RUTH ANNA FOX, 93, of Pipestone, died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006, at Good Samaritan Communities, Pipestone.
Born July 22, 1912, in Sioux Falls, S.D., she was the daughter of Elmer and Annie Heiress Dow Gilbert. She married Bennett Fox in 1938 in Jasper. He died in 1976.
Her earlier years were spent in Sioux Falls. In 1919, she moved with her family to a farm west of Pipestone, where she attended school. After her graduation from Pipestone High School in 1931, she was active in the 4-H organization of Pipestone County as a leader. In 1934, the family moved to Jasper, where she worked in the bakery. After marriage, they lived on the family farm their entire married life. She continued to live on the farm until May 11, 2005, when she became a resident at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. She was a member of United Methodist Church, Jasper.
Surviving are two brothers, Wallie Gilbert, Pipestone, and Don (Lois) Gilbert, Sioux Falls; one sister, Hazel Gilbert, Sioux Falls, S.D.; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Hartquist Funeral Home, Foster Chapel, Jasper.
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The service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at United Methodist Church, Jasper. Burial will be in the Jasper City Cemetery.
Memorials are preferred to United Methodist Church, Jasper.
JOCIEL GERLOFF, 81, of George, died Monday, Feb. 13, 2006, at George Good Samaritan Center.
Born June 30, 1924, in rural Little Rock, Iowa, she was the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Klinkenberg Kruger. She married William Gerloff Jan. 9, 1943. He preceded her in death.
She attended country school. After marriage, they farmed near Little Rock. She worked as a nurse's aide for many years at the George Good Samaritan Center. They retired to George. She was a resident of the George Good Samaritan Center for the last three years. She was a member of First Baptist Church, George.
Surviving are three daughters, Trudy Newman, Omaha, Neb., Tyanne (Keith) Peters, Placerville, Calif., Tanell (Marvin) Wirzba, Stienbaach, Manitoba, Canada; two brothers, Madison Kruger, Los Angeles, Calif., Pierce (Lindy) Kruger, George, Iowa; one sister, Elayne Siebrands, Doon, Iowa; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
The service will be 1:30 p.m. today at First Baptist Church, rural George, with the Rev. Bert Itterman officiating. Burial will be in Zoar Presbyterian Cemetery, George.
Bolin Funeral Service, George, is in charge of arrangements.
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LAWRENCE "LARRY" MERRITT, 68, of Rock Rapids, died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006, at his family's home in Rock Rapids.
Born April 26, 1937, at Arion, Iowa, he was the son of Alfred and Dorothy Thomas Merritt. He married Evelyn Segebart Sept. 18, 1957, in Carroll, Iowa.
He grew up and attended grade school and junior high at Arion. He then started ninth grade at Denison, Iowa, graduating from Denison High School in 1955. After marriage, they lived in Denison, where he worked for the next 15 years at various grocery stores located at Ida Grove, Spirit Lake, Sioux City and Spencer, Iowa. In 1972, he purchased Larry's Super Valu in Rock Rapids, a business he owned and operated for the next 20 years. After selling the store, he continued to work in the grocery business.
Surviving are his wife; one son, Dave Merritt, Sylva, N.C.; two daughters, Kathy (Dave) Frederick, Spencer, Iowa, and Cindy Ward, Sylva; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m., today at Roste Funeral Home, Rock Rapids.
A private family service will be at a later date. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Rock Rapids.
LYDIA JOHNSON, 89, of Worthington, died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006, at South Shore Care Center.
Born Nov. 22, 1916, in Elgin Township, Lyon County, Iowa, she was the daughter of Karl and Reka Honken Braun. She married William Johnson Jan. 8, 1937, in Reading.
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After marriage, they farmed and lived near Reading. They retired in 1974. She taught Sunday school at Bethel Presbyterian Church, Reading, for decades.
Surviving are her husband; one son, Steven (Deborah) Johnson, Woodbury; one daughter, Sheryl (Arthur "Butch") Skinner, Colorado Springs, Colo.; three sisters, Ella (Edward) Yusten, Colorado Springs, Viola Pederson, Dundee, and Evelyn (Walter) Jacobs, Rushmore; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Benson Funeral Home, Worthington.
The service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Bethel Presbyterian Church, Reading, with the Rev. Les Winters officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Summit Lake Cemetery, near Reading.
