Gladys I. Daniels, 1927-2010

January 13, 2010

Gladys Irene Daniels, 82, of Houston, Texas. died on Tuesday, January 5, 2010, at College Station.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, January 9, at 11:00 a.m., at the Lakewood United Methodist Church, Houston.

Glad was born on August 23, 1927 in Nora Springs, Iowa, to Neil and Grace Burnett. She attended Upper Iowa University. She married Richard Daniels on August 10, 1947. Glad and Dick were married 62 years and lived in Houston for 31 years.

Glad played the piano and flute, and enjoyed playing Scrabble and Joker.

Glad is survived by her husband, Richard; four children, Gloria Daniels, Steve Daniels (wife, Sue), Linda Brochu (husband, David) and Gary Daniels (wife, Donna); her brother, Clyde Burnett; 6 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

Stella 0. Barz, 1920-2010

January 13, 2010

Stella Olga Barz, age 89, of Klemme, Iowa, most recently of Gamer, Iowa, died on Tuesday, January 5, 2010, at the Concord Care Center in Gamer.

Funeral services were held on Monday, January 11, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ, Klemme. The Rev. Donna Buckman officiated. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. The Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme, was in charge of the arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme or the donor's choice.

Stella Olga Barz, the daughter of Olga (Ratzlaff) and Herman Barz was born on June 23, 1920, on the family farm in rural Klemme. She attended the rural schools of Hancock County and graduated from the Klemme High School with the class of 1939. She then joined her brothers in the farming operation, plowing fields, harvesting crops and raising livestock and chickens. She loved the rural life.

After the death of her brothers, she and her sister, Marcedia, retired from farming and rented out the land. When her sister died in 1968, Stella moved into the Klemme Apartments for several years and then into the Prairie View Apartments in Gamer. Her health began to fail and she moved into the Concord Care Center on July 1, 2009.

Stella was baptized and confirmed at the Immanuel United Church of Christ in Klemme. She was a lifelong member there, being active in the Women's Fellowship and a past Sunday School and Bible School Teacher. She especially liked working with the children. She was also a member of the Klemme Senior Citizens and the Legion Auxiliary and was proud that all of her brothers served in the armed forces during World War II.

Stella enjoyed playing Skipo and 500 at cards, Bing Crosby music and western movies on TV. She was an avid reader. She liked to read histories, biographies and farm related stories and especially the Bible, which she read faithfully. A partially read book was on her beside table at the time of her death.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Martin and his wife, Irene, Gerald and Paul; her sister, Marcedia; and her niece, Maxine Carter Krall.

A grandniece, Sue Carter and grandnephew, Scott Carter his wife, Rose and son, Scott, as well as many cousins and friends will miss Stella greatly.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

Own F. Sweeny, 1948-2010

January 20, 2010

Owen "Otis" Floyd Sweeny, 61, of Goodell, died on Thursday, January 7, 2010, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Funeral services were held at the Andrews Funeral Home in Belmond, Iowa, on Saturday, January 16, at 2:00 p.m.

Owen was born on July 26, 1948 in Ames, Iowa, to Owen Floyd Sr. and Iva (Bier) Sweeny. When Owen's parents divorced, Owen moved with his mother and brother to Goodell, Iowa. His mother married George Beek in 1953. Owen attended elementary school in Goodell. He was known as a talented actor in high school and graduated from the Belmond Community High School in 1966. After graduating high school, Owen attended classes at the North Iowa Area Community College and worked at Central Soya. Owen was, well-known as an exceptional drummer and he and his brother, Patrick, traveled around the country in several bands. One of the bands, Lincoln Reed and the House Rockers, was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

In 1972, Owen returned to Goodell and worked at Chapman's Truck Stop for several years. He married Nancy Larsen in 1975 and they had two children, Angela and Aaron. Owen loved taking his children to swim at the lake and to the theater to see Batman movies. He returned to work at Central Soya for 10 years before his employment at Winnebago for 17 years. Owen also worked at Kohl's Department Store for several years.

Owen enjoyed several hobbies including playing the drums, trying new recipes, surfing the web and collecting movie paraphernalia.

Those who knew Owen would attest that he spoke often of hopes for a better world, a world in which producing quality workmanship and showing compassion for others were more important than commercialism. His passion and presence moved all who encountered him. Owen left an impression and he will not be forgotten.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his daughter, Angela Lowery and her husband, Jon of Stevens Point, Wisconsin; his son, Aaron Sweeny of Cedar Falls, Iowa; his brother, Patrick of Goodell; his half-sister, Ramona Erickson and her husband, Don of Ogden, Iowa; his half-sister, Rose Marie Johnson and her husband, Leo of Ogden; his nieces, Melanie Eckhart of Boone, Iowa and Maria Moffett of Ames.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

Vivian Formanek, 1918-2010

January 13, 2010

Our loving mother, grandmother, friend and mentor, Vivian Formanek, 91, of Britt, died on Saturday, January 9, 2010, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, January 13, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt, with Fr. Henry Huber officiating. Burial was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Duncan. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Britt was in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. Patrick's Catholic Church or to the Hospice of North Iowa in her memory.

Vivian Formanek, the tenth of twelve children of Frank and Elizabeth (Kudej) Kopacek, was born on November 20, 1918, on a farm south of Duncan. She attended the rural schools of Liberty Township and the Britt High School, where she graduated as class valedictorian at the age of fifteen. She continued her education at the Britt Junior College. During high school and college she lived with her maternal grandparents and various family members, caring for her many nieces and nephews.

On April 13, 1937, she married Edward John Formanek at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan. They were the loving parents of five children. They farmed northeast of Duncan until 1975 when Ed became ill. They moved to Britt in 1976 where Vivian cared for Ed until he passed away in December of 1983.

Vivian was a compassionate and caring individual. She worked at the Westview Care Center and was an active church and community volunteer. Vivian delivered Meals on Wheels, was a hospice volunteer, taught catechism and was a Eucharistic Minister. She took communion to patients in hospitals and nursing homes for thirty years. Vivian received the Governor's Volunteer Award for her service. She was devoted to her church and family. She enjoyed genealogy, traveling and baking.

She was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church, St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and Catholic Workman FCSLA w51.

Vivian will be greatly missed by her children, Gary (Jane) Formanek of Portland, Oregon, Karen (Al) Boeck of Phoenix, Arizona, Patricia (David) Wallen of Minot, North Dakota and Cindy Formanek Kirk (Bob Florian) of Birmingham, Alabama; daughter-in-law, Jean (Ron) Pederson of Lake Mills; grandchildren, Kim Becker, Rachel Formanek Monteiro, Renee Patchak, David Haverly, Patrick Wallen, Stephanie Wallen, Beth Wallen, Brian Kirk, Elizabeth Kirk, Krisanne Pederson and Jason Pederson; twelve great-grandchildren; a sister, Marie Brcka of Britt; and many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ed on December 26, 1983; son, Ron on October 18, 1966; sisters, Mildred Wellik, Lillian Chizek, Agnes Rayhons, Blanche Paca and Evelyn Kopacek; brothers, Vincent and Raymond Kopacek; and three siblings in infancy, Helen, Arnold and Francis.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

Donald E. Quintus, 1928-2010

January 20, 2010

Donald E. Quintus, 81, of Garner, died on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, January 15, at the United Presbyterian Church in Garner, with Justin Asche officiating. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner, with military rites conducted by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the North Iowa Mercy Hospital, Muse Norris Hospice or to the On Common Grounds Ministry.

Donald E. Quintus, the son of Roy and Mildred (Stewart) Quintus, was born on January 16, 1928 on a farm east of Garner. He was baptized and confirmed at the United Presbyterian Church in Garner. Don graduated from the Garner High School in 1947. He worked on the family farm until 1950 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Upon his completion of basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Harlan Dickson DD 708 during the Korean War.

On July 26, 1952, he married Evelyn Borrelli at Providence, Rhode Island. After his honorable discharge in 1954, Don and Lynne returned to Iowa where Don worked for Hancock Co. Coop Oil for 3 years and Bock Oil for four years. In 1960, Don and Lynne began farming southwest of Klemme until 1999 when they moved into Garner. Don drove school bus for the Klemme School District for 14 years and did seasonal farm work for Gordon and Marilyn Pringnitz for many years.

He enjoyed traveling and attending his annual Navy reunion in various states. Don also enjoyed visiting with people and the fellowship of his "coffee buddies". He considered his family as his most precious possession. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, sang in the choir and served on the Board of Trustees and the Session for many years. He also was a board member of the Klemme Coop and a bank director for the North Iowa State Bank in Belmond for a number of years.

Don is survived by his wife, Lynne of Garner; two sons, Ken (Deb) Quintus of Garner and Brad Quintus of Mesa, Arizona; four grandchildren, Ellen (Eric) Schulte and their two children, Ava and Hayden, Lauren (Nathanael) Gilkerson and their two children, Evelina and Rosina, Evan Quintus and Nicole Quintus; two sisters, Virginia (Harlan) Haberkamp of Garner and Dorothy Jeter of Garner; three sisters-in-law, Verneil Quintus of Garner, Ruth Quintus of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and Phyllis Quintus of Hampton; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Reed Quintus; a sister, Margaret Allen; and three brothers, Dean, Jim and Jerry Quintus.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

Marie M. Moe, 1921-2010

January 20, 2010

Marie M. Moe, 88, of Garner, died on Thursday, January 14, 2010, at the Prairie View Apartments in Garner.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, at the St. John's Lutheran Church east of Garner, with Rev. Carl Hedberg officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Marie M. Moe, the daughter of Herman and Emma (Boehnke) Pueggel, was born on March 22, 1921 at Ventura. She was baptized and confirmed at the St. John's Lutheran Church. Marie attended the St. John's Parochial School and graduated from the Ventura High School in 1939. After high school, she attended La' James Cosmetology in Mason City and operated beauty shops in Sheffield and Garner.

On May 15, 1944, she was married to C. Keith Moe at the St. John's Lutheran Church. They lived in Garner where Marie operated a beauty shop out of her home. In March of 1948 their daughter, Janelle, was born. In 1962, they moved to Des Moines. Marie managed beauty shops in Des Moines until her retirement in 1994. After Keith passed away in 1995, she continued to live in Des Moines until moving to Garner in June of 2007.

Marie enjoyed playing bridge, traveling and quilting. She was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church and LWML.

Marie is survived by her daughter, Janelle (Earl) Ashby of St. Charles, Missouri; two sisters, Viola Monahan of Ft. Collins, Colorado and Harriet (Eugene) Oetting of Seward, Nebraska; a brother, Harold (Carol) Pueggel of Ventura; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Keith on May 5, 1995; and two sisters, Evelyn Gronbach and Marlys Dreyer.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

Eugene R. Schaefer, 1922-2010

January 27, 2010

MASON CITY-Eugene R. Schaefer, 87, of Mason City, died on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at the Heritage Care Center in Mason City.

Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, January 22, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with Pastor Tim Riekhoff-Faris officiating.

Inurnment was in the Concord Township Cemetery, Garner. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Eugene Robert Schaefer, the son of Roy and Cora (Gates) Schaefer, was born on July 13, 1922 near Klemme. He attended the Liberty No. 9 Country School and the Klemme High School. He farmed with his parents and did custom work for farmers in the area. Gene also worked on road construction in north Iowa, was employed by Weisenberg John Deere and drove truck for Bock Transport in Garner.

On October 15, 1950, he married Reta Humphrey at the United Methodist Church in Klemme. In 1953, they moved to Storm Lake and Gene began working at Farm Service Transport. They moved to Sioux City in 1960 and Milford in 1968. In November of 1970 Reta passed away. On January 17, 1976 he married Gloria Timmons Baker at Sibley. Gene retired from Farm Service Transport in 1983 after almost 30 years of employment. In 1987, they moved to Mason City and spent their winters in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas for a number of years. In August of 2008 Gloria passed away.

He enjoyed fishing, especially at Two Rivers, Wisconsin and at several lakes in Minnesota, talking to people, puttering and in his younger years, water skiing and snowmobiling.

He is survived by his two children, Jennifer Helle of Milford and Jeff Schaefer (Cherry Urch) of Plano, Texas; five step-children, Jerome (Kathy) Baker of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Diana (Mark) Rettig of Cedar Rapids, David (Cindy) Baker of Des Moines, Richard (Mary) Baker of Omaha and Pamela (Robben) Wellendorf of Owasso, Oklahoma; thirteen grandchildren, Jaymeson Sprague, Jessica Sprague, Michael Baker, Amy Wiese, Adam Baker, Jill Zegers Joe Baker, Mark Wellendorf, Kara Baker, Allison Payne, Robyn Wellendorf and Stephanie Rettig, Heath Barry and Grant Barry; eleven great-grandchildren; three sisters, Rose Trca of Story City, Iris Rayhons of Clear Lake and Daisy (Jesse) Schwichtenberg of Garner; and many nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Reta and Gloria; sister, Violet Weaver; brothers, Calvin "Joe", Donald and Merle Schaefer; and grandson, Frank Baker.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

Olga L. Jass, 1913-2010

January 27, 2010

Olga L. Jass, 96, of Garner, died on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura, with Pastor Daird Korth officiating. Burial was in the Memorial Park Cemetery. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to the Redeemer Lutheran Church or donor's charity of choice.

Olga Louise Jass, the daughter of Gustav and Minnie (Michaelis) Jass, was born on September 15, 1913, on a farm near Garner. She was baptized and confirmed at the St. John's Lutheran Church east of Garner. She attended the St. John's Parochial School and country school in Ellington Township. Olga worked on the family farm for several years and then moved to Peoria, Illinois, where she helped her aunt and uncle for ten years. In 1946, she returned to Iowa and lived on the family farm with her parents. In 1966, Olga and her mother moved into Ventura. She worked at Oakwood Manor in Clear Lake and E.F. Johnson Electronics in Garner, retiring in 1974.

She was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church until 1946, when she joined Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura. She belonged to the Dorcas Society, sang in choir for many years and was a Sunday School teacher. Olga also was a member of the Ventura Senior Citizens.

Olga is survived by extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Elmer (Dorothy) Jass; and special friend, Edward Stohr.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

Ada (Wille) Rockow, 1918-2010

March 3, 2010

Ada (Wille) Rockow, died on Monday, January 25, 2010, at her home at the age of 91.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, February 4, at the St. John Lutheran Church in McMinnville, Oregon. Interment was in the Evergreen Memorial Park Mausoleum in McMinnville.

Ada was born on September 4, 1918 in Klemme, the daughter of Cornelius and Marie (Thieman) Wille. She married Vernard Rockow on October 15, 1939 in Nashua. They lived at Almena. Wisconsin for 25 years, then moved to Salem, Oregon.

Ada is survived by a son, Jerry (Betty) Rockow of Bend, Oregon; a daughter, Gloria Carmody of Portland, Oregon; three granddaughters; two great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter; brothers, Ray Wille of Hampton, Glen Wille of Garner and Darwin Wille of Golden, Colorado; and sisters, Ruby Blanchard of Garner and Adala Bailey of Britt.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Vern; a brother, Aaron Wille; a sister, Norma Rockow; and son-in-law, Dennis Carmondy.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

Mildred "Millie" Schaefer, 1930-2010

February 3, 2010

Mildred "Millie" Schaefer, 79, of Garner, died on Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, with Fr. Brian Dellaert officiating. Burial was in the St. Boniface Cemetery.

The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Catholic Charities, American Lung Association or The Salvation Army.

Mildred Mae Schaefer, the daughter of Martin and Anna (Hrubes) Stupka, was born on March 6, 1930, on a farm north of Garner. Millie graduated from the Hayfield High School in 1947. After high school, she worked as a bookkeeper at Reuben's Shoe Store in Forest City. On November 25, 1948, she was married to Calvin "Joe" Schaefer at the St. James Rectory in Forest City. Joe was in construction work and they traveled to different construction places in the Midwest. In 1954, they returned to Garner where they raised their family. Millie worked in a variety of jobs including the nursing home, Dr. Fuller's medical office, secretary at the Garner-Hayfield High School and twenty years as part-time secretary at the North Iowa Printing Company.

She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, church activities, card playing and, in her earlier years, camping. She was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Rosary Society and the Garner VFW Auxiliary.

Millie is survived by her six children, Sandra (Lt. Gen. Dennis) Hejlik of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Linda (Gary) Lemke of Billings, Montana, Janelle Luppen of Billings, Montana, Joanne Case of Eden, North Carolina, Joe Schaefer of Seattle, Washington and Greg Schaefer of Ames; eight grandchildren, Jason (Kamber) Hejlik and their three children, Kayla, Kassidy and Kenzie, Jill (LCDR Mike) Brady and their son, Michael, Jamison (Linda) Lemke, Ben Lemke, Michael Schaefer, Chris Schaefer, Jenny Schaefer and Ryan Schaefer; a sister, Anna Tlach of Garner; a brother, Clarence (Marlene) Stupka of Ankeny; sisters-in-law, Rose Trca, Iris Rayhons and Daisy (Jesse) Schwichtenberg; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe on December 28, 1990; her parents; sisters, Agnes Formanek and Dorothy Bosch; and brothers, Lewis, Ray and Harold Stupka.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

Jimmy Brewer, 1932-2010

February 3, 2010

Jimmy L. Brewer, 72, of Garner, died on Friday, January 29, 2010, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Graveside services will be held at a later date in the Ellington Prairie Cemetery near Garner, with Rose Visser, Lay Minister officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

There will be no visitation. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner is in charge of the arrangements.

Jimmy Lee Brewer, the son of Dick and Edith (Sullivan) Brewer, was born on January 16, 1938 in Iowa. He graduated from high school and enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He married Sharon Crawford in Colorado. They lived in California where Jimmy was employed at an upholstery manufacturer as a foreman. In 1994, they moved to Garner and Jimmy worked at Fleetguard in Lake Mills. He enjoyed fishing and hunting.

He was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Sharon of Garner; three sisters-in-law, Colleen Findling of Mason City, Patty (Bob) Hestad of Garner and Mary Crawford of Mason City; and nieces and a nephew.

He was preceded in death by his son, Michael; and his parents.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010