Naomi Klinge

Naomi Jeanette Klinge was born on October 16, 1925 to Otto and Auguste Siebrecht on the family farm south of Garnavillo.  She was the youngest of three children by nearly 10 years.  Her brother was Valmah and her sister was Alice.  She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Garnavillo.

She had a very pleasant and peaceful childhood.  Besides time with both her parents, her grandmother Schaefermeier lived with them and she was able to get to know her, too.  She attended the Eagle District school which was just a short walk from her home.  After the 8th grade, she continued her education in town and graduated in 1943.  It was the summer of ’42 when Naomi met her future husband, Cliff Klinge at Lakeside Ballroom.

Barbara McCully

Barbara McCully (Nee Crider) of Burnsville, passed away on April 29th, 2023, at age 91. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years- James D. McCully, her parents Raymond “Doc” Crider and Frieda Crider, her sister Margaret Keith, and her brother Kenneth Crider. 

Barbara was born in Elgin, Iowa and was a proud Iowa State graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Education. She and her husband met as Iowa State students and after graduation, became life long residents of Minnesota. 

Barbara developed and taught for the ESL program at Normandale Community College for 20 years and played a similar role at Hennepin Technical college until her retirement in 1999. In retirement, Barbara enjoyed traveling with her husband, time spent with her extended family, and relaxing in her Burnsville home watching the many birds and other wildlife that frequented her backyard. 

Ronald Helgerson

Ronald Lee Helgerson, 70, of Postville, Iowa passed away Thursday, May 4, 2023 in Postville, Iowa. Ron was born on March 29, 1953 to Henry and Ruth (Suckow) Helgerson in Postville, Iowa. He enjoyed working, spending time with family and working on old Ford pickup trucks. Ron was a simple man and loved riding motorcycles and spending time with his kids and grandkids. He was willing to help anyone in need.

Surviving Ron are his children, Chad (Caterina) Helgerson of West Union, Iowa and Holly (Tony) Osmundson of West Union, Iowa; grandchildren, Carter Helgerson, Hane Helgerson, Loren Osmundson and Katelyn Osmundson; two brothers, Richard (Sandy) Helgerson and Daryl (Mary) Helgerson; and his sister, Nancy Hill.

Preceding Ron in death were his parents, Henry and Ruth Helgerson; brother, Ernie Helgerson; sister-in-law, Jane Helgerson; and brother-in-law, Joe Hill.

Leone Popenhagen

Leone Corrine (Anfinson) Popenhagen, Wadena, Iowa passed on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Home, West Union. She was born on December 2, 1931, in Dover Township, Fayette County, the daughter of Leonard (Henry) and Catharine (Bishop) Anfinson, members of Stavanger Lutheran Church, Ossian. Leone attended Dover #6 country school. After her family moved to Lima to operate the country store, she attended the Lima country school and graduated from Fayette High School.

Leone was united in marriage to Harold Joy Popenhagen, Lima, on June 11, 1950, by Rev. Ukena, Bethel Presbyterian Church, West Union. They lived near Lima a few months before moving to Harold’s grandparent’s farm east of Wadena.

Kenneth Edwin Mittelstadt

     Kenneth Edwin Mittelstadt (more fondly known as Kenny) was born at home in West Union, IA, on May 9, 1943, to Edwin and Verla (Kinsel) Mittelstadt. Delivered by old Doc Carr, with Grandma Mittelstadt and tiny Aunt Edith Wander in attendance at his birth. Kenny’s first squawk alerted everyone in the room that there was a new kid in town. And he had things to say.

     To say that Kenny was a born conversationalist was an understatement. He could, as he liked to say, “talk the ears right off a snake” and, wherever he went, he left a new crop of friends in his wake.

Arlene Miller

Arlene Miller, 92, of West Union, Iowa passed away Friday, April 21, 2023 at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa. She was born December 10, 1930 to Collin and Mildred (Hartz) Hamilton in Waterloo, Iowa. Arlene attended and graduated from Gates Business School in Waterloo, Iow

Larry Crandall

 On Saturday, May 20, 2023, the Larry Crandall family will be having a celebration of Larry’s life at the West Union Rec Center from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 Food and drink will be provided.

 Anyone who knew Larry and would like to join in the reminiscing is welcome.

LaFonda McIntyre

LaFonda Kay (Miller) McIntyre passed away, Sunday, April 23, 2023, at Linn Haven Healthcare in New Hampton after a brave battle with Angiosarcoma. She was eighty-six years of age.

Memorial services were held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 27, 2023, at the United Methodist Church in Hawkeye with Mona Christie, Lay Speaker officiating. Inurnment followed at the Hawkeye Cemetery. Visitation preceded services at the Church on Thursday, starting at 9:00 a.m. Becker & Son Funeral Home in Hawkeye is assisting LaFonda’s family. Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com. 

Anita Skelton

Anita Lynn Skelton, 70, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Manhattan, New York, passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Corridor Crossing Place, Cedar Rapids. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include her sisters, Deborah Skelton of Hiawatha, Iowa, and Mary Skelton of Bronx, New York, and her loving nephews, Daniel (Mirna) Pacheco of Coralville, Iowa, Theodore Brown of Bronx, New York, and Brandon Santana of Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Lynn Ordell Bjerke 

Lynn Ordell Bjeke, 68, of West Union and formerly of Waukon, died January 19, 2023, after suffering a stroke.

A celebration of life is scheduled to take place Saturday, May 13, at the Elgin Golf Club from 1-4 p.m. Refreshments will be served and all are invited to share memories.