Charles W. Steimlosk, a former resident of Clear Lake, and longtime resident of the Belmond Health Care Center, Belmond, Iowa, died Monday, Oct. 1, 2001 at the Belmond Health Center Center. He was 80 years old. Charles was born Dec. 7 1920 in Trenton, Mich., the son of Peter F. and Alice G (Giddens) Steimlosk.

During World War II, Charles served in the United States Army 9th Infantry Division in France and Germany. He served from December 1943 through July 1946, when he was honorably discharged as a technician 5th grade. He participated in the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest. France awarded him the Liberty Medal for the Normandy Invasion. Charles had also received various other medals for his service tenure.

Mr. Steimlosk was a master licensed electrician and member of the IBEW, Local 58 in Detroit, Mich. for over 50 years. He was an avid golfer and fisherman.

Left to cherish the memory of his life are his wife of 34 years, Adeline Steimlosk, of Kokomo, Ind., who had been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond; his daughters, Hazel Bimer of West Bloomfield, Mich., and Sheila Pearl of Toronto, Canada; a son, Charles, of Traverse City, Mich.; his step-children, John Hannula of Atlanta, Ga., Thomas Hannula of Logansville,

Ga., Kay Rehkopf of Kokomo, and Jane Hannual of Atascadero, Calif. Charles

was blessed with 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are being made for a memorial service in Plymouth, Mich, where Charles had resided for more than 30 years. Memorial contributions may be given in Charles¹ memory to an alzheimer¹s charity.

Tenold Funeral Home, Belmond, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.

Carole Marilyn Valentin

Carole Marilyn Valentin, 66, of Clear Lake, formerly of Milroy, Minn. died Friday, Oct. 5, 2001 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake. Funeral services were Monday, Oct. 8, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Cliff Close of First Assembly of God, Mason City, Iowa officiating.  Graveside services were Monday at Walnut Grove City Cemetery, Walnut Grove, Minn.  Family suggests memorials to Carole Marilyn Valentin Memorial fund.

Carole was born July 30, 1935 in Vesta, Minn. the daughter of Erich and Alice (Nelson) Valentin.   She contracted Polio at the age of sixteen and was tutored her last two years of high school at home.  She graduated from Milroy High School in 1954. 

She was in Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis in the iron lung. 

Carole accepted the Lord as her personal Savior in 1952 and faithfully lived for Him. She enjoyed reading Christian books, listening to tapes and watching videos. She enjoyed everyone who visited her at Oakwood.   Her life was an inspirational to many. 

In 1958 she moved to Columbia Heights, Minn. and resided there until 1978. She then moved to Clear Lake, and in 1982 became a resident in Oakwood Care Center.

Carole was a member of First Assembly of God, Mason City, Iowa.

She is survived by her sister, Annette Remick and her husband, Bob, Davenport, Fla.; her brother, Gary Valentin, California; a niece, Ann Beaty, and her husband, Greg, Des Moines, Iowa; two nephews, Max Sydow, Minneapolis, Minn. and Michael Remick, Clear Lake; a great-niece, Daphne Lincicum; and several cousins and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Linda Sydow; and one baby brother. 

Claud M. Hain

Claud M. Hain, 86, of 105 E. Lake St., Ventura, Iowa, died Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. 

Services are  set for Wednesday, 11 a.m. at Ventura United Methodist Church with the Rev. Paul Hasel officiating.  Graveside services are  set for 2 p.m. at the Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, Iowa.  Family suggests memorials to Hospice of North Iowa.

Claud was born Jan. 15, 1915 in Rockford, Iowa the son of Clarence F. and Clara M. (Spofford) Hain.  He attended rural school Rockford, Iowa.  He farmed in the Rockford area and later hauled freight.  Dorothy Hain was the mother of their children.

Claud married Lavon Meinders Nov. 28, 1981 in Ventura, Iowa.  He was the first Ventura Police officer.  He later drove school bus for Ventura School and was also their bus mechanic for many years.

Claud enjoyed fishing, traveling, camping, visiting with people, going to auctions, riding horses, calling square dances and gardening.

Claud is survived by his wife, Lavon Hain, Ventura; three children, Clara Frank, Mason City, Iowa, Joan Jones and her husband, Gene, Kansas City, Mo., and Mary Nutting and her husband, Larry, Aitkin, Minn.; daughter-in-law, Shirley Basgall Hain, Mason City, Iowa; three step-children, Linda Beier and her husband, Roger, Mason City, Richard Meinders and his wife, Fran, Manly, Iowa and Larry Meinders and his wife, Lorri, Mason City; sister-in-law, Viola Hain, Nora Springs, Iowa; fourteen grandchildren; ten step-grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Marshall Jene Hain, son-in-law, Joseph M. Frank; three sisters, Margaret Berk, Bernice Koehler and Bessie Theilen; and two brothers, Wilbur and Floyd Hain. 

Sophus Burnell Holstad

Sophus Burnell Holstad, 86, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001, at North Iowa Mercy Hospital, Mason City, Iowa.  The funeral services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Thursday, Oct. 11, at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Kermit Roisen officiating.  Interment will be at 1:30 p.m., at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery, west of Kensett, Iowa, with military honors at the graveside by the VFW 4868 of Clear Lake.  Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake.  Memorials may be directed to Elk Grove Cemetery, Elk Creek Cemetery and Zion Lutheran Church Acoustical Fund.

Sophus was born August 23, 1915, on a farm near Kensett, Iowa, the son of Albert and Amanda (Roslien) Holstad.  He completed his education in Manly and Kensett schools.  Sophus continued helping his family with farming until entering the Army Oct. 7, 1941.  After completing his basic training at Camp Wallace, Texas, Sophus served 44 months during WWII in the Pacific Theatre. 

He attained Sergeant in the Coast Artillery Anti-Air-Craft and was awarded two bronze stars, several meritorious ribbons and was Honorably discharged Oct. 10, 1945. 

Sophus married Eldora Lau, June 8, 1947 at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, Iowa.  To this union four children were born; Alyn, twin girls Sharyl and Sharyn, and Lynn.  Their first eleven years were spent farming near Kensett and Sophus was employed as a sales representative in Worth County for Lowe Seed Co.  In 1957 when promoted to District Sales Manager for a 15 county area, they moved to Clear Lake.  Twelve years later he accepted a position as Regional Manager for Vi-Amino Feeds Inc., Colfax, Ill.  He retired in 1983 and continued to live in Clear Lake.

Sophus was a member of Zion Lutheran Church.  He served on the church councils of Elk Creek and Zion Lutheran Churches while continuing to volunteer as an usher and committee member for many years.  Sophus was baptized and confirmed at Elk Creek Lutheran Church, rural Kensett.  Sophus served as a director of townships for the Farm Bureau organization.  He was a charter member and volunteer of the Sons of Norway, Midnotsol Land 535. 

He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 4868 of Clear Lake.

In earlier years, he loved to dance, travel, go on fishing trips and gardening.  In later years he enjoyed listening to big band music, playing cards, reading and completing word puzzles.  He was committed to keeping a daily journal for many years and entertaining his friends with Norwegian stories. Sophus, being proud of his Norwegian heritage, took great pride in making Lefse.   Sophus’ greatest joy was spending time with his family and visiting with family and friends.  He will be sadly and greatly missed by his family and friends.

Sophus is survived by his wife of 54 years, Eldora Holstad, Clear Lake; two sons Alyn Holstad and his wife, Sandra, Gilbert, Az., and Lynn Holstad and his wife, Vicky, Silvercliffe, Colo.; two daughters, Sharyl Rubin and her husband, Gregory, Glenview, Ill. and Sharyn Hendrickson and her husband, Keith, Omaha, Neb.; eight grandchildren, Tracy Holstad, Todd Holstad and his wife, Kristen; Heather Hendrickson, Joel Hendrickson, Carissa Holstad, Aaron Holstad, Michael Rubin and his wife, Marsha and Stephen Rubin; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Arnold Holstad and his wife, Amy, Mesa, Az. and Harlan Holstad and his wife, Virginia, Hampton, Iowa; four sisters, Berniece Rodemeyer and her husband, Edward, Hampton, Iowa, Marcella Picken and her husband Donald, Mason City, Iowa, Orla Nelson and her husband, Gordon, Joice, Iowa, and Lorette Kroneman and her husband, Merle, Mason City, Iowa; two aunts, Doris Holstad and Mildred Citurs; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Amanda Holstad; two sisters, Alva Reetz and Loraine Albertus.  

CHARLES W. STEIMLOSK

Charles W. Steimlosk, a former resident of Clear Lake, and longtime resident of the Belmond Health Care Center, Belmond, Iowa, died Monday, Oct. 1, 2001 at the Belmond Health Center Center. He was 80 years old. Charles was born Dec. 7 1920 in Trenton, Mich., the son of Peter F. and Alice G (Giddens) Steimlosk.

During World War II, Charles served in the United States Army 9th Infantry Division in France and Germany. He served from December 1943 through July 1946, when he was honorably discharged as a technician 5th grade. He participated in the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest. France awarded him the Liberty Medal for the Normandy Invasion. Charles had also received various other medals for his service tenure.

Mr. Steimlosk was a master licensed electrician and member of the IBEW, Local 58 in Detroit, Mich. for over 50 years. He was an avid golfer and fisherman.

Left to cherish the memory of his life are his wife of 34 years, Adeline Steimlosk, of Kokomo, Ind., who had been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond; his daughters, Hazel Bimer of West Bloomfield, Mich., and Sheila Pearl of Toronto, Canada; a son, Charles, of Traverse City, Mich.; his step-children, John Hannula of Atlanta, Ga., Thomas Hannula of Logansville,

Ga., Kay Rehkopf of Kokomo, and Jane Hannual of Atascadero, Calif. Charles

was blessed with 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are being made for a memorial service in Plymouth, Mich, where Charles had resided for more than 30 years. Memorial contributions may be given in Charles¹ memory to an alzheimer¹s charity.

Tenold Funeral Home, Belmond, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.

Carole Marilyn Valentin

Carole Marilyn Valentin, 66, of Clear Lake, formerly of Milroy, Minn. died Friday, Oct. 5, 2001 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake. Funeral services were Monday, Oct. 8, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Cliff Close of First Assembly of God, Mason City, Iowa officiating.  Graveside services were Monday at Walnut Grove City Cemetery, Walnut Grove, Minn.  Family suggests memorials to Carole Marilyn Valentin Memorial fund.

Carole was born July 30, 1935 in Vesta, Minn. the daughter of Erich and Alice (Nelson) Valentin.   She contracted Polio at the age of sixteen and was tutored her last two years of high school at home.  She graduated from Milroy High School in 1954. 

She was in Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis in the iron lung. 

Carole accepted the Lord as her personal Savior in 1952 and faithfully lived for Him. She enjoyed reading Christian books, listening to tapes and watching videos. She enjoyed everyone who visited her at Oakwood.   Her life was an inspirational to many. 

In 1958 she moved to Columbia Heights, Minn. and resided there until 1978. She then moved to Clear Lake, and in 1982 became a resident in Oakwood Care Center.

Carole was a member of First Assembly of God, Mason City, Iowa.

She is survived by her sister, Annette Remick and her husband, Bob, Davenport, Fla.; her brother, Gary Valentin, California; a niece, Ann Beaty, and her husband, Greg, Des Moines, Iowa; two nephews, Max Sydow, Minneapolis, Minn. and Michael Remick, Clear Lake; a great-niece, Daphne Lincicum; and several cousins and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Linda Sydow; and one baby brother. 

Claud M. Hain

Claud M. Hain, 86, of 105 E. Lake St., Ventura, Iowa, died Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. 

Services are  set for Wednesday, 11 a.m. at Ventura United Methodist Church with the Rev. Paul Hasel officiating.  Graveside services are  set for 2 p.m. at the Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, Iowa.  Family suggests memorials to Hospice of North Iowa.

Claud was born Jan. 15, 1915 in Rockford, Iowa the son of Clarence F. and Clara M. (Spofford) Hain.  He attended rural school Rockford, Iowa.  He farmed in the Rockford area and later hauled freight.  Dorothy Hain was the mother of their children.

Claud married Lavon Meinders Nov. 28, 1981 in Ventura, Iowa.  He was the first Ventura Police officer.  He later drove school bus for Ventura School and was also their bus mechanic for many years.

Claud enjoyed fishing, traveling, camping, visiting with people, going to auctions, riding horses, calling square dances and gardening.

Claud is survived by his wife, Lavon Hain, Ventura; three children, Clara Frank, Mason City, Iowa, Joan Jones and her husband, Gene, Kansas City, Mo., and Mary Nutting and her husband, Larry, Aitkin, Minn.; daughter-in-law, Shirley Basgall Hain, Mason City, Iowa; three step-children, Linda Beier and her husband, Roger, Mason City, Richard Meinders and his wife, Fran, Manly, Iowa and Larry Meinders and his wife, Lorri, Mason City; sister-in-law, Viola Hain, Nora Springs, Iowa; fourteen grandchildren; ten step-grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Marshall Jene Hain, son-in-law, Joseph M. Frank; three sisters, Margaret Berk, Bernice Koehler and Bessie Theilen; and two brothers, Wilbur and Floyd Hain.

 Sophus Burnell Holstad

Sophus Burnell Holstad, 86, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001, at North Iowa Mercy Hospital, Mason City, Iowa.  The funeral services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Thursday, Oct. 11, at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Kermit Roisen officiating.  Interment will be at 1:30 p.m., at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery, west of Kensett, Iowa, with military honors at the graveside by the VFW 4868 of Clear Lake.  Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake.  Memorials may be directed to Elk Grove Cemetery, Elk Creek Cemetery and Zion Lutheran Church Acoustical Fund.

Sophus was born August 23, 1915, on a farm near Kensett, Iowa, the son of Albert and Amanda (Roslien) Holstad.  He completed his education in Manly and Kensett schools.  Sophus continued helping his family with farming until entering the Army Oct. 7, 1941.  After completing his basic training at Camp Wallace, Texas, Sophus served 44 months during WWII in the Pacific Theatre. 

He attained Sergeant in the Coast Artillery Anti-Air-Craft and was awarded two bronze stars, several meritorious ribbons and was Honorably discharged Oct. 10, 1945. 

Sophus married Eldora Lau, June 8, 1947 at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, Iowa.  To this union four children were born; Alyn, twin girls Sharyl and Sharyn, and Lynn.  Their first eleven years were spent farming near Kensett and Sophus was employed as a sales representative in Worth County for Lowe Seed Co.  In 1957 when promoted to District Sales Manager for a 15 county area, they moved to Clear Lake.  Twelve years later he accepted a position as Regional Manager for Vi-Amino Feeds Inc., Colfax, Ill.  He retired in 1983 and continued to live in Clear Lake.

Sophus was a member of Zion Lutheran Church.  He served on the church councils of Elk Creek and Zion Lutheran Churches while continuing to volunteer as an usher and committee member for many years.  Sophus was baptized and confirmed at Elk Creek Lutheran Church, rural Kensett.  Sophus served as a director of townships for the Farm Bureau organization.  He was a charter member and volunteer of the Sons of Norway, Midnotsol Land 535. 

He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 4868 of Clear Lake.

In earlier years, he loved to dance, travel, go on fishing trips and gardening.  In later years he enjoyed listening to big band music, playing cards, reading and completing word puzzles.  He was committed to keeping a daily journal for many years and entertaining his friends with Norwegian stories. Sophus, being proud of his Norwegian heritage, took great pride in making Lefse.   Sophus’ greatest joy was spending time with his family and visiting with family and friends.  He will be sadly and greatly missed by his family and friends.

Sophus is survived by his wife of 54 years, Eldora Holstad, Clear Lake; two sons Alyn Holstad and his wife, Sandra, Gilbert, Az., and Lynn Holstad and his wife, Vicky, Silvercliffe, Colo.; two daughters, Sharyl Rubin and her husband, Gregory, Glenview, Ill. and Sharyn Hendrickson and her husband, Keith, Omaha, Neb.; eight grandchildren, Tracy Holstad, Todd Holstad and his wife, Kristen; Heather Hendrickson, Joel Hendrickson, Carissa Holstad, Aaron Holstad, Michael Rubin and his wife, Marsha and Stephen Rubin; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Arnold Holstad and his wife, Amy, Mesa, Az. and Harlan Holstad and his wife, Virginia, Hampton, Iowa; four sisters, Berniece Rodemeyer and her husband, Edward, Hampton, Iowa, Marcella Picken and her husband Donald, Mason City, Iowa, Orla Nelson and her husband, Gordon, Joice, Iowa, and Lorette Kroneman and her husband, Merle, Mason City, Iowa; two aunts, Doris Holstad and Mildred Citurs; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Amanda Holstad; two sisters, Alva Reetz and Loraine Albertus. 

Lewis Frederic (Lew) Litzel

Lewis Frederic (Lew) Litzel, 51, of 9727 Wheelerwood Dr., Clear Lake, died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2001 at his home.  Funeral services were Saturday Oct. 20, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, Iowa with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating.  Following the service he will be cremated. 

Family suggests memorials to Lewis F. Litzel memorial fund.

Lew was born Dec. 19, 1949 in Mason City, Iowa the son of Philip and Geneva (Maassen) Litzel.  He graduated from Charles City High School in 1968.  Following high school he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. served in the Vietnam War as a field wireman  and was awarded Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Rifle Marksman Badge. 

Lew moved back to Clear Lake and worked for Mason City Overhead Door for thirteen years as a service technician.

Lew enjoyed walking, reading, gardening with his granddaughter, Ashley, and spending time with his grandchildren, making yearly trips with his wife, Bette, to Wisconsin, and his dog Rusty.

Lew is survived by his wife, Bette Litzel, Clear Lake; three children, Lewis Levi Litzel, Clear Lake, and his special friend, Annie Morse, Fertile, Iowa, Tracy English and her husband, Kirk, New Richland, Minn. and their children, Kristina, Stephanie, Heather, Allison and Elizabeth, Bobbie James and her husband, Jason, Clear Lake, and their children, Ashley and Brianna; his sister, Phyllis Brown and her husband, Dennis, Hiawatha, Iowa; two brothers, Phil Litzel and his wife, Lynn, Plano, Texas and Ian Loynachan, Casper, Wyo.; mother-in-law, Edna Hammitt, Garner, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. 

Erma Faye Kuntz Severson

Erma Faye Kuntz Severson, 85, of Clear Lake, Iowa died Saturday Oct. 20, 2001 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.  Funeral services were Monday Oct. 22, at the First Congregational Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Thomas Healey officiating.  Interment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa. Family suggests memorials to Hospice of North Iowa.

Erma was born Sept. 25, 1916 in Kahoka, Mo., the daughter of William E. and Lillian (Clark) Kuntz.  She graduated from Kahoka High School and then attended Culver Stockton College, Canton, Mo. for two years.  She later graduated from Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa with a B.A. degree in Education.  She also attended American School of Business.  She worked for Davenport Bank and Trust and the Rock Island Arsenal until 1942.

Erma married Mars I. Severson Sept. 11, 1942 at the Navy Pier, Chicago, Ill.  They lived in Norfolk, Va. where he was stationed during WWII, after which they moved to Davenport, Iowa.  After her three daughters were of school age she taught elementary school for thirty years. Of  those, twenty-eight were in the Davenport Public Schools.  She was the first teacher to teach a blind child in a mainstream classroom in the state of Iowa.  After her husband¹s death in 1981 she moved to Clear Lake in 1982.

Erma enjoyed being with her family, cooking, picnicking, gardening, sewing, fishing and playing cards.  She was a member of First Congregational Church, Clear Lake, Iowa; P.E.O.; Crescent Club and a Life member of National Education Association.

She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, a dedicated teacher, a loyal friend, an excellent role model, and a very good person who was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

Erma is survived by three daughters, Mary Moeller, Clear Lake, Linda Lossi and her husband, Franklin, Rochester, Minn., and Maris Burton and her husband, Robert, Edina, Minn.; nine grandchildren, Stephanie Wood and her husband, Steve, Mark Moeller, Michael Moeller, Michael Lossi, Katie Lossi, Robert Burton, William Burton, Thomas Burton and David Burton; and one great-granddaughter, Whitney Grace Wood.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Mars; son-in-law, Dr. Steven Moeller; sister, Irene Riewerts; and three brothers, Stanley, Carl and Leland Kuntz. 

Gary A. Hoffman Sr.

Gary A. Hoffman Sr., 62, of 1409 S. Cedar, Owatonna, Minn., formerly of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2001, at the Owatonna Hospital, Owatonna.  Funeral services were Monday, Oct. 22 at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Fred Lewis of Clear Lake United Methodist Church officiating.  Interment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery. 

Family suggests memorials to Gary A. Hoffman Sr. memorial fund.

Gary was born May 25, 1939 in Mason City, Iowa, the son of George F. and Nina (Zimmel) Hoffman.  He attended school in Clear Lake.  He married Karolyn Newell March 13, 1962 at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa and was married for twenty one years. 

Gary worked at the Clear Lake Truck Stop, drove semi for Ruan Transport, Bonner Trucking, Gene Meyer Trucking and Gerald Foutch Trucking for a total of twenty-five years.  He then worked at the Clear Lake Bakery and then Slidell Inc. in Owatonna, Minn. until retiring due to ill health.

Gary enjoyed his electric trains and collecting coins.

Gary is survived by his six children, Gary A. Hoffman Jr. and his wife, Kim, Indianola, Iowa, Lee Hoffman, Minnesota, Shirley Sykes and her husband, Wallace, Citra, Fla., Earl Hoffman, Minnesota, Karla Barnes and her husband, Stan, Owatonna, Minn., and Roxane Balderas, Clear Lake; his former wife, Karolyn Hoffman, Clear Lake; nine grandchildren, Amber Hoffman, Ashley Hoffman, Teddy Sykes, Samantha Sykes, Caley Hoffman, Karmen Barnes, Veronica Morales, Anthony Morales and Misty Morales; four great-grandchildren, Dakota Morales, Ciara Morales, Nikolas Padilla and Spencer Espejo;  four sisters, Betty Lunn and her husband, George, Clear Lake, Judy Bishop and her husband, Glen, California, Evelyn Frank and her husband, William, Mason City, Iowa, and Linda Finger and her husband, Dale, Forest City, Iowa.  He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marlene Stevens and her husband, Robert Stevens; and one infant brother. 

Lester Person

Lester Person age 81, 319 S. Rhode Island, Mason City, Iowa, died Oct.19, 2001 at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa. His body has been donated to the University of Iowa¹s College of Medicine. A memorial service will be held at Faith United Methodist Church, Humboldt, Iowa on Wednesday. Oct. 24, at 11 a.m. Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association Research Foundation at 1660 Duke Street, Alexandria, Va. 22314 or the Lester Person Memorial Fund.

Lester Person was born May 8, 1920, on a farm near Otho, Iowa. His parents were Per Person and Myrtle (Rosenquist) Person. Les graduated from Gowrie High School in 1938. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in August, 1941 and was sent to Hawaii in April, 1942. One of his most vivid memories was seeing all the ships that had been sunk in the Pearl Harbor attack that were still there. Les served four years in the South Pacific on Hawaii, Baker, Tarawa, Eniwetok, and Guam Islands.

Les was united in marriage to Elaine (Lloyd) Person March 30, 1947. He received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree from the University of Iowa in 1949. Les and Elaine lived in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he worked at several sales jobs. While living in Fort Dodge, Les belonged to the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the YMCA. He was an accredited baseball umpire and basketball referee. He belonged to a Fort Dodge card club for over 40 years, and he and Elaine enjoyed joining the club and their wives for many trips and social activities. He was an active member of the Fort Dodge First United Methodist Church. They later moved to Mason City in 1968 and in 1978 he purchased the Clear Lake KFC and in 1981 purchased Humboldt KFC. He was franchisee and, with Elaine, managed both restaurants until retirement in 1996.

Les lived in Humboldt from 1982 until 1994. While living in Humboldt Les was president of the Humboldt Lions, served as diabetes chairman for Lions District VII, and as Lions State Diabetes Chairman. He was a member of the state board of directors of the American Diabetes Association. In 1993 Les received the Lions International President¹s Service Award, and in 1997 he received the Warren Coleman Honorary Award for dedicated service in Lionism. Les enjoyed visiting his children and grandchildren. Les was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Les was proud of his Swedish heritage and was able to fulfill a lifetime dream when he and Elaine went to Sweden in 1997.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine; three children, Karen Person of Waverly , Iowa, Dr. John Person and his wife, Ellen, of San Diego, Calif., James Person and his wife Becky, of Clear Lake; five grandchildren, Shawn, Sarah, Abigail, and Katelyn Person, of Clear Lake, Jeffrey Person of San Diego, Calif.; two step-grandchildren, Jerome Farnham, of Dublin, Ireland, and Jarod Farnham, of Manhattan, Ks.; three brothers, Eugene Person and his wife, Ann, of Twin Lakes, Iowa and Donna, Texas, Gaylen Person and his wife, Jane, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Vernon Person, of Dakota City, Iowa; a sister, Betty Larson, and her husband, Lester, of Badger, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, Dean.

Terry E. Mullan

Terry E. Mullan, 60, of 37 Lido Road, Clear Lake, died Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2001 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.  Funeral services were held Friday, Oct. 26, at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church with the Rev. Fred Lewis officiating.  Interment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Family suggests memorials to the Terry E. Mullan Memorial fund.

Terry Eugene Mullan was born on Oct. 28, 1940 to Frank and Madelon Mullan at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Mason City, Iowa. He attended Clear Lake Schools and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1958. He attended the University of Northern Iowa and St. Johns University in Collegeville, Minn. Terry played baseball at both schools and later loved to play very competitive fast pitch and slow pitch softball. In 1963 Terry moved his family to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area where he was employed in sales for Gestetner Duplicating Machines and Kraft Foods retail division. In 1968 Terry joined the ambassador Division of Hallmark Cards as a sales representative in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Later he was transferred to Denver, Colo. as a district sales manager. In 1978 Terry became a self-employed executive search "Head Hunter" in the oil industry. In 1981 Terry returned to Clear Lake where he spent the first four years as a food salesperson for H&H Food Service and in 1985 found his calling in insurance and investment business. His company Safe Investors Inc. was opened in 1987.

In 1991 he married his childhood neighbor and life long friend Nancy  (Banks) Dasch.

Terry was a member of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, Noon Lions Club, Clear Lake Area Concert Association, and the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce. He also broadcasted the play by play of the Clear Lake and Ventura Football and basketball games for the radio station K.Z.E.V including the state championship girls basketball during the "Lynne Lorezen Era." Terry loved to Bar-B-Que and was the Iowa State Fair Champion twice. He also enjoyed golfing with his buddies, the "49ers" and boating with his wife, family and friends. His love for Clear Lake was obvious and he always had a story to tell about his personal accomplishment of bringing back hydroplane racing to Clear Lake. He was the number one fan of the Clear Lake Lions and treasured the football, which was autographed by the team this year. Although his illness kept him from the games, he faithfully listened to the games on the radio and he also was an avid Hawkeye Fan.

Left to cherish the loving memory of this kind and gentle man are his wife, Nancy, Clear Lake; sons Kevin Mullan of Denver, Colo., and Scott Mullan and wife, Deborah, along with their three children of Sacramento, Calif.; a step-son, Jason Dasch, and his wife, Heather, of Des Moines, Iowa; and a step-daughter, Brenda Dasch, and her fiancée, Matthew Paulson, of Oshkosh, Wis.; his brother, Don Mullan, and his wife Marcia, from Bella Vista, Ark.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and beloved aunt, Kathryn Mullan.

Orva Jane Smith

Orva Jane Smith, 92, of the Clear Lake and Ventura area, died Thursday, Oct. 25, 2001, at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.

A memorial prayer service was held Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake.  Inurnment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery. 

The family of the Orva Jane Smith has requested that memorial contributions be made to the North Iowa Humane Society in her memory.

Orva Jane Smith was born on Sept. 12, 1909, in rural Ventura, the daughter of William Roy and Golden Lily (Emmons) Davis.  She attended and received her education in the Ventura School system, graduating from Ventura High School.

In the late 1940¹s Orva worked for the Hopkins Sporting Goods in Des Moines until 1957 when she moved back to Ventura to care for her parents. 

She was united in marriage to Melvin Scherf in 1957 until his death in January 1979.  She was united in marriage to R. John Smith on Dec. 3, 1979, in Pasco, Wash.  He preceded her in death on May 22, 1998.   Orva was baptized at her home in Salem, Or. by a Lutheran minister, and continued to live in Salem until moving back to her beloved Iowa in September 2001.

She enjoyed the great outdoors, taking drives, animals, gardening, and taking care of the home.

Left to cherish her memory is her son, Bob B. Kramer and his wife, Arlene, of Clear Lake; two step-daughters, Rachel K. Levine and her husband, Richard, of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Linda K. Leaf and her husband, Norman, of St. Charles, Mo.; three grandchildren, Kim Kramer of Greensboro, N.C., Karyl Kramer of Brighton, Colo., Kelly Epperson and her husband, David, of Henderson, Nev.; two step-grandchildren, Sara Ann Levine and Amy Levine, both of the Seattle, Wash. area; seven great-grandchildren, Jennifer DeRoock, Nicole Hodge, Amanda Epperson, Jamie Hoskinson, Joshua Epperson, Erin Hoskinson, and Matthew Epperson; three great-great-grandchildren, Jessie, Kylle, and Kacey-Lynn DeRoock; as well as other relatives and several cousins. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, infant daughter, and infant brother, Melvin Davis.

Alan Jay Dvorak

Alan Jay Dvorak, 56, Clear Lake, died Friday, Oct. 26, 2001, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with Pastor James Allard of the Clear Lake Church of Christ officiating.  Inurnment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery. 

The family of Alan Jay Dvorak has requested that memorial contributions be made in his memory.

Alan Jay Dvorak was born on July 16, 1945, in Storm Lake, Iowa, the son of Theodore and Elsie (Sumner) Dvorak.  He attended and received his education in the Sioux Center, Iowa school system.  During his life, Alan worked at a meat packing plant in Nebraska, until moving to Clear Lake. He worked for the Mason City Brick and Tile Company, the Andersen Company of Clear Lake, and, for the last 16 years until the time of his death, he worked construction for Dean Snyder Construction in Clear Lake.  Alan also loved to farm with Peter Jensen, and Gary Ohlert. 

Alan enjoyed collecting H.O. Model Trains, toy tractors, and collecting old cars.  He also enjoyed participating in the Clear Lake Fourth of July parade with his model A Car.

He was a member of the two-cylinder club in Grundy Center, Iowa and the International Harvester Collectors Club.

Left to cherish his memory are his uncle and cousins in Iowa and Nebraska, and his many friends.

His parents; sister, Frances; and a brother, Jackie, preceded him in death.

Alice Esk

Alice Esk, 93, Clear Lake, died Friday, Oct. 26, 2001, at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. 

Funeral services were Monday, Oct. 29, at the United Methodist Church, 508 2nd Ave N., Clear Lake with the Rev. Kathy Graves officiating.  Burial was in the Immanuel Reform Cemetery, Belmond, Iowa. 

Alice Esk was born Sept. 25, 1908, the daughter of Berend and Gazena 

(Arenholz) Vierkant, in Franklin County, near Thornton. She attended and received her education in the Windsor District #2 school system.  After completing her schooling, she helped care for families in Thornton and Meservey area.  Alice was united in marriage to Luke Esk on March 18, 1931 at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa.  He preceded her in death on April 24, 1974.  After their marriage together they farmed in the Thornton and Belmond area before moving to Clear Lake in 1961.  During her life, Alice worked at Ritter¹s Nursing Home, Clear Lake, the Hanford Hotel, and the Holiday Inn, Mason City. She also worked in the kitchens in the Lake Café and the Coffee Shop, Fatland¹s Bakery in Clear Lake, and also provided child day care in her home. 

Her hobbies included reading, and doing word puzzles. 

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Clear Lake, former member of Immanuel Reform Church, near Belmond, and the Meservey Reform Church.

Left to cherish her memory are her two children, Lois Hammond, Clear Lake, and Edward Esk, Denton, Texas; nine grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bernard Vierkant and his wife, Marie, Jacksonville, Texas, and Henry Vierkant and his wife, Elizabeth, Mason City; two sisters-in-law, Grace and Beulah Esk of Belmond; as well as other relatives and friends.

Besides her husband, Alice was preceded in death by her parents; one great-grandson, Matthew Sather; two sisters, Rosie Christiansen and Grace Harms; and three brothers, Edward, Herman and George Vierkant.

Brian Charles Taylor

Brian Charles Taylor, 34 of Sonora, Calif., formerly of Kensett, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2001 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Bethany Lutheran Church, Kensett, with the Rev. Sam Hernes, officiating. Burial will be in the Kensett Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Brian Charles Taylor Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 85, Kensett, Iowa 50448.

Brian was born in Mason City, Iowa, on July 26, 1967, the son of Charles H. (Chuck) and Janice Taylor. Brian grew up in Kensett, and graduated from Northwood-Kensett High School. He had recently moved to Sonora at the end of August and was working for the Union Democrat newspaper. Prior to moving to California, he had been at the newspapers in Leesburg, Fla., and Jefferson City, Mo. He started his newspaper career while in high school at the Globe-Gazette in Mason City.

Brian will long be remembered as a gentle and loving young man. He was such a bright spot in the lives of those who loved him. He loved all sports, especially the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins. But the greatest love for Brian was his family, especially his seven-month-old nephew and godson, Blake Adam.

Brian is survived by his mother, Janice Taylor, Kensett; his sister, Deb

(Taylor) Billings and her husband, Larry, and their son, Blake Adam, Clear Lake; a brother, Scott Taylor, Kensett; a special aunt, Marilyn Smith, Kensett; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and his ex-wife, Diane Taylor, LeGrande, Iowa, and her children, Sarah, Jason and Michael, and Sarah¹s son, Jonathan.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles H. Taylor Jr. on March 20, 1974; his nephew, Ryan Charles Billings on April 23, 2000; his maternal grandmother, Rosella Barber; his paternal grandparents, Charles H. Taylor and Clara Taylor; and his very special cousin, Terry Smith.

William ³Bill² Lee Heginger

William ³Bill² Lee Heginger, 59, died unexpectedly Friday, Oct. 26, 2001 at Mercy Hospital in Mason City, Iowa. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 30 at the Tenold Funeral Home in Klemme, Iowa, with Pastor Paddy Druhl of the Klemme United Methodist Church officiating. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. Memorials are preferred to the family or the donor¹s choice.

William was born Oct. 12, 1942 in Klemme, Iowa, the son of Carl John and Etta Harms Heginger. He attended Klemme schools and lived in Klemme. On June 8, 1965, he was united in marriage to Jeannie Cooper at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. For most of his life he was employed as a welder. He had worked for Winnebago Industries in Forest City, Iowa, Butter-Topp Bakery, Clear Lake, and for Kiefer Built in Kanawha, Iowa.

Bill enjoyed fishing, watching old movies, watching t.v., welding and cutting up old vehicles and metal works.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Jean; sons Wayne Heginger of Algona, Iowa, Rodney Heginger of Lino Lakes, Minn., Todd Heginger and his wife, Rachel, of Garner, Iowa, Greg Heginger of Anamosa, Iowa, William Crieger, of Oronoco, Minn., and Ted Heginger of Minot, N.,D.; a daughter, Tammy and her husband, Terry Whitehurst Jr., Mason City, Iowa; seventeen grandchildren; five brothers, Carl and his wife, Darlene, Klemme, LuVerne and his wife, Shirley, Lakota, Iowa, Lyle and his wife, Susan, Belmond, Iowa, Tony and his wife, Liz, Klemme, and Rich and his wife, Yana, Klemme; three sisters, Edna and her husband, John VanGerpen, Marian, Iowa, Sharon and her husband, Ecko Reysack, Klemme, and Zelda and her husband, Jerry Scott, Clear Lake; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and plenty of friends.

He was preceded in death be his parents; a brother, Duane; a sister, Lois Ward; a granddaughter, Laura Weide; and a grandson, Jackson.

Edith Viola Carlsen

Edith Viola Carlsen, 87, 201 South 4th Street, Clear Lake, died Sunday, Oct. 28, 2001 at her home.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, Nov. 2, 2001 at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Reverend Kermit Roisen officiating.  Interment will follow at Clear Lake Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 4 - 7 p.m. Thursday at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 North 4th Street, and also for one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Memorials may be directed to the Edith V. Carlsen memorial fund.

Edith was born Aug. 31, 1914 in Svendborg, Fyn, Denmark, one of ten children of Albert Edvard and Marie F. (Madsen) Nielsen.  Edith was united in marriage to Holger Carlsen and they moved with their daughter to the United States in June 1950 and settled in Latimer, Iowa in August 1950. 

They moved to Clear Lake in 1951, to Hampton in 1952 and then back to Clear Lake in 1968.  Edith was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church and a church circle member in Clear Lake.

Edith is survived by her daughter, Hanne Dvorak and her husband, Milo, of Marshalltown, Iowa; three grandchildren, Harley Hembd and his wife, DeAnna, of Glendale, Az., Mariann McDonald, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Diana Stowe and her husband, David, of Eldora, Iowa; and four great-grandchildren.

Edith was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Alton Melvin Nelson

Alton Melvin Nelson, 88, 421 S. 9th St., Clear Lake, Iowa, died Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2001, at the North Iowa Mercy Medical Center, Mason City, Iowa. 

Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 3, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Daird Korth officiating. 

Interment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery.  Memorials  may be given to the Alton M. Nelson Memorial fund.

Alton was born at home Nov. 22, 1912, in Wasua, Neb., the son of Carl A. and Hattie Caroline (Bloomquist) Nelson. He was baptized Lutheran and later, March 24, 1929, confirmed at St. Paul¹s Lutheran Missouri Synod in Neb. 

When Alton was three years old, his family moved from Wasau to Walnut, Neb. where his father farmed.  He attended a country school in Walnut until the eighth grade, when he quit school to help his father with the farm. On July 28, 1935, he married the love of his life, Gertrude Buerkley.  While they farmed in Orchard, Neb., they had three children.  Due to a severe drought in 1952, they sold the farm and moved east of Sheffield, Iowa.  After renting a farm there for one year, they moved again in 1954 and purchased a 240 acre farm north of Clear Lake.  While on the farm Alton raised corn, beans and even raised sugar beets for Crystal Sugar for two years.  He had 10,000 laying hens and 500 goslings.  In 1964 they moved into the town of Clear Lake.  They purchased the Lake Park Tap & Grill, the Town Pump, and The Cave.  Alton and Gert ran the Lake Park together until they retired in 1975.  They were married for 64 years. 

Alton was an active member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura, and also a member of the Clear Lake Noon Lions for 30 years.  He enjoyed traveling, dancing, woodworking, gardening and fishing.

Alton had many friends and enjoyed life to the fullest, he never had a bad word about anyone and was always smiling.  He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandpa.  He will be missed very much by all.

Alton is survived by three children, Natalie Weber and her husband, David, Avondale, Az., Aloyce ³Bud² Nelson and his wife, Juan, Burlington, Iowa, and Elouise ³Elly² Harmeyer and her husband, Lloyd, Clear Lake; seven grandchildren, Teresa Runia and her husband Curt, Chandler, Az., Dwight Krukow, Clear Lake, Sheila Krukow, Chandler, Az., Susan Story, Rowlett, Texas, Ronda Fredrickson and her husband, Mark, Tacoma, Wash., Julie Smith, Kent, Wash., and Brett Nelson and his wife, Carin, Burlington, Iowa; fourteen great-grandchildren; and one brother, Clayton Nelson and his wife, Wanda, South Sioux City, Neb.

Alton was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Gertrude on Nov 9, 1999; and one grandchild.

Arthur Dale Armsbury

Arthur Dale Armsbury, 90, of Clear Lake, Iowa died Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2001 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.  Memorial services will be Sat., Nov. 10, 2 p.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, Iowa with the Rev. Thomas Healey of First Congregational Church, Clear Lake, officiating.  Visitation will be one hour before the service on Saturday at the funeral home.  Family suggests memorials to Oakwood Care Center.

Art was born June 8, 1911 in Mason City, Iowa.  He graduated from Clear Lake High School, Mason City Junior College and attended Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa.  While at Iowa State he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. 

Art moved to New Jersey where he worked for Crucible Steel.  He married Neva Ruby McGowan Nov. 3, 1934 in Indiana, Penn.  He later worked for Brinks Armored Car Services.  They moved back to Clear Lake in 1945 where they owned Arts Vending Service and Armsbury Cottages on North Shore Drive for over thirty years. 

Art enjoyed being out on the lake, hunting, fishing and boat racing.  He was a member of Clear Lake Gun Club, Ventura Gun Club, a life member of N.R.A, I.O.O.F. Lodge, Iowa State Trap Shooting Association, American Trap Shooting Association, Midwest Power Boat Association, Ducks Unlimited and C.I.O. & A.F.L. Union.

Art is survived by his daughter, Anna Dale McClaskey and her husband, Norman, Fairport, N.Y.; two grandchildren, Kimberly Ann Miller and her husband, Greg, and Melinda Sue Farina and her husband, Tom; five great-grandchildren, Amanda Miller, Mary-Margaret Miller, Dean Miller, Thomas Farina Jr. and Michael Farina; and a sister-in-law, Pat McGowan, Clear Lake.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Mae Goodwin; wife, Neva; and grandson, Brendan Dale McClaskey. 

Gwendolyn Burgess

Gwendolyn Burgess, 86, of Panora, Iowa, died Oct. 25, 2001. Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 27 at First Christian Church in Panora. The Rev. Cheri Gelner officiated.

Gwendolyn was born Feb. 2, 1915 on a farm north of Panora to Harry and Bertha Vay Culver. She graduated from Panora High School in 1932. On March 11, 1933, she married Donald Burgess in Panora. She lived in the Panora area all her life. She was a homemaker all her married life. For the past 20 years the couple spent the winters in Sarasota, Fla. She enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Surviving her are her husband, Donald; sons Douglas Burgess of Ames, Iowa and Marshall Burgess of Panora; daughters Donna Furleigh, Clear Lake, and Joyce Good, Panora; nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Amert Varner, Muskegon, Mich. She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Rita Shook; a grandson, Shawn Burgess; a granddaughter, Heidi Shook; a sister, Hazel Patterson; a half-sister, Irma Bradley; and a half-brother, Dale Culver.

Jeri Schnoebelen

Jeri Schnoebelen, 45, went home to heaven Friday, Oct. 26, 2001 in a hospital in Midland, Texas. She was cremated and at the present her ashes are with her loving sister, Nan-c Ganske Haney.

In memory of Jeri her family will hold a gathering of friends on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 1 - 2:30 p.m. in the band shell room at Clear Lake City Park. All her area friends are invited to come and share with friends and family.

Memorials may be sent to Nan-c Ganske Haney, 18125 Kelly Lake Road, Carver, Minn. 55315.