Orville Jacob "Ike" Cambier

September 11, 2003

Orville Jacob “Ike” Cambier, 83, of Clarion, died on September 5, 2003, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 9, at the United Church of Christ Congregational, Clarion. Rev. Curt Miner officiated at the 1:30 p.m. service. There will be a private family burial.

Orville J. “Ike’ Cambier, was born on August 19, 1920 in Alton, the son of Jacob and Dena Scholten Cambier. He was raised and educated in Alton. He attended business school in Grand Island, Nebraska where he met his future wife, Virginia Wagner of Early. He then went to Glenwood, Minnesota and was parts manager and bookkeeper at the Chevrolet dealership. At this time, he became a private pilot. On October 18, 1941, Ike and Virginia were united in marriage.

In March of 1943, he entered service in the U.S. Army Air Force as a cadet. Upon graduation as a 2nd Lt., he became a B-26 twin engine bomber pilot. He completed 46 missions in the European Theater of War in World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters, one for each of five missions flown, a Letter of Commendation and ribbons for the Battle of Central Europe, the Battle of the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and the Battle of Germany. The 391st Group also received a Presidential Unit Citation for their contribution during the Battle of the Bulge. He was overseas for a year and was discharged as a 1st Lt. upon his return in 1945.

In 1946, he came to Clarion and bought the Chrysler Plymouth Dealership. In 1950, he built a new garage building. A son, Mark, was born in 1951 and daughter, Linda in 1952.

In 1953, he purchased the Chevrolet franchise. By 1968 he had acquired the Cadillac and Oldsmobile franchises. He continued in business until 1980.

He was a member of the United Church of Christ Congregational and the American Legion for over 50 years. He served as a Trustee in the church and as a Clarion City Council member for two terms.

After service, he continued to fly until age 64, owning several airplanes, including an AT6 army trainer, a Swift and Bonanza. Flying and the automobile business were his primary interests throughout his entire life.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia; son, Mark and fiancée, Alice Schweiss; one daughter, Linda Brigger and husband, Ted.

Ike was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; and four sisters.
© Wright County Monitor 2003

Janice Joy Willim

September 11, 2003

Janice Joy Willim, 65, of Clear Lake, formerly of Clarion, died on September 6, 2003, at her home. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on August 5, 2003.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, September 10, at the First United Methodist Church in Clarion. Rev. Mark Young, of the Clear Lake Christian Church, officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Interment was in Willim Terrace at the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Janice Joy Reisetter, was born in Hampton on New Year’s Day 1938, the daughter of Jay T. and Albie Klement Reisetter. The family moved to Marshalltown when Jan was an infant, where her father established the Mid-West Machine and Welding Company. Raised in Marshalltown, she was baptized and confirmed at the Elim Lutheran Church and graduated from high school with the class of 1955.

Following high school, she attended the Paris Academy in Cedar Rapids and Iowa Sate University in Ames. As an expert and talented cosmetologist, Jan taught at the Paris Academy and sponsored hairstyling and training seminars in Iowa and surrounding states.

Jan then returned to Marshalltown where she and Gerald Rash established a cosmetology school. While residing in Cedar Rapids, Jan was chosen Miss Cedar Rapids and the following year she represented Marshalltown and was selected First Runner-up in the Miss Iowa pageant.

On November 28, 1962, Janice was united in marriage with Lee D. Willim at the Elim Lutheran Church in Marshalltown. They resided in Marshalltown until purchasing the funeral homes in Dows and Latimer in 1968. They later owned and operated funeral businesses in Belmond, Klemme, Clarion and Eagle Grove. In 1977 they moved to Clarion and operated the funeral homes until selling them in 1997. In 1998 the Willims left Clarion, spending their time between their homes at Clear Lake and Fort Myers Beach, Florida.

In addition to assisting her husband in the funeral businesses, Jan was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Clarion and was active in community affairs, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Federated Women and the Republican Women. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, entertaining and traveling both here and abroad.

Jan is survived by her husband, Lee D. Willim of Clear Lake; four sons, Bartley J. Willim and wife, Tonya of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, Eric D. T. Willim and fiancée, Becky of Clarion, Adam W. Willim of Cincinnati, Ohio and Matthew D. Willim of South Attleboro, Massachusetts; seven grandchildren; one sister, Joyce M. Reisetter of Phoenix, Arizona; one brother, Leo W. Reisetter of Marshalltown; mother-in-law, Lova Willim Smith of Clarion; and other relatives and friends.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Leon D. Reisetter.
© Wright County Monitor 2003

Norman Watne

September 18, 2003

Norman Watne, 87, of Eagle Grove, died on Friday, September 12, 2003, at the Rotary Ann Nursing Home in Eagle Grove.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 15, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Eagle Grove. Burial was in the Holmes Lutheran Cemetery.

Norman Watne, was born on November 19, 1915 in Humboldt, the son of Oscar and Inger (Risscon) Watne. He was educated in the Eagle Grove schools.

Norman was a life long farmer and Purebred Poland China producer in Eagle Grove. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wright County Farm Bureau and served as past Director of the Holmes Coop Elevator.

Norman is survived by one sister-in-law, Evelyn Watne of Belmond; eight nephews; and five nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Olaf, John and Tom; and one nephew, Peter.
© Wright County Monitor 2003

Melvin Luverne Howell

October 2, 2003

Melvin Luverne Howell, 78, of Blairsburg, died on Sunday, September 14, 2003, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion. Memorials may be given to the Wright County Hospice.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, September 17, at the Foster Funeral Home. Rev. Howard Hunt officiated at the 1:30 p.m. service. Burial was in the Blairsburg Cemetery.

Melvin Luverne Howell, was born on September 27, 1924, on a farm northwest of Blairsburg, the son of Arthur and Mae (Scott) Howell. He attended the Wall Lake Center No. 5 rural school.

On February 4, 1945, he and Josephine Borel were united in marriage at the Hampton Lutheran Church. The couple farmed northwest of Blairsburg. He operated a grain farm but his main interest was in dairy operations. He had also done custom baling. He retired from grain farming in 1986 and from the dairy business in 2001.

Melvin is survived by his wife, Josephine (Jo); sons, Larry Howell of Cedar Rapids and Daryl Howell and Gaye Wiekierak of Indianola.

He was preceded in death by his parents.
© Wright County Monitor 2003

Duane Francis Reiland

October 2, 2003

Duane Francis Reiland, 59, of Clinton, died on Sunday, September 27, 2003, at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, October 2, at the St. Irenaeus Catholic Church, Jesus Christ Prince of Peace Parish in Clinton. Burial was in the St. Irenaeus Catholic Church Cemetery. Military services were conducted by the Clinton AMVETS.

Duane Francis Reiland, was born on March 14, 1944 in Clarion, the son of Oswald Nicholas and Anna Maude (Schroeder) Reiland. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy.

On February 16, 1974, he and Shirley Raab were united in marriage at the St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in Clinton.

Duane was a member of the St. Irenaeus Catholic Church, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley of Clinton; six sons. Russell Raab and wife, Gayle, Scott Raab and fiancée, Kathy, Todd Raab and wife, Nicole, all of Fulton, Missouri, Jeff Raab and wife, Danaca, Terry Raab and Thomas Raab; one daughter, Penny Dash and husband, Keith, all of Clinton; an adopted child from Honduras, Yenny; 20 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; mother, Anna “Shi” Reiland of Clarion; four brothers, Ron Reiland and wife, Mary of Savanna, Rich Reiland and wife, Soni of Clarion, Dwight Reiland and wife, Dee of Clarion and Tim Reiland of New York.

He was preceded in death by his father; and one sister-in-law, Lynn Reiland.
© Wright County Monitor 2003

Susan Ann Gruening

October 9, 2003

Susan Ann Gruening, 100, of Webster City, died on Monday, September 29, 2003, at the Crestview Senior Living.

Graveside services were held on Thursday, October 2, at 11:00 a.m., at the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. Rev. Candace Adams officiated.

Susan Ann Hicks, was born on August 21, 1903 in Lake Benton, Minnesota, the daughter of Oscar and Madge Whitman Hicks. She was the second of 10 children. Susan graduated from the Lake Benton High School and AIB in Des Moines and was employed as a secretary at the Wood Brothers Threshing Machine Company in Des Moines.

On December 24, 1927, she and William Edward Gruening were united in marriage in Des Moines. The couple resided in Des Moines; Decatur, Illinois; Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio; and Chicago, Illinois during her husband’s career as an industrial engineer. In 1950, they moved to a farm north of Blairsburg and continued to farm until their retirement in 1963. William died September 17, 1984. Susan resided on her farm until 1991 when she moved to the Crestview Senior Living.

Susan was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Clarion, of the Eastern Star and of the Clarion Senior Citizens.

Susan is survived by her son, Jacques (Jack) Gruening and wife, Katharine of Ames; 5 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ethel Lawrence of Lexington, Kentucky and Arlene Johnson of Sierra Vista, Arizona.

She was preceded in death by one son, William Edward Jr.; daughter-in-law, Helen Jean Gruening; four brothers, Clyde, Franz, Robert and Donald Hicks; three sisters, Madaline Jordan, Dorothy Clayton and Florence Langdon.
© Wright County Monitor 2003