Irene E. Johnson, 95

September 10, 2003

Irene E. Johnson, 95, of Forest City, died on Monday, September 1, 2003, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 5, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. The Rev. Lee Laaveg officiated. Burial was in the Pilot Knob Lutheran Cemetery, rural Forest City, with the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City in charge of the arrangements.

Ethel Irene Johnson, the daughter of Ingval G. and Emma Louise (Jorgenson) Hanna was born on September 27, 1907 in Sargent County, near Milnor, North Dakota. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith at the home of Winnie and Hans Monson, her aunt and uncle, in Mount Valley Township, in Winnebago County, Iowa. She lived with her parents on a farm near Milnor and went to country school there. Later she moved back to Iowa with her mother and her grandfather and grandmother Jorgenson. After moving to Glenwood, Minnesota, she attended country school and the Grove Lake School. After her mother married Charles Ellwood, she lived with them and her half-sister, Hazel.

She helped at home and did housework for others in the Glenwood area. When she was about 15 years old, she went with her father, Ingval, to Iowa where she stayed with her aunts, Winnie Monson and Rachel Kloster and did housework for them and others. On February 5, 1927, she was united in marriage to Telford Johnson at the home of Gosner and Rachel Kloster in Forest City. Following their marriage they began farming in Ellington Township and later in Mount Valley and Forest Township. Irene worked at several places in Forest City including Lynn's Department Store, Forest City Produce, many restaurants and as an aid at the Forest City Hospital. When Telford retired from farming they bought a home in Forest City. In 1993 Irene moved to an apartment where she lived until moving to the Lake Mills Care Center in July, 2003. Irene and Telford were the parents of three sons, Francis, DeWayne and John Telford.

Survivors include her sons, Francis and wife, Marilyn of Albert Lea, Minnesota and DeWayne and wife, Donna of Forest City; five grandchildren, Dianna and husband, Bob Benoy of Hudson, Wisconsin, Dan Johnson and wife, Jane of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Lori and husband, Jim Bakken of Fremont, Nebraska, Scott Johnson and wife, Naomi Nowland of Clear Lake and Craig Johnson and wife, Dawn of Forest City; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a half-sister, Hazel Laage and husband, Ernest of Brooten, Minnesota; step-brother, Howard Elwood and wife, Bernadien of Glenwood, Minnesota; step-sisters, Eleanor Dorweiler and husband, Joe of Glenwood, Minnesota, Myrtle Lack of Milnor, North Dakota and Ethel Johnson of Milnor, North Dakota.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Telford on March 21, 1984; an infant son, John Telford on October 17, 1937; her parents; and several step-brothers and sisters.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Grace K. Heltne, 87

September 10, 2003

Grace K. Heltne, 87, of Lake Mills, died on Wednesday, September 3, 2003, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 6, at the Salem Lutheran Church, Lake Mills, with Rev. Kevin Mackey officiating. Burial was in the Salem Memorial Cemetery, Lake Mills, with the Mittelstadt Funeral Home of Lake Mills in charge of the arrangements.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Myrtle Lammers, 85

Published September 17, 2003, Page B-5
Corrected September 24, 2003, Page B-5

Myrtle I. Lammers, 85, died on Monday, September 8, 2003, at Corydon, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 12, at the Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, Corydon, with Rev. Bill Nielsen officiating. Interment will be in the Corydon Cemetery at a later date, with the Randolph Funeral Homes in charge of the arrangements. Bearers were her children and grandchildren.

Myrtle Isabelle Twito, was born on April 7, 1918, the daughter of James Elmer and Regina (Sponem) Twito, descendants of Norwegian immigrants. Myrtle was the ninth of twelve children. She held fond memories of growing up with an active, lively family. Myrtle was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills. She was united in marriage to William Lammers on May 17, 1939 at Unionville, Missouri, by Rev. R. V. Caster. To this union three sons and one daughter were born.

Myrtle and Bill made many friends in all of the communities in which they lived. Myrtle was a homemaker while Bill was active in the building trade. She was actively involved in community activities, Boy Scouts, Camp Fire, was a member of the Eastern Star and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was also a Gold Star Mother.

Myrtle was preceded in death by their son, Donald; her parents; brothers, James, Irving, Earl, Harold and Royden; and sisters, Bemie, Viola and Marjorie.

She is survived by her husband, Bill; daughter, Diane and her husband, Rob of Reed Bluff, California; sons, David and his wife, Peggy of Clive and Dennis and his wife, Patricia of Osceola; sisters, Fern Hegel and Mildred Groves; brother, Donald Twito; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Donald A. Severson, 62

Published September 17, 2003, Page B-5

Donald A. Severson, 62, died at home on Thursday, September 11, 2003.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 15 at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson, with Rev. William Daylong and Rev. Sheri Daylong officiating. Sheryl Sloan was organist. Interment was in the Jefferson Cemetery, with the Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home of Jefferson in charge of the arrangements. Casket bearers were Norm Fandel, Dale Arends, Ron Koosman, Lyie Christensen, John Vogeler and John Bogikes. Honorary bearers were Randy Sell, Bruce Bosworth, Gary Pool, Pat Minnick, Denny Fuller, Bruce Keeney, Jeb Ball and Jerry Thompson.

Donald Alien Severson, son of Edward and Evelyn (Johnson) Severson, was born on December 10, 1940 in Forest City. He was raised in Leland and attended the Forest City Community School, graduating in 1958. October 20, 1962, he was united in marriage to Rosalee Rios in Gamer. Don joined the Hardin County Rural Electric Cooperative as an accountant in 1963 and was promoted to general manager in 1974.1n 1992, Greene County REC and Hardin County REC consolidated to form Midland Power Cooperative in which Don was named general manager, a position he held until 2001.

During his career, Don served on numerous boards associated with the electrical industry. Don also managed the Rockwell County REC and Guthrie County REC. The couple made their home in Iowa Falls for 30 years and were members of the Jefferson community for 10 years. Donald was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Jefferson, a past member of the Jefferson Rotary Club and a member of Good Guys. He will be remembered for his generosity, his positive attitude toward life, his love for street rods and ability to befriend others.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Severson.

Survivors include his wife, Rosalee of Jefferson; two daughters, Brenda Severson of Newton and Vicki Warman and her husband, Dave of Scottsdale, Arizona; his mother, Evelyn Severson of Garner; and two grandchildren, Jamie and Brandon of Scottsdale, Arizona. 
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Albert Frerichs, 92


Published September 17, 2003, Page B-5

Albert Frerichs, 92, of Titonka, died on Sunday, September 14, 2003, at the Titonka Care Center in Titonka.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 16, at the First Baptist Church in Buffalo Center, with Rev. Paul Haugen officiating. Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery, Buffalo Center, with the Winter Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Norris Groe, 70

Published September 24, 2003, Page B-5

Norris Groe, 70, died on Sunday, September 14, 2003, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, September 17, at the Sion Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills, with Rev. Kevin Mackey officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery with the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Norris Groe, the son of Norris and Ruth (Hove) Groe, was born on November 13, 1934 in Worth County. He was baptized and confirmed at the Sion Lutheran Church. Norris graduated from the Lake Mills Community School and then joined the United States Marine Corps from which he was discharged on May 29, 1962. He was united in marriage to Mildred Dodge in Santa Ana, California. To this union two children were born. Norris moved back to Lake Mills in 1970 and worked at Winnebago Industries for over 20 years, retiring in 1994. Since retirement, he spent his spare time solving other people's computer problems.

Norris is survived by his daughter, Robin Groe and Ed Baton of Newport Beach, California; his son, Norris III and his wife, Vickie of Kiester, Minnesota; two grandsons, Jon and Matt; two brothers, David and his fiancée, Lory of Lake Mills and Royden and his wife, Zona of Casa Grande, Arizona; four sisters, Vivian Meehlhause of Clear   Lake, Jeorgene Huso and her husband, Steven of Brandon, South Dakota, Kathy Hanson and her husband, Dennis of Lake Mills and Denise Kobler and her husband, Kurt of Flower Mound, Txas; and lots of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Norris was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Steven and Marvin; sister, Fran; brother-in-law, Gary Meehlhause; his mother-in-law, Lea Dodge and father-in-law, George Dodge.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Loraine B. Hall, 89

Published September 24, 2003, Page B-5

Loraine B. Hall, 89, of Lake Mills, died on Sunday, September 14, 2003, at the Mercy Medical Center-West Campus, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 19, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, with Rev. Roger Dykstra officiating. Interment will be in the Salem Memorial Cemetery, Lake Mills, with the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

George Riekens, 86

Published October 8, 2003, Page B-5

George Riekens, age 86, of Forest City, died on Friday, September 19, 2003, at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 23, at the United Methodist Church in Forest City, with Rev. Gary Marzolf officiating. Burial was in the Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

George Arald Riekens Sr., was born on August 30, 1917 near Kanawha, Iowa, the son of George and Anna (Albright) Riekens. He received his education in Kanawha and on December 14, 1938, was united in marriage to Edna Lucille Berhow in Boone. The couple farmed in the Belmond area for many years. In 1970, they moved to Forest City and have lived here since. George worked at Winnebago Industries until retiring.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Kum Along Club. George loved to hunt and went to Canada fishing often with Edna. He enjoyed spending an afternoon tinkering in his shop and treasured time spent with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Edna Riekens of Forest City; two children and their spouses, Lots and Thomas Yeager of Weslaco, Texas and George and Gloria Riekens of Lake Mills; eight grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Henry Riekens; and a sister, Ruth Riekens Earles.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Rodney J. Ward, 57

Published September 24, 2003, Page B-5

Rodney J. Ward, 57, of Hanlontown, died on Saturday, September 20, 2003.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 23, at the United Methodist Church in Swaledale, with Rev. Ron Stein of the First Baptist Church in Mason City officiating. Interment was in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Thornton, with military gravesite rites by the Anton-Juhl Post No. 44 of Thornton. Honorary casket bearer was Malcolm Colby. Casket bearers were J. Christopher Ward, Paul Brown, Matt Enabnit, Larry Johnson, Harlan Rice and Dennis Ward.

Rodney James Ward, the son of J. C. and Doris (Enabnit) Ward was born on August 10, 1946 in Mason City. He graduated from the Rockwell-Swaledale High School in 1964 and attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette. Rod entered the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam from 1968-1970, attaining the rank of sergeant. Returning to Iowa, Rod graduated in 1971 with B.S. Degrees in Math and Psychology. He did graduate work at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, and worked for Fred Carlson Construction, Decorah, operating heavy equipment. He later moved to Indiana and then California where he taught Junior High School in Richfield. He also worked with graphic art at the Bakersfield Community College. Since 1994, Rod has resided in Hanlontown.

Rod enjoyed all sports, especially golf and baseball. He was an avid Yankees fan. Dolly, his cocker spaniel, was his longtime companion and friend.

Survivors include his sister, Diane Carl of Sioux City; brother, Steve Ward and his wife, Sherri of Greene; and nieces and nephews, Brad and wife, Kristi Carl, Brian Carl, Stephanie Ward, Jennifer Lane and husband, Mike, J. Christopher Ward, Meagan Miller and husband, Adam and Danielle.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Kirk McLaughlin, 42

Published October 1, 2003, Page B-5

Kirk (Kurty) McLaughlin, 42, of Joice, died on Saturday, September 20, 2003, at his home in Joice.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 26, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lake Mills, with Rev. Jerry Blake officiating.  Internment was in the St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Lake Mills.

Kirk Douglas McLaughlin, the son of James P. and Marlene (Myrton) McLaughlin, was born on October 3, 1960 in Independence. He served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman from 1979 to 1983. He enjoyed fishing and the Green Bay Packers. Kurty worked at his father's locker in Ventura for 15 years and ConAgra Foods in Mason City for five years.

He is survived by his mother, Marlene McLaughlin of Joice; one brother, Jeff McLaughlin of Forest City; and several aunts, uncles and other relatives and friends.

McLaughlin was preceded in death by his father in April 2003; and his grandparents.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Edna Juveland, 76

Published October 1, 2003, Page B-5

Edna M. Juveland, 76, of Lake Mills, died on Tuesday, September 23, 2003, at the Albert Lea Medical Center, Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, September 25, at the Salem Lutheran Church, Lake Mills, with Rev. Kevin Machey officiating. Burial was in the Salem Memorial Cemetery, Lake Mills.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Robert McCauley, 61

Published October 8, 2003, Page B-5

Robert McCauley, 61, died on Thursday, September 25, 2003, at his home in Fairfield, California.

A funeral and Catholic prayer service was held on Tuesday, October 7, at the Fairfield Funeral Home, Fairfield, California, with Rev Michael Downey presiding. Interment was in the Suisun-Fairfield Cemetery. The Fairfield Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Robert Leo, the son of H.L and Ruth Cherle McCauley, was born on April 27, 1942 in Elkader. He graduated from the Forest City High School in 1960 and served in both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force as an electrician for 15 years. Robert was also a graduate of the Glen Fishback School of Photography, Sacramento, California. He resided in Fairfield the past 38 years.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Crawford of Fairfield, California; a son, Mark McCauley of Vacaville, California; sisters, Sara (John) Rytkonen of Sulphur, Louisiana, Martha (Larry) Lasby of Loma Linda, California and Mary Ann (Lomy) Andersen of Crystal Lake; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Joseph William.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Dorris Knutson. 83

Published October 8, 2003, Page B-5

Dorris A. Knutson, 83, of Lake Mills and longtime Arizona winter resident, died on Monday, September 29, 2003, at the Touch Of Desert Class Home in Phoenix, Arizona.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 4, at the Emmons Lutheran Church in Emmons, Minnesota, with Rev. Julie Fiske officiating. Burial was in the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Emmons.

Dorris Arlene Knutson, was born on March 26, 1920 in Leland, daughter of Eddie and Alma (Vold) Carlson. She attended school in Leland. On March 24, 1940, she was united in marriage to Albert K. Knutson. Albert and Dorris operated the Emmons Cafe for many years.

Dorris enjoyed a full life with Albert until he passed in 1994. They enjoyed trips to Norway, Alaska and throughout the U.S. Winters in Arizona were always special to them being with family and friends they had there. The past few years she also enjoyed trips to Norway, Canada and a cruise with her daughter, Deb. She will be missed by many.

Dorris is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Deb and Terry Anderson of New River, Arizona; son-in-law, James Doffing of Sun City, Arizona; grandchildren, Shannon and Jeremy Anderson, Daniel Moe, Jodi and Jimi Doffing, all in Arizona and Dennis and wife, Loretta of Las Vegas, Nevada; great-grandchildren, Asa and Ariel Anderson, Samantha and Billy Moe, Jaini Fabrizio, Kendra and Cassonova, Amber and Tyler Kalsow, all in Arizona; sisters and brothers-in-law, Ruby and Luther Okland of Lake Mills and Lots and Raymond Schmidt of Chico, California; along with many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Dorris was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Albert; son, Dennis; daughter, Donna; three brothers, Vernon, Dean and Richard; along with several nephews.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Joseph P. Endris, 75

Published October 8, 2003, Page B-5

Joseph P. Endris, of Kiester, Minnesota, died on Monday, September 29, 2003, at the St. John's Lutheran Home in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held on Friday, October 3, at the Bethel Lutheran Church, Vinje, with Rev. Dani Jo Ninke-Greaver officiating. Burial was in the Bethel Lutheran Cemetery, Vinje.
© 2003 Forest City Summit

Victor C. Kristensen, 76

Published October 15, 2003, Page B-7

Victor C. Kristensen, 76, of San Jose, California, died on Monday, September 29, 2003, at the Community Hospital in Los Gatos, California.

Victor C., the son of Soren and Kristine Kristensen, was born on June 22, 1927 in Forest City. He graduated from the Forest City High School in 1945 and worked as an electrician at the Forest Canning Company. He was inducted into the U.S. Navy in 1945 and served as a Fireman First Class stationed at Mare Island, Navy Shipyard, California. He was discharged in 1946, then attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, Illinois. Upon graduation he was an instructor at the electrical trade school. On October 19, 1947, he was united in marriage to Virginia Thompson at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. They resided in Chicago, Illinois and early in 1948 he accepted a position with IBM. In 1962, he moved to San Jose, California. After becoming self-employed, he retired in 1988.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia of San Jose; children, Dane (Elaine) Kristensen of Gresham, Oregon, Jay (Diane) Kristensen of Oakley, California and Van (Susan) Kristensen of San Jose, California; granddaughters, Vanessa, Erika, Ellie and Hanna Kristensen; two sisters-in-law, Bonna Christensen and Gail Kristensen Busha; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; and four sisters.
© 2003 Forest City Summit