Thelma V. Truhlar, of Wesley, died on Tuesday, April 1, 2003, at the Westview Care Center in Britt, where she was a resident a short time. She was 90.

Funeral services were held on Friday, April 4, at the St. John Lutheran Church of Corwith. The Rev. Ron Feuerhak officiated. A special message was given by Dr. Barrie Tritle. Music was provided by Helen Burrington who accompanied congregational hymns. Burial will be at a later date in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Central City. The Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home of Wesley was in charge of the arrangements.

Casket bearers were Howard Mullins, Orville Weiland, Doug DeGroote, Mervin Krauss, Bill Cruise and Richard Hankom. Honorary bearers were her grandchildren, Kae Tritle, Linda Swafford, Jill Adams, Glen Turner, Sharon Turner Mulvihill, Audrea Wendel, Lucy Rummens and Wayne Turner.

Thelma Vivian Truhlar, was born on December 12, 1912 at Salem, South Dakota. As a young girl she moved with her family to Central City, Iowa. She graduated from the Central City High School in 1931. After her schooling, Thelma worked as a housekeeper in Cedar Rapids.

On December 12, 1933, she married Clarence Tessman at Central City. The couple lived in Audubon for several years, where they farmed. They moved to Ely, Iowa, where Thelma was a homemaker. In the mid 1960s, she was employed as a secretary to the middle school principal in Cedar Rapids. She worked there for ten years before retiring. She moved to Wesley to be near her family.

Thelma was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church of Corwith, where she belonged to the Miriam Circle. She was a member of the Charity Chapter of the Rebekah Lodge in Britt and the Older Iowans Legislature. She enjoyed reading, quilting, playing cards (especially Bridge) and doing handiwork.

She is survived by her son, John Tessman, and his wife, Jean of Garner; her daughter, Joan Turner and her husband, Nelson of Wesley. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

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

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, April 12, at the Greenwood Cemetery in Upton, Wyoming. The Carlsen and Aldinger Funeral Home of Spearfish was in charge of the arrangements.

Florence E. (Jacobs) Dyer, was born on November 12, 1917 in Rockford. She was the daughter of William and Zelda (Ransom) Jacobs. She was raised and went to school at Dougherty.

On March 30, 1937, she married Victor Simons at Garner. She was employed at Hanson's Inc., which later became Winnebago Industries, until her retirement in the early 1970s. They spent their winters in central Florida. In 1976 they made their permanent residence in Florida and traveled in their motor home. Victor Simons died on August 23, 1981, and Florence moved to Spearfish in 1987.

She married John Dyer on March 16, 1988 at Spearfish. Florence continued to live in Spearfish after the death of John Dyer on April 16, 1995.

A member of the Ladies of the Moose in Phoenix, Arizona, Florence was a volunteer at the Lookout Memorial Hospital gift shop and the Salvation Army store in Spearfish. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends.

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

Max S. Arney, of Britt, died on Monday, April 7, 2003, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt. He was 102.

Funeral services for Mr. Arney were held on Saturday, April 12, at the Ewing Funeral Chapel, Britt. The Rev. Robert Dodge officiated. Larry Fox gave the eulogy. Music was provided by Russell and Cindy Schubert.

Honorary casket bearers were Gregory D. Arney, Hollis A. McCoy, Jennifer A. Busby, Sara J. Steile, David S. Arney, Meredith A. Giordano, Kristin J. Peters, Mark W. Thede, Kimberly A. Thede-Turnmeyer, Beth A. Dahle, Lisa K. Arney, Erin K. Arney, Justin M. Arney, Vanessa F. Mueller and Melissa K. Landis. Interment was on Monday, April 14, in the Riverside Cemetery at Marshalltown. The Rev. Jennifer Daniel officiated. The Ewing Funeral Chapel of Britt was in charge of the arrangements.

Max S. Arney, son of P. F. and Cora (Crouse) Arney, was born on October 17, 1900 in Albion. The youngest of four children, he graduated from the Marshalltown High School in Marshalltown, Iowa and from Cornell College in Mount Vernon.

Max Arney, was united in marriage to Elizabeth C. Stoakes of Traer, on August 22, 1931. To this union five children were born, Dean, Craig, Naomi, Paul and Herbert. Mr. Arney was employed at his family's Marshalltown Manufacturing (farm equipment), farmed, and ran the apple orchard.

He is survived by his five children, Dean S. Arney and family of Bettendorf, Craig E. Arney and family of Plymouth, Minnesota, Naomi J. Thede and family of Britt, Iowa and Clarkdale, Arizona, Paul F. Arney and family of Frankville and Herbert M. Arney and family of Albion; 15 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Helen A. Rasmuson, 87, of Britt, died on Thursday, April 10, 2003, at the Westview Care Center in Britt.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 14, at the Ewing Funeral Chapel in Britt. The Rev. Robert Dodge officiated. Music was provided by organist, Brenda Smith who accompanied soloist, Joleen Leerar.

Casket bearers were Mark Rasmuson, Michael Rasmuson, Chris Pierce, Steve Pierce, Bob Formanek and Jim Rasmuson. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Britt. The Ewing Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Helen, the daughter of Cyril and Barbara Anna (Vavrik) Formanek was born on April 9, 1916 in Britt, Iowa. She grew up in the Britt area and attended the Britt Schools.

Helen was united in marriage with Lloyd Rasmuson, on May 24, 1934. She was active in the Congregational Church and her circle. Helen enjoyed antique sales, crafts, sewing, growing flowers and gardening.

She is survived by her son, Richard Rasmuson and his wife, Kathy of Mason City; a son-in-law, Jim Pierce of Destrehan, Louisiana; nine grandchildren, Mark Rasmuson and his wife, Brenda of Swaledale, Sue Baldwin and her husband, Keith of Burchinal, Sarah Cannon and her husband, Russ of Tyler, Texas, Mike Rasmuson of Fort Dodge, Becky Pierce of Destrehan, Louisiana, Chris Pierce and his wife, Maureen of Destrehan, Louisiana, Steve Pierce and his wife, Patti of Searcy, Arkansas, Scott Pierce and his wife, Joan of Sugarland, Texas and Melissa Flanagan and her husband, Keith of Mandeville, Louisiana; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Survivors also include two sisters-in-law, Carol Rasmuson of Britt and Clara Formanek of Britt; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Garnet E. Gelner, 85, of Garner, died on Saturday, April 12, 2003, at the Concord Care Center, Garner.

Her funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, April 18, at the United Presbyterian Church in Garner, with the Rev. Roger Kallem officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Audrey Sonnenberg who will accompany soloist, Beverly Cataldo and a congregational hymn. Ushers will be Harlan Carolus and Don Quintus.

Casket bearers will be Richard Rasmussen, Ted Greiman, Dennis Best, Robert Best, Ryan Rasmussen and Larry Gelner. Interment will be in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner is in charge of the arrangements.

Garnet Evelyn Gelner, the daughter of Rudolph Anton and Christine (Rasmussen) Gelner, was born on March 8, 1918, on a farm near Garner. She was confirmed at the Ellington Prairie Lutheran Church east of Miller. She attended the rural schools of Concord Township and graduated from the Garner High School in 1935. Garnet lived north of Garner until 1962, when she moved into Garner with her parents. During WW II she worked at the Office of Price Administration and also as a secretary at the law office of B.C. Berge.

In 1947, she was employed as the deputy clerk of court at the Hancock County Courthouse in Garner. In 1969 she retired from the courthouse and cared for her father. In September of 2000, she became a resident of the Concord Care Center. Garnet enjoyed her family, friends and especially young children who considered her as a second grandmother. She attended the United Presbyterian Church.

Branden M. Brock, of Garner, died on Saturday, April 26, 2003, of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident at Winona, Minnesota. He was 22.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 29, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Forest City. The Rev. Lee Laaveg officiated. Music was provided by organist, Leonard Markusen with accompanist, Nancy Farndale. A duet was sung by Joy and Mark Newcom.

Casket bearers were Logan Anderson, Chris Hoeft, Nick Campbell, Nick Simmons, Shane Brock and Brad Butin. Burial was in the Oakland Cemetery, Forest City. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home of Forest City was in charge of the arrangements.

Branden Michael Brock, was born in Forest City, on July 25, 1980, the son of John Brock and Cheryl Ann (Rindahl) Hoeft. Branden attended Forest City schools and graduated from the Garner-Hayfield High School in 1999.

He loved cars and motorcycles. Beginning when he was 14, he worked for several years at the Hancock County Co-op Oil in Garner, eventually becoming an alignment specialist. He liked auto racing, demolition derby and riding his Harley with friends. Branden also treasured time spent with his family, especially his half-sisters, Amanda and Erica. Children loved Branden and he enjoyed the interaction with them as well. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City and knew Jesus as his Savior.

Survivors include 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.

John "Sonny" Lichman, 74, of Britt, died on Saturday, April 26, 2003, at his home in Britt.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 30, at the St Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt. The Rev. Jerry Blake officiated. Music was provided by organist, Brenda Smith who accompanied vocalist, Jolene Leerar.

Burial was in the St. Patrick's Cemetery with military services provided by the Britt Ceremonial Unit. Casket bearers were, Tracy Gremmer, Kari Lemmon, Nicki Lemmon, Shannon Larson, Stacy Gremmer, Nicholas Moore, Jesse Moore, Christopher Moore, Adam Kline and Joshua Kline. Honorary casket bearers were, Arvin Larson, Merle Dalland, Darrel Francis, Joe Appelhons, Tom Barlas and George Barlas. The Ewing Funeral Chapel of Britt was in charge of the arrangements.    

John Lichman, the son of Martin and Elizabeth (Appelhons) Lichman, was born on August 7, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois. Following the death of his father in 1929, John and his mother moved to Britt where they made their home with Elizabeth's parents. Following Elizabeth's marriage to Henry Haxton, the family lived in Eagle Grove for a short time before returning to Britt where John attended school.

At the age of 17, John joined the U.S. Army and served from 1946-1948 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Following his discharge, he returned to Britt and was employed as a truck driver for Lee Hunsley.

On December 1, 1951, John Lichman was united in marriage with Wavel Brand at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt. The couple made their home in Britt.

John enjoyed Sunday dinners with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed farming with his sons-in-law and raising livestock at the feed yard. He was a member of the Britt American Legion.

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; ten 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.