Bessie "Betty" Delger

June 7, 2007

Bessie (Betty) Delger, 90, of Clarion, passed away on Friday, June 1, 2007, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 5, at the First Lutheran Church, Clarion. Pastor Gary Boen officiated at the 2:00 p.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Betty Anderson, was born on June 28, 1916 in Wright County, the daughter of Charles B. and Elizabeth (Thompson) Anderson. She grew up on a farm near Clarion with her parents and five brothers and six sisters.

Betty was united in marriage to Henry Delger on February 25, 1933. They started their married life together farming near Kanawha and later near Clarion. To this union two children were born. Betty and Henry were married almost 74 years before Henry's death in January 2007.

Betty loved taking care of her family and home. She also enjoyed cooking and gardening. She possessed a keen ability to grow a beautiful garden and flowers. She lived independently in her home until she had an accident while tending to her flowers. She spent the last three weeks of her life at the Wright Medical Center and the USA Health Care Center.

Betty was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Clarion and The Good Neighbor Club of Grant Township.

She is survived by one son, Robert and wife, Beverly; three grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers; two sisters; one granddaughter; one great-grandson; a daughter, Sharon; and husband, Henry.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

William Joseph Soesbe, Sr.

June 7, 2007

William Joseph Soesbe, Sr., 79, of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, June 2, 2007 at his home.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, June 7, from 5-8:00 p.m., at the Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home in Clarion. Inurnment will be at a later date.

William Joseph Soesbe, Sr., was born on March 17, 1928 in Corning, Iowa, the son of Clyde C. and LaVina J. (Holliday) Soesbe. He attended school in Clarion. After school he started working for the railroad and then joined the Navy. After his discharge from the Navy he went to work for the Chicago Northwestern where he worked until his retirement in 1989.

On April 29, 1954, Bill was united in marriage to Berneita Jennie Isaacson in Clarion. To this union four children were born.

Bill collected hats and trains. He also loved playing cards, fishing and watching stock car races. In his younger years he and Berneita enjoyed roller skating.

He was a member of the VFW and the Maintenance of Way Union.

William "Bill" is survived by his wife, Berneita of Clarion; two daughters, Deanna "Dee" Anderson and husband, Tom of Goldfield and Janelle Basinger and husband, Chris of Lambs Grove, Iowa; two sons, William "Bill" Jr. and wife, Teresa of Clarion and Willis "Willie" and wife, Sally of Clarion; ten grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Mabel Elizabeth Evans

June 14, 2007

Mabel Elizabeth Evans, 96, of Clarion, passed away on Wednesday, June 6, 2007, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 12, at the Clarion Church of Christ. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Mabel Elizabeth Lieuwen, was born on March 25, 1911 in Hancock County. She was the eighth of eleven children in the family of Teeke Tjaard and Helen (Frey) Lieuwen. She was born on the family farm located three and one-half miles west of Meservey. Her parents were immigrants, Teeke from Terschelling, Netherlands and Helen from Ostfriesland, Germany. Mabel often joked that there were so many children that she was called "Baby" until the next baby was expected. Her brother, George was given the honor of naming her.

Mabel received a country school education and then her family allowed her to work and board in Belmond so that she could attend high school. She graduated from the Belmond High School with the class of 1928. Following high school she taught country school at Pleasant Township #6.

On October 5, 1936, Mabel married Clifton M. Evans in Mason City. They had met at the dance at Lake Cornelia. Clif and Mabel made their home in Clarion the rest of their lives. Four children were born to this union.

Mabel was a homemaker and was famous with family and friends for her baking, especially her delicious tea rings. Her family was her top priority. Her calm, steady personality kept the home running smoothly, her efficiency and home management allowed Clif to pursue his successful business career.

Mabel was a member of the Clarion Church of Christ, Navy Mothers, and the Kensington Club. She spent time as a 4-H Leader and was a supporter of the Heartland Museum.

She is survived by her children, Bill Evans and wife, Pat of Costa Mesa, California, Terry Evans and wife, Sharon of Clarion and Kathryn Sehnert of Mancos, Colorado; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Jasperson of Ft. Mohave, Arizona; one sister-in-law, Jenny Lieuwen (Mrs. George) of Belmond; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 50 years, C. M. Evans; one son, William J. Evans; brothers, George Evans, Bert Evans and Don Evans; six sisters, Grace Barkema, Nellie Barkema, Rose Baker, Helen Kelly, Maurine Pals and Margaret Parker.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

William D. "Bill" Edwards

June 14, 2007

William D. "Bill" Edwards, 84, of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, June 9, 2007, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 13, at the United Methodist Church in Clarion. Pastor Mike Druhl officiated at the 1:30 p.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. Visitation was held from 12:30-1:30 p.m., the day of the service at the church.

Bill was born on July 4, 1922, on a farm in Audubon County, Iowa, the son of Roy and Gretta (Yager) Edwards. Bill traveled extensively and lived in many places during his nearly 85 years. He lived the longest in Clarion, however, moving there in 1971.

Soon after he was born, Bill moved with his family, to be with relatives, to a ranch in central Montana. His family stayed there until the height of the Great Depression, returning to Audubon County in 1936. He attended high school in Viola Center and played on the basketball team, graduating in 1940.

Bill married his high school sweetheart, Barbara (Caldwell) on November 28, 1941. The young couple drove Route 66 in a 1938 Ford to Burbank, California and began working at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. One week later Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

Bill continued to work at Lockheed until 1943, when he felt it was his duty to enlist in the Army Air Corps. He went in as an Aviation Cadet and trained as a Bombardier, serving at several bases for the duration of World War II, and was honorably discharged in 1946.

While working in a plumbing shop in Audubon, Bill was injured and decided to use the G.I. Bill to enroll at Iowa State University. He graduated with honors four years later, in 1953, with a degree in Agricultural Education. He lived with Barbara and their three children in Pammel Court while in Ames.

Bill was a teacher of Vocational Agriculture for one year in Iowa Falls and after that in the Shelby-Tenant School.

He started a farm supply and chemical fertilizer business in Shelby in 1953. The business grew to serve farmers in Shelby, Pottawattamie and Harrison counties. The fertilizer business was sold to Gulf Oil Corporation in 1965 and Bill became an employee of that company. He rose to the position of Regional Manager and lived briefly in Harlan and Forest City. He lived in Shawnee Mission, Kansas and worked in Kansas City, Missouri until 1971.

Bill returned to Iowa at that time, settling in Clarion and working as a Farm Manager for Sandage Real Estate and Farm Management. In 1979, he formed Edwards Real Estate with his eldest son.

In 1982, he became semi retired from business but continued to stay active, farming and managing his land. He and Barbara traveled extensively in a motor home, touring most of North America and visiting Europe twice. They divided their time between homes in Clarion and Tucson, Arizona for many years.

Bill served as Rotary International District Governor and Wright County Republican Chairman. He was also a Mason, Shriner, and American Legion and Iowa State Alumni Association member. Bill was a member of the Clarion United Methodist Church and served on many of its committees.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Barbara; one daughter, Ellen Jessen of Johnston; two sons, Paul and wife, Diane of Clarion and Chet and wife, Lynn of Portland, Oregon; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Nita Farnham of DeWitt; two brothers, Dale Edwards and wife, Ruth of Audubon and Ron Edwards and wife, Sue of Ankeny.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, Gale; and one brother, Roydon.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rotary Foundation, United Methodist Church of Clarion or the Wright Medical Foundation.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Donna B. Orte

June 21, 2007

Donna B. Orte, 73, of Clarion, passed away on Monday, June 11, 2007, at the Wright Medical Center Hospice Unit, Clarion, with her children at her side following a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 14, at the Clarion Church of Christ. Rev. Timothy Platt will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Donna Belle Wigg, was born on March 21, 1934 at Clarion, the daughter of Hartwig Racine and Estella Marie (Smith) Hansen. She began her lifelong Christian faith journey through baptism at the Clarion Church of Christ. Donna and siblings were raised in Clarion and she attended Clarion schools, graduating from the Clarion High School in the Class of 1952.

Following her education, Donna was employed with the Birdsall, Archerd, Nagel Law Firm in Clarion for three years. She then moved to Clinton where she lived while being employed for General Electric in Morrison, Illinois. During her tenure there she met Marvin Ray Orte and they were united in marriage on February 11, 1956 at the Clarion Church of Christ.

Donna was employed for many years in the health care industry as a bookkeeper at the Clarion Care Center and also for a time at the Fairfield Care Center in Fairfield, Iowa. Much of her career was in the administrative office roles. She also owned and operated a bakery in Fairfield for 11 years, a career torch that has been continued by the Orte's Bakery in Mason City.

Donna took great pride in watching her family succeed in whatever life's journey brought them.

She was a lifelong member of the Clarion Church of Christ, where she was active in the Pioneer Club, youth programs leadership, church camp programs, Vacation Bible School, Adult Sunday School, and faithfully served whenever and where ever the need arose. She gave of her time to the Meals on Wheels programs and volunteered at the Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

She is survived by her children, Marty Orte and wife, Susan of Sheffield, Connie Erickson and husband, Scott of Belmond, Steven Orte and wife, Tamara of Clear Lake, David Orte of Tucson, Arizona, Linda Orte of Fairfield and Susan Erickson and fiancée, Brian Larsen of Belmond, most recently of Hampton; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Phyllis Arthur of Mason City and Marjorie Trees of Belmond; sister-in-law, Imogene Wigg of Clarion; special friend, Anton Prechtal of Fairbanks, Arkansas; and many nieces and nephews.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Beverly Jean Hecox

June 21, 2007

Beverly Jean Hecox, 77, of Maryville, Missouri, formerly of Clarion, passed away on Tuesday, June 12, 2007, at a care center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 18, at the Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home in Clarion. Inurnment will be at a later date.

Beverly Sumners, was born on April 7, 1930 in Clarion, the daughter of Harold K. and Marjorie Sumners. She married Keith Hecox on August 21, 1951. They raised their family in Maryville, Missouri.

She is survived by her husband, Keith of Maryville, Missouri; five children, Cristi Leafstedt and husband, Mark of Flagstaff, Arizona, Kimberly Kincade and husband, Billy of Council Bluffs, Dr. William Hecox and wife, Lan of Springfield, Missouri, Robert John Hecox of Kansas City, Missouri and Cathy Jones and husband, Robert of Henderson, Nevada; 10 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; one brother, Roger Sumners and wife, Margaret of Clarion; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Marilyn Melhus and husband, Keith and Barbara Sumners.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Teresa Ann Soesbe

June 28, 2007

Teresa Ann Soesbe, age 47, of Clarion, passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at the Southfield Wellness Community in Webster City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, June 22, at the United Presbyterian Church in Clarion. Pastor Bill Kem officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. The Ewing Dugger Helgeson Funeral Home, Clarion was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Bill Soesbe, Jr.; two daughters, Tracy Douglass and husband, Eric and Tammy Stueland and husband, Nick; two sons, Bill Soesbe and wife, Heather and Josh Soesbe and wife, Kelli; four grandchildren; her parents, Gayle and Audrey Sisson; mother-in-law, Berneita Soesbe; six sisters, Anita Vetter, Pat Houk and Sam, Alta Linn and husband, Steve, Bev Reiter and husband, Mike, Cindy Askvig and husband, Duane, Lori Young and Paul; three brothers, Stephen Sisson and wife, Janet, Kenny Sisson and wife, Darcy and Jim Sisson and Carissa; and many nieces and nephews, as well as many other beloved family and friends.

Teresa was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Bill Soesbe, Sr.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Margaret May Martin

June 28, 2007

Margaret May Martin, 88, of Clarion, passed away on Thursday, June 21, 2007, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 25, at the United Presbyterian Church, Clarion. Pastor Bill Kem officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Interment was held in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Margaret May Graves, was born on March 11, 1919, in Eagle Grove Township. She attended school and graduated from the Goldfield High School.

Maggie was united in marriage on June 27, 1942, to Leighton Earl Martin in Bethany, Missouri. To this union three children were born.

Maggie was a member of The American Legion Auxiliary and VFW. She enjoyed playing cards, doing crossword puzzles and watching TV.

She is survived by three children, Gary and wife, Laurie, Ed and wife, Jane and Sandie Malooly and husband, Bill, all of Clarion; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Norene Elberg and husband, Charles of Eagle Grove and Mary Thompson and husband, Hans of Goldfield; and many nieces and nephews.

Maggie was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant son and daughter; two brothers; and one sister.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

John Andrew Turner

June 28, 2007

John Andrew Turner, 75, of Gentry, Arkansas, formerly of Iowa Falls, died on Friday, June 22, 2007, at the Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital, Arkansas.

There will be a memorial service held at a late date in Garner. Private family interment will take place in Clarion at a later date.

John Andrew Turner, was born on April 23, 1932 in Adair, Iowa, the son of John Eric and Rebecca L. (Nelson) Turner. John graduated from Iowa State University in Ames with a Bachelor's Degree in Poultry Science. He was employed at Kemp Feeds and then owned a grain facility in Galt. He also worked as a turkey farmer and was currently the owner and operator of a turkey compost business in Gentry. He was previously married to Irma J. Turner of Bella Vista, Arkansas.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah of Gentry, Arkansas; four sons, John E. Turner of Omaha, Nebraska, Jay C. Turner of St. Cloud, Minnesota, James M. Turner of Waterloo and Joe A. Turner and wife, Mary of Lincoln, Nebraska; two daughters, Janean L. Fode and husband, David of Bella Vista, Arkansas and Jana L. Stensland of Ames; two step-sons, Jesse W. Benton and wife, Molly of St. Louis, Missouri and Benjamin G. Benton and wife, Angela of Gentry, Arkansas; one step-daughter, Rebecca M. Blake and husband, Alan of Atlanta, Georgia: four brothers, Harold Turner and wife, Lorraine of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, Nelson R. Turner and wife, Joan of Wesley, William R. Turner and wife, Lois of Charleston, South Carolina and James E. Turner and wife, Pat of Marion; two sisters, Ann E. Rudesill and husband, Kent of Baldwin, Wisconsin and Jean C. Tessman and husband, John of Garner; four brothers-in-law, Brian, Joseph, Vincent and Leo Holzer; two sisters-in-law, Cyrene Bastien and Carol Zieotnick; 12 grandsons; one granddaughter; two step-grandsons; four step- granddaughters: two dear cousins; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Ruth Camilla Turner.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Rick Dean Moss

July 5, 2007

Rick Dean Moss, 43, of Eagle Grove, passed away on Tuesday, June 26, 2007, in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Friday, June 29, at 1:30 p.m., at the Samuel Lutheran Church, Eagle Grove. Pastor Stan Peterson officiated at the 1:30 p.m. service. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove.

Rick Dean Moss, was born on July 3, 1963 in Clarion, the son of Orville H. and Grace L. (Johnson) Moss. He was raised and educated in Eagle Grove. Rick was active with the FFA during high school, graduating with the Class of 1982.

Rick served in the Iowa Army National Guard, 47th Division from 1983 to 1990. He also served in France and Germany during the Gulf War.

Rick worked for various construction companies and he had helped his father farm after Orville became ill. Rick loved to ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

He is survived by his mother, Grace Moss of Eagle Grove; two brothers, Duane Moss and wife, Carylon of Eagle Grove and Steven Moss of Eagle Grove; two sisters, Constance Adams of Eagle Grove and Sharon Woodley and husband, Ed of Vincent; three nieces; and four nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father in 1986.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Robert E. Armstrong

July 5, 2007

Robert Edwin Armstrong, 86, of Eagle Grove. passed away on Friday, June 29, 2007, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 2, 2007, at the Samuel Lutheran Church, Eagle Grove. Pastor Stan Peterson officiated at the 10:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove.

Robert Edwin Armstrong, was born on August 8, 1920, in Ocheydan, Iowa. the son of Luke and Lucy (Fritz) Armstrong. He was raised and educated in Clarion. On September 23, 1940, Robert was united in marriage with Viola Munson at Algona.

Robert served from 1942-1945 in the United States Army during World War II. He received four Bronze Stars for serving in the Rhineland, Central Europe, Normandy and Northern France Campaigns.

Robert worked in trucking and construction. He was a member of the Samuel Lutheran Church, served on the Eagle Grove Fire Department for many years, was a member of the V.F.W. and was an avid sports fan.

He is survived by his wife, Viola of Eagle Grove; a daughter, Helen Campbell and husband, Gilbert of Bentonville, Arkansas; a son, Doug Armstrong and wife, Nikki of West Des Moines; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Kerch of Clarion.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ilene Armstrong and Marjorie Menning; three brothers, Chester, Raymond and Ralph Armstrong; and a daughter, Betty Janssen.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Lewis Joel Sampson

July 5, 2007

Lewis Joel Sampson, 90, of Goldfield, passed away on Friday, June 29, 2007, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 3, at the Lake Lutheran Church, rural Goldfield. Pastor Truman Larson officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Lake Lutheran Cemetery.

Lewis Joel Sampson, was born on June 24, 1917, on the family farm in rural Goldfield, the son of Steve and Guline (Johnson) Sampson. He attended country school and the Goldfield Schools.

Lewis served in the United States Army with Company B, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion as a gunner in World War II, from 1943 until his Honorable discharge as a CPL in 1946. His campaigns included Northern France, Ardennes and the Rhineland.

On October 2, 1946, Lewis was united in marriage with H. Arlene (Hansen) Bell at Fort Dodge. Lewis resided on the family farm where he was born, until he retired and then moved to Goldfield.

Lewis farmed and worked as a carpenter for Erickson Manufacturing and Sadler Construction during the winter, as well as doing carpentry projects for the church and his neighbors.

Lewis was a lifelong member of the Lake Lutheran Church, rural Goldfield, where he served as a trustee. He also served on the Goldfield Creamery Board and the Farmers Light Board. Lewis was a member of the Goldfield American Legion, Earl B. Beisell Post.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene Sampson of Goldfield; three sons, Duane Sampson and wife, Cindy of Goldfield, Keith Sampson and wife, Charlene of Goldfield and Gary Sampson and wife, Robin of Iowa Falls; six grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Agnes; and a brother, Stanley.
© Wright County Monitor 2007