Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Dorothy A. Bolt
Services: Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 26 from 4-8pm at Overton Funeral Home in Traer. the funeral service will also be held at the funeral home in Traer on Friday, April 27, 2001 at 10:30 am. Burial is at the Buckingham Cemetery in Traer followed by a luncheon at the United Presbyterian Church in Traer.
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Dorothy Aileen Bolt was born on August 18, 1919 in Traer, Iowa, the daughter of David & Mable (Heckroth) Bodle. Dorothy attended school in Dinsdale and graduated high school with the class of 1937. She was united in marriage to Ralph Bolt on November 13, 1937 in Waterloo. Ralph and Dorothy lived in Minneapolis for a short time but most of their married life was spent on a farm North West of Traer. In 1981 they moved to make their home in Dinsdale. Dorothy was a cook for the Dinsdale & Traer School District for 28 years, retiring in 1984. In her spare time she and Ralph greatly enjoyed fishing and they made many trips to Canada together to partake of their favorite pastime. Other free moments were spent bowling on the women’s league for many years. Ralph passed away on November 28, 1996 and Dorothy has made her in the Sunrise Hill Care Center for the past few years. It was at the care center that her death came on Monday, April 23, 2001 at the age of 81 years. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a son, Darrel. Her memory is cherished by her sons: Larry and his wife Sharon of Mt. Auburn and Ronald of Toledo. She is also survived by 2 grandchildren, 1 step grandchild and 1 step great grandchild.
Vincent G. Caslavka
Services: 10:30 AM Monday, February 26, 2001 at the Immcaculate Conception Church in Clutier, Iowa. Visitation on Sunday at the Overton Funeral Home in Traer. Burial at the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery near Clutier.
Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been established.
Vincent George Caslavka was born May 29, 1918 on a farm in rural Clutier, IA, the son of Vincent A. and Mary (Vorba) Caslavka. Vincent attended Clutier Public Schools where he graduated with the Class of 1934. On June 27, 1944 he was united in marriage to Laverna Schmidt at St. Patrick’s Church in Watkins, Iowa. Vincent and Laverna made their home farming northeast of Clutier. Following their retirement in 1980 they moved to a home at 804 Crestview Drive in Traer. Since last fall, Vincent had been fighting a battle with cancer and recently had been hospitalized at the Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo where he died Thursday, February 22, 2001 at the age of 82 years. In his many years of farming Vince received numerous awards for growing Pioneer Seed Corn and topped the market at the Chicago stockyards for beef cattle. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clutier, Catholic Order of Foresters and the Tama Co. Farm Bureau. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Laverna of Traer, IA, two sons: Dennis Caslavka of Excelsior, MN and David (Maureen) Caslavka of Pittsburg, CA, two daughters: Jennifer (Mrs. John) Stoltenberg of Wayzata, MN and Joleen (Mrs. Jeff) Hall of Excelsior, MN, a brother: Warren (Delores) Caslavka of Traer, IA and five grandchildren: Amy, Erik and Mark Stoltenberg, Ryan Caslavka and Jeffrey Hall II.
Ethel M. Cherveny
Services: At this time no public services or visitation will be held. A private family graveside service will be held at National Cemetery in Vining, IA at a later date. Overton Family Funeral Home in Traer in charge of arrangements
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Ethel Mae Cherveny was born September 2, 1899 at Mt. Savage, Maryland the daughter of Thomas and Molly Crowe. On September 24, 1924 Ethel was united in marriage William Cherveny at Chicago and they made their home in the Chicago area where she did housework and laundry for over 20 years. Following William’s death on December 9, 1989 Ethel moved to Traer and made her home on First Street, until moving to Sunrise Hill Care Center in 1994. Her death came at the care center on Thursday, January 3, 2002 at the age of 102 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband William. She is survived by more distant relatives.
Elsie A. Christensen
Services: Visitation is on Friday, June 1, 2001 from 4-6pm at Overton Funeral Home in Traer. A service will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2001 at 10:30 am at Ripley United Church of Christ also in Traer. Burial is at Buckingham Cemetery in Traer followed by a luncheon at Ripley Church fellowship hall.
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Elsie Amanda Haack was born February 11,1912, to Henry and Mary Ehlers Haack on a farm in Perry Township. She graduated from Traer High School in the class of 1929. She taught in rural schools until her marriage to Harold Christensen on August 28,1935. They farmed in the Toledo and Traer areas for many years, and then moved to an apartment in Traer in May of 1999. Elsie’s death came at the Sunrise Hill Care Center on May 30, 2001 following a brief illness. Elsie was a longtime member of Ripley United Church of Christ where she taught Sunday School and was active in the Women’s Fellowship. She was also a member of the Friends of the Library and Monday Fine Arts Club. She enjoyed gardening and reading. Elsie was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Ralph Haack. Elsie is survived by her husband; one daughter and her husband, Lois and Keith Earley of Traer; and one son and his wife, Dale and Jeannine Christensen of Arlington, Nebraska. Her grandchildren are Diane and Jon Panfil, Mark and Suzanne Earley, all of Traer; and Andrea Christensen and Bryce Christensen of Arlington, Nebraska. Her great grandchildren are Benjamin and Lucy Panfil and William and Joseph Earley.
Harold M. Christensen
Services: Visitation is on Monday, Oct. 15, 2001 from 3-5pm. The funeral service is on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001 at 10:30 am at Ripley United Church of Christ in Traer. Burial is at the Buckingham Cemetery in Traer followed by at luncheon back at the church fellowship hall.
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Harold M. Christensen was born January 15, 1908 north of Toledo, Iowa, the son of Martin and Orilla (Winters) Christensen. Harold received his education in country school near Toledo and graduated from Toledo High School in the Class of 1926. He then began farming with his father and on August 28, 1935 was united in marriage to Elsie Haack. Harold and Elsie farmed in the Toledo and Traer area for many years. In May of 1999 they moved to an apartment in Traer and in December of that year Harold became a resident of the Sunrise Hill Care Center. Harold's death came at the care center on Saturday, October 13, 2001 at the age of 93 years. After his retirement, Harold enjoyed upholstery, macramé, and woodcarving. He was a member of Ripley United Church of Christ, Odd Fellows Lodge, and was a past member of the Buckingham Cemetery Association Board. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, wife Elsie on May 30, 2001, a twin sister Helen Christensen and a brother Leo Christensen. He is survived by one daughter and her husband, Lois and Keith Earley of Traer, and one son and his wife, Dale and Jeannine Christensen of Arlington, Nebraska. His grandchildren are Diane and Jon Panfil, Mark and Suzanne Earley all of Traer and Andrea Christensen and Bryce Christensen of Arlington, Nebraska. His great grandchildren are Benjamin and Lucy Panfil and William and Joseph Earley.
M. Eleanor Currens
Services: 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 13, 2001 at the United Presbyterian Church in Traer, with visitaiton from 3:00 - 7:00 pm on Monday at the Overton Funeral Home in Traer. Burial will be at the Buckingham Cemetery in Traer.
Minister: Rev. Rick Vesely
Memorial Fund: Directed to the family
M. Eleanor Currens was born January 27, 1919 at Jacksonville, Illinois, the daughter of James W. and Virginia W. (Bridgeman) Middleton. At the age of 4 she moved to Des Moines, Iowa where she attended school and later graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1937. Eleanor continued her education at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois and later Iowa State University in Ames. She then worked as an office manager of Puritan Laboratories in Des Moines. On September 8, 1951 she was united in marriage to John R. “Randy” Curren sat Des Moines. Eleanor and Randy then made their home farming southwest of Traer for 42 years before moving to Ridgeway Place in Waterloo on October 9,1993. On Friday Eleanor entered Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo where her death came on Saturday, January 13, 2001 at the age of 81 years. In free moments she enjoyed sewing, crafts, knitting and being with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, and an infant daughter Barbara Anne. She is survived by her husband John R. “Randy” Currens of Waterloo, one son and his wife, James and Kari Currens of Traer, a daughter and her husband, Nancy and Patrick Pinkston of Milan, Illinois and four grandchildren, Michelle Pinkston, Steven Pinkston, Sarah Pinkston and James Ryan Currens.
Robert F. Demange
Services: A graveside service was held on June 23, 2001 at the Buckingham Cemetery in Traer
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Robert F. Demange, 93, died at his home in Los Altos, CA, on Monday, March 5, 2001. He was born February 2, 1908 in Besancon, France, the youngest child of Berthe Beaud and Alexandre Demange. He arrived with family in Chicago in 1912, where his aunts owned a dressmaking establishment. He graduated with honors from Tilden Tech High School in 1926, where he was nicknamed “the Professor.” Bob became a mechanical and electrical engineer, working for Warren Webster in Chicago. There he met Earl Beling, who founded Beling Consultants in Moline with Mr. Demange as vice president. He was proud of his association with the company and its role in designing plumbing, heating and air-conditioning systems for clients of the Middle West. He held this position until retirement in 1975. Bob met Fern Alma Draper of Buckingham, Iowa while working at the U.S. Arsenal in Rock Island. The couple married in 1937 and moved to Moline. There they raised four children. He served on the board of trustees of First United Methodist Church and was also a member of the Optimists Club, Elks Club, Moline Plumbing Board, and Short Hills Golf and Country Club. After his first wife’s death in 1978, he took a cruise through the Panama Canal and met Mrs. Dorothy (Perkins) Codding of Los Altos. They were married in 1981 and brought both families together for many holiday celebrations. In his retirement, Bob pursued his love of golf, playing twice a week as a member of Palo Alto Seniors Golf Group and Deep Cliff Golf Course. He also began painting and was a member of the Los Altos Art Club. In 2000, one of his watercolors was featured in the book “Paint the Town.” Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; children (and their families), Robert P. Demange, Carol Altizer (husband Gary and her children, Scott Jensen and Pamela Roszell, Pamela’s husband, Pete and their son, Hayden), Allen Demange (wife JoAnn, and their children Julie and Laura Demange), and Susan Riach (husband, Andrew, and their son, Matthew); nephew, Gilbert Demange and wife Marion; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. His California family include Marilyn Pajari, husband Hank, children, Erin, Laura and Stephen; Carol Codding, children, Lee, Laura and Brian; Stephen and Quentin Codding. Leroy Codding III predeceased him.
Dean Wayne Degner
Services: Visitation is on Thurs., Nov. 15, 2001 from 4-7pm. The funeral service is on Fri., Nov. 16, 2001 at 10:30 am at Ripley United Church of Christ in Traer. Burial is at Buckingham Cemetery, Traer, followed by a luncheon at the church fellowship hall.
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Dean W. Degner was born February 19, 1929 in rural Dysart, Iowa, the son of Walter and Bertha (Nelson) Degner. Dean received his education in country school at Clark # 8 thru the 8th grade and later graduated from Dysart High School in 1948. In 1951 Dean entered the US Marines and served his country at Camp Pendleton in California from 1951-1953. On May 10, 1952 he was united in marriage to Nancy Kahler at Oceanside, CA. Following his discharge Dean and Nancy returned to the Dysart area where he farmed with his brother Gerald until moving to a farm east of Traer. In 1995 they moved to town where they have made their home since. More recently Dean has been a patient at the Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo where his death came on Tuesday, November 13, 2001 at the age of 72 years. In free moments he enjoyed spending time with his family, family fishing trips to Leech Lake in Minnesota, and their winter trips to Ft. Meyers, Florida. Dean also enjoyed riding his 1937 Harley and was an accomplished cook and enjoyed making pies and cookies. Dean was known for his handle bar mustache even won the 1973 Beard and Whisker Club contest at the Traer Centennial. He also was a member of the Ripley United Church of Christ and the Kubik Finch Post # 142 of Traer. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Carol and twin brothers, Homer and Hubert. He is survived by his wife Nancy, two sons, Kenneth Degner and his wife Teresa of Traer and Jim Degner of Branford, CT, three daughters and their husbands, Kathy and Randy Kvidera of Traer, Judy and Scott Breakenridge of Hudson, IA and Susan and Craig Corcoran of Overland, Park, KS, two brothers, Gerald Degner of Dysart and Billy Degner of Green Mountain, IA, one sister Marjorie Foster of Dysart, and 9 grandchildren.
Lydia A. Dindale
Services: Services will be held on Monday, March 19, 2001 at 1:30 pm at the Ripley United Church of Christ in Traer by Rev. Sheryl Campbell officating. Burial will follow at the Buckingham Cemetery in Traer. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 18, 2001 from 5-7 PM at the Overton Funeral Home in Traer
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer at 909 6th Street in Traer, Iowa 50675
Lydia A. Dinsdale was born April 24, 1912 at home in Dinsdale, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas and Jennie (Fleming) Dinsdale. She received her education at Dinsdale School and then worked in the Traer area as a home health aid and later was employed at Sunrise Hill Care Center. In the past few years she has made her home at the Sunrise Hill Care Center where she died Thursday, March 15, 2001 at the age of 88 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Oscar, Floyd, LeRoy, Wilson (Bud), Calvin, and Lorin and sisters, Matilda Foster, Frances Keller Emma Claussen and Arlene Frier. She is survived by her sister Mildred Witt of Reinbeck, Iowa and Brother Marvin Dinsdale of Traer.
Gerald B. Ewing
Services: At Mr. Ewing's request, his body has been donated to the University of Iowa Anatomy Dept. and a memorial service is to be held on Saturday, January 19, 2001 at 11:00 am at the Geneseo United Methodist Church in Buckingham, IA. A lunch will follow at the church fellowship hall. There will be no visitation.
Memorial Fund: Has been established and may be directed to the family.
Gerald Bertrum Ewing was born September 3, 1915 at Traer, Iowa, the son of Jack and Eathyle (Wood) Ewing. He attended and graduated from Traer High School in May of 1932. While in high school Gerald was active in football, receiving the honor of being the only Traer player to be selected as captain of the team in 1931. Gerald then continued his education at Gates Business College at Waterloo, IA. On November 25, 1936 he was united in marriage to Noreen Speer. Gerald and Noreen farmed all their married life and lived 1 ½ miles southeast of Buckingham, IA, raising sheep, hogs and Hereford cattle. Gerald’s death came on Sunday, January 13, 2002 at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo at the age of 86 years. Gerald was a member of the Geneseo Methodist Church, Chairman of the Church Official Board form 1961-1964, and a board member and trustee for many years. He also was a former member of the County School Board and County Conservation Board. Gerald is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Noreen, a brother Dean, and his son Jere. He is survived by his daughter Barbara (Mrs. Ken) Strohbehn of Gladbrook, IA, a sister, Norma (Mrs. Kenneth) Powell of Traer, IA, his grandchildren: Scott & Jen Strohbehn, Grant & Susan Strohbehn, Noel Fisher, Shawn Strohbehn, David Strohbehn, Tim Ewing, Jill Ewing, Tom & Ann Ewing and Rod & Tracey Hulme and 14 great grandchildren.
