Mary M. Arvizu

May 11, 2006

Mary M. Arvizu, 90, of Urbandale, passed away on Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at her home.

Funeral services were held on Monday, May 8, at the Iles Funeral Homes-Westover Chapel, Des Moines. Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m., at the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Mary M. Evans, was born on January 9, 1916 in Chapin, the daughter of William and Margaret (DeReus) Evans. She grew up in Clarion where she graduated from high school in 1933. She taught country school in the area until moving to California to attend the University of Southern California. She met her husband, Joseph Arvizu in California and they lived in Pasadena for two years before moving to Cedar Rapids in 1962, where they lived for the next 32 years.

Mary worked for Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids as a Parts Analyst, supplying parts for the space shuttles. After her retirement, she and Joe moved to Des Moines in 1994 to be near their family. Mary was a member of the Glen Echo Christian Church.

Mary is survived by two children, Christine Arvizu of Urbandale and David Arvizu and wife, Rebecca of Clive; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Carl Francis Elkin

May 11, 2006

Carl Francis Elkin, 91, of Webster City, died on Thursday, May 4, 2006, at the Trinity Regional Medical Center, Fort Dodge.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, May 6, at the Asbury United Methodist Church, Webster City. Rev. Pete Peterson officiated at the 1:30 p.m. service. Private committal services were held at the Graceland Cemetery prior to the memorial service.

Carl Francis Elkin, was born on June 13, 1914 at Normal, Illinois, the son of Grigg and Lucy Sparks Elkin. He grew up on farms at Williams and Webster City.

On July 6, 1941, he married Ruth Irene Miller at Webster City. After their marriage, they moved to Eagle Grove and operated a service station. During World War II the family lived in Davenport where Carl worked at the Rock Island Arsenal. Following the war, he drove a bulk gas delivery truck. They moved to Clarion, where he owned and operated a gasoline delivery service. In 1951, they started farming north of Webster City. Carl loved farming and made it his life's work. He especially enjoyed farming side by side with his son, Darle. His wife, Ruth died on December 29, 2004. He moved to the Villa Cottages at Fort Dodge in 2005.

He was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church, serving on several boards and was an usher. In his custom-built woodworking shop, Carl and Ruth spent many hours turning native oak and walnut into beautiful furniture and decorative items, including confirmation gifts for Asbury United Methodist classes.

Carl is survived by one daughter, Joan Greiner and husband, Thomas of Ames; one son, Darle Elkin and wife, Carrie of Webster City; three grandchildren; two great-grandsons; two brothers, Don Elkin of Webster City and Grigg Elkin of Eagle Grove; and several nieces and nephews.

Rose Marie (Ehrhardt) Matsler

May 25, 2006

Rose Marie Matsler, 80, of Sinton, Texas, formerly of Elkader, died on Tuesday, May 9, 2006.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, May 16, at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Elkader. Burial was in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Elkader.

Rose Marie Ehrhardt, was born the fourth child of Edward H. and Delia (Cain) Ehrhardt. She graduated from the St. Joseph's School and worked a year during World War II at the Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria, Illinois. She attended the Waterloo School of Beauty Culture in Waterloo.

Returning to Elkader, she worked with her sister, Marguerite Berns for several years until her marriage on June 18, 1949 to Myron L. Matsler of Rantoul, Illinois, who worked in Elkader at the Goodyear Tire Store.

Rose and Myron lived in Elkader, Hampton, Clarion, Blue Earth, Minnesota, Mobridge, South Dakota and Montevideo, Minnesota before moving to Sinton, Texas in 1972.

Survivors include two daughters, Lynn Brod and husband, Thomas of Bulverde, Texas and Susan Merkler and husband, Michael of Sinton, Texas; one son, Michael Matsler and wife, Jane of Sinton Texas; one grandson; a sister-in-law, Fonda Matsler of Amarillo, Texas; brother-in-law, Larry Berns of Elkader; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Kathryn Hagie West

May 11, 2006

Kathy Hagie West, 63, died on Thursday, May 4, 2006, after a long, almost five year battle with breast cancer.

Alvin Edwards

May 18, 2006

Alvin Edwards, 89, of Eagle Grove, passed away on Friday, May 12, 2006, at the Rotary Ann Nursing Home, Eagle Grove.

Funeral services were held on Monday, May 15, at the Holmes Lutheran Church. Pastor Stan Peterson officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Holmes Lutheran Cemetery, rural Holmes.

Alvin Edwards, was born on February 18, 1917 at Holmes, the son of Adolf and Marie (Skadburg) Edwards. He was raised and educated in the area of his birth, attending rural country schools.

Alvin lived in Goldfield for many years before moving to the farm where he has lived for the past 25 years. He was a grain and livestock trucker and provided custom baling, combining and corn shelling, along with his farming business.

Alvin was baptized and confirmed in the Holmes Lutheran Church where he was a member. He enjoyed fishing when he was younger, but farming was his greatest hobby.

He is survived by six nieces and nephews, Arlo Edwards and wife, Rebecca of Goldfield, Marlin Edwards and wife, Marlene of Des Moines, Carolyn Nordin and husband, Dan of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Rodney Edwards and wife, Karen of Lodi, California, Con Edwards of Silver Springs, California and Betty Watne and husband, Jon of Clarion; 17 great-nieces and nephews; and numerous great-great nieces and nephews.

Vivian M. Chantrill-Beck

May 18, 2006

Vivian M. Chantrill-Beck, 84, of Estherville, passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2006, at the Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 17, at the First United Methodist Church, Swea City. Pastor Todd Hartsock officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Interment was in the Amsterdam Township Cemetery, Kanawha.

Vivian Marie Jensen, was born on October 6, 1921 at Tyler, Minnesota, the daughter of Chris and Rose (Brown) Jensen.

She received her education in the Tyler, Minnesota schools, graduating from the Tyler High School.

She and Ralph E. Chantrill, were united in marriage in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania on September 6, 1941. After their marriage, the couple farmed in central Iowa. Ralph passed away on December 17, 1964. Vivian was then employed as a dental assistant in Clarion.

On November 14, 1979, she was united in marriage to William Beck at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. After their marriage the couple made their home in Swea City. Vivian worked at the Pro-Advantage Insurance Agency and the Henry-Olson Funeral Home.

Vivian was a member of the First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Rebecca Lodge, and the VFW Auxiliary.

She is survived by her husband, William of Swea City; two daughters, Judy Wilkinson and husband, Jon of Kanawha and Carol VanDePol of Ames; two stepdaughters, Sandra Voss and Phil Specht of Algona and Barbara Johnson and husband, Gary of Billings, Montana; ten grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert Jensen of Texas; one sister, LaVonne Hollenbeck and husband, Leo of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

Michael George Ansel

May 25, 2006

Michael George Ansel, 47, of Dows, passed away on Tuesday, May 15, 2006, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Friday, May 19, at the St. John's Catholic Church, Clarion. Father Chris Podhjsky officiated at the 10:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Clarion.

Michael George Ansel, was born on August 30, 1958 in Elmhurst, Illinois, the son of Raymond and Barbara (Andorf) Ansel. Mike and his family moved to Iowa in 1961. He graduated from the Kanawha High School in 1977.

Harley D. LaRue

May 25, 2006

Harley D. LaRue, 83, of Dows, died on Thursday, May 18, 2006, at the Trinity Regional Medical Center, Fort Dodge.

Funeral services were held on Monday, May 22, at the Park Church of Christ, Goldfield. Pastors David Miller and Robert Dishman officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove.

Harley D. LaRue, was born on April 16, 1923 in Dows, the son of Dewey and Helen (Appleby) LaRue. He attended country schools and graduated from the Eagle Grove High School in 1943. In October of 1943, Harley was united in marriage with Jean Baker in Eagle Grove. Harley served during World War II in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946.

Harley was employed with Farmland Industries from 1947 to his retirement in 1988.

He enjoyed painting his antiques and farming with his Allis Chalmers. He also liked watching game shows, woodworking and spending time with family and friends.

Harley is survived by a son, Alvin LaRue and wife, Sheila; three daughters, Bonnie Pauls and husband, Doug, Barb LaRue and Bev LaRue, all of Eagle Grove; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Boyd LaRue and wife, Betty of Clarion and Earl LaRue and wife, Dee of Des Moines; and a sister, Arlene Hanson of Eagle Grove.

Ronald D. Grove

June 1, 2006

Ronald D. Grove, 72, of West Des Moines, died on Monday, May 22, 2006, at his home, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Ron was born on December 17, 1933 in Dows. He graduated from the Clarion High School in 1951, then served honorably in the U.S. Navy for three years. Following college, he enjoyed a distinguished 45-year career as a grain merchandiser with various companies in the Midwest. In 2004, he retired after 18 years at the Heartland Co-op in West Des Moines. Throughout his life he enjoyed gardening, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Dorie of West Des Moines; three sons, Todd Grove of Garner, Dave Grove and wife, Susie of Broomfield, Colorado and Doug Grove and wife, Patti of Naperville, Illinois; one daughter, Amy Bejarno and husband, Paul of Clive; and ten grandchildren.

Glenn I. Miner

June 22, 2006

Glenn Ira Miner, 84, of Seattle and Lake Stevens, Washington, and a former Clarion resident, died on Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

A memorial service was held on Sunday, June 11, at the Snohomish United Methodist Church, Seattle, Washington.

Glenn Ira Miner, was born on May 17, 1922 in Hampton. He married his childhood sweetheart, Jean in 1942. Health problems kept him out of World War II, but he and Jean ventured west to work for Boeing during the War. When the War ended, so did the jobs, so they traveled back to Iowa to farm the small family farm. Later Glenn and Jean and their four children, moved back to Washington and Glenn returned to work for Boeing, where he spent the rest of his career.

A man of faith, Glenn was a long time member of the Highland Park Methodist Church in Seattle, Washington, and later joined the Snohomish United Methodist Church. He was a honest and hardworking man who could always be counted on, whether it was supporting and encouraging his family or helping a friend.

Marshall Edgar Short

June 1, 2006

Marshall Edgar Short, 88, of Clarion, formerly of Mendon and Stillwell, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2006, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 31, at the Hunter Funeral Home in Mendon. Rev. Oliver Taube officiated at the service. Interment followed in the New Loraine Cemetery with military rites accorded. Memorials may be given to the Loraine United Methodist Church.

Marshall Edgar Short, was born on December 29, 1917 in Loraine, Illinois, the only son of Willard and Mary May Nelson Short of Stillwell. He graduated from the Stillwell Grade School and attended West Point High School. He married Mary Louisa Seward on December 31, 1943, in Hugo, Oklahoma.

During World War II he served in the U.S. Army for four years, 15 months of which was in Okinawa. After the war, he lived on and farmed the Short Centennial farm at Stillwell. During this time, he was a 4-H Leader and was active in raising and showing registered sheep at the county and state fairs with his only child, Dennis.

He was named an Honorary Chapter Farmer of the Bowen FFA in 1968 and was selected Adams County Shepherd in 1982. He was a member of the Methodist Church and the Bowen American Legion. Marshall and Mary retired to Mendon in 1985 where he enjoyed gardening, woodworking and flea markets. After a stroke in 1996, Marshall and Mary moved to the Meadows, an assisted living facility in Clarion, to be closer to their son. Mary passed away on December 20, 2000.

Merle L. Markwardt

June 8, 2006

Merle L. Markwardt, 50, of Milford, passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2006, at the Lakes Regional Hospital in Spirit Lake, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Funeral services were held on Friday, June 2, at 2:00 p.m., at the Okoboji High School in Milford.

Merle Markwardt, was born on July 6, 1955 in Webster City. He attended the Webster City Schools K-12. He attended Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Mesa College in Grand Junction, Colorado, and Graceland College in Lamoni, where he received his teaching endorsement. He taught in Wymore, Nebraska for two years, 22 years at Okoboji, and one year at Emmetsburg. He received his Masters Degree of Education in April 2006. Over the years, Merle has taught business courses, driver's education, and coached wrestling, baseball and track.

Merle was manager at the Boji Bay Water Park and was a supervisor at Arnold's Park Amusement Park. He was actively involved in his church, Spirit Life Fellowship, in Spirit Lake, where he was a board member and church treasurer for many years.

Merle is survived by his wife, Teresa (Southard) Markwardt (daughter of Leslie and Shirley Southard of Clarion); and five sons, Marty and wife, Janette, Levi and wife, Moriah, Brett and wife, Amee, Josiah and Cameron; four grandchildren; several nieces and nephew; mother, Clarice Markwardt; two sisters, Pat Nokes and Bonnie McCausland; and two brothers, Steve and Ken Markwardt.