter Donna Bruns of Crystal Lake, Iowa, (fiancee’ James Erickson), Dows, Iowa, and Donna’s children, Jeconiah, Elijah Bruns, Crystal Lake and AlisiaBruns, Ventura; daughter, Terri Curtis (Larry Heaberlin) Rowan, Iowa, and their children, Cody, Iowa City, Iowa, Megan, Dows, Iowa, and Tanner and Logan Heaberin, Rowan, Iowa; daughter, Valeria (Rod) Nelson, Renwick, Iowa, and their children Dylan, Alex, Andy Cole Nelson, all of Renwick,son, Spencer (Laura) Curtis, Grimes, Iowa, and their children, Owen and Olivia, both of Grimes,; and a son, Wesley (Kate) Curtis, North Liberty, Iowa, and their son, Brycen Curtis, North Liberty, Iowa; also Cliff’s siblings, Audrey (Dennis) Johnson, Lincoln,Neb.; Dallas (Kathy) Curtis, New Richmond, Wis.; Marsha Blau and companion, Klemme, Iowa, Jim Curtis, Algona, Iowa, Charlene (Ron) Baas Clarion, Iowa, Cheryl Blau (Danny) Fouarge, Algona, Iowa, and David Curtis, Algona, Iowa. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and countless friends.

He was preceded by his parents; his wife, Beverly Curtis, on November 18, 2009; his in-laws, Clarence and Elda (Jandl) Diers; infant brother, Charles Curtis; a sister Marlys Nelson; niece, Nicole Baas; and sister- in-law, Cheri Curtis.

Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, Iowa, 641-444-4474.

ARLET NELSON ROKKE
June 19, 1919 - July 28, 2013

Arlet Nelson Rokke, age 94, died Sunday, July 28, 2013, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond, Iowa.

Funeral services for Arlet will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 2, at Andrews Funeral Homes, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond, with the Reverend James Harbaugh officiating.

Immediately following the service, a funeral procession will depart to the Round Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Glenville, Minn., one-half mile east of Interstate 35 at Exit 2. Those wishing to attend the public graveside service can gather at the church at 12:30 p.m. and join the procession to the North Round Prairie Cemetery where the Reverend Douglas Rokke will officiate.

A visitation will be held Thursday, August 1, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home and continue one hour prior to the service. The family wishes, in lieu of flowers, that memorials be given to the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Iowa, 1730 28th St., West Des Moines, IA, 50266 or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arlet Clarine Halvorson was born June 19, 1919, to Carl and Anna (Quam) Halvorson on the family farm west of Rake, Iowa. She was one of thirteen children. Arlet attended country school in Hebron Township, Kossuth County. Arlet worked in the Belmond area where she met Lyle Nelson. They were married on June 6, 1942, in Rake. This union was blessed with two sons, Curtis and Byron.

Arlet and Lyle lived and worked in the Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota areas. Arlet was active in the farming operation and daily tasks. Arlet also waitressed in various restaurants in Albert Lea, Minn., spending more than 20 years at the Country Kitchen, where she enjoyed meeting and conversing with a wide range of individuals and the faithful customers.

After Lyle’s death on October 25, 1980, Arlet continued to waitress and resided in Albert Lea.
On August 19, 1989, Arlet was united in marriage to John Rokke at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They made their home in Belmond. They spent quality time together along with taking many trips, including traveling to Norway three times to visit John’s relatives.

After John’s death in 2004, Arlet continued to live in her home in Belmond until November of 2011 when she moved to the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Arlet had a very strong faith and was active in the church, belonging to Bible study groups and various church committees. She enjoyed knitting, needlepoint, reading, crosswords, ceramics, playing cards, and watching “Wheel of Fortune.” Arlet’s melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies and delicious meals were enjoyed by many. Arlet was very talented in the art of Norwegian Hardanger embroidery, which she lovingly shared with family and friends.

Those left to cherish the love and memories of Arlet’s legacy are her sons Curtis Nelson and his wife Dale of Tyler, Texas; Byron and his wife Sue of Evans, Ga.; son-in-law Paul Wright of Clarksville, Tenn.; Paul (Charlotta) Rokke Belmond; Rev. Douglas (Randi Jo) Rokke of La Porte City, Iowa; grandchildren: Troy and his wife Diane, Eric and his wife Patricia, Sara and her husband Steve, Michelle and her husband Scott, Jennifer, Gina and her husband Steve, Jared, Jason, Martina and her husband Josh, Nelson and his wife Connie, and Kirsten; great-grandchildren Sarah and her husband Brian, Korey and Amy; Thomas, Kaitlyn, Lucas and Joseph; great- great-granddaughter Everleigh, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arlet is preceded in death by Lyle Nelson and John Rokke, parents Carl and Anna, and her 12 brothers and sisters.

FRIEDA CAROLINE (Gruis) SCHLICTING
August 8, 1915 - July 26, 2013

Frieda Caroline (Gruis) Schlichting, age 97, passed away July 26, 2013, at the Commons on Marice, Eagan, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 8, at 2 p.m. at the First Reformed Church, Meservey, with Pastor Rodney Meester presiding. Burial will be at the Meservey Cemetery.

Visitation will be at the Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, on Wednesday, August 7, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Frieda was born on August 8, 1915, to Peter and Gesena (Ostendorf) Gruis in a farm home south of Meservey, Iowa.

She attended a rural school and then Alexander High School from which she graduated in 1933. She then attended Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. After college, she taught in a rural school south of Zion Reformed Church in Franklin County, Iowa, for four and a half years and then in a rural school in Wright County, Iowa, for five years.

Frieda was united in marriage to George Schlichting on February 11, 1944, on her parents’ thirtieth wedding anniversary, at the Alexander Reformed Church. They made their home on a farm south of Meservey where they resided thirty-eight and a half years. In 1982 they retired from farming and moved to Belmond, Iowa.

In 1986 her husband, George, passed away. Frieda then began a new career proofreading for Printing Services Inc. (PSI) in Belmond where she worked for thirteen years, retiring “early” at age 84.
In June of 1989 she was united in marriage to Henry Koelder.

Frieda had a great hobby of crocheting, and crocheted afghans, centerpieces and many other articles including crocheted family names for framing, of which she made over 400. Many homes are graced with a crocheted family name made by Frieda.

Frieda was a lifelong and active member of the Reformed Church of America (RCA). She graduated from Heidelberg Catechism in the Alexander Reformed Church in 1933, and became a member of this church on confession of faith in 1937. In 1952 she transferred her membership to the Meservey Reformed Church. When Frieda moved to assisted living in the Twin Cities in 2008, she regularly attended Peace Reformed Church in Eagan, Minnesota.

Frieda had a passion for teaching, and taught Sunday school in the Alexander and Meservey Reformed churches for twenty-five years and taught Catechism in the Meservey Reformed Church for seventeen sessions. She was active in Reformed Church Womens’ Ministries for over sixty-five years. Frieda enjoyed music, singing in the church choir and playing piano. She instilled a love of music in her children and grandchildren.

Frieda is survived by her four children: son Paul (Mary) of Thornton, daughter Genelle (Jack) Forsberg of Mendota Heights, Minn., daughter Arlys (Russell) Thompson of Iowa City, and daughter Marcia (Richard) Wilson of Apple Valley, Minn.

She has eight grandchildren: Brian, Bruce and Buffy (Tschampel) Schlichting, Carl and Anna Forsberg, and Steven, Jennifer and Eric Wilson; and two step-grandchildren: Colby and Andy (Amy) Thompson.
She has seven great-grandchildren and six stepgreat-grandchildren.

In the Koelder family, she is survived by stepson Elwood Koelder and stepdaughter Arlis Koelder plus stepgrandchildren. She is survived by her sisters, Genevieve Barkema and Malinda Pals, and her brother Preston Gruis, and many nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her husbands, George and Henry, her parents, and sister Berniece.

A memorial service is scheduled for 6 p.m., with visitation an hour before and an hour after the service, on Monday, August 5, at the Commons on Marice, 1380 Marice Drive, Eagan, Minnesota.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be designated for the charity of your choice.

Posted on 8 August 2013 by Jay Lehmann