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Joseph W. “Smuggy” Matthess, age 66 of Marengo, died Sunday, April 12, 2015 at the Belle Plaine Nursing and Rehab Center. Funeral Service: 10:00 A.M. Thursday, April 16, 2015, at the Marengo American Legion Hall, Marengo with Fr. Bob Striegel officiating. Burial will be in the Marengo Cemetery with military honors. Visitation: 2 to 7 P.M. Wednesday, April 15, 2015, Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for final expenses.
He is survived by his wife Irene; his children, Becky, Shelly, Jenny, Theresa, Chris, J.R., and Jaime; 22 grandchildren, Matthew, Alysha, Logan, Lizzy, Tony, Nicole, Joseph III, Jordan, J.D., Levi, Lea, Jazzy, Chandler, Rayce, Owen, Blayze, Brynnlee, Jakob, Davon, Zander, Darion, and King; 8 great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Betty, Mary, Barry, Lonnie, Paul (Linda), Don (Mary), and Ron (Tara). He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Joe Jr., sisters Pat Isaacs, and Debra Mikels, a brother Mike, and a stillborn granddaughter, Lydia.
Joseph William Matthess was born August 28, 1948 in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Maynard Orville Matthess and Dorothy Cecilia Cox Matthess. He received his education in the Oxford and Iowa City schools. Smuggy proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1965 -1970, with three tours of duty in Vietnam. He married Irene Christine Rider on June 4, 1983 in Marengo.
Smuggy was an over-the road-truck driver for 35 years until his health prevented him from continuing. He then owned and operated JCI Car Care in Ladora, and for a time owned “Smuggy’s Café” in Stanwood. He enjoyed going dancing, stock car racing and old cars. Smuggy was happiest when he was doing for others. He liked to organize and run benefit auctions for many worthy causes, and was great at playing “Santa Claus”.
He was a 52-year member of the American Legion, currently a member of the Oxford post, and held the position of mayor of Ladora for 4 ½ years.
Retha Rae Rhoads, age 77 of Brooklyn, died Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Brooklyn Community Estate, Brooklyn. Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, April 15, 2015, Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn, with Rev. Dorothy Banzhaf officiating. Burial will be in the Brooklyn Memorial Cemetery. Visitation: 4 to 7 P.M. Tuesday, April 14, 2015, Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn. A memorial fund has been established
Retha is survived by her sons, Steve (Melia) of Brooklyn, and Bruce (Debora) of Chelsea; seven grandchildren, Callie Rhoads of Brooklyn, Clint Rhoads (Mindy) of Brooklyn, Carly Rhoads of Ottumwa, Cliff Rhoads (Joey) of Brooklyn, Danny Mai (Larisha) of Newton, Kaycee Rhoads of Grinnell, and Jaymee Rhoads of Brooklyn; 11 great-grandchildren, Layne, Beckett, Caleb, Colette, Maddox, Jaxson, Braxton, Gerrick, Sabrie, Jadeth and Alyssa; a brother-in-law, Tommy Rhoads; and three sisters-in-law, Ruth Clark, Linda Rhoads and Joyce Rhoads.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James in 2010, a sister Mary Sexton, and a great-grandson, Silas in infancy.
Retha Rae Seams was born July 6th, 1937 in rural Mahaska County, the daughter of Sebastian Seams and Ruth Werner Seams. Her father Bess was a coal miner and small farmer. She was always outside with her father helping with chores including gathering and selling eggs and helping pick corn by hand. Retha learned the value of hard work and a sense of family at a young age. A big treat as a child was listening to a Chicago Cubs game after which her father would remove the battery from the radio until the next game. She looked forward to family trips to town on Saturday evenings.
Retha was married to James Franklin Rhoads on December 10th, 1957. She worked full time as a telephone operator to help support the family while Jim attended William Penn College to earn a teaching degree. In addition to her duties as a wife and mother she was almost always employed outside the home as a school cook, store clerk and teachers aide. Retha always raised a large garden to can and freeze food.
Family was Retha's life and her main hobby. Having grandkids spend the night was very special for her and Jim. She loved to cook for her family and her fried chicken was a favorite of all. Retha was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
George P. Mittelbach, age 93 of Amana, died Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Colonial Manor of Amana. Funeral Services: 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, April 14, 2015, Middle Amana Community Church, Middle Amana, with Elder Elly Hoehnle officiating. Burial will be in the Amana Cemetery with military honors. Visitation: 4 – 7 P.M. Monday, April 13, 2015 at the Middle Amana Church. Memorials may be contributed to the Amana Church Society or Essence of Life Hospice. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is assisting the family with arrangements.
George Philipp Mittelbach was born July 14, 1921 in West Amana, Iowa, son of Philipp and Clara (Leichsenring) Mittelbach. He received his education in the West Amana grade school and graduated from Marengo High School in 1939. He attended the University of Iowa from 1940-1942, before enlisting in the Navy as an aviation cadet. He attended Navy preflight school in Iowa City and graduated as a commissioned officer from the Naval Air Navigation School at Oklahoma in 1945. He served as an aviation navigation instructor until 1946, receiving an honorable discharge. While on leave from the Navy, he married Dorothy Marie Leichsenring on December 14, 1944 at the home of her parents, John and Magdalena Leichsenring in Amana.
After military service, George worked at Amana Refrigeration for several years before becoming a tool designer at Allis-Chalmers in Cedar Rapids, where he was employed for 10 years. In 1959, he went to work for P&H Harnischfeger Corporation in Cedar Rapids and retired as a manager of manufacturing in 1982 after 24 years with the company. George served on the board of directors of the Amana Society and was a life-long member of the Amana Church, teaching Sunday school for many years. He was also a member of the Amana Heritage Society and served as a museum guide after his retirement.
George enjoyed playing golf with his friends at the Marengo golf club, hunting with his son and two grandsons, and he especially enjoyed his early morning walks around Amana. He was an accomplished artist and produced many oil paintings of Amana scenes. Above all, he was devoted to his family and cherished the times he spent with them.
George is survived by his son, Gary Mittelbach and wife Katherine Gross of Richland, MI; grandsons John Mittelbach of Venice, CA, and Mark Mittelbach of Kalamazoo, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy (Leichsenring) Mittelbach, and a sister Lucille Langlas.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to the nurses and staff of Colonial Manor of Amana and Essence of Life Hospice, for their kind and compassionate care.
Josephine E. Mullen, age 77 of Davenport, Iowa, formerly of Marengo, died Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at her home. Graveside Memorial Service: 11:00 A.M. Monday, April 13, 2015, Marengo Cemetery with Rev. Matt German officiating. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 P.M. Sunday, April 12, 2015 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo.
She is survived by her sons, Allen Mullen of Davenport, and Cris Mullen of Cedar Rapids; a daughter Josie Mullen of Marengo; and two grandchildren, Nicholas and Parker Schulze. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother Richard Hartley.
Josephine Elizabeth Mullen was born December 19, 1937 in Ottumwa, Iowa, the daughter of Donald and Lucille Wade Mullen. She graduated from Ottumwa High School and was employed as a secretary at Amana Refrigeration for many years.
Isabel M. Waterbeck, age 85 of Grinnell, Iowa, formerly of Hartwick, died Thursday, April 9, 2015 at Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell. Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Saturday, April 11, 2015, Grace United Methodist Church, Brooklyn with Rev. John Dodds officiating. Burial: Brooklyn Memorial Cemetery. Visitation: 4 to 7 P.M. Friday, April 10, 2015, Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn. A memorial fund has been established.
She is survived by two sons, Gary J. Waterbeck (Donna) of Shellsburg and Terry L. Waterbeck (Judy) of Maple Grove, MN; two daughters, Susan Kay Locke (Jeff) of Urbandale, and Joy Cummings (Marty) of Malcom; five grandchildren, Angela Ruley (Darold) of Springville, Jennifer Melgaard (Tom) of Surprise, AZ, Nicholas Waterbeck of Phoenix, AZ, Dustin Cummings (Katie) of Malcom, and Courtney Michalek (Curtis) of Malcom; eight great-grandchildren, Logan, Brenton, and Dalton Blackford and Austin Ruley, Cadence, Brody, and Dylan Cummings, and Rowyn Michalek; and a great-great granddaughter, Lauren Blackford.
She was preceded in death by her parents Byron Keller and Ruth Hendrickson Keller Belland, her husband John in 2009, her stepfather Tom Belland, two sisters, Arlene Scott and Louise Kuntz, and a brother Harold Keller.
Isabel Mae Keller was born September 14, 1929 in Brooklyn, Iowa, the daughter of Byron and Ruth Hendrickson Keller. She graduated in 1947 from Brooklyn High School, and attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, receiving her teaching certificate. She married John Edward Waterbeck on May 21, 1950 at Grace United Methodist Church, Brooklyn. The couple farmed and Isabel also taught in the local one-room school house. She enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking and traveling. She especially enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren’s activities. Isabel was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, Farm Bureau and Grace United Methodist Church, Brooklyn.
Leona Mae Tuttle, age 92 of Grinnell, formerly of Carnforth, Iowa, died Friday, April 3, 2015 at St. Francis Manor, Grinnell, Iowa. Funeral Service: 11:00 A.M. Monday, April 6, 2015, Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn with Rev. John Dodds officiating. Burial will be in Ivy Hill Cemetery, Malcom, Iowa. The family will receive friends on Monday from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established.
Leona is survived by a brother Harold (Paula) Tuttle of Sheldon, IA and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Lyman, Andrew Jr., and Joseph Tuttle; two sisters, Mabel Tuttle Spading and H. Lucille Tuttle Todd; and two nephews Kenneth Hodgson, and Randall Tuttle.
Leona was born April 22, 1922 on a farm near Malcom, Iowa, the daughter of A. Orris and E. Viola Erickson Tuttle. She lived most of her life in Poweshiek County and attended the Poweshiek County country schools. Following her graduation, Leona worked several years as a housekeeper and also doing childcare. Leona started working at Amana Refrigeration in 1954. She retired in 1982, following a work injury. Leona enjoyed crafts, gardening and her flowers. She loved to travel to new places with her parents and her sister Mabel during her vacation time. Following a heart attack, Leona moved to an apartment in Grinnell and then went to St. Francis Manor in October 2009. She was previously a member of the South 9th Street Methodist Church of Des Moines, Iowa.
Leona’s family wish to thank the staff and residents at St. Francis Manor for the friendship and care that was extended to Leona during her stay as a resident and at the time of her death.
C. Gene Klein, age 85 of Brooklyn, died Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at his home. Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Saturday, April 4, 2015, Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn with Rev. John Dodds officiating. Burial will be in the Brooklyn Memorial Cemetery with military honors. Visitation: 4 to 7 P.M. Friday, April 3, 2015, Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn. A memorial fund has been established.
Gene is survived by his children, Connie Brown of Brooklyn, Alan Klein (Mary) of Ladora, Kevin Klein (Barb) of Urbandale and Kristina Loschen (Rick) of Brooklyn; his grandchildren, Shannon Garringer of Brooklyn, Will Brown of Ames, Carrie Steinmetz (Matt) of Victor, Jennifer Boyer (Matt) of Pasco, WA, Dustin Klein of Des Moines, Kelsey Klein of Urbandale, Aaron Anderson of Des Moines, Amber Anderson of Colorado, Sarissa Riedel of Brooklyn, Scott Riedel (Emily) of Hartwick, Christian Loschen of Brooklyn, and Camdon Loschen of Brooklyn; great-grandchildren, Taelyn and Haeley Garringer, John and Brian Steinmetz, Kymber and Kamden Boyer, Rayne and Canyon Kelso and Lilly Riedel. Also surviving are siblings, Marvin (Carol) Klein of Brooklyn, Ivan (Donna) Klein of Montezuma, Doris Schaffer of Reinbeck, and Eileen (Richard) Maxwell of Jacksonville, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Theresa, a sister Margie Youkey, a brother Ronald, and a grandson Tim Brown.
Christian Gene Klein was born June 11, 1929 in Luzerne, Iowa, the son of Christian Klein and Effie Share Klein. He graduated from Ladora High School and married Theresa Marie Roth on December 25, 1951. He served in the U.S. Army stationed in Korea. Upon his return to the states, Gene farmed and worked at the Brooklyn Creamery, and the Sinclair Gas Station, which he later purchased. He also worked at Amana Refrigeration, retiring from there in the late 1980’s. He enjoyed tinkering in his shop, fishing and camping, and Sunday suppers with his girls. He enjoyed caring for a small garden, and raising roses. He also collected eagles.
Gene was a member of the Brooklyn 80 Coffee Club and the American Legion Post 294.
Thomas Dean Peska, age 54 of Marengo, Iowa, died Sunday, March 29, 2015 at his home. Funeral services: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 2, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church Marengo, with Rev. Andrew Gray officiating. Burial: Marengo Cemetery. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. A memorial fund has been established.
Tom is survived by his daughter Dominque Peska Howell (Holly) of Fresno, CA; two grandchildren: Holli and Hailey Howell; his mother Evelyn Peska of Marengo; his brothers: Bill (Deb) of Delta, and Scott (Jessica) of Belle Plaine; three sisters: Lorene Peska (Dave Miller) of Marengo, Joann Sebetka of Cedar Rapids, Mary (Tim) Moore of Fairfax and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Dale, a brother Steve, and maternal and paternal grandparents, and a nephew Jeremiah Shaull.
Tom was born July 5, 1960 in Marengo, Iowa, the son of Dale and Evelyn May Bearbower Peska. He graduated from Iowa Valley High School with the class of 1979. Following graduation, he resided in the Fresno, CA area until 2001 when he returned to Iowa. Over the years he was employed at Wendler’s Construction, Hahn’s Construction, Van Dee Bins, Vertis and Phat Daddy’s. He enjoyed fishing, junking, spending time with friends, watching television, and listening to tapes. He also enjoyed watching the eagles every season.
