Jack H. Williams, 68, 1200 10th Ave N., Lot 50, Clear Lake, died Wed. Aug. 13, 2008 at his home.  A memorial service was held Friday, Aug. 15, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jeff Dahlin officiating.  Memorials may be given to the Jack H. Williams Memorial Fund.
     Jack was born Oct. 31, 1939 in Mason City, Iowa, the son of Herbert and Genevieve (Miller) Williams.  He attended Mason City Schools.  He worked with his parents at the Palace Theater in Mason City.  Jack married Judith Findling in Mason City and they had five children, Jerry, John, Joyce, Julie and Jodi.  He worked at Northwestern Cement plant as a heavy equipment operator for 27 years, retiring 1993.
     Jack married Georgene Dorenkamp on Dec. 12, 1985 in Clear Lake.  He enjoyed boating and being on the lake with his family.  He later got into collecting HO scale model railroads.  He loved going for rides with his beloved dog, Milton.  
     Jack is survived by his wife, Georgene Williams, Clear Lake; three sons, Jerry Williams and his wife, Colleen, Michigan, John Williams, Des Moines, Iowa and Chad Williams and his fiancé, Kristin Price, Urbandale, Iowa;  three daughters, Joyce Lansaw and her husband, Mark, Mason City, Iowa, Shelli Williams and her fiancé, Mike Fransen, Clear Lake, Jacki Williams and special friend, Wayne Lones, Mason City; step-daughter, Stacie Till and her husband, Greg, Mason City; nine grandchildren; nephews Mike Janka and his wife, Sue, and their daughter, Hillary, Clear Lake, and niece, Anita Fox and her husband, Joe, Eagle River, Wis.
     Jack was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Julie Palmer and Jodi Williams; sister, Patricia Janka and an infant brother.

Return

    Peter James Dudgeon, 40 of Windsor Heights, Iowa formerly Clear Lake, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008 at Mercy Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa.
    Funeral services were Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Untied Methodist Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Diana Hoover officiating.  Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa.  Family suggests memorials to Peter James Dudgeon Memorial Fund.
    Peter was born June 13, 1967 in Mason City, the son of Shirley and Dorothy (Hanson) Dudgeon.
    Peter graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1987. He graduated from Northwest Iowa Technology School at Sheldon, Iowa, where he obtained his lineman diploma.  Peter went to work for R.E.A at Mt. Ayre, Iowa, and then in 1996 went to work for Mid America Energy, Des Moines, as a journeyman lineman and a substation electrician.
    Peter enjoyed gardening, hunting and trapping.   He was a member of I.B.E.W. Local Union #499.
    Peter is survived by his mother, Dorothy Dudgeon, Clear Lake; son, Bo Dudgeon, Arlington, Texas; two brothers, Michael (Cathy) Dudgeon, Kansas City, Mo., and Patrick Dudgeon, Clear Lake; two special aunts, Fannie Zeiglar, Mason City and Elsie Borhow, Kanawha, Iowa.
    He was preceded in death by his father, Shirley, June 18, 2008; two sisters, Lisa and Linda.
    Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

Return

    Ferne F. Melcher, 92, of 5913 30th Lane N., St. Petersburg, Fla., formerly Clear Lake, died on Aug. 15, 2008 at the Laurellwood Nursing Home, St. Petersburg.  Funeral services will be Thursday, Aug. 21, 10:30 a.m., at the Clear Lake Methodist Church with the Rev. Diane Hoover officiating.  Internment will be at the Clear Lake Cemetery.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 – 6 p.m. Family suggests memorials be made to the Ferne F. Melcher Memorial Fund.
    Ferne Fay Melcher was born Aug. 25, 1915 in rural Clear Lake, the daughter of Oliver Perry Morton Brooks and Lillian Sophie Etchen Brooks. She graduated from Clear Lake High School.
    She and Claytus E. Melcher were married in East Orange, N.J. on June 13, 1934.  Early in the marriage she was a homemaker.  In the 1950’s she went to work for the Clear Lake Federal Savings and Loan and retired after 25 years.  She was active in the Clear Lake community with the Women’s Club; the Clear Lake Methodist Church; Order of the Eastern Star, Park Chapter No. 35; and the National T.T.T Society, charter member of Chapter AQ.   She served as national president of the T.T.T. Society and, in that capacity, had lunch honoring national presidents of philanthropic groups at the White House during President Gerald Ford’s term.  She was noted for her entertaining book reviews, for moderating women’s fashion shows, and for regular participation in church discussion groups and local issue programs.
    After retiring to Florida, she and Claytus were instrumental in the effort by the residents of Flowerwood Club Park to purchase the park and thus keep it out of the hands of developers.  She served as secretary-treasurer of the park for many years.
    Ferne is survived by her daughter, Linda M. Neese, St. Petersburg; and son, Mark L. Melcher, Mt. Jackson, Va.; five grandchildren: Julia Schipper, Thomas Schipper, Mark (Carol) Melcher, Paula (Mark) Johnson, Deborah (Michael) Murphy, and eight great-grandchildren.
    Ferne is preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Claytus E. Melcher; by her parents; her brother, Gerald Brooks, and granddaughter, Marsha M. Schipper.
    Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

Return

    Marcella A. Lee, 95, of Clear Lake, died Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008 at the I.O.O.F. Home in Mason City, Iowa.
    Funeral services will be held at 10  a.m., Thursday, Aug. 21, at Galilean Lutheran Church, Highway 18 West, Clear Lake with the Rev. Jeff Ungs officiating.  Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 until 7 p.m. at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 North 4th Street, Clear Lake, and continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.
    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Galilean Lutheran Church.
    Marcella was born Jan. 26, 1913, in Fertile, Iowa, the daughter of Andrew and Minnie (Purcell) Oswald.  She was the ninth of 11 children.  She attended school in Fertile, graduating in the class of 1930.
    Marcella was united in marriage to Selmer “Sam” Lee on June 30, 1932, at the Grace Lutheran Church in Hanlontown, Iowa.  Together they resided in Hanlontown, Oskaloosa, Mason City and the last 50 plus years in Clear Lake.
    Marcella was a charter member of Galilean Lutheran Church and participated in extensive volunteer ministry. Her greatest love was spending time with her grandchildren.  Marcella enjoyed fishing. She caught many big ones through the years and had lots of pictures to prove it!
    Marcella is survived by her son, Jon (Mary) Lee of Clear Lake; daughter, Joan Dodge of Gilbert, Az.; grandchildren, Jay (Lori) Dodge, Sioux Falls, S.D., Jack (Patricia) Dodge, Mitchell, S.D., Jan Dodge, Gilbert, Jerry Dodge, Lakeville, Minn., Allison (Don) Hiscocks, Britt, Iowa, Ben (Sarah) Frederick, Clear Lake, Zach Frederick, Clear Lake; great-grandchildren, Andy, Aizik, Jackson, Jordan, Ryan and Nathan; and many nieces and nephews.
    She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Albion “Doc” Oswald, Leo Oswald, Rollie Oswald, Norman “Bud” Oswald; sisters, Idona Nelson, Avilla Kaplan, Claire DeVine, Veronica Johnson, Ella Mae Oswald, Mary Ellen Oswald; son-in-law, John Dodge and two great-grandchildren, Emma and Charlie Hiscocks.
    Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

Return

    Robert R. Butner, 85, of Howard, Colo., formerly of Clear Lake, died Aug. 19, 2008.  He was born May 6, 1923, in Wiley, Colo. to Otis and Lennie Butner.
    Memorial services were held Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Mountain Valley Church in Howard.
    Robert is survived by his wife, Wilma, of Howard; sons, Robert Butner Jr., Darrell Butner, both of Clear Lake, and Max Butner of Lamar, Colo.; one daughter, Deborah Butner of Canon City, Colo.; step-sons,  Richard Wallace of Ogden, Utah, and Rodney Wallace of Kennewick, Wash.; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Mildred Shinn of Cala Mesa, Calif.
    He was preceded in death by his parents.
    Arrangements were handled through Charles Anthony Funeral Home in Florence, Colo.

Return

---

    Kathryn Maureen Mensch, age 85, passed away at her long-time home, 1623 South Shore Dr., Clear Lake, on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008.
    Mass of Christian burial for Kathryn was held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Saturday, Aug. 23.  Burial was at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City, Iowa.
    The family of Kathryn Maureen Mensch has requested that memorial contributions be directed to the family in her memory.
    Maureen was born on April 29, 1923 in Ruthven, Iowa, the daughter of William (Bill) and Agnes (McCarty) O’Brien.  The family moved to Mason City when she was five. She attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Schools in Mason City, graduating in 1941.
    On Jan. 24, 1943 she was united in marriage to John Edward “Jack” Mensch.  After Jack’s discharge from the Navy, he returned to Iowa.  Kathryn and Jack raised their family of five children in Plymouth, Iowa before moving to Waterloo, Iowa in 1965.
    Maureen’s children, her family, and church were her life.  She was involved in many charitable groups and her kindness and concern were obvious.  No one touched by her good works and generous heart could deny that she lived her life with dignity and grace.  Her faith was shown in her acts as well as her words.
    Some of her other favorite things to do were gardening, duplicate bridge with Jack and with her friends during the week, taking trips with family and friends, making her outstanding potato salad, and baking her very special chocolate chip cookies for her children and grandchildren.  Anyone coming to visit could count on a bag of chocolate chip cookies for the ride home.
    Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Kathy (Gene) Watson of Manly, Iowa, Anne (Denny) Muehlstedt of Clear Lake, Jean Welsford of Muskego, Wis., and her son, Jerry, of Clear Lake;  grandchildren, Linda, Patricia, William, Laura, Julia, D.J., Amy and Joel; 11 great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Betty (Alvin) Halverson of Mason City, as well as other extended family members and friends.
    She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack; beloved son, Tom; brothers, Jack and Marc; and sister, Janice,
    Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

Return

    Betty Jean Cash, 83, Clear Lake, died Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008, at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.  A funeral service will be held Thursday, Aug. 28, 11 a.m., at the First Congregational Church, 205 W. 10th Ave N., Clear Lake with the Rev. Thomas Healey officiating.  Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5 - 7 p.m. at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St. Inurnment will be Friday, 10:30 a.m., at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa. Memorials may be given to the Lime Creek Nature Center.  Please send condolences to P.O. Box 595, Clear Lake, IA , 50428.
    Betty was born Aug. 14, 1925 the daughter of Emery and Mabel (Eberhart) Meyer in Ft. Dodge, Iowa.  When she was very young, Betty’s family moved to Mason City, where her father was employed by Decker’s Meat Plant as a salesman.  Betty graduated from Mason City High School in 1943.  While working as a traffic manager at the KGLO radio station, Betty met Raymond (Pete) Cash, and they were married on Jan. 5, 1947 in Mason City.  From 1947 to 1977 they made their home on the family farm northwest of Clear Lake.  Their four children were born during this time.  After retirement, they moved to 2105 North Shore Drive, better known as the “Shack By The Sea.”  They enjoyed playing golf, fishing, boating and spending time with their family.  They moved to their current home in 2001.
    Betty enjoyed watching sports on T.V., especially her beloved Minnesota Vikings.  She also liked to read books by Nora Roberts and do word puzzles.  She was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary and the Busy Bee Club.  Betty was a former Girl Scout assistant leader and at one time bowled on a woman’s bowling league.
    Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Jim (Tyra) Cash, Ventura, and Steve “Stub” (Deb) Cash, Clear Lake; and her daughter, Vickie Nelson, Clear Lake.  Her grandchildren include Chris Cash and his special friend, Cindy Kilby, Fertile, Iowa, Curt Cash, Ventura, Pete (Jessica) Cash, Ventura, Kevin (K.C.) Nelson, Arvada, Colo., Adam Cash, Clear Lake, Libby Cash and fiancé, Nick Schultz, Wisner, Neb., and Missy Cash, Nashville, Tenn.; and three great-grandchildren, Lorelei and James Cash and Jaden Schultz.
    Greeting Betty in heaven will be her husband, Pete, (April 21, 2008); son, Tom, (May 8, 1958); granddaughter, Emily, (June 30, 2000); her brother, Bob; and her parents.

Return

---

    Max Clausen, 93, Clear Lake, died Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008 at the Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. A funeral service will be held Friday, 1:30 p.m., Sept. 5, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel.  Visitation will be held Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the funeral at Ward-Van Slyke.  Interment will be held at the Clear Lake Cemetery.
    In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to either the First Church of Christ Scientist in Clear Lake or the Nature Conservancy of Iowa.
     Max Clausen was born Jan. 26, 1915 in his parents’ home in Clear Lake. Max was the third of five children born to Leita (Irish) and Henry Wernic Clausen.
     Max’s mother, Leita, was the daughter of Dr. Harry Russel Irish and Sarah Alice Pierce Irish of Forest City, and older sister to Dr. Thomas Irish.  Max’s father, Henry Wernic Clausen, was the second of five children of Sam J. (born Soren Jensen) and Carrie W. Clausen of Clear Lake, Iowa.  (Sam J. was owner of the grain elevator in Clear Lake, and also served as Mayor of Clear Lake.)
     Max graduated from Clear Lake in the class of 1933.  He graduated from Mason City Jr. College and from Hamilton Business College.  He was also a graduate of the Roger Babson Utopia College of Business in Eureka, Kansas.
     Max worked for Standard Oil Company.  Max Clausen worked for the Mason City Draft Board and then enlisted in the Army at the start of World War II, where he served in Alaska in the Tec 3 3064th Unit until 1946.  After the war, Max returned to Clear Lake where he has lived the rest of his life.  Max never married.  He looked after, traveled with, and cared for his Aunt Louise Clausen.  His primary work was in investments and land management.  Max was a long-time piano player at Witke’s and at the 1912 House.
     Max was a member of the First Church of Christ Scientist.
     Max is survived by his brother Fred, Boulder, CO, and his cousins, Sally Irish Baker of Mason City and Clear Lake, and Dr. Tom Irish ofTacoma, Wash., and sister-in-law, Peg Clausen.  He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
     Max was preceded in death by his brothers, Harry of Portland, Ore., Robert (“Bob”) of Clear Lake, in 2000, sister, Caroline (“Cal”) Eugene, Ore. in 1993, and by one nephew, Henry (“Hank”) Clausen of Ore.
  Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

Return

---

    Becky J. Meyer Burns, 36, 5 Timberlane Dr., Clear Lake, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008 at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. A funeral service was held Friday, Aug. 29, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating. Interment was at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Becky J. Burns Memorial Fund at Bank of America, 210 First Ave. N., Clear Lake, Iowa 50428.
    Becky was born March 11, 1972 in Madison, Wis., the daughter of Gerald John and Rosemary Marcella (Yanish) Meyer with her twin sister, Brenda. She attended grade school in Waunakee, Wis. until 1983 when her family moved to Charles City, Iowa. She graduated from high school in 1990. She was involved in many sports activities and was a cheerleader her senior year. She qualified for the state track meet in the 200 meter dash her senior year. After high school she moved to Columbia, S.C. where she worked for Champs Sports. She moved back to Mason City and worked for the County Market, Principal Insurance, Allen Travel and in customer sales at IMT in Garner, Iowa. Becky married Bill Burns, her soul mate, April 14, 2003 in Las Vegas, Nev.
    She enjoyed going to water parks, snow skiing, boating, water-skiing, rides on the Harley and traveling to several states and going to Mexico and Hawaii. She also enjoyed grilling and being with family and friends. Becky’s ideal get-a-way included sand, sun and water. She called everybody “Hon.” Everywhere she went people knew her. She was hardworking, very smart, quick witted and always on the go. She had a radiant and outgoing personality that drew people to her.
    Becky is survived by her husband, Bill Burns, Clear Lake; five children, Cody Wiemann, Haley Wiemann, Clear Lake, Adam Burns and his wife, Alica, Ft. Worth, Texas, Cory Burns, and Kristy Burns, Clear Lake; parents, Gerald and Rosemary Meyer, Charles City; four sisters, Lisa Solberg and her husband, Brian, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Cheryl Wistrom and her husband, Jeff, Fishers, Ind., twin sister, Brenda Putney and her husband, Darin, Ft. Dodge, Iowa and Tammy Quade and her husband, Mike, Charles City, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.
    Becky was preceded in death by her grandparents.
    Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

Return

---