Marion Davis
Marion C. Davis, age 90, of Mapleton died Monday, July 10, 2000 at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Whiting, Iowa. 
Services were held 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 14 at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton with Rev. Edmund Tiedeman officiating. Burial was in St. Clair Cemetery, Ute, Iowa. 

Calvin Servis
Calvin L. Servis, 83, of Smithland, Iowa, died Friday, July 14, 2000, at his residence of cancer.
Mr. Servis was born November 30, 1916, at Correctionville, Iowa, the son of Elza and Lulu (Fixsel) Servis. He attended school in the rural Anthon area. On June 21, 1938, he married Mary Ellen Gilman at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The couple moved to Smithland in 1939 where he was a Standard Oil agent until retiring in 1972 at which time the couple traveled and wintered in Texas for 20 years. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army occupational forces in Germany. 
An active leader in the community for many years, he was a member of the Smithland United Methodist Church where he held various positions on the official board; a 50-year member of the Leslie F. Seaton American Legion Post #666 at Smithland; a 50-year member and past Master of the Amicable Lodge #289 A.F. & A.M. at Smithland and the Quarry Lodge #404 A.F. & A.M. at Mapleton; past Worthy Patron of Evergreen Chapter Order of Eastern Star; a 59-year member of Sioux City Consistory; a long time member of the Abu Bekr Shrine of Sioux City. He served many years on the Smithland school board, the Smithland Town Council and the fire department. He enjoyed woodworking and did a lot of community service. 
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Mary Ellen; 2 sons and their wives, Richard and Renae of Omaha, Nebraska, and Gary and Merydith of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; one grandson and his wife, Scott and Kay of Omaha, Nebraska; two granddaughters and their husbands, Monica and Bobby Watkins and Carrie and Jay Schubring, all of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; five great-grandchildren; one brother and his wife, Gene and Shirley Rupp of Sioux City, Iowa; and one sister and her husband, Shirley and Wayne Hart of Ft. Myers, Florida. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Richard; and two sisters, Maxine Sands and Shirley Clark. 
Memorial services were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 17, 2000, at the United Methodist Church at Smithland, Iowa, with Pastor Karen Handke officiating. The organist, Mrs. Myron Armour, accompanied the soloist, Mr. Myron Armour, in the selections, 'How Great Thou Art' and 'The Last Mile of the Way'.
Honorary Bearers were Paul Maynard, Myron Armour, Dennis Claus, Harold Fowler, Bill Hagerdon, David Barngrover, Willie Uhl, Clem Claus, Rod Terrill, Keith Johnson, Joe Hayes, Lawrence Nelson, Alvie Hesse, Dennis Buske, Jim Cleveland, Ralph Martin and Miller Nickolisen. 
Interment was in the Little Sioux Township Cemetery at Smithland, Iowa, with Military Rites by the Leslie F. Seaton American Legion Post #666, Dennis McCall, Commander. 
Prayer and Masonic Services were held at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, July 16, 2000, at the United Methodist Church in Smithland, Iowa, with Pastor Karen Handke officiating and Quarry Lodge #404 A.F. & A.M., Mapleton, Iowa, Keith Zediker, Worshipful Master and Steven Jewett, Orator. 
Arrangements were by the Willman Funeral Home, Rodney, Iowa. 
A memorial fund has been established in Mr. Servis' memory at the United Methodist Church at Smithland, Iowa. 

Herbert Sievers
Herbert Franklin Sievers was born January 24, 1910, the son of Fred and Christine Meggers Sievers. He died Tuesday, July 11, 2000, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa, at the age of ninety. 
Herbert. was born in Paradise Township, near Dow City, Iowa and received his education in Willow Township. After receiving his education, Herbert helped his parents on the family farm. He also drove a truck for Chris Neddermeyer for a short time. Herbert owned and operated his own trucking business. Herbert was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Charter Oak on April 14, 1935 by Rev. Schroeder. 
On September 7, 1941, Herbert was united in marriage to Lola Goslar at St. John Lutheran Church in Charter Oak by Rev. Schroeder. The couple started farming north of Berne in 1943 and were blessed with the birth of two children. In March of 1999, Herbert entered the Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison. 
Herbert was a voting member of St. John Lutheran Church, Charter Oak, where he served as a trustee and also a member of the Lutheran Laymen's League. Herbert served as township assessor, co-op director and ASC committee member. He enjoyed farming, feeding cattle and watching his favorite baseball team, the Chicago Cubs on television and listening to them on the radio. 
Herbert was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Peter, Arthur, Albert and Alfred Sievers; six sisters, Amanda Stodden, Edna Eckhoff, Margaret Spour, Lena Neddermeyer, Alma Petersen, and Ella Sievers. Survivors include his wife, Lola of Ute; one son, Larry Sievers of Ute; one daughter, Joan Nobbe and her husband, Norman of Sioux City; two granddaughters, Norma Jo Martin of Rochester, Minnesota and Christi Kejriwal of Seattle, Washington; many other relatives and friends. 
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 14, 2000 at the St. John Lutheran Church in Charter Oak, Iowa. Rev. L.C. Gebhardt officiated the service and graveside rites held at the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Charter Oak. Art Beeck provided the organ accompaniment for congregational hymns, 'I Know That My Redeemer Lives', 'Abide With Me' and 'What A Friend We Have In Jesus'.Those serving as pallbearers were Chris Neddermeyer, Henry Klockgether, Richard Sievers, Dwight Goslar, Amos Petersen and Tim Goslar. The family invited everyone in attendance at the service to join them in fellowship and lunch at the church, served by the Ladies Aid. The Huebner Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements. 

Helma Rusch
Helma Margaret Rusch was born on a farm in rural Mapleton, Crawford County, Iowa, August 9, 1908, the daughter of Henry and Emma Seehusen Laumbach. She was received into God's Kingdom of Grace through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism when she was an infant and confirmed in her Christian Faith in 1922 at Presho, South Dakota. She was raised on the farm at Presho, South Dakota receiving her formal education in the rural schools. Following her education she returned to Mapleton where she was employed in domestic work for her aunts. 
On September 25, 1934, Helma was united in marriage with Harvey Rusch at Elk Point, South Dakota. Their union was blessed with five children, Beverly, Merlin, Lois May, Larry and Janice. They farmed in Crawford and Ida Counties moving to their Paradise Township farm in 1957. After their retirement from farming they moved to Denison in 1980. When her health permitted Helma enjoyed fishing, playing cards, gardening and canning, walking and dancing. In earlier years she was a member of the Zion Ladies Aid and a local Square Dance Club. 
Due to failing health Helma moved to Twilight Acres in Wall Lake, Iowa, March 16, 1995 and it was there her death occurred Wednesday evening, July 12, 2000. At the time of her death she had attained the age of 91 years, 11 months and 3 days. 
She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. 
Including her parents Helma was preceded in death by three children, Merlin, Larry and Lois May Rusch, two granddaughters, Jean Ann Rusch and Tammy Wunschel, one great-grandson, Jeff Dixon; four brothers, Edward, Walter, Raymond and Arlo Laumbach and three sisters, Alice Laumbach, Irene Mason and Madaleine Smith. 
Those who remain to cherish her memory include her husband of over 65 years, Harvey Rusch of Wall Lake, Iowa; two daughters, Beverly and her husband, Duane Wunschel of Wall Lake and Janice and her husband, Ray Harris of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; one daughter-in-law, Theonne Rusch Kolls of LaQuinta, California; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister, Martha Booth of Fort Pierre, South Dakota; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 
Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 15, 2000, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa, with Rev. Kurt R. Kaiser and the Rev. David M. Sewing officiating. Music for the service included Larry Boeck singing, 'Old Rugged Cross' and the congregation singing, 'Rock of Ages, Cleft For Me' and 'Let us Ever Walk With Jesus'. Karen Kahl served as organist. Casket bearers included Chris Mumm, Michael Nollen, Randy Nollen, Ross Rusch, Roger Rusch, and Rick Wunschel. Interment was at Morgan Township Cemetery, Schleswig, Iowa. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements. 

Dennis Ronfeldt
Dennis D. Ronfeldt, age 53, of Smithland, Iowa, died Saturday, July 8, 2000, at Burgess Memorial Hospital in Onawa, Iowa. 
Services were held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 12 at the Westwood Community School Auditorium in Sloan, Iowa, with Rev. Karen Handke officiating. Burial was in the Little Sioux Township Cemtery in Smithland, Iowa. Mrs. Ardith Armour was the pianist for the service and Myron Armour, soloist, sang 'How Great Thou Art'. A prayer service was held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton. 
Dennis Dean Ronfeldt was born March 9, 1947 at Sioux City, Iowa, the son of Earl and Hazel (Fisher) Ronfeldt. 
Denny was a lifetime resident of Smithland, Iowa and was a member of the Smithland United Methodist Church. In the church he was active as Superintendent of the Church School, a board member, church chairman and Sunday School and Bible School teacher. He was a Boy Scout leader from 1968-1988. He was elected the youngest mayor of Smithland and served a number of terms as mayor and councilman and also a City Police Officer. He served as co-founder of the Smithland Rescue Unit in 1980 and was a CPR instructor for 13 years. He was also a member of the volunteer fire department serving as Chief for 20 of his 34 year membership. Denny was a member of the Betterment Club, the Jaycees and was a Woodbury County Deputy, serving without compensation in 1968. He worked with the Woodbury County Community Action Agency from 1968-1976. For a number of years, he worked at the Smithland Community Center, the museum and volunteered his time and talent to many other community activities. He was an associate member of the American Heart Association. 
Denny was involved in his family's genealogy, contacting Ronfeldts in Germany. He also took on the responsibility of remapping burial plots in several area cemeteries. 
After graduation from Westwood High School in 1966, Denny worked for Westendorf Manufacturing Company. He later started his own carpenter business and had a tackle and bait shop for several years. He recently was employed at Westwood Community School in Sloan, Iowa, serving as custodian. 
Those survivors left to cherish Denny's memory include his mother, Hazel Ronfeldt of Smithland; three brothers and their wives, Ronald and Janet of Smithland, James and Lila of Newton, and Stephen and Clarissa, also of Smithland; five nieces, five nephews, four great-nieces, 12 great-nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins, along with numerous school associates, neighbors, and many good friends. 
He was preceded in death by his father, Earl, two brothers, Eugene and David, two nieces, Debra Lynne and Terri Renee, his maternal and paternal grandparents and several aunts and uncles. 
Honorary casket bearers were Adele Mack, Paul Frahm, Bobby Fisher, Larry Luschen, Randy Luschen and Rich Uhl. 
Casket bearers were David Barngrover, Scott Blakely, Mark Struble, Gary Worrell, Tim Worrell and Russ Worrell. 

Norman Mecklenburg
Norman A. Mecklenburg, age 85, of Mapleton died Thursday, July 6, 2000, at Moscow, Idaho. 
Services were held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 12, at St. John's United Methodist Church in Mapleton with Pastor Shirley Textor and Pastor Kathy Mecklenburg Kramer officiating. Burial was in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Mapleton. Marie Whiteing was the organist and soloist. Arrangements were made under the direction of the Armstrong Funeral Home of Mapleton. 
Norman Albert Mecklenburg was born July 10, 1914 to Rudolph Carl and Ruby Elizabeth (Stiefel) Mecklenburg at Burlington, Iowa. He was raised with his brother, Robert and sister, Dorothy, on the family dairy farm near Denmark, Iowa. Mr. Mecklenburg attended and graduated from Denmark High School and enjoyed playing basketball and participating in the orchestra as a cellist while a student there. 
He enrolled at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, and studied forestry and agriculture working his way through school as a hand on the area farms and as a projectionist for the Ames Theatre Company. Between quarters he served on the Barberry Eradication Crew throughout Iowa. On one of these excursions, his headquarters was the Monona County Courthouse in Onawa, Iowa, where he met a young clerk by the name of Mae Ferne Rounds. They were married on June 6, 1938. Together they traveled throughout the Midwest and southern states showing movies in some 588 communities for the Universal Production Company until the summer of 1941 at which time Norm re-enrolled at Iowa State University and re-established his work with the Ames theaters. 
Mr. Mecklenburg served his country during World War II with the 11th Armored Thunderbolt Division, remaining in Europe with the Occupational Forces, then returned to I.S.U., where he resumed his studies. He graduated from that school in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree. 
Norm and Mae Ferne moved to Mapleton, Iowa, that summer to begin his career of teaching Vocational Agriculture and Industrial Arts serving as F.F.A. advisor at the Mapleton Community School. 
The couple enjoyed playing pinochle and dining out with friends, camped as members of the Maple Valley Camping Club, and were well known and eager participants of the Maple Valley Square Dance Club, the Danbury Dancers, and various Round Dance Clubs of western Iowa. Mae Ferne passed away September 14, 1997. 
Norm was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church in Mapleton as well as a member of the American Legion Loren Hollister Post #496, also of Mapleton. 
Survivors left to cherish Norm's memory include his daughter, Kathy Lee Kramer and her husband, Robert of Patouse, Washington; his two grandsons, Matt Williams and his wife, Holli and their daughters, Erynn and Danae of Kennewick, Washington; John Williams of Mattapolsett, Massachusetts; one sister, Dorothy Morton of Fort Madison, Iowa and five nephews and two nieces, along with many former students, educators, neighbors and friends. 
Along with his beloved wife, Mae Ferne, Norm was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Ruby; two sons, and his brother, Robert. 
Memorials may be made to St. John's United Methodist Church in Mapleton or with the Future Farmers of America. 
Honorary pallbearers were Rev. Gene Hancock, C.R. Brown, Bill Christiansen, Ronald LeFebvre, Lawrence Nelson, Leonard Maier, Cleo Tippery, Loren Blakely, Clifford LeFebvre, Lawrence Bueoy and Norman's Future Farmers of America students. 
Pallbearers were Ed Maier, Leo Dean, Bill Hagerdon, Brian Swee, Nick Swee and Jim Gaukel. 

Dareld Douglas
Dareld (Mick) Douglas of Fort Dodge, Iowa died suddenly at his home of an apparent heart attack. He was 62 years old. 
Mick was born and raised in Auburn, Nebraska, the son of James and Edna Douglas. He attended Peru State College and taught school for several years. 
In 1964 he married Jolene Eggen in Ute, Iowa. They lived in Fort Dodge for 27 years. He worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield Insurance having retired in 1997. 
Funeral services were held July 6 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with burial at Oakland Cemetery, with military rites. 
Survivors are his wife Jolene; one son Steven of Chicago, Ill.; mother-in-law Erma Sander and husband Louis, of Ute, Iowa; brother-in-law Norman Eggen and wife Maggie of Lafayette, California and many friends. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and sister. 

May Lou Wellendorf
May Lou Wellendorf was born May 23, 1911, the daughter of Paul and Emma Kunze Clausen. She died Sunday, June 25, 2000, at the Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison at the age of eighty-nine. 
May Lou was born on the home farm in Willow Township, near Charter Oak, Iowa, and was baptized in Christ, on the third day after her birth in her family farm home. She received her education in a rural school near her home and was confirmed on April 5, 1925 at the St. John Lutheran Church in Charter Oak by Pastor Amstein. After her high school graduation with the class of 1929, May Lou enrolled at the Lutheran Hospital Nurses Training program in Sioux City, Iowa, after graduating as a Registered Nurse with the class of 1932. 
On November 8, 1933, May Lou was united in marriage to Herman Wellendorf at the Morningside Lutheran Parsonage in Sioux City. The couple settled on a farm near Schleswig and were blessed with the birth of one son, Howard. The couple remained in Schleswig until 1945, at which time they moved to Clear Lake, Iowa, where the couple operated a rooming house for patients at the Chappel Clinic. In 1963, the couple moved to Denison where May Lou took care of her mother, Emma Westphalen at her home in Charter Oak. 
May Lou loved her work as a nurse and throughout her life, was complemented numerous times for the wonderful care she gave others. She also enjoyed sewing, reading, gardening, and was very involved with her position as a 4-H instructor. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. 
She was preceded in death by her parents; her step-father, Detlef Westphalen; her husband, Herman Wellendorf; her twin sister, May Belle; three brothers, William, Fred and Vernon Clausen; two step-sisters, Matilda Clingenpeel and Amelia Brown and one step-brother, Ethlef Westphalen. She is survived by her son, Howard and his wife, Gloria of Fort Madison, Iowa; five grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; other relatives and many friends. 
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 29, 2000, at the Zion Lutheran Church, Denison, Iowa. Rev. Kurt Kaiser officiated the service and grave side rites held at the Morgan Cemetery in Schleswig, Iowa. Karen Kahl provided the organ accompaniment for soloist, Larry Boeck singing, 'How Great Thou Art', 'Just As I Am, Without One Plea' and 'Nearer, My God, To Thee' and congregational hymn, 'What A Friend We Have In Jesus'. Pallbearers were Weston Wellendorf, Michael Wellendorf, Nathan Wellendorf, David Wellendorf, Michele Hulsing, Mark Hulsing, Eric Bailey, Sarah Bailey and Jon Wellendorf. The family invited everyone in attendance at the service to join them in fellowship and lunch at the church, served by the Ladies Aid. The Huebner Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements. 

Naida Gosch
Naida Elaine Gosch died June 13, 2000 at the age of 77 years and three months. 
She was born to M.V. and Myrtle Davis on March 13, 1923 in Eagleville, Missouri. On July 20, 1968, she was united in marriage to Ervin Gosch. She was a devoted farm wife, making her home in Lineville, Iowa, where she was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. 
She took great joy in her family and was an avid correspondent. 
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Wayne Van Druff; her step-son, Larry Gene Gosch; and her brother, Jean Davis. 
She is survived by her husband, Ervin of Lineville; her son, Kenneth and his wife, Jan Van Druff of Burke, Virginia; step-daughters, Eloise of Marceline, Missouri and Jackie Redfearne of Springdale, Arkansas. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Sarah and Elizabeth Van Druff, Jessica, Ethan, Randy and Cheyenne Gosch. 
Memorial services were held at 1:30 p.m. June 15, 2000, from the Lineville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Leroy Perkins officiating. Gail Shriver sang, 'Amazing Grace' and 'How Great Thou Art' while accompanying herself. 
Disposition will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Lineville, Iowa at a later date. 
Those who attended the memorial service for Naida from this area were Herbert, Alice and Karen Gosch of Castana, Mabel Gosch of Pleasant View in Whiting, Becky Marcum of Moorhead, Chad Gosch of Hawarden, Iowa and Marla Bianchini of South Sioux City, Nebraska.