November 2008

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Dale Gustaf Newell

    Dale Gustaf Newell, 90, of 2206 S. Jefferson Ave., Mason City, Iowa died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008 at the I.O.O.F. Home, Mason City.
   Memorial services will be Friday, Nov. 7, 2 p.m., at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Diana Hoover of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church officiating. Inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Family suggests memorials to Dale G. Newell Memorial Fund.
   Dale was born Dec. 16, 1917 in rural Pocahontas, Iowa on the family farm, the son of Loyal and Laura (Schreyer) Newell.
   The family moved five miles south of Laurens, Iowa. He attended country school and then graduated from Laurens High School in 1935.
   Following high school he farmed with his father. He married Roberta Marie Ford on Aug. 12, 1937 in Fonda, Iowa. They moved to a farm north of Garner, Iowa in 1940 and continued to live there until 1959. They then moved to Clear Lake.
   He worked for various feed companies as a salesman in the area until he retired in 1977. Following retirement they moved to El Reno, Okla. where they lived until 2002, and then moved to their present home in Mason City.
   Dale enjoyed the fishing trips to LaPonge, Canada, spending 24 winters in Texas, repairing bicycles, and barn dancing. He was a grandpa to all little kids.
   He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Mason City for over 61 years and was also a member of United Methodist Church, Clear Lake.
   He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Roberta “Ford” Newell, Mason City; three children, Karolyn Hoffman, Clear Lake, Bonnye Reineke and her husband, Adolph, Forest City, Iowa and Sharon Newell, Clear Lake; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.
   He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; one brother; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

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Sunday, November 2, 2008

Kay E. Minkner

    Kay E. Minkner, 64, of Craig, Neb., passed away Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, at her home. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic. Burial was in the Sunnyhill Cemetery in Adair, Iowa. Condolences may be left at www.hockenberryfamilycare.com.
   Kay Elizabeth Minkner was born on Feb. 13, 1944, in Atlantic, Iowa, the daughter of Cleo and Thelma (Krumm) Minkner.
   She moved to Clear Lake, with her family early in childhood and lived there until graduating from Clear Lake High School in 1962. Following high school she attended community college in Mason City, Iowa.
   Kay was married shortly after attending community college and lived in Oakland, Neb., as a homemaker, raising her three children. While living in Oakland she worked for Oakland Memorial Hospital from 1988 to 1995. Kay moved to Phoenix, Az., in 1995 with her son, Andrew. While living in Phoenix she worked for Discover Financial Services as a fraud investigator. She was recognized by the company for her achievements in fraud protection during her 12 years of employment. In 2007 she moved to Craig, Neb., to be closer to her family members and worked for PayPal in Omaha, Neb.
   She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Phoenix.
   Kay enjoyed spending time with her family. She particularly enjoyed playing games, with bridge being her favorite. She enjoyed art of all types and was especially interested in painting and photography. Kay enjoyed the southwest and its serene way of life. She also enjoyed traveling throughout the southwest United States.
   Kay is survived by her daughters, Marcy Maxwell and her husband, Rick, of Craig, and Kelly Gorman and her husband, Patrick, Phoenix; her son, Andrew Sydow of Phoenix; her grandson, Clayton Ogden; her mother, Thelma Minkner of Omaha; her sister, Ann Millard and her husband, Leroy, of Bella Vista, Ark.; her brother, Jon Minkner of Omaha; her aunt and many cousins.
   She is preceded in death by her father, Cleo Minkner; her brother in infancy, Craig R. Minkner; and aunts, uncles and cousins.

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Sunday, November 2, 2008

Betty J. Petersen

Betty J. Petersen, 87, Yucaipa, Calif., died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008 at Wildwood Village Canyon, Yucaipa, Calif. Interment was at the Clear Lake Cemetery..
   Betty J. (Porter) was born March 31, 1921 in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Harry L. and Fleeta Irene (Lockwood) Porter. She served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 - 1945. In 1946 she married Dean W. Petersen (whom was also born in Clear Lake). They farmed outside of Clear Lake for six years before moving to California in 1952. They were married 40 years and to this union three children were born.
   Betty is survived by her two daughters and one son; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She is now returning home.
   Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, is in charge of local arrangements.

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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Willys E. Spainhower

    Willys E. Spainhower, 87, of 705 W. Main St., Fertile, Iowa, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.
   Memorial services were Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating. Family suggests memorials to Willys E. Spainhower Memorial Fund.
   Willys was born May 10, 1921 in Chapin, Iowa the son of Theodore and Ruby Iowa (Crawford) Spainhower. He graduated from Hampton High School in 1938.
   He worked for Douglas Air Craft in Lakewood, Calif. as a designer for over 30 years. He married Barbara Moss. After he retired they moved to Kingman, Az. In 2003 he moved to Fertile to live. He loved the outdoors, mountains, hunting and panning for gold.
   He is survived by his brother, LaVere Spainhower, Walcott, Iowa; sister, Alice Ann MacMillan, Willits, Calif.; two step-children, Deborah Thomas and Diane Hommes; five nephews, Clifford Sorensen, Conrad Spainhower, Martin Spainhower, Theodore Spainhower and Craig Spainhower; four nieces, Judy Gergen, Patricia Sorensen, Rosalee Sorensen and Bonnie Church and a special friend, Shirley Peterson, Clear Lake.
   He was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother, Julius E. Spainhower; wife, Barbara; niece, Janie Spainhower; and step-son, Mick Moss.
   Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Lorrine Willger Thomes

    Lorrine Willger Thomes, 86, of 401 W. 10th Ave. N., Clear Lake, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.
    Funeral services were Monday, Nov. 11, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. John Tilp officiating. Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa. Family suggests memorials to Lorrine Thomes Memorial Fund.
   Lorrine was born March 30, 1922 in Cashton, Wis., the daughter of Peter and Mabel (Sletten) Willger. She graduated from Gilman High School in Gilman, Wis. Lorrine married Ben Thomes on June 14, 1941 in LaCrosse, Wis. She attended Milwaukee Area Technical College in Cudahy, Wis.
   She worked at the Cudahy Health Dept. for over 29 years and later worked at the Milwaukee Airport in private airplanes parts department. She was past president of Kelly Senior Center Council, secretary of Kelly Center Travel Club, past president Christian Mothers and Cudahy Home Makers, P.T.A., Den Mother for Cub Scouts, and a member of Clear Lake Friendly Garden Club. She enjoyed making quilts at St. Patrick’s and Zion Lutheran Church.
   She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake.
   Lorrine is survived by three children, Norb Thomes and his wife, Marie, Clear Lake, Ceci Thomes, Cerrillos, N.M. and Gine Thomes-Cotter, Phoenix, Az.; seven grandchildren, Colleen Cotter and her husband, David, San Diego, Calif., Jon Dunnum and his wife, Suzy, Albuquerque, N.M., Kathy Rewolinski, Gilbert, Az., Colin Cotter and his wife, Melanie, Frisco, Texas, Jeremy Dunnum and his wife, Jacqueline, Albuquerque, Thomas Rewolinski, and his wife, Liz, Gilbert, and Andy Thomes, Clear Lake; three great-grandchildren, Somiya Dunnum, Kira Dunnum and Cleo Cotter; one brother, Norbert Willger and his wife, Rose, Racine, Wis.; and one sister, Esther Abramovicz, Thorp, Wis.
   She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Phyllis Rewolinski; a brother, Glenn Willger; and one sister, Angeline Nichols.
   Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

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Thursday, November 6, 2008

Ruth M. Seidel

    Ruth M. Seidel, 100 1/2, of 1400 7th Ave. N., Clear Lake, died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.
   Funeral services were Monday, Nov. 10, at the Christian Church with the Rev. Scott Wilson officiating. Interment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Family suggests memorials to Clear Lake Christian Church or Hospice of North Iowa.
   Ruth was born Dec. 10, 1907 in Lincoln Township, rural Clear Lake, the daughter of LeRoy and Rose (Hall) French. She attended Clear Lake School.
   She married Ralph Wesley Tarr in 1926. They lived in Clear Lake where they raised their nine children. She worked at Curley’s Café and the Surf Ballroom. While her children were growing up she was a cub scout leader. Her husband Ralph died in an automobile accident.
   On Sept. 20, 1958 she married Clarence Seidel and they farmed in the McIntire, Iowa area. They retired from the farm in 1988 and moved to Garner, Iowa. Following her husband’s death in 1991 she moved to Clear Lake to live.
   Her greatest joy in life was being with her family.
   The family would like to express their gratitude for the wonderful care given to her by Oakwood Care Center staff and the Hospice of North Iowa Staff.
   She is survived by six sons, Donald Tarr, Wautoma, Wis., Allan Tarr, Clear Lake, Marvin Tarr, Fort Mitchell, Ala., William (Pat) Tarr, Clear Lake, Richard (Jane) Tarr, Champaign Ill., and Keith (Sharon) Tarr, Clear Lake; 28 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; brother, LeRoy (Lorraine) French, Clear Lake; sister, Patricia Edward, Hot Springs, Ark. and sons-in-law, Leo Formanek, Clear Lake, and Norman Spooner, Nora Springs, Iowa.
    She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; two daughters, Cindy Lou Spooner and Mary Pat Formanek; son, Robert Tarr and his wife, Polly; daughters-in-law, Pam Tarr, Betty J. Tarr, Betty R. Tarr and Norma Jean Tarr; brother-in-law, Lyle Edward; and three sisters, Violet Wreghitt, Ethelyn Pattersen and Reba (Homer) Moe.
   Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

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Thursday, November 6, 2008

Scott Alan Swartz

    Scott Alan Swartz, Clear Lake, died Thursday morning, Nov. 6, 2008 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 44 years, six days of age.
   A memorial service was held Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake.
   Scott was born Halloween day, Oct. 31, 1964, at International Falls, Minn. He graduated from Mariner High School in White Bear Lake, Minn., and Alexandria Technical College, Alexandria, Minn.
   Scott enjoyed being a father and uncle. His greatest joy was his family. He wanted to thank everyone who touched his life.
   Scott served in the Army in Georgia and Oklahoma. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed playing hockey as a youth.
   He is survived by his widow, Tami (Fickle) Swartz, whom he married May 13, 1995, at White Bear Lake; two sons, Timothy and Thomas; one daughter, Tinysha; his parents, Samuel and Charlotte Swartz of Clear Lake; his mother-in-law, Trudy Fickle, of Cambridge, Minn.; two brothers, Samuel (Dawn) Swartz, Spring Lake Park, Minn., and William Swartz, Lake Elmo, Minn.; four sisters, Debra (Steven) Vagstad, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., Patricia (Donald) Sames, Hugo, Minn., Jacqueline (Carl) Folsom, Culver City, Minn., Vickie Swartz, Alexandria, Minn., also many nephews and nieces.
   He was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents; an uncle; an aunt; and two nieces.
   Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

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Thursday, November 6, 2008

LeRoy (Red) Jackson Sr.

    LeRoy (Red) Jackson Sr., 85, of 215 S. 3rd St., Apt. 1, Clear Lake, died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008. He passed away at home surrounded by his children under the care of Hospice. A visitation with family was held Saturday, Nov. 8, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. According to his wishes, his body has been cremated. Memorials may be given to the LeRoy Jackson Memorial Fund.
   LeRoy (Red) was born March 31, 1923 in Kanawha, Iowa, the son of Lewis and Selma (Jacobson) Jackson. Following graduation from Kanawha High School, he entered the Navy in 1942 during WWII. He married Marie Kelly in 1945 in New Jersey. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned to work in Kanawha. Red later formed Jackson Brothers Construction Company. They moved to California in 1978 to work construction with his oldest son.
   Red returned to Iowa and retired in Clear Lake in 1989. He joined the Clear Lake V.F.W. He enjoyed his daily Huckly Buck card game at Elly’s, Thursday night poker with his friends and Wednesday night pool league where he quickly became known for making the 8 ball on the break 15 times.
   Red had a great ability for making friends where ever he was. He really enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and always gave them a two-dollar bill.
   Red is survived by Marie Jackson, Clear Lake; six children, Sandy Jackson, Pearblossom, Calif., Dan Jackson and his wife, Vicki, Clear Lake, Kelly Jackson and his wife, Nelda, Garner, Iowa, Matt Jackson, Little Rock, Calif., Joseph Jackson and his wife, Kay, New Baden, Ill., and Maureen Kozisek and her husband, Kevin, Garner; sisters, Marian Kraft, Kanawha, Iowa, Luetta Stoeckel, Barnegat, N.J., Vivian Waage, Goodell, Iowa; brothers, Lewis Jackson Jr. and his wife, Ethelene, Kanawha, Paul Jackson and his wife, Kaye, Kanawha, and sister-in-law, Fern Jackson, Richland Center, Wis.; 20 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
   Red was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Stanley and Alvin Jackson; brother-in-law, Fritz Waage, Kenneth Kraft and Jack Stoeckel; son, Charles Jackson; and grandson, Travis Jackson.

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updated 17 Nov 2008
by Jay Lehmann
jay@ncigs.org