Keith E. Meyer, 84, formerly a longtime resident of Davenport, died Tuesday, February 17, 2026, with family at his side. Keith Edwin Meyer was born on August 6, 1941, in Woden, Iowa, a son of Edwin Henry and Eva Ruth (Valley) Meyer. He spent his early years in Woden before the family moved to Dows, Iowa. Keith graduated from Dows High School in 1959. He graduated from Wartburg College in 1963. While working as a Social Service officer in Albia, he met and married Mary Josephine Cardenzana in 1965. They moved to Clarion, Iowa where Keith served as the Director…

The Rev. Wesley Lee Sackmann died peacefully on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Eliseo Health Center in Tacoma, Washington, at the age of 94. Wes was born in Turtle Lake, North Dakota, on July 29, 1931, to Theodore and Marie (Walcker) Sackmann. He spent his early life in Mercer, North Dakota. In 1944, the family moved to Eureka, South Dakota, where they owned and operated a grocery store. After high school, Wes moved to Iowa to attend Wartburg College and Theological Seminary. There, he met Dorothy Stone. The pair married on August 29, 1954, and went on to have three…

Gary D. Schwandt, 83, passed away peacefully at 9:20 p.m. on Sunday, February 15, 2026, surrounded by compassionate care at Avina Nursing Home and under the devoted support of hospice. Gary was born on April 14, 1942, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to Everett and Virginia (Derge) Schwandt. He grew up on the family farm near Iron Ridge, Wisconsin, alongside his three brothers—Michael, Pastor Richard, and Morry—where he learned the values of hard work, faith, and family that would guide his life. While in high school, Gary played baseball, football, basketball, and trumpet in band, showing…

Delores Ann Mindrup, 80, of Mesa, Arizona, and formerly of Clear Lake, Iowa, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2026. Delores was born on September 8, 1945, in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Lloyd C. and Alma Jennie (Nelson) Jaspersen. She was raised in the Sheffield area and graduated from Sheffield-Chapin High School in 1963. She continued her education at Wartburg College, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in 1966. Later in life, she followed her heart back to school, receiving her Occupational Therapy certification from the College of St. Catherine in December of 1995. On August 24, 1967,…

Betty Jean Miller, age 88, of Clarksville, Iowa, was born the daughter of Edward Philip and Lucille Isabell (Hurd) DePuew on October 4, 1937, in Butler County, Iowa. Betty graduated from Clarksville High School in 1956 and attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, for three years in elementary education. On June 21, 1958, she married Ronald W. Miller, her sweetheart for six years, at Immanuel United Church of Christ by Reverand R.J. Topp. She was able to follow her dreams of farming and milking Holstein cows for fifty-five years beside Ron. I guess “once a farmer gal, always a farmer”…

Darlene Eleanore Zummak Esmoil, 96 years old, of Waterloo, Iowa, and formerly of Independence, Iowa, died of natural causes, Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the Friendship Village Retirement Community in Waterloo. Darlene was born on September 13, 1929, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Raymond Henry Zummak, Sr. and Bertha Hermine (Lenz) Zummak. She grew up on a farm outside of Jesup and graduated high school at the age of 16, with the Jesup High School class of 1945. Darlene continued her education at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and became a secretary at the American Can Company in Waterloo.…

Wilma Lee Johnson, known to all as Willie, peacefully passed away on February 11, 2026, at the age of 87. Born on April 1, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Esther Gast where she was raised on a farm in Earlville, Illinois, as one of nine children. Willie’s journey began in a small one-room schoolhouse and continued with her graduation from Earlville High School. She furthered her education at Wartburg College and Washington University in St. Louis, where she earned her degree in Physical Therapy. In 1962, she married David E Johnson and together they started…

At 12:20 AM Tuesday February 10th, 2026, we lost an angel. Carol Rae Hein of Coralville, aged 89, passed away with her family by her side. She was born in Chicago in 1936. She met her husband Herman while attending Wartburg College, married in 1958 and settled in the Iowa City area for the majority of their adult lives. She was a very devoted Wife and Mother. She was devoted to her church for which she served in many capacities and truly enjoyed volunteering her time. She received the Governor’s award for 30 years of service volunteering for Meals on…

Myron, age 94 of Otsego, MN, passed away February 27, 2026. Preceded in death by his parents and sister Myrna. Myron served in the Korean war from 1952-1954 and then farmed with his dad. After marrying Florence M. Bakker, he decided to pursue ministry and became an ELCA Lutheran pastor. Myron was a pastor for the ELCA Lutheran Church for more than 32 years serving parishes in Nebraska, Colorado, and Minnesota. Myron is survived by his wife Florence; daughters Sharon (Ron) Meyer, Louann, Linda (Jim) Henderson, and Kayla; grandchildren Ian and McKenzie Henderson. All obituary information has been taken from…

Delbert Adams, 96, of Marinette, passed away at home on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in the caring presence of his loved ones. He was born June 16, 1929 to Gust and Minnie Adams in Clintonville, WI where he spent his early life, graduating from Clintonville High School in 1947. Del went on to serve four years in the United States Air Force. He later graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1958 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and had a 33-year career working for Wisconsin Public Service. Del and his wife Betty resided in Marinette for many years and…

William R. Striepe, 91 of Waverly, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community. Bill was born on January 21, 1935, in Madison, Minnesota, the eldest son of William G. and Lorraine B. (Kienitz) Striepe. Bill was baptized in February of 1935 in Marrieta, Minnesota and confirmed in 1948 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Boyden, Iowa. Bill graduated from Holstein High School in 1953. He furthered his education at Wartburg College, graduating in 1957 and in 1959 he received his master’s degree in social work from the University of Iowa. Bill was united…

Hey all, you’re reading this because I, Kathie Schindel Hicok, born January 18, 1970, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, finally beat my battle with pancreatic cancer. It can no longer live in my body. Over the years, I spent my time as a DC-G band mom and school board member, independent travel agent, Mentor Iowa board member, Kids Campus board member, Des Moines Metro Opera volunteer, Farrell’s instructor and coach, and avid Green Bay Packers fan. I have been so very blessed with a social work career spanning 35 years, including Child Protection in Polk County, Iowa, and school social work…

Todd Amani, cherished father, grandfather, uncle, brother, friend, colleague, and beloved soulmate of Mary Jo, passed from this life to the next on January 26th, his 71st birthday. His kindness, good humor, generosity, love of play, camaraderie, perseverance in all adversity, creativity, gentle nature, steadfastness, calm wisdom, and courage, especially in this final passage, touched so many. He faced Alzheimer’s with quiet grace. He was a natural teacher, listening closely with curiosity. Friends and family enjoyed his guitar playing, sing-alongs, chocolate chip cookies, sourdough bread, and kombucha. Todd graduated from Wartburg College (1978) and Johns Hopkins School of International Studies…

Marilyn Kay Krauss, 83, of Webster City died January 24, 2026. She was born to George and Edith (Hersbergen) Krauss on January 25, 1942. She graduated form Corwith-Wesley High School. After graduating from Wartburg College, she taught fourth grade for forty years in Webster City. She is survived by her sister Ilene (Jim), her brother Mervin (Debra), and her nephew Christopher. All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.

Mary Schrandt, 71, of Charles City, Iowa, passed away January 23, 2026. Mary Jean Schrandt was born on April 12, 1954, to Raymond and Cleo (Rieken) Gesell. She grew up on a farm outside of Alta Vista, Iowa with her two sisters, Judy, and Sandy. Mary graduated from New Hampton High School in 1972. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly where she received her bachelor’s degree in political science in 1977. In that timeframe, she was able to go to Germany with her mother and sister Judy to visit family for three weeks. While there, she was able to experience…

Frederick Grawe Jr., age 77, of Waverly, Iowa, died Thursday, January 22, 2026, at New Aldaya Lifescapes in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Fred was born on November 4, 1948, in Waverly, Iowa, the son of Frederick Sr. and Ruth (Burhow) Grawe. He was raised in Waverly and graduated from Waverly Shell Rock High School in 1967. He attended University of New Mexico for a year then transferred to Wartburg where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 1971. In 1968, Fred was united in marriage to Cathy Berry at St. Mary Catholic Church in Waverly, the couple would later divorce. Fred…

June 12, 1946  –  January 22, 2026 Dr. Daniel B. Nelson was born in Urbana ,IL on June 12, 1946 as the youngest of five children to Rev. Elmer A. Nelson and Mabel Mae (Jones) Nelson in Rantoul, IL. When in high school, he and his family moved from Rantoul to Park Ridge, IL where he graduated from Maine East High School. He later attended Wartburg College, a small Lutheran school in Waverly, IA where his parents and all of his older siblings had also attended. Although his two brothers and one brother-in-law followed Elmer’s footsteps into the ministry, Dan was instead…

Cleo Ann Eliason, age 90, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026 in Green Bay Wisconsin. She was born December 1, 1935, in Green Bay, to Edwin and Helen (Klug) Eliason. Cleo was proud to be a lifelong Lutheran. She graduated with High Honors from Green Bay East High School in 1954. She worked as a secretary at Morning Glory Dairy for 8 years, then as a Parish Secretary at Trinity Lutheran Church. She later worked at Curative Workshop. Cleo attended Wartburg College in Waverly Iowa, where she earned her Dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Religion and Psychology in…

Burdette passed away on Monday, January 19, 2026 at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital. Burdette Elgin Walters was born on Saturday December 2, 1950, at 10:40 P.M. at Allen Memorial Hospital, Black Hawk Co. Waterloo, Iowa, the only son of Mary (Maria Kaiser) and Eilert Walters Jr. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith December 28, 1950, at the home of his parents, 2 ½ miles South of Buck Grove, as a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, with his parents as sponsors, and he was held during the ceremony by his maternal grandmother, Bertha Christine (Olthoff) Kaiser. Burdette was…

Betty Lou Bergman, 86, of rural Hudson, passed away at home on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. She was born October 4, 1939, in Hudson, daughter of Leo and Alma (Engel) Waltmann. Betty graduated from Hudson High School in 1957, then earned her B.A. in Home Economics from Wartburg College followed by a Master’s Degree in Library Science from UNI. She married Ernest W. Simon on June 4, 1960, at Zion Lutheran in Hudson. He passed away in November 1966. Betty married Harley Bergman on December 21, 1968, at Zion Lutheran Church in Waterloo. He preceded her in death in November…