Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Dayton Merriman, 97, passed away Jan. 4, 2007 in Clearwater, Fla.
Day and Jorie Merriman were former owners of the Clear Lake Reporter, having purchased it in 1945. They later purchased the Clear Lake Mirror and published the combined papers until 1956. Dayton was active in the Masons, barbershop groups and civic activities.
He is survived by his daughters, Judith, of Nebraska, Susan and Sandra, of Minnesota; also by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
Catherine "Kate" A. Davis, 90, Clear Lake, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007 at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. A funeral service was held Saturday, Jan. 27, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with Lay Assistant Richard Scott officiating. Interment will be held at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa.
Kate was born Nov. 18, 1916 in Clear Lake, the daughter of Orren and Dorcas Rose (Pester) Porter. She graduated from Clear Lake High School. She lived in Clear Lake her entire life. Kate married
Charles "Chuck" Davis on March 3, 1935 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They were married
for over 69 years. Kate was a great cook. She loved baking, sewing and her cats. Her greatest love was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a very thoughtful mother and grandmother to all. She enjoyed playing Scrabble, cards, and especially 500 at the Clear Lake Senior Citizens Center and at home. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church.
Kate is survived by four children, Sandra Cesar, Clear Lake, Jill Deuel and her husband, Rick, San Antonio, Texas, Joni Anderson, Kingman, Az. and Scott Davis and his wife, Rene, Forest City, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Shaun Cesar and his wife, Lori, Tracy Connell, Dwayne Davis, Stacie Peavy and her husband, David, Chad Deuel and his wife, Michelle, Cody Deuel, Christie Anderson and Heidi Spurlock and her husband, Davy; 13 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Kate was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles on July 3, 2004; son, Michael; two infant great-grandsons; four sisters, Flossie Skellenger, Ella Bruns, Lucille Franklin, and Esther Evans.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Leon Donald Eymann, 82, of Clear Lake, died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City, Iowa.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, at Zion Lutheran Church, 112 North 4th Street, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to church services on Wednesday at the church. Following the services there will be military honors at the church by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Clear Lake. According to his wishes his body was cremated.
The family of Leon Donald Eymann has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa West Campus Dialysis Center in his memory.
Leon Donald Eymann, was born on Aug. 2, 1924, in Forest City, Iowa, the son of L.K. and Vesta (Lewis) Eymann. Don attended school in Forest City and graduated from Forest City High School. He enlisted into the Army Air Corps during World War II and served overseas in the European Theater and was a co-pilot on a B-17 bomber and was honorably discharged as a 2nd Lt. After his honorable discharge, Don attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Don returned to Forest City to join his brother, John, in the family business selling cars and John Deere equipment. He moved to Clear Lake in 1986, working as a realtor for Northern Realty in Clear Lake.
He was united in marriage to his wife, Shirley, on Aug. 15, 1950 in Mason City, Iowa.
Don enjoyed mowing his yard, traveling, fishing, playing cards, hunting, and golfing, but his great love and enjoyment was his family and friends.
He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, and the Clear Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Shirley Eymann, of Clear Lake; three children, Suzanne Wright of Oregon City, Ore., Joni Fields and her husband, Dan of Shorewood, Minn., and Jan Eymann-McConville and her husband, Tim, of Verona, Wis.; five grandchildren, Jenny, Stephanie, Leanna, Tyler, and Kolby. Don is also survived by his sister, Marilyn Hanna and her husband, Tom, of Kensett, Iowa as well as other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lewis and John; and two sisters, Pat and Norma.
Robert D. Clark, 69, of Mason City, Iowa, died Jan. 31, 2007 at home. According to his wishes his body will be cremated and there will be no visitation or services. Inurnment will be held at a later date.
Robert Duane Clark was born on July 12, 1937 in rural Clear Lake, the son of Frank A. and Erma E. (Wetmore) Clark. He was a 1956 graduate of Ventura High School. Following graduation Bob joined the United States Air Force and was stationed in Germany as a member of the 6911th Radio Group Mobile. Following his honorable discharge Bob returned home and attended Hamilton Business College in Mason City, graduating with an accounting degree.
On Nov. 23, 1963 Robert was united in marriage to Mary R. Gross at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mason City. The couple lived in Clear Lake for over 30 years before moving back to Mason City.
Robert is survived by his wife, Mary; a son, Michael A. Clark and his wife, Patricia, of St. Ansgar, Iowa; a daughter, Jennifer M. Weinschenk and her husband, Jason, of Mason City; granddaughters, Ashlee M. Weinschenk of Mason City, Harmony M. Clark of St. Ansgar; step-grandson, Michael R. Schaub of St. Ansgar; three sisters, Maxine Bacon of Clear Lake, Barbara (Bob) Roenfanz of Mountain Home, Ark., and Erma Lou (Jerry) Smith of Mason City; sister-in-law, Frances Clark of Plymouth, Iowa and brother-in-law, Cletus Shimek of Charles City, Iowa.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Marjorie Toppin and Phyllis Shimek; two brothers, Morris and Harold Clark; brothers-in law, Paul Toppin and Louis Bacon; and sister-in-law, Barbara Clark.
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City, was in charge of arrangements.
Joyce "Pat" Cooper, 76, 2114 Pine Tree Ct., Clear Lake, died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2007 at her home with her family. A Celebration of Life Memorial service was held Saturday, Feb. 3, at the First Congregational Church, Clear Lake, with Waldorf College Chaplin Pastor Charlene Cox officiating. Inurnment will be at the Mt. Vernon Township Cemetery in rural Burchinal, Iowa at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Joyce P. Cooper Memorial Fund.
Joyce Joan Pierce was born in Primghar, Iowa on Oct 10, 1930 to Bert N. and Theresa (deVries) Pierce. She entered kindergarten in Sheldon, Iowa, attended East High in Sioux City, Iowa through her junior year, then graduated from Primghar High School as salutatorian in 1948. She attended Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, Iowa and majored in physical education with a minor in science.
She was married
to Raymond H. Cooper, also of Primghar. To this union four children were born: Cathy Sharon, Dennis Ray, Deborah Lynn, and Patricia Jo.
The family moved to rural Clear Lake in 1962 where they began farming. Pat began her career as a director of health and physical education at the YWCA. During her time at the YWCA she started a swim program for developmentally disabled children from the old Wilson School. She and her committee also began a swim team program that combined with the YMCA and became the Mason City Swim Club.
In 1984 she became a partner in a business venture with Sue Pleggenkuhle. They opened a fabric shop, "Snip and Stitch" on Main Street in Clear Lake. In later years she worked at Sperry, Unisys, and also at Stoyles Printing Company. She retired permanently in 2001.
"Grandma Pat" as she was known by many, enjoyed following all of her grandchildren's activities. She loved reading, crafting, quilting, gardening, and decorating her home for various holidays. Other interests included committee work for the Clear Lake Swimming Pool, North Central Gardens, and RSVP of North Iowa. Pat was a dedicated "Reading Buddy" for RSVP at Clear Creek Elementary School. This program was near and dear to her heart! She was a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi-Omnicron Master Chapter. She was a "Red Hat Lady with attitude!" and enjoyed Wednesday morning coffee with the ladies.
Her children, their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the most important thing in her whole life and she loved them more than anything else. Family was her whole life.
Pat is surrvived by her children, Cathy (Curt) Krieger, Mason City, Dennis (Anne) Cooper, Clear Lake, Deborah (Paul Hudson) Cooper, Ames, Iowa and Patricia (Steve) Lovik, Forest City, Iowa; grandchildren, Cory Krieger and Calynn Krieger, Paul (Kellie) Cooper and Allison (Jon) Klaassen, Nicole (Jason Blaser) Lovik-Blaser and Mallory Lovik, and Evan Hudson and Tess Hudson; great-grandchildren, Ashlin and Olivia Cooper, Sam Klaassen, and Treyton Blaser.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Cecelia "Cece" Marie Shaw, 62, 903 9th Ave S., Clear Lake, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2007 at the Heritage Care Center, Mason City, Iowa from complications of batteling diabetis. A memorial Mass will be held Friday, Feb. 9, 10:30 a.m., at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. John R. Tilp officiating. According to her wishes her body has been donated to the University of Iowa deeded Body Program. Memorials maybe given to St. Patrick's Church, Clear Lake.
Cece was born Oct. 18, 1944 in Muscatine, Iowa, the daughter of Everett and Mary (Mapes) Lange. She graduated from Hayes Catholic High School and attended Muscatine Community College. She was a dental assistant for Dr. Broghammer and later worked at Unisys. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Clear Lake, where she taught religious education, was a Eucharistic minister, and sang in the choir. She was a Brownie leader and member of the JayCee'etts.
Cece is survived by her daughters, Victoria Ballantyne, Phoenix, Az., Julia Becker and her husband, Dan, Clear Lake, and Christina Schesso and her husband, Jerry, Bloomington, Minn.; her mother, Mary C. Lange, Muscatine, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Eric, Megan and Leah Becker, Brittany, Erin and Ryan Ballantyne and Jack Schesso; her brother, James Lange and his wife, Robbie, Phoenix; two sisters, Elizabeth Fletcher and her husband, Roger, Muscatine, and Patricia Church and her husband, Al, Muscatine; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Muriel "Ardyce" Bailey, 86, of Rowan, Iowa, died Jan. 31, 2007, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.
Funeral services for Ardyce Bailey were held on Monday, Feb. 5, at the United Church of Rowan with Pastor Nancy Hofmeister officiating. Burial was at the Graceland Cemetery near Rowan.
Ardyce was born on Feb. 1, 1920, on a farm near Rowan. She was the daughter of E. R. "Rollie" and Jessie (Allen) Harris. She graduated from Rowan High School. On Sept. 1, 1940, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Elmer Bailey. They built a life together on the family farm near Rowan where they raised five children.
Ardyce was a life member of the United Church of Rowan. She was very active in her church and especially enjoyed the quilting group. She was an inspiration to many and always put other's needs before her own. Her family was the most important thing in her life. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Playing cards was a favorite pastime of hers. She was often heard to say, "Sure would be nice if some of you folks could win." Her hobbies were quilting, crocheting, gardening, cooking, playing the piano, and traveling. Each of her hand-stitched quilts was completed with love and joy. Each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild received at least one of her labors of love. She also made quilts for nieces, nephews and cousins. The number of quilts is hard to determine, but it is well over 100. Ardyce enjoyed traveling with her husband all over the United States and other countries. They also wintered in Florida, California, and Arizona.
Ardyce was currently living at the Apple Valley Assisted Living Center in Clear Lake, Iowa. She thoroughly enjoyed her time there and the helpful friends she made.
Ardyce is survived by four sons, Larry and wife, Carol of Belmond, Iowa, Dennis and wife, Donna of Rowan, Ronnie and wife, Connie of St. Joseph, Mo., and Marv and wife, Dee Dee of Klemme, Iowa; one daughter, Cindy and husband, Dean Lehs, of Clear Lake; 21 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Lois Johnson, and one brother, Merle Harris.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; her parents; and her brother, Bob Harris.
Dugger Ewing Funeral Home of Belmond, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.
Judith Ellen Olson De Jong, 72, of Ames, Iowa, died on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames.
Two Celebrations of Life will be held; Thursday, Feb. 8 from 4-6 p.m. at the Ames Golf and Country Club, and Saturday, Feb. 10 from 4-6 p.m. at the Mason City Holiday Inn. The family asks that flowers and memorials be given to the Israel Family Hospice House, 400 South Dakota Avenue, Ames, Iowa, 50014.
Judy was born on July 17, 1934 in Mason City, Iowa, to Ellen Edythe Birum and Frederick Joseph Olson. Judy graduated from Mason City High School in 1952 and attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas; Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn.; and University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minn. After college she spent five years teaching at the Anoka-Hennepin School District in Anoka, Minn., and the West Covina School District in West Covina, Calif. On June 11, 1960, she married
Paul Stephen De Jong at the bride's family home in Mason City, Iowa. After raising her two children she was employed at Iowa State University in the Office of the Registrar in the Fee and Registration division. Following retirement in 1999, Judy enjoyed researching her family genealogy, "motoring" the United States with her husband, and spending time at her Clear Lake cabin with her family.
She used her editorial and typing skills and an IBM Selectric Typewriter to prepare camera-ready copy manuscripts of the National Publication "Engineering Design Graphics Journal," and the manuscript for three editions of the 400-page college textbook "Engineering Graphics." In 1976 she was asked to assemble and lead a team of secretaries to act as a "local White House" staff during President Gerald Ford's visit to Ames.
She was an avid collector of antiques, assembled one of the foremost collections in the United States of Ceramic Art Studio Pottery, and was contributing researcher and editor for both editions of the Ceramic Arts Studio collectors guide.
She enjoyed an active life and giving back to her community. She was a member of the Iowa State University Faculty Women's Club and Chair of the Newcomer and Fine Arts Divisions; charter member and past president of Oaks Ames Quester group; associate member and past president of the local Beta Tau Delta organization; member of Chapter HO of P.E.O.; chair of the 1973 Mary Greeley Hospital Auxiliary Charity Ball; appointed to the 1976 Bicentennial Commission of Ames; Girl Scout leader and den mother; appointed by the Ames School Board to serve on two Ad Hoc School Facilities committees; studied art under the tutelage of ISU artist-in-residence Dwight Kirsch; board member of Ames League of Women Voters; member of the Ames Daughters of American Revolution (DAR); member of Des Moines Daughters of American Colonists (DAC); co-chaired the Annual Roosevelt Neighborhood Sale for 10 years; member and past president of the Roosevelt neighborhood Emanon chapter; and a member of the Collegiate Methodist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Paul De Jong of Ames; daughter, Deidre Kroll and husband, Mark, of Ballwin, Mo.; son, Tollif De Jong and wife, Anjali, of West Des Moines, Iowa; sister, Sabra Laumbach and husband, Ronald, of Chaska, Minn.; cousins, Barbara Soukup and husband, Anthony, of Georgetown, Texas, Susan Telkamp of Ivanhoe, Minn., Keith Olson and wife, Joan, of Manasquan, N.J., Fern Atkins and husband, Slim, of Alexandria, Va., Betty Lu Grune and husband, George, of Ponte Verde Beach, Fla.; nephews, Derek Laumbach of Chaska, Minn. and Langdon Laumbach and wife, Tanya, of Apple Valley, Minn.
Also surviving are her three granddaughters, Sophia Kroll, Emma De Jong, Malini De Jong, and her grandnephews, Henry Laumbach, Owen Laumbach, and Thomas Laumbach.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick Joseph and Ellen Edythe Olson.
Lyda Arlene (Koenen) Wiemann, age 82, of Meservey, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007, at the Belmond Medical Center in Belmond, Iowa following a year long battle with cancer.
Funeral services for Lyda were held Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the First Reformed Church of Meservey with the Rev. Rodney Meester officiating. Interment will be at the Meservey Cemetery in Meservey.
Lyda Wiemann, daughter of Jake and Minnie (Meints) Koenen was born on March 16, 1924, near Meservey. She was educated in country school, going through the eighth grade. Lyda married
Leonard Wiemann on June 3, 1943; together they had two children.
Lyda worked hard on the farm, driving tractors, getting the ground ready for planting, and helping at harvest time. She enjoyed keeping a spotless lawn and beautiful flowers. Lyda loved all kinds of music, from polkas to old time hymns. She had a special talent for playing the guitar, accordion, piano, and organ by ear. She told stories of how much she enjoyed playing when she was younger. Lyda enjoyed game shows and watching basketball games on television. The past year Lyda had many trials, but by her sheer will to live and her determination, she became independent again. She proved just how tough she was and took great pride in her accomplishment; she never quit. (Lyda told it like it was.) The bright spots in her life were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lyda was also a member of the First Reformed Church in Meservey.
Lyda is survived by on son, Gordon (Judy) Wiemann of Clear Lake; one daughter, Carmen (Danny) Johnson of Belmond; six grandchildren, Marcy (Randee) Hyde, Becky (Rich) Formanek, Gary (Brooke) Wiemann, Charles (Christa) Rogalla, Chanda (Jim) Englin, and Donald (Amy) Johnson; ten great-grandchildren, Jamie and Jessie Halfpop, Jacob Hyde, Brittany and Nicholas Formanek, Cody, Haley, Conner, and Cooper Wiemann, and Dylan Englin; one sister, Grace Pals of Belmond; one brother, Jake (Mavis) Koenen, Meservey; sisters-in-law, Thelma Langlitz of Meservey, Dena Pals, Jennie Steenhard, and Frieda Jurgens, all of Belmond; other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leonard; granddaughter, Heidi Wiemann; son-in-law, Charles Rogalla; two brothers, Arthur and Leland Koenen; and one sister, Tena Pals.
Dugger Ewing Funeral Home Belmond, was in charge of arrangements.
Arnold L. Rasmussen, 79, 1310 Village Road Unit A2, Clear Lake, died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007 at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. According to his wishes, his body has been cremated. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of North Iowa.
Arnold was born Jan. 5, 1928 in Mason City, the son of Harvey and Dorothy (Dahlstrom) Rasmussen. He graduated from Mason City High School. Following school he entered into the U.S. Marine Corp and served during WWII in Japan and China. After the service he worked for Interstate Power in Mason City and Clinton, Iowa until he retired.
In 1953, he married
Marabelle Painter. In 1993 he married
his childhood sweetheart, Audrey Thrams. Arnold was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Mason City and V.F.W. Post 733, Mason City where he was a past commander.
Arnold is survived by his wife, Audrey, Clear Lake; son, Greg Rasmussen and his wife, Barbara, Adair, Iowa; step-daughters, Cheryl McCleskey, LuAnn Godinez and her husband, Art, and Marlene Wagoner, all of Atlanta, Ga.; eight grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; a sister, Roselyn Pettey and her husband, Gene, San Marcas, Texas; sister-in-law, Pat Rasmussen, Long Beach, Calif. and Marjorie Rasmussen, Mason City; daughters-in-law, Mary Stanwood, Minneapolis, Minn., and Jenny Goodling, Houston, Texas; aunts, Vivian Bennett, Mason City, and Avis Reinsmoen, Mason City.
Arnold was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Lyn and Randy Rasmussen; wife, Marabelle; four brothers, Donald, Richard, Thomas and Jerry Rasmussen; and a sister, Janette Rasmussen.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of local arrangements.
