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Lisa A. Pannhoff

Lisa A. Pannhoff, age 44, daughter of Lloyd and Carol Drewelow of New Hampton, Iowa died on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at her home in New Hampton.

Funeral services for Lisa were held SaturdaScott Alan Friedrichsy, April 2, at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton with Pastor Kevin Frey officiating.  Burial was in Boyd Cemetery at Boyd, Iowa.

Condolences for Lisa’s family and friends may be left at www.conway-kolbetfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in New Hampton was in charge of arrangements.

Reece Emil Ollenburg

Reece Emil Ollenburg, 48, of Savannah, Ga. died Saturday, April 2, 2011 in Roswell, N.M. as a result of a test flight accident.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 8, 5 - 7 p.m. at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel & Crematory in Clear Lake.  Funeral and burial is 10 a.m. Saturday, April 9, at St John’s Lutheran Church in rural Garner, Iowa with luncheon following services.  In lieu of flowers, please make memorials payable to: “Reece Ollenburg Scholarship Fund.”

Memorial services will be held in Savannah at St. James Catholic Church on Saturday, April 16, at 10 a.m., with a luncheon reception following services.  In lieu of flowers, please make memorials payable to:  “St. James Catholic School” for the Reece Ollenburg Memorial Fund for Science Lab at the school.

Reece was born in Mason City, Iowa on April 17, 1962, the son of Robert and Elaine (Lovick) Ollenburg. He graduated from Ventura High School in 1980 with honors and from Iowa State University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1986.  Following graduation he moved to Long Beach, Calif. where he worked for McDonald Douglas. There he met and married his wife, Jeanne Elser, on Nov. 5, 1994.  Reece was a talented engineer and went on to work for Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Ga., Bombardier in Wichita, Kansas, Lockheed in Ft. Worth, Texas. For the past two years he worked for Gulfstream in Savannah. He was very proud of the G650 airplane and was doing what he loved at the time of his death.

Reece was active in his church. He enjoyed working in his yard, making beer and snow skiing, but above all else, he loved spending time with his family and attending his children’s activities.

Reece was a wonderful husband and father and his legacy lives on through the lives of his children. Reece will be greatly missed by his wife, Jeanne and their three children, Bridget, 12, Kathryn, 10 and Henry, 6 and his son, Christopher, 27 who lives in North Carolina; parents, Bob and Elaine Ollenburg; mother-in-law, Joan Elser; brothers, Scott (Karen) and Dan (Kristen); and sisters, Sherry (Tim) Becker and Kim (Bill) Larson; brother-in-law, Karl (Angela) Elser; sisters-in-law, Clare Elser, Kathryn (Steve) Hammit, Martha Elser (Julie Gissel); nephews, Ben Becker, Rex Ollenburg, Grant (Amber) Larson, Zach Becker, Alois Scott, Alec Scott and Nicholas Hammitt; nieces, Emily (Thomas) Zanios, Renee (Matt) Washburn, Sophia Ollenburg, Ava Ollenburg and Ella Ollenburg; great-nephews, Noah and Parker Larson; and great-niece, Natalie Washburn,  along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents and father-in-law, Martin Elser.

Anna Grace Bacon

Anna Grace Bacon, 92, of 309 26th Ave. S., Clear Lake, died Thursday, March 31, 2011 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday April 6, at the Ventura United Methodist Church, Ventura, Iowa with the Rev. Rhoda Preston officiating. Cremation will take place following the service.  Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m.Thursday at the Clear Lake Cemetery.  Family suggests memorials to Ventura United Methodist Church or Hospice of North Iowa.

Anna was born Oct. 12, 1918 in Kingsport, Tenn. the daughter of Herman and Hobart (Hite) Blakley.  In 1929 the family moved to a farm east of Titonka, Iowa.  She went to grade school in Titonka and graduated from Titonka High School in 1937.

After graduation she worked in Bonackers Food Store for two years.  In 1939 she married Vern Bacon at the family home.  They farmed with Vern’s dad for two years.  In 1942 they moved to a farm north of Ventura and started farming for themselves.  They lived the rest of their lives in the Clear Lake and Ventura vicinity.

Anna belonged to Ventura United Methodist Church, Naomi Church Circle and North Side Jolly Club. 

Anna is survived by her daughter, Diane Lovick, Forest City, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Bacon, Ventura; six grandchildren, Steve (Karla) Bacon, Doug (Angie) Bacon, Kristi (Jay) Waddingham, Darren (Janet) Lovick, Shaun (Julie) Lovick and Kelli (Mason) Harms; 16 great-grandchildren, Tanner, Chase Bacon, Mitchel Storby, Caleb and Logan Bacon, Zachary, Tyler, Matthew Waddingham, Benjamin, Audrey, Joshua Lovick, Nicholas, Maxwell and Kate Lovick, Laura and Jack Harms; sister, Donna Blakley, Woden, Iowa; sister-in-law, Shirley Neel, Clear Lake, Iowa and brother-in-law, Merle Isebrand, Ft. Meyers, Fla. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Larry in 1993; husband, Vern in 2003; two brothers, Jim and Kenneth Blakley; and son-in-law, Larry Lovick.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

Deborah “Deb” K. Austin

Deborah “Deb” K. Austin, 58, 20 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, died Monday, April 4, 2011 at Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.  A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, April 7, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jim Allard, Hospice Chaplin of North Iowa, officiating.  Visitation with family will begin at noon preceding the service.  Inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Highway 122 W., Mason City, at a later date.  Memorials may be given to the Deborah K. Austin Memorial Fund.

Deb was born Nov. 28, 1952 in Los Angeles, Calif., the daughter of Paul and Eunice (Wilke) Austin.  They moved to Marshfield, Wis. in 1965 where she graduated from high school in 1971.  The family then moved to Clear Lake.  She worked at a bank in Minneapolis and later in California.  She moved back to Clear Lake in 1998 to be with her family.  She worked at MacDonald’s in Clear Lake for 10 years. She loved Elvis and NASCAR racing. 

Deb is survived by her mother, Eunice Austin, Clear Lake; brother, Jeff (Denice) Austin, Clear Lake; nephew, Jacob Austin, Clear Lake; sister-in-law, Lori, and her husband Mark Bennett, Cambridge, Iowa; and niece, Amber Austin, Ankeny, Iowa; several aunts, uncles and cousins, and former husband, Jack Parento. 

Deb was preceded in death by her father, Paul and brother, Joe.

Adelia “Dee” Woodward Hayward

Adelia “Dee” Woodward Hayward died Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at Good Shepard Health Center, Mason City, Iowa.

A memorial service was held Saturday, April 9, at United Methodist Church, Clear Lake, with Pastor Rhoda Preston officiating. 

Dee was born June 11, 1918 in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Dr. L. R. Woodward and Lynne Adele (Webster) Woodward. Dee grew up Mason City from 1921 – 1939, graduating from Mason City High School in 1935. She then went to Grinnell College, graduating in 1939 with a B.A. degree and a major in biology/zoology. Dee was married to John Verner Hayward on June 24, 1939 in Mason City. They lived in Davenport, Iowa until 1955, then moved to Estherville, Iowa and lived there until 1957, when they moved to Mason City. In 1968 they became full-time residents of Buzzards Bay on Clear Lake. Pei Tai Ho, the family cottage on Dodges Point Beach, a.k.a. Buzzards Bay, was a second home for many years, from 1925 to 1990.

Dee was active in conservation programs with the goal of restoring and maintaining the original tall prairie grasses that formerly blanketed the Midwestern prairies. She worked with the Girl Scout Camp at Clear Lake, where there is a primitive grassland area maintained in her memory, and with the Nature Conservancy. As a consultant for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources she frequently was called upon to identify prairie and woodland flora. In 1962 she became a biology instructor for Mason City Junior College and Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa.

Dee was active in the Keynotes, a Clear Lake area women’s choral group that performed at local events. She was a member of Rotary for many years, and belonged to the Mason City Garden Club, the Mason City Monday Club, OT Club, Clear Lake Friends, and others. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Mason City and, later, the United Methodist Church at Clear Lake, and was a member of the United Methodist Women, Altar Guild, and the Chancel Choir.

Dee is survived by three children, Stephen (Monica) Hayward, Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, Alan (Becky) Hayward, Mason City, and Lynne (Greg) Bombinski, Phoenix, Az.

Grandchildren include Suzanne Hayward, Seattle, Wash., Elizabeth Thivierge, Soap Lake, Wash., John and James Bombinski, Phoenix, Az., Alyson (Thomas) Finley, Des Moines, Iowa and Jesse Van Slyke, Clear Lake; great-grandchildren are Lauren and Jade Collier, Taylor Bombinski, Colton Bombinski, Isabella Bombinski, Ashlynn Bombinski, Bobby Thivierg, Phelan and Lochlan Finley.

Dee was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John (Jan. 12, 2001); son, John Arthur (1965), and her brothers, Dr. Arthur Woodward and Dr. Edward Woodward.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

Marian “Beverly” Dregne

Marian “Beverly” Dregne, 87, of 12914 Slater, Overland Park, Kan. and formerly of Clear Lake, died Sunday, April 3, 2011 at her daughter's home. 

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m., at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. Rev. Derik Yarian will be officiating.  Other arrangements are incomplete at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel.

Scott A. Friedrichs

Scott A. Friedrichs, 48, of St. Paul, Minn., formerly Clear Lake, died at his home in St. Paul.  Services are pending at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake.

Scott Alan Friedrichs

Scott Alan Friedrichs, 48,  of St. Paul, Minn. died unexpectedly Monday, April 11, 2011. 

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 23 at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with Deacon Matt Berry officiating.  Inurnment will be at the Clear Lake Cemetery.  Visitation with family will be one hour preceding the service. Memorials may be given to the Scott A. Friedrichs Memorial Fund. 

Scott was born May 11, 1962 in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Lee and Marilou (Klassen) Friedrichs.  He was a 1980 graduate of Clear Lake High School.  He obtained a bachelor’s degree at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.  He later attended and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y.  Scott had a passion for cooking and utilized his talent in many areas of the country including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Iowa, Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York.  He eventually settled in the Twin Cities and has worked for the last five years at Cork’s Pub in the Embassy Suites Hotel in St. Paul as the Chef de Cuisine. 

Scott is survived by his sister, Sandy (Steve) Murphy of West Branch, Iowa; brother, Dr. Bob (Debby) Friedrichs of Mason City; niece, Kristin (Dan) Pedersen of West Branch; niece, Jessica Friedrichs of Minneapolis; nephew, Joe Friedrichs, of Boise, Idaho; great-nephew, Mason Pedersen, of West Branch; and his beloved dog, Butch. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother, James.

Lorene J. Haddy

Lorene J. Haddy, 79, 20 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, died Friday, April 15, 2011 at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.   A funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 20, at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church,  508 2nd Ave N., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Diana Hoover officiating.  Interment will be at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of North Iowa. 

Lorene was born June 6, 1931 in rural Meservey, Iowa, the daughter of Merle “Red” Louis and Linda (Hoppe) Kennedy.  She attended county school and then later attended Clear Lake High School.  She married Jim Dickirson and they moved to Anaheim, Calif., where she attended beauty school.  To this union three daughters were born, Linda, Diana and Darcy.  She later married Dean Pierce, and they had two sons, Randy and Jeff.  They moved back to Clear Lake and started a catering business.  Lorene married Frank Haddy in August 1993. She worked as a beautician at Nadine’s Beauty Shop, Scissors Salon and the Hair Shanty.

Lorene loved to play cards, sew and quilt.  She enjoyed traveling, family gatherings, especially the 4th of July, and being a “chauffer” to her friends.  She also loved spending time with her friend, Jim, on his deck on Clear Lake.  She was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary, and volunteered for their events.

Lorene is survived by four children, Diana (Tim) Byington, Clear Lake, Darcy (Dan) Skellenger, Clear Lake, Randy Pierce, Calif., and Jeff (Amy) Pierce, Rochester, Minn.; a brother, Lloyd (Sally) Kennedy, Clear Lake; sister, Lucille Anderson, Clear Lake; 12 grandchildren, Jennifer (Eric) Lamanna, Codie (D.J.) Roberts, Tyler Byington, Darren (Kristy) Nelson, Nicholas Pierce, Meg Pierce and Claire Pierce, Ryan Pierce, Kourtney Pierce, Krystle Pierce, Jeremy Skellenger, Cassie Skellenger; two step-children, Laurie (Gary) Calgaard, Clear Lake, and Mike (Lisa Van Slyke) Haddy, Houston, Texas; ten great-grandchildren, Anthony Lamanna, Jake, Dylan and Kayleigh Nelson, Kadence Pierce, Tanner Pierce, Isaac Thompson, Darien, Dex and Cambree Barker; and special friend, Jim Ransom, Clear Lake and his children, Mike (Jeanie Ransom) Rochester, Minn. and Sue Harris and friend, Dudley Merkel, Sedona, Az.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lorene was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Linda Nelson Smith; brother, Leonard “Dude” Kennedy; three sisters, Loretta Kennedy, Luella Marshall, Lois Wilson; grandson, Dustin Nelson; and husband, Frank “Spec” Haddy.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

Everett E. Hanson

Everett E. Hanson, 91, died Saturday, April 16, 2011 at Good Shepherd Health Center, Mason City, Iowa.  A funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 20, 1:30 p.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, 112 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating.  Interment will be at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Memorials may be given to the Everett E. Hanson Memorial Fund.

Everett was born Oct. 22, 1919 in Mason City, the son of Ole Christian and Hattie Myrtle (Helm) Hansen.  He graduated from Mason City High School in 1938.  He worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1938 – 1939.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.  He was taken prisoner of war for four months. He was liberated on April 12, 1945.  He was honorably discharged November 1945. 

Everett married Lois Maxine Anderson on June 11, 1944 at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake.  Following his military service they lived in Garner, Iowa where he worked for the lumber yard.  For a year, he lived in Thule, Greenland where he worked construction at the U.S. Army base.  In 1955 they moved back to Clear Lake to be closer to family.  He worked as a route salesman for Highland Potato Chips Co. until his retirement in 1980.  He managed a storage warehouse at Orlando, Fla. and later moved back to the Mason City area. 

Everett was an avid supporter of the D.A.V., lifetime Clear Lake V.F.W. member, former member of the Elks Lodge and Moose Lodge in Mason City.  He loved golfing, fishing, collecting baseball caps, and while in the nursing home, he especially loved spending time with his family  and visiting with the staff.  He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church.

Everett is survived by three children, Douglas Hanson and his wife, Linda, Mason City, Pam Craver and her husband, Marv, Robins, Iowa and LuAnn Lollis and her husband, Pat, Mesa, Az; eight grandchildren, Jana (Joe) Graf, Leslie (Tony) Kach, Jaci (Lance) Sullivan, Joe Siems, Jill (Jason) Kreimeyer, Tyler Lollis, Lindsey Lollis and Toby Schooley; and eight great-grandchildren,  AJ  and Lauren Kach, Mallory and Hayden Sullivan, Addison and Aubree Kreimeyer, and Tod and Tori Schooley.

Everett is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lois; sister, Ora Daly; brother, Leonard Hanson and infant brother, Roy Roger Hanson.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

Anna Mae (Hill) Brinton

Anna Mae (Hill) Brinton, age 88, of Belmond, Iowa, most recently a resident of the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond, died Saturday, April, 16, 2011, at the Rehabilitation Center surrounded by the love, prayers, and care of her loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 21, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 304 3rd Avenue Northeast, Belmond. Carolyn Pflibsen, AIM, will be officiating.  Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 20, 5-7 p.m., at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 1st Street S.E., Belmond, and continue one hour prior to the services at church on Thursday.  Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Anna Mae's name may wish to consider Hospice of Wright County, Trinity Lutheran Church, or to their own choice.

Anna Mae Hill, the daughter of Andrew Morgan and Anna Georgena (Satre) Hill, was born Aug. 2, 1922, in Stanhope, Iowa.  She was educated in the Stanhope School District and graduated in 1940.

She married Marshall "Homer" Brinton on Oct. 23, 1941 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, in Stanhope.  Anna Mae and Homer farmed at Stanhope and Fertile, Iowa, from 1941-1963.  They then purchased the Belmond Hotel in 1963 and operated it until it was destroyed by the tornado on Oct. 14, 1966.  Anna worked as a diagnostic soil technician for US Steel in Belmond. From 1966-1998  Anna and Homer drove Winnebago motor homes for Morgan Drive Away in Forest City, Iowa and for Lifetime in Mason City, Iowa.

Anna and Homer lived in Apache Junction and Queens Creek, Az. for 14 years during the winter months, and resided in Belmond during their summer months together.  During their life journey together it was a rare occassion when you might find Anna Mae without Homer or vice versa, they were truly a partneship.   Following Homer's passing Anna Mae looked forward to times, gatherings,  and even some spontaneous travels with her children.  Her husband, children, and grandchildren were the most treaured parts of her entire life.  She was a terrific cook and when her children and their families visited her home, they could always count on wonderful aromas of their favorite meals and desserts coming from her kitchen if she knew they were coming.  She would always prepare special meals for them all, such as ham balls, creamed chicken and biscuits, creamed peas, and countless other delicious foods.  She was a beautiful lady of strong values, and taught her children the mean of rules, obedience, and a whole lot of love.   In recent years, since Homer's passing, Anna Mae was a resident of the Hampton Care Center and the Belmond Rehabilitation.

Anna Mae was an active member of the Fertile and Belmond Lutheran Churches, participating in circles, Ladies Aide, Bible Study, and teaching Sunday School and Bible School. Anna Mae's greatest blessing in life was her family and her faith.

Anna Mae is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew Morgan Hill and Anna Georgena (Satre) Hill; her husband, Homer; two grandchildren, Emily Morgan Knoll and Benjamin Scott Meints; her sisters, Olive Fardell, Gladys Pierson, Fern Hill; and a brother, Idres Hill.

Those left to cherish Anna Mae's memory are her children: Diane M. Burtness (Lance) of Branson, Mo.; grandchildren, Ellen (Burtness) Lundgren, (Todd) of Fertile, great-grandson, Zack Lundgren; grandson, John Burtness (Valerie) Clear Lake, great-grandsons, Chase Burtness and Cameron Burtness;  Donna Brinton Hawkins (Ron) Belle Plaine, Minn., granddaughter, Katie Hawkins and special friend, Robert James;  Mark Brinton (Margaret), San Diego, Calif., granddaughter, Dr. Anne Brinton, State College, Penn., grandson, Joel Brinton (Marie Jose), Redwood City, Calif; Mary Brinton, Grand Junction, Colo., grandson, Jamie (Heather) Daugaard, Parker, Colo., great-grandsons, Caden and Ryken; granddaughter, Jenny Scott Brinton, great-grandchildren, Ashley, Jamie and Tristan Brinton, Grand Junction, granddaughter, Nikki Doran, Fullerton, Calif., and Zachary Doran, Grad Junction; Deborah Knoll (Kevin), Belmond; and Lisa Meints (Rodney), Belmond, grandchildren, Merissa, Austin, Taylor and Nicholas Meints, all of Belmond. 

Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, was in charge of arrangements.

Florence Dorothea Hansen

Florence Dorothea Hansen of Bakersfield, Calif., passed away peacefully on April 16, 2011. Born on May 16, 1916, in Clear Lake, she graduated from Fertile High School, Fertile, Iowa. She was a homemaker and worked for the University of Southern California for 20 years.

Graveside services will be held at the Sawtelle Veterans National Cemetery in Los Angeles, Calif., on April 22, at 10:30 a.m., conducted by Pastor Anne-Grethe Nielsen of the Danish American Lutheran Church. Memorials can be made to Hoffmann Hospice, 8501 Brimhall Road, Bakersfield, CA 93312, or the Danish American Lutheran Church Memorial Fund at 16881 Bastanchury Road, Yorba Linda, CA 92886-1607.

Florence was a member of the Danish American Lutheran Church of Yorba Linda, Calif., where she was active in the church choir and chairperson for the annual church bazaar, and a 62-year member of the Danish Sisterhood Society, where she held many different offices, including two terms as State President of Iowa. To her grandchildren, she was babysitter, taxi driver, driving teacher, confidant, etc. Of course these ventures always included stops for coffee, treats, and sweets. She introduced them all to the finery of strawberries and “soft-centers” from See's Candy. She was always their "Grams!"

Florence was preceded in death by her father and mother, Marius and Ida Oredsen; her husband of 31 years, Harold Hansen; and her son, Marvin Hansen. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Melvin, Pete, Stanley, and Donald Oredsen; sisters, Fern (Hopkey), Francis and Hazel (Wonsmos).

She is survived by her son, Norman Hansen; daughters, Hazel Chapman and Delores Ohler; daughters-in-law, Judi (White) and Jackie Hansen; and son-in-law, David Ohler. She is also survived by her sister, Edna Seager of Sacramento. Calif.; and sisters-in-law, Mildred Oredsen of Hampton, Iowa, Dolly York (Phil), Canon City, Colo., and Minnie Johnson, Des Moines, Iowa. She has seven grandchildren, David, Eva, Chris, Cory, Curtis, Tom, and Dan; and 20 great-grandchildren who will miss their "Grams!" and many nieces and nephews who will miss their “Auntie Dor.”

Lt. Col. Sumner "Hud" Hudson, Jr.

Lt. Col. Sumner "Hud" Hudson, Jr., U.S. Army (Ret.) age 88, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2011, in San Antonio, Texas.

Celebration of Life services were held Wednesday, April 13, at Porter Loring Chapel in San Antonio with Chaplian LTC David Wake officiating. A graveside service was held Thursday, April 14, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with Chaplain Capt. Brian Eastham officiating.

Sumner Hudson was born in Clear Lake on May 23, 1922.  He graduated from Clear Lake High School with the class of 1940. As a young man, Hud enlisted in the 17th Infantry on Oct. 4, 1940 and proudly served his country in WWII, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War, handling duties in warehouse supply, inspection, DOD Procurement and logistics.  Hud was appoint as a representative to the US International Court of Contract Appeals by the US Attorney General. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and numerous campaign ribbons, medals and several unit citations and honorably retired on Nov. 30, 1965.  He performed his duty, lived and traveled in 65 foreign countries, traveling around the world twice while in the military. He was amember of the Military Officer Association of America (MOAA) and Officer of the Red Cross Building of Fort Sam Houston.

One of his many passions was photography. He enjoyed cooking, DIY and traveling. Hud was a life member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Shrine, V.F.W, American Legion, DAV, TROA, NAUS, 376 Bomb Group Association, 17th Infrantry Association, and 7th Infantry Division Association (SAROA).

Hud is survived by his wife of 47 years, Wanda Lee Bollier Hudson; daughter, Kay Ann Hudson Conaway and husband, Robert; sister-in-law, Doris E. Pierce and husband, Thomas; brothers-in-law, Dwayne Bollier and wife, Barbara, and Dararell Bollier and wife, Karen; numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be made to the M.O.A.A. Scholarship Fund in the name of LTC Sumner Hudson, Jr. (Ret.) and Dr. Wanda L. Hudson endowed scholarship, Attn. Shelly Marshall, Director, 201 North Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314-2539.

Maxine Helen (Thornton) Funk 

Maxine Helen (Thornton) Funk, 86, of Clear Lake, died Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake, Iowa.

Funeral services were held Monday, April 25, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. John R. Tilp officiating. Interment was in Clear Lake Cemetery.  Family suggests memorials to Oakwood Care Center. 

Maxine was born in Algona, Iowa on Sept. 10, 1924 the daughter of  Glen and Helen (Stebritz) Thornton.  In 1945 she married Clark F. Cook from Fort Scott, Kan. They had a son, Clark Cook Jr. In 1950 Clark Sr. died and Maxine and her son moved to Mason City, Iowa to be close to her family. She married Robert Funk in 1954. They had two sons, Bob and Randy.

Maxine lived in Clear Lake the majority of her life. She held numerous jobs, working at Deckers and also Amicare. She also owned and operated the Cave and the Maid-Rite in Clear Lake. Maxine was a long-time member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and the  Clear Lake V.F.W. Auxillary.  Other favorite activities included listening to music, dancing, playing cards and anything involving pets. 

Maxine is survived by her sons, Clark and his wife, Sue, of Staunton, Va., Bob and Jaime of Swaledale, Iowa and Randy and his wife, Teresa, of Clear Lake; a step-son, Dan, and his wife, Linda, of Knoxville, Tenn; grandchildren, Clark Cook and his wife, Tonia Staunton, Virginia, Heather Funk, Brett Funk of Mason City, and Chad Funk and his wife, Brandi, of Knoxville, Tenn.; great-grandchildren, Jasmine and Zac Cook,Taylor Funk and Maddox Funk; a sister, Ila LaPole; and a brother, Clyde Thornton, Mason City.

She was preceded in death by both of her husbands, Clark Cook and Robert Funk; her parents; her brothers, Frank, Glen and Eugene Thornton; a step-son, Jim Funk; and a great-granddaughter, Samantha Jo Cook.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

June Olson

June Olson, 95, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, formerly of Clear Lake, died Monday, April 25, 2011 in Cedar Falls.  Services are pending at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, Iowa.

Emma Jean L. Erdahl

Emma Jean L. Erdahl, 59, of Opportunity Village, Clear Lake, died Monday, April 25, 2011 at Muse Norris Hospice in-patient unit, Mason City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St. Clear Lake.

Emma Jean Leone Erdahl

Emma Jean Leone Erdahl, 59, Opportunity Village, Clear Lake, died Monday, April 25, 2011 at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.  A funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 27, at Opportunity Village, 1200 N. 9th St. W., Clear Lake, with Pastor Rich Murray officiating.  Visitation will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the forum of Opportunity Village.  Interment will be at the South Blue Earth Lutheran Church Cemetery, Bricelyn, Minn.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Opportunity Village or Muse-Norris Hospice of North Iowa.

Emma was born July 26, 1951 in Cresco, Iowa, the daughter of Leonard S. and Emma (Verlo) Erdahl.  Emma lived with her parents and enjoyed going with them to East Leaf Lake in northern Minnesota for many summers.  At the age of eight she moved to Woodward, Iowa; and on July 23, 1974 she was one of the first residents to move into Opportunity Village, Morning Sun cottage.  She eventually moved to Oak Hill cottage. 

Emma loved clipping coupons, coloring, gardening and her latch hooks.  She was extremely patriotic and very fond of the American flag.  She was affectionate with people, mostly by giving hugs.

Emma is survived by two brothers, Jerry Erdahl and his wife, Shirley, Cresco, and Leonard “Lenny” Erdahl and his wife, Arlene, Shorewood, Ill.; many nieces and nephews and cousins; and her extended family at Opportunity Village.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, LeMar  and his wife, Linda, and Milford  and his wife, Wilma.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

John Heath Perkins

John Heath Perkins was born Feb. 3, 1912 on a farm on Tony Row, south of Clear Lake, to George E. and Mabel R. (Tedrow) Perkins.

He lived his entire life in Clear Lake and at 99 years was still living independently at home. He died Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011, at Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake, after a month of care following a broken hip.

John graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1928 at the age of 16. He participated in athletics, school plays, and debate. He attended Iowa State College, where as a freshman reporter for the school newspaper, he had the opportunity to meet and interview George Washington Carver, the first black man to graduate from Iowa State, and Henry Wallace, who was then U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

He retained his love of writing for the rest of his life. At an advanced age, he enrolled in writing courses at the University of Iowa and North Iowa Community College. For two years, he authored a weekly column in the Mason City Globe Gazette. In 1997, John and Marlus published the book "Of Frogs and Friends", which originated from his columns.

He was married to Marlus Irene Lambert, his high school sweetheart, on May 2, 1934, in the First Congregational Church, Clear Lake, by the Rev. W. B. Milne.

Shortly after marriage, John and Marlus purchased the Perkins Dairy from John’s parents and moved it from the farm to 114 North 4th Street in Clear Lake. They operated it as a team, except during WWII when Marlus became one of the first women in Clear Lake to manage a business. Perkins Dairy introduced pasteurized and homogenized milk to the Clear Lake community.

John enlisted in the Air Force in 1942 and was discharged in 1944, having earned a commercial pilot’s license with an instrument rating. After selling the dairy in 1946, he managed the All Veterans’ Social Center. He then became corporate secretary for the Imperial Seed Company. At this time he owned his own airplane, which he used in business.

John and Marlus then established and operated the first garden center in Clear Lake. They ran infomercials, long before that word was coined, on what was then KGLO-TV. Perkins Garden Center was the first establishment in the area to flock Christmas trees.

This business transitioned to John Perkins Inc., an erosion control company. He operated the business for about 20 years before retirement, seeding grass and planting trees on roadsides, ditches, and dams to prevent them from washing away. The firm seeded the first project in Iowa that made use of native prairie grasses. John relished the problem-solving that was required for his work. His company was the first in Iowa to seed highways via helicopter, and on one water-side job, he spread seed from a rowboat.

Immediately after returning from the service, John was elected president of the Chamber of Commerce. He was serving in that office when the decision was made by the Chamber to purchase the golf course as a memorial to all veterans. He also served two terms on the Clear Lake City Council, was on the Clear Lake School Board, and was president of the Lions Club. In 1992, the Clear Lake Rotary Club chose John “Citizen of the Year.” That same year, he was selected as the Grand Marshall of the 4th of July Parade.

As a long-time member of the First Congregational Church of Clear Lake, he served as moderator, member of the Board of Trustees, chairman of the Board of Deacons, and Sunday school teacher. He also served on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches.

John was a 50-year member of Verity Lodge 250, AFAM of Clear Lake, where he once served as Master of The Lodge. He was a member of Abu Bekr Temple and Scottish Rite of Sioux City. He was also Past Patron of Park Chapter No. 35 OES in Clear Lake.

After retirement, he and Marlus loved to travel, journeying to Yugoslavia, Spain, and England. They spent a summer in Alaska with their travel trailer and often wintered near Big Bend National Park in Texas. Educational tours took them on a covered wagon ride across the Kansas prairie and to an authentic Native American sweat lodge in South Dakota. As Marlus’ eyesight faded, John learned to cook, and he delighted in finding new recipes on the internet. He also enjoyed photography, woodworking, and carving, and he never lost his zest for recounting his memories of Clear Lake history.

John is survived by his daughter, Sandra K. Snider of Wichita, Kan.; daughter-in-law, Dr. Jane M. Perkins of Chicago, Ill.; three grandchildren, Jeff Perkins and his wife, B.J., of Eden Prairie, Minn., Elizabeth Perkins-Brown and her husband, James Brown, of Boise, Id., Meredith Perkins of Chicago; and three great-grandchildren, Anthony and Nicolas Perkins, and Tristyn Brown.

He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 75 years, Marlus; his son, J. Bruce Perkins; his parents; brothers, Dowd and Rawlins; and sister, Helen.

A celebration of John’s life is scheduled for 11 a.m., Friday, April 29, at First Congregational Church, Clear Lake. The church will be open at 10 a.m. for friends to visit with the family.

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