Reba L. Turner, 1906-2005

September 14, 2005

Reba L. Turner, 99, of Garner, died on Saturday, September 3, 2005, at the Concord Care Center, Garner.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the United Methodist Church, Garner, with the Rev. David Wagner officiating. Music was provided by organist, Beverly Cataldo, who accompanied soloist, Bernie Urich, and congregational hymns. Ushers were Maynard and Marvin Schoneman.

Casket bearers were Sandy Roquette, Johnny Turner, Douglas Rudesill, Lucy McLennan, Kae Tritle, Julie Proveaux and Luke Turner. Burial will be at a later date in the Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner was in charge of the arrangements.

Reba Louise Turner, the daughter of Andrew Jackson and Lucy Ann (Cherry) Nelson was born on August 16, 1906, on a farm near Drake, North Dakota. When she was six months old, she moved with her family to Dubuque and later to Walker where she graduated from the Walker High School in 1924. Reba received her normal teaching certificate at Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls and taught in the rural schools near Walker for two years. She continued her education at ISU at Ames for two years.

On May 17, 1929, she was married to J. Eric Turner at Cedar Rapids. They farmed near Adair and later at Lineville. In 1938, they moved to Cedar Rapids and in 1964 to Ely where they operated a hatchery and convenience store. In 1968, they moved to the Cottage Reserve Area near Solon. In 1978, they moved to Galt and in 1981 to Garner.

Reba and Eric enjoyed spending their winters in Mission, Texas, which Reba continued to do for 11 years after the death of her husband. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Garner, UMW and the Charity Rebekah Lodge in Britt.

Survivors include her children, Harold (Loraine) Turner of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, John (Irma) Turner of Rogers, Arkansas, Ann (Kent) Rudesill of Baldwin, Wisconsin, Nelson (Joan) Turner of Wesley, Jean (John) Tessman of Garner, Bill (Lois) Turner of Charleston, South Carolina and Jim (Pat) Turner of Marion; 39 grandchildren; 66 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eric on October 21, 1980; a daughter, Ruth Turner in 1940; two brothers, Vernon and Howard Nelson; and four grandchildren, Terri Tessman Duncan, Rollie Roquette, Joshua Turner and Justin Turner.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005

Dorothy I. Jones, 1923-2005

September 21, 2005

Former Britt resident, Dorothy I. Jones, of Springfield. Missouri, died on Monday, September 5, 2005, at her home. She was 82.

Dorothy Irene Jones, was born on May 8, 1923 at Britt. She was the daughter of Edward B. and Flossie Nedved.

In accordance with her wishes, no services were held. Cremation was handled by the Thieme-Shadel-Hicks Funeral Home.

Survivors include her son, Stephen M. Jones and his wife, Jan of Omaha, Nebraska; a daughter, Pamela S. Rayburn and husband, Don of Springfield, Missouri; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005

Francis Vavrik, 1947-2005

September 14, 2005

Francis (Sonny) Vavrik, 58, of Fort Dodge, died on Saturday, September 10, 2005, at the Trinity Regional Medical Center, Fort Dodge.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, September 13, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, with Fr. Michael Schueller officiating. Clarence Johanns was the Lector. Music was provided by organist, Mary Kopacek who accompanied soloist, Louise Zrostlik and the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Choir.

Honorary bearers were Kevin Stumpf, Sr., Lucille Stumpf, Sheila Stumpf and Julie Stumpf. Casket bearers were Don Hrubes, Al Trca, Bernie Nedved, Tom Hrubes, Kevin Stumpf, Kurt Stumpf, Bill Malek and Marvin Vavrik. Burial was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Duncan. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner was in charge of the arrangements.

Francis Gary Vavrik, the son of Frank and Elsie (Hrubes) Vavrik, was born on May 26, 1947 at Garner. He attended school at the Hayfield Consolidated School until the eighth grade and graduated from the Garner-Hayfield High School in 1965. Following his schooling he farmed with his father near Hayfield. In 1984, he moved to Fort Dodge and was employed at the Kevin Stumpf family farm.

Sonny was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and the Catholic Workman Lodge. He was an avid Minnesota Viking and Iowa Hawkeye fan.

He is survived by his mother, Elsie Vavrik of Garner; two sisters, Marge Gutzmer and her husband, Edward of Mason City and Dort Lehmann and her special friend, Tom Bock of Belmond; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Sonny was preceded in death by his father, Frank on March 31, 1982.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005

lone McPhillips, 1913-2005

September 14, 2005

Ione McPhillips, of Britt, died on Saturday, September 10, 2005, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City. She was 92.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 12, 2005, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt. Fr. Michael Schueller officiated. Music was provided by organist, Mary Kopacek who accompanied soloist, Louise Zrostlik. Ushers were Allan Doughan and Roger Jacobsen.

Casket bearers were Douglas Petersen, Ron Eyrich, John McConnell, Paul Sweet, Terry Nelson, Thomas Nelson and Daniel Nelson. Burial was in the St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Britt. The Cataldo Funeral Home of Britt was in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be directed to the Hospice of North Iowa.

Ione McPhillips, the daughter of Charles A. and Sadie Ellen (Woody) Mills was born on February 9, 1913 near Effingham, Illinois. At an early age she moved with her family to the Corwith area. She graduated from the Corwith High School.

On September 25, 1937, she was married to Thomas McPhillips at Webster City. They lived on a farm south of Britt until 1947, when they moved into Britt. Ione worked as a florist in Britt for many years with her sister, Vesta Pearce. She enjoyed gardening, bird watching and reading.

She was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Rosary Society and Catholic Daughters of the Americas-Court of St. Catherine of Siena No. 284.

She is survived by her five daughters, Beth (John) McConnell of Grand Island, Nebraska, Mary Lynne (Douglas) Petersen of Swaledale, Joanne (Terry) Nelson of Madison, North Carolina, Jane McPhillips (Paul Sweet) of Urbandale and Raye (Ron) Eyrich of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and six grandchildren, Laurie Vulich, Kevin McConnell, Amy Marmion, Thomas Nelson, Susan Dauk and Daniel Nelson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom on December 27, 1980; her parents; her sister, Vesta Pearce; and brother-in-law, Lyle Pearce.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005

Bud Schleusner, 1921-2005

September 14, 2005

Bud Schleusner, 83, of Garner, died on Sunday, September 11, 2005, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, September 14, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, with Fr. Michael Schueller officiating. Mary Lou Weiskamp will be the lector. Music will be provided by organist, Carolyn Kumsher who will accompany the church choir. Ushers will be Ron Kumsher and Duane Doughan.

Honorary bearers will be Bud's granddaughters. Casket bearers will be his grandsons. Burial will be in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery, Garner. Visitation will be held from 5-8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church with a Knights of Columbus rosary at 4:15 p.m., followed by a Scriptural Wake Service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Hospice of North Iowa or to St. Boniface Catholic Church.

Louis "Bud" Eugene Schleusner, the son of Louis C. and Lucy (Studer) Schleusner, was born on September 24, 1921, on the family farm north of Garner. He graduated from the Garner High School in 1940 and farmed with his father.

On February 9, 1948, he married Marge Ptacek at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan. They lived on the home place north of Garner until 1972 when they moved to their current home west of Garner. Besides farming, Bud also was a crop adjustor for Federal Crop and owned and operated a feed supply business on the farm for 15 years. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, fishing, dancing and playing cards.

He was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, had served on the church board and was a trustee on the rural fire board.

Bud is survived by his wife, Marge of Garner; daughter, Mary K. (Duane) Hess of Dows and their four children, Kendra (Rich) Knowles and their twins, Camren and Kayla, Karla (Brian) Schuknecht and their two children, McKenna and Kaden, Brian Hess and David Hess; son, Randy (Cindy) Schleusner of Garner and their three children, Travis Schleusner, Rachel (Jesse) Stensrud and Todd Schleusner; son, Gary (Connie) Schleusner of Garner and their four children, Bridget (Greg) Prehm and their two sons, Tyler and Carson, Christopher Schleusner, Casey Schleusner and Brittany Schleusner; daughter, Linda (Dale) Upmeyer of Garner and their four children, Kristi (Derrick) Meyer, Nicholas Upmeyer, Bradley Upmeyer and Lori (Nick) Schmitt; daughter, Connie (Dwight) Dornbier of Wesley and their four children, Angie (Andy) Kudej and their daughter, Emma, Matthew Dornbier, Alison (Steve) Rosenmeyer and Cody Dornbier; and son, Donny (Kay) Schleusner of Garner and their three daughters, Brooke, Keri and Ami Schleusner; and special friends of Bud's grandchildren.

Also surviving are a brother, Dennis (Myrtle) Schleusner of Austin, Minnesota; two sisters-in-law, Jane Schleusner of North Branch, Minnesota and Margaret Schleusner of Watertown, South Dakota; and many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Ray, Vince, Don, Paul, Bernie and Alfred; and three sisters, Ruth, Blanche and Rosemary.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005

Imogene F. Zrostlik, 1924-2005

September 21, 2005

Imogene Frances Zrostlik, of Britt, died on Sunday, September 11, 2005, at the Westview Care Center in Britt. She was 81.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, September 14, 2005, at 10:30 a.m., at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt, with the Rev. Jerry Blake officiating. Burial was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Duncan. The Ewing Dugger Funeral Chapel in Britt was in charge of the arrangements.

Imogene Zrostlik, the daughter of John and Emma Hauptly Steenlage, was born on July 25, 1924 in Britt. She grew up in the Britt area where she attended country school and helped on the family farm.

On February 15, 1944, Imogene was united in marriage with Peter Zrostlik in Duncan. Only days after their marriage, Pete was called into active duty with the United States Army. Following Pete's discharge from the Army, the couple farmed for a time.

Imogene babysat for many years for various families in the Britt area. She was also employed at the Britt Country Club. Imogene enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, she also enjoyed flowers and playing cards and bingo. She was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt and the Britt VFW Auxiliary.

Survivors include four children, Judy Aitchison and special friend, Dale Armstrong of Britt, David and Lorna Zrostlik of Forest City, Deb and Bob Carmody of Britt and Ron Zrostlik of Lake Mills; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Viola Holck and Phyllis Peck; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Peter in December of 2004; one son, Gary "Smokey"; one grandchild; one great-grandchild; and one brother, John Steenlage.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005

Virgil F. Waddingham, 1917-2005

October 5, 2005

Virgil F. Waddingham, of rural Meservey, died on Tuesday, September 20, 2005, at the Belmond Medical Center. He was 88.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 23, at the Immanuel Reformed Church of Christ, Klemme. Pastor Donna Buckman officiated. Music was provided by pianist, Madeline Priebe who accompanied congregational hymns.

Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. The services were under the direction of the Dugger-Ewing Funeral Home, Belmond. Casket bearers were Jamie Waddingham, Brian Waddingham, Tory Waddingham, Lorene Cosimo, Rodney Benson and Tully Waddingham.

Virgil Frank Waddingham, was born on July 30, 1917, on the family farm. He was the son of William and Louise (Jahnke) Waddingham. He attended school at Prairie Queen in rural Hancock County.

On January 29, 1940, Virgil Waddingham and Irene Dirks exchanged marriage vows at the Reformed Church in Klemme. The couple farmed the land that has been in the Waddingham family for over 100 years. After retirement, he enjoyed reading, traveling, gardening and visiting with friends.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Irene; three children, Linda (Ron) Benson of Carlisle, Lyle (Nancy) Waddingham of Klemme and Arlyn (Nola) Waddingham of Meservey; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Roy of Nora Springs; one sister, Lucille of Forest City; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Darrel in 1944; his parents; two brothers, Robert and John; and two sisters, Belle and Doris.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005

Charlie M. Hiscocks, 1997-2005

October 5, 2005

Charles Mitchell Hiscocks, 8, of Britt, died on Tuesday, September 27, 2005, at his home with his mother by his side.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 30, at the West Hancock High School. Raymond Neswold and Douglas Doughan were officiants. Jim Becker and Keith Mayland were ushers.

Casket bearers were Gary Hiscocks, Mitch Hiscocks, Joe Hiscocks, Jack McGuire, Doug McGuire, Ryan McGuire, Ben Frederick and Zach Frederick. The Ewing-Dugger Funeral Home of Britt was in charge of the arrangements.

Charlie was born on March 15, 1997 in Algona. He was baptized at the First Lutheran Church in Britt and re-affirmed his faith with a personal commitment to Jesus Christ in April of 2002. He was a third grader at the Britt Elementary School where he enjoyed race cars, football and playing with his friends.

Charlie fought cancer for five years and his courage, strength and sense of humor were an inspiration to all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his parents, Dr. Don and Allison Hiscocks of Britt and his brother, Andrew; his great-grandparents, Marcella Lee of Clear Lake and Paul and Leona Bussert of Spencer; his grandparents, Jon and Mary Lee of Clear Lake, Jon Hiscocks of Britt, Kaye Gilles of West Des Moines and Terry McGuire of Algona; his aunts and uncles, Barb and Doug Waltzing of Belmond, Gary and Deb Hiscocks of Algona, Dr. Mitch and Dawn Hiscocks of Carroll, Joe and Annette Hiscocks of Britt, Jack and Amy McGuire of Algona, Doug and Tanya McGuire of Whittemore, Ryan and Melissa McGuire of Blue Earth, Minnesota, Ben Frederick of Urbandale and Zach Frederick of Clear Lake.

There to greet Charlie in heaven was his mother, Molly Hiscocks; his sister, Emma; and his grandmothers, De McGuire and Beverly Hiscocks.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005