Robert Erickson

March 11, 2008

Robert J. Erickson, 83, of Belmond, died suddenly on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at the Belmond Medical Center.

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

Robert, the youngest son of Alvin B. and Pearl (Thompson) Erickson, was born on August 13, 1924 on his parents' farm near Kanawha. He attended the District #1 Norway Township School and graduated from the Kanawha High School in 1942, the same year his mother died from cancer. Bob assisted his father on the farm during WW II.

Robert married Ruth Jean Baker on June 17, 1945, at her home near Belmond. They made their home on farms near Kanawha, Belmond and Latimer, farming thirty years. In 1976, Bob and Ruth moved to the grove south of Belmond. Bob worked as an agent and adjuster for hail insurance companies and Ruth taught school in Belmond. Bob continued as an adjuster into his 80's.

Bob was a life long member of the St. Olaf Lutheran, being baptized and confirmed there. He held numerous offices and served on various church committees, and he sang with the men's group and quartet at the church. Bob was a long and active member of the Belmond Lions Club, serving in various offices. He received the Warren Coleman Award as well as other recognitions for his service to the organization and community. Bob served many years in 4-H and FFA leadership roles, had been a Babe Ruth coach and enjoyed singing in community choruses.

Bob enjoyed working the soil, whether farming, gardening or yardwork. Favorite pastimes included watching song birds, wild turkeys and deer in the couple's wooded backyard, the spectacle and the beauty of the roses and other flowers, and listening to the sounds of nature. He enjoyed fishing trips to Leech Lake, woodworking, watching sports (especially Twins games) and nearly anything that included being in the presence of his family, whether it was the camaraderie and friendly competition of the "Annual Family Cookie Bake Off", get togethers for birthday celebrations and other special events, family excursions into the woods to search for wild mushrooms, or time spent enjoying fellowship and food around the fire. He was the number one fan and cheerleader at the sporting events and other activities of his children and grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Virgil Ruth; brothers, David and Bernard; brothers-in-law, Harold, Donald and Duane Baker; sisters-in-law, Zada Erickson, Leone, Elaine and Lydia Baker; and daughter-in-law, Barbara Erickson.

Survivors include wife, Ruth; sons, James Erickson and fiancée, Judy Dieken of Waverly and Jeffrey (Sue) Erickson of Belmond; daughters, Rebbecca Sue (Allan) Menning and Beth Ann (Jeffrey) Jaacks, all of Hampton; grandchildren, Captain Dana Pape and her husband, Chris, USAF, Little Rock, Arkansas, Brenda Erickson and her fiancée, Allen Ernst of Dubuque, Joshua (Chriszma) Erickson, USN, Lakeside, California, Kimberly Erickson of Tekamah, Nebraska, Kacie (Brandon) Bonjour of Ankeny, Lindsey Jaacks and her fiancée, Josh Showalter of Sheffield, and Jeremy Jaacks of Hampton; brother-in-law, Richard Baker of Tulsa, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Betty Baker of Washington Court House, Ohio; and great-grandson, JC Erickson.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Gary J. Pals

March 11, 2008
April 10, 2008

Gary J. Pals, a.k.a. Captain Cabella, 51, of Boise, Idaho, died on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at the St. Luke's Boise Regional Medical Center, his place of employment for the past seventeen years.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 8, in Boise, Idaho. A memorial service will also be held on Saturday, April 19, at 2:30 p.m., at the Dugger Funeral Home in Belmond. The family will be hosting a celebration of Gary's life at the Cattleman's Steak and Provision in Belmond, immediately following the service.

Gary Johan, was born on October 24, 1956 in Belmond, to Johan and Ann (Cooper) Pals. He graduated from the Belmond High School in 1974 and went to Rochester Community College where he graduated with an associates degree in nursing in 1976. Through 1977, he worked at the Winneshiek County Hospital until his longing for the great outdoors urged him to move west.

He found his permanent home in Boise in 1978. He worked as an emergency room nurse at the Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center until 1983 and then moved to Omaha where he attended Creighton University and became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and earned a Bachelors Degree. From 1985 through 1989, Gary worked as a nurse anesthetist at the Gooding (ID) Memorial Hospital and then the Boise VA Medical Center. In early 1990 he became one of the original staff members of Anesthesia Associates of Boise and worked at St. Luke's Boise until November 2007 when he retired. He was an active member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.

The outdoors was Gary's spiritual connection to life. He loved spending time hunting, camping and hiking in the northwest, Alaska and Canada. Gary was an expert rifleman and avid hunter, with one of his greatest trophies being a bull moose listed in Boone & Crockett. He was an active member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, National Rifle Association, Safari Club International, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep.

Gary met the love of his life and soul mate, Darlene Hogan in 2006 and was blessed with having her at his side the past two years.

He was preceded in death in 2007 by his parents, Johan and Ann Pals.

He is survived by sisters, Beverly (Brian) O'Donnell of Wisconsin Rapids and Susan (Ted) Long of Leawood, Kansas; nieces and nephews, Amy (O'Donnell) Hoffman, Brent O'Donnell and Kaitlin Long; and great-niece and nephew, Allie and Devin Hoffman.
©Belmond Independent 2008

D. H. Lewis

April 10, 2008

Duard Henry Lewis, 80, a Klemme native, most recently a resident of Logan, New Mexico, died on Friday, March 7, 2008, at the Scottsdale Health Care Shea Facility in Arizona, following a battle with COPD.

Memorial services, followed by military honors and inurnment in the Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme, will take place at a later date. Memorials may also be sent in Duard's memory to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Fund, which assists employees injured or killed in the line of duty.

A full obituary will be released later. The Andrews Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Luvern Kolbet

March 18, 2008

Luvern Kolbet, 90, formerly of Charles City, died on Thursday, March 13, 2008, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 17, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City, with Reverend Carl Ries celebrating the Mass. Burial was in the Saint Mary's Cemetery in Roseville with military honors by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit and the Alta Vista Post 4069.

Luvern Charles was born December 7, 1917 at Alta Vista, the son of John and Caroline (Glaser) Kolbet. He received his education at Alta Vista and served in the United States Army during World War II. On May 1, 1946 he married Virginia Nixt at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Roseville. They farmed all their lives in the Alta Vista and Marble Rock areas, retiring to Charles City in 1994. Virginia died in 2004.

Luvern was a member of Immaculate Conception, Knights of Columbus, Farm Bureau, Catholic Order of Foresters, the V.F.W. at Alta Vista and the American Legion at Marble Rock. His interests included watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, telling stories and playing games. Luvern's family, especially his grandchildren, were very special to him, and they will always carry with them the memories of their times together.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; great-grandson, Elijah Brock; brothers, Leonard, Louis and Linus; and sister, Luella Phippen.

Survivors include his children, Paula Kolbet of Sioux City, Steven Kolbet and special friend, Carolyn Hedland of Marble Rock, Charles (Gloria) Kolbet of Manchester, Marlene (Daniel) Greeny of Allen, Nebraska, Nancy (Michael) Hogle of Manteca, California, Karen (Michael) Newman of Clarion and Kimberly (Brian) Mason of Belmond; grandchildren, Rae Ann Kolbet, Matthew (Theresa) Kolbet, Maranda (Andrew) Brock, MacKenzie (Mystique) Kolbet, Mason (Ashlie) Kolbet, Weston and Callie Hogle, Laurel, Alisa and Hillary Newman, Lindsey and Madelyn Mason and Shayla Cole; great-grandchildren, Keegan, Kinley, Kennedy and Kirstyn Kolbet and Alexis Kolbet; brother, Leo (Millie) Kolbet of Elma; and sisters, Lois (Jack) McAvoy of Elma and Lola (Bill) Boss of Charles City.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Fonda Heifner

March 25, 2008

Fonda Heifner, 68, of Klemme, died on Saturday, March 15, 2008, at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 20, at the Britt Evangelical Free Church with burial in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme.

Fonda Mae, the daughter of Warren and Clara (Nuehring) Bier, was born July 20, 1939 in rural Kanawha. She was raised in the Klemme area, attended country school, and graduated from Klemme High School in 1957. She later attended Hamilton Business School for two years.

Fonda worked in a local grocery store for a couple years and married Carrol Heifner on August 26, 1959 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Fonda and Carrol lived on a farm in the Buffalo Center area until 1970. In 1971 they attended Bible college in Omaha which led them to work at the Midwest Indian Missionary in Crandon, Wisconsin. They then returned to Iowa where Fonda taught preschool in the Renwick area for three years. In 1984 they made their home in Klemme.

Fonda was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Belmond. She was an avid bird watcher and enjoyed sewing as well as playing dominoes and cards. Spending time with family, especially the grandchildren, was a highlight in her life. Fonda will be remembered for helping with the planning of Nuehring family reunions, the Nuehring newsletter, and the Nuehring Family Cookbook.

She was preceded in death by her parents and infant daughter, Twyla Rae.

Fonda is survived by her husband; sons, Galen (Jeanette) of Wausau, WIisconsin, Calvin (Leslie) of Belmond and Lowell (Patti) of Garner; grandchildren, Jessie, Tracy, Thomas, Cory, Brandon and Kirsten; step-grandchildren, PaNyia, PaKou, Nub Qub, Jami and Kyle; and great-grandchildren, Carter, Ezra, Makayla and Koby.
©Belmond Independent 2008

DeLoris Lowenberg

March 25, 2008

DeLoris E. Lowenberg, 81, of Belmond, died peacefully on Thursday, March 20, 2008, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 25, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, with Father Chris Podhasky officiating. Burial was in the St. Francis Cemetery.

DeLoris, the daughter of Fred and Irene Wieland, was born on March 9, 1927 in Kanawha. She graduated from Kanawha High School in 1944.

DeLoris married Merlin Lowenberg on February 14, 1948. They made their home in Belmond where she worked for the telephone company. They later moved to an acreage north of Belmond that she and her family farmed. She worked for the Acco Seed Company and PSI for many years.

DeLoris was a member of St. Francis Xavier and the Catholic Daughters. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, spending time with friends, and the Kensington Group.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Marilyn; and brother, Vernon.

DeLoris is survived by daughters, Cynthia (Buster) Lind and children, Peter and Carmen and great-granddaughter, Jasmine of Lakeville, Minnesota; Marsha Gerten and children, Amy and Will and great-granddaughter, Jayden of Hugo, Minnesota; Jolene Dirks and son, Chad and his wife, Lesley of Belmond; and sister, Maryls (Jerry) Peterson of Britt.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Ina Stille

April 29, 2008

Ina Stille, 91, of Garner, died on Monday, March 24, 2008, at the Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City.

Ina Augusta, the daughter of John and Augusta (Jacobs) Bergerfer, was born on December 29, 1916 east of Belmond. She graduated from the Belmond High School in 1934. Later in life she attended college and taught school in a one-room schoolhouse and did some substituting in schools in the Hancock County area.

Ina and George Stille were married on October 16, 1934, in the parsonage in Klemme. She and George made their home in Spencer where George worked road construction for seven years. They returned to Goodell in 1941, living east of town for 50 years. They moved to the Prairie View Apartments in Garner in 1998.

Ina was a very active member of the Goodell United Methodist Church, teaching Sunday School as well as taking part in Bible School. She enjoyed making crafts, sewing, growing flowers and canning vegetables from her garden.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Gloria Stille; son-in-law, "Mac" Dresbach; brother, Boyd; and sisters, Doris, Edna and Lola.

Ina is survived by her daughters, Maxine Dresbach of Mason City and Sharyl (Marlin) Stadtlander of Garner; sons, Kenton (Carol) of Poolville, Texas and Lynn (Janice) of Davenport; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and sister, Garnet Beenan of Newton.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Dolorys C. Reinhart

April 1, 2008

Dolorys C. Reinhart, 89, died on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, in Denver, Colorado after a short battle with cancer. Memorial services will be held this summer in Iowa.

Dolorys Emily was born November 14, 1918 to Jule and Nellie Cook. She was raised on a farm southeast of Klemme. She graduated from Morningside College with a degree in music education and took additional music training at MacPhail School of Music. She taught school at Allen, Nebraska and Alleman, Iowa, where she met her future husband, William Reinhart, whom she married in 1944.

She then became a farm wife on her family farm where she continued to be actively involved in the community and her church, directing and participating in many musical events. Dolorys returned to teaching in the Britt, Kanawha and Belmond school districts, retiring after 23 years. Dolorys and Bill retired to Mesa, Arizona in 1988 where she was involved in many church, chorus and volunteer activities. She always maintained close ties to friends and family in Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents and son-in-law Alan Anthony.

Dolorys is survived by her husband of Mesa; daughters, Merrie June Murray of Urbandale, Nancy (Robert) Erickson of Minneapolis and Susan Anthony of Denver; grandsons, Jay and Chad Erickson; granddaughter, Deborah (Scott) Finger; and great-granddaughter, Emily Finger.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Richard Kolpin

April 8, 2008

Richard A. Kolpin, 63, died on Thursday, March 27, 2008, at his home in Kennewick, Washington.

Memorial services and celebration of his life, was held on Saturday, April 5, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Belmond.

Richard "Dick" was born on June 6, 1944, to Richard and Minnie (Erdman) Kolpin. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. John in Belmond. He graduated from the Belmond High School in 1962 and moved to California. He served two years in the U.S. Army and then continued his employment with the Ford Motor Co. He later worked for UnoCal, eventually transferring to Kennewick. He recently retired.

Dick was preceded in death by his father; step-father, Harris Johnson; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Survivors include his wife, Wendy of Kennewick; sons, Allen and Brandon Kolpin of California; mother, Minnie Johnson of Belmond; sister, Karleen (David) Humphrey of Clear Lake; brothers, Dallas (Paula) Johnson and David (Ruth) Johnson of Belmond; step-children, David and Jennifer; and grandson, Brandon Kolpin.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Pat Junker

April 1, 2008

Pat Junker, 66, of Meservey, died on Friday, March 28, 2008, under hospice care at her home.

Services were held on Monday, March 31, at Salem United Methodist Church in Meservey with Rev. Rose Calderon-Khan officiating and Pastor Loren Stoneberg with a time of sharing. Interment will be at Meservey Cemetery.

Patricia Ann was born May 10, 1941 near Aredale, a daughter of Marion and Dorothy (Stewart) Gibson. She attended country schools until the third grade and the Greene Community School where she graduated in 1959.

On October 2, 1960 Pat married Robert Wayne Junker at Bristow. They made their home in Meservey. Pat worked at the Thornton school as a secretary. Later she earned her insurance license and began working for Jaspersen Insurance and then Huntbatch Insurance in Rockwell.

Pat was very active in her community, serving as Meservey library treasurer, on the Meservey library board, on the Meservey town council, and on the landfill board. She was a member of the county extension board, and for over 35 years she served as a 4-H leader. She was recipient of the 4-H Alumni Award and in 2006 was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame. She enjoyed sewing for other people, making wedding and bridesmaid dresses and doing alterations. For the last ten years she organized the Wayne Junker Memorial Tennis Camp each summer in Meservey.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents; son, Wayne in 1991; sister, Nancy Reams; and brother, David Gibson.

She is survived by her husband; daughter, Toni (Gregg) Fliss of Belmond and their children, Kami Wenzel, Kara Wenzel, Jennifer (Mike) Colby, Grant Fliss, Ryan Fliss and Blake Fliss; son, Jeff Junker of Newton; daughter-in-law, Suzii Parsons of Stillwater, Oklahoma; step-great-grandson, Noan Colby; sister, Lynda (Mel) Primmer of New Hartford; and brother, Gary (LuAnn) Gibson of Greene.
©Belmond Independent 2008

Garth Lindsey

April 8, 2008

Garth W. Lindsey, 84, died on Monday, March 31, 2008, at the Parkridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Pleasant Hill.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 2, at the Boeke Funeral Home in Hubbard, with burial in the Hubbard Cemetery. A flag ceremony was provided by the Hubbard American Legion.

Garth Wilbur, was born on October 3, 1923 in Rowan, one of three children born to Clarence and Eva (Steffens) Lindsey. He grew up on the farm and graduated from the Rowan High School in 1941. He was inducted into the U.S. Army, serving in the Philippines and Japan during WW II. He was discharged as a Master Sergeant.

On September 12, 1953, Garth married to Margaret Broer at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They lived in various places throughout the Midwest as Garth spent 36 years working for the railroad as a train dispatcher and in the power bureau.

Garth was a Mason, a member of the American Legion, a member of the Presbyterian Church in Steamboat Rock, and a former member of Kiwanis International. He was passionate about fishing, traveling and the Chicago Cubs.

Garth was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy Beth Gram; and daughter-in-law, Angela Lindsey.

Survivors include his wife of Altoona; daughter, Joyce (Don) Ramus of Altoona; son, Gary of Olathe, Kansas; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and brother, Merle of Eldora.
©Belmond Independent 2008