Word was received of the death of Bryan J. Heitmeyer, 44, of Beaman. He was the son of Sidney Heitmeyer of Garner. Bryan died on Tuesday, September 2, 2003, at the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center in Marshalltown.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 6, at the Beaman United Methodist Church. The Rev. John Hall officiated. Music was provided by organist, Connie Kruse. Burial was in the Oakland Cemetery, Beaman. Casket bearers were Porky Olson, Trevor Schiebel, Larry Ladehoff, Merle Averill, Rick Engleking and Ben Walters. The Johnston Funeral Home of Conrad was in charge of the arrangements.

Bryan J. Heitmeyer, was born on October 19, 1958 at Fort Dodge. He was the son of Sidney and Norma Jean (Stiff) Heitmeyer. He was a 1977 graduate of the BCL High School.

On January 3, 1986, Bryan Heitmeyer and Kim Morgan were married at Beaman. Bryan was employed as a machine operator at NCM. He was a member of the Beaman United Methodist Church and Oakwood Golf Club.

Survivors include his wife, Kim Heitmeyer of Beaman; sons, Chad Mull and his wife, Lisa of Conrad,  Justin Bolton of Plover, Wisconsin, Tyler Heitmeyer of Beaman; and two daughters, Mallory Heitmeyer and Morgan Heitmeyer, both of Beaman; and one grandchild.

Also surviving are his father, Sidney Heitmeyer and his wife, Renee of Garner; a sister, Brenda Heitmeyer of Beaman; and grandmother, Tena Heitmeyer of Sheldon.

The Rev. Harold E. Wagner, of Britt, formerly of Manchester, died suddenly at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt, on Tuesday, September 2, 2003. He was 85.

Memorial services were held at the Geneseo United Methodist Church, rural Buckingham on Sunday, September 7.

Rev. Wagner was cremated. Interment was in the Prairie Chapel Cemetery, rural Marion, on Saturday, September 6. The Leonard-Muller Funeral Home and Crematory of Manchester was in charge of the arrangements.

Harold Eugene Wagner, was born on May 24, 1918 in Cedar Rapids, to Howard and Myrtle (Smith) Wagner. He graduated from the Marion High School in 1937. He was employed as a draftsman apprentice at the LaPlante Choats Company in Cedar Rapids. He served honorably in the United States Army Air Corp. He continued his education graduating from Cornell College and the Boston University School of Theology.

Harold Wagner, was united in marriage to Betty Louise Scott on October 14, 1944 in Midland, Texas. The couple had three children. Rev. Wagner was a Methodist minister over the years. He served congregations in Morley, Central City, West Falmouth, in Massachusetts; and Ackley, Parkersburg, Conrad, Geneseo, Garrison, Clinton and Camanche, in Iowa.

Harold then served as the 4-H and Youth Director for Grundy and Butler Counties while residing in Grundy Center. He later was pastor at churches in Vinton and Nevada. Harold and Betty retired to Bella Vista, Arkansas in 1983. In 2000, they moved to Manchester. Since June of 2003, they have resided in Garner and Britt.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Lou of Britt; three children, the Rev. David (Candace) Wagner of Garner, Robert Wagner of Greenwood, Arkansas and Nancy (Ron) Engstrom of Reynolds, Illinois; five grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Former state legislator and Hancock County native, Delwyn D. Stromer, of West Des Moines, died on Sunday, September 7, 2003, at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines of complications from a cardiovascular problem. He was 73.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, September 12, at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner, with the Rev. Darrell Weber officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Margaret Jass and pianist, Mary Etherington. Special music will be provided by a men's quartet of Perry Schaeffer, Kenneth Schaeffer, Wendell Davison and Dan Brozik. Ushers will be Gary Steinke, Calvin "Johnny" Goll, Dean Goll, Willis Davison and Byron Stromer.

Casket bearers will be Chad Upmeyer, Matthew Upmeyer, Blake Upmeyer, Tyler Upmeyer, Jamie Stromer, Todd Birkenholz, Reed Birkenholz and Lucas Stromer. Burial will be in the Concord Township Cemetery, Garner, with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. Visitation will be held from 4-8:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner is in charge of the arrangements.

Delwyn Dean Stromer, the son of Aaron Arthur and Ruby Evelyn (Goll) Stromer, was born on April 22, 1930, on a farm southwest of Garner. He attended rural school in Liberty Township until the eighth grade and graduated from the Garner High School in 1947. After high school he helped his father on the farm.

On August 26, 1950, he married Harriet June Ostendorf at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Meservey. They made their home on a farm southwest of Garner where he farmed. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict from 1953 to 1955. Following his honorable discharge he returned to Garner and continued farming.

In 1966, Delwyn began 23 years of service to the State of Iowa as a member of the General Assembly, including service as the Speaker of the House of Representatives during the 69th General Assembly. During that time he was well known for his education leadership, having served as the education committee chair for much of his tenure.

In 1989, Delwyn and Harriet moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he served as the General Services Administrator during the Bush Administration. In 1993, they moved to West Des Moines where he served with Sen. Charles Grassley's staff as his agriculture advisor, until his retirement in 1999. Delwyn and Harriet spent the past three winters in Weslaco, Texas.

He enjoyed reading, walking, camping and traveling. Music was a big part of his life and in his younger years he enjoyed playing tuba in the Old Timers Band in Garner as well as playing in Ray's Accordion Band. He was a member of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner where he served as a Deacon, taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. He was active in Farm Bureau and was a past member of the Garner Lions Club.

His political memberships and positions included the Executive Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures, 1977-1980, national chair of Advanced Legislative Program Seminar, 1981-1984, assistant majority floor leader in the 65th General Assembly and assistant minority floor leader in the 66th and 67th General Assemblies, Speaker pro-tempore in the 68th General Assembly, Speaker of the House during the 69th General Assembly, and minority leader for the 70th, 71st, 72nd and 73rd General Assemblies.

He is survived by his wife, Harriet of West Des Moines; his mother, Ruby Stromer of Garner; daughter, Linda Upmeyer and husband, Doug of Garner and their five children, Sara of Columbia, Missouri, Chad of Garner, Matt and wife, Erica of Ankeny and Blake and Tyler of Garner; daughter, Pamela Birkenholz and husband, Robert of Columbus, Ohio and their two sons, Todd and his fiancée, Robin Wade of St. Louis, Missouri and Reed of Columbia, Missouri; son, David Stromer and wife, Kimberly of Garner and their three children, Gretchen, Emma and Lucas of Garner; a daughter-in-law, Michelle Doble and husband, Joel of Garner and their children, Jamie Stromer of Britt, Nicole Katter and husband, Sam of Garner and Misty Doble of Tempe, Arizona; two great-grandsons, Tyson and Josh Stromer of Britt.

Also surviving are two sisters, Vivian Bovenmyer and husband, Dwight of Garner and Marian DeWitt and husband, Allan of Garner; a sister-in-law, Thelma Stromer Gates and husband, Robert of Lake Tahoe, Nevada; and many nieces and nephews.

LaVonne J. Knoke, of Mason City, died on Friday, September 12, 2003, at the Mercy Medical Center, Mason City. She was 76.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 15, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Mason City, with the Rev. Samuel Hamilton-Poore officiating. Casket bearers were Rick Hammitt, Danny Harnmitt, Les Knoke Jr., Craig Wood, Doug Barragy and Mike McGee. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner was in charge of the arrangements.

LaVonne Jean Knoke, the daughter of Victor and Birdie M. (Hammitt) Brown, was born on July 13, 1927 at Bagley, Wisconsin. At an early age she moved with her family to Popejoy and then to Clarion where she graduated from high school.

On July 20, 1947, she was married to LuVerne E. Knoke at the Zion United Church of Christ in Garner. They lived in Garner until 1962 when they moved to Mason City. LaVonne worked for the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Garner, North Iowa Oil Company in Mason City, the Globe Gazette Newspaper, Marigold Foods and the Humane Society of Northern Iowa.

She enjoyed her grandchildren, her pets and luncheons with the ladies from the church. She was an active member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Mason City.

She is survived by her husband, LuVerne of Mason City; her son, Bill Knoke and his wife, Betty of Mason City and their children, Heather and Emily; three sisters-in-law, Emma Johnson of Garner, Carol Hammitt Ellingson of Popejoy and Edna Hammitt of Garner; and many nieces and nephews.

Roberta Haan-Gallentine-Speer, formerly of rural Britt, died on Tuesday, September 16, 2003, at CLC of Polk City. She was 65.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 20, at the Rising Sun Church of Christ. Burial was in the Rising Sun Cemetery. The Hamilton's Funeral Home of Des Moines was in charge of the arrangements.

Roberta Haan-Gallentine-Speer, was born on September 28, 1937 in rural Britt. She was a graduate of St. Mary's College of Nursing in Council Bluffs and worked as a registered nurse.

She is survived by her children, Brian Gallentine of California, Michelle Gallentine of Maxwell, Sean (Maryellen) Gallentine of Carlisle; two grandchildren, Nicole and Elizabeth; and two step-grandchildren, Zachary and Holly; and her mother, Colina Haan of Miller.

Also surviving are her brothers, Richard J. (Gloria) Haan of Kimberling City, Missouri, Ralph C. (Rita) Haan of Richmond, Minnesota and Dennis G. (Irene) Haan of Eden Valley, Minnesota; and a sister, Delores (Greg) Jones of Mason City.

Aline Marie (Kilgore) Burgess, most recently a resident of the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake, formerly of the Goodell area, died on Sunday, September 21, 2003, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. She was 91.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, September 24, at the United Methodist Church in Goodell, with the Rev. Paddy Druhl officiating. Burial was in the Amsterdam Cemetery in Goodell. The Tenold-Andrews Funeral Home of Belmond, was in charge of the arrangements.

Aline Kilgore, was born on December 12, 1911 in Union County, Iowa, the daughter of Clay Clarence "C.C." and Elizabeth Marie (Holberg) Kilgore. She attended and graduated from high school in Shannon City, Iowa. Aline continued her post-secondary education for two years at the University of Iowa and later completed her B.A. degree at Drake University.

Following her education, Aline was a teacher for both the rural Wright and rural Hancock Schools for a time. She also was employed as the Librarian of the Klemme Schools and later for the Belmond Schools, where she retired in 1980.

Aline was married to Joseph "Joe" W. Burgess on March 9, 1934, at the United Brethren Church Parsonage in Goodell. Following their marriage, the couple farmed and raised their children on the Burgess homestead north of Goodell. In addition to her career in education and farming with her husband, Aline was a life long homemaker. She enjoyed family activities and visiting with friends, playing cards, being a 4-H Leader and, in earlier years, serving on the church board and involvement in activities with the church ladies.

Aline enjoyed the outdoors, where favorite pastimes included fishing and bird watching. She liked to read and keep up on current events, especially activities and news of the area. She enjoyed music and playing the piano. She made pottery and handmade quilts which she gave to others as keepsakes.

Aline and Joe lived at the Prairie View Housing Community in Garner for four years before moving to Clear Lake, where Aline lived in the Courtyard Assisted Living Facility while her husband resided in the Oakwood Care Center. Following his death on August 28, 2002, Aline became a resident of the Oakwood Care Center.

Survivors include her son, Thomas Clay Burgess of Clear Lake; daughter, JoAnn Burgess of Clear Lake; daughter-in-law, Peggy Burgess (wife of the late Dean Burgess) of Hampton; sister, Ellen Withers of Paisley, Oregon; granddaughters, Kimberly (Burgess) Loggins and husband, Jeff of Hampton and Lynn Marie (Burgess) Krupp and husband, Johannes of Sweden; and great-grandson, Tyler Loggins of Hampton; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 30, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner, with the Rev. Robert Bronson officiating. Music was provided by organist, Barb Mrosko who accompanied soloist, Jody Roeber and a congregational hymn. Ushers were Alvin "Pete" Hansen and Al Voss.

Casket bearers were Chuck Myers, Jerry Myers, Jade Wilson, Dale Kliven, Pat McCloskey, Mark Van Oort, Jim Leppert and Bruce Trebil. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery. The Cataldo Funeral Home of Garner was in charge of the arrangements.

Jeanne Marie Myers, the daughter of Donald and Marie (Seater) Trebil, was born on March 10, 1939 at Mason City. She graduated from the Mason City High School in 1956.

In 1957, she was married to Oscar Myers in Mason City. They were married for 17 years. They lived in several communities in North Iowa until moving to Garner in 1966.

Jeanne raised her children in Garner and was employed by the ABCM Corporation for a combined 25 years as the activities coordinator at the Westview Care Center in Britt and the Concord Care Center in Garner. She enjoyed her grandchildren, scrap booking, collecting carousels, crocheting, painting, taking trips and e-mailing her family and friends. She was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church and the LWML.

She is survived by her children, Roberta "Bobbie" Wilson of Garner and her son, Jade, Charles "Chuck" Myers and his wife, Angela of Garner and their daughter, Emily, Jeremy "Jerry" Myers and his fiancée, Erin of Garner and his two children, Katy and Micah and Helga Gross and her husband, Dan of Klemme and their two children, Tommy and Tawna.