Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Marvin G. Byington, 76, 8 S. 18th St., Clear Lake, IA, died Monday, July 7, 2003 at the Chautauqua Guest Home #3, Charles City, IA. Funeral services will be Friday, July 11, 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church, 508 2nd Ave N., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jan Burnett officiating. Interment will be held at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 7:00 at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, IA. Memorials may be given to the Marvin G. Byington Memorial Fund.
Marvin was born August 16, 1926, in rural Plymouth, IA, the son of Glenn and Susie (May) Byington. He graduated from Plymouth High School in 1944. He drove trucks in the Plymouth area. Marvin married
Mary Louise Petersen January 15, 1950 at the English Lutheran Church, Manly, IA. They lived in Plymouth from 1950 1961. They also lived in Waverly, IA before moving to Clear Lake, IA. He was a butter maker in Plymouth. He started working for Midland Cooperative as a truck driver, and later drove for Tom Thumb, Skelgas and Nutrina. He was awarded the 3,000,000 mile driving award from Midland Coop.
Marvin enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, dancing and being with his family and friends. He loved to watch baseball, play cards and was a big fan of the Cubs and Twins. He was a member of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church.
Marvin is survived by his wife Mary Louise Byington, Clear Lake, IA; three sons Michael Byington and his wife Andrea, and their children Katy and Jay, Davenport, IA, Mark Byington and his children Naomi Levelle and Jade Byington, Missoula, MT, and Tim Byington and his wife Diana, and their children Codie and Tyler, Clear Lake, IA and Jennifer Lamanna and her husband Eric, Fox Lake, IL; three brothers Merlyn Byington and his wife Margaret, Rock Falls, IA, Keith Byington and his wife Nancy, Columbia, MO, Don Byington and his wife Marilyn, San Francisco, CA; one sister Kathryn Kearns and her husband Dennis, Urbandale, IA; and many nieces and nephews.
Marvin is preceded in death by his parents and a infant twin brother Melvin Byington.
Eldon G. Law, 76, of 304 3rd St. N.E., Mason City, Iowa died Saturday, July 12, 2003 at the Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, Mason City. Memorial services will be Thursday, July 17, 11 a.m., with the Rev. Jan Burnett officiating at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City. Inurnment will be in Lincoln Township Cemetery, rural Clear Lake, at a later date. Family suggests memorials to Eldon G. Law memorial fund.
Eldon was born Dec. 29, 1926 in Mason City, the son of James G. Law and Vera (Vawter) Law Kluseman. He grew up in Lincoln Township, rural Clear Lake. Following school he entered the United States Navy serving in the South Pacific during WWII.
Eldon lived in Florida and Chicago, Ill. working at various jobs. In 1998 he moved to Mason City.
He is survived by his son, James E. Law, Romeoville, Ill.; a brother, James R. Law and his wife, Ruth, Clear Lake; a sister, Charlotte Saliger and her husband, Don, Folsom, Calif.; eight nephews; one niece and a special friend, Beth Ward, Mason City.
He was preceded in death by his parents; half brother, Dale Kluseman; half sister, Sondra Hamlin and one son,Wayne Law.
James L. (Jimmy) March, 69, formerly of Clear Lake, died Tuesday, July 15, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City. Funeral services were held Friday, July 18, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake with the Rev. Clarence Baalson officiating. Interment was Friday at the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Latimer, Iowa with military honors conducted by the Hansen-Have American Legion Post #658 of Latimer. Memorials may be made to the James L. March Memorial Fund.
James was born Feb. 14, 1934, at Hampton, Iowa, to Cyril T. and Inez (Peters) March. James attended country school until fourth grade when the family moved and he attended Coulter Elementary School. He graduated from Cal Community School. James was baptized and confirmed at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Latimer, Iowa. After high school he was inducted into the Army in April of 1954 and served in Korea until February 1956. He then attended the American Institute of Business and following graduation worked in the Des Moines area. In 1960 he purchased the Clear Lake Dairy Queen, which he owned and operated until he retired and sold the business in 1995.
James is survived by two sisters, Marilyn Davison and her husband, Warren, Mason City, and Betty Williams, Harlan, Iowa; seven nieces and nephews, Patricia Behm and her husband, Charles, of Boone, Iowa, Sherry Candee and her husband, Russell, Waterloo, Iowa, Linda Davison, Minneapolis, Minn., Diana Grassel and her husband, Gary, Billings, Mont., the Rev. Michael Williams and his wife, Amy, Elk Horn, Iowa, Debbie Becker, Omaha, Neb., Mark Williams, Denver, Colo. and several grand-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Rachel E. Johnson, 93, formerly of Clear Lake, died Tuesday, July 15, 2003 at the Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. Funeral services were held Friday, July 18, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Derik Yarian officiating. Interment was at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be given in her name to Zion Lutheran Church, Opportunity Village and the Manly Care Center.
Rachel Evelyn Johnson, 93, was born on July 10, 1910, in Pipestone, Minn., the daughter of Hubert and Violet (Usher) Jackson. At the age of two Rachel moved to Ft. Dodge, Iowa. She moved to Clear Lake at the age of 12, moved south of Mason City until age 16 and attended Mason City High School. She then returned to Clear Lake.
Rachel was united in marriage to Kenneth Johnson on May 4, 1968, in Albert Lea, Minn. They lived in Clear Lake. Kenneth passed away Jan. 15, 1981. Rachel continued to live in Clear Lake until moving to the Manly Nursing Home in Manly, Iowa, in 2001.
Rachel worked at Clean Towel Service in Mason City and also at the Clear Lake Bakery as store manager for 14 years, retiring in 1962.
Rachel was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake where she was involved with Bible study and Christian Women's Fellowship. Rachel was involved with Rebekah's and was a past member of Relief Corps. Rachel enjoyed crafts, handiwork, sewing and studying the Bible.
Rachel is survived by a sister, Marcella Thomas, Clear Lake; a brother, Andrew Jackson, Manly; many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; a brother, Fred Jackson and her husband.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Berneice Annetta Baack, 82, of rural Thornton, Iowa, died Sunday, July 20, 2003, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, July 24, at the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thornton, with the Rev. Bob Hetrick officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Thornton.
According to the wishes of the family the casket will be closed.
The family of Berneice Annetta Baack has requested that memorial contributions be made to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City in her memory.
Berneice Annetta Baack was born on May 6, 1921, in rural Thornton, the daughter of Harold and Ellen Thada. She attended and received her education in the Thornton School system, graduating from Thornton High School. Berneice was the first Drum Major in the Thornton school band. After completing her schooling she did light house keeping for various families in the Thornton area. She was united in marriage to Roy Baack on April 5, 1942, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. After their marriage together they farmed in the Thornton area.
Berneice enjoyed flowers, fishing, gardening, dancing, camping, canning vegetables, and making jams and jellies, but her great love and enjoyment was her family and grandchildren.
She was a member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, the church circle and was a member of the Lioness Club in Thornton.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Roy Baack, of Thornton; a son, Ben Baack and his wife, Vicki, of Columbus, Ohio; two grandchildren, Jeremy Baack and Natasha Weaver and her husband, Nathan, all of Columbus, Ohio; two brothers, Merlin Thada and Dean Thada and his wife, Elvira all of Clear Lake; as well as other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Lyle and Stanley Thada.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Arlene Olina Eichmeier, 74, of rural Mason City, died Saturday, July 19, 2003, at the Good Shepherd Care Center in Mason City.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 North 4th Street, Clear Lake with the Rev. Daird Korth of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura officiating. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday and one hour prior to service time on Wednesday at the chapel. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Highway. 18, Mason City.
Arlene Olina Eichmeier was born on November 25, 1928, in Lake Mills, the daughter of Carl John and Agnes (Chose) Anderson. Arlene attended rural Brookfield Township School near Kensett, and reaffirmed the faith of her baptism through confirmation at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church, rural Kensett. After completing her schooling she worked on the Kinney farms rural Mason City. She was united in marriage to George Eichmeier on June 24, 1947, in Mason City. After their marriage together they farmed in the rural Mason City area.
She enjoyed her cats, flowers, gardening, canning, baking and participating and making new acquaintances at farmers markets.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband, George Eichmeier of Mason City; two children, Gloria Weiden of Henderson, Nev., and Gary Eichmeier of Clear Lake; two sisters, Myrtle Coe of Portland, Iowa, and Ovila Sundvold of the Good Shepherd Care Center in Mason City; two brothers-in-law, Bob Eichmeier of Las Vegas, Nev. and Sam Spilman of Clear Lake; several nieces and nephews as well as other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Richard Anderson.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Stanley L. Zirbel, 85, of 23798 Finch Ave., Clear Lake, died Sunday, July 20, 2003 at the Good Shepherd Care Center, Mason City, Iowa. Memorial services will be Wednesday, July 23, 2 p.m., at the Christian Church, Clear Lake, Iowa with the Rev. Mark Young officiating. Private graveside services will be held in the Clear Lake Cemetery with military honors by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Family will greet friends following the memorial service at the church. The family suggests memorials to the Christian Church or Hospice of North Iowa.
Stanley was born May 17, 1918, the son of George and Petrea (Back) Zirbel, in Grant Township, Cerro Gordo County, where he lived his entire life.
He graduated from Fertile High School in 1935. He was in the United States Army infantry from June 11, 1942 to Oct. 11, 1945 as part of the 312th medical battalion, serving in the European Theater of Operations under George S. Patton's 3rd Army. Following the service he returned to the family farm, where he farmed for many years.
On July 13, 1943, he was united in marriage to Kathryn "Kit" Merwin in Clear Lake. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary a week ago.
He spent much time in public service. He was a member of the Fertile Co-op Dairy Association, Worth County DHIA, Fertile and Forest City School boards, Cerro Gordo 4-H Youth Council, and was Secretary/Manager of the North Iowa Fair from 1976 to 1984. He helped organize the Fertile Valley Farmers 4-H Club, serving as one of its first leaders. He loved spending time with young people. His hobby was gardening. After retiring, he worked part-time at Clear Lake Krieger's Greenhouse, where he also enjoyed working with the owners and employees.
He is survived by his wife, Kit, of Clear Lake; five daughters and their husbands: Jan and Fred Hare, Fertile, Iowa, Jim and Karen Weld, Clarion, Iowa, Amy and Keith Van Note, Minneapolis, Minn., Jill and John David Murray, Burnsville, Minn. and Eileen Zirbel, Rochester, Minn.; a sister, Merridy Hill, Mason City, Iowa; four grandsons; four granddaughters; five great-granddaughters; a great-great -granddaughter and a wonderful extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Reva Nelson; a granddaughter, Merry Weld Dick, and an infant daughter.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Robert L. Starkey, 75, of 1410 N. 24th St., Clear Lake, died Monday, July 21, 2003 at Methodist Hospital, Rochester, Minn. Services are pending at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake.
Kenneth (Ken) Allen Wattier, 52, Clear Lake, died Sunday, July 27, 2003, at Opportunity Village, Clear Lake. A funeral service was held Thursday, July 31, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with Msgr. Robert Hogan officiating. Interment was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Early, Iowa. Memorials may be given to Opportunity Village in memory of Ken Wattier.
Ken was born Dec. 16, 1950, the son of Donald Michael and Edna Mae (Thomas) Wattier in Storm Lake, Iowa. He grew up in Early. In 1973, Ken moved to Clear Lake to live at Opportunity Village. He was well known in the community, belonging to the Clear Lake Evening Lions, Clear Lake Lions Booster Club, and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Iowa Hawkeye's fan. He enjoyed riding his bike downtown.
Ken was involved in the Village's Benefit Walk for many years. Ken was the first charter member of the Benefit Walk Hall of Fame, raising over $10,000 since 1981.
Ken was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Clear Lake and Knights of Columbus.
Ken is survived by his father, Donald Wattier and his wife, Ann, Scottsdale, Az.; three brothers, David Wattier and his wife, Helen, West Des Moines, Iowa, Tom Wattier and his wife, Vicky, Gunnison, Colo. and John Wattier, McAllen, Texas and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Edna Wattier.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Shirley Mae Havnen, 78, of Mason City, formerly of Clear Lake, died Monday, August 11, 2003 at the Good Shepherd Health Center, Mason City, Iowa. A Funeral Service will be held Friday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 112 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, IA. with the Rev. Derik Yarian officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 14, from 68 p.m. at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake and one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Interment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery, Hwy 122, Mason City. Memorials may be given to the Shirley Havnen Memorial Fund.
Shirley was born Sept. 4, 1924 in Plymouth, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Erva (Heinsleman) Tagesen. She attended Mason City schools, graduating in 1943. She worked two years for the 1st National Bank in Mason City. Shirley married
Donovan Havnen on May 11, 1945 in Cheyenne, WY. and they celebrated with their family and friends their 58th wedding anniversary this year at Good Shepherd. Shirley took great pride in being a wife, homemaker, mother of six, and friend of many. Her hobbies included crocheting, knitting and being a very giving person. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake. Her courage and faith were an inspiration to many. Her classmates of 1943 were a high light in her life.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Donovan Havnen, Mason City; two daughters, Kathy Banks and her husband, Don, Clear Lake, and Mary Lin Kolb and her husband, Doug, Clear Lake; four sons Donovan Havnen and his wife, Jennifer, Andover, Kan., James Havnen and his wife, Pam, Ankeny, Iowa, Matthew Havnen, Nora Springs, Iowa and Mark Havnen and his wife, Connie, Estero, Flor.; ten grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; Aunt Gladys Adams and her husband, Pete, Mason City, and special friends Janet Klein and her husband, Lloyd, Mason City. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Patti Smith, step-mother, Gena Tagesen and daughter-in-law, Wendy Havnen.
Leo William Stattelman, 79, of 4 S. 18th St., Clear Lake, died Wednesday morning, Aug. 13, 2003 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. The funeral liturgy was held Saturday, Aug. 16, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Clear Lake. Inurnment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Military Honors were by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Leo was born June 21, 1924 in West Bend, Iowa to Edward Stattelman and Christina (Bollweg) Stattelman. He attended grade school at St. Peter and Paul in West Bend, receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, Penance and Confirmation there. He graduated from West Bend High School with the class of 1942.
He attended Iowa State University and Trinity College in Sioux City, Iowa before graduating with a degree in English from Loras College in 1951. During his naval military career in the V-5 program and navigation school, Leo attended the University of Iowa and Cornell University. He was honorably discharged in 1946. After returning to Loras College, he earned an MS degree in Latin in 1968.
Teaching has been Leo's love and profession, first in a Catholic Mission School near Montgomery, Ala., working with Father Michael Caswell. He then taught English and Latin at Clear Lake High School for 28 years. Following that, he taught Latin and Classical Literature at Newman High School for 14 years, resigning in January of 2003. Students were special people to Leo, and he was nominated for and received the Golden Apple Award for teaching.
Besides classroom teaching, he spent many hours teaching adult beekeeping classes. Keeping bees resulted in a love of nature, as well as in the production of honey, mead making, and candle making. He was especially proud of the large beeswax Easter candles designed for churches in the area. Leo developed woodworking skills with his family in West Bend and used his abilities to design and build furnishings and projects for his home, family, and others. While living in West Bend, he helped develop an ice skating program there; in Clear Lake he helped organize, supervise, and maintain an outdoor skating rink for over 25 years.
Leo studied to become a Deacon in the Archdiocese of Dubuque and was ordained to the Diaconate in March of 1982. His ministry included teaching and serving in various capacities at St. Patrick's Parish in Clear Lake, at Newman High School, and in the Diaconal Community.
Through his life, Leo has always enjoyed meeting people, especially through the 70,000 miles of hitchhiking during his college and Navy days, and more recently, from Newman High School. On his way back from Newman, drivers were given a small jar of honey as a "thank you." Leo was a charter member of the Mens' Garden Club; he belonged to the Iowa Honey Producers and was a member of several professional-teaching groups.
Leo married
Mary K. Staudt in November, 1959, at Visitation Church in Stacyville. Their children and spouses include: Anne (Mark Mascarenas) in Pueblo, Colo., Michael (Jennifer) in Duluth, Minn., John (Ann Shirley), Duluth, Minn., David (Elizabeth Heilman) in East Lansing, Mich., and Elizabeth (Daniel Stattelman-Scanlan) Madison, Wis. Their grandchildren are Katie, Marty, and Nick Mascarenas, Emma Stattelman, Alex Wang, Mary Rose, Annaliese and Kathleen Stattelman, and Brigit, Annabel and Leo Edward Stattelman-Scanlan. At the last family reunion in Clear Lake in July, Leo baptized his new grandson, Leo, who was born on Grandpa Leo's 79th birthday. As a Deacon, Leo was able to baptize all his grandchildren.
Leo is survived by his wife, Mary; his children and grandchildren; two brothers, Art and Edwin Stattelman of West Bend; and a sister, Isabel Olsen of Wheaton, Ill.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Edward; a grandson, Peter Joseph, and his parents.
Memorials may be given to a newly developed Leo W. Stattelman Scholarship Fund for the Clear Lake and Newman Schools, to the Mercy Oncology Unit, the Hospice Organization, St. Patrick's Parish, Clear Lake, or a charity of choice.
Leo's wit and sense of humor, his many interests and talents will be missed.
The epitaph he chose comes from the Book of Psalms: Quid retribuam Domino pro omnibus quae retribuit mihi! (What shall I give back to the Lord for all the good he has done for me!)
Gordon Elliot Sunner, 74, of 810 N. 11th St., Clear Lake, Iowa died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. Memorial services were held Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003 at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, Iowa with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating. Inurnment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake, Iowa. Military Honors were by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Family suggest memorials to Hospice of North Iowa or Mercy Cancer Center.
Gordon was born on March 23,1929, to Carl and Helen (Harris) Sunner in Eagle Grove, Iowa. He was baptized and reaffirmed the faith of his baptism through confirmation at Samuel Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove. He was reared on the family farm northeast of Eagle Grove and attended a rural grade school for the first eight years of his education. He graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1947 and enlisted in the Army 11th Airborne for three years. After 13 weeks of Infantry Basic Training at Fort Knox, Ky., and eight weeks of Jump School at Fort Benning, Ga. Gordon was assigned to 15 months duty in Camp Crawford, Hokkaido, Japan to aid in the Japan occupation after World War II.
After completing his military service, he enrolled in Eagle Grove Junior College for two years. He was united in marriage to Bonnie Godfrey, from Eagle Grove, on June 28, 1953. After their marriage he completed his education at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, graduating with a degree in English in 1956. Gordon and Bonnie then moved to Harlan, Iowa, where he taught high school English for 10 years, before moving to Clear Lake in 1967, for his final tenure in education. He retired in 1992, after 35 years of high school teaching. He enjoyed going back and spending time at the family farm.
His hobbies included reading about and visiting U.S. Civil War battlefield sites, working in the yard and observing wildlife. He was a lover of nature, a big fan of the Chicago Bears and a proud member of the Democratic Party.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Bonnie, of Clear Lake; his two daughters, Becky Dunlap and her husband, Gerald, of Greer, S.C. and Gail of Clear Lake; three brothers: his twin brother, Dr. Gerald Sunner and his wife, Shirley, Milford, Iowa; Dr. Kurt Sunner and his wife, Betty, Spirit Lake, Iowa; Dr. Paul Sunner, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and one sister, Helen Chapman, Las Vegas, Nev., in addition to numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Helen in 1974 and 1984, respectively; a brother, Harold, in 1975; and a son, Bret, in 1984.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge or arrangements.
