Neil Joseph Pyle

December 14, 2006

Neil is survived by his wife of 55 years, Roberta of Des Moines; four daughters, Diane Freeman and husband, Chuck, Kathy Simmons and husband, Jim and Sheila Sargent and husband, Gary, all of Des Moines, Julie Williams and husband, Dave of Omaha, Nebraska; two sons, Steve Pyle and wife, Patti and Mike Pyle and wife, Stephanie, both of Des Moines; 13 grandchildren; one brother, Charles R. Pyle and wife, Hope of Cedar Rapids; and one sister, Aletha Armatis of Lexington, Kentucky.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a bother, Joe; and one sister, Beverly.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

Joseph R. Fisher

December 14, 2006

Joseph R. Fisher, 92, of Clarion, passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2006, at the Belmond Healthcare Center.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 9, at the United Presbyterian Church in Clarion.

Joseph R. Fisher, was born on July 14, 1914 in Dayton Township, Wright County, the son of Ralph and Edith (Cooper) Fisher. He was the ninth of eleventh child in the family. He graduated from the Clarion High School in 1932.

On October 10, 1937, he was united in marriage to Viola E. Dahlgren at the United Methodist Church, Clarion. Joe worked for the Chicago Great Western Railroad as a brakeman, where he worked until his retirement.

Joe was known for his skilled woodworking and ability to fix almost anything. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and always had time for a joke or a story. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church and the Railroad Union.

He is survived by four children, Joanne Mucken and husband, Bob, Dale Fisher and wife, Carol, Dean Fisher and wife, Mary Jo and Mark Fisher and wife, Pat; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Lucille Hurst.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Vi; and nine brothers and sisters.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

Charles F. Simmons

December 14, 2006

Charles F. Simmons, 82, of Clarion, passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2006, at the USA Healthcare Center, Clarion, after a courageous battle with cancer. 

Memorial services were held on Monday, December 11, at the Clarion Church of Christ. Rev. Tim Platt officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Inurnment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion in the spring. 

Charles was born on March 18, 1924, the son of Dewey and Laura (Pester) Simmons. He attended Iowa State University where he studied engineering, but was called back to the family farm during World War II. 

Charles married Janice Shillington on September 22, 1945 in Clarion.  Janice died in 2000. Charles farmed for many years near Clarion. He also worked at Erickson Manufacturing Company for a number of years and drove semi for Ennis Trucking.

Charles loved to camp, build and fly model airplanes, but mostly he dearly loved his family and friends, especially watching his grandchildren in sports. 

Charles is survived by one daughter, Diana Keehn and husband, Gary; one son, Thomas Simmons and wife, Anita of Clarion; six grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and one sister, Ruth Bohy of Clarion.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janice; one brother, Glen; and an infant brother. 
© Wright County Monitor 2006

Earl was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Evelyn; and three brothers, Walter, Roy and Dale.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

Donald Ray Fraser

January 18, 2007

Donald Ray Fraser, 79, of Mesa, Arizona, entered into rest on Saturday, December 9, 2006.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, December 19, 2006, at the Victory Lutheran Church in Mesa. A service will be held in Clarion in the spring of 2007.

Donald was born on November 4, 1927 in Holmes, the youngest of six children of Morris E. and Edith M. (Wampler) Fraser. He served four years in the Navy from 1951-1955 during the Korean Conflict.

Donald was a graduate of Iowa State College, now Iowa State University, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Vocational Education with teaching credentials in agriculture, economics, biology and chemistry. He received his Master of Science in Education Administration from Iowa State University. He took post graduate hours from Iowa State, the University of Northern Iowa and Drake University.

He taught biology at Ames High School and then taught vocational agriculture in Latimer and Radcliff. He taught science in Alexander and also in Williams. He developed a program for children with learning disabilities at the Northeast Hamilton School in Blairsburg, where he taught for 16 years.

He married Beverly Osmundson Olson in 1968. After retiring from teaching, he worked as a Realtor in Iowa and Arizona. He and his wife moved to Mesa in 1987.

Donald is survived by his wife, Beverly; one son, Donald R. Fraser II of Dows; two step-daughters, Kristin Olson of Cedar Falls and Kathy (Marlin) Pruismann of Blairsburg; one step-son, Dennis Olson of Tucson; eight grandchildren; one great-grandson; a brother, Emmett Fraser (Dorothy) of Clarion; and a sister, Phyllis Berkenes of Clarion.

He was preceded in death by his son, Craig; two sisters, Bernice Fraser Anderson and Maxine Fraser Brinkman; one brother, Glenn Fraser; and his parents.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Violette Irene Twedt

December 28, 2006

Violette Irene Twedt, 90, of Clarion, passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2006, at the USA Healthcare Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Friday, December 22, at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion. Pastor Curt Miner officiated at the 1:30 p.m. service. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Violette Irene Pohlman, was born on June 18, 1916 in Wright County, the daughter of Fred and Minnie Rose (Cramer) Pohlman. She grew up in Wright County and attended country school at Lincoln #9 and graduated from the Clarion High School in 1934. Her Sunday School years were spent at the Wall Lake Congregational Church and later at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion.

She was always with and next to her parents and took care of them for as long as they lived. On December 6, 1956, Violette was united in marriage to John S. Twedt in Yankton, South Dakota. She spent over 30 years on their farm near Thor, moving to Clarion in 1987.

Violette is survived by her two nephews, Gary Martin and Dwight Sann; two nieces, Marjorie Westerhiem and Janice Baldwin and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three sisters, Edna Martin, Etta Sann and Clara Sann; and one brother, Jelske Pohlman.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

Allan Forrest Bisbey

December 28, 2006

Allan Forrest Bisbey, 80, of Clarion, passed away on Wednesday, December 20, 2006, at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, after surviving a double bypass surgery. Memorials may be given in Allan's memory to the Clarion Public Library.

Allan Forrest Bisbey, was born on April 3, 1926 in Webster City, the son of Elmer and Ruth (Schwaubbauer) Bisbey. At the age of 17 and in the spring of 1944, he entered the Air Force where he served until 1946.

Allan was united in marriage to LaVonne Maxine Cox in 1947. They were the parents of three children.

Allan worked for the Standard Oil Company until he retired at age 55, then worked as a Deputy for the Wright County Sheriff's Department until he was 65. He enjoyed golfing, eating, reading, and especially traveling.

He is survived by two sisters, Elnora and Lois; one brother, Dwight; and one daughter, Elaine Elizabeth Bisbey of Vancouver, British Columbia; one son, Brian Kevin Bisbey of Beloit, Wisconsin; and a daughter-in-law, Rene.

Allan was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and a son, Forrest in 2003.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters, Genroe Benton and Jane Umthun; and one granddaughter, Rebecca Lynn Powell.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

She was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice; her mother, Mary; her father, John; brother, John; and sister, Elizabeth.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Harold Richard Klemensen

December 28, 2006

Harold Richard Klemensen, 80, of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, December 23, 2006, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, December 27, at the First Lutheran Church, Clarion. Pastor Gary Boen officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Harold Richard Klemensen, was born on November 11, 1926, on a farm between Thornton and Clear Lake, the son of Christian A. and Media Leona (Ramsey) Klemensen. He attended school in Mason City, where he graduated in 1944. Shortly after graduation he was drafted and served for two and one-half years in the U.S. Army.

On July 1, 1946, he was united in marriage to Lorraine May Tosevigen at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mason City. To this union three children were born. This past summer the couple celebrated 60 years of marriage with a large gathering of family and friends.

After his release from the Army, the couple lived in Mason City for the next 16 years, except for one year in Joliet, Illinois. In 1956, Harold began working for Carnation Dairy and then transferred to Waterloo in 1963 when the Mason City plant closed. He continued to work for the dairy until 1985, when he took early retirement and the couple moved to Clarion to be closer to their family. In Clarion, he became a member of the First Lutheran Church and served on many church committees.

During the spring, summer and fall, Harold could be found golfing around the courses in the area. He enjoyed the many friendships he made over the years at the North Central Iowa Over 60's Golf Tour. He also treasured the time spent with two of his granddaughters as his partners in the He-She Golf Tournaments at the Oakridge Country Club in Goldfield. Harold also enjoyed golfing and bowled in the Wednesday night league at Hi-Hatt Lanes, where for many years he was the league secretary. He especially enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow bowlers.

During the 21 years he lived in Clarion, Harold became his four granddaughters' #1 fan. He was there at any activity in which they participated and cheered them on to always do their best. While family was his top priority, Harold also liked the many new friends he made after moving to Clarion. Almost every morning he went to Hardees for breakfast and discussed the latest news with his coffee drinking buddies.

Harold is survived by his wife, Lorraine of Clarion; three children, Richard Klemensen and wife, Nancy of Des Moines, Kristine Mraz and husband, Dennis of Clarion and Terry Klemensen and wife, Catherine of Brooklyn, New York; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Helen Schultz of Mason City and Pearl Simkins and husband, George of Clear Lake; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Andrew Laverne Klemensen; and one sister, June Huntley.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

Leonora R. Johnson

January 4, 2007

Leonora R. Johnson, 96, of Belmond, died on Wednesday, December 27, 2006, at the Wright Medical Center Hospice Unit in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 30. at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Belmond. Rev. Troy Flibsen officiated at the 3:00 p.m. service. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery.

Leonora R. Olsen, was born on December 26, 1910 at Blair, Nebraska, the daughter of Julius and Dora (Rasmussen) Olsen.

At an early age she came to Iowa with her parents and lived in various communities in Franklin and Wright counties. In 1926, the family moved to Belmond where she finished high school, graduating with the Class of 1928. Leonora then attended Waldorf College, where she studied to be an educator.

After teaching for a few years following college she married Ervin Johnson on June 15, 1934, at Holmes. To this union four children were born. After the children were grown, Leonora returned to her teaching career at various schools around north Iowa for some years.

When Ervin retired from farming in 1972, they moved to Kanawha and lived there until Ervin's death in 1985. Leonora then returned to live in Belmond and in 1995 moved to the Belmond Community Retirement Center. She lived there until becoming a resident of the Belmond Health Care Center in April 2005.

Throughout her life Leonora followed her ambitions and belief in lifelong learning and education. She had even taken various adult education classes in her 80's and several of her family members also went on to pursue careers in education. Her life was filled with special occasions and times spent with her family and friends.

Leonora was very active in the church activities of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond where she was a long time member. She enjoyed making hundreds of quilts with the church ladies for Lutheran World Relief and had been active in the church circle. During her later years she enjoyed being a member of the Belmond Senior Citizens and participating in many of the activities of the retirement community.

She is survived by two daughters, Janelle Nevermann and husband, LeAllen of Mason City and Ardith Jenison and husband, Marlin of Urbandale; two sons, Ervin Johnson and wife, Liz of Mankato, Minnesota and Gordon Johnson and wife, Jeri of Westby, Wisconsin; a sister, Judith Knutson of San Antonio, Texas; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three sisters, Dagny, Helen and Priscilla; two brothers, Harold and Philip; and two grandsons.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Elizabeth "Betty" Sporaa

January 4, 2007

Elizabeth "Betty" Sporaa, 96, of Dows, passed away on Sunday, December 31, 2006, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 3, 2007, at the St. John's Catholic Church, Clarion. Father Chris Podhjsky officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery, Dows. Memorials may be sent to the American Legion Auxiliary in Dows.

Elizabeth "Betty" Sporaa, was born on July 10, 1910 near Victor, the daughter of Peter and Louisa (DeBates) Minnaert. She was the tenth of 12 children and was the last living child of this family. Betty graduated from the Guernsey Consolidated School in 1930.

Elizabeth married Fred Sporaa on July 16, 1945 in Clarion. She and Fred lived in Dows most of their married life. Fred was a truck driver and involved in construction and Betty would often accompany him on the jobs. They loved to fish and spent many vacations fishing in Minnesota. She enjoyed bowling and was a member of the Legion Auxiliary. She served as treasurer of the Auxiliary for many years.

She worked at several places of business in Dows through the years and volunteered at the Welcome Center Depot and the Mercantile. Fred and Betty took some nieces and nephews into their home and helped them finish their schooling. She enjoyed playing cribbage and working in her garden.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1988; and 11 siblings.

Betty is survived by many nieces, nephews and their families.
© Wright County Monitor 2007