Cody Lee Mobley

November 5, 2007

Cody Lee Mobley, age 14, of Osage, died on Friday, November 2, 2007, of injuries he received in a car accident near Osage.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, November 6, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, with Msgr. Stanley Hayek officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Cody was born on March 20, 1993, the son of Kent and Judy (Hemann) Mobley. He was a 9th grader at the Osage High School. He participated in band, football, wrestling, track and baseball. Cody was making a shelf for his parents in shop class. This year Cody played football and was on both the 9th and 10th grade teams. Cody, in one game, made 12 tackles.

He was a member of the Sacred Heart Church and went to church every Sunday and attended CCD. Cody was always busy. He never sat in the house unless it was too cold or raining. He had two gardens and mowed several lawns. He was kind hearted and enjoyed doing odd jobs for his grandmother. Cody liked to hunt and fish. He enjoyed fishing trips to Brainerd with his family and will be missed by his hunting buddies Kent, Ben, Chris, Jonathon and Bruce.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Richard Mobley; and maternal grandfather, Albert Hemann.

Cody is survived by his parents, Kent and Judy Mobley and brother, Ben of Osage; maternal grandmother, Madonna Hemann of Osage; paternal grandmother, Donna Mobley of Osage; uncles and aunts, Bruce (Donna) Mobley of Mason City, Randy Mobley of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Nancy Heinz of Mason City, Richard (Sheila) Hemann of Austin, Minnesota and David (Brenda) Hemann of Elkton, Minnesota; and many cousins.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage.
© 2007 Mitchell County Press

Norma Jean Moen

November 13, 2007

Norma Jean Moen, 72, of Nora Springs, died on Saturday, November 10, 2007, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City, following a long illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, November 16, 2007, at the Sheckler Colonial Chapel, Nora Springs, with Reverend Dennis Ganz officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Grove Cemetery, rural Nora Springs. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, and one hour prior to the service time on Friday at the chapel.

Norma Jean Moen, was born on June 27, 1935 in Osage, Iowa, the daughter of Wilder and Fama (McFarland) Lovejoy. She attended and received her education in the Osage Community School.

Norma worked at the Osage Nursing Home, Hy-Line Chicks, and E.F. Johnson in Clear Lake, and was a supervisor at Unisys for a while before taking early retirement after many years.

Some of Norma's interests were cooking, quilting, sewing and her favorite passions were Pool League tournaments and her granddaughter, Rachel.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Gene Moen of Nora Springs; her children, Vickie (Bill) Norby of Rudd, Rickie (Sandy) Bly of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Michelle (Keith) Warner of Rockford and Kelly (Dean) Miller of Mason City; step-children, Scott (Staci) Moen of Austin, Minnesota, Kathy (Mike) Stowe of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Donna Moen of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Christy Moen of Ottawa, Kansas; 12 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; a sister, Judi (John) Lane of Charles City; and many nieces, nephews as well as other relatives and friends.

Her parents; a son, Joseph Bly; and a brother, Robert Lovejoy preceded her in death.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Sheckler Colonial Chapel.
© 2007 Mitchell County Press

Charles D. Eastman

November 13, 2007

Charles D. Eastman, age 87, of McIntire, Iowa, passed away on Sunday evening, November 11, 2007, at the Riceville Family Care and Therapy Center in Riceville.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 15, 2007, at 1:00 p.m., at the Riceville United Methodist Church in Riceville, with Rev. Pam Kranzler officiating. Burial will be in the Wayne Cemetery, east of McIntire. Friends may call on Wednesday, from 4-7aaa;00 p.m., at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Riceville and one hour before the services at the church on Thursday.
© 2007 Mitchell County Press

Wilfred G. Kruger

November 20, 2007

Wilfred G. Kruger, age 85, of Grafton, died on Monday, November 12, 2007, at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, November 17, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, with Rev. Wayne Ellingson and Irmgard Ellingson, Associate in Ministry, officiating. Burial was in the St. John's Cemetery, Rock Township.

Wilfred was born on March 12, 1922 in Worth County near Grafton, Iowa, the son of Alfred and Lydia (Kirchgatter) Kruger. He was baptized on March 13, 1922 and confirmed on April 10, 1938, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton. Wilfred worked as a farm hand in the area. He loved to fish and hunt. He enjoyed doing crafts and making items with beads. Wilfred always shared whatever he had. He enjoyed children, especially his nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Evelyn Steinberg; a brother, Elery Kruger; a niece, Shirley Fossey; two brothers-in-law, Roy Rachut and Harley Walk.

Wilfred is survived by his sister, Alphia Walk of Northfield, Minnesota; a sister-in-law, Lavonne "Bonnie" Kruger of Grafton; a brother-in-law, Edwin (Maxine) Steinberg of St. Ansgar; nieces and nephews, Frederick (Karen) Steinberg and family of St. Ansgar, Carol (Lellen) Jones and family of Covington, Georgia, Mary (Al) Greenman and family of Austin, Minnesota, Darlene (Verle) Zuehl and family of Worcester, Massachusetts, Betty (Stan) Brumm and family of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Tom Kruger and family of Grafton, Jim (Rose) Kruger and family of Grafton, Mike (Jeanie) Kruger and family of Grand Junction, Colorado, Joel (Julie) Kruger and family of St. Ansgar and Jon Kruger and family of Hanna, Indiana.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage.
© 2007 Mitchell County Press

Gertrude Hommez

November 13, 2007

Gertrude Marie Hommez, age 90, of Osage, died on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, at the Faith Home in Osage.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, November 16, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, with Msgr. Stanley Hayek officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, with a Rosary at 4:30 p.m. and a Scripture Wake Service at 6:30 p.m.

Gertrude was born on May 10, 1917 at Stacyville, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Ida (Weber) Juenger. She was educated in the Catholic Schools at Stacyville. Gertrude married Louis Hommez on September 14, 1937 at Stacyville. They lived in Chicago and returned in 1940 to farm the family farm near Stacyville. In 1946, they moved to the farm near Osage. They retired and moved into Osage in 1982 and moved to the Evergreen Apartments in January 2003.

Gertrude was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage and was a member and past president of the Sacred Heart Guild. In earlier years, Gertrude and Louis were active in the Farm Bureau. Gertrude was an excellent cook, enjoyed playing cards with friends in card clubs, and enjoyed mowing and taking care of her home. She especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and five brothers, Clem, Ray, Francis, Luke and Vernon Juenger.

Gertrude is survived by her husband, Louis Hommez of Osage; a daughter, Sharon (Eugene) O'Brien of Ankeny and their children, Darcy (Ken) Chesser, Kelly (Kevin) Lange, Kyle O'Brien and Kerry O'Brien; a son, Bob (Mary) Hommez of Osage and their children, Michael (Susan) Hommez, Teri (Rick) Pitzen, Matthew (Jennifer) Hommez and Nicholas (Keri) Hommez; eight great-grandchildren; three sisters, Barbara Collier of St. James, Minnesota, Elizabeth Spitz of Osage and Mary Ann Lammers of Spring Valley, Minnesota; three brothers, Danny (Beverly) Juenger of Rochester, Minnesota, Virgil (Louise) Juenger of Stacyville and Ronnie Juenger of St. Ansgar.

Funeral arrangements were made by theChampion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage.
© 2007 Mitchell County Press

Kenneth Bechtum

November 20, 2007

Kenneth Lee Bechtum, age 81, of Riceville, passed away at the Mitchell County Health Care in Osage, Iowa, on Thursday November 15, 2007.

Funeral services were held at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Riceville, on Monday, November 19, 2007, at 10:30 a.m., with Rev. Michael Parris officiating. Burial was in the Riverside Cemetery in Riceville.

Kenneth was born on April 20, 1926, on the family farm west of Riceville, to Fred and Elsie (Witt) Bechtum. He attended local schools and was a graduate of the Riceville High school. Shortly after graduation Kenneth joined the U.S. Navy where he served during WW II as a radio man.

On December 8, 1948, Kenneth was united in marriage to Maxine Perry at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco and they were together for nearly 59 years. Ken farmed the family farm and his love of farming and Angus cattle were passed down to his children, David And Judith. He lived his life doing the work he loved, on the land he loved, with the people he loved.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine of Riceville; a son, David and his wife, Marlis of Riceville; a daughter, Judith Bechtum and her husband, John Anderson of Webster, Minnesota; and three grandchildren, Elizabeth, Allison, and Ted Bechtum; two brothers, Robert and Sharon Bechtum of Mohave Valley, Arizona and Mark and his wife, Sharon of Fridley, Minnesota; and a sister, Merna Barnhart of Union, Missouri.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Elsie (Witt) Bechtum; and one brother, Rollin Bechtum.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Lindstrom Funeral Home, Riceville.
© 2007 Mitchell County Press

Marvin Francis Thompson

November 20, 2007

Marvin Francis Thompson, 77, of Mason City, Iowa, died on Friday, November 16, 2007, after complications from brain surgery, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, November 20, at the First United Methodist Church, Mason City, with Reverend Jim Stiles officiating. Interment was in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, with full military honors conducted by members of the Mason City Veteran's Memorial Association.

Marvin Francis Thompson, was born on July 18, 1930 in Sexton, the son of Dale L. and Marion (Francis) Thompson. He attended the Rudd Community Schools, later working as a mechanic. In 1949, he began worked for the Local Union 67, in Des Moines as an iron worker.

Marvin was united in marriage to Patricia Huntley on June 2, 1950 in Osage. In 1952, he was drafted into the United States Marine Corps. serving different areas of the world, and was honorably discharged. After his time in the service he continued to work for the Local Union 67.

Marvin was an avid NASCAR fan, owning his own stock car for many years. He enjoyed helping anyone he could! His greatest love was spending time with his family and friends. Along with being a good handy man, he enjoyed fixing cars. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Mason City, V.F.W. and American Legion.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Pat Thompson of Mason City; children, Cheryl (Duane) Hicok of Mason City and Kim (Jim) Benttine of Little Cedar; mother-in-law, Olga Huntley of Mason City; grandchildren, Pamela Diekhuis of Mason City, Jennifer Mallo of Mason City, Nicole (Darin) DeWalle of Osage and Kelly Harbacheck of Mason City; great-grandchildren, Jamison Diekhuis, Dylan Mallo and Maleah Benttine; four step-grandchildren; siblings, Dean (Irene) Thompson of Osage and Shirley Sletten of Osage; brothers-in-law, Greg Barker of Little Cedar and Charles (Bev) Huntley of Oakdale, Minnesota; along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Marion Thompson; sister, Phyllis Barker; brother-in-law, Darrell Sletten; father-in-law, Charles "Bud" Huntley; and son-in-law, Terry Diekhuis.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel.
© 2007 Mitchell County Press

Truman Edgar Knudtson

November 20, 2007

Truman Edgar Knudtson, 77, of Northwood, died on Friday, November 16, 2007, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, November 19, 2007, at the Bethany Lutheran Church, Kensett, with Reverend Tom Martin and Reverend Dennis Ganz officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. The family of Truman Knudtson has requested that memorial contributions be made to the charity of ones choice in his memory.

Truman Edgar Knudtson, was born on December 22, 1929 in Lake Mills, the son of Arthur and Rosecelia (Branstad) Knudtson. He was baptized and reaffirmed his baptism through confirmation at the Winnebago Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills. He attended rural country school in Winnebago, County and one year at Lake Mills before graduating from the Fertile High School.

Truman worked for Harley and Bob Ouverson, farming for several years South West of Fertile. He was united in marriage to Phyllis Ouverson on June 6, 1949, at the Church of Christ in Fertile, and also reaffirmed his baptism. Truman moved to Northwood and began working for a number of years for Donald Martin Construction. Truman owned and operated the North Iowa Builders Construction Company in Northwood, Tom's Lumber Company in Manly, and also the Northwood Lumber Company until his retirement in 1993.

He was united in marriage to Phyllis Erickson on October 10, 1998, at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Kensett.

He was a member of the Fertile Church of Christ and a former member of the J.C.'s, Lions Club, and the Northwood-Kensett Booster Club.

Truman loved and enjoyed his occupation and was very proud of his many construction projects, and he also enjoyed gardening.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Phyllis Knudtson of Northwood; his children, Dan (Lois) Knudtson of Roland, Mark (Connie) Knudtson of Osage, LuAnn (Bill) Alexander of Winthrop, Minnesota and Tammy (Jeff Overgaard) Knudtson of St. Peter, Minnesota; step-children, LuAnne (Robert) Nelson of Wenatchee, Washington and JoAnne (Marty) Martin of Northwood; grandchildren, Brian (Tamara) Knudtson, John (Jill) Knudtson, Anne (Aaron) Street, Joseph (Katie) Knudtson, Tom Knudtson, Matthew (Lindsay) Alexander, Jim (Chrissy) Alexander, Rachael (Mike) Newman, Jenna Alexander, Kasey Overgaard, Megan Overgaard and Halle Overgaard; step-grandchildren, Eric Nelson, Katie Nelson, Jon (Kelly) Geerlings, Doug Millard, Trent Millard and Trisha Millard; great-grandchildren, Kaelan Knudtson, Meredith Street, Quinn Street, William Knudtson and Oren Alexander; and one step-great-grandson, Avery Geerlings; three sisters, Dorothy Christianson of Lake Mills, Mavis (Roger) Bolstad of Lake Mills and Jean (Gordon) Hagen of Lake Mills; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Phyllis who died on September 5, 1995; his grandson, Karl Knudtson who died on February 15, 2003; his sister, Arlene Hill; and a brother-in-law, Kelly Christianson.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Conner Colonial Chapel.
© 2007 Mitchell County Press

Bill Kenny

November 20, 2007

Bill Kenny, age 84, of Osage, died on Monday, November 19, 2007, at the Faith Home in Osage.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, November 24, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, with Msgr. Stanley Hayek officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, with military honors at the grave by the Osage American Legion Post 278. Visitation will be from 4-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, with a rosary at 4:30 p.m. and a scripture wake service at 6:30 p.m.

Bill was born on August 28, 1923 in Lawler, Iowa, the son of William Henry and Ella (McCabe) Kenny. Bill was educated in country schools. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II. Bill was united in marriage to Joan Tubbs on May 4, 1950, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage.

He worked at Oliver's in Charles City and for 25 years operated a portable feed mill. Bill drove school bus for the Osage Community Schools for 15 years. He also operated a junk business for many years. Bill was a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Osage American Legion Post 278. Bill loved to fish with his children, grandchildren, and buddies, young and old.

Bill is survived by his wife, Joan Kenny of Osage; two sons, Tom (Eve) Kenny of Osage and their children, McCabe and Connell and Bob (Sue) Kenny of Mason City and their children, Adam and Danielle; one daughter, Mary (Randy) Hanke of Stacyville and their children, John, Luke and Christopher; and one brother, Patrick Kenny of Phoenix, Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Phyllis Parr and Helen Fox.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home.
© 2007 Mitchell County Press

Jeannette Caster

November 27, 2007

Jeannette C. Caster, 86, of Jesup, Iowa and formerly of Osage, died on Friday, November 23, 2007, at the Buchanan County Health Center, Independence, Iowa, following a short illness.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, November 26, 2007, at the St. Athanasius Catholic Church, Jesup. Burial was in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Osage. Memorials will be directed to the American Diabetes Association.

Mrs. Caster is survived by four daughters; one son; 15 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
© 2007 Mitchell County Press

Hildegarde L. Staff

November 27, 2007

Hildegarde L. Staff, age 94, of Osage, died on Monday, November 26, 2007, at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, December 1, at the Rock Creek Lutheran Church, Osage, with Rev. R. Dawson Tornes officiating. There will be a time for lunch and fellowship at the church following the memorial service.

According to her wishes, her body was donated to the University of Iowa Medical School. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Rock Creek Lutheran Cemetery.

Hildegarde was born on April 5, 1913 in East Cedar Township, Mitchell County, the daughter of Gustav and Alvina (Hartwig) Troge. She was baptized and confirmed at the St. John's Lutheran Church, Cedar Township. Hildegarde graduated from the Osage High School in 1931.

She married Rudolph Anderson on June 23, 1940. Rudolph was killed in action during World War II. She married Hans Staff on November 16, 1947 in Osage. They owned and operated the Staff Garage in rural Osage.

Hildegarde was a faithful member of the Rock Creek Lutheran Church at Meroa, where she was a member of the Rachel Circle. She was a past president of Osage American Legion Post 278 Auxiliary.

Hildegarde is survived by a son, Jody Staff of Osage; two sisters, Wilma Johnson of Osage and Darlene (Carl) Lorence of Osage; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rudolph Anderson; her husband, Hans Staff; two sisters, Hulda Troge and Verena Waters.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage.
© 2007 Mitchell County Press

Eileen M. Whalen

December 4, 2007

Eileen M. Whalen, age 86, of Northwood and formerly of Osage, died on Wednesday, November 28, 2007, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, December 1, 2007, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, with Msgr. Stanley Hayek officiating. Burial was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Osage.

Eileen was born on December 14, 1920 near Cresco, Iowa, the daughter of Leo and Geneva (Cummings) McGee.

Eileen is survived by her five daughters; three sons; 24 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; two sisters; and two brothers.
© 2007 Mitchell County Press

Mary L. Gerbig

December 4, 2007

Mary Lorene Gerbig, age 97, of Osage, died on Friday, November 30, 2007, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, December 3, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church in Osage, with Rev. Dr. J. Samuel Subramanian officiating. Burial was in the Osage Cemetery.

Mary was born on August 22, 1910 in Freedom, Iowa, the daughter of Albert F. and Rosa May (Albright) Adams. Mary grew up in Boone County, Iowa. She married Roy Michael Gerbig, of Stacyville on September 6, 1927. They farmed for many years and then moved to town. Roy died on January 28, 1968.

Mary loved her flowers, gardening, cooking and her family. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Osage and was very active in her church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy; two children, Rosemary Ellis and Lenard Gerbig; three brothers, Charles, Leo & Vernie; and three sisters, Hazel, Christina & Blanche.

Mary is survived by two sons, Melvin (Dorothy) and Lloyd (Esther), both of Osage; one daughter, Jeanine Kockler of Hanlontown; 22 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 19 great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Phyllis Bruggeman of St. Ansgar; son-in-law, Cliff Ellis of Durango, Colorado; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage.
© 2007 Mitchell County Press