Dorothea Christians
Published January 4, 2003

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

Her funeral service was on Thursday, January 2, 2003 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, with Reverend Selmer G. Hernes officiating. Interment will follow at the Grafton Cemetery. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Dora Christians Memorial Fund, to be dispersed according to Dora's wishes.

Dora was born June 18, 1903 in Grafton, Iowa, a daughter of August and Ernestine (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 Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton. Dora was united in marriage to Harry W. Christians on January 9, 1927 also at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, by Reverend 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 Emmanuel Lutheran Church and a member of the Mary Martha Circle. Dora's thoughtfulness and kindness to others will be remembered.

Dora is survived by her son, Don Christians, of Mill Valley, CA, her daughter, Harriet Kuntz of Mason City, two grandsons, Dave Kuntz and his wife, Tern, of Mason City and Brent Kuntz and his wife, Julie, of Grafton, five great-grandchildren, Cassie, Nicole, and Lindsay Kuntz of Mason City and Tim and Jenna Kuntz of Grafton, 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.

Gala Anna L Stelter
Published January 11, 2003

Funeral services Gala Anna Louise Stelter, 83, formerly of Clear Lake, who died Saturday, January 4, 2003, at the Lake Mills Care Center, were held on Tuesday, January 7 at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Kermit Roisen officiating.

Gala was born in Grafton, Iowa on September 16, 1919, the daughter of August and Lillie (Verchow) Bork. She was baptized on October 12, 1919 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, and was confirmed on May 3, 1936 at the English Lutheran Church in Manly.

Gala received her education at the Grafton School. She was married to Lawrence Stelter on April 4, 1943 in Austin, Minnesota. She was a kind and devoted wife and mother. Her joys in life were cooking and housekeeping. Gala was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church.

Gala moved to the Lake Mills Care Center on November 1, 2002.

Gala is survived by two sons, Dennis Stelter and wife Marilyn of Clear Lake, and Daryl "Chip" Stelter and wife Linda of Lake Mills; four grandchildren, John Stelter and wife Debby of Clear Lake; David Stelter and wife Donna of Iowa City; Shawn Stelter and husband Paul Thomson of Overland Park, Kansas; and Sheila Stelter of Lake Mills; two great grandchildren, Timothy Stelter of Clear Lake and Taylor Stelter of Lake Mills; a sister, Betty Rosenberg and husband Gene of Grafton; two brothers, Dale Bork and wife Donna of Inner Grove Hts., Minnesota; and Wayne Bork and wife Ellen of St. Ansgar; a sister-in-law Bernie Callahan and husband Johnny of Austin, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence in 1995 and her parents.

Burial was at the St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery in Toeterville.

Updated by Chuck Prickett 8/3/2003

Taylor John Koenigs
Published January 18, 2003

Funeral services for Taylor John Koenigs, 9, of Meyer, who died on January 12, 2003, at McIntire, were held on Wednesday, January 15 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Meyer, with the Rev. Mark Reasoner officiating.

Taylor was born on January 12, 1994 in Austin, Minnesota to Mark and Sindee (Hockens) Koenigs. He attended St. Ansgar Elementary School in the third grade. Taylor enjoyed school and his teachers. He enjoyed playing with his dog, Ruby and riding his go-cart. He liked to go fishing with his Dad. He brought happiness to everyone he knew. He enjoyed playing with his cousins and loved spending time with his family.

Taylor is survived by his parents; one sister, Angela Koenigs of Stevens Point, Wisconsin; maternal grandparents, Florence and All Homen of Austin, Minnesota; paternal grandparents, Deo and Joan Koenigs of St. Ansgar; paternal great grandmother, Mariel Koenigs of Stacyville.

Burial was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Meyer.

Timothy Huisman
Published January 18, 2003

Funeral services for Timothy Huisman, 50, of Knoxville, who died Saturday, January 11, 2003, were held on Wednesday, January 15 in Knoxville with the Rev. Mark Spring officiating.

Tim was born on January 29, 1952 in Oskaloosa, the son of Seth and Olive Hancock Huisman. He graduated from Waukon high school in 1972 and received his B.A. degree from Central College in Pella, and his M.A. degree in Elementary School Administration from Drake University in Des Moines.

Tim was a music and band instructor in Madrid and St. Ansgar for several years. He taught at Lawson Elementary School and was associate principal at Wallace Elementary, Lawson Elementary School and Johnson, Middle School. He was currently principal at Horizon Elementary School teaching continuing education classes for Veruro. He had also worked for Ledges State Park near Boone during the summer months for many years.

Tim married Peggy Guitar on August 31, 2001 at their residence in Knoxville. He was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church and the church choir, the Knoxville Community Chorus, Knoxville Youth Initiative, and was an athletic booster of the Martensdale-St. Mary's School District. He had recently received the "My Favorite Teacher Award" presented by Channel 5 in Ames.

Tim is survived by his wife, Peggy; two daughters, Stephanie Guitar of Knoxville and Jessayn Huisman of Madrid; a son Graham of Madrid; his parents, Seth and Olive Huisman of Waldorf, Maryland; two sisters, Kathy Soyle (John) of White Plaines, Maryland, and Marci Scott (Sjon) of Neustadt, Germany; a brother Steve of Arlington, Texas; many other relatives.

Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville.

Updated by Chuck Prickett 8/3/2003

Luella R. Hoisinyton
Published January 25, 2003

Funeral services for Luella R. (Newton) Hoisington, 86, of Osage, who died Saturday, January 18, 2003, at Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage, were held on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at the First Baptist Church in Osage with Rev. Roger Davis officiating.

Luella was born February 22, 1916 in Osage, the daughter of Roy and Arlie (Taylor) Fish. Luella was educated in Osage schools and graduated from Osage High School.

She was united in marriage to Howard Newton on January 1, 1939 in her parent's home near Osage. They farmed southeast of Osage, Howard died in 1989. Luella was united in marriage to Vernon Hoisington on May 31, 1992 at First Baptist Church, Osage. Vernon died in 1996. She was an active member of First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School, sang in church choir and served on various boards. She enjoyed playing the piano, embroidering and spending time with her family.

Luella is survived by two daughters: Karen Koethke and husband Alien of St. Ansgar and their children, James Bruggeman and his children, Amanda and Samantha; Robin Bless (Doug) and their children, Jonathon, Jacob and Jesse; Noreen Fink and husband Robert of Osage and their children: Steve Fink (Lori) and their children, Alyssa, Caleb and Kylee; David Fink (Shirley) and their children, Matthew, Aaron, Andrew; step daughter Carol Decklever and husband Dale of Osage; two step sons, Lee Hoisington and Howard Hoisington and wife Myme, both of Orchard; a brother Dean Fish of Aloha, Oregon; many step grandchildren and step great grandchildren

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Howard, husband Vernon, a bother Donald Fish, grandson John Bruggeman, and son-in-law Albert Bruggeman Jr.

Burial was in the Osage Cemetery.

Jerry Dohler
Published January 25, 2003

Funeral services for Jerry Dohler, 91, of St. Ansgar, who died on Monday, January 20, 2003 at the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan, Center, will be held on Friday, January 24 at the United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jay Amundson officiating.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home.

Jerry was born at Primgar, Iowa on May 20, 1911, to William and Oriel Loveless Dohler. After graduating from Omaha Technical Highs School, he went to Rapid City, South Dakota. It was there he married Grade Shaffer on February 18, 1935. They lived on a ranch, raising cattle and wheat until 1951, when they moved to St. Ansgar area where Jerry was engaged in welding and metal fabrication.

Jerry is survived by four children: Dora Biederman (Dick) of Osage; Royal Dohler (Barbara) of St. Ansgar; Una Bleess (John Gerdes) of Blue Earth, Minnesota; and Sandra Hulshizer (Marvin) of Georgetown, Texas; ten grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brother, sister and son-in-law.

Private inurnment will be at the St. Ansgar Cemetery.

Becky Dockstader
Published January 25, 2003

Funeral services for Becky Marie (Gruhn) Dockstader, 73, of St. Ansgar, who died on Wednesday, January 15, 2003, at her home, were held on Monday, January 20 at Immanuel Lutheran Church here with the Rev. Byron Northwick officiating.

Becky (Beck) was born on January 15, 1930, to Fred and Gertrude (Becker) Gruhn in Manning, Iowa. She graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1947 and received her nursing degree from Iowa Lutheran School of Nursing in Des Moines. She went to work in Fort Dodge for a time. Doc and Becky met on a blind date and it was a year before he could catch up with her. They married on April 18, 1953 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake.

Following Doc's graduation in 1955 they moved to New Orleans, then returned to St. Ansgar in August of 1957. Becky served on the school board and was an AFA member as well. She will be greatly missed and held close in the hearts of her family as we celebrate her life as a love that will never die.

Becky is survived by six daughters, Chris and husband Larry Wadman of Annandale, Minnesota; Julie and husband Melvin Schroeder of St. Ansgar; Mary and husband Al Sommerfield of Derby, Kansas; Holly and husband Rick Schwarck of St. Ansgar; Kelly and husband Sean Shanahan of Hull, Maine; Wendie Dockstader of Iowa City; two sons, Peter Dockstader, and John Dockstader and wife Lis, both of St. Ansgar; 15 grandchildren; two sisters, Dorthy and husband Darial Detterman of Milford; and Marge Linquist of Lakewood, CO.

She was preceded in death by her husband W. Edson (Doc) Dockstader, a brother Donald Gruhn and a granddaughter, Molly Schroeder.

Burial was in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.