Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Cy Kopecky, 88, World War II hero, recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and four air medals, died Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003, at Hospice Center, Gainesville, Fla., after an extended illness. Cy flew 25 missions over Germany in a B24 as a waist gunner in the 1940's. Retired Airforce Technical Sargent Kopecky was an Air Force ROTC instructor at the University of Florida from 1958 - 1964. He and his wife, Geri, were deployed at several overseas bases including Guam, Germany and Scotland.
Born and raised in Mason City, Iowa, on Nov. 1, 1915, he was a hometown basketball star. He began college there and graduated from Santa Fe College, Gainesville, in the 1970's. As a young man he worked in the Civilian Conservation Corp.
After retiring from the Air Force in 1967, Cy was a successful car salesman at the Dodge dealers in Gainesville and Ocala, winning the top salesman award in 1981.
An avid sportsman, he was a trophy fisherman, displaying a 12 pound, 8 ounce bass caught in Orange Lake and pictures of 10-foot marlins from Mazatland, Mexico. Enjoying golf and bowling, he set records and won awards in the senior bowling league last year, bowling a 634 series (150 pins over average) and qualifying for the Century Club.
A faithful member of First Lutheran Church, Cy served as head usher.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Geri, in May, 1996.
Cy is survived by two sisters and their husbands, Millie and Frank Thomsen, Clear Lake, and Rosalyn and Don Ames, Fremont, Neb.; a sister-in-law and her husband, Ginny and Tom Hargarten, Santa Fe Lake, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held Nov. 18 at First Lutheran Church, Gainesville.
Memorial gifts may be sent to First Lutheran Church, 1805 NW Fifth Ave., Gainesville, FL, 32603 or to The Hospice Center of N. Central Florida, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, Fl 32606.
Helen Haugen, 85, of Glenwood, Minn., formerly of Lucan, Minn., died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, at the Glenwood Retirement Village.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 22 at Glenwood Lutheran Church. Interment was in Lucan, Minn.
Helen was born July 20, 1918 to Hagen and Ethel (Rosten) Moe in Starbuck, Minn. She was baptized and confirmed at Indherred Lutheran Church. She grew up on the family farm on the shores of Pelican Lake. Helen married
Palmer T. Haugen in 1938 at Starbuck. They lived in Pope County until 1963, when they moved to Fargo, N.D. for three years and then to Minneapolis for eight years. They moved to Lucan, Minn. in 1974, where they made their home until Palmer's death in 1988. She moved to Starbuck for four years but returned to Lucan in 1993 where she and her daughter, Kathy, lived. Helen became a resident at the Glenwood Retirement Village in July, 2003.
Helen worked at many vocations during her lifetime. They owned and operated the Terrace Cafe and Produce Station for several years. Helen worked at the nursing home and hospital in Glenwood, and as a cook at NDSU in Fargo, as well as owning and operating her own floral business. Helen was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lucan, a member of the Glenwood VFW Auxiliary and a charter member of the Pope County Historical Society. Helen was a great cook and loved cooking and baking for her family, playing cards, singing and telling jokes. She brought up her children well, teaching them how to cook (well, most of them anyway), the importance of education and family love, and most of all, not to be be afraid of trying new ideas.
She is survived by her children, Treva and her husband, David Benton, Glenwood, Pauline and her husband, David Hoffman, Glenwood, Virginia Cahoon, Clear Lake, Sonia Byrd, Nashville, Tenn., Peter and his wife, Darla Haugen, New Hope, Minn., Kathleen Haugen, Lucan, Minn.; nephews Richard and his wife, Kathi Moe of Ridgecrest, Calif., and Jack and his wife, Judith, Moe of Highlands, Calif. She was also proud of her 25 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Palmer; grandchildren, Peggy Thorpe and David Paul Benton; great-grandchild, Courtney Galvin; brothers, Herman and George Moe; sisters, Agnes Swensrud, Alma Prokasky, Clarice Branch and Margaret Moe.
Rosemary J. DeWitt, 78, of 8014 338th St, Hanlontown, Iowa, died at her home Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003. Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 24, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, Iowa, with Pastor Ed Bard officiating. Interment was at Mt. Vernon Township Cemetery, Rural Burchinal, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the Rosemary DeWitt Memorial Fund.
Rosemary was born May 28, 1925, the daughter of Francis and Edna (Buffington) Latham, in rural Mt. Vernon Township, rural Clear Lake. Rosemary graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1943, and married
Kenneth DeWitt July 6, 1943 in Robinsdale, Minn. Kenneth and Rosemary then farmed in the Hanlontown area. Rosemary loved to garden and raise flowers. She was loved by her grandchildren for her dill pickles and fresh baked rolls. She was also known for chicken and noodles.
Rosemary is survived by her husband, Kenneth DeWitt, of rural Hanlontown; seven children, Janelle Nelson and her husband, Rich, Rose Creek, Minn., Terri Datema and her husband, John, Clear Lake, Tom DeWitt and his wife, Sharon, of Rogerville, Mo., Jim DeWitt and his wife, Barb, of Eaton, Ohio, Connie Oltman and her husband, Mark, Manly, Iowa, Karen Mundt, and her husband, Jim, Chariton, Iowa, Billie DeWitt and Darius Piippo, Mason City, Iowa; five sisters, Frances Margaret Rutledge, and her husband, Lew, of Grand Rapids, Mich., Helen Latham of Wheaton, Ill., Beverly Swan of St. Louis Park, Minn., Veronica Enabnit and her husband, Paul, of Mesa, Az. and Lucy Peevy, of Tulsa, OK; one brother, John Latham of Blakesburg, Iowa; 25 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Betty Bowers, and a brother, Richard Latham.
Lee "Baby" Jane Schmoll, 86, formerly of 813 North 12th Street, Clear Lake, died Friday, Nov. 21, 2003 at the Heritage Care Center in Mason City. Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 24 at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. James Allard of the Clear Lake Church of Christ officiating. Burial was at the Clear Lake Cemetery.
Memorials may be left to the Lee Jane Schmoll Memorial Fund.
Lee Jane was born Aug. 8, 1917 in Oklahoma. She married
Frank Davis and to this union had four children, Randall, Robert, Richard, and Nevelynn. She later married
Wilbur E. Schmoll on April 21, 1973. After their marriage she helped Wilbur in their insurance business as well as worked for Opportunity Village. She worked for Opportunity Village for twelve years, and then volunteered there for many years afterwards. She enjoyed vegetable gardening, baking and cooking.
Lee Jane is survived by two sons, Randall and Richard; grandchildren, Carl Davis, Janice Davis, and Robbie, all of Oklahoma, Robert Davis of Texas, Ruth Gwin of Colorado, Lydia Kidder of Arkansas, Georgia Nichols and Marsha Snyder, both of Iowa; great-grandchildren, Joel, Jessi, Shawn, Bobbie, Corey, Colby, Matt, and Zack and great-great-grandchildren Damon, Parker, Clay, Jesse and Bailey. Also surviving is one sister Wilde Reeves of Oklahoma, and one daughter-in-law Rosalea Davis of Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Wilbur; son, Robert, daughter, Nevelynn and two sisters.
Raymond L. Nelson, 86, of Clear Lake, died Nov. 30, 2003 at the IOOF home in Mason City. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 3, 10:030 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, 112 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess and Rev. Steve Buchholz officiating. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Britt, Iowa.
Raymond, son of Emil and Nellie (Nelson) Nelson was born March 31, 1917 on a farm west of Britt. He attended country school in Hancock County. Raymond was married
to Donna M. Doughan on Oct. 27, 1942. He was married
61 years.
Raymond worked for Farmers Dairy, Montgomery Wards (20 years), and the Mason City Airport (14 years). In retirement, he drove a school bus for 14 years for Clear Lake Community Schools.
Memberships included Zion Lutheran Church and the IOOF Lodge. In his free time Ray enjoyed going to coffee with work associates.
Raymond is survived by his wife of 61 years, Donna M. Nelson, Clear Lake; son, Rollan R. Nelson, Aurora, Colo.; daughter, Becky Buchholz and her husband, the Rev. Dr. Steve, Jefferson City, Mo.; granddaughter, Anne, and her husband, Kevin Bennett; Maryville, Mo.; grandson, Chris Buchholz, Jefferson City, Mo.; brother, Donald Nelson and his wife, Joy, Clear Lake; sisters-in-law, Grace Nelson, Britt, and Betty Lou Nelson, Britt. Other family members include his brother-in-law, Allan Doughan and his wife, Frances, Britt; sister-in-law, Bonnie Doughan, Britt, sister-in-law, Marcie Doughan and several nieces and nephews. Ray will be sadly missed by his family.
Memorials may be given to the IOOF home, Mason City, or Hospice, Mason City, or to the donor's choice.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; one sister and an infant son.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Robert C. Thompson, M.D., 5073 South Shore Dr., Clear Lake, died of pulmonary lung cancer at his home on Friday, Nov. 28, 2003. The cancer had been diagnosed on Oct. 16, 2003.
Robert was born on March 12, 1946 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His parents were John and Ruth Thompson.
Bob attended The University Of Iowa and graduated in 1972 as a Doctor of Medicine with a specialty in Family Practice. He began his career in Eldora, Iowa, and for the past 16 years has been practicing Family Medicine in Grundy Center until his retirement on Oct. 16, 2003. He devoted his life to his family, his practice and his patients.
Bob and Diane Tjaden Thompson were married
on July 25, 1975. Their children are Bradley and Anne Marie (Aggie).
Other surviving family members are: Eric Budreau, Doug and Linda Thompson and family, Joni Thompson and family, Tim and Andy Tjaden, Susan and Dick Breed, and Marian Tjaden.
A memorial service was held Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the United Methodist Church, Grundy Center. Memorials will be directed to Grundy County Memorial Hospital Foundation in Grundy Center or North Iowa Hospice in Mason City. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Kim Wayne McKinnon, 46, died at his home, 10586 Balsam Ave, Ventura, Iowa, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2003. Funeral Services were held Saturday at the United Methodist Church, Ventura, with Pastor Audrey Westendorf Young officiating. Interment was at the Clear Lake Cemetery.
Kim was born the son of Lloyd W. & Betty (Pollock) McKinnon on Feb. 12, 1957 at Burlington, Iowa. Kim received his education from the Ventura School System and graduated from Ventura High School. Kim started trucking following high school and was owner-operator for 21 years. His last 14 years he drove for Smithway out of Ft. Dodge, Iowa. Kim enjoyed spending time with his son, Nathan, his nieces and nephews and his friend's children. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, and was an avid Green Bay Packer Fan. He was fun loving and liked practical jokes. Kim hosted 4th of July parties for his friends, family and neighborhood. Kim was a member of the United Methodist Church in Ventura.
Kim is survived by his mother, Betty McKinnon, of Ventura; son, Nathan M. McKinnon, Columbia, Mo.; a sister, Tina Ford and her husband, Roy, of Cedar Falls, Iowa; nieces and nephews, Scott Davis, Cedar Falls, Angie Davis, Iowa City, Iowa and Joy Winkowitsch and her husband, Todd, Cedar Falls; a special friend, Pam Adams, Sioux City, Iowa; uncles, Dick Pollock and his wife, Sandi, New London, Iowa and Ray Pollock and his wife, Harriett, San Jose, Calif.; one aunt, Joan Peer and her husband, Bob, Orange, Calif.; his grandmother, Florence Irene Pollock, New London, Iowa and a special pet, "Buddy."
He was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd McKinnon; grandfather, Harry Pollock; grandparents, John and Marie McKinnon and aunt, Shirley Pence.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Evelyn Edith Coyier, 86, of 625 14th Ave N., Clear Lake, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003 at her home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating. The family suggests memorials to the Evelyn E. Coyier Memorial Fund.
Evelyn was born July 2, 1917 at Britt, Iowa the daughter of Paul & Mildred (Clark) Palmer. Her family moved to Clear Lake when Evelyn was in the sixth grade and she graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1936.
Evelyn married
Wesley Coyier July 26, 1936 in Clear Lake. Evelyn started working for the Clear Lake Bakery in 1948 and worked there until 1980, retiring as a supervisor. She then worked as a cook for the Oakwood Care Center for five years. Evelyn enjoyed crocheting, handwork, puzzles, reading, playing cards and riding around the lake.
Evelyn is survived by her children, JoAnn Hughes and her husband, Gary, of Peoria, Az., Jane Coyier, Clear Lake, Raymond Coyier and his wife, Peggy, of Powderly, Texas, James Coyier and his wife, Phyllis, of Albertville, Minn. and Sharon Froiland and her husband, Norman, of Fertile, Iowa; ten grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren and four greatgreat grandchildren; three brothers, James Palmer and his wife, Kathy, of Mason City, Iowa, Willard Palmer and his wife, Doris, of Holland, Iowa and Paul Palmer Jr. and his wife, Loretta, of Web City, Mo.; four sisters, Ruth Nichols and her husband, Gordon, of Clear Lake, Pauline Zeilie of Mason City, Bernice Hamand of LaGrange, Ky., and Jan Welton of Downey, Calif.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Wesley; sister, Irma Daves; grandson, Gary and a granddaughter, Shelley.
Carole Jean Buck, 80, died Dec. 10, 2003 at her home, 714 S. 8th St., Clear Lake. Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 13, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. Interment was at held at the Clear Lake Cemetery.
Carole, or Jean to the Molencamp family, was born Nov. 17, 1923, the daughter of Steve and Hilda (Ubben) Molencamp. She married
James Buck on March 1, 1945, at the Glenview Naval Air Station, Chicago, Ill.
Before her marriage, Carole worked as a waitress at Halford's Café. She was a homemaker and did child care in her home. Carole enjoyed knitting, gardening, little kids, braiding rugs and cooking.
Carole is survived by her husband, Jim; six children, Susan Mastre and husband, Keith, Clear Lake, Kathleen Wiele and her husband, Keith, of Culver City, Calif., Wendy Watt and husband, Jim, of Milford, Iowa, James and his wife, Sheri, of Simonton, Texas, Betsy Holden and husband, Tim, Clear Lake and Joseph and his wife, Brenda, Clear Lake; fourteen grandchild and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Thelma Ziesman and her husband, Russ, Sheffield, Iowa and Sharon Quintus and her husband, Gordon, Ventura, Iowa; three brothers, Roy Molencamp and wife, Billie, Rodgers, Minn., Ronald Molencamp and wife, Carol, Ankeny, Iowa and Larry Molencamp and wife, Sonja, Muscatine, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Lou Molencamp, Fridley, Minn., Janette Buck, Clear Lake, Ruth Coffin, Eyota, Minn., Martha Buck, Clear Lake, and Georgia Molencamp, Clear Lake.
Carole was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Maxine and brothers Russell, Robert and Kenneth (in infancy).
Michelle Lynn (Shelley) Simmer, 42, 117 4th Ave N., Clear Lake, died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003 at her home. A funeral service was held Friday, Dec. 12, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Derrick Yarian officiating. Interment was held at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Michelle Simmer Memorial Fund.
Shelley was born Sept. 1, 1961 in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Merle Marshall and Jane Coyier. She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1980. Shelley worked at the Mile Post 194 as a waitress for many years. She also worked at Martha's Maid Rite.
Shelley married
Tom Simmer on Sept 15, 1984 at Zion Lutheran Church.
Shelley loved to listen to music and watch "her stories" (soap operas). She enjoyed seeing her children in school events and being with them. She also liked to ride horses and motorcycles. Shelley had battled diabetes for over 32 years, but always had a cheerful outlook. She loved knowing the angels were always at her side. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church.
Shelley is survived by her husband, Tommy Simmer, Clear Lake; two children, Jeremy Simmer and his fiancé, Amber Morehead and Jamie Simmer, Clear Lake; her mother, Jane Coyier, Clear Lake; father, Merle Marshall and his wife, Beverly, Garner, Iowa; brothers, Mark Marshall and his wife, Karrie, Mason City, Iowa, Merle "Butch" Marshall Jr. and his wife, Lisa, Garner and Mitch Marshall and his wife, Stephanie, Port St. John, Fla.; grandmothers, Evelyn Coyier, Clear Lake, and Luella Marshall, Clear Lake; mother-in-law, Margaret Simmer, Clear Lake; step-father, James Crooks, Mason City and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Shelley was preceded in death by her Grandpa's Wes Coyier and Robert Marshall; father-in-law, Donald Simmer Sr. and a brother-in-law, Freddie Simmer.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Amanda Spalding, 90, formerly of Clear Lake, died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003 in Lake City, Minn. A funeral service was held Thursday, Dec. 11, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. The Rev. Dean Hess officiated. Interment was at the Christ Lutheran Cemetery, Wanda, Minn.
Amanda was born Nov. 3, 1913 in Wanda, Minn. to Max and Elsie (Holznagel) Darkow. She attended Mankato School of Beauty in Mankato, Minn. On May 15, 1937 she married
Paul A. Spalding. They resided in Wanda, Pomeroy, Iowa and Clear Lake. She moved to Lake City, Minn. in 1995. Amanda was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake.
She is survived by a son, Nyle Spalding and his wife, Barbara, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two daughters, Maxyne Gillice and her husband, Robert, Arvada, Colo. and Paulette Clare and her husband, Arnie, Reads Landing, Minn.; two granddaughters, Amy McCormick and her husband, Mike, Boulder, Colo. and Sara Miller and her husband, Dan, Naperville, Ill.; one great-granddaughter, Ava Claire Miller; one sister, Rosemary Bloedow, Redwood Falls, Minn. and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband and one sister, Irene Bergston.
Cole Lexus Larson, infant daughter of Nichole Kemmerer and Tony Larson of Clear Lake, died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003 at the Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. Funeral services were Thursday, Dec. 11, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess of Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake officiating. Interment was in Clear Lake Cemetery.
Cole will be sadly missed by her parents, Tony and Nichole, Clear Lake; grandparents, Kurt and Sue Kemmerer, Clear Lake and Robert and Marcia Larson, Dougherty, Iowa; her uncle, Chris Kemmerer, Clear Lake; her aunt, Jamie Larson and her son, Dylan Frascht, Waukee, Iowa; her great-grandparents, Dean Kemmerer, Ron and Terri Daniels, Clear Lake, Wayne and Betty Larson, Dougherty and Ralph Behnke, Greene, Iowa.
William John (Bill) Dockstader, 46, of Clear Lake, Iowa died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003 at Hospice Of North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. Memorial services will be held at a later time.
Bill was born in Rapid City, S.D. the son of Darrell and Janet (Herrlein) Dockstader.
After graduating from Ventura High School he entered the United States Navy and was stationed in Florida. Following the service in the Navy he lived in Daytona Beach and later the Jacksonville, Fla. area.
Bill was recently diagnosed with cancer and moved back to Iowa to be closer to his family.
He loved fishing, the outdoors, living around the ocean and especially the warm weather.
Bill will be sadly missed by his mother, Janet Dockstader, Clear Lake; four brothers, Daniel Dockstader and his wife, Connie, Lebanon, Ill., Steven Dockstader, Mason City, Iowa, Scott Dockstader and his wife, Maureen, Ames, Iowa, Matt Dockstader and his wife, Natasha, Olathe, Ks.; his sister, Jackie Bailey, Mason City; seven nieces, Jennifer Neal and her husband, Phillip, and their daughter Hailey, Lebanon, Ill., Chad, Abbey and Danelle Dockstader, Lebanon, Ill., Cassie, Amanda and Brittany Bailey, Mason City, Tyler and Kelsey Dockstader, Ames, and his good friend, Pat Brown and her grandson, Devin, Jacksonville, Fla. He was preceded in death by his father.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
