Orville Green
Orville Laverne Green, son of Jacob Leonard Green Sr. and Blanche Lee Marvin Green, was born Dec. 4, 1913, in Decatur County and died July 4, 2003, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Knoxville. He was 89.
He attended country schools in Decatur and Clarke counties and lived around Osceola for most of his life. Mr. Green served in the U.S. Army 707th M.P. Battalion during World War II in England, France and Belgium. He and two of his brothers, Marvin and Leonard, fought in the Battle of the Bulge where Leonard lost his life.
Mr. Green returned to Iowa following the war and worked for several road construction companies including Arthur Littlejohn for several years in the 70s. Working with asphalt caused health problems for Mr. Green and he was forced into early retirement.
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Davis-Pence Post No. 69 of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans. He helped with several military graveside rites in the Osceola area.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Jacob Leonard Jr. and Marvin Lewis Green.
Mr. Green is survived by his daughter, Sharon Kemmis of Indianola; two grandchildren, Teri Britt of Glendale, Ariz. and Ron Kemmis of Weston, Fla.; two great-grandchildren, Lucas and Aly Britt of Glendale;
two sisters, Viola Marohn of Cedar Rapids and Maxine Roberts and her husband, Paul Roberts, of Afton; nieces and nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Green were July 8 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. John Long of Indianola officiating. Organist was Virginia Reynolds.
Casket bearers were members of the David-Pence Post No. 69 of the American Legion at Osceola. Interment was in the Maple Hill Cemetery with graveside rites by Davis-Pence Post No. 69 of the American Legion.
Jim Hutchins
Jim Hutchins, son of James William Hutchins and Clarice Rounds Cook, was born March 9, 1946, in Des Moines and died of cancer July 7, 2003 at the Clarke County Hospital Extended Care Unit in Osceola. He was 57.
Mr. Hutchins was a small engine mechanic. He had lived in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids before moving to Osceola three years ago. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Osceola..
His best friend was his white American Eskimo dog, Snowball.
Mr. Hutchins is survived by a daughter, Mindy Hutchins of Cedar Rapids and a sister, Jane Hutchins of Sioux City.
The body was cremated. Memorial services will be Friday, 2 p.m. at the covered bridge in Winterset that burned last year. Brother Randy Tucker will officiate.
Kale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Majorie Latta
Marjorie Ruth Latta, daughter of Everett and Mabel Scott Wagner, was born July 31, 1916, at Garden Grove and died July 4, 2003, at the Clarke County Hospital Extended Care in Osceola. She was 86.
She received her education in Garden Grove and graduated from high school there.
She married Cecil Chambers Latta on July 30, 1939, at Garden Grove and they became the parents of two daughters, Jane and Judith.
Mrs. Latta and her husband, the Rev. Cecil Latta served in the United Methodist ministry all over Iowa. After they retired in 1983 they moved to Osceola to make their home. She has always been a homemaker and was active in the communities where they lived and served.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church at Osceola as well as a retired member of PEO and the Order of the Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil; a daughter, Judith Brown and her brother, Elvin Wagner.
Mrs. Latta is survived by her daughter, Jane Perdue and her husband, Gerald Perdue, of Des Moines; four grandchildren, Paul Brown and his wife, Karen Brown, of Pleasant Hill, Amie Lillig and her husband, John Lillig, of Ankeny, the Rev. Missy Brown of Rippey, and Chris Perdue and his wife, Melanie Perdue, of Cedar Rapids and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Latta were July 8 at the Osceola United Methodist Church, the Rev. Hugh Stone and the Rev. James Louk officiating. Organist was Belva White.
Casket bearers were George Wagner, John Lillig, Paul Brown, Roger Brown, Chris Perdue and Larry Latta. Honorary bearers were Don Wagner, Richard Latta and Gerald Perdue. Interment was in the Garden Grove Cemetery.
Kale Funeral Home of Osceola was in charge of arrangements.
Virginia Thomas
Virginia Mae Thomas, daughter of Kermit and Ruby Wallace, was born June 18, 1927, at Harken Hospital in Osceola and died July 2, 2003, at Osceola Nursing and Rehab where she had lived since June 28 after her husband had lovingly cared for her in their home. She was 76.
She attended country school and church in Clarke and Lucas counties and graduated from LeRoy High School in 1945. She went to Simpson College summer school and taught in Clarke and Lucas country schools.
She married Dean Thomas on Nov. 26, 1949, in Motor. The couple became the parents of four children, Cheryl, Carol, Cathy and Mike.
They made their home in Grand River where they raised their children and were members of the Grand River United Methodist Church. Mrs. Thomas was active in the church and taught Sunday School, became the Sunday School superintendent, held numerous church postitions and had a perfect attendance record for 30 years. She was a telephone operator for Grand River. When Grand River converted to direct dial service the Des Moines Register took her picture. In recent years, the couple moved to Osceola and became members of the Osceola Christian Church where she continued to be active.
Preceding her in death were her parents and an infant brother.
Mrs. Thomas is survived by her husband of Osceola; three daughters, Cheryl Grose and her husband, Larry Grose, of Kellerton, Carol Burkhart of Leon and Cathy Becker and her friend, Ron Birkeland, of Rock Rapids; a son, Mike Thomas and his wife, Tammy Thomas, of Clearfield; 14 grandchildren, Angie Kolesari of Sussex, Wis., David Grose of Van Meter, Jen Grose of West Des Moines, Bill Burkhart of Knoxville, Christina Burkhart of Leon, Latisha Becker of Bedford, Kandi Becker of Laverne, Minn., Jon Becker of Grand River, Corey and Ethan Thomas of Leon, Cheyenne Thomas, Amy, Jeremy and Lauren Sobokta of Clearfield; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Norma Goben of Indianola; many other relatives and friends.
Graveside funeral services were July 5 at Last Chance Cemetery near Derby, the Rev. Neville Clayton officiating. Arrangements were by Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home of Leon.
A memorial fund has been established by the family.
Mildred Turk
Mildred Clarice Githens Turk of Denver Colo. died July 5, 2003, following a stroke. She was approaching her 94th birthday and was visiting with three of her grandsons, a grandson’s wife, two great-grandsons and a daughter in the Colorado mountains at the time of her final illness. She was coherent to the end, recognizing family members during her last week. She died at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Hospital in Denver.
Mrs. Turk was fond of telling about her birth on July 23, 1909, in Decatur City to Bessie and Clair Githens. She was a three pound preemie. “They put me in a crate lined with cotton, placed me in front of the cast iron stove and turned me every now and then like a pork chop.” When she was asked in recent years to give her medical history she told of contracting tuberculosis as a child, of starting a small pox epidemic by exposing people following a trip to Des Monies and a car accident with a Standard Oil Truck within her first 40 years -- showing that she had led a remarkably healthy life with nothing recent to relate.
She grew up on various farms with her brother, Andy, and her sisters, Lois, Louise and Blondine. She finished high school in Van Wert and went on to obtain a teaching degree. She acted in plays, learned to play the piano and was on the volleyball team while she stayed in town with a family, earning her room and board.
She met her future husband, Willis Turk, while she was teaching. Mr. Turk, in the meantime, joined an AT&T crew that was putting up telephone poles and stringing the first telephone wire across the Midwest. She visited him in Phillips, Wis. and married him there on July 10, 1929.
Mr. and Mrs. Turk traveled throughout the Midwest with the phone company. They became the parents of two children, Carl Willis and their daughter, Clarice Ann. Mr. Turk was laid off during the Great Depression and during that time the family lived in Van Wert. Mr. Turk became mayor of Van Wert.
During World War II Mr. Turk strung telephone wire along the PanAm Highway in Alaska and Mrs. Turk worked at JCPenney and raised the children in Osceola. Following the War a third child, Cheryl, was born.
Mr. Turk died in an accident in 1962, still employed by the phone company. Mrs. Turk eventually moved to Des Monies where she enjoyed office work for Look Magazine and Equitable of Iowa. She retired in 1974. A few years later she moved to Denver where she lived until she died --enjoying and advising her family.
Mrs. Turk is survived by three children, Carl Willis Turk; Chicago, Ill., Clarice Turk Hopkins and her husband,Charlie Goodness, Houston, Texas and Cheryl Turk Flanagan, Denver, Colo.; five grandchildren, Andrew Turk Hopkins, Schertz, Texas., Amanda Bess Turk Gounans, Chicago, Dennis Turk Flanagan, Tighe Githens Flanagan and Will Hogan Flanagan, all of Denver; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lois Felsner and Louise Stanfield, both of San Diego, Calif. and other relatives.
Funeral services for Mrs. Turk will be at 2 p.m. July 13 at the United Methodist Church in Van Wert, the Rev. Judson Stover of Leon officiating. Burial will be in the Van Wert Cemetery.
Visitation will be July 12 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola.
Richard G. Boor
Richard G. Boor, son of James Ross and Reletta Wheeler Boor, was born Dec. 22, 1938, in Iowa City and died of complications of cancer July 7, 2001, at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. He was 62.
He grew up in Osceola and graduated from Leon High School.
Mr. Boor married Joan Weaver on Nov. 5, 1960.
He worked at the Rath Packing Plant in Waterloo for four years. He moved to Mesa, Ariz. in 1962, where he worked in the banking business. They moved to Williams in 1986. He worked at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames as an assistant to the construction managers. He retired in 2001.
Mr. Boor was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Ames. He established Riverside Ministries, southern gospel singing.
Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Bernard Boor.
Mr. Boor is survived by his wife, Joan Boor of Williams; two daughters, Kandy Boor of Sherwood, Ark. and Rebecca Frank of Iowa Falls; two sons, Aaron Boor of Jewell and Ben Boor of Farmington, Minn.; 15 grandchildren; two brothers, Maurice Boor of Deer River, Minn. and Gerald Boor of Alden; six sisters, Helen Meyer, Carolyn Hoversten and Nancy Barnhart, all of Iowa Falls, Aletha Anderson and Marilyn Venner, both of Williams and Norma Alderdyce of Coulter; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were July 10 at First Assembly of God Church in Ames, Pastor Gary Pilcher officiated. Interment was in Northlawn Cemetery in Iowa Falls. Arrangements were by Steven’s Memorial Chapel in Ames.
Vernon Richard Fee
Vernon Richard Fee, son of Thomas and Katie Crosby Fee, was born Aug. 13, 1913, near St. Charles and died July 2, 2001, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Knoxville. He was 87.
He was a graduate of St. Charles High School and served in the Navy during World War II. He worked at Central National Bank and Trust Company in Des Moines.
Mr. Fee was a 50-year member of the Model Lodge No. 315 A.F. & A.M. at St. Charles where he served as District Lecturer. He was also a member of the Mount Olive White Shrine in Des Moines and a member of the St. Charles United Methodist Church.
Mr. Fee lived at the Country Haven Guest Home in Winterset for the last 12 years before he moved to the medical center in Knoxville two weeks ago.
Preceding him in death were his parents and two brothers, Walter and Willard Fee.
Mr. Fee is survived by an aunt, Marge Robinson of Des Moines; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were July 6 at St. Charles Parish Church, the Rev. Darold Snow of St. Charles officiated. Organist was Anne Johnson and vocalist was Raymond Nuzum.
Casket bearers were Richard McGraw, Elmer Strange, Robert Lee, Kenneth Weaver, Raymond Nuzum and Lonnie Baughman. Honorary bearers were Gene Scrivner, Ivan Scrivner, Arthur Shreves and Kenneth Collins.
Interment was in St. Charles Cemetery. Military rites were by Winterset V.F.W. Post No. 8142.
Memorial contributions may be to the St. Charles Parish Church.
Geraldine De Ruff
Geraldine De Ruff, 80, of Osceola, died of July 2, 2002, at Osceola Nursing and Rehab where she had lived for a few months. Services for Mrs. DeRuff were graveside July 5 in the Fremont Cemetery near New Virginia with arrangements by Mosher Funeral Home in Chariton.
She was born in Clarke County and lived there all of her life. She was a teacher in the Clarke County schools.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul DeRuff.
Mrs. DeRuff is survived by a sister, Evelyn Bryant of White City, Ore., a brother, Harold Schaffer of New Virginia and a stepson, Robert DeRuff of California.
David R. Funk
David R. Funk, DVM, died July 10, 2002, in an accidental drowning near Denison. He was 38.
He was born Aug. 26, 1963, in Bloomington, Ill. to William Grusy and Verle Augusta Moser Funk. He moved with his family to Garden Grove when he was four. He graduated from Mormon Trail High School in Garden Grove. He attended Iowa State University and graduated from the veterinary college in 1988.
While he was in college, David worked at the vet school. His boss was Ly-Lee Rene Bushore. They were married on June 16, 1984. Following his graduation from veterinary college the couple moved to Dunlap where he accepted a position with the Twin Valley Veterinary Clinic.
Dr. Funk loved his work, and he loved working with wood - whether he was splitting firewood or making a frame for his wife’s paintings. He also enjoyed reading and coon hunting. He was always calm and in the 20 years his wife had known him she had seen him mad twice. Once when he was shearing sheep and once when he was working 50 cattle by himself. He got so upset he kicked a cow and broke a bone in his foot.
“He was known as Dr. Dave. Those two words speak a thousand as to his personal relationship with clients and community,” said Dr. Koenig.
Dr. Funk was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter, Juliann Funk, in January of 1991.
He is survived by his wife, Ly-Lee Funk, of Dunlap; three sisters, Rachel Smith and her husband, Gene Smith, of Garden Grove, Willa Clark of LeRoy and April Parmer and her husband, Buck Parmer, of Humeston; two brothers, Tony Funk and his wife, Eileen Funk of Humeston, Bradley Funk and his wife, Laura Funk, of Garden Grove; and father-in-law, Bruce Bushore of Boone; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held July 15 at St. Patrick’s Parish Center in Dunlap with ministers of the Apostolic Christian Church officiating. Burial was in the Garden Grove Cemetery at Garden Grove. Fouts Funeral Home of Dunlap was in charge of arrangements.
Harold W. ‘Uncle’ Rogers
Harold W. Rogers, 79, of Ralston, Neb. popularly known as “Uncle” died July 11, 2002, in Omaha.
The son, of Ellis and Laura Rogers, was born July 12, 1922, in Bayard. He served in the US Army during World War II from 1942 to 1945. He was director of Douglas County Hospital in Omaha.
Mr. Rogers was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Ann; daughter, Anne Elizabeth Rogers; parents, Ellis and Laura; three brothers, Randolph, Edward and Robert; two sisters, Dorothy Jentz and Frances Klinzman; and a nephew, Robert Rogers, Jr.
He is survived by two sons, William Rogers and his wife, Kathy Rogers, of Crescent and Raymond Rogers and Diane Pazar of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a granddaughter, Tracy Rogers; great-grandson, Dillon Cowden of Omaha; two sisters-in-law, Lois Race and her husband, Lewis Race of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. and Phyllis Halvorsen and her husband, Allen Halvorsen, of Indianola; three aunts-in-law, Sue Hochstein, Lois Husted and Thelma Muller; other family and friends.
No services were held. Memorials are suggested to Paws for Friendship, Inc., PO Box 12243, Omaha, Neb. 68152.
Arrangements were through Heafey-Heafey-Hoffmann Dworak-Cutler.
D. Janice Jacobs
D. Janice Jacobs, daughter of Paul Lewis Hulbert and Coral Lenor Hiatt Hulbert, was born Aug. 26, 1934, in Conger and died July 6, 2001, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines of complications of hip surgery. She was 66.
She was educated in the schools of Martensdale, Peru and Winterset. She married Walter Eugene Jacobs on Sept. 25, 1949, in Lorimor. The couple became the parents of three sons, Marty, Gayle and Ron.
She had worked as a waitress at the Wakonda Club in Des Moines and at the Covered Bridge Cafe in St. Charles. She had also been a cook for seven years at the Interstate 35 school.
Mrs. Jacobs had lived most of her life in Madison County and had lived in St. Charles since 1961.
She was a member of Model Chapter No. 174 Order of the Eastern Star at St. Charles and the Rolling Wheels Camping Club. She was also a member of the St. Charles Parish Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents; two brothers, Dale Hulbert and Vern Hulbert and five sisters, Velma Post, Inez Hess, Joane Peacock, Irma Hawkins and Barbara Purcell.
Mrs. Jacobs is survived by her husband of nearly 52 years, Walter Jacobs of St. Charles; three children, Marty Jacobs and his wife, Evelyn Jacobs, of Gowrie, Gayle Jacobs and his wife, Barb Jacobs, of Winterset and Ron Jacobs and his wife, Lori Jacobs, of St. Charles; seven grandchildren; Malinda Rowley of Adel, Angela Burger and Joshua Jacobs, both of Gowrie, Scott Jamison and Curtis Jamison, both of Des Moines and Bryan Jacobs and Brad Jacobs, both of St. Charles; three sisters, Esteline Newell of Des Moines, Vivian Shaw of Perkinston, Miss. and Harriett Bomar and her husband, Jack Bomar, of South Shore, Ky.; a half brother, Paul “Buck” Hulbert and his wife, Mary Hulbert, of Des Moines; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were July 9 at St. Charles Parish Church, the Rev. Darold Snow of St. Charles and the Rev. Jim Patrick of Indianola officiated. Anne Johnson was organist. Jim Brommel was soloist.
Casket bearers were Joshua Jacobs, Scott Jamison, Curtis Jamison, Bryan Jacobs, Brad Jacobs, Jeff Rowley and Chad Burger. Interment was in St. Charles Cemetery. Arrangements were by Kale Funeral Homes.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Charles Parish Church.
Earl Updike
Earl Stanley Updike, son of Robert Castle and Minnie Belle Trisler Updike, was born July 25, 1912, in St. Joseph, Mo. and died July 5, 2003, at Osceola Nursing and Rehab in Osceola. He was 90.
He received his education in the country schools near Trenton, Mo.
Mr. Updike married Enid Elaine Murchison on June 27, 1936, at the parsonage in Van Wert. The couple became the parents of four children, Randall, Rowland, Troy and Mardis.
He lived in rural Van Wert since 1941, before he moved into Van Wert in 1950. He was stricken with Multiple Sclerosis in 1948. He owned and operated a hatchery, produce and feed business and also had a traveling movie company that would show movies in small towns.
Mr. Updike was a member of Osceola Lodge No. 77 A.F. & A. M. at Osceola and the United Methodist Church in Van Wert.
Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Selma Talbert; two brothers, Lloyd and Henry Updike; two granddaughters, Cynthia Heckman and Christy Updike.
Mr. Updike is survived by his wife, Enid Updike of Van Wert; three sons, Randall Updike and his wife, Joyce Updike, of Osceola, Roland Updike and his wife, Connie Updike, of Van Wert, Troy Updike and his wife, Barbara Updike, of Hopeville; a daughter, Mardis DeVore and her husband, Richard DeVore, of Bentonville, Ark.; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; a brother, Dorman Updike and his wife, Marjorie Updike, of Saginaw, Mich.; as well as other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were July 9 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Jud Stover of Leon officiating. Sandra Fullerton was pianist. Mr. Updike’s daughter, Mardis, was soloist. Musical selections were What a Day that Will Be and How Great Thou Art.
Casket bearers were Darren DeVore, Kevin Updike, Justin Updike, Brian Updike, Wendell Heckman and Michael Ross. Honorary casket bearers were Keith Kilgore, Ronnie Tedford, Jason Chapman, Richard Field and Scott Dougherty. Interment was in Van Wert Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mr. Updike’s church.
Roy Renoe
Roy Morton Renoe, of Garden Grove, the third child of Benjamin Franklin and Sarah Blanche Cox Renoe, was born Sept. 29, 1916, west of Allerton in Wayne County and died April 23, 2003, at his home near Garden Grove. He was 86.
He graduated from Allerton High School in 1936. He began farming in the Lewisburg area and in 1945 moved southwest of Garden Grove. In addition to farming he drove a school bus for Mormon Trail School District.
He married Mary Madeline Skinner in 1941. The couple became the parents of three children, Richard, Mary Karen and James. Mrs. Renoe died in 1973.
He married Kathryn Lucille Alley Coffey on June 17, 1978, at the Leroy Presbyterian Church. Her four children became a part of Mr. Renoe’s family.
Mr. and Mrs. Renoe enjoyed traveling. They wintered in Apache Junction, Ariz. for 21 years. They would leave after Christmas. Christmas Eve was always spent with the family. The couple also liked to go to jam sessions to listen, visit and dance.
Mr. Renoe was a 50-year plus member of the Clay Masonic Lodge No. 193 A.F. & A.M. of Lewisburg and the Leroy Presbyterian Church. He always enjoyed participating in the Lucas County Shrine activities, especially driving sixth graders to the circus.
Preceding him in death were his parents; wife Madeline; a son, Richard; a stepson, Jack Coffey; a sister, Mary Catherine; and two infant brothers.
Mr. Renoe is survived by his wife Kathryn of Garden Grove; a daughter, Mary Karen Ward of Duncan, Ariz.; a son, Jim Renoe and his wife, Glenis Renoe, of Norwalk; three stepchildren, Jake Coffey and his wife, Mary Coffey, of Weldon, Linda Clifton and her husband, Dennis Clifton, of Albany, Mo. and Randy Coffey of Urbandale; a stepdaughter-in-law, Ivy Coffey of Russell; five grandchildren; 12 stepgrandchildren; two great-grandchildren; eight great-stepgrandchildren; two sisters, Louise Hill of Davenport and Wilma Mae Dix and her husband, Lester Dix, of Mesa, Ariz.; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Services for Mr. Renoe were April 6, 2003, at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, the Rev. Joan White officiating. Musician was Joanie Boggs and vocalist was Gary Stripe. Music selections were One Day At a Time, Old Rugged Cross and In the Garden.
Casket bearers were grandsons, Travis Renoe, Nick Renoe, J.R. Ward, Mark Coffey, Scott Coffey, Kyle Coffey, Jim Coffey, Marty Clifton, Matt Clifton, Josh Coffey and Jesse Coffey.
Masonic services were by Clay Masonic Lodge No. 193 A.F. & A.M. Lewisburg. Interment was in the Garden Grove Cemetery.
Information for obituaries is normally handled through the funeral home but if it is not, you may send or FAX us the information. A recent photograph of the deceased can be used. The town of residence of survivors is required. There is no charge for obituaries except for obituaries longer than normal, or if you want no changes in the way you have written the obituary. Phone 641-342-2131; FAX 641-342-2060.
Freda Severeide
Freda Lucille Severeide of Nevada, the daughter of Franklin P. and Matilda M. Burgus Morgan, was born Jan. 12, 1910, in Madison Township in Clarke County and died of a stroke April 25, 2003, at Story County Long Term Care in Nevada. She was 93.
Her childhood was spent on farms north of Murray. She attended Brush College and graduated from Murray High School in 1926. She married Bernard Severeide on Dec. 11, 1936, in Bethany, Mo.
Mrs. Severeide was a supervisor at Donnelley Marketing for more than 20 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Fire Department Auxilliary and the American Legion Auxilliary all in Nevada.
She enjoyed bowling, watching Cyclone sporting events and summer fishing trips to Minnesota.
Mrs. Severeide was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1965; a sister, Arlene May Morgan and two brothers, Harold Morgan and Everett L. Morgan.
She is survived by a niece, Raelene Borcherding of Hampton; two nephews, Eugene Morgan of New Hampton and Aldene Morgan of Osceola; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Severeide were April 29 at the First United Methodist Church in Nevada, Pastor Steve Williams officiating. Burial was in the Nevada Municipal Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established in her name for the American Legion Auxilliary.
Chet Ryan Mortuary in Nevada was in charge of arrangements.
Beverly R. Shine
Beverly R. Shine, the daughter of Harmon A. and Iola Mae Bleakney Cooper, was born May 27, 1932, in Kellogg and died of complications of a stroke April 27, 2002, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 69.
She graduated from Kellogg High School in 1949. She married Marvin M. Shine on May 28, 1961, in Kellogg.
Mrs. Shine, a lifelong resident of Jasper County, was self-employed.
She was preceded in death by her father, a grandson, Tom Runner and a sister, Betty Keenan.
Mrs. Shine is survived by her husband of Kellogg; three sons, Randy Taylor and his wife, Pat Taylor, of Galesburg, Earl Taylor and his wife, DeDe Taylor, of Ogden and Greig Shine and his wife, Lynne Shine, of Kellogg; four daughters, Vivian Andrew and her husband, Bob Andrew, of Osceola, Jane Runner and her husband, David Runner, of Gilman, Diana Chodur and her husband, Doug Chodur, of Grinnell and Deb Damman and her husband, Todd Damman, of Kellogg; 18 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; her mother, Iola Cooper of Platte City, Mo. and a sister, Donna McBrayer of Platte City.
Services for Mrs. Shine were April 30 at Wallace Family Funeral Home in Newton, the Rev. John Claussen of the Christian Church in Pleasantville officiating. Burial of the cremains will be at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Kellogg Volunteer Fire and Ambulance or to the Kellogg Garden Club and may be left at the Wallace Family Funeral Home in Newton.
Earl Senholz
Earl Senholz, son of George and Anna Procter Senholz, was born Jan. 5, 1908, in Griswold and died May 1, 2002, at the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone where he had been a resident since September 1994. He was 94.
He married Leanore E. Turner on June 10, 1939, at the Methodist Church in Griswold.
Mr. Senholz graduated from Griswold High School in 1924, attended Simpson College one year and then attended Iowa State College where he graduated with a journalism degree in 1930. Before he began working in Boone in 1945 he worked on several daily and weekly newspapers. He was farm editor of the Waterloo Daily Courier for a year; news editor of the Chicago Daily Drovers Journal from 1932 to 1936; telegraph editor of the Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil from 1936 to 1937; news editor of the Atlantic News Telegraph from 1937 to 1939; publisher of Onawa Sentinel and editor of the Osceola Weekly Tribune. He served as managing editor of the Boone News Republican from 1945 to 1954. Mr. Senholz left the newspaper business because of eye problems and managed his real estate and insurance business from 1954 to 1972.
In 1955 he was elected mayor of Boone and served three until 1962. He was a member and served on the board of the Iowa League of Municipalities.
He joined with others in 1971 to develop housing for the elderly and handicapped as well as young families and individuals. His office managed three housing projects, Midtown Apartments, Midtown Village and New Avon Apartments until Mr. Senholz retired in 1990.
He donated land to the City of Boone for a park in the fall of 1998. The Senholz Memorial Park is a memorial to the naming of Mamie Eisenhower Avenue by the city council in 1956. It is also a memorial to the Lincoln Highway land Tiffany Trail and a tribute to Boone’s first housing project for the elderly and low-income families.
Mr. Senholz was a life long member of the Methodist Church and served as lay leader and board member of the Boone First United Methodist Church for several years.He was very active in civic organizations. He received a 50-year membership certificate in the Masonic Mount Olive Lodge No. 79 AF & AM in the Lions Club. He was a member and past president of the Boone County Shrine Club and the Boone High Twelve Club. He was also a member of Elks BPO Lodge No. 563, Cocklebur Club and the I.O.O.F. Lodge. He was an active member of the Boone Chamber of Commerce for many years and a member of the Boone Industrial Development Commission.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Leanore in November 1999 and a brother, Carl Senholz.
Mr. Senholz is survived by a daughter Ann Amey and her husband, Alan Amey, of Wichita, Kan., a granddaughter, Lisa Isham and her husband, Shaun Isham, of Valley Center, Kan. and a great-granddaughter, Madison Isham of Valley Center.
Services were held May 4 at the Eastern Star Masonic Home Chapel in Boone with the Rev. Dean Fullerton officiating. Interment was in Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone.
Memorial contributions may be given to Eastern Star Masonic Home or the First United Methodist Church in Boone.
Stark-Welin Funeral Directors were in charge of arrangements.
Larry M. Stephens
Larry M. Stephens, the son of Floyd W. and Leona L. Gavett Stephens, was born Aug. 13, 1935, in Hastings and died of cancer at his home in Lorimor on May 5, 2002. He was 66.
Mr. Stephens graduated from Lorimor High School in 1954 and married Patricia L. Orwan on Oct. 3, 1954.
A lifelong resident of the Lorimor area he farmed for 46 years before retiring in 2001.
Mr. Stephens served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. He was a member of the Word of Life Christian Center and served as a New Hope Township Trustee.
He loved antique tractors.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Randy M. Stephens; a sister, Isabelle Courtney and a granddaughter Kelcie Stephens.
Mr. Stephens is survived by his wife, four sons, Rusty Stephens and his wife, Mary Beth Stephens, of Winterset, Todd Stephens and his wife, Dawn Stephens, of Urbandale, Mark Stephens and his wife, Sandra Stephens, of Van Meter and Brenden Stephens and his wife Carrie Stephens, of Urbandale; two daughters, Cindy Mitchell and her husband, Jeff Mitchell, of Thayer and Margaret Johnson and her husband, Randy Johnson, of Centerville; a sister, Della Hunter and her husband, Kenneth Hunter, of Lorimor and a brother-in-law, John Courtney of Belle Vista, Ark.
Funeral services are at 10 a.m. today (May 9) at the Word of Life Christian Center in Winterset, the Rev. Bruce Wangler officiating. Burial will be in the Lorimor Cemetery.
Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ochiltree Funeral Service & Aftercare in Winterset. The family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m.
Ruth Alexander
Former Osceola resident Ruth H. Alexander, 92, died May 5, 2003, at the Good Samaritan Center in Manson. Funeral services were May 8 at Larson-Weishaar Funeral Home in Manson with the Rev. Curt Kuhns officiating. Burial was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Ruth Helen Alexander, daughter of Joseph Woodward Baker and Melissa Honn Baker, was born Nov. 16, 1910, in rural Leon. Her father died in a pitchfork accident when she was a young girl leaving the raising of seven children to her mother.
She attended Leon High School through 10th grade before starting work at a local cafe.
She married Wayne Kenneth “Joe” Alexander at Memphis, Mo. on July 13, 1935. The couple became the parents of two daughters, Janet Alice and Norene Ann.
Mr. Alexander drove a gravel truck for Sergeant’s Rock Quarry, became a foreman and then manager.
Mrs. Alexander, who lived in Osceola from 1950 to 1986, was a homemaker and enjoyed sewing, crocheting and gardening. She always had a large strawberry patch.
After her husband died, Mrs. Alexander worked for Look magazine in Des Moines for many years. She moved to Manson Golden Meadows in 1986 before she became a resident of Good Samaritan Center in December 1999. She will be remembered for her sweet smile and love of reciting verses and poems.
She was preceded in death by her parents; six siblings; husband in 1960; grandson, Jody in 1985; and daughter Janet in 1997.
In addition to her daughter, Norene Wollenzien and her husband, David Wollenzien; she is survived by three grandchildren, Sarah Heilskov of Coralville, Andy Wollenzien of Los Angeles, Calif. and Ben Wollenzien of Miami, Fla.; a great-granddaughter and other relatives and friends.
Kera Biggerstaff
Kera Star Biggerstaff, 21 of Osceola and her stillborn daughter, whom she had named Mia Estrallia Barrientos, died May 9, 2003, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident south of Des Moines.
Kera Star Biggerstaff was born in La Merada, Calif. She was employed by Kentucky Fried Chicken and Taco Bell in Osceola as a cashier.
She enjoyed cruising, swimming, shopping, listening to music and eating.
She is survived by her daughters, Selena Damron, Felicita Damron and Olivia Damron, all of Des Moines; a son, Carlos Biggerstaff of Des Moines; Her parents, Robecca and Scott Keenan of Osceola; her companion, Donny Barrientos of Osceola; two sisters, Chyra Moon Ellen Keenan and Cody Eilane Keenan, all of Osceola; two brothers, Brad Bensley and Steve Horvath of Des Moines; grandparents, Helen House and Bill Wheeler of Des Moines and Frances and John O. Keenan of Des Moines; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services for Ms. Biggerstaff and her stillborn daughter will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon St. in Des Moines. Burial will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today (Thursday) at the funeral home.
Following the burial a reception will be held at Grand View Park.
Memorial gifts may be made to her family.
Lila Kiel
Lila M. Keil, 55, former Osceola resident of Clive, died of cancer May 10, 2003, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. A Funeral Mass was held on May 13 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Des Moines. Cremation rites took place immediately following the Mass. Private committal services will take place at a later date.
Lila Marie Keil was born to George Johnson and Marguerite Lorraine Watt Lee on July 18, 1947, in St. Paul, Minn.
She was an interior decorator and designer and homemaker. Mrs. Kiel was a member of Beta Sigma Phi. She loved traveling, reading, decorating and spending time with her family and friends. She was a loving and devoted mother to her three children.
Mrs. Kiel is survived by her children, Emily, Christopher and Kaley Kiel, all at home; her mother, Marguerite Mendez of Oelwein; four sisters, Laura Reidenback of Clarks Summit, Pa. Charlene Buchelle of Aurora, Ill., Linda Hertenstien of Oelwein and Sue Travis of Kansas City, Mo.; a brother, Ron LaVoi of Excelsior, Mo.; seven nephews and a great nephew.
Memorial contributions may be made to The John Stoddard Cancer Center or St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, both of Des Moines. Contributions can be sent to Westover Funeral Home, c/o the Lila M. Kiel Family, 6337 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA 50322-5097.
James Laws
James R. “Fuddy” Laws, 19, of Indianola died May 10, 2003, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, (May 15) at Southtown Funeral Home with burial following in Green Castle, Mo.
Mr. Laws was very outgoing and had many friends. He enjoyed the outdoors and especially liked playing basketball.
He is survived by his mother Tammy Jones of Indianola, his sister Demi Laws of Indianola and his fiance, Katie Hedrick, of Indianola.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Richard David Davis and Edward Terrell.
The family will greet friends from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday evening at Southtown Funeral Home.
Edith Robins
Edith Robins, youngest child of Benjamin and Mary Rebecca Lemon Potter, was born near Avon in Fulton County, Ill. on Dec. 30, 1900, and died May 7, 2003, at the Clarke County Hospital Extended Care Unit. She was 102.
The family moved to near Van Wert in 1904 and about 1909 they moved to a farm near Woodburn. She received her education in Decatur and Clarke county schools.
She married Eugene Robins on March 15, 1927, at Bethany, Mo., and they became the parents of a daughter, Joanne. After she was married the couple moved to a farm just east of Osceola where she lived until 1981 when they moved to Osceola. She moved to the Extended Care Unit in September 1999.
She gave her heart to the Lord in 1916 when she was 15 during a revival meeting by the Rev. McKim in Woodburn. Her membership has always remained at the Woodburn Christian Church. She attended Calvary Church in Osceola.
Mrs. Robins was a member of the Osceola Garden Club in the 1960s and enjoyed working with flowers. She made many quilts and crocheted, knitted and tatted throughout her life. She loved to travel and had been in all 50 states, Mexico and Canada.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a sister, Nina Rhodes; a brother, Clint Potter; a grandson, Jim Barton and a great-granddaughter, Sherrie Barton.
Mrs. Robins is survived by her daughter, Joanne Barton and her husband, Gene Barton, of Osceola; two granddaughters, Rita Hertel and her husband, Richard Hertel, of Fremont, Calif. and Elizabeth Akard of Arvada, Colo.; five great-grandchildren, Gene Hertel of Fremont, Renee Chua of San Francisco, Calif., Christopher Akard of Westminister, Colo., Patrick Akard of Des Moines and Matthew Akard in the U.S. Army stationed in Georgia; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Services for Mrs. Robins were May 13 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Gary Freeland officiating. Organist Pennie Gonseth accompanied Emil Rinderspacher as he sang Beyond the Sunset, Going Down the Valley and How Great Thou Art.
Casket bearers were Bob Oehlert, Bill Oehlert, Robert Powell, Greg Kent, Christopher Akard and Harley Pippen. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Delores Wittstock
Delores Wittstock of Afton, daughter of John T. and Freida Rulla Hestermann, was born May 5, 1928, in rural Adams, Neb. and died of cancer May 12, 2003, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 75.
She attended college at the University of Lincoln where she received a teaching certificate. She was a teacher for five years in rural schools in southeast Nebraska. She married Arlo D. Wittstock on May 28, 1950, in Sterling, Neb.
A homemaker, Mrs. Wittstock was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Winterset and the American Legion Auxillary Post No. 96 of Lorimor. She enjoyed her garden, flowers, quilts, crocheting and she loved spending time with her grandchildren. She especially enjoyed the Christmas holidays.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Floyd Hestermann and Robert Hesterman and an infant brother.
Mrs. Wittstock is survived by her husband of 53 years of Afton; two sons, Duane Wittstock and his wife, Jennifer Wittstock, of Norwalk and Dean Wittstock and his wife, Barbara Wittstock, of Afton; two daughters, Carol Murawski and her husband, Steve Murawski, of Eagle, Wis. and Lois Munden and her husband, Mark Munden, of Lorimor; 11 grandchildren; four great-stepgrandchildren; two brothers, four sisters; and two sisters-in-law. and other friends and relatives.
Funeral services for Mrs. Wittstock will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Winterset, Pastor Dwayne Henrichs officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. at Ochiltree Funeral Service & Aftercare in Winterset. Burial will be in the Lorimor Cemetery follow- ing the services.
Memorial gifts may be directed to Hospice of Central Iowa and Dollars For Scholars at East Union Schools.
Doyle Johnson
Doyle Dorrell Johnson, son of Ralph and Veda Garrison Johnson, was born Dec. 3, 1917, north of New Virginia in Warren County. He died at his home in Truro on May 17, 2003. He was 85.
He attended school in Truro and graduated from the Truro High School in 1936.
He married Doris Pauline Frank June 20, 1940 in Truro. The couple had four children, Frank, Jacquelyn, Debra and Lisa. The couple lived in Winona, Miss. for ten years before returning to Iowa in 1980.
Mr. Johnson, who was retired, had been a salesman of farm implements and grain handling equipment and was also raised pigs for a number of years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Truro.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bob and Roland, and his sister, Edith Mease.
Survivors include his wife, Doris Johnson, of Truro; son, Frank Johnson and his wife, Kathleen Johnson, of Schaumburg, Ill.; three daughters, Jacquelyn Sutphin and her husband, Charles Sutphin, of Van Wert, Debra Hardin and her husband, Mike Hardin, of Winona, Miss., Lisa Jones and her husband, Steven Jones, of Overland Park, Kan.; two brothers, Kenneth Johnson of Des Moines and Herbert Johnson and his wife, Linda Johnson, of St. Marys, Mo.; sister-in-law, Geraldine Johnson of Bentonville, Ark.; brother-in-law, Ival Mease of St. Charles; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday, May 22) 10 a.m. at the Kale Funeral Home. The Rev. Dennis Shepherd of the Truro United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Winterset Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Eric Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Michael Lee Hardin II, Jonathon Kyle Hardin, Garrett Jones, Eric Gustason and Juan Orozco. Honorary casket bears will be Duane Woods, Marret Edwards, Lee Parker, Fred Reed Jr., Dale Lytton, Ancel Kennedy, Steve Crow and Merrill Lamm. Kale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Frederick Kline
Frederick Lowell Kline, son of Annie and Jay Kline was born Sept. 25, 1918, at Exira, and died May 14, 2003, at West View Care Center, Indianola. He was 84.
He spent his early years in Exira, Iowa where he received his education.
He was united in marriage to Erma Denison and they were the parents of five children. She preceded him in death.
Later he married Doris Mears at Leon, and a daughter was born to this marriage.
Mr. Kline had been a farmer, truck driver, and did construction work. He worked for his son, Kenneth, a number of years at K & S Manufacturing in Humeston, before retiring 22 years ago.
Mr. Kline moved to the Osceola area in 1951 where his family resided until moving to Kansas in 1961. They moved to Indianola in 1967 where they have lived since.
He was raised in the Lutheran faith. He was an avid card player.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Erma, a son, Merlyn; a daughter, Cheryl Denning; a brother, Lloyd Kline, and two grandchildren, Kary and Kevin Kline.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Kline, of Indianola; three sons, James Kline and his wife, Sue Kline, of Granger, Richard Kline and his wife, Kathy Kline, of Osceola, Kenneth Kline and his wife, Sharon Kline, of Promise City; a daughter, Amy Kline and companion, Brian Burgett, of Des Moines; step-daughter, Linda Percifield of Keys, Okla., step-son, Mike McCarl of Turpin, Okla., step-daughter, Patty Amerson and her husband, Dennis Amerson, of Loveland, Colo.; a brother, Calvin Kline, and his wife, Mildred Kline, of Marshall, Minn.; 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
Graveside services were held May 17, 2003, at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola with Pastor Chuck DeVos officiating. Kale Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Edna Parker
Edna Mae Parker, daughter of Oscar Fields Spellerberg and Helen Simmerman Spellerberg, was born Jan. 17, 1926, near Murray and died May 19, 2003, at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 77.
She received her education in the Murray and Truro schools and graduated from Murray High School.
She married Lee Parker on Jan. 11, 1947, at Troy, Kan. and they became the parents of three children, Cathie, Cindy and Terry.
Mr. and Mrs. Parker made their home near Murray for several years before moving to Truro in 1950. Mrs. Parker was employed by Snowdons in Osceola for more then 20 years.
While in Truro Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been active in the community. She was a member of Jolly Fu, a member for more than 48 years of Model Chapter No. 170 Order of the Eastern Star in St. Charles, a member of the Truro Library Board and a member of Earlham Home Care Advisory Board as well as the Congregational United Church of Christ in Truro.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Don Spellerberg and daughter, Terry Sue in infancy.
Mrs. Parker is survived by her husband; two daughters, Cathie Collins and her husband, Clifford Collins, of St. Charles and Cindy Sanford and her husband, Maurice Sanford, of Osceola; five grandchildren; a brother, Merrill Spellerberg of Murray; as well as other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Parker are at 2 p.m. today (May 22) at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Dennis Shepherd of Truro and Pastor Marty Burgus of Osceola. Organist Pennie Gonseth will accompany Terry Smith as he sings Ivory Palaces and How Great Thou Art.
Casket bearers are Casey Collins, Clifford Collins, Maurice Sanford, Steve Parker, Randy Parker, Norman Cottrell and Michael Spellerberg. Honorary casket bearers are Don Smith, Dale Lytton, Cecil Miller, Marret Edwards, Leonard Wolfe, Fred Reed Jr., Dale O’Neall and Cory Sanford. Interment is in Union Cemetery in Clarke County.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Truro Library or Con-gregational United Church of Christ in Truro.
Charles Wallace
Charles Wallace of Osceola, was born Dec. 23, 1940 at Melcher, the son of Threasa Heinen Wallace and Howard Wallace. He died May 14, 2003, at The Cavanaugh House, West Des Moines. He was 62.
He graduated from American Institute of Business and Indian Hill Community College in Centerville. He married Lisa Exline Sept. 22, 1979 at the First United Methodist Church in Centerville.
Mr. Wallace was the “soundman” for the Exline Family and liked to attend blue grass festivals. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid reader, especially westerns. He also liked mechanical things and cars.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandchild.
Survivors include his wife, Lisa Wallace, of Osceola; four daughters, Shelley Ramey and Lorri Sprague of Wichita, Kan., Threasa Easley of Des Moines, Carleen Bunch of Des Moines; two sons, Bob Wallace of Iowa Falls and Nate Wallace of Osceola; 11 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; three sisters, Betty Higgins and Shirley Hunt of Milo and Doris Higgins of Indianola.
A Mass of the Resurrection was held Saturday morning at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Osceola with the Rev. Lyle Peters officiating. A committal service was held Saturday afternoon at the Oakland Cemetery with Pastor Jim Gubser officiating. A memorial has been established in Mr. Wallace’s name. Contributions can be mailed to the funeral home in charge of arrangements: Thomas Lange Funeral Home, PO Box 6, Centerville, Iowa 52544.
