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Vergie Josten

1914 - 2001

Vergie Josten, 86, of Klemme died Saturday (April 21, 2001) at the Concord Care Center, Garner. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme with the Rev. Donna Buckman officiating. Interment will be at Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Cataldo Funeral Home, Garner and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Vergie Josten, the daughter of John and Lottie (Riekens) Meinders, was born May 4, 1914 on a farm in Pleasant Township in Wright County. She graduated from Klemme High School in 1932.

On March 19, 1935 she was married to August Josten at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ parsonage in Klemme. They farmed the Josten family farm until they retired in 1978. Due to ill health, Vergie moved to Concord Care Center in July of 2000. She enjoyed her family, sewing, painting, reading books and playing cards. Vergie was active in her church and community. She was a life-long member of Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ, taught Sunday School and Bible School, served in several offices in the Women's Fellowship and was involved in several leadership roles of the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ.

She helped establish the Hancock-Winnebago Retarded Children Association serving as the first president and the Iowa Association for Retarded Children serving as treasurer in 1955 and president from 1960 to 1961. She was a 4-H Leader, served on the Elderbridge Advisory Committee, helped form the Klemme Over 55 club and belonged to Music Mothers and Country Cousins. Vergie was also a recipient of the Iowa Governor's Volunteer Award and was recognized as the Area II Outstanding Senior Citizen.

She is survived by her four children, LeRoy Josten and his special friend, June, of Klemme, LaVurne Josten and his wife, Sharon, of Forest City, LaVohn Josten and her husband, Richard Smiley, of Amery, Wisc., and LeAllyn Josten of Klemme; five grandchildren, Gregory Josten, Thad Josten, Kayla Reynolds, Teesha Kirschbaum and Nancy Josten; three great grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; six step-great grandchildren; four sisters, Marie Nuehring of Marion, Gladys Jurgemeyer of Garner, Marjorie Lemke and her husband, Laurice, of Klemme and Mildred Lewis and her husband, Duard, of Logan, N.M.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, August, July 21, 1998; her parents; a grandson, Bret Josten and a brother, Elmer Meinders. Cataldo Funeral Home.

source: Mason City Globe Gazette, 23 Apr 2001

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