Beemer, Elvin Homer -

Funeral Services for Elvin Beemer, age 88 of Bedford who died Sunday, April 29,

2007 at the Bedford Nursing & Rehab Center will be held Thursday, May 3, 2007

at 11:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Visitation will be Wednesday

from 3 to 8 with the family greeting friends from 7 to 8. Interment will be held

in the Washington Cemetery in Gravity with military rites. Memorials can be

directed to the Aherens Flower Garden or the Bedford Nursing & Rehab Center.

Memories can be shared with the family on our web site at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com

under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of

Bedford.

Elvin Homer Beemer was born in Grove Township in Taylor County, Iowa, on

March 2, 1919, to Grace Olive Johnson Beemer and Homer Johnston Beemer. His

sister Marjorie Grace, who lived in Columbia, South Carolina, and married Lieutenant

Colonel Forest P. Newman (Pete), who served 28 years in the Army.

Elvin attended rural schools in Taylor County and graduated from Gravity High

School in 1936. He married Margaret Ruth Bordner on December 24, 1938. The

couple established a produce and locker business in Gravity in September of 1939.

In December 1942, Elvin answered the call to serve his country in Company D,

409th Infantry, 103rd Division, then saw action in the Rhineland and in Central

Europe. On December 2, 1944, he was taken prisoner by the Germans and later

liberated by the Russians on May 8, 1945, V-E Day. While a prisoner of war, he

read the Bible daily and considered his faith the main factor in his survival

during those crucial months.

For his service, Elvin earned the American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal,

Europe-Africa-Middle East Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, and the Purple

Heart, He was honorably discharged in November 1945 as a Technical Sergeant.

Elvin arrived home from the war to resume management of the produce and

locker business which Margaret had operated during his three-year absence. The

couple had three sons: Chris Elvin Beemer, born February 28, 1948; Cedric Britt Beemer,

born September 12, 1951, and Chad Bordner Beemer, born October 11, 1956.

Elvin became active in the Gravity American Legion, served as Gravity Fire Department

Chief, and was a devoted Sunday school teacher in the Gravity Methodist Church.

He attended Area Economic and Leadership Seminars and joined the school board

in 1953.

After moving to Bedford in 1955, Elvin became active in the Bedford Lion's Club,

president in 1962; the Bedford Development Club, president from 1958 through 1961;

Taylor County Industrial Development; Bedford Community Development; Midcrest

Area Development, American Farm Bureau; the American Angus Association, in which

he had life membership; and the Bedford United Methodist Church, serving as lay

leader and lay speaker. His work in these community organizations was instrumental

in bringing Bedford its first factory, O'Bryan Brothers, and the Colonial Manors nursing

home.. He presided over the board of Colonial Manors for several years, beginning in

1965.

Elvin also contributed to his community as Financial Chairman of the Taylor County

Republican Central Committee from 1962 to 1970, at which time he became that

committee's chairman. Additionally, in 1970 he was Census Crew Leader of Taylor

County and part of Page County.

Elvin sold the Bedford Locker Business in 1969 and semi-retired, maintaining farmland

and cattle through the 1990s. He and Margaret enjoyed traveling, attending

many army reunions and revisiting the site where he was taken prisoner of war in

France. They assisted several elderly neighbors with business and personal needs,

providing food and daily supervision so that they could remain living in their own homes.

Elvin provided financial advice and support to many young people, enabling them to start

or conduct their own businesses. He continued to participate in American Legion Post

164 activities, often arranging the honor guards for military rites and riding on last

year's American Legion float in the July 4 parade. He frequently conducted Sunday

morning worship services at Bedford Nursing and Rehab, even after he became a

resident there. Elvin shared his war-time experiences willingly but humbly in

numerous ways. He spoke with students at Bedford Community High School, gave

interviews to the Bedford Times Press and the Associated Press, which published

the resulting article nationwide, and was the feature for an article in Wallace's

Fanner.

Left to cherish and honor his memory are Margaret Ruth Bordner Beemer, his loving

wife of sixty-eight years; son Chris and his wife Judy Osburn Beemer of Milford,

Kansas; son Britt and his wife Jan Cook Beemer of Orlando, Florida; son Chad and

his wife Lori Seil Beemer of Elk Horn, Iowa; grandchildren Christa, C. Judson,

Chloe, Claire, Alan, Andy, and Aric; and many others whose lives he impacted.

Preceding Elvin in death are his parents Homer and Grace Beemer; a sister,

Marjorie Newman; a brother-in-law Forest (Pete) Newman; and his father and

mother-in-law, Frank and Ina Bordner.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday May 9, 2007

Berdrow, Maxine Moyle -

Word has been received parents, of the death of Maxine Moyle

Berdrow on Saturday, April 21. Maxine was born and raised near

Lenox, the daughter of Joseph Blaine and Mary Hoover Moyle,

Maxine graduated from Lenox High School in 1940 and taught

briefly in Iowa before moving to California. There she met

and married Chuck Berdrow. They were the parents of one

son. Maxine, her son and daughter-in-law had recently

moved to Arizona. Her sudden death was the result of

a heart attack. Maxine was preceded in death by her parents,

her husband Chuck,  and her brother and sister-in-law law,

Hal and Frances Moyle. She is survived by her son

Steve and his wife Carol of Congress, Arizona and her

grandchildren Kimberly (Robert) Abitia and Kevin

Berdrow. Also surviving are her nieces and nephew Mary

Moyle, Jim Moyle, Beth (Moyle) Cooper and their

families. No services are planned. Burial of her

cremains will be at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Lenox Library.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday May 16, 2007

Brokaw, Lola Katherine Inman -

Funeral services for Lola Brokaw, age 76, of Lenox, who died Saturday, April 28,

2007 at the Greater Community Hospital in Creston were held Wednesday, April

2, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at the Lenox United Methodist Church. Interment will be

held at North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox. Memorials can be directed to Meals

on Wheels. Memories can be shared with the family on our website at

www.rilchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the

Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.

Lola Katharine (Inman) Brokaw was the third of five children born to Guy Inman

and Lottie (Ridenour) Inman in Adams County, Iowa on April 6, 1931. She grew up

attending grade school, however, because of the times, and the distance, she was not

able to continue with high school. She moved to Lenox and took a job at the local cafe

where she met Walter "Ollie" Brokaw. The couple was united in marriage on July 18,

1952, in Lenox. They lived most of their married life at the home place, 2 1/2 miles

north of Lenox.

Being raised on a farm, and marrying a farmer, Lola was the perfect mate. She

was one with nature and not afraid of hard work. She kept house, helped with the farm

work, raising chickens, pigs, cows and lambs, along with tending to a huge garden. She

also lovingly raised their four children, Marty, Debbie, Gail and Mike, as well as sewing

all of their clothing along the way. Ollie passed away in December of 1984, and Lola

continued to farm on her own for many years. She had been an avid bowler for more than

40 years. She was a member ,of the Lenox United Methodist Church and The

Neighborhood Club. Even though Lola's life was busy on the farm she still found time

to participate in community events such as helping with elections, blood drives and in

recent years, delivered Meals on Wheels to area residents. Lola took great pride in caring

for other people, often putting their needs ahead of her own. Besides all the wonderful

memories Lola left behind, she also left a treasure of homemade gifts that were

crocheted, quilted, knitted, cross-stitched and embroidered.

Left to cherish Lola's memory are her four children, Martin Brokaw of Lenox;

Debra R. Holtan and husband Randy of Plentywood, Montana; Gail L. Neff and

husband Tim of Whitefish, Montana; and Michael Brokaw and wife Dixie of

Mason City, Iowa; two sisters, Leona Veatch and husband Walt of Prescott; and Cleo

McCuen of Corning; thirteen grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren;

along with many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Lola in death are her parents; her husband Ollie; a brother Ray; and a

sister Macy.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa May 2, 2007

Campbell, Ward Beecher -

Rev. Ward Beecher Campbell was born August 5, 1909 to John Franklin and Mary

Elizabeth (Kauble) Campbell of Athelstan, IA. He went to be with his Lord on

April 26, 2007.

Ward attended country school in Athelstan. He married Carmen Barnes on September

29, 1931. They resided in Athelstan where they went into the restaurant business.

When the Great Depression hit, they moved to a farm. In 1942, they moved to Corning,

IA and Ward worked as a blacksmith for Carmen's uncle, Bill Masker. He then

answered his calling to preach the Gospel and began to pastor in Nodaway, IA and Carbon,

IA until 1946. He was then appointed to serve at the Free Methodist Church in

LeMars, IA where he was ordained in 1951. He served there until 1954 when he was

called to pastor at the Free Methodist Church in Mount Ayr, IA. He served there faithfully

for 20 years until his retirement in 1974. Shortly after his retirement, Pastor Campbell

was diagnosed with cancer in multiple organs and given 6 weeks to live. God had other plans

for him and healed him of cancer. Pastor Campbell then returned to the ministry for

another 30 years.

He married Elizabeth German on January 1, 1996 and she assisted him with his ministry

until he turned 95 in 2004. He then went into his second retirement where he and Elizabeth

enjoyed visiting with family and church friends. Ward had the gift of music, playing

the harmonica, piano, organ, accordion, guitar and banjo. His talent came naturally as he

never had any music lessons.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Elizabeth of Mount Ayr; his sons, Cleo

(Marilyn) of Viborg, SD, Doyle (Roberta) of Mount Ayr and Phillip (Kathy) of Douds, IA;

his daughters, Miriam Clutter of Mount Ayr, and Yvonne (Franklin) Kinkade of Creston,

IA; two step-children, J.D. (Phyllis) German of Decatur, IL and Jackie (Scott) Cundiff

of Alvin, TX; one sister, Nina Poore of Bedford, IA; two brothers, Paul (Marie) of

Blockton, IA and Ola (Grace) of Rapid City, SD; 20 grandchildren and two step-grandchildren;

53 great grandchildren and four step-great grandchildren and nine great, greatgrandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife of 63 years, Carmen; six siblings,

Warren, Elvin, Noble, Zola, Chloe, and Lela and three grandchildren, Robert, Brandon

and Austin.

Services were held at the Free Methodist Church in Mount Ayr, Iowa Sunday, April

29, 2007 at 3 p.m. with Rev. Charles Weiman officiating.

Interment was in Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday May 2, 2007

Gibson, Robert Judson (Bob) -

Robert J. "Bob" Gibson, 91 died Saturday, April 21, 2007 at the Henry County

Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.

Robert Judson Gibson  was born August 13, 1915 in Red Oak, Iowa, the son of

Russell W. and Ruby Clement Gibson. He was a kind and caring man, devoted to his

family, his church and his country.

Robert graduated from Red Oak High School in 1932 and junior college in 1934.

Until the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was enrolled in civil engineering at Iowa State.

Deeply patriotic, he entered the army and, after accelerated training, was sent to

participate in the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, New Mexico. After the war

he returned to Iowa State to complete his education and received a Bachelor of

Science degree in Engineering. He was a registered professional civil engineer and

land surveyor in Iowa and worked as a county engineer for Ringgold, Taylor and

Henry counties. He also served as city engineer for West Burlington, Iowa.

From 1969 until his retirement in 1985, he was engaged in private practice. A

lifetime member of the Iowa Society of Land Surveyors, he was honored in

1986 for his long-time service.

On November 3, 1940, he was united in marriage to Vivian Marie Bengtson. They

were married sixty-five years. He was an avid Cardinals fan and enjoyed golf.

 He also enjoyed traveling with his family and attended four Olympiads. He was a

member of the Deerwood Country Club, Sardonyx Bridge group, and Country

Club on the River.

He is survived by his two daughters, Susan Kerr and Barbara Kennedy and her

husband Doug, all of Mt. Pleasant; Lorna Vega, his Costa Rican exchange daughter; a

sister, Ruth Graham and her husband Lawrence of South Carolina; two granddaughters,

Paula Kinney and her husband Greg and Megan Gibson Kennedy; two great grandsons,

William Robert and James Stanley Kinney, all of Mt. Pleasant.

His parents, wife, sister, step-mother and stepsister preceded Robert in death.

A funeral service for Robert was held on Thursday, April 26 at the First United

Methodist Church, Mt. Pleasant. Burial was in the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt.

Pleasant.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday May 2, 2007

King, Margaret M Henry -

Memorial services for Margaret M. (Henry) King, 71, Rockford, Ill., will be held

Saturday, May 12 at 10 a.m. at Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford.

She was born and raised in the Bedford area and graduated from Bedford High

School.

Interment will be in Silent Grove Cemetery southeast of Bedford.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday May 9, 2007

Larson, Thomas Clyde -

Funeral Services for Tom Larson, age 98 6f Bedford who died Saturday, May 5,

2007 at the Bedford Nursing & Rehab Center were held Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at

10:30 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment was held in the Conway

Cemetery. Memorials can be directed to the Taylor County Museum or Hospice of

Central Iowa. Memories can be shared with the family on our web site at

www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the

Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Thomas Clyde Larson was born March 2, 1909, east of Conway, Taylor County,

Iowa the son of Lewis Larson and Nora (Anderson) Larson. He passed away May 5,

2007, at the age of 98.

Growing up, he attended the local rural school and graduated from Conway High

School with the Class of 1927. He then attended Iowa State University obtaining

an associate degree in Animal Husbandry. After college, Tom retuned to Taylor

County to begin his career in farming. A progressive steward of the land, he readily

adopted new techniques such as terracing and tiling which were not common at

the time.

On July 28, 1933 he was united in marriage to Althea King in Des Moines, Iowa. To

this union four children were born, a son and three daughters. After fifty-five

years of marriage, Althea passed away June 26, 1988. On November 12, 1992,

he married Irma Thummel at which time he left the farm and the couple resided

in Bedford.

A devoted servant to his community, there are particular contributions of

note. As County Supervisor in the 40's and early 50's' he was instrumental in

ensuring that the rural roads were graded and graveled. He served as

chairman of the county board of education during the years of school consolidation,

allowing the smaller districts the choice of unification. As State Senator his vote

was one of a few that crossed party lines which allowed the passage of the Iowa Public

Employees Retirement Systems (IPERS). Tom was a man of his convictions. He

did what he believed to be right as opposed to what was popular. A lifelong resident

of Taylor County, Tom became a charter member of the Taylor County Historical

Society.

Tom was a well-read man, keeping up on all current events, sports and politics, with

a special interest in history. Tom and Althea traveled throughout the world. He

continued traveling after Althea's death, meeting his second wife, Irma, on a cruise.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church, first in Blockton, later in Bedford.

A loving son, brother, husband, and father, he was a very giving and kind man; a good

neighbor and friend.

Left to cherish Tom's memory are his two daughters, Marilyn Frueh and husband

Gary of Katy, Texas; and Martha Hern and husband Larry of Broken Arrow,

Oklahoma; his loving wife Irma Larson of Bedford; a step-son, Kean Thummel and

wife Susan of Clarinda; eight grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; five step

grandchildren, three step great grandchildren; along with many other relatives and

a community  of friends.

Preceding Tom in death are his parents, Lewis and Nora Larson, his first wife

Althea Larson; a son at infancy; a daughter and son-in-law, Myla and Kenneth

Ackley; two brothers, James and Leroy Larson; and two sisters, Marie Lubkeman

and Verlea Hinshaw.

May God grant comfort and strength to those who mourn Tom's passing.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday May 9, 2007

Lesher, Delores Anna Lallier -

Funeral Services for Dolores Lesher, age 79, of Winterset who died Saturday,

April 28, 2007 at the Madison County Hospital in Winterset were held Wednesday,

May 2, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bedford.

Interment was held in the Washington Cemetery in Gravity. Memorials can be

directed to the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winterset. Memories can be

shared with the family on our web site.at www.ritehiefuneralhome.com under

Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Dolores Anne (Lallier) Lesher was born March 30, 1928, in Algoona, Iowa, the

daughter of John T Lallier and Mary B. (Kunkle) Lallier, She grew up in the Algona

area attending school at St. Benedict. On September 5th, 1953, she was united in

marriage to Lyle L. Lesher in Polk County, Iowa.

Dolores was a CPA most of her life, living in Rembrandt and Varina, Iowa most of

her life. Dolores retired in 1980 and in 1984 she moved to Winterset. She especially

loved crocheting doilies, angels and other crafts. She loved spending time with the

dogs her husband had adopted over the years. Dolores truly loved her family and

friends, and always looked forward to spending time with them. During her

retirement years, she learned to enjoy watching football and other sports.

Left to cherish Dolores' memory are her two daughters, Joyce Zach of Leawood,

Kansas; and Susan Dean of Waterloo; a grandson, Bill Dean and wife Kritsa, and

their three children, Cryce, Colton and Addyson all of Waterloo; three brothers

Kenneth Lallier and wife Deloris; Richard Lallier and wife Peg; and Marvin Lallier

and wife Carlye, all of Algona; a sister, Luella Potratz and husband Dick of Spirit

Lake; sister-in-laws, Anita Lallier of Des Moines and Ruth Taylor and husband

Milburn of Austin, Texas; Naomi Brumfield of Waukee; Dee Mernin and husband

Tom of Bedford; Myra Lock and husband Denny of Bedford; Shirley Lesher of

Westside, Iowa; and Dolora Cole of Varina, Iowa; brother-in-laws, Gary Lesher

of Bedford; and John Lesher and wife Mary of Maryville, Missouri; Marvin

Hulse and wife Margaret of Creston; along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives

and friends.

There was always a special place in Dolores' heart for her friend of 40 plus years,

Jan Pickar and her late husband David and their daughters, Becky and Linda,

and their families, all of Winterset.

Preceding Dolores in death are her parents, John and Mary Lallier; her husband

Lyle L. Lesher; a sister Noreen Waterman and her husband Curtis; brothers

Charles and Arnold Lallier; father and mother-in-law, Clyde and Bernice Lesher;

sister-in-laws, Doris Lesher; Polly Hulse and Colleen Lesher; brother-in-laws, Paul

and Ross Lesher and Ronnie Brumfield; a niece, Jody Clark.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday May 9, 2007