Douglas D. Thomas

September 16, 2009

Douglas D. Thomas, 62, of Geneva, died on Tuesday, September 8, 2009, at the Franklin General Hospital in Hampton.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 12, at the United Methodist Church in Geneva, with burial in the Lindenwood Cemetery, Geneva. The Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Ackley was in charge of the arrangements.

Douglas Donald Thomas, was born on April 12, 1947 in Hampton, the son of F. Lester and Ethel (Johnson) Thomas. He attended the Ackley-Geneva High School. Doug was united in marriage to Connie Homan on May 22, 1966 in Ackley. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966-1968 as a combat engineer in the 10th Engineering Battalion, stationed in Germany. Upon his return home, Doug and Connie settled in Geneva and he continued to farm with his father. Doug and Connie moved to the family farm in 1977. Later Doug started a trucking company which he owned and operated until his death.

For eight years Doug enjoyed coaching his sons’ Geneva little league baseball teams. Doug was also a member of the United Methodist Church in Geneva and the Dumont American Legion.

Living family members include his wife, Connie; three sons, Chad (Manda) of Wiota, Jeremy (Alexis) of Macomb, Illinois and Dustin (Shauna) of West Des Moines; a granddaughter; two brothers, F. Lonnie Thomas of Albuquerque, New Mexico and David Thomas of Alden.

He was preceded in death by his parents.
©Hampton Chronicle 2009

Doris J. Krukow

September 16, 2009

Doris J. Krukow, 76, of Conrad, formerly of Eldora, died on Wednesday, September 9, 2009, at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 11, at the Liscomb Church of Christ in Liscomb. The Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora was in charge of the arrangements. Burial will be held at a later date.

Doris was born Olive June Hill on June 4, 1933, the daughter of Doris and Pauline (Tuttle) Hill. When Olive was two months old, her father passed away and Pauline later met and married James Taylor. James adopted Olive and she was re-named Doris June Taylor. She grew up in Minburn along with her four brothers. Doris graduated from the Minburn High School in 1950. She later met and married Kenneth Krukow on June 5, 1955 in Minburn. The couple moved to Aredale and were the parents of four children. The family later relocated to Nevada.

Doris attended the University of Northern Iowa Teaching College where she received her BA in Education in 1971. She began teaching in Zearing and later began her career as a special education teacher. She finished her career as a fifth grade teacher in the Eldora-New Providence School System, retiring in 1995.

She was a member of the Liscomb Church of Christ, Cecilians, NEA-ISEENPEA as a secretary, the Hardy Reading Association as a secretary and was the Community Assistance Organization President, taught Sunday School at Oakview for many years and was also a member of the Missionary Society. Doris enjoyed reading and was a very giving person all of her life.

Living family members include her husband of 54 years, Kenneth; children, Suzanne (Leo) Guevara of Ackley, Maribeth Krukow of Carrollton, Texas and Steve Krukow of Galveston, Texas; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and brothers, John Taylor of Van Meter, Jerry Taylor of Saylorville and Wayne Taylor of Ankeny.

She was preceded in death by her biological father, Doris; parents, Pauline and James; a brother, James; and a son, James.
©Hampton Chronicle 2009

Alpha Kotenbrink

September 16, 2009

Alpha Kotenbrink, 100, of Anamosa, formerly of Geneva, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2009, at the Silvercrest of Anamosa in Anamosa.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, September 15, from 4-7:00 p.m., at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 16, at 10:00 a.m., at the Geneva United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Sylvia Kennedy officiating. Burial will be in the Hampton Cemetery.

Alpha was born on November 1, 1908 in Geneva, to Virgil and Hattie (Hicks) McCart. Alpha graduated from the Geneva Consolidated School. Alpha McCart and Floyd Kotenbrink were married on July 30, 1926, in Eldora and they were married for 71½ years. Alpha was a homemaker.

She was a member of the Geneva Untied Methodist Church and the Women’s Society. She enjoyed playing cards, shopping and traveling, taking many bus trips with her husband, Floyd.

Living family members include her daughter, Ramona (Denny) Schultz of Anamosa; two grandsons, Wade (Julie) Schultz of Lisbon and Lane Schultz of Lisbon; two great-grandchildren, Emily Schultz and Haiden “Hank” Smith; and two nephews, Darwin and Rodney Kotenbrink.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Delores; and a sister in infancy.
©Hampton Chronicle 2009

William “Bill” A. Shugar

September 16, 2009

William “Bill” A. Shugar, 89, of Ackley, died on Saturday, September 12, 2009, at the Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 15, at the St. John’s United Church of Christ in Ackley, with burial in the Oakwood Cemetery in Ackley. The Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley was in charge of the arrangements.

Bill was born on March 3, 1920 in Ackley, the son of John and Gertje (Rotgers) Shugar. He attended and graduated from the Ackley High School in 1939. He married Dorathy Rigbers on June 1, 1941, at her parent’s home. They had three children. He enjoyed farming, driving milk truck and clerking at the Ackley Sale Barn. He owned and operated Wm Shugar trucking from 1964-2000.

As a member of the St. John’s United Church of Christ, he founded the men’s chorus. He was a fifty plus year Mason in the Fountain Lodge #219. In 1989, he started the Music Makers, playing at nursing homes, parades and special events until 2000. He also taught square dancing.

Bill is survived by his wife, Dorathy; daughters, Marilyn (Harvey) Goracke of Philipsburg, Kansas and Carolyn (John) Ford of Humboldt; a son, Larry (Pamela) of Ackley; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and three sisters, Helen Yount, Bernice Teeter and Hazel Teske.
©Hampton Chronicle 2009

Lucille LuVergne Stille Bridges

September 16, 2009

Lucille LuVergne Stille Bridges, 91, of Thornton, died on Saturday, September 12, 2009, at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 15, at the United Methodist Church in Thornton, with burial in the Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme. The Retz Funeral Home in Thornton was in charge of the arrangements.

Lucille was born on October 4, 1917, on the family farm west of Klemme, the daughter of John J. and Clara (Gast) Stille. She attended rural school in Hancock County and graduated from the Klemme High School in 1935. After graduation she earned a teaching certificate from the Cedar Falls Teacher’s College and taught in rural schools around Klemme for several years. Lucille married Cecil Bridges on May 21, 1938, at the Methodist Parsonage in Northwood. Lucille and Cecil farmed for 31 years southeast of Thornton. In 1980, they retired and moved into Thornton.

Lucille was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Thornton, where she served on many committees and was very active in the United Methodist Women. She enjoyed writing skits and poems for various programs in the community. She took great pride in her garden, flowers and yard. Everyone who knew Lucille enjoyed her wit and sense of humor. She liked helping people, playing cards and spending time with her family.

Lucille is survived by three sons, Stanley (Marie) of Hampton, Rock (Suzanne) of Lake Mills and Chad (Sherry) of Plattsmouth, Nebraska; a sister, Fern Carlson of Clear Lake; sister-in-law, Grace Stille of Klemme; seven grandchildren, LeeAnn Wickwire, Sally Stanbrough, Barry Bridges, Brian Bridges, Gail Bridges, Laurie Bridges and Amy Teixeira; two step-grandchildren, Michele Holt and Clint Fielding; 14 great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; special niece, Carol Carlson and other special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil in 2006; her parents; a sister, Gertrude Beier; four brothers, Quentin, Kermit, George and Virgil; and one step-grandchild, Vince Fielding.
©Hampton Chronicle 2009

Marge Olson

September 30, 2009

Marge Olson, 84, of Hampton, died on Monday, September 21, 2009, at the Mercy Medical Center—North Iowa in Mason City.

Graveside services were held on Friday, September 25, at the Union Cemetery in Humboldt, with the Rev. David Sorenson officiating. The Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home of Hampton, was in charge of the arrangements.

Marge was born on May 25, 1925 in Humboldt, to Harry and Margaret (Fenn) Mayer. Marge grew up in Humboldt and also graduated from the Humboldt High School.  She was united in marriage to Leon Olson on March 3, 1946 in Thor. Marge was a stay-at-home mom to Jane and James. They lived in Humboldt until 1958, then moved to Hampton. Marge spent the last five years being cared for by the loving staff at the Franklin Prairie Apartments.

Marge was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hampton. She loved to golf, go on fishing vacations to northern Minnesota and attending Hampton-Dumont Bulldog athletic events.

Living family members include her son, James (Mary Lee) Olson of Cedar Falls; daughter, Jane (Larry) Alquist of Hampton; and granddaughters, Michelle Alquist of Hampton and Holly Olson of Cedar Falls.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leon; and sister, Harriet Lonning.
©Hampton Chronicle 2009

Diann J. Bonjour

September 30, 2009

Diann J. Bonjour, 55, of Dows, died on Monday, September 21, 2009, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, September 24, at the First Lutheran Church in Dows, with Pastor Bob Edward officiating. Burial was in the Hansell Cemetery. The Dugger Funeral Homes, Dows, was in charge of the arrangements.

Diann Jean, the daughter of James and Beverly Niver Thomas was born on July 31, 1954 in Mason City. She grew up in the Mason City and Clear Lake areas, where she attended school. Diann graduated from the Mason City High School in 1972. She worked for a time as a nurse’s assistant at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Mason City, but worked the majority of her life as a manufacturing technician. Most recently Diann had been working at Eaton in Belmond.

Diann was united in marriage to Wade Bonjour on July 27, 1996. The couple made their home in Dows. Diann enjoyed quilting, crochet and crafts. She enjoyed her dogs. Diann was an avid photographer and loved researching genealogy. Walking through cemeteries with Wade was just one of her many pastimes. Diann was most fond of spending time with her three grandchildren. Diann was an active member of the Franklin County Genealogic Society and a devoted member of the First Lutheran Church in Dows

Living family members include her husband, Wade; sons, Paul of Stanhope, Richard (Robin) of Marshalltown and Jamie (Jennifer) of Cummings; three grandchildren, Emma, Christian and Grace; her mother, Beverly Thomas of Mason City; three sisters, Carol, Sharon and Linda; five brothers, James, Robert, Jerry, Gary and Tim; and numerous other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father; maternal and paternal grandparents; and a nephew, Brandon Thomas.
©Hampton Chronicle 2009

Edward Christian Mutschler

September 30, 2009

Edward Christian Mutschler, passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, at his home in Bradford, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 26, at the St. Peter’s Church, rural Geneva.

Ed was born on December 1, 1933, to Fred and Maria Sailer Mutschler on the family farm outside of Geneva. He graduated from the Geneva High School. He enlisted in the Army. After he was discharged he took classes for carpentry and masonry which he used throughout his life. He married Ellan Barzze in 1957. They had two children, Laurie and Mariea and later divorced. In 1975 he married Mavis Collins.

Ed is survive by his daughters, Laurie Sunken of Tyler, Texas, Mariea Schnor of Fairbank, Tami Horton of Boulder, Colorado and Ina Rae Collins of Alden; sons, Dennis Trimble of Frankklinton, Louisiana, Lynn of Waterloo, Brian Collins of Des Moines and Kevin Collins of Hampton; sisters, Freda Emerson of Sacramento, California and Anna Mae Wiekert of Iowa Falls; a brother, Richard Mutschler of La Crosse, Wisconsin; 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; both wives; brothers, Elmer, Marvin and James; and a sister, Dorothy Dohlman.
©Hampton Chronicle 2009

Arthur L. Harms

September 30, 2009

Arthur L. Harms, 84, of Hampton, died on Thursday, September 24, 2009, at the Hampton Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 28, at the Immanuel United Church of Christ in Latimer, with burial in the Alexander Cemetery in Alexander. The Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton was in charge of the arrangements.

Arthur was born on August 16, 1925 in rural Alden, to Will D. and Rose (Graff) Harms. He attended the Thornton High School. Arthur was united in marriage to Lila F. Wendt on June 14, 1953, in Dumont. He worked for Franklin County and also lived and worked for a short time in Silver Bay, Minnesota. He later retired from John Deere in Ankeny where he worked as a welder.

Arthur was a member of the Immanuel United Church of Christ in Latimer. He enjoyed visiting with people and going on trips.

Living family members include his wife, Lila of Hampton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his son, Jerry.
©Hampton Chronicle 2009

Leona Barbara Johnson

September 30, 2009

Leona Barbara Johnson, 97, of Hampton, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2009, at the Franklin General Hospital Nursing Facility in Hampton.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, September 29, from 4-7:00 p.m., at the Sietsema- Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, September 30, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hampton, with the Rev. David Sorenson officiating. Burial will be in the Alexander Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Hospice of North Iowa or to the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hampton.

Leona was born on July 12, 1912 on a farm near Meservey, to John and Mary (Schuetz) Wenzel. Leona was baptized and confirmed at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Belmond. She graduated form the Alexander High School in 1930. Leona married John Johnson on June 1, 1935, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hampton. They lived on several farms in Franklin County. In 1972, they moved to Latimer to their home. John passed away in 1987 and then Leona moved to Hampton in 1998.

She was a homemaker and a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hampton. Leona enjoyed quilting and she loved her church and Bible study.

Leona is survived by her sons, Gareld (Lois) Johnson of Bella Vista, Arkansas and Charles (Cindy) Johnson of Mason City; grandchildren, Todd (Molly) Johnson of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Scott (April) Johnson of Crawfordsville, Indiana, Randy (Susan) Johnson of Manhattan, Kansas and Danial (Erica) Johnson of Louisville, Nebraska; and great-grandchildren, Natheniel, Stephanee, Geneva, Thomas, Meredith, Serena, Georgia, Louisa, Ella and a new October baby.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four brothers; two sisters; and one brother and one sister in infancy.
©Hampton Chronicle 2009