** Elsie A. Romer

MARBLE ROCK - Elsie A. Romer, 84, of 117 N. River St., died Friday (Sept. 4, 1998) at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Reid's Funeral Chapel, Marble Rock. Interment will be in Lotts Creek Cemetery.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at Reid's Funeral Chapel, Marble Rock, where other arrangements are incomplete.

** Arthur Sabin

MANLY - Arthur Sabin, 84, of Manly, died Friday (Sept. 4, 1998) at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Bride Colonial Chapel, 110 E. Spring St., Manly.

** Selma G. Meyer

CHARLES CITY - Selma G. Meyer, 95, of Charles City, died Friday (Sept. 4, 1998) at the Salsbury Baptist Home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., Charles City.

** Elwood Ingolf Rice

LAKE MILLS - Elwood Ingolf Rice, 76, died Friday (Sept. 4, 1998) at North Iowa Mercy Health Center, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Salem Lutheran Church, Lake Mills, with the Rev. Sara Beth Akre and the Rev. Roger Dykstra officiating. Interment will be in Silver Lake Lutheran Cemetery in rural Northwood. Military rites will be performed by Lake Mills Otto/Chose Post No. 235.

Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Elwood was born May 27, 1922, in Hartland Township, Freeborn County, Minn.

Elwood is survived by his wife, Cora, of Lake Mills; five children, Susan Rice of Clear Lake, Larry Rice, Gregory Rice, and Richard Rice, all of Lake Mills, Colleen Rice of St. Louis, Mo.; and seven grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

** Luceil A. Vician

MASON CITY - Luceil A. Vician, 87, of Urandale, formerly of Mason City, died Wednesday (Sept. 2, 1998) at Karen Acres Nursing Home, Urbandale.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Hogan-Bremer Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street N.E., Mason City, with Genevieve McGowan, First Reader of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Clear Lake, officiating. A private inurnment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

There will be no visitation ; her body was cremated.

Other arrangements are incomplete at Hogan-Bremer Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street N.E.

** Laura M. Vervaecke

ST. ANSGAR - Laura M. Vervaecke, 82, died Saturday (Sept. 5, 1998) at St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Ansgar Catholic Church with the Rev. Joseph Schneider officiating. Burial will in the St. Ansgar Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, 207 South School Street, St. Ansgar. Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

Laura M. Vervaecke was born March 29, 1916, in Mitchell County to Julius and Alida (Eggermont) Duponcheele.

Laura married Albert E. Vervaecke on June 28, 1937, in Stacyville. They farmed east of Northwood and in the Carpenter, Iowa area.

She is survived by two sons, Robert Vervaecke, of Osage Beach, Mo., and Edward Vervaecke, of St. Ansgar; two daughters, Elizabeth Malone, of Manassas, Va., and Connie Fix, of Plainview, Minn.; one brother, Robert Duponcheele, of Stacyville; one sister, Julia Lambaere, of St. Ansgar; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

** Margaret Dant

FLOYD - Margaret (Mrs. James) Dant, 81, a former resident of 1445 River Road, Floyd, died Friday morning (Sept. 4, 1998) at the Mitchell County Health Center, Osage.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Grace United Methodist Church, Floyd, with the Rev. Blair Rohde-Frank, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery, Floyd, at a later date.

Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Hauser Funeral Home, 1205 S. Main Street, Charles City. Friends may greet James Dant from 4 to 6 p.m. Visitation will continue on Tuesday at the church an hour prior to the service.

Margaret Elnora Barney Dant was born March 28, 1917, at Floyd, the daughter of P. James and Pauline Hanf Barney. She graduated from the Floyd Consolidated High School.

She worked in the Floyd Telephone Office in 1935 and in the Homer Clark Paint Store in Waterloo. Following her marriage to James H. Dant on July 2, 1937, in Washington, D. C., she was a homemaker.

She was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women where she served as president and in all other offices. She was also secretary of the Floyd Township Cemetery Association. She and James enjoyed feeding birds, planting trees and gardening since his retirement.

Living family members include her husband, James, of Osage; two sons, Roland Dant and his wife, Bonnie McKinney, of St. Paul, Minn., and Roger Dant and his wife, Bev, of Forest City; and six grandchildren, Michael Dant, of Chicago, Ill., Janet Graham and her husband, Chris, of Minneapolis, Minn., Jack Dant and his wife, Leeanne, of St. Paul, Minn., Daniel Dant and his wife, Jessica, of Owatonna, and Luke Dant and Molli Dant of Forest City.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorials may be directed to the Grace United Methodist Church of Floyd.

** "Dottie" Tobin

CHARLES CITY - "Dottie" (Mrs. Mike) Tobin, 72, of 1105 Gilbert Street, died Saturday (Sept. 5, 1998) at the Nora Springs Care Center.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Hauser Funeral Home, 1205 S. Main Street, Charles City.

** Lillie C. Mostrom

MASON CITY - Lillie C. Mostrom, 91, of 501 S. Kentucky, died Monday (Aug. 31, 1998) at Heritage Care Center, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, with the Rev. John L. "Jack" Garnnett of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will take place in Elmwood Cemetery, Mason City.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Major Erickson Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to the Lillie C. Mostrom Memorial Fund.

Lillie C. Mostrom was born Oct. 29, 1906, in New Richland, Minn., to Soren and Liva (Kaasa) Nelson. When Lillie was three years old the family moved to Hanlontown where she attended school.

On Feb. 18, 1926, she married Otto Mostrom at the preacher's home at Elk Creek Lutheran Church. Lillie and Otto farmed near Kensett until moving to Mason City in 1943.

Lillie was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She enjoyed crocheting, needlework and playing bingo.

She is survived by three daughters, Lila Mohr and her husband, Stanley, of Everett, Wash., Mavis Smed and her husband, Kai L., of Mason City, Debra Floden and her husband, Jon, of Biloxi, Miss.; a son, Norman Mostrom and his wife, Margaret, of Clearwater, Fla.; a stepdaughter, Julie Templeton and her husband, Dennis, of Mason City; a sister, Gladys Robey, of Mason City; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Wayne Bigelow, of Mason City.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Otto; two daughters, Norma and Phyllis; one grandchild; and one great-grandchild.

** Bernice M. Lester

MASON CITY - Bernice M. Lester, 90, of 808 N. Kentucky, died Saturday (Sept. 5, 1998) at home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City.

** Darlene Catherine Holmes

VENTURA - Darlene Catherine Holmes, 65, of Ventura Heights, died Saturday (Sept. 5, 1998) at the North Iowa Mercy Healthy Center East, Mason City.

The family will greet friends from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake.

The body was cremated. Private services will be held before the visitation.

The family suggests memorials be directed to the Darlene C. Holmes memorial fund.

Darlene was born Feb. 17, 1933, in Mason City, the daughter of George and Ann Olson Kantaris. She attended school in Mason City.

Darlene married DeWayne (Buck) Holmes June 12, 1955, in Mason City.

She enjoyed dancing, nature, old country music and was an avid reader.

She is survived by her husband DuWayne (Buck) Holmes, Ventura; a daughter, Linda Holmes, Tucson, Ariz.; two sons, Stuart Holmes and his wife, Terri, of Bloomfield, and Marty Holmes, Mason City; a brother, James Kantaris and his wife, Gayle, Mason City; a sister, Phyllis Kantaris, Fort Madison; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents.

** Theressa (Tray) Gault

BRITT - Theressa (Tray) Gault, 89, died Saturday (Sept. 5, 1998) at Westview Care Center, Britt.

** Arthur C. Sabin

MANLY - Arthur C. Sabin, 84, died Friday (Sept. 4, 1998) at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Manly, with the Rev. John Meyer officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Manly, and continue at the church for one hour prior to the services on Tuesday. Bride Colonial Chapel, 110 E. Spring St., Manly, is in charge of arrangements.

Art 's family requests that memorials be directed to the Arthur C. Sabin Memorial Fund.

Arthur C. Sabin was born March 6, 1914, at Minneapolis, Minn., to Chris and Emma (Hanson) Sabin.

On Feb. 28, 1935, he was united in marriage to Eliza Mary Rake at Rake, Iowa.

He drove an ice truck and was employed by the Wilson meat-packing plant in Albert Lea until 1945 when he and Eliza moved to Manly. There he was a railroad engineer for the Rock Island Line for 32 years.

After retiring from the railroad, he and his wife Eliza were the custodians of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Manly, for 21 years - from 1975 to 1997.

Arthur also was the groundskeeper for the North Central schools where he took pride in making sure the grounds were just right.

He also enjoyed fishing, hunting and woodworking, especially making baby cribs with his wife Eliza.

He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Manly, since 1945 and also of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

He is survived by his five sons, Paul Sabin and his wife, Margaret, Mason City, Duane Sabin and his wife, Shannon, Urbandale, David Sabin, and his wife, Gloria, Marshall, Minn., Mark Sabin and his wife, Linda, Clear Lake, Dan Sabin and his fiancee, Colleen Rhodes, Northville, Mich.; one daughter, Gloria Reindl and her husband, Jack, Adair; 13 grandchildren, Steven Sabin, Scott Sabin, Julie Sabin, Dr. Shawn Sabin, Shannon Sabin, Randy Reindl, Kandi Amadeo, Chris Reindl, Chad Sabin, Hiller Sabin, Joshua Sabin, Jonah Sabin, and Brad Sabin; 11 great-grandchildren; one sister, Edna Crain, Tulsa, Okla.; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Eliza; and one brother, Russell.

** Elsie A. Romer

MARBLE ROCK - Elsie A. Romer, 84, of 117 North River Street, died Friday (Sept. 4, 1998) at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Reid's Funeral Chapel, Marble Rock, with the Rev. John Albrecht of Zion Lutheran Church, Rockford, officiating. Burial will be in Lots Creek Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be at Reid's Funeral Chapel one hour before services and at the cemetery just prior to committal.

Elsie A. (Haack) Romer was born June 22, 1914, near Lots Creek, Kossuth County.

Living family members include three daughters, Nancy Eisenbocher, Ringsted, Louise Duryee and Debbie Jennings, both of Marble Rock; one son, Roger Schumacher, Mesa, Ariz.; 21 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mary Haack, Truman, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, a son, three sisters and four brothers.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the family.

CHARLES CITY - Selma G. Meyer, 95, of Salsbury Baptist Home, formerly of 24 Cedar Terrace South, Charles City, and rural Ionia, died Friday (Sept. 4, 1998) at the nursing home.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Main and Gilbert Streets, Charles City, with the Rev. Dennis D. Niezwaag, senior pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.

Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. Monday at the Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., Charles City. The family will be present to receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and one hour prior to services at the church.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the family to be given to Selma's favorite charities.

Selma Greta Ida (Koebrick) Meyer was born Sept. 26, 1902, in rural Charles City.

She is survived by a daughter, Eileen Wegner, Charles City; a son, Orval Meyer, Cedar Falls; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Selma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son, and a brother.

** Leota Jordahl

BUFFALO CENTER - Leota Jordahl, 89, died Sunday (Sept. 6, 1998) at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Winter Funeral Home, Buffalo Center.

** Gladys Gregg

CHARLES CITY - Gladys (Mrs. George) Gregg, 82, of 2278 Highway 218 South, died Saturday (Sept. 5, 1998) at Floyd County Memorial Hospital, Charles City.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Charles City, with the Rev. Dennis D. Niezwaag, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.

Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Hauser Funeral Home, 1205 S. Main Street, and visitation will continue from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and an hour prior to services at the church.

Gladys Caroline Krumrey Gregg was born Aug. 21, 1916, at Charles City.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Memorials may be directed to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church or Hospice of North Iowa, Charles City Satellite.

** Dorothy "Dottie" Tobin

CHARLES CITY - Dorothy "Dottie" (Mrs. Mike) Tobin, 72, of 1105 Gilbert Street, died Saturday (Sept. 5, 1998) at the Nora Springs Care Center.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Charles City, with Monsignor Stanley J. Hayek, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery at Charles City.

Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Hauser Funeral Home, 1205 S. Main St., Charles City. At 7:30 p.m., a scriptural wake service will begin. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the Mass at the church Wednesday.

Dorothy "Dottie" Delores (Dial) Tobin was born July 10, 1926, at St. Louis, Mo.

Living family members include her husband, Mike, of Nora Springs; a son, Robert Tobin, of Charles City; six grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a son.

** Mervin Nelson

NORTHWOOD - Mervin Nelson, 87, died Sunday (Sept. 6, 1998) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood.

** James E. Collen

CLEAR LAKE - James E. Collen, 79, of 1303 South Shore Drive, died Saturday (Sept. 5, 1998) at North Iowa Mercy Health Center East, Mason City.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jana Swenson officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake.

The family suggests that memorials be directed to Hospice of North Iowa or Muscular Dystrophy.

Other funeral arrangements are incomplete.

** Theressa (Tray) Gault

BRITT - Theressa "Tray" Gault, 89, died Saturday (Sept. 5, 1998) at the Westview Care Center, Britt.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church, Britt, with the Rev. Robert Dodge officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Cataldo Funeral Home, Britt.

Ruth Theressa Gault, the daughter of Jeno H. and Marie T. (Gilji) Moe, was born April 8, 1909, on a farm north of Garner. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and was a member of the United Methodist Church, Britt. She graduated from Garner High School in 1927 and taught in the Britt, Corwith, Wesley, Woden and Crystal Lake rural schools.

On March 27, 1937, she was married to Charles L. Gault at Fort Dodge. They farmed south of Britt until the time of Charles' death in March of 1965. Tray moved into Britt and continued teaching in the Britt elementary school system until suffering a stroke in December of l965.

In September of 1972, she went to Friendship Haven at Fort Dodge. She spent the remainder of her life at Westview Care Center.

Tray loved teaching, was an avid reader and artist and loved her Coca-Cola.

She is survived by many nieces and nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; parents; four sisters, Bargot Wigon, her twin sister, Thelma Blank Welty, Martha Hildebrand and Josephine Horstman; and two brothers, Melford Truman Moe and Harry Moe.

** Helen Thada

THORNTON - Helen Thada, 75, died Saturday (Sept. 5, 1998) at her home in Thornton.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Thornton, with the Rev. Bob Hetrick officiating. Burial will take place in Pleasant View Cemetery, Thornton.

Visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Grarup Funeral Home, Thornton.

Helen Thada was born June 16, 1923, in Sheffield.

She is survived by her husband, Merlyn Thada, Thornton; a daughter, Barbara Card, St. Louis Park, Minn.; a son Dickie Thada, Emmetsburg; two sisters, Betty Emhoff, Sheffield, and Patricia McLaughlin, Dougherty; two brothers, Joe Harmon, Pueblo West, Colo., and Robert Harmon, Hampton; and two grandchildren.

** Luceil A. Vician

MASON CITY - Luceil A. Vician, 87, of Urbandale, formerly of Mason City, died Wednesday (Sept. 2, 1998) at Karen Acres Healthcare Center, Urbandale.

No visitation is planned. Her body was cremated.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Hogan-Bremer Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., with Genevieve McGowan, first reader of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Clear Lake, officiating. A private interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family requests memorials be directed to the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Clear Lake.

Luceil A. Iverson Vician was born Sept. 20, 1910, at Britt, the daughter of Otto M. and Ida Pearl (Brown) Iverson. She graduated from Mason City High School in 1929 and received a degree from Hamilton Business College.

On Nov. 21, 1936, she married John J. Vician at Mason City.

She was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Clear Lake, and a member of Gold Star Wives.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Judith S. Alston, West Des Moines; one granddaughter, Kim D. Harris, Austin, Texas; one grandson, Richard W. Alston, Phoenix; and four great-grandchildren, Amanda, Aaron and Alyssa Harris, Austin, Texas; and Joshua Alston, Phoenix.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and two brothers.

** Mervin L. Nelson

NORTHWOOD - Mervin L. Nelson, 87, of Mason City, formerly of Northwood, died Sunday (Sept. 7, 1998) at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with the Rev. David Wall officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood.

Visitation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood, and one hour prior to services on Wednesday at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, in memory of Mervin L. Nelson.

Mervin L. Nelson was born Feb. 2, 1911 in rural Worth County on a farm west of Northwood, the son of Carl J. and Sophia (Nesset) Nelson.

He was baptized and confirmed at the Shellrock Lutheran Church.

Mervin attended rural schools in Northwood and later attended Northwood High School.

In 1937, he was married to Berniece Kramer.

He farmed all his life until his retirement in 1988 due to health reasons. He then moved to Mason City to live with his son, Loren.

Mervin enjoyed woodworking and working on machines, and he especially enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Survivors include seven children, Loren Nelson, Merlyn Nelson, and Judy Blanchette, all of Mason City; Ila Owens, of Waterloo; Kathleen Danner and her husband, Larry, of Pittsburgh; Barbara Nelson, of Pittsburgh; and Rebecca Lane and her husband, Steven, of Orient; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; one sister, Ruby Perry, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two brothers, Clifford and Clayton; one sister, Alice Mosby; and an infant daughter.

** Ruth Kelling

CLARION - Ruth Kelling, 86, of Dows, formerly of Clarion, died Monday (Sept. 7, 1998) at the Dows Health Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. John's Catholic Church, Clarion, with the Rev. Wayne Droessler, officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Clarion.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services on Wednesday at the church.

Lula Ruth Beer was born Oct. 29, 1911, at Bloomington, Ill.

Survivors include two daughters, Irene Fitz, of Iowa Falls and Ilene Gardalen, of Latimer; four sons, Charles, of Texas; Raymond, of Webster City; Joseph, of Eagle Grove and Richard, of Forest City; 28 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Ruby Maynard, of Kanawha.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons, three brothers and five sisters.

** Leota E. Jordahl

BUFFALO CENTER - Leota E. Jordahl, 89, of Buffalo Center, died Sunday (Sept. 6, 1998) at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, 1998, at the First Congregational Church, Buffalo Center.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Winter Funeral Home, Buffalo Center, where other arrangements are incomplete.

** Bernice M. Lester

MASON CITY - Bernice M. Lester, 90, of 808 N. Kentucky Ave., died Saturday (Sept. 5, 1998) at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 101 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. Richard "Rick" Eichenlaub, of First Christian Church, officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, and until time of services on Wednesday.

Memorials may be given to the Bernice M. Lester Memorial Fund.

Bernice was born Feb. 19, 1908, in Mason City, the daughter of Frank and Edith (Shanley) Watts.

She attended Mason City schools and Hamilton Business College in Mason City.

Bernice married Albert E. Lester on July 10, 1926, in Mason City.

She was a life-long resident of Mason City and a member of the First Christian Church, past president and county president of AmVets Auxiliary, Royal Neighbors of America and enjoyed playing cards and traveling.

Bernice is survived by two daughters, Betty J. McLaughlin and her husband, Merle, of Kansas City, Kan.; and Arlene Van Horn, of Mason City; seven grandchildren, Steven McLaughlin and his wife, Dawn, of Orlando, Fla.; David McLaughlin and his wife, Jo, of Overland Park, Kan.; Jay McLaughlin and his wife, Debi, of Kansas City, Kan.; James McLaughlin, of Olathe, Kan.; Lyn Channell, of Piper, Kan.; Cindy Johnson and her husband, Dave, of Clear Lake; Dale Van Horn and his wife, Teresa, of San Diego; 13 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Lorena Karr, of Mason City.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister, four brothers, one grandchild and one great-grandchild.

** Jerry Dorr

BELMOND - Jerome "Jerry" Clair Dorr, 61, of Belmond, died Sunday (Sept. 6, 1998) at North Iowa Mercy Health Center in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Belmond, with Father Jack Paisley officiating. Interment will be in St. Francis Cemetery, Belmond.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. today at the Tenold Funeral Home, Belmond, with a 3 p.m. Rosary and a 7:30 p.m. Scripture Service, and one hour prior to services on Wednesday.

Jerome "Jerry" Clair Dorr was born on March 29, 1937, in Belmond, the son of Clair and Wilma (Glade) Dorr. He received his high school education in Belmond and his certification in architectural drafting from Chicago Technical School.

He was united in marriage to Jo Ann McMannus on Oct. 31, 1959, in Belmond.

Jerry worked for 15 years in the construction business with his father and four uncles and was a construction superintendent for Fullerton Lumber Company of Minneapolis for eight years.

For the past 20 years, he owned and operated his own construction company, J.C. Dorr Construction in Belmond. He was known for his creativity, ability and craftsmanship in the building trade and bricklaying.

He received his Eagle Scout Award, Ad Altari Dei (church award) and his scouter key. Jerry served as assistant Boy Scout Troop Leader for Troop 16 and later served as advisor for Explorer Post 16 of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a past member of the Boy Scout Troop committee and was a registered scout for over 40 years. He served on the St. Francis Xavier Church board and was a member of the Belmond Volunteer Ambulance Service for 15 years. Jerry was also a member of the Belmond Planning and Zoning Committee for 25 years.

Jerry was interested in the Belmond community, donating much time and labor to various projects around Belmond and to his church, including the supervision and construction of the brick bell tower and the brick sign at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jo Ann Dorr, of Belmond; a son, Mark Dorr, of Grinnell and his fiancee, Ruth Kanagy, of Ogden; his mother Wilma Dorr, of Belmond; two brothers, Harold Dorr and his wife, Lilith, of Ames and Rob Dorr and his wife, Kathy, of San Angelo, Texas; four nieces; one nephew; his mother-in-law, Irene McMannus, of Belmond; as well as many other relatives and friends.

** Corliss S. Clammer

CHARLES CITY - Corliss S. Clammer, 84, of 610 Eighth Ave., died Tuesday (Sept. 8, 1998) at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital, Charles City.

Other arrangements are incomplete at the Hauser Funeral Home, 1205 S. Main St., Charles City.

** Verna F. Wessels

MASON CITY - Verna F. Wessels, 82, of Mason City, formerly of Independence, died Monday (Sept. 7, 1998) at the Good Shepherd Health Care Center, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Independence. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.

Visitation will begin after 5 p.m. Thursday at the Reiff Funeral Homes, 216 Third Ave. S.E., Independence.

Verna F. Wessels was born on Aug. 17, 1916, in Winthrop.

Survivors include one daughter, Carol Bye, of Clear Lake; four sons, Wayne Wessels, of Granger, Ind., Dennis Wessels, of Sweet Home, Ore., James Wessels, of Hackensack, Minn., and William Wessels Jr., of Wausau, Wis.; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Shirley Chase, of Fairbank, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, and three sisters.

** Terry Speakar

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Terry Speakar, 28, of Hot Springs, Ark., died Sunday (Sept. 6, 1998) in Memphis, Tenn.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Gross Funeral Home, in the chapel, 120 Wright's Lane, Hot Springs, Ark. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the National Hemophilia Foundation.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Speakar, of Hot Springs; one son, Chris Mize, of Hot Springs; two daughters, Heather Mize and Lucy Mize, both of Hot Springs; his mother, Paula Demro, of Royal; his father and stepmother, James and Linda Speakar, of Excelsior Springs, Mo.; and his grandfather, Emmanuel Speakar, of Mason City; three brothers, Cary Speakar, of Kansas City, Mo.; Jerry Speakar, of Royal, Ark.; and Larry Speakar, of Evansdale, Iowa.

** Gerald Swanson

MASON CITY - Gerald Swanson, 65, of Mason City, died Monday (Sept. 7, 1998) at the Sunrise Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark, Forest City, with the Rev. Lee Laaveg, of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Forest City, officiating. Burial will be in Pilot Knob Lutheran Church Cemetery, Forest City.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home.

Gerald Swanson was born May 18, 1933 in Forest City.

Survivors include two brothers, Larry Swanson, of Sheffield; and Dean Swanson, of Williams.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister.

** Mary Grace Dovali

MASON CITY - Mary Grace Dovali, 86, of 1207 Sixth St. S.W., passed away Tuesday (Sept. 8, 1998) at the Sunrise Health Center, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 2502 S. Jefferson Ave., with the Rev. Joel Dahlen, officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Hogan-Bremer Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, and one hour prior to services on Friday at the church.

The family suggests memorials to the Moose Lodge.

Mary was born Nov. 5, 1911, in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Charles and Grace (Stewart) Rush. She attended Mason City High School.

Mary has lived her entire life in Mason City. She was a very hard worker and had set very high goals in life and expected others to follow. She had various jobs in Mason City and worked for Schneider Metal from 1974 until her retirement in 1984.

She enjoyed her children, grandchildren and visiting with her friends.

She was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Mason City.

Mary is survived by three daughters, Arlene Albrecht and her husband, Merlyn, of Parkersburg; Mary "Honey" Slattum and her husband, Darrel, of Mason City; and Bonnie Snow, of Clear Lake; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert Rush and his wife, Margaret, of Mason City; two sisters, Marion Kober, of Mason City; and Margaret White and her husband, Anson, of Waterloo; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers and two sisters.

** Vera Mae Nissen

MASON CITY - Vera Mae Nissen, 81, of Mason City, died Monday (Sept. 7, 1998) at the Heritage Care Center.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

There is no visitation. Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., is in charge of arrangements.

Vera Mae Nissen was born Jan. 12, 1917, at Alexander, Iowa, the daughter of George L. and Grace (Greenfield) Peck. She graduated from Alexander High School in 1933.

She was married to Wayne W. Nissen. She lived in California from 1960 to 1996. Vera then returned to Mason City. Vera attended the Grace United Methodist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Marsha Matson, of Flagstaff, Ariz.; two sons, Mike Nissen and his wife, Marilyn, of Howells, Neb. and Larry Nissen and his wife, Lila, of Portola Valley, Calif.; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one sister, Irene Keeper, of Mason City; one brother, Ed Peck, of Mason City; and one half-brother, Bill Lewis, of Saginaw, Mich.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and one half-brother, Roger Lewis.

** James E. Collen

CLEAR LAKE - James E. Collen, 79, of 1303 S. Shore Dr., Clear Lake, died Saturday (Sept. 5, 1998) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Zion Lutheran Church, 112 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Jana Swanson, officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake.

The family suggests memorials to Hospice of North Iowa or Muscular Dystrophy.

James was born April 1, 1919 in Mason City, Iowa, the son of George W. and Grace (Turner) Collen. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1938 and continued his education at Mason City Junior College.

He married Florence (Floss) French on June 29, 1941 at the United Brethren Evangelical Church, Mason City.

He played softball for many years in church league and also the city league.

He worked for Mason City Millworks, Deckers for seven years and then went to work at Lehigh Portland Cement Co., as a sheet metalist for 35 years, retiring in 1981.

He was very active in the Lehigh Credit Union, helping with Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, and was a member of A.A.L. at Zion Lutheran Church.

He enjoyed the outdoors, helping his family and especially loved visiting. He was an all-around family man.

He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, and the Lehigh Credit Union.

James is survived by his wife, Florence (Floss) Collen, of Clear Lake; five daughters, Sharon Kay Stecher and her husband, Kay, of Roxboro, N.C.; Barbara Rae Asche, of Clear Lake; Mary Sue Friest and her husband, Robert, of Clear Lake; Linda Lou Tapps and her husband, Lauren, of Rio Rancho, N.M.; and Jane Ann Higbee, of Clear Lake; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Robert Collen, of Rochester, Minn.; Clifford Collen and his wife, Jackie, of Spring, Texas; Max Collen and his wife, Ardys, of Naperville, Ill.; and Don Collen, of SedroWoolley, Wash.; and four sisters, Elizabeth Eckblad, of Dallas, Texas; Violet Baker, of Surprise, Ariz.; Betty Plonien and her husband, Bert, of Arlington, Texas; and Dixie Collen, of Sun City West, Ariz.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Harold and Clifton; and four sisters, Margaret, Dorothy, Hazel and Thelma.

** Linda Kepple

GREENE - Linda Kepple, 55, of 2370 280th St., died Tuesday (Sept. 8, 1998) at home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Greene, with Monsignor Walter Brunkan, officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

** Harvey G. Hedtke

ANOKA — Harvey G. Hedtke, 70, of Anoka, Minn., died Monday (Sept. 7, 1998) at the Fairview Northland Hospital, Princeton, Minn.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 19921 NW Nightingale St., Oak Grove, Minn. Interment will be at Fort Snelling.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Gearhart Funeral Home, 552 E. River Road, Anoka, with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service. There will be additional visitation one half hour prior to services at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

Harvey was born Nov. 24, 1927 in Fairmount, N.D. to George and Lina (Steffans) Hedtke.

Harvey was a veteran, having served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a service manager in the trucking industry.

Harvey and Irene lived in Mason City from 1973-1984. They attended St. Joseph's Catholic Church. They owned and operated the Plymouth Restaurant & Bar. Harvey was also the service manager at River City International out of Mason City. Irene worked at the Ford dealership.

The Hedtkes were friends of Dean and Margaret Jost of Rock Falls, Iowa.

Harvey is survived by his wife, Irene; daughter, Barbara Jean Jost and her husband, Ron; sons, Bruce Hedtke and his wife, Mary Jane, and Roland; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; six sisters; and two brothers; and many nieces, nephews, friends and relatives.

** Mary Grace Dovali

MASON CITY — Mary Grace Dovali, 86, of 1207 Sixth St. S.W., passed away Tuesday (Sept. 8, 1998) at the Sunrise Health Center, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 2502 S. Jefferson Ave., with the Rev. Joel Dahlen officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Hogan-Bremer Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, and one hour prior to services on Friday at the church.

The family suggests memorials to Hospice of North Iowa.

Mary was born Nov. 5, 1911, in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Charles and Grace (Stewart) Rush. She attended Mason City High School.

Mary lived her entire life in Mason City. She was a very hard worker and had set very high goals in life and expected others to follow. She had various jobs in Mason City and worked for Schneider Metal from 1974 until her retirement in 1984.

She enjoyed her children, grandchildren and visiting with her friends.

She was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Mason City, and the Moose Lodge.

Mary is survived by three daughters, Arlene Albrecht and her husband Merlyn, of Parkersburg; Mary "Honey" Slattum and her husband Darrel, of Mason City; and Bonnie Snow, of Clear Lake; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert Rush and his wife, Charlotte, of Mason City; two sisters, Marion Kober, of Mason City; and Margaret White and her husband, Anson, of Waterloo; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and two sisters.

** Linda J. Kepple

GREENE — A funeral Mass for Linda J. Kepple, 55, of 2370 280th St., Greene, will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, 1998, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Greene, with Monsignor Walter Brunkan, officiating. Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery in Greene.

Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at Reid's Funeral Chapel, in Greene, with a scriptural wake service at 7:30 p.m.

Linda Jean Sharp was born Aug. 2, 1943 near Marble Rock, Union Township, Floyd County, Iowa, a daughter of Lowell R. and Opal (Smith) Sharp and died Tuesday (Sept. 8, 1998) at her home after a long battle with cancer.

She received her education in the Marble Rock Public Schools and graduated from the Rudd Rockford Marble Rock High School in 1961. She attended Hamilton Business College in Mason City.

On May 7, 1962, she was united in marriage to Robert Joseph Kepple at St. Mary's Catholic Church, in Greene and to this union were born four children. They made their home northeast of Greene where they have farmed and she drove school bus for the Greene School District for six years.

She was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, member of St. Rita's Circle and a member of the Floyd County Porkettes.

Her interests included gardening, fishing, and spending time with her grandchildren. Linda and Bob enjoyed traveling to many places including Florida, Texas, Alaska and the Panama Canal.

Living family members include her loving husband, Bob, of Greene; her four children, Mike of Greene, Kelly and her husband, Allen Zweck, Kayleen and her husband, Jason Landers, and Rhonda Kepple, all of Greene; six grandchildren, Casey, Kindra and Chelsea Zweck, and Courtney, Wyatt and Haley Landers; her parents, Opal and Myron "Mike" Ackley; and her brother, Donald Sharp, all of Marble Rock; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Lowell Sharp; and a sister, Janice Sharp.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Linda Kepple Memorial Fund, in care of the family.

** Hazel S. Carlisle

MASON CITY — Hazel S. Carlisle, 78, of 2102 S. Georgia Ave. died Wednesday (Sept. 9, 1998) at the Good Shepherd Health Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. Kenneth Hatland of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services on Friday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Memorials may be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church, in her memory.

Hazel was born March 7, 1920, in Rake, Iowa, the daughter of Andrew C. and Sophia (Gudahl) Erdahl.

Hazel attended Rake Public Schools, Waldorf College in Forest City. A.I.B. in Des Moines, and the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Hazel taught school in several communities in Iowa, the last being West Branch.

She married Marvin A. Carlisle on Feb. 3, 1945, at Rake, Iowa. Hazel was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her husband, Marvin A. Carlisle, of Mason City; daughter, Karin C. Hoffman, of Beldenville, Wis.; sister, Adeline Andersen, of Blue Earth, Minn.; one niece; and one nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

** Mary Gisch

BANCROFT — Mary Gisch, 92, of Bancroft, died Tuesday (Sept. 8, 1998) at the Heartland Care Center, Marcus.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John Catholic Church, Bancroft, with the Rev. John Thomas officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Algona.

Visitation will be held from 2:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, Bancroft, with a Catholic Daughters of the Americas Rosary at 3 p.m. and a parish prayer service at 7:30 p.m.

Mary Gisch was born March 8, 1906, at Bancroft.

Survivors include three daughters, MaDonna Gisch, of Ecuador, South America; Rosemary Webe, of Marcus; and Virginia Guerdet, of Mesa, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; brothers Ambrose Mescher, of Kenosha, Wis., Walter Mescher, of Bancroft; and Edward Mescher, of Silver Springs, Md; sisters Martha McLeish, of Bancroft; Helen Kienitz, of Bancroft; and Dorothy Johnson, of Port Orange, Fla.