She is survived by her husband of three years, Vern Beachy; three loving dogs; three sisters, Donetta Stewart and husband, Keith of Sacramento, California, Marylyn Gillespie and husband, Jim and Sheila Moulds and husband, Dennis, both of Lake City; parents, Don and Elsie Smith of Lake City; and one nephew.

  Kathleen Anne Ahrens, 55, of Willard, Missouri, formerly of Clarion, died on Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at the Cox Medical Center South, following a courageous battle with cancer.

  A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, June 12, at the St. John's Catholic Church in Clarion. Fr. Chris Podhajsky officiated at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Interment was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Clarion.

  Kathleen Anne Deimerly was born on May 28, 1951 in Clarion, the daughter of John and Mary Rogerson Deimerly. Kathy grew up in Clarion and graduated from the Clarion High School in 1969. Following graduation, she received a secretarial degree from ICCC in Eagle Grove. In 1995, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Buena Vista with degrees in Business Administration and Political Science. Kathy owned and operated Ahrens Photography in Clarion, where she had the privilege of covering stories and capturing photos of several political figures. She was very interested in city policies and government and wrote special articles on various issues for the local newspapers. She resided in Dows for 17 years. She owned the Dows Advocate from 1988 to 1989 and had served on the City Council and was elected Mayor of Dows.

  In 2003, Kathy moved to Willard, Missouri and purchased two weekly papers, the Cross Country Times in Willard and the Commonwealth in Ash Grove.

  Kathy is survived by her husband, Bill Ahrens; two sons, Robert Ahrens and wife, Kristin of Clarion and Clinton Ahrens of Dows; two grandchildren; four brothers, Jerry Deimerly and wife, Nancy of Cumming; Thomas Deimerly and wife, Becky of Marshalltown; Patrick Deimerly of Clarion and Dale Deimerly and wife, Kim of Clarion; a sister, Mary Newman and husband, Kevin of Des Moines; a sister-in-law, Karen Deimerly of Lakeview, Minnesota; several nieces and nephews; and her loving companion "Laird" her dog.

  She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Jack Deimerly; and one sister-in-law, Kathy Deimerly.

  Thelma Rose Claude, 82, of Clarion, passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2006, at the Mary Greeley Medical Center, Ames.

  Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 15, at the Woolstock Methodist Church. Lay Minister Oscar Davis officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Interment was held at the French Cemetery, rural Woolstock.

  Thelma Rose Rude was born on August 14, 1923, the daughter of Alfred and Ebon (Anderson) Rude. She was raised and educated in the Pocahontas area. She attended Grant #8 Country School, graduating from the Pocahontas High School in 1941. Shortly after graduation Thelma moved to Fort Dodge.

  On March 15, 1950, she married Harold J. Claude in Fort Dodge. The couple settled in the Woolstock area where they farmed until 1987. After retirement they moved to Eagle Grove where they remained until Harold passed away. In 1996, Thelma loved to an apartment in Clarion and in 2003 she entered the USA Health Care Center in Clarion.

  Thelma enjoyed reading and sewing. She also enjoyed working on the farm and always had a garden. She participated in card clubs which she enjoyed as well. Thelma was a member of the Woolstock Church and the Auxiliary for 46 years.

  Thelma is survived by one son, Leonard and wife, Jocelyn of Clarion; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Howard Rude and wife, Frances of Gowrie and Glenn Rude and wife, LaVonne of Fort Dodge; one sister, Eunice Tanner of Gowrie.

  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and two brothers, Leroy and Ronald Rude.

  Audrey was preceded in death by her husband; and parents.

  He is survived by his daughter, Vicki I. Swisher of Madison, Mississippi; and a son, Michael G. Swisher of Perth, Australia.

  Grandparents are Sharon Skrovig of Clarion, Julie and Earl Kalkwarf of Belmond, Mack and Cindy Gabrielson of Clear Lake. Great-grandparents are Doris Skrovig of Dows, Roy and Jo Cummings, Janyce and Willie Kluss, Roger Kinseth, Bob and Ilene Kalkwarf, and Lester Gabrielson, all of Belmond.

  Along with her parents, she is survived by step-parents, Patricia Leinbach and Dr. B.N. Chambers; brother-in-law, Samuel Leinbach III and sister-in-law, Sara Leinbach; step-sister, Myra A. Chambers; step-brother, William Chambers; and her partner, Douglas Ian Spencer of Berkshire, England.

  Leo Emory Martin died suddenly on Tuesday, June 20, 2006, at the Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines.

  Funeral services were held on Friday, June 23, at the United Methodist Church in Clarion, Iowa, at 11:00 a.m. Burial followed in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

  Leo Emory Martin was born on March 13, 1919, on a farm in Lamoni, the son of Lee and Lula Martin. The family moved to Clarion where he grew up and attended the Clarion High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, where he was stationed in the South Pacific and Philippines.

  In 1947, he was married to Arlene Enghausen and they moved to Waterloo where he was employed as a supervisor at John Deere. He returned to Clarion and managed Farm Service for 10 years before changing employment to the Co-op, before retiring. He was a school bus driver and a member of the American Legion, VFW and Lions Club. He was also a member of the Clarion Planning and Zoning Committee. After his marriage to Alice McMorris in 1983, Leo became an avid golfer and sold cars for three years. The last year and a half of Leo's life was spent at the Calvin Community in Des Moines, where he could always be seen joking with the nurses, nurse aides and activities staff.

  Leo is survived by one daughter, Jean Cooper and husband of West Des Moines; a son, Daryl Martin of Millard, Nebraska; four grandchildren; one step-son; step-daughter, Leanna Martin and husband, Ron; three sisters, Esther Heimer and husband, Gene of Algona, June Schumpp and husband, Walter of Mason City and Ardath Knutsen of Green River, Wyoming; sister-in-law, Margaret Martin of Clarion; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Arlene; a son, Stephan; a daughter, Karen; second wife, Alice; two brothers, Leighton and Donald Martin; and a sister, Violet Hokinson.

  He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Marilyn; a son-in-law, Kenneth Skrovig; a twin brother, Ray; a brother, Franklin; two sisters, Ruth and Jessie Lee; and one great-grandson.

  Grandparents are Larry D. and Melody Olson of Clarion; Lon and Nancy Danielson of Stuart, Florida. Great-grandparents are Al and Shirley Morton of Webster City; Gene and Phyllis Lewis of Clarion; and the late Pearl Whyte of Goldfield.

  Frances Helen Larson, 103, of Clarion, passed away on Friday, June 30, 2006, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion, following a short illness.

  Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 5, at the United Church of Christ Congregational, Clarion. Pastor Curt Miner officiated at the 2:30 p.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

  Frances Helen Richards was born on November 19, 1902, in Clarion, the daughter of Arthur and Alice Richards. She received her high school education in Clarion and graduated with the Class of 1921. After high school she attended Grinnell College.

  On September 14, 1927, she was united in marriage with Charles M. Larson of Clarion. To this union one daughter, Alysia was born.

  She was a life long member (94 years) of the United Church of Christ Congregational, Clarion, a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Sunday School Teacher and also a member of the Women's Fellowship.

  She loved to go fishing in Minnesota with her husband, watching sports, the outdoors, her dog, Miss Scarlet, and traveling to visit relatives in other parts of the country.

  Frances is survived by two nephews, Jeffrey R. Lewis and wife, Shelley of Des Moines and Alan J. Lewis and wife, Lee Anne of Ankeny; a niece, Betty Davis of Sylmar, California; several great-nieces and nephews.

  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles in 1966; a daughter, Alysia; three brothers and three sisters.