Cheryl Anne Matthias, age 81, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2024. Born on June 23, 1943, in Oelwein, Iowa, to Soren and Vermilia Sorensen, Cheryl lived a life dedicated to education, counseling, and her family. Cheryl is survived by her loving husband, Robert Matthias; her children, Tanya (Ed Kennedy) Matthias and Brock (Nicole) Matthias; her grandchildren Owen, Kira, Soren, and Brody and her sister, Beverly Sorensen. Her family will forever cherish the memories of her warm smile, infectious laugh and compassionate nature. A lifelong learner and educator, Cheryl graduated from Wartburg College in Iowa with a…

Susan Mae Smolik was born in Osage, Iowa in October of 1970. Her dad was working in the field when her mom went into labor, so her mom had to fetch him. He rushed her to the hospital and then went down the street to his brother’s to wash up. He came back 15 minutes later and the nurse handed him his daughter as he walked in. He told her she couldn’t be his, but she assured him that she indeed was. Suz was in a hurry to begin making her mark on the world! She began that mark-making in…

Charles Vern Layton September 30, 1958 — July 7, 2024 Rev. Charles Vern Layton (65) of Cedar Rapids. Christ called on St. Peter three times to feed his sheep before Peter got the message. With a BA from Wartburg College, Chuck Layton first planned to teach singing with his clear, strong voice. He loved singing but not teaching. Next, he thought to survive by his hobbies of fixing old vacuums and refurbishing old fountain pens – wishful thinking. Finally, he heard his true calling. He received his Master of Divinity at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary and in 1987…

Merwin Richard Dieckmann, MD, 95, of Macon, formerly of Waterloo, Iowa, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2024. Merwin was born November 30, 1928 in Clarksville, Iowa to the late Louis F. and Esther Clara Nordmeyer Dieckmann. The family later moved to Waterloo in 1941. Merwin graduated from West Waterloo High School in 1946. At the age of 17, his world changed forever when he met Betty Jane Baker during a youth play at Trinity Lutheran Church titled “Things Do Happen.” And, so it did… Merwin enrolled at Wartburg College after graduation, but transferred after one year to Iowa State…

Jennifer A. Downing (nee Greenley), 72, of Mount Laurel, NJ, passed away on July 2, 2024 surrounded by her family at Virtua Hospital in Marlton, NJ.Jen was born on April 13, 1952 in Des Moines, Iowa to parents Jack & Ethelmae (nee Johnson) Greenley. After Jen graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1970, she continued her education and earned her undergraduate degree in social work at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. She eventually went on to earn her Master of Social Work at Ohio State University.While at Wartburg College, she met the love of her life, Brian. They were married…

Barbara M. Henkel, age 86, of Hawthorn Woods, IL, passed away on June 29, 2024. Barbara was born on Sept 3, 1937 to Howard and Mabel Gollnick in Cedarburg, WI. In 1955 Barbara graduated from Cedarburg High School and went on to study Art and Music Education at Wartburg College. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1959 with a BS in Art Education. She furthered her educational years later with an MA in Education from Illinois University. Her teaching career began in Crystal Lake, IL. She would later teach Art for 23 years at MacArthur Junior High School…

Ruth Schaff September 27, 1934 – June 25, 2024 Ruth Schaff (nee Clark), beloved woman of faith, age 89 of Omaha, Nebraska, went home to be with the Lord, on June 25, 2024. Born in Peoria, IL in 1934, Ruth was a graduate of Wartburg College in Waverly, IA, where she earned a degree in Medical Laboratory Science. She was married to Robert Schaff, a dedicated Lutheran pastor who served congregations in Cook, NE, Gothenburg, NE, and finally at the Lutheran Church of the Master in Omaha, NE. She devoted her life to caring for her family and cherished moments…

Glenyce M. Scherer (nee Schneider) died June 24, 2024, in Chanhassen, MN. Glenyce was born January 7, 1936, to Paul and Lydia Schneider of Waterloo, IA. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly, IA, after which her adventurous spirit drew her to California to teach. On January 1, 1959, she married David Scherer and together they built a life of service for the Lord. Their adventures included teaching in private Christian schools prior to accepting a call to the mission field of Papua New Guinea. After a six-year term they returned to the United States where Glenyce resumed teaching in elementary…

Kay Ann Armstrong (nee Johannsen), 84, of Meramec Bluffs Assisted Living in Ballwin, Missouri died Saturday, June 22, 2024.  She was born in Clinton, Iowa and spent her youth in the farming community of Welton, Iowa where she graduated class valedictorian from Welton High School in 1957. Kay spent two years at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa before transferring to Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois where she completed her teaching degree.  On May 5, 1962 she married Paul Armstrong, whom she met through a mutual friend.  Together they shared 62 incredible years and raised three sons, David, Neal, and…

Larry Dean Ray, 79, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at Lantern Park Nursing & Rehab Center in Coralville, Iowa.  Larry Dean Ray was born on October 10th, 1944, at John McDonald Hospital, in Monticello, Iowa.  He was the son of Robert and Nellie (Nagle) Ray. He graduated from Monticello Community Schools in 1963.  Larry served proudly in the United States Army for three years, with two tours in Germany.  He attended Wartburg College, and then finished his last year at Mt. Mercy College where he achieved his business degree.  Larry worked two years at…

Rev. Myrin Bentz passed away on June 19, 2024 in The Dalles, Oregon. Myrin was born November 10, 1935 and was 88 at the time of his passing. All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.

Darrel Walter Hinrichs December 2, 1946  –  June 13, 2024 Darrel Walter Hinrichs, 77, of Blair WI, and formerly of Waverly, IA died Thursday, June 13 at his home. Darrel was born December 2, 1946 in Waverly, Iowa, the son of Walter and Margaret (Wedemeier) Hinrichs. He grew up on the family farm and attended high school in Tripoli where he was an accomplished athlete. He graduated in 1965 and then attended Wartburg College. Darrel married Sheila Connell in 1966, and together they had 4 children Shannon, Ryan, Suzanne and Amanda. He farmed and worked for publishing companies in Waverly and Fort…