M. Charlotte Jenkins, 1915-2002

September 11, 2002

Mary Charlotte Jenkins, of Sibley, died on Thursday, September 5, 2002, at the Sibley Nursing and Rehab Center. She was 87.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 9, at the United Methodist Church in Sibley. The Rev. Paul Frederiksen officiated. Music was provided by organist, Lola Sjogren who accompanied soloist, Darcy Martinez. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion, Iowa. Pastor Roger Kallem officiated. The Andringa Funeral Home of Sibley was in charge of the arrangements.

M. Charlotte Jenkins, daughter of Henry and Ruth (Baily) Pepper, was born on August 5, 1915 in Dows. She was a graduate of the Dows High School.

She was united in marriage to Richard Philip Jenkins of LeMars on April 20, 1940 in Clarion. The couple resided in Clarion where Charlotte took care of children and worked at the cafe. They moved to Sibley in 1949.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Lyle R. Fuller, M.D., 1923-2002

September 11, 2002

Lyle Robert Fuller, M.D., 79, of Garner, died on Friday, September 6, 2002, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 9, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church, with the Rev. Michael Schueller officiating. Music was provided by organist, Carolyn Kumsher who accompanied the church choir. Ushers were Robert Kral and Lawrence Engstler.

Casket bearers were Joseph Fuller, Stephen Fuller, Mark Fuller, John Fuller, Greg Fuller and Ben Fuller. Interment was in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Lyle Robert Fuller, the son of James David and Anna LaVerne (Mosher) Fuller, was born on August 15, 1923, on a farm near Jesup, Iowa. He spent his early years assisting his parents on the farm. He graduated from the Jesup High School at the age of 16. Lyle then attended college briefly before returning to help on the farm. Prior to returning to college, he served in the U.S. Army as a lieutenant during the occupation of Japan after WW II. After military duty, he returned to Iowa, receiving his bachelors and medical degrees from the University of Iowa.

On September 5, 1953, he married Jo Anne Thielen of Waterloo. After finishing his medical degree in 1954, they moved to Tacoma, Washington, where he served an internship at the Madigan Army Hospital. In 1955, upon completion of his medical training, Lyle and his family returned to Iowa where he established his medical practice in Garner.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Mary E. Purcell, 1925-2002

September 18, 2002

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

Funeral services were held at 9:30 a.m., on Saturday, September 14, at the Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner, with the Rev. Jerry W. Blake officiating. Music was provided by organist, Beverly Cataldo.

Casket bearers were Cynthia Kofron, Don Purcell, Jean Purcell, Richard Purcell, Derrick Gagnon and Marcia Squier. Interment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Elizabeth Purcell, the daughter of David Sylvester and Lydia (Schoonover) Gagnon, was born on June 14, 1925 at Clear Lake. She attended school at Clear Lake where she graduated from high school in 1943. She received her R.N. degree at the Mercy School of Nursing in Mason City and worked as an R.N. at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Mason City.

On November 8, 1950, she was married to Edward Leroy Purcell at Garner. They operated the creamery in Fertile, farmed north of Clear Lake and in 1983 moved to Mason City where they retired.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Herbert Brunsen, 1917-2002

September 18, 2002

Herbert Brunsen, formerly of Britt, died on Wednesday, September 11, 2002, at his home in Bentonville, Arkansas. He was 84.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, September 12, at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Rogers, Arkansas.

Funeral services were also held on Saturday, September 14, at the Ewing Funeral Chapel, Britt, with the Rev. Robert Bronson officiating. Special music was provided by Dawn Rasmuson. Burial was in the Bingham Township Cemetery, Woden. Casket bearers were Brian Brunsen, Dan Goll, Bill Mattoon, Troy Rasmuson, Allan Doughan and Don Preston. The Ewing Funeral Home of Britt was in charge of the arrangements.

Herbert Brunsen, was born on November 28, 1917 in Woden, Iowa, to August and Hannah Bruns Brunsen. On December 25, 1940, he was united in marriage to Muriel Bird.

Mr. Brunsen farmed and had a corn shelling business. He was employed at Sankey's Gravel Pit and Winnebago Industries before moving to Bentonville, Arkansas, where for the past 21 years he worked for the City of Bentonville.

He was a member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Rogers, Arkansas.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Dale E. Johnson, 1929-2002

September 18, 2002

Dale Edward Johnson, of Corwith, died on Friday, September 13, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City. He was 73.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 16, at the United Methodist Church of Corwith. The Rev. Dan Fernandez officiated. Music was provided by organist, Sharon Gourley who accompanied soloist, Jonathan Chambers.

Burial was in the Corwith Cemetery. Graveside military rites were provided by the Elmer Wilson American Legion Post #229 of Corwith. Casket bearers were Dana Arndorfer, Scott Anderson, Jim Ludwig, Eric Arndorfer, Allen Ludwig and Zac Ludwig. Honorary bearers were Earl Chambers, Jim Mullins, Thurman Gaskill, Norman Chambers, Bill Ludwig and Bob Arndorfer.

Dale Edward Johnson, was born on June 27, 1929 near Corwith. He was the son of Albert and Ruby (Penterman) Johnson. He graduated from the Corwith High School. He served his country in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Alaska. After returning from the service, Dale farmed with his father on the home place west of Corwith.

On January 18, 1957, Dale Johnson was married to Laura Jean Barr at the United Methodist Church in Corwith. The couple continued farming and Dale ran a milk route from the Wesley Creamery for many years. He was also employed by a road construction company at Emmetsburg. He then trucked for Ben Cardell of Spencer, LuVerne Wessel of Belmond and the Ennis Trucking Co. of Clarion. He retired in 2000.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Emma Neuberger, 1913-2002

September 18, 2002

Emma Hermana Neuberger, 89, a life long resident of the Klemme area, died on Friday, September 13, 2002, at her home in the loving care of her family.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 16, at the United Methodist Church, Klemme. The Rev. Paddy Druhl officiated. Music was provided by organist, Margaret Tue who accompanied vocalists, Deborah Schippers and James Miller. Ushers were Calvin Bruggeman and Raymond Schoenwetter.

Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. Casket bearers were Mrs. Neuberger's grandsons, James Miller, Therron Miller, David Neuberger II, Michael Herman, Ryan Luscomb, Leith Cox, Robert Miller, Wayne Neuberger, Johan Neuberger, Brent Luscombe and Scott Evans. The Tenold-Andrews Funeral Home of Klemme was in charge of the arrangements.

The family suggests memorials be directed to the Hospice of North Iowa, the Klemme United Methodist Church or to the donor's choice.

Emma (Christians) Neuberger, was born on March 12, 1913, on her parents farm northeast of Klemme, the daughter of John and Christina (Ennega) Christians. She attended rural Hancock County schools.

On February 15, 1934, Emma Christians was united in marriage to William James Neuberger at the Reformed Church Parsonage in Klemme. The couple farmed and raised their children east of Klemme.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Martha Gunderson, 1907-2001

September 18, 2002

Martha C. Gunderson, 95, of Garner, died on Saturday, September 14, 2002, at the Infinia Nursing Home in Faribault, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, September 18, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner, with the Rev. Robert Bronson officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Beverly Cataldo.

Casket bearers will be her grandchildren. Interment will be in the Amsterdam Township Cemetery in Kanawha. Visitation will be held from 5-8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner and one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday.

Martha Christina Gunderson, the daughter of Andrew and Clara (Unvig) Brown, was born on September 1, 1907, on a farm near Kanawha. She attended the rural schools of Hancock County and did household work for various families in the area.

On June 14, 1931, she was married to Ernest Myron Gunderson. They lived in Northfield, Minnesota until 1973 when they moved to Garner. After her husband's death in 1976 Martha continued to live in Garner.

In April of 1996, she moved to Faribault, Minnesota to be near her daughter, Betty. She enjoyed her family, embroidering, work, reading, cooking and her great-grandchildren.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Robert F. Schulz, 1923-2002

September 24, 2002

Robert F. Schulz, of Klemme, died on Tuesday, September 17, 2002, at the Concord Care Center, Garner. He was 79.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 20, at the United Methodist Church in Klemme, with the Rev. Paddy Druhl officiating. Music was provided by Madelyn Priebe and Margaret Tue. Ushers were Raymond Schoenwetter and Calvin Bruggeman.

Honorary bearers were Wayne Neuberger, Robert Hadacek, Bob Scott, Bob McNamara, Everett Guth and John Schwichtenberg. Casket bearers were Jason Schulz, Greg Kruse, Matthew Sell, Joshua Sell, Adam Thada and Brad Thada. Interment was in the Ell Township Cemetery. Military rites were conducted by the Klemme Veterans Ceremonial Unit. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Robert Franklin Schulz, the son of Frank and Gertrude (Geddes) Schulz, was born on June 27, 1923, on a farm near Miller. He attended school at Miller and graduated from the Klemme High School.

Following graduation, Bob moved to Minneapolis where he worked in an airplane factory. He served his country in the U.S. Army as a truck driver in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during WW II.

On August 25, 1948, he married Muriel Stille at the United Methodist Church in Garner. They made their home east of Klemme where they farmed until retiring in 1985.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Harold O. Pommer, 1913-2002

September 24, 2002

Harold O. Pommer, 89, of Britt, passed away on Friday, September 20, 2002, at the North Iowa Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 23, at the Britt Christian Reformed Church, with the Rev. Jack Vanden Heuvel officiating. Music was provided by organist, Peggy Eisenman and a men's quartet made up of Harlan Eekhoff, Ken Limberg, John Smidt and Paul Tjaden, accompanied by Mary Ann Van Weelden. Ushers were Dr. Dennis Schoenwetter and Ken Vanden Hoek.

Honorary casket bearers were Marlyn Franzen, Larry Meyer and George Pommer. Casket bearers were Greg Ruter, Scott Ruter, Randall Ruter, Dale Meyer, Daryl Pommer, Dennis Kruger and Robert Smidt. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt. The Ewing Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Harold Pommer, the son of George and Anna (Peters) Pommer, was born on March 15, 1913, on a farm north of Wesley. He received his early education in Wesley Township and attended two years of high school in Wesley. He farmed with his father before he was married.

He was united in marriage with Della Smidt of Kanawha, on December 15, 1938. The couple farmed near Woden, and in 1943, moved to a farm 6 miles south of Woden in Orthel Township. He retired from farming in 1979, and moved to Britt.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Patricia Spangler, 1926 - 2002

September 24, 2002

Patricia A. Spangler, 76, of Britt, died on Saturday, September 21, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa, in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 24, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Britt, with the Rev. Michael Schueller officiating. Organist was Mary Kopacek and Louise Zrostlik was vocalist. Ushers were Charlie Ward and Marvin Holck.

Casket bearers were Lawrence R. Kayser, Jr., Matt Braga, Ron Braga, David Spangler, Paul Smidt and Jon Kayser. Interment was in the St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Britt. The Ewing Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Patricia Ann Spangler, daughter of William B. and Glenne B. (Sheridan) Spangler, was born on January 26, 1926 in Britt. She graduated from the Britt High School in 1944.

She graduated from the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College near Terra Haute, Indiana and received her M. A. from the University of Wisconsin. Following her graduation, Patricia taught Spanish and English in the Benton Harbor High School in Benton Harbor, Michigan for 19 years and at the St. Joseph High School in St. Joseph, Michigan for ten years. She retired and returned to Britt in 1978.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Arlene F. Humberg, 1923-2002

September 24, 2002

Arlene F. Humberg, 79, died on Saturday, September 21, 2002, at her home in Clear Lake.  

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 24, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess of the Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake officiating. Interment was in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Thornton.

Arlene was born on July 1, 1923 in Meservey, the daughter of John and Verna (Riekens) Dirks. She attended schools in Swaledale and Thornton. 

Arlene married Carl Humberg on November 30, 1946 in Rockwell, and they lived in Thornton until 1961 when they moved to Clear Lake. While living in Thornton, she worked for fourteen years as a seamstress for the Mode-O-Day Corp. in Mason City.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Chester R. Stille, 1902-2002

September 24, 2002

Chester R. Stille, 99, of Garner, died on Saturday, September 21, 2002, at the Concord Care Center, Garner.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 24, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with the Rev. Kay Hooper officiating. Music was provided by organist, Beverly Cataldo who accompanied soloist, Bill Renner and congregational hymns. Special music was provided by Robin Thada and Adam Thada. Ushers were Marvin and Maynard Schoneman.

Honorary bearers were the Garner Rotarians and their spouses. Casket bearers were his great-grandchildren, Johnathon Trone, Robin Thada, Matt Sell, Crystal Kruse, Josh Sell, Cinnamon Schulz, Jason Schulz, Clarissa Welsh, Adam Thada, Elizabeth Tedder, Brad Thada, Lydia Seelhammer, Chet Olson, Abby Olson, Jamison Alleman, Emily Olson and Chet's special friend, Lori Garetson. Interment was in the Concord Township Cemetery. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Chester Ray Stille, the son of August Frederick and Lydia Anna (Gast) Stille, was born on October 4, 1902, on a farm in Liberty Township west of Klemme. He attended school in Garner where he graduated from high school in 1921. Chet briefly attended Iowa State University at Ames and then worked as a carpenter for his step-father, Fred Meckstroth.

On August 5, 1925, he married Leorene Annona Lipka at the Forest City Methodist Parsonage. They made their home in Garner their entire lives. Chet worked as a custodian of the Central Park Grade School for 26 years, where he took an active interest in the kids. He also sold Moorman Feed to the area farmers until he retired at the age of 65.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Macy Gatton, 1994-2002

September 24, 2002

Macy R. Gatton, 8, of Belmond, died on Saturday September 21, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, from injuries received in an auto accident.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, September 25, at the United Methodist Church in Belmond, with the Rev. Marc Pluff officiating. Burial will take place in the Amsterdam Township Cemetery in Kanawha.

Visitation will be held from 5-8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, September 24, at the Dugger Ewing Funeral Home, Belmond and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Macy Rene Gatton, the daughter of Anthony and Denise (Weide) Gatton, was born on June 7, 1994 in Mason City. She attended school in Thornton and Garner. Macy was in the third grade at the Belmond-Klemme school in Belmond.

Macy enjoyed swimming and singing. She enjoyed playing with her Barbie dolls and loved her cats. Macy belonged to Girl Scouts and Brownies. She faithfully attended the Dayspring Assembly of God Church in Belmond with her parents.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Jane M. Schultz, 1947-2002

October 1, 2002

Jane M. Schultz, 76, of Britt, died on Sunday, September 22, 2002, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, September 26, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Duncan. The Rev. Michael Schueller and the Rev. Eugene Stenzel officiated. Music was provided by organist, Mary Kopacek who accompanied vocalist, Louis Zrostlik and the St. Wenceslaus choir. Ushers were Rodney Hadacek and Dave Hrubes.

Burial was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery. Casket bearers were Matt Schultz, Mike Schultz, Pat Schultz, Steve Nowak, Robert Formanek Jr. and Tom Formanek. The Ewing Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Jane, the daughter of Joseph and Ella Kalis Nowak, was born on September 25, 1925 in Wells, Minnesota. She attended Wells area schools.

On February 6, 1947, she was united in marriage with Felix Schultz at Wells, Minnesota. The couple farmed in the Wells area until 1967 when they moved to the Britt area where they continue to live. Jane was employed in the hot lunch program at the Britt Community School for 21 years, retiring in 1988.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Clifford H. Johnson, 1904-2002

October 1, 2002

Clifford H. Johnson, 98, died on Monday, September 23, 2002, at the Belmond Medical Center.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 30, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond. The Rev. Rod Hopp officiated. Burial was in the St. Francis Cemetery, rural Belmond. Graveside military rites were conducted by the Belmond Honor Guard. The Dugger-Ewing Funeral Home of Belmond was in charge of the arrangements.

Clifford Johnson, was born in Belmond on June 24, 1904, the son of Benton and Hannah Olson Johnson. When nine months old, the family moved to North Dakota and lived on a ranch about six miles from Lisbon. The family did general farming. They returned to Belmond about 1910.

After graduating from high school in 1922, Clifford attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids for one year. After returning to Belmond, he worked a full campaign for the American Sugar Beet Co. Later, he was employed by the Holly Sugar Co. of Torrington, Wyoming. After returning to Belmond, Mr. Johnson entered into a partnership with George Anderson in the hatchery business in Belmond and Kanawha.

In 1928, he was united in marriage to Miriam Gibbs. The couple had a son, John David born on January 27, 1935. They moved to Thermopolis, Wyoming in 1937. Prior to the move Clifford worked for Greenlander Lumber Co. in the wintertime driving truck, and in the summer painted.

Miriam Johnson died in 1938. Clifford returned to Belmond in 1939 where he continued to paint and also managed the hatchery for the Farmers Elevator.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Harvey H. Swingen, 1920-2002

October 1, 2002

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

Memorial services were held on Saturday, September 28, at the Cataldo Funeral Home in Woden, with the Rev. Arlen Lloyd of the Grant Lutheran Church officiating. Music was provided by organist, Anita Eden who accompanied soloist, Bruce Wubben and a congregational hymn.

Honorary bearers were his nieces and nephews. Interment was in the Grant Township Cemetery near Woden. The Cataldo Funeral Home of Woden was in charge of the arrangements.

Harvey Holver Swingen, the son of Gus and Clara (Holland) Swingen, was born on December 2, 1920, in Bingham Township in Hancock County. He was baptized in the Christian faith. He attended the rural schools of Grant Township and graduated from the Buffalo Center High School in 1939. He lived and farmed in the Woden area all of his life.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002

Viola Uecker, 1909-2002

October 29, 2002

Former Garner resident, Viola Uecker, of Custer, South Dakota, died of complications from a stroke on Saturday, September 28, at the Meadowbrook Manor in Rapid City. She was 93.

Memorial services were held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Custer, on Friday, October 4. The Behrens Mortuary of Rapid City was in charge of the arrangements.

Viola Irene Weiland, was born on July 1, 1909 in Yankton, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Albert and Louisa (Bloom) Weiland. She spent her childhood in Yankton and later taught country school In Yankton County. She moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she worked for several years as a receptionist.

On June 7, 1936, she married the Rev. R. W. Uecker of Custer. The couple resided in Custer until 1964. She then moved with her family to Ada, Minnesota, then to Garner. They returned to Custer in 1978, following her husband's retirement.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2002