David Edward Hanson, 72, 317 N. 14th St., Clear Lake, died of lung cancer Thursday, Sept. 26, 2002 at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. A visitation will be held in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 5 - 8 p.m. and a funeral service will be held Thursday, Oct. 3,  at 2 p.m. at the Merle Hay Chapel Hill, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines. The Rev. Tim Diebel will officiate. Inurnment will be at the Merle Hay Chapel Hill Cemetery at a later date.  Memorials may be given to the Muse-Norris Hospice of North Iowa or the American Cancer Society.

David was born Feb. 18, 1930 in Des Moines, the son of Henry Dan and Kathryn Ellen (Burk) Hanson.  David graduated from high school at the Kentucky Military Institute.  He graduated from Drury College, Springfield, Mo.  David married Erma McConnell June 11, 1950 in Aurora, Mo.  They moved to Des Moines in 1956 and he worked at Banker¹s Life home office.  He left Banker¹s Life in 1971 to pursue investment interests.  They relocated to Clear Lake, in 1977 where he was actively self-employed.  Since heart surgery in 1996, he enjoyed  his relationship with the Mercy Cardiac Rehab Clinic, including both the exercise and the friendships that developed there.

David enjoyed spending time with his family and gardening.  He was a member of the University Christian Church in Des Moines, and attended the Christian Church in Clear Lake. 

David is survived by his wife, Erma Hanson, Clear Lake; two children, Henry Dan Hanson II, Des Moines, and Teresa Kay Heitz and her husband, Kevin, Des Moines; daughter-in-law, Janet Rew Hanson; four grandchildren, Molly Lynn Hanson, Kyle Christopher Hanson, Cassidy Kay Heitz and Kelly Rose Heitz, all of Des Moines; and one sister-in-law, Jeanne Freeman and her husband, Adrien, Marietta, Ga. and their three sons.

David was preceded in death by his parents; and one son, Michael Alan Hanson in 1984.

Alice M. Wittler

Alice M. Wittler, 70, of 1407 South Shore Dr., Clear Lake, died Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2002 following an automobile accident.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 28 at Fullerton Family of Funeral Homes, Mason City. The Rev. Robert Hogan of St. Patrick¹s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, officiated. Interment was at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alice Wittler Memorial Fund.

Alice was born on Oct. 20, 1931, at Harper, Ks., the daughter of Charles and Sarah (Gansemer) Mulder She attended NIACC, becoming a ward clerk, and then took bank teller and reception techniques at Kirkwood College. She managed several restaurants and bars in northwest Iowa and Cedar Rapids. Her last job was assistant manager at the Poodle Lounge in Mason City. Alice was a very social person and made many friends during the years working with others. She raised her seven children, who helped with her sense of humor and enjoyed shopping enthusiastically, as well as sewing, embroidery and knitting.

Those thankful in sharing Alice¹s life include her five surviving children and spouses, Sarah ³Cozy² and her husband, Larry Fuller, Clear Lake, Cindie and her husband, Rick Logemann, Marian, Iowa, Pam and her husband, Tom Dolan, Marian, Lynn Gerriets, Ozawkie Ks., and Candy Weiss, Mason City; one son-in-law, Mitchell Weiss, Mason City; 18 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Charles Hobbs; one daughter, Mary Thomas; three grandchildren; twin sisters; one brother; and one son-in-law, John Gerriets.

Verlyene Chodur

Funeral services were held Friday, Sept. 27, at First Baptist Church, Forest City, Iowa. For Verlyene Chodur, who died Sept. 24, 2002. The Rev. Steven Cox officiated. Interment was in First Baptist Cemetery, Forest City.

Verlyene Chodur was born Nov. 14, 1923 in Forest City, the daughter of Martin and Emma (Isaacson) Borg. She received her education in Forest City and graduated from Forest City High School. Verlyene taught grade school in Linden Township. She married Ralph Chodur on Dec. 17, 1944 in Jacksonville, Fla. After Ralph¹s discharge from the service they returned to Iowa and farmed in Miller, Northwood and Joice, settling in Lake Mills in 1968.

She loved her life on the farm and being outdoors working with her husband. She was an excellent baker and cook and loved to try new recipes. Caring for her flowers, gardening, canning and quilting were a few of the things she spent time doing. She worked for Deluxe Products in Lake Mills for a short time. She vacationed with her husband in northern Minnesota and they went fishing together. She treasured time spent with her family and her grandchildren.

Verlyene is survived by her children and their spouses, Ralphene Stokke and husband, David, of Clear Lake, Deanna Hill and husband, John, of Forest City, Jeanne Lahey and husband, Steven, of Iowa City, Iowa, Steven Chodur and wife, Carolyn, Northwood, Marilyn Kaiser and husband, Mark, of Forest City, Gary Chodur and wife, Deb, of Lake Mills, and Judy Gouge and husband, Michael, of Crystal Lake, Iowa; 18 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are three sister, Mildred Ostrander of Forest City, Gloria Chodur and husband, Donald, of Kensett, Iowa, Arlys Hendrickson and husband, Nelson, of Humboldt, Iowa; and a brother, Orville Borg and his wife, Goldie, of Forest City.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a sister, Ruth; and three brothers, Kenyon, Albert, and Leanna.

Ruthie C. Perry

Ruthie C. Perry, 62, formerly of Ventura, Iowa, died in Phoenix, Az., Sept. 10, 2002.  Memorial services will be Wednesday, 11 a.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating. 

Ruthie was born in Forest City, Iowa, April 9, 1940 and grew up in Leland, Iowa.  She attended Parson¹s College and became an elementary teacher. She was married in 1963 and was a stay-at-home mom after the birth of her first child.  She moved to Phoenix in 1997 to be near her kids and grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Jill Pawlak and her husband, Eric, and their two children, Rachel and Brooklyn; and a son, Chad Perry and his wife, Linda, and their two children, Ryan and Cameron; one sister, Elizabeth Olson and her husband, Jim; and one brother, Phil Carson and his wife, Darlene. 

Bruce Auchampach

Bruce Auchampach, 67, 15460 Basswood Ave., Ventura, died Monday, Oct. 7, 2002 at his home.  Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Oct 9,10 a.m. at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating. Interment will be at the Ventura Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Memorials may be given to the Bruce Auchampach Memorial Fund.

Bruce was born June 3, 1935, in Clear Lake, the son of Glenn W. and Annetta Maria (Bruce) Auchampach.  He graduated from Ventura High School in 1953.  Bruce worked for Keith Ransom Auto Repair as a mechanic.  He served in the Army from 1958-1960.  After the service  he came back to Ventura. 

Bruce worked as an auto mechanic in the area for many years. 

Bruce married Karen Green on Feb. 14, 1964 in Sioux Falls, S.D. He graduated from Commercial Trades Institute, May 11, 1970.  Bruce owned and operated  Arctic Major Appliance Service, from 1970 until the present. 

Bruce enjoyed woodcarving, fishing, hunting, ice boating in his youth, and going to casinos.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Karen, Ventura; one daughter, Glenda Robbins and her husband, Brian, Clear Lake, and one son, Robert Bruce Auchampach, Mason City, Iowa.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents.

Glenn Erickson

Glenn Erickson, 87, of 103 Fairway Dr., Clear Lake, died Friday, Oct. 4, 2002 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.  Memorial services were held Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, Iowa with the Rev. Dean Hess and Rev. David Wiersbe of Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake officiating.  Private interment  was held in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Family suggests memorials to Opportunity Village or Hospice of North Iowa. 

Glenn was born Nov. 29, 1914 in Clear Lake, Iowa, the son of Erick H. and Bertha Christine (Engleson) Erickson.  He graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1931, attended Lutheran Bible Institute, Minneapolis, Minn. for two years and then attended Augsburg College.

Glenn married Esther Thompsen on Oct. 8, 1938 in Racine, Wis. and lived on a farm south of Clear Lake where they raised a family of six children. 

He worked at General Mills for five years, before entering the U.S. Navy during W.W.II as a seaman first class. 

After the service he moved back to Clear Lake to be on the family farm and continued to farm until 1969.  In 1964 he attended McPhail School of Music to learn to be a Piano Technician.  In 1969 they moved into Clear Lake.  Esther preceded him in death on Feb. 2, 1990.  Glenn married Dorothea Weiland April 10, 1993 at the Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake.

Glenn enjoyed reading, Bible study, playing Scrabble, traveling and was an avid Clear Lake sports and music fan.  He enjoyed singing in the Zion 

and community choirs. 

As a young man Glenn committed his life to Christ and  was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, where he was a deacon, trustee, and Sunday school superintendent for twenty-five years. He was on the original board of Handicap Village from 1966-1991. He was a member of Sons of Norway, Farm Bureau, American Legion and Clear Lake Noon Lions.

Glenn will be sadly missed by his wife, Dorothea Erickson, Clear Lake; five children, Ellen Friday, Coon Rapids, Minn., Glen Richard Erickson, Washburn, Wis., Eric Erickson and his wife, Susan, Maplewood, Minn., Ruth Salge and her husband, Larry, Ovilla, Texas, and Bernice Klongerbo, Hayward, Wis.; thirteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; Dorothea¹s family, Luaine Oleson and her husband, Donald, Rockford, Ill., Lois Howland and her husbnd, Roger, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Linda Perkins, San Rafel, Calif., Marilyn Dennis and her husband, James, Iowa City, Iowa, Donald Weiland and his wife, Judi, Garner, Iowa and Monna Quinn, Dallas, Texas; eleven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Marjorie, Berdie and Bessie; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Esther; daughter, Ann Marie; infant sister, Gladys; and four brothers, Henrik, Elmer, Raymond and Erwin. 

Mildred O. DeMaris

Mildred O. DeMaris, 93, died Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002, at the IOOF Home Mason City, Iowa.  Funeral Services were held Monday, Oct. 7, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating.  Burial was at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.  Family suggests memorials to Mildred O. DeMaris memorial fund.

Mildred was born Dec. 6, 1908, in Park Rapids, Minn. the daughter of George William and Blanche (Fox) Parks. Mildred attended school in Park Rapids and Motley, Minn. Mildred married Floyd Elmer DeMaris, Sept. 25, 1926 in Park Rapids. They lived in Motley, Minn. and then moved to Park Rapids. 

In the spring of 1950 they moved to Mason City and lived there until 1962, when they moved to LeSueur, Minn.  In 1991 she moved to Clear Lake, Iowa to live with her daughter, Beaulah.

Mildred enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening, picking blueberries, reading, raising flowers - especially her violets,  playing bingo at the nursing home, little children and being with her family.  She would share with anyone.  She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake.

Mildred will be sadly missed by her three sons, Julius DeMaris, Mason City, Marvin DeMaris and his wife, Karen, Mason City, and Norman DeMaris and his wife, Donna, LeSueur, Minn.; five daughters, Beaulah Andersen, Clear Lake, Jeanette Hopes and her husband, Bill, LeSueur, Minn., Betty Brooks and her special friend, Red Gragg, Garland, Texas, Rosemary Dickinson, Mason City, and Eileen Hornaman and her husband, Ron, Henderson, Minn.; a daughter-in-law, Darlene DeMaris, Lincoln, Neb.; a sister, Eleanor Riley, Issaquah, Wash.; a brother, Harold Parks and his wife, Lily, Silver Bay, Minn.; forty-two grandchildren; eighty great-grandchildren and twenty two great-great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Floyd; son, Arvid DeMaris; three sons-in-law, Walter Andersen, Roger Brooks and Ronald Dickinson; a daughter-in-law, Gloria DeMaris; a brother, Leonard Parks; two grandsons, Dennis Brooks and Jay DeMaris; and one great-granddaughter, Angelica Awe. 

Avis E. Counsell

Avis E. Counsell, 87, of 625 14th Ave. N., Clear Lake, died Monday, Sept. 30, 2002 at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. 

Funeral services will be Thursday, Oct. 3, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jan Burnett officiating. 

Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, and one hour before the service on Thursday at the church. 

Family suggests memorials to Clear Lake United Methodist Church or American Heart Fund.

Avis was born Jan. 26, 1915 in Garner, Iowa the daughter of Andreas C. and Cena (Hansen) Andreasen.  She graduated from Meservey High School in 1933.

Avis lived in Clear Lake at the time of her marriage to Harold G. Counsell July 13, 1941 at the Clear Lake United Methodist Parsonage.  She worked at the Clear Lake Co-op Creamery for seventeen years and then worked for Dr. Joslyn in Clear Lake for sixteen years as a bookkeeper, retiring in 1985.

Avis enjoyed doing volunteer work for A.E.A. and playing cards with her family on Thursdays in Forest City. She was the one who always helped set up the yearly family reunions. She enjoyed sewing, hand work, crocheting and making lap robes to give to residents at the nursing home.

Avis was a member of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church and the Rebekah Lodge.

She will be sadly missed by her two sisters, Margie Waddingham and her husband Roy, Nora Springs, Iowa, and Leoda Aten, Bloomsburg, Penn.; a step sister, Gretchen Bakke, Colorado; sister-in-law, Stella Andreasen, Britt, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold, in 1974; five stepbrothers; two brothers, Marvin and Donald Andreasen; and one sister, Verna Baker preceded her in death. 

Elizabeth Susanna Dietz

Elizabeth Susanna Dietz, 84, Wadena, Iowa, died Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2002, at Maple Crest Manor, Fayette, Iowa, after a lengthy illness.

Services were held Saturday, Sept. 28, at Lima Church in rural Fayette, with burial in the church cemetery.

Elizabeth was born Aug. 3, 1918 at Raymond, Iowa, to James and Caroline

(Niemeyer) Taylor. She married Robert H. Dietz on May 15, 1939, at Nashua. Elizabeth was a homemaker and assisted her husband in a dairy operation near Wadena the past 40 years.

Survivors include her husband, Robert H. of Wadena; three sons, Guy and his wife, Susan, of Clear Lake, Robert W., and Max and his wife, Amber, of Fairbanks, Ak.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Pearl Erlewine.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother; and four sisters.

Harvey Chester Peterson

Harvey Chester Peterson, 86, of 1708 South Shore Dr., Clear Lake, died Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2002, at the Manly Care Center, Manly, Iowa.  Funeral services were held Friday, Oct. 11, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating. Interment was at the Grant Township Cemetery, Rural Fertile, Iowa.  Military Honors were provided by the Clear Lake V.F.W.  Memorials may be given to the Alzheimers Association or Manly Care Center.

Harvey was born March 14, 1916, in Grant Township, rural Clear Lake, Iowa.  He was the son of Fred Theodore and Sophie (Munk) Peterson.  He graduated from Fertile High School in 1934.  Following in his family¹s footsteps, Harvey worked as a farmer.  He served in the Armed services during WWII.  Following the service he came back to farm north of Clear Lake.  Harvey married Eleanor Gambell in 1960 at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa.  She died March 19, 1977.  In Sept. 8, 1984 he married Edith (Edie) Rhodes in Clear Lake. 

Harvey enjoyed dancing and playing golf.  He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake Evening Lions and a life member of the Clear Lake V.F.W.

Harvey is survived by his wife Edith Peterson, Clear Lake; one son Lyle Peterson, Mason City; one grandson, Kyle Peterson, Clarksville, Ind.; one brother, Sophus Peterson and his wife, Dorothy, Clear Lake; one sister, Dorothy Pederson and her husband, Eivid, Omaha, Neb.; three sisters-in-law, Amie Brown, Mason City, Junice Brown, Leland, Iowa, and Marlys Haugen, Leland; one brother-in-law, Albert Langerud and his wife, Frances, Paris, Mo.

Harvey was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Eleanor; and one brother, Stanley Peterson.

Betty A. Tickal

Betty A. Tickal, 67, of 1019 2nd St. N.E., died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002. Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 10 at Major Erickson Funeral Home, Mason City, with the Rev. Clifford Close, First Assembly of God Church officiating. Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Community Kitchen of North Iowa.

Betty was born May 17, 1935 in Mason City, the daughter of Howard and Dorothy (Tiedeman) Trevett. She graduated from Mason City High School in 1953 and was a life-long resident. She most recently managed and cooked at Betty¹s Cafe¹ in Mason City. She enjoyed cooking and feeding the patrons at her cafe¹, bingo at the Elks and playing the organ.

She is survived by her children, Michael Tickal and his wife, Carmen, of Mason City, Trace Tickal, Des Moines, Patricia Tickal, Clear Lake, Rory Tickal, and his wife, Denise, of East Burlington, N.J.; 10 grandchildren; and a sister, Barbara Hohenfield of Mason City.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents.

Leona M. Schott

Leona M. Schott, 76, of 2700 S. Lakeview Dr, Clear Lake died Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002, at the Muse-Norris Hospice inpatient Unit of North Iowa in Mason City. A Funeral Mass was held Monday, Oct. 14, at St. Patrick¹s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with Monsignor Robert Hogan officiating. Interment followed at Clear Lake Cemetery.  The family suggests memorials to St. Patrick¹s Catholic Church and Hospice of North Iowa.

Leona was born Sept. 14, 1926 in Pocahontas, Iowa, the daughter of William and Stella (Alig) Wolf.  She married Cletus Schott on May 17, 1949 in Pocahontas.  They lived in Pocahontas, Mitchellville, Clare, Sanborn, Swea City and Clear Lake. She enjoyed cooking, dancing, fishing, playing cards, crossword puzzles, and enjoyed being with her family, friends and church.

Leona was a member of St. Patrick¹s Catholic Church. 

She is survived by her husband, Cletus and her nine children, Mike of Fremont, Neb., Jerry and his wife, Cindy, of Hartford, S.D.; Beverly Feller and her husband, Rick, of Mustang, Ok.; Ron and his wife, Audrey, of Sanborn, Iowa; Joan Walthour and her husband, Fred, of McAllen, Texas, Sue Postma and her husband, Gene, of Urbandale, Iowa, Kathleen Tauber of Montezuma, Iowa, Tom and his wife, Ann, of Forest City, Iowa, and David, of Mason City, Iowa.  She has 23 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Don Wolf and his wife, Leola, of Pocahontas, Iowa; a sister, Evelyn Point and her husband, George, of Ft. Dodge, Iowa; a brother-in-law, Kenny Moritz, of Arnolds Park, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Norma Moritz.

Chet H. Garth

Chet H. Garth, 71, of 1200 10th Ave. N., Clear Lake, died Saturday, Oct.12, 2002, at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

There will be a private family gathering at Memorial Park Cemetery, following Chet¹s wishes.

Memorials may be sent to the Garth Family at 1200 10th Avenue N., #23, Clear Lake, Iowa, 50428.

Chet was born March 21, 1931, in Clarion, Iowa, the son of Harold and Hallie (Smith) Garth. In 1939, Chet¹s family moved to Clear Lake where he attended Clear Lake Public Schools and worked at Witke¹s Restaurant.

After graduating from Clear Lake High School in 1949, where he earned all-conference honors in football and basketball, Chet briefly attended Hamline University in Minneapolis, Minn. before enlisting in the Unites States Navy. While in the Navy, Chet served on the USS Yorktown and was stationed in Japan where he played basketball, representing the United States in the Far East.

Chet was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1954 and completed his education at Fort Dodge Junior College.

In 1960, Chet moved to Green Bay, Wis. as district manager for New Idea farm equipment and became an avid Packers fan. Chet returned to Clear Lake in 1970 when he became the owner of Witke¹s with his brother, Dick. He later left the restaurant and owned and operated Western Auto Hardware. Chet also worked at Zeidler¹s Concrete in Clear Lake, P.I.M. in Fertile, and retired from C.F. Industries in Garner, in late 2000 due to health problems.

Chet was married to Delores on Dec. 18, 1983 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Chet enjoyed his family, grandchildren, friends, playing cribbage, shooting pool, the Packers (including attending Super Bowl XXXI), westerns, and participating in and watching various sports.

He is survived by his wife, Delores; his children, Greg, and his wife, Denise Garth and children Josh and Jasmine of Omaha, Neb., Mark,and his wife, Paula Garth and children Paul and Katie of Omaha, Neb., Gary, and his wife, Lori Garth and children Brenna and Lacy Garth, Jason and Scott Carroll of Des Moines, Debbie Garth of Nashua, N.H., David and his wife, Michelle Garth and children Tori, Amanda, and Samantha of Kingsland, Ga.; stepchildren, Greg and his wife, Shari Knopf and children Kendra, Nick, Dylan, Amber and Spencer of Clear Lake, and Valerie and her husband, Tom Dillavou and children Travis and Curtis of Lake Mills, Iowa,; a brother, Dick, and his wife, Bunny Garth of Mason City; and a sister, Mary Lou, and her husband, Russ Novy of Northbrook, Ill.

Chet was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Hallie Garth; son, Steven Garth; and step-grandson, Derek Knopf.

Adolph Conrad Luker

Adolph Conrad Luker, 85, of Mason City, died Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14, 2002, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 419 North Delaware Ave., Mason City, with the Rev. Daird Korth officiating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Highway 122, Mason City.

The family of Adolph Luker has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City in his memory.

Adolph Luker was born on Jan. 31, 1917, in Princeton, Minn., the son of Henry and Magdalena (Froehlich) Luker. He reaffirmed the faith of his baptism through confirmation on April of 1930. He attended and received his high school education in the Clear Lake High School, graduating in 1938. After completing his schooling he worked as a carpenter for several years for various construction companies in the North Iowa area. Adolph also drove truck for Huber Supply Company in Mason City for 11 years and also worked for Curries Hardware in Mason City until his retirement.

He enjoyed wood working, flowers, gardening, and music.

He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City. He was very active in the choir, bell choir and on numerous church boards at Bethlehem Lutheran Church throughout his life. Adolph was also very active in the RSVP in Mason City, as well as numerous other community projects.

Left to cherish his memory is his daughter, Sharon Hamrick and her husband, Harry, of Mason City; two grandchildren, Douglas Hamrick, of Garner and Brian Hamrick, of Mason City; three brothers, Fred Luker and his wife, Judy of Clear Lake, Arnold Luker and Gilbert Luker both of Mason City; numerous nieces and nephews, as well as many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and three sisters, Esther Luker, Leona Hill, and Irma Hall.

Helen Leone Miller

Helen Leone Miller, 87, of 1301 First Avenue South, died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Her funeral service was held Friday, Oct. 18, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating.  Interment followed at the Clear Lake Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to Helen Miller Memorial Fund.

Helen was born Dec. 25, 1914 in Mason City, the daughter of S. Walter and Leona (Dannen) Harris.  Helen graduated from Mason City High School and from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls.  Helen married Edward L. Miller in June 1936 in Mason City and they moved to Chapin, rural Clear Lake, Burchinal and finally, back to Clear Lake.  She worked in laundry service at Mercy Hospital, Mason City and as a housekeeper at Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.

Helen loved to crochet for her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed music, flowers, gardening, and reading.  Time spent with her grandchildren and close friends meant so much to Helen and everywhere she went, she was related to someone.   Helen was very proud of her active membership in the Zion Lutheran Church.

Helen is survived by four children, Phyllis James of Hampton, Jeanette Kirschbaum and her husband Joe, of Hampton, Lawrence ³Larry² Miller and his wife, Beverly, of Clear Lake, and Garry Miller and his wife Diane, of Clear Lake; thirteen grandchildren, Terri Reighard and her husband, Scott, Diane Storman and her husband, Pete, Elaine Gilbert and her husband, Cary, Brian James, Joette Kofoot and her husband, Allen, Mel Donaldson, Joseph Kirschbaum, Michele Kirschbaum, Scott Miller, Randy Miller, Andrea Miller, Jennifer DenHartog and her husband, Thad, and Amy Miller and her husband, BJ; thirteen great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; a brother, Raymond Harris and his wife, Alice, of Rockwell, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Leilah Miller, of Austin, Minn., and several nieces, nephews, and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one grandson, one granddaughter, one great-granddaughter, and one  grandson-in-law, Shannon Donaldson.

Mikako ³Mika² Elizabeth Lee

Mikako ³Mika² Elizabeth Lee, 30, of Thornton, Iowa, died Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002, at the Belmond Hospital.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 North 4th Street, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Daird Korth of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ventura, officiating.  Following the services cremation will take place with private graveside committal services at a later date in the Clear Lake Cemetery. 

Mikako ³Mika² Elizabeth Lee was born on Jan. 17, 1972, in the Naval Hospital at Camp La Jeune, N. C., the daughter of John and Michiko (Miyagi) Williams.  She attended and graduated from Sweet Water High School in National City, Calif.  She also attended North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City.

Mika loved music, dancing, and Clear Lake, but her great love and enjoyment was her children and being a loving mother.

Left to cherish her memory are her two children, Daniel and Ricky Lee of Thornton; her parents, John and Michiko Williams of  Okinawa, Japan; several aunts and uncles living in Japan and America; as well as other relatives and many friends.

Her maternal and paternal grandparents preceded her in death.

Eva Maggie Bickford

Eva Maggie Bickford, 99, of Clear Lake, died Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002 at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.  Funeral services were Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake.  Richard L. Scott officiated. 

Interment was at Memorial Park Cemetery, Highway 122 West, Mason City. 

Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church in her name.

Eva was born June 24, 1903 in Black River Falls, Wis., the daughter of Albert E. and Agustia (Anderson) Carman. She received her education in Mason City.   She married William M. Bickford shortly after WWI.  Eva had a great love of her family and enjoyed gardening and playing cards.  She was a devoted member of Zion Lutheran Church since 1935.  She was involved in 

Women¹s Church Circle, was an honorary member of the Joy Circle, and very active in other church activities.  She was also a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion.

Eva is survived by one son, William R. Bickford and his wife, Betty, Clear Lake; one granddaughter, Deborah Momberg and her husband, Stephen, Faribault, Minn.; four great-grandchildren, Beth Fette and her husband, Kevin, Lonsdale, Minn., Kathryn Ryan and her husband, Patrick, Thornton, Colo., Christopher Momberg, Faribault, Minn. and Richard Momberg, Faribault, Minn.; three great-great-grandchildren, Kayla, Nicholas and Katelyn Fette; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Eva was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William M.;  two sisters, Julia and Ivah; and three brothers, Harry, James, and Anthony.

Elizabeth E. Clark

Elizabeth E. Clark, 100, Clear Lake, died Monday, Oct. 21, 2002 at Hospice Inpatient Unit of North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa.  A graveside service will be held Saturday, Oct. 26, 1 p.m., at the Glendale Masonic Cemetery, 1550 48th St., Des Moines, Iowa.  Visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 25, 5

- 7 p.m. at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Clear Lake Congregational Church and Hospice of North Iowa in Memory of Elizabeth E. Clark. 

Elizabeth was born March 12, 1902 in Caternberg, Germany, the daughter of Frank and Bertha (Kambach) Tholl.  At six months of age she came to the United States and lived in Bevier, Mo.  She moved to Des Moines and finished her schooling there.  Elizabeth married Lyman J. Clark Oct. 8, 1927 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.  They made their home in Des Moines. 

Her husband retired and they moved to Clear Lake in 1977. 

Elizabeth was a very avid golfer.  She was a member of the Congregational Church and made many items for the annual church Bazaar. 

Elizabeth is survived by three children, Lyman J. (Pat) Clark and his wife, Rae Jean, West  Des Moines, Iowa, Frank E. Clark and his wife, Dorothy, Clear Lake, and JoAnn M. Moret and her husband, Lee, Boyden, Iowa; thirteen grandchildren, Scott Clark, Joel Clark, Susan Casel, Todd Clark, Tanya Anderson, Jeffrey Clark, Carol Clark, Linda Alongi, Amy Ellgren, Karen Bentsen, Clark Moret, Beth Sipma and Peter Moret; thirty-one great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1987, and four brothers and four sisters.

Louis J. Loth

Louis J. Loth, 90, of Belmond, Iowa, passed way Saturday, Oct. 19, 2002, surrounded by the love of his family and under the care of Wright County Hospice a the Belmond Health Care Center. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Oct. 23 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Belmond, at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Rod Hopp officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemeter. Visitation will be on Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 5 - 7;30 p.m. at the Tenold-Andrews funeral Home, 516 1st St. S.E., Belmond, and continue one hour prior to the services at church on Wednesday.

Louis, the youngest son of Paul and Amanda Loth, was born Dec. 9, 1911 in Waterbury, Neb. the family later moved to Zimmerman, Minn. and eventually settled in the Clear Lake and Ventura, Iowa, area, where they farmed for many years.

Louis received his education through St. John¹s Lutheran Church, northwest of Ventura. He was working as a hired man for ³Obbie² Oberhauser, when he met his love of over 65 years, Louise M. Haupt. They were united in marriage at the St. John Lutheran Church parsonage in Waseca, Minn. in June 1937. and eventually moved to the Haupt Homestead south of Belmond in 1941, where they farmed until their retirement in 1967. The farm was recognized as a ³Century Farm² in 1996.

After retirement, Louie and Louise enjoyed traveling, playing cars, and wintering in Arizona and Florida. His greatest joy was fishing with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends. In earlier years, Louis was involved with the Odd Fellows organization, Farm Bureau, and had been a past principal of a country school. He will be remembered by many for his sense of humor, wit and one line comebacks, a wonderful trait that he still had evening in his failing health.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Amelia (Froelich); daughter, Mary Lou Robbins-Wells; brothers, Martin and Laurence; and a sister, Lillian Van Lone.

Those thankful for sharing his life and rejoicing in his peace are his wife, Louise, of Belmond; daughter, Karen Rasmussen, Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren LuJeanne Fink and her husband, Ron, Belmond, Jolene Robbins, Belmond, Bradley Robbins and his wife, Georgia, Forest City, Brian Robbins and his wife, Glenda, Clear Lake, Rodney Rasmussen and his wife, Nikki, Des Moines, Robbie Rasmussen and his special friend, Callie Shiel, Des Moines; great-grandchildren, Loren and Amanda Robbins, Sara, Tiffany, and Bob Fink, and Tyler Barsetti.

Tenold-Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.

Betty June Graettinger

Funeral services for Betty June Graettinger, who died Oct. 23, 2002, were held Saturday, Oct. 26 at Turner Funeral Home in Milford, Iowa, with the Rev. R.D. Streeter. Interment was in Okoboji Cemetery, Arnolds Park, Iowa.

Betty was born March 15, 1919 to George and Hattie (Parish) Heldridge at Okoboji, Iowa. She graduated from Arnolds Park High School.

Betty lived in Okoboji, Omaha, Neb., and Clear Lake before moving to Milford in 1997.

She is survived by her son, Jack Longley and his wife, Sharon, of Tucson, Az.; grandchildren Robert Longley of Tucson, John Longley of Baltimore, Md., and Christine Tuchschmidt of Mays Landing, N. J.; great-grandchildren, Thomas and Katlin Tuchschmidt. Also surviving are nieces, Lorraine Little of Okoboji, Bev Peterson of Arnolds Park, and JoAnne Thompson of Scottsdale, Az.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Erwin, in 1985; parents; one sister, Lola Wilson; and brothers, James, Verlyn and Bus.