Russell VerHelst

July 8, 2008

Russell L. VerHelst, 66, a life-long resident of the Goodell and Klemme areas, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, July, 1, 2008, on his farm land in rural Klemme.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 5, at the Klemme United Methodist Church, with Rev. Donna Buckman and Rev. Donald Thompson officiating. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. 

Russell Lee, was born on September 15, 1941, on a farm outside of Swaledale, one of five children of Mell and Josie (Lewis) VerHelst. He graduated from the Belmond High School in 1959. Married JoAnn Helps on June 3, 1962, at the Klemme United Methodist Church. They lived in the Goodell and Klemme areas.
 
Russell and JoAnn farmed and raised their family on farms west of Goodell and later moved to a farm east of Klemme where they lived for 38 years. For the past three years they had lived in the town of Klemme.

Russell was a farmer through and through. He absolutely loved to work the earth and raise a bountiful crop. He received great satisfaction raising nurse cattle and the calves that were born. Russell was a horse enthusiast and worked with many teams during his life. His love for horses led to an interest in restoring and building carriage and wagon racks for them to pull, as well as a chance to work a horse in front of an antique implement. Family and friends recall occasions when a buggy, carriage or wagon ride turned into an adventure if the horses thought it was necessary. Russell's favorite breed of horses were Hackneys. He was also fond of dogs.

In addition to farming, Russ, worked for a time at the Goodell Grocery (later We-3) as a butcher. He also sold Walnut Grove Feeds and worked at Eaton Corporation in Belmond.

Russ and JoAnn enjoyed motorcycle riding and had taken various trips with friends over the years. He loved camping and was an avid fisherman. He looked forward to fishing excursions to Canada and Minnesota, but many of his favorite fishing memories were spent on family adventures teaching his children and grandchildren.

Russ enjoyed watching horse racing, boxing and other sporting events on T.V.  In recent times he had taken a liking to college softball. He absolutely loved supporting his children in their extra-curricular activities and then his grandchildren. He was a man filled with a great sense of humor and cherished the opportunity to share a one-liner or play a part in a joke. Russell loved western movies and was an avid reader of Louis Lamour books. In earlier years Russ spent many times together with friends and family at sing-a-longs where he shared his wonderful voice. Family and friends also reflect fondly on many trips to the Clay County Fair and the woodworking items Russ handcrafted for them: hope chests, Matchbox car ramps, dorm lofts, headboards and Barbie doll houses.

Russ served on the Klemme School Board and was a member of the Klemme Lions and the Klemme United Methodist Church.

Russ was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Virginia; six step-brothers; and two step-sisters.

Russ is survived by his wife; son, Rod (Chris) of Des Moines; daughter, Chris (Steve) Schmidt of Dallas Center; sister, Gail (Larry) Langlitz of Goodell; brothers, Lester VerHelst of West Liberty and Leland VerHelst of Otley; and grandchildren, Kari, Jacob, Jennifer, Jackie and Ryan.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Mary Smith

July 15, 2008

Mary Smith, of Coronado, California, died on Wednesday, July 2, 2008.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 18, at the Naval Chapel, North Island Naval Air Station, Coronado. Interment will be in the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego.

Mary was born on April 19, 1916 in Belmond, the daughter of John and Bessie (Quam) Cullinan. She married Karl Smith in 1937 at her parent's home. As a 30-year Navy family, their assignments took them to Spain and France, but they always considered Coronado home.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 2006; son, Kurt in 2002; four brothers; and four sisters.

She is survived by her brother, Robert Cullinan of Belmond.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Emily Larsen

July 15, 2008

Emily Larsen, 89, formerly of Mason City, died on Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at the Clear Bridge Cottage in West St. Paul, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 12, at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel in Mason City, with Reverend Steve Hansen of the Wesley United Methodist Church officiating. Burial was in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

Emily Eloise, was born on December 16, 1918, on a farm in  Scott Township, Franklin County, near Alexander, the third of seven children born to Charlie (Karl) and Helena (Jennie) (Gartz) Barkema. She was baptized on April 24, 1930, by Reverend O.G. Poppen in Palsville (east of Belmond). She attended the Pleasant Township #5, rural school. She married Wilbur Larsen on October 22, 1942 in St. Joseph, Missouri. He preceded her in death in 1998. 

Emily spent most of her life living on farms in Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, retiring to Mason City where she resided until February 2002 when she moved to West St. Paul. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister, and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Mason City. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Charles; sister, Eva; and brothers, Edward, Lyle and Harold.

Survivors include her daughters, Shirley (John) Kraft of Cottage Grove, Minnesota and Barbara Larsen of Waterloo; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Lois Schlichting of Cherokee and Maurine VerHelst of Belmond.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Dennis Borrill

July 15, 2008

Dennis L. Borrill, 55, died on Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at his home in Belmond.

Memorial services were held on Tuesday, July 15, at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, with Reverend Diana Hoover officiating. Inurnment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery. 

Dennis Lee, was born on April 6, 1953 in Mason City, the son of Ray E. and Clarice (Bachellor) Borrill. He graduated from the Clear Lake High School in 1973 and continued his education at NIACC, graduating with a law enforcement degree. He also graduated from the police academy in Des Moines. He was employed with the Belmond Police Department, retiring after 28 years of service. For a time he was the Emergency Management Coordinator for Wright County.

Dennis was an avid Minnesota Vikings and Twins fan. He loved sports, reading, teaching emergency and disaster management, woodworking and attending gun shows. He was a collector of miniature police cars, ambulances, fire trucks and trains. He attended the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents; father; brothers, Larry and Gary Borrill; and uncles, Paul and Bruce Bachellor.

Dennis is survived by his mother of Clear Lake; sister, Nancy (Jeff) Germundson of Manly; special family member, Diane (Rod) Lumn of Camdenton, Missouri; niece and nephews, Jenny Raisch of Manly, Andrew Germundson of Sumter, South Carolina and Jesse Germundson of Nora Springs; great-nieces and nephew, Abbey Raisch, Casey Cole and Allison Cole; uncles, Merlin (Carol) Bachellor of Bettendorf and Kenneth (Mary) Borrill of Clear Lake; and aunts, Helene Bachellor of Clear Lake and Deone Bachellor of Des Moines.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Eunice Christenson

July 15, 2008

Eunice N. Christenson, 87, died of natural causes on Saturday, July 12, 2008, at the Hampton Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 15, at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church west of Belmond, with Interim Pastor Kim Hassan officiating. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery.

Eunice Naomi, was born on February 10, 1921, to Elling and Nettie Ulstad Ellingston at her parents' farm home west of Belmond, the third of seven siblings. She was baptized and confirmed at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church. She attended the Belmond Township #4 School and graduated from the Belmond High School in 1939. The next four years she taught in Belmond and Lake Township.

Eunice was married on January 29, 1942 in Maryville, Missouri, to Lloyd Christenson of Kanawha. Lloyd enlisted in the air force and was later deployed to California where she joined him. During the nearly three years they spent in California, Eunice worked at the naval shipyards as a machinist helper, repairing ships returning from the war zone and preparing new ships for launch. Eunice and Lloyd returned to Iowa in 1945 with their daughter, Nancy Lynn. Their son, Charles Lloyd (Chuck) was born a few years later. They spent many years on the family farm. In the late 1960's they moved to Belmond.

Eunice is remembered as a woman who was open to innovative ideas, and a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who treasured every moment with her grandchildren. She relished her participation in all aspects of serving the young and old in her church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Maxine, Virgil and Bernice; brother, Leo; and son, Chuck.

Survivors include her husband of Belmond; daughter, Nancy (Neil) Stadlman of Cedar Falls; daughter-in-law, Linda (Gary) Hagen of Wells, Minnesota; grandchildren, Mike Christenson of Valley City, North Dakota, Braden Stadlman, Breon Stadlman and Amy Christenson, all of Minneapolis; siblings, Raymond (Rebecca) Ellingston and Avis Hopkey, all of Belmond; brother-in-law, Keith Bailey of Tacoma, Washington; and sister-in-law, Opal Ellingston of Belmond.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Gail Hanson

July 22, 2008

Gail M. Hanson, 100, died on Friday, June 13, 2008, at the Christian Community Home in Hudson, Wisconsin.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, July 26, at the Belmond United Methodist Church, with Pastor Michael Druhl officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery. There will be a gathering one hour prior to the service at the church.

Gail Margaret was born on February 9, 1908 in Olaf, to George and Lillian (Baxter) Thompson. She graduated in March 15, 1929 from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. She married Verdell Hanson in Wright County on September 14, 1930.

Gail thoroughly enjoyed gardening and cooking. Long walks shelling on the beach in Florida was a favorite past time, along with shopping. Most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; and brother and sister-in-law, Richard (Maxine) Thompson; and dear friend, Mary Pennewell.

Gail is survived by her son, Richard "Dick" (Diane) Hanson of Woodbury, Minnesota; grandchildren, Mary Hanson and her children, Paige, Blake and Isaac all of Woodbury and Richard "DJ" (life partner, Derek) Nicoletto-Hanson and their son, Asher of New York City; and special nephew, Dudley (Concha) Thompson.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Joshua McNutt

July 29, 2008

Joshua Ervin McNutt, 32, died on Saturday, July 12, 2008.

A gathering of family and friends will take place on Wednesday, at 3:00 p.m., at the Braman Mortuary in Omaha. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the family.

Busta, as he was known by his friends, worked as a senior engineer at ACI Worldwide in Omaha. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed painting, and playing his banjo. Busta graduated from the Belmond-Klemme High School in 1994 and from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont in 1998.

Busta's quirky style and unique philosophy will be sorely missed by those who knew him and those who loved him.

He is survived by his wife, Arica of Omaha; parents, Michael and Ramona McNutt of Belmond; brother, Jacob McNutt and his family of Alexander; brother, Andrew McNutt of Nashville, Tennessee; sister, Jasmine Lester and her family of Des Moines; and grandparents, Ervin and Helen Meyer of Logan.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Darlene Aldrich

August 5, 2008

Darlene Ruth Aldrich, 80, of Belmond and formerly of Rowan, died on Sunday, July 27, 2008, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, August 5, at the Dugger Funeral Home in Belmond, with Pastor JoAn Skyrme officiating. Inurnment was in the Graceland Cemetery near Rowan.

Darlene and twin brother, Daryle were born to James Edward and Minnie Margaret Ehler Ryan on December 11, 1927 in Rockwell City. She attended school in Rockwell City, Dows and Rowan.

Darlene married Roland Aldrich on June 1, 1964. They made their home south of Rowan until Roland's death. On June 1, 1996, Darlene moved to the Belmond Community Apartments where she made many friends. She loved helping with the congregate meals and was always willing to do something for someone who needed help. She moved to the Belmond Health Care Center in December 1999.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Daryle, Harold, Walter and Glen Ryan; sisters, Alice Slatkoske, Ethel Korth and Jean Walrod; and step-son, Dennis Aldrich.

Darlene is survived by brother, Ed (Marjorie) Ryan of Belmond; sister, Elsie Rockow Schroeder (Wilbur) of Dows; step-children, Holly Herren, Leilani Johnston, Janet Mesarvy, James Aldrich and Curtis Aldrich; and sister-in-law, Verna Ryan.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Stanley Olsen

August 5, 2008

Stanley D. Olsen, 61, of Rowan, died on Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 2, at the Belmond United Methodist Church, with Pastor Mark Pluff and Pastor Mike Druhl officiating. Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery near Rowan, with military rites provided by the Rowan American Legion, Unit 159.

Stanley David, the son of Harold and Ina (Schmidt) Olsen, was born on August 29, 1946 in Belmond. He graduated from the Belmond High School in 1964. He attended Mankato Business School, graduating from the three-year program in two years. Stan was drafted into the Army in 1967. He and Peggy White were married at the St. John's Catholic Church in Clarion in 1970.

Stan worked as an accountant for a number of firms, including Central Soya and Kiefer Built, before he began his own accounting firm in 1974. He was a community-minded individual, serving with the ambulance as well as the fire department in Rowan. He was a member of the Rowan American Legion and King Solomon Lodge #210 in Belmond. Stan was a member of the Belmond-Klemme School Board for the last three years. He was also an avid sportsman, enjoying duck hunting and trapping. Collecting antiques and attending auctions were hobbies Stan thoroughly enjoyed. His family and grandchildren were his pride and joy.

Preceding Stan in death are his parents and an infant son, David.

Stan is survived by his wife, Peg; daughter, Stephanie (Matt) Peters of Colfax; son, Dan (Tammie) of Central Asia; grandchildren, Ellie, Allison and Sarah Peters and Hannah Olsen; and brothers, Dr. Steven (Pam) Olsen of Belmond and Karl (Marilyn) Olsen of Clarion.
©Belmond Independent 2008