Grand Junction Area Obituaries

VIRGENE NATION

Funeral services for Virgene Nation, 85, were held Thursday, April 21, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Grand Junction. She died Monday, April 18, 2011, in Des Moines. Interment followed in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Grand Junction.

A vigil was held Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at St. Brigid followed by visitation with the family. Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. The Rev. Don Ries of St. Brigid celebrated the mass.

Virgene was born Aug. 8, 1925, in the family home in Beaver Township, Boone County, to Phillip and Ursula (Lentz) Lawler. She graduated from Ogden High School in 1942, where she was in the Homemaking Club and the Camera Club. She was Homecoming Queen her senior year.

She worked in the Boone County Courthouse in 1941 and 1942 and at the Ankeny Ordinance Plant in 1943.

Virgene married Paul Lowry in 1944, was widowed, and married Jack Nation in 1949. She provided home care for many elderly in the area. She was active in Grand Junction Business and Professional Women’s Club, St. Brigid Altar Society, Greene County Meals on Wheels, and Greene County ARC (food pantry).

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Leo and Charles Lawler, sisters Grace Garland and Vera Lawler, her brother-in-law Pat Garland, her sister-in-law Jackie Lawler, and granddaughter Grace Nation.

She is survived by her 11 children (and spouses): Theresa (Gregg) Gross, Venice, Fla.; Francis (Tracy) Nation, Ogden; Liz Karber, Glendale, Ariz.; Dan (Vicki) Nation, Jefferson; Patty (Paul) Mears, Jefferson; John (Jody) Nation, Ogden; Hal (Terri) Nation, Fort Dodge; Chris (Audrey Staples) Nation, Ogden; Catherine (Brad) Clark, Boone; Dot (Bob) Muir, Rippey; and Cec (Bill) Hammel, Jefferson; 31 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Susie Lawler, Ogden.

FLORENCE URE

A service of remembrance was held Tuesday morning, April 19, at Central Christian Church in Jefferson for Florence Jean Ure, 83, longtime Greene County resident. Debra Griffin, pastor of the church, officiated. Interment was in Junction Township Cemetery with Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home of Jefferson in charge of arrangements.

She died April 15, 2011, at Regency Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Jefferson.

Florence was born June 19, 1927, in the Carroll County. She was the daughter of Charlie and Lora (Sapp) Dobson. Florence graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1944.

On June 22, 1947, she married John “Jack” Ure at Jefferson. They became the parents of one son, Joseph.

Florence lived most of her married life in Jefferson. Through the years she worked as a sales clerk at Coast to Coast hardware store, and she also owned and operated the Maidrite Café for several years. She was a member of Central Christian Church in Jefferson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Floyd Dobson and Carl Dobson; her companion, Don Jorgensen; two granddaughters, Samantha Ure and Monica Ure; one niece; and one nephew.

Survivors include her son, Joseph (Teresa) Ure, Panora; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Irene (Stan) Reed, Boone; brother Wayne (Frances) Dobson, Gowrie; sister-in-law Florence Dobson, Wellman; and nieces and nephews.

MYRON “MIKE” LINN

Funeral services for Myron “Mike” Linn, 84, longtime Rippey area resident and farmer, were held Saturday morning, April 16, at the Rippey United Methodist Church. Pastor Paul Barrow officiated. LaVere Derry, representing Kinkead-Martin American Legion Post of Rippey, presented the flag. He died Dec. 17, 2010, at his daughter’s home in Cochise, Ariz.

Myron “Mike” Linn, the son of Floyd and Mary (Cross) Linn, was born Dec. 4, 1926, near Ralston in Carroll County. He moved to the Rippey area when he was 12 years old and graduated from Rippey High School in 1945. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy after serving in World War II where he was a gunner on the aircraft carrier USS Salerno Bay.

He was united in marriage to Kathleen Andrews on Sept. 22, 1948. To this union were born three children: Dan, Peggy and Rebecca.

Mike and Kathleen farmed in the Rippey area for 60 years. He was a member of the Rippey United Methodist Church and the American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson Jason Whelchel.

Mike is survived by his wife Kathleen of Rippey; son Dr. Dan (Val) Linn, Newark, Del.; daughters Peggy Porretta, Cochise, Ariz., and Rebecca Linn, Dana; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

He is also survived by his sisters, HelenTuhn and Margery Shearer, both of Stockton, Calif., and Barbara Rogers, Redfield; his brothers, Paul (Lorraine) Linn, Evington, Va., and Jim (Shirley) Linn, Grand Junction; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

EVERETT BENSON

A service of remembrance was held Thursday morning, April 14, at the Slininger-Rossow Chapel in Jefferson for Everett James Benson, 83, of Dana. The Rev. LoDeene Glawe of Dana officiated. Interment was in Paton Township Cemetery at Paton.

He died April 9, 2011, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Everett James Benson, son of Emanuel J. Benson and Ethel (Tourte) Benson, was born Sept. 10, 1927, in Dana. Everett grew up in Dana and graduated from Dana High School in 1945. He then attended Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Okla., where he received his commercial pilot and instructor ratings.

Everett was united in marriage to Ruby Mylenbusch in Fort Dodge in 1949. They were the parents of one daughter, Lana. They made their home in Dana.

Everett loved to fly. He worked as a pilot instructing others to fly and as an aerial sprayer. He eventually moved the business to his farm at Dana where he added a landing strip to he could work from home. He also enjoyed square dancing.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Bulah O’Neal.

Everett is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruby; his daughter Lana (Gary) VanDusen of Alabama; two grandsons, Cory (Lisa Cain) Kurth, Dana, and Christopher Kurth, Independence, Mo.; four great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

ROSELLA REESE

Funeral services for Rosella Reese, 92, of Dana were held Wednesday morning, April 20, at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson. Pastor Steve Ransom of First United Methodist Church in Grand Junction officiated. Interment was in Jefferson Cemetery.

Rosella Marabetta Madsen Reese was born Aug. 3, 1918, in Rochester, Minn. Her parents, Lawrence Madsen and Olena Shaw Madsen were homesteaders in Montana where Rosella lived the first four years of her life. Her father and maternal grandparents had all emigrated from Denmark. Danish was the first language Rosie spoke.

In 1922, the family moved to Monona County, Iowa, and Rosie graduated from Mapleton High School. She taught country school at Grand Center, Rodney and Castana, all in Monona County, with a standard teaching degree.

In 1950, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, having attend classes in the summers and then attending the entire year of 1949. Beginning in August 1950, she taught sixth grade in Ames for seven years. While living in Ames she played violin with the Ames Orchestra and learned to square dance.

Rosie married Walter Reese on Dec. 30, 1956, and became stepmother to Dwight, Terry and Dan.

Rosie was a member of First United Methodist Church of Grand Junction and the Retired Teachers Association.

Five years ago she became a resident of Greene County Medical Center’s long term care. She died April 15, 2011.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Walter, and sister Florence.

Rosie is survived by her stepsons, Dwight (Donna) Reese, Cumberland, Wis., Terry (Jeri) Reese, Jefferson, and Dan Reese, Yakima, Wash.; three sisters-in-law, Evelyn Crouse, Jefferson, Betty Reese, Jefferson, and Grace Reese, Shelbyville, Ky.; one brother-in-law, Joe Eslick, Bigfork, Mont.; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other extended family.

CLEO BLANSHAN KRAUTHOFF

Cleo Mary Blanshan Krauthoff died Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at Parkridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pleasant Hill, near Des Moines. She had been a resident at Parkridge since 2005. In accordance with her wishes, her body has been cremated and a graveside service will be held at a later date.

Cleo was born in 1922 on the family farm outside of Grand Junction to Merton and Sadie Blanshan. She graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1941. After graduation, she moved to Chicago. In 1944, she married DeVere Krauthoff and they lived in Wichita, Kans., before returning to Iowa. Cleo and DeVere had two children, Delores and Thomas. They lived in Des Moines until 1969 when they moved to Hartford, Iowa. While living in Hartford, Cleo retired from her position as office manager at Schulze & Burch Biscuit Co. Her career covered time as a bookkeeper, bank teller, IRS employee and office manager.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and her siblings Naomi, Harold, Donald, Kenneth and June. She is survived by her children, Delores Gurnsey and Thomas Krauthoff; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Parkridge Activity Center at Parkridge Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Pleasant Hill.

PAUL JOHNSTON

Paul Johnston, 73, longtime educator and coach in Webster City, died April 28, 2011, at Paula J. Baber Hospice House in Fort Dodge. A celebration of Paul’s life will take place Tuesday, May 3, at 10:30 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church in Webster City with Rev. Linda Bibb officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post #191. Foster Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Paul Hunter Johnston, son of Niles and Evelyn Lindberg Johnston, was born Dec. 7, 1937, in Odebolt, Iowa. His mother was a longtime English teacher at Grand Junction High School where he and his sister, Pauline “Polly,” graduated in 1956. Paul received a bachelor of arts degree in 1960 from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake and a master of arts degree from Northeast Missouri State University in 1969. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army beginning in 1960 and served as a computer programmer at the Pentagon.

He began teaching mathematics in the Webster City school system in 1962. He was passionate about athletics, and coached a number of different middle school and high school sports. He taught for 34 years in the Webster City school district and retired in 1996.

Paul married Sharon McCormick Mahan on July 23, 1977, at West Des Moines, and they became the parents of Scott, Krista and Katrina. He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Main Street Kiwanis, and the National Antique Oldsmobile Club. He had been a resident of Southfield Wellness Community since February 2007.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; son Scott (Kristy Mahan) Johnston, Cedar Rapids; daughters Krista (Tracy) Claude, Prescott, Wis., and Katrina (Mat) Johnson, Ankeny; six grandchildren; sister Polly (David) Johnson, Louisville, Ky.; and nephews Scott (Vonnie) Johnson and Todd (Lee) Johnson, niece Betsy Johnson, six great-nieces, and two great-nephews.

Memorials gifts will be used to establish a college scholarship in Paul’s name for a Webster City High School student majoring in math or science education. Write a personal tribute or light a virtual candle for the Johnston family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com.

Grand Junction Obituaries

JOHN NELSON

Memorial services for John Nelson, 88, of Grand Junction were April 17, 2010, at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson with burial in Junction Township Cemetery at Grand Junction. Visitation was held the previous day at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Grand Junction with a Masonic service held that evening.

John Allen Nelson was born March 4, 1922, in Greene County, Iowa. He was the son of Oscar “Ole” and Dora (Boston) Nelson. He graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1940. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II in the South Pacific.
John married Nina Rosella Coffin on March 14, 1947, at the bride’s home in Gowrie. John and Nina lived in Jefferson for three years and then moved to Grand Junction, where they raised their family.

John delivered grain with his father Ole and hauled livestock with his brother-in-law Earl Curry, and he also delivered eggs and cream for C&M Produce. He worked at Ford Dodge Laboratories, Martin Brother’s Gas Station and was a clerk at U.S. Post Office in Grand Junction. He delivered the Sunday Des Moines Register for many years. In 1969, after working with T.R. Watts and Sons Insurance, he purchased the business and began Nelson Insurance Agency. During that time he also had a home medical equipment business and sold real estate. He owned several rental properties in Grand Junction, Jefferson and Churdan over the years. John and Nina retired in 1986, selling the insurance business to McDonald Insurance in Scranton, and they spent the winter months in Mesa, Ariz.

John in survived by two sons, Bill Nelson, Shannon, Ill., and Jim Nelson, Jefferson; two daughters, Rosella Zimmerle, Adel, and Carol Gower, Lake City; 10 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and one brother, George Nelson, Des Moines.

Memorials are suggested to the Salvation Army or Stewart Memorial Community Hospice in Lake City. Services were arranged by Slininger-Rossow Funeral Homes of Jefferson and Grand Junction.

OTTOLENE DOWNS

Memorial services for Ottolene Downs, 102, of Grand Junction were held Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church in Grand Junction. Interment was planned for Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City for a later date.

Ottolene Ruth West Downs was born Nov. 25, 1907, at Ticonic, Iowa, the daughter of James C. West and Lora Elizabeth Forker West. She was the eldest of three children. Ottolene attended school in Onawa, Iowa, where she received normal school training in preparation to be a school teacher. She briefly attended college, and taught in a one-room country school during the Depression.

She married Frank Downs Jr. on June 18, 1931, in Monona County, Iowa, where Frank briefly ran a gas station. They moved to Bronson, Iowa, first renting and then buying a farm. In 1967 they moved to rural Rippey to be near their daughters. After Frank died, Ottolene moved to Grand Junction. In 2005 she moved to Regency Park in Jefferson.

Ottolene helped start the hot lunch program in the Bronson school. She served as 4-H committeeman, PTA officer, and was active in her church’s women’s organization. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, repairing work clothes, tailoring and crafts.
She is survived by her daughters, Lora Lynette Downs Holz, Jefferson, and LaVaras Eloise Jewett, Grand Junction; grandchildren Kristi Holz, Afton; Robin Holz Searles, Altoona; Julie Holz Breshears, Davis City; Jeffery Myron Jewett, Mahomet, Ill.; and Jamie Rehak, Williston, N.D.; and 11 great-grandchildren.

MURIEL THOMPSON

Funeral services for Muriel Thompson, 91, were held Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009, at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson. Interment was in Junction Township Cemetery at Grand Junction.

Muriel died Dec. 10, 2009, in her sleep in the Evangelical Free Nursing Home in Boone, where she had been a resident for three months. She was born Dec. 4, 1918, in Grand Junction, the daughter of Edgar and Hazel Crow Mack. She was the youngest of three children, with two older brothers, Vernon and Marshall.

Muriel graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1937. She attended Iowa State Teachers College for brief time before taking employment as a teletype operator for Western Union in Chicago and Des Moines.

She married Lowell Rhodes Thompson on Oct. 6, 1946, in Delta, Colo. The couple lived in Colorado before moving to Grand Junction in February 1949. The couple farmed northwest of Grand Junction near Spring Lake for several years and later southwest of Grand Junction. In February 1976, the couple moved to a farm west of Panora, where they lived until their retirement in 2005, when they moved to Ames.

Muriel was a homemaker and helped with livestock and gardening on the farm. She was a Stanley Home Products representative for 35 years, earning several recognitions and awards. She was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Junction and active in UPW and church circles. She was also a member of the U-Go-I-Go Club of rural Grand Junction.

She is survived by her children, Robert Thompson, Ames; Linda Thompson, Urbandale; and Kent Thompson, Humboldt; two grandchildren, Ryan and Robin Thompson; and a sister-in-law, Joyce Mack, Grand Junction.

VERDA EILBERT

Verda Eilbert, 86, died Jan. 13, 2010, at Regency Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jefferson. Funeral services were Monday, Jan. 18, 2020, at First United Methodist Church in Grand Junction. Verda’s body was donated to the University of Iowa Anatomical Gift Program, with future burial in Junction Township Cemetery at Grand Junction. Services were arranged by Slininger-Rossow Funeral Homes of Jefferson and Grand Junction.

Verda Culley Eilbert was born near Rippey on Nov. 5, 1923, to William and Bertha (Kinkead) Culley. She was a 1941 graduate of Grand Junction High School. After graduation, she moved to Chicago to make her home with her brother Gerald and his family. She worked there as a secretary for the Motorola Company for five years. On June 16, 1946, she married Francis Eilbert, and they made their home on the family farm near Grand Junction, where they resided nearly 60 years. Due to declining health, they moved to Regency Park in Jefferson in 2006.

Verda was preceded in death by her husband, Francis; son, Chris; parents; and her siblings: Gerald, Loren and Darwin “Tommy” Culley and Nadine Wessling.

Survivors include her daughter, Cheryl Armstrong, Pembroke Pines, Fla., and son, Craig Eilbert, Marion; daughter-in-law, Mary Eilbert, Wellsburg; and grandchildren: Jill Eilbert, Grand Junction; Jacob Eilbert, St. Paul, Minn.; Jessica Eilbert, Indianola; Catie Eilbert, Marion; and Elyse Eilbert, Suwanee, Ga.

VERNA MAE WISE
Funeral services for Verna Mae Wise, 83, of Grand Junction were Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church in Grand Junction. Interment was in Beaver Cemetery at Beaver. She died Friday, March 5, in the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson after living in Regency Park in Jefferson for a little over a year.

Verna Mae Wise was born Sept. 15, 1926, in Perry to Charles and Wilda Faye Harvey. She graduated from Perry High School in 1945. She married Paul Wise on April 7, 1946, in Grand Junction where they spent the rest of their married life. They farmed in the early years of their marriage, and then moved into town in 1962 when Paul worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Verna Mae was a CNA at the Ogden Manor in Ogden and for many years wrote a column for Globe-Free Press in Grand Junction and later the Jefferson Herald. She was a member of the Legion Auxiliary, First United Methodist Church of Grand Junction, and United Methodist Women.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul; sons Donald Wise and David Wise; daughter-in-law Marcia Wise; brother, LeRoy Harvey; and an infant sister.
Verna Mae is survived by her sons, Daniel Wise, Jefferson; Douglas Wise, Omaha; Dennis Wise, Lorena, Texas; daughter-in-law, Diane Wise, Jefferson; 22 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.

PAULINE ARNES

Pauline Arnes, 85, died March 27, 2010, at the Israel Family Hospice in Ames. Funeral services were March 31 at Carson-Stapp Funeral Home in Ogden with Rev. Paul Evans officiating. Pauline’s wishes were to be cremated with burial at a later date in Grand Junction.

Pauline Arnes, daughter of the Lloyd and Ada (Blake) Warner, was born Oct. 10, 1924, in Carroll. She graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1945 and attended Iowa Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in Des Moines in the Cadet Program during World War II.

Pauline was a labor and delivery room nurse for 38 years, working for Boone County Hospital in Boone and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange, Calif. After retiring, she lived in Enid, Okla., and was actively involved in Sr. Ambucs, AARP and Community Methodist Church.

She is survived by her children, Barbara Sanden, Ogden, and Mike Arnes, Plymouth, Minn.; five grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.