Obituaries

Melvin E. "Bud" Busch (03/10/10)
A funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 10, at Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church in Ledyard for Melvin E. "Bud" Busch.

Harry Dudley Smith (03/10/10)
Sept. 7, 1930 -- Feb. 5, 2010 A February memorial was held at the American Legion Post #27 in Apache Junction, Ariz., for Harry Dudley Smith. Harry was born in Little Rock, Ark. He and his mother traveled to Spirit Lake by bus when he was a very young boy and his mother took employment as a nanny for the family of Herb Boehm. Later, his mother and Herb were married...

Paul W. Boutwell (03/10/10)
Memorial services were held Sunday, March 7, for Paul W. Boutwell, 85, of Janesville, Wis. at Cedar Crest Memorial Chapel in Janesville. Mr. Boutwell, the father of Paula Henry, passed away Thursday, March 4, at Mercy Medical Center in Janesville.

Cheryl Renee Dykshoorn Buren (03/10/10)
Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 3, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Royal for Cheryl Renee Dykshoorn Buren, who passed away Feb. 28 at Spencer Hospital at the age of 57.

Joey Elbert (03/03/10)
Services were held Saturday, Feb. 27, Spirit Lake High School Gymnasium for Joey Elbert of Spirit Lake.

Marlene Rae Schultz (03/03/10)
Funeral services were held Friday, Feb. 26, at St. John's Lutheran Church in May City for Marlene Rae (Dahlman) Schultz, 72, of Hartley

Jacob KI Ralph (03/03/10)
Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer for Jacob "Jake" KI Ralph, 28, of Wahpeton. Interment was at Riverside Cemetery in Spence

Carl L. B. Pedersen (03/03/10)
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 23 at St. John's Lutheran Church in May City for Carl Leonard Bach Pederson.

Lester Meyer (03/03/10)
Services were held Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, at Turner Funeral Home in Spirit Lake for Lester Leonard Meyer, 94, of Spirit Lake.

Louis Dean Frank (02/24/10)
Louis Dean Frank passed away Feb. 14, 2010, at the Lake Park Care Center in Lake Park at 79 years of age. He was born on Feb. 9, 1931, in Emmetsburg, the son of Joe and Pearl (Van Note) Frank. He served in the United States Navy during the Korea War and was honorably discharged in 1954.

Gwendolyn Hilliard (02/24/10)
A gathering to celebrate the life of Gwendolyn Hilliard was held Saturday, Feb. 20, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Morton, Ill., with a graveside service at Hillcrest Memory Gardens in Morton. The Rev. Mark DeSutter officiated.

Larry Joe Miller (02/17/10)
Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 13 at Hope Lutheran Church in Everly for Larry Joe Miller, 58 formerly of Milford. Larry passed away at the Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, on Tuesday, Interment was at Lone Tree Cemetery on Feb. 9, 2010. The Rev. Lauren Ley

Jean Buchman (02/10/10)
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake for Jean Buchman, 77 of Spirit Lake.

Enid E. Wortman (02/10/10)
A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, at the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake for Enid E. Wortman, 88, of Spirit Lake. Enid passed away Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, at the Milford Nursing Center in Milford. She was born June 19, 1921, in Clay County, Iowa, to Rudolph and Flawilla (Jones) Whade.

Doris May Pixler (02/10/10)
Funeral Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at Warner Chapel in Spencer for Doris May Pixler, 91, of Spencer and formerly of West Okoboji.

Imogene N. Gardner (02/10/10)
A Memorial service for Imogene N. Gardner, 89, formerly of Terril, will be held at the United Methodist Church in Terril on February 20, 2010. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., with memorial service at 11 a.m.

Wanda Keena (02/10/10)
Wanda Keena age 86, of Mitchell, S.D., died Tuesday Jan. 26, 2010 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Will Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Will Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at the American Legion Cemetery.

Jean Buchman (02/10/10)
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake for Jean Buchman, 77 of Spirit Lake. The Reverend Clint Loveall is officiating. Visitation was from 6-8 p.m.

Craig Scott Larson (02/10/10)
Turner Funeral Home in Milford was in charge of arrangements for Craig Scott Larson, who passed away on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010 , at the age of 53, after a courageous battle against cancer.

Marian Buchanan (02/03/10)
July 20, 1914 -- Dec. 23, 2009 A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, at Union memorial Church in Milford for Marian Buchanan of Arlington, Wash. Another memorial service was held Sunday, Jan. 24, at Arlington United Church...

John "Jack" Platter (02/03/10)
Jan. 7, 1932 -- Jan. 29, 2010 A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, at the Schuchert Funeral Home in Spirit Lake for John "Jack" Platter, age 78, of Estherville, who passed away Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at his home in Estherville...

Mary K. Allen (02/03/10)
Mary K. Allen passed away Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, at her home after battling ovarian cancer since April of 2006.

Mary Sue Robinson (02/03/10)
Memorial services for Mary Sue Robinson, age 56, of Longview, Texas, will be 11 a.m. Friday Feb. 5, 2010 at the Little Sioux Lutheran Church in rural Milford. Dr. Mike Monte will officiate

Nancy Blevins (02/03/10)
Funeral services were recently held for Nancy Blevins, 52, of Ida Grove who passed away Saturday Jan. 23, 2010 at St. Lukes Regional Medical Center in Sioux City following a battle with cancer.

June L. Chaffin (01/27/10)
June 13, 1922 -- January 20, 2010 A memorial service was held at Union Memorial Church on Monday, Jan. 25, for June L. Chaffin of Milford. June died Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at her home in Milford, at the age of 87. The Revs. Karl and Jan Whiteman officiated. Interment was at Milford Cemetery in Milford...

Frances Parker Ross (01/27/10)
April 10, 1922 -- January 18, 2010 Frances Parker Ross of Spirit Lake died January 18, 2010, of congestive heart failure in Prescott, Ariz. She was born April 10, 1922 at her farm home near Newburg, Iowa. She majored in music at Grinnell College where she met her husband, Bob Ross in 1939. ...

Norman C. Boley (01/27/10)
A memorial visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 29, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Schuchert Funeral Home for Norman C. Boley, age 74, of Spirit Lake, who passed away Thursday, Jan. 21, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake. Boley was born on March 2, 1935, in Lexington, Mo., to Delbert and Helen (Hutson) Boley.

Eugene R. Schaefer (01/27/10)
July 13, 1922 - Jan. 19, 2010 Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 22 at the United Methodist Church in Garner for Eugene R. Schaefer, 87, of Mason City who passed away Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010 at the Heritage Care Center in Mason City. Pastor Tim Riekhoff-Faris officiated. Inturnment was at Concord Township Cemetery in Garner...

Mabel Maxine Lauritzen (01/27/10)
March 19, 1918 -- Jan. 21, 2010 A memorial service and luncheon will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, Feb. 3, for Mabel Maxine Lauritzen, known as Maxine, of Spirit Lake. She passed away peacefully January 21, 2010...

Frances Parker Ross (01/20/10)
April 10, 1922 - Jan. 18, 2010 Frances Parker Ross of Spirit Lake, Iowa, died Jan. 18, 2010 of congestive heart failure in Prescott, Ariz. She was born April 10, 1922 at her farm home near Newburg, Iowa. She majored in music at Grinnell College where she met her husband, Bob Ross in 1939. ...

Imogene Gardner (01/20/10)
Aug. 4, 1920 - Jan. 14, 2010 Services will be at a later date at The United Methodist Church in Terril for Imogene N. Gardner, 90, who passed away Jan. 14 at Midland Hospice in Topeka, Kan. Imogene N. (Zenor) Gardner was born in Terril, on August 4, 1920. ...

James Evan Dickinson (01/20/10)
July, 16, 1942 - Jan. 5 2010 Funeral services were held 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at Community Presbyterian Church, 417 N. Williams St. in Post Falls Idaho, for James Evan Dickinson, 68, who passed away Jan. 5, 2010. Jim was born in July 16, 1942, in Spirit Lake to Robert and Evelyn Dickinson. Jim, being one of five children, was extremely close to family to this day...

Nina Peterson Wood (01/20/10)
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, at Grace Lutheran Church in Spirit lake for Nina Peterson Wood of Spirit Lake and formerly of Royal. Rev. Charles Gilbert officiated the service, with interment at Willow Creek Cemetery in Royal.

Phil W. Nelson (01/20/10)
Graveside services were held Thursday, Jan. 14 at the Milford Cemetery. Military for Phil W. Nelson, 63, of Milford, who passed away Sunday, Jan.10, 2010, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames.

Eleonore A. Helm (01/20/10)
Funeral services for Eleonore A. Helm, 75, of Okoboji and formerly of Cincinnati were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at Good News Community Church in Okoboji. Eleonore passed away Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.

Joy Lee Ferguson (01/20/10)
Feb. 28, 1939-Jan. 11, 2010 Joy Lee Ferguson, 69, passed away Jan. 11,2010 at her husband Robert Ferguson's house in Cement City, Mich. She was born Feb. 28,1939, as Joy Lee Van Der Aarde to Elmer and Gretchen Van Der Aarde of Milford with her Brother Robert Van Der Aarde. The family suffered from hereditary diabetes and preceded her death as Joyce was the last survivor of the Van Der Aarde family...

Delores "Dee" Osborn (01/20/10)
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Cherokee for Delores "Dee" Osborn, formerly Delores Pedersen, 76, of Spirit Lake, and, formerly of Cherokee who passed away Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, at The Gardens in Cherokee.

'Adopt-a-Family' thanks (01/13/10)
Another Christmas and another Adopt a Family has come and gone. It may sound like a clich�, but through the years I have learned that this program is as beneficial for those who give as for those who receive.

Glen B. Anderson (01/13/10)
A memorial service is scheduled at 2 p.m. at Victory Lutheran Church, Mesa, Arizona, for Glen Anderson who passed away on Jan. 7, at his winter home in Mesa, Ariz.

Lucile Fischer (01/13/10)
Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sioux Valley, Minn. for Lucile H. Fischer, 91, of Lake Park who passed away Jan. 3, 2010 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. Rev. Gerald Gauthier, II officiated. Interment was at Silver Lake Cemetery in Lake Park.

Betty J. Lienemann (01/13/10)
Family graveside services will be at the Lake View Cemetery in Spirit Lake for Betty J. Lienemann, 89, who passed away on Wed., Dec. 23, 2009 at Franklin Grove Nursing Center. She was born on July 20, 1920 in Storm Lake to Roy A. and June E. (Allison) Jarnagin.

Marguerite (Elaine) Oliver (01/13/10)
Marguerite "Elaine" Oliver, 88, of Bella Vista, Arkansas died Monday, December 28, 2009 at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Arkansas. She was born April 17, 1921 in Smithland, Iowa to Ernest and Emma Swanson and spent her early years in Sutherland, Iowa.

Donna Powell (01/06/10)
Donna Powell was born to Guy and Illa Thu Powell on Oct. 24, 1934 at the family farm home southeast of Terril. She attended Terril Community School. She lived all her life at the family home near Terril, except for five years at Spirit Lake and the last four years at Ruthven Community Center.

John Thomas McCarthy (01/06/10)
John Thomas McCarthy was born March 26, 1965, in Estherville, the son of John (Jack) and Joyce McCarthy. He graduated from Estherville High School in 1984. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, served in active duty during the Middle East Crisis and was honorably discharged in 1987.

Nina Jackes (01/06/10)
Nina Jackes, 85, of Holstein, Iowa, beloved Christian mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away on Dec. 26 surrounded by her family. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 1:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Holstein. Burial was at the Holstein Cemetery of Holstein. A visitation was be held on Tuesday, Dec. 29 from 5 p.m. -- 8 p.m. at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein.

Dorothy Ewen (01/06/10)
A memorial service was held Jan. 5 at the Schuchert Funeral Home in Spirit Lake for Dorothy Ewen, 81, of Arnolds Park, who passed away Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, at her home in Arnolds Park.

Irene M. Eakin (01/06/10)
Funeral services were held Dec. 28 at the Turner Funeral Home in Spirit Lake for Irene M. Eakin, 92, who passed away Dec. 24 at her home in Spirit Lake. Pastor Kurt Trucksess officiated.

Betty Jane Crowl Chickering (01/06/10)
Services were held Jan. 6, at the United Methodist Church in Everly for Betty Jane Crowl Chickering, 88, who passed away Dec. 19 at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Gene F. Schwartz (12/30/09)
(July 25, 1939 - Dec. 14, 2009) Funeral services were held Dec. 18 at the Turner Funeral Home in Spirit Lake for Gene F. Schwartz, 70, who passed away Dec. 14 at the Spencer Municipal Hospital in Spencer.

Ben D. Saunders (12/30/09)
(Sept. 17, 1933 - Dec. 18, 2009) A memorial service is scheduled this summer in the Lakes area for Ben D. Saunders, 76, who passed away on Dec. 18, 2009 in the VA Hospice in Prescott, Ariz.