Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Lillian B. Thada, 88, Fairfield, Iowa, died Friday, March 14, 2003 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa.
Lillian was born Dec. 11, 1915 in Garner, Iowa, the daughter of Frank F. and Minnie Pueggel Thada. She grew up in the Garner community and graduated from Garner High School. She attended Waldorf College in Forest City. She graduated from the Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls and received her masters degree from the University of Denver. She first taught at Ventura schools before moving to Fairfield. She taught at Logan and Roosevelt schools before teaching and working up to becoming principal at Washington Elementary. She was the principal at Pence Junior High and Elementary School when it first opened. She later was part-time principal at Lockridge Elementary and served as elementary supervisor for the Fairfield Community School District before her retirement.
Lillian was a charter member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fairfield. She was a member of T.T.T., Retired School Personnel, B.P.W., Delta Kappa Gamma, Jefferson County Republican Women, Jefferson County Historical Society, Jefferson County Hospital Auxillary, Fairfield Women's Club, and she served in various offices as a member of the Jefferson County Cancer Board, Immanuel Lutheran Ladies Circle and was the Weekday Bible School Study leader for the fifth and sixth grade confirmation class. She was honored as Fairfield Citizen of the Year for the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and wrote the popular column "Reminiscences" in the Town Crier locally.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Edna M. Thada; brother and sister-in-law, Warren and Veronica Liska Thada.
She is survived by one nephew, Glenn Thada, Garner; a niece, Marsha Doebel, Clear Lake; her companion since 1941, Mary McPherson of Fairfield; and several step- great-neices and nephews.
Funeral service was Tuesday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fairfield with pastor Mark Brase officiating.
Funeral service is also at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 19 at St. John Lutheran Church near Garner with Pastor Carl Hedberg officiating.
Memorials have been established in Lillian's name to the American Cancer Society, the Immanuel Lutheran Church or may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Funeral service for Kenyon Verbeckmoes will be held Friday, March 21, 1 p.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Clear Lake. A reception will follow the service.
Kenyon Verbeckmoes, 95, of Mason City, Iowa, died on Jan. 24, 2003 in Phoenix, Az., where he spent the winter months with his children and grandchildren.
Born in Atkinson, Ill., he moved with his parents and two sisters to Clear Lake where he graduated from high school in 1926. Self employed most of his life, he had several gourmet and specialty foods businesses under the name "Kenyon's" in Clear Lake and in Mason City. Kenyon served in the US Coast Guard during WWII and, while stationed in California, married
Viola Bless of Clear Lake. Kenyon and Viola returned with their children to Mason City in 1961. Kenyon loved to travel, hunt, fish and play pinochle. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and several civic organizations.
Kenyon was preceded in death by his mother, Gertrude; father, Art; sister, Loretta Marshal, and wife, Viola.
He is survived by his son, John Arthur and daughter-in-law, Peg, of Phoenix, Az.; his daughter, Kay Busch, and son-in-law, David; grandchildren, Andrew and Adriene Busch of Tempe, Az.; his sister, Maud Estelle Hayes, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews.
Laurence (Larry) L. Keith, 85, passed away Monday, March 17, 2003 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, March 20, at the United Methodist Church, 508 2nd Ave S., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jan Burnett officiating. Visitation will from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake. Interment will be at Clear Lake Cemetery, with Military Honors by the Clear Lake V.F.W.
Larry was born July 16, 1917 in Marble Rock, Iowa, the son of Ray and Wanda (Davis) Keith.
Larry's father found work in construction and farming before and during the depression. The family moved many times. His father (half jokingly) told the family it was cheaper to move than to pay rent. Larry attended 22 different schools before graduating from Marble Rock High School in 1936.
He planned to attend art school in the fall of 1936, but steady paychecks proved a greater lure. Larry learned the construction trade, often working with his dad on bridges and railroad roundhouses.
He married
the love of his life Lorene (Lori) Merriss in Dubuque, Iowa, on June 8, 1940. Larry served his country in World War II in the 1332nd Engineers and was stationed in England. After his discharge in 1946, he returned to Marble Rock, his wife and construction.
On New Years Day 1948, he moved his family to Clear Lake and formed Davis and Keith General Contractors with his brother, James Davis. The firm built many homes, churches and schools in the area including the Methodist Church, Catholic Church, Post Office, Blue Horizon Motel, Clear Lake Bakery, the older portion of the Band shell, and the time capsule in City Park.
When the post-war construction boom ended in the mid 1960's, Larry became Clear Lake's first Superintendent of Public Works. He also worked part-time drawing plans for new homes. Larry and Lori, together, designed and built their family homes in Clear Lake.
In 1972, the couple bought the local trash hauling business and renamed it Keith's Sanitation Service Inc. For a short time in the late 1970's, they also had a greenhouse, Lori's Bloomers.
In retirement, the couple traveled "the lower 48" states in their motor home. They were always home for birthdays, anniversaries and holidays.
His wife, Lori, passed away June 6, 1990, two days prior to their 50th anniversary. In 1999 he moved to Oakwood Care Center where he gained new friends among residents and caring staff. Larry was a good provider for his family. He enjoyed his work and took pride in a job well done. He liked gardening, sports and home fix-up projects. He treasured his family and enjoyed morning coffee with his friends.
Larry was a member of Clear Lake United Methodist Church and V.F.W. Post 4868. He was a past member of Rotary, Master Builders of Iowa, Associated General Contractors, Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and Senior Chamber.
Larry is survived by his daughter, Kathy Bartelt and her husband, David, Clear Lake; a son, Dennis Keith and his wife, Lillie, of Clear Lake; three grandchildren, Jennifer Meyer and her husband, Eric, of St. Paul, Minn., Sid Bishop of Phoenix, Az.; and Dawn Bishop, of Ames, Iowa; three great-grandchildren, Lauren Meyer, Ethan Meyer, and Jessica Bishop
Larry was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lori, in 1990; a son, James, in 1971; and two infant children, Mary Margaret and Bobby Dean; his father, Ray; his mother, Wanda; his loving, caring, step-mother, Fern; his brother, Jim Davis and sister, Dorothy Gates.
Ruby R. Matson, 94, passed away Sunday, March 23, 2003 at Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, March 26, 11 a.m., at the Clear Lake Cemetery, with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating. Memorials may be given to the Ruby R. Matson Memorial Fund.
Ruby Rose Shook was born on Jan. 18, 1909 in Clear Lake, the daughter of Hiram and Linnie (Harding) Shook. She was united in marriage to Ferd S. Matson on Nov. 18, 1937 at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa. They farmed north of Clear Lake their entire married
life. She was a member of the Colonial Club. She enjoyed nature and being with her family. She continued to reside at the farm home until December 2002 when she entered the Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake.
Ruby is survived by her children, Jon and his wife, Linda, of Clear Lake, and Arvid and his wife, Dixie, of Clear Lake; grandchildren, Shelly Benton and her husband, Doug, Tammy Wageman, Mindy Zaruba and her husband, Tim, Becky Gray and her husband, Jacob and Marcy Bitner and her husband, David; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Elsie Armfield and her husband, Russ, Clear Lake, Dorothy Newburg, Mason City, Mildred Matson, Mason City; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Ferd, in 1992; her parents; a sister, Vira; and brothers, Roy and Robert.
Wayne R. Wieck, 71, of 1213 S. Lakeview Dr., Clear Lake, died Saturday, March 29, 2003 at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with Msgr. Robert Hogan officiating. Memorials may be given to the Wayne R. Wieck Memorial Fund.
Wayne was born Nov. 3, 1931 in Milwaukee, Wis., the son of Erwin L. and Alice (Remery) Wieck. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines in 1950. He graduated from the Iowa Military Academy. He was a Colonel in the United States Army National Guard and taught at the Iowa Military Academy, retiring in 1985 after 32 years.
Wayne married
Ila Emerald on Feb. 14, 1954 in Des Moines, Iowa. He was manager of A.M.F. Western Tool in Des Moines. They made their home in Clear Lake after Wayne retired.
Wayne was chairman of Clear Lake Planning and Zoning Commission, a probation officer for Cerro Gordo County, past chairman of S.C.O.R.E. (Service Corps of Retired Executives), a member of S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together), Clear Lake Noon Lions, Association for the Preservation of Clear Lake, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed attending the Chamber's After Hours events.
Wayne will be missed by his wife, Ila Wieck, of Clear Lake; three children, Jeff Wieck and his wife, Ann, of Des Moines, Iowa, Gregg Wieck and his wife, Jody, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Carla Barnes, Lone Tree, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Doug Wieck, West Des Moines, Iowa and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Leona Klemensen, 103, died Thursday, March 27, 2003 at the Good Shepherd Health Center.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 31, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Mason City, with the Rev. Paul Finger officiating. Interment followed in Memorial Park Cemetery. Fullerton Funeral Home, Mason City, was in charge of arrangements.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to direct memorials to the St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Leona was born June 21, 1899, the daughter of Milton and Elsie (Whitten) Ramsey in Rowan, Iowa. Shortly after her birth the family moved to North Dakota, where they spent 10 years before returning to Rowan. On Feb. 6, 1918, Leona was united in marriage to Christian Klemensen in Belmond, Iowa. Following their marriage the couple moved to Latimer, rural Clear Lake, and then to Mason City.
Leona was a charter member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, participating in the choir, singing solos, being involved in WELCA, as well as the Pricilla Circle. Leona was also a member of the Home Improvement Club in Clear Lake, and the Senior Citizens Center. She had a passion for leading Bible study and writing in her personal journal. Leona enjoyed playing many different games over her lifetime but was especially fond of Bingo and Skip Bo, which she played with her family every Sunday. At age 90 Leona would walk over to the Good Shepherd Health Center to assist the "old ladies" with their Bingo games. She also took one of her final vacations to Dollywood and had a great time. She enjoyed traveling, crocheting, and sewing her children's clothes.
Those thankful for having shared in Leona's life include her three children, Mrs. Edwin (Helen) Schultz of Mason City, Mrs. George (Pearl) Simkins of Clear Lake, and Harold (Lorraine) Klemensen of Clarion, Iowa; two sisters, Mrs. W.E. (Frances) Lewis of Mason City, and Mrs. Mac (LaVonne) Churchill of California; one brother, Dale Ramsey, of Trenton, Mo.; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Martin (Thelma) Klemensen of Mason City; 9 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 17 step-great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren, and 15 step-great-great grandchildren.
Mrs. Klemensen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Christian; two children, LaVerne Klemensen and June Huntley; one grandchild in infancy; one granddaughter, Ellen Walker; four sisters, Alma, Dorothy, Mae, and Beulah; two brothers, Richard in infancy, and Daniel; four sons-in-law, Don Lepley, Roger Huntley, Lawrence Stepleton, and Edwin Schultz; and one grandson-in-law, Don Loucks.
John Howard Agnew, 88, Clear Lake, died Thursday, April 3, 2003, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.
His funeral service was held Saturday, April 5, at Galilean Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jeff Ungs officiating. Interment was at the Coulter Cemetery, Coulter, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to John H. Agnew Memorial Fund.
John was born May 30, 1914, in Palisade, Colo., the son of Gilbert and Jessie Mae (Box) Agnew. His father died when he was four years old. His family moved to Rowan, Iowa, then Wilmington, Del., and back to Rowan when John was in second grade. He graduated from Rowan High School. When John was young, his mother married
Ray Azeltine, who was a good stepfather to John. Following high school, John attended radio school in California. John enlisted in the U. S. Army April 20, 1941 in Hampton, Iowa, and served as a General Service Engineer. John married
Della Johansen Jan. 24, 1945, in Coulter, Iowa. They farmed in Coulter until they retired and moved to Clear Lake in the spring of 1979.
John enjoyed several hobbies and "tinkering" in general. John and Della loved to dance, especially square dancing. He was a member of Galilean Lutheran Church in Clear Lake. John was previously a member of the Nazareth Lutheran Church, Coulter, and of the Latimer American Legion.
John is survived by his wife, Della Agnew, Clear Lake; one stepbrother, Richard Azeltine, California; a stepsister, June Blow, Wisconsin; three sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents, step-father, and one brother, Dean Agnew.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Louis G. Hepperly, 87, 624 18th St. W., Clear Lake, died Tuesday, April 1, 2003 at his farm north of Ventura, Iowa. Funeral services were held Saturday, April 5, at the Ventura United Methodist Church, with Pastor Audrey Westendorf-Young officiating. Interment will be at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Louis G. Hepperly Memorial Fund.
Louis was born Oct. 16, 1915, southwest of Britt, Iowa, to George and Mary (Yarke) Hepperly. He was baptized at the United Methodist Church, Britt. Louis attended country schools and worked on various farms. On April 21, 1934, he was united in marriage to Eleanor Wright at Mason City, Iowa. They were married
for 68 years. They rented a farm north of Britt for six years. They purchased a farm north of Ventura where he farmed until retiring. They then moved to Clear Lake. Farming was his pride and joy. He also liked gardening and yard work, and was always ready to help anyone. He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of the Ventura United Methodist Church.
Louis is survived by his loving wife, Eleanor Hepperly, Clear Lake; one daughter, Marilyn Severson and her husband, Don, Joice, Iowa; one son, Jerry Hepperly and his wife, Nina, Fertile, Iowa; six grandchildren, Linda Rae Severson, Larry Severson and his wife, Linda, Julie Rasmussen and her husband, John, Scott Hepperly and his wife, Robin, Todd Hepperly and his wife, Julie, and Jon Hepperly; 10 great-grandchildren, Tiffany and Marcus Severson, Brittany, Jenna and Tyler Rasmussen, Nicole, Joe and Ashley Hepperly and Justine and Megan Hepperly; one sister, Lola Mattoon, Ohio; several nieces and nephews; and many friends and neighbors.
Louis was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary Hepperly, two sisters, Stella Clark and Marietta Cockrell and two brothers, Ernest and Lyle.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Nancy (Klatt) Moritz, of Urbandale, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2003 in Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services were held Saturday, March 15 at Caldwell Radatz Funeral Home, Urbandale. Nancy was a former Clear Lake resident.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Charles; three children, William, James and Susan Mortiz; four granddaughters, Amanda, Rachael, Renee and Emma; and her brother, John Klatt.
Roland J. Hier, 90, of 1037 19th St. S.W., Mason City, Iowa, died Friday, April 4, 2003, at the I.O.O.F. Home in Mason City.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating. A private family committal service was held at the Clear Lake Cemetery on Tuesday before the services at the church.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials can be given to the Harmony Ranch in memory of Roland J. Hier.
Roland Jerome was born on Aug. 4, 1912, the eleventh child of T.E. and Sophia M. (Nelson) Hier. He was united in marriage to Margaret E. Parker on July 31, 1938 in Hancock, Minn. Rollie served in the Army Signal Corp during WWII. He started in the grocery business in Minneapolis and later owned a grocery store in Sleepy Eye, Minn. They moved back to Minneapolis in 1964, and he went to work at Lunds Grocery. In July 1978 they retired to Apache Junction, Az. In April 1998 they moved to the I.O.O.F. Home in Mason City, Iowa.
Rollie loved music, gardening, nature, and going for walks; but most of all he loved being with his family. He was an inspiration to many people and touched people's lives through his deep faith in God.
Rollie is survived by two daughters, Becky Finstad and her husband, Richard, of Clear Lake and Barbara Suelter and her husband, Gerald, of Oxnard, Calif.; eight grandchildren, John Finstad and his wife, Amy, of Des Moines, Iowa, Jim Finstad and his wife, Tristi, of Clear Lake, Molly Harris and her husband, Brad, of Clear Lake, Shelley Daniels and her husband, Chris, of Virginia Beach, Va., Suzie Martin of Garberville, Calif., Amanda Suelter of Long Beach, Calif., Becky Suelter of Oxnard, Calif., and Mina Suelter of Oxnard, Calif.; eight great-grandchildren, William and Jack Finstad, Tucker and Madison Finstad, Haley Etzel, Wyatt and Becca Daniels, and Ian Suelter; and one sister Charlotte Hansen, of Sleepy Eye, Minn.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret; eight brothers; and six sisters.
Memorial services for Eileen Martin, 82, of 301 N. 4th St, Clear Lake, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at the First congregational Church in Clear Lake. Martin died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa in Mason City. Memorials may be made to Opportunity Village.
Eileen was born in Estherville, Iowa, the daughter of Alfred and Hazel (King) Anderson. After graduating from Estherville High School, Eileen worked as a bookkeeper at the Estherville Creamery, and later for a radio station in Colorado Springs, Colo. Eileen moved to Clear Lake in 1947, and worked at a creamery as a bookkeeper. Eileen married
Roy B. Martin Jr. in 1948. She later worked at the Clear Lake Library as a bookkeeper. Eileen was a Cub Scout den mother, enjoyed gourmet cooking, reading, gardening, bird-watching and creative writing. She was a member of the Congregational Church, PEO and Eastern Star.
A witty and engaging conversationalist, she dealt with the difficult effects of a stroke for the last 17 years of her life, the most frustrating being loss of speech. Her eyes always sparkled.
Eileen is survived by two sons, Doug of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Steve of Clear Lake; her daughter-in-law, Suzanne O'Keefe; and her grandsons, Roy and Guy Martin.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy, in 1977; infant twins; her sister, Marilyn Conrad; and her brother, Bruce Anderson.
Myron R. Garlock, 83, Clear Lake, died Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center East Campus, Mason City, Iowa. A funeral service was held Saturday, April 12, at the Church of Christ, Clear Lake, with Pastor James Allard officiating. Interment was at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Myron R. Garlock Memorial Fund.
Myron was born Nov. 26, 1919, in Clear Lake, the son of Sherman and Christine (Nasheim) Garlock. Myron attended Clear Lake schools, graduating from Clear Lake High School. He lived his entire life in Clear Lake. Myron enlisted in the Army and served as a sergeant in both the European and Pacific theaters during WWII. He worked at Overton Green House, Chapel Clinic, and the Sugar Beet factory. Myron also worked at flea markets and enjoyed collecting coins, stamps and antiques. He volunteered at the Kenny Pioneer Museum and the Community Kitchen in his later years. Myron was a life long member of the V.F.W.
Myron is survived by his nephews: DuWayne Haugen and his wife, Cleta, Keith Haugen and his wife, Cathy, Myron Haugen and his wife, Pat, Herb Garlock and his wife, Jacky, Don Garlock and Dennis Garlock all of Clear Lake; nieces Lindy Lemon and her husband, Mark, and Geneva Ulrich and her husband, Merlyn, all of Mason City; many other nieces and nephews and special friends Ollie, Glen and Karl.
Myron is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Winona Westcott and Idelle Haugen; three brothers, Ernest, Don and Herb.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
