Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Louise M. Wedeking, 98, of Clear Lake, died Thursday, May 31, 2007 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.
Funeral services were Monday, June 4, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with Fr. John Tilp officiating. Interment was in the Clear Lake Cemetery.
Louise was born Dec. 27, 1908 in Blairsburg, Iowa the daughter of John and Lula "Brown" Fank.
They moved to Britt, Iowa when she was four years of age. She attended rural country school in the area.
On June 10, 1933 she was united in marriage to Lorenz Wedeking at the Catholic Church in Britt. They lived in Cresco, Iowa for one year, Decorah, Iowa and West Union, Iowa and then moved back to Clear Lake in 1940.
She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Clear Lake, Catholic Daughters of America and the church circles for many years.
Louise enjoyed dancing, golfing, playing bridge, flowers, gardening and especially her grandchildren. She was well known for her homemade bread and her fried chicken.
She is survived by her two daughters, Donna Watson, Clear Lake, and Dorothy Schaefer, Montgomery, Ala.; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Wedeking, Vancouver, Wash.; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lorenz, 1978; son, Larry, in 1995; four sisters; six brothers; a grandson, Brian Schaefer; and son-in-law, Ken Watson in 2001.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Shirley Ann Pruin Carroll, 79, of Mason City, Iowa, died Saturday, June 2, 2007, at the Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 6, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 5th Street SE, Mason City, with the Rev. Harry H. Koelker officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Rockwell, Iowa.
Shirley Ann Pruin Carroll was born on Oct. 8, 1927 near Mason City, on the farm she called home her entire life. She was one of 12 children of Thomas N. and Frances Berkenmier Paulsen. She received her education and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School. She was united in marriage to William Pruin on Oct. 22, 1945 and to this union three children were born. William preceded her in death on March 24, 1958. She was united in marriage to John L. Carroll on July 30, 1977. John preceded her in death on Dec. 18, 1980.
Shirley was a farmer, a homemaker, a cookie baker, and a Democrat. She was a very active and life-long member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and a volunteer for various civic organizations.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter and son-in-law, Laura J. and Thomas Hahn of Iowa City; her daughter, Linda L. Kunkel of Massillon, Ohio; five grandchildren, Jason and his wife, Julie Hahn, of Des Moines, Iowa, Steven Satrum of Oak Grove, Mo., Eric Satrum of Delaware, Ohio, Krystal Pruin of Radcliffe, Iowa, and Scarlett Pruin of Iowa City; five great-grandchildren, Marissa Satrum of Oak Grove, Mo., Brandon Satrum of Delaware, Ohio, and Elizabeth, Abigail and Olivia Hahn of Des Moines; two sisters, Patricia Barnes of Sheffield, Iowa and Pauline Garcia of Clear Lake; a brother and sister-in-law, Don and Helen Paulsen of Mason City; many nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and friends.
Shirley was preceded in death by her son, William T. "Bill" Pruin on April 4, 1995; husbands, William Pruin and John L. Carroll; her parents; and brothers and sisters, Lauretta Cimijotti, Leonard Paulsen, Clara Mae Williamson, Thomas Paulsen, Doris Grube, Kenneth Paulsen, Howard Paulsen, Barbara Jean Fountas, and Tolla Blowers.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to Hospice of North Iowa in Shirley's memory.
Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Clifford Eugene Kiefer, 90, of Chester, Iowa, died Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 9, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel with Pastor Tom Healey officiating. Full military honors will be conducted by Clear Lake V.F. W. at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in Madison Township Cemetery, Forest City, Iowa. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 p.m. at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel. Memorials may be directed to Clifford E. Kiefer Memorial Fund in care of Linda Pate, 1306 10th Ave. North, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428.
Clifford was born June 24, 1916, in Ellington Township in Hancock County, Iowa, to Hazel (Hurd) and Valentine Kiefer, the fourth of nine children. He served in WWII as an Army Paratrooper in the Pacific, and was honorably discharged. Clifford married
Jewel Bundy on Dec. 3, 1946. He was a farmer for nearly 30 years near Kensett, Forest City and Chester, Iowa. He briefly worked as an ironworker at John Deere Tractor, Waterloo, Iowa.
During retirement Cliff was an avid gardener. He enjoyed family gatherings and was a member of the Lime Springs V.F.W. Post 4561.
Clifford is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jewel, of Chester; a son, Gary (Dianne) of Ottumwa, Iowa; a daughter, Linda (Jesse) Pate of Clear Lake, and a son, Doug, of Scottsdale, Az.; a brother, Robert, of Clear Lake; a sister, Francis (Robert) Adams, of Forest City; five grandchildren, Kristi (Jeff Reininga) Kiefer, Brad Kiefer, Nichole Kiefer, Hollie (Dean) Mosher, and Jeff Pate; and four great-grandchildren, Tyler Mosher, and Madison, Kaylee, and Hayden Reininga; and several nieces and nephews.
Clifford was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jay Eugene; sisters, Verna Drake, Ruth Irvin, Wanda Johnson; and brothers, Charles, Don and Shirley.
Former resident George LeRoy Anderson, 83, died March 2, 2007, in Cañon City, Colo.
He was born Jan. 13, 1924, in Pemberton, Minn., to Melvin and Mabel Anderson. He married
Muriel Hughes Aug 11, 1946, in Nashua, Iowa.
On March 1, 1945, as a young Marine private, he served in Iwo Jima. During this epic World War II battle, he was shot and critically wounded near Kitano Point by a Japanese sniper. He was a decorated and honorably discharged veteran having served with K Company, 27th Reserve Regiment, 5th Marine Division (Spearhead).
After retiring from Borden's in Mason City, Iowa he moved to Colorado where he spent countless hours volunteering during his 25 years there.
Left to cherish the memory of this quiet, gentle man are his children, Kevin of Des Moines, Iowa, Curtis of Golden, Colo., Victoria, of Casper, Wy., Vincent of Mason City, Daniel of Cañon City, and Dana of Gunnison, Colo.; his brother, Wilford of Tucson, Ariz.; sisters, Barbara Wood of Clear Lake and Caren Ellis of Mason City; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Brian and sister, Betty Jean Kigar.
A graveside inurnment service with full military honors was conducted Saturday, June 2, at Memorial Park Cemetery Mason City.
Alston G. Penfold, 87, of Clear Lake, died Saturday June 9, 2007 at the I.O.O.F. Home, Mason City, Iowa.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 13, 11 a.m. at the Fayette Congregation Church, Fayette, Mich. with the Rev. Lon Hider officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service on Wednesday at the church.
Interment will be in the Sac Bay Cemetery, Fairbanks Township, Delta County, Mich. with military honors by the American Legion Post. Family suggests memorials to Fayette Congregational Church or Garden Historical Society.
Alston was born Feb. 22, 1920 the son of Percy and Sue Taylor (Moore) Penfold in Maple Grove, Mich. He graduated from East Jordan High School and then Michigan State University.
He married
Ivadelle Smith Beardslee on Sept. 26, 1942 in Lake Angelus, Mich. He served in the United States Army during WWII.
Alston made a career in the dairy industry, becoming an acknowledged expert in drying processes, and retired in 1985 from management of the Associated Milk Producers' facility in Jessup, Iowa. He moved to Fairport on the Garden Peninsula in the UP of Michigan, where he enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He was a member of Fayette Congregational Church, the American Legion, and the Garden Historical Society.
He is survived by his three children, Kathleen Head and her husband, Elton, Highlands Ranch, Colo., Alston W. Penfold and his wife Marlene, Clear Lake, and Nancy Ann Scott and her husband, Robert, Cincinnati, Ohio; nine grandchildren, Christopher Head and his wife, Stephanie, Robyn Head, Jason Penfold, Dr. Kathleen Voortmann and her husband, Jeramy, David Penfold and his wife, Melinda, Grant Voss and his wife, Debbie, Philip Voss, Mikhail Voss and Penny Jo Voss and five great-grandchildre, Ian Head, Connor Head, Kirsten Head, Xavier Adam Voss and Malinda Voortmann.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ivadelle; three brothers, Darwin, DuWayne and Albert Penfold and one sister, Elizabeth Scales.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Donald Earl McNeil, 88, a resident of Apple Valley Assisted Living, Clear Lake, died Monday, June 11, 2007 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa. Memorial services will be held 3 p.m. Thursday, June 14, at Apple Valley Assisted Living, 307 27th Ave. South, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jo Frahm-Watkins of the First United Methodist Church, Mason City officiating. There will be no visitation. Upon the family's wishes his body will be cremated. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Hospice of North Iowa.
Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory in charge of arrangements.
Maxine Edith Bacon, 81, of 105 South Shore Drive, Clear Lake, died Sunday, June 10, 2007 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. Memorial services will be held 10:30 a.m, Friday, June 15, at the Church of Christ, 2010 14th Ave. North, Clear Lake, with Pastor James Allard and Pastor Curtis McGinnis officiating. Inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. Visitation will be held Thursday from 4 -7 p.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 North 4th St., Clear Lake.
Maxine was born July 12, 1925 in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Erma (Whitmore) Clark. Maxine attended Britt #3 Country Schoolhouse through 8th grade. Maxine married
Lewis H. Bacon on July 11, 1944 at the Clear Lake Methodist parsonage. They made their home on a farm north of Ventura until Lewis's death on June 2, 1969. Maxine did housekeeping in Clear Lake and moved to Clear Lake in the early 1970's. She worked for E.F. Johnson in Clear Lake and while working there, obtained her G.E.D. Following the closing of E.F. Johnson she attended North Iowa Area Community College. She worked for Opportunity Village in the Development Office for 29 years, retiring May 3, 2007 due to her health. Maxine's biggest priority in life was spending time with her family. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren's activities and just hanging out with them. She enjoyed working in her flower garden, crocheting, NASCAR and listening to music. Maxine was member of the Church of Christ, Clear Lake.
Maxine is survived by her children, Susan L. Bacon of Clear Lake, Mark L. (Doris) Bacon of Mason City, Mary L. (Cliff) Petersen of Fertile, Iowa, and Lori L. (Jerry) Barkela of Clear Lake; six grandchildren, Matthew (Melissa) Petersen, Abigail Petersen and special friend, Trey Williams, Adam Barkela and fiancée, Kelli Thompson, David Barkela, Jenni (Will) Speicher, Josh Bacon and Andrea Miller; one great-granddaughter, Avery Bacon; two sisters, Erma Lou (Jerry) Smith of Mason City, and Barbara (Bob) Roenfranz of Arkansas; four sisters-in-law, Frances Clark of Plymouth, Iowa, Mary Clark of Mason City, Anna Grace Bacon and Shirley Neel, both of Clear Lake, and Rosemary (Merle) Isebrand of Florida; one brother-in-law, Cletus Shimek of Charles City, Iowa.
Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lewis; infant son, Gary Bacon; grandson, Joey Petersen; three brothers, Morris Clark, Harold Clark and Robert Clark, two sisters, Marjorie Toppin and Phyllis Shimek.
Linda K. (Gossman) Acker, 61, of 1008 Delaware Ave., Mason City, Iowa bravely ended her brief battle with ovarian cancer at the University of Iowa Hospitals and went home to be with her Heavenly Father on June 12, 2007. Linda faced this challenge in her life like she did all others, with courage and dignity.
Funeral services were held Saturday, June 16, at Agape Christian Family Church, Clear Lake, with Pastor David Toyne officiating. Private inurnment will be at a later time in the Garden of Memories, Waterloo, Iowa. Family suggests memorials to Linda K. Acker Memorial Fund and they can be sent to the family at 2708 S. Lakeview Drive, Clear Lake, IA 50428.
The blessing began on Aug. 1, 1945 in Decorah, Iowa where Linda Kay was the second daughter born to Arland and Kathleen (Knox) Gossman. They moved to Evansdale, Iowa where Linda spent the rest of her childhood growing up with her four sisters and three brothers in their humble surroundings at 910 East End Ave.
She graduated from Columbus High School in 1963 and moved to Milwaukee, Wis. She worked at Wisconsin Electric. She met and married
James Acker and together they had three sons. They later divorced.
In the face of adversity, Linda moved back to Iowa with her three boys and made a home in Mason City as she started her new life as a single mother.
She worked at various Barlas establishments for the past 23 years, most recently the Hanford. New friendships were made when Fleet Farm opened in Mason City where Linda was employed as cashier from that day to the present.
Linda's life was dedicated to her three sons and later to the arrival of her five precious grandchildren, Michiah, Alexis, Kailee, Camry and Nick. She loved spending time with them and they always put a smile on her face.
Linda is survived by her sons, Chris of Des Moines, Iowa, Sean (Lorna) of Mason City, and Adam of Mason City; three granddaughters, Alexis, Kailee and Camry of Mason City; two grandsons, Michiah of Oregon and Nick of Mason City; three sisters, Theresa Diane Gossman of Chicago, Ill., Dureen (Gary) Bradshaw of Clear Lake, Denise Gossman Hauptly of Des Moines; three brothers, Dennis Michael (Sherri) Gossman of Chicago, Mark (Amy) Gossman of Denver, Colo., and Jeff (Lana) Gossman of Denver; nine nephews; three nieces; three great-nephews, six great-nieces and several aunts and uncles.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Arland and Kathleen Gossman; a sister, Jeanine Brasher; maternal and paternal grandparents and a niece, Savanah Lynn Bradshaw.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.
Donna Belle (Wigg) Orte, age 73, a native of Clarion, Iowa, passed away, Monday, June 11, 2007, at the Wright Medical Center Hospice Unit, Clarion, surrounded by the love and care of her family following a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 14, at the Clarion Church of Christ, 420 North Main St., Clarion. The Rev. Timothy Platt was the officiant. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. Those wishing to share an expression of sympathy with the family through a card or memorial may direct them to the Family of Donna B. Orte C/O Andrews Funeral Homes, P.O. Box 224, Belmond, Iowa, 50421.
Donna Belle Wigg, the daughter of Hartwig Racine and Estella Marie (Smith) Hansen, was born March 21, 1934 at Clarion, Iowa. She began her life long Christian faith journey through baptism at the Clarion Church of Christ. Donna and her siblings were raised in Clarion and she attended Clarion Schools graduating from Clarion High School in the class of 1952.
Following her education Donna was employed with the Birdsall, Archerd, Nagel Law Firm in Clarion for three years. She then moved to Clinton, Iowa, where she lived while being employed for General Electric in Morrison, Ill. During her tenure there she met her eventual husband, Marvin Ray Orte. The couple was united in marriage on Feb. 11, 1956, at the Clarion Church of Christ. Their union was blessed with five wonderful children.
Donna was employed for many years in the heath care industry as a bookkeeper of the Clarion Care Center and also for a time at the Fairfield Care Center, Fairfield, Iowa. Much of her career was in the administrative office roles.
She also owned and operated a bakery in Fairfield for 11 years, a career torch that has been continued by the Orte's Bakery in Mason City, Iowa.
Donna's number one focus in life was providing for the needs of her children, surrounding each of them with her love and nurturing care, teaching them the value of caring for others and the ethic of hard work.
She was a life long devoted member of the Clarion Church of Christ where she fulfilled a wide variety of roles. Donna was active in the Pioneer Club, youth programs leadership, church camp programs, Vacation Bible School, Adult Sunday School, and faithfully served whenever and wherever the need arose. She gave of her time to the Meals on Wheels programs and volunteered at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.
Donna enjoyed raising a beautiful flower and vegetable garden, a friendly but competitive game of 500, working crossword and word search puzzles.
Those left to cherish Donna's memory include her children, Marty and wife, Susan, Orte, Sheffield, Iowa, Connie and husband, Scott Erickson, Belmond, Steven and wife, Tamara, Orte, Clear Lake, David Orte, Tuscon, Az., and Linda Orte, Fairfield, Iowa, and Susan Erickson and fiancee', Brian Larsen, Belmond, most recently of Hampton, Iowa; her grandchildren, Matthew Orte, Ben Tedrow and Heidi, Chad Tedrow and wife, Lacey, Amy Tedrow, Shawn Orte, Courtney Orte, and Colton Orte, Julie Hall and husband Greg, and Kara and Kassie Erickson; seven great-grandchildren; her two sisters, Phyllis Arthur, Mason City, and Marjorie Trees, Belmond; sister-in-law, Imogene Wigg, Clarion; her special friend, Anton Prechtal, Fairbanks, Alaska, and many nieces and nephews.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents; her step-father, Hans Hansen; and a brother, Robert Wigg.
