Pearl Schmitt

Pearl Amelia Schmitt, 91, of Ossian, Iowa died Saturday, August 3, 2019 at Aase Haugen Senior Services, Decorah, Iowa. Pearl was born on a farm west of Ossian on January 8, 1928 at home in Winneshiek County Ossian, Iowa, the daughter of Andrew and Frances (Bullerman) Timp. She was baptized and confirmed at St Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, Iowa. She attended De Sales Grade School and graduated from De Sales High School of seven girls in 1946. After graduation, she worked in Chicago, Illinois, for several years doing house work. 

On June 3, 1954 Pearl was united in marriage to Fidelis F. Schmitt by Father Ed Frost at De Sales Catholic Church Ossian. After their marriage, they made their home in Ossian. They became the parents of three children; a son, Daniel B. Schmitt, and twin daughters, Carol Mary and Connie Ann.

Dagne Klingman

Dagne Klingman, 89, of Ossian, Iowa, died Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, Iowa. Dagne Minerva was born October 5, 1929 to Fridtjofand Anna (Johnson) Tinderholt on the family farm outside of Ossian, Iowa. She spent her childhood years in Ossian and graduated from Ossian High School. Dagne went on to earn her teaching certificate at the University of Northern Iowa. She spent the preceding three years teaching in rural schools near Luana.

On May 31, 1953 Dagne was united in marriage to Carroll Klingman. The couple spent many wonderful summers road tripping around the continental United States. Carroll and Dagne farmed near Elgin for years before an injury made farming difficult for Dagne and they decided to leave the farm. Carroll and Dagne then moved to Calmar, Iowa, and both found work at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. During her time at Luther, Dagne worked primarily with student loans.

Gerald Olson

Gerald Olson, 77, of West Union, Iowa died Saturday, July 27, 2019 surrounded by his loving family at his home in West Union, Iowa. Gerald Lee was born August 11, 1941 to Glen and Viola (Miene) Olson in McGregor, Iowa. Gerald attended school in Elkader through the 9^th grade. 

Gerald proudly served in the United States National Guard from 1964 to 1970. He was blessed with three children over the years; Laurie, Jeff and Scott. 

Gerald’s work history included driving semi for over 30 years, carpentry and construction. He was a member of the National Rifle Association (N.R.A.), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Norway Lutheran Church in St. Olaf, Iowa. Gerald loved flying his plane, camping, hunting and fishing.

Mildred Steinbronn

Mildred E. Steinbronn, 87, of Fayette, died Wednesday evening, July 31, 2019, at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, August 5, 2019, at Grace Lutheran Church in Fayette with Rev. Herbert Mueller, III officiating.  Interment followed at Grandview Cemetery in Fayette. Visitation was held from 1 - 4 p.m., Sunday, August 4^th, at Grace Lutheran Church in Fayette and for one hour preceding the service on Monday. Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Fayette is assisting Mildred’s family. Memorials may be made to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com.  

Shirley Barness

Shirley Barness, 78, of West Union, Iowa died Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at Gundersen Palmer Hospital in West Union, Iowa. Shirley Ann was born November 18, 1940 to Willard and Zenita (Holtzman) Ash in West Union, Iowa. In 1958 she graduated from North High in West Union.

Shirley was united in marriage with Lloyd Barness on June 14, 1958, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ossian, Iowa. Two children were born to this union. They lived on the farm for seven years before moving to town in 1965. Shirley worked at a hamburger shop, Lilac Motel, H & H Distributing and for the school lunch program. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s events, playing cards and board games and watching television. Shirley was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa Cyclones and UNI.

Keith Johnson

In Loving Memory of a great husband, father and friend to all.

Keith Merton Johnson, 80, was born October 4, 1938 at home in Allamakee County, to Oscar and Selma Johnson, and died at his home in Elgin surrounded by his family on July 28, 2019, after a long, painful battle with colon cancer. Keith had been actively involved in the Volunteer Fire Department, Town Council and his true love of farming and animals.  Over Keith’s career, he worked at Hellum Produce, the Elgin Creamery, AMPI, Wadena Cheese Factory, farming, and started Keith Johnson Trucking in 1984 and retired in 2004. After retirement, Keith helped the Wettleson family with their farming operations.

Keith was united in marriage to Darlene Elaine Hellum on November 23, 1958, at the Postville Lutheran Church. To this union, four children became a part of his life.  

Marie Erickson Shea

Marie Alice (Belschner) Erickson Shea, 98, formerly of Volga, passed away Thursday, July 11, 2019, at the Elkader Care Center. Marie was born June 3, 1921, at home four miles north of Hawkeye by the Turkey River. She was the daughter of Lillian (Hoepfner) and Richard Belschner. She had an older brother Ervin and younger brother Harold. Marie was baptized and confirmed at the Hawkeye Lutheran Church, Hawkeye. 

She was very athletic and played basketball all four years of high school. She was chosen Captain her senior year and named top guard in Fayette County. Marie graduated from Hawkeye High School in 1939. 

Mary Jo Clark

Mary Jo Clark, 61 of Loveland, Colorado died of metastatic breast cancer surrounded by family at the Pathways Hospice Care Center inside McKee Medical Center on June 16th, 2019.

She was born on August 15th, 1957 to Arthur and Gertrude (Shindelar) Holthaus of Ossian, Iowa. She is survived by her beloved husband, Clay Clark, married for almost 35 years, her 2 daughters, Whitney (Josh) Whalen and Rena (Andrew) Yates and she was a loving grandmother to 7 grandchildren whom she cherished and nurtured so much: Taiahna, Makaio, Naomi, Lanaya and Logan, Leiland, Liam.  She is also survived by her siblings, Linus (Elaine) Holthaus, Danita Watson, Neal (Charlene) Holthaus, Morris (Chris) Holthaus, Aileen Holthaus (John Lindquist), Ann Holthaus, Leonice Holthaus (Annie Neal), Zita (Randy) Bruess, Ruth (Bob) Busta, Lisa (Darcy) Valentine, Artie Holthaus, and Lee (Terri) Holthaus and many nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends. 

Jerome Frana

Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, July 12, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Ossian, Iowa. Interment was in the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery, Ossian, Iowa. 

Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah, IA helped the family with the arrangements.

Jerome Frana, age 83, of Ossian, IA passed away peacefully on Monday, July 8, 2019 at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah, IA surrounded by his loving family.