George A. Kelly

George A. Kelly, 63, of Hawkeye, died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, at his home in Hawkeye from natural causes.

Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, at the Hawkeye Cemetery with Rev. Nancy Larson officiating. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Becker-Milnes Funeral home in Hawkeye. Memorials may be given to the family for future designation.

George Arthur, son of George and Wilhelmina Ohman Kelly, was born April 22, 1951, at West Union, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawkeye. George received his education at the Woodward School in Woodward, Iowa. After completing his education, he returned to Hawkeye to make his home. George mowed lawns, delivered the Waterloo and Oelwein newspapers, and enjoyed helping David Pleggenkuhle on the farm. George was skilled at taking things apart and putting them back together correctly. He was also a very strong-willed person. He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawkeye, the Hawkeye Lions Club, and assumed responsibility for putting up and taking down the American Flag in Hawkeye on holidays.

George is survived by two brothers, Don (Becky) Kelly of Hawkeye, and Robert (Vicki) Kelly of Decorah; one sister, Linda Sigbornson of Omaha, Nebraska; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and four sisters, Betty Kelly, Ruth Bartlett, Karen Homewood, and Mary Kelly, who died in infancy.

Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com.

Frederick Leon Nottnagel

Frederick Leon Nottnagel, 70, of McGregor, Iowa passed away Thursday, December 4, 2014 at the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home in Strawberry Point, Iowa. 

Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 from 5 - 7 p.m. with a Memorial Service at 7 p.m. at the Good Samaritan Center in West Union, Iowa. Rev. Lee Boleyn will be the officiant.

Inurnment will be at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, McGregor, Iowa at a later date.
 

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Clermont, Iowa assisted the family with the arrangements.

Fred was born on March 5, 1944, in McGregor, Iowa, the son of Fritz and Gladine Thelma (Meyer) Nottnagel.  He attended school in Marquette, Iowa. He lived in Marquette until 1963 when he became a resident of the Clayton County Care Center in Elkader. 

Fred is survived by his sister, Darlene Cummings-Willadsen of West Union, Iowa and several nieces and nephews.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Fritz and Gladine Nottnagel; sister, Ruth Pettit and two brothers, Donald and Raymond Nottnagel.

Condolences may be left at: www.graufuneralhomes.com

Kenneth Oliver Westpfahl

Kenneth Oliver “KO” Westpfahl, age 82 of Festus, Missouri passed away Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, at Festus Manor Nursing Center in Festus, Missouri. 

Visitation 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus and then from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crystal City officiated by Pastor Jarold Rux.

 Interment in National Cemetery in Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.

He was born December 14, 1931 in Riceville, Iowa the son of the late Grace (nee Helmer) and Carl Westpfahl.

He is survived by his wife Ruth (nee Bell) Westpfahl, daughter Jane (the late Michael) Pluss of Chicago, Illinois, son Dean (Janice) Westpfahl of Bloomington, Illinois, brothers Elbert (Joyce) Westpfahl of Highawata, Iowa and Richard (Barbara) Westpfahl of Roseville, Minnesota, sisters Lorraine (the late Russell) Miller of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Ruth (Kenneth) Amundson of Clermont, Iowa and Betty (Dale) Freeman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, an uncle Oliver Westpfahl, grandchildren Matthew Pluss, Jonathan (Susan) Pluss, Samuel, Joseph, Amanda, Rachel and Laura Westpfahl and great-grandson Eagan Pluss.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by a grandson Steven Pluss, brother Wallace Westpfahl and sisters Florentine (the late Conrad) Houser, Marjorie (the late Charles) Bradley and Louise Westpfahl.

He was a machinist and member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crystal City, Missouri, the American Legion and the VFW.

Memorials in his memory are preferred to the Immanuel Lutheran Daycare or the American Lung Association.

Cliff Klinge

Funeral services for former Clermont resident Cliff Klinge, 89, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Garnavillo.

Interment will be in the Garnavillo cemetery.

No visitation is planned.

Cliff’s death occurred Nov. 20, 2014.

Russell West

Russell Dale West, 76, of Elgin, Iowa died Saturday, Dec. 6, at Allen Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa.

Visitation was held on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 4-7 p.m. at Elgin Lutheran Church, and one-hour before services at the church on Friday.

Funeral Services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, at Highland Lutheran Church of rural Elkader.

Inurnment will be held at Highland Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service assisted the family with the arrangements.

He was born on Sept. 24, 1938 to Abby and Bertha Mae (Meisner) West in Highland Township, Clayton County, Iowa. He was baptized in the parsonage of Peace Church in Elkader. Russ attended Cook Country School in the rural Elkader/Elgin area. He also attended Elgin Town School through the tenth grade.

Russ worked for various farmers in the area, including the Christen Brothers, Dorothy Brackin, Connor Dummermuth and Franklin Walker. He was united in marriage with Nadine Upton on June 1, 1963. Four children were born to this union, Lisa, Bert, Lee and Lonnie. Russ, Nadine and their children farmed for many years, which included milking cows, raising hogs and raising beef. In 1994, Russ retired from farming and went to work for Chensvold, hauling recycling bins, and in 2000, he went to work for Don’s 66 Station in Elgin. He also owned and operated a hamburger stand in Elgin, during the summer for many years.

Russ was a member of the Highland Lutheran Church for many years. He enjoyed farming, hunting, especially deer hunting with his sons, son-in-law, grandsons and friends, also, fishing and spending time with his family. He loved his dogs and his horses.

Russ is survived by his children, Lisa (Kevin) Wescott of Clermont, Bert (Brenda) West of Lodi, Wisconsin, Lee (Karen) West of Clermont and Lonnie (Brenda) West of Charles City; nine grandchildren, Max (girlfriend, Haley) and Grant Wescott, Collin and Hailey West, Logan, Lexi and Lynzee West and Connor and Carter West, one great-grandson, Ayden Wescott and his ex-wife, Nadine West of Elgin.

Russ was preceded in death his parents; three brothers, Robert, Earl and Francis West and one sister, Darlene Thiese.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Russ’s honor may be made to the family.

Alvin B. Erickson

Alvin B. Erickson, 94, Clermont, Iowa, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014, at Palmer Lutheran Health Center in West Union, Iowa.

Funeral Services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the East Clermont Lutheran Church, rural Clermont. Rev. Ron Roberts was the officiant.

Friends were invited to call from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the church.

Interment was held in the East Clermont Lutheran Cemetery.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Clermont, assisted the family with the arrangements.

Alvin Benard, the son of Ben and Amanda (Baker) Erickson, was born June 14, 1920 on the family century farm northwest of Gunder. He was baptized and confirmed at East Clermont Lutheran Church. He attended the McKinley/McNeil Country School and Clermont High School. He also attended Tri-State College in Indiana. Alvin served with the U.S. Army during World War II. Alvin participated in the invasions of Kwajelein, Eniwetok, Saipan, and Okinawa in the Pacific Theater. After his discharge from the military, he returned to the family farm. He worked as a draftsman in Minneapolis for two winters, but mainly farmed with his father, brother, son and grandsons. Alvin was united in marriage with D’Elda Palas on June 29, 1949 at St. John Lutheran Church in Luana, Iowa. To this union two children, Matt and Gayle, were born.

         Alvin was a lifelong member of East Clermont Lutheran Church and he was a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed playing golf with the “Norwegian Foursome”, woodworking, reading, and politics. Alvin loved to fly and he earned his pilot’s license at the age of sixty-eight. He had a passion for writing about history and his observations of life.  Many of his "articles" were published in the Postville Herald and Elgin Echo. But most of all Alvin enjoyed being with his family and friends. He was a fun and loving husband, father, son, brother, and uncle. As a proud grandfather, he loved attending the athletic and fine arts event of his grandchildren and his 2 great-grandchildren brought him immeasurable joy and delight.   

         Alvin is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, D’Elda, of Clermont; two children, Matt (Marty) Erickson of Postville; and Gayle Moore of Elgin; seven grandchildren, Nick Erickson, Jon (Jodi) Erickson, Amanda (Dave) Majkrzak, Jesse Moore, Erin Moore, Dylan Moore, and Dakota Moore; two great grandchildren, Sophia Kaye-Moore and Jace Majkrzak; and four sisters, Irene Speece of Novato, CA; Evelyn Peterson of Overland Park, KS; Lillian Lang of Lincoln, NE; and Dolores Koser of Cupertino, CA.

         Alvin was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Louie Erickson.

Condolences may be left with: www.graufuneralhomes.com 

Benjamin Hofer

Benjamin (Ben) Hofer, 85, of Marion, died at home, surrounded by his family, Friday, December 26, 2014.

Services: 11 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories by Certified Celebrant Jim Parton.

Interment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 pm at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Ben is survived by his children, Rosemary (Greg Mein) Steepleton of Cedar Rapids, James (Sheri) Hofer of Lisbon, Susan (Bob) Northrup of Marion and Wayne (Terri) Hofer of Hiawatha; 11 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; and 3 great great grandchildren; also surviving are several sisters and brother-in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Betty in 2013, brothers, John, Al, Paul, Sam, Clarence, Lewis, and sisters, Rose, Mary Ann, Helen and Bertha.

Benjamin Hofer was born December 18, 1929 in Elgin, Iowa to Ben and Loretta (Imhoff) Hofer.

He married Betty L. Pugh on August 23, 1950 in Elgin, Iowa.

He was employed at Longview Fiber for many years until retiring in 1992.

Ben liked camping, fishing, square dancing, carpentry, spending time with his grandchildren and playing euchre with the family. He and Betty enjoyed playing pinochle at the Senior Center in Central City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Mercy.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under “Obituaries.”    53u53

Germaine Winter

Germaine Winter, age 90, of St. Lucas, IA, died on December 22, 2014, at Allen Hospital in Waterloo, IA.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Luke Catholic Church in St. Lucas on Saturday, Dec. 27, with the Rev. Nick March as celebrant.

Interment was in the church cemetery.

Casket bearers were Jamie Schneberger, Russell Schneberger, Jim Winter, Loren Manderfield, Brady Kuennen, and Ron Kuennen.

Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Decorah.

Germaine Philomena (Schmitt) Winter was born on May 17, 1924, on the family farm one mile west of St. Lucas, IA, the oldest of two daughters born to Nick and Margaret (Blong) Schmitt. 

She attended school at St. Luke’s Catholic School. 

On May 8, 1951, she was united in marriage to Nick Winter at St. Luke’s Catholic Church. 

Together they farmed with their families; first at Nick’s family farm for four years and then settling on Germaine’s family farm.  She was Nick’s help-mate for over sixty years and lived all of but four years of her life on the same farm. 

Germaine enjoyed giving her time and talents to the St. Luke’s Parish as a member of the choir, cooking for many weddings and an active member of the Rosary Society.  She made all of the hosts for masses from 1974-2005, making as many as 1200 hosts a week. 

She also enjoyed taking care of her chickens and supplying many people with fresh eggs for many years.  She also enjoyed sewing, crafting and feeding the birds.  

Germaine is survived by: her daughter, Donna Winter of Cedar Falls, IA; three granddaughters, Nikki Erickson of Waterloo, IA; Stacey Erickson of West Des Moines, IA; and Haley Erickson of Cedar Falls, IA; a brother-in-law, James Schneberger of Calmar, IA; brother-in-law, Florian (Eileen) Winter of St. Lucas, IA, and five nieces and two nephews.

Germaine was preceded in death by: her parents, Nick and Margaret (Blong) Schmitt; her husband, Nick Winter on Dec. 15, 2011; her son, Duane Winter in infancy; great-grandson, Jadyn J. Comer; sister, Alma Schneberger; sister-in-law, Hilda (Henry) Huber; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Peter and Anna (Kuehner) Winter.

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Eldon Walz

Eldon Earl Walz, 77, of Strawberry Point, Iowa, died on Saturday, December 27, 2014, at the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home. 

He was born on June 26, 1937, in Springville, the son of Don Goodlove and Rachel (Batchelder) Walz. 

Eldon graduated from Garnavillo High School at the age of 16.  He later attended college under the GI bill while living in West Union.

Eldon served honorably in the United States Army for three years. 

On July 22, 1961, he was united in marriage to Clementine Mihm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Volga.  Seven children were blessed to this union.

Eldon was then recalled in the fall, after his marriage, to serve for a year during the Berlin Crisis.  After his return from the military they farmed near Arlington and St. Olaf.   In 1973 the family moved to their home near Strawberry Point. 

Eldon worked in construction and home remodeling.  He also sold Harper Brooms for over 25 years.

Eldon was a member of the Clayton County Archers, liked to build and fly remote control airplanes, and loved the outdoors, hunting and woodworking. 

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Volga and was a 4^th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus where he once served as a Grand Knight.

Survivors include his wife, Clementine of Strawberry Point; his six children, Stephen (Terri) Walz of Holy Cross, David Walz of Minocqua, Wisconsin, Susan (Ken) Kinyon of Longmont, Colorado, Douglas Walz of Hartford, Iowa, Tina (Mike) Pech of Winthrop, and Jeffrey (Tracy) Walz of Maple Grove, Minnesota; ten grandchildren, Logan Walz, Holly Walz, Ashley Walz, Tara Walz, Emily (Pech) Sargent, Nathan Pech, Sarah Pech, Ben Walz, Ashton Walz, and Ella Walz; one sister, Marilyn (Joe) Bergan of Elkader; and two half-sisters, Rosalyn Hurley of Volga and Linda Walz of West Union.

Eldon was preceded in death by his parents; and his daughter, Annette Walz in 1972.

Online condolences may be left at www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

Visitation: 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2014, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Strawberry Point, Iowa, where there was a 7:00 p.m. Scripture Service.  Friends also called one hour before the mass at the church on Tuesday.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, December 30, 2014, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Volga, Iowa.

Officiating: The Very Rev. Paul Peters assisted by Sister Carla Popes

Interment with Military Rites: St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery – Elkader, Iowa.

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Dorothy Williams

Dorothy A. Williams, 84, of Oelwein, Iowa died on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo.

Funeral Service:  10:30 A.M. Monday, December 29, 2014 at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein with Rev. Charis Combs-Lay officiating.

Visitation: 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. on Sunday and for one hour before the service on Monday at the funeral home.

Graveside Service: 1:30 P.M. Monday at God’s Acre Cemetery, Clermont, Iowa.

A Memorial Fund has been established for the American Cancer Society or to the family.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com.

Dorothy Anna Yauslin was born on July 17, 1930 in Clermont, Iowa, the daughter of Byron “Barney” & Ruby (Hader) Yauslin. 

She received her education at the Clermont Schools.

Dorothy was united in marriage to Hubert Milton “Herbie” Williams on May 25, 1947 in Waukon, Iowa.  Nine children were born to this union. 

Dorothy and Herbie farmed outside of Clermont and then moved to Oelwein where they were longtime residents. 

Dorothy worked as a waitress and then in the meat department at the Kennedy’s Super Valu Store for thirty years. 

She was a member of the Oelwein American Legion Auxiliary. 

Whenever you stopped at her home she would always offer you something good to eat.  Her specialties were apple pie, cake or her homemade breads. 

She will be greatly missed by all.

Left to mourn her absence are her 3 sons, Rockie (Jennifer) Williams of Oelwein, Gary (Mary) Williams of Cedar Rapids & Bill (Andrea) Williams of Oelwein; 4 daughters, Marlys (Dennis) Moore of Fairbank, Kathy (Bob) Decker of Winthrop, Nancy (Dennis) Sweerin of Harpers Ferry and Pam (Jeff) Bell of Oelwein; 24 grandchildren; 46 great grandchildren; 12 great-great grandchildren; 4 brothers, John Yauslin of Clermont, Leslie (Janice) Yauslin of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Roger (Linda) Yauslin of West Union and Richard “Dick” (Marlene) Yauslin of Elgin; and many nieces & nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herbie on January 3, 1977; son, Kenneth Williams; daughter, Sharon Moritz Parker; grandson, Keith Williams; brother, Donald Yauslin; 2 sisters, Lois Luchsinger and Betty Olson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Guy and Melvina (Sampson) Williams; 3 sisters-in-law, Dena Yauslin, Janice Yauslin and Vera Jarms Winkler; 5 brothers-in-law, Alfred Boleyn, Donald Gordon, Leonard Olson, Frank Williams and Don Williams.

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Rev. John Barnes

The Rev. John G. Barnes, 89, of New Hampton died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, at the New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in New Hampton.

Retired at the time of his death, he served St. Joseph Parish in New Hampton from 1983 to 1991.

Brooklynn Buchholtz

Brooklynn Paislee Buchholtz, infant daughter of Haley Ohm and Dylan Buchholtz of West Union, passed away at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton on Tuesday, December 30, 2014.

She is survived by both of her parents; her two older brothers, Tatum and Keegan Halstead; her older sister Jasperlynn Easton; her grandparents, Denise and Pete Gordon, Rick Ohm, Robin Laube, and Michael and Beth Buchholtz; great-grandparents, Nancy and Russel Wegner, Leona and Fred Murray, Kenneth and Gloria Becker, and Daryl and Tootie Buchholtz; aunts, Alyssa Laube, Nicole Rethamel, Zada Buchholtz, and Bridget Gaffney; uncles, Cole Ohm, Wyatt Ohm, Kinnick Gordon, Brett, Levi, and Jake Buchholtz; and many more aunts and uncles.

She was preceded in death by her great-great-grandparents, and special close friends.

Visitation was held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Fayette.

A funeral service followed at 4:00 p.m. Thursday at Becker-Milnes Chapel in Fayette with Rev. Shannon Perry officiating.

Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com.

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Gert Larick

Gertrude A. Larick, 87, of Decatur, AL, formerly of Waukon and West Union, IA, died Thursday, January 1, 2015, at Decatur General Hospital in Decatur, AL.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 6th, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, IA, with Fr. Jim Dubert officiating.

Burial was at Wexford Cemetery, Lansing.

Friends called from 9:30 AM until the time of service Tuesday at the church in Waukon.

Martin Funeral Home in Waukon handled the arrangements.

   Gertrude Ann Larick was born on February 18, 1927 in Ayrshire, IA, the daughter of Edward Paul and Anne (Duffy) Nolan.

She was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ayrshire and graduated from Sacred Heart High School. Gertrude continued her education and graduated from the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Sioux City, IA.

On September 18, 1951, she married Kenneth Eugene Larick at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ft. Dodge, IA.

They moved to West Union, IA, where she began a career as a lab and x-ray technician which spanned 31 years; beginning at the West Union Medical Clinic when it was owned and operated by Dr. William Wolf and Dr. David Freed and continuing after it was purchased by Gundersen Lutheran Clinic.

From 1998 until 2011 she lived in Waukon, IA where she and Kenneth had a farm, and since 2012 Gertrude has lived in Decatur, AL.

   Survivors include her children: Bill (Laura Downing) Larick of Anchorage, AK, Bob (Sheila Schultz) Larick of Alexandria, VA, and Paula K. Frengle of Decatur, AL; 3 grandchildren: Chelsea (Ed) Downing-Larick of Las Vegas, NV, Carrie (Pat) Downing-Larick of Silver Spring, MD, and Rayghan Larick of Charlottesville, VA; and 2 sisters: Gerry Nolan and Mary Gill, both of Edina, MN.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Kenneth, who died in 2007; and 4 brothers: Ray, Charles, Robert, and Jim Nolan.

   Casketbearers were Tim Mooney, Kyle Mara, Ed O'Connor, Pat Drupp, Steve Roach, and Mark Halverson.

   Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.

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Eleanor Scheffert

Eleanor Mae Scheffert, 97, Monona, died Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, at the Great River Care Center, McGregor.

Funeral Services were held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Leonard – Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona, Iowa.

Visitation was held one-hour before services at the Leonard – Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona, Iowa.

Burial followed in the Illyria Cemetery, rural Elgin, Iowa.

Leonard – Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona assisted the family with the arrangements.

Eleanor was born on Feb. 26, 1917, in rural Elkader, to Malcolm and Mae (Fritz) Guyer. She attended country school and graduated from Elkader High School in Elkader. Following high school, she received her teaching certificate and taught country school for a short time.

Eleanor was united in marriage to Earl Francis Scheffert on Nov. 14, 1936, in Rockford, IL. Four children were born to this union. Eleanor and Earl farmed near Elgin, Iowa, for nine years until moving to Monona, in 1947. They then farmed north of Monona, until 1967, at which time they retired into town.

Eleanor was a nurse’s aide at the Postville Hospital for twenty years. She enjoyed making mints for weddings and graduation parties, sewing, quilting, knitting, gardening and making jam. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Survivors include one son, Lanny (Linda) Scheffert, Monona; one daughter, Julie (Wayne) Knobbe, Fridley, MN; eight grandchildren, Lisa (John) Waddle, Lana (Mike) Larson, Lynette (Brian) Schatz, Lance (Jonna) Schutte, Kristin Scheffert, Jeremy (Stacy) Scheffert, Gary Scheffert, Laura Scheffert and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl Scheffert; two sons, Jerry and Keith Scheffert and one brother, Lawrence Guyer.

Condolences may be left with: www.graufuneralhomes.com.

Randy Molokken

Randy Lee Molokken, 56, of Clermont died Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, at Palmer Lutheran Health Center in West Union.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at Bethany Lutheran Church, rural Ossian. Visitation will be held one hour before services at the church on Saturday.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Clermont is in charge of arrangements.

Ruth Jencks

Ruth M. (Carey) Jencks, 91, formerly of Hawkeye, died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nev.

Memorial services are pending and will be held at a later date in Hawkeye.

Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Hawkeye is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dale Quass

Dale A. Quass, 76, of Ossian, Iowa died Monday, January 5, 2015 at the Ossian Senior Hospice, Ossian, Iowa. 

Dale Allen, the son of Albert and Esther (Lotvedt) Quass, was born March 17, 1938 at the family home south of Ossian. 

He graduated from Ossian High School in 1957. 

Dale was united in marriage with Phyllis Hamre on October 1, 1960 at the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church.  To this union, five sons were born.

Dale farmed the family farm south of Ossian until the spring of 2014, when he entered the Ossian Senior Hospice. 

Dale was a member of the Stavanger Lutheran Church, Ossian and held various offices on the church council. 

He served on the AMPI Board for over twenty years and served on the Dairy Council.  Dale received the Distinguished Dairy Family Award in 2006 and was honored with the Pioneer Dairy Award in 2011. 

Dale was known for riding his John Deere Gator around the neighborhood with his best friend, Sparky, sitting by his side. Wherever Dale went, Sparky went also.

Dale is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Phyllis, of Ossian; two sons, Kevin and Gary Quass of Ossian; and his brother Wayne (Phyllis Ann) Quass of Ossian.

Dale was preceded in death by three sons, Jeffrey, Allen, and Kyle Quass; and his parents, Albert and Esther Quass.

Visitation was Thursday, January 8, 2015 from 3-7 pm at Stavanger Lutheran Church, Ossian, Iowa with a one hour visitation before services at the church on Friday.

Funeral Services were at 11:00 am on Friday, January 9, 2015 at Stavanger Lutheran Church, Ossian, Iowa with Rev. Wayne Ellingson as the Officiant.

Inurnment will be at Stavanger Lutheran Cemetery, Ossian, Iowa at a later date.

Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Ossian, Iowa helped the family with the arrangements.        2u2

Ruth Jencks

Ruth M. (Carey) Jencks, 91, formerly of Hawkeye, died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Memorial services are pending and will be held at a later date in Hawkeye. Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Hawkeye is assisting Ruth’s family. Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com.

Ruth Margaret Carey Jencks was born April 24, 1923. On Aug. 2, 1942, she was married to Virgil Jencks. The couple resided in the Hawkeye, Waucoma, and West Union area. Ruth was a homemaker whose passion was baking for friends and neighbors. She moved to Las Vegas in 2012.

Ruth is survived by her son, Warren (Sandy) Jencks of Hawkeye; one daughter, Myrtis Smith of Las Vegas; seven grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; and a brother, Gene Carey of Springfield, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her daughter, Carol and son-in-law, Charles Weidemann; and one brother, Wayne Carey.

Cyril Holthaus

Cyril Holthaus, 96, of Ossian, Iowa died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015 at the Ossian Senior Hospice, Ossian, IA. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian.  Monsignor Cletus Hawes will be the officiant.

Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian.

Inurnment will be held in the St. Francis de Sales Cemetery at a later date.

Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Ossian, Iowa is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Cyril Felix, the son of Joseph and Anna (Schmitt) Holthaus, was born May 25, 1918 on the home farm near Festina, IA.  He was baptized and confirmed in his faith at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Parish in Festina, IA, where he also attended grammar school.

Cyril was united in marriage with Edna Kuennen of St. Lucas, IA, on February 16, 1942.  After their marriage, Cyril and Edna started farming two miles south of Ossian, IA.  They later moved to rural Castalia, IA and farmed there until they entered the Ossian Senior Hospice in May of 2008.

Cyril loved going to Cattle Sales, playing cards, gambling at “The Boat”, and driving around the countryside “just to check out the corn”!  Cyril was a longtime member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and was an honorary member of the Ossian Knights of Columbus #2073.

Cyril is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Chris Smaby of Cedar Rapids, IA;  thirteen grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, Rita Holthaus of Ossian IA; and Linda Holthaus of Castalia, IA; four sisters, Oda Lensing; Esther Timp; and Alice Scheidel, all of Decorah, IA; and Delores (John) Meyer of Calmar, IA; and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Cyril was preceded in death by his wife, Edna, who passed away in 2008; two sons, Joseph and Cleo, who passed away in 2006; his brothers, Walter, Nilus, Roy, and Robert Holthaus; and his sisters, Sylvia Bodensteiner and Hedwig Tieskoetter.

Carl Franzen

Carl B. Franzen, age 102, of Ossian, IA, died on Thursday, January 8, 2015, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, IA.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Monsignor Cletus Hawes on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church in Ossian.

Interment was in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, New Hampton. Casket bearers were Roger Franzen, Daniel Baumler, Randy Franzen, Duane Franzen, Dean Franzen, Tim Franzen, and George “Jim” Tierney.

Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Carl B. Franzen was born on September 21, 1912, the son of Joseph Sr. and Kathrina (Boyer) Franzen on the family farm near St. Lucas, IA. 

Carl attended St. Luke’s Catholic School and later worked with the CC Corps.

He was united in marriage to Madeline Kelly in 1942.

Together they farmed near Little Turkey and Fredericksburg until 1949.  They moved to West Union and he started Franzen Implement, selling Case farm equipment.

He retired in 1977 and moved to California in 1978 to be near his daughter.  While in California, he enjoyed growing tomatoes and square dancing with Madeline. 

He returned to New Hampton in 1994.  He entered the Barthell Eastern Star Home in 2006 and the Ossian Senior Hospice in 2009. 

Carl was a former Knights of Columbus member. 

Carl is survived by his daughter: Maureen (John) Skeese, LaQuinta, CA. Carl’s siblings and in-laws: Irvin Franzen, Hawkeye, IA; Helen (Ronald) Palmersheim, Greeley, IA; Marion Franzen, Decorah, IA; Eleanora Franzen, Ossian, IA; Janet Franzen, Ossian, IA; and JoAnn Franzen, Festina, IA, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents: Joseph Sr. and Kathrina (Boyer) Franzen.  His wife: Madeline on July 21, 2005. One son: David Carl Franzen on July 21, 1968. His step-mother: Elizabeth Franzen. Siblings: Catherine (Roy) Tierney, Marie (Lawrence) Bruening, Leonard (Mary) Franzen, Raymond Franzen, Guido “Pete” Franzen, Theresa (Ray) Baumler, Theckla Franzen in infancy, Louis (Arlene) Franzen, and Lawrence (Pat) Franzen, LeRoy Franzen and Francis Franzen.        3u3