Garrett W. Roberts

June 10, 2010

Garrett Wade Roberts, 15, of Dows, passed away on Tuesday, June 1, 2010, as a result of an automobile accident.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 5, at the Clarion-Goldfield High School, with Pastor Mike Augsburger officiating. Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery, Dows.

Garrett Wade Roberts was born on June 23, 1994, the son of Diane Schilling Shores and Wade Roberts. Garrett was raised in Dows, where he attended grade school at the Dows Elementary. He then attended the Clarion-Goldfield Schools through the tenth grade.

Garrett was a member of various AA and NA groups in the area. Through his self-help and support programs he gained his skills of helping others with their needs. His interests were wide and included friends and family, artistry including drawing and writing music and his self-taught keyboarding.

Survivors include his mother, Diane Shores of Dows; his father, Wade Roberts of Dows; brother, Eric Shores of Cedar Falls; maternal grandparents, Francis and Phyllis Schilling of Clarion; paternal grandparents, Roger and Shar Roberts of Laurel; paternal grandparents, Gary and Michelle Minor of Goldfield; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other family members, friends and his girlfriend, Lakota Nichols.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Virginia Minor.
© Wright County Monitor 2010

Gary L. Steele

June 17, 2010

Gary Lee Steele, 68, died at his home near Goldfield, on Friday morning, June 4, 2010.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 8, at the United Methodist Church in Renwick. Burial was in the Vernon Township Cemetery.

Gary was born on June 24, 1941 at Linby, Iowa, to William and Agnes (Woodburn) Steele. Gary attended grade schools in the Packwood and Abington areas and graduated from the Fairfield High School in 1959. On April 15, 1960, he was united in marriage to Donna Mehmert in Pleasant Plain. Gary farmed in Jefferson County before moving his family to northern Iowa in 1971. Prior to and after moving to northern Iowa, Gary worked for the Moorman's Feed Company. He also worked as a hired man for various farmers. He owned and operated his own business, Renwick Roofing, for 25 years until the time of his death.

Survivors include his wife, Donna of Renwick; son, Kevin Steele of Thor and Stephanie Portwine of Garner; daughter, Karla and husband, Curtis Meinke of Goldfield; son, Kendall Steele of Goldfield;  son, Kenny Steele and wife, Tracy of Goldfield; daughter, Kaylene Steele of West Des Moines; son, Kris Steele and wife, Jenny of Waukee; and daughter, Kara Steele of Des Moines; as well as 10 grandchildren; his father, William Steele of Lockridge; sister, Judy Mote of Mt. Pleasant; brothers, Jerry Steele and wife, Mary of Lockridge and Terry Steele and wife, Kay of Fairfield; two nieces; and three nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his mother, Agnes; brother, William Rex; and brother-in-law, LeeRoy Mote.
© Wright County Monitor 2010

Byron D. "Lefty" Hofmeister

June 10, 2010

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 9, at the First Lutheran Church in Clarion, for Byron D. "Lefty" Hofmeister, who passed away on Saturday, June 5, 2010, at the Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

"Lefty" Hofmeister, was born on July 4, 1926 near Prescott, Iowa, to Clarence and Mary (Gibson) Hofmeister. Lefty attended rural school and graduated from the Prescott High School. Following graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in the Pacific aboard the USS Randolph aircraft carrier. When he was discharged from the Navy, he enrolled at Simpson College, where he lettered in baseball and basketball. He graduated in three years and then began his career in education, teaching and coaching, first at Murray, then Bridgewater, Greenfield and Iowa Falls. He attended summer school at Colorado State College in Greeley and received his Master's Degree in Administration and then become Superintendent of Schools at Clearfield.

While at Clearfield he met and married Sonja Boshart on May 12, 1962. Three children were born to this union, Mark Dean, Beth Ann and Kurt Alan. The family moved to Lohrville in 1964. During this time Lefty attended summer school at Iowa State, earning an Ed. Specialist Degree. In 1972, the family moved to Madrid and in 1973 to Clarion, where Lefty was the Superintendent of Schools until his retirement in 1989.

Lefty was a member of the Clarion Lions Club, First Lutheran Church and was instrumental in starting the first whole grade sharing program in Iowa, between Clarion and Goldfield. He was also one of the original members of the Clarion Foundation For Community Improvement. He was a member of IASA, AASA and served on various state boards. In 1985, he received the Administrators' Award for service to Iowa high school athletics.

Lefty is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sonja; three children, Mark of Leadville, Colorado, Beth (Brad) Dedic of Roland and Kurt (Lisa) of Ida Grove; four grandchildren; eight nephews; one niece; and many friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Dale and Donald; sister, Eva; sisters-in-law, Laurene and Marge; and brother-in-law, Vernon Cooper.

The family requests that memorials be given to the Byron Hofmeister Scholarship Fund, which is being established, or to the Wright County Hospice.
© Wright County Monitor 2010

Margaret H. Morris

June 10, 2010

Margaret H. Morris, 84, of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, February 13, 2010, at the Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 19, at the United Presbyterian Church, Clarion, with Pastor Bill Kem officiating. Following the Inurnment in the Evergreen Cemetery, the family will receive friends and host a luncheon in the basement of the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Presbyterian Church of Clarion.

Margaret was born in Clarion on February 25, 1925, the only child of Roscoe Leslie and Hazel Julia (Breckenridge) Campbell. She attended school in Clarion with the exception of her junior year in high school, when her family moved to a farm outside of Eagle Grove. That year did not prove to be successful for farming, so her parents moved again to another farm near Rowan. Margaret lived with an aunt her senior year of high school and graduated from Clarion with the class of 1943.

After graduation, Margaret moved to Cedar Rapids where she worked as a secretary for a wholesale plumbing company. A few months later she moved back to Clarion and began working as a secretary for a local law firm. In September of 1944, an Eagle Grove classmate and she moved to Denver, Colorado, where she worked for one and one-half years as a bookkeeper in a furniture store. When World War II ended, Margaret married the love of her life, Robert J. Morris, son of John Bernard and Mary Angeline (Beckett) Morris, on April 30, 1946 in Denver, Colorado.

Margaret worked in a local bank for 12 years until her retirement in 1981. She and Bob began traveling south from fall to early spring to get out of the cold weather in Iowa. They eventually chose Harlingen, Texas, as their winter home and have resided at Park Place for the last 25 years.

She is survived by her husband; three daughters, Barbara (Bob) Krauel of Hines, Oregon, Jane (Rick) Manser of Good Hope, Illinois and Lori (Rich) Busch of Littleton, Colorado; one son, Tim (Kate) Morris of Glendive, Montana; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two nieces and two nephews; several great-nieces and nephews; and a cousin, Sandra Breckenridge (Jim) Larick of Clarion.

She was preceded in death by her parents.
© Wright County Monitor 2010

Deloris Vivian (Olson) Abbott

June 17, 2010

Deloris Vivian (Olson) Abbott, age 89, of Eagle Grove, passed away on Monday, June 7, 2010, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 10, at the Ewing Funeral Home in Clarion, with Pastor Warren Curry officiating. Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery near Rowan.

Deloris was born on March 18, 1921 at Pueblo, Colorado, the daughter of Clifford and Marvel (Quasdorf) Olson. She was educated and graduated from the Rowan Community Schools. She married Claude Abbott on November 5, 1944, at her parents' home at Rowan. Deloris and Claude farmed in the Woolstock, Dows and Rowan areas.

She was a longtime member of the Clarion Church of Christ and the Kum Join Us Circle. She enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sewing and quilting, and love of miniature horses.

Deloris is survived by her son, Marlin Abbott and wife, Marian of Webster City; daughter, Julie Abbott of Waterloo; Candy (Abbott) Butz and husband, Colby and Richard Abbott, all of Webster City; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and one brother, Duane Olson.
© Wright County Monitor 2010

Kathryn Jean (Den Hartog) Waddell

June 17, 2010

Kathryn Jean (Den Hartog) Waddell, age 59, of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2010, at the John Stoddard Cancer Center in Des Moines.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 16, at 10:30 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Clarion, with Rev. Don Morrison and Rev. Ernest Baiotto officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion at a later date.

Kathy was born on October 21, 1950 in Fort Dodge. She married her high school sweetheart, Harlan Waddell on June 27, 1970 in Clarion. To this union two children, Dee Dee and Spike were born. Kathy graduated from the Clarion High School in 1969. She started working at the Wright County Assessor's Office as a clerk in July of 1974. She held the position of Chief Clerk and Deputy Assessor. Kathy became the Wright County Assessor in 1997 and retired in 2009.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Her hobbies included quilting, quilt retreats, looking for quilt shops when traveling, golfing, camping and spoiling grandkids.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Harlan of Clarion; children, DeDra Connelly of Lowell, Arkansas and Heath "Spike" Waddell and wife, Kimmy of Boone; mother, Jeanette Den Hartog of Clarion; sisters, Susan Bateson and husband, Robert of Oskaloosa, Karen Sage and husband, Sean of O'Fallon, Missouri and Carolyn Hill and husband, Harlan of Fort Collins, Colorado; three grandchildren; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, many relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Howard Den Hartog; grandparents, Frank and Clara Prideaux and Jake and Merle Den Hartog; and one nephew, Jason Baiotto.
© Wright County Monitor 2010

Wayne Stewart

July 1, 2010

Wayne Stewart, 92, died on Saturday, June 19, 2010, at his home in Radcliffe, surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.

Memorial services will be held at the United Church of Christ in Alden, on Saturday, July 3, at 2:00 p.m.

Born in Fayette on April 10, 1918, Wayne spent his childhood in West Point, Nebraska, earning his BA from Nebraska Wesleyan. He served in WW II as a pilot in CBI and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross three times. Returning from overseas, Wayne was united in marriage to Mary Carey and he worked for the Roy S. Durstine Ad Agency in Manhatten and the Leo Burnett Ad Agency in Chicago.

After being widowed, Wayne married Ruth Sandfos, a widow with a young daughter, Mary. They then moved to St. Louis where he worked for Gardner Advertising. Wanting to return to their small town roots, Wayne and Ruth moved to Orange City, where they ran the Sioux County Capital, the local newspaper for over a decade. In 1974, Wayne and Ruth moved to Alden, so Wayne could take a job teaching at Ellsworth Community College and later serve as advertising director for Riverside Book and Bible. He retired in 1988. He was widowed again later that year.

In 1990, Wayne married for the final time to Dorothy Johnson Muscolo. They resided in Portland, Oregon, but made frequent trips back to the midwest to visit friends and family. Their time together ended in 2000 with Dorothy's death.

Wayne leaves behind to celebrate his life a daughter, Dr. Jean (Chuck) Griesel of Woodbine; a son, Robert (Alicia) Stewart of L.A. California; a daughters, Susan (Brian Weigel) Stewart of Radcliffe and Jane (and Brian) Bangs of Dows; his brother, Robert (Dorothy) Stewart of Overland Park, Kansas; and sister, Joan (Kent) Johnson of Oakland, Nebraska. Especially precious additions to the family included 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Marian Carlton Urban and Verna Andersen; wives, Mary, Ruth and Dorothy; and daughter, Mary Morris.
© Wright County Monitor 2010

Corene M. (Reding) Hammen

June 24, 2010

Corene M. (Reding) Hammen, 87, of Clarion, passed away on Sunday, June 20, 2010, at the Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 24, at 10:30 a.m., at the St. John's Catholic Church in Clarion, with Monsignor John Hemann officiating. Burial will be in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Clarion. Visitation was held on Wednesday, June 23, with a Rosary Service at the Ewing Funeral Home in Clarion and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.
© Wright County Monitor 2010

Betty Lou (Olson) Young

July 1, 2010

Betty Lou (Olson) Young, 86, of Clarion, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 23, 2010, at The Meadows in Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 29, at the First United Methodist Church, Clarion, with Reverend Don Morrison officiating. A family burial was held in the Glenwood Cemetery, Goldfield.

Betty Lou (Olson) Young, was born on July 25, 1923, the daughter of Loyd Oscar Olson and Nora Marinda (Ranum) Olson on the family farm outside of Goldfield. She was born and raised in the house that her grandfather built and that her father was born in. Betty attended the Norway Township Country School through the eighth grade, then attended the Eagle Grove High School. There she was active in singing and in 1939 was elected Eagle Grove High School's first Homecoming Queen. She was also elected Band Queen, which she couldn't quite figure out since she didn't play an instrument, nor was she a member of the band. After graduation in 1940, she worked for one year as a secretary for an Eagle Grove insurance and real estate firm.

Betty enrolled in the nursing program at the Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in Des Moines. She received her Registered Nursing Degree in 1944. While there, she met a young doctor who was interning at Iowa Methodist Hospital, Richard A. Young. They were married on January 19, 1945 at her family home near Goldfield. Because he loved the area and the people, Richard Young set up his medical practice in Clarion, along with his medical college friend, Dr. Robert Eaton. In 1952, following her husband in a tour of duty at Fort Sam Houston, Texas and Fort Dix, New Jersey, she practiced nursing in San Antonio and on the military base at Fort Dix. Betty then spent the rest of her life in Clarion.

Betty was an avid bridge player, and loved playing bridge several times a week. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarion and enjoyed singing several years in the church choir. Betty was active in the Hospital Auxiliary, helping in many ways to raise funds. She practiced nursing at the Clarion Memorial Hospital for five years. Betty also was active as a leader in Campfire Girls and Cub Scouts.

Betty was asked back and worked again as a nurse at the hospital from the late 60's until 1971. After retiring from nursing, Betty concentrated on her greatest love and her biggest talent, music. She played bluegrass and old time fiddle and was very talented in playing the piano and organ. She also played autoharp, some banjo and some guitar. She played the Uniphone in many parades. Betty could play pretty much any instrument she tried. She particularly enjoyed playing fiddle in the group she cofounded, the White Fox Assembly.

She, along with her husband, was also an avid birder and mushroom hunter. She taught her children at an early age how to spot asparagus along the roadside and morels in the woods.

Betty was proud of her Norwegian heritage and visited her homeland twice and worked tirelessly to help organize reunions. She and her husband enjoyed spending time in their vacation home in the Mountain View-Allison area of Arkansas.

She is survived by her sister, Darcia Christensen of Eagle Grove.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Richard A. Young; parents, Nora and Loyd Olson; children, Sally Smith of Utica, Minnesota, Kathy (Robert) Walton of Englewood, Colorado and John (Janice) Young of Mesa, Arizona; five grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.
© Wright County Monitor 2010

Dennis Paul Sheehan

July 1, 2010

Dennis Paul Sheehan, 69, of Cedar Falls, was welcomed into eternal life and embraced by the Lord on Friday, June 25, 2010.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, July 3, at 1:00 p.m., at the St. James United Methodist Church, St. James, Minnesota.

Dennis was the son of Ruth Sheehan and the late Paul Sheehan of Clarion. He was raised and educated in Clarion before moving to St. James. He greatly enjoyed many warm summers and cold winters fishing on the lake in St. James. While he had much pleasure tending to his gardens and bird feeders, his true talents were found in his woodworking craftsmanship and unique ability to acquire many friends, particularly while operating his popcorn stand in the center of St. James.

Dennis was a parishioner and former board member of the United Methodist Church and also served as a St. James Alderman.

Dennis is survived by his mother, Ruth; daughter, Shelly Murray of Fairfield, Connecticut and her husband, Mark and four grandchildren; his brothers and their spouses, Nick and the late Linda, John and Candy, Mike and Cindy; his sisters and their spouses, LaNora and Don Boggess, Jean and Ronald Brooks, Pauline Michels and Kathy Steen; and many nieces and nephews.
© Wright County Monitor 2010