Wilmer Landherr

April 7, 2004

Wilmer Landherr, 86, of Stacyville, died on Thursday, April 1, 2004, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 5, at 10:30 a.m., at the Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville, Iowa, with Rev. Mark Reasoner officiating. Interment was in the Visitation Catholic Cemetery, Stacyville.

Wilmer was born on April 5, 1917 in Adams, Minnesota, to Aloysious and Elizabeth (Heumann) Landherr. He grew up near Rose Creek, Minnesota. On October 14, 1944, he married Evangeline Gerber in Johnsburg, Minnesota and spent his entire married life on the farm west of Stacyville. To this union were born five sons and five daughters.

Wilmer enjoyed hunting and trapping, attending auction sales and playing cards. He was a 21-year member of the Board of Directors at the Stacyville Community Nursing Home where he served as Secretary for many years. He was also active on the Visitation School Board and with the Knights of Columbus.

Wilmer is survived by his wife of 59 years, Evangeline; ten children, James of Cedar Rapids, Ronald (Audrey) of Marion, Mary Jean (David) Johnson of DeWitt, Janet (Dwight) Jorgensen of St. Ansgar, Kathryn (Wayne) Halvorson of Chatfield, Minnesota, Thomas (Elaine) and Harold (Vicki) both of Stacyville, Annette Hagen of Northwood, Ruth (James) Dieterich of Galesburg, Illinois and John (Annette) of Marshalltown; 33 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Velma Matheis of Adams, Minnesota, Betty Landherr of LeRoy, Minnesota and Louise Landherr of Austin, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eugene Landherr; sister, Rosella Jorgenson; son-in-law, Robert Hagen; and grandchildren, Michelle Johnson and Daniel Hagen.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2004 Mitchell County Press

Marianne Weaverling

April 7, 2004

Marianne Weaverling, 66, of Osage, died at her home on Thursday, April 1, 2004.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, April 6, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage. The Reverend Mark Reasoner officiated. Interment was in the Osage Cemetery.

Marianne Weaverling, was born on April 21, 1937 in Ironwood, Michigan, the daughter of Richard and Wilma (Korhonen) Rushford. She was united in marriage to Melvin Weaverling on June 26, 1954 in Detroit, Michigan. They lived their entire married life in Osage.

Marianne was a Cub Scout Leader, a member of the Mitchell County Hospital Auxiliary, Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Sacred Heart Guild. Marianne enjoyed doing crafts.

Marianne's survivors include her husband, Melvin Weaverling of Osage; one son, Michael Weaverling and his wife, Melinda and their children, Kristen and Bradley of Cedar Rapids; one daughter, Marilyn Weaverling of Fairchance, Pennsylvania; five sisters, Carol Kuzdak and her husband, Richard of Detroit, Michigan, Sandra Abraham of Indianapolis, Indiana, Ginny Leto of Bell, California, Donna Sanchez of Fort Worth, Texas and Carlo Albro of Indianapolis, Indiana; and one brother, Richard Rushford and his wife, Patty of Eugene, Oregon.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, had charge of the arrangements.
© 2004 Mitchell County Press

Ralph Cummings

April 14, 2004

Ralph Cummings, age 89, of Osage, died on Saturday, April 10, 2004, at the Iowa Odd Fellows and Orphans Home in Mason City.

A graveside inurnment service will be held at 3:30 p.m., on Friday, April 16, at the Osage Cemetery. Reverend Robert Melhorn will officiate.

Ralph Cummings, was born on January 23, 1915 in Osage, the son of William and Clara (Bird) Cummings. He graduated from the St. Ansgar High School in 1936. Ralph was united in marriage to Mary Gavetta Roberts on March 2, 1945. They lived and farmed the Cummings family farm six miles north of Osage until 1955, when they moved to Osage. Ralph worked for the City of Osage until his retirement in 1980. Mary Gavetta Cummings died in 1956. Ralph married Elizabeth Cechak on June 6, 1959 in Osage. He was a member of the IOOF and enjoyed fishing.

His survivors include his wife, Elizabeth of Osage; two daughters, Mary (Ken) Johnson of Charles City and their son, Justin Johnson, Kathy Nicholson of Rudd and her five children, Kristin and Jamie Nicholson, Rachel Hansen, Cody Hansen and Alex Hansen; one son, Robert (Judy) Cummings of Marshalltown and their three children, Shannon (Bill) Jambard, Stacey (Nathan) Bellinger and Scott Cummings; one sister, Martha Haehn of Grand Meadow, Minnesota; and three great-grandchildren.

Ralph was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Gavetta in 1956; six brothers; and five sisters.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, had charge of the arrangements.
© 2004 Mitchell County Press

Rex J. Willis

April 14, 2004

Rex J. Willis, passed away at the Riceville Community Rest Home, on Saturday, April 10, 2004.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 17, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville, at 10:30 a.m. The Reverend Ray E. Atwood will officiate. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Riceville.  Friends may call at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Riceville, on Friday, April 16, from 4-7:00 p.m. A rosary will be recited by the Knights of Columbus at 6:00 p.m. and a scripture service at 7:00 p.m. The family request in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to the Sister Elizabeth Martin and Earl and Mabel Willis Scholarship funds at Mt. Mercy College.

Rex James Willis, was born in Riceville, Iowa, on June 23, 1910, to Earl James and Mabel Martin Willis. Following his graduation in 1928 from the Riceville High School, Rex worked in a variety of roles including working as Riceville's assistant postmaster. He attended Gates Business College in Waterloo for two years. In 1942, he began working at Riceville's First National Bank, but later that same year joined the U.S. Army, serving as a sergeant in the New Guinea and Philippine Campaigns. At the end of his World War II service he returned to the First National Bank as bookkeeper and janitor. During these years he completed his diploma at the School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He worked his way through the ranks at First National Bank ultimately serving as president and chairman of the board before retiring in 1997. He led the bank through years of growth and change and left it a strong institution.

Rex was a lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Church and was involved in its building committee when the new church was built. He also served as director and treasurer for the Calvary Cemetery for over 50 years and was a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus (3rd degree, Osage and 4th degree Ossian). Rex was active in the development of Lake Hendricks, which he saw as an enduring tribute to his close friend Buck Hendricks. He was also active in the design and building of the Riceville Rest Home, serving as director and treasurer for over 25 years. He also served as a board member for the Riceville Hospital and Riceville Development Corporation and was a 50-year member of the Riceville Community Club.

Other services included serving as a member and finance officer of American Legion Post #244, treasurer of Avenue of Flags for Jenkins Township Cemetery, Riceville and treasurer of the Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail. Rex served his community as a philanthropist giving to worthy local and regional religious, educational and community service causes over the years. He looked beyond Riceville and endowed scholarships at Loras College and Mt. Mercy College designed to help local students interested in pursuing their educations. Thus at Mt. Mercy, the Sister Elizabeth Martin and Earl and Mabel Willis Scholarships honor others thanks to him. Willis spent countless hours hiking and fishing with his nephews and will be remembered as a gentle, loving man who cared for his family. Their world, this world is a little better, thanks to him.

Rex is survived by one sister, Florence (Willis) Waltman of Canon City, Colorado; four nephews, William George (Elsa) Waltman of San Antonio, Texas, James Vincent (Phyllis) Waltman of Canon City, John Lawrence (Jean) Waltman of Tecumseh, Michigan and Robert Frederick (Lynn) Waltman of Greeley, Colorado; a number of Martin cousins in the Riceville area and innumerable friends.

The Lindstrom Funeral Home, Riceville, had charge of the arrangements.
© 2004 Mitchell County Press

Walter V. Niemeyer

April 28, 2004

Walter V. Niemeyer, 71, of Shell Rock, Iowa, died Monday morning, April 19, 2004, at his home of natural causes.

Graveside services were held on Wednesday, April 21, at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Nashua, with Pastor Keith Tomlinson officiating.

Walter was born on August 11, 1932 in Wycoff, Minnesota, the son of Walter and Verna (Chinnow) Niemeyer. Walter attended school in Waltham, Minnesota through the eighth grade. Following school he helped his grandfather on the farm until being drafted during the Korean War. He served in the Army from 1953 until being honorably discharged in 1955. After the war, Walter moved to Clarksville where he worked at Chamberlin's Manufacturing and Clay Manufacturing. Walter later began working as a mechanic in Shell Rock for several years until he went to work for the Rock Island Railroad and the Iowa Northern Railroad, where he worked for 20 years.

After retiring from the railroad in 1991, Walter enjoyed his free time collecting radios. Walter enjoyed boating, collecting radios, his two dogs, and especially spending time with his family and friends.

Walter is survived by his wife, Grace of Shell Rock; one son, Michael and his wife, Erin of Osage; one granddaughter, Brianna of Osage; and one sister, Donna Hughes of Aplington.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

The Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home, Shell Rock, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2004 Mitchell County Press

Gladys A. (Kruger) Grant

April 28, 2004

Gladys A. (Kruger) Grant, age 82, of Osage, died on Thursday, April 22, 2004, at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 26, at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage, with Rev. Dennis Hanson and Rev. Roy Ott officiating. Interment was in the Grafton Cemetery.

Gladys was born on April 25, 1921 in Worth County near Grafton, the daughter of Alvin and Esther (Walk) Kruger. She attended rural schools, Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls and received her B.A. Degree at Coe College in Cedar Rapids. She taught elementary education, art and home economics for 27 years. Gladys was united in marriage to George Grant on August 8, 1948 in Manly. They lived in various communities in Iowa and Minnesota. They moved to Osage in 1980. George died in 1988.

Gladys taught Sunday School for many years. She was a member of the Our Savior's Lutheran church. Her hobbies included anything creative with a brush and paint, also whatever a needle and thread can produce. Many of her pictures are displayed in family homes.

Gladys is survived by four sisters, Dora (David) Runyon of Council Bluffs, Ruth (Philip) Erdmann of Osage, Clarice (Robert) Wilde of Osage and Deanna (Gary) Sande of St. Paul, Minnesota; four brothers, Rev. Harold (Jacqueline) Kruger of Geneseo, New York, Edward (Maxine) Kruger of Grafton, Rev. Robert Kruger of Rock Island, Illinois and Allen Kruger and special friend, Loretta of Morrisville, Missouri; brother-in-law, James R. Davis of Mason City; two sisters-in-law, Juanita Kruger and Rose Marie Kruger, both of Northwood; and 24 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George in 1988; one sister, Myrtle Davis; one infant brother, Richard Kruger and two brothers, Harvey Kruger and Walter Kruger.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2004 Mitchell County Press

Ray Smolik

April 28, 2004

Ray Smolik, 91, of Osage, died on Thursday, April 22, 2004, at the St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 27, at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage, with Reverend Dennis Hanson and Reverend Roy Ott officiating. Interment was in the Osage Cemetery.

Ray Smolik, was born on November 7, 1912 in Brainard, Nebraska, the son of Frank and Anna (Cejka) Smolik. He attended school in Brainard and North Dakota and moved with his family to Iowa ending up in the Osage area in 1927, where he attended the Little Cedar High School. He farmed near Osage, in Burr Oak Township. Ray was co-founder and 40-year member of "Antique Acres" near Cedar Falls. He was also co-founder of "Cedar Valley Memories" in Osage. He was very interested in steam engines, other farm implements and antique autos.

He is survived by two sisters, Helen Lund of Stanwood and Lydia Deal of Boone; one brother, Duane Smolik of San Jose, California; and several nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, George Smolik, Ernest Smolik and Ed Smolik; and two sisters, Adeline Michels and Libbie Smolik.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2004 Mitchell County Press

Alice Ferne Hockens

May 5, 2004

Alice Ferne Hockens, age 92, of Osage, died on Monday, April 26, 2004, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, April 29, at the Little Cedar United Methodist Church. The Reverend Jay Amundson officiated. Interment was in the Little Cedar Cemetery.

Ferne was born on April 22, 1912, near Perry, Iowa, the daughter of Earl and Minne E. (Harrold) Crannell. She graduated from the Perry High School. Ferne received her teacher's certificate from Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls and later her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Upper Iowa University. She taught in the Little Cedar Consolidated Schools and later at Pella, Iowa. During World War II, she moved to California, where she worked at a Lockheed Aircraft Plant. Following World War II, Ferne was united in marriage to Charles F. Hockens on November 22, 1945 in Phoenix, Arizona. They returned to Little Cedar, where they engaged in farming and where Ferne resumed her teaching career in the Riceville School System.

Music was very important to Ferne. She was involved with the Mitchell County Chorus, church choir, was an organist and gave piano lessons. She was a member of the Cedar Valley Retired School Personnel.

Her survivors include a son, Wendell Hockens and his wife, Gala of Omaha, Nebraska and their children, Michael Hockens and Pamela (Nathan) Marticke; one daughter, Judy Wilkes and her husband, Milo of Riceville and their children, Teresa and fiancée, Drew Larson and David (Julie) Wilkes; and five great-grandchildren.

Preceding Ferne in death were her parents; husband, Charles Hockens in 1997; and one sister, Ruth Edwards.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2004 Mitchell County Press

Maurice L. Lines

May 5, 2004

Maurice L. Lines, 73, of Marble Rock, died on Monday, April 26, 2004, at his home in rural Marble Rock.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, April 29, at the Marble Rock Community Center, with Pastor Patricia Shaw of St. Paul's Lutheran Church officiating. Burial was in the Westside Cemetery, Marble Rock, with military honors conducted by the Stroud Gates Post 387, American Legion of Marble Rock.

Maurice Lee Lines, was born on September 18, 1930, in rural Ulster Township, Floyd County, a son of Henry Charles and Clara Anna (Schafer) Lines. He received his education at the Marble Rock Public School, graduating in 1948. While in high school and following graduation, he was a baseball catcher for both the Marble Rock and Rockford town teams. He even tried out for the minor leagues with the Chicago White Sox. On January 5, 1951, he entered the United States Navy, serving during the Korean Conflict. Following his honorable discharge on August 12, 1954, he returned home to Marble Rock, where he farmed with his father and brother before starting out on his own. He was united in marriage to Carole Doreen Spurgeon in June 1955. To this union were born three children.

Maurice served as the Union Township Clerk since 1966, and was a life member of the Floyd County Farm Bureau, having served on its board and several committees. He was a member of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association. He was currently Commander of the Stroud Gates Post 387 American Legion of Marble Rock. On September 27, 1985, he was united in marriage to Dorothy (Paulus) Heffron at the Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford. Since 1995 they wintered in Mercedes, Texas.

Maurice was an avid pool player, who played in several leagues in the area. He enjoyed playing cards and cribbage. He will be remembered for all the jokes he loved to tell and the jokes he played on others.

Living family members include his loving wife, Dorothy of Marble Rock; his children, Terri (Jim) Engels of Rockford, Sandi (Carl) Snyder of Vernal, Utah and Randy Lines of Marble Rock; three step-children, Deb Jacobs, Cherie (James) Merritt, all of Osage and Julie (Larry) Ackley of Carpenter; five grandchildren, Eric, Marc, and Gregory Engels, Vicki and Derek Lines; seven step-grandchildren, Trisha (Jayme) Sedars, Christy (Josh) Willis, Shawn (Alison) Newhouse, Todd Krones, Eric, Andrew, and Savanna Young; eight step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Lavina Morphew of Marion; and several nieces and nephews.

He leaves to join his parents; brother, Walter; and step-daughter, Kathie McCready.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Reid's Funeral Chapel, Marble Rock.
© 2004 Mitchell County Press

Gerald "G.T." Scheer

May 5, 2004

Gerald "G.T." Scheer, age 76, died on Tuesday, April 27, 2004, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.

A Memorial Mass was held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, April 30, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, with Rev. Mark Reasoner officiating. Inurnment was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, with Military Honors at the grave by the Osage American Legion Post 278 and Osage VFW Post 7920.

Gerald was born on May 1, 1927, in Hamburg, North Dakota, the son of Elmer and Johanna (Jordan) Scheer. He received his diploma from the Visitation High School in Stacyville. Gerald served in the U.S. Navy during WW II on the Destroyer Kyes. He married Mary Schumacher on July 19, 1947, at Stacyville. They lived in Estherville and Pipestone, Minnesota, returning to Osage in 1965. Gerald retired from White Farm in Charles City.

He was a member of the Osage American Legion Post 278 and of the Osage VFW Post 7920. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Scheer of Osage; three daughters, Karen (Steve) McCormick of Bismarck, North Dakota, Jane (Nick) Fox of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Sue (Paul) Shepperdson of Bemidji, Minnesota; four sons, Tom (Carol) Scheer of Arlington, Texas, Tim (Judy) Scheer of Lakeville, Minnesota, Pat Scheer of Osage and Michael Scheer of Osage; one sister, Jeanette (Jean) Schilling of Charles City; one brother, Don (Jean) Scheer of Denver, Iowa; 17 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Kay Hatten.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2004 Mitchell County Press

Dale Richard Warburton

May 5, 2004

Dale Richard Warburton, age 75, of Riceville, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2004, at his residence.

Dale requested no funeral services be held. The Lindstrom Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Dale was born on October 20, 1928, in Jamestown Township north of Riceville, to John and Zeffie Ford Warburton. He attended local schools graduating from the Riceville High School. Dale served his country in the U.S. Army from January 12, 1951 to April 8, 1957. He worked as a trucker during his life. On October 14, 1972, Dale was united in marriage to Kathryn Ring at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lime Springs, Iowa.

Known to all as "Warby", Dale felt warmly welcomed in our community for many years. He could not be in town without being greeted with "Hi, Warby." It made him so happy to have so many friends. Warby's family would like to thank everyone who knew and acknowledged him.

Dale is survived by his wife, Kathryn of Riceville; sons, Douglas Neal Warburton and his wife, Susan and their children, Adam and Megan of Northwood, Iowa, Darrell Warburton and his children, Sara and Heather of Osage, Iowa and Phillip Taylor of Riceville, Shirley and her husband, Kevin Reis and their child, Dannille, Nita Thompson and her husband, Jim and their children, Douglas and Angela of Mesa, Arizona; three sisters, Evelyn Anderson and her husband, Harold of Riceville, Lois Eidness of Osage and Maryette Mentel of Waterloo, Iowa.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Donna Hattimer; two brothers, Harry and "Bill" Warburton; and three sisters, Lenora Gansen, Grace Warburton and Dolores Lambers.
© 2004 Mitchell County Press

Thomas R. Kleckner

May 5, 2004

Thomas R. Kleckner, age 48, died on Friday, April 30, 2004, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center-Hospice Unit in Osage.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, May 6, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, with Rev. Mark Reasoner officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 5, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, with a scripture service at 7:00 p.m. Private inurnment will be in the St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery in New Haven.

Thomas was born on June 5, 1955 in Osage, the son of Bernard and Betty (Francis) Kleckner. He attended school in Osage and graduated from the Osage Community High School. Thomas worked in Texas for six years, and then he moved back to Iowa where he worked construction throughout the area. He was united in marriage to Renee Sherwood in 1987, in Las Vegas, Nevada. To this union one son, Dylan was born. The couple later divorced. For the past three years he had worked for Mastec, Inc. out of Hugo, Minnesota.

He enjoyed fishing, golf, and spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his mother, Betty Kleckner of Osage; one son, Dylan Kleckner of La Porte City; two sisters, Diane (Gary) Krebsbach of Osage and Carol Kleckner of Osage; three brothers, Duane (Maureen) Kleckner of Huntington Beach, California, Larry (Diane) Kleckner of Audubon and Richard (Mavin) Kleckner of Huntington Beach, California; and several nieces and nephews.

Thomas was preceded in death by his father, Bernard Kleckner in 1992.

The Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2004 Mitchell County Press