OBITUARIES

Apr 3, 2025

Mt. Pleasant-Larry Allen “Pete” Palmer was born July 7, 1939, in Keota, Iowa, the son of Allen and Lovina (Shafer) Palmer. He graduated from Keota High School and Coe College in Cedar Rapids. Larry served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1962. While in the Navy he was united in marriage to Sara Ann Monaghan on January 27,...

Mar 29, 2025

Marengo- Jefferie L. Linvell was born February 3, 1966, at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, the son of John L. and Marjorie (Lindsey) Linvell. Jefferie enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1983 until 1986. Jefferie retired from Local 89 Ironworkers in 1997. Jefferie enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting, spending time with family, playing with his...

Mar 28, 2025

SIGOURNEY-LaVerne Ruth Herrick, age 95, of Sigourney, died Friday, March 28, 2025, at Windmill Manor in Iowa City.

LaVerne was born October 18, 1929, in Donnelly, Idaho, the daughter of Ervie and Edna (Martin) Hermanstorfer. She attended Sigourney schools through the 8th grade and graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1947. She married Norvin “Doc” Dawson in March of 1948 at...

Mar 27, 2025

Alaina “Lainie” Hope McNurlen, affectionately known as "Lainie Lou" and "Lainie Bug," left this world far too soon at the age of 18 due to injuries sustained in a car accident.

Lainie was born October 12, 2006, in Washington, the daughter of Michael McNurlen and Bonnie Preston. She cherished her two younger siblings, Lillian and Finn. She attended Mid-Prairie schools, where...

Mar 25, 2025

KEOTA-James A. “Jim” Tinnes, age 61, of Keota, died Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.

Jim was born February 29, 1964, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Dennis and Arlena (Sharon) Tinnes and graduated from Keota High School in 1982. On February 14, 1982, he married Kimberly Malin in Ottumwa. The couple lived in Keota, where...

Mar 23, 2025

SIGOURNEY-Barbara Jean Hart, age 98, of Sigourney, died Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Manor House Care Center in Sigourney.

Barbara was born October 12, 1926, in rural Zearing, Iowa, the daughter of Patrick and Margaret (Peddicord) Carmody. She graduated from Zearing High School and attended Chillicothe Business College in Chillicothe, Missouri for one year. On February 23, 1947, she married Norval...

Mar 22, 2025

Wellman-Paul Douglas (Doug) Powell was born January 16, 1945 in Goshen, Indiana the son of Lewis & Rachel Byler Powell. When he was 18 months old the family moved to South English, Iowa to work in the family Powell Funeral Home and Hardware business.

Doug grew up in South English until his family moved to Keota in 1955. He graduated from...

Mar 21, 2025

Belle Plaine-Kyleigh Breanna Stanerson was born July 9, 1993, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The daughter of Brian Stanerson and Colleen (Heick) Stanerson. She graduated from Williamsburg High School in 2012. Kyleigh worked helping others, she has previously worked at Tanger Place, Four Oaks, and HACAP, she liked to enrich others lives. Kyleigh enjoyed doing crafts, painting, riding 4-wheelers, dirt bikes,...

Mar 21, 2025

OSKALOOSA-Richard Lisk, age 82, of Oskaloosa, died Friday, March 21, 2025, at Mahaska Health Partnership in Oskaloosa.

Richard was born December 17, 1942, in Oskaloosa, the son of Warren and Ione (Pope) Lisk and grew up around What Cheer. In January of 1962, he married Cathy Pierce. They had three children and later divorced. Richard was a mechanic at Bill and...

Mar 19, 2025

MOUNT PLEASANT- Joanne Looker, 89, of Mount Pleasant died Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Sunrise Terrace in Winfield.

Joanne was born December 30, 1935, in Fairfield, the daughter of Joe D. and Katherine M. (Burke) Strang. She graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1954, and graduated Nurses Training in 1957. On June 14, 1958, Joanne was united in marriage to...

Mar 18, 2025

MOUNT PLEASANT- Connie Pedersen, 80, of Mount Pleasant, died surrounded by family on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with dementia. She passed at Park Place Elder Living where she received exemplary care for the last three years.

Connie was born July 9, 1944, in Neosho, Missouri, the daughter of Leonard and Mae (Christensen) Rold. She graduated...

Mar 18, 2025

Bernita M. Troxel, age 90, of Marengo, passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo. Per Bernita’s wishes there will be no services. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo, is caring for Bernita and her family.

Bernita is survived by her daughters, Christina Kriegel of Marengo, and Diana (Robert) Scandridge of Sully; 6 grandchildren,...

Mar 16, 2025

SIGOURNEY-Pridipongse Vithespongse, M.D., age 87, of Sigourney, died Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the Keokuk County Health Center in Sigourney

Dr. V was born June 3, 1937, in Bangkok, Thailand, the youngest child of Jinda Vithespongse and Tab (Phothisuvan) Vithespongse. The youngest of six children, he grew up in Bangkok and graduated with honors from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok with his...

Mar 15, 2025

SIGOURNEY-Jerome Henri “Jerry” Damerval, age 88, of Sigourney, died Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Keokuk County Health Center in Sigourney.

Jerry was born August 6, 1936, in What Cheer, the son of Henri and Glema (Johannes) Damerval and graduated from What Cheer High School. He then served in the U.S. Army. Jerry married Mary Ann Martin and they had two...

Mar 14, 2025

Connie Brown, age 70 of Brooklyn, passed away on Friday morning, March 14, 2025 surrounded by her family. Visitation: 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn. Funeral Services: 10:30 A.M. Friday, March 21, 2025, at Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn with Rev. John Dodds officiating. Burial: Hazelwood Cemetery, Grinnell. A memorial fund has been...

Mar 14, 2025

Ronald A. Wetjen, age 81, of Homestead, passed away Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Visitation: 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 20, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marengo, with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Daniel Krueger officiating. Burial with military honors conducted by the Marengo American Legion...

Mar 13, 2025

Jennifer L. “Jenny” Jeck, age 45, of Walford, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, March 13, 2025.

Jennifer Lynda Jeck was born February 9, 1980, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of David and Diane Bierman Jeck. She graduated from Prairie High School, then attended UNLV Las Vegas for hotel management. Jenny loved going to movies, Star Wars, Harry...

Mar 12, 2025

MOUNT PLEASANT- Ruth E. Wallingford, 81, of Mount Pleasant died Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at her home.

Ruth was born on February 13, 1944, in Des Moines County, the daughter of Carl and Elizabeth (Judd) Gohn. On May 27, 1977, Ruth was united in marriage to Wendell Wallingford. The couple has made Mount Pleasant their home for over 40 years. Ruth...

Mar 10, 2025

KEOTA-Keith Albert Wallerich, age 90, of Keota, died Monday, March 10, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Center in Ottumwa.

Keith was born September 17, 1934, near Delta, to Homer and Irene (Dumont) Wallerich. He grew up in Keota and graduated from Keota High School in 1952. Keith served in the U.S. Army from 1957 until 1959, then served in the Army...

Mar 8, 2025

Shelly Jo Criswell, age 44, of Tiffin, passed away Saturday, March 8, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. A Celebration of Life Gathering and luncheon will be held on April 12 from 12-4 pm at the Deep River American Legion. A private inurnment will be at the Harmony Cemetery...