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Shelby County
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Obituaries 2001
Alphabetically


Anderson, Helen  (1915-2001)

Helen Anderson, 85
Dec. 24, 1915 - Nov. 10, 2001


OMAHA - Helen M. Anderson was born Dec. 24, 1915; to Andrew and Anna (Fuchs) Peterson at Portsmouth. She attended school in Portsmouth.


She married Lake N. Anderson. She taught at St. Mary's Catholic School in Panama for a number of years. The family moved to Omaha where she taught for Omaha Public Schools at Mars Junior High for many years. She was a member of St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha. Lake died Nov. 27, a981. She died Nov. 10, 2001, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, at age 85 years.


She was preceded in death by her husband, Lake, and her son, Eugene U. Anderson. She is survived by her sons, Gary (Jeanne) Anderson of Omaha and Robert Anderson of Lincoln, NE; her daughter, Patricia Hannon of Lincoln, NE; seven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; her brother, Ben (Joan) Peterson of Ormond Beach, FL; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Peterson of Harlan and Mona Peterson of Harlan, and other relatives.
Funeral services were held Nov. 14, 2001, at St. Cecilia Cathedral. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Omaha. Casket bearers were Gary Anderson, John Anderson, Rob Anderson, Kris Anderson, Phil Vos and Lizbeth Puckett. Heafy-Heafy-Hoffman-Dworak-Cutler Westcenter Chapel in charge of arrangements.

submitted by Marthann Kohl

Bissen, Francis John  (1931 - 2001)


Francis John Bissen, son of Joseph and Anna (Erlbacher) Bissen, was born Nvember 10, 1931, at Defiance. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance, attended St. Paul's Catholic School and was a member of the graduating class of 1949.


On December 30, 1953, he married Marcy Schmitz at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia. Six children were born to this union, Donald, Darrell, Denice, Dean, DyAnn and Delbert. After their marriage the Bissen family lived on a farm that Francis' father had farmed. He spent 22 months in the United States Army as a sergeant during the Korean War. He is a member of the American Legion Post No. 707 of Defiance, and a 4th Degree Knight. He is also a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance. He died October 6, 2000, at
Myrtue Memorial Hospital at the age of 68 years, ten months, and 26 days.


He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Katherine.  Survivors include his wife, Marcy of Defiance; his children, Don Bissen (Patricia) of Hooper, Nebraska, Darrell Bissen (Brenda of Denison; Denice (Don) Wurr of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Dean Bissen of Defiance; DyAnn (Doug) Muff of Westmimister, Colorado and Delbert Bissen (Jill) of Defiance; 11 grandchildren; his brothers and sisters, Benita Schiltz of Earling; Leonard Bissen (Bernice) of Defiance; Marvin Bissen (Helen) of Harlan; Ann (LaVern) Christensen of Carroll; and other relatives.


On October 9, 2001, a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Reverend Michael Berner at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance. Military rites were conducted at St. Peter and Pau; Cemetery in Defiance, by the Defiance American Legion Post No. 707. Casket bearers were Sherman Conkel, Joe Bissen, Bobby Schmitz, John Schmitz, Ed Schmitz, Bob Schiltz, Bill Bissen and Roger Bissen.  Pauley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Gross, Alfons H. (1925 - 2001)

Alfons Henry Gross, son of Joseph and Josephine (Blum) Gross, was born April 7, 1925, in Earling. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church and attended St. Joseph's Catholic School in Earling.
He married Maxine Frances Mahlberg April 15, 1959, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Panama. Two children were born to this union, Peter and Susan. After their marriage, he continued to farm the family farm northwest of Earling. In 1974, he began to work for the Shelby County Conservation Board and was the carekeeper for Manteno County Park until May of 1990, when he retired. Maxine died April 12, 1977. Alfons became a resident of the Lincoln Ambassador Care Facility in Lincoln, NE, in October of 1992. While there he was a member of the Resident Council and was elected to be its leader several times. Two of his accomplishments as a council member were to install clocks in each resident's room and to have a cement sidewalk placed to the flagpole at the front of the home. He was also actively involved in raising money for the Resident Council by selling doughnuts every Thursday morning and raffle tickets whenever needed. Alfons was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Earling, and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1741 also of Earling. He died Aug. 1, 2001, at the Ambassador Lincoln Care Facility in Lincoln, NE, at age 76 years, three months and 25 days.


In addition to his parents and his wife, Maxine, Alfons was preceded in death by a brother, Robert. Survivors include his children, Peter Gross of Earling; Susie (Bill) Russell of Denison; three granddaughters, Megan, Katie and Sarah Russell of Denison; three step grandchildren, Daniel Russell and Kama Russell, both of Oklahoma and Joe Russell (Amy) of Kirkman; one step great grandson, Preston Russell of Kirkman; his brothers and sisters, Leo Gross (Ruth) of Earling; Leona (Elmer) Babel of Columbus, NE; Helen (Marvin) Bissen of Harlan; Dorothy (Henry) Coenen of Woodbine; Gene Gross (Sharon) of Battle Creek; Marie (Charlie) Klein of Earling; Jerry Gross (Sharon) of Earling; Vern Gross (Cathy) of Palmdale, CA; nieces and nephews and other relatives.


A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Aug. 3, 2001, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Earling, with Rev. Michael Berner celebrant. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery, Panama, with Steve Klein, Darrell Mahlberg, Craig Gross, Terry Gross, Dave Mahlberg and Deny Bissen casket bearers. Pauley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Hansen, Frieda (Boettger) - 1908-2001

Harlan, IA News-Advertiser
Friday, January 4, 2002

Frieda A. Hansen, 93
Sept. 8, 1908 - Nov. 30, 2001


HARLAN - Frieda Anna Hansen was born to Louisa (Schuster) and Frederick L.* Boettger, Sept. 8, 1908, just outside of Harlan. She attended country school at Lincoln Township until eighth grade and then attended Harlan High School. She was baptized and confirmed at the Lutheran Church.

Sept. 8, 1926, she married Roy Peter Hansen at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. To this union three children were born. In the spring of 1933, the family moved to a farm near Tennant. They later purchased a farm from Chris M. Christensen, west of Harlan, and moved there in 1948. Although she and her husband retired from farming in 1970, they stayed on and watched in fascination as the community of Harlan and the Harlan High School grew around their homestead. Nov. 30, 2001, Frieda died at Elm Crest Retirement Community at age 93 years, two months and 22 days.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Hansen; daughter, Mary Ann; granddaughter, Debra Lynn Garrity; brothers and sisters, Walter, William, Louise, Maria, Frederick, Herman and Edna; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Hansen; and son-in-law, Frank Rusk. She is survived by her daughter, Lorene (Lorrie) Zimmerman of Omaha, NE, and her son, Richard Hansen of Ankeny; six grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Funeral Services were held Dec. 5, 2001, at the United Methodist Church in Harlan, with Rev. Paul Wilcox officiating. Burial was in the Shelby Cemetery with LeAnn Burdick, Lorrie Thompson, Sherri Webb, Connie Esker, Rick Hansen and Cindy Hansen casket bearers. Pauley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

* should be W.

submitted by Marthann Kohl

Miller, Leonarda M.  (1916 - 2001)

Leonarda M. Miller, 85
May 6, 1916-October 10, 2001

Leonarda Marie Miller, daughter of Mayme (Kobold) and Joseph Blum, was born May 6, 1916, in Earling. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and also attended St. Joseph's Catholic School in Earling. As the oldest daughter, Leonarda accepted the responsibility of assisting with the younger members of the family.


February 26, 1935, she married Harold H. Miller at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Earling. They farmed west of Harlan in Lincoln Township for 27 years before moving to Camdenton, Missouri, in January of 1963. While in Camdenton, the couple owned and operated a liquor establishment. She returned to Harlan in 1975, and was employed at Mode-O-Day and the Sewing Box. She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Harlan, St. Michael's Guild and the Lincoln Social Club. In September of 1994, she became a resident of Elm Crest Retirement Community where she resided until her death. She died October 10, 2001, at age 85 years, five months and four days.


In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Miller in 1973; a grandson, Terry Charles Miller; brothers, Cecil and Kenneth Blum; and sisters, Mary Blum and Lillian Stinn. She is survived by her children, Alice Erickson of Omaha, Nebraska, Janice (Don) Stowe of Harlan and Robert Miller of Utica, MS; grandchildren, R. Scott Erickson, Tracy Erickson, Curt Christensen, Kelly Christensen, Tyler Miller, Tami Skinner and Mia Dammes; seven great grandchildren; two step great grandchildren; sisters, Anna Mae Leuschen of Harlan and Agnes Camery of LeSueur, Minnesota; brothers, Bill Blum (Vivian) of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Joseph Blum (Jan) of Blacksburg, Virginia; sister-in-law, Theresa Blum of Walnut; brother-in-law, Vince Stinn of Earling; nieces and nephews and other relatives.


A Mass of Christian Burial was concelebrated October 15, 2001, at St. Michael's Catholic Church with Rev. Jack McClure, C.P.P.S. as Presider. Concelebrant and homilist was Rev. Howard Fitzgerald. Burial was in the Harlan Cemetery with Tyler Miller, R. Scott Erickson, Mia Dammes, Curt Christensen, Tracy Erickson, Kelly Christensen and Tami Skinner casket bearers. Pauley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Pauley, Lawrence N. (1916 - 2001)

Lawrence Nicholas Pauley, son of John and Elizabeth (Tague) Pauley, was born west of Harlan on a farm Nov. 13, 1916. He was baptized at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Harlan, and confirmed at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Panama. He was a member of St. Mary's until moving to Harlan where he became a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church. He attended country school west of Panama. As a young man, he worked for area farmers and in Omaha, until 1951, when he began farming for himself. Later, he left farming and operated a corn sheller. In 1962, he returned to farming in the Shelby County area until retiring in 1982. In 1984, he quit farming and held a farm sale.


November 17, 1984, he married Frances Hansen at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Harlan. The couple spent their winter months in Texas for the next 16 years. He died Sept. 19, 2001, at Myrtue Memorial Hospital at age 84 years, 10 months and six days.


In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his wife, Frances Pauley of Harlan; stepchildren, LaVerne Hansen (Janice); Larry Hansen and Laurie (Richard "Rick") Schaben, all of Harlan; step grandchildren, Chris and Dustin Hansen and Lyndsey, Sara and Jacob Miller, nieces, nephews and other relatives.


A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 22, 2001, at St. Michael's Catholic Church with Rev. Jack McClure, CPPS celebrating. Burial was in the Harlan Cemetery with Jeff Leinen, Danny Schmitz, Pete Leinen, Mike Schmitz, Norman Schmitz and Robert Pauley casket bearers. Pauley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Schaben, Ardith Ann (1930 - 2001)

Ardith Ann Schaben was born Dec. 1, 1930, to Ann (McCaffery) and Louis Henkelman in Defiance. She was baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manilla, and confirmed at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance. She graduated from St. Paul's Catholic High School also of Defiance.


Feb. 7, 1949, she married Robert J. Schaben at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance. To this union eight children were born. Following their wedding, the couple located on a farm near Defiance, and remained there until 1970, when they moved to Defiance. She was a lifetime member of St. Peter's Catholic Church. She died Aug. 28, 2001, at Little Flower Haven Nursing and Rehab. Center at age 70 years, eight months and 27 days.


In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Harold and Ray Henkelman. She is survived by her husband, Robert Schaben of Defiance; her children, Jim Schaben (Jackie) of Denison; Joe Schaben (Joyce) of Las Vegas, NV; Kenny Schaben of Crete, NE; Bobby Schaben (Ruth) of Harlan; Bill Schaben (Julie) of Defiance; Mary Ann (Tom) Sullivan of Woodbine; Frank Schaben of Lincoln, NE. , and John Schaben (Mary Jo) of Defiance; 26 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; one brother, Frank Henkelman (Mary Jane) of Defiance; sister, Mary Ellen (Lavern) Schmitz of Defiance; Loretta (Joe Ray) Kenkel of Earling; Dorothy (Max) Kenkel of Earling and Agnes (Jay) Menze of Warrensburg, MO; and other relatives.


A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Aug. 31, 2001, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance, with Rev. Michael Berner celebrant. Burial was in the St. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Defiance, with her sons as casket bearers. Pauley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Wilwerding, Edward  (1930-2001)

Edward Wilwerding, 71
February 11, 1930 - July 27, 2001

Edward John Wilwerding, son of Isidore and Helen (Scheuring) Wilwerding, was born Feb. 11, 1930, in Portsmouth. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Earling, and attended school at St. Joseph's Catholic School also in Earling. He entered the United States Army Jan. 22, 1952. He entered an eight week training course at Ft. Leonardwood, Mo. Edward was awarded the Korean Service Medal, two bronze stars, a Meritorious Unit Citations National Defense Service Medal, and a United Nations Service Medal. He was honorably discharged Oct. 21, 1953.


He married Grace Dotzler Sept. 20, 1954. Four children were born to that union. Grace died March 23, 1961.
Edward later married Alma Bredensteiner Sept. 26, 1964, at the Shenandoah Catholic Church. He worked as an independent milk hauler from 1967 until 1992. He was last employed by Hancock Elevator, retiring in 1999. He died July 27, 2001, at Little Flower Haven in Earling, at age 71 years, five months and 16 days.


He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Grace. Survivors include his wife, Alma Wilwerding of Defiance; his children, Linda Barragan of Defiance; Diane (Emeldo) Martinez of Omaha, Ne; Denny Wilwerding and his special friend, Kim Micek of Omaha, Ne; Julie Mathison of Modale; Joanne (Mike) Erlbacher of Earling; Pat Pauley of Defiance; 13 grandchildren; his brothers and sister, Bernic Wilweding (Mary) of Earling; Howie Wilwerding (Nancy) of Boca Raton, Fl., and Jan Larrison of Defiance; his mother-in-law, Violet Bredensteiher of Shenandoah; and other relatives.


A Mass of Christian Burial was held July 30, 2001, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance, with Rev. Michael Berner celebrant. Military rites were conducted in Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Defiance, by the American Legion Post No. 707 of Defiance and Westphalia with Bob Scheels, Melvin Bloomer, Eldon Erickson, Donny Dotzler, George Erps, Bob Heimerman and Dennis Wieland honorary casket bearers. Casket bearers were Mike Larrison, Jeff Bredensteiner, Jim Dotzler, Stephan Erlbacher, Sean Barragan, Tony Wilwerding, Emeldo Martinez, Jr. and Paul Wilwerding. Pauley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.