Everett Donavon Wagner

March 8, 2007

Everett Donavon Wagner, 80, of Eagle Grove, passed away on Friday, March 2, 2007, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 9, at the Holmes Lutheran Church. Pastor Stan Peterson officiated at the service. Burial was in the Holmes Lutheran Cemetery.

Everett Donavon Wagner, was born on June 7, 1926, on a farm northeast of Eagle Grove in Wright County, the son of Thomas and Clara (Johnson) Wagner. He was raised and educated in the area of his birth and graduated from the Eagle Grove High School in 1944.

On June 7, 1946, Everett was united in marriage to Marguerite Egemo at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. He farmed his entire life in the Wright County area.

Everett was an active member of the Holmes Lutheran Church and served as secretary for the Holmes Lutheran Cemetery Board, coached softball and served as a 4-H Leader. He was also a member of the Holmes Elevator Board and the Wright County Cattleman's Association.

Survivors include his wife, Marguerite Wagner of Eagle Grove; four children, Marcia Sundet and husband, Bruce of Algona, Ed Wagner and wife, Sherry of Dakota City, Jim Wagner of Webster City and Monica Staudt and husband, Patrick of Clarion; ten grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, John H. Wagner and wife, Charlotte of Las Vegas, Nevada; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Joe Wagner; and two sisters, Lillian Rogers and Geraldine Price.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Violet Bode

March 15, 2007

Violet Bode, 87, of Clarion, formerly of Belmond, passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2007, at the USA Health Care Center in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 7, at the United Methodist Church in Belmond. Pastor Mike Druhl officiated at the 1:00 p.m. service. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery.

Violet Harty, was born on March 17, 1919 in Belmond, the daughter of Thomas and Elsie May (Ainger) Harty. She was raised in the Belmond area and attended school there.

Violet was united in marriage to Darwin Glen Bode on June 4, 1935 in Algona. To this union seven children were born.

Violet enjoying playing pinochle, cooking, fishing, crocheting, and reading. She was an excellent cook and worked at the Sundowner in Clarion.

Violet is survived by five children, Ellen Brobst and husband, Dale of Necedah, Wisconsin, Dan Bode of Goldfield, Cindy Espeseth of Apache Junction, Arizona, LuCretia Bartels of Necedah, Wisconsin and Kay Roelofsen and special friend, Robert Piekarski of Algona; 31 grandchildren; 58 great-grandchildren; and many, many great great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Darwin; one daughter, Audrey Darlene; one son, Ray Bode; three grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; one great-great-grandson; four brothers, Lester, Ray, Maynard and Cleatis; and one sister, Marie.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Ruby June Freeman

March 8, 2007

Ruby June Freeman, 89, passed away on Monday, March 5, 2007, at the Rotary Ann Nursing Home in Eagle Grove.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 8, 2007, at 2:00 p.m., at the Goldfield United Methodist Church, with Pastor Dale Schoening officiating. Burial was in the Glenwood Cemetery, Goldfield.

Ruby June Freeman, the daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Guyer) Tollefson, was born on June 8, 1917, at the Village of Berlin, North Dakota. She was raised and educated in Eagle Grove, graduating from the Eagle Grove High School in 1936.

Ruby was united in marriage with Claire M. Freeman on August 21, 1937, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church Parsonage in Eagle Grove. The couple moved to Goldfield in 1946. He preceded her in death on April 8, 1991. Ruby moved to the Rotary Ann Home in the fall of 2003.

Ruby is survived by her daughters, Judy Flatebo and husband, Carrol of Eagle Grove and Jill "Sadie" Sorensen and husband, Dunnie of Goldfield; 4 grand-children; 9 great-grandchildren; 5 step-great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, William Freeman of Coralville and Glen Freeman of Walker; and sisters-in-law, Marie Hasselbusch of Geneseo, Illinois, Margaret Stange of Iowa City and Arlene Johnson of Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sisters, Madelyn and Vivienne; and a grandson, Tim Flatebo.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Harriet Gertrude Tysdal

March 15, 2007

Harriet Gertrude Tysdal, 101, of Clarion, passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 10, at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Stan Watne officiated at the service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Harriet Gertrude Poolman, was born on June 19, 1905 in Belmond, the daughter of John and Mary Anne (Charlesworth) Poolman. She was raised and educated in the Clarion area, graduating from the Clarion High School in 1923. After graduation, Harriet attended Iowa State Teachers College and then taught country school in Blaine Township for 2 years and in Galt for 3 years.

On June 1, 1928, Harriet was united in marriage to Melvin Tysdal in Rowan. In 1929, the couple settled in the Galt area where they started farming and raised their family.

Harriet was a member of the Congregational Church in Galt and later the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion, where she had been an active member of the Ladies Aide.

Harriet is survived by her son, Bob Tysdal and wife, Shirley of Clarion; three daughters, Melvene Nickles and husband, Blaine of Clarion, Bonnie Donnley and husband, Doug of West Des Moines and Jeanne Wiggins and husband, Ed of Blue Earth, Minnesota; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Melvin; two brothers, Richard and Merle; and three sisters, Blanche, Winnifred and Viola.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Kenneth L. Kuehnast

March 15, 2007

Kenneth L. Kuehnast, 79, of Clarion, passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 10, at the First Lutheran Church in Clarion. Pastor Gary Boen officiated at the 2:00 p.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Kenneth L. Kuehnast, was born on May 17, 1927 in Thor, the son of Louis and Ella (Kuehn) Kuehnast. Kenny graduated from the Woolstock High School in 1945 and attended the Eagle Grove Junior College.

On April 17, 1949, he was united in marriage to Dona Finch. Kenny was a lifelong farmer in Wright County. He served on the Board of Directors for the Clarion Farmers Elevator for nine years and also served on the Wright County REC/Prairie Energy Board for 11 years. For years Kenny played Santa Claus at the Woolstock Elevator, was involved with Little League Baseball and spent many hours umpiring. He was a die hard Cubs fan.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, socializing with his friends, golfing and was a member of the Clarmond Country Club.

He is survived by four children, Tamra Jordahl of Bloomington, Minnesota, Doyle Kuehnast of Clarion, Toni Svoboda and husband, Mark of Cluiter and Tawn Streich and husband, John of Des Moines; two brothers, Galen Kuehnast and wife, Eileen of Escondido, California and Daryl Kuehnast and wife, Betty of Summerfield, Florida; two sisters, LaVonne Oldson and husband, Bill of Turlock, California and Evelyn Qualters and husband, Mike of River Bank, California; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

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

Don Wyborny

March 15, 2007

Don Wyborny, formerly of Clarion, passed away on Thursday, March 8, 2007, at the Hospice House in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

He is survived by his wife, Lucile; three children; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Paul C. Jacobson

March 15, 2007

Paul Clifford Jacobson, 76, of Eagle Grove, passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2007, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 14, at 11:00 a.m., at the Samuel Lutheran Church, Eagle Grove. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove.

Paul Clifford Jacobson, was born on December 12, 1930 at Kanawha, the son of Carl O. and Anna (Mikelson) Jacobson. He was raised and educated in the Renwick and Eagle Grove area.

On July 22, 1955, he was united in marriage to Beverly Jean McCutcheon at the United Methodist Church, Goldfield. They made their home in Eagle Grove, where Paul worked over 30 years for his brother, Al, in the construction business. He then worked for the Eagle Grove Community School District in the maintenance department for 12 years before retiring due to his health.

Paul was a member of the Samuel Lutheran Church, the Iowa Fireman's Association and served 25 years with the Eagle Grove Fire Department. He enjoyed camping with family and friends and riding horses at Brushy Creek.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly Jacobson of Eagle Grove; two daughters, Sue White and husband, Dave of Eagle Grove and Jolene Jacobson of Grimes; three granddaughters; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Viola Armstrong and husband, Bob and Mabel Odland; one brother, Amos Munson; two sisters-in-law, Betty Jacobson and Eleanor Jacobson; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Alfred, Bennie, Theodore, Elmer and Clarence Jacobson and Marion Munson; four sisters, Burdette Helm, Genevieve Thompson, Alma Odland and Caroline Jacobson.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Michelle E. Lemieux

March 29, 2007

Michelle E. Lemieux, 16, of Pelham, passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2007, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

Michelle was born on March 17, 1990 in Lowell, the daughter of Donald P. and Lori L. (Harris) Lemieux. She attended the Sherburne and Memorial Grammar School in Pelham and was currently a junior at the Pelham High School.

She was an active member of the junior class and worked as an office administrative aide. She enjoyed art, fashion and most importantly, the company of her friends. She also took great pleasure in helping her father in his business, Don's Catering, every day after school.

She is survived by her parents; one sister, Nicole M. Lemieux a sophomore at the Western New England College in Springfield; material grandmother, Emily (Mattingly) Harris of Clarion; paternal grandmother, Carole (Chambers) Lemieux Gurney of Littleton; three aunts, Vicky Jackson and husband, Daniel of Clear Lake, Christi Broshar and husband, William of Kanawha and Deborah Healey and husband, Peter of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; two uncles, Gary Harris of Belmond and David Lemieux and wife, Darlene of Dracut; and many cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Don Lemieux, Sr. and Robert Harris; and an aunt, Marcia Harris.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Neal Eugene Reichter

March 22, 2007

Neal Eugene Reichter, 63, of Goldfield, passed away on Monday, March 12, 2007, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 16, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Eagle Grove. Pastor Paul Stone officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Glenwood Cemetery, Goldfield.

Neal Eugene Reichter, was born on November 22, 1943 in Goldfield, the son of Richard and Lois (Zinser) Reichter. He was raised and educated in the area of his birth, graduating from the Goldfield High School in 1961.

On August 24, 1963, Neal was united in marriage with Jeanine Pohlman at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove.

Neal farmed for over 30 years and was a Branch Manager for the W&H Co-op for ten years before his retirement.

Neal was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, served as President of the Goldfield School Board, and was a member of the Gold-Eagle Co-op Board.

Neal is survived by his wife, Jeanine Reichter of Goldfield; three children, Brad Reichter and wife, Jill of Jewell, Nadine Anderson of Nevada and Mark Reichter of Kansas City, Missouri; four grandchildren; one brother, Duane Reichter and wife, Flo of Lake Alford, Florida; one sister, Beverly Nelson and husband, Morse of Goldfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Eloise Reichter; and his best friend, Carol Steffenson.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Marvel Mae Ellingson

March 29, 2007

Marvel Mae Ellingson, 85, of Alden, passed away on Friday, March 23, 2007, at the Heritage Care Center in Iowa Falls due to cancer.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 27, at the Immanuel Memorial United Church of Christ, Alden. Rev. Robert Miller officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Alden Cemetery.

Marvel Mae Schroeder, was born on May 12, 1921 in rural Dows, the daughter of Herman and Mae (Schroeder) Schroeder. She graduated from the Dows High School in 1938. Marvel graduated from the Iowa Teacher's College in Cedar Falls in 1939. She taught country school in Vernon and Oakland Townships for many years. After the country schools closed, she taught 4th and 5th grades at Popejoy. She later worked in retail in Iowa Falls, working for Strutz Clothiers and then worked many, many years at the Bootery Shoe Store in Iowa Falls.

On May 1, 1947, she married Burnell Ellingson at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The couple divorced in 1978. Marvel was a member of the Iowa Falls Christian Women's Club and the Immanuel Memorial United Church of Christ in Alden.

She enjoyed playing cards, visiting, and spending time with her family. Marvel was a 42-year cancer survivor, being first diagnosed in 1965.

Marvel is survived by her two children, Doug Ellingson of Alden and Janaan Harding and husband, Duane of Alden; five grandchildren; six great-granddaughters; and one sister, Jean Holden of Laguna Hills, California.

Marvel was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Burnell; and one sister, Wilma Halvorson.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Roger D. Schulz

April 5, 2007

Roger D. Schulz, 62, of Eagle Grove, passed away on Thursday, March 29, 2007, at the Israel Hospice in Ames.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 2, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Eagle Grove. Pastor Paul Stone officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove.

Roger D Schulz, was born on February 27, 1945 in Pontiac, Illinois, the son of Frank and Georgia (Dempsey) Schulz. He was raised and educated in Gridley and at the age of 11, moved to the Eagle Grove area with his family, where he graduated from the Eagle Grove High School. Roger worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad while he attended ICCC in Eagle Grove. He also attended flight school in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He was a member of the National Guard.

On April 1, 1971, Roger was united in marriage with Jean A. Hanson at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Eagle Grove. The couple made their home on a farm near Eagle Grove. Roger retired from farming in 2003 after 32 years. Roger was also involved m the crop anti nail insurance business for several years.

Roger was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Masonic Lodge and Shriners.

Roger is survived by his wife, Jean Schulz of Eagle Grove; one son, Daniel Schulz of Ankeny; one daughter, Lisa Miller and husband, Devon of Ankeny; mother, Georgia Schulz of Eagle Grove: two sisters, Judy Pletcher and husband, Rich of Clarion and Jane Locker and husband, Gary of Slater; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Frank; and one brother, Larry.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Duran D.C. "Hootch" Hill

April 5, 2007

Duran D.C. "Hootch" Hill, 89, of Belmond, passed away with his family by his side on Friday, March 30, 2007, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

He gifted his body to the University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine for scientific purposes, per his request. No funeral service will be held. His family is planning a public wake to celebrate his life on Saturday, April 14, 2007, at his home in Belmond, for the afternoon and evening with further details to be announced next week.

Duran was born on August 31, 1917 in Belmond, the son of Arthur W. and Edith B. (Luick) Hill. He was raised in Belmond and graduated from the Belmond Schools. From a very young age he had a desire to fly and worked in exchange for flying lessons. He became a service and flight inspector prior to enlisting in the Army Air Force in 1943, serving until 1946.

Duran married Marie Osborne of Centralia, Illinois, in 1946 and they returned to Belmond where he worked at the General Mills plant for several years. He also did floor covering installation for family and friends until it became his full-time trade. He later worked for Winnebago Industries until retiring. Duran enjoyed music, dancing and playing the drums.

Airplanes continued to be his favorite pastime, owning, flying, building and restoring several kinds of planes until recently. He was an active young member of the Civil Air Patrol and later in life the EAA, Chapter 94 and Chapter 13 Antique Classics, traveling to Oshkosh annually. He volunteered his time and knowledge to the Young Eagles program to keep the joy of flying alive.

He is survived by two children, Jorja Erickson and husband, Jim of Clarion and a son, Bruce Hill and wife, Tina of Manly; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and special friend and companion, Lena Peyton of Belmond.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Muriel and Norma Jean; two half-brothers, Clair and Raymond; and former wife, Marie.
© Wright County Monitor 2007