Selma A. Perkins
Published July 5, 2003

Funeral services for Selma A. Perkins, 95, of St. Ansgar, who died on Saturday, June 28, 2003, at the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Center, were held on Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at Deer Creek Lutheran Church, Carpenter, with the Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating.

Selma was born April 4, 1908 in Deer Creek Township, Worth County, Iowa, the daughter of John and Maria (Gordon) Johnson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Deer Creek Lutheran Church in Carpenter, where she was a life long member.

Selma attended rural school in Worth County and graduated from Otranto High School in 1926. On August 13, 1927 she married Randall Perkins of Lyle, Minnesota. They made their home in the Lyle area for 58 years. Following Randall's death in December of 1985, Selma moved to Worth Living Center in St. Ansgar. After failing health and vision she became a resident at the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Center.

Selma is survived by a daughter, Helen Marie Funk of Osage; a son, John (Ludmilia) Perkins of Cresco; six granddaughters; 11 great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; four step grandchildren; a brother, Maynard Johnson of Northwood; sister-in-law Mary (Arthur) Johnson of Northwood; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Randall, an infant son, Allan Eugene Perkins, brother Lloyd Johnson and wife Minnie; brother Arthur Johnson, all of Northwood; sister-in-law Viola (Maynard) Johnson; an infant sister, Alice Johnson; son-in-law, Keith Funk of Osage.

Burial was in the Deer Creek Cemetery, Carpenter.

Frieda Janzow Crouch
Published July 5, 2003

Funeral services for Frieda Janzow Crouch, 93, of St. Ansgar, who died on June 26, 2003, at the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Center, were held on Monday, June 30 at Immanuel Lutheran Church here with Rev. Bryon Northwick officiating.

Frieda Wilhelmina Beata Janzow was born August 17, 1909, the eldest child of Elisabeth and August Janzow, and the first granddaughter of the first pastor of Immanuel, Rev. Edward L Wiegner. She was baptized August 29, 1909 by Rev. Paul Brammer and confirmed on March 25, 1923, both at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

She graduated from St. Ansgar High School in May, 1927. She received a teaching certificate in 1929 from Iowa State Teachers College, and began her teaching career at the Clyde school north of St. Ansgar. She taught in rural Newburg Township and then for 11 years, taught the third and fourth grades in the St. Ansgar Public Schools. In 1944 she was extended a call from Emmaus Lutheran in Denver, Colorado, and she taught fifth and sixth grades in their parish school.

On August 18, 1946, she was united in marriage to George A. Crouch, a watchmaker in Denver, where they made their home. After her mother's death in 1955, the couple moved to St. Ansgar to make a home for her father. In 1963 they returned to Denver when Mr. Crouch became owner of Crouch Jewelry. He passed away in 1969, and Frieda continued to run the business until her retirement in 1977. In 1981, she moved back to St. Ansgar to live in the house where she was born and to be near family members.

She was active in the Naomi Circle and LWML and the I C Club. She enjoyed music, handwork, quilting, gardening and especially being with family. She entered the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Center in May 1999.

Frieda is survived by six brothers and sisters: Ludwig Janzow and Clara Meyerhoff, Davis, California; Bertram (Anita) Janzow, Yorba Linda, California; Richard (Georgia) Janzow of Palos Heights, Illinois; Adele Dieterich of St. Ansgar; and Arthur (Mary) Janzow of St. Ansgar; 12 nieces and nephews; 20 great nieces and nephews; two great great nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a nephew.

Burial will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, St. Ansgar.

Olga Beulah Flatness
Published July 5, 2003

Funeral services for Olga Beulah  (Bakken) Flatness, 85, of Northwood, who died on June 28, 2003, at the Manly Nursing and Rehab Center, were held on Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at Deer Creek Lutheran Church, Carpenter, .with Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating.

Olga was born on August 11, 1917 at Silver Lake, Iowa, to Ole and Ida (Johnson) Bakken. She attended school in Silver Lake county school. She completed the eighth grade and always had a desire to learn, read, do math and memorize poetry.

Olga went to Silver Lake Lutheran Church. She confirmed her baptism on May 29, 1932. Olga married Irving Flatness on March 15, 1942, in Clarks Grove, Minnesota. They farmed until 1984 near Carpenter. In 1995 they moved to Northwood on Shellrock Drive. Irving cared for Olga in their home until November 1, 2000.

Deer Creek Lutheran Church was a big part of Olga's life. She was involved in circle, aid, Sunday worship, but she will be known most of all for her making of quilts and finishing them around the edges after do day. Olga was a fantastic grandma. She kept busy on the farm, helping with chores, canning, sewing, gardening, working puzzles, was a baker, making donuts, painting, driving tractor, crocheting. So many ways she kept busy, busy hands are happy hands. Olga always had a smile to give and a kind word. She had Alzheimer’s; it took her memory but not her spunk.

Olga is survived by her husband, Irving of North-wood; son David and wife Brenda of Clear Lake; grandson, Doug and wife Sara of Lincoln, Nebraska, and their girls, Rumer and Macy; granddaughter Dawn and husband Jason Wright of Lockridge, Iowa, and their children, Abigal, Andrew and Mathew; grandson Scott of Des Moines.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Sharon; her parents; her siblings, Almer, Oscar, Alice, Elvina and Joseph.

Burial was in the Deer Creek Cemetery, Carpenter.