OBITUARIES

It is with great sadness that the family of Duane H. Fick announces his passing at the age of 96 on December 23, 2025, at Azria Care Center in Winterset, Iowa. Duane was born on May 19, 1929, to Herman and Mary Fick. In 1952, Duane married Emma Curry in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. After retiring from Firestone, Duane enjoyed spending his time on the golf course, as well as hunting and fishing with family and friends. Duane is survived by his children: Connie (Dennis) Loftus of New

James (Jim) Kendrick, 58, passed away on December 20, 2025, at the Des Moines Rehabilitation Center. Jim was born on December 8, 1967, at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. He graduated from Garrigan High School in Algona, Iowa, in 1985. Jim was an avid sports fan and gifted sports statistician who especially loved the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Iowa Cubs. Jim also loved watching NASCAR. His favorite sport was racquetball, and he was also a big

Troy Harsh, born October 5, 1971, in Iowa City, Iowa, passed away on December 19, 2025, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa surrounded by his loved ones.    Troy was the son of Ronald Harsh and Bonnie Witt and was preceded in death by his parents and his best friend, Dusty.   Troy was born with a heart of gold—work boots laced up and a few tattoos to match. He spent most of his life in the Des Moines metro area but loved country living the most. He was passionate abou

Lennart Boettcher, born November 12, 1937, in Storm Lake, Iowa, passed away on December 10, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. He was raised and educated in Storm Lake and grew up on the Boettcher family farm, where he learned the values of hard work, humility, and service to others. On June 14, 1959, Lennart was united in marriage to Wanda (Cundiff) at Zion Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. The couple began their life together in Storm Lake before moving to Bagley and later to Perry. I

Dennis Lee Mielke, 73, of Ankeny, Iowa, passed away on December 6, 2025, at Bethany Life in Story City. Dennis was born on December 3, 1952, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Walter “Bud” and Margaret Mielke. Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on Thursday, December 11 from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Merle Hay Chapel Funeral Home, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, Iowa 50310, to share memories and offer support to one another. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December

Patricia Ann Smith, 73, passed away on December 4, 2025, at the Altoona Nursing & Rehab Center after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on March 23, 1951, at Boone Hospital in Boone, Iowa, and throughout her life she remained devoted to her family, her work, and the simple joys that brought her happiness. A loving mother and grandmother, Patricia, was known for her strength, her dedication, and her generous heart. As a hardworking single mother, she built a meaning

Norma Brodie, born January 14, 1937, in Burlington, Iowa, passed away on December 3, 2025, at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center, Iowa. She grew up on her family’s farm near New London, where her happy spirit, quick wit, and love of music and learning first took shape. A 1954 graduate of New London High School, Norma participated in student council, band, and choir. She   went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in education and later a master’s degree in business education from Io

Alice Marie Beardsley, 97, of Ankeny Iowa, passed from this world to her eternal home in heaven on Friday, November 28, 2025, at Mill Pond Care Center in Ankeny. Alice was born on October 6, 1928, in Barney, Iowa; she was the daughter of Orra E. Berry and Margaret “Pearl” Berry. Alice attended school in the Winterset school district. Alice was united in marriage with her husband, Wilbur “Junior” Beardsley on May 9, 1948, at the Methodist Parsonage in Winterset, Iowa. Alice ha

Giles Vincent Miller, 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at the Kavanagh Hospice House.   A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 20, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. at the Merle Hay Funeral Home Chapel, 4400 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1230 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines. Burial will follow at Corpus Christi Cemetery in Fort Dodge.   Giles was born on April 16

April 30, 1963—November 5, 2025   Bradley Joseph Hickok, known as Brad or B2 by friends and family, passed unexpectedly on the morning of November 5, 2025. Brad was born April 30, 1963 in Charles City, Iowa to Sally Jo (Sperry) and William R Hickok. He enjoyed automotive work, working at Amoco service stations when young. He moved on to open his own business, Metro Towing, growing the service for more than a decade before deciding to retrain in IT. Brad earned an Associate’s

Johnston, Iowa   Ellen Mae Barr, 84, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 2, 1941, in Perry, Iowa, to Frank and Margie Lamp.   Some of her happiest moments were spent outdoors with her family on countless camping trips that turned into treasured memories and lifelong stories.   A master quilter and talented seamstress, Ellen poured her heart into every project she created. Her beautifully designed quilts and the one

Joan Theresa (Gray) Hallman passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Walnut Ridge Senior Living Community in Clive.  She was 90 years old. Joan was born November 29, 1934, in Britt, IA with her twin brother, Jerry.  Losing her mother at a young age, she was raised by her dad along with her 10 siblings in Corwith, IA.  She was blessed to be a part of this big, loving family and had countless wonderful memories of time spent at the farm learning lif

William Lee Sherman, 84, was born February 6, 1941, in Buckeye, Iowa, the first son of William Marion and Sybil Sheets Sherman.  He died October 27, 2025 of Alzheimer’s-related complications at Luther Park in Des Moines.  The family moved to Chapin, Hampton, Newburg, and Grinnell as his parents taught and administered in these schools.  He graduated from Grinnell High School in 1959, and earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Iowa.  During high schoo

A Funeral service for Harvey will be celebrated at 11am on Monday, November 3, 2025, at St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church, 4600 Meredith Drive, Des Moines, Iowa with a luncheon following at the parish hall. Visitation will begin at 10am prior to the service. A private family Military graveside service will be held at 1:30pm at Merle Hay Chapel Hills Cemetery, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, Iowa.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary of Nazareth Catho

Marguerite Harris passed away peacefully at home on October 24, 2025. She was 97 years old.   Born an only child on August 8, 1928, to Mrs. Lorena Haggerty in Utica, New York, Marguerite grew up in Iowa. While attending North High School, she met and fell in love with Robert Harris. They married in November of 1946, shortly after he joined the United States Marine Corps. Together, they raised four children while navigating the joys and challenges of military life before final

Con profundo pesar, la familia Avendaño–Martínez comunica el fallecimiento de María Martínez García, quien nació el 1 de junio de 1962 en San Agustín Amatengo, Oaxaca, México, y partió a la casa del Padre el 13 de octubre de 2025. María fue una mujer de fe inquebrantable, esposa amorosa y madre ejemplar. Estuvo casada por 40 años con su amado esposo Neftalí Avendaño, con quien formó una hermosa familia de cinco hijos. Durante su vida en México, María disfrutaba ayudar a su es

Donald “Don” Russell Graves, Sr. was born on March 10, 1935, at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, and transitioned peacefully on August 26, 2025, at Methodist Hospital. Don met the love of his life, Mary Jane (Collier) Graves, at a young age. He was from what is affectionately known as Des Moines’ west side, and she hailed from the east side. Although they attended rival high schools — Don at Tech High and Mary Jane at East High — their love transcended boundaries and e

A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Merle Hay Funeral Home, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, Iowa, with burial to follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery. Connie Henry, 62, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on October 8, 2025, in Des Moines. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend whose loving heart and strong faith touched everyone she met. Connie was born on March 15, 1963, in D

A Funeral service for Donna will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Merle Hay Funeral Home, 4400 Merle Hay Rd,...

In Loving Memory of Betty Jean Bell October 23, 1939 – October 2, 2025 Betty Jean Bell, 85, of Urbandale, Iowa, passed away peacefully on...