Page A10
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Thursday, February 20, 2014
Obituaries / Cedar Valley
www.wcfcourier.com
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The Courier
NE Iowa Deaths
Julianna M. Gerken (1936-2014)
INDEPENDENCE — Julianna M. Gerken, 77, of Independence, died
Tuesday, Feb. 18, at ABCM Rehabilitation Center’s West Campus in
Independence.
She was born July 19, 1936, near Petersburg, daughter of John A. and Irene Koelker Dingbaum. On Jan. 20,
1959, she married Leo J. Gerken in Earlville. He died
in 2008.
She graduated from Xavier High School in Dyersville.
Survived by: two sons, Mitch (Shelia) and Morris,
both of Independence; three daughters, Lisa Tjaden of
Omaha, Neb., Lonie Mezera of Des Moines and Linda
(Mike) Short of Marion; 10 grandchildren; seven greatJulianna
grandchildren; three sisters, Veryl Voss of Guttenberg,
Gerken
Dorothy Maiers of Dyersville and Rita (Jack) Garside
of Dubuque; a brother, Lester (Virgie) Dingbaum of
Manchester; and a sister-in-law, Eileen Dingbaum of Dyersville.
Preceded in death by: her parents; a sister and brother-in-law, Therese
(Bill) Gibbs; a brother, Alver Dingbaum; and two brothers-in-law, Tony Voss
and Dixie Maiers.
Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John’s Catholic Church,
Independence, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 3
to 7 p.m. Friday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Reiff Funeral Home &
Crematory, Independence, where there will be a 3 p.m. rosary and 7 p.m.
parish vigil service Friday.
Condolences may be left at www.reifffuneralhome.com.
Metro Deaths
Leona Marie Galligan (1919-2014)
CEDAR FALLS — Leona Marie Galligan, 94, of Cedar Falls, died
Monday, Feb. 17, at NewAldaya Lifescapes.
She was born Nov. 2, 1919, in Alta Vista, daughter of Joseph and Anna Smith Kobliska. She married Robert J. “Bob” Galligan on Nov. 15, 1952, in
Dubuque. He died Dec. 14, 2011.
Marie was employed at Rath Packing Co. for 30
years.
Survived by: two sons, Joseph (Nancy) of
Brea, Calif., and Dr. Donald (Doreen) of Anaheim,
Calif; five grandchildren, Pat, Megan, Matthew
Leona Marie and Madison Galligan and Shannon (Jason) Van
Malsen; two great-granddaughters, Madeline Betz
Galligan
and Lola Van Malsen; two brothers, Walter Kobliska
of Charles City and Ken Kobliska of Minneapolis.
Preceded in death by: a brother, Leo Kobliska; and a sister,
Celeste Kobliska.
Services: 10 a.m. Friday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic
Church,with burial in St. Patrick Cemetery at St. Cecilia, Alta Vista.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup
Funeral Service on West Ridgeway, with a 4 p.m. rosary and 6 p.m.
vigil service. Visitation also for an hour before services Friday at the
church.
Memorials: may be directed to Blessed Sacrament Catholic
Church.
Condolences may be left at www.hagartywaychoffgrarup.com.
Dennis Weichers
Dennis Weichers, 66, of Cedar Falls, died Monday,
Feb. 17, 2014, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home, in
Waterloo. Dennis was born Oct. 10,
1947, in Aplington, the son of Donald
and Irene (Brinkman) Weichers. He
married Trudy Fessler June 24, 1967
at the Little Brown Church in Nashua.
Dennis was owner and operator of
Weichers Construction Co. in Cedar
Falls.
Dennis was involved in many Cedar
Dennis
Falls landmark development projects.
Weichers
The Ridges Additions (1-7) in West
Cedar Falls, El Dorado Heights 3rd
Addition, he was a partner in Tri-Star Development
which was responsible for the Meadows Addition. He
was a partner with Fred Rose in General Commercial
which lead the development of the Viking Road corridor in a commercial venture which is now home
to Blain’s, Doughey Joeys and Wal-Mart. Weichers
Construction was a key player in many of the major
road reconstruction projects including the Waterloo
Road project and numerous other civic improvements
throughout the Cedar Valley over the years. He and
his family raised Paso Fino Horses for a hobby.
Survivors include his wife, Trudy Weichers, of
Cedar Falls; two sons, Brett and Brad Weichers, both
of Cedar Falls; one daughter, Brandi (Jordan) Patton
of Stephenville, Texas; six grandchildren, Jordan and
Jake Weichers, Hunter Bell and Tyler, Jace and Adyson
Patton and his sister, Sandi (Jim) Ites of Waterloo.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at
Cornerstone Fellowship Church with burial at
Fairview Cemetery, both in Cedar Falls. Visitation
will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at DahlVan Hove-Schoof Funeral Home and one hour prior to
service time at the church. Memorials may be directed
to Cedar Valley Hospice. Condolences may be left at
www.DahlFuneralHome.com.
Patricia Anne Scott Hathaway
Patricia Anne Scott Hathaway was born Nov. 28, 1929,
to Matilda and Arthur Jacobson Scott in Linn Grove. She
graduated from Iowa State University
in 1951 as a dietitian. On Nov. 28, 1953,
Patricia married Dr. Robert George
Hathaway. Pat’s life was dedicated to her
family, church and numerous volunteer
activities. Her favorite activities were
spending time with her family, playing
bridge and being a member of P.E.O.
Pat is preceded in death by her parPatricia
ents. She is survived by her loving husAnne Scott band of 60 years, Bob Hathaway; son
Hathaway Scott Hathaway and his family, Jackie,
and daughter Gretchen; daughter Anne
Bush and her husband, Wesley; brother John Scott and
his wife Marie. Numerous other family and friends also
survive. Pat passed away Feb. 16, 2014,after a long battle
with Multiple Sclerosis. Her loving heart will be missed
by many. Celebration of life will be held Friday, Feb. 21,
at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian, Conroe, Texas, with Dr.
David Green officiating. You are invited to view our
webpage and leave written condolences to the family at
www.cashnerconroe.com.
Sharon B. Weiss (1940-2014)
VINTON — Sharon Beth Weiss, 74, died at home Tuesday, Feb. 18,
following a lengthy illness.
She was born Jan, 14, 1940, in San Francisco, daughter of Elmer and Bernice “Bea” Sundquist Nordstrom.
She was a 1957 graduate of Washington High
School, Vinton. Sharon raised purebred Suffolk
sheep and then operated her nursery, Weiss’
Country Bloomers, south of Vinton. She was a
member of the Pond Society, the Hosta Society, and
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Vinton.
Survived by: a daughter, Michelle (Rusty) Olson
of Thornton, Colo.; two sons, Michael (Patti) of
Sharon
Waterloo and Martin “Marty” (Kim) of Vinton; four
Weiss
grandchildren, Miranda (Jared) Seliger of Hudson,
Jacob Weiss of Cedar Rapids, Jessica (Darren Kirk)
Weiss of Cedar Rapids and Elizabeth “Liz” Weiss of Vinton; two brothers, Lyle (Pat) Nordstrom of Cumberland, Md., and Randy Nordstrom
of Berlin, Germany; and her dogs, Gidget, Lola, Peyton and Baby.
Preceded in death by: her parents: and numerous pets, including
her dog, Agatha.
Memorial visitation: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Bethlehem Evangelical
Lutheran Church, Vinton. Per Sharon’s wishes, her body has been
cremated and private family inurnment will be held at a later date.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home, Vinton, is assisting the family.
Memorials in lieu of flowers: may be directed to MidAmerica
Boston Terrier Rescue, 14826 Spaulding St., Omaha, NE 68116, or to
Mercy Hospice, 315 18th Ave., Hiawatha 52233.
Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.
Sharon was an Iowa Master Gardener, and she excelled at Hostas,
unique trees, landscaping and pond water features. She loved raising
sheep, gardening and her beloved Boston Terriers.
Evelyn M. “Dickie “ Smith (1926-2014)
OELWEIN — Evelyn Marie “Dickie” Smith, 87, of Monticello, formerly
of Oelwein, died suddenly Monday, Feb. 17, at Silvercrest of Anamosa.
She was born April 22, 1926, in Lamont, daughter of Clarence and Mary Evelyn Kenna Kash. She
married Paul Everett Smith on June 6, 1948, at St.
Mary’s Catholic Church in Lamont.
She graduated from Lamont Consolidated Schools
in 1942. Dickie was a nurses aide and a grocery
store clerk following graduation. She was a member of the Ever Late Wednesday Eight, Sacred Heart
Catholic Church in Oelwein and Monticello.
Survived by: a son, Kevin (Annette) of Monticello;
Evelyn
two daughters, Paulette (Bud) Stewart and Camille
“Dickie”
(Ray) Cook, both of Granbury, Texas; three grandSmith
children, Britt (Mikinzie) Smith of Monticello, Jillian
Smith of Westmont, Ill., and Jessica Finley of
Granbury; two great-grandchildren, Austin Smith and Lilly Finley; two
brothers, Al (Jan) Kash of Woodruff, Wis., and Norbert Kash of Colo; and
a sister-in-law, Cheryl Smith of Independence.
Services: 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church,
Monticello, with burial in Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4
to 7 p.m. Friday at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.
Memorial fund in lieu of flowers: has been established.
Condolences may be expressed at goettschonline.com.
Dickie was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother
who will be deeply missed by her family and friends. She played basketball her whole life. She learned to play tennis in adult education and
was an avid participant in the sport. She and her husband were active
in square dancing and round dancing.
Death Notices
JESUP — Bradley A.
Rachuy, 48, of Little Lake,
Mich., formerly of Jesup, died
Saturday, Feb. 15, at Halifax
Hospital, Daytona Beach,
Fla.; Alavon Direct Cremation
Service, Daytona Beach, (386)
322-2510.
RAYMOND — Margie Ann
Kohls Thome, 70, of Cedar
Falls, formerly of Raymond,
died Tuesday, Feb. 18, at
Bickford of Cedar Falls;
services 10:30 a.m. Monday
at Immaculate Conception
Catholic Church, Gilbertville,
with burial in St. Joseph
Cemetery, Raymond; visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday
at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup
Funeral Service on South
Street, 234-6274, with a 4 p.m.
rosary, and also for an hour
before services Monday at the
church; memorials directed to
St. Joseph Catholic Church,
Raymond, the Bosco System or
Arlen Milius (1931-2014)
DENVER — Arlen William Milius, 82, of Denver, died Tuesday,
Feb. 18, at Denver Sunset Home.
He was born July 7, 1931, in Denver, son of
Arnold and Clara Hein Milius.
Arlen graduated from Denver High School in
1949. He married Joanne Benning on April 22,
1956, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly.
The couple farmed from the time of their
marriage until they retired in 1999.
Arlen was a member of St. Peter Lutheran
Church in Denver, where he served on the
Arlen Milius Church Council. He was active on both the
Bremer Country Central Committee and
Bremer County Board of Review. He was a
licensed stock broker for seven years with Heartland Financial
Investments.
Survived by: his wife; special nephew and niece, Allan
(Rhonda) Milius and Gloria Perry; nephews, Steven Milius
and Bill (Judy) Milius; niece Pam (Steve) Salutric; four greatnephews, Mark (Clara) Perry, Scott (Tily) Perry, Luke Milius, and
Adam Salutric; three great-nieces, Virginia Milius, Emily Salutric
and Renee Griego; two great-great-nephews and one greatgreat-niece; a brother, Donald Milius; and a sister-in-law, Darlys
Milius.
Preceded in death by: his parents; mother and father-in-law,
Eldon and Pauline Benning; a brother, Edwin; a sister-in-law,
Margory Milius; and a niece and nephew-in-law, Marilyn Milius
and Dave Perry.
Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter Lutheran Church,
Denver, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Visitation
will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home,
Denver.
Memorials: may be directed to Denver Sunset Home, St. Peter
Lutheran Church, or UnityPoint Hospice.
Condolences may be left at www.kaisercorson.com.
He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, dancing
and was a member of the Stardusters Square Dance Club. He
learned to play the guitar and steel guitar; country music was
his favorite.
Mildred L. Benda (1924-2014)
TRAER — Mildred Lenora Benda, 89, of Traer, died Tuesday, Feb.
18, at Covenant Medical Center.
She was born Nov. 19, 1924, in rural Vining,
daughter of Ed and Emma Herska. In 1946, she
married Milo Benda.
She attended country school in Vining until the
eighth grade. She worked bagging seed corn and
was a housewife. She was a member of St. Paul
Catholic Church in Traer.
Survived by: her husband; a son, Michael; two
sisters, Martha and Eva; four grandchildren; and
nine great-grandchildren.
Mildred
Preceded in death by: her parents; a daughter,
Benda
Roberta; two brothers, Paul and Arthur; and two
sisters, Helen and Lucille.
Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Catholic Church, Traer,
with burial in church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m.
Friday at Overton Funeral Home, Traer, with a 6:30 p.m. rosary
service.
Memorials: may be directed to the family.
Condolences may be left at www.overtonservice.com.
Cedar Valley Hospice.
on South Street, 234-6274.
WATERLOO — Cheryle Ohrt,
49, of Waterloo, died Wednesday,
Feb. 19, at UnityPoint Health-Allen
Hospital; Parrott & Wood Chapel
of Memories, an Overton Family
Service, Waterloo, 232-3235.
ELMA — Harold H. Thiele,
86, of Elma, died at home
Tuesday, Feb. 18; ConwayMarkham Funeral Home, Elma,
(641) 393-2461.
WATERLOO — John C.
Simons, 64, of Waterloo, died
Wednesday, Feb. 19, at St. Mary’s
Hospital, Rochester; HagartyWaychoff-Grarup Funeral Service
WELLSBURG — Kenneth
LaVerne Janssen, 79, of
Wellsburg, died Wednesday,
Feb. 19; Sietsema Funeral
Home, Ackley, (641) 847-2333.
Frozen pipes leading to water issues Osage man killed in avalanche
TIM JAMISON
[email protected]‌
WAT E R L O O — The
Northeast Iowa Food Bank
is stepping up with bottled water to assist residents struggling with frozen water service lines.
Waterloo residents can
pick up the water at Fire
Station No. 1, at East Third
and Franklin streets, by
using the East Second
Street parking lot.
It is one of several communities dealing with
water issues due to frozen pipes. Parkersburg
is under a boil order,
Waverly is offering water
and shower facilities for
residents and residents in
Sheffield have to get medical help at a neighboring
facility.
Residents can also bring
their own containers to be
filled at no expense. The
water will be potable, but
people must bring a sterile container for the water
to remain drinkable.
Mayor Buck Clark said
the situation with broken
and frozen water lines is
reaching crisis proportions
in the city.
“As best we can tell we
have 500 service lines that
are frozen,” he said. “It’s
creating huge problems for
people.”
An extremely cold winter
has pushed the frost line
deeper into the ground this
year causing water lines to
freeze or break. Clark said
some plumbing contractors have a four- to sixweek backlog of requests.
Waterloo Water Works
officials are encouraging
residents to take the temperature of their water. If
it is 40 degrees or colder at
the tap, the resident should
allow a stream of water to
run constantly to prevent
the lines from freezing.
Excess water could be
collected in a bathtub and
used to flush toilets to conserve water.
Services lines, which
run from water mains to a
house or building, are the
responsibility of the property owner and not the city
or Water Works.
Mea nwh i l e , pa t i e n ts
at Mercy Family ClinicSheffield will be treated
indefinitely at Franklin
G e n e ra l H o s p i t a l i n
Hampton due a frozen
water main.
In Waverly, the city will
supple non-potable water
for services such as flushing toilets. Waverly residents can call City Hall
at 352-9065 to get on
the “frozen pipes” list.
Residents must supply
their own containers.
Shower facilities are
available to registered
Waverly residents at The W
wellness center during regular hours. Laundry facilities are available at Classic
Cleaner, 97 W. Bremer Ave.
In Parkersburg, the boil
order is in effect until further notice.
Courier Lee News Service
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. —
An Osage man was killed
Tuesday when an avalanche buried him near
Togwotee Mountain Lodge
in Moran, Wyo.
Tyler Tourtellot, 26, was
snowmobiling with three
friends when the avalanche swept him into a
tree, according to Teton
County Undersheriff Bob
Gilliam.
Tourtellot was a 2005
graduate of Osage High
School.
Authorities reported
Tourtellot’s sled got stuck
a mile and a half east of the
lodge and a little north of
U.S. Highway 89. When a
friend circled behind him
to try to help out, he triggered the avalanche.
Tourtellot, who authorities suspect may have
been off his sled, couldn’t
escape.
Rogers announces campaign tour
CEDAR FALLS —
Beginning Friday, State
Rep. Walt Rogers of Cedar
Falls, a Republican candidate for U.S. Congress
in Iowa’s
First District, will
begin a
tour of the
d i s t r i c t’s
20 counties.
T h e
Walt Rogers c a m p a i g n ’s
“ S m a l l e r, S m a r t e r
Government Tour” will
take place over the next
five Fridays and conclude
with a hometown rally in
the Waterloo-Cedar Falls
area at a time and place
yet to be determined.
Below are details for the
first two Fridays of the
tour:
Friday, Feb. 21:
Bremer County: 11:30
a.m. to 12:30 p.m., East
Bremer Diner, Waverly.
Fayette County: 2 to
3 p. m . , P i z za R a n c h ,
Oelwein
Buchanan County: 4:30
to 5:30 p.m., Pizza Ranch,
Independence
Benton County: 6:30 to
7:30 p.m., Pizza Ranch,
Vinton
Friday, Feb. 28:
Winneshiek County:
11 a.m. to noon, Pizza
Ranch, Decorah.
Allamakee County: 1 to
2 p.m., Robey Memorial
Library, Waukon.
Clayton County: 3:30
to 4:30 p.m., Joe’s Pizza,
Guttenberg
Delaware County: 6
to 7 p.m., Pizza Ranch,
Manchester
Members of the public
are invited to all events;
admission is free.