OBITUARIES

October 21, 2026

October 21, 2026

Patricia Lorine (Francke) Bengtson, affectionately known as Pat, passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at the age of 78.

Pat was born on August 25, 1948, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Philip and Gloria (Gibbs) Francke. She graduated from St. Joseph's Academy and later met her husband, Barry, while working at Allied Insurance.

Pat cherished spending time with family and her...

October 20, 2026

Keith Gunzenhauser, 93, died October 20, 2026 in Urbandale, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 11am on Tuesday, October 27, at the Van Meter United Methodist Church, with visitation at the church from 10-11am, and lunch following the service at the American Legion Reception Center in Van Meter.

Keith was born on October 19, 1933, in Humeston, Iowa, to...

October 20, 2026

Louanne (Irving) Williams, 70, of Clive, passed away unexpectedly on October 20, 2026.

To know Mom was to know love. She had the kindest soul you could ever meet and lived her life in service to others, not because she felt obligated to, but simply because that was who she was. There wasn’t an errand she wouldn’t run or a person...

October 19, 2026

With deep love, we announce the passing of Lois Marie Drey, 80, of Clive, Iowa, a woman of devout faith and immense love, on October 19, 2026. Born in Carroll, Iowa, on June 14, 1946, the daughter of the late Albert and Dorothy Kennebeck, Lois was an exceptionally intelligent, strong and loving woman, who grew up on a farm near...

October 19, 2026

Juma Malway Mayen Deng, 33, of Waukee, IA, passed away, Sunday, October 18, 2026 at UnityPoint Health - Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. Services are pending at this time. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family through the crowdfunding link provided on the...

October 19, 2026

Donald Eugene Abshire, age 80, was born on July 12, 1946, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Donald Lee Abshire and Virginia Ruth (Nester) Abshire. He passed away on October 19, 2026.

On October 28, 1968, Don married Rhonda Bough, beginning a lifelong journey of love, faith, and devotion. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Stephen (Lydia) and Scott (Mary).

Don faithfully served...

October 18, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Billy Thomas Daman, lovingly known as “Uncle Bill,” on October 18, 2026, at the age of 61. Billy was associated with Harmony in West Des Moines, Iowa. 

Billy enjoyed the things that made life special to him, including working on cars, attending car shows, spending time outdoors, and being surrounded...

October 18, 2026

Conan Pinkstaff, 72, of West Des Moines, IA passed peacefully at home under the care of UnityPoint Hospice on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Cremation rites have been accorded and no services are planned at this time.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to support their local library, a place that means so much to...

October 18, 2026

We are saddened to announce the passing of Vonna Lee (Houska) Kline, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, who entered eternal rest peacefully in her home surrounded by the love of family on Sunday, October 18th at the age of 73. Vonna resided in West Des Moines, Iowa. Vonna was born on June 29, 1953 in Armour, South Dakota...

October 16, 2026

Ivan Sanchez-Lopez passed away on October 16, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. A funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (1627 Grand Ave, West Des Moines) on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Check back for a complete obituary. 

October 16, 2026

Ronald "Gravy" A. Cochran, 62, of Redfield, IA, passed away surrounded by family on Friday, October 16, 2026, at EveryStep Kavanaugh House. A visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home - Adel Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, October 23, 2026,...

October 16, 2026

Ronald Ellis Edwards, 87, passed away on October 16, 2026 at Wesley on Grand in Des Moines, IA. Ron was born February 21, 1939. His parents Roy and Gretta Edwards had just returned to Iowa after homesteading in central Montana. Ron was born and grew up on a farm in Viola Township in northeast Audubon County. He graduated, in a...

October 15, 2026

Barry Dale Neubauer passed away on October 15, 2026. He was born on December 26, 1958 (his grandpa Dale Case's birthday), in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the son of Ralph Neubauer and Elizabeth (Case) Neubauer.

Barry graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1977. After graduation, he began his career in bridge construction, working for Welden Brothers, Inc. in Iowa Falls....

October 15, 2026

Cleo Johanna (Renze) Heithoff, 91, who was born September 9, 1935 in Carroll, Iowa and passed away peacefully on October 15, 2026 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Cleo was the daughter of Clem Theodor Renze and Clara Emma (Miller) Renze of Carroll, Iowa where she attended and graduated from St. Angela Academy in 1953.

On May 14, 1955, Cleo married LaVerne Edward Heithoff...

October 14, 2026

Yulisa Rocsana Diaz Baltazar, amada y preciosa hija de Edvin Diaz Bail y Flora Baltazar Baltazar, nació el 12 de agosto de 2026 en Des Moines, Iowa. Después de tan solo nueve cortas semanas de vida, Yulisa falleció el miércoles 14 de octubre de 2026 en Des Moines, Iowa.

Yulisa nació con complicaciones en su corazón y pulmones, por lo que...

October 14, 2026

Teresa Karen Towy Hunter Crouse Bearinger, 74, of Urbandale, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, just two days shy of her 75th birthday.

Teresa was born on October 16, 1951, in Atlantic, Iowa, to John and Jane Joline (Torbert) Hunter. She grew up in Atlantic and graduated from Atlantic High School in 1969. Atlantic would remain a community...

October 14, 2026

Lillian Dolores Lawson, age 97, of Waukee, IA passed peacefully at home under the care of Sacred Encounter Hospice on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Dr. Adel, IA 50003.

Lillian was preceded in death by her loving husband William "Gerry" Lawson...

October 13, 2026

Susan "Sue" E. LePard, 83, of Winterset, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Azria Health in Winterset.

Sue was born in Davenport, Iowa on March 18, 1943, to Henry and Charlene (King) Lakin. She was raised in Des Moines and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1961.

On March 30, 1962, Sue was united in marriage to R. Bruce...

October 12, 2026

Verneice Nelson (86) passed away on October 12, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. A memorial homegoing celebration will be held at St. Paul AME Church (1201 Day Street, Des Moines) on October 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be held and hour prior. Burial will be held at Forest Hills & Calvary Cemetery in Kansas City, MO, later...