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Andrew ‘Andy’ G Lowrance
MASON CITY — Andrew “Andy” G Lowrance, 57, of Mason City, died Friday, May 15, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City.
A gathering of friends and family will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Ave. Memorials may be directed to the Andrew G Lowrance Memorial Fund.
Andy was born on May 1, 1952, in Drama, Greece, the son of Gerald and Charlotte (Buell) Lowrance. He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School of Council Bluffs in 1970 and later graduated from the North Iowa Area Community College. Andy was a “Jack of all trades” when it came to work, but specialized as a mechanic and computer technician for most his life. In most recent years he was a driver and trainer for Express Shuttle of Mason City.
Andy was married to Audrey Boone from April 1973 to 1992, and from that union came three children. Andrew loved woodworking, reading, photography and working on computers. His most profound joy came from his three children, of whom he spoke frequently with intense pride.
He is survived by his three children, Tobi Lowrance, Sarah Lowrance, both of Chicago, Ill., and Scott Lowrance of Sheldon; a sister, Becky Hunt, and husband Dean of Omaha, Neb.; his parents, and two nieces and a nephew.
He was preceded in death by his nephew, Matthew Hunt; grandparents, Ambrose and Maude Lowrance and Leslie and Emma Buell.
Major Erickson Funeral Home, Mason City, 641-423-0924.
A. Helena Oetken
OSAGE —Alice Helena Oetken, age 100, of Osage, died Saturday (May 16, 2009) at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2009, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, with Pastor Paul Brown officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery , Rock Township, east of Grafton.
Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.
A. Helena Oetken was born in Schyler County, Queen City, Mo., on Feb. 2, 1909, to Clarence and Clara Edna (Johnson) Van Meter. During her early childhood, the family moved to northern Iowa, and in 1916 established their home in Hurley, Iowa. She received her education in the Hurley School and the Rockwell High School.
On Sept. 19, 1927, she was united in marriage to Fred Oetken at the Baptist parsonage in Swaledale, Iowa. During the early years of their marriage, they made their home in several towns in Iowa and Illinois. Then in 1939, with their young family, they moved to Northwood and resided there for a number of years. Helena enjoyed her homemaker tasks of baking, preserving food, and sewing. During the summer months, she enjoyed working with her husband maintaining their big yard with beautiful flower beds and bird life. In the early 1950s, her artistic talent was beginning to spark her interest as she began to study oil painting from the Campana School of Art, Chicago, Ill., which eventually included the study of porcelain decorating. In 1960, she began teaching this art to others and continued for thirty-six years. Color was her great interest; she made an eight year study of mineral colors experimenting with combined color values. She published a booklet on these combinations which was sold in the United States and some foreign countries. From 1970 to 1985, she was a porcelain art consultant in Iowa and neighboring states. In addition, she attended a number of state and national art shows in Washington, D.C., California, Florida, and other states. Her professional naturalistic talent enabled her to produce a number of landscape scenes that depicted flowers and bird life which graced the homes of her children. Other artistic skills included painting and dressing porcelain dolls, designing and sewing garments for herself and daughters, and knitting and crocheting beautiful articles for family, friends, and missions. She was the last surviving charter member of the Iowa State Porcelain Teachers, organized in July of 1966. In that organization, she served in all offices and was president for two years. In July 1967, she was accepted as a member of the International Teachers of Porcelain Art and was featured several times in the International Magazine. In addition, she was a member of the World Organization of China Painters and organized the Flower-de-Luce China Club in Osage, Iowa. She also was a member of the Audubon Society for 50 years.
In 1978, she moved from Northwood to Osage to be closer to her daughter and family. She continued her china painting classes in her Osage home which included students from Forest City, Albert Lea, Freeborn, Austin, and Riceville. She taught these weekly classes until October 1996, retiring at age 87. She enjoyed her fellowship with her many friends in the Osage Senior Citizen Organization. During the years, she was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Osage, and the “Ever Ready Circle.”
Survivors include a son, Armand F. (Phyllis) Oetken of Mason City, a daughter, Mariedna (Allen) Wilde of Osage, son-in-law, Orville Jorgenson of Oskaloosa; four grandsons, Mark D. Lindflott of Polk City, Terry F. (Susan) Oetken of Northwood, Brian G. (Phyllis) Wilde of Stratford, and Barry A. Wilde of Edina, Minn.; four great-grandchildren, Dr. Sherri Oetken of Harrison Township, Michigan, Kati Oetken of Cedar Falls, Blair Wilde of Webster City, and Brittaney Wilde of Stratford; three step-grandsons, Merill and Daniel Jorgenson of Newton, and Charles Jorgenson of Waterville,
Minnesota; nieces and nephews, Clarence (Ruth) Oetken of Rockwell, Jerry (Sandra) Oetken, Ruth Godwin, and Bonnie Harmon, all of Florida; Gary Frerichs, Sandra Treadway, and Cynthia Paulsen, all of Clear Lake; Jerry (Carol) Miller of Lynnwood, Wash., and Nola Jean Miller of California.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fred, on Feb. 17, 1975; a daughter, Bette Lou Jorgenson, on March 1, 2005; two sisters, Eugenia Oetken, Juanita Frerichs; and a brother, Lieutenant Colonel Clarence M. Van Meter.
Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage 641-732-3706.
Arvid Merlin Hanna
DONNA, Texas — Arvid Merlin Hanna, 84, of Donna, Texas, formerly of Mason City, Iowa, died Monday, April 27, 2009 at his home in Donna.
A memorial service was held on May 3, 2009, at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco, Texas. A graveside memorial service will be held May 30, 2009, at 2 p.m. at the Oakland Cemetery
in Forest City, Iowa.
Jennifer Joy Gisel
NAVARRE, Fla. — Jennifer Joy Gisel, 29, passed away on May 16, 2009.
She was born in Tucson, Ariz., on July 4th, 1979, to Steven and Donna Gisel. She was employed as a counselor at Twelve Oaks rehabilitation center in Navarre, Fla., and held a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of West Florida. She was an experienced equestrian rider, talented pianist and member of the McGuire’s running club in Pensacola, Fla.
Her passions in life included running and swimming with her beloved dogs, Sabine and Guinness, horseback riding, water/snow skiing, playing piano, spending time with her best friends and sisters, Tiffany and Stephanie, as well as cooking and entertaining. She had the ability to light up any room with her outgoing personality, smile, laugh and beautiful blue eyes.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday at 3 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Niceville, Fla.
Jennifer is survived by her mother and step-father, Doug and Donna Reed of Niceville; sisters, Tiffany Gisel of St. Kitts, West Indies, and Stephanie Gisel of Niceville, Fla.; grandparents, Willard and Gladys Gisel of Ventura, Iowa, and grandmother, Sheilah Hyde of Des Moines, Iowa. She is further survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
She is preceded in death by her father, Steven Gisel and grandfather, Dale Hyde. A memorial fund has been set up at the Niceville Compass bank (BBVA) in Jennifer’s honor.
Donald Meek
CHARLES CITY — Donald Meek, 80, of Charles City, died Monday (May 18, 2009) at Cedar Health in Charles City.
A funeral Mass for Donald Meek will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Monsignor Stanley Hayek will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery
in Charles City.
Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday where a vigil Scriptural wake service will be held at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Thursday at the church an hour prior to the Mass.
Donald Leo Meek was born on July 10, 1928, in Floyd County, the son of John H. and Mary (Marzen) Meek. He received his education at Saint Mary’s Academy in Greene.
Donald proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.
On Dec. 27, 1952, he was united in marriage to Cheryl Boyer at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. Donald farmed from 1952 to 1990 in the Greene and Colwell areas and was co-owner, with his brother Wayne, of Meek Brothers Grinding and Mixing.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge and served for nine years as a board member of the Colwell Coop. In his early years he enjoyed playing softball at Greene. Don liked watching the Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes, and taking in games of Comette softball. In his spare time he also did woodworking. Don and Cheryl always looked forward to dancing on Saturday nights.
Living family members include his wife, Cheryl Meek, of Charles City; two daughters, Connie Bromberg of Dubuque and Deb Vance of Charles City; five grandchildren, Trevor and Theresa Bromberg, Shelly (Cory) Anderegg, Scott (Stacey) Vance and Shaun (Kim) Vance; six great-grandchildren including one soon to arrive; and two sisters, Faye Porter of Bellevue, Neb., and Bonnie Lynch of Greene.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, John E. Meek, Wayne Meek and Richard Meek in infancy; and four sisters, Virginia Reams, Mary Jean Ramker, Shirley Schlangen and Ruth Heitland.
The Hauser Funeral Home, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements, 641-228-2323.
www.hauserfh.com.
Lois Fern Trojahn
CLEAR LAKE — Lois Fern Trojahn, 84, of Clear Lake, died Thursday (May 14, 2009) at the IOOF Home, 1037 19th St. S.W., Mason City.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 21, 2009, at the United Methodist Church, 508 Second Ave. N., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Diana Hoover officiating. Burial will be at a later time at the Pleasantview Cemetery , Hartley, Iowa.
Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Family suggests memorials to Lois Trojahn Memorial Fund.
Lois was born Dec. 14, 1924, the daughter of Clarence and Tracy (Muhs) Bracker at Hartley. She graduated from Hartley High School in 1942. She obtained her normal teacher’s certificate and taught country school in rural Hartley prior to her marriage.
She married Raymond Trojahn July 18, 1945 in Hartley. They farmed in the Hartley area for three years, then moved with their daughter, Becky, to Texas in 1949. They moved to Clear Lake in 1968. She worked at Target as a receiving clerk for over ten years retiring in 1985.
She taught Sunday school and Bible school for many years. She spent her entire life as a caring mother and homemaker. She and her husband, Raymond, loved to square dance and line dance with the River City Squares and dance to big band music such as Sammy Jensen.
Lois is survived by her three daughters: Becky Berg and husband, Larry, Spirit Lake, Nancy Huber and husband, Eugene, Clear Lake, Billie Hartman and Shannon Bilyeu, Forest City; six grandchildren: Eric Berg and wife Angela, Spirit Lake, Bryan Berg and wife, Kristin, Santa Fe, N.M., Kelley Huber, Dubuque, Sara Huber, Clear Lake, Matthew Hartman and Mandy Hartman, Forest City; and a brother, Roger Bracker, and wife, Sharon, Omaha, Neb.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Raymond; and sister Betty Witt.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, 641-357-2193.
www.colonialchapels.com.
Raymond LeRoy Gretillat
MASON CITY — Raymond Gretillat of Mason City, died Saturday (May 16, 2009) at his home.
Memorial services are pending at a later date.
Ray was born on March 10, 1924, in Lakota, the son of Adam and Stella (Reiser) Gretillat. He was educated in the Blue Earth, Minn., area. Ray left school at an early age to work on the farm. He later worked at a factory and then for the city of West Des Moines.
Ray was united in marriage on Sept. 6, 1972, to Karen Gretillat in Des Moines. They made their home in West Des Moines and later moved to Northern Iowa where Ray worked for the city of Belmond. They raised 10 children: Donna Gretillat of Texas, Debbie Gretillat, Terry Gretillat, Valerie (Ralph) Jones of Des Moines, Jolene (Kelly) Kiefer of Allerton, Iowa, Joe (Rose) Lee (Gretillat) of Mason City, Melinda Gretillat and fiance (Tim) of Creston, Charlene (Darwin) Streich of Mason City and Raymond Anthony (Beth) Gretillat of Britt.
Ray is survived by several grandchildren: David, Christopher, Justin, Tyler, Dalton, Jessica (Brad), Amanda (Chris), Erica (Justin) Christian, Colton, Clayton, Carson , Nina, Chasen, Montana, Corydon, Katie, Jacob, Zachary, Jasmyne, Tiffany (Jeromy), Tina, Tonya, Seth, Caitlin, Caden, Raymond and Michael. Great-grandchildren: Carmen, Macey, Cole, Madison, Caden, Cassidy, Hazer, Chloe, Sedalia and many nieces and nephews.
Ray had a love for fishing, woodworking, horseback riding, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents (Adam and Stella Gretillat), his sisters, Gladys, Alice and Neda; his brothers, Edward, Robert, Howard, Harold, Albert and LeRoy; a son, James Patrick and many nieces and nephews.
Ray will be greatly missed by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as his cat, Junior.
Clarine D. Ambroson
LELAND— Clarine D. Ambroson, 78, of Leland, died Sunday (May 17, 2009) at West Village Care Center, Independence, Iowa.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21 at West Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Leland, with Pastor Tim Miller officiating.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 East Main Street, Lake Mills, and again at the church one hour prior to the service.
Burial will take place at West Prairie Lutheran Cemetery
in rural Leland.
You can contact the family with on-line condolences at: www.mittelstadtfuneralhome.com.
Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills, 641-592-0221.
Nancy C. Harvey
CLEAR LAKE — Nancy C. Harvey, 69, 1206 South Shore Drive, Clear Lake, died Friday (May 15, 2009) at Mercy Medical Center- North Iowa in Mason City.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 22, at Galilean Lutheran Church, Highwy 18 West, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jeff Ungs officiating.
Visitation with family will begin at 9 a.m. at the church. According to her wishes, her body has been cremated. Memorials may be given to the Nancy C. Harvey Memorial Fund.
Nancy was born on July 2, 1939, in Vero Beach, Fla., the daughter of Paul and Ruby (Johnson) Christensen. She graduated from Lake City High School, Lake City, Fla. She lived in Clearwater, Fla., where she raised her children. Nancy moved to Grand Junction, Fla., and lived there for nine years before moving to Clear Lake, in 1999. In the winter, Nancy was a “snowbird,” going to Colorado.
Nancy volunteerd at Opportunity Village, restored dolls, loved nature, the outdoors, fishing and gardening. She especially loved “giving” to people and caring for animals.
Nancy is survived by her partner in life, Herbert Shevins, Longmont, Colo., two children, Diedra Harvey, Grand Junction, Colo., and Jonathan Harvey and his wife, Lori, Aurora, Colo.; sister, Betty Wind, Clear Lake, brother, Sonny Christensen, Ocala, Fla.; and one granddaughter, Christina Harvey, Palisade, Colo.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Lily.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapels, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, 641-357-2193.
www.colonialchapels.com.
Diane Muller
OSAGE — Diane Muller, age 58, of Iowa City, and formerly of Osage, died Sunday (May 17, 2009) at Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City.
Diane was born on July 10, 1950, in Osage, the daughter of Arthur and Audrey (McKee) Altick.
Diane was employed in Osage as an X-ray technologist, and later obtained a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Iowa. She worked as a nurse at the University of Iowa Hospital and at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Iowa City, where she was currently employed. Diane loved being a nurse and especially loved her family.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church in Osage, with the Rev. Anna Blaedel officiating.
There will be a gathering of family and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.
Diane is survived by her daughter, Laura (Matt) Muller-Jones and their daughter, Ryann, of Grayslake, Ill.; her son, Zach (Lauryn) Muller,and their son, Cayl, of Osage, Terry Muller of Osage; two brothers, Dennis (Mary) Altick of Sundance, Wyo.; David Altick and friend, Colleen Martin, of Lead, South Dakota; and nieces and nephews,
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage 641-732-3706.
Daniel W. Kell
TOLEDO —Daniel W. Kell, 50, of Toledo, Iowa, died Sunday (May 17, 2009) at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
Daniel Walter Kell was born on July 24, 1958, in Albert Lea, Minn., the son of Delores and Ernest Kell. Dan grew up in the rural town of Joice. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Luthern Church. Dan attended Lake Mills Community Schools graduating in 1976. He worked for the Watertown Paint and Repair from 1977 to 1994. In 1994 he began working at Lennox in Marshalltown.
His family includes his sisters, Vickie Neuzil and Diana Kell-Kirschbaum, his three nephews, Tyler Neuzil, Dillon Kirschbaum, and Colton Kirschbaum, and one niece, Briana Neuzil; and his aunt and uncle, Ken and Carolyn Gullickson.
Dan was preceded in death by his mother, Delores Kell-Nelson, his father, Ernest Kell, and his step-father, Clem Nelson. He was also preceded in death by his loving grandparents, Clemence and James Kell and Irene and Lester Gullickson, and his aunt and uncle, Ardell and Phyllis Ausen.
Daniel will be laid to rest at Concordia Memorial Cemetery
in Joice. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City assisted Dan’s family in his arrangements.
Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City, 319-338-1132.\
Duane Wegner
CHARLES CITY — Duane Wegner, 54, of Charles City, died Monday (May 18, 2009) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.
Funeral arrangements are pending at Fullerton Funeral Home, 401 Blunt Street, Charles City.
Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Blunt Street, Charles City, 641-228-4211.
www.fullertonfh.com.
Dale Heetland
ACKLEY — Dale Heetland, 78, of rural Ackley, died Sunday (May 17, 2009) at his home.
Memorial services will be at 5 p.m. Thursday at the East Friesland Presbyterian Church in Ackley with inurnment in the Hazelgreen Cemetery , Ackley.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley.
Sietsema Funeral Home 641-847-2333.
