V. Pearl Howieson

V. Pearl Howieson, 92, of Clarion, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2002, at her home in rural Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 13, at the United Presbyterian Church in Clarion, with Rev. Candace Adams officiating. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. The Willim Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

V. Pearl Hiams was born on December 24, 1909 near Rowan, the daughter of Bert and Alice Yoeman Hiams. She graduated from the Rowan High School in 1927. She attended Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls and taught in rural schools for several years.

In 1935, she married Stanley Howieson at Clarion. To this union two children were born, Richard S. of Clarion and Donald Gene who died in infancy. They were life time farmers in the Clarion area.

Early in her married life, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, the Presbyterian Women's Group, and taught Sunday School for several years.

Survivors include one son, Richard and wife, Marilyn of Clarion; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Harold Hiams and Ray Harms, both of Rowan; one sister, Hazel Lilleskau of Mason City; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; an infant son; a great-granddaughter; one brother,  Dale Harms; and one sister, Doris Hardy.
© Wright County Monitor 2002

Clayton Henry Edward Nemechek

Clayton Henry Edward Nemechek, 7, of Des Moines, died on Wednesday, July 10, 2002.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 15, at the First Lutheran Church, Clarion. Pastor Gary Boen 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.

Clayton Henry Edward Nemechek, was born on March 28, 1995 at Ames, the son of Dean J. and Tonia L. (Delger) Nemechek. He attended school in Clarion for a short time before his family moved to Des Moines. Clayton then attended both kindergarten and first grade at the King Academy of Math and Science in Des Moines.

To Clayton's family, he will always be known as "MacGyver" for his keen sense and his ability to fix anything that was broken. He loved to learn and he kept his mind active by playing games on the computer and by taking things apart and putting them back together again.

Clayton was a Cub Scout and attended Evelyn Davis Summer Camp. Pastor Gloria Dovre baptized Clayton on September 19, 2001, at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

Survivors include his parents, Tonia Nemechek and special friend, Jay Buettner of Des Moines and Dean Nemechek of Humboldt; two sisters, Katren Elizabeth Anne Delger of Des Moines and Krystal Rae Anne Nemechek of Humboldt; paternal grandparents, Marshall and Sue Nemechek of Humboldt; maternal great-grandparents, Henry and Betty Delger of Clarion; paternal great-grandmother, Daisy Nemechek of Garwin.

His maternal grandmother, Sharon Delger; and an aunt, Tara Delger preceded him in death.
© Wright County Monitor 2002

Clarence Russell Stewart

Clarence Russell Stewart, 85, of Clarion, died on Friday, July 12, 2002, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 15, at the First United Methodist Church in Clarion. Rev. LaVonne Kaasa and dear friend Chaplin Rosie Schlueter of Mason City officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Special music was furnished by Gary Brandt.

Clarence Russell Stewart, was born on May 7, 1917 in Pomeroy, the son of Blanche (Button) and Irvin W. Stewart. At the age of 12 he moved with his family to Humboldt and attended the Humboldt Schools.

In 1936, Clarence began working for the Iowa Public Service Company with the line crew. He worked his way up to being District Meter Man by the time he retired after 43 years.

Clarence and Phyllis Thomas were married on April 2, 1938. To this union two children were born, Donald Thomas and Jeanne Ellen. The couple moved to Rutland in 1942 where he worked at the Hydro Plant. In 1951, the family moved to Clarion where they lived for 51 years. On June 1, 2002, Phyllis and Clarence moved to Mendota Heights, Minnesota to be closer to their daughter, Jeanne and her family. On July 4th Clarence was taken to the United Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota where he died on Friday, July 12 of cancer.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; one daughter, Jeanne and husband, Jim Feckey; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Deb Stewart and her three children; and one grandchild.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; and one son, Donald Thomas.
© Wright County Monitor 2002

Carl F. Weitmon

Carl F. Weitmon, 75, of Mason City, formerly of Clarion, died on Friday, July 12, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Care Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 16, at the Fullerton Funeral Home in Mason City. Rev. Arlen Dollen officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service.

Carl F. Weitmon was born on September 26, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Mellie and Goldie (Williams) Weitmon. He attended school in Clarion and graduated from the Clarion High School in 1944. He also attended two years at Minnesota Bible College.

Carl enlisted in the Air Force in 1944 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and ended his enlistment as a Private First Class with an honorable discharge in 1946 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Carl lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1946-1952, afterwards moving to Clarion. Carl lived in Clarion for 17 years and then moved to Mason City in 1969.

He was united in marriage to Marilyn Akerson on September 9, 1949 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Marilyn passed away on April 14, 1999. Carl worked for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad as a railway carman for 32 years and retired in 1985. He was a member of the Masonic Temple.

He is survived by four daughters, Paula Kellogg and husband, Bob of Vienna, Virginia, Deb Carlson and husband, Mark of Stanhope, Cindy Dombrowski and husband, Dick of Esko, Minnesota and Sharon Jones and husband, Scotty of Mason City; one brother, H.J. Borders; one sister, Myriam Crowell; 8 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marilyn; two brothers, Edward and George Scott; and Deb's first husband, Kris Dahlhauser.
© Wright County Monitor 2002

Francis Jerome Sheffield

Francis Jerome Sheffield, 87, of Clarion, died on Friday, July 19, 2002, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.

Mr. Stan Watne officiated at the funeral services held at the Willim Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 23, at 11:00 a.m. At Francis' request, he was cremated and his remains were interned at the St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Clarion. The Willim Funeral Home of Clarion was in charge of the arrangements.

Francis Jerome Sheffield was born on July 10, 1915, at the rural Wright County home of his parents, Jerome and Marguerite (Scheppler) Sheffield. He attended country school and graduated from the Clarion High School in 1933.

On February 6, 1948, he and Marie Krysan were united in marriage. To this union were born four daughters and one son.

While attending high school, Francis was involved in the family farm operation and continued that vocation his entire life. In his younger years, he was an avid pilot nicknamed "Ace". He owned the first airplane ever based at the Clarion Airport. During World War II, he served his country as a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He enjoyed antique tractors and was a member of the North Iowa Antique Tractor Club.

Survivors include his wife, Marie of Clarion; four daughters, Francine Canfield and husband, Ron of Johnston, Carol Haupt and husband, Roger of Clarion, Sally Prange and husband, Rick of Bellevue, Nebraska and Nancy Magee and husband, Mike of Maywood, Nebraska; one son, Jerry Sheffield and wife, Loraine of Belmond; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Ruth Anderson of Clarion.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant brother.
© Wright County Monitor 2002

E. Joanne Lennarson

E. Joanne Lennarson, 66, of Clarion, died on Saturday, July 27, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center, North Iowa, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 30, at the First Lutheran Church, Clarion. Pastor Gary Boen officiated at the 2:00 p.m. service. Burial was in the Gowrie Township Cemetery.

E. Joanne Burger was born on December 16, 1935, the daughter of Rudolph and Evelyn (Billie) Lind Burger on the family farm. She graduated from the Lanyon High School with the Class of 1954.

She was united in marriage to Jon D. Lennarson on June 26, 1955 at rural Churdan. They farmed in the Harcourt area and operated J & J Cleaning Service in Clarion. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church, Clarion and W.E.L.C.A.

She is survived by her husband, Jon of Clarion; five daughters, Barbara Strong of Webster City, Annette Nedved and husband, Todd of Greenville, Michigan, Kristy Eaton and husband, Dave of Leawood, Kansas, Lorri Lennarson of Webster City and Joahanna Kruger and husband, Bill of Westford, Massachusetts; 15 grandchildren; two sisters, Barbara Rabbit of Gowrie and Beth Underwood of Ottumwa; one brother, Alan Burger and wife, Nancy of Gowrie; one sister-in-law, Kay Burger of Gowrie; and other relatives and friends.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Arlo Burger; two brothers-in-law, Thomas Rabbitt, Sr. and Robert Underwood.
© Wright County Monitor 2002

Homer E "Bud" Stutters

Homer E. "Bud" Stutters, 76, of Clarion, died on Tuesday, July 30, 2002, at the USA Healthcare Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 3, at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion. Rev. Curt Miner officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. A Masonic service was conducted on Saturday at the conclusion of the funeral services at the church. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. The Willim Funeral Home of Clarion was in charge of the arrangements.

Homer E. Stutters, was born on February 20, 1926 at Rochester, Minnesota, the son of Elliott and Ruth (Baker) Stutters. He graduated from the Clarion High School and went on to attend the University of Iowa and the McPhail School of Music in Minneapolis, majoring in music and piano technology.

On February 23, 1947, Bud was united in marriage with Lenora Harp Filmer in Iowa City. Bud and Rusty moved to Clarion in 1948 and owned and operated a piano tuning and servicing business for 53 years.

He was a member of the United Church of Christ Congregational, a 50-year member of the Cyrene Lodge #325 and Bower Lodge #464. Bud was a District Lecturer and Past Grand Officer of the Masonic Grand Lodge, a member of the Eagle Grove Chapter and Council, Past Grand Commander of Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Iowa, member of the Scottish Rite bodies, KYCH, Red Cross of Constantine and Za Ga Zig Shrine. Bud was also a Past Patron of Adah Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, member of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa, and the Clarion Senior Citizens.

Bud will be long remembered for his love of music, his church, Masonry, his quick wit and love of his fellow man.

He is survived by his wife, Lenora "Rusty" of Clarion; one sister, Mary Ruth Farmer of Sun City, Arizona; two nephews, Thomas Smith and wife, Cindy of Seattle, Washington and Steven Smith of Los Angeles, California; and three great nieces.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; and one nephew.
© Wright County Monitor 2002