OBITUARIES

Dean Rafael Moberg was born September 23, 1991, in Des Moines, Iowa to Steve and Maria (Garcia) Moberg. Dean spent his life on Des Moines north side attending Madison Elementary school where he participated in wrestling, Harding Middle School, and North High School. A self-taught chef Dean attended the Culinary Arts Program at the Des Moines Area Community College. Dean worked in many area restaurants including Chuck’s Pizza, and for the last 6 years at Grandview University

Bruce Davidson, age 75, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on September 24, 2026. Bruce was born on October 14, 1950, in Boone, Iowa, to Russell and Helen Davidson. He attended school in Ames and graduated from Ames High School in 1970. A proud, hard worker, Bruce dedicated many years of service to both Drake University and Methodist Medical Center. Bruce fiercely loved his independence, his music, and spending his weekends cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs and the Iowa State

September 4, 1923 – September 22, 2026 Surrounded by the love of her family, Rowena Beck Arnold passed away on September 22, 2026, at the age of 103. Funeral services will be held at Merle Hay Chapel, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA 50310, on Friday, October 16 at 1:30 PM. Following the service, Rowena will be laid to rest at Chapel Hill Cemetery, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA 50310. After the burial, everyone is welcome to join the family back inside the chapel f

Novalee Joyce Klein passed away at the age of 95 on September 23, 2026. She resided at Bickford Assisted Living and Memory Care over the last two plus years and received hospice care there in her final months from Affinity Care of Iowa. Her memorial service will be held at the Merle Hay Funeral Home Chapel at 4400 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines on October 3, 2026, at (UPDATED TIME) 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to the memorial service. A luncheon will immediate

Mark (Sparky) Sparks was born to Cecil and Josephine Sparks on November 21st, 1965, in Des Moines IA, and went home to be with the Lord on September 22nd, 2026. He lived a life of joy, kindness, warmth, and doing anything he could for everyone he knew. Mark was the youngest of six children and lived all around Des Moines for his entire life. In 1986, Mark married the love of his life, Diane. They spent over 40 wonderful years together. Mark had many adventures over the yea

Robert (Bob) Snyder was born November 17, 1948, in Muscatine, Iowa, and went home to be with the Lord on September 18, 2026. Bob was born to Samuel C. and Minnie B. Snyder and lived in Muscatine for half of his life. He moved to Des Moines in 1990, where he met his loving wife, Cindy. He worked as a shipping and receiving supervisor until his retirement at the age of 65. Bob loved watching the Iowa Hawkeyes play, especially basketball, and was an avid Chicago Bears fan. When

Joe Grenko was born on January 21, 1967, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, and passed away at his home in Windsor Heights on September 16, 2026. Joe was known for his love of the Green Bay Packers and the rock band KISS. He was quick to share a smile and was always ready to give you one of his “gentle” nudges whenever he saw you. Joe had a way of bringing a little fun and laughter to those around him. When Joe wasn’t watching his beloved Packers play, he could often be f

September 6, 1937 – September 1, 2026 Lavonne Rose Pruitt, 88, of Johnston, Iowa, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at Brio of Johnston. Lavonne was born on September 6, 1937, in Beetown, Wisconsin, to Amber Arnold Beam and Lila Mae (Meyers) Beam. Throughout her life, Lavonne was a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who treasured her family. While raising her two sons, Brett and Brian, Lavonne worked as an orthodontic assistant. Her

Louise (Campbell) Collins, born Helen Louise Campbell, on October 29, 1928, to Alvin and Jessie (McNay) Campbell was born in a little one room house in Ogden, IA. At 97 years old, she passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on August 29, 2026, at the Kavanaugh House in Des Moines. She was just 2 months shy of her 98th birthday. As the third of four precious daughters, she was lovingly raised on a small farm in the countryside that she dearly loved. She also had many fond

Mary Elizabeth (Speck) Burgan, age 72, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on August 28, 2026, in Des Moines, surrounded by her loved ones. Born on November 25, 1953, in Des Moines, Mary was the daughter of Donald Paul Speck and Marjorie Marie Speck. Mary had a passion for sewing and a special love for Tigger. There truly are no words big enough to describe Mary. She was a mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, friend, and family to so many, simply because she chose to love them tha

Amy Witter age 38 James Daniel Witter age 65 Amataya Witter age 4 On July 31, 2026, Amy, James (Danny) and Amataya (Mati) Witter accompanied each other into heaven due to a motor vehicle accident in Kendall County Illinois. Amy and Danny raised their three daughters at their home in Des Moines, Iowa. Amy Witter, age 38, was born to William and Kay Witter in Des Moines, Iowa where she grew up graduating from North High School. Amy was employed by VA Central Iowa Healthcare Sys

Martha A. Fitzgerald, age 78, passed away on August 23, 2026. Martha was born on May 5, 1948, in Sac City, Iowa, to David and Evelyn Fitzgerald. She dedicated much of her life to caring for others through a long and meaningful career in nursing. Martha began her nursing career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and continued her education, earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and later a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). She spent most of her nursing career at Io

Marcia June Laird Foreman, 82, passed away surrounded by her loving family. She leaves behind cherished memories, beloved traditions, and a lasting legacy of love. She was born Marcia June Laird on June 11, 1944, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Norvell James Laird and Olga Martha Petersen. She grew up alongside her brother, Nolan James Laird. From an early age, Marcia was spirited, caring, and independent. During her school years, she participated in Concert Chorus and the Roosevelt

Marilyn Jane Browne, 91, died August 24, 2026, at Madrid Home in Madrid, Iowa. She was born on October 16, 1934, in Madison, South Dakota to Lester and Myrtle Robbins. Marilyn was raised in Howard, South Dakota alongside siblings Dick and Janet. Marilyn was a 1952 graduate of Howard High School. Upon graduating High School Marilyn attended the University of South Dakota, pledging Alpha Phi Sorority. The following year Marilyn attended Nettleton College in Sioux Falls, South D

Duane Dale Stoll, age 92, passed away on August 20,2026, surrounded by the love of his family. He lived a life of joy and laughter and never met a stranger. Whether standing in the grocery line, at the gas pump, checking out a new campground or at the Iowa State Fair. He had a gift of gab and always had a twinkle in his eyes. We invite family and friends to join us in honoring and celebrating the life of Duane, a life so deeply loved and cherished. Visitation will be held on

Donna Burr Sease, 71, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on August 20, 2026, at UnityPoint Health – Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Donna was born on December 29, 1954, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Richard and Betty (Taylor) Burr. Throughout her life, Donna was known for her love of family, her caring nature, and the joy she found in simply spending time with those she loved. Donna worked for Wells Fargo for 20 years and also briefly worked for the Des Moines Register.

2 de enero de 1952 – 14 de agosto de 2026 Con profundo pesar y con la esperanza que nos brinda la fe, la familia de Florentina Leiva Hernández anuncia su fallecimiento. Florentina fue llamada a la Casa del Padre el 14 de agosto de 2026, rodeada del amor de su familia en Broadlawns Medical Center, en Des Moines, Iowa. Florentina nació el 2 de enero de 1952 en San Vicente, El Salvador. A lo largo de su vida fue una mujer admirable, humilde y sencilla, cuya fortaleza y persevera

Joseph Dean Alcala was born on December 28, 1960, in Sterling, Colorado. He passed away on July 24, 2026, at the VA Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. Dean spent most of his life in Des Moines, where he was known for his caring heart and willingness to help anyone in need. Family was the center of his life, and he treasured every moment spent with those he loved. In his free time, Dean enjoyed drawing, painting, and cooking, finding joy in creating and sharing with others. Dean pr

Sherry Ann Worster Hopkins 79 passed away on July 13, at Westbrook Acres in Gladbrook Iowa where she had been a resident since 2020. Prior to moving to Westbrook, she had been a long-time resident of Des Moines. She was born on April 30, 1947, the first child of Dr. C.E. Worster and Mary Frances Pauk Worster. Sherry was a graduate of North High School in Des Moines, Iowa in the class of 1965. She attended the University of Iowa where she received her BS in Psychology in 1972

Marijane “Jane” Felse, 101, passed away from natural causes August 3, 2026, while proudly living independently in her own home. Jane was born April 1, 1925, to RuthThelma and Raymond Maxwell in Louisville, Kentucky. The family moved to Iowa in 1930, and she spent the rest of her life in Des Moines. In 1942 she married Richard (Dick) Felse and they spent 70 happy years together until his passing in 2012. Jane is survived by their daughter Susan Pencoske of Great Fal