The Rev. Dr. Steven Ullestad, 73, of Cedar Falls, IA died peacefully on Sunday, July 12, 2026. He was born to the Rev. Norman and Marilyn (Silvius) Ullestad on February 26, 1953, in Minneapolis, MN. Steve’s family moved often in his early years, including stops in Manly, IA, Bettendorf, IA, Salina, KS and Postville, IA, where he played on the state championship football team. In 1971 he enrolled at Wartburg College, where he met the love of his life, Ruth Schuldt, in the Wartburg Choir. After inauspicious beginnings, the two fell madly in love and were married on April 13,…

Alice Marie Vogel, age 89, of Rock Rapids, IA died Sunday, July 12, 2026, at Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids, IA. Alice Marie’s story began in Rock Rapids where she was born on June 27, 1937, to George O. and Minnie (Monson) Anderson. She grew up in Rock Rapids alongside siblings Karen and Alan, and graduated from Rock Rapids High School in 1955 among lifelong friends and with her sweetheart and future husband, Arnold Vogel. After her graduation from Wartburg College, Alice and Arnold married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids on July 13, 1957. Their first years…

Donna Mae Kemp, 89, of Waterloo passed away peacefully on July 5, 2026, at Pinnacle Specialty Care in Cedar Falls. She was born on July 23, 1936, on the family farm near Gladbrook, Iowa, the daughter of Harvey and Luverne (Christiansen) Leuthje. Donna graduated from Waterloo Eash High School and then attended Wartburg College and Gates Business College. On December 3, 1960, she was united in marriage to Bob Kemp at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The couple made their home in Waterloo where they raised their two children, Pamela and Dominic. Donna worked as a legal secretary for various lawyers…

Janice Anne (Collins) Hannemann, age 80, of Nashua died July 3, 2026, at her home in Nashua. Janice (Jan) was born on November 6, 1945, in Waverly, Iowa, the daughter of William and Alma (Lubbs) Collins. She grew up on the family farm near Janesville, where a deep appreciation for nature first took root. As the youngest of four sisters, Jan spent countless hours outdoors exploring, playing, and helping her mother around the house. It was there that she developed a lifelong love for animals, especially cats and kittens, which she happily carried around the family homestead whenever she could.…

Pastor Leon Bauer passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 2, 2026. He served as pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church (now Napa Valley Lutheran) for more than three decades. Leon Luther Bauer was born on June 8th, 1935, in Lamont, Iowa to Reverend Paul and Margaret Bauer, their first son. Leon’s family grew to include his sister, Miriam, and his brother, Paul. Leon went on to study history at Wartburg College, in Waverly, Iowa. In college, he gained an interest in track & field and became an accomplished high jumper. He also gained an interest in music. In the…

Michael Greg Waugh, born September 5, 1973, died by suicide on July 1st, 2026. He was 52. Mike was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend. He is loved, missed, mourned and remembered. Mike was born in Atlantic Iowa and spent the majority of his early life in Jefferson Iowa, graduating from Jefferson-Scranton High School in 1992. He was active, playing baseball, basketball, football, golf and participating in track & field throughout his school years and into college, and also participating in a community production of Oliver Twist, playing the title character. Mike attended Wartburg College and later earned an…

JoAnne Lee Schwarz, age 83, of Aplington, Iowa, was born the daughter of Forrest and Lillian (Easter) Stevens on November 26, 1942. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Dearborn, Michigan.  She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Dearborn in 1961 and went onto study English at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.  On August 17, 1963, JoAnne was united in marriage with James “Jim” Fredrick Schwarz at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Dearborn, Michigan. They lived in Waverly, Clarksville and settled in Aplington, Iowa.  She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. JoAnne loved decorating cakes…

LaNell Jane Brandes, 82, of Waterloo, Iowa, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2026 with her loving family by her side. LaNell Jane Bailey was born April 5, 1944 in Belmond, Iowa, the daughter of Edwin and Edna (Hansen) Bailey. She graduated in 1962 from Belmond High School. Following graduation, LaNell went on to obtain her Associates degree in Music from Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, and her Bachelor’s degree as a Music Major from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Professor Odvin Hagen, her choir director at Waldorf, called her his “first violin”, with her beautiful, high-soprano voice. She joyfully…

Ruth Ann Kobliska, 88, died peacefully on Thursday, June 27, 2026, at her home in Waverly. Ruth was born on August 13, 1937, in Waverly, Iowa, the daughter of J. Stanley and Nettie (Riepe) Eifert. She graduated from Waverly High School in 1955, Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa) in 1957, and Wartburg College in 1961. On August 21, 1961, she married the love of her life, William R. Kobliska, in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1962, Ruth and Bill moved to San Diego, California, where they lived until 2015, when they returned to Waverly. While in San…

Lois Marquerite (Philippi) Cipalo, 91, passed into our Lord’s arms on June 21, 2026 at Hawkeye Care Facility in Dubuque, Iowa. Lois was born on November 5, 1934, in Bruning, Nebraska, to Frederick M. and Laura E. (Springer) Philippi. She attended high school in Bruning, Nebraska, and then attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where she received her elementary education degree. Later, she received her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota and a certificate for Rehabilitation Administration from DePaul University in Illinois. On August 22, 1970, she married Michael (Clem) Cipalo of Blue Island, Illinois, in…

Kenneth Eugene “Ken” Brinkman, 86, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2026, surrounded by his family. Born in Charles City on May 31, 1940, Ken was the youngest of nine children born to Fred and Isabel (Hoffert) Brinkman. He graduated from Greene High School in 1958 and attended Wartburg College. He farmed near Packard for 50 years and sold DeKalb seed for 34 years before retiring to Fort Myers Beach, Florida. On July 25, 1959, Ken married Beverly Bauman, beginning a partnership that would last nearly 67 years. They were true partners in every sense of the word – raising a…

Jean Victoria Gold Menking, 99, of Alice, TX, peacefully entered the presence of her Creator and Savior on June 19, 2026. “There’s a new name in heaven, and it’s mine, oh, yes it’s mine!” so sang Jean Victoria Gold Menking as God’s angels joyously carried her into the Presence of her Creator. Born on August 13, 1926, in Nebraska City, NE, to the Rev. H. C. and Wilhelmina Gold, Jean grew up in Lytton, Iowa. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly, IA, alongside her twin sister during World War II. Completing her lifelong passion for nursing she received an RN with a BS in Nursing…