Marguerite Curtis

Marguerite Curtis, 89, of Coralville, formerly of Charles City, died Saturday, August 22, 2009, at the Lantern Park Nursing Home in Coralville.

Funeral services for Marguerite Curtis will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, August 29, 2009, at the First Baptist Church in Charles City. Pastor Ruth Yeaton will officiate. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery at Nashua.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. Visitation will continue Saturday at the church an hour prior to the service.

Marguerite Lucile Peterson Curtis was born April 7, 1920, at Nashua, the daughter of Bartlett and Sarah (Hicks) Peterson. She graduated from Nashua High School in 1938. On April 2, 1939, she was united in marriage to Edward “Ted” Curtis at Charles City. Marguerite worked at the Oliver Corporation and when they purchased what would become Ted’s Auto Electric she was the secretary bookkeeper from 1962-1999. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Armstrong Circle, Soroptimists, Pythian Sisters and Charles City Women’s Club. Her interests included reading, and antiquing with her specialty being Fenton glassware and miniature oil lamps. Marguerite was a seamstress for many years, making draperies for Sylvester’s Furniture as well as doing alterations and sewing wedding gowns. She will also be remembered for the candy she made and gave as gifts, a tradition that has carried down to her grandson.

Living family members include two daughters, Sheila (Lewis) Wright of North Liberty and Terri (Paul) Kidd of La Jolla, Calif.; a grandson, Robert Kidd; and a son-in-law, Charles Greaser of Harleysville, Pa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a daughter, Barbara Greaser; and three sisters, Geneva Sleeper, Bonnie Blanchard and Lillian Jacobs.

Memorials may be directed to the First Baptist Church, 105 Chapel Lane, Charles City, IA 50616.

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

Willis D. Schmidt

Willis D. Schmidt, 83, of 705 8th Ave., Charles City died Wednesday afternoon, August 19, 2009 at Floyd County Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, August 22, 2009 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 S. Main St., Charles City. Officiating will be the Rev. Dennis Niezwaag. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 pm Friday at Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt, Charles City and again one hour prior to services at the church. Interment with full military honors will be at Sunnyside Memory Gardens, Charles City. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to make memorial contributions to Willis D. Schmidt. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.Fullertonfh.com

Willis was born on September 20, 1925 near Nashua in Chickasaw County the son of Otto R. and Bertha Ida (Ferch) Schmidt. He graduated from the rural school system. Prior to his military service he met his future wife while both were actors in a play. They also enjoyed roller-skating. On June 22, 1944 he was united in marriage to Helen Litterer and they were married in the home of Helen’s parents. To this union were born four children. Willis was also baptized and confirmed at the Nashua United Church of Christ in Nashua. He served his country in the Army from 1945 until his honorable discharge in 1947. He served in Germany. Upon his return, he and Helen lived all their married lives in Charles City where he was an Inspector for White Farm for 35 years. Willis enjoyed growing vegetables and flowers. They played card games of all types and camping. Helen and Willis attended Blue Grass Festivals, traveling and spending time with the family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Willis enjoyed going up North for fishing trips and was known as a practical joker. Willis was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, a life member of Post 3914 of the VFW, the senior center and 1315 of the UAW union.

Those thankful in sharing Willis’s life include his wife Helen of 65 years, two daughters Beverly and her husband Elmer Reints, Shellrock, IA; Gloria and her husband Jack Hulbert, Charles City, one son Gary and his wife Cathy Schmidt, Marble Rock, seven grandchildren and 14, great grandchildren along with eight sister-in-laws Dorothy, Judith, Margaret, and Lois Schmidt and Leona Howe, Dorothy Schmidt, and Ruby (Bob) Obermier and Tilleen Litterer.

His parents, an infant son Bryan, two sisters Lucille Roth, Glendora “Curly” Ouderkerk, seven brothers Lloyd, Lawrence, Melvin, Harlan, Otto Jr., Clarence, and Raymond, along with brother-in-laws Clarence Litterer and Alton Howe preceded Willis in death.

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

Betty L. Kock

Betty L. Kock, 76, of Marble Rock, died Monday afternoon, August 17, 2009, at the Nora Springs Care Center in Nora Springs.

Funeral services for Betty Kock will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Marble Rock United Methodist Church in Marble Rock. Darwin Kock, lay minister of the United Methodist Church in Riceville will officiate. Burial will be in Sunnyside Memory Gardens, rural Charles City.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Betty LaVonne Hesse was born May 13, 1933, at Shell Rock, the daughter of Andrew and Ruth (Cutler) Hesse. She attended the Marble Rock School. On August 9, 1949, she was united in marriage to Alvin “Bud” Dean Kock at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Marble Rock. Betty was a devoted military wife moving to numerous countries and all over the United States while Bud served 21 years in the United States Air Force. For four years Betty and Bud owned and operated the B & B Tap and later the Family Café. She was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Marble Rock and American Legion Auxiliary Post # 387. Her interests included working with flowers, gardening, being outside, sewing and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Living family members include her three children, Gary (Jodi) Hesse of Sellerburg, Ind., Deborah Kock of Woodward and Beverly Knecht of Marble Rock; two grandsons, Nicholaus Hesse of Mason City and Jon Hesse of Sellersburg, Ind.; eight great grandchildren, Kaylah Demaray, Logan Demaray, Jenna Knecht, Wesley Knecht, Tobin Hesse, Conner Hesse, Dezi Grant and Peyton Hesse; sister, Phyllis Willmoth of Omaha, Nebr.; brother, Marvin (Shirley) Hesse of Osage; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband and three brothers, Duane, Donald and LaVerne Hesse.

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

William L. Wilson

William L. Wilson, 84, of Floyd, died Sunday afternoon, August 16, 2009, at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.

Memorial services for Bill Wilson will be held 11 a.m. Friday at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Pastor Jack Wolgamuth of the Church of the Nazarene in Lacona will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date in Sunnyside Memory Gardens, rural Charles City.

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

William Laverne Wilson was born April 30, 1925, at White River, S.D., the son of Clarence and Barbara (McNair) Wilson. He attended the Colwell Schools. In 1950, he was united in marriage to Frances Temple. Bill farmed north of Floyd since 1942 while also working at White Farm. He was a life time member of the National Rifle Association. His interests included attending auctions, fabricating and repairing machinery and visiting with family and friends.

Living family members include his six children, Rodney (Susan) Wilson of Miami, Okla., Kathleen Wilson of Vancouver, Wash., Sheryleen (Bill) Prewett of Miami Okla., Randy Wilson of Floyd, Kevin (Annette) Wilson of Shell Rock and Brian (Paula) Wilson of Tulsa, Okla.; 16 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two sisters, Thelma Iverson of S.D. and Barbara (Dutch) Mannetter of Charles City; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, W. Stanley Wilson; five sisters and three brothers.

Memorials may be directed to the Alpha-1 Association at www.alpha1.org or the American Lung Association at www.lungusa.org.

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

Violet C. Corbin

Violet C. Corbin, 94, of Floyd, died Tuesday evening, August 11, 2009, at the Oelwein Health Care in Oelwein.

Funeral services for Violet Corbin will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the First Wesleyan Church in Charles City. Pastor James Turner and Pastor Dennis Bachman will officiate. Burial will be in Sunnyside Memory Gardens, Charles City.

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

Violet Catherine Steele was born November 30, 1914, at Rockford, the daughter of Charles E. and Esther (Zimmer) Steele. She graduated from the Charles City High School in 1931 and later attended Cedar Falls, Mason City Jr. College, Drake and Upper Iowa University. On June 25, 1938, she was united in marriage to Lane H. Corbin at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. She was a teacher in rural Iowa schools for 25 years. Violet taught in Nora Springs, Ionia and most of her career in Alta Vista. She was a member of the First Wesleyan Church in Charles City. Her interests included gardening, growing roses, teaching children and spending time with her family.

Living family members include her two daughters, Cheryl (John) Ransom of Oelwein and Diane (Rev. James) Turner of Tijeras, N.M.; seven grandchildren, Steve (Pam) Carey, Debra Norris, DeeAnn (Erik) Crandall, Scott (Lori) Carey, Kim (Jim) Winters, Ryan (Davina) Turner and Kerensa (Jason) McFrederick; 16 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Joan Holtz; two sisters, Mina Smith and Leona Abrams and four brothers, Raymond Steele, Clyde Steele, Darrell Steele and Wallace Steele.

Memorials may be directed to Violet’s granddaughter, Karensa McFrederick and family in the Czech Republic with Global Partners / Wesleyan Church, gphm@wesleyan.org or 1-800-707-7715.

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

James J. Gebel

James J. “Jim” Gebel, 75, of Charles City, died Thursday, August 6, 2009, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City under the care of Iowa Hospice.

A funeral Mass for Jim Gebel will be held 11 a.m. Monday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Reverend Carl Ries and Monsignor Stanley Hayek will concelebrate the Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery at Charles City. There will be a flag presentation by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday where the Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. and the Vigil Scriptural Wake Service will be held a 6 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church an hour prior to the Mass.

James Joseph Gebel was born August 21, 1933, at Alta Vista, the son of Louis and Marie (Kolbet) Gebel. He graduated in 1951 from Saint William High School in Alta Vista and attended Iowa State University. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Euchre School. Jim proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. On April 18, 1964, he was united in marriage to Colleen Welch at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. During his career Jim worked for the Howard County Creamery, Hudson Dairy, White Farm Equipment Company and retired from Sara Lee. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where he attended daily Mass regularly and the Knights of Columbus. He also belonged to the Elks Lodge, Catholic Order of Foresters, American Legion, Cedar Ridge Golf Course and the Stateline Cyclone Club. His interests included golfing, fishing, boating at Lansing, going on bus trips, wintering in Florida, and doing yard work - paying special attention to his roses. Jim always looked forward to those times he could share his life with all of his family but the grandchildren had a special place in his heart.

Living family members include his wife, Colleen Gebel of Charles City; three children, Suzanne Gebel of Urbandale; Patrick (Shira) Gebel of Charles City and Beth (Scott) Hoppel of Osage; five grandchildren, Brandt, Elliott and Sadie Gebel, and Nicholas and Katie Hoppel; three brothers, Tom (Marian) Gebel of New Hampton, Don (Marcy) Gebel of Mason City and Dan (Dorothy) Gebel of Clear Lake; a sister, Barb (Jerry) O’Donnell of Cresco; and 15 nieces and nephews and their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Joseph Gebel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Immaculate Conception School Development Fund, 106 Chapel Lane, Charles City, IA 50616.

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

Gary Taylor

Gary Taylor, 70, of Charles City, died Monday, August 3, 2009, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

Funeral services for Gary Taylor will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at the Hauser Funeral Home. Pastor Tim Robbins, of the Calvary Baptist Church, will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Visitation will continue Thursday at the funeral home an hour prior to the service.

Gary Wayne Taylor was born October 12, 1938, at Mason City, the son of Wayne and Wilma (Howard) Taylor. He graduated from Charles City High School in 1957. Gary farmed and also worked at Salsbury Laboratories from which he retired in the latter 1990’s. He was a member of the Farm Bureau. Gary enjoyed farming but his greatest interest was his stock cows. He also looked forward to going to the bowling alley to have lunch with “his buddies”.

Living family members include two children, Robert Oakland of Minneapolis, Minn. and Crystal Taylor of Charles City; three grandchildren, Paulina Oakland, Dominick Barker and Rusty “RJ” Barker; his mother, Wilma Taylor of Charles City; and a brother, Ron Taylor of Decorah.

He was preceded in death by his father.

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