Anthony T. Baderschneider

November 1, 2007

Anthony T. Baderschneider, 96, of Longwood, Florida, formerly of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, August 25, 2007, in Longwood, Florida.

A memorial will be held on Saturday, November 3, at 2:00 p.m., at the First Lutheran Church, Clarion. Inurnment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, following the memorial service.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, September 8, at the St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Longwood, Florida. At the time of his passing he was living with his son, Roger of Longwood, Florida. The complete obituary can be found in the August archive of this record.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Carolyn Samson Cronin

December 6, 2007

Carolyn Samson Cronin, passed away on Thursday, November 1, 2007. A memorial gathering was held on Sunday, November 4, in Springfield, Illinois.

Carolyn Sampson, was born on February 2, 1931 in Webster City, the daughter of the late Bert and Ellen Samson. Bert Samson owned the Ford dealership in Clarion and Carolyn graduated from the Clarion High School in 1949.

Carolyn graduated from Drake University with a BA in Journalism. She was a news writer, retired, for the Illinois State Republican Staff and a member of many civic organizations. She and her brother, Ron, recently gave $5,000 in memory of their parents for the Clarion Library expansion campaign. They had previously donated the book return outside the library.

She is survived by two sons, Dennis Cronin of Redmond, Washington and Keith Cronin of Boyton Beach, Florida; four grandchildren; and one brother, Ron Samson of Lincoln, Nebraska.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Bernice May Hobbie

November 15, 2007

Bernice May Hobbie, 83, of Clarion, passed away on Friday, November 2, 2007 at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, November 13, at the United Methodist Church in Clarion. Pastor Don Morrison officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Memorials should be sent to Wright County Hospice or Hospice of choice.

Bernice May Hackbarth, was born on September 5, 1924, on a farm in Morgan Township, near Dows, the daughter of George and Jennie (Eckert) Hackbarth. She attended country schools and graduated from high school in 1941.

Bernice was united in marriage to William "Bill" Dean Hobbie in February 1947. She and Bill had two children as well as William's three children from a previous marriage. She was a busy housewife, mother and avid gardener. The couple lived in various places around the country. William passed away in 1970. She worked as a production line worker in the medical equipment field.

After retiring, Bernice returned to Clarion in 1989. She enjoyed quilting with the church ladies, reading, playing cards and gardening. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Clarion.

Bernice is survived by her children, Jean of Elizabeth, Colorado, Michael of Santa Ana, California, Gary and wife, Karen of WaKeeney, Kansas, John and wife, Pat of Seattle, Washington and Ruth Corry of Golden, Colorado; ten grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Inez Dockwell of Dows; and one sister-in-law, Ardis Hackbarth of Dows.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one sister; and two brothers.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Marie Ricke

November 15, 2007

Marie Ricke, 102, of Williams, died on Saturday, November 10, 2007, at the Scenic Manor, Iowa Falls.

A Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, November 13, at the St Mary's Catholic Church, Williams. Burial was in the St. Mary's Cemetery.

Marie Elizabeth Froehlich was born on September 28, 1905 at Bloomington, Illinois, the daughter of Charles L. and Elizabeth Kerber Froehlich. The family moved to Wesley in the spring of 1913, where they resided on a farm west of Wesley. After graduation from the Wesley High School, Marie attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. She taught rural schools in the Wesley and Doane areas.

She married Lawrence J. Ricke on January 2, 1928 in Wesley. They made their home on a farm northwest of Williams until 1953 when they moved to Williams. In 1990, she began to divide her time between Williams and Yuma, Arizona. She remained in her home in Williams until 2002 when she moved to the Ashbrook Assisted Living in Iowa Falls.

In 1962, she was Deputy County Auditor of Hamilton County for ten years, retiring in 1972. Marie was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williams, where she sang in the choir for 47 years, soloing for most funerals and weddings. She was past president of the Webster City Business and Professional Women, a member of Crippled Children, KYN Club, ACCW and an active member of the Hamilton County Democratic Club.

She is survived by four children, John Ricke and wife, Betty of Clarion, formerly of Williams, Ramona Welden of Iowa Falls, Diane Fugate Pinkerton of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas and Virginia Ricke of Ames, formerly of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 16 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Carl Froehlich of Wesley and Edward Froehlich of Pensacola, Florida; and one sister, Helen Huber of Algona.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence in 1956; one son, Lawrence Jr. in 1948; and two grandchildren.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Larry L. McFarland

November 29, 2007

Larry L. McFarland, 65, of Council Bluffs, passed away on Saturday, November 17, 2007, at his residence after a two year courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 20, at the funeral chapel of Cutler-O'Nreil Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home and Crematory in Council Bluffs. Rev. Dr. E.A. Hering officiated at the 1:00 p.m. service. The body was cremated.

Larry L. McFarland, was born in Webster City, the son of Guy and Betty (Eberhard) McFarland. He worked as a custodian for 18 years at Tyson Foods and was a member of the Moose Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Kim McFarland; two daughters, Barbara Boner and husband, Mike and Chelsea McFarland; three stepsons, Todd Sales and wife, Mindi, Jamie Sales and wife, Alice and Scott Sales and wife, Kim; one grandson; three granddaughters: nine step-grandchildren; and one half-brother, Gary McFarland of Webster City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a daughter, Laura Beth McFarland.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Reverend David James Miller

November 29, 2007

David James Miller, 79, of Clarion, passed away on Thursday, November 22, 2007, at the Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 26, at the First Baptist Church, Eagle Grove. Pastor George Pettigrew and Dr. Fran Pettigrew officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was on Tuesday, at 11:00 a.m., at the Zion United Methodist Cemetery, South Haven, Minnesota.

David James Miller, was born on September 10, 1928 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Robert Edwin Anton and Edyth Alma (Rudolph) Miller. He attended the Minnesota District 43 in South Haven before graduating from the Annadale High School in 1947. David then served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War with the 7th Wing, 8th Air Force from 1948-1952.

David was united in marriage to Donna Lou Hauswedell on June 10, 1950. After they married, he attended the Bible Baptist Seminary in Arlington, Texas, graduating in May of 1955 with the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. David also attended the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, Illinois.

Rev. Miller received his ordination on August 10, 1952, at the Calvary Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. He served as Minister of the Gospel in Grandbury, Fort Worth and Richland Hills, Texas, Maple Plain, Jefferson and Owatonna, Minnesota, Pontiac, Saint Helen, South Branch and Harbor Beach, Michigan, Chicago, Illinois, and most recently, First Baptist Church in Eagle Grove.

Pastor Dave was the author of "Visiting and Reliving the Lands of the Bible" and received the John Mason Peck Award as Pastor of the Year for 1972, issued by the Chicago Baptist Men. He was a member of the Rotary Club for 33 years, serving as President of the Rotary Club in Owatonna, Minnesota, Harbor Beach, Michigan, and Eagle Grove, Iowa. He also served as District 5970 Governor of Rotary in 1993-94. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #0304, Eagle Grove.

He is survived by his wife, Donna of Clarion; five children, David T. Miller and wife, Shari of South Haven, Minnesota, Delight J. Antos and husband, Russell of Milton, Wisconsin, Edith D. Wood and husband, William of Owatonna, Minnesota, Naomi R. Busker and husband, Larry of Owatonna, Minnesota and Melody E. Erickson and husband, Monte of Eagle Grove; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Conrad Miller of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and Lowell Miller and wife, Arlene of Willow River, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Robert, Stanley and Rudolph "Pete".
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Keith A. Mickelson

November 29, 2007

Keith A. Mickelson, 66, of Eagle Grove, passed away on Monday, November 26, 2007, at the Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, November 29, at the Ullensvang Lutheran Church in Thor. Pastors Chris Lang and Paul Stone officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove.

Keith A. Mickelson, was born on November 6, 1941 in Eagle Grove, the son of Kenneth and Elvera (Elm) Mickelson. He was raised and educated in the Thor and Eagle Grove area. Keith was united in marriage to Patricia Hill on June 30, 1961 in Clarion. The couple did everything together from farming to fun.

Keith was a farmer at heart and a great steward of the land. During the winter months he worked as an auto mechanic at various businesses. Keith also worked at the Eaton Corporation in Belmond from 1994 until his retirement in January 2007.

Keith was a member of the Ullensvang Lutheran Church and served on the church council and trustees and as an usher. He served as a member of the Humboldt County ASCS Committee and the Gold Eagle Co-op Board.

Keith is survived by his wife, Patricia Mickelson of Eagle Grove; children, Steven Mickelson and wife, Allison of Slater, Erin Ayersman of Pleasant Hill, Anita Kist and husband, David of Eagle Grove and Chris Mickelson and wife, Jodi of Woolstock; ten grandchildren; three sisters, Linda Hanson and husband, Bill of Fort Dodge, Marlys Reiland and husband, Marv of Iowa City and Mary Bruhl and husband, Elwyn of Twin Lakes; brother-in-law, Bob Hill and wife, Donna of Clarion: sisters-in-law, Lorine Meyer and Elsie Hill, both of Clarion and Bonnie Hill of Grundy Center; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and grandparents, Elmer and Minnie Elm.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Mabel Rose Sturgeon

December 13, 2007

Mabel Rose Sturgeon, 88, of Clarion, passed away on Tuesday, November 27, 2007, at the Westview Care Center, Britt.

Funeral services were held on Friday, November 30, at the United Church of Rowan. Pastor Nancy Hofmeister officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery, Dows at 1:00 p.m.

Mabel Rose Swanson, was born on September 25, 1919, northwest of Dows in Wright County, the daughter of George and Edith (Jones) Swanson. She attended the Blaine No. 2 Country School through the 8th grade and the Rowan Consolidated High School, graduating in 1936.

Mabel married Eugene Sturgeon on January 1, 1941. Gene and Mabel started farming that spring 14 miles northeast of Mason City. The following year they moved back to the Galt area, where they farmed until 1980, when they moved to Dows. After Gene's passing on May 13, 1993, Mabel moved to the Meadows in Clarion.

Mabel was active in the United Methodist Church in Rowan, serving many years as an officer. She also served as an officer on the District Methodist Women Board in Mason City. Mabel was a member of the Rowan Review Club, Jolly Mothers, Vernon Friendly and the Liberty Clubs of Dows.

Mabel and Gene enjoyed many travels. For 20 years they traveled to Red Lake, Canada, to fish. Visiting the Holy Land in January of 1980 was the highlight of their travels. Taking a cruise on the Sea of Galilee they both felt was a wonderful experience.

She is survived by three daughters, Marilyn Hansen and husband, Gary of Fletcher, North Carolina, Gloria Johanson and husband, Dennis of Britt and Sandra VanGerpen and husband, Larry of Emerado, North Dakota; one son, Ron Sturgeon and wife, Sandy of Rowan; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one brother, Raymond Swanson and wife, Betty of Clarion; and one sister-in-law, Mary Louise Swanson of Eagle Grove.

Mabel was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years; parents; one infant brother; one brother, Clifford Swanson; one daughter, Donna Sturgeon (11) in 1953; and two grandsons.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Vernon E. Christensen

December 6, 2007

Vernon E. Christensen, 83, of Eagle Grove, passed away on Friday, November 30, 2007, at CareAge of Clarion.

A private internment service with military honors was held on Monday, December 3, at the Glenwood Cemetery, Goldfield. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

Vernon E. Christensen, was born on February 7, 1924, on a farm north of Eagle Grove, the son of James and Winnie (Hovey) Christensen.

"Chris" was educated in a country school and graduated from the Eagle Grove High School with the class of 1942. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and graduated as a P-51 pilot in Eagle Pass. Texas. He remained in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve for 30 years, until his retirement as a Major.

He married Darcia Olson in 1949 and they were the parents of one son. They farmed north of Eagle Grove until his retirement in 1987.

Chris enjoyed playing baseball on Eagle Grove's town team, which won numerous Boone Valley championships. He enjoyed traveling in the U.S. and abroad, including many visits to Kansas City to see his son and daughter-in-law. He also enjoyed many winters spent on the beach in South Padre Island, Texas.

Vernon is survived by his wife, Darcia Christensen; a son, Jim Christensen and wife, Dawn of Kansas City, Missouri; a sister, Margaret Bennett of Tulsa, Oklahoma; one nephew and two nieces; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother-in-law, Howard Bennett.
© Wright County Monitor 2007