Blake Brown

Services were held Monday, October 14, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, West Union, IA for David Blake Brown. Visitation preceded the service. 

On October 7, 2019, beloved husband, father and grandfather David Blake Brown passed away at Palmer Memorial Hospital in West Union.    Blake was born November 29, 1933, in Fort Dodge to David and Lucille Brown.  He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Iowa State Teachers College (UNI).

Blake served 2 years in the Army, spending 18 months in Germany, giving him a lifelong passion for travel.  He and his wife, Marilyn, would spend the next 61 years traveling to Europe, the Caribbean and around the country.

Marilyn Kintzel and Blake were married on August 19, 1958 in Clarence, Iowa.

Blake is survived by Marilyn, their son, Craig and daughter- in- law, Heidi and granddaughters, Rachel and Meredith. He also leaves behind his sister,

Blake Brown

Blake Brown, a long time resident of West Union, died Monday morning, October 7, 2019.  Services are set for Monday, October 14, 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in West Union, IA. Visitation will precede the funeral service by a couple of hours.

Barbara Elmore

Barbara Eastman Elmore, former West Union resident, passed away peacefully in her home in the early hours of September 2, 2019.  She was born December 30, 1934 in Sumner, Iowa to parents Samuel and Vivian Eastman.

Preceding her in death were her parents, brother Charles Eastman and her husband, Barney Elmore.

Barbara is survived by her sister, Patricia (Marc) Foorman of Los Angeles, her four children, Cathie (Richard) Hooper, Randy (Amy) Elmore, Steve (Dena) Elmore, all of Grass Valley, CA and Julie (Norman) Babcock of Auburn, CA.  Also by six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and a niece, Candi Eastman and nephew, Christopher Eastman.

Sharon (Alcorn) Schnepf

Sharon (Alcorn) Schnepf went to her heavenly reward on Tuesday, September 24, 2019. She died peacefully in her sleep. Committal service of burial will be held October 18, 11 a.m. at the West Union Cemetery. 

Sharon was born January 9, 1950, in West Union, IA. She grew upon a dairy farm. After her chores were completed, she delighted in riding horses. In 1968, she graduated from North Fayette Community High School in West Union.

Sharon entered Iowa State University majoring in physics and graduating in 1972. Her first teaching job was in Anamosa, IA. After one year, she relocated to Carroll, IA, teaching science in the high school.

Richard Leibold

Richard Frederick “Dick” Leibold, 78, of Ossian, Iowa died Tuesday, September 24, 2019at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Richard, the son of Leo H. and Charlotte (Lewis) Leibold, was born March 17, 1941 in Decorah, Iowa. He graduated from De Sales High School in Ossian. Dick served in the US Army with the 101^stAirborne from 1959 through 1962.  When Dick returned from the service, he worked at Schmitz Furniture Store as a carpet layer. He then partnered with Jim Skillings in D & J Carpeting for several years. Dick then worked for Mr. Carpet in Decorah. After his retirement, Dick worked as a custodian for De Sales School.

Dick was united in marriage with Susan Numedahl on October 2, 1965 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar.  To this union, five children were born.

Donald Backes

Donald G. Backes, 82, of Decorah, Iowa passed away Sunday, September 29, 2019 at the Barthell Eastern Star Home in Decorah, Iowa.  Donald George, the son of George and Viola (Kurash) Backes was born May 13, 1937, in Jackson Junction, Iowa.  He was baptized and confirmed at Saint Lukes Catholic Church in St. Lucas, Iowa and graduated from Saint Lukes Parochial School in 1955.

Don followed his father and grandfather into the masonry business and worked with his father into his mid-twenties. Drafted, Don served with the United States Army from 1961-1963 as a mechanic and as an artillery Forward Observer.  During the Cuban missile crisis, his Ft. Sill, OK, artillery unit was mobilized to a Gulf Coast shipyard and loaded onto ships in anticipation of invading Cuba.  After Don scowled fiercely in the direction of Cuba, the whole affair became resolved.

Eugene Boie

Eugene F. Boie, 84, of West Union and formerly of Hawkeye, died Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at Stoney Brook Village in West Union.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 5, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawkeye with Rev. Ron Roberts officiating. Inurnment will follow at Hawkeye Cemetery. A visitation will precede the service at the church beginning at 9 a.m. Memorials may be made to the family for later designation. Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Hawkeye is assisting Eugene’s family.

Walter "Wally" Hermen

Walter “Wally” R. Herman, 58, of Hawkeye, died Monday, September 23, 2019, at his home in Hawkeye, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Floyd Stensland

Floyd Arlie Stensland, 93 of West Union, Iowa died Thursday, September 19, 2019 at Stoney Brook in West Union, Iowa. Floyd was born August 16, 1926 on the home farm one mile west Of Eldorado, Iowa, on the north side of the Turkey River. His parents were Andrew O. and Lyla (Duland) Stensland. He lived on the farm all his life, except when he served his country in the Korean War from 1950 to 1952. Floyd was a member of the United States Army Artillery. After returning home, Floyd carried on farming with his father until his marriage on August 25, 1962 to Florence Elizabeth Muncie. He then purchased the farm and his parents moved to town. 

Wanda White

Wanda White, 73, of Palo, Iowa, died Wednesday, August 28, 2019, under hospice care at The Bird House in Iowa City, Iowa, following a ten-year battle with cancer. A Vigil Service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 27, 2019, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Visitation will follow from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, September 27, 2019, at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will take place at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 28, 2019, at St. Jude Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Private family entombment will take place at a later date at Linwood Cemetery Mausoleum, Cedar Rapids.Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, is assisting the family with arrangements.