VINTON - Erick E. Olson, age 84, died early Tuesday morning, May 18, 2004 at the Vinton Lutheran Home following an extended illness. Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 P.M., Friday, May 21, 2004 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with Rev. Mark C. Urlaub officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton from 5 to 8 P.M. on Thursday. In lieu of flowers a Memorial Fund has been established. Erick was born December 9, 1919 near Keystone to Erik G.”Gus” and Freda (Rosenquist) Olson. On August 29, 1944 he married Vernie Schulte at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Vinton. Erick farmed south-west of Vinton until the late 60’s when he and Vernie moved to Vinton. He had always been a skilled carpenter and continued to practice his craft all of his life, taking pride in his work. In his leisure he loved spending time with his family. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting. He will be remembered for his great smile and dry sense of humor. Erick never had a bad word to say about anyone and was always polite and courteous. He spent his life living those values, and those who loved and cared for him said he was the nicest human being they ever met because he was everything that was good. He is survived by his wife, of 59 years, Vernie of Vinton; his son Darrel Olson and wife, Jodie of Menomonie, WI; three grandchildren, Beth McLeod and husband, Brent of Menomonie, WI, Andrew Olson and wife, Erin of Arlington, VA, and Aaron Olson of Menomonie, WI; and four great grandchildren, Jordan, Lauren and Madeline McLeod, and Avery Olson. His parents preceded him in death.

ATKINS - Lyle M. Olson, age 85, died Friday, January 23, 2004 at his residence from complications of old age. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, January 26, 2004, at St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall with Rev. Steven Rempfer officiating. Interment with military rites will be held at St. John Cemeteryin Newhall. Friends may call from 3:00 until 7:00 P.M. today at the church in Newhall. Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements. He is survived by three sons, Craig Olson and wife Rosemary of Newhall, Mark Olson and wife Debra and Brad Olson, all of Atkins; one daughter, Jayne Queck and husband Paul of Indianapolis, IN; nine grandchildren; six great grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, Robert Orcutt of Newhall and Vernon Schroeder of Belle Plaine and one sister-in-law, Frieda Schroeder of Luzerne. He was preceded in death by parents; wives, Nadine and Marjorie; three brothers, Minnerd, Owen and Virgil Olson and one sister, Donna Orcutt. Lyle was born on May 18, 1918, in rural Newhall, the son of Ben and Minnie (Johnson) Olson. He graduated from Newhall High School in 1936 and attended Iowa State University. Lyle served his Country in the army during World War II. On April 14, 1946, he married Nadine Schroeder in Luzerne. She preceded him in death in 1961. On July 28, 1967, he married Marjorie Newkirk in rural Homestead, she also preceded Lyle in death in 1970. Lyle farmed and raised pure bred hogs in the Newhall and Atkins area all of his life. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall and held several church offices. He was also a member of the John Ward McGranahan American Legion Post # 167 in Newhall and was an avid Hawkeye Basketball and St, Louis Cardinal fan. A memorial fund has been established.

TODDVILLE - Joseph “Angelo” Parlati, age 43, died Tuesday evening, August 17, 2004 at his rural Toddville residence following a brief illness. Public Graveside Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, August 21, 2004 at the Bear Creek Cemeterynorth of Vinton with Pastor Dennis Sackett officiating. Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established. Born September 21, 1960 in Woodbury, NJ to Salvatore and Mary (Wright) Parlati, Angelo was an accomplished woodworker and musician. He is survived by his wife, Beth of Toddville; stepchildren, Lacy Kisling of Marion, Benjamin Lahue of Toddville; his mother, Mary Beiderman of Merrimack, NH; and his sister Dawn (Levent ) Bozkurt and family of Gorton, MA. Also surviving are his mother-in-law, Mildred Kisling; and brother and sister-in-law, Lori and Craig Cummings and family, all of Vinton. He was preceded in death by his father, Salvatore, and his paternal and maternal grandparents. “Ang” enjoyed life to the fullest never having any regrets. His only wish would have been to have time to do more in life. This nomad-wanderer has found his final home. “Peace be with you all.”

VINTON - Grace Marie Pelley, age 89, died Thursday, January 29, 2004 at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton following an extended illness. Grace was born July 30, 1914, the daughter of Allen and Anna Fuehrer Baker and lived most of her life in Vinton. She married Oriville John Pelley on October 3, 1935. Oriville preceded his wife in death in January 1976. Grace is survived by her five daughters, Shirley Doud, Virginia Deterding, Barbara Anderson and husband, Jim all of Vinton, Judy Hall of Marion and Kate Albert and husband, Dave of Scottsdale, Arizona; twelve grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren; one great-great grandson; her sister, Ruby Albert and husband, Nick of Brandon; three sisters-in-law, Bonnie Baker and husband, Paul of Vinton, Alice Frentress of Waterloo, and Inez Pelley and husband, Milo of Fountain City, Wisconsin; and one brother-in-law, Arlo Pelly and wife, Arlene of Marion. In addition to her husband, Grace was preceded in death by her parents; one brother and her great granddaughter, Emily Grace. One of the many things that Grace will be remembered for is her love of the cardinal. Her home had over 200 figurines and knick-knacks of this beautiful red bird. She enjoyed country music and dancing. Grace, her sister and her father used to play for dances when they were younger. Grace also loved going to craft shows with her daughters. Her greatest love was for her close-knit family, who will always remember her for her famous rice krispie bars which were a special treat at family gatherings. Friends and relatives can gather to remember Grace from 2-4 P.M., Saturday, January 31, 2004 at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton. A private family burial service will be held at a later date.

VINTON - James L. Phelps, age 92, died Thursday evening, October 30, 2003 at Virginia Gay Annex following an extended illness. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, November 3, 2003 at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton. Interment will be held at Maplewood Cemeteryin Vinton. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4 to 8 P.M., on Sunday. A memorial fund has been established. James was born August 4, 1911 at Belle Plaine to William and Beulah (Chon) Phelps. During World War II, he served his nation in the US Navy. After his honorable discharge he was employed at Vinton Hybrid Corn Co. and later at Iowa Manufacturing in Cedar Rapids. On August 24, 1935 he married Alma Kennedy, and she preceded him in death on August 4, 1973. On April 13, 1974 he married Ruby Benson at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, and she preceded him in death on December 1, 1985. James is survived by his son, Jack L. Phelps and wife, JoAnn of Apache Junction, AZ: two grandsons and their families, Dan Phelps and wife, Christi and their son, Samuel of Long Beach, CA, and Don Phelps and wife, Debbie and their daughters, Hannah and Abbigail of Eugene OR; his long time companion, Frances Roster of Vinton; his sisters, Lucille Dolan of Vinton, Betty Fluegal of Ocala, FL, Margaret Heathcote of Nevada, and Beulah Kune of Marshalltown; his brothers, Russell Phelps of Clinton, and Eugene Phelps of Vinton. In addition to his wives he was preceded in death by his brothers, William, and Jess, and his sisters, Helen Holst, Doris Junge, and Alice Bates.

KEYSTONE - Ervin "Kais" Pickering, age 89, died Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at St. Lukes Hospital in Cedar Rapids following a short illness. "Kais" was born December 17, 1913 in rural Van Horne to George and Margaret (Ohde) Pickering. On January 8, 1936 he was united in marriage to Velma E. Meyer at the Lutheran Parsonage in Keystone. The couple farmed and raised their family north of Keystone for 41 years and retired and moved to town in 1977. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone and a lifetime member of the Keystone Turners. "Kais" dearly loved the farm and enjoyed feeding cattle and especially time spent fishing. He is survived by his children, M. Jean Goken of Keystone, Don Pickering and wife, Relda of Keystone, and Steven Pickering and wife, Janelle of Cedar Rapids; his grandchildren, Donna and Dan Busch of Keystone, Lori and Larry Pickart of Cedar Rapids, Mark and Wendee Goken of Dysart, Rick and Penni Pickering of Keystone, Robyn and Barry Allen of Keystone, Christine and Dan Hageman of Charles City, Mike and Chris Pickering of Solon, David and Krystal Pickering of Cedar Rapids, and Ryan and Kris Flaugh of Center Point; and twenty-two great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Velma in 2002; his daughter, Kathy Ann Flaugh; five brothers, Albert, George, Lester, Leonard and Roy Pickering and two sisters, Alice Fisher and Norma Parizek. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M., Friday, September 12, 2003, at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone with Rev. Bruce Kaltwasser officiating. Interment will be held at the Keystone Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M. today at the Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone. A memorial fund has been established.

VINTON - V. Evelyn “Evy” Powers, age 87, died Sunday, January 25, 2004 at Virginia Gay Annex following an extended illness. Funeral Services will be held at 1 P.M., Thursday at Wesley United Methodist Church with Rev. Rose Blank officiating. Interment will be held Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel from 4 to 7 P.M on Wednesday. A memorial fund has been established for Wesley United Methodist Church. Evy was born January 8, 1917 near Tipton to Lewis and Wilhemina (Wieske) Powers and graduated from City High in Iowa City. She was Secretary to the Band Director at the U Of I for eleven years. On August 13, 1946 she married her first cousin, Skeet Powers. They made their home in Vinton where Evy served as Secretary to nine different Superintendents at the Iowa Braille School and Skeet was a House Parent. The couple lived in a dorm at the facility with twelve to thirty boys each year. While never having children of their own they became “Mom and Dad” to about two hundred youngsters during their thirty three years at the Braille School. Evy and Skeet also found time to enjoy life and each other. They shared a love of flying and bowling. Evy loved music and for thirty years she sang with Sweet Adeline Choruses and was also a member of her church choir for many years. In their eighties, Evy and Skeet once again shared their love of parenthood and adopted a young woman and her four children from Macedonia. Evy loved her new family and was very proud of them. She is survived by her husband, Skeet; her daughter, Hane Powers; four grandchildren, Adelina, twins, Ariana and Arben, and Albjona _____; her sister, Wilma Gower of Hattiesburg, MS; and her brother, Clair Powers of Iowa City. Five brothers preceded her in death. A sweet and gentle woman, Evy will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

PALO - Daisy Railsback, age 96, died Monday afternoon, January 13, 2003 at Mercy medical Center in Cedar Rapids following an extended illness. She was born May 28, 1906 at Center Point to Tasewell and Mary (Drafanel) Mobray and graduated from the Palo High School. On February 6, 1925 she married Cecil Railsback at Independence, IA. The couple farmed in the Palo area and Daisy enjoyed raising Polled Hereford Cattle. Her husband preceded her in death in 1958. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Shellsburg and the Ladies Guild of her church. She is survived by her son, Jerald Railsback and his wife, Judy of Cedar Rapids; two daughters, Norma Elson and husband, Marvin of Cedar Rapids, and Carol Anne Kaut of Krystal, MN; thirteen grandchildren and twelve Great Grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, four brothers; and four sisters preceded her in death. Funeral Services will be held at 2 P.M., Friday at Zion Lutheran Church in Shellsburg with Rev. Mark Leckband officiating. Private Committal Services will be held at Oakwood Cemeteryin Shellsburg. Friends may register at service time. The casket will remain closed at all times.

VINTON - Richard Keith Ramsey, age 70, died Friday, June 27, 2003 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids following open heart surgery. Funeral Services will be conducted by Rev. Mark C. Urlaub on Monday, June 30, 2003 at 10:00 A.M., at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Vinton and at 2:00 P.M. at St. John Lutheran Church in Arlington, IA. Interment will be held at the Taylorville Cemeterynear Arlington. Graveside Military Rites will be conducted by the Dean Harkin American Legion Post #219 of Arlington. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton from 4 to 7 P.M., on Sunday and at either church one hour prior to service time on Monday. A memorial fund has been established. Richard “Dick” Ramsey was born in Oxford Junction, on August 24, 1932, the son of Clyde and Beula (Ferguson) Ramsey. He graduated from high school in Arlington in 1950. During the Korean Conflict he served his nation in the US Air Force. Dick received a B.S. in 1957 from Upper Iowa University. Prior to that he attended classes at the University of Redlands in California and received an Associates of Arts from San Bernardino Valley College. In 1987 he retired from the Vinton office of Hawkeye Bank Corp/Vinton State Bank where he served as Vice President. Prior to this he held positions with Area One Agency on Aging in Dubuque, Cashier and Loan Officer at Oelwein State Bank in Oelwein. He was the Cashier at American National Bank in Arlington, serving on the Board of Directors and was a teacher and coach in the Bellevue Public School system, in Bellevue. Dick was actively involved in various national and community organizations including: the Board of Directors for the Northeast Iowa Community College, President of the Fayette County Bankers Association, Scout Master for Troop 119 in Arlington, 50-year member of the American Legion, President and life member of Sertoma International and Past President of Vinton Kiwanis Club. A man of faith, Dick has also been an active member of his church congregations. He enjoyed his summer home on the Mississippi River at Clayton for 41 years, where he was an avid hunter, boater and fisherman. He was a member of the Hawkeye Stock Outboard Racing Association where he competed in hydroplane boat racing. He was a frequent traveler to Southeast Asia and enjoyed collecting antiques. On June 5, 1955 Dick married Ardeth Seehase at St. John Lutheran Church-Buck Creek near Sumner. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, William Robert (Barb) Ramsey of Muscatine, Thomas Edward Ramsey of Washington, D.C. and Patricia Eileen (Jonathan) Offt of Davenport; grandchildren, Craig and Kari Ramsey, and Lydia Offt; his brother Marl (Gretchen) Ramsey of Green Valley, AZ; and his sister, Sharil (Joe) Ogle of Wadena. His parents preceded him in death.

ATKINS - David Donald Randall Jr., age 43, died Thursday, April 15, 2004 at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, following a motorcycle accident. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, April 19, 2004 at St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Atkins with Rev. Douglas Woltemath officiating. Interment will be held at Raetz Cemeteryrural Atkins. Friends may call from 3:00 until 6:00 P.M. on Sunday at the church in Atkins. Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements. He is survived by his wife, Angela; two sons, David III and Ben; two daughters, Taylor and Samantha; his mother, Joanne Pieper of Dunedin, Florida; four sisters, Pamela Ernst of Alpharetta, GA., Terri Adams of Cedar Rapids, Jodie Randall and Jamie Briddle, both of Dunedin, FL. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Larry Ernst and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father. David was born on February 24, 1961 in Waterloo, the son of David Sr. and Joanne (Schmitz) Randall. On February 5, 1994, he married Angela Fett in Las Vegas. David worked as a line operator at Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids and also served as a union steward. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church in Atkins. In his leisure time, David enjoyed motorcycling, fishing, and helping his children with their sports. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He was the best husband and father anyone could ask for.

SHELLSBURG - Gary L. Relf, age 59, died Sunday, January 19, 2003 at his rural residence after suffering an apparent heart attack. He was born June 24, 1943 at Vinton to Roy W. and Maxine (Hepker) Relf and graduated from the Urbana High School in 1961. On April 25, 1964 he married Donna L. Wolfe at Hannibal, MO. Gary was currently a driver for Van Meter Industrial in Cedar Rapids and had been an employee of the former Hawkbilt Co. in Vinton and then in Security at Duane Arnold in Palo. In his leisure he enjoyed restoring tractors and raising cows on his acreage. His greatest pleasure came from being “grandpa”. He is survived by his wife, Donna, and his children, Cary D. and Rose Relf and their daughters, Jessica and Jena, and Christine Relf and Brian Brummer and their son, Dillon, all of Shellsburg; his mother, Maxine Relf of Vinton; his brother, Jim Relf and Bev DeNeve of Fairbank; his brother-in-laws, John Coonrad of Strawberry Point, William Wolfe and wife, Marilyn of Vinton, and Carlyle Vanourney of Swisher; his sister-in-law, Lorna Moody of Vinton; and his buddy, “Monday”. He was preceded in death by his father, Roy; and his sister, Judith Coonrad. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton with Rev. Larry Rodgers officiating. Interment will be held at the Garrison Cemeteryin Garrison, Iowa. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4 to 8 P.M., today. Memorial contributions may be given to a charity of the donor’s choice.

VAN HORNE - Carl George Rinderknecht, age 84, died Friday, January 16, 2004 at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, following a short illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, January 19, 2004, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Van Horne with Rev. David Lindenberg officiating. Interment with graveside military rites will be held at St. John Cemeteryin Newhall. Friends may call from 3:00 until 7:00 P.M. today at the Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone. He is survived by his wife Betty; three sons, Stephen (Jody) of Cedar Rapids, Keith (Lois) of Ham Lake, MN., and James (Tammy) of Van Horne; one daughter, Kay Bone of Cedar Rapids; four granddaughters, Jacquie (Dan) Fitzgerald, Kati Bone and fiancée Chad Rainwater, Allyson Bone and Molly Rinderknecht; five grandsons, Andrew, Bradley and Joshua Rinderknecht, Chad and Dustin Pence, and his fiancée Andrea Martin; one great granddaughter, Madeline Fitzgerald; one brother, Robert (Marcella) Rinderknecht, one sister, Margaret (William) Kreutner all of Newhall, and many cousins, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by by parents; one brother Merl, and three sisters, Esther Froehlich, Laverna Bierschenk and Eleanor Webert. Carl was born on June 14, 1919 in rural Van Horne, the son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Krug) Rinderknecht. He attended St. John parochial school and graduated from Newhall High School with the class of 1937. Carl served his Country in the Army during World War II. On June 1, 1948, He married Betty Van Heiden in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Before his retirement, Carl was a farmer and owned and operated Rinderknecht Plumbing and Heating in Van Horne. He was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Van Horne, the Thomas F. Bevins American Legion Post # 148, The Van Horne Businessmen’s Club and Tara Hills Country Club. He was an avid, 70 year fan of the now Oakland A’s baseball team and enjoyed his many friends while playing cards. Carl loved to do yard work and also liked to read and do crossword puzzles. A memorial fund has been established.

Cedar Rapids - Heinrike “Rike” Rinderknecht of 3914 Heather Ct. SW, formerly of Atkins, age 103, died Friday, February 21, 2003 at the Heritage Nursing & Rehab Center in Cedar Rapids. She was born on February 3, 1900 in Atkins, the daughter of William H. and Wilhelmina (Hearther) Rinderknecht. Rike was a homemaker and a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. She was an accomplished cook and gardener and loved to do handwork. She is survived by her sister, Pauline Rinderknecht of Cedar Rapids. She is also survived by two nieces and one nephew; many great and great great nieces and nephews and three great great great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and five brothers. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 25, 2003 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids with Rev. Paul A. Scheidt officiating. Interment will be at St. Stephens CemeteryAtkins. Friends may call from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday and from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Tuesday at the church. Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements. A memorial fund has been established.