Evelyn Rigg

On Thursday, January 29, 2009, Evelyn Riggs was called to her heavenly home.

A funeral service will be held Monday, February 2, 2009 at 10:30 am at the Gospel Lighthouse Church, 201 Madison Street, in Floyd, with Pastor Paul Phillips officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in Nashua. A visitation will be held Sunday, February 1 from 2 to 5 pm at Fullerton Funeral Home, 401 Blunt Street, in Charles City.

Evelyn Mae “Shorty” Monroe was born to Warren “Shorty” and Leona (Tonn) Monroe in Charles City on June 24, 1923. She graduated from Charles City High School in 1941. On September 8, 1943 she was united in marriage to William “Bill” Riggs in Covenant Mission Church in a quiet ceremony. The couple was married for over 61 years. She lived on Riggs’ Farm from 1944 to 1949. She worked for 28 years in at the Gutharts Grocery Store, which she enjoyed a lot. She then taught school at the Calvary Baptist Christian Academy for 13 years as a reading teacher for K-12. For the last few years she had lived at Riverside Senior Living.

She went to the same church for 70 years. Her ministries were many. She played organ and piano for over 30 years, taught Sunday School and Bible School, was the church secretary, and anything that needed to be done, she did faithfully. Her support of ministers was 100%. In 2003 she and Bill came to Gospel Lighthouse Church in Floyd where she has been ever since. Her heart has always been with the Christian school.

Many people meant so much to her. Bill and Evelyn are the parents of Larry (Cherri) Riggs of Illinois, Barbara Cooper of Falls Church, VA and Dennis (Mi Hye) Riggs of Vernon Hills, IL. She also leaves 8 grandchildren, Valerie Cooper, Tony Cooper, Alicia Perry, Elizabeth Riggs, Miles Riggs, Eddie Riggs, Pam Hoffman and Phillip Riggs; 10 great grandchildren; and many cousins, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; sister, Berniece Childers; her parents and grandparents.


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

Betty L. LaCoste

Betty L. LaCoste, 82 of Charles City, died Thursday, January 29, 2009, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

Funeral services for Betty LaCoste will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City. Pastor Gary Van Wert will officiate. Interment will be in Sunnyside Memory Gardens, Charles City.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 3 to 5p.m. on Sunday. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Betty Lou Turnbull LaCoste was born December 2, 1926, at Mason City, the daughter of Bert and Lula (Taylor) Turnbull. She graduated from the Rockford High School in 1945. During her lifetime Betty was employed as a clerk at Bowen's Grocery Store in Rockford and as a nurse's aid at Good Shepard, Nora Springs Care Center and the Rockford Nursing Home. On February 14, 1981, she was united in marriage to Gilbert "Gib" LaCoste. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church and the U.M.W. Church Circle. Her interests included crocheting, crafts, gardening, flowers and dancing especially square dancing.

Living family members include her three children, Carol (Larry) Schriever of Floyd, Michael (Sherry) Winters of Osage and Keith (Michelle) Warner of Rockford; eight grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; great-great grandson, Ethan Gates; two sisters, Lucille Swender and Pearl Davison; and three brothers, Roger, Clifford and Donald Turnbull.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.

Stacy Sansgard

Stacy Sansgard, 36, of Cresco, formerly of Charles City, passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at the Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco.

A funeral services will be held Saturday, January 31 at 2:00 pm at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 Main Street S, in Charles City, with Rev. Dennis Niezwaag officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm at Fullerton Funeral Home, 401 Blunt, in Charles City on Friday, January 30 and again at the church one hour prior to the service. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.Fullertonfh.com.

Stacy was born on December 15, 1972 in Osage, the son of Clair and Audrey (Finlayson) Sansgard. He grew up in the Charles City area, graduating from Charles City High School. He was united in marriage to Melissa Funte, and from this union, four children were born, Cheyenne Breanna (13), Levi John (who passed in infancy), Charity Gale (8) and Ivan George (5). Stacy lived and worked in Osage for several years. It was there that he was united marriage to Erin Toppin on October 13, 2007 at the United Church of Christ. They had recently moved to Cresco where he was employed as a welder for Aluma-Line.

Stacy enjoyed many hobbies. He loved hunting with his dad, swimming and his Harley Davidson. He always had a love for animals, including his horse and dogs. Most of all, he cherished his family and made sure they were taken care of. His sense of humor and his bear hugs will be missed by all.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Erin; his children; his parents; sister, Angela (Troy) Eads of Houston, TX; nephews, Nicholas and Alix; grandparents, Ivan and Evelyn Sansgard; godparents, Miriam and Paul Boettcher and David and Miriam Finlayson; and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents and son.

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

Mary Ann Heeren

Mary Ann Heeren, 76, of Charles City, died Monday, January 26, 2009, at the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

Memorial services for Mary Ann Heeren will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City. Pastor Gary Van Wert will officiate. Inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.

The family will greet friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church on Thursday.

Mary Ann Heeren was born August 12, 1932, at Sheffield, the daughter of Vern and Gertrude (Ahrens) Kline. She graduated from the Hampton High School and attended the University of Minnesota. On January 8, 1953, she was united in marriage to Donald J. Heeren. Mary Ann was employed with the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home for many years as a nurse and administrator. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church. Her joys in life included, sun bathing, shopping, golfing and spending time with her family and friends.

Living family members include her son, Daniel Heeren of Charles City; two grandchildren, Matthew Heeren of Austin, Tex. and Michelle (Jason) Bahnsen of Kansas City, Mo.; two great grandsons, Rylan and Kasen Bahnsen; brother, Chuck (Dorothy) Kline of Waterloo; and a niece.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brother, Gordon Kline

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Lions Rose Garden, in care of any Charles City Bank.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.

Marilee Grosbeck

Marilee Groesbeck, 69, of Charles City, died Saturday, January 24, 2009 in Rochester.

A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Wednesday, January 28 at the Grace United Methodist Church at 701 1st Ave. in Floyd, with Rev. Robert Holdorf officiating. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Marilee donated her body to the University of Iowa Anatomical Department with the hope that her gift will assist research into cancer and to further the lives of others. For those desiring, memorials may be made to the Cancer Center at Mayo Clinic. Stories, thoughts and condolences may be shared with the family on the funeral home website at www.Fullertonfh.com.

Marilee was born on April 28, 1939 in rural Charles City, the daughter of Alfred and Joyce (Horne) Blackburn. She graduated from Charles City High School in 1957. On May 2, 1958 she was united in marriage to Donald Groesbeck at their home. She had been a resident of rural Charles City her entire life. Marilee had worked for the Charles City schools and at the Chautauqua Guest Home, but primarily helped her husband run the family dairy and crop farm. She was a member of the Floyd Grace United Methodist Church and the Charles City Twisters.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Don; mother, Joyce Nelson of Charles City; mother-in-law, Dorothy Groesbeck of Osage; children, Dennis (Theresa) Groesbeck of Lyle, MN and Russel (Catherine) Groesbeck of Charles City; brother, James (Dianne) Blackburn of Charles City; sister, Karin (Robert) Clark of Algonquin, IL; grandchildren, Amanda, Candice, Melissa, Kylie, Alexander, Veronica, Jacqueline, Caroline and Josephine; great grandchildren, Angelynn, Avery and Evan; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father and brother, Carl Blackburn.

Fullerton-Hage-Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Blunt St., Charles City, IA 50616. (641) 228-4211 www.fullertonfh.com

Douglas M. Alderman

Douglas M. Alderman, 69, of Charles City, died Monday, January 19, 2009, at the 11th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

Services for Douglas Alderman will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Sister M. Diana Blong, PBVM, Pastoral Associate, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Charles City.

The family will greet friends from 1 p.m. until service time at the funeral home on Wednesday.

Douglas Malcolm Alderman was born June 4, 1939, at Charles City, the son of Claude and Frances (Cross) Alderman. He received his education from the Charles City Community Schools. On April 4, 1970, he was united in marriage to Beverly Merrill at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. Douglas was employed at Sherman Nursery in Charles City for about 26 years. He was life time member of the Moose Lodge, Senior Center and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. His interests included swimming at the YMCA, bowling and watching Hawkeye Sports.

Living family members include four nieces, Jennifer (Jamie) Sliger of Nora Springs, Stephanie (John) Paulus of Rockford, Rachel (Jamie) Jackson of Plymouth and Mavis (Jim) Owens of Alaska; nephew, Donavan Nehls, Jr.; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two sisters, Cleota Kraupa and Mavis Nehls; brother, Arlan Alderman; and a niece, Gail Uker.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.

Gilbert R. Stelzer

Gilbert R. Stelzer, 87, of Charles City, passed away Monday, January 19, 2009 at Eleventh Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, January 23 at 10:30 am at Immaculate Conception Church, 106 Chapel Lane, Charles City, with Father Carl Ries officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church and on Thursday, January 22 from 4 to 7 pm at Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt Street, Charles City, with a Rosary Service at 6 pm. Stories, condolences, and thoughts may be shared with the family on the funeral home website at www.Fullertonfh.com.

Gilbert was born on March 21, 1921 in Junction City, Wisconsin, the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Kolbeck) Stelzer. He lived in Wisconsin Rapids for many years where he was a lift truck driver for Consolidated Papers. After retiring in 1986, he began wintering in Texas. Gilbert moved to Charles City in 1992. He was united in marriage to Maebelle Boggess on May 2, 1992 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church and the Knights of Columbus. His favorite hobby was woodworking.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Maebelle; sons, David (Jean) and Norbert Stelzer, all of Wisconsin Rapids; brother, Orville (Ruth) Stelzer of Vesper, Wisconsin; sisters-in-law, Irene Stelzer of Junction City, Wisconsin and Edna Stelzer of Nekoosa, Wisconsin; granddaughters, Lisa, Charity and Anna; and nine great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Eugene; and brothers, William and Clarence.

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

Merle L. Hangartner

Merle L. Hangartner, 73, of Charles City, died Tuesday, January 13, 2009, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

Funeral services for Merle Hangartner will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Pastor Dennis Niezwaag of the Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday.

Merle Lorraine Goddard Hangartner was born September 3, 1935, at Carrville, the daughter of George and Hazel (Hamm) Goddard. She graduated from high school in 1955. On April 12, 1969, she was united in marriage to John Hangartner at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Merle was employed at the 11th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City for about 15 years as the activities director. For over 43 years Merle was Charles City's Santa Clause. She was a member of the Royal Neighbors in Bassett. Her interests included bowling, crocheting, sewing, crafts, spending time with family and friends and also her work. Merle will truly be missed by many.

Living family members include her husband John Hangartner of Charles City; daughter, Krystal Hangartner of Charles City; son, Dan Christensen of Ligonier, Ind.; four grandchildren, DJ, Mandi, Kayleigh and Jason; great grandson, Dan Jr, III; seven step-children; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Carol Martin; son, Jimmy Christensen; a grandson; and sister, Myrtle Reese.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.

Sharon R. Penrod

Sharon R. Penrod, 66, of Charles City, died Monday, January 12, 2009, at the Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 5 to 8p.m. Friday, where there will be a Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m.

Internment will be at a later date in the New Sharon Cemetery in Chariton.

Sharon Rose Stevenson Penrod was born April 30, 1942, at Chariton, the daughter of Lorenzo Floyd and Gladys (Williams) Stevenson. She attended school in Chariton. On November 28, 1959, she was untied in marriage to Stephen Penrod at Chariton. They later divorced. Her interests included playing bingo, traveling, gardening, sewing, riding her three wheeled bike, animals, and spending time with her children.

Living family members include her five children, Cindy (Quentin) Loftus of Charles City, Steve (Marie) Penrod of Charles City, Laura (James) Simpkins of Greene, James (Jill) Penrod of Stacyville and John (Beverly) Penrod of New Hampton; 18 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; sister, Sherrill (Stephen) Penrod of Austin, Minn.; a niece Joyce Stracke; and two nephews, Kenneth Thompson and John Penrod.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son Dwight Penrod; grandson, Taylor Penrod; and brother, Robert Stevenson.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.

Betty Jeanne Marth

Betty Jeanne Marth, 85, of Charles City, died peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, January 12, 2009, at Cedar Health in Charles City.

A funeral Mass for Betty Marth will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. The 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 8p.m. Thursday where the Rosary will be recited by the Lay Carmelites at 4 p.m. and a Vigil Scriptural Wake Service will be held at 6 p.m. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Friday.

Betty Jeanne Smith Marth was born August 11, 1923, at Colwell, the daughter of Leo Bernard and Minnie (Herzog) Smith. She attended grade school in Colwell and graduated from the Charles City High School in 1940. On January 1, 1944, she was united in marriage to Kenneth E. Marth at the Immaculate Conception Rectory in Charles City. Betty was employed at Salsbury Laboratories Inc. for 40 years. Betty was a dedicated life-long member of Immaculate Conception Church, where she was president of the Rosary Society for many years, member of St. Theresa's Circle and has been a Lay Carmelite since 1961. She belonged to the Senior Citizen's and her dream of teaching children was fulfilled as a Foster Grandparent for Charles City Schools. Betty held a special devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary and St. Theresa. She was a generous person who touched many lives with her caring and deep faith. Betty sang in the church choir and at nursing homes, where she was a frequent visitor. To know her was to love her.

Betty is survived by her three children, Jeanne Marth of La Crosse, Wis., Ronald Marth of Sea Tac, Wash. and Richard Marth of Ripon, Calif.; granddaughter, Sherry (Mario) Franco; six great grandchildren, Brittany, Mylene, Destinee, Breanna, Justice and Aliczander; two sisters, Sharon (Allen) Davidson of Charles City and Jan Pull of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Bernadette Doore of Lake Forest, Calif.; brother, Robert Smith of Osage; Betty was very dear to many including several nieces; nephews and a special friend of the family Millie Weipert.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and two sisters, Roberta Pelleymounter and Bernadette Doore.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Immaculate Conception Lay Carmelites or the Rosary Society.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.

Steven Lines

Steven Edward Lines was born into this world on Feb. 9, 1953 the son of Guy and Jennie (Joesting) Lines and left this world on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage. His life in between, however short it seems to us, made an impact on those who knew him.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 1:30 p.m. at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charles City. Officiating the service will be Pastor Dennis Niezwaag and Pastor Todd Yeaton. Visitation will be at Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home in Charles City from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, and again one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Steve grew up with farming in his blood and dirt under his fingernails. Working the fields he loved and tending to livestock came as natural to Steve as breathing.

He graduated from Charles City High School in 1971 and from there set out to pursue what turned out to be a lifelong passion for accounting. He graduated in 1973 from North Iowa Area Community College and then in 1975 from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. On July 31, 1977 Steve married the love of his life, Pam Erbe, in Charles City. Together they built a life on the farm he’d always called home that involved beef cattle, farming and a son, Robert Guy Lines.

For 34 years Steve could not only be found behind the wheel of a tractor or in the cow yard but also behind a desk. A Certified Public Accountant by trade and astute businessman he was owner of the accounting offices of Lines, Murphy Company, PLC in Osage and Nashua. He had a passion for accounting, a knack for the numbers and actually enjoyed dealing with the IRS.

Steve was an active member of the Floyd County Cattlemen where he served as treasurer, the Osage Kiwanis, and the Charles City Elks Lodge #418.

To know Steve was to know that the greatest loves in his life were Pam and Robert, his dog Red, beef cattle, farming and his CPA work.

He will be greatly missed by those he leaves behind including his wife, Pam; son, Robert; sister and brother-in-law Vickie and Dale Knutson of Centerville, South Dakota; and his niece and nephew Shannon and Justin Knutson; along with a host of friends.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Jennie Lines; his brother, Michael, in infancy; and his in-laws, Robert and Betty Erbe.

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

Jeffrey H. Cagley

Jeffrey H. Cagley, 53, of Marina, Calif. died Thursday, January 1, 2009.

Private memorial services will be held at a later date in Riverside Cemetery.

Jeffrey Hugh Cagley was born December 26, 1955, at Charles City, the son of Hugh and Maryjean "Louise" (Ward) Cagley. He attended the Charles City High School. From 1973 to 1974, he served in the United States Navy. When he was discharged Jeff went to work on the oil rigs in Louisiana. Eventually he made his way out to California where for the last 20 years Jeff has lived in Marina, Calif. with his two closest friends, Ralph McDonald and Tong Kim. The three of them would go for drives around the California country. His interests included going for long walks, visiting with people and doing things with others.

Living family members include his brother, Nick (Cheryl) Cagley of Floyd; two sisters, Kelley (Brent) Waid of Charles City and Sherri (Verl) Martin of Charles City; sister-in-law, Karla Cagley of Charles City; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; parents; sister, Julie Berding; and a brother, Wesley Cagley.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, http://www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.