Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Dorothy Smith, 82, of 625 14th Ave N., Clear Lake, died Monday, May 19, 2003 at Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.
Her funeral Mass was held Thursday, May 22, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with Msgr. Robert Hogan officiating. Interment followed at Clear Lake Cemetery. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
The family of Dorothy Smith has requested that memorial contributions be made in her memory.
Dorothy was born July 4, 1920 in Mason City, the daughter of Samuel and Mayme (Koppen) Scholl. She grew up and attended school in Rudd, Iowa before being united in marriage to Thomas Raymond Smith on Feb. 9, 1937 in Rockford, Iowa. Dorothy was a loving homemaker and a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. She spent many hours crocheting, playing cards, and putting puzzles together with her friends at The Meadows. She loved her cat, "Smokey" and feeding the birds and squirrels. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, including her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Linda Quackenbush,Ventura; two sons, Tom Smith and his wife, Carolyn, Rathbun, Iowa and Max Smith and his wife, Lori, Ventura. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Heidi Marzen, Roxanne (Travis) Stohr, Amanda (Shawn) Adams, Tammy Janssen, Cassie Quackenbush, Gary (Kristi) Smith and Chase Smith; and seven great-grandchildren. She will also be remembered by her sister, Velva Rowe, Mason City, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ray; her son, Gary Rae Smith, and a son-in-law, Terry Quackenbush.
Gerald G. "Pete" Back, 83, of Ventura, Iowa, died Monday, May 19, 2003, in Clear Lake.
Funeral services were held Friday, May 23, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating. Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery with military honors by the Garner VFW.
The family of Gerald G. "Pete" Back has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Humane Society of North Iowa in his memory.
Gerald G. "Pete" Back was born on Oct. 10, 1919 in Klemme, Iowa, the son of Chris and Maye (McDorman) Back. He attended and received his education in the rural country school in Hancock County. During World War II, Pete was one of the first draftees from Hancock County, and served in the Army overseas in the European Theater during World War II. After his honorable discharge he came back to north Iowa and farmed his entire life until his retirement. While farming he also worked construction in Britt, Iowa, and drove truck. After his retirement he worked in a sales barn every Monday in Garner, Iowa and the last being in Algona, Iowa.
He enjoyed raising Percheron Draft horses, using horse drawn farm equipment, and loved and enjoyed working on his farm and raising animals.
He was a member of Garner VFW.
Survivors include a sister, Opal Mathre of Mason City; a niece, Julie Montgomery and her husband, Gene, of Mason City; a nephew, Tom Mathre of Oskaloosa, Iowa; a great-niece and nephew, Darcy Madden of Mason City and Michael Raab and his wife, Kelly, of Littleton, Colo.; two great-great nephews, Derek Madden of Mason City, and Calvin Raab of Littleton, Colo.; and a very special lady friend of 42 years, Luella Marshall, of Clear Lake; as well as other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Leo Back; a sister-in-law, Ann Back; a niece, Tammy Mathre, and a brother-in-law, T.H. Mathre.
Juliet L. (Whitney) Bainter, 79, of Clear Lake, died Friday, May 23, 2003, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.
Juliet's wish was that there be no funeral service, and her body be cremated. A memorial service will be at a later date.
According to her wishes her body was cremated.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 North 4th Street, Clear Lake, is in charge of the arrangements.
The family of Juliet L. (Whitney) Bainter has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Humane Society of North Iowa in Mason City in her memory.
Juliet L. (Whitney) Bainter was born on March 27, 1924, in Clear Lake, the daughter of Eugene and Ruth (Green) Whitney. She attended and received her education in the Clear Lake school system, graduating from Clear Lake High School in 1942. She was united in marriage to Jess Vaughn Bainter on Aug. 15, 1942, in Glendale, Calif.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Jess Vaughn Bainter, of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa; a son, Michael V. Bainter and his wife, Nancy, of Pacific Grove, Calif., a daughter, Lani M. Cook, of Clear Lake; a son, Whitney J. Bainter of Lompoc, Calif.; two grandchildren, Rebecca E. Franks and her husband, Dan, of Clear Lake, and Matthew A. Cook of Santa Barbara, Calif., one great-granddaughter, Emma G. Franks of Clear Lake; a sister, Rosemary J. White of Clear Lake; a brother, Jack D. Whitney and his wife, Darllene, of Seal Beach, Calif., a sister, Maxigene Duesenberg and her husband, Arlen, of Hot Springs Village, Ark.; as well as other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and seven brothers and sisters, Bonnie Tierney, Charles Whitney, Ruth Lysne, Lon Whitney, Helen Hamm, Cherie Kutzner, and Eugene Whitney.
Alida M. Kjos, 90, of 100 Bennett Dr., Sheffield, Iowa, died Monday, May 19, 2003 at the Sheffield Care Center, Sheffield. Memorial services were Saturday, May 31, at the First Congregational Church, Clear Lake, Iowa with the Rev. Thomas Healey officiating. The family suggests memorials may be given in her name.
Alida was born June 28, 1912 in Bluffton Township, rural Decorah, Iowa, the daughter of Olaus and Petra (Peterson) Hanson. She grew up in the Decorah area.
Alida married
Spencer J. Kjos on Oct. 15, 1932. They later moved to the Sunrise Apt. in Sheffield. She worked at the Sheffield Care Center as a cook. Soon after her daughter's death she moved to Clear Lake to be closer to her family.
In December 1994 she moved to the Sheffield Care Center due to ill health.
She enjoyed baking, doing crafts and was known by her family as a wonderful cook. She was a member of the First Congregational Church, Clear Lake.
She will be sadly missed by her three grandsons: Steve Wells and his wife, Linda, Clear Lake, Scott Wells and his wife, Carolyn, Dakota Dunes, S.D. and Mick Wells and his wife, Charlotte, Raleigh, N.C.; three great-grandchildren, Josh and Marc Wells, Clear Lake, and Wade Wells, Dakota Dunes, S.D.; son-in-law, Derwood E. Wells and his wife, Darlene, Clear Lake; brother-in-law Clifford Kjos and his wife, Charlotte, Decorah; and sister-in-law, Ruby Grafwallner, Colorado Springs, Colo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1984; her daughter, Patricia Wells, in 1985; and brothers and sisters.
George Nei, 93, of 1613 W. 7th Ave. N., Clear Lake, Iowa died Saturday, May 24, 2003 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. Memorial services will be Wednesday, May 28, at 2 p.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Daird Korth officiating. Visitation will be a half-hour before the service on Wednesday. Family suggests memorials to Hospice of North Iowa.
George was born April 27, 1910 in Chicago, Ill. the son of Ambrose and Nettie Nei. He moved with his parents at an early age to Ventura where he attended school.
George moved back to Chicago to work with his brothers in the furniture and appliance business. He married
LaVina Johnson on Dec. 5, 1942 in Chicago. Following his retirement in 1973 they moved back to Clear Lake.
George enjoyed playing golf and cards with his friends and traveling.
George is survived by his wife, LaVina Nei, Clear Lake; his son, Phillip Nei, Clear Lake; his sister, Dorothy Guiliani, Clear Water, Fla. and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Peter, Phillip and Henry Nei and one sister, Kathryn Wagner.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Henrietta "Etta" Tibbits, 88, of 5 Crystal Heights, Ventura, Iowa died Saturday, May 24, 2003 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. Funeral service will be Wednesday, May 28, 10:30 a.m. at the Ventura United Methodist Church, Ventura, Iowa with the Rev. Audrey Westendorf-Young officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa. Family suggests memorials to Hospice of North Iowa.
Etta was born in Klemme, Iowa the daughter of John P. and Christina (Ennenga) Christians. She attended school in Garner, Iowa.
Etta married
Arthur LeRoy Tibbits on Nov. 20, 1934 in Waseca, Minn.. She worked with her husband in Hanford, Wash. and later Oak Ridge, Tenn. in the Atomic Plant. She moved with her husband to many different cities while he was in the U.S. Army.
They moved to the farm five miles north of Ventura in 1947 and lived there until 1976, when they moved to their present home.
Etta enjoyed playing cards with her sisters, sewing and doing crafts. She was a member of Ventura United Methodist Church, Women's Club, RH Club and the Ventura Senior Citizens.
Etta is survived by her two sisters, Sena Christensen and her husband, LaVern, Clear Lake, and Elsie Wilson and her husband, Bill, Ventura; sister- in -laws Evelyn Christians, Garner, Iowa, Ione Nuehring, Mason City, Iowa and Doris Martin, Floyd, Iowa; her brother-in-law, Donald Tibbits, Forest City, Iowa and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, eight brothers and three sisters.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial services and a celebration of the life of Mary Reese will be held June 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grandview Baptist Church, 3705 170th Street Estherville, Iowa. Mary passed away May 22, 2003 at home in Glendale, Az.
Mary Margaret Sayers was born May 8, 1932 to Paul and Golda Sayers. She married
Carl John Feddersen in 1947. They had five children together before Carl passed away in 1966. In 1971 she married
Gary Allen Reese and they owned and operated Reese Trucking until Gary's death in 1998. They had a summer home in Ruthven, Iowa, next to Gary's parents, Carol and Melvin Reese, and spent winters in Glendale, Az. Mary's last home was with her oldest daughter, Carla, and her husband, David Ramsey. Her children also include Connie and Bill Reed of Surprise, Az., Cheryl Septer of Shelby, Iowa, Christi and Phil McCormick of Clear Lake, and Michael and Tammy Feddersen of Surprise, Az.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather and both husbands.
Left to cherish her memory and celebrate her faith and life are her children; her sisters, Shirley and husband, Marcus Papke, of Glendale, Az., and Linda Rogers and her son, Jack, of Sioux City, Iowa; two brothers, Paul Sayers and his wife, Delores, of Des Moines, Iowa and Jack Sayers and wife, Carolyn, of Brooklyn Center, Minn. Mary had nine grandchildren and five great-grand children at this time.
She was cremated in Arizona and her cremains will be buried next to Gary at Ellington Cemetery in Mallard, Iowa at a private ceremony for the family at a later time.
Vern M. Merfeld, 93, of Greene, Iowa, died Tuesday, June 3, 2003 at Liebe Care Center, Greene.
A funeral Mass was held Saturday, June 7, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Greene, with Rev. Monsignor Walter Brunken, officiating. Burial was in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Dougherty, Iowa.
Vern Merfeld was born Dec. 12, 1909 the youngest of nine children of Matt and Mary (Brunner) Merfeld. He attended rural school at Greene and St. Mary's Academy, Greene. Vern farmed with his father for several years in the Greene area.
He married
Kathryn (Katie) Ewen, on Feb. 15, 1939 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Dougherty.
Following their retirement, Vern's parents made their home with Vern and Katie on their farm near Dougherty. While living in the Dougherty area, Vern served as a Trustee on the church board and was a member of the Holy Name Society. In 1971, retiring from farming, Vern and Katie moved to Greene.
Vern enjoyed playing cards, fishing, and watching boxing on television. Vern and Katie will be remembered by their family as very loving and generous parents and grandparents. They were strong proponents of education.
As a young man, Vern helped with the construction of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Greene, where he was a member for many years.
Survivors include seven children, Elizabeth (Betty) Staudt and her husband, Donald, Mason City, Barbara Budak, LaGrange, Ill., Alice Oswald and her husband, Richard, Annandale, N.J., Ann Cracco, Cedar Falls, James Merfeld and his wife, Marilyn, Clear Lake, Tom Merfeld and his wife, LeAnn, Osage, Iowa, Veronica Fink and her husband, James, Waverly, Iowa; 20 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; a former son in law, Sal Cracco, Cedar Falls, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Edna Merfeld, New Virginia, Hannah Jansen, Nora Springs, Iowa, Helen Engels and her husband, Emil, Rockford, Iowa, Agnes Foxen, Rockford, Doris Ewen, Clear Lake, and Lillian Ewen, Nora Springs.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn on Dec. 13, 1987; a son, Joseph Merfeld, on May 9, 1954; seven brothers, Roy, Ed, George, Clyde, Henry, Fr. Howard, and Harry; a sister, Laura Popes; a son in law, Tony Budak; and grandson in law, John Peterson Memorials may be given to St. Mary's Catholic Church, Greene, in lieu of flowers.
Vern W. Bacon, 86, of 309 26th Ave. S., Clear Lake, died Thursday, June 5, 2003, at Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.
Funeral services were held Monday, June 9, at the Ventura United Methodist Church, with Pastor Audrey Westendorf-Young officiating. Burial was a private family inurnment on Tuesday, June 10, at the Clear Lake Cemetery.
Memorials can be directed to the Vern Bacon Memorial Fund.
Vern was born Jan. 16, 1917 at Iowa Falls, Iowa to Marcus and Myrtle (Wilson) Bacon. In 1928 the family moved to Titonka, Iowa where Vern continued his education, graduating from the Titonka High School. After graduation Vern helped his dad farm a section of land using only horses.
On Feb. 14, 1939 he was united in marriage to Anna Grace Blakley at Titonka. In 1942 they moved to a farm north of Ventura. Vern and Anna Grace lived in the Ventura and Clear Lake areas the remainder of his life.
Vern was a member of the Ventura United Methodist Church. He served on the Ventura Coop elevator board and coached the Clear Lake Butt'r Topp basketball team. He also belonged to the Clear Lake Fishing Club.
Vern is survived by his wife, Anna Grace; one daughter, Diane (Larry) Lovick of Forest City, Iowa; one daughter-in-law, Bonnie Bacon of Ventura; six grandchildren, Steve (Karla) Bacon, Doug (Angie) Bacon, Kristi (Jay) Waddingham, Darren (Janet) Lovick, Shaun (Julie) Lovick, and Kelli (Mason) Harms; eleven great-grandchildren, Tanner and Chase Bacon, Mitchell Storby, Caleb Bacon, Zachary, Tyler, and Matthew Waddingham, Benjamin Lovick, Nicholas and Maxwell Lovick and Laura Harms; two sisters, Rosemary (Merle) Isebrand of Fort Myers, Fla. and Shirley Neel of Clear Lake; one sister-in-law, Donna Jean Blakley, of Woden, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Larry in 1993; two brothers, Lewis and Don; two sisters, Dorothy Smith and Florence Heifner.
Ward-Van Slyke Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Wayne E. Hollatz, 84, of Ventura died Sunday, June 8, 2003 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.
His funeral will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 12, at St. John's Lutheran Church northeast of Garner with the Revs. Carl Hedberg and Scott Kozisek officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Mrs. Louise Boehnke who will accompany soloist, Doug Hayes and congregational hymns. Ushers will be Gene Toppin and Wayne Toppin. Pallbearers will be Butch Kozisek, Kevin Kozisek, Larry Dietrich, Jerry Hall, Dave Luscomb and Roger Schmidt. Burial will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery. Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church.
Wayne Edward Hollatz, the son of Edward and Anna (Park) Hollatz, was born July 17, 1918 on a farm near Ventura. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church northeast of Garner. He attended St. John's Parochial School and graduated from Ventura High School in 1936. After high school, he farmed and hauled livestock. On Sept. 10, 1941, he married
Lois Luella Latch at St. John's Lutheran Church. They lived on a farm west of Ventura. He became a resident of Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake in January of 1999. Wayne enjoyed visiting with friends, fishing, collecting treasures and taking care of animals.
He was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church and served on the cemetery committee.
Wayne is survived by a brother, August (Tom) Hollatz and his wife, Barbara, of Clear Lake; a sister-in-law, Doris Luscomb, of Clear Lake; several nieces and nephews; many cousins and other relatives; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, Nov. 19, 1999; his parents; a brother, Everett Hollatz; a sister, Vivian Hollatz; and a niece, Ann Park.
Julius H. Knop, 97, of Garner, Iowa, died Friday, June 13, 2003 at the Concord Care Center, Garner.
His funeral was held Monday, June 16, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner with the Rev. Robert Bronson officiating. Lector was Chris Knop. Music was provided by organist, Barbara Mrosko, who accompanied soloist, Beverly Cataldo, and congregational hymns. Ushers were Doug Phinney and Rob Mimms. Honorary bearers were Leeza Phinney, Julie Livingston, Mona Mimms, Denise Hiscocks, Kim Wilson and Karen Leslie. Pallbearers were Greg Knop, Chris Knop, Mark Knop, Ronald J. Knop, II, Todd Knop and Lee Knop. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa.
Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner.
Julius Herman Knop, the son of Gustav and Bertha (Schauland) Knop, was born Feb. 5, 1906 on a farm west of Ventura. He was baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church near Garner. He attended school at St. John's Parochial School and Hamilton Business College in Mason City. On Aug. 2, 1927 he married
Emma Rose Rayhons at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church rectory in Duncan, Iowa. They farmed east of Garner until 1955, when they retired and moved into Garner. Julius became a resident of Concord Center in May of 1992. Julius's passion for life was exhibited in his woodworking, which he generously shared with family and friends. He truly enjoyed every opportunity to spend with his grandchildren, family and friends. His home was always open to share his love for the Lord with all who entered. Many came to know Jesus Christ through his personal ministry. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner.
Julius is survived by his three sons, Harold Knop and his wife, Ruth, of Ventura, Ronald Knop and his wife, Wilma, of Ventura and Kenneth Knop and his wife, Virginia, of Houston, Texas; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Rose Kopacek and her husband, Vincent, of Britt, Iowa and Agnes Rayhons of Garner; a niece, Charlotte Kaster and her husband, Dick, of Ventura; and a nephew, Dick Clapper and his wife, Carolyn, of Ventura.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Emma, on Nov. 11, 1995; his parents; an infant granddaughter, Cheryl Knop in 1951; and a sister, Alma Clapper and her husband, Lyle.
Cataldo Funeral Home, Garner, was in charge of arrangements.
