Sara Jane (Ott) Koehler

Sara Jane (Ott) Koehler, 43, of Eden Prairie, Minn., formerly of Charles City, passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2009, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minn. after battling cancer for the last year and a half.

Memorial services for Sara Koehler will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City. Associate Pastor Sam Mack will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date.

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

Sara Jane (Ott) Koehler was born June 11, 1966, in Charles City, the daughter of Roger and Ann (Kepple) Ott. She graduated from Charles City High School in 1984 and had a BA in Graphic Design from Iowa State University and a MBA from the University of Dayton. Most recently Sara worked at the Reader’s Digest Association, Eagan, Minn., as the Design Director for The Family Handyman magazine. In addition to being a talented artist, she was also a great musician playing both the violin and piano. She was passionate about animal rights, donating regularly to local shelters, and dearly loved her pets over the years, most recently cats Hershey and Casper. The greatest joy in her life has been her daughter Sophie, who follows in her mother’s footsteps in creative and musical talent. Sara loved the outdoors, cycling (went on RAGBRAI many times), hiking, cross-country skiing, sledding, and mushroom hunting. In general, she was enthusiastic about life and always upbeat. Even during her chemotherapy treatments, it was hard to get her to slow down.

Sara is survived by husband Scott Koehler and their daughter Sophie of Eden Prairie, Minn.; mother Ann (Ott) Schneckloth and husband Jon of Charles City; and sister Margo (Ott) Farnsworth and husband Chris of Oakham, Mass.

She was preceded in death by father Roger Dean Ott.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local animal shelter.

Online tributes can be posted at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sarakoehler/guestbook

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

Ernest Jeffries

Ernest Jeffries, 81 of 4 Colony Court #3, Osage died Friday, December 25, 2009 at Faith Lutheran Home, Osage, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm, Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 833 Ash St., Osage. Officiating will be the Rev. Roy Ott. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in Osage Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Hospice of New Hampton. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.Fullertonfh.com.

Earnest F. Jeffries was born on January 22, 1928 in Mitchell County the son of Earl and Gustava “Johnson” Jeffries. His early education was in Osage. On April 15, 1946 he joined the Army and served at Guam and the Philippines during WWII and was honorable discharged as a Corporal on October 15, 1947. He was united in marriage to Joan Faber on September 29, 1954 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. To this union was born three children. Since 1955 they lived in Charles City, moving in their later years to Tampa, Florida and then coming full circle back to Osage five years ago. Earnie started his work career as a truck driver delivering eggs for Cedar Valley Produce and then became a heavy equipment operator for 25 years with Triad Construction in Charles City. The last 15 years of his career he operated equipment for the City of Charles City retiring about 1994. Through the years they were members of Our Saviour’s Lutheran and then St. John Evangelical Lutheran in Charles City and then when moving back to Osage again became members of Our Saviour’s. He enjoyed tending his vegetable garden, camping with his family in and around Charles City and spending time with his grandchildren. While in Tampa he became a Buccaneer Football Fan. They also were regular volunteers with the Salvation Army in Charles City. Earnie was known to look at a problem, think about it and then fix just about anything.

Those thankful in sharing in Ernest’s life include his wife of ff years, Joan, his three children Connie and her husband Alvin Blackburn, Zion, IL; Kathy and her husband David Logan, Round Rock, TX; and Kevin and his wife Jamey Jeffries, Tampa, FL; six grandchildren Jenny (Mike) Bateman, Marshal (Danielle) Blackburn, Stephanie (Nick) Valentin, Chris Logan, Patty and Sarah Jeffries, two great grandchildren Evan and Alyssa Bateman, his sister Nancy Nutt, Coralville, IA; both brothers, Orland (Nancy) Jeffries, Iowa City, IA; Francis (Muriel) Jeffries, Naples, Fla, and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, parents-in-law and two brother-in-laws preceded him in death.

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

Norma Hutchison

Norma Hutchison, 52, of Charles City, formerly of St. Smith, Ark., died Tuesday, December 22, 2009, at her home.

Funeral services for Norma Hutchison will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 29, 2009, at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Pastor Paul Phillips of the Gospel Lighthouse in Floyd will officiate. Burial will be in Sunnyside Memory Gardens.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 1 p.m. until service time on Tuesday.

Norma Jean Martin Hutchison was born March 25, 1957, at Charles City, the daughter of Dean and Elsie (Allen) Martin. She graduated from Charles City High School. In 1975 she was united in marriage to John Hutchison. They later divorced. Over the years she worked at HyVee and Walmart in the Charles City and Ft. Smith area. Norma was a member of the Evangel Temple in Ft. Smith. One of the things Norma enjoyed most was driving, no matter where she was going. She looked forward to spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Living family members include two children, Holly (Brian) Sachen of Charles City and James (Sharyl) Hutchison of Ft. Smith, Ark.; six grandchildren; her mother, Elsie Martin of Charles City; two brothers, William (Lynn) Martin of Memphis, Tenn. and Steven (Terry) Martin of Ft. Smith, Ark.; and a sister, Kathy Simpson of Lake Mills.

She was preceded in death by her father; and a daughter in infancy, Shelly Marie Hutichson.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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

Bernadine Baldwin

Bernadine “Bernie” Baldwin, 85, of Charles City, died Saturday, December 19, 2009, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

A funeral Mass for Bernie Baldwin will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday 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 from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday where the Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. followed by a Vigil Scriptural Wake Service. Visitation will continue an hour before the Mass at the Church on Tuesday.

Bernadine June Bonsall was born June 24, 1924, in Mitchell County, the daughter of Roy and Pearl (Clingman) Bonsall. She graduated from the Charles City High School in 1943. On November 29, 1945, she was united in marriage to Harlan Baldwin at the Immaculate Conception Church. Bernie was employed at Oliver / White Farm for 29 years in the Payroll Department. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, St. Anthony’s Circle, Women of the Moose and the V.F.W. Her interests included playing cards, collecting teapots, baking, cooking meals for her family, especially potato salad, visiting with people and spending time with her family.

Living family members include her three children, Dennis (Sue) Baldwin of Davenport, Gregory Baldwin of Davenport and Janice (Randy) Gilbert of Floyd; nine granddaughters; 12 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter-in-law, Linda Baldwin; two sisters, Wilma Varner and Viola Grant; a sister at infancy; and a brother, Quinton Bonsall.

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

Carol “Jean” Mayfield

Carol “Jean” Mayfield, 74, of Charles City, died Sunday, December 13, 2009, at her residence.

Funeral services for Jean Mayfield will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Patty Kellogg will officiate. Burial will be in Sunnyside Memory Gardens rural Charles City.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Thursday.

Carol Dollman Mayfield was born December 10, 1935, at Platte, S.D., the daughter of Roy and Blanche (Ferris) Dollman. She graduated in 1953 from Platte High School and then from LaJames Beauty School. On September 27, 1954, she married Willis Sterk. They later divorced. Jean then married John Mayfield on May 30, 1981 at Charles City. Jean was proprietor of Jean’s Imperial Hair Fashions in Charles City for 42 years. She always enjoyed working with the public. Her interests included fishing, camping and gardening.

Living family members include her husband, John Mayfield of Charles City; five children, Brenda (Charles) Sterk Gray of Cedar Falls, Sharon (Scott Cook) Sterk Johnston of Charles City, Dwayne (Katrina) Sterk of Vidor, Tex., Margo (Tom) Mayfield Lind of Fort Pierce. Fla. and James Mayfield of Des Moines; 7 grandchildren, Heidi Johnston Achee, Brandon Gray, Melissa Jo Gray, Sarah Sterk, Elizabeth Mayfield, Devon Mayfield and Samantha Lind; three great grandchildren, Corey and Kaleb Achee and Caylin Lyons; a great great granddaughter, Aubrey Lynn Achee; three sisters, Nancy (George) Miller of Platte, S.D., Linda (Roger) Miner of Lincoln, Nebr. and Judy (Jim) Prawdzik of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Kenneth Dollman.

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

Roger Vote

Roger Vote, 64, of Charles City, died Saturday, December 12, 2009, at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo following complications from surgery.

Funeral services for Roger Vote will be held 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Floyd Community Center in Floyd. Steve Quintus will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date.

The family will greet friends at the Floyd Community Center from 2:30 p.m. until service time on Saturday.

Roger Lee Vote was born January 3, 1945, at Fort Dodge, the son of Clarence and Evelyn (Erickson) Vote. He graduated from the Riceville High School in 1963. On November 25, 1967 he was united in marriage to Mary Mans at Goodhue, Minn. He worked many years for Iowa Drainage, Inc. of Sheffield. Roger became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1974 and shared his faith with others up to the day before his final hospitalization. He always looked forward to the times he could share his love and life with his family. Both he and Mary enjoyed entertaining at their home. Roger enjoyed playing golf, hunting, fishing and watching football.

Living family members include his wife, Mary of Charles City; five children, Michael (Beverly) Vote of Waterloo, Cindy (Demetrius) Robison of Rochester, Minn., Sherry (Adam) Madsen of Denver, Colo., Rebecca (Eric) Bolinski of Charles City, and Laura (Corey) Thomas of Charles City; four grandchildren, Ethan and Zachariah Vote, Kiana Robison and Baruch Bolinski; a sister, Anna (John) Padget of Waterloo; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and four brothers, Bernard, Merlyn, Clarence and Bruce Vote.

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

Herbert W. Schinnow

Herbert W. Schinnow, 92, of Charles City, died on Saturday, December 12, 2009, at the 11th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City. Herb donated his body to the Mayo Foundation.

A memorial service for Herbert Schinnow will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 22, 2009, at Trinity United Methodist Church. Pastor Gary Van Wert will officiate.

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

Herbert William Schinnow was born on September 22, 1917, in Mason City, the son of Amil and Bertha (Rehwinkel) Schinnow. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1935. On September 11, 1937, Herb married Bernadine Moore. During World War II, Herb, Bernadine and son Terry moved to Oregon for work in the shipyards. He also proudly served in the United States Army during World War II. Bernadine passed away on April 15, 1975. On September 25, 1978, he married Rosemary Osier. She passed away in August 28, 2008. Herb worked at Oliver/White Farm Corporation for 31 years, retiring in 1977. He was a lifelong fisherman and he and Rosemary owned a home on the Mississippi River for many years. He enjoyed gardening and sharing what he grew. Herb loved his family and friends and will be deeply missed.

Herb is survived by his son, Gene Schinnow, of Joice; a daughter, Laura Schinnow (Ron Palumbo) of Ames; two step-sons, Mike Osier of Winter Garden, Fla. and Chris (LeeAnn) Osier of Chariton; 10 grandchildren, Tracy (Darla) Schinnow, Valorie Byngelson and her fiancé Verlan Jensen, Stephanie Schinnow, Robin Schinnow, Elizabeth Palumbo, Shannon (Chris) Nesbit, Stephanie Osier, Mike DeJean, Jordan Osier and Lauren Davis; 4 great- grandchildren, Alison Butterfield, Nicholas Schinnow, Nathan Bryngelson, Justin Schinnow; and a great-great- grandson, James.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wives; his eldest son, Terry Schinnow; and 2 brothers, Emmett and Robert Schinnow.

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

Ruby Jaeger

Ruby Jaeger, 85, of Charles City, died Friday, December 11, 2009, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

Funeral services for Ruby Jaeger will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastors Dennis Niezwaag and David Werges will officiate. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City.

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

Ruby Evelyn Jaeger was born October 15, 1924, in Floyd County, the daughter of Harry and Clara Bell (Armstrong) Sonne. She graduated from the Colwell School and worked for several years at Woolworth’s in Charles City. On December 9, 1945, she was united in marriage to Claire Jaeger. They farmed all their lives north of Charles City. Ruby was baptized at the Colwell United Church of Christ and attended Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Double Dozen Club. Her interests included embroidery, cooking, canning and flower gardening. She will be remembered for her spectacular potato salad. Ruby thoroughly enjoyed her family; especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and always looked forward to their dropping in for a visit.

Living family members include three children, Duane (Sandy) Jaeger , Linda Zubrod and Donna (Craig) Hippen all of Charles City; six grandchildren, Troy (Dara) Jaeger, Michael (Tricia) Jaeger, Melissa (Tim) Piper, Chad (Melissa) Zubrod, Heather (Jeremy) Eichenberger and Haley Hippen; eight great grandchildren, Tate, Rhett and Roush Jaeger, Bailey Piper, Kynseth Zubrod, Noah, Aleah and Jennifer Eichenberger and another soon to arrive; and three sisters-in-law, Madelynn Sonne of Nashua, Norma Jaeger of Charles City and Edith Sonne of Nashua.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband on August 31, 2002; a granddaughter, Jennifer Hippen; two brothers, Edward and Dale Sonne; a sister-in-law, Virginia Sonne; a brother-in-law, Rodger Jaeger and a nephew, Alan Sonne.

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

James Nixt

James Nixt, 57, of Greene, died Tuesday, December 8, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.

A funeral Mass for James Nixt will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Greene. Monsignor Walter Brunkan will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in Saint Mary's Cemetery at Greene.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday where there will be a Vigil Scriptural Wake Service at 7 p.m. followed by the reciting of the Rosary. Visitation will continue Saturday at the church an hour prior to the Mass.

James Louis Nixt was born November 18, 1952, at Charles City, the son of Paul and Mary Lou (Scofield) Nixt. He graduated from Greene Community High School in 1971 and attended North Iowa Community College in Mason City. In 1977 he married Angela Nauman. They later divorced. James farmed for several years and then went into carpentry. He was a member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church. James enjoyed hunting, playing practical jokes and spending time with his friends.

Living family members include a daughter, Anna (Brent) Clausen of Sheffield; a grandson, Gavin Clausen; three brothers, George (Susan) Nixt of Greene, Stephen (Geri) Nixt of St. Michael, Minn. and Michael (Ruth) Nixt of Greene; two sisters, Sharon (John) Daub of Mason City and Terry (Merv) Menken of Greene; many nieces and nephews; and several great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Daniel Nixt; and a brother, Mark Nixt in infancy; and a sister, Lois Ann Nixt in infancy.

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

Elaine Federhart

Elaine Federhart, 93, of Charles City, died Saturday, December 5, 2009, at the 9th
Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

Funeral services for Elaine Federhart will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at the First Congregational Church. Pastor Phil Corr will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Riverside Cemetery at Charles City.

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

Elaine G. Bennett Federhart was born May 9, 1916, at Sioux City, the daughter of Miles and Edna (Sterling) Bennett. She graduated from Central High School in Sioux City in 1934. On May 15, 1938 Elaine was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart Hugo Federhart at the Mayflower Congregational Church in Sioux City. Elaine worked for a Sioux City insurance company during WW II while Hugo served in the United States Army. In 1976 they moved to Charles City where they would spend the rest of their lives together. She was a member of the First Congregational Church where she shared her love of music as a member of the choir, the Women's Fellowship and the Tuesday Morning Bible Study. Elaine was also a P.E.O. sister and had been a Pink Lady at the Floyd County Medical Center. She also appeared on stage more than once with the Dakota County Players, a theater group she helped to found, both in musical and comic roles. Elaine will be remembered for her cooking skills including her excellent pie making. They also enjoyed camping out as a family where she became an expert in the use of a Coleman gas camp stove.

Living family members include her husband, Hugo Federhart of Charles City; two sons, James (Linda) Federhart of Madison, Wis. and Douglas (Stuart Holland) Federhart of Minneapolis, Minn.; two granddaughters, Lisa (Travis) Janssen and Katy (Rob) Yang; and an adoptive grandson, Pablo Lopez Arrieta.

Special thanks from the family to 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home, Floyd County Medical Center, Dr. David Schweizer, Hospice of North Iowa, First Congregational Church and pastor Dr. Phil Corr, and the many friends whom Elaine enjoyed for so many years.

Memorials may be directed to the First Congregational Church or Hospice of North Iowa.

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

Betty A. Larson

Betty A. Larson, 80, of Charles City, died Saturday afternoon, December 5, 2009, at the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

Due to the inclement weather the memorial Mass for Betty Larson will be rescheduled for 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. Reverend Phillip Schmitt and Monsignor Stanley Hayek will concelebrate the Mass. Private family inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Charles City.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, where the Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. and a Vigil Scriptural Wake Service will be held at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue an hour before the Mass at the church on Friday.

Betty Ann Dugan was born July 26, 1929, at Meyer, the daughter of Charles and Gertrude (Meyer) Dugan. She graduated from the Immaculate Conception High School and later attended the University of Iowa School of library science. On September 22, 1951, she was united in marriage to Calvin Larson. She was employed at the Charles City Library, manager of the Charles City Country Club and catering. Betty was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, St. Jude Circle and Rosary
Society. Her interests included reading, bus trips, bowling and family gatherings.

Living family members include her husband, Calvin Larson of Charles City; three children, Christine (John) Gohr of Charles City, Tim (Sheryl) Larson of Omaha, Nebr. and Teresa (Brian) Carr of Cedar Falls; seven grandchildren, Charles (Danielle) Gohr, Crecia Gohr and fiance, Jason Brooks, Adam Bryngelson, Tim (Melissa) Bryngelson, Maria Shipley, Jeff (Tara) Carr and Christina Carr and her fiance Tyson Roberts; five
great grandchildren, Michael, Cameron and Lillian Bryngelson, Wade and Will Shipley; sister, Patricia Scheffert of Guttenberg; four sisters-in-law, Sandy Dugan of Muscatine, Phyllis Dugan of Waterloo, Stella Larson of Charles City and Mildred Larson of Albuquerque, N.M.; and many nieces; nephews; and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, James and Daniel Dugan.

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