Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Robert Vernon Ristau, 62, of Thornton, Iowa passed away on Thursday, July 6, 2006 at the North Iowa Mercy Hospital from pulmonary fibrosis. Funeral services for Bob were held on Monday, July 10, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ventura, with the Rev. Daird Korth officiating. Burial was at Pleasant View Cemetery, Thornton. Family suggests memorials to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.
Bob was born on Sept. 1, 1943, in Garner, Iowa to Vernon and Ruth (Geilenfeldt) Ristau. Bob graduated from Thornton High School in 1961. He attended Mason City Junior College and later attended Iowa State University. In 1964 he was inducted into the Armed Forces as a member of the Iowa National Guard. He began his career as a draftsman at Fishers in Marshalltown, Iowa. He later relocated to Thornton where he began his career as a farmer. He was united in marriage to Dee Clark on Jan. 27, 1968, in Forest City. The couple has three children.
Bob was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, participating in several roles over the years. He was also a member of the Meservey-Thornton School Board for 20 years and served as a member of the Thornton Co-op. He enjoyed farming with Ivan Meints, raising livestock, blackjack at the casino, and collecting "antiques" such as records, camels, and yardsticks. Bob also enjoyed Big Band music and watching Jim Cramer every evening on television. Most importantly, he treasured time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years and their three children: son, Troy Ristau and wife, Tonya, of Chaska, Minn.; son, Todd Ristau, and wife, Shari, of Mason City, Iowa; and daughter, Traci Ristau (Ludwig) and husband, Allan, of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Grandchildren include Tyler and Spencer Ristau, Taryn Ristau, and Samual Ludwig. Siblings include: brother, Donald Ristau, of Garner, Iowa; sister, Linda Eggleston and Gary Iverson, of Albert Lea, Minn.; sister-in-law, Elaine Ristau, of Garner, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, Gerald and a brother, Paul.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
DR. JEFFERY PAUL TURK
Dr. Jeffery Paul Turk, formerly of Grafton, Iowa, was born to proud parents, Paul and Nancy (Sutton) turk on Feb. 5, 1966, (a birthday he shared with his grandpa, A. Lynn Sutton, and great-grandmother, Martha Turk), in Mason City, Iowa. He became a Child of God in Holy Baptism, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City. He died of coronary arterty disease and went to live with his Heavenly Father, on July 1, 2006.
A service celebrating his life and witnessing to the resurrection found in Jesus Christ was held Thursday, July 6, at the Coates Street Presbyterian Church in Moberly, Mo.
During his childhood years, he lived in Ottumwa and Creston, Iowa, where he went to kindergarten.
In 1972 his family purchased a grocery in Grafton, Iowa, where he attended middle school, and graduated from St. Ansgar High School in 1984. He was a State of Iowa Scholar, in the Honor Society and Student Council. He participated in Jazz Band, playing his saxophone, Swing Choir, German Club, Drama Club and entertained us with class plays and variety shows. He had a beautiful voice and sang for his much loved "little sister" at her wedding.
He attended Sunday School and worship at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in Grafton, where he was confirmed into faith.
Jeff always had a love of science. In his youth, he would often spend summer nights in his back yard, laying on his back gazing at the heavens through his telescope. He later shared this love and knowledge of the solar system with his boys. He became interested in being a doctor, at a young age, as he witnessed family and community members die prematurely because of a lack of health care. This contributed to his passion to provide state-of-the art quality of heath care in his Moberly Community.
Jeff was a self-motivated entrepreneur and worked from age 11 mowing lawns to earn his way through college. He purchased his first riding lawn mower with a loan from a local bank, at the age of 12, and later his first car, a 1977 Monte Carlo, which he still owns.
Jeff earned his B.A. degree in bio-chemistry with honors and his doctor of medicine degree from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. He then completed his four-year radiology residency at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Okla. During his residency, our nation experienced the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrrah Building, on April 19, 1995. Jeff helped with the wounded and later worked with the FBI using radiology for body identification - an experience increasing his compassion for human suffering.
Jeff met his life partner, Lori Bender, a graduate nurse at University of Iowa, and they were united in marriage on August 6, 1988 at Zion Lutheran Church in Muscatine, Iowa, prior to his entering medical school.
Jeff began his radiology practice in Moberly on July 1, 1996. He followed his dream to provide quality care to his community by opening the Moberly Radiology and Imaging Clinic, with the assistance of his wife and many faithful staff members.
Jeff loved life to the fullest and dedicated his life to serving others. His partner in life, Lori, and his sons, Collin and Logan were his pride and joy. He will be remembered for his service to others, his love for family and friends, his wonderful cooking, and his pleasure in building and displaying fireworks for the enjoyment of others with his sons. He will be so sadly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his best friend and soul-mate, Lori Turk; sons, Collin and Logan Turk; parents, Paul and Nancy Turk, of Ventura; sister, Leslie and Jeff Anderson and their children, Cody and Courtney; mother-in-law, Karen Vols and step-father, Arthur Vols.
He is preceded in death by his father-in-law, Paul Bender; his grandparents; and his aunt, Jackie.
Memorials are suggested to Dr. Jeff Turk Memorial Scholarship in care of the Bank of Cairo and Moberly, the Randolph Area YMCA endowment fund, Moberly Area Soccer Association in care of Mark Pritchard (1000 Maurwood Circle; Moberly, MO 65270).
Jay Amundson, 45, of 1307 W. 7th Ave. N., Clear Lake, died Friday, July 14, 2006 at his home.
Funeral services will be Friday, July 21, 1:30 p.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating. Interment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 -7 p.m. at the funeral home..
Jay was born Sept. 20, 1960 in Mason City, Iowa the son of Donald and Bonnie (Myers) Amundson.
He attended Clear Lake Schools. He worked at Curries Manufacturing in Mason City. Jay married
Linda Constien.
Jay enjoyed hunting, trapping and fishing and everybody always wanted to fish with Jay because he knew where the fish were.
He is survived by his mother, Bonnie Evenson, Fond du Lac, Wis.; daughter, Angie Amundson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two stepsons, Eddie Christopherson, Forest City, Iowa and Travis Christopherson, Greene, Iowa; grandson, Keegan; two sisters, Donna Amundson and Jo Dee Peterson, both of Fond du Lac, Wis.; one brother, Dr. Dennis Amundson and his wife, Dr. Stephanie Brodine, San Diego, Calif.; uncle, Gordon Myers and his wife, Sharon, Clear Lake; aunt, Ruth Willis and husband, Glenn, Clear Lake, and a special friend, Tammy Boeshart, Clear Lake.
He was preceded in death by his father, Donald and wife, Linda.
Elsie M. Renner, 83, 1507 W. 6th Ave N., Clear Lake, died Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. A funeral service was held Friday, July 14, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. John Tilp officiating. Interment was at St. Boniface Cemetery, Garner, Iowa. Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa.
Elsie was born April 4, 1923 on the family farm, rural Klemme, Iowa, the daughter of George and Erma (Born) Thiemann. She graduated from Klemme High School in 1941. Elsie married
Maurice (Bud) Murray, Nov. 17, 1943. They lived on the family farm where they raised their family. She was always involved and active in the community.
Elsie married
Chet Renner July 9, 1984 St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner. They lived in Clear Lake. She loved traveling the United States. Elsie was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Clear Lake, the Crescent Club and O.D.O. Club.
Elsie is survived by her husband Chet Renner, Clear Lake; four children, Janet Murray Blasingame, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jerry Murray and his wife, Dori, Port Byron, Ill., Tom Murray and his wife, Kathy, Iowa City, Iowa, and Mary Jo Hamrick and her husband, Brian, Springville, Iowa; two step-children, Bill Renner and his wife, Julie, Garner and Tom Renner and his wife, Janelle, Ventura, Iowa; step-son-in-law Lowell Greimann, Ames, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Debbie Finger and her husband, Scott, Angela Murray, Adam Murray, Wade Murray, Kim Appleberg and her husband, Brett, Michelle Grover and her husband, Judd and Deana Trotter and her husband, Ryan; 40 great-grandchildren and one sister, Stella Beiber, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Elsie was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Bud Murray (1981); son-in-law, James Blasingame and step-daughter, Jane Greimann.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Margaret Jean Ryan, 83, of Opportunity Village in Clear Lake, died Wednesday, July 12, 2006, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa.
A memorial service and celebration of her life was held Tuesday, July 18, at the Ralph Schroeder Group Home at Opportunity Village with the Rev. Barbara Schacke officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waukon, Iowa.
Memorial contributions may be given in her name to Opportunity Village, 1200 North 9th West, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428.
Margaret Jean Ryan was born on Jan. 14, 1923, in Postville, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Celia (Cunningham) Ryan. Prior to moving to Opportunity Village, Margaret lived in Des Moines, Independence, and Waterloo, Iowa, where she worked for Good Will Industries.
Margaret enjoyed crocheting, needlework, and sewing and was known for her beautiful handwork.
She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Clear Lake.
Left to cherish her memory are her three sisters-in-law, Elaine Ryan of Lansing, Iowa, Jean Ryan of Lakewood, Colo., and Mary Lee Ryan of Aptos, Calif.; 11 nieces and nephews, Ken (Heidi) Ryan of Alexandra, Minn., Teri (Bill) Rethwisch of Lansing, Iowa, Mark (Linda) Ryan of Denver, Colo., Carol (David) Wilkie of St. Paul, Minn., Doug (Susan) Ryan of Ft. Collins, Colo., Heather Ryan of Boulder, Colo., Tim Ryan of San Francisco, Calif., Mara (Steve) Keith Bend, Oregon, Mike Ryan of Antioth, Calif., Pat Hubert of Aptos, Calif., Tom (Elizabeth) Ryan of Salt Lake City, Utah; several great-nieces and nephews; her extended family at Opportunity Village in Clear Lake; as well as other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Joseph, Leo, and James A. Ryan, and a nephew, James Ryan.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Lucille Virginia Van Horn, 92, of 707 15th Street SE, Mason City, died Friday, July 14, 2006, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood, Iowa.
Funeral services were held Sunday, July 16, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Mason City, with the Rev. Kathy Graves officiating. Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery Monday, July 17.
Lucille Virginia (Hanna) Van Horn was born on April 24, 1914, in Clear Lake, the daughter of Robert M. and Marie (Bitker) Hanna. She attended and received her education in the Clear Lake Schools, graduating from Clear Lake High School in 1932. She was united in marriage to Harley D. Van Horn on Sept. 24, 1935, in Clear Lake. He preceded her in death on March 11, 1983. In 1946, they began farming around the Northwood, Kensett, and Manly, Iowa areas before moving to Mason City in 1960. Lucille worked as a cook for the Mason City Public schools for 10 years, until her retirement in 1976. Lucille had been a resident of the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood since May 5, 2006.
She enjoyed crocheting, fishing, flowers, crossword puzzles, gardening, and canning, but her great love and enjoyment was her family and grandchildren.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and Women of the Moose in Mason City.
Left to cherish her memory are her children: Ben K. Van Horn and his wife, Eva of Columbus, Wis., Donna R. Caldwell and her husband, L. James of Waterloo, Iowa, Maxine Jo Colstrup and her husband, Kenneth of Remer, Minn., Jack D. Van Horn and his wife, Diane of Northwood, Iowa and Anita L. Madsen and her husband, Harvey of Longville, Minn.; 17 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; a brother: Robert Hanna and his wife, Phyllis of Ventura; a special niece: Rosemary Ward of Clear Lake; a special friend, Rita Diekhuis of Mason City, as well as other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harley; her parents; a daughter who died in infancy; a son, Darrell Gene Van Horn; two brothers, Harold and Carl Hanna and two sisters, Marion Conner, and Elizabeth Olsen.
"You will live forever in the hearts of those you loved".
Netah Decker (Plunkett) Bjornson, 70, of La Crosse, Wis., died peacefully on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at the Bethany Riverside Nursing Home surrounded by family and friends. Although she lost her battle to cancer, she never quit living. She fought it courageously and with grace.
Netah was born in Mason City, Iowa on Sept. 13, 1935 to Helen and Donald Decker. She was raised and schooled in Clear Lake. She married
James Fisher in 1952 and although Jim passed away two years later, Michael and Stephen were born of their union. She later married
Gerald Plunkett and from their union, Terrance, Brien, Christopher and Peter were born. They later divorced and Netah had two subsequent marriages to Terry Hanson and Al Bjornson.
Netah continued with her education while raising her six sons and earned her teaching degree from Viterbo College. She taught at Bangor High School and was a substitute teacher at various schools in the area. She was a very creative person and loved working with her hands. She went on to pursue her passion of designing counted cross stitch. She owned BJ Scandinavian Designs and was proud to be selling her work worldwide. Netah also operated a gift shop in Clear Lake. In her spare time she enjoyed sailing and traveling.
Netah is survived by her sons, Michael (Karen) Fisher, Stephen (Jacqueline) Fisher, Terrance Plunkett, Brien (Renee) Plunkett, Christopher Plunkett and Peter (Brenda) Plunkett; eight grandchildren, Ray (Wendy) Fisher, Cassie (Jason) Reisenauer, Cassie Ray, McKenzie and Peyton Plunkett, Marshal and Mercedes Plunkett and Mina Thielen; four great-grandchildren, Brianna, Andrew and Alex Fisher and Aidan Reisenauer. She is further survived by a brother, Richard (Doris) Decker and their children, Kurt, Denise and Dana.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her first husband.
Her greatest love was her family and sharing time with them. She was a very strong woman who never had an easy life but never complained. She knew how to have a good time and brought joy to many people with her smile, laugh and her stories. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
A memorial gathering was held on Sunday, July 16, at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse.
Memorials may be made to the Bethany Riverside Nursing Home. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Gundersen Lutheran Oncology Department, especially Dr. Dietrich and Dr. Conway and their staffs, as well as the staff of Bethany Riverside. Your compassionate care of our mom and our family will never be forgotten.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 22, honoring the late Donald S. Reading, M.D., a former resident of Clear Lake.
Burial services will be held at 1 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown, Iowa with a reception following from 2 until 5 p.m. in Dejardin Hall, Marshalltown Community College.
All friends and neighbors of the Reading family are invited to attend both services.
Iris Irene Martin Johnson died July 6, 2006 in Chandler, Az. Services were held July 14, 2006 in Tempe, Az.
Iris lived in Clear Lake for several years before moving to Arizona. She was born March 19, 1928, the daughter of Ira N. Martin and Ethel B. Garner, in Blairsburg, Iowa. Iris graduated from Popejoy High School in 1945. She attended Ellsworth and Eagle Grove junior colleges, eventually earning a teaching certificate. Iris married
Wendall C. Johnson about 1949 and taught elementary and junior high in Woolstock, Lanyon, Blairstown, and Nashua schools in Iowa. She later taught junior high classes in southern Idaho.
She is survived by two sisters, Esther Gardalen of Clear Lake and Evelyn Vulgamott of Jewel, Iowa, as well as four children: Patricia (Peter) Crowell and Randall (Theresa) Johnson of California; Rodney (Nancy) Johnson of Arizona and Wendy Sickich of Colorado; eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Iris was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Ella Askelsen, and one great-granddaughter, Novalee Justice Sickich.
Clarance O. Vigdahl, 94, passed away at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake. Memorial services will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 4060 4th St. SW, Mason City, Iowa. Inurnment will be at West St. Olaf Cemetery, rural Hayfield, Minn.
Clarance was born Sept. 27, 1911, the son of John and Anne Marie (Carlson) Vigdahl, on the family farm in Turtle Lake, N.D. He attended rural Hayfield School. He farmed with his father and worked as a mechanic. Clarance served in the U.S. Army during WWII. Following his discharge from the service he located at Blooming Prairie, Minn., and worked as a mechanic.
Clarance married
Esdulia (Lola) Cumpian, July 21, 1946 in Hayfield, Minn., they lived in Blooming Prairie, Minn. where they owned a restaurant and lawnmower business for 45 years. In 1990 they moved to Clear Lake. Clarance loved music and played the violin, harmonica and the accordion at house parties. He was also a fisherman, making his own fishing tackle and he enjoyed being a handyman. Since his baptism in 1976, Clarance was an active member of the Jehovah's Witnesses. At the time of his death he was a member of the Garner Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Clarance is survived by his wife, Esdulia (Lola) Vigdahl of Clear Lake; three children, Jerome (Sandy) Vigdahl of Faribault, Minn., Carmella (Jerry) Harthan of Clear Lake and Estelle (Gerald) Sullivan of Goldfield, Iowa; eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jeanette Vigdahl.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Roy Clifford Schumacher, 88, of Clear Lake, died Saturday, July 22, 2006, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa.
Graveside memorial service with full military honors by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Clear Lake, will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 26, at Memorial Park Cemetery, Hwy 122 East, Mason City, with the Rev. Kenneth Gehling, chaplain at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City officiating. There will be a private family visitation. According to his wishes, cremation will take place.
The family of Roy Clifford Schumacher has requested in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.
Roy Clifford Schumacher was born on June 9, 1918, in Weir, Kansas, the son of Alton and Sarah (Gennett) Schumacher. He attended Ventura Public schools, graduating from Ventura High School. He was united in marriage to Iona (Wilkinson) in June of 1939, in Mason City. She preceded him in death in 1968. Roy was inducted into the U.S. Army serving overseas in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After his honorable discharge he came back to the North Iowa area and farmed south of Clear Lake. Roy worked for several years in the maintenance of roads and vehicles for Cerro Gordo County, and also was responsible for maintaining the city parks in Clear Lake until his retirement.
He enjoyed wood working, metal working, gardening, fishing, raising horses on his farm, reading western books and watching western movies.
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Clear Lake.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughters: Sharyn Meyer of Sheffield, Iowa, and Lynda Ann Schumacher of Travelers Rest, S.C.; seven grandchildren: Jim (Missy) Slocum of Hampton, Iowa, Jodi Cooke of Ankeny, Iowa, Gina (Tom) Boehmer of Mason City, Roy Slocum of Sheffield, Iowa, Kim Frank of Mason City, Kelley (Rick) Hammitt of Garner, Iowa, and Rob Meyer of Sheffield, Iowa; 13 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; two special friends: Beverly Bartleson and her daughter, Penny, of Clear Lake, as well as other relatives and friends.
Roy was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; a daughter, Shirley Slocum, and three sisters.
