Congregaton Page 3

George Hammer is a longtime member of the Community Church. George and his wife Ethel were very active in the church in the past. After his retirement, they spent winters in Arizona for many years. During the years before Ethel's death, George was a very cheerful, loving caregiver. George lives in Union all year now. His son Floyd is also a member of the Union Community Church. George died October 15, 2009. Please to to the In Memory page.

Congregation Index

Clarence and Carole Hammill

We moved in 1951 with daughters Kay and Mary from northwest Iowa to Whitten, where Clarence was manager of the grain elevator. In 1955, we started farming southwest of Union and in 1959 moved to the Louisa Willits farm south of Union, where we are still living and farming. After 28 years as secretary to the Union-Whitten School Superintendent, Principal and Board of Education, followed by 11 years as bookkeeper-teller in the Union bank, I retired in 1993. We enjoy many hobbies, but our family is our greatest delight. Besides cousins, sisters and brothers and their families, our family includes Kay and Mary and their husbands, three grandsons and their wives, a granddaughter and eight great-grandchildren.
At the invitation of a dear friend, Mamie Biersborn, we have attended the Community church for many years, transferring our membership from the Whitten Methodist Church in 1961, while Lloyd McDonald was pastor.

We have been impressed over the years by the dedication of our loving church family in so many ways-their financial assistance to the church and community, by their unselfish volunteer work which has been especially noticeable during the remodeling project, by the camaraderie during the many church events, by the foresight of the Board in handling the affairs of the Church and most recently by the establishment of the Foundation which will ensure future congregations that the Church will have the financial resources to endure. We admire the devotion of the many committees, officers, Sunday School teachers, custodian and others, including our talented organists, choir director and choir members who all so willingly share their music with us, and we especially appreciate our caring pastor with his inspiring messages and concern for all in the community. And after a few years of very irregular church attendance, we returned to regular attendance about ten years ago, and have staked out a claim on the back pew.

Arlene Hauser

I grew up in the Hartland area north west of Marshalltown walking three quarters of a mile each way to school for eight years. I have three children, Buster Nyce of Union, Kenny Nyce of Marshalltown, and Marlys Hauser of Marshalltown, seven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. I was married to Wilmer Hauser for forty five years before he passed away in 1992. I worked for many years at the Clemons School as a cook in the Hot Lunch program. I now reside at the South Hardin Manor apartments in Union. I enjoy attending the Community Church with my grandchildren and great grandchildren and I truly enjoy the social time after church. Arlene Hauser died April 28, 2009. Please go to the In Memory page.

Congregation Index

Gary and Annamaria Hauser

Annamaria and Gary Hauser are both very active in the Community Church. Annamaria is president of the Willing Workers, the group that organizes the Fall Bazaar. She is a co-chairman of the All Church committee, a member of the Church Foundation Board of Directors, and works with the Community Food Outreach, the local food bank in our Church. Gary is a Church organist. He plays for all our special Church Music programs. Gary is also a member of the Nominating Committee. Annamaria and Gary have two daughters, Sylvia who lives in Kansas and Lisa who is in California. Gary spent his early years in Whitten. After High School graduation, he earned a degree in Geology from Iowa State University. Gary worked in Libya and in South American before returning home. Gary is now the owner of Hauser Implement. Annamaria grew up in Italy and Libya. She left her family, her friends and her culture behind in Italy to join her new husband among strangers in a foreign land.

Herb and Agnes Hauser

Agnes Hauser grew up on a farm near Roland, Iowa. After college, she moved to Whitten to accept a position teaching sixth and seventh grade in the Whitten School. It was there that she found Herb working at Hauser Implement. In June of 2004 they celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. Herb grew up in Whitten. His great grandparents, Thomas and Nancy Hauser were the ninth settlers in Hardin County. They arrived in 1850. Herb started working at Hauser Implements in 1932, selling and repairing farm machinery, appliances, and TVs. It is a locally accepted fact that Herb can repair anything. He sold the business to his son Gary in 1978. Herb still enjoys helping in the shop, and he has a passion for golf.

Agnes taught 23 years in the Whitten, Ellsworth, and Union-Whitten Schools. Most of those years she taught English, Writing, and Speech. She made an impact on the lives of hundreds of students. A whole generation of young people thanks Mrs. Hauser for helping them to learn to write well. Agnes enjoys quilting and is a member of the Willing Workers. For many years, Herb and Agnes Hauser have been the “rainmakers”, quick to give their support and encouragement to any worthwhile project that enriched the Community Church or the community. Herb and Agnes have two sons, two granddaughters, and two great grandchildren. One of their sons, Gary and his family are also members of the Community Church. Their other son Steve, who lives in Iowa City, just retired from the Physic Department at the University of Iowa. Agnes now lives at Oaks Estates in Conrad. Herb Hauser died February 12, 2005. Please go to the In Memory Page

Congregation Index

LaVerne and Erma Haywood

LaVerne joined the Union Community Church in 1939, when his family moved here from Granger, Iowa. Erma joined the church after their marriage in 1947.   They have three children, Harry, Patsy, and Harris. All attended the Union Community Church and joined in their teen years. Harris continues his membership at the Union Community Church. LaVerne was chairman getting pews and carpet in the sanctuary. Erma was on the committee to remodel the original kitchen. Both have held various offices in the church and continue their support of the Union Community Church.

LaVerne Haywood died June 27, 2005. Please go to the
                   In Memory Page

Harris and Dianna Haywood, Brant, Blake, and Cory

Dianna and Harris both grew up in the Union area, and graduated from Union Whitten High School. Now they farm and have a cattle feeding operation. Dianna teaches Sunday School, is active in the Willing Workers and works in the Community Food Outreach, our local food bank. Harris has served as a Church trustee and a member of the Remodeling Committee. Both Harris and Dianna sing in the Church Choir. Brant recently graduated from college and is now working on the farm with his parents.

Congregation Index

Jordon and Stephanie Haywood

Jordon grew up on a farm southeast of Eldora and graduated from Eldora-New Providence High School. He earned his Animal Science degree from Kirkwood Community College. Soon after, he earned his Embryo Transfer Technician certification in Mississippi. Stephanie grew up on a farm northeast of Nevada, IA and graduated from Nevada High School. After high school, Stephanie attended Wartburg College to study Business Administration and then SUNY Empire State College in the same field. They met while exhibiting cattle. They joined the church in May 2007 and were married August 4, 2007. They now live on the same farm where Jordon grew up and run a cow-calf operation. Jordon also manages his own genetic consulting and breeding service, Advantage Genetics, LLC. Stephanie is employed at the Hardin County Treasurer’s office.

John and Linda Hensley

John and Linda Hensley have lived at 310 Commercial Street, Apt. A, Union Iowa since 1996. John was in banking for 35 years in Iowa and Minnesota before coming back to Iowa in 1994 to manage his Mother’s farms after the death of his brother David. He is a graduate of Albion High School, University of Northern Iowa, and the Graduate School of Banking, Madison, Wisconsin. Linda is a graduate of Marshalltown High School. They have four children and eleven grandchildren. Their sons are Curt (Patty) of Alexandria, LA, Kent in Golden Valley, MN, Eric (Julie) at Columbia, MO, and their daughter Amy (Bret) Scholl lives in Grover, IA. They have eight grandsons and three granddaughters.

John and Linda lived in Union from 1959 to 1965. John started in banking there and they built a house there. They are now members of the Community Church.

Bob and Gwyn Heston

Gwyn moved to Union in 1996. She graduated from BCLUW High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Iowa State University. It was at Iowa State that she met Bob. They were married in the Union Community Church in June of 2004. Gwyn is now a teacher at the Sayre Montessori School in West Des Moines and Bob works at Agr-Leader in Ames. Gwyn joined the Community Church and faithfully attended church when she lived here. Now she often comes back to attend church or for special events. Gwyn’s parents are Rick and Susan Schill.

Congregation Index

John and Janet Johnson, and Jeremy

Janet grew up on a farm south of Union where still lives. She graduated from Union Whitten High School. She now works in the Post Office part time. Janet is on the Christian Education committee and plays the piano for the Sunday School. For many years John worked in the Union Whitten Bank. He now farms and is manager of the Gifford Quarry.