Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
FRIEDA FERN FIRKINS
Frieda Fern Firkins, 100, of Villisca, IA was born October 18, 1905, in Nodaway Township, Taylor County, Iowa, the daughter of Henry Christopher Freuck and Stella (Welch) Freuck and died Monday, January 23, 2006 at the Villisca Good Samaritan Center in Villisca.
Fern attended rural school in Taylor County, Iowa and graduated from Villisca High School in 1923. She taught rural schools for several years in Nodaway Township, Taylor County, Iowa.
Fern joined the Guss Maple Grove Church and was among the early Cradle Roll membership and later taught Sunday School Classes. She was a member of the Church Board and Guss U.M.W.
Fern married Paul Eugene Firkins on June 3, 1925 in Nodaway, Iowa. To this union was born one daughter: Bonnie Marie. They made their home farming in Nodaway Township, Taylor County, until retiring in 1973, when they moved into Villisca
She was employed at the Clarinda Mental Health Institute for 15 years as a nurse's aide. Since moving to Villisca she helped with organizing Senior Citizens Congregate Meal Site and was an active member. She was a member of the Villisca United Methodist Church and U.M.W. and attended the Sunday School Classes.
In 1985 Fern and Paul received the "Good Neighbor" citation from Knights of Aksarben in Omaha, NE.
Fern is survived by her daughter Bonnie Garey and husband Bill of Villisca, IA, six grandchildren: Linda Wilberger and husband Dave, Shirley Maxwell and husband Doug, Sandy Peterson and husband Doug, Allan Garey and wife Phyllis, Randy Garey and wife Jolene, Cathy Jochimsen and husband Ron. Eleven great grandchildren, twelve great great grandchildren and one sister Glenna Mae Robinson of Villisca, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three sisters: Geneva Horton, Ethel VanAlstine and Faye Spencer and grandson Douglas Garey.
Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday, January 26, 2006 at the Wolfe Funeral Home in Villisca, IA. Burial in the Guss Cemetery, Guss, IA. A memorial is being established.
MARGARET CLEO BRANAN
Margaret Cleo Branan, age 71, of Marshalltown, Iowa, formerly of Villisca, Iowa, died Saturday, December 24, 2005, at Mercy Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa. Memorial graveside service will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, January 2, 2005 at the Guss Cemetery, Guss, Iowa with Pastor Gordon Scott officiating. Scattering of ashes will take place at the cemetery. A memorial will be established. Wolfe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Margaret Cleo Branan was born July 20, 1934, at Villisca, Iowa to Charley Fidler and Permilia (Mauderly) Fidler. She was a graduate of Villisca High School. Cleo was united in marriage in 1966, to Clifford Branan. Her family was very special to her and she especially enjoyed her grandchildren.
Cleo was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clifford Branan (1977); infant sister, Deo Marie Fidler; brothers, Charles Fidler, Jr. and Don Fidler. Survivors include her children: Shawn Branan and wife Becky of Oregon, Richard Branan and wife Angie of Toledo, Iowa, Cindy Branan and Troy Kent of Marshalltown, Iowa, Charley Branan of Marshalltown, Iowa; fifteen grandchildren, Brett, Justin, Shawn Jr., Erica, Andrew, Trever, Tyler, Taylor, Baylee, Deven, Chase, Jesse, Damien, Laci and Aubrey Anna; two great grandchildren, Vincent and Haydin; brother, Jird Fidler and wife Shirley of Villisca, Iowa; sister, Ida Auxier of Elkhorn, Nebraska.
LETHA MAE ROSSANDER
Letha Mae Rossander, the daughter of Roy V. and Mallie (Watkins) Negly, was born January 17, 1934 in Scott City, Kansas. She died on Sunday, December 25, 2005 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 71 years, 11 months and 8 days.
Letha grew up in Western Kansas and moved to rural Elliott, Iowa when she was quite young. She was active in 4H and church as she grew up. She was elected as Homecoming Queen her senior year at Elliott High School. After graduating, she began her working career at Red Oak Hospital as a Nurse's Aide. Letha was united in marriage to Robert 'Ross" Rossander on April 4, l954 at the Pilot Grove Methodist Church. He was then a member of the United States Air Force and remained in service for over 41 years as a military member and then civilian employee. In 1968 Letha, began her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and worked in various hospitals and care centers around the world. She was very active in the church, boy scouting, 4H, and little league. She always enjoyed entertaining family and friends whenever they would visit. She was a member of the Villisca Presbyterian Church. Letha also enjoyed genealogy and was the family historian for both sides of the family. She traced the family trees back to Germany, France, and Sweden. Letha also enjoyed cooking and sewing. Letha and Ross traveled for the last decade to Hot Springs, California for the winter months. She was a wonderful wife, loving mother, a friend to all and a dedicated Christian. Letha leaves a worldwide legacy of love and caring. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Letha is survived by her husband, Robert "Ross" Rossander of Stanton, Iowa, two sons, Harry Rossander and wife Victoria of Urbandale, IA, and Carl Rossander and wife Debbie of Clearfield, UT, a foster son, Bjorn Dworen and wife Pia of Taby, Sweden, a foster daughter. Kozuco in Japan, 6 grandchildren, Jared Schoepp, Adam and Holly Rossander, Jonathon, Joachim, and Alicia Dworen, a sister, Vivian Karwal and husband Paul of Elliott, IA, nieces, nephews and other relatives and a host of friends.
May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn.
Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2005 at 10:30 AM at the First Presbyterian Church of Villisca, in Villisca Iowa Burial will be held at the Pilot Grove Cemetery, with immediate family only. Rev. Sandy Wainwright, Officiating
Memorials to the Villisca Presbyterian Church or Stanton Fire & Rescue.
No Visitation or Viewing will be held
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.sldfuneralhome.com
Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Harold E. Robinson
Harold Robinson, age 87, of Villisca, Iowa, died Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, Red Oak, Iowa. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 17, 2005 at Wolfe Funeral Home, Villisca, Iowa with Rev. Sandra Wainwright officiating. Visitation with the family will be held 7-8 p.m., Friday, December 16, 2005 at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Villisca Cemetery with military rites.
Harold Everett Robinson was born August 17, 1918 in Montgomery County, Iowa to Vern Taylor Robinson and Belvia Mae (Means) Robinson. Harold was a 1935 graduate of Villisca High School. On November 25, 1941, he was united in marriage to Glenna Mae Freuck at Papillion, Nebraska. He served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He participated in the campaigns of Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. His rank was that of First Lieutenant. Harold began farming in Montgomery County in 1946. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Villisca, Iowa. Harold was also a member of the Villisca V.F.W., American Legion and the Masonic Lodge.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Don Robinson; sister, Rachel Lyle. Survivors include his wife, Glenna of Villisca, Iowa; daughter, Judy Mikkelsen and husband Lance of Santa Fe, New Mexico; daughter, Joan Schrader and husband Drew of Dataw, South Carolina; son, Jim Robinson and wife Donna of Villisca, Iowa; grandchildren, John Mikkelsen, Mark Mikkelsen, Andrew Schrader and wife Julie, Adam Schrader and wife Michelle, Jodi Robinson, Jennifer Robinson; great grandchildren, Tyler Mikkelsen, Christopher Schrader, Courtney Schrader, and Gavin Schrader.
Memorials may be directed to Villisca EMT or to the Villisca Alumni Association.
Wolfe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Orval Dorsen Mercer
Orval Dorsen Mercer, the son of Otho and Ivy (Baugher) Mercer, was born October 18, 1918 at Arbelia, Missouri. He died on Sunday, December 11, 2005 at Stanton Care Center, Stanton, Iowa at the age of 87 years, 1 month and 24 days.
Orval was raised in Cincinnati, Iowa. He moved to the Red Oak area in l936 and graduated from Coburg High School in l937. He served his country during WW II in the U.S.Army, being involved in the battle at Aleutians. Orval was united in marriage to Norma Larrabee on May 1, 1946 at Hiawatha, Kansas. Orval farmed west of Stanton and drove a school bus for Stanton Community Schools for 20 years. He was a past member of the American Legion Ernie Johnson Post #406 in Stanton, Iowa. Orval was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters and 4 brothers.
Orval is survived by his wife, Norma Mercer of Stanton, IA, a son, Dorsen Mercer and wife Kathy of Stone Mountain, GA, a daughter, Jenice Perez of Adel, IA and her fiancé Gary Barton, 6 grandchildren, Karl Mercer and wife Emily of Athens, GA, Andrea Conlon and husband Dave of SC, Brian Perez of West Des Moines, IA, Renee Fuller and husband Todd of Adel, IA, Aaron Perez and fiancée Judith Martinez of Tempe, AZ, Felicia Perez of Des Moines, IA, 4 great-grandchildren, Grace and Karly Mercer, Emma Conlon and Bella Perez, a sister, Mrs. Opal Mullins, of Boone, Iowa, sister-in-laws, Lillian Mercer of Stanton, IA, Zola & Jim Gowin of Des Plaines, IL, Verna May & Al Farruggia, of Carroll Streams, IL, a brother-in-law, Glen Brownewell of Ocala, FL, other relatives and a host of friends.
May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.
Funeral Services will be held
Friday, December 16, 2005 at 10:30 AM
At Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home
Burial in the Evergreen Cemetery
Visitation with the family present at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Memorials to the Stanton Fire & Rescue
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.sldfuneralhome.com
Services entrusted to Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home.
IRVIN SIERP
Funeral services for Irvin Sierp 88 of Forest City, Iowa formerly of the Villisca area will be held 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at the Wolfe Funeral Home in Villisca, IA. Irvin died December 3, 2005 at the Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, IA. He was born July 10, 1917 in Page County, IA the son of Carl J. and Effie Pearl (Fulton) Sierp.
Irvin married Lucille Overman on October 21, 1939 in Des Moines, IA. Irvin and Orie Sierp had owned and operated gas stations and delivered oil in the Villisca , Tenville and other area stations for several years. He and Lucille moved to Forrest City area where he also operated gas stations and delivered oil. Irvin retired in 1972.
He was a member of the Villisca Presbyterian Church and was currently a member of the Villisca Fire Department.
He is survived by his wife Lucille of Forrest City, son Robert Sierp and wife Marcia of LaCrosse, WI daughter Marlene Huff and husband Marion of Rockwell, IA, three grandchildren and six great grandchildren, plus other relatives and friends.
Irvin was preceded in death by his parents two sisters and four brothers.
Memorials may be directed to the Villisca Fire Department or the Hospice of North IA.
GERALDINE HEUER
Geraldine Heuer, age 77, of Red Oak, Iowa passed away, Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital after an extended illness. Geraldine Ilene "Gerry" Heuer was born September 20, 1928 in Bedford, Iowa the daughter of Jay and Anna (Larson) Loghry. She graduated from the Villisca High School. Gerry was united in marriage to Frederick Heuer on November 5, 1944 in Clarinda, Iowa. Gerry lived in Guss, Corning and Villisca areas until moving to Red Oak in 1960. While in Red Oak Gerry owned and operated Heuer Accounting. She and Fred moved to Estes Park, Colorado in 1976 where Gerry managed the Fisher Hunt CPA office until her retirement in 1983. After retirement, Gerry and Fred moved to Sun Lakes, Arizona until returning to Red Oak in March of 2005 to be near many lifelong friends. Geraldine was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents; brothers: Earnest and Doyle Loghry; and a sister: Kathern Evison. Survivors include her husband: Fred Heuer of Red Oak, Iowa; daughter: Diane Gregg and husband Mark of Red Oak, Iowa; grandchildren: Shellie Ruge and husband Randy of Peoria, Arizona; Shad Sellers and fiancé Kelly Sharp of Apache Junction, Arizona; David Gregg and wife Stephanie of Berthoud, Colorado; and Mark Gregg and wife Bobbie of Banks, Oregon; 6 great grandchildren; sisters: Connie Loghry and her partner Trudy Gensheimer of Sun Lakes, Arizona; Elva Franklin and husband Russel of Chandler, Arizona; and Dona Wittman of Denver, Colorado; brother-in-law: Francis Heuer and wife Donna of Farragut, Iowa; many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.
Memorials services will be held 10 AM Saturday, December 3, 2005 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Nancy Shultz officiating. Burial of the cremated remains will be in the Evergreen Cemetery.
Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
