Obituaries
Thelma Esther Belknap
Thelma Esther Belknap, 83, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 21, 2020 at the Ft. Dodge Villa Care Center following an extended illness.Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton. Masks are required and social distancing must be observed. Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton with Pastor Matt Hantz officiating. JoAnn R. Piebenga
JoAnn Ruth Piebenga was called home to Heaven on July 16, 2020. She drew her last breath surrounded by her husband, Wayne, and her daughter, Kathy.JoAnn was born on June 23, 1938 in Vinton, Iowa to Milo and Dorthea Offt. JoAnn grew up with loving parents and siblings who all helped around the farm at a young age.After moving from Iowa to South Dakota, JoAnn spent her days as a Safeway checker. Laura Townsend-Edler
Laura Townsend-Edler, 55, of Gladbrook, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, at Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center, Iowa. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown, Iowa. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until the time of the services. Due to concerns regarding COVID-19, the family encourages the use of Anderson Funeral Homes livestream to view the service. Dorothy Marie (Selken) Ellis
Dorothy Marie (Selken) Ellis, 96, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at Westridge Care Center in Cedar Rapids, IowaPrivate family Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul Catholic church in Newhall, with Rev. Craig Steimel as Celebrant. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Van Horne. Dorothy was born August 28, 1924 to Henry and Mary (Junge) Selken in Keystone. Frances "Fran" Betty Foxen
Frances "Fran" Betty Foxen, 77, of Anamosa, passed away Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. Her memorial service will be held graveside at 1 p.m. Dec. 5 at Holy Cross Cemetery in Anamosa. The service will be officiated by Father Nick March.Fran was born Aug. 21, 1943, in Vinton, Iowa. She enjoyed reading and the outdoors. She was a great mentor and enjoyed helping others. Bernadine Nelson Barr
Bernadine Nelson Barr, 93, passed away on Tuesday, November 17 at St Luke’s Hospital after a brief illness. Interment and ceremony will take place for family and friends on Friday, November 20 at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton at 11 am. The ceremony will be officiated by Pastor Leonard Ranson of Salem United Methodist Church, Van Horne. Bernadine was born on the family farm northwest of Van Horne on February 5, 1927 to Frank and Minerva (Grimm) Nelson. Donald C. Kerker
Donald C Kerker, 90, of Newhall Iowa passed away Monday, November 16, 2020 at home in the loving arms of his family, due to complications of the corona virus. Among those waiting to welcome him to his heavenly home was his daughter Debra Kay who died at age 25 of cancer, son Danny Joe who died at 9 days old, his granddaughter Courtney, his parents and his brother Richard. Joseph Thomas Basso
Joseph Thomas Basso was born June 27, 1948 in Brooklyn, New York to Carmin and Anna (Ponchek) Basso. Joseph died on November 14, 2020 after a long battle with health issues.He was a Veteran serving 4 years in the United States Navy.He held many different jobs, tuckpointing, bartender, taxi driver, officer of Superior Court as a process server just to name a few. Marilyn Ann (Miller) Conway
Marilyn Ann (Miller) Conway was born May 5th, 1928 in Keystone, Iowa in her childhood home. She was the only child of Arnold Miller and Alice and Arthur Schneider. Arthur was a blessed presence in her life. Marilyn graduated from Keystone High School with the class of 1946. On April 10th, 1947, she married the love of her life, Francis Richard “Dick” Conway. Donald Grovert
Donald Grovert, 97, of Newhall, Iowa, passed from his earthly life to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 15, 2020. Private funeral services will be held November 19, 2020, at St. John Lutheran Church, Newhall, Iowa. Rev. Steven Rempfer will officiate. Burial will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, rural Newhall. Military graveside services will be conducted by John Ward McGranahan American Legion Post 167 of Newhall, Iowa, and Iowa Military Funeral Honors.