Lela Esther Kitterman
Lela Esther (Million) Kitterman was born June 17, 1946 to Barbara Ellen (Padget) and Clifford Allen Million in Sharpsburg, Iowa. She attended school there and graduated from Sharpsburg High School. She attended and graduated from American Beauty School in Des Moines and was a licensed beautician. She was united in marriage to John Kitterman who was in the service at that time. Two children were born to this union, Kenneth and Keith. Lela and her family lived in Des Moines for 10 years and 19 years in Norwalk. Lela was a medication aid at Regency Care Center, at Norwalk. Lela became involved in ALANON. Her work in Alanon was an important part of her life. There her life was touched by many special people. Lela, through her recovery, then touched the lives of many people. She eventually came to positions of leadership within that organization. Most recently she served as director of the Spiritual Retreat. She was also a member of Veritas. Lela is survived by her husband, John; two sons, Keith of Phoenix and Kenneth and his wife, Ann of Des Moines; and her sister, Lillie and her husband, Howard E. (Mick) Blake of Lenox, as well as other family and many dear friends. Lela will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She will be remembered as a person who loved people and butterflies, a person of courage and strength who had learned to make the most of every moment. Funeral services for Lela Esther Kitterman were held Saturday, June 14, 1997 at 10:00 a.m. at the South Town Funeral Home Chapel in Des Moines with Rev. Al Rusk of the Sharpsburg United Methodist Church officiating. A graveside service was held at 3:00 p.m. with burial in the Lexington Cemetery north of the Lake of Three Fires in rural Taylor County.

Judy A. Cox
Judy A. Cox was born January 7, 1941, in a farmhouse east of Bedford, the daughter of Vilas and Ruth (Salen) Morris. She passed away on June 23, 1997, after a several year battle with cancer. Judy grew up on a farm near Athelston and attended the Blockton Community School through her junior year and graduated from Bedford Community School in 1959. Upon graduation she briefly attended college in Cedar Falls before eloping with her high school sweetheart, Don Cox. Don and Judy were married September 29, 1959, in Casper, Wyoming. To this union 3 sons were born, Donald, David and Douglas. After she and Don married, Judy devoted herself to being a wife and homemaker. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Bedford, a member of the Golden Rule Rebekah Lodge No. 134, and Chairman of the Taylor County Unit for the American Cancer Society. In 1995 Judy initiated and founded Bedford's Self-Support Cancer Group. She devoted time to the Bedford Booster Club during her sons' high school years. One of Judy's passions was her antique collecting, a love she and Don shared for over thirty years. Together they founded D & J Antiques where she served as Vice-President. Judy is survived by her husband Don; three sons, Donald and wife Cindy of Emmetsburg, David and wife Joy and their children Carmen and Meghan of Clarinda, and Douglas and wife Peggy and their children Christian and Dalton of Aberdeen, S.D.; two brothers, Jim Morris and with Cathy of Bedford, and Vilas Morris Jr. and wife Elvira of Cedar Falls; two sisters, Joanne Scroggie and husband Gary of Bedford and Jillene Casey and husband Larry of Centerville and many friends. Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Vilas and Ruth Morris, two brothers, John who died at 2 years of age and Jack who died in a care accident in 1958. Funeral Services were conducted by Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford on Thursday June 26, 1997 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Bedford, with Rev. Paul Evans and Rev. Paul Hutchins officiating. Providing music were Mildred Stacy, Jodi Lawrence, Marvel Melvin and Mary Weaver. Pallbearers were Don Yates, Jerry Mauderly, David Henry, Dave Poore, Jack Spencer and Glenn Finnell. Honorary pallbearers were Jim Morris, Charles Menghini, Gary Scroggie, Brian Hill, Max Cox and Jim Cox. Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery.

Mary Katherine Olney Parker
Mary Katherine Olney Parker, age 89, died at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa on August 10, 2000. She was born June 11, 1911 in Redding, Clinton Township, Iowa, the daughter of Carl Eugene Olney and Maude Nora Armstrong Olney. She married Paul Lawrence Parker on September 1, 1928 in Mount Ayr. He died Feb. 22, 1980. Mary and Paul lived on a farm near Clearfield until 19974 when they retired and moved to Lenox. Mary moved to Des Moines in 1991 and lived with two of her daughters, Ardella Jones of Ankeny and Hazel Riedesel of Altoona. In 1995 she moved to the Valley View Village Care Center. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Lenox. Surviving are four sons and three daughters, Harold Keith Parker of Diagonal; Mary Alice Hardisty of San Angelo, TX; Paul Parker, Jr. of Council Bluffs; Hazel Marie Riedesel of Altoona; Jimmy Lee Parker of St. Louis, Mo.; Ardella Kay Jones of Ankeny; and Jerry Max Parker of Creston. Also surviving is a brother and sister, Carol Eugene Olney and Vera Combs, both of Redding; 24 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul L. Parker; a daughter, Linda Lea Smith; her parents, Carl and Maude Olney; two brothers, Bob and Cliff Olney; two sisters, Avis Mauldin and Opal Motsinger; three grandchildren, Brian Smith, Sheila Parker Fletchall and Mark James Parker and one great-great-granddaughter, Macy Jo Miller. Funeral services were held August 10 at Ritchie Funeral Home in Creston. Interment was in Graceland Cemetery, Creston. Ritchie Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Glenn A. Bauer
Glenn Allen Bauer, age 57, of Lenox, Iowa died January 5, 1999 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. Memorial services were held Saturday, January 9, 1999 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lenox with Father Dan Siepker officiating. Mr. Bauer was born January 29, 1942 in Bloomington, Illinois to Arthur and Helen (Zimmerman) Bauer. He moved with his family at a young age to Cissna Park, Illinois and graduated from high school there. On April 24, 1965 he married Linda Kuipers in Gilman, Illinois and they moved to Garden Grove, Iowa in 1966 and then to Lenox in 1969. Mr. Bauer was a 29 year member of the Lenox Stock & Saddle Club and was treasurer for 10 years. He was an active member of the Pony Express Riders of Iowa and currently was ride director for TAylor County. He also served on the Board of Directors for Camp Sunnyside in Des Moines, Iowa. Survivors include his wife Linda Bauer of Lenox, his mother, Helen Bauer of Bloomington, Illinoies; one son, Troy Lee Bauer and his wife Norma of Greenview, Illinois; and two daughters, Chantelle R. Jennett and husband Steve of Blockton, Iowa and Stephanie L. McCartney and husband Marc of Urbandale, Iowa. Also surviving is a brother, Stanley Bauer and his wife Janetta of Ellsworth, Illinois and two sisters, Joyce Whitten and huband Don of Mechanicsburg, Illinois and Jeanice Young and husband Hank of Heathrow, Florida and 7 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and in-laws, Art & Kay Kuipers. Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Sunnyside of Des Moines or The Lenox Stock & Saddle Club.

Harlan A. Brown
Funeral services for Harlan A. Brown, age 72, were held on April 15, 1999, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lenox American Legion Building, with pastor Roy Cook officiating. Burial was held at the North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox. Services were conducted by the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox. Harlan A. Brown, son of Orville and Ruby Brown, was born in Taylor County, Iowa on September 22, 1926. He grew up on a farm in the rural Sharpsburg area. Harlan was united in marriage to Zelma DeLapp in 1945 and to this union five children were born: Larry, Dennis, Barbara, David and Tom. Harlan farmed in the Conway and Sharpsburg area before moving to Lenox in 1962. In addition to farming, Harlan became a self-taught auctioneer. Harlan auctioned in the Lenox and Bedford Sale Barns for 20- plus years as well as crying many, many sales in Southwest Iowa. Due to ill health, Harlan was forced to quit farming in 1970. In early 1971, he began working for Farm Bureau Insurance Service of Des Moines. He won numerous awards with Farm Bureau, one being the company's highest achievement award, the Royal Court of Honor. Harlan also sold seed corn for Super Crosst Seed Company. His success there won him trips to Italy, Germany, Switzerland and a Caribbean Cruise. In 1985, Harlan once again had to quit work because of health. Zelma was battling ill health also and Harlan was caretaker for her until her death in January of 1993. Harlan worked numerous part-time jobs around the Lenox area driving the delivery van for the Lenox Cleaners, delivering anhydrous for Terra International and delivering farm equipment for Dalton Ag Products. Harlan was united in marriage to Peggy Cordell Gilbert on June 30, 1995. Peg was owner of the restaurant, Peg's Place. Together Harlan and Peg traveled extensively with trips Kentucky, Tennessee, Ark-ansas, Missouri, Switzerland, Alaska and a 28-day tour of the southwestern portion on the U.S. Harlan loved to travel and loved the outdoors. Preceding him in death were his parents, Orville and Ruby Brown; wife, Zelma; two sisters, Ruth and Dorothy; brother, Orville, Jr.; and daughter, Barbara. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Peggy; four sons, Larry and wife Maryanne of Apple Valley, Calif., Dennis and wife Carol of Lenox, David and wife Lora of Lenox and Tom and wife Joyce of Maryville, Mo.; five stepchildren, Michael Gilbert and wife Denise of Lincoln, Neb., Jackie Schmucker of Lincoln, Julie Herechski and husband Bob of Lenox, Christine Neeman of Eagle, Neb. and John Gilbert of Lincoln; a brother, Bob Brown and wife Judy of Frisco, Colo.; three sisters, Vie Guess of Homer, Ill., Betty Donaldson and husband Don of Sharpsburg, and Jean Fitzgerald and husband Richard of Corning; 15 grand-children, 10 step grand-children, and 15 great grand-children, a mother-in-law, Nettie Cordell of Lenox; three sisters-in- law, Donna Smithson of Lenox, Velda DeLapp and Betty Delapp, both of Des Moines; two brothers-in-law, Butch Cordell and wife Faith and Larry Cordell and wife Gail both of Lenox; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Marion Murrenus
Marion Murrenus of Sharpsburg died October 20, 1999 at the Clearview Home in Clearfield, Iowa. Memorial services will be held at a later date with the Coen-Beaty Funeral Home in Lenox in charge of arrangements. She was born February 22, 1917 in Lenox, Iowa to Chester and Effie Boyer Shimer. On May 9, 1965, she married Wesley Murrenus in Las Vegas, Nevada. She worked as a bookkeeper in the garment industry for many years on the west coast. Marion and Wesley moved from Los Angeles, CA. to Sharpsburg, Iowa in 1989. Due to failing health she entered the Clearview Home in Clearfield in 1997. Marion is survived by her husband, Wesley Murrenus of Sharpsburg, st. son, Gerald Murrenus and his wife Patsy of Stonebank, Wisconsin and st. daughter, Debra Chipman and her husband Mark of Green-dale, Wis. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Ralph Rogers
Funeral services for Ralph Rogers, 71, of Lenox, were Friday, Oct. 22, 1999 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Presby-terian Church in Lenox, with Rev. Tim Maxa officiating. Burial was in North Fairview Cemetery, Lenox. Mil-itary rites were conducted by the Parkinson Post #250, Lenox American Legion. Casket bearers were Wade Samo, Dennis Bunch, Henry Schneider, Steve Westphal, Paul Parkhurst, Norbert Bradley and Erin Maguire. Ralph Rogers was born December 17, 1927 at Pender, Neb., to Herbert Clifton Rogers and Helen (Gustafson) Rogers Bond. He passed away on Oct. 18, 1999 at Alegent Health Mercy Hospital in Corning. He graduated from Pender High School in 1945 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1946 where he served until 1948. May 19, 1956, Ralph was united in marriage with Jane Ann Patterson at Des Moines. He was a teacher and taught in several schools in Iowa including Oto, Delhi, Onslow, Miles and Lenox, where he served as super-intendent for 22 years until his retirement in 1990. Ralph was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, Lenox Rotary Club, Parkinson Post #250 Lenox American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite of Freemasonary, El Kair Temple of the Shrine, and a Member Emeritus of American Assoc-iation of School Adminis-trators. He was preceded in death by his father; his wife in 1997; and a brother Carroll Rogers. Ralph is survived by his mother, Helen Bond of Beatrice, Nebraska; a sister, Phyllis Mulvaney of McAllen, Texas; and a brother-in-law, Richard Patterson of Min-neapolis, Minnesota. Memorials are directed to the Lenox Community Trust. Coen-Beaty Funeral Home of Lenox was in charge of arrangements.

Ellen Marie Smith
Ellen Marie Smith, daughter of Henry T. and Edith (Clymer) Smith, was born in Jefferson Township, Ringgold County, Iowa, Nov. 3, 1926 and departed this life Oct. 19, 1999 at Alegent Mercy Hospital in Corning, Iowa at the age of 72 years, 11 months and 16 days. Ellen lived in Ringgold County until the age of 9 when she entered Glenwood State School with her sister. In 1961, Ellen and her sister moved to Jasper County Care Facility and resided there until 1981, when Ellen and her sister moved to the Taylor County Care Facility, now Taylor Ridge Estates. Ellen was preceded in death by both of her parents, sisters Josephine, Betty Jane, Lena, Bessie, Florence and Pearl and a brother Jessie. Survivors include her sister Julie Smith of Taylor Ridge Estates, nieces, nephews and a special brother-in-law Fern Barker of Conway, Iowa. Ellen was active in her residential community. She enjoyed vacationing, needle work and the Taylor Ridge Bell Choir. She also vol-unteered her time at a local day care. Ellie and her sister, Julia, had a very special relationship. Ellie was especially close with her nieces Patty and Denise and her great niece Melissa, who was always there for her.

Gordon Beard
Gordon Beard, 84 of Mt. Gilead, NC died November 26, 1999 at Stanley Memorial Hospital, Albermarle, NC. Born April 24, 1915 in Bedford, IA where he attended Bedford High School graduated in the class of 1933 and attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Gordon was a 32 Degree Scottish Rite Mason and Royal Arch Mason. At the time of his death he was a member of Richland Lodge No. 283. F.&A.M. He was also a member of the Mystic Shrine in Za-Ga-Zig Temple, Des Moines, IA. Gordon was also a 50 year member and Past Patron of the Order of Eastern Star, Salome Chapter #264, Lenox, IA. Gordon was a Charter Founder & Life member of The National Rifle Association. Gordon married his beloved wife, of 59 years, Velma Ruth Collins of Graham, MO and they lived in Lenox and Bedford, IA where they owned the Crystal Beverage Co. In 1952 they relocated to Richland Washington. Gordon was employed as Senior Engineering Technician until his retirement in 1980 from Westinghouse Hanford Co. a prime contractor for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Upon retirement Gordon and Velma moved to their mountain home in Naches, WA. and recently moved to Mt. Gilead, NC to be closer to their children. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents Edwin Beard of Bedford, IA and Lillian Maloy Gilleland of Corning, IA, sister Guinivere Beard John, and half-brother donald Beard. He is survived by his wife Velma C. Beard of Mt. Gilead, daughters Patricia Ann and husband John P. Deaton of Charlotte, NC and Harriett Lynne Harlow of Cincinnati, OH., half-brother Joe Beard and wife Agnesse of Colorado Springs, CO, nieces Judy Hynnek of Corning, IA and Martha John of Creston, IA, Kathryn and husband Michael Davis and nephew Richard Beard of Colorado Springs. Gordon also had 5 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren and 1 step great grandson. Stanley Funeral Home and Caroline Cremation is entrusted. Memorials may be made to Oasis Shriners Children's Hospital, P.O. 560666, Charlotte, NC 28256-0666 or Hospice of Montgomery County, 404 N. Main St., Troy, NC 27371.

Baleigh Rebecca Davis
Baleigh Rebecca Davis, stillborn daughter of Bill and Julie Davis, died Dec. 14, 1999 in Des Moines, Iowa. Private graveside services were held at Oakland Cemetery at Quincy with Father Dan Siepker officiating. Baleigh is survived by her parents, Bill and Julie Davis of Lenox; paternal grandparents, Bill and Dorene Davis of Prescott; maternal grandmother, Dorothy Armstrong of Corning; paternal great- grandmother, Louise Davis of Corning; many aunts, uncles and other relatives. Baleigh was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather and paternal great-grandfather. Coen-Beaty Funeral Home, Corning, was in charge of arrangements.

Franklin "Clay" Varner
Franklin C. "Clay" Varner from Little Chute, Wis., age 88 died peacefully on Saturday, March 18, 2000. He was born August 10, 1911 in Delphos, Iowa, the son of the late Omer and Nina (Stephens) Varner. He was educated in Delphos, graduating from high school in 1928. He attended Simpson College and Iowa State Teachers College, leaving school just one quarter short of graduation. He interrupted his education several times in order to earn enough money to continue and taught at schools in the area, including Knowlton. When he was offered a job with the International Harvestor Company he left school and soon thereafter purchased Decorah Implement in Decorah, Iowa. Clay spent the majority of his life in Decorah, working as a farm implement and truck dealer until his retirement in 1981. Many happy years were spent in Green Valley, Arizona before moving to Kaukauna, Wis. in 1992. Clay married the former Lelah Hanson in 1939 and the couple had five children; Ruth Schmitt of West Bend, Wis., Stephen Varner, Roanoke, Virginia, John (deceased), Faye (Ed) Binsfeld, Little Chute, Wis., and William (Patricia) of Tokyo, Japan. He took great pride in his ten grandchildren and his six great grandchildren. He is further survived by a brother, Alvin (Galene) Varner of Coronado, Cal. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lelah, his son, John, son- in-law John Schmitt, his brothers, Charles of Des Moines, John of Salt Lake City and Paul of Clearfield. It was Clay's wish to be cremated and a memorial service was held April 20 at the United Methodist Church in Decorah.

Thomas Claire Ferguson
Funeral services for Thomas Claire Ferguson of 2208 Prospect Ave., West Des Moines, Iowa, were held Friday, April 7, 2000 at the West Des Moines United Methodist Church with burial at Resthaven Cemetery. Tom was born on a farm south of Lenox. He attended rural schools and graduated from the Lenox High School in 1958. After graduating from AIB in Des Moines he worked for Farmland Insurance Company for 35 years. He retired from their finance department in 1997. Growing up he was very active in the Calvery Go Getters 4H Club. As a young man he was active in the Des Moines Jaycees. At the time of his death, he belonged to the Iowa Polio Survivors Group and was on the Board of Directors at Izaak Walton. Tom entered the hospital, March 26, where they found cancer throughout his body. He died a week later at Hospice Kavanah House. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; two daughters, Lori Whitehead and Cindi Ferguson, and a son-in-law, Doug Whitehead all of West Des Moines, and a sister Sarah Stephens, her husband Dale of Scranton, four nieces, along with a host of friends. Memorial contributions may be made to Iowa Polio Survivors Group or Hospice of Central Iowa.

Doris Johnston
Doris Johnson, age 74, of Lenox, Iowa passed away Sunday, June 11, 2000 at the Lenox Care Center after an extended illness. Doris Nadine Johnston was born on Nov. 24, 1925 in Mt. Ayr, Iowa, the daughter of Glen and Edna (Leighton) Warner. She graduated from Lenox High School in 1943. While in high school she was honored at the state typing contests for her speed and accuracy. She was united in marriage to Bernard Johnston in 1943 and was a homemaker all of her life. Doris lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for many years and moved back to Lenox during the late 1960's. She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Merrill Leighton and brother Dale Warner. Doris is survived by her three children, Sherrie Johnston Hender of Greenwood Village, Colo., Brad Johnston of LeMesa, Cal., and Lance Johnston of Perris, Cal.; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Private memorial services for Doris Johnston will be held at a later date. Nelson-Boylan funeral Chapel in Red Oak is handling arrangements.

Macy Jo Miller
Graveside services for Macy Jo Miller, the stillborn daughter of Mike and Jennifer Miller of Lenox, were held Monday, July 24, at North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox with Rev. Tim Maxa officiating. Macy was delivered at St. Joseph's Hospital in Omaha on July 20. Survivors include her parents; grandparents Harlan and Joy Miller of Lenox, Jerry Parker of Creston, Barb (Mrs. Jerry) Mattson of Clearfield; and brother Grant Miller of Lenox.

Joseph Edward Ryan
Funeral services for Joseph Edward Ryan, 49, of Red Wing, Minn., were held Wednesday, July 19, at the Church of St. Joseph in Red Wing. Burial was in Burnside Cemetery. Honorary pall bearers were Randy Thompson, Scott Storing, Tom Brown, Sandy Zimmerman, Matt Ryan and Mike Ryan. Mahn Family Funeral and Cremation services handled the arrangements. He was born June 21, 1951, in Creston to Leo and Elda Lawrence Ryan. He was a 1969 graduate of Lenox High School and attended Northwest Missouri State University. Joseph served in the Army National Guard from July 1971 to May 1977. He farmed in the Lenox area and was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lenox He moved to Red Win in 1984. Joseph worked for Dayco as a production supervisor. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. He enjoyed boating and time with his children and grandchildren. Survivors include three children, Jennifer Ryan of Red Wing, Thomas (wife DeAnna Bee) Ryan of Red Wing; and Shaun Ryan of Red Wing; two grandchildren, Taylor Schaffer and Phoenix Ryan of Red Wing; his mother, Elda Ryan of Lenox; three brothers, Dan (wife Jean) Ryan of Red Wing, Robert (wife Susan) Ryan of Lenox, and Mike Ryan of Sheridan, Wyo.; two sisters, Theresa (husband Guy) Hocking of El Lago, Texas, Mary (husband Jeff) Turley of Omaha; nieces and nephews Molly Ryan of Des Moines, Matt (wife Jenna) Ryan of Iowa City, and Mike Ryan of Iowa City. Preceding him in death were his father and one brother, Dennis Ryan.

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