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Fern E. Stelter
Fern E. Stelter, 90, of Independence, Iowa died Wednesday evening, January 12, 2011 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Fern was born on April 25, 1920 in Streeter, North Dakota the son of Frederick H. and Emma A. (Zink) Stelter. He graduated from the Streeter High School, Streeter, ND, and played on the Streeter Basketball team who won the North Dakota State Championship. Following graduation he worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps. prior to entering the U.S. Army on February 6, 1942 serving during World War Two until his discharge on December 9, 1945. On May 12, 1946 he was united in marriage to Bertha V. Werner in Stockton, California. The couple made their home in the Waterloo, Iowa area where Fern worked for John Deere Company for a short time , and later farmed and worked for Rath Packing prior to his retirement in 1982. The couple moved to Independence, Iowa in 1982
Fern loved his family and his cats. He enjoyed woodworking, recycling scrap metal and working puzzles.
He is survived by his wife Bertha, Independence, IA., five children; Lydia (George) Danehy, Waterloo, IA., Cheryl (Ron) Andrews, Marion, IA., Gerald (Susan) Stelter and Kevin (Brenda) Stelter, both of Independence, IA., and Marsheila (Scot) Hunemuller, Reinbeck, IA., Fourteen Grandchildren, Twenty Two Great Grandchildren, Three Great-Great Grandchildren, and two sisters; Arlene Liebe, Duluth, MN, and Dorothy Heier, Jamestown, ND.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter Judy Ann Danehy, a sister; Eileen Hieb, and five brothers; Alvin, Victor, Emmanuel, Henry, and Earl Stelter.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence with Rev. Kurt Bockoven officiating. Burial will be in the Wilson Cemetery , Independence, IA. Friends may call from 6 to 8 P.M. Sunday and from 8 A.M. Till services Monday at the funeral home. A Military Memorial Service will be held at 7 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home
Lola G. Phillips
Lola G. Phillips, 88, of Independence, Iowa and formerly of Jesup, Iowa died Monday, January 10, 2011 at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa
Lola was born on July 29, 1922, in Garrison, Iowa the daughter of Ezra and Ora (Baum) Reiss. She was a 1939 graduate of the Vinton High School, Vinton, Iowa, and was united in marriage to G. Edwin Phillips on August 25, 1939 in the Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa. The couple farmed in the Jesup area. Lola was employed as a cook with the Jesup Community Schools from 1962 thru 1991. She also did catering for meals on wheels, the Lions Club, and many weddings, and funerals in the Jesup area. She was active with the Girl Scouts and in the First United Methodist Church, Jesup, IA.
She is survived by two daughters; Dorothy (Judd) Decker, Independence, IA., Kaye Reil, Jesup, IA., eleven grandchildren, Ronda Rathe, Kimberly Lingenfelter, Doug Decker, Michael Decker, Patrick Decker, Kyle Decker, Brian Decker, Tricia Beatty, Trent Decker, Troy Decker, and Jill Carlson,and eighteen great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; G. Edwin Phillips in1961, and three brothers; Leland, Francis, and Calvin Reiss.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday at the First United Methodist Church, Jesup, IA. with Rev. Vicki Reece officiating. Burial will be at 1 P.M. Friday at the Evergreen Cemetery , Vinton, Iowa. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence, IA., and from 9 A.M. till services Friday at the church.
Curtis K. Lange
Curtis K. Lange, 60, of Independence, Iowa died Sunday morning, January 9, 2011, at the Buchanan County Health Center, Independence, IA.
Curt was born on April 12, 1950, in Independence, Iowa the son of Jack and Helga (Petersen) Lange. He was a 1968 graduate of the East Buchanan Schools. He was employed with the Carpenters Union in Cedar Rapids prior to his retirement.
He is survived by a brother Charles (Margaret) Lange, and a sister Janet (Dennis) Hoefer, both of Quasqueton, Iowa, two nephews, Ben Lange and Adam Hoefer, and two nieces, Abby Hoefer and Katie Lange
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Independence with Burial in the Quasqueton Cemetery , Quasqueton, Iowa. Friends may call from 4 to 8 P.M, Tuesday at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Quasqueton and from 9 A.M. till services Wednesday at the church.
Helen E. Ferch
Helen E. Ferch, 90, of Independence, Iowa died Saturday afternoon, January 8, 2011 at East Towne Care Center in Independence, Iowa.
Helen was born on April 7, 1920, in Charles City, Iowa the daughter of Carl and Gladys (Fredrick) Nelson. She attended the Charles City Schools, and was united in marriage to Max Leo Ferch on March 2, 1944 in Seattle, Washington. She lived for many years in Waterloo, IA before entering the nursing home in Independence.
She is survived by her children Judy Ann (Audie) Mills, Waterloo, IA, and Rosemary (David) Kayser, Independence, IA; five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, seven great great grandchildren, and two brothers; Frederick C. Nelson of Lincoln, NE, and Robert G. Nelson of Fort Worth, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Tuesday at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence where friends may call from 9 till services Tuesday. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery , Waterloo, Iowa.
Larry J. Bowers
Larry J. Bowers, 73, of Marshalltown, Iowa and formerly of the Brandon and LaPorte City, Iowa area died Sunday, January 2, 2011 at the Iowa Veterans Home, Marshalltown, Iowa.
Larry was born on October 28, 1937, in Waterloo, Iowa the son of James C. and Laura (Marsch) Bowers. He attended the Brandon Schools and served in the US Army from September 7, 1960 thru August 16, 1962. He was employed as an over the road truck driver with several companies the most recent being Talbert Trucking Sioux City, IA.
He is survived by three sisters; Bonnie Krull, Cedar Rapids, IA., Barbara Kiler, Brandon, Iowa and Janice Dewitt, LaPorte City, Iowa. Eight nephews, and two nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a nephew.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday at the Dunkerton Cemetery , Dunkerton, Iowa. Friends may call from 6 to 8 P.M. Tuesday at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence, Iowa.
Kenneth H. Tuttle
Kenneth H. Tuttle, 83, of Polk City, Iowa and formerly of Independence, Iowa died Thursday Morning, December 30, 2010 at the Polk City Nursinh and Rehab Center in Polk City, Iowa.
Kenneth was born on September 25, 1927 in Great Falls, MT., the son of Mark G. and Lillian M. (Ryan) Buck. He was adopted by Karl & Zelda Tuttle in November 1928, and the family lived in Big Sandy, MT., Morovia, Iowa prior to coming to Independence, Iowa. Kenneth was united in marriage to Margaret J. Bold on August 28, 1966. Kenneth made his home in Independence until November of 1998 after suffering a stroke he moved to the Polk City Nursing & Rehab Center in Polk City, Iowa. Kenneth served in the in the U.S. Army from February 14, 1946 thru April 15, 1947, and was employed in Highline Construction with Armstead Highline Construction Co., Independence, IA.
He is survived by four step-children; Arthur Boldt, Hopkinsville, KY., Maryann Gamble, and Becky Boldt, Des Moines, IA., and Michael Boldt, Grinnell, IA., nine grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. His Step-Mother: Gail Tuttle, Monrovia, IA., and a step-brother Terry Tuttle, Albia, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters; Hazel Dorr, and LeVonne Karlivich, and four brothers; Noble, Grant, Arthur, and Melvin Buck.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Monday, January 3, 2011 at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence where friends may call from 10 A.M. to services. Burial will be in the Cedar Crest Cemetery , Jesup, Iowa.
Gary A. Smith
INDEPENDENCE– Gary A. Smith, 66, of Independence, Iowa died Saturday, December 25, 2010, at the West Village Care Center in Independence, Iowa.
Gary was born on August 18, 1944, in Manchester, Iowa the son of Ralph E. and Mabel V. (Zirtzman) Smith. He graduated from the Maquoketa Valley High School, and received an Architect Drafting Certification from Hawkeye Tech, Waterloo, Iowa . He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict. He was united in marriage to Cheryl L. Vetter on April 2, 1966 in First Lutheran Church, Manchester, Iowa. The couple lived in Manchester, IA., Colorado, and Ames, Iowa prior to moving to Independence, IA. He was employed as a draftsman with Larson Construction, Independence, IA. John Deere Co., Fareway Grocery Store, Culligan Soft Water, and Smitty’s Tire & Appliance in Manchester, IA.
He is survived by his wife Cheryl Smith, Independence, A son; Allyn (Jody) Smith, Waterloo, IA., and a daughter; Shannon (Tony) Thompson, Georgia. Six grandchildren; Zachary and Samantha Monohan, Jordhan Kirkbride, Sabastian Thompson, Amanda Smith, and Nikolas Thompson. A brother; Paul Smith, Monticello, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister; Gladys Erikson.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Wednesday at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence, IA., with Rev. Kurt Bockoven officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery , Independence. Friends may call from 4 to 8 P.M. Tuesday and from 9 A.M. till services Wednesday at the funeral home. A Military Memorial Service will be held at 7 P.M. Tuesday.
Connie L. Short
Connie L. Short, 60, of Independence, Iowa died Thursday, December 23, 2010 at her home in Independence, Iowa with her family at her side.
Connie was born on August 26, 1950, in Independence, Iowa the daughter of Louis L. and Maxine R. (Norton) Constant. She was a 1968 graduate of the Independence High School, and was united in marriage to Jerald S. Short on January 26, 1969 in St. John’s Catholic Church, Independence, Iowa. Since her graduation Connie was employed as an dietary aid with the Mental Health Institute, the Red Rooster Café, Shannigans Café, East Towne Care Center, Crystal Hand Wavens, the Target Warehouse, and Casey’s General Store.
She is survived by her husband Jerald, Independence, IA., four children; Michael (Linda) Short, Marion, IA., David (Melissa) Short, Jason Short, and Amanda Decker, all of Independence, Iowa, six grandchildren; Cory, Brittany, Jacob, Kolby and Trevor Short, and Michael Decker, and two sisters; Lanette Frye, Independence, IA., and Janine Cabalka, Ladora, IA.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, December 27th, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Independence, IA., with Rev. Paul McManus officiating. Burial will be in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery , Independence. Friends may call from 2 to 8 P.M. Sunday at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence where a rosary will be recited at 3 P.M. and a parish vigil service will be held at 7 P.M. Sunday.
Evelyn Mae Thompson
Evelyn Mae Thompson, 81, of Jesup, Iowa died Tuesday afternoon, December 21, 2010 at her home in Jesup surrounded by her family, following a battle with cancer.
Evelyn was born on August 13, 1929 to George and Matilda (Neuman) Hultz. She graduated from the Jesup Community School. On September 21, 1947 she was married to Edward E. Thompson, the couple made their home in Jesup, Iowa where they raised their children. The couple built the XL Motel, Thompson’s Standard Station, and Thompson’s Café and ran the businesses with the help of Evelyn’s father, George Hultz and their four children. Edward was also Chief of Police in Jesup for 18 years and Evelyn operated the radio for many of those years.
Evelyn loved spending time with her family; enjoyed playing bingo, going to the Hawkeye Bowl Games with her friends and spending the winter in Ft. Myers, FL.
Survivors include four children; Diana (Gary) Albrecht-Toliver, Las Vegas, NV., Larry (Dorothy) Thompson, Jesup, IA., Gary (Lori) Thompson, Jesup, IA., and Tami Even and special friend Ron Pettengill, Brandon, IA., 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, two brothers; Marshall (Lillian) Hultz, Hayden, ID., and Brian (Shirley) Hultz, Rochester, MN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Edward, two sisters; Georgia Lucas, and Karen Hultz, and a brother; Clarence Hultz.
Funeral services will be held at 10 A.M. Friday at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence, Iowa with Rev. Lenny Power officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Crest Cemetery , Jesup, Iowa. Friends may call from 4 to 8 P.M. Thursday, and from 8 A.M. till services Friday at the funeral home.
Cletus John Berns Jr
Cletus John Berns Jr., 67, of Rowley, Iowa died Saturday, December 18, 2010 at the Buchanan County Health Center Independence, Iowa.
Cletus was born on May 24, 1943, in Harpers Ferry, Iowa the son of Cletus and Mildred (Curran) Berns. He attended the Waukon Schools, and joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Vietnam War. Cletus moved to Rowley in 1984, and worked as a mechanic for many years. He was an active member in the American Legion, and enjoyed fishing and hunting with family and friends.
He is survived by Anna Hansen; four children, Cletus Berns of Delmont, IN; Susan Berns of Union Mills, IN; Kenny Berns of Valparaiso, IN; and Samantha Berns of Delmont, IN. Eleven grandchildren; and three brothers, Charlie Berns of Harpers Ferry, IA; Benard Berns of Bowling Green, MO; and Tommy Berns of LaCrecent, MN; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sons Johnny and Jeffery Berns.
Cletus donated his body to science at the University of Iowa. Memorial Services will be held at a later date. The Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory of Independence, IA., is in charge of arrangements.
Richard J. Kurt
Richard J. Kurt, 72, of Independence, Iowa died Saturday morning, December 18, 2010 at the West Village Care Center, Independence, Iowa.
Richard was born on January 29, 1938, in Farley, Iowa the son of Urban and Frances (Lasche) Kurt. He graduated from St. John’s High School in Independence, Iowa, and was united in marriage to Mary E. Schmitz on June 6, 1959 in Immaculate Conception Church, Gilbertville, Iowa. The couple farmed near Independence, Iowa.
Richard loved his family, he enjoyed fishing, and woodworking however his real passion was farming.
He is survived by his wife Mary, two sons; Chuck Kurt, Brandon, Iowa and Larry (Kelli) Kurt, Independence, Iowa, two grandsons; Grant and Paul Kurt, two sisters; Eileen (Ray) Kirby, Independence, IA., Rose Ann (Ted) Thoma, Jesup, Iowa, and a brother; Dan (Peggy) Kurt, Bridgeport, NE.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday at St. John’s Catholic Church, Independence, IA., with Rev. Don Plamondon officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery , with Grant Kurt, Paul Kurt, Dave Thoma, Rick Greiner, Mike Johnson, and Dan Main serving as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers will be Bob Breitsprecher, Don Main, Wilbur Main, and Don Shonka. Friends may call from 2 to 8 P.M. Tuesday at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence where a rosary will be recited at 3 P.M. and a parish vigil service will be held at 7 P.M. Tuesday.
