Obituaries, March 16, 2007

GERTRUDE SCHRICK, 83, of George, died Wednesday, March 14, 2007, at the George Good Samaritan Center.

Born July 27, 1923, in Nobles County, she was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Smook Lingbeck. She married Melvin Schrick Feb. 7, 1942, in Luverne.

She grew up in the Adrian area and attended country school. After marriage, they lived in the George area, farming east of George until 1982, when they moved to town. She was a member of Central Baptist Church and active in the women's groups there. She was in a nursing home for her final seven years, the last six at the George Good Samaritan Center.

Surviving are one son, Mark (Jodi) Schrick, Merrillan, Wis.; one brother, Sylvester (Eleanor) Lingbeck, Ellsworth; one sister, Elsie Hagberg, Tyler; six grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.

The service will be 2:30 p.m. today at Central Baptist Church, George, with the Rev. Keith Vik officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Lawn Cemetery, George.

Bolin Funeral Home, George, is in charge of arrangements.

REINHARD "REINY" STAERK, 59, of Dillon, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at his home.

Born Dec. 7, 1947, in Pl'n, Germany, he was the son of Willi and Irmgard Colschen Staerk. He married Cheryl Schulz Dec. 12, 1964, in Spirit Lake.

He received his education in Windom, where he graduated in 1965. Following marriage, he worked at various car dealerships as a mechanic and then owned and operated R. Staerk Automotive for several years. After moving to Marshalltown, he worked on his hobby farm and raised Arabian horses with his wife. He participated in spring car racing at several tracks throughout the Midwest.

Surviving are his wife; three children, Richard Staerk, Wisconsin, Eugene (Jennifer) Staerk, North Branch, and Steven (Candy) Staerk, Kellogg, Iowa; six siblings, Monika (Richard) Hobson, Stacey, Karl (Mary) Staerk, Davenport, Iowa; Hannelore Staerk, Davenport, Karin (Bruce) Jansen, Bluegrass, Iowa, Tom Staerk, Faribault, and Susan Mitchell, Davenport; and six grandchildren.

The service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Mitchell Family Funeral Home, with the Rev. Len Eberhart officiating.

Mitchell Family Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

LAURA PAULSEN, 95, of Hills, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at Tuff Memorial Home, Hills.

Born Feb. 10, 1912, on a farm northwest of Steen, she was the daughter of Dick and Laura Winkowitch Aukes. She married Fred Paulsen June 10, 1928, near Steen. He died in 2002.

She grew up on the family farm and attended Steen School and two years in Hills High School. Following marriage, the couple lived with Fred's parents for two years before moving to their farm northwest of Steen in 1930. In 1955, they moved to Hills. They both drove school buses, Laura for 34 years. She was a member of the Steen E.U.B. Church until it closed in 1959, and then she attended the Luverne United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school part-time in each church. She was a member of the UMW Mission Group. For 40 years, she baked cakes for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and graduations. In 2000, they sold their home and she moved into Tuff apartments while her husband was a resident of Tuff Home. She moved into Tuff Home in 2005.

Surviving are three children, Melvin (Jo Ann) Paulsen, Steen, Donna (Wayne) Randall, Albuquerque, N.M., and Shirley (Gil) Longnecker, Mt. Dora, Fla.; one brother, Orrin (Bernice) Aukes, Steen; two sisters, Verla Baker, Steen, and Vera (Con) Rozeboom, Murdock; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Roste Funeral Home, Hills.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at United Methodist Church, Luverne, with the Rev. Donn Rakow and the Rev. Lowell Berg officiating. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

CHARLES D. MENAGE, 89, of Rock Rapids, died Wednesday, March 14, 2007, at Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehab Center, Rock Rapids.

Born Oct. 17, 1917, on the family farm near Rock Rapids, he was the son of Johannes and Gatske (Boomsma) Menage. He married Florence Nagel Aug. 25, 1937, in Rock Rapids. She died in 1987. He married Florence Pedersen April 22, 1989, in Rock Rapids.

He grew up in the Rock Rapids area and attended country school. He graduated from Wilson High School in 1935. During high school, he was a member of the football team, lettering for three years. After school, he began farming with his family. After marriage, they remained living on a farm south of Rock Rapids. He was a past president on the Lyon County Fair Board Association and the Rock River Country Club Board. He served as director of the Rock Rapids Creamery and as the town's Santa Claus for a number of years. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rock Rapids. He worked for 18 years as a state employee managing the State Liquor Store, Rock Rapids, retiring in 1982. He moved to Lyon Manor Nursing and Rehab Center Oct. 17, 2005.

Surviving are his wife, Florence; two children, Donna (Stephen) Arnold, Goshen, Ind., and Michael "Mick" (Carolyn) Menage, Odebolt, Iowa; four stepchildren, Cheryl (Craig) Anderson, Phoenix, Ariz., Kathy (Bill) Spyksma, Clive, Iowa, Rhonda (Terry) Peterson, West Point, Neb., and Russell (Margo) Pedersen, Rock Rapids; one sister, Tracy (Richard) Arett, Fremont, Neb.; five grandchildren; seven step grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and 16 step great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Roste Funeral Home, Rock Rapids.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Robert Chapman officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Rock Rapids.

Memorials are requested to Lyon County Hospice Program or to Lyon Manor Nursing and Rehab Center, Rock Rapids.

STEPHEN JAY GRIEME, 43, of Slayton, died Wednesday, March 14, 2007, at Redwood Falls Area Hospital.

Born Aug. 4, 1963, in Slayton, he was the son of Donald and Berniece Payton Grieme.

He grew up in Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1982. Following high school, he attended Southwest State University in Marshall. In 1983, he returned to Slayton and worked in Worthington building homes. In 1986, he moved to Tucson, Ariz., and started a landscaping business. He remained in Tucson until 1996, when he moved back to Slayton and started Heartbeat Drywall. He entered the Golden Living Center in Wabasso in December 2006. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Slayton.

Surviving are his father, Donald (Hilda) Grieme, Slayton; five siblings, Barb (Dale) Olofson, Rochester, Peg (Bill) Erickson, Blue Earth, Jeff (Trish) Grieme, Slayton, Amy (Curt) Sack, Kerkhoven, and John and Dulce Grieme, Plymouth.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Totzke Funeral Home, Slayton, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Christ Lutheran Church, Slayton.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Christ Lutheran Church, Slayton, with the Rev. Ted Kunze officiating. Burial will be in Slayton Memorial Gardens, Slayton.

MARGARET R. DYKSTRA, 75, of Madison, Wis., and formerly of Sheldon, Iowa, died Sunday, March 11, 2007, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson Hospice in Madison.

Born June 2, 1931, on the family farm near Hospers, she was the daughter of Mason and Clara Talsma Dykstra.

She attended country school and later graduated from Sheldon High School in 1949. She went on to X-Ray Technician School at St. Vincent's Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa. After her training, she moved to Madison in 1963. She worked in the x-ray department at the University of Wisconsin in Madison until retirement in 1989. She then volunteered at her church, the Bethel Lutheran Church, and at a school near her home in Madison.

Surviving are one brother, Clarence Dykstra, Sheldon; friend Julie Eyers of Madison, and nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. today at Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon.

The service will be 2 p.m. today at Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, with the Rev. David Brower officiating. Burial will be in Hospers Cemetery, Hospers.

ROBERT SWEENEY, 66, of Lismore, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at South Shore Care Center, Worthington.

Born Jan. 25, 1941, in Luverne, he was the son of Michael and Meta Hansen Sweeney.

He attended grade school in District 34 in rural Lismore, and later attended St. Anthony Catholic School, Lismore. He worked on the family farm in rural Lismore and later began working for A.R. Woods in Luverne. After A.R. Woods closed, he began working for John Morrell in Sioux Falls, S.D. He moved to South Shore Care Center, Worthington, in 1996 due to failing health.

Surviving are five siblings, Mary (Norm) Engelson, Rushmore, Michael (Leola) Sweeney, Luverne, Jim (Darlene) Sweeney, Osseo, Ruth (Walt) Ashworth, Alberton, Ga., and Dan (Deb) Sweeney, Maple Grove.

Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. today and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Dingmann Funeral Home, Adrian.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Dingmann Funeral Home, with the Rev. Gerald Kosse officiating. Burial will be in the St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery, Lismore.

DELLA CORINNE IVERSON, 89, of Lamberton, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at Springfield Medical Center-Hospital.

Born April 16, 1917, on Eureka Farm, she was the daughter of Iver and Martha Hofstad Iverson.

After graduating from high school, she worked as a house maid in Minneapolis. She later moved to California to work as a cook for the Arthur Johnson home. After five years, she returned to Minneapolis and worked with Jay Simm Music Company as a music clerk. She was a lifetime "Sons of Norway" member, and a member of Nora Unitarian Church in Hanska.

Surviving are one brother, Vernon Iverson, Lamberton, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Sturm Funeral Home, Lamberton, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Nora Unitarian Church, Hanska.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Nora Unitarian Church, Hanska. Burial is in the Nora Unitarian Church cemetery.

GERTRUDE ZWIKKER, 92, of Sibley, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at Country View Manor Nursing Home, Sibley.

Born Aug. 30, 1914, in Orange City, Iowa, she was the daughter of Gerrit and Tillie Feenstra De Jong. She married Gerrit Zwikker July 2, 1934, in Detroit, Mich. He died in 1973.

She attended Christian school through the fifth grade and country school through the eighth grade in Floyd Township, O'Brien County. Following marriage, the couple lived on the farm west of Sibley from 1935 until they moved into town in 1971. She was a member of the First Reformed Church, Sibley, where she was active with the library and with the women's group. She was also involved with the West Holman Rural Homemakers and later the Osceola County Farm Bureau women.

Surviving are two daughters, Mary Ann (Michael) Hustoft, Sibley, and Kathleen Mae Vande Hoef, Sibley; six siblings, Hessel (Anna) De Jong, Rock Rapids, Jennie Engelkes, Benson, Louisa Jacobsma, Bigelow, Gerrit Jr. (Erma) De Jong, Sibley, Tillie (Wilbur) Rook, Rock Valley, and Arnold De Jong, Sioux City; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m., at Walton-Roste Funeral Home, Sibley.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Reformed Church, Sibley, with the Rev. Gary Van Heukelom officiating. Burial will be in Holman Township Cemetery, Sibley.

ALBERT OTTO NASE, 83, of Centerville, died Monday, March 12, 2007, at Avera McKennan Hospice Unit, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Born Jan. 27, 1924, in Armour, S.D., he was the son of Otto and Alvina Anderst Nase. He married Lucille Bernice Blume Sept. 21, 1947, in Redfield, S.D.

He attended rural grade school and began high school in Armour. In 1941, his family moved to Beresford, S.D, where he graduated from Beresford High School, 1942. He helped his father and neighbors on the farm during World War II. He farmed his entire life, specializing in dairy. He was the leader of the Lucky Clover 4-H Club for 19 years. He served on the school board for Middleton School District, Davis, S.D. He was a member of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association and served on the Turner Township Board of Supervisors for more than 10 years. He was a member of the Turner County Weed Board, and served as chairman for several years. He was a member of First English Lutheran Church since 1942 and served on the church council. He sold his dairy cows in 1988 and the rest of his machinery in 1992 and retired to Centerville where he resided for his last 15 years. He served on the Centerville City Council for five years.

Surviving are his wife; two sons, Stanley (Teresa) Nase, Hot Springs, S.D. and Ricky (fiancée Bonnie) Nase, Brookings, S.D.; two daughters, Mary Lou (Michael) Rahe, Burt, Iowa, and Joann (Richard) Vesole, Bettendorf, Iowa; one brother, Kenneth (Shirley) Nase, Worthington; two sisters, Charlene Johnson, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Eleanor (A.A.) Nestor, Sarasota, Fla.; and nine grandchildren.

The service will be 1:30 p.m. today at First English Lutheran Church.

Wass Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to First English Handicap Accessibility Fund or Avera McKennan Hospice.

FLORENCE WALTERS, 83, of Worthington, died Thursday, March 15, 2007, at Crossroads Care Center, Worthington.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Benson Funeral Home, Worthington.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Worthington, with the Rev. Robert Schulze officiating. Burial will be in Worthington Cemetery.

DOROTHY BRECKLE, 92, of Sibley, died Wednesday, March 14, 2007, at Osceola Community Hospital, Sibley.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with the family present from 5 to 8 p.m., at Walton-Roste Funeral Home, Sibley. There will be a 5 p.m. Rosary and a 7 p.m. vigil service.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Sibley, with the Rev. Clair Boes officiating. Burial will be in St. Andrew's Catholic Cemetery, Sibley.

DONALD L. RUST, 70, of Sheldon, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at Mercy Medical Center, Sioux City, Iowa.

Born April 4, 1936, in rural Nobles County, he was the son of Harland and Annie Baerenwald Rust. He married Aleida Groen Oct. 3, 1956, in Killeen, Texas.

He received his education in District 33 through the fifth grade and graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1954. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Nov. 7, 1955, and served through Nov. 6, 1958, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. Following his discharge, the couple moved to Sibley, where he was employed for a short time with Horton Chevrolet. He then began working for the Iowa Department of Transportation in Rock Rapids, in December 1962, as a mechanic. He then transferred to Sheldon in 1966, and was promoted to Highway Maintenance Supervisor in July 1972. He retired from the DOT after 35 years of service in April 1998. He then worked part-time for Arnold Motor Supply in Sheldon. He was a member of the First Reformed Church, Sheldon.

Surviving are his wife; two sons, Steven (Beth) Rust, Akron, and Craig (Julie) Rust, Sheldon; two brothers, Leonard (Merla) Rust, Spencer, and Lester (Nancy) Rust, Hickman, Neb.; one sister, Lorraine Johnson, Prescott, Ariz.; three grandchildren; seven step grandchildren; and three step great-grandchildren.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. today at the First Reformed Church, Sheldon, with the Rev. David Brower officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery, Sheldon.

Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, is handling the arrangements.