Harvey L. Behrends
Harvey L. Behrends, 69, of 1201 Magnolia Parkway died Sunday, September 14, 2003 at Allen Memorial Hospital. He was born June 25, 1934 in Bristow, Iowa the son of Richard and Tina (Brinkman) Behrends.
Harvey graduated from Bristow High School in 1953. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He worked as a truck mechanic for H & W Trucking for 30 years retiring in 1986. In his free time Harvey enjoyed working on cars and camping. He enjoyed traveling when he was younger including trips to Hawaii. He especially enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs play baseball and he knew everything about all of their players. In his high school days he played baseball, basketball.
Harvey is survived by 5 daughters: Debora Kay White of Greene, Iowa; Robin (Wayne) Beninga of New Hartford; Teresa Peverill of New Hartford; Lori (Ron) Grell of Dike; Kelly (Doug) Peverill of Hudson; a son Doug Peverill and his wife Amy of San Diego, CA; son-in-law Paul Beninga of Waterloo; 16 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren; a brother Russell Behrends of Evansdale; 2 sisters: Mary Mulford of Clarksville, and LaVonne Fritze of Clarksville. He is preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers: Clarence Behrends, Hank Behrends, and Raymond Behrends; and a sister Helen Hinds.
Marlin J. Behrends
Marlin J. Behrends, 82, of 1625 Baltimore St. died Friday September 24 at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home. Marlin was born May 11, 1922 in Aplington, Iowa the daughter of Claus and Etta (Brower) Behrends.
Marlin attended school in Aplington, Iowa. He married Frances Wilson January 25, 1943. She died February 14, 1997. Marlin married Rose Marchese April 8, 1998 in Waterloo.
Marlin served in the United States Army. He was employed by John Deere in Waterloo until his retirement in 1985.
Marlin is survived by his wife, Rose, a step son Joseph Michael Marchese and his wife Judy of Dumont, Iowa; step daughter Mary Ann Moore and her husband Patrick of Waterloo; a dtep daughter Mindy Lee Stiner and her husband Michael of Tully, New York; several step grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother Warren Berhends and his wife Tena of Traer, Iowa; and a sister Margaret Gifford and her husband Bill of Sioux City, Iowa. He is preceded in death by a sister Grace Bleeker and a brother Claus Behrends.
Rex Bell
Rex was born September 2, 1937 in Waterloo, Iowa to the union of Rudolph Bell and Alcoza Flowers Bell.
At a very young age he accepted Christ at Antioch Baptist Church and rededicated himself in 2002.
Rex graduated from East High School in 1955 after which he served in the Air Force from 1956 until 1960.
He was employed at John Deere Tractor Works for 30 years retiring in 1996. Prior to that he worked for Black Hawk County as a Deputy Sheriff and at Rath Packing Company in Waterloo.
Rex married Marie Houston in April 7, 1956 and was later divorced. He then married Camile Bryant in 1960 and they too divorced. In 1978 he married Mattie Meeks, they divorced the same year.
Rex fell peacefully asleep Thursday morning at 12:00 a.m. at Covenant Medical Center of Natural Causes.
Rex loved to hunt and fish and being outdoors. He was an avid gun collector; enjoyed traveling and keeping up with his family. Rex was always learning; becoming licensed with the FAA as a Private Pilot.
He is survived by his 6 children Cassandra White of Waterloo; Sheryl (Kym) Jones of Romulus, MI; Dori Bell of Garland, TX; Roxanne Bell of Dallas, TX; Rex Nicholas Bell Jr. of Waterloo; and Rodney Bell of Memphis, TN. Two Brothers Gregory Bell of Denver, CO; Warren Bell of Pennsylvania; and a sister Jennifer Franklin of Des Moines, IA; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers Ralph Bell and Rudolph Bell Jr (Bunkie).
Dorothy G. Bemisdarfer
Dorothy G. Bemisdarfer, 81, of 707 Newton Street, died at her home Monday, September 8, 2003. Dorothy was born April 7, 1922 in Waterloo, the daughter of Clifford and Winifred (Hedgecock) Knode. Dorothy grew up in Waterloo and graduated from West Waterloo High School in 1939.
Dorothy married Frank Bemisdarfer February 5, 1949 in Mason City. She enjoyed bowling, cards, and baseball, especially the Cubs and the Braves.
Dorothy is survived by her husband Frank; daughter Linda (Rick) Phillips of Cedar Falls; son Craig (Sharon) Bemisdarfer of Grinnell; grandson Brian Bemisdarfer of Scottsdale, AZ; grandson Scott Bemisdarfer of Scottsdale; granddaughter Angela (Ty) Graham of Cedar Falls; granddaughter Andrea Phillips of Cedar Falls; grandson Jason (Lisa) Phillips of Waterloo and their daughters, Dorothy's great granddaughters, Kylee and Breann; and her brother Lloyd (Katherine) Knode of Waterloo.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents.
Della A. Berndt
Della A. Berndt, 85, of Elk Run Heights, died Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at Ravenwood Nursing and Rehab. Center following a lengthy Illness. She was born on April 1, 1918 in Manchester, Iowa, daughter of Dale William and Elvira M. (Logan) Munger.
Della worked as a long distance telephone operator in Minneapolis for nine years.
Della enjoyed sewing clothing, especially dresses for her daughters. She commented that they lived 13 different places before settling in Waterloo, including Minnesota, Flint, Michigan and Des Plaines, IL. Della was a member of the Faith Assembly of God Church.
She is survived by her husband, Clifford, a daughter Linda Sundermeyer and her husband Richard, of Marion, a son Carlton and his wife Melody, of Cherry Valley, Illinois, a daughter Joyce Wagner and her husband Mark, of Rochester, Minnesota, and sister Muriel Hillers and her husband Raymond, of Manchester, IA.
Della is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Dale Douglass Munger and her sister Miriam D. Manwiller.
Roger L. Biersner
Roger Lee Biersner, 74, died Monday, April 7, 2003, at the Covenant Medical Center. He was born in Stratford, Iowa, son of Allie and Esther Westrum Biersner. Roger graduated from the Dike High School.
He married Jo Ann M. Harrison on October 27, 1951 in Waterloo. She died November 12, 1988. He was an auto salesman for the majority of his life. After retiring from auto sales, he worked for several years as an inspector for Operation Threshold in Waterloo. He served in the Army during the Korean War.
Roger is survived by his four daughters: Pamela and her husband Arthur Stille of Waterloo. Suzanne and her husband Chris Wilson of Waterloo. Elizabeth and her husband Paul Stapella of South Lake, TX. Sandra and her husband Bill Benson of Evansdale. Sixteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren. His mother: Esther Biersner of Dike. Four brothers: Sam, Jim, Earl Biersner, all of Dike, and Ed Biersner of California. Two sisters: Donna Bausman of Wellsburg and Avonell Biersner of Des Moines.
He was preceded in death by his father and his wife.
Clyde E. Bird
Clyde E. Bird, 89, of Waterloo, died Saturday, July 26, 2003, at Friendship Village Retirement Center of cancer. He was born February 28, 1914, at Rock Rapids, Iowa, the son of John E. and Ethel (Ormond) Bird. He graduated from Rock Rapids High School and attended Morningside College in Sioux City.
Clyde married Ida Nichols in 1936 in Rock Rapids and she died in 1963. He married Irene Arends Tapper June 17, 1967 in Waterloo. Clyde worked as a salesman at J.C. Penney in Rock Rapids, at Gamble Robinson in Eldora before moving to Waterloo. He worked for thirty six years for Mead in Waterloo.
Clyde is survived by his wife Irene; son Robert (Sherry) Bird of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; two grandchildren, Bonnie (Ned) Stephenson of Oxford, Ohio and Robert (Nancy) Bird Jr. of Claremont, California; five great grandchildren; brother in law Grant (Lucille) Arends of Cedar Falls; sister in law Eleanor Arends of Humboldt; sister in law Ruth Cessna of Rockford, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister in law Violet Armstrong and her husband Oscar; brother in law Rev. Robert Cessna; and brother in law Merle Arends.
Mary F. Blunt
Mary F. Blunt, 87, of 1120 Lorraine Avenue, Waterloo, died Thursday, September 23, 2004, of natural causes. She was born on January 26, 1917, the daughter of George Wesley and Myrtle (Elam) Ellsworth. Mary graduated from Waterloo West High School.
She married Joseph Blunt in 1951 in Waterloo, Iowa. He died in 1986. Mary worked for J.C. Penney's Potter's Polar Pantry, Varsity Cleaner's adn played piano for the Mary Bee's.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Sherill Allen and her husband Jim, of Waterloo; five grandchildren, Steven (Lisa) Newell, of Waterloo, Shiela (Chris) Larson, of Waterloo, Mary (Dave) Michelsen, of Waterloo, Deb (Stacy) Pullins, of Houston, TX, and Susie (Denis) MacMahon, of LaPorte City, IA.: and eight great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Joseph.
Marvin K. Bobst
Marvin K. Bobst, 86, of 404 Trail Ave., Evansdale, died Saturday, December 6, 2003, at Allen Memorial Hospital. Marvin was born March 13, 1917, in Franklin County, the son of George and Minnie (Letzring) Bobst.
For most of his life Marvin was engaged in carpentry work but for the last 20 years, until retiring, he was a dairy farmer in Sebeka, Minnesota.
Marvin was an enthusiastic motorcyclist, finally stopped riding at age 79. In his youth he was a golden - glove boxer.
Marvin was a man who loved to tinker and was always designing and building things in his head or on paper. He loved to tell tall tales and used to tell his grandkids about his dog skipper running off with his motorcycle or snowmobile in the middle of the night. He loved his grandkids and loved to keep them laughing with his tall tales and shenanigans.
Marvin is survived by his wife Viola; son Darvin (Lyn) Bobst of Waterloo; son in law Charles Kohrs of Evansdale; six grandchildren, Sandra (Jim) Sadler, Russell (Diane) Kohrs, Pamela (Greg) Rottinghaus, Michael (Gail) Kohrs, Joseph (Karen) Bobst, James (Shawn) Bobst; eight great grandchildren; brother Maurice (Donna) Bobst of Menagha, MN; sister Wilma White of Perham, MN; sister Berdean (Les) Allen of Dumont.
Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; daughter JoAnn Kohrs in 1982; sisters Thelma Chapman, Lorna McClemmons and Genevieve Cerwinski; brothers Rollin, Duane, Beryl and Delbert; three half sisters Grace, Ada, and Allie.
Mary L. Bowers
Mary Lydia Bowers, 97, of Pharr, Texas, formerly of Hudson, died on Tuesday, February 1, 2005, at the Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen, Texas. Mary was born June 5, 1907, in Sundance, Wyoming, the daughter of Walter Edward and Edith Adeline (Stiehl) Harper.
Mary married Richard Wolfe Bowers June 23, 1929. He died July 6, 1997. Together they farmed in Black Hawk County for many years. Mary was a member of the Iowa Farm Bureau and Hudson United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday School for many years. She was also active as a 4-H leader. Mary enjoyed traveling as well as sewing and music especially playing the organ. She enjoyed cooking and baking for family dinners and always had cookies around the house.
Mary is survived by 2 daughters of McAllen, Texas, Jean Semler and her husband Richard and Betty Sieglaff and her husband Cecil. She is survived by 5 grandchildren: Duane (Diane) Semler of Berea, Kentucky; Carol (Steve) Cooney of Liberty, Missouri; Bonnie Bowers of McAllen, Texas; Angela (Titof) Aquice of Cedar Rapids; and Jeffery (Teresa) Sieglaff of Des Moines; 17 Great Grandchildren Amanda Semler, Keith Semler, Ryan Cooney, Mitch Cooney, Katey Cooney, Erzsie Cooney, Erin Bowers, Ross (Darci) Ritter, Scott Boehmer, Jill Boehmer, Joshua Sieglaff, Roxann Sieglaff, Wesley Aquice, Allison Aquice, and Gretchen Aquice; and 3 great great grandchildren. Mary is survived by a sister Esther Scott of Waterloo and a brother Floyd Harper of Cedar Falls, and five nephews and a niece. She is preceded in death by a sister Grace Stansbury and a brother Laurence Harper.
George G. Bowser
George G. Bowser, 66, of 812 Steely St. died Wednesday, December 25, 2002 at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home. He was born December 15, 1936 in Iowa City, Iowa the son of George Benton and Kathlyn Elizabeth (Baker) Bowser.
George attended West High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958. George married Marjorie Muir in July of 1959 in Las Vegas. They were later divorced. He married Kathaleen Godbey November 25, 1977 in Waverly.
George was gentle, energetic, original, right, great, and earthy. He was a brother, ordinary, wise, a shopper, encouraging, and real.
George is survived by his wife; 4 sons, all of Waterloo: Gary Bowser, George Bowser, Gerald Bowser, Chris Bowser and his wife Deidre; 3 daughters, all of Waterloo: Denise Bowser, Debbie Kemp and her husband James, Tina Smith and her husband Wade; 7 grandchildren; a brother Dan Bowser and his wife Patty of Evansdale; and a sister Myrt Fifield of Waterloo. He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister Barb McAhren and a brother Duane "Bud" Bowser.
Ed Boyenga
Ed Boyenga, 71, of 1200 E. Mitchell Ave., Waterloo, died Tuesday, October 14, 2003, at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo. Ed was born June 12, 1932 in Faulkner, Iowa, the son of Edward and Tena (Bleeker) Boyenga. He grew up in the Ackley area, graduated from Ackley High School.
Ed married Leola Nederhoff in 1965 at the First Christian Reformed Church of Wellsburg. She died in 1984.
Ed served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War. He worked at Chamberlain Manufacturing Company for 26 years, until the plant closed. Ed was active at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, serving as a deacon, enjoyed time with his family, the Iowa Hawkeye Teams, birdwatching, his cat and simple pleasures.
Ed is survived by his daughter Cindy (Donald) Phillips of Belle Plaine; son Kent (Jennifer) Terry-Boyenga of Ottumwa; 4 grandchildren, Zachary, Dylan, Mikayla, and Ian; sister Marion Bodecker of Waterloo; sister Betty (James) Wilkens of Marshalltown; brother Arlyss of Caballa, NM; and brother Alvin of Ackley.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents and wife Leola.
Charles W. Braatz
Charles W. Braatz, 71, of 208 Alice Ave, died Monday, August 16 at Covenant Medical Center from heart failure. He was born December 24, 1932 in Whittemore, Iowa the son of Werner and Louise (Sprong) Braatz. He graduated from Grundy Center High School in 1950. Charlie married Gwen Joyce Russell in 1952. They were later divorced. He married Donna O'Brian on May 14, 1983 in Waterloo.
Charlie worked for the Waterloo Police Department from April of 1960 until March of 1973. He was promoted to detective in 1968. After leaving the police department he worked in security at John Deere until retirement. He served in the U.S. Army overseas. In his free time Charlie enjoyed woodworking, making wooden children’s toys and crafts. He also enjoyed trains and was a rail road buff. He and Donna traveled to Las Vegas and to North Carolina. Charlie liked playing on the computer and enjoyed collecting coins and books.
Charlie is survived by his wife Donna of Waterloo; son Charles "Tony" (Cindy) Braatz of Waterloo; a son Randy Braatz of Bond, CO; a son Kerry (Diane) Braatz of Bond, CO; a daughter Becky (Mitch) Meminger of Pacific, Missouri; a son Marty (Lori) Braatz of Racine, WI; 18 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister Mary (Bob) Waite of Goodell, IA; a sister Betty (Bill) Christerson of Marshalltown, IA, a brother Louie (Mary) Braatz of Platsmouth, NE; a sister Elizabeth Klein of Tripoli, IA; and a sister Sharon (Jim) Meggison of Waterloo. He is prededed in death by his parents; two nephews; and brother-in-law, Leroy Klein
Al Brandt
Alrich "Al" Brandt, 84, of 134 Marie Ave., Elk Run Heights, died Friday, May 14, 2004 at Sartori Memorial Hospital. Al was born September 20, 1919, at the family farm near Stout, Iowa, the son of Alrich and Rieka (Frey) Brandt.
Al served in the Army during WW II, discharged in 1945. He married Anna A. Jurgens Jurrens August 27, 1947 in Waterloo. Al worked as a carpenter for awhile and then started at John Deere where he worked for 35 years, retiring in 1982. He was a charter member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, helping to build the first chapel, served Elk Run Heights as a City Council member and building inspector, and was a past Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post # 1623.
Al loved the outdoors, the family's cabin on the Mississippi and weekends and vacations spent there, hunting, fishing, boating, and camping. He was hard working and honest, a perfectionist as a carpenter who was always ready to help family and friends. He took great pride in the fact that he built the family's home in Elk Run Heights, where they have lived the past 51 years.
Al is survived by his wife Anna; four children and 10 grandchildren and six great grandchildren: son Gerald (Lily) Brandt of Windsor, Maine and children Kevin (Jodele) Brandt and Bobby Brandt; step son Richard (Joy) Jurrens of Quincy, IL and children Erika and Erin; Andrea (David) Gordon and their daughters Olivia and Alexis; daughter Cheryl (Bob) Knappe of Denver, CO, and children Todd Knappe and Tricia (Ricardo) Gonzalez and their daughters Aleka and Miranda; and daughter Jane (Perry) Schoff and children Tony (Tricia) Hocamp and children Elisabeth and Nicholas, Talisha (Michael) Davis, and Isaac Schoff.
Louis F. Breitbach
Louis F. Breitbach, 86, of 330 Prospect Avenue, died on Friday, December 31, 2004 at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home of natural causes. He was born on January 21, 1918 in Independence, IA, the son of Charles F. and Gertrude (Klotz) Breitbach. Louis married Ida Hamilton in 1940 in Quimby, IA.
Louis graduated from Winthrop High School in 1935 and from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls in 1939. He had many teaching and coaching assignments, including at Manchester and West Waterloo. He resigned his assignment in Waterloo and went into sales in Mason City, IA and then in Waukesha, WI. He returned to teaching and coaching at East Waterloo. While coaching, Lou had state football championships at West in 1949, and at East in 1953. After three years, he resigned his coaching position and went back to the University of Northern Iowa to get his master’s degree in guidance and counseling. After earning his MA, he worked for the Cedar Rapids, La Porte City and Independence public schools. He retired in 1981, after 33 years in education. Since his retirement, he has spent most of his time on his financial planning business, Breitbach Financial.
He was a member of the Kimball Avenue United Methodist Church and a Charter Member of Sports of Sorts. (S.O.S.)
Lou is survived by his wife, Ida; daughter, Mary Lou Breitbach of Waterloo; son, Joe (Julie) Breitbach of Waverly; son, Dan (Cheryl) Breitbach of Waverly; daughter-in-law, Francine Johnson of Rio Verde, AZ; daughter-in-law, Cindy Dunn of Manchester; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Norris (Ilah) Breitbach of Oregon, WI; brother, Paul (Gen) Breitbach of Wake Forest, NC; sister-in-law, Norma Breitbach of Charles City, IA; sister-in-law, Kay Breitbach of Hutchinson, KS; and sister-in-law, Virginia Breitbach of Kaukauna, WI.
Louis is preceded in death by his parents; 2 sons, Ted and Ben; and 3 brothers, Dean, Robert, and Raymond.
Eugene W. "Gene" Buck
Eugene W. "Gene" Buck was born April 24, 1930 in Waterloo the son of Lars and Astrid Lindkvist Buck. He married Elcina Ackerman October 24, 1958 in Waterloo. Gene served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.
Gene worked for Rath Packing Company before going to work for John Deere where he was a machinist at the engine works for 24 years before retiring in 1990.
Gene was an outdoors man. He enjoyed fishing, shooting, taking trips, and his motorcycles. He was a very steadfast person. Gene could tackle any job and could repair most things. It was said that once Gene fixed it- it was Buckinized. He will be remembered for his homemade boat and the gun club flag pole among other things. Gene enjoyed spending time with Elcina in Texas and Prairie du Chien. He was a life member of the Cedar Falls Gun Club, the Iowa State Trapshooters Association, and the Amateur Trapshooters Association. He was a member of Waterloo BPOE # 290 and First Congregational Church.
Gene is survived by his wife Elcina; 2 sisters: Myrtle Gronoski of Waterloo and Virginia Schoeneman of Ames; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and 2 sisters: Mary Weiss and Shirley Ives.
Gene died Friday, June 27, 2003 at Covenant Medical Center at the age of 73 following surgery.
Izora M. Buck
Izora M. Buck, 94, of Friendship Village, died there on Monday, February 14, 2005, of natural causes. She was born on April 25, 1910 in Plainfield, Iowa, the daughter of William A. and Dora B. (Thompson) Oberdiear. Izora graduated from Nashua High School.
Izora married Henry O. “Otto” Buck on May 10, 1946 in Waterloo, Iowa. He died on September 17, 1978. She lived in Marshalltown for 37 years, where she was an Assistant Deputy Treasurer in the Marshall County Treasurer’s office for 12 years, retiring in 1975. She then moved to Waterloo on September 1, 1983. Izora liked music; she enjoyed playing the violin and the piano. She also enjoyed spending time knitting afghans.
She is survived by her step-granddaughter, Nancy Hefton; 2 step-grandsons, Michael Wood and Barry Wood; and cousin, Marjorie Chandler and her husband Henry of Plainfield, IA.
Izora was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Henry; and step-daughter, Corinne Wood.
Dr. Robert D. Buckles
Dr. Robert D. Buckles, 78, of 1925 Westchester Road, died Sunday, June 13, 2004 at Covenant Medical Center of emphysema. He was born November 17, 1925 in Waterloo, the son of Elias and Blanche (Brothers) Buckles.
Dr. Buckles married Marcia M. Pierce. They were later divorced. He married Lillian Finke on December 30, 1969 in Chicago, Il. Dr. Buckles graduated from East High School in 1943. He graduated from the University of Iowa School of Medicine in 1953.
Dr. Buckles served in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII. During part of the 36 years he practiced medicine in Waterloo, he practiced with Drs. Waterbury and Loomis delivering 1,230 babies before retiring in February 1991. Dr. Buckles was among the first babies to be born at Allen Memorial Hospital when they opened in January of 1925.
Dr. Buckles was a member of the American Legion, American Medical Association, Iowa Medical Society, Black Hawk County Medical Society, American Academy of Family Practice and a member of the Waterloo Police Auxiliary for 15 years. He was a drummer in the Medicats and enjoyed reading and classical music. After his retirement, he enjoyed his friends and communicating with his service buddies.
Dr. Buckles is survived by his wife; two sons, Steve Buckles of Waterloo, and David Buckles and his wife Benneth, of Kansas City, Missouri; daughter, Carol Thrasher and her husband Steven, of Waterloo; 3 grandchildren, Cynthia, Lisa and Sara; 4 great grandchildren, Gabriel, Nicholas, Brayden and Dylan; and brother, Eugene Buckles and his wife Betty, of Waterloo.
Dr. Buckles is preceded in death by his parents.
Friends who wish may direct memorials to Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church, Christian Crusaders, or the Salvation Army.
Grace I. Buhlman
Grace I. Buhlman, 78, of Waterloo, died Monday, March 22, 2004 at The Cedar Valley Hospice Home following a short illness. She was born on January 31, 1926 in Waterloo, Iowa the daughter of Glen A. and Edna M. (King) Porter. She married Frank C. Buhlman on May 1,1953 in Waterloo.
Grace graduated from West High School in 1944 and graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in Des Moines, in 1946 . In the early 50's, she was the Head Nurse in Pediatrics at Schoitz Hospital. She left the hospital to raise her family and help run the family refrigeration business.
Grace enjoyed bowling. She had a good group of friends that she socialized with, including her birthday club and card group. She was creative and enjoyed baking, especially birthday cakes with themed decorations for family members. She enjoyed going on fishing trips to Canada and always caught bigger fish than Frank. She was helpful to anyone who needed help and supported her kids in everything they did.
Grace is survived by her husband Frank; son, Jim Buhlman and his wife Mary of Cedar Falls; daughter, Lynne Reith and her husband Jeff of Waterloo; six grandchildren; Shelby (Tracy) Buhlman of Evansdale, Cory (John) Bates of Fairbank, IA, Rayna Buhlman of Kansas City, MO, Joshua Robinson of Waterloo, Jodi Reith and her fiancé, Mike Maas of Minneapolis, MN, and Mark Reith of Waterloo; two great grandchildren, Bryce Buhlman and Hailey Maas; and sister, Beth Shellard of Hardy, AR.
Grace is preceded in death by her parents; three sisters; Doris Porter, Laurette Garrey, and Lucille Robinson; and brother, Donald Porter.
Gladys A. Burton
Gladys A. Burton, 95, of the Good Samaritan Home in West Union; formerly of 160 Prospect Blvd., Waterloo, died on Thursday, February 10, 2005 at Palmer Hospital, West Union of natural causes. She was born on July 28, 1909 in Delaware County, Iowa, the daughter of Godfrey and Emma (Messerli) Wenger.
Gladys graduated from Manchester High School in 1927. She married Russell J. Burton on October 18, 1930 in Waverly, Iowa. He died August 23, 1971. Gladys was a homemaker in her own home. She was also a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waterloo and a 50 year member of the Eastern Star.
She is survived by her daughter, Emma Jean Moore and her husband Ronald of West Union, IA; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Harry and Louis Wenger and infant brother.
Ruth E. Camarata
Ruth E. Camarata passed away Friday, September 19, 2003 at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo. Ruth was born May 6, 1936 to Russell L. and Elsie B. (Hamilton) Thompson in Hannibal, MO.
She married Francis Camarata in Cedar Falls on March 3, 1956.
Ruth worked at Northwestern Bell Telephone for 28 years, retiring as facility supervisor. After retirement she was employed part time at School Bus Sales in Waterloo.
Recently, she had been the organist at her church, Celebration First Assembly of God.
She is survived by her husband, Francis, of Waterloo. Two daughters, Joyce Coil and her husband David, of Cedar Falls, and Susan Saunders and her husband Kevin, of Buford, GA. Four grandchildren: Matthew Morkel of Iowa City, Jared Coil of West Point, NY, Lindsay Morkel of Lawrence, KS and Jennifer Coil of Cedar Falls. One sister, Naomi Babcock, of St Petersburg, Florida.
Her parents preceded her in death.
