Stories from Thursday, July 29, 2010

A former Episcopalian church served as the lunchtime meeting place Wednesday for congregational members and leaders alike from Spencer, Spirit Lake, Des Moines and southern Africa. The gathering was a reunion of sorts. It also served as a way for the delegation to discuss details of an upcoming mission trip to Swaziland...

A sell-out crowd of 70,585 is expected to fill Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City for the Sept. 11 rivalry game between Iowa and Iowa State. Ten-year-old Nate Fisher and his parents Brian and Kristi of Dickens will be among that crowd. In fact, as a kid captain, Nate will be an honored guest for the pre-game coin toss at midfield...

The Milford Police Department wrapped up nearly four months of investigation with the arrest of three young adults believed responsible for a break-in at the Humane Society of Northwest Iowa shelter. Patrick Scott Lahr, a 19-year-old from Arnolds Park, faces the most serious charge of third-degree burglary, a Class D felony. Milford 20-year-olds Spenser Earl Taylor and Zachary David Koepp were charged with third-degree criminal mischief, an aggravated misdemeanor...

Services for Patricia "Pat" Krengel, 71, of Spencer, will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 29, at Warner Chapel in Spencer. Rev. Tonna Parsons will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Spencer...

Services for Mrs. Myrta R. Graham, 98, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 29, at United Methodist Church in Ruthven. Rev. Roger Maize will officiate the service. Interment will take place in Crown Hill Cemetery in Ruthven. Mrs. Graham passed away Monday, July 26, 2010...

LeAlma T. Thompson, 84, of Hartley, and formerly of Willow Lake, S.D., died Sunday, July 25, 2010, at Community Memorial Health Center, Hartley. Services are set for 2 p.m., Thursday, July 29, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Vienna, S.D., with Rev. Dave Larson officiating...

Tom and Vicki Matuska, of Spirit Lake, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Amanda Matuska, to Brent Swart, son of Bonny and the late Bill Swart, of Dickens. Amanda is a 2004 graduate of Spirit Lake High School and a 2008 graduate of Buena Vista University with a bachelor's degree in human services. She is currently employed with Matuska Taxidermy Supply Company in Spirit Lake...

Nicholas and Debra Thilges, of Tulsa, Okla., (formerly of Spencer), and Charles and Elaine Arnold, of Mustang, Okla., are pleased to announce the engagement of their children, Jordan Ashley Thilges and Brett Cameron Arnold. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Bonnie and the late Mark Thilges, of West Bend, and John and Elaine DeRuyter, of Milford. ...

Dr. James and Jane Patten, of Des Moines, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Kathy Patten, to Ben Warren, son of Anita and Jiggs Jorgensen and Mark and Bernie Warren, all of Spencer. Kathy is a 2001 graduate of Valley High in West Des Moines, 2005 graduate of Luther College with a degree in art and psychology and is currently working toward her master's in social work while working as a chemical dependency counselor in Des Moines...