Sioux City Journal from Sioux City, Iowa • A9

DESIGNER: matt.aRRoyo@NwI.com siouxcityjournal.com tuesday, march 6, 2012 a9Obituaries Douglas M. Rush SIOUX CITY Doug- las M. rush, 85, of sioux City passed away sunday, a 4 2012, at his residence. i i 1 p.m. Friday a a i Methodist Church in sioux City, with Dr.

tony Nester officiating. burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, al- baton, iowa, with Masonic rites by the Morningside Lodge 615 a.F. a.M. and attica Lodge a.F. a.M., steve Jewett, orator.

Visi- tation will be 5 to 8 p.m. thursday at rush Fam- ily Care service in Onawa, iowa. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.rushfamilycareser- vice.com. Douglas McClellan rush was born april 6, 1926, at his Grandma home in rural sloan, iowa, the son of Clyde and emma (Doug- las) rush. He was raised at albaton on the family farm and attended school at Fairview 3 Country school until entering eighth grade at Whiting (iowa) Public school.

Farming was lifelong passion. He en- joyed his farm life starting at albaton with his family while growing up, followed by working for various farmers in the sloan and albaton areas. in 1946, he was a farm laborer at the Woodbury County Farm in rural sioux City and in 1949 he and his future father-in- law, Don e. Cooley, started partnership farming in the neighborhood. Douglas and Doris Cool- ey were united in marriage aug.

12, 1951, at Grace united Methodist Church. He continued operating both their farms in rural sioux City and his farm at albaton. Douglas was a member of Grace united Method- ist Church, Morningside Lodge 615 a.F. a.M. and Morningside rose Croix Chapter 502 Oes.

survivors include his wife, Doris of sioux City; three sons and their wives, Dennis and Janet of Oma- ha, Douglas D. and sharon of Onawa, and Dale and Mary ann of sioux City; six grandchildren, Jason, Melissa, Cody, amanda, Jennifer, and Douglas M. a stepgrandson, tim; two sisters, Harriet (bob) Johnson of brandon, s.D., and Phyllis De Wolfe of sioux City; two sisters- in-law, Lorraine rush of Osborn, and Donna rush of Huntington, a lifelong friend, Leonard e. brown of sioux City; an aunt, rose rush of Milford, and many more rela- tives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde H.

and emma rush; parents- in-law, Don e. and erma Cooley; a daughter-in-law, Connie rush; two brothers, robert and Wilfred rush; a sister, elaine Johnson; two brothers-in- law, Charles O. Johnson and al De Wolfe; a niece, Patti albrecht; and many other relatives and friends. Laurel M. Maller OA A Ne b.

Laurel M. Maller, 93, of Oakland died sunday, March 4, 2012, at Oakland Heights Nursing Home. services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at First unit- ed Methodist Church in Oakland. burial will be in Oakland Cemetery.

Visi- tation will be 1 to 8 p.m. sunday, with the family present 5 to 7 p.m., at Pelan Funeral Home in Oakland. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Goldie L. Griffith SIOUX CITY Goldie L.

Griffith, 95, of Ow- ensboro, formerly of sioux City, died satur- day, March 3 2 0 1 2 a Me i Hospital in Owensboro. i will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory in Owensboro. Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Monday in Memorial Park Cemetery, sioux City.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.glennfuneralhome. com. she was born in Heron, to the late Curtis and ellen sheffield Leetch.

she was a Presbyterian and enjoyed cooking, gardening and sewing. survivors include her sons, robert Griffith and his wife, Patricia, and richard Griffith and his wife, Kathleen, all of Owensboro; eight grand- children; 12 great-grand- children; and two great- great-grandchildren. Mrs. Griffith was preced- ed in death by her husband, Vern ray Griffith, a broth- er, Curtis Leetch (Mickey), and her sister, Charlotte sandvick (Clarence). expressions of sympathy may take the form of do- nations to the association.

Wilhemetta Jernberg SIOUX CITY Wil- hemetta Jernberg, 82, of sioux City died sun- day, March 4, 2012, at Casa de Paz following a brief ill- ness. arrangements are pend- ing with Meyer brothers Colonial Chapel. Louise R. Boozer KINGSLEY, Iowa Louise r. boozer of Kingsley passed away sunday, March 4, 2012, at Kingsley Nursing and re- hab Center.

Memorial services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Con- gregational united Church of Christ in Kingsley. Offi- ciating will be the rev. rob- ert blair. burial will be held at a later date.

arrange- ments are under the direc- tion of rohde Funeral Home in Kingsley. expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www. rohdefh.com. Lou was born March 16, 1933, in Dearing, Ga. she lived in the east until 1980, when she moved to iowa.

Lou was very thankful for all the friends she had here in iowa. she loved people, and her favorite pastime was going to the when she could. Lou was preceded in death by her mother and father; three brothers; her sister; son, tommy; and her grandmother and grandfa- ther. she was also preceded in death by her best friend, ardis Karlson. Jennie Den Boer ROCK VALLEY, Iowa Jennie Den boer, 95, of rock Valley died saturday, March 3, 2012, at Hegg Memorial Hospital in rock Valley.

services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Netherlands reformed Congregation in rock Valley. burial will be in Valley View Cemetery. Vis- itation will be today, with the family present 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Porter Funeral Home in rock Valley. Aric L.

Orban SHELDON, Iowa aric L. Orban, 21, of rural shel- don died sunday, March 4, 2012, in alton, iowa. arrangements are pend- ing with Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City, iowa. Edna Wenzel DENISON, Iowa edna Wenzel, 93, of Denison died saturday, March 3, 2012, at Denison Care Center. services will be 10 a.m.

thursday at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. burial will be in Nishnabotna Cemetery, Manilla, iowa. Visitation wil be 9 a.m. un- til service time thursday at the church. arrangements are under the direction of Huebner Funeral Home in Denison.

Jeri Goodman BATTLE CREEK, Iowa Jeri Goodman, 63, of bat- tle Creek died Friday, March 2, 2012, at Horn Memorial Hospital in ida Grove, iowa. services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at st. Lutheran Church in battle Creek. burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, anthon, iowa, with military rites conducted by the american Legion Ma- ple Valley Post 364 of battle Creek.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the fam- ily present 6 to 8 p.m., at the church. arrangements are under the direction of arm- strong Funeral Home in Ma- pleton and Danbury, iowa. Eileen Grave SIBLEY, Iowa eileen Grave, 60, of sibley died sunday, March 4, 2012, at avera Heart Hospital in sioux Falls, s.D. services will be 10:30 a.m.

Friday at trinity Lu- theran Church in sibley. burial will be in Gilman township Cemetery, ash- ton, iowa. Visitation will be 2:30 to 8 p.m. thursday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the church. ar- rangements are under the direction of andringa Fu- neral Home in sibley.

Dianna Kastner CHARTER OAK, Iowa Dianna Kastner, 65, of Charter Oak died saturday, March 3, 2012, at a sioux City hospital. services will be 11 a.m. thursday at united Church of Christ in schleswig, iowa. burial will be in Mor- gan Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 to 7 p.m.

Wednes- day at Huebner Funeral Home in Charter Oak. Donna K. Criner Le Mars, iowa Donna Kay Criner, 71, of Le Mars died sunday, March 4, 2012, at brentwood Good samari- tan Village in Le Mars. Private graveside services will be today. a celebration of life service will be 2:30 p.m.

today at sacred Heart Catholic Church parish hall in Wynot, Neb. arrange- ments are under the direc- tion of Mauer-Johnson Fu- neral Home in Le Mars. Linda S. Frye SIOUX CITY Linda sue Frye, 64, of sioux City died sunday, March 4, 2012, at a sioux City hospital. services will be 11 a.m.

thursday at berkemier Chapel, Christy-smith Fu- neral Home. burial will be in McCook Cemetery, North sioux City. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Carl Fannon SIOUX CITY Carl Fannon, 75, of sioux City died sunday, March 4, 2012, at a sioux City hospital.

services will be 10 a.m. thursday at Morningside Chapel, Christy-smith Fu- neral Home. burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home.

Robert L. Robinson CHEROKEE, Iowa robert L. robinson, 63, of Cherokee died sunday, March 4, 2012, at a sioux City hospital following a brief illness. arrangements are pend- ing with boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee. Vicki L.

Van Berkum LE MARS, Iowa Vicki L. Van berkum, 61, of Le Mars passed away unex- a a 1 2012, at her home. Visitation i i a 2 Wednesday, with the fam- ily present 5 to 7 p.m., at Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Memo- ries and expressions of sympathy may be directed through www.mauerjohn- sonfh.com. Vicki Lee Van berkum was born on Jan.

23, 1951, in Hull, iowa, the daugh- ter of Herman and Johanna Vander Vegte. she gradu- ated from Hull Western Christian High school. Vicki furthered her educa- tion at Western iowa tech- nical Community College in sioux City. On July 2, 1970, Vicki and arlyn Van berkum were united in marriage in elk Point, s.D. Vicki enjoyed nature and animals.

Her hobbies included gardening, cro- cheting, and bird watch- ing. Most of all, she loved her family and spending time with her children and grandchildren. she will be lovingly re- membered by her hus- band, arlyn of Le Mars; her daughters, Wendy Payer and her husband, tom of Las Vegas, and Megan Wissmueller and her hus- band, eric of Milwaukee, her son, andy of Le Mars; four grandchildren, Jacob and Johannah Payer and atticus and Laurelyne Wissmueller; sisters, sue Van Zantan of Durango, Kay Moss of Litch- field Park, edie Pfaff and her husband, Howard of sioux Falls, s.D., and Lynn Koele and her hus- band, ed of Hull; and a brother, Harold Vander Vegte and his wife, Leona of Hull. she was preceded in death by her parents; an infant sister, Carol; and a brother-in-law, alvin Moss. Memorials may be di- rected to the National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, res- ton, Va 20190-5362 (www.

nwf.org). Earl J. Britton LE MARS, Iowa earl J. britton, 92, of Le Mars died Monday, March 5, 2012, at a sioux City hospital. services will be 10:30 a.m.

thursday at st. James Catholic Church in Le Mars. burial will be in Cal- vary Cemetery, Le Mars. Visitation will after 3 p.m. Wednesday, with a par- ish rosary at 4 p.m.

and a scriptural wake service at 7 p.m., at Carlsen-Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Dorothy Bomgaars SIOUX CENTER, Iowa Dorothy bomgaars, 90, of Orange City, iowa, for- merly of sioux Center, died Monday, March 5, 2012, at Orange City area Health system. a celebration of life ser- vice will be 11 a.m. thurs- day at Central reformed Church in sioux Center. burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. there will be a prayer service at 10 a.m.

thursday at the church. Visitation will be 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, with the family present 7 to 9 p.m., at the church. ar- rangements are under the direction of Memorial Fu- neral Home in sioux Center. Ronald J.

DeMers SIOUX CITY ron- ald Joseph DeMers, 51, of Lincoln, formerly of sioux City, died sunday, March 4, 2012, in Lincoln. arrangements are pend- ing with Morningside Cha- pel, Christy-smith Funeral Home in sioux City. BUY IT. IN THE CLASSIFIEDS SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM Place your ad online 24-7. 293-4300 or 800-397-3530 the easy and effective way to purchase all kinds of local items and services quickly and conveniently.

N.C. children survive direct twister strike By MITCH WEISS The Associated Press CHarLOtte, N.C. When Latonya stevens heard thunder and light- ning in the distance, she knew the drill. every time a storm drew near, her chil- dren would run to her room seeking comfort. so stevens turned on a hall light for the young kids as high winds began buf- feting the house.

then she blacked out and awoke to find only one of the four children in sight and the house ripped apart. she quickly assumed the worst: that a twister had carried off the other three kids. was screaming for stevens said Mon- day. was panicking. For a moment, i know where they No one knows precisely what happened, but this much is clear.

the three children were in their rooms when the tornado approached. as the winds rose, most of the second floor was swept away. after the storm passed, the kids were found outside on the ground, one of them 100 feet away along a major highway. all three emerged with only cuts and bruises and a story to tell for the rest of their lives. a miracle they sur- said their grandfa- ther, Clarence Gray Jr.

was looking out for Most of the pos- sessions were lost. but by Monday, the children were playing in their grandpar- house if nothing had happened. they picked up family photos scattered on a cof- fee table. was our Jamal said, pointing to a picture. the children 3-year- old amber, 4-year-old ayanna and 7-year-old Ja- mal said they recall anything.

like me. they remember what hap- stevens said. know. Maybe it will come back to us eventu- ally. i mean, sat down and tried to figure out what happened.

i she said softly. When storms moved into the Charlotte area late Fri- day, the four children were upstairs in their bedrooms. their grandmother, Patri- cia stevens, was watching tV downstairs on a couch. their father, tyrone ste- vens, was out with friends who were in town for a bas- ketball tournament. the noise awoke the chil- dren, who initially went to their room where they watched a Disney movie.

When the storm died down, they returned to their beds. but a half-hour later, stevens heard a new storm approaching and got up to take care of the children. as she turned on the hall light, the house began to shake and the wind started to howl. then she lost conscious- ness. stevens awoke in the dark holding the other 3-year- old twin, ashley, and shouting for her children.

the roof was gone. Only then did she realize that her house had been struck by a tornado. she hurried downstairs in the dark, screaming, my and spotted her mother, who also was frantic. sheena redfearn and her husband, Chris, heard ste- vens shouting from four doors down the street. after the couple was sure their own children were safe, Chris redfearn bolted outside with a flashlight and began following voice, leaping over fences in the search for the boy.

amber was found in the family yard under some debris. ayanna landed in a yard. Jamal had been tossed more than 100 feet. the children were rushed to the hospital. tyrone ste- vens, who was contacted by family, headed to the hospi- tal, too.

When he returned to his house the next day, he believe what had happened. looking at it, it just shook me to my he said. was devastated. thank God everyone is the associated Press Patricia stevens, left, hugs her grandchildren ashely stevens, 3, center, and jamal stevens, 7, sunday at her home in charlotte, n.c., after a tornado destroyed their home in the Brookstead neighborhood, on saturday. the children and another sibling survived after being swept away by the twister.

RSS Use RSS feeds to get the latest news delivered to your feed reader. www.siouxcityjournal.com/app/rss Another easy way for you to stay informed. Really Simple Syndication FaceBook Become a fan on Facebook to get news alerts on your Facebook page. www.facebook.com/SiouxCityJournal First. Best.

Whenever. Wherever. was screaming for them. i was panicking. For a moment, i know where they LATONyA STEVENS mother OFF any Green or Shamrock monument during the month of March 521 S.

LEWIS BLVD. (HWY. 75) SIOUX CITY, IA 51106 Phone: 712-258-8275 Toll Free: 1-888-455-4363 McQUEEN MONUMENT JOEL MCQUEEN 712-375-5414 MONUMENTS MARKERS ON DISPLAY LOCALLY OWNED OPERATED SINCE 1938 513 2ND PIERSON, IOWA 51048.