Carl C. Larsen

January 7, 2003

Carl C. Larsen, 83, of Fertile, died on Wednesday, January 1, 2003, at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills, where he had lived for two and a half years, suffering from Parkinson's Disease.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 4, at the Fertile Lutheran Church in Fertile, with the Rev. Marlin Snyder and the Rev. Merlin Norris officiating. Burial was in the North Prairie Cemetery near Scarville.

Carl Christian Larsen, was born on December 24, 1919, to Lauritz and Annie (Olson) Larsen, in Felton, Minnesota. He grew up and received his education in Felton. He attended Waldorf College in Forest City and played in the college band. On June 29, 1941, he married Alice Solomonson at the North Prairie Lutheran Church.

Carl served with the 27th Photo Squadron during World War II and saw overseas duty in the British Isles. Carl played in a band called the "Lightnings," entertaining troops throughout England and France. Following his honorable discharge, he spent seven years in Forest City working for Olson Furniture.

In 1953, the couple moved to Fertile where they made their home and Carl was part owner of a local hardware store. Carl and Alice founded Larsen Plumbing and Heating in 1958, where he worked until his retirement in 1985. He continued to work part time until 1995.

Carl was a member of the Fertile Lutheran Church, where he served on various committees and was chairperson for many years. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Community State Bank in Clear Lake, was a member of the Clear Lake VFW and a charter member of the Fertile Lions Club. Carl served many years with the Fertile and Forest City Community School Districts.

In his spare time, Carl enjoyed camping, fishing and building model airplanes with his grandsons.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Alice; daughter, Nancy and son-in-law, Dennis Faber of Fertile; three grandsons; two sisters, Josephine Larsen and Lorraine Diederichs of Minneapolis; three brothers, John (Betty) Larsen of Fargo, North Dakota, Harold Larsen of Moorhead, Minnesota and Kenneth (Lois) Larsen of Sarasota, Florida; and a brother-in-law, Bob Chesley of Brunswick, Maine.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; and one brother.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Alyce Nelson

January 14, 2003

Alyce C. Nelson, 99, of Lake Mills, died on Monday, January 6, 2003, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa, following a brief illness with pneumonia and a fractured hip earlier in the day.

Funeral service were held on Thursday, January 9, at the Sion Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills, with the Rev. Tom Hagen officiating. Burial was in the Bristol Cemetery, rural Joice.

Alyce C. Nelson, was born in Bristol Township, Worth County, Iowa, to Christian and Anna (Halstenson) Brevig Halvorson on January 21,1903 and lived almost the entire century within 15 miles of her birthplace. She married Nels H. Nelson on June 28, 1922 and had two sons, VeRone and Dennis. Nels and Alyce farmed near Joice until Nels's death in 1958. She remained on the family farm until Dennis's death in 1995, moving to the Maple Court in Northwood in 1996, and to the Lake Mills Care Center in 2000.

Alyce worked for several years as a cook in the Joice Public School. She was a life-long active member at the Bristol Lutheran Church, until its closing when she transferred her membership to the Sion Lutheran Church. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her family.

Survivors include son, VeRone and wif,e Bonnie Nelson of El Dorado Springs, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Fern Nelson and granddaughter, Doreen and husband, Jim Carter, all of Woodbury, Minnesota; granddaughter, Deb and husband, Jim Scholten of Sioux City, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Jessica and husband, Ryan McIntosh, J.D. Scholten and Caroline Carter; sister, Ruth Peterson of Northwood; and sisters-in-law, Betty Halvorson Colby and Mavis Halvorson Olson.

Alyce was preceded in death by her husband, Nels; son, Dennis; granddaughter, Durene; her parents; brothers, Henry, Almer, Inghart, Clarence, Arnold and Joe Halvorson.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Allen W. Holstad

January 21, 2003

Allen W. Holstad, 58, of Lake Mills, died on Saturday, January 11, 2003, at his home in Lake Mills.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 16, at the Salem Lutheran Church, Lake Mills, with the Rev. Roger Dykstra and the Rev, Kevin Mackey officiating. Burial was in the Salem Memorial Cemetery, Lake Mills.

Allen Wayne Holstad, was born on April 1, 1944, at Mercy Hospital in Mason City to Arnold and Marian (Meehan) Holstad. He was baptized on April 30, 1944, at the Bristol Church in rural Joice. He was confirmed at the Salem Lutheran Church. He graduated form the Lake Mills High School in 1962 and later attended Hamilton College. He lived and worked for White Farm Equipment in several locations and retired from AGCO in 2000. He moved back to Lake Mills in 2001.

Survivors include one son, Allen W. Holstad II and his wife, Lauri of Windsor, Colorado; one daughter, Amy Jo and her husband, Eric Pagel of Greeley, Colorado; mother, Marian Holstad of Lake Mills; sister, Sharon and her husband, Jerome Jensen of Albert Lea and their children, Thomas Jensen and his wife, Julie and their children, Rachel and Sam; James Jensen and Robert Jensen, all of Clarks Grove; and aunts, uncles and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Arnold in 1996; and his grandparents.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Duane Ellingson

January 14, 2003

Duane Ellingson, 77, of Glenville, died on Sunday, January 12, 2003, at the Albert Lea Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 16, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, with Rev. Daniel Baker officiating. Interment will be in the Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, January 15, at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Juell Duane Ellingson, was born on February 21, 1925, to Seymour and Molly (Winden) Ellingson in Hanlontown, Iowa. He was a graduate of the Hanlontown High School. As a young man, Duane worked as a hired hand. On November 2, 1955, Duane married Betty Marie Tews. He has lived on the same farm most of his life. Duane had been employed at Streaters retiring after 15 years and was also a paper carrier.

Duane was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He enjoyed fixing anything mechanical.

Survivors include his daughters, Cindy and husband, Lee Rolfs of Sussex, Wisconsin and Sandy Nelson of Albert Lea; four grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; sisters, Mavis Nelson and husband, Dwight and Nola Anderson and husband, Andy; and nieces and nephews and step-sister-in-law, Barbara Anderson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Seymour and Molly Ellingsen; wife, Betty; brother, Roger Ellingson; step-brother, Leo Anderson; and other beloved family members.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Margaret J. Olsen

January 14, 2003

Margaret J. Olsen, 76, of Osage, died on Sunday, January 12, 2003, at the St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday, January 15, at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage, with Rev. Dennis Hanson and Rev. Roy Ott officiating. Interment will be in the Rock Creek Cemetery, rural Osage.

Margaret was born on March 19, 1926, on the family farm west of Carpenter, Iowa, the daughter of Clarence and Ruth (Parker) Johnson. She graduated from the Orchard High School in 1943. She then attended Hamilton Business School in Mason City and then worked as a secretary for Seig Auto.

Margaret married Lowell Olsen on October 12, 1946, at the Rock Creek Lutheran Church, rural Osage. They farmed for six years and then purchased Olsen Implement in Osage, where they lived their entire married life.

Margaret enjoyed her family and their activities.

Survivors include her husband, Lowell Olsen of Osage; two daughters, Marcia Taeger and husband, Keith of West Burlington and their children, Gretchen Harkness and husband, Chris and son, Nicole Taeger; Diane Kleckner and husband, Larry of Audubon and their children, Linsey Petersen and husband, Perry, Allison Ullestad and husband, Erik, Laura Kleckner; three sons, Jim Olsen and wife, Beth of Osage and children; Jeff Olsen and wife, Jayne of Osage and children; Jay Olsen and his wife, Sheila of Osage and children; four brothers; four sisters; two sister-in-laws; one brother-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Ruth Jessica Hansen

January 21, 2003

Ruth Jessica Hansen, 87, of Bolan, died on Monday, January 13, 2003, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Memorial services were held on Friday, January 17, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bolan, with Rev. Robert Cumings officiating. According to her wishes and to help with the advancement of eradicating diseases, her body was donated to the University of Iowa Hospital Anatomy Department in Iowa City. The Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood, was in charge of the arrangements.

Ruth Jessica Hansen, was born on November 29, 1915 in Grand Mound, Iowa, the second of six children born to Martin and Martha (Paulson) Petersen. The family moved to northern Iowa where Ruth attended country school and graduated from the Plymouth High School. She married Arthur H. White on April 26, 1936, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. He preceded her in death in 1964. She and Art moved to Bolan in 1940 and became owners of the Bolan Store, which they operated until his death.

She married George Hansen in September of 1966, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. After their marriage they continued in business together until his death in August 1999.

When the residents of Bolan were featured on the David Letterman show, Ruth was one of the spokespersons for the community. After the show aired, she received mail from all over the United States.

Ruth collected antiques for many years and eventually opened an antique shop in Bolan. She also took flying lessons and learned to fly her own plane. She attended auctioneer school in Mason City and at the time she was the oldest student ever registered at that school.

She was a member and very active in the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bolan, and was very active in the ladies groups.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Phyllis Young of Denver, Colorado and Carla White of Ft. Collins, Colorado; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three step-children, Bootie Kapler and her husband, Ike of Cresco, Harold Hansen and his wife, Margie of Davenport and Norma Seligman and her husband, Andy of Tipton; and their children and grandchildren; sister, Phyllis Pearson and her husband, Don of Omaha, Nebraska; brother, Marty Petersen of San Diego, California; as well as many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Arthur White and George Hansen; son, Lee A. White; and three brothers, Ralph, Raymond and Robert Petersen; and a step-son, Leon Hansen.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Letha F. Selvig

January 21, 2003

Letha F. Selvig, 81, of Northwood, died on Thursday, January 16, 2003, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, January 19, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood, with Rev. Paul Holmer of the First Lutheran Church in Northwood officiating. Burial was in the Hamlet Cemetery in Hamlet, Illinois. Funeral services were also held on Tuesday, at the Fippinger Funeral Home, Aledo, Illinois.

Letha F. Selvig, was born on May 22, 1921, the daughter of Jesse James and Grace (Poland) Fifield in Joy, Illinois. She attended and received her education in the Joy, Illinois, School System, graduating from the Joy High School in 1939. She married Ward "Micky" Michael Peters on June 21, 1939 in Joy, Illinois. After their marriage they farmed together in Mercer County, Illinois, until his death in 1960.

Letha was also an accountant at a farm implement dealership, at a doctor's office and also was a nurse's aid at a county nursing home in Aledo, Illinois, before moving to Independence, Missouri in 1960, where she worked for the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints and also worked as an accountant at the Social Service Center for the church.

She married Eugene Morrison in 1963, in Independence, Missouri. After their marriage they moved to the Lake of the Ozarks, where they owned and operated a motel before moving to Blue Springs, Missouri, where she was a Shaklee dealer. Eugene and Letha enjoyed going in the winter to Black Canyon City, Arizona. Eugene preceded her in death in September 1988.

Letha married Russell Selvig on April 23, 1992 in Independence, Missouri and she moved to Northwood in May of 1992, where Russell was a resident. Letha and Russell enjoyed spending several winters in Fort Meyers, Florida.

She loved music and singing, and was known for singing as the "Joy Sisters" on the weekly radio program in Muscatine, Iowa. She also sang in the "Messiah" choir and also sang in a choir in Independence, Missouri.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Russell Selvig of Northwood; three daughters, Bonnie M. Martin of Milan, Illinois, Roberta L. DuBose and F. June Harvey of Independence, Missouri; son, William M. Peters of Independence, Missouri; seven step-daughters, Jeannie Lentz of Sumner, Missouri, Rosemary Fall and her husband, James of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Carol Vandell and her husband, Daniel of Medford, Oregon, Rebecca Reyes and her husband, Joses of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Margaret Selvig of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Betty Rogers and her husband, Harry of Petersburg, Alaska and Shirley Cooper and her husband, Neil of Sherman Oaks, California; five step-sons, Daniel Selvig and his wife, Dr. Dawn Stavish of Platte, South Dakota, Donald Selvig and his wife, Diane of Huntley, Minnesota, Kenneth Selvig and his wife, Mary of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Richard Selvig of Plymouth, Minnesota and Peter Selvig and his wife, Lynn of Honolulu, Hawaii; grandchildren would include, Gerald W. Martin and his wife, Patty, Scott L. Martin and his wife, Susan, Daniel J. Richardson and significant other, Tracy, Robert J. Richardson and his wife, Alissa, Ernest Dale DuBose, Raymond Dean DuBose and his wife, Becky and Rochelle DuBose and her husband, Steven; step-grandson and granddaughters would include, Joe, Steven, Joshua and Sam Selvig, Richard Fall, Gretta and Russell Vandell, Tom, Mandy and Sarah Drews; brother, Richard Jesse Fifield of Fort Meyers, Florida; sister, Nola L. Nesbitt of Independence, Missouri; several great-grandchildren as well as many other relatives and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Ward Michael Peters and Eugene Morrison; son, Ward Donavan Peters; brother, Clarence Leroy (Don Rey) Fifield; and sister, LaVella Minteer.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Charles Olson, 69

January 28, 2003

Charles Albert Olson, 69, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, died on Monday, January 20, 2003, as a result of a brain tumor and blood clot in his lung. The body was cremated and a later memorial services will be held in Iowa.

Charles the oldest of four children was born to Albert and Margery (Legge) Olson on September 21, 1933 in the hospital at Clarion, Iowa. He was baptized at the Rowan Methodist Church. Charles attended grade school at Rowan and high school in Dows, graduating with the class of 1951. He was a member of the Methodist Church in Dows.

He was a small farmer receiving the first Iowa and American Farmer Degrees earned in Dows through FFA. He assisted his father with the Pla More Lanes bowling alley in Dows and Iowa Falls. He then joined the Merchant Marines. He delivered mobile trailer homes throughout the U.S. for several years and ran to be the 22nd District State Senator in Wisconsin. He owned and operated the Imperial Carpet Cleaning and Services in Waukegan, Illinois and Kenosha, Wisconsin. Charles never married and was a caregiver for his father in Manly, Iowa, until his father entered the nursing home. He then retired in Kenosha.

Survivors include three sisters, Shirley Meyer and husband, Dale of Kensett, Darlene Polzin of Iowa Falls and Mardine Meyer and husband, Dean of Kensett; special friend, Gary Turner of Kenosha; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother-in-law, Harold Polzin.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Alice Peterson, 83

January 28, 2003

Alice E. Peterson, 83, of Scarville, died on Monday, January 20, 2003, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 22, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Scarville, with the Rev. Randy Baldwin officiating. Burial was in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

Alice Evangeline Peterson, was born on May 29, 1919, to Albert and Clara (Erdahl) Christian near Thompson, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the Bethel Lutheran Church of Vinje, Iowa. She attended the Eden #6 Country Grade School and later graduated from the Thompson High School. While in high school, along with the required subjects, she was involved in music and sports.

Following graduation she worked at the Winnebago County Triple A (ASCS) office in Thompson. From there she was hired to work at the REA office in Thompson.

On November 15, 1942, she married Henry T. Peterson of Scarville at her parents home. Three children were born to this union, Homer, Harriet and Harlan. They farmed north of Scarville and she lived on this Century Farm until entering the Lake Mills Care Center in November of 2002.

Following Henry's death in 1963, she worked at the Brackey & Ramsey Law Office in Lake Mills. That office was sold to Branstad & Schwarm, where she continued working for a number of years as a legal secretary.

Her lifelong interests were centered in her church, her music and her art.

She taught piano lessons, served as organist of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Scarville for many years, and also was choir director for several years. As a skilled and self taught artist, she created many beautiful watercolor paintings and did rosemaling, gifting many relatives and friends with her works.

Left to carry her memory in their minds and hearts are her sons, Homer Peterson and his wife, Penny of Scarville, Iowa and Harlan Peterson and his wife, Linda of Emmons, Minnesota; daughter, Harriet Willand and her husband, Warren of Northwood; one sister, Charlotte Wolfe and her husband, Dale of Kiester, Minnesota; one brother, Irving Christian of Grandin, North Dakota; nine grandchildren, Amber (Rick) Anderson, Korin Peterson, Wesley (Linda) Willand, Sara (Steve) Hulshizer, Dan (Jennifer) Willand, Rodney Thompson, Lance (Carol) Thompson, Pam (Russ) Heinzerling and Howard (Carrie) Peterson; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Henry on February 28, 1963; two grandchildren, Kacey Thompson and Ryan Peterson; and a sister-in-law, Lillian Christian.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Malinda Bartz, 87

January 28, 2003

Malinda Augusta Bartz, 87, died on Wednesday, January 22, 2003, at the Good Samaritan Center, St. Ansgar, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 25, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, with Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating. Burial was in the Grafton Cemetery.

Malinda was born on December 1, 1915 in Grafton, Iowa, to John and Emma (Glauwitz) Bork. She was baptized in 1916 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton and also was confirmed on March 29, 1931. Malinda married Harvey Bartz on June 27, 1932, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harvey on September 5, 1991; daughter, Karen in 1944; step-granddaughter, Marie in 2002; six brothers, Edwin, John, Clarence, Arthur, Walter and Roy; six sisters, Laura Krueger, Myrtle Rappath, Esther Anderson, Verna Schlotterback, Wilma Graffin and Ruth Dalluge.

Survivors include one son, Richard and wife, Jean of Eau Galle, Wisconsin; four daughters, Bonnie Deal and husband, Virl of Grafton, Betty Jordan and husband, Edwin of Grafton, Sharon Anderson and husband, Allen of Northwood and Judy Hickman and husband, Russell of Glendale, Arizona; 15 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 15 step-great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; 11 step-great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Irene Hartwig of Grafton, Elsie Kline of Grafton and Genevieve Furness of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Norman S. Rye

January 28, 2003

Norman S. Rye, 84, of Fertile, died on Friday, January 24, 2003, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, January 27, at the Fertile Lutheran Church in Fertile, with the Rev. Marlin Snyder officiating. Burial was in the Brush Point Cemetery in rural Fertile.

Norman Sydney Rye, was born on September 21, 1918, to Lewis and Caroline (Jacobson) Rye in Fertile. He grew up and received his education in Fertile. He was in the service of his country for four years with the Army Engineers, spending time in Hawaii, Okinawa and Saipan during World War II.

On October 25, 1945, he married Maxine Fredrickson of Forest City. Norman worked at Winnebago Industries, hauled star route mail for 13 years, worked in maintenance at Oakwood Manor in Clear Lake and was groundskeeper for 14 years at the All Vets Golf Course in Clear Lake.

Norman was an active member of the Fertile Lutheran Church, serving as a deacon, teaching Sunday School and working on remodeling the church basement. He made the communion railing and a cross for each Sunday School Room. He also served on the Fertile City Council and was a member of the Brush Point Cemetery Board.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Maxine Rye of Fertile; daughter, Julie Abendschein and husband, Robert of Hampton; sons, James and wife, Susan of Des Moines and David and wife, Valerie of Golden, Colorado; four grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; and many nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; and three brothers.
© Northwood Anchor 2003

Loretta Melinda Hackbart

February 4, 2003

Loretta Melinda Hackbart, 76, of Grafton, died on Thursday, January 30, 2003, at her home in Grafton.

Funeral services were held on Monday, February 3, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, with Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating. Burial was in the Grafton Cemetery.

Loretta Melinda Hackbart, was born on April 15, 1926 at Plymouth, Iowa, the daughter of Lawrence and Melinda (Dobel) Glassel. She became a child of God through baptism at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, on May 9, 1926. Her sponsors were her grandparents, Emil Glassel and Mrs. Herman (Marie) Dobel and she reaffirmed the faith of her baptism through confirmation in the Lutheran faith on June 1, 1941, by the Rev. H. L. Lechner.

Loretta graduated from the Plymouth High School in 1944 and attended summer sessions at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. After completing her schooling, Loretta taught rural schools in Union Township in Worth County and in Lime Creek Township in Cerro Gordo County and worked at the Standard Oil business office in Mason City. She married Robert William Hackbart on October 31, 1948, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton. He preceded her in death on January 28, 1999. After their marriage the couple lived on the century Hackbart farm south of Grafton all of their 50 years of married life. After Bob's death, Loretta continued to reside on the farm.

Loretta was a life long member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton and was active in the Women's Missionary Federation, American Lutheran Church Women and the Lutheran Church Women as Vice-President and then President for six years. Loretta truly enjoyed these years of service, growing spiritually and making many new friends with Christian women throughout the conference and state. She also taught Sunday School, was a Bethel Bible Teacher and a member of the church council and of the Altar Guild.

Loretta was very active in the Grafton Community Action organization, serving as treasurer for four years and co-editor of the monthly newsletter, "The Scoop". She received the Governor's Volunteer Award in 1995, from Governor Terry Branstad. She served for 15 years as a member of the Worth County unit of the American Cancer Society and on the Lutheran Brotherhood Worth County Branch Board for nine years. She was also active in high school sports and continued as an avid sports fan.

Left to cherish her memory are her two sons, Lee Hackbart of Grafton and Neil Hackbart and his wife, Donna of Grafton; grandchildren, Jason Hackbart and his wife, Jody and their daughter, Brooklyn Lanae Hackbart of rural Kensett and Amy Powers and her husband, Derrick of Grafton; brother, Rufus Glassel and his wife, Doris of Plymouth; brothers and sisters-in-law, Truman and Lorraine Julseth of rural Northwood and Roger and Lucille Hackbart of Golden Valley, Minnesota; one nephew and five nieces and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Melinda Dobel Glassel; and her husband, Robert in 1999.
© Northwood Anchor 2003