Pauline Faye Askvig

October 9, 2008

Pauline Faye Askvig, 72, of Clarion, passed away on Thursday, October 2, 2008, at the Mercy Medical Center, Des Moines.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 6, at the Clarion Church of Christ. Pastor Warren Curry officiated at the 1:30 p.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Pauline Faye Campbell, was born on July 15, 1936 in Clarion, the daughter of Frank and Margaret (Comer) Campbell. She was raised and attended school in Clarion. Pauline was a lifelong resident of Clarion. On August 30, 1953, Pauline married Harold Askvig in Atchison, Kansas. The couple made their home in Clarion where they raised their four sons.

Pauline was employed at Hagie Manufacturing in Clarion as Parts Manager, retiring in 2000.

Pauline enjoyed spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. She loved spending time with her family at Christmas. She enjoyed being outside fishing, watching the birds and squirrels and gardening. Pauline was a member of the Clarion Church of Christ.

Pauline is survived by her husband of 55 years, Harold; four sons, David (Cheryl) Askvig of Clarion, Frank (Linda Rosso) Askvig of Des Moines, Kim (Julaine) Askvig of Cowley, Wyoming and Larry (Mary) Askvig of Sedro Woolley, Washington; father, Frank Campbell Sr. of Clarion; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and other family members.

She was preceded in death by her mother; and two brothers, Frank, Jr. and Robert.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Eugene Didio

October 9, 2008

Eugene Didio, 88, a resident of Galt, passed away on Friday, October 3, 2008, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Eugene was laid to rest in the St. John's Cemetery in Clarion, following a brief graveside ceremony.

Eugene Didio, was born on July 4, 1920, the son of Ed and Mary Didio and was raised on a farm north of Clarion. He was known simply as "Gene" or "Morris" to his friends and family and "Tinker" to the many children whose bicycles and toys he repaired in his spare time. A watchmaker by profession, he owned and operated a watch repair shop in Clarion from 1950 to 1980. He later moved to Galt, where he continued to repair watches and clocks until the year 2003. Even when he was 80 years old, he could still be seen huddled over his workbench, adjusting a precision timepiece of the smallest dimensions.

Didio was inducted into the Army in 1944 and became a member of the 124th Cavalry Regiment, the last horse cavalry regiment in the U.S. Army. His unit was shipped to India, given additional training in jungle warfare and then ordered into Burma as reinforcement for Merrill's Marauders, eventually becoming known as the Mars Task Force. The "Men from Mars", as they were nicknamed, became a long-range penetration force that moved deep behind enemy lines during the China-Burma-India campaign. Didio received the Purple Heart after being wounded in action along the Ledo Road in Burma.

Following his recovery and his discharge from the Army, Didio went to watchmaking school in Missouri and then returned to his home in Clarion to open his watch repair shop on South Main Street.

Didio loved to go dancing and despite his war injuries, he and his wife, Bonnie were regular weekend fixtures at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, whenever the big bands played. He enjoyed music of all types, and played the accordion and organ in his spare time.

Eugene is survived by his wife, Bonnie; two sons, David and Leif; one daughter, Peggy; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; and two sisters.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Gertrude June Lesher Cross

October 16, 2008

A memorial service for Gertrude June Lesher Cross Will, was held on Thursday, October 2, at the Church of Christ in Irwin, Iowa. Her body was cremated and her ashes will be interred at a later date.

Gertrude June Lesher, was born on August 14, 1926, on the family farm three miles west of Clarion, the daughter of Lawrence Hauman and Bernice Christina Bubeck Lesher. She attended country school in Dayton Township before entering the Clarion High School. She graduated in 1943.

Gertrude worked in the high school office for C.J. Christiansen and in the courthouse before going to Des Moines to work for a cosmetic company. In 1945, she moved to Denver, Colorado to work.

In 1946, she returned to Iowa and attended the University of Northern Iowa. She met True Aldrian Cross and they were married March 20, 1954 at the First United Methodist Church, Clarion. To this union, three children were born, Thomas, Kathryn and Randall. They lived on a dairy farm west of Cedar Falls where she worked long hours in the small calf nursery and helped with dairy operations. She also worked seven years for the Waterloo Probationary Court as a technical secretary. T.A. preceded Gertrude in death.

On June 15, 1990, Gertrude married Delbert Will of Irwin. They lived on his family farm until he retired and they moved into Irwin. He died in 2001.

She is survived by three children, Thomas of S. Beloit, Illinois, Kathryn Morris of New Virginia and Randall Cross of Waterloo; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; and her sister, Beulah of Marion.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; and her two brothers, Melvin and Orville.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Curtis E. Palmer, Sr.

October 23, 2008

Curtis E. Palmer, Sr., of Harpers Ferry, died on Monday, October 6, 2008.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, October 9, at the Rossville Presbyterian Church.  Burial was in the IOOF Cemetery in Rossville.

Curtis Everett Palmer, Sr., was born on November 17, 1927, in the family's home outside of Rossville, the son of Everett and Laura (Flage) Palmer. He attended rural Allamakee country schools and the Waterville High School. Curtis completed his high school education while serving in the U.S. Navy. In 1947 he served aboard the U.S. Edisto on an expedition in the Antarctic.

On June 1, 1949, he married Arlene Beck at the Methodist Church in Waterloo. With the help of the GI Bill and his wife, Curtis graduated from Upper Iowa University with a degree in business. He taught high school business classes in several schools throughout Iowa for a couple of years. Curtis went to work with his father selling Occo Feed in Northeast Iowa. In 1961 he started his own feed company in Greenfield, which branched out into Palco Manufacturing in Belle Plaine and Clarion. Curtis developed several innovation inventions that resulted in advances in livestock equipment. Palco equipment was sold throughout the world and received several awards for its impact on manufacturing and agriculture. Curtis and Arlene moved to Harpers Ferry in 1997.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Belle Plaine and the Harpers Ferry American Legion. Curtis loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren. He also enjoyed traveling, collecting coins and spending time in the outdoors on his farm.

Survivors include his four daughters, Susan Palmer of Camarillo, California, Dana (Meg Wilste) Palmer of Evansville, Wisconsin, Rebecca (Jon Hammond) Palmer of Cedar Rapids and Crystal (Kevin) Shedenhelm of Denver, Iowa; five grandchildren; three brothers, Stanley Palmer of Harpers Ferry, Neal Palmer of Waukon and Allan (Patricia) of Monona; two sisters, Joan (Richard) Leiran of Waukon and Judy (Charles) Hastert of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Arlene who died on February 5, 2008; and a son, Curtis Palmer Jr.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Eldon Wayne Loux

October 16, 2008

Eldon Wayne Loux, 81, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2008, at his home in rural Rowan.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 13, at 1:30 p.m., at The United Church of Rowan, with Pastor Nancy Hofmeister officiating. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.

Eldon was born on June 4, 1927 in Webster City, Iowa, to Clarence and Margaret (Scott) Loux. He attended school in Galt. He married his high school sweetheart, Wanda Babcock on March 24, 1947 in Austin, Minnesota. Together they farmed and raised cattle south of Rowan until retirement. They spent many winters in Arizona. Eldon loved to go fishing with his grandsons.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Wanda; three sons, Duan (Donna) of Des Moines, Leland (Cathy) of Wheatland, Missouri and Merlin (Jackie) of Dows; daughter, Deanna (Paul) of Cedar Falls; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Johnny (Rosann) of Clarion; and sister, Evelyn Srigley of Boone.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant grandson.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Don Ramon Cramer

October 16, 2008

Don Ramon Cramer, 79, of Clarion, passed away on Friday, October 10, 2008, at the Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 13, at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion. Rev. Geoffrey White officiated at the 10:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Don Ramon Cramer, was born on March 17, 1929, on the family farm north of Galt, the son of Ray and Jessie (Simmons) Cramer. He attended 8 grades of school in Rowan and graduated in 1948 from the Clarion High School. He attended Iowa State College and played on the freshman football team. He began farming with his father and moved to the farm where he lived at this time.

On August 20, 1950, he was married to Marjorie (Castleman) and to this union four children were born, Kent, Kirk, Mark and Michelle. They celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in August.

He was a member of the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion for over 50 years and served on various boards. He was a premium fudge and peanut brittle maker for the annual bazaar. He loved to play golf and enjoyed watching sports, especially football. He liked to restore old rusty antique tractors to like-new. He was a 50-year plus Mason and a charter member of the Wright County Shrine Mini-Patrol. He performed for 28 years and raised money for the Crippled Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. He usually wore a black ape costume on his motorcycle in parades.

He enjoyed flea markets and watches. Every fall he called his friends to meet at Pike's Timber for a wiener roast. Many hours were spent around the campfire. He liked Big Band music and dances. The family enjoyed traveling and did a lot of camping from Canada to Arizona. In later years he went to Florida and Texas in the winter. He liked to be near a lake or the ocean.

Don is survived by his wife, Marj; sons, Kent and his wife, Mari of Hampton, Kirk and his wife, Melanie of Clarion and Mark and his wife, Cathy of Clarion; daughter, Michelle Noth and her husband, Jon of Commerce City, Colorado; nine grandchildren; brother-in-law, Larry (Nancy) Castleman of Deming, New Mexico.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Mark who died in infancy; his step-mother, Gladys (Collis); step-brother, Dean Collis; and step-sister, Mavis (Callis) Cramer.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Alvin Carroll Charlson

October 23, 2008

Alvin Carroll Charlson, 85, of Clarion, passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Friday, October 17, at the First Lutheran Church, Clarion. Pastor Gary Boen officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Private family burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Alvin was born on October 25, 1922 near Randall, the son of Austin and Carrie Belita (Dueland) Charlson. He was baptized on November 26, 1922 and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Randall. In the spring of 1940, he graduated from the Randall Consolidated Schools and later that year the family moved to Wright County. He was married to Geraldine (Jeri) Strom on June 30, 1946, at the First Congregational Church in Clarion. To this union three children were born.

Alvin spent most of his life farming. Alvin's goal was always to be a good steward of the land he farmed. Building terraces and utilizing contour farming were among the conservation practices he adopted to preserve the land. Alvin was an officer in the Wright County NFO.

Alvin and Jeri spent 40 years farming before retiring to Belmond. At that time Alvin took the position of custodian at Trinity Lutheran Church, serving for 17 years. Alvin served the church by being on the council in various positions at both First Lutheran Church in Clarion and Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond, served on the board of Congregate Meals and Belmond Care Car, where he also was a driver. Alvin and Jeri, along with Steve and Marilyn Janssen, established and for 15 years served Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day dinners to people in the Belmond area who would have been alone on those holidays.

Alvin is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jeri; and their children, Alan (Phyllis) Charlson of Waverly, Carrie Charlson Pingel of Mason City and David (Joyce) Charlson of Clarion; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Arlene Homervold; a niece, Faye Heykants and her children.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Art Homervold; and one great-grandson, Jeff Pingel.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Robert "Bob" Simonin

October 30, 2008

Robert "Bob" Simonin, 74, of Clarion, passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2008, at his home in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, October 29, at 11:00 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Clarion, with Pastor Don Morrison officiating. Burial will take place at a later date.

Robert "Bob" Simonin, was born on a farm south of Wayne, Nebraska, on November 10, 1933, the son of Walter J. and Lois Faye (Corzine) Simonin. In 1945, the family moved into the town of Wayne, Nebraska and Bob finished elementary and high school at the Hahn School, graduating in 1951 and went on to attend Wayne State College. In 1953, Bob entered the Air Force for four years. When he returned, he finished his undergraduate degree and then received his Master's Degree in 1963.

Bob married Ruth (Willer) Simonin in June of 1960. To this marriage three children were born, Michele, Steven and Amy. In 1959, Bob started his teaching career at the Elk Horn and Kimballton Community Schools. Following that, he taught at Danbury until 1963. In 1963, the family relocated to Sioux City where Bob taught Driver's Education at East High School for 33 years.

Bob retired from teaching in 1996 and he and Ruth were able to enjoy various trips across the country. Ruth passed away in 2002 after 42 years of marriage. In 2003, Bob moved to Clarion to be closer to family. In Clarion, Bob worked for Security Bank as a courier, for Clarion Health and Fitness as a Fitness Tech and volunteered extensively at the Wright Medical Center and Clarion United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Clarion Lion's Club and the Clarion United Methodist Men's group. Many people got to know Bob in his short stay at Clarion and considered him to be a good friend.

Bob's greatest enjoyment was spending time with family and friends. He was avid sports fan and during his teaching years, he served on the football chain gang for the sophomore football team at Sioux City's East High School. He enjoyed trips with son, Steve to Washington, D.C. and to Alaska.

Bob is survived by his three children, Michele and Rob Koerner, Steve Simonin, Amy Simonin and Marla Mashek; four grandchildren; one brother, Joe Simonin of Endicott, New York; and two sisters, Lois Shulteis of Wayne, Nebraska and Carol Watson of Persia, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; and wife, Ruth.

Memorials for Bob are to go to the Clarion United Methodist Church Men's Group.
© Wright County Monitor 2008

Larry Keith Peck

November 6, 2008

Larry Keith Peck, 69, of Clarion, passed away on Monday, October 27, 2008, at his home after a year long battle with leukemia.

Funeral services were held on Friday, October 31, at the Church of Christ in Clarion. Pastor Warren Curry officiated at the 10:00 a.m. service. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Larry Keith Peck, was born on June 26, 1939, the son of Frank E. Peck Jr. and Bertha (Hisler) Peck, at the Hamilton County Hospital. He was raised on the family farm and attended Wall Lake #8 Country School until the eighth grade. He completed his education, graduating from the Clarion High School in 1956. He served in the Air Force Reserves from 1961 to 1967.

Larry was devoted to farming from an early age and farmed in Wall Lake Township his entire life. In April of 1987, Larry was married to Karolyn Kay Campbell.

Larry enjoyed spending time with family and friends and he loved to hunt and fish. He and Kay spent their summers at their home on Eagle Lake, Minnesota.

Larry was a committed member of the Clarion Church of Christ, where he served as a Deacon on the church's board of directors. He also served as President of the board of directors for the Hawkeye Mink Cooperative in Jewell.

Larry is survived by his mother, Bertha Peck of Clarion; one sister, Loretta Houston and husband, Rob of Reno, Nevada; a stepdaughter, Lisa Kluss and husband, Dean of Woolstock; a step-son, Mark Campbell of Des Moines; one grandson; and one nephew.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kay; and father, Frank E. Peck Jr.

Memorials may be given in Larry's name to the Methodist Church, Church of Christ or the Wright County Hospice.
© Wright County Monitor 2008