Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Orva Jane Smith
Orva Jane Smith, 92, of the Clear Lake and Ventura area, died Thursday, Oct. 25, 2001, at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.
A memorial prayer service was held Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. Inurnment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery.
The family of the Orva Jane Smith has requested that memorial contributions be made to the North Iowa Humane Society in her memory.
Orva Jane Smith was born on Sept. 12, 1909, in rural Ventura, the daughter of William Roy and Golden Lily (Emmons) Davis. She attended and received her education in the Ventura School system, graduating from Ventura High School.
In the late 1940's Orva worked for the Hopkins Sporting Goods in Des Moines until 1957 when she moved back to Ventura to care for her parents. She was united in marriage to Melvin Scherf in 1957 until his death in January 1979. She was united in marriage to R. John Smith on Dec. 3, 1979, in Pasco, Wash. He preceded her in death on May 22, 1998. Orva was baptized at her home in Salem, Or. by a Lutheran minister, and continued to live in Salem until moving back to her beloved Iowa in September 2001.
She enjoyed the great outdoors, taking drives, animals, gardening, and taking care of the home.
Left to cherish her memory is her son, Bob B. Kramer and his wife, Arlene, of Clear Lake; two step-daughters, Rachel K. Levine and her husband, Richard, of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Linda K. Leaf and her husband, Norman, of St. Charles, Mo.; three grandchildren, Kim Kramer of Greensboro, N.C., Karyl Kramer of Brighton, Colo., Kelly Epperson and her husband, David, of Henderson, Nev.; two step-grandchildren, Sara Ann Levine and Amy Levine, both of the Seattle, Wash. area; seven great- grandchildren, Jennifer DeRoock, Nicole Hodge, Amanda Epperson, Jamie Hoskinson, Joshua Epperson, Erin Hoskinson, and Matthew Epperson; three great-great-grandchildren, Jessie, Kylle, and Kacey-Lynn DeRoock; as well as other relatives and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, infant daughter, and infant brother, Melvin Davis.
Alan Jay Dvorak
Alan Jay Dvorak, 56, Clear Lake, died Friday, Oct. 26, 2001, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with Pastor James Allard of the Clear Lake Church of Christ officiating. Inurnment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery.
The family of Alan Jay Dvorak has requested that memorial contributions be made in his memory.
Alan Jay Dvorak was born on July 16, 1945, in Storm Lake, Iowa, the son of Theodore and Elsie (Sumner) Dvorak. He attended and received his education in the Sioux Center, Iowa school system. During his life, Alan worked at a meat packing plant in Nebraska, until moving to Clear Lake. He worked for the Mason City Brick and Tile Company, the Andersen Company of Clear Lake, and, for the last 16 years until the time of his death, he worked construction for Dean Snyder Construction in Clear Lake. Alan also loved to farm with Peter Jensen, and Gary Ohlert.
Alan enjoyed collecting H.O. Model Trains, toy tractors, and collecting old cars. He also enjoyed participating in the Clear Lake Fourth of July parade with his model A Car.
He was a member of the two-cylinder club in Grundy Center, Iowa and the International Harvester Collectors Club.
Left to cherish his memory are his uncle and cousins in Iowa and Nebraska, and his many friends.
His parents; sister, Frances; and a brother, Jackie, preceded him in death.
Soren Pershing Olson
Soren Pershing Olson, 82, Clear Lake, formerly Horseshoe Bend, Ark., died Monday, Aug. 27, 2001, at the Heritage Care Center in Mason City.
Memorial services were held Thursday, August 30, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Kermit Roisen officiating. Inurnment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery with military graveside honors by the Clear Lake VFW. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of the arrangements.
The family of Soren Pershing Olson has requested that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City, Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, or to the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Horseshoe Bend, Ark.
Soren was born on Sept. 25, 1918, on a farm near Scarville, Iowa, the son of Severt and Anna (Mykleby) Olson. He was baptized in the Lime Creek Lutheran Church on Nov. 17, 1918, and was confirmed in the Eldora Lutheran Church in March 1934. He graduated from the Bricelyn, Minn. high school in 1937.
Soren enlisted in the U.S. Army on Feb. 4, 1942, and honorably served his country until his discharge on Nov. 19, 1945. He was a member of the 15th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron during World War II, serving 29 months in Central Europe as a mail clerk.
He was united in marriage to Helen Lomen on Sept. 1, 1946, in the Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake. Soren was employed in the Clear Lake Buttertop Bakery before buying his own bakery in Hampton, and in 1967 he bought a bakery in Boone, Iowa. He retired in 1980, when Helen and Soren moved to Horseshoe Bend, Ark. They moved back to Clear Lake the last of October 2000. Soren became a resident of Heritage Care Center in Mason City the end of March of this year, having been diagnosed with Alzheimer,s disease.
Soren loved golfing, fishing, gardening, playing bridge and riding horseback. He was an active member of the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Horseshoe Bend. He also was a member of the Kiwanis Club for nearly 40 years.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Helen Olson, of Clear Lake; their two daughters, Audrey Knight and her husband, Jack, of Boone, and Susan Knippel and her husband, David, of Ames, Iowa. He has two granddaughters, Christine Knight of Ames and her two daughters, Kari and Cassie Olson, and Angie Oppedahl, wife of Jon Oppedahl of Cedar Rapids and their daughters, Anna and Laura. He also has two grandsons, Eric and Daniel Knippel, as well as four step-grandchildren and four step- great-grandchildren.
Other surviving family members are Soren's two brothers, James A. Olson and his wife, Audrey, of Blue Earth, Minn., and Marvin O. Olson and his wife, Norma, of Des Moines; and several nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and friends.
Soren was preceded in death by his parents, and one infant great-grandson, Grant Oppedahl.
Alice Esk
Alice Esk, 93, Clear Lake, died Friday, Oct. 26, 2001, at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.
Funeral services were Monday, Oct. 29, at the United Methodist Church, 508 2nd Ave N., Clear Lake with the Rev. Kathy Graves officiating. Burial was in the Immanuel Reform Cemetery, Belmond, Iowa.
Alice Esk was born Sept. 25, 1908, the daughter of Berend and Gazena (Arenholz) Vierkant, in Franklin County, near Thornton. She attended and received her education in the Windsor District #2 school system. After completing her schooling, she helped care for families in Thornton and Meservey area. Alice was united in marriage to Luke Esk on March 18, 1931 at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa. He preceded her in death on April 24, 1974. After their marriage together they farmed in the Thornton and Belmond area before moving to Clear Lake in 1961. During her life, Alice worked at Ritter's Nursing Home, Clear Lake, the Hanford Hotel, and the Holiday Inn, Mason City. She also worked in the kitchens in the Lake Café and the Coffee Shop, Fatland's Bakery in Clear Lake, and also provided child day care in her home.
Her hobbies included reading, and doing word puzzles.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Clear Lake, former member of Immanuel Reform Church, near Belmond, and the Meservey Reform Church.
Left to cherish her memory are her two children, Lois Hammond, Clear Lake, and Edward Esk, Denton, Texas; nine grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great- grandchildren; two brothers, Bernard Vierkant and his wife, Marie, Jacksonville, Texas, and Henry Vierkant and his wife, Elizabeth, Mason City; two sisters-in-law, Grace and Beulah Esk of Belmond; as well as other relatives and friends.
Besides her husband, Alice was preceded in death by her parents; one great-grandson, Matthew Sather; two sisters, Rosie Christiansen and Grace Harms; and three brothers, Edward, Herman and George Vierkant.
Brian Charles Taylor
Brian Charles Taylor, 34 of Sonora, Calif., formerly of Kensett, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2001 at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Bethany Lutheran Church, Kensett, with the Rev. Sam Hernes, officiating. Burial will be in the Kensett Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the Brian Charles Taylor Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 85, Kensett, Iowa 50448.
Brian was born in Mason City, Iowa, on July 26, 1967, the son of Charles H. (Chuck) and Janice Taylor. Brian grew up in Kensett, and graduated from Northwood-Kensett High School. He had recently moved to Sonora at the end of August and was working for the Union Democrat newspaper. Prior to moving to California, he had been at the newspapers in Leesburg, Fla., and Jefferson City, Mo. He started his newspaper career while in high school at the Globe-Gazette in Mason City.
Brian will long be remembered as a gentle and loving young man. He was such a bright spot in the lives of those who loved him. He loved all sports, especially the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins. But the greatest love for Brian was his family, especially his seven-month-old nephew and godson, Blake Adam.
Brian is survived by his mother, Janice Taylor, Kensett; his sister, Deb (Taylor) Billings and her husband, Larry, and their son, Blake Adam, Clear Lake; a brother, Scott Taylor, Kensett; a special aunt, Marilyn Smith, Kensett; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and his ex-wife, Diane Taylor, LeGrande, Iowa, and her children, Sarah, Jason and Michael, and Sarah's son, Jonathan.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charles H. Taylor Jr. on March 20, 1974; his nephew, Ryan Charles Billings on April 23, 2000; his maternal grandmother, Rosella Barber; his paternal grandparents, Charles H. Taylor and Clara Taylor; and his very special cousin, Terry Smith.
William "Bill" Lee Heginger
William "Bill" Lee Heginger, 59, died unexpectedly Friday, Oct. 26, 2001 at Mercy Hospital in Mason City, Iowa. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 30 at the Tenold Funeral Home in Klemme, Iowa, with Pastor Paddy Druhl of the Klemme United Methodist Church officiating. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. Memorials are preferred to the family or the donor's choice.
William was born Oct. 12, 1942 in Klemme, Iowa, the son of Carl John and Etta Harms Heginger. He attended Klemme schools and lived in Klemme. On June 8, 1965, he was united in marriage to Jeannie Cooper at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. For most of his life he was employed as a welder. He had worked for Winnebago Industries in Forest City, Iowa, Butter-Topp Bakery, Clear Lake, and for Kiefer Built in Kanawha, Iowa.
Bill enjoyed fishing, watching old movies, watching t.v., welding and cutting up old vehicles and metal works.
He is survived by his ex-wife, Jean; sons Wayne Heginger of Algona, Iowa, Rodney Heginger of Lino Lakes, Minn., Todd Heginger and his wife, Rachel, of Garner, Iowa, Greg Heginger of Anamosa, Iowa, William Crieger, of Oronoco, Minn., and Ted Heginger of Minot, N.,D.; a daughter, Tammy and her husband, Terry Whitehurst Jr., Mason City, Iowa; seventeen grandchildren; five brothers, Carl and his wife, Darlene, Klemme, LuVerne and his wife, Shirley, Lakota, Iowa, Lyle and his wife, Susan, Belmond, Iowa, Tony and his wife, Liz, Klemme, and Rich and his wife, Yana, Klemme; three sisters, Edna and her husband, John VanGerpen, Marian, Iowa, Sharon and her husband, Ecko Reysack, Klemme, and Zelda and her husband, Jerry Scott, Clear Lake; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and plenty of friends.
He was preceded in death be his parents; a brother, Duane; a sister, Lois Ward; a granddaughter, Laura Weide; and a grandson, Jackson.
Edith Viola Carlsen
Edith Viola Carlsen, 87, 201 South 4th Street, Clear Lake, died Sunday, Oct. 28, 2001 at her home.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, Nov. 2, 2001 at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Reverend Kermit Roisen officiating. Interment will follow at Clear Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 - 7 p.m. Thursday at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 North 4th Street, and also for one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Edith V. Carlsen memorial fund.
Edith was born Aug. 31, 1914 in Svendborg, Fyn, Denmark, one of ten children of Albert Edvard and Marie F. (Madsen) Nielsen. Edith was united in marriage to Holger Carlsen and they moved with their daughter to the United States in June 1950 and settled in Latimer, Iowa in August 1950. They moved to Clear Lake in 1951, to Hampton in 1952 and then back to Clear Lake in 1968. Edith was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church and a church circle member in Clear Lake.
Edith is survived by her daughter, Hanne Dvorak and her husband, Milo, of Marshalltown, Iowa; three grandchildren, Harley Hembd and his wife, DeAnna, of Glendale, Az., Mariann McDonald, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Diana Stowe and her husband, David, of Eldora, Iowa; and four great-grandchildren.
Edith was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Alton Melvin Nelson
Alton Melvin Nelson, 88, 421 S. 9th St., Clear Lake, Iowa, died Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2001, at the North Iowa Mercy Medical Center, Mason City, Iowa. Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 3, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Daird Korth officiating. Interment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Alton M. Nelson Memorial fund.
Alton was born at home Nov. 22, 1912, in Wasua, Neb., the son of Carl A. and Hattie Caroline (Bloomquist) Nelson. He was baptized Lutheran and later, March 24, 1929, confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Missouri Synod in Neb. When Alton was three years old, his family moved from Wasau to Walnut, Neb. where his father farmed. He attended a country school in Walnut until the eighth grade, when he quit school to help his father with the farm. On July 28, 1935, he married
the love of his life, Gertrude Buerkley. While they farmed in Orchard, Neb., they had three children. Due to a severe drought in 1952, they sold the farm and moved east of Sheffield, Iowa. After renting a farm there for one year, they moved again in 1954 and purchased a 240 acre farm north of Clear Lake. While on the farm Alton raised corn, beans and even raised sugar beets for Crystal Sugar for two years. He had 10,000 laying hens and 500 goslings. In 1964 they moved into the town of Clear Lake. They purchased the Lake Park Tap & Grill, the Town Pump, and The Cave. Alton and Gert ran the Lake Park together until they retired in 1975. They were married
for 64 years.
Alton was an active member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura, and also a member of the Clear Lake Noon Lions for 30 years. He enjoyed traveling, dancing, woodworking, gardening and fishing.
Alton had many friends and enjoyed life to the fullest, he never had a bad word about anyone and was always smiling. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandpa. He will be missed very much by all.
Alton is survived by three children, Natalie Weber and her husband, David, Avondale, Az., Aloyce "Bud" Nelson and his wife, Juan, Burlington, Iowa, and Elouise "Elly" Harmeyer and her husband, Lloyd, Clear Lake; seven grandchildren, Teresa Runia and her husband Curt, Chandler, Az., Dwight Krukow, Clear Lake, Sheila Krukow, Chandler, Az., Susan Story, Rowlett, Texas, Ronda Fredrickson and her husband, Mark, Tacoma, Wash., Julie Smith, Kent, Wash., and Brett Nelson and his wife, Carin, Burlington, Iowa; fourteen great-grandchildren; and one brother, Clayton Nelson and his wife, Wanda, South Sioux City, Neb.
Alton was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Gertrude on Nov 9, 1999; and one grandchild.
Jean L. Barnes
Jean L. Barnes, 68, of 1005 3rd Ave. S., Clear Lake, Iowa died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2001 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. Services will be Wednesday, Nov. 7, 10:30 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. David Wiersbe officiating. Interment will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Family suggests memorials to Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake.
Jean was born June 26, 1933 in rural Cerro Gordo County on her grandparent's farm, the daughter of Charles and Elsie (Pals) Rickard. She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1951 and continued her education at Trinity Bible College, Chicago, Ill.
Jean moved back to Clear Lake where she was a volunteer for Opportunity Village for five years after which she then managed the Opportunity Village Store retiring in 1998 after twenty-five years.
Jean enjoyed crocheting, knitting, going on many bus trips and volunteering for many organizations. She was saved at an early age, lead a strong Christian life and was a charter member of Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake.
Jean is survived by her two sons, Stan Barnes and his wife, Karla, and their daughter, Karmen, Owatonna, Minn., and Lonny Barnes and his wife, Diane, Iowa Falls, Iowa; one sister, Lois Meier and her husband, Martin, Swaledale, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.
