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June 6, 2007
Louise M.
Wedeking
Louise M. Wedeking, 98, of Clear Lake, died Thursday, May
31, 2007 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City,
Iowa.
Funeral services were Monday, June 4, at St. Patrick's Catholic
Church, Clear Lake, with Fr. John Tilp officiating. Interment
was in the Clear Lake Cemetery.
Louise was born Dec. 27, 1908 in Blairsburg, Iowa the daughter
of John and Lula "Brown" Fank.
They moved to Britt, Iowa when she was four years of age. She
attended rural country school in the area.
On June 10, 1933 she was united in marriage to Lorenz Wedeking
at the Catholic Church in Britt. They lived in Cresco, Iowa for
one year, Decorah, Iowa and West Union, Iowa and then moved back
to Clear Lake in 1940.
She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Clear Lake,
Catholic Daughters of America and the church circles for many
years.
Louise enjoyed dancing, golfing, playing bridge, flowers,
gardening and especially her grandchildren. She was well known
for her homemade bread and her fried chicken.
She is survived by her two daughters, Donna Watson, Clear Lake,
and Dorothy Schaefer, Montgomery, Ala.; daughter-in-law, Bonnie
Wedeking, Vancouver, Wash.; seven grandchildren; 16
great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lorenz, 1978;
son, Larry, in 1995; four sisters; six brothers; a grandson,
Brian Schaefer; and son-in-law, Ken Watson in 2001.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of
arrangements.
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Shirley
Ann Pruin Carroll
Shirley Ann Pruin Carroll, 79, of Mason City, Iowa, died
Saturday, June 2, 2007, at the Good Shepherd Health Center in
Mason City.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 6, at
St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 5th Street SE, Mason City, with
the Rev. Harry H. Koelker officiating. Burial will be in the
Sacred Heart Cemetery, Rockwell, Iowa.
Shirley Ann Pruin Carroll was born on Oct. 8, 1927 near Mason
City, on the farm she called home her entire life. She was one
of 12 children of Thomas N. and Frances Berkenmier Paulsen. She
received her education and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic
High School. She was united in marriage to William Pruin on Oct.
22, 1945 and to this union three children were born. William
preceded her in death on March 24, 1958. She was united in
marriage to John L. Carroll on July 30, 1977. John preceded her
in death on Dec. 18, 1980.
Shirley was a farmer, a homemaker, a cookie baker, and a
Democrat. She was a very active and life-long member of St.
Joseph Catholic Church, and a volunteer for various civic
organizations.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter and son-in-law,
Laura J. and Thomas Hahn of Iowa City; her daughter, Linda L.
Kunkel of Massillon, Ohio; five grandchildren, Jason and his
wife, Julie Hahn, of Des Moines, Iowa, Steven Satrum of Oak
Grove, Mo., Eric Satrum of Delaware, Ohio, Krystal Pruin of
Radcliffe, Iowa, and Scarlett Pruin of Iowa City; five
great-grandchildren, Marissa Satrum of Oak Grove, Mo., Brandon
Satrum of Delaware, Ohio, and Elizabeth, Abigail and Olivia Hahn
of Des Moines; two sisters, Patricia Barnes of Sheffield, Iowa
and Pauline Garcia of Clear Lake; a brother and sister-in-law,
Don and Helen Paulsen of Mason City; many nieces and nephews, as
well as other relatives and friends.
Shirley was preceded in death by her son, William T. "Bill"
Pruin on April 4, 1995; husbands, William Pruin and John L.
Carroll; her parents; and brothers and sisters, Lauretta
Cimijotti, Leonard Paulsen, Clara Mae Williamson, Thomas
Paulsen, Doris Grube, Kenneth Paulsen, Howard Paulsen, Barbara
Jean Fountas, and Tolla Blowers.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church
or to Hospice of North Iowa in Shirley's memory.
Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel was in charge of
arrangements.
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Clifford
Eugene Kiefer
Clifford Eugene Kiefer, 90, of Chester, Iowa, died Tuesday,
June 5, 2007 at Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 9, at
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel with Pastor Tom Healey
officiating. Full military honors will be conducted by Clear
Lake V.F. W. at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in Madison
Township Cemetery, Forest City, Iowa. Visitation will be Friday
from 5-7 p.m. at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel. Memorials may
be directed to Clifford E. Kiefer Memorial Fund in care of Linda
Pate, 1306 10th Ave. North, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428.
Clifford was born June 24, 1916, in Ellington Township in
Hancock County, Iowa, to Hazel (Hurd) and Valentine Kiefer, the
fourth of nine children. He served in WWII as an Army
Paratrooper in the Pacific, and was honorably discharged.
Clifford married Jewel Bundy on Dec. 3, 1946. He was a farmer
for nearly 30 years near Kensett, Forest City and Chester, Iowa.
He briefly worked as an ironworker at John Deere Tractor,
Waterloo, Iowa.
During retirement Cliff was an avid gardener. He enjoyed family
gatherings and was a member of the Lime Springs V.F.W. Post
4561.
Clifford is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jewel, of Chester;
a son, Gary (Dianne) of Ottumwa, Iowa; a daughter, Linda (Jesse)
Pate of Clear Lake, and a son, Doug, of Scottsdale, Az.; a
brother, Robert, of Clear Lake; a sister, Francis (Robert)
Adams, of Forest City; five grandchildren, Kristi (Jeff Reininga)
Kiefer, Brad Kiefer, Nichole Kiefer, Hollie (Dean) Mosher, and
Jeff Pate; and four great-grandchildren, Tyler Mosher, and
Madison, Kaylee, and Hayden Reininga; and several nieces and
nephews.
Clifford was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jay
Eugene; sisters, Verna Drake, Ruth Irvin, Wanda Johnson; and
brothers, Charles, Don and Shirley.
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George
LeRoy Anderson
Former resident George LeRoy Anderson, 83, died March 2,
2007, in Cañon City, Colo.
He was born Jan. 13, 1924, in Pemberton, Minn., to Melvin and
Mabel Anderson. He married Muriel Hughes Aug 11, 1946, in
Nashua, Iowa.
On March 1, 1945, as a young Marine private, he served in Iwo
Jima. During this epic World War II battle, he was shot and
critically wounded near Kitano Point by a Japanese sniper. He
was a decorated and honorably discharged veteran having served
with K Company, 27th Reserve Regiment, 5th Marine Division
(Spearhead).
After retiring from Borden's in Mason City, Iowa he moved to
Colorado where he spent countless hours volunteering during his
25 years there.
Left to cherish the memory of this quiet, gentle man are his
children, Kevin of Des Moines, Iowa, Curtis of Golden, Colo.,
Victoria, of Casper, Wy., Vincent of Mason City, Daniel of Cañon
City, and Dana of Gunnison, Colo.; his brother, Wilford of
Tucson, Ariz.; sisters, Barbara Wood of Clear Lake and Caren
Ellis of Mason City; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild
and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Brian and
sister, Betty Jean Kigar.
A graveside inurnment service with full military honors was
conducted Saturday, June 2, at Memorial Park Cemetery Mason
City.
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June 13, 2007
Alston G.
Penfold
Alston G. Penfold, 87, of Clear Lake, died Saturday June
9, 2007 at the I.O.O.F. Home, Mason City, Iowa.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 13, 11 a.m. at the
Fayette Congregation Church, Fayette, Mich. with the Rev. Lon
Hider officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the
service on Wednesday at the church.
Interment will be in the Sac Bay Cemetery, Fairbanks Township,
Delta County, Mich. with military honors by the American Legion
Post. Family suggests memorials to Fayette Congregational
Church or Garden Historical Society.
Alston was born Feb. 22, 1920 the son of Percy and Sue Taylor
(Moore) Penfold in Maple Grove, Mich. He graduated from East
Jordan High School and then Michigan State University.
He married Ivadelle Smith Beardslee on Sept. 26, 1942 in Lake
Angelus, Mich. He served in the United States Army during WWII.
Alston made a career in the dairy industry, becoming an
acknowledged expert in drying processes, and retired in 1985
from management of the Associated Milk Producers' facility in
Jessup, Iowa. He moved to Fairport on the Garden Peninsula in
the UP of Michigan, where he enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He was a member of Fayette Congregational Church, the American
Legion, and the Garden Historical Society.
He is survived by his three children, Kathleen Head and her
husband, Elton, Highlands Ranch, Colo., Alston W. Penfold and
his wife Marlene, Clear Lake, and Nancy Ann Scott and her
husband, Robert, Cincinnati, Ohio; nine grandchildren,
Christopher Head and his wife, Stephanie, Robyn Head, Jason
Penfold, Dr. Kathleen Voortmann and her husband, Jeramy, David
Penfold and his wife, Melinda, Grant Voss and his wife, Debbie,
Philip Voss, Mikhail Voss and Penny Jo Voss and five great-grandchildre,
Ian Head, Connor Head, Kirsten Head, Xavier Adam Voss and
Malinda Voortmann.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ivadelle; three
brothers, Darwin, DuWayne and Albert Penfold and one sister,
Elizabeth Scales.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of
arrangements.
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Donald Earl
McNeil
Donald Earl McNeil, 88, a resident of Apple Valley Assisted
Living, Clear Lake, died Monday, June 11, 2007 at the Muse
Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa. Memorial
services will be held 3 p.m. Thursday, June 14, at Apple Valley
Assisted Living, 307 27th Ave. South, Clear Lake, with the Rev.
Jo Frahm-Watkins of the First United Methodist Church, Mason
City officiating. There will be no visitation. Upon the
family's wishes his body will be cremated. Private family
inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorials may be
directed to the Hospice of North Iowa.
Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory in charge of
arrangements.
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Maxine Edith
Bacon
Maxine Edith Bacon, 81, of 105 South Shore Drive, Clear Lake,
died Sunday, June 10, 2007 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient
Unit, Mason City, Iowa. Memorial services will be held 10:30 a.m,
Friday, June 15, at the Church of Christ, 2010 14th Ave. North,
Clear Lake, with Pastor James Allard and Pastor Curtis McGinnis
officiating. Inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason
City. Visitation will be held Thursday from 4 -7 p.m. at the
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 North 4th St., Clear Lake.
Maxine was born July 12, 1925 in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter
of Frank and Erma (Whitmore) Clark. Maxine attended Britt #3
Country Schoolhouse through 8th grade. Maxine married Lewis H.
Bacon on July 11, 1944 at the Clear Lake Methodist parsonage.
They made their home on a farm north of Ventura until Lewis's
death on June 2, 1969. Maxine did housekeeping in Clear Lake
and moved to Clear Lake in the early 1970's. She worked for E.F.
Johnson in Clear Lake and while working there, obtained her
G.E.D. Following the closing of E.F. Johnson she attended North
Iowa Area Community College. She worked for Opportunity Village
in the Development Office for 29 years, retiring May 3, 2007
due to her health. Maxine's biggest priority in life was
spending time with her family. She enjoyed attending her
grandchildren's activities and just hanging out with them. She
enjoyed working in her flower garden, crocheting, NASCAR and
listening to music. Maxine was member of the Church of Christ,
Clear Lake.
Maxine is survived by her children, Susan L. Bacon of Clear
Lake, Mark L. (Doris) Bacon of Mason City, Mary L. (Cliff)
Petersen of Fertile, Iowa, and Lori L. (Jerry) Barkela of Clear
Lake; six grandchildren, Matthew (Melissa) Petersen, Abigail
Petersen and special friend, Trey Williams, Adam Barkela and
fiancée, Kelli Thompson, David Barkela, Jenni (Will) Speicher,
Josh Bacon and Andrea Miller; one great-granddaughter, Avery
Bacon; two sisters, Erma Lou (Jerry) Smith of Mason City, and
Barbara (Bob) Roenfranz of Arkansas; four sisters-in-law,
Frances Clark of Plymouth, Iowa, Mary Clark of Mason City, Anna
Grace Bacon and Shirley Neel, both of Clear Lake, and Rosemary
(Merle) Isebrand of Florida; one brother-in-law, Cletus Shimek
of Charles City, Iowa.
Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lewis;
infant son, Gary Bacon; grandson, Joey Petersen; three brothers,
Morris Clark, Harold Clark and Robert Clark, two sisters,
Marjorie Toppin and Phyllis Shimek.
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June 20, 2007
Linda K.
(Gossman) Acker
Linda K. (Gossman) Acker, 61, of 1008 Delaware Ave., Mason
City, Iowa bravely ended her brief battle with ovarian cancer at
the University of Iowa Hospitals and went home to be with her
Heavenly Father on June 12, 2007. Linda faced this challenge in
her life like she did all others, with courage and dignity.
Funeral services were held Saturday, June 16, at Agape Christian
Family Church, Clear Lake, with Pastor David Toyne officiating.
Private inurnment will be at a later time in the Garden of
Memories, Waterloo, Iowa. Family suggests memorials to Linda K.
Acker Memorial Fund and they can be sent to the family at 2708
S. Lakeview Drive, Clear Lake, IA 50428.
The blessing began on Aug. 1, 1945 in Decorah, Iowa where Linda
Kay was the second daughter born to Arland and Kathleen (Knox)
Gossman. They moved to Evansdale, Iowa where Linda spent the
rest of her childhood growing up with her four sisters and three
brothers in their humble surroundings at 910 East End Ave.
She graduated from Columbus High School in 1963 and moved to
Milwaukee, Wis. She worked at Wisconsin Electric. She met and
married James Acker and together they had three sons. They later
divorced.
In the face of adversity, Linda moved back to Iowa with her
three boys and made a home in Mason City as she started her new
life as a single mother.
She worked at various Barlas establishments for the past 23
years, most recently the Hanford. New friendships were made when
Fleet Farm opened in Mason City where Linda was employed as
cashier from that day to the present.
Linda's life was dedicated to her three sons and later to the
arrival of her five precious grandchildren, Michiah, Alexis,
Kailee, Camry and Nick. She loved spending time with them and
they always put a smile on her face.
Linda is survived by her sons, Chris of Des Moines, Iowa, Sean
(Lorna) of Mason City, and Adam of Mason City; three
granddaughters, Alexis, Kailee and Camry of Mason City; two
grandsons, Michiah of Oregon and Nick of Mason City; three
sisters, Theresa Diane Gossman of Chicago, Ill., Dureen (Gary)
Bradshaw of Clear Lake, Denise Gossman Hauptly of Des Moines;
three brothers, Dennis Michael (Sherri) Gossman of Chicago, Mark
(Amy) Gossman of Denver, Colo., and Jeff (Lana) Gossman of
Denver; nine nephews; three nieces; three great-nephews, six
great-nieces and several aunts and uncles.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Arland and Kathleen
Gossman; a sister, Jeanine Brasher; maternal and paternal
grandparents and a niece, Savanah Lynn Bradshaw.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of
arrangements.
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Donna
Belle (Wigg) Orte
Donna Belle (Wigg) Orte, age 73, a native of Clarion, Iowa,
passed away, Monday, June 11, 2007, at the Wright Medical Center
Hospice Unit, Clarion, surrounded by the love and care of her
family following a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 14, at the Clarion
Church of Christ, 420 North Main St., Clarion. The Rev. Timothy
Platt was the officiant. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery,
Clarion. Those wishing to share an expression of sympathy with
the family through a card or memorial may direct them to the
Family of Donna B. Orte C/O Andrews Funeral Homes, P.O. Box 224,
Belmond, Iowa, 50421.
Donna Belle Wigg, the daughter of Hartwig Racine and Estella
Marie (Smith) Hansen, was born March 21, 1934 at Clarion, Iowa.
She began her life long Christian faith journey through baptism
at the Clarion Church of Christ. Donna and her siblings were
raised in Clarion and she attended Clarion Schools graduating
from Clarion High School in the class of 1952.
Following her education Donna was employed with the Birdsall,
Archerd, Nagel Law Firm in Clarion for three years. She then
moved to Clinton, Iowa, where she lived while being employed for
General Electric in Morrison, Ill. During her tenure there she
met her eventual husband, Marvin Ray Orte. The couple was united
in marriage on Feb. 11, 1956, at the Clarion Church of Christ.
Their union was blessed with five wonderful children.
Donna was employed for many years in the heath care industry as
a bookkeeper of the Clarion Care Center and also for a time at
the Fairfield Care Center, Fairfield, Iowa. Much of her career
was in the administrative office roles.
She also owned and operated a bakery in Fairfield for 11 years,
a career torch that has been continued by the Orte's Bakery in
Mason City, Iowa.
Donna's number one focus in life was providing for the needs of
her children, surrounding each of them with her love and
nurturing care, teaching them the value of caring for others and
the ethic of hard work.
She was a life long devoted member of the Clarion Church of
Christ where she fulfilled a wide variety of roles. Donna was
active in the Pioneer Club, youth programs leadership, church
camp programs, Vacation Bible School, Adult Sunday School, and
faithfully served whenever and wherever the need arose. She gave
of her time to the Meals on Wheels programs and volunteered at
the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.
Donna enjoyed raising a beautiful flower and vegetable garden, a
friendly but competitive game of 500, working crossword and word
search puzzles.
Those left to cherish Donna's memory include her children, Marty
and wife, Susan, Orte, Sheffield, Iowa, Connie and husband,
Scott Erickson, Belmond, Steven and wife, Tamara, Orte, Clear
Lake, David Orte, Tuscon, Az., and Linda Orte, Fairfield, Iowa,
and Susan Erickson and fiancee', Brian Larsen, Belmond, most
recently of Hampton, Iowa; her grandchildren, Matthew Orte, Ben
Tedrow and Heidi, Chad Tedrow and wife, Lacey, Amy Tedrow, Shawn
Orte, Courtney Orte, and Colton Orte, Julie Hall and husband
Greg, and Kara and Kassie Erickson; seven great-grandchildren;
her two sisters, Phyllis Arthur, Mason City, and Marjorie Trees,
Belmond; sister-in-law, Imogene Wigg, Clarion; her special
friend, Anton Prechtal, Fairbanks, Alaska, and many nieces and
nephews.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents; her step-father,
Hans Hansen; and a brother, Robert Wigg.
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Alvira Thada
Alvira Thada, 74, of 1704 N 24th St. in Clear Lake, Iowa,
passed away on Monday, June 18, 2007 at Muse Norris Hospice
Inpatient Unit in Mason City following a long battle with
cancer.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June
20, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Thornton, Iowa with Pastor
Milton D. Johnson officiating. Internment will be at Pleasant
View Cemetery in Thornton. Visitation will be one hour before
the service on Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to
W.E.L.C.A. (St. Paul's Lutheran Women's Group) in Thornton or to
the American Cancer Society.
Alvira Violet Thada, daughter of Alfred and Leona (Steenblock)
Meinders, was born March 5, 1933 in rural Belmond, Iowa. Her
parents farmed in the Thornton area and she graduated from
Thornton High School in 1950. She was confirmed at the First
Reformed Church in Meservey, Iowa. She worked a short while as a
telephone operator in Mason City.
On October 29, 1950, Alvira was united in marriage to her high
school sweetheart, Dean Thada, at the First Reformed Church in
Meservey by Pastor E. Kempmann. After their marriage she joined
St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Thornton and has been a member
ever since.
They started farming near Thornton where Alvira worked side by
side with Dean. They later moved to a farm in the Meservey area.
In 1996 they retired and moved to Clear Lake.
Yard work and gardening were favorite hobbies of Alvira and
Dean, and she enjoyed the many hours spent in her beautiful
flowerbeds. They spent many years in Texas and Arizona in the
winter months and summer months in Minnesota. They were also
active in the Garner Rainbow Swingers square dance club for many
years
Alvira is survived by her husband, Dean; children, Byron (Karen)
Thada, Crawfordsville, IN, Diane (Dan) Schultz, Council Bluffs,
IA., Daryl (Bobbi) Thada, Cissna Park, IL; grandchildren, Amy
Schultz, Robin (Joshua) Fowler, Adam (Becky) Thada, and Brad
Thada; step-grandchildren Erica (Jason) Rayfield and Mike (Joey)
Fischer; four step-great grandchildren, Jack, Kayla, Jamie, and
Justin; brother, Duane (Cheryl) Meinders; and many nieces,
nephews, aunts, uncles, and friends. She is preceded in death by
her parents.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear lake, was in charge of
arrangements.
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DuWayne L.
Bitker
DuWayne L. Bitker, 72, died Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at the
Heritage Care Center, Mason City, Iowa. A memorial service was
held Monday, June 18, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear
Lake, with the Rev. Tom Healey officiating. Inurnment will be
held at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, at a later date.
Memorials may be given to the DuWayne L. Bitker Memorial Fund.
DuWayne was born Nov. 15, 1934 in rural Garner, Iowa, the son of
LeRoy and Goldie (Pitkin) Bitker. He attended school in Ventura.
He married Neva Bouline on July 30, 1953 in Yankton, S.D. They
lived in Albert Lea, Minn. for over seven years where he worked
at Rilco. They moved back to the family farm north of Ventura
and farmed for 32 years. They moved to Mason City in 1993.
DuWayne obtained his pilot certificate in 1967 and enjoyed
flying, farming, hunting and going for rides. He was diagnosed
with Parkinson's Disease in 1985.
DuWayne was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Mason
City. He was a former member of Experimental Air Craft
Association and the National Farmer's Organization.
DuWayne is survived by his wife, Neva Bitker, Mason City; three
children, Daniel Bitker and his wife, Sally, Garner, Iowa, Randy
Bitker and his wife, Jayne, Clear Lake, and Ronald Bitker, Clear
Lake; four grandchildren, Toni Gonnerman and her husband, Shaun,
Kelly Weigel, Krista Bitker and Adam Palmer; nine
great-grandchildren; two sisters, Phyllis Rosendahl, Mason City,
and Sharon Kramer, Clear Lake; four brothers, Larry Bitker,
Mason City, Donald Bitker, Burbank, Calif., Loren Bitker, Mason
City, and Doug Bitker and his wife, Cali, Mason City.
DuWayne was preceded in death by his parents and grandson,
Dustin Palmer.
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June 27, 2007
Edna May
Juel Klaassen
Edna May Juel Klaassen, 105, previously of 2605 South
Shore Drive, Clear Lake, died Saturday, June 23, 2007 at the
Oakwood Care Facility where she has resided for the previous two
years.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 26, at the Ward-Van-Slyke
Funeral Home in Clear Lake with Lay Leader Jan Tjaden
officiating. Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery, Forest
City, Iowa.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service and memorials
directed to the Edna J. Klaassen Memorial Fund.
Edna May Juel Klaassen was born May 13, 1902 in Thompson, Iowa,
the daughter of James Peter and Clara Johnson Juel of Forest
City. She was raised on the home farm in Forest City with her
three sisters and two brothers where the Forest City Memorial
Hospital is located today. She attended Forest City country
schools and later attended teachers college in Cedar Falls, Iowa
to start the first love of her life, "teaching." She taught in
various rural schools in central Iowa. There are many who will
always be blessed in having her for a teacher and this continued
throughout her lifetime.
On July 12 of 1927 she and the other "love of her life" George
J. Klaassen were united in marriage at the Little Brown Church
in Nashua, Iowa and resided together on their farm in Thompson.
The couple soon moved to follow Edna's teaching career to Clear
Lake and became part of Clear Lake's development history. She
and George owned and operated Klaassen's Cabana Resort on South
Shore Drive for 12 years.
During her amazing 105 years she and her husband took every
opportunity to give to others. Thirty-five years ago they were
founders of the Clear Lake Beautification Program involving
flower beds and tree planting which continue on today. They
continued on with this through the Kinney-Lindstrom Foundation.
Edna finally turned over the responsibilities at the age of 98.
In 1969 they founded the Rosebud Sioux Indian Mission in South
Dakota and each year journeyed there with food and hospital
supplies. Their support helped to provide scholarships and
educational opportunities for the Indians. Edna made her last
trip at 100 years of age with the help of many and the
companionship of Barb Dwyer.
For 43 years she was a part of the American Cancer Society and
every fund raiser that was held. She had a notorious knack for
salesmanship as all will vividly recall.
In 1989 she was installed into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame
by Gov. Branstad.
Edna received her masters in teaching degree in the early
nineties from the University of Northern Iowa.
She was a long time member of the Clear Lake Lioness Club and
she and George both were deeply involved with the International
Lions Club which took them to many, many places on the globe.
She always brought something cultural back to "teach" all who
would listen about her great travels and adventures. They
received the International President's Award in 1979-80.
For some 25 years she served with her husband as a Commodore for
the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, welcoming new business
and congratulating others on business achievements. In 1984 the
Klaassens were selected by the Chamber to serve as Grand
Marshalls for the Fourth of July parade.
The Klaassens were also past recipients of the Harmony of Living
Award presented by the River City Barber Ship Chorus annually to
Iowans serving others. They dedicated their lives to the
betterment of others and will always be remembered for their
gracious volunteering and "salesmanship" of tickets and baked
goods.
She was a long time member of the Clear Lake Congregational
Church and had a great faith in God.
She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by three sisters, Alice Edminster,
Tucson Az., Mabel Francis, Clear Lake, and Ruth Kramer, Garner,
Iowa; two brothers, Lawrence Juel and Ernest Juel, Maryland.
Edna was the last of her siblings to pass away. Excluding one
brother they all lived into their late 80's to early 90's. Two
sisters lived to 100 years of age.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of
arrangements.
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Pauline Delores
(Kline Ausborn) Ulrich
Pauline Delores (Kline Ausborn) Ulrich, 86, of Klemme, Iowa,
passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at the Belmond
Medical Center, Belmond, Iowa, surrouned by family and loved
ones.
Funeral services were held on Friday, June 22, at the Immanuel
Reformed United Church of Christ, Klemme, with the Rev. Donna
Buckman officiating. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery,
Klemme. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a
memorial in Pauline's name may wish to consider the American
Heart Association or to the donor's choice.
Pauline, the daughter of John and Anna Julia Alvina (Ausborn)
Kline, was born Jan. 31, 1921, in Erin Township, Hancock County,
Iowa. She went to live with her grandparents, Richard and Anna (Nieman)
Ausborn, on a farm southeast of Britt, Iowa, when she was six
months old, taking the Ausborn name while living with her
grandparents.
Pauline attended the local area schools. She met her husband,
Richard, when they were both working at the Clear Lake Bakery in
Clear Lake. They were united in marriage on Oct. 19, 1942, at
Glenville, Minn. To this union three children were born, Larry
Ulrich, Patricia (Robert) Lee, Donna (Lynn) Katter.
Her passions were her family, cooking, dancing, gardening,
camping, geneology and laughter.
Those who will cherish the memory of her life include her
husband and life partner of nearly 65 years, Richard Ulrich,
Klemme; her daughters, Patricia (the late Robert) Lee, Mason
City, Iowa and Donna (Lynn) Katter, Rochester, N.Y.; and her 10
grandchildren, Wendell, Richard, Lynetta, Denise, Dawn, Michael,
Kathryn, Paul, Melissa and Allison; 17 great-grandchildren and
one great-great grandchild.
She was proceeded in death by her son, Larry; grandson, Richard;
son-in-law, Robert and good friend, Lorraine Woiwood.
Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme, was in charge of arrangements.
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Clarke Junior
Beard
Clarke Junior Beard, 77, of 1102 8th Ave Court So., Clear Lake,
died Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient
Unit, Mason City, Iowa. According to his wishes his body has
been cremated. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m., June
30, at the Clear Lake Christian Church. The family will greet
friends one hour prior to services. Memorials may be directed to
the Clarke Beard Memorial Fund.
Clarke was born March 19, 1930 in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of
Clarke Briar and Lois (Willett) Beard. He attended Roosevelt
High School in Des Moines and was a graduate with the class of
1948. On Aug. 25, 1950 he was united in marriage to Jane Snook.
The two of them raised three children, Julie, Clarke, and Chris.
Clarke attended the University of Iowa until being inducted into
the Army on March 8, 1951. Clarke was stationed in Yokusuka,
Japan until his honorable discharge on Feb. 25, 1953. On Feb.
12, 1984 he was united in marriage to Elaine Hagen in Las Vegas,
Nev.
Throughout his life Clarke owned the North Iowa Stone Center. He
worked many sales positions and most recently worked for Arnold
Motor Supply in Garner, Iowa, retiring in 2002.
Clarke enjoyed playing pool, golfing, fishing, reading, watching
television, playing piano, and spending time with his family,
especially his grandchildren.
Clarke is survived by his wife, Elaine, Clear Lake; three
children, Julie (Ken) Konicek of Pinedale, Wyo., Clarke Beard of
Marion, Iowa, Christopher (Michiko) Beard of Clear Lake; eight
grandchildren, Jordan, Karly, Kathryn, Connor, Jensen, Rachel,
Grace, and Clarke; one brother, Bill (Nancy) Beard of Clear
Lake, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and
friends.
Clarke was preceded in death by his parents.
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Max L. Stephens
Max L. Stephens, 77, of Clear Lake, died Wednesday, June 20,
2007. Funeral services were held Saturday, June 23, with Pastor
Jim Allard, hospice chaplain, officiating. Inurnment will be at
a later date at the Garden of Memory, Waterloo, Iowa. Memorials
are suggested to Hospice of North Iowa.
Max was born Sept. 10, 1929 the son of Roy and Edna (Kaster)
Stephens at Mount Ayre, Iowa. Max graduated from Orange Township
High School, Waterloo, in 1946.
Max married Lois Scott on July 1, 1950 in Waterloo. He was the
owner/operator of Stephens Appliance Service for over 30 years
in both Waterloo and Clear Lake. After his retirement in 1981 he
worked for Clear Lake and Ventura school districts as a bus
driver and as a custodian at Ventura Schools. He also drove
coach bus for Huffman Transportation and the Newman bus route in
Clear Lake.
Max enjoyed gardening, planting trees, Lionel trains, his
tractors, spending time with his dogs, grandchildren and
great-granddaughters and helping his son with his business. He
was a member of the Clear Lake Evening Lions.
Max is survived by his wife, Lois, of Clear Lake; daughter,
Carol (Brad) Morris of Waterloo; son, Gary (Shelly) Stephens of
Clear Lake; three grandchildren, Amy (Matt) Nemmers of Saginaw,
Texas, Joshua Morris of Winona Lake, Ind. and Cody Stephens of
Clear Lake; two great-granddaughters, Madeline and Gracie
Nemmers; and a sister, JoAnn (Robert) Ragsdale of Waterloo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Kenneth
and Melvin Stephens.
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