Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Dwight G. Wirtz, 49, of Mason City. Iowa died Saturday, March 26, 2005 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. Two memorial services will be held, both with the Rev. Donald Simmonds officiating. The first memorial service will be at 2 p.m., April 9, at the Battin Chapel Church, located at the Intersection of County Road J Avenue and 216th Drive in Ogden, Iowa. The second service will be held in Mason City at 2 p.m., April 15, 2005 at the First Presbyterian Church, 201 Willowbrook Drive. A reception and celebration of Dwight's life will be held immediately following this service at the Mason City Community Theatre, 215 South Delaware Avenue. Inurnment will be in the Ogden Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Dwight G. Wirtz Scholarship Fund at Clear Lake High School, 306 First Avenue North, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428 or the Mason City Community Theatre, 215 South Delaware Avenue, Mason City, Iowa 50401.
Dwight was born Jan. 26, 1956 the son of Robert E. and Rose Marie (Berglund) Wirtz in Boone, Iowa. He attended school in Ogden graduating from Ogden Community High School in 1974. Dwight graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University with a Teaching Degree in 1978.
Dwight taught in Rembrant and Lake City, Iowa before joining the staff at the Clear Lake High School where he taught English and speech for nearly 20 years. He also directed plays and was involved in speech contests with the students. Dwight's teaching career illustrated his desire to help young people and his feelings on the importance of education. One retired co-worker said, "Dwight was capable of teaching the higher grades, but remained teaching the freshman year, he took the rowdy and unready and prepared them to finish a proper education." Dwight was an active member of the National Education Association. His teaching career echoed his true passion: the theatre. Dwight began his theater career in high school and had several major roles in college productions. Dwight was very active in the Mason City Community Theatre, wearing many hats; actor, director, board member and past president. He recently received the Calvin Award for outstanding contributions in the MCCT.
Dwight broadened his talents into the culinary arts. He enjoyed preparing and serving gourmet dishes for his family and friends. Dwight also had a rich taste for fine music and literature. Dwight will be dearly missed by family and his large network of friends all over the world.
Dwight is survived by his father, Robert Wirtz and partner, Eleanore Redmon, of Ogden; brother, Dennis Wirtz of Marshalltown, Iowa; sister, Janice McCoy and husband, Tim, of Perry, Iowa; brother, Jeff Wirtz and wife, Tammy, of Ogden; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and countless dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Rose and sister-in-law, Sandy Wirtz.
Major Erickson Funeral Home, Mason City, was in charge of arrangements.
Janet F. Zerby, age 86 of Clear Lake, formerly of Austin, Minn., died Monday, March 28, 2005 at Mason City, Iowa.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 1, at Crane Community Chapel with Pastor David Wiersbe officiating. Interment was in the Oakwood Cemetery in Austin.
Janet was born Nov. 9, 1918 in Towner, N.D. to Ben and Lizzie (Anderson) Nemitz. She moved to Austin before she was two years old and graduated from Austin High School in 1936. On July 16, 1949 she married
Louis Zerby and to this union three children were born. She worked at Hormel's for nine years.
Janet was a member of Crane Community Chapel for many years and taught Sunday School and Bible School for 15 years. She was also active in the Women's Missionary Society and served a term as president.
She enjoyed traveling, playing golf, cooking, crafts and church activities. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family. She was loving and kind to all who knew her.
In the summer of 2002 she moved to Clear Lake and lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Tim Smith. After her move to Clear Lake she became a member of the Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church.
She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Smith and husband, Tim, of Clear Lake; sons, Joe Zerby and wife, B. J., of Hope, Minn., Alan Zerby and wife, Bonnie, of Rochester, Minn.; stepson, David Zerby and wife, Joy, of Woodbridge, Va.; and stepdaughter, Marjorie MacDonald and husband, Ken, of Virginia Beach; 21 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren; brother, Nathan Nemitz and wife, Audrey, of Austin; sisters, Patricia Burke and husband, Allan, of Albuquerque, N.M. and Virigina Palmer and husband, Dale, of Hayward, Calif. and many nieces and nephews.
Janet was preceded in death by her parents; son, Steven; husband, Louis; brother, Clifford Nemitz; sister, Betty Wirthlin and stepdaughter, Evelyn Sullivan.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Alfred William Leitner, 76, Clear Lake, died Wednesday, April 6, 2005, at his home in Clear Lake.
A Funeral Mass was held Saturday, April 9, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with Msgr. Robert Hogan officiating. Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery.
Alfred William Leitner was born on Dec. 21, 1928, in Peoria, Ill., the son of Ignatious Henry and Mable Caroline (Fletcher) Leitner. He attended and received his education in the Peoria schools. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on May 22, 1946, in Chicago, Ill. He was a member of the 994th Material Squadron during World War II and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal Japan. He was honorably discharged as PFC on May 24, 1947, at Camp Stoneman, Calif. Alfred worked in the steel mills in Peoria before moving to Moline, Ill., and worked as a ticket agent for Braniff Airlines until 1956 when the family moved to Clear Lake where Alfred was the manger for Ozark Airlines for 30 years until his retirement.
He was united in marriage to Clara Jane Marshall on June 14, 1952, in Moline, Ill.
Alfred enjoyed tinkering with lawn mowers and small engines, and visiting with family and friends, but his great love and enjoyment was his wife, family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Clear Lake.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Clara Jane Leitner, of Clear Lake; his children, Christiana Stitts, of Mason City, Lisa Leitner Calaway and her husband, Jerry, of Minneapolis, Minn., Regina Bartling, of Iowa Falls, Iowa, and Rachael Leitner Smith and special friend, Gary Laurents, of Bossier City, La.; 12 grandchildren, Deryck, Felisa, Robert, Timothy, Ben, Alexis, Jayna, Stephen, Hayley, Michele, Mary Beth, and Stevi; 16 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Leo Leitner and his wife, Mary, Phil Leitner and his wife, Vera, all of Peoria; two sisters, Ceceila Hauk and Dolly Ingersoll, both of Peoria as well as other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Alfred Timothy "Elf" and Stephen Leitner; and three brothers, Richard, Bob, and Rapheal Leitner.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Mathilda E. Eenhuis, 90, of Garner, Iowa died Tuesday, April 5, 2005 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 8, at Peace Reformed Church south of Garner with the Rev. Jeff DeBoer officiating. Music was provided by organist, Connie Greiman who accompanied soloist, Brent Renner and congregational hymns. Ushers were Bill Katter, Sr. and Steve Lenz. Honorary bearers were Jerry Eenhuis, Robert Peterson, Les Peterson and Larry Schlawin. Pall bearers were Craig Schlawin, David Eenhuis, Steve Eenhuis, Virgil Stahl, Larry Eenhuis and Chad Schlawin. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner was in charge of arrangements.
Mathilda Elizabeth Eenhuis, the daughter of Otto A.L. and Mathilda E. (Katter) Schlawin, was born Sept. 3, 1914 on a farm southwest of Garner. She was baptized and confirmed by the Rev. C.A. Schmid. She attended the rural schools Liberty Township. On Dec. 23, 1935 she was married
to Menno Johann Eenhuis at the Kanawha Christian Reformed parsonage. They farmed northeast of Kanawha for four years, northeast of Hayfield for 26 years and then northeast of Miller for four years before retiring to Garner in 1970. In 1989, Mathilda moved to the Town Square Apartments in Forest City and in 1999 to the Three Links Apartments in Mason City. She became a resident of Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake in June of 2002. She enjoyed her family and working with craft items.
She was a member of Peace Reformed Church where she was active in the Women's Missionary Society and taught Sunday school.
Mathilda is survived by her children, Marjorie (Orlando) Peterson of Clear Lake and Melvin (Pauline) Eenhuis of Des Moines, Iowa; five grandchildren, Carolyn (Craig) Schlawin of Farmington, Minn., Robert (Genon) Peterson of Forest City, Iowa, Les (Robin) Peterson of Colorado Springs, Colo., David (Toalima) Eenhuis of Mason City, Iowa and Steven (Shirley) Eenhuis of Mason City; six step-grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; six step-great grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; five step-great-great-grandchildren; her twin sister, Myra Stahl, of Belmond, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Menno, on March 5, 1991; her parents; a great-grandson, Michael Tavita Eenhuis; an infant brother; a brother, Roger Schlawin; and three sisters, Sadie Lemke, Norva Cole and Helena Boland.
Dann Duane Cohrs, 53, of 15283 Black Locust Ave, Ventura, Iowa died Monday April 4, 2005 at the Mercy Medical Center West Campus, Mason City, Iowa. Funeral services were held Thursday, April 7, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ventura, with the Rev. Daird Korth officiating. Graveside services were Friday, April 8, at Atlantic Cemetery, Atlantic, Iowa with Military Honors by the Atlantic Color Guard. Family suggests memorial be given in Memory of Dann to be used in the new park in Ventura by the Lake.
Dann was born Oct. 21, 1951 in Atlantic, Iowa the son of Duane and Lorraine (Readinger) Cohrs. He graduated from Atlantic High School in1969 and was All State Football tackle in 1968. He was always active in sports and played basketball with Alumni against the Kansas City Chiefs for a charity event. He entered the United States Air Force Dec. 7, 1970. He served as a medic while in the service. Following the service he enrolled and graduated from Weber State University, Ogden, Utah and then became a member of the faculty at Weber State. He then became program director of Diagnostic Medical Technology at University of Iowa Hospital. He never knew a stranger. He helped all he could.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, U.S. History, reading about Lewis and Clark, and Indians.
Dann is survived by his son, Eric (Lynne) Taylor and their children, Hailey and Riley of San Antonio, Texas; a daughter, Kyra Dannielle Cohrs and special friend, Ryan Edmunds, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his parents, Duane and Lorraine Cohrs, of Ventura; brother, Douglas (Debra) Cohrs, of Mason City, Iowa; three sisters, Pamela (Raymond) Nielsen of Avoca, Iowa, Julie (Brian) Zwald of Farmington, Minn. and Kristie (David) Christians of Klemme, Iowa and nieces and nephews.
Dann was preceded in death by Grandma and Grandpa Cohrs, and Grandpa Readinger.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Ora Margery Hofbauer, 81, of Dike, Iowa, formerly of Ventura, Iowa, died Tuesday, April 5, 2005, at the Parkview Manor in Reinbeck, Iowa.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 8, at the United Methodist Church in Ventura with Pastor Audrey Westendorf Young officiating. Burial took place in the Graceland Cemetery in Buffalo Center, Iowa.
Ora Margery Hofbauer was born on Sept. 8, 1923, in Thompson, Iowa, the daughter of Boal and Helen (Hove) Anderson. She attended rural country school around the Thompson area. After completing her schooling she helped many families in their homes in the Thompson area. She was united in marriage to Howard D. Hofbauer on Aug. 17, 1942, in Bethany, Mo. He preceded her in death on July 8, 1998. After their marriage Ora worked as a nurses aide in the Buffalo Center Hospital until February 1961, when they moved to Dike and she worked in the Grundy Center Hospital until later that year when they moved to Ventura. Ora retired from Bestway Mfg. Company in Clear Lake in 1986. In 1999 she moved back to Dike and had been a resident of the Parkview Manor in Reinbeck since April 2004.
Ora loved to read, make quilts, and bake. She will always be remembered by her family and many friends for her gifts and giving, especially her pies.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Ventura, and attended the United Methodist Church when she lived in Dike.
Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Sandra Heerkes and her husband, Vern, of Dike and Mary Brown and her husband, Bill, of Elkridge, M.D.; four grandchildren, Chris Heerkes and his wife, Rhonda, and Michael Heerkes and his wife, Karen, all of Dike, Rob Heerkes of Ionia, Iowa, and Bethany Larson and her husband, Russ, of Reinbeck; six great-grandchildren, Krue and Karson Heerkes of Dike, Bailey and Noah Heerkes of New Hampton, Iowa, and Hannah and Olivia Heerkes of Dike; three sisters, Alica Christian of Foley, Ala., Anna Branstad of Lake Mills, Iowa, and Thelma Leegaard of Hoffman, Minn. as well as other relatives and friends.
Besides her husband, Howard, she was also preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Albin, Oliver, and Ernie Anderson, and one sister, Hazel Larson.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Ronald J. Knop, 74, of Ventura, died Thursday, April 7, 2005 at the Concord Care Center, Garner, Iowa.
Memorial services were held Monday, April 11, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner with the Rev. Carl Hedberg officiating. Music was provided by organist Barb Mrosko who accompanied soloist Warren Torkelson and congregational hymns. Ushers were Earl Jaspersen and Gary Mrosko. Honorary bearers were his grandchildren. Burial was in Concord Township Cemetery, Garner with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner was in charge of arrangements.
Ronald Julius Knop, the son of Julius Herman and Emma Rose (Rayhons) Knop, was born Aug. 5, 1930 on the family farm west of Ventura. He graduated from Ventura High School in 1947 and continued his education at Hamilton Business College in Mason City. He was inducted into the U.S. Air Force on Dec. 29, 1950 and served his country as a Staff Sergeant in the 1501st Air Traffic Squadron during the Korean Conflict. Following his honorable discharge on Sept. 28, 1954 he returned home to farm.
On June 3, 1951 he married
Wilma Hyde at the Congregational Church in Clear Lake. They lived west of Ventura where Ron farmed until ill health caused him to retire in 1998.
He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner, the Gifford Olson American Legion Post 256 in Garner and the Clear Lake V.F.W. He served on the Ventura School Board and Garner Creamery Board.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma, of Ventura; four children, Ronald J. (Terri) Knop II of Austin, Texas, Mona (Robert) Mims of Medina, Ohio, Leeza (Doug) Phinney of Ventura and Lee (Sue) Knop of Sioux City, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Austin Mims, Natalie Mims, Justin Phinney, Brandon Phinney, Caitlin Knop, Tanner Knop and Emily Knop; a brother, Ken (Virginia) Knop, of Houston, Texas; a sister-in-law, Ruth Knop, of Clear Lake; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Harold, on Oct. 22, 2004.
Dwight Wirtz, 49, of Mason City, Iowa died Saturday, March 26, 2005 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. A memorial service will be held in Mason City at 2 p.m., April 15, at the First Presbyterian Church, 201 Willowbrook Drive, with the Rev. Donald Simmonds officiating. A reception will be held immediately following the memorial service at the Mason City Community Theatre, 215 South Delaware Avenue. Inurnment will be in the Ogden Cemetery at a later date.
The family requests no flowers. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Dwight Wirtz Scholarship Fund c/o Clear Lake School District, 306 First Avenue North, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428 or the Mason City Community Theatre, 215 South Delaware Avenue, Mason City, Iowa 50401.
Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory, Mason City, is in charge of arrangements.
Nettie Alice Delahoyde, 96, died early Tuesday morning, March 29, 2005 at I.O.O.F. Home. A funeral service was held Thursday, March 31, at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, Mason City, with the Rev. Keith Scott of Wesley Methodist Church officiating. Interment was in Elmwood-St. Joseph's Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Nettie Delahoyde Fund
Nettie was born to Fred and Eva (Lange) Chase on June 22, 1908 in Goodell, Iowa. She attended Goodell schools and graduated from Mason City High School. She then attended St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1929. She worked as an R.N. doing private and general duty at the Park and Mercy Hospitals. During a time in 1934 she was employed as the Public Health Nurse in Mason City.
On Dec. 22, 1936 she was married
to Howard Delahoyde in Canton, S.D. She continued working at the hospitals while her husband was in the service during WWII. After his discharge from the service they moved with their two children to the I.O.O.F. Home in Aug. of 1946. Mr. Delahoyde began his duties as the superintendent of the building and grounds while Nettie worked as a R.N. at the I.O.O.F. Home and also assisted her husband with his duties. After the death of her husband on June 26, 1966, Nettie moved to Clear Lake and worked at Ritters Oakwood Manor until retiring on Oct. 30, 1980. She was a member of Wesley Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Mercy Hospital Nurse's Alumni, Queen Rebekah Lodge, and was a former member of the Mason City Police Auxiliary. Nettie enjoyed reading, playing the piano, working in the lodge, and watching "The Grand Ole Opry" on television.
She is survived by her two sons, Bruce Delahoyde and Fredrick Delahoyde, both of Clear Lake; a brother, Jesse Chase and his wife, Helen, of Mason City.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; parents; three brothers and two sisters.
Leila Rhoda Clark, 88, of Clear Lake, passed away April 14, 2005 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake. Funeral services were held Saturday, April 16, at the Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake, with Pastor David Wiersbe officiating. Interment was at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa. Memorials may be made to Hospice of North Iowa or Evangelical Free Church.
Leila Rhoda Maddy Clark, daughter of John and Ella (Casner) Maddy was born Dec. 26, 1916 near Russell, Iowa. Leila married
Floyd F. Clark on June 15, 1935 at Chariton, Iowa. They began farming near Russell in 1936. In 1950 they moved to northern Iowa and retired to Clear Lake in 1965. From 1965 until early 1980 Leila and Floyd delivered motor homes for Winnebago Industries. She drove over one-half million miles.
Leila attended the Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church. Leila was well known for her home made breads and cookies. Leila loved music, especially the old gospel hymns. She also enjoyed gardening, fishing and playing cards. She was active in her church and Women's Farm Bureau and was a long time member of the Clear Lake Senior Citizens. Leila enjoyed telling stories about her parents and siblings, and loved all sports and extra curricular activities that involved her children and grandchildren.
Leila is survived by her three children, Howard Clark and wife, Genevieve, of Davis City, Iowa, Yvonne Rossiter and husband, Carrol, of Nora Springs, Iowa and Joycelyn Wood and husband, Leland, of Hanlontown, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Travis and wife, Machelle, Clark, Tracy and husband, Barry, Andrews, Carmen and husband, James Langford, Connie Rossiter, Christy Rossiter, Charles Rossiter, Bryan Wood, and Craig and wife, Barbara, Wood; 11 great-grandchildren, Caitlin, Cierra and Cadence Clark, Makayla and Kyle Andrews, Christina and Crystal Langford, Scott, Lisa, Christofer and Shana Wood, many nieces, nephews and friends and employees at Oakwood Care Center.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd, in 2000; parents Ella and John Maddy; sisters, Edith, Elsie, Eva and brother, Frank.
Sandra Sue Ohrt, 65, Clear Lake, died Wednesday, April 13, 2005 at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. A memorial service was held Saturday, April 16, at the Forum of the Kinney Lindstrom Center at Opportunity Village with Pastor Barb Schunke officiating. A private inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. Memorials may be given to Opportunity Village in memory of Sandra.
Sandra was born March 14, 1940 at the Ellsworth Municipal Hospital, Iowa Falls, Iowa the daughter of Herbert R. and Nellie Harriet (Place) Ohrt. She has been in living arrangements with Opportunity Village since September 1972. She enjoyed fishing, embroidering linen table clothes, the Hawkeyes, helping others and she especially enjoyed working at her jobs. She worked at NIVC (North Iowa Vocational Center), Happy Chef as a dishwasher and Opportunity Village doing piece rate assembly and packaging.
Sandra is survived by her brothers, Herbert R. Ohrt and his wife, Sandra, Iowa City, Iowa and John R. Ohrt, Mesa, Az.; niece, Kimothy Hamer and her husband, Gary, Marion, Iowa; nephew, Herb "Buddy" Ohrt, Iowa City, and two great-nieces, Wendy and Sarah Hamer, Marion.
Sandra was preceded in death by her parents.
