OBITUARIES

A memorial service for Arvin Schumann, age 80, of Milford was held Thursday, October 31, 2019, at First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji. Burial was at Milford Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church Drive-In Worship.

A funeral service for Willie “Sonny” Heerde, age 80, of Milford, was held Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. Burial was at Northlawn Cemetery in Spencer.

Paul Buckley, 97, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, formerly of West Union and Okoboji, passed away on Friday, October 25, 2019, at Foundation Cottage in Sioux Falls. Private services for Paul will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be sent to www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com

James Leo “Jim” Cates, 92 of Okoboji, Iowa, and formerly of Cherokee, Iowa, passed away Tuesday afternoon, October 22, 2019 at his residence. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.

Heath Hjelmer Huberg, 37, passed away at his home on Sunday evening October 13, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.

Robert “Bob” Henry Rossow, 75, of Spirit Lake passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at his home in Spirit Lake with his family by his side.

Ruth M. Barnard, 99, of Spirit Lake passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2019, at Accura Healthcare of Spirit Lake.

Edith Carolyn Woodke, of Milford, Iowa, formerly of Early, Nemaha, and Sac City, IA, passed away on Monday, September 16, 2019, at the Accura Healthcare of Milford, at the age of 96. Carolyn Rutledge was born on July 3, 1923, to John and Beulah (Manly) Rutledge in Alberta, Canada. Carolyn’s family lived in Bowden, Canada until 1929, York, Nebraska, for a year, and then moved to Early, Iowa, where she attended elementary and high school graduating in 1941. She continued her education at Morningside College in Sioux City for a year studying music.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Irene Clark, 77, of Milford, was held Thursday, September 12, 2019, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Milford. Burial was at Milford Cemetery.
Irene Louise Clark, the daughter of Eldon and Irene (Koch) Wallace, was born November 27, 1941, in Odebolt, Iowa. After graduating from Odebolt High School, she attended Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, IA.

Lorraine Katherine Kirchner was born on April 17, 1922, in Estherville, Iowa, to Henry J. and Mary (Snyder) Neppl weighing 2 pounds. She passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2019, at the Good Samaritan Society in Estherville at the age of 97 years.

David LeRoy Brant, son of LeRoy and Norma (Spencer) Brant, was born on September 9, 1931, in Terril, Iowa. He passed away surrounded by family on September 5, 2019, at Accura Healthcare of Milford at the age of 87 years, 11 months, and 26 days.

Cynthia Ruth Bauer, loving wife, mother and grandmother went to be the Lord on August 31, 2019, at the age of 71. Cyndi was born on July 28, 1948, in Hartley, Iowa, to George and Ester (Sandersfield) Mohr, grew up on her family’s farm, and attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in May City. Cyndi married Michael Bauer in 1970.

Philip J. Vander Ploeg, age 83, of Okoboji, Iowa, and formerly of Sheldon, passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at his home in Okoboji. His Funeral Service was Friday, August 30, 2019, at First Lutheran Church in Milford, with Rev. Perry Aalgaard and the Rev. Brian Jack officiating.

Claude F. Hone, well-known Sioux Falls Realtor, and long time West Okoboji Harbor resident, died Tuesday, August 27, at the age of 99 and almost 7 months. He was one of the first Harbor residents in 1973 when there was only one canal open and not many houses.

Dr. Alfred Libby Klein, 95, of Spirit Lake, passed away on Monday, August 26, 2019, at Accura Healthcare of Spirit Lake. A memorial service for Al will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at 11:00am, at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Spirit Lake. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00pm, on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Burial will take place at a later date in the Lakeview Cemetery in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be sent to www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com.

Robert Ronald Higley, the son of Harley and Bernice (Carson) Higley, was born January 1, 1935, in Terril, Iowa. Bob departed this life on Monday, July 29, 2019, at the Good Samaritan Society in Estherville, Iowa, at the age of 84 years. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 6, from 5:00 – 7:00pm, at Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel – Estherville. Funeral Service will be Wednesday, August 7, at 11:00am, at United Methodist Church in Estherville with Pastor Kevin Moore officiating. Robert will be laid to rest at North Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Spencer.

Betty Lou Cuklanz passed away peacefully on July 27, 2019, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by husband Duane (Toad) Cuklanz; her parents; brothers, Donald Roland, Charles Roland, Robert Roland, and Dean Roland; and sisters, Virginia in infancy, Vivian Fread, Darlene Nissen, Mary Mingus, and Helen Enderson. Betty was the last of the brothers and sisters to join the Roland parents. Once again, the chairs around the Roland family table are full and the coffee is being consumed in large quantities.

A graveside service for Larry Stoller, age 63, of Spirit Lake, was held Friday, July 26, 2019, at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery in Okoboji. A Celebration of Life gathering was held Sunday, July 28, at Okoboji Classic Cars in West Okoboji.
Memorials may be directed to the Arnolds Park/Okoboji Underwater Search and Rescue Dive Team.

Karli Mae Dietrich, 36, of Kissimmee, Florida, passed into the loving arms of her Savior on Sunday, July 14, 2019. Karli was born in Spirit Lake, Iowa, and attended Osceola High School in Kissimmee, Florida.

Ralph “Boober” Roberts Schneider, 84, of Okoboji, passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019, at his home after a 4 year battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

William “Bill” Dale Thiesen, 72, of Spirit Lake passed away on July 2, 2019, at his home in Spirit Lake.
There was a gathering to celebrate Bill’s life at the VFW in Spirit Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2019. Arrangements were under the direction of the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be sent to www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com.

Larry Keith Eckard was born to Elmer and Rowena Eckard on January 10th, 1937. His childhood years were spent in Milford, Iowa, where he received his education from Milford High School. While at Milford he was involved in every athletic activity possible and dabbled in school plays (who knew). He continued his education at Mankato State for whom he played football and track.

A memorial service for Mary Ann Byers, age 89, of Lake Park, was held Monday, July 1, 2019, at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Park. Burial was at Silver Lake Cemetery.

A funeral service for Mary Cornell, age 95, of Spirit Lake, will be held Friday, June 14, 2019, at 11:00a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake. Burial will be at Spirit Lake Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, June 13, from 5:00-7:00p.m., at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake.
Mary never shied away from anyone that she encountered and usually left those conversations with the conclusion that she had just met a new best friend. Her 95 years of life committed to loving her neighbors came to a close Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

Jon Gontjes, age 64, of Peterson, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at his home in rural Peterson after a battle with cancer for the last 2 ½ years.
Memorial Service will be Saturday, June 22, 2019, at 4:00pm, at his home in rural Peterson (6961 505th Street). Rev. Grant Mangold officiating.
Left to cherish his memories is his wife, Mary Lynne.

Patricia Ann (Welch) Selander passed away on Saturday, May 25, in Lakeville, Minnesota, at the age of 87. She was born in Logan, Iowa, on December 5, 1931, to William and Verna Welch. She was raised in Logan with her sister and 2 brothers. She was the youngest in her family. She graduated from Duchesne College in Omaha, Nebraska, with a Degree in Education.

Delores (Dee) Enderson, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2019, at home in Tempe, Arizona, surrounded by her loving family. Delores was born to Pearl Irene Sifrit (Ingvall) and Arthur (Art) Sifrit on June 13, 1929, in Estherville, Iowa. Dee was the second eldest of 4 children and the only daughter. She was a graduate of Estherville High School. While attending high school, Dee became a talented baton twirler performing during many basketball and football games.

John Richard (Jack) Wagner was born October 3, 1946, in Storm Lake, Iowa, to Edward and Margaret (Marron) Wagner. He passed from this life April 26, 2019, at home in Spirit Lake at the age of 72 years. Memorial visitation will be noon until 2:00pm, Thursday, May 2, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville, with Memorial Mass to be at 2:00pm, Father Merlin Schrad – Celebrant. At rest will be at a later date, Oak Hill Cemetery, Estherville.

Longtime Terril resident Bernice Lavon (Bridson) Lewis, age 93, died peacefully Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in North Mankato, Minnesota, after suffering a severe stroke Friday, April 5. Her sons were with her during those last days.

Marlys Beam, 76, of Redington Shores, died April 6, 2019, at St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida. She was born in Spirit Lake, Iowa, to Floyd and Minnie (Nugent) McClain. She was predeceased by her husband, Randell Fredrich Beam, her parents, and her brothers Arnold and Donald. She is survived by her son, Fredrich Joseph Beam, her sister Alice Deel, sister-in-law Joyce Harmond, nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous friends. She was employed at St. Anthony’s Hospital as an Administrative Assistant for 35 years. Graveside services will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery on July 25, at 10:30am. A gathering of family and friends will follow the service.

A funeral service for Jeffery (Skip) Eggers, 53, of Milford, was held on Friday, April 12, 2019, at 10:30am, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Burial at the Okoboji Cemetery in Arnolds Park.