Wilma P. Luppen, 1937-2009

March 11, 2009

Wilma Phyllis (Beenken) Luppen, left her earthly home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, March 4, 2009. She passed away in the Hospice Room at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt, surrounded by her family, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 7, at 1:00 p.m., at the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church, with Pastor Steve Schulz officiating. Burial was in the Amsterdam Township Cemetery in Kanawha. Visitation was held on Friday, March 6, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Ewing Funeral Chapel in Britt and will continued one hour prior to the services at the church.

Wilma was the second child of Henry and Vergie (Kardoes) Beenken. She was born on August 4, 1937, on her parent’s farm near Woden. She has four siblings who are Merlin (Marlis) Beenken, Wayne (Luming) Beenken, Sharon (Dennis) Heinen and Daryl (Nancy) Beenken. She attended the Ramsey Reformed and Woden Christian Reformed Churches when growing up. She was both a baptized and confirmed member of the Christian faith. When she was a young girl, Wilma stayed with her Grandpa and Grandma Kardoes on a farm near Buffalo Center quite often, where she helped take care of them and do household chores. She attended and graduated from the Woden Community Schools where she participated in basketball and speech. She was also active in 4-H.

On February 10, 1956, Wilma married the love of her life, Philip D. Luppen of Kanawha. They were married at the Woden Christian Reformed Church by the Rev. Julius VandenHoek. They made their home together with their children three miles north of Kanawha. She worked at the Kanawha Community Nursing Home and Team Sports in Kanawha, Interstate Traveller in Belmond and helped her husband of 53 years farm and raise their children.

Wilma was a wonderful wife, mother and homemaker. Her grandchildren were very important to her. She enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening, cooking, baking and spending time outdoors.

She and Phil are members of the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church. Here they were blessed with seven children, Donna (Leroy) Senne, LuAnn (Nick) Studer, Brenda (Chuck) Schmidt, Paul (Cheryl) Luppen, Charlotte (Mike) Hrubes, Julene (Randy) Weiland and Allan (Linda) Luppen.

Their children in turn blessed them with 21 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren who are, Matthew Senne, Jason Senne, Andrew Senne, Adam Senne, Shawn (Tiffany) Studer and their children, Madison, Tate and Emrie; Gregory (Theresa) Studer and their children, Dawson and Savanah; Troy Studer, Jacki Studer, Kacie Schmidt, Jamie Schmidt, Cody Schmidt, MaKayla Luppen, Tierra Luppen, Lacey (Tony) Kelley and their children, Amara and Coewhan; Joshua Hrubes, Brandi Hrubes, Cole Weiland, Seth Weiland, Ethan Luppen, Eric Luppen and her angel, Alyssa Luppen.

Wilma is also survived by her sister-in-law, Birdene (Howard) Jutting; step-siblings, Sharon (Dewey) Valentine, Clinton (Cherann) Eden and Ardith (Gary) Thorson; and many nieces and nephews.

Wilma was preceded in death by her grandparents; her parents, Henry and Virgie Beenken; her parents-in-law, Peter and Edith Luppen; and her step-mother, Ella Beenken.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009

LaRue D. Taylor, 1916-2009

March 18, 2009

LaRue D. Taylor, 92, of Garner, died on Sunday, March 8, 2009, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

The will be no services in Garner. Graveside services will be held at a later date in Clarion, Pennsylvania. The Cataldo Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

As Mrs. Taylor's friends and family know, reading and helping children to love books were two of her greatest joys. Anyone wishing to honor her life is encouraged to make a gift in her name to their local library.

LaRue D. Taylor, the daughter of David and Nellie (Shoemaker) Divins, was born on April 29, 1916, on the family farm in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. She graduated from the Sligo High School in 1932 and continued her education at a business college in Pittsburgh. In 1940, she was married to Clyde Greenly of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, who preceded her in death in 1957. In 1966, she was married to Paul Taylor of Tionesta, Pennsylvania.

LaRue worked at Westinghouse of East Pittsburgh during WW II and at the University of Pennsylvania in Clarion for 21 years as a staff worker. After Paul passed away in 2000, she came to Iowa to live with her daughter, Rachel Beck Booth of Garner. While in Garner, she was an RSVP volunteer, was the Governor's Correspondent for Hancock County and attended the Evangelical Free Church.

She was a member of the Newmansville Free Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School for 15 years.

LaRue is survived by her daughter, Rachel (Don) Booth of Garner; four step-children, Nina (Richard) Bowser of Knox, Pennsylvania, Linda Dehner of Tionesta, Pennsylvania, Leslie Taylor of Tionesta, Pennsylvania and Charles Taylor of Texas; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; three nephews, Gary Divins of Pennsylvania, John Elder of Arizona and Eric Elder of Pennsylvania; and one beloved niece, Dr. Jeanne Elder Werner of Dallas, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; three brothers, Gerald, James and Brooks Divins; and three sisters, Bernice Fox, Grace Elder and Emogene Applegate.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009

Donald K. Molander, 1927-2009

March 18, 2009

Donald Keith Molander, 82, of Yuma, Arizona, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died on Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Yuma, following a short illness.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 12, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Yuma. Graveside services will be held at a later date in the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. The Yuma Mortuary, Yuma, was in charge of the arrangements.

Donald graduated from the Garner High School in 1943. He served in the Navy for four years. He retired from Collins Radio (now Rockwell International) after 37 years, retiring to Yuma, Arizona in 1984.

Survivors include his wife, Jacqueline; a son, Gary Molander of Broomall, Pennsylvania; two daughters, Barbara McClintock of Omaha, Nebraska and Carol Martinez of Westminister, Colorado; seven grandchildren; a brother, Royal (Clare) Molander of Garner; and two sisters, Minnetta (Mike) Loebig of Marion and Beverly (Bob) McCormick of Garner.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Clara Molander of Garner; and a brother, "Bud" Molander of Garner.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009

Herman Kruger, 1926-2009

April 1, 2009

Herman Kruger, 82, of Clear Lake, died on Sunday, March 22, 2009, at the Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday March 25, at the Evangelical Free Church, West, Clear Lake with Pastor Daniel Jordan officiating. Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake. The Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.

Herman Kruger, was born on July 5, 1926 in Ackley, the son of Andrew and Jennie (Miller) Kruger. He was united in marriage to Barbara Wiggins on May 9, 1959, at the Wesley United Methodist Church, Mason City. Herman worked for the railroad and the creamery, he also farmed north of Iowa Falls. In 1969, he moved to Ventura, where he raised and sold feeder pigs until 1987. He was a salesman for the Walnut Grove Feed Company from 1957 until 1987, where he won many top salesmen award trips.

Herman accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior Lord; he was a member of the Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake where he was an usher. He was involved with being a helper and listener for AWANA. Herman enjoyed riding his moped, taking road trips, college basketball and football. His greatest love was spending time with his family and friends.

Herman is survived by his wife, Barbara Kruger of Clear Lake; children, David (Christine) Kruger of Florida, Dwight (Patty) Kruger of Indiana, Mike Kruger of Clear Lake, Danny Kruger of Clear Lake, Kendall (Deb) Kruger of Ankeny, Kevin Kruger of Garner and Michelle Kruger of Garner; grandchildren, Jessie, Candace, Jamie, Carrie, Derick, Nicole, Whitney, John, Zach, Nick, Kaleb, Karah, Alicia, Danielle, Jordan, Victoria, Keaton, Dawson, Lennice, Isaiah; 9 great-grandchildren; sisters, Agnes Pieper of Dallas, Texas, Jennie (Paul) Warschkow of Hampton and Grace Roberson of Garner; brothers, Roy (Leila) Kruger and Frank (Ethel) Kruger of Cameron, Wisconsin; along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Jennie Kruger; brothers, Andrew, Jake and Dick Kruger; sisters, Etta Janssen, Helen Deprenger and Mydena Kruger; two brothers-in-law; and one daughter-in-law, Lori Kruger.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009

Rudy J. Urich, 1916-2009

April 1, 2009

Rudy J. Urich, 92, of Garner, died on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan, with Fr. Brian Dellaert officiating. Burial was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Duncan. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Rudy John Urich, the son of Joseph and Anastacia (Kudej) Urich, was born on April 17, 1916, on a farm northwest of Garner. He was baptized and confirmed at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan. Rudy graduated from the Hayfield Consolidated School in 1936, where he was active in sports and school activities. On September 12, 1938, he married Dorothy Brcka at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. They made their home on the family farm northwest of Garner where they raised their family and farmed.

In 1961, Rudy was elected county treasurer a position he held for the next 29 years. During his terms in office he became involved in state and national politics. In 1980, he was elected as president of the National Association of County Treasurers and Finance Officers and was presented a lifetime honorary membership. After leaving office, he was employed as a courier for the Clear Lake Bank and Trust in Garner. In 2001, Rudy and Dorothy moved into Garner. He enjoyed playing cards and spending time on his computer.

He was a lifelong member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, serving on the building board after the destruction of the church by a tornado and years later as a volunteer member of the board for renovating and decorating the church for its 100th year celebration. He belonged to the Catholic Workman FCSLA w51 for over 60 years serving as president of the local chapter and as a trustee for the care and maintenance of the community hall and the Garner Lions Club serving as past president and secretary-treasurer for two local district governors. He received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award from Lions International and many achievement and membership awards from the local club.

Rudy was active in his community serving as a 4-H Leader, President of the Hancock County Extension Council, President of the Hayfield School Board and was active in Farm Bureau and the rural development board. He also was on the board of directors and past chairman of the Elderbridge Agency on Aging.

Rudy is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Garner; four children, Roger Urich of Garner, Robert (Billie) Urich of Indianola, Gerald Urich of Des Moines and Carmen Urich of Ft. Collins, Colorado; four grandchildren, Mike (Jill) Urich and their daughter, Melody, Matt (Shirley) Urich, Julie Urich and Jennifer (Lee) Freeman and their children, Zachary, Sarah and Seth.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Estella Basart and Frances Brozik; and brother, Elmer Urich.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009

Ronald A. Gibbs, 1921-2009

April 1, 2009

Ronald A. Gibbs, 87, of Garner, died on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, 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.

Ronald Allen Gibbs, the son of Harry and Esther (Lenz) Gibbs, was born on August 8, 1921, on a farm east of Klemme. He graduated from the Klemme High School in 1939. On July 11, 1945, he married Lois Gast at the Liberty Methodist Church northwest of Klemme. Ron farmed with his father until 1950 when he and Lois moved to a farm west of Klemme. In 1959, they purchased a farm north of Garner and continued to farm until retiring and moving into Garner in 1978. In October of 2008, Ron became a resident of the Prairie View Apartments.

He enjoyed fishing, camping and helping his son-in-law, Jerry, on the farm. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Garner, North Garner Community Club and served on the Creamery boards in Klemme and Garner.

Ron is survived by his two daughters, Ronna (Jerry) Myers of Garner and Lora (Rev. Lester "Pete") Ward of Lansing, Illinois; five grandchildren, Carrie Ward, Sarah Ward, Ami (Ryan) Frohling and their three children, Emma, Maxwell and Josephine, Beth Myers and her son, Isaac and Jack (Billie) Myers and their two children, Trevor and Kayley; two sisters, Harriet Bridgeford of Garner and Isabelle Gibbs of Mason City; two sisters-in-law, Lola Fredin of Swaledale and Ruth Gast of Garner; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; his parents; and a brother, Asa Gibbs.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009

Warren B. Beers, 1927-2009

April 8, 2009

Warren Burdette Beers, 81, of Ventura, California, died on Sunday, March 29, 2009, following a long illness.

Memorial services were held on Friday, April 3, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Ventura, California. Private interment will occur on a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in Warren’s memory to the Trinity Lutheran Church of Ventura, California or to the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, also of Ventura, California. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, Ventura.

He was born on September 6, 1927 in Britt, to Burdette and Bonnie Beers and had been a Ventura County resident 40 years, coming from Iowa. Warren was an electrical inspector for the County of Ventura, retiring in 1989.

While in Iowa, he was a longtime member of the F. & A.M. Bethel Lodge 318. He was also affiliated with the Winnebago Itasca Travelers. He enjoyed many active years with the Boy Scouts of America, when his sons were young and loved camping with his motor home club, barbecuing, flying and golf.

Warren is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Anna Mae; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Rachel Beers of Illinois; daughter, Lovella Oppliger of Camarillo; son, Brian Beers of Ventura; brother and sister-in-law, Eldon and Jo Ann of Iowa; brother and sister-in-law, Bernard and Frances of Texas; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sons, Dennis and Steven.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2009