VINTON - Loretta M. Rippel, age 87, died Thursday, March 18, 2004 at the Vinton Lutheran Home following an extended illness. Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Saturday, March 20, 2004 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Clarke E. Frederick and Vicar Keith Knea officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel from 5 to 8:00 P.M., on Friday. She is survived by three sons, Duane (Sondra) Rippel of La Porte City, Bill (Mary) Rippel, and Jim (Sharon) Rippel, all of Vinton; one daughter, Marge (Ralph) Wessling of Vinton, 9 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren and her brother, Leonard Altmanshofer of San Antonio, TX In addition to her husband, Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Minnie Dickson; and three brothers, Gilbert, Deward, and Leo Altmanshofer. Loretta was born on May 30, 1916 in Lake Crystal, MN the daughter of George and Sena (Hanson) Altmanshofer. On January 19, 1935, she married Bruce J. Rippel in Storm Lake. The couple moved to Benton County in 1947 and farmed until retiring in 1973. Following Bruce’s death in 1976, Loretta continued to live on the farm until moving to Vinton in 1991. She entered the Lutheran Home in 2002. A member of Trinity Lutheran Church, she belonged to Trinity Lutheran Mission Circle, and the Leisure Club. She was also a member of the Mill Circle for 50 years. Loretta was an accomplished ballroom dancer and also belonged to the Cedar Valley Chapter of the Polka Club of Iowa. She continued dancing as long as her health would permit. She also enjoyed playing cards and spending time at the senior center. A memorial fund has been established.

KEYSTONE - Gary "Pudge" Robinson, age 56, died October 19, 2004 at his residence following a sudden illness. Funeral Services were held at 2 P.M., Saturday, October 23, 2004 at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Keystone, with Rev. Jan Ziskovsky officiating. Interment was held at the Garrison Cemetery. Friends called at the funeral home from 4 to 7 P.M. Friday. "Pudge" was born July 25, 1948 in California to Glenn and Letta (Eaton) Robinson. He graduated from Benton Community High School in 1966. He was employed as the manager of Farmers 4 County Co-Op retiring in 2003. He was a member of the Trappers Association of America and AA. He is survived by his son, Robbi Robinson of North Liberty; two daughters, Leah Lommel and husband, Brett of Flagstaff, AZ, and Elaina Feuerbach and husband, Michael of Cedar Rapids; two step-daughters, Tracy Wazac and husband, Michael, and Kristen Fellmet, all of Cedar Rapids; three grandchildren, Clayton and Madelynn Feuerbach, and Issac Lommel; and his significant other, Robin Chandler of Brooklyn. He was preceded in death by his parents and is brother, Ron Robinson.

VINTON — George Frederick Robinson, Sr., age 75, passed away peacefully at home with his family on Saturday, July 5, 2003. Services: 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, July 9 at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, Vinton with Chaplain Bev Thompson-Travis officiating. Friends may register at service time. Survivors include his loving wife, Jackie; seven children, Jamie, Jean, George, Jr., Sally, Judy, Steve, and Robert; six step-children, Walter, Mike, Karen, Diana, Mickey, and Linda; one brother, Vernon; one sister, Mary; many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. George was born May 19, 1928 in Marion. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harley and Mary Robinson; an infant son, Terry; and two sisters, Genevieve and Vera. George loved his years of farming, was very proud of his work as a peace officer and is best known for his last occupation as a licensed junk dealer. A loving husband, father, brother, and friend to so many, he will always be remembered. A memorial fund has been established.

KEYSTONE - Waldtraut "Trudy" Marie Root age 74, died Saturday, October 23, 2004 at her residence following a brief illness. At her request, there will be no public services or visitation. Phillips Funeral Home is providing services to the family. Waldtraut Marie was born May 5, 1930 at Braunsdorf, Germany to Alfred and Liesbet (Rochow) Haupt. On December 7, 1960 she married Victor Root at Oberursel, Germany while he was stationed in Germany. "Trudy" was a former employee of Killian's Dept. Store and F.W. Woolworth. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed knitting, cross stitching, puzzles, and gardening in her leisure. She is survived by her husband, Victor E. Root of Keystone; her daughters, Isabella Haupt of San Antonio, TX, Lolita Kaump and husband, Warren of Blairstown, and Corena Fossel and finance, Jeremy Achenbach of Cedar Rapids; her grandchildren, Eli Kaump and wife, Melissa, Stuart Kaump and wife, Beth, and Brett Fossel; her brothers, Wolfgang Haupt and wife, Adelheid, Heinz Dietrich Haupt and wife, Marianne and Ulrich Haupt; her sister, Hannelore Schneider-Haupt and her niece, Sandra Rottger She was preceded in death by her parents. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society. The family wishes to express their thanks to the Hospice of Mercy and to all of their volunteers.

VINTON - Fannie Marie Sand, age 91, died Friday morning, November 5, 2004 at the Vinton Lutheran Home where she had been a resident the past two and one half years. The Mass of the Resurrection will celebrated at 10:30 A.M., Monday, November 8, 2004 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Rev. Joseph McGuire as Celebrant. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemeteryin Vinton. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton on Sunday from 4 to 7 P.M., where a Vigil Service will be held at 7 P.M. A memorial fund has been established for Amenity Hospice and the Vinton Lutheran Home. Fannie was the ninth daughter born to Clint and Cora (Ledger) Ferguson. She was born September 11, 1913 in Benton County. On April 20, 1935 she married Joe Sand at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton. The couple farmed and raised their family north of Vinton. Joe preceded his wife in death on April 20, 1990. A member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Fannie enjoyed crocheting and playing cards with family and friends. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Sharon Sand of Vinton, and Raymond and Bonnie Sand of Deerfield, IL; seven grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Teresa Sand in 2001 and her eight sisters.

VINTON - John H. Schuelka Jr., age 59, died Friday, May 21, 2004 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Iowa City, following a sudden illness: Funeral services: 1:30 P.M., Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton, with Rev. Mark C. Urlaub officiating. Private family interment will be held at Maple Wood Cemeteryin Vinton. Friends may call from 10:00 A.M. until service time on Tuesday at the funeral home. John was born June 15, 1944, at Donnellson, Iowa to John Henry and Grace Margaret (Kemp) Schuelka. On June 10, 1973, he married Vicki Tharp in Marion. John graduated from Donnelson High School and attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville, Missouri. He served his Country in the Air Force during the Viet Nam conflict. He worked for Van Scoy Enterprises and was the Announcer and Team Coordinator for Star Aerobatics. John was a member and past commander of the George G. Luckey American Legion Post #57, the AMVETS post # 218 of Vinton and the 40 & 8. His greatest joy came from time spent working on aircraft. He is survived by his wife Vicki; three sons, John Schuelka III and wife Shelley of Burlington, James Schuelka and fiancé Tracy Uthoff of Garrison, Jason Schuelka and fiancé Jodi Bearbower of Vinton; one daughter Jolene Joss of Cedar Rapids; five granddaughters; two grandsons; one brother, Francis Schuelka and wife Leora of Cedar, Iowa; and two sisters, Eileen McBeth and husband Richard of Mt. Pleasant and Agnes Bell and husband Robert of Marshalltown. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother Gene Schuelka.

NEWHALL - Ilma Mildred Werning Schminke, age 97, died Sunday, May 4, 2003 at the Vinton Lutheran Home following a brief illness Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday at St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall with Rev. Steven Rempfer officiating. Interment will be held at St. John Cemeteryin Newhall. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton from 4 to 7 P.M., Tuesday. Ilma was born January 26, 1906 north of Newhall to Martin and Katrina (Rinderknecht) Werning and graduated from the Newhall High School in 1924. On September 8, 1927 she married Walter Schminke at St. John Lutheran Church near Newhall. She and Walter farmed near Newhall and moved to town in 1962. In 1998 they moved to Vinton and resided at the Assisted Living Apartments of the Lutheran Home before moving to the nursing home facility. Ilma was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church where she enjoyed membership in the Tabitha Society, Lamplighters, and the Quilters. She was also a member of the Newhall Women’s Club and in her leisure she enjoyed growing flowers and embroidering. She was a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother. In addition to her husband, Walter a resident of the Vinton Lutheran Home, she is survived by one son, Marlin Schminke and wife, Donna of Strawberry Point: four daughters, Lenore Thompson and husband, Cliff of Van Horne, Lois Wessling and husband, Grant of Atkins, Elaine Kromminga and husband, Duane of Keystone, and Ruth Oehlerich and husband, Darwin of Keystone; eleven grandsons; ten granddaughters; forty-two great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren. Her parents; three sons, Wilfred, Daryl and Vernon Schminke; her great granddaughter, Jessica Minard; seven brothers; and five sisters preceded her in death A memorial fund has been established.

URBANA - Joseph D. “Joe” Schmitz, age 87, died early Friday morning, May 30, 2003 at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids following an extended illness. A Mass of The Resurrection will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, June 2, 2003 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Urbana, with Rev. Gabriel Anderson as Celebrant. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemeterynear Urbana with Military Rites conducted by the Walter J. Meyocks American Legion Post #264 of Urbana. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton from 2 to 5 P.M. on Sundy where a Wake Service will begin at 4 P.M., and after 9 A.M. Monday at the church in Urbana. The son of Theodore and Jessie (Meyocks) Schmitz, Joe was born on December 21, 1915 at Cheney. In 1933 he graduated from the Urbana High School. During World War II he served his nation in the U.S. Army. On November 5, 1949 he married Jeanette Brickman at Spencers Grove. Joe owned and operated Schmitz Elevator in Cheney, a trucking business and was a hog buyer. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Walter J. Meyocks American Legion Post #264 of Urbana, The Farm Bureau and The Antique Truck Association. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette of Urbana; two daughters, Judy Schmitz and husband, Tom Cain of Edina, MN, and Janelle Schmitz of Urbana; and one son, Joel Schmitz and wife, Donna of Urbana. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Irene Schmitz Johnson.

GARRISON - Marcella A. Wieditz Seboldt, age 84 of Vinton and formerly of Garriso, died early Saturday morning, May 15, 2004 at the Vinton Lutheran Home following an extended illness. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Garrison with Rev. Mark Leckband officiating. Interment will be held at St. John Cemeteryin Newhall. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton from 4 to 7 P.M., Monday. A memorial fund has been established. She was born June 27, 1919 at Newhall to Carl and Mary (Rinderknecht) Wieditz . Marcella never missed a day of school while receiving her education in country schools and later graduating from Vinton’s Lincoln High School in 1937. On February 16, 1941 she married Ernst Seboldt at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton. A member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Garrison, Marcella enjoyed gardening, bowling and playing cards with family and friends. She is survivied by her husband, Ernst of Vinton; her sister, Lucille Phillis and husband, Carlos of Burbank, CA; three brothers, Vernon Wieditz and wife, Lois, and Wayne Wieditz, all of Garrison, and Richard Wieditz and wife, Ruth of Vinton; brothers-in-law, Albert Seboldt and wife, Leone of Van Horne and Otto Seboldt and wife, Patsy of Indianapolis, IN; and sisters-in-law, Frances Wieditz of Garrison, and Hulda Stueck of Van Horne; and many nieces and nephews She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Walter Wieditz.

KEYSTONE - Agnes Clara Allers Selk, age 95, died Sunday, May 2, 2004 at the Vinton Lutheran Home following an extended illness. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone with Rev. Bruce Kaltwasser officiating. Interment will be held at the Keystone Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 7 P.M., Tuesday at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Keystone. To honor Agnes' request, the casket will remain closed at all times. A memorial fund has been established. Agnes was born September 15, 1908 at Jackson, MN to John Henry and Emma (Ehrenstein) Allers. Her family moved to Iowa and Agnes lived all of her life in the Dysart, Garrison and Keystone area. On September 19, 1935 she married Ray Selk at Keystone. A long time member of St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone, Agnes enjoyed quilting, crocheting and reading. She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Gaylene and Dan Froning of Gilbert, AZ, Delores and Russell Ridenour of Dakota Dunes, SD, and Charmaine and John Heineman of Garrison; two sons and a daughter-in-law, John and Marilyn Selk of Lawton, OK, and Tom Selk of Everett, WA; eleven grandchildren; twenty seven great grandchildren; and her brother and sister-in-law, Henry and Harriet Allers of Keystone. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Ray in 1981.

COLORADO SPRINGS - Richard Harry Sellers, age 58, formerly of Vinton, died Thursday evening, June 10, 2004 at his residence following a courageous five month battle with cancer. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, June 16, 2004 at Wesley United Methodist Church with Rev. Rose Blank officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemeterywith Graveside Military Rites conducted by Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57 of Vinton. Friends may register at the church from 9 A.M., Wednesday, until service time. The casket will remain closed at all times. Memorial gifts can be made to Pikes Peak Hospice, 825 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Ste 600, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Richard was born October 9, 1945 on a dairy farm near Vinton to Harry W. and Joy Pearl (Geater) Sellers and graduated from the Washington High School in Vinton. On August 6, 1965 he married Margot M. Betz at Mannheim, Germany while stationed there with the U.S. Army. Richard served his nation for over 20 years including two tours of Vietnam and overseas assignments in Korea and Germany. Richard was awarded numerous awards and medals including the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, and the National Defense Service Medal. Upon retirement from the U.S. Army, he was employed as a mechanic in the private sector. In his leisure he enjoyed woodworking, camping, fishing, and old hot-rod cars. In addition to his wife, Margot, he is survived by his children, Richard E. Sellers of Fort Worth, TX, and Sylvia A. Bailey of Gloversville, NY; his brothers, William, “Bill” (Carol) Sellers of Vinton, and Tom (Candy) Sellers of Ames; and his sister, Alice (Walter) Gilley) of Tampa, FL. His parents, Harry and Joy (Geater) Sellers, preceded him in death.

MOUNT AUBURN: Lloyd J. Sheffler, age 87, died early Friday morning, August 27, 2004 at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo following a brief illness. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, August 30, 2004 at St. Paul Methodist Church in LaPorte City with Rev. Christina Sung officiating. Interment will be held at the Westview Cemeteryin LaPorte City. Public Visitation will also be held at the church from 3 to 6 P.M. on Sunday. Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements. A Memorial Fund has been established. Lloyd was born October 1, 1916 on a farm near LaPorte City to Arch and Myrtle (Cowley) Sheffler and graduated from the LaPorte City High School in 1934. On November 25, 1937 he married Ruth Stevenson at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. He farmed in the Mount Auburn area and was a member of the Farm Bureau. Lloyd was a collector of antique John Deere Tractors. As a member of St. Paul Methodist Church in LaPorte City, he took an active role in the activities of his congregation. Lloyd is survived by his wife, Ruth of Mount Auburn; two sons, David of Mount Auburn and Leroy of LaPorte City; his daughter and son-in-law, Diane and David Calkins of Cincinnati, OH; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; his brother, Myron Sheffler of LaPorte City; and his sister, Thelma Johnson of Vinton. He was preceded in death by his parents.

KEYSTONE - Lester W. Sindt, age 88, died Friday, February 14, 2003 at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids from complications of an auto accident on January 8, 2003. He was born on October 4, 1914 in rural Keystone, the son of Henry J. and Margaret (Albers) Sindt and graduated from the Keystone High School with the class of 1932. On December 28, 1938, Lester married Dorothy Sullivan at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone. Les and Dorothy farmed in the Keystone area, retiring in 1977. They moved to town in 1979. Les was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone, the friendship club, the Keystone Turners and the Benton County I Club. He was an avid Hawkeye fan and enjoyed playing pepper and fishing in his leisure time. He is survived by one daughter Judith Sindt Hertle and husband Terry of Newhall; three sons, Duane Sindt and wife Linda of Medford, OR, Darwin Sindt and wife Jean of San Diego, CA, Dale Sindt and wife Carmen of Orlando, FL.; seven grandchildren, Sheila Loftus and husband Dr. John, Gregory Sindt and wife Mari, Darin Sindt, Kevin Hertle and wife Lorie, Denise Hertle, Dale B. Sindt and wife Darla, and Kelly Sindt; nine great grandchildren, Stephanie, Amanda and Jack Loftus, Felicia and Alexandrea Hertle, Christopher, Jeffrey and Nicole Taylor and Haylee Sindt; two brothers, Elmer Sindt and wife Lylas and Wilbert H. Sindt, all of Keystone. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of fifty years, Dorothy Sullivan Sindt. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 17, 2003 at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone with Rev. Bruce Kaltwasser officiating. Interment will be held at the Keystone Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. Sunday at the Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone. A memorial fund has been established.

VINTON - L. Fern Solberg, age 84, died Saturday, January 10, 2004 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, following a brief illness. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton from 1 to 2 P.M., on Friday, January 16, 2004. Public Graveside Services will follow at the Rowley Cemetery, Rowley, Iowa at 3 P.M. with Rev. Mike Andrew officiating. Fern was born April 14, 1919 at Rowley, IA to Edgar and Mary (Grover) Crain and she graduated the Rowley High School. On September 18, 1935 she married Ted Solberg at Galena, IL. He preceded her in death on April 14, 1956. Fern was employed as a Teller-Cashier at the Rowley Savings Bank prior to moving to Vinton where she served in the same position at the former Benton County Bank and Trust and the Vinton Savings & Loan. In 1978 she moved to Sun City, Arizona where she worked as a switchboard operator at Kings Inn for five years and later as a cashier at the Soroptimist Thrift Shop. Fern returned to Iowa two years ago and has been a resident of Silver Pines Assisted Living in Cedar Rapids. She is survived by her children Dennis Solberg and wife, Sonya of Orion, IL, Judi Kibler and husband, Sam of Marion, and Jeanette Hoffman and husband, Norm of Cornville, Arizona; her daughter-in-law, LaVonne Solberg of Independence; seven grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; and her sister, Lucille Hand of Waterloo. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, David Solberg; one granddaughter; one grandson; one great grandson; three brothers, and one sister. A memorial fund has been established.

NEWHALL - Howard William Stien, age 88, died Thursday evening, January 16, 2003 at University Hospital & Clinics in Iowa City following an extended illness. Howard was born near Newhall, June 20, 1914 to Henry and Anenia (Bobzien) Stien and graduated from the Newhall High School. He was baptized, and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. On April 10, 1943 he married Edna Risdal at the Lutheran Parsonage in Norway. A lifelong farmer in the Newhall area, Howard was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall and a former member of the congregation’s Friendship Club . He is survived by his wife, Edna, of 59 years; two sons and daughters-in-law, David and Shirley Stien of Atkins, and Douglas and Debbie Stien of Newhall; one daughter, Diane Stien of Vadnais Heights, MN; grandchildren, Elizabeth Heckman and husband, Thomas, of Apple Valley, MN, Stephanie Schreck and husband, Tony, of Needville, TX, Ellen Kling and husband, Larry, of Ceylon, MN and Jacob, Ryan and Lucas Stien, all of Newhall; three great grandchildren, David and Kaitlynn Heckman and Thomas Schreck; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard and Mary, and Delbert and Hazel Stien, all of Newhall. His parents preceded him in death. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, January 20, 2003 at St. John Lutheran Church with Rev. Steven Rempfer officiating. Interment will be held at St. John Cemeteryin Newhall. The family will receive friends from 3 to 7 P.M. at the church on Sunday. Phillips Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the St. John Building Fund.