Jennie Dirksen Goeman DeWaard

December 11, 2008

Jennie Dirksen Goeman Dewaard, age 101, formerly of Belmond, most recently a resident of the Kanawha Community Home, where she had been living for over 6 years, died on Tuesday, December 2, 2008, at the Kanawha Community Home.

A private burial took place in the Immanuel Reformed Church Cemetery, east of Belmond. A public memorial service was held on Friday, December 5, at the Wright Christian Reformed Church in Kanawha.

Jennie Borchers Dirksen, was born on June 24, 1907, to Dirk and Yettie (Pals) Dirksen in Alexander. She was one of six children to bless this union. Jennie was baptized and made her profession of faith at the Alexander Reformed Church. She was educated in Windsor Township.

On February 13. 1930, Jennie married Rammer Goeman and they moved to their farm east of Belmond. The couple had two children, Lyola Logterman and Richard. They were active members of the Immanuel Reformed Church, where Jennie taught Sunday School. Rammer died on January 31, 1951.

In 1958, Jennie married Joe DeWaard. She moved to Kanawha where they were members of the Wright Christian Reformed Church. They lived in Denver in the winter and enjoyed traveling around the United States.

Jennie and Joe were active in receiving funds and planning for the Kanawha Community Home. They and their grandchildren helped with planting trees in it's yard. The two of them helped tend the yard and gardens during the early years. Joe died in 1981.

Jennie continued to live in Kanawha and Denver until she was in her early 90's. She always enjoyed rides to check on the crops.

Jennie is survived by her daughter, Lyola Logterman and husband, Earl of Denver, Colorado and son, Richard Goemen and his wife, Carol of Tucson, Arizona; her brother, Dirk Dirksen of Alexander; seven grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; daughter-in-law, Donna; and four siblings all of whom lived into their 90's.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Annabel Johnson

December 11, 2008

Annabel Johnson, 84, of Galt, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, at the Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 6, at the Vernon Lutheran Church in rural Dows. Pastor Bob Edwards officiated. Burial was in the Vernon Lutheran Cemetery in rural Dows.

Annabel Patterson Johnson, was born on September 16, 1924 in Webster City. She was one of nine children born to John and Ora Trent Paterson. Annabel grew up in Webster City where she attended school and graduated from the Webster City High School. Annabel lived a couple of years in Oregon.

Annabel was united in marriage to Roy T. Johnson in San Antonio, Texas, where Roy was stationed in the Air Force. After Roy was discharged the couple moved back to Iowa and started farming in the Jewell and Blairsburg areas. In 1950 they moved to a farm east of Galt where they lived for 57 years. Annabel moved to the Meadows in Clarion in November of 2007.

Annabel was a member of the Vernon Lutheran Church rural Dows, where she was a Sunday School teacher and belonged to the Ladies' Aid. She was also a member of the Jolly Mothers Club and Social Club. Annabel enjoyed cooking, yard work, and spending time with her family.

Annabel is survived by her son, Jerry (Debra) of Galt; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Opal Yoder of Woolstock and Gwenie (Jim, Sr.) Anderson of Williams; a brother, Gene Paterson of Sweet Home, Oregon; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roy T. in 2005; grandson, Michael Johnson; mother and father-in-law, Ted and Hazel Johnson; two sisters; two brothers; and an infant brother.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Rodney D. Johnson

December 25, 2008

Rodney D. Johnson, 62, of Clarion, died on Sunday, December 14, 2008, at the Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada, following a courageous three year battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held on Monday, December 22, at the First Lutheran Church in Clarion, with Pastor Gary Boen officiating. Burial was in the North Lawn Cemetery in Fort Dodge.

Rodney, the son of Dale and Wilma (McNab) Johnson, was born on November 28, 1946 in Kingsley, near Sioux City. He was raised in the area where he attended school, graduating from the Woodbury Central High School in Moville in 1965. Rodney served in the United States Air Force for four years. Following his honorable discharge, he attended Westmar College in LeMars, graduating four years later.

Rodney was manager of the Radio Shack in Sioux City and then Radio Shack in Fort Dodge until 1979. He began working at the Fort Dodge Post Office as a mail carrier and then as a supervisor. He was Assistant to the Postmaster in Iowa Falls until 1992, when he became Postmaster in Clarion until his retirement in 2006.

Rodney was united in marriage with Karen (Onken) Blankenship, on July 4, 1998 in Duncombe. The couple made their home in Clarion.

He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, gardening and anything out of doors.

Rodney was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Clarion and the VFW. He served on the Clarion Development Commission for a few years until becoming ill in 2005.

He is survived by his wife, Karen of Clarion; his mother, Wilma Johnson of Ventura, California; three children, Jillena (Bruce) Miller of Sioux City, Michael Johnson of Port Orchard, Washington and Melissa (Eric) Bribiesca of San Diego, California; two stepchildren, Jana Ewing (Shawn) of Fort Dodge and Tim (Teresa) Blankenship of Denver, Colorado; eight grandchildren; two sisters, Sue (Larry) Hogue and Marcy (Corby) Stinnett; two brothers, Dan (Beccy) Johnson and Martin (Sherry) Johnson; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his father; and a son, Rodney, Jr. in 1986.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Leslie J. Smith

January 1, 2009

Leslie J. Smith, died of pulmonary fibrosis on Wednesday, December 17, 2008, at his home.

Leslie was born on October 16, 1918 in Chicago. He served in the Army during World War II. He was a graduate of the Open Bible College and Drake University. He worked at Firestone in Des Moines, then taught school in Clive for three years and in Clarion from 1957 until his retirement in 1984.

He is survived by Opal, his wife of 63 years; and his children, JoAnne Brown and husband, Mike of Springfield, Missouri and Jeffrey Smith and wife, Cynthia of Clive; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie O. and Nellie J. Smith.

The body was cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date. The Ewing Funeral Home is handling the service.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Mildred Ione Borel

January 1, 2009

Mildred Ione Borel, 90, of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2008, at the Careage in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, December 31, at 10:00 a.m., at the United Presbyterian Church in Clarion, with Pastor Bill Kem officiating. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Mildred Ione Thompson, was born on September 23, 1918 in Eagle Grove, the daughter of Elmer and Mary (Adams) Thompson. She was raised in the Clarion and Goldfield areas and graduated from the Clarion High School. After graduation she worked for a family in Eagle Grove before starting at Binkard's Drug Store, which later became Tomke's Drug Store. There are many who remember her behind the counter at the soda fountain. Mildred was united in marriage to Harold Borel on September 27, 1952, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Harold passed away in 1974 and Mildred moved into Clarion in 1978.

She loved spending time with her family and friends. She also loved her church and the family she had there. Mildred was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Clarion where she was a Deacon for many years and served as Treasurer of the Deacons. She was also active in the Ceres Circle, received an Outstanding Senior Presbyterian award at the age of 70 and was an Honorary Life Member of the Presbyterian Women.

Mildred enjoyed sewing, gardening, cross-stitching and was a great cook and baker. She was a member of the Sewing Circle at the Lutheran Church in Clarion and many other organizations in Clarion.

She is survived by her sister, Margaret Isenberg of Spring Valley, Minnesota; four nieces and one nephew; and numerous close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Walter French; and husband, Harold.
© Wright County Monitor 2008