Arvin L. Larson, 1928-2008

February 6, 2008

Arvin L. Larson, died at his home in Wesley, on Friday, February 1, 2008, at the age of 79.

Funeral services were held on Monday, February 4, at the Evangelical Free Church in Wesley. Jason Boomgarden officiated at the service. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Wesley.

Arvin Lester Larson, was born on April 28, 1928 at Wesley, to Lester and Berniece (Byro) Larson. Arvin attended country school and graduated from the Wesley High School in 1946. He farmed with his father northwest of Wesley and on August 5, 1950, was united in marriage to LaVon Higdon in Britt. Arvin continued to farm until 1993, when he retired and they moved to Wesley.

Arvin’s life centered on his family, their activities and on his local community. He was an active member of the Evangelical Free Church in Wesley. He was a loyal supporter of the Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne athletics.

He and LaVon enjoyed traveling and spending a few weeks in the warmer climates during the cold Iowa winters. No one was a stranger to Arvin, he liked talking to everyone. His real love was farming and horses and his favorite seasons were planting and harvest.

His family includes his wife of 57 years, LaVon of Wesley; five daughters, Mary Lou (1951-1954), Barbara Larson of Cedar Rapids, Diane and Larry Potter of Cedar Rapids, Danna and Britton Johnston of Pasadena, California and Jane and Eep Peuchen of Assaria, Kansas; son, Craig and Julie Larson of Wesley; eight grandchildren, Laura and Travis Sheely of Amana, Shannon Larson of Wesley, Len Mitchell of Swisher, Benjamin (1990), Elizabeth, Rachel, Jonathon and Andrew Peuchen of Assaria, Kansas; seven step-grandchildren, Tracy and Lance Ludwig, Stacy and Ben Smith, Brandi Zittritsch, Cody Zittritsch and Dillon Moran all of Wesley and Jamie and Kristie Potter of Cedar Rapids; one great-grandchild, Dylan Sheely; and four step-great-grandchildren, Brody Ludwig, Taylor and Treyton Potter and Mariah Nock.

Being an only child, Arvin treasured the relationship he had with LaVon’s parents, Minnie and Jim Higdon and LaVon’s brothers and sisters, as well as with his aunts, uncles and cousins.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Billy D. Broers, 1931-2008

February 6, 2008

Billy D. Broers, 77, of Mason City, died on Sunday, February 3, 2008, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, at the First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Jim Stiles officiating. A gathering of family and friends will take place following the service in the fellowship hall. Inurnment will be in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa or Mercy Cancer Center.

Billy was born at his home on the farm South of Mason City on January 16, 1931, the son of Emil and Cecil (Walls) Broers. He attended country school in Bath Township and graduated from the Rockwell High School in 1949.

Billy was united in marriage to Marilyn G. Barber on January 24, 1951 in Mason City. Billy farmed the family farm for many years until he retired and moved to Mason City. Billy and Marilyn wintered in Arizona for 15 years. They enjoyed spending a few months in the warmer climate during the cold Iowa winters. During the summer months, he enjoyed having coffee at McDonalds with the “guys”. Billy was a member of the First United Methodist Church and enjoyed flowers, his friends, and family.

Billy is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn of Mason City; daughters, Janell (Brick) Hejlik of Sheffield, Darla (Gary) Steenhard of Rockwell and Alesa (Ron) Sweers of Britt; grandchildren, Travis (Tracy) Steenhard of Rockwell, Amie Steenhard and Randy Crooks of Rockwell, Angie (Philip) DeVries of Sheffield, Drew and Matt Sweers of Britt; great-grandchildren, Madison, Morgan and Mariah Steenhard, Nick and Levi Crooks, Aaron and Zach DeVries; brother, Emil (Anita) Broers of Ventura; many nieces, nephews, and cousins, aunts, Ruth Smith of Mason City, Marjorie Walls of Clear Lake, Lois Fulghum of Clear Lake and Pauline Walls of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Almira J. Holt, 1919-2008

February 13, 2008

Almira J. Holt, 88, of Story City, died on Monday, February 4, 2008, at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 8, at 11:00 a.m., at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Story City. Burial will follow in the Story City Municipal Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, February 7, from 5-7:00 p.m., at the Soderstrum Funeral Home in Story City. Memorials may be directed to the Immanuel Lutheran Church or the Homeward Hospice.

Almira J. Holt, was born on April 29, 1919, to James and Millie (Danielson) Olson in Jewell, Iowa. She graduated from the Jewell High School and attended Waldorf College where she sang in the choir. Almira also sang for weddings and played the piano.

She married George Lee Holt on April 25, 1944 in Jewell, Iowa. They farmed near Slater where she was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, serving as Sunday School Superintendent. They then farmed in the Garner area for many years. They moved to Story City in 1989.

Survivors include one son, LeRoy (Mary) Holt of Firestone, Colorado; two daughters, Elaine (Richard) Kolkmann of Bloomington, Minnesota and Janet (Norm) Trentmann of Urbandale, Iowa; one brother, Eugene Olson of Jewell; one sister, Irene Billings of Ames; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Clarence E. Ptacek, 1923-2008

February 13, 2008

Clarence E. Ptacek, 84, of Garner, died on Saturday, February 9, 2008, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, February 13, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, with Fr. Henry Huber officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Duncan. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner, with a Catholic Workman rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Scriptural wake service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Clarence Edward Ptacek, the son of Adolph and Mary (Nedved) Ptacek, was born on October 1, 1923, on a farm south of Duncan. He attended country school in Liberty Township until the seventh grade and then farmed with his father. On October 4, 1943, he married Verneil Gouge at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wesley. They lived on a farm south of Duncan until 1953 when they moved to Estherville, where they owned and operated the C and V Tavern. In 1956, they moved to Wesley and in 1958 to Duncan.

Clarence worked on grain elevators and for Becker Construction until 1962 when they moved to Garner and Clarence began his construction business. He later helped his son, Gerald, build homes in Cedar Rapids. He enjoyed his family, grandchildren, playing cribbage, polka music and dancing.

He was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church and the Catholic Workman FCSLA Branch W51.

Clarence is survived by his wife, Verneil of Garner; six children, Joyce (Gary) Meyer of Garner, Jan (Calvin A.) Baumgartner of Garner, Karen (Dennis) Furness of Story City, Gerald (Deb) Ptacek of Cedar Rapids, Kris (Bill) Christie of Garner and Jeff (Debbie) Ptacek of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Sally Weiskamp of Britt, Marge Schleusner of Garner and Frances (Allan) Doughan of Britt; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Tony; and three sisters, Mary Kral, Blanche Witte and Agnes Kumsher.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

James O. Steward, 1926-2008

February 20, 2008

James O. Steward, 82, of Garner, died on Monday, February 11, 2008, at the Mercy Medical Center–North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, February 15, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner, with the Rev. Dale Glawatz officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City. The Cataldo Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

James Orville Steward, the son of Orville and Helena (Whitesell) Steward, was born on January 23, 1926 at Iowa Falls. At the age of 6, he moved with his family to a farm south of Garner. Jim graduated from the Garner High School in 1943. Following high school he worked on the family farm and drove truck for Ed Bock.

On March 8, 1947, he married Joan R. Walle at Albert Lea, Minnesota. To this union three children were born, Michael James, Lawrence Dean and Carolyn Ruth. When his father decided to retire from farming, Jim went to work for the Garner Police Department, serving as Chief of Police for several years. He then worked for the FEMIC Insurance Company as a claims adjuster.

On November 29, 1974, he married Bonnie L. Modderman at the Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake. They lived in Clear Lake until moving to Garner in 1975. They built, owned and operated the Black Velvet Inn in Garner for four years. Jim then worked for Iowa Mold Tooling, starting the security program and managing the yard work. He retired in 1991.

He was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner.

Jim is survived by his wife, Bonnie of Garner; three children, Michael (Linda) Steward of Cornville, Arizona, Larry (Kathy) Steward of Missouri City, Texas and Carolyn Steward of Henderson, Nevada; step-children, Pam (John) Van Gerpen of Garner, Jane (Pat) Greiman of Manteca, California and Amy Modderman of Pahrump, Nevada; grandchildren, Jodi, Megan and Ryan Steward in Arizona and Jonathan and Patrick Steward in Texas; step-grandchildren, Heather Ann (Matthew) Curtis of Clear Lake, Diena Ann (Daren) Mennenga of Belmond and Jamie Greiman of Manteca, California; step-great-grandchildren, Aspen Curtis, Tyler Curtis, Tristan Mennenga and Ty Mennenga; and close family friend, Diann Musial of Pahrump, Nevada.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister; step-son, Jeffery Modderman; a son-in-law, Bill Schnitkey; grandson, Michael Steward; and step-grandson, Joshua Greiman.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

George E. Woelke, 1937-2008

February 20, 2008

George E. Woelke, 71, of Colona, Illinois, died on Tuesday, February 12, 2008, at the Trinity Pathway Hospice at Terrace Park, Bettendorf, Iowa.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m., on Saturday, February 16, at the Colona United Methodist Church. Graveside services were at 1:00 p.m., on Monday, February 18, in the Riverside Cemetery, Riceville, Iowa. Visitation was from 4-7:00 p.m., at the Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline. Memorials may be made to the Green River United Methodist Church, Colona, or Alternatives for the Older Adult.

George Emmett Woelke, was born on January 28, 1937 in Beatrice, Nebraska, the son of George E. and Evelyn (Hueske) Woelke. He served in the U.S. Army. He married Marilyn Elwood on August 14, 1966 in Nashua, Iowa. George was an aviation inspector and airplane mechanic for the Elliott Flying Service, Moline, for 20 years. He previously worked at airports in Mason City and Garner, Iowa, and was co-owner of the Forest City Aviation, Forest City, Iowa.

He was a member of the Green River United Methodist Church and charter President of the Lions Breakfast Club in Forest City. He loved the outdoors and fishing, and enjoyed woodworking and puttering with boats, cars, and engines. He had been involved in aviation for over 50 years.

George is survived by his wife, Marilyn; two sons and daughters-in-law, Ged and Wendy Woelke of Bend, Oregon and Garrin and Jennifer Woelke of Colona; two grandsons, Gavin and Fisher Woelke; and a favorite uncle, Kenneth Hueske of Milford, Nebraska.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Marvin L Reese, 1931-2008

February 20, 2008

MILLER-Marvin Luverne Reese, 76, of Miller, died on Wednesday, February 13, 2008, at the Concord Care Center in Garner, Iowa.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 16, at 1:30 p.m., at the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller, with Lay Pastor Rose Visser officiating. Visitation will be an hour prior to the services at the church. Inurnment will be in the spring in the Madison Township Cemetery in rural Forest City. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home, Forest City, is in charge of the arrangements.

Marvin Luverne Reese, was born at home in Crystal Lake, Iowa, on August 11, 1931, the son of Elmer and Emily (Cunningham) Reese. He graduated from the Forest City High School in 1951 and served in the United States Air Force.

He farmed with his father and brother, worked at Goldy’s Mobil Station, the Forester Trailer company and then for Winnebago Industries.

After he retired from Winnebago, he was very involved in Pheasants Forever, especially the tree projects. Marvin enjoyed woodworking and built many pieces of furniture. For several years he served as Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 19 in Garner. He loved to visit with his friends over coffee.

Marvin enjoyed his family, gardening and taking many trips to the "cabin" in Longville, Minnesota. He went there every chance he got and had many fish tales to tell about. He was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller.

He is survived by his wife, Gail Reese of Miller; his children, David (Kandy) Hinrichs of York, Pennsylvania, Irving (Carol) Reese of Charles City, Dale Reese of Mason City, Joann Miller of Chelan, Washington, Pamela Osborne of Harcourt and John (Dimple) Reese of Gigharbor, Washington; 19 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren; brother, Duane (Verna) Reese of Forest City; sister, Glennice (Ronald) Trail of Des Moines; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Vincent Kopacek, 1911-2008

February 20, 2008

Vincent Joseph Kopacek, 96, of Britt, died on Thursday, February 14, 2008, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Februay 18, at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Britt, with the Rev. Brian Dellaert and the Rev. Jerry Kopacek officiating. Burial was in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Duncan. The Ewing Funeral Chapel, Britt, was in charge of the arrangements.

Vincent, the son of Frank and Elizabeth Kudej Kopacek, was born on April 10, 1911, on the family farm near Britt. He attended country school in Liberty Township and helped on the family farm.

On January 31, 1933, Vincent was united in marriage with Rose Cecilia Rayhons at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan. Following their marriage, they rented the Kudej farm west of Duncan. In 1939, they purchased a farm in Erin Township where they built a new home and raised their family.

In 1975, they moved into Britt. In their retirement Rose and Vince spent time helping on the farm, traveling and visiting their children.

Vince loved bowling and playing cards, especially his numerous games of 65 with Jim Ryburn, Clarence Seebeck, other friends and family, and 500 with the Senior Citizens. Vince had a great love for horses and had never missed a Britt Draft Horse Show in 26 years. He loved playing golf, which he didn’t begin playing until age 65, his Minnesota Twins, ice cream and Rose’s cooking and baking.

Vince was a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and the Catholic Workmen. He was active in the community and for many years served as director of the country school in Erin Township, which was on the corner of their farm. He was on the board of directors of the First State Bank of Britt for several years and also the Britt Farmers Coop Board.

Vincent is survived by eight children, Doris Hempe of Britt, Shirley (Dr. Thomas) Carson of Camarillo, California, Donald (Kay) Kopacek of Britt, Roger (Mary) Kopacek of Britt, Vincent, Jr. (Janice) Kopacek of Ankeny, Carl Kopacek of Portland, Oregon, Ted (Cindy) Kopacek of Maple Grove, Minnesota and Vicki (Tom) Bueker of Bettendorf; 27 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Vivian Formanek of Britt and Marie Brcka of Britt; and numerous nieces and nephews, other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rose on April 19, 2006; granddaughter, Liz Ann Hempe; grandson, Jeff Kopacek; two great-grandsons, Tate and McCoy Nedved; brothers, Arnold and Francis; and sisters, Helen and Evelyn at young ages; brother, Raymond; and sisters, Mildred Wellik, Lillian Chizek, Agnes Rayhons and Blanche Paca.

He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Donations can be made to these funds, which Vince supported, the Britt Swimming Pool, Britt Hobo Museum and the St. Patrick's Roof Fund.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Verneil M. Ptacek, 1924-2008

March 5, 2008

Verneil M. Ptacek, 83, of Garner, joined her beloved husband, Clarence on Tuesday, February 26, 2008. She died at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 1, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, with Fr. Brian Dellaert officiating. Burial was in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Duncan. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Verneil Marie Gouge, the daughter of Alonzo and Josephine (Spangler) Gouge, was born on September 16, 1924, on a farm west of Wesley. She graduated from the Wesley High School in 1942. On October 4, 1943, she was married to Clarence Ptacek at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wesley. They made their home on a farm south of Duncan until 1953, when they moved to Estherville where they owned and operated the C and V Tavern.

In 1956, they moved to Wesley and in 1958 to Duncan. In 1962 they moved to their present home in Garner. Besides being a homemaker and raising their six children, Verneil also worked for a time at the Garner Bakery and was a cook at various restaurants in Garner.

Verneil loved spending time with her family and grandchildren. She enjoyed dancing, cooking, embroidering, baking kolaches and homemade bread, working on jigsaw puzzles and completing word find books.

She was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church and the Rosary Society.

Verneil is survived by her six children, Joyce (Gary) Meyer of Garner, Jan (Calvin A.) Baumgartner of Garner, Karen (Dennis) Furness of Story City, Gerald (Deb) Ptacek of Cedar Rapids, Kris (Bill) Christie of Garner and Jeff (Debbie) Ptacek of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence on February 9, 2008; her parents; and a sister, Marjorie Becker.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008