John A. Steffenson

September 8, 2005

John A. Steffenson, 54, of Goldfield, died on Friday, September 2, 2005, at the St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Missouri, following a sudden illness.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, September 9, at 4:00 p.m., at the Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove.

John A. Steffenson, was born on December 12, 1950 at Fort Dodge, the son of Alvin and Ruby (Bennett) Steffenson. He was educated in the Renwick and Goldfield Schools, graduating from the Goldfield High School in 1970. John has lived in the Goldfield and Clarion areas his entire life.

John served in the United States Navy.

On July 23, 1997, John married Judy Endriss at Deadwood, South Dakota. He worked as a truck driver for Murphy Family Farms, Smithway Truck Lines of Fort Dodge, and was currently employed by the Ennis Truck Lines of Clarion.

John enjoyed camping, motorcycles, and loved riding horses, making many trips through the Brushy Creek trails.

He is survived by his wife, Judi Steffenson of Clarion; mother, Ruby Steffenson of Clarion; two children; five step-children; and five step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Andy Jack Lester

September 8, 2005

Funeral services for Andy Jack Lester, 74, of Ventura, were held on Wednesday, September 7, 2005, at 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Clarion. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. Andy Jack Lester died on Saturday, September 3, 2005, at the Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City.

Andy Lester, the son of Frank and Violette (Huntley) Lester was born on February 26, 1931 in Clarion. He graduated from the Clarion High School in 1949. On October 22, 1950, he was united in marriage to Pauline Pardun in Clarion.

Andy was a local farmer and carpenter for 40 years in the Clarion area. In 1963, Andy was awarded Outstanding Young Farmer. He was very active in the Clarion Jaycees, March of Dimes and the Booster Club. Andy retired in 1993 and he and Pauline moved to their Ventura home where he enjoyed the lake activities and being with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline; son, Mark and his wife, Barbara of Clarion; daughter, Denise Knight and her husband, Stephen of Bloomington, Illinois; three grandchildren; sister, Beverly Schutt and her husband, Eldred of Clarion; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Glenn Sloan of Corwith; and sister-in-law, Hazel Lester of Fort Collins, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Kenneth and Glenn Lester.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Robert Duane Robb

September 15, 2005

Robert Duane Robb, 82, of Clarion, passed away on Sunday, September 4, 2005, at his rural Clarion home.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, September 8, at the First Lutheran Church, Clarion. Pastor Gary Boen officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service, with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. The Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home, Clarion was in charge of the arrangements.

Robert Duane Robb, was born on September 15, 1922 on a farm near Eagle Grove, the son of Arthur and Zella (Armour) Robb. He attended grade school at Wright County Country Schools and graduated from the Clarion High School in 1939.

On May 1, 1948, he was united in marriage to Gladys L. Skauge. They farmed in the Wright County area for a few years. In 1958, they moved to the family farm southwest of Clarion and continued to live there until the time of his death.

Robert enjoyed spending time with his family and winter months in the south.

He is survived by two sons, Gary Robb and wife, Darcy of Clarion and Mark Robb of Des Moines; three grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Cook of Arizona; two brothers, Larry Robb and wife, Patty of Corwith and Paul Robb and wife, Dorothy of Radcliff; a sister-in-law, Carol Robb of Minnesota; a brother-in-law, Terry Weatherly of Arizona; several nieces and nephews; close friends Dean and Carolyn Keller; and a host of other friends.

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

Dean "Eddie" Harty

September 15, 2005

Dean (Eddie) Harty, 62, of Necedah, Wisconsin, formerly of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, September 8, 2005, at the Hess Memorial Hospital in Mauston, Wisconsin.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 14, at the Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home, 602 North Main Street, Clarion. Pastor Gary Boen will officiate at the 2:00 p.m. service, with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Dean (Eddie) Harty, was born on February 11, 1943, the son of Cleatis and Chris Harty.

Dean is survived by one son, Jimmy Harty of Clarion; one daughter, Lisa Jones and husband, Randy of Sumner; step-children, Donald Martin and wife, Ada of Clarion, David Martin and wife, Kim of Clarion, Cathy Asmus and husband, Jim of Dows, Dwight Martin of Forest City and Jackie and husband, Kelly of Goldfield; two grandchildren; 19 step-grandchildren; and nine step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marlene; and two brothers.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Ann Marie Nelson

September 15, 2005

Funeral services for Ann Marie Nelson, 86, of Omaha, Nebraska, will be held at the Morgan Methodist Church near Dows, on Saturday, September 17, 2005, at 10:30 a.m.

Ann is survived by two sisters, Cheryl Schrader of Omaha, Nebraska and Karen Hettel and son-in-law, Louis of Atlanta, Georgia; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Harold D. Coombs

September 29, 2005

Harold Dean Coombs, 81, of Ames, formerly of Dows, died on Monday, September 19, 2005, at the Green Hills Health Care Center in Ames.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, September 22, at the United Methodist Church in Dows. Pastor Tony Hershey and Pastor Lynn Elrod officiated. Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery, Dows.

Harold Dean Coombs, was born on September 8, 1924 in Dows, the son of Ralph and Erdene Unger Coombs. He attended country school and graduated from the Dows High School.

On November 29, 1945, he was united in marriage to Beverly Shillington at the home of her parents. Together, they farmed north of Dows their entire married life until he retired in 1996.

Harold and Bev moved to Ames in 2001 to be closer to the Dialysis Center. Even with Harold's failing health, he remained a farmer at heart.

Harold served on the Franklin County ASCS for a term. He was a life long member of the Dows United Methodist Church, where he served on the board. He was also a Drainage District Trustee.

Harold is survived by his wife, Bev; a son, John and his wife, Beverly of Latimer; a daughter, Nancy Tamashunas; and seven grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family suggests memorials be sent to the United Methodist Church in Dows, the Calvary Methodist Church, or the American Diabetes Association.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Patricia Ann Nigg

October 6, 2005

Patricia Ann Anderson Nigg, 65. of Biloxi, Mississippi, died on Monday, September 26, 2005, in Biloxi after a year long battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 30, at the Riemann Funeral Home, Biloxi, Mississippi. Interment followed in the National Cemetery in Biloxi.

Patricia Ann Anderson, was born on January 16, 1940 in Goldfield, the daughter of Morris and Florence Anderson.

During her 49 years of marriage, she enjoyed traveling throughout Europe and the United States and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Ron of 49 years; two daughters, Debra (Mark White) Alford and Lisa (Sal) Baio; two brothers, Robert Anderson and wife, Karen and Roger and his wife, Julie Anderson of Clarion; sister, Paula Erickson and husband, Stan of Eagle Grove; four grandchildren; and one step-grandson.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123.
© Wright County Monitor 2005

Melvin Lester Lesher

October 6, 2005

Melvin Lester Lesher, 82, of Clarion, died on Tuesday, September 27, 2005.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 30, at the First United Methodist Church in Clarion. Pastor Don Morrison officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Melvin Lester Lesher, was born on April 19, 1923, the son of Lawrence H. and Bernice C. (Bubeck) Lesher. He was born on his family's farm located three miles west of Clarion and attended country school in Dayton Township, graduating from the Clarion High School in 1940. He was among the signers of the original charter of the FFA, and played violin in the high school orchestra.

In 1942, Mel enlisted in the Navy to pursue his love of flying. He attended Naval Air Training at Northfield, Minnesota, LeMars, Iowa City, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Pensacola, Florida, where he graduated from the Naval Air Training School and received his gold wings and commission as Ensign on March 27, 1945. He instructed in twin engine planes. He was separated from the service on April 19, 1946.

Melvin and Lois Buchwalter, were married on April 4, 1945, in the Methodist Church in Iowa City.

He and Lois, with the help of their children, farmed for over 40 years, retiring in 1989. Mel was a 50+ year member of the First United Methodist Church, Clarion; the Masonic Lodge; and had been a long time member of the Wright County Shriners and Shrine Mini Patrol and other Masonic affiliations. He was also a member of the American Legion. He had served as Treasurer of the Lake Township Trustees, worked in the Auditor's Office, and even sold encyclopedias to add to the farm income.

Surviving Mel is his wife of 60 years, Lois of Clarion; a daughter, Melanie Sweeney and husband, Gary of Des Moines; a son, David and wife, Carol of Clarion; a daughter, Rhonda Dickerson of Omaha, Nebraska; a daughter, Linda Rogers of Parkersburg; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Beulah Lesher of Marion and Gertrude Will of Irwin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Orville Lesher.
© Wright County Monitor 2005