OBITUARIES

Feb 4, 2021

The family of Karen K. Willett, 82, of Brooklyn, is saddened to announce her passing on February 4, 2021 at the Brooklyn Community Estate Nursing Home. A private family service will be held at Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn with Pastor Joyce Proctor officiating. Burial will be at the Brooklyn Memorial Cemetery, Brooklyn. Public visitation: 3-6 p.m., Tuesday, February 9,...

Feb 2, 2021

Williamsburg-Flora Heitshusen was a remarkable woman. She was born in the Homestead, Iowa home of her parents, Diedrich and Flora (Wolter) Maas, on June 2, 1925. She was baptized Flora Victoria Maas by her grandfather, the Reverend Fredrick Wolter, at St. John's Lutheran Church and attended St. John's Lutheran School through eighth grade. Flora graduated Valedictorian of her class from...

Jan 31, 2021

Leland Glenn Lortz, age 88, of Marengo, passed away Sunday, January 31, 2021.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is assisting the family with arrangements.

Leland is survived by his wife Carol; two daughters Donna (David) Merriman, of Arizona and Sandra Lortz, of Washington; tow grandchildren Eric and...

Jan 30, 2021

North English- Duane Harold "Bear/Shafe" Schaefer, 73, of North English, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2021 peacefully at the English Valley Nursing Care Center surrounded by his family. Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:30 am at the St Paul's Lutheran Church in Williamsburg, on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, the service will be live streamed on our...

Jan 30, 2021

SIGOURNEY-Shirley Ann Woods, age 83, of Sigourney, passed away January 30, 2021, at the Keokuk County Health Center in Sigourney. Shirley was born February 21, 1937 in What Cheer, Iowa to Eileen (Danner) and Roy Fogle. She graduated from What Cheer High School in 1955. She married Edward "Ed" Woods July 2, 1957 at the Methodist Chapel in Oskaloosa. While...

Jan 29, 2021

Emma Jean Moore-Smith, 97, of Lee's Summit, Missouri passed away on January 29, 2021 at the John Knox Village Hospice Center in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Emma Jean Moore-Smith was born on January 15, 1924 in South English, Iowa to Rollie and Ruth Long. She spent her youth riding horses in South English and then in Marion, Iowa at the 3R...

Jan 28, 2021

Nicholas “Nick” J. Dye, age 37, of Marengo, passed away at his home on Thursday, January 28, 2021. A private Memorial Service will be held at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo with Father Corey Close officiating. A memorial fund has been established.

Nick is survived by his mother, Judy (Larry) Madsen of Marengo; his brother, Adam Dye of...

Jan 27, 2021

Wellman-Bernice (Nickell) Commers was born July 28, 1914 in Wellman, Iowa the daughter of Earnest and Mable (Walton) Wetrich. She graduated from Wellman High School in 1932. Bernice was united in marriage to Verlin Nickell on June 20, 1936 in Monticello, Missouri. To this union they were blessed with three children. He later died October 1, 1960. She later was...

Jan 27, 2021

Russell A. Vorhies, age 74, of Marengo, passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at his home. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Gateway Park in Marengo. Military honors will be presented by the Marengo American Legion Post #76 and the U.S. Army Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers Russ chose...

Jan 26, 2021

Wendy Jayne Ballard, 63, passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at her home in rural Marengo, with her family at her side after a battle with Burkitt's Lymphoma. Private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul's Catholic Church, in Newhall, with Fr. Craig Steimel officiating. Burial will follow at St. Michael's cemetery, Norway. A public visitation...

Jan 23, 2021

Linda S. Waldrop age 67, of Marengo, passed away at her home on Saturday January 23, 2021. A visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M., Thursday January 28, 2021 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. A memorial fund has been established. Masks and social distancing will be required at all services. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is assisting the family with...

Jan 23, 2021

Wellman-Shuraleen Signora Egemo was born July 9, 1927, in Kanawha, Iowa. The daughter of Herman and Edith (Livingston) Egemo. She graduated from Goldfield High School. Shuraleen has lived in Goldfield, Waterloo, Kalona and Wellman. She worked at Rather Meat Packing as a clerical sales analysis for 40 years retiring in 1987. She was a member of Walnut Street Calvary Church...

Jan 22, 2021

Lee Karl Behrens, age 84, of Fairfax, passed away Friday, January 22, 2021 at his home surrounded by family and friends. Per Lee’s wishes, his body was donated to the University of Iowa, Deed Body Program.

Lee is survived by his daughter Jill Behrens, of rural Fairfax; a sister Joan Behrens, of North Carolina; and his dog...

Jan 21, 2021

Kathryn Darlene Martin was born May 15, 1930 in Jasper County, Iowa to Willis and Jennie (Poortinga) Nearmyer. She grew up on a farm near Monroe. Darlene attended Newton High School and after graduation, worked at Automatic Washer Co. as a bookkeeper for 10 years and later at Iowa Southern Utilities for 16 years. On April 8, 1949, Darlene was...

Jan 20, 2021

Wellman- Carroll Eugene Fisher was born November 2, 1936 near Frytown, Iowa. The son of Glen and Mary (Groff) Fisher. He attended country school and helped his father farm and raise cattle. Later he raised sheep and hogs in the Wellman and Kalona area. He worked for Wellman Produce, drove a truck for Washington County Farm Store in Kalona and...

Jan 19, 2021

Herman G. Kurk III, of South Amana, died peacefully on Tuesday evening, January 19, 2021 at University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. Herman fought a 3 ½ year battle with a series of illnesses, culminating with complications from a COVID-19 infection during a 6 month recovery. He was 94. He remained in his home until his last hospitalization....

Jan 19, 2021

North English- James Robert Lockridge was born August 10, 1930 in North English, the son of Kenneth W and Hazel Irene (Bair) Lockridge. He graduated from North English High School. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Jim was united in marriage to Helen Louise Smothers in Sigourney, Iowa. He worked as a cream hauler for...

Jan 19, 2021

Keswick- Theresa Maxine Greene was born June 1, 1928 in Millersburg, Iowa the daughter of Milo Rex and Reathal Olive (Seaton) Dansdill. She graduated from Millersburg High School. On April 14, 1947, Theresa was united in marriage to Frank Joseph Greene at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Millersburg, Iowa. Theresa was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in North...

Jan 19, 2021

Conroy- Elvena Irene Hopp of West Branch formerly of Conroy, died Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Crestview Specialty Care in West Branch at the age of 101. Elvena was born on November 28, 1919, near Williamsburg, Iowa, the daughter of Axel and Minnie (Klever) Fant. Elvena was united in marriage to Otto Carl Hopp Jr. on May 4, 1937 at...

Jan 18, 2021

Webster- Barbara Grimes was born June 22, 1947 in Cumberland, Maryland the daughter of James and Barbara (Ways) Furstenberg. She graduated from Glenelg High School and Catonsville Community College. Barb was united in marriage to Charles Edward Grimes on June 20, 1964 in Maryland. She worked as an administrative assistant at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab for over...