Eleanora Franzen

     Eleanora Franzen, age 91, of Ossian, IA, died on Sunday, June 12, 2016, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA.

Alvin Gross

Alvin J. Gross, 93, of Eldorado, Iowa died Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at Maple Crest Manor, Fayette, Iowa.

Alvin John, the son of Justice Frederick “Fritz” and Elsie (Schatz) Gross, was born May 29, 1923 at the West Union Hospital (now the Fayette County Historical Society).

Alvin was baptized June 24, 1923 and confirmed May 16, 1937 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Eldorado.

He enjoyed growing up on the farm and attending country school in Eldorado. After finishing eighth grade and completing one year of high school in West Union, he helped his father on the family farm and frequently helped out neighboring farmers for a dollar a day.  As a young man he worked as a farm hand for Reuben Koester, a cream hauler for Leonard Pape, and a sawmill worker for Reynold Baumler.

Thomas Woods

Thomas James Woods, 57, of  Randalia, Iowa passed away at his home on Thursday, June 9, 2016.

Visitation will be from 4-7 Pm on Thursday, June 16, at the Geilenfeld Funeral home in Oelwein.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Friday June 17, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein.

Inurnment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery. 

A Memorial fund has been established.

For condolences please visit www.geilenfeldfh.com.

Tommy was born on September 5, 1958 in Oelwein, the son of Thomas and Carolyn Woods.

He grew up in Oelwein and graduated from Oelwein High School in 1977.

He was married to Terri Neunsinger in December of 1978. Together, they had two daughters, Courtney and Rachel. They were later divorced.

  On June 1, 2002 he was united in marriage to Joyce Downs at West Union, Ia. Joyce passed away on September 15, 2015.

Jerome "Jerry" Ameling

    Jerome “Jerry” Ameling, age 63, of Ossian, IA, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family after a courageous 7 year battle with cancer.

Jerome Clarence Ameling was born on December 16, 1952, the son of Clarence and Ida (Smith) Ameling in West Union, IA.  He attended St. John’s grade school and graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1972.  Jerry was united in marriage to Joan Schrandt on October 17, 1981, at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, IA.  He worked several jobs over the years, Weselmann Meat Market, White Farms, the Milwaukee Railroad and then Calmar Manufacturing where he worked for many years until his health forced him to retire in 2009.  

Elmer Strangeland

Elmer Arthur Stangeland, 92, of La Crosse, passed away Thursday, June 2, 2016, at Hillview Health Care Center, La Crosse. He was born January 16, 1924, to Joseph Adolph Stangeland and Emma (Kloster) Stangeland in Ossian, Iowa. He received his education in Ossian, Iowa and in 1944, after graduation, he entered the United States Marines.

Elmer was united in marriage to Shirley Moses at the Little Brown Church in the Vale, at Nashua, Iowa, on November 27, 1947. They had two daughters, Sherry Lynn and Renee. He worked at Northern Engraving until they closed and then at Trane Company where he worked for 28 years... retiring in 1989.

Elmer will be remembered for being a strong, hardworking man, a man that loved his family and friends, and who shared a love of gardening at the side of his wife, Shirley. Passersby would often stop and compliment the couple on their beautiful efforts.

Judith Sperry

The funeral for Judith (Judy) W. Sperry will be at 11:00 am Friday June 10, 2016 at River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, Minn., with Pastor Julie Beck officiating. 

Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday June 9, 2016 at River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home and ½ hour prior to the service on Friday June 10, 2016. 

Judy Sperry 75, of Rochester, MN, died Wednesday (June 1, 2016) at her home surrounded by family and friends. 

Judy was born April 10, 1941 in Burlington, IA to George and Lorraine Alexander. 

She graduated from Rochester High School in 1960. 

On December 16, 1961 she married Richard H. Nordhus and was later divorced. 

On July 26, 1986 she married Kenneth (Ken) L. Sperry at their home in Rochester, MN.  The couple lived in Rochester.

Anneliese Verlsteffen

Anneliese Verlsteffen age 96, of St. Lucas, IA, died on Friday, May 13, 2016, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, IA.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by the Rev. Nick March and Deacon Jim Zajicek on Saturday, June 4, at St. Luke Catholic Church in St. Lucas.

Interment was in the church cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were Anneliese’s grandchildren.

Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Anneliese “Lisa” Augusta Verlsteffen was born on February 14, 1920, the daughter of Ewald and Augusta (Hilbers) Baumeister in Münster, Germany.

Anneliese was united in marriage to Konrad Verlsteffen on June 5, 1943 in Münster, Germany, while Konrad was on leave. Konrad was transferred in 1944 to Belgrad Yugoslavia.

Norma Jean Ernst

Norma Jean Ernst, 88, of Ossian, Iowa died on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, Iowa. Norma Jean was born to Frank Jr. and Florence (Wiltgen) Schroeder, July 17, 1928 on a farm near Ossian. Jean was baptized and confirmed at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian. She graduated from Ossian High School in 1946.

Jean was united in marriage with Arthur Ernst in 1960. She worked as a waitress at Cook’s Café in Ossian for several years, also for Dr. Henry and helped her husband at the sale barn in South Dakota. Jean was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and Rosary Society. She enjoyed cooking, traveling and visiting with family and friends. Jean loved animals and had many pets.

Jean is survived by her brother; Gerald Schroeder of Bellevue; sister-in-law, Joanne Schroeder of Ossian; and numerous nieces and nephews.