Verne M. Willert, 82, of Charles City, died Sunday, October 2, 2011, at his home.

Funeral services for Verne Willert will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Janet Dorenkamp, Chaplain for Hospice of North Iowa will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and after 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Verne Melvin Willert was born May 29, 1929, on a farm southeast of Rockford, the son of Alfred F. and Maryetta (Lohr) Willert. He received his education in rural schools and attended Charles City High School. On August 26, 1948, he was united in marriage to Maxine Teeter in Garner. After leaving the farm, Verne worked for the City of Charles City. He was Street Superintendent for 20 years, retiring in 1991. Verne and Maxine liked to travel. They spent much of the summer in Lake City, Minn. and cold winters in Rockport, Tex. His interests included hunting, fishing, being outdoors, gardening, yard work and watching his birds. He especially loved spending time with his family. Verne will be greatly missed by his family.

Living family members include his wife, Maxine Willert of Charles City; four children, Mike (Linda) Willert of Nashua, Dennis (Vicki) Willert of Helena, Mont., Bradley Willert of Rochester, Minn. and Sandy (Kerry) Hayworth of Charles City; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Derrick) Gaiser, Katie Hamre, Michelle (Tony) Brunt, Zachary Willert and Libbie Willert; and three great grandchildren, Alissa, Lillian and Wesley Gaiser.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dale Willert; and three sisters, Norma Frisbie, Ramona Jacobson and Lola Reetz.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa.

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.

Jon T. Tumilson

Petty Officer Jon T. Tumilson, 35, a native of Rockford, died Friday, August 6, 2011, while conducting special operations combat in Afghanistan. He was born July 1, 1976, at Osage, Iowa.

He joined the U.S. Navy on July 17, 1995 following graduation from the Rudd Rockford Marble Rock Community School. He graduated from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., in September 1995. He completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL School, Coronado, Calif., in April 2002. He served in three west-coast based Special Warfare units and in two east-coast based Special Warfare units.

Petty Officer Tumilson’s was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Defense Meritorious Service Medal. His other awards include the Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, and Rifle Expert and Pistol Expert Medals.

He deployed on multiple deployments to include Afghanistan and Iraq.

He is survived by his parents, George and Kathleen Tumilson of Rockford; two sisters, Kristie Pohlman (Brad Hartgraves) of Cedar Rapids and Joy (Scott) McMeekan of Taylor Ridge, Ill; six nieces and nephews, Kobey Pohlman, Kamryn Pohlman, Kelsi McMeekan, Kaitlyn Pohlman, Sydney McMeekan, Isabella McMeekan; 21 aunts, uncles and cousins; and his trusted canine friend, Hawkeye.

Petty Officer Tumilson was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Thomas and Nell Tumilson; maternal grandparents, John and Leona Jacobs; a friend, Kevin Reiter, and his Brothers in Arms.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Friday at the Rudd Rockford Marble Rock Community School Gymnasium. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery at Rockford.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Frogman238 Memorial Fund, First Security Bank and Trust, Rockford, Iowa, (641)756-3361.

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.

Goldie Marrs

Goldie Marrs, 100, of Rockford died Thursday, December 23, 2010 at Cedar Health Care Facility in Charles City.

A celebration of Goldie’s life will be held on Sunday, May 29, 2011 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Rockford Senior Center, 206 W. Main Avenue, in Rockford. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Iowa Hospice.

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

Sara J. Kelly

Sara J. Kelly, 64, of Marble Rock, passed away peacefully Monday morning, May 23, 2011, at her home after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

A funeral Mass for Sara Kelly will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Roseville. Monsignor Walter Brunkan will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Roseville.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Roseville Gymnasium where there will be a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue after 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the gymnasium.

Sara Jane Warner was born July 25, 1946, in Charles City, the daughter of Ceo D. and Sadie M. (McMullen) Warner. Growing up in Rockford, she was the eighth of nine children. In 1964, she graduated from Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock High School. On October 23, 1965, she was united in marriage to Norman Kelly at St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Roseville. Together they made their home on the Kelly family century farm near Marble Rock where they raised their four children. In addition to helping on the farm, Sara also had various other jobs over the years including Marble Rock town librarian, waitress at Clancey’s, Farmers Cooperative, and media aide for RRMR School for 15 years, retiring in July of 2010. Sara was also a long time active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church - Roseville and Rosary Society. Above all, she was devoted to her family and friends and was a very patient and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. Sara loved life and some of the things she loved most were family gatherings for birthdays and holidays, hours spent in her large vegetable garden and among her perennial flower beds, watching the many birds that visited her feeders, cross country skiing, reading by herself and to the grandchildren and visiting and traveling with friends or family. Over the years, she was involved in many activities including Hi-Neighbor Club, Cub Scouts, 4-H, Bowling League, canoeing and camping. Sara’s family was very important to her and her grandchildren will especially remember her tea parties, sunflower houses, garden “jungle”, and “adventures” including 4-wheeler rides, time at the river and sandpit. She was always ready to try new things and visit new places. It is hard to put into words everything Sara’s life was, but she will be missed greatly.

Living family members include her husband, Norm Kelly of Marble Rock; four children, Bob Kelly of Mason City, Mardel (Rod) Brockett of Reinbeck, Andy (Dr. Corey) Kelly of Sherrill and Frank (Mary) Kelly of Mason City; eight grandchildren, Kelly, Sadie and Paul Brockett, Skyler, Liam and Bryce Kelly and Ryan and Avery Kelly; two sisters, Bethel (Ronald) Ritter of Charles City and Ethel Ann Lane of Frederic, Wis.; four brothers, Allan (Betty) Warner of Charles City, Charles (Audrey) Warner of Sheffield, David (Cheryl) Warner of Greene and Gary (Virginia) Warner of Denver; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Gordon and Max Warner.

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 M. Zierath

Evelyn M. Zierath, 94, of Charles City died peacefully with her family at her side, Saturday, May 7, 2011, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

Funeral services for Evelyn Zierath will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the First Wesleyan Church. Pastor Dennis Bachman will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery at Rockford. Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. Visitation will continue Tuesday at the church an hour prior to the service.

Evelyn Mae Buckner Zierath was born February 19, 1917, at Rudd, the daughter of Clarence and Mary (Langman) Buckner. She received her education from the Prairie Center country school and Rockford High School. On July 20, 1940, she was united in marriage to Lloyd Zierath at Charles City. To this union one son, Robert was born. Lloyd died in December of 1967. Over the years Evelyn worked at Hoover Hatchery, C & J Restaurant, and Bergos Department Store. For 10 years she participated in the Foster Grandparent Program and was named Grandma of the year in 2007. She enjoyed coloring, putting puzzles together, playing dice and Bingo and writing to her family. Cooking and baking were also important with pies and “baked beans” being her specialty. Evelyn was a member of the First Wesleyan Church and served in various positions in the church. She was an inspiration to her family and to all who knew her. As a prayer warrior she will be remembered as one who had a “direct line to heaven” as she prayed continuously for her family and friends.

Living family members include a son, Robert (Peggy) Zierath of Cedar Rapids; two granddaughters, Sondra Dunham and Candace Zierath; two great grandchildren, Whitney Readshaw and Courtney (Jeff) Weng; a brother, Chester (Mary) Buckner of Reed Springs, Mo.; and two sisters, Joyce (Rolland) Cook and Carol (John) Miller both of Charles City; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and four sisters, Rose Ryan, Margaret Nauman, Ruby Phillips and Virginia Buckner in infancy.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the First Wesleyan Church, 913 South Main, Charles City, IA 50616 or Hospice of North Iowa, 232 2nd Street SE, Mason City, IA 50401.

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.

Ralph H. Willert

Ralph H. Willert, 94, of 1820 230th St. Rockford, died Wednesday evening, March 16, 2011. 

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, March 19, 2011 at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Roseville, Iowa. Officiating will be the Monsignor Walter Brunkan. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 Friday at Fullerton Hage funeral Home, 401 Blunt, Charles City, Iowa. A scripture service will be held at 4:00 with a rosary at 7:00. Interment will be in Roseville Cemetery. Condolences and messages may be shared with the family at www.Fullertonfh.com

Ralph Henry was born one of three sons to Henry Louis and Minnie Augusta (Brandenburg) Willert on June 20, 1916.  Surrounded by his family, Ralph passed away at home on the family farm where he was born and raised.  Ralph graduated from the Rockford High School in 1935. He continued on the farm working hard all of his life. He loved raising his Angus cattle and tending to the farmstead, always keeping it immaculate. He joined the membership of St. Mary’s Catholic church when he was united in marriage to Thelma C. Staudt on February 16, 1944 at St. Mary’s. He rarely if ever missed masses and continued that tradition almost to the time of his death. He also drove his car up until January of this year. Ralph honorably served his country for a short time until he received a medical discharge. Ralph received several awards for his work on the farm and with various farming groups. In 1986, Ralph received an award for being the first farmer in Floyd County to raise 200+ bushel corn.  He was a member of the Iowa Cattleman’s Association and served on the Floyd County Board. Thelma and he very much enjoyed raising the family of two boys, and being with the six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. In the early years he and Thelma would attend dances at the Moose and Elks Lodges in Charles City where they were members. On Sunday’s after church they looked forward to going to the old mall in Charles City where they could visit with family and friends. Ralph was a sports fan and enjoyed watching basketball and being a Vikings Fan.

His surviving family members include his two sons and wives David R. (Janice) and Dennis R. (Janet) Willert all of Rockford, six grandchildren Annette Willert, Wisconsin; Gina (Travis) Schumacher, New Hampton; Kristin (James) Whaley, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; Rick, Cassandra and Derek Willert all of Rockford, four great grandchildren Alex and Rylee Schumacher, Hannah Johnson, and Lily Grace Whaley, and two nieces, Colleen (Joe) Hellige of California and Mary Pat (Ron) Dulle, of Colorado.

His wife who died June 19, 1996, parents and two brothers Arthur and Robert Willert preceded Ralph in death.

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

Thomas S. “Tom” Osier

Thomas S. “Tom” Osier, 69, of Nashua, died Thursday morning, March 10, 2011, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

Funeral services for Thomas Osier will be held 11 a.m. Monday at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Sr. M. Diana Blong, PBVM, Pastoral Associate of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday and after 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Thomas Stanley Osier was born February 28, 1942, in rural Marble Rock, the son of Gilbert A. and Bethel Irene (Lines) Osier. He graduated from the Rudd Rockford Marble Rock High School in 1959 and Americana Beauty School in Des Moines. Tom served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1966. In June of 1965, he was united in marriage to Mary Freese and they later divorced. He was an instructor at Americana Beauty School in Des Moines. In 1968, they moved to Charles City where he owned and operated Salon Osier until 1978. Tom then was employed as a car salesman for Bissonnette Chevrolet and Bob Elthon Ford. In 1994, he was united in marriage to Linda (Wilson) McCumber in Las Vegas, Nev. His interests included golf, fishing, camping and bowling.

Living family members include his wife, Linda Osier of Nashua, two children, Michelle (Tony) Kreimeyer of Greene and Russ (Vicki) Osier of Austin, Minn.; two step-sons, Mark (Rhonda) McCumber of New Hampton and Shawn McCumber of Killian, Texas; seven grandchildren, Madison and Laura Kreimeyer, Drew Osier, Gatlin and Abby McCumber and Zach and Brandon McCumber; one brother, Marty (Donna) Osier of Cedar Rapids; two sisters, Nancy (Beryl) Richards of Aredale and Jeanette (Roger) Ruegnitz of Waukon; mother-in-law, Marlys Howe of Charles City; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; parents; and a nephew, Alex Ruegnitz.

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.

Thomas L. Hall, Sr.

Thomas L. Hall, Sr., 57, of Rockford, died Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at Cedar Health in Charles City.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Thomas Lee Hall, Sr. was born July 28, 1953, at Iowa City, the son of John and Pauline (Linderman) Hall. He received his education at Mason City. On February 22, 1975, he was united in marriage to Berniece Miller. Thomas enjoyed fishing, trapping and hunting. He looked forward to spending time with his grandchildren.

Living family members include his wife, Berniece Hall of Rockford; a son, Thomas Hall, Jr. of Clear Lake; three grandchildren, Jordan, Ashley and Sarah Hall; a brother, Michael Espinosa of Mason City, four sisters, Dorothy (John) Thieland of Wis., Frances McMann of Ark., Charlotte (Jerry Calvert) Linchman of Nora Springs and Toni Espinosa of Mason City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jerry Hall; a daughter, Ann Hall; and several 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.

Charles E. Reams

Charles E. Reams, 68, of Charles City, formerly of Marble Rock, died Sunday, January 30, 2011 at his residence in Charles City.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt Street in Charles City. Burial will be in Westside Cemetery in rural Marble Rock later this summer. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Stories, thoughts and condolences may be shared with the family on the funeral home website at www.Fullertonfh.com. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Iowa.

Charles was born on December 14, 1942 in Greene, Iowa, the son of Kenneth and Bernadine (Leider) Reams. He graduated from Rockford High School. Charles was united in marriage to Nancy Gibson on May 29, 1964 at the Wesleyan United Methodist Church in Bristow. Charles met his future wife at his first job the Greene Creamery. He later did factory work at Oliver/White Farm and Con Agra until his retirement. After living in Marble Rock most of his life, Charles moved to Charles City in 2004.

Charlie was a simple yet giving man. He enjoyed a lot of the local music festivals, especially Bluegrass. His other interests were auctions and rummage sales. He had very eclectic taste from Avon bottles to whiskey decanters to anything unique or unusual. Charlie enjoyed spending time with his family especially with his grandchildren, and an occasionally practical joke with his brother-in-law, Mel.

Those left to honor his memory include his children, Terry (Jessica) Reams of Parkersburg and Tracy (Mark) Tomlinson of Kensett; grandchildren, Tyler, Lyndsey, Ryen and Dylen Reams; sister, Charlotte Reams of Charles City; in-laws, Lynda (Mel) Primmer, Gary (Louann) Gibson and Robert Junker; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Nancy in 2004; and daughter, Tina Reams.

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