The ADVOCATE would like to express our deepest condolences to anyone who has lost a family member, loved one or friend. We publish Obituaries in the ADVOCATE and now online to help those in grief who wish to celebrate the life which has passed. You are in our prayers.

Chad Winter

    (SB) - Chad M. Winter, 46, of Sergeant Bluff, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, at his residence after a long battle of alcoholism. A graveside service will be 1 p.m.., Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City. Following the burial there will be a luncheon at El Fredo Pizza in Sioux City. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com.
   Chad was born on Nov. 11, 1975 at St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center in Sioux City, to Roger and Annette (McManigal) Winter. Chad attended Lowell Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, and Herbert Hoover Middle School in Sioux City. He went to North High School, graduating in 1994. After high school, Chad attended The University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA. He graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems with a Minor in Business Administration. He would end up becoming a Software Engineer.
   Chad married Amanda Hiemstra and to this union their daughter, Lillian Joy, was born on Sept. 9, 2020. Chad enjoyed playing baseball, golf, and pool throughout his life. He loved to watch the Yankees. In the later years he enjoyed fishing. Trying to catch that big largemouth bass was certainly a passion. He enjoyed being around family, especially his daughter, Lilly.
   Chad is survived by his daughter, Lillian, Lillian’s mother Amanda, parents, Roger and Annette Winter, one brother, Craig and his wife Anne, along with their children Kaylyn and Klara, and Chad’s dog, Ginny.
   Chad was preceded in death by his grandparent’s, Jack and Jeannette McManigal, and Gordon and Betty Winter, and his first dog Jasper.

Connie O’Meara

    Connie O’Meara, age 86 of Northfield, passed away with her family by her side on Tuesday afternoon, November 8, 2022, at the Care Center of the Northfield Retirement Community.
   Connie Meredith (Fymbo) O’Meara was born February 24, 1936, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Lloyd Herman and Frances Meredith (Hood) Fymbo. She was raised in Sergeant Bluff, where she played on the High School basketball team, played percussion in the band, and graduated from Sergeant Bluff High School in 1954. During her school years she worked with her father who was a dentist and orthodontist, going on to get a bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Iowa - Iowa City in 1958. During college Connie married classmate Richard Wylder, an engineering student. After college they moved to Cedar Rapids where they raised three children, Sherry, Michele, and Douglas. Connie remained dedicated to her career throughout motherhood, and encouraged her children to be independent and resourceful, leading by example. For the next 17 years, Connie worked as a Dental Hygienist for Dr. Brandes. She was an active member and president of the Iowa Dental Hygienists’ Association.
   Later, identifying a niche where needs were not being met that would benefit from her experience, Connie worked as a Dental Consultant and Health Coordinator for Head Start Programs. In 1986, at the age of 50, with her characteristic vision, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit she engineered a necessary new product to store toothbrushes for Head Start classrooms. From that one product design she founded her own business, Latsa Co., a national business that supplies a variety of dental health materials to Head Start Programs. She relocated to Northfield in 2002 where she continued to run her company with her daughter and business partner, Michele. In 2014 a stroke slowed her down, but ever the consummate fighter, she did not let it keep her from making new friends.
   Connie had many interests, to which she generously devoted time to sharing her knowledge and paving the way for others. Connie was a founder and longtime member of the Sergeant Bluff Historical Society. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, technology and computers, and doing genealogy research. She shared her computer skills teaching classes to seniors at the Northfield Senior Center - Fifty North, volunteering at Prairie Creek Community School where two of her grandchildren attended, and serving as co-treasurer for Northfield Nursery School. Connie had an innate ability to see what she could do to improve the world around her. She liked working with her hands and solving problems- if she did not know how to do something, she figured it out- giving up was not an option. She lovingly restored two old houses. Along with three others she purchased their hometown church in Sergeant Bluff and converted it into senior living and established the Sergeant Bluff Historical Society museum in the chapel. She was a gifted craftsperson, working with stained glass, refinishing furniture, and caning chairs. Connie was a tireless supporter of her grandchildren’s endeavors, always cheering them on at sporting events and performances. She was someone you would want as a friend and in your corner. Connie was the family matriarch; the glue that kept the extended family together. She loved to travel and stay connected with family and friends. Her genealogical pursuit inspired two trips to Denmark and Sweden to connect with relatives. Her father's relatives continue to farm on the family homestead in Denmark. She was confident, forthright, loyal, smart, an excellent problem solver, with a keen sense of humor. She was loved and respected, and she will be greatly missed. She was a woman ahead of her time!
   Survivors include her children Sherry (Tim) Carter of Northfield, MN, Michele Reese of Northfield, MN, Douglas (Judy) Wylder of Woodhull, IL, son-in-law Brett Reese of Northfield, MN; 4 grandchildren Dustin (Kristina) Walkup of Waukee, IA, Bailey (Paulo) Arruda of Gilbert, IA, Meredith Reese (Max Trifonov) of Maple Grove, MN, Milly Reese of St. Louis Park, MN; 2 sisters, Anne Morrison of Sergeant Bluff, IA, Linda Terry of Earlham, IA; 4 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husbands Richard and Clement, her sister Joan Millis, her brother Steve Fymbo, her brothers-in-law Bruce Morrison, John Millis, Dixon Terry, and her parents.
   A celebration of Connie’s life is being planned for the summer of 2023 and will be announced.
   Memorials are preferred to HealthFinders, Dental Services @ PO Box 731, Northfield, MN  55057 and Sergeant Bluff Historical Society @ 409 4th St, Sergeant Bluff, IA 51054

Michael R. "Mike" Clayton

    Michael Robert “Mike” Clayton, age 77, of Mapleton, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2022, at the UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center of Sioux City, Iowa.
   A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., with a Visitation held prior from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 10, 2022, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Salix, Iowa. Father Michael J. Erpelding will officiate. Military Rites will be conducted by the George Nelson Post #662 of the American Legion of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. Committal services will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery of Mapleton, Iowa.
   The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
   Michael Robert “Mike” Clayton of Mapleton, Iowa, passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 4, 2022, at the age of 77 years and 3 days.
   He was born on November 30, 1945, in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of Milo “Mike” Clayton and Gloria Grass. After his parent’s divorce, he lived in Mapleton with his grandparents, Harvey and Ann Grass. Mike graduated from Maple Valley High School in 1964.
   In November of 1965 he joined the U.S. Air Force. He served for eight years and was honorably discharged in November of 1973. Mike later served in the Iowa Air National Guard from 1977 to 1979 when he was honorably discharged. He was an active member of the American Legion Post #662 of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa.
   On June 4, 1966, he married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Woodward, daughter of Everett and Mary Woodward, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mapleton. They celebrated 56 years of marriage this past June. To this union three sons were born: Darren, Carl and Steven.
   Mike worked for Terra Industries near Sioux City following his discharge from the military, then spent many years with IPS, now Mid-American Energy. While working at Mid-American, Mike attended Briar Cliff University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management. He entered public service, working for Woodbury County, Iowa, for 20 years, starting in the motor vehicle department where he served as the Chief Deputy. Mike then ran for Woodbury County Treasurer and had served in that role for 10 years when he retired.
   His greatest joy was serving as a Cub Scout leader, scout master, and soccer coach. He loved watching his boys grow through their activities. Later as the grandkids “grands” came along, he enjoyed watching their activities, from sports to showing 4-H bottle/bucket calves.
   Mike and Sharon enjoyed spending time in Port Aransas, Texas, anytime they could, beach combing and finding those elusive treasures the sea provided.
   Mike was a Ham Radio enthusiast (KØXH) throughout his life, making contacts throughout the world. He once set up his portable station at the twin lighthouses at the harbor entrance on West Lake Okoboji, attracting Hams from all over the world. This initiated a lighthouse tour to Split Rock, MN, Dutch Harbor, and many others into Door County, Wisconsin, and the upper peninsula of Michigan. Mike always kept his bird book at hand, identifying numerous birds in the backyard and keeping the feeders full.
   A close friend said of Mike, “He was always supportive and present. He always had a smile and a camera in hand too!”
   Left to cherish his memory are his wife Sharon; sons Darren (Julie) Clayton and granddaughters Katelyn and Addison of Auburn, IA, Carl (Emily) Clayton and grandsons Jack and Charlie of Salix, IA and son Steven Clayton of Salix, IA; sister Pam (Jim) Paul of Sioux City, IA; aunt Lora Wessling of Sioux City, IA; aunt and uncle Dutch and Geri Bryan of Sioux City, IA; in-laws Don and Sue Woodward, Darlene Woodward, June Woodward, Bernie Woodward, Dean “Harry” and Jackie Dixon Woodward, Karla and David McGrain, Kristi and Brice Bollin and Helen Woodward; many more aunt, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
   Mike was preceded in death by his parents Milo “Mike” Clayton and Gloria (Grass) August; stepfather Bill August; grandparents Harvey & Ann Grass and Ira & Luella Clayton; uncle James Wessling and cousin David Wessling; in-laws Everett and Mary Woodward, Karl and Evelyn Nagel, Russell and Blanche Woodward, Elwood Nagel, Larry Woodward, Roger Woodward, and others too many to mention. Mike was also preceded in death by his four-legged friends Major, Sam, Dallas, and Bo.