Buy It, Sell It...call Classified 576-6721 -CONSUMER NEWS - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012 - PAGE 11

We Have Been Taking Care Of Your Family

Since 1885

1335 1st Avenue North • Fort Dodge, IA • 515-576-1113 • 800-368-2837

We’re Open 7 Days A Week Service 24 Hours A Day

www.beckerflorist.com

LifeLegacy&

Your Guide

to Funeral and

Estate Planning

Buy It, Sell It...call Classified 576-6721 -CONSUMER NEWS - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012 - PAGE 13PAGE 12 - CONSUMER NEWS...Where Results Cost Less! - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012

515-576-5117 • www.brucesfuneralhome.com

923 1st Avenue South Fort Dodge, IA Scott Graham

Owner

Thompson Monuments Offering Custom Monuments To

Honor Your Loved One.

1702 Superior Street • Webster City, IA 50595 • 1-800-947-8232

Featuring Laser

Carvings

OVER 200 PAGES ONLINE:

www.thompsonmonuments.com

Don’t Forget: • Flower Vases • Portrait Attachments • Flower Saddles • Solar Eternal Lights

Life & Legacyp. 2 p. 3Drawing Up a Will

Regardless of how much or how little wealth you have, it’s

important to have a will unless you want the state to take

over after you die. Have a lawyer draw one up (the fee

depends on how complicated the will is.)

Organize all the papers and important documents you’ll

need to take with you to the lawyer. Your will is an inventory

of all that you own – real estate, bank accounts, stocks and

bonds (if any), annuities and life insurance.

List your personal property such as jewelry, paintings and

collectibles and specify who gets what. Maybe that special

collection of coins to a favorite nephew, the heirloom jewelry

to a sister, a bequest to your favorite nephew, the heirloom

jewelry to a sister, a bequest to your favorite charity.

Whatever, be clear about the distribution of your assets. But

don’t forget to list your liabilities - mortgage, loads, credit

cards. You have covered everything. Short and sweet.

Whatever you do, don’t forget to sign the will and have it

witnessed by two people with their correct addresses includ-

ed (should they be summoned by the court) and keep it

where survivors will find it.

You will need to designate an executor to administer your

will after you die. And if drawn by a lawyer, the original

copy of the will is filed at his

or her office and a duplicate

copy held in a safe deposit or

your desk. (Whatever is in the

will is not gospel until, as they

say, the bell finally tolls. You

can make changes.

Pre Need—The Basics of Pre-Planning Funerals

Pre-planning a funeral is also known as “preneed” planning.

Preneed refers to prearranging and pre-funding your own

funeral. A preneed insurance policy covers the cost of the

funeral at the time of death.

Every year, millions of North Americans arrange their

funerals in advance. They explore their options for a cere-

mony, they discuss costs, and they set up a plan with the pro-

fessionals in their community to ensure they’ll have the

funeral they choose.

Plan the Actual FuneralFirst, you should shop around and talk to a few funeraldirectors. Yes, let your fingers do the walking-comparingprices for such things as casket, embalming, ant the cost forprofessional services.

Resist one-stop shopping, which can include such things asprayer cards, thank-you notes, and guest registers-they addup quickly. Many opt for the funeral home in their neighbor-hood for personalized services.

Decide on body disposition. Burial or cremation? If earthburial, a cemetery plot should be purchased; if aboveground, a mausoleum crypt. If cremation is the choice, plandisposition of the ashes. Do you want them stored in acolumbarium niche or buried? Maybe you prefer to haveyour ashes scattered?

An option some people take is to donate organs and tissues to amedical school. (Have a donor card and check on requirements.)

“ Professional Service with a Personal Touch ”

Dean Weishaar 1408 11th Avenue, Manson, IA 712-469-3315

LLaarrssoonn -- WWeeiisshhaaaarr Larson - Weishaar FFuunneerraall HHoommee Funeral Home

Name:________________________________________________Date: ______________

Dear Loved Ones,

In the pages that follow, I’ve recorded my desires and preferences regarding decisions you’ll

be asked to make after my death. Please read through this entire document before making

arrangements for my funeral.

Upon my death, I want to donate my organs as indicated:

Any needed organs or body parts

No donation

Only those organs or body parts listed here: __________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

I have a living will. It is located:_______________________________________________

Place of Worship: __________________________________________________________

Phone Number: ___________________________________________________________

Lawyer: __________________________________________________________________

Insurance: ________________________________________________________________

The funeral director will need the following information to complete my death certificate:

Date of Birth: _____________________________________________________________

Place of Birth: ____________________________________________________________

Social Security Number _____________________________________________________

Occupation: ______________________________________________________________

Military Service: ___________________________________________________________

Highest Level of Education Completed: ______________________________________________________

Father’s Name (first, middle, last):__________________________________________________________

Mother’s Name (first, middle, last, maiden): __________________________________________________

Name of cemetery, crematory or other location:__________________________________

Other Wishes _____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Personal Planning Guide for Funeral Services

EEiisseennttrraaggeerr LLaaww OOffffiiccee Eisentrager Law Office Attorney At Law - General Practice

wwwwww..eeiisseennttrraaggeerrllaawwooffffiiccee..ccoomm www.eisentragerlawoffice.com

109 S Commercial, Eagle Grove, Iowa 50533 5 1 5 - 6 0 3 - 6 4 0 0

“For Professional Personalized Counsel Contact Dani L. Eisentrager.”

Including But Not Limited To: • Divorce & Family Law • General Practice • Criminal Law • Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning • Real Estate Law • Probate Law • Personal Injury

• Brankrupty “We Are A Debt Relief Agency. We Help People File For Protection Under The Bankruptcy Code”

• Chapter 7

• Investments • 401(k) Rollovers • Mutual Funds • Life Insurance

LD42625-01/12

Luke Brandel Financial Services Professional

Call Me Today! 515-351-0334 515-576-6655 x. 224 800-657-8033

Registered Representative with and Securities Offered Through Transamerica Financial Advisors Inc. ( TFA) Member FINRA/SIPC. Non-Securities products and services are not offered through TFA.

TFA and KHI Financial Solutions are not affiliated.

130 North 25th St., Fort Dodge, IA • www.khifinancialsolutions.com

Select a Memorial Together,

Before the Need Arises.

Buy It, Sell It...call Classified 576-6721 -CONSUMER NEWS - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012 - PAGE 13PAGE 12 - CONSUMER NEWS...Where Results Cost Less! - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012

515-576-5117 • www.brucesfuneralhome.com

923 1st Avenue South Fort Dodge, IA Scott Graham

Owner

Thompson Monuments Offering Custom Monuments To

Honor Your Loved One.

1702 Superior Street • Webster City, IA 50595 • 1-800-947-8232

Featuring Laser

Carvings

OVER 200 PAGES ONLINE:

www.thompsonmonuments.com

Don’t Forget: • Flower Vases • Portrait Attachments • Flower Saddles • Solar Eternal Lights

Life & Legacyp. 2 p. 3Drawing Up a Will

Regardless of how much or how little wealth you have, it’s

important to have a will unless you want the state to take

over after you die. Have a lawyer draw one up (the fee

depends on how complicated the will is.)

Organize all the papers and important documents you’ll

need to take with you to the lawyer. Your will is an inventory

of all that you own – real estate, bank accounts, stocks and

bonds (if any), annuities and life insurance.

List your personal property such as jewelry, paintings and

collectibles and specify who gets what. Maybe that special

collection of coins to a favorite nephew, the heirloom jewelry

to a sister, a bequest to your favorite nephew, the heirloom

jewelry to a sister, a bequest to your favorite charity.

Whatever, be clear about the distribution of your assets. But

don’t forget to list your liabilities - mortgage, loads, credit

cards. You have covered everything. Short and sweet.

Whatever you do, don’t forget to sign the will and have it

witnessed by two people with their correct addresses includ-

ed (should they be summoned by the court) and keep it

where survivors will find it.

You will need to designate an executor to administer your

will after you die. And if drawn by a lawyer, the original

copy of the will is filed at his

or her office and a duplicate

copy held in a safe deposit or

your desk. (Whatever is in the

will is not gospel until, as they

say, the bell finally tolls. You

can make changes.

Pre Need—The Basics of Pre-Planning Funerals

Pre-planning a funeral is also known as “preneed” planning.

Preneed refers to prearranging and pre-funding your own

funeral. A preneed insurance policy covers the cost of the

funeral at the time of death.

Every year, millions of North Americans arrange their

funerals in advance. They explore their options for a cere-

mony, they discuss costs, and they set up a plan with the pro-

fessionals in their community to ensure they’ll have the

funeral they choose.

Plan the Actual FuneralFirst, you should shop around and talk to a few funeraldirectors. Yes, let your fingers do the walking-comparingprices for such things as casket, embalming, ant the cost forprofessional services.

Resist one-stop shopping, which can include such things asprayer cards, thank-you notes, and guest registers-they addup quickly. Many opt for the funeral home in their neighbor-hood for personalized services.

Decide on body disposition. Burial or cremation? If earthburial, a cemetery plot should be purchased; if aboveground, a mausoleum crypt. If cremation is the choice, plandisposition of the ashes. Do you want them stored in acolumbarium niche or buried? Maybe you prefer to haveyour ashes scattered?

An option some people take is to donate organs and tissues to amedical school. (Have a donor card and check on requirements.)

“ Professional Service with a Personal Touch ”

Dean Weishaar 1408 11th Avenue, Manson, IA 712-469-3315

LLaarrssoonn -- WWeeiisshhaaaarr Larson - Weishaar FFuunneerraall HHoommee Funeral Home

Name:________________________________________________Date: ______________

Dear Loved Ones,

In the pages that follow, I’ve recorded my desires and preferences regarding decisions you’ll

be asked to make after my death. Please read through this entire document before making

arrangements for my funeral.

Upon my death, I want to donate my organs as indicated:

Any needed organs or body parts

No donation

Only those organs or body parts listed here: __________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

I have a living will. It is located:_______________________________________________

Place of Worship: __________________________________________________________

Phone Number: ___________________________________________________________

Lawyer: __________________________________________________________________

Insurance: ________________________________________________________________

The funeral director will need the following information to complete my death certificate:

Date of Birth: _____________________________________________________________

Place of Birth: ____________________________________________________________

Social Security Number _____________________________________________________

Occupation: ______________________________________________________________

Military Service: ___________________________________________________________

Highest Level of Education Completed: ______________________________________________________

Father’s Name (first, middle, last):__________________________________________________________

Mother’s Name (first, middle, last, maiden): __________________________________________________

Name of cemetery, crematory or other location:__________________________________

Other Wishes _____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Personal Planning Guide for Funeral Services

EEiisseennttrraaggeerr LLaaww OOffffiiccee Eisentrager Law Office Attorney At Law - General Practice

wwwwww..eeiisseennttrraaggeerrllaawwooffffiiccee..ccoomm www.eisentragerlawoffice.com

109 S Commercial, Eagle Grove, Iowa 50533 5 1 5 - 6 0 3 - 6 4 0 0

“For Professional Personalized Counsel Contact Dani L. Eisentrager.”

Including But Not Limited To: • Divorce & Family Law • General Practice • Criminal Law • Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning • Real Estate Law • Probate Law • Personal Injury

• Brankrupty “We Are A Debt Relief Agency. We Help People File For Protection Under The Bankruptcy Code”

• Chapter 7

• Investments • 401(k) Rollovers • Mutual Funds • Life Insurance

LD42625-01/12

Luke Brandel Financial Services Professional

Call Me Today! 515-351-0334 515-576-6655 x. 224 800-657-8033

Registered Representative with and Securities Offered Through Transamerica Financial Advisors Inc. ( TFA) Member FINRA/SIPC. Non-Securities products and services are not offered through TFA.

TFA and KHI Financial Solutions are not affiliated.

130 North 25th St., Fort Dodge, IA • www.khifinancialsolutions.com

Select a Memorial Together,

Before the Need Arises.

PAGE 14 - CONSUMER NEWS...Where Results Cost Less! - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012

N L C E M E T E R Y

orth awn

Preserving Memories Forever

• Mausoleum & Ground Space • Vaults • Monuments & Markers • Financing Available

2201 N. 15th St. • Fort Dodge, IA • 515-573-2671

For over 70 years, our goal & commitment is to give you peace of mind. Preserve memories of a loved one forever. Call our knowledgeable

staff today.

Life & LegacyNOTIFICATIONS:

Please let all these people know of my death:

Spouse __________________________________________________________________

Children: ________________________________________________________________

Parents: __________________________________________________________________

Siblings:__________________________________________________________________

Friends: __________________________________________________________________

Business Associates: ________________________________________________________

FUNERAL HOME:

This is who I want to handle my funeral: ______________________________________

Funeral Director: __________________________________________________________

Funeral Home: __________________________________________________________

Phone: __________________________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________

SERVICE:

Pallbearers:

Please ask these loved ones to be pallbearers: __________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Funeral Speaker: __________________________________________________________

Location of Funeral: ______________________________________________________

Location of Burial: ______________________________________________________

I prefer: Flowers Tributes to (charity or organization) ____________________________

Favorite Music: __________________________________________________________

Requested Readings: ______________________________________________________

Burial Wardrobe and Jewelry: ________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Preferred Style/Material of Casket: __________________________________________

Preferred Style/Material for Burial Vault: ______________________________________

IMPORTANT PAPERS:

Here’s where you can find my last will and testament: ____________________________

The executor of my estate is: ________________________________________________

My executor’s phone number is: ______________________________________________

Other important papers: this list will help you locate documents necessary for settlement of

my estate (birth certificate, marriage license, deeds, automobile titles, insurance policies,

pension information, income tax records, banking records, bonds, securities, stock certifi-

cates, etc.)

Document: _____________________________Location: __________________________

Document: _____________________________Location: __________________________

Document: _____________________________Location: __________________________

Document: _____________________________Location: __________________________

Document: _____________________________Location: __________________________

Document: _____________________________Location: __________________________

Location of safety deposit box key: ____________________________________________

p. 4

Buy It, Sell It...call Classified 576-6721 -CONSUMER NEWS - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012 - PAGE 15

Shawn Portz Pre-Need Counselor

Joe Laufersweiler

Luke Laufersweiler

Mark Laufersweiler

WWhhyy PPrree--PPllaann Why Pre-Plan

yyoouurr FFuunneerraall?? your Funeral?

Laufersweiler & Sievers FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES

307 S. 12th Street • Fort Dodge, Iowa • 515-576-3156 Visit us on-line for obituary information or to send on-line condolences at www.laufersweilerfuneral home.com

1. Would my family know what arrangements to make at my death?

2. Does my family know where my personal papers are?

3. Pre-arrangement is not a complex task, and there’s no “magic” age to do it. In fact, the best time is right now, with clear head and no pressure.

4. You will be able to make choices that are meaningful to both you and your family, and you will gain peace of mind knowing your family and friends will be relieved of the emotional and financial burden often associated with making arrangements when a death occurs.

5. In addition, by prefunding your funeral and cemetery services, a guaranteed price will allow you to purchase at today’s prices, free from inflationary pressures in the future.

The best reasons to pre-plan are all around you. Call us today for a confidential,

no-cost consultation.

Life & LegacyOBITUARY INFORMATION

Below are topics I would like included in my newspaper obituary:

Spouse: ______________________________________________________

Date and Place of Marriage: ____________________________________

Children: _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Other Survivors: ______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

My Address: _________________________________________________

Birth Date and Location: _______________________________________

Education (Schools and Degrees)

School: ___________________________Degree: ___________________

School: ___________________________Degree: ___________________

Military Service: _______________________________________________

Branch: ______________________________________________________

Dates of Service: _______________________________________________

Occupation: __________________________________________________

Achievements and Awards: ______________________________________

Member of: (church, clubs & organizations) __________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Please also mention the following: ________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

p. 5

Decide on the Type of CeremonyYou may want a traditional funeral service with visitation and a member of the clergy con-ducting services at a church or a funeral home. Would you want an open or closed casket?Maybe you want a special friend to do the eulogy or family members to read scripture pas-sages or poetry. Any favorite hymns?

If you would rather have a memorial service, express that wish. That means a service in thefuneral home or a church where the body is not present. A common misconception is thatwhen the body is cremated you don’t hold a funeral. You can hold a funeral before cremation.