Cora Koons

Cora Lou Koons, 85, of Elkader, died Wednesday, April 12, 2017, at Stoney Brook Village, West Union, Iowa. She was born May 7, 1931, at Fayette, to Dale and Willa (Sperry) Owen.  Cora Lou was united in marriage to Julian A. Koons on July 29, 1951. Three children were born to this union.

Following their marriage, she worked at Binks Grocery Store for two and a half years. When the family started, she stayed home and babysat, took in washings and ironing, and even took in roomers for a while. Once the children were all in school, Cora Lou started working in the kitchen at Central Community School, where she stayed for 24 years, retiring in 1991. Julian and Cora Lou enjoyed camping with friends and were able to go more following their retirement.

Lawrence Hurd

Lawrence Hurd, 87, of Westgate, Iowa died at his home on Wednesday morning, April 12, 2017 with his family at his side.

Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Westgate with Rev. Herbert C. Mueller, III officiating.

Visitation:  4:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Monday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Maynard and for one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday.

Interment: Long Grove Cemetery, Maynard, Iowa.

A Memorial Fund has been established for St. Peter Lutheran Church, Westgate Fire Department and the Westgate Public Library.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Ernest "Junior" Pfister

ervices held for father of Brian Pfister

Ernest “Junior” Pfister, 91, of Oelwein, Iowa died on Tuesday afternoon, April 11, 2017 at Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo.

Funeral Service:  10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 15, 2017 at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein, with Pastor Duane Olsen officiating.

Interment: Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, rural Oelwein, Iowa with military graveside honors by the Ross Reid American Legion Post #9 Honor Guard and V.F.W. Post 1725 both of Oelwein.

A Memorial Fund has been established for the Oelwein Health Care Center and Oelwein American Legion Ross Reid Post #9.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com.

Ernest Junior Pfister was born on Nov. 24, 1925 in rural Elgin, Iowa, the son of Ernest and Martha (Scheel) Pfister, Sr.  

Darlene Ingersoll

Darlene M. Ingersoll, 88, of Fayette, Iowa, died Thursday morning, April 13, 2017 at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette.

Funeral Service: 2:00 P.M. Saturday, April 15, 2017 at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Maynard.

Interment: Grandview Cemetery, Fayette.

A Memorial Fund has been established in her name.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com.

Darlene Margaret Vandersee was born Oct. 4, 1928 at Randalia, Iowa the daughter of Alfred and Dorothy (Miner) Vandersee. 

She graduated from Randalia High School.  

On Sept. 4, 1949, she was united in marriage to Neil Henry Ingersoll at Waverly, Iowa.  

Over the years Darlene was employed at Raths, Northwestern Bell, Sumner High School and retired from Maple Crest Manor as a Nursing Assistant and Food Service Supervisor. 

Jerry L. Hutchens, 82, of Kalispell, Mont., formerly of West Union, passed away Monday, April 10, 2017.

A Celebration of Life was held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at Conrad Cemetery in Kalispell with the Rev. Stan Rog of Risen Christ Catholic Church officiating.

Jerry was the son of O.C. and Ruby (Clemens) Hutchens.

He graduated from West Union High School in 1952.

He served in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1956.

Jerry worked 17 years for Kleen Maid Bread Co. and later for West Union Auto.

He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Ann (Gary) Amdahl, and a grandson, Morgan, all of Kalispell; and a sister, Ann Hutchens of West Union.

Preceding Jerry in death were his parents; a grandson, Dustin Amdahl; Barbara Hutchens and Gladys Hutchens.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to Deb Amdahl, 1740 Haven Court, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Kathy Schmelzer Sowder

Kathryn Marie Sowder, 62, of Vadnais Heights, Minn., formerly of West Union, died Saturday, April 8, 2017. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, in The New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church, 180 West County Road F., Vadnais Heights, Minn. 

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Honsa Family Funeral Home, 2460 East County Road E., White Bear Lake, Minn., and for one hour prior to the service at church. 

Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park, Minneapolis, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her father, James Schmelzer, and her brother, Edward Schmelzer. 

She is survived by her husband, David Sowder; her son, Eric (Becky) Sowder; grandchildren Maddy and Lucy; her mother, Virginia Schmelzer of West Union; siblings Teresa Koch and Mary Schmelzer.

Olivia Drewes

Olivia Drewes, 72, of West Union, Iowa passed away Good Friday morning, April 14, 2017 at Arlington Place Memory Care in Oelwein, Iowa.  Arlington Place was her home away from home for 14 months and 14 days.  

Olivia Thelma, the daughter of Aubrey and Mable (Christensen) Guyer, was born Feb. 28, 1945 in West Union, Iowa.  

She was baptized and confirmed at West Clermont Lutheran Church in Clermont, Iowa.  

She graduated from North High School in 1963. 

Olivia was united in marriage with Steven Drewes on July 10, 1965 at Zion Lutheran Church in West Union. To this union three children, Dawn, Gregory, and Stephanie, were born.

Olivia devoted her life to caring for her family, preparing meals, sewing and mending clothes, healing scrapes and scratches, and making sure all of the needs for her family were being met.  

Margaret Halse

Margaret Halse, age 59, of Ossian, IA, died Sunday, April 2, 2017, at Gundersen Health System in LaCrosse WI.

Arnold Suhr

Arnold Suhr, 84, of Arlington passed away on Tuesday April 4, 2017 at Arlington Place in Oelwein.  Visitation will be from 3-6 PM on Sunday April 9, 2017 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein.  Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM on Monday April 10, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic church in Oelwein.  Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Oelwein.  A memorial fund has been established.  For condolences, please visit www.geilenfeldfh.com.

Larry Riley

Lawrence M. Riley, 80, of Fayette died Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at the Oelwein Health Care Center.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:30 a.m. Saturday April 8, 2017, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fayette with Rev. Dale Rausch officiating.

Interment followed at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Cemetery. 

Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com. 

Lawrence Matthew, son of John H. and Edna C. (Sloan) Riley was born Jan. 12, 1937, at the hospital in West Union, Iowa.

He was baptized and confirmed at Holy Name Catholic Church in West Union.

Larry received his education at St. Mary’s in Waucoma and Donnan country schools before graduating from West Union High School in 1954.