Obituary
Glenn DeVries, 83
Dorothy Lou Willardson, 98
Dorothy Lou Willardson, 98
Glenn DeVries, 83, of Fort Dodge, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at Bickford Senior Living in Fort Dodge. Funeral services were held 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the Gunderson Funeral Chapel with Rev. Kendall Meyer officiating. Burial was in the North Lawn Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Iowa Army National Guard. Visitation was held from 9:00 AM until the time of service on Saturday at the Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Fort Dodge. Glenn Leon DeVries, the son of Carl and Letha (VanNorstrand) DeVries, was born February 7, 1939, in Eldora, Iowa and graduated from the Oskaloosa High School in 1957. On June 12, 1960, Glenn was united in marriage to Janet Holst at the Deer Creek Lutheran Church. After their marriage they made Gowrie their home. On November 14, 1961, Glenn was inducted into the United States Army. After receiving his honorable discharge on November 13, 1963, Glenn moved back to Gowrie and started working for the Iowa Department of Transportation. Glenn then worked for A&E Dairy, Wendall’s Electric and later he started Glenn’s Wiring, Plumbing & Heating, retiring in 2004. He enjoyed model railroading and was a member of the Gowrie Volunteer Fire Department. He was a 50-year member of the American Legion Peterson Post No. 431 and was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Farnhamville. He is survived by his wife, Janet after 62 years of marriage; their two sons, Kraig (Sue) DeVries of La Porte City, Iowa and Kurt (Tracy) DeVries of Burnside, Iowa. Four grandchildren, Macy (Trevor) Lloyd, Hannah DeVries, Reece DeVries, and Ryan DeVries. He is also survived by his three sisters, Diane (Roger) Gibson of Mount Ayr, Iowa, Sandy McCollum of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Linda DeVries of Oskaloosa, Iowa. Glenn is preceded in death by his parents.
Dorothy Lou Willardson, 98
Dorothy Lou Willardson, 98
Dorothy Lou Willardson, 98
Dorothy Lou Willardson of Gowrie, passed away Thursday, June 23, 2022 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice house. She was 13 days shy of her 99th birthday. Funeral services were held 11:00 AM Monday, June 27, 2022 at the United Methodist Church, Gowrie with Pastor Susan Rohden officiating. Burial was in the Gowrie Township Cemetery. A visitation was held from 5:00PM to 7:00 PM Sunday, June 26 at Palmer Funeral Home, Gowrie. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family. Dorothy Lou Smith was born July 6, 1923, in Eagle Grove, Iowa, to Thomas Jefferson Smith and Eldora Myrtle Smith (Overholt). The family moved to Fort Dodge when she was young and she attended Fort Dodge schools and graduated from Fort Dodge High School. During high school she played in the band and was very proud that she was first chair trumpet. Dorothy had a love of music that followed her through her life. In 1946 Dorothy married Lawrence Willardson. They started by farming in Duncombe and then managing the Rosedale Farm Dairy. They soon began their family, and eventually they moved their growing family to Gowrie where they remained for the rest of their lives. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary prior to Lawrences passing in 2012. After the birth of their 5th child in 1964, Dorothy went back to school and earned her BA int teaching from Buena Vista University. She worked for Prairie Community School District as a Title 1 reading teacher for many years, retiring in 1987. After retirement she taught private classes to people helping them earn their GED. She believed that education was a necessity. Dorothy and Lawrence were active members of the Gowrie United Methodist Church for over 50 years where Dorothy’s love of music continued as the choir director for many years. In her lifetime she had many hardships but her deep faith carried her through. Her strength and perseverance were not reflective of her small stature. Dorothy deeply loved her family and they were always her priority. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Willardson, her parents, her daughters Nancy Essink and Janet Culver, her son James Willardson, her grandson TJ. Willardson, and 8 siblings. She is survived by her sons David (Jodi) Willardson of Knoxville,IA, Terry (Lisa) Willardson of Gowrie, IA, Warren Olson (Emilie) of Marengo, IA, Grandchildren, Erica Andrews (Troy), Robin Culver, Tricia Harrison, Kim Wright (Joe), Andrea Duntly (Donnie), Jeff Essink (Nicole) April Parker-Hanson (Dan) Angi Schiltz, Kelsey Willardson Roland (Cole), Brooke Willardson (Nate), Lindsay Olson (Kyle), Tyler Olson(Sydney), Cheri Fruits (RJ), Tom Willardson (Jill), Travis Booher and Taylor Willardson as well 30 great grandchildren.
Paul H. Wolf, 76
Dorothy Lou Willardson, 98
Paul H. Wolf, 76
Farnhamville – Paul H. Wolf 76, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at his home. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Farnhamville, with Pastor Aaron Zimmerman officiating. Burial will be at Reading Township Cemetery, Farnhamville, with Military Rites conducted by American Legion Post #510 of Farnhamville. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Farnhamville. Palmer Funeral Home, Gowrie is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family. Paul is survived by his wife Shirley; daughters, Marcie (Jeff) Boerner of Gowrie, and Tamara (Brian) Hanson of Gowrie; grandchildren, Dalton Boerner, Logan Boerner, Anna Hanson, Sam Hanson, and Oscar Hanson; sister Sharon (Dean) Henderson of Fort Dodge; brothers, Don (Donna) Wolf of Farnhamville, and Jim (Rose) Wolf of Gowrie; sister-in-law Jan Wolf of Gowrie; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Edna (Nahnsen) Wolf; and brother Ron Wolf. Paul H. Wolf was born January 4, 1946 at Gowrie and graduated from Prairie Community High School with the Class of 1964. He was united in marriage to Shirley Wiese on July 25, 1965 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Farnhamville where they were lifelong members. Paul was drafted into the United States Army where he served with the Big Red One as a small wheel mechanic in Vietnam. He was awarded two bronze stars and achieved the rank of sergeant. In 2017 he participated in the Brushy Creek Honor Flight. Paul was a man of many talents. He farmed, operated the Standard Oil Station in Farnhamville, enjoyed classic cars, classic country music, and later in life he enjoyed driving a semi-truck. Paul was a horseman his entire life and had a special gentle way with them. Starting with Quarter horses and then driving hitch ponies, he often joked as he got older the horses got smaller. He was a member of the Iowa Draft Pony Hitch Association and in 2016 was inducted into the IDPHA Hall of Fame. Above all, he was so proud of his family and told them often. Many will remember his sense of humor and laugh.
Local News
Firecracker 40 Bike Ride Held Saturday, June 25th
By Shari Everhart It was a perfect day for bikers to hop on a bicycle and peddle their way on the local country roads during the annual Firecracker 40 Bike Ride held on Saturday, June 25th. The popular annual event began with T-shirt pickup at Mulligans in Gowrie at 8:00 a.m. Riders were off, running and ready to go at 9:00 a.m. starting at Mulligans then on to Ole Town Road & Pub Eatery in Gowrie. From there, riders traveled to Farnhamville for a stop at Rudy’s with the next scheduled stop at Slifer where RJ Higgins had set up a Tiki hut where hot dogs were served and where participants could get in a game of sand volleyball and yard games. Next on the route was Hummingbird Confections located in Callender where ice cream was served as refreshments, then bikers peddled on to Moorland and Ralph’s Tap. From there, riders proceeded back to Mulligans in Gowrie. Each stop featured their own specials with some of the stops providing the opportunity to donate to #walkerthewarrior. Profit from this year’s Firecracker 40 was dedicated to Walker Martin, 8 month-old son of Michael and Dani Martin. Read More...
FF1 Firemen Classes Conducted For Gowrie’s Newest Volunteers
By Shari Everhart The first class in a series of laying the foundation for basic firefighting skills and “hands on” activity of a first responder have been under way for the Gowrie Volunteer Fire Department’s newest members: Troy Thomas, AJ Dorsey, Joe Hoffbauer, and Lane Fevold. These men began their FF1 level training the first of December and attended classes that were held every Tuesday and Thursday and four Saturdays, all day long. The new volunteers finished up in March and took their test in April. New members of the Gowrie Fire Department are required to be trained to the FF1 level. Beginning with personal safety, fire behavior, the hands-on fundamentals of utilizing self-contained breathing apparatus, ladder raising and climbing skills, as well as hose loads and advances make up this intense training. A portion of the classes dealt with the rudimentary principles of pumping apparatus for the purpose of maintaining an adequate fire stream. Although thorough in its scope, this should be considered a starting point for departments with a young and inexperienced roster. It’s a great class for firemen veterans to refresh their skills and mentor the new firefighters on the department’s roster. The class is 160 hours in length and sets the path for Certification.
Fire Department Plans July 4th Activities, breakfast, parade, and fireworks
Members of the Gowrie Volunteer Fire Department are an important part of Gowrie’s 4th of July Celebration. Emphasizing the volunteer aspect of the department, this is another group along with the support of many local businesses that help make the whole Gowrie Independence Day Celebration a great success! You’ll see firemen washing and polishing the big red trucks as they get ready for the Annual Independence Day parade. You can also find the firemen at the fire station again this year serving pancakes and sausage bright and early between 7:00 am and 9:30 am on Monday, July 4th. Meanwhile, the firemen will continue working as they prepare for the fabulous fireworks display! Cars begin lining up way in advance around the football complex and down Main Street as excitement builds for the show. Thanks to the combined effort of local residents donating pop cans, the “Can Crew” members that sort the bags and bags of cans, and the Gowrie Volunteer Fire Department for lighting the fuses! It is the perfect ending to a great celebration. While viewing the beautiful light show it is easy to forget the danger of pyrotechnics if not handled properly. The firemen have to be certified in pyrotechnics and preplan the display prior to the 4th. Firemen begin late afternoon and work well past midnight to set up, tear down, and clean up after the display. It makes for a long day but volunteers create an unforgettable home town celebration. Thank you to everyone that makes this possible!
Sports
Jags Matchup Against Iowa Falls Cadets
6/23 @ Iowa Falls 15-5 W (6-9) The Jags came to play at their away non conference matchup against the Iowa falls Cadets. The Jags scored four runs in the first inning then four more in the third followed by another big inning in the fifth with five runs. The Jags had senior Zack Miller on the mound who struck out seven batters but the Jag defense gave up five errors which allowed the Cadets to stay in the game. Kolson Kruse scored a run in the 6th to give the Jags the 10 run rule and Junior Drew Corell came in relief. Drew got a strike out and a huge pickoff giving the jags two outs. Drew eventually got a Cadet batter to hit a ground ball to Lucas Jondle who tossed it to second to get the force out and the third out of the game. Hits on the night came from Kolson Kruse with a triple and double. Read More...
Jaguars Victorious Over South Central Calhoun 13-2
June 24, 2022 Southeast Valley softball faced off against the Titans from South Central Calhoun on Friday night in Lytton. The Jaguars came out victorious by a score of 13-2 in five innings of play. The Jags were able to put the defense and the offense together again against the Titans, starting right away in the first inning by scoring two runs on two hits. Ellie Nolte kept her hitting streak alive by leading off with a double roped to the left-center fence, reaching third on a SAC fly hit by Jordyn Rowley. Maddie VanSickle brought Nolte home on a hard hit to the shortstop that couldn’t be handled. In the second inning, Leilah Olson kept the bats alive, leading off with a single down the left field line followed by Lauren Eslick and Ellie Nolte both reaching base after getting hit by a pitch. With Jags loaded on the bases, Kenna Scott would step into the box. Scott drew the walk, loading the bases once again, but not before Olson showed her speed, scoring on a mishandled throwdown by the Titan third baseman. Alex Kitchen would be the only Jaguar to score in the third after hitting a laser through the middle of the SCC defense, reaching third on her own and scoring on a SAC bunt from freshman Chloe Lambert. Read More...