Phyllis Ruroden

Phyllis Marian Ruroden, 86, of West Union, Iowa died Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Maple Crest Manor, Fayette, Iowa.

Phyllis Marian was born on July 24, 1930 to Elmer and Gladys (Burg) Pinney in Elgin, Iowa.

She graduated from Elgin High School and earned her teaching certificate from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa.

Phyllis was united in marriage with Dale Ruroden on July 20, 1951.

She was a lifelong member of Bethel Presbyterian Church and belonged to the local quilting group.

After retirement she enjoyed volunteer work, reading to the children at West Union Elementary School.

Ann Minger

­­­ Valley Community school district of Clermont, Elgin and Wadena in 1962, as she continued her classes at Upper Iowa. She graduated from Upper Iowa in August of 1969.

She taught third grade and retired from teaching in 1987 with fond memories of students who kept in contact with her over the years. Her most memorable experience as a teacher was the visit by Governor Robert Ray, who came to plant trees at the Elgin grade school after one of her students wrote the invitation to the governor.

Ann had many interests and hobbies. When her children were young, she sewed a lot of their clothing.

When Ann retired, she was busy with many local organizations and activities. She was an active member of Holy Name Parish and the Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed teaching at the one-room schoolhouse during the Fayette County Fair.

Edward Harrison

Edward Eugene Harrison, 61, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, at Emery Place Living in Robins, Iowa, afer a long and brave battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Eddie was born June 11, 1955, to Raymond and Dorothy (Rogers) Harrison at St. Joseph’s Hospital in New Hampton.

He was baptized July 10, 1955, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg and confirmed June 22, 1969, at Stapleton Lutheran Church, rural Waucoma.

Eddie graduated from North High School in West Union in 1973.

Upon his graduation, he enlisted in the Navy, where he served our country until 1982. He loved being in the Navy.

He was then employed at Duane Arnold/Alliant Energy Nuclear Power Plant in Palo for 32 years. He was very dedicated to his work.

On May 18, 2002, Eddie was united in marriage with Bonnie Lawrence.

Eugene Thorson

Eugene Thorson, 91, of Clermont, Iowa died Friday, January 27, 2017 at his home in Clermont.

Alf Eugene Thorson, the son of Alphie and Myrtle (Lien) Thorson, was born September 30, 1925 on a farm in rural Clermont. 

He graduated from Clermont High School in 1943.

Eugene was united in marriage with Anna Bachtell at the Ossian Lutheran Church in 1953. To this union five children, Catherine, Barbara, Pamela, Mark, and Evan, were born. 

Eugene and Anna farmed outside of Clermont for many years. He retired from farming about three years ago. In addition to farming, Eugene was a substitute rural mail carrier for several years. 

Eugene was a member of the East Clermont Lutheran Church and served on the church council.

He was also a board member of the Gunder Cheese Factory. 

Eugene Thorson

Eugene Thorson, 91, of Clermont, Iowa died Friday, January 27, 2017 at his home in Clermont.

Alf Eugene Thorson, the son of Alphie and Myrtle (Lien) Thorson, was born September 30, 1925 on a farm in rural Clermont. 

He graduated from Clermont High School in 1943.

Eugene was united in marriage with Anna Bachtell at the Ossian Lutheran Church in 1953. To this union five children, Catherine, Barbara, Pamela, Mark, and Evan, were born. 

Eugene and Anna farmed outside of Clermont for many years. He retired from farming about three years ago. In addition to farming, Eugene was a substitute rural mail carrier for several years. 

Eugene was a member of the East Clermont Lutheran Church and served on the church council.

He was also a board member of the Gunder Cheese Factory. 

Charles Deering

Charles I. Deering, 80, of Postville, Iowa, died Friday January 27, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society in Postville.

He was born May 16, 1936 to Irving Charles and Leeone (Zieman) Deering on the home farm in rural Postville, where he resided for 65 years. 

Charles was baptized July 19, 1936 by Rev. R.B. Garten and confirmed on April 2, 1950 by Rev. Frederick R. Ludwig. 

Charles graduated from Postville High School in 1954, attended Iowa State University and then returned to the family farm. 

On June 16, 1957 he was united in marriage to Carol Meyer at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church by Rev. Charles E. Witt.  To this union six children were born.

Charles was a lifetime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville. 

Rev. Peter C. Bodensteiner

The Rev. Peter C. Bodensteiner, age 97, of New Hampton, IA, died Tuesday, January 17, 2017, at Kensington Place Assisted Living in New Hampton. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 21, 2016 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Lawler with Archbishop Jackels officiating the Mass.  

Interment was at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery in Ossian, IA with Sam Fanning, Micheal Bodensteiner, John Eichenburger, Joseph Scally, Danny Bodensteiner and Ron Ward serving as pallbearers.

Friends greeted the family from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Friday, January 20, 2016 at the church. Where there was a 5:00 p.m. rosary and a 7:00 p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation continued an hour prior to the Mass on Saturday at church. 

Online condolences for Father Pete's family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com.

Cathy Scheidel

Cathy Lynn Scheidel, 52, of Elgin, Iowa died Thursday, January 19, 2017 at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital, West Union, Iowa.

She was born on July 28, 1964 to Vernon Rod and Geraldine Amelia (Bretsch) Vick in Decorah, Iowa.

Cathy was baptized and confirmed at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah, Iowa.

She graduated from Decorah High in 1983 where she was a member of the DECCA and FFA.

Cathy was united in marriage with Todd Scheidel on March 28, 1987 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Decorah, Iowa. Two children were born to this union, Jason and Jordan.

Cathy worked at McDonalds in Decorah for 13 years, Country Inn and Suites in Decorah as head of housing keeping for three years, Wal-Mart in Decorah as a Deli-Manager for 12 years and Quillins in West Union, as Deli-Manager for four years.

Richard Schmelzer

Richard Dale Schmelzer, 86, of Oelwein passed away on Saturday January 21, 2017 at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein. 

Visitation was set for 4-7 PM on Tuesday January 24, 2017 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein, where there was to be a Parish Scripture Service at 6:30 PM and Military Honors at 6:45 PM led by the American Legion Ross Reid Post #9 and VFW post 1725 of Oelwein. There will also be visitation from 9:30-10:30 AM on Wednesday January 25, 2017 at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial is being held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday January 25, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein with Father Paul McManus and Deacon Jim Patera officiating. 

Burial will be in Hawkeye Cemetery at Hawkeye. 

A memorial fund has been established in Richard’s name. 

For condolences, please visit www.geilenfeldfh.com.