Joseph Ryan Lindstrom

Joseph Ryan Lindstrom, 19, of Wahoo, Nebraska, died on Saturday, June 9, 2001, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 13, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church (ELCA), Wahoo, Nebraska, at 1:30 p.m. Interment will take place at a later time in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Joseph Ryan Joe Lindstrom, was born on October 5, 1981, at Omaha, Nebraska. He was baptized as an infant at the First Lutheran Church, Clarion. He was baptized on May 5, 1996, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church (ELCA), Wahoo.

He began school at Seymour Elementary in Ralston, Nebraska and then moved with his family to Wahoo and began the second grade at the West Ward Elementary School, graduating with the 2000 class of the Wahoo High School. He participated in wrestling while in elementary school. In high school, Joe had participated in football and basketball as a freshman. He later worked part time at the Runza Drive-Inn Restaurant in Wahoo.

Joe was a fine young man who enjoyed spending time with his family. Some especially fond memories centered around the pleasant times spent with his cousins at family get togethers.

Joe was employed as a finish specialist with Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church (ELCA), Wahoo.

He is survived by his father, Murray Lindstrom of Wahoo, Nebraska; mother and stepfather, Mindy and Cliff Little of Yutan, Nebraska; brother and sister, Justin Little and Amanda Little, both of Yutan, Nebraska; grandparents, Larry and Jean Lindstrom of Clarion, Harry W. Phelps of St. Petersburg, Florida, Faye Amick of Omaha, Nebraska and Cliff and Shirley Little of Council Bluffs; special friend, Jody Dey of Wahoo; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Francis Darwin Rapp

Francis Darwin Rapp, 81, of Clarion, died on Saturday, June 9, 2001, at the Hampton Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 11, at the Willim Funeral Home, Clarion. Rev. Tim Platt 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.

Francis Darwin Rapp, was born on January 29, 1920, in Clarion, the son of John and Nora (Allen) Rapp. Francis attended school in rural Wright County and the Clarion High School. He was a member of the Clarion Church of Christ since 1948.

Francis and Nadine Lindsey were united in marriage on August 31, 1941, at the Clarion Church of Christ parsonage. Francis farmed with his father until 1943. Then Francis and Nadine moved to a farm southwest of Clarion where they lived for 31 years. Francis retired in 1975 and the couple moved to Clarion where they lived until his death. Francis spent a lot of time visiting people in the nursing home. He looked after his aunt for nine years at the nursing home.

He is survived by his wife, Nadine; one sister, Neva McGrath of High Rolls, New Mexico; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; and a brother-in-law, Thomas McGrath.
© Wright County Monitor 2001  

Milton Albert Wilcox

Milton Albert Wilcox, 89, of Eagle Grove, died on Sunday, June 10, 2001, at the Community Memorial Hospital, Clarion.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 13, at the United Church of Christ, Eagle Grove. Rev. Curt Miner officiated at the 1:00 p.m. service. Burial will be in the Fort Dodge Memorial Park Cemetery, Fort Dodge. The Willim Funeral Home of Eagle Grove is in charge of the arrangements.

Milton Albert Wilcox, was born on April 7, 1912, the son of Albert and Edith (Gillett) Wilcox. He attended country school and the Eagle Grove High School.

On June 1, 1933, he and Irma Kopecky were married at the home of Irma’s parents in Eagle Grove. From 1940-1945, Milton was a welder for Fairbanks-Morse during World War II at Three Rivers, Michigan. From 1945-1948 he worked for Horn Manufacturing in Fort Dodge. At this time the family moved to the family farm and Milton retired from farming in the mid 1970’s. Milton was a member of the United Church of Christ, Congregational, Clarion.

He was a member of the Holiday Ramblers Travel Club. They traveled for about 40 years. One of his favorite things to do was to go fishing.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Eva Erickson; one half-brother, Leslie Wilcox; one granddaughter, Darcy Blumer; one great-granddaughter, Marin Wilcox; and one son-in-law, Norlan Blumer.

He is survived by his wife, Irma; one son, Richard Wilcox and wife, Beverly of Eagle Grove; eight grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; one brother, Roger Wilcox of Fort Dodge; one sister, Marjorie Paneitz and husband, Charles of Berryville, Arkansas; and a host of other relatives and friends.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Howard G. McCutheon

Howard G. McCutcheon, 73, of Goldfield, died on Tuesday, June 12, 2001, from an auto accident.

Funeral services were held on Friday, June 15, at 2:00 p.m., at the United Presbyterian Church in Goldfield. Burial was in the Glenwood Cemetery, Goldfield. The Willim Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. 

Howard G. McCutcheon, was born on November 6, 1927, at Hampton, the son of George and Nellie (Dragoo) McCutcheon. He attended school in Goldfield, graduating in 1945. Howard farmed most of his life. In 1972, he went to work for the Goldfield Creamery for three years before going to work for Premium Pig, Inc. in 1976. He retired in 1990. 

He was united in marriage to Ellen (Kloster) McCutcheon on June 10, 1956, in Forest City. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Goldfield. He enjoyed his family, coffee and conversation with his friends and keeping his garage organized. 

He is survived by his wife, Ellen of Goldfield; three daughters, Jayne Frederickson and husband, Larry of Omaha, Nebraska, Barbara Immele and husband, Bruce of Louisville, Colorado and Kathleen Snyder and husband, Gary of Lexington, Kentucky; two sisters, Faith Tiner of Cutchoque, New York and Marjorie Kohout of Mt. Vernon; and six grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Richard M. and wife, Virginia.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

G. A. "Bud" Graves

G. A. “Bud” Graves, 86, of Clarion, died on Thursday, June 14, 2001, at the Community Memorial Hospital, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 18, at the United Methodist Church, Goldfield. Rev. Karen Dearchs officiated. Burial was in the Lake Lutheran Cemetery. The Willim Funeral Home of Clarion was in charge of the arrangements. Casket bearers were Lowell Anderson, Bob Ryerson, Steve Duffy, Mark Stevenson, Brian Basinger, Gary Reed and Chris Basinger.

G. A. “Bud” Graves was born on May 28, 1915, the son of Fred and Cecil (Nelson) Graves at Clarion. On December 31, 1937, he and Ina Thompson were united in marriage. To this union two daughters, Joan and Linda were born.

The couple farmed between Kanawha and Goldfield from 1937-1963, when they moved to Goldfield. Bud managed the Goldfield Co-op Lumber Yard until he retired. Ina died on September 10, 1982. He married Pauline Bartsen on July 9, 1983. She died on July 10, 2000.

Bud enjoyed fishing, golfing, woodworking, quilting and counted cross-stitch. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Goldfield and was a past member of the Lake Lutheran Church and Lutheran Brotherhood.

Bud is survived by two daughters, Joan Axon and husband, Gary of Ashland, Oregon and Linda Riley and husband, Bill of Des Moines; four grandchildren; four siblings, Ferol Hanson and husband, Carl, Gwen Duffy, Wanda Ramsey and Robert Graves and wife, Barbara.

He was preceded in death by two wives, Ina and Pauline; three sisters, Verla Graves, Marjorie Anderson and Frances McElherne.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Lena Mae Pohlman

Lena Mae Pohlman, 93, of Clarion, died on Sunday, June 17, 2001, at the USA Healthcare in Clarion.

Graveside services were held on Tuesday, June 19, at the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. The Willim Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Lena Mae Lammers, was born on May 9, 1908, the daughter of Chris and Mena Lammers on a farm located northwest of Clarion. She attended country school and graduated from the Clarion High School in 1926. She was a substitute teacher.

On March 2, 1927, she and Jelske Pohlman were married in Clarion. Jelske died on April 16, 1952. In 1952 she was baptized in the Christian Faith. She continued to farm until 1959. Lena’s cousin, Darwin (Dode) Pohlman helped her continue farming. Lena was a great lover of nature and loved birds, flowers, trees.

Lena is survived by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four brothers; and two sisters.
© Wright County Monitor 2001  

Betty Ann Adams

Betty Ann Adams, 54, of Eagle Grove, died on Wednesday, June 20, 2001, at the Community Memorial Hospital, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 23, at the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Eagle Grove. Rev. Ray Salemink officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove. The Willim Funeral Home, Eagle Grove, was in charge of the arrangements.

Betty Ann Torgerson, was born on May 3, 1947, at Ellsworth, the daughter of Haakon Olando and Charlotte Marjorie (Baxter) Torgerson. She grew up in Ellsworth and graduated from the South Hamilton High School in 1965. She then attended Burnels Beauty School in Ames.

On August 24, 1968, she and Duane Lee Adams were united in marriage at the United Methodist Church, Eagle Grove. Betty worked for Dodger Manufacturing and Casey’s General Store, Eagle Grove. She was a member of the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church and was active with Girl Scouts.

She is survived by her husband, Duane Lee of Eagle Grove; one daughter, Sherlene Marie Washington and husband, Russell James of Eagle Grove; four grandchildren; four sisters, Mary McAlister of California, Cleo Christiansen of Norfolk, Virginia, Minnie Henry of Eagle Grove and Patricia Johnson of Duncombe; one brother, Ernest Torgerson of Seattle, Washington; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and grandparents.
© Wright County Monitor 2001  

Della Gramblin

Della Gramblin, 87, of Clarion, died on Wednesday, June 20, 2001, at the Rotary Ann Home, Eagle Grove.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 25, at the Willim Funeral Home, Clarion. Pastor Karen Groe Dearchs officiated at the 1:00 p.m. service. Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery, Webster City. Judy Watne was the organist and Kim Lee the vocalist. Casket bearers were Keith Russell, Jamie Russell, Eric Russell, Rick Russell, Kevin Russell and Kreg Jacobson.

Della Claude was born on April 30, 1914, in Wright County, the daughter of James Alfred and Lula Marie (Hansen) Claude. She graduated from the Woolstock High School in 1933.

She and Leo Devere Gramblin were married on November 28, 1935. They farmed at Duncombe for 17 years and then moved to Galt in 1956, where they continued to farm until 1964. Della enjoyed gardening, crocheting, and was active in a card club.

Della is survived by one daughter, Judy Russell of Clarion; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo in 1964.
© Wright County Monitor 2001  

Hazel A. Weld

Hazel A. Weld, 88, of Clarion, died on Friday, June 22, 2001, at the USA Healthcare Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 25, at the First Lutheran Church, Clarion. Rev. Gary Boen officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. The Willim Funeral Home of Clarion was in charge of the arrangements.

Hazel A. Anderson, was born on September 29, 1912, in Morris, Illinois, the daughter of Merrill and Nellie (Waage) Anderson. She was a graduate of the School of Agriculture in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

She and Merle V. Weld were married on June 29, 1932. They spent most of their married life living in Clarion. Merle passed away in 1988. She was an active member of First Lutheran, which her father helped build. Hazel regularly attended Sew Day at First Lutheran.

Hazel is survived by two daughters, Nadine Lubera and husband, Gene of Hertford, North Carolina and Annette Row and husband, Jack of Bella Vista, Arkansas; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Elsie Weld and husband, Vernon of Keizer, Oregon and Berniece Sampson of Eagle Grove.

Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Merle on September 4, 1988; and two brothers, Marson and Delbert Anderson.
© Wright County Monitor 2001

Stella L. Schumacher

Stella L. Schumacher, 89, of Clarion, died on Thursday, June 28, 2001, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 2, at the St. John’s Catholic Church, Clarion. Rev. David Beckman officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery, rural Clarion. The Willim Funeral Home of Clarion was in charge of the arrangements.

Stella L. Kendzior, was born on January 19, 1912, in Poland, the daughter of Blaze and Bernice Kendzior. At the age of one, she migrated to America with her family.

She and Amos Kaufman were married in 1930 and he preceded her in death in 1944. She was later united in marriage to Randall Schumacher on September 18, 1948. Together they farmed in Wright County. He preceded her in death on June 18, 1978.

Stella is survived by three children, Charles Kaufman and wife, Jolene of Moore, Oklahoma, Berniece Nolta and husband, Richard of Fort Dodge and Mark Schumacher and wife, Denise of Clarion; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Joan Adams of Webster City and Jean Kotowicz of Lockporte, Illinois.

Stella was preceded in death by her parents; one granddaughter, Michelle Schumacher; one brother, Walter Kendzior; and one sister, Fran Kucinski.
© Wright County Monitor 2001  

Joseph Gerhard Westby

Joseph Gerhard Westby, 94, of Clarion, died on Saturday, June 30, 2001, at the USA Healthcare Center, Clarion.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 15, at the Highland Prairie Church, Rushford, Minnesota. Interment will be in the Highland Prairie Cemetery. The Willim Funeral Home of Clarion and Hoff Funeral Home, Rushford are in charge of the arrangements.

Joseph Gerhard Westby, was born on December 18, 1906, on a family farm near Rushford, Minnesota, the son of Christian and Dora (Elefson) Westby. He was the eighth of nine children. He graduated in 1928 from Luther College in Decorah. For 17 years he taught History and Band in several Iowa towns.

While teaching in Forest City, he met Blanche Paulson, who was also a History teacher. They were married in 1934 and were the parents of one daughter. In 1940, Joseph earned his Master of Arts in Music from the University of Iowa.

He returned to Forest City with his family in 1945 and began employment with the New York Life Insurance Company. In 1965, he became a Chartered Life Underwriter for New York Life Insurance Company. While living in Forest City, Joseph served on the school board and the city council as well as several civic organizations. He and his family were members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Following his retirement in 1971, Joseph and Blanche briefly lived in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, before returning to Forest City.

After the death of Blanche in 1981, he and Vera Frowick Peterson were married in 1982. They lived in Decorah and Mesa, Arizona, before moving to Clarion in 1992. They lived at the Meadows and attended the First Lutheran Church, Clarion. Musically gifted, Joseph led or participated in bands and choirs throughout his adult life. He was also a very skilled golfer and was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs.

He is survived by his wife, Vera of Fort Dodge; daughter, Margaret Wold and husband, John of Evanston, Illinois; step-daughter, Diane Edwards and husband, Paul of Clarion; step-son, Clinton Peterson of California; two granddaughters; and one great-grandson.
© Wright County Monitor 2001