Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Vernon C. Less
Services: 10:30 am on Thursday, April 26, 2001 at the St. John's Catholic Church in Blairstown, with burial at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Blairstown. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday at St. John's Catholic Church.
Minister: Rev. John T. Walsh
Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been established.
Vernon Charles Less was born November 10, 1915 in Walker, Iowa, the son of Walter and Blanche Zaborsky Less. He attended school in Walker and later moved to Manchester, Iowa. On June 11, 1941 he married Josephine Houser in Cedar Rapids. The couple farmed in the Blairstown area for thirty-nine years. In 1983 they retired to Blairstown and built a new home. Vernon was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Blairstown and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and spending time with his family. Vernon died of cancer Monday morning, April 23, 2001 at his home with his family around him. He was a devoted and caring husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife of fifty-nine years, Josephine, his nine children, Joseph Less (and the late Patricia Less) and his special friend, Karen Himmelsbach, Lone Tree, IA, Thomas Less and wife, Nancy, Watkins, IA, JoAnn Emmel and husband, Rudy, Blacksburg, VA, Mary Gallery and husband, Michael, Masonville, IA, Richard Less and wife, Kaye, Van Horne, IA, Barbara Wille and husband, Willard, Victor, IA, Cynthia Miller and husband, Mark, Van Horne, IA, John Less and wife, Jeanne, Forsythe, IL, Michael Less and wife, Kerry, Van Horne, Ia, twenty-six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, Two brothers, Edward Less and wife, Louise, Loveland, CO, Charles Less, Ft. Myers, FL, and one sister, Bernice Capitani and husband, Siro, Ft. Myers, FL.
Maj. Bertha A. Miller, A.N.C. (ret.)
Services: 2:30 a.m. Mon. February 12, 2001 at St. John's Catholic Church in Blairstown, Iowa with Rev. John Walsh celebrating. Burial at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Blairstown. Friends may call at Overton Family Funeral Home, Blairstown, from 1:00 p.m. to mass time on Monday.
Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been established.
Bertha Ann Miller was born March 24, 1905 near Cedar Rapids, IA to John F. and Anna Walter Miller. She grew up in Klemme, IA, and Watkins, IA. In January, 1941, she graduated from the School of Nursing, St. Annes Hospital, Chicago, IL. In 1942 she entered the Army Nurse Corps, stationed with the 10th Field Hospital in Europe during WWII. Bertha was very proud of her service with the Army Nurse Corps and of her service in the European Theater of Operation, where she was awarded seven Battle Stars, five Overseas Bars, the Legion of Merit and the American Campaign Medal. In 1951 Bertha transferred from active duty to the Army Reserves, retiring in 1965, having earned the rank of Major. Bertha worked as a nurse in New York City and Chicago before settling in St. Louis in the early 1950's. In 1999, she moved to the Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo, where her death came Friday, February 9, 2001 at the age of 95 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Frank, two sisters, Ida Woods and Charlotte McCullough and one nephew, Morrie Miller. Survivors include one niece, Arlene Nilmeyer, CA, three great nieces, Denise Miller and husband, Jim, Vail, IA, Doreen Brower and husband, Kevin, Cedar Rapids, IA, Donna Heitman and husband, Randy, Williamsburg, IA, and three great nephews, Gene and John Nilmeyer, CA and Duane Miller and wife, Julie, Blairstown, IA
Donna Ohlen
Services: 10:30 Saturday, November 24, 2001 at Grace Lutheran Church, Blairstown. Visitation will be held from 3:00-8:00 PM at Overton Funeral Home in Blairstown on Friday. Burial will at 1:30 pm on Saturday at Cedar Memorial Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A lunch will follow immediately after the services at the church.
Minister: Pastor David Rempfer
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Donna Bernice Ohlen was born on August 26, 1914 at Van Horne, Iowa; the daughter of John and Alma (Siek) Kading. She was raised and attended school in Van Horne, graduating in the class of 1932. On September 29, 1934, Donna married Paul Elmer Ohlen at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Van Horne. They lived and farmed together west of Blairstown for many years, retiring to live in Blairstown in 1973. Paul passed away on January 23, 1985, and Donna continued to live in Blairstown. She was a homemaker all of her life and truly enjoyed working with her flowers. Donna was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Blairstown, the Ladies Aid and played cards in various card clubs in town. Donna’s health had failed and she had been a resident at the Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo since August 23, 2001. Her death came there on Tuesday, November 21, 2001 at the age of 87 years. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, husband Paul, and a twin brother, Donald Kading. She is survived by a son William (Marsha) Ohlen of Blairstown, 2 daughters; Bonnie Stallman of Blairstown and Bette Kae (Robert) Lee of Norway, 11 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 3 step great- grandchildren.
Vada Mae Brown Rinehart
Memorial Services: 10:30 am on Monday, April 23, 2001 at Overton Family Funeral Home in Blairstown. Burial will be at Marengo Cemetery, Marengo, Iowa
Minister: Rev. Norma Spurgin
Memorial Fund: May be directed to Make a Wish Foundation
Vada Mae Brown Rinehart, born on July 16, 1909, passed away January 1, 2001, at Mill Pond Retirement Center, Ankeny, Iowa, with complications from a stroke. She was the daughter of the late Leo J and Belle Beckler Brown. Vada was born on a farm in Onaka, South Dakota. She moved to Iowa in 1912, living near her grandparents in Marengo, Iowa. She married Clinton Henry (Clint) Rinehart on December 24, 1930, in Moorhead, MN. He passed away April 30, 1975. They moved to Belle Plaine, Iowa in 1933 when Clint was hired by Skelly Oil. They lived in Belle Plaine until 1943 when they moved to Iowa City and later to Des Moines in 1945, where she lived with her daughter, Janet, until she broke her hip on January 24, 1997, at which time she needed complete care and moved to Mill-Pond Health Center in Ankeny, Iowa. She attended rural school called the Baugh School, and graduated from Marengo High School in 1927. After graduation she taught rural school in Summer Township from 1927 until 1931. She returned to teaching at Hartford School from 1932 to 1936. After moving to Des Moines she returned to teaching in 1955 and taught at Babbit School, which was a rural school through the third grade. She then taught at Delaware School in Southeast Polk school system until 1972, when she retired after Clint had his first heart attack. She attended night class, Saturday classes and summer sessions at Coe College, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Drake University in Des Moines. She was a member of Simpson United Methodist Church. She had served as memorial fund secretary/treasurer at her church. She is survived by a daughter, Janet Rinehart of Des Moines, a sister-in-law Louaine Brown of Mission, TX, a nephew, Tracy Lee Brown of Dallas, TX, and a niece Sharon Stone of Pensacola, FL. Preceding her in death was her husband Clint in 1975, her father in 1965, her mother in 1978, her sisters Lulu Sheets in 1996, Geneva Lindgren in 1998, her brothers Lester Brown in 1999, Kenneth Reno Brown in infancy and brother-in-law Chuck Sheets in 1973 and Larry Lindgren in 1991.
Anna B. Swick
Services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 6, 2000 at Grace Lutheran Church, Blairstown. Friends may call from 4:00-8:00 PM at Overton Family Funeral Home, Blairstown on Tuesday, December 5, 2000. Burial Mound Cemetery, Watkins, Iowa.
Memorial Fund: May be Directed to the Family
Minister- Pastor David Rempfer
Anna Beatrice Swick was born on August 31, 1910 at Davenport, Iowa; the daughter of Adolph and Helena (Schaedlich) Geiger. She attended country school and after completing school, she worked various jobs. On June 21, 1930, she was united in marriage to Ivan Swick at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. They made their home in Watkins until 1951 and then moved to live in Blairstown. Anna was employed by Amana Refrigeration for 23 years. Ivan passed away in July of 1978, and Anna continued to live in Blairstown. On August 28, 1998, Anna became a resident at the Keystone Care Center where her death came peacefully on Sunday, December 3, 2000 at the age of 90 years. Anna loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. Anna was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ivan, a son Gordon Swick, and 2 brothers; Harry and Ray Geiger. She is survived by a son Bruce Swick & wife Janice of Luzerne, 2 daughters and their husbands; Elaine & Norman Miller of Norway and Karen & Harley Noe of Cedar Rapids, 13 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 2 sisters; Helen Gatens of Amana, IA and Dorothy McBurney of Cedar Rapids.
Clara M. Thorman
Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 5, 2001 at Calvary United Methodist Church in Blairstown, Iowa with Rev. Steve Whisler officiating. Due to the weather, burial will be private at Pleasant hill Cemetery, Blairstown.. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been established.
Clara M. Thorman was born June 3, 1902 on a farm near Blairstown to John and Mary Wolf Thorman. She was raised in the Blairstown area and graduated from Blairstown High school. Clara attended Coe College and, after graduating, worked as a dental assistant in Blairstown. Clara was church organist and sang in the choir of the United Methodist Church in Blairstown. She also belonged to the Order of Eastern Star and the Women's Missionary Group. For the past several years she has been a resident of the Marengo Memorial Hospital Care Center, where her death came New Year's Eve, 2000, at the age of 98 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and four sisters. Aunt Clara, as she was known to her family, is survived by two nephews, Harlan McCaw and his wife, Jo, of Cedar Rapids, and Milford Hartz and his wife, Helen, of Newhall, and one niece, Bernice Lanam of Marengo.
Iola E. Weekly
Services: 10:00 a.m on Wednesday, January 42, 2001 at the Overton Family Funeral Homes in Blairstown, Iowa with Rev. Dave Snyder of the Central Presbyterian Church in Newhall officiating. Visitation from 5 - 7 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial Fund: Directed to the family.
Iola Elisabeth Anna Weekly was born on April 16, 1910 near Williamsburg, Iowa; the daughter of Edward and Lizzie Meier Livingston. She married Hurley Weekly in June of 1931 in Shelbyville, MO. They made their home in the Newhall area most of their life. She was a member of the Central Presbyterian Church in Newhall and is a 52-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a news writer for the Newhall area for the Star Press and the Vinton Times for over 20 years, a quilter for the Lutheran Quilters and an avid bowler. For the past month, Iola has been a resident at the Vinton Lutheran Home in Vinton and her death came suddenly at St. Luke’s Hospital on Monday, January 22, 2001, at the age of 90 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Hurley, a brother Melvin Livingston, 2 sons; Keith Weekly and Harlan Weekly, a daughter Janet Dunn, and 2 grandsons; Michael and Jay Dunn. Iola is survived by 2 sisters; Leona Klever and Joyce (Oti) Stangland, both of Williamsburg, 2 brothers; Eugene (Evelyn) Livingston and Dean (Colleen) Livingston, both of California, 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, 2 daughters-in-law, Norma Weekly of Newhall and Maxine Weekly of Walker, and a son-in-law, Irwin Dunn of Iowa City.
Ila Duncalf
Services: Private graveside services at International Cemetery, Luzerne, Iowa
Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been established.
Ila Lorraine Duncalf was born November 25, 1933 at Norway, Iowa, to Delbert and Anna Siepman Garwood. She attended school in Blairstown, graduating with the class of 1951. On August 28, 1951, she married Wilfrid Duncalf in Belle Plaine, Iowa. The couple lived and farmed in the Luzerne area all their married life. Ila enjoyed cooking and spending time with her family. Ila's death came Sunday, June 24, 2001 at the Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids from cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents and one siste, Bernadine Marks. She is survived by her husband, Wilfrid, and son Dean, both at home in Luzerne, son Stan and wife, Carolyn, of Waverly, IA, son Bruce of Marion, IA, four brothers, George Garwood and wife, Marie, Vinton, IA, Virgil Garwood and wife, Rita, Merle Garwood and wife, Leota, and Dennis Garwood and wife, Pat, all of Cedar Rapids IA, two sisters, Marcella Olson, Belle Plaine, IA, and Jane Himmelsbach and husband, Rich, Norway, IA, four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
