J. Clair Nettleton

Published: Monday, August 4, 2008

J. Clair Nettleton, 87, of Greene, died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, at the Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

A funeral Mass for Clair Nettleton will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greene. Monsignor Walter Brunken will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be held in Rose Hill Cemetery in Greene. Military honors will be conducted by the Tack-Barnett Legion Post 268 of Greene.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday where there will be a Vigil Scriptural Wake Service at 7 p.m. followed by the reciting of the Rosary. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Wednesday.

Joseph Clair Nettleton was born on Feb. 9, 1921 in rural Greene, Iowa, the son of Louis and Katherine (Loughren) Nettleton. On Dec. 31, 1947, he married the love of his life, Evalyn Poppe, at St. John’s in Waterloo. Clair grew up in rural Greene and was active on the family farm until enlisting in the Army in February 1942. Clair served on active duty in England and France before receiving his honorable discharge in November 1945. Upon his return to Iowa, he farmed with his family until 1946 when he started working at the Oliver Tractor assembly in Charles City until 1955. Clair then farmed in rural Floyd County 22 years before taking a job with the State of Iowa in 1977. He retired as Manager of the State Liquor Store in Clarksville in 1987. He also worked part time at Greene Farm Equipment Services for more than 25 years until 2003. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, American Legion, V.F.W, and the Iowa Draft Pony Hall of Fame after being inducted in 1999 during a ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. His interests included his family, ponies and parades, chuck wagon races, homemade cherry ice cream, and playing cards.

Living family members include his wife Evalyn (Greene); his sons Bruce (Marti) Nettleton of Woodbury, Minn. and Joe (Lori) Nettleton of Charles City; five grandchildren Vanessa (Dan) Kuder, Renee’ Nettleton, Marc Nettleton, Sofie Nettleton and J. Ryan Nettleton, Ill.; One great grandson Joshua Kuder; One brother Jim (Marilyn) Nettleton; three sisters Marge (Jim) Mayer, Ellie (Jim) Hebert, and MaryAnn (Jack) Aurand; two Aunts Ceil Maxson and Loretta Loughren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Mary Eileen, and two brothers, Gerald (Gene) and Bill Nettleton.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.

                      Posted on 08/04/2008 by Gene Manning

Brandee J. Jeffries

Published: Tuesday, August 5, 2008

MARBLE ROCK — Brandee J. Jeffries, 31 of 317 Park St. Marble Rock died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, following a motor vehicle accident near Marble Rock.

A celebration of Brandee’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Roseville. Officiating will be the Rev. Walter Brunkan. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Tuesday at Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., Charles City, and one hour prior to services at the church school in Roseville. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Rudd. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Brandee J. Jeffries memorial fund. Anyone wishing to extend sympathies or condolences to the family or share stories may leave them at the funeral home website at www.Fullertonfh.com

Brandee Johanna was born on May 22, 1977, along with her twin sister Brooke in Charles City, the daughter of Harvey and Sharon “Fike” Jeffries. She graduated from Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Community Schools in 1995. While in school she farmed with Allen Burnett. Later she worked at the Target, Field Stone in Northwood, until its closing and then did day care. Her attention and love for children followed her all her life and she was always participating and helping kids. The last eight years she worked in various positions with Ft. Dodge Animal Health Center in Charles City. Brandee was active for many years in coaching summer girls softball, playing in a volleyball league and enjoyed playing in weekend tournaments, and camping with her family and friends. She was known for collecting Coors Light memorabilia.

Brandee will be sorely missed by her two daughters, Elizabeth K. Schweizer age 9, along with her dad Brad, and Avaree Johanna Jeffries, age 2-?, and her dad Eric Hopper, both of Marble Rock; her mother and father, Harvey and Sharon Jeffries of Rudd; her sisters Brooke and her husband Levi Towsley, and Brittany Jeffries, both of Rudd; two special nieces, Bryana Jeffries and Alysa Towsley; and one special nephew, Clayton Towsley; Her paternal grandmother Shirley and her husband Joe Crooks, Mason City; three aunts, Margaret Powell, Roxane Francis and Delores Fike; two uncles, Bruce and his wife Laurie and Tim and his wife Cheryl Jeffries.

Her maternal grandparents Lillian and Clayton Fike; one aunt, Marty Fitzgerald and one uncle, John Fike, preceded her in death.

Fullerton Hage Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Blunt, Charles City, (641) 228-4211, www.Fullertonfh.com is in charge of the arrangements.

David W. Schmitt

Published: Tuesday, August 5, 2008

MASON CITY — David W. Schmitt, 59, of 118 Main St. Rockford, died Sunday, Aug. 3, 2008, at his residence.

Memorial services will be held 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Fullerton Funeral Home 302 West Main, Rockford. Officiating will be the Rev. Michael Schueller.

A gathering for family and friends will be from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Full Military rites will be held at Riverside Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Humane Society or to Hospice of North Iowa. If you wish to leave stories, condolences, or thoughts you may do so at the funeral home web site at www.Fullertonfh.com

David Walter was born on Aug. 27, 1948, in Charles City the son of Nickolas John and Dorothy Alida “Geisler” Schmitt. He graduated from Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Community School in 1966. For the next two years he worked with his father on the family farm. He then honorably served his country in the Army in Vietnam. Upon his return to Rockford he continued farming. David was united in marriage to Sylvia Louise Tegtmeier on March 3, 1971 in Canton, S.D. To this union was born four children. David was an avid mushroom hunter and passed his secret spots on to his sons. He also wet his fishing line in the rivers and ponds near Rockford. One of his biggest loves was caring for his miniature Dachshunds Oscar, Ziggy, and Zag. He enjoyed having breakfast and coffee with his many friends in Rockford. He watched Judge Judy and playing Kong and other card games with his family and friends.

David is survived by his four children, including his daughter Chantel Schmitt and her husband Pat of New Orleans; three sons: Tony Schmitt of Rockford, Luke Schmitt of Cedar Falls and Mark Schmitt, Ely, Minn.; nine grandchildren: Carrigan and Colbie Schmitt, Colin DeVary, Wyatt, Maverick, and Marshall Schmitt, Skylar Reis, Amber Ringgenberg and Christina Susk; his special friend Debra Benttine, Rockford; his brother Nick and his wife Janice Schmitt, Osage; his sister Joan Korth, McLean, Neb.; several nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

His parents Nickolas and Dorothy Schmitt, brother-in-law Ron Korth, and his nephew David N. Schmitt preceded him in death.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 302 West Main, Rockford, (641) 756-3311, www.Fullertonfh.com is in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Cay Coacher

Published: Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Mary Cay Coacher, 64, of Charles City, died Monday, Aug. 4, 2008, at the Dumont Wellness Center in Dumont.

Private graveside services will be held Thursday, Aug. 7, at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City. Pastor Gary Van Wert of Trinity United Methodist Church will officiate.

Mary Cay Coacher was born June 23, 1944, at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., the daughter of Kenneth and Dorothy (Chapler) Coacher. Mary was physically and mentally challenged from birth due to cerebral palsy. She has resided at the Dumont Wellness Center since October of 1985 where she received unbelievably kind and professional care.

Mary Cay is survived by her parents, Kenneth and Dorothy Coacher of Charles City; a sister, Barbara Thorsen of Maple Grove, Minn.; an aunt and uncle, Beth and Jack McCabe of Ft. Dodge; four cousins, Beverly (James) Conklin of Plainfield, Jeanne (Hugo) Meisser of Sun City, Ariz., Dennis McCabe of Waterloo and Dianne Krebs of Ft. Dodge.

Despite her non-verbal circumstances, Mary Cay created much joy. Being blessed with her life taught those who knew her much about living, loving and priorities. Our fervent prayer is that Mary Cay’s heavenly life be problem free.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.

                   Posted on 08/05/2008 by Gene Manning

Walter Russ

Published: Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Walter Russ, 68, of Charles City, died Thursday, June 26, 2008, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

Graveside services for Walter Russ will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City. Pastor Roger Russ will officiate.

Those attending the service are welcome to gather at the funeral home by 10:15 a.m. and proceed to the cemetery together.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.

Sister Mary Kathleen Saunders

Published: Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Sister Mary Kathleen Saunders, RSM, 98, died on Monday, Aug. 4, 2008 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Cedar Rapids, after a brief illness.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, by Rev. David Ambrosy. Burial will be at the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Sacred Heart Chapel with a vigil service at 6 p.m. Arrangements are with Stewart Funeral Home.

Sister Mary Kathleen was born on Aug. 23, 1909, in Cumberland, Iowa the daughter of John and Mary Dolan Saunders. She entered the Sisters of Mercy Cedar Rapids Community on June 25, 1928 and professed final vows on June 23, 1934.

Sister Mary Kathleen attended Mount Mercy Academy and was a member of the first graduating class of Mount Mercy Junior College in Cedar Rapids in 1930. She furthered her education receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in elementary education at Loras College in Dubuque and a Master’s degree from St. Louis University. Sister Kathleen spent most of her ministry as a teacher at Immaculate Conception in Charles City; St. Matthew’s, Immaculate Conception and Regis High School in Cedar Rapids; St. Matthew’s in Kalispell, Montana; Sacred Heart in Oelwein; Sacred Heart in Waterloo; and St. Joseph’s in DeWitt. In between her ministry as an educator, Sister Mary Kathleen served as the Directress of Novices at Our Lady of Mercy Novitiate in Marion and Cedar Rapids from 1953 - 1965. She retired in 1987 and resided at Sacred Heart Convent in Cedar Rapids.

In addition to the Sisters of Mercy, Sister Mary Kathleen is survived by a sister, Corita Saunders of Atlantic; a sister-in-law, Mildred Saunders of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Rev. Charles, Timothy; a twin brother, Gerald; and two sisters, Josepha and Regina.

Memorials may be sent to the Sisters of Mercy at 1125 Prairie Drive NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

John Shannon

Published: Wednesday, August 6, 2008

AMES — John Burton Shannon, a resident of Riverside Manor in Ames, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008, at Riverside Manor.

Visitation will be from 5 -7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Adams Funeral Home in Ames, with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m. Interment will be held at a later date at the Horton Cemetery in rural Bremer County, near Waverly. John will be laid to rest next to his mother in a family setting.

John was born April 3, 1927, in Charles City Township, Floyd County, to Raymond H. Shannon and Ruth A. (Smith) Shannon. John’s father was a carpenter and farmer and his mother a homemaker.

John spent his early years on farms in the Nashua and Charles City area. When he was five he was placed in the Woodward State Hospital in Woodward. While a resident of Woodward, John deeply enjoyed his family visits, or the rare visit back to his family home. At age 19, he moved to the Kansas City area where he worked washing dishes in numerous restaurants near the Kansas City stockyards.

In 1971, John moved to Ames, where he worked as a dishwasher and bus boy at various restaurants, including his favorite job washing dishes at Perkins. Many people came to know John as he walked from place to place in Ames, always sporting a full white beard, and his unique limp as a result of the polio he had as a child. In the late 1980’s, John worked part time at Becker Underwood doing odd jobs in the warehouse and cleaning.

In 1989, John suffered a series of debilitating strokes causing him to lose the use of his left arm. It was at this time that Roger and Connie Underwood of Ames became his legal guardians. John was moved to the Grand Avenue Care Center where he lived for several years. In 1998, he was relocated to the Story County Community Life living facility in north Ames, then later to Riverside Manor nursing home. John made legions of friends wherever he lived, and enjoyed his different jobs at the Story County Development Center.

John was happy with simple things such as breakfast at the Grove Cafe; a strong cup of black coffee; a good conversation with anyone [who] would talk to him and a long drive in the country just looking at things.

John was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Allene Roeder, and a brother Clarence Shannon. He is survived by two half sisters, Carol Annett of Creswell, Oregon, and LaVonne Hartson of Fredericksburg; a sister-in-law Ruth Shannon of Des Moines; a half brother Raymond Shannon of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Arvin Foell and his family, of Kelley.

Memorial donations may be made to Story County Community Life Program at 124 South Hazel. Ames, IA 50010. In lieu of a memorial donation, volunteer your time and service to someone who is in need of a helping hand.

Adams Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 502 Douglas Ave., Ames, (515) 232-5121, www.soderstrumadams.com is in charge of the arrangements.

                         Posted on 08/06/2008 by Gene Manning

Catherine Teeple

Published: Thursday, August 7, 2008

GREENE — Funeral services for Catherine Teeple, 91, of 206 South First Street, Greene, will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Greene. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Greene.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at Reid’s Funeral Chapel, 519 N. First St., Greene, and will continue at the Church, Saturday, one hour before services.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Catherine Teeple Memorial Fund in care of the family which will be divided between the Greene Public Library and the United Methodist Church.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Reid’s Funeral Chapel, Greene, (641) 823-4457.

Beverly Jean Bartlett

Published: Thursday, August 7, 2008

STANWOOD, Wash. — Beverly Bartlett’s kitchen is quiet today. The oven is cold, and the coffee pot and chairs around the kitchen table are empty. Beverly died Aug, 5 at age 73 at the Josephine Nursing facility in Stanwood, Wash., of multiple medical conditions that she had been suffering with for a number of years. Known for her conversation, sense of humor, baked goods, and strong, black coffee, Beverly was a warm and welcoming presence. She will be missed by all those who came into her life.

Daughter of Robert and Mary (Fuquay) Dennis, Beverly Jean was born in the hard times of the 1930s in Des Moines. She lost her mother at an early age and was placed in an orphanage until 1943, when she was adopted by Cleo (McGinn) and Erwin Wietgrefe of Boyd. The family lived on a farm, and Beverly attended the Boyd country school. When the family moved to New Hampton, she studied at St. Joseph Parochial School and New Hampton High School. Beverly played piano and was active in band (clarinet), pep club, and her favorite of all - the drama club. She graduated in 1952.

Bev met the love of her life, Ralph E. “Bud” Bartlett of Charles City during her senior year in high school. They eloped to Minneapolis and were married on Oct. 13, 1952. Beverly followed Bud to Fort Chaffee, Ark., where he was stationed, and where she worked as a secretary. Once out of the army, Bud, Beverly and baby Kerry moved to Charles City, where Bud co-managed the Charles City Creamery with his father and mother, Ralph A. and Anne Bartlett. Beverly and Bud raised five children and hosted four “Youth for Understanding” foreign exchange students. And while her children always had pet cats, dogs, guinea pigs, parakeets, guppies and eventually a parrot that one of the dogs ate, it was “Mom” who really took care of them, and everyone one else as well.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, Bev was a Girl Scout leader and a teacher’s aide at Immaculate Conception School. She also worked part-time at several women’s clothing retail shops. She was a great organizer and planner, and she knew how to get things done. What her children remember most is that Mom was always home for us. She encouraged us to bring friends home and would always have something freshly baked to offer, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on when needed. She loved music and dancing and taught her daughters how to polka, jitterbug, and swing dance.

Her welcoming spirit was at its highest during the holiday season, when she decorated the whole house. We would go to school in the morning and return home to a winter wonderland with tabletops covered with elf-lands and miniature ice skaters, a tree that often scraped the ceiling, doorknobs adorned in foil with a bell, fresh evergreen boughs everywhere, and Christmas records playing clear through early January. She played a mean version of “Marshmallow World” on the piano. Her holiday baking of what seems like thousands of cookies, breads and cinnamon rolls was non-stop until Christmas Day.

Bev, Bud and their daughter Kelley moved to Mason City, then to Bethany, and eventually to the Seattle/Everett Wash., area to be closer to their other children. Bev created a community of friends no matter where they settled. While in Washington, she collected teddy bears and had several teddy-bear picnics with her granddaughter Caitlyn Rose. Bev also wrote stories about the secret lives that each of her teddy bears lived, to the amusement of her children and the delight of her grandchildren. She was passionate that all people and animals be treated well.

Bev encouraged her children to live life with an open heart and mind. She always maintained a positive attitude and passed that along to us as well. We are comforted that in her passing she will again be with her beloved “Bud” and that once again they will be the “Bartlett Pair.” Beverly is survived by her five children: Kelley, Karol, Kay, Kim and Kerry; their spouses: Chris, Marguerite, George, Gregory, Vivian; and four grandchildren: Caitlyn, Lee, Robert and Matthew. We extend our thanks to the staff of both the Josephine Sunset Nursing facility and the Skagit Valley Hospice for their loving care and support.

                      Posted on 08/07/2008 by Gene Manning

Lee Parson

Published: Friday, August 8, 2008

Lee Parson, 63, of Charles City, died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

Funeral services for Lee Parson will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor David Werges will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery at Charles City. Military honors will be conducted by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 3-6 p.m. Sunday. Visitation will continue Monday at the church an hour prior to the service.

Lee Roland Parson was born Jan. 23, 1945, at New Hampton, the son of Roland and Iva (Bittner) Parson. He graduated from Charles City High School in 1962. Lee proudly served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968. On Nov. 8, 1969, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Rassman at Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church in Riceville. He worked as a tool and die maker for many years, owned and operated Machine Tool Engineering until 1990 and then worked for Trimark as a Process Engineer until retiring. His memberships include Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church and AA for 31 years. He enjoyed dancing, camping, growing house plants, hot summer days, playing Cribbage and watching the Vikings and Twins. Family was always important to Lee. He took special interest in all that they were doing including supporting his son’s coaching career and most importantly enjoying his grandchildren.

Living family members include his wife, Dorothy Parson of Charles City; three children, Jason (Shelly) Parson of New Hampton, Justin (Mindy) Parson of LaPorte City and Janette (Kevin) Martens of Urbandale; three granddaughters, Katlyn and Ruby Parson and Camryn Martens; three brothers, Gene (Connie) Parson of Charles City, Wayne (Mary Jo) Parson of Ionia and Gary (Jan) Parson of Clarksville; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved cat, Max.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa Charles City Site, 1003 Gilbert Street, Charles City, IA 50616.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.

Camilla F. Struble

Published: Friday, August 8, 2008

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City for Camilla F. Struble, 90, of Charles City, who died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, at Cedar Health in Charles City

                      Posted on 08/08/2008 by Gene Manning

Glenn Walker

Published: Monday, August 11, 2008

Glenn Walker, 85, of Rockford, died Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, at Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services for Glenn Walker will be held 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Pastor Patricia Shaw, of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rockford, will officiate. Burial will be in Sunnyside Memory Gardens rural Charles City. There will be a flag presentation by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home from 12:30 p.m. until service time on Wednesday.

Glenn Archie Walker was born Dec. 4, 1922, at Grundy Center, the son of Archie and Linnie (Baker) Walker. He received his education at Elma. Glenn proudly served in the United States Army during World War II. On July 25, 1949, he was united in marriage to Janet Amsden. Glenn worked for many years at the Oliver/White Farm Corporation as a machine operator. He was a member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. His interests included hunting, fishing, sightseeing, working word puzzles and putting puzzles together.

Living family members include three children, Ronald Walker of Colo., Ronda Rinehammer of Ind., and Roxanne (Gary) Daniel of Bondurant; seven grandchildren, Brian Walker, Casey Daniel, Nichole, Colleen and Shane Walker, and Brent and James Rinehammer; three great grandchildren, two brothers, Clifford (Arlene) Walker