Naomi Mae Rayhons, 1933-2010

February 10, 2010

Naomi Mae Rayhons, 76, of Ventura, died on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.

A Funeral Mass was held on Saturday, February 6, at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with the Reverend John R. Tilp officiating. A scriptural wake service was held on Friday, February 5, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel. Interment was in the St. Boniface Cemetery, Garner. The Family suggests memorials to the Naomi Mae Rayhons memorial fund or a memorial of your choice.

Naomi was born on October 29, 1933 in Garner, the daughter of Russell Wesley and Elsie Marie (Woods) Rasmuson. She graduated from the Garner High School in 1951. Naomi married James William Gourley in 1954. From this union three sons were born, Rick, Rusty and Tracy. During this time Naomi worked on the family farm in Corwith.

She worked as a switchboard operator in Garner and later was secretary for the Kossuth County Superintendent of Schools in Algona. She then worked for the Chuck Behr Trailer Farm as a bookkeeper in Algona. In the late 1970's, she owned her Real Estate Company, American Realty in Mason City and later Naomi’s Realty in Ventura, Iowa. She loved the real estate business and helping people purchase their dream homes. Naomi especially enjoyed helping others and truly had a servant's heart. She spent many hours ministering to others.

Naomi married Frank Rayhons Jr. on July 5, 1990 in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Naomi enjoyed reading the bible, bible study, flowers and especially being with her family. Naomi's grandchildren loved her cooking, especially her Special K bars and her baked beans.

Naomi was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church and the Clear Lake Multiple Listings.

Naomi is survived by her husband, Frank Rayhons Jr. of Ventura; two sons, Rusty Gourley of Elmore, Minnesota and Tracy Gourley and his wife, Penny of Mason City; step-children, Randy Rayhons and his wife, Karen of Ventura, Scot Rayhons and his friend, Barb Dugan of Ventura, Pam Adams of Sioux City, Gina Britt and her husband, Bevyn of Ventura, Kelli Rejniak and her husband, Matt of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Paige Snyder and her husband, Russ of Alta and Polly Wolterman and her husband, Jeff of Newell, Iowa; seven grandchildren; fifteen step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Louise Rasmuson of Garner; and a brother, Jack Sandberg and his wife, Alvera of Newton, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Richard James Gourley; two sisters, Sandra Johnson and Sharon DeKruif; and a brother, Richard Rasmuson.

The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was responsible for the arrangements.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

Marvin G. Bachman, 1962-2010

February 17, 2010

Marvin G. Bachman, 47, of Klemme, died on Saturday, February 13, 2010, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, surrounded by his family, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, February 18, at the Klemme United Methodist Church, Klemme. The Rev. Paddy Druhl will officiate. Burial will be in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. Visitation is from 5-8:00 p.m., today, at the Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday.

Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Marvin's name may wish to direct them to the family or the donor's choice.

Marvin Gene Bachman, the son of Eugene and Janice (Swanson) Bachman, was born on July 14, 1962 at Belmond, Iowa. He attended and graduated from the Klemme High School with the Class of 1980 and later went on to attend the North Iowa Technical College in Sheldon, where he studied automotive related subjects. As a young man Marv was active in various extra-curricular activities including, baseball, basketball and was an excellent football player.

Marv was a farmer throughout his entire life, with Bachman family farms. He loved the farming profession and working the land. As the years went by he continued this loved profession and expanded his ambitions into the trucking industry.

Marvin was united in marriage to Carrie Sorenson on July 13, 2002. Following their marriage the couple expanded the trucking operations and started Riverview Farms and Trucking, which they have owned and operated since they were married.

The two loved to travel the countryside along with their other drivers who worked for them. Marv had a great passion for the outdoors and looked forward to any opportunity to go on a fishing excursion to Canada, Mille lacs Lake, Leech Lake or a more regional outing to Clear Lake. He also enjoyed pursuing his passion and the camaraderie of family and friends while hunting pheasants, deer, coyotes and various other game that the woods and uplands might bring.

Marvin was a single father for many years prior to marrying Carrie and relished this role and the challenges and rewards that it brought in caring for the needs of his children. He enjoyed taking them and the grandkids on minibike, four wheeler, truck and tractor rides. Marv also enjoyed being a grandfather and was looking forward to a granddaughters expected arrival in May of this year.

Marv and Carrie enjoyed the freedom of Harley road trips and socializing with friends and family. Those who knew Marv will remember him as a "good friend" and softhearted man who would do almost anything for anyone and was a very hard worker. He loved to visit and enjoyed good times with family and friends. Marvin looked forward to summer afternoons spent on the waters of Clear Lake near Farmer's Beech. Marv also enjoyed the companionship of their dogs, Sparky and Sadie.

He enjoyed classic rock music and was a fan of Tony Stewart and Nascar racing in general. In recent years, Marvin was a member of the Klemme Volunteer Fire Department. He always liked to give of himself to the Klemme community where he had lived his entire life.

Marvin's memory will live on in the lives and hearts of his wife and partner, Carrie Bachman of Klemme; his son, Chris Bachman and fiancée, Tera of Klemme; daughter, Dani (Nick) Neubauer of Hampton; his sons, Chandler (Chelsvig) Bachman and Jameson (Chelsvig) Bachman, both of Belmond; his parents, Eugene and Janice Bachman of Clear Lake; his mother-in-law, Barb Gremmer of Meservey and father-in-law, Keith Sorenson of Britt; grandchildren, Christian Bachman of Klemme and Libby Smith of Hampton; cousins, extended family and friends and his beloved companions, Sadie and Sparky.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; and his uncle, Albert Swanson.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

Verna L. Ott, 1922-2010

February 24, 2010

Verna L. Ott, 87, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died on Monday, February 15, 2010, at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.

Memorial services were held on Friday, February 19, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. The Rev. Dennis Ganz officiated. Inurnment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery.

Verna was born on March 8, 1922 in rural Kanawha, Iowa, the daughter of Emil and Anna (Schoenwetter) Pringnitz. She graduated from the Garner High School. She worked on the family farm and later at a clothing store in Clear Lake. Verna married Don Ott on October 22, 1947 and to this union four children were born. Verna worked in the cafeteria at the Clear Lake High School and the Miller Hardware Store for many years.

She enjoyed gardening, canning, woodworking and reading.

Verna is survived by her three children, Rick Ott and his wife, Linda of Clear Lake, Rod Ott and his wife, Barbara of Clear Lake and Vickey Ott of Bland, Missouri; two grandchildren, Angela Ott of Lafayette, Indiana and Brady Ott of Clear Lake; one sister, Doris Groesbeck of Garner; one brother, Ron Pringnitz and his wife, Marge of Kanawha; and several nieces and nephews.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Terry Ott; two sisters, Lois Lange and Merlin Mau; and two brothers, Virgil Pringnitz and Emil "Dutch" Pringnitz Jr.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

Eleanor M. Jensen, 1924-2010

February 24, 2010

Eleanor M. Jensen, 85, of Britt, died on Sunday, February 21, 2010, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt, surrounded by family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, February 24, at the Evangelical Free Church in Britt, with Jason Boomgarden officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt. Visitation was held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Home in Britt and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Eleanor Mabel Jensen, the daughter of Frank and Mamie (Brozik) Chizek, was born on March 13, 1924, on a farm northwest of Garner. She attended the Hayfield Consolidated School and helped her family on the farm. On March 9, 1947, she was married to Nels E. Jensen at the St. Boniface Catholic Church Rectory in Garner. They farmed near Eagle Lake and Hayfield before moving to their farm north of Britt in 1975.

She enjoyed quilting, sewing, baking, gardening and crossword puzzles. She was a member of the Upper Flat Evangelical Free Church north of Britt and a quilting group.

Eleanor is survived by her husband, Nels of Britt; three children, Janeen Hempler of Stillwater, Minnesota, Eileen (Edward) Schutter of New Hope, Minnesota and Marlin (Donna) Jensen of Mason City; six grandchildren, Anita Hempler, Marie Johnson, Scott (Janice) Schutter, Candace Hempler, Susan (Dan) Lindstrom and Christopher Jensen; two great-grandchildren, Ryan and Claire Schutter; and a nephew, Robert (Barbara) Chizek.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Frank and Robert Chizek.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

Ora H. (Thompson) Hoeft, 1916-2010

March 3, 2010

Ora H. (Thompson) Hoeft, died at the Sierra Oaks Assisted Living, on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at the age of 93.

No services are being held per Ora's request.

She was the daughter of Steffan Sever Thompson and Bertha (Haugen) Thompson, born on March 16, 1916 at Lake Mills. She was a homemaker and a teacher. Ora taught in one room schoolhouses at the Rusley School in Iowa, the Iowa Consolidated School and later the Language and Arts Department at Shasta College in Redding, California, for 13 years until her retirement. She then traveled much of the world.

Ora was predeceased by her son, Thomas Carl Hoeft on February 12, 1996.

She is survived by a daughter, Carol Lynn Hyatt; sons and their spouses, Jon and Geri Hoeft, Charles Hoeft and Carl and Betty Hoeft, all of Redding, California; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

Ila Jean (Flynn) Foval, 1922-2010

March 24, 2010

Ila Jean "Jeanie" (Flynn) Foval, of Peoria, Arizona, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 24, 2010, with her family by her side.

Memorial arrangements have been entrusted to the Heritage Mortuary in Peoria, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations in her memory, be directed to the Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix, Arizona.

Jeanie was born on July 22, 1922 in Dunlap, Iowa. Her childhood years were spent in Omaha, Nebraska. She graduated from high school in Atlantic, Iowa. Several years after she met Eugene "Gene" Foval and they married in 1943. They farmed near Ellsworth, Iowa and raised two children, Sherry and Jerry. For the next 20 years, Jeanie was actively involved with the Methodist Church, P.E.O., 4-H, Scouting and other groups that revolved around her children's activities in Ellsworth, Jewell and Garner, Iowa. In 1981, Gene and Jeanie retired to Mission, Texas, to golf, enjoy friends and escape cold winters. In 2006, leaving numerous friends behind, they moved to Peoria, Arizona to be closer family.

She lived to see her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and cherished their adventures and challenges. She always encouraged and supported them. Her deep and unwavering faith in God and family were truly the pillars of her life. No one met "Jeanine" who didn't love her. Her beauty shone from deep within; a selfless, gentle soul who resided in a world of optimism, peace and non-judgmental appreciation for life. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, for she truly inspired them to be better men and women of faith and love.

Ila Jean (Flynn) Foval is survived by her husband of 67 years, Eugene Boyce Foval; her two children, Sherry Ramsey of Casa Grande, Arizona and Jerry Foval of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and their respective spouses, Richard Ramsey and Jan Foval. Celebrating her life with them are her six grandchildren, Curt Wendt, Todd Ramsey, Brooke Ramsey Robinson, Scott Foval, Bridgette Ramsey Smith and Emily Foval; and her six great-grandchildren, Jaden Ramsey, Cameron Wendt, London Smith, Stella Foval, Sydney Robinson and Braden Wendt. She will be greatly missed by her sister, Margaret (Flynn) Ewing of Ames; and her sister-in-law, Zoe (Foval) Rierson of Radcliff; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her older brother, Edwin Flynn of Indianapolis, Indiana.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010

John G. Kelly, 1953-2010

March 3, 2010

John G. Kelly, 57, of Garner, died on Sunday, February 28, 2010, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

His body has been cremated and no services are planned at this time. The Cataldo Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

John Gilbert Kelly, the son of Orrel and Helen (Harper) Kelly, was born on January 13, 1953 at Olivia, Minnesota. John worked at IMT in Garner as a painter.

He is survived by his two daughters, Shelly Biggs and her daughter, Emma Rae of Boise, Idaho and Jennifer Kelly of Boise, Idaho; his mother, Helen Charter of Two Harbors, Minnesota; and a sister, Jan (Bruce) Runyan of Two Harbors, Minnesota.

John was preceded in death by his father; and brother, Steven Kelly.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2010