Sophie H. Conover, 1908-2002

July 9, 2002

Sophie H. Conover, of Mason City, died  on Monday, July 1, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. She was 93.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, July 5, 2002, at the St. James Lutheran Church, Mason City, with the Rev. Scott R. Duffus officiating. Interment was held in the Rockwell Cemetery, Rockwell. Visitation was held from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Friday at the church.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to direct memorials to the St. James Lutheran Church or Hospice of North Iowa.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Evelyn F. Bartik, 1916-2002

July 9, 2002

Evelyn F. Bartik, of Britt, died on Thursday, July 4, 2002, at the Westview Care Center, Britt. She was 85.

Her funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, July 8, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt, with the Rev. Marvin Bries officiating. Music was provided by organist, Brenda Smith who accompanied soloist, Louise Zrostlik. Violin music was provided by Brad Sharp. Ushers were Dr. Charles Chu and Paul Smith. Honorary bearer was Dominick Christian Niedert.

Casket bearers were John A. Hefti, James W. Hefti, Timothy S. Rodewald, Christopher B. Rodewald, John A. Bartik, Robert W. J. Bartik, Ezra Wilson and Anthony M. Niedert.

Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery. The Cataldo Funeral Home of Britt was charge of the arrangements.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Jerry L. Patterson, 1937-2002

July 23, 2002

Jerry L. Patterson, of LuVerne, died suddenly on Tuesday, July 9, 2002, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion. He was 65.

Funeral services were held at the United Methodist Church of Clarion. The Rev. Dale Reisner officiated. Music was provided by organist, Dennis Holmes who accompanied several congregational hymns.

Burial was in the LuVerne Cemetery. Casket bearers were C. P. Patterson, Roger Hansen, John Gales, David McPeak, Jeff Hansen and Don Besch. The Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home of LuVerne was in charge of the arrangements.

Jerry Lee Patterson, was born on January 28, 1937 at LuVerne, Iowa. He was the son of Milo H. and Augusta (Wegner) Patterson.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Francis E. Ruppert, 1926-2002

July 23, 2002

Francis E. "Bud" Ruppert, of Northwood, died on Wednesday, July 10, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatients Unit in Mason City. He was 76.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, July 13, at the Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood. The Rev. Robert Luebbert officiated. Interment was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood.

Francis Ruppert, was born on May 25, 1926 in Taylorville, Illinois, to Merle E. and Melba (Nagle) Ruppert. He served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1947.

He married Bonita Rapp on January 15, 1949, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. He retired from the City of Garner in 1988, after many years of employment. The couple moved to Northwood in 1988.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

George Detmering, 1922-2002

July 23, 2002

George E. Detmering, former mayor of Wesley, died on Thursday, July 11, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center, North Iowa. He was 80.

Funeral services were held at the United Methodist Church of Wesley on Monday, July 15. The Rev. Dan Fernandez and the Rev. Bill Poland officiated. Music was provided by organist, Diane Nall who accompanied soloist, Kit Ryan. Casket bearers were Brad Tresemer, Kelly Als, Casey Als, Greg Rippentrop, Craig Wigans and Kenny Ricke.

Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Wesley. Graveside military services were provided by the Andrews American Legion Post #428. The Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home of Wesley was in charge of the arrangements.

George Ernest Detmering, was born on March 15, 1922 at Humboldt, Iowa. He was the son of Earl C. and Delores Mae (Funk) Detmering.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Warren R. Stupka, 1952-2002

July 23, 2002

Warren R. Stupka, 50, of Garner, died on Friday, July 12, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

His funeral was held on Monday, July 15, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Garner, with the Rev. Michael Schueller officiating. Lector was Dean Upton. Music was provided by organist, Carolyn Kumsher who accompanied soloist, Marilyn Hayes and the church choir. Ushers were Robert Kral and Lawrence Engstler.

Casket bearers were Anthony Young, Robert Young, Raymond Young, Francis Young, Elmer Young, Carl Young, Richard Young, Tom Schmidt and Marv Engstler. Interment was in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Hospice of North Iowa. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Warren R. Stupka, the son of Raymond J. and Mary Ann (Young) Stupka, was born on March 23, 1952 at Forest City.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

John W. Kester, 1908-2002

July 23, 2002

Former Hancock County resident, John W. Kester, died on Monday, July 15, 2002, in Marshalltown. He was 93.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 22, at the United Methodist Church of Forest City. The Rev. Gary Marzolf officiated. Music was provided by organist, Nancy Farndale who accompanied soloist, Jim Manderfield.

Casket bearers were Lori Manderfield, David Kester, Dan Kester, Sara Cornette, Amanda Kester, Nathan Kester, Adam Kester and Michele Wonsang. Burial was in the Madison Township Cemetery, Forest City. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home of Forest City was in charge of the arrangements.

A memorial service was held on Friday, July 19, at The Embers in Marshalltown.

John W. Kester, was born in Brookings, South Dakota, on September 13, 1908. He was the son of Walter and Otheal (Easterly) Kester.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Pansy Jones, 1920-2002

July 23, 2002

Pansy S. Jones, of Fertile, Iowa, died on Tuesday, July 16, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City. She was 82.

Funeral services were held on Friday, July 19, at the Fertile Lutheran Church, Fertile, with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating. Graveside services were held in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of the arrangements.

Pansy S. Jones, was born on June 17, 1920 in Reeve Township, Franklin County, Iowa. She was the daughter of Charles R. and Lizzie (Mutzel) Savage. 
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Nicholas Pinneke, 1983-2002

July 23, 2002

Nicholas M. Pinneke, 19, of Garner, died on Tuesday, July 16, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City.

His funeral was held on Friday, July 19, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church. The Rev. Michael Schueller officiated. Pat Doble was the lector. Music was provided by organist, Carolyn Kumsher who accompanied the church choir and soloist, Mary Chambers. Ushers were Seth Young and James Merriam.

Honorary bearers were Shelby Hayes, Nikki Clement, Barb Corrick, Amanda Howie and Stacy Greiman. Casket bearers were Kirk Pedersen, Kaleb Pergande, Brad Kozisek, Jay East, Jess East, Shawn Larkin, Mike Meyering and Michael Priebe.

Interment was in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. The Cataldo Funeral Home of Garner was in charge of the arrangements.

Nicholas Michael Pinneke, the son of Michael and Rhonda (Van Oort) Pinneke, was born on March 27, 1983 at Britt.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Maxine Rollefson, 1924-2002

July 23, 2002

Maxine Rollefson, of Forest City, died on Tuesday, July 16, 2002. She was 77.

Funeral services were held on Friday, July 19, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Forest City. The Rev. Lee Laaveg officiated. Music was provided by organist, Reid Matthias.

Casket bearers were Landon Dickerson, Jerry Brickman, Lukas Wooge and Ray Hansen. Burial was in the Oakland Cemetery, Forest City. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Maxine Rollefson, was born in Ventura on November 22, 1924, the daughter of Selmer and Anna (Nelson) Moore.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Diane B. Nevill, 1950-2002

July 23, 2002

Diane B. Nevill, 52, of Garner, died on Wednesday, July 17, 2002, at her home surrounded by her family.

Her memorial service was held on Saturday, July 20, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with the Rev. Kay Hooper officiating. Music was provided by organist, Michelle Greiman who accompanied a men's quartet of Bill Renner, Bernie Urich, Tyler Urich and Jim Hill. Ushers were Jeremy and Jason Barnes.

Honorary bearers were Harold Curley, Dan Birkey, Dave Birkey, Dave Kaduce, Emily Tindall, Ethan Tindall, Ellie Tindall, Elaina Tindall, Adam Miller, Rick Dirksen, Chad Dirksen and Dawn Eenhuis. The Cataldo Funeral Home of Garner was in charge of the arrangements.

Diane Berdine Nevill, the daughter of Raymond and Delores (Wilson) Barnes, was born on April 23, 1950 at Forest City.

On October 24. 1980, she was united in marriage to Loren "Skip" Nevill Jr. at the United Methodist Church in Garner. They made their home in Garner where Diane owned and operated a beauty shop for the past 17 years.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Adeline M. Peck, 1937-2002

July 23, 2002

Adeline M. Peck, 65, of Ventura, died on Thursday, July 18, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 22, at the Ventura United Methodist Church. The Rev. Audrey Westendorf-Young officiated.  Interment was in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. The Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake was in charge of the arrangements.

Adeline was born on January 15, 1937 in Klemme, the daughter of Edwin S. and Doris L. (Haginger) Medaus.  She attended Klemme Public Schools.

She married Wilbur "Duane" Peck on May 1, 1954 in Crystal Lake. The couple lived in Forest City, where Mrs. Peck worked at Winnebago Industries for over 17 years. After retiring in 1983, they moved to Ventura and enjoyed living near the lake.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Rose H. Meyers, 1899-2002

July 30, 2002

Rose Wilhemina Hermina Krause Meyers, of Corwith, died on Wednesday, July 24, 2002, at the Kanawha Community Home. She was 103.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 27, at the Corwith United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dan Fernandez and Rev Jerry Newland officiating. The Gary-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home of Corwith was in charge of the arrangements.

Rose Wilhemina Hermina Krause Meyers, was born on April 1, 1899, on a farm near Lotts Creek, Iowa to Wilhem and Marie Stortz Krause. When she was six, her family moved to a farm southeast of Lone Rock, and then moved into the town of Lone Rock, where her parents owned and operated the hotel.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Elizabeth Dirksen, 1939-2002

July 30, 2002

Elizabeth A. Dirksen, 63, of Garner, died on Thursday, July 25, 2002, at her home surrounded by her family.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 29, at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City, with the Rev. Albert Snyder of Calvary Baptist Church, Forest City, officiating. Interment was in the Elmwood Cemetery, Mason City.

Elizabeth Dirksen, was born on January 21, 1939 in rural Forest City, the daughter of Marcus and Florence (Kitner) Graff. She graduated from the Forest City High School in 1957. She married George Dirksen, in June 1957 in Forest City. 

The couple resided in the Woden area.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Leon K. Nelson, 1921-2002

July 30, 2002

Leon (Lee) K. Nelson, of Rockwell, died on Saturday July 27, 2002, at the Rockwell Nursing Home. He was 81.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m., on Tuesday, July 30, at the Rockwell Methodist Church in Rockwell, with Pastor Bruce Wittern officiating. Interment was in the Rockwell Cemetery in Rockwell with full military rites.

Visitation was held from 4-8:00 p.m., on Monday, at the Fullerton Funeral Home in Rockwell, and one hour prior to the service time on Tuesday.

Leon was born on February 9, 1921 in Woden, the son of Lewis and Ida (Kallem) Nelson. He graduated from the Carpenter High School in 1939. Leon was united in marriage to Madeline in 1942 in San Antonio, Texas.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Evalena Coe, 1917-2002

July 30, 2002

Evalena "Heavy" Coe, 85, of Ventura, died on Saturday, July 27, 2002, at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 30, at the Ventura United Methodist Church, with Pastor Audrey Westendorf-Young officiating. Interment was in the Ventura Cemetery, Ventura. The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of the arrangements

Evalena Coe, was born on April 13, 1917 in Ventura. She was the daughter of Addison H. and Elina (Bach) Cooley. She graduated from the Ventura High School in 1936.

She married Theodore Coe on November 28 and they moved to Grand Rapids, Minnesota. They later returned to Ventura, where she cooked at various restaurants, Bishop Morrison Lodge Church Camp and then for thirty-five years as a cook for the Ventura Schools, retiring in 1987. She also did upholstery and later operated a ceramic shop at her home.

Heavy enjoyed crocheting, quilting, crafts and especially having her family around her. She was a member of the Ventura United Methodist Church.

Heavy is survived by her four children, Elsie Rist and her husband, Ron of Moneta, Virginia, Bill Coe and his wife, Carolyn of Ventura, Linda Stricker and her husband, Richard of Ventura and Gary Coe of Ventura; six grandchildren, Eric Coe and his wife, Judi of Lakewood, Colorado, Colette Sampson and her husband, Michael of Mason City, Aaron Coe and his fiancée, Shawnette Crawford of Great Falls, Montana, William M. Case of Sebeka, Minnesota, Donald Case and his wife, Monica of Mason City and Gary Case and his wife, Sandy of Garner; five great-grandchildren, Nick Coe, Jennifer Coe, Clayton Sampson, Kacy Sampson and Austin Bailey Case; and one brother, Orland "Bud" Cooley and his wife, Doris of Ridgeway.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ted in 1997; three brothers, Clarence, Lawrence and Arnold Cooley; and one sister, Ida Cooley Morse.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Duane Thompson, 1961-2002

August 6, 2002

Duane S. Thompson, of Missouri Valley, died on Sunday, July 28, 2002, at the Community Memorial Hospital, Missouri Valley. He was 40.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 31, at the Hennessey-Aman Funeral Home of Missouri Valley. The Rev. Ron Wymer officiated. Burial was in the Rose Hill Memorial Garden, Missouri Valley.

Casket bearers were Joe Young, Jerry Cook, Art Fountain, Gene Moore, Don Obrecht and Randy Moore.

Duane Thompson, was born on August 12, 1961 in Missouri Valley, Iowa. He was the son of Gerald and Alice (Gardner) Thompson. He attended school in Garner.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Stanley N. Boman, 1914-2002

August 06, 2002

Stanley N. Boman, of Forest City, died on Tuesday, July 30, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City. He was 88.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 3, at the First Baptist Church, with the Rev. William A. Damberg officiating. Music was provided by organist, Carol Tweeten who accompanied congregational hymns. Special music was provided by pianist, Lorie Fahs, a trumpet duet of Kelly Faust and Steve Fahs and a vocal duet of James and Laurann Anderson. Ushers were Dana and Matthew Swanson.

Casket bearers were Bradley Waldemar, Todd Waldemar, Jeffrey Boman, Michael Boman, Martin Wilson, Lonnie Wilson, Wesley Boman and Gerald Boman. Interment was in the First Baptist Cemetery. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home of Forest City was in charge of the arrangements.

Stanley Nels Boman, the son of Alfred and Ellen (Benson) Boman, was born on May 13, 1914, on a farm near Forest City. He attended Ellington #2 Country School. In his early youth, he acknowledged Jesus Christ as his Savior and became a member of the First Baptist Church in Forest City.

On May 8, 1936, he married Phyllis Conner at her parent's home in Forest City. Two children were born to this marriage, Sandra and Stephen.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Virginia E. Pitzenberger, 1929-2002

August 06, 2002

Virginia E. (Jean) Pitzenberger, of Rockwell, died on Wednesday, July 31, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City. She was 72 years old.

A Funeral Mass was held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, August 3, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockwell, with Rev. Craig E. Steimel officiating. Burial was in the St. Patrick's Cemetery, Dougherty.

Visitation was held from 4-8:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, where a scriptural wake service was held at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Knight's of Columbus Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Further visitation was held from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday, at the Sacred Heart Parish Center in Rockwell.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002