Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Bettie J. Wessel Ackman
Services: 10:30 A.M. on Friday, November 16, 2001 at Overton-Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home in Vinton, with burial at the Maplewood Cemetery in Vinton. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home in Vinton.
Minister: Rev. Ron Waters.
Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been established.
Bettie June Wessel Ackman was born June 10, 1924 in Lakeland, FL to Donald and Bernita Grimes Wessel. Her parents moved to Colesburg, IA, where Bettie was raised and attended school, graduating from Colesburg high school. On July 4, 1954, she married Harry "Carl" Ackman at Colesburg and the couple lived in Colesburg, Edgewood, La Porte City and Vinton during their married life. For the past eight years Bettie has been a resident at the Virginia Gay Hospital Annex in Vinton. Her death came peacefully early Tuesday morning, November 13, 2001, with her children at her bedside. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, in 1998, her parents and one brother, Garlyn "Bud" Wessel. Survivors include her two sons; Dan Ackman and his wife, Barb, of Buckingham, IA, and Lynn Ackman and his fiance, Tammy Howard, of Tripoli, IA, four daughters; Linda Nelson of Cedar Falls, IA, Leah Gallagher and husband, Tom, of La Porte City, IA, Mary and Karen Ackman, both of Vinton, nine grandchildren, one great grandchild and one sister; Phyllis Schultz of Dubuque, IA, one aunt, Freda Gienapp and several nieces and nephews. Bettie was a very nurturing person and spent much of her life caring for relatives and neighbors and enjoyed time spent with her children and grandchildren.
Roscoe Ulysses Albertsen
Services: 10:30 AM on Thursday, January 4, 2001 at Overton-Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home, Vinton, Iowa, with Rev. Doug Rokke of American Lutheran Church, La Porte City. . Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2001from 4:00-7:00 pm at the funeral home.
Memorial Fund: Memorial may be directed to family.
Roscoe Ulysses Albertsen was born on March 8, 1917, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; the son of Magnus and Helen (Huppert) Albertsen. He lived for a time in Illinois and while in high school, his family moved to make their home in Mt. Auburn, Iowa. Roscoe graduated from Mt. Auburn High School in the class of 1935. He worked for area farmers before entering the United States Army, serving his country during World War II as 1st Sergeant where he was awarded a purple heart, 3 bronze stars and a silver star. On November 20, 1946, Roscoe married Lucille Werning at Newhall, Iowa. He was a mechanic at Warfords Service Station and the Skelly Station, both in La Porte City and also farmed during his life, retiring in 1978. They have made their home on the farm south of La Porte City for the past 53 years. On February 1, 1999, Roscoe became a resident at the Sunnycrest Nursing Home in Dysart. On Monday, January 1, 2001, he was a patient at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton where his death came at the age of 83 years. Roscoe was a member of the Mt. Auburn American Legion, Emil H. Dutler Post #177, VFW, the American Lutheran Church, La Porte City and used to drive school bus for the Mt. Auburn School District. In his spare time, he enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and drawing pictures of nature scenes. He also enjoyed working with wood and cooking. Roscoe was known to have a good time with his grandkids, teasing them often and had established a nickname for each of them. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepson, Ron Myers. Roscoe is survived by his wife Lucille, 3 sons and their wives; Gary and Denise of Mt. Auburn, Randy and Deb of Dysart, Larry and Nancy of Mt. Auburn, a daughter and her husband Sandra and Scott Monroe of Clutier, IA, 15 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and a sister Mardean Ritchie of Nashville, Arkansas.
Helen Balhorn
Services: Private graveside services were held on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 at Evergreen Cemetery
Memorial Fund: May be directed to North Benton Ambulance
Helen L. Primus Balhorn was born May 14, 1916 in Cedar Township near Mt. Auburn, IA to Frank and Judith Wiltsie Primus. She graduated from Mt. Auburn High School and on November 26, 1935 married Merrill M. Balhorn. The couple farmed in the Dysart area until retiring and moving to Vinton in the early 1960's. In her spare time, Helen enjoyed crocheting and playing cards. Helen moved to Crestview Acres in Marion recently where she died early Satruday morning, November 25, 2000. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, on December 28, 1990, and two brothers; Allan and Lorenz Primus. Survivors include one brother, Willis (Letha) Primus, Ft. Myers, FL, and one sister, LaVonne Rice, Vinton, and several nieces and nephews.
Elma Belknap
Services: 10:30 am on Friday, May 4, 2001 at the Overton - Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home in Vinton with visitation from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton
Minister: Rev. Rose Blank
Memorial Fund: Directed to the family.
Elma Bucknell Belknap was born September 19, 1910 at Floyd, IA, to Arthur and Anna Meek Bucknell. She was raised in Floyd and graduated from the Floyd High School, where she was a stand-out basketball player. She received her teaching certification from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. On September 23, 1930 she married Ralph Belknap at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. The couple lived in Vinton and raised their family there. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, the Vinton Woman's Club, the Vinton Garden Club and was superintendant of the needlework department at the Benton County Fair for thirty-three years. Elma enjoyed spending time with her family and was an avid Hawkeye fan and a faithful Vinton-Shellsburg athletic booster. the activities and her friends at Congregate Meals were a big part of her life in recent years. She also did needlework, crafts, played the violin and enjoyed gardening and canning. Elma's health had been failing recently and her death came Tuesday evening, May 1, 2001 at the Virginia Gay Hospital with her family at her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ralph, in 1981, a brother, Loren Bucknell and a sister, Iola Cummings. Survivors include two sons, Duane Belknap and wife, Thelma, Pine Island, MN, Dwight Belknap and wife, Elaine, Lake Havasu City, AZ, four daughters, Madelyn Duncklee, Marvel Netser and husband, Fred, Linda MacWatt and husband, David, all of Vinton, Lois Erickson and husband, Tom, White Bear Lake, MN, one brother, Cletus Bucknell and wife, Gloria, Bassett, IA, three sisters, Doris Aird, Charles City, IA, Lois Waid, Floyd, IA, Irma Kay, Manchester, IA, seventeen grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Sharon K. Bentley
Graveside Services: 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at the Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton.
Minister: Rev. Joseph McGuire.
Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been established.
Sharon Kay Slapnicka Bentley was born December 8, 1945 in Wilber, NE, to Frank and Evelyn Skala Slapnicka. She grew up in Wilber and attended school there before moving to Iowa. She married Jim Diesburg and they later divorced. In 1981 she married Howard Bentley in Cedar Rapids, IA and the couple lived most of their fourteen years together in Brandon, IA. before divorcing. Sharon moved to Vinton but she and Howard remained close friends. Sharon loved music and played the accordian. She had a special love for animals and was rarely without pets. Her death came unexpectedly at the Virgina Gay Hospital Emergency Room on Sunday, October 28, 2001. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Jeff Diesburg and a sister in infancy. She is survived by two sons, Dustin Bentley of Spirit Lake, IA, and Tom Diesburg, of NJ, four daughters, Danielle Bentley of Cedar Rapids, Jane and Teresa Diesburg of MO, and Michelle Joan Diesburg of Waterloo, IA, one sister, Shirley, of Crete, NE, two brothers, Frank and Alvin Slapnicka of NE, special longtime friend, Ralph Klecker of Cedar Rapids, IA. and nine grandchildren.
Evelyn H. Berry
Services: Public graveside services will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001 at Cedar Memorial Cemetery, Cedar Rapids at 10:30 AM. Visitation will be held at Overton-Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home in Vinton on Monday from 4:00-8:00 PM.
Minister: Chaplain Steve Hindman of St. Luke's Hospice
Memorial Fund: May be directed to St. Luke's Hospice, 1201 3rd Ave. SE Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403
Evelyn H. Berry was born on August 17, 1927 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; the daughter of James and Sena (Christiansen) Jensen. She was raised in Cedar Rapids and graduated from Roosevelt High School. On June 2, 1948, Evelyn married Carl Berry in Cedar Rapids. They moved to Muscatine for a year before moving to Vinton in the summer of 1962. They bought the Hi-Way Lanes bowling alley and later built Berry’s Lanes in 1977. Carl passed away on March 22, 1985. Evelyn continued to help operate the bowling alley until her retirement in 1997 after 35 years in the business. More recently, her health had been failing and her death came at her home on early Saturday morning, October 13, 2001 at the age of 74 years. In her spare time, Evelyn enjoyed bowling and working with family in the bowling business. Evelyn treasured her grandchildren. Her life was enriched by the time spent with the Indians. Evelyn enjoyed painting, needlework and various crafts. She enjoyed going antique shopping and attending craft shows and flea markets. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Carl and daughter Christine. Evelyn is survived by her son Stephen C. Berry and wife Rachelle and, her daughter Carlyn Berry both of Vinton, 2 grandchildren, Stephanie and Taylor Berry, a sister Marie Schow of Golden, Colorado and a brother William O Jensen of Cedar Rapids.
Edward Bramow
Services were privately held at the Overton - Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home in Vinton, and burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton.
Memorial Fund: Directed to the family.
Edward Ludwig Bramow was born on October 4, 1920, on a farm near Mt. Auburn, Iowa; the son of Herman George and Elfriede Emilie (Wutzke) Bramow. He attended country school through the eighth grade and then began farming as a young man for area farmers. On October 28, 1944, Ed married Ella Marie Shonka at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton, IA and they made their home in Vinton all their married life. Ed worked for a time at Utterback Ford Garage in Vinton and later was employed at the John Deere Store in Vinton for 32 years as a mechanic. After retiring from there, he worked part-time at Terra Fertilizer and the local seed company. Because of failing health, Ed became a resident in September at the Vinton Lutheran Home where his death came on Thursday, November 23, 2000 at the age of 80 years. During his life, he enjoyed working with area farmers with harvest, spent time in the outdoors making sure the squirrels and birds had feed and enjoyed the fishing trips with co-workers to Minnesota. He was a member of the Vinton Presbyterian Church. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters; Jean Ann and Barbara Lynne and a brother Robert. He is survived by his wife Ella, a daughter Joan (William V.) Page of Cedar Rapids, 2 grandchildren Nicole (Steven) Alcorn of North Liberty and Jody Page & fiancé Jason Stofer of Iowa City, a great-grandson Ben Alcorn, and a sister Viola (Robert) Thomas of Cedar Rapids.
Leone Korte Casey
Services: 11:00 am on Friday, January 26, 2001 at the Presbyterian Church in Vinton, with burial at the Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday at Overton - Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home in Vinton and after 9:00 am on Friday at the church.
Memorial Fund: Directed to the family.
Leone Amanda Frieda Casey was born on November 10, 1911 in Douglas Township of Bremer county near Waverly, Iowa, the daughter of Heinriche “Henry” & Mary (Bierman) Korte. Leone was baptized on December 10, 1911 at the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Western Douglas by Rev. Edward Ide. Later the family attended the St. John’s Evangelical & Reformed Church in rural Waverly, where Leone was confirmed in 1925 by Rev. Karl Pfeiffer. Leone attended country school near Waverly and later attended the Pitz Beauty School, graduating in 1936. She worked as a hairdresser in Waverly for a while prior to purchasing a beauty shop in Vinton in 1941. In Vinton she met James Casey and they were united in marriage on March 1, 1956, James later passed away in 1966, and Leone continued to make her home in Vinton. While living in Vinton Leone was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and helped out with many church functions. She also was honored for her volunteer work at the Lutheran Home and HACAP. Recently Leone has been residing at the New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and it was there that her death came on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 at the age of 89 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers; Elmer & John Korte, and 3 sisters; Laura Hoppenworth, Elda Biesterfelt, & Elsa Miller. Leone is survived a sister; Malita Buls of Fredricka, IA, 1 step son and many nieces and nephews.
Lois Maxine Christy
Services: 10:00 am on Thursday, February 1, 2001 at the Church of the Brethren in Garrison, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Wednesday at the Overton - Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home in Vinton, Iowa from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Burial will be at the Garrison Cemetery.
Ministers: Revs. Gene Burry & Glenn Taylor
Memorial Fund: Directed to the family.
Lois Maxine Christy was born in Benton County on August 23, 1921, the daughter of Bert Lee & Gertie Mae (Williams) Kizer. Lois was raised in Benton County and attended country school until the family moved to the Garrison area. Then she attended the Garrison School and later graduated with the class of 1939. On May 22, 1940 Lois was united in marriage to Merlin C Christy in Lancaster, Missouri. They made their home in and around Garrison for most of their married life. During their life in Garrison Lois and Merlin were members of the Church of the Brethren and Lois was active in the Ladies’ Aid. Merlin passed away in 1983 and Lois continued to live in the home they shared until 3 weeks ago when she went to stay with her son Arnold in Oxford. It was in Arnold’s home that her death came peacefully the evening of Saturday, January 27, 2001. She was 79 years of age. Lois was preceded in death by her husband, parents, 1 son and his wife; Lynn & Sonya, her daughter; Carol Kirchner, and 1 sister; Leora Henkle. Lois is survived by 4 sons and their wives; Arnold & Mary of Oxford, Curtis & Cinda of Tucson, AZ, Michael & Tina of Rapid City, SD and Brian & Nancy of Lincoln, NE. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
