Kevin D. Ahrenholtz - Age 38

     Leita Mae Akers, the daughter of Roy and Hazel Richardson, was born on July 13, 1922 on a farm near Auburn, Iowa. She grew up in the Lake View and Auburn areas. Her senior year she lived in Gilmore, Iowa and then graduated from Guthrie Center, Iowa high school.

     Leita was united in marriage to Dale Akers on May 8, 1946. They were the parents of five children. They moved to the Walnut area in 1963. Leita worked as a cook at the Walnut Schools and the Gardens Restaurant for many years. Leita was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Walnut where she held many offices. She was also a member of the AmVets Legion Auxiliary and was the past president. She enjoyed playing cards up until the time that she lost her eyesight. Leita also followed many of Walnut’s sporting and social events that her children and grandchildren were in. She often wore her Walnut jacket with the name Coach Leita embroidered on it.

     Leita died on Saturday, April 30, 2005 at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa having attained the age of eighty-two years, nine months and seventeen days. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dale, a brother, Robert Richardson, a granddaughter Sarah Hagadon and a son-in-law, Lynn Dorr.

     She is survived by her children: Dennis Akers and Ardith Bivens of Avoca, Iowa; Linda and her husband Jon Hall of Omaha, Nebraska; Ronald Akers of Lawndale, North Carolina; Janet and her husband Randall Lawson of Stuart, Iowa; and Rose and her husband Walt Sievers of Walnut, Iowa; thirteen grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; a sister, Lois Troll of Walnut, Iowa; sisters-in-law: Jenny Richardson of Savannah, Georgia, Lois Ann Newell of Bentonville, Arkansas and Penny Akers of Exira, Iowa; brother-in-law Delbert Akers and his wife, Naomi of Anita, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

     Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 at 2:00 PM at the Walnut Community School Gymnasium in Walnut, Iowa with Pastor David Krueger as the clergy. Honorary casket bearers were Les Ballantyne, Johnny Akers, Craig Silk and Ralph Akers. Serving as casket bearers were Tim Akers, Eugene Troll, Jeff Petersen, Steve Petersen, Eric Larson and Don Schwarte. Interment was held in the Layton Township Cemetery, Walnut, Iowa.

Shirley A. Albertsen - Age 75

     Ted Merle Allen was born on December 31, 1920, to Doris Hickman Allen and Homer A. Allen on a farm near Ridgeway, Missouri. He attended school in Harrison County, Missouri, until 1933, when he moved with his family to the old Bilby Ranch west of Maryville, Missouri. In 1936, the family moved to a farm south of Harlan, Iowa. Ted attended Harlan High School, where he actively participated in football, basketball, and baseball. He graduated in 1939.

     On January 10, 1942, Ted was married to Eleanor Arentson, and to this union four sons were born: Stephen, Joseph, Jeffrey, and Samuel. The family lived on a 400-acre farm south of Harlan, where he worked hard tilling the soil and caring for livestock. His feedlots were always full of cattle. Ted kept pace with the most advanced methods of feedlot management, and developed the ability to select and feed calves for maximum gains. For many years, he fed cattle twice a day with a team of mules before progressing to more mechanized operations. He always had a horse which he used for working cattle. Ted was an active member of the Baptist Church and was named Shelby County’s Cattleman of the Year in 1973.

     Ted and Eleanor retired from the farm and moved to Harlan in December of 1973, but Ted continued to go to the farm every day to help. In 1978, they moved to Maryville, Missouri, where Ted served as a representative for A.O. Smith. Ted and Eleanor returned to Harlan in 1980 and lived on Durant Street until moving to Elm Crest in 1995. In Ted’s homebound years, many friends visited him regularly, to his great delight.

     Ted died on Friday, March 18, 2005, at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of eighty-four years, two months and eighteen days. In addition to his parents, Ted was preceded in death by his sister, Loree Allen and his brother, Keith Allen.

     Ted leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Eleanor; his son, Stephen Allen and daughter-in-law Jane of Basking Ridge, New Jersey; son, Joseph Allen and daughter-in-law Karen of Austin, Texas; son, Jeffrey Allen and daughter-in-law Linda of Rogers, Arkansas; son, Samuel Allen and daughter-in-law Jill of Clayton, North Carolina; eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Nancy Allen of Harlan; other relatives and a great many friends.

     Funeral services were held on Monday, March 21, 2005, at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, at 2:00 P.M. with Jim Warren officiating. Private Family Interment services were held in the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa, with Glenn French, Gene Arentson, Kelly Doonan, Verl Arentson, Ralph Hansen, and Stan Martens serving as casket bearers.

Freda Alwill - Age 96

     Freda Margaretha Rattenborg Alwill was born on May 4, 1911, at home near Hamlin, Iowa, the daughter of Nels and Anna Catherine (Holm) Rattenborg. She was baptized and confirmed at the Hamlin Lutheran Church and was a member there until transferring to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irwin. In April of 1922, when Freda was ten years old, the Rattenborg family moved to Standard, Alberta, Canada, where they farmed for approximately six months before returning to the home place in Hamlin.

     Freda attended school in Hamlin through the eighth grade. She worked at the Hamlin bank, the Hamlin grocery store, and drove to Long Beach, California to work for a family before her marriage on February 25, 1940 to Arlo Alwill at the Lutheran Church in Hamlin. Three children were born to this union: Orville, Nadine, and Ramona.

     After their marriage, Freda and Arlo continued to farm the 160 acre Alwill family farm east of Irwin. Freda raised and cleaned chickens and capons for many years while on the farm until retiring in 1972 and moving into Irwin. The couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in February of 1990 before Arlo’s death on May 16, 1990.

     After becoming a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irwin, Freda was an active member of the WELCA women’s organizations where she held many offices, including president and vice president. She was an active member of the Pleasant Valley Club for over thirty-five years serving as president and holding many other offices. She was also an active member of the Irwin Keenagers and the Irwin Library Club.

     For several years, Freda cooked and baked pies for an Irwin café and the Keenagers. In 1976, she and Ramona traveled to Denmark where she visited relatives and saw her parents’ birthplaces. She enjoyed many crafts, including quilting, crocheting, knitting, playing cards, entertaining, and having coffee and cookies with friends, neighbors, and family.

     Freda became a resident of the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa, in February of 1998, and it was there that she died on Saturday, January 19, 2008, having attained the age of ninety-six years, eight months, and fifteen days. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Arlo, her infant son Orville, her sisters: Christina, Anna, Marie, Agnes, Ella, and Emma, her brothers: Soren, Willard, Otto, and Herbert.

     She is survived by her daughters: Nadine and her husband Jack Hough of Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Ramona and her husband John Klaasmeyer of Omaha, Nebraska; two granddaughters: Lisa and her husband Mike Moret of Spencer, Iowa, and Lynette and her husband Tom Dickinson of Cedar Falls, Iowa; three great-grandsons; three step-granddaughters, eight step-great-grandchildren; and one step-great-great grandchild; her sister-in-law Sylvia Rattenborg; nieces and nephews; other family members; and many friends.

     Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irwin, Iowa. Pastor Ron Rasmussen officiated the 1:30 PM service with burial at the Hamlin Cemetery in Hamlin, Iowa. Serving as casket bearers were: Carl French, Tom Dickinson, Mike Morst, Dennis Erb, Gaylin Huey, and Jim Nelson.

     Earl Francis Anastasi was born on May 12, 1922, on a farm near Westphalia, Iowa, to Carl and Clara (Schiltz) Anastasi. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia and attended school at St. Boniface Catholic School.

     On June 25, 1955, Earl was united in marriage to Lily Willemyns. Three children were born to this union: Kim, Pam, and James.

     Earl worked on the family farm until his retirement in 1983 when they moved to Harlan. He loved to travel, go dancing, golf and read. He became a pilot and attended as many flight breakfasts as he could until his new bride clipped his wings after their marriage.

     Earl was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Harlan Council No. 3900, Fourth Degree Luke E. Hart Assembly and its Chalice Club of Defiance. He was also a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church.

     He died on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, having attained the age of eighty-six years and twenty-nine days. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lily, his son James, his sisters Stella Kepford and Odelia Stephany, as well as two infant sisters and two infant brothers.

     Earl is survived by his daughters Kim and her husband Jeff Stevenson of Inverness, Illinois, and Pam and her husband Tom Stessman of Harlan, Iowa; five grandchildren; his brothers LeRoy Anastasi and his wife Gladys of Harlan and Ray Anastasi and his wife Frances of Portsmouth, Iowa; one sister, Sister Margaretta Anastasi of Chicago, Illinois, nieces and nephews, other family members, and friends.

     A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, June 14, 2008, with Celebrant Rev. Bob Hoefler and Concelebrant Msgr. Gerald Stessman officiating the 10:00 AM service at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan. Casket bearers were Matthew Stessman, Sean Earl Stevenson, Ryan Stevenson, Kyle Stevenson, Adam Daeges, and Andy Sondag. Interment was held at St. Boniface Cemetery in Westphalia, Iowa.

Jerome James Anastasi - Age 63

     Jerome "Jerry" Anastasi, the son of Omer and Corinne Buman Anastasi, was born in Harlan, Iowa, on April 5, 1943. He was baptized at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan. The conditions of his birth and subsequent illness made it impossible for him to attend school and therefore he became a resident of the State Hospital in Glenwood, Iowa.

     For a short time, he lived in Illinois, then returned to Glenwood, Iowa. As a patient, Jerry was cared for with love and compassion and lived his sixty-three years in innocence, knowing that those around him gave him peace and security.

     Lily Monica Anastasi, was born on June 25, 1936, in Zulte, Belgium. She was the youngest child of Henri and Maria (Ragole) Willemyns. She attended grade school in Belgium. At the age of ten, both of Lily’s parents died. Lily lived in Belgium until she was twelve years old, at which time she and her big sister, Mariette, set sail by themselves to this foreign land of the United States. They landed on Ellis Island, New York, not knowing anyone and not able to speak the language. They made their way to Omaha, Nebraska, where they were able to live with an aunt and uncle for a few years. At the young age of sixteen, Lily was attending high school, being a very good student, and worked at a drug store to support herself. She graduated from Cathedral High School in Omaha, Nebraska in 1954. At the age of sixteen, she met a handsome, lively, energetic, fun farmer, Earl Anastasi, who was fourteen years her senior. They had many fun times together dancing and enjoying each other’s company. They were married on June 25, 1955, on Lily’s nineteenth birthday. One of their wedding pictures is of Earl giving her a birthday spanking!

     This city girl became a farmer’s wife and adjusted to life on the farm where she worked hard to help with whatever needed to be done around the farm. She kept an immaculate house, even scrubbing the floors everyday. Once she became a mother, her children were her top priority. She was always patient and selfless in dealing with her two girls, Kim and Pam. Lily and her daughters had fun together and usually talked on the phone for no less than an hour at a time! There were also other special people Lily always enjoyed long telephone conversations with. Lily and her girls always enjoyed playing Scrabble whenever they were together and Lily usually won (and often times cheated by peeking at the letters she drew or making up words!)

     She was very frugal and material things were never important to her. However, interestingly enough, she enjoyed many forms of gambling, especially horse races, dog races, and slot machines. She was very lucky and talented at all these endeavors and usually ended up winning.

     She worked at the Iowa Liquor Store for ten years after the girls were older, where she was a prized employee and received the Employee of the Month Award in 1983.

     Lily was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan and volunteered there often whether it was helping to cut coupons or put together the church bulletin. She was always sweet and kind, even when she wasn’t feeling well. She was easy to love and care for - she was always appreciative and never wanted to be a bother to anyone. Lily was fun to be with and could be quite ornery at times. She was a big tease and would often give people gag gifts to make them laugh. The grandchildren always enjoyed teasing her as well and she loved it. They would tease her about spray painting dead bushes and about the time she put dish soap in the dishwasher and bubbles came flowing out everywhere on the floor.

     Lily died on Saturday, July 17, 2004, at her home in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of sixty-eight years, and twenty-two days. She was fun, loving, selfless and caring and she will be missed very much. She fought hard to beat the cancer that took her life, enduring several surgeries as well as chemotherapy and radiation, but in the end the cancer won. I think the Lord would look at her life and say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

     In addition to her parents, Lily was preceded in death by a son, James, and her brother, Alfred. Survivors include her husband of forty-nine years, Earl, her youngest daughter, Pam and her husband, Tom Stessman of Harlan, and her oldest daughter, Kim and her husband, Jeff Stevenson of Prospect Heights, Illinois; her grandchildren, Matthew and Megan Lily Stessman and Ryan, Sean, and Kyle Stevenson; her brother, Robert Willemyns and his wife, Rose of Omaha, Nebraska; her sister, Mariette Wageman of Westphalia, Iowa; nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and a great many friends.

     A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 at 10:30 AM at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa with Rev. John Dorton as the celebrant. Serving as casket bearers were John Willemyns, Russ Ranniger, Dwight Bierbaum, Ryan Stevenson, Adam Daeges and Sean Stevenson. Interment was held in St. Boniface Cemetery in Westphalia, Iowa.

     Harry Raun Andersen was born on April 16, 1921, to Holger and Anna (Raun) Andersen on a farm in Shelby County near Walnut, Iowa.

     After his schooling at Harlan High School, Harry followed in his father’s footsteps and farmed his entire life. He was united in marriage to Betty Madsen at Bethel Baptist Church in Harlan. Two children were born to this union: Bonnie and Craig.

     He had a complete woodworking shop in his home where he enjoyed reinventing machinery and all kinds of wood crafts. He retired from his farming career and moved to Branson, Missouri, in 1990.

     Harry was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Walnut, Iowa, before moving to Branson and becoming a member of the First Baptist Church in Branson. Harry spent the last eighteen years in Branson where he died at his home on Friday, June 6, 2008, having attained the age of eighty-seven years, one month, and twenty-one days.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Bruce Andersen, his brother Donald Andersen, and an infant sister.

     Harry is survived by his wife Betty Andersen of Branson, Missouri, his daughter Bonnie Kokes of Papillion, Nebraska, his son Craig Andersen of Branson, Missouri, nine grandchildren, one sister Ila Knudson of Avoca, Iowa, nieces and nephews, other family members, and friends.

     Memorial donations may be made to Christ Community Church, Mali Medical Missions Project, 404 South 108^th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 in memory of Harry.

Herman J. Andersen - Age 86

     Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at 10:30 A.M. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa with Pastor Denny Reich officiating the service and Ben Oliver, Keenan Andersen, Darren Krohn, Brian Krohn, Nick Andersen and Austin Oliver serving as casket bearers.  Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery in Avoca, Iowa.

     Leota M. Andersen was born on February 7, 1917, to Verner and Tina (Tague) Harris in Harlan, Iowa. She attended school in Harlan, Polk No. 9, and graduated from Kirkman as the valedictorian of her class. During the summers of 1935 and 1936, she played on the Jacksonville girls’ softball team.

     On August 18, 1935, Leota was united in marriage to Earl Andersen of Jacksonville, Iowa, at the Methodist Parsonage in Harlan. They lived in Kimballton for a short time before moving all their things by bobsled because of all the snow to a farm near Prairie Rose State Park. It was there that their daughter Peggy was born. The family was living in Poplar, Iowa, at the time of their son Jerry’s birth where Earl was engaged in trucking. In 1942 they moved to the Andersen family farm. The couple bought the Jacksonville grocery store in 1949 and ran it for thirteen years before selling it to their nephew.

       Leota and Earl were able to travel to Spain and a side trip to Africa in 1974. The next year she began employment at Pauley Funeral Home In Harlan, and lived above the funeral home until their new house was built in 1978. She greeted everyone at the front door with her warm smile and caring words for over twenty years. It was during this time, she won a new Pontiac car from McDonald’s, which she drove around town with her personal license plate from some of her grandchildren which read "I ONE IT".

       After her mother’s death, Leota took over the role of being grandmother and great grandmother, to her nieces and nephews, and they all loved her and have many fond memories they will forever cherish. Her great-grandson Tanner had the honor of sharing the same birthdate, so they had their pictures together many time.

       She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and was active in the women’s circle, taught Sunday school and bible school, and supported many Christian organizations including Back to the Bible and Grace University.

Leota loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. They spent most vacations fishing with family members.

       She and Earl retired and moved to the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa, in November of 2004. It was there that she died on Wednesday, February 14, 2007, having attained the age of ninety years, seven days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Verner Jay and Tina Harris, and two brothers, Gaylord Harris and Bill Harris.

      Leota is survived by her husband of seventy-two years, Earl Andersen of Atlantic, Iowa; her daughter Peggy and husband Rollie Hansen of Elk Horn, Iowa; her son Jerry and wife Sharol Andersen of Atlantic, Iowa, seven grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, her brother Calvin Harris of Donahue, Iowa, her sister-in-law Arlene Adams of Kirkman, Iowa, nieces, nephews, other family members, and a great number of friends.

      Funeral Services were held on Saturday, February 17, 2007, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Iowa, with Pastor Henry Flessner officiating the 11:00 AM service. Honorary casket bearers were Keli Hansen, Hollie Mills, and Jennifer Cappel. Serving as casket bearers were Steve Hansen, Wade Mills, David Andersen, Scott Andersen, Doug Cappel, and Marc Andersen.

Mildred M. Andersen - Age 91

     Mildred Marie Andersen, the daughter of Antony and Katherine Eskow Jensen, was born on a farm near Elk Horn, Iowa on January 10, 1914 and was one of four children in the family. She was baptized and confirmed at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn, Iowa. She attended school at Clay Township #2 until the eighth grade.

     Mildred worked for families in the Elk Horn community, including Chris and Helena Christensen, where she met her future husband. She was united in marriage to Elmer Andersen on April 4, 1935 in the Elk Horn Lutheran Church and they just celebrated seventy years of marriage this past April. After their marriage they lived in Elk Horn and on a farm east of Elk Horn, also on a farm near Fiscus until moving to their farm south of Irwin in 1947. They remained on this farm until 1991 when they built a home in Elk Horn where they remained until moving to Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan in August of 2004. They were the parents of four children: Shirley, Emmert, Joan and Janice.

     Mildred was a member of the Get Together Club and she was a 4-H co-leader. Mildred was active in the Jacksonville, Irwin and Elk Horn Lutheran Churches Women’s Groups. She loved music and played the piano, organ, accordion and the violin. She loved caring for her home, her flowers and her family. Many hours were spent over a good cup of coffee, homemade goodies and meals with family and friends. Mildred and Elmer shared their love of the ponies with their grandchildren, family and friends. They also showed their teams in neighboring parades.

     Mildred died on Friday, July 29, 2005 at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, Iowa having attained the age of ninety-one years, six months and nineteen days. She is preceded in death by her parents.

     Mildred is survived by her husband, Elmer of Harlan, Iowa; her children: Shirley Thompson of Huntington Beach, California; Emmert Andersen and his wife, Diane of Harlan, Iowa; Joan Smith of Boone, Iowa and Janice and her husband David Fielding of Lake Elsinore, California; two sisters: Evelyn Hansen and Glenda Andersen, both of Elk Horn, Iowa and her brother, Maynard Jensen and his wife, Rose Marie of Kimballton, Iowa; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Chris Andersen of Atlantic, Iowa; other relatives and many friends.

     Funeral services were held on Monday, August 1, 2005, at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn, Iowa, at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor William Embree officiating. Interment was in the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery in Elk Horn, Iowa, with Dan Smith, Mark Andersen, Steve Smith, Kent Andersen, Bill Thompson, and Ron Andersen serving as casket bearers.