Virginia Helen Pratt

January 6, 2005

Virginia Helen Pratt, 86, of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, January 1, 2005 at the Crestview Manor in Webster City.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 5, at the First Lutheran Church in Clarion. Pastor Gary Boen officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Virginia H. Hasselbrink was born on August 8, 1918, in Kellogg Township, Iowa, the daughter of William and Elsie (Henning) Hasselbrink. She was raised in Newton, graduating from the Newton High School in 1936.

On August 28, 1940, Virginia was united in marriage to Thomas Pratt in Gallenton, Missouri. The couple moved to Clarion in 1946 where they owned and operated the City Cleaners for 20 years.

Virginia enjoyed playing bridge, cards with her grandchildren, traveling, painting landscape portraits and knitting.

She is survived by one daughter, Karen Esk and husband, Larry of Roland; one son, Robert Pratt and wife, Doris of Bedford, Virginia; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, Richard Hasselbrink of Grinnell and Edward Hasselbrink of Woodbridge, New Jersey; and one sister, Doris Bryan of Lynnville.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Thomas in 1983; two brothers, Donald and Wayne Hasselbrink; and one sister, June Hasselbrink.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Ralph Elmer Mosher

January 13, 2005

Ralph Elmer Mosher, 90, of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, January 1, 2005, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.  Ralph was surrounded by his wife of 62 years and five children, as he passed into the presence of His Lord.

A memorial service was held on Sunday, January 2, at the Meadows where Ralph and his wife, Gen have resided the past four years.  Ralph was cremated and his remains will be buried at Erie, North Dakota where he grew up. 

In Ralph's early years, the Great Depression shaped his livelihood.  He tried farming but the dust bowl years affected the productivity.  He left home in his later teens and sought his fortune at hunting and trapping, construction work, and eventually moved to North Dakota and bought a hardware store in Clifford, North Dakota, which was 17 miles from where he had grown up.  

Ralph owned and operated the general store-hardware for nearly 30 years before retiring.  For about eight years, he and Gen traveled in an RV and worked volunteering with a group called RVICS (Roving Volunteers in Christ Service). When it became to much work to pull the trailer, they settled down for a period in Escondido, California and later in Bellingham, Washington before moving to Clarion in the fall of 2000. 

Ralph is survived by his wife, Gen of Clarion; children, Steve and wife, Donna of Omaha, Nebraska, Beth Greene of Story City, Margaret Cramer and husband, Dan of Blairsburg, Janet Burns and husband, Jim of Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada and Carol Sherbeck and husband, Tim of Katy, Texas; twelve grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Gertrude Williams and husband, Bob of Seneca, North Carolina and Virginia Homan of LaMoure, North Dakota; and one sister-in-law, Lucille Mosher of Mesa, Arizona.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Richard H. Thompson

January 13, 2005

Richard H. Thompson, 83, of Bettendorf, died on Monday, January 3, 2005, at his home.

A memorial service was held on Thursday, January 6, at the Asbury United Methodist Church, Bettendorf, where he was a member.

Richard H. Thompson was born on May 18, 1921, in Clarion, the son of Henry and Rose (Pletcher) Thompson. He graduated from the Clarion High School in 1939 with honors. He played baritone in the orchestra and in the national award-winning marching band. Richard enrolled in the University of Iowa in 1940.

During the war years he worked for the National Defense Research Council, which later became the Corps of Engineers Manhattan Project and then the Atomic Energy Commission.

Richard married Rosa M. Cary of Northwood, on August 26, 1945 in Ames. After the war, he enrolled at Iowa State College and graduated in 1947 with a chemical engineering degree. Following graduation he worked for Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati and in 1950, moved to Mt. Vernon where he worked for the Johnson Manufacturing Company. In 1967, the company moved its plant to Princeton, where he worked for 35 years, retiring in 1986 as CEO.

He is survived by his wife, Rosa; a son, Dan Thompson and wife, Kathy of Bettendorf; a daughter, Susan Thompson of Bettendorf; three granddaughters; a brother, Earl Thompson of Rio Verde, Arizona; and a sister, Rebecca Eggleston of Hiawatha.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Ray Scott; and one sister, Margaret Glass.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Novaleen "Nonnie" Jenkins

January 13, 2005

Novaleen "Nonnie" Jenkins, 88, of Clarion, died on Monday, January 10, 2005, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 14, at 10:30 a.m., at the St. John's Catholic Church in Clarion. Burial will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. Visitation will be on Thursday, January 13, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home in Clarion, with a prayer service being held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services on Friday at the church.

Novaleen Alberta (Ryan) Jenkins was born on March 13, 1916 in Independence, the daughter of Frank and Lylah (Dougherty) Ryan. She grew up in Independence where she was Miss Independence 1934. Later, she worked at the Capitol Building in Des Moines where she met a young Iowa Highway Patrol Officer, H.L. "Hank" Jenkins.

Hank and Nonnie were united in marriage on November 17, 1937, in Independence, but eventually made their home in Clarion where Nonnie worked at Mueller's Photography Studio. To many she will be remembered as one of the "Golden Girls". She was also a member of the St. John's Catholic Church.

She is survived by two children, Jack R. Jenkins and his wife, Laura of Clarion and Judy K. Heiden of Clarion; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1987; and one sister, Dorothy Couch.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Sherman Adrian Ekeland

January 20, 2005

Sherman Adrian Ekeland, 82, of rural Belmond, passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2005, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, January 16, at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church, rural Belmond. Pastor Lowell H. Halvorson officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the St. Olaf Lutheran Cemetery, rural Belmond.

Sherman Adrian Ekeland was born on April 15,1922 in Kelly, Iowa, the son of Hans and Karina (Westvold) Ekeland. He was baptized in the Kelly Lutheran Church and confirmed at the Palestine Lutheran Church, Huxley. He graduated from the Kelly High School. In 1941, the family moved to a farm north of Clarion. On August 20, 1966, he and Gladys Anderson Johnson were united in marriage.

Sherman was a member of the St. Olaf Lutheran Church were he served as a trustee and usher for many years. Sherman continued to farm until his health began to decline. Sherman enjoyed the simple life, being outdoors, farming and raising livestock, but most of all spending time with his family and friends. Because of Parkinson's disease, Sherman had resided at the Belmond Health Care Center for the last four years.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys; two stepsons, Edwin Johnson of Belmond and Alfred Johnson and his wife, Donna of Kanawha; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one brother, Erwin Ekeland and wife, Anita of Parker, Colorado; a sister-in-law, Tillie Ekeland of Newton, Kansas; a daughter-in-law, Ann Johnson of Belmond; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joe Ekeland and a brother in infancy.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Lela Sann

January 27, 2005

Lela Sann, 91, of Des Moines, died on Friday, January 14, 2005, at her home in Des Moines.

Lela Sann was born on November 24, 1913, in rural Blairsburg, the daughter of Edward and Eugenie (Benoit) Sann.

Lela attended rural school near Blairsburg. She attended Beauticians School in Waterloo and worked at Blacks Department Store. She then retired and moved to Des Moines.

Lela is survived by two sisters, Mary Mourlam of Webster City and Freda O'Conner of Des Moines: many nieces and nephews, including Kenneth Adams of Clarion, Virgil Mourlam of Woolstock and Dwight Sann of Clarion.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Ernest and Amous Sann; one sister, Jane Adams; and one niece, Dorothy (Mourlam) Horn.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Stanley John Westergard

January 20, 2005

Stanley John Westergard, 52, of Vinton, died of a stroke on Sunday, January 16, 2005, at the Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.

A funeral service was held on Wednesday, January 19, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Vinton. Rev. Mark C. Urlaub officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Valley View Cemetery, Graettinger, where a graveside service was held on Thursday, January 20.

Stanley John Westergard was born on January 16, 1953 in Emmetsburg. He grew up on a farm west of Graettinger and graduated from the Graettinger High School and was elected to the office of State FFA Reporter. He graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Agriculture Education and taught high school Voc Ag in Charter Oak and Pocahontas.

Stan and Rhonda L. Gottsch were married on August 4, 1979, at the United Church in Westside. They made their home in Clarion. Stan took a position with the Sandage Companies as a Professional Farm Manager. In 1987 he began his Insurance Agency with State Farm in Clear Lake and then Vinton.

Stan was an active member of his church, enjoyed golf, coaching baseball, woodworking and stained glass projects. But most of all, he was a devoted husband and father, cherishing time spent with family.

He is survived by his wife, Rhonda; a son, John M. of Boulder, Colorado; a daughter, Kathryn L. of Vinton; parents, Donald P. and Delores M. (Pierce) Westergard of Graettinger; three sisters, Sheri Nicol and husband, Randy of Mount Vernon, Mary Maher and husband, Lee of Orlando, Florida and Donna David and husband, Ron of Kansas City, Kansas; one brother, Brian Westergard and wife, Molly of Graettinger; and many nieces and nephews.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Karolyn Kay Peck

February 3, 2005

Karolyn "Kay" Peck, 63, of Clarion, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 16, 2005, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Friday, January 21, at 10:30 a.m., at the Clarion Church of Christ, Clarion. The Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home of Clarion was in charge of the arrangements.

Kay Schultz was born on December 29, 1941, the daughter of William and Alice (Wright) Schultz. She was raised and educated in Clarion, graduating from the Clarion High School in 1960.

In 1960, Kay was married to Frank Campbell, Jr. Frank passed way in March of 1984. In April of 1987, Kay was united in marriage to Larry Peck.

Kay enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She also enjoyed spending time with Larry at their home in Eagle Lake, Minnesota.

She was a committed member of the Clarion Church of Christ, serving on and leading many committees. Kay served as a deaconess of the church's board of directors, president of General Aide, PEO Chaplain, and sang in the choir. Kay also lent her time to Meals on Wheels, ECHO, Gift-n-Thrift, World Day of Prayer, Spirit of Giving, and for many years was involve with the Campfire Girls.

She is survived by her husband, Larry of Clarion; a daughter, Lisa Kluss and husband, Dean of Clarion; a son, Mark Campbell of Indianola; mother-in-law, Bertha Peck of Clarion; one grandson; an aunt, Cheryl Hilgendorf of Clarion; half-sisters, Kandee Greiser and husband, Mike of San Marcos, California and Kelly Ellis of Corwith; stepbrother, Paul Schultz and wife, Deb of Marion; stepsister, Terry Swanson of Humboldt; sister-in-law, Loretta Houston and husband, Rob; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Frank Campbell, Jr.; and a half-sister, Vicki Paul.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Martha Geraldine Ruiter

January 27, 2005

Martha Geraldine Ruiter, 91, of Clarion, died on Monday, January 17, 2005, at the USA Health Care Center in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Friday, January 21, at the First Reformed Church, Meservey. Rev. Rodney Meester officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Meservey Cemetery.

Martha Geraldine Wolters was born on January 30, 1913, in Wisner Township, Franklin County, the daughter of Harry and Elsina (Pals) Wolters. She was raised and educated in the Meservey area.

On March 28, 1934, Martha was united in marriage with John Ruiter in Meservey. To this union one son, Ronald, was born. They lived in and farmed north of Meservey until her husband was diagnosed with Malta Fever and they had to leave the farm. They purchased the cafe in town where Martha worked many years. In 1966, she moved to Goldfield where she lived and worked with Ron and his family at Ron's Restaurant.

Martha was a member of the First Reformed Church in Meservey until 1999 when she transferred her membership to the United Presbyterian Church in Goldfield.

She is survived by one son, Ron Ruiter and wife, Alice of Goldfield; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Gladys Wolters and Violet Wolters, both of Belmond; one brother-in-law, Willie Ruiter and wife, Vera of Hanlontown; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John on November 21, 1965; two brothers, Frederick and Elwin Wolters; a half-brother, Clarence Wolters; four stepbrothers, Herman, John, Bernard and Louis Gruis; and three stepsisters, Pauline Meints, Tina Ruiter and Minnie Stille.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Donald Howard Gaster

February 3, 2005

Donald Howard Gaster, 86, of Eagle Grove, passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2005, at the Rotary Ann Home in Eagle Grove.

Funeral services were held on Friday, January 20, at the United Methodist Church in Clarion. Pastor Mike Druhl officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Committal was in the Graceland Cemetery, Webster City.

Donald Howard Gaster was born on September 24, 1918, near Woolstock, the son of Charles and Mary (Nickles) Gaster.

On June 23, 1944, Don entered into active duty at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois. While serving in Europe he received two Purple Hearts. He was discharged in November 1945. He was a member of the American Legion in Webster City.

On November 7, 1951, Don was united in marriage to Leona Bell in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They established their home on a farm near Blairsburg. To this union three children were born. In 1956, the family moved to a farm south of Clarion where they continued to farm until they retired in 1981. The couple then moved to the Southtown Apartments. In 2001, Don moved to Eagle Grove.

Don is survived by two sons, Charles of Mesa, Arizona and Howard of Des Moines; one daughter, Donna of Eagle Grove; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and a sister, Viola.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Delmer L. Sanders

January 27, 2005

Delmer L. Sanders, 84, of Eagle Grove, died on Wednesday, January 19, 2005, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.

A Masonic service was held on Friday, January 21, following the visitation at the Foust Funeral Home, Eagle Grove. Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 22, at the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove. Rev. Mary K. Green officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove.

Delmer Sanders was born on January 1, 1921, in Woolstock Township near Eagle Grove, the son of Roy and Geneva Lewis Sanders. He was raised and educated in the Eagle Grove area, graduating from the Eagle Grove High School with the Class of 1938.

Delmer and Marjorie McCormick were married on February 17, 1944 in Clarion. They made their home on the family farm where he has lived and farmed his entire life. Delmer was a 50-year member of the Bower Lodge A. F. & A. M. in Eagle Grove, a 19-year member of the Wright County Fair Board and was a member of 4-H in his youth.

Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Sanders of Eagle Grove; children, Delma Fromm and husband, Ron of Battle Creek, Michigan; Roy Sanders and wife, Jan of Eagle Grove and Beth Clutter and husband, Ron of Clarion; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and three sisters, Leone Sanders, Ethel Walsh and Maxine Umstead.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Blanche L. Jergensen

January 27, 2005

Blanche L. Jergensen, 100, a former long time Clarion area resident, died on Wednesday, January 19, 2005, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Graveside services were held on Tuesday, January 25, at the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. Rev. Tim Platt of the Clarion Church of Christ officiated at the 3:30 p.m. service.

Blanche Sibert was born on November 5, 1904 at Williams, the daughter of Elmer and Effie (Dodge) Sibert. At a young age she moved with her family to the Clarion area where she spent her life until moving to the Care Center in Belmond nine years ago.

Blanche was united in marriage to Clarence Jergensen. To this union two sons were born, Earl E. and Paul Jergensen.

Blanche was a life long homemaker. She had worked for periods of time at the New Home Cafe in Clarion and did domestic housekeeping for residents in the Clarion area. She had also helped in the farming operation, raised chickens, had a large garden and enjoyed raising flowers. She was a long time member of the Church of Christ in Clarion, and in younger years was active with the various church ladies groups.

Survivors include two sons, Earl E. Jergensen of Clarion and Paul Jergensen of Oxford, Wisconsin; and five grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Clarence in 1959.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Rev. Carl Jensen

January 27, 2005

Rev. Carl Jensen, 96, of Clarion, passed away on Friday, January 21, 2005, at the Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 26, at the First United Methodist Church in Clarion. Rev. Don Morrison officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Sheffield Cemetery.

Carl Jensen was born on April 29, 1908, in Lake Forest, Illinois, the son of Carl J. and Karen Jensen. Carl attended Simpson College in Indianola, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He attended Garrett Theological Institute at Northwestern University and received his Bachelor of Divinity. Carl served Methodist Churches at Parkersburg from 1937-1940, Greeley Oneida from 1940-1944 and Traer from 1944-1945, before becoming a chaplain in the U.S. Navy.

While in the Navy during World War II he served for 15 months as a chaplain stationed in the Philippine Islands. After serving his tour of duty he returned to civilian life as a Methodist Minister in LaPorte City from 1946-52. Then he was recalled into the U.S. Navy, serving overseas duty onshore in Japan for two years. Then his duty was on board military troop transport ships in the Atlantic between Brooklyn, New York, and Bremerhaven, Germany, and duty in the Pacific and Mediterranean. Other shore duty included Williamsburg, Virginia, Chaplains' School, Naval Training Center at San Diego, California; Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, Illinois, Camp Pendleton, California and the Naval Air Station, Grosse Ile, Michigan.

After Carl's discharge from the Navy he returned to the ministry at the United Methodist Church in Lake City from 1960-1966 and served as Clarion's First United Methodist Minister for seven years. He retired from the Clarion church in 1973.

Carl and Maxine moved to Quincy, Illinois for five years where Carl was the Methodist parish interim minister from 1973-78. Carl and Maxine returned to Clarion. Carl enjoyed singing and was a member in each of the church's choirs he ministered.

Carl is survived by his wife, Maxine (Hawke) Jensen of Clarion; two daughters, Jeanie Ball and husband, Alan of Sandpoint, Idaho and Nancy Young and husband, Bill of Ankeny; four grandsons; three great-grandsons; and three brothers, Stanley Jensen, Wesley Jensen and his wife, Pauline and Harold Jensen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Marian Jacobson, Carolyn Schobert and Elsie Bishoff.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Donald E. Smith

February 3, 2005

Donald E. Smith, 76, of Clarion, passed away on Friday, January 28, 2005, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, February 2, at the Ewing Dugger Funeral Home in Clarion. Pastor Tim Platt officiated at the service.

Donald E. Smith was born on November 3, 1928, in Webster City, the son of George and Jessie (Entriken) Smith. He was raised and educated in Webster City, graduating from the Webster City High School in 1946.

After graduation he joined the Army during the Korean War. He moved back to Webster City after being discharged and met Beverly Le Valley at a dance. On January 8, 1955, they were united in marriage at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. To this union three children were born.

Don worked as a general contractor and doing concrete work. Later, he did contract work for the Bell Telephone Company for many years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Webster City.

He is survived by his children, Randy Smith and wife, Janni of Sandpoint, Idaho, Curt Smith and wife, Rhonda of Hayden Lake, Idaho and Pam Acheson of Johnston; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brother, Merlin.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Edna Viola Bohy

February 3, 2005

Edna Viola Bohy, 90, of Windsor Heights, formerly of Clarion, passed away on Sunday, January 30, 2005, at the Kavanagh House in Des Moines.

A memorial graveside service was held on Thursday, February 3, at the French Church Cemetery, Woolstock. Pastor Don Morrison officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. The body was cremated.

Edna Viola Claude was born on July 20, 1914, in Wright County, the daughter of John Thomas and Lydia (Kaster) Claude. On August 13, 1938, Edna and Charles A. Bohy were united in marriage in Webster City. They made their home in Clarion.

In 2001, Edna moved to Windsor Heights to be closer to family. Edna was formerly employed with the Wright County Hospital for several years until her retirement. She was also a homemaker.

She is survived by two daughters, Marilyn Finnell and husband, Thomas of Windsor Heights and Barbara Hoffman of Des Moines; three grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Vera Claude, Esther Johnson and Mabel Bohy, all of Eagle Grove; and many nieces and nephews.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles on August 29, 1994; one sister; four brothers; several nieces and nephews; and one grandchild.
© Wright County Monitor 2005