Frank Cook

                       In Loving Memory of

                             Frank Cook

       
September 19, 1932 - November 27, 2007

Frank Cook, son of Maurice and Fern Cook, was born on his parents' farm near New Providence, Iowa.  He graduated from New Providence High School in 1951.  After spending two years at Iowa State University, he joined the U.S. Army.  He was stationed at Fort Sheridan, Illinois;  Fort Carson, Colorado; and Rhein/Mein Air Base in Frankfort, Germany.  While in Germany, he married Phyllis Fellows of Boston, Massachusetts.   After his military discharge, he returned to Iowa State and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Farm Operations in 1957.  Frank also was certified as a Vocational Agriculture teacher.   He started farming near Union and taught vocational agriculture to a veterans' farm class in Eldora.  He then farmed near New Providence before moving to their farm west of Union.  Frank was one of the original Board of Directors of the South Hardin Recreation Area in Union.  He was also a member or the board and past president of the Lawn Hill co-op.  Frank was a member of the Union Kiwanis and member of the South Hardin Retirement Housing Complex in Union.  He was also a member of the Community Church of Union and the New Providence Cemetery Association.  Frank and Phyllis moved into Union in 1991.

Frank will be missed by his wife, Mary, of Union; two sons, Robert and his wife Joyce, of New Providence; Richard and his wife Paige, of Clive; and one daughter, Barbara Schwarck and her husband Mark of Whitten.  He is also survived by seven grandchildren; Janelle and husband Casey Guilds of Union, Jared Cook and fiancé, Angie Weg, of Union, Garret and Lauren Schwarck of Whitten, Addie, Mollie, and Harrison Cook of Clive.  Frank is also survived by one great-granddaughter Ava Guiles.  Also surviving are his two brothers Kenneth and Evelyn Cook of New Providence, and Lisle and Margaret Cook of Hubbard.  Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis in 2002, and his parents, Maurice and Fern Cook.

Funeral services celebrating Frank's life were Friday, November 30, 2007 at 1:30 pm at the Union Community Church, with Pastor Rick Schill and Pastor Lloyd McDonald officiating.  Gary Hauser was the organist and Steve Haywood was the vocalist.  Pallbearers were Lloyd Bates, Jay Hadley, Neil Hadley, Ed Faris, Joe Rash, Lyle Minteer and Jim Borcherding.   Following the funeral services, Frank's family and friends gathered at the Church Fellowship Hall for a time of food and fellowship and remembrance.


Back to the Congregation Page                              To In Memory Index





Colleen Christensen
 

                                In Loving Memory of

                            Colleen Christensen            
                       
                          
August 29, 1929 -November 5, 2007
 
                                         
Colleen was born in Nora Springs, Iowa.  She graduated from the Rockford, Iowa High School.  Colleen was united in marriage to Rodger Christensen on September 10th at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.   They made their home in rural Marshalltown and Union.  Colleen Christensen was employed as a telephone operator for many years and most recently at the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center at the switchboard until retiring after 23 years.  She was a member of the Union Community Church, and the Cedar Valley Danes.  She loved her family, genealogy, embroidery and reading.  Colleen was a calm, practical person with a quick wit and the ability to enjoy life.  She will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.

Funeral services celebrating Colleen's life were held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, November 9 at the Union Community Church with Pastor Rick Schill officiating.  Pallbearers were Bob Donaldson, Allan Starcks, David Harms, Ron Christensen, Lynn Christensen, and Gary Christensen.  Following the funeral services, Colleen's family and friends gathered at the Church Fellowship Hall for a time of food and fellowship and remembrance.   Colleen was laid to rest in Nora Springs, Iowa.  Surviving are her loving husband of 57 years, Rodger, her children: Curtis and Hope Christensen of Miami, Jon Jay and Debbie Christensen of St.Louis, Brian and Janet Christensen of Waterloo, and her grandchildren: Joy Marie Christensen, Tyler Christensen, Eric Christensen, step-grandchildren: Celeste and Armarl Gurmo, Sam and Whitney Huttig, step-great-grandson Miguel, and Katherine (Berm) Ketchum of Rowan, Iowa. sister Katherine (Berne) Ketchum of Rowan, Iowa.
 


Back to the Congregation Page                              To In Memory Index





Dale Landt

                       In Loving Memory of

                            Dale Landt
      
            
October 19, 1928 - March 26, 2007

Dale Landt was born at Canistota, South Dakota, he was the soon of Roy and Louise Landt.  He attended country school in South Dakota and the Union Public Schools.  On October 20th, 1950 he was united in marriage to Shirley Vieman at the First Baptist Church in Eldora.  They farmed on the family farm near Union all of their married lives where Dale moved in 1936.  Dale was a member of the Community Church of Union.  Many will remember Dale for his sense of humor, jokes, playing cards and being a great dancer.  He was critically injured in an accident in 1975 - an event that drastically changed his physical life, but not his positive attitude.  He enjoyed nature, horses and dogs and the animals on the farm, being with family and sharing memories of yesteryear.  Dale was truly a kind, compassionate and very gentle man who will be greatly missed. Memorial services and a celebration of Dale's life was held at 6:30 pm Wednesday, March 28th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home with Rev Arlen Daleske of the Honey Creek - New Providence Friends Church officiating.  He was laid to rest in the Union Cemetery at a later date. Surviving are his wife, Shirley, three sons: Rich and his wife Nancy and their children Jessica, Caitlin and Tanya of Liscomb, Steve and his wife Jinny and their children Erin and Adrienne of Union, Todd and his wife Teresa and children Shaley, Keely, Shau and Jace of Charles City, nieces and nephew Renae, Clyde and Paul ( Arlene's children) and many friends.  In death he has rejoined his parents Roy and Louise, grandparents Emil and Teena and sister, Arlene Wooten.

                                                                          Back to the Congregation Page                           To In Memory Index



 

Carl Norman

                       In Loving Memory of

                           Carl Norman
         
J
une 19, 1919 - August 14, 2006

Carl Lewis Norman was born on June 19, 1919, in rural Marshall County, Liberty Township.  He was the second son of Allie and Mabel Norman.  He  graduated from Liberty High School in 1938.   After graduation, he farmed with his father and drove the Liberty School bus.   On March 12, 1941, he was united in marriage to Audrey Jones at Princeton, Mo.  They were blessed with four children, Janice, Carla, Stanley and David.  They made their home on the family farm in Liberty Township until December 1974 when they built a new home in Union.   Carl was an active member of the community and served on the Union Whitten School Board, the Union Town Council and was a member of the Union Kiwanis.  Through the years, he filled many positions in the life of the Liberty Friends Church.   His great joy was his family and he was a faithful encourager of each and every one of them.  
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 65 years, Audrey; his children Janice (Glenn) Morland of North Liberty, Carla (William) Dougherty of Southboro, Mass., Stanley (Pam) Norman of New Providence, and David (Linda) Norman of Union;  11 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends and neighbors.  In death he has rejoined his parents; brothers Glen and Walter; two brothers in law; and a sister in law.
Funeral services and a celebration of Carl's life were held at 10 a.m. August 18th at the Union Community Church, with Pastor Rick Schill officiating.  He was laid to rest in the Union Cemetery.  Carl will be greatly missed by all who knew him.  He was everyone's friend, always agreeable and encouraging.  Carl was such a congenial, happy person that it was a pleasure to be with him.

 

 

Back to the Congregation Page                             To In Memory Index


Irwin Seward

                       In Loving Memory of

                           Irwin Seward
         
December 3, 1926 - June 9, 2006

Irwin Clyde Seward was born December 3, 1926 to Wallace and Verna Whitehead Seward.  He was raised in the New Providence and Melbourne areas, graduating from the Melbourne High School.  He then attended Iowa State University, with a brief time as a cattle buyer, before returning to farming which he did up until the time of his death.  He married Garnita White on August 10, 1949. He had been an active member of the Masonic Lodge, Kiwanis, and the Union Community Church.  He was a longtime Farm Bureau Member, on the South Hardin Manor Board, served on the Heart of Iowa telephone cooperative board, the Union-Whitten School Board and the Lawn Hill Coop Board.  His later years were spent enjoying family, his ponies, his farm and his friends. 
Irwin is survived by his wife Garnita and five children: Teresa and her husband Bill Black of Hendersonville, North Carolina, Mark and wife Paula of New Providence, Gwen Lewis of Mitchellville, Lynette and husband Richard Groepper of Union and Kaye Seward of Mitchellville, 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by brothers Lyle of Urbandale and John (Jack) and wife Marilyn of Panora, his aunt Norma Hadley and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father and mother and son-in-law Tom Lewis.
Irwin passed away at Taylor Hospice House in Des Moines on Friday, June 9, 2006 after being involved in a serious motor vehicle accident. Visitation was Sunday, June 11th, at the Union Community Church from 6-8 pm.  Private burial services were the morning of June 12, 2006 and a memorial service for family and friends that afternoon at 2 pm at the Union Community Church, with Pastor Rick Schill officiating.  Following the memorial service family and friends gathered at the Church Fellowship Hall for a time of food and fellowship and remembrance.  

Back to the Congregation Page                              To In Memory Index





Keith Biersborn

                  In Loving Memory of

                Keith Henry Biersborn
       
January 29, 1937 - February 9, 2006

Keith Henry Biersborn was born on January 29, 1937 in Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of Edwin Hall and Mamie Drier Biersborn.  He was raised and educated in Union, graduating from the Union High School with the class of 1955.  Following graduation he entered the United States Navy where he served for four years.  After his discharge from the service, Keith was employed at various jobs in the Union area, was part owner of the O.K. Cafe, and attended Ellsworth College in Iowa Falls.  He then entered the Indiana College of Mortuary Science and graduated September 1965.  On November 22. 1966, he was united in marriage to Mary Lou Galloway in Las Vegas, Nevada.  They returned to Union where Keith followed in his father's footsteps, and joined his father in the Biersborn Funeral Home in Union, as well as working as a funeral director with the Pursel-Davis Funeral Home in Marshalltown.  In February of 2000, Keith and Mary Lou sold their business to Kelly and Rick Vogel of Marshalltown.  They continued to live above the funeral home, assisting with visitations and funerals until his retirement in 2002.  Keith was a member of the Union Community Church, Iowa Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, South Hardin Recreation Center, and past member of the Union Cemetery Board.    Keith is survived by his wife of thirty nine years: Mary Lou Biersborn or Union, a sister: Kathy (Randy) Priddy of Belews Creek, North Carolina, two nieces: Keri Peevey and Jami Jarrett, two great-nieces and two step-great-nieces.   He was preceded in death by his parents and sister who died at birth, Becky Jo.
Funeral services and a celebration of his life was held at 11am.,Wednesday, February 15, at the Union Community Church with Rev. Helmer Peterson and Rev. Paul Pfaltzgraff officiating.  Musical selection were by Joanne Speas and Rosemary Hauser.  Casket Bearers were Jan Johnson, Pat Johnson, Kipp Johnson, Mike Sullivan, Tim Dreier, and David Smitherman.  Honorary Bearers were Bob Johnson, Sam Crain, Kim Johnson, Clifford Gifford, David B. Elledge, John Bell, Rob Weatherly, Chuck Weatherly, Rick Teckenburg, Al Heryford, and Bill Amundson.   Interment was at the Union Cemetery, Union, Iowa.  Following committal service, Keith's family and friends gathered at the Church  Hall for a time of food and fellowship and remembrance.
Keith was a avid Iowa fan and enjoyed watching the Iowa University games.  Except for the four years he was in the Navy, Keith Biersborn spent all his life in the Union area.  He loved the people in the Union community and enjoyed spending time with them.  Keith always had a joke or a good story to tell.  As a funeral director, he worked with people who were at a difficult, stressful time in their lives.  Keith's competence and caring, professional service brought a measure of comfort to them.


 Back to the Congregation Page                             To In Memory Index


Boyd Reece

                      In Loving Memory of

                            Boyd Reece
             
October 18, 1908 - July 7, 2005
  
 
Boyd Reece was born and reared in the Union area and graduated from the Union High School.  After graduation he married his childhood sweetheart, Ruth Biersborn.  Boyd and Ruth farmed in the Union and Eldora area.  He joined the Community Church as a child and all his life has been an active member of the church.   He has served on almost every committee and board.  Until a few years of his death, he regularly attended church and especially enjoyed coffee and cookies in the Lounge after church services.   Boyd was an avid, enthusiastic golfer.  He especially enjoyed being a Grandpa, he had a special love for his three grandsons.  At 97, he was the oldest member of our congregation.   Boyd is survived by his daughter Nina Carol Weatherly and his three grandsons, Dan, Robert, and Charles Weatherly.  Boyd Reece was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth.

Funeral services were Thursday, July 12, 2005 at 10 a.m. at the Union Community Church  with  Reverend Rick Schill officiating.    Interment was at the Union Cemetery, Union, Iowa.  Following committal service, Boyd's family and friends gathered at the Church  Hall for a time of food and fellowship.

Back to the Congregation Page                             To In Memory Index


 


Edward Martin
 

                  In Loving Memory of

                 Edward Martin
        September 26, 1950 - July 24, 2005
   
Edward Martin was the son of Dale and Corrine Haywood Martin.  He was raised and educated in Union.  He graduated from Union-Whitten High School and Iowa State University in 1972 with a degree  in Farm Operation.   Later Ed graduated from the Wisconsin school of Banking.   Following graduation from Iowa State University, he worked for the Federal Land Bank in Cedar Falls.   In 1975 he returned to the family farm.   His love for farming turned to banking as an Ag loan officer at Eldora.   Later Ed moved to Dixon, Ill at the Federal Land Bank at Amboy, then to the Amcore Bank in Sterling.   He was employed there as a loan officer at the time of his death.

Ed was active in 4-H and loved to show his livestock projects at the county and state fairs.  He had a passion for music and participated in several summer musicals at the Marshalltown community theatre.    While a student at Iowa State he played the tuba in marching band, sang in choral groups, and was in several productions of "Stars over VEISHIA"     After returning to Union, he reactivated the "Concert under the Stars", directing it several years in the Bangor area.   Ed  was a member of the "Messengers Quartet" for a number of years.    Ed's love for the land never left him even though he couldn't actively farm, he continued to care for his cowherd, horses, and his Australian Blue Healer dogs.   He loved to fish, camp, and boat with his family.   Ed was guided by his strong faith in God.  He was a dedicated family man and was so proud of his wife Deborah, and his children Andrew, Angela and Abigail.  His eyes lit up when he spoke of them.   His heart was as big as anyone's heart could be.  As a lover of humanity, Ed always had time for people and did all he could to assist and help them - no matter how - when or where.  Then there was the fact that he had such a way with dogs, horses and cats - all animals in general - which came in very handy on all this farm visits!  Ed was just a regular guy who loved fishing and country music.  He was most comfortable when he was wearing his jeans and plaid shirts.  One of our best memories- every once in a while, Ed would sing his favorite songs and sometimes he would also dance to the music.   Ed was resourceful - everything had a purposes.  He could see potential in everything and with an adjustment or two could turn "nothing" into something useful.  He taught us to not just take things at face value - look beneath the surface.   Surviving Ed are his wife Deborah, a son, Andrew (Jenny) Martin of Arvada, Colo, daughters, Angela (Justin) Spooner of Grapevine, Texas, and Abigail Martin of Dixon, Ill, his parents, Dale and Corrine Martin of Union, a brother Sid (Barb) Martin of New Castle, In, a sister Marilea (Steven) Mullen of Corning, Iowa, a sister-in-law Diane Martin of Union.


 Back to the Congregation Page                             To In Memory Index



 



Home   Calendar   Committees, Boards    Congregation     Foundation    History    In Memory     Internet Links    Missions      Music     Organizations    Our Church      Photo Album Index       Remodeling                                       Special Events     Sunday School  

                             
We welcome any additions, suggestions or corrections to this website.    
 Please e-mail
 Jo Bates