Howard J. Greiman, 1905-2004

December 15, 2004

Howard J. Greiman, 99, of Garner, died on Friday, December 10, 2004, at the Concord Care Center, Garner.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church, with the Rev. Darrell Weber officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Margaret Jass who will accompany soloist, Loren Kalkwarf and congregational hymns.

Honorary bearers will be Herb Schubert and Curtis Greimann. Casket bearers will be Christopher Greiman, Arvil Stille, Daryl Greiman, Mark Smith, Chuck Greiman, Chuck Hughes, Joel Smith and Les Smith. Burial will be in the Concord Township Cemetery, Garner. Visitation will be held from 4-6:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner, and one hour prior to service time at the church.

Howard John Greiman, the son of George Henry and Christina "Nonie" Katherine (Goll) Greiman, was born on April 17, 1905, on the family farm south of Garner. He was baptized and confirmed at the Peace Reformed Church south of Garner. He attended country school at Liberty #6 for seven and one-half years until moving off the farm to Garner where he completed high school.

After graduating from the Garner High School, he worked for his father at the Greiman Ditcher Manufacturing Company. He later started his own drainage contracting business which he continued until he was in his early eighties. Howard also worked as a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service.

On December 18, 1937, he married Pauline Lucille Michelson of Crystal Lake at the Parsonage of the Peace Reformed Church. The couple had three sons, Terry, Harley and Gregory. In 1947, he and his partner, Emil Rekow, built and managed the Sports Bowl in Garner until it was sold. Howard was very devoted to his family, church and friends. He could always be counted upon to lend a hand where needed. His favorite pastimes included fishing, hunting and listening to or watching team sports.

He was a member of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church where he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and served his church in many capacities. He was also a member of the Garner Rotary Club and was a board member and president of the Hancock County Historical Society.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline of Garner; two sons, Terry (Rita) Greiman of Bloomfield, New Mexico and Gregory Greiman of Garner; a daughter-in-law, Jeanne Masquelier Greiman of Penn Valley, California; two grandsons, Christopher (Tara) Greiman of Fairborn, Ohio and Paul Schwabe of San Francisco, California; a granddaughter, Jennifer Greiman of Albany, New York; two great-grandchildren, Tristyn and Hayden Greiman; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Harley Greiman; a grandson, Brenden Jon Greiman; four brothers, Marvin "Mike", Wilson "Willie", E.G. "Shorty" and Norman Greiman; and a sister, Dena Stille.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2004

H. Curtis Halverson, 1919-2004

December 15, 2004

H. Curtis Halverson, 85, of Garner, died on Saturday, December 11, 2004, at the Heritage Care Center, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, December 16, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller, with the Rev. Owen Gaasedelen officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Leonard Markusen and soloists, Scott Mathiasen and Steve Olson. Ushers will be Bill Olson, Dave Olson and Russell Olson.

Honorary bearers will be Harold Hall, Merle Hall, Arno Olson, Wilbur Peterson, Pastor Murley Severtson, Stanford Holtan, Paul Osnes, John Osnes and Russell Osnes. Casket bearers will be Nathan Halverson, Josh Halverson, Josh Knorovsky, John Endreland, John Loveless and Dave Fedeler. Burial will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner and one hour prior to services at the church.

H. Curtis Halverson, the son of Clinton and Minnie (Osnes) Halverson, was born on April 11, 1919, on a farm southeast of Miller. He attended school at Miller and graduated from the Garner High School. After his graduation he farmed on the family farm near Miller. In 1991 the farm was recognized as a Century Farm.

On August 22, 1943, he married Gladys May Samuelson at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. They lived on the family farm where they raised their family and Curtis continued to farm. He also worked for Winnebago Industries in Forest City as the general foreman of the KD department and other positions retiring in 1984 after over 20 years of service.

Following his retirement, he continued to keep an active interest in the farm. He was a volunteer at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City. In June of 2001, he became a resident of the Heritage Care Center in Mason City. He loved his family very much. They were always his top priority. He was a talented woodcarver and woodworker. He was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling. He loved football and was an avid Hawkeye and Vikings fan.

He was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council and was a Sunday School Teacher. He also belonged to the Sons of Norway and to a local woodcarvers club.

Survivors include his three children, Linda Halverson and husband, Robert Knorovsky of Davenport, David Halverson and his wife, Jane of Garner and Jim Halverson and his wife, Jody of Minneapolis, Minnesota; ten grandchildren, Joshua, Erika and Katie Knorovsky, Angie (Dan) Faber, Joshua, Amy, Erin, Nathan, Samantha and Ethan Halverson.

Survivors also include a brother, Alvin (Betty) Halverson of Mason City; four sisters-in-law, Marlys (Boyd) Loveless of Cresco, Arlene (Sidney) Endreland of Lake Mills, Margaret Bolk of Sheffield and Mattie Tweeten of Forest City; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys on July 9, 1995; and his parents.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2004

Lorraine K. Rauh, 1929-2004

December 22, 2004

Garner native Lorraine K. Rauh, 75, of West Newfields, Maine, died at the Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddleford, on Saturday, December 11, 2004, after a lengthy illness.

Memorial services were held on Wednesday, December 15, at the Epping Community Church. The Rev. Wayne Van Gundy officiated. The Brewitt Funeral Home of Epping, New Hampshire was in charge of the arrangements.

Lorraine Rauh, was born on September 28, 1929 in Garner. She was the daughter of Chester and Lela (James) Rice. A 25-year resident of Iowa, she received her bachelor of arts degree from Iowa State University and a teaching degree from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.

She resided in Northern Massachusetts for seven years before moving to Epping, New Hampshire in 1964. There she and her husband raised four children in a 1734 colonial home on the banks of the Lamprey River. While in Epping, she served on the Board of Selectmen, the Conservation Commission and Planning Board. She was an advocate for preserving the environment.

Mrs. Rauh was a member of the Epping Community Church and was active in the Epping Community Church Theatre and Upstairs-Downstairs Players. She was employed 17 years as a tax examiner for the Internal Revenue Service. She later managed her husband's freelance art business, Herb Ruah Water Colors. The couple moved to Parsonfield, Maine in 1994, then to West Newfields in 2001.

Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Herb D. Rauh of West Newfields; two sons, George K. Ruah of Nashua, New Hampshire and Dr. Nicholas (and wife Anna) Rauh of West Lafayette, Indiana; two daughters, Tami D. Burns of Somersworth, New Hampshire and Tracey D. (and her husband David) Solomon of Nashua, New Hampshire; eight grandchildren; one step-grandchild; a sister, Shirley Nixon of North Andover, Massachusetts; and several nieces and nephews.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2004

Emma M. Hiscocks, 1994-2004

December 22, 2004

Emma McGuire Hiscocks, 10, of Britt, died on Sunday, December 12, 2004, at her home with her parents by her side.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, December 15, at the West Hancock High School. Raymond Neswold and Douglas Doughan officiated. Dan Kahlstorf, Jim Becker and Keith Mayland ushered. Casket bearers were Gary Hiscocks, Mitch Hiscocks, Joe Hiscocks, Jack McGuire, Doug McGuire, Ryan McGuire, Ben Frederick and Zach Frederick. The Ewing-Dugger Funeral Home of Britt was in charge of the arrangements.

Emma was born on February 5, 1994 in Wichita, Kansas. She was baptized at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona and reaffirmed her faith with a personal commitment to Jesus Christ in April of 2001. Emma was a fifth grader at the Britt Elementary School where she enjoyed music, playing with her friends and making people smile. She fought cancer for five years. Her courage, faith and strength were an inspiration to all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include her parents, Dr. Don and Allison Hiscocks and her brothers, Charles and Andrew of Britt; her great-grandparents, Marcella Lee of Clear Lake and Paul and Leona Bussert of Spencer; her grandparents, Jon and Mary Lee of Clear Lake, Jon Hiscocks of Britt, Kaye Gilles of West Des Moines and Terry McGuire of Algona; her aunts and uncles, Barb and Doug Waltzing of Belmond, Gary and Deb Hiscocks of Algona, Dr. Mitch and Dawn Hiscocks of Carroll, Joe and Annette Hiscocks of Britt, Jack and Amy McGuire of Algona, Doug and Tanya McGuire of Whittemore, Ryan and Melissa McGuire of Blue Earth, Minnesota, Ben Frederick of Mason City and Zach Frederick of Clear Lake.

Emma was preceded in death by her mother, Molly Hiscocks; and her grandmothers, De McGuire and Beverly Hiscocks.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2004

Philip Peterson, 1941-2004

December 22, 2004

Philip J. Peterson, age 63, of Muscatine, formerly of Garner, died on Monday, December 13, 2004, at the Unity Health Systems Hospital, Muscatine.

Funeral services were held on Friday, December 17, at the First Presbyterian Church, Wilton. The Rev. Bruce Giese officiated. Music was provided by organist, Diana Gradert and vocalist, Park McConnaha.

Casket bearers were Don Juszczyk, Kyle Juszczyk, Glenn McGowan, C. F. Peterson, J. R. Francomano, Jamie Francomano, Dan Beyers, Pat Cooley, Dave Switzenberger and Jerry Ochiltree. Honorary bearers were Megan McGowan, Katie McGowan, Patrick McGowan, Emily Juszczyk and John Philip Juszczyk. The Bentley Funeral Homes, Durant, was in charge of the arrangements.

Philip J. Peterson, was born on March 9, 1941, to Charles and Phyllis (Kohler) Peterson in Postville. He married Carol S. Stacy on December 28, 1963 in Kewanee, Illinois. He served in the United States Army.

He was employed at BT Primemover in Muscatine for 11 years. Before that he was employed by Iowa Mold Tooling, Co. in Garner, and Kenner Toys in Middletown, New Jersey and Milford, Ohio.

Philip was a 40-year member of the Wilton Masonic Lodge #167 AF & AM, a member of the U.S.G.A. and a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity. He was a founding member of the T.G.F.H.

Survivors include his wife, Carol Peterson of Muscatine; three daughters, Stacy and her husband, Glenn McGowan of Poplar Grove, Illinois, Laura and her husband, Don Juszczyk of Muscatine, Sarah Peterson of Chicago, Illinois; one sister, Patricia Peterson of Fort Collins, Colorado; one brother, Charles Peterson and his wife, Doris of Eagle, Colorado; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2004

Peter T. Zrostlik, 1925-2004

December 22, 2004

Peter Thomas Zrostlik, 79, of Britt, died on Wednesday, December 15, 2004, at the Westview Care Center in Britt.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 18, 2004, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Britt. The Rev. Jerry Blake officiated. Dennis Brumm was the lector. Music was provided by organist, Brenda Smith who accompanied vocalists, Rhiannon and Zach Raulie.

Allan Doughan and Roger Jacobson ushered. Burial was in the St. John's Cemetery, Duncan. Military graveside services were provided by the Britt Veterans Ceremonial Unit. Services were under the direction of the Ewing Dugger Funeral Chapel, Britt. Casket bearers were Mr. Zrostilk's grandsons, Tom Aitchison, Bryan Aitchison, Tim Assink, Seth Zrostlik, Nick Zrostlik and Jeff Lamoreux.

Pete, the son of Michael and Barbara Vavrik Zrostlik, was born on April 8, 1925, on the family farm near Duncan. He attended country schools and helped his parents with the farming.

On February 15, 1944, he was united in marriage with Imogene F. Steenlage in Duncan. Only days after their marriage, Pete reported for active duty in the United States Army. He was reported missing in action for a time and received the Purple Heart for injuries he received in battle.

Following his discharge, the couple farmed for a time. Later he was employed with Goodyear in Mason City. He then worked for his brother at Zrostlik Tire and then for Winnebago Industries in Forest City. Pete then worked for his nephew, Francis at IMT and later worked for him at Stellar Industries until his retirement.

Pete was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt, and the Knights of Columbus. He was also involved in the V.F.W. and the Britt American Legion. He enjoyed tinkering in his garage, fishing, playing cards, and bowling.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Imogene; four children, Judy Aitchison and special friend, Dale Armstrong of Britt, David and Lorna Zrostlik of Forest City, Deb and Bob Carmody of Britt, Ron Zrostlik of Lake Mills; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Barbara; son, Gary (Smokey); granddaughter, Kristina Lynn Aitchison; great-grandson, Logan Lamoreux; brothers, Frank, Joe, Sylvester, James and Edward; sisters, Mary Jakoubek, Agnes Oborny and infant sister, Helen.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2004

Eva H. Schleuger, 1917-2004

December 29, 2004

Eva H. Schleuger, 87, of Britt, died on Monday, December 20, 2004, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, December 23, at the First Lutheran Church in Britt, with the Rev. Dr. John Meyer and Janelle Siffring, Aim, officiating. Music was provided by organist, Donna Tech who accompanied a congregational hymn and a vocal duet of Maxine Boekelman and Beverly Cataldo. Ushers were Don Dallman and Duane Hanson.

Honorary bearers were Lucy Schleuger, Angela Rhondeau and Ginger Nielsen. Casket bearers were Dennis Teachout, Jr., Jason Teachout, Jeff Michel, Neil Daugard, Louis Schleuger III, and Dean Nielsen. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Britt. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Britt was in charge of the arrangements.

Eva Helen Schleuger, the daughter of Floyd G. and Lucy (Boutilier) Charbonneaux, was born on October 26, 1917 at Lockridge. She moved with her family to Ottawa, Illinois, in 1923 and in 1929 to Britt. She was baptized at the Bethel Baptist Church in Britt. She attended school at Ottawa and Britt.

On November 21, 1934, she was married to Louis Frank Schleuger by the Rev. William Spence at the Methodist Parsonage in Mason City. They lived in Britt where they raised their family. Over the years, Eva served as a hot lunch manager and summer playground instructor for the Britt Community Schools.

She also was an office manager for the Britt News Tribune and worked at Winnebago Industries in Forest City in the dispatch department. Her hobbies included crocheting, knitting, sewing, crossword puzzles and reading. She enjoyed giving numerous quilts and crocheted items to the needy, charitable organizations, local schools, friends and relatives. She was known to make as many as 200 quilts in one year and donated many to the Salvation Army.

She was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Britt and FLCW. Eva was a former member of the Girls Scouts, 4-H, the Iowa Genealogical Society and the Hancock County Historical Society. She served as Noble Grand of the Rebekah Lodge, was vice president of the Britt PTA and was a den mother for Cub Scouts.

She is survived by her four children, Katherine Schleuger of Britt, Louis (Sanae) Schleuger of Lobeco, South Carolina, Lucy (Gary) Anderson of Forest City and Shirley (Wally) Pullar of Lodi, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Dennis (Kari) Teachout of Mankato, Minnesota, Angela Rhondeau of Everett, Washington, Jason (Melanie) Teachout of Waseca, Minnesota, Louis Frank Schleuger III of Charlotte, North Carolina, Lucy Schleuger of West Palm Beach, Florida, Ginger (Dean) Nielsen of Britt and Neil (Stephanie) Daugard of Britt; and ten great-grandchildren.

Survivors also include a sister, Evelyn Smidt of Britt; a brother, Ray (Lillian) Charbonneaux of Britt; and many nieces and nephews.

Eva was preceded in death by her husband, Louis on May 17, 1998; her parents; a son-in-law, Dennis Flugum; a sister, Fern Smith; and brothers, Floyd (Pete) and Charles Charbonneaux.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2004

Roland R. Sobek, 1945-2004

January 5, 2005

Roland "Rollie" R. Sobek, age 59, of Klemme, died of complications from mytonic dystrophy on Monday, December 20, 2004, at the University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, December 23, at the Andrews Funeral Chapel in Klemme. The Rev. Paddy Druhl of the Klemme United Methodist Church officiated. Interment was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme.

Roland Robert Sobek, was born on May 24, 1945 in rural Klemme, the son of Fred and Ethel (Netland) Sobek. He attended Klemme schools and worked as a farm hand in his youth. Rollie married Patricia Houdek. To this union, four children were born, Kay, Gregory, Gary, and Dawn. The couple later divorced.

Throughout most of his working life, Rollie was a auto mechanic. He was employed in various places around the north Iowa area including Forest City and H & R Auto Repair in Leland. He earned numerous awards and recognition for his mechanical skills from the Ford Motor Company. As the years went by, his disease impaired his professional career, yet he continued to enjoy tinkering and doing mechanic work on his own.

On August 5, 2000, Rollie was united in marriage to his long time friend and companion, Kay Peterson, at their home in Klemme. The couple made the most of the last four years that they had together. Rollie enjoyed fishing for catfish near Marble Rock. He and Kay enjoyed fishing excursions to the Twin Lakes spillway near Kanawha. Rollie also enjoyed gardening and bowling. He and Kay took several trips to Fire Fly Casino, Marshall, Minnesota and to the casino at Tama.

As his health declined, Rollie took great pleasure in the simple things of life like a game of solitaire, time spent with his dog Patsy, visiting with his friends and family and chauffeuring his wife to work.

Survivors include his wife, Kay Peterson-Sobek of Klemme; sons, Gregory Sobek of Clear Lake, Gary and wife, Jamie Sobek and their children, Cody, Dillon and Aaron all of Britt, and Robert Sobek of West Union; a step-son, Vaughn Peterson and significant other, Rian Rave and their daughter, Brooklyn of Marshall, Minnesota; step-daughter, Vanessa Bell and husband, Derek and their children, Deondrea and Dawson, all of Sioux City; brother, Rodney Sobek and wife, Cindy of Knoxville; and sisters, Bev Clark and husband, John of Gladbrook and Sheryll and husband, John Klesel of Garner; also a granddaughter, Misty Mason of Scarville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Dawn Sobek; and brothers, Roger, Glenn and Douglas Sobek.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005

Mary E. Keith, 1907-2004

December 29, 2004

Mary E. Keith, of Garner, died on Friday, December 24, 2004, at the Concord Care Center, Garner. She was 97.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, December 30, at the United Presbyterian Church, Garner, with the Rev. Linzy Collins officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Karen Pedersen who will accompany soloist, Warren Torkelson. Ushers will be Eldon Pearson and Harlan Carolus.

Honorary bearers will be Brian Keith, Sean Keith, Eric Keith, Amanda Muntz, Ashley McLain and Angela Leake. Casket bearers will be John Young, David McLain, Carl Young, Elmer Young, Richard Young and Bill Adams. Burial will be in the Concord Township Cemetery, Garner. Visitation is from 4-6:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Home, Garner. An American Legion Auxiliary service will be held at 5:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Mary Elizabeth Keith, the daughter of William Clifford and Ida May (Clark) Reddick was born on April 21, 1907 at Streator, Illinois. At an early age, she moved with her family to Vincent, where she attended rural schools. She continued her education at the Tobin Business College in Fort Dodge. After graduation, she returned to Vincent where she worked at a bank.

On October 6, 1926, she was married to Russell Keith at the farm home of her parents. They made their home at Vincent and in November of 1927 moved to Garner. Mary worked as a secretary at Wellik-Barz Insurance, Holta's and the Hancock County Engineer's Office. In 1965 she moved to Ames with her husband where they worked at Lyndon Hall on the campus of Iowa State University. They returned to Garner in 1968 where she was employed at the Concord Care Center. They returned to Ames in 1977 and in 1988 moved to the Prairie View Apartments in Garner. In August of 1997 they became residents in the Concord Care Center.

She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, the Women's Missionary, the American Legion Auxiliary, Order of Eastern Star, Daughters of the American Revolution and was the first Music Mother President at the Garner High School. She enjoyed her family, knitting, crocheting, traveling and playing cards.

She is survived by her daughter, Mildred (Robert) Young of Garner; son, Dr. Robert (Kathleen) Keith of Cincinnati, Ohio; grandchildren, John R. (Sheryl) Young of West Des Moines, Annette (David) McLain of Keosauqua, Brian (Renee) Keith of Cincinnati, Sean (Lauren) Keith of Fairfield, Ohio, Eric (Jennifer) Keith of Columbus, Indiana, Kristen (Sam) Pennington of Jacksonville, Florida and Amy Thornton of Cincinnati, Ohio; and many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell on March 24, 1999; her parents; an infant daughter, Ida May Keith on December 7, 1935; a sister, Gertrude Corsair; and two brothers, Clark and Jim Reddick.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2004

Richard Van Dyke, 1924-2004

January 5, 2005

Former Garner resident, Richard B. (Dick) Van Dyke, 80, of Oskaloosa, died on Wednesday, December 29, 2004, at his home.

Visitation with the family was held at the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa on Sunday, January 2, 2005. Burial of the cremated remains will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa at a later date. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association.

Richard was born on December 3, 1924 at North English, the son of Clarence E. and Gladys (Beard) Van Dyke. He graduated from the North English High School with the class of 1941. He served in the United States Army during World War II, and fought in Europe.

Following the war, he attended the University of Iowa and graduated from the pharmacy school in 1952. From 1952 until 1966, he operated a drug store in Garner.

On January 14, 1966, he was united in marriage to Billie Looney at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. That year they moved to Oskaloosa and he worked as a Registered Pharmacist at Drug Fair. Later, he owned and operated Van Dyke Drug in Oskaloosa until 1986, when the store converted to a Medicap Pharmacy.

He was a member of the Central United Methodist Church in Oskaloosa, and loved golfing and fishing. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes.

He is survived by his wife, Billie of Oskaloosa; their children, Mick and Dawn Finley of Midland, Texas, David Van Dyke and his fiancée, Kristen J. Kaberna of Chicago, Illinois, Sam and Aiyanna Looney of Oskaloosa and Michelle D. and Tom Heidebrink of Oskaloosa; four grandchildren, Jake Finley and Jeff, Spencer Beard and Laney Heidebrink.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Meredith Arp.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005