Lois Ann Fink

July 12, 2007

Lois Ann Fink, 75, of Clarion, formerly of Rowan, passed away on Saturday, July 7, 2007, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, July 10, at the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, rural Clarion. Pastor Raymond Salemink officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Interment was held at Hampton at 1:00 p.m.

Lois Ann (Benton) Fink, was born on October 20, 1931 on a farmstead outside of Rowan, the daughter of James and Viletta (Ahrens) Benton. She was raised and educated in Rowan, graduating from the Rowan High School. After high school she cared for the elderly in their homes for a few years.

On February 23, 1958, Lois was united in marriage to Clifford Murray Fink. The family lived on a farm south of Dows. Terry Fink, step-son of Lois, lived with them for a short time. The couple had two daughters. Lois enjoyed taking care of her family and home.

She is survived by her two daughters, Karen Andrews and Connie Manning; step-children, Dianna Schoon and Terry Fink; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister; brother; and a nephew.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Doris Mae Nelson

July 19, 2007

Doris Mae Nelson, 77, of Clarion, passed away on Wednesday, July 11, 2007, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.

A memorial service was held on Monday, July 16, at 1:00 p.m., at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion. Pastor Dean Goebel officiated at the 1:00 p.m. service. Inurnment will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Doris was born on August 23, 1929, at the Des Moines General Hospital. In June of 1934 she became the adopted daughter of Glenn and Eva Swope and moved to their home in Clarion. Doris was raised and educated in Clarion, graduating from the Clarion High School in 1947.

On June 1, 1948, Doris married Roger Nelson of Holmes. They had two children, Larry and Connie. Doris and Roger remained in the Clarion area throughout their 57 years together.

Doris loved her family, her pets and life. She was warm and friendly to all she met. She spent her final months making new friends with the staff and volunteers at the USA Health Care Center.

Doris is survived by one son, Larry and wife, Debbie of Clarion; two grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Eva Swope; husband, Roger; and daughter, Connie Nelson Smith.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Donald Joseph Hunst

July 26, 2007

Donald Joseph Hunst, age 80, of Clarion, passed away on Wednesday, July 18, 2007, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

The Knights of Columbus held a Rosary Service at 5:00 p.m., on Friday, at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, July 21, at the St. John's Catholic Church, Clarion. Fr. Chris Podhjsky officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Interment was in the St. John's Cemetery, Clarion.

Joe was born on April 7, 1927 in Belmond, the son of Remie and Pauline Hunst. He grew up on farms in the Belmond and Galt areas before moving to Clarion, where his father worked. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in the European Theater of Operations, assigned to the Medical Corps of the 9th Division, Third Army. Following the war, Joe returned to Clarion, where he was the parts manager for the Sampson's Ford Dealership until it closed in 1959. He met his future wife, Irene Blass during this time and they were married in 1954.

He later worked in the Ford Dealership in Eagle Grove for two years and then started a sales career covering Northeast Iowa selling truck parts. In 1989, he retired from sales and, as his "retirement job", managed the operation of the Clarion Area Transit (CAT) vans until 1996. He moved into the Iowa Veterans Home (IVH) in 2001 after experiencing significant health problems, where he resided until his death. Joe was blessed during this stay in the IVH with frequent visits and special outings with his nephew, Mike Hunst and wife, Ranay of Marshalltown.

Joe was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church (50+ year member of St. John's Parish in Clarion), member of the Knights of Columbus (Past Grand Knight, 1961 KC Bowling State Champ), lifelong member of Lions International (past District Governor, District 9x2), a member of Toastmasters, and a longtime member of the Clarion VFW Chapter, Post 2612 (past Post Commander). Joe served his local community for several years as a member of the Clarion City Council. Joe was also an avid league bowler and was very successful in various local and regional tournaments.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Irene; three children, Steve Hunst and wife, Mary Jo of Park Ridge, Illinois, Gary Hunst and wife, Marsha of Gardners, Pennsylvania and Jeanie Hill of Indianola; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Gene Hunst and wife, Sally of Aiken, South Carolina; and numerous nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leo; and one infant sister.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

John "Jack" Brooks

July 26, 2007

John "Jack" Brooks, age 82, of Clarion, passed away on Friday, July 20, 2007, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

A memorial service was held on Monday, July 23, at the Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home in Clarion. Pastor Charles J. Carlsen officiated at the 10:00 a.m. service. Inurnment was in the Graceland Cemetery, Rowan. Military rites were provided by the Clarion American Legion and VFW.

John "Jack" Dale Brooks, son of Edgar and Hazel (Whipple) Brooks, was born on October 19, 1924 at Lake Cornelia. He spent his childhood working on the Brooks family farm and attended the Plum Grove School north of Lake Cornelia. In 1942, he graduated from the Clarion High School.

After graduation he enlisted in the Army and moved to San Francisco, California. On March 15, 1943, Jack was united in marriage to Gladys Hansen. That same year, Jack entered active duty and served in World War II until he was honorably discharged in 1946.

The couple moved to Eagle Grove where Jack drove a taxi. They then moved to Clarion where he was employed by the Chicago Great Western as a car toad. While working for the railroad he built his home on 4th Street S.W. in Clarion. He then became the shop foreman for the Wright County Maintenance Shop in Clarion.

Jack was a member of the Holmes Christmas Club, VFW and the Railroad Union.

Jack is survived by two sons, Kent Brooks and wife, Linda of Clarion and Kirk Brooks and wife, Margret of Nashville, Tennessee; one daughter, Kay Brooks (Charles Carlsen) of Bellevue, Nebraska; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, Roger Brooks and wife, Sunnie and Alan Brooks and wife, Chris; three sisters, Betty Robinson, Maxine Benson and Joan Schroeder and husband, Dean; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Gladys in 1993; three brothers, Robert, Bill and James; and two sisters, Charlene and Patricia.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Cheryl Lee Rodriguez

August 2, 2007

Cheryl Lee Rodriguez, 70, of Clarion, passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2007, at the USA Healthcare Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Friday, July 27, at the Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home, Clarion. Fr. Chris Podhasjky officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Inurnment will take place at a later date.

Cheryl Lee Meyer, was born on October 8, 1936 in Britt, the daughter of Forrest and Edna (Brayton) Meyer. She was raised and educated in the Britt and Garner areas, graduating from the Garner High School. After high school Cheryl worked in Mason City and then at the Goodnature Store in Garner.

On September 9, 1968, she was united in marriage to Frank Rodriguez in Clarion. After moving to Clarion she worked for the Post Clover Farm and at the Wright Medical Center for 17 years.

Cheryl enjoyed reading, bowling and spending time with her family.

Cheryl is survived by her husband, Frank of Clarion; children, Terry Long and wife, Tonya of Council Bluffs, Deb Stewart of Clarion, Carrie Uhl of Snohomish, Washington, Carmen Rodriguez of Clarion and Joleen Gonzalez of Clarion; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Wayne and Marvin Meyer.

She was preceded in death by her parents.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Patricia Kay Bjorklund

August 2, 2007

Patricia Kay Bjorklund, 60, of Goldfield, passed away on Thursday, July 26, 2007, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 3, at the Lake Lutheran Church, rural Goldfield. Pastor Truman Larson will officiate at the 11:00 a.m. service. Pat's wishes were to be cremated. Memorial contributions may be left to the discretion of the family.

Patricia Kay Dobbs, was born on October 27, 1946 in Sylvan, Wisconsin, the daughter of Mervin and Norma (Chesebro) Dobbs. She moved with her family to the Renwick area and received her education in the Boone Valley Schools.

On October 30, 1964, Pat was united in marriage with Arnold Bjorklund at the United Methodist Church, Renwick. The couple made their home in Renwick for 27 years and moved to rural Goldfield in 1990.

She is survived by her husband, Arnie Bjorklund of Goldfield; a son, Everett Bjorklund and wife, April of Wisconsin; dear as a daughter, Jorunn Eide and family of Flatoy, Norway; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; parents, Mervin and Norma Dobbs of Zearing; two brothers, Mike Dobbs and wife, Kathy of Ames and Dean Dobbs of Zearing; one sister, Deanne Stansbery and husband, Wayne of Zearing; three sisters-in-law, Edna Dobbs Skjordal, Diane Dobbs and Annabel Dobbs; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a son, James Bjorklund; and three brothers, Charles, Richard and Terry Dobbs.
© Wright County Monitor 2007