Karna H. Brinkman, 1931-2007

November 7, 2007

Karna H. Brinkman, of Garner, died on Thursday, November 1, 2007, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City. She was 76 years old.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 3, at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner, with the Rev. David Graham and the Rev. Tim Diehl officiating. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Karna Helen Tulp, the daughter of Herman and Effie (Olson) Tulp, was born on January 3, 1931 at Leal, North Dakota. At an early age she moved with her family to Rowan, Iowa. Karna graduated from the Rowan High School in 1948 and continued her education at Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, where she received her teaching certificate.

She later took summer classes at various colleges to earn her teaching degree in 1974. Karna taught at Klemme for four years where she met her future husband, Garland Brinkman. On June 18, 1950 they were married at her parents' farm near Rowan. They made their home in Klemme.

Karna then took some tine off from teaching to raise her family. In 1961 they moved to Garner and Karna resumed her teaching career as an elementary teacher in the Garner-Hayfield School District until her retirement in 1992.

She enjoyed playing board games with her grandchildren, reading, golfing, watching sports and soap operas on TV, talking on the phone, wintering in McAllen, Texas, and traveling to see her family.

She was a member of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church, Women's Fellowship and taught Sunday School and Bible School. Karna was also a member of the Garner VFW Auxiliary, Homemakers Club and was a past Girl Scout Leader.

Karna is survived by her husband, Garland of Garner; two daughters, Valerie Brinkman-Kaplan and husband, Dr. Gordon Kaplan of Ft. Worth, Texas and Laurel Garvin of Mankato, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Ryan Niemi, Erin Niemi and husband, Dan White and their son, Braydon, Brendan Niemi and his son, Dylan, Miranda Kaplan, Weston Garvin and Taylor Garvin; a brother, Howard Tulp and wife, Esther of Goodell; nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, Brian Garvin in 1998; and her sister, Carole Barrick and husband, Harry.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Agnes A. Rayhons, 1913-2007

November 7, 2007

Agnes A. Rayhons, 94, of Garner, died on Saturday, November 3, 2007, at the Westview Care Center in Britt.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, November 7, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan, with Fr. Brian Dellaert as celebrant and Fr. Henry Huber, Fr. Jerry Kopacek and Fr. Randy Schon as concelebrants. Burial was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Duncan. The Cataldo Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Agnes Anastacia Rayhons, the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Kudej) Kopacek, was born on February 28, 1913, on a farm east of Britt. She attended the rural schools of Liberty Township until the eighth grade.

On September 6, 1932, she was married to Henry J. Rayhons at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. They lived on the family farm northwest of Garner where they raised their family and farmed. In 1972, they retired from farming and moved to their new home in Garner.

Agnes loved to bake bread and made delicious kolaches, rolickes and other Czech breads. She was a wonderful caring wife and mother. Agnes took great pride in her family and home. She loved her flowers and had a vase of fresh flowers on her table in the summer. Agnes enjoyed her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, quilting with her sisters and friends and handiwork. She also made patchwork quilts for all her great-grandchildren.

Agnes was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan and the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner. She also was a member of the Rosary Society, CD of A and Catholic Workman FCSLA Branch W51.

She is survived by her nine children, Francis (Lois) Rayhons of Garner, Henry V. Rayhons (fiancée, Donna Young) of Garner, Teresa (LeRoy) Preuschl of Garner, Evelyn (Paul) Grandgenett of Wesley, Agnes (Jerald) Zeihan of Marshalltown, Laurence (Carole) Rayhons of Lenox, George (Mary) Rayhons of Corpus Christi, Texas, Mark (Kathy) Rayhons of Garner and Mary (Gene) Rasmussen of Ames; 35 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 61 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Vincent Kopacek of Britt; two sisters, Vivian Formanek of Britt and Marie Brcka of Britt; and many nieces and nephews.

Agnes was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Henry in 1981; her parents; a daughter-in-law, Marvalyn Rayhons; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sisters, Mildred Wellik, Lillian Chizek, Blanche Paca, Helen Kopacek and Evelyn Kopacek; and brothers, Raymond, Arnold and Francis Kopacek.

In passing Agnes contributed to mankind by donating her brain tissue to the Washington State University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, for Alzheimer's research.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Marcia R. Harms, 1958-2007

November 14, 2007

Marcia R. Harms, 49, of Knoxville, formerly of Garner, died on Monday, November 5, 2007, at her home in Knoxville.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Friday, November 9, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with Rev. David Wagner officiating. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Marcia Rae Harms, the daughter of Wayne and Betty (Batton) Draper, was born on June 24, 1958 at Ft. Dodge. She graduated from the Swea City High School in 1976.

On August 16, 1975, she was married to Brad Harms at the United Methodist Church in Swea City. They made their home in Buffalo Center until 1979 when they moved to Forest City, where Marcia was employed at Winnebago Industries for a few years. They later divorced but then remarried in 2005. On September 21, 1991 she was married to Dennis Engebretson at the East Park in Mason City. They lived in Nora Springs and in 1997 moved to Garner. They later divorced.

Marcia was employed at 3 M in Forest City for 19 years before moving to Knoxville in 2005. She loved spending time with her family and grandchildren. They were her number one priority in life. She enjoyed being outdoors, camping and watching eagles.

She is survived by her husband, Brad of Knoxville; her mother, Betty Draper of Swea City; children, Shanda (Ryan) Malek and their children, Trevor and Trinity of Osage, Derrick (Katie) Halverson and their son, Jacob of Forest City, Jamie Julius of North Liberty and Trisha Engebretson of Garner; a step-daughter, Liz Harms of Des Moines; her former husband, Dennis Engebretson of Garner; a brother, Randy (Sheila) Draper of Swea City; and a sister, Dena (Jay) Davis of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

She was preceded in death by her father, Wayne; and a sister, Nancy Draper.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Marguerite D. Elling, 1913-2007

November 14, 2007

Marguerite D. Elling, 94, of Garner, died on Tuesday, November 6, 2007, surrounded by her family in Garner.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, November 9, at the Evangelical Free Church in Garner, with Rev. Terry Baxter officiating. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Marguerite Dorothy Elling, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (DuBois) Aller, was born on March 20, 1913 in Waukee. She graduated from the East High School in Des Moines.

Like many young women of her time during the Great Depression, she influenced people in her sphere of influence in a positive way and changed lives in the process. Her ingenuity, creativity and sheer grit helped her family stretch meals, mend clothing and substitute things at hand for household items that would otherwise have to be purchased. Her ability to handle both the good times and tough times was due in part to her wit and love of life.

Marguerite worked at Look Magazine where she met her husband to be. On December 28, 1941, she was married to Cleo Donald Elling in Des Moines. In 1944, they moved to Garner where they purchased and operated the Garner Leader & Signal newspaper for 30 years. They were blessed with three sons. Marguerite enjoyed spending time with her family, visits to her cabin at Spirit Lake, playing in card clubs with her friends, cooking and baking.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Garner.

Marguerite will be greatly missed by her sons, Walter (Kathy) Elling of Garner, Bill (Diane) Elling of Estherville and Mike Elling of Hampton; grandchildren, Jeff (Pam) Elling, Dave (Anni) Elling, Lisa Elling, Tony Elling, Jim (Kari) Elling and Michelle (Eric) Bailey; great-grandchildren, Sam, Megan and Katelyn Elling, Jake Elling, Kaleb and Zander Elling and Jake and Alix Bailey; a sister-in-law, Annie Aller of Des Moines; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cleo (Chubb) in 1989; her parents; three sisters, Goldie, Helen and Aggie; and brothers, Edward and Harold.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Joseph A. "Lars" Jermeland, 1925-2007

November 21, 2007

Joseph A. "Lars" Jermeland, 82, of Mason City, died on Monday, November 12, 2007, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, November 16, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller, with Rose Visser, lay minister officiating. Burial was in the Ellington Township Cemetery near Miller.

Joseph Arland Jermeland, the son of Theodore and Lena (Knutson) Jermeland, was born on April 10, 1925 at Ossian. He was one of fifteen siblings. Lars was baptized and confirmed at the Stavanger Lutheran Church in Ossian. At the age of 14, he went to visit his sister, Lillian Torkelson and her husband, Joe, at Forest City and ended up staying with them.

After Joe passed away in August of 1953, Lars took over the farming operation. He continued farming in the Forest City area for many years. In 1995, he moved to the Meadows Apartments in Clear Lake and in 2003 to Willow Pointe Assisted Living in Mason City.

Lars is survived by a brother, Ted (Elaine) Jermeland of West Union; a sister, LaVonne (Kendall) Benzing of Monona; sisters-in-law, Vi Jermeland of Mason City, Louise Jermeland of Mason City, Arlene Jermeland of Mason City and Margie Jermeland of West Union; a brother-in-law, Don Austin of Manly; 20 nieces; and 18 nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six sisters, Lillian Torkelson, Selma Johnson, Merna Walvatne, Leone Mathers, Arthel Jermeland and Arlette Austin; and six brothers, Walter, Arthur, Norman, Jerome, Willard and John Jermeland.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Mabel Schaumberg, 1924-2007

November 21, 2007

Mabel Schaumberg, 83, of Garner, died on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, at the St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, November 16, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with the Rev. David Wagner officiating. Burial was in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Mabel Schaumberg, the daughter of Arthur and Agnes (Smith) Knight, was born on May 19, 1924 at Vegerville, (Alberta) Canada. The family moved to Rathdrum, Indiana and then to Rowan, where she graduated from high school.

On July 11, 1940, she was married to Marion Earnest Lunning at Rowan. To this union three children were born, DeWayne, Norman and Sue. They farmed in the North Iowa area until Marion's death, February 1, 1973. Mabel was employed at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital for 4 years, Concord Care Center for 8 years and Dr. L.R. Fuller's office for 20 years.

On September 12, 1987, she was married to Walter (Bud) Schaumberg in Garner where they continued to make their home. Mabel enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, U.M.W. and the Garner VFW Auxiliary.

Mabel is survived by her children, Norman (Joyce) Lunning of Garner, Sue (Randy) Folkerts of Forest City, JoAnn (Harold) Curley of Garner, Doreen Olson of Garner, Donna Karsjens of Garner and Jim (Deb) Schaumberg of Forest City; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Lunning and friend, Dave of Coulter; 22 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Ruby Knight of Rathdrum, Indiana.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Marion Lunning and Bud Schaumberg; her parents; son, DeWayne; grandson, Matthew Folkerts; son-in-law, Philip Olson; and two brothers, Jack and Pete Knight.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Victor Greimann

December 5, 2007

Victor Greimann, 90, died on Monday, November 19, 2007, at Kettering, Ohio.

Funeral services were held on Friday, November 23, at the David United Church of Christ in Dayton.

Victor was a 1942 graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in civil engineering. He served in the U.S. Air Corps during World War II. He was stationed at Wright Air Force base in Dayton, Ohio, where he tested aircraft designs.

On September 6, 1942, he was united in marriage to Marjorie Wicks at the Immanuel Reformed Church in Klemme. They were the parents of three daughters, Vicki, Sherri and Salli. On February 2, 1958, Marjorie died after a lengthy battle with cancer. Victor married Lois Minear. They were the parents of a son, David.

Victor served on many boards at the David Church. He designed and was instrumental in constructing three mausoleums there. He earned the "Man of the Year" award in 1973 as a result of his work with the Kettering Planning Commission. He was a life long builder of custom homes in the Dayton and Kettering vicinities.

He is survived by his wife, Lois; three daughters, Vicki (John) Ley of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sherri (Jim) Blixt of Rio Verde, Arizona and Salli (Kelly) McKenna of Colorado Springs; one son, David Greimann of Huntington Beach, California; a stepdaughter, Lynnette Whaley of Vandalia, Ohio; as well as nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother; and three sisters.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Bettie (Schuldt) Greimann; three brothers; and his first wife, Marjorie.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007

Wilbur P. Peterson, 1917-2007

November 28, 2007

Wilbur Paul Peterson, 89, died on Wednesday, November 21, 2007, at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, November 24, 2007, at the Faith Lutheran Church, Miller. Lay Minister Rose Visser officiated. Interment was in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. The Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel of Clear Lake was in charge of the arrangements.

Wilbur Paul Peterson, was born on November 30, 1917 in Hancock County. He was the son of Martin L. and Tillie (Roswag) Peterson. He graduated from the Ventura High School in 1936. He worked for PG & E Electric until he engaged in farming.

Wilbur was united in marriage to Helen Farrow on April 20, 1941 in Albert Lea, Minnesota. To this union four children were born. Wilbur farmed for 30 years until moving to Garner in 1972. He worked for several years at the Gamer-Hayfield Junior High School as a custodian. After his retirement he did volunteer work for the Garner Education Center. In 2006, he moved to Clear Lake.

Wilbur enjoyed golfing, gardening, taking bus trips with Helen and spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church, Miller and a board member for the Ventura Elevator for 18 years.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Peterson of Clear Lake; children, Linda (Jeff) Raymond of Indianola, Donna (Gary) Boyd of Worthington, Minnesota, Amy (Wayne) Pralle of Latimer and Rebecca (Don) Lamana of Walker, Louisiana; grandchildren, Candi (Mike) Christensen of Indianola, Shane (Jen) Boyd of Franklin, Tennessee, Shannon (Brian) Blatti of Ellendale, Minnesota, Stacy (Todd) Sparks of Maple Grove, Minnesota, Collin Peterson of Clear Lake, Ashlee and Mandi Lamana of Walker, Louisiana; two step-grandchildren; great-grandchildren, Ethan and Zach Christensen and Jacob and Anna Blatti; brothers, Allen (Arlene) Peterson of Ventura and Kermit (Vivian) Peterson of Mason City; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

His parents, Martin and Tillie Peterson preceded him in death.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2007