Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Delbert William Floy, 78, 302 2nd Street NE, Mason City, IA, formerly of Thornton, Iowa died Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.
A memorial Mass was held Friday, Sept. 30, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with Monsignor Joseph J. Slepicka officiating. Inurnment was at Pleasant View Cemetery, Thornton, with full military honors being performed by the Anton - Juhl Post of the American Legion in Thornton.
Delbert was born Feb. 28, 1927 at Thornton, the son of Christian C. and Anna Wilemina (Schmale) Floy. He attended Thornton Public School. Delbert enlisted and was honorably discharged from the US Army. He was united in marriage to Mary Madden on Sept. 8, 1951 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Mason City. Delbert farmed for over a decade before battling health illness that left him unable to farm. He will always be a farmer at heart. He obtained his NASD- Securities License and sold insurance for a period of time before being elected to serve Iowa as a State Senator for Cerro Gordo. Delbert was a State Senator from 1965-1967, and in that time he helped establish many community colleges through out Iowa and also wrote a law for Iowan's to obtain GED's. He enjoyed reading and was a zealous advocator of education. After serving in the senate, Delbert became the Thornton Postmaster and was Postmaster until his retirement.
Delbert was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Thornton American Legion, and as a past charter member of the Lion's Club.
Delbert enjoyed being with his family and friends. He was most proud of his children and grandchildren, whom he loved dearly.
Delbert is survived by his three children, Chris Floy, Thornton, Dr. Stephanie (Mark) Nelson, Urbandale, Iowa and Regina (Larry) Toresdahl, Clear Lake; five grandchildren, Gerilynn Toresdahl, Ukraine; Shennen Floy, Boston, Mass., Jonathan Nelson, Ames, Iowa, Barnes Toresdahl, Clear Lake and Kathryn Nelson, Ames; one brother, Oscar Floy, Sheffield, Iowa. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters in-law, Rosalie Woodhouse, Mason City; John (Barb) Madden, Overland Park, Kan.; Jean (Joe) Bamrick, Rockwell, Iowa and Tom (Eleanor) Madden, Mason City; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Delbert was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, and his wife, Mary, who passed away on April 14, 2000.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Linda D. Maulsby, 56, of 1006 North 8th Street West, Clear Lake, died Friday, Sept. 30, 2005, at her home after a long courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
Funeral service were held Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Charles City, Iowa, with Rev. Dennis Niezwaag officiating. Interment was in the Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.
Memorials may be directed to the Linda D. Maulsby Memorial Fund.
Linda Diane Tibbitts was born March 20, 1949, in Charles City, the daughter of Melvin G. and Verda I. (Hennick) Tibbitts.
Linda graduated from Charles City High School in 1967. She was united in marriage to Tom F. Maulsby Nov. 25, 1967, in Charles City. To this union two children were born, Kim and Amanda. Linda and Tom moved to Clear Lake in 1995. Linda received her x-ray tech certification and worked for Dr. Peter Vidal as a dental assistant.
Linda loved spending time with her family and friends, they were very special to her. She especially enjoyed spending time with her five grandchildren. She loved to attend their sporting events and dance recitals. She enjoyed shopping, reading, crocheting, and going to the movies. She was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Charles City.
Linda is survived by her husband, Tom Maulsby, of Clear Lake; daughters, Kim (Kalen) Schlader, of Charles City, Amanda (Jim) Ewing, of Norwalk, Iowa; grandchildren, Alex, Makaila, Karli, and Noah Schlader, and Benjamin Ewing; brother, Roger (Dee) Tibbitts; brother-in-law Mike (Janice) Maulsby; sister-in-law, Pat (Jim) Stephenson; sister-in-law, Tammy (Mark) Mowrer; brother-in-law, Tom (Kris) Maulsby; along with several nieces, nephews, and friends.
Linda is preceded in death by her parents, Melvin Tibbitts and Verda Cowan; step-father, Sam Cowan; sisters, Bonnie Randall, Patti Sickman; brothers, Merlin Tibbitts, Murl Tibbitts; sister-in-law, Marian Tibbitts; father-in-law, Cliff Maulsby; mother-in-law, Doris Maulsby; step-motherin-law, Sharon Maulsby; and sister-in-law, Teri Gabriel.
Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Sammy "Sam" Spilman, of 15351 Dodge Ave., Clear Lake, Iowa died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005 at the Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. Funeral services will be Thursday, Oct. 6, 10:30 a.m at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Tom Christian officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, with military honors by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. and then one hour before the service on Thursday at the funeral home. Family suggests memorials in lieu of flowers to Clear Lake V.F.W. or the Sammy Spilman Memorial Fund.
Sam was born Sept. 26, 1921 on the family farm in rural Clear Lake, the son of Daniel and Alphena (Thompson) Spilman Jr. He attended rural Eden Independent school. He farmed with his father. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in the Pacific Theater of Operation with the 127th Regiment, 32nd "Red Arrow" Infantry Division. He received the Purple Heart. Following the service he returned to Clear Lake and farmed with his father and three brothers.
Sam married
Alice Eichmeier on June 12, 1948 in Mason City. He retired from farming in 1977.
He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, hunting and shooting pool. He also enjoyed nature photography. He was a member of Ventura Gun Club and lifetime member of Clear Lake V.F.W.
Sam is survived by his daughter, Donna Spilman, Iowa City, Iowa; three sisters, Helen Duregger and her husband Fred, Newport News, Va., Thelma Duregger and Betty Thomas, both of Clear Lake; one brother, Danny Spilman, Clear Lake; three sisters-in-law, Audrey Spilman, Alma Spilman and Phyllis Spilman, all of Clear Lake, and two brothers-in-law, George Eichmeier, Ventura, and Bob Eichmeier, Las Vegas, Nev.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Allen and three brothers, Dale, Orval and Wayne Spilman.
Frank William Bescher, 65, 15124 Dove Circle, Clear Lake, died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005, of cancer, at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 508 2nd Ave. N., with the Rev. Jan Burnett and the Rev. Jerrold Swinton officiating. Frank donated his body to the University of Iowa Anatomical Donor Program. Inurnment will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, KUNI Radio, or Iowa Public Television.
Frank was born April 16, 1940, Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Frank and Mary (Lahrman) Bescher. He married
Jill Loehndorf and they were later divorced. He married
Susan Wells Mehlin in Waterloo, Iowa on July 21, 1979.
Frank graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1958, and Humboldt Institute in Minneapolis, Minn. He worked for Briggs Trucking firm as Terminal Manager in Chicago, Des Moines and Waterloo. He then worked for Waterloo Industries as Director of Materials until retiring in 2002. Following retirement he worked as a consultant for Ditzfeld Transfer, Sedalia, Mo. From childhood Frank took pride in problem-solving in the community, his work and personal life. Before moving to Clear Lake in 2002, he served as past chair and member of the Waterloo Metropolitan Bus Board of Directors for many years, helped in planning and developing "for kids" The Sunrise Exchange Club Animal Petting Zoo, he served First United Methodist Church in many ways, including taking youth on mission trips and as past chair of Trustees. In Clear Lake he was a member of the Evening Lions Club and chaired Bell Harbor Home Owners Association. Frank loved working with wood and metal, both restoring and designing. His backyard caboose testifies to his huge imagination. Frank's family and many friends will lovingly recall the special things he created for them and the great fun they had together. He traveled the world in his work and for pleasure but was never happier than at home "creating." Whispering Oaks, and their dream home there, is Frank's final big accomplishment.
Survivors include his wife, Susan, of Clear Lake; son, Dane (Janet) Mechanicsville, Iowa; daughters, Ruth (Jerry) Christiansen, LeMars, Iowa and Wendy (Michael) Perez, San Fernando, Calif.; step-daughters, Elin (Perry) Hersleff, Forest City, Iowa, Sara (Kevin) McCary, Wayzata, Minn., and Emily Mehlin, Sioux City, Iowa; grandchildren, Lindsay and Collin Christiansen, Viviana and Clarabella Perez, Lucas Petrullo, Isabella McCary, and Aurora Hersleff.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joan Wallis; and infant grandson, Larry.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Charles "Charlie" Alexander Sandusky Jr., 83, died Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2005 at the North Iowa Mercy Medical Center, Mason City, Iowa. A memorial service was held Friday, Oct. 7, at the First Congregational Church, Clear Lake, with Pastor Thom Christian officiating. Inurnment was at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Military Honors were presented by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Memorials may be given to the Clear Lake V.F.W. Building Fund.
Charlie was born May 26, 1922 in Earlham, Iowa, the son of Charles A. and Winifred (Belle) Sandusky Sr. He grew up and attended school in Earlham. Charlie played the trombone for a dance band for several years. He entered the service in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a sergeant. Charlie then moved back to Earlham and married
Hilda Rinard on Dec. 9, 1945.
Charlie began work for Martin Marietta and eventually Basic Materials. Charlie and Hilda moved to Forest City, Iowa in 1960 and then to Clear Lake in 1961. He retired in 1992. "In retirement" he drove for the Jefferson Bus Lines and the Railroad Crew Transport. He was an active member of AA for over 56 years. He enjoyed following his grandchildren in sports and never missed a football game. Charlie was a friend to everyone he met. He loved going to the Sunday night car races. He was a life member of the Clear Lake V.F.W.
Charlie is survived by his daughter, Marcia Pitzenberger and her husband, Ed, Claremont, Minn.; five grandchildren, Aaron Pitzenberger and his wife, Deborah, Lake Mills, Iowa, Brian Pitzenberger and special friend, Shauna Ranvek, Kasson, Minn., Scott Pitzenberger and his wife, Heidi, Lakeville, Minn., Jeff Pitzenberger and his special friend, Leah Barry, Minnetonka, Minn. and Anisha Pitzenberger, Claremont, Minn.; two great-grand-children, Colby and Ella Pitzenberger; one sister, Donna Belle Miller, Stuart, Iowa and several nieces and nephews.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Jane and his wife, Hilda on Feb 6, 2005.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Byron Peter Koenen, 69, of Clear Lake, died Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005 at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City, Iowa. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Wednesday at First Reformed Church in Meservey, Iowa with the Rev. Rodney Meester presiding. Interment will be in Meservey Cemetery.
Byron was born Feb. 17, 1936 in Belmond, Iowa a son of Bernhard and Hattie (Steenblock) Koenen. He attended Belmond schools.
On Oct. 1, 1954 Byron was united in marriage with Vergene Watermiller at the First Reformed Church in Meservey. Together they farmed in the Thornton area. Byron was a farmer through and through. He served on the Thornton Co-op board for 12 years, a few as president, and served many years on the Franklin County ASC Committee. As a pilot, Byron flew over farms for the ASCS crews to take aerial photographs of farms. In addition to his love of farming Byron also enjoyed fishing and motorcycling with his friends.
A member of First Reformed Church in Meservey, Byron served the church in the Consistory, as a Deacon and Elder. For a time he also was a 4-H leader in Franklin County.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 51 years, Vergene; daughters, Valerie (Wayne) Koehler, Meservey, Renae (Joseph) Jones, Bothell, Wash.; three grandsons, Shawn (Kelly) Koehler, Enid, Okla., Brandon (Peggy) Koehler, Mason City, Matthew Koehler, Ames, Iowa; a granddaughter, Carly Jones, Bothell, Wash.; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Marjorie (Ron) Jurgens, Belmond; sister-in-law, Elaine Pitkin, Clear Lake; one niece; one nephew and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, George and Cora Watermiller and brother-in-law, Franklin Pitkin.
Retz-Grarup Funeral Home
James "Jimmy" Duane Benner, 56, Clear Lake, died Monday, Oct. 10, 2005 at the Oakwood Care Center. A Funeral service will be held Friday, Oct. 14, 1 p.m., at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with Pastor Will Hunsacker officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday from 5 - 7 p.m. at Ward-Van Slyke. Interment will be held at the Clear Lake Cemetery.
Jimmy was born Nov. 16, 1948 in Mason City, Iowa, the son of Rodney D. and Norma M. (Preston) Benner. He attended schools in Clear Lake. Jimmy lived with his parents until 1974 when he moved to Opportunity Village. On Jan. 2, 1979 he moved to Oakwood Care Center. He loved watching TV.
Jimmy is survived by his father, Rodney Benner and his special friend, Delores Klang, Clear Lake; three sisters, Norma Jean Benner, Coralville, Iowa, Nancy Lee Hicks, Sebring, Fla. and Carol Marie Hayes, Orlando, Fla. and five nieces and nephews.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his mother, Norma Marjorie Benner on March 5, 1997.
Raphael J. Rottinghaus, 84, of 1064 Balsam Avenue, Nora Springs, Iowa, died Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005, at the Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City, Iowa.
A funeral Mass was held Friday, Oct. 28, 2005, at Joseph Catholic Church, Mason City, with the Rev. Harry H. Koelker officiating. Burial was at the Park Cemetery in Nora Springs with full military rites being conducted by the Nora Springs American Legion H.D.S. Post #449.
Memorials may be directed to the Nora Springs Catholic Community Center.
Raphael Jacob Rottinghaus was born on Jan. 13, 1921, in Seneca, Kan., the son of Jacob and Marie (Lorson) Rottinghaus. Raphael attended a country schoolhouse near Cartersville, Iowa. Raphael entered into the United States Marine Corps on July 7, 1942 and was honorably discharged on Dec. 7, 1945. While serving in the USMC as a corporal, Raphael was wounded in action in September 1944 and received two Purple Heart Medals. He was united in marriage to Madelyn Engels on June 10, 1947, at Holy Name Catholic Church, Rockford. They moved to their present farm in Nora Springs in 1951, where Raphael farmed, well after his retirement.
Raphael enjoyed farming, fishing, playing cards, working with honeybees, and making wine.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Nora Springs American Legion, and the Osage V.F.W.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Madelyn Rottinghaus, Nora Springs; seven children, Diane (John) Fishering, Normal, Ill., Dan (Judy) Rottinghaus, Nashua, Iowa, John (LuAnn) Rottinghaus, Nora Springs, Mike (Denise) Rottinghaus, Nora Springs, Joan (Gary) Linahon, Ames, Iowa, David (Cheryl) Rottinghaus, Nora Springs, and Chris (Ed) Masters, Clear Lake; 18 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; five sisters, Juanita Engels, Ellen Geheb, Patty Garnier, Anna Marie Suppes, and Beatrice "Betty" Suppes; two brothers, Henry "Bud" Rottinghaus and Richard "Dick" Rottinghaus; as well as other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Marie Rottinghaus; two sisters, Kathleen Knipp and Sister Erma Rottinghaus; and one brother, Robert Rottinghaus.
Sheckler Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Former long-time Clear Lake resident, Helen K. Stebbins died on Oct. 7, 2005 at Howell, Mich. after suffering a stroke. She is preceeded in death by her husband, Richard "Dick" Stebbins, who passed away in 1986.
Mrs. Stebbins was a homemaker who also helped her husband with his several businesses. She is survived by sons, Don, Leesburg, Va., and Gary, of Pinckney, Mich.; daughters, Charlene Ostby, Richmond, Mich. and Marlene Greiman of Modesto, Calif. She had six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Stebbins will be interred together at a private graveside service to be held at the Richmond Cemetery, Richmond, Mich. The Tiffany-Young and Hauss Funeral Home of Armada, Mich. is in charge of the arrangements.
James G. Francis, 75, of 413 N. 16th St., Clear Lake, died Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, Nov. 2, 1:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess and Richard Scott Lay Assistant of Zion Lutheran Church officiating. Military honors will be by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Inurnment will be Thursday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. Family suggests memorials to Zion Lutheran Church Music Fund or Zion Lutheran Church Cancer Support Group.
James was born on Oct. 2, 1930 in Swanville, Minn. the son of Alvarez and Cyrilla (Lang) Francis. He graduated from Stewartville High School in 1946. He enlisted in the US Air Force on Nov. 2, 1948 and was honorably discharged in June of 1951. He went to West Point for one year and was honorably discharged from there in June of 1952. He entered the University of Minnesota, St. Paul in November of 1952 and transferred to the Minneapolis campus in the fall of 1953, graduating in July of 1956. He married
Elizabeth Ann Bakke June 19, 1954 in Lake Mills, Iowa. He then went to work for KSUM Radio, Fairmont, Minn. as a newsman/copywriter. In April of 1957 he moved to Mason City to work for KGLO Radio/TV as a news photographer on and off the air. On Dec. 31, 1961, James took the post of Deputy Director of Cerro Gordo County Civil Defense. In June of 1964 he was promoted to Director of Civil Defense and Emergency Planning for Cerro Gordo County.
In 1968 James and his family moved to Ames, Iowa where he enrolled at Iowa State University, graduating in August of 1971 with a Masters Degree in Sociology. In June of 1971 he went to work for the Iowa State Extension Service as Community Development Specialist. He bought a cheese store in Mason City in Sept. of 1978, which he operated for three and one-half years. He has worked as a realtor, a salesperson, and various other jobs since then.
He would keep busy with part-time jobs at H&R Block, writing poetry about life situations, his computer and electronic messaging. He enjoyed fishing, his grandkids, and his lovely wife.
James will be sadly missed by his wife, Elizabeth Francis, Clear Lake; two sons, Dr. Robert A. Francis and his wife, Michelle, Nashville, Tenn. and James G. Francis II, Boston, Mass. and a daughter, Jamie E. Francis, Blaine, Minn.; eight grandchildren, Rachel Francis, Nathan Francis, Ian Francis, Christopher Shill, Taylor Shill, Jessica Shill, Paige Shill and Alexander Sellman; three brothers, Avison W. Francis and his wife, Marjorie, Park Rapids, Minn., Kenneth Francis and his wife Martha, Sherman, Texas, Richard Francis and his wife, Helen, Denver, Colo.; four sisters, Wava Larson and her husband, Levern, Kasson, Minn., Ruth Percario, Bartow, Fla., Cyrilla Vessey, Fairfax, Va. and Betty Kay Westphal and her husband, Gerald, Grand Rapids, Mich. and numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Dean, Everette and Robert Francis.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
