Vivian Hemesath

Vivian Catherine (Bodensteiner) Hemesath, 89, of Ossian, IA, peacefully passed in the morning hours of November 13, 2023. Vivian was born on July 10, 1934, to parents John S. Bodensteiner and Katherine "Rena" A. (Meinert) Bodensteiner of St. Lucas, IA. Vivian graduated from St. Luke's High School in 1952 and married Francis J. Hemesath on August 30, 1955. A woman of remarkable resilience and spirit, her life was the embodiment of dedication and love for her family. Her intelligence, kind heart and wit, led her to bring joy and laughter to those around her, even in her final days. Vivian's love, wisdom and cherished memories will forever be remembered and live on through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Ovation Heartwood Preserve, whose amazing love, care and attention allowed Vivian to live her last days with joy, compassion and dignity. 

James "Jim" Frey

James “Jim” Ray Frey, 78, was ushered to heaven by his wife, his children, and all his grandchildren, who were by his side on Friday, November 10, 2023, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, MN.  

Celebration of life services will be held Saturday, November 18, at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in West Union. Burial will be at the West Union cemetery followed by lunch. Visitation will be on Friday, November 17 from 4-7 p.m. at Burnham-Wood Grau Funeral Home in West Union, and one hour before the service. 

Throughout Jim’s illness and the challenging side effects of treatment, he expressed his resilient spirit with the words, "When the Lord calls me home, I am going to go, but until then I'm going to fight like hell"—and that he did. His words reflected his strength and determination as he faced the fight for his life with courage and tenacity until his last moments.

Jane Whipple

Jane K. Whipple was called to Heaven on November 7, 2023.  Per her wishes, there will be no visitation and a private service will be held at the Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory. Burial will be in Clinton Lawn Cemetery next to her husband. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting her obituary at www.snellzornig.com.

Lois Erickson

Lois A. Erickson, 95, formerly of Wadena, Iowa, died Monday morning, November 6, 2023, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester, Iowa. Lois had been a resident at Good Neighbor Home in Manchester, since January 2019, with the first 14 months in Marietta’s Place, the memory care unit at Good Neighbor.  

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m.. Friday, November 10, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Strawberry Point, Iowa, with Rev. John Haugen officiating.

The Mass was livestreamed at www.vibrantcatholic.com

Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 9, 2023, at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Arlington, Iowa and for one hour before the service at the church on Friday.

Rosary Service: 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Parish Scripture Service: 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Interment:  St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Wadena, Iowa.

Marilyn Shaffer

Marilyn M. Shaffer, 87, of Arlington, Iowa, died on Saturday morning, November 11, 2023, at Maple Crest Manor, Fayette. Funeral Service:  10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at St. John Lutheran Church, with Rev. Margaret Yackel-Juleen officiating. Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Arlington and for one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment:  Taylorsville Cemetery, Arlington, Iowa. Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Cooper Ingels

Cooper J. Ingels, 21, of Maynard, Iowa, died Friday, November 10, 2023, at MercyOne Medical Center in Oelwein, Iowa. Funeral Services: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein with Fr. Ray Atwood and Deacon Jim Patera officiating. Visitation: 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, 2023, and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Maynard.

Interment: Long Grove Cemetery, Maynard. Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

LaRue Anfinson

LaRue Dorothy Anfinson, 85, of Waukee, IA was welcomed into heaven by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, October 26, 2023. 

  Visitation was held on Thursday, November 2nd, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, West Des Moines.  Followed by her funeral at 2 p.m. 

Another service was held on Friday, November 3rd, 2023, at Springfield Lutheran Church in rural Decorah. Visitation began at 10 a.m., funeral service at 11 a.m. followed by her burial in the Springfield Lutheran Cemetery. 

  LaRue is survived by her children Rhonda Boe (Mark Soland), Cheryl (Chris) Minor, Byron (Heidi) Anfinson, Lory (Dave) Erickson, Craig (Sherri) Anfinson and Julie (Vaughn) Neuzil.   

Lois Erickson

Lois A. Erickson, 95, formerly of Wadena, Iowa, died Monday morning, November 6, 2023 at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester.  

Services are pending at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Arlington.

Lillian Brown

Lillian Brown, age 75, of Nevada, Iowa formerly of Harpers Ferry, Iowa passed away peacefully on October 22, 2023 surrounded by her family after a long battle with cancer. A visitation will be held on November 4, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. with a Celebration of Life Service beginning at 12:00 (noon) at the Fayette County Fair Grounds Dance Pavilion, 504 South Vine Street, West Union, IA 52175. 

Lillian Mae Brown was born on July 31, 1948 to Paul and Agnes (Stodolny) Culbertson in Chicago, IL. Lillian was the oldest of her siblings, Wayne, Karen and Darrell. Lillian attended public school in the Chicago area, then graduated from Ippolito School of Cosmetology.