Frank W. Arnold, 1927-2008

June 11, 2008

Frank W. Arnold, 80, of Garner, died on Thursday, June 5, 2008, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, June 12, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with the Rev. David Wagner officiating. Inurnment will be at 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, in the Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City, with military rites by the Forest City American Legion Post No. 121. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, June 11, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Frank William Arnold, the son of Frank and Laura (Makin) Arnold, was born on June 25, 1927 at Forest City. He grew up in Forest City and attained the rank of Eagle Scout with two palms in Boy Scout Troop 18. He graduated from the Forest City High School in 1945 and enlisted in the Army Air Force Cadet Program. He served in the European Theater of Operations with the 51st Air Troop Carrier Wing, 9th Air Force, as a crew chief. Frank was also a member of the 508th AAF Band. After his honorable discharge, Frank returned to Forest City and attended Waldorf College.

On December 31, 1947, he married Betty Ann Schulz at the United Methodist Church in Forest City. To this union, three children were born, Jean Ann, Frank Gustav and John Michael. Frank began his employment in the Postal Service on June 1, 1947, serving as a city carrier until 1951. He was then transferred to Rural Route No. 3, where he served until 1972. Upon his retirement from the USPS on June 27, 1972, he worked at Winnebago and Waldorf College as a security officer.

In the fall of 1973, Frank moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he worked for Continental Security. Upon returning to Forest City, he served as Chief of Police at Buffalo Center during the summer of 1974. Frank then worked at Bill’s Red Owl for 14 months before joining Winnebago as a security officer in November of 1975. He remained there until December of 1977, at which time he and Betty moved to Reno, Nevada. He went to work for the MGM Grand-Reno, on January 27th as mailroom supervisor. He started alone setting up the system and later the mailroom and 8 employees.

On July 11, 1978, he resigned as supervisor and became an armed MGM security officer in the largest casino in the world. He left MGM security on January 28, 1984, retiring at that time on medical leave due to illness. While living in the Reno area, they were fortunate to travel extensively. In August of 1994, Frank and Betty returned to the Garner-Forest City area. Frank and Betty were able to enjoy 60 years of marriage.

Frank was very active and held offices in many organizations. He was a member of the Garner United Methodist Church, participated in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and taught First Aid for 14 years. He was a member of the County ARC Board for many years, was a member of the Forest City Fire Dept. for 18 years, Winnebago County Emergency Radio Net, Methodist Church Board and was Sunday School Superintendent. He held county and district offices in the Iowa Rural Letter Carrier Assoc. and was named Outstanding Carrier of the 6th District of Iowa in 1969. He was a member of the Forest City American Legion Post 121 for 50 years and also held positions of Vice Commander, Commander and Honor Guard. Frank was also a member of the Garner VFW Post 5515.

He is survived by his wife, Betty of Garner; daughter, Jean Ann of North Miami, Florida; sons, Frank Gustav Arnold of Garner and John Michael Arnold of Forest City; a former daughter-in-law, Brenda; four grandchildren, Chuck, Teresa, Maia and Michael; seven great-grandchildren, Miranda, Mitchel, Magan, Nathaniel, Dustin, Alexis and Zander; and sisters-in-law, Winona Schulz of Garner and Lois (Merlyn) Schmoll of West Liberty.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Gus and Anna Schulz; brothers-in-law, Glen Schulz in infancy and Donald Schulz; and a sister-in-law, Darlene (Schulz) Adams.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Bernard J. Urich, 1958-2008

June 18, 2008

Bernard J. Urich, 50, of Garner, died on Monday, June 9, 2008, from injuries sustained in an accident at Garner.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 14, at the Garner-Hayfield High School Auditorium, with the Rev. David Wagner officiating. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Bernie Urich Memorial Fund to be used for musical scholarships.

Bernard Joseph Urich, the son of Clement Dale and Angeline (Meier) Urich, was born on June 1, 1958 at Mason City. He attended school at the Garner-Hayfield Community Schools, graduating in 1976. On August 11, 1978, he married his high school sweetheart, Bambi Luppen, at the United Methodist Church in Garner. Bernie worked at Coast-to-Coast and then operated Bernie’s Plumbing & Heating Business in Garner. He later worked at Iowa Mold & Tooling and then Farmland Industries. For the past 11 years he was employed by the Zinpro Corporation in Garner, most recently as Production Superintendent.

He enjoyed his family, attending his boys activities, singing, biking and traveling to Lake Superior, which was a special place for Bernie and Bambi.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church, where he was the choir director for 12 years, taught Sunday School, Bible School, Youth Group and also led the children’s group, “Pennies from Heaven". He was past president of the Music Boosters, past member of the River City Barbershop Chorus and sang with the gospel quartet, “Free Spirit” for 10 years.

He is survived by his wife, Bambi Urich of Garner; three sons, Tyler of Algona, Trevor of Storm Lake and Tanner of Garner; his mother, Angeline Urich of Delta, Colorado; his siblings, Gerald (Rita) Urich of Austin, Colorado, Veronica Corkill of Crystal Lake, Tony (Sue) Urich of Garner, Yvonne Vizcarra of Des Moines, Bonaven (Joyce) Urich of Delta, Colorado, Nancy (Jeff) Horstman of Britt, Karen (Terry) Brunsen of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Marjori (Charles) Langhoff of Dayton, Ohio; Bambi’s parents, Janet and Bill Luppen of Garner; 2 brothers-in-law, Kevin (Janice) Luppen of Wasilla, Alaska and Milo Luppen of Woodbury, Minnesota; 2 sisters-in-law, Misty (Tony) Bartleson of Forest City and Kelli (Doug)  Krutsinger of Marengo; and many special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clement Urich on December 16, 1998; and a nephew, Connor Brunsen.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Dorothy L. Sheriff-Brede, 1915-2008

July 2, 2008

Dorothy L. Sheriff-Brede, age 93, a life long resident of the Klemme-Goodell, Iowa, areas, died on Sunday, June 15, 2008, at the Belmond Medical Center, Belmond, Iowa.

Funeral services to celebrate Dorothy's life were held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 28, 2008, at the Goodell United Methodist Church, Goodell, Iowa. The Rev. Paddy Druhl officiated. Visitation was on Saturday, from 9-10:00 a.m., at the church.

Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Dorothy's name may wish to consider the Klemme and Goodell United Methodist Churches, or to their own choice.

Dorothy Laurena Nuehring, the daughter of Owen and Blanche (Montgomery) Nuehring, was born on December 9, 1914, on her parents' farm in Liberty Township, Hancock County, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at the Reformed Church in Klemme. Dorothy attended the Liberty and Twin Lake Township rural schools and eventually went on to graduate from the Klemme High School with the Class of 1934.

Dorothy was a life long homemaker. She was united in marriage to William H. Sheriff of Belmond on March 11, 1936, at the Klemme Reformed Church. Their union was blessed with two children, Robert Owen and Beverly Jane.

The couple farmed as a team and raised their children in rural Hancock County. William preceded Dorothy in death. She later married Dale Brede and brought Dale's two children, Judith and Delwyn Brede into her heart and under her loving care. Dorothy and Dale also made their life together working the land and caring for hogs and other livestock on the farm. Dale also preceded Dorothy in death.

Throughout her life Dorothy was a dedicated, nurturing, and loving wife, mother, sibling, and caregiver. Dorothy was the oldest of 12 children and took many responsibilities in helping provide for her younger siblings. She always focused on putting the needs of her family and the hired hands who helped out with the farming tasks before her own needs and wishes. She was a dedicated babysitter to the Barkema kids and others who trusted and appreciated her loving ways.

Dorothy was a friend to many. Her hobbies and interests were many and included clipping recipes, gardening, bird watching, and refunding. She loved to baby-sit and was an excellent cook. Dorothy enjoyed making baby quilts for family and friends, as well as creating many crazy patch quilts and pillows for church bazaars.

She was an active member of the Klemme UMW and a member of the Belmond Legion Auxiliary for more than 50 years. She held memberships in both the Klemme and Goodell United Methodist Churches where she participated in many church activities and was on the Belmond Methodist Church Building Committee. Dorothy belonged to the Friendly Neighbors Club and the Farm Bureau Women's Organization.

Dorothy is survived by her son, Robert Owen (Betty) Sheriff of Belmond; her daughter, Beverly Jane (Harvey) Harris of Herndon, Virginia; step-children, Donald J. "Red" (Margie) Sheriff of Belmond and William Sheriff, Jr. of Belmond; step-daughter, Judith Brede McClure; her siblings, Dean Nuehring of Osage, Keith (Wilma) Nuehring of Webster City, Mavis Eckes of Long Prairie, Minnesota, Marie VerHelst of Klemme and Inez (Bruce) Dunbar of Mason City; a brother-in-law, Art Kemp of Colorado; grandchildren, Matthew (Debra) Harris of Manassas, Virginia, Paul Harris of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Susan Sheriff of Des Moines and John (Devna) Sheriff of Ames; great-grandchildren, Jessica and Robert Harris of Manassas, Virginia; step-great-grandchildren, Jenna and Collin Pritichard of Ames; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands, William and Dale; a son, Calvin Joseph Sheriff at age 3; step-daughter, Arlene Sheriff Young; step-son Delwyn Brede; sisters, Grace, Clara and Betty; brothers, Lyle, Morris, and Ralph; sisters-in-law, Doris and Elsie; and brothers-in-law, Warren Beier, Ken VanNurden, Norman Eckes and Dick VerHelst.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Marjorie Larson, 1921-2008

June 25, 2008

Marjorie Louise (LaBounty) Larson, passed away on Monday, June 16, 2008, at the Kanawha Community Home.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 28, at the Kanawha United Methodist Church.

Born on December 20, 1921, in Rossville, Illinois, to Jerome and Emma (Faust) LaBounty, Marge moved with her family to a farm near Kanawha when she was a little girl. She attended the Erin #8 Country School through 8th grade and graduated from the Britt High School in 1939. She also attended junior college.

On September 15, 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, Merle Larson, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They settled in Riverside, California and started their family. The beginning of WW II changed their plans. Merle joined the Army Air Corps and Marjorie followed him as much as possible throughout his military service. In 1958 they moved their family back to Kanawha where Merle farmed and Marjorie worked as a secretary.

Throughout her life, Marjorie was an avid reader and especially enjoyed reading newspapers and news magazines. She was a driving force behind her children’s education. She liked discussing politics and was an active member of the Democratic Party. One of her passions was the renovation of a country schoolhouse, which was moved to a park in Kanawha. It is now a museum visited by elementary students from throughout the county. Former Governor Terry Branstad dedicated the museum, and Marjorie received an award for her efforts.

Marjorie was a lifetime member of the Kanawha United Methodist Church. Her faith was the keystone of her life and she was active in the church until failing health limited her activity.

Marjorie was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She organized many reunions for her immediate and extended family. One of her greatest joys was spending time at the family cabin on the Gunflint Trail in northern Minnesota. She felt especially close to God in “The Northwoods” where she was awed by the movement of the Quaking Aspen trees, the call of the loons, and the sight of the moonlit lake.

People who knew Marge spoke of her smile and her graciousness. She could strike up a conversation with anyone and corresponded with people throughout the country. She was a prolific writer and was always taking notes, often utilizing her knowledge of shorthand.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle; her parents; brother, Harve LaBounty; and two infant brothers, Forrest and Lyle.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons, David (Kathy) of Ames and Michael (Judy) of Kanawha; daughter, Terryl (Mike) Hyzer of West Des Moines; two granddaughters; three grandsons; and three great-grand children.

Those wishing to express their sympathy may consider the Kanawha United Methodist Church or the Hospice of North Iowa.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Junior E. "Cap" Blank, 1922-2008

June 25, 2008

Junior E. "Cap" Blank, 85, of Klemme, died on Thursday, June 19, 2008, at the Kanawha Community Home in Kanawha.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 23, 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 Cap's name, may wish to consider the Immanuel Reformed UCC Church, Klemme, the Klemme Congregate Meals Program, or their own choice.

Cap was born on June 27, 1922 in Britt, Iowa. He was the son of John and Cora (Roushia) Blank. They lived in Britt until Cap was one and a half years old, then moved to a farm in Erin Township, where he attended Country School No. 7. He attended school through the eighth grade, then he helped his father on the farm.

Cap was united in marriage to Nadine Charlotte Kimball on December 12, 1944. The couple lived with his parents on the farm until his parents moved to Britt. Cap and Nadine stayed on the farm for five years, then they bought their own farm southwest of Klemme. Cap loved to farm and he loved his animals, especially the cattle. They were blessed with three daughters, Janice, Judy and Karen.

Cap would farm from dawn to dark and then go play softball at the neighboring towns. He belonged to two teams, one in Klemme and one in Kanawha. He was their catcher. Fishing, pheasant hunting and the outdoors were his favorite pastimes. Especially pheasant hunting with family and friends from Des Moines.

Along with farming, in 1969, they started delivering Winnebagos, until Cap retired in 1977. They delivered Winnebagos to every state in the United States, except two, plus Canada. In 1977 they were no longer farming, however, they remained on the farm.

Arizona and California is where they began spending their winters. Finally they spent their winters in Tonto Basin, Arizona so Cap could fish Lake Roosevelt. Cap held a record for the largest bass caught in Lake Roosevelt. They lived in motorhomes at first and then went to a fifth wheel. They made many, many friends in their time at Tonto Basin.

In 2004, because of Cap's failing health, they moved to the Klemme Apartments. On May 9, 2008, he entered the Kanawha Community Home.

Survivors are his wife, Nadine; daughters, Janice (Gene) Ross of Johnston, Judy (Daniel) Bauman formerly of Wyoming, Michigan and now of Goodell and Karen (Kevin) Boyce of Peoria, Arizona; two grandsons, Shawn (Caryn) Bauman and Mark Bauman, both of Wyoming, Michigan; granddaughter, Samantha Boyce of Peoria, Arizona; four great-grandsons, Trevor, Zakary, Jayson (Shawn) and Hunter (Mark) Bauman; one step-great-granddaughter, Lexi (Mark) Wolf; also many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Cap was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Cecil, Irvine (Bodie), Alvin (Joe) and Paul; and two sisters, Dorothy Nieman and June Nieman.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Michael E. Herman, 1964-2008

July 2, 2008

Michael Elwyn Herman, 44, of Brownsville, Texas, beloved father, son, brother, grandson, uncle, and cousin, died on Friday, June 27, 2008, at his residence after a courageous battle with cancer.

The Rev. Ed Robertson officiated at the memorial service celebrating Michael’s life on Tuesday, July 1, in the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home of Brownsville. Larry Diaz, Warner Dramberger, Michael Gonzalez, Louis Longoria, Michael Lyons, Lupe Rocha, and Tony Worsham served as honorary pallbearers.

A native of Brownsville, Michael played baseball at the North Brownsville Little League and was a member of the All Star team. He attended the James Pace High School and was a graduate of the class of 1983. While in high School he participated in various track and field events and had held the record of 21 ft. in the broad jump for a number of years. Since he was 5 years old, Michael had worked alongside his father. After graduation, he joined him in the family business, South Texas Vending.

Michael had a passion and zeal for life. He loved playing video games, but his true love was being outdoors riding on his motorcycle or out in the Laguna Madre or Gulf of Mexico zipping across the water on his jet ski. Michael, who lived in Palm Springs, California for a while, also enjoyed hiking with his friends Michael Lyons and Michael Gonzalez.

Left behind to eternally treasure his memory are his son, Matthew Herman; his parents, Elwyn and Marna Herman; his sisters, Carol Joy and her husband, Ronny Hearn and their children, Tyler and Colby and Deborah Marna and her husband, Todd Schippers and their children, Rebecca, Trent and Elaine; and his paternal grandmother, Maurine Herman, age 92.

He will also be missed by his aunts and uncles, Mary and Bob Jackson, Marie and Paul Jurgens, Bill and Madonna Neuberger, David and Judy Neuberger, Marlys Luscombe, Margaret Parrett, Marilyn Cox and Marcia and Mike Evans; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Glen Elwyn Herman; and by his maternal grandparents, William James and Emma Neuberger; and numerous great-aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, Michael’s family requests that memorial gifts in his name be made to the Moody Clinic, Brownsville, Texas or to the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Merton O. Larson, 1921-2008

July 2, 2008

Merton O. Larson, 87, of Garner, died on Friday, June 27, 2008, at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services were held at the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller, with Rose Visser, lay minister, officiating. Burial was in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City, with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. The Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner was in charge of the arrangements.

Merton Orlando Larson, the son of Martin and Anna (Sorenson) Larson, was born on June 6, 1921 at Decorah. He attended a country school near Decorah and graduated from high school at Lone Rock. Merton served his country in the U.S. Army Air Force being stationed in Italy during WW II, where he received three Bronze Stars. He was a veteran of 56 combat missions.

On September 13, 1944, he married Beverly Gale Hallman at Blue Earth, Minnesota. After the military service they lived in Lone Rock where he worked in a grocery store. Merton later received linotype training in Charles City and then worked for the Stoyles Printing Company in Mason City for over 30 years. Following his retirement, they moved to Lakeland, Florida and later to Garner. He enjoyed wood crafting, carving, and fishing trips to Canada.

He was a member of the St. James Lutheran Church in Mason City and the Garner VFW and American Legion.

Merton is survived by his wife, Beverly of Garner; daughter, Julie (Doug) Cox of Garner; sons, Craig A. (Colleen) Larson of Brighton, Michigan and Mark Larson of Merritt Island, Florida; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a brother, Leon (Rose Marie) Larson of Rochester, Minnesota; a sister, Arlene Thompson of Decorah; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Lloyd Larson, Selmer (Florence) Larson, Gladys (Everett) Gavel, Esther (Byron) Kruse, Arthur (Ivanell) Larson, his twin brother who died in infancy, Myrtle (Arthur) Priebe, Ella (Norris) Otteson, Violet (Charles) Ramsey and Madeline (Raymond) Priebe; and a brother-in-law, Ray Thompson.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008