Kenneth Severson

February 12, 2008

Kenneth P. Severson, 89, a lifelong Belmond area farmer, died on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, at home following a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held on Friday, February 8, at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church west of Belmond, with Rev. Lowell Halvorson officiating. Burial was in the St. Olaf Cemetery.

Kenneth Pershing, the son of Knute and Alma (Gunderson) Severson, was born on September 26, 1918, on his parents' farm near Thor. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran, where he was a lifelong member. Ken received his education at the Belmond rural School #9.

Kenneth married Icle Leonard on June 6, 1940, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They farmed for over 60 years in Belmond and Grant Township. Though he retired from farming full time, he continued to assist his son, Sidney and grandson, Troy. Ken could be found helping with farm tasks this past summer until his health began to decline.

He was an active member of the St. Olaf Church, where he held various offices and sang in the men's chorus. He was a long-time board member of both the Wright County REC and the Clarion Co-op.

Ken and Icle enjoyed wintering in Mesa, Arizona, where he also sang in a men's chorus. They enjoyed many trips, including a memorable journey to Norway in 1974.

Following the passing of his wife, Ken enjoyed the friendship and camaraderie of long-time neighbor and special friend, Kay Marshall. He also enjoyed times spent with his family and friends.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in 1997; sisters, Myrtle Chauncey, Leila Wion, Betty Lynch and Kathryn Christenson; and brother, Sanford Severson.

Survivors include his son, Sid (Sherry) of Clarion; grandchildren, Troy (Beth) Severson and their children, Allison, Clayton and Knuton of Belmond, Traci Gorton and her children, Alaina and Landon of Corinth, Texas and Tanya (Ken) Scribner and their children, Paige Icle and Jarrett of Sanger, Texas; step-grandchildren, Johnathan (Jenna) German of Belmond and their children, Desiree and Ethan, Nicholas (Stacy) German and their children, Paige and Justin of Clarion and Ryan (Shannon) Maasdam and their son, Austin of Clarion; sister, Elaine Lenz of Mason City; and longtime friend and neighbor, Kay Marshall of Clarion.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Louise Pearson

February 19, 2008

Louise Pearson, 83, formerly of Klemme, died on Sunday, February 10, 2008, at the Hancock Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, February 14, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme, with Rev. Donna Buckman officiating. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery.

Louise Viola, the daughter of Lubbe and Gretchen Albers, was born on March 27, 1924, on a farm outside of Klemme, about two miles from where her future husband grew up. She was one of six children growing up during the Depression.

Louise's father died in 1926, and the family moved to a smaller parcel of land that Lubbe's father had owned. Louise's mother died in 1936, and siblings Jennie and Jo raised the family. Louise began her education at the age of four in a one room country school. When she graduated from the 8th grade, Jennie and Jo decided Louise would go to high school, something her siblings never had the opportunity to do. Louise graduated from the Klemme High School in 1941.

Following high school she worked for a year in Klemme and then enrolled in business school at Omaha. She graduated and became a civilian bookkeeper for the Air Force with assignments in Omaha, Topeka and Oklahoma City. She returned to Klemme in July 1946 to keep house for her two brothers after declining an assignment to go to Hawaii.

She then met Melvin, and they were married in September 1947 at Winona. They farmed with his parents, and later farmed on their own. In addition to assisting her husband, Louise was a homemaker and mother for their three children.

She was an active member of Immanuel Reformed in Klemme, where she was involved in the Women's Fellowship, held a variety of offices, and served at various functions and funerals. She was a member of the Farm Bureau and helped with the American Cancer Society. Louise enjoyed being involved with the senior citizens and 500 card clubs. She loved sewing, reading and gardening, raising a wide variety of flowers.

Louise and Melvin took a trip to Venezuela during the 1970's to visit daughter, Rosalyn in the Peace Corps. Winters they traveled to Arkansas to spend several weeks until spring. They farmed until Melvin's health declined, and in 1984 they sold the farm and moved into Klemme. Melvin died in July 1985.

Then Louise's main focus became her grandchildren, children, church and community groups. She looked forward to visits with her sister, Johanna and traveling to visit her children and grandchildren. Her journeys included California, Puerto Rico, Connecticut, Nevada, Mexico and the Apostle Islands.

Her health began to decline in 2000. Louise had resided at the Westview Care Center in Britt for the last several years.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; sisters, Jennie and Marie; and brothers, John and Harold.

Survivors include children, VaLinda (Karl DeWahl) of St. Paul, Rosalyn (Jim) de la Cruz of Las Vegas and Kent Pearson of Rockwell; grandchildren, Kathleen and Aaron DeWahl and James de la Cruz; a sister, Johanna Foss of Belmond; brother-in-law, Carl (Delores) Pearson of Klemme; and sister-in-law, Jean Pearson of Klemme.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Jennie Lieuwen

February 27, 2008

Jennie Lieuwen, 98, of Belmond, died on Sunday, February 17, 2008, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, February 21, at the United Methodist Church in Goodell, with the Pastor Mark Pluff officiating. Burial was in the Amsterdam cemetery east of Goodell.

Jennie, the daughter of Fred and Anna (Zell-Stadtlander) Albers, was born on August 26, 1909 near Belmond. Jennie grew up in the Klemme area where she attended country school.

Jennie married George Lieuwen on December 23, 1931, at the Reformed Church Parsonage in Klemme. Together they farmed and raised their family near Belmond. They moved to the home place in 1943. Jennie lived there until moving to the Belmond Health Care Center in 2006.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1986; son-in-law, Jack Fulton; sister and brother-in-law, Anna and Robert Churchouse; sister, Johanna; and brothers, Fred, Alvin and John.

Jennie is survived by daughters, Shirley Fulton of Belmond and Alice Bryant of Edina, Minnesota; grandson, Michael S. (Janice) Bryant of Ames; great-grandchildren, Michael J. (Lisa) Bryant of New Hope, Minnesota and Diana (Matt) Kain of Iowa City; great-great-grandchildren, Charlie and Emma Bryant; step-grandchildren, Jeff (Carissa) Calentine of Omaha, Christin Calentine of Winona, Minnesota and David Calentine of Ames; brother, Ed (Barb) Albers of Mason City; and sister-in-law, Mary Jasperson of Arizona.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Hazel Bachman

February 27, 2008

Hazel A. Bachman, 87, of Alexander, died on Thursday, February 21, 2008, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, February 25, at the First Reformed Church in Alexander, with Pastor Phillip Arnold officiating. Burial was in the Alexander Cemetery.

Hazel Alene was born at Alexander, the daughter of Chris and Louella Larsen, on September 20, 1920. She graduated from the Alexander High School in 1938. On February 28, 1940, she married Fred Modderman at the Alexander Reformed Parsonage. Fred and Hazel farmed just east of Alexander where they raised two children. Besides helping on the farm, Hazel worked for many years at the W.P. Aldinger store in Alexander. Fred died on October 28, 1965, just months after they celebrated their 25th anniversary.

On February 8, 1967, Hazel married Earl Bachman of Klemme. Earl passed away on November 12, 1971. She then moved to Clear Lake where she worked for Moeller's Clothing Store until her retirement. At that time she cared for several elderly people in their homes.

Hazel spent several years wintering in Texas, where she loved to dance, and spent summers in northern Minnesota, where she loved to fish. She will be remembered for her sense of humor and for being a hard worker who loved to help others. She dearly loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; brothers, Lyle and Russell; sisters, Doris (Ben) Dorenkamp, Lela (Denver) Schofield, Gertrude and Theo; grandson, Joel Vanness; and special friend, Fritz Botello.

Survivors include daughter, Kaye (Dennis) Vanness of Alexander; son, Jerry (Maureen) Modderman of Altoona; grandchildren, Chris (Melinda) Vanness of Latimer, Mitchell (Debra) Vanness of Latimer, Todd Modderman of Suwanee, Georgia and Tammy (Brian) Johnson of Altoona; great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Kyle and Kendra Vanness, Zachary and Madilyn Vanness and Cameron and Abbie Johnson; sister, Emily Modderman of Palo Alto, California; and sister-in-law, Frances Larsen of Royal, Iowa.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Muriel Licklide

February 27, 2008

Muriel Licklider, 87, of Clarion, died on Saturday, February 23, 2008, at the Careage of Clarion, after a brief respiratory illness.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, March 1, at the Ewing Funeral Home in Clarion, with Pastor Don Morrison officiating. Burial will take place in the Graceland Cemetery near Rowan. Visitation will be held at the funeral home one hour prior to the service Saturday.

Muriel Marie Rietz, was born on January 3, 1921 in Rowan, where she was raised. She graduated from the Rowan High School in 1938. In 1946 she married Wayne Licklider, her husband for 42 years. They lived briefly in St. Louis, moved back to Rowan, and moved to Clarion in 1965.

Muriel loved home, family and music. She was a wonderful mother.

She was preceded in death by her husband; sisters, Anne and Nina; and brothers, Karl, E.A. and Paul.

She is survived by her children, Sheila (Alvin) Flatebo and Dale (Kathy) Licklider; grandchildren, Daniel Flatebo of Louisville, Kentucky, Lisa (Jonathan) Bass, Cale (Amber) Licklider and Katie; sisters-in-law, Pauline Licklider Jones of Winterset and Jean Rietz of Washington, Iowa; brother-in-law, Everett Smith of Pennsylvania; nieces, Carmen Jorgensen and Julie Mangold; and nephews, Steve Heathershaw, Roger Rietz and Paul W. Rietz. Both of her children and all of her grandchildren, except Dan, live in the Kansas City area.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Dorothy Schmidt

March 4, 2008

Dorothy Schmidt, 87, formerly of Meservey, died on Saturday, February 23, 2008, at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

Funeral services were held on Friday, February 29, at the First Reformed Church in Meservey, with Rev. Rodney Meester presiding. Interment was in the Meservey Cemetery.

Dorothy was born on November 26, 1920 at home in Anamosa, a daughter of Dean and Addie (Campbell) Perdue. The family moved many times during her youth, and she graduated from the Rockwell High School. She attended the Mason City Junior College and earned her teaching certificate. She began teaching in Meservey in 1940.

On August 21, 1942, Dorothy married Ralph D. Schmidt at Memphis, Missouri. She continued to teach, but after a few years devoted her time to raising her children. Dorothy returned to teaching at CAL and then at Klemme. She returned to college to earn her bachelor's degree and was a proud alumnus of Drake University. Dorothy taught at Klemme for 21 years before retiring, and then continued to tutor students during the summer.

Ralph died in 1987. Dorothy traveled with her sister-in-law, Francis Groen on many bus trips. In 1999 she moved to an apartment in Des Moines.

Dorothy was a member of the First Reformed in Meservey and her family remembers her strong faith. She played the violin and was an avid fan of all sports, especially those at Drake.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, David and Daniel; and sister, Delores "Jo" Burgess.

Survivors include her son, James Jay Schmidt of Clear Lake; daughter, Rebecca (J.C.) Chalberg of Wheeling, Illinois; son, Steven J. (Mary) Schmidt of Norwalk; grandchildren, Lacey and Dylan Schmidt, John (Paige) Gourley and Matt Gourley; brother-in-law, Charles "Bud" Burgess; and sisters-in-law, Bernice Perdue, Arlene Kaldenberg, Loraine Bertilson and Francis Groen.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Irene Katter

March 4, 2008

Irene M. Katter, 84, of Klemme, died on Monday, February 25, 2008, surrounded by her family, following a four-year battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held on Friday, February 29, at the Klemme United Methodist Church, with Rev. Paddy Druhl officiating. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme.

Irene Marie, the daughter of Frederick and Elsie (Josten) Becker, was born on October 19, 1923, on her parents farm in Ell Township. She attended rural school through the 8th grade and graduated salutatorian of the Klemme High School Class of 1941.

Irene married Cecil B. Katter on November 28, 1943 at Klemme. They farmed and raised Holstein cattle. In 1951, they moved to Oregon where Cecil was in the lumber business with his brothers until 1955, when they returned to farm near Clear Lake. They eventually returned to operate the family farm at Klemme where Irene lived for most of her life. The home place became a Century Farm in 1993 and continues to remain in the family.

Irene was a life long homemaker, devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She and Cecil were leaders in the regional, state and national Holstein Associations and she showed cattle at all levels. She traveled to many of the Central National Holstein shows in Madison, Wisconsin.

Irene worked as a dietitian at the nursing home in Garner and for a number of years in the catering business with Sheryll Klessel.

Irene fulfilled various roles in her church, including playing piano, marimba and organ, and was active in UMW, church circles and the luncheon committee. She had also shared her gift of music at area care centers, community festivities, state and national contests, including Soldier Field in Chicago.

Irene was active in 4-H and the Klemme Grandmother's Club. She was an avid gardener and a wonderful cook and baker. Irene was an accomplished seamstress, making many clothes, including her daughter's bridesmaids dresses. Irene had a kind place in her heart for horses and cats. Irene loved to attend the Iowa State Fair and had done so nearly every year since the 1960's.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband in 1981.

Survivors include her children, Lynn (Donna) Katter and their daughters, Melissa and Allison of New York; Noel (Margaret) Katter and their children, Miekka and John of Menlo; Marla (Bob) Hadacek and their son, Ben of Klemme; and Murray (Marcia) Katter and their daughter, Emilee of Ankeny; and four great-grandchildren.
©Belmond Independent 2008