Public Notices

Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Obituary Notices for the Week of August 22, 2007 Ardith Holstad Funeral services were held for Ardith J. Holstad, age 74, of Lake Mills, on Friday, August 17, 2007 at Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Albert Lea with Pastor Norman Johnson Officiating. Ardith passed away on Monday, August 13, 2007, at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa in Mason City, Iowa. Ardith Joann (Weibye) Holstad was born on June 27, 1933, in Eagle Bend to parents Marshall and Opal (White) Weibye. She attended and graduated from Eagle Bend High School. Following her schooling, Ardith took a position as dean of girls at Maplewood Academy in Minnesota. During this time in her life, Ardith was introduced to Dean Holstad, with the help of a mutual friend. The two began a lasting long-distance relationship (Dean lived in California). On June 12, 1966, Ardith and Dean were united in marriage in Minneapolis. The couple moved to California for about five years, but their love for the Midwest proved strong, and they moved to Lake Mills, Iowa. In Lake Mills, Ardith worked for Fleetguard Industries while Dean took over his father's barber shop. Ardith worked in the personnel department at Fleetguard and retired with 21 years of experience. Ardith was a friend to all who met her, with her infectious laugh and wonderful smile. She loved children of any age, and frequently babysat for others just to help them out. Always one to remain busy, Ardith spent many hours volunteering at the RSVP program in Forest City, the Lake Mills Community School, WCTA phone company, and was active with the American Legion Auxiliary. Most importantly, Ardith's faith and her church were a big part of her life; she was active at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Albert Lea where she had been the church treasurer. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Richard M. Weibye. Survivors include her husband, Dean Holstad of Lake Mills, IA; two step-children and their families, Steve (Kristy) Holstad of Albertville and their children, Thor, Maren, Robin, and Jeremy; and Laura Carman of Cincinnati, OH, and her son, Wesley; a brother, Marsall (Marlys) Weibye of Hillsboro, ND; a sister, Darlene (James) Johnston of The Villages, FL; an uncle, Richard Burns Weibye of Boise, ID; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Burial took place at Sunnyside Cemetery in Lake Mills, Iowa. Mary Del Pratt Funeral services were held for Mary Del "Brunko" Pratt, 67, of Porter, TX formerly of Hewitt, at the Wadena United Methodist Church on August 21, 2007, with Rev. Larry Hager officiating. A memorial service was held at the Friendship Methodist Church in Porter, TX. Mary passed away Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at St. John's Hospital in Clearlake, TX. She was born on January 3, 1940 in Wadena, the daughter of Carl and Mary "Kern" Brunko. She grew up in Hewitt. She went to country school in Hewitt and graduated from Bertha-Hewitt High School in 1957. On March 21, 1959, she was united in marriage to Homer "Jim" Pratt in the Hewitt Methodist Church. They resided in various towns in the U.S. because Jim was an Air Force career man. They were blessed with a son, Bradley Pratt, in 1961. She was active in her church community at the Friendship Methodist Church in Porter, TX and had a strong faith. She enjoyed volunteering to work in the food pantry at her church. She loved to do scrapbooking, knitting, wash cloths for family and friends, traveling and canning of salsa and jellies. She liked flowers and working in their front yard. She loved shopping with their daughter-in-law Elvia and spending time with their grandchildren Blake and Bela. While living in Texas, Mary Del worked at Dillard's and when they lived in Wadena in the sixties she worked at Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative. She was preceded in death by her father Carl Brunko, and mother Mary Brunko, Survivors include her husband Homer "Jim" Pratt of Porter, TX; son Bradley (Elvia) Pratt of Humble, TX; brother Charles (Ginny) Brunko of Fergus Falls; two grandchildren Isabela and Blake Pratt of Humble, TX; sister-in-laws Joyce (Larry) Uselman, Wadena; Marilee (Chuck) Wegner, Bertha; Dara (Jason) Turner, Clovis, New Mexico; and brother-in-law Barry (Sandra) Pratt, Wadena; and many more relatives and friends. Pallbearers were Jason Brunko, Brian Cooper, Eric Frankhouser, Jose Marquez, Barry Pratt, Larry Uselman, Sean Uselman and Chuck Wegner. There also was a viewal in Porter, TX on August 17 at the funeral home and a memorial service at the Friendship Methodist Church in Porter, TX on August 18, 2007. Burial was in the Wadena cemetery. Elizabeth Kern Services were held for Elizabeth Evelyn Therese Kern, age 10, of Clarissa, on Saturday, August 18, 2007, at St. John Vianney Church in Round Prairie, Minnesota, with Father Michael Johnson as celebrant. Elizabeth passed away unexpectedly on August 14, 2007 at Lakewood Health Systems, Staples, Minnesota, due to an allergic reaction. Elizabeth was born May 4, 1997, in Wadena to Dustin and Bonnie (Dahlvang) Kern. She attended St. John Vianney her first through fourth grade. She enjoyed scrapbooking, swimming, tubing and riding 3-wheeler. Elizabeth was the oldest granddaughter and always watched over the younger children. She enjoyed family gatherings. She loved to help with the babies. Elizabeth was preceded in death by great-great grandfather Antone Kern; great-grandfathers Robert Nevin, Paul Dahlvang, William McCormick, Perry Kern, Edward Kenny, Charles Kelly, Sr. and Charles Wilson; great grandmothers Alyce Kern, Cecelia Kenny, Melvina Kelly and aunt Stephanie Kern. She is survived by her parents Dustin Kern, Jeremiah and Bonnie Kern; brother Seth Kern; sisters Stephanie, Ashley, Jillian and Katherin of Clarissa; grandparents Fred Kern, Patricia (Brian) Kounkel, Anna (Ronald) Martak, Bernard (Pam) Dahlvang, Patricia (Darrell) Wilson; great grandmothers Evelyn Dahlvang, Pearl Wilson, Mary Jane Nevin, and Vera Westra; aunts and uncles Steven s(Lianna) Dahlvang, Nicole (Joseph) Mollner, David, John, and Megan Dahlvang, Jennifer (James) Middendorf, Kimberly (Kevin) Wilson, Frederick (Michele) Kern Jr., Erica (Dana) Cooper, Gabrielle Kern, Jesse Kern, and Shane (Amanda) Kern; cousins Kaleb and Violet, Heileigh, Justin, Anika, Abbigail, Stephan, Emily, Elaina, Tootie, Elissa, Preston, and Tyler, as well as numerous great aunts, uncles and cousins. Honorary pallbearers are Jonathan Dahlvang, David Dahlvang, Jesse Kern, Joshua Nanik, James Middendorf and Kaleb Dahlvang. Active Pallbearers are Steven Dahlvang, Ryan Peterson, Jeremiah Kern, Shane Kern, Fred Kern, Jr. and Seth Kern. Interment was held at Calvary Cemetery in Wadena. Mavis Moxley Memorial services were held for Miss Mavis Jean Moxley, 76, on Sunday, August 19, 2007, at Hickory Grove Advent Christian Church, Saluda, South Carolina with Rec. David S. McCarthy officiating. Mavis entered into rest on Monday, August 13, 2007, at Windermere Health and Rehabilitation Center, Augusta, Georgia. Miss Moxley was born on December 21, 1930, in Sanborn County, South Dakota. She was the daughter of the late Truman and Mabel Moxley. She was a graduate of Long Prairie High School and earned a B.S. Degree in Education, from St. Cloud State University. Miss Moxley taught elementary grades, in Minnesota and Michigan, before retiring in 1997. She was a devoted Christian and was actively involved, in her church, wherever she lived. She is survived by her sister and brother in law, Marlene and David McCarthy, of Saluda, SC; brother and sister in law, Thomas and Sharon Moxley, of Montello, WI and seven nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hickory Grove Advent Christian Church, 391 Hickory Grove Road, Saluda, SC 29138. Interment was held at Woodridge Memorial Park, in Lexington, SC. Gertrude Wegner Funeral services for Gertrude Wegner, age 97, a resident of the Central Todd County Care Center in Clarissa and formerly of Bertha, were held on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bertha with Reverend Blake Rickbeil presiding. Gertrude passed away on Saturday, August 18, 2007 at the Care Center. Gertrude Clara Wegner was born on February 6, 1910 at Waltham to Edward and Emma Matter. She lived in Hewitt from 1910 until 1930. She graduated from high school and then studied to become a teacher. She was united in marriage with Walter A. Wegner on September 3, 1930 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bertha. They lived in Bertha until moving to Spokane, WA in 1956. They returned to live in Bertha again in 1988. She moved into the Care Center in Clarissa in October of 2004. Gertrude was a teacher, homemaker and worked for a time at a department store. She was a member of the LWML and the Church Choir at St. Paul's. She enjoyed playing Scrabble, gardening and spending time with her grandchildren. Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband Walter on April 23, 1992; parents Edward and Emma Matter, sons James, Duane and Larry; daughter Kathleen; brothers Leonard Matter and Willis Matter; sisters Lydia Baumgartner, Clara Huffarth, Eudora Kotz and Marlys Gligor; and grandson Matthew Zweifel. She is survived by her son Charles (Marilee) of Bertha; daughters Nancy (Charles) Aldrich of Green Valley, AZ, Judy (Jerry) Zweifel of Spokane, Joanne (Robert) Botterbusch of Spokane, and Wanda (Robert) Stapelberg of Rapid City, SD; daughter-in-law LaVonne Wegner of Bertha; 18 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren; brother-in-law Charles Gligor; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Pallbearers were Scott Wegner, David Selvey, Robert Moller, Charles Aldrich, Robert Botterbusch, Eric Botterbusch and Jerry Zweifel. Interment was in the St. Paul's & St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Bertha.