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Ronald Clay, Anne D. Feeko Gilstrap, Arnold Bernhardt, Gordon Clay

Ronald Clay

Perry, IA - Ronald (Ron) Clay passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2010, at The Kavanugh House on 56th Street in Des Moines, IA, with his loving wife Gerrie by his side. Ron was born June 20, 1934, to Francis and Hulda Clay in Warrens, WI. Ron was raised in the Warrens area by his grandparents Robert and Grace Hoffman. It was in Warrens where Ron attended grade school and made many lifelong friends who he kept in touch with his entire life. Ron graduated from the Tomah High School in 1952.

On June 10, 1956, Ron married Gerrie Honel in Tomah. They were married for over 53 years and added to their union three daughters, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom enriched his life with much love and happiness.

Ron was a member of the U.S. Army and served in Korea. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1962. He and his wife then lived in Tomah, and Ron worked for Rezin Construction Company. Later, he joined the Milwaukee Railroad and was transferred to Perry, IA, where he worked as a heavy equipment supervisor. Ron retired from the railroad in June of 1996.

Ron’s greatest enjoyment was his family. He and Gerrie spent many weekends watching their daughters play softball and basketball. Ron traveled during the week while working for the railroad, and if there was a ball game played within a 50-mile radius, he would get to the game to cheer his girls on. His love and support helped them become the fine women they are today. They have been able to pass this love on to their own children. Ron has 10 wonderful grandchildren who were so special to him; all unique and special in their own way. They will always remember their grandpa being at all of their games, recitals, programs and special accomplishments and always being so proud of all of them. Ron also had the joy of watching the next generation of his family begin as he had three great-grandchildren. Ron also found enjoyment in gardening, fishing, hunting, doing carpentry, watching the Hawkeye and Cyclone football teams, as well as his beloved Green Bay Packers, and, of course, going to the many casinos with Gerrie.

Ron was preceded in death by a grandson, Jared Smith; his father Francis Lyle Clay and mother Hulda Wildes; in-laws Carl and Charlotte Honel and step-father Herbert Wildes.

Ron is survived by his loving wife Gerrie, his daughters Deborah (Carl) Smith of Des Moines, Pamela (Randy) Ballard of Perry, and Mishelle (Brad) Johnson of Johnston; 10 grandchildren Jacob, Jennifer, Kristin “Buzzard”, and Karmin Ballard, Juli, Kyle, and Matthew Smith, and Kellen, Bryce and Mryn Johnson; three great-grandchildren Chloe, Issac and Elias Ballard (children of Jacob and Shannon Ballard). He is also survived by a brother Fran (Ellen) Clay of Kingman, AZ; also a half-sister Lois (Jack) Pierce, two half-brothers Loren (Vicki) Wildes and Lee (Linda) Wildes, and brother-in-law Bob Honel, all of the Tomah area. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was at Carris Funeral home in Perry, IA, on Monday, Jan. 11, from 1 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services were held at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 10:30 a.m. Burial followed at the Violet Hill Cemetery, where military rites were provided. If we could ask Ron (Dad) one more time how he was feeling right now, today, he would say to us “BEAUTIFUL”.

Anne D. Feeko Gilstrap

Anne Dorothy Feeko Gilstrap, loving mother, wife and sister, age 89, passed away Jan. 9, 2010, in Tomah, WI. Born in Binghamton, NY, Feb. 8, 1920, she was the second oldest of 13 children and was preceded in death by her parents, Michael J. Feeko and Anna (Hritz) Feeko; sisters, Margaret Feeko, Louise Harlec and Florence Feeko, and brothers, Frederick, Edward, Henry, George and a stillborn child. Also preceding her were her grandson, Charles Gilstrap, and her husband, Donald Ross Gilstrap, who passed away after 49 years of marriage.

She is survived by her children, Randy of Garland, TX, Michelle of Burbank, CA, John of Houston, TX, Alison Gilstrap of White Rock, NM, and Kim (Gilstrap) Schieler of Tomah, WI, and grandchildren, Christopher Gilstrap, Nancy Liston, Nathanial Burnell, Cynthia Gilstrap, Elizabeth and David Schieler and many nieces and nephews.

Her surviving siblings are her brother Michael Feeko of Port Crane, NY, and sisters, Agnes Bilek, Pauline Lee and Loretta Place, all of Binghamton, NY.

Anne was active in her church, St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Moore, OK, and St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Del City and St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Midwest City, throughout her life, with St. Andrew’s being her home church as she and her children called Moore their home for over 20 years. She served as a Eucharistic Minister as well.

She was a member of the Oblate Society of St. Gregory’s Seminary in Shawnee and was a member of the Altar Society and the Women’s Guild for the churches she belonged to during her life. In addition, she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR, Prison Ministry, unwed mothers organizations and pro-life organizations.

During her working life, she was employed with Beverly’s Restaurant, John A. Brown Department Store, Byron’s Liquor Store and First National Bank of Oklahoma City.

Funeral services were held today (Thursday), Jan. 14, at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Moore, OK. Internment was held at Arlington Memorial Gardens, 3100 N. Midwest Blvd., Midwest City, OK. Family and friends called Wednesday, Jan. 13, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Ireland Funeral Home in Moore, OK, with a rosary at 7 p.m.

Arnold Bernhardt

Arnold Bernhardt, age 100, of Tomah, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, at his home.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, at 2 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Pastor Donald Buch will officiate. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah.

Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Gordon Clay

Gordon Clay, age 65, of Tomah, WI, died unexpectedly Jan. 13, 2010, at his home. He was born Aug. 23, 1944, to Roland “Red” and Freda (Vandervort) Clay on the family farm in Tomah. Gordie served in the United States Army in Korea where he was an examination specialist.

Gordie was united in marriage to Sue Steinmetz Jan. 27, 1968, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tomah. He worked at the Tomah VA Medical Center as a nursing assistant for a few years before going to work for Rezin Construction as an operator and supervisor. Gordie was a member of the Tomah American Legion Post #201. His favorite pastime was enjoying a beer at Smoke’s Elbow Room Bar and socializing with his many friends. He also enjoyed golfing, stock car racing, watching western movies, hunting and fixing things, especially his tractor. More than anything he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and his dog, Charlee.

He is survived by his wife, Sue; his children, Kelli Clay of Ripon and Janna (Joe) Engel of Tomah; six granddaughters, Lindsey and Ashley Zblewski, Carlee, Kendall and Sydney Wedemeier and Olivia Engel; a brother, Tom (Patricia) Clay of Tomah; mother-in-law, Ermegeane Baldwin; sister-in-law, Pamela (Dennis Ryan) Steinmetz; brother-in-law, Greg (Kathy) Steinmetz; many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roland “Red” and Freda Clay; grandparents, Frank and Dede Clay and Rollie and Mattie Vandervort; father-in-law, Leonard Steinmetz; brother- and sister-in-law, John and Jennifer Heding; aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Burial followed in Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends called Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah.

Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.