Harvey Koshatka, 76
A Mass of Christian Burial for Harvey
T. Koshatka of Cresco, IA was held at 11:00
a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at
Notre Dame Catholic Church in Cresco.
Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco.
Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m. at the
Conway Funeral Home in Cresco with a
scripture wake service at 6:15 p.m.
Conway Funeral Home in Cresco, IA
handled the arrangements.
Harvey, 76, died Saturday, February 14,
2009 after a brief illness.
Harvey Thomas Koshatka was born February
2, 1933, the son of Frank and Josephine (Tlusty)
Koshatka at his parent's rural farm home
near Lourdes, IA. He attended elementary
school in Lourdes and high school in Cresco.
Due to his father's health, he farmed the
family farm until he married Beverly LaVonne
Albertson on April 12, 1955 at Our Lady of
Lourdes Catholic Church. They became the
proud parents of Steven and Cheryl. They
farmed in the Lourdes area for 12 years. He
became employed at Donaldson Company in
Cresco in the fall of 1965. The family
relocated to Cresco in the spring of 1966
where he remained employed with Donaldson
Co. for the next 32 years.
After his retirement he was an EMT for
Regional Health Services of Howard County
and currently was Cresco airport manager
until his death.
Harvey was an avid outdoorsman. He had
many special interests that included flying
his airplane, fishing and hunting with
friends and family, golfing, bowling, table
pool, boating, and motorcycling. In earlier
years he drove a stock car (#140) at the
local races. Harvey and Beverly enjoyed bus
trips after their retirement. He loved his
grandchildren and enjoyed spending quality
time with them. He recently purchased a new
John Deere riding lawn mower, which he
thoroughly enjoyed and was proud of.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly of
Cresco; one son: Steven and wife Shirley (Wiemerslage)
of Cresco; a daughter: Cheryl Riha of
Cresco; grandchildren: Andrew Riha of Los
Angeles; Brandon and Megan (Speer) Riha of
Cresco; Bryan Riha, a student at Drake
University in Des Moines who is currently
studying abroad in Cape Town, Africa; Tyler,
Tiffany, and Tara Koshatka of Cresco; as
well as many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
James Hurd, 54
Funeral services for
James "Jim" L. Hurd of Decorah, IA were held
at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2009 at
Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah
with Rev. David H. Andreae officiating.
Organist was Kathryn Anderson. Hymns sung
were: "Borning Cry" and "On Eagle's Wings".
Pallbearers were: Gary Stortz, Brian
Niemeyer, Paul "Gus" Gustafsson, Jim Byerly,
Loren Amundson, and Matt Amundson. Interment
was in Big Canoe Cemetery in rural Decorah.
Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Decorah,
IA handled the arrangements.
Jim, 54, died Wednesday, February 25,
2009 in Flippin, AR of an apparent heart
attack while visiting relatives.
James "Jim" Laverne Hurd was born July
16, 1954, the son of Maurice Edgar and Irene
Harriett (Buenneke) Hurd in Oelwein, IA. Jim
graduated as class president from West
Central High School of Maynard in 1972.
On September 15, 1972, he married Rita
Steinbronn at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in
Westgate, IA.
He worked for Seig Motor Company and
Gulf States Plastics in Oelwein. In 1976, he
moved with his family to Big Canoe Road,
north of Decorah, to take up farming with
his father-in-law. In 1983, he bought a
smaller farm, two miles down the road. Jim
went to work for Northern Engraving in 1984
and worked there until 1991, when he joined
Camcar in Decorah where he worked in Quality
Control, Heat-treat and Customer Complaints.
His two children and five grandchildren
loved to go to Highlandville with Jim when
he went for coffee each evening with Loren
and Gus.
Jim loved everything about hunting - but
mostly spending time with his friends and
family, teaching young people to hunt and to
love the outdoors. Jim knew everyone in a
four county area, due to his auctioneering
with Steve Darrington at church bazaars. Jim
was a member of the Big Canoe Lutheran
Church, the Highlandville Literary Society
and the Three Dorks Club.
Jim is survived by his wife: Rita Hurd
of Decorah; one daughter: Heather (Mark)
Vilardo of Virginia Beach, VA; one son:
Aaron (Shannon) Hurd of Ridgeway; five
grandchildren: Faith, Gabriel and Noah
Vilardo and Jason and Preston Hurd; two
sisters: Maurene (Tom) Arlington of Casco,
MI and Barbara (Curt) Orr of Maynard; one
brother: George (Deb) Hurd of West Union;
his father and mother-in-law: Wilbert and
Marjorie Steinbronn of Westgate; one
brother-in-law: Russell (Chris) Steinbronn
of Westgate; three sisters-in-law: Deb
Steinbronn of Westgate, Ruth (Dave) Garrigus
of Oelwein and Ronda (Jim) Avenson of
Westgate; two uncles: David Hurd of Oelwein
and Lawrence Hurd of Westgate; two aunts:
LaRyne (Raymond) Mills of Maynard and Brenda
Earls of Broken Arrow, OK; along with many
nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his
parents: Maurice and Irene Hurd; one
brother-in-law: Ron Steinbronn; and one
niece: Jenny Earls.
Glora Earl, 95
Funeral services for Glora V. Earl were
held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2009
at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah with
Rev. Steven M. Jacobsen officiating.
Interment will be held in the spring in
Phelps Cemetery.Visitation was held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah.
Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, IA handled the arrangements.
Glora, 95, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, February 25, 2009.
Glora Viola Earl was born February 24, 1914 the daughter of Olai and Minnie (Hanson Engen) Kjarland in Pleasant Township on the family farm. She was baptized and confirmed at Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church. She was educated in Pleasant Township, district no. 8 country school. She grew up in a traditional rural Norwegian family. She had one sister: Julia Kjarland and seven brothers: Claude Hanson, Henry Hanson, Selmer Kjarland, Ingvold Kjarland, Laurance Kjarland, Lloyd Kjarland and Stanley Kjarland. Glora's fondest childhood memory was cross country skiing.
Glora married Lester Foss when she was 19. They had four children - Galen, Donna, Naomi and Roy. Lester died in 1970. They had been married for 37 years. Glora married Emmett Earl in 1971 and they were married for 15 years until his death in 1986.
Glora was a homemaker and a gardener. She was a master lefse maker, learning from her grandmother. She loved nature and was an avid bird watcher.
Glora's grandchildren were lucky indeed. In the winter, she came up with games like "string the buttons" and "hide the thimble". She read them stories at night and tucked them in under a quilt so heavy they could not move. In summer, it was the sand box, dress up, tag and red rover. On occasion, she would get out her coin purse and dispense the precious few coins she had to her grandchildren who were huddled around her like chicks with hands. She somehow always managed to have just enough for everyone for a dime cone or a nickel root beer or spending an hour at Rooney's store searching for just the right piece of candy. When her grandkids took time out from playing, there was always a white sugar sandwich for easy consumption.
For the past 22 years Glora lived alone with her dog Tiny. Glora never owned or operated an automobile and enjoyed walking in the fresh outdoors. In September of last year she could walk no more and moved to the Cresco Care Center.
Glora is survived by her daughter: Donna Harding; her sons: Galen (Betty) Foss and Roy (Beverly) Foss; her stepson: Arnold (Rita) Earl; 31 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Glora was preceded in death by two husbands; her daughter: Naomi Foss Berg; two grandsons: Robert Harding and Steven Berg; her parents; and eight siblings.
Alvin Frana, 76
A Mass of Christian Burial for Alvin
F. Frana of Calmar, IA was held at 11:00
a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at St.
Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar with Rev.
Donald Hawes and Deacon Butch Stone
officiating. Organist was Alan Sensor,
soloist was Dan Silhacek and the St.
Wenceslaus Choir. Lector was Deacon Butch
Stone. Offertory giftbearers were: Joanne
Frana, Doretta Frana and Susie Durham.
Eucharistic ministers were: Nancy and Deacon
Butch Stone. Music was "Amazing Grace",
"Here I am Lord", "Eagles Wings", "Knebesum",
"Be Not Afraid", "Prayer of St. Francis",
"Ave Maria", "Going Home', and "How Great
Thou Art". Pallbearers were: Thomas L.
Lockhart, Lonnie Frana, Kevin Whalen,
Michael Haddy, Jack Brazier, Jr., and Jason
Durham. Interment was in St. Wenceslaus
Catholic Cemetery in Spillville.
Schluter-Balik Funeral Home handled the
arrangements.
Alvin, 76, died suddenly Tuesday,
February 24, 2009 at his home.
Alvin Francis Frana was born December 3,
1932, the son of James R. and Adella (Shindelar)
Frana on the family farm near Decorah, IA.
He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School
in Spillville and Madison Country School
near Decorah. Alvin farmed near Decorah
until he retired and moved to Calmar.
He enjoyed walking on the bike trail,
mowing the lawn, watching sports on TV and
listening to polka music. He was fluent in
the Czech language. He was a member of St.
Wenceslaus Catholic Church and the First
Catholic Slovak Ladies Association (formerly
Catholic Workman).
Alvin's survivors include his eight
sisters: Lorraine (Tom) Lockhart of Adel,
Leona Whalen of Cresco, Marian Nobles of
Bloomfield, NM, Joanne Frana of Cedar
Rapids, Madonna Haddy of Cedar Rapids,
Arlene (Jack) Brazier of Cedar Rapids,
Doretta Frana of Madison, WI and Susan
(John) Durham of Calmar; one brother: Wesley
Frana, Decorah; 30 nieces and nephews; 58
great-nieces and nephews; and 24
great-great-nieces and nephews.
Alvin was preceded in death by his
parents: James R. Frana on July 29, 1971 and
Adella Frana January 10, 2008; two
brothers-in-law: William Nobles and Bobbie
Haddy; six nephews: Michael Nobles in
infancy, James Lockhart, Mark Lockhart,
Ricky, Andrew and Michael Lockhart in
infancy; and one great nephew: Mark Whalen.
Jerry Hale, 66
Funeral services for Jerry W. Hale of
Rochester, MN were held on Tuesday, February
24, 2009 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in
Rochester. Interment was in Grandview
Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.
Jerry, 66, died Friday, February 20, 2009 at his home in Rochester.
Jerry Wayne Hale was born March 14, 1942 the son of F. Stuart and Lillian (Kesten) Hale in Austin, MN. Jerry grew up on a farm near LeRoy, MN and graduated from LeRoy High School in 1960. He served in the Iowa National Guard and farmed near LeRoy until 1970.
On October 22, 1966, he married Linda Penning in LeRoy, MN. In 1970, they moved their family to Rochester. Jerry drove a city bus before starting his career as a semi-truck driver. After a 35-year career as a truck driver, he retired and had worked as a school bus driver for one year.
He enjoyed traveling, fishing, camping, hunting, and four wheeling. Jerry enjoyed farming and spending time with his family. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester, MN, Austin Minnesota Moose Lodge, and Teamsters Local Union 160.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Linda of Rochester, MN; two daughters: Michelle (Marvin) Martinek of Cresco and Mari Jane (Todd) Speer of Rochester; two sons: Frederick (Kim) Hale of Byron, MN and Christopher (Rebecca) Hale of Rochester; seven grandchildren: Taylor and Tracy, Zack and Carter, Emily and Haley and Ashton; and one brother: John (Margaret) Hale of Winona, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother: James.
Jerry, 66, died Friday, February 20, 2009 at his home in Rochester.
Jerry Wayne Hale was born March 14, 1942 the son of F. Stuart and Lillian (Kesten) Hale in Austin, MN. Jerry grew up on a farm near LeRoy, MN and graduated from LeRoy High School in 1960. He served in the Iowa National Guard and farmed near LeRoy until 1970.
On October 22, 1966, he married Linda Penning in LeRoy, MN. In 1970, they moved their family to Rochester. Jerry drove a city bus before starting his career as a semi-truck driver. After a 35-year career as a truck driver, he retired and had worked as a school bus driver for one year.
He enjoyed traveling, fishing, camping, hunting, and four wheeling. Jerry enjoyed farming and spending time with his family. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester, MN, Austin Minnesota Moose Lodge, and Teamsters Local Union 160.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Linda of Rochester, MN; two daughters: Michelle (Marvin) Martinek of Cresco and Mari Jane (Todd) Speer of Rochester; two sons: Frederick (Kim) Hale of Byron, MN and Christopher (Rebecca) Hale of Rochester; seven grandchildren: Taylor and Tracy, Zack and Carter, Emily and Haley and Ashton; and one brother: John (Margaret) Hale of Winona, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother: James.
Goldie Leferink, 75
Goldie J. Leferink, 75, died Tuesday,
February 24, 2009 at her home following a
long illness. At Goldie's request, no
service was held.
Cedar Memorial in Cedar Rapids, IA handled the arrangements.
Goldie J. Leferink was born August 12, 1933 in Cresco, IA, the daughter of Ward and Cora Craft.
She married William Leferink on August 19, 1952 in Cresco. Goldie most recently served as a crossing guard for the Albuquerque Police Department.
Survivors include a daughter: Deb (Nick) Palen; son: Bill (Lolly) Leferink; and daughter: Lisa (Brett) Villeneuve, all of Cedar Rapids; a sister: Marie (LeRoy) Baethke of Cresco, IA; and two brothers: Harold (Helen) Craft of Cresco, IA and Ray (Aurilla) Craft of Waterloo, IA. She is also survived by four grandchildren and one great-grandson.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bill on May 31, 2007; her parents; two brothers: Urban and Kenneth Craft; and a sister: Dorothy Van de Weerd.
Cedar Memorial in Cedar Rapids, IA handled the arrangements.
Goldie J. Leferink was born August 12, 1933 in Cresco, IA, the daughter of Ward and Cora Craft.
She married William Leferink on August 19, 1952 in Cresco. Goldie most recently served as a crossing guard for the Albuquerque Police Department.
Survivors include a daughter: Deb (Nick) Palen; son: Bill (Lolly) Leferink; and daughter: Lisa (Brett) Villeneuve, all of Cedar Rapids; a sister: Marie (LeRoy) Baethke of Cresco, IA; and two brothers: Harold (Helen) Craft of Cresco, IA and Ray (Aurilla) Craft of Waterloo, IA. She is also survived by four grandchildren and one great-grandson.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bill on May 31, 2007; her parents; two brothers: Urban and Kenneth Craft; and a sister: Dorothy Van de Weerd.
Donald Franzen, 68
A Mass of Christian Burial for Donald A.
Franzen of St. Lucas, IA was held at 10:30
a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at St. Luke's
Catholic Church in St. Lucas with Rev. David
Beckman officiating. The pall was placed on
the casket by Delbert Franzen, Anna Franzen,
Linda De Sloover and Joyce Mahr. The
offertory gifts were presented by Dean and
Ellen Franzen. Pallbearers were: Dean
Franzen, Joyce Mahr, Ricky Holthaus, Ronnie
Holthaus, Eileen Eichenberger and Roger De
Sloover. Interment was in St. Luke's
Cemetery.
Friends were to call from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, March 2 at St. Luke's Chapel, St. Lucas where there was a 4 p.m. rosary. Visitation continued for one hour prior to services at St. Luke's Chapel.
Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Donald, 68, died Friday, February 27, 2009 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton.
Donald A. Franzen was born March 24, 1940, on the family farm southwest of St. Lucas, IA, the son of Edward J. and Rose (Smith) Franzen. He received his education at St. Luke's Catholic School in St. Lucas.
Donald worked with his father and brothers on the family farm as well as helping out many neighbors. He had been a resident of Prairie View Nursing Home for a time and then a resident of the New Hampton Care Center.
In Donald's later years he enjoyed fishing, playing Bingo at the nursing home, listening to music and going to parades.
Survivors include one brother: Delbert (Peggy) Franzen of Waucoma; a sister-in-law: Anna Franzen of Waucoma; a brother-in-law: Francis Holthaus of Festina; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters: Lenora Hackman, Emma Franzen, Agnes Pelikian, Luella Holthaus; five brothers: Linus Franzen, Norbert Franzen, Julius Franzen, Matthew and Mathias Franzen in infancy.
Friends were to call from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, March 2 at St. Luke's Chapel, St. Lucas where there was a 4 p.m. rosary. Visitation continued for one hour prior to services at St. Luke's Chapel.
Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Donald, 68, died Friday, February 27, 2009 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton.
Donald A. Franzen was born March 24, 1940, on the family farm southwest of St. Lucas, IA, the son of Edward J. and Rose (Smith) Franzen. He received his education at St. Luke's Catholic School in St. Lucas.
Donald worked with his father and brothers on the family farm as well as helping out many neighbors. He had been a resident of Prairie View Nursing Home for a time and then a resident of the New Hampton Care Center.
In Donald's later years he enjoyed fishing, playing Bingo at the nursing home, listening to music and going to parades.
Survivors include one brother: Delbert (Peggy) Franzen of Waucoma; a sister-in-law: Anna Franzen of Waucoma; a brother-in-law: Francis Holthaus of Festina; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters: Lenora Hackman, Emma Franzen, Agnes Pelikian, Luella Holthaus; five brothers: Linus Franzen, Norbert Franzen, Julius Franzen, Matthew and Mathias Franzen in infancy.
Curtis Schuchhardt, 45
Funeral services for Curtis "Curt" C.
Schuchhardt of Elma, IA will be held at
10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at
Immaculate Conception Church in Elma with
Father Ray Atwood officiating. Pallbearers
are: Derek O'Neill, Nathan O'Neill, Jeremie
Bobst, Corey Flatjord, Joshua Schuchhardt
and Megan O'Neill. Honorary pallbearer is
Austin Erion Interment will be in Calvary
Cemetery at Elma.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. today,
Wednesday, March 4 at the Conway-Kolbet
Funeral Home in Elma and will continue at
the funeral home one hour prior to the
service.
Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in Elma, IA
is handling the arrangements.
Curtis, 45, died Saturday, February 28,
2009 at his home.
Curtis Charles Schuchhardt was born
December 26, 1963 the son of Charles and
Valera (Warnke) Schuchhardt in Sumner, IA.
As a youth Curt moved with his family to
Alta Vista where he grew up. He attended
school in New Hampton and graduated from New
Hampton High School in 1982. He worked as a
farm hand and drove truck for Schuchhardt
Trucking. Later Curt was employed by
TRI-MARK in New Hampton where he has worked
for the last 16 years.
On December 5, 1992 he married Nancy
Ptacek at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in
Alta Vista, IA. To this marriage two
children were born, Lacey and Lucas.
Curt enjoyed the outdoors, especially
hunting, fishing, horseback riding, farming,
and spending time with his family and
friends. He was a member of the Elma
Sportsman's Club.
He is survived by his wife Nancy of
Elma; daughter: Lacey of Elma; son: Lucas of
Elma; parents: Charles and Valera
Schuchhardt of Unionville, MO; four sisters:
Brenda (Floyd) Elsbernd of Savannah, MO,
Wanda (Gene) Flatjord of New Hampton, IA,
Lonna (Justin) Bobst of Alexander, IA and
Kim (Pat) O'Neill of Fredericksburg, IA; one
brother: Kevin (Christy) Schuchhardt of
Nashua, IA; several aunts and uncles,
numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and
great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his maternal
grandparents: Leonard and Berdine Warnke;
his paternal grandparents: Walter and Leanor
Schuchhardt; and nephew: Austin Erion.
Lyle Seebach, 82
Funeral services for Lyle G. Seebach
of Cresco, IA will be held at 10:30 a.m. on
Thursday, March 5, 2009 at the United
Methodist Church in Cresco, IA.
Friends may call at the Lindstrom
Funeral Home in Cresco from 4-7 p.m. today,
Wednesday, March 4 and also one hour prior
to services at the church.
Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco, IA is
handling the arrangements.
Lyle, 82, died Monday, March 2, 2009 at
Regional Health Services of Howard County
Hospital in Cresco from complications
associated with Huntington's Disease.
Lyle George Seebach was born September
29, 1926 the son of Vernon and Gertrude
Seebach. He was raised on the Early Dawn
farm north of Dysart, IA along with his
older brother Orion and his younger brother
Dale. He graduated from Dysart High School
in 1944 and entered the US Navy. He was a
Radarman 3/c aboard the navy destroyer USS
Everett F Larson from January of 1945
through August of 1946, serving in the
Pacific Theater of World War II.
Lyle returned to the family farm after
his discharge from the Navy. He attended
college at Iowa State University, where he
was a member of the Alpha Chi Rho
fraternity. He earned his B.S. in
Agriculture Education in 1950. He taught
Veterans' Classes in agriculture at Dysart
in 1951, and continued farming with his
brother Orion for several years.
On June 7, 1953 he married Patricia Ann
Zobel. The first of their three children,
Ann, was born in 1956, followed by twin sons
Bart and Brad, born in 1959.
He began selling insurance with the Farm
Bureau Insurance Agency in Dysart, IA in
1960. The family moved to Cresco in 1962,
where Lyle was the Farm Bureau Agency
Manager. He later became an agent for the
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.
He began teaching Agribusiness at Area One
(now Northeast Iowa Community College) in
1968.He took summer classes at Iowa State
University and earned an M.S. degree in
Agriculture Education in 1973. He retired
from teaching in 1992 after 24 years of
service.
He especially loved his rose garden, and
was a Master Gardener. He sang in church
choirs for his whole life, beginning when he
was twelve. He sang tenor in a barbershop
quartet called "The Articulators" in the
Dysart/Waterloo area in the 1950's, and for
many years with the Elm Street Singers in
Cresco. He served on the local Boy Scout
Council. He was involved in many local
theater productions and served as President
of the Cresco Community Theater. He was a
long-time member of the Cresco Kiwanis Club
and served as their President in 1995-1996.
He was a member of SCORE and was the
Treasurer of the NE Iowa Chapter.
He was baptized in the Evangelical
Church in Dysart. He and Pat joined the
First Congregational Church in Cresco, where
he served in many capacities. He has been a
member of Cresco United Methodist Church for
the past 15 years. He and Pat celebrated
their Golden Anniversary in 2003. He was
cared for by the staff at the Evans Home in
Cresco from October of 2006.
He is survived by his wife: Pat; his
children: Ann (Larry) Petit of Eyota, MN,
Bart (Pam) of Rochester, MN, and Brad (Beth)
of Holmen, WI; four grandchildren: Cameron,
Hayley, Ethan, and Rachel; his brother: Dale
(Carol): and sister-in-law: Velda.
Lyle was preceded in death by his
parents; and by his brother: Orion.
John Kostohryz, 92
Funeral services for John E.
Kostohryz of Cresco, IA were held on
Saturday, February 28, 2009 at Notre Dame
Catholic Church in Cresco with Rev. Richard
J. Ament officiating. Suzane Ollendick
accompanied while James Marik led the music.
Honorary pallbearers were: Kyler Kostohryz,
Shannon Walter, James Zahasky and Virgil
Lukes. Pallbearers were: Shelley Flack,
Kyler Kostohryz, Stacey Guertin, Matthew
Guertin, Kyle Guertin, Darren Walter and
Larry Kostohryz. Interment was in Calvary
Cemetery in Cresco.
Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m. on
Friday, February 27 at the Conway Funeral
Home in Cresco and one hour prior to
services on Saturday at the church.
Conway Funeral Home in Cresco handled
the arrangements.
John, 92, died Wednesday, February 25,
2009 at the Cresco Care Center where he has
made his home since January 2005.
John E. Kostohryz was born January 7,
1917 in Howard County, IA, the son of Frank
and Mary (Sobolik) Kostohryz. He attended
the rural school near his home and graduated
from Cresco High School with the Class of
1936. John grew up on the farm and continued
farming after his graduation.
On June 12, 1946, he married Grace
Christina Lukes in the Assumption Catholic
Church at Cresco, IA. Following their
marriage, John and Grace continued farming
until their retirement and moving to Cresco
in 1979.
John liked to fish and hunt, dancing and
listening to polka music. He also enjoyed
playing cards and taking care of a garden.
He was a member of Notre Dame Church, the
Western Fraternal Association, the National
Farmers Organization and the Farm Bureau.
John is survived by his children: John
(Darlene) of Cresco, Janelle (Gary) Guertin
of Riceville and Julie (Fred) Walter of
Cresco; seven grandchildren: Shelley (David)
Flack, Kyler Kostohryz, Stacey Guertin,
Matthew Guertin, Kyle Guertin; Darren
Walter, and Shannon Walter; four step
grandchildren: Chris (Sheila) Walter, Stacy
Walter, Jamie Fisher and Derek Davis; one
great-granddaughter: Mackenzie Flack; and
nine step great-grandchildren: Bryce Wilson,
Alayna, Jocelyn, and Dakota Walter; Drew,
Alex, and Nick Davis; Rachelle and Trevor
Fisher.
Preceding John in death were his wife:
Grace; his parents; one brother: Frank
Kostohryz; and one sister: Pauline Zahasky.
