Eldon Janson
Eldon Joseph Janson was born October 4, 1913, on a farm near Goldfield
in Wright County, Iowa, and died April 15, 2000, at St. Francis Hospital
in Maryville, Missouri.
He was the fifth of 10 children of Hjalmar and Anna Enge Janson. He
was proud of his Norwegian heritage. He attended country school through
eighth grade and went to high school in Clarion, Iowa. After graduation
he worked on several different farms helping his family and saving money
to go to college. Out of this particular country school, six of the boys
went on to become veterinarians and two of the girls married veterinarians.
One of the boys was Eldon, one his brother Harley and three were his first
cousins who lived across the road from Eldon's family. Drs. Stewart and
Kelly must have had a profound influence on the young people of that community.
In 1939 he began his pre-vet work at Kansas State and in 1940 entered
veterinary school at Iowa State in Ames, Iowa.
He was in the Army 1 1/2 years while at Iowa State and was discharged
when he graduated in December 1943. He came to Gravity March 30, 1944,
and practiced until 1999. A colleague once asked why he didn't retire and
his reply was that he was doing just exactly what he had always wanted
to, so why quit?
Eldon was married August 21, 1943, to Helen Lucille Henderson of Seymour,
Iowa, and they had five children. Marilyn died at age 1 month in 1944 and
Robert Dean died in the service in 1969.
Remaining are Dick and his wife Jeanne E. who have homes in Iowa City
and Grinnell, Jeanne A. of Mobridge, South Dakota, and Janet Kelly of Lawrence,
Kansas. Also, there are six grandchildren. Three foreign students made
their home with the family and attended high school.
Doc always enjoyed children and young people and that showed up in
many of the things he was active in doing in the community. He was on the
Gravity School Board from 1947-1959 and on the reorganized Bedford Community
School Board from 1959-1973 and was president of the board many of those
years. He was on the Southwestern Community College Board from 1973-1983.
He was on the town council many years and served as mayor of Gravity several
times over the years, too. He was active in the American Legion and held
several offices in the local post where he was always promoting Boys State
each year. He was county Legion commander one term. He worked with the
Junior Legion Baseball team in the late 40's and early 50's and with the
Midget and PeeWee baseball teams here for several years.
Doc was chairman of the Taylor County Board of Health when the Public
Health Agency was formed in 1972. He was active in St. John's Lutheran
Church in Clarinda, Iowa, where he was a member and was chairman of the
congregation several times and an elder.
Eldon was a lifetime member of both the state and national veterinary
medical association. He was a charter member of the county Historical Society.
Doc was an active Bedford Lions Club member and a member of the New
Market Civic Club. New Market was one of his favorite pitch-playing places
along with the Koffe Kup at Gravity. Many men will remember "One more game."
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Tolford and Paul
of Clarion; Kenneth and wife June of Eagle Grove, Iowa; and Joel and wife
Bernice of Clarion; sisters-in-law Grace Janson of Belmond and Helen Janson
of Clear Lake, Iowa; brothers-in-law John Holtzbauer of San Diego, California
and Dr. Howard Henderson of Henderson, Iowa.
Surviving are Dr. H.A. Janson and wife Harriet of Clear Lake, Iowa;
Edgar Janson of Belmond, Iowa; Marjorie Holtzbauer of San Diego, California;
Evelyn Leffingwell and husband Bill of Alexandria, Virginia; Anna Elaine
Kane and husband Ritchie of Westgate, Iowa; and sister-in-law Sharon Henderson
Gollhofer of Charter Oak, Iowa.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 18, 2000, at St. John's Lutheran
Church, Clarinda, with Pastor Gary Jaeckle officiating. Burial will be
at a later date at the Norway Township Cemetery north of Clarion, Iowa.
Memorials were directed to St. John's Lutheran Scholarhsip Fund or to the
Taylor County Historical Museum.
Walker-Merrick Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Carole Davis Jensen
Carole M. Davis was born November 13, 1945, to Carl and Betty (Nance)
Davis in Elmo, Missouri. Carole returned home to her heavenly Father on
August 4, 2000. She attended the Blanchard Memorial School and South Page
Community Schools. Carole earned her Bachelor of Social Work from the University
of Nebraska at Omaha in 1977. She earned her Master of Macro Social Work
from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1978. Carole was currently
working toward her PhD in Health Education at the University of Nebraska
at Lincoln.
Carole was married to Joel P. Jensen of Omaha. They had one daughter,
Cara Marisa. Carole was currently employed by the University of Nebraska
Medical Center, College of Medicine. As Administrative Coordinator, she
assisted in the development, coordination, and implementation of innovative
medical student programs for the Integrated Clinical Experience (ICE) curriculum
and continued coordinating the International Health Elective for fourth
year medical students.
Carole's compassion of people was ever evident in her work with Child
Safety, United States Department of Health and Human Services working with
the Elderly and Developmentally Disabled, and in administering statewide
Foster Parent Training programs for the Nebraska Department of Social Services.
Carole was experienced in developing and coordinating international health
electives for medical students and accompanied doctors and students to
sites in Belize, Costa Rica, and Nepal.
Carole was a founding member of International Health Medical Education
Consortium (IHMEC). She was elected to the Governing Council of the IHMEC
for two terms and co-authored two publications on international health
elective topics.
Carole is survived by her husband Joel P. Jensen and daughter Cara
of Omaha; parents Carl and Betty Davis of Blanchard, Iowa; sister and brother-in-law
Donald and Joyce Klippert of Bellevue; in-laws John and Darlene Jensen
of Kinnard; brother-in-law and sister-in-law John P. Jr., and Sandra Jensen
of Omaha; sisters-in-law Donna Jensen of Huntington Beach, Calif., and
D'Arcy Jensen of New York, New York; and numerous other family members
and friends.
Memorial services were held Wednesday, August 9, 2000 at the Capehart
Chapel at 25th Street and Capehart Road in Bellevue, Nebr. The family asks
that memorial donations be given to the American Cancer Society in honor
of Carole.
Ronald Eugene Johnson
Ronald Johnson, 81, of rural Clarinda, Iowa, died Sunday, April 30,
2000 at his home north of Clarinda, Iowa. Ronald was born October 5, 1918,
in Page County, Iowa, to Henry C. and May Evalena Swanson Johnson. He was
a graduate of Essex High School. Ronald was a farmer and enjoyed doing
mechanical work.
Survivors include his sister, LaDonna Spraker and husband Charles of
San Diego, California; two nephews, Steven Spraker and Ken Spraker.
His parents and a niece, Jan, preceded him in death.
Funeral services were held Saturday, May 6, at Bethesda Lutheran Church
with Pastor Melva Smith officiating. Burial was in the Bethesda Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to Bethesda Lutheran Church. Walker-Merrick Funeral
Home was in charge of arrangements.
Roy H. (Red) Johnson
Roy H. (Red) Johnson, 93, of El Paso, Texas, formerly of Clarinda,
Iowa, died Monday, May 29, 2000.
Survivors include Fran White, a dear friend and long time constant
companion, his daughters, Barbara and husband Robert Grose and Norma and
husband Ed Bolduc, all of Ruidoso, New Mexico; five grandchildren, Roger
Anderson and wife Cynthia of Coleman, Texas, Gary Bolduc and wife Alicia
of Goldsboro, North Carolina, Karen Anderson of Ruidoso, New Mexico, Deborah
Coleman and husband Darrell of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Ron Anderson and
wife Jennifer of Anthony, New Mexico; nine great grandchildren, and one
great-great grandchild; a sister, Genevieve Durlam of San Diego, California;
a brother, Robert Johnson of San Diego, California; and numerous nieces
and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise, in April 1985 and a brother,
Rhueben.
He was retired from the Iowa State Highway Commission and a member
of the Royal Arch Mason and Eastern Star of Clarinda, Iowa.
Graveside services were held Friday, June 2, at Memory Gardens of the
Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials were suggested to the Hospice
of El Paso. Martin Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jon Henry Keeney
Force Master Chief (USN, retired) Jon Henry Keeney, Viet Nam veteran,
passed away Sunday, January 23, 2000, in The Woodlands, Texas, after a
valiant three year struggle with cancer. He was born in Clarinda, Iowa,
on July 29, 1941 to William E. and LaVerne Keeney, both deceased.
The family moved to Sioux City, Iowa, in 1943 and lived there until
his father was transferred to Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1950. After his
father's death in 1953, he and his mother lived in Red Oak, Iowa, until
1958 when they moved to Loveland, Colorado. There he met and married Shirley
Renner in October 1963.
After enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1960, he served as an electronics
technician in various assignments including Sangley Point, Phillippines,
and the U.S. Naval Academy. While assigned to the Naval Academy, he earned
a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland. In 1980 he
retired as Force Master Chief for the Chief of Naval Education and Training
Command. After he and his family moved to The Woodlands, Texas, he became
a real estate broker. In 1986, he established JHK Systems Inc., a computer
software development company. A skilled woodworker, he won a national award
for his design and work to remodel his home and was featured in the Houston
Chronicle for an innovative landscape design that he installed at his home.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley, daughter and son-in-law Kristine
and Gary Walker of Columbus, Ohio, son and daughter-in-law Jon Patrick
and Staci and grandchildren Zachary and Amara Keeney of Virginia Beach,
Virginia, brother William and sister-in-law Eileen Keeney of Blacksburg,
Virginia, nephews and a number of nieces.
Memorial services were held at Forest Park Funeral Home, The Woodlands,
on Thursday, January 27, 2000. The family suggests memorials to the American
Cancer Society or the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Forest Park
Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Walter Kirchner
Walter Friedrich Kirchner was born April 29, 1912, on the Kirchner
home place near Blue Hill, Nebraska. He died Monday morning, April 17,
2000, at Clarinda Regional Health Center, Clarinda, Iowa, following a brief
illness. He was 87 years of age.
Walter was born to John M. and Klara (Bangert) Kirchner. He attended
and graduated from Lawrence Nebraska High School with a teacher's diploma.
He and his younger brother, Bill, came to Iowa to pick corn and work on
the farms. He worked northwest of Clarinda on farms. In 1941, he married
Nevada Herzberg and they lived on the farm he rented for another 16 years.
They remained there until they moved to their current farm in 1956.
Walter had an avid interest in woodworking, especially with walnut
he harvested locally. His personality showed through his creativity in
his and Nevada's flower garden. Their flowers often found their way to
Immanuel's altar, as well as to area nursing homes and residents. He shared
his woodworking talent by working at the Clarinda Prison for nearly 10
years training offenders woodworking skills. He was a Sunday School teacher
and served his church in many ways and jobs.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert; sisters,
Mildred Deines and Lydia Rogness; and son, Robert.
He is survived by his wife, Nevada; daughters, Gail Wichman and her
husband Wesley of Clarinda, Iowa, and Nancy Rutz and her husband Tim of
San Antonio, Texas; brothers, Donald and Margaret Kirchner of Chestnut,
Ill., Bill and Marilyn Kirchner of Clarinda, Kenneth and Margaret of Blue
Hill, Nebr.; sisters, Eleanora Stork of Fremont, Nebr.; grandchildren Charnette,
Michelle, Pam, Chris, and Kevin; and five grandsons.
Arrangements By Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel of Clarinda, Iowa
FUNERAL INFORMATION
WALTER FRIEDRICH KIRCHNER
Born April 29, 1912
Blue Hill, Nebraska
Entered Into Rest April 17, 2000
Clarinda, Iowa
Age 87 Years 11 Months 18 Days
Services Held
2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, 2000
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Clergy
Rev. Ken Lampe
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Pallbearers
Gregg Varley Kevin Rutz Christopher Rutz
Serle Kirchner Mark Harvey Brannon Harvey
Music
Mary Lou Wagoner & Michelle Varley, organists
Congregational Hymns
"What a Friend" "Beautiful Savior"
"I'm But a Stranger Here"
Interment
Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery
Clarinda, Iowa
Arrangements By
EICKEMEYER FUNERAL CHAPEL
Clarinda, Iowa
Berniece B. Leighton
Berniece Leighton was born June 28, 1905, near Shambaugh, Iowa, to
Albert and Blanch Lister Brooks. Berniece died April 27, 2000 at Clarinda
Regional Health Center shortly after her admittance. She had been a resident
of Integrated Health Services-Clarinda, for 3 years.
Berniece was 94 years of age. She was a graduate of Clarinda High School.
Bernice was a long time Gravity area resident and later made her home in
New Market, Iowa. January 20, 1922, she was united in marriage to Chester
Leighton, who preceded her in death in 1931. She was a charter member of
the Gravity American Legion Auxiliary for over 50 years. Berniece was employed
at the Glenwood State School for many years.
Survivors include her children, Robert Leighton and wife Doris of New
Market, Iowa, Duane Leighton and wife Jeanette of Maple Park, Illinois,
Clark Leighton of Kansas City, Missouri, Martha Freeman and husband Herbert
of Villisca, Iowa; seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren; sister,
Doris Rupp of Victorville, California; sister-in-law Verna Brooks of Council
Bluffs, Iowa; and daughter-in-law, Wanda Leighton of Omaha, Nebraska.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband and son, William.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 1, 2000, at Walker-Merrick Funeral
Home, Clarinda, with Russ Clark officiating. Burial was in Clarinda Cemetery.
A memorial has been established. Walker-Merrick Funeral Home was in charge
of arrangements.
Edna Irene Leonard
Edna Irene Leonard, 84, of Clarinda, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, May
3, 2000, at Goldenrod Manor, Clarinda, where she resided. Irene was born
May 23, 1915, in Taylor County, Iowa, to Thomas Elmer and Edna A. Perkins
Cobb. December 12, 1934, she was united in marriage to Paul E. Leonard,
who preceded her in death June 8, 1994. Irene was a member of the Ross
Center Club, Valley Sunshine Club, Siam Church of Christ, and in recent
years attended the New Market Church of Christ.
Survivors include her daughter Martha McNees and husband George of
Clarinda, Iowa; five grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. She
was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Dean Leonard, one grandson,
Edward Leonard, stepmother, Nellie, and brother Francis Cobb.
Funeral services were held Saturday, May 6, at Walker-Merrick Funeral
Home with Russ Clark and Loren Daly officiating. Burial was in the Bedford
Cemetery, Bedford, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the Siam Church of
Christ, New Market Church of Christ, or the Make A Wish Foundation. Walker-Merrick
Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Hope E. Long
Hope E. Long, 91, of Marion, Iowa, died Tuesday, May 23, 2000 at St.
Luke's Hospital following a brief illness.
Hope was born September 25, 1908, in Taylor County, Iowa. She married
George Clark Long on December 28, 1927. She worked as a school teacher,
and a telephone operator, but the job she most loved was being a foster
grandmother for a children's home in Council Bluffs.
Hope was a family oriented lady who loved to raise her African violets
and feed her birds and squirrels. She touched every life that she came
into contact with. Her smile and love filled everyone's heart. She will
be greatly missed by all her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, W. Scott and Elizabeth Sturgeon
Curtis; her husband George Clark Long in 1971; her brothers, Earl, Charles,
and John Curtis; a sister, Augusta Beatrice Curtis; a daughter, Norma Hollander;
and two infant children.
Surviving are a son, Darwin Long and wife Freda of Cedar Rapids; a
daughter, Edith Beck and husband Robert of Columbus, Ohio; seven grandchildren,
Scott Long, Debra Derby-French, and Tonya Long, all of Cedar Rapids, Barbara
Beck and Kathy Bartlet of Columbus, Ohio, Rick Hollander of El Cerrito,
California, and Brenda Hollander of Seattle, Washington; and a great grandchild,
Lee.
Arrangements By Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel of Clarinda, Iowa
FUNERAL INFORMATION
HOPE E. LONG
Born September 25, 1908
Taylor County, Iowa
Entered Into Rest May 23, 2000
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Age 91 Years 7 Months 28 Days
Services Held
1:00 p.m. Friday, May 26, 2000
Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel
Clergy
Pastor John Swoyer
First Baptist Church, Clarinda, Iowa
Pallbearers
Larry Johannes Scott Long Rick Hollander
Brian Greene Scott Long Dan Kirsch
Music
Linda Krueger, pianist
Chris Bontrager, vocalist
Musical Selection
"Wind Beneath My Wings"
Interment
Maple Grove Cemetery, Taylor County, Iowa
Arrangements By
EICKEMEYER FUNERAL CHAPEL
Clarinda, Iowa
Theodore "Ted" Looney
Theodore F. "Ted" Looney, 98, of Burlington Junction, Mo., passed away
early Monday morning, August 7, 2000 at Nodaway Nursing Home, Maryville,
Mo.
He was born near Lexington, Mo., March 3, 1902, to G.W. and Jane Lowe
Looney. He lived in the Oklahoma territory during his childhood. He has
lived on his farm near Burlington Junction for sixty-one years. He was
a farmer.
He married Mildred McDaniel January 8, 1929, at Rock Port, Mo., and
they shared sixty years of marriage before her death in 1989.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mildred; five brothers
and three sisters.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Maxine and Donald Staples,
Burlington Junction; a grandson, Wayne Staples, Burlington Junction; a
granddaughter, Linda Guthrie, Blue Springs, Mo.; a sister, Beulah Fryer,
Hemet, Calif.; four great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Thursday morning, August 10, 2000 at the
Barr-Merrick Funeral Chapel, Burlington Junction. Burial was at Ohio Cemetery,
Burlington Junction. The family has suggested memorials be made to the
United Methodist Church. |
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