Obituaries

Darlene Mae (Geiger) Werning, 91, passed away on Monday August 12, 2024, at her daughter’s home in rural Vinton.       A memorial visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 PM, Monday, August 19, 2024 at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street) in Vinton.  Private family interment will be held at Big Grove Cemetery, at a later date.

Sandra Jean Christensen, 86 of Belle Plaine, IA passed away Thursday, August 8, 2024, at her home.Sandra was born February 25, 1938, in Waterloo, IA the daughter of Harold William and Lavera (Peters) Holloway. At an early age she moved with her family to Cedar Rapids where she graduated from Franklin High School. Following school, she joined a traveling band singing her way around the Midwest.

Geraldine Marie Sternitzke, 92, was born January 26, 1932 in Norway, Iowa to John Adam and Mary Ann (Schroeder) Schulte. She passed away on August 9, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by the love of her life Donald Lee Sternitzke after 59 years of marriage and by her sister Madonna and brother Francis. She is survived by her son Kent (BG) and daughters Mary Ellen (Cheyenne, Wyoming) and Tera (Hinsdale, Illinois), by her grandchildren Kendra, Erin, Corey and Noah Shamley (WY) and Anna, Matthew and William Mazure (IL), and one great granddaughter Fox Shamley (WY).

Grant Wessling, age 94, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 5, 2024, at the Keystone Nursing Care Center, with his loving family by his side. Private Family Funeral services will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall, with Rev. Nick Palmer and Rev. Steven Rempfer officiating.  Interment will be held at St. John Cemetery, Newhall.

Helen Louise (Hennies) Folkmann, 101, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2024 at Keystone Nursing Care Center.  She was surrounded by loving family and compassionate caregivers during her last days and at the time of her passing.The family will hold a visitation on Sunday, August 11 from 2-5 pm at Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone, Iowa.  Funeral services will be held at St.

Reginald “Reggie” D. Busch, 37, of Marion passed away on Sunday, August 4th unexpectedly at the home of his parents.Funeral services will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone on Wednesday, August 14th, at 11:00 AM with Rev. Josiah Schultz officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM prior to the service on Wednesday.

On August 3, 2024, Joseph “Joe” Lee Meyne left his family to be with his Lord and Savior. He passed at Harmony House in Waterloo, of a sudden illness. A private burial and military service will take place at Artesian Cemetery at a later date. Military honors will be rendered.Joseph was born on September 22, 1963, in Waverly, IA to Harold and Estafana (Lujan) Meyne.

Doug Dunkel, 73, passed away unexpectedly at his residence, Monday, August 5, 2024. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 12, 2024, at Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home, Vinton, with Pastor David Condry officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, August 11 at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service.

Avis E. Ingersoll, 79, a resident of Stoney Point Meadows in Cedar Rapids, passed away on Sunday August 4, 2024, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 9, 2024 at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street) in Vinton, with Rev. Adam Baumann officiating.  Interment will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Shellsburg.

Patricia “Pat” Ann Wright, 75, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed peacefully on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 4 - 7 p.m. on Monday, August 5, 2024, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids. A funeral service will take place at 1 p.