Canton, SD - Doris Ardell Towne, daughter of Albert and Effie (Narum) Brynjulson, was born on February 4, 1924, in Canton, South Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed at Grand Valley Lutheran Church in rural Canton.

Carroll - Ethel Eileen Defenbaugh was born on July 24, 1942, in Carroll, Iowa, to Clarence Foxhoven and Ida (Miller) Foxhoven. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manilla, Iowa. She attended Kindergarten through 12th grade at Manilla High School graduating with the Class of 1960.After high school, Ethel furthered her education at the Commercial Extension School in Omaha, Nebraska.

Harlan - Gary Petersen was born on February 17, 1952, in Harlan, Iowa, to Ardith Wilcox and Edward Petersen. He grew up in Kirkman and attended the Irwin-Kirkman schools, where he graduated. During high school, Gary and his brother Al formed a band—Gary played guitar and took the lead as the vocalist, sparking a lifelong love for music.After graduating, Gary proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1969 to 1971.

Audubon - Donna Jean Jensen was born on July 22, 1931 to parents Edward & Ruby (Peterson) Jensen at the family farm north of Fiscus in Audubon County, Iowa.Childhood for Donna meant spending time in her playhouse, riding her bicycle, sledding and completing chores around the farm.

Las Vegas - Stephen (Steve) C. FlahertyWe are all deeply saddened to report the passing of Steve.

Harlan - Phyllis LaVonne Larsen was born to Helen (Sieck) and Arnold Lebeck on June 10, 1937 in Harlan, Iowa. She attended grade school at Monroe Township #1 Country School and graduated from Walnut High School in 1955 with scholastic honors. Following graduating, Phyllis went on to attend Morningside College where she earned a two year Professional Teaching Degree.

Harlan - Kenneth Larsen was born on March 16, 1932, in Harlan, Iowa, to Paul and Johanna Larsen. He spent his childhood on the family farm just outside of Harlan and began his education at Monroe Township #3 Country School, attending through the eighth grade. Kenneth later graduated from Harlan High School with the Class of 1949.On November 16, 1952, Kenneth married the love of his life, Marlene Yvonne Larsen, in Spencer, Iowa.

Harlan - Charles E. Lehan Jr., age 66, of Hot Springs Village, AR, passed away March 10, 2025. He was born May 7, 1958, in Harlan, IA the son of Charles Sr. & Wilma Lehan and grew up in Defiance, IA.Charlie graduated from Harlan Community High School in 1976. He went on to graduate from AIB (American Institute of Business) in Des Moines, IA., then completed 2 yrs of pharmacy school at Creighton University, Omaha, NE.

Manning - David Gerard Gross was born May 7th, 1960, to Alban and Lavina Gross in Manning, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling. Dave attended St. Joseph School until 8th grade and graduated from Harlan High School in 1978.

Avoca - Joyce Marie (Krummel) Nielsen was born on April 10, 1931 at Jenny Edmundsen Hospital; the oldest of three daughters to William and Dorothy (Petersen) Krummel. Her father farmed west of Avoca and then when Joyce was four the family moved to town. Her dad was a blacksmith and later a painter working for Mathias Petersen, Joyce’s grandfather, in his painting and church restoration business. He later had his own painting business.

Harlan - Wade Arden Mills was born October 28, 1961, at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, Iowa, to Edwin and Gloria (Andersen) Mills. He was baptized in Avoca, Iowa at Trinity Lutheran Church and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa. He graduated from Harlan Community High School.

Harlan - Myrna Gwen Poldberg was born on April 16, 1930, the daughter of Ellis and Bonnie Blanche (Kemp) Gearhart at the family home in rural Shelby County, Iowa. She was baptized and later confirmed her faith at the First United Methodist Church in Harlan, Iowa. Myrna began her education at Center #7, also known as Windy Knoll, a country school near Harlan.

Defiance - Michael Charles Kimmen was born December 8, 1937, on the family farm south of Defiance, Iowa.  He passed away at the age of 87 years, 5 months on May 8, 2025 at Denison Care Center in Denison, Iowa.  His parents were Lawrence and Hilda (Schumacher) Kimmen.Mike’s schooling consisted of three years at the one-room country school near the farm.  After that, he attended St.

Portsmouth - Philip Albert Heller was born on March 11, 1937, the son of Henry and Frances (Gubbels) Heller in Portsmouth, Iowa. Phil was baptized and confirmed in his faith at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth, where he remained a lifelong member. He attended St. Mary Catholic Schools in Portsmouth and began working full-time for his father at the age of 16.On June 16, 1960, Phil married Doramae Dermody at St.

Portsmouth - Theda Jean Wiese, daughter of Raymond and Hermagene (Stephens) Towne, was born on February 25, 1939, in Portsmouth, Iowa. She grew up in Walnut and graduated with the Class of 1957.After high school, Theda worked at Mutual of Omaha for two years before moving to Avoca. It was at the Chicken Hut in Harlan that she met Allan Wiese, and the two were united in marriage on June 14, 1959, at the Presbyterian Church in Walnut.