Clear Lake Mirror Reporter

Christopher James Ashland, 36, of Clear Lake, died Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, at his home.

A private graveside service was held on Friday, Oct. 26, at Concord Cemetery, in Garner.

Christopher was born July 8, 1982, in Iowa City, and always considered that day a national holiday.  He grew up and attended school in Ventura, graduating from Ventura High School in 2001.

Wayne Carroll Baker, 72, passed away Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at Hospice of North Iowa, in Mason City.

Private graveside services were held on Saturday, Oct. 20, at Clear Lake Cemetery, with Pastor Nick Burgus officiating.

Eric Youngstrom, 63, formerly of Clear Lake, passed away peacefully with family at this side, on Sept. 27, 2018, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Eric was born on Feb. 10, 1955, in Newton.  The family relocated to Clear Lake in 1969, where he graduated from high school in 1973.  After attending the University of Iowa, Eric spent time in St. Louis, Mo., College Park, Md., Springfield, Mo. and Albuquerque, N.M., before returning to the Twin Cities to be closer to his immediate family.

by Travis Fischer

There is a crowded field of candidates vying to take on the job of Cerro Gordo County Auditor in this year’s election.

The position of county auditor has been in flux since long-time auditor Ken Kline took a new position as Deputy Commissioner of Elections for the State of Iowa. Kline was succeeded by Riley Dirksen, who ran unopposed for the position in a special election. However, Dirksen resigned in August to redirect attention toward his video game development business.