Robert Strever

Robert Gilbert Strever, 91, of Clarion, died on Sunday, April 1, 2001, at the USA Health Care, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 3, at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion. Rev. Curt Miner officiated at the 2:00 p.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. The Willim Funeral Home of Clarion was in charge of the arrangements. 

Robert Gilbert Strever was born on March 13, 1910, in Lincoln Township, the son of George Strever and Lottie Gilbert. He attended school in Lincoln and Grant Townships before graduating from the Clarion High School. In 1928, he won a state wrestling championship. 

Robert and Irene Hradek were united in marriage in Cedar Rapids on April 8, 1941. He was in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Iowa City and Solon before going to work for the railroad. Robert retired from the railroad in 1974 after 36 years. He was an active member of the Railroad Brotherhood and the First Congregational Church in Clarion. He was also active with the Clarion Senior Center. 

Robert is survived by his wife, Irene; brother, John Strever and wife, Melvine of Marshalltown; sisters-in-law, Mildred Dennis and husband, Ben and Hazel Strever; one niece; and many other nieces and nephews. 

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; and four brothers, Donald, Victor, George and Frank.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Irene Bessie Strever

Irene Bessie Strever, 93, of Clarion, died on Wednesday, April 4, 2001, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 7, at the United Church of Christ Congregational, Clarion. Pastor Curt Miner officiated at the 2:00 p.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. The Willim Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. 

Irene Bessie Hradek was born on December 14, 1907, the daughter of William and Louise Pica Hradek in Iowa City. She was a graduate of the Iowa City High School before entering the University of Iowa and then on to the University of Michigan, where she received her degree in Occupational Therapy. Following graduation, Irene went to work in Syracuse, New York before returning to Iowa City to work for a physician. 

She and Robert Strever were united in marriage on April 8, 1941, in Cedar Rapids. Irene was a member of the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion. Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; one sister, Clara; and one brother, Joe. 

She is survived by one sister, Mildred Dennis.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Mary Jane Hawkins

Mary Jane Hawkins, 78, of West Des Moines, died on Wednesday, April 4, 2001, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines.

Funeral services were held on Friday, April 6, at the St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Des Moines and St. John’s Catholic Church in Clarion. Burial was in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Clarion, alongside her husband, Dr. Charles P. Hawkins, who died in 1981. 

Mary Jane Bormann was born in Cedar Rapids on July 14, 1922, the daughter of Gertrude and John Bormann. She graduated from the Immaculate Conception High School in Cedar Rapids and attended Clarke College in Dubuque with her twin sister, Mary Kay. 

She met her future husband, Charles Hawkins, when her brother, Johnny, then a student at Marquette University in Milwaukee, brought his best friend home to Cedar Rapids for a Thanksgiving holiday break. Mary Jane and Charles were engaged for four years while he was in the Army during World War II, fighting in the South Pacific, and Mary Jane worked for the Chamber of Commerce in Cedar Rapids. 

Mary Jane and Charles Hawkins were united in marriage in Cedar Rapids on February 28, 1946, and lived in Milwaukee where her husband attended medical school at Marquette. After Charles’ internship finished at the University of Iowa Hospital the couple moved from Iowa City to Clarion, just days after the birth of their fourth child.

For almost 30 years, while her husband was in practice with Drs. Robert Eaton, Robert McCool and Richard Young at the Clarion Clinic, Mary Jane was managing the growing Hawkins household.

Mary Jane was a member and president of St. Mary’s Circle at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Clarion. She helped win a city bowling title for her Monday night team at Hi-Hatt Lanes, volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels, and worked as a U.S. Census enumerator. She also put thousands of miles on her station wagon driving the children to Camp Fire, Girls and Boy Scout Summer Camps and was known for the numerous coffee klatches she hosted and attended with friends. 

She is survived by four daughters, Pat Busick of Des Moines, Peggy Janus and husband, Dr. Todd Janus of Gurnee, Illinois, Linda Heck of Urbandale and Anne Nordquist and husband, Gary of West Des Moines; five sons, Michael of Downers Grove, Illinois, Chuck of Arlington, Virginia, Dan of Adel, Peter of Olathe, Kansas and Joe of Urbandale; one sister, Anne Murray of Richfield, Ohio; 18 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John’s Catholic Church, Clarion.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Estella Marie Hansen

Estella Marie Hansen, 90, of Clarion, died on Thursday, April 12, 2001, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 14, at the Church of Christ, Clarion. Michael Whaley officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. The Willim Funeral Home, Clarion was in charge of the arrangements. 

Estella Marie Smith was born on June 1, 1911, in rural Wright County, the daughter of Sheldon and Rosa Belle (Shannon) Smith. Her family moved to Clarion when she was six years old. She attended school in Clarion and graduated with the class of 1929.

On June 21, 1929, she and H. Racine Wigg were united in marriage. To this union, four children were born, Marjorie, Donna, Phyllis and Robert. Racine passed away in 1960 and she later married Hans H. Hansen. Hans passed away in October of 1972.

Estella worked for the Department of Human Services for 23 years before retiring. After retirement she worked part time for the County Engineer’s Office for 10 years. She was a member of the Clarion Church of Christ, where she attended the Loyal Home Builders Sunday School Class. She was also a member of the Royal Neighbors of America, the Rebecca Lodge, the V.F.W. Auxiliary, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Lady Firemen of America. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, H. Racine Wigg and Hans H. Hansen; four brothers, Guy Smith, Dale Smith, Donald Smith and Lyle Smith; one sister, Helen Johnson; two grandchildren; one son, Robert who died on Friday, April 13, 2001. 

She is survived by three daughters, Marjorie Trees and husband, Paul of Belmond, Donna Belle Orte of Clarion and Phyllis Arthur of Mason City; daughter-in-law, Imogene Wigg of Clarion; 19 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Robert Wigg

Robert Wigg, 61, of Clarion, died on Friday, April 13, 2001, at the Community Memorial Hospital, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 16, at the Church of Christ in Clarion. Michael Whaley officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Lake Lutheran Cemetery, rural Renwick. The Willim Funeral Home of Clarion was in charge of the arrangements. 

Robert Wigg was born on May 4, 1939, at Clarion, the son of H. Racine and Estella Smith Wigg. He attended school at Clarion. 

On November 26, 1961, he and Imogene Heggen were united in marriage at the Church of Christ in Clarion. He worked in the construction of grain elevators and feed mills for Younglove Construction, Lambert Hamlin Construction, and Todd and Sargent Construction. He also worked for Hagie Manufacturing for a few years before working at Todd and Sargent Construction.

He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and served in all branches, Rebekah Lodge, Encampment and Canton Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Iowa from 1999-2000. He was also a member of the Royal Neighbors of America and the Clarion Church of Christ. He enjoyed calling bingo, hunting, fishing, traveling, and especially spending time with his family. 

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

He is survived by his four children, Richard Wigg and wife, Angel of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Katheryn Wigg of Farmingville, New York, Nickolene Sorensen and husband, Alan of Ankeny and Heather Wigg of Montrose, Minnesota; four grandchildren; three sisters, Marjorie Trees of Belmond, Donna Orte of Clarion and Phyllis Arthur of Mason City, and many other relatives and friends.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Telford

Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Telford died on Sunday, April 15, 2001. 

Elizabeth Ann Morgan was born on August 25, 1911, in Des Moines. She grew up in Clarion and graduated from the Clarion High School in 1929. 

She and George Telford were married on November 8, 1929. Three children were born to this union. She retired in 1974, after 23 years with Iowa Public Service and subsequently made her home in California. 

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, George; and one daughter, Margaret O’Kane.

She is survived by one son, Edward and wife, Irene of Spring Valley, California; one daughter, Sheila Banwell of Flint, Michigan; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Madeline Ellen Henely

Madeline Ellen (Mathews) Henely, 97, of Clarion, died on Sunday, April 15, 2001, at the Community Memorial Hospital, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Friday, April 20, at 10:30 a.m., at the St. John’s Catholic Church, Clarion. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. The Willim Funeral Home of Clarion was in charge of the arrangements. 

Madeline Ellen Mathews was born on February 4, 1904, at Eagle Grove, the daughter of Boyd and Nellie (Riley) Mathews. She attended schools at Waterloo, Eagle Grove, and Clarion where she graduated from high school. 

On April 24, 1920, she and George Raymond Henely were united in marriage at the Holy Family Catholic Church, Mason City, with Msgr. Murphy officiating at the ceremony. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Mason City, where George was an engineer for the Iowa Highway Commission. After many years in Mason City, George’s occupation moved the couple to Clarion where they were both very active members of the community. The couple wintered in California for 11 years following George’s retirement.

Madeline was active in the Humboldt Women’s Club, Golf Chairman at the Humboldt Country Club, program chairperson for the Red Cross in Mason City where she planned the programs for the Veterans Hospital in Des Moines, volunteer at Mercy Hospital, Department Head at Younkers, as well as being a member of the Professional Women’s Club and the Midland Club, both in Mason City.

While in Clarion, Madeline was an active member of the Clarmond Country Club, volunteered at Community Memorial Hospital, member of the Echo Club, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, and the Monday Club, and she was a loving member of St. John’s Catholic Church where she had been President of the Altar Guild. 

Madeline was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George in 1975; two sons, Richard and Robert; two brothers, Everett and Leo Mathews. 

She is survived by one sister, Grace M. Sower of Clarion; one son, Raymond Henely and wife, Margaret of Trenton, Missouri; two daughters-in-law, Jorine Henely of Algona and Hilda Henely of Des Moines; 13 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Donald E. Daggett

Donald Elisha Daggett, of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, died on Friday, April 20, 2001, at the Methodist Hospital after a lengthy illness.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 25, at the Peace Presbyterian Church, St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Interment was in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery with full military honors. 

Donald Elisha Daggett was born on October 27, 1930, in Clarion, the son of Roy and Elsie (Bowman) Daggett. He grew up in Clarion and joined the Army in July of 1949, serving until November 12, 1952. 

Donald and Doris Gruis (of Klemme) were united in marriage on September 5, 1953, and they moved to St. Louis Park (Minneapolis) Minnesota. Don worked for the Minneapolis Civil Defense Unit and was on the Minneapolis Police Reserve for nine years. He was an avid photographer, fisherman, and gardener. They loved to travel and took several trips to England where they toured the factory where they make the Matchbox cars that Don loved to collect. They spent many winters in Florida near the Kennedy Space Center. The shuttle launches were a favorite subject in Don’s photos. Hot air balloons from the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico also appeared in many photos. 

Don is survived by his wife, Doris of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; one sister, Doris Abels of Kanawha; brothers-in-law, Lee Gruis and wife, Gracka of Garner and Maynard Meyer and wife, Marcella of Dows; sisters-in-law, Iola of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Shirley Gruis of Hutchinson, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews. 

Donald was preceeded in death by his parents; and one brother, Roy.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Phillip Littlefield

Philip Littlefield, 78, of Clarion, died on Tuesday, April 24, 2001, at the Community Memorial Hospital, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Friday, April 27, at the United Church of Christ Congregational, Clarion. Rev. Curt Miner officiated at the 1:00 p.m. service. Burial was held on Monday, April 30 in the Fort Snelling Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Willim Funeral Home of Clarion was in charge of the arrangements. 

Philip Littlefield was born on September 10, 1922, in Clarion, the son of Leo Charles and Mary Alberta (Bertie) Littlefield. A 1941 Clarion High School graduate, Phil served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1947, where he studied gemology and watchmaking. Phil was a member of the Clarion United Methodist Church during his youth. 

On February 5, 1949, he was united in marriage to Grace Loken at Spencer. He was later baptized into the Baptist faith. He was employed in Clarion and Grinnell before moving to the Minneapolis area where he was a jeweler, eventually owning his own store until his retirement. He moved to Clarion in July 2000.

One of his hobbies included buying junked Triumph Spitfire cars and restoring them with his son, John. Together they restored and sold the cars. He enjoyed being with family and friends and attending a variety of churches and worship styles. People with whom Phil met and associated knew him to be a gentle man. 

He is survived by one son, John Littlefield and wife, Susan of Greenfield, Minnesota; one daughter, Linda Jacoby and husband, Erik of Victoria, Minnesota; three grandchildren; two sisters, Jessie Shupe of Clarion and Leona (Teddy) Hill of Fresno, California; and special companion, Beth Lyons of Clarion. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace in 1998; and an infant son, Gary.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Catherine Jeannine (Jeanie) Hiemstra

Catherine Jeannine (Jeanie) Hiemstra, 51, of Clarion, died on Tuesday, April 24, 2001, at the Trinity Regional Hospital, Fort Dodge.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, April 28, at the Dugger Ewing Funeral Home, Belmond. Rev. Carl Hiemstra officiated at the service. Burial will be held at a later date in the Graceland Cemetery, Rowan. The Dugger Ewing Funeral Home, Belmond, was in charge of the arrangements. Jeanie deeded her body to the University of Iowa Hospitals for medical research. 

Catherine Jeannine Smith was born on November 28, 1949, at Hampton, the daughter of Lester L. (Shorty) and Lillian McAlpine Smith. She grew up in Rowan on Snarl Street. She attended the Rowan and Belmond Schools, graduating from the Belmond High School in 1967. 

On March 10, 1967, Jeanie was united in marriage to Merle Hilpipre. To this union were born two children, a son, Todd and a daughter, Angela. On March 30, 1988, Jeanie was united in marriage with David Hiemstra. The couple made their home in Clarion.

Jeanie was a lifelong resident of the Belmond, Rowan and Clarion communities. She worked at the City Directory in Belmond.

She enjoyed reading, quilting and sitting on her porch watching a good lightning show. She most enjoyed the time she spent with her grandchildren.

Catherine Jeannine is survived by her husband, David; one daughter, Angela Humphrey and husband, Doug of Clarion; one son, Todd Hilpipre and wife, Brenda of Clarion; four grandchildren; two step-sons, Mike and Todd; four step-grandchildren; two brothers, Mike Smith and wife, Charlene of Rowan and Jim Smith and wife, Judy of Belmond; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, John Smith earlier this year.
© Wright County Monitor 2001