Garland "Brink" Brinkman, 1924-2009

January 14, 2009

Garland "Brink" Brinkman, 84, of Garner, died on Wednesday, January 7, 2009, at Pathstone Living in Mankato, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner, with Rev. Dr. Frank Beaty officiating. Burial will be in the Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme, with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. Visitation will be held from 2-5:00 p.m., on Sunday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Garland Lyle Brinkman, the son of Martin and Meta (Baack) Brinkman, was born on June 10, 1924 at Klemme. He graduated from the Klemme High School in 1942 and continued his education at Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls on a basketball and baseball scholarship. After being in college one year, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943. Brink served with the Seabees building airstrips, hangers and anything needed to set up a Navy Base. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned home and worked in Clear Lake for Duesenberg Construction. Eventually, he returned to Klemme working as a clerk in the post office.

On June 18, 1950, he married Karna Tulp at her parent's home near Rowan. They made their home in Klemme where Brink continued working in the post office for a time before going back into road construction. In the mid 1950's Brink did work on Interstate 35 in West Des Moines and on Interstate 80 near West Branch. He also helped rebuild a runway at the Des Moines Airport. In 1961, Brink began working for the Iowa State Highway Commission as a heavy equipment operator and bridge inspector. In 1962, he moved his family from Klemme to Garner. Brink retired from the Highway Commission in 1986 and moved with Karna to a condominium in Garner. He enjoyed his family, reading, fishing, golfing and watching sports.

He was a member of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church, where he served on the church consistory, was a Sunday School Superintendent and was instrumental in helping set up the Henschen Scholarship Fund. He also was a member of the Garner VFW and American Legion.

He is survived by his two daughters, Valerie (Dr. Gordon Kaplan) Brinkman-Kaplan of Fort Worth, Texas and Laurel Garvin of Mankato, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Ryan Niemi, Erin (Dan White) Niemi and their son, Braydon, Brendan (Nichelle) Niemi and their son, Dylan, Miranda Kaplan, Weston Garvin and Taylor Garvin; three sisters-in-law, Alice Brinkman of Klemme, Ina Brinkman of Ventura and Lois Brinkman of Sheffield; a brother-in-law, Howard (Esther) Tulp of Goodell; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Brink was preceded in death by his wife, Karna on November 1, 2007; his parents; a son-in-law, Brian Garvin; and brothers, Leo, Ronald, Merlin and Martin, Jr. Brinkman.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009

Mildred I. Groves, 1919-2009

January 14, 2009

Mildred I. Groves, age 89, of Forest City, died on Friday, January 9, 2009, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 17, at 11:00 a.m., at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, with Pastor Rod Hopp and Pastor Barb Spaulding officiating. Visitation will begin at the church at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, January 17 and continue until the time of the service. Inurnment will be in the spring in the Oakland Cemetery in Forest City.

Mildred was born on September 6, 1919, the daughter of James Elmer and Regina (Sponem) Twito in Lake Mills, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at the Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills. She graduated from the Lake Mills Hills High School in 1939. She was in the High School Choir and had a beautiful singing voice.

She married Orval Groves of Forest City on July 23, 1942 at the Lutheran Parsonage in Las Vegas, Nevada. They met at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake and enjoyed dancing there for many years. To this union four children were born, Marvo, DeAnna, Randy and Betty. Orval and Mildred lived and farmed in Mt. Valley for many years, moving to their present address in Forest City in 1964.

Mildred was a very giving person, always thinking of others. Her life revolved around her family. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Everyone loved going to Grandma's. She will be remembered for her lemon meringue pie and delicious cookies. She loved going on many trips with her family. She was a wonderful Mom and Grandma. She will be missed by her family and friends.

Mildred is survived by her four children, Marvo Schmidt of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, DeAnna Parkison of Forest City, Randy (Jan) Groves of Forest City and Betty (Dave) Roenfanz of Ventura; grandchildren, Todd Schmidt and Josh Schmidt of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Holly Eichmann and Matt Roenfanz of Garner, Jesse (Tiffany) Groves, Dallas Groves, Josh (Syreeta) Groves, all of Forest City and Edie (Dave) Hicks of Oregon; great-grandchildren, Kalley and Hailey Schmidt, Cassie and Zachary Eichmann, Blake, Rylea, Jayce and Logan Groves and one on the way; a brother, Don (Dominy) Twito of Lake Mills; brother-in-law, Waldon Groves of LaCenter, Washington; and many special nieces and nephews.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Orval; sisters, Bernice (Harold) Kjerland, Viola (Dale) Cooley, Myrtle (Bill) Lammers, Fern (Ed) Hegel and Marge Twito; and brothers, James, Irving, Earl (Ag), Royden and Harold Twito; and several nieces and nephews.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009

Cornelius Betten, 1926-2009

January 21, 2009

Cornelius Henry "Kerny" Betten, died on Friday, January 9, 2009, at Mesa, Arizona, with his family by his side.

A memorial service was held on Sunday, January 11, at The Resort, Mesa, were Kerny and JoAnn have spent the last 21 winters. Kerny was an Eye, Organ and Tissue Donor and participated in Life Legacy from the Donor Network.

Kerny Betten, was born on August 13, 1926 at Britt. Kerny married JoAnn Larson on February 25, 1948 at Kanawha. Kerny and JoAnn purchased a farm in Jacksonville Township at New Hampton in 1958.

Those preceding Kerny in death were his parents, Henry and Elsie Betten from Kanawha; brother, John Betten from Kanawha; sister, Elsie (Betten) Eliason from Kanawha; and grandson, Jermiah Dosser from Osage.

Surviving Kerny are his wife, JoAnn (Larson) Betten from New Hampton, Iowa; sons, Roger (Anna) Betten from Grand Terrace, California and Doug (Trish) Betten from Bainbridge Island, Washington; daughter, Jody (Rick) Dosser from Osage, Iowa; grandchildren, Amanda Betten, Brenda Betten, Nick (Jody) Betten, and Renae Betten all from Grand Terrace, California, Rodney Betten from Bainbridge Island, Washington and Shelley (Doug) Sedgwick from Waverly; and great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Betten from Grand Terrace, California, Sophie Sedgwick and Ian Sedgwick from Waverly.

Survivors also include a sister, Lela Freesemann from Britt; plus many nieces and nephews.

The family has requested no flowers. Donations on behalf of Kerny may be sent as a memorial to the Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hampton, Iowa, Heifer's International or East Africa Missions or a charity of your choice.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009

Francis J. Rayhons, 1934-2009

January 21, 2009

Francis J. Rayhons, 74, of Garner, died on Sunday, January 11, 2009, at the St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan, with Frs. Brian Dellaert and Henry Huber officiating. Burial was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Duncan. Visitation was held from 4-8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan, with a Catholic Workman Rosary at 7:00 p.m., followed by a Scriptural Wake Service. Visitation continued one hour prior to the services at the church.

Francis John Rayhons, the son of Henry and Agnes (Kopacek) Rayhons, was born on May 16, 1934, on the family farm northwest of Garner. He attended country school near his home and graduated from the Garner High School in 1950. Francis continued his education at Iowa State University in Ames for a short time before moving back home to help on the farm.

On January 25, 1955, he married Lois J. Helps at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan. They made their home on a farm northwest of Garner where they raised their eight children and farmed. Francis also milked cows for 37 years, raised feeder cattle and was a seed dealer for the Hawkeye Seed Company and Prairie Brand Seeds for a number of years.

He enjoyed attending his grandchildren's activities, watching local sporting events, polka music and was an avid Iowa State fan. He was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, where he served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister, Catholic Workman FCSLA Branch w51, Farm Bureau and was a lifelong blood donor.

Francis is survived by his wife, Lois of Garner; eight children, Steven Rayhons of Mesa, Arizona, Julie (Earl) Beshey of Garner, Susan (Tim) Speers of Storm Lake, David Rayhons of Garner, Gregory (Sandy) Rayhons of Garner, Jerome (Tracey) Rayhons of Altoona, Lisa (Dana) Sindelar of Indianapolis, Indiana and Laurie (Kevin) Merryman of Maxwell; grandchildren, J.W. (Tiffany) Rayhons and their two children, Chase and Michayla, Preston and Blake Rayhons, Eric, Evan and Nicole Beshey, Jeff and Matt Speers, Alesha, Brianna and Trevor Rayhons, Shannon and Mariah Rayhons and Carter, Rylee and Haylee Merryman; siblings, Henry V. (Donna) Rayhons of Garner, Teresa (LeRoy) Preuschl of Garner, Evelyn (Paul) Grandgenett of Wesley, Agnes (Jerald) Zeihan of Marshalltown, Lawrence (Carole) Rayhons of Lenox, George (Mary) Rayhons of Corpus Christi, Texas, Mark (Kathy) Rayhons of Garner and Mary (Gene ) Rasmussen of Ames; a brother-in-law, Harlan (Loraine) Helps of Mason City; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Kathryn in 1962; an infant grandson, Clinton Rayhons; and a sister-in-law, Marvalyn Rayhons.

Memorials may be given in his name to the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009

Ewaald Haack, 1924-2009

January 28, 2009

Ewaald Haack, age 84, of Klemme, Iowa, died on Friday, January 16, 2009, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 21, at the Andrews Funeral Home in Klemme. The Rev. Donna Buckman officiated. Burial will be in the Ell Township Cemetery in the spring with full military honors. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Ewaald's name may wish to consider the Hospice of North Iowa, or to their own choice.

Ewaald Martin Frederick Haack, the son of Frederick and Vera (Leininger) Haack was born on November 9, 1924 on the family farm. He attended Lone Rock area schools and graduated from the Lone Rock High School, Lone Rocks, Iowa. In addition to his high school education, Ewaald went on to receive additional maintenance technical training. His life long vocations were mostly surrounding the maintenance and mechanical fields.

Ewaald proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the World War II era. He spent parts of his military tenure on the USS Mindoro and the USS Valley Forge. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Fireman First Class on December 3, 1947 and received the commendation of the WW II Victory Medal.

Ewaald was united in marriage to Arselene "Ene" Mildred Penning, on June 5, 1950 at Albert Lea, Minnesota. The couple lived and raised their children in Algona for many years. Ewaald worked as an auto mechanic at a Buick dealership in his early career, at General Dynamics, New York, and later worked in various maintenance positions in Algona and at IMT and Stellar Industries in Garner.

Throughout his entire life, Ewaald was and avid motorcyclist. His first bike was and Indian Scout and as the years went by he and his wife traveled about the region and country on his beloved Gold Wings. In his later years he could be seen cruising around the Klemme area on his cycles. The couple had also done some traveling to visit family in New York and Nevada. Ewaald loved to go fishing at Indian Lake, Clear Lake, and in Minnesota. He enjoyed keeping his cars and yard in tip-top shape. He served a term on the Klemme Town Board and was a resident of Klemme for 30 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife "Ene" on September 18, 1998; and a brother, Edward.

Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Evelyn and her husband, Dean Chapin of Cambridge, New York and their children, Debbie Chapin of Norwich, New York and Stephanie Chapin of Charlotte, North Carolina; a son, Robert Haack of Waterloo, Iowa; brother, Eugene Haack and his wife, Donna of Colfax; and a sister, Lucille Broderson of Montana.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009

Catherine Mattis, 1922-2009

January 21, 2009

Catherine M. Mattis, 86, of Garner, died on Sunday, January 18, 2009, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, with Fr. Brian Dellaert officiating. Burial will be in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner, with a CD of A Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Catherine Marie Mattis, the daughter of Oscar and Sarah (Peacock) Dennis, was born on May 1, 1922 at Centerville. Her mother died 27 days after she was born. At the request of her father, she was then raised by her maternal grandparents. She attended the St. Mary's Catholic School and graduated from the Centerville High School with honors in 1940. She continued her education graduating from the Ottumwa Heights College in Ottumwa in 1942.

On August 22, 1944, she was married to John T. Mattis of Albia at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centerville. They made their home in Albia where John was a teacher and Catherine worked as secretary to the principal at the Albia High School. In 1947, they moved to Garner. While raising her family she was a costume coordinator/seamstress for the Evelyn Wheaton Dance School, a florist for the Blossom Shop and in 1958 went to work as a part-time clerk for the Iowa Liquor Commission. In January of 1976, she became manager until her retirement in 1985. Catherine was the Garner correspondent from 1970 to 1975 for the Globe Gazette, Des Moines Register and KGLO.

She enjoyed singing, puzzles, sports, playing cards, dancing, golfing, fishing and activities with her family. Catherine was an active member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church where she served as a lector, Rosary Society, St. Boniface Choir and Catholic Daughter of the Americas. She belonged to the Garner Women's Golf Association, Music Boosters, Music City Chorus of Sweet Adelines and participated in the Garner Lions Minstrel Show. She was a past Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop Leader and was a volunteer back-up caller for the Garner Ambulance Service.

Catherine is survived by her children, Michael (Judi) Mattis of Goose Lake, Ann (Larry) Hagen of Britt, Barbara (Larry) Eenhuis of Garner, John Mattis of Garner and Mark (Tina) Mattis of Torrington, Wyoming; fourteen grandchildren, Nicholas and Jeffery Mattis, Vance (Cindy) Hagen, Travis (Jamie) Hagen, Jason Eenhuis, Jeremy (Shelly) Eenhuis, Lucas Eenhuis, Yvette (Mike Ohotto) Mattis, Johnny and Zackery Mattis, Amber Mattis, Courtney Mattis, Matthew (Leane) Mattis and Ashley Mattis; seventeen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John T. Mattis in January of 1978; her parents; a daughter-in-law, Yvonne Mattis; and special friend, Lynford Back.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009

Julie A. Mau, 1951-2009

January 28, 2009

Julie A. Mau, 57, of Klemme, Iowa, died on Sunday, January 18, 2009, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City, following a courageous and valiant battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 24, at the Klemme United Methodist Church. The Rev. Donna Buckman officiated. Burial was in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. The Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme, was in charge of the arrangements. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Julie's name may wish to consider the Hospice of North Iowa, the Klemme United Methodist Church, or their own choice.

Julie Ann Yakel, the daughter of Roland and Luella Theimann Yakel, was born on March 11, 1951 at Klemme, Iowa, one of three children to bless this union. The Rev. Vernon E. Jaberg baptized Julie on April 1, 1951. Julie attended Klemme Schools, where she participated in Music and Arts. In 1966, she was confirmed by the Rev. Geo. Behrens. Julie graduated from the Klemme High School with the Class of 1969.

Shortly after graduating she moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where she lived for a time with her aunt. During her years in the Twin Cities she was employed at the Deluxe Check Corporation for 20 years. During this time she was united in marriage to Eugene Pasch and the couple's union was blessed with a son, Trevor and a daughter, Mandie. Four and one-half years later, a second daughter, Kathryn was born. Julie and Eugene were eventually divorced. She later moved back to Klemme, where she made her home for the remainder of her life.

Julie was united in marriage to Danny Mau and the couple spent many wonderful years together. During this time they had done some traveling on various business trips to Las Vegas, Kentucky, St. Louis, and several other places. Julie and Danny were divorced in 2003, though they remained very strong in their bond for one another.

Julie was employed with A & I in Klemme from 1995 until 2005, at which time she was forced to retire from the company due to her health complications.

Her passion for life and placing the needs of others before her own was a life long trait. Though she had been employed throughout much of her life, the vocation she relished the most was being a mom and grandma, and homemaker. Her children, grandchildren, siblings, and other family were always foremost in her life journey. She always strived to provide for their needs and was proud to recognize them in any accomplishments in their lives no matter how large or small.

Julie looked forward to family celebrations of any kind and loved to celebrate birthdays with her sister. She looked forward to visits with her family in South Dakota and recently had made this trek even as her health declined rapidly. Her passion and love for her family could not be impeded by her fight against cancer. Her family and friends will miss her upbeat personality, heartwarming smile, the twinkle, in her eyes, and her gift of making others feel good, even when she may not be at her best health wise.

Julie's gift and love of art was a life long talent. She shared this in creation of many things including a drawing of the Klemme United Methodist Church for its Centennial Celebration. Her skills and eye for creating works, attention to the smallest details, and passion for this life long love lead her to handcraft, cross-stitch, and design stitched pillow cases, wall hanging, and other items made with her loving hands. Her eye for the greater picture and innovative mind brought with it a continual love of changing the look of her home. She would often design her own decor, or at times journey out on one of her favorite pastimes of shopping excursions and then return home and create her own innovations and look for the items she had purchased. She absolutely loved to make things her own.

Her family remembers Julie's fondness for the color red, whether it began in the days of her favorite red Gran Torino, her clothes, or any of a variety of other areas in her life, this love of red often shown through as brightly as her heart which was filled with joy and fun.

Julie was a longtime member of the Klemme United Methodist Church and served as the church treasurer for many years, as well as fulfilling the role of a Sunday School Teacher. In later years as she was faced with her battle against cancer she dove deeply into her Bible studies and became very passionate in her faith.

Those who had the privilege of having Julie in their life and the honor of crossing through life's journey will remember her caring ways, uplifting attitude, humbleness, and unselfish compassions towards the needs of others. She was very charitable and supported many, many organizations and causes. She was not one who needed the spotlight or recognition of her deeds and giving. One of her most priceless gifts to those who were in her presence was how to face terminal illness and bumps in the road with dignity and determination. Julie's passion for life and living could not be extinguished even in her battle with her health decline.

Julie's life and legacy will live on in the memories of her son, Trevor Roland and his wife, Darla Pasch of Yankton, South Dakota; daughters, Mandie Sue and Noah Reed of Kanawha and Kathryn Marie Turnbull of Klemme; four grandchildren, Jada Joann Woolridge of Forest City, Taylar Ann Pasch of Yankton, South Dakota, Riley Julie Reed of Kanawha and Shelby Alana Steig of Klemme; her sister, Susan Irene Larson and her husband, Marion of Woonsocket, South Dakota; her brother, Randy Roland Yakel and his wife Kathy of Garner; the "love of her life" and best friend, Danny Mau of Klemme; and two nieces, Amy Miiller and her husband, Richard of Woonsocket, South Dakota and Tracy Bird and her husband, Corey of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Also surviving are Julie's step-children, Devon Mau and his wife, Jayme and their son, Devon Love II of Urbandale, Danielle Mau-Sear and her husband, Connor and their child, Nico of Kansas City, Missouri and Dillon Mau of Rochester, Minnesota; and countless friends.

Julie was preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Luella.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009

Joann L. Nelson, 1941-2009

February 4, 2009

Joann L. Nelson, 67, of Garner, died on Thursday, January 29, 2009, at the Concord Care Center in Garner, surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with Rev. David Wagner officiating. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Joann Louise Nelson, the daughter of Delbert John and Hazel Louise (Harrison) Arndt, was born on June 23, 1941 in Iowa City. The family lived in Mason City where Joann graduated from high school in 1959. On December 16, 1961, she was married to Curtis Gene Nelson at Albert Lea, Minnesota. They made their home in Garner until 1974, when they moved to the family farm east of town. She worked at E.F. Johnson's, Gilley's Bar, Pronto, Erickson's Pharmacy and the Garner & Ventura Town Mart.

Most people knew Joann as "Gerti," a nickname given to her by Curtis. She enjoyed traveling to Arizona with Curt, seeing her grandchildren, Friday lunches with her Mom and sisters, raising peacocks, guineas, geese, ducks and chickens, buying lottery tickets and going to the casinos. She attended the United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her children, Kim (Lorie) Nelson of Garner, Traci (Michael) Klesel of Garner and Krystal (Chuck) Irelan of North Liberty; seven grandchildren, Travis, Trever and Taylor Nelson, Colter and Nathan Klesel and Britany and Shaun Irelan; her mother, Hazel Arndt of Mason City; and seven siblings, Shirley (Duane) Ballhagen of Rockwell, Bonnie (Bill) Dodge of Rock Falls, Sharon Dixon of Sheffield, Sally (Joe) Herrera of Mason City, Sue (Bob) Schissel of Rockwell, Delbert "Butch" (Cindy) Arndt of Mason City and Carolyn (Cal) Weck of Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis Nelson on August 14, 2008; her father; two brothers-in-law, Merle "Sonny" Dixon and Gary Schissel; and a nephew, Will Ballhagen.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009