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William G. (Bill) Mahone, 78, of Clear Lake, a well-known North Iowa musician, died Friday, May 28, 2004 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. At his request, his body was cremated. A memorial service was held Tuesday, June 1, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, Mason City. Inurnment was in Osage Cemetery, Osage, Iowa. Memorial contributions may be made to the William G. Mahone memorial fund.
Bill's parents, E. Katherine (Delaney) and Leslie Mahone welcomed him to life on Nov. 1, 1925 in Ames, Iowa, where he began his life as a musician at a young age with piano and clarinet lessons. One of his proud moments was being asked, as a fourth grader, to play the opening clarinet gliss of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" with the Iowa State University Band. He started playing occasionally with a local band at the age of 13 and from then on played with many groups until July, 2003 when he retired.
His music studies continued through Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and DePaul University, after which he decided not to pursue a career in music, but to be a professional musician as an avocation. He moved to North Iowa in 1950 as a band instrument salesman for Carleton Stewart Music Company, and eventually became the piano and organ salesman for the company. He started tuning pianos in 1965, continuing until 1993. Many fans recall Bill as a member of the Hob Mason Quartet playing at the Red Llama, The Chart House, and the Sheraton, and also as a member of the North Iowa Jazz Ensemble, Mason City Big Band, Raiders of the Lost Art, and Spats and Flappers. Hearing the song "Just a Closer Walk" evolves a memory of Bill's long hold of a high note without breathing.
One of the high points of his musical career was the year he spent with Freddie Powers and the Power House five in Reno, Nev. Although the clarinet and saxophone were Bill's primary instruments, he also played organ for many local parties and clubs in the 60's and 70's.
Bill did have interests other than music. Serving as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force provided a strong desire to continue flying, so he appreciated the opportunities to fly charters and for his pleasure. The annual spring Canadian fishing trip with his brother and pheasant hunting on opening day were always anticipated pleasures.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Katherine Karstens, and her three daughters, Amanda, Lynn, and Sara, of Broomfield, Colo.; his brother and sister-in-law, Lloyd and Marion Mahone, of Westport, Conn.; nephews and their families; and his special friend, Marie Ahrens.
He was preceded in death by his father in 1985 and his mother in 1990.
Opal Balmat Duesenberg, 96, of Clear Lake, died Monday, May 31, 2004 at Hospice of North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. A private graveside service will be held at the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City. Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa or Opportunity Village.
Opal was born March 9, 1908 in Mason City, the daughter of O.T. and Millie (Noah) Balmat. The family moved to Clear Lake in 1923. She attended Clear Lake High School and was a member of the basketball team. She graduated in 1926. She graduated from Hamilton Business College six months later.
Opal married
Edgar M. Duesenberg from Garner, Iowa, on Dec. 31, 1927 in Clear Lake. After 10 years of living in different places, they moved back to Clear Lake in 1937, where she has since resided. She and her husband were charter members of the Clear Lake Christian Church, where she was treasurer for many years. They were co-owners and founders of the highway construction firm of E,M. Duesenberg, Inc. in 1935.
Opal was on the Girl Scout Council and involved in many civic, school and social activities. She was interested in both indoor and outdoor sports, both as participant and spectator.
Opal was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother, Wayne; one grandson, Kirk Duesenberg and son-in-law, Holmes Pedelty. She is survived by two sons; Arlen and his wife, Maxigene, of Hot Springs Village, Ark., Richard and his wife, Eunice, of Clear Lake, a daughter, Jane Pedelty, of Edina, Minn.; 13 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.
Harold E. Shurson, 77, 808 1st Ave S., Clear Lake, died Thursday, June 3, 2004 at his home. A funeral service was held Monday, June 7, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with Lay Assistant Richard Scott officiating. Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa or Opportunity Village.
Harold was born Feb. 7, 1927 in New Richland, Minn., the son of Ben and Agnes (Loken) Shurson. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland. Harold had eight brothers and sisters. He and his dad hauled livestock for Shurson Bros. Trucking while his two older brothers were in the service. He worked for a creamery in Hillsboro, N.D. from 1947 1949 and then returned to work for Shurson Trucking. In 1957 he started driving for Freeborn Co. Coop, hauling Midland Products and was transferred to Clear Lake, in 1963. He began working with FS Service Coop in 1969 and retired from employment in 1988.
Harold married
Shirley Keane on Sept. 30, 1950 in Waseca, Minn., and to this union five children were born. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake.
Harold enjoyed woodworking, coin collecting, playing cards and spending time with his family.
Harold is survived by his wife, Shirley Shurson, Clear Lake; three daughters, Janice Anderson and her husband, Quentin, and their children Bridget and Megan, Joice, Iowa; Julie Angle and her husband, Allan, of Clear Lake, and their children, Ben Casebolt and Andrea Schmidt and her husband, Scott, Clear Lake, and Jacki Lee and her husband, Jay, Mason City; one son, Joe Shurson and his wife, Irene, and their children Ashton and Taylor, Craig and Julie, Iowa City, Iowa; two great-grandchildren, Nathan and Emily Schmidt; one brother, George Shurson and his wife, Phyllis, New Richland, Minn., three sisters, Marjorie Christenson and her husband, Leo, New Richland, Virginia Peterson and her husband, Vince, New Richland, and Joan McQuire, Eden Prairie, Minn.; two sisters-in-law, Lorayne Shurson of New Richland and Pat Shurson of West Salem, Wis. and many nieces and nephews.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Jeanne (13 years old); three brothers, Merle, Charles and Virgil Shurson; and one sister, Beatrice Largent.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Kathryn Marie Harding, 88, Clear Lake, died Thursday, June 3, 2004 at Muse-Norris Hospice of North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. A funeral service was held Monday, June 7, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Clear Lake. Msgr. Robert Hogan officiated. Interment was held at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City. Memorials may be given to the Kathryn Harding Memorial Fund.
Kathryn was born Dec. 22, 1915 in Rockwell, Iowa, the daughter of David and Loretta (Lisle) McCauley. She graduated from Mason City High School. Kathryn married
Merlin Factor in 1934, and to this union was born Marilyn Kay. In 1943 Kathryn moved to Chicago where she worked at Montgomery Wards and O'Hare International Airport while she attended Business College. After graduating she became employed at Fairfield Savings and Loan in Chicago, Ill. She retired in 1979 as vice president of accounting. She then moved to Clear Lake to be closer to her loving family.
Kathryn was an avid reader, loved playing cards, enjoyed being with her family and friends and "being on the go." She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
Kathryn is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Sadler and her husband, Loren, Clear Lake; a grandson, Scott Sadler, Clear Lake; one sister, Devita Buffinton, Fairfield, Calif., and many nieces and nephews.
Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Lyle, Bill and Francis McCauley; two sisters, Mildred Warin and Mae Merriss, and a special friend, John Lindberg.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake
Patricia Burl (Neal) Bledsoe, 74, of 523 10th Ave. North, Clear Lake, died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2003 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa. A memorial graveside service will be held Saturday, June 12, 2004, 11 a.m., at the Clear Lake Cemetery. The Rev. Ed Bard will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that memorials be made to the Hospice of North Iowa Center.
Patricia was born Jan. 31, 1929, in Clear Lake. She was the daughter of Henry Earnest and Alvena Leone (Pedersen) Neal. She attended Kindergarten through tenth grade at Clear Lake, and graduated from Mansfield High School, Mansfield, Mo.
Patricia married
John Junior Bledsoe, of Hartville, Mo., on Dec. 28, 1946 in Mountain Home, Ark. She and John had five children; Roger A. Bledsoe and wife, Nancy, of Coon Rapids, Minn., Donna S. Prescott and husband, Marvin, of Lake Mills, Iowa, John David Bledsoe and wife, Barbara, of Galesburg, Ill., Linda M. Dickersbach and husband, Steven, of Malvern, Iowa, and Steven D. Bledsoe and wife, Kathy, of Clear Lake. She had ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and by her sisters, Marjorie Nyhus, Margarett Beard, and Elizabeth DeMeritt.
She is survived by her sister, Janet (Melvin) Schroeder of Seymour, Mo.
She had many interests and hobbies. Patricia and John loved to garden and grew many varieties of flowers and produce. She enjoyed the butterflies, squirrels, hummingbirds, wrens, cardinals and the occasional turkey that took advantage of their gardens and feeders.
She worked at the Clear Lake Bakery for 12 years and was a waitress at several local restaurants. Her award-winning pies, other baked goods, and candies were much sought after at farmers markets.
She was an avid reader and skilled Scrabble player. She loved to camp and fish with family and friends, and to play with her grandchildren. She remains greatly loved and dearly missed.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Henry A. Steenblock, Jr., age 91, died June 4, 2004 at the Collinwood Eldercare Center in Defordville, Wis. Funeral services was held Monday, June 7, at the United Church of Christ congregational in Belmond, Iowa. Interment was in Belmond Cemetery.
Henry was born Aug. 3, 1912, on a farm in the Ventura are, the son of Henry A. Steenblock Sr. and Ada (Woodfull) Steenblock. He attended country school through the eighth grade and left to work on the family farm. He worked with his father, tiling farms in the Belmond and Klemme, Iowa area. He later worked as a finishing carpenter for Ted Zook in Belmond and was also in partnership with his brother, Murland, in a mink ranch.
He was united in marriage to Blanche S. Sharp on Nov. 19, 1939. The couple had one son, David, born Sept. 17, 1942.
He was unable to enlist in the service during World War II due to visual impairment, however, he did spend a period of time working on government highway projects, such as the Alaskan Highway.
Henry and his wife, Blanche, were avid golfers. He also enjoyed fishing, gardening and later in life he became interested in making jewelry from rocks and gemstones he received from all over the world. he passed many hours playing cards with Louie and Frances Mennenga and Louis Larson.
He was proceeded in death by his parents; wife, Blanche, in November, 1986; a half-sister, Lavene, and his brother.
He is survived by his son, David, and daughter-in-law, Marsha, and granddaughters Erin and Sarah, all of Janesville, Wis.
Tenold-Andrews Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Virginia Mae Petersen, 94, of Clear Lake, died Tuesday, June 8, 2004. A funeral service was held Saturday, June 12, at United Presbyterian Church, Traer, Iowa, by the Rev. Rick Vesely. Burial was in Buckingham Cemetery, Traer.
Virginia Mae Petersen was born on April 21, 1910 at Berryville, Ark., the only daughter of Matthew and Clara (Fay) Richmond. She later moved to Traer where she attended the Traer Public School through the 11th grade. On Jan. 16, 1929, she was united in marriage to Peter Iner Petersen of Reinbeck at Waterloo, Iowa. They made their home first in rural Reinbeck before moving to Traer in 1934, where he operated the Traer Produce Company. Following Iner's death on Dec. 16, 1979, Virginia continued to make her home in Traer for a time before moving to Reinbeck. In later years she made her home in Clear Lake and was a resident of the Oakwood Care Center.
She is survived by five children, Donald Petersen of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Dolores "Dolly" Larsen and husband, Nels, of Clear Lake, Robert Petersen and wife, Lois, of Chaska, Minn., Lois Hahn of Clear Lake and James Petersen and his wife, Mary, of Reinbeck, Iowa; 14 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Ella Staker of Reinbeck.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Iner; daughter-in-law, Juanita Petersen; son-in-law, Carlin Hahn and four brothers, Andrew, Robert, Marvin and Walter Richmond.
Besides being a loving mother, her children and grandchildren will remember her for her sweet spirit, a person who rarely said a harsh word about others. She was a great cook and many loved ones enjoyed the food she prepared. Though she never took piano lessons, she liked playing the piano when her brothers, Marvin and Robert (Bus) would stop by for a visit and sing, usually "How Great Thou Art." Always attentive to others, she would tell jokes about her shortcomings with a smile and laughter. She will be missed by all.
Julie Colleen Finn Cummings, 52, died Monday, June 7, 2004, at University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. Funeral services were held Friday, June 11, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. David Beckman officiating. Interment was at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Belmond, Iowa. Memorials may be made to the Julie Cummings Memorial Fund.
Julie was born August 23, 1951 in Red Oak, Iowa, the daughter of Don and Helen (Crabb) Finn. They moved to Clear Lake, where Julie graduated from High School in 1969. She was married
to Matt Ward of Mason City from 1981-1984. They resided in Clear Lake. She was married
to Steve Cummings of Garner, Iowa 1988-1998. They moved from Clear Lake to Washington, Iowa in 1988, at which time Julie went back to school to get her psychology and sociology degree. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 1991 with a double major. She was employed as a counselor with ASAC after moving to Hiawatha, Iowa from 1993-1999. Julie had a smile for everyone she came in contact with and her greatest joy was bragging about her granddaughter, Shyann Beach
Julie is survived by two children, a daughter, Sue Beach and her husband, Sean, of Waterloo, Iowa; a son, Sean Cummings, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and a granddaughter, Shyann Beach of Waterloo.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Leon W. Kruskop, age 80, of Sac City, Iowa, formerly of Lytton, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, June 6, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa, following a lengthy illness.
Funeral services for Leon were held Wednesday, June 9, at Emanuel-St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton. Pastor Wayne Pfannkuch officiated. Interment was at the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, rural Lytton, under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.
Friends who wish to send condolences on-line may do so via the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home website: www.farberotteman.com.
Leon was born March 3, 1924, on the family farm in Sac County, the son of William A. and Adela (Wolff) Kruskop. He was baptized April 2, 1924, and confirmed April 10, 1938, at Emanuel St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton and graduated from Lytton High School in 1942. Leon entered the U.S. Army and served during WWII from 1942-1945.
On Nov. 12, 1950, Leon was united in marriage to Doris P. Wilson at the Methodist Church in Rockwell City, Iowa. He farmed for many years and worked as manager of Lytton Farm Equipment. He also worked at the Lytton Creamery and was bus driver for the Lytton School District for many years.
Leon loved to golf and enjoyed working at the Fonda Golf Course after he retired. He liked to read, enjoyed watching sports on television, and was a big fan of the Cubs. He was recently honored for 30 years helping others with sobriety and mentoring for Alcoholics Anonymous.
Survivors include his children: Kenneth Jackson of Julian, Calif., William Kruskop and his wife, Marie, of New Hope, Minn., Kurt Kruskop of Tulsa, Okla., Sharon Tarr and her husband, Keith, of Clear Lake, and Susan Knight of Boulder, Colo.; his three grandchildren: Travis Tarr and fiance, Jennifer Awe, Anna Kruskop, and Jane Kruskop; his brother, LeRoy Kruskop of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; extended family members and friends.
Leon was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Doris, on Aug. 14, 1983; a sister, Darlene Gale; sister-in-law, Bette Kruskop; and son-in-law, Gordon Knight.
Maren K. Smith, 27, died Friday, June 11, 2004 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City, with the Rev. James M. Magelssen officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Maren K. Smith Memorial Fund.
Maren was born Aug. 26, 1976 in Galesburg, Ill., the daughter of Douglas and Kathryn L. (Hanson) Smith. She graduated from Mason City High School in 1995. Maren worked for APEC and Ron Weber & Associates for five years. She received her degree from NIACC in 2003 and was currently employed by Principal Financial.
In August of 2003 Maren was diagnosed with cancer. Her two children, DeArzae and Autry, inspired her, giving Maren the strength and courage to battle her cancer. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Maren is survived by her two children, DeArzae Smith and Autry Allen of Mason City; mother, Kathryn L. Shaffer and husband, Larry, of Ventura; father, Douglas Smith and wife, Mary, of Madison, Wis.; brother, Joshua C. Smith of Minneapolis, Minn.; grandmothers, Lorene A. Hanson of Mason City, Margie Smith of Santa Rosa, Calif.; step-brother, J D. Shaffer of Minneapolis, Minn.; step-sister, Jennifer Fasnacht and husband, Stephen, of Monticello; many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Maren's sister, Kristin L. Smith; uncle, Philip Hanson; grandfathers, the Rev. Lavern R. Hanson, Loren Smith and uncle, Dean Smith, precede her in death.
Kay Rae Fitzsimmons, 56, 308 N. 3rd St., Clear Lake, died Sunday, June 13, 2004 at the Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. A funeral service will be held Thursday, June 17, 1:30 p.m. at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. preceding the service. Interment will be held at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Kay R. Fitzsimmons Memorial Fund.
Kay, the daughter of Allen and Mayme (Penor) Pinkerton was born Aug. 13, 1946 in Bison, S.D. She graduated from Centennial High School, Blaine, Minn., June 1, 1965. In her younger years she rode with the Minnesota Chapter of the Hell's Angels. She married
Lennie Fitzsimmons and they lived in Minneapolis. Minn. She later lived with her mother in the city. In 1989 they moved to Clear Lake with her son. She has worked at local real estate agencies in Clear Lake as a secretary; and the last two years at McDonald's in Clear Lake, where she gained many friends.
Kay was involved in the Reenactment and Rendezvous. She was a good cook, and enjoyed ethnic cooking. She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, romance novels, Pepsi Cola, and riding her motorcycle.
According to Kay and her family's wishes, she is a donor to the Iowa Donor Network, donating her organs and bone marrow.
Kay is survived by her son, Collis Fitzsimmons, and his wife, Sarah, Clear Lake; grandson, Joaquin Fitzsimmons, Clear Lake; one brother, Tom Pinkerton, and his wife, Renee, Columbia Hts, Minn. and several nieces and nephews.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents.
Donald M. Ostlund, 80, of 144 23rd Street SW, Mason City, Iowa, formerly of Manly, Iowa, died Monday, June 14, 2004, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City with his family by his side. Mr. Ostlund died after a four-year courageous battle with cancer.
A Celebration of Life service was held for him Thursday, June 17, at the Bride Colonial Chapel, Manly, with Richard L. Scott, son-in-law, and the lay assistant at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, officiating. Burial was at the Manly Cemetery with full military honors by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #733 of Mason City.
The family of Donald M. Ostlund has requested that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or to Hospice of North Iowa in his memory.
Donald Marvin Ostlund was born April 13, 1924, in Minneapolis, Minn., son of Gertrude Ostlund. He was raised by family relatives in Minneapolis and Verndale, Minn. He was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II in 1943 and participated in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. He received the American Theater Service Medal, European African Middle Theater Service Medal, Expert Rifleman badge, and Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1946. In 1947 Donald started working as a railroad telegrapher at Lohrville, Iowa. There he met Frances Lorraine, who had served in the U.S. W.A.V.E.S. during WWII.
Donald and Frances were married
on April 20, 1948, at Rockwell City, Iowa. They lived in Lohrville and had a daughter, Gaye. For a time they lived in Mason City, Iowa, where their son, John, was born. In 1952, they moved to Manly where their youngest daughter, Meda, was born. The Ostlunds resided in Manly for 41 years. He worked for the railroad and retired in 1984. They moved to Mason City in 1993. For the past few years Donald drove bus for the Mason City Transit System, a job he truly enjoyed, until health problems forced him to quit in May of this year.
Don was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a friend to all who knew him. He loved playing cards, riding his motorcycle, fishing, playing Monopoly and other games, telling jokes, watching westerns on TV, and taking vacation trips with his daughter, Meda. He was proud of his children and their professions. He was a kind-hearted and gentle man who loved all the family dogs, especially his little poodle, Buster Brown.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Frances; daughter, Gaye (Richard) Scott of Clear Lake, Iowa; son, John (Charlene) of Bellevue, Iowa, and daughter, Meda Ostlund of Mason City, and many cousins.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Gustav and Gertrude Nelson
