OBITUARIES

September 29, 2026

Shirley Melanie Yahnke, of Perry, Iowa, formerly of Frost, Minnesota, was born January 29, 1957, to John and Mae Super. Surrounded by family, Shirley passed peacefully on September 29, 2026, as her beloved granddaughter Leah read to her.

In her final days, Shirley especially enjoyed having Leah and Rebekah read to her.

Shirley grew up in Glencoe, Minnesota, as “daughter number 3,”...

September 29, 2026

Wilmer Wayne Clemens was born on April 29, 1936, to Ady and Valera Clemens in Macomb, Illinois. He graduated from Industry High School in 1954 and continued his education at Western Illinois University. After 2 years, he returned home to farm. He served in the Army from 1959 to 1961, spending most of his time in Germany.

On March 4, 1962,...

September 29, 2026

David Allen Countryman, 66, of Perry, Iowa, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer.

David was born on September 8, 1960, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Donald Wayne and Susie Mae (Bainter) Countryman. He grew up in Redfield and later made Perry his home.

On June 21, 2019, David married...

September 27, 2026

“Roy” Rahm, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, friend, and man of great faith, passed away after a remarkable life spanning more than a century (104).

Roy was born in 1922 in Algona, Iowa, to Edward and Genevieve Rahm. When he was 11 years old, his family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where he graduated from Drake University at 19.

In 1942,...

September 26, 2026

Kelly Lester, 60, passed away on September 26, 2026. Cremation rites have been accorded and no services will be held.

September 26, 2026

William (Bill) A. Robbins, 80, passed away at home surrounded by his family on September 26,

2026, under the care of WesleyLife Hospice. Cremation rites have been accorded, and a

celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Bill was born on September 21, 1946, in Evanston, Illinois, to William Frederick Robbins and

Helen Geraldine Larkin. He earned his bachelor’s degree from...

September 24, 2026

Joseph Bruce (Joe) Laurenzo, 87, passed away peacefully at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines on September 24, 2026, after a courageous battle against kidney and heart disease. Joe was born on March 17, 1939 (St. Patrick’s Day) in Des Moines, Iowa, the oldest of four children to Victor Laurenzo and Geraldean Bruce Laurenzo. Joe graduated in 1957 from Dowling...

September 23, 2026

Karen Kay Van Essen, 84, of Winterset, Iowa, passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord and Savior on September 23, 2026.

Karen was born in Madison County, Iowa, to Aaron and Lola Howell. She was raised on the family farm, where she developed a strong work ethic, enduring faith, and deep love for family that would guide her throughout her...

September 23, 2026

David Keith Braga, 68, of Winterset died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, following a medical emergency.

Dave was born in a snowstorm in Iowa Falls on Nov. 19, 1957, to Marlyn and Marcella (Rowe) Braga. He graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1976, then attended Ellsworth Community College. He met Sara Blomberg walking beans one summer, which ultimately cemented...

September 23, 2026

Gary "Dean" Longnecker, 78, of Johnston, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Dean was born February 26, 1948, in Ames, Iowa, to Edward and Kathryn (Wert) Longnecker. He grew up in Farrar with his older brother, Denny, and graduated from Bondurant-Farrar High School, where he played baseball and basketball. He went...

September 22, 2026

Ernest Roy Blood, Age 86, of Metamora, Illinois and Gallatin Gateway, Montana, passed away on September 22, 2026.

He was born March 3rd, 1940, in Polk County, Iowa the son of Frank and Meta Maria (McCallister) Blood. He married Marie Anita Poindexter on February 17, 1963, in Adel, Iowa. She survives.

Also surviving are two children: Tam (Margarita) Gutierrez-Blood of San Francisco,...

September 22, 2026

Carol Struble passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with her daughters, Jenny and Sara, by her side.

Carol was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on February 28, 1948, to Carroll and Mary Willcox.

Carol attended Roosevelt High School and was a proud cheerleader for the RoughRiders. She later attended Simpson College, where she enjoyed sorority life after joining Alpha Chi Omega,...

September 19, 2026

Bryce Webb, 76, of Winterset, Iowa, passed away on September 19, 2026, at his home.

Bryce James Webb, Sr. was born on January 8, 1950, in Earlham, Iowa, to Byron and Darlene (Slater) Webb. He graduated from Earlham High School and later proudly served his country in the United States Navy from September 2, 1969, until August 31, 1972.

Bryce worked as...

September 18, 2026

Ewa Maria Humphrey, 49, of Adel, died Friday, September 18, 2026, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, after a long fight with lymphoma.

She was born in Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Poland, and came to the United States at seventeen. She became a citizen, and she made a life here without ever letting go of the one she came from.

Ewa was happiest...

September 18, 2026

John Patti, 44, born in Belmont, MA, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2026, with his loving family at his side, following a courageous four-year battle with Central Nervous System (CNS) lymphoma. While cancer became part of his story, it never defined who he was. John will be remembered for his unwavering love of family, quiet strength, quick wit, and...

September 17, 2026

September 17, 2026

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Deborah Lynne Armstrong, age 69, of Des Moines, Iowa, who passed away on September 17th, 2026.

Debbie was born in May 1957. She graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1975 and from Simpson College in 1979. Throughout her life, Debbie lived in several places, including Altoona, Colorado, and California, before returning home to...

September 16, 2026

Anna Ayoul (57) passed away on September 16, 2026. Services are pending, check back for updated information. 

September 16, 2026

Manuel Coronel, de 63 años, de Perry, Iowa, falleció rodeado de sus seres queridos el 16 de Septiembre de 2026.

Nació el 31 de Octubre de 1962 en Oaxaca, México, hijo de Marcos y María de Jesús Coronel. Manuel creció en Oaxaca, México, y vivió en Perry, Iowa, durante más de 35 años.Le sobreviven sus hijos, Arturo, Julie y Gabriel Coronel....

September 15, 2026

Donna Louise Wells, 73, of Des Moines, passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Wesley on Grand, a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living in Des Moines.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home – Perry Chapel, 1721 Park Street, Perry, Iowa. A memorial service will be held...