Norris Skadburg, 89, of Eagle Grove, passed away on Thursday, February 1, 2007, at the Rotary Ann Nursing Home, Eagle Grove.

Funeral services were held on Monday, February 5, at the Holmes Lutheran Church. Pastor Stan Peterson officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Holmes Lutheran Cemetery.

Norris Skadburg, was born on March 15, 1917 in Lake Township, Wright County, the son of Ole and Thora (Pedersen) Skadburg. He was baptized and confirmed at the Holmes Lutheran Church. He attended the Liberty No. 6 School. After graduation Norris farmed with his father until he rented his own farm in 1938.

On February 14, 1940, Norris was united in marriage to Esther Moss at the Samuel Lutheran Church. They farmed together for 62 years and eventually moved to their present home in Eagle Grove.

Norris was a lifelong and active member of the Holmes Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the A.S.C. Committee and the Goldfield Elevator Board.

Norris is survived by his wife, Esther of 66 years; four children, Elaine Brasel and husband, Norm of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ron Skadburg and wife, Willa of Woodbridge, California, Judy Renkiewiez and husband, Denny of Grand Marais, Minnesota and Don Skadburg and wife, Suzanne of Clive; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Arnold Skadburg and wife, Beverly of Burt.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Percy, Bernard and Maynard; and one granddaughter.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Paul A. Bailey

February 15, 2007

Paul A. Bailey, 72, of Mason City, passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2007, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, February 14, at the Major Erickson Funeral Home. Pastor John W. Bailey officiated at the 2:00 p.m. service. Interment was in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

Paul A. Bailey, was born on February 18, 1934 at Mason City, the son of John W. and Delma (Akeson) Bailey. He graduated from the Mason City High School, St. Olaf at Northfield, Minnesota with a degree in Choral Music, and the University of Northern Iowa.

In December 1985, Paul married Dianne Grimm. He worked at Metal Craft Corporation in Mason City and also taught choral and instrumental music in Clarion, Goldfield, Clear Lake and Belmond.

He enjoyed fishing, photography, calligraphy, collecting watches and pens, writing short stories, and writing, arranging and composing music. Paul was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, NRA, and a choral director for SPEBSQSA (Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America). He was also involved in the community chorus.

He is survived by one son, Paul A. Bailey and wife, Nancy of Mason City; one grandchild, Stephanie Bailey of Ankeny; one brother, John Bailey and wife, Karen of Marion. He is also survived by Dianne Bailey, nieces, nephews and his dog and trusted companion "Zee".

He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant brother, Arthur R. Bailey.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Elsie Irene Madison

February 22, 2007

Elsie Irene Madison, 94, formerly of Goldfield, passed away on Monday, February 12. 2007, at the Humboldt North Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Friday, February 16, at 11:00 a.m., at the Goldfield Methodist Church. Pastor Dale Schoening officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Glenwood Cemetery, Goldfield.

Elsie Irene Olson, was born on March 3, 1912 at Elmore, Minnesota, the daughter of Frank and Gertrude (Hubbard) Olson. She moved with her family to northern Iowa as a young girl. She graduated from the Eagle Grove High School.

Elsie married Leonard (Shorty) Madison on February 23, 1933 and they made their home in the Goldfield area, where they were engaged in farming for many years. When Leonard took a job at the Goldfield Co-op Creamery, they moved into Goldfield in 1965.

Elsie was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking, baking, taking care of her flowers, and in her later years she loved going for rides around the countryside,

Elsie was a long time member of the Goldfield Methodist Church. She was a former member of the Evergreen Sporting Association, a birthday club and two bridge clubs.

In 2000, Elsie moved to the Humboldt Homes and in July of 2004 she became a resident of the North Care Center, Humboldt.

She is survived by her children, William Madison and wife, Jean of Goldfield, Roger Madison of Dakota City, Larry Madison and wife, Sheila of Humboldt and Phyllis Torkelson and husband, Larry of Dakota City; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leonard (Shorty); a daughter, Gloria; and one brother, Clinton Olson.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Daniel John Gangestad

February 22, 2007

Daniel John Gangestad, 45, of rural Clarion, passed away on Thursday, February 15, 2007, at his home after a three year battle with brain cancer. Dan exemplified quiet strength.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, February 17, at the United Methodist Church, Clarion. Pastor Stan Peterson officiated at the 10:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Holmes Lutheran Cemetery.

Daniel John Gangestad, was born on December 28, 1961 in Fort Dodge, the son of John Irvin and Ella Jane (Marker) Gangestad. He lived his entire life in the Eagle Grove and Clarion areas. He attended the Eagle Grove School, graduating in 1980. He attended one year at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge and a winter quarter at Iowa State. He then began his career in farming.

On August 7, 1982, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Patricia (Patty) Michele Johnson at the St. John's Catholic Church, Clarion. They made their home in rural Clarion. To this union were born four sons and one daughter.

Dan was a life long member of the Holmes Lutheran Church. He enjoyed farming, muscle cars, his motorcycle, old tractors and vehicles of all kinds. He also enjoyed watching high school wrestling and anything involving his children. He also liked relaxing at the lake, at coffee, or in the hot tub with family and friends.

Dan is survived by his wife, Patty; three sons, Ryan of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Grant of Cedar Falls and Logan at home; one daughter, Kayla at home; his mother, Ella Gangestad of rural Eagle Grove; one sister, Jody (Dean) Hamer of Story City; one brother, Scott Gangestad and wife, Michelle of Clarion; one sister, Jill Bosch and husband, Joe of Blairsburg; mother and father-in-law, Jimmie and Colleen Johnson of Clarion; many brothers and sisters-in-law, Dave Johnson, Lee and Deb Johnson, Steve and Terry Simmons, John and Lois Johnson, Brian and Kay Marker, Jonathon and Laura Williams and Jake and Karianne Johnson; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clarence and Tena Gangestad and John and Dorothy Marker; his father, John Gangestad; and an infant son, Joshua Michael Gangestad.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Philip Edward McHale

March 1, 2007

Philip Edward McHale, 76, of Clarion, passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2007, at the Rochester Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, February 23, at the St. John's Catholic Church, Clarion. Fr. Chris Podhjsky officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Clarion.

Philip Edward McHale, was horn on April 2, 1930 in rural Clarion, the son of John and Ellen "Nellie" (O'Conner) McHale. He attended the Wall Lake Township Country School. He graduated from the Clarion High School in 1948. He worked on the family farm until his retirement in 1995.

On June 22, 1955, Philip was united in marriage to JoAnne Kaufman at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond. To this union four children were born.

Philip enjoyed playing the guitar and harmonica. He liked spending time at the Eagle Grove Airport flying small aircraft and visiting with friends. He spent many hours in his machine shed working and inventing many things. He was a Wall Lake Township Trustee. Philip enjoyed sharing his agricultural knowledge and telling stories of his shanty Irish youth as the one room school house historian for the Wright County Fair. Philip was a member of the St. John's Catholic Church in Clarion.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnne of Clarion; one son, Kevin and wife, Ellyn of Clarion; three daughters, Felecia Dus and husband, Frank of Schaumburg, Illinois, Janyce Otto and husband, Richard of Rochester, Minnesota and Ann McLaughlin of Rochester, Minnesota; six grandchildren; one sister, Judy Nelson of Urbandale; and many nieces and nephews.

Philip was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Gloria, Mary, Eleanor and Leone; and two brothers, Emmet and John.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Madelyn Helen Ashpole

March 1, 2007

Madelyn Helen Ashpole, 93, of Ponca City, Oklahoma, died on Saturday, February 24, 2007, in Ponca City.

Funeral services will he held on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, at 11:00 a.m., at the Goldfield Methodist Church. Interment will he in the Graceland Cemetery in Webster City.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Betty M. Rumme

March 8, 2007

Betty M. Rumme, 81, of Des Moines, passed away on Monday, February 26, 2007, at the Calvin Community.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 3, at the Westover Funeral Home, Des Moines.

Betty Rier was born on March 18, 1925 in Clarion, the daughter of Ray and Ella Rier. She graduated from the Clarion High School, where she was a member of the State and National Champion 1939 Clarion High School Band. She attended AIB in Des Moines and worked at the Wright Patterson Airbase during World War II.

On July 28, 1946, she married Carl A. Rumme in Fort Dodge. Carl preceded her in death in October 2000.

She is survived by two sons, Allen of Los Lunas, New Mexico and Bill of Polk City; one sister, Bev Melhus of Eagle Grove; and one brother, Bob Rier of Clarion.
© Wright County Monitor 2007