James Kelsey

James “Burt” Kelsey, 87, of 1765 Hickory Ave. in Rudd passed away Thursday, July 30, 2009 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

A Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2009 at the Rudd United Methodist Church at 611 6th St. in Rudd with Rev. Wendy Johannesen officiating. The family will greet friends on Monday, August 3 one hour prior to Burt’s service at the Rudd United Methodist Church, 611 6th St. in Rudd. Burt’s final request was to donate his body to the Mayo Clinic Whole Body Donation Program in Rochester, MN. Cremation and private family inurnment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the James “Burt” Kelsey Memorial Fund. Stories, condolences, and thoughts may be shared with the family on the funeral home website at www.Fullertonfh.com.

Burt was born on February 16, 1922 in Mason City, IA, the son of Wilbur and Elva (Burton) Kelsey. He grew up in and was educated in Rudd. Burt was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served during World War II on the submarine the U.S.S. Saury. He had lived most all of his life in Rudd. Burt was united in marriage to Karol Field on February 9, 1974 in Dike, IA.

Burt throughout the years had been employed at White Farm Implement in Charles City. He had been a school bus driver, owned and operated Kelsey Oil Co., Farmer’s CO-OP, worked at Hoover’s Hatchery and opened a Laundromat, all in Rudd. He had also been an independent block layer and cement worker.

Burt was a member of the Rudd United Methodist Church, the Lions’ Club and a volunteer fireman, both of Rudd. He was also a member of the Iowa Draft Horse Association and the Percheron Association of America. Burt will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Grateful for having had the privilege of sharing in Burt’s life are his wife, Karol Kelsey of Rudd; his two children, Mike (Nancy) Kelsey of Rudd, Karol Burks of Charles City; step-son, Bryan (Kathy) Hobbs of Rudd; three grandchildren, Yvonne Burks of Charles City, Jamie Burks of Shawnee, KS and Jeremy Hobbs of Rockford and one great granddaughter, Mya Eckenrod of Charles City.

Burt was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Elva (Burton) Kelsey; his first wife, Mary Kelsey; an infant daughter, Karen Kelsey and his sister, Louise Kelsey.

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

E.K. “Al” Roberts

E.K. “Al” Roberts, 96, of Mason City, formerly of Charles City, IA passed away Monday, July 20, 2009, in Mason City. Memorial services for Al Roberts will be held 11 a.m. Friday at the First Congregational Church in Charles City. Pastor Phil Corr will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date.

The family will greet friends Friday at the church from 10 a.m. until service time.

Mr. Roberts was born October 17, 1912 in Spokane, WA. to The Rev. Dr. D. Kendrick & Emma Evans Roberts. He graduated from high school in Racine, WI. and in 1935 received a B.A. in economics from Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. On December 27, 1941, he was united in marriage to Irene Muecke in Sioux Falls, SD. He served in the Merchant Marine during World War II. Mr. Roberts was employed by J.I. Case Company for 15 years as a sales representative in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, South Dakota and Northeast Iowa.

In 1953 he and his family moved to Charles City, Iowa where he purchased a Ben Franklin store. In 1958, he and Irene bought an existing ladies specialty shop, which became Roberts Clothes of Charm operating five locations including Charles City, Mason City, Austin, MN, Rochester, MN and Sioux Falls, SD.

He enjoyed his relationship with First Citizens National Bank Mason City, serving as a bank director for many years. He was on the Board of the Charles City Cedar Valley Hospital and served as President of the Charles City Chamber of Commerce in 1959. He was a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce from 1960-1965, serving on the distribution and retail committee. Al was a advocate for Charles City. After the tornado demolished the downtown in 1968, he was the third merchant to sign a lease in the Mall. When the Chevrolet dealership closed he was instrumental in purchasing it and reopening it. He was a co owner of The Framing Connection. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and a life long member of the Elks Lodge and a member of the First Congregational Church inCharles City where he served on the Board of Trustees and taught Sunday school. He loved a beautiful yard, azaleas and buying cars and bragged about his great granddaughters.

Grateful for having shared his life is his wife Irene, daughter Susan Stilwell of Sioux Falls, SD, and son David K. (Janet) Roberts of Mason City, 5 grandchildren, Peter (Erika) Stilwell, Dallas, TX, Amy (Jade) Benson, Kansas City, MO., Elizabeth (Christopher) Seab, Billings, MT, Annette (Don) Dawson, Indianola, IA and David Roberts, New York, N.Y. He is also survived by 6 great grandchildren, Piper and Sloane Stilwell, Sara and Megan Benson and Don and Annie Dawson. His sister Evalyn Vandervelde of Seattle, WA. and sisters-in-law, Dorothy Roberts, San Marino, CA. and Edie Muecke,Sioux Falls, SD. And many nieces and nephews also survive him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother The Rev. Dr. Edwin Roberts.

Memorials my be directed to the First Congregational Church in Charles City, the Salvation Army in Mason City or the Food Bank in Charles City or Mason City.

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

Genevieve M. Herron

Genevieve Herron, 82, of Charles City, IA passed away Thursday, July 16, 2009 at Cedar Health in Charles City.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 S. Main Street in Charles City with Rev. David Werges officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Charles City. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 20 from 5 – 8 pm at Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt Street in Charles City, and again one hour prior to the service at the church. 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 the family to be divided among various charities.

Genevieve was born on February 17, 1927 in Cresco, Iowa, the daughter of Eugene R. and Inga Gurina (Queel) DeWalle. Her family moved to Charles City in 1936 where she made her home ever since. She was united in marriage to John Jr Herron on August 25, 1946. Genevieve was a housewife and a mother, and was also involved in the Foster Grandparent Program and was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, John E. (Karol) Herron of Charles City and their son, Anthony; Steven Herron of Charles City and his children, Stephanie and Kevin, and Jennifer (David) Seckar of Floyd and their daughters, Kristin, Wendy and Amanda; sister, Celaine Gerleman of Charles City; brother, Eugene DeWalle of Green Bay; and nine great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John in 1981; and two grandchildren.

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

Marvin Matthews

Marvin Matthews, 81, of Charles City, IA passed away Monday, July 13, 2009 at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.

A funeral service will be held Friday, July 17, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 S. Main Street in Charles City. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Nashua. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16 from 5 – 8 pm at Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt Street in Charles City, and again one hour prior to the service on Friday. 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 the family to be divided among his favorite charities.

Roger A. Heffron

Roger A. Heffron, 67, of Charles City, IA died Monday morning, July 13, 2009, at the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

Funeral services for Roger Heffron will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Pastor Dennis Niezwaag of the Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date in Riverside Cemetery, Charles City.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Thursday.

Roger Allen Heffron was born August 20, 1941, at Osage, the son of Milton and Violet “Shapley” Heffron. He graduated from the Charles City High School. On February 25, 1962, he was united in marriage to Judith Strauser at Nashua. Roger was employed at Salsbury for over 30 years as a chemical reactor operator. His interests included farmalls, antique tractors, target shooting, gardening and spending time with his family.

Living family members include his wife, Judy Heffron of Charles City; two children, Mike (Tammy) Heffron of Charles City and Erin (Scott) Bockoven of Rudd; four grandchildren, Cara Heffron, Matt Heffron, Alexis Latch and Allison Pommrehn; three step-grandchildren, Trey Jacobs, Cory Jacobs and Julien Smith; two step-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Mary Goswick and Marie DeBoest.

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

Krystel Banes

Krystel Banes, 3, of Charles City, IA died Friday, July 10, 2009, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

A funeral Mass for Krystel Banes will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Reverend Carl Ries will celebrate the Mass. Inurnment will take place in the Philippines.

The family will greet friends at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. Visitation will continue Saturday at the church from 9 a.m. until service time.

Living family members include her parents, Rene and Edvilla (Torda) Banes of Charles City; a brother, Banjo Banes at home; her maternal grandmother, Valeria Concepcion of the Philippines; and many aunts, uncles and cousins both in the United States and the Philippines.

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

Linda C. Hull

Linda C. Hull, 68, of Charles City, IA died Thursday, July 9, 2009, at her home.

Funeral services for Linda Hull will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Pastor Margaret Hutchens, of the First Christian Church, 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. Monday. Visitation will continue Tuesday at the funeral home an hour prior to the service.

Linda Claire Howes Hull was born July 17, 1940, at Iowa City, the daughter of Dallas and Ethel (Peterman) Howes. She attended school at Bedford and later received her GED. On June 17, 1966, she was united in marriage to Clayton Hull at the First Christian Church in Charles City. Over the years she worked at Ray’s Pizza and was a housekeeper. She was a member of the First Christian Church. Her interests included flowers, antiques, reading and singing.

Living family members include her husband, Clayton Hull of Charles City; two step children, Robert (Christine) Hull of Dallas, Tex. and Laurie Easley of Grapevine, Tex.; three step grandchildren; five sisters, Naomi Moore of Cedar Rapids, Marilyn Bradley of Mason City, Lois Young of Holstein, Ruth (Orville) Marsh of Stanton and Jean Marsh of Tex.; two brothers, David (Sharon) Howes of Red Oak and Richard (Rosela) Howes of Greenfield; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Crystal Ames and Anita Hall; and three brothers, Dallas Howes, Jr., Benjamin Howes and one stillborn.

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

Thelma G. Johnson

Thelma G. Johnson, 94, of Charles City, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday morning, July 8, 2009, at Cedar Health in Charles City.

Funeral services for Thelma Johnson will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City. Pastor Robert Holdorf of the West Saint Charles United Methodist 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 8 p.m. Friday. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Thelma Gertrude Stoeber Johnson was born April 25, 1915, on the Greenzweig homestead farm in Floyd County, the daughter of Ralph and Mabel (Greenzweig) Stoeber. She attended country school, Charles City Normal School, and Iowa Teachers College. She taught primary through 8th grades at Schlick School and at the Ulster #3 Township School for five years. On January 2, 1938, she was united in marriage to Herbert Carl Johnson and shared 62 years of marriage. They farmed together on land located in West St. Charles and Ulster Townships, rural Charles City, where they raised four children. She was a lifelong member of the West Saint Charles United Methodist Church, where she served as organist, Sunday School Teacher, Bible School Teacher and many leadership capacities. Thelma was a 4-H leader for 25 years and served on the Floyd County Fair Board and ISU Floyd County Extension board. She was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. An award she prized was the Distinguished Service to Agriculture presented by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. She served at the township, county, and state levels of Farm Bureau and was Iowa Farm Bureau Women’s Chair for four terms. Thelma was also recognized as Wallace Farmer Master Farm Homemaker in 1957 and promoted farm life by hosting 106 foreign visitors from 37 countries over a span of 30 years. Other activities and leadership roles included Eastern Star, Iowa Mothers Association, Health Planning Council of Iowa to which she was appointed by the governor, and Country Women of the World. Thelma and Herb were world travelers, indeed were citizens of the world based in Charles City. Of importance to Thelma was keeping in touch and visiting German relatives. Her interests included cross stitching, crocheting and writing.

Living family members include her four children, Beverly (Harold) Biehr of Valparaiso, Ind., Barbara Robin Jones (Stan Liszka) of Chicago, Ill., Erwin (Yoshiko) Johnson of Charles City and Cindee (John) Schnekloth of Eldridge; eight grandchildren, Amy, Clint, Hans, Juan, Luis, Mark, Valerie and Wendy; eight great-grandchildren; six step-great grandchildren; and seven nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a brother, Leslie (Gere) Stoeber.

Memorials may be directed to the West St. Charles United Methodist Church, the 4-H Foundation, or the Floyd County Fair.

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

Harold “Ike” Seelye

Harold “Ike” Seelye, 82, of Charles City, died Monday afternoon, July 6, 2009, at his home in Charles City.

There will be no funeral services.

Harold Irwin Seelye was born December 3, 1926, at Burr Oak, the son of Harold A. and Dorothy (Rinne) Seelye. He graduated from the Charles City High School. Harold served in the 11th Air Bourne Division in the Army during WWII. On August 1, 1948, he was united in marriage to Avis Bluhm at Charles City. Harold was employed at the Oliver Corporation, drove truck, Farm Service Coop and the City of Charles City as a mechanic. He was a member of the American Legion and a Life Member of the V.F.W. Harold served as chaplain at the V.F.W. and took great pride in serving on the Charles City Honor Squad.

Living family members include his wife, Avis Seelye of Charles City; two sons, Allan (Connie) Seelye of Jacksonville, Fla. and Steven (Kathy) Seelye of Ferguson; four grandchildren, James (Jennifer) Seelye, Steven Seelye Jr., Stacy (Jeff) Roads and Renae (Chris) Mason; eight great-grandchildren; two half brothers, Fred Seelye of Burr Oak and Robert (Mary) Rolfes of Mankato, Minn.; and a half sister, Doris (Al) Etteldorf of Decorah.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Richard and Martin Seelye; a half sister and a half brother.

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

Elizabeth “Betty” Starr

Elizabeth “Betty” Starr, 82, of Charles City, died Friday morning, July 3, 2009, at the 9th St. Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

Funeral services for Betty Starr will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City. Pastor Gary Van Wert will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date in Sunnyside Memory Gardens, rural Charles City.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Elizabeth Mae Chambers Starr was born June 23, 1927, in Howard County, the daughter of Raymond and Sarah (Weston) Chambers. In 1946, she graduated from the McIntire High School. On March 6, 1949, she was united in marriage to Buster Starr in Charles City. Betty was a country school teacher for two years and later was a janitor at the City Hall where she helped Buster. In her younger years, Betty was active in the Girl Scouts as a leader and taught Sunday School. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church. Her interests included sewing, baking, stamp collecting and gardening. She took special interest in Zoya her daughter’s pet cat and loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Living family members include her two daughters, Debra (Mark) Bonzer of Charles City and Carnette Starr of Charles City; two grandchildren Zach and Megan Bonzer of Charles City; two brothers, Raymond (Marie) Chambers of Charles City and Freeman (Della) Chambers of Longmont, Colo.; sister, Virginia (Hurvey) Tudor of Colwell; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and three brothers, James, Forest and Ned Chambers.

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

Benjamin B. Sacueza

Benjamin B. Sacueza, 64, of Charles City, died Thursday morning, July 2, 2009, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

A funeral Mass for Benjamin Sacueza will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. The Reverend Carl Ries will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Philippines.

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

Benjamin Barbicena Sacueza was born November 9, 1944, in the Philippines, the son of Thomas and Carmen (Barbicena) Sacueza. For the last 10 years Benjamin has lived in Charles City and was very proud to be living in the United States. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. His interests included fishing, farming and spending time with his family.

Living family members include his five children, Wilma Llagas of United Arab Emirate, KSA, Stele (Bernard) Regonie of the Philippines, Ofilia (Roberto) Digay of the Philippines, Mardonio (Bing) Sacueza of the Philippines and Paulo (Jessica) Sacueza of Charles City; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren; one sister; one brother; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Oscar Sacueza.

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