Alma J. Jaspersen, 83, of Clear Lake, was called to her eternal rest Sept. 3, 2006, at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa. Funeral services to celebrate Alma's life were held Tuesday at Zion St. John Lutheran Church, Sheffield, Iowa with the Rev. Kent A. Mechler presiding. Interment was in Hillside Cemetery, Sheffield.
Alma was born Dec. 5, 1922 at Klemme, Iowa to H.A. and Lena (Meinderts) Nelson. Alma was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She was united in marriage to Lloyd Jaspersen on May 25, 1941. They farmed in the Rockwell, Iowa area for 30 years. Alma and Lloyd retired to Clear Lake several years ago.
Alma's faith in Jesus was the focus of her life. She was a dedicated wife, mother, homemaker and Sunday School teacher for over 30 years. Her husband and family were an integral part of her life. Alma enjoyed active participation in the YOU-GO-I-GO Club in the Sheffield area for over 30 years. Alma was a member of Zion St. John Lutheran Church in Sheffield for over 50 years.
Alma is survived by her husband of 65 years, Lloyd Jaspersen; children, Kenneth (Irene) Jaspersen, Omaha, Neb. and Delores Mindrup, Clear Lake; grandchildren, Sue Jaspersen, Shawnee, Kan., Julie Jaspersen, Omaha, Neb., Laura Weaver and fiancé, Eric Grell, Chandler, Az., Steven and Joy Mindrup, Eagan, Minn.; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Quincy Weaver, Chandler, Alexa, Fletcher and Ian Mindrup, Eagan. Alma is also survived by two cousins, several brothers and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews.
Alma is preceded in death by her parents and two infant brothers.

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Dean David "Dino" VanHorn

Dean David "Dino" VanHorn, 68, died Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006, at his home in Clear Lake after his battle with cancer.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006 at the Church of Christ, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jim Allard officiating. Interment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Family suggests memorials to Dean VanHorn Memorial Fund.
Dean was born in 1938, in Mason City, Iowa. He had three children with his first wife, Arlene. He later raised a family with Jan (Tobey) VanHorn until her death in 1986. He worked as a heavy equipment operator and had 37 years vested in the Local 234 Union. He will be remembered fondly as the dad, grandpa and friend who always had a story to tell. He enjoyed gardening, playing cards, shooting pool, bird watching and spending time with his beloved friend, Barb.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Noah and Flossie Van Horn; wife, Jan Van Horn; son, Craig; brother, Bob Van Horn; step-brother, Harold Thompson and grand-daughter, Bess Amanda.
He is survived by his special friend, Barb Bergman; step-sister, Vivian Fehrman and her husband, Dick; sons, Dale and his wife, Teresa, Chuck and his wife, Irene, Greg and his wife, Jackie, Dave, Bob, Buck and his wife, Darcy, and Billy and his wife, Sara; two daughters, Cindy and husband, Dave, and Patricia; grandchildren, Shelly, Cher, Todd, Chad, Valerie, David, William, Marissa, Brianna, Noah, Cade, Autumn, Wylie, Allisa, Connie (Bill), Keri (Damien), Bradley, Jennifer, Janelle, J.J, Anna and Jenna, and great-grandchildren, Tessa Jo and Philip.

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Helen "Dorothy" Bartlett

Helen "Dorothy" Bartlett, 96, died Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006, at the Rolling Green Village Nursing Home, Nevada.
Funeral services were held Friday, Sept.8, at the Bethel United Methodist Church, Manly, Iowa with the Rev. Robert Cumings officiating. Interment was in the Manly Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to Dorothy Bartlett Memorial Fund.
Helen Dorothy Bartlett was born Dec. 11, 1909, in Clear Lake, the daughter of Merle and Helen (Brose) Rogers. Dorothy attended Clear Lake Public Schools and graduated from Mason City High School in 1926. She graduated from Mason City Junior College and Iowa State Teachers College. Her first teaching job was in Marble Rock, Iowa. Dorothy moved to Manly in 1932, where she taught high school history and English until 1945. She was united in marriage to Maynard Bartlett Jan. 1, 1942, in San Diego, Calif. To this union a daughter was born. Dorothy returned to teaching in the Manly Public Schools in 1951 and continued until her retirement in 1972.
Dorothy enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and bird watching. Her greatest love was spending time with family and friends. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church, Friendship Circle, Manly Study Club, Shell Rock Dinner Club, and Manly Public Library Board of Trustees where she served as the treasurer.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Elaine (Robert) Heiberger, Ames, Iowa; grandchildren, Kristine Heiberger, Chicago, Ill., Rob Heiberger, Chicago, Kevin Heiberger, Ames; a sister, Phyllis Sweet, Sarasota, Fla.; sister-in-law, Julia Bartlett, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Helen Rogers; husband, Maynard Bartlett; and two brothers, Leslie and Donald Rogers.

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Reuben W. Schramm

Reuben W. Schramm, 77, of Clear Lake died Saturday, Sept. 9, 2006 at Muse Norris Hospice in-patient unit, Mason City, Iowa.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 12, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with Richard L. Scott, lay minister with Zion Lutheran Church , officiating. Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City where a flag folding ceremony will be conducted by members of Clear Lake VFW at a later date.
Reuben W. Schramm was born Nov. 14, 1928 at Albert City, a son of Henry and Sophia (Lehmann) Schramm.
Reuben served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. While stationed in England he met his wife of 54 years, Jean Taylor. He operated Reuben's Barber Shop for over 32 years in Clear Lake. Following his retirement he did security work.
He enjoyed his grandchildren, great-granddaughter, fishing, having coffee at the Corner Drug, and trips to the casino with his wife, Jean.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Schramm, Clear Lake; a son, John Schramm, Lawrence, Kansas; two daughters, Susan Weipert, Clear Lake and Laura Thompson, Des Moines; five grandchildren, Nick Weipert, Osage, Iowa, Julia Weipert, Clear Lake, Katy Weipert, Clear Lake, Nigel Thompson, Des Moines, Iowa, Zach Thompson, Des Moines; one great-granddaughter, Erica Duffy, Clear Lake; two brothers, Donald (Maxine) Schramm, Storm Lake, Iowa and Walt (Lee) Schramm, Phoenix, Az.; a sister, Inez Eimers, Storm Lake; two brothers-in law, John (Heather) Taylor, Great Yarmouth, England; Ron (Anita) Taylor, Lowestoft, England; a sister in­law, Violet (Dave) Butler, Gorleston, England; several nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Doreen (Rick) Skelton.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws, Jack and Aggie Taylor.

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Joseph W. Charlson

Joseph W. Charlson, age 89, of Lake Mills, Iowa died Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006, at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 9, at Salem Lutheran Church with Pastor W. Paul Weeg officiating. Burial will take place at Salem Lutheran Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Otto Chose Post #235 of the American Legion.
Joseph Wilfred Charlson was born April 23, 1917, in Center Township, Winnebago County, the son of Christ C. and Emma (Olson) Charlson. He attended country schools in Winnebago County.
Joe served his country in the Army from August, 1942 to February, 1946.
On March 3, 1946 Joe was united in marriage to Esther Bernice Flugum at Winnebago Lutheran Church. Esther passed away on Jan. 15, 1981.
On April 25, 1982 Joe was united in marriage to Martha Singelstad-Holstad in Lake Mills. Martha passed away on July 8, 2002.
Joe farmed in the Leland and Lake Mills area and loved everything about "old school" farming, cows, old machinery, Farmall tractors and Model T cars. Very dear to his heart were his WWII Army buddies from Wisconsin who he stayed in contact with through the years.
Survivors include his four children, Eileen Taylor and her husband, Charles, of Ventura, Iowa, Harlan Charlson of Leland, Iowa, Jerald Charlson and his wife, Bonnie, of Leland, and LaVonne Peters and her husband, David, of Clear Lake; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Taylor, Lindsay Taylor, Angela Thompson and her husband, Brian, Brian Charlson, Nicole Charlson, Sarah Johnson and her husband, Scott, and Luke Peters; step-son, David Holstad and his wife, Judy, of Lake Mills; and step-granddaughter, Carrie and her husband, Brian Parks and family; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Hilma Egdal Charlson; first wife, Esther; second wife, Martha; two sisters in infancy including his twin sister, Burnette; and three brothers, Christian B, Johannas, and Carroll Charlson.

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Richard G. Meier

Richard G. Meier, 69, 110 Douglas, Swaledale, Iowa, died Monday, Sept. 4, 2006 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. A funeral service was held Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake, with Pastor David Wiersbe officiating. Interment was at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Swaledale. Memorials may be given to the Richard G. Meier Memorial Fund.
Richard was born March 10, 1937 in Mason City, Iowa, the son of Gustav F. and Hermine (Wedertz) Meier. He grew up in the Swaledale area where he farmed and later worked for various farmers. He married LaRue Roney Oct. 29, 1966 at the Evangelical Free Church in Clear Lake. He enjoyed going to Kelli's Kitchen for coffee in Rockwell. He loved visiting with his many friends and going to the Waverly Sale Barn. He was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Clear Lake.
Richard is survived by his wife, LaRue Meier, Swaledale; brother, Martin Meier and his wife, Lois, Swaledale; sister, Mary Ann Ditsworth and her husband, Cecil, Mason City; brothers-in-law, Jay Roney, Swaledale, and Rollie Sargent, Marshalltown, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Dorothea Pals Sargent.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

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Thea Violet White Larson

Thea Violet White Larson, 93, entered into rest with her Lord on Monday, Sept. 11, 2006 at Mercy Medical Center, Centerville, Iowa. A memorial service was held Friday, Sept. 15, at the United Methodist Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Diane Hoover officiating. Inurnment was held at the Clear Lake Cemetery. According to her wishes, her body has been cremated. Memorials may be given to the Memory of Vi White Larson or the Clear Lake United Methodist Church.
Violet was born Aug. 25, 1913 in Turtle River, Minn., the daughter of Earl Maxham and Annie (Spilman) Eastman. She graduated from Clear Lake High School June 3, 1932 and was married to Robert White on May 28, 1936 at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church Parsonage. They made their home and raised four sons in Clear Lake. Robert and Vi were active members of a CB club and enjoyed many hours of visiting with their CB "buddies." She will always be remembered by her CB handle as the "Weaver." Robert passed away on March 27, 1993 at their family home.
Vi wove rugs using cut up rags and a weaving loom she had set up in their family home. She also loved crocheting afghans for family and friends. Vi and Robert spent winter months in Donna, Texas for over 24 years. She made many friends during her time spent there. Her great pleasure in Texas was playing dominoes, cards and games at the "Rec Hall" and attending church with friends.
Vi married Kenneth Larson Oct. 18, 1996 in Tucson, Az. He died April 27, 1997.
Vi was a life-long member of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church and the Lydia Circle.
Violet is survived by her daughter-in-law, Phyllis Henderson, Moravia, Iowa; sons, Richard White and his wife, Mary, Clear Lake, Ronald White and his wife, Nancy Vine, Mason City, and Russell White and his wife, Rita, Mason City; 19 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and special friend, Richard Lee, Minneapolis, Minn.
Violet was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; son, Robert White Jr. in 1983; infant daughter, Janet Rose; stepson, Marshall Larson; grandson, Todd White; step-granddaughter, Stacy Jacobs; stepdaughter, Ginny Larson; brother, Don Eastman and sister, Carroll Baggo.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

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Arnold A. Luker

Arnold A. Luker, 88, died Sept. 13, 2006, at the IOOF Home, Mason City, Iowa.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 16, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mason City, with the Rev. Mark Lavrenz officiating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors conducted by members of the Mason City Veteran's Memorial Association.
Memorials may be directed to the Arnold A. Luker Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Arnold A. Luker was born Feb. 6, 1918, in Princeton, Minn., the son of Henry and Lena (Froelich) Luker.
Arnold graduated from Clear Lake High School. He was united in marriage to Ethel Stinehart on Dec. 28, 1941, in Mason City. Arnold served in WWII in the United States Army from May 1942 until his honorable discharge in November of 1945 and obtained the rank of Staff Sargent. He worked at Decker's for 31 years, Carlton Stewart Music Store, and was the custodian for the Bethlehem Lutheran Church for 42 years.
Arnold enjoyed gardening, cooking, and baking. His greatest love was spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of the V.F.W. and the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Arnold is survived by his children, Leland (Audrey) Ames, North Newton, Kan. and Norman (Twila) Luker, Mason City; grandchildren, Corey (Kari) Ames, Jeff (Bobbie) Ames, Lorri (Steve) Caster, Deanna (Duane) Loeschen, Scott (Elisabeth) Palmer; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers, Fred Luker, Clear Lake, and Gilbert Luker, Mason City, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Arnold is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lena Luker; his wife of 53 years, Ethel Luker on Dec. 23, 1995; three sisters and one brother.
Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

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Robert "Bob" Dean Sobek

Robert "Bob" Dean Sobek, age 36, most recently of West Union, Iowa, formerly of the Lake Mills, Iowa area, died Friday, Sept. 15, 2006 at West Union, as a result of injuries from a pedestrian/truck accident.
Services will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Andrews Funeral Home, 528 East Main Street, Klemme, Iowa. The Rev. Paddy Druhl will be officiating. Interment will be in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme.
Robert D. Sobek, was born June 5, 1970, in Britt, Iowa, the son of Roland and Patricia (Houdek) Sobek. He attended Lake Mills Public Schools. During his school years he had been an active participant in both the school football and wrestling programs. He had also had a passion for weightlifting over the years which he very much enjoyed.
Though he was a fairly quiet person who kept to himself in recent years, his family was very important to him. He always stuck up for his siblings, especially his sister, Dawn, who shared a mutual camaraderie with Bob. Bob was also very important in the life of his niece, Misty Bratten. In earlier years Robert liked to follow the Star Trek television show and enjoyed fishing. Bob had lived for a time with his brother, Greg Sobek, in Clear Lake.
He was employed for a time at Hardee's in both Garner and Mason City, Iowa, as well as the McDonald's Restaurant in Clear Lake. He was also employed for periods of time at North Iowa Woods in Belmond and for Palatine Pallet Company in Lake Mills. Most recently he was employed at Phat Cats Bar and Lounge, West Union.
Bob is survived by his mother and step-father, Patricia and Emil Bratten, Lake Mills; step-mother, Kay Sobek, Klemme; brothers, Gary Bratten and wife, Jamie, Britt, and Greg Sobek, Clear Lake; step-grandmother, Lenita Houdek, Clear Lake; nephews Cody, Aaron, and Dillon Bratten, Britt; niece, Misty Bratten and her son, Alexander Thomas "Zander" Witt, Mason City; uncle, Rodney Sobek and wife, Cindy; aunt, Ellen Sobek, Garner, aunt, Sheryl Klesel and husband, John, Garner; as well as numerous other aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents; father, Rollie Sobek; sister, Dawn Sobek, and grandfather, Raymond Houdek.
Andrews Fueral Home, Klemme, was in charge of arrangements.

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Dennis "Denny" K. Garlock

Dennis "Denny" K. Garlock, 57, 427 North Shore Drive, Clear Lake, died Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006 at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minn. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m., at Camp Tanglefoot, 14948 Dogwood Avenue, Clear Lake, with Pastor Thom Christian of First Congregational Church officiating. Interment will be held at the Clear Lake Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the Dennis K. Garlock Memorial Fund.
Denny was born on May 4, 1949, in Mason City, Iowa, the son of Donald and Ruth (Duesenberg) Garlock. Denny graduated from Clear Lake High School and attended Iowa State University and San Jose State in California. He returned home and worked for Duesenberg Construction, Clear Lake and Dave Schmidt, Iowa City, Iowa; as a heavy equipment operator. He most recently worked at Fleetguard, Inc. in Lake Mills, Iowa.
Denny was united in marriage to Shelley McCauley on Jan. 10, 2004 at Grace Lutheran Church, Hanlontown, Iowa.
He enjoyed spending time in the outdoors pheasant hunting and feeding the squirrels. Denny had several pet cats that were very special to him. He most recently was working on updating and remodeling his home with his wife, Shelley.
Denny is survived by his wife, Shelley, Clear Lake; three step-children, Mikki (Al) Guerdet, Charles City, Iowa; Erik (Jess) Bergman and Zach McCauley, both of Cedar Falls, Iowa; brother, Don Garlock, Clear Lake; two sisters, Connie (George) Pluchos and their children, Katie and Emily; Portland, Ore.; and Carol (Steve) Olsen, Maui, Hawaii; two brothers-in-law, Jeff (Cindy) Brattrud and their son, Dain, Clear Lake; and Scott (Karo) Brattrud and their children, Jenna and Ryan, Clear Lake; two aunts, Dorothy Garlock, Clear Lake; and Dorothy Willson, Holland, Mich.; mother-in-law, Shirley Brattrud, Clear Lake; and several cousins and other relatives.
Denny was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Gaylord Brattrud.

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Claytus E. Melcher

Claytus E. Melcher, 94, of St. Petersburg, Fla., formerly Clear Lake, died Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006 at the Laurellwood Nursing Home, St. Petersburg. Funeral services were Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church with the Rev. Diana Hoover officiating. Interment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery with military honors by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Family suggests memorial to the Claytus E. Melcher memorial fund.
Claytus Eben Melcher was born June 19, 1912 in Garner, Iowa, the son of Lewis R. and Mattie M. (Johnson) Melcher. He graduated from Garner High School.
He and Ferne F. Brooks were married in East Orange, N.J. on June 13, 1934. Early in their marriage he was a salesman for the Peoples Gas and Electric Company in Mason City, Iowa. In the opening years of World War II, Claytus worked on the Al-Can Highway in Alaska and on U.S. military construction projects in the Hudson Bay area of Canada.
When he returned to the United States, he joined the Navy and served as an electrician on the USS Stephen Potter in the South Pacific for almost two years. During this time, his ship was engaged in several large naval battles with the Japanese forces in the South China Sea. His ship was in the task force near Okinawa when the USS Franklin and the USS Enterprise were hit by kamikazes in March 1945 and later was engaged in the rescue of survivors from the USS Bunker Hill when it was hit in May 1945.
During his lifetime he was a finish carpenter and a cabinet maker, working for many contractors in the area. He also worked as a millwright on the ICBM missile sites in South Dakota. When he retired in 1979, he and Ferne began spending their winters in St. Petersburg, moving there permanently in 2001.
Claytus was one of Clear Lake's best known and most successful fishermen for many years, a hobby he later pursued with considerable zeal in Florida. He was also an avid hunter. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family. He and Ferne spent many years traveling with their Avion trailer throughout the Midwest. He was a charter member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Clear Lake; a 62-year member of the Masonic Lodge, including a stint as Worshipful Master of Verity Lodge in Clear Lake; a member of El Kahir Temple of the Shrine in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a member of the Order of the Eastern Star; and a member of the United Methodist Church of Clear Lake.
Claytus is survived by his wife of 72 years, Ferne; their daughter, Linda M. Neese, St. Petersburg; a son, Mark L. (Ivy) Melcher, Mt. Jackson, Va.; five grandchildren, Julia Schipper, Thomas Schipper, Mark (Carol) Melcher, Paula (Mark) Johnson, Deborah (Michael) Murphy; and seven great-grandchildren.
Claytus is preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Mattie Melcher; sister, Leota DeVary and granddaughter, Marsha M. Schipper
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. was in charge of arrangements.

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Mary Schoch

Mary Schoch, 90, died Monday, Sept. 25, 2006 at Trinity Center at Luther Park. Visitation will be after 3 p.m., Friday, Sept. 29 at Hamilton's on Westtown Parkway. The funeral memorial service will be held 5 p.m. Friday. A memorial reception will immediately follow the 5 p.m service at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to East High Alumni Foundation-Class of 1933, the First Unitarian Church, or Hospice of Central Iowa.
Mary Eloise Anderson was born March 20, 1916 in Des Moines, Iowa the eldest of six children to Donald and Eloise Anderson. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 1937 and earned her master's degree there in 1938.
After college, she was the personal assistant to founding editor Gardner Cowles at "Look" Magazine in Des Moines. In 1939, Mary married Russell Schoch.
While raising three children, Mary worked as a part-time journalist in Des Moines, writing for various trade magazines, and was also active in the state Republican Party. When she and Russ moved to New York City in 1961, she became administrative assistant to the director of the East Asian Institute at Columbia University, a position that put her in contact with leading East Asian scholars and writers throughout the world.
Mary and Russ retired to Florida in 1975, but they continued to maintain their summer home in Clear Lake. After Russ died in 1985, Mary continued to divide her time between Florida and Iowa, moving back to Des Moines in 2000.
Mary is survived by her three children: Kim (Carlton) Peterson of Des Moines, and twins Jeanne Schoch of San Francisco, Calif., and Russell (Catherine Maclay) Schoch, Jr. of Berkeley, Calif.; her grandchildren: Sasha (Michael) Mudlaff of Clive, Iowa, Holly (Ryan) Miller of Altoona, Iowa, Matthew Schoch of Berkeley, and Christopher Schoch of Berkely; her step-grandchildren Perrin, Sarah, and Jim; her great-grandchildren: Andre, Autumn, Micah, Jonah, Nathanael, and Isaiah; and her step-great-grandchildren Erin and Megan.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Russell, Sr.; her sisters, Evelyn and Marcia Jeanne; her brothers, William, Donald, and Herbert; her grandson, Andrew, and her great-grandson, Alan.

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Meryl Darlene R. Rogers

Meryl Darlene R. Rogers, 97, formerly of Clear Lake, died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006 at the Iowa Odd Fellows Home, Mason City, Iowa. A memorial service will be held Thursday, Sept. 28, 1:30 p.m. at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with Pastor Tom Healey officiating. Visitation will be one hour preceding the service. There will be an inurnment at the Clear Lake Cemetery at noon on Thursday for family and friends. Memorials may be given to the Darlene R. Rogers Memorial Fund.
Darlene was born in Iowa City, Iowa on Nov. 15, 1908, the daughter of Meta Pommerening of Algona, Iowa. As an infant she was adopted by Andrew J. and Estella (Miller) Rice of Floyd Township, Iowa. Darlene graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1928, attended Hamilton Business School and worked at the Peoples Gas and Electric for 12 years. On Sept. 29, 1940, she married Dr. Kingsley R. Rogers in Clear Lake. Darlene was a Past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star, a Past Noble Grand of the Rebekahs, a member of the Crescent Club and the First Congregational Church, all of Clear Lake.
Darlene is survived by two sons, Richard R. Rogers of Clear Lake and John D. (June) Rogers of Burlington, Iowa, and one daughter, Mary (Gary) Marshall of Conoga Park, Calif. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Barbara Marshall Curtiss and her husband, Jim, Darcy Marshall, JoAnn Marshall, Sue Rogers Foster and her husband, Robert, Stephen (Jennifer) Rogers, Kathrine Rogers, Janette Rogers and Jason (Rebecca) Rogers, six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and nieces and nephews.
Darlene was preceded in death by her mother; adoptive parents; husband; half-sister, Virginia (Amish) Herman; adoptive brothers, Earl, Ray and Elmer Rice; adoptive sisters, Adelaide Wallace and Anna Potter and granddaughter, Sandra Marshall Rebbeck.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, is in charge of arrangements.

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Herbert Russell Cassels

Herbert Russell Cassels, 87, formerly of Clear Lake, died Thursday, Sept. 22, 2006 at the Central Health Care Center, Le Center, Minn.
A funeral service was held Monday, Sept. 25, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Diana Hoover, of the United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be held at the Pleasant View Cemetery, Thornton, Iowa. Memorials may be given to the Herbert Cassels Memorial Fund.
Herbert was born on October 11, 1919, in Berthold, N.D. Herbert attended school in North Dakota. He later moved to Thornton. Herbert was united in marriage to Marie E. Thompson in 1943, in Marie's parents home in Fertile, Iowa. They made their home in Thornton where he was employed as a farmhand. In 1959 they moved to Clear Lake and he was employed at the Mason City Sugar Beet Plant until it closed. Herbert became employed at the Clear Lake Sanitation Dept. until he retired.
He enjoyed playing cards, dancing at the Surf, especially when Lawrence Welk played. He enjoyed spending time with his children. He was a past member of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church.
Herbert is survived by two sons, Donald Cassels and his wife, Dolly, Altoona, Iowa and Delbert Cassels and his wife, Cheryl, Garner, Iowa; two daughters, Rose Finke and her husband, Rollie, Kensington, Minn. and Wanda Eckberg and her husband, Dick, St. Peter, Minn.; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two brother's-in-law, Warren Thompson, Sioux Falls, S.D. and Carl Thompson, Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Herbert was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marie; three sons, Ronald, Allen, and Roger Cassels, and a brother, William Cassels.

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