Geneva Kuennen

Geneva Kuennen, age 91, of St. Lucas passed away on Monday, September 2, 2019 at the Ossian Senior Hospice surrounded by her family. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 5, 2019 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA with Rev. Aaron Junge presiding.  Burial will be in St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA and also after 10:00 a.m. at the Church on Thursday morning.  The Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah is handling arrangements.

Inez Schmitt

Inez Schmitt, 79, Of West Union, Iowa died Thursday, September 5, 2019 at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union.  Inez was born February 1, 1940 to Raymond and Hilda (Bohr) Holthaus in Ossian, Iowa. She graduated from Ossian De Sales in 1958 and then attended Paris Beauty Academy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

      Inez was united in marriage with Daniel Schmitt on June 2, 1962 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, Iowa, making their home in West Union since then.  Inez worked as a hairdresser for forty years and owned and operated the Hair Hut in West Union, retiring in 2001. She made many lifelong friends at the Hair Hut, both customers and colleagues. Inez was a member of the Holy Name Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of the Americas and a lifetime member of the Red Hat Society. 

Harry Henry

Harry Norman Henry, 80, of West Union, Iowa died Friday, July 26, 2019with his family by his side at Sumner Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner, Iowa. Harry was born February 23, 1939 to Donald and Gladys (Grimes) Henry in West Union, Iowa. He graduated from Fayette High School and attended one year at Iowa State University. 

Mark Zieman

Mark Louis Zieman, 74, of Postville, Iowa died Sunday, September 8, 2019at his home in rural Postville. He was born January 17, 1945 to Lyle and Leah (Harris) Zieman in Postville. Mark was baptized on February 17, 1945, and confirmed on March 30, 1958, both at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville. He graduated from Postville High School in 1963 and attended Iowa State University.

Mark was united in marriage with Jennifer (Overland) Zieman on August 8, 1964, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville. A farmer since 1965, he also owned Cherry Valley Enterprises and Hi-Way Lanes. Mark followed in his father’s footsteps and proudly served as a State Senator from 2001 to 2008.

Dirinda Benzing

Dirinda Benzing, age 73, of Ossian, IA, died on Thursday, August 22, 2019, at her home in Ossian, IA.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 31, 2019, at the Ossian Lutheran Church, 305 Jessie Street, Ossian, IA, with Rev. David Lenth presiding.  Burial was in the Hillside Cemetery, Ossian, IA.

Visitation was from 4-7 p.m., on Friday, August 30, 2019, at the Ossian Lutheran Church, 305 Jessie Street, Ossian, IA, and also after 10 a.m., at the church on Saturday morning.  The Schluter-Balik Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Abigail Whitford

Abigail Rose Whitford, 10, of Bellevue, NE, was pronounced dead on Thurs, August 22, 2019 of severe brain trauma after being struck by a car in a crosswalk. 

She attended Trumble Park Elementary in Papillon and loved reading, art and math. She delighted in simple moments, made friends easily and was becoming a mature young lady while being unapologetically herself. Her kindness and spark will live on because Abby donated her organs.

Abby was welcomed to her heavenly home by great-grandparents Harold "Jake" and Leola Baker; Mildred Reinig; Floyd and Faye Neal; Floyd, Jewel, and Clara Whitford; and great-uncles Bob Gaeta and Wendell Whitford.

Gary Beermann

Gary C. Beermann, 84, of Marcus, IA, went to be with his Savior on August 24, 2019.

The Funeral Service and luncheon for Gary will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 11a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in Marcus.  A Celebration of Life and luncheon will be held the following day, Sunday, September 8, 2019, at noon at the West Union, Iowa, Fairgrounds.  A time for sharing memories will be provided in both services. Online condolences can be expressed at www.meyerbroschapels.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel.

Gary was born on April 27, 1935, the oldest son of Del and Edna (Halverson) Beermann, and spent his childhood in West Union, IA.   He graduated from West Union High School and continued at Iowa State in engineering. 

LaVerne Nims

Memorial Services for for LaVerne LeRoy Nims of Clermont, Iowa will be held Wednesday, September 4, 2019 from 4-8 p.m. at the West Clermont Lutheran Church Fellowship room in Clermont, IA. LaVerne passed away on August 25, 2019.  

LaVerne was born on March 15, 1942 to Frank and Olga Nims.  He married Connie Schlee on December 6, 1975, and later divorced. Vern graduated from Valley High School in 1960. He was a very good athlete in his High School days. In 1958, his junior year, Vern was a member of the undefeated football team.

In 1964, Vern was drafted into the army.  He was stationed at Fort Leonard in Wood, Missouri. Vern was assigned to Company D 2D Battalion 2D Regiment and later served in the Vietnam War.

Following discharge, Vern went into farming with his parents and in later years with his brother. Vern loved to bowl on his league with his friends.  He enjoyed raising watermelon and sweet corn.