Gladys A. Butz, 95, of Garner, died on Monday, October 3, 2005, at the Concord Care Center, Garner.

Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, October 7, 2005, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner, with the Rev. David Wagner officiating. Music was provided by organist, Beverly Cataldo. Interment was in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner.

Gladys Amelia Butz, the daughter of Willie Carl and Maude Mae (Hatt) Maxson, was born on July 24, 1910 at Clear Lake. She attended school at Clear Lake and Mason City and then graduated from the La' James School of Cosmetology in Mason City in 1934.

On July 19, 1937, she was married to Vern Ivan Butz in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 1941 they moved to Garner where they made their home the rest of their lives. She enjoyed bowling and gardening. Gladys was a member of the United Methodist Church, the UMW and the Rebekah Lodge.

Survivors include two sons, Will A. (Linda) Butz of Middleburg, Virginia and Jack L. (Sandie) Butz of Garner; five grandchildren, Dena (Myron) Clemens of Ogden, Dan (Angela) Butz of Denver, Colorado, Debbie Butz of Bethesda, Maryland, Stephanie (Derek) Bower of Leesburg, Virginia and Anne Butz of Fredricksburg, Virginia; five great-grandchildren, Nathan T. Sorenson, Aaron M. Clemens, Emma Bower, Sophia Bower and Dominic Bower.

Dr. Ruth Huenemann, 1910-2005

October 19, 2005

Dr. Ruth Huenemann of Berkeley, California, died on Friday, August 19, 2005, at the Park Retirement Residence in Oakland, California. She was 95.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, August 23, 2005, at the St. John's Presbyterian Church in Berkeley. Burial was in the Peace Reformed Church Cemetery, Garner, where her parents and several siblings are buried. The Rev. Richard Eick of Waukon, officiated at the graveside service, which was held on Friday, October 7, 2005.

Ruth Lois Huenemann, was born on February 5, 1910, at Waukon. She was the daughter of the Rev. William Huenemann and Mary (Hansmeier) Huenemann. She was the second oldest of 14 children. Her father sold the farm and moved the family to Wisconsin where she grew up while her father attended the Mission House Seminary.

In 1928, she graduated from high school at Menno, South Dakota, where her father was pastor of the Reformed Church. During the Great Depression and Dust Bowl era, she taught children ranging in age from 5 to 17 in a one-room school while saving money to go to college.

She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in nutrition from the University of Wisconsin in 1938 and earned a Masters of Science in nutrition from the University of Chicago in 1941. Over the next decade she was a Professor at the University of Tennessee. She was offered a scholarship to study at Harvard and earned a Doctor of Science degree in public health in 1954. She joined the University of California, Berkeley School of Health in 1954, where she founded the school's public health nutrition program and established its curriculum, research program, staff and funding.

Dr. Huenemann was one of the first researchers to recognize the importance of systematically studying longitudinal development of obesity in children, conducting seminal studies that to this day inform the understanding of current childhood obesity. Her research and teaching combined rigorous scientific methods with a pragmatic approach to improving nutrition in a variety of cultural settings.

She traveled widely in Latin America, Asia, and Europe as a consultant and lecturer for the World Health Organization, the U.S. State Department Food Aid Program and numerous health and nutrition organizations.

By the time she retired in 1977, she created an enviable record of teaching and research. After retirement, she accepted many invitations as a guest speaker in foreign countries and in the United States. She also volunteered at the Berkeley Food Pantry and for UNICEF.

Survivors include her brother, the Rev. William Huenemann of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and dozens of nieces and nephews.

Former Ventura resident, Ruth M. Wessner, of Lyndonville, New York, died on Tuesday, October 11, 2005, at the Medina Memorial Hospital Extended Care Unit. She was 82.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, October 15, at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Middleport, New York. The Rev. David S. Triplett officiated. The Bates and Tuttle Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Burial will be in the Quasqueton Cemetery in Iowa at the family's convenience.

Ruth Marie Wessner, was born on December 20, 1922 in Fairbury, Nebraska. She was the daughter of Carl and Lydia (Bartels) Schwisow and was raised by Minnie (Kracke) Schwisow.

She married the late Edwin "Bud" Wessner on November 20, 1944 in Fairbury, Nebraska. The couple made their home at Ventura, where they farmed for 25 years. She also had many jobs outside the home.

In March of 1995, she moved to Lyndonville, New York, to be with her daughter. She was a long time and active member of the St. John's Lutheran Church, Garner. She was also a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Independence and was currently a member of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Middleport, New York. Her faith showed in all the kindness she extended to everyone around her.

She enjoyed farming, gardening, crafts, baseball, and was an avid card player.

Survivors include a sister, Adelaide (Marvin) Brager of Ventura; three children, Brian of St. Cloud, Minnesota, Joy (Herb) Bohnet of Lyndonville and Milton (Wes) of Lyndonville; four grandchildren, Jimmy Wessner of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Chris Wessner (Jessica) of Quasqueton, Herbie Bohnet (Carrie) of Boston, Massachusetts and Jesse Bohnet of Rochester, New York; and five nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Esther VerHoef Noling, 72, of Garner, died on Monday, October 17, 2005, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, October 20, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner, with the Rev. Dale Glawatz of the St. Paul Lutheran Church officiating. Casket bearers were Robert Kral, Greg Nedved, Claude Brown, C. J. Follmuth, Tom Deibler and Wayne Harrington. Burial was in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

Esther Mildred VerHoef Noling, the daughter of William and Dorothy (Jakoubek) Nedved, was born on August 2, 1933 at Mason City. She attended school at the Hayfield Consolidated School and graduated from the Garner High School.

On November 3, 1952, she was married to Francis VerHoef at Forest City. They made their home in Garner where they raised their family. Esther was employed at Elling Insurance in Garner and later at Northern Natural Gas in Ventura.

On March 29, 1980, she was married to Eldon Noling at the United Methodist Church in Garner. They lived in Garner until 1988 when they moved to Cannon Falls, Minnesota. Esther was employed at Northern Natural Gas in Farmington, Minnesota until her retirement. Following her retirement, she was a volunteer transportation coordinator for Goodhue County in Minnesota. In September of 2005, she became a resident of the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.

She enjoyed her family, cooking, knitting, e-mailing family and friends and playing games on her computer.

Esther is survived by her mother, Dorothy Nedved of Mason City; two children, Patricia (Dennis) Drabek of Garner and Randy (Diane) VerHoef of Garner; four grandchildren, Mindy (Claude) Brown, Brad Drabek, Lisa Drabek and Danielle VerHoef; great-grandson, Trenton; two step-grandchildren, Tyler and Dillon Bauer; three brothers, Lloyd (Pat) Nedved of Minnesota, Cletus (Carolyn) Nedved of Fertile and Paul (Donna) Nedved of Minnesota; a sister, Carol (Jim) Follmuth of Mason City; and many nieces and nephews.

Gilbert G. "Gib" Kruse, of Garner, formerly of Mason City, died on Wednesday, October 19, 2005, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa. He was 88.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 24, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Mason City, with the Rev. Samuel Hamilton-Poore officiating. Interment was in the Hampton Cemetery in Hampton, with graveside services conducted by Rev. Karl Bollhagen of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Hampton. The Major Erickson Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Gilbert G. Kruse, was born on September 13, 1917 in Hampton. He was the son of John B. and Christine (Brunotte) Kruse. He attended the Chapin Consolidated School for eight years and graduated from the Hampton High School in 1936. Gilbert served his country in the United States Army during World War II and was honorably discharged following four years of service. Gilbert attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, graduating in 1950 with his B.A. He received his Master's Degree from Iowa State Teachers College in 1965.

Gilbert was united in marriage to Elaine M. Fric on June 1, 1955 in Parkersburg. He taught school in Fertile, Allison and Iowa Falls, prior to moving to Mason City in 1962. He taught at the John Adams Junior High School until he retired in 1979. He then began working for Mason City Transit for 12 years.

Gilbert was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hampton and a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City. He was also a life time member of the National Education Association and the Iowa Education Association.

Survivors include his children, Tom Kruse and wife, Michele of Cedar Rapids, Kay McAloon and husband, Marty of Garner; grandchildren, Tyler, Brandon and Connor Kruse all of Cedar Rapids, Bobbi Breitkreutz of Cedar Rapids and Danielle Breitkreutz of Clear Lake; brother, Edward Kruse and wife, Irma of Rockford; sister, Marguerite Behn of Hampton; and sister-in-law, Arlys Kruse of Mason City.

Randy L. Drabek, 53, of Britt, died on Thursday, October 20, 2005, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services for Randy Drabek will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2005, at 10:30 a.m., at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt, with Father Michael Schueller officiating. Burial will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 25, from 6-8:00 p.m., at the Ewing Dugger Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, in Britt and continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday.

Randy was united in marriage to Mary Duff on April 25, 1986 in Garner. The couple made their home in Britt. Randy loved to fish and enjoyed hunting. He was an avid racing fan, especially of Dale Earnhardt. He was a member of the pit crew for the Ron Smidt Racing Team and just loved working with cars. He was a helper to everyone.

Randy is survived by his wife, Mary; two children, Andrea Rees and her husband, Jay of Kansas City, Missouri and Jeff Powell and his wife, Tracy of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; two grandchildren, Gabby and Morgen Rees; three sisters, Shari Frank and her husband, Loren of Woden, Linda Drabek and Lori Lomholt and her husband, Dave all of Britt; two brothers, Larry Drabek and his wife, Jan and Paul Drabek and his wife, Dee all of Britt; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Margaret E. Katuin, 89, of Garner, died on Friday, October 21, 2005, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 24, 2005, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, with the Rev. Jerry Blake officiating. Donna Young was the lector. Music was provided by organist, Carolyn Kumsher who accompanied the church choir. Robert Kral and Lawrence Engstler ushered.

Honorary bearers were Jackie Lunning, Lori Smith and Dawn Mitchell. Casket bearers were Rick Henschen, Steve Lunning, Max Smith, Doug Mitchell, Gary Smith and Jim Hrubes. Burial was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Duncan. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Margaret Emma Katuin, the daughter of Albert Jr. and Anna (Wellik) Hrubes, was born on July 31, 1916, on a farm near Duncan. She attended the rural schools of Erin Township in Hancock County.

On November 24, 1936, she was married to Albert Katuin at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan. They farmed northeast of Klemme until 1969 when they retired from farming and moved into Garner. In November of 2002, she became a resident of the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City. She enjoyed her family, sewing, baking, gardening and working outside.

She was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters of the Americas and Catholic Workman Branch No. 51.

Margaret is survived by her daughter, Margie (Carl) Henschen of Forest City; granddaughter, Jackie (Steve) Lunning of Forest City and their three sons, Chad, Adam and Matt; grandson, Rick Henschen of Mason City and his two children, Megan and Seth; granddaughter, Lori (Max) Smith of Ventura and their two sons, Chase and Gary (Kristi); granddaughter, Dawn (Doug) Mitchell of Mason City and their three children, Brittany, Sierra and Colton; two great-great-grandchildren, Taylor and Evan; two sisters-in-law, Rosella Hrubes of LaPorte City and Anna Paulson of Clarion; a brother-in-law, John (Ruth) Katuin of Fresno, California; and many nieces and nephews.

Helyn M. Schlicht, 84, of Garner, died on Saturday, October 29, 2005, at her daughter's home in Garner.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, October 2, 2005, at 1:30 p.m., at the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner, with the Rev. Mark Schreiber officiating. There will be no visitation. The Cataldo Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Helyn Margaret Schlicht, the daughter of Howard and Eva (Clark) Crouthamel, was born on September 29, 1921 at Boone. She attended school at Boone until the tenth grade.

On May 26, 1939, she was married to Samuel Ernest Schlicht at Unionville, Missouri. They lived at Luther, near Boone until 1950 when they moved to Garner. Helyn helped Sam as a bookkeeper at Woodford Wheeler in Garner and later was employed at Winnebago Industries in Forest City for 18 years.

She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, quilting and taking care of her flowers. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Garner.

Survivors include her four children, Jacqueling (Robert) Eden of Woden, Marilyn (Ralph) Venezzio of Cape Coral, Florida, Samuel Jr. (Linda) Schlicht of Mason City and Elaine (Richard) Schreiber of Garner; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; a sister, Bernadine (Chuck) Kuneth of Mission, Texas; and a brother-in-law, Sidney Louis of Fort Worth, Texas.

David E. Soma, 68, of Britt, died on Saturday, October 29, 2005, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, November 2, 2005, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt. The Rev. Jerry Black officiated. Dennis Brumm was the lector. Music was provided by organist, Brenda Smith who accompanied soloist, Jolene Leerar. Roger Jacobson and Charles Ward ushered.

Casket bearers were Donavon Nelsen, William Rout, Paul Davis, Clifford Toft, Charlie Soma and Kenny Jensen. Burial was in the Belmond City Cemetery, Belmond. The Ewing-Dugger Funeral Home of Britt was in charge of the arrangements.

David Elmer Soma, son of Elmer Sewart and Sylvia Ellen (Chapman) Soma, was born at their home in rural Belmond, on December 4, 1936. He was raised in rural Belmond and attended country school. He was married to Janice Anne Nelsen of Clarion, on March 15, 1957 in Belmond. They divorced on June 22, 1987.

David started his working life on the farm with dairy cows, but was always more interested in machinery and equipment. He went on to become a very accomplished welder and worked for two different welding and fabrication shops. He designed and built his own boom truck for moving grain bins. He was a self-taught electrician and wired many homes and farms in the Wright County area through his own electrical business, making a lot of friends in the process. He also worked as a maintenance man at three different businesses in Eagle Grove during his working years. He retired in 1986.

He enjoyed hunting and camping in his younger years and was an avid fisherman his entire life. He also had a great love of woodworking and created many different projects over the years. He also had a love of animals and was never without a good joke or story.

On August 28, 1988, David was married to June Roberts in Britt. The couple made their home in Britt.

David is survived by his wife, June of Britt; son, Daniel David Soma and wife, Colleen and daughters, Haley and Hannah of Eagle Grove; daughter, Julia Anne (Soma, Gates) Torpey and husband, Thomas of Aurora, Colorado; June's children: Joseph Roberts and wife, Lory and children, Michael and Kyle of Indianola; Rose Reese and husband, Joe of Mackinaw, Illinois and children, Tanya Roth and husband, Nick of St. Louis, Missouri and Tracy, Joey, Nikki, Katie, Bryan and Jamie, of Mackinaw, Illinois; Beverly Winkels of Austin, Minnesota and children, Regina McGrew of St. Louis, Missouri and Matt Winkels of Austin, Minnesota; Patricia Roberts of Jefferson City, Missouri; Carol Mehlhorn and children, Amy, Tim and Brenda of Dubuque; Dwight Roberts and wife, Benilda and children, Kimberly and Jeffrey of Indianola; Diane Buller and husband, Kurt and children, Alex and Megan of Richfield, Minnesota.

Survivors also include six sisters, Audrey Elliott and husband, Richard of San Diego, California, Phyllis Jenison and husband, Rollie of Ames, Eloise Davis and husband, Robert of Mason City, Sandra Losen and husband, Glendon of Mason City, Kathryn Schroder and husband, Ronald of Florida and Cheryl Soma of Eagle Grove; and numerous nieces and nephews.