Obituaries August 13, 2006

Mary Anna Jenkins

Mary Anna Jenkins, 90, of Aitkin, Minn., died Aug. 7, 2006, at Aitkin Health Services after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born April 22, 1916, in Washington Springs, Jerauld County, S.D., to Guy and Lena (Wilkes) Frick.

She graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1935. On Sept. 8, 1935, in Wessington Springs Mary was united in marriage to Lester A. Jenkins. In 1936 they moved to Aitkin, where they farmed. She worked as a farm wife and was employed at Land O' Lakes and Red Owl for 17 years, retiring in 1972 when she and Les moved to Cottonwood.

Her husband Lester died in 1975. After his death, she worked as a pilot car driver for her sons, Larry and Marvin's mobile home moving business in Phoenix. She moved back to Aitkin in 2001 and resided at Mary Hill Manor. She enjoyed traveling, reading, gardening, baking, crocheting, bowling and her computer.

She is survived by her daughter Myrna Tweet of Aitkin; two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry (Linda) Jenkins of Long Lane, Mo., and Donald "Jim" (Ruth) Jenkins of Topeka, Kan.; sister Martha Bergeleen of Wessington Springs, S.D.; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were Aug. 9,l in Minnesota, followed by burial in Clarkdale.

Kristine M. Ritter

Kristine M. Ritter, 37, of Cottonwood, died July 27, 2006. She was born on Sept. 30, 1968 in Phoenix. Kristine is the daughter of Jane Ritter.

Kristine was a graduate of Mingus Union High School, following which she attended classes at Yavapai College.

She worked at no-kill animal shelters, where she could love and care for all animals. Kristine also worked as a nurse's aid before she became disabled. Kristine enjoyed photography and possessed special artistic talents.

Kristine leaves behind her two young sons, Nathan and Jonah; her mother, Jane Ritter; and her brother, Bryan Ritter, all of whom live in Cornville. She is also survived by grandparents, aunts and uncles who live in Phoenix.

No public services are scheduled.

Contributions can be made in Kristine's name to: The Humane Society, P.O. Box 1429, Cottonwood AZ 86326.

An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com.

Arlene C. Wooster

Arlene Constance Wooster Christopher, 85, of Cornville, died Aug. 9, 2006.

Born on March 17, 1920, in Eagle Grove, Iowa, she was the 10th and last child of Martin and Kathryn Groff Wooster. A life-long Lutheran; she was baptized, confirmed and married in the Eagle Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was a lifetime member of the Eastern Star.

Arlene graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1938. Arlene was an excellent athlete. In high school she was captain of the tumbling team, coached girls basketball and was a lifeguard at the local swimming pool. She graduated from Eagle Grove Junior College in 1940. She then attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, as a nursing student, but with the onset of World War II, she left school to join the U.S. Women's Army Air Corps. She was discharged with the rank of first sergeant at the end of the war.

On March 17, 1944, while on active duty, she married Robert Donald Christopher, also from Eagle Grove, Iowa. Robert was on leave from the U.S. Navy. After the war they returned to Iowa and became farmers.

In 1956, the young family moved to Phoenix, where Robert started Industrial Refrigeration. In the early days, Arlene did the bookkeeping on the kitchen table. She later went to work in the library at Phoenix Union High School, where she worked there for 22 years. She was kind and generous, often giving her own money to students who couldn't afford a prom dress or junior college.

In 1982, Bob and Arlene retired and built their dream house in Cornville.

In her last years, Arlene fought bravely as she faced Alzheimer's Disease. She died at Carefree Assisted Living Center in Cottonwood.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Christopher of Cornville; her son, Robert Bruce Christopher (Christy Hertzberg), of Soquel, Calif.; her daughter, Christine Arlene Chapman of Rimrock; and five grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19, at 2 p.m. with a one-hour prior visitation at Westcott Funeral Home, 1013 E. Mingus Ave., in Cottonwood.

An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com.

Harold O. Martin

Harold O. Martin Jr., 83, of Clarkdale, died Aug. 9, 2006, at his home. He was born on Nov. 11, 1922, in New Albany, Ind., to Harold O. Martin Sr. and Grace Martin.

Harold attended school in Ft. Wayne, Ind. He entered the machinist apprentice program at General Electric in Ft. Wayne. He enlisted in the Army after the outbreak of World War II, reaching the rank of corporal. While in the army, he received training in engineering at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., until being sent to Europe with the 84th Infantry Division in September 1944. He was discharged in 1945.

He married Wilma Wolfe and started his first career in the business and office machine industry. His career took him, his wife, and two children first to the Chicago area, and finally to Northern California, where he was involved in the creation of the first electronic "Point of Sale" machines.

After retiring in 1984, he started his second career, along with his wife, making and selling craft items. Woodworking and crafts remained his hobby throughout his life.

In 1991, Harold again retired and moved with his wife to Arizona, where he became involved with the Verde Valley Christian Church, ultimately becoming the senior's minister. His duties included being chaplain at local hospitals and performing Sunday Services at nursing homes. He continued as a minister until his final retirement two months before his death.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Wilma I. Martin, his daughter, Milena Martin-Arana (Dave Arana); his son, Kirk Martin (Sharon Olsen); and a grandson.

A Memorial Service will be Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. at the Verde Valley Christian Church, 3605 Zalesky Road, in Cottonwood.

An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com.

Thola D. Daniels

Thola Dee Settle Daniels died July 20, 2006, at 86 years old. She was born in Independence, Mo., and lived in California, Illinois, Oklahoma, Utah, Colorado and Arizona throughout her life.

She was a loving, caring and involved mother, homemaker, master seamstress and quilter. Activities included Honored Queen of Jobs Daughters, church youth group advisor, Girl Scout volunteer, president of the American Society of Civil Engineers Auxiliary, member of Eastern Star and she volunteered throughout her life with organizations in her churches and communities.

She is survived by her sister Shirley (Lou) of Ft. Meyers, Fla.; daughters Sheryll (Bill) of Flagstaff, Sue (John) of Irvine, Calif., Diane (David) of Prescott, and Karen (Jay) of Trumansburg, N.Y. She had seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Her celebration of life will be Saturday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m. at Verde Valley Presbyterian Church, 1500 E. Hombre, Cottonwood. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Stroke Association, Pacific Mt. Affiliate, American Heart Association, 710 Second Ave. #900, Seattle WA 98104.


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