Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
EDNA MARIE DEAL
Edna Marie Braband Deal, daughter of August and Grace DeBoer Braband, was born on August 19, 1918 near LeMars, Iowa.
Edna moved to Jefferson, Iowa to help care for one of her sister's children. She was also employed at United Food Store.
On February 20, 1944 she married Forrest Edward Deal at the Deal farm home. Forrest and Edna farmed and owned Deal Orchard.
Edna enjoyed the neighborhood Pinochle Club, family dinners, visits with her grandchildren, gardening, mowing, working at the apple barn and traveling, especially to Minnesota. She was an active member in the Central Christian Church, Jefferson.
Edna died March 13, 2001 at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson at the age of 82 years. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband Forrest on May 27, 1987; and four sisters, Eva Campbell of Federal Way, Washington; Jenny DeVries of Ogilvie, Minnesota; Gladys Johnson of Anoka, Minnesota; and Lorna McGaw of Boone, Iowa.
Survivors include her children: Eydie (Steve) Stephens of Diagonal, Iowa, Linda (Gary) Hall of Jefferson and Jerald (Cindy) Deal of Jefferson. Other survivors include five grandchildren: Benji Deal of Ames, Iowa, Chris and Robbie Deal of Jefferson, Jeff Hall of Des Moines and his fiancée Shelley Glick and her two children Stephane and Amanda of Indianola, Iowa, and Jennifer Hall and her fiancé Ryan Kobza of Omaha, Nebraska.
Also surviving Edna are four sisters: Ruth Ioos of Marshall, Minnesota; Sylvia (Elmer) Johnson and Lou (Bob) Galbraith, both of Balaton, Minnesota, and Edith Armstrong of Walnut Creek, California; four brothers: Elmer "Butch" (Clara) Braband of Osakis, Minnesota; Maynard "Jinx" (Frances) Braband of LeMars; Donald (Mabel) Braband of Balaton, Minnesota and Wallace (Vi) Braband of Sebring, Florida.
Many nieces, nephews and friends will miss her.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 16, 2001 at Central Christian Church in Jefferson with words of comfort given by Reverend Wendy Miles. Doris McGregor was the organist. Casket bearers were Wayne Monthei, Donald Coon, David Rasmussen, Richard St. Clair, Clifford Bancroft, Gustavo Macias and Jack Harbaugh. Honorary pallbearers were Central Christian Church family, Deal Orchard employees, staff and residents of Long Term Care, Greenewood Center family.
Interment was in the Jefferson Cemetery, Jefferson.
Slininger-Rossow Funeral Homes, Inc. of Jefferson was in charge of the arrangements.
LEROY GERALD PRIEST
LeRoy Gerald Priest was born December 14, 1941, son of Elton L. and Frances (Davison) Priest, in Union county, Iowa. He departed this life March 9, 2001 in Freeport, Texas. His life work was spent in the vending and trucking industry.
He loved God, fishing, bowling, camping and meeting new people. He treasured the time spent with family.
LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, Elton and Frances; and Margurite his sister.
He is survived by his children, Randee Priest (wife Lynda), Ronda Priest (husband Clay), Christine Landreth (husband Eric) and Jennifer Priest-Chambers (husband Christopher); and four lovely granddaughters. Also by sisters, Gertrude Shafer (husband Cecil), Louise Calhoun (husband Paul); and Bill Priest his brother. Also many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Memorial services were held Thursday, March 15, 2001 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Reverend John Brillo officiating. Musicians were Nancy Sackett, Mary Trullinger and Margaret Bickers.
Honorary pallbearers were Ron Calhoun, Terry Calhoun, Scott Jennings, Douglas Priest and Brent Priest.
LeRoy was laid to rest in the Tingley Cemetery, Tingley, Iowa.
DOLA MARIE SIMMONS
Dola Marie Simmons was born July 26, 1933 in Sheridan, Missouri to Dale and Velma Lasley; and departed this life March 17, 2001 at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Dola attended school in Sheridan, Missouri. She married Burl Dale Simmons on April 10, 1948. They were blessed with eight children. They resided in the area until settling in Blockton, Iowa 45 years ago.
Dola worked as a nurses' aide at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr until 1973. Dola's enjoyments were yard sales, craft fairs, dancing and country music shows, but her greatest devotion was to her loving family and friends. Dola was active in the community, and was a member of the Gentry Christian Church.
Dola was preceded in death by her husband Burl; son Richard Simmons; and brother Jerry Dean Lasley.
Dola is survived by her seven children: Regena Schuster of Red Oak, Iowa, Bob Simmons of Afton, Oklahoma, Roger Simmons of Des Moines, Iowa, Jackie Laire of Hastings, Iowa, Rhonda Taylor of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Rebecca Harkleroad of Winterset, Iowa and Robi Simmons of Creston, Iowa.
Their children's families blessed her with 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
Dola is also survived by her parents, Dale and Velma Lasley of Red Oak and brother Irvin Lasley and wife Sharon of Elliott, Iowa.
Dola wishes to extend special recognition to her close friend Orlin Henson.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 21, 2001 at the Blockton Christian Church with burial in Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton.
Memorials may be made to the Ringgold County Hospital, Mount Ayr.
Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home of Grant City, Missouri was in charge of arrangements.
OLIVE LOUISE ZARUBA
Olive Louise Zaruba, daughter of John and Eleanora Shelden Dorff was born August 24, 1907 in Iowa City, Iowa. And Louise left this life as we know it on March 12, 2001 at 11:50 p.m. at the Ringgold County Hospital, Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Louise received her elementary and high school education in Beaconsfield, Iowa graduating with the class of 1925. Following her graduation she attended summer schools and taught schools In Decatur and Ringgold counties.
Louise was united in marriage to Lawrence Zaruba on July 25,1934 in the Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Together they farmed 43 years, settling in on the farm that Lawrence's parents first farmed, and where Lawrence lived for 70 years of his life.
On July 25, 1984, Louise and Lawrence were so surprised when family and friends brought refreshments and gifts to them to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
Louise was a devout Methodist serving in all the official capacities of the church, being secretary, president of the Women's Society of Christian Service, she taught Sunday school, was president of the church board, served 20 years on the committee for funeral dinners and instigated and gave generously to carpet the fellowship hall in the church basement.
She was an active member in the neighborhood Willing Workers Club serving as secretary, treasurer and president.
Preceding Louise in death are her parents; husband Lawrence on March 11, 1986; sister Ruth Tindle on December 14, 1985; brother Carl Dorff on December 7, 1992; brother-in-law James Tindle on April 12, 1995; and nephew John Dorff.
Surviving Louise in death are her nephews Dr. Marlyn Tindle (wife Toni) of Winterset, Iowa and Jerry Dorff of Evanston, Wyoming; nieces Carol Dorff Brandenburg (husband Charles) and Gloria Ward Dorff, both of Carson City, Nevada; grandniece Chantelle Hilliard (husband Leroy Kiphuth) of Monti-cello, Minnesota; grandnephews, Jason and Justin Tindle of Winterset, great-grandniece Monica Irene Kiphuth of Monticello, Minnesota; as well as cousins and a whole host of friends.
She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 15, 2001 at United Church of Diagonal, Diagonal, Iowa with Reverend Pam Farren officiating. Mrs. Judy Newton was the organist. Casket bearers were Dr. M. J. Tindle, Kenneth Schaefer, Robert Schlapia, Justin Tindle, Richard Hammond and Norman Klejch. Honorary pallbearer was Jason Tindle.
Louise was laid to rest in the Bohemian Cemetery, Diagonal.
WAYNE OSCAR BURCHETT
Wayne Oscar Burchett, son of Orval and Alice Burchett, was born December 25, 1920 at the family farm near Grand River, Iowa and died March 23, 2001 at Mount Ayr, Iowa after a lengthy illness. He was 80.
He graduated from Grand River high school in 1938. As a youth, Wayne was a 4-H member and showed prize-winning cattle. As an adult, he was a 4-H leader and served as a County Fair Board member. He married Gayle Elaine Carns July 18, 1942. They had two daughters, Anne and Cathy.
Mr. Burchett played basketball in high school and later officiated high school basketball. He once refereed a game played locally by the Harlem Globetrotters. He joined a classmate in starting the Grand River Alumni Association annual picnic. Mr. Burchett was a charter member of the Grand River Lions Club. He served as choir director and administrative board member as well as many other responsibilities at the Grand River United Methodist Church.
He lived in Decatur county and operated the Orval Burchett and Sons Hereford Ranch, a century farm, raising registered Herefords, and was a member of the American Hereford Association. He hosted an international tour of cattle breeders for the Iowa Hereford Association.
For nearly 40 years Mr. Burchett also owned and operated accounting, insurance and tax services with offices in Murray and Kellogg. He conducted tax seminars for colleagues around the state, and in 1991 he served as president of the Iowa Accountants Association.
Wayne Burchett was a man with creative energy who was an oil painter, carpenter, leather smith, builder, inventor and innovator. He enjoyed music, sports, raising and riding horses and serving his community.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Wanda and brother Wade.
He is survived by his wife Gayle Burchett of Mount Ayr; daughter Anne Barton and her husband Lester of Chandler, Arizona; daughter Cathy McCabe and her husband Michael of Gilbert, Arizona; grandsons, Kenneth and Jacob Barton of Chandler, Arizona, Douglas and Andrew McCabe of Seattle, Washington; great-grandchildren, Alexander and Ava McCabe of Seattle; one sister Wilda Boles of Grand River; as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held on March 26, 2001 at the Grand River United Methodist Church in Grand River with Pastor Rick Hawkins officiating. Penny Gonseth was the musician and Emil Rinderspacher the soloist. Bearers were Eric Boles, Terry Boles, Allen Burchett, Keith Burchett, Marshall Burchett, Richard Burchett, Merrill Carns and Bernard Stogdill. Honorary bearers were Mary Breheny, Bill Breheny, Robert Burchett, Kate Burchett, Robert Conwell, David Cooper and Frank Reasoner.
Interment was in the Grand River Cemetery, Grand River.
Arrangements were made through the Slade O'Donnell Funeral Home of Leon, Iowa.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Iowa Chapter of the Alzheimers Association, 700 E. University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50316.
CARROLL (LEFTY) PORTER GEIST
Carroll Porter Geist better known as Lefty was born in Ellston, Iowa to Elmer and Sophia (Schultz) Geist on November 28, 1919 and left us on March 23, 2001.
At the age of 17, he signed a major league contract to play baseball with the Cleveland Indians and later for the Saint Louis Browns. His love of baseball shaped his life. From being honored as the Outstanding Amateur Iowa Athlete of Iowa to pitching a baseball game so hard that it broke his arm. When he moved to Mount Ayr, Iowa he played first base with the Mount Ayr Vets team. His constant chatter of "Hey, hey, Baby" made that position his own. He managed the team before "sackin' the bats."
World War II called Lefty to service. Most of the time was spent in the South Pacific Theater reclaiming the Philippines and surrounding islands. Freeing the prisoners from Santa Tomas prison camp to being with the First Calvary as they were the first to march the streets of Tokyo were two of the things he would talk about, but little else would ever be told. He was a humble man believing the heroes were the ones who didn't come home.
His life, after marrying Cleola Burchett on August 26, 1948, settled them in Van Wert, Iowa. Cullen was born June 1, 1949. It gave him great joy to have a "red headed" boy. Crae was born to complete the family on May 27, 1957, yet another joy.
In 1951, he and his family moved back to Mount Ayr purchasing interest in the "Sandwich Shop." In the year of '53 he became part owner of the "Club Tavern" later becoming sole owner of "Lefty's Club Tavern." After giving up the restaurant business he purchased the "Q Club."
"The Attic" was established in 1968 and ran as an addition to Lefty's Club Tavern. Lefty continued in business until 1988 when it was sold to his son Crae and he became an employee. He worked there until Thursday night, March 22, 2001.
He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Mount Ayr Methodist Church and Mount Ayr Golf and Country Club.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, two brothers, Loring Geist and an infant son of Sophie and Elmer Geist.
Lefty is survived by his wife Cleola; son Cullen and fiancée Donna Harrington, grandchildren Blaine and Adriene and their mother Leslie; son Crae and wife Jodie, granddaughters Sarah and Kelsey; nephew Larry Geist and family; sisters-in-law Betty Geist and Betty Powers; brother-in-law Keith Burchett; nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends of all ages.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 27, 2001 at the United Methodist Church, Mount Ayr, with Reverend Michael Druhl officiating. Musicians were Mrs. Debbie Cannon and Dr. Collus Lawhead. Casket bearers were Kelly Main, Steve Fetty, Mac Cross, Ted Smith, Steve Mitchell, Scott Giles, Max McGehee and Bill Blunck. Honorary pallbearers are all of those who have shared a baseball experience with Lefty.
Military rites were given by Ringgold Post #172 American Legion.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
