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Pauline Strnad

Funeral services for Pauline Strnad of Protivin were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 3 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin with Rev. John Moser officiating.

The pall was placed by Roselene Carey and Marvelene Strnad. Interment was in Holy Trinity Catholic Church Cemetery in Protivin. Pallbearers were: Kevin Carey, Will Wunder, Brian Reidy, James Hubka, Mike Stika, and Bob Stika. Honorary pallbearers were Jean Wunder, Shelly Strnad, and Karen Carey. Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Pauline, 88, died Friday, July 30, 2004 at the Maple Crest Manor Nursing Home in Fayette.

Pauline Katherine Strnad was born October 28, 1915 in rural Howard County, the daughter of Frank J. and Rosalia (Kostohryz) Hubka. She attended rural country school and Cresco High School.

On November 3, 1937 she married Louis Strnad at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin by Rev. Vaclave Hradesky. They farmed for 35 years, until 1973, when they moved into Protivin.

Pauline was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Church in Spillville until 1959, when she became a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin. She was a member of the Catholic Workmen Branch 33 of Spillville until 1960, when she became a member of Branch 39 in Protivin. She was a member of the Holy Trinity Rosary Society, the Howard County Hospital Auxiliary and numerous other clubs.

She made many quilts and lap robes which she donated to the Hospital Auxiliary and Father Trzil's Mission.

She loved playing cards, helping her friends, gardening, and caring for her flowers and house plants.

She is survived by one son: Alvin Strnad of Des Moines; three daughters: Roselene Carey of Maynard, Louise Wunder of Iowa City, and Marvelene Strnad of Miami, FL; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Pauline was preceded in death by her husband Louis on October 8, 1991; her parents; and four brothers: Frank, William, Lewis, and Robert.

Merrill Sumner

Funeral services for Merrill Sumner of New Hampton were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 31 at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton with Pastor Kevin Frey and Pastor Timothy Sumner officiating.

Interment was in New Hampton City Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Glen Fenneman, Darwin Sittig, Paul Hereid, George Jerdee, Stan Perkins, and C.H. Betten. Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Merrill, 87, died Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at the New Hampton Care Center.

Merrill M. Sumner was born October 18, 1916 near Mahnomen in northwestern Minnesota, the son of Perry and Mamie (Frazier) Sumner. When he was five years old, the family moved to a farm near Bejou, MN where he started school. In March of his second grade, the family moved to a farm just west of Boyd, MN. Growing up he helped farm his grandpa's tree claim farm and as he got older, he plowed corn and helped the neighbor make hay. At age 19, he came to Iowa to do chores for Oscar Anderson near Boyd. During 1936, he worked for Emil Drewelow in his nursery and then in 1937, returned to Minnesota to work for a farmer. From 1938-1941 he worked on Walter Weidlers farm near Boyd. On May 14, 1939 he was received into membership at St. John Lutheran Church in Boyd by the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. He was drafted into the Army on April 11, 1942. He spent three years on Oahu in the 219th General Hospital. While on leave, he came to New Hampton and married Eileen DeBettignies at St. Joseph Catholic Rectory on August 13, 1945. The war ended the next day and he was honorably discharged on October 29, 1945. Following the war he worked for the Iowa State Highway Department for 33 years. After retiring he continued to farm 84 acres for another 17 years. He continued to live on the farm and rented the land.

Merrill and Eileen enjoyed square dancing.

He has been a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church since the closing of St. John Lutheran Church in Boyd in 1993.

He is survived by his wife Eileen; two sons: Darryl and Dan, both of New Hampton; four granddaughters; three brothers: Kenneth of Redondo Beach, CA, Harold of Boyd, and Glenn of Boyd, MN; and two sisters: Gladys Soehren of Boyd, MN, Leone Grinager of Minneapolis, MN.

Merrill was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister: Verlan Grinager.

Roger Peter

Funeral services for Roger Peter of Mabel, MN will be held at 11:00 a.m. today, Wednesday, August 4 at the Scheie Lutheran Church in rural Mabel with Rev. Mary Waudby officiating.

Interment will be in Scheie Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Mabel. Mengis Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Roger, 83, died Sunday, August 1, 2004 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Roger Peter was born August 4, 1920 in Winneshiek County, the son of Alfred and Elta (Libbey) Peter. He attended country schools in Winneshiek County.

On March 10, 1944 he married Daisy Sears at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They farmed in the Cresco area for 21 years before moving to a farm in the Mabel area in 1961. They farmed there for 15 years before moving into Mabel where he worked for Kleiboer's Feed Service and Falks Machinery. He had served on the Preble Township Board and the Cresco School Board.

He was a member of the Scheie Lutheran Church. He enjoyed reading, playing cards, and going for rides in the country.

He is survived by his wife Daisy of Mabel; two sons: Rich of Rochester, MN and Gerald of Mabel; one daughter: Becky Wheeler of Mantorville, MN; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one brother: Arnold of Cresco.

Roger was preceded in death by one son: Clifford; his parents; four sisters: Helen Sandvik, Lucille Midthus, Marjory Askelson, and Ione Millard; and one brother Elmer.

Viola Ferrie

Funeral services for Viola Ferrie will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 6 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elma with Msgr. John W. Hemann officiating.

Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Elma. Honorary pallbearers are nieces and nephews: Ron and Linda O'Donnell, Joyce and Gail Ives, Francis and Sharon Malone, Sister Mary Brian Kelly, and Jim and Anne Ott. Pallbearers are: Mike O'Donnell, Jim O'Donnell, Tony Neubauer, Darren O'Donnell, Tom Fye, Brian Recker, and Sean Bucheit.

Viola, 82, died Monday, August 2, 2004 at the Regional Health Services Hospital in Cresco.

Viola Ann Ferrie was born on October 12, 1921 in rural Cresco, the daughter of Bernard and Lucy (Malone) Ferrie. She attended schools in Howard County. Viola worked as a nurses' aide at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein and in private homes. She was the caregiver for her aging parents. She also worked as a live-in babysitter for the Henry Deterding family. Viola was a resident of the Howard County Residential Care Facility for many years. In recent years, she had lived at the Evans Home in Cresco.

She enjoyed writing letters. She also had a love of poetry.

Viola was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Marie O'Donnell, Sister Mary Celestine, and Bernardine Dilky; brothers: Durand, Virgil, and Francis and Hugh, who both died in infancy.

Esther Felland

Funeral services for Esther Felland of Granger, MN were held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 1 at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Granger, MN.

Interment was in St. Matthews Cemetery in Granger, MN. Lindstrom Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Esther, 93, died Thursday, July 29, 2004 at the Harmony Health Care in Harmony, MN.

Esther Lena Felland was born January 31, 1911, the daughter of Gustav and Alvina (Biel) Miller at their home in Albion Township in rural Cresco. She attended country school. Tragedy struck the young family in the early 1920s, when their mother died at the age of 37 and their father died two years later. Esther and her brothers and sisters were raised by their aunt Mart. Esther graduated from Cresco High School in 1929 and over the next nine years taught at several schools around Granger, including the Nichols and Stone schools. During this time she met Orel.

On July 10, 1938 she married Orel Felland at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They lived in the Granger area, beginning on a farm and then moving to Granger where they owned and operated the Granger store. In 1947, they moved to the farm on the hills north of Granger.

She grew wonderful flower and vegetable gardens and canned and froze all kinds of foods - the original organic diet. She was also known for her delicious breads, pies, cakes, and cookies.

She was a lifelong member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, serving in various stewardship roles over the years, including Sunday School teacher and member of the LWCA and the Ruth Circle.

After Orel's death in 1988, she continued to live on the farm with her son Richard until October 1, 2001, when she moved to Westview Acres Apartments in Waconia, MN. Around her 92nd birthday, Esther moved into the Harmony Healthcare Facility.

She is survived by her children: Jim, Richard, Sonja, Martha, and Marian; nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Helen Hahn

Funeral services for Helen (Peterson) Hahn, formerly of rural Harmony, MN were held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Big Springs.

Lindstrom Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Helen, 85, died Friday, July 30, 2004 at the Stewartville Care Center in Stewartville, MN.

She is survived by three sons: David of Eyota, MN, Larry of Grand Meadow, MN, and Marlin of Brooklyn Center, MN, five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister: Doris Gatzke of Preston, MN.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Milton; her parents; and one son: Curtis.

                Posted on 08/06/2004 by Gene Manning

Beverly Kolthoff

Funeral services for Beverly Kolthoff of New Hampton were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 7 at the United Methodist Church in New Hampton with Pastor Marshall Monthei officiating.

Interment was in New Hampton City Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Dan Feuling, Randy Anderson, Kim Leichtman, Kurt Leichtman, Dick Snyder, and Willis Hansen. Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Beverly, 80, died Tuesday, August 3, 2004 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN from a brief illness.

Beverly Jean Kolthoff was born February 7, 1924 in Waterloo, the daughter of Frank and Bessie (Truesdell) Quinn. She was a 1942 graduate of East High School in Waterloo. She worked at Gamble Robinson in Waterloo for 23 years, becoming the company's first female office manager. In 1950, Bev was elected President of Iowa BPW, (Business Professional Women) and crisscrossed the state of Iowa visiting 96 chapters.

On June 6, 1965 she married Roger A. Kolthoff in Waterloo. They owned and operated the Jerico County Market for 10 years while also running a farm in Alta Vista. Bev worked as a bookkeeper at Kennedy's Department Store in New Hampton for two years. From 1980-2001 she worked for the New Hampton Tribune, retiring as the senior editor.

Bev was well known as a tremendous volunteer. She spearheaded the campaign to restore the bandshell. In 2000, she was named an Honorary Fireman by the New Hampton Fire Department. The last great cause she was dedicated to was the Chickasaw Centre.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church of New Hampton.

She is survived by one son: Tom of Eagan, MN.

Beverly was preceded in death by her husband Roger on January 10, 1985; her parents; one sister: Kathryn Gorman; and one brother: Frank K.

Richard Hageman

Funeral services for Richard "Red" Hageman were held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 7 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar with Rev. Donald Hawes officiating.

Interment was in St. Aloysius Cemetery in Calmar. Honorary pallbearers were the Calmar Fire Department. Schluter-Balik Funeral Home French Chapel handled the arrangements.

Richard, 78, died Thursday, August 5, 2004 at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian after a long illness.

Richard Fred Hageman was born October 31, 1925 on the family farm near Calmar, the son of Felix and Monica (Holthaus) Hageman. He was baptized, confirmed and received his education at St. Aloysius in Calmar.

On November 25, 1964 he married Clara Mae (Scholbrock) Baures at Prairie du Chien, WI. Richard was employed by the City of Calmar as maintenance man and as the policeman, and then he ran the garbage collection in Calmar and after that owned the Friendly Tap in Calmar. Later due to poor health he sold the business.

Richard was a lifetime member of St. Aloysius Church and a member of the Calmar Fire Department.

He enjoyed playing Santa Clause, gardening, playing cards, calling square dances, and singing old time music to the juke box.

He is survived by one step daughter: Teresa Naley of Chester; two step grandsons; one sister: Irene Schmitz of Ossian; and one brother: Melvin of Calmar.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife Clara Mae in 1981; his parents; and three brothers: Carl, Julius, and Gustave.

Debra Hills

Funeral services for Debra Hills were held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 2 at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories with Rev. Fran Griffeth officiating.

Interment was in Circle Grove Cemetery in Troy Mills. Pallbearers were: Steve Gourley, Doug Fick, Phil Stoos, Mike Hills, Keith Schreiber, and Jesse Drtina. Cedar Memorial Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Debra, 51, died suddenly Wednesday, July 28, 2004 in St. Luke's Hospital.

Debra A. (Drtina) Hills was born December 4, 1952 in Cresco.

On May 20, 1972 she married Patric A. Hills in the Little Brown Church in Nashua. She worked for 31 years for Rockwell-Collins as a PC Board Processor.

She enjoyed oil painting, gardening, jigsaw puzzles, and her two dogs, Charlene and Harley.

She is survived by her husband Patric; two sons: Richard Patric of Marion and Ryan Alan of Cedar Rapids; two grandchildren; her father: Arthur Drtina of Marion; one brother: Donald of Central City; and two sisters: Belinda Drtina of Colville, WA and Janel Johnson of Delhi.

Debra was preceded in death by her mother: Theola Drtina; and one brother: Bud.

Viola Ferrie

Funeral services for Viola Ferrie were held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 6 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elma with Msgr. John W. Hemann officiating.

Lectors were Jerry O'Donnell and Holly Resner. Gifts were carried by Lisa Jacobsen, Cathy Fox, Nicole O'Donnell, Amy Drees, and Jennifer Fye. Eucharistic Minister was Barb O'Donnell. Honorary pallbearers were great nieces and nephews: Ron and Linda O'Donnell, Joyce and Gail Ives, Francis and Sharon Malone, Sister Mary Brian Kelly, and Jim and Anne Ott. Pallbearers were: Mike O'Donnell, Jim O'Donnell, Tony Neubauer, Darren O'Donnell, Tom Fye, Brian Recker, and Dan Bucheit. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Elma. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Viola, 82, died Monday, August 2, 2004 at the Regional Health Services Hospital in Cresco.

Viola Ann Ferrie was born on October 12, 1921 in rural Cresco, the daughter of Bernard and Lucy (Malone) Ferrie. She attended schools in Howard County. Viola worked as a nurses' aide at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein and in private homes. Viola had the privilege of being the caregiver for her aging parents. She also worked as a live-in babysitter for the Henry Deterding family. Viola was a resident of the Howard County Residential Care Facility for many years. In recent years, she had lived at the Evans Home in Cresco. Viola loved to visit with people, and will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor. She enjoyed writing letters and was a faithful correspondent to many friends and family members. She also had a love of poetry that was instilled in her by her mother.

She is survived by nephews: Russell (Margaret) O'Donnell of Elma, Gerald (Barb) O'Donnell of Cresco and Bob (Kim) Dilky of Urbandale; nieces: Ann (Joe) Neubauer, Lavon (Galen) Fye, all of Cresco, Lois (Don) Recker of Mankato, MN and Mary (Tom) Bucheit of Osage; a cousin: Francis (Sharon) Malone of Chicago, IL; numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews and many friends.

Viola was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Marie O'Donnell, Sister Mary Celestine, and Bernardine Dilky; brothers: Durand Ferrie, Virgil Ferrie, and Francis and Hugh Ferrie, who both died in infancy; and two nephews: Jerome O'Donnell and Eugene O'Donnell.

Angelo Duncan

Funeral services for Angelo Duncan were held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 6 at Maternity BVM Church in Bourbonnais, IL.

Entombment was in All Saints Cemetery in Bourbonnais. Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Angelo, 84, died Monday, August 2 in Cresco of a sudden illness.

Angelo N. Duncan was born July 19, 1920 in Sioux Falls, SD the son of Edward and Lucy (Herzog) Duncan.

On June 21, 1940 he married Hazel J. Loney in Angola, IN. She died August 5, 1997. He married Maizie Seath. He owned/operated APAKA Engineering Consultant firm and also worked at K3 Roper. He retired from A.O. Smith in Kankakee, IL after more than 25 years.

He graduated from Tri-State University in Angola, IN with a Bachelors degree and Marquette University with a Masters degree.

He was a member of Maternity BVM Church. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Experimental Aircraft Assoc., and Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Assoc.

He was a licensed pilot, and received an Octogenarian Award from Koerner Airport. He enjoyed genealogy, woodworking, photography, and traveling.

He is survived by two sons: Don of Greensburg, IN and Gary of Bourbonnais, IL; two daughters: Pat Griffith of Bourbonnais and Kathi Lothinville of Bourbonnais, IL; stepchildren: Steven Seath, Larry Seath, Tongri Sparling, and Cheryl Seath; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two sisters: Devota Garrett of Carmichael, CA and Kathleen Rose of Sun City, AZ; and one brother: Gene of Milwaukee, WI.

Angelo was preceded in death by his first wife; one daughter: Mary Jean Duncan; and one grandson.

John Aegler

Funeral services for John Aegler of Cresco will be held at 10:30 a.m. today, Wednesday, August 11 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco with Rev. Allen Hermeier officiating.

Interment will be in Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA at a later date. Lindstrom Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

John, 87, died Sunday, August 8, 2004 at the Cresco Care Center.

John Carl Aegler was born January 7, 1917 in Cresco, the son of Carl and Ida (Rutsch) Aegler. He attended local schools.

In August of 1936 he married Emma Steffen. John served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. John worked as a carpenter and built many homes in the Cresco area. Upon retirement John and Emma moved to California in 1988. John returned to Cresco in April of 2004.

He is survived by two daughters: Darlene Hall of Cresco and Joan Frank of Renton, WA; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one brother: Art of Cresco.

He was preceded in death by his wife Emma on February 4, 2001; his parents; and one sister.

                 Posted on 08/12/2004 by Gene Manning

Helen Sullivan

Funeral services for Helen Sullivan were held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 17 at the Notre Dame Parish-Assumption Worship Center in Cresco with Rev. Kenneth Gehling and Msgr. Donald Heineman concelebrating the Mass.

The family placed the pall. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco. Honorary pallbearers were: Shawn and Randy Drew. Pallbearers were: Joseph Bork, Roy Kraninger, Brett Corrick, Michael and Stephen McGrane, and Issac Gibbons. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Helen, 90, died Friday, August 13, 2004 at the Homestead Assisted Living Home in Mason City where she has made her home for the past three weeks.

Helen Elizabeth Sullivan was born May 23, 1914 at the home of her parents George and Mayme (Solomon-Emig) Kohles near Harlan. She attended the rural school and as a young girl the family moved to a farm near Elma. Helen helped on the farm.

On March 4, 1935 she married Joseph Sullivan at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elma. They farmed west of Elma for many years and belonged to the Immaculate Conception Church in Elma. After their retirement from the farm they moved to Elma and then Cresco and Helen sold Stanley Home Products, worked as a nurse aide at the Evans Memorial Home for over 20 years and volunteered at the hospital in Cresco.

She belonged to Notre Dame Parish-Assumption Worship Center, its Altar and Rosary Society, and the Pink Ladies Auxiliary.

Helen liked flowers, painting, drawing, and art. She liked to travel and go shopping with her daughters.

She is survived by six daughters: Shirley Daleske of Tucson, AZ, JoAnn Bork of Des Moines, Myrna Wagner of Ridgeway, Charlene Tull of Lacey, WA, Connie Kraninger of Independence, and Nancy Gibbons of Mason City; 31 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and four sisters: Marcella Wyatt, Stella Wyatt and Rita Thompson, all of Riceville, and Anna Jean Sullivan of Waterloo.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Joseph on March 31, 1983; two grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; her parents; two brothers: Alfred and Urban; and three sisters: Lenora and Rose Kohles, and Mary Nelson-Whitinger.

Richard Praska

Funeral services for Richard Praska were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 7 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin with Rev. John A. Moser officiating.

The family placed the pall. Interment was in Holy Trinity Catholic Church Cemetery in Protivin. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Richard, 78, died Wednesday, August 4, 2004 at his home.

Richard William Praska was born January 4, 1926 in Howard County, the son of William J. and Rose E. (Riha) Praska. He attended the rural school. Following his education, he worked on the family farm. Richard was a WW II veteran serving in the United States Army from April 17, 1946 until October 17, 1947. He had his basic training at Fort Snelling, MN, was sent to Fort Lewis, WA for eight weeks of heavy equipment training and eventually was stationed in Adak, AK as a fire truck driver.

On August 25, 1952 he married Celesta Marie Havel at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin by the Rev. Jaroslaus S. Skluzacek. They made their home on the Praska family farm where Richard has lived his entire life.

Richard was a lifelong farmer, who enjoyed his farm animals, the outdoors, mowing lawn and helping the boys farm. He enjoyed playing cards, bowling, horseshoes, and playing pool with his grandchildren. He liked to attend and participate in car shows and parades. He enjoyed listening to polka music.

He was a lifelong member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and belonged to the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion Post #605 and the Farm Bureau.

He is survived by his wife Celesta; four children: Stephen of Cresco, Sue Panos of Protivin, Sheldon on the family farm, and Shawn of Cedar Falls; six grandchildren; and one brother: Reuben of Cresco.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents.

Gayla Klimesh

Funeral services for Gayla Klimesh were held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 12 at Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor David Werges officiating.

Interment was in Riverside Cemetery in Charles City. Pallbearers were: Chuck Bonzer, Jerry Meyer, Steve Otto, Brendan McMenomy, Jason Myli, and Steven Smith. Hauser Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Gayla, 55, died Sunday, August 8, 2004 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City of cancer.

Gayla Jean Klimesh was born November 28, 1948 in Manning, the daughter of Earl and Kathryn (Klinzman) Smith. She was raised and educated in Bagley, graduating with the 1967 class of Yale-Jamaica-Bagley Community School. She worked for Iowa State University in Ames for several years as a secretary and later continued her education with business courses at NIACC.

On June 29, 1991 she married Ronald Klimesh. She was active in her church, teaching Sunday school and enjoying crafts with the children.

Gayla was employed as an office manager with Home Care Medical Supply for several years.

She loved the outdoors and was an avid gardener and birdwatcher. She and her husband traveled around the country in their motor home, camping, and boating.

She is survived by her husband, Ron of Charles City; daughters: Kristin Myli of Olathe, KS, and Sarah Allen of Minneapolis, MN; two grandchildren; her mother: Kathryn Schrad of Auburn; and one brother: Glenn of Ankeny.

Gayla was preceded in death by her father.

Bertha Gesell

Graveside service for Bertha Gesell of Boise, ID, formerly of Elma will be held at 2:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, August 18 at the Howard Cemetery in Elma.

Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Bertha, 94, died Wednesday, August 11, 2004 at her home in Boise, ID.

Bertha Lillian Gesell was born October 27, 1909 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Joseph and Aniela Smolen. She spent her early years in Chicago where her father ran a saloon and mother served meals. Aniela and the kids moved to a small farm house in Highland, IN, while Joseph supported his family in Chicago. Bertha graduated from Griffith High School in 1927 and attended Hammond Business School shortly there after, with the help of her mother.

In September of 1930 in Iowa she married Harold Gesell. The family resided in Elma, Polk County in Iowa, Tacoma Park, MD, and Frankfurt, Germany. They had two daughters Marilyn and Phyllis, and were able to survive the Great Depression with help from family and friends. After Harold passed away in the early 80s, Bertha moved to Boise to be closer to her family.

In 2001, she donated a blue spruce from her front yard to the Idaho Capital for the state's Christmas tree.

She is survived by two daughters: Phyllis Ward and Marilyn Halweg, both of Boise; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Bertha was preceded in death by her husband Harold; her parents; and three brothers: Stanley, Joseph, and Harry.

Lyle Numedahl

Funeral services for Lyle Numedahl of Calmar were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 16 at the Calmar Lutheran Church in Calmar with Pastor Ginny Olson and Pastor Phillip Olson officiating.

Interment was in Calmar Lutheran Cemetery in Calmar. Pallbearers were his grandchildren. Schluter & Balik Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Lyle, 65, died Wednesday, August 11, 2004 at his home following a sudden illness.

Lyle Howard Numedahl was born on August 7, 1939, the son of William and Mabel Vi (Bergan) Numedahl in Culver City, CA. Lyle was baptized on October 15, 1939 in Los Angles, CA and then moved with his family to Calmar. He was confirmed on May 10, 1953 at Calmar Lutheran Church. Lyle attended and graduated from Calmar High School in 1957.

On October 20, 1959 he married Kay Smock at the United Methodist Church in Caledonia, MN. He worked for Heying Manufacturing in steal works for 28 years and then at Calmar Manufacturing until he retired in March 2002.

Lyle loved to hunt and fish, to be outdoors and spend time with his dog, Hunter. He was also a Minnesota Viking and NASCAR fan.

He is survived by one daughter: Kim Numedahl-Simon of Calmar; three sons: Monty of Independence, Craig of Urbandale, and Kyle of Ossian; seven grandchildren; one sister: Jo Marie Riha; and three brothers: Donald, Mark and Jon, all of Decorah.

Lyle was preceded in death by his wife Kay on February 24, 2000; and his parents.

Lois Brown

Funeral services for Lois Brown of Cresco were held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 14 at the First Lutheran Church in Cresco with Rev. Gary Lee and Intern Jerleen Schlesser officiating.

Interment was in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cresco. Lindstrom Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Lois, 77, died Wednesday, August 11, 2004 at the Regional Health Services of Howard County after a long battle with cancer.

Lois Eleene Brown was born August 16, 1926 the daughter of Arnold and Eva (Farghum) Albertson. She graduated from Reinbeck High School in 1946.

On April 3, 1948 she married Charles Powers. To that union two sons were born, Donald and Craig. After Chuck's sudden death, Lois worked various jobs and raised her two boys. She later met and married Lyle Brown on June 27, 1963 and a daughter Judy was born. They resided in the Cresco area. Lois continued to work at various jobs.

She is survived by her husband Lyle of Cresco; three children: Donald of Santa Barbara, CA, Craig of Cresco, and Judy Johnson of Cresco; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three sisters: Beverly Koshatka of Cresco, Roselyn Ehlert of Cresco, and Janeen Ness of Minneapolis, MN; and three brothers: Bob of Waterloo, Leland of Waterloo, and Stan of Minneapolis, MN.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother in infancy.

Benjamin Wilkins

Funeral services for Benjamin Wilkins were held Monday, July 26 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Enid, OK.

Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery in Enid.

Benjamin, 52, died Thursday, July 22, 2004 at his home in Enid, OK after a lengthy illness.

Benjamin S. Wilkins was born August 8, 1951 in Long Beach, CA, the son of Edward and Eileen (Sexton) Wilkins. He attended St. John's Boscoe Catholic School in Long Beach, graduating in 1969.

On October 30, 1981 he married Kathy Allen-Straw in Tulsa, OK. After living in Tulsa for four years, they made their home in Enid where he owned and operated Snafu Trucking beginning in 1985. He enjoyed being on the road and meeting new friends.

He enjoyed spending many summers at the Sexton farm near Decorah.

He is survived by his wife Kathy; one daughter: Samantha Wilkins of Enid; two step children: Junior Straw of Oklahoma City and Kristine Straw of Enid; one step grandchild; and his mother: Eileen Wilkins of Decorah.

Benjamin was preceded in death by his father.

Lois Garmen

Funeral services for Lois Garmen of Elma were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 17 at the Elma United Methodist Church in Elma.

Interment was in the Howard Cemetery. Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Lois, 85, died Friday, August 13, 2004 at the Colonial Manor in Elma of natural causes.

Lois Elizabeth Garmen was born March 8, 1919 at Elma, the daughter of Louis and Laura (Haaf) Dickmann. She was a 1936 graduate of Elma High School and furthered her education at Grinnell College where she received her BA in English and Business and a minor in Economics, graduating on June 10, 1940.

On September 15, 1946 she married Charles C. Garmen. They resided in Elma. She worked part-time for the Peoples Saving Bank in Elma for several years. Following her husband's death in 1975 she remained in Elma and resided with her brother Edward, until failing health sent her to the Colonial Manor in May of 2001.

She is survived by one daughter: Susan Heitbrink of Charles City; one son: Charles of New York, NY; and one brother: Edward of Elma.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband Charles; and her parents.

                     Posted on 08/19/2004 by Gene Manning

Cora Eaton

Funeral services for Cora Eaton were held on Monday, August 23 at the First Lutheran Church in Cresco with Pastor Gary Lee officiating.

Interment was in the Lutheran Cemetery in Saude. Pallbearers were: Randy Lloyd, Patricia Salazar, Rhonda O'Brien, Donnie, Ronnie, and John Aaron Hildahl. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Cora, 92, died Thursday, August 19, 2004.

Cora Theodora Eaton was born September 2, 1911 in Chickasaw County in Iowa, the daughter of Thomas and Thorina (Swenumson) Johnson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the church near her home. She attended the rural schools in Chickasaw County.

On February 11, 1931 she married Alfred Hildahl at the Crane Creek parsonage by Rev. H.M. Finstad. They became the parents of five sons and two daughters. They farmed in Howard County until moving to Cresco in 1957. Alfred died on October 23, 1964.

Cora worked at the hospital kitchen, in private homes and in nursing homes as a certified nurse aide. She retired from the Evans Memorial Home.

On October 21, 1975 she married Lyle Eaton of Cresco. He died on April 27, 1980.

She is survived by five sons: Joseph Hildahl and Casper Hildahl, both of New Hampton, Stanley Hildahl of Peyton, CO, Arlo Hildahl of Marshalltown, and Alton Hildahl of Spring Lake, NC; two daughters: Rose Marie Feenstra of Cresco and Janice Salazar of Hereford, TX; three step daughters: Marge Jackson, Nancy Jackson and Gwen Peter all of Cresco; 12 grandchildren; 14 step grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; many step great-grandchildren; two sisters: Ethel Murray of Greenville, SC and Ruth Fetherolf of Hesperia, CA.

Cora was preceded in death by her husbands; one sister: Evelyn Dahlen; three brothers: Arthur, Stanley, and Harold; one step grandson; and one great-granddaughter.

Edward Klimesh

Funeral services for Edward Klimesh will be held at 11:00 a.m. today, Wednesday, August 25 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin with Rev. John A. Moser officiating.

Edward's four children will place the pall. Interment will be in Holy Trinity Catholic Church Cemetery in Protivin. Pallbearers are: Lew Klimesh, Simon Klimesh, Harley Klimesh, Ryan Kurash, Paul Martell Jr., and Don Chihak. Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Edward, 91, died Saturday, August 21, 2004 at the Oneota Care Center in Decorah.

Edward John Klimesh was born November 5, 1912 on the Klimesh family farm south of Protivin, in rural Chickasaw County, the son of Frank J. and Caroline (Bouska) Klimesh. He attended rural country school and began farming at an early age.

On May 17, 1938 he married Evelyn Loesch at St. Wenseslaus Catholic Church in Spillville by Father Hlubek. They stayed on the Klimesh family farm until Evelyn's death on December 6, 1995.

On April 21, 2002, he became a resident at the Oneota Care Center in Decorah.

They loved to dance and take day trips to visit family and friends. He also enjoyed reading the news, until he gradually began losing his sight and hearing.

He is survived by one son: Edmund of Spillville; three daughters: Eileen Chihak of Lourdes, Ellen Martell of LaCrosse and Edna Klimesh of Protivin; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Mary Klimesh of Protivin and Carolyn Brown if Forest Park, IL.

Edward was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn; his parents; one brother: Frank; and one sister: Angie Kuhn.

Bernadine O'Donnell

Funeral services for Bernadine O'Donnell were held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 19 at the Notre Dame Parish-Assumption Worship Center in Cresco with Rev. Henry Charipar officiating.

The family placed the pall. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco. Pallbearers were: Paul Kolbet, Larry Buckman, Randy Owens, Tim Owens, Henry Elwood, and John O'Byrne. Conway Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Bernadine, 97, died Sunday, August 15, 2004 at the Evans Memorial Home in Cresco where she has lived since 1995.

Mary Bernadine Owens was born May 24, 1907 Bradford, IL, the daughter of Thomas and Ella (Mowbray) Owens. She worked many years as a Department Head for the Department of the Army, Engineer Procurement Office, Corps of Engineers in Chicago, IL.

On October 24, 1959 she married Joseph Edwin O'Donnell at St. Francis de Paul Church in Chicago, IL and lived in Cresco for the remainder of her life. She was a member of the Assumption Worship Center in Cresco and its Altar and Rosary Society.

She is survived by two brothers: Thomas of Escondido, CA and Richard of Orange, CA.

Bernadine was preceded in death by her husband Joseph on June 21, 1975; her parents; two brothers: Adrian J. and John; and one sister: Ann C. Thompson.

                   Posted on 08/27/2004 by Gene Manning