Dorris E. Kofron, 86

Dorris Evelyn Kofron, age 86, of Austin, died Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at her home. Dorris was born June 10, 1916, in Mason City, Iowa, to Marx and Edith (Lomen) Birdsell. She graduated from Mason City High School in 1933 and married Don Kofron on May 11, 1941. Following their marriage, Dorris and Don lived in California, New Mexico and Mississippi during Don's pilot Air Force training. After World War II, they lived in Iowa City where their son Phillip was born in 1947. In 1950, Dorris and Don moved to Austin where they have resided for 53 years.

Dorris led a full, rich life as a dedicated wife, mother, friend, homemaker, and co-founder of the Windfall Shop in Austin. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church for many years and sang in the church choir. Dorris greatly enjoyed the Colorado mountains and the ocean, gardening and flowers, golf, playing bridge, reading, cooking, ideas, playing the piano, conversation, art and music, and travel in the States and abroad.

Dorris was known for her caring and supportive ways and also for her easy laughter and entertaining humor and wit. She created a loving, beautiful home for her family and friends. Dorris was a fine person and will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her husband Don, Austin; son and daughter-in-law, Phillip and Marilynn, Minneapolis, Minn.; sister, Mildred Pattschull, Clear Lake, Iowa; brother and sister-in-law, Don and June Birdsell, Clear Lake, Iowa; five nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Marx and Edith Birdsell; sister, Lucille Trimble; brothers-in-law, Dale Pattschull, Wayne Long, and Turner Trimble.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2003, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Pat Toschak officiating. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday at Mayer Funeral Home and one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

Vera I. Johnson, 89

Vera I. Johnson, 89, of Austin, died Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at her home.

She was born March 1, 1914, in Hokah, to Peter and Elizabeth (Hirt) Anderson. She attended school in Hokah.

In June of 1935, she married Erwin Johnson.

She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and Unity Chapter #29 Order of the Eastern Star. Vera enjoyed flowers and gardening, spending time at the couple's cabin on Tetonka Lake, Waterville, and spending time with her great-grandchildren.

Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Janice and Wayne Prigge, Anchorage, Alaska; Ruth and Dennis Palmer, Brainerd; three grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Della and Grant Shorrel, Trempealeau, Wis.; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, grandson Michael Palmer, two brothers and two sisters.

Visitation: Monday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 11 a.m. Monday, April 14, 2003, at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Andrew M. Lindahl officiating.

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, Austin.

Memorials: To donor's choice.

Roger D. Harding, 66

Roger D. Harding, 66, of Nashua, Iowa, died of cancer Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at his home.

He was born June 5, 1936, in Taopi, to Leonard and Myrtle (Rogne) Harding.

He graduated from Adams High School in 1954 and served one enlistment in the US Navy, being honorably discharged Dec. 3 1957.

On June 28, 1958, he married Theresa A. Koenigs in Rochester. Roger drove truck for Osmundson Bros. in Adams for one year. The couple then moved to Charles City, Iowa where Roger started working for Oliver/ White Farm Corp. as a machinist. In 1960, they moved to Nashua, Iowa and Roger continued to work for Oliver/ White farm Corp. until the plant closed in 1993.

He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, all types of sporting events and playing cards.

Survivors include his wife, Theresa, Nashua, Iowa; daughter, Kathleen (Alan) Humiston, St. Paul; one grandson; sister, Betty (Mabry) Taylor, Spring Valley.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation: 3 to 8 p.m. today, April 11, 2003, with a 4 p.m. Rosary and a 7:30 p.m. scripture service and on Saturday from 9 to 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home.

Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Nashua, Iowa.

Interment: St. Michael's Cemetery, Nashua, Iowa, with military rites by the Nashua VFW Post #4792.

Funeral Home: Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home, Nashua.