Helen Petersen

February 6, 2002

Helen Petersen, 92, of Audubon, passed away on Saturday, February 2, 2002, at the Friendship Home in Audubon.

Survivors include three sons and four daughters, including Mrs. Bill (Elizabeth) Schrader of Garner.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Lucille Horstman, 1905-2001

February 27, 2002

Lucille A. Horstman, of Britt, passed away on Thursday, February 14, 2002, at the Westview Care Center in Britt. She was 96.

Funeral services for Mrs. Horstman were held on Monday, February 18, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt. The Rev. Marvin Bries officiated. Lector was Kathy Eisenman. Music was provided by organist, Brenda Smith and vocalist, Jolene Leerar. Ushers were Allan Doughan and John Fangman.

Burial was in the St. Patrick's Church Cemetery, Britt. Casket bearers were Vicki Sufferlien, Suzanne Horstman, Michael Horstman, Thomas Looft, Ryan Kuhl and Kristin Horstman.  Honorary bearers were Kathy Eisenman, Jean Ann Bruns, Ann Hoelscher, Jeff Horstman, Sara Gertsema and Shelly Kuhl. The Ewing Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Lucille Horstman, daughter of Michael and Sarah McGinn Gahan was born on May 31, 1905 in Clare, Iowa. She graduated from the Britt High School in 1925 and taught in a rural Hancock County School northwest of Britt for several years. In 1931 she received her cosmetology certification in Des Moines and then continued for a time as an instructor at the school.

She married Elmer Horstman on August 16, 1933 in Wesley, Iowa. They made their home on a farm southeast of Britt for 50 years where they raised their four children.

Mrs. Horstman was active in the community as a 4-H Leader, an originating member of the Jolly Circle, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and the Catholic Daughters of America. She supported her children and grandchildren in their many school activities. She enjoyed traveling, card clubs, especially bridge with her friends.

Survivors include four children, Patricia Looft and husband, John of Rochester, Minnesota, Paul Horstman and wife, Mildred of Britt, Robert Horstman and wife, Michele of Britt and Sara Kuhl and husband, Larry of Seattle, Washington; 12 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elmer; 3 brothers; and 3 sisters.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Myrtle Alice Ewers, 1919 - 2002

March 5, 2002

Myrtle Alice Ewers, 83, of Mason City, died on Monday, February 18, 2002, at the Good Shepherd Care Center in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, February 21, at 1:30 p.m., at the Wesley United Methodist Church, Mason City, with Reverend William Poland officiating. Burial was in the Hillside Cemetery, Sheffield. Friends called from 5-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City and one hour prior to the service time on Thursday at the church.

The family of Myrtle Alice Ewers has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church in her memory.

Myrtle Alice Ewers, was born on January 29, 1919 in Mason City, the daughter of Asa E. and Alice (Smith) Clark. She attended and received her education in the rural Cerro Gordo County School system.

She was united in marriage to Clarence L. Ewers on January 17, 1937 in Northwood. He preceded her in death on January 24, 1974. Myrtle was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, who loved and cherished her family, and enjoyed taking care of them.

She enjoyed cooking, but her great love and enjoyment was her family, grandchildren, and her church.

She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Mason City.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Donald Ewers and his wife, Janet of Caldwell, Idaho, Robert Ewers and his wife, Bonita of Sheffield, Richard Ewers and his wife, Lisa of Mason City and Judith (Ewers) Kentner and her husband, David of North Augusta, South Carolina; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Yanney and Jane Ginapp, both of Mason City; as well as other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clarence L. Ewers on January 24, 1974; a grandson, Danny Ewers; and three brothers; and three sisters.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Rebecca Ann Schunke

March 5, 2002

Rebecca Ann Schunke, 47, of Rochester, Minnesota, died on Saturday, February 23, 2002, at a Rochester Hospital of a lingering illness.

A Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, February 26, 2002, at the Resurrection Catholic Church in Rochester, Minnesota. The Rev. Msgr. Donald Schmitz officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Pallbearers were John Carlson, Kelly Oxley, Brian Skalisky, Craig Knox, Robert Schunke and Scott Skalisky. Interment was made in the Grandview Memorial Gardens, Rochester, Minnesota.

Survivors include her husband, James Schunke of Rochester, Minnesota; one son, Joshua Skalisky; her parents, Jerry and Marjorie Oxley, formerly of Corwith, now of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota; one sister, Kathleen and her husband, Dan Ditlewsen of Savage, Minnesota.

Rebecca was a 1973 graduate of the Corwith/Wesley High School.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Ione L. Christiance, 1911-2002

March 5, 2002

Ione L. Christiance, of Klemme, died on Wednesday, February 27, 2002, at the Oakwood Manor Care Center in Clear Lake. She was 90.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 4, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ, Klemme. The Rev. Donna Buckman officiated. Ushers were Terry Woiwood and Kirk Pearson. Music was provided by Diane Stadtlander

Casket bearers were Richard Baack, Kenny Weiland, Brandon Weiland, John Finlayson, Jamie Weiland, Richard Staebler, Todd Echelberger and Brian Verduyn. Honorary bearers were Ethel Harrington, Gracka Gruis, Ronald Hummel, Hazel Charlson, Novella Bredbenner, Michael Echelberger, Ronald Brinkman, Donna Weiland and Dagny Schmidt. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery. The Tenold-Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme, was in charge of the arrangements.

Ione Lucille Christiance, was born on March 22, 1911 in Sheffield, Iowa. She was the daughter of Dr. Frederick and Gertrude (Bailey) Schwab. She enjoyed spending time in her childhood with her father at his medical office. She attended Sheffield Schools for a time until the family moved to Clear Lake where she also attended school. Upon the early death of her mother she assisted her family with the farm operation and care of her brother.

On February 26, 1928, Ione Schwab married Donald G. Christiance in Des Moines. They moved to Woolstock, where Mr. Christiance operated a barber shop. Later they moved to Kanawha, Clear Lake and to Klemme in 1934, where they lived and were in business for 51 years. She was a resident of the Oakwood Care Center for the past year.

Mrs. Christiance was a homemaker and an active partner with her husband on their farm in Clear Lake and their barber shops in Klemme and Meservey. She was an active member of the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ and served as President of the Women's Guild at the Church, funeral chairman and various other roles. She was also active in the Klemme Community Band Mothers Club.

She enjoyed trips to Perry, Iowa and to Illinois to visit relatives. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, reading, sewing, cooking, gardening, antiques, coin collecting and playing cards.

Survivors include her daughters, Phyllis Echelberger of Thornton, Beverly Hummel and her husband, Ron of Ankeny; three grandchildren, Mike Echelberger and his wife, Donna of Rockwell; LuAnn Scott of Mason City and Renae Verduyn and husband, Brian of Des Moines; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don in June of 2001; a brother, Frederick "Bud" Schwab, Jr.; a sister, Leona Staebler; and a son-in-law, Glen Echelberger.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Ivan A. Alphs, 1925-2002

March 5, 2002

Ivan A. Alphs, 76, of Britt, died on Wednesday, February 27, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, from complications of leukemia.

His funeral was held on Saturday, March 2, at the Woden Christian Reformed Church. The Rev. Kevin Jordan officiated. Music was provided by organist, Marjorie Harringa who accompanied congregational hymns. Special music was provided by a men's quartet of Paul Tjaden, John Smidt, Gerald Redenius and Harlan Eekhoff. Ushers were Roger Seefeld and Julie Harringa.

Casket bearers were David Alphs, Aldin Stecker, John VandenHoek, Brent Eshuis, Rev. Mark Lillo and Mervin Stecker. Interment was in the church cemetery. The Cataldo Funeral Home of Britt was in charge of the arrangements.

Ivan Adrian Alphs, the son of Adolph and Gerda (Eggum) Alphs, was born on December 13, 1925 at Thompson. At the age of two, he moved with his parents to a farm northeast of Wesley. He received his early education in the Orthel Township Country School near Wesley and graduated from the Wesley High School in 1943. After graduation, Ivan farmed with his father near Wesley.

On October 19, 1948, he married Gladys Redenius at the Woden Christian Reformed Church. They continued to work and live on Ivan's childhood farm near Wesley for the next 52 years. In 2001, they retired and moved to a home in Britt.

Mr. Alphs was a life long member of the Woden Christian Reformed Church where he served as a deacon, usher and as a member of many committees. He loved the outdoors and was committed to farming, but his greatest love was for his family. In later years, he traveled regularly to spend time with his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys of Britt; three sons, Larry Alphs and his wife, Keiko of Randolph, New Jersey, Marvin Alphs of Mason City and Duane Alphs and his wife, Mary of Haymarket, Virginia; six grandchildren, Hannah, Sarah and Aya Alphs and Amanda, Christina and Brian Alphs; two brothers, Donald Alphs and his wife, Irma of Woden and Roger Alphs and his wife, Mary Ann of Buffalo Center; and his sister, Mardel of Woodward.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Gerda Alphs.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002