Velma Monroe

Velma Monroe, 94, of Charles City, died October 9, 2011, at Cedar Health in Charles City.

Memorial services for Velma Monroe will be held 4 p.m. Friday at the First Congregational Church UCC. Pastor Forrest Cornelius will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date.

Velma Beulah Anderson Monroe was born April 23, 1917, in Osage, the daughter of Albert and Lydia (Snively) Anderson. Velma grew to be a teenager on a farm near Orchard. When her brother Cleo died of a fever at the age of 14, the family left the farm and went back to Osage where Velma finished school and worked in the law office of Ray Cummins. On August 31, 1940, she married Stan Monroe and moved to Charles City where she lived for 55 years in the same white frame house on Clark Street teaching her sons Craig and Tom to respect all people. She was Deputy County Recorder of Floyd County for 12 years. Velma spent a lifetime devoted to the First Congregational United Church of Christ and sang in their choir for over 50 years. She also sang at the wedding and funerals of hundreds of her neighbors and, as a young mother, sang at the city band concerts in Central Park. She was a member of P.E.O. CY for 50 years and the Pythian Sisters for 60 years. Velma was a regular fixture at Charles City golf courses, carding a hole-in-one at both the Wildwood and Cedar Ridge Golf Course.

All mothers preach, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Velma Monroe lived it. No one ever heard an unkind word pass Velma’s lips. There wasn’t an ounce of mean in her gentle spirit or a kinder, more caring soul than Velma Monroe. You look in the dictionary under “love” and you’ll find her picture. Some say she’s with God now, but she always has been.

Living family members include two sons, Craig (Sharyn) Monroe of Denver, Colo. and Thomas (Patti) Monroe of Houston, Tex.; five grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband on February 26, 2006; and a brother, Cleo Anderson.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the First Congregational Church, 502 North Jackson Street, Charles City, IA 50616.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com.

Dorothy L. Groesbeck

Dorothy L. Groesbeck, 100, of Charles City, died Sunday, September 4, 2011 at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

A Funeral service will be held at Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., in Charles City on Wednesday, September 7 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Martha Bennett officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2:00 p.m. at Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home in Charles City on Wednesday.

Stories, thoughts and condolences may be shared with the family on the funeral home website at www.Fullertonfh.com

Dorothy Louise Groesbeck was born October 2, 1910 in Charles City, IA the daughter of Amos H. and Emma M. (Wulff) Swant. She was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church. Dorothy attended country school and graduated from Charles City High School, class of 1927. She was united in marriage to George A. Groesbeck on August 20, 1930 in Rochester, MN. She had lived most all of her life on a farm North of Charles City. The couple had farmed for over fifty years, before moving into town.

Dorothy liked to travel, do fancy work, solve jig-saw puzzles, gardened and farm work. She also enjoyed country music and was a big NASCAR race fan.

Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and friends. Dorothy will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.Grateful for having had the privilege of sharing in Dorothy’s life are her son, Donald Groesbeck and his special friend, Phyllis Staab, both of Charles City; two grandsons, Dennis (Theresa) Groesbeck of Lyle, MN and Russel (Catherine) Groesbeck of Charles City; nine great grandchildren, Amanda, Candice, Melissa, Kylie, Veronica, Jacqueline, Caroline, Josephine and Alexander and four great-great grandchildren, Angelynne, Avery, Ella and Evan.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George A. Groesbeck on December 15, 1995; daughter-in-law, Marilee Groesbeck and her brother, Wayne E. Swant.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Blunt Street, Charles City, IA. (641) 228-4211. www.fullertonfh.com

Caroline “Carol” Hammond

Caroline “Carol” Hammond, 91, of Charles City, died Tuesday, August 30, 2011, at Port Charles in Charles City.

        
Funeral services for Carol Hammond will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Hauser Funeral Home.  Reverend Carl Ries will officiate.  Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery at Charles City.

        
Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Friday.

        
Caroline Ruth Rodemaker Hammond was born October 9, 1919, at Osage, the daughter of William and Mary (Nelson) Rodemaker.  She attended school in Osage.  On December 10, 1938, she was united in marriage to Clair Hammond in Osage.  For a number of years they ran a craft business called Country Cutters.  She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and V.F.W. Auxiliary. She enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting mushrooms and sitting around the campfire with family and friends. Other interests included bingo, crocheting, ceramics, gardening, quilting, working puzzles and reading.  Carol was known by many as “Bass Annie” which was a CB handle that reflected her great love of fishing.

        
Living family members include three children, Del (Wendi) Hammond of Excelsior, Minn., Jodi Hammond of Charles City and Julie (Alan) Knutson of Waterloo; six grandchildren, Jake and Jack Hammond, Jaclyn and Jamie Swiggum and Allison and Cassandra Knutson; and a great granddaughter, Jadyn Swiggum.

        
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Clair on December 25, 2003; 5 sisters; and four brothers.

        
The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com.

Leon G. Hansen

Leon G. Hansen, 59, of Charles City, died Monday, July 25, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services for Leon Hansen will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Reverend Carl Ries of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.

The family will greet friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Leon Gilbert Hansen was born May 18, 1952, at Osage, the son of Harvey G. and Velora Rose (McFarland) Hansen. His interests included riding bikes, his nieces, nephews and all children.

Living family members include his six siblings, Linda (Geno) LaChapelle of St. Ansgar, Veleta Musehund of Wesley, Donna Bruggeman of Plymouth, Carrie (Albert) Leeman of Valga, S.D., Ed (Wendy) Hansen of St. Ansgar and Ira Hansen of Pella; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; parents; brother, Terry Hansen; and sister, Loree Hansen.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com.

Mary A. Richards

Mary A. Richards, 77, of Charles City, died Friday, April 29, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.

A funeral Mass for Mary Richards will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Reverend Carl Ries will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Charles City.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday where the Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. and a Scriptural Prayer Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue Tuesday at the church an hour prior to the Mass.

Mary Anne Foxen Richards was born September 21, 1933, at Osage, the daughter of Matthew and Agnes (Spoden) Foxen. She attended school at New Haven. On February 25, 1956, she was united in marriage to Paul Richards at Mason City. In 1957 they moved to Charles City. Paul died on August 12, 2002. Mary was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Rosary Society, Ministry of Praise, and V.F.W. Auxiliary. For several years she was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary at the Floyd County Medical Center. Her interests included fishing, dancing, traveling and playing cards. Family was always important to Mary and she looked forward to sharing her life with them.

Living family members include two children, Julie (Leland) Hansen of Independence and David Richards of Prior Lake, Minn.; a grandson, Jason Richards; a step grandson; two great grandchildren; four brothers, Matt (Delores) Foxen, Jr., Ed Foxen, Joe (Carole) Foxen and Jerome (Beverly) Foxen all of Charles City; and three sisters, Agnes Aringdale of Charles City, Wilma “Jeanie” (Jim) Onken of Orchard and Norma “Jeanie” (Dave) Crandall of Chickasaw.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son, James Richards and a step grandson, Ryan Moetsch.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com.

Evelyn Klinetop

Evelyn Klinetop, 85, of Charles City, formerly of Mason City, passed away Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 11th Street Chautauqua Guest Home.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt Street in Charles City. Rev. Dennis Niezwaag of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Osage Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Stories, thoughts and condolences may be shared with the family on the funeral home website at www.Fullertonfh.com.

Evelyn was born on July 22, 1925 in Grafton, Iowa, the daughter of Max and Emma (Kirchgatter) Runge. She grew up on her family’s farm in Grafton. She would later move to St. Ansgar, and after her marriage to Loren E. Weaverling on December 18, 1942, the couple moved to Osage. In 1945 they again moved to Mason City where she would live for nearly 40 years. Evelyn was employed at Mode-O-Day for many years where she sewed garments. Loren passed away in 1977. She would again remarry on February 24, 1989 to Howard James, however, Howard passed away later that year. Evelyn was united in marriage to Allan Klinetop on September 16, 2000. They moved to Charles City where she has resided since.

Evelyn enjoyed sewing and created many quilts. Loren and Evelyn took pride in tending their garden, specializing in all varieties of roses. Evelyn also created special flower arrangements for weddings. They also played a large part in starting the rose garden in State Center. Loren and Evelyn traveled extensively around the United States, and even took a trip around Europe while their son was in the service. They were members of the Camping Club, the Citizen Band Radio Club, the Garden Club and Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City. Evelyn’s greatest joy came from spending time with her family, and she especially took pleasure in seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husbands, Loren Weaverling and Howard James; her parents; brother, Virgil Runge; and sister, Arlene Klinetop.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Allan Klinetop; son, Larry (Mary) Weaverling of Des Moines; step-son, Marvin (Sheryl) Klinetop of Floyd; grandchildren, Shawn Weaverling, Ryan (Heather) Weaverling, Nicholas Klinetop, Amber (Jeremy) Deverell, Howard “Jay” James II, Mark (Linda) James and Kim (Bill) Lewande; great-grandchildren, Tristan and Sydney Weaverling, Elijah and Gabriella Deverell, Josh James, Lauren and Carly James and Ashleigh and Meghan Lewande; and sisters, Hazel Wirtjes of Britt and Vivian Gallup of Sparta, IL.


Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Blunt Street, Charles City, IA. (641) 228-4211. www.fullertonfh.com