Iowa County Obituaries, June 30, 2011

Vincent Grabin, 92

Funeral services for Vincent F. Grabin, 92, rural Oxford, were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 24, at the Oxford United Methodist Church. He died Sunday, June 19, 2011, at the home of his daughter.

The Rev. Diane Townsley and the Rev. Sue-Ellen Grabin Sherman officiated at the service.

Burial with full military rites was held in the Grabin Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Oxford United Methodist Church or Iowa City Hospice.

Lensing Funeral Service, Iowa City, was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.lensingfuneral.com.

Vincent Francis Grabin was born April 8, 1919, on his parents farm north of Oxford, the son of Frank “Scout” and Elizabeth (Erusha) Grabin.

He married Kathryn V. Gunnette Feb. 6, 1944, at the home of her parents in Iowa City. A lifelong resident of Oxford, he farmed with his brothers north of Oxford his entire life. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, from 1944 to 1947.

He was a member of the Oxford United Methodist Church, Oxford American Legion, Farm Bureau and the Johnson County Cattleman’s Association. He also served as a trustee on the Oxford Township Board. He worked at the Oxford Sale Barn for over 40 years.

He enjoyed carpentry work, caring for his horses and cattle and was devoted to the land he loved. He was a hard worker, a faithful church member and trustee. He was a loving husband, a devoted father and a wonderful grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

Grabin is survived by his wife; his children and their spouses, Gayle A. Stratton, rural Oxford; Samuel S. and Sammy Grabin, North Liberty, and Sue-Ellen G. and Brian Sherman, Wapello; one brother and his wife, Raymond J. and Dorothy Grabin, rural Oxford; two sisters, Elsie A. Wilson and Betty Mae Grabin, both Lantern Park, Coralville; grandchildren and their spouses, Benjamin V. and Dawn Stratton, New York, N.Y., and Christopher S. and Amber Grabin, Homestead; great-grandchildren, Logan, Bryten and Stormy, and one sister-in-law, Betty June Grabin, rural Oxford.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, William P. Grabin.

Ervin Koehn, 92

Funeral services for Ervin H. Koehn, 92, a longtime resident of Rose Haven Nursing Home, Marengo, were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 28, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Victor. He died, trusting in Jesus, June 23, 2011, after a lengthy illness.

The Rev. Nicholas Huelsman officiated at the service. Organist was Marna Mohr.

Burial was in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. Pallbearers were Justin Becker, John Bruzek, Ben and Christopher Koehn and Craig, Dustin and Kevin York.

Memorials may be made to the Ladora Fire Department, St. John’s Lutheran Church or Trinity Lutheran School, Cedar Rapids.

Smith Funeral Home, Victor, was in charge of arrangements.

Ervin Henry Koehn was born May 23, 1919, the son of Katherine Sheda and Henry Carl Koehn, rural Victor, Iowa County. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Victor, and attended schools at Guernsey and Victor and returned to St. John’s Lutheran School, graduating from eighth grade with his future wife, Elizabeth Hinrichs.

The couple were married Dec. 8, 1943, in Medford, Ore. He received his G.E.D at Kirkwood Community College.

He served in the United States Army from 1941 to 1945 in the Pacific Theater during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Medical Badge. He proudly wore his 1st Medical Regiment badge on his World War II veteran’s cap.

He was a farmer, not far from his birthplace, for most of his life. He was also employed at Amana Refrigeration for 29 years, retiring in 1984. He lived in Cedar Rapids from 1973 to 1993, where his wife died in their home in 1991. He later lived in Victor and Ladora.

He was a former member and trustee at Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Cedar Rapids.

He married his long-time friend from his childhood, Velma Bringmann, Ladora, May 21, 1994, in Washington.

He will be remembered as a loving, hardworking and caring husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin and friend by all who knew him.

The Koehn family would like to express their thanks to the staff at Rose Haven and Essence of Life Hospice, Amana, for all their loving care given to their dad over the last several years and for all those who have expressed their sympathies to them.

Koehn is survived by six children and their spouses, Ken and Tylaine Koehn, Montezuma; Betty and Ross York, Ladora; Dan and Diana Koehn, Mary and Todd Becker, Eric and Patsy Koehn and Ed and Berta Koehn, all Cedar Rapids; one stepson and his wife, Leroy and Jan Bringmann, Victor; two sisters, Miquie Bruzek, Cedar Rapids, and Maxine and Ron Maly, West Des Moines; two sisters-in-law, Vivian Hinrichs, Williamsburg, and Janet Hinrichs, Pleasant Hill; three brothers-in-law, Gary and Janis Hinrichs, Marengo; Ed and Ruth Hinrichs, Fairmont, Minn., and Doug Benyshek, Mesa, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Elizabeth in 1991 and Velma in 2009; one daughter, Susan, in infancy; his parents; two sisters, Irene Timm and Mary Benyshek; one stepson, Richard Bringmann, and two great-grandchildren, Katie Koehn and Koral Nichole York.

Roger Strasser, 64

Celebration of life service for Roger A. Strasser, 64, Parnell, will be held at 10:30 a.m.  Friday, July 1, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Homestead. He died Sunday, June 26, 2011, in Marengo.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 30, at Powell Funeral Home, Williamsburg.

Lucille McVey, 98

Funeral services for Lucille McVey, 98, Marion, were held at 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 24, at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. She died Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.

Burial was in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com.

Lucille McVey was born Jan. 19, 1913, the daughter of Ernest Grafton and Nina (Miller) Slaymaker, in Marengo. She graduated from Marengo High School in 1931.

She married Maurice Armstrong July 18, 1931, in Nashua and they farmed near Van Horne. In 1936, they moved and farmed in the Springville area. They had three daughters, Patricia, Gertrude and Joyce. She farmed until 1967, when he passed away.

In 1972, she married Claire McVey and the couple resided in Marion until his death in 1980.

She worked at Sears and Younkers when she retired from farming. She was a long-time member of the Presbyterian Church, Order of the Eastern Star, Wednesday Study Club and New Encounters.

McVey is survived by her daughters, Patricia Bailey, Zephyrhills, Fla., and Gertrude Bader, Cherry Valley, Calif.; 10 grandchildren and their spouses, Debra and Rick Harris, Dennis and Lorraine Bader, Bob Bader, Robin and Robert Snell, Douglas Bader, David Bailey, Diane and Nick Morton, Karen and Dave Harwell, Dawn and Bill Gerlich and Jay and Amber Moser; 15 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Marion Armstrong, and three sisters-in-law, Faye, Elaine and Velma Armstrong.

In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Lawrence and Russell Slaymaker; two half-sisters, Blanche Smoley and Marie Collins; one daughter, Joyce Moser, and three sons-in-law, Bob Bader, Jim Bailey and Dale Moser.

Gloria Garton, 82

Memorial services for Gloria L. Garton, 82, Williamsburg, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 30, at First Presbyterian Church, Williamsburg. She died Sunday, June 26, 2011, at Mercy Hospice Care, Iowa City, surrounded by her loving family.

The Rev. Kip Murphy will officiate.

The family will receive visitors at the church one hour before the service.

Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Willliamsburg, is in charge of arrangements. Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Memorials may be made to Mercy Hospice Care, Iowa City, or First Presbyterian Church, Williamsburg.

Gloria Lucille Garton was born June 26, 1929, in Decatur County, Iowa, the daughter of Leo Franklin and Olive Lucille (Orfield) Dobson. She graduated from Albia High School in 1947 and Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1950.

She married Donald Dack in 1951. The couple had four daughters, Diane, Denise, Jane and Julie. They were later divorced.

She married Dr. Glenn Garton in 1975 in Chariton. She worked as a registered nurse at many hospitals throughout Iowa, eventually retiring from the V.A. Hospital in Knoxville.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Chariton; P.E.O. and the DAR. She enjoyed her many social activities, including quilting, bridge and book clubs. Her greatest love was spending time with her family.

Garton is survived by one daughter and her husband, Julie and Greig Jones, Williamsburg; one son-in-law, Kevin Putney, Indianola; her grandchildren and their spouses, Aaron and Amanda Jones, Cedar Rapids; Jared and Laura Jones, New Liberty; Brian Jones and fiancee Kate Mirr, Iowa City; Mark Putney, Indianola, and Curtis Putney, Des Moines; great-grandchildren, Logan and Landon Jones, Cedar Rapids, and Hunter Jones, New Liberty; brothers and their wives, Raymond and Geraldine Dobson, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Eugene and Jackie Dobson, Eddyville; one sister, Patricia Fynquist, Fort Wayne, Ind., and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two daughters, Diane and Denise, in infancy, her daughter, Jane Putney; brothers, Donald, Robert, Joseph, Claire and Charles Dobson, and sisters, Maurine Frizzell, Virginia Vaughn and Mary Dobson.

Vera Brockshus,

Vera Brockshus, 88

Celebration of life service for Vera A. Brockshus, 88, Williamsburg, was held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 27, at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Williamsburg. She died Thursday, June 23, 2011, at her home with her daughters by her side.

The Rev. Richard Meyer officiated at the service. Organist was Darla Lehmkuhl. Congregational hymns were “Amazing Grace,” “Rock Of Ages” and “Old Rugged Cross.”

Burial was in Immanual Lutheran Cemetery. Casket bearers were Steve Curry, Doug Misbach, Jody Fiser, Josh Kempf, Tony Kempf, Chad Sawyer, Jeremy Sawyer, Dustin Sawyer and Sam Curry, in memorium.

Memorials may be made to Lutheran Interparish School, Williamsburg, or Iowa City Hospice.

Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Williamsburg, was in charge of arrangements. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Vera Arlene Brockshus was born Sept. 13, 1922, in Conroy, the daughter of John R. and Florence (Olson) Leahy. She graduated in 1940 from Hilton Consolidated High School, Conroy.

She married Arnold Brockshus Dec. 24, 1941, in Macon, Mo. The couple worked side by side on the farm.

She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church near Williamsburg. She enjoyed quilting, gardening, volunteering at L.I.S., the Crowded Closet, Iowa City, and at church. She was also an avid sports fan, watching the Chicago Cubs baseball and Iowa Hawkeye basketball.

Brockshus is survived by four daughters and their husbands, Marilyn Curry-Dolder and Harry, Oxford; Barbara Fiser, Hiawatha; Doris Sawyer and Stephen, LaPlata, Mo., and Carol Kempf and Dennis, Williamsburg; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Shirley Schwarting, Williamsburg, and  Faye Roberts, Cedar Rapids, and one brother, Bob Leahy, Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her husband, in 1984; her parents; one granddaughter, Josie Fiser; one grandson, Sam Curry; her son-in-law, David Curry; two brothers, Carroll Leahy and an infant, Dean Leahy, and three sisters, Cleone Sandersfeld, Marjorie Zuber and Ethel Roberts.

Donna Dabler, 65

Donna Dabler, 65, died Wednesday, June 15, 2011, at LaVista, Neb. Her body was cremated and no funeral services will be held.

Family and friends will hold a celebration of life Aug. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Lake Iowa, Shelter Five, Ladora.

Donna Dabler was born Oct. 16, 1945, near Parnell, the daughter of Milo and Wilma (Misel) Miller. She grew up near North English and lived in the Williamsburg and Amana areas before moving to Trenton, Mo., in 1994. She moved to Nebraska to live with her daughter in 2009.

Dabler is survived by her daughter and her husband, Laura South Casey and Barry, La-Vista; one sister and her husband, Carolyn and James Newman, Mt. Vernon; three brothers, Ron Miller and wife Debi, Dysart; Lyle Miller, Mesa, Ariz., and Eldon Miller, Anoka, Minn., and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Al South and Jim Dabler; her parents and one brother, Dale.

Betty Denison, 86

Celebration of life service for Betty M. Denison, 86, North English, was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at the North English Christian Church. She died Thursday, June 23, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids.

The Rev. Kirk Statler officiated at the service.

Burial was in the North English Cemetery.

Memorials may be made for the North English Christian Church or Mercy Hospice, Hiawatha.

Powell Funeral Home, North English, was in charge of arrangements. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Betty May Denison was born Dec. 18, 1924, in Des Moines, the daughter of Kenneth Dale and May Brubaker Lane. She lived in the Des Moines area before moving to Mason City, North Dakota, Bussey and What Cheer. She graduated from Barnes City High School.

She married Wilford Eugene Denison Feb. 27, 1951, in What Cheer. They moved to North English in 1955.

She was a member of the North English Christian Church, where she was a deacon, taught Sunday school for many years and was a member of the CWF. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Red Hat Club. She worked 20 years as a postal clerk in North English for the United States Postal Service.

Denison is survived by three daughters and their husbands, Ruth Ann and Jerry Dill and Pamela Denison, all Cedar Rapids, and Crystal and Stan Weiss, Ladora; one son, Gary Denison, Cedar Rapids; five grandchildren, David and Darren Dill and Austin, Travis and Ashley Clubb; six great-grandchildren, Cody, Alecia and Riley Dill and Isaac, Celie and Brooklyn Clubb.

She was preceded in death by her husband, in January 2002; her parents and one brother, Kenneth Lane.

Colton Blomme, 15

Mass of the Resurrection for Colton J. Blomme, 15, rural Brooklyn, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 30, at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, Victor. He died Saturday, June 25, 2011, of injuries received in an ATV accident near Victor.

The Rev. Brian Shepley will officiate at the service. Organist will be Marilyn Kriegel.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Victor. Casket bearers will be Deryk Heyveld, Blake Kuesel, Parker Ludington, Matthew Maschmann, Scott Mikalek, Rhett Nowotny, Dakota Stults, Rhett Thys, Anthony Ward, Colby York and Jerod York.

A memorial fund has been established.

Smith Funeral Home, Victor, is in charge of arrangements.

Colton Jon Blomme was born March 26, 1996, in Grinnell, the son of Jonathan and Vicki Van Tomme Blomme. He was raised on the family acreage southeast of Brooklyn. He attended HLV High School and was a member of the class of 2014. He participated with the HLV Warrior football team and the track team.

He enjoyed outdoor activities, deer hunting, showing cattle, working in the family business and doing chores around the family acreage.

He was a member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, Victor; the Warren Winners 4-H Club; the Junior Red Angus Association and the Maine Anjou Association.

Blomme is survived by his parents, Jon and Vicki Blomme, rural Brooklyn; one brother, Camiel Blomme, rural Brooklyn; his paternal grandparents, Russell Blomme, Marengo, and Susan Peterson, Victor, and his maternal grandparents, Dale and Carol Van Tomme, Guernsey.