Pioneer Cemetery Care – belltimescourier.com

Work on Pioneer Cemeteries in O’Brien County did some work on Monday July 14 at Highland Doyle Cemetery on Tyler Avenue near 400th St. The small group placed and leveled markers that they had removed and repaired, cleaning up the cemetery. Those able to attend on Monday were seated L to Right: Corbin Puhrmann, Paullina and LeRoy Steffen, Hartley. Steffen is the owner of Pioneer Cemetery Prairieland Steuck Cemetery on Tanager Avenue south of B24. Standing in the background is Roy Wohlert, Hartley. Kneeling is Brad McDowell, Primghar and Chuck Virgil, Sutherland. Not pictured is Nancy Hill, Sutherland.

O’Brien County Cemetery Preservation Association (OCCPA) is a locally developed not for profit organization dedicated to the repairs and maintenance of O’Brien County’s seven pioneer cemeteries. The organization has been operating throughout since 2018 and has performed a great deal of work at Waterman Family Cemetery near the Prairie Heritage Center, Covey Church Cemetery, Prairieland Steuck Cemetery, Randolph Cemetery, and Center Cemetery. They are currently putting their effort into Highland-Doyle Cemetery.
“Dutch Fred’s” grave is a difficult to find marker. The stone, mounted high upon a bluff in the Waterman Prairie remnant east of Sutherland is owned and managed by Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
The group has also commissioned directories for five of the cemeteries.
Funding for the ongoing improvement and maintenance project comes from private donations, grants, townships and O’Brien County Supervisors.
To learn more or get involved contact Nancy Hill at the General N. B. Baker Library, 712-446-3839 or email corbin@tcaexpress.net.