Aaron Donald Wille, 1925-2007

June 20, 2007

Aaron Donald Wille, formerly of Klemme, died on Monday, June 11, 2007, at the age of 82.

A memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 16, at the St Pius X Catholic Church, with inurnment to follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association in Mr. Wille's name.

Mr. Wille was born on January 3, 1925 in Klemme, to Cornelius and Marie Wille.

He served his country during WW II in the Battle of the Bulge as part of the 75th Infantry Division, 291st Regiment, Company K. He was a highly decorated, disabled veteran, who received the Combat Infantry Badge, two Bronze Stars, The Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal WW II, French Libertarian Medal and two Battle Stars, from the American Campaign European Theater.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2397, Disabled Veterans, The American legion Post 625 in Iowa, and the Moose and Elk Lodges.

Aaron is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Wille; his daughter, Loretta Wille of Folsom, California; his son, Prescott J. (Lisa) Wille of Seabrook, Texas; three grandchildren, Byron Venn of Folsom, California, Sophia and Anya Wille, both of Seabrook, Texas. He also leaves behind four sisters, Norma Rockow, Ada Rockow, Ruby Blanchett and Adala Baily; three brothers, Ray, Glenn and Darwin Wille.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Stewart Wille.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Marcella J. Cunningham, 1931-2007

June 20, 2007

Marcella J. Cunningham, age 75, of Goodell, died on Wednesday, June 13, 2007, at the Belmond Medical Center, Belmond.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, June 16, at the United Methodist Church in Goodell, with Pastor Paddy Druhl officiating. A private family burial will take place at a later time in the Amsterdam Cemetery at Goodell. The Dugger Ewing Funeral Home, Belmond, was in charge of the arrangements.

Marcella Jeanne, the daughter of Ray C. and Mabel L. Garberich Green, was born on July 17, 1931 near Belmond. She grew up in the Belmond area where she attended school. Marcella graduated from the Belmond High School in 1950.

Marcella was united in marriage to Harold Cunningham on February 14, 1953 in Belmond. To this union six children were born. They farmed in the Goodell area. Marcella was a teller at the First State Bank in Belmond for a large part of her life, retiring in 1996.

Marcella enjoyed visiting with family, Camp Cunningham activities, weekly gatherings with the lunch bunch, crossword puzzles, baking and gardening.

Marcella is survived by her husband, Harold; five children, Marc and wife, Sylvia of Portsmouth, Virginia, Sharon Millage and husband, Don of Ames, Tracey Mikesh and husband, Bill of Medway, Massachusetts, Dwight of Goodell and Corrine Vande Vegte and husband, Jeff of Rock Valley; 12 grandchildren, Becky Statsmann, Bethany (Matt) Reineke, Melanie (Dave) Rogotsky, Daniel (Olya) Mikesh, Taylor Millage, Melissa Mikesh (fiancée, Rick Beckwith), Michelle Millage, Heidi (Dave) Samia, Carrie (Jason) Bileau, Katie Vande Vegte, Daren Vande Vegte and Megan Vande Vegte; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Barkema of Belmond and Deloris Robbins of Goodell; and numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Marcella was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Gail and son-in-law, Lynn Bailey; two sisters and three brothers, Luella Green, Kenny Green, Harry Green, Roy Green and Marian Pals.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Pauline D. Ulrich, 1921-2007

June 27, 2007

Pauline Delores (Kline Ausborn) Urich, 88, of Klemme, died on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at the Belmond Medical Center, Belmond, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Funeral services were held on Friday, June 22, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ, Klemme. The Rev. Donna Buckman officiated. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. The Andrews Funeral Home of Klemme was in charge of the arrangements. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Pauline's name may consider the American Heart Association or the donor's choice.

Pauline, the daughter of John and Anna Julia Alvina (Ausborn) Kline, was born on January 31, 1921 in Erin Township, Hancock County. She went to live with her grandparents, Richard and Anna (Neiman) Ausborn on a farm southeast of Britt when she was six months old, taking the Ausborn name while living with her grandparents.

Pauline attended the local area schools. She met her husband, Richard when they were both working at the Clear Lake Bakery in Clear Lake. They were united in marriage on October 19, 1942 at Glenville, Minnesota. To this union three children were born, Larry, Patricia and Donna.

Her passions were her family, cooking, dancing, gardening camping, genealogy and laughter.

Those who will cherish the memory of her life include her husband and life partner of nearly 55 years, Richard Ulrich of Klemme; her daughters, Patricia (the late Robert) Lee of Mason City and Donna (Lynn) Katter of Rochester, New York; ten grandchildren, Wendell, Richard, Lynetta, Denise, Dawn, Michael, Kathryn, Paul, Melissa and Allison; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her son, Larry; a grandson, Richard; a son-in-law, Robert Lee; and a good friend, Lorraine Woiwood.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Claire A. Tompkins, 1922-2007

June 27, 2007

Claire A. Tompkins, 84, of Garner, died on Friday, June 22, 2007, at the Westview Care Center in Britt, after dealing with the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 25, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with the Rev. David Wagner and Jack Muster officiating. Music was provided by organist, Doreen Johnson. Special music was provided by Don Loman. Ushers were Marvin Schoneman and Jim Gatchel.

Casket bearers were Allen Tompkins, Larry Tompkins, Mike Beaver, Mark Hiscocks, Jerry Zwald and Jim Brooks. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to the Hospice of North Iowa or the Garner United Methodist Church. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Claire Albert Tompkins, the son of Purd S. and Viola (Burnham) Tompkins, was born on November 10, 1922, at their farm home east of Garner. He graduated from the Garner High School in 1940 and married Bettylou Bohn on February 14, 1953.

Family was important to him and he was a major presence in the lives of his own children as well as those of his nieces and nephews. Claire enjoyed an especially close relationship with his brother, Dean, they shared their love of the outdoors through hunting and farming, which was a way of life more than just an occupation.

It gave him pleasure to share his talents with others, singing in the church choir, in a men's quartet, and solos for various functions, applying his woodworking skill and ingenuity to help with family hobbies and enjoying gardening after his retirement from farming.

Claire is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth (Bettylou) of Garner; and two children, Jay Tompkins of Dallas, Texas and Julie (Richard) Bahlmann of Des Moines; his brother's wife, Betty Tompkins and their children, Allen (Marian) Tompkins, Larry (Sandi) Tompkins and Beth (Michael) Beaver.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Ruth Tompkins; his brother, Dean Tompkins; and a niece, Barbara Tompkins.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

John A. Turner, 1932-2007

June 27, 2007

John A. Turner, 75, of Gentry, Arkansas, formerly of Iowa Falls, died on Friday, June 22, 2007, at the Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital in Arkansas.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 25, at the Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. There will be a memorial service held at a later date in Garner. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner is in charge of local arrangements. Private family interment will take place in Clarion, at a later date.

John Andrew Turner, the son of John Eric and Rebecca L. (Nelson) Turner, was born on April 23, 1932 in Adair, Iowa. John graduated from Iowa State University in Ames with a Bachelor's Degree in Poultry Science. He was employed at Kemp Feeds and then owned a grain facility in Galt. He also worked as a turkey farmer and was currently the owner and operator of a turkey compost business in Gentry.

He was previously married to Irma J. Turner of Bella Vista, Arkansas for 50 years. He married Deborah Hozer on August 8, 2006 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Survivors include his wife, Deborah of Gentry; four sons, John E. Turner of Omaha, Nebraska, Jay C. Turner of St. Cloud, Minnesota, James M. Turner of Waterloo and Joe A. (Mary) Turner of Lincoln, Nebraska; two daughters, Janean L. (David) Fode of Bella Vista, Arkansas and Jana L. Stensland of Ames; two step-sons, Jesse W. (Molly) Benton of St. Louis, Missouri and Benjamin G. (Angela) Benton of Gentry, Arkansas; one step-daughter, Rebecca M. (Alan) Blake of Atlanta, Georgia; four brothers, Harold (Lorraine) Turner of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, Nelson R. (Joan) Turner of Wesley, William R. (Lois) Turner of Charleston, South Carolina and James E. (Pat) Turner of Marion; two sisters, Ann E. (Kent) Rudesill of Baldwin, Wisconsin and Jean C. (John) Tessman of Garner; four brothers-in-law, Brian Holzer, Joseph Holzer, Vincent Holzer and Leo Holzer; two sisters-in-law, Cyrene Bastien and Carol Zlotnick; 12 grandsons; one granddaughter; two step-grandsons; four step-granddaughters; two dear cousins, Howie and Shirley Nelson of Walker, Iowa and Vernon and Irene Fay of Hiawatha; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Ruth Camilla Turner.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Rozella M. Harder, 1909-2007

July 4, 2007

Rozella M. Harder, 98, of Ames, died on Saturday, June 30 2007, at the Mary Greeley Medical Center. A private family service will be held.

Rozella was born on March 21, 1909 in Forest City, the daughter of Rozelle and Bertha (Greene) Stephenson. She graduated from the Forest City High School and attended Waldorf College. During the Great Depression she met a semi-pro-baseball pitcher who had played for and graduated from Iowa State College.

She married Ervin (Jack) Harder on September 14, 1935. She traveled to be close to Jack during his service in World War II. They then made their home in Shell Rock and Garner, until his retirement in 1978 and then they moved to Ames.

She was a great cook and enjoyed gardening. Both Rozella and Jack were Cyclone sports fans and she enjoyed a spirited rivalry with her sister, Grace who favored the Hawkeyes.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law. Stephen and Letitia Harder of Ames; and two grandsons, Matthew Ross Harder and Christopher John Harder, both of Ames; and several nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two sisters, Francis Wheeler and Grace Skarpness; and two brothers, David and Robert Stephenson

Memorials may be directed to the Ames Public Library for new acquisition of audio books.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007