Dr. Philip E. Smith

July 10, 2008

Dr. Philip E. Smith, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2008, at his home.

A memorial service celebrating Dr. Smith's life was held at the Central Untied Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Wednesday, July 9, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas or to the Circle of Life Hospice, Springdale, Arkansas.

Philip E. Smith, was born on October 24, 1919 in Clarion, the son of Granville W. and E. Mildred Smith. Dr. Smith was a retired field research and development specialist with The Dow Company. In 1943, he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University.

During World War II, Dr. Smith achieved the rank of Major in the United States Army and volunteered to serve with Merrill's Marauders in Burma where he received the Bronze Star for meritorious service. His infantry unit operated behind enemy lines and was presented the Presidential Unit Citation.

He was a member of the Masonic Order, Kiwanis, American Veterinary Medical Association, Iowa State University Veterinary Medical Alumni Association, Iowa State Alumni Association and the Central United Methodist Church, where he served as Chairperson of the Older Adult Council, President of the Mr. and Mrs. Sunday School Class, and was a member of the Asbury Sunday School Class.

Following his retirement, Dr. Smith was able to enjoy a number of his lifelong interests of raising and training Tennessee Walking horses, reading, and serving the community by delivering Meals on Wheels.

Dr. Smith is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara; four children, Lora Oswalt and husband, David, Debbie Ranalli and husband, Paul, Philip (Flip) E. Smith, Jr. and wife, Kathy and Barbi Godwin and husband, David; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Joseph Charles Thielen

July 17, 2008

Joseph Charles Thielen, 86, of Eagle Grove, passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at the Hamilton Hospital in Webster City.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, July 12, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Eagle Grove. Father Nils Hernandez officiated at the 10:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Calvary Cemetery, Eagle Grove.

Joseph Charles Thielen, was born on September 21, 1921, six miles east of Eagle Grove, the son of Mathias and Mary Magdalen (Wawers) Thielen. He was raised and educated in the area of his birth, attending country schools near Woolstock.

Joe served in the United States Army during World War II, from July 10, 1942 until his Honorable Discharge on December 1, 1945. Following his discharge, Joe worked for one year cooking for the construction workers on the Alaskan Highway.

On December 27, 1949, Joe was united in marriage with Myrtle Minor at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eagle Grove. Joe was an owner and operator of Wimpy's Cafe in downtown Eagle Grove and then he and Myrt owned and operated the Eagle Bowl for 46 years.

Joe was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Men's Bowling Association, American Legion and the V.F.W. Joe enjoyed golfing and participating in the Senior Golf Tour.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Myrt Thielen of Eagle Grove; two daughters, Barbara Willard and life partner, Brian Anderson of Woolstock and Mary Wolver and husband, Steve of Urbandale; two sons, Mark Thielen and wife, Deb of Eagle Grove and Mike Thielen of Eagle Grove; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty Glowczewsky of Eagle Grove; and one brother, Anthony Thielen and wife, Dorothy of Batavia.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John, Peter, Theodore and sister-in-law, Eleanor; Raymond; Mathias and sister-in-law, Isabel; a sister, Coletta Duitscher and brother-in-law, Harold; and one great-granddaughter.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Brooklyn Jill Stark

July 17, 2008

Brooklyn Jill Stark, 11 months, passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2008, at the University Hospital, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 14, at the La Grone Funeral Chapel. Rev. Richard Grisham officiated at the 2:00 p.m. service. Interment followed in the South Park Cemetery.

Brooklyn Jill Stark, was born on July 29, 2007 in Roswell, New Mexico to Dustin Stark and MiRanda McPherson Chapman.

She is survived by her parents; two brothers and one sister at home, Gavin, Robby and Hannah Chapman; grandparents, Tim and Julie Stark of Clarion, Mary McPherson of Roswell, Kevin Swearingen and wife, Bonnie of Vacaville, California, Tony Earnest of Roswell: great-grandparents, Merle and Roberta Allen of Eagle Grove, George and Dee Baker of Clarion, Louise and Doug Robinson of Roswell, Billie Ray of Roswell; uncles and aunts;  great-uncles and great-aunts; and many cousins.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Michael John Omvig

July 17, 2008

Michael John Omvig, 33, of Eagle Grove, died on Saturday, July 12, 2008, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 16, at the Kanawha Lutheran Church. Janelle L. Siffring officiated at the 1:00 p.m. service. Burial was in the Amsterdam Cemetery, Kanawha.

Michael John Omvig, was born on September 3, 1974 in Belmond, the son of Roger and Diane (Walk) Omvig. He was raised and educated in Kanawha, graduating from the West Hancock High School in 1993 and then attended North Iowa Community College in Mason City, earning his degree in Criminal Justice in 1995.

On September 16, 1995, Mike married Bobbie Hackbarth at the Samuel Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove. The couple made their home in Kanawha until 2002, when they moved to Eagle Grove. The union was blessed with three children, Devon, Colin and Chelsie.

He enjoyed taking his children fishing, attending their wrestling meets, baseball games and playing video games with them. Michael spent many hours modeling their home and working on his grandfather's pickup.

Mike worked as a security guard at the Winnebago Plant in Forest City for seven years. After moving to Eagle Grove, he began working as a refinery operator at the AG Processing Plant in Eagle Grove. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove.

Michael is survived by his wife, Bobbie of Eagle Grove; three children, Devon, Colin and Chelsey Omvig of Eagle Grove; mother, Diane Omvig of Kanawha; a sister, Daphne Pogge and husband, Jay of Corwith; father and mother-in-law, Dave and Ellen Hackbarth of Eagle Grove; sisters-in-law, Cindy Hilpipre and husband, Tim of Spirit Lake and Amy Beecher and Scott Peterson of Badger; a brother-in-law, Mike Hackbarth and wife, Jen of Spencer and Mitch Hackbarth and wife, Angie of Pocahontas; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; father, Roger in 2006; and one nephew.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Robert "Kosh" Meinders

July 17, 2008

Robert "Kosh" Meinders, 48, of Yuma, Arizona, passed away on March 23, 2008.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2008, at the United Methodist Church in Clarion. Pastor Don Morrison will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Frances Alice Forester

August 21, 2008

Frances Alice Forester, 68, of Joshua Tree, California, passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2008.

Funeral services were held on Friday, August 8, at the Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery.

She is survived by her husband, Dwayne; two sons and two daughters, Jeff and Michael Graham and Sandy Graham, all of Bakersfield, California and Allison Johnson and husband, Bill of Newport News, Virginia; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three sisters, Maureen Elston and husband, Vern of Clarion, LaBonna Boyd of Rushford, Minnesota and Sherrie Zellinger and husband, David of Newton; one brother, Ronald Lateer and wife, Joyce of Webster City; and many nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Beverly Lateer Rice.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Gerald "Jerry" Robert Sullivan, Jr.

July 31, 2008

Gerald "Jerry" Robert Sullivan, Jr., age 58, of Faribault, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at his home following a lengthy illness.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 3, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Faribault, Minnesota. Brother Gerald Smith of the Clarion Iowa Congregation will give a talk on the reflection of Jerry's life and sharing an encouraging discourse using the Bible. Burial will be in the cemetery in Hayfield, Minnesota.

Jerry Sullivan, was born on July 7, 1950 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, the son of Jerry and Dolores (Baker) Sullivan. He grew up in Detroit Lakes appreciating the outdoors, lakes and his love of animals, especially horses. He also learned some of his father's trade as a plumber, which he later would expand that skill into commercial construction when he moved to the Minneapolis area.

He married the first time in 1970 and had a daughter, Christina. hi 1977, he married a second time and had a son, Anthony. During this time Jerry and his family moved back to Detroit Lakes for a short period of time to tend to his ailing father, who later died in 1980. In 1982, Jerry moved to Faribault, Minnesota, where he worked as a construction superintendent for a company that renovated historical buildings in downtown Faribault. During this time he also acquired a pilot's certificate but had to stop flying due to ill health.

At the time of Jerry's death he was married to Estelle (Vigdah), whom he wed in Faribault in 1984. They had two children, Jairus and Solana.

Jerry was baptized in 1976 as one of Jehovah's Witnesses and enjoyed sharing the Bible truths he learned with others regularly. Jerry and his wife, Estelle and family had the privilege to be assigned to go to remote areas of the United States to participate in a voluntary ministry. Because Jehovah's Witnesses are united worldwide, he was able to attend the local Kingdom Hall in various areas where he lived.

Jerry and his family moved to Iowa where they lived for many years, first in the Clear Lake area, and later in Gamer and Clarion before finally moving to Faribault, Minnesota.

Jerry and his wife, Estelle, for most of their marriage were self-employed and operated a janitorial distributorship and cleaning service. Later they incorporated their enjoyment of antiques and collectibles by adding to the business an antique store and auction service. Jerry graduated from auction school in 1994 and regularly had consignment and estate sales.

He is survived by his wife, Estelle; two sons, Anthony Sullivan of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Jairus Sullivan of Faribault, Minnesota; two daughters, Christina Sullivan of Columbia Heights, Minnesota and Solana Sullivan of Faribault, Minnesota; six grandchildren; three brothers, Tim Sullivan and wife, Patty of Minneapolis, Minnesota, John Sullivan and wife, Felisha of Mason City; two sisters, Kathy Coleman of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and Jean Moyer and husband, Rick of Staunton, Virginia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Patrick Sullivan who died as an infant.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Loma A. Skauge

July 31, 2008

Loma A. Skauge, 91, of Clarion, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2008, at the Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 28, at the Church of Christ in Clarion. Pastor Mark Young officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Loma Aileen Richardson, was born on January 20, 1917 on a farm in Wall Lake Township, the daughter of Duane and Clara Wilcox Richardson. She graduated from the Clarion High School in 1935. Loma was baptized in December 1929 and was a lifelong member of the Clarion Church of Christ. On July 20, 1946, she married Harold J. Skauge. They resided in Dayton Township until moving to the Meadows in Clarion in 2004.

She was secretary to the Clarion Public Schools Board of Education and Superintendent C.J. Christiansen from 1942-1947.

Loma enjoyed her family (mentoring and encouraging her nieces and nephews and their families), gardening, canning, embroidery and handiwork, and making many quilts. They had fond memories of their many fishing trips to Canada and traveling to Norway, Alaska and the Caribbean.

She is survived by her husband, Harold of Clarion; one sister-in-law, Alva Hasty of Kanawha; a brother-in-law, Maynard Beyer and wife, Barbara of Garner; many nieces and nephews, including Carrie Ann and Larry Olson, John and Lavon Marshall, Judy and Kevin Ofstethun and Gary and Darcy Robb of Clarion.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant sister, Leta; one brother, Melvin Richardson; and one sister, Juanita Marshall.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Stanley David Olsen

August 7, 2008

Stanley David Olsen, 61, of Rowan, died on Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at the Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 2, at the Belmond United Methodist Church. Pastor Mark Pluff and Pastor Mike Druhl officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery, Rowan, with military rites provided by the Rowan American Legion, Unit 159.

Stanley David Olsen, was born on August 29, 1946 in Belmond, the son of Harold and Ina (Schmidt) Olsen. He grew up in Belmond, graduating from the Belmond High School in 1964. He attended the Mankato Business School, graduating from their three-year program in two years. Stan was drafted into the Army in 1967. Stan and Peggy White were united in marriage at the St. John's Catholic Church in Clarion in 1970.

Stan worked as an accountant for a number of firms, including Central Soya and Kiefer Built before he began his own accounting firm in 1974. He was a very community-minded individual, serving on the ambulance department as well as the fire department in Rowan. He was also a member of the American Legion in Rowan and the King Solomon Lodge, #210 in Belmond. Stan took an active role as a member of the Belmond-Klemme School Board for the last three years. He was also an avid sportsman, enjoying duck hunting and trapping. Collecting antiques and attending auctions were hobbies Stan thoroughly enjoyed. His family and grandchildren were his pride and joy.

Stan is survived by his wife, Peg of Rowan; one daughter, Stephanie Peters and husband, Matt of Colfax; one son, Dan Olsen and wife, Tammie of Central Asia; four grandchildren; two brothers, Dr. Steven Olsen and wife, Pam of Belmond and Karl Olsen and wife, Marilyn of Clarion; and numerous nieces and nephews.
© Wright County Monitor 2008