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Obituaries on this page: John Hough Skillen Tuesday, January 1, 2008
John Hough Skillen, 70,
died Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008,
at the Rochester Methodist
Hospital, Rochester, Minn.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 5, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the John Skillen Memorial Fund. John was born Nov. 15, 1937 in Eldora, Iowa, the son of Robert Martin and Evelyn L. (Hough) Skillen. He graduated from Nashua High School. He married Sharon Kay, and to this union three children were born. Sharon died in 1988. John worked as a welder for Koehring Mfg, in Waverly, Iowa. In 1989, John was united in marriage to Ruth (Crabb) Rozevink. Since retirement, they have made their home in Clear Lake. John’s hobbies included enjoying steam shows, carving antique tractors and fishing. He was a member of the U.A.W. John is survived by his wife Ruth Skillen, Clear Lake; children, Lori Luthro and her husband, Joel, Eden Prairie, Minn., John Hough Skillen Jr. and his wife, Kelly, Waverly, Robert Skillen, Nashua; step-children, Ralph Ray Rozevink and his wife, Linda, Hubbard, Iowa, Ranae Fredriksen and her husband, Paul, Clear Lake, Sandra Kay Gilles, Garner, Iowa and Rod Rozevink and his wife, Marcia, Clear Lake; his brother, Charles Clyde Skillen and his wife, Linda, Missouri; 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. John was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sharon Kay (1988), and granddaughter, Rebecca Fredriksen. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, handled arrangements. Wednesday, January 2, 2008
LaVerne “Fritz” C. Nelson, 78, Clear Lake, died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 at his home. A Funeral Mass was held Monday, Jan. 7, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. John R. Tilp officiating. Interment will be held at the Pleasant View Cemetery, Thornton, Iowa. Memorials may be given to the LaVerne C. Nelson Memorial Fund.
LaVerne was born Oct. 31, 1929 in rural Thornton, the son of Clarence and Rose (Nicolet) Nelson. He graduated from Thornton High School in 1948 and attended Mason City Junior College. LaVerne married Eleanor Jakoubek on Sept. 12, 1950 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Duncan, Iowa. In 1951 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country two years during the Korean War and in Germany. When he ed home he farmed in the Thornton area all his life. He and Eleanor were foster parents to several children. LaVerne enjoyed the coffee group at the Chit Chat, loved raising cattle and loved farming. Once retired he enjoyed helping his sons with the farm, and the annual fishing trips to Leech Lake with his family. LaVerne was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Anton Juhl Post of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus. He served nine years with the ASCS Committee, served on the North Iowa Fair Board and was a member of the Iowa Beef Producers. LaVerne is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eleanor Nelson, Clear Lake; three children, Sue Brager and her husband, Mike, Clear Lake, John Nelson and his wife, Diane, Thornton, and Joe Nelson and his wife, Renee, Thornton; eight grandchildren, Hollie Meyer and her husband, Brian, Mason City, Iowa, Todd Brager and his wife, Brandi, Garner, Iowa, Carolyn Nelson, Teresa Bonnema and her husband, Wade, both of Sheffield, Iowa, Mark Nelson and his wife, Melissa, Steven Nelson, Brad Nelson and Christopher Nelson, all of Thornton; two great-grandsons, Cade Meyer and Wyatt Bonnema; one brother, Marvin Nelson and his wife, Juanita, Aurora, Colo.; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Nelson, Thornton, and Dorothy Nedved, Mason City, as well as numerous, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. LaVerne was preceded in death by a daughter, Sally; grandson, Scott; his parents, Clarence and Rose and two brothers, James and Willard. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements. Friday, January 4, 2008
Allen “Al” W. Rannals, 74, 818 7th Ave N., Clear Lake, died Friday, Jan. 4, 2008, at his home. A funeral service was held Monday, Jan. 7, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Derik Yarian officiating. Inurnment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Maquoketa, Iowa, at a later date. Military honors will be presented by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Memorials may be directed to the “Gift of Life” attn: Jane Francis, 705 2nd St. SW, Rochester, Minn., 55902 or Hospice of North Iowa, 232 2nd St. SE, Mason City, IA, 50401.
Al was born Sept. 8, 1933, in Maquoketa, the son of George and Florence (Gibson) Rannals. He graduated from Andrew High School, Andrew, Iowa, in 1951. He attended Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Al served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Al married Carol Blizek on Aug. 12, 1956, in Maquoketa. He graduated from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa with a degree in business education and a minor in physical education. In 1960 they moved to Klemme, Iowa, where he taught business, P.E., and was an assistant basketball coach. He also coached the boys cross country team to its first state championship. Al and Carol moved to Clear Lake in 1966 where he taught business and coached. In 1989 he had a heart transplant at Mayo Clinic. He retired from teaching in 1994 but continued to coach C.L. boys golf until 2002 where he was very successful including two state championships. In 2006 he was inducted into the Iowa High School Golf Coaches Hall of Fame. His hobbies included golfing, and riding around in “Al’s pony.” He was an avid New York Yankees fan. He also enjoyed going to coffee with the guys. Al is survived by his wife, Carol Rannals, Clear Lake; four children, Bill Rannals (Connie Goodman) Richmond, Va., Barb (Jim) Istas, Eagan, Minn., Bob (Monica) Rannals, Brooklyn Park, Minn., and Becky (Dave) Edmundson, Eldridge, Iowa; and 10 grandchildren, Matt Rannals, Janette Peterson, Kathryn Rannals, Maggie Istas, Janice Rannals, Alex Rannals, Callie Istas, Janelle Rannals, Scott Edmundson, and Rachel Edmundson. Al was preceded in death by his parents. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements. Monday, January 14, 2008
Janette A. (Dickerson) Blanchard, 65, of Newton, Iowa, died Monday, Jan. 14, 2008, in Newton. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, Jan. 18, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton. Burial was at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City, Iowa. Memorials may be given to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Hospice of Jasper County.
Janette was born Sept. 25, 1942 in Webster City, Iowa, the daughter of Lawrence and Lucille (Murphy) Dickerson. She grew up in the Clear Lake/Mason City area, graduating from Clear Lake High School in 1961. She married Paul G. Blanchard on Jan. 4, 1964 in Mason City. Janette moved to Newton in 1965 and worked as a nurse’s aide for 18 years. After retiring from the hospital, she worked at the Hallmark store. Janette was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She enjoyed knitting, planting and tending to her flowers, and reading. She and her husband grew vegetables and had a large garden. She also enjoyed traveling with her family. Survivors include her son, Paul A. (Kelly) Blanchard of Newton; two daughters, Anna (Larry) Pietz of Newton, and Sharon (Brian) Mumm of Bloomington, Wis.; four grandchildren, Margaret Ann and James Michael Pietz, and Nicholas Brian and Logan Thomas Mumm; a brother, Gary (Susan) Dickerson of Eldora, Iowa; sister, Connie (Don) Roberts of Waverly, Iowa; her special friend, Marlys Strike; and many nieces and nephews. Janette was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul in 2003; brother, Larry Dickerson; sister, Kaye Trampel; and nephews, Darren Dickerson and Blake Blanchard. Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Grace Pauline Jones, 85, 309 Willow St., Thornton, Iowa, died Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008 at her home. A funeral Mass was held Monday, Jan. 21, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake with Rev. John R. Tilp officiating. Interment will be at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa.
Grace was born Oct. 23, 1922 in New Richland, Minn., the daughter of Peter and Justine (Weber) Weydert. She graduated from Presentation Academy, Whittemore, Iowa in 1939. She worked in Ft. Dodge as a cashier for the movie theater. Grace married Joseph F. Jones on Aug. 24, 1943 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake. They farmed in the Emmetsburg, Iowa area before moving to Clear Lake in 1944. They lived several places, including Arizona, Mason City, Rockwell and Fertile, Iowa before moving back to Clear Lake in 1962. In 1979 they moved to Thornton. Grace enjoyed spending winters in Apache Junction, Az. She worked at the Mirror Reporter and the Globe Gazette in advertising. She was very involved in church. Grace sang with the Keynotes, loved to play bingo and dance. She enjoyed arts and crafts, growing flowers and walking. She was very active in the democratic party. She taught CCD, sang in the choir and was a lector for church. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and was active in the ACCD – women’s Catholic group. Grace is survived by her husband, Joseph Jones, Thornton; two daughters, Judy Veselis and her husband, Robert, Thornton, and Nikki Cook and her husband, Dennis, Thornton; three grandchildren, Chad Cook and his wife, Lisa, Lori Cook-Thomas and her husband, Prentice and Scot Cook and his wife, Jill; six great-grandchildren, Steven Cook, Suzanne Cook, Jayson Cook, Collin Cook, Joshua Henley and Sophia Cook; three sisters, Pauline Quinn, Evansville, Minn., Barbara Haliday and her husband, Bill, Osage, Iowa and Jacqueline Quinn and her husband, Francis, Ventura; and one brother, Simon Weydert and his wife, Phyllis, Rockwell, Iowa. Grace was preceded in death by her parents; two daughters, Peggy Ann and Suzanne Jones; and a brother, Marvin Weydert. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements. Sunday, January 20, 2008Monday, January 21, 2008
Carl R. (Dick) Lundgren, 86, Clear Lake, died Monday, Jan. 21, 2008 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at Zion Lutheran Church, 112 North 4th Street, Clear Lake with the Rev. Derik Yarian officiating. Interment will take place at the Clear Lake Cemetery with military honors by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Memorial are suggested to Hospice of North Iowa or Mercy Cancer Center. Carl (Dick) was born on June 28, 1921, the first born son of Carl G. and Olga E. (Fjone) Lundgren at Firesteel, S.D. Carl (Dick) was six years old when his father died; he then lived part-time with his uncle and aunt, Knute and Hazel Fjone in South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Firesteel, S.D. He graduated from Timberlake, S.D. high school in 1938. He moved to Iowa to join his Uncle Knute Fjone in farming. He worked as a hired hand on various farms in the North Iowa area. He served in the U.S. Army from 1941-1944. He served with the military police and then as a medic (surgical technician). He was stationed in Japan at the time of atomic bomb attack. After discharge, he ed to Iowa and engaged in farming. He married Dorothy M. Jass on July 2, 1948. Two sons were born to them, Kenneth Carl and Bill Richard. They farmed several years in the North Iowa area. He was employed at Ventura Farm Service and was employed as delivery person for Krieger’s Floral (his favorite occupation). Upon retirement he then did child care for his grandson Kyle. He enjoyed going to coffee with the guys and playing cards (his favorite pastime) with family and friends. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy and son, Kenny (Randa) of Fertile, Iowa and their children, Todd (Ellen); Shelley (Stacey) Shipman, Holly (Larry) Green and Tyler; and son, Bill (Kim) of Ventura, and their son, Kyle. He also is survived by five great-grandchildren; Zackery Lundgren; Kayla, Maggie, Colton Shipman and Clay Byom; one brother, Arthur (Bud) and his wife, Olive of Everett, Wash.; sister, Anna Mae Johnson, Ocean Shores, Wash.; sisters-in-law, Janette Jass, Mason City, Mildred (Raymond) Priem, St Ansgar, Iowa; brother-in-law, Carl (Shirley) Jass, McCook, Neb.; and a niece, nephew and step-niece. He was preceded in death by his parents; uncle, Knute Fjone and wife, Hazel; parents-in-law, Emil and Jean Jass and a niece, Carla Stoll. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 North 4th Street, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements. Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Sammie (Maybelle) Comer, 90, 20 North 4th St., Clear Lake, died Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake. A memorial service was held Monday, Jan. 28 at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating. Inurnment was held at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church.
Sammie was born May 15, 1917 to Samuel and Anna (Otterness) Wilson in Houston, Minn., then after four years tje family moved to Mabel, Minn. She graduated from Mabel High School in 1935, then went to Wisconsin Business College in La Crosse, Wis. Sammie worked in the office of Advance Bedding Co., La Crosse, Wis., W.G. Woodward Co. in Paynesville, Minn., Montgomery Wards in St. Cloud, Minn. as manager of ladies ready to wear. She was employed for eight years with a New York chain of dress shops “True Value Shops” in St. Cloud, Minn. and transfered to La Crosse, Wis., Des Moines, Iowa and was manager of the Dubuque, Iowa store. On Nov. 9, 1947 she married Robert Comer of Dubuque in Spring Grove, Minn. They had two children, Bobbi and Kent. They lived there for 20 years, then transferred to Duluth, Minn., Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Clear Lake. Sammie worked part-time in different shops. Her last places of employment were The Peacock Shop and Hanson’s Dept. Store in Clear Lake. Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Bobbi Bruns, Clear Lake; granddaughter, Robyn Davidson and her husband, David, and their children, Samantha and Toby of St. Louis, Mo.; grandson, Paul Robert Bruns and his wife, Jamie, and their children, Paul Christian, Isaac and Luke of Clear Lake; sister-in-law, Elsie Wilson of Loveland, Colo.; also nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Robert; son, Kent; her parents, Sam and Anna Wilson; brothers, Paul Wilson and Ozzie Wilson; sister, Margaret Wilson Raska and brother-in-law, Adolph Raska; nephew, Ricky Raska and niece, Jo Raska Kirchoff. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements. Saturday, January 26, 2008
Harold P. Wolfe, 65, 2400 South Shore Dr., Clear Lake, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008 at his home. Memorial services were held Saturday, Jan. 26, at Pilot Knob Lutheran Church, Forest City, Iowa, with the Rev. Robert Snitzer officiating.
Harold was born Jan. 1, 1943, in Fertile, Iowa, the son of Leslie and Ruth (Myhre) Wolfe. He graduated from Fertile High School in 1960. He served in the United States Army. Harold married Barbara Leaf in 1968 in South Dakota. They lived in Clear Lake. He was later divorced. He drove a truck for Winnebago Industries, the Clear Lake Bakery and Coca Cola. He later worked for Dahlen Transport and F.F.M. After his retirement from trucking, he started Superior Exterior’s Landscaping with his son-in-law Matt, until he retired for health reasons. He enjoyed water skiing, bowling, fishing, snowmobiles and classic cars. He was a member of the Teamsters Union. Harold is survived by four children, Candis Wolfe, Clear Lake, Michelle Jurgensen and her husband, Matt, Clear Lake, Kimberly Wood and her husband, Dan, Sheffield, Iowa and Aaron Wolfe and his wife, Amanda, Sioux City, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Joshua, Lucas and Madelynn Jurgensen, Morgan, Aydan, Devan and Aaron Wood, and Tyler and Alexa Wolfe; two sisters, Deanna Jordan and her husband, Raymond, Fertile, and Linda Neuhring and her husband, Lowell, Clear Lake; one brother, Robert “Bob” Wolfe and his wife, Sandy; and many nieces and nephews. Harold was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bernard Wolfe. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements. Saturday, January 26, 2008
Reinhardt “Reiney” A. Andersen, 90, of 426 18th Street West, Clear Lake, died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, at Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31, at Zion Lutheran Church, 112 North 4th St, Clear Lake with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 – 7 p.m. Wednesday at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel. Interment will be at Clear Lake Cemetery with military honors by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Memorials may be made in the honor of Reiney to the organization of your choice.
Reinhardt was born May 2, 1917, the son of Ernest and Regina (Petersen) Andersen, in Clear Lake. Reiney graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1935. He attended NIACC and subsequently Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Reiney then ed to Clear Lake to work with his father in construction and completed flight school in Nebraska to become a pilot. At the onset of World War II he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a pilot and a flight instructor where he was involved in the pacific theater. Reiney married Jane Ann Fisher on Dec. 29, 1943, in Ottumwa, Iowa. Following his discharge from the service, he ed to Clear Lake and continued working with his father. He later took over Andersen Construction Company and operated it with his brother Stanley until he retired at the age of 84. He was very instrumental in building many businesses and homes in Clear Lake and the surrounding areas. Reiney helped with Boy Scout Troup 75 and taught Sunday school. He was a longstanding member of Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake V.F.W. and American Legion. Reiney is survived by his wife, Jane, of Clear Lake; two children, Dr. Jon (Joyce) Andersen, Olney, Ill.; and Amy Andersen, Bloomington, Minn.; three grandchildren, Aaron Andersen and Ashley Andersen, Olney, and Alyssa Florey, Bloomington. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Harry and Stanley Andersen, and infant grandson, Andrew Florey. Saturday, January 26, 2008
Aurelia “Wegie” Joan Eskildsen, 85, of Clear Lake, died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Scott Wilson of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time on Wednesday at the chapel. The family of Wegie Eskildsen has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be directed to the family in her memory. Wegie was born on July 27, 1922, in Faribault, Minn., the daughter of Edgar Genoa and Bessie Mae (Marshall) Fent. She attended and received her education in the Kensett, Iowa school system, graduating from Kensett High School in 1940. Wegie worked most of her life in retail and customer service for grocery stores and restaurants in the north Iowa area. She was united in marriage to Ray Eskildsen on Oct. 24, 1958, in Albert Lea, Minn. In 1966, Wegie and her husband Ray owned and operated the River City Glass Company in Mason City, until they retired in 1988. She enjoyed gardening, working in her yard, and artistic painting. She loved animals and feeding the birds, but her great love and enjoyment was her family and grandchildren. She was a member of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Clear Lake. Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Ray Eskildsen of Clear Lake; her children, Reta (Darrell) Ulve of Kensett, Paula Gerdes of Lake Geneva, Wis., Jay (Connie) Bjorgo of Ripley, Okla., Jeffrey Eskildsen of West Bend, Ind., Larry (Sue) Eskildsen of El Centro, Calif., Roger (Jennifer) Eskildsen of Mason City, and David (Patti) Eskildsen of Bullhead City, Az.; 17 grandchildren, Todd, Teri, Jason, Matt, Brandy, Heather, Eric, Dawna, Brandi, Brad, Brian, Jeremy, Ryan, Chad, Dawn, Shannon and Shane; 22 great-grandchildren, many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Madge, Odetta, and Vera; one son, Steven Eskildsen; one granddaughter, Linda Ulve; one grandson, Brent Eskildsen; one daughter-in-law, Karen Eskildsen; one son-in-law, Mark Gerdes. |
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January 2008
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