Melvin R Ammerman

Melvin R. Ammerman, 70, of Dows, died on Friday, February 16, 2001, at the USA Health Care Center in Clarion. He had resided at the Care Center since May 18, 1999.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 20, 2001, from the Elledge Funeral Home, Dows. Rev. Bruce Klapp officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Alexander Cemetery. 

Melvin Ammerman was born on November 23, 1930, in Goldfield, the son of Leo and Lena Martin Ammerman. He received his education in Clarion and graduated from the Clarion High School in 1952. 

After his marriage to Brenda Hann, the couple lived in Webster City where he was employed by Morton’s. After his divorce, he moved to Dows and was employed by the Wright and Franklin County Landfill until his retirement. 

Melvin is survived by two sons, Kevin of Oakdale and Edwin of Clarion; two granddaughters; four brothers, Donald and wife, Fern of Dows, Lyle of Clarion, Robert and wife, Meja of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Ronald and wife, Dorothy of Grand Island, Nebraska; two sisters, Betty Hilpipre and husband, Ronald of Homer, Illinois and LaVonne Maxwell of Clarion; one sister-in-law, Caroline Ammerman of Clarion; and several nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Kenneth; and a twin sister, Melvina.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Lettie E. Zuber

Lettie E. Zuber, 96, of Bettendorf, died on Thursday, February 22, 2001, at the Masonic Health Facilities, Bettendorf.

Memorial services were held on Monday, March 4, at the Iowa Masonic Health Facilities Chapel. Interment was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Nashua. 

Lettie was born on May 17, 1904, in Williamsburg, the daughter of Herman and Mary Heitman Ehmsen. She obtained her B.S. degree from Iowa State University in Ames. Lettie was an extension advisor in Home Economics in Wright County from August 1947 to December 1955. In January, 1956, she accepted the same position in Scott County. She also was a substitute teacher at North Scott, Pleasant Valley and Davenport schools.

She was a member of AAUW, Woman’s Club, and the Putnam Museum Guild. 

She is survived by one grandson; and one niece.

Memorials may be made in her memory to the Iowa State 4-H Camp.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Earl Eugene Hammen, Sr.

Earl Eugene Hammen, Sr., 79, of Clarion, died on Saturday, February 24, 2001, at the Iowa Methodist Hospital, Des Moines. Burial was in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Clarion.

Earl Eugene Hammen, Sr. was born on August 2, 1921, the son of Zeno Nickolas Hammen and Bertha Hannah (Kapsch) Hammen, in Jolley, Iowa. 

Earl and Corene Mary Reding were married on November 12, 1946, in Rockwell City at the St. Francis Catholic Church. 

He is survived by his wife, Corene; children, Jeanne Hodson and husband, Gale of Altoona, Earl Jr. and wife, Carmel of Clarion, Tim Hammen and Karol Johnson of Thornton, David of Clarion, Kathleen Hogle and husband, Tony of Clarion, Richard and wife, Sue of Clarion, Edward and wife, Mary of Clarion and Elaine Kolb and husband, Polk City; brothers, Keevan Hammen of Rockwell City, Emmett Hammen of Lake View and Dean Hammen of Shaumburg, Illinois; one sister, Bernadine Hammen Hansen of Pomeroy; 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

Earl was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Donald “Dude”, Hubert, Bill, Dale and Junior Hammen.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Herman P. Eekhoff

Herman P. Eekhoff, 85, of Kanawha, died on Saturday, February 24, 2001, at the Kanawha Community Home. Burial was in the Amsterdam Township Cemetery near Kanawha. 

Herman P. Eekhoff, was born on June 16, 1915, the son of Rev. Peter H. and Marie Johnson Eekhoff on the family farm southwest of Kanawha. 

Herman is survived by five daughters, Carol Everett and husband, Robert of Omaha, Nebraska, Donna Eggum and husband, Jon of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Janet Olsen and husband, Harland “Oley” of Mason City, Linda Foss and husband, Rich of Winona, Minnesota and Sue Schlosser and husband, Steve of Mason City; one son, Paul and wife, Denise of Clarion; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Stella Neymeyer and husband, Lester of Aplington and Thelma Mills and husband, Kay of Bella Vista, Arkansas; two brothers, Rev. Wiert Eekhoff and wife, Esther of Harper, Kansas and Peter W. Eekhoff and wife, Henrietta of Kanawha; one son-in-law, Harold “Bud” Karsjens of Aplington; and one brother-in-law, Gerald Swyter of Kanawha. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife in 1969; and one daughter, Mary Ann Karsjens in 2000.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Frieda Alvera Bruess

Frieda Alvera Bruess, 77, of Goldfield, died on Monday, February 26, 2001, at the USA Health Care Center in Clarion. 

Frieda Alvera Schleisner was born on September 5, 1923, the daughter of Fritz and Lydia (Meerfeld) Schleisner in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. 

On August 6, 1960, she and Lincoln Bruess were united in marriage at the St. John’s Lutheran Church at Sleepy Eye.

She is survived by her husband, Lincoln of Goldfield; three sons, David and wife, Tracy of Blaine, Minnesota, Donn and wife, Dawn of Albia and Doug and wife, Judith of McKinney, Texas; four grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Dean; one sister, Elsie Lingle; and one brother, Bernard.
© Wright County Monitor 2001