Obituaries, March 13, 2006

MABEL SHORE, 103, of Worthington, died Sunday, March 12, 2006, at Worthington Regional Hospital.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Benson Funeral Home, Worthington.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church, Worthington, with the Rev. Gordon Orde officiating. Burial will be in Ransom Township Cemetery, rural Worthington.

CHARLES M. TEN CLAY, 86, of Sheldon, died Thursday, March 9, 2006, at his home in Sheldon.

Born May 31, 1919, near Westfield, N.D., he was the son of Henry and Minnie Renskers Ten Clay. He married Ruth Den Hartog Aug. 23, 1946, in Sheldon.

He was raised on the farm and received his education in Hull, N.D. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in April 1942, and was assigned to the 90th Infantry Division. He served three years and seven months. During the course of his service, he crossed the English Channel and landed on Utah Beach on D-Day. He went on to serve in many major battles, including the Battle of the Bulge. Following marriage, the couple lived in Litchville, N.D., for 12 years and then moved to Sheldon. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker. He was active in First Reformed Church, teaching Sunday school and catechism, serving many years as a deacon, and taking part as an elder and vice-president of the consistory.

Surviving are his wife; two sons, Merlyn (Rhonda) Ten Clay, Wichita, Kansas, and Dennis (Deb) Ten Clay, Sheldon; one daughter, Eileen (Ken) Denekas, Inwood; two brothers, Ellsworth Ten Clay, Zeeland, Mich., and Eugene Ten Clay, Mesa, Ariz.; and eight grandchildren.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. today at First Reformed Church, Sheldon, with the Rev. David Brower officiating and David Ten Clay assisting. Burial, with military honors by American Legion Post 145 and VFW Post 7354, will be in East Lawn Cemetery, Sheldon.

Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, is in charge of the arrangements.

NORBERT A. BAUSTIAN, 73, of Luverne, died Saturday, March 11, 2006, at Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., at Hartquist Funeral Home, Engebretson Chapel, Luverne.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Catherine's Catholic Church, Luverne, with the Rev. Thomas Jennings officiating. Burial will be in St. Catherine's Cemetery, Luverne.

DORIS MANITZ, 70, of Round Lake, died Friday, March 10, 2006, at her home.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Benson Funeral Home, Worthington.

The service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church, Round Lake, with the Rev. Robert Bartlett officiating. Burial will be in the Round Lake Cemetery.

LILLY HANNAH KASCH, 88, of Worthington, died Thursday, March 9, 2006, at Sibley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Sibley, Iowa.

Born Jan. 11, 1918, in Nobles County, she was the daughter of Will and Grace Manning Kunze. She married Rudolph "Rudy" Kasch on Dec. 3, 1938, in Sioux Valley. He preceded her in death.

She grew up in the Worthington and Sioux Valley area and graduated from Sioux Valley High School. She was later honored as Mother of the Year.

Surviving are three sons, Russell (Karen) Kasch, Sibley, Myron (Jeanette) Kasch, Crystal, and Lynn Kasch, Worthington; two daughters, Eunice Meyer, Worthington, and Janet Weeks, Phoenix, Ariz.; one brother, Willie (Bernadine) Kunze, Worthington; five sisters, Dora Buchman, Alice Wilken, Helen Grimmius, Lorraine (Art) Schaap, and Leatha Kunze, all of Worthington; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Benson Funeral Home, Worthington.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. John's Lutheran Church, Rushmore, with the Rev. Wayne Krohe officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Rest Cemetery, near Rushmore.

DOTTIE SCHMIDT, 76, of Avoca, died Sunday, March 12, 2006, at Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Totzke Funeral Home, Slayton.

THOMAS M. BOUWMAN, 88, of Rock Rapids and formerly of Lester, Iowa, died Friday, March 10, 2006, at Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital, Rock Rapids.

Born June 22, 1917, in Alvord, he was the son of John and Jacoba Smit Bouwman. He married Gertie Van Dyke Reemts July 14, 1952, in Lester.

He attended country school at Cleveland Township No. 3, near Lester, and lived most of his life near Lester. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 8, 1941. He was a part of the 109th Engineers Battalion Company C, 34th Division, of Sturgis, S.D. He served as Corporal in World War II. During the war, he was captured in Tunisia, North Africa on Feb. 19, 1943, and became a Prisoner of War in Germany for 26 months. He was released on April 17, 1945, and was awarded the Bronze Medal of Honor and achieved the rank of Sergeant before being honorably discharged from the Army four months later, in August 1945. Following marriage, the couple farmed near Kanaranzi until moving to the family farm east of Lester in 1955, where they stayed until retiring to Rock Rapids in 1981. During retirement, he continued to help his son, Tom Jr., farm and harvest. He also worked for the Lyon County Soil and Conservation Service for 10 years. He was a member of First Reformed Church, Rock Rapids, where he served as an elder and deacon. He served on the Cleveland Township Board and was a 60 year member of the Edward Bouwman American Legion Post 683 in Lester.

Surviving are his wife; two sons, Ronald (Jacqueline) Reemts, Lander, Wyo., and Thomas Jr. (Sheryl) Bouwman, Rock Rapids; three daughters, Brenda Vis (fiancée Randy Rosenboom), Rock Rapids, Beverly (Ronald) Rosenboom, Sturgis, S.D., and Beth Bouwman, Brandon, S.D.; one brother, Gradus Bouwman, Garretson, S.D.; four sisters, Ann (Louis) Boom, Rock Rapids, Marie Heyman, Alton, Iowa, Greta (Hynie) Hommes, Rock Rapids, and Adrianna (Raymond) Snyders, Larchwood; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m., at First Reformed Church, Rock Rapids.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Reformed Church, Rock Rapids, with the Rev. Dan Haggar and the Rev. Katie Van Veldhuizen officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Lester.

Memorials may be directed to the Edward Bouwman American Legion Post 683, Lester.

Roste Funeral Home, Rock Rapids, is in charge of the arrangements.

BENARD ANING, 83, of George, Iowa, died Friday, March 10, 2006, at George Good Samaritan Center.

Born June 6, 1922, in Adrian, he was the son of Jake and Geessien Dammer Aning. He married Tressa Krull May 20, 1946, in Minneapolis. She died Jan. 25, 1994.

He grew up on the family farm in Nobles County and attended country school. After his education, he served his country during World War II in the Pacific Theatre as a Seaman, First Class. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned home. Following marriage, the couple lived northwest of George, where they farmed for 38 years. They retired from farming in 1987 and moved into George. The couple wintered in Arizona for several years. He was a lifelong member of Central Baptist Church and the Jack Sauter American Legion in George. He served on the Lyon County Fair Board and on the Presidents Council of the North American Baptist Seminary for many years. He was active in his church, serving as a deacon, usher and treasurer. After his wife died, he continued to live in George. He entered George Good Samaritan Center on Aug. 3, 1998.

Surviving are four sons, Jake B. (Rita) Aning, Sergeant Bluff, Harm (Donna) Aning, Swansea, Ill., Bruce (Jane) Aning, Rock Rapids, and Terry Aning, Omaha, Neb.; two daughters, Gloria Aning, San Antonio, Texas, and Twila (Bob) Feldman, George; two sisters, Dena Tholen, Worthington, and Marie Harsma, Worthington; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. today at Central Baptist Church, George, with the Rev. Keith Vik officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Lawn Cemetery, George.

ALICE MAU, 86, of Windom, died Saturday, March 11, 2006, at Sogge Good Samaritan Center, Windom.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at LaCanne Family Funeral Home, Windom, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. March 20, at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Windom.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. March 20 at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, with the Rev. Paul Sajban officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Windom.

LEONA WARNER, 87, of Rock Rapids, Iowa, died Thursday, March 9, 2006, at Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital, Rock Rapids.

Born Nov. 25, 1918, on the family farm near Rock Rapids, she was the daughter of Otto and Alma Kahl Laackmann. She married Elmer Warner Jan. 25, 1937, in Larchwood.

She attended Fairview Cleveland Township No. 1 country school and graduated in 1935 from Wilson High School, Rock Rapids. She remained with her parents, helping with the farm, until her marriage. Following marriage, the couple farmed near Larchwood. They moved to a farm west of Rock Rapids in 1939 and remained there until their retirement in 1959. They built a home in Rock Rapids and she worked at various places, including the Joy Lunch Café and as a nurse's aide at Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, Rock Rapids, and was active with the Ladies Aid. She was also active in Golden Age and Dinner Date programs in Rock Rapids. She and her husband were custodians at Peace Lutheran Church.

Surviving are her husband; three sons, Dennis (Esther) Warner, Rock Rapids, Delmer (Karen) Warner, West Okoboji, and Doug (Donna) Warner, Sioux Falls, S.D.; two daughters, Darlene (Bradley) Hendrickson, Edinberg, N.D., and Donna (Doug) Johnson, St. Louis, Mo.; 13 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. today at Peace Lutheran Church, Rock Rapids, with the Rev. George Clausen officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Rock Rapids.

DAVID LYNN LOERTS, 39, of Spencer, died Wednesday, March 8, 2006, near Tipton, Iowa.

Born Feb. 7, 1967, in Sibley, he was the son of Wayne and Ruth Backer Loerts. He married Teresa Vondrak Nov. 25, 1989, in Sioux City.

He was raised on a farm in rural Ashton and received his education in the Sibley school system, graduating in 1985. Following high school, he attended Iowa Lakes Community College, where he graduated in 1987. After graduation, he moved to Spencer, where he worked at the elevator. Following marriage, the couple lived in Spencer, where he drove truck for Midland Transportation for many years. For the past six years, he drove for Dohrn Transportation. He also hobby farmed. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Spencer. He was a support staff member of the Spencer Nationals Tractor Pull at the Clay County Fair, and was a member of the Milford Antique Tractor Pullers.

Surviving are his wife; two sons, Cody and Coleton, at home; his parents, of Sibley; and three brothers, Ken (Wilma) Loerts, Sibley, Doug (Teresa) Loerts, Milford, and Steve (Helen) Loerts, Spencer.

The service was 2 p.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Spencer, with the Rev. Roger Linnan officiating. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery, Spencer.

Warner Funeral Home, Spencer, was in charge of the arrangements.

ALVIN JONES, 83, of Mountain Lake, died Saturday, March 11, 2006, at Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Born Dec. 18, 1922, in Nobles County, he was the son of Fredrick and Mable Shirkey Jones. He married Ruth Anne Gohr Nov. 17, 1950, in Sioux Falls, S.D.

He received his education at Nobles County Country School. From September 1942 to 1945, he served with the U.S. 3rd Air Force during World War II. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Worthington, where he received a degree in agriculture from the Worthington College. Following marriage, the couple farmed in southwest Minnesota. He was also a truck driver for many years. They moved to Mountain Lake in 1990 and were members of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Surviving are his wife; two sons, Allen (Sandy Kracht) Jones, Wisconsin Dells, Wis., and Lyle (Lynette) Jones, Mankato; one daughter, Arla (Col. Michael) Klepczyk, Wichita Falls, Texas; one brother, Fredrick "Bud" (June) Jones, Worthington; and six grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at Bjerum Funeral Home, Mountain Lake, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mountain Lake.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mountain Lake, with the Rev. Robert Gardner officiating. Burial, with military honors by the Windom American Legion Post 206, will be approximately 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Memory Garden Cemetery, Worthington.