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VELDA ELEANOR ROUTH
Velda Eleanor Chandler, youngest daughter of Thomas Jefferson and Fannie Fern Rhoades Chandler, was born on November 19, 1922 in rural Adams county, Iowa. A sister, Marjorie, completed the family. Velda died on January 3, 2000 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa after a short illness.
As a child, Velda lived in rural Taylor and Adams counties and attended Platte schools until high school. Velda graduated from Lenox high school in 1940. She earned her teaching certificate by attending "normal school" and extension classes from the Iowa Teachers College, Cedar Falls.
She began her teaching career at Lincoln #2 in Ringgold county, two miles north of the present Routh farm location. Later she taught in Platte #7 country school, a mile north of the Chandler homestead, three miles north of Clearfield, Iowa. After nine years of teaching, she married Francis Aaron on April 23, 1949 in Winterset, Iowa. They began farming in Lincoln township. Velda continued to reside on the farm until the time of her death.
The family of Francis and Velda included four children: Kathleen Kay, Julie Ann, Joan Francine and James Jeffrey.
Velda continued her teaching career in the special education classroom in Mount Ayr and taught Sunday school classes at the Methodist Church in Clearfield. She loved children and enjoyed creating interesting activities for them.
Velda's children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. She was a generous and loving mother, always thinking of her family and others. An "outdoors" person, she was happy gardening, working with flowers or checking things around the farm. Velda enjoyed cooking special meals, visiting with neighbors and friends and showed concern and empathy for all who came her way. Her strong spiritual belief sustained her in difficult times.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Fannie Chandler; a twin sister Velma, at birth; and her husband Francis.
Left to cherish her memory are Kathleen Koether (husband Greg), Scott, Klint and Kayla Koether of McGregor, Iowa, Julie Routh, Thomas, Karie Ann and Patrick of Des Moines and Diagonal, Joan of Mount Ayr; Jim Routh and Sharon England, Tyan and Taylen of Clearfield, Dave Shiflett of Grand River, Iowa, sister Marjorie Davenport (husband John) of DeWitt, Marvin and Dorothy Routh of Lenox, Lee and Onetta Routh of Diagonal as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.
Services were held Thursday, January 6, 2000 at the United Methodist Church in Clearfield with Reverend Alan Rusk officiating. Maralene Longfellow and Kathy Nelson provided music. Casketbearers were Steve Stamps, Dave Shiflett, Greg Powell, Marvin Votava, Kenny Sobotka and John Whittington. Honorary pallbearers were Earl Baker, Al Larsen, Delbert Routh, Dean Spurrier, Paul Chandler, Willard Bentley, Russell Davenport, Robert Rhoades, David Shelledy and Lester Elliott.
Velda was laid to rest in the Diagonal Cemetery , Diagonal, Iowa.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
RITA ROBERTA ARENDS
Rita Arends, 61, of rural Maloy, Iowa died January 3, 2000 of cancer at the Clearview Home in Clearfield, Iowa.
Mrs. Arends was born March 31, 1938 in Hamilton county, Iowa to Robert and Mildred (Collins) Madsen. She attended Webster City high school.
On February 4, 1956 she married Wyatt Arends, Jr. in Nashua, Iowa. She worked with her husband on the farm and together they ran an anituqe shop in Jewell, Iowa. In 1995 Rita and Wyatt moved to rural Maloy. In 1998 she purchased a flower shop in Corning where she worked until she became ill and sold the shop. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Clearfield.
Survivors include a son Shannon (wife Chris) Arends of Maloy; two daughters, Kellie (husband Lom) Cavan of Jewell and Carrie Arends of Florida; a sister Penny Berg of Ottumwa, Iowa; a brother Tim (wife Carla) Madsen of Marshalltown, Iowa; her mother Mildred Madsen of Marshalltown; and four grandchildren, Breann, Logan and Baylee Arends and MaKayla Cavan.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wyatt Arends, Jr., and father, Robert Madsen.
Services were held Thursday, January 6, 2000 at the United Methodist Church in Clearfield with Reverend Alan Rusk officiating. Patty Parrish was the organist and Kathy Nelson the vocalist for the service. Casketbearers were Ronny Leonard, Wesley Freemyer, Stanley Knox and Bob Bailey.
Services were also held Friday, January 7, 2000 at the Kamrar Community Church, Kamrar, Iowa with Pastor David Beals and Reverend Alan Rusk officiating. Darrell Klaver was the organist for the service. Casketbearers were Mitch Dunham, John Greenfield, Duane Amsbaugh, Justin Borer, Chit Lovan and Jason Krigel.
Mrs. Arends was laid to rest in the Presbyterian Church Cemetery , Kamrar.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr, Iowa was in charge of the arrangements.
HAZEL MERCER
Ona Dell Hazel Mercer was born in Gage county, Oklahoma, September 4, 1902 to George and Mollie (Tackett) Hiatt, and departed this life January 15, 2000 in the Mount Ayr Health Care Center, Mount Ayr, Iowa, at the age of 97 years, four months and 11 days.
As a young girl she lived in the rural area of Kansas City, Kansas. On January 24, 1916 she was united in marriage to Roy Mercer in Mount Ayr. To this union one son was born who died at birth. A foster son, Bernard Edward Straight, also died at an early age.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roy, her infant son and foster son, and seven brothers and sisters, names unknown. Her entire life was spent as a farmer's wife or a farmer in her own right, living in Taylor and Ringgold county, Iowa, except for a few years as a young girl living with relatives in the rural Kansas City area.
Always thrifty, Hazel lived a frugal life working hard and industriously. She cared for her invalid husband for several years while continuing the farming operation. In doing so she gained the respect and admiration of all who knew her. With the assistance of the Ringgold County Public Health personnel she was able to remain in her own home on the farm until December, 1995 when she moved to the Mount Ayr Health Care Center.
She is survived by nieces and nephews.
Services were held Tuesday, January 18, 2000 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with Reverend Scott Marcum officiating. Nancy Sackett, Mary Trullinger and Margaret Bickers provided music. Casketbearers were Marcia Showalter, Sue Beck, Becky Fletchall, Sharon Carr, Carol Anne Galloway and Sharla Norris.
Hazel was laid to rest in the Platteville Cemetery , Blockton, Iowa.
NIRA GLEE MOORE
Nira Glee Stevens Moore, daughter of Homer R. and Edith Beadle Stevens, was born February 17, 1904, northwest of Diagonal, Iowa. She passed away on January 15, 2000 at the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
She was united in marriage to Claude D. Moore and to this union was born a son, Claude Dale Moore, Jr.
She enjoyed life to the fullest and her greatest joy was being around her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband Claude; her parents, Homer and Edith Stevens; three grandchildren; a sister Vera Harriman; three brothers, Walter, R.B. and Cecil Stevens; and a sister-in-law Dorothea Stevens.
She is survived by her son Claude and his wife Ruth Ann of Primghar, Iowa; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Steven Moore and his children Kelly and Andrew all of Denver, Colorado; Annette Lusero and husband Vick and their son Samuel all from Longmont, Colorado; and Denise Philiph and husband Kelly and their children Michael, Angie and Christie Frangenberg, all from Primghar; one great-great-granddaughter Ashley Frangenberg; a sister Donna Bear and husband Orville Bear of Mount Ayr; two sisters-in-law, Verna and Mary Stevens of Des Moines; and many nieces, nephews, family members and a host of friends.
Services were held on Tuesday, January 18, 2000 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with Reverend John Brillo officiating. Ginny Eighmy and Dr. Collus Lawhead provided music. Casket-bearers were Jim Mahan, Don Solliday, Max McGehee, Hugh Terwilliger, Jerry Kemery and Merritt Triggs.
She was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery , Mount Ayr.
BEATRICE ELECTA MOTSINGER
Beatrice Electa Motsinger was born November 19, 1913 in Benton, Iowa. She was the first child of Delmer and Jessie (Dillenburg) Gunter. She passed away January 12, 2000 at her home in Benton at the age of 86 years.
Beatrice grew up in Benton and graduated from Benton high school in 1931.
On January 19, 1932 she was united in marriage to Newell Motsinger in Grant City, Missouri. To this union three children were born, of whom a son died in infancy.
They lived in Worth county, Missouri after their marriage for about a year and then in 1933 they moved back to Benton where she spent the rest of her years.
Bea and Newt lived on a farm and she enjoyed gardening and her flowers. For several years she belonged to the New & Few Club in Benton and the Lady Circle in the Presbyterian Church in Mount Ayr. She liked to help out at the Benton Community Center and enjoyed making salads and pies for the center. Her family was very important to her and her three great-grandchildren were the apples of her eye.
Left to cherish her memory are her son Richard Motsinger of Benton; a daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Don Hove of Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren, Brian Hove, Brad Hove, Brenda Alzuri and husband Charles and Becky Hove; great-grandchildren, Tessa Alzuri and Callasandra and Kiyah Caudell, all of Omaha, Nebraska; and many relatives and friends.
Preceding her death were her parents, Delmer and Jessie Gunter; her husband Newell; her infant son Harvey; and her brother Ralph Gunter.
Services were held on Saturday, January 15, 2000 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr, Iowa with Reverend Peter Brantner officiating. Nancy Sackett, Mary Trullinger and Margaret Bickers provided music. Casketbearers were Brian Hove, Brad Hove, Mark Cadle, Charles Alzuri, Eugene Dillenburg and Charles Waske. Honorary pallbearers were Tim Minnick and Randy Andrews.
Bea was laid to rest in the Benton Cemetery , Benton.
RAY POTTORFF
Ray Pottorff, oldest son of Joseph and Lula (Kinder) Pottorff, was born May 31, 1907 at home in Riley township, Ringgold county, Iowa, and passed away January 11, 2000 at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Iowa at the age of 92 years.
Ray was born and raised in Ringgold county. In 1928, he started working as a commissary clerk for Hanlin Supply Company, a subsidiary of the Santa Fe Railway, working from Chicago to El Paso, Texas. After three years he returned to Iowa, where he married Iris Andrews on February 24, 1935 in Des Moines, Iowa. Of this union was born a son, Albert, and a daughter, Ann. They lived on a farm in Riley township until retiring in 1977, when they moved into Mount Ayr.
He was a dedicated member of the R.L.D.S. Church throughout his life.
Ray was always willing to try new things. After retirement, he learned the game of golf, taught himself to type and spent hours in his garage shop making and putting together the parts for two working steam engines. But he found the most enjoyment in helping others and gave care to his wife during her last 10 years of illness. Iris passed away on December 1, 1993.
On January 6, 1996, Ray married Norma Searles McClintock in Mount Ayr.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lula Pottorff; brothers Ivan and Dale; and his wife Iris.
He is survived and remembered by his wife Norma of Mount Ayr; son Albert Pottorff and wife Joan of Independence, Missouri; daughter, Ann Hembry and husband Marvin of West Des Moines, Iowa; stepchildren, Steve Smith and wife Sharon of Mount Ayr and Mary Jane Thompson and husband Jon of Sun Valley Lake; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and long time friends.
Services were held on Saturday, January 15, 2000 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Alan Smith and Virgil Howie officiating. Musicians were Ginny Eighmy and Frank Hudson. Casket-bearers were Mike Gilliland, Derald Noble, Kenneth Hebensperger, Lyle Gilliland, Robert Shafer and Harold Bower.
Ray was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery , Mount Ayr.
LARRY DEAN BUSBY
Larry Dean Busby was born on October 7, 1948 to John W. and Louise Mary Margaret Busby. He attended Clearfield Community school until high school where he graduated from Poudre high school in Fort Collins, Colorado. He attended Bernel Hair Styling Studio where he became a licensed cosmetologist. He worked for Crazy Horse Salon and Bill's Coiffure.
He was drafted into the Army in 1968 and served time in Vietnam. After serving his country he returned to Fort Collins and married Deanna Blagg in April of 1970, and to this union one child was born, Melissa Lee Busby. The family had lived in Colorado, Washington and Iowa.
Larry was then married to Kim Flannery in September of 1979 and to this union four children were born, Christopher, Chantel, Clay and Carter. The family then lived in Colorado, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Possibly Larry's happiest time in life was as a drywall manager in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He battled many heartaches and struggles during his short lifetime. The last year of his life, Larry worked at the Sears store in Mason City, Iowa where he served as their top salesman in the appliance department.
Leaving to mourn his passing are his children, Melissa and husband Bob Hill of Belmond, Iowa as well as a granddaughter Brooklyn; his former wife Kim and their children, Christopher, Chantel, Clay and Carter of Wessington Springs, South Dakota; sisters, Christene and husband Dale Solomon of Evanston, Wyoming, and Pat and husband Jim Walling of Webster City, Iowa; brother John and wife Sue Busby of Clearfield, Iowa; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. He adored his children and granddaughter.
Preceding in death before him were his father John Busby; his mother Louise Busby; and his brother-in-law Larry Morris.
Services were held on Monday, January 24, 2000 at the United Methodist Church in Clearfield, Iowa with Reverend Alan Rusk officiating. Organist Patty Parrish played several selections. Casketbearers were Butch England, Gerald England, Terry England, Jake England, Tim Becker and Bill Larsen. Honorary pallbearers were Gary Wenzel, Dale Solomon, Jim Walling, Bill Fearnot, Bobby England and Denny England.
Larry was laid to rest in the Clearfield Cemetery , Clearfield. Military graveside rites were given by Woodside Post #97 American Legion.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
RICHARD DEAN MCNEAR
BRIAN CHRISTOPHER MCNEAR
SEAN PATRICK MCNEAR
MISTY CASANDRA MCNEAR
Richard Dean McNear was born December 20, 1953 in Des Moines, Iowa to Richard Dale and Phyllis Arlene (King) McNear. He welcomed into the family his brothers, Bob and Randy, and sister Regina.
Dean, as he was known to family and friends, grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Des Moines Tech. Dean is remembered as a good student and a very good kid, never tearing up stuff! Dean served in the U. S. Navy during the Vietnam conflict. While in the Navy, his letters home were signed G. O. D., Good Old Dean. When the family lived in Diagonal, Iowa, Dean furthered his education at Southwest Iowa Community College in Creston where he was an honor student.
Dean was proud of his Irish heritage. He loved his children and was very proud and protective of them. He collected old comic books and baseball cards with the hopes that his children would benefit from their increased value. Dean worked at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr.
Dean's family began with the birth of his daughter Jennifer. On March 19, 1985, he was united in marriage to Cathy Lou Kingery in Plattsmouth, Nebraska and he would become the proud father of three more children.
Brian Christopher was born April 24, 1986 in Papillion, Nebraska. Brian was a seventh grade student in Mount Ayr, Iowa. He was a member of the basketball team and played clarinet in the band.
Sean Patrick was born December 23, 1989 in Papillion, Nebraska. He enjoyed his computer games, PokéMon and was an e-mail whiz. Sean was a fourth grade student.
Misty Casandra was born December 25, 1994 in Creston, Iowa. She was starting her education at Head Start Preschool. Her favorite colors were purple and pink and she liked to dress up and play Barbie.
The family lived in Diagonal in the early 1990's and Jenni graduated from high school there. Five years ago they moved to Mount Ayr and have since made it their home. The children were well mannered and polite and Mom and Dad worked to provide them with a loving home. The family grew two years ago with the addition of Jenni and Carl's son Bailey whom Dean was very proud of.
They were preceded in death by Dean's sister Regina D. Conn and Cathy's father Lawrence Kingery.
Left to love and cherish their memory is Cathy, a loving mother and wife; Jennifer Webb and her husband Carl of Mount Ayr; Robert D. McNear, Sr. and his wife Terri of Ottumwa, Iowa; Randall D. McNear and his wife Brenda of Des Moines; Dean's half sister Leigh of Boone, Iowa; Richard D. and Phyllis McNear of Des Moines; Karen Kingery of Guthrie Center, Iowa; Velda King of Anaheim, California; Pauline Kingery of Diagonal; and many loving and caring aunts, uncles, cousins, family members and loyal friends.
Funeral services were held Friday, January 21, 2000 at the Mount Ayr Community high school gymnasium with Reverend Charles Hawkins officiating. Musical selections were "The Dance," "Free Bird," "Larger Than Life," "Wind Beneath My Wings," "Pie Yazoo," sung by the fifth and sixth grade choir and "Theme From Titanic." Casketbearers were Carl Webb, Scott Pendegraft, Scott Holder, Randy Simpson, Terry Young, Bob Hardy, Spencer Holder, Kevin Shellman, Kenny Ford, Steve Hardy, Dave Mick and Steve Loomis. Honorary pallbearers were Ron Ford, Tim Cooper, Jason Ford and Vern Liesener.
Dean, Brian, Sean and Misty were laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery , Mount Ayr.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
