Beverly A. Marker Hallagan

January 16, 2003

Beverly A. Marker Hallagan, 69, of Clarion, died on Sunday, January 5, 2003, at her rural home.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 8, at the First United Methodist Church, Clarion. Rev. LaVonne Kaasa officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. The Willim Funeral Home of Clarion was in charge of the arrangements.

Beverly Ann Adams was born on December 26, 1933, in Webster City the daughter of Truey (Ervin) and Mildred (McFarland) Adams. Most of her grade school years were spent in Webster City, before she moved with her family to Madelia, Minnesota where they lived for three years. She then returned to Eagle Grove in her sophomore year of school and graduated from the Eagle Grove High School in 1953.

On May 6, 1956, she and Darwin Marker of Woolstock were united in marriage. To this union six children were born, Darla, Cindy, Deanna, Brian, Lana and Brenda. Darwin was tragically killed in a farm accident on February 4, 1989. In July of 1999, she became reacquainted with a high school friend, Carroll Hallagan of Council Bluffs. On June 24, 2000 they were united in marriage.

Beverly was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW, Hospital Auxiliary, Wright County Farm Bureau Women, Utili Dulci Sunday School Class, and the United Methodist Church of Clarion.

She is survived by her husband, Carroll; five daughters; Darla Tweeten and husband, Lon of Woolstock, Cindy Howard and husband, Joe of Webster City, Deanna Lehman and husband, Kevin of Clarion, Lana Watne and husband, Steve of Stratford and Brenda Kapka and husband, Lyle of Clarion; one son, Brian Marker and wife, Kay of Clarion; nine additional children, Sherry Arnett and husband, Tim, Kim Coffman, Corey Hallagan and wife, Jodi, Kelly Hallagan and wife, Denise, Roxanne Hallagan, Shannon Gibson and husband, Bill, all of Council Bluffs, Terry Hallagan and wife, Denise, Shawn Erickson and husband, Steve, both of Omaha, Nebraska, Penny Klusaw and husband, Larry of Springfield, Nebraska; 16 grandchildren; 13 additional grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three sisters, Margaret Bailey, Martha Prunty and Mary Arduser; four brothers, Buster (Edward) Adams, Donald Adams, Erv Adams, Larry Adams; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband,  Darwin; and one grandchild, Brandon Tweeten.
© Wright County Monitor 2003

Douglas Alan Dean

January 16, 2003

Douglas Alan Dean, 71, of Clarion, died on Wednesday, January 8, 2003.

Funeral services were held on Monday, January 13, at the Willim Funeral Home in Clarion. Rev. Candace Adams officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Interment will be at a later date. The Willim Funeral Home of Clarion was in charge of the arrangements.

Douglas Alan Dean was born on February 2, 1931 in Clarion, the son of George and Verna Innis Dean. He was raised and educated in Clarion. At the age of 17 he joined the Navy serving his country from 1948-1951. After the service he moved back to Clarion where he worked at Cambier Motors for several years. He then pursued a career in law enforcement, serving as a Clarion police officer for eight years, as Clarion Police Chief for 10 years, and then serving as Chief Deputy for Wright County for 13 years.

Douglas married Mardell Alverson on February 19, 1953, at the Clarion Church of Christ. To this union were born two sons, Douglas Jr. and David. He enjoyed sharing his hobbies of hunting and fishing with his family.

He was a member of the Clarion American Legion Post #236 and the Masonic Lodge.

Douglas is survived by his wife, Mardell of Clarion; two sons, Douglas Dean Jr. and wife, Jean of Bremerton, Washington and David Dean and wife, Debby of Concord, North Carolina; and two grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, George Dean and Keith Dean.
© Wright County Monitor 2003

Neola M. Billman

January 23, 2003

Neola M. Billman, 78, of Clarion, died on Saturday, January 18, 2003, at the Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 23, at the Willim Funeral Home, 602 North Main Street, Clarion. Pastor Mario Perez will officiated at the 1:00 p.m. service. The Willim Funeral Home of Clarion is in charge of the arrangements.
© Wright County Monitor 2003

Forrest Allan Bisbey

January 30, 2003

Forrest Allan Bisbey, 55, of Boone, died on Wednesday, January 22, 2003.

Memorial services were held on Wednesday, January 29, at the Clarion Church of Christ, Clarion. Pastor Tim Platt officiated at the 1:00 p.m. service. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. The Willim Funeral Home of Clarion was in charge of the arrangements.

Forrest Allan Bisbey was born on February 8, 1947 in Clarion, the son of Allan and LaVonne Cox Bisbey. He was raised and educated in Clarion, graduating from the Clarion High School in 1965. After high school he attended Ellsworth Community College for two years.

In 1969, Forrest joined the Boone Police Department and continued to work there until his retirement in February of 2001. He then worked part time for the Boone County Sheriff’s Department.

Forrest is survived by his father, Allan of Clarion; one sister, Elaine Bisbey of Vancouver, British Columbia; one brother, Brian Bisbey and wife, Renee of Beloit, Wisconsin; and many friends and fellow officers of the Boone Police Department.

He was preceded in death by his mother, LaVonne.
© Wright County Monitor 2003

Robert C. "Bob" Provorse

February 6, 2003

Robert C. "Bob" Provorse, 73, of Sioux City, died on Friday, January 24, 2003, at his residence.

Memorial services were held on January 29, at the First Lutheran Church, Sioux City. Interment was held on Friday, January 31, in the the St. Olaf Lutheran Cemetery, Belmond.

Robert C. "Bob" Provorse was born on April 7, 1929 in Belgrade, Nebraska, the son of Robert and Mary (Zaruba) Provorse. He was raised in Columbus, Nebraska with his brother, Al. Bob and Avis Toftey were married on June 5, 1954 in Kanawha.

He was the coach of three sports at Cornell College for two years. He also raised a dairy herd and farmed in North Central Iowa for nine years. He then finished his Masters in Physical Education at the University of Iowa.

They moved to Sioux City in 1965 when he began to teach at Central High and was coaching cross country and swimming teams. At North High he coached the cross country and track. He served as the Athletic Director at North High School for nine years.

He was a member of the First Lutheran Church, active with the Mens' Bible Study and Breakfast and also on the Church Board, first at St. John’s Lutheran Church, and later at First Lutheran Church. Bob was active in the Lions Club in Clarion and the Boat Club in Sioux City. He was an honorary referee at the Drake Relays, a Sioux City Relays Hall of Fame inductee, and winner of the Honor D Award from Doane College.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Avis; four sons, Dr. Robert Provorse and wife, Jane of Whitewater, Wisconsin, Scott Provorse and wife, Cindy of Dillon, Colorado, Bradd Provorse and wife, Kelli of Silverthorne, Colorado and James "Jay" Provorse and wife, Michelle of Iowa City; six grandchildren; one brother, Albert "Al" Provorse of Fremont, Nebraska; two nieces; six nephews, including Rodney Toftey and wife, Susan of Kanawha; two sisters-in-law, Donna Toftey of Belmond and Della Toftey of Kanawha.
© Wright County Monitor 2003

Alvin Edwin Poulson

January 30, 2003

Alvin Edwin Poulson, 90, of Clarion, died on Saturday, January 25, 2003, at the Southfield Wellness Community, Webster City.

Graveside services were held on Thursday, January 30, at the Belmond Cemetery. Rev. Tim Platt officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service.

Alvin Edwin Poulson, was born on July 15, 1912, the son of Everett and Dora Nichols Poulson. He was raised and educated in Clarion. He worked in the maintenance department for the Highway Department.

On June 12, 1944, he was united in marriage to Frances Mechem. She passed away in 1992.

Alvin is survived by one brother, Merle and wife, Jean; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents and wife, Frances preceded him in death.
© Wright County Monitor 2003

Melvine (Mrs. John) Strever

February 6, 2003

Melvine Strever (Mrs. John), 85, of Marshalltown, died on Monday, January 27, 2003, at the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center.

Memorial services were held on Friday, January 31, at the Congregational Church in Marshalltown. A graveside committal service was held on Saturday, February 1, at the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Melvine June Shake was born on June 20, 1917 at Clarion, the daughter of Lyman and Elsie Turk Shake. She was raised in the Clarion area and graduated with the Clarion High School class of 1934. She did secretarial work before moving with her family to Webster City and later Ames. In 1952 she moved to Marshalltown.

She and John Strever were united in marriage on May 3, 1936. She was a member of the First Congregational Church and the Women’s Fellowship.

Survivors include her husband, John; one son, John R. Strever and wife, Helen of Bella Vista, Arkansas; one daughter, Norma J. Dannen and husband, Max of Marshalltown; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother (in World War II).
© Wright County Monitor 2003

Luzetta J. Carris

February 6, 2003

Luzetta J. Carris, 97, of Austin, Minnesota, formerly of Clarion, died on Tuesday, January 28, 2003, at the Comforcare Good Samaritan Center, Austin, Minnesota.

Funeral service were held on Friday, January 31, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Austin. Rev. Andrew M. Lindahl officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Luzetta J. McDonald was born on January 31, 1905 in Clarion, the daughter of James and Margaret (Mitchell) McDonald. She attended Wright County and Clarion Schools. She and Elmer Carris were united in marriage on February 11, 1927 in Clarion. She worked as a dressmaker and Elmer worked for the Chicago Great Western Railroad. Elmer died in 1986 and Luzetta moved to Austin, Minnesota in 1987.

She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge in Clarion for 60 years, the Methodist Church in Clarion for 69 years, and has attended Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin since 1987.

She is survived by three nieces, Viola Anderson of Rose Creek, Minnesota, Darlene Berhow and husband, Mitch of Oakland, Minnesota and Carla Miller of Onamia, Minnesota; and many great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband,  Elmer; two sisters, Mina Peterson and Nell Jones; two brothers, John McDonald and Alex McDonald; two nieces, Eva Thompson and Elaine Smith; three nephews, Ed Jones, Bill Jones and Don Jones.
© Wright County Monitor 2003

William Edgar Brooks

February 6, 2003

William Edgar Brooks, 76, of Queen Creek, Arizona, died on Thursday, January 30, 2003, at his home.

William was born on January 18, 1927, on a farm northeast of Clarion, the son of Sherman and Hazel (Whipple) Brooks. He attended country school in Grant Township and the Clarion High School. He served in the United States Army during World War II.

He was united in marriage to Edythe Parrish. To this union five children were born. Later he married Verla Howieson. He was employed by Flo Gard Company, Holmes and Lindsay Soft Water, Clarion.

William is survived by his wife, Verla; two daughters, Penny Mericle of Mason City and Kathy Olson and husband, Bob of Forest City; one son, Timothy Brooks and wife, Barbara of Goldfield; seven grandchildren; one great-grandson; three sisters, Maxine Benson, Betty Robinson and Joan Schroeder, all of Clarion; three brothers, John Brooks of Clarion, Roger Brooks of Des Moines and Alan Brooks of Auburn, California.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Randall; one daughter, Colleen; two brothers, Robert and James; two sisters, Charline Weiber and Patricia Hutchison.
© Wright County Monitor 2003