OBITUARIES

Juliana Fileto nació el 19 de junio de 1940 en Atotonilco Durango, Mexico y partió a la vida eterna el 13 de mayo de 2026 en MercyOne Hospital en Des Moines. A lo largo de sus 85 años, Juliana vivió una vida profundamente arraigada en su fe católica y dedicada por completo a su familia. Fue una mujer de bondad y compasión inquebrantables, que creó un hogar cálido y amoroso para su esposo, hijos y nietos. Su mayor alegría provenía de compartir su fe y valores con sus seres que

Jessica Henderson, age 40, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on Saturday May 9th surrounded by her family and her best friend, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and deep connection that will continue to live on in the hearts of everyone who knew her. Jessica was a beautiful soul with the biggest heart. She had a rare gift for making people feel seen, loved, and important. Whether someone was family, a lifelong friend, or a complete stranger, Jessica showed up for pe

Gerald (Jerry) Thomas Farrell (86) went to the Lord peacefully on March 21st, 2026, in the company of loved ones. Born on January 4th, 1940, in Des Moines, Iowa, Jerry lived a full life, wearing many hats. He had an entrepreneurial spirit early on and started his own real estate brokerage company, owned and operated a semi-truck and managed some major warehouse operations. He moved with Proctor & Gamble to Greensboro, NC where he started a business re-selling test strips. He

April 5, 1942 — May 2, 2026 • ——— • ——— • Bhikhiben Vallabhbai Patel, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the age of 84. Born on April 5, 1942, in India, Bhikhiben lived a life defined by love, resilience, and dedication to her family. Bhikhiben was born and raised in India, where she grew into a woman of strength and curiosity. She married her husband, Vallabhbhai Patel, and together they built a life rooted i

Salvador Medina Flores nació el 25 de junio de 1946 en El Plateado de Joaquín Amaro, Zacatecas. El 30 de abril de 2026 fue llamado a la casa del Padre, rodeado del amor de su familia y en la paz de su hogar. Salvador fue un esposo, padre y abuelo ejemplar, un hombre trabajador y luchador que siempre se esforzó por brindar lo mejor a su familia. Junto a su amada compañera de vida por más de 50 años, María Isabel Medina, formó un hogar lleno de amor y criaron a sus cuatro hijas

Sally A. Vandivier, 76, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at her home. Services were held Saturday, May 2 at 10:00 a.m. at Merle Hay Chapel, 4400 Merle Hay Road, with Pastor Anitra Horn officiating. Sally was born May 28, 1949. She is survived by her sister, Jackie Vandivier of Ankeny, Iowa; and her nephews, Bill Vandivier of Ankeny, Mike Miller of Woodbury, Minnesota, and Keith West of Des Moines, Iowa. Merle Hay Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Adriana Maria Volbrecht, lovingly known as Andi to those who cherished her, passed away on April 24, 2026, at the Kavanaugh House, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and strength. A visitation and celebration of Adriana’s life will be held on Saturday, May 2nd, from 2 PM to 6 PM at the Merle Hay Chapel (4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA 50310). Born on January 8, 1992, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, IA, Adriana was a beacon of empathy and resilience. She spent much of

Francisco Ortiz was born on August 21, 1943, in Irapuato, Guanajuato. He passed away on April 24, 2026, at home. Francisco was full of life and deeply valued his family and faith. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with loved ones. Some of his favorite pastimes included gatherings with family and friends, listening to music, playing cards, and making carnitas and chicharrones. He will be remembered for his warmth, dedication, and the joy he brought to those around him. He

Frank Duane Calhoon, 88, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on April 10, 2026, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. He was born on October 19, 1937, in Exira, Iowa. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Merle Hay Funeral Home Chapel, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, Iowa. Frank's life was marked by a defining moment of remarkable courage and determination. In 1965, while working on a roof, he fell three stories, shattering

Judith (Judy) Ann Wyatt Dunker , 86, was born May 13, 1939, in Sterling, Illinois, the only child of Harry and Evelyn Wyatt. She grew up in Sterling and later attended Drake University in Des Moines, where she earned a teaching degree and met her husband, Dr. Richard Bruce Dunker. They were married June 25, 1961, and built a life centered on family, friendship, and shared experiences. Judy was the mother of four children: Lisa (Gregg) Shivers, Tyler (Jessica) Dunker, Jill

Patricia Ann Ferguson, 81, passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at home in Ankeny, Iowa. Pat was born on October 25, 1944, to Frank and Marguerite (Kornmeier) Allen in El Paso, Texas. A Memorial service will be at St. Francis of Assisi, West Des Moines, on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 10 AM, immediately followed by a time for fellowship at the church. Interment will take place at a later date at Chapel Hill Gardens in Des Moines. Pat grew up in a military family, living

Cynthia Jean Reynolds, age 74, was born on February 2, 1952, in Alexander, Iowa, to Jacob and Amelia Stoffer. She passed away peacefully at home on March 28, 2026. Cynthia enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved being part of their lives, especially cheering them on in their sports and dance activities. She also enjoyed cooking, gardening, and caring for her beloved pets. Cytnhia loved cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes. She is survived by her children, Aaron Reynolds and

Janice Beth Swanson, born on March 7, 1940, passed away on March 25, 2026, from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. Janice spent her working life as a loyal legal secretary, working for many years with Attorney Paul Ahlers at the Ahlers Law Firm. In her personal life, Janice always wanted to help others and was unfailingly kind. She enjoyed playing clarinet in the Urbandale Community Band and loved her cats, Smokey and Bandit. Janice had been a resident of Scottish Rite Par

Wanda Maxine Collins, 74, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on March 18, 2026, in Des Moines due to multiple health issues. A celebration of Wanda’s life will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Merle Hay Funeral Home Chapel, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, Iowa. She was born on March 29, 1951, in Des Moines to Roy and Lucille Collins. Wanda was raised and educated in Des Moines, where she spent her life surrounded by family, friends, and the com

Robert Loren Beeler Sr. (Bob), age 83, born January 10, 1943, passed away unexpectedly after suffering a heart attack. He leaves behind a family and community who will miss him dearly. Bob was a man who could fix just about anything. A proud union electrician who later served as a foreman for the Des Moines Public Schools, he was known as a true handyman—crafty in every trade and always willing to lend a hand. If something was broken, he took pride in figuring out how to make

A funeral service for Douglas will be held on Friday, March 6 at 12:00 at Merle Hay Funeral Home (4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA 50310). Following the service, there will be a committal service with military honors out in the cemetery. Douglas Leon Sheldahl was born on 12 Sep 1944 in Des Moines, IA to RB Lorn and Twyla Sheldahl. He is defined as a Christian, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Civil Engineer and Navy Seabee Combat Veteran. Doug was raised in Grimes and star

Service Information Location: Merle Hay Chapel 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA 50310 Date: Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 Time: 2pm Final Resting Place: Glendale Cemetery 4909 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311 Friends and Family Gathering (after funeral): Tai Village 4200 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50310 The family of Noi Lovan acknowledges with sincere appreciation the comforting messages, personal tributes, and other expressions of kindness during this d

El Pastor Manuel Deciderio Yanqui nació el 4 de noviembre de 1968 en Ecuador y partió al descanso eterno el 28 de febrero de 2026. “ He peleado la buena batalla, he acabado la carrera, he guardado la fe. ”— 2 Timoteo 4:7 El Pastor Manuel Yanqui fue un siervo fiel de Dios que amaba profundamente las almas. Se distinguió por su pasión, entrega total y obediencia al llamado divino. Sin importar las circunstancias a su alrededor, permanecía firme en su misión. No había distancia

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 1, 2026, from noon until 6:00 pm at the Merle Hay Funeral Home Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 10:00 am at the Saint Ambrose Cathedral, 607 High Street, Des Moines. Burial will be in the Chapel Hill Gardens Cemetery.

Emorgelia Suazo nació en Esquías Comayagua Honduras el 10 de agosto de 1940 y paso al descanso eterno el 21 de febrero del 2026 en Des Moines, Iowa. Con profundo amor recordamos la vida de nuestra querida Emorgelia, una mujer ejemplar que dejó una huella imborrable en todos los que tuvimos la dicha de conocerla. Fue una hija amorosa, una madre dedicada y una abuela extraordinaria, siempre presente con palabras de aliento, consejos sabios y un corazón lleno de ternura. Su vida