Obituary
Wayne Fritz, 86
John “Jack” D. Schaefer, 88
John “Jack” D. Schaefer, 88
Funeral services for Wayne Fritz, 86 of Fort Dodge, Iowa, formerly of Paton, IA were held 10:30 am Saturday, November 20, 2021 at the Salem United Methodist Church in Paton, Iowa. The Rev. David Arulnathan, pastor of the church, officiated. Casket bearers are Dave Cunningham, Pat Cunningham, Mark Rittgers, Rick Rittgers, Doug Tourte, Bob Peacock. Visitation with the family present to greet friends was held on Friday, November 19, 2021, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson. Interment will be at the Paton Township Cemetery in Paton, Iowa.
Wayne Eugene Fritz, son of Fredrick and Rena (Collins) Fritz was born May 20, 1935 on the family farm near Menlo, Iowa. He died at Friendship Haven Simpson Health Center in Fort Dodge on November 15, 2021 at the age of 86. The family moved from Menlo to the farm near Paton in 1941. Wayne graduated from Paton High School, Paton, Iowa in 1953. He served in the U.S. army as a radio operator from 1954-56 and was stationed in Germany for most of his service.
Wayne was united in marriage to Blanche LaRue Lightfoot, daughter of Harry and Katherine (Enders) Lightfoot on November 24, 1956 at the Methodist Church in Paton. They are the parents of two children, Anne LaRue and Carl Eugene Fritz. They lived and farmed in the Paton/Gowrie area for 45 years. Wayne served on the Rural Electric Cooperative board of directors for many years. He was an accomplished trumpet player, a member of the Gowrie Guachos drum and bugle corps and occasionally played “Taps” during Memorial Day services at the Paton Twp. Cemetery. He enjoyed traveling, camping, skiing, genealogy research and spending winters in Mesa, Arizona. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren both on the farm and in New Jersey.
After retiring from farming, Wayne and Blanche moved to Flagstaff, Arizona in 2002 and in 2010 moved to Mesa, Arizona. In 2015 they moved to Hillsborough, New Jersey to be close to family. After Blanche’s passing, Wayne moved back to Iowa to Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge to be near home and friends.
Wayne is survived by his son Carl (and special friend Rebecca Wachowiak) of Eagle Grove, Iowa, grandchildren Kevin Fritz of St. Louis Park, Minnesota and Kathleen Fritz of Princeton, New Jersey. He was preceded in death by his wife Blanche, daughter Anne, parents Fred and Rena Fritz, stepmother Ida (Miller) Fritz, sisters Clara Tripp of Fort Morgan, Colorado and Mary Steiger of Portland Oregon.
Funeral services were arranged by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson, Iowa.
John “Jack” D. Schaefer, 88
John “Jack” D. Schaefer, 88
John “Jack” D. Schaefer, 88
Gowrie – John “Jack” D. Schaefer 88, passed away Monday, November 22, 2021 at his home. A Public Visitation will be 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 5, 2021 at the Palmer Funeral Home, Gowrie.
Jack is survived by his wife Jan; daughter Amy (Greg) Schmadeke of Callender; son Scott (Diane) Schaefer of Glenwood; 5 grandchildren, Sarah (Craig) Peters, Laura (Aaron) Chalstrom, Anne (Chris) Simpson, Kalyn (Ermal) Wilson, and Blake (fiancé Jess) Schaefer; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Hazel (Rhodes) Schaefer; and sister Barbara Anderson.
John “Jack” D. Schaefer was born August 12, 1933 at Iowa City and graduated from Dubuque High School, Dubuque. Jack served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He attended Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Texas where he was a starting pitcher for the baseball team. On May 31, 1957 he was united in marriage to Janice French in Omaha, Nebraska. The couple established their home in Omaha and moved to Gowrie after their retirement.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
Alan E. Urelius, 78
John “Jack” D. Schaefer, 88
Alan E. Urelius, 78
FARNHAMVILLE, Alan E. Urelius, 78, passed away Sunday, November 7, 2021 at Shady Oaks Care Center, Lake City.
Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 12, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church, Gowrie with Pastor Jim Davis and Pastor Denise Berns officiating. Burial was at Reading Township Cemetery, Farnhamville. Military rights will be presented by the American Legion Post #510, Farnhamville.
He is survived by his wife, June and son, Marcus Urelius. He is also survived by Alex (Michelle) Farley, Amy (Sam) Grubisich, and grandson, Austin Farley. Also survived by his sisters, Leatta (Ron) Hawthrone and Gloria (Joel) West.
He was preceded by his parents, Vincent and LaVern (Saucke) Urelius.
Alan E. Urelius was born May 27, 1943 and graduated from Lohrville School. He attended Iowa Central Community College and then Iowa State University. He served in the United States Army Reserves from 1965 till 1971. He was united in marriage to June Larson on March 30, 1985 in Gowrie. Alan raised livestock and farmed until his stroke in 2010. He enjoyed restoring antique tractors, vehicles, and farm equipment and attending shows and parades. Alan was a musician and played trumpet in several dance bands. He was an avid sports fan and loved playing and watching many sports. He also liked to travel, especially to Sweden. Alan was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and the American Legion Post Lohrville.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
Local News
Work Begins on Farnhamville’s Veterans Memorial at North Park
By Shari Everhart
Anyone driving into Farnhamville from the north side via Garfield Avenue can’t help but notice the activity taking place at the community’s North Park.
Construction has begun on the walkway near the site of the town’s Veterans Memorial. The project is under the auspices of the Farnhamville American Legion Post 510 and headed up by Legionnaire Adjutant Paul Kail. Plans to develop, upgrade and beautify the site located adjacent to road P-21 and across from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. The actual memorial stone will be located north of right field of the Myron Nolte Athletic ball field and serve as a means to honor those who have served in the military.
Fundraising has been ongoing and the project had a big boost from a grant received from Grow Greene County in the amount of $18,350. The grant will augment/match funds previously raised through the raffle of patriotic quilt, a rifle, numerous community fundraisers such as soup suppers and fish frys, along with various monetary donations. The grant application was written by Legion Post 510 Adjutant Paul Kail and endorsed by the Post’s Commander Mike Ewing and Vice Commander/Recording Secretary Larry Brown. Read More...
Legion Riders Chapter 510 of Farnhamville Make Donations To Those In Need
On Saturday November 27th members of the American Legion Riders Chapter 510 of Farnhamville went on there yearly mission to purchase items to donate for the upcoming Christmas Holiday. Each year a list is provided by New Opportunities Inc. in Rockwell City to purchase two bicycles and also a list from Stewart Memorial Hospital to purchase items for a needy family in the Calhoun County area. The bicycles are purchased by the Legion Riders and the other items are purchased with donations from the Legion Riders members present at the store. We all pick out the bicycles then split up with the gals getting items for the girls and the guys getting items for boys. However, before check out time we all gather together to pick out Christmas candy to add to the donations. Just a small part for us to make Christmas a little better for those in need.
Ribbon Cutting Held Monday, November 22 at Sinsational BBQ
By Shari Everhart
An official ribbon cutting took place at Sinsational BBQ located at 1118 Beek Street in Gowrie on Monday, November 22.
Steven Fisher opened the business that uniquely features BBQ and smoked meats. Growing up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, he’s always been quite fond of BBQ and said he”’has been grilling and smoking meat most of his adult life since he lost his father in 2007” and that it’s (BBQ) something he has found that keeps them close.
Fisher moved to Iowa in 2011 and would often cook for his fellow work associates who seemed to love what he prepared, He shared that he also would host weekly cookouts for friends. He began cooking competitively in 2016. Winning first place in one of the day’s events is what he says had him hooked on competitions from then on. Read More...
Sports
Kyler Fisher Turns Tide in Iowa’s Comeback Victory Over Nebraska
By Shari Everhart
Those who tuned into the Iowa-Nebraska football game on Friday, November 26, were hoping for a turnaround in the game as the Hawkeyes trailed their rival Cornhuskers. And just what they were hoping for did happen when Kyler Fisher, #37 special teams Hawkeye, grabbed a blocked punt in the 4th quarter to turn the tide and fuel the Hawkeyes to their 7th victory over the Huskers, 28 to 21.
Fisher ran the ball and ran it in 14 yards for his first career touchdown as a Hawkeye. It was thrilling for area locals watching the game played at Lincoln, Nebraska to witness the 2019 Southeast Valley High School graduate make such an important and awesome play that inspired his team to rally and go on to score after that blocked return for a touchdown. It was followed by two field goals and a safety to wipe out a 21 to 6 deficit and tie the game at 21 to 21 with 7:21 minutes left to play.
It was deflating to the Cornhuskers (3-9, 1-8) who most likely won’t get a bowl bid for a 5th straight year. The Hawkeyes (10-2,7-2) won the border battle for the 7th year and retained the Hero’s Trophy ending the game with Iowa intercepting a Nebraska pass at the Iowa 2 with 43 seconds left to play.
Kyler Fisher, is the son of Heather and Gerald Fisher of Farnhamville and a Jaguar standout as a player on the Southeast Valley High School football team.
Jaguars Prowl North Opening Season Against Clarion Goldfield Dows
By Coach Mills
Clarion, Iowa - Clarion Goldfield Dows (1-0) hosted Southeast Valley (0-1) for a season non-conference opener. Clarion Gold Dows finished their 2020-21 season with a 17-5 record and Southeast Valley finished 10-12.
The Cowgirls established a 24-14 first quarter lead after the first 8 minutes of play and finished the half ahead 35-22. The Jaguars managed to put up 34 points in the second half and cut into the lead but still fell short with final score Cowgirls 65-Jaguars 56.
“This game gave the girls an opportunity to get their legs underneath them. The difference in play and execution between the first and second halves showed growth in this game alone. We are proud of the effort and dedication of the team.” Coach Mills. Read More...