Friday, September 15, 2000

Obituaries published in the September 15, 2000 edition of the Austin Daily Herald:

Lawrence Freund, 91

Lawrence Anthony Freund, 91, of Meyer, Iowa, died Sept. 14, 2000, at the Stacyville Community Nursing Home, Stacyville, Iowa.

Lawrence was born on April 16, 1909 in Meyer, Iowa, the son of John and Mary (Ginsterblum) Freund. He married Christina Adams. He was a dedicated farmer, was a KC member and also a member of the ENGNE club.

He is survived by his wife Christina, Meyer, Iowa; one son, Larry, Meyer; six daughters, Ann Marie (Jim) Rezabek, Osage, Iowa, Alice (Jim) Wright, Waterloo, Iowa, Dorothy (Chuck) Waddell, Chandler, Ariz., Virginia (Buddy) Robbling, Petersburg, Ind., Lorraine (Ken) Tilton, Mona, Iowa, Betty (Steve) of St. Ansgar, Iowa; three brothers, Steve Freund, Adams, Dr. O.J. Freund, Denton, N.C., Joe Freund, Osage; one sister Margaret Hanson; 25 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, John Freund, one sister, Katherine Brandel.

Service: 11 a.m. Monday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Meyer, with the Rev. Joseph Schneider officiating.

Interment: Sacred Heart Cemetery, Meyer.

Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the church, with a rosary at 4 p.m. and prayer service at 7:30 p.m.

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home of St. Ansgar is in charge of arrangements.

Donald Watts, 88

Donald A. Watts, 88, Austin, died Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2000, at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Don was born Aug. 23, 1912 at Livermore, Iowa, the son of Edgar and Mary (Taylor) Watts. He graduated from high school in the Livermore area. During high school, he played piano background during silent movies. He traveled with road bands for several years and began playing trombone in 1936. He was married to Dorothy Peachy in 1937. In 1941 they moved to Austin so he could play six nights a week at the Oasis Club. Don also played with the Chuck Hall Orchestra and the Henry Charles Band during this time. He was also employed by the George A. Hormel Co. In 1947, he purchased the Lansing Corners Supper Club. In 1952, Don quit playing trombone to focus on the business of operating the supper club. In 1969, his wife Dorothy died, and he was married to Toni Tomhave in 1971. They continued to operate the restaurant until 1979 when it was sold.

Don was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, a board member of the Mower County Senior Citizens Center, and also a member of SCORE, B.P.O.E. No. 414, American Legion, Austin Country Club, Ramsey Golf Club, Cotillian Club and Experimental Aircraft Club.

In retirement he became an avid golfer, he also enjoyed dancing, traveling and resumed playing the trombone with the Austin Swing Band, Dixieland Ensemble, and the Community Band.

He is survived by his wife Toni Watts, Austin, sons and daughters-in-law, Bob (Linda) Watts, LeRoy, Kermit (Melodie) Watts, Austin; stepdaughter and husband, Sheelah (Gene) Windfeldt, St. Cloud; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Francis (Lupe) Watts, Santa Monica, Calif.; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Esther Van House, Austin, Phoebe Besterfeldt, Austin, Dorothy Berg, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Kenneth and Mary Berg, Boone, Iowa, Lorimer Berg, Dayton, Iowa; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Dorothy; a grandson and sisters, Doris and Beverly.

Service: 10 a.m. Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church with the Rev. Arvid Jovaag officiating.

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery

Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary Friday and on Saturday for one hour before the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to establish a music scholarship fund in Don’s memory.