Gary R. Nielsen, 77, of Schertz, Texas passed away peacefully on Friday, October 11, 2024. Gary was born in Racine, Wisconsin on March 5, 1947, to Russell H. Nielsen and Joyce (Bax) Nielsen. Gary had a zest for life, and although faced with many serious health issues, his faith, attitude, and love for his family and friends remained steadfast and positive. Gary’s father, Russell, was in the U.S. Navy and Army. Before he was killed in action in the Korean War in 1950, the family lived in Columbus, Georgia, Galveston, Texas, and Port Townsend, Washington. After Russ’ death, Gary and…

Jeffrey James Wad age 74 of Nashua died Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at his home. Jeffrey James Wad, born on May 23, 1950, in New Hampton, Iowa, he was the son of Earl and Wilma (Ransom) Wad and grew up in Ionia, where he developed a passion for art and education. A proud graduate of New Hampton High School in 1968, Jeffrey furthered his education at Wartburg College, earning a bachelor’s degree in Art and Elementary Education. His love for his hometown led him back to Ionia, where he worked in various roles before dedicating himself to a fulfilling career…

Luther John Mohr AKA Luke Mohr was born on April 3, 1935 in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Canada. He died in his home on October 8, 2024 in Indio, California. He leaves behind his wife Marilyn, and was father to daughters Cindy (John) Perrin, Stephanie Mohr, Debra Dotson(predeceased), Susan Eddy, Roberta (John) Pearson. He was grandfather to Gina Casey and Jami Casey and also had 10 step-grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren, and 19 great-great grandchildren. His siblings are Phyllis Dougherty, Marguerite Kruse, John Mohr, Darlene O’Brian, Joyce Steffenson and David Mohr(predeceased). He spent 35 years in banking, starting several banks and enjoyed motorhome…

Leon Anton Webrand passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in Bermuda Dunes, California, on October 2, 2024. Born on July 11, 1933, Leon led a fulfilling life marked by devotion to his family and a distinguished career. Leon was a loving husband to his late wife, Sandra Webrand, who preceded him in death on September 18, 2024, after 66 years of marriage. He was also a cherished father to his son, Blair, and respected father-in-law to Rachel. His sister, Barbara Johnson, and his parents, Vendla and Melvin Webrand, also preceded him in death. Educated at Wartburg College, Iowa,…

Valerie Christine Gramlich-Broderick, 41, of Urbandale, IA, passed away on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, surrounded by her family at the Kavanaugh House in Des Moines, IA. Valerie Christine Gramlich was born August 15th, 1983, in Waukon, IA, the daughter of Gerald (Jerry) and Mary (Berns) Gramlich. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waukon, IA. Valerie graduated from Waukon High School in 2002. Upon graduation from high school, she attended Wartburg College in Waverly, IA and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. She excelled in education and this was shown with her receiving…

Carl L. Jech10/16/1941 – 09/28/2024Carl died, serenely and with dignity, on September 28, 2024, at Coming Home Hospice in San Francisco, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born October 16, 1941 in Brainerd, MN, to Rev. Herbert and Helen Jech. He grew up in St. Paul, MN. His parents; and sister, Margaret, died before him. He is survived by longtime love, Eric Simpson; and loving family: sister, Mary; his children, Jeffrey and Dawn; his grandchildren, Mahkayla, Talisynn, Ayanna, and Scottie. He lived his life to the fullest, including as a minister, teacher, author, musician, magician, carpenter, world traveler,…

Julie Kay (Rhoades) DuVal, lifelong educator, beloved friend and devoted follower of Christ passed away at her home in Logan, Iowa on September 24, 2024, at the age of 54.  Born in Omaha, Nebraska on April 19, 1970, to D.G. and Peggy Rhoades, Julie attended Crescent Elementary, Kirn Junior High School, and Abraham Lincoln High School before continuing her studies at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. At Wartburg, Julie’s love for mathematics and education grew and she graduated with majors in mathematics education and mathematics with a minor in coaching.   Mrs. DuVal taught for 31 years in the math departments…

Patricia Sue Tiffany Hinman passed away after a lengthy illness on September 24, 2024, in McKinney, TX, where she had resided the last 14 years. Pat was born May 9, 1943, to Jessie Vonnie (Davisson) and Howard Milton Tiffany in Dumont, Iowa. She attended Chapin, Iowa, community schools until her senior year, when her school-teacher mother was forced to change teaching jobs because of school consolidation. They moved to Mondamin, Iowa, where Jessie taught for one year and Pat graduated with the class of 1961. Pat graduated from Wartburg College with a business education degree and later obtained a master’s…

Beverly left us on September 16, 2024 to dance and sing in heaven. She was born Beverly Kay Hinkel on July 19, 1943 in Waterloo, Iowa to Russell and Maxine (Foster) Hinkel. Her father was killed in WWII and later Maxine married Carl Reisner. Bev graduated from Cedar Falls High School and met her husband at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. They were married August 7, 1965 in Cedar Falls. They recently celebrated their 59 year anniversary. Bev graduated from Wartburg College with a degree in Social Work. She started teaching Special Education in the Green Bay school system. She…

Dennis Clair Bigelow, 81, of Cedar Falls, passed away at the University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics on Thursday, September 12, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born in Sumner on December 1, 1942, son of Clair and Maye (Morf) Bigelow.  Denny graduated from West Central Maynard High School with the Class of 1961, then Wartburg College in 1965 with a B.S. in Economics. On August 14, 1965, he married his fellow Wartburg Classmate and true love, Alma Marie Brunscheen, at Zion Lutheran Church in Wyoming, Iowa.  Denny worked a variety of sales and marketing jobs during his…

Arlys Lorraine Soeder December 2, 1931  –  September 11, 2024 Lorraine Soeder, age 92, of Waverly, Iowa and formerly of Denver, Iowa, died Wednesday, September 11, at Whispering Willows Care Center in Fredericksburg, Iowa. Arlys was born December 2, 1931, in Decorah, Iowa, the daughter of Helmer and Cora (Stoen) Orvella. She graduated from Decorah High School and then Luther College in Decorah where she obtained her teaching certificate. Arlys later received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wartburg College in Waverly. On August 27, 1952, Arlys was united in marriage to Wayne Soeder in Canton, South Dakota. Arlys taught country school…

Julie Irene (Whitney) Florence passed away at Boone Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from complications of necrotizing fasciitis. Julie was born on September 29, 1962, in Albany, Georgia, to James and Katherine Whitney. She grew up in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, and graduated from Southeast Polk (SEP) High School and Wartburg College. She resided in Columbia, Missouri, for most of her life. Her career as a probation/parole officer in Columbia, Missouri, was her passion, however, for the past 10 years, she was employed by MOHELA (Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority). Julie was an independent and soft-spoken person…