Obituary
Gretchen Viola Dahms, 90, died at her home in Gladbrook of a sudden illness on Thursday, August 19, 2010. Visitation was held at the Peach United Church of Christ in Gladbrook on Monday, August 23. The service was held at the Peace United Church of Christ on Tuesday, August 24 at 10:30 AM.
Gretchen Viola Dahms was born November 10, 1919 in Garwin, Iowa, the daughter of Andrew and Lillie Eggers Jensen. She was raised in rural Garwin and attended country school. On June 6, 1940 she was united in marriage to Albert Dahms in Waterloo. Gretchen and Albert made their home in Garwin for 52 years and after Albert’s death on April 26, 1999 she continued to make Garwin her home. Over the years she worked as a bookkeeper/clerk at Lorensen and Beale, sorted corn for Pioneer and worked at Spurgeons in Marshalltown for many years. In 2002 she moved to a home in Gladbrook. She was a member of the Peace United Church of Christ in Gladbrook, Homemakers Club in Garwin, Birthday Club in Garwin and the Senior Women’s Fellowship. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Albert, one son Larry on November 17, 1970, brothers, Clifford and Sherman Jensen and sisters; Helen Helleso, Genevieve Meeker and Myrtle Groth. She is survived by her daughter Darlene (Paul) Hatcher of Mission, Texas, two grandchildren Beth (Brett) Miller and Deb (Tim) Friday and two great grandchildren Justin and Hannah Miller.
Obituary
Harold Jay Petersen, 88, of Reinbeck, Iowa, died Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at his Westview Estates home under the care of his family and Cedar Valley Hospice. Funeral Services were 10:30 AM, Saturday, August 21, 2010, at the Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Reinbeck, with Pastor Joel Love officiating. Burial followed at the Reinbeck Cemetery in Reinbeck. Military rites were conducted by American Legion Action Post #242 of Reinbeck. Visitation was Friday, August 20, 2010, from 4:30 PM to 7:00 P., at French Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck, with the family present to greet friends. Memorials may be directed to the family. To view the complete obituary or to send messages of condolence, please visit www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.
Harold Petersen was born February 9, 1922, in Reinbeck, Iowa, the son of Herman and Matie (Willer) Petersen. Harold enjoyed his whole life living in Reinbeck. Harold attended Reinbeck High School and joined the Navy to serve his country in the Pacific in WWII. Returning from the war, Harold ran the family business, Petersen Produce and later in life sold real estate in Waterloo and the surrounding area. On February 18, 1949 in Waterloo, Iowa, Harold was united in marriage to Patricia Joyce Anderson and they began their family.
Harold knew no stranger. He sang and danced his way into the hearts of everyone he met. He loved the music from the Big Band Era and knew the tune and at least some of the words to nearly every song you asked him to sing. Playing cards was a favorite past time. Harold enjoyed cribbage with his family and would let nothing interfere with his bridge game.
Harold played golf for many years and was a founding member of Oakleaf Country Club. He was a member of both the Reinbeck Board of Education and the Reinbeck City Council. He had a lifetime membership at the Elk’s Lodge, B.P.O.E., where he enjoyed dinner with family and friends and having lunch and playing cards. He helped organize the local Lions Club, was a past commander of American Legion, and was a member of 40&8.
Left to cherish Harold’s memory are his children: Pattie (Bruce) Bailey of Reinbeck; Jo Nelson of Phoenix, Ariz; Ron Petersen (Dianne Gearhart) of Reinbeck; Cindy (Bruce) High of Dysart; Marcia (Donnie) Palmer of Reinbeck; David (Wanda) Petersen of Dysart; Pam (Steve) Heithoff of Reinbeck; Janice Holder (New Zealand); grandchildren and great grandchildren, Matt and Emily (Bailey) Wheeler and Elijah and Madeline; Skyler and Anne (Bailey) Boyer and Lauren and Avery; Jay and Beth Nelson and Lilly and Leah; John and Marcy Nelson and Mason; Josh and Ashley Petersen and Taylor; Jordan and Jill (Petersen) Muller; Dan and Kori (Petersen) Hatch and Tanner, Mackenna, and Alyssa; Wes and Sue Beenken and Alli and Reid; Jordan Palmer; Sammi Palmer; Cale and Courtney Petersen and Hailey; Reece Petersen; Paige Petersen; Paul and Suzanne (Holder) Carruthers and Jennifer, Rebecca & Bradley; and two more on the way. Harold also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his wife Pat; parents Herman and Matie Petersen; two brothers, Alvin and Ralph and eight sisters, Clara Fiet, Irma Petersen, Lena Schmidt, Louisa Johnston, Lucille Ryan, Mabel Engle, Vera Christiansen, and Wilma Capper.