Henry “Hank” Brower, 82, of Mason City, Iowa, died Friday, Jan. 2, 1998 at his grandson’s home in Mason City.

Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 5, at Major-Erickson Funeral Home, Mason City, with Dean Swenson and Matthew Jensen officiating.

Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa in memory of Henry “Hank” Brower.

Henry “Hank” Brower was born March 24, 1915, near Crystal Lake, Iowa, the son of Henry and Joan (Folkerts) Brower. Hank attended Crystal Lake schools. He worked at his father’s gas station doing mechanical work and also helped him build homes.

On Aug. 5, 1936, he married Evelyn Peck in Sioux Falls, S.D. After they married, Hank worked for the government in South Dakota, Utah and Alaska. Hank then worked for Anderson Construction in Clear Lake for several years. He then was hired at Ruan Transport Company as a mechanic. He retired as shop foreman in 1980, working for Ruan for 35 years. Hank and Evelyn had enjoyed wintering in Mission, Texas, since 1980. Hank enjoyed gardening, yard work, his neighbors and helping others with his special talents.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Brower, Clear Lake, Iowa; one daughter, Gerry Brower, Clear Lake; two sons, Dennis Brower and his wife, Julie of Brea, Calif., and David Brower and his wife, Mary, Deerfield, Ohio; four grandsons, Daniel Kaler and his wife, Sheryl, Mason City, Michael Kaler and special friend, Dawn Meyer of Rosemount, Minn., and Jared and Justin Brower of Brea; one granddaughter, Jeneva Brower of Brea; two great-grandsons, David and Gabriel Kaler of Mason City; four sisters, Anna Isebrand and husband, John, Titonka, Iowa, Marlys Hutzell and husband, Howard, of Moorhead, Hylene Nonweiler of Eden Prairie, Minn., and Betty Dorenkamp of Clear Lake; one brother, William “Bill” Brower and his wife, Marie, of Ventura, Iowa; one brother-in-law, Daniel Spilman of Clear Lake; and many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Phyllis Spillman; and two brothers-in-law, Layton Nonweiler and Cortland Dorenkamp.

Alfred Emil Zirbel

Alfred Emil Zirbel, 94, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Sunday, Jan. 11, 1998, at the North Iowa Mercy Health Center East, Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Jan. 16, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake, with the Rev. Fred Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the Mt. Vernon Township Cemetery, rural Swaledale, Iowa. Friends may call from 4 until 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th Street, Clear Lake, and one hour prior to service time on Friday at the church.

Alfred Emil Zirbel was born on May 26, 1903, on a farm in Owen Township, rural Mason City, the son of Herman and Mathilda (Milbrot) Zirbel. He attended and received his education in the Owen #3 School which is now located on the North Iowa Fairgrounds.

On Dec. 7, 1929, he was united in marriage to Ruth Holt at her father’s home in Clear Lake. The couple lived near Rockwell, Iowa, where their first three children were welcomed to the family. This home was also a haven for many other relatives and friends who needed care and love, often for months at a time. It also served as a handy lodging place for school teachers who taught at Mt. Vernon #5 School across the road from the farm. He is believed to be the first farmer in Cerro Gordo County without a horse on the farm. In 1974, Alfred and Ruth retired from farming and moved to Clear Lake into a house he reconstructed. He also built a duplex apartment house and remodeled several other houses after his retirement. Al enjoyed working. His favorite pastime was dismantling discarded appliances in his garage and salvaging their scrap value. He also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and gave many away after completing and mounting them for hanging. Al had been a resident of the IOOF Home in Mason City since April 16, 1997, where he leaves many friends, and also at the Clear Lake Senior Center where he regularly attended and appreciated the fellowship and noon meals before entering the nursing home.

He was an associate member of the United Methodist Church in Clear lake.

Alfred Zirbel was a wonderful husband and father. His wife, Ruth preceded him in death on July 5, 1996.

He is survived by 10 children, Glen H. Zirbel and his wife, Dolores, Ankeny, Iowa, Fred H. Zirbel and his wife, Bev, of Mason City, Margaret L. Marinis and her husband, Jim of San Bernardino, Calif., Rachel A. Wood and her husband W. Amos Wood, of Clear Lake, Keith A. Zirbel and his wife, Janora, of Dalles, Ore., Don L. Zirbel and Margaret Hayden of Sioux City, Iowa, Paul L. Zirbel and his wife, Kathy of Sun Prairie, Wis., David J. Zirbel and his wife, Melanie of Salt Lake City, Utah, Mark D. Zirbel and his fiance, Doris Swenson of Clear Lake, Doreen K.  Hanson and her husband, Don of Redwood Falls, Minn; 39 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; several nieces; nephews as well as other relatives and friends who mourn his death.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; his parents; and three brothers, Leonard, age 17, Herbert, and Arthur Zirbel; four sisters, Amanda and Lillie in infancy, Mabel (Mrs. Bert) Blum and Rose (Mrs. Cecil) Harrington; and three great-grandchildren.

Iona Merle Schuler

Mrs. Iona Merle Schuler, 94, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Thursday, Jan. 8, 1998 at the IOOF Home in Mason City, Iowa.

Memorial services will be held today (Wednesday), Jan. 14, at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Kermit Roisen and Rev. Fred Lewis officiating. Inurnment will be in Noble Center Township Cemetery, Griswold, Iowa. Memorials may be given in her memory to the Iona Merle Schuler memorial fund. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, is in charge of services.

Iona was born March 8, 1903 in Atlantic, Iowa, the daughter of Francis and Loretta (Phelps) Kraemer. She graduated from Atlantic High School, Atlantic.

On July 27, 1920 Iona married George J. Schuler in Atlantic. They lived in Griswold, Iowa, where she helped him operate the C.W. West Dry Goods and Ready to Wear store. They later owned and operated the Griswold Candy Store. Iona was very active in the Faith Lutheran Church, Griswold, which she and her husband helped establish. She also enjoyed singing in the church choir and as a soprano soloist. She was also active in civic and social activities. She enjoyed gardening, raising flowers, visiting with people and being with her family.

She moved to Clear Lake, to be closer to her family in 1988.

She is survived by her son, Louis E. Schuler and his wife, Teeny, Clear Lake; five grandchildren, George Richard “Rick” Schuler, Clear Lake, Dr. Louis E. Schuler, Jr. and his wife, Kimberly, Burtonsville, Md., and Helen E. Kaufmann and her husband, Kenneth, Mashpee, Mass.; four great-grandchildren, Laura Caitlin Schuler, Louis E. Schuller III, Kayla Elisabeth Kaufmann and Kenneth Theodore Kaufmann.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and one sister, Mildred Lynch.

Gloria F. Erwin

Gloria F. Erwin, 65, of Rochelle, Ill., died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1997.

Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 2, 1998 at the First Presbyterian Church in Rochelle, Ill. with the Rev. Dr. James A. Tilley and the Rev. David Peters officiating.

Gloria Erwin was born Oct. 23, 1932 in Belmond, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph W. and Ruth Veeder Scott. She grew up in Clear Lake, Iowa, where she met Robert H. Erwin.

On May 31, 1952 she married Robert Erwin. The couple moved to Rochelle in 1957. Together they had four children. While raising their children, she attended NIU and graduated with a degree in art education in 1972. Gloria was an elementary and art teacher at Ashton and Eswood schools, and was a substitute teacher at Rochelle Township High School.

Gloria was a faithful and active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Rochelle, where she served as a Stephen Minister, and a member of the Northern Illinois Tres Dias Community. She was a former member of the League of Women Voters.

She is survived by her husband, Bob; children, Scott and his wife, Victoria Erwin of DeKalb, Steve and his wife, Donna Erwin, Woodstock,  Sue and her husband, David Kapraun of Johnsburg, Ill., and Sarah and her husband, Arnold Mariani of Belvidere; a brother, Dr. Jerry and his wife, Birgit Scott of Mishawaka, Ind.; four grandchildren, Laura Kapraun, Abigail Erwin, Nathan Erwin, and John Mariani; and two nephews, Hans Scott and Peter Scott.

Rebecca Sue Fredriksen

Rebecca Sue Fredriksen, 13, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Saturday, Jan. 17, 1998, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the United Methodist Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Fred Lewis officiating. Interment will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake. The family suggests memorials to the Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City, Iowa.

Rebecca was born Jan. 11, 1985 in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Paul and Ranae (Rozevink) Fredriksen. She was in the seventh grade in Clear Lake.

Rebecca participated in special Olympics track and field and bowling. She had qualified for state in bowling this year, but was unable to participate because of ill health. Rebecca enjoyed roller blading, roller skating, bicycling, swimming, playing frisbee, throwing the ball in the back yard, helping her dad wax the car, playing her brother’s video games and watching videos. She loved her cat, Tiger.

She is survived by her parents Paul and Ranae Fredriksen, Clear Lake; a brother, Nick Fredriksen, Clear Lake; paternal grandfather, Laurence Fredriksen, Clear Lake; maternal grandparents, Ruth and John Skillen, Nashua, Iowa; maternal grandfather, Ralph Rozevink, California; aunts and uncles Ray Rozevink and his wife, Linda, Iowa Falls, Iowa, Sandy Hiscocks, Garner, Iowa, Rod Rozevink and his wife, Marcia, Clear Lake,

Jon Frederickson and his wife, Kathleen, Washington, D.C., Mary Lauck and her husband, Allan, Algona, Iowa, and Ann Kaduce and her husband, Tim, St. Paul, Minn.; cousins, Scott and Matthew Hiscocks, Jake, Jason, Jennifer and Jared Rozevink, Brad, Austin and Faith Rozevink, Seth Kaduce, Christopher and Allana Lauck; several great uncles and aunts; a very special friend, Travis Anderson.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Florine Fredriksen; her great-grandparents; two great-aunts Beatrice Frederickson and Naomi Blair.

Soloist was Paul Langholz. Kathleen Frederickson was oboist and Dave Dittmer the bag pipes.

Honorary pallbearers were Sandy Cole, Melissa Pitcher, Bob Bunn, Greg Poulos, Robert Mondt.

Pallbearers were David Dittmer, Steve Bieber, Joe Weigel, Bob Powell, Mark Brandt and Al Berneman.

Louis J. Meehlhause

Louis J. Meehlhause, 89, of Clarksville, Iowa, died Saturday, Jan. 17, 1998 at the Community Nursing Home, Clarksville, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held today (Wednesday), Jan. 21, at 1:30 p.m. at the Immanuel United Church of Christ, Clarksville, Iowa. Burial will be in Lynwood Cemetery in Clarksville.

Mr. Meehlhause owned the Clarksville Theater from 1946 to 1954. He managed Co-op Creamers in Rockwell, Sheffield, Mason City and Greene, Iowa. From 1976 to 1986 he was a USDA inspector. He also was mayor for the City of Sheffield.

He is survived by one son, Gary Meehlhause, Clear Lake; one daughter, Mrs. Marvin (Rita) McBeain, of Mesa, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Adelia L. Meehlhause on Sept. 1, 1987; three sisters and four brothers.

Melvin A. Evans

Melvin A. Evans, 96, of Mason City, Iowa, died Monday, Jan. 12, 1998, at Good Shepherd Care Center, Mason City.

Funeral services were held at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Kermit Roisen officiating. Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery.

The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge.

Memorials may be directed to the Zion Lutheran Church Youth Fund or Building Fund in memory of Melvin A. Evans.

Melvin A. Evans was born May 13, 1901 at rural Wright County, the son of Severt and Atlanta (Mikelson) Evans. He was baptized and confirmed at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church, rural Wright County.

Melvin attended Waldorf Academy, where he was a cheerleader, graduating in 1926.

On June 26, 1935, Melvin was united in marriage to Ida Stomne at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church at Sioux City, Iowa.

He and Ida farmed south of Burchinal, Iowa, for one year and then moved to a farm two miles south of Central Heights, Mason City. In 1979, upon retirement, the couple moved into Mason City.

Melvin loved all aspects of farming and always took great pleasure in his work.

He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, since 1939. He also was a member of the Clear Lake Noon Lions Club and the Farm Bureau.

He is survived by his wife, Ida Evans, Mason City; one son, Bob Evans and his wife, Judy, Mason City; two grandchildren, Lance Evans, and his wife, Jana, Ames; and Carisa Evans, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two step-grandchildren, Jon Castle and his wife, Gina, Glenview, Ill; and Tammi Walsh and her husband, Tony, Blaine, Minn.; two great-grandchildren, Steffanie Evans and Allyson Evans; two step great-grandchildren, Hannah Walsh and Leah Walsh; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Russell, Arden and Lester; four sisters, Mabel, Gladys, Sadie and one sister in infancy.

Iona Merle Schuler

Mrs. Iona Merle Schuler, 94, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Thursday, Jan. 8, 1998 at the IOOF Home in Mason City, Iowa.

Memorial services will be held today (Wednesday), Jan. 14, at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Kermit Roisen and Rev. Fred Lewis officiating. Inurnment will be in Noble Center Township Cemetery, Griswold, Iowa. Memorials may be given in her memory to the Iona Merle Schuler memorial fund. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, is in charge of services.

Iona was born March 8, 1903 in Atlantic, Iowa, the daughter of Francis and Loretta (Phelps) Kraemer. She graduated from Atlantic High School, Atlantic.

On July 27, 1920 Iona married George J. Schuler in Atlantic. They lived in Griswold, Iowa, where she helped him operate the C.W. West Dry Goods and Ready to Wear store. They later owned and operated the Griswold Candy Store.

Iona was very active in the Faith Lutheran Church, Griswold, which she and her husband helped establish. She also enjoyed singing in the church choir and as a soprano soloist. She was also active in civic and social activities. She enjoyed gardening, raising flowers, visiting with people and being with her family.

She moved to Clear Lake, to be closer to her family in 1988.

She is survived by her son, Louis E. Schuler and his wife, Teeny, Clear Lake; five grandchildren, George Richard “Rick” Schuler, Clear Lake, Dr. Louis E. Schuler, Jr. and his wife, Kimberly, Burtonsville, Md., and Helen E. Kaufmann and her husband, Kenneth, Mashpee, Mass., Herbert Ted Schuler, Gainesville, Va., Mark L. Schuler, Columbia, Md.; four great-grandchildren, Laura Caitlin Schuler, Louis E. Schuller   III, Kayla Elisabeth Kaufmann and Kenneth Theodore Kaufmann.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and one sister, Mildred Lynch.

Hilmar (Hil) A. Buerger

Hilmar (Hil) A. Buerger, 78, of Ventura, Iowa, died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 1998 at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura, with the Rev. Daird Korth officiating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

Hilmar Arthur Buerger was born on May 26, 1919 in Addison, Ill., the son of Oscar and Wilhelmina Mecklenberg Buerger.

On June 4, 1944, he married Ruth Wolfram at St. John Lutheran Church in Garner, Iowa.

Hilmar attended St. Paul Lutheran School in Addison, Ill. He graduated from Concordia Prep School in River Forest, Ill., in 1937 and from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest in 1941. While at Concordia, he served as president of the student body, played in the band, and participated in athletics. In 1949 he received a master’s degree from the University of Maryland. He did additional graduate work at Western Illinois University and at Northwestern University of Missouri. In 1967 he was a recipient of a National Science Foundation Scholarship.

He taught at the following schools: St. John Lutheran School in Garner; Trinity Lutheran School in Faribault, Minn., Immanuel Lutheran School in Baltimore, Md.; St. Mark Lutheran School in North Tonawadna, N.Y. During the last 30 years of his professional career, he served as teacher and principal at St. James Lutheran School in Quincy, Ill. Altogether he served as an educator for 43 years.

During the years in Quincy, Hilmar served as president, and later as treasurer, of the Central Illinois Teachers Conference and held memberships on many other educational boards. He served as moderator for a weekly television show, “Chart and Compass,” which aired on station KHQA in Quincy.

After retirement in 1984, Hilmar tutored students at the Clear Lake Junior and Senior High Schools. He also was affiliated with theLiteracy Program at North Iowa Community College. In 1988 he was named “Volunteer Educator of the Year” by the Iowa Board of Education. The award was presented by Governor Terry Branstad. In addition, he received the Friend of Education Award from the Clear Lake Education Association and was recipient of the 1991 Outstanding National School Volunteer by Walt Disney World. Other retirement activities included serving on the Ventura Library committee during the time of the construction of the new building and as a member of the Lions Club.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Buerger of Ventura; one daughter, Dr. Jane Buerger, of Tuckahoe, N.Y.; one brother, the Rev. Dr. Martin Buerger and his wife, Peg, of Pittsburgh, Penn.; three sisters, Elvira Buerger of Conroe, Texas, Thekla Brendt and her husband, Clarence, of Pekin, Ill., and Beata Hinterberger of Conroe, Texas; and his brother-in-law, the Rev. James Wolfram and his wife, Darlene, of Spirit Lake, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Oscar; and four sisters, Althea, Irmgard, Doris, and Annette.

Organist LeAnn Buns accompanied soloist Robin Wolfram.

Honorary pallbearers were Harold Pueggel, Mark Boehnke, Harold Boehnke, Robert Boehnke, and Doug Tienan.

Pallbearers were his former pupils, Carrol Boehnke, Eldon Boehnke, Laurice Woiwod, Philip Boehnke, Alvin Meyer, Jr., and Craig Billings.

Edward J. (Ed) Wood

Mr. Edward J. (Ed) Wood of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Thursday, Jan. 22, 1998 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. David Gobeli officiating.

Inurnment will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake, in the spring. The family suggests memorials to the Edward J. Wood Memorial fund.

Ed was born on a farm north of Clear Lake on Oct. 21, 1909, the son of Byron C. and Maude (McGuinnis) Wood. The family homesteaded in Vail, Ore., for a number of years and then returned to Clear Lake. They moved to Hayward, Wis., where they owned a farm and the family grew up.

Ed met Hermina Steinmeyer in Hayward, Wis. They were married in Clear Lake on June 15, 1937 in the Methodist Chapel which was where the post office is now. They farmed many years in the Clear Lake-Ventura area. In 1954 they moved to a farm north of Meservey, Iowa. Ed enjoyed hunting and fishing. Upon retirement Ed and Hermina lived at 606 18th St. W., Clear Lake.

He is survived by his wife, Hermina Wood, Clear Lake; his children, Gary Wood and his wife, Bettie, Inez, Texas, Karen Tubesing and her husband, Charles, Kirtland, Ohio, Steve Wood and his wife, Sharon, Virginia Beach, Va., Ken Wood and his wife, Carol, Columbia, Md., Byron Wood and his wife, Marlys, Clear Lake, Greg Wood and his wife, Sue, Carrolton, Texas, and Roger Wood, Grandview, Mo.; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Mike Wood of Texas and Wilbur Wood of Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother and three sisters.

Nina Marie Dorr

Nina Marie Dorr, 86, died Sunday, Jan. 18, 1998 at the Belmond Community Hospital.

Funeral services were held Thursday, Jan. 22, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Belmond, Iowa, with the Rev. Jack Paisley officiating.

Nina was born Jan. 18, 1912 in Meservey, Iowa, the daughter of Edwin M. and Elizabeth W. Wickersheim Schmidt. She attended Belmond school, graduating from the Belmond High School as class valedictorian in 1930.

She was united in marriage with Lauron Dorr. The couple made their home in Belmond where Lauron owned and operated a trucking business and then later farmed. They later moved to Riceville, Iowa, where he farmed, before moving to Clear Lake. After Lauron’s passing, Nina lived for a period of time in Clear Lake, Florida, and Britt, Iowa, before moving to the Belmond Apartments in early 1980. She then moved into the Belmond Health Care Center in 1987.

Nina was a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the Rosary Society and the Rebekah’s.

She is survived by a daughter-in-law, Shirley Dorr of Montugue, Mich.; three grandchildren, Gary Dorr, Austin, Minn., Matthew Dorr and his wife, Sally, of Adams, Minn., Laurinda Bourgauet of Panama City, Fla; five great-grandchildren, Kemp, Jalissa, Ashley, Matthew Jr., Shannon; a sister, Mona Landsberg of Britt; and various other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Deane; and a sister, Ina Olson.

Pallbearers were Terry Anderson, Patrick Dorr, Terry Dorr, Tim Dorr, Stan Olson, and Steve Olson.

Donald L. Simmer Sr

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Fredrick Simmer; son-in-law, Merle Olinger; one sister, Maretta (Babe) Gregg; and one granddaughter, Grace Simmer.