Obituaries Newsletter

Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox.

Obituaries in the Courier today, May 13, 2020

Obituaries and service notices in Courier today.

Jon N. Bernard

Jon N. Bernard

(1945-2020)

WATERLOO — Jon N. Bernard, 75, of Waterloo, died at Tuesday, May 12, of cancer due to the defoliant Agent Orange used in South Vietnam.

He was born Feb. 6, 1945, in Waterloo, son of Herbert N. and Blanche (McCullough) Bernard. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1963. In 1965, he joined the U.S. Navy for four years, spending a year on river boats in South Vietnam. Jon married Carol A. Philp on July 3, 1971, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. She died July 30, 1998.

He spent the majority of his working years in the grocery business, retiring in 2007.

Survivors: six children, Christopher Bernard of Waterloo, Carrie (Chris) Gray of Cedar Rapids, Sarah (Rick) Thomson of St. Augustine, Fla., Elizabeth Bernard of Washington, D.C., Amanda Bernard of Waterloo, and Matthew (Melissa) Bernard of Omaha; a sister, Kathleen (George) Deloff of Cedar Falls, 10 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: his parents; his wife, Carol; two brothers, Donald Jennings and Peter Bernard; and a niece, Julie Graham.

Services: He will be buried at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Waterloo with private family services. Parrott & Wood Chapel of Memories is assisting the family.

Memorials: to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Online condolences at www.parrottandwood.com

Jon was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed bow hunting and teaching outdoor skills.

Diane C. Juel

Diane C. Juel

(1950-2020)

CEDAR FALLS — Diane Juel, 70, of Cedar Falls, died Monday, May 11, at NewAldaya Lifescapes from Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born March 11, 1950, in Waterloo, daughter of Harry and Leona (Wedemeier) Staack. She graduated from Tripoli Community Schools in 1968 and attended the University of Northern Iowa for a year. On June 7, 1969, she married Richard Juel at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Klinger. Diane worked at Allen Memorial Hospital, Hawk Bilt Co., the University of Northern Iowa, A.Y. McDonald Co. and then back at UNI where she rose to business operations manager in the facilities planning department. She retired in 2014.

Survivors: her husband; daughters, Shani (Jack) Morgan of Marion and Jenna Juel of Eldridge; a son, Jordan (Kasey) Juel of Lincoln, Neb.; four grandchildren, Drew and Emily Digman, Grayson Juel and Jonas Juel; three stepgrandchildren Gaby, Nick and Emma Morgan as well as twin granddaughters due in August; two sisters, Janet Givens and Nancy Heinemann of Des Moines; brothers-in-law, Dennis Juel of Waterloo, Mark Juel of Imperial, Calif., and Melvin Bergmann of Tripoli; sisters-in-law, Mary Jo Juel of Waterloo and Norma Juel of Imperial, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: her parents; parents-in-law, Harry and Mabel Juel; four brothers-in-law, Jae Givens, Chuck Gremmels, Lloyd Juel and Clifford Juel; three sisters-in-law, Jennifer Juel, Dolores Gremmels and Elaine Bergmann; a niece, Dawn Krueger; and a nephew, Mitch Bergmann.

Services: A private funeral service will be held; burial in Fairview Cemetery, Cedar Falls, at a later date.

Memorials: to the Alzheimer’s Association or NewAldaya Lifescapes.

Online condolences at www.dahlfuneralhome.com

Diane was an avid reader, enjoyed word search and crossword puzzles. In 2019 she and Richard celebrated 50 years of marriage with their children and grandchildren. Above all else, she cherished spending time with her children and grandchildren, especially at their countless athletic, musical, and school performances.

Dr. Russell A. Nielsen

Dr. Russell A. Nielsen

(1924-2020)

Dr. Russell Arnold Nielsen, 96, of Cedar Falls, passed away Tuesday, May 12, due to complications of COVID-19. He was born to Albert P. Nielsen and Mathilde K. Nielsen on January 26, 1924, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He married Wanda Louise Worden, June 17, 1950, at St. John’s Episcopal Methodist Church in Davenport, Iowa.

He attended Iowa State Teachers College High School in Cedar Falls, graduating in 1941. He also attended Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) before and after World War II. He was in the U.S. Navy, serving in Naval Aviation, from 1943 to 1946. Later he attended Illinois College of Optometry, receiving a B.S. degree and an O.D. degree. Returning to Cedar Falls, he maintained an optometric practice there for 41 years. He retired in 1990 and later lived part time in Estero, Florida, and then at the Western Home Communities.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda, in 2018, his mother, Mathilde, in 1935, and father, Albert, in 1967. Surviving are 3 children: Julia Wolf, Casa Grande, Arizona; Ronald Nielsen (MaryJo), Garland, Texas; and Kristin King (Richard), Brighton, Michigan; and 4 grandchildren: Shelby Swords, David (Jennifer) Nielsen, Karen Nielsen, and Kehlyn King.

Dr. Russell A. Nielsen

No services are planned at this time. Burial in Fairview Cemetery. The family extends their thanks to all his caregivers at Western Home Communities. Memorials may be directed to: First United Methodist Church-Cedar Falls. Richardson Funeral Service is assisting the family.

Sarah R. Sutton

Sarah R. Sutton

(1924-2020)

WATERLOO — Sarah R. Sutton, 95, of Waterloo, died Monday, May 11, at home.

She was born Dec. 29, 1924, in Lisbon, N.D., daughter of Jacob and Barbara Rotenberger. She married Thomas Sutton on Sept. 25, 1950, in Waterloo. He died Oct. 26, 1991.

Sarah was a homemaker.

Survivors: two sons, Daryl (Maria) Sutton of Petaluma, Calif., and Craig Sutton of Waterloo; four daughters, Cheryl Shepherd of Rio Rancho, N.M., Patricia Dawson of Elk Run Heights, Joyce Sutton of Waterloo, and Rita (Mark) McChane of Elk Run Heights; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother, Ted (Lois) Rotenberger of Minnesota; and a sister, Freida Hanson of Texas.

Preceded in death by: several brothers and sisters.

Services: Due to the pandemic, a private family service will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church with burial in the church cemetery, both in Raymond. Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on South Street is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials: to the family.

Online condolences at www.hagartywaychoffgrarup.com.

She was a wonderful wife and mother.

PFC Tyler Knight Cox

PFC Tyler Knight Cox

PFC Tyler Knight Cox

(2000 - 2020)

PFC Tyler Knight Cox, 19, of Dike, died unexpectedly in a training accident on Wednesday, April 29th at Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where he was stationed. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to protect the health and safety of all, services are currently being limited as required by state and local authorities and the CDC. A private visitation will be held for the family on Friday, May 15th. The funeral service for Tyler will be held on Saturday, May 16th at 11:00 AM at the Dike-New Hartford High School Auditorium, 330 Main Street, Dike, IA (please enter through the East doors of the high school). Burial and military honors by the United States Marine Corps will be held and conducted at the Elmwood Cemetery in Dike, following the funeral service. The Abels Funeral Home-Dike Chapel is caring for Tyler and his family. Memories and messages of condolence are strongly encouraged on our website. For further assistance or information, you may call the funeral home at (319) 989-2045.

The route for Tyler's Homecoming will be Wednesday evening, May 13th from Des Moines International Airport to our funeral chapel in Dike (680 Main Street). American Airlines Flight 568 into Des Moines lands at 7:51 PM. We will be escorted by local and state law enforcement and the Patriot Guard Riders. The route is as follows: Fleur Drive (Des Moines International Airport) to Interstate 235-W, to 35-N, then 20-E. Our tentative arrival time is 10:00 PM (we will travel on Main Street in Dike, from the north, when we arrive). The family welcomes those who want to line the streets and welcome Tyler home. Due to restrictions on flight travel because of COVID-19, we were unable to bring Tyler back during the day. The family wants to thank those in advance who will welcome Tyler home and is appreciative of all the outpouring of love and support.

Tyler was born on July 21, 2000, to Michael Cox and Kim Knight in Waterloo. He attended school in Dike and was able to graduate early from Dike-New Hartford High School to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. He had been assigned to a 3d Battalion 8th Marines as a 0311 rifleman, as a PFC. Tragically, Tyler’s life was cut short at the tender age of 19 but his family was so proud of Tyler’s willingness to serve his country and his little sister Tessa, has and will always see Tyler as her hero.

Growing up, Tyler was as you might say, an animated kid. He loved to be the center of attention and he always lived at a 100 miles per hour! He was very theatrical and lived for Drama, lettering in high school; he was active in theater in high school (and was a part of almost every play!). He also was active in show and concert choir. To say Tyler was an ‘entertainer’, would be an understatement. He had a magnificent life force that would light up any room and brought so much joy and positivity to his family and friends, and quite honestly, anyone he encountered. Although his family and friends are heartbroken that Tyler is gone, they want people to know that they were happy and grateful for the blessed 19 years they had with him. Tyler would not want people to be sad he is gone but remember the good times they shared with him and the memories they made. The countless stories of Tyler keep pouring in, and they realize the impact he had on people. He was a wonderful son, brother, friend and Marine, and he will be so dearly missed by those he leaves behind. “Fly High, Semper Fi, Tyler”.

Tyler leaves behind his parents Michael & Sara Cox of Dike and Kim Knight of Wapello, IA; brother Tanner (Maureen) Cox and sister Tessa Cox, both of Dike; grandparents Galen Cox of Dike, Teresa Miller, Mary Lou Knight and Daryl Magee. He was greeted in Heaven by his grandmothers Deborah Cox and Ruth Cox and grandfather Robert Knight.

Yeoman ‘Y.M.’ Cowlishaw

Yeoman “Y.M.” Cowlishaw

(1920-2020)

WATERLOO — Yeoman “Y.M.” Cowlishaw, 100, of Waterloo, died Sunday, May 10, at Cedar Valley Hospice Home.

He was born Feb. 25, 1920, in Cedar Falls, son of Joseph and Emma Ward Cowlishaw. Yeoman graduated from Dunkerton High School in 1937. He married Erma Holdiman on Feb. 6, 1940, in Fairbank. Yeoman was a farmer for nine years and was associated with Hudson Bank for seven years. He was secretary-manager of Black Hawk Mutual Insurance Co. for 28 years and owned Cowlishaw Insurance Co., which later became Cowlishaw-Jones Agency.

He was on the board of Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co., and was Hudson city clerk for 10 years. He was a member of the Hudson Board of Education and the Hudson Chamber of Commerce. He was a founding member of Waterloo Goodwill Industries and a member of Waterloo Elks Lodge No. 290, and First Baptist Church in Waterloo.

Survivors: his wife; a daughter, Ardis (John) Reiss of Van Horne; two grandchildren, Jeffrey (Ann) Reiss of Christmas‚ Fla., and Kathryn (Larry) Schoenfelder of Cedar Rapids; five great-grandchildren, Aaron (Melissa) Lockwood, Connor Lockwood, Haley Lockwood, Amanda Ewoldt, and Katelyn (Will) Spencer; and a great-great-grandson, Emmett Yeoman Lockwood.

Preceded in death by: his parents; two brothers, Fearl and Glenn Cowlishaw; and two sisters, Ella Bartley and Gladys Stringer.

Services: Private family memorial services will take place at Locke Funeral Home with inurnment at a later date. A celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date.

Memorials: to First Baptist Church of Waterloo, Cedar Valley Hospice, or the family. Cards sent to the funeral home will be forwarded to the family.

Online condolences at LockeFuneralHome.com.

Yeoman and Erma enjoyed many years of traveling all over the world, as well as trout fishing in the United States and their annual hiking trips to Rocky Mountain National Park at Estes Park. They also enjoyed dancing together and had a love for birds and animals.

Darlene R. Knief

Darlene R. Knief

(1936-2020)

WAVERLY — Darlene Rose Knief, 84, of Waverly, died Sunday, May 10, at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner of natural causes.

She was born in 1936 in Waverly, daughter of Herman and Minnie (Steinberg) Foelske of Janesville. She graduated from Janesville High School and obtained a teacher certificate from Wartburg College. Darlene taught in Sheffield and Waverly. On June 15, 1958, Darlene married Lawrence Knief at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denver. She quit teaching and engaged in dairy, crop, and beef farming with her husband.

Darlene was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Artesian, near Waverly.

Survivors: her husband; a son, Robert (Diane) Knief of Des Moines; two daughters, Debra (Jeff) Mack of Elgin, Ill., and Kathy (Ken) Thomas of Fairbanks, Alaska; five grandchildren, Jonathan (Min) Mack, Elizabeth Mack, Cole Thomas, Seth Thomas, and Anna Thomas; a brother, Duane (Sandy) Foelske of Waverly; a sister, Andrea (Robert) Musselman of Fort Collins, Colo.; and two sisters-in-law, Melodie Foelske of Janesville and Velma Huebner of Clarence.

Preceded in death by: her parents; a sister, LuAnn Leisinger; a brother, Ronald Foelske; and two brothers-in-law, Marvin Leisinger and Orvel Huebner.

Services: Private visitation and funeral will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church Artesian with burial in the church cemetery.

Memorials: to St. Paul Lutheran Church Artesian or to the Denver Ambulance Service, c/o Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home, 110 S. State St., Denver, IA 50622.

Online condolences at www.kaisercorson.com.

Her greatest enjoyment in life was time spent with family; however, she also liked reading, traveling, collecting toy sewing machines, and playing Chicken Foot Dominoes.

Larry D. Smith

Larry D. Smith

(1942-2020)

MORRISON — Larry Dean Smith, 77, of Morrison, died at his home Sunday, May 10, of pancreatic cancer.

He was born July 30, 1942, in Waterloo, son of Frank and Elizabeth (Dingel) Smith. He married Eileen Harms on Feb. 3, 1963. Larry graduated from Universal Trade School in Omaha, Neb., as an automobile mechanic June 21, 1963.

He leased the Sinclair gas station in Reinbeck, worked at Smitty’s Tire & Appliance in Cedar Falls and John Deere in Waterloo, was owner/operator of Smith’s Tire & Repair Service in Reinbeck and then retired from Richelieu Foods in Grundy Center. Larry had side jobs of junking and smelting metals.

Survivors: his wife; two daughters, Victoria (Bill) Gelhaus of North Liberty, and Lisa Fisher of Alvaton, Ky.; grandchildren Shane (Erin) Slifer, Nicholas (Tarah) Slifer, Luke (Crystal) Ware, Shelby Pagel, and Austin Pagel; stepgrandchildren, Carrie (Nathan) DeHerrera, Stephanie (Yancey) Dautremont and Christian Gelhaus; great-grandchildren, Kaesyn, Maxsen, Sutter, Sterling, Slater and Isaac; stepgreat-grandchildren, Grace, Noah, Kayla and Alexandria; and many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: his parents; two brothers, Donald “Tony” and Gary Smith; in-laws, Marylin Smith, Delah (Bill) Friedel, James (Bev) Harms; and nieces, Chandra Smith and Sarah Harms.

Services: A private graveside service will be held at Washington Township Cemetery in Morrison. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorials: to the family.

Online condolences at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.

Larry enjoyed hunting, fishing and vacationing with his family in his younger years. Later, he enjoyed going to the casino, playing dice and card games with family and friends. An all-time favorite was watching WWE wrestling. What Larry loved most of all was spending time with his family and friends.

SERVICE NOTICE: Pauline M. Sienknecht

TRAER -- Pauline Marie Sienknecht, 87, of Traer and formerly of Clutier, died Monday, May 11, at Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer under the care of Hospice of the Midwest. Private family services will be held with interment at Holy Trinity Cemetery in rural Toledo. A memorial fund will be established and directed at a future date. Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Janice (Jan) L. McNelly

Janice (Jan) L. McNelly

(1941-2020)

Janice (Jan) L. McNelly was born January 13, 1941. She died of the COVID-19 virus on May 8, 2020, after an eight-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 79 years old. Jan was born in Ackley, Iowa, and as a very young girl her family moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa. She graduated from high school in 1958. She was married to Chester McNelly on August 7, 1965, while attending the University of Northern Iowa where she earned her teaching degree. In the spring of 1968 the young family moved to Manly, Iowa, where Jan was a homemaker and worked part time at the local grocery store. In the summer of 1970 the family moved north to Grand Marais, Minnesota, where Jan began her teaching career working as a high school English teacher and a special education teacher. While living in Grand Marais, Jan attended summer school earning her Masters Degree. In the summer of 1978 Jan and her family moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where she continued teaching English at West Valley High School. She later became the vice principal of the North Pole Middle School and also worked as the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District director of curriculum. Jan retired from her career in education in 1998 and after 20 years in Alaska, she and Chet moved back to Iowa, settling in Webster City. Jan and Chet separated in 2003 and Jan returned to Cedar Falls. In 2012 Jan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Jan was an avid reader and could always be found with a stack of books she was reading. She and Chet raised two sons, and Jan was a dedicated and doting grandmother. She was active in several service clubs and served as the Iowa president of the League of Women Voters during her retirement years.

Jan was well known for her warm smile and infectious laugh. Jan cherished her many good friends from her life in Iowa, Minnesota and Alaska and held those memories close. She touched the lives of thousands of students throughout the course of her three decades in education.

Jan is preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Greta Nelson, and her ex-husband, Chet McNelly. She is survived by her two brothers, Joe and Dick Nelson, her sons, Trenton and Daniel McNelly, her grandchildren Caitlin, Samantha and Darren McNelly, and by two great-grandchildren, Silas and Vivian McNelly.

A memorial service will be planned later this summer when gatherings will be safer and appropriate. Richardson Funeral Service in Cedar Falls is assisting the family.

Dona Steele

Dona Steele

(1933-2020)

Dona Steele, 86, of Charles City, passed away Monday, May 11, 2020, at the Ninth Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

Due to state and federal guidance on gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private family graveside service will be held at a later date at Sunnyside Memory Gardens in rural Charles City.

Dona Mae (Nehls) Steele was born September 6, 1933, in Charles City, Iowa, to Walter and Louise (Ripley) Nehls. On February 28, 1951, she married Darrel Steele. This union was blessed with six children. Dona was a stay-at-home mother as the kids were in school. She was a wonderful cook, seamstress and knitter. Dona always kept the children in clothes and mittens. She even taught her sons to sew.

After Darrel died in 1983, Dona rode RAGBRAI for several years. She really enjoyed riding her bike. Dona also enjoyed going to sporting events and concerts to show her support for all of her family.

Dona worked as a caregiver in a private home. She cooked at Little Napoleons and the Starr Home. Later, she worked at Hy-Vee in the food prep area.

Dona’s love of children was great. She always helped during the birth of grandchildren or if her children had any health problems. During high school years, she was a guardian for her grandson, Raymond.

Survivors include her children: Susan (Rick) Capps of Cedar Falls, Dennis Steele of Fort Madison, Linda Waters of Northwood, John (Tami) Steele of Mesa, Arizona and Patsy (Steele) Fencl of Charles City. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren include: Sarah (Chad) Jones, Isaac and Abby; Amanda (Jay) Hay and Dawson; John (Kassie) Capps, Colton, Myles and Daxton; Michelle (Russel) Zeglen, Ben, Kayla, Hailie and Grace; Christina (Phillip) Rice, Zoey and Hayden; Michael Waters, Sophia and Peyton; Ellen (Alex) Wallace and Dakota; Megan (Helaman) Cluff; Raymond (Budoor) Steele and James Bluhm.

Dona was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a daughter, Penny Smith; a son-in-law, Dave Waters; a great-grandson, Alex Ritzert; and two young sisters: Phyllis and Margy.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.

Verna M. Schofield

(1925-2020)

Verna M. Schofield

CEDAR FALLS — Verna Marie Schofield, 95, died Saturday, May 9, at Western Home Deery Suites in Cedar Falls.

She was born April 10, 1925, in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, daughter of George and Portia Gaden. She grew up in the Detroit area. Verna attended Moody Bible Institute and Columbia Bible College and then worked for several years on the office staff of the Denver Theological Seminary in Denver, Colo. She married Earl Schofield in 1962. After his death in 1981, she moved to Cedar Falls.

Survivors: a stepdaughter, Sally (Ed) Baker; two grandchildren, Amy and Dan (Stacy) Baker; and three great-grandchildren, Rebekah, Joanna and Miriam Baker.

Preceded in death by: her husband; her parents; a sister; and four brothers.

Services: There will be no memorial service due to the pandemic. Verna is being cremated and will be buried next to her husband in Freeport, Ill.

Online condolences at at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.

Verna enjoyed being active in Orchard Hill Church, where Ed was the senior pastor. She loved gardening and especially enjoyed raising African violets. Reading was also a favorite pastimes. Her faith was important, and people knew they could count on her to pray for them when the need arose.

Virginia Richardson

(1922-2020)

Virginia Richardson

Virginia Richardson went to be with her Savior on May 9 after a long and full life at the age of 97. Virginia is survived by: her children — Mary Norman, Ginny (Jim) Garnett, Stephen (Susan) Richardson, Sharon (Douglas) Laird, Mark Richardson, Marcia (Craig) Johnson, and Dan Richardson; 21 grandchildren, many, many great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild on the way; her brother Russell (Barbara) Spear; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ray; her son Kenneth, and grandchildren Peter Wheat, Shawn Bleeker and Melissa (Bleeker) Swisher; and her brother Lloyd Spear and sister Julie (Spear) Kraft.

Virginia Nola Spear was born July 16, 1922, to Virgil and Nola Spear in Fairmont, Minnesota. She was born again, trusting Christ to save her, during her high school years in Algona, Iowa. She and Ray Richardson began dating soon after that. She attended Northwestern Bible School after high school. She and Ray were married in 1942, and were married nearly 64 years. For all her married life, Virginia loved, supported and helped Ray as he pastored in Baptist churches in Wisconsin (LaCrosse), Minnesota (Stewartville), and Iowa (Waukon, Waverly, and Winterset). Together, they raised eight children. Virginia worked in the home caring for the children, keeping them fed and clothed, cheering them on in their schoolwork and music lessons, and pointing them to Jesus. She volunteered continually at church and was a true partner in ministry with Ray. When the two dozen grandchildren and 40-plus great-grandchildren began to arrive, she received much joy from spending time with them. She was a faithful prayer warrior, and knew ALL of their names and prayers requests.

In their retirement years, Virginia and Ray lived in Algona, Cedar Rapids, and Waterloo. Friendship Village has been a wonderful final home for them both, since 2002. When Ray developed Parkinsons, Virginia was able to care for him in their apartment until his last year of life (2006), when he moved to the Friendship Village Pavilion. As Virginia has needed nursing care in her final months, once again the staff at the Pavilion, along with Cedar Valley Hospice, have cared for her with skill, compassion and love. The family is so grateful to all the staff and volunteers — especially those of the COVID-19 team — who have made her comfortable during her final days.

There will be a private family graveside service, with a public memorial service to be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Virginia would have greatly appreciated a memorial to Hagerman Baptist Church, or Friendship Village Foundation. Richardson Funeral Service, Cedar Falls, is assisting the family. Online guestbook at www.richardsonfuneralservice.com.

Dr. Hattie Mae Middleton

Hattie Middleton

(1935-2020)

DES MOINES — Dr. Hattie Middleton, 84, of Des Moines and formerly of the metro area, died Thursday, May 7, at Prairie Hills Senior Living in Des Moines.

She was born June 26, 1935, in Tifton, Ga., daughter of Willie and Hattie Byrd. Hattie earned her undergraduate degree at Florida A&M University, later received a master’s degree at the University of Northern Iowa, and her doctorate at Kansas State University. After college, Hattie was chief dietician at Schoitz Memorial Hospital. She married Ernest “Jimmy” Middleton.

Hattie was a professor at the University of Northern Iowa and later taught in China as part of a teachers’ exchange through the University of Northern Iowa. She was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, OES, Unity Presbyterian Church in Waterloo and Bethel AME Church in Des Moines, and the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Survivors: a daughter, Maggie (Sherman) Isaac; siblings, Willie (Alma) Byrd Jr., Maggielene Bostick and Lea (Isaac) Ragsdale; numerous nieces and nephews; a host of cousins.

Preceded in death by: her parents; and her husband, Jimmy.

Services: Visitation will be 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 16, with a graveside service following at Elmwood Cemetery, Waterloo.

Memorials: to the family.

Online condolences at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

She enjoyed entertaining family and friends and traveling. Many special friends left behind include Denise Andrews, Shelby Jones, Lurline Baker-Kent and Jane Hartley.

Kelly J. Arjes

Kelly J. Arjes

(1975-2020)

PARKERSBURG — Kelly Joan Arjes, 44, of Parkersburg, died at home Saturday, May 9, of breast cancer.

She was born Sept. 19, 1975, in Waterloo, daughter of Kenneth Douglas and Judith Lynn (Buls) Arjes. Kelly graduated from Dike-New Hartford High School in Dike in 1994. She attended LaJames College in Cedar Falls for massage therapy. Kelly was formerly employed at Cedar Valley Community Support Services in Waterloo, but spent most of her career self-employed doing painting, cleaning, farmhand, babysitting and working with the elderly.

Kelly was a past member of United Church of Christ in Allison.

Survivors: a daughter, Shelby Sandoval of Parkersburg; her parents of Parkersburg; a sister, Kate Graham of Parkersburg; a maternal grandmother, Mary Lou McWilliams of Allison; two nephews, Austin (Kayla) Graham of Great Falls, Mont., and Caleb Graham of Parkersburg; a great-nephew, Jason Nuckolls; and a special friend, Jason Brocka of Parkersburg.

Preceded in death by: a brother, Thomas Arjes; a maternal grandfather, Armin Buls; and paternal grandparents, Kermit and Annetta Arjes.

Services: To honor Kelly’s wishes the family has chosen cremation for Kelly. The family will hold a memorial service at a later time. Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home in Parkersburg is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials: to the family.

Online condolences at www.redman-schwartz.com.

She loved being outdoors and in nature. She enjoyed horseback riding, four-wheeling, camping and spending time with her daughter and her dog, Missy. Kelly was very creative in all aspects of her life.

SERVICE NOTICE: Regla Crawley

WATERLOO -- Regla Crawley, 70, of Waterloo, died at home on Saturday, May 9. Private family services will be held. Memorials may be directed to the family. Condolences may be left online at www.overtonservice.com.

Keith A. Frahm

(1957-2020)

Keith A. Frahm

SUMNER — Keith Alan Frahm, 63, of rural Sumner, died unexpectedly March 27 at home.

He was born Feb. 3, 1957, at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner, son of Arnold and Betty (Kolpek) Frahm. He graduated from Sumner High School in 1975. Keith worked on the family farm and for various area farmers. For the last 30 years he worked at Crane Creek Dorfers for Stephanie Sexton, retiring in December 2019.

Survivors: a sister, Kathleen Frahm of Waterloo; and aunts, uncles, and many cousins.

Preceded in death by: his parents; maternal and paternal grandparents; and a brother, Larry.

Services: Due to the pandemic, there will be no services for Keith at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner at a later date.

Online condolences at www.beckermilnesrettig.com.

Judith Kae Brandt

Judith K. Brandt

(1949-2020)

SUMNER — Judy Kae Brandt, 71, of Sumner and formerly of Waterloo, died, Saturday, May 9, at the Hillcrest Home in Sumner.

She was born Feb. 1, 1949, in Waterloo, daughter of Martin and Joyce (Geissler) Frank. Judy graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1967, and then went to Gates Business College and Hawkeye Tech, both in Waterloo. On Sept. 14, 1977, she married Dennis Brandt in Waterloo. Judy was an accounting clerk with Weissman Steel in Waterloo for several years. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Waterloo, and then in 2002 became a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; a member of the AMVETS Auxiliary in Waterloo and the Waterloo Betta Sigma Phi Sorority.

Survivors: her husband; a daughter, Pamela (Mike) Jergens of Sumner; a son, Stephen Edwards; five grandchildren, Allisa (Eric) Rose of Sumner, Cortney (Jordan) Carey of Bondurant, Dennis Roberts, Nicole (Matthew Fowlkes) Roberts, and William Jergens, all of Sumner; two great-grandchildren, Emmaline Carey and Colson Fowlkes; her mother of Sumner; six siblings, William (Nancy) Frank of New York, Marvel (William) Kasben of Michigan, Martin Frank, John Frank, Lisa Fosselman, all of Waterloo, and Matthew (Tonya) Frank of Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: her father; and two siblings, Christopher Frank and Patricia Fosselman.

Services: Graveside services are 1 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Garden of Memories in Waterloo. Join the family at 1 p.m. via Facebook Live on Becker-Milnes & Rettig Facebook Page. Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner is assisting the family.

Memorials: to the family.

Online condolences at www.beckermilnesrettig.com.

She loved crafting, scrap-booking, but her greatest joy came from playing with her grandchildren.

Related to this collection

Most Popular

Read through the obituaries published today in The Courier.

Read through the obituaries published today in The Courier.

Read through the obituaries published today in The Courier.

Read through the obituaries published today in The Courier.

Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Courier.

Read through the obituaries published today in The Courier.

Read through the obituaries published today in The Courier.

Gallery: Missing children in Iowa

The body of missing Wall Lake trucker David Schultz was found in a Sac County field Wednesday, April 24, 2024, not far from where his semi-tra…

Read through the obituaries published today in The Courier.

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.