Obituaries

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.

October 17, 1938 - January 29, 2010
June Blasington, 71,of Wellman, Iowa, died Friday, Janaury 29, 2010, at Parkview Manor in Wellman following a long battle with cancer. Graveside services will be held Thursday, February 4, at the Tallapoosa County Memorial Gardens in Camp Hill, Alabama. Visitation was at the Langley Funeral Home in Camp Hill, Alabama, Thursday, February 3. A general memorial fund has been established. Peterseim Funeral Home handled the Iowa arrangements, Langley Funeral Home is handling the Alabama arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at peterseimfuneralhome.com.
June Johnson was born October 17, 1938, in Mitchel, Indiana, the daughter of Hillard and Goldie (York) Johnson. She was united in marriage to Gregory Blasingame in 1967 in Alabama. She was a member of the Full Gospel Revival Center in Kalona, Iowa. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, puzzles and crossword puzzles.
She is survived by one son, James Earl and wife Marianne Blasingame, Wellman; two granddaughters, Laura Ann June and Abigail Elizabeth Blasingame; one brother, Bill and wife Vicki Johnson, Fresco City, Alabama; and one sister, Kathy Maxy, Nebraska.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gregory (February 19, 1993); and three grandchildren, Austin, Erin and Miracle Blasingame.

Clara L. Eckhardt, 88, of Moberly, MO, formerly of Wellman, died Monday evening, February 1, 2010 at Loma Linda Nursing Home in Moberly.
Mrs Eckhardt was born July 5, 1921 in Johnson County, Iowa, a daughter of the late James and Sylvia Pearl (Webster) Wagamon. She married Milo Eckhardt on January 5, 1941 in Amish, Iowa, and he preceded her in death April 7, 1994.
Survivors include a son Alan Eckhardt and wife Emily, a daughter Evelyn Parker all of Moberly, MO; a granddaughter Autumn Smoot of Jacksonville, MO; three great grandchildren, Hannah, Jesse, and Javan, two sisters, Alice Sitler of Valdosta, GA, Virginia Dunton of Marengo, IA; a brother-in-law Roy Eckhardt and wife Carol of Moberly, MO; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society would be appreciated.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at the Powell Funeral Home in Wellman. Burial will be in the Wellman Cemetery. Visitation will be held from noon until service time on Thursday.
Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com

February 15, 1976 - January 18, 2010
Nathan J. Gottlieb, 33, of Iowa City, Iowa, died at Genesis Medical Center in Davenport, Iowa, Monday, January 18, 2010, after a sudden heart attack. A memorial service was held Sunday, January 24, 2010, at Joe’s Place in Iowa City. Memorial contributions may be made to emmagoldman.com or iowadonornetwork.org.
Nathan J. Gottlieb was born in Iowa City February 15, 1976, the son of John and Linda Gottlieb. He attended Kalona Elementary, Mid-Prairie High School and University of Iowa. He worked the door at Joe’s Place for many years. He was a great storyteller, traveled widely and enjoyed lengthy road trips on his motorcycle. Mr. Gottlieb was a fire safety equipment installer and taxi driver in Iowa City, returning to college to study environmental science. He was a gun collector and enjoyed hunting, a dream of his was to manage his family’s woodland property in Riverside, Iowa.
He had several narrow escapes over time, including being trapped in an overturned truck, barely escaping with his life from the basement of a burning building in Iowa City, and freeing himself from a vehicle submerged in freezing water in Old Man’s Creek.
A self-described pro-Choice redneck, Mr. Gottlieb loved kids, particularly the young people around him: Doak and Lucia Allgood, Piers Rodd, and William and Ashton O’Malley.
He is survived by his girlfriend, Julia O’Malley; father, John Gottlieb; and two sisters, Sarah Gottlieb and Chloe Allgood.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Linda Gottlieb.

October 12, 1941 - January 21, 2010
Shirley A. Van Egdon, 68, of Kalona, Iowa, died Thursday, January 21, 2010 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. Celebration of Life service was held Monday, January 25, 2010, in the Kalona Methodist Church, Kalona with Pastor Gerry Kahler officiating. Burial was in Sharon Hill Cemetery, Kalona. A memorial has been establised in her honor for KUMC youth activities.
Shirley Ann Kinsinger was born in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Earl and Etta Pearl (Richards) Kinsinger. She graduated from Belmont High School in Los Angeles, California, and from Los Angeles City College. Mrs. Van Egson was a professor with a teaching certificate from UCLA. She was united in marriage to Gregory Van Egdon July 13, 1963, in Los Angeles. The couple lived in California for a number of years before moving to Kalona.
Mrs. Van Egdon was a member of Kalona United Methodist Church, Kalona United Methodist Women, Order of Eastern Star, Kalona Alpha Club, International Order of Rainbow for Girls, Farm Bureau of Johnson County, Heritage Agency of Aging and American Association of Dental Assistants. She was active in church where she served as the Education chairperson. She also served as a Girl Scout leader and Boy Scout Den Mother. Mrs. Van Egdon enjoyed spending time with her granddaughter, cooking, entertaining, playing cards, giving advice, crafts and sending special cards to friends and family.
She is survived by her husband, Gregg Van Egdon, Kalona; a daughter, Heidi and her husband Craig Morrison, Kalona; a son, Kenneth Van Egdon and his partner Joe Mosher, Iowa City, Iowa; a granddaughter, Annie Pearl Morrison, and her aunt, Marguerite Kinsinger, Wellman, Iowa.