Obituaries

Area Funerals

Christopher Presthus

Christopher Presthus, age 39 of Ashton, IA died Thursday, December 20, 2012 at Sanford Hospital Sheldon, IA.

Family will be receiving friends on Saturday, Dec. 22nd from 6 – 8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton, IA with a Memorial Service at 7 p.m. with Fr. John Vakulskas officiating.

In Lieu of flowers memorial may be directed to the family for later designation.

Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley is in charge of arrangements.

Christopher “Chris” Alex Presthus was born January 26, 1973 in Algona, Iowa, the son of Ronald and Sandra (Haag) Presthus. He was raised in the Rolfe and Pocahontas, IA area and graduated from Spencer High School in 1991. He attended Iowa State University for one year before entering the United States Army in 1993.

On February 7, 1994 Chris was united in marriage to Kimberly Kay Lamfers in Seoul, South Korea. In 1999 Chris received his honorable discharge from the United States Army and they moved to Ashton, IA. Four children were blessed to this union. Chris graduated from Northwestern College in 2002 with a degree in Elementary Education. He worked as an insurance agent until this past year, when he worked as a Para-Professional Aide at Boyden-Hull Community Schools.

He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Presthus of Ashton, IA; four children, Ashley, Alexander, Addison and Ainsley, all of Ashton, IA; his mother, Sandra Presthus of Elizabethtown, KY; three brothers, Ben Presthus of Windom, MN, Andy Presthus of Fort Dodge, IA and Josh Presthus of Elizabethtown, KY; and other extended family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Presthus.

Alice Wolter

Alice Wolter, age 93, of Mankato, Minnesota, formerly of Sibley, Iowa, passed away on Monday, December 17, 2012 at Laurels Peak Care Center in Mankato, Minnesota.

Funeral Services will be Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 1:30 P.M. at the First Baptist Church in Sibley. Rev. Doug Noonkester and Bart De Boer officiating. Burial in the Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley.

Visitation will be Thursday, prior to the Funeral Service from noon to 1:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church in Sibley.

Online Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to www.andringafuneralhome.com

The Andringa Funeral Home of Sibley in charge of arrangements for Alice Wolter.

Donald Echter

Donald Echter age 90 of Sibley, IA died Monday December 17, 2012 at the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley, IA.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 21, 2012 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sibley, with Keith Zylstra officiating. Burial will follow in the Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley, with military honors by the George E. Mudge, American Legion Post No. 324 and the William F. Allard, VFW Post No. 7373.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 20th from 2-8 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley.

Angeline “Ann” Cuvelier

Angeline “Ann” Cuvelier, age 72, of Sheldon, Iowa passed away on Monday, December 17, 2012 at the Sanford Sheldon Medical Center in Sheldon, Iowa.

Her service will be 1:30pm Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa with Rev. David Brower ~ officiating. Burial with will be in the East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 19, 2012 after 11:00am until the time of service at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon. The Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorial condolences may be sent to: vanderploegfunerals.com

Helen M. Erkes

Helen M. Erkes, age 97, of Sheldon, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, December 16, 2012 at the Sanford Sheldon Senior Care in Sheldon, Iowa.

Funeral services will be Friday, December 21, 2012 at 1:30pm at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa with Pastor Beryl Hicks ~ officiating. Burial will be in the East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon, Iowa.

Visitation with the family present will be Friday, December 21, 2012 after 11:00am until the time of the service at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa.

Online memorial condolences may be sent to: vanderploegfunerals.com

Arrangements under the care of Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, Iowa.

Helen Mary Erkes, the daughter of Grover C. Sr. and Mary (Schneider) Petitt was born on August 31, 1915 in Osceola County, Iowa. She received her education in O’Brien and Osceola country schools. Helen took care for her younger brother and sister after the death of their mother. On October 20, 1942, Helen was united in marriage to William H. Pangborn in South Sioux City, Nebraska; they made their home in Sheldon. Helen worked as a cook for the Sheldon Hospital for many years. Bill preceded her in death on March 4, 1971 in Sheldon. She remained and continued to work in Sheldon until her retirement in 1973. On July 3, 1973, Helen was united in marriage to Burt Erkes in Sheldon, Iowa and they retired to Arizona. Burt passed away June 21, 2003 in Arizona and Helen returned to Sheldon to live. She passed away Sunday, December 16, 2012 at the Sanford Sheldon Senior Care in Sheldon, reaching the age of 97 years, 3 months and 16 days.

She was a member of the Church of Christ Church. She enjoyed crocheting and canning.

Helen is survived by a step daughter, Lorna and her husband David Lagoo of Sheldon; four step grandchildren and several step great-great grandchildren; two brothers and their wives, G.C. “Bud” Jr. and Darlene Petitt of Sheldon and Paul and Mitzi Petitt of Gillette, Wyoming; and a sister, Eleanor McDuffey of Des Moines, Iowa; and other relatives and friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her husbands, William H. Pangborn and Burt Erkes; two step children, William Pangborn and Eva Culver; two step grandchildren, Mark Lagoo and Mary Lowden; her parents and seven brothers and sisters, Edward Petitt, Hilda Daggett, Nina Beckmann, William Petitt, Mary Hanna, Dolly Petitt and Betty Swanson.

Kathryn Newborg

Kathryn Newborg, age 99 of Rock Rapids, IA died Saturday, December 15, 2012 at the Rock Rapids Health Centre in Rock Rapids.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 20, 2012 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, IA with Rev. Dan Kordahl officiating.  Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 19, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home in Rock Rapids, IA.