Agnes Marie Severson

Born: November 13, 1912
Died: May 18, 2013

Visitation

Date: Thursday, May 23        10 AM
Location: Deer Creek Lutheran Church, rural Carpenter

Funeral Service

Date: Thursday, May 23   11 AM
Location: Deer Creek Lutheran Church

Burial

Date: Thursday, May 23
Location: First Lutheran Cemetery, St. Ansgar

Obituary

Agnes Marie Severson was born November 13, 1912 to Gustav and Alma (Schmidt) Feldt in Newburg Township, Mitchell County, St. Ansgar.  She was baptized on December 22, 1912 at home by the Rev. G.A. Bischoff.  Her sponsors were Mrs.Ferdinand Feldt, Olga Schmidt and William Schmidt.

On April 1, 1928 she was confirmed by the Rev. Carl Landdeck at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton.  She attended and graduated from Carpenter High School, Carpenter on May 20, 1932.

Agnes was united in marriage to Orvie Severson on March 21, 1937 at First Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar.  The Rev. Olaf Langehough officiated.  They farmed the Andrew Severson homestead until 1974 when they retired to the Severson home in Carpenter.  She was active in her church circle, ELCW and Do Day activities.   She loved to travel and enjoyed many trips inside and outside the U.S.  Her family was a special joy.  She attended family events until her later years when it became difficult for her to do so.

Agnes is preceded in death by her parents, husband Orvie in 1980, sister Helen in 1974, brother Wilmer in 1992,  brother Herbert in 2003 and brother Arnold in 2008.

She is survived by children; Shirley Severson (Norris Krause) of Plymouth, MN, Carol (Bruce) Gordon of Grundy Center, IA,  Dennis (Peggy) Severson of Thornton, CO; three grandsons, Loren (Deb) Gordon of Chanhassen, MN;  Brian (Kristi) Gordon of Van Meter, IA;  John (Brandi) Gordon of Grundy Center, IA;  three granddaughters,  Melissa (Eric) Severson Frickell, Julie (Andy) Clem,  and Sarah (Jeff) Spletzer, all of Thornton, CO.  Eleven great grandchildren  survive; Anna and Nick Gordon of Chanhassen, MN, Grant, Drew, Will and Ben Gordon of Van Meter, IA, Reece and Colin Gordon of Grundy Center, IA, Grace and Ethan Clem of Thornton, CO and Clive Orvie Severson Frickell of Thornton, Co.  She is also survived by one sister, Irene Thompson of Austin, MN., sister-in-laws Joan Feldt and Delores Feldt of St. Ansgar,  brother-in-law, Charles Thompson and nineteen nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be directed to the Deer Creek Lutheran Church, Carpenter;

Good Samaritan Center, St. Ansgar or Hospice of Northeast Iowa.

 

Norman Olson

Born:  August 29, 1934
Died: May 11, 2013

Visitation

Date: Tuesday, May 14,  5:00 – 7:00 pm

Location: Northwood

Funeral Service

Date: Wednesday, May 15, 11:00 AM
Location: First Lutheran Church, Northwood

Burial

Date: Wednesday, May 15

Location: Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood

Obituary

Norman was born on a farm near Lindsay, Nebraska to his mother Rebecca and his father Berndt. It was natural for Norman to love the farm life, watching the crops grow, caring for the animals and doing handiwork where ever he found it needed.  Norman eventually moved to a farm near Newman Grove, Neb. Where he attended country schools and the public school in Newman Grove to finish his education.  He later served in Guam for the U.S. Army.  Following his honorable discharge he moved to Albert Lea, Minnesota where he met his wife, Shirley Butler.  Norm and Shirley wed on December 28^th, 1957, and in 1958 the couple moved back to the Olson family farm in Newman Grove.  After 24 years of farming and a major heart surgery, Norman, Shirley, son Steve and daughter Dianne moved to Northwood, Iowa.

As an active member of Zion Church, Norman served on the church council.  He also served on the Lindsay Coop Board.  After having moved to Northwood, aside from finding ways to help local farmers and becoming a member of the First Lutheran Church of Northwood, Norman worked as a groundskeeper at both the Worth County Fairgrounds and the Northwood Country Club.   Among other things, Norman enjoyed woodworking, yard work, traveling, baking bread and cinnamon rolls and spending time with his family (especially his “sweetie-pies”).

The family suggests memorials go to either the First Lutheran Church, the Cancer Society or Northwood Fire and Rescue.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, a son and a granddaughter.

Left to cherish Norm’s memory is his wife Shirley; son Steve Olson and wife Ann of Papillon, Neb.; daughter, Dianne Bailey and husband Bob Bailey of Northwood; granddaughters, Sarah and Amy Odom of Northwood; sister, Tecla Briggs of Columbus, Neb.: brothers Howard and wife Anita Olson of Columbus, Neb., Stanley Olson of Springfield, Mo., Robert and wife Margaret Olson of LaMesa, Ca., Karl and wife Rochelle Olson of Meridian, Id., Roger and wife Glotia Olson of Casa Grande, Az; many nieces, nephews, friends and relatives.

 

Mildred Staff

Born:  December 15, 1926
Died: May 2, 2013

Visitation

Date: Sunday, May 5,  4:00 – 6:00 pm

Location: Northwood

Funeral Service

Date: Monday, May 6, 10:30 AM
Location: Deer Creek Lutheran Church, Rural Carpenter

Burial

Date: Monday, March 6

Location: Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood

Obituary

Born December 15, 1926 in Mitchell County daughter of Nels A. Gordon & Hannah (Clayton) Gordon. She married Jean Staff on December 16, 1945 in Carpenter.
He died October 30, 2007.

She graduated from Carpenter High School and was employed as the Postmaster in Grafton. She was a member of Deer Creek Lutheran Church in Carpenter.

Survived by two sons; Keith(Charlene) of Minnesota City, Minn., Glen(Judy) of Waverly, one daughter Lois Staff of Waterloo, two grandsons Jeremy and Brian Staff both of Minnesota City, and four great granddaughters Destiny, Julia, Kaitlyn and Azlyn. Her sister Sandy Moretz of Medford, Wisconsin.

Proceeded in death by her husband, two sisters Helen and Doris

Memorials to the charity of choice.

 

Alton Clair Halvorson

Born: August 5, 1917
Died: April 13, 2013

Visitation

Date: Monday, April 15        4 – 7 PM
Location: Saint Ansgar

Funeral Service

Date: Tuesday, April 16     10:30 AM
Location: First Lutheran Church

Burial

Date: Tuesday, April 15
Location: First Lutheran  Cemetery

Obituary

Alton was born August 5, 1917, at Park Rapids, MN, to Clarence and Lydia (Larsen) Halvorson.  At age three, the family moved to St. Ansgar, IA, where he attended school and graduated in 1935.  He was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar.  After high school he worked for area farmers and hauled cream for the local creamery.  He joined the army in March 1941 where he was involved for 55 months with the 113 Calvary Division and Signal Corp.  He served in Central Europe in Belgium, Germany, Italy and France, where he took part in the Normandy Invasion.  He received the Bronze Star for Heroic Action and also a Good Conduct medal while attaining the rank of Sargeant.  In 1996 the French President came to Iowa and personally presented Alton a gold medal and plaque for his participation in the French liberation.  Following his honorable discharge in 1945, he started farming north of St. Ansgar and lived there his entire life.  He was an active 4-H leader, church deacon, Chairman of First Lutheran Church building committee, member of the Iowa Corn Growers, Registered Holstein Association, and the American Legion.

Alton Halvorson and Allene Rosenberg were united in marriage March 23, 1946, at Rock Creek Lutheran Church, rural St. Ansgar.  Alton is survived by his wife, Allene, sons Wayne (Kathy) Halvorson of Chatfield, MN, and Curt (Annette) Halvorson of St. Ansgar along with seven grandchildren, Kimberly (Andy) deLeon, Lakeville, MN, Brian (Emily) Halvorson, Eyota, MN, Ben (Jennifer) Halvorson, Chatfield, MN, Julie (Mike) Sogla, Northfield, MN, and Nick (Anna) Halvorson, Thomas (Leah) Halvorson and Valerie (Cory) Johnson all of St. Ansgar, and 14 great grandchildren.  Also surviving is his sister-in-law, Betty Halvorson of Casa Grande, AZ.

Alton was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Gerald Halvorson, Casa Grande, AZ, and his sister Esther Quam, Minneapolis, MN.  Also preceding him in death were brothers/sisters-in-laws Roy & Savera Rosenberg, Lawrence & Esther Rosenberg, Elmer & Pearl Rosenberg, Rueben Rosenberg, Harvey & Irene Boettcher, and Melvin Quam.

Sharon Ann Blake

Born: July 14, 1942
Died: April 10, 2013

Visitation

Date: Sunday, April 14        4 - 8 PM
Location: Visitation Catholic Church, Stacyville

Funeral Service

Date: Monday, April 15 10:30 AM
Location: Visitation Catholic Church

Burial

Date: Monday, April 15
Location: Visitation Cemetery

Obituary

Sharon was born on July 14, 1942, the daughter of John and Adeline (Boss) O’Marro in Austin, Minnesota.  She was very proud of playing the flute in the Austin High School band and worked at Hormel prior to her marriage.  She married Walter Blake on June 10, 1967.  They farmed near Stacyville until 1990 when they moved to St. Ansgar.  They recently celebrated their 45^th wedding anniversary in June of last year.  Prior to that, they experienced the marriage of their youngest daughter at sea aboard the Celebrity Eclipse which toured the Caribbean in February last year.  This past January, she was gifted with the birth of her sixth grandchild, Silas Courtney Reese, son of Shane And Susan (Blake) Reese.

Sharon enjoyed reading, watching Fox Cable News, crossword puzzles, jig-saw puzzles, computer solitaire and spending time with her friends, “the Grannies” at the 4^th  St. Café.  She was an interested amateur genealogist and would often enjoy taking trips with her sister, Barb, to South  Dakota to investigate their O’Marro and Boss family history. 

While Sharon’s children were young, she volunteered her time at the Visitation Grade School and as a Sunday School teacher.  She also worked at the Stacyville Nursing Home for many years.  Sharon also worked at the Food  Center in St. Ansgar before her retirement in 2005.

Sharon was a member of the Visitation Catholic Church, Stacyville and was active in regular Bible study with the St. Isidore Catholic Community’s women’s group.  In more recent years, she enjoyed traveling and spending time with her grandchildren never missing an opportunity to stop at an unfamiliar antique store with husband in tow.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, John Walter Blake as well as a sister and brother, Barbara Kath and Lanny O’Marro; sister in law, Germaine Blake and niece Nicole Kath; uncle and aunt Kent and Judy Keyser and cousin Judy Keyser.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Walter; sons Dennis Blake, Raymond Blake; daughters Cynthia (Greg) Yokanovich, Linda (Luis) Lampon and Susan (Shane) Reese; she was a proud grandmother of six, including Enrique, Catherine, Ileana, Spencer, Evelyn and Silas; brothers-in-law, Dave Kath, Willard Blake, Don and Jean Blake, Chuck and Myrna Blake, Roger and Betty Blake, Glenn and Pat Blake; Blake nieces and nephews, Debra, Diane, Mark, Sandra, Sharon, Mary Beth, Dave, Craig, Connie, Russell, Becky, Vicki, Jeff, Deena and Rodney; O’Marro nieces and nephews, Laura, Lana, Tammy, Jeff, Jamie and Perrin.

 

Curtis Leidal

Born:  July 31, 1917
Died: April 3, 2013

Visitation

Date: Saturday, April 13,  5:00 – 7:00 pm

Location: Northwood

Funeral Service

Date: Sunday, April 14, 2:00 PM
Location: First Lutheran Church, Northwood

Burial

Date: Sunday, April 14

Location: Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood

Obituary

Curtis L. Leidal left this life to join his beloved Luella on April 3, 2013.

Curtis was born July 31, 1917, on a farm near London, Minnesota. The third child of Albert and Laura Leidal, he was baptized in the Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in July 1932. He attended rural Freeborn County School District Number 125, graduating from the eighth grade in 1932, and married Luella Holstad on September 21, 1940.

Curtis worked as a farmer until 1966, then as an insurance agent. He graduated from Hamilton Business College and worked as Worth County Treasurer, bookkeeper, and agent for the Iowa Revenue Department. After retiring, Curtis and Luella enjoyed traveling and spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Curtis was preceded in death by his wife, Luella; and his daughters, LaVerne and Karen; his parents; his siblings: Anna, Clara, Glen, Quentin, and Kermit. He is survived by three children and spouses: LeRoy and Lonna (Hoel) Leidal, Kathy and Tom Christianson, and Kevin and Becky (Schmitt) Leidal; son-in-law Ken Fredrickson; 10 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Northwood Public Library or your charity of choice.

Donald E. Patrick

Born: January 24, 1932
Died: March 29, 2013

Visitation

Date: Monday, April 1        10 AM
Location: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Lyle, Minn.

Funeral Service

Date: Monday, April 1          11 AM
Location: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Lyle, Minn.

Burial

Date: Monday, April 1
Location: Grafton Cemetery

Obituary

Don was born on January 24, 1932 in Havre, Montana, to Charles Richard and Sadie Ina (Gale) Patrick. Youngest of 16 children (13boys, 3 girls), and the only one born in a hospital. Don attended the Rudyard rural school, graduated from Havre High School, and attended two years at Havre University studying architecture.

He met Ann L. Christenson at church in Havre, Montana and later at Seattle, Washington, at the National Luther League Convention. They were engaged in November 1951, and married in March 21, 1952, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  He farmed for two years at Goldstone, Montana, and then moved to Grafton, Iowa, where they bought a farm from the Lutheran Church.  In addition, Don sold Hy-Line chickens, grain bin equipment, and MoorMan’s® feed, and whitewashed barns.

Together Don and Ann raised their six children; Debby, Danny, Dwight, David, Diane, & Donna. Their travels included Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, California, Florida, New Orleans; the 1967 World Expo in Montreal, Canada; and traveled to Japan with the Bridge of Fellowship Tour in 1977. For several years, Don chaperoned church H.S. students, including a few of his children, on missionary trips to northern Mexico.

Don retired from Moorman’s Feed Company after 32 years in the fall of 1992. From 1990-1994, he traveled throughout Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Germany, and San Marino. In 1995, he enjoyed touring with his siblings and some nieces/nephews to England, crossing the English Channel (The Chunnel) at Dover, UK, to France and then Italy. May 2001 Don & Ann enjoyed a cruise ship to Alaska, which included a train trip to Denali National Park.

Don and Ann were proud to be the first couple in their family to be married 60 years.

Don actively supported many roles throughout the years and was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church. In Don’s words “PRAISE THE LORD!”

Don is preceded in death by his wife Ann, parents and 12 brothers and a sister.

Don is survived by six children; Debby (Donald) Arrett, Gordonsville, MN, Daniel (Dan) Patrick, Grafton, Dwight Patrick, Denver, CO, David Patrick, Carpenter, Diane (Robert) Ackerman, Highland, WI, Donna(Ramón) Tirado, Colorado Springs, CO. 9 grandchildren; Chad Patrick, Clear Lake, Shelly Patrick, Denver, CO, Teresa Suydam, Denver, CO, Tylor Patrick, Osage, Kendra Ackerman (friend Kevin Kruse), Loganville, WI, Nathan Ackerman, Milwaukee, WI, Kenneth Ackerman, Loganville, WI, Ramón Triado Jr. fiancé Erin, Woodstock, GA, Daniel Triado, Colorado Springs, CO. 5 great-grandchildren.  Two sisters, Phyllis Gagnon of Chester, MT   Ruth Meredith of Havre, MT. And many nieces and nephews.

 

 

James Arlen Kroneman

Born: February 17, 1954
Died: March 26, 2013

Visitation

Date: Friday, March  29        4 - 6:30 PM
Location: Saint Ansgar

Funeral Service

Date: Saturday, March 30 10:30 AM
Location: St. Johns Lutheran Church

Burial

Date: Saturday, March 30
Location: St. Johns Cemetery

Obituary

James was born on February 17, 1954  in Osage, Iowa, to Rueben and Betty (Lundene) Kroneman.  He grew up on the family farm southwest of St. Ansgar.  James married Vicki Schmidt on August 24, 1974 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, Iowa.   He was a life long member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.  He was a hard worker at whatever he did.   James enjoyed his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father.

James is survived  by his  wife, Vicki; mother Betty of St. Ansgar; sons Keith (Bonnie) Kroneman of Osage and Tim (Mari Ann) Kroneman of Northwood, Ia.; a daughter, Melinda (David) Penfold of Clear Lake, Ia.; six grandchildren, William, Colton, and Haddie Kroneman, Eva Kroneman, Ronan and Saxon Penfold;  three brothers, Darwin (Vicky) Kroneman, Osage, Dennis of Osage and Mark (Kristi) Kroneman of Ankeny, Ia.; two sisters Marjean (Jeff) Gordon of St. Ansgar and Kathleen (Lance) Chandler of Belmond, Ia.; two sisters-in-law Robin (Duane) Tabbert of Grafton and Kim (Mike) Spitz of Osage, Ia.;  several nieces and nephews.

Ruth Frances Robertson

Born: May 11, 1918
Died: February 22, 2013

Visitation

Date: Thursday, February 28        4 – 7 PM
Location: Saint Ansgar

Funeral Service

Date: Friday, March 1  10:30 AM
Location: First Lutheran Church

Burial

Date: Friday, March 1
Location:  First Lutheran Cemetery

Obituary

Ruth was born May 11, 1918 in Otranto Township, Mitchell County, the youngest of five children to Fred J. and Isabel M. (Swain) Priem. She attended school at Otranto and graduated from high school in 1935.

On October 15, 1938, she married Clifford Robertson, and they began farming north of St. Ansgar. Five children were born to them with a twin son and daughter dying in infancy. Times were tough, but Ruth was a hard worker alongside her husband and especially enjoyed raising her chickens. She was a faithful member of her church, belonging to circles and helping serve where needed. She was a leader of the Union Eagles girls 4-H Club for many years, and was a caring nurses aid at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar for 16 ½ years.

Ruth loved sports and spent many, many hours cheering on her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren’s events. She continued her love of sports in later years watching Iowa Hawkeye’s football and basketball on TV and following the St. Ansgar Saints activities. Her home was a gathering place for friends and family where the coffee pot was always on and there was something good to eat. Mom always had a smile, a positive attitude, and a generous spirit. We will always remember her famous scalloped potatoes and ginger cookies, her gifts of beautiful embroidered/needlepoint pictures, and her many, many embroidered dishtowels.

Ruth was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved her family with all her heart and was happiest when we could all be together.

She is survived by three children: Gary (Karen) Robertson of St. Ansgar; Wayne (Rita) Robertson of Rose Creek, Minn; and Judy (Don) Ask of St. Ansgar; Six grandchildren, David Robertson; Deanne (Pat) Wagner; Jeremy (Brenda) Ask; Gina (Eric) Goddard; Mark (Maria) Robertson; Tim (Kim) Robertson; 15 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clifford, infant twins, two brothers Harvey and Lawrence Priem, two sisters, Mae Schroeder and Hazel Duenow, and many loved inlaws, nieces, nephews, and friends. Ruth was very proud that she was baptized, confirmed, married and now will be laid to rest at the FirstLutheranChurch.

Leo John Streit

Born: October 7, 1917
Died: February 21, 2013

Visitation

Date: Sunday, February 24        5 – 8 PM    Rosary at 5  Vigil Service at 8
Location: Visitation Catholic Church 

Funeral Service

Date: Monday, February 25   10:30 AM
Location: Visitation Catholic Church

Burial

Date: Monday, February 25
Location: Visitation Cemetery

Obituary

Leo was born in Ghent, MN on October 7, 1917 to Nick and Rose (Wallrich)
Streit. In 1921, the family moved to a farm outside of Stacyville where Leo grew up, lived and farmed for the rest of his life.

Leo married Dorothy (Falk) Meek, a widow with two young sons, on May 1, 1954. Over the next ten years they added five additional boys to their family. Leo was a true and loving father who was equally proud of all seven of his sons.

Leo was a devoted husband, a loving father and especially loved being a grandpa and great-grandpa. He was admired for his great work ethic and ever-present cheerfulness and humor. He was a grain and livestock farmer, licensed electrician, member of the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Order of the Foresters.  Leo enjoyed woodworking, fixing things in his workshop and passing his knowledge on to his sons.

Leo is survived by his wife, Dorothy, his sister, Therese Johnson; sons Bob Meek (Greta); Nick Streit (Sue); Tom Streit (Linda); Paul Streit (Linda); Ted Streit (Diane); daughter-in-law Becky Meek; 15 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceding Leo in death are sons Edward Streit in 1962 and Michael Meek in 2011; brother John Streit; and sisters Esther Russell and Marcella Koenigs.