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OLIVE LOUISE ZARUBA
Olive Louise Zaruba, daughter of John and Eleanora Shelden Dorff was born August 24, 1907 in Iowa City, Iowa. And Louise left this life as we know it on March 12, 2001 at 11:50 p.m. at the Ringgold County Hospital, Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Louise received her elementary and high school education in Beaconsfield, Iowa graduating with the class of 1925. Following her graduation she attended summer schools and taught schools In Decatur and Ringgold counties.
Louise was united in marriage to Lawrence Zaruba on July 25,1934 in the Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Together they farmed 43 years, settling in on the farm that Lawrence's parents first farmed, and where Lawrence lived for 70 years of his life.
On July 25, 1984, Louise and Lawrence were so surprised when family and friends brought refreshments and gifts to them to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
Louise was a devout Methodist serving in all the official capacities of the church, being secretary, president of the Women's Society of Christian Service, she taught Sunday school, was president of the church board, served 20 years on the committee for funeral dinners and instigated and gave generously to carpet the fellowship hall in the church basement.
She was an active member in the neighborhood Willing Workers Club serving as secretary, treasurer and president.
Preceding Louise in death are her parents; husband Lawrence on March 11, 1986; sister Ruth Tindle on December 14, 1985; brother Carl Dorff on December 7, 1992; brother-in-law James Tindle on April 12, 1995; and nephew John Dorff.
Surviving Louise in death are her nephews Dr. Marlyn Tindle (wife Toni) of Winterset, Iowa and Jerry Dorff of Evanston, Wyoming; nieces Carol Dorff Brandenburg (husband Charles) and Gloria Ward Dorff, both of Carson City, Nevada; grandniece Chantelle Hilliard (husband Leroy Kiphuth) of Monti-cello,
Minnesota; grandnephews, Jason and Justin Tindle of Winterset, great-grandniece Monica Irene Kiphuth of Monticello,
Minnesota; as well as cousins and a whole host of friends.
She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 15, 2001 at United Church of Diagonal, Diagonal, Iowa with Reverend Pam Farren officiating. Mrs. Judy Newton was the organist. Casket bearers were Dr. M. J. Tindle, Kenneth Schaefer, Robert Schlapia, Justin Tindle, Richard Hammond and Norman Klejch. Honorary pallbearer was Jason Tindle.
Louise was laid to rest in the Bohemian Cemetery , Diagonal.
WAYNE OSCAR BURCHETT
Wayne Oscar Burchett, son of Orval and Alice Burchett, was born December 25, 1920 at the family farm near Grand River, Iowa and died March 23, 2001 at Mount Ayr, Iowa after a lengthy illness. He was 80.
He graduated from Grand River high school in 1938. As a youth, Wayne was a 4-H member and showed prize-winning cattle. As an adult, he was a 4-H leader and served as a County Fair Board member. He married Gayle Elaine Carns July 18, 1942. They had two daughters, Anne and Cathy.
Mr. Burchett played basketball in high school and later officiated high school basketball. He once refereed a game played locally by the Harlem Globetrotters. He joined a classmate in starting the Grand River Alumni Association annual picnic. Mr. Burchett was a charter member of the Grand River Lions Club. He served as choir director and administrative board member as well as many other responsibilities at the Grand River United Methodist Church.
He lived in Decatur county and operated the Orval Burchett and Sons Hereford Ranch, a century farm, raising registered Herefords, and was a member of the American Hereford Association. He hosted an international tour of cattle breeders for the Iowa Hereford Association.
For nearly 40 years Mr. Burchett also owned and operated accounting, insurance and tax services with offices in Murray and Kellogg. He conducted tax seminars for colleagues around the state, and in 1991 he served as president of the Iowa Accountants Association.
Wayne Burchett was a man with creative energy who was an oil painter, carpenter, leather smith, builder, inventor and innovator. He enjoyed music, sports, raising and riding horses and serving his community.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Wanda and brother Wade.
He is survived by his wife Gayle Burchett of Mount Ayr; daughter Anne Barton and her husband Lester of Chandler, Arizona; daughter Cathy McCabe and her husband Michael of Gilbert, Arizona; grandsons, Kenneth and Jacob Barton of Chandler, Arizona, Douglas and Andrew McCabe of Seattle, Washington; great-grandchildren, Alexander and Ava McCabe of Seattle; one sister Wilda Boles of Grand River; as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held on March 26, 2001 at the Grand River United Methodist Church in Grand River with Pastor Rick Hawkins officiating. Penny Gonseth was the musician and Emil Rinderspacher the soloist. Bearers were Eric Boles, Terry Boles, Allen Burchett, Keith Burchett, Marshall Burchett, Richard Burchett, Merrill Carns and Bernard Stogdill. Honorary bearers were Mary Breheny, Bill Breheny, Robert Burchett, Kate Burchett, Robert Conwell, David Cooper and Frank Reasoner.
Interment was in the Grand River Cemetery , Grand River.
Arrangements were made through the Slade O'Donnell Funeral Home of Leon, Iowa.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Iowa Chapter of the Alzheimers Association, 700 E. University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50316.
CARROLL (LEFTY) PORTER GEIST
Carroll Porter Geist better known as Lefty was born in Ellston, Iowa to Elmer and Sophia (Schultz) Geist on November 28, 1919 and left us on March 23, 2001.
At the age of 17, he signed a major league contract to play baseball with the Cleveland Indians and later for the Saint Louis Browns. His love of baseball shaped his life. From being honored as the Outstanding Amateur Iowa Athlete of Iowa to pitching a baseball game so hard that it broke his arm. When he moved to Mount Ayr, Iowa he played first base with the Mount Ayr Vets team. His constant chatter of "Hey, hey, Baby" made that position his own. He managed the team before "sackin' the bats."
World War II called Lefty to service. Most of the time was spent in the South Pacific Theater reclaiming the Philippines and surrounding islands. Freeing the prisoners from Santa Tomas prison camp to being with the First Calvary as they were the first to march the streets of Tokyo were two of the things he would talk about, but little else would ever be told. He was a humble man believing the heroes were the ones who didn't come home.
His life, after marrying Cleola Burchett on August 26, 1948, settled them in Van Wert, Iowa. Cullen was born June 1, 1949. It gave him great joy to have a "red headed" boy. Crae was born to complete the family on May 27, 1957, yet another joy.
In 1951, he and his family moved back to Mount Ayr purchasing interest in the "Sandwich Shop." In the year of '53 he became part owner of the "Club Tavern" later becoming sole owner of "Lefty's Club Tavern." After giving up the restaurant business he purchased the "Q Club."
"The Attic" was established in 1968 and ran as an addition to Lefty's Club Tavern. Lefty continued in business until 1988 when it was sold to his son Crae and he became an employee. He worked there until Thursday night, March 22, 2001.
He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Mount Ayr Methodist Church and Mount Ayr Golf and Country Club.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, two brothers, Loring Geist and an infant son of Sophie and Elmer Geist.
Lefty is survived by his wife Cleola; son Cullen and fiancée Donna Harrington, grandchildren Blaine and Adriene and their mother Leslie; son Crae and wife Jodie, granddaughters Sarah and Kelsey; nephew Larry Geist and family; sisters-in-law Betty Geist and Betty Powers; brother-in-law Keith Burchett; nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends of all ages.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 27, 2001 at the United Methodist Church, Mount Ayr, with Reverend Michael Druhl officiating. Musicians were Mrs. Debbie Cannon and Dr. Collus Lawhead. Casket bearers were Kelly Main, Steve Fetty, Mac Cross, Ted Smith, Steve Mitchell, Scott Giles, Max McGehee and Bill Blunck. Honorary pallbearers are all of those who have shared a baseball experience with Lefty.
Military rites were given by Ringgold Post #172 American Legion.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
VIOLET LEOAN GROSE
Violet Leoan Grose died on March 25, 2001 at Creston Nursing and Rehab Center. Services will be on Thursday, March 29, 2001 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Ellston, Iowa. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 28 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr.
Violet was born on June 28, 1907 to George and Molly (Brown) Trower in Grand River, Iowa. She graduated from Ellston high school in 1927. She received her teacher's certificate from Clarinda. She taught school in the Ellston and Beaconsfield area for six years.
On August 5, 1931 she was united in marriage to John Grose of Tingley, Iowa. They farmed in the Ellston area for 50 years.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Ellston, Rebekah Lodge and Tingley Kitchen Band. She served on the Iowa Southern Trolley advisory board. She attended the Tingley Meal Site and was active in the Kitchen Band for 20 years. Violet placed fourth in the State Fair Senior Spelling Contest in 1985.
She enjoyed traveling and was proud of the fact that she had visited all 50 states. Violet lived on the farm near Ellston until four years ago when she moved to Creston.
Violet treasured her family throughout the years. She is survived by four children: Duane and wife Sylvia of Glenrock, Wyoming, Roger and wife Janet of Perry, Iowa, a daughter Gloria Reed of Le Mars, Iowa and Richard and wife Susan of Creston; 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by John on October 7, 1981; her parents; one brother Gerald Trower; one sister Gladys Babbit; and son-in-law Joe Reed.
Pastor Jeff Flagg will officiate the funeral service. Mrs. Darlene Morgan is the organist. Casket bearers are Kevin Reed, Chris Grose, Steve Grose, Kenny Grose, Donnie Grose and Dan Krall. Burial will follow at the Ellston Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Ellston United Methodist Church or the Tingley Meal Site.
LESTER SICKELS
Lester Sickels, the fourth child of EG and Belle Nye Sickels, was born June 27, 1909 in Worth county, Missouri and departed this life March 21, 2001 at Mount Ayr Health Care Center where he had been a resident for five years.
When he was three years old the family moved to Blockton, Iowa where he began his education. At the age of nine, they moved to Ringgold county where he lived most of the rest of his life, except for the three years when he worked as a mechanic in Florida and five years in Guttenberg, Iowa.
He was married at Clarinda, Iowa on February 22, 1930 to Dorothy Louise Snethen. In 1938, while in Florida, they adopted their first child, Elizabeth Geraldine. She was later joined by Lois Gayle and twin sons, Dan Allen and Dennis Earl.
Lester was a man who loved people and an adventure. He had a dream to see what was over every hill. He and Dorothy were privileged to travel many places together. During his five years as a driver for Hilton Mobile Home in Guttenberg, he logged over a quarter million accident-free miles. At the time of his baptism into the First Christian church in Mount Ayr when he was 88 years old, he commented that there was only one more hill that he wanted to climb to see what was on the other side.
For three years, he was the championship cornpicker in Ringgold county and competed in state contests where he placed third at the 1930 contest at Shenandoah, Iowa.
Lester lived a life of service to others. He was a member of local school boards for 13 years before being elected to the county school board for 12 years. He resigned that position when he was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives for two terms. This service took place during the time there was no salary for such positions.
He belonged to the Mount Ayr Lions Club, the Odd Fellows Lodge and the Ringgold County Sheriff's Posse. He was always proud of playing a small part in getting the Ringgold County Hospital located in Mount Ayr. Following his legislative service, he was appointed to a citizen's advocacy committee which formed the fifth judicial district Correctional Board in 1979. He served on that board until 1984. He was proud to say that he knew someone in every county in Iowa and many others throughout the United States.
He was known as a master storyteller, a heritage that came from his family. He was often found examining family records and could trace his mother's written ancestry back 24 generations for his great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 64 years; infants son Dennis Earl, granddaughter Lisa Jane Buckner and great-granddaughter Christine Lynn Post; sister Cleta Pyle; and brothers, Rex, Cecil, Roy, Dean, Duane, Earl and Jim.
Left to mourn his passing are daughters, Jeri Pomi and husband Don of Fallon, Nevada, Gayle Buckner of Des Moines; son Dan Allen Sickels; six grandchildren, Steve Pomi (Julie) of Reno, Nevada, Mike (Jeannie) Pomi of Sparks, Nevada, Susan Buckner Post (Allen) of Woden, Iowa, Tim Buckner of Des Moines, Shawn Buckner (Renee) of Grimes, Iowa and Scott Sickels.
He particularly enjoyed his 10 great-grandchildren and enjoyed following their rodeo achievements in Nevada and seeing the little Iowa ones on a regular basis. They are Whitney and Tory Pomi of Sparks, Nevada, McKenzie and Jake Pomi of Reno, Nevada, Gregory, Amanda and Kyle Post of Woden; Caitlin and Cody Buckner of Indianola, Iowa and Brittney Buckner of Grimes.
He is also survived by one brother Don Sickels of Mount Ayr; one sister Viona Forst of Des Moines; seven sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 24, 2001 at First Christian Church in Mount Ayr with Reverend John Brillo officiating. Musicians were Nancy Sackett, Mary Trullinger and Melanie Knapp. Casket bearers were Tim Buckner, Shawn Buckner, Allen Post, Ronald Sickels, Mike Sickels and Steve Sickels.
Honorary pallbearers were Mike Pomi, Steve Pomi, Scott Sickels, Bill Sickels, Gene Sickels, William Glenn Sickels, Mack Sickels, Donald Woods, Dennis Dobbs, Bob Sickels, John Sickels, Sam Sickels, Larry Sickels and Gary Sickels.
Lester was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery , Mount Ayr.
Whitney Pomi of Sparks, Nevada wrote this tribute to her great-grandfather.
CORALYN LORRAYNE SWANK
Coralyn (Lorrayne) Swank was born May 12, 1918 on a farm northwest of Diagonal, Iowa. She passed away March 24, 2001 at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr at the age of 82 years, 10 months and 12 days.
Lorrayne was the only child of Arthur and Gladys Simpson Clayton. The family moved from the farm into Diagonal when Lorrayne was a young girl. She attended grade school in Diagonal and was baptized when she was a young girl at the Presbyterian Church there. She attended and graduated from Diagonal high school in 1935.
On March 19, 1938 Lorrayne and William Swank were united in marriage at Osceola, Iowa, and at that time they moved to a farm east of Diagonal. They were never privileged to have children of their own but enjoyed the many nieces and nephews who spent time with them. They later moved to a farm near Lamoni, Iowa and lived there 17 years.
In 1963 they moved to what is known as the home farm where they took care of Bill's father Lewis for 12 years. They continued to live on the farm until July of 1998 when they moved into Mount Ayr, Iowa. They spent 63 happy years of marriage together.
At Lamoni, Lorrayne was a faithful member of a neighborhood club where she held many offices. She used to bake and decorate birthday and wedding cakes which she enjoyed doing and was very good at. She also spent many hours crocheting and making potholders and various crafts.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Arthur and Gladys Clayton; parents-in-law, Lottie and Lewis Swank; four brothers-in-law, Robert, Raymond, Lyle and Glen Swank; sister-in-law Wilma Swank; and nephew Donald Swank.
She is survived by her husband William; brother-in-law Lawrence Swank of Mount Ayr; four sisters-in-law, Georgine Swank of Mount Ayr, Margaret Swank of Lenox, Iowa, Marion Swank Hervey of Keosauqua, Iowa and Ina Swank Chapin of Mount Ayr; and the many nieces and nephews include, Mary Higday and companion Jay Bowen, Merle Swank and wife Barb, Lyle Swank Jr. and wife Mary, Linda Swanson and husband Bob, Carolyn Wilson and husband Wayne, Leonard Swank and wife Charlotte, Elvin Swank and wife Cathy, Lila Stewart and husband Dan, Larry Swank and companion Deb, Shirley Hightshoe and husband Dave, Steve Swank, Rose Campbell and husband John, Gary Swank, Cathy Coulson and husband Jim, Kenny Swank and wife Jeanne, Frances Jackson and husband Rolland and their families.
She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Services were held at the Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on March 27, 2001. Services were conducted by Reverend Peter Bratner. Music was by Bill Hightshoe with Jane Thomas as organist. Pallbearers were Merle Swank, Gary Swank, Leonard Swank, Lyle Swank Jr., Steve Swank, Kenny Swank, Billy Hightshoe and Jim Coulson.
Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery
at Mount Ayr. Memorials can be made to the Ringgold County Hospital.
