Donna Musgjerd Winterspoon, 68, a resident of Oakton, Va., died Jan. 14, 2001 at the Hospice of Northern Virginia.  She had lung cancer.    A memorial service for Mrs. Witherspoon will be held on Saturday, May 5, at 10 a.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating.  The family will receive friends after the service at the home of Miss Joanne Watkins, 215 N. Third Street, Clear Lake. A private graveside  will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa, at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Hospice of Northern Virginia, 6565 Arlington Blvd., Suite 500,  Falls Church, VA 22042

Born in Thornton, Iowa, the daughter of Maud and Elmer Musgjerd, Donna Witherspoon grew up in Clear Lake and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1949.  She received a B.A. degree from Northwestern University in 1953.

During the 1950s, Donna  worked for several firms in New York City, including McCann Erickson and Royal Dutch Shell.  She moved to Washington in 1960 where she worked for Civil Air Transport and Air America.  In 1965 she joined the public relations staff of the Smithsonian Institution where she met Thomas C. Witherspoon.  They were married in 1966  and had two children, Thomas Anders and Katherine Elaine Witherspoon.

Mrs. Witherspoon returned to work in 1980 and was employed by Corning Glass Works and the Mobil Corporation, from which she retired in 1996.

She is survived by her husband Tom, son Thomas Witherspoon and his wife Elizabeth P. Nash, and daughter Katherine Witherspoon, all of whom reside in Northern Virginia, and a brother, Robert D. Musgjerd, of Wilmette, Ill.

Donna is preceded in death by her parents.

Kenneth L. Kinseth

Kenneth L. Kinseth, 82, of Decorah, Iowa, died Saturday, May 5 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa of complications from a stroke.

Funeral service was held Thursday, May 10, at First Lutheran Church by the Rev. Thomas Miller. Burial was in Lutheran Cemetery with full military rites by Helof-Holm V.F.W. Post No. 1977, Bernatz-Symonds American Legion Post No. 163, and D.A.V. Hamre-Giesen Chapter No. 8.

Kenneth lived in the Belmond, Iowa area from his birth in 1918 until 1966, except during his education and military service.

He was a successful businessman who had owned and operated several businesses throughout his life. He started Kinseth Plumbing and Heating in Belmond, and developed it into a large mechanical contracting firm. He developed several hotels. On of his most notable developments was the Cliff House of Decorah, Iowa, which he sold in 1976. He moved his family to Decorah in 1966 and sold the plumbing business to his brothers in that same year. He was founder of the Kinseth Hospitality Companies that has grown to operate several hotels and restaurants throughout the Midwest. Kenneth also developed and operated apartments, housing and golf courses.

He was a member of the Elk¹s Club, Oneota Golf and Country Club, and Silver Crest Golf and Country Club in Decorah.

Survivors include his wife, Cyrena; one daughter, Linda Skinner and her husband Keith of Council Bluffs; three sons, Leslie and his wife Alisa of Clear Lake, Bruce and his wife Lisa of Coralville, Iowa, and Gary and his wife Darla of Mason City; 10 grandchildren, Aaron, Jason and Laura Mailey, Shana Young, Ashley Kinseth, Ben, Peter and Kelly Kinseth, Tristan and Kyra Kinseth; three brothers, Roland and his wife Marion, Roger, and Larry and his wife Sherri, all of Belmond; three sisters, Maxine Dorr and Avon Armour, both of Belmond, and Artie Buchanan of Mason City, and one very special person whom he thought of as a son, Jack ³In² Won and his wife Tammy, of LaHabra, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernald O. and Neva (Oler) Kinseth.

Fjelstul Funeral Home, Decorah, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.

Carl R. Hankenson

Carl R. Hankenson, 88, of Clear Lake, died Thursday, May 10, 2001, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, at the United Methodist Church, 508 2nd Ave. N., in Clear Lake with Rev. Fred Lewis officiating.  Burial took place in the Clear Lake Cemetery.

The family requests that memorials be directed to Opportunity Village in Carl¹s name.

Carl Richard Hankenson was born on Feb. 8, 1913, at Herrington, Ks., the son of Ralph and Edith (Jayne) Hankenson.  He attended and graduated as president of his class from Cleveland High School, St. Louis, Mo., in 1930. 

Carl went on to attend Kansas City Junior College in Kansas City.

Carl moved to Mason City in 1936 where he worked for Tankar Oil Company.  He met and was united in marriage to Marian E. Bieber on Jan. 15, 1945, at Bethany, Mo.  The couple moved their family to various locations, but Clear Lake was always home for them.  Carl spent his time working as an independent oil jobber, owning and operating C&H Gas Company, which was comprised of several gasoline stations throughout Iowa and Southern Minnesota. In later years, Carl found his niche in politics.  He was elected Second Ward Councilman of Clear Lake in 1971, and later he served as Mayor of Clear Lake for three terms, from 1978 to 1989.

Spending time with and supporting his family was one of Carl¹s favorite pastimes.  Carl loved fishing and spoke often of trips taken with family and friends to Gibson¹s Resort in Upsula, Ontario, Canada.  Carl was an avid sports fan, with baseball (particularly the St. Louis Cardinals) by far being his favorite.  As a child, Carl was a member of the original St. Louis Cardinals Knot-Hole Gang.  He loved to watch and cheer for his sons, and in later years, his grandchildren, as they participated in school activities. 

In recent years, Carl took on an important role as a father figure for his grandson, Matthew.  Carl was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge, and the I.O.O.F.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Marian of Clear Lake; six children, Dr. Richard Hankenson and his wife, Ann of Clarksville, Tenn., Jane Walls and her husband, Richard of Clear Lake, Robert Hankenson and his wife, Laurie of Santa Barbara, Calif., Dr. Paul Hankenson and his wife, Denise of Okemos, Mich., Mary Hankenson of Clear Lake, and Lee Carol Hudson and her husband, Everett of Dougherty, Iowa; 12 grandchildren, Rickey Hankenson, Scott Hankenson and his wife, Darcy, Abby Fraley, Jennifer Singer and her husband, Matt, Stephanie Hankenson, C.J. Hankenson, Elizabeth Walls, Cpt. Kathleen Walls, Paul Hankenson, Sarah Proft and her husband, Andrew, Elisa Hankenson, and Matthew Hankenson; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Merle D. Arends

Merle D. Arends, 79, of 3714 N. Shore Dr., Clear Lake, Iowa died Wednesday, May 9, 2001 at the Humboldt Hospital, Humboldt, Iowa.  His funeral service was held Saturday, May 11, 2001 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 508 2nd Ave N., Clear Lake, with the Reverend Fred Lewis officiating.  The graveside service was held the same day at 3 p.m. at the Union Cemetery in Humboldt. Memorials may be directed to the Merle D. Arends Memorial Fund.

Merle was born March 23, 1922 in Grundy Center, Iowa, the son of Peter and Grace (Hook) Arends.  He graduated from Dike High School and served in the United States Army during World War II.  Merle was united in marriage to Eleanor Nelson on Feb. 21, 1943 in Goldfield, Iowa.  He worked as a car salesman for many years, first in Waterloo, then Humboldt and finally in Cedar Rapids.  Merle then began to develop real estate in the Clear Lake area, later working as a realtor for Lake Realty until his retirement. 

Merle enjoyed golfing, hunting, spending time on Clear Lake, and wintering in Florida with his wife.  He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and sports fan. 

He especially enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports through the years.  Merle was a member of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church and several church committees.

Merle will be greatly missed by his wife, Eleanor, of Clear Lake; his son, Dale Arends and his wife, Paula, of Humboldt, their two children, Amy Wichman and her husband, Jim, and their daughter, Emma Kate, of Bettendorf; and Amanda Dyvig and her husband, Jeremy, of Clive; his son, Marc Arends and his wife, Linda, of Humboldt, and their two children, Alecia Johnson and her husband, Dr. Chris Johnson, of North Liberty and Abbey Arends and her fiance, Ryan Harklau, of Humboldt; his son, Scott Arends and his wife, Anna, and their daughter, Ashley, all of Mason City; and his son Brad Arends and his wife, Kathy and their son, Andrew, all of Ft. Dodge, Iowa; one brother, Grant Arends and his wife, Lucille, of Cedar Falls, Iowa; two sisters, Irene Bird and her husband, Clyde, of Waterloo and Ruth Cessna of Rockford, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Violet Armstrong and her husband, Oscar.

Harold Edwin Doescher

Harold Edwin Doescher, 73, died Wednesday, May 9, 2001 at the Good Shepherd Health Care Center, Mason City, Iowa.  A Memorial Service was held Friday, May 11, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Rudd, Iowa, with the Rev. Richard Pippert and the Rev. Deborah Stowers officiating.  A Graveside service was held at 3 p.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery, Highway 18 W., Mason City.  The body has been cremated.  Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society in his name. 

Harold was born Dec. 13, 1927, in Mason City, the son of Edwin and Gertrude (Cordes ) Doescher.  He attended and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1945.  Harold married Thelma Renner Dec. 13, 1946, in Klemme, Iowa.  They lived south of Mason City, and then moved to rural Rudd and farmed for 17 years.  In 1970 they moved to Mason City and he sold insurance and helped with home daycare.  They moved to Waterville, Minn. in 1979, where Harold worked at a factory.  In 1989 he moved to Charles City and lived there until ill health.  He has been residing at Good Shepherd since November 1999. 

  Harold¹s interests included fishing and hunting.  He was very dedicated to his AA meetings.  Harold was a member of the Rudd United Methodist Church.

Harold is survived by his wife Thelma Doescher, Mason City; one daughter, Linda Mau and her husband Randy, rural Mason City; three sons, Dennis Doescher, Osage, Iowa, David Doescher and his wife Amanda, Mason City, and Doug Doescher and his wife Shelly, North Mankato, Minn.; seven grandchildren, Barbara Mau and her companion Jay Funk, Melissa Mau, Amy Monahan and her husband Troy, Brandi  and Brooke Doescher, Randi Kay and Derek Doescher; three great-grandchildren, Jordon Monahan, Troy Monahan III and LeAnna Funk; two sisters, Sharon Wendel and her husband, Tom, Waterloo, Iowa, and Margaret Loomer, Iowa City, Iowa. 

Harold was preceded in death by his parents.

Ruth E. Larson

Ruth E. Larson, 73, 807 9th Ave S., Clear Lake, died Saturday, May 12, 2001 at Muse-Norris Hospice of North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa.  Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 17, 1 p.m. at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Greg Boyle officiating. 

Visitation will be held, Wednesday, from 4 - 8 p.m. Interment will be at the Clear Lake Cemetery.  Memorials may be given to the Ruth E. Larson Memorial Fund.

     Ruth was born March 31, 1928, in Lakota, Iowa, the daughter of Paul and Agnes (Westburg) Zielske.  She grew up on a farm in Ledyard and attended school in Ledyard.  Ruth married Merle Larson April 25, 1950 in Mason City. 

She worked at various jobs during her lifetime including an ammunitions plant in Ankeny during WWII where she put bullets in machine gunbelts.   But her favorite jobs were that of homemaker, wife, mother and grandma.

     Ruth always put her family first and she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.  Ruth also enjoyed her pets, camping, fishing, gardening, embroidery, sports, flea markets and garage sales and traveling.  She had seen both coasts and been to some of the most beautiful sights in the United States.  But her ³favorite² place was Iowa and Clear Lake.  Ruth will be missed by her family and friends.

     Ruth is survived by her husband Merle Larson, Clear Lake; one son, David A. Larson, Clear Lake; one daughter, Judy Johnson and her husband Daniel, Council Bluffs, Iowa; five grandchildren Kristin Johnson, Omaha, Neb., Summer Malone and her husband Adam, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Heather, Tyler and Erik Johnson, Council Bluffs; one brother, Lawrence ³Butch² Zielske and his wife Delilah, LeCenter, Minn.; five sisters, Louise Boettcher and her husband Willard, Emmons, Minn., Elnora Rache, Fairmont, Minn., Betty Hagedorn and her husband Don, Blue Earth, Minn., Dolores Jorgenson, Ledyard, Iowa and Dorothy Courrier and her husband Gary, Bricelyn, Minn.

     Ruth is preceded in death by her parents; her brother Carl; and two sisters, Alice and Donna.

Iva V. Myklestad

Iva V. Myklestad, 84, of 740 Rose Ave., died Saturday, May 11, 2001 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, at the Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 North 4th Street, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Gary Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa.

Iva was born June 28, 1916 on the farm of her parents, Melvin and Clara

(Nonnweiler) Johnson, near Miller, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Miller. She graduated from Garner High School and taught country school near Forest City. Iva was united in marriage to Melvin Myklestad on Dec. 21, 1942. They farmed south of Ventura for several years, later moving to the town of Ventura and finally settling in Garner. Iva enjoyed flowers and gardening, canning and cooking, but her great joy was spending time with her family.

Iva will be greatly missed by her husband, Melvin, of Garner; her son, Ron Myklestad and his wife, Jessica, of Prescott, Az.; her daughter, Janice Snater and her husband, Ron, and two grandchildren, Chad and Joshua Snater, all of Madison, Wis.; two sisters, Geraldine Monson of Forest City and Arlene Clark and her husband, Donald, of Florida and Clear Lake, and many nieces and nephews.

Iva was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Dorothy; four brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law; and a brother and sister in infancy.

Margaret E. Hier

Margaret E. Hier, 89, of 1037 19th St. S.W., Mason City, Iowa died Tuesday May 15, 2001 at the I.O.O.F. Home, Mason City, Iowa. Memorial services will be Friday 10:30 a.m. May 18, 2001 at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, Iowa with Rev. Jana Swenson officiating. Inurnment will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, Iowa. Family suggest memorials to Opportunity Village of Clear Lake, Iowa.

Margaret was born Feb. 15, 1915 in Hancock, Minn. the daughter of John William and Eda Marie (Knutson) Parker. She graduated from Hancock High School and then graduated from Northwestern Hospital School of Nursing, Minneapolis, Minn.

Margaret married Roland Hier July 31, 1938 in rural Hancock, Minnesota. They lived in Minneapolis where she worked as a RN at Northwestern Hospital in Surgery. They moved to Neosho, Missouri. In 1948 they moved to Sleepy Eye, Minnesota where they owned and operated a Super Value Grocery until 1964. They then moved back to Minneapolis where she worked for Northwestern Hospital in the surgery unit. After retiring in 1978 they moved to Apache Jct., Arizona where they resided until 1998 when they moved to the I.O.O.F. Home in Mason City.

Margaret enjoyed sewing, watching the Lawrence Welk Show, gardening, playing cards and playing board game Trouble with her husband and grandchildren. She was a very active member in the United Methodist Church and the Eastern Star.

Margaret is survived by her husband Roland Hier, Mason City, Iowa; two daughters Becky Finstad and her husband Richard, Clear Lake, Iowa and Barbara Suelter, and her husband Gerald, Oxnard, Calif.; eight grandchildren John Finstad and his wife Amy, Des Moines, Iowa; Jim Finstad and his wife Tristi, Clear Lake, Iowa; Molly Harris and her husband Brad, Clear Lake, Iowa; Amanda Suelter, Long Beach, Calif.; Shelley Daniels and her husband Chris, Oak Hills, Ohio; Suzie Martin, Garberville, Calif.; Becky Suelter and Mina Suelter both of Oxnard, Calif.; seven great grandchildren William, Jack Tucker and Madison Finstad and Haley Etzel, Wyatt and Rebecca Daniels; one sister Neva Sands, Hancock, Minnesota and one brother Lloyd Parker and his wife Peg, Faribault, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister in law Gen Parker and brother in law Lyall Sands. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, Iowa 641-357-2193