Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
BEATRICE ELECTA MOTSINGER
Beatrice Electa Motsinger was born November 19, 1913 in Benton, Iowa. She was the first child of Delmer and Jessie (Dillenburg) Gunter. She passed away January 12, 2000 at her home in Benton at the age of 86 years.
Beatrice grew up in Benton and graduated from Benton high school in 1931.
On January 19, 1932 she was united in marriage to Newell Motsinger in Grant City, Missouri. To this union three children were born, of whom a son died in infancy.
They lived in Worth county, Missouri after their marriage for about a year and then in 1933 they moved back to Benton where she spent the rest of her years.
Bea and Newt lived on a farm and she enjoyed gardening and her flowers. For several years she belonged to the New & Few Club in Benton and the Lady Circle in the Presbyterian Church in Mount Ayr. She liked to help out at the Benton Community Center and enjoyed making salads and pies for the center. Her family was very important to her and her three great-grandchildren were the apples of her eye.
Left to cherish her memory are her son Richard Motsinger of Benton; a daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Don Hove of Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren, Brian Hove, Brad Hove, Brenda Alzuri and husband Charles and Becky Hove; great-grandchildren, Tessa Alzuri and Callasandra and Kiyah Caudell, all of Omaha, Nebraska; and many relatives and friends.
Preceding her death were her parents, Delmer and Jessie Gunter; her husband Newell; her infant son Harvey; and her brother Ralph Gunter.
Services were held on Saturday, January 15, 2000 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr, Iowa with Reverend Peter Brantner officiating. Nancy Sackett, Mary Trullinger and Margaret Bickers provided music. Casketbearers were Brian Hove, Brad Hove, Mark Cadle, Charles Alzuri, Eugene Dillenburg and Charles Waske. Honorary pallbearers were Tim Minnick and Randy Andrews.
Bea was laid to rest in the Benton Cemetery, Benton.
RAY POTTORFF
Ray Pottorff, oldest son of Joseph and Lula (Kinder) Pottorff, was born May 31, 1907 at home in Riley township, Ringgold county, Iowa, and passed away January 11, 2000 at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Iowa at the age of 92 years.
Ray was born and raised in Ringgold county. In 1928, he started working as a commissary clerk for Hanlin Supply Company, a subsidiary of the Santa Fe Railway, working from Chicago to El Paso, Texas. After three years he returned to Iowa, where he married Iris Andrews on February 24, 1935 in Des Moines, Iowa. Of this union was born a son, Albert, and a daughter, Ann. They lived on a farm in Riley township until retiring in 1977, when they moved into Mount Ayr.
He was a dedicated member of the R.L.D.S. Church throughout his life.
Ray was always willing to try new things. After retirement, he learned the game of golf, taught himself to type and spent hours in his garage shop making and putting together the parts for two working steam engines. But he found the most enjoyment in helping others and gave care to his wife during her last 10 years of illness. Iris passed away on December 1, 1993.
On January 6, 1996, Ray married Norma Searles McClintock in Mount Ayr.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lula Pottorff; brothers Ivan and Dale; and his wife Iris.
He is survived and remembered by his wife Norma of Mount Ayr; son Albert Pottorff and wife Joan of Independence, Missouri; daughter, Ann Hembry and husband Marvin of West Des Moines, Iowa; stepchildren, Steve Smith and wife Sharon of Mount Ayr and Mary Jane Thompson and husband Jon of Sun Valley Lake; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and long time friends.
Services were held on Saturday, January 15, 2000 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Alan Smith and Virgil Howie officiating. Musicians were Ginny Eighmy and Frank Hudson. Casket-bearers were Mike Gilliland, Derald Noble, Kenneth Hebensperger, Lyle Gilliland, Robert Shafer and Harold Bower.
Ray was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
LARRY DEAN BUSBY
Larry Dean Busby was born on October 7, 1948 to John W. and Louise Mary Margaret Busby. He attended Clearfield Community school until high school where he graduated from Poudre high school in Fort Collins, Colorado. He attended Bernel Hair Styling Studio where he became a licensed cosmetologist. He worked for Crazy Horse Salon and Bill's Coiffure.
He was drafted into the Army in 1968 and served time in Vietnam. After serving his country he returned to Fort Collins and married Deanna Blagg in April of 1970, and to this union one child was born, Melissa Lee Busby. The family had lived in Colorado, Washington and Iowa.
Larry was then married to Kim Flannery in September of 1979 and to this union four children were born, Christopher, Chantel, Clay and Carter. The family then lived in Colorado, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Possibly Larry's happiest time in life was as a drywall manager in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He battled many heartaches and struggles during his short lifetime. The last year of his life, Larry worked at the Sears store in Mason City, Iowa where he served as their top salesman in the appliance department.
Leaving to mourn his passing are his children, Melissa and husband Bob Hill of Belmond, Iowa as well as a granddaughter Brooklyn; his former wife Kim and their children, Christopher, Chantel, Clay and Carter of Wessington Springs, South Dakota; sisters, Christene and husband Dale Solomon of Evanston, Wyoming, and Pat and husband Jim Walling of Webster City, Iowa; brother John and wife Sue Busby of Clearfield, Iowa; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. He adored his children and granddaughter.
Preceding in death before him were his father John Busby; his mother Louise Busby; and his brother-in-law Larry Morris.
Services were held on Monday, January 24, 2000 at the United Methodist Church in Clearfield, Iowa with Reverend Alan Rusk officiating. Organist Patty Parrish played several selections. Casketbearers were Butch England, Gerald England, Terry England, Jake England, Tim Becker and Bill Larsen. Honorary pallbearers were Gary Wenzel, Dale Solomon, Jim Walling, Bill Fearnot, Bobby England and Denny England.
Larry was laid to rest in the Clearfield Cemetery, Clearfield. Military graveside rites were given by Woodside Post #97 American Legion.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
RICHARD DEAN MCNEAR
BRIAN CHRISTOPHER MCNEAR
SEAN PATRICK MCNEAR
MISTY CASANDRA MCNEAR
Richard Dean McNear was born December 20, 1953 in Des Moines, Iowa to Richard Dale and Phyllis Arlene (King) McNear. He welcomed into the family his brothers, Bob and Randy, and sister Regina.
Dean, as he was known to family and friends, grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Des Moines Tech. Dean is remembered as a good student and a very good kid, never tearing up stuff! Dean served in the U. S. Navy during the Vietnam conflict. While in the Navy, his letters home were signed G. O. D., Good Old Dean. When the family lived in Diagonal, Iowa, Dean furthered his education at Southwest Iowa Community College in Creston where he was an honor student.
Dean was proud of his Irish heritage. He loved his children and was very proud and protective of them. He collected old comic books and baseball cards with the hopes that his children would benefit from their increased value. Dean worked at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr.
Dean's family began with the birth of his daughter Jennifer. On March 19, 1985, he was united in marriage to Cathy Lou Kingery in Plattsmouth, Nebraska and he would become the proud father of three more children.
Brian Christopher was born April 24, 1986 in Papillion, Nebraska. Brian was a seventh grade student in Mount Ayr, Iowa. He was a member of the basketball team and played clarinet in the band.
Sean Patrick was born December 23, 1989 in Papillion, Nebraska. He enjoyed his computer games, PokéMon and was an e-mail whiz. Sean was a fourth grade student.
Misty Casandra was born December 25, 1994 in Creston, Iowa. She was starting her education at Head Start Preschool. Her favorite colors were purple and pink and she liked to dress up and play Barbie.
The family lived in Diagonal in the early 1990's and Jenni graduated from high school there. Five years ago they moved to Mount Ayr and have since made it their home. The children were well mannered and polite and Mom and Dad worked to provide them with a loving home. The family grew two years ago with the addition of Jenni and Carl's son Bailey whom Dean was very proud of.
They were preceded in death by Dean's sister Regina D. Conn and Cathy's father Lawrence Kingery.
Left to love and cherish their memory is Cathy, a loving mother and wife; Jennifer Webb and her husband Carl of Mount Ayr; Robert D. McNear, Sr. and his wife Terri of Ottumwa, Iowa; Randall D. McNear and his wife Brenda of Des Moines; Dean's half sister Leigh of Boone, Iowa; Richard D. and Phyllis McNear of Des Moines; Karen Kingery of Guthrie Center, Iowa; Velda King of Anaheim, California; Pauline Kingery of Diagonal; and many loving and caring aunts, uncles, cousins, family members and loyal friends.
Funeral services were held Friday, January 21, 2000 at the Mount Ayr Community high school gymnasium with Reverend Charles Hawkins officiating. Musical selections were "The Dance," "Free Bird," "Larger Than Life," "Wind Beneath My Wings," "Pie Yazoo," sung by the fifth and sixth grade choir and "Theme From Titanic." Casketbearers were Carl Webb, Scott Pendegraft, Scott Holder, Randy Simpson, Terry Young, Bob Hardy, Spencer Holder, Kevin Shellman, Kenny Ford, Steve Hardy, Dave Mick and Steve Loomis. Honorary pallbearers were Ron Ford, Tim Cooper, Jason Ford and Vern Liesener.
Dean, Brian, Sean and Misty were laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
RUTH ELIZABETH EVANS
Ruth E. Evans, 86, of Mount Ayr, Iowa died January 27, 2000 at the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr.
Mrs. Evans was born May 23, 1913 to Eljay and Mary Jane (Carvey) Hathaway in Cerro Gordo county, Iowa. On November 11, 1930, she married Roland Keith Evans at St. Charles, Iowa.
She managed the Mount Ayr laundromat and worked as a nurses' aide. She lived in Mount Ayr most of her life. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Rebekah Lodge, Ringgold County Hospital Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary.
Survivors include three sons, Robert (wife Phyllis) Evans of Mesa, Arizona, John (wife Sherry) Evans of Omaha, Nebraska and Lyndon (wife Sherri) Evans of Storm Lake, Iowa; four daughters, Shirley (husband Verle) Saltzman of Mount Ayr, Janice (husband Larry) Olson of Fairfax, Iowa, Kathy (husband John) Watts of Spokane, Washington and Vicki (husband Barry) Wyman of Lyman, Nebraska; a son-in-law Michael Anderson of Waterloo, Iowa; a daughter-in-law Leona (husband Gary) Roundtree of Independence, Missouri; a brother Charles Hathaway of California; three sisters, Althea (husband Floyd) Housman and Sylvia (husband Harry) Petersen, both of Winterset, Iowa and Pat (husband Don) Murphy of Rock Island, IL; 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son Richard Keith Evans; a daughter Beverly Jean Anderson; a grandson; three brothers, Harold, Bob and Harlan; four sisters, Edith Pouch, Flo McKinney, Rose Steart and Isobel Griswold.
Graveside services were held Sunday, January 30, 2000 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr with Reverend Peter Brantner officiating. Casket-bearers were Barry Wyman, Verle Saltzman, Larry Olson, Hugh Terwilliger, Mike Anderson and Loren Winemiller. Honorary pallbearers were Brad Evans, Ted Evans, Rodney Evans, Christopher Anderson, Ronald Evans, Michael Watts and Chad Watts.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of arrangements.
MARY ELLEN GREENE
Mary E. Greene, the daughter of Henry Aurthur and Ollie Mae (Kimble) Kibbe, was born August 22, 1939, in Benton, Iowa. She attended the Mount Ayr, Iowa schools.
In January, 1958, she was united in marriage to Ernest Greene. Together they had three children, Debbie, Dennis and Diana. They were later divorced.
Mary worked as a Fashion Two Twenty consultant, a bartender/cook and a nurses' aide. She enjoyed country western music and dancing. Her favorite hobby was trying to keep up with her five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Mary passed away at the Fairfax Community Hospital, Fairfax, Missouri, at the age of 60 years.
Survivors include one son Dennis Greene of Tarkio, Missouri; two daughters, Debbie Greene and Ernie Howell, and Diana Whittington and husband John, all of Tarkio; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild; six brothers, Charles Kibbe of St. Joseph, Missouri, Donald Kibbe of Mount Ayr, Dean Kibbe of San Jose, California, Richard Kibbe of Wever, Iowa, John Kibbe of Portland, Oregon and David Kibbe of Corning, Iowa; and three sisters, Dorothy Bergemeyer of Columbia, Missouri, and Barbara Foland and Patty Musick, both of Grant City, Missouri.
Besides her parents, Henry and Ollie Kibbe, she was preceded in death by an infant sibling and a brother Robert Kibbe.
Services were held Tuesday, January 25, 2000 at Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, Missouri with Reverend Glenn Scott conducting the service. Norma Mattson and Shawn Minter provided music. Casketbearers were Ted Foland, Mike Tunnell, John Whittington, Ernie Greene, Ernie Howell and Duane Kibbe.
Interment was in the Home Cemetery, Tarkio, Missouri.
Memorials may be directed to the Mary Greene Memorial Fund.
ANDREW JOSEPH JOHNSON
Andrew Joseph Johnson was born June 23, 1925 on a farm near Peterson, Iowa to Walter and Della Johnson. He attended country school through the eighth grade being the only student in his class. Andy graduated from Newell high school in 1942.
In 1943 Andy joined the Navy. He served on the USS Lough a destroyer escort stationed in the Southern Pacific during World War II. Andy was first class watertender. He was discharged from the Navy in May of 1946 and returned to Newell, Iowa and started his career with his father in the John Deere Implement and Chevrolet business.
On November 13, 1947 Andy married Patricia Ann Schott of Schaller, Iowa. They were blessed with three children; Pam, Mark and Scott.
In 1960 Andy and Pat purchased the Carr Chevrolet dealership in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Then in 1965 one of Andy's dreams was fullfilled when he built a new building for the dealership. The name became Johnson Chevrolet-Buick-Pontiac.
In 1977 Andy became the proud owner of a Piper Cherokee Archer airplane for the purpose of business and pleasure. He beamed with pride when both sons became pilots and flew him to various destinations.
In November of 1984 Andy sold the dealership and he and Pat moved to Arizona where he enjoyed being close to his son Mark and his family. He also enjoyed playing golf and selling real estate for Sun Lakes Realty. Andy also took pleasure in being an usher for the Milwaukee Brewers spring training games.
Before returning to Mount Ayr Andy and Pat resided in Bella Vista, Arkansas from January 1993 to September 1994.
Andy was involved with the Newell Volunteer Fire Department where he served as fire chief for five years. He was also a member of the Iowa Auto Dealers Association and served on their board of directors. He was one of the founders of Midwest Warehouse (an auto supply co-op) in Des Moines and also served on its board. Andy was a member of the American Legion and VFW.
Golf was one of Andy's favorite pastimes. He was a member of the Mount Ayr Golf and Country Club, Sun Lakes Country Club and Bella Vista POA. Andy also enjoyed spending weekends at his cabin on Loch Ayr Lake. He loved to drive the family boat so his children could water ski once he had taught them how.
One of Andy's greatest pleasures in recent years was having his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in his life. He enjoyed their visits and talking to them on the phone. He always had a smile when they walked through the door. Andy's love and affection brought great joy and happiness to his grandchildren.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Pat of 52 years; daughter Pam and husband Mac Cross of Mount Ayr; sons, Mark and wife Maria of Bentonville, Arkansas, and Scott and wife Cindy of Mount Ayr; grandson, Trace Johnson; granddaughters, Jody Greene and husband David, Niky Cross and fiancé Scott Taylor, Lory Stewart and husband James, Mandy and Alana Johnson, Taylor and Alexis Johnson, Sommer and Danyale Johnson; and great-granddaughters, Ashlie and Shelbie Greene.
Andy is also survived by a sister, June Eno of Manson, Iowa; a brother Wally Johnson of Hobe Sound, Florida; special nephews, Rex and Lee Eno and Tom Johnson; brothers-in-law, Larry Schott and wife Sonny and Richard Schott and wife Phyllis; sister-in-law Helen Baker; and other nieces and nephews and special friends.
Funeral services were held Thursday, January 27, 2000 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Pastor Doug Greene officiating. Darla Greene, David Greene and Pastor Doug Greene provided music. Casketbearers were Trace Johnson, James Stewart, Rex Eno, Lee Eno, David Greene, Scott Taylor, Tom Johnson and Alvin Cross. Honorary Pallbearers were Mike Dugan, Ed Dugan, Dr. B. R. Patel, Leroy Wood, Dave Gipson, Calvin Adams, Kenneth Johnson, Kent England, Leonard Swank, Lowell Howie and all former employees.
Andy was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr. Military graveside rites were given by Ringgold Post #172 American Legion.
