Elizabeth C. L. (Hendrikson) Weieneth

January 7, 2003

Elizabeth C. L. (Hendrikson) Weieneth, 82, of Ankeny, Iowa, died at the Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa, on Monday, December 30, 2002, following a stroke.

The body was cremated and memorial services were held on Friday, January 3, at the Ankeny First United Methodist Church and Saturday, January 4, at the Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church, rural Northwood, Iowa - Glenville, Minnesota. Burial of the remains will be in the Northwood Cemetery on July 1, 2003.

Elizabeth was born on July 1, 1920, to Peder and Clara (Bergeson) Hendrikson in Deer Creek Township in Worth County, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed in the Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church. She attended elementary school in Deer Creek #4 and graduated from the Northwood High school. Elizabeth married Arnold E. Weieneth on January 24, 1943 and the couple farmed near Meltonville, Iowa, for 23 years before moving to her parent's homestead in 1966. In 1979, following the death of her husband, Elizabeth moved to Northwood where she lived until moving to Ankeny in 1989.

An active partner in their farming operations, Elizabeth also worked many years for attorneys O. J. Wardwell and Floyd Ensign in Northwood, during the income tax season. In 1963 she was employed by the Northwood State Bank, working there for 21 years until her retirement in 1984.

She was a member of the Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church (with membership at Deer Creek Lutheran Church at Carpenter while farming and briefly with First Lutheran Church at Northwood.) She was active in Sunday Schools and church circles and served on the church council and cemetery board. She was a member of the Northern Light Lodge Order of Eastern Star where she served as Worthy Matron and held many other offices. She worked with the Deer Creek Boy's 4-H clubs for many years, was a Cub Scout Den Mother and was a member of the Worth County Historical Society.

In recent years Elizabeth took great pleasure in planting and tending a rose garden at Maplewood Condominiums for the enjoyment of many residents. She had also been a regular volunteer with the Soul Food Cafe at the Ankeny First United Methodist. She gave generously of her time and talents to many other non-profit groups and numerous individuals. Elizabeth enjoyed traveling making several trips to Europe and Scandinavia and a memorial trip to China with Friendship Force.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Roger in 1957; her husband, Arnold in 1978; and three brothers.

Survivors include one daughter, Kathryn Strand of Emmetsburg; two sons, Arlyn Weieneth of Elkhart and John Weieneth of Newhall; and eight grandchildren.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Dorothea "Dora" Christians

January 7, 2003

Dorothea "Dora" Christians, 99, of Grafton, died on Monday, December 30, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, January 2, 2003, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, with Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating. Interment was in the Grafton Cemetery.

Dora was born on June 18, 1903 in Grafton, Iowa, a daughter of August and Ernstine (Duenow) Wagner. She grew up and received her education in the Grafton area. She was baptized on July 12, 1903 and confirmed on April 1, 1917, both at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton. Dora married Harry W. Christians on January 9, 1927, also at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, by Rev. Carl Landeck. Harry, Dora, and her brother-in-law, Roy Christians, operated the Christian Brothers Store in Grafton for many years. Dora also worked as a postal clerk in Grafton while she was a fulltime homemaker. Dora was a lifelong member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church and a member of the Mary Martha Circle.

Dora is survived by her son, Don Christians of Mill Valley, California; daughter, Harriet Kuntz of Mason City; two grandsons, Dave Kuntz and his wife, Terri of Mason City and Brent Kuntz and his wife, Julie of Grafton; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harry; a son-in-law, Kermit Kuntz; a daughter-in-law, Joan (Clay) Christians; three sisters, Lydia McCann, Minnie Christians and Clara Bartz; and four brothers, Robert, Walter, Art, and Oscar Wagner.
© Northwood Anchor 2003