Our sweet Mila Rie Crees was born on January 8th, 2023. She was a perfect 3lbs 5oz and 17 inches long.She was born with a rare condition and because of this she had a challenging road ahead. She fought hard through many procedures and showed us her amazing strength and grace.On January 10th she went peacefully to heaven in our arms.

Richard “Dick” Burton Joy, 89, of Harlan, Iowa, passed away peacefully at Elm Crest nursing home on January 2, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones.

Edward Theodore Leinen, 73, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Wesley Acres in Des Moines, Iowa. Born on August 22, 1949 to Michael and Ramona (Slaven) Leinen in Portsmouth, Iowa, Edward was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He attended grade school and high school at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Panama, Iowa, graduating in 1967.

Irene Joyce (Schneider) McCool was born April 19, 1929. She passed away in Atlanta, GA on January 9, 2023.Irene graduated from Avoca High School in Avoca. She worked as a telephone switchboard operator in Avoca while attending high school and after graduation.Irene married Malcolm McCool from Tennant, IA in 1949. She became a farm wife and life partner on the farm not far outside of Tennant.

Lee Allen Nissen, son of Irven (Mickey) Nissen and Marjorie (Murray) Nissen, was born on April 7, 1948 in Atlantic, Iowa. Lee passed away on Saturday, December 24, 2022 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, attaining the age of seventy-four years, eight months, and seventeen days.Lee was baptized and confirmed in the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn, Iowa.

Philip Dwight Monahan, age 68 of Harlan, passed away January 22, 2023 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs.

Helen Marcine Dea, daughter of Henry and Prudence Rebekah (Cushing) Osbahr, was born on July 9, 1923, in rural Shelby, Iowa. She attended country school until the age of seven. After the death of her parents, Helen was raised by Emil and Hanna Meves of Avoca, Iowa, and attended Avoca Public Schools.

Toby Sievers of Perham, Minnesota passed away at the Avoca Specialty Care in Avoca, Iowa on December 31, 2022.Toby was born in Harlan, Iowa on October 16, 1940, to Norman and Ruth (Waterbury) Sievers. He attended school at Lewis, Iowa until the eighth grade. The family moved to Ruth’s home place near Corley, Iowa. The farm was originally settled by his grandparents, Virgil and Sena Waterbury.

Roland Edward McLaughlin, son of John and Margaret (Gessert) McLaughlin, was born on June 21, 1935 in Defiance, Iowa.  He was one of eleven children born to his parents.  He grew up in Shelby and graduated from Walnut High School with the class of 1954. After graduation, he served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany for most of the time over his 3 years.  He was united in marriage to Peg Moore and to this union they had one

 Memorial Mass for Gilbert F. Rau, 77, was celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Lander, WY followed by military graveside rites at Mount Hope Cemetery. A Rosary will be prayed preceded the Memorial Mass at 9:00 A.M. at Holy Rosary.

Janice L. Lindstrom, 91, of Kearney passed away peacefully while listening to Christmas music with her husband on Saturday, December 24, 2022. The family will hold private family services with interment at Kearney Cemetery. The public is invited to attend a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Darold Francis Gessert, son of Donald and Regina (Patten) Gessert, was born February 17, 1945, in Portsmouth, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa, and attended and graduated from Harlan High School. After high school, Darold joined the Army on September 9, 1965, and was stationed in Germany.

Stanley Charles Martens, age 93 of Portsmouth, IA, passed away on December 10, 2022, at Elm Crest in Harlan, IA.He was born on October 11, 1929, to Honas and Vera (Downey) Martens in Persia, Iowa. Stanley attended grade school at Country School west of Persia. After finishing the 8th grade, he stayed at home to help on the family farm. He was united in marriage to Joan Stamp on January 22, 1950.

Judy Jane Robinson, daughter of Russell and Lillian (Blakley) Hansen, was born on October 20, 1947 in Omaha, Nebraska.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Tennant.  Judy attended grade school in Tennant and graduated from Shelby-Tennant High School in 1965.  On February 26, 1966, Judy was united in marriage to Dave Robinson at the Shelby Methodist Church.  To this union 3 children were born: Jeff, Scott and Kaleigh.Judy

Joseph M. “Joe” Arkfeld, 66, of Valley, passed away December 20, 2022.