She had been ill with Alzheimers for several years and was a resident of the Franklin Care Center, Franklin, Minnesota, at the time of her death.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Survivors include his wife, Gladys; children, Sandra Eberhard and husband, Dave of Des Moines, Linda Weiss and husband, Tom of Clarion, Nina Cullinan and husband, Tom of Carroll, Bruce Newcomb of Eagle Grove, Renae Handley and husband, Larry of Des Moines and George Newcomb and wife, Kathy of Fort Dodge; 18 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sisters, Norma Ringer of North Carolina and Dorothy Helgevold of California; brother, Don Newcomb of Eagle Grove; and many other relatives and friends.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

He was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn; his mother, Phyllis; his dad, Harold Waddell; and his father, Samuel Earl Stansberry, Jr.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Loretta Holthaus

January 18, 2007

Loretta Holthaus, 82, of West Des Moines and formerly of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2007, at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 13, at the St. John's Catholic Church in Clarion, with Father Chris Podhjsky officiating. Burial was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery.

Loretta Holthaus, the daughter of Egbert and Martha Paul, was born on October 29, 1924 in Manly. She graduated from the Mason City High School. After high school she worked for the FBI in Washington, D.C.

On February 13, 1956, Loretta was united in marriage to Clark Holthaus and moved to Clarion. She helped her husband with their business, All Star Pro Golf Inc.

She was a member of the St. John's Catholic Church in Clarion and a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee. She enjoyed traveling, music, golf. theatre and spending time with her family and friends.

Loretta is survived by her daughters, Annette Saunders and her husband, Joe of Denver, Colorado, Gail Bormann and her husband, John, Renee Hendricks and her husband, Peter and Wendy Unger and her husband, Randy, all of Waukee; son, Clark and his wife, Denise of Oskaloosa; sisters, Shirley Kalvig and her husband, Don of Northwood and Evelyn Flick of Mason City; brother, Egbert Paul; and nine grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clark; and an infant daughter.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Margaret Nadeen Gardner

January 18, 2007

Margaret Nadeen Gardner, 71, of Clarion, died on Monday, January 8, 2007, at the Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge.

Funeral services were held on Monday, January 15, 2007, at the Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home in Clarion. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Margaret Gardner, daughter of Harold J. and Gertrude E. (McNamee) Barden was born on May 2, 1935 in Iowa City. She graduated from the Lost Nation High School in 1953. On September 4, 1955 she was united in marriage to Donald Gardner in Clarion.

She had many hobbies and was known around the state for her photography at racetracks.

Margaret is survived by her children, Jay Dean Gardner and his wife, Gloria of Geneva, Bryan Gardner and his wife, Barb of Clarion, Julie Butler and her husband, Virgil of Clarion and James Fay Gardner of Ogden; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Donald.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Darwyne R. "Jake" Jacobson

January 18, 2007

Darwyne R. (Jake) Jacobson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 13, 2007, at the Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, January 19, at 2:00 p.m., at the Presbyterian Church in Dows, with Pastor Kalen Fristad officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Fairview Cemetery in Dows.

Darwyne was born on September 21, 1925 in rural Dows, to John R. and Caroline (Horstman) Jacobson. He was educated in the Dows Rural School system. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army Infantry, reaching the rank of corporal. While home on leave before shipping out to Korea, he was involved in a very serious auto accident. As a result, Darwyne spent the next six months in a military hospital.

Darwyne married Nona Bohnsack on February 14, 1953 at the Dows Presbyterian Church. At that time he started farming and raising cattle and hogs until retiring from the farm in 1983. During Darwyne's younger days he spent a lot of the summer months riding his Harley Davidsons on vacation trips. He also enjoyed attending cattle shows with his sons and later with his grandsons.

He was a member of the Dows Presbyterian Church, Rowan American Legion and several agriculture organizations.

Darwyne suffered a major stroke in 1995 and was a resident of the Dows and Clarion Health Care Centers until his death.

He is survived by his two sons, James Jacobson of Clarion and John Jacobson and fiancée, Patty from LeMars; five grandchildren; one great-grandson; and one sister, Marcelene Hitt of Dows.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Nona.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Joseph Hart

January 25, 2007

Joseph Hart, 94, formerly of Dows, passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2007, at the Belmond Medical Center.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, January 23, at the First Presbyterian Church, Dows. Pastor Kalen Fristad officiated at the 1:00 p.m. service. Military rites were provided by the Dows American Legion. An inurnment will be held at a later date.

Joseph Hart was born on October 19, 1912 in Williams, the youngest son of Joseph and Martha Knutson Hart. He grew to adulthood and graduated from the Williams High School in 1932. After graduation he operated his own restaurant in Williams and later bought the IGA Grocery Store there, which he operated until 1938 when he sold it and moved to Dows, where he was associated with his brother, Frank in Hart's Smoke Shop.

On August 11, 1939, he was united in marriage to Norma Crafton. In January, 1943, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps and was honorably discharged in December, 1945.

Joe was a salesman most of his life. He was a founding member of the Dows Golf Course and played his last round of golf there at the age of 92. He was a member of the Dows American Legion for more than 60 years and a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Dows, where he served as Trustee, Deacon and Elder.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Norma; and one niece, Jane Holt.

Joseph is survived by six nephews and one niece.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Richard Earl Cleveland

January 25, 2007

Richard Earl Cleveland, 85, of Eagle Grove, passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2007, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held at the Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove on Saturday, January 20, followed by graveside services at 11:00 a.m., at the Glenwood Cemetery in Goldfield.

Memorials may be directed to the Wright County Hospice or USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Richard Earl Cleveland, was born on July 25, 1921 in Goldfield, the son of Ralph E. and Pearl B. (Kassner) Cleveland. He was educated in Goldfield, Spencer and graduated from the Eagle Grove High School in 1942.

Richard served in the United States Army from 1942-1945, being stationed in Europe during World War II.

Richard worked as a mechanic for International Harvester of Goldfield and Clarion from 1947 until his retirement in 1981.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Eagle Grove. He was also a member of the Goldfield American Legion Post #0370. Richard enjoyed riding his electric scooter around Goldfield.

Richard is survived by his twin brother, Ralph R. Cleveland of Clarion; three nephews, Dennis Cleveland and wife, Betty Jean of Dallas, Texas, Roger Cleveland of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Dean Cleveland and wife, Gina of Clarion; four great-nephews; and two great-nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister-in-law, Betty Cleveland.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Jeannie Campbell

January 25, 2007

Jeannie Campbell, 54, of Belmond, passed away on Friday, January 19, 2007, at her home.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 25, at the Belmond United Methodist Church. Pastor Nancy Hofmeister will officiate at the 1:00 p.m. service. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery.

Jeannie Hopkey, was born on October 17, 1952, the daughter of Ardell and Florence (Robertson) Hopkey. She attended Belmond Schools and graduated from the Belmond High School class of 1971.

Jeannie was united in marriage to Duncan D. Campbell on August 14, 1971 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Following their marriage the couple farmed and raised their three sons on their farm south of Belmond for 32 years.

She was a life long member of the Belmond Untied Methodist Church, where she had been baptized and confirmed as a child. She had been a member of the Beta Sigma Upsilon Sorority since 1982. She was a Hospice volunteer and drove the Belmond Community Care Car for seniors for a number of years.

Jeannie moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota in September of 2004, where she was a full-time nanny and enjoyed the companionship of her friend, Richard. She moved back to Belmond in October of 2006.

She is survived by her three sons, John Duane Campbell and wife, Trudy of Belmond, Jason Duncan Campbell and wife, Ann of Belmond and Jeremy Dennis Campbell and fiancée, Jill Chapman of Helena, Alabama; one grandson; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Dallas Carl Hopkey and Dennis Hopkey; and one sister, Diane Kay Minor.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Donald Edward Evans

February 1, 2007

Donald Edward Evans, 90, of Dows, passed away on Wednesday, January 24, 2007, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Monday, January 29, at the First Lutheran Church, Dows. Pastor Robert Edwards officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Otis Grove Cemetery, Dows.

Donald Edward Evans, was born on November 16, 1916, on the family farm south of Dows, the son of Edward and Isabelle (Holland) Evans.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. Don attended the Vernon #7 Country School and graduated from the Dows High School in 1934. He attended a business college in Omaha, Nebraska. While in college he worked in a mortuary and a famous cafeteria in downtown Omaha. He later went to California and worked on the General Motors assembly line. He returned to the farm and started farming in 1936.

On August 12, 1939, he and Arleta Lake were united in marriage and to this union six children were born. The couple continued farming until 1977, when they began motorhoming and traveled to all 50 states.

Donald is survived by his wife of 67 years, Arleta; four children, Gary Evans of Townsend, Massachusetts, Roger and wife, Vipa of Chaingmai, Thailand, Charlotte Riley and husband, Mark of West Des Moines and Mark Evans and wife, Cherise of Nevada; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three step-granddaughters; four step-great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Letha Hanson and Herbie Lake, both of Hubbard, Lois Terry of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Norma Lake of Webster City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Kermit and Floyd; four half-brothers, Amos, Dan, Alger and Leo; one half-sister, Gail Weidemann; one son, Edward; one baby daughter; and one grandson.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Lawrence "Larry" Stevenson

February 1, 2007

Lawrence "Larry" Stevenson, 81, of Goldfield, passed away on Wednesday, January 24, 2007, at his  home.

A memorial service was held on Friday, January 26, at the Goldfield United Presbyterian Church. Burial was in the Glenwood Cemetery, Goldfield.

Lawrence Stevenson, was born on July 25, 1925 in Goldfield, the son of Harry and Cleo Stevenson. He graduated from the Vernon Consolidated School in 1943. He entered the United States Army, serving in post-World War II in Japan. Upon his honorable discharge, Larry returned to Goldfield where he began a farming career that continued until his death.

He was united in marriage with Lillian Anderson on December 16, 1950. They were the parents of two sons.

In addition to farming, Larry sold real estate for Don Knudsen Realty, managed farm property for a selected number of clients and also sold seed for the Latham Seed Company for several years.

Larry was a member of the Goldfield United Presbyterian Church, past president of the Goldfield Development Corporation and also served on the Goldfield Community School Board. He was also a member of the Goldfield American Legion.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lillian; two sons, Scott and wife, Diane of Sioux City and Tim of Goldfield; three grandchildren; one brother, Lloyd Stevenson; and one sister, Bette Booth.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, John Stevenson.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Pearl Simpson

February 1, 2007

Pearl Simpson, 83, of Clarion, passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2007, at the Wright Medical Center in Clarion, after a brief illness.

Funeral services were held on Monday, January 29, at the United Methodist Church in Clarion. Pastor Don Morrison officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Pearl Thorson, was born on January 17, 1924, the daughter of Peter and Anna (Nibe) Thorson at the family farm near Randall. She attended country school and graduated from the Zearing High School in May 1941, as the class salutatorian.

Pearl was the first one in her family to attend college, due to the kindness and generosity of her pastor. He financed her education at Western Union College by motivating generous farmers in her church to invest in her education. Their efforts paid off when she graduated in 1943 with her teacher's certificate and returned to Randall to teach. During the next five years she enjoyed her 5th & 6th graders and coaching the girls' basketball team. After a brief stint as a junior high teacher in Grand Junction, she returned to Randall where she met Richard Simpson, the new teacher and principal at the school. They were married on June 4, 1950 and had two sons, Loren and David before moving to Clarion in 1955.

Pearl was a full-time mom while the boys were growing up, acting as den mother and cheerleading her boys in their athletic and music events. Later she substitute taught at Clarion Schools for many years until becoming the United Methodist Church Secretary in 1973, a post she held for 10 years until her retirement.

She loved Jesus all her life and was an active leader in the Clarion Methodist Church and United Methodist Women's group. She held various offices at the local, district and state levels, where she met many wonderful friends.

She enjoyed reading, teaching Sunday School, and collecting things. Her friends and loved ones were her number one priority and she made it her business to keep up with everyone she met since her college days and acting as unofficial greeter at church. She was an encourager and enjoyed cheering for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in her later years.

Pearl is survived by her two sons, Loren of Rock Island, Illinois and David of Fort Worth, Texas; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; and five brothers.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Cleo Madge (Larsen) Fisher

February 1, 2007

Cleo Madge Fisher, 90, of Eagle Grove, passed away on Friday, January 26, 2007.

Funeral services were held on Monday, January 29, at the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove. Burial was in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Fort Dodge.

Cleo Madge Larsen, was born on January 22, 1916 in Goldfield, the daughter of Harry and Alma Larsen. She was raised in the Goldfield area and graduated from the Goldfield High School in 1934. Cleo was a graduate of the American Institute of Business (AIB) in Des Moines and was employed by the Rollins Hosiery Mills, Inc. in Des Moines.

Through mutual friends who became lifelong neighbors, Cleo met her husband, Marvin Raymond Fisher, and they were married on April 3, 1938 in Norfolk, Nebraska. The couple moved to a farm northwest of Goldfield and later moved to Eagle Grove in 1939 until the completion of their new farm home south of Eagle Grove. In addition to the new home, a large building was constructed on the homestead that would become known as Fisher's Dairy. The dairy later expanded to also produce ice cream and became well-known through the community until it was closed in 1958.

After the death of her husband in 1975, Cleo was employed as a cook at the Rotary Ann Home in Eagle Grove from 1976 to her retirement in 1994. In 1995, Cleo moved from her farm home to the Meadows Assisted Living facility in Clarion. In 2004, Cleo moved to the Rotary Ann Home in Eagle Grove until her death.

Cleo was active in the Troy #2 PTA, Troy Culture Club, Equality Club, Clarion Auxiliary, Girls Athletic Association, member of the Granny Squad who worked with confirmation students, an active member of the Rebecca Circle at the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove, volunteered in the Clarion Hospital's Gift Shop, Red Hat Club, and traveled the United States visiting 45 states.

She is survived by her three children, Gary Marvin Fisher and wife, Sharon of Thor, Ardith Ione Kleppe and husband, Howard of Johnston and Gordon Lee Fisher and wife, Barbara of Des Moines; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Cleo was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marvin; one sister, Grayce Wherheim; and an infant son, Kenneth.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Eleanor June Winkelman, 72, of Eagan, Minnesota, formerly of Richfield, Minnesota, passed away with her family by her side after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer on Friday, January 26, 2007.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 30, at the Church of the Assumption, Richfield, Minnesota. Interment was held in the Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.

Eleanor McHale, was born on May 27, 1934 in Clarion, the daughter of John B. and Ellen (Nellie) O'Connor McHale. She graduated from the Clarion High School in 1952. Eleanor and Brian were united in marriage on September 10, 1960 and they made their home in Richfield, Minnesota. She was a longtime Richfield Day Care provider and member of the Elegant Eaganites Red Hat Society and the Granny Stamp Club.

Eleanor is survived by her three children, Nancy Meuleners and husband, David, Joe Winkelman and wife, Karla and Diane Mahler and husband, Jim; six grandchildren; one brother, Philip McHale; one sister, Judy Nelson; and nieces, nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by Joseph Brian Winkelman, her husband of 46 years; two brothers, John T. McHale and Emmet McHale; and one sister, Leone McHale.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Henry Delger

February 1, 2007

Henry Delger, 93, of Clarion, passed away on Monday, January 29, 2007, at the Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 31, at the First Lutheran Church, Clarion. Pastor Gary Boen officiated at the 2:00 p.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Henry Delger, was born on July 17, 1913, the son of Gertie Delger Weston. On February 25, 1933, he was united in marriage to Bessie (Betty) Anderson of Clarion. Following their marriage the couple farmed in the Kanawha and Clarion areas. To this union two children were born. Henry and Betty would have celebrated their 74th year anniversary in February 2007.

One of Henry's real joys was having his ponies, hitching them up and going for a drive.

Henry retired from farming in 1983 and moved into Clarion, where he still lived until December of 2006, when he entered the USA Health Care Center in Clarion.

Henry was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Clarion.

He is survived by his wife, Betty of Clarion; one son, Robert and wife, Beverly of Clarion; three grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother; a daughter; one grandchild; and one great-grandchild.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Neva Viola Bruhl

February 8, 2007

Neva Viola Bruhl, 92, of Clarion, passed away on Monday, January 29, 2007, at the Trinity Regional Medical Center, Fort Dodge.

Funeral services were held on Friday, February 2, at the Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home, Clarion. Pastor Gary Snook of the Church of the Nazarene officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Neva Viola Hilpipre, was born on June 30, 1914, the youngest of ten children, the daughter of Gustave and Emma (Hazeman-Bernard) Hilpipre in Wright County. She was raised and educated in the Clarion area, graduating from the Clarion High School.

On June 30, 1935, she was united in marriage to Burton Lewis Bruhl. To this union two daughters were born.

Neva and Burton enjoying flying in their airplane and traveling in their motorhome. Later they enjoyed going on bus tours. Neva and Burton lived many years on the farm until 1977, when they moved into Clarion. In 2005 they moved to the Bickford Cottage in Fort Dodge. Neva enjoyed sewing and her doll collection was a great joy to her.

She is survived by her husband, Burton; two daughters, LeAnn Tonderum of Fort Dodge and Arlene Betts and husband, Gary of Jefferson; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Neva was preceded in death by her parents; brothers and sisters; and a son-in-law, Arlyn Tonderum
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Shirley Kay Robinson

February 08, 2007

Shirley Kay Robinson, 67, of Mankato, Minnesota, formerly of Clarion, passed away on Monday, January 29, 2007, at the Lake Crystal Health Care Center, Lake Crystal, Minnesota, after a lengthy illness.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 3, at the Clarion Church of Christ. Pastor Tim Platt officiated at the 2:00 p.m. service. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Shirley Kay Robinson, was born on August 14, 1939 in Clarion, the daughter of Loyd J. and Vera Tillman Robinson. She graduated from the Clarion High School in 1957 and received her R.N. degree from the Allen Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in September of 1961.

Shirley is survived by her mother, Vera; three brothers, Bill Robinson and wife, Fran of Mason City, Richard Robinson and wife, Jeanette of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Roger Robinson and wife, Peggy of Clarion; one sister, Janet Arndorfer and husband, John of Mankato, Minnesota; nine nieces and nephews; and 13 great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Larry "Catfish" Fluhrer, 64, of Mitchell, passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2007, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Monday, February 5, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiated at the 1:00 p.m. service. Burial was in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Mitchell.

Larry "Catfish" Fluhrer, was born on January 10, 1943 in Mason City, the son of Verl and Catherine (Brandt) Fluhrer. He graduated from the Manly High School in 1961. He worked for the Rock Island Railroad and later managed the Wright County Recycling Center and retired from there.

He and Jessie Nobles were united in marriage in Jena, Louisiana on May 1, 2003. As a retiree, Larry was living his dream by owning and operating "The North Forty" convenience and bait store in Mitchell.

Larry is survived by his wife, Jessie Fluhrer of Mitchell; mother, Catherine Fluhrer of Manly; two daughters, Shelley Fluhrer of Hastings, Minnesota and Jennifer Klehm and husband, Kevin of Ankeny; two sons, Randy Fluhrer and wife, Chris of London, England and Chad Fluhrer and fiancée, Jessica Servantez of Mason City; one step-daughter, Sandy Norby and husband, Randy of Osage; two step-sons, David Yates and wife, Anne of Pollock, Louisiana and Lee Nobles of Lafayette, Louisiana; two sisters, Darlene Diedrich and husband, David of Grafton and LuAnn Adkisson and husband, Alan of St. Ansgar; one brother, Lester Fluhrer and wife, Jill of Manly; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
© Wright County Monitor 2007