Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Ruby Watson, longtime resident of rural northwest Missouri, died Feb. 13, 2002 at Parkdale Care Center in Maryville, Mo. Services were held Saturday, Feb. 16 in Maryville.
Ruby was born Jan. 2, 1902 near Clearmont, Mo. She was able to enjoy a 100th birthday party on Dec. 30, 2001 with family members and many friends and neighbors.
Among her survivors are her daughter, Shirley Gerhardt and her husband, Nick, of Algona, Iowa, and her family, Ron Gerhardt and wife, Paula, of Clear Lake, Steve Gerhardt and wife, Janese, of Omaha, Neb., Chris Gerhardt and wife, Anita, of Algona, Julia Richter and her husband, Chris, of Gladstone, Mo., and Bill Gerhardt and his wife, Amy, of Ankeny, Iowa.
Ruby had 13 grandchildren, two are deceased; 21 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
Ione Lucille Christiance
age 90, of Klemme, Iowa, died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002 at the Oakwood Manor Care Center in Clear Lake. Funeral services were held Monday, March 4 at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme, Iowa. Tenold-Andrews Funeral Home of Klemme, was in charge of arrangements.
Ione was born March 22, 1911 in Sheffield, Iowa, the daughter of Dr. Frederick and Gertrude (Bailey) Schwab. She enjoyed spending time in her childhood with her father at his medical office. She attended Sheffield schools for a time, until her family moved to Clear lake, where she also attended school. Upon the early death of her mother, Ione assisted her family with the farm operation and care of her brother. Ione married
Donald G. Christiance on Feb. 26, 1928 in Des Moines, Iowa. The couple would have celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary the day before she died. They moved to Woolstock following their marriage, where Mr. Christiance operated a barber shop. Later they moved to Kanawha, Clear Lake, and then to Klemme in 1934 where they had lived and been in business for 51 years.
Mrs. Christiance was a lifelong homemaker and was an active partner with her husband on their farm in Clear Lake and in his barber shops in Klemme and Meservey. Ione was very active in the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme in many capacities, including president of the Women's Guild at the church, funeral chairman, and in various other roles. She was also active in the Klemme Community Band Mothers Club. Ione enjoyed many trips to Perry, Iowa where she visited her Bailey relatives, and to Illinois to visit her husband's relatives. She enjoyed spending special times with her grandchildren, reading, sewing, cooking, gardening, antiques, coin collecting, and playing cards. Ione had been a resident of the Oakwood Care Center for the past year. She and her husband valued their many friendships and enjoyed their relationship with their sons-in-law Glen and Ron, who assisted them in many ways during their lives.
Those left to cherish the legacy of her life include her daughters, Phyllis Echelberger, Thornton, Iowa, and Beverly Hummel and her husband, Ron, Ankeny, Iowa; three grandchildren, Mike and his wife, Donna Echelberger, of Rockwell, Iowa, LuAnn Scott, Mason City, Iowa, and Renae Verduyn and her husband, Brian, of Des Moines, Iowa; three great-grandchildren, Todd Echelberger, Michelle Echelberger, and Alayna Verduyn.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don, in June 2001; a brother, Frederick "Bud" Schwab, Jr.; a sister, Leona Staebler; and a son-in-law, Glen Echelberger.
Frank S. Truesdell
89, of Ventura, died Sunday, March 03, 2002, at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.
Memorial services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2002, at the United Methodist Church in Ventura, with the Rev. Paul Hasel officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to service time on Wednesday at the church. According to his wishes his body was cremated.
The family of Frank S. Truesdell has requested that memorial contributions be made to the United Methodist Church in Ventura in his memory.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 North 4th street, Clear Lake, is in charge of the arrangements.
Frank S. Truesdell was born on Nov. 28, 1912, in Hopkington, Iowa, the son of Stephen Franklin and Harriet Hannah (Speed) Truesdell. He attended and received his education in the Archer Community School, graduating from Archer High School in 1930. After graduating from high school, Frank enrolled in Upper Iowa University, earning his B.A. degree in 1935, in mathematics. He was united in marriage to Bernice M. Culver on Sept. 21, 1935, in Greenfield, Iowa. After receiving his B.A. at Upper Iowa University, he began his teaching profession in the Zion Consolidated Schools in Orient, Iowa, teaching commercial, mathematics, and coaching boys basketball and baseball until 1940, when he became the superintendent in the Zion Consolidated Schools. Frank also was the superintendent from 1942 - 1948 in the Woden Public schools, 1948 - 1957 in the Hayfield Consolidated Schools, 1957 - 1963 in the Gilmore City Community Schools and the Gilmore City-Bradgate Community Schools, from 1963 - 1964, in the Galva Community Schools and from 1964 until his retirement in 1977 he was the superintendent in the Rembrandt Consolidated School. Frank also furthered his education as a superintendent by continuing his own education at Iowa State University in 1950, and earned his Master's degree from Drake University in 1951.
He enjoyed golf, fishing, bowling and hunting, and was a master gardner, but his great love and enjoyment was his family and grandchildren, and going to all their sports activities.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Rotary Club in Clear Lake, Ventura Lions Club, and was on the Ventura Library Board.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Bernice Truesdell of Ventura; a son, Bill Truesdell and his wife, Laura, of Clear Lake; four grandchildren, Randy Truesdell and his wife, Kathy, of Clear Lake, Stefanie Camenisch and her husband, Mark, of Boone, Iowa, Paula Lindsley and her husband, Chris, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Peggy Adams and her husband, Shawn, of Ventura; seven great-grandchildren, Tanner and Parker Truesdell, Bailey and Macie Camenisch, Paige and Spencer Lindsley, and Aubrianna Adams; as well as other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Wayne Truesdell and Lt. Col. Glenn Truesdell: and three sisters, Viola Burchett, Evelyn Warren, and Joyce Baugher.
Arvid Burdett Stokesbary
84, of Clear Lake, died Saturday, March 2, 2002, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.
Funeral and Masonic services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake with the Rev. Fred Lewis officiating. The Masonic services will be held by the Harding Lodge No. 649AF&AM. Burial will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial chapel, 101 North 4th St., Clear Lake, and one hour prior to service time on Thursday at the church. The family of Arvid Burdett Stokesbary has requested that memorial contributions be made to the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake, in his memory.
Arvid Burdett Stokesbary was born on April 9, 1917, in Klemme, Iowa, the son of Joe and Pauline (Seglem) Stokesbary. Arvid grew up in the Klemme area and attended and received his education in the rural country school near Klemme. He was united in marriage to Evelyn "Jane" Whitehurst on Jan. 9, 1936, in Klemme. In 1942, they moved to Ames, Iowa where Arvid was a city bus driver for 12 years before moving to Kansas City, Mo. in 1959, driving for Merchant Freight Company until he retired in 1975. After his retirement Arvid worked part-time at the Sheraton Inn in Mason City for 15 years, until the hotel was sold. Arvid also did volunteer work; most recently for Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.
Arvid became a Mason in 1957, and was also master of the Masonic Lodge in Clear Lake. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake, Clear Lake Evening Lions Club since 1975 where he was very active in fund raising, was a member of Oak Hill Gold Course where he was an avid golfer, and was a regular member of the Downtown Coffee group.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Evelyn "Jane" Stokesbary of Clear Lake; children, Barbara J. Ford and her husband, Paul, of Springfield, Ill., Beverly J. Lambert of Springfield, Ill., Darly B. Stokesbary and his wife, Sandy, of Hampton, Minn., Bethene J. Hatcher and her husband, Gene, of Winchester, Ill., and Debra K. Hansmeier and her husband, Mick, of Eagan, Minn.; 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews; as well as other relatives and many friends.
His parents, five brothers and four sisters preceded him in death.
Bonnie Steege
75, of 1008 5th Ave South, Clear Lake, died Monday, March 4, 2002 at North Iowa Mercy Health Center, Mason City, Iowa. Funeral Services were held Friday, March 8, 2002, at Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake. Memorials may be made to the Bonnie Steege Memorial Fund.
Bonnie was born July 29, 1926, in Garner, Iowa the daughter of Guy and Emma (Wirtjes) Stott. Bonnie graduated from Garner High School in 1944. Bonnie married
Keith Steege, June 4, 1950, in Garner. They made their home in Clear Lake, then moved to Webster City, Iowa in 1954. In 1962 they moved to Ankeny, Iowa and in 1988 moved back to Clear Lake.
Bonnie's life was centered around her family. She loved playing cards, board games and ping-pong with them. Bonnie also enjoyed collecting antiques, going to garage sales, dancing, reading, and trying new recipes. Bonnie and Keith enjoyed spending their winters in Mesa, Az., since 1977.
Bonnie is survived by her husband, Keith, of Clear Lake; three daughters, Lonnie Kay Brewington and her husband, Andrew, Anchorage, Ak., Barb Benedetti and her husband, Robert, Lexington, Ill., and Diana Steege, Bloomington, Ill.; one sister, Leona Straw, Clear Lake; two brothers, Lyle Stott and his wife, Edna, Charles City, Iowa, and Lloyd Stott and his wife, Doris, Camarillo, Calif.; two grandchildren, Bobbi Frisby and her husband, Daniel, Palmer, Ark., and Matthew Lamb, Iowa City, Iowa; two great-grandchildren, Audrey Smith and Troy McGlashan.
Her parents; infant brother; brother, Louie Stott; two sisters, Lois Acurso and Lorna Brcka, preceded Bonnie in death.
Oneita Miller
95, of Clear Lake, died Wednesday, March 6, 2002 at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.
A graveside service was held March 8, 2002 at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, with the Rev. Fred Lewis of the First United Methodist Church of Clear Lake officiating. Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of the arrangements.
Oneita was born June 28, 1906 in Underwood, Ind., the daughter of John and Lounette (Watson) Dieterlen. She graduated from high school and then attended Hamilton Business College in Mason City. Oneita was united in marriage to Lloyd W. Miller and was a lifelong homemaker. She has been a resident of Oakwood Care Center for the past year.
Oneita is survived by her daughter-in-law, Jean Miller, of Naples, Fla., and three grandchildren, Joy Miller of Washington D.C., and Kim Miller and Rex Miller, both of Naples, Fla.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; a son, Larry Miller; one brother, Russell, and one sister, Carmen Vawter.
Velma G. Ofterdinger
83, of Clear Lake, died Tuesday, March 5, 2002 at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.
A funeral service was held Saturday, March 9, 2002 at the Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with Pastor Steven Cox of the Clear Lake Regular Baptist Church, officiating. Interment followed at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Clear Lake Regular Baptist Church.
Velma was born May 14, 1918 in Winthrop, Iowa, the daughter of Leonard and Mattie (Schaeffer) Thom. She graduated from Winthrop High School and attended Business College. Velma was united in marriage to J. Harry Ofterdinger and they lived in Des Moines until Harry was stationed in Paris, Texas during World War II. After the war they moved back to Des Moines, where Velma worked as a company nurse for Younkers for 17 years. She retired in 1971 and enjoyed sewing, flowers, and spending time with her dogs. She was also a member of Eastern Star in Des Moines.
Velma is survived by her daughter, Carol Burkholder and her husband, Ron, of Clear Lake; three grandchildren, Chris Scheuermann of Des Moines, Jon Burkholder of Sheldon, Iowa, and Cara Burkholder of Clear Lake; and two great-granddaughters, Sydney and Baylee Scheuermann of Des Moines.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister.
Bruce Mead
59, of Clear Lake and Cedar Rapids, Iowa died of heart failure on Jan. 6, 2002 at his winter residence in Corpus Christi, Texas.
A visitation will be held at noon on Saturday, March 16 at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m.
Bruce was born in Mason City, Iowa, and raised in Greene, Iowa by the late Robert and Hazel Mead of Greene. He graduated from Greene Community High School, were he was active in band, chorus, theater, debate, track, football, and speech. He received the Bausch and Lomb Science Award and attended Boy's State. Bruce was an Eagle Scout, and a vigil member of the Order of the Arrow (his Indian name was Bright Buck). He attended National Camp School and was the aquatics and program director at the Winnebago Scout Reservation for several years.
Bruce earned a bachelor of science degree from Iowa State University in telecommunicative arts and distributed studies. He married
Donna Maloney of Okalahoma City, OK. in 1974. The two shared the same birth date of May 18, 1942. Donna preceded him in death.
Bruce was retired from careers in professional and creative writing, film making, planetarium show production, and the printing business. His career in media productions began at WOI Radio and Television in Ames, Iowa where he produced news and feature stories for ABC News and Sports. His film career continued in the US Air Force where he served as a motion picture production officer. During the Viet Nam War, Captain Mead was unit commander of a Phan Rang detachment with responsibility for combat and recognizance film used by the Pentagon for news releases and staff briefings.
Bruce left the Air Force in 1969 to pursue a masters degree in creative writing and journalism at the University of Oklahoma. It was there that he discovered a passion for the planetarium, which provided a mixed medium for integrating science, creative writing, and theater. His best known show was 'The Universe Within," produced at the Kirkpatrick Planetarium in Okalahoma City.
Bruce left the field of writing and producing to move to Iowa, where he started Quality Quick Print of Clear Lake. Mead owned and operated the printing company from 1978 - 1988. He was active in community affairs as president of Rotary Club, and he was a member of RLDS Church. He acted in community theater. His favorite role was that of Big Daddy in "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof." He was founder of the Planetarium Theater Foundation. Mead's vision was to combine live theater with planetarium projection, a dream that was to remain unfulfilled.
Bruce relocated to Cedar Rapids in 1989 where he worked for Norand Data Systems as a senior technical writer. There, he was chapter vice president of the Society for Technical Communications. He received the Award of Excellence for his book on "Wireless Data Network Spread Spectrum Technology," and was active in Toastmaster's Club.
In retirement, Bruce consulted under the name Sand Dollar Communications, and continued to write poetry and short stories, and to work on a novel. In his spare time, he taught 15th century sailing techniques as an instructor with the Columbus Fleet Association of Corpus Christi.
Bruce's recreational interests were as diverse as was his career. He was a private pilot, sailor, craftsman, wood carver, photographer, ham radio operator, canoeist, and motorcyclist. He read broadly in the sciences, philosophy, and religion. His greatest joy were his friends with whom he dearly loved to share ideas and philosophical insights.
He is survived by his beloved son, Allan, 23, of Cedar Rapids; a brother, John and his family of Evanston, Ill.; and a throng of friends.
Irma C. Haaf
87, of Garner, Iowa, died Saturday, March 16, 2002 at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt, Iowa.
Her funeral was held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 19 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner with Fr. Michael Schueller officiating. Lector was Millie Young. Music was provided by organist, Carolyn Kumsher who accompanied the church choir. Ushers were Lawrence Engstler and Homer Van Oort. Honorary bearers were John Kern, David Kern, Andy Kern, Pat Haaf, Jeff Haaf, David Haaf, John Haaf and Steven Lee. Pallbearers were Tom Kern, Lynn Worley, Todd Worley, Ron Lee, Mike Nelson and Cody Haaf. Interment was in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Irma Cecelia Haaf, the daughter of Bernard and Cecile (Bryant) Knoll, was born Nov. 12, 1914 at Marshalltown, Iowa. She graduated from Garner High School in 1932 as class valedictorian. On April 23, 1935 she was married
to John Joseph Haaf at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner. They lived in Garner where they owned and operated an upholstery business. Irma also worked in the Garner-Hayfield School system as a cook for many years. She moved to Prairie View Apartments in Garner on July 21, 1994. She enjoyed her family, sewing, handiwork and crafts.
She was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Rosary Society, and the Garner VFW Auxiliary.
She is survived by her five children, Phyllis Kern and her husband, Joe, of Clear Lake, Phillip Haaf and his wife, Geraldine, of Cedar Rapids, Wanda Worley and her husband, Robert, of Cedar Rapids, Bonnie Lee of Davenport and Mark Haaf and his wife, Lori, of Garner; 27 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; a sister, LaVon Lemke of Garner; a sister-in-law, Georgia Kennedy of Texas; a brother-in-law, Raymond Swalve of Fremont, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John, on Dec. 19, 1981; her daughter, Juanita, Aug. 27, 1993; a granddaughter, Kim Nelson; a brother, Elmer Knoll; and four sisters, Elsie Dorenkamp, Isabelle Dankbar, Reta Juhl and Lorraine Swalve.
Diane L. Petersen
46, 910 N. 12th St., Clear Lake, died Tuesday, March 19, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center East Campus, Mason City, Iowa. The funeral service was held Friday, March 22, at the United Methodist Church, 508 2nd Ave N., Clear Lake. The Rev. Fred Lewis officiated. Interment was at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. Memorials may be given to the Diane L. Petersen Memorial Fund.
Diane was born June 11, 1955, in Mason City, the daughter of Donavon G. and Loraine (Evenson) Klang. She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1973. Diane worked at several local businesses, and most recently at the All Vets Golf Course, Garner Golf & Country Club and Lake Lanes. Diane married
Bill Petersen Aug. 7, 1992 in Clear Lake. She loved boating, camping, raising exotic birds and driving her convertible. Diane hosted the Monday night "Meeting of the Minds." She was always known for her sense of humor and love of animals. She loved her two favorite "Kids" dogs Zoey Lynn and Della Reese.
Diane is survived by her husband, Bill Petersen, Clear Lake; three brothers, Dan Klang and his wife, Patti, Rockwell, Iowa, Randy Klang and his wife, Mary, Mason City, and Tim Klang and his wife, Jeanine, Clear Lake; one sister, Sue Price and her husband, Al, Clear Lake; several nieces and nephews; her father and mother-in-law, Darreld and Zelma Petersen, Clear Lake; two brothers-in-law, Darreld (Buzz) Petersen Jr. and his wife, Bev, Clear Lake, and Cliff Petersen and his wife, Mary, Fertile; one sister-in-law, Zelene Schilling and her husband, Mark, Thornton, Iowa; and special close friends Sue Golly and Dick Nettleton, Clear Lake.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
