Curtis Knutson, 87

April 9, 2003

Curtis E. Knutson, 87, of Forest City, died on Thursday, April 3, 2003, at the Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 7, at the Forest City United Methodist Church. The Rev. Gary Marzolf officiated. Burial will be at a later date. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City was in charge of the arrangements.

Curtis is survived by his wife, Mary Helen Knutson of Forest City; a daughter, Kathleen Mangum of Bird Island, Minnesota; two sons, Ernest and wife, Vange of Lindstrom, Minnesota and Dan and wife, Jerri of White Bluff, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Dawn Allerson, Diana Novotny and husband, John, William Mangum and wife, Yvonne and Erik Knutson; four great-grandchildren, Johnny and Chelsea Novotny, Nathanial Goestch and Benjamin Mangum; five sisters, Emma Moen, Florence Green, Mildred Stras, Helen Christenson and husband, Alton and Anna Straub and husband, Gerry.

A complete obituary appears in the April 9 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Eleanor Shaw, 86

April 9, 2003

Eleanor L. Shaw, 86, of Forest City, died on Saturday, April 5, 2003, at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., today Wednesday, April 9, 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.

She is survived by her husband, Everett; her children, Carlton of Sumner, Carmen of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Richard and wife, Beth of Mason City and Roberta of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Eric of Redondo Beach, California, Beth of St. Paul, Minnesota, Andrew of Sumner and Sarah, Scott, Malinda and Daniel of Mason City; and many nieces and nephews.

A complete obituary appears in the April 9 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Florence Dyer, 85

April 9, 2003

Florence E. Simons Dyer, 85 of Spearfish, South Dakota, died on Saturday, April 5, 2003, at the Lookout Memorial Hospital in Spearfish.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, April 12, in the Greenwood Cemetery at Upton, Wyoming. The Carlsen and Aldinger Funeral Home in Spearfish is in charge of the arrangements. The family requests memorials be to the Upton Volunteer Ambulance or the Antelope Heights Senior Housing in Upton.

Survivors include one daughter, Sharon Johnson and her husband, Roger of Upton, Wyoming; three grandchildren, Sherri Randall and her husband, Rod of Upton, Rodney Johnson of Fertile and Russell Johnson and his special friend, Sharon Kvammen of Forest City; and one sister, Margaret "Peggy" Turner of Minneapolis.

A complete obituary appears in the April 9 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Max Britt, 60

April 16, 2003

Max L. Britt, age 60, of Forest City, died on Monday, April 7, 2003, at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 10, at 2:00 p.m., at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City, with Rev. Doug Domokos of the Word of Faith Church officiating. Burial will be in the Bethel Lutheran Cemetery in rural Lake Mills. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home on Thursday, April 10. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home, Forest City is in charge of the arrangements.

Max Leroy Britt, was born on September 21, 1942 in Polk County, Iowa, the son of Roscoe and Lorene (Matney) Britt. He grew up and received his education in the Des Moines Schools. He served his country in the US Army for three years. Max has worked as a welder for many years.

He enjoyed being outdoors, fishing and hunting. He treasured time spent with his family and friends.

Max is survived by his children, Tammy Britt of River Falls, Wisconsin, Mike Britt and wife, Vicki of New Richland, Minnesota, Tim Britt of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Julie Gavin and husband, Pat of Clairmont, Minnesota and Chelsea Meinecke of Forest City; his siblings; Gene Britt of Des Moines, Bill Britt of Runnells, Jerry Britt of Colfax, Judy (Andersen) Britt of Waverly, Patty (Dorothy) Britt of Des Moines and Annie (Sudrock) Britt of Hartford. Max also enjoyed a special relationship with Amy and Molly Meinecke of Forest City and with Kiya and Bryce Meinecke.

Max was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Tom Britt.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Cora Donohue, 79

April 30, 2003

Cora Ruth Donohue, 79, of Buena Park, California, died on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, in Buena Park, of cancer.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 15, at Forest Lawn in Cypress, California.

Cora Ruth Donohue, the daughter of Olaf and Ragna Heimdahl, was born on April 5, 1926 in Wisconsin. She was raised in Forest City. She moved to Buena Park in 1955 and was happily married to Robert Donohue for 45 years.

She enjoyed camping, cards, canning, cooking, church, plants and her family.

She is survived by her sister, Rosie Suby; her four children, Cynthia Donohue, William Donohue, Laurie Irwin and Patrick Donohue; and five grandchildren.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Olaf Thompson, 85

April 16, 2003

Olaf Arthur Thompson, 85, of Northwood, died on Saturday, April 12, 2003, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, April 16, at the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church, Northwood, with Reverend Karl Hermanson officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood and one hour prior to the service time on Wednesday at the church.

The family of Olaf Arthur Thompson has requested that memorial contributions be made to the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church Handicap Accessible Fund, which will be established at the church by the family in his memory.

Olaf Arthur Thompson, was born on June 7, 1917 in Mona, Iowa in Mitchell County, the son of John G. and Clara (Stromley) Thompson. He was baptized in Mona and reaffirmed his faith through confirmation in the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church in the Norwegian language. He attended and received his education in the Otranto School System. He was united in marriage to Wilma Gentz on November 25, 1937, at the First Lutheran Church Parsonage in Northwood. Olaf farmed in the Northwood and Crystal Lake, Iowa areas for 35 years before his retirement.

He enjoyed dancing, playing cards, gardening, flowers and reading. He was a member of the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church in Northwood.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Wilma Thompson of Northwood; five children, Carol Ann Nehman and her husband, Darvin of Fonda, Marvin Thompson and his wife, Diane of Sparta, Wisconsin, Dennis Thompson and his wife, Donna of Glenville, Minnesota, Dale Thompson of Northwood and Calvin Thompson and his wife, Sandra of Osage; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; a sister, Caroline Gentz of Northwood; as well as other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Gladys Lorraine Thompson; three grandsons, Brandon Thompson, Brian and Shaun Nehman; great-granddaughter, Madison Nehman; and two brothers, Francis and Gerhard Thompson.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Paul Vaagen, 88

April 16, 2003

Paul V. Vaagen, age 88, of Forest City, died on Sunday, April 13, 2003, at the Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 16, at 11:00 a.m., at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, with Rev. Lee Laaveg officiating. Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery in Forest City. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home, Forest City is in charge of the arrangements.

Paul Vernared Vaagen, was born on September 10, 1914 in Rake, Iowa, the second of eight children born to Peder O. and Anna (Munson) Vaagen. He was baptized and confirmed at Liberty Lutheran in Rake and received his education in Rake. On October 14, 1940, he joined the National Guard in Mason City, Iowa. He joined the Fifth Army, 34th Division, 144 Co. "F", starting active duty in February 1941 at Camp Clayborne, Louisiana. His Army tenure included Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Algiers Africa. He was injured while on guard duty one night and underwent many operations for a shrapnel injury to his right leg. He was awarded the Purple Heart and even though he suffered countless days of pain, his family and friends rarely heard a word of complaint.

Upon returning to the US he went to work for the Rake School, employed as head cook, bus driver and custodian. He fell in love with Betsy Olson, a "tall beautiful teacher" also employed there. Paul and Betsy were wed on June 28, 1950. Two years later Steven Carl was born. Their second child, Julie Ann, came later. Paul and Betsy made their home in Forest City, Iowa.

Paul remained active in Boy Scouts, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and DAV. Throughout his life he was a police officer and grocery store owner in Rake, Chief Mechanic at the Forest City Canning Company, an electrician for Fields in Forest City, chief mechanic for Fryer Farms of Forest City and finally twelve years with Waldorf College as Chief Production Manager Food Department.

After his retirement he and Betsy took two trips to Norway, two trips to Hawaii and three trips to Alaska. He loved gardening and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Betsy of Forest City; his two children, Steven Carl Vaagen of Marshalltown and Julie Smith and husband, Darrell of Forest City; three grandchildren, Bjorn, Anna and Quincey, all of Forest City; four sisters, Gertrude Russ of Blue Earth, Minnesota, Edna Chidester and husband, Eugene of Mesa, Arizona, Ada Leland and husband, Wally of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Anna Mae Nodland and husband, Eugene of Frost, Minnesota and a brother, Martin Vaagen and his wife, Corinne of Stasca, Illinois.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Oscar and Otis.

Paul, you are forever in our hearts. You touched all you encountered with your wit, wisdom, stories, jokes and above all, your love and caring. Your life has ended, but you continue to write your story in our hearts.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Mike L. Smeby, 39

April 23, 2003

Mike L. Smeby, 39, of Joice, died on Monday, April 14, 2003, at the Muse Norris Hospice Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, April 18, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, with Pastor Bill Peters officiating. Burial was in the Concordia Cemetery in rural Joice.

He is survived by his loving parents, Royden and Verna (Jaspersen) Smeby of Joice; two sisters, Cheryl and her husband, David Schulte of La Crescent, Minnesota and Brenda Smeby and her partner, Patrick Hagan of Minneapolis; one brother, Mark and his wife, Lori Smeby of Joice; two nieces, Kristy Schulte and Joa Smeby; three nephews, Greg and Daniel Schulte and Brandon Smeby; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends too numerous to list.

A complete obituary appears in the April 23 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Raymond Darryl Aadsen, 85

April 23, 2003

Raymond Darryl Aadsen, 85, of Kiester, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, April 15, 2003, at the St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 19, at the Scarville Evangelical Synod Lutheran Church in Scarville. The Rev. Thomas Rank officiated. Burial was in the Scarville Evangelical Synod Lutheran Cemetery in rural Scarville.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Mary Corcoran, 80

April 30, 2003

Mary Corcoran, 80, died on Tuesday, April 15, 2003, at the Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 21, at the Notre Dame Parish-Assumption Worship Center in Cresco. The Rev. Gary Krapfl presided.

Survivors include her husband, Dave; one son, Steven of St. Charles, Minnesota; one daughter, Sharon Hanks of Forest City; two grandchildren, Nick Hanks and Casey Corcoran; one great-grandson, Breckan Thomas Hanks; one brother, Richard Gallagher of Auckland, New Zealand; and three sisters, Agnes Homan, Sally Hayes and Bridget Yegliss, all of Liverpool, England.

A complete obituary appears in the April 30 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Wilma Mae Thompson, 84

April 23, 2003

Wilma Mae Thompson, 84, of Northwood, died on Wednesday, April 16, 2003, at her home.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 22, at the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church in Northwood. Reverend Karl Hermanson officiated. Burial was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Carol Ann Nehman and her husband Darvin of Fonda, Marvin Thompson and his wife, Diane of Sparta, Wisconsin, Dennis Thompson and his wife, Donna of Glenville, Minnesota, Dale Thompson of Northwood and Calvin Thompson and his wife, Sandra of Osage; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Raymond Gentz and his wife, Dorothy of Northwood and William Gentz, Jr. and his wife, Esther of Northwood; a sister, Dorothy Low of Northwood; a sister-in-law, Caroline Gentz of Northwood; as well as other relatives and friends.

A complete obituary appears in the April 23 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Charlie DeVries, 82

April 23, 2003

Charlie DeVries, 82, of Buffalo Center, died on Wednesday, April 16, 2003, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 19, at the Buffalo Center United Methodist Church. The Rev. Lois Abel officiated. Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery in Buffalo Center, with military honors conducted by the Buffalo Center American Legion/VFW Post's Color Guard. The Winter Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Opal; daughters, Diane Daniels and her husband, Harry of Gainesville, Florida and Janet Loots and her husband, Stephen of Waukee; son, Roger DeVries and his wife, Nancy, of Milford; grandchildren, Gretchen Daniels, Erin Daniels, Nathan Smith, Ryan Smith, Adam Meurer, Nicholas Meurer and Daniel DeVries; one great-grandchild, Morgan; sisters, Gladys Becker and Ruth Wilson; brothers, Jack DeVries and Dick DeVries and their spouses; six step-children; 17 step-grandchildren; and nine step-great-grandchildren.

A complete obituary appears in the April 23 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Duane Langerud, 71

April 23, 2003

Memorial services for Duane Ronald Langerud, 71, of Lake Mills, were held on his birthday, Monday, April 21, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, with Rev. Roger Dykstra officiating. Military Rites were performed by the Lake Mills Otto/Chose Post 235. Burial will be at a later date in the Salem Memorial Cemetery also in Lake Mills. Langerud died on Wednesday, January 22, 2003, at the Health Park Medical Center in Ft. Meyers, Florida.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Myrna Langerud of Lake Mills and Estero, Florida; son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Mary Langerud of Plymouth, Minnesota; two daughters and their husbands, Ann and Jay Benzshawel and Amber and Jeff Hollar, all of West Des Moines; five grandchildren, Daniel Benzshawel, Addison Benzshawel, Kristian Langerud, Kevin Langerud, Ethan Hollar; three brothers, Calmer and his wife, Muriel Langerud of Clear Lake and Mesa, Arizona, Ernest and his wife, Sue Langerud of Lake Mills and David Langerud of Minneapolis; and one sister, Sally and her husband, Jim Bevan of Ottumwa and Ft. Meyers, Florida.

A complete obituary appears in the April 23 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Norman E. Madson, 81

April 23, 2003

Memorial services for Norman E. Madson, 81, of Bloomington, Minnesota, will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, April 28, at the Christ the King Lutheran Church in Bloomington. Madson died in Arizona on February 18, 2003.

Memorials preferred to the Christ the King Lutheran Church, Global Health Ministries, St. Olaf College and Waldorf College.

He is a graduate of Waldorf College and Iowa State University. He was an architect with Thorson, Thorson and Madson (Forest City), Sovik, Mathre and Madson (Northfield) and St. Olaf College (Northfield).

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Phyllis; daughters and their families, Judy and Mark Becker (Amy, Katy and Dan), Doris and Doug Yock (Lindsey and Adam) and Camilla Madson and Steve Obaid (Nathan and Karin); sons and their families, Eric and Meg Madson (Emily and John) and Stephen Madson and Debra Yahle (Seth and Norah); and daughters of Phyllis and their families, Beth Molberg and Tom Brothen (Per) and Andrea Molberg (Lexa and Tessa Basford).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Ruth J. Holtan, 97

April 30, 2003

Ruth J. Hermanson Holtan, 97, of Forest City, died on Monday, April 21, 2003, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, April 25, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. The Rev. Lee Laaveg officiated. Burial was in the Winnebago Lutheran Cemetery in Lake Mills, with the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City in charge of the arrangements.

Ruth is survived by two daughters and their families, Karen Anderson and husband, Alan of Braselton, Georgia and Mary Harland and husband, Thomas of Forest City; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Dorothy Peterson Holtan of Tyler, Texas; and a sister, Leila Kloster of Lake Mills.

A complete obituary appears in the April 30 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Marvin King, 84

April 30, 2003

Marvin Russell King, 84, of Forest City, died on Wednesday, April 23, 2003.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 26, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. The Rev. Lee Laaveg officiated. Music was provided by Margie Markusen, soloist and organist, Leonard Markusen. Burial was in the Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City, with military rites conducted by the Forest City American Legion Post 121. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City was in charge of the arrangements.

He is survived by his wife, Norma King of Forest City; a son, David Marvin King of Orofino, Idaho; four step-children, Jane Whitehurst of Ollie, Rosemary Miller of Forest City, Stephen Hanson of Hampton and Sue Strampe of Omaha, Nebraska; seven step-grandchildren; and 11 step-great-grandchildren.

A complete obituary appears in the April 30 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Branden Brock, 22

April 30, 2003

Branden Brock, 22, of Garner, died on Saturday, April 26, 2003, in Winona, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 29, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. The Rev. Lee Laaveg officiated.

Joy and Mark Newcom provided a duet, accompanied by Nancy Farndale. Leonard Markusen served

Branden is survived by his parents, John Brock and his wife, Dawn of Joice and Cheryl Ann Hoeft and her husband, Kevin of Garner; two step-brothers, Darin Perkins and Joe Hoeft; two half-sisters, Amanda and Erica; and his grandparents, Barb Halverson and husband, Paul of Garner, Norma Monson and husband, Milton of Leland, Dennis and Bonnie Hoeft of Forest City and Bob and Carmen Holland of Forest City, Ordean Fredrickson of Forest City; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A complete obituary appears in the April 30 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Flora Westendorf, 102

May 7, 2003

Flora Westendorf, 102, of Northwood, died on Saturday, April 26, 2003, at the Manly Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral serviced were held on Thursday, May 1, at the United Methodist Church in Northwood. The Rev. Richard Jensen officiated. Burial was in the Graceland Cemetery in Buffalo Center, with the Conner Colonial Chapel in Northwood in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her daughter, Maxine Wilde and her husband, H. Judson Wilde of Charlotte, North Carolina; seven grandchildren, Terrance Judson Wilde and his wife, Joanne Monahan Wilde of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, Frederick Kent Wilde and his wife, Mary Jeko Wilde of York, Pennsylvania, Penny Wilde-Sparks and her husband, Herbert Henry Sparks Jr. of Charlotte, North Carolina, James Douglas Wilde of Richmond, Virginia, John Judson Wilde II and his wife, Caroline Krajeski Wilde of Slidell, Louisiana, Sally Sullivan Conklin of Lake Worth, Florida and Shannon Jay Sullivan of Tallahassee, Florida; seven great-grandchildren, Sarah Monahan Wilde, Emily Rawson Wilde, Lindsay Renee Wilde, Jonathan Judson Wilde, James Douglas Wilde, Jr., Laurel Whitmire Sparks and Rachel Rawson Sparks; and many nieces, nephews, as well as other relatives and friends.

A complete obituary appears in the May 7 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

John "Sonny" Lichman, 74

May 7, 2003

John "Sonny" Lichman, 74, of Britt, died on Saturday, April 26, 2003, at his home with his caring family by his side.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 30, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt. The Rev. Jerry Blake officiated.

Survivors include his wife, Wavel of Britt; four daughters, Gloria Lemmon and her husband, Merv of Augusta, Wisconsin, Deb Larson and her husband, Craig of Wesley, Sheri Moore and her special friend, Ray Sandhagen of Crystal Lake and Pam Kline and her husband, Dan of Britt; 10 grandchildren, Kari and Nicki Lemmon, Tracy and Stacy Gremmer, Shannon Larson, Nic, Jesse and Chris Moore, Adam and Joshua Kline; and one sister, Kathy Barlas and her husband, Tom of Mason City.

A complete obituary appears in the May 7 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

James P. McLaughlin, 69

May 7, 2003

James P. McLaughlin, 69, of Joice, died on Monday, April 28, 2003, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

A Mass of the Christian Burial was held on Thursday, May 1, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lake Mills. Father Jerry Blake officiated. Burial was in the St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in rural Lake Mills, with the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his loving wife, Marlene McLaughlin of Joice; two sons, Kirk McLaughlin of Ventura and Jeff McLaughlin of Forest City; four sisters and one brother, Evelyn Talbott of Council Bluffs, Dick McLaughlin and his wife, Colleen of Harland, Jerilyn and her husband, Gail Hess of DeWitt, Pat and her husband, Bob Goeser of Crescent and Janice and her husband, Tim Pabst of Eagan, Minnesota; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

A complete obituary appears in the May 7 edition of the Forest City Summit.
© 2003 Forest City Summit