Lyda C. Swanson, 1910-2008

August 13, 2008

Lyda C. Swanson, 98, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, formerly of Garner, died on Sunday, August 3, 2008, at her daughter's home in Colorado Springs.

Memorial services were held on Monday, August 11, at the Zion Evangelical & Reformed Church in Garner, with the Rev. Tim Diehl officiating. Inurnment was in the Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner is in charge of the arrangements. For those who wish, memorials in Lyda’s name may be made to the Pikes Peak Hospice, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Lyda Christina Haberkamp, the daughter of William and Reka (Goll) Haberkamp, was born on June 3, 1910, on a farm southwest of Garner. She was baptized and confirmed in the Peace Reformed Church south of Garner.

On November 24, 1937, she was united in marriage to Roy Eugene Swanson at the Peace Reformed Parsonage. They lived and farmed east of Klemme until their retirement in 1975. They continued to reside on the farm until 1983 when they moved into Klemme. Lyda remained in Klemme after Roy died until September 2002, when she moved to the Prairie View apartments in Garner.

In September 2007, she moved to a retirement apartment in Colorado Springs. She suffered a stroke on February 13, 2008 and died on Sunday, August 3 at her daughter's home where she had resided after her stroke. She loved her life on the farm, cooking, baking, sewing, quilting, and gardening-both vegetables and flowers. She continued to bake after moving to Colorado but found high-altitude baking a real challenge!

She was a member of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner and the Women's Fellowship.

Lyda is survived by her daughter, Judi (Rich) Johnson of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandson, Adam Johnson; granddaughter, Nancy (Jack) Boehm and their two children, Amanda and Zachary; granddaughter, Joan (Rick) Leiting and son, Gabriel Dresback; grandson, Brent (Terra) Roth and their two children, Chelsie and Madelynn; her sister, Margaret Rutz of Renville, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Phyllis (Karl) Loeffler of Ocala, Florida; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy in 1992; parents; and her daughter, Sharleen in 1997.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Marie Nuehring, 1916-2008

August 13, 2008

Marie L. (Meinders) Nuehring, 91, formerly of the Klemme area, most recently of Marion, Iowa, died on Saturday, August 9, 2008, at the Summit Point Senior Living Community in Marion.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, August 16, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ, Klemme. The Rev. Donna Buckman will be officiating. Burial will be in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme and continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday.

The family suggests that those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Marie's name consider the Immanuel Reformed UCC Church, Klemme, First United Methodist Church, Marion, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Marie's family also wishes share a special thanks to the Amenity Hospice for their dedication and care.

Marie Meinders, the daughter of Lottie and John Meinders was born on September 26, 1916 in Meservey. She was one of six children to bless this union.
Marie was united in marriage to Erwin G. Nuehring on September 8, 1937 and to this union three children were born, Marcella, Eldon and Karen. Following their marriage the couple began farming and raising their family in the rural Klemme area. In addition to providing for the needs of her husband and children, Marie was a hardworking partner in the farming operations. They farmed until 1981 when they moved to Florida.

Erwin and Marie wintered in Palmetto, Florida at the "Coach House Park" for 20 years while spending their summers in Iowa. Following Erwin's death in February of 1996, Marie lived for six years at the Prairie View Apartments in Garner and then moved to Marion, to be near her daughter. Marie lived with her daughter, Marcella for the last seven years before recently becoming a resident of Summit Point.

Marie's family was always foremost in her life. She was a dedicated, nurturing, and loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her family fondly reflects back on Marie's life and the wonderful meals and delicious canned produce that she made, Sunday get-togethers and meals with relatives, as well as other occasions when Marie and Erwin would sponsor youth group gatherings and events at their farm.

Marie's children and others remember the beautiful sewing, embroidery, quilting, and other handcrafted items made with her loving hands. Marie enjoyed raising flowers and always had a large garden. She and Erwin loved to go dancing at the Surf Ballroom and at various other events and venues that allowed them to enjoy this pastime. Marie and Erwin had enjoyed some traveling and looked forward to annual fishing excursions to Cass Lake, Minnesota with her sister, Mildred and Duard Lewis. The couple had also enjoyed traveling around the U.S. delivering motor homes and had been to nearly every state including Alaska.

Marie and Erwin's grandchildren cherish memories of many precious times spent with Grandma and Grandpa at their home in Florida and in their years on the farm. Be it times spent picking fresh fruit from the trees in their yard, running around at the farm, or a trip to the ocean for a picnic and afternoon of collecting sea shells.

Marie also found time to contribute to the youth of the area in her years as a 4-H Leader. Her church life was also quite important to her both in her years in Iowa and in Florida. She was active in the DORCAS Circle and as a Church Youth Fellowship Sponsor for many years.

Marie's life and legacy will be cherished in the minds and hearts of her survivors including her 3 children, Marcella Sharp of Marion, Iowa, Eldon (Theresa) Nuehring of Milton, Florida and Karen (Herbert) Dahlin of Jacksonville, Florida; six grandchildren, Harriet (Mike) Hansen, Nadine Meyer, Eldon Nuehring, Jr., Elizabeth (Clinton) Bradshaw, Julie Dahlin and Joyce Dahlin; six great-grandchildren, Amber (Fiancée, John Castle) Meyer, Andrea Meyer, Neil Hansen, Tristan Bradshaw, Katherine Alexis Bradshaw and Gabriel Bradshaw; two great-great-grandchildren, Essence and Orion Castle; 2 sisters, Mildred Lewis of Logan, New Mexico and Gladys Jurgemeyer of Garner; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lottie Meinders; husband, Erwin; granddaughter, Debbie Meyer; brother, Elmer Meinders; sisters, Vergie Josten and Marjorie Lemke; and sons-in-law, Garth Holscher and Eugene Sharp.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

A. Elaine Neal, 1938-2008

August 13, 2008

A. Elaine Neal, 70, of Garner, died on Sunday, August 10, 2008, at the Ravenwood Nursing and Rehab Center in Waterloo.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, August 14, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with Rev. David Wagner officiating. Inurnment will be in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Alice Elaine Neal, the daughter of Edward and Vinice (Ruch) Reichardt, was born on July 24, 1938 at Fontanelle. She attended school at Garner and Belmond. On September 28, 1958, she was married to Larry G. Neal at the United Methodist Church in Belmond. They lived in Garner where Elaine helped Larry at Glen's Pontiac in Garner.

Elaine was active in the Garner community and was instrumental in starting God's Pantry and the Garner Community Thanksgiving dinner. In her retirement years, she taught Mexican cooking classes at NIACC and led mission trips to Mexico. In March of 2008, she moved to her daughter's home in Cedar Falls and in July entered the Ravenwood Nursing and Rehab Center in Waterloo.

She was a member of the Garner United Methodist Church and UMW.

Elaine is survived by her children, Mark (Kate) Neal of Clear Lake and Lori (Tom) Hart of Cedar Falls; three grandchildren, Amber Neal, Alex Hart and Darby Hart; a great-grandson, Ethan Neal; a brother, Dale (Vi) Reichardt of Garner; three nieces; a nephew; and many great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry on May 8, 2004; her parents; and an infant sister.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Delorys Reinhart

August 13, 2008

A memorial service for Delorys (Mrs. William) Reinhart, of Mesa, Arizona, will be held on Friday, August 15, 2008, at 1:00 p.m., at the Alleman UCC Church in Alleman, Iowa.

Delorys died on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at her daughter's home in Denver, Colorado. She was a former resident of the Goodell area.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Robert A. Brade, 1943-2008

August 27, 2008

Robert Allen Brade, 65, husband of Marcia G. Stoltenberg Brade and a resident of Quinby, Virginia, died on Tuesday, August 12, 2008, at his residence.

A service of remembrance was conducted on Saturday, August 16, 2008, at the Smith's Chapel United Methodist Church, Quinby, Virginia, with Pastor Thomas E. Durrance officiating.

A native of Garner, he was the son of the late Jack and Bertha Walton Brade; and also son to the late Lee Swaney and Walt Henschen of Garner.

Mr. Brade was a retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. For over 13 years of his Army career, Mr. Brade served at the White House Communications Agency, serving under and supporting Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan. After his retirement from the military, Mr. Brade worked 20 years at the Pentagon.

Mr. Brade was a member of the Smith’s Chapel United Methodist Church, member and treasurer of Little Pungo Ruritan Club and member of the Believer’s Singing Quartet.

Other than his wife, he is survived by three sons, Todd A. Brade of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Neal R. Brade and his wife, Andrea of Front Royal, Virginia and Marc C. Brade of Gainesville, Virginia; a brother, Donald Brade and his wife, Eunice of Charlotte, North Carolina; four grandchildren, Colleen, Owen, Keegan and Laurel; and brother and sister-in-law, Arlo and Dianne Stoltenberg of Mason City.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law Arlo and Lucille Stoltenberg of Belmond; and daughter-in-law, Marguerite Brade.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Curtis G. Nelson, 1936-2008

August 20, 208

Curtis G. Nelson, 72, of Garner, died on Thursday, August 14, 2008, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, August 18, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with the Rev. David Wagner as officiate. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner, with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Curtis Gene Nelson, the son of Raymond and Alta Mae (Wellendorf) Nelson, was born on April 29, 1936, on the home farm east of Garner. He attended school at Garner and then worked for Wayne Greiman. Curtis served his country in the U.S. Army in Korea.

On December 16, 1961, he married Joann Louise Arndt in Albert Lea, Minnesota. They made their home in Garner until 1974, when they moved to the family farm east of town. Curtis farmed for several years and then drove as an independent truck driver for Stockbergers and later for the Overnite Express Company. For the past few years, he worked for Steve Prohaska on a seasonal basis. He enjoyed playing pool and cards and wintering in Arizona with Joann. He was a member of the Garner V. F. W. Post.

Survivors include his wife, Joann of Garner; his children, Kim (Lorie) Nelson of Garner, Traci (Michael) Klesel of Garner and Krystal (Chuck) Irelan of North Liberty; seven grandchildren, Travis, Trever and Taylor Nelson, Colter and Nathan Klesel, and Britany and Shaun Irelan; a sister, Darlene Lundberg of Forest City; a brother, Kermit (Shirley) Nelson of Lake Mills; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two nephews, Kermit Kay Nelson and Theodore Ray Nelson; and a brother-in-law, Milo Lundberg.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Dean J. Prescott, 1962-2008

August 27, 2008

Dean J. Prescott, age 45, of Klemme, died unexpectedly on Monday, August 18, 2008, at his home in Klemme.

Funeral services were held on Friday, August 22, at the Klemme United Methodist Church. Pastor Eric Williams of the Evangelical Free Church Garner and Pastor Paddy Druhl officiated. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. The Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme, was in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be directed to Dean's family or to the donor's choice.

Dean James Prescott, the son of Clayton and Beverly (Tanner) Prescott, was born on November 25, 1962 at Britt. As a young person he was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Klemme. During his childhood and early teenage years, Dean was very adventurous and enjoyed many activities including racing about on mini bikes, motor scooters and three wheelers with his siblings and friends. He very much enjoyed times spent in the outdoors. At the age of 14, he suffered injuries from an accidental gunshot that physically impaired him for the remainder of his life journey.

Dean continued his education and graduated from the Klemme High School with the Class of 1982. He later worked for a time at Korbert in Klemme. As the years of Dean's life went by he became a devoted and loving caregiver to his mother, Bev as she was widowed for many years following her husband's passing. Dean and his mom became very close as they looked after each other.

Following his mom's stroke and declining health and eventually her move to the Concord Care Center in Garner, Dean continued to focus his attention on her needs and made many treks to visit her. Being alone for several years after Bev moved to the care center he became a little more reserved and to himself, spending more of his time focusing his attention on his Dobermans, his homing pigeons, and cockatiels.

Several years ago he met Sheila Orense, and their long distance relationship eventually developed into their marriage on February 7, 2006 in Garner. Following their marriage Dean's life and energy for adventures and travel was rekindled. Dean and Sheila had enjoyed each other’s companionship as they traveled to various events and happenings such as the Tulip Festival in Pella, Hillbilly Sales in Fort Dodge, Hobo Days in Britt and to the Grotto of Redemption in West Bend. Dean also enjoyed fishing trips to Ventura and taking his wife to work when the need arose. He was looking forward to the new freedoms that would come with his recently purchased van. Dean and Sheila had made many more plans and dreams for the years to come.

Dean's recently renewed outlook on life could be seen in his passion for Harley Davidson cycles. He had looked forward to someday restoring a 1948 street bike that he owned. He loved classic rock music and spending some time tinkering around on his computer. His love of hunting and the outdoors shown through even as recently as this past fall when one might find him out on a Klemme area country road in his wheelchair, shotgun in hand and his dog at his side in an effort to bag a pheasant.

Dean was a long-time member of the Klemme United Methodist Church and for the last couple of year's he and Sheila had belonged to the Evangelical Free Church in Garner.

Dean's presence will be missed in the lives of his loving wife, Sheila of Klemme; his mother, Beverly Prescott of Garner; his brothers, Bill (Peggy) Prescott of Thompson, Jim (Rosalie) Prescott and Sid (Julie Haugen) Cuellar, all of Klemme, "Junior" Clayton (Roberta) Prescott of Garner and Ron (Jolene) Prescott of Des Moines; two uncles, George Tanner of Garner and Walter Tanner of Mason City; and an aunt, Lorraine of Minnesota; also many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and cousins, and his dog, Kata.

He was preceded in death by his father; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Meta Kothenbeutel, 1912-2008

August 27, 2008

Meta W. Kothenbeutel, 95, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away on Monday, August 18, 2008, at the Hampton Health Care Center in Hampton.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, at the Hampton United Methodist Church, with burial in the Hampton Cemetery. The Rev. Dr. Edward R. Peterson officiated at the service. The Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton was in charge of the arrangements.

Meta was born on September 5, 1912 in Franklin County, Iowa, to Fred and Lena (Dohrman) Bruns. Meta attended rural Franklin County country schools. She was married to Oliver Kothenbeutel on August 21, 1934 in Hampton, Iowa. After Oliver's death Meta married George Waters on November 23, 1989 in Hampton, Iowa.

She owned and operated the Dreirdale Restaurant in Hampton, with her husband, Oliver. Meta was a member of the Hampton United Methodist Church. She enjoyed reading baking, crocheting, sewing and quilting.

Meta is survived by her sons, Keith and wife, Judy Kothenbeutel of Hampton and Donald and wife, Jo Kothenbeutel of Garner; sister-in-law, Lavera Bruns of Latimer; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; three brothers, Fred, Ed and William; and two sisters, Anna and Ida.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Becky Meyer Burns, 1972-2008

September 3, 2008

Becky J. Meyer Burns, 36, of Clear Lake, died on Tuesday, August 26, 2008, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Friday, August 29, at the Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating. Interment was in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. The Ward Van Slyke Funeral Home of Clear Lake was in charge of the arrangements.

Becky was born on March 11,1972 in Madison, Wisconsin, the daughter of Gerald John and Rosemary Marcella (Yanish) Meyer with twin sister, Brenda. She attended grade school in Waunakee, Wisconsin until 1983, when her family moved to Charles City, graduating from high school in 1990. She was involved in many sports activities and was a cheerleader her senior year. She qualified for state in the 200 meter dash her senior year.

After high school she moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where she worked for Champs Sports. She moved back to Mason City and worked for the County Market, Principal Insurance, Allen Travel and IMT in Garner in customer sales. Becky married Bill Burns, her soul mate on April 14, 2003, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

She enjoyed going to water parks, snow skiing, boating, water-skiing, rides on the Harley and traveling to several states and going to Mexico and Hawaii. She also enjoyed grilling and being with family and friends. Becky’s ideal get-a-way were sand, sun and water. She called everybody “Hon.” Everywhere she went people knew her. She was hardworking, very smart, quick witted and always on the go. She had a radiant and outgoing personality that drew people to her.

Becky is survived by her husband, Bill Burns of Clear Lake; five children, Cody Wiemann and Haley Wiemann of Clear Lake, Adam Burns and his wife, Alica of Fort Worth, Texas, Cory Burns and Kristy Burns of Clear Lake; parents, Gerald and Rosemary Meyer of Charles City; four sisters, Lisa Solberg and her husband, Brian of Cedar Falls, Cheryl Wistrom and her husband, Jeff of Fishers, Indiana, twin sister, Brenda Putney and her husband, Darin of Fort. Dodge and Tammy Quade and her husband, Mike of Charles City; and many nieces and nephews.

Becky was preceded in death by her grandparents.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Merle L. Schaefer, 1918-2008

September 3, 2008

Merle L. Schaefer, 90, of Garner, formerly of Sun Valley/Burbank, California, died on Wednesday, August 27, 2008, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Graveside services will be held at a later date in the Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme. His body was cremated. There will be no visitation. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner is in charge of the arrangements.

Merle L. Schaefer, the son of Roy Irwin and Cora May (Gates) Schaefer, was born on July 28, 1918, on a farm near Klemme. He attended rural school at Liberty Township No. 9. Merle served his country in the US Navy during WW II. After his honorable discharge, he moved to the state of Washington and then later made his home in California working as an auto mechanic.

In September of 2004, he moved to the Prairie View Apartments in Garner and in October of 2006 entered the Concord Care Center. Merle will always be remembered for his favorite saying: "We spend our health in search of wealth and live our lives so brave. Then spend our wealth in search of health and all we find is the grave."

He is survived by a brother, Gene Schaefer of Mason City; sisters, Rose Trca of Story City, Iris Rayhons of Clear Lake and Daisy (Jesse) Schwichtenberg of Garner; sisters-in-law, Mildred Schaefer of Garner and Esther Schaefer of Valencia, California; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Violet Weaver; and brothers, Calvin "Joe" and Donald Schaefer.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008