Obituaries

November 20, 1920 - April 30, 2010
John Joseph Canott, 89, of Kalona, Iowa, died Friday, April 30, 2010, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. Celebration of Life Service was held Monday, May 3, 2010, at the Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Wellman with Rev. Rich Pippert officiating. Burial was in the Wellman Cemetery with military rites. Memorials may be made to the Wellman Senior Center or Iowa City Hospice. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.
John Joseph Canott was born November 20, 1920, near Wellman, Iowa, the son of John A. and Pearl M. (McClelland) Canott. He graduated from Wellman High School in 1939. John served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1945. He was united in marriage to Elsie May Arch January 20, 1945, in Pinner, England. He worked as a mechanic on cars and tractors at the Glider and Canott Garage in Wellman for many years. The couple lived in the Wellman and Kinross communities until moving to Kalona in 1985 when Mr. Canott retired. He was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church in Wellman, Commander of the American Legion for 15 years and a lifetime member of the Riverside VFW. Mr. Canott enjoyed cooking, baking, working in his garden, playing cards and was an avid reader of many books. He made great potato salad, pickled beets and refrigerator pickles.
He is survived by two sisters, Mildred (Keith) Lemley, Lone Tree, Iowa; Evelyn Leigh, Wellman, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 57 years, Elsie in October 2002; his brother, Francis in June 2007; and his sister, Virginia Townsend in September 2007.

Dorothy Elizabeth McClellen
August 28, 1923 - May 8, 2010
WELLMAN - Dorothy Elizabeth McClellen, 86, of Wellman, Iowa, died Saturday, May 8, 2010, at Parkview Manor in Wellman. Funeral services were Wednesday, May 12, 2010, in the Powell Funeral Home, Wellman with Rev. Rich Pippert officiating. Burial was in the Wellman Cemetery.A memorial fund has been established for Wellman-Scofield Public Library. Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
Dorothy Elizabeth Kirkpatrick was born August 28, 1923, in North English, Iowa, the daughter of Orson and Esther (Miller) Kirkpatrick. She graduated from North English High School. July 4, 1942, she was united in marriage to David Arthur McClellen in Macon, Missouri. Mrs. McClellen lived in the Wellman community since 1950. The couple owned and operated R & M Body Shop in Wellman where Mrs. McClellen was the bookkeeper. She also worked for Wellman Telephone Company, and then at Wellman Savings Bank as a teller for 17 years, retiring in 1982. She was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church, American Legion Auxiliary, and TTT Society. She enjoyed playing golf in her retirement years.
Mrs. McClellen is survived by two sons, Ron McClellen and Dan Olson, Iowa City, Iowa; Michael McClellen and Sherry Sweeney, Hills, Iowa; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and special family members, Susan McClellen and Ginn Azboy.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, Keith Kirkpatrick; and four sisters, Maxine Baugh, Roxine Ruegsegger, Evelyn Reynolds, and Fern Fancher Baugh.

1926 - 2010
Dale Rath, 84, of Riverside, Iowa, died Thursday, April 22, 2010, at his home in Riverside. Funeral services were Monday, April 26, at the Sorden-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Riverside with Reverend Betsey Sue Neipert officiating. Burial was in the Riverside Public Cemetery with military rites provided by the Riverside V.F.W. Post 6414. Memorials may be directed to the Riverside V.F.W. Post 6414. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.
Dale Rath was born April 4, 1926, in Columbus City, Iowa, the son of William and Jennie (Schmidt) Rath. He served in the United States Navy from 1944-1946 during WWII. June 5, 1954, Mr. Rath was united in marriage to Jean Kern at Trinity United Methodist Church in Riverside. Mr. Rath worked for the V.A. Hospital in Iowa City from 1951 - 1982. He was a member of the Trinity Methodist Church in Riverside, the Riverside V.F.W Post 6414, Masonic Lodge of Lone Tree, Riverside Fire Department, and served on the Riverside City Council. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching sporting events, especially boxing, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, dining out, and being with his family.
Mr. Rath will be deeply missed by his wife, Jean Rath, Riverside; four children, Rick and his wife Sue Rath, Keosaqua, Iowa; Lynette and her husband William Simpson, Iowa City, Iowa; Jamie Donnelly and her husband Mark, Iowa City; Allen Rath, Kalona, Iowa; and eight grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Wilbur, Oral and Billy; and one sister, Clarice.

Funeral services for John D. Hershberger, 72 of Kalona were held Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 10:00AM at the Fairview Mennonite Church in rural Kalona with Pastors Perry Miller and Don Swartzentruber officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery. Visitation was held Wednesday, April 14 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona. John died Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at his home in rural Kalona following a brief illness. A memorial fund has been established for the Fairview Mennonite Church.

John D. Hershberger was born April 7, 1938 in Kalona, IA the son of Joseph J. and Emma (Helmuth) Hershberger. He was united in marriage to Alma M. Miller on May 5, 1957 in the Fairview Mennonite Church. He was a member of the Fairview Mennonite Church and he enjoyed hunting, tractorcade, farming, trucking and tractor pulling.

Survivors include his wife Alma of Kalona, three sons and their spouses, all of Kalona, Delwyn (Jane) Hershberger, Ronnie (Cindy) Hershberger, Merlin (Brenda) Hershberger, 11 grandchildren, Blake, Tommy, Byran and Michael Hershberger, Pam Vercande, Kyra Gardiner, Emily, Melissa, Megan, Nicole and Taylor Hershberger, 5 great grandchildren, Rylee and Caleb Vercande, Halli, Cobi and Myli Hershberger, one brother, Homer (Susie) Hershberger of Leon, IA, seven sisters, Ruby (Jr.) Miller of Phoenix, AZ, Tressa (Jim) Mallard of Oneida, KY, Alta (Vernon) Bontrager of Iowa City, IA, Mary (Emory) Miller of Spring Grove, PA, Nina, Linda and Joye Hershberger of Kalona, IA, one sister in law, Dorothy Kinsinger of Oakland, MD.

Preceding John in death were his parents, one brother Gordon Hershberger and one sister Judith Hershberger.

Condolences may be sent to www. peterseimfuneralhome.com

Lucille Rachel Yoder, 89, of Kalona, Iowa, died Saturday, April 17, 2010, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral services were Monday, April 19, 2010, at the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church in rural Kalona with Pastor Don Patterson and Pastor Dick Swartzendruber officiating. Burial was in the Lower Deer Creek Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for Iowa City Hospice and Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church. Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
Lucille R. Beckler was born December 7, 1920, in rural Milford, Nebraska, the daughter of Edward Joseph and Fannie (Roth) Beckler. She attended Pleasantview District #47 rural school. She was baptized at the East Fairview Mennonite Church in Milford. In 1940 she moved to Iowa. February 14, 1943, she was united in marriage to Joseph Max Yoder in Milford. The couple made their home in the Wellman and Kalona communities where Mrs. Yoder was a homemaker. She was a member of the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church. She enjoyed gardening, flowers and bird watching.
Mrs. Yoder is survived by four children, Gaylord Yoder (Shirley), Kalona; Wanda Yoder (Kenneth), Kalona; Weldon Yoder (Patty), Billings, Montana; Waneta Neuzil (Steve), Kalona; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three brothers, Clayton Beckler (Berniece), Milford, Nebraska; Maurice Beckler (Irene), South Hutchinson, Kansas; Norman Beckler (Diane), Philadelphia, Tennessee; and four sisters, Ethel Beckler, Glendale, Arizona; Grace Stauffer (Morris), Beaver Crossing, Nebraska; Inez Stauffer (Thurlowe), Phoenix, Arizona; and Faye Beckler, Glendale, Arizona.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Max; two sons, Lyle and Gordon; and a sister, Margaret Kauffman.

September 13, 1924 - April 5, 2010
Keith Eugene Yoder, 85, of Kalona, Iowa, died Monday, April 5, 2010, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. Celebration of Life Service was held Thursday, April 8, 2010, at Wellman Mennonite Church, with Pastor George O’Reilly officiating. Burial was in the Wellman Mennonite Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for I.M.S. or the American Diabetes Association. Yoder-Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Kalona was in charge of the arragnements. Messages and tributes may be left for the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.
Keith Eugene Yoder was born September 13, 1924, in rural Kalona, Iowa, the son of Lewis and Arvilla (Gingerich) Yoder. August 25, 1950, he was united in marriage to Della Troyer at the Wellman Mennonite Church in Wellman. They lived and farmed in the Kalona community. In 1953, Mr. Yoder was named the Master Pork Producer in the State of Iowa, at that time he was the youngest person to ever receive the title. He was a member of the Wellman Mennonite Church where he taught Sunday School, served as Sunday School Superintendent, was on the building committee, MYF sponsor, and served on the food committee for many years. He enjoyed traveling, golfing, fishing and being with family.
Mr. Yoder is survived by his wife Della Yoder, Kalona; a daughter, Joette Droz, Kalona; a son, Brian Yoder and wife Lynn, Kalona; a son-in-law, Rick Hookway; seven grandchildren, Carisa Funk, Mariah Stauffer, Kim Leaton, Derrick Droz, Theo Yoder, Josh Yoder, Rex Yoder; and three great-grandchildren, Emerson and Quinlyn Funk and Briggs Keith Stauffer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Judy Faye Hookway; a son-in-law, Dave Droz; and three brothers, Donald, Dale and Duane.

October 29, 1924 - March 23, 2010
Keith Dorrance Rowe, 85, of Wellman died Tuesday, March 23, 2010 in the Washington County Hospital in Washington.
Funeral Services were Saturday, March 27, 2010, at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Wellman with Rev. Rich Pippert and Rev. Kitch Shatzer officiating. Burial was in the Keota Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for Hospice of Washington County. Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
Mr. Rowe was born south of Wellman on a family century farm, October 29, 1924, the son of Fay Rowe and Ina Dorrance Rowe. He married Audrey Ellison on April 6, 1950, in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Wellman High School in 1943. He joined the Navy in 1943 serving until 1946. His basic training was in the Great Lakes. Later he was sent to Oklahoma for air craft mechanics and then to officer training at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. He served most of his duty during the occupation of Japan. After military service he attended Iowa State University and Capital City Commercial College, Des Moines, earning a degree in business. In 1953 he began farming. He completed his own planting and harvest in 2009. He was a 68 year member of the Asbury United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife Audrey of Wellman, and five children, Andy Rowe of Marengo, Kathryn Novotny of Rochester, MN., Jason Rowe of Seattle, WA., Barbara Coffman and husband Steve of South English, and Elizabeth Montelius and husband Randy of Cedar Rapids. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Adam and Amy Rowe, Matthew, Nathan and Laura Novotny, Emily Montelius, Sage and Isabel Coffman, and two step grandchildren Cyrus and Leslie Coffman. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Ellen Gleason and a brother Carl (Bill) Rowe.

1936 - 2010
Fred R. Reynolds, 73, of Riverside, Iowa, died Thursday, March 25, 2010, at his home in Riverside following a battle with cancer. Funeral services were held Monday, March 29, 2010, at 2 p.m. at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona, Iowa, with Pastor Betsey Neipert officiating. The body was cremated. A memorial fund has been established for Iowa City Hospice or St. Judes. Online condolences may be directed to the family at peterseimfuneralhome.com.
Fred R. Reynolds was born May 4, 1936, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Robert Henry and Elizabeth (Kleinschmidt) Reynolds. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a BA in Business. He married Delores Hemsted in 1961, they had three children, Julie, Jeffrey and Margie. He married Sharon Elder in 1984, they had one child together, Diana and step-daughter Heather. He was then married to Kathy Collins from 1993-1995. Mr. Reynolds was self-employed as a CPA in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for 35 years, retiring in 1998. He moved back to Riverside in 2005. He was an active member of the Colorado Springs community serving on the city council, parks board, Rotary club, Lions club and was the president of the country club. He was a strong supporter of the Republican Party, loved to golf, fish, ski, read westerns, follow the stock market, gamble, garden, hunt for mushrooms and watch birds.
Survivors include four children and their spouses, Julie (Bryan) Parker, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Jeffrey Reynolds, Tuscan, Arizona; Margie Rose, Colorado Springs; Diana Reynolds, Phoenix, Arizona; a brother, Gene (Glenda) Reynolds, Hills, Iowa; three sisters, Hannah Telford, Kalona, Iowa; Linda Pierce, Iowa City, Iowa; Kathy (Jeff) Morrison, Letts, Iowa; and three grandchildren, Taylor, Jacob and Garrett.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Randy Reynolds.

September 27, 1924 - March 17, 2009
Graveside memorial services for Eleanor Haywood Garrett, 84, of Des Moines, Iowa, will be held Saturday, May 17, 2010 at 11 a.m. in Sharon Hill Cemetery, Kalona, Iowa, with Pastor Kevin Gingerich officiating. Mrs. Garrett died March 17, 2009. Per her wishes, her body was donated to the University of Iowa Medical School. Memorial contributions may be made to Bidwell- Riverside Center, 1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315.
Eleanor Haywood was born in Narberth, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1924, the daughter of Charles J. and Frances Brown Haywood. She attended Lower Merion High School and Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She married C. Dendy Garrett June 22, 1946, in Narberth. A pastor’s wife, she and Dendy lived in many Iowa towns and cities, including Oskaloosa, Kalona (1954-1960), Des Moines, Mt. Pleasant, Perry, Iowa City and finally Des Moines again. She was active in the United Methodist Churches in each place, serving as a Sunday school teacher, circle leader and a member of United Methodist Women, as well as, all the responsibilities of a minister’s wife. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines. She also was a Brownie Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother and a member of the Webster, Amos Hiatt and East High School P.T.A. when living in Des Moines.
She traveled to the Holy Land many times, leading tours of church friends, and enjoyed each and every trip. Her family enjoyed camping throughout the United States as the children were growing up. Die-hard Hawkeye fans, she attended football games for many years, and had season tickets for the women’s basketball team while living in Iowa City.
Mrs. Garrett had a strong sense of justice and concern for those who had no one to care for them in times of need. Many of her talents were spent supporting and encouraging them. A special thrill was being present at the March on Washington in 1963 when Martin Luther King gave his “I have a dream” speech.
As a journalism major, writing was her special gift. She worked for a Philadelphia newspaper and later wrote for the Iowa Methodist Conference paper. Her poetry, stories and programs were long remembered.
She is survived by her husband, Dendy Garrett, Des Moines; a daughter, Wendy (Brad) Lego, Sioux City, Iowa; three sons, Jim (Kathy Hannum) Garrett, Waukon, Iowa; Doug Garrett, Colfax, Iowa; Matt (Lisa) Garrett, San Jose, California; 10 grandchildren, Carrie Munoz, Garrett Lego, Luke Garrett, Ben Garrett, Emily Garrett, Katie Garrett, Megan and Mackenzie Garrett, and Annika and Taylor Garrett; and a great-grandson, Maximo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Bill; a sister, Bobbie; and a daughter, Kathleen.

February 7, 1932 - March 23, 2010
Sara Lu Frederick, 78, of Eugene, Oregon, formerly of Wellman, Iowa, and Iowa City, Iowa, died Tuesday, March 23, 2010. Burial will be in Sugar Creek Mennonite Church Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 2, at First Mennonite Church, Iowa City. Andreason’s Cremation and Burial is in charge of the arrangements.
Sara Lu Graber was born February 7, 1932, in Wayland, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Barbara Graber. She graduated from Wayland High School and attended Goshen College, Indiana. She married Charles Frederick II August 8, 1953. Mrs. Frederick was an elementary school teacher, homemaker, and co-owned Unto Others, a gift store in Kalona.
She is survived by her husband, Charles Frederick II, Eugene, Oregon; two sons, Charles Frederick Jr., Bloomington, Indiana; Peter Frederick, Hamilton, Montana; three daughters, Catherine Roth, Eugene; Christine Frederick, Jasper, Oregon; Mary Frederick, Panama City, Panama; four sisters, Rachel Wyse, Wellman, Iowa; Berniece Roth, Laguna Woods, California; Lois Swartzendruber, Wellman; Beulah Mae Swartzendruber, Wayland; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Ila Marie (Hindahl) Ruegsegger, 89, of Wellman, Iowa, passed away February 26, 2010, at Parkveiw Manor in Wellman.
Mrs. Ruegsegger’s request was to be cremated and that there be no visitation or funeral services. The daughters are respectfully honoring her final wishes. Online condolences may be sent to the family at peterseimfuneralhome.com. A memorial fund has been established for Iowa Hospice or the hospice of your choosing.
Ila Marie Hindahl was born September 23, 1920, in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of George and Cora (Boileau) Hindahl. She was married for 69 years to her husband, Delmar Reugsegger. They lived in the Wellman area all of their married life. Delmar and Ila Ruegsegger were well known for having an annual “Hog Roast”. This 13-year event brought hundreds of people from far and wide each year and was enjoyed by both family and friends.
Mrs. Ruegesgger is survived by her five loving daughters, Patricia and Bill Wilmot, Wellman; Lorna and Tony Powell, The Villages, Florida; Vicki and Wayne Fry, Washington, Iowa; Jeani Croudy, Catherdral City, California; Lisa and Bill Steckly, Wellman; 10 grandchildren, Michael Hutchinson, Terry Hutchinson, William Sueppel, Brent Sueppel, Charlotte Fry, Nicole Fry, Billy Jo Harms, Bryan Steckly, Mikayla Steckly, Eli Steckly; and nine great-grandchildren, Taylor Hutchinson, Ava Hutchinson, Stephen Hutchinson, Alissa Sueppel, Jacob Sueppel, Jarred Ruegsegger, Madyson Ruegsegger, T.J. Hutchinson and Evita Harms.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Delmar Ruegsegger; and two grandsons, Stephen Hutchinson and Todd Ruegsegger.

October 30, 1915 - January 30, 2010
Harold Yoder, 94, of Kalona, Iowa, died Saturday, January 30, 2010, at Pleasantview Home in Kalona.
Funeral services were Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at the West Union Mennonite Church in rural Parnell, Iowa. Pastor David Boshart and Pastor Martha Yoder officiated. Burial was in the West Union Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for West Union Mennonite Church and Pleasantveiw Home. Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com
Harold Yoder was born October 30, 1915, in rural Wellman, Iowa, the son of Christian and Mary (Miller) Yoder. He attended White Hall country school. He lived in Oregon and Kansas for brief periods of time. March 1, 1939, he was united in marriage to Mildred Kinsinger at her parents home in rural Wellman. They farmed in rural Wellman for 40 years, retiring in 1980. Mr. Yoder lived in Kalona since 1998. He was a member of the West Union Mennonite Church and the Kalona Koffee Club. He enjoyed reading and always had a quest for knowledge. He enjoyed traveling with family and friends, in which, he traveled to 47 states, Canada, and at the age of 90 went to Switzerland and Africa.
Mr. Yoder is survived by four children, H. Marcus Yoder (Vonna), Cotopaxi, Colorado; Rachel Schwarzendruber (John), Dunlap, Illinois; Della Gascho (Gale), Arroyo Grande, California; John Blosser Yoder (Holly), Wellman; 11 grandchildren, Stephanie Yoder, Kim Moeller, Phillip Miller, Greg Schwarzendruber, Matt Schwarzendruber, Heidi Jeremiah, Liz Barnes, Eric Gascho, Jacob Yoder, Nicholas Yoder, Suzanna Yoder; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mildred in April of 1999; a daughter, Ruby Miller; a grandson, Tim Miller; a sister, Katie Lind; and a brother, Curtis J. Yoder.