Jamie J. Mathiason

August 8, 2006

Jamie J. Mathiason, 91, formerly of Rowan, died on Friday, August 4, 2006, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Monday, August 7, at the United Church of Rowan, with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery near Clarion.

Jamie, the daughter of Ole and Hannah (Peterson) Johnson, was born on July 9, 1915 in Gorham, North Dakota. At an early age she moved to Worthington, Minnesota and then went to live with her Aunt Sarah Kleveland in Badger, Iowa. She returned to her parents in Eagle Grove when she was ready for the second grade, was confirmed in the Norwegian Lutheran Church, and finished her education at Eagle Grove.

Jamie married Donald Lyons on January 4, 1933, and they had two children. Donald passed away on September 15, 1957. On September 1, 1961, she married Donald Mathiason.

Jamie lived most of her married life in Rowan where she was active in The United Church of Rowan, women's clubs, 4-H, cutting hair, quilting, and gardening. She worked as a school cook in Rowan and for Dr. A.M. Nelson in Belmond. After her marriage to Donald Mathiason, she helped him in the operation of Rowan Plumbing and Heating. During these years she made quilts for her children and grandchildren. Her grandchildren loved to help with canning, cooking, and eating kringlas. Several weeks each summer were spent fishing with family and friends. She and Don made many trips to California to visit his family.

Jamie is survived by her husband of Belmond; daughter, Joyce (Gary) Sells of Kirksville, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Lyons of Clarion; grandchildren, Linnette Sells (Brian Vanderhoof) of Norcross, Georgia, Laurine (Russ) Knowles of Brookfield, Missouri, Mark (Susan) Sells of Rolla, Missouri, James (Julie) Sells of Moberly, Missouri and Duane (Mary) Lyons of Belmond; ten great-grandchildren; step-grandchildren, Jani (Chris) Atkinson Breu, Jeremy Atkinson and Joy (Brian) Atkinson Viteritto; two great-great-grandchildren; four step-great-great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Esther Johnson and Daphne Johnson.

Jamie was preceded in death by her parents; first husband; son, Richard Lyons in 1974; sister, Gladys Cleveland and her husband, Linsworth; and brothers, Ogden and Herbert Johnson. 
©Belmond Independent 2006

Aaron D. Wirtz

August 15, 2006

Aaron D. Wirtz, 51, of Belmond, died on Wednesday, August 9, 2006, at the Presbyterian Medical Center in Plano, Texas.

Funeral services were held on Monday, August 14, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond, with Rev. Christopher Podhajsky officiating. Burial was in the St. Francis Cemetery near Belmond.

Aaron, the son of Fred, Sr. and Hulda Fehr Wirtz, was born on August 14, 1954 in Emmetsburg. He grew up in the West Bend area, graduating from the West Bend High School in 1972. Aaron farmed with his father for a number of years, beginning with his involvement with FFA in high school.

On July 26, 1975, he married Peggy Perkins in West Bend. They moved to Algona where Aaron was employed by Snap-on Tools. In 1989 the family moved to Belmond where Aaron was employed by Eaton Corporation. He was currently employed by Syngenta (formerly Golden Harvest Seed Company).

An avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, Aaron enjoyed watching the Hawks whenever possible. He enjoyed raising cattle, fishing and camping. He was very family oriented and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He had a beautiful tenor voice and loved to sing and play guitar.

He was a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and served on the Parish Council.

He was preceded in death by his father; maternal and paternal grandparents; nephew, James; and sister-in-law, Patsy.

Aaron is survived by his wife; children, Andrew (Rozlyn) Wirtz of Reinbeck, Sara (Tyrrell) Watts of Belmond, Anthony Wirtz of Cincinnatti, Ohio, Elizabeth Wirtz and Jacob Wirtz of Belmond; grandchildren, Caleb and Isabella Wirtz and Adeline and Acelia Watts; his mother of West Bend; sisters, Mary (Ted) Besch of Storm Lake, Esther (Les) Frieden of West Bend, Lori Wirtz of Kearny, Arizona, Luanne (Charles) Collins of Plano, Texas and Irene (Alan) Blair of Humboldt; brothers, John (Ella) Wirtz of Fort Dodge, Eli (Marilyn) Wirtz of Urbandale, Alvin (Wendy) Wirtz of Wylie, Texas and Fred Wirtz, Jr. of West Bend. 
©Belmond Independent 2006  

Ralph N. Mishak

August 15, 2006

Ralph "Putz" Mishak, 77, of Manly, formerly Lake Cornelia, died on Saturday, August 12, 2006. 

A funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, August 16, at the St. Bernard Catholic Church in Alta Vista.

Ralph Nicholas, was born on December 6, 1928 in Alta Vista, the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Thul) Mishak. He graduated from the St. Williams High School in the class of 1947. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He worked in towns in Iowa and Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Mark; sister, Angela Hall; and special friend, Janet Mosiman.

Survivors include a number of nieces and nephews. 
©Belmond Independent 2006  

Henrietta W. Vierkant

August 15, 2006

Henrietta W. Vierkant, 90, of rural Meservey, died on Monday, August 14, 2006, at the Belmond Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, August 17, at the First Reformed Church in Meservey, with Rev. Rodney Meester officiating. Burial will be in the Alexander Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 16, from 5-8:00 p.m., at the Andrews Funeral Home, and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Henrietta, the daughter of Heinrich and Pauline (Stadtlander) Meinders, was born on July 19, 1916, at the family farm in Pleasant Township, Wright County. She was baptized at the Reformed Church in Meservey on April 1, 1917 and was in the Class of 1934 Catechism. She attended country school in Pleasant Township. At age 8 the family moved to a farm northwest of Meservey and she graduated from the Meservey High School in 1935.

On December 11, 1937, Henrietta married William George Vierkant at the Reformed Church. They made their home on the Vierkant family farm in Wisner Township, Franklin County. She enjoyed assisting her husband with the field work and other farming tasks.

Henrietta was an active member of the Reformed Church, the RCWM, the Meservey Senior Citizens, and the Alexander Cemetery Society. She was a self taught musician, playing guitar, organ and harmonica. She enjoyed serving her church as organist.

Henrietta received great joy in family celebrations, especially Christmas, when she always made sure there were plenty of presents for her family and grandchildren. She will be remembered for her homemade pies and the quilts, lap robes, doll clothing, and other embroidery work and handicrafts that she made over the years as gifts and for those who were less fortunate.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Alfred and Marvin; and sister, Clara Harken.

Survivors include her daughters, Marianne (Loren) Payne of Belmond, Betty (Robert) DeVries of Moorhead, Minnesota and Darcy Kolb of Clear Lake; son, William (Kim) Vierkant, Jr. of Alexander; sisters, Pauline Arends of Alexander and Verbena Friesleben of Clear Lake; grandchildren, Lonnie Payne of Des Moines, LeAnn and Dan Tindall of Akron, Denby DeVries of Fargo, North Dakota, Korly DeVries of Minneapolis, Bridget and Carver Matheidas of Frisco, Texas, Danielle and Scott Naumann of Dougherty, Juliet and Jason O'Donnell of Burnsville, Dillion Vierkant of Alexander and Marissa Vierkant of Clear Lake; and great-grandchildren, Zachary, Kayla and Danika Tindall, Corgan Dunklee, Nicholas and Morgan Naumann, and Kolson O'Donnell.
©Belmond Independent 2006  

Elaine Baker

August 15, 2006

Elaine Baker, 84, of Hampton, died on Monday, August 14, 2006, at the hospital in Hampton.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 18, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Paul Lutheran in Hampton.

Elaine was born on October 10, 1921 in Belmond, the daughter of Fred and Emma (Friesleben) Pletsch. She attended Alexander country schools and graduated from the Belmond High School in 1939. She married Richard Baker in 1941 in Belmond.

Survivors include her husband; sons, Kirk (Michele) Baker of Utah and Dave Baker of Council Bluffs; daughter, Melinda (Jordan) Sobel of Oklahoma; brother, Wilbur "Bud" (Gerry) Pletsch of Alexander; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. 
©Belmond Independent 2006

Mae Drury

August 22, 2006

Mae Drury, 82, of Rowan, died on Wednesday, August 16, 2006, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 19, at the United Church of Rowan with Pastor Nancy Hofmeister officiating. Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery, Rowan.

Mae, the daughter of John and Naomi Norris Chapman, was born on April 14, 1924, south of Belmond on the family farm. She graduated from the Belmond High school in 1942. Then she received her Normal Training Certificate and taught in country schools.

On July 11, 1943, Mae married Robert Fowler Drury in Belmond. The couple made a home in Kanawha and Robert served during WW II. They moved to a farm near Rowan in 1948.

Mae enjoyed working with Robert on the farm. She liked to watch her children and grandchildren at the lake and enjoyed flower gardening and playing bridge.

Mae was a member of the United Church of Rowan where she taught Sunday School, was a youth leader, and a member of the United Methodist Women. She was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, Rowan Review Club, was a Cub Scout, Brownie and 4-H Leader.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband.

Survivors include her sons, Robert (Pat) Drury of Henderson, Kentucky and Eugene Drury of Rowan; grandchildren, Robert (Audra) Drury of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and David Drury of Henderson, Kentucky; great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Paige and Michael; sisters, June Mellott of Fairfield, Lucille Berhow of Kanawha and Darlene Tillman of Belmond; sisters-in-law, Beryl Friedow of Kanawha, Florence (Donald) Johnson of Britt and Marguerite Ruka of Mitchellville; and brother-in-law, Keith (Doris) Drury of Huntsville, Alabama. 
©Belmond Independent 2006  

John McLaughlin

August 22, 2006

John (Jack) McLaughlin, 101, of Belmond, died on Saturday, August 19, 2006, at the Belmond Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 23, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond, with Father Podhajsky and Deacon Nick Schmit officiating. Burial will be in the St. Francis Cemetery.

John Francis, was born on July 21, 1905 in Churchville, Iowa, the son of William J. and Catherine DeHeck McLaughlin. He moved with his family to Belmond when he was 15 to help his father and brothers on their large farm. He gave up his career plans in law to continue farming, which he did all his life. John married Margaret Frances Blair on June 22, 1927 and they lived in Belmond.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife in 1952; infant daughter, Margaret Mary; eldest son, James Patrick and wife, Edith; son-in-law, Phil Cook; granddaughters, Kathleen Bormann and Eileen Renae McLaughlin; grandson, Shane McLaughlin; brothers, William, Michael, Eugene, Edward, Vernon, and James; and sisters, Mary and Margaret.

Survivors include his sons, J. Joe (Ramona) McLaughlin and Stephen P. (Sharon) McLaughlin of Belmond; daughters, Elizabeth Cook of Belmond, Gertrude (Ralph) Bormann of Bode, Carmen (C. P.) Minnihan of Wildwood, Missouri and Ruth (James) Aldrich of Belmond; granddaughter, Deanne (Robert) McLaughlin Harlan of Des Moines (whom he raised as his own); 23 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and sisters, Kathryn Weber of Odessa, Washington and Loyola Hocraffer of Clarion.
©Belmond Independent 2006  

Henrietta "Retta" Peters

August 22, 2006

Henrietta "Retta" Peters, 100, of Alexander, died on Saturday, August 19, 2006, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 24, at 11:00 a.m., at the Alexander United Methodist Church, with visitation at the church on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Pastor Kalen Fristad will officiate. Burial will be in the Alexander Cemetery.

Henrietta, was born on May 28, 1906 in Muscatine County, the daughter of James D. and Lillie (Runyon) Letts. She attended country school, graduated from the Grandview High School, and went to college for one year.

She married Arthur Peters at Hampton on August 21, 1925. Besides being a homemaker, she worked in Rock Island for three years during WW II.

Henrietta was a member of the Alexander United Methodist Church. She was well-known as a seamstress, and she baby sat until she was in her 80's.

There were 128 relatives and friends attending her 100th birthday party on May 27. She grasped the hands of each individual or hugged them and inquired of each one the details only she could remember. She rode in a horse and carriage, then went for a motorcycle ride with some of the children she took care of many years ago.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; and six brothers and sisters.

Survivors include her son, Warren (Sandy) Peters of Oreana, Idaho; daughter, Mildred (Don) O'Berg of Duluth, Minnesota; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
©Belmond Independent 2006  

Betty Buseman

August 22, 2006

Betty Buseman, 87, formerly of Klemme, died on Sunday, August 20, 2006, at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, August 24, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme, with Pastor Donna Buckman officiating. Burial will be in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme.

Betty Lavonne, the daughter of John Carl and Mabel Cora (Welch) Velau, was born on the family farm in Liberty Township, Hancock County, on January 22, 1919. She grew up on the farm which has been in the family since 1888 and attended Liberty No. 8 School.

Betty married Francis Buseman on May 29, 1936 at Waterloo. They farmed in the Klemme area for many years before retiring to Garner in 1990. Betty had been a resident at the Oakwood Care Center since 1994.

Betty baked and decorated many wedding and anniversary cakes through the years. She was active as a 4-H Leader, and she and Francis managed the 4-H food stand at the Hancock County Fair for 16 years. They traveled extensively throughout the western United States and spent many winters in California and Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1992; and brothers, Charles John and LaVern Darrell Dean.

She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Esther Tulp of Goodell and Della Velau of Klemme; nephews, Melford Velau of Belmond and LaVern D. Velau of Klemme; and nieces, Luella Bonner of Clear Lake, Lucille Gaffney of Swaledale, Miriam Jaberg of Fridley, Minnesota, Lynette Nuehring of Kanawha and Sheri Williams of Waukee. 
©Belmond Independent 2006

BEVERLY BROWN

September 12, 2006

Beverly Brown, formerly of Belmond and Goodell, died on Tuesday, August 22, 2006, in Aurora, Colorado. Interment will be in the Amsterdam Cemetery, Goodell, at a later date.

Survivors include her daughter, Alison Conrad of Aurora and son, Bruce Brown of California.
©Belmond Independent 2006

WAYNE R. WITHERS

August 29, 2006

Wayne Withers, 71, formerly of Belmond, died on Friday, August 25, 2006, at the Sioux Care Center in Sioux Rapids.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, August 29, at the St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond, with Rev. Chris Podhajsky and Deacon Nick Schmit officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Wayne Roger, the son of Guy and Ava McAlpine Withers, was born on July 11, 1935 in Belmond. He grew up in Belmond and at an early age started working. He operated heavy equipment for Nelson Sand and Gravel and Yohn Ready Mix. Driving trucks and operating heavy machinery was his career.

Wayne married Pam Christensen on May 9, 1969, and they made their home in Belmond. In June 1988, Wayne and Pam moved to Sioux Rapids. Wayne's last job was working for a pipeline in Maine driving heavy machinery.

Wayne enjoyed collecting toy trucks, trains, working on trucks and heavy machinery. He was a big fan of George Jones and enjoyed camping and fishing. Wayne was a member of the St Francis Xavier Catholic Church and the St Joseph Catholic Church in Sioux Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Janese; infant son, David; great-grandson, Spencer; five sisters; and two brothers.

Survivors include his wife; children, Rick, Sherry, Nylene, Guy, Darwin, Jerry, Wendy, Jody, Dee and Wade; 32 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.  
©Belmond Independent 2006  

HANNAH S. ANDREWS

August 29, 2006

Hannah Andrews, 87, of Belmond, died on Saturday, August 26, 2006, at the Belmond Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, August 30, at the Calvary Baptist Church in Belmond, with Pastor Garry Schneider officiating. Burial will take place in the Graceland Cemetery near Rowan.

Hannah Susan, the daughter of J. L. and Ada Towns Marlow, was born on July 16, 1919 in Bronwood, Georgia. She graduated from high school and business college in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Hannah was then employed by several business offices in Chattanooga.

On January 6, 1950, Hannah married Ronald Dale Andrews in Chattanooga. They farmed near Rowan for 20 years, then moved to an acreage north of Belmond until moving to the Belmond Community Apartments in January 1997.

Hannah was an active member of the Calvary Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson, Dennis John Andrews; one brother; and two sisters.

Hannah is survived by her sons, John (Paulette) Andrews of Belmond and James (Sue) Andrews of Des Moines; daughters, Lynda (Paul) Shenefield and Rhonda (Oscar) Knott, all of Tennessee; grandchildren, Wendy (Nik) Nielsen and Krisha Andrews, Mindy, Audrey and Laurel Andrews, Ethan, Gina and Joya Shenefield; step-grandchildren, Jim (Amber) Knott, Traci (Mike) Hermes; nine step-great-grandchildren; brothers, Dr. Broadus (Louise) Marlow and John L. (Barbara) Marlow, Jr. all of Georgia; sisters, Bettie (Robert) Butler of Arizona and Bobbie (Bruce) Mahoney of Tennessee; and sisters-in-law, Bernice Andrews and Enid Andrews, both of Belmond.
©Belmond Independent 2006