Christine Rhine 1921-2007

February 7, 2007

Christine Rhine, 85, of St. Paul, Minnesota, formerly of Garner, died on Thursday, February 1, 2007, at her home.

Funeral services were held on Monday, February 5, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner, with the Rev. Linzy Collins, Jr. officiating. Music was provided by Beverly Cataldo.

Casket bearers were Rob Roths, Larry Hagen, Lon Hagen, Randy Verhoef, Milo Tvedt, Ron Bridges, Russell Leitz and Gary Maben. Burial was in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City. The Cataldo Funeral Home, Garner, was in charge of the arrangements.

Christine Rhine, the daughter of Henry and Claire (Hoaotn) Berends, was born on May 10, 1921, at Allison. She attended school at Allison.

On April 5, 1963, she was married to Harold Rhine at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They lived in Charles City, Crystal Lake and Garner. In January of 2002, Christine moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. She had worked at Winnebago Industries, Iowa Mold Tooling, the Longhorn Cafe, Garner VFW and Mat's Place. She enjoyed gardening, camping and fishing.

She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Garner.

Christine is survived by her son, Bernard (Nora) Gallmeyer of West St. Paul, Minnesota; two step-sons, Marlyn (Ida) Rhine of Mason City and Darrell Rhine of Connelly, New York; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold on January 25, 1986; her parents; and two sisters, Evelyn Vorce and Arlene Berends.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Services Pending For Fred Beier

February 7, 2007

Fred W. Beier, 96, a life long farmer and resident of the Kanawha Community Home, died on Monday, February 5, 2007, at the Wright Medical Center Hospice Room, Clarion.

Funeral arrangements are being completed with the Andrews Funeral Home in Klemme.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Lynna F. Smith, 1916-2007

February 14, 2007

Lynna F. Smith, age 90, of Belmond, most recently a resident of the Belmond Health Care Center, Belmond, died peacefully in her sleep on Friday, February 9, 2007, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, February 12, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Belmond. The, Rev. Christopher Podaski officiated. Burial was in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery near Belmond.

The Andrews Funeral Home of Belmond was in charge of the arrangements. The family suggests that those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in her name may wish to consider the Belmond-Klemme Elementary School Building Fund, St. Francis Catholic Church Building Fund "St. Francis Forever", or to a charity of their choice.

Lynna Frances Dominy, the daughter of Frank and Jessie (Lowenberg) Dominy, was born on April 14, 1916, on her parents' farm west of Goodell, in Hancock County. Lynna was one of three daughters including, Marilyn and Donna, and one son, Phillip to bless this marriage.

Lynna attended the Goodell area schools and graduated from the Goodell High School. During her childhood and school years, she and her family were active members of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Goodell.

On May 29, 1937, Lynna was united in marriage to Leo Smith, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond. This union was blessed with a son, Lee and a daughter, Sandy. Following their marriage the couple farmed in the Goodell and Belmond areas for a number of years. In addition to assisting Leo with the farming operations during their time on the farm, Lynna was employed in various other occupations outside the home. She spent periods of time working as a nurse's aide at the Belmond Hospital and had worked in the veterinary offices of Dr. Misner and Dr. Classic's firms for years.

Lynna was a devoted wife and mother throughout her life. Her family was first and foremost, as she worked very hard to provide them with the necessities of life and nurtured them with love and tenderness. One of her greatest joy's of life was not in her own accomplishments, but in the successes in the lives of her family. She took great pride in their achievements and was always pleased when they furthered their education which was something she believed in so strongly throughout her entire life's journey.

Lynna was a long time member of the St. Francis Xavier Rosary Society and the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. A favorite past time was raising a large garden and sharing it's bounty with her family.

As her family and friends reflect back on the memories of Lynna's life, they will remember her great happiness in times spent in the company of her family and friends. They will cherish the times spent in her presence at the Christmas holidays, a season which she so dearly loved. They will relish the memories of the aromas and tastes that came from "mom" and "Grandma's" kitchen as she prepared many meals and delicious desserts, such as divinity and other specialties for them to enjoy. Lynna's grandchildren always looked forward to home made meals at her home, a favorite of all was her homemade beef and noodles, followed by her sugar cookies.

Those who knew her well will remember her for her strong faith and good sense of humor. They will remember Lynna fondly, as a lady of quick wit and who had many favorite phrases.

Following a decline in health, Lynna became a resident of the Belmond Health Care Center in April 2005. During her time there, she enjoyed the many activities for the residents and visiting with her many friends, family, fellow residents and the care center staff. She always looked forward to visits from her family.

Those left to cherish the legacy of her life include her children, Lee Smith of Grand Junction, Colorado and Sandy and husband, Terry Anderson of Belmond; sister, Marilyn and husband, Bob Kral of Garner; grandchildren, Mike Smith, Matt (Sheryl) Smith, Marc (Mary) Smith, Michelle (Fred) Collichio, Lance (Kathy) Chandler and Lane (Sue Ann) Chandler; 16 great-grandchildren; nieces, Judy (Mike) Webb, and Linda (Jason) Lohman; and nephews, Steve (Ronda) Kral and Tom (Deb) Kral.

Lynna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leo on September 25, 1995; a sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Jim Nashel; brother, Phillip; daughter-in-law, Joyce Smith; and son-in-law, Jerry Chandler.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Robert F. Formanek, 1934-2007

February 14, 2007

Robert F. Formanek, 72, of rural Britt, died on Saturday, February 10, 2007, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, February 14, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan, with Rev. Henry Huber officiating. Burial will be in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Duncan, with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner, with a Catholic Workman Rosary at 5:00 p.m. and a Scriptural Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

Robert Frank Formanek, the son of George and Elsie (Schoun) Formanek, was born on November 20, 1934 at Mason City. He attended the rural schools of Garfield Township and graduated from the Garner High School in 1953. Bob served his country in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958 achieving the rank of sergeant.

On June 23, 1959, he was married to Alvera Nowak at the St. Casmir Catholic Church in Wells, Minnesota. They lived on the home farm south of Duncan where they raised their family and farmed. In 1964, Bob began his auctioneering business, Formanek Auction Service. He also owned and operated Bob's Country Market in Duncan from 1968 to 1972. In 1996, he retired from farming but continued to be active in the auctioneering business with his two sons. In 2003, Bob and Alvera moved into Duncan.

He enjoyed visiting with family and friends, gardening, listening to old time music, polka dances and taking trips to casinos.

Bob was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Catholic Workman FCSLA Branch W51, Knights of Columbus and served as the Garfield Township Clerk.

He is survived by his wife, Alvera of Britt; his mother, Elsie Formanek of Garner; four children, Linda (Dean) Brooks of Britt, Carol (Dirk) Bruns of Mason City, Tom (Brenda) Formanek of Britt and Robert Jr. (Saundra) Formanek of Ankeny; eleven grandchildren, Kathleen, Megan and Brittany Brooks, Adam, Leah and Andrew Bruns, Sara, Laura and Brett Formanek and Trevor and Jourdon Formanek; three sisters, Blanche Chizek of Britt, Marge (Tom) Ryerson of St. Paul, Minnesota and Marlene (Craig) Leerar of Britt; two aunts, Maxine (Les) Panosch of Mason City and Vivian Formanek of Britt; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, George in 1960; an infant brother, Arnold; and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Donald Cottington, 1910-2007

February 28, 2007

Donald "Red" Cottington, 96, of Britt and formerly of Crystal Lake, died on Monday, February 19, 2007, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 27, at the Ewing Dugger Funeral Chapel in Britt, with Pastor Jerry Swanberg officiating. Burial was in the Crystal Lake Cemetery at Crystal Lake.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Hospice of North Iowa or to the United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake.

Red Cottington, the son of Levi and Etheldra (Perry) Cottington, was born on August 16, 1910 in Stratford, Iowa. The family moved to a farm near Crystal Lake in 1916. Red attended country school through the eighth grade and then graduated from the Crystal Lake High School.

On October 14, 1932, Red was united in marriage with Henrietta Slattenow in Emmetsburg. The couple made their home in Crystal Lake, where Red drove truck for the creamery for nine years. In 1941, Red purchased the Standard Oil tank wagon, which he ran until his retirement in 1971. Henrietta and Red had been married 62 years when she passed away on April 5, 1995. Red continued to live in Crystal Lake until 2002 when he moved to the Summit House in Britt.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, golfing and visiting with his customers on his gas route.

Red was a member of the Crystal Lake United Methodist Church, where he served on various committees. He also served on various committees in the Crystal Lake community including, the city council from 1941 until 1965, Woden-Crystal Lake School Board, Crystal Lake Cemetery Sexton, township clerk for many years and helped organize the Crystal Lake Commercial Club.

Red is survived by his two children, Donna Gabby (Harold) of Peachtree City, Georgia and Douglas Cottington (Sue) of Emmetsburg; six grandchildren, Kristie White (Jim) of Peachtree City, Georgia, Darsi Wellik (Tom) of Garner, Brent Gabby (Ana) of Arlington, Massachusetts, Dan Huinker (Shawn) of Garner, Lynn Runchey (Dave) of Ankeny and Erin Cottington of Des Moines; 15 great-grandchildren, James, Matthew and Katie White, Justin, Jordan, Jenna and Hannah Wellik, Sofia and Nicolas Gabby, Kelli, Kristin, Katlyn and Karah Huinker and Taylor and Isaac Runchey.

He is also survived by three sisters, Gwen Rolland, MariLee McAlpine and Barbara Penquite; three brothers, Rex Cottington, Bruce Cottington and Levi Cottington.

He was preceded in death by his parent; his wife, Henrietta; daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Joe Huinker; two sisters; and four brothers.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Emma M. Juhl, 1916-2007

February 28, 2007

Emma M. Juhl, age 91, of Crystal Lake, died on Saturday, February 24, 2007, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 28, at 10:30 a.m., at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake, with Pastor Robert Snitzer officiating. Burial will be in the Crystal Lake Cemetery. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the services at the church. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home of Forest City, was in charge of the arrangements.

Emma Margaret Juhl, was born on January 30, 1916 in Thompson, the daughter of Bert and Dena (Kjendle) Sveen. Emma was one of 11 children. She received her education in Forest City and graduated from the Forest City High School in 1936.

She married Ralph Juhl on February 15, 1941, at the Synod Lutheran Church in Forest City. The couple farmed and made ends meet while Ralph spent three years in the Army. They continued farming for a time after he returned and then owned and operated a grocery store in Crystal Lake for ten years.

Emma had a very green thumb when gardening and loved to hand stitch quilts. She worked for the high school as a cook and at the nursing home as a volunteer nurses aid and nursing home cook.

She was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake for 49 years, teaching Sunday School for many years. She was an avid member of the Crystal Lake Senior Citizens and for 49 years was an active member of the Crystal Lake American Legion Post #409 Auxiliary. Years ago she helped start the Crystal Lake Flea market and she loved to play bingo, anytime!

Emma is survived by her husband of 66 years, Ralph Juhl of Garner; her four sons, Douglas and wife, Paula, Lynn and close friend, Rosalie, Charles and wife, Connie and Bryce and wife, Pamela; nine grandchildren, Nicole, Colleen, Peter, Katherine, Carla, Charles Jr., Jessica, Jonathan & Cassandra; six great-grandchildren, Mason, Riley, Nathan, EmaLee, Joey and Alexander; a sister, Beatrice; a brother, Ervin; and many nieces and nephews.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents; and four sisters, Mable Sveen, Neila Draper, Marie Sveen and Mildred Nolte; and four brothers, Arnold, Philip, Elling and Martin Sveen.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Clinton E. Stille, 1922-2007

March 7, 2007

Clinton E. Stille, 84, of Emmetsburg, formerly of Garner, died on Wednesday, February 28, 2007.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 5, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church at Emmetsburg, with the Rev. Dennis Angland officiating. Interment was in the Concord Township Cemetery at Garner. Military rites were provided by the V.F.W. Post #2295. The Martin-Mattice Funeral Home, Emmetsburg, was in charge of the arrangements.

Clint was born on August 21, 1922 in Garner. He was the first born son of Earl and Dena (Greiman) Stifle. Clint graduated from the Garner High School in 1940, lettering in football, basketball, baseball and track. He attended Drake University in Des Moines on athletic scholarships and was a member of Drake's prestigious 1940-1950 All-Decade Football Team.

In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in support of the United States effort in World War II. He trained at Columbia University and was chosen to serve as a drill instructor at Princeton University.

On March 1, 1944, Clint married Jeanne Marian Ziesmer. He served aboard an attack transport in the South Pacific. Lt. JG Stifle served on the U.S.S. Bowie until the war's end. He returned to Drake, graduating in 1947 with a B.S. in Science and a minor in Physical Education. He also completed graduate work at Drake.

Clint's career as an educator spanned 38 years. He taught physics and physical education in Mapleton, then coached football and basketball and taught social studies in Hutchinson, Minnesota.

He joined the Emmetsburg Community School in 1952 as head football and track coach, assistant basketball coach and physical education instructor. He was the athletic director for 28 years.

Of the many honors Clint received during his lifetime, especially notable are Iowa Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Northwest Iowa Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame, Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame, Athletic Director of the Year, 1980-81 and 1984-85, the Charles Hughes Citizen of the Year Award for 1985, President of the Iowa High School Athletic Directors for 1982-83 and the Jerry Golden Memorial Award for 1979. Upon his retirement in 1985, his fellow athletic directors in Iowa presented him with a special plaque.

Clint was an active member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church. He held numerous volunteer positions with Pheasant's Forever, Ducks Unlimited and other community groups.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Jeanne; his children, Lory Sutton and her husband, Richard of Edina, Minnesota and Bruce Stille and his wife, Corrine of Northfield, Minnesota; his grand-children, Paul Clinton Sutton, Kathryn Jeanne Sutton, Thomas Richard Sutton, Kyle Bruce Stille and Kirsten Cae Stille; two brothers, Russel Stille (Emily) of Webster, Wisconsin and Arvil Stille (Sandra) of Garner; and many nieces and nephews.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Donna Carol Sonquist

March 21, 2007

Donna Carol Sonquist, died on Wednesday, February 28, 2007, at the Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas, at the age of 62.

Graveside services were held on Monday morning, March 5, 2007, at the Raymondville Memorial Park Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Duddlesten Funeral Home, Raymondville, Texas.

Donna is survived by four daughters, Linda Sonquist of Houston, Julie (Darryn) Reid of Australia, Susan (David) Cantu and Deborah Sonquist, both of Harlingen; and one brother, Roger (Mary) Hayungs of Iowa. She is also survived by three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Claus and Thelma (Ackley) Hayungs; one son, Nickolas Dale Perkins; three brothers, Ernist, Robert and Larry Hayungs.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007