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Michael E. Kitson, age 63, of Marengo, died Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, from complications of a stroke. Funeral Mass: 10:30 A.M. Saturday, August 15, 2015, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Watkins, with Fr. Mark Ressler officiating. Burial: Bishop Cemetery, rural Marengo. Visitation: 2 to 7 P.M. Friday, August 14, 2015, Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be contributed for a scholarship in his name, the Marengo Library, or the charity of the donor’s choice.
He is survived by his wife Joyce; his children, James Kitson (Yuka Takahara) of Oregon City, OR, and Christina Kitson (John Kearbey) of Manhattan, KS; two grandchildren, Eliwen Kitson and Alexander Kearbey; his brothers, Peter (Sue) Kitson of Beaver Grove, MI, Duane (Laura) Kitson of Prudenville, MI, Paul (Zettie) Kitson of Twining, MI; sisters, Cecelia King of Tacoma, WA, Rosanne (Keith) Dowgialo of Warren, MI, Marian Steele of Sommersville, WV, Lisa (Gary) Wilk of Tawas City, MI and Patricia (Kevin) VerSteeg of Phoenix, AZ; his foster mother, Charlotte Moore of Elkader, IA, and foster brothers, Aaron (JoLynn) Moore of Guttenburg, IA, and Chad Moore of Beijing, China, and his step-mother Frankie Kitson of Standish, MI.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, his foster father Larry “Smoke” Moore, a brother George, and a sister LynnAnne.
Michael Edward Kitson was born January 23, 1952 in Pontiac, MI, the son of George Edward and Romance Stalker Kitson. He graduated from Jefferson High School, Cedar Rapids, in 1971 and attended Kirkwood and Mount Mercy College, obtaining an Associate degree and certification in electronics. Michael married Joyce Becker on August 5, 1972 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Watkins.
In his teenage years he worked various service industry jobs. His full time employment history began with Dearborn Brass in the 1970’s; he was a stay-at-home Dad for several years; he worked at LaRay’s Cleaners in Marengo, and lastly he was employed with Rockwell Collins for 14 years as an electronics test technician, retiring in May of 2015.
Michael enjoyed bow hunting and black powder muzzleloading, camping, fishing, and morel mushroom hunting, which he was certified to sell. He was an amateur home builder, photographer, and archaeologist. He liked to garden, and star gaze in his back yard. He also liked to make jewelry.
He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Watkins, and the Local IBW 1362.
Linda Kathlynn Schuerer, age 68, of Amana, died Saturday, August 1, 2015 following a courageous battle with cancer. Visitation will be 1 to 4 p.m., Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at Kloster funeral home in Marengo, Iowa. Graveside memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at East Amana Cemetery, East Amana, with Elder Kristie Yoder and Peter Hoehnle presiding. Memorials can be contributed to Essence of Life Hospice, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, or the University of Iowa for breast cancer research.
Linda is survived by her husband Ronald Schuerer of Amana; a son Rayme Schuerer (Michelle) of Amana; a daughter Jennifer Kaefring (Kevin) of Willliamsburg; three grandchildren Jesse and Macey Schuerer and Grant Kaefring; and a sister Luella Lear of Peachtree, Georgia; and many other relatives and friends.
Linda was born November 26, 1946 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Rudolph and Louise Blechschmidt. She graduated from Amana High School in 1965. She attended University of Northern Iowa and the University of Iowa. She was united in marriage on January 7, 1972 to Ronald Schuerer. They were blessed with two children, Rayme and Jennifer. Linda was previously employed by Amana Refrigeration and Integrated DNA technologies. She was happiest spending time with her children, grandchildren, family and friends.
The family would like to thank Essence of Life Hospice and staff at Colonial Manor for her care and support. She was touched by the friendship, support and prayers she was shown by all during her illness.
John Richard “Dick” Watts, age 84, of Clinton, MO, formerly of Marengo, died Friday June 5, 2015, at the Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, MO following a short illness. Graveside Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, OCtober 10, 2015, at the Marengo Cemetery, Marengo, Iowa. Military Honors will be conducted by the Marengo American Legion Post 76 and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.
Dick is survived by two loving children, a son, Gary Watts of Clinton, MO, and a daughter, Lori Gates and husband Steve of Neosho, MO; two grandchildren, Ryan Gates of Maryville, MO, and Megan Gates of Alexandria, VA; a sister, Darlene Denison of Center Point, IA; a sister, Marcene Rauch of Sterling, KS; a sister, Marilyn Ward of Mercedes, TX; a brother John Watts of Colbert, WA and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn Ehrman Watts; his parents John and Gale (Height) Watts; a sister, Patricia (Watts) Taylor; a brother Harold Lewis Watts; and a brother George Eugene Watts.
Dick was born October 8, 1930 in What Cheer, IA the son of John Harold and Gale Height Watts. He received his early education in the What Cheer and Deep River schools. He entered the service in 1947 at the age of 17, joining the U.S. Navy. John served in the Navy from 1947 until 1954 seeing action in the Korean Conflict. He married Marilyn Ehrman on April 14, 1956, at the Little Brown Church, Nashua. He was a general contractor and owned and operated Watts Construction from 1959 until his retirement in 1996. He was a member of the Marengo American Legion and the Marengo Jaycees. Dick was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing with friends and family. In 1996, he moved from Marengo to Missouri where he enjoyed his retirement and was close to family.
Mervin Rachel West Van Tomme, age 93 of Brooklyn, formerly of Montezuma, died Thursday, October 1, 2015 at Brooklyn Community Estate, Brooklyn, IA. Visitation: 12:30 until 2:00 P.M. Monday, October 5, 2015, Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn. A Sharing of Memories will be held at 2:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Brooklyn, Iowa.
She is survived by her daughter Colette Pfetzing of Sacramento, CA; nine grandchildren, Dennis Kramer, Kelli Kelchen, Alison Corder, Garrett Pfetzing, Heather Burkart, Rachel Van Tomme, Gunther Pfetzing, Nicole Wagner, and Tiffany Van Tomme; seven great-grandchildren, Justin, Wyatt and Reagan Burt, and Caleb, Abbe, and Ellie Wagner, and one blessing yet to be named. They all kept their “Nannie” energized; but most of all, she appreciated their kind ways, and concern for her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Rene Van Tomme in 2005, son Dennis, two brothers, Robert and Clarence, and three sisters, Velma, Violet, and Bonnie.
Mervin Rachel West was born September 21, 1922 in Toledo Township, Tama County, Iowa, the daughter of Jesse Clarence West and Grace Ellen Hutchinson West. She attended the Tama County schools and married Rene Van Tomme on March 1, 1941 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Tama. Following Rene’s return from the service, the couple settled in Montezuma. Rachel was a hard-working, loving mother and wife, and a wonderful cook, attending to her family. She enjoyed canning fruits and vegetables from her garden, reading, sketching pictures, quilting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and embroidering for her family. Rachel was a wonderful friend to many and enjoyed helping others in need. She was a member of the Garden Club, Coffee Club and the Senior Exercise Club in Montezuma.
Rachel endured many trials in her life but always tried to maintain a positive attitude, which made her “priceless” to her children, family, and friends.
Eunice Ellen Krauss, age 81, of Amana, died October 1, 2015, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Funeral Service: 10:00 A.M., Monday, October 5, 2015 at the Middle Amana Church with Elder Harold Pitz officiating. Burial will be in the Amana Cemetery, Amana, Iowa. Visitation: 4 to 6 P.M., Sunday, October 4, 2015 at Middle Amana Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be contributed to the Safe Haven of Iowa County. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Eunice is survived by her husband Donald; her children, Donald Jr. (Linda), of Amana, Ray of Homestead, Barbara Roland (Royal) of Grinnell; two brothers, Raymond Wetterling (Sharon), of Ladysmith, WI, William “Bill” (Mary Lou) Wetterling, of Checkerboard, MT; three sisters, Winnie Parson of Marion, Florence Teller of Butte, MT, and Lorraine Hodawanus (Earl) of Norco, CA; six grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 7 step-great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and a son-in-law, Greg Collins of Prairie du Chien, WI.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter Vickie; three sisters, Ruth Dittert, Lillian Frommel, and Ethyl Soviak, and two brothers, Herman and Everett.
Eunice Ellen Wetterling was born November 17, 1933, the daughter of Emil and Grace Angel Wetterling. She attended Hayward High School in Wisconsin. Eunice married Donald Krauss May 9, 1953 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Eunice worked for several years for the Amana Society at Rumpost Delivery. She and Don later founded and ran the Village Winery in Amana. Later in life, she raised quarter horses, and also was active with purebred dog breeding.
Betty Jean Hollopeter, age 78 of Marengo, formerly of Ladora, died Monday, September 28, 2015 at the Marengo Memorial Hospital following a long illness. Funeral Services: 10:30 A.M. Thursday, October 1, 2015, Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo with Rev. Jim Davis officiating. Burial: Ohio Cemetery, rural Ladora, Iowa. Visitation: 4 to 7 P.M. Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. Memorials may be contributed to the Ladora Fire Department or First Responders.
Betty is survived by a brother Floyd “Bill” of Ladora; and several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Hazel and Mary, and four brothers, Laurence, F. Dean “Bud”, Charles “Charlie” and Frank.
Betty Jean Hollopeter was born April 29, 1937 in Ladora, Iowa, the daughter of Charles Oscar Hollopeter and Laura Ida Slaymaker Hollopeter. She attended the Hartford country school and graduated from Ladora High School with the Class of 1955. Betty was employed at Victor Manufacturing, retiring after 23 years. She enjoyed working on different craft projects, solving word puzzles, and her cats.
Rosalyn J. Smith, age 69 of Marengo, died Sunday, September 27, 2015 at the Marengo Memorial Hospital. Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, September 30, 2015, First United Methodist Church, Marengo with Rev. Matt German officiating. Burial: 2:30 P.M. Wednesday, September 30, Shaul Cemetery, Ottumwa. Visitation: 4 to 7 P.M. Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.
Rosalyn is survived by her children, Joe Smith (Kelly) of Marengo, Becky Kurka (Lonnie Storck) of Marengo, and John Smith of Marengo;10 grandchildren, Ashley Kurka, Cedar Rapids, Tiffany Shine (Chris) of Marengo, Alex Kalina (Corey) of North Liberty, Samantha Kraft (Kevin) of Cedar Rapids, Noelle and Vance Kurka of Marengo, Zachary and Benjamin Smith of Marengo, Ian and Brooke Smith of Marengo; five great-grandchildren, Knox Russell of Cedar Rapids, Ellie and Emma Shine of Marengo, and Kendall Kalina of North Liberty, and Chloe Kraft of Cedar Rapids. Also surviving is a brother Lowell Ryder (Delana) of Webster.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Larry, a granddaughter, Cara Smith, a sister Laura Oltman, and a brother Orlan Ryder.
Rosalyn Jane was born April 20, 1946 in Sigourney, Iowa, the daughter of Ollie Albert Ryder and Ruby Jane Bird Ryder. She graduated from Sigourney High School in 1964 and married Larry Gene Smith on June 6, 1964. He passed away January 30, 1990.
Rosalyn had been employed with Dollar General, the Amana Bakery, Pronto, and as produce manager with Big G Grocery Store in Marengo. She cherished the time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Attending all their sporting events kept her busy and entertained, as well as going to the casinos with her buddies. She loved decorating for the holidays and was known for her excellent cooking and baking. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Abby Rae Robidoux, age 16 of Marengo, Iowa, died Saturday, September 26, 2015 at her home. Memorial Service: 3:00 P.M. Thursday, October 1, 2015, First United Methodist Church, Marengo with Rev. Matt German officiating. There will be no visitation. Kloster Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Survivors include her father Joseph Robidoux of Coggon, her mother Candace Huber (Mick Graf) of Marengo; two brothers, Kinnick Robidoux and Alexzander Robidoux; and five sisters, Zoey Robidoux, Katlyn Robidoux, Sarah, Hanna Wilson and Britten Strause. Also surviving are her paternal grandmother, Beth Robidoux of Coggon, maternal grandmother, Sherry Dennis of Albuquerque, NM, grandfather Ken Graf, and many close family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Donald and Fred Sr., her grandmother Elizabeth Ann Graf, and three uncles.
Abby Rae was born December 15, 1998 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph Robidoux and Candace Huber. She was presently a member of the Junior Class at Iowa Valley High School, Marengo. Abby enjoyed music and was part of the Iowa Valley Choir where she was auditioning for a solo. She enjoyed drawing in her sketchbooks, searching YouTube, and watching animation. She loved horror movies and followed the Walking Dead series. She liked to ride her bike, boating, and loved riding on the Harley. When she was in elementary and junior high, Abby was involved in youth athletics, soccer, T-ball and basketball. She was currently employed at McDonald's in Williamsburg.
Abby could often be found sitting on the roof watching the stars and the approaching storms. She was a great “big sister”, and loved all animals. She also looked forward to spending time with her boyfriend Corey.
