Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Harold L. Brenton, M.D., 80, of 5449 Ward Lake Drive, Port Orange, Fla. died Nov. 27, 2005 at his residence after a brave 18-month battle with myelodysplasic syndrome (MDS).
Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 10, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating. Interment was in Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City, with full military honors conducted by members of the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association.
Memorials in Dr. Brenton1s name may be directed to any of the following charities: Brenton Music Scholarship Fund, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; or Hospice of Volusia/Flagler County. The family requests that these donations be directed to a family member for submittal.
Harold (Hal) Brenton was born on Dec. 13, 1924 in Des Moines, Iowa to Harry LaVerne and Vera Mae (Hawbaker) Brenton. He grew up in Charles City, Iowa and Mason City where he graduated from Mason City High School in 1942. In 1943 Hal was draft eligible for World War II. After scoring high on an aptitude test he was sent by the Army to pre-med school at the University of Michigan. Harold attended medical school at Wake Forest1s Bowman-Gray School of Medicine where he graduated in 1948 with Alpha Omega Alpha honors.
His internship in internal medicine was completed at the University of Iowa and his residency at the North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C., which was interrupted by a call to active duty during the Korean War. In 1950, he was qualified as an army paratrooper with the 82nd airborne unit, served as a battalion surgeon in Seoul, Korea and was a Captain awarded with several bronze stars. Dr. Brenton1s first medical practice upon honorable discharge from the army was with the Linville Clinic in Columbia City, Ind. He then returned to his hometown and lived over 25 years in Mason City. Hal practiced internal medicine at the Park Clinic from 1959 to 1988. His professional leadership included being president of the Park Clinic for over five years and chief of staff of the former North Iowa Medical Center during the years of 1974-1979 and president of the Cerro Gordo County Medical Society. As a civic leader, Hal was instrumental in creating several community projects. He was president of the North Iowa Fair Board from 1979-1983 during the construction of the North Iowa Horse and Hockey Arena. He was also a founder of the North Iowa Racquet Club. After his retirement at age 63 in 1988, he moved to Emerald Isle, N.C. and lived near the beach. In between rounds of golf, Hal took time to write the complete history of the Park Clinic and had the two volume book published in 1993. He then resumed his medical career for several years as the director of the Veterans Mobile Health Care Unit based out of Jacksonville, N.C. Hal was well known for his driven personality, sense of quick wit, and generous nature. He had a myriad of interests, which included being an avid fisherman, art collector, consummate joke teller, world traveler and loyal Iowa Hawkeye fan. One of his greatest joys was playing host to family and friends at his Crane Lake, Minn. wilderness cabin on Sandpoint Lake.
Dr. Brenton is survived by his devoted wife of two years, Linda W. Brenton; one daughter, Marla and husband, Mark Veenstra of Port Orange, Fla.; his three sons, Dr. Douglas Brenton and wife, Marian, of West Des Moines, Iowa, Dr. Bradley Brenton and wife, Dr. Linda Geer, of Goldsboro, N.C. and Dr. Randall Brenton and wife, Cheryl, of Clear Lake. Other relatives include his sister, Lorna and husband, Robert Burgraff, of Deltona, Fla.; nephew, Craig Burgraff and wife, Diane, of Lemoyne, Penn.; eight grandchildren: Curtis Brenton and wife, Bridget, Matthew Brenton, Charlotte Brenton, Claire Brenton, Janet Brenton, Eric Brenton, Dr. Bryon Geer and wife, Kristi and Dr. Andy Geer and wife, Lora; three great-granddaughters and one great-grandson; four step-daughters; aunts, Mildred Wheeler of Waverly, Iowa and Dallas Sink of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Harold L. Brenton was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife of 55 years, Martha Berch Willard Brenton and a brother-in-law, Duke C. Willard.
Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City, as in charge of arrangements.
Donna McNulty, age 87, most recently a resident of the Belmond Health Care Center, a longtime resident of the Belmond, Iowa area, died, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2005, at the Belmond Health Care Center, surrounded by her loving family.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, Dec. 6, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond, Iowa. Burial was in the St. Francis Cemetery, Belmond.
Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Wright County or the donor's wishes.
MaDonna Fae Hofer was born on Sept. 18, 1918, in Ventura, Iowa. She lived there with her family until they moved to California where they spent two years, until returning to the Ventura/Clear Lake, Iowa area. The family then moved to Goodell, Iowa, where she excelled in softball and academics and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Goodell High School. After high school she attended Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the University of Iowa, Iowa City, and completed her degree in English from Drake University, Des Moines. She often regaled us with happy stories of that time.
Donna married
Gerald McNulty on May 6, 1939. They briefly lived in Belmond, before moving to their farm just north of Belmond. It was there they raised five children. She taught school at St. John's School, Clarion, Iowa, and remedial reading at Belmond Community Schools. She was loved by her students and was never afraid to disagree with the authority if she felt something could be improved by doing so.
Donna spent approximately 60 hard, yet rewarding, years on the farm. She had a special relationship with the little wrens that came back every year and nested in the big lilac bush outside the front porch on the farm. She respected and loved animals, the seasons, laughing hard and working hard, and passed these values on to her children. She is remembered, among other things, for her strong sense of fair play, the huge meals she prepared, her penchant for playing bridge, and her love for her family.
Donna was an active member of DAR, Catholic Daughters of America, St. Elizabeth's Study Club, St. Francis Rosary Society, and St. Francis Parish.
Donna is survived by her husband, Gerald W. McNulty; her five children, Thomas McNulty and his wife, Diane, of Naples, Fla., Mark and his wife, Marcia, of Clear Lake, Dennis McNulty of Belmond, Shannon McNulty of Santa Fe, N.M., Edward McNulty of Minneapolis, Minn. and her daughter-in-law, Cyndy McNulty, of Belmond. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Maureen McNulty (Scott) Dockstader of Ames, IA; Michael (Lisa) McNulty of Zimmerman, Minn.; Monica McNulty (Jeffrey) Gribben of Mason City, Iowa; Matthew (Theresa) McNulty of Polk City, Iowa; Mitchell (Melissa) McNulty of Altoona, Iowa; Meagan McNulty (Adam) Zwanziger of Iowa City, Iowa; Kate McNulty and friend, Kevin Marshall, of Belmond and Lisa (Jeremy) Rehwaldt-Alexander of Omaha, Neb.; 13 great-grandchildren and her nieces, Jane Hofer, Julie Hofer Ivey and nephews, Ronald and Steven Hofer.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Nilla (Jasperson) Hofer; a brother, Raymond Hofer, and an infant sister.
Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, was in charge of arrangements.
Bernadine Wiltfang Kotz, 73, of Grinnell, Iowa and formerly of Clear Lake, died Friday, Dec. 2, 2005, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center.
A memorial service for Mrs. Kotz was held Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Grinnell Christian Church with the Rev. John Epperson officiating. Pianist was Lorna Lang and soloist was Barbara Chitwood.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Kidney Foundation, Grinnell Christian Church, or to the donor's choice.
The daughter of William Ray and Rhoda Blanche Dodd Brown, she was born Dec. 11, 1931, in Collins, Iowa. She was a graduate of Maxwell High School and later received her LPN in Marshalltown. She was married
to Bernhard Wiltfang on Feb. 14, 1952, in Maxwell. The couple farmed near Wellsburg and later made their home in Iowa City, Iowa and Omaha, Neb. They moved to Grinnell in 1967. She was employed at the Wiltfang Medical Office in Grinnell and also owned and managed several apartments in Grinnell. She was married
to Edward Kotz on Aug. 6, 1994, in Grinnell and the couple made their home in Clear Lake before returning to Grinnell in 2002. She was an active member of PEO and Levart.
She is survived by her husband, Ed Kotz, of Grinnell; one daughter, Nancy Collins of Little Rock, Ark.; one brother, Harold Brown of Prairie Du Chien, Wis.; one sister, Marlene Meyer of West Des Moines, Iowa; and two grandchildren, Alissa Collins of Little Rock and Christina Collins of Dallas, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one son in infancy, Gerald Ray Wiltfang; one brother, Dwayne Brown; and two sisters, Nadine Swalwell and Maxine Hanson.
Helen "Jean" Larson, 76, formerly of Clear Lake and the Grant Village in Mason City, Iowa, died Tuesday evening, Dec. 6, 2005, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home, Rockwell, Iowa, where she was a resident for the past two years.
Memorial services were held Friday at 2 p.m. at Fullerton Funeral Home, Mason City with the Rev. Stephen Palo officiating.
Those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may direct them to the Helen "Jean" Larson Memorial Fund.
Cremation has taken place at Cremation Services of North Iowa-Fullerton Funeral Home in Mason City.
Helen Jean Larson was born March 11, 1929 in St. Louis, Mo. to Lorraine and Helen Q.(Kerrigan) Hertel. "Jean," as she was fondly known by to her family and friends, attended and graduated from Paulina High School.
Jean was united in marriage to Dale Larson in 1951 and the couple became the proud parents of a son and two daughters. Jean lived most of her life in the Clear Lake area, however, most recently at Grant Village in Mason City and the Rockwell Community Nursing Home.
Jean is a former member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, the American Legion Auxiliary in Clear Lake and a former member of the Clear Lake-Melodee Lanes Women's Bowling League and the Mason City Women's Bowling Association. Several years ago she was inducted into the Women's Bowling Hall of Fame at the Rose Bowl Lanes. She was instrumental in forming the Junior Bowling League in Clear Lake.
Jean was a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell in Mason City for many years and most recently was employed at Opportunity Village in Clear Lake until she retired.
Some of Jean's hobbies and leisure activities included cooking and baking - especially pies, watching movies, playing bingo and card games such as Gin Rummy and 500, dancing and spending time with her family. She will be long remembered for her sense of humor and wit.
Jean will be dearly missed by her family and friends who have shared in her life.
She is survived by her three children, David Larson (Trish Strandsky) of Kalona, Iowa, Jane (Joe) Shultz of Mason City and Jill (Gerald) Symonds of Rockwell; her former husband, Dale Larson; her three brothers, Lorraine (Colleen) Hertel of Branson, Mo., Charles Roseland of Dallas, Texas and Gary Hertel of Michigan. Jean will also be a cherished memory of her 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Lindy Larson and her daughter, Allison, Kaylin Larson, Jared Larson, Andy Shultz, Megan Shultz, Michael Shultz, Elizabeth Symonds and her son, Brayden Maine, Quinn Symonds, William Symonds and Tony Symonds and numerous other relatives and friends.
Preceding Jean in death were her parents, Charles and Helen Roseland and Lorraine and Lucille Hertel.
Thoughts, condolences and stories may be e-mailed to the family on the www.fullertonfh.com website.
Donna L. Auchampach, 69, formerly of Clear Lake, died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005 at the Concord Care Center, Garner, Iowa. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jan Burnett officiating. Interment will be held at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Donna Auchampach Memorial Fund.
Donna was born Feb. 8, 1936 in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Lester and Lydia (Myers) Auchampach. She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1954. She worked for the Clear Lake Telephone Co. for five years as an operator. She then went to work for the Clear Lake Bakery in the retail store for over 40 years.
Donna liked to crochet and knit. She also loved to go to northern Minnesota fishing. She was a member of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church.
Donna is survived by her cousins and two special friends, Evelyn Sell, Clear Lake, and Marlene Jones, Garner.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Ernest.
Peter H. Schmidt, age 81, of Sunrise Beach, Mo., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005 at his home. The family will have a private viewing. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of the Kidwell-Garber Laurie-Sunrise Beach Chapel.
Peter was born Sept. 26, 1924 in Audubon, Iowa, the son of Hans and Katie Hansen Schmidt.
He was united in marriage to Shirley Goodpasture on Sept. 11, 1971.
Mr. Schmidt was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, member of the American Legion Zack Wheat Post #624 of Sunrise Beach, and the V.F.W. in Audubon, Iowa. He enjoyed fishing, boating, and carpentry work.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Schmidt; two sons, Bill H. Schmidt of San Bernardino, Calif., and Rick D. Cummings and wife, Carol, of Mason City, Iowa; three daughters, July J. Halsne of Clear Lake, Diane L. Lumm and husband, Rod, of Camdenton, Mo., Penny S. Cummings of Garner, Iowa; one sister, Florence Tessman, of Audubon; one brother-in-law, Robert Goodpasture, of Texas; two sisters-in-law, Doris Stuart and Daisy Schmidt, of Iowa; 11 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, many other relatives and friends.
To send the family sympathy e-mails please visit www.kidwellgarber.com.
Karl "Red" Cruse, 82, 2400 South Shore Dr., Clear Lake, died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005 at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. A graveside service was held Friday, Dec. 30, at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. Pastor Will Hunsaker, from the First Church of the Open Bible, officiated. Memorials may be given to the Clear Lake First Church of the Open Bible or Muse-Norris Hospice, Mason City.
Karl was born Feb. 18, 1923 in Abernathy, Texas. He was the owner and operator of Red's Welding Service in Hale Center, Texas from 1962 until 1993 when he retired. Karl married
Edith Smith in 1991 at Lubbock, Texas. He and his wife enjoyed spending their retirement years traveling. He also worked as a gate attendant for the Corps of Engineers. Earlier this year, Karl moved to Clear Lake. They attended the Open Bible Church in Clear Lake.
Karl is survived by his wife, Edith Cruse, Clear Lake; half brothers, Lawrence Ballinger, Plainview, Texas and Walter Ballinger, Hale Center, Texas; step daughter, Nancy Van Cleve and her husband, Tim, Hanlontown, Iowa; three step-grandchildren, Amy Christiansen and her husband, Mike, Nevada, Iowa, Timothy Van Cleve and his wife, Martha, Hanlontown, and Adam Van Cleve, Hanlontown and several step great-grandchildren.
Karl is preceded in death by his parents; a sister and a brother.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Allene "Fat" Faye Purviance Hollatz Petersen, 81, of Ventura, Iowa died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005 at her home. A funeral service was held Monday, Jan. 2, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ventura, with the Rev. Daird Korth officiating. Interment was at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa. Memorials my be given to Hospice of North Iowa in her name.
Fat was born July 8, 1924 in Lincoln Township, rural Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, the twin daughter of John and Neva (Homes) Purviance. She attended rural school and graduated from Hanlontown High School in 1942.
On Jan. 30, 1943 she married
Everette Hollatz in Bethany, Mo. and returned to Iowa where they started a lifetime of farming. They retired in 1983. Everette passed away 1989.
In June 1991 she married
Alfred "Pete" Petersen. Alfred passed away August 1999.
Fat enjoyed gardening, fishing, playing cards, dancing, cooking, spending time with her family - especially her great-grandchildren. She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and Dorcas Society of Ventura. She was involved in Busy Bee Neighborhood Club and Ventura Gun Club.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Connie Hejna and her husband, Ed, Floyd, Iowa and Joel Hollatz, Centerville, Iowa; six grandchildren, Darcy Bast and her husband, Dennis, Bob Hejna and his wife, Ranae, all of Floyd, Joshua Hollatz, Centerville, Iowa, Peter Hollatz, Chicago, Ill, Jessica Hollatz, Liberty, Kan., Allan Hollatz, Maryville, Mo.; four great-grandchildren, Denise and Dallas Bast and Bailee and Caleb Hejna; stepchildren Maren Oleson, Penny Lovell, Allan Petersen and his wife, Cindy and their families; two sisters, Clara Ball, Prescott, Az. and Opal Coffin, Clear Lake; two brothers-in-law, Warren Millard, Mason City and Tom "Pete" Hollatz and his wife, Barb, Clear Lake; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and numerous friends and her special friend, Howard Oehlert, Clear Lake.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Everette Hollatz; son, Robert "Bobby" Claire Hollatz; husband, Alfred Petersen; sisters, Lola Cook, Irene Millard -her twin; brothers, John, Floyd, Jesse, Clyde and Earl in infancy.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Agnes Amosson, 95, of Clear Lake, Iowa died Friday, Dec. 30, 2005 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake. Funeral service will be held Wednesday Jan. 4, 10:30 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, 112 N.4th St. Clear Lake, with Richard Scott Lay Assistant officiating. Interment will be in Clear Lake Cemetery. Family suggests memorials to Opportunity Village.
Agnes was born September 20, 1910 in Holmes, Iowa, the daughter of Oscar and Julia (Berven) Ulstad. She was baptized and confirmed in the Holmes Lutheran Church. Agnes graduated from Clarion High School in Clarion, Iowa. She married
Glen J. Amosson on Jan. 14, 1933 in Sioux City, Neb. Agnes devoted her life to her family and friends. She loved to cook and bake.
Agnes was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. She was also in Sing and Sew Club and the Clear Lake Senior Citizens.
Agnes is survived by two sons, Roger Amosson and his wife, Barbara, Clear Lake, and Robert Amosson and his wife, Patricia, Rockwell, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Sue Amosson, Des Moines, Iowa; three granddaughters, Vicky Ernster and her husband Les, Rochester, Minn., Susan Finnegan and her husband, Mike, Clear Lake, and Amy Pierce and her husband, Jeff, Rochester; three grandsons, Scott Amosson and his wife, Vonnie, Clear Lake, Jeremy Amosson, Lake Geneva, Wis. and Aaron Amosson, New Haven, Conn.; and nine great-grandchildren.
Agnes was preceded in death by her husband, Glen on June 29, 1998; one son, Ron; her parents, Oscar and Julia Ulstad; two brothers and two sisters
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Albert (Al) Elias Olson, age 82, of Belmond, Iowa, a longtime educator, coach, and school administrator, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005, at the Belmond Medical Center Hospice Unit surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 2, 2006, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Belmond. The Rev. Rod Hopp will be officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the Belmond Honor Guard will be in the Belmond Cemetery.
Those wishing to express their sympathies through memorials may wish to follow the family's suggestions of the Belmond-Klemme Scholarship II Foundation, Trinity Lutheran Church Sunday School, Belmond Medical Center, Talbot Belmond Public Library, or Hospice of Wright County.
Al Olson was born August 25, 1923, in Jewell, Iowa, the son of Albert and Jennie (Gabrielson) Olson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Bethesda Lutheran Church in Jewell. Al attended Jewell Public Schools and graduated from Jewell High School in 1941. He served in the United States Navy during WWII, spending much of his tenure aboard the USS Biloxi in the South Pacific. Al was united in marriage to his wife and life partner of over 56 years, Bette Ann Schmedika in Des Moines, Iowa on Aug. 27, 1949. Following their marriage Al continued his education at Drake University and graduated with a B.A. Degree in 1951. He spent a period of time in private business in Jewell. Al accepted and offer to teach, coach, and be principal at Alexander High School, Alexander, Iowa in 1956. The school eventually consolidated to form CAL School District with Al remaining in his role for the first year of transition. A Master's Degree in Education administration from Colorado State College followed in 1963, after which Al took the position of Jr. High Principal in the Belmond Community School District for seven years. His life long passion for education and learning continued with the completion of a Specialist's Degree in Secondary Education from Iowa State University in 1972. Al then accepted the leadership role of the Belmond Community School District serving as Superintendent of Schools for the next 17 years before retirement on June 30, 1987.
Al's life at Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond was very important to him. He fulfilled many roles their including teaching 8th grade Sunday School for 15 years, serving two terms as Church Council President, and assisting with numerous other church activities and events. Al also gave of his time and talents to the community in many ways. He enjoyed delivering Meals-on-Wheels and driving the Belmond Care Car, starting after his retirement in 1987 and continuing until this past summer. He was a member of the Belmond Lions, the GridIron Club, and the Iowa Association of School Administrators. Al served on the Belmond Library Board for 17 years. Though he was a man who never cared to spend much time in the spotlight or receive recognition for his efforts to help others in his professional and civic roles, this devotion did not go unnoticed. Al was awarded the Administrator's Award from the Iowa High School Athletic Association in 1988, Boss of the Year from the Jaycee's in 1982, Honorary B-Club Award from the BHS Athletic Awards program for being an Outstanding Sports Fan and Supporter during his career at Belmond Schools, and 1987 Friend of Education Award from the Belmond Education Association.
Children in general, and his grandchildren in particular, were very special to Al. If there was a baby in the crowd, they would be held by him. "Papa" had a very special relationship with his grandchildren. Al and Bette celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with a surprise trip to Norway, a precious and memorable gift from their children.
Al enjoyed sports of all kinds. He participated in baseball and basketball thoughout high school and continued to play competitive basketball until he was over 30. He was never on a losing team. He attended the Drake Relays, as a spectator for over 40 years. Following retirement, Al continued as a fan of Belmond High, Nevada High, and Olympia High Schools' athletics.
Al had a life long passion for education and helping others better themselves. He enjoyed his educational career and many times mentioned the respect and admiration he had for the people he had worked with. A mutual admiration that had been mentioned in return by many people who knew him as not only their boss, but as their friend. Many who knew him will remember Al, for his dedication to the Belmond Schools and Belmond Community through his passion, unselfishness, kindness, fairness, patience, deeds for the benefit of others, and above all for his promotion of excellence in education. His family will always remember him with fondness as a loving and devoted husband, father, "Papa", brother, uncle, friend, and foremost their number one fan and supporter on life's journey.
Those left to cherish the memory of his life and legacy include his wife of over 56 years, Bette Olson, Belmond; his children, their spouses, and grandchildren: Norm and Carmi Olson, of Nevada, IA, Camron, Malinda, and Kalli; Annette and Bob Pasquariello of Olympia, Wash., Jason, Jeffrey, and Daniel; Jody and Todd Philipp of Solon, Iowa, Payton and Presley; sisters Dorothy (Johnny) Valen of Story City, Iowa and Joan Hanks of Buffalo, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Jane Olson of Nevada, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Jennie Olson; sisters, Marguerite Folkerts and Delores Thorson, and a brother, Clifton Olson. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, was in charge of arrangements.
