Gladys Theis-Grube 

NEW HAVEN - Gladys Theis-Grube, 95, formerly of New Haven, died Thursday, Feb. 26, 2002, at the Ninth St. Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 2, 2002, at St. Peter Catholic Church in New Haven with Monsignor Stanley J. Hayek officiating. Interment will be in St. Peter Catholic Cemetery in New Haven. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 1, 2002, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage with a Scripture Service at 7 p.m. and will continue one hour before services at the church on Saturday.

Gladys was born May 7, 1906, in McCallsburg, the daughter of Pearl and Olive (Wilden) Womack. She was educated in Howard County. She worked as a midwife in Howard and Mitchell Counties. On Feb. 14, 1928, she married Gilbert M. Theis at St. Peter Catholic Church in New Haven. They lived their entire married life on a farm east of New Haven until they retired to Osage and later moved to Charles City. On Sept. 1, 1986, Gilbert passed away. On Oct. 1, 1995, Gladys was united in marriage to John Grube in Charles City where she continued to live until she moved to the Care Center Oct. 30, 2001, where she passed away. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking and raising chickens. She was active in her church and community. Her biggest joy was her family and grandchildren. Gladys will be remembered for her active involvement in planning family reunions.

Living family members include her husband, John Paul Grube of Charles City; four children, Mary Jensen and her husband Melvin of Osage; Veronica Goodale of Manly; George Theis and his wife Theresa of Plymouth; Margaret (Maggie) Weber and her husband Larry of Charles City; Daughter-in-law Nancy (Theis) Hemann and her husband Gervase of Riceville; brother Jim Womack and his wife Gert of Riceville; sister-in-law Hazel Theis of Lansing; 26 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband Gilbert M. Theis, her parents, a son Norbert Theis, son-in-law Bill Goodale, four brothers, and six sisters.

March 3 - 9, 2002 

Ann Steil

Ann Louise Harms Steil, 92, of Reinbeck and formerly of Charles City, died Sunday, March 7, 2002, at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 10, at the First Congregational Church, Charles City, with Pastor Gale A. Richards of Colwell United Church of Christ officiating. Burial will take place in Sunnyside Memory Gardens, Charles City. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 9, from 6-8 p.m. at Sunnyside Chapel Funeral Home and Wednesday at the church one hour prior to the service.

Ann Louise Harms was born March 9, 1910, in Alden, Iowa, the daughter of Dick and Rose (Shultz) Harms. She was baptized and Cradle Roll membership at the Congregational Church in Alden. She moved with her parents to Titonka, Iowa, at the age of four where she received her education in the Titonka Consolidated School, graduating with the Class of 1928. On Nov. 7, 1928, she was united in marriage to Fred Steil at St. Benedict, Iowa. They farmed near Wesley, Iowa, until moving to Charles City on a farm south of town in 1937. They purchased in 1946 the farm near Powersville where they lived until retirement in 1975, at which time they moved to 805 Seventh Ave. in Charles City. She was a member of the First Congregational Church since moving to town.

Living family members include two sons: Alan and his wife, Darlene, of Charles City, and Donald of Baker, La.; two daughters: JoAnn and her husband, Marvin Hamann, of Reinbeck, and Carol Janssen of Charles City; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; a brother, Edward, and his wife Dawne Harms of Titonka; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, on April 2, 1985; her parents; a grandson, Jimmy Dean Steil; and a son-in-law, Roger Janssen; twin sisters; three brothers; an infant baby sister; a sister-in-law, Bertha Harms; and a daughter-in-law, Ruth Steil.

Edwin Schrage

Edwin P. \Ed' Schrage, 66, of 1970 270th St. Marble Rock, died Friday, March 8, 2002, at Mercy Hospital of North Iowa.

Funeral Services for Ed will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2002, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Marble Rock with the Rev. Patricia Shaw officiating. Interment will be in Westside Cemetery in Marble Rock.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., Charles City, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to service time on Tuesday at the church.

Edwin Paul Schrage was born July 19, 1935, in rural Greene. He was one of two sons of Clarence and Valda (Walsh) Schrage. He attended school in at rural Butler County, and afterwards joined his father's farming operation. Edwin raised quarter horses, hogs, cattle, chickens, and later draft horses. He retired in the late nineties due to health reasons.

On June 19, 1955, he was united in marriage to Dora Christensen at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. To this union was born two sons. He was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church and was formerly on the church council. He was also a member of the farm bureau. He enjoyed reading the paper, and always the Draft Horse Journal.

Edwin is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Dora, of Marble Rock; two sons, Duane Schrage of Charles City; Philip Schrage and his wife, Carol, Marble Rock; three grandchildren; Brittany, Lindsay, and Courtney Schrage, one brother, Linus Schrage and his wife, Sandy, of Charles City; one sister-in-law, Bernice Tapley of Elma; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents preceded him in death.

                            Updated by Marie Thompson on  11 March 2002

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March 10 - 16, 2002 

Myrtle Spurbeck

 Myrtle C. Spurbeck, 95, 212 15th Ave., died Sunday, March 10, 2002, at Riverside Chautauqua Guest Home, Charles City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., Charles City.

Karl Gabelmann

AMES - Karl Frederick Gabelmann,77, of Ames, died Tuesday, March 12, 2002, at the Riverside Manor Guest Home in Ames. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 16, 2002, at Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, with the Rev. John Amiel Anderson officiating. Visitation will be today, Friday, March 15, 2002, at 6 p.m. until 8 p.m at Fullerton Hage Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services. Interment will be held in the United Church of Christ Pleasant Cemetery in Nashua.

Albert Gerritson

Albert Gerritson, 84, a resident of 2652 155th Street, Charles City, died Thursday, March 14, 2002, at North Iowa Mercy Health Center in Mason City.

Funeral services for Albert Gerritson will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 2002, at the First Baptist Church in Charles City. The Rev. Ruth Yeaton, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Sunnyside Memory Gardens rural Charles City. Military Honors will be conducted by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit. Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4 to 8 p.m.. today, March 15, 2002, and from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday. Visitation will continue at the church an hour prior to service.

Albert T. Gerritson was born Nov. 26, 1917, at Rock Valley, the son of Thomas and Jennie (Steck) Gerritson. He attended the Rock Valley School. Albert was called to serve his country during World War II in the United States Army from April 8, 1941 to Aug. 21, 1946. During that time he was in Ireland, England, Africa, and Italy. For his service he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster, Silver Star, 4 Bronze Battle Stars, and the prestigious Purple Heart. On April 22, 1946, Albert and Eula Lines were united in marriage at Mason City. Eula died on March 16, 1998. Albert was a farmer and also had worked at White Farm Equipment Company. He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he had served on the Deacon Board, Board of Trustees, and the Nominating Committee, and was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans. Albert enjoyed listening to Blue Grass music, square dancing, camping, and spending time with his family and friends.

Living family members include a son, Gary Gerritson and wife Linda of Floyd; and two grandchildren, Michelle Shimek and husband Brian, and Michael Gerritson.

His parents, wife, four brothers, and four sisters preceded him in death.

The family suggests that memorials be directed to the First Baptist Church.

John Morris Learn

John Morris Learn, 97, formerly of Charles City, died Tuesday, March 12, 2002 in Watertown, SD.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 16, 2002, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 601 Milwaukee St., Charles City. Officiating will be the Rev. Dianne Christopher, Senior Pastor. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Charles City. Visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church on Saturday.

John was born April 20, 1904, the son of Bradley and Elizabeth K. (Hansel) Learn in Garber. On Sept. 20, 1925, John was united in marriage to Dorothy A. Merrill. The couple celebrated 55 years together before Dorothy died in July of 1980. John farmed until 1949 in the Charles City area. After he quit farming he operated a gas station in Charles City until 1953. John worked for Smith Lumber Co. for a while and then went to work for Salsbury Laboratories; he retired from there in 1969. He then went to work in the Floyd Co. Court House for a couple of years trying to retire again in 1971. John wasn't done yet, he returned to work as the Charles City City Parks foreman. He finally retired in 1979. In September of 1980 John moved to Watertown, SD where he was closer to his one son, Donald.

John loved to be outside working in the garden, tending to his flowerbeds, hunting, or going fishing. But was especially fond of spending time with his children.

Living family members include his two sons, Robert Learn of Osteen, Fla., Donald Learn of Watertown, S.D., 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 21 great-great-grandchildren.

Mr. Learn was preceded in death by his parents, wife Dorothy, one sister, and three brothers.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to direct memorials to the John Learn Memorial Fund.

Marie Bier

Marie E. Bier, 92, of 308 2nd. Ave, died Thursday, March 14, 2002, at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital, Charles City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 18, 2002, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 S. Main St, Charles City, with Rev. Dennis Niezwaag officiating. Visitation will begin at 4-8 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2002, at Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St. Charles City. Interment will be held in Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.

Other funeral arrangements are incomplete with Fullerton Hage Funeral Home.

                          Updated by Marie Thompson on 17 March 2002

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March 17 - 23, 2002 

Duane Assink 

MENOMONIE, Wisc.. - Duane Assink, 59, of Menomonie, Wisc., died Monday, March 18, 2002, at his home. Memorial services will be held Thursday, March 21, 2002, at 4 p.m. at the Olson Funeral Home, Menomonie, Wis. Burial will be at a later date following cremation.

Duane was born Sept. 6, 1942, at Clarion, the son of George and Vivian (Oxley) Assink. He attended school at Kanawha and graduated from Kanawha High School in 1960. Duane was a dairy farmer, 4-H member and showed dairy cattle at the Hancock County Fair in Kanawha.

He married Judy Eliason June 14, 1961. To this union five children were born. On Nov. 22, 1982, he married Kris Nielsen.

Duane was employed as a Dairy Herd Improvement Association tester in a dairy consulting business and owned a water purification business. At the time of his death he was employed by Rydil Sales & Service in Menomonie, Wis. He enjoyed his involvement with the dairy industries, watching NASCAR races and his favorite race car driver, Dale Jarrett, and most of all spending time with his family and grandchildren, and his many friends.

Living family members include his wife, Kris of Menomonie, Wis.; three daughters, Doreen Elliott of Austin, Minn., Deb Jorgensen and her husband, James of Charles City, and Denette and her husband, Dave Altick, Osage; two sons, Doug Assink, Faribault, Minn., and Dan Assink and his wife, Amy of Charles City; one stepson Brian Fox, Madison, Wisc.; eight grandchildren, Minessa Elliott, Austin, Minn., Heather and Hilary Altick, both of Osage, Ryan Assink of Charles City, Justin and Nicholas Swant, both of Charles City, Brooke Assink of Charles City, Jayden Jorgensen of Charles City; three step grandchildren, Paige Fox of Iowa City, and Kami and Dallas Fox, both of Waterloo; four brothers, Rod of Webster City, Ron of Modesto, Calif., Dave of Minneapolis, Minn. and Gary of Fitchburg, Wisc.

He was preceded in death by his parents George and Vivian (Oxley) Assink

                Updated by Marie Thompson on 21 March 2002

March 24 - 31, 2002

 Alyce Bakkum 

OSAGE - Alyce E. Bakkum, age 87, of Riceville, and formerly of Osage, died Monday, March 25, 2002 at the Riceville Community Rest Home in Riceville.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, March 28, 2002, at the United Methodist Church (308 Woodland), in Riceville. Interment will follow at the Osage Cemetery.

Champion Bucheit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, (641) 732-3706.

Roy Majewski

Roy Majewski, 84, a resident of 201 1st Avenue, Charles City, died Tuesday, March 26, at the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City. A funeral Mass for Roy Majewski will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 2, 2002, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Monsignor Stanley Hayek, Pastor, will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, April 1, 2002, where the St. Jude Circle will recite the Rosary at 4:30 p.m., and where there will be a Vigil Scriptural Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the Mass at the church.

Roy Edward Majewski was born January 3, 1918, in Floyd County, the son of Edward and Sadie (Meek) Majewski. Roy graduated in 1937 from the Sacred Heart Academy in Greene. He served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1943. On July 3, 1943, he was united in marriage to Pauline Canoe at St. Marys Catholic Church in Greene. Roy worked as a finish carpenter for V.F. Moltz Construction for 35 years. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the American Legion. Roy enjoyed cooking, gardening, and nature, finding special satisfaction feeding the birds.

Living family members include a daughter, Alice Somodji and husband Frank of Palatine, Ill.; a son, Edward Majewski and wife, Beverly of Sacramento, Calif.; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife in 1994, and a brother, Dale Majewski.

The family suggests memorials be directed to Hospice of North Iowa Charles City site, the Immaculate Conception Vision for the Future School Fund.

Josephine Howe

MASON CITY - Josephine Howe, 100, of Mason City, died Tuesday, March 26, 2002, at USA Healthcare. Memorial Services will be at 2 p.m. today, Thursday, March 28, 2002, at Major Erickson Funeral Home in Mason City with the Rev. Douglas Anderson officiating. There will be visitation one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Josephine was born August 2, 1901, in Kossuth County near Buffalo Center, the daughter of Kingsbury and Anna Belle (Tulley) Howe. She graduated from Greene High School in 1919, attended the University of Iowa and completed her bachelors degree at the University of Colorado in 1953. Josephine's entire professional life was devoted to teaching. Prior to coming to Mason City in 1945 she taught in Fertile, Lansing, Cresco and Boone. In Mason City she taught fifth grade at Washington, Harding and Lincoln Schools. She was active in educational organizations serving as an officer for the North Central ISEA Classroom Teachers and was also a longtime member of Delta Kappa Gamma, international honorary fraternity for women educators. Josephine was a great lover of the out-of-doors and nature in general and owned a cabin in northern Minnesota for more than six decades. She was a steadfast friend, not only to humans, but to animals as well, particularly to the family dogs Bandi, Daisy and Skyler.

Living family members include nieces, Virginia Brinkman and Evelyn Jensen and a nephew, Alto Howe, all of Charles City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Charles, Harry, Earl, John and Robert (in infancy) and nephews Kenneth, Wilbur, Clyde and Robert Howe and a niece Florence Poe.

Memorials may be directed to the Humane Society of North Iowa.

Thelma Beckwith

Thelma J. Cross Welch Beckwith, 91, formerly of 1305 North Grand, died Friday, March 29, 2002, at the Salsbury Baptist Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday April 2, 2002, at Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., Charles City, with the Rev. Arthur Wagner officiating. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Thelma was born Sept. 18, 1910, the daughter of James and Aremetta (Goodale) Cross in rural Floyd County. Thelma spent her entire life in the Charles City area.

Thelma loved spending time with her family. She could often be found baking goodies in her spare time. Thelma enjoyed going gambling, playing cards, watching baseball, and joining in any type of fun activity. Thelma was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and the Faith Bible Chapel.

Those thankful for having shared in Thelmas life include her two daughters: Sharon Aringdale and her husband, Lavern, of Charles City, Rebecca Kielsmeier and her husband, Edward, of Charles City; two step daughters; Nancy Norman and her husband, Louis, of Albia, Iowa, and Barbara Ouderkerk and her husband, Don, of Alaska; three grandchildren: Shari Brunsting, Robert Aringdale and Bili Jo Buseman; four great grandchildren: Shara Brunsting, Joshua Buseman, McCauley Buseman and Austin Buseman; and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Beckwith was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don, one daughter, Ramona Welch, one stepson Larry Beckwith, five sisters: Daisy, Merle, Gertrude, Lillian, and Lucile; three brothers: Hollis, Charles, and Jack.

Robert Ortman

Robert Herman Ortman, 82, of 800 8th St., Charles City, died Thursday, March 28, 2002, at Riverside Chautauqua Guest Home, Charles City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2002, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 South Main St., Charles City, with the Rev. Curt Schneider officiating. Interment will be held in Sunnyside Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held from 5 until 8 p.m. Monday at Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., Charles City. Visitation will continue Tuesday one hour prior to services at the church.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to direct memorials to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Parkinsons Disease Research, or to ones personal choice.

Robert Herman Ortman was born Jan. 14, 1920, in Guttenburg, Iowa, the only son of Fred and Alma (Geuder) Ortman. While he was still a young boy his family moved to Charles City, Iowa. He attended the Charles City School district and later graduated in 1937.

On October 11, 1941 Robert was united in marriage to Laura Maulsby in Charles City. To this union were born twins, Kay Allene and Kent Allen. Robert was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

Robert was an avid sportsman who enjoyed playing basketball, running track, and playing baseball in high school. He loved being in the great outdoors, trapping, and hunting, especially birds. His great passion was golf, which he started playing as a young boy when he caddied at Wildwood Golf Course.

Robert enjoyed gardening, especially experimenting with new plants and propagating plants. He also enjoyed remodeling and decorating houses and doing woodworking.

Robert had a short employment with Sherman Nursery, then became employed at Salsbury-Solvay. He began working at Salsbury in 1939 and retired 46 years later in 1985. In 1953 Robert was transferred to Atlanta, Ga., to open a new branch for Salsbury. He returned to Charles City in 1988.

Robert was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church and was very active in many of the church activities.

In Robert's final years he was stricken with Parkinson's Disease.

He will be sadly missed by his wife Laura; children Kent Ortman and his wife, Rada, of Navarre, Fla., Kay Lutts and her husband, Terry, of Denver, Colo.; four grandchildren: Robert Ortman and his wife, Vicki, Judi Locke and her husband, Stephen, all of Jonesboro, Ark., Laura-Lee Ault and her husband, Alex, and Ashley Lutts all of Denver, Colo.; two great grandsons; two great granddaughters; and two sisters, Olga Bungum of Austin, Minn., and Bernice McConnell of Webster City, Iowa.

Mr. Ortman was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Miriam Kientop, and three nephews.

Allegra Smith

OSAGE - Allegra Mae Smith, age 83, of Osage, died Friday, March 29, 2002, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2002, at First United Methodist Church in Osage. Interment will be at the Osage Cemetery.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage is in charge of the arrangements.

Helen Smalley

OSAGE - Helen E. Smalley, age 89, of Osage died Friday, March 29, 2002, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage, Iowa. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2002, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in New Haven. Interment will be in St. Peter's Cemetery.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, 702 State St. in Osage, is in charge of the arrangements.

Marvin Ayers

APLINGTON, Iowa - Funeral services for Marvin G. Ayers, age 74, of Aplington, Iowa, will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2002, at the Redman-Schwartz Funeral Homes in Aplington. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Aplington.

Marvin died at 4:51 p.m. Friday, March 29, 2002, at the Sartori Memorial Hospital from complications from a stroke.