Clayton L. Wornson, 92, of 2414 North Shore Drive, Clear Lake, died
Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, at the Calvin Manor Assisted Living Health
Center, Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 5, at
the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess
officiating. Internment was at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa.
Memorials may be made to the Clayton L. Wornson memorial fund. Clayton
Wornson was born July 29, 1914 in Brookings, S.D. of second generation
Norwegian-American parents Harry and Elvina Wornson. Spending his
childhood in Mankato, Minn., he was active in the Boy Scouts, earning
the Eagle Scout distinction and acting frequently as bugler for military
ceremonies. Following high school, during the Great Depression, he
traveled to Washington D.C. with an intent to study law. In Washington
he worked, studied law, sang in a traveling quartet and obtained a law
degree from American University. He met Lillie Louise Wolf, who was
employed in Washington in the social security administration as an
assistant to the US attorney general. They were married in 1938. He
joined the Navy at the beginning of World War II and served as an
officer assigned to convoy duty in the North Atlantic and as a
lieutenant on the aircraft carrier USS Guadalcanal. Following the war
Lillie and Clayton settled in Mason City and their family grew from two
sons to five. Mr. Wornson was active in the business community as
traffic manager for the Brick and Tile Company and as a Rotarian. He was
also a musician and played the piano and several other instruments. He
conducted the chamber of commerce male choir of over 100 voices, sang in
church services and at weddings, directed the combined church choir's
performance of Handel's Messiah and served as cantor in the Jewish
synagogue. With the decline and demise of the Brick and Tile Company in

Lawrence "Stan" Stanley Held, Mason
City, Iowa, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007 at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient
Unit, Mason City. A memorial service was held Saturday, Jan. 6, at the
United Methodist Church, Ventura, Iowa with the Rev. Audrey Westendorf-Young
officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Ellinwood,
Kan. Memorials may be given in his name to the Ventura United Methodist
Church. Stan was born Sept. 20, 1953 in Manhattan, Kan., the son of
Norman and Joanne (Rodgers) Held. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, trap
shooting and the outdoors. While in high school he was involved in
football and track. He graduated from Ventura High School in 1973. After
high school he entered the U.S. Navy. Following the service he lived
throughout the United States, moving back to Mason City in 2004, where
he worked at Graham. Stan is survived by his father, Dr. Norman Held and
his wife, Dorothy, Ventura; sister, Shelley Laine Szipszky and her
husband, Henry, Wasilla, Alaska and their children, Breanna and Luke
Szipszky. Stan was preceded in death by his mother. Ward-Van Slyke
Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

Cecelia "Cece" M. Shaw, 62, of 903 9th Ave. S.,
Clear Lake, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2007 at Heritage Care Center, Mason
City, Iowa. Her wishes were to donate her body to the University Of Iowa
Anatomy Dept. Memorial services are pending at the Ward-Van Slyke
Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. LaRue Mae Meier 67, of Swaledale, Iowa,
died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit,
Mason City, Iowa after complications of pneumonia. Funeral services were
held Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake,
with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating. Burial was in Pleasant Valley
Cemetery, Swaledale. Memorials may be directed to the LaRue Mae Meier
Memorial Fund.

LaRue Mae Roney was born July 22, 1939, in Mason City, the daughter of
Grant and Irene (Benzing) Roney. LaRue graduated from Swaledale
Consolidated High School in 1957, later graduating from Hamilton
Business College, Mason City in 1959. After graduation she worked for
the First State Bank, Thornton as a bookkeeper for many years. LaRue was
united in marriage to Clarence Pedersen. After his death she was united
in marriage to Richard Meier on Oct. 29, 1966, at the Evangelical Free
Church, Clear Lake. Richard and LaRue made their home on the farm in
rural Swaledale. LaRue loved sewing, antiquing, quilting, antique doll
collecting, gardening, and helping with the farm work. Her greatest love
was spending time with family, friends and her many pets. LaRue is
survived by her brother, Loren J. Roney, Swaledale; brother-in-law,
Martin (Lois) Meier, Swaledale; sister-in-law, Mary Ann (Cecil)
Ditsworth, Mason City; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives
and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Grant and Irene
Roney; Clarence Pedersen; husband, Richard Meier on Sept. 4, 2006; and
sister-in-law, Dorthea (Pals) Sargent.

Delbert C. Kneeland, 90, of Spirit Lake, Iowa,
passed away Monday, Jan. 8, 2007 at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit
Lake. A memorial service was held Thursday, Jan. 11, at the United
Methodist Church in Spirit Lake. Memorials make be given in Delbert's
name to the United Methodist Church or the the Lions Club. Delbert was
born Sept. 15, 1916, in Riverside, Iowa, to Jacob Earl and Virdie (Marken)
Kneeland. He graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1934. He was
united in marriage to Doris Bunse on June 5, 1942 in Newton, Iowa.
Delbert worked for Fisher Controls in Marshalltown, Iowa, as a machinist
and a pattern maker for 38 years, before retiring in 1979. Delbert and
Doris moved to Clear Lake, where they resided for 14 years, before
moving to Spirit Lake. Delbert was a member of the Cub Scouts, Boy
Scouts, and was a Boy Scout leader for many years. In scouting he
received the Silver Beaver Award. He was also a member of the United
Methodist Church, the Lions Club, a past-president of the United
Methodist Camp at Clear Lake and was active on the Iowa District Camp
Board. Delbert enjoyed wood working, making candy, traveling, and
Winnebago camping. Delbert is survived by his wife, Doris Kneeland of
Spirit Lake; two daughters, Caroline Tritle and her husband, Merlin, of
Spirit Lake, and Janice Laughlin and her husband, Fred, of Indianapolis,
Ind.; two sons, Gerald Kneeland and his wife, Sherry, of Marion, Iowa,
and Dale Kneeland and his wife, Sheryl, of Austin, Texas; seven
grandchildren, Heather Vugteveen, Nathan Tritle, Matt deSilva, Brian
Tritle, Angela Kneeland, David Kneeland, and Heidi Klinghagen; eight
great-grandchildren, Kyler, Hannah, Garret, Sam, Bailey, Andrew, Layne
and Lily; two sisters, Mary Lensch and her husband, Ken, of Cedar
Rapids, Iowa, and Irma Vance and her husband, Randall, of Burlington,

Leo C. "Bud" Duregger, 77, of 5851 South Shore
Drive, Clear Lake died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007 at Mercy Medical Center
North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. Funeral services were held Monday, Jan.
15, at Galilean Lutheran Church, Clear Lake with Pastor Jeff Ungs
officiating. Interment was in Clear Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be
directed to the Leo "Bud" Duregger Memorial Fund. Leo "Bud" Duregger was
born Sept. 1, 1929, in Swaledale, Iowa, the son of Edward Sr. and Alice
(Hoffman) Duregger. Bud attended Clear Lake Schools, and then began his
career in commercial plumbing for E.L. Secory and Sons for 17 years. Bud
was united in marriage to Edith (Herman) Caspers on Sept. 12, 1963 in
Sioux Falls, S.D. Bud worked for L.A. Fulton and Sons Plumbing and
Heating in Des Moines, Iowa for 30 years until retirement in 1998. Bud
enjoyed playing cribbage, fishing, bingo, camping, and especially
spending time with his family. He was a member of Galilean Lutheran
Church in Clear Lake. Left to cherish his memory are his daughters,
Kelley (Alan) Stumme of Goodell, Iowa, Cathy Diercks (Jerry Zimmer) of
Charles City, Iowa, and Cindy (Dennis) Rieman of Charles City; six
grandchildren, David (Leah), Jon, Amber, Tina (Lance), Josh, and Andrea;
six great-grandchildren; Jazmyn, Jordyn, Gavin, Mercades, Reid, and
Callista; three brothers, Ed Duregger Jr. of Garner, Iowa, Fred (Helen)
Duregger of Virginia, and Larry Borum of Florida; two sisters, Helen
Sorenson of Alden, Iowa and Irene Sorenson of California. Bud was
preceded in death by his parents, Edward Sr. and Alice; his wife, Eadie;
four brothers, Virgil, Albert, Robert, and an infant brother, Donald
Duane; three sisters, Ida Mae, Mary, and Gladys; and a great-grandchild,
Kali.

The exciting moments of pregnancy have turned to
sorrow and heartfelt loss with the death of our baby, Jaime Elisha
Heflin, on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007. A private family graveside service
was held at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City with the Rev. John Tilp
of St Patrick's Catholic Church, Clear Lake officiating. Survivors
include parents, Tony and Shannon (Newman) Heflin; brother and sister,
Adam and Allison; grandparents, Tom and Kathy Newman, Clear Lake, and
Gary and Mary Heflin, Rembrant, Iowa; and aunts and uncles, Jerilynn and
Dean Bell, Clear Lake, Tammy and Jon Heflin, Rembrant and Tara Heflin,
Mason City, Iowa. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in
charge of arrangements. Jan. 24, 2007 Dayton Merriman, 97, passed away
Jan. 4, 2007 in Clearwater, Fla. Day and Jorie Merriman were former
owners of the Clear Lake Reporter, having purchased it in 1945. They
later purchased the Clear Lake Mirror and published the combined papers
until 1956. Dayton was active in the Masons, barbershop groups and civic
activities. He is survived by his daughters, Judith, of Nebraska, Susan
and Sandra, of Minnesota; also by many grandchildren,
great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

Doloras V. "Duffy" Garrison, 86 years of
age, of Beatrice, Neb., passed away at the Parkview Center in Beatrice
on Sunday morning, Jan. 21, 2007. Memorial service will be held
Thursday, Jan. 25, at Trinity Lutheran Church in DeWitt, Neb. Burial of
ashes and graveside service will be held in Clear Lake at a later date.
There will be no viewing, but a register book will be available for
signatures Wednesday from 1-6 p.m. at the Venrick-Griffiths-Hovendick
Chapel in DeWitt. A memorial has been established to the Sesostris
Shrine and the DeWitt Historical Society with the family in charge.
Messages of condolence may be sent to rich@griffithshovendick.com. They
will be forwarded to the family. Duffy was born on May 7, 1920 in DeWitt
to Milo M. and Louise M. "Lizzie" (Essman) Garrison. He attended DeWitt
High School in DeWitt, Neb. and earned his GED. He served his country in
the United States Army during World War II, serving from 1942-1945. He
received his training in Hawaii, served at Saipan, Okinawa and on other
various islands in the Pacific Theater. He served in very hazardous
locations of the war. He and Norma Jene Chamberlain of Beatrice were
married on Sept. 6, 1945 in Pasadena, Calif. He worked briefly at
Petersen Manufacturing in DeWitt and then for Northern Natural Gas
(later known as Enron) in Clear Lake for 37 years, retiring in 1982. He
moved to back to DeWitt in 1998 and then to Beatrice in 2006. He was a
member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City, Iowa and was a
former member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in DeWitt. He enjoyed
fishing and boating (especially in Canada), and making wooden yard
ornaments. Survivors include his brother, Jack Garrison and wife, Mary,
of DeWitt; nephews, their spouses and families, Robert Mead of San
Antonio, Texas, Terry Higgins of Copperas Cove, Texas, Randy and Dustin

Catherine "Kate" A. Davis, 90, Clear
Lake, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007 at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient
Unit, Mason City, Iowa. A funeral service was held Saturday, Jan. 27, at
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with Lay Assistant Richard
Scott officiating. Interment will be held at the Clear Lake Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa. Kate was born Nov. 18,
1916 in Clear Lake, the daughter of Orren and Dorcas Rose (Pester)
Porter. She graduated from Clear Lake High School. She lived in Clear
Lake her entire life. Kate married Charles "Chuck" Davis on March 3,
1935 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They were married for
over 69 years. Kate was a great cook. She loved baking, sewing and her
cats. Her greatest love was spending time with her children and
grandchildren. She was a very thoughtful mother and grandmother to all.
She enjoyed playing Scrabble, cards, and especially 500 at the Clear
Lake Senior Citizens Center and at home. She was a member of Zion
Lutheran Church. Kate is survived by four children, Sandra Cesar, Clear
Lake, Jill Deuel and her husband, Rick, San Antonio, Texas, Joni
Anderson, Kingman, Az. and Scott Davis and his wife, Rene, Forest City,
Iowa; eight grandchildren, Shaun Cesar and his wife, Lori, Tracy
Connell, Dwayne Davis, Stacie Peavy and her husband, David, Chad Deuel
and his wife, Michelle, Cody Deuel, Christie Anderson and Heidi Spurlock
and her husband, Davy; 13 great-grandchildren and three
great-great-grandchildren. Kate was preceded in death by her parents;
her husband, Charles on July 3, 2004; son, Michael; two infant
great-grandsons; four sisters, Flossie Skellenger, Ella Bruns, Lucille
Franklin, and Esther Evans. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake,
was in charge of arrangements.

Leon Donald Eymann, 82, of Clear Lake, died
Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason
City, Iowa. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan.
31, at Zion Lutheran Church, 112 North 4th Street, Clear Lake, with the
Rev. Dean Hess officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior
to church services on Wednesday at the church. Following the services
there will be military honors at the church by members of the Veterans
of Foreign Wars of Clear Lake. According to his wishes his body was
cremated. The family of Leon Donald Eymann has requested that memorial
contributions be made to the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa West Campus
Dialysis Center in his memory. Leon Donald Eymann, was born on Aug. 2,
1924, in Forest City, Iowa, the son of L.K. and Vesta (Lewis) Eymann.
Don attended school in Forest City and graduated from Forest City High
School. He enlisted into the Army Air Corps during World War II and
served overseas in the European Theater and was a co-pilot on a B-17
bomber and was honorably discharged as a 2nd Lt. After his honorable
discharge, Don attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Don
returned to Forest City to join his brother, John, in the family
business selling cars and John Deere equipment. He moved to Clear Lake
in 1986, working as a realtor for Northern Realty in Clear Lake. He was
united in marriage to his wife, Shirley, on Aug. 15, 1950 in Mason City,
Iowa. Don enjoyed mowing his yard, traveling, fishing, playing cards,
hunting, and golfing, but his great love and enjoyment was his family
and friends. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, and
the Clear Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars. Left to cherish his memory is
his wife, Shirley Eymann, of Clear Lake; three children, Suzanne Wright
of Oregon City, Ore., Joni Fields and her husband, Dan of Shorewood,

Muriel "Ardyce" Bailey, 86, of Rowan, Iowa, died Jan. 31, 2007, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.
Funeral services for Ardyce Bailey were held on Monday, Feb. 5, at the United Church of Rowan with Pastor Nancy Hofmeister officiating. Burial was at the Graceland Cemetery near Rowan.
Ardyce was born on Feb. 1, 1920, on a farm near Rowan. She was the daughter of E. R. "Rollie" and Jessie (Allen) Harris. She graduated from Rowan High School. On Sept. 1, 1940, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Elmer Bailey. They built a life together on the family farm near Rowan where they raised five children.
Ardyce was a life member of the United Church of Rowan. She was very active in her church and especially enjoyed the quilting group. She was an inspiration to many and always put other's needs before her own. Her family was the most important thing in her life. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Playing cards was a favorite pastime of hers. She was often heard to say, "Sure would be nice if some of you folks could win." Her hobbies were quilting, crocheting, gardening, cooking, playing the piano, and traveling. Each of her hand-stitched quilts was completed with love and joy. Each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild received at least one of her labors of love. She also made quilts for nieces, nephews and cousins. The number of quilts is hard to determine, but it is well over 100. Ardyce enjoyed traveling with her husband all over the United States and other countries. They also wintered in Florida, California, and Arizona.
Ardyce was currently living at the Apple Valley Assisted Living Center in Clear Lake, Iowa. She thoroughly enjoyed her time there and the helpful friends she made.