Ruth M. Sillman, 1917-2002

October 15, 2002

Ruth M. Sillman, 85, of Britt, died on Saturday, October 5, 2002, at the Westview Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, October 8, at the United Methodist Church in Britt, with the Rev. Robert Dodge officiating. Music was provided by organist, Tammy Johnson who accompanied soloist, Russ Schubert and a congregational hymn. Ushers were Dennis Zuehl and Robert Bravick.

Casket bearers were Brian Perkins, Dave Djuren, Mike Gerdes, Greg Gerdes, Anthony Sillman and Nathan Eden. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Britt was in charge of the arrangements.

Ruth Mae Sillman, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Gayken) Holck, was born on May 16, 1917 in Britt. She received her education in the Britt area and graduated from the Britt High School in 1935. On August 25, 1936 she was united in marriage to Edward Sillman at Bardwell, Kentucky. The couple established their home on a farm northwest of Britt. They were blessed with five daughters and three sons, Dale, Darlene, David, Karen, Keith, Marlys, Donna and Pamela.

In 1975, Mrs. Sillman moved into Britt. She enjoyed gardening, embroidering and cross-word puzzles. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Britt and the Rebekah's. She was also an active member of the neighborhood Get-Together Club.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

James Stevenson, 1922-2002

October 15, 2002

James Stevenson, 80, of Britt, died on Monday, October 7, 2002, at the Westview Care Center in Britt.

Funeral services were held on Friday, October 11, at the United Methodist Church, Britt. The Rev. Donald Campbell officiated. Music was provided by organist, Tammy Johnson who accompanied soloist, Darcy Eisenman. Ushers were Harry Smith and Fred Swisher.

Casket bearers were Jeff Stevenson, Mark Stevenson, Kent Stevenson, Bob Korneisel, Jim Diemer and Bob Grandgenett. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Britt. Graveside military rites were provided by the Britt Ceremonial Unit. The Ewing Funeral Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.

Jim Stevenson, the son of Harold and Esther Olson Stevenson, was born on April 20, 1922 in Britt. He received his education in the Britt School System and graduated from the Britt High School. Following high school Jim served his country in the Army Air Force during WW II. He was discharged in 1946 and returned to Britt.

Jim was united in marriage with Marian Munson in November 17, 1946. The couple made their home in Britt, where Jim was employed with the Iowa DOT, retiring 15 years ago.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Sandra K. Troe, 1942-2002

October 15, 2002

Sandra K. Troe, of Britt, died on Friday, October 11, 2002, at the Heritage Care Center, Iowa Falls. She was 60.

Memorial services were held on Sunday, October 13, at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls, with the Rev. Robert Miller officiating. Services were also held on Monday, October 14, at the Cataldo Funeral Home in Britt, with the Rev. Larry Vallery officiating. Honorary bearers were her grandchildren. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Britt.

Sandra Kay Troe, the daughter of Mahlon Burgess and Mildred P. (Dickens) Yaggy, was born on July 10, 1942 in New Hampton. She was baptized in the United Methodist Church in New Hampton. Sandy started kindergarten in Farmersburg and finished her schooling at Britt.

In 1959, she was married to David Rasmuson and they had three daughters. Sandy worked at Rite Drug in Iowa Falls for ten years. She enjoyed horseback riding, reading, gardening, cooking and spending time with her family.

Sandy had a 15 year struggle with cancer. She resided at the Heritage Care Center for the past ten years in Iowa Falls. Thanks to the Lions Club, Sandy, with the assistance of her seeing-eye dog, Jeremiah, was able to maintain her independence.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Leorene A. Stille, 1904-2002

October 29, 2002

Leorene A. Stille, of Garner, died on Wednesday, October 16, 2002, at the Concord Care Center, Garner. She was 98.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 21, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with the Rev. Kay Hooper officiating. Music was provided by organist, Mary Kopacek who accompanied congregational hymns. Ushers were Marvin and Maynard Schoneman.

Honorary bearers were the Garner Rotarians and their spouses. Casket bearers were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Interment was in the Concord Township Cemetery, Garner. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Leorene Anona Stille, the daughter of William F. and Cora (Youngs) Lipka, was born on September 28, 1904 at Webster, South Dakota. During her youth her family moved to several towns in South Dakota and Minnesota. She graduated from the Central High School in Minneapolis and continued her education at McPhale College of Music in Minneapolis.

On August 5, 1925, she was married to Chester Ray Stille at the United Methodist Church Parsonage in Forest City. Chet and Rene spent their entire 77 plus years living in Garner.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Mikako "Mika" Elizabeth Lee, 1972-2002

October 29, 2002

Mikako "Mika" Elizabeth Lee, of Thornton, died on Wednesday, October 16, 2002, at the Belmond Hospital. She was 30 years old.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, October 23, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake, with Reverend Daird Korth of the Redeemer Lutheran Church of Ventura officiating. Following the services cremation took place with private graveside committal services to be at a later date in the Clear Lake Cemetery. 

Mikako "Mika" Elizabeth Lee, was born on January 17, 1972, in the Naval Hospital at Camp La Jeune, North Carolina, the daughter of John and Michiko (Miyagi) Williams.  She attended and graduated from the Sweet Water High School in National City, California. She also attended the North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Virgil Stille, 1920-2002

October 29, 2002

Virgil "Buck" C. Stille, 81, of Garner, died on Thursday, October 17, 2002, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital Hospice Unit in Britt.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 21, at the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church. The Rev. David Daley officiated. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. Music was provided by organist, Marilyn DeKruyff who accompanied soloist, Angie Pringnitz and congregational hymns. Ushers were Paul Delger and John Eekhoff. The Ewing-Dugger Funeral Home of Kanawha was in charge of the arrangements.

Virgil Stille, son of J. J. and Clara (Gast) Stille, was born on November 20, 1920, on the family farm in Liberty Township west of Klemme, where he lived his entire life. He attended school in Liberty Township and graduated from the Klemme High School in 1939.

On November 28, 1942, he was united in marriage to Grace Ruter. They retired from farming in 1985, and spent the last 25 years wintering in Weslaco, Texas. They also made several trips to Mississippi and Kentucky with the County Cousins.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Dorothy Schoenwetter, 1935-2002

October 29, 2002

Dorothy J. Schoenwetter, 67, of Rushville, Wisconsin, died on Sunday, October 20, 2002, at the Culbertson Long Term Care Facility in Rushville.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 26, at the Free Methodist Church in Rushville, with the Rev. Rosalee Ross and the Rev. Robert Kirkham officiating. Graveside services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, October 28, 2002, at the Elba Methodist Cemetery in Columbus, Wisconsin, with the Rev. Laval Suiter officiating.

Born on October 6, 1935 in Dodge County, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Frieda (Braker) Dieckhoff. She married Lyle H. Schoenwetter on November 25, 1955 in Columbus, Wisconsin.

She was a speech therapist for the Schuyler Unit 1 School District for 24 years retiring in 1992. She was a member of the Free Methodist Church in Rushville.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Nicholas Connor

November 5, 2002

Funeral services for Nicholas Connor, infant son of Bradley and Karen (Buzicky) Connor of Britt, were held on Monday, October 28, 2002, at the Ewing Funeral Chapel in Britt. The Rev. Michael Schueller officiated. Burial was in the St. John's Cemetery, Duncan.

Nicholas Connor was born on Sunday, October 20, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City. He died on Monday, October 21, 2002, at Mercy Hospital Natal Infancy Care in Des Moines.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Audrey A. Meyers, 1936-2002

October 29, 2002

Audrey A. Meyers, of Corwith, died on Wednesday, October 23, 2002, at the Good Samaritan Center, Algona. She was 65.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 26, at the United Methodist Church, Corwith. The Rev. Dan Fernandez officiated. Music was provided by Sharon Gourley who accompanied soloist, Jonathan Chambers and several congregational hymns. Special readings were given by Laura Meyers, Sue Mullins and Gerry Gaskill.

Burial was in the Corwith Cemetery. Casket bearers were Jim Mullins, Thurman Gaskill, Richard Oberhelman, Norman Chambers, Dale Sorensen and Phil Hunget. The Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Scaaf Funeral Home of Corwith was in charge of the arrangements.

Audrey Ann Leerar Meyers, the daughter of Jake and Vestus (Whitehurst) Leerar, was born on November 23, 1936 at Stilson, Iowa. She attended rural public schools in the Stilson area until the 5th grade and then attended the Corwith Public School in Corwith. She was valedictorian of the Corwith class of 1954. Audrey was employed for a short while at Lyons Cleaners in Mason City.

On August 26, 1955, Audrey was united in marriage to William J. Meyers at the Stilson Evangelical United Brethren Church, where she was a member. The couple lived in Youngstown, New York, from August of 1955 to January of 1957, while Bill was in the Army.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Carel J. Oxley, 1927-2002

October 29, 2002

Carel J. Oxley, of Mason City, formerly of Kanawha, died at the Mercy North Iowa Medical Center, Mason City, on Monday, October 28, of complications following vascular surgery. He was 75.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, October 31, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Corwith, with Pastor Ron Feuerhak officiating.

Burial will be in the Amsterdam Cemetery, Kanawha. Friends may call from 4-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, Corwith. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Carel Oxley, was born on February 12, 1927, and lived for most of his youth on the rural Kanawha farm owned by his parents, Clarence and Alma (Schultz) Oxley. As a young man he entered farming with his father. He served in the United States Army from October 20, 1950 through July 21, 1952, and was awarded the Korean Service Medal.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Mildred V. Foster, 1914-2002

November 5, 2002

Garner native Mildred V. Foster, of Ankeny, died on Monday, October 28, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center, Des Moines. She was 88.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, October 31, at the Ankeny First United Methodist Church, Ankeny. Graveside services were held on Friday, November 1, at the Concord Township Cemetery, Garner.

Mildred "Millie" V. Foster, daughter of Charles and Martha (Tipp) Ollenburg, was born on May 12, 1914 in Garner. She was educated in the Garner schools.

On October 13, 1933, she was united in marriage to Marvin H. Foster. They lived in Armstrong, Dolliver and Swea City before settling in Garner in 1944. Marvin Foster died on February 6, 1983.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Roy A. Rensink, 1917-2002

November 5, 2002

Roy A. Rensink, 84, of Clear Lake, formerly of Garner, died on Tuesday, October 29, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, November 1, 2002, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with the Rev. Kay Hooper officiating. Music was provided by organist, Mary Kopacek who accompanied vocalists, Bernie and Tyler Urich and a congregational hymn. Ushers were Marvin and Maynard Schoneman.

Casket bearers were Greg Loveless, Mike Krutsinger, Doug Krutsinger, Jeff Krutsinger, Jim Krutsinger, Joel Krutsinger, Ralph Larsen, Dave Krutsinger and John Krutsinger. Interment was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Duncan. Military rites were conducted by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. The Cataldo Funeral Home of Garner was in charge of the arrangements.

Roy Arnold Rensink, the son of William and Jennie (Rensink) Rensink, was born on December 23, 1917 at Sheldon, Iowa. He attended elementary school in Fertile and graduated from the Forest City High School in 1938. He was in the U.S. Army from 1941 until 1946 serving his country in Africa and Europe.

On May 29, 1950, he married Wilhemina Formanek at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan. They were the parents of three daughters, Julie, Susan and Mary. On June 28, 1965 his wife, Mina, died.

He married Evelyn Krutsinger at the Methodist Camp at Spirit Lake on July 20, 1969. They made their home in Garner until April of this year when they moved to Clear Lake.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Robert L. Peebles, 1931-2002

November 5, 2002

Robert "Bob" Peebles, of Klemme, died on Wednesday, October 30, 2002, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 70.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 2, at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Garner. The Rev. Robert Bronson officiated. Music was provided by organist, LeAnne Buns who accompanied soloist, Lance Arnold and congregational hymns.

Casket bearers were Brian Hamrick, Gary Blakesley, Bob Gray, Ardy Flaten, Kenny Weiland, Trent Junker, Bob Larson and Verle Everett. Honorary bearers were Mr. Peebles' grandchildren. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme, with full military honors conducted by the Garner and Klemme Military Honor Guards. The Tenold-Andrews Funeral Home of Klemme was in charge of the arrangements.

Robert Lee Peebles, was born on December 20, 1931, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He was the son of Robert Hoyle Pebbles and his wife, Maude. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy.

Robert married Bernice Harringa-Hamrick on December 21, 1957, at the U.S. Naval Chapel in San Diego, California. The couple lived in various locations while he continued his military service.

The family moved from Japan to Garner in 1967, and then to Klemme in 1969.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Earl R. Chambers, 1906-2002

November 5, 2002

Life long Corwith area resident, Earl R. Chambers, died on Wednesday, October 30, 2002, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt. He was 96.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 2, at the United Methodist Church in Corwith, with the Rev. Dan Fernandez officiating. Music was provided by organist, Sharon Gourley who accompanied soloist, Jonathan Chambers and a hymn sung by Mr. Chambers' great-grandchildren.

Casket bearers were Jim Mullins, Peter Holt, Howard Mullins, Dan Wagner, Bill Mullins, Don Mullins, Tom Mullins and Dave Wagner. The "Coffee College" of Corwith were honorary bearers. Interment was in the Corwith Cemetery. Masonic Services, conducted by Prudence Lodge 205 A.F. & A.M. of Algona, were held on Friday, November 1. The Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, Corwith was in charge of the arrangements.

Earl Robert Chambers, was born on October 10, 1906, at the home place near Corwith. He was the son of Harrison Oscar and Alice (Rector) Chambers. He graduated from the Corwith High School in 1924. He also graduated from Iowa State College, Ames, in animal husbandry.

On June 18, 1930, Earl was married to Lillian F. Wagner at Knoxville. The couple lived with Earl's parents for a time and then moved to a farm on the next corner east.

In 1933, they moved to the present farm where Earl resided the rest of his life. This farm became a Century Farm in 1983.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002