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Harold L. and Audrey P. Enarson
Funeral services for Harold L. (1919-2006) and Audrey Pitt Enarson (1920-2008) will be held at 10:00 am at Wolfe Funeral Home on Saturday, May 17th, 2008. Their complete obituaries have appeared previously in the Villisca Review. Harold Enarson served as president of two universities--including Ohio State University, one of the largest in the country--during the tumultuous years of social change and campus unrest in the 1960's and 1970's.
Harold was born on a farm NW of Villisca, the son of John and Hulda Thorson Enarson, and moved as a youth to New Mexico, due to his father's health. His father died and his mother was the sole support while Harold was growing up. Even as a youth, he worked and earned money to help with family expenses.
He earned scholarships to enable him to attend college and eventually earned his Doctorate in Political Science. He was a veteran of WWII, earning several medals including the Purple Heart after being seriously wounded in Germany. He had a long and illustrious career, including serving as labor affairs assistant on President Truman's White House staff, appointment as president of Ohio State University and ending with his appointment as executive director of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education, headquartered in Boulder CO, where they made their last home.
While a college student at the University of New Mexico, Harold met and later married Audrey Pitt, daughter of an area rancher. Audrey was renowned for her cowgirl skills and strong independent ways. She kept the family together while Harold fought in W.W.II., was active in her daughters' schools, and also gave her time freely to many causes, fighting for equal rights for minorities, the disabled, and the mentally ill. In her eighties she worked on worksites for Habitat for Humanity in Boulder, CO. She served on the Board of the National Girl Scout Council and held many positions in the Democratic Women's Club.
Harold and Audrey had three daughters, Elaine, Merlyn and Lisa. They and their families survive them. There are also surviving cousins in the area.
Following the funeral service, their combined cremains will be buried at Arlington Cemetery.
Roma Jean (Guss) Moates Ingersoll
Roma Jean (Guss) Moates Ingersoll, daughter of Glenn and Eula Guss, was born October 9, 1933. She was the third child and first daughter of the nine children in the family. Roma spent her younger years in the rolling hills of Hacklebarney north of Villisca, IA. She explored the streams and hills with her brothers and sisters, having fun as only children could during the Depression years. She attended country school there until the family moved to a farm near Nodaway, IA. Roma graduated from Nodaway High School in 1952. Shortly after graduation she ventured to Kansas City, MO, seeking employment. She lived with her aunt Irene Guss enjoying a new way of life. But the Villisca area called her back and she returned, working at the Nodaway National Bank in Villisca. She enjoyed working with the bank’s customers for 25 years.
Roma married Bill Moates of Villisca, IA, on Christmas Day, 1952. To this union were born two daughters: Jolene (Jody) and Vickie. Bill passed away in 1970, leaving a big hole in her heart. In 1971 Roma met Tom Ingersoll and he filled the void in her life. They married on March 11, 1972, and lived on his farm north of Villisca. She was back on the farm and loved it. Tom enjoyed taking Roma on vacation twice a year to visit the many places neither had been able to see in earlier years. One year they decided to just travel Highway 34 and see where it took them.
Roma loved walking in the woods of Hacklebarney Park with her daughters and granddaughters, telling them of the years she grew up in the region. They had many adventures visiting the old country school house, the old homestead and just wandering (and once getting lost) in the woods. Roma also loved history and antiques. She was an avid researcher of her family tree and could tell you stories of many ancestors. She enjoyed antique shopping, going to Flea Markets and just looking at as well as wondering about the history of each piece. Flower and vegetable gardening was also a joy in her life. She grew some of the best Musk Melon in Hacklebarney. After retiring from the farm, Roma enjoyed cross stitching and going on an occasional trip to the Casinos. Roma passed away Monday, May 26, 2008 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Eula Guss, her first husband Bill Moates, second husband Tom Ingersoll, sister June Balog, sister-in-law Janet Guss, brother-in-law Jird Fidler, and brother-in-law Lavern Echternach.
Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters: Jody Cooper and husband Dwaine of Villisca, IA, Vickie Sprague and husband Rick of Bedford, IA; step-sons: Bill Ingersoll and wife Brenda of Villisca,IA, Tom Ingersoll and wife Angie of Squaw Valley, CA; step-daughter Wendy England and husband Dave of Des Moines, IA; three granddaughters: Jodi (Sprague) McGargill and husband Kenny of Imogene, IA, Jennifer (Sprague) Belt and husband Wade of Council Bluffs, IA, Shannon (Moates)Spooner and husband Jason of Council Bluffs, IA; five great-grandchildren: Luk Miller, Elizabeth RomaMae Livengood, Emma Belt, Jaysen and Reece Spooner; step-grandchildren: Ben and Beth Ingersoll, Heather, Justin, Jessica and Crystal England; brothers: Ron and wife Joann Guss of New Market, VA, Merwin and wife Wanda Guss of Winterhaven, FL, Wayne and wife Wendy Guss of Sandy, UT; sisters: Shirley Fidler of Villisca, IA, Janet Echternach of Council Bluffs, IA, Sandy and husband Gail Kinser of Villisca, IA, Joan and husband Larry Perdew, Griswold, IA; and many nieces and nephews.
Her calm voice, cheery laugh and sound advice will be dearly missed by her family. In Roma’s opinion, loving and supporting your family is the purpose and joy of life.
Funeral services for Roma Jean (Guss) Moates Ingersoll were held Thursday, May 29th at Wolfe’s Funeral Home in Villisca, IA, with Pastor Kevin Skipworth officiating. Burial was in the Arlington Cemetery.
Larry L. Wheeler
Funeral services for Larry L. Wheeler of Nodaway, IA were held Friday, May 16, 2008 at Pearson-Coen-Beaty Family Funeral Service in Corning with Rev. Gordon Scott officiating. Burial was at Arlington Cemetery
in rural Montgomery County.
Mr. Wheeler was born December 2, 1940 in Atlantic, IA, to Robert Max and Velma Mae (Cook) Wheeler; and died May 11, 2008 at his residence.
He graduated from Villisca High School in 1960 and served in the National Guard. He was united in marriage to Aneita Ruth Miller on March 22, 1964 at the Presbyterian Church in Corning. He farmed most of his life with his father. Later, Larry farmed with his brother in the Villisca and Nodaway area.
Larry especially loved to work outside and ride his Harley. He was a member of the American Legion of Villisca, ABATE of Iowa, Red Oak Chapter of the Harley Owner's Group (HOG), Za-Ga-Zig Shrine and the Masonic Lodge #590 of Nodaway.
Larry was preceded in death by his father Robert "Bob" Wheeler; brother-in-law Gerald Rohrssen; grandson Robert Jeffrey Miller; father-in-law Norman "Stormy" Karstensen; and sister-in-law Mary Alice Bruns.
Survivors include his wife Aneita Wheeler of Nodaway; mother Velma Wheeler of Villisca; mother-in-law Lenora Karstensen of Corning; son Robert Wheeler and wife Julie of Mountain Home, ID; daughter Brenda Barber and husband Greg of Des Moines, IA; three grandchildren: Johnathan, Jessica and Victoria Locke of Des Moines; brother Dale Wheeler and wife Sharon of Villisca; sisters-in-law: Rita Rohrssen of Marietta, GA; Janiece Brokaw and special friend Brian Weinreich of Corning; and a host of other relatives.
Memorials may be directed to your charity of choice and/or Alegent Health Hospice of Corning.
Tom Smith
Villisca native Tom Smith passed away on 8 February 2009 in Antioch, CA as the result of a sudden and massive heart attack. He was 80 years of age.
Born in Villisca in October, 1928, Tom was the son of John and Marie Smith. He attended Villisca schools, including the high school where he played tuba in the marching band. In 1942, he and his family came to settle in Pittsburg, CA to take jobs in the war effort. He graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1946. He and his wife Bonnie were married in Antioch, CA in 1950. Too young to serve in the Second World War, he was drafted into the Korean War and did his service in Yokahama, Japan. Following his return from the service, he worked for Dow Chemical in Antioch. He attended the Diablo Valley College and then the University of California, Berkeley and graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1960. Initially working for Libby Foods, he came to Kaiser Engineers in Oakland and worked there for 28 years, involved with designing cement plants and other materials handling facilities all over the world. In 1962, they moved to Piedmont, CA and resided there until they moved to the Quail Lodge retirement facility in Antioch in 2004. Their only child, Brian Smith, graduated from Piedmont High School in 1985.
He is survived by his son, Brian, of Fairfax, Virginia, his daughter-in law Kristina and two grandsons. He is preceded in death by his wife Bonnie, his brother John Leslie and his sisters Frances Findley and Edna O'Brien. Services will be held on Saturday, 21 February at 1:30 at the Pittsburg Funeral Home in Pittsburg, CA. Contributions in his memory can be made to The Cal Fund, University of California Berkeley, 2080 Addison Street # 4200, Berkeley, California 94720-4200, 510.642.1212.
Kenneth Myrel Gulick
Kenneth Myrel Gulick was born May 2, 1933, in Faribault, MN, the son of Marvin Eugene Gulick and Elsie Mae (Triggs) Gulick. After graduation from high school, Kenneth enlisted in the Army serving during the Korean War. Upon his return to civilian life, he worked in construction specializing in the electrical and mechanical areas.
On October 3, 1955, Kenneth was united in marriage to Shirley Hogsett. There were five children born to this union: Susan, Brenda, Tina, Theresa, and Marvin. After Shirley’s death in 1995, he continued to live in the Villisca and Red Oak areas.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife, parents, daughter Brenda Gulick, brother Jack Gulick, and step-brother Marvin E. Gulick.
Kenneth is survived by four children: Susan (Mike) Blakemore of Omaha, Tina (Kevin) Anderson of Villisca, Teresa (Mark) Johnston of Villisca, and Marvin (Sue) Gulick of Red Oak; sister Delores Gulick of Red Oak; eleven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Funeral services were held on Friday, January 30, 2009 at the Wolfe Funeral Home of Villisca with burial in the Highland Cemetery , Hamilton, MO, at a later date.
Mary Jo Dart
Funeral services for Mary Jo Dart, age 74, of Fremont, NE, were held on Friday, January 30, 2009, at 2pm in First Lutheran Church in Fremont, NE. The Rev. Norman Freund officiated. Burial was in Ridge Cemetery . Mary Jo was born August 19, 1934. in Villisca, Iowa to Harry and Ethel ‘Lofgren’ Bashaw. She was raised in Villisca and graduated from Villisca High School in 1953. After high school Mary Jo moved to Omaha and began working. She married Frank Dart in Villisca, Iowa on April 24, 1954. The couple moved to Fremont in 1958. In the mid 1960’s they moved to Kearney and lived there for three years before returning to Fremont to raise their family. After returning to Fremont, Mary Jo worked at JC Penney for ten years then for Schweser’s Department Store. Mary Jo moved to Shalimar Gardens in September of 2008. She was a member of First Lutheran Church and a member of the Solos Group of First Lutheran.
She is survived by five daughters: Sue and husband Brad Anderson, of Fremont; Cathy and husband Steve Cerny, of Fremont; Carol and husband Dennis Andersen, of Roswell, New Mexico; Shelly and husband Dean Carroll, of Wayne; Eileen and husband Gerald Boyer, of Fremont; three sons: – Bob and wife Lori Dart, of Fremont; Bryan and wife Susan Dart, of Pembroke Pines, Florida; Scott and wife Vicki Dart, of Gilbert, Arizona; Brother – Herb and wife Wilma Bashaw, of Villisca, Iowa; Brotherin- Law – Jerry and wife Jannelle Dart. of Omaha; 21 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren Special Friends – Solo Sisters of 1st Lutheran Church many nieces and nephews.
Mary Jo was preceded in death by her husband Frank in April of 1999, a brother and her parents.
Memorials are suggested to First Lutheran Church.
Ruth M. Gourley
Ruth M. Gourley, age 81, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away Friday, January 30, 2009 at the Penrose Medical Center after a brief illness. Ruth Marie (Confer) Gourley was born February 9, 1927 in Red Oak, Iowa the daughter of John and Frances (Wolfe) Confer. She graduated from the Red Oak High School in 1944. She worked for the Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha during World War II and then the Land Bank in Red Oak before her marriage to Clyde Gourley, Jr. on March 28, 1948 at the First Christian Church in Red Oak. They farmed north of Villisca, Iowa and then Guss, Iowa before moving to Lakewood, Colorado in 1952. They moved to Colorado Springs in 1957. Ruth worked as a civil service employee for many years in Colorado Springs and at the Air Force Academy. Her hobbies included genealogy, sewing, and cooking. She even went back to College and got a degree in restaurant management. Ruth also loved Mac computers and she taught herself how to use them. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; brother: Hubert Confer; husband: Clyde Gourley, Jr.; and sister: Mary Burrington. Survivors include her son: Marshall Gourley of Denver, Colorado; daughters: Marsha Frech of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Polly Case and husband Jack of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren: Sean and Tory Frech of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother: Marion Confer and wife Connie of Torrington, Wyoming; sister-in-law: Helen Sellergren of Stanton, Iowa; special "sister": Betty Confer of Emerson, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM Thursday, February 5, 2009 at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel with Marshall Gourley officiating. Burial will be in the Arlington Cemetery
near Villisca, Iowa. Visitation with the family will be held from 7-8 PM Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel.
Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Robert Earl Brown
Robert Earl Brown was born in rural Jackson Township of Guthrie County, Iowa on May 20, 1928. His parents were Rex and Lovina (Tam) Brown. The oldest of five children, he had three brothers Harold LaVerne (Elaine) of Indianola, Iowa, Carroll Dean (Ruth) of Gambrills, Maryland, Lloyd Alvin (Lila) of Marana, Arizona, and a sister, Marjorie Juanita (Warren) Shade of Paris, Arkansas.
He grew up in the rural area near Linden, Iowa and attended all 12 years of school being graduated from Linden High School. He attended Central College at Pella, Iowa and worked at the Central Park Café where he met Joyce Verniece Den Adel and was united to her in marriage on June 7, 1949. To this union were born four children: Charm Faith (John) Smith of Tabor, Iowa, Starr Tiara (Doyle) Scott of Winterset, Iowa, Chele Diahn (Scott) Garder of Blair, Nebraska, and Shawn Robin (Angela) of Bloomington,
Minnesota.
After marriage, Bob worked in various businesses in Pella for two years and then took a job with an independent grocer for three years. In 1952 he joined National Biscuit Company as a salesman. In 1955 he was hired by Hy-Vee Food Stores and stayed with them for 32 years until his retirement in 1987. He started in Bethany, Missouri, went to Corning, Iowa in 1958 as a market manager and later became the assistant manager, and moved to Villisca in 1961 as the store manager. He finished his career in Clarinda.
Bob was an active community member being involved in multiple things and serving as a member and officer of many organizations including the Villisca Development Corporation, Villisca Housing Board, Villisca Chamber of Commerce, Villisca Commercial Club, Villisca Library Board, Villisca City Council, Villisca Presbyterian Church where he resurrected and directed the Bell Choir, Clarinda Presbyterian Church, and was the secretary/treasurer and leading winner of the Saturday Morning Pea Poker Club. He was instrumental in the building of the Villisca Good Samaritan center, was on its board for many years, and after retirement was a volunteer van driver. He was selected as an Honorary Chapter Farmer by the Villisca FFA and was honored as the Villisca Citizen of the Year in 1990. In addition to these activities, his favorite past times were spent with his family and friends as well as traveling, cooking, woodworking, and doing carpentry. His grandkids will always remember his Grandpa Brown breakfasts.
Bob passed away at Good Samaritan Center in Villisca, Iowa on January 21, 2009 at the age of 80.
In death he has rejoined his wife, father, mother, brothers Dean and Lloyd, and brother-in-law Warren. His children, twelve grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren survive him.
Funeral services were held at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Clarinda on Saturday, January 24, 2009 with Pastor Bob Keefer officiating. Internment was at the Villisca Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Villisca Good Samaritan Staff Scholarship Endowment Fund in c/o Starr Scott, 1711 Patricia Acres Winterset, IA 50273.
Aaron Dean Yardas
Aaron Dean Yardas, the son of William Dean Yardas and Carla Rae Erickson, was born December 4, 1988 at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. He died on Sunday, January 25, 2009 in Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 20 years, 1 month and 21 days.
As a son of an Air Force family, Aaron lived all over the world. From 1988 to 1998, Aaron lived at Decimononico Air Base, Italy; Griffiss Air Force Base, New York; Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; Sembach Air Bas
e, Germany; and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. In July of 1998, Aaron along with his mom and sister made their home in Red Oak, IA. Aaron was a sports enthusiast, while in school he participated in football, basketball and baseball. Aaron had a heart for baseball and he excelled especially as a catcher. Aaron had an arm on him and found himself on the mound pitching at times too. He graduated with the Red Oak High School class of 2007. He was currently employed at Agri Solutions, Red Oak and also helped Healthy Turf Lawn Care, Red Oak. He enjoyed the outdoors and especially spending time with family and friends camping, hunting, fishing, boating and golfing. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to others, particularly to his Uncle Larry on the farm and his Grandma Marjorie mowing her yard. His love for sports led him to coach children for the YMCA baseball and basketball programs; he also refereed. Aaron not only loved playing and coaching sports but also watching them. He was an avid Pittsburg Steelers fan. Aaron was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Red Oak. His beautiful smile will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Aaron was preceded in death by his grandfather, Marion Erickson.
Survivors include mother: Carla Yardas of Red Oak, IA; sister: Kristi Yardas of Red Oak, IA; father: William Dean Yardas and his wife Deanna of Brooksville, FL; maternal grandmother: Marjorie Erickson of Stanton, IA; paternal grandparents: William and Ada Yardas of Finleyville, PA; great grandmother: Dorothy Yardas of Finleyville, PA; aunts and uncles: Cheryl and Larry Haynie of Stanton, IA; Debra Dunblazier of Glenwood, IA; Dorothy and George Kutscher of Elrama, PA; Joanne and Mike Chanko of Donora, PA; Andrew and Theresa Yardas of Sheridan, IN; step-brothers and sisters: Danielle, Derek, Desiree and Dustin Pugh, all of Brooksville, FL; cousins, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral Service will be held on
Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Red Oak
Burial in Evergreen Cemetery , Red Oak
Rev. Dr. George Hooper, Officiating
Visitation with the family present will be Friday, January 30 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home
A memorial is being established in Aaron's name.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.sldfuneralhome.com
Services entrusted to Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home
