Obituary

Natalie Ann Carter, 56 of Des Moines, passed away on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at Mercy One in Des Moines. 

Natalie was born on August 12, 1965 to Norman & Charlene (Cooper) Vote in Ft. Dodge. Natalie grew up in rural Farnhamville area and attended Cedar Valley School District, where she graduated. After high school, Natalie continued her education at Iowa State University earning a specialty degree in school psychology in 1988. After graduation, Natalie was employed at Eldora Boys State Training School. 

Natalie was united in marriage to Ronald Allen Comegys in 1992. To this union came two children: Jeffery Allen and Jacob Wesley. Natalie was a loving mother to her sons and enjoyed spending time with them. She was a passionate person with a warm heart who had an ability to listen and empathize with her loved ones. Natalie was later married to Scott Carter and they divorced.

Survivors include a son, Jeffery Allen Comegys of Des Moines, father, Norman Vote, step mother, Joyce Vote, both of Melrose, sisters: Valerie Castle (Randy) of Promise City, Melanie Vote (Julien Gardair) of Brooklyn and a fiancée, Tim Burris. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Ronald Allen Comegys, son Jacob Wesley Comegys and her mother, Charlene Vote. 

A memorial service will take place, 11:00 am, Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Iconium Methodist Church. Visitation will be one hour prior from 10-11:00 am. Interment will take place at a later date at the Lincoln Cemetery in Alleman, Iowa. Memorials may be given to the family and condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com or facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome. 

Gowrie - Francis R. (Sonny) Carlson, 87, passed away Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at Fort Dodge Health and Rehab.

Memorial services will be 2:00 PM Sunday, September 26, 2021 at Palmer Funeral Home in Gowrie with Ronald and DeAnne Dundson officiating. Burial will be in Dayton Cemetery with military rites presented by the Greenfield-Harquist American Legion Post #699. Palmer Funeral Home in Gowrie is in charge of arrangements. 

Sonny was born on May 30, 1934, on his family farm a mile north of Harcourt to Mildred and Francis Carlson Sr. He graduated from Harcourt Consolidated School in 1952. Sonny was united in marriage to Marilyn J. Mann on November 8, 1953, and happily married for 65 years before her passing in 2018.

Sonny enlisted in the Army in May 1954. After completing basic training in Fort Bliss, Texas, he completed automotive and anti-aircraft weaponry training before being stationed in North Folk, Virginia. Following his discharge from the Army, he made deliveries for numerous companies before driving a semi-truck with Smithway Motor Xpress for 30 years where he reached the prestigious four-million-mile mark.

Sonny and Marilyn lived in or around Harcourt for their entire marriage before moving to Gowrie in 2017. They spent twenty-four years as snowbirds in Arizona making lasting friendships with people across the country.

Sonny was known for his love of trains and created elaborate displays for his extensive model train collection. He was a talented artist who enjoyed creating Swedish weave, painting rocks, and leading classes on sand and zipper art. If you knew Sonny, chances are you played a game or two with him. He was an avid card player who also enjoyed bocce ball, dominoes, and cribbage. His favorite hobby, however, was taking trips with his sweetheart and spending time with his family.

Sonny is survived by his son Randy Carlson of Walker, Minnesota; daughter Lori (Larry) Rankin of Pleasantville, Iowa; foster daughter Tammy Buriak of Florida; grandchildren Jennifer (Justin) Lee, Jason (Jenna) Ekstrom, Mat (Ashley) Spicer, Aaron (Chong) Carlson, Hayley Rankin (Mitchell), Michelle Pennington and family, Eric (Leah) Rankin and family; as well as four great-grandchildren: Austin, Avery, and Aiden Lee, and Oliver Ekstrom

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Marilyn and daughter Barbara Lyn, his parents Mildred and Francis Sr, and his sisters Dorothy and Ramona.

Memorials may be left to the Community of Christ Church in Coalville and Southwest Webster Ambulance.

Gowrie– Star L. Havard 99, passed away Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at Avenue at Medina Care Rehabilitation in Medina, Ohio. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 25, 2021, at the Palmer Funeral Home, Gowrie, with Pastor Susan Rohden officiating. Burial will be at Gowrie Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, at the funeral home. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.  

Star is survived by her daughters, Marilyn (Howard) Bratt of Medina, OH, and Janelle Wines of Wentzville, MO; 5 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and nieces and nephews.  She is proceeded in death by her parents, Stephen and Emma (Gilleland) Ergish; her husbands, Walter A. Chinberg and Ellis Havard; sisters, Fawn Borer, Ivis Sharkey; and great-grandsons, Joseph Little and Noah Wines.

Star Lorraine Ergish was born January 31, 1922 at Gowrie, Iowa.  She was raised in Gowrie. She moved to Somers her senior year where she graduated from Somers High School.  She attended Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis.  She lived most of her adult life in Minneapolis and St. Louis. Following her retirement, she moved back to Gowrie in 1989. She was a long-time member of the Methodist Church. She is remembered as an avid reader and lover of music.  She taught her grandchildren how to escape into novels at a young age.  She showed them that sometimes getting the punch line wrong is just as funny and that good friends and family will take you pretty far in life but a good perm will get you even farther.