Ruby Brakke, 89

September 4, 2002

Ruby Brakke, 89, of Lake Mills, died on Sunday, September 1, 2002, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., today, Wednesday, September 4, at the Winnebago Lutheran Church, rural Leland. The Rev. Bill Peters will officiate. Burial will be in the Winnebago Lutheran Cemetery, rural Leland, with the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her daughter, Renae Clark of Green River, Wyoming; her granddaughter, Robin Everly of Fort Worth, Texas; great-granddaughter, Abby; one brother, Vern Nelson of California; along with several nieces, nephews and friends.

A complete obituary appears in the September 4 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Vernon Jerome Helgeson, 74

September 4, 2002

Vernon Jerome Helgeson, 74, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, died on Sunday, September 1, 2002, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, September 5, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills. The Reverends Roger Dykstra and Kevin Mackey will officiate. Burial will be in the Salem Memorial Cemetery in Lake Mills, with military rites conducted by the Otto/Chose Post 235. Visitation is from 5-8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills and again one hour prior to the services at the church.

There will also be a memorial service for Helgeson at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, at the Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, Minnesota, with Rev. John Henriksen officiating.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Myrtle Gudmonson, 81

September 4, 2002

Myrtle Gudmonson, 81, of Fertile, died on Monday, September 2, 2002, at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, September 6, at The Crossroads in Forest City. The Rev. Bob Snitzer will officiate. Burial will be in the Pilot Knob Lutheran Cemetery, rural Forest City. Visitation is from 6-8:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Ruth Langerud, 92

September 18, 2002

Ruth Langerud, 92, of Lake Mills, died on Sunday, September 8, 2002, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 13, at the Salem Lutheran Church. The Reverends Kevin Mackey and Roger Dykstra officiated. Burial was in the Salem Memorial Cemetery, Lake Mills, with the Mittelstadt Funeral Home of Lake Mills in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her five children, Calmer Langerud and his wife, Muriel of Clear Lake, Duane Langerud and his wife, Myrna of Lake Mills, Ernest Langerud and his wife, Sue of Leland, Sally and her husband, James Bevan of Ottumwa and David Langerud of St. Paul, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren, Debra Swanson, Dennis Langerud, Doreen Gooding, Alan Langerud, Ann Benzshawel, Amber Hollar, Jon Bevan, James A. Bevan, Julie Groman, Melinda Farland and Michael Langerud; and 18 great-grandchildren.

A complete obituary appears in the September 18 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Gordon Skarpenss, 67

September 18, 2002

Gordon Jay Skarpness, 67, of Lakota, died on Sunday, September 8, 2002, at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with his family by his side. 

Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 14, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Buffalo Center. The Rev. Mark Decker officiated. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Thompson.

Survivors include his mother, Grace Skarpness; his three children, Jason and his wife, Michelle, Travis and Tammy Skarpness; their mother, Dolly Skarpness; two grandchildren, Chase and Alexis Skarpness; Chase's mother, Stephanie Skarpness; his second wife, Elene Skarpness Price; her sons, David, Dan and Doug Price; her daughter-in-law, Cristina and Heather Price; six grandchildren, Adam, Andy, Gazelle, Seth, Carli and Nicholus.

A complete obituary appears in the September 18 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

James Smith, 88

September 18, 2002

James W. Smith, 88, of Forest City, died on Monday, September 9, 2002, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, September 12, at the Forest City United Methodist Church. The Rev. Gary Marzolf officiated. Burial was in the Oakland Cemetery in Forest City, with the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include a son, David A. Smith of Mason City; two granddaughters, Melinda Pederson and her husband, Kevin of Forest City and Stacy Smith of Lake Mills and her fiancée, Ron Velasquez; three great-grandchildren, Layne, Kurtis and Sydney Pederson; four nieces, Glenice, Janice, Eunice and Marlys; and a nephew, Dan.

A complete obituary appears in the September 18 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Dr. Orval Trail, 80

September 18, 2002

Dr. Orval L. Trail, 80, of Schaumburg, Illinois, died on Tuesday, September 10, 2002, at the Friendship Village Nursing Home in Schaumburg, where he had resided for the past year.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 13, at the Medinah Baptist Church in Roselle, Illinois. Graveside services for Trail were held on Saturday, September 14, at the First Baptist Cemetery in Forest City, with visitation preceding at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Esther (Olson); his four daughters and their husbands, Ruth (Greg) Anerino of Naperville, Illinois and their sons, Todd, Brian, Eric and Scott, Dr. Lora Tyson of Naperville, Illinois and her sons, Ian and Brent, Beth (John) Hale of Wayzata, Minnesota and their daughter, Jen, Karin (Doug) Trail-Johnson of St. Paul, Minnesota and their children, Bjorn, Erik and Elise; his sister, Sharon (Raymond) Lett of Plano, Illinois; along with many nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues.

A complete obituary appears in the September 18 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Luther A. Barnes, 87

October 2, 2002

Luther A. Barnes, 87, of Salem, Oregon, died on Tuesday, September 10, 2002.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 14, at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Salem. Burial was in the Dignity Restlawn Mausoleum.

Survivors include his wife, Hilda of Salem; sons, Val and wife, Diane of Salem and Luther and wife, Linda of Olympia, Washington; daughters, Marilyn and husband, John of Seattle, Washington and Becky and husband, Norm of Keizer; brother, Raymond Barnes of Britt; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

A complete obituary appears in the October 2 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Ruthie C. Perry, 62

October 9, 2002

Ruthie C. Perry, 62, formerly of Ventura, died on Tuesday, September 10, 2002, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Memorial services were held on Wednesday, October 2, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake. The Rev. Dennis Ganz officiated. Inurnment will be in the Oakland Cemetery in Forest City at a later date.

Survivors include her daughter, Jill Pawlak and her husband, Eric Pawlak and their two children, Rachel and Brooklyn Pawlak and a son, Chad Perry and his wife, Linda and their two children, Ryan and Cameron, all of Phoenix, Arizona; one sister, Elizabeth Olson and her husband, Jim of Cannon Falls, Minnesota; and one brother, Phil Carson and his wife, Darlene of Leland.

A complete obituary appears in the October 9 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Mary Purcell, 77

September 18, 2002

Mary E. Purcell, 77, died on Wednesday, September 11, 2002, at the Concord Care Center. 

Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 14, at the Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner. The Rev. Jerry W. Blake officiated. Music was provided by organist, Beverly Cataldo. Casket bearers were Cynthia Kofron, Don Purcell, Jean Purcell, Richard Purcell, Derrick Gagnon and Marcia Squier. Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery, with the Cataldo Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her children, Donald Purcell and his wife, Lois of Garner and their two children, Pamela Marie Engelking and her husband, Gene and Patricia Kay Purcell, Cynthia Kofron and her husband, Rick of Forest City and their two daughters, Mandi and Amy and Jean Purcell of Minneapolis, Minnesota; a daughter-in-law, Teri Purcell of Minneapolis, Minnesota; a son, Michael E. Purcell and his wife, Marti of Buena Park, California and their two daughters, Dawn and Dena; five great-grandchildren; a brother, David Gagnon and his wife, Loreen of Clear Lake; a sister, Margaret Squire and her husband, Ron of Rockford; a sister-in-law, Lynette Gagnon Hild formerly of Parkersburg; and a brother-in-law, Eddy Ingham of Rochester, Minnesota.

A complete obituary appears in the September 18 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Ruth Olson, 84

September 18, 2002

Ruth Lorraine Olson, 84, of Forest City, died on Saturday, September 14, 2002, at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 17, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. The Rev. Lee Laaveg officiated. Burial was in the Oakland Cemetery in Forest City, with the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, David and Lynn Olson of Eden Prairie, Minnesota and their son, Matthew; a brother, Orle Severson of Forest City; and several nieces and nephews.

A complete obituary appears in the September 18 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Ashley Shropshire-Duncan, 7

September 25, 2002

Ashley Jordan Shropshire-Duncan, 7, of Correctionville, died on Tuesday, September 17, 2002, near Moville.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 20, at the Grace United Methodist Church in Correctionville. The Rev. Sheryl K. Ashley officiated. Denise Knaack served as organist. Honorary pallbearers were Jaret Byers, Anna Duncan, Shelby Gettys, Cory Shropshire, Riley Byers, Megan Gettys, Douglas Allen, Bailey Fitch, Cheyanne Porter, Bryce Duncan, Alicia Wigand-Redenius, Bob Sazama and Mrs. Hagberg's 2nd Grade Class.

Casket bearers were Randy Zahnley, David Zahnley, David Shropshire and Bryce Sands. Burial was in the Good Hope Cemetery, Correctionville, with the Barker Funeral Home in Correctionville in charge.

Survivors include her mother, Sharleen Duncan and stepfather, Bruce of Correctionville; her father, Charles Shropshire and stepmother, Darcy of Harlan; her sister, Brittny and brother, Christian of Correctionville; half-brother, Cougan and step-brother, Brandon of Harlan; maternal grandparents, Gene and Linda Zahnley of Correctionville and paternal grandparents, Chuck and Joyce Shropshire of Crystal Lake; step-grandparents, Wallace and Lois Duncan of Correctionville, Phyllis Allen of Harlan, Steve and Mardi Allen of Thompson, Anna Allen of Manila, Chuck and Bernadine Hayes of Portsmouth; and her aunts and uncles, Sharyl and Bryce Sands, David Shropshire, Sabrina and Russ Momson, Camille Duncan, Bob and Laurie Sazama, Bryce and Nancy Duncan; and many cousins.

A complete obituary appears in the September 25 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Clara Verbeckmoes, 102

September 25, 2002

Clara F. Verbeckmoes, 102, of Forest City, died on Tuesday, September 17, 2002, at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 20, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. The Rev. Lee Laaveg officiated. Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake, with the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her daughter, Patricia Brock of Humboldt; step-children, Kenyon Verbeckmoes of Mason City and Maude Estelle Hayes of Fort Dodge; two sisters-in-law, Carrie Bartleson and Eva Bartleson, both of Forest City; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A complete obituary appears in the September 25 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Norma Cameron, 73

September 25, 2002

Norma E. Cameron, 73, of Joice, died on Friday, September 20, 2002, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Memorial services were held on Monday, September 23, at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Lake Mills. The Rev. Jeanne Martin officiated.

Survivors include her very special friend and companion of 17 years, Lester McColloch of Lake Mills; her five children, Gloria Grandy of Viking, Alberta, Canada, David Grandy of Winnipeg, Canada, Carol and her husband, David Moe of Joice, Patty and her husband, Bob Lakin of Rockford and Kathleen Andrews of Horseheads, New York; 12 grandchildren, including Tami Menard, Paula Ferguson, Bridget, Brendon and Brenna Moe, Eric and Dawn Lakin, Starr and Kristen Andrews and Valerie Connally; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Margaret and her husband, Harry Poole of Oveido, Florida; along with several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

A complete obituary appears in the September 25 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Arlene (Ingebretson) Schoonover, 74

September 25, 2002

Arlene (Ingebretson) Schoonover, 74, of Maple Grove, Minnesota, died on Saturday, September 21, 2002.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 28, at the Elim Lutheran Church, Robbinsdale, Minnesota. Visitation will be two hours before the services at the church.

Survivors include her children, Susan (John) Clay, Lisa (Stephen) Kline, John Schoonover, Jean Schroeder and Mary (John) Jaeger; 13 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two brothers, Marlin (Marilyn) and Dean (Diane); and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. M. J. Schoonover; parents, Sylvan and Bertha Ingebretson; and two brothers, Arden and Stanley Bernard in infancy.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Richard Gorball, 68

September 25, 2002

Richard D. Gorball, 68, of Ellston, died on Sunday, September 22, 2002, at the Greater Community Hospital in Creston of cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, September 26, at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Newton. The Rev. Steve Pannkuk will officiate. Burial will be in the Newton Union Cemetery. Visitation is after 5:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Wallace Funeral Home in Newton. The family will greet friends from 6-8:00 p.m. Memorials may be to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, or the Green Valley Hospice.

Survivors include his wife, Mary of Ellston; one son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Christine Gorball of Northwood; three daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia and Paul Sunde of Littleton, Colorado, Mischelle and Jeff Dennison of Urbandale and Kristina and Lee Hart of West Des Moines; 10 grandchildren; and a sister and brother-in-law, Marion and Dean Timm of Boone.

A complete obituary appears in the September 25 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Verlyene Chodur, 78

October 2, 2002

Verlyene Chodur, 78, of Lake Mills, died on Tuesday, September 24, 2002, at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 27, at the First Baptist Church in Forest City. The Rev. Steven Cox officiated. Burial was in the First Baptist Cemetery in Forest City, with the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Ralphene Stokke and husband, David of Clear Lake, Deanna Hill and husband, John of Forest City, Jeanne Lahey and husband, Steven of Iowa City, Steven Chodur and wife, Carolyn of Northwood, Marilyn Kaiser and husband, Mark of Forest City, Gary Chodur and wife, Deb of Lake Mills and Judy Gouge and husband, Michael of Crystal Lake; 18 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mildred Ostrander of Forest City, Gloria Chodur and husband, Donald of Kensett and Arlys Hendrickson and husband, Nelson of Humboldt; and a brother, Orville Borg and his wife, Goldie of Forest City.

A complete obituary appears in the October 2 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Lillian Watson, 95

October 2, 2002

Lillian Watson, 95, of Forest City, died on Tuesday, September 24, 2002, at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 28, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City. The Rev. Larry Kidwell officiated. Burial was in the First Baptist Cemetery in Forest City.

Survivors include some cousins and very special friends, Norma Hammond, Lois Holst and Betty Nelson.

A complete obituary appears in the October 2 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Lillian Kloppen, 91

October 2, 2002

Lillian Kloppen, 91, of Lake Mills, died on Wednesday, September 25, 2002, at the Lake Mills Care Center, with family present.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 28, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills. The Reverends Roger Dykstra and Rev. Kevin Mackey officiated. Burial was in the Salem Memorial Cemetery, Lake Mills.

Survivors include her son, Alvin Kloppen and his wife, Lucille of Burnsville, Minnesota; three grandchildren, Michele and Pete Chapdelaine of Lakeville, Minnesota, Kim and Randy Sather of Lakeville, Minnesota and Doug Kloppen of Savage, Minnesota; and five great-grandchildren, Luke and Taylor Chapdelaine and Stephanie, Scott and Shaun Sather.

A complete obituary appears in the October 2 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Harvey H. Swingen, 81

October 2, 2002

Harvey H. Swingen, 81, died on Thursday, September 26, 2002, at his home near Woden.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, September 28, at the Cataldo Funeral Home in Woden. The Rev. Arlen Lloyd of the Grant Lutheran Church officiated.

Survivors include his sister, Theo Callies and her husband, Edward of New Brighton, Minnesota; his brother, Gussie Swingen and his wife, Verlaine of Woden; nieces and nephews, Bonnie Lewerke and her husband, Dick of Mason City, Karen Simpson and her husband, David of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Jim Anderson and his wife, Marcy of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, David Callies and his wife, Cheri of Great Falls, Montana, Joel Callies and his wife, Kay of East Bethal, Minnesota, Shirley Norquist and her husband, Doug of Buxton, North Dakota, Joyce Tollison of Spring Lake Park, Minnesota, Bob Callies of New Brighton, Minnesota, Pam Kloser and her husband, Dan of Garner and Doug Swingen and his wife, Lisa of Woden; along with many great-nieces and nephews.

A complete obituary appears in the October 2 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Selma Oppedahl Summers, 89

October 2, 2002

Selma Oppedahl Summers, 89, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, died on Saturday, September 28, 2002, at the St. John's Lutheran Home in Albert Lea, where she had been a resident since May 3, 1995.

Funeral services were held today, Wednesday, October 2, at 10:30 a.m., at the First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Holt officiated. Burial was in the Lakewood Cemetery, with the Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include one son, Ralph C. Summers Jr. and his wife, Ardis of Carlisle; and two granddaughters, Kristen and Karmen.

A complete obituary appears in the October 2 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Elsie Nelson, 83

October 9, 2002

Elsie Nelson, born Elsie Elaine Gelner in Forest City in 1918, died on Saturday, September 28, 2002, at her home in Tucson, Arizona, surrounded by her family.

She married Morton Nelson in 1949. She was postmaster of Crystal Lake for 20 years, retiring in 1980.

As she wished her body be donated to medical research, no funeral service was held. A small, private family service was held on Sunday, September 29 in Tucson. The family suggests that her far-flung family and friends light a candle on her birthday, Monday, October 21, between 7-10:00 p.m., central standard time, to celebrate her life and mark its passing. The family requests that no flowers be sent.

She is survived by four children and three grandchildren.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Lowell K. Hall, 68

October 9, 2002

Lowell K. Hall, 68, of Hanlontown, died on Sunday, September 29, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, October 3, at the Grace Lutheran Church in Hanlontown. The Rev. David Werges officiated. Burial was in the Lincoln Township Cemetery, rural Hanlontown, with the Petersen Lund Funeral Home of Forest City in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Patty Hall of Hanlontown; three children, Kent Hall and his wife, Cynthia and their daughter, Olivia of Clear Lake, Kyle Hall of Mason City and Kristin Swenson and her husband, Craig and their son, Carston of Phoenix, Arizona; a sister, Maxine Beckner and her husband, Harold and daughter, Shanie of Clear Lake; a sister-in-law, Lorean Hall of Cleveland, Minnesota; a nephew, Ross; and a niece, Martha Dey and her husband, David and their children, Cameron and Kiersten.

A complete obituary appears in the October 9 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Avis E. Counsell, 87

October 9, 2002

Avis E. Counsell, 87, of Clear Lake, died on Monday, September 30, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, October 3, at the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake. The Rev. Jan Burnett officiated. Burial was in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City, with the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her two sisters, Margie Waddingham and her husband, Roy of Nora Springs and Leoda Aten of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania; step-sister, Gretchen Bakke of Colorado; sister-in-law, Stella Andreasen of Britt; and many nieces and nephews.

A complete obituary appears in the October 9 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit

Dr. Richard H. Baur, 75

October 9, 2002

Dr. Richard H. Baur, 75, of Forest City, died on Monday, September 30, 2002, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, October 3, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. The Rev. Lee Laaveg officiated. Burial was on Friday, October 4, in Calamus, with a memorial service following at the Faith Lutheran Church. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Mardelle of Forest City; three children and their spouses, SueAnn Goeken and her husband, Lee and their daughter, Natalee, all of Kaysville, Utah, Aleta Mikels and her husband, Russ and their sons, Gage, Blaise and Park, all of Bloomfield and John Baur and his wife, Melinda and their children, Claire and Benjamin; and a sister, Mary Alice Schairer of Aurora, Colorado.

A complete obituary appears in the October 9 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2002 Forest City Summit