Constance Binder

November 7, 2006

Constance Binder, 82, died on Thursday, November 2, 2006, at the Mercy Hospital in Sioux City. Funeral services were held at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Royal.

She is survived by her sister, Wyona (Faye) Denger of Clarion; and brother, Charles (Liz) Hall of Des Moines.
©Belmond Independent 2006

Leo R. Ellingston

November 7, 2006

Leo R. Ellingston, 77, of Belmond, died on Saturday, November 4, 2006, at his home.

Survivors include his wife; children, Curtis (Louie) Bogan of Fort Worth, Texas, Bryan (Kathy) Bogan of Arlington, Texas and Marna Bogan of Smyrna, Georgia; grandchildren, Irene, Robert, Regina, Brenda, Bethney; great-grandchild, Madeline Jo; brother, Raymond (Rebecca) Ellingston of Belmond; and sisters, Eunice (Lloyd) Christenson of Belmond and Avis Hopkey of Belmond.
©Belmond Independent 2006

Denise Gronbach

November 14, 2002

Denise Marie Claire Gronbach, 52, of Belmond, died on Thursday, November 9, 2006, at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 13, at the Belmond United Methodist Church, with Pastor Patrick Kennedy officiating.

Denise Marie Claire Jenkinson, was born on June 8, 1954, to Frank and Patricia (Witt) Jenkinson in Rock Island, Illinois. She graduated from the Bishop Garrigan High School in Algona.

She married Paul W. Gronbach Jr., in Emmetsburg on September 14, 1974. They lived in various communities including Algona, Garner and most recently, Belmond.

Denise had many hobbies including genealogy, scrap booking, sewing, family photography, and visiting and collecting lighthouses. She treasured the time spent with her family.

Denise was a member of the Evangelical Free Church Women's Ministry, current President of the Goodell American Legion Auxiliary, and a member of the Belmond VFW Auxiliary. Denise was also a Creative Memories Consultant and customer service representative at True Value in Belmond.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her husband; sons, Paul III of Corwith and Justin of Belmond; daughter, Krystal Sachen of Belmond; grandchildren, Gavyn, Halo and Audrey; brothers, Gary Jenkinson of Huntington Beach, California, John (Laura) Jenkinson of Protovin and Jim (Becky) Jenkinson of Arkansas; sisters, Rachael Jenkinson of West Bend, Fran (Dean) Peters of Des Moines, Leah (Daryl) Speich of Algona, Sharon Jenkinson of New York, Maria Berg of Missouri, Diana (Isam) Jaber) of Rihadyh, Saudia Arabia and Judy (Jim) Enos of Algona.
©Belmond Independent 2006

Ronald Brinkman

November 14, 2002

Ronald "Boots" Brinkman, 78, a life long resident of the Klemme area, died on November 10, 2006, at the Belmond Medical Center.

Funeral services were held at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme, with Rev. Donna Buckman officiating. Burial with military honors was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme.

Ronald Dean, the son of Martin John and Meta (Baack) Brinkman, was born on March 19, 1928 in Klemme. He graduated from the Klemme High School in 1946 where he was an avid athlete, excelling in both baseball and basketball. His teams participated in state tournaments. His love of baseball and softball kept him active in adult leagues up until his health prevented him from competing.

"Boots" began his career in construction at age 16. His first construction shop was in his father's blacksmith shop, "Slim's" in Klemme. He want on to study all aspects of the building trades, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, drywall and masonry. He was proficient in nearly every part of the trade with his specialty being cabinetry.

He married Alice M. Meyer, on December 16, 1950 at the Immanuel Reformed Church. They made their home in Klemme.

Boots was employed as a resident carpenter for Northern Lumber from 1946-1951. In March 1951 he entered the United States Army. He served for a time in Germany during the Korean War and was honorably discharged as a corporal in 1953.

He resumed his career as a builder, being employed at the Forest City Millworks and Great Plains Lumber, in addition to being self-employed. He built numerous homes and other projects around north Iowa. He was meticulous and never cut corners or used inferior materials.

Boots enjoyed making handmade items for his family and friends. He also made things for church bazaars and auctions, along with one-of-a-kind furniture for his church, such as cabinets and kneelers.

He was a member of the Immanuel Reformed, where he was baptized and confirmed. He served in various roles on the church consistory, including deacon. He loved music and was a member of the choir.

Boots served for many years as a member of the Hancock County Election Review Board. He enjoyed conversing with friends over a cup of coffee at the Klemme Elevator and enjoyed the fellowship of friends at various card clubs. He loved dancing, and met his wife during a dance in school. He loved music, especially Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves.

His family will cherish memories of fishing journeys to Canada and camping excursions, the many gifts he made such as jewelry and key boxes, cradles, and tables. They remember him as a conservationist in his own way, always making sure resources were used in an efficient manner. They chuckle as they picture Boots with peppermint gum stuck behind his ear for future use, often forgetting that he put it there. He was always a gentleman, but also had his own stubborn side. He was a perfectionist and believed things needed to be done right.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Leo and Merlin "Butch" Brinkman.

Survivors include his wife; son, Bruce (Jeanette) Brinkman of Carroll; daughter, Renee (Ron) Kramer of Iowa City; son, Perry Brinkman of Klemme; brothers, Garland (Karna) Brinkman of Garner and Martin (Lois) Brinkman, Jr. of Sheffield; sister-in-law, Ina Brinkman of Ventura; grandchildren, Brian (Karman) Brinkman of Rochester, Nick (Amanda) Brinkman of St. Paul Park, Baron Brinkman of Emmetsburg, Abbey Kramer of West Des Moines, Chad Kramer of Cedar Rapids, and Levi and Bo Brinkman of Long Branch, Minnesota; and great-grandchildren, Kally and Karly Brinkman of Rochester.
©Belmond Independent 2006

Herman Boelman

November 22, 2002

Herman Boelman, 88, of Belmond died on Monday, November 13, 2006, at the Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Friday, November 17, at the First Reformed Church in Alexander, with Rev. Philip Arnold officiating. Burial was in the Meservey Cemetery. The Dugger Ewing Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Herman was born on August 28, 1918, in Iowa Township (hospital farm) to Will J. and Titcia (Frohling) Boelman. He married Esther Schmidt on January 30, 1941 in Aplington.

Herman was an avid sports fan. He was a state official in baseball and softball for twenty-six years. Herman lived his life trucking, grinding feed, and driving motor homes from 1970-1995. He loved the Chicago Cubs and enjoyed going to his daughter's ceramic shop and painting every day.

Herman was a former member of the First Reformed and a member of the Bethany Reformed in Belmond. He was connected to teaching in the church for 45 years and was a lay preacher for over 20 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one brother; two sisters; three great-grandchildren; and his special friend, Freda.

Survivors include daughters, Judy (Gene) Draper of Alexander, Jo Ann "Nina" (Don) Pals of Mason City and Anita (Larry) Parks of Latimer; grandchildren, Jacki (Alan) Anderson, Ken (Jodi) Draper, Mike (Julie) Draper, Troy (Nichi) Pals, Tony (Tami) Pals, Micki (Jason) Schleisman and Chad (Tammy) Parks; great-grandchildren, Jessi, Savanah, Nathan, Tiara, Hailey, Marissa, Kylie, Jacob, Cody, Boston, Kenyon, Tyler, Cassidy, Tory, Cole, Mason, Jared, Hunter, Adra, Michael and Cooper; sisters, Dorothy Abbas of Belmond and Ruth Dorenkamp of Clear Lake; and brothers, Bud Boelman of Belmond and Daryl Boelman of Boone.
©Belmond Independent 2006

Phyllis Pals

November 22, 2006

Phyllis Pals, 91, of Belmond, died on Thursday, November 16, 2006.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 20, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond, with Pastor Troy Pflibsen officiating. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery.

Phyllis Joyce, was born on March 24, 1915 in Belmond, to Edwin Chester (Ned) and Julia (Nelson) Packard. She was educated in the Belmond school system and graduated in 1933. She was baptized on April 11, 1915 and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran.

Shortly after graduation, she purchased her first grocery store and became a prominent and successful business woman for 71 years. On November 14, 1937, Phyllis married Fred Pals and their children were Dean and Vicki.

Phyllis lived a very full life. She was so important to many people, and held in high esteem for her loyalty and integrity. Phyllis was a real promoter of Belmond. She was highly respected by her fellow business persons.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; brothers, Dighton and Bud Packard; and special sister-in-law, Marie.

Survivors include Phyllis's son, Dean and his family, son, Dighton (Krista) Pals and their children, Julia (Shane) Eckhoff and their daughters, Aubrey, Allysia and Brianne Pals; her daughter, Deana (Dwight) Koenan and their children, Lindsey and Shaun Koenan;

Survivors also include Phyllis's daughter, Vicki and Frank and their family, daughter, Joell Quigley and her son, Xavier, son, Ross (Amy) Quigley and their children, Eliza Joyce and Reid Thomas and daughter, Jerilyn Quigley; Phyllis's sisters, Norma Jeanne (Leland) Jenison of Belmond and Leila (Arvold) Jacobson of Sun City, Arizona; brother-in-law, Harold Smith of Belmond; and sister-in-law, Rosie Pals of Tampa Bay, Florida.
©Belmond Independent 2006

Marcia Harris

November 22, 2006

Marcia L. Harris, 56, of Belmond, died on Thursday, November 16, 2006, at home with her family by her side.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 21, at the Belmond United Methodist Church, with Pastor Mike Druhl officiating. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery.

Marcia Lynne, was born in Belmond on December 28, 1949, to Elmer "Mike" and Marjorie (Goeman) Christians. She was raised on a farm outside Kanawha and graduated from high school in 1968.

After completing her degree at Mankato Commercial College, she married Gary Harris on July 18, 1969 at the Wright Christian Reformed Church, rural Kanawha. They resided in Virginia for two years before returning to the Belmond area.

Marcia is remembered for her quick smile, infectious laughter and unending love for her family. She loved times spent with her children, grandchildren and friends. Marcia enjoyed listening to music and many private concerts performed by her daughter, Angie. She enjoyed collecting recipes and was assembling a personal cookbook to give to each family member.

Marcia loved to travel with Gary and would collect special rocks. She loved the water, and the family enjoyed boating, fishing and entertaining at Clear Lake. Following the discovery of her cancer in 2003, she vowed to capture photographs of sunsets to remember each day as a gift.

Marcia was a member of the Belmond United Methodist and volunteered many hours as Sunday School Superintendent and was active on the Christian Education Committee.

She was preceded in death by her father; and father-in-law.

Survivors include her husband; children, Valerie (Brent) Bryant of Columbia, Missouri, son, Jeffrey and special friend, Nicole Neuhring of Mason City and daughter, Angela of Des Moines; grandchildren, Katie and Jacob; special grandchildren, Colt, Taylor and Cidney; mother, Marjorie Christians; sister, Margaret (Doyce) Pringnitz of Kanawha; brother, Michael (Laurie) Christians of Kanawha; mother-in-law, Emily Harris of Lake Cornelia; sisters-in-law, Vicki (Dan) Jackson of Clear Lake, Chris (Bill) Broshar of Kanawha and Lori (Don) Lemieux.
©Belmond Independent 2006

Edith Evans

November 22, 2006

Edith L. Evans, 86, died on Friday, November 17, 2006, at the Belmond Care Center.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 28, at 10:30 a.m., at the Kanawha Lutheran Church. A private burial will be held before the service in the Amsterdam Township Cemetery.

Edith Louella, the daughter of Nels A. and Christena Omvig Nelson, was born on November 19, 1919 at Kanawha. She married Millard Evans on March 12, 1937.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Sharon Kennedy; five brothers; and two sisters.

Survivors include her son, Jim (Raeann) Evans of Kansas; daughters, Delores (Roger) Birdsall of Sheffield, Donna (Dean) Legg of Louisiana and Deanna (Bob) MacNamara of Meservey; sisters, Agnes (John) Carlson of Des Moines and Darlene (Benny) Smith of Clear Lake.
©Belmond Independent 2006

Kathryn Christenson

November 22, 2006

Kathryn A. Christenson, 91, of Belmond, died on Sunday, November 19, 2006, at the Belmond Medical Center Hospice, after a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 22, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, with Rev. Troy Pflibsen officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Kathryn was born on a farm near Eagle Grove on April 3, 1915, the daughter of Knute and Alma (Gunderson) Severson, and the fourth of seven children. She attended country school through the eighth grade and then the Belmond High School. Following her mother's death, Kathryn stepped into the role of helping her father care for her siblings.

On March 7, 1935, she married Clifford E. Christenson of Kanawha. They farmed in the Belmond area until 1950, when they purchased a farm near Lake Mills. They farmed there 30 years and retired to Belmond in 1980.

Kathryn enjoyed her life on the farm, gardening, canning, sewing and helping with the livestock. She was active in the Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Scarville Community School, and civic groups in Scarville and Belmond. She especially enjoyed her family, making quilts, clothing and doll clothes for children and grandchildren who called her Grandma Kat.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1993; sisters, Myrtle, Leila and Betty; and brother, Sanford.

Survivors include her son, David (Ruth) Christenson of Emmons, Minnesota; daughter, Karen (Herbert) Brand of Hollandale, Minnesota; grandchildren, Lori (Clark) Erickson, Jodi Kilborn, Danny (Heidi) Christenson, Jill (Pieter) Louters, Stephanie (Sean) Passingham and Matthew (Amy) Brand; great-grandchildren, Ryan, Kara, Nathan, Brianne, Scott, Morgan, Lindsay, Alicia, Pieter, Jacob, Kathryn and Abigail; step-great-grandchildren, Jocelyn, Madison and Drew; brother, Kenneth Severson of Clarion; sister, Elaine Lenz of Mason City; brother-in-law, Lloyd (Eunice) Christenson of Belmond; and sisters-in-law, Maxine Morris of Hayward, California and Carol Christenson of Forest City.
©Belmond Independent 2006

Eric Buseman

November 30, 2006

Eric N. Buseman, 61, of West Des Moines, a long-time resident of Belmond, died on Saturday, November 25, 2006, at the Mercy Hospice House in Johnston after a long battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 28, at the Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, with Pastor Caroline Boehnke-Becker officiating.

A visitation in Belmond will take place from 4-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, November 29, at the Dugger Ewing Funeral Home in Belmond. A private burial will take place in the Belmond Cemetery.

Eric is survived by his children, Todd (Michelle) Buseman of Belmond, Cathy (Ryan) Johnson of Urbandale, Wendy (Brian) Lambert of West Des Moines and Beth (Josh) Kaiser of Cumming; brother, Harold (Donna) Buseman of Belmond; companion, Bets Kohnen; and grandchildren, Ashlyn, Alex, Ella, Mya, Evan and Elise.
©Belmond Independent 2006

Robert V. Nelson

November 30, 2006

Robert V. Nelson, 86, a longtime Belmond resident, died on Wednesday, November 29, 2006, at the Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 2, at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church, with Rev. Lowell Halvorson officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery.

Survivors include son, Robert D. (Charlene) Nelson of Belmond; granddaughter, Marietta (Brad) Bittle and their children, Ian Bradford, Maeve Catherine and Caroline Joy all of Chesapeake, Virginia; grandson, Matthew (Christina) Nelson and their children, Aaron Robert, Marcus Michael and Abigail Lorraine Nelson all of Belmond; brothers, Dale (Duann) Nelson of Santa Barbara, Harold (Doris) Nelson of Belmond and Roger (Barbara) Nelson of Santa Barbara; sister, Velva Draper of Las Vegas; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Keith Bailey of Tacoma, Washington, Eunice (Lloyd) Christenson, Avis Hopkey, Opal Ellingston and Ray (Becky) Ellingston, all of Belmond.
©Belmond Independent 2006