Louise Kapler, 93
A Mass of Christian Burial for Louise
M. Kapler of Fort Atkinson was held at 11:00
a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010 at St.
Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville
with Rev. Donald Hawes and Rev. Herb Hayek
officiating. Organist was Doris Thompson,
cantor was Dan Silhacek and St. Wenceslaus
Choir. Mass servers were Alex Shatek, Garret
Bohach and Liam Hayek. Lector was Very
Reverend Hal Hayek, Dean of the Cathedral of
the Incarnation Diocese of Maryland.
Offertory giftbearers were Leah Knutson,
Ellierose Knutson and Katie Shatek,
Eucharistic Ministers were Crol Hayek and
Rev. Herb Hayek. Honorary pallbearers were:
Sis Volsch, Denis Reicks, Alex Shatek, Katie
Shatek, Leah Knutson, Janice Balk, Jeanne
Verlsteffen, Linda Pochobradsky and Linus
and Rose Tupy. Pallbearers were: Neil Shatek,
Paul Shatek, Darrell Wagner, Rick Wagner,
Jim Wagner, Randy Wagner, Butch Pochobradsky
and Carol Hayek. Interment was in St.
Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in Spillville.
Balik Funeral Home in Spilliville
handled the arrangements.
Louise, 93, died Wednesday, Dec. 30,
2009 at the Winneshiek Medical Center in
Decorah.
Louise Magdalene Kapler was born Oct.
29, 1916, the daughter of George C. and Rose
(Klimesh) Huber, on the Michael Huber farm
west of Spillville. She attended St.
Wenceslaus Grade School and graduated from
Decorah High School in 1935. She received
her training in elementary education at
Luther College and Upper Iowa University
attending school nights and summers,
graduating in 1968. She did post graduate
work at the University of Northern Iowa,
Winona State College and the University of
Iowa. She started her teaching career in
rural schools, and later taught in the Fort
Atkinson Public School. She taught in the
Turkey Valley School District from 1960
until 1981 when she retired after a 43-year
teaching career.
Through her retirement, although no
longer in the classroom, her passion to
teach continued as she created lesson plans
for her grandchildren and instilled in them
her great love and respect for nature.
Some of her adventures included
hitchhiking to Yellowstone National Park,
attending the 1939 World's Fair in Chicago
and driving her Harley Davidson motorcycle
to Fort Knox, Ky. in 1943 to visit Norbert
where he was stationed while in the Army.
She also found joy in fishing, bowling,
playing softball, and baking the greatest
zelniky.
On June 1, 1942 she was married by the
Rev. John Chihak to Norbert Kapler in St.
Wenceslaus Catholic Church. They farmed the
Huber family farm west of Spillville.
Louise was a member of St. Wenceslaus
Catholic Church in Spillville and the Iowa
State Teachers Association.
Louise is survived by her husband:
Norbert of Fort Atkinson; one daughter: Lori
(Roger) Shatek of Fort Atkinson; five
grandchildren: Leah (Joe) Knutson; Neil
Shatek, Katie Shatek, Paul Shatek and Alex
Shatek; one great-grandchild: EllieRose
Louise Knutson; one sister-in-law: Zenetta
Eckerman of Hudson; and two brothers-in-law:
Francis Kapler of Maryland and Clem Kapler
of Cresco.
She was preceded in death by her
parents: George and Rose Huber; three
sisters: Henrietta (Chuck) Pochobradsky,
Evelyn (Clarence) Hayek and Gladys (Edward)
Wagner; one brother: George (Rita) Huber;
brother-in-law: Urban (Margaret)
Fitzpatrick; and one sister-in-law: Sister
Elwyn Kapler.
Keith Fravel, 93
Funeral services for Keith W. Fravel
of Cresco were held at 10:30 a.m. on
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010 at the Conway Funeral
Home in Cresco with Pastor Tim Sir
officiating. Interment was in New Oregon
Cemetery in rural Cresco.
Visitation was held from 4 p.m. to 7
p.m. on Monday and on Tuesday one hour prior
to services.
Keith, 93, died on Friday, Jan. 1, 2010
at the Cresco Care Center.
Keith Watson Fravel was born Nov. 22,
1916 in Howard County, Iowa, the son of
Julius E. and Caroline (Watson) Fravel. He
received his education from the rural school
near his home and then boarded in Cresco to
attend Cresco High School. Following his
education, he returned to the farm to help
his father. He traveled showing cattle with
his father, but preferred doing the work of
farming.
On July 14, 1939, he married Lucile
Bilek in Des Moines. Following their
marriage, they lived on the farm across the
road from the Fravel Farm. He raised crops,
pigs, and had dairy cows. For a short time,
he raised pure bred shorthorn cattle and was
listed in the pure bred book because of the
excellent cattle he had. In 1954 they moved
onto the family farm where Keith lived the
remainder of his life.
Keith was very talented, and liked to
tinker. He would take something that was
factory made and make it better. He enjoyed
anything mechanical. He was also very good
at woodworking and made little wagons,
rocking horses and even cradles for his
grandchildren. He restored some old player
pianos and put them back into service.
Keith is survived by two sons: John
(Ann) of Sedalia, Mo. and Leonard (Dorette)
of Cresco; five grandchildren: Darrin Fravel,
Lori Williams, Jesse (Jolynn) Fravel,
Christy and Brian Fravel; four
great-grandchildren: Tiffany Bottcher,
Brooke and Jake Williams and Alyssa Fravel.
He was preceded in death by his wife,
Lucile in 2004; his parents; and one brother
Glenn Fravel.
Winifred Gunderson, 86
Graveside services for Winifred "Pud"
M. Gunderson of Reno, Nev. were held at
11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 at
Mountain View Cemetery in Reno, Nev.
Winifred, 86, died on Friday, Dec. 11,
2009.
Winifred M. Gunderson was born Nov. 22,
1923 in Sheldon the daughter of Charles and
Leona Farran. After her mother died, she was
adopted as a young child by her biological
aunt, Winifred C. Morris and Walter Morris.
She graduated from Cresco High School in
1942.
She married Gerald Gunderson and lived
for many years in Waterloo where she retired
from John Deere Engineering Center in 1972.
After retirement she and her husand moved to
Reno. At that time they worked together in
managing the Donner Inn Motel in Reno and
eventually owned and operated the Lariat
Lodge in Sparks, Nev.
Pud is suvived by many nieces and
nephews: Francis (Patti) Lybbert of Cresco,
Sharon (Jim) Gunhus of Papillion, Neb.,
Patty Ratzke of Reno, Nev., Ron Benson of
Shorwood, Ill., Sue (Jerry) George of Lime
Springs, Diane (John) Carney of Eatonville,
Wash., David Gunderson of Eatonville, Wash.,
Dean (Shelly) Fischer of Downieville,
Calif., Loren (Debbie) Magnus of Mocksville,
N.C., Janice (Dan) Ollendick of Cresco and
Ron Magnus of Kendallville; many great
nieces and nephews; two sisters-in-law:
Marge Gunderson of Cresco and Ione Gunderson
of Eatonville, Wash.; and a brother-in-law:
Elmer Benson of Cedar Falls.
She was preceded in death by her
husband, Gerald Gunderson; her parents:
Charles and Leona Farran and Winifred and
Walter Morris; her sisters: Bernice Magnus
and Arcola Zohlsdorf; and a brother: Roy
Farran.
Gayle Dybevik, 65
Funeral services for Gayle Dybevik
were held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec.
30, 2009 at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway in
West Des Moines.
Visitation was held from 5 p.m. to 8
p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29 at the funeral
home.
Gayle, 65, died on Thursday, Dec. 24,
2009 at Iowa Lutheran Hospital.
Gayle was born, July 17, 1944 in Elma
the son of Anna and John Dybevik.
Gayle will forever be remembered for his
generosity, his huge and kind heart and his
energy. He loved his family, especially his
grandchildren, and spending time at his and
Diane's lake house at Lake Ponderosa. He was
a huge Hawkeye and Dodgers fan and enjoyed
playing pool and cards.
Gayle is survived by his wife, Diane;
daughters: Heidi Dybevik and Shannon (Russ)
Grabbe; sons: Isaiah (Sheryl) Dybevik and
Kris (Angie) Enos; grandchildren: Sofie,
Anders, Shyann, Aiden and Teagan; sisters:
Joann Partelow, Carol Schwake and Karen
Streich; brothers: Donald (Jackie) and Daryl
(Janice) Dybevik.
He was preceded in death by his parents;
and brother: Ollie Dybevik.
John Schatz, 77
Funeral services for John "Jack" D.
Schatz were held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday,
Dec. 30, 2009 at Burnham-Wood Funeral Home
in West Union with Rev. Scott Kober
officiating. Organist was Linda Johansen and
soloist was Drew Wedemeier. Pallbearers
were: Walter Schwartz, Keith Knox, Ron Juve,
Mike Schulte, Larry Whittle and Charlie
Byrnes. Interment was in West Union Cemetery
in West Union.
Jack, 77, died on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009
at Waterloo.
John Dennis Schatz was born Dec. 3,
1932, the son of George and Marian (Dennis)
Schatz at Fayette. He graduated from West
Union High School in 1950 and attended Upper
Iowa College. He played football during both
high school and college and was named "Prep
of the Week" three times during his football
career. Jack served his country with the
United States Army from May of 1954 to March
of 1956 during the Korean Conflict.
On March 16 he married Mardelle
Halverson at Arlington, Va. Three children
were born to this union. Jack and Mardelle
were later divorced.
After Jack was discharged from the
service he became an auctioneer and also
worked with his father in the Greasy Spoon
Restaurant in West Union. Later he lived in
the Waukon and Dorchester area where he
loved to train and race thoroughbred horses.
He also enjoyed being with people,
auctioneering and entertaining friends.
Jack is survived by two daughters: Erin
Schatz of Albuquerque, N.M. and Kara and
husband, Kerry Wedemeier of West Union;
three grandchildren: Suzanne Rowe of West
Union, Cole Schatz Sanchez of Albuquerque,
N.M. and Drew Wedemeier of West Union; two
great-grandchildren and special friends,
Brenda Shafer and Betty White.
He was preceded in death by his son,
Blair in 1993; and his parents.
Posted on 6 January 2010 by Marie Thompson
Leonard Lukes, 93
Monday, January 11, 2010
A Mass of Christian Burial for Leonard
V. Lukes of Protivin was held at 10:30 a.m.
on Monday, Jan. 11, 2010 at Holy Trinity
Catholic Church in Protivin with Rev. David
M. Beckman officiating. Leonard's wife and
children placed the pall on the casket.
Marlene Pecinovsky was organist and Miriam
Humpal was vocalist. His four children
presented the offertory gifts and lectors
were Lynn Franzen, Andrea Riley and Leah
Cress. Pallbearers were: Keith Lukes, Greg
Lukes, Randy Lukes, Dana Svenson, Matt Cress
and Jamie Schwade. Honorary pallbearers
were: Julie Schwade, Lori Lukes, Lynn
Franzen, Carla Lukes, Dawn Kirchert, Andrea
Riley, Amanda Balik, Alyson Kramer, Leah
Cress and Angie Cress. Interment was in Holy
Trinity Catholic Church Cemetery in Protivin.
Friends were to call from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Sunday at Hugeback's
Protivin Funeral Home in Protivin where
there was a 4 p.m. Knights of Columbus
rosary and a 6 p.m. Scripture Service.
Visitation continued from 8-10 a.m. Monday
at the funeral home.
Hugeback's Protivin Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Leonard, 93, died Thursday afternoon, Jan. 7, 2010 at
Gundersen Hospital in LaCrosse, Wis.
Leonard was born June 15, 1916, on the Lukes family farm near
Protivin in Chickasaw County, IA, the son of
Rudolph and Albina (Riha) Lukes. He received
his education in Protivin.
On October 6, 1937, he married Bernadine Kalishek at Holy
Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin. The
couple farmed southeast of Protivin for 32
years until 1969 when they moved into the
town of
He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Knights
of Columbus and Catholic Workman.
Leonard enjoyed the outdoors, especially trout fishing and
working with his horses. He never really
retired from farming as he continued helping
his son until his later years.
Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Bernadine; two sons:
Russell (Agnes) Lukes of Protivin and Ron
Lukes (Judy Bartlett) of Decorah; two
daughters: Janice (Gary) Johnson of
Spillville and Shirley (John) Svenson of
Webster City; a son-in-law: Dave Cress of
Minneapolis; 17 grandchildren; 16
great-grandchildren; one sister: Grace (Max)
Slifka of Cresco; two sisters-in-law:
Florence Lukes of Robbins and Ursula Wagner
of Protivin.
He was preceded in death by one daughter: Diane Cress; his
parents; one brother: Marvin Lukes; and two
sisters: Alice Fencl and Doris Svec.
Benjamin
Davis, 83
Monday, January 11, 2010
Funeral services
for Benjamin "Ben" F. Davis of Spencer were
held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday,
Jan. 7, 2010 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church
in Spencer with Father William Schreiber
officiating. The processional taps and
Reveille were played by Jack Ryan.
Pallbearers were: Mike Kashchmitter, Frank
Rose, Pat Kenney, Denny Phillips, John
Albert and Gale Gruhn. A military flag
presentation was held by Spencer American
Legion Glen Pedersen Post #1. Interment was
in
A vigil service was held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at
Warner Chapel in Spencer.
Warner Funeral Home in Spencer handled the arrangements.
Ben, 83, died on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010 at the
Benjamin Francis Davis was born July 30, 1926 in
the son of Elmer and Sophia (Ponach) Davis.
His childhood years were spent in Cresco,
where he received his education, graduating
from
On October 25, 1951, Ben married Maxine Joyce Dunt in Cresco.
Following their marriage, he began his
career in Law Enforcement, working for the
DNR as a biologist's aide and later a
conservation officer in 1952, assigned to
Mitchell and
He was a member of Sacred Hearth Catholic Church in Spencer.
Ben was active in the American Legion since
1947, where he held numerous positions and
was very active in the Boy Scouts, where he
held several administrative positions. He
had a lifelong interest in hunting, fishing,
aquatic sports and water safety. Ben served
many years as a Red Cross Water Safety and
First Aid instructor, where he developed and
coordinated water safety training programs
for enforcement officers of his department.
He also served on the board of the Iowa
Great Lakes Chapter of the American Red
Cross, where he was active for many years.
One of his many family activities was traveling, in the early
years tent camping or canoeing.
He is survived by his wife, Maxine of Spencer; one daughter:
Deborah Davis of Ankeny; two sons: Richard
Davis and his wife, Julie of Oakridge, Ore.
and Danford Davis and his wife, Shannon of
Minneapolis, Minn.; his granddogs; a sister:
Edith and her husband, Danford Roberts of
Harrison, Alaska; and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a half brother:
Edward Svoboda.
Colleen
Wenthold, 64
Monday, January 11, 2010
Funeral services for Colleen M. Wenthold of rural Garner were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner with Rev. Henry Huber officiating. Interment was in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Garner.Cataldo Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Colleen, 64, died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009 at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.
Colleen M. Wenthold was born July 5, 1945 at Decorah, the daughter of Earl and Vada (Roney) McLain. She attended country school and graduated from
On June 6, 1969, she married John Wenthold at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Decorah. They made their home in Lime Springs, Garner and in 1973 moved to their home in Hayfield. Colleen had worked at Templeton Pronk Law Firm before returning to school at
Colleen is survived by her husband John of rural Garner; son: Chuck (Ann) Wenthold of Jefferson; four siblings: Milton (Ruth) Stevens of Saratoga, Lois (Bernie) Phillips of Spillville, Lowell (Sandy) McLain of Spring, Texas and Daryl (Marie) McLain of Cannon Falls, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and two nephews.
Published on 11 January 2010
