Obituaries

Scott Koppes, age 36, of Iowa Falls, passed away on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 A.M. Monday at the St. Marks Catholic Church in Iowa Falls. Visitation will be 4-8 P.M. Sunday at the St. Marks Catholic Church with a Rosary Service at 4 P.M. and a Vigil Service at 8 P.M. Surls Funeral Home of Iowa Falls is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Iowa Falls State Bank. Scott Matthew Koppes was born on October 24, 1973, to James and Dianne (Kean) Koppes in Dubuque, Iowa. Scott attended Aquin Elementary School and graduated from Cascade High School in 1992. After high school, Scott attended Clinton Community College and Hawkeye Community College. On April 20, 1996, Scott was united in marriage to Brenda Behrends at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Scott worked as a hog buyer at Tyson Foods for 16 years. Scott is survived by his wife, Brenda; a son, Justin; a daughter, Annika; parents, James and Dianne Koppes of Cascade, Iowa; a sister, Nekole (Dan) Frommelt of Platteville, Wisconsin; mother-in-law, Carol (Dave) Moline of Waterloo, Iowa; and a father-in-law, DeWayne (Kathy) Behrends of Evansdale, Iowa. Scott was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Clyde and Anna Delores (McDermott) Kean, paternal grandparents Herbert and Erma (Kelchen) Koppes, aunt and uncle Robert and Susan Kean, and uncle Ronald Koppes. Darrah Roberts, Darrah L. Roberts was born on 27 April, 1923 in Hampton, Iowa. Darrah passed away on Monday, 30 August, 2010 at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton after a long illness. He was the son of Donald B. Roberts and Dorothy (Darrah) Roberts Downing of Hampton. He was raised in Lee Township, Franklin County and attended country school four miles north of Burdette, Iowa. In 1940 he graduated from Iowa Falls High School. During WWII Darrah served as an Army Air Corps pilot in Europe. After the war he farmed in Lee Township and married Donna Mae Modlin on 18 September, 1948. In 1950 he was recalled as a pilot in the new U.S. Air Force and served three more years in Nashville, TN and Japan. He was released in 1953 and they started farming again, this time two miles east of Iowa Falls where they have lived for over fifty-seven years. Darrah belonged to Hyman Peavy American Legion Post 188 of which he was Honor Guard Commander for 25 years, The VFW, 40 & 8 and was a long-time member of the Elks. Mr. Roberts is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Donna Mae, three children and five grandchildren. They are: daughter Linda Joyce Forristal and her husband Liam of Greenbelt, Maryland and their three sons; Brian, Robert and Brendan. Daughter Deborah Kay Arp and her husband Richard of Clutier, Iowa and their children Christopher and Amanda. He is also survived by his son John Darrah Roberts of Iowa Falls. He was preceded in death by both parents, step-father Arlan Downing, his sisters Margaret Ann and Dominie Kay as well as his brother James C. Roberts and a sister-in-law Gerry. Visitation will be 6-8 PM Friday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Private family services will be held Saturday. A memorial fund has been established and may be directed to Donna Roberts, 25093 Hwy D15, Iowa Falls, IA 50126. Memorials will be directed to Hospice of North Iowa. Al Meyer, of Iowa Falls, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, on Saturday, August 14, 2010 at his home. This was after a long, couragous battle with melanoma. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, August 19th, at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls with burial at a later date in Whittemore, IA. Alan William Meyer was born on January 1, 1967 to Thomas and Wilma (Schmeling) Meyer in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Alan graduated from Buffalo Center-Rake High School and then attended college at Waldorf, Dana, and St. Louis University. While at Waldorf College and Dana College, Alan was on the football team playing as their hard-hitting free safety. On August 6, 1988, Alan was united in marriage to Kris Grimes in Buffalo Center, Iowa. From 1994-2002, Alan was the C.F.O. of Greenbelt Bank & Trust and then later became manager at Highland Golf Club. Alan was involved in the National Wildlife Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, and Ducks Unlimited. His hobbies included golfing, fishing, hunting, wood working, coaching boy's booster basketball, and spending quality time with his children. Alan is survived by his wife Kris; sons Alex, Kyle, and Luke Meyer; daughters Katie and Ellie Meyer; a brother Randy (Abby) Meyer, and a niece Lilly Meyer of Sheffield, IA. Alan was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Wilma Meyer, Grandparents Leonard and Lillian Meyer, and Grandparents Otto and Norma Schmeling. Alice Keane,88, of Williams, died on Friday, August 13, 2010 at Southfield wellness Community in Webster City. Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M. Monday, August 16th at the St. Mary's Church followed by a 7:00 PM Vigil Service. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 17th at the St. Mary's Church in Williams with burial at the St. Mary's Cemetery. Alice (Dagit) Keane born July 24, 1922 to Raymond and Alma Dagit, died August 13, 2010. She is survived by children Daniel (Wilma) Keane, Patrick (Carol) Keane, Sue (Frank) Anderson, and Dennis (Lynn) Keane. Alice is also survived by seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and five sisters. Alice was preceded in death by her husband Daniel E. Keane. Ethel Shane, Sioux Falls, SD, died August 14, 2010, at Good Samaritan Village. She was 88.Visitation will be Tuesday, August 17, at Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls from 7-8 PM. Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM, Wednesday, August 18, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls. Ethel (Bonin) Shane was born July 21, 1922, to Max and Edith (Mitchell) Bonin. She was raised in Hardin County, Iowa, where she attended public schools. Following her education, she assisted her parents with farming. On November 6, 1942, Ethel was united in marriage to Howard E. Shane in Unionville, Missouri. The couple made their home in Iowa Falls where she worked at various jobs. In the mid 1960's, Ethel became a Certified Nurses Assistant and became employed at the Iowa Falls Care Center. In 1977, Ethel moved to Sandy, Oregon to be closer to her son, Darrell. She worked in cabinet manufacturing and later worked for the United Foam Company in Portland, Oregon. Following her retirement in 1981, she moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where she lived with her son Howard and his family. Ethel was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Sioux Falls. In the summertime, Ethel liked going fishing in area waters. She also enjoyed bowling, reading, square dancing, and had taught herself to crochet. When the opportunity presented itself, she loved traveling to visiting family members. Blessed with an energetic spirit, Ethel loved riding on motorcycles and would eagerly go out of her way to ride. In the center of her life was her unwavering faith in the Lord. She was enthusiastic in sharing her faith with others. A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Ethel always made sure to provide for the needs of others before her own. Grateful for having shared her life are her sons, Rev. Howard O. Shane and his wife, Janice, Sioux Falls, SD; Darrell Shane and his wife, Olga, Darlington, SC; six grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Louise Roberts, of Iowa Falls, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents; seven infant siblings; three brothers, Herman, carl, Hugo and Otto; and a sister, Viola Whipple. The family of Ethel Shane thanks you for your prayers, support and presence. Wanda L. Grimm, age 104, of Alden, died on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at Heritage Care Center in Iowa Falls. Private family services will be held. Visitation will be 4-7 PM Wednesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Alden. Wanda L. Grimm was born on October 25, 1905 in Shellsburg, Iowa, the daughter of George and Berith (Booth) Scott. She graduated from the Shellsburg High School. On October 25, 1923 Wanda was united in marriage to William Floyd Grimm in Vinton, Iowa. Wanda is survived by her son, Richard Grimm and his wife, Joan of Waterloo; four grandsons, Jerry Grimm of Alden, Kevin Grimm of Iowa City, Todd Grimm of Whetstone, AZ, and Chad Grimm of Waterloo; a granddaughter, Sarah Nelson of Waterloo; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd; son, Donald; grandson, Wyatt Grimm; great-granddaughter, Alexandria Grimm; 3 sisters; and 4 brothers. Kenneth Balvanz, age 78, of Alden, died on Monday, August 9, 2010 at his home in Alden. Funeral services will be 2 PM Friday at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alden. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Thursday at the Surls Funeral Home in Alden. Kenneth Charles Balvanz was born on July 28, 1932 in Eldora, Iowa, the son of Frank and Hattie (Lettow) Balvanz. He graduated from the Eldora High School. Kenneth served in the U.S. Army from 1953-55. On February 20, 1955 Kenneth was united in marriage to Ellen Dettbarn at Eldora. Kenneth was baptized on Sept. 24, 1932 and was confirmed on April 14, 1946 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora. He was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church; a member of the Collins-Dunning American Legion Post #201 of Alden and the Aid Assoc. for Lutherans. Kenneth is survived by his two sons, Jeff and his wife, Denise of Ames and Frank and his wife, Kim of Marion; a brother, Marvin (Mick) and his wife, Joan of Eldora; two sisters, Irene Ziesman of Eldora and Janet Bradford of Bakersfield, CA; and ten grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Ellen. Donald Lynn Roberts, age 98, of Iowa Falls, died on Monday, August 9, 2010 at Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday at the Ellis Methodist Church in Iowa Falls. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Thursday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Donald Lynn Roberts was born August 14, 1911 to Fred and Minnie (Tulp) Roberts in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Donald graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1928 and later became a self-employed farmer. On March 17, 1936, Donald was united in marriage to Louise Luetta Bonin at the Eldora Lutheran Church. He was a Methodist and was on the Owasa School Board. Donald is survived by his wife Louise; son Donald (Barbara) Roberts of Ackley, IA; daughter-in-law Donna McManus of Memphis, TN; grandson, Randy (Donna) Roberts of Ackley, IA; granddaughters, Rosemary (Brian) Broshar of Garner, IA, Rachel (Chris) Diggins of Rockwell, IA and Jill (Marty) Moore of St. Louis, MO; 10 great-grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; and 12 step-great-grandchildren. Donald was preceded in death by his parents; son, Gary Roberts; three brothers, Cecil, Matt and Russell Roberts; and a granddaughter, Rhonda (Roberts) Sunken.. Marie H. Gilmore, age 87, of Iowa Falls, died on Sunday, August 1, 2010 at Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday at the Immanuel Memorial UCC in Alden with burial in the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Tuesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Marie Henrietta Gilmore was born on December 18, 1922 in Alden, Iowa, the daughter of Fred and Martha (Horstmann) Mensing. She graduated from the Iowa Falls High School in 1940 and the Thompson Beauty School in Des Moines. She owned and operated Marie's Beauty Salon in Dows until 1946. On October 16, 1946 Marie was united in marriage to Jack Gilmore at the Presbyterian Church in Dows. They lived on their farm west of Alden raising dairy cattle and their three girls. They moved to Cedar Ridge in February 2004. Marie was a member of Immanuel Memorial United Church of Christ in Alden since February 8, 1953. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star, where she was a past Worthy Matron, and also a member or the Legion Auxiliary. She shared a love for ballroom dancing with Jack and together they made many friends on the dance floor. Marie is survived by her husband, Jack; three daughters, Jacalyn Fisher of Clear Lake, Judy Ose of Blairsburg, and Jane Shepherd of Ames; seven grandchildren, Brooke (Fisher) Werneburg, Blair Fisher, Erin (Ose) Heiden, Michael Ose, Lindsey (Ose) Weber, Seth Shepherd, and Blake Shepherd; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Keith, Beryl, Dick and Kenneth Mensing. Robert McCord, age 88, of Iowa Falls, died on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Memorial services will be 1:30 P.M. Wednesday August 4th, at the First Congregational UCC in Iowa Falls with inurnment in the Union Cemetery, Iowa Falls. Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ellsworth College Foundation, Robert and Lillian McCord Endowed Scholarship. Robert Everett McCord was born on January 12, 1922 to Everett and Mabel (Ellefson) McCord in Franklin County. In 1943, Robert enlisted in the Army in Camp Dodge and was later discharged from the Winter General Hopsital in Topeka, Kansas. While in the Army, he received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. On October 20, 1946, Robert was united in marriage to Lillian Donlea in Rowley, Iowa. Robert was a member of the First Congregational U.C.C. and of the Lions Club and he donated his time to Meals on Wheels and to Calkins Nature Center. He also served on both the Iowa Falls School Board and the Ellsworth Board of Trustees. Robert is survived by two daughters, Cynthia McCord of Columbia, MO and Patricia Brader of Cape Canaveral, FL. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sisters Ruby, Allene and Constance and brother, Franklin. Cynthia D. Butler, age 55, of Iowa Falls, died on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at her home. Memorial services will be 3 PM. Sunday August 8th at the Bethel Baptist Church in Iowa Falls. Inurnment will be at the Grant Cemetery in Rome, IA at a later date. Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, send memorials/cards to Mark Butler 311 1/2 W 2nd St, Iowa Falls, Ia 50126. Cynthia Dianne Butler was born on June 25, 1955 in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, the daughter of Edward and Margaret (Gieger) Lanferman. She graduated from the Mt. Pleasant High School. On March 31, 1980 Cynthia was united in marriage to Mark Butler in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She worked in housekeeping at Ellsworth Municipal Hospital. Cynthia enjoyed helping others, gardening, NASCAR, spending time with family, especially her granddaughter and her cat, Sparky. Cynthia is survived by her husband, Mark; a son, Brandon Butler and his wife, Cassie of Alden, IA; a granddaughter, Sydney Butler of Iowa Falls; two brothers, Edward Lanferman of Rome, IA and John Lanferman and his wife, Judy of Rome, IA; sister in law, Marilyn Lanferman, Rome, IA; father-in-law, Don Butler and his wife, Jackie of Coggon, IA; a brother-in-law, Jon Butler and his wife, Rebecca of Lewisville, TX; a sister-in-law, Mary Jo Worden and her husband, Greg of Hampton; and many nieces and nephews who were very special to her. She was preceded in death by her parents; a niece, Melissa Lanferman; and mother-in-law, Mary June Butler. George R. Ibeling, age 87, of Ackley, died on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Memorial services will be 2:30 P.M. Sunday, August 1st at the First Presbyterian Church in Ackley with inurnment in the Oakwood Cemetery, Ackley. Family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until service time at the church on Sunday. The Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley is in charge of arrangements. George Richard Ibeling was born on November 10, 1922 on a farm in Butler County, Iowa, the son of John and Tena (Burma) Ibeling. He attended country school and graduated from the Dumont High School. On July 11, 1948, George was united in marriage to LaVerne Quandahl in Decorah. He served in the U.S. Air Force. He worked for the Iowa Highway Patrol for two years and owned Ibeling Insurance and Real Estate for approximately 50 years. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ackley, the Elliott-Keninger Post #252 of Ackley, Mason Lodge at Ackley, the Rotary Club of Ackley and was a past President of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a conservationist and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. George is survived by his wife, LaVerne; a grandson, Daniel Ibeling and his wife, Mary of Denver; a granddaughter, Janelle Ibeling and her fiancé, Cory Kinnetz of Iowa Falls; four brothers, Robert Ibeling and his wife, Doris of Ackley, Donald Ibeling and his wife, Mary of Mesa, AZ, John Ibeling and his wife, Patricia of Ackley, and Dale Ibeling and his wife, Leda Mae of Ackley; and a daughter-in-law, Debra Ibeling Swanson and her husband, Dave of Ackley. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sons, Neil and Max Ibeling. Grayce E. Thompson, age 97, of Iowa Falls, died on Monday, July 19, 2010 at the Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Alden with burial in the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Friday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Grayce Eliza Thompson was born on March 4, 1913 in Stilson, Iowa, the daughter of Harry and Sadie (Schultz) Dietz. She graduated from high school in Kasson, MN where she also took teachers training and received her certificate and then taught school at Hayfield, MN for one year. On October 10, 1936 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Thompson in Galena, IL. They farmed in the Alden area until retiring in 1977. Grayce was a member of the Eastern Star, United Methodist Church of Alden, United Methodist Women, and the Neighborhood Club. Grayce is survived by her four daughters, Dorothy (Tom) Dunning of Alden, Norma (Vernon) Huebner of Dewey, AZ, Bette (Mel) Criffield of Sarasota, FL and Sharon (Richard) Moreland of Crossville, TN; a son, Donald (Linda) Thompson of Iowa Falls; 15 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; four nieces and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth; and two brothers, Albert "Dutch" Dietz and Jack Dietz. Debra Diane Abbas, 52, of Iowa Falls, died on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Immanuel Memorial UCC in Alden with burial in Northlawn Memory Gardens, Iowa Falls. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Debra Diane Abbas was born on April 7, 1958 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the daughter of Marlyn Knott and Gloria Akers Chaplin Knott. She graduated from the Iowa Falls High School in 1976. On May 7, 1976 she was united in marriage to Mike Roelfs in Iowa Falls. To this marriage were two children, Jaime and Michael. After his death, Debra married Steve Abbas on June 24, 2000 in Alden. Debra worked at Boyt's in Human Resource. She enjoyed camping, her grandchildren and family, car races, the San Diego Chargers, bowling, enjoyed entertaining and loved animals. Debra is survived by her husband, Steve; a son, Michael Roelfs of Seattle, WA; a daughter, Jaime Roelfs of Webster City; her father, Marlyn Knott of Iowa Falls; a brother, Rick Knott and his wife, Julie of Iowa Falls; and three grandchildren, Chase and Chelsey Wagoner and Caitlyn Gapp all of Webster City. She was preceded in death by her mother and first husband, Mike Roelfs. William H. Klemme, age 74,of Alden, died on Thursday, July 15, 2010 in a plane accident south of Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday at the Immanuel Memorial UCC in Alden with burial in the Union Cemetery, Iowa Falls. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Wednesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Alden. William Henry Klemme was born on October 31, 1935 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the son of Walter and Ruth (Last) Klemme. He graduated from the Alden High School. He served in the U.S. Army from August 1959 thru May 1961 and then again in December 1961 thru July 1962 during the Berlin Crisis. He farmed his entire life. He was a member of the United Church of Christ in Alden, Prairie Land Co-op Elevator Board for 12 years, Hilltop Trustee, Alden Tsp. Trustee, and was a member of the EAA of Iowa Falls since 1975. He was an avid aviation enthusiast, he had a commercial and instrument pilot rating,. William is survived by his brother, Wayne Klemme, of Madison, SD; three sisters Joyce Noren (Roger Langenbaugh), of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, Dorothy (Marlyn) Burns, of Mesa, Arizona, and Jean (Pat) Rainbow, of Golden Valley, Minnesota; a sister-in-law, Barb Klemme of Alden; and seven nieces and nephews, Ken Adams, Cynthia Adams, Sharon Adams, Rebecca Klemme, Glenda (Paul) Smith, Janet Klemme, and Kaitlyn Rainbow. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ruth, an infant sister Marjorie, and a brother, Franklin Klemme. Edith Mutschler, age 86, of Iowa Falls, died on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at Scenic Manor Nursing Home. Visitation will be Sunday, 4-7 p.m., at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Funeral Services will be at St. Peters Church Monday at 11am. Surls Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Edith was born on March 12, 1924 to Guy and Marietta (Conaway) Ellison. Edith graduated from Williams High School in 1942. On May 31, 1944, she was united in marriage to Lester Mutschler in Williams, IA. Edith was involved with the Hob-Nobbin Red Hatters and the Iowa Falls Moose Club. She was a social member of the Ackley American Legion and a member of St. Peters church in Geneva. Edith is survived by a daughter Margaret (Bill) Burkle of Hampton, IA; two sons, Jack (Karen) Mutschler of Gold Canyon, AZ and Ken (Deb) Mutschler of Ackley, IA; a brother Bob (Phyllis) Ellison of San Diego, CA; two sisters-in-law Anna May Weukert of Iowa Falls, IA and Freida Emerson of Yuba City, CA; a brother-in-law Richard Mutschler of La Crosse, WI; ten grandchildren,14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Edith was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lester, two brothers Bill and Charles Ellison, and two sisters Caroline Doss and Irma Nixon. Adelyn Miller, age 86, of Ackley, died on Sunday, July 4, 2010 at the Pleasant Care Living Center in Pleasantville. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Ackley with burial in the Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before services at the church on Wednesday. The Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley is in charge of arrangements. Adelyn Miller was born on July 26, 1923 in Ackley, Iowa to Fred and Adeline (Neymeyer) Frericks. Adelyn attended Ackley High School and then went on to attend Teachers College in Cedar Falls. On September 6, 1941, Adelyn was united in marriage to Ervin Miller. Adelyn taught school in rural Grundy County. On September 2, 1923, Adelyn was baptized at the Christian Reformed Church in Ackley. In 1949, she joined the Evangelical Brethren Church where she held various church offices. Adelyn later became the Church Historian for the United Methodist Church in Ackley and in 1978 she was awarded a Special Membership in the United Methodist Women of the Iowa Conference. Adelyn is survived by two sons Neulyn (Linda) Miller of Pleasantville, Ia and Dawson (Linda) Miller of Des Moines, Ia; three granddaughters, Rebecca (Mike) Oliva of Pleasantville, Ia, Sherry Miller of Pleasantville, Ia and Amy (Gary) Wood of Corydon, Ia; one grandson Brett (Wendy) Miller of Des Moines, Ia; one brother Tobe (Donnetta) Frericks of Ackley, Ia; and a sister, Norma (Roger) Wrage of Marshalltown, Ia. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ervin, and sister Freda (Kenneth) Behr. Theresa A. Umscheid, age 67 of Iowa Falls, died on Friday, June 25, 2010 at home. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Monday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Theresa Ann Umscheid was born on August 2, 1942 in Whittemore, Iowa, the daughter of Daniel and Anna (Twait) Bleckwenn. She was united in marriage to George Umscheid on September 8, 1961 in Sisseton, South Dakota. She was Office Manager at River Hills Financial in Iowa Falls and was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Theresa is survived by her husband, George; two daughters, Kim Wilkes and her husband, Ed of Las Vegas, NV and Mary Ann Umscheid and her fiancé, George McGlamery of Bellaire, TX; a son, Tom Umscheid and his wife, Melissa of Wheat Ridge, CO; a sister, Eleanor Prentice of New London, MN and a brother, Virgil Bleckwenn of Cylinder, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters, Doris Kunz and Donna Baldwin. Roslynn F. Ose, age 84, of Williams died on Monday, June 21, 2010 at the Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Memorial services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williams with inurnment in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6-7 P.M. at the St. Mary's Catholic Church with a Vigil Service at 7 P.M. followed by a Rosary Service. The Surls Funeral Chapel in Williams is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association. Roslynn Frances Ose was born on March 19, 1926 in Williams, Iowa, the daughter of Benjamin and Mary Ellen (Doyle) Simpson. She graduated from the Williams High School in 1943 and attended the Rochester School of Nursing. Roslynn was united in marriage to Marion Wendell Ose on November 26, 1947 in Webster City. She was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williams, St. Anne's Study Club, American Legion Auxiliary, and had a special passion with the NEH Music Mothers. Roslynn is survived by her two sons, Carroll Ose and wife, Judy of Blairsburg and Wendell Ose and wife, Lynda of Reston, VA; a daughter, Maureen Ose and her husband, Robert McMaster of Lincoln, NE; 7 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and three brothers-in-law, Enlow Ose and his wife, Melena of Sacramento, CA, Leon Brandt of Ames, and Lawrence Schweppe of Baldwin Park, CA. She was preceded in death by his parents; husband, Marion; and six siblings, Everett Simpson, Kenneth Simpson, Glendola Schweppe, Nona Mae Wickline, Celeste Ryan, and Marjorie McFarlane. Ardelle (Olsen) Packard, age 88, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and formerly of Alden, died peacefully on Friday, June 18, 2010 in Santa Fe. Memorial services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday at the Surls Funeral Home in Alden with inurnment in the Alden Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Born March 29, 1922 in Alden, Iowa to Raymond & Anna (Graff) Olsen. She graduated from Hamilton Business College in Mason City and moved to Washington D.C. to begin her long career with the Federal Government. She married Joseph M. Packard (deceased 1998) and had 2 daughters, Ann Thomas and Cathy Licata. In 1991 Ardelle and Joe returned to Mason City, Iowa to join her sister Elva V. Olsen (deceased 2009). Surviving family includes Bron (Gail) Thomas, Akron, Ohio; Cathy Licata (Bill), Santa Fe, NM; beloved grandsons Bron (Kim) Thomas and Joe (Jessica) Thomas, Akron, Ohio; and Scott (Alicia) Licata, Waltham, MA; Sister-in-laws Rosemary Olsen, Alden, Iowa, Mary Lou Olsen, Ballwin, Mo; and Maxine Packard, Webster City Iowa; plus numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Alzheimer's Association. Eugene Ruter, age 81, of Wellsburg, died on Monday, June 14, 2010 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Funeral services will be 1:30 P.M. Saturday at the Wellsburg Reformed Church with burial in the Wellsburg Reformed Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8 P.M. Friday at the Wellsburg Reformed Church. The Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley is in charge of arrangements. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Caring Fund of the University of Iowa Foundation, P. O. Box 4550, Iowa City, Iowa 52244-4550. Eugene was born on April 19, 1929 to Herman and Etta Stoehr Ruter in Shiloh Township, Grundy County—where he lived and farmed for his entire life. A 1946 graduate of Wellsburg Community High School, Ruter was married to Thelma Okones at the Wellsburg Reformed Church on November 6, 1952. From 1948 to 1955, he served in the United States Army National Guard. He was formerly Deacon in the Wellsburg Reformed Church and President of the Wellsburg Community Club. Since 1978, he has sat on the Grundy County Planning and Zoning Commission and has served on occasion as its chairman. Ruter is survived by wife Thelma, of Wellsburg; son Allan, daughter-in-law Jill (Mussay), and grandsons Karl and Edward Ruter, all of Glenview, Illinois; daughter Teresa and son-in-law Michael Kelly, of Iowa City, and grandsons Walter Kelly, of Iowa City, and James Kelly, of Vinton; sister Erma and brother-in-law Duane Meyer, of Marshalltown; brothers-in-law and wives Lee and Glenda (Harlan) Okones and Neil and Janice (Etjen) Okones, all of Wellsburg; aunts Emma (Ruter) deNeui, of Ackley, and Alice Ruter, of Wellsburg; ten nieces and nephews; and a host of relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Elmer. Dale W. Duffy, age 86, of Iowa Falls died on Sunday, June 13, 2010 at the Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Tuesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Dale Wallace Duffy was born on August 7, 1923 in Clemons, Iowa to Benjamin and Bessie Duffy. He spent some of his early years in Kansas but graduated from the Clemons High School in 1943 where he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball. Dale was married to Zola Smith of Colo, Iowa on March 15, 1947 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. He worked at Lenox Manufacturing in Marshalltown after they were married and then as a hired man for four years in Clemons. Dale and Zola joined the Ellis Methodist Church when they moved to Iowa Falls in 1951 to begin farming on their own. Dale loved his family and farming. He was a devoted husband to Zola for 63 years and the beloved father of Randy, Carolyn and Annette; grandfather to Sherri, Scott, Carisa and Collin; and great-grandfather to Madison and Lily. Dale is survived by his wife, Zola; one son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Judy Duffy of Iowa Falls; a daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Coy Patton of Poplar Bluff, MO and a daughter, Annette Duffy of Des Moines; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Wallace Duffy of Arizona and John Duffy of Marshalltown; five sisters, LaVerne Huseboe, Luella Poe, Bernadell Lilly all of Marshalltown, Helen Stonewall of Peotone, IL and Charlotte Lancaster of Scottsdale, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Clarence Duffy, Glen Duffy (Newton, IA), Marion and Merle Duffy (both from Marshalltown, IA) and two sisters, Bernadine Duffy (Clemons, IA) and Pearl Hennis (Marshalltown, IA) John Edward Maguire, age 77, of Iowa Falls, died on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at his home. Services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday at the St. Mark Catholic Church in Iowa Falls. Visitation will be one hour before services at the church on Saturday. Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls is in charge of arrangements. John Edward Maguire was born on August 14, 1932 in Ayrshire, Iowa, the son of Hugh and Bridget (Cahil) Maguire. He graduated from the Ayrshire High School and the University of Iowa with a Business Degree. On December 26, 1955 John was united in marriage to Colleen Coughlon in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the St. Mark Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. John is survived by his wife, Colleen; two daughters, Nan Maguire Simonetti of St. Louis Park, MN and Molly Maguire Reek of Lake Geneva, WI; four grandchildren, Jonathan and Sara Reek and Murphy and Riley Simonetti; two brothers, Richard (Dee) Maguire of Bradenton, FL and Leo Maguire of Australia; and a sister, Theresa Thompson of Vancouver, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Joseph, Louie, and James Maguire; and five sisters, Mary Eunice, Ruth Baxter, Jean Montgomery, Lois Hanno, and Annie Maguire. Leland H. Hartwig, age 80, of Iowa Falls, died with the Lord on Sunday, May 30, 2010 at his daughter's home in Charles City. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Thursday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before services at the church on Thursday. The Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls is in charge of arrangements. Leland Herbert Hartwig was born on March 15, 1930 in Buckeye, Iowa, the son of Herbert and Helen (West) Hartwig. He was baptized in 1930 and confirmed in 1944. He attended schools in Cedar Falls and Eldora. Leland was united in marriage to Gleneva Anderson, to this union seven children were born. After her death, he was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Miller with whom they had one daughter. He served in the US Marine Corp from 1950-1953. He was in the First Marine Division during the Korean Conflict. Leland farmed and was a self employed truck driver, retiring in 2005. He received the Presidents Award for driving with Dart. When their home in Georgetown was flooded out in 2008 they moved to 10 Wilkinson St. in Iowa Falls. Leland is survived by his children, Rene Hartwig of Houston, TX, Margie Hartwig of Houston, TX, Leslie Geerdes and her husband, Bruce of Houston, TX, Stacy Hartwig of Scottsdale, AZ, Tammy Wilkinson and her husband, Mark of Charles City, Steve Hartwig of Houston, TX and Brian Hartwig of Iowa Falls; two step-children, Jeff Miller of Baraboo, WI and Pamela Shugar and her husband, Larry of Ackley; nine grandchildren; two brothers, Gary Hartwig and his wife, Barbara of Bella Vista, AK and Myron (Bud) Hartwig and his wife, Rose Marie of Rogers, AK; a sister, Dorothy Barhite and her husband, Lloyd of Iowa Falls; 3 nephews and 3 nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; two wives; a son, David Anderson Hartwig; and one niece. Joan Kramer, age 86, of Ackley, died on Saturday, May 29, 2010 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday at the Washington Reformed Church, Ackley with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 P.M. Monday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley Joan Kramer was born on May 9, 1924 in Ackley, Iowa to Everet and Grace (Brower) Burma. She attended school in Hardin County. On October 16, 1944 Joan was united in marriage to John Kramer. She was a member of the Washington Reformed Church at Ackley and was a homemaker. Joan is survived by her two sons, Warren Kramer of Paulsbo, WA and Randy Kramer and his wife, Linda of Black Hawk, SD; two daughters, Jolene Seering and her husband, Al of Tiffin and Sharla Montoya and her husband, Gene of Pueblo, CO; 7 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; four sisters, Avonelle Bohner of Ackley, Anna Mae Koop and her husband, Bill of Ackley, Phyllis Schachterle and her husband, Frederick of Ackley and Peggy Wintz of Waterloo; a brother, Harold Burma of Ackley and a sister-in-law, Marion Kramer of Aplington. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John in 1984; granddaughter, Taylor JoAnn Montoya; great-granddaughter, Jordan; daughter-in-law, Atsuko Kramer; brothers-in-law, George Bohner, Harmon Kramer, and Bert Wintz. Elizabeth Abbas, 77, passed away on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley, Ia. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at the Austinville Christian Reformed Church in Austinville, with burial following in the Ackley Christian Reformed Church Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held on Monday, May 24, 2010 from 5-7 P.M. at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Elizabeth was born on December, 26, 1932 to Helmer and Leta Arends. She was a life-long resident of the Ackley-Aplington area, graduating from Ackley Schools. She married George B. Abbas on September 2, 1955. This union was blessed with seven children. Elizabeth was a loving mother and homemaker, and after her own children were grown, she became a much beloved grandmother to 14 surviving grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents, and one granddaughter-Stephanie. She is survived by her three daughters and four sons, This includes Joyce and her husband Denny Schwebke of Anamosa, Ia; Marlyn Abbas and his friend Vicky of Waterloo, Ia.; Darla and her husband Marvin Bierman of Aplington, Ia.; Karen and her husband Scott Miller of Denton, Tx.; Rodney Abbas and his wife Yuki of Tucson, Az; Steven Abbas and his wife Deb of Iowa Falls, Ia.; and Greg Abbas of Aplington, Ia. Also surviving are her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as Brother Vernon Arends and his wife Sandy of Iowa Falls, Ia.; and Brother Bernard Arends and his wife Joyce of Waterloo, Ia. Martha Oleson, age 85, of Iowa Falls, died on Friday, May 21, 2010 at the Eldora Nursing and Rehab Center in Eldora. Services are 10:30 A.M. Monday May 24, 2010 at the Open Bible Church in Iowa Falls. Visitation will be Sunday from 4-7 at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Martha was born June 15, 1924 in Osceola Township to Carl Walden and Salma Lushmann. Martha was a member of the Open Bible Church in Iowa Falls. She was united in marriage first to Herman Huisenga and then later to Mert Oleson. Martha enjoyed volunteering her time to the nutrition site, Adams bros auctions and her church, most of all she loved her time with all her kids, and her "grandbabies"and a good dish of ice cream. Martha is survived by two sons; Dennis and Don Huisenga; five grandchildren Troy Huisenga, Brenda Runyan, Charlotte Nelson, Jeremy Huisenga and Samantha Huisenga; and 10 great-grandchildren. Edward H. Heetland, age 91, of Iowa Falls, died on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at the Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Private family services will be held. Surls Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Edward was born August 2, 1918 in Ackley, Iowa, the son of Herman and Bonnie (Whitmore) Heetland. Edward graduated from Ackley High School. He joined the Army in Ft. Des Moines, IA in April of 1941 and was at the Battle of the Bulge. On August 2, 1943, Edward was united in marriage with Lilian Pannell in London, England. Once back to the United States, Edward worked in the Foundry Department of John Deere and also was involved in the Waterloo Am Vets. He is survived by his two sisters, Phyllis Duit of Iowa Falls and Maurine Lindaman of Iowa Falls. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lilian; three sisters; and two brothers. Charles "Chuck" O. Hartkopp, age 63 of Geneva, died on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at his home. Funeral services will be 1:30 P.M. Wednesday at the St. Peter's UCC, rural Geneva with burial in the Grant Township Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Tuesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Charles "Chuck" Orrin Hartkopp was born on February 19, 1947 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the son of Ernest and Gladys (Diemer) Hartkopp. He attended country school in Ellis Township and graduated in 1965 from the Alden High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and received many medals. Chuck was united in marriage to Bonnie Abbas on January 18, 1969 at the St. Peter's UCC, rural Geneva. He farmed and was a trucker for Reed Trucking of Zearing for many years. He loved his trucking and helping his sons, Brad and Bret out. He was a former member of the Ellis Methodist Church. He loved to farm, fish, hunt, and camp. He enjoyed spending precious moments with his wife, family, and friends. He was a great kidder. He could meet a stranger and make great conversation with them. He was always willing to help other people out and go without himself. Chuck is survived by his wife, Bonnie; two sons, Brad and his wife, Maria of Ackley and Bret and his wife, Becky of Wesley; 8 grandchildren, Brooke and Ashley; Tyler, Jamie, and Kaylee; Robert, Cody, and Kristina; 2 great grandchildren; a sister, Marlene Gross and her husband, Bill of Clear Lake; several nieces; nephews; and also many aunts and uncles he all loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Darwin; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Melvin and Alma Abbas. George Kenneth Newhall, age 91, of Iowa Falls, died April 11, 2010 at the Ellsworth Municipal Hospital. Graveside service will be 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 20th, 2010 in Eldora at East Lawn Cemetery. George Kenneth Newhall was born on January 28, 1919 in Kimball, South Dakota, the son of George W. and Emma (Bessman) Newhall. He served in the U. S. Military from 1942-45. George was united in marriage to Kathleen Asher on July 16, 1947 in Durango, CO. He farmed, retiring in 1990. George is survived by his wife, Kathleen; brother, Lowell Newhall of Dumont; a sister, Janice Anway of Eldora; and nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; a baby girl; and a sister, Marlys Newhall Zorn. Gustav Johnson, age 70, of Williams, died on Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 at his home in Williams. Services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday at the United Methodist Church in Williams with inurnment at the Williams Cemetery. Visitation will be at 9:30 A.M. Monday at the United Methodist Church before services. Gustav Allen Johnson, 70, was born on August 6, 1939 in Woodworth, Illinois, the son of Gustav and Elizabeth (Kietzman) Johnson. Gustav graduated from Roberts-Thawville High School. On August 16, 1959, Gustav was united in marriage to Charlotte Zachgo in Onarga, Illinois. Gustav and Charlotte moved to Williams in the fall of 1966 and he became a self employed farmer. Gustav was a confirmed Lutheran but he attended the United Methodist Church in Williams where he was involved in many committees at the church. Gustav was also a member of the Williams Lions Club. Gustav is survived by his wife Charlotte; two daughters Kimberly (Kent) Anderson of Clarion, Iowa, and Virginia (Marcel) Hoaglan of Phoenix, Arizona; three grandchildren Troy Anderson, Erin Anderson and Marguerite Hoaglan; three brothers Edward "Butch" (Nancy) Johnson of Thawville, Illinois, Gary (Sheila) Johnson of Gilman, Illinois and Ray (Rita) Johnson of Thawville, Illinois; two sisters Marie Ann (Jim) Norton of Watseka, Illinois and Rosamond Bleich of Paxton, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews. Gustav was preceded in death by his parents and his granddaughter Nicole Anderson. Julyn Jean Young, age 38, of Ackley, died at her home on Monday, April 12, 2010. Funeral Services will be at 1:30 P.M. on Thursday at the Methodist Church in Ackley with visitation from 4-8 Wednesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Julyn Jean Young, daughter of Jewell and Sherril Farris, was born on April 4, 1972 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Julyn graduated from Ackley High School in 1990 and then went onto attend Ellsworth Community College. On September 22, 1995, Julyn was united in marriage to Larry Young in Eldora, Iowa. Julyn was a Home Maker and a Mother to her two children Jacob and Abbie. Julyn is survived by her husband Larry; two children Jacob and Abbie; her parents Jewell (Lynda) Farris and Sherril Farris; a sister Vikki Kielsmeier of Huxley, IA, mother and father-in-law David and Mariann Young Sr. of Ackley, Iowa; Aunts and Uncles Terry and Teresa Steding of Eldora, Iowa, Gary and Darla Steding of Steamboat Rock, Iowa, Larry Steding of Iowa Falls, Iowa, Neville Nieman of Tyler, Texas, Victor Farris of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Jim Farris of Blue Springs, Missouri; a cousin Matt Steding; and two nieces Emma and Madalyn Kielsmeier. Julyn was preceded in death by Lon Vis, David Young Jr., Dale and June Steding, Bill Steding and Mary Higgins. Linton R. Lehrer, age 90, of Ackley, died on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at his home in Ackley. Memorial services are Wednesday April 14th 10:30 A.M. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Ackley Linton Rudolph Lehrer, 90, was born on January 31, 1920 in Clear Lake, Wisconsin, the son of Rudolph and Estelle (Wells) Lehrer. He died at his home on Sunday, April 11, 2010. He attended Clear Lake High School and graduated in 1937. He attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota for two years and transferred to the University of Minnesota where he earned a double Bachelor of Arts degree. He later earned his Master of Arts degree at the University of North Dakota. Linton served his Country in the military for twenty-six years. He entered the service as a private in 1941, serving in France and Germany in World War II and retired from the Minnesota National Guard in 1982 having obtained the rank of Major. His lifetime was spent in the coaching field in Karlstad, Westbrook, and Crookston High Schools and the last fifteen years of his career in Willmar, Minnesota at the Minnesota Community College. He and his wife Irene retired to Bella Vista, Arkansas in 1982 where he was involved in many community musical activities and was a member of United Lutheran Church. Irene passed away in 1998. He was an avid golfer and tennis player, both sports he enjoyed to the fullest. It was his goal to jog eight miles daily for many, many years. But his biggest love was singing and playing his trumpet. He sang many solos at his friend's funerals and weddings. His voice was truly a gift of God and he enjoyed sharing it with others. On June 3, 2000, he married Mary Elizabeth Hudson, and they resided in Bella Vista, Arkansas until 2005 when they moved to Ackley, Iowa to be near family. Linton was an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church where he formed a Praise Band and served on the Stewardship Committee. Linton was preceded in death by his parents, sister, infant son, Thomas, his first wife, Irene, and one stepson, Craig E. Rininger. He is survived by his wife, Mary; five children: Stephan (Louise) of Wisconsin, Timothy of Minnesota, Michael of Minnesota, Rebecca Mazorol (Ray) of Minnesota, and Eric (Lisa) of Minnesota. Three step-children: Kathleen Koop (Markley) of Iowa, Kent Rininger (Lisa) of Alaska, and Scott Rininger of Massachusetts, Six grandchildren, ten step-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren. Helen Dass, age 85, of Iowa Falls, died on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 Friday at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls. Visitation will be Thursday from 6-8 P.M. at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Helen Marie Dass was the second daughter born to Charles and (Mary Hoelscher) Dass, on December 24th in 1924 on a farm south of Iowa Falls in Hardin County. She attended Ellis #5 country school. Helen loved the farm and everything that went with it. When there was no school she and her sisters Jeanette and Arlene would help pick corn (by hand) and she had chores to do also like help mow the lawn, gather eggs, which she loved doing until she would get pecked while reaching for the eggs. She walked beans and cornrows for button weeds and cockle burrs. When the folks moved to town she didn't know what she would do and wasn't happy. That's when her brother-in-law and sister told her she could move out to the farm with them. She loved it and was happy she could drive a John Deere tractor but didn't want anything to do with cars. Later she had to move to town with Jeanette when her brother-in-law passed away. She started painting pictures, arranging flowers and she was always a sports fan. She bowled for 50 years or more. She liked football, baseball and basketball. Lots of her friends called her to find out what time and what station and what teams were playing whom. She was a great fan of the Twins/Cubs and Iowa. Another love was cards she enjoyed played five hundred, bridge, pepper, rummy and dominos and of course T.V. Helen had many friends and couldn't wait for her 85th birthday. She got over 170 cards, telephone calls that her sister would take for her. One of her good friends bought some soup bowls, which tickled Helen because of the size of them, she got a big laugh, and so he bought Helen two bowls and a large can of soup. When she opened that package she got tickled all over again. She liked shows like Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Shirley Temple, and all about Costello and The Rite brothers. She used to go to Buckeye, sit on the planks and watch silent movies. Then after T.V. she quit that and watched T.V. sitting at home in an easy chair. When she would go to the Rose bowl with her sister and husband to visit her sister Arlene and her husband would get Carrol, her brother-in-law, to bowl with her and laugh the next day because he would be stiff and sore. Jeanette tried to teach her how to make pie crust, but when she didn't get enough flour on her hand and it stuck to them, she threw it down and said forget it. She was a good cook but didn't want to bake. Helen passed away peacefully at Ellsworth Municipal Hospital on April 10th, 2010. She is survived by two sisters Jeanette White of Iowa Falls and Arlene Hughes of Clear Lake. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brother-in-laws. Patricia Ann Hartwig, age 70, of Iowa Falls, died at home on Monday, March 29, 2010. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8 P.M. Wednesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Patricia Ann Hartwig, daughter of Everett and Marcella (Carr) Smuck, was born November 3, 1939, in Radcliffe. Patricia spent 14 years on a farm north of Iowa Falls and then spent the rest of her life as an Iowa Falls resident. Patricia's first marriage brought Jeff and Pam into the world. Patricia then got re-married on June 24th, 1978, in Mason City, Iowa to Leland Hartwig. Patricia enjoyed her Daily Devotions, teaching Sunday School, listening to country music, gardening and crafts. Patricia also enjoyed the farm life raising horses with Lee, cooking, spending time with her family and having long talks on the phone. Patricia was a self employed gardener and also did "Pats Hats" under Kalamity Karen. Being grandma and nana meant the world to her. Patricia is survived by one son Jeffrey Scott Miller from Baraboo, Wisconsin; two daughters Pamela Sue (Larry) Shugar, from Ackley, Iowa, Tamera Jo (Mark) Wilkinson, from Charles City, Iowa; three brothers Scott Lynn Carr, from Iowa Falls, Iowa, Randy K. Smuck, from Iowa Falls, Iowa, and Everett Smuck Jr., from Iowa Falls, Iowa; a sister Mary Kenison from Iowa Falls, Iowa; ten grandchildren Kristen Miller, Tayler Miller, Amanda (Trent) Winters, Jonathan Shugar, Samantha (Josh) Carpenter, Zachary (Sandy) Willms, Kyle Wilkinson, Kali (Steve) Scheidecker, Jordan Willms, Chase Wilkinson; 9 great-grandchildren Mikaylan Winters, Kadynce Winters, Kaleb Winters, Jordyn Carpenter, Brody Carpenter (unborn), Ashlyn Willms, Ashtin Willms, Alexis Wilkinson, and Grant Scheidecker. She was preceded in death by her parents Everett and Marcella Carr and two nieces Sara and Amy. Frank Klemme, age 75, of Alden, died on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at Heritage Care Center in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be Wednesday 10:30 A.M. at the Immanuel Memorial UCC in Alden with burial at Union Cemetery in Iowa Falls. Visitation will be Tuesday 5-7 P.M. at the Surls Funeral Home in Alden. Franklin Delano Klemme, son of Walter and Ruth (Last) Klemme, was born on July 10th, 1934, in Iowa Falls. Franklin graduated from the Alden Community School in 1952 and then attended Dairy Husbandry of Iowa State University. Franklin later joined the US Army in 1957 where he was stationed in Ft. Lewis, Washington. After the Army, Franklin became a self-employed dairy farmer for many years and was involved in the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Franklin was also involved with the Masonic Lodge in both Iowa Falls and Alden. Franklin was united in marriage to Barbara Brass on November 8, 1975 at the United Church of Christ in Alden, Iowa. Franklin is survived by his wife, Barbara Klemme, of Alden; three daughters Rebecca Klemme, of St. Louis, Missouri, Glenda (Paul) Smith, of Owatonna, Minnesota, Janet Klemme, of Ames, Iowa; two brothers William Klemme, of Alden, Iowa, and Wayne Klemme, of Roscoe, Illinois; three sisters Joyce Noren (Roger Langenbaugh), of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, Dorothy (Marlyn) Burns, of Mesa, Arizona, and Jean (Pat) Rainbow, of Golden Valley, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ruth, and infant sister Marjorie Kay Odell, age 86, of Iowa Falls, died on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at home in Iowa Falls. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on March 23 at Surls Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Iowa Falls, Iowa on March 24. Another celebration of Kay's life and the inurnment of John and Kay's ashes will take place at 11:00 a.m. on March 25 at Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak, Iowa. Kay and her family ask that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to: Hospice of North Iowa, First Congregational United Church of Christ of Iowa Falls, or Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Kathleen (Kay) Odell passed away March 20, 2010 in Iowa Falls, Iowa from complications related to breast cancer. She was born March 10, 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska to Madge and Walter Peterson. She and her parents lived in many locations before moving to Red Oak, Iowa in 1937. She attended Brownell Hall High School in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated from the University of Iowa in 1945. Kay was united in marriage to Dr. John H. Odell on June 23, 1945 in Red Oak, Iowa. The young couple lived in San Diego, California and Topeka, Kansas while John fulfilled his military service. They returned to Red Oak in 1953 for John to practice dentistry and to raise their three children. They were tireless supporters of their church, community and school district. Kay taught Sunday school and volunteered extensively for the church. She was instrumental in beginning the "Meals on Wheels" program, a leader for Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, and an active member of the Montgomery County Republican Party. In 1975 John and Kay moved to their "ranch" in Heber Springs, Arkansas. They dearly loved living in the beautiful Ozark Mountain foothills for over thirty years. Kay built a greenhouse for bromeliads on their property and began a plant rental business. She also worked for the local newspaper. With the idea of promoting and preserving the natural beauty of Heber Springs and the surrounding area, she partnered with artist and photographer Nadia Bates to form Kay and Nadia's Cards. For several years Kay owned and operated a lovely and unique gift shop named The Storyteller. After Kay's cousin opened an emergency domestic abuse shelter, Kay worked for nearly two decades at Margie's Haven House writing grants and training volunteers. In 2007 Kay retired and moved to Iowa Falls, Iowa where she was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ. Kay was preceded in death by her husband, John, who was the love of her life. She is survived by her three children, John (Valerie) Odell of Prince Frederick, Maryland, Judith (Steve) Afdahl of Iowa Falls, Iowa and Debra (Ed) Bennett of Kansas City, Missouri; and five grandchildren, Jefferson Odell of Pasadena, California, Michael Afdahl of San Diego, California, Emily Afdahl of Chicago, Illinois, Jessica (Luke) Miller of Ellsworth A.F.B., South Dakota, and James Bennett of Groton, Connecticut. She is also survived by her cousin, Russell Peterson, of Shreveport, Louisiana. Edward G. Geerdes, age 95, of Ackley, died on Friday, March 19th at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Visitation will be 2-4 P.M. Sunday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Services will be 10:30 A.M. Monday, March 22, at the St. John's UCC. Edward George Geerdes, son of Geerd and Antjie (Riekena) Geerdes, was born January 1, 1915, at his parents' home east of Steamboat Rock in Hardin County. He was baptized in the First Christian Reformed Church west of Wellsburg. Edward attended school in Steamboat Rock. On September 16, 1941, Edward was inducted into the US Army at Fort Des Moines. He received training in the horse cavalry and, after Pearl Harbor, received training as a radar operator in the signal corps. He served during World War II in the European Theater ( North Africa and Italy-Corsica) as chief radar officer and assistant crew chief spotting enemy planes. He was honorably discharged on November 7, 1945. Edward was united in marriage to Viola Ulfers on March 10, 1947, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. He joined St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church (now United Church of Christ), Ackley, Iowa, in 1948 where he served as secretary on the church council and as head usher. Edward farmed in Grundy County until retiring in 1988 at age 73. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed woodworking. Edward is survived by his wife of 63 years, Viola Geerdes, of Ackley; a son Gregory (Gloria) Geerdes, Marcus, Iowa; two daughters Elaine (Jerry) Remhof, Urbandale, Iowa, and Vivian Geerdes, West Des Moines, Iowa; three granddaughters Gina (Cam) Rassel, Marcus, Iowa, Gwen (Jay) Mathahs, Thompson, Iowa, and Melissa (Sam Saluri) Remhof, Urbandale, Iowa; five great-grandchildren Nate, Wyatt, and Conner Rassel and Ashley and Gunner Mathahs; sister Freda Harms of Steamboat Rock, Iowa; and sister-in-law Remda Geerdes of Ankeny, Iowa. He was preceded in death by four brothers Jake, Ben, Gratus, and Alferd; two sisters Verna (Mrs. Abe) Wilts and Bessie (Mrs. Evert) Bleeker; and great-granddaughter Elena Mathahs. William Knoll, age 80, of Bradford, died on Thursday, March 11th at the Franklin General Hospital in Hampton. Private family services will be held on Monday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. William Harry Knoll was born on January 8, 1930 in Franklin County, Iowa, the son of Clyde and Henrietta (Card) Knoll. He graduated from the Ackley High School in 1947 and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He took Basic Training in Fort Knox, Kentucky, went to Camp Lee in Virginia and went to Machine Recorud School. After graduating he was shipped to Tokyo, Japan. He spent two years there and was married to his loving wife, Dorothy Hartema on December 26, 1947 in Dumont. After returning to Ackley in April of 1950 he got a job at the Canning Factory in Ackley. He worked there until December 1950. He then moved to Bradford where he drove a truck for six years for Ike Furman. In December 1956 he got a job at the Elevator in Bradford where he worked for 38 years, and was a Manager for several years. He was a charter member of the Grant-Lee Fire Dept. and spent 40 years in the department of which he served 23 years as Chief. He was a Cub Scout Leader for several years. William is survived by his wife, Dorothy; two sons, Gerald and his wife, Barbara of Indianola and Brian of Iowa Falls; a daughter, Deborah Frembgen and Steve of Iowa Falls; and two grandchildren, Adam Jay and Aubri Ann. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Earl, Keith and Neal Knoll; and an infant daughter, Ruby Ann. James John Holtkamp, age 81, of Williams, died on Friday, March 5, 2010 at the Heritage Care Center in Iowa Falls. Services will be 10:30 A.M. Monday at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williams with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Sunday at the St. Mary's Catholic Church with a 5:45 P.M. Rosary and a 6:00 P.M. Vigil Service. Surls Funeral Chapel in Williams is in charge of arrangements. James John Holtkamp was born on February 9, 1929 in St. Paul, Iowa, the son of Al and Johanna (Mohrfeld) Holtkamp. He graduated from the Williams High School and he received his Masters' Degree in education from Creighton. James was a teacher, farmer, and owned a bookstore. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-56 when he enlisted OCS of the U.S. Air Force. He was an F-86 Sabre Jet Pilot and Instructor during the Korean War, he then went to Creighton and taught for several years. After his teaching career he opened up a book store and farmed as a hobby. James is survived by his brothers and sisters, Laverna Larson of Ames, Corine Kelly and husband, John of Waterloo, Betty (Becky) Tjaden and husband, George of Iowa Falls, Gloria Evenson of Cedar Falls, Dick Holtkamp of Omaha, AR, Mary Lou Dailey and husband, Don of Mitchell, SD, Dan Holtkamp and wife, Pam of Newton, Larry Holtkamp and wife, Janet of Dows, and Jerry Holtkamp and wife, Jan of Williams; and many nieces and nephews who he took a great deal of interest in. He was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Johanna Holtkamp. Lillian Abbas, age 91, of Webster City, formerly of Alden, died on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at the Crestview Nursing Home in Webster City. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday at the Austinville Christian Reformed Church with burial in the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 Thursday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Lillian Magdalene (Oelmann) Abbas was born August 20, 1918, at her family's home in rural Austinville. Lillian was the daughter of Arend and Nettie (Neuburger) Oelmann. She graduated from Ackley High School in 1935 and attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls after which she taught in various country schools. Lillian was united in marriage to Irvin R. Abbas in Austinville on May 22, 1946. Irvin and Lillian farmed in the Alden area where Lillian was a homemaker and worked at General Publishing Company in Iowa Falls. She was a former member of the Iowa Falls Christian Reformed Church and a current member of the Austinville Christian Reformed Church. Lillian enjoyed playing the organ and piano at church, lead Bible studies, and taught Sunday school. Lillian won many purple ribbons at the fair for her cooking, enjoyed quilting, reading, gardening, having coffee and cookies with her many friends, and cooking for her family. Lillian is survived by her daughters: Linda Jass and her husband Tom of Brandon, SD; Shirley Johnson of Lake Park, IA; Lavonne Breitenkanp and her husband Bill of Webster City, IA; Grandchildren: Luke Jass of Sioux Falls, SD; Leah May and Rob of Sioux Falls; Maria Coughlin and Devin of Brandon; Jacob Jass and Cindy of Humboldt, SD; Matthew Johnson and Molly of Cherokee, IA; Nathaniel Johnson of Lake Park; William Breitenkamp of Webster City, Magdalene Breitenkamp of Webster City; Abigail Breitenkamp of Webster City: 5 great-grandchildren; a sister Evelyn Stockdale Sherman and husband Irvin of Colorado Springs, CO; a brother, Wallace Oelmann and wife Jeanette of Aplington; and two sisters-in-law, Florence Oelmann of Ackley and Mildred Rewerts of Parkersburg. Lillian was preceded in death by her husband Irvin R. Abbas; parents, Arend and Nettie Oelmann; brothers, Charles (Ruth) Oelmann and Raymond Oelmann; and bother-in-law, Darrell Stockdale. Lynn Boelman passed away February 28th, 2010, at the Presbyterian Village while under North Iowa Hospice Care. Funeral services will be Saturday1:30 P.M. at the Bethel Reformed in Aplington with inurnment in the Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday 5-8 P.M. at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Lynn Alan Boelman was born in Franklin General Hospital in Hampton, Iowa on March 5th, 1948 as the only child to Wolbert E. (Bert) and Minnie Kreimeyer Boelman. He was raised on the family farm northwest of Ackley and graduated from Ackley High School in May, 1966. That fall he attended the former Area XI Community College (now known as DMACC) in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated in May of 1968 with a degree in electronics. After graduation, he began employment with the Dictaphone Corporation of Des Moines servicing and repairing dictating equipment. On August 29, 1969, he was married to Lois A. Eckhoff of Steamboat Rock in the First Christian Reformed Church, rural Wellsburg. Lynn and Lois were blessed with two daughters, Christa and Shannon. In September of 1971, the couple moved to Eldora, Iowa where Lynn was employed with the United Eggs, Inc.-a division of United Suppliers. The spring of 1976, they moved to the family farm; started farming; and farrowed hogs and sold feeder pigs. In March of 1995, Lynn and Lois moved to Ackley. He helped Darwin Hill of Latimer farm for several years; employed with Quality Ag of Alden until that company was sold; and was employed at the time of his death for Hog Slat, Inc. of Iowa Falls in retail sales. He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, Henry L. Eckhoff; one sister-in-law, Verda Oliviera; and one grandson, Eli Jepsen. He is survived by his wife; children Christa and Scott Mooi of Ankeny; Shannon and Gary Jepsen of Polk City; one grandson-Kellan Mooi; and three granddaughters-Natalie; Claire; and Carly Jepsen. Also surviving are: mother-in-law, Louise Eckhoff of Presbyterian Village, Ackley; brother-in-law, John Oliviera of California; brother-in-law Paul (Luanne) Eckhoff of Creston; and sister-in-law, Arlys (Randy) Eckel of Belle Plaine; several nieces and nephews and numerous cousins. Theda Janssen, age 88, of Ackley, died on Thursday, February 25th at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services will be Saturday10:00 A.M. at the West Friesland Church in Ackley with burial in the West Friesland Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday 4-7 P.M. at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. A memorial fund has been established. Theda Janssen was born on February 21, 1921 in German Township, Ackley, Iowa, the daughter of Casper and Fannie (Boelman) Boelman. She graduated from 8th grade at the German Tsp. School. On February 5, 1941 Theda was united in marriage to Gerald Janssen at the St. Peter's German Tsp, rural Wellsburg. She was a homemaker, a member of the West Friesland Church since 1942, and was a charter member of WIC. Theda is survived by her two sons, Gerry of Port Chester, NY and Terry and his wife, Fumi of Seattle, WA; two sisters-in-law, Mildred Pottgetter of Ackley and Wilma Boelman of Ackley; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gerald; a sister, Tillie DeVries; and brothers, Joe, George, Walbert, Calvin, and William Boelman. Jeanette Celia Zoske, age 72, of Alden, died on Sunday, February, 21, 2010 at her home in Alden. Funeral Services will be 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, February 24th at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls with burial at the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 P.M. at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Jeanette Celia Zoske was born on April 4, 1937 in Dodge Center, Minnesota, the daughter of Lewis and Marjorie (Gibbons) Harding. She graduated from the Popejoy High School in 1955 and then attended Ellsworth Community College. On January 29, 1966, in Iowa Falls, Jeanette was united in marriage to Richard Zoske. She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls. Jeanette worked at Farmland Foods and then the Alden School where she retired in 2008.She is survived by three sons; John and wife, Donna, Dan and wife, Traci, and Kurt and a special friend, Robin, all of Alden; five grandchildren, Kari and husband, Joe Scholte, Loni and husband, Thomas Petersen, Jeremy Zoske, Krista Zoske and fiancé, Steve Terlouw, and Amber Zoske; four great-grandchildren, Brenna and Dalton Petersen, and Gabriella and Olivia Scholte; two brothers, Larry Harding of Hawaii, James Harding of Hampton; three sisters, Colleen Bahr of Buckeye, Patricia Johansen of Hampton, Kathleen Dohrmann of Hampton; a sister-in-law Barbara Hagie of Clarion and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and parents Lewis and Marjorie Harding. Orpha May Rigter, age 80, of Williams, Iowa passed away Friday, February 12, 2010 at Bethany Manor in Story City, Iowa where she has lived since August, 2006. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 18 at the Bethany Manor Chapel, Story City followed by burial at the Williams Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 17 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Williams. A prayer service will be held following the visitation. Orpha May Rigter, daughter of George and Rickie (Barkema) Olson, was born May 4, 1929 in Webster City, Iowa. She graduated from Kamrar High School in 1947 and that summer attended Iowa Teachers College in Cedar Falls. She eventually became a country school teacher at the same school she previously attended. Orpha married Raymond Rigter on November 24, 1948, in Jewell, Iowa. They farmed near Kamrar before moving to Williams in 1960 where they farmed east of town. Orpha was a homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and a waitress at the I-35 Restaurant for many years. She was an active member of United Methodist Church and UMW in Williams. Family was always most important to Orpha. She was happiest entertaining in her home and spent many hours decorating for all the holiday and family celebrations enjoyed there. She is survived by her husband Raymond of Williams, four children: Sandy (Larry) Swanson, of Manchester, Susan (Terry) Doyle, of Ames, John (Sandy) Rigter of Williams, and Sally (Randy) Greenfield of Kamrar, nine grandchildren: Amy Swanson, Jordan Swanson, Angela (Chris) Hewitt, Alison Doyle, Cale (Amber) Doyle, Joseph “J.D.” Rigter, Dan Greenfield, Ben Greenfield, and David Greenfield, five great grandchildren: Tyler Doyle, C.J., Carter, Caleigh and Claire Hewitt, four nieces and three nephews, her brother-in-law Joel (Joan) Rigter of South Carolina and sister-in-law Elaine (Alvin) VanLangen of Jewell. She was preceded in death by her parents George and Rickie (Barkema) Olson, her sisters Georgia (June)/(Elmer) Timm, and Mary Ann Olson and two nephews. Ellen Balvanz, age 78, of Alden, died on Thursday, February, 11, 2010 at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Funeral Services will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, February 16th at the Alden St. Paul Lutheran Church with burial at the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 4-7 P.M. at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Ellen Margaret Balvanz was born on January 20, 1932 in rural Radcliffe, Iowa, the daughter of Elmer and Olive (Wastun) Dettbarn. She graduated from the Eldora High School in 1950. On February 20, 1955 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Balvanz at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Eldora. She was a member of the AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans); American Legion Auxiliary and St. Paul's Lutheran Ladies Aid. She is survived by her husband, Kenny; two sons, Jeff Balvanz and his wife, Denise of Ames and Frank Balvanz and his wife, Kim of Marion; and ten grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. Arthur Burkley, age 91, of Geneva, died on Monday, January 18, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday at the St. Peter's UCC, rural Geneva with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Wednesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. A memorial fund has been established. Arthur John Burkley was born on a family farm near Geneva, Iowa on February 2nd, 1918, the son of John and Mattie (Meyer) Burkley. He attended the Geneva school through tenth grade. At that time he started his career of farming with his father. On February 22nd, 1940 Art married Esther Enslin, at St. Peter's Church. He was a life long active member of St. Peters Church. Art enjoyed many years of farming followed by many years of retirement. When he turned off the tractor he started up with a little gardening and a lot of traveling. Art and Esther spent numerous winters in the Florida sunshine.... not missing the Iowa snow much! Art loved fun, family, friends, games, and of course coffee. Art's great sense of humor and wit was reflected in his hobby of wood carving. Arthur is survived by his wife, Esther; two sons, Don (Kathleen) Burkley of Grayling, MI and Jerry (Linda) Burkley of Geneva; a daughter, Janie (Fred) Richtsmeier of Cedar Falls; 6 grandchildren, Mike Burkley of Grayling MI, Andrew Burkley of Grand Rapids MI, Jeff Burkley of Geneva, IA, Lora Brunkhorst of Daleville, AL, Brad Richtsmeier of Des Moines, IA, and Jenna Porter of Kansas City, KS.; 3 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lucille Toomsen of Ackley. He was preceded in death by his parents. Francis Oppold, age 91, of Iowa Falls, died on Monday, January 18, 2010 at the Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Mass of the Resurrection will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday at the St. Mark Catholic Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the St. Mark Catholic Cemetery. There will be a 3 P.M. Rosary Service Tuesday at the St. Mark Catholic Church with visitation to follow until 7 P.M. when there will be a 7 P.M. Scripture Service. A memorial fund has been established. Francis Joseph Oppold was born on March 13, 1918 in Ackley, Iowa, the son of Robert and Gertrude (Lamm) Oppold. He graduated from High School in Ackley, Ellsworth Community College, and Iowa State. On October 24, 1943 Francis was united in marriage to Nora (Peggy) Kathryn O'Reilly in Berkeley, CA. He served in the U.S. Army from 1941-45 and retired from farming. He was a member of the St. Mark Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and the Iowa Falls Elks Club B.P.O.E. #1674. He was a Lay Mission Witness, Cursillo, and Eucharistic Minister. Francis is survived by his wife, Nora (Peggy); his children, Patricia Knust (Glenn) of Grand Island, NE, Thomas Oppold (Kate) of Toledo, OH, Mary Bruzdzinski (Joe) of Naperville, IL, Mark Oppold (Kathi) of Overland Park, KS, Francis Oppold, Jr (Fran) of Ames, Phil Oppold (Lois) of Iowa Falls, Nora A'Bell of Urbandale, and Joan Gray (Jack) of Johnston; 28 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren with four more on the way; two sisters, Evelyn Lawless of Iowa Falls and Ruth Scallon of Iowa Falls; and two brothers, Joe Oppold of Waterloo and Robert Oppold of Waterloo. Francis was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Andrew Oppold in 1992; and his three brothers, Melvin, James and Edmund Oppold. Clara Vanderloop, age 79 of Alden, died on Wednesday, January 13th at the Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls. Services will be 10:00 A.M. Monday at the St. Mark Catholic Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-5 P.M. Sunday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls with a 5 P.M. Scripture service. Clara Elizabeth Vanderloop was born on April 20, 1930 in Paxton, NE, the daughter of Eldon and Clare (Giles) Cary. She graduated from the Greeley High School in Greeley, NE. On June 21, 1948 she was united in marriage to Eugene A. Vanderloop at the Sacred Heart Church in Greeley, NE. She worked at Boyts for several years and was a homemaker. She was a member of the St. Mark Catholic Church. She is survived by her three daughters, Susan Turner of Roland, Cathy Widmann and her husband, Roger of Iowa Falls and Joy Vanderloop of Hampton; four sons, Gene Vanderloop of Alden, Tom Vanderloop and his wife, Carol of Alden, Dan Vanderloop and his wife, Tammy of Hubbard, and Tim Vanderloop and his wife, Mary of Alden; 14 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; three sisters, Charlotte Cunningham of Iowa Falls, Francis Zieger of Syracuse, NE, and Meta Mahoney of Cedar Rapids, NE; and a brother, Gerald Cary of Greeley, NE. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eugene; and a brother Aaron (Bud) Cary. Everdena Arends, age 85, of Ackley, died on Monday, January 11, 2010 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday, January 14th at the Faith Presbyterian Church, Ackley with burial in the East Friesland Cemetery, Ackley. Visitation will be 3-6 P.M. Wednesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Everdena Jeanette Arends was born on August 8, 1924 on a farm in German Tsp, Ackley, Iowa, the daughter of Menno and Henrietta (Krull) VanLoh. She was baptized in the East Friesland Presbyterian Church and attended German Tsp School. On March 6, 1956 she was united in marriage to Byron Arends at the East Friesland Presbyterian Church. She was enjoyed working with bees, making communion bread and working in her garden. Everdena is survived by her sister, Helen Benning of Ackley; a sister-in-law, Norma Viet and her husband, Bernard of Ackley; and a brother-in-law, Alvin Boyenga of Iowa Falls. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Byron; two sisters, Johanna Mennenga and Esther Boyenga; and a twin brother, John. Marvin "Gus" Williams, age 70, of Williams, died on Saturday, January 9, 2009 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. Graveside services will be 1:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Williams Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 P.M. Tuesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Williams. Marvin Lavern (Gus) Williams was born at home on a farm northwest of Williams on July 11, 1939, the son of Harold and Carrie (Oswood) Williams. He attended country school and Williams Independent Grade and High School. Throughout his high school years he was an active athlete in baseball and basketball. After graduating from the Williams Independent High School in 1958, he farmed for fifty one years in the Williams area. He married Marlene J. Johnson on July 21, 1973 at the Vernon Lutheran Church near Dows. Gus was a member of the Williams United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Elks for thirty six years and the Hamilton County Farm Bureau. He was a very active worker with the Williams Community Benefit. He enjoyed farming and visiting with his many friends. Gus is survived by his wife, Marlene; a sister, Shirley Izer and her husband, Marion; a brother, Donald D. Williams and his wife, Joan; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parent, Harold and Carrie Williams; a sister, Margaret Huebner; and nephews, Gary Huebner, Lynn Izer, Perry Williams, and Caleb Williams. William Nereus Moore, age 98, of Iowa Falls, died on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at the Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Wednesday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Iowa Falls with burial in the Friends Cemetery, Iowa Falls. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Tuesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. In lieu of flowers it is requested the memorials be directed to the Bill Moore Memorial Beef Award at the Hardin County Fair or the American Shorthorn Foundation. William was born on January 24, 1911 in Dows, Iowa, the son of Robbie and Delphina (Martin) Moore. William was united in marriage to Harriett Hanson on April 26, 1941 in Iowa Falls. He was a farmer and a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ. He had a lifelong attachment to agriculture and farming and saw many changes and innovations in this field in his life. He had a special interest in the livestock industry. His first 4H projects were sheep and he spent early years fitting, exhibiting, and shearing sheep. This interest led him to a long time involvement in the Hardin County and Iowa State Fairs. He served on the County Fair Board and as Superintendent of various livestock departments. He and his family became actively involved in the production, exhibition and promotion of Shorthorn cattle. He and his wife Harriett were honored in 1985 as "Builders of the Breed" by the American Shorthorn Association. Shorthorn cattle continued to be a true passion in his life and after retirement from active farming he and his wife served as superintendents of Shorthorns at the Iowa State Fair for many years. They also attended many of the World Shorthorn Conferences including those held in Australia, South America, Great Britain, Canada and the US. For fifteen years he spent winter months in Texas and became acquainted with a whole new group of friends. Here he exhibited the axiom that you can't take the farmer off the farm as he learned to grow oranges and grapefruit. He was very proud that his were the biggest in the trailer park. William is survived by his wife, Harriett; a daughter, Mary Jensen and her husband, Dave of Iowa Falls; a son, Bert Moore and his wife, Millie of Elkhorn, NE; seven grandchildren, John Jensen and his wife Shannon of Iowa Falls, William Jensen and his wife, Katy of Iowa Falls, Sondra Mulford and her husband, Brett of Bloomington, IL, Julie Rau and her husband, Keith of Iowa Falls, Jodie Jensen of Iowa Falls, and Angi Politzer of Hugo, MN; 13 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marjorie Bunte of Minnesota and Helen Smith of Des Moines; and a brother, Robert Moore of Green Mountain. He was preceded in death by his parents; six sisters; and a grandson, Paul James Moore. Irene Marie Fitz, age 76, of Iowa Falls, died on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at the North Iowa Mercy Hospital in Mason City. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Monday at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 P.M. Sunday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Irene Marie Fitz was born on March 30, 1933 in Clarion, Iowa, the daughter of George and Ruth (Beer) Kelling. She was united in marriage to Burton Fitz on April 22, 1951 in Clarion. Irene is survived by her husband, Burton; a daughter, Linda Fitz-Horioka and her husband, George of Newport Beach, CA; four brothers, Raymond Kelling of Ft. Dodge, Richard Kelling of Forrest City, Charles Kelling of Stratford, TX; and Joseph Kelling of Eagle Grove. He was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, George and Robert Kelling and a sister, Ilene Gardalen. Donnabelle Rice, age 84 of Iowa Falls, died on Monday, December 28, 2009 at the Ellsworth Municipal Hospital. Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Thursday at the First Christian Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be 3-7 P.M. Wednesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls with family receiving friends from 5-7 P.M. Donnabelle Rice was born on March 5, 1925 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the daughter of Calvin and Gladys (Johnson) Wilkinson. She was united in marriage to Carlton "Bud" Rice on July 5, 1940 in Waterloo and worked in the Hot Lunch Program in the Iowa Falls High School. Donnabelle is survived by her children, Susanne Whitmore and her husband, Tony of Iowa Falls, Kirk Rice and his wife, Melanie of Iowa Falls, and Sandra Beacom of Dayton, TX; 7 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two infant sons; two brothers; and one sister. Bennie Hall, age 95, of Alden, died on Friday, December 25, 2009 at the Heritage Care Center in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Williams with burial in the Buckeye Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Monday at the Surls Funeral Home in Alden with family receiving friends from 5-7 P.M. A memorial fund has been established. Bennie was born on January 10, 1914 on a farm in Story, Co., Iowa. He lived in Story County until he moved to a farm near Ellsworth. His parents were Gudman and Sophia (Eike) Hall. Ben was one of ten children, 5 boys and 5 girls. On April 15, 1938 he married Agnes Irene Lura of Garden City in McCallsburg. They had two children, Sharon and Merlyn. Bennie and Agnes lived on a farm in Hamilton Co. for many years. In 1947 they moved to their farm near Buckeye. In 1983 they moved to their house in Alden. Bennie was a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Williams. He enjoyed farming, and actively farmed until he was 90 and still helped until he was 95. He also did some custom trucking in the Buckeye area. Bennie is survived by his children, Sharon Garcia of Iowa Falls and Merlyn and his wife, Julia of Alden; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; four brothers, John, Silas, Joseph, and George; five sisters Bertha, Esther, Mayme, Gladys, and Sadie; and a son-in-law, Joe Garcia. Ilene Marie Krogh, age 80, Iowa Falls, died on Monday, December 21, 2009 at her home. Funeral services will be Thursday at 10:30 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Ilene Marie Krogh was born on May 23, 1929 in Latimer, Iowa, the daughter of Fred and Georgia (Meyer) Dohrmann. She graduated from the Latimer High School and attended Iowa State. Ilene was united in marriage to H P. Krogh on February 8, 1948 in Latimer. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls, the Women's Circle and Questers. Ilene is survived by her three sons, Steve Krogh of Mason City and his two sons Aaron and Paul; Dave Krogh of Iowa Falls; and Scott Krogh (Deana) of Iowa Falls and their children, Spencer, Michael, and Hannah; two daughters, Sue Dahl (Vinje) of Sabula and Keagan and a step-child, K.V. Dahl; and Jan Deaver (Dave) of Cedar Falls and their children, Kate, and Meg; two great-grandchildren, Tyler and Carter; and a brother, Fred Dorhmann. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, H.P. Krogh. Bennie Siems, age 94, of Ackley, died on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services will be 1:30 P.M. Monday, December 28th at the Washington Reformed Church, Ackley with burial in the Oakwood Cemetery, Ackley. Visitation will be 2-4 P.M. Sunday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Bennie was born on November 15, 1915, in Dumont, Iowa, the son of Fred and Tillie (Hovenga) Siems. He was united in marriage to Edna Mae Kappel on December 11, 1944 at the Washington Reformed Church. Bennie is survived by his son, Marv Siems of Laurel; a daughter, Darlene Benning and her husband, Keith of Ackley; four grandchildren, Jeff Siems of Blue Springs, MO, Bradley Benning and his wife, Jessica of Ackley, Beth Brinkman of Charles City, and Darin Benning and his wife, Andrea of Ackley; 8 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Boelts and Marion Boelts both of Wellsburg and Evie Siems of Clinton. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Edna; one sister, Sena Franken; and four brothers Sweer, John, Freddie and Raymond Siems. Jo Ann VanHove, age 71, of Urbandale died on Friday, December 18, 2009 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley with burial in the East Friesland Cemetery, Ackley. Visitation will be 4-6 P.M. Monday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. JoAnn Van Hove was born on September 8, 1938 in Steamboat Rock, Iowa, the daughter of Coert and Helen (Beenken) Bunger. She attended Steamboat Rock Consolidated School, graduating in 1956 and attended Ellsworth Junior College, graduating in 1958. Jo Ann was united in marriage to John T. Van Hove on June 23, 1963 in Baumholder, Germany where John was stationed with the U.S. Army. She was employed by the European Exchange System in Stuttgart, Germany, the American Express Bank in Berlin, Germany, Canal Industries in Augusta, Georgia, and she was a federal government employee for 20 years at Fort Gordon, Georgia, the VA Hospital, and the US Dept. of Agriculture in Des Moines. She lived in Augusta, Georgia from 1970 until 1990, she then returned to Iowa and lived in Urbandale. JoAnn is survived by her husband, John of Urbandale; a niece, Teresa Ohnesorge of Marshalltown; a great-niece, McKenzie Marsh of Marshalltown; a great-nephew, Coert Groff of Marshalltown; as well as other nieces and nephews, Lorene Mein, Catherine Mein, Patrick Smith, David (Karen) Smith, James (Diane) Smith, and Janet Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Thelma Ohnesorge. LaVerne Sharar, age 88, of Ankeny and formerly of Iowa Falls, died on Wednesday at the University Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Des Moines. Memorial services will be 10:30 A.M. Monday at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls. Visitation will be 3-6 on Sunday at Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls with a 6:00 P.M. Elks service. LaVerne A. Sharar was born on a farm near Alden on November 21, 1921, the son of Glenn and Ella (Alverson) Sharar. He graduated from the Alden High School in 1939 and attended Central College from 1939-1940. He served in the U.S. Army and went to Australia, New Guinea, the Philippines and was an occupation troop in Japan before returning home in January 1946. After discharge at Fort Leavenworth, KS he returned to Alden. LaVerne was united in marriage to Marilyn Balvanz on October 26, 1963. He was a former owner of Ackerman’s in Alden and King Construction in Iowa Falls. LaVerne was a member of the Elks Club, VFW, American Legion, Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, Iowa Falls and Ellsworth College Booster Clubs, Bethany Lutheran Church Council and Building Committee, and was a charter member of the Alden Lions Club. He enjoyed fishing, wood working, and gardening. LaVerne is survived by his wife, Marilyn of Ankeny; his children, Larry Sharar (Leona) of Dows, Janice Hurd (Lloyd) of Alden, LeAnn Jass (Mike) of Garden Grove, Deborah Sharar of Urbandale, Rodney Sharar (Karey) of Ankeny; a brother, Lyle (Joan) Sharar of Garner; a sister-in-law, Jean O’Malia (Jerry) of Iowa Falls; ten grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Katherine Karrys, age 83, of Iowa Falls died on Monday, December 14, 2009 at the Lake Ridge Health Care Center in Roseville, MN. Funeral services will be 1:30 P.M. Saturday at the St. Matthews by the Bridge Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be 7-8 P.M. Friday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in memory of Katherine be made to St. Matthew's Episcopal church of the donors choice. Katherine was born on June 27, 1926 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the daughter of Ernest and Helen (Sakellarakis) Karrys. Katherine graduated from the Iowa Falls High School and Ellsworth Junior College and attended one semester at Drake University. She cashiered at the princess Café, her father's restaurant, was a bookkeeper at Grahams Clothing store and retired from the Iowa Power and Electric Office in Iowa Falls. She was a faithful member of St. Matthews Episcopal Church and various community clubs in Iowa Falls. She will be missed by family and friends. Katherine is survived by her five sisters, Marian Karrys of Bloomington, Maria Winslow and her husband, Ben of Whitehall, IN, Stella Karrys of Lincoln, NE, Betty Karrys of Durango, CO, and Anna Wafler and her husband, Steve of Vadnais Heights, MN; many nieces and nephews and many Iowa Falls friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Helen Karrys; a brother, Deno Karrys; and a sister, Kalopy Karrys. Judith Reynolds, age 72, of Ridgefield, MN and formerly of Alden, died on Friday, December 11, 2009 at the Hennepin County Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Alden with burial in the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Tuesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Alden. Judith Reynolds was born on May 9, 1937 in Alden, Iowa, the daughter of L.F. Mike Sharar and Carol Stebe. She graduated from the Alden High School in 1955 and Drake University with a Business Degree. She was united in marriage to Russell Reynolds in 1979 in Alden. She was a member of the Alden United Methodist Church and was an Executive Secretary to the president of Bemis Corp. Judith is survived by her brother, Mike Sharar of Storm Lake; a step-brother, Bob Kellogg and his wife, Lila of Alden; a step-sister, Pat McElvania and her husband, Glen of Alden; two nieces, Amy Didier and her husband, Keary of Advance, NE and Emily Zlotkowski and her husband, David of Greensboro, NC; and two step-nieces, Megan Olerich of Chicago, IL and Amanda Olerich of Ames. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Russell. T.J. Hunt, age 58, of Alden, died on Thursday, December 10, 2009 in Twentynine Palms, CA. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, December 19th at the Alden United Methodist Church with burial in the Oakhill Cemetery, Popejoy. Visitation will be 3-7 P.M. Friday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Teri Jo Hunt was born on March 9, 1951 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of Robert S. Bylin and Pamela M. Windsor Bylin. She was united in marriage to Michael A. Hunt on November 16, 1990 at the United Methodist Church in Alden. She was a secretary at Grow Mark. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Alden and the Oak Hill Cemetery Society. Teri is survived by her husband, Michael of Alden; two sons, James Thompson and his wife, Kelly of 29 Palms, CA and Jeffery Thompson and his wife, Stephanie of Wahaiwa, HI; four daughters, Donna Lewandowski and her husband, John of Yuma, AZ, Michelle Thompson and her husband, Blair of Eden Prairie, MN, Yolanda Sanders and her husband, Steve from Hiawatha, and Yvonne Hunt of Yuma, AZ; seven grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; a sister, Donna Peterson of Ridgeway, MO; two brothers, Rick Bylin of Detroit, MI and Robb Bylin of Detroit, MI.; a special friend, Crissa Kellum; four nieces and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister-in-law. Elaine H. Trousdale, age 86, of Iowa Falls and formerly of Alden, died on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at the Bickford Cottage in Marion. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Friday, December 18th, at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Alden with burial in the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be 3-7 P.M. Thursday, December 17th at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Elaine Hulda Trousdale was born on May 8, 1923 on the family farm near Buckeye, the daughter of Charles and Frieda (Brandt) Puttkamer. She attended Buckeye schools and graduated from the Alden High School in 1942. She worked at the ASC office and the Citizen State Bank, now known as Greenbelt Bank and Trust for 47 years, retiring in 1989. Elaine was united in marriage to G. Fay Trousdale on December 18, 1946 at the St. Paul's Lutheran Parsonage in Alden. She was a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Alden Boat Club, and Glee Club. She enjoyed plays, dancing, reading, swing music, and helped on the farm. Elaine is survived by her daughter, Lana Hake and her husband, Dion of Marion; two grandchildren, Jay Hake of Lawrence, KS and Erin Hake of Charleston, IL; a sister, Gerene Gilmore of Webster City; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Pat Puttkamer; sister-in-law, Marie Puttkamer; and a brother-in-law, Bob Gilmore. Elaine's family wishes to thank the staff and residents of Bickford Cottage for the love and support they showed to Elaine throughout the last six months of her life. The family is also very grateful to St. Luke's Hospice for the comfort and support during Elaine's's final weeks. Kenneth Ulfers, age 81, of Ackley, died on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at the Maple Manor Village in Aplington. Services will be 1:00 P.M. Sunday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley with inurnment in the Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before services at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Kenneth Leonard Ulfers, son of Clarence and Ellen (Miller) Ulfers, was born February 3, 1928, at the home farm east of Ackley. He was baptized at St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church and later became a member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Ackley. Kenneth attended country school at Grundy County German Township #2. He graduated from Ackley High School in 1945. After graduation, Kenneth helped his father at home and also worked for other farmers in the area. Kenneth entered the U. S. Army on January 11, 1951, and was honorably discharged on January 17, 1953. He served during the Korean War as a lineman/electrician. After returning home from the service, he worked for Lennox Industries in Marshalltown before becoming a self-employed handyman doing plumbing and electrical work. He is survived by his sister Viola (Edward) Geerdes of Ackley; nephew Gregory (Gloria) Geerdes, Marcus Iowa; nieces Elaine (Jerry) Remhof, Urbandale Iowa and Vivian Geerdes, West Des Moines Iowa; great nieces Gina (Cam) Rassel, Marcus Iowa, Gwen (Jay) Mathahs, Thompson Iowa, Melissa Remhof (Sam Saluri), Urbandale Iowa; and great-great nephews and a great-great niece. Vernon Willms, age 87, of Ackley, died on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at his home in Ackley. Services are 1:30 P.M. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church in Ackley with visitation Tuesday from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Burial will be at Northlawn Cemetery in Iowa Falls. Full military rites provided by the Elliott Keninger Post #252 of Ackley Vernon M. Willms, age 87 of Ackley Iowa passed away at home on November 22, 2009. He was born in Stout Iowa on September 10, 1922. His parents were Henry Willms and Sema Karsjens. Vernon attended Bradford Community Schools before becoming employed by Roche's Lumberyard in Bradford. On Dec 26, 1942 he entered the Army Air Force where he served in the South Pacific as a cryptographer until his discharge in December of 1945. In June 1946 he was united in marriage to Velma Lord at her parent's home in Bradford Iowa. He worked for Mulford Construction for a short time, then began employment with Farmer's Coop Elevator Co; first in Bradford, then ended his 38 year career in Ackley. Vernon was a long time active member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder and trustee. He was also a 63-year member of the American Legion. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, short trips and most especially spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife Velma, children Vicki Harken and husband Arlen, Vaughn Willms and wife Elaine, Vince Willms and wife Cathy, Van Willms and wife Deb , 4 sisters; Christine Tripp, Evelyn Murra, LaVelle Richman, LaVonne Off, and one brother-in-law, 19 grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, one son Verlynn, one daughter in law, Lynda and 3 brother-in-laws. Ervin Miller, age 91, of Aplington, died on Friday, November 20, 2009 at the Maple Manor Village in Aplington. Services are 2:00 P.M. Monday November 23 at the United Methodist Church in Ackley with visitation 1 hour prior to services. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley is in charge of arrangments. Ervin LeRoy Miller was born February 15, 1918 in Aplington Iowa, the son of Henry and Harmenia Miller. Ervin attended school in Butler County. On September 6, 1941 Ervin was married to his wife of 68 years Adelyn in Unionville, MO. Ervin was a farmer all of his life and retired in 1983. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and held various positions in the church. Ervin is survived by his wife Adelyn. His sons Neulyn Miller and wife Linda of Pleasantville; Dawson Miller and wife Linda of Des Moines; a brother Don Miller and wife Lucy of Aplington; a sister Irene Card of Ackley; a sister in-law Jean Miller of Dumont; a granddaughter Rebecca Oliva and husband Mike of Pleasantville; granddaughter Sherry Miller of Pleasantville; granddaughter Amy Wood and husband Gary of Corydon; grandson Brett Miller and wife Wendy of Des Moines; and 9 great-grandchildren. Ervin was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and two brother in-laws. Arlene F. Junker, age 88, of Wellsburg, died on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services are at 10:30 AM Tuesday November 17th at the West Friesland Presbyterian Church with burial in the West Friesland cemetery.Visitation will be Monday 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Mrs. Arlene Junker Born September 5, 1921 in rural Wellsburg Daughter of Weert W. and Albertha (Rose) Riekena Received education in rural school, graduated from Wellsburg High School in 1939 Married on June 28, 1945 to Raymond J. Junker Farmed with her husband in the Aplington and Ackley areas Retired to Wellsburg in 1985 Member of West Friesland Presbyterian Church of rural Ackley Family-Daughter Karen and husband John Wedda and two granddaughters-Torri and husband Matt Nelson and Sammi and husband Gordon Goes and three great grandsons-Troy and Benjamin Nelson and Joseph Goes. Sister in law JoAnn Hippen. Brother in law Vernon Junker and many nieces and nepthews. Preceded in death by husband in 1986, her parents, two sisters Evelyn Harms and Gladys Korte, a brother Willard Rickena and a sister and brother in infancy. Dennis J. Diemer, age 63, of Ackley, died on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Ackley with burial in the Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 3:30 - 7:00 P.M. Friday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Full military rites provided by the Elliott Keninger Post #252 of Ackley. Dennis Joel Diemer was born on October 12, 1946 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the son of Gilbert and Gladys (Heitland) Diemer. He graduated from the Ackley Geneva High School in 1964. He served in the United States Air Force and worked at the Ackley Canning Factory. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Elliott-Keninger Post #252 of Ackley. He enjoyed Hawkeye Football, the Cyclones, and U.N.I. Panthers. He enjoyed time with his family and friends, grilling, Prairie Bridges Park, History, taking pictures, trains and traveling. Dennis is survived by his wife, Cindy; two daughters, Amy and Melissa of Ackley; a sister-in-law, DeAlda Diemer of Denver, IA; and a mother-in-law, Ruth Hayden of Eldora. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David; and his father-in-law, Delmar Diemer. Alice Janssen, age 99, of Iowa Falls, died on Monday, November 9, 2009 at the Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls with burial in the Christian Reformed Cemetery, rural Wellsburg. Surls Funeral Home of Iowa Falls is in charge of arrangements. Alice Janssen was born on March 14, 1910 in Steamboat Rock, Iowa, the daughter of Richard and Antje (Kramer) Janssen. She graduated from the Iowa Falls High School and had been a housekeeper. She is survived by her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her nine brothers and sisters, Tresse, Dick, Anna, Helen, Johnny, Ed, Gladdes, George, and Lilly. Lenna Marie Oelmann, age 81, of Ackley, died on Friday, November 6, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Monday at the Faith Presbyterian Church in Ackley with burial in the Oakwood Cemetery, Ackley. Visitation will be 2-5 P.M. Sunday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Lenna was born on November 20, 1927, the daughter of Hans Christian and Mary Raisch Guldager in Ackley. Hans and Mary had been living is Saskatchewan, Canada and came back to Iowa so Lenna could be born in the United States. They moved back to Saskatchewan right after Lenna was born and stayed there for 10 years. The family moved to Ackley and farmed and had a dairy herd. Lenna attended Ackley High School. After she graduated she attended ISTC (now UNI) and taught rural schools for 3 years. She married Verne Oelmann on May 30, 1948. They moved on their farm in 1949. She helped with the farming and had dairy cows. They had 2 children, Barbara and Verlen. In 1978 she started working for Shugar's Super Value and worked there for 17 years. They farmed until Verne passed away on March 17, 1985. She lived on her farm for 60 years until she moved to the nursing home in May, 2009. She attended East Friesland Presbyterian Church, taught Sunday school and belonged to WIC. She then went to Faith Presbyterian Church and was treasurer for 23 years. Lenna is survived by her daughter, Barbara (Lance) Ubben; a son, Verlen (Peg); one sister, Ruth Gould (Neil), one brother, Carl Guldager (Janice). She also has a sister-in-law, Ruth Oelmann; 8 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Verne; brother-in-law, Duane Oelmann; and a nephew, Mark Guldager. Virginia Strauser, age 70 of Cheyenne, Wyoming and formerly of Williams died on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be 11 AM Wednesday at the Methodist Church in Williams with burial in the Williams Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. The Surls Funeral Chapel in Williams is in charge of arrangements. Friends may contribute to the United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society. Virginia was born March 13, 1939, in Dayton, IA. She married Wilbur A. Strauser on December 13, 1959, in Williams, IA. Mrs. Strauser was a nurse who worked at the Iowa Falls and Webster City hospitals and area nursing homes for many years. In her later years, she was a Mary Kay Cosmetic consultant. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Cheyenne, and the United Methodist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star in Williams. She is survived by daughters Vickie Britson (Les) of Salix, IA, Toni Strauser of Cheyenne, WY, Tina Roberts (James) of Dakota City, NE; brothers Paul Howe (Mary) of Boone, IA, Lee Howe (Mary) of Webster City, IA, Wayne Howe (C.J.) of Terrell, TX, and Merlen Howe (Judy) of Lockhart, TX; sister Evelyn Ostrander of Madrid, IA; and four grandchildren, Michael, Alexis, Matthew, and Alaina. She was preceded in death by her husband Wilbur (Bill), brothers George Howe and Orville Howe, and her parents, Earl and Edith Howe. Wilma Emily Hurd, age 91, of Alden, died on Monday, October 26, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday at the United Methodist Church in Alden with burial in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Popejoy. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Wednesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Alden. Wilma Emily Hurd was born on June 7, 1918 in Canada, the daughter of George and Nora Kelly. Wilma was united in marriage to Donald Hurd on November 11, 1937 in Montana. She was a member of the Oak Hill Cemetery Society and Oakland Friendly Club. She attended the Popejoy Methodist Church and was a friend of the United Methodist Women. She is survived by her two daughters, Frances Jondall and her husband Gene of Alden and Fonda Hickethier of Alden; two sons, Lloyd Hurd and his wife, Jan of Alden and Robert Hurd and his wife, LouAnn of Indianola; a daughter-in-law, Margaret Hurd of Yuma, AZ; 16 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; three sisters, Georgia and Ron Snyder of Deer Park, WA, Lovie Bailey of Polson, MT, and Leah and Calvin Galloway of Kalispell, MT.; and a brother-in-law, Gene and Virginia Hurd of Alden. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; a son, Edward; a grandson, Scott Hurd; a great-grandson, P.J. Jondall; a son-in-law, Marlyn Hickethier; a sister, Glenna Strong; and four brothers, Glen, Clell, John, and Leo Kelly. Virginia Harlan Hill, age 94, of Iowa Falls, died on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at the Heritage Care Center in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, October 31st at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Friday, October 30th at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Memorials may be made to the Heritage Care Center or Hospice of Northern Iowa. Condolences may be sent to the family via Surls Funeral Home web site: www.surls.com Virginia was born on July 13, 1915, the daughter of Melvin Fishburn (M.F.) Myers and Margaret Harlan Myers. She was born in the family home in rural Webster City and lived her entire life in Iowa. On September 20, 1942, she married George Allen Hill at her parent's home in Webster City. They were married 57 years. She loved children and in addition to her two children, she nurtured several nieces and nephews. She also gave care to several generations of children in her own home. Virginia was an active member in her church, First United Methodist in Iowa Falls; was an active member of the Quilting Club; was active in the senior citizen center; and was an avid scrap booker before it came into vogue. She is survived by her son, Robert and wife, Helen of Waterloo; a daughter, Margaret Scott and husband, Rod of Iowa Falls; three grandchildren, Jennifer Kay Drobinski and her husband, Robert of Bloomington, MN Jessica Elizabeth Gallagher and her husband, Tom of New Prague, MN and Michael Paul Pingel of Cedar Rapids; three step-grandchildren, Andrea Beth Houk and her husband, Robert of Ankeny, John David Cummings and wife, Laura of Cedar Rapids, and Stephen Paul Cummings and wife, Cheri of Iowa City; eight great (almost nine) grandchildren; and sisters-in law, Mildred Myers and Dorothy Myers of Webster City. She was preceded in death by her husband, George, her parents, her brothers, Lee, George, and Oliver; sister, Mary and an infant sibling. Mary Belle Schager age 89, of Iowa Falls, died on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at the Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Alden with burial in the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Friday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Mary Belle Schager was born on November 20, 1919 on a farm west of Alden to John and Jeanette Watt Tjarks. She attended rural schools and graduated from the Alden High School in 1938. She married Harold A. Schager on February 15, 1941 and was a homemaker. She was a member of the Alden United Methodist Church and was honored as a life member of the United Methodist Women; the Ellsworth Hospital Guild and enjoyed working at the Iowa Falls Thrift Shop. She is survived by her three children, Janet Wilson and her husband, Donald of Topeka, KS, Robert Schager and his wife, Joyce of Iowa Falls, and Kay Lynn Bridges and her husband, Carter of Alden; ten grandchildren, Mary Schroer of Leawood, KS, Dr. Michael Wilson of Wichita, KS, Scott Schager of Dallas, TX, Philip Wilson of Racine, WI, Cindy Brown of Solon, Jason Schager of Ames, Jennifer Bridges of Waterloo, Stephanie Frost of Waterloo, Kristen Bailey of Alden, and Teresa Mueller of Boone; 21 great grandchildren; her sister and husband, Esther and Bill Krause of Alden; sister-in-law, Helma Hofsommer of Spencer; many nieces, nephews, and her many friends made throughout her lifetime. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1991; a sister, Elizabeth Izer; three brothers, Leslie Tjarks and two infant brothers. Woodrow Wilson Heitland, age 96, of Ackley, died on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Friday at the St. John's UCC in Ackley with burial in the Oakwood Cemetery, Ackley. Visitation will be 6-8 P.M. Thursday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Military rites provided by the Elliott-Keninger Post #252 of Ackley. Woodrow Wilson Heitland, son of Henry H and Tina (Bleeker) Heitland was born Jan 8, 1913 at the home farm south of Ackley. He received Christening and baptism on Oct 2, 1913 at the Evangelical and Reformed Church at Abbott, Iowa by Rev. J.V. Knoll. When the Abbott church closed, he attended St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church (now St. Johns United Church of Christ) in Ackley, Iowa. He joined the church in 1945 and was a faithful member and served on the church council. He attended country school in Etna Township District School No. 6 and graduated from Ackley High School in 1930. In 1942, he married Bernice Sinning at Bethany, Missouri. They have two children, Richard at Austin, TX and Kathleen at Palm Coast, FL. Woodrow was a veteran of WW II, service with the 398th Bomb Group with the 8th Army Air Corps in Europe during the Normandy Invasion, Northern France, Ardennes and Central Europe. Following the war Woody and Bernice farmed south of Ackley. He was a member of the Farm Bureau and served in the Etna Township ASCS committee. In 1977, they retired from farming and moved to Ackley. He was a member of the Elliott-Keninger American Legion Post 252 for 68 years, Ackley-Geneva Lions Club and the Ackley Country Club. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers (Jacob, Harry, John, Elwood), two sisters Grace (Mrs. Richard Cobie) and Adele (Mrs. Romaine Catlett). He is survived by his wife, Bernice; sister, Midge (Mrs. Harris Vietor) of Omaha, NE; a son Richard, grandsons Michael and Joseph; daughter Kathleen (Mrs. Jay Allen), grandsons Nathan and Evan, granddaughter Tami; eight great grandchildren, brother and sister-in-laws, and many relatives and family friends. William "Bill" A. Shugar, age 89, of Ackley, died on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at the Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo following a fall. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the St. John's U.C.C. in Ackley with burial in the Oakwood Cemetery, Ackley. Visitation will be 5-8 P.M. Monday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Bill was born on March 3, 1920 in Ackley, Iowa, the son of John and Gertje (Rotgers) Shugar. He attended and graduated from the Ackley High School in 1939. He married Dorathy Rigbers on June 1, 1941 at her parent's home. They had three children. He enjoyed farming, driving milk truck, and clerking at the Ackley Sale Barn. He owned and operated Wm Shugar trucking from 1964 -2000. As a member of St. John's United Church of Christ he founded the Men's Chorus. He was a fifty year Mason in the Fountain Lodge #219. In 1989 he started The Music Makers, playing at nursing homes, parades, and special events until 2000. He also taught square dancing. Bill is survived by his wife, Dorathy; daughters, Marilyn (Harvey) Goracke of Philipsburg, KS and Carolyn (John) Ford of Humboldt; a son, Larry (Pamela) of Ackley; five grandchildren, Sharon (Dave) McRae of Cedar Falls, Jennifer (Dean) Eyler of Plymouth, MN, Amanda (Trent) Winters of Iowa Falls, Samantha (Josh) Carpenter of Iowa Falls, John Shugar of Ackley; ten great-grandchildren, Carson, Jenna, Cullen, Liam McRae; Luke and Lauren Eyler; Mikaylan, Kadynce and Kaleb Winters; and Jordyn Carpenter. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Helen Yount, Bernice Teeter, and Hazel Teske and several nieces and nephews. Lois Geraldine Bessman, age 84, of Iowa Falls, died on Friday, September 11, 2009 at the Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Memorial services will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, September 18th at the Immanuel Memorial UCC in Alden with inurnment in the Alden Cemetery. There will be no visitation. The Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls is in charge of arrangements. Lois "Geri" Bessman was born on May 26, 1925 in Williams, Iowa, the daughter of Charles and Gladys (McIntire) Akers. She graduated from the Alden High School. Geri was married to Ernest Beecher from 1944 to 1976, and after his death she was married to Murl Bessman from 1979 to 2001. Geri is survived by her daughter, Sonja Hickey of Sequim, WA; a son, Douglas Beecher of Lompoc, CA; a step-daughter, Nancy Shaner of Brighton, MI; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Ernest Beecher of 32 years; second husband, Murl Bessman of 22 years; three sisters, Arlene Wiley, Verdell Greene, and Gloria Knott; and one brother, Clive (Shorty) Akers. Douglas D. Thomas, age 62, of Geneva, died on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at the Franklin General Hospital in Hampton. Services will be at 4:00 P.M. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Geneva with burial in the Lindenwood Cemetery, Geneva. No visitation is planned. Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley is in charge of arrangements. Douglas Donald Thomas was born on April 12, 1947, in Hampton, Iowa, the son of F. Lester and Ethel (Johnson) Thomas. He attended Ackley-Geneva High School. Doug was united in marriage to Connie Homan on May 22, 1966, in Ackley. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966-1968 as a combat engineer in the 10th Engineering Battalion, stationed in Germany. Upon his return home, Doug and Connie settled in Geneva, and he continued to farm with his father. Doug and Connie moved to the family farm in 1977. Later Doug started a trucking company, which he owned and operated until his passing. For eight years, Doug enjoyed coaching his sons' Geneva little league baseball teams. Doug was also a member of the United Methodist Church in Geneva and the Dumont American Legion. Doug is survived by his wife, Connie; three sons, Chad and his wife, Manda of Wiota, Jeremy and his wife, Alexis of Macomb, Illinois, and Dustin and his wife, Shauna of West Des Moines; a granddaughter, Hannah Jo of Wiota; and two brothers, F. Lonnie Thomas of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and David Thomas of Alden. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister-in-law, Nancy Thomas. Wallace (Wally) Hoversten, age 74, of Alden, died on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at the Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Alden with burial in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Iowa Falls. Visitation will be 5-8 P.M. Friday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Memorials may be directed to Rochel Hoversten, 224 Marion Dr. #3, Iowa Falls, IA, 50126. Wallace (Wally) Wray Hoversten was born on June 6, 1935 in Alden, Iowa, the son of Truman and Bessie (Weaver) Hoversten. He graduated from the Alden High School. Wally was united in marriage to Shirley Jean Diemer in 1956. He worked at Prestress Concrete, retiring in 1994. Wally enjoyed going to auctions and spending time with his granddaughters and great grandsons. Wally is survived by his daughter, Rochel Hoversten of Iowa Falls; two sons, Rodney and Vicki Hoversten of Iowa Falls and Rick Hoversten of Alden; grandchildren, Heather and Jimmy Reed of Iowa Falls, Nicole and Matt Gregoire of Alden, Tracy Ites of Iowa Falls, Travis Greenfield of Iowa Falls, Jared Hoversten of CA, Megan and Russ Love of Iowa Falls, Amber Elliott and Kelli Rout both of Webster City; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty and Ralph Richtsmeier, Evelyn and Tom Kinstle, Verna Scott and Jay Jacobsen, Delia and Maynard Rockow, and Fran and Darrell Rout; brothers, Merle, Maurice (Butch), Ron, and Dave Hoversten; and a sister-in-law, Jackie Hoversten.. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley; daughter, Roxann Kelley; great-granddaughter, Danielle Reed; brothers, Robert, Gene, Harold, Donald, and Richard Hoversten; and a brother-in-law, Bob Scott. Rhonda Davis, age 53, of Alden, died on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at the Hampton Health Care Center. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Friday at the Immanuel Memorial UCC in Alden with burial in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Popejoy. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Thursday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Rhonda Leigh Davis was born on May 26, 1956, the daughter of Nathan and Norma (Rash) Hunt. She graduated from the Alden High School in 1974. On October 17, 1979 Rhonda was united in marriage to William Davis at the UCC Church in Buckeye. She had been a waitress at the Country Kitchen. Rhonda is survived by her husband, William; two sons, Chad (Ashley) Davis of Blairsburg and Tony (Melissa) Davis of Alden; a daughter, Stacie (Darren) Davis of Webster City; six grandchildren; three brothers, Steve (Linda) Hunt of Alden, Michael (TJ) Hunt of Alden, and Douglas (Becky) Hunt of Iowa Falls; two sisters, Barbara (Steven) Gardner of Forks, WA and Pam (Lance) Hunt of Dows; five sisters-in-law, Joanne (Dan) Withers of Webster City, Kathy (Rick) Silvest of Iowa Falls, LaVon (Jeff) Schwebke of Lincoln, NE, Debbie (Mark) Dow of Clarion, and Tracie (Josh) Bolhuis of Dows; and two brothers-in-law, Rick Davis of Dows and James (Ronda) Davis of Alden. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; a sister-in-law; a niece; and her mother-in-law. Dena Eldred, age 98, of Iowa Falls, died on Monday, August 31, 2009 at the Scenic Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Friday, September 11th at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery. There will be no visitation. The Surls Funeral Home of Iowa Falls is in chrge of arrangements. Dena Eldred was born on December 22, 1910 in Wellsburg, Iowa, the daughter of William and Rina (DeVries) Lindaman. She graduated from the Wellsburg High School. Dena was united in marriage to Kenneth Eldred on November 13, 1937 in Wellsburg and moved to Iowa Falls in 1941. She was a homemaker and mother. Dena is survived by her two sons, William Eldred of Chugiak, Alaska and Kendall Eldred of Marshalltown; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four brothers and two sisters. Frances L. Geiken, age 92, of Ackley, died on Friday, August 28, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday at the Wellsburg Reformed Church with burial in the Oakwood Cemetery, Ackley. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Sunday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Frances Lena Geiken was born on August 22, 1917 in Pleasant Valley Township, Grundy County, Iowa, the daughter of Jelsche and Dena (Kalkwarf) Muller. She attended country school. On February 22, 1939 Frances was united in marriage to Henry L. Geiken at the Reformed Church. She was a homemaker, housekeeper, and helped her husband farm until 1967 when they moved to town. Frances is survived by her three sons, Daryl and wife, Linda of Conrad, Donavon and wife, Margaret of Marshalltown, and Gaylen and wife, Judy of Ackley; a daughter, Sherilyn Geiken of Ackley; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great granddaughters; a brother, John E. Muller and wife, Harriet of Grundy Center; a sister, Doreen Schlamp and husband, Dick of New Hartford; and four sisters-in-law, Harriett Muller of Holland, Lorraine Rieken (Tony) of Marshalltown, Madaline Geiken of Aplington, and Marlys Damge of Waterloo. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Henry; a granddaughter, Lisa Jean Geiken; brothers, Klaas and Elmer Muller; and sisters, Grace Kruger and Lenora Kromminga. Deloris Jean Benning, age 74, of Des Moines and formerly of Ackley, died on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation in Des Moines. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday at St. Peter's U.C.C., rural Geneva with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 P.M. Friday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. A memorial fund has been established. Deloris was born the oldest of four children on January 24, 1935 to Edward and Christena Benning. Deloris grew up on a farm near Ackley. She started her education in a one room school, Osceola #2, and graduated from the Ackley Public High School in 1955. Deloris was a nurse and teacher in her professional life. She began to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse by graduating from Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Marshalltown. She then received training in chest and heart surgery at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1962 she obtained her BSN from Drake University. She was an operating room RN at the University Hospital, Iowa City and Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines. She continued her calling be developing and teaching the Operation Room Technician Program at Des Moines Area Community College. After 35 years in nursing she decided to seek a Masters Degree in Library Science. She had completed the course of study and was working on her dissertation when she suffered a severe stroke. Deloris was blessed with a persuasive personality, a charming sense of humor and a joyful spirit. She loved art, and painting, adored music, especially opera, and was an avid reader. Her strength, beauty and wisdom were reflected in all she did. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Maxine Raisch, 2 nieces, Jennifer and Lynette, 1 nephew, Craig and 1 infant grand niece. She is survived by one brother, LeRoy Benning (Connie) from Ackley, a sister, Luella Benning from Colorado Springs, Colorado, 7 nieces and nephews, 21 grand nieces and nephews and 6 great grand nieces and nephews. Deloris will be remembered for her positive attitude, amazing determination and extraordinary strength, which she kept until the very end of her life. She will be greatly missed by her family! May she now rest in Peace. Russell James Hensing, age 83, of Iowa Falls, died on Monday, August 24, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday at the St. Mark's Catholic Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the St. Mark's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Wednesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls with a 7 P.M. Rosary Service. A memorial fund has been established. Military rites provided by the Hyman-Peavey American Legion Post #188 of Iowa Falls. Russell was born on July 25, 1926 on the family farm near Iowa Falls, Iowa the son of John and Clara (Keninger) Hensing. He graduated from the Iowa Falls High School in 1945. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. Russell was united in marriage to Cleva Duit on September 20, 1949 at the St. Mark's Catholic Church in Iowa Falls. He was a rural mail carrier for many years before becoming Postmaster with the Iowa Falls Post Office and had farmed. Russell was a member of the St. Mark's Catholic Church, Hyman-Peavey American Legion Post #188 and the Knights of Columbus of which he was Past Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, District Deputy and Administrative Assistant at the State level. Russell is survived by his wife, Cleva; a son, Richard Hensing of Omaha, NE; two daughters, Sue Rentschler and her husband, Monte of La Crosse, WI and Tjodie Ehlers and her husband, Karl of Urbandale; six grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Albert and Edward Hensing and two sisters, Ethel Show and Laura Stang. Harold G. LaVelle, age 96 of Iowa Falls, died on Monday, August 17, 2009 at the Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Jackson Township Cemetery, Owasa. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Wednesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Harold Glenn LaVelle was born on January 13, 1913 in Curby, Indiana, the son of Ervin and Pearl (Hand) LaVelle. As a young man he moved with his parents to Hardin County. He graduated from the New Providence High School in 1931. On September 25, 1935 Harold was united in marriage to Mildred Johnson in Marshalltown. He had worked with Swift & Co., the Crosley Farm Store in Eldora, LaVelle Feed Store in Alden, and drove the school bus in Cedar Falls, Des Moines, Iowa Falls and Alden. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls and the Mason City Barber Shop Chorus. He participated and enjoyed baseball throughout his whole life Harold is survived by his daughter, YuKona Adams and her husband, Darrell of Iowa Falls; four grandsons, Linn Adams and his wife, JoAnne of Iowa Falls and daughters, Blaire and Sarah; Bret Adams and his wife, Jane of Independence and their children, Lauren, Caitlin and Ryan; Shawn Adams and his wife, Judy of Iowa Falls and their children, Amanda, Hannah, and Nate; Tyler Adams and his wife, Shelley of Lincoln, NE and their children, Chelsea and Maxwell; a granddaughter, Michelle Meints and her husband, Corey of Iowa Falls and their children, Brianne and Makenna; one great-great grandson, Kyzer; and a sister, Arlene LaVelle of Des Moines. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mildred and two brothers, Kenneth and Donald LaVelle. Helen M. Rath, age 98, of Ackley, died on Friday, August 7, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Services will be 10:30 A.M. Monday at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ackley with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 3-5 P.M. Sunday at the Sietsema Funeral Home of Ackley. Memorials may be directed to the Ackley Heritage Center or the St. Mary's Catholic Church. Helen Mary Rath was born on September 19, 1910, the daughter of Robert C. and Clara (Pflieger) Rath. She grew up in Ackley and attended the Ackley Public School, graduated in 1927. She attended Northwestern University and graduated in 1931 with a B.S. in History and business. She also attended Moser Business School in Chicago. In 1932 she returned to Ackley and was hired to start a business course at the Ackley High School. She taught typewriting, shorthand, secretarial practice, business law, and bookkeeping. She also sponsored the monthly newspaper, the Argus, and after 1936, the yearbook, the Torch. She also was the sponsor of a girl's club- the Girls Reserves, later known as the Teen Club. She acted as the senior class and junior class sponsor a number of times. She retired in 1973 after 41 years on the staff. In 1987 she joined Beverly and Hollis Ryken and a group of Ackley enthusiasts in founding the Ackley Heritage Center. She worked mainly in the genealogy area, but also worked up files on early settlers, early businesses and the school. Helen is survived by her two nephews, John R. Wild of Waverly and William F. Wild and his wife, Kathi of Decorah and two great-nephews, Anthony Wild of Ft. Leonard Wood, MO and Brandon Wild and his wife, Elizabeth of Inver Grove Heights, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Dorothy Rath Wild. Lois Smuck, age 50, of Buckeye, died on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at the University of Iowa Hospital. Memorial services will be 10:30 A.M. Monday at the Immanuel Memorial United Church of Christ in Alden with inurnment in the Sherman Cemetery, rural Buckeye. Family will receive friends from 3-5 P.M. Sunday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Lois Jean Smuck was born on August 6, 1958 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the daughter of Wallace and Phyllis (Liittschwager) Smuck. She graduated from the Alden High School in 1976 and attended DMACC. Lois was a tractor driver for Ag Waste Consultants. She was a member of the Peace UCC in Buckeye and enjoyed sewing, crafts and loved animals. Lois is survived by her fiancé, Phil Baker of Buckeye; mother, Phyllis Smuck of Buckeye; two sisters, Vicki Schachterle and her husband, Tom of Geneva and Marilyn Bessman and her husband, Frank of Alden; four nephews, Troy Schachterle of Lincoln, NE, Travis Schachterle of Stout, Adam Smuck of Buckeye, Austin Bessman of Alden; a niece, Amy Bessman of Alden; three great nephews; and three great nieces. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and father, Wallace Smuck. Erle A. Mulford, age 86, of Iowa Falls, died on Monday, July 27, 2009 at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. Memorial services will be 10:00 A.M. Monday, August 10, 2009 at the First Christian Church in Iowa Falls. Surls Funeral Home of Iowa Falls is in charge of arrangements. Cards and memorials may be sent to the Surls Funeral Home, 505 Stevens St., Iowa Falls, IA. 50126. Erle Adelbert Mulford was born February 27, 1923 to Arthur and Esther Conrad Mulford in Iowa Falls. He attended Bradford School and graduated from Iowa Falls and Ellsworth College. He enlisted in the Naval Air Force at Des Moines on December 22, 1942. He was an Aviation Ordinance 1st Class. His plane was shot down over Siberia and he became a Russian P.O. W. during the war. He had many adventures and actually escaped briefly. This is chronicled in the autobiography that he wrote entitled "Follow the West Wind Home". He also served in the National Guard during the Korean War from October 10, 1949 through May 15, 1957 as a 2nd Lieutenant. Erle married JoAnn Jones Mulford at Crown Point, Indiana on December 28, 1946. He worked for the Welden Family and Gilbert Construction here in Iowa Falls and for the Weitz Construction company in Des Moines for many years. Erle was a member of the 1st United Methodist Church, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joyners of America, and the Elks . Erle was a loving husband , father and grandfather and will be sorely missed. both in Iowa Falls and in Azle, Texas. Erle is survived by 3 children, Charles (Joyce) Mulford of Houston, Texas, Jonas Mulford of Azle, Texas and Wendy Mulford of Azle, Texas Also one Granddaughter Stefanie (Michael) Heine and 1 Great Granddaughter, Karson Heine all of Fort Worth, Texas. Also one brother Charles (Mary Ann) Mulford of Ames, Ia. Erle is preceded in death by his loving wife JoAnn in 1996, 3 brothers and 1 sister, Jonas Mulford who died in WW II , Thomas (Rich) Mulford and Walter (Wally) Mulford of Iowa Falls and Shirley Neubauer of Hubbard, also 2 nephews, Dick Mulford and Ron Mulford of Iowa Falls. Linda D. Craighton, age 62, of Hubbard, died on Sunday, July 19, 2009 at her home. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Jackson Tsp Cemetery, Owasa. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Tuesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Linda was born on July 13, 1947 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the daughter of Harold "Hod" and Evelyn (Pieters) Weatherman. She graduated from the Iowa Falls High School in 1965 and graduated from the La James College of Hairstyling in Mason City in 1966. She was united in marriage to Earl Craighton on September 22, 1968 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Linda owned the L & K Shear Klassic Styling Salon for 15 years in Iowa Falls. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She was a member of the Moose Lodge of Iowa Falls, the N.F.I.B., CB Club and helped with the Food Pantry of St. John's Methodist Church in Radcliffe. She enjoyed cooking, crafts, including painting and sewing. She enjoyed cards, family gatherings, practical jokes, and caring for the beauty of others. Linda is survived by her husband, Earl; a daughter, Kelly (Craighton) and Rex Crosser of Hubbard and granddaughter, Kortney; a son, Kyle and Melissa (Hildreth) Craighton of Ankeny and grandsons, Reece and Mason; two step-daughters, Jodi Craighton of Clear Lake and step-grandchildren, Jennifer and Larry, Dan and Brenda, John Eric, David, and William; and Julie (Craighton) and Shawn Bogle of Clear Lake and step-granddaughter, Darby; a step-son, James Craighton of Clear Lake and step-grandchildren, Caleb, Gabriel, Sarah and Samantha; five great-grandchildren, Blake, Aimee, Sierra, Thomas, and Chelsey; and a sister, Ora Mae (Weatherman) Cundiff of Caldwell, ID and nephews, Jeff and Roxanne Cundiff and Tim Cundiff. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-son, John Craighton; and a grandson, Braeden Crosser Debra Jane Winkler, age 52, of Iowa Falls, died on Friday, July 17, 2009 at her home. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Jackson Tsp Cemetery, Owasa. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Monday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Debra Jane Winkler was born on May 5, 1957 in Eldora, Iowa, the daughter of Arel and Katherine (Volk) Brown. She graduated from the Eldora High School in 1975. On February 19, 1977 Debra was united in marriage to Mark Winkler at the Methodist Church in Eldora. She was a full time mom, wife, and gardener. Debra is survived by her husband, Mark; a daughter, Katharine Winkler of Cedar Falls; brothers and sisters, James (Elva) Brown of Grundy Center, Cindi (Dennis) McCabe of Roland, Philip Brown of Austin, TX, David Brown of Grundy Center, Daniel Brown of Glenwood Springs, CO, Mark (Erica) Brown of Boone, and Mary (Mark) Hesch of Austin, TX; a life long friend, Val Lamasters of New Providence; two grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Daniel Levi Winkler; as well as nephews, aunts, and uncles. Dorothy Mae Greenfield, age 86, died on February 12, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley, IA. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. at St. John's United Church of Christ in Ackley, IA with Rev. David Boogerd officiating. Women are asked to wear hats to the service in honor of Dorothy. The Sietsema Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. Dorothy was born on April 24, 1922 in Ackley, IA to James and Clara (Sessler) Aalfs. She attended Ackley schools; play high school basketball and enjoyed acting in plays; she graduated Ackley High School in 1940. On October 10, 1940 she married Howard Henry Greenfield and they lived and worked together on the Greenfield Farm three miles northeast of Ackley. They raised three daughters, Linda, Carol and Kathryn. Dorothy and Howard were married for 67 years. Dorothy was active in the St. John's United Church of Christ for most of her life in the Christian Education department, women's groups, on many committees, quilting group, and gave of herself to so many others in their times of need. She enjoyed helping with Meals on Wheels, entertaining, gardening, golf, bridge clubs, PEO Chapter BN, and traveling. She loved and enjoyed helping to care for her eight grandchildren. Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers (Raymond and Clarence Haupt), and her husband. She is survived by her three daughters, Linda (Neulyn) Miller of Pleasantville, IA, Carol (James) Boal of Casper, WY, and Kathryn (Mark) Ingham of Marshalltown, IA; her grandchildren, Rebecca (Mike) Oliva of Pleasantville, IA, Sherry Miller of Pleasantville, IA, Paul (Sarahlynn Lester) Boal of St. Louis, MO, Ann (Rob) Monroe of Berwyn Heights, MD, Amy (Gary) Wood of Corydon, IA, James (Heather) Ross, Curtis Ross, and T.J. Ross; her eleven great grandchildren, Bailey and Hunter Oliva Eleanor and Adelaide Lester-Boal, Maddy, Ty, Stoney, and Tully Wood, Abigail Monroe, and two children of James and Heather Ross. Memorials may be made to The Presbyterian Village or to St. Johns' United Church of Christ in Ackley. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the entire staff of The Presbyterian Village for their tender loving care while she resided there. Herbert Otto Heiden, age 92, of Williams, died on Thursday, July 2, 2009 at his home. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the Vernon Lutheran Church, Dows with burial in the Vernon Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-6 P.M. Monday at the Surls Funeral Chapel in Williams. Herbert was born on April 24, 1917 to Ernest and Anna Marie (Thorman) Heiden in Vernon Township of Wright County, Iowa. Herbert attended school at a Vernon Township rural school. On March 12, 1950, Herbert married Vivian Sweedler. Herbert was baptized and confirmed and active his entire life in the Vernon Lutheran Church. He enjoyed his time with his family, friends, horses and gardening. Herb made his life's work crop farming, raising hogs, and polled Hereford cattle. Herbert is survived by his wife of 59 years, Vivian; a son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Janice Kay Patten Heiden of Williams; a sister-in-law, Doris Heiden of Alden; a brother-in-law, and his wife, Kenneth and Arlene Sweedler of Williams; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and all seven of his siblings, Myrtle Rockow, Mable Schutt, Vernie Schutt, Irvin Heiden, Sr, Fred Heiden, Goldie Nachazel, and Leo Heiden. Kim Acuff Holland, age 54, of Liberty, MO and formerly of Alden, died on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at his home of an apparent heart attack. Memorial services will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at the Immanuel Memorial United Church of Christ in Alden with inurnment in the Alden Cemetery. Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls is in charge of arrangements. Kim was born on November 29, 1954, the son of Anson and Jean Holland of Alden. He is survived by his son, Todd Holland of Johnston; his brother, Anson (Kim) Holland of Norwalk and his nieces, Katy Rose (Mike) of LaVerne, CA and Ali Holland of Ames. He was preceded in death by his parents. Lydia Bissell, age 89, Formally of Ackley passed away Saturday, June 20, 2009 in Arlington, TX. Memorial services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday June 29th at the St. Johns United Church of Christ in Ackley. Sietsema Funeral Home of Ackley is in charge of the arrangements. Lydia was born on July 31, 1919 to Folkert Kuper and Gertrude Boelman Kuper. She was educated in the Ackley schools. She was a lifelong member of St. John's United Church of Christ. She enjoyed bridge and bingo. Lydia is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Albert; a son Donald Bissell; two brothers, George and Harm Kuper and a sister, Tillie Harken. She is survived by a son, William D. Bissell and his wife, Joanne of Little Rock, AR, a daughter, Carol Willems of Arlington TX; 6 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Georgia Jean Dennis of Ackley. Merlin LeRoy Meyer, age 68, of Ackley, died on Sunday, June 14, 2009 at Allen Hospital in Waterloo. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday at the St. Peter's UCC, rural Geneva with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8 P.M. Tuesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Merlin LeRoy Meyer was born on June 26, 1940 in Hampton, Iowa, the son of Tom and Ella (Richtsmeier) Meyer. He graduated from the Corwith High School. On June 12, 1964 he was united in marriage to Jean Tjepkes at St. John's UCC in Ackley. He was an active member of St. Peter's UCC, rural Geneva. He enjoyed sharing his gift of music by playing his accordion. In the late 1950's and early 1960's he played on a country music show on a Fort Dodge TV station. He also enjoyed flying his airplane, becoming a pilot in the mid-1980's. He was a lifelong farmer. A stranger was a friend he hadn't met yet. He is survived by his wife, Jean; children, Ginger Clawson of Ackley, Lance (Deanne) of Ackley and Mitch (Holly) of Iowa Falls; grandchildren, Kayla, Courtney, Trevor, Alli, Kellina, Weston, Koby, Chase, and Cambria; and a twin brother, Marvin (Linda) of Humboldt. In death he joins his parents and sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and George Kappel and a nephew, Brian Meyer. Esther Lucille Maifeld, age 88, of Ackley, died on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday at the Washington Reformed Church, Ackley with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 P.M. Monday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Esther Lucille (Essman) Maifeld was born on June 11, 1921, to Fred and Lizzie (Lupkes) Essman in rural Ackley. She attended the Madison No. 9 country school. She maintained her schoolgirl friendships long after her eighth grade graduation. She married John Maifeld on September 24, 1941. Together they farmed and raised a family of seven children. Her sharp mind and quick wit served her well in an active household. She expected all of her children to be good thinkers, responsible workers, and caring people. Esther was a member of the Washington Reformed Church where she was as a teacher, musician, and member of the women's groups. She enjoyed sewing, embroidering, gardening, reading, playing cards, baking cookies, and bowling. Most of all she enjoyed celebrations with her children and grandchildren that included generous meals, fishing, games, camp-outs, and occasional fireworks. She passed away on June 13, 2009 after eight years of gracious care at the Presbyterian Village. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, three sisters, an infant daughter, and her husband. She is survived by one sister, Edna Essman; her children, Fred and Wava Maifeld of Kesley, IA, Les and Gail Maifeld of Burnsville, MN, Russ and Elaine Maifeld of Galesburg, IL, Roger and Connie Maifeld of Parkesburg, IA, Ruth and David Nash of Mexico, MO, Arlyn and Grace Maifeld of Manchester, IA, Mary and Kent Mollenbeck of Hampton, IA; twenty grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Esther leaves us with a steadfast faith and a legacy of wonderful memories together. Anna Kruse, age 93, of Ackley, died on Thursday, May 11, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley with burial in the West Friesland Cemetery, Ackley. Visitation will be one hour before services at the funeral home on Saturday. Anna Kruse was born on August 20, 1915 in Dexter, MN, the daughter of Henry and Katie (Gieken) Deters. She was raised in the Ackley area, attended rural schools and attended West Friesland Presbyterian Church since she was 12 years old. She was united in marriage to Albert Kruse on August 22, 1935 in Parker, SD. She raised many nieces and nephews and was a loving wife and mother. Anna is survived by her daughter, Arlys Olson and her husband, Ron of Indianola; a granddaughter, Andrea Joki and her husband, Dean Yoder; a grandson, Jason Joki and his wife, Teresa; and a great-granddaughter, Ashley Joki. She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert; an infant son, a son, Ronald; and her brothers and sisters. Dennis Earl Chaplin, age 66, of Iowa Falls, died on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8 P.M. Friday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls with family receiving friends from 6-8 P.M. Dennis Earl Chaplin was born on June 19, 1942, in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the son of Earl and Tina (Kannegieter) Chaplin. He was a 1960 graduate of the Iowa Falls High School. On January 20, 1961 Dennis was united in marriage to Andrea Koop at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls. He was a conductor with the Union Pacific Railroad, retiring in 2003. He attended the First United Methodist Church and enjoyed fishing, gardening, and games of chance. Dennis is survived by his wife, Andrea; two sons, Bryan Chaplin and his wife, Janean of Des Moines and Chad Chaplin and his wife, Clara of Des Moines; a daughter, Cheri Benson and her husband, Vern of Iowa Falls; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Betty Gorder of Iowa Falls, Beverly Hidding of Dow City, and Marlene (Bob) Brandt of Royal Center, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Tina Chaplin; a sister-in-law, Linda LeBlanc; brother-in-law, George LeBlanc; two nieces, Kim Waderick and Denise Iams; and Andrea's parents, Andrew Koop and Donna and Roscoe Knott. Edna A. Kramer, age 83, of Ackley, died on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Thursday at the St. John's United Church of Christ in Ackley with burial in the Oakwood Cemetery, Ackley. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Wednesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Edna Alvina Kramer was born on December 23, 1925, on the family farm near Steamboat Rock, the daughter of Louie and Lydia Bleeker. She graduated from the Steamboat Rock High School in 1943 and the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. She was united in marriage to Gerhardt Kramer on December 20, 1946 at the St. John's United Church of Christ in Ackley. She had taught school at Leverton country school and was a homemaker. She was a member of the St. John's United Church of Christ. She enjoyed selling wooden creations, such as wooden pigs at pork shows with Gerhardt. Edna is survived by her husband, Gerhardt; a daughter, LuAnne Eckhoff and her husband, Paul of Creston; a granddaughter, Lisa Smith of Creston; a grandson, Brent Eckhoff of St. Louis, MO; and a great-grandson, Zachary Smith of Creston. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Agnes Sieglaff; and two great-grandchildren, Sidney Smith and Treye Blythe. L. Dale Hansen, age 73 of Alden, died on Sunday, May 24, 2009 at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Thursday at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Alden with burial in the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8 P.M. Wednesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. L.Dale Hansen was born on August 2, 1935 in Gray, Iowa, the son of Hans and Magdalena (Mayer) Hansen. He graduated from Viola High School in 1953. He was a member of the U.S. Army from 1958-60 and was stationed in Germany. Dale was united in marriage to Lorraine Heinzeroth on September 22, 1962, at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Alden. He worked at the Thompson Turkey Hatchery in Ellsworth and then joined Heinzeroth Bros. where he was a partner for 20 years. He then worked at Krause Implement. Later, he was a partner in Alden Ag Parts and from there went to Hoelscher Ag before retiring in 2001. Dale was a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church where he served as head usher and was an Elder. He was also a member of the Alden Lion's Club and was on the Alden City Council. He enjoyed golfing and fishing, especially in Canada. Dale is survived by his wife, Lorraine; children, Beth Lauterbach and husband, Brian of Alden, Jay D. Hansen and wife, Beth of Eden Prairie, Minn., Bruce Hansen and wife, Denise of West Des Moines; grandchildren, Brittney Rutherford and husband, Tyler; Braden Lauterbach; Brennan Lauterbach; Carter, Lars and Gretchen Hansen; Brynn and Dane Hansen; sisters, Rosie Bylund of Audubon, Violet and husband, Darrell of Audubon, Anna England and husband, Hayden of Omaha, Neb.; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Hansen of Manning; a brother-in-law, Merle Heinzeroth of Alden; nieces, nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Eleanor Watts, Carolyn Hoffman, and Charlotte Kinney and husband, Dennis; a brother, Richard Hansen; brothers-in-law, Ed Bylund, Ervin Heinzeroth and wife, Carol, Robert Heinzeroth and wife, Theda; sister-in-law, Fran Heinzeroth; two nephews, Scott and Tom Heinzeroth; and two nieces, Rosemary Heinzeroth and Kathy Bylund. Viola Wagner, age 63 of Wellsburg, died on Monday, May 18, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Memorial services will be 1:00 P.M. Saturday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley with inurnment in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Ackley. Family will receive friends one hour before services on Saturday. Memorials may be directed to the Cedar Valley Hospice or the Presbyterian Village. Viola Jane Wagner was born on February 17, 1946 in Eldora, Iowa, the daughter of Abraham and Verna (Geerdes) Wilts. She graduated from the Ackley High School. She was married to Roger Reints in 1970 and later divorced. She was united in marriage to James Wagner in November of 1986. She had been a Certified Nursing Assistant. Viola is survived by her two sons, John Reints of Mt. Vernon, WA and Justin Berends, and his wife, Melissa of Wellsburg; a daughter, Melladee Reints and her fiancé, Eric Nichols of Eldora; five grandchildren; a sister, Ann Benning and her husband, Merlin of Oelwein; two brothers, Robert Wilts of Ackley and John Wilts and his wife, Virginia of Cedar Rapids; a niece, Steph Benning and her fiancé, Brad Maillie of Oelwein; a nephew, Brent Benning and his wife, Susan of Aurora; two uncles, Roy Luiken of Arkansas and Edward Geerdes and his wife, Viola of Ackley; an aunt, Freda Harms of Steamboat Rock; two great-nephews and two great-nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, James. Dale E. Heetland, age 78, of rural Ackley, died on Sunday, May 17, 2009 at his home. Memorial services will be 5:00 P.M. Thursday at the East Friesland Presbyterian Church, Ackley with inurnment in the Hazel Green Cemetery, Ackley at 9:00 A.M. Friday. Family will receive friends from 5-8 P.M. Wednesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley Dale Eugene Heetland was born on March 22, 1931 in Ackley, Iowa, the son of Ubbe and Carrie (Sinning) Heetland. He graduated from the Steamboat Rock High School in 1948. He served in the 82nd Airborne Division from 1951-54. On November 18, 1955 Dale was united in marriage to Arlene Lindaman at the East Friesland Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Ackley-Geneva Lions Club, served on the Hardin County Farm Bureau, Hardin Co. Pork Producers, and the Presbyterian Village and Pine Lake Corn Processors Boards. Dale is survived by his wife, Arlene; a daughter, Darcie Mazoway of Ackley; two sons, Dean and Dennis Heetland of Ackley; five grandchildren, Owen and Ian Heetland and Jonah, Allee, and Seth Mazoway all of Ackley. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Dawn; a granddaughter, Jaimie Mazoway; two sisters, Fern Stuber and Annabelle Townsend; and three brothers, Paul, Edgar, and Carrol Heetland. Ann Crosser, age 91 of Iowa Falls, died on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at the Methodist Church in Owasa with burial in the Berlin Cemetery, Owasa. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Monday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Ann Crosser was born on April 26, 1918 at home in Franklin, County, Iowa, the daughter of Richard Kuper, Sr. and Anna Kuper. On January 30, 1937 Ann was united in marriage to Roy Crosser at the West Friesland Presbyterian Church at Ackley. She was a member of the Owasa Methodist Church. She enjoyed the church activities, helping family members, and she was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeye's, especially men's basketball, and the Iowa Girls High School basketball. Ann is survived by her nephews and nieces, John R. Kuper, Jr (Barbara Baker) of Waterloo, Norma Smith Warren, Gary Smith (Nancy Onztes), Debbie Smith (Harris Holm) Darlene Kothenbuetel (Robert Eichmeier) of Ackley, David Kuper (Judy Finger) of Ackley, Ronald Kuper of Waterloo, Josephine Mulder (Clyde Chantrill) of The Colony, TX, Larry Mulder (Judy Stanbrough)of Hudson, Linda Mulder (Larry Kreimeyer), Jerry Kuper (Barbara Nichols) of Iowa Falls, and Judy Kuper of Iowa Falls; a brother-in-law, Henry Smith (Minnie Kuper) of Aplington, and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy at the age of 60; sisters, Sina Sprague (Harold), Minnie Smith (Henry) Jennie Mulder (Harm); and brothers, John Kuper, Sr. (Ella Hulfers), Harm B. Kuper (Grace Kothenbuetel), and Richard Kuper (Jennie Tjabring). Robert C. Hogan, age 76, of Iowa Falls, died on Monday, May 4, 2009 at his home. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Thursday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls with burial in the Friends Cemetery, Iowa Falls. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Wednesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Robert Clifford Hogan was born on October 5, 1932 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the son of Clifford and Alma (Kyd) Hogan. He attended East High School in Des Moines and served in the U.S. Army from 1951-55. He worked in Production with Iowa Prestressed Concrete in Iowa Falls, retiring in 1994. Robert is survived by his two brothers, Keith of Iowa Falls and Donald of Plano, TX; three nephews, Robert A. Hogan of Iowa Falls, Jerry T. Hogan of Los Angeles, CA, and Ronnie Eason of Eldora; and two nieces, Sherry Myer of Iowa Falls and Valerie Price of Tama and many great nieces and nepews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Ramona Harrison, June Eason, and Susie Ball; and three brothers, James, Francis, and Jerry Hogan. Pearl L. Essman, age 86, of Ackley, died on Friday, May 1, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Monday at the Washington Reformed Church, rural Ackley with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 4-6 P.M. Sunday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Pearl L. Essman was born on April 11, 1923, to Fred and Lizzie (Lupkes) Essman in rural Ackley. She and her 3 sisters attended the Madison No. 9 country school. She was a member of the Washington Reformed Church of Ackley where she served as a Sunday School teacher and Bible school crafts coordinator. She worked on the family farm and especially enjoyed the horses. Later she worked 10 years at Shugar's Super Valu Foods, 18 years at Dodger Manufacturing in Eldora, and Bernice Coordes' Flowers for 1 1/2 years. Pearl delighted in nature: gardening, fishing, picnicking, and vacations at Clear Lake with extended family. Other hobbies included embroidery work, quilting, jig-saw puzzles, playing cards, and entertaining. Her retirement included trips to Arizona, Texas, Branson and a Florida cruise. Pearl always had a smile for everyone, she was unselfish, and she never passed up an opportunity for fun. She went to her heavenly home on Friday, May 1, 2009 at the age of 86. She was preceeded in death by her parents, 1 brother - Arend, 2 sisters - Gertrude Essman and Viola Kalkwarf, and 1 brother-in-law, John Maifeld. She is survived by 2 sisters, Edna Essman and Esther Maifeld - both of Ackley, a brother-in-law, John Kalkwarf of Aplington, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. The book of Matthew, chapter 20 states, "Whoever wants to become great must be a servant - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." Pearl followed Jesus Christ's example of serving. To God be the glory. Dorothy M. Thompson, age 88, of Ackley, died on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Ackley with burial in the Oakwood Cemetery, Ackley. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Tuesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Those who wish to make a contribution to her name may send memorials to the church. Dorothy Mae was born on March 13, 1921, near Ackley, Iowa. She and her sisters were raised by Edward and Senith Coordes on a farm southeast of Ackley. Dorothy married the love of her life, Kenneth Thompson, on November 22, 1939. Together they would raise four cherished children. Giving of herself was Dorothy's true gift to those around her. As a member of Wellsburg St. Peter's United Church of Christ, she served teaching children classes and, together with Kenny, enjoyed working with the youth group. She volunteered with her sister at the Presbyterian Village, and as 4H leader and fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club in Mesa, Arizona, where she and Kenny spent many winters. Her home reflected Dorothy's many talents including decorating, cooking/baking, gardening, sewing and crafts. Friends and family who visited Dorothy at her home couldn't leave without something in their hands, whether it was a sweet treat or a thoughtful gift. Our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and dear friend will be remembered with love and will be enormously missed. She is survived by her loving husband, Kenny Thompson of Ackley; her sister, Mildred Thompson of Sacramento, California; and her children, Duane (Jewel) of Hot Springs, Arkansas; Patricia of Anchorage, Alaska; Gary of Wasilla, Alaska; and Royce (Donna) of Ackley. Dorothy's grandchildren will miss the woman who always made them feel special. These include Beth Kurth, Ruth Kurth, Bobbie Jean Molle, Dominique Kurth, Tammy Huff, Mike Thompson, Nick Thompson, Hilary Thompson and Drew Thompson. Also surviving Dorothy are her loving great-grandchildren, Carrie and Josh Huff; Dustin, Bryant, and Candace Molle; Kurt, Kelley and Audrey Turner; and Nicole Thompson. Dorothy is preceded in death by her sisters, Margaret Sailer and Lucille Hartema, and an infant brother, Lewis Coordes. A celebration of Dorothy's life took place on April 29th at the United Methodist Church in Ackley. William J. Keninger, age 84 of Ackley, died on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Services will be 10:30 A.M. Monday at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ackley with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 2-5 P.M. Sunday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley with a 5 P.M. Scripture Service. William James Keninger was born on November 15, 1924 in Ackley, Iowa, the son of Frank and Irene (Fahey) Keninger. Bill was united in marriage to Evelyn Harken on January 2, 1945 in Ackley. He was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ackley and the Franklin County Soil Conservation. Bill is survived by his wife, Evelyn; children, Luanne Chesshire and her husband, John of Newton, Dale Keninger and his wife, Debbie of Ackley, Michael Keninger and his wife, DeeAnn of Ackley, Kathleen Bartling and her husband, Myrln of Iowa Falls, Jon Keninger and his wife, Teresa of Ackley, Kent Keninger and his wife, Audrea of Ackley, Jean Strong and her husband, Randy of Hudson, WI, Jane Wiertsema and her husband, Steve of Rochester, MN; 22 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; a sister, Frances Burkle and four brothers, Harold Keninger, Joe Keninger, and Paul Keninger all of Ackley and Elmer (Red) Keninger of Waterloo. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Nicholas and Leo Keninger and a sister, Anna Mae Wallace. Evelyn J. Nerland, age 82, of Williams, died on Friday, April 17, 2009 at the Southfield Wellness Community in Webster City. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williams with burial in the Williams Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Monday at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williams with a 7 P.M. Scripture Service. The Surls Funeral Home of Williams is in charge of arrangements. Evelyn Jane Nerland was born on October 14, 1926 in Brookeville, MD, the daughter of Tyson and Lillian (Matulewicz) Downs. Evelyn was united in marriage to Everett Nerland on January 16, 1946 in Rockville, MD. She had worked with the Red Cross during WWII, a Telephone Co. in Maryland, and sold Avon. Evelyn enjoyed quilting, the mountains and ocean and being with family and friends. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williams. Evelyn is survived by her two daughters, Mary Jane Steltzner of Albert Lea, MN and Patricia Sue Hensley of Woodlands, TX; a son, Michael Duane of Bowling Green, KY; 10 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and a sister, Helen Armstrong of Martinsburg, VA. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Everett; a daughter, Nancy Jensen; two grandchildren, Emma and Anna Nerland; and two brothers, Robert and Stanley Downs. Everett Arvine Smuck age 89, of Iowa Falls, died on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 1:30 P.M. Monday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery, Iowa Falls. Visitation will be 2-4 P.M. Sunday at the Surls Funeral Home of Iowa Falls. Full Militry Rites by the Hyman-Peavey American Legion Post #188 of Iowa Falls. Everett Arvine Smuck was born on August 19, 1919 in Hubbard, Iowa, the son of Charles Sr.and Anna (Tinjer) Smuck He attended country school at Buckeye. On April 23, 1937 Everett was united in marriage to Marcella Carr in Huxley. He was in the U.S. Army from 1944-46. He was a mechanic with International Harvester for 36 years and had also worked at Kenco Vending for many years before retiring. Everett was a member of the Hyman-Peavey American Legion Post #188 of Iowa Falls.He enjoyed fishing and hunting and working on cars and tractors. Everett is survived by his two daughters, Mary Kenison of Iowa Falls and Pat Hartwig and her husband, Lee of Iowa Falls; three sons, Everett, Jr. (Butch) and his wife, Carolyn of Mason City, Randall and his wife, Kathryn of Iowa Falls, and Scott of Iowa Falls; a sister, Marge Clark and her husband, Dale of Waterloo; a brother, Chuck Smuck and his wife, Barb of Hubbard; 7 grandchildren, Jeff Miller, Pamela & Larry Shugar, Tammy and Mark Wilkinson, Matthew & Michele Smuck, Melissa and Dan Borchard, Bruce Kenison, and Teri Kenison; 15 great-grandchildren, Kristen & Tayler Miller, Amanda & Trent Winters, Johnathan Shugar, Samantha & Josh Carpenter, Zach & Sandy Willms, Kyle Wilkinson, Kali & Steve Scheidecker, Jordan Willms, Chase Wilkinson, Derek, Andrew, Ryan, and Noah Smuck, and Emma Borchard; and 8 great-great grandchildren, Mikaylan, Kadynce & Kaleb Winters, Jordyn Carpenter, Ashlyn & Ashstin Willms, and Alexis Wilkinson. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marcella; a granddaughter, Sara Smuck; and two brothers, Bill and Bob Smuck. Georgia K. Roeske, age 85, of Alden, died on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at the Stratford Nursing & Rehab Center in Stratford. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Monday at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Buckeye with burial in the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be 3-6 P.M. Sunday at the Surls Funeral Home in Alden. Georgia Katherine Roeske was born on September 7, 1923 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the daughter of John and Sarah (Hesse) Daniels. She graduated from the Iowa Falls High School and was united in marriage to Herman Roeske on September 20, 1946 at the parsonage of a church in Kamrar. She was a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Buckeye. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman. Ronald Dean Mulford, age 67, of Iowa Falls, died on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at his home. PLEASE NOTE, DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, SERVICES HAVE BEEN MOVED TO THE FUNERAL HOME. Graveside services will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday, April 26th at Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Ron was born on August 9, 1941 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the son of Richard and Betty (Thies) Mulford. He graduated from the Iowa Falls High School, University of Iowa, and Iowa State. Ron had worked at ABC Television in California for 15 years, Coopers & Lybrum in California for 10 years, he was a Lathe Fabricator in Minneapolis, MN for 10 years, and worked at IVESCO for 5 years. Ron is survived by his brother, Bob Mulford of Iowa Falls; a sister-in-law, Sharon Mulford of Iowa Falls; three nephews, Chad (Sinda) Mulford of Iowa Falls, Jeff (Stacy) Mulford of Iowa Falls, and Joel (Elizabeth) Mulford of Ankeny; and 9 great-nephews and great-nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rich and Betty Mulford and a brother, Dick Mulford. Heidi Lee Murray, age 30, of Iowa Falls, died on Monday, April 6, 2009 at Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls. Memorial services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls. Per Heidi's wishes, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Caleb Murray Trust Acct at the Iowa Falls State Bank, Hospice of North Iowa in Hampton, Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City, or the Hope Lodge in Iowa City. Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls is in charge of arrangements. Heidi Lee Murray was born on January 20, 1979 in Mankato, Minnesota, the daughter of Terry Bergemann and Mary Carter. She was a 1997 graduate of the Mason City High School and NIACC in Mason City. Heidi Lee Bergemann was united in marriage to Jason Murray on October 13, 2007 at the Cottage Community Church in Iowa Falls. She was a Product Manager at the Hy-Vee in Iowa Falls. Heidi is survived by her husband, Jason; a son, Caleb Allen Murray of Iowa Falls; her mother and step-father, Mary and Warren Riemer of Sun City, AZ; her father and step-mother, Terry and Lori Bergemann of Vernon Center, MN; her sister and partner, Heather Bergemann and Jane McVay of Sylvania, OH; a brother, John Bergemann of Mesa, AZ; nephews, Eli and Keegan McVay of Sylvania; a niece, Maryana Rausch of Phoenix. AZ; her paternal grandparents, Stanley and Betty Bergemann of Madelia, MN; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Robert and Travis Carter; a niece Grace McVay; and two nephews, Samuel and Spencer McVay. Irwin C. Burns, age 91, of Eldora, died on Friday, March 27, 2009 at the Eldora Nursing and Rehab Center. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Iowa Falls. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Wednesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls with a 7:00 P.M. Masonic Service. Irwin Charles Burns was born on January 31, 1918 in Alden, Iowa, the son of Fred and Elizabeth Burns. He graduated from the Alden High School. Irwin was united in marriage to Ruth Treveer on June 11, 1942 in Chicago. He had served in the U.S. Navy. Irwin had worked at Culligan in Iowa Falls and then for the Hardin County Conservation. He was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Iowa Falls, Mason Home Lodge #192 of Iowa Falls, and was a past member of the American Legion. Irwin is survived by his two daughters, Rita Griswold of Blacksburg, VA and Nancy Fiore of Las Vegas, NV; and three grandchildren, Cydni Griswold of Williamsburg, VA and Andrea and Chris Fiore of Las Vegas. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, one brother, and two sisters. Esther M. Stalzer, age 86, of Iowa Falls, died on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Services will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday at the St. Mark's Catholic Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Monday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls with a 7 P.M. Rosary Service and a Women of the Moose Service to follow. Esther Marie Stalzer was born on November 7, 1922 in Hubbard, Iowa, the daughter of William and Elsie (Bunte) Muehling. She graduated from the Iowa Falls High School in 1941. On February 12, 1945 Esther was united in marriage to Harold Stalzer at Haverhill. She was a homemaker and a member of the St. Mark's Catholic Church and Women of the Moose. She enjoyed bowling. Esther is survived by her three sons, Dennis Stalzer and his wife, Kate of Austin, TX, Dean Stalzer and his wife, Cindy of Iowa Falls, and Mark Stalzer of Grand Prairie, TX; two daughters, Sue Johnson of Iowa Falls and Jayne Bennett and her husband, Dennis of Iowa Falls; eleven grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sisters; a brother in infancy; a great-grandchild; and a son-in-law, Dusty Johnson. Vivian I. Cowell, age 87, of Alburnett and formerly of Iowa Falls, died on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at the Oldorf Hospice in Hiawatha. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls with burial in the Northlawn Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until time of services at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls on Wednesday. Vivian Ilene Cowell was born on December 3, 1921 in Minneota, MN, the daughter of Harry and Fern (Bryant) Chaplin. She was united in marriage to Dallas Schwebke on April 13, 1941 in Iowa Falls, following his death, she was married to Frank Cowell on April 25, 1953 in Webster City. Vivian is survived by her two daughters, Sandra Odle and her husband, Richard of Alburnett and Pam Fishell and her husband, Phil of Marion; two sons, Wendell Schwebke and his wife, Gail of Arlington, TX and Frank Cowell and his wife, Diane of Urbana; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Kenneth Chaplin and his wife, Betty of Iowa Falls. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Dallas and Frank; a son, Larry C. Schwebke; a granddaughter, Angela Jean Schwebke; and siblings, Harry Chaplin, LaVere Chaplin, Berle Chaplin, Keith Chaplin, Evelyn Duncan, and Thelma Koppes. Gertrude Fredrika Huesman, age 97, of Ackley, died on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at Maple Manor Care Center in Aplington. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday, March 26th at the West Friesland Presbyterian Church, Ackley with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Wednesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Gertrude was born on July 15, 1911 in Manslagt, Germany, the daughter of John and Gertie (Uelman) Janssen. She was united in marriage to Klaas (Sam) Huesman on January 6, 1932 in Ackley. Gertrude was a member of the West Friesland Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed social activities at the nursing home, being with friends, children, and grandchildren. Gertrude is survived by her son, Meint and his wife, Linda of Key Largo, FL; a daughter, Georgine Wagoner and her husband, Wayne of Parkersburg; 5 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Arnold Janssen and his wife, Norma of Cedar Falls. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and five siblings. Dale Darwin Smuck, age 75, of Buckeye, died on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday at the Immanuel Memorial United Church of Christ in Alden with burial in the Sherman Twsp. Cemetery, rural Buckeye. Visitation will be 5-8 P.M. Friday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Dale was born on May 17, 1933 at rural Buckeye, Iowa, the son of Darrell and Emma (Warmbier) Smuck. He attended the Alden High School. On September 6, 1958 Dale was united in marriage to Dorothy Benson at the home place. He was a member of the Buckeye Fire Dept. for 50+ years and the Buckeye City Council. He was a Church Board Member and Treasurer for the Peace UCC. Dale enjoyed fishing, gardening, playing Snooker and cards and woodworking. He was a weather observer for over ten years. Dale is survived by his two daughters, Della Scaggs and her husband, Mark of Buckeye and Donna Oelmann and her husband, Ernie of Alden; two grandchildren, Sadie Scaggs of Buckeye and Noah Oelmann of Alden. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy; a son, Daryl Smuck; and two brothers, Herbert and Wallace Smuck. Alma McElvania, age 92, of Alden, died on Monday, March 16, 2009 at the Heritage Care Center in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls with burial in the Northlawn Memory Gardens. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Wednesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Alma Celia McElvania was born on July 2, 1916 in Dows, Iowa, the daughter of Andrew and Clara (Gardalen) Christensen. She was confirmed at the First Lutheran Church at Dows. She was united in marriage to Howard McElvania on February 3, 1946 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. She was a member of the Popejoy Senior Center and the Popejoy Improvement Club. Alma is survived by her three daughters, Marlys (Walter) Moore of Dows, Janna (Adrian) DeLeon of Westminster, CA and Raynette (Archie) Anderson of Alden; eight grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Raymond Christensen of Marshalltown, La Verne Christensen of Popejoy, and Andrew Christensen, Jr. of Arizona; and a sister, Velma Fuller of Popejoy. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, two sisters; and two brothers. Mildred Walker, age 89, of Iowa Falls, died on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at her daughters home in Cassville, MO. Funeral services will be 1:30 P.M. Friday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Thursday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Mildred Lareen Walker was born on March 16, 1919 in Bradford, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas and Bessie (Doty) Lindsay. She was united in marriage to Robert Frances Walker. Mildred had done house cleaning, and cleaned at the Elk's Club and Weaver Construction. She loved to garden. Mildred is survived by her daughter, Darlene Luppen of Cassville, MO; five grandchildren, Rhonda Hagelman of New Braunfels, TX, Marcia Accordino of Forest, VA, Brenda Delsing of Iowa Falls, Jake Thomas of Iowa Falls, and Tricia Thomas of Cassville, MO; six great grandchildren; a niece, Edna Mae Toettcher of Santee, CA; and a nephew, Dallas Clark of Lakota. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; two sisters, Alma Clark and Florence Lindsay and two brothers, Kenneth and Merle Lindsay. Frieda Alma Ruth Balvanz, age 96, of Iowa Falls, died on Sunday, March 8, 2009 at the Heritage Care Center in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Northlawn Memory Gardens. Family will receive friends one hour before services at the church on Wednesday. The Surls Funeral Home of Iowa Falls is in charge of arrangements. Frieda was born on November 8, 1912 in Hubbard, Iowa, the daughter of Bert and Pauline (Schulz) Daleske. She attended the Owasa School. On September 11, 1935 Frieda was united in marriage to Herb Balvanz at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora. She was a farmwife and mother. Frieda was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls and enjoyed gardening, making quilts, crocheting afghans, playing cards, doing ceramics, crossword puzzles and cooking for others. Frieda is survived by her two daughters, Marilyn Sharar and her husband, LaVerne of Iowa Falls and Jean O'Malia and her husband, Jerry of Iowa Falls; two granddaughters, Deborah Sharar of Urbandale and Kris Pearson and her husband, Pierre of New Hampton; two grandsons, Rodney Sharar and his wife, Karey of Ankeny and Dr. Kelly Reagan of Decorah; five great-granddaughters, Lauren, Kendall and Courtney Reagan of Decorah and Olivia and Ella Sharar of Ankeny; two step great-grandchildren, Tyler and Tasha Pearson of New Hampton;and a sister-in-law, Bernadine Daleske of Eldora. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herb; seven brothers; and two sisters. Henry (Bud) James Daum age 85, of Alden, died on Friday, March 6, 2009 at his home. Memorial services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the Immanuel Memorial UCC in Alden. Family will receive friends from 4-7 P.M. Friday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. The body has been cremated and inurnment of the ashes will be at the family gravesite in the Buckeye Cemetery. Memorials will go to the Immanuel Memorial UCC or can be directed to Hospice of North Iowa or the American Cancer Society. In accordance with his wishes, Henry (Bud) Daum, took his final breath in his home on the farmstead in Buckeye Township where he was born. He died from complications of cancer. Several family members and neighbors were present at the time. Henry was born on January 5, 1924 on the family farm southwest of Buckeye in the middle of a snow storm. He attended Buckeye #8 country school and graduated 8th grade from the Buckeye Independent School District. He graduated from Radcliffe High School in the Class of 1941. Marrying Lois Mae Jensen on Christmas Eve in 1944 was the best decision of his life. This was towards the end of WWII and Henry had been drafted by the Army. Lois was manager of the Western Union Office in Iowa Falls. Henry served in the Signal Corps and was a member of the occupation forces in Tokyo, Japan following WWII. Upon his discharge from the Army, Bud returned to Iowa to operate the family farm that was originally purchased in 1910. Together Henry and Lois operated and purchased the family farm. Their farm operation included crops of corn, hay, oats, and soybeans. They had a herd of Black Angus cows and raised feeder cattle, farrowed sows and raised feeder pigs and had a flock of chickens that were raised from baby chicks for fryers and layers. The eggs were sold to Schager's Produce in Alden. Many Saturday nights were a trip to Iowa Falls for groceries and eating out at the Princess Cafe or Park N' Eat. Henry and Lois had two daughters, Josette Kay born in 1947 and Jeanine Lee born in 1950. In the early 1970's they replaced the original farm house with a Ranch style house. Bud retired from farming in 1986. He and Lois continued to live on the farm and were able to enjoy their retirement. They spent 15 winters in Arizona. They took up golfing, were the Couples League Champions in 1986 at the Radcliffe Friendly Fairways and Bud got a Hole in One in Arizona in 1988. Bud was able to water ski until the age of 65 when they went to the Lake of the Ozarks. Bud enjoyed driving around in his pick up truck, stopping at neighbors and visiting at the Co-ops. At the center of the family was the Peace Church in Buckeye, now Immanuel Memorial UCC in Alden. Henry is the longest continuous member of this church, joining through Confirmation in May of 1937. Henry was a lifelong member of the American Legion in Radcliffe, VFW of Buckeye and the Iowa Falls Elks Club B.P.O.E. Lodge #1674. Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Minnie (Peglow) Daum; infant brother, Don R. Daum; and daughter, Jeanine (Mrs. Stewart Iverson, Jr.) who died in 1999. Henry is survived by Lois, his wife of 64 years. He is also survived by his sister, Mavis Marple of Newell; his daughter, Josette and her husband, Charles Schamp of Urbandale; son-in-law, Stewart Iverson, Jr of Clarion; granddaughter, Shelley Finnel and family of Waunakee, WI; grandson, Stewart Iverson III of Indianapolis, IN. In addition to the two grandchildren are five great grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and six step-great grandchildren. Also left to honor Henry's life are several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and life long neighbors and friends. Iris Holman age 56, of Iowa Falls, died on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 2:30 P.M. Monday at the Church of the Open Bible, Iowa Falls with burial in the Friends Cemetery, Iowa Falls. Visitation will be 3-5 P.M. Sunday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Iris Leon Holman was born on December 4, 1951 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the daughter of Ray and Dorothy (Hogan) Warner. She graduated from the Iowa Falls High School. Iris was united in marriage to Leo Holman. She is survived by her son, Richard Holman and his wife, Wendi of Eldora; six grandchildren, Rikki Holman of Marshalltown, Randi Holman of Waterloo, Robbi Holman of Marshalltown, Harley Holman of Marshalltown, Wendell Peet-Norem of Eldora, Kane Norem of Eldora; five sisters, Martha Reed of Iowa Falls, Linda Manske of Iowa Falls, Wanda Kastner of Iowa Falls, Jolene Thompson of Iowa Falls, and Patty Lee of Vidurnum, MO; two brothers, Marion Warner of Ackley and Tom Warner of Alden; and a sister-in-law, Jean Hogan. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leo; a brother, Martin and a sister, Dorothy. Helen Gresslin, of Ackley, died on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls at the age of 88 years and 10 days. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Monday at the United Methodist Church in Ackley with inurnment in the Oakwood Cemetery, Ackley. Family will receive friends from 3-5 P.M. Sunday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Helen Audrey Rector Gresslin was born February 22, 1921 in Webster City, Iowa, the fourth daughter of Orval Ernest and Arley Grace Palmer Rector. She attended schools in Webster City and Ackley and was an excellent student. Reading was a joy for her during her entire life. She was very active in high school and was a member of the Girls Glee Club, the Literary Drama Club, the Honor “A” Club and the Girl Reserves, held several class offices and was a member of the National Honor Society. She was also a member of the girls basketball team which ignited a life long love of sports, especially basketball. In her later years, she enjoyed attending any sporting event in which her grandchildren participated. She was a member of Eastern Star and the Ackley American Legion Auxiliary and affiliated with the Ackley United Methodist Church,. Helen also spent many hours keeping records of items donated to the Ackley Heritage Center and enjoying the company of other volunteers there. Helen was united in marriage to Dr. Robert William Gresslin on August 15, 1943 at the First Presbyterian Church in Ackley, one day after she com pleted nurses training at Mercy School of Nursing in Des Moines. To this union three daughters were born, Ann Jean, Gretchen and Rebecca. Helen was a gentle and loving wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, and a concerned, caring nurse, always putting others before herself. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Robert William Gresslin; her parents, Orval and Grace Rector; two sisters, Dimple V. Raven, and Thelma Esther Rector in infancy; and two brothers-in-law, Elmer Raven and Elwood Heitland. She is survived by her three daughters, Ann Jean Holmgaard of Ackley, Gretchen Gresslin and friend Gary Sandersfeld of Williamsburg, IA, and Rebecca and her husband, Darrell (Butch) Jansonius, of Ackley; her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Dane and Beth Holmgaard, Connor and Kaden of Goodell, IA, Brock and Desiree Holmgaard, Quinn and Eli, of Iowa Falls, Alexis and Jeremy Thomas of Macomb, Illinois, and Reid Jansonius of Ackley; and three sisters, Neva Heitland of Ackley, Dee Seibold, of Broomfield, Colorado, and Betty Jansonius and her husband, Calvin, of Geneva. Arlene Ghoske, age 77, of Iowa Falls, died on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at her home. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Iowa Falls with burial in the Northlawn Memory Gardens, Iowa Falls. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Monday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Minnie Arlene Ghoske was born on October 4, 1931 in Wellsburg, Iowa, the daughter of Peter and Gladys (Wolf) Borchers. She graduated from the Iowa Falls High School. On December 12, 1953 Arlene was united in marriage to Robert Ghoske in Ackley. She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Iowa Falls. Arlene is survived by her husband, Robert; a daughter, Ann R. Ghoske of Cedar Rapids; a son, Allen D. Ghoske of Iowa Falls; a brother, Albert Borchers of Ackley and a sister-in-law, Ann Borchers of Waterloo. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Russell Borchers; and a sister-in-law, Gertrude Borchers. Marion A. Kreimeyer, age 94, of Hampton, died on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the Franklin General Hospital Nursing Facility in Hampton. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the St. Peter's U.C.C., rural Geneva with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 P.M. Tuesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home of Ackley. Marion Augusta Kreimeyer was born on July 18, 1914 in Ackley, Iowa, the daughter of George and Rose (Hackrott) Van Eschen. She was united in marriage to John Richard Kreimeyer on July 29, 1935 at St. John's United Church of Christ in Ackley. John and Marion farmed the family farm in rural Geneva until their retirement at which time they moved into Geneva. Marion was a member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ in rural Geneva where she enjoyed participating in Women's Fellowship, taught Sunday School, sang in choir as well as doing solos and small group vocals. She was a 4-H leader, participated in many Farm Bureau Activities and a member of the Franklin County Historical Society. Most of all she will be especially remembered for her homemade bread which she made for family gatherings and friends. Marion is survived by her daughter, Rita Diemer of Geneva; a son, Ronald Kreimeyer of Geneva; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Margaret Burmester of Hampton; and a brother-in-law, Victor Kreimeyer and his wife, Roxa of Quincy, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John in 1992; a sister, Letha Coordes; and a brother, George Van Eschen. Anna May Buseman, age 89, of Aplington, died on Friday, February 20, 2009 at the Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday at the Austinville Christian Reformed Church with burial in the Austinville Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Monday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Anna May Buseman was born on January 7, 1920 to John and Grace (Mulder) Kromminga. On January 1, 1940 she married Rudy Buseman. They farmed in the Butler County area until retirement and then moved to Ackley. Rudy passed away on September 5, 1984. The last 6 ½ years she lived at Maple Manor Village in Aplington. Anna was a member of the Christian Reformed Church of Austinville. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, baking, reading, and visiting with family and friends. She enjoyed a good baseball game. She will be remembered for her sense of humor and her smile. She is survived by two sons, Duane (Sharon) and Lee (Darlene) both of Aplington and one daughter, Rose Reinig (Steve) of Manchester; 8 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rudy; a brother, Henry Kromminga; two sisters, Marian Harken and Julia Johnson; two daughters-in-law, Jeri Buseman and Diletta Buseman; and one great grandson, Trayton Meyer. Edna Nicholson, age 86, of Alden, died on Friday, February 20, 2009 at the Heritage Care Center in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Monday at the Immanuel Memorial United Church of Christ in Alden with burial in the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 P.M. Sunday at the Surls Funeral Home in Alden. Edna was born on April 27, 1922 on a farm near Buckeye, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Eda (Runge) Bessman. She was united in marriage to George Nicholson on November 4, 1941 in Osage. Edna sold Avon for many years and babysat for many children. She was a member of the Immanuel Memorial United Church of Christ in Alden and was active in the VFW Auxiliary. Edna is survived by her son, Duane and his wife, Kay of Alden; one grandson, Jeffrey Nicholson and wife, Anita of Iowa City; two granddaughters, Julie Reynolds and husband, Robert of Iowa Falls and Jennifer Sievers and husband, Jeff of Norwalk; seven great-grandchildren, John and Shane Nicholson, Kassi, Shelby, and Parker Reynolds, and Abigale and Trey Sievers; two sisters, Martha Hetland of Radcliffe and Erma Burke of Bentonville, AR.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, 4 sisters; and 6 brothers. Shirley Lawton, age 84, of Iowa Falls, died on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at the Heritage Care Center in Iowa Falls. Memorial services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls with inurnment at a later date. Family will receive friends from 5-7 Friday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. A memorial fund has been established and will be donated to animal shelters. Shirley Lawton was born on February 7, 1925 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the daughter of Harold and Susan (Wuebben) Stringer. She graduated from the Iowa Falls High School in 1943. On March 19, 1944, Shirley was united in marriage to the love of her life, Harold N. Lawton of Alden, Iowa. They were married 65 years! Shirley directed the Presbyterian Church Choir at Rolfe, Iowa for 13 years while residing in that community. In 1963, the family moved to Creston, Iowa. Mrs. Lawton became District Chairman of the Moingona Girl Scout Council of Des Moines, Iowa. She was secretary to the Vice Principal of Creston High School, Creston, Iowa for many years. Shirley and Bud moved to Atlantic, Iowa in 1968. Shirley became secretary to the Vice Principal and Athletic Director at Atlantic High School. Shirley was President of the Atlantic Iowa Golf and Country Club Women's Association. She directed the Iowa Women's Golf Association tournament "Forever 39" held in Atlantic, Iowa. Mrs. Lawton retired as Cass County Judge in Atlantic in 1984 after serving in that capacity for 5 ½ years. She received the Freedom Foundation Award in 1984 as she had developed an Intervention Program as Judge, regarding juveniles charged as minors in possession of beer. She developed this program after 8 high school boys died in a car accident and beer was found in their car. This program went into effect in several locations in Iowa. Following retirement in 1984, she then moved to Fairfield Bay, AR with her husband, Bud. She was a member of the Fairfield Bay Indian Hills Golf Club, Fairfield Bay Log Cabin Museum, United States Golf Association and the Fairfield Bay Animal Protection League where she volunteered. Mourning her loss and celebrating her life are her husband, Harold N. (Bud) of Iowa Falls; two daughters, Susan Stock of Webster City and grandchildren, Marina and David Stock, Michael and Michelle Stock and Matthew and Karol Stock. Also, Katherine Van Horn and Steven of Algonquin, IL , and grandchildren, Kristofer Van Horn and Jamie, Sigourney (Van Horn) Guilford and Troy; three great grandchildren, Chloe Van Horn, Preston Stock and Pierce Stock. And her constant companion and four legged pal, Pippen. Mrs. Lawton was preceded in death by her parents. James Fecht, age 56, of Iowa Falls, died on Monday, January 26, 2009 at Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls.Memorial services will be 1:00 P.M. Saturday, February 7th at the First Christian Church in Iowa Falls. Surls Funeral Home of Iowa Falls is in charge of arrangements. James Lee Fecht was born in Waterloo, Iowa on September 15, 1952, the son of John & Dorthy Fecht. James graduated from the John Marshall High School. He was united in marriage to Christina Joy Kreimeyer in Grundy County. James is survived by his wife, Christina and two children, a son Leath Paul Fecht and a daughter Susan Patrice Fecht. Merna M. Pelleymounter, age 77, of Ackley, died on Monday, January 26, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M Thursday at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Ackley with burial in the Oakwood Cemetery, Ackley. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Wednesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Merna Pelleymounter was born on May 24, 1931 in York, Nebraska, the daughter of Andrew and Ragnhild (Petersen) Due. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Cordova, Nebraska. She attended rural school near her home and graduated from Exeter High School in 1948. She attended Grandview College in Des Moines, Iowa and graduated in 1951 with an associate degree in Elementary Education. On May 3, 1974, she was married to Bernard Pelleymounter at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Ackley, Iowa. She was a charter member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, a member of Chapter BN, P.E.O. in Ackley, and a member of the ELCW. She worked for many years at the Ackley Medical Center, retiring in 1985. Since then, she and Bernie have been spending the summers at their cabin on Lake Pokegama near Grand Rapids, Minnesota. She is survived by her husband, Bernie of Ackley; her children, Paul and Harriet Lund of Lakeville, Minnesota, John and Deb Lund of Forest City, Iowa, Karen and Dan Gerdes of Warrensburg, Missouri, Doug and Evelyn Pelleymounter of Northfield, Minnesota and Steve Pelleymounter of Grand Rapids, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother in infancy. Mildred J. "Mickie" Fuller, age 79, of St. Louis, MO and formerly of Iowa Falls, died on Monday, January 19, 2009 at the Delmar Gardens on the Green Nursing Home in St. Louis, MO. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Iowa Falls with burial in the Jackson Township Cemetery, Owasa. Family will receive friends from 1-2 P.M. on Sunday prior to services. The Surls Funeral Home of Iowa Falls is in charge of arrangements. She was best friend, confidante and beloved mother to Paula Fuller Tobin, Lisa Fuller McMahon and James W. Fuller; dear sister of Susan Ferrell, adoring grandmother to Katherine, David, Madeline, Meredith, Connor & Brennan. Wisest of mothers, she lived with inspirational courage against great adversity. A former teacher, she continued a monthly newspaper despite being blind and paralyzed with multiple sclerosis. She nurtured her family and friends and gave selflessly and tirelessly to them. In the face of all challenges, she remained optimistic, patient and kind to all. Her inner strength and quiet faith comforted us and comforts still. W. Dean Azeltine, age 79, of Iowa Falls, died on Friday, January 16, 2009 at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Tuesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Dean Azeltine was born on January 9, 1930 in Belmond, Iowa, the son of Wesley and Garnet (Bamford) Azeltine. He graduated from the Iowa Falls High School and attended Ellsworth Community College. On April 9, 1950 Dean was united in marriage to Mary Heim in Iowa Falls. He was an Accountant and Controller with Purina in Iowa Falls, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh and he also worked for Cuckler Bldg. Systems, Lear Siegler, and Commander Bldgs all in Monticello. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and had been in various bands starting at the age of 17, most recently, the Ackley German Band and also enjoyed golfing. Dean is survived by his wife, Mary of Iowa Falls; three sons, Jeffrey of Marion, Gregory of Los Angeles, CA and Bradley of Ames; 7 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Michael and Anthony; and his step-mother, Anna Azeltine. Hjalmar Peter "H.P." Krogh, age 83, of Iowa Falls, died on Monday, January 12, 2009 at the Heritage Care Center in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery, Iowa Falls at a later date. Visitation will be 4-8 P.M. Friday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls with family receiving friends from 6-8 P.M. A memorial fund has been established. "H.P." Krogh was born on December 9, 1925 in Coulter, Iowa, the son of Peter A. and Katherine (Bonde) Krogh. He graduated from the Hampton High School in 1943, Grandview College in 1948, and Iowa State University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-46. H.P. was united in marriage to Ilene Dohrmann on February 8, 1948 in Latimer, Iowa. He owned Krogh Feed and Supply, retiring in 1998. H.P. was a member of the First United Methodist Church, was a Sunday school teacher and Church Board member. He was a member of the Hyman-Peavey American Legion Post #188 of Iowa Falls and the Order of the Arrow. He was involved in ag organizations before he retired. He is survived by his wife, Ilene; three sons, Dr. Steven Krogh (Kerry) of Mason City, David Krogh of Iowa Falls, and Scott Krogh (Deana) of Iowa Falls; two daughters, Suzanne Dahl (Vinje) of Sabula and Janet Deaver (David) of Cedar Falls; 9 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Inger Miller of Greenwood, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Svend. Valiant Gilbert, age 59, of Ackley, died on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at his home. Services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Visitation will be one hour before services. Valiant Ray Gilbert was born on February 15, 1949 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of George and Ruth (Westfall) Gilbert. He graduated from the Loynorix High School in Kalamazoo in 1970. On November 27, 2004 he was united in marriage to Sally Louise Ehl in Kalamazoo. He is survived by his wife, Sally; a brother, Brent Gilbert of North Dakota; sister-in-law, Chris Gilbert of Warren, MI; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Clayton and Ruth Starkey of Kalamazoo, MI; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Marc and Sue Sletten of Cedar Falls; and several nieces and nephews. Verle G. Norem, age 60, of Iowa Falls, died on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City. Funeral services will be 1:30 P.M. Saturday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Jackson Township Cemetery, Owasa. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Friday at the church with family receiving friends from 5-7 P.M. The Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls is in charge of arrangements. A memorial fund has been established. Verle G. Norem was born on August 25, 1948 in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Gerhard "Gay" and Neva (Colberg) Norem. He graduated from the Radcliffe High School. On June 12, 1966 Verle was united in marriage to Alana Balvanz at the St. John's Evangelical Church in Hubbard. Verle had farmed and worked with Farmers Mutual Crop Insurance. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls. Verle is survived by his wife, Alana; three sons, Kurt and his wife, Dee Ann and family, Tyler, Megan, Rachel, and Kailey of Olathe, KS, Pat and his wife, Marla and family, P.J. and Ross of Iowa Falls, and Lynn and fiancé, Bonita and family, Dylan, Luke, Taylor, and Lane of Iowa Falls; three brothers, Marvin Norem and his wife, Sue of Ellsworth, Terry (Jack) Norem and his wife, Deb of Radcliffe, Dave Norem and his wife, Jan of Radcliffe; a sister, Linda Barquist and her husband, Larry of Ellsworth; a sister-in-law, Pam Skartvedt and her husband, Lyle of Garden City. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Roger; and two sisters in infancy. Dennis White, age 63, of Iowa Falls, died on Monday, January 5, 2009 at Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls. Funeral will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 P.M. Friday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls with family receiving friends from 6-8 P.M. Dennis D. White was born on May 24, 1945 in Minneapolis, MN. At the age of two months he was adopted by John (Jack) and Pearl White of Grafton, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton. He attended the Grafton Comm. Schools until 10th grade then he transferred to St. Ansgar after they consolidated. He graduated from there in May of 1963. Dennis went on to the U. S. Trade School in Kansas City, MO and from there to work for Bill Ireland Chevrolet as an auto mechanic. In March of 1966 Dennis was employed by Hardin County R.E.C. as a lineman. He worked with the line crew for many years before accepting the position as Member Service Director. The company had changed names before he retired from Midland Power Cooperative in May of 2006. Dennis has two sons from a previous marriage, David John in Mason City and Gary Joseph of Buffalo, WY. Dennis married Jenenne Charleston on September 20, 1975 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls. He had many hobbies and interests that kept him busy during his life. They included being a private pilot, a photographer, and then on to working with metal and wood. He made and played wood string instruments and still had time to do some target shooting. His dry sense of humor and story telling were enjoyed by all and will be carried on by his sons. He enjoyed hunting with his sons and friends. He is survived by his loving wife, Jenenne; two sons, David and family of Mason City and Gary (Melissa) and family of Buffalo, WY; his mother, Pearl of Iowa Falls; a sister, Dixie Jellum of Mason City; seven grandchildren, David's children, Tyler, Carrie and Jake and Gary's children, Lakyn, Brooklyn, Stacey, and Kristen; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, "Jack" and an infant son. JoAnn Grupe, age 76, of Iowa Falls, died on Sunday, January 4, 2009. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls with burial in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Wednesday at the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa. JoAnn Anderson was born on February 11, 1932, in Rowan, Iowa to Arnold and Thelma (Hackley) Anderson. She graduated from the Marshalltown High School in 1949. On June 3, 1951, she married Frank Grupe in her parent's home in Marshalltown. They lived in Iowa Falls, Iowa. To this union, two children were born. JoAnn was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls and most recently worked at Iowa Falls Dairy Queen until June, 2002. By many people, she will always be remembered affectionately as "The Dairy Queen Lady". She enjoyed attending coffee in the mornings, spending time with her family, being with the public, spending time with Coconut (the dog) and taking shopping excursions to Waterloo. JoAnn is survived by her husband, Frank; a daughter, Kris of Iowa Falls; a son, Scott of West Des Moines; one brother, Michael Anderson and wife, Celene of Marshalltown; three sisters-in-law, Esther Skartvedt of Radcliffe, Evelyn (Marlyn) Paul of Swea City, and Susan (Rich) Newhall of Dunkerton; one brother-in-law, Bill (Donna) Grupe of Salem, OR; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister-in-law, Elsie Haugland; and one brother-in-law, Dale Grupe. Margaret Sailer, age 94, of Ackley, died on Sunday, January 4, 2009 at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday at St. John's United Church of Christ in Ackley with burial in the Oakwood Cemetery, Ackley. Visitation will be 4-7 P.M. Tuesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley. Margaret Ellen was born on September 25, 1914, near Ackley, Iowa, eldest child of Edward and Senith Coordes. She was raised on a farm southeast of Ackley. On January 1, 1936, she married Louie Frederick Benning. They farmed in the Ackley area. Louie died May 1, 1962. On November 28, 1968, Margaret married Carl Sailer and they lived in Ackley, Iowa. Carl died on October 4, 1982. Margaret was a lifelong member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Ackley. She was actively involved in farming with her husband, Louie. She worked with 4-H and was a member of Willing Workers, Crescent Club, and Ackley Women’s Club. She served eight years on the church council and taught Sunday School. Margaret was employed at the Presbyterian Home where she also served as a volunteer. She was a cook at Blakes Grove Camp and was president of the Oakwood Cemetary Society for 20 years, as was her mother. Margaret was a giving person who always helped her family and friends. She enjoyed playing cards. In recent years, she participated in the activities at the Presbyterian Home , where she resided, and she loved peeling potatoes for the meals. She was famous for her pails of chocolate chip cookies and rolls. She enjoyed her family and keeping up with their events. She was the epitome of what a grandma should be. Margaret is survived by her daughter, Marlys Folkers, of Cedar Falls, Iowa; a son, Delmar (Marlys) Benning of Ackley; a stepdaughter, Rosemary (Rich) Fee of Carlisle, Iowa; two sisters, Dorothy (Kenny) Thompson of Ackley, and Mildred La Caille Thompson of West Sacramento, California; seven grandchildren, Kendra (Doug) Van Sloten of Decorah, Iowa; Craig (Jamie) Folkers of Blair, Nebraska; Melanie (Brian) Moretz of Maquoketa, Iowa; Brian (Melissa) Benning of Wellsburg, Iowa; Jessica (Ruben) Sigala of Las Vegas, Nevada; Matthew Fee of Denver, Colorado; Benjamin (Cindy) Fee of Iowa City, Iowa and 11 great grandchildren, Sharese, Bethany and Brett Van Sloten; Alyx and Max Folkers; Zac, Abby and Molly Benning; and Olivia, Isaac and Eli Moretz. In addition to two husbands, Margaret was preceded in death by a sister, Lucille Hartema; infant brother, Lewis Coordes; and a grandson, Curtis Benning. Lillian McCord, age 86, of Iowa Falls, died on Saturday, January 3, 2009 at Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Memorial services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Iowa Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Assoc. Lillian Alice McCord was born on April 17, 1922 in Rowley, Iowa, the daughter of Vernon and Neva (Templeman) Donlea. She was united in marriage to Robert McCord on October 20, 1946 in Rowley. She was a school teacher and homemaker. Lillian was a volunteer with the Calkins Nature Center, Hospital Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, Iowa Falls Public Schools, and women's group through church, and also a member of several Bridge Clubs. Lillian is survived by her husband, Robert and two daughters, Cynthia McCord of Columbia, MO and Patricia Brader of Cape Canaveral, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, George; and a sister, Verna. Donald Dean Johnson, age 59, of Williams, died on Thursday, January 1, 2009 at Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls. Funeral services will be 1:30 P.M. Monday at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Williams with burial in the Williams Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-5 P.M. Sunday at the Surls Funeral Chapel in Williams. Donald Dean Johnson was born on May 13, 1949 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the son of Howard and Shirley (Reinsel) Johnson. He was a 1967 graduate of the Northeast Hamilton High School. He worked at Hoelscher Ag Dist. out of Alden and was a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Williams. Donald is survived by his two sons, Nathaniel Johnson of Lake Park and Matthew Johnson and his wife, Molly of Cherokee; two brothers, Doug Johnson and his wife, Cindy of Alden and Drew Johnson of St. Marys, GA; a sister, Diane Johnson of Randall; and a sister-in-law, Amy Johnson of Lakeside. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, David.