Lois Strand

Lois Elaine (Jaster) Strand, 85, Cartersville, Georgia, passed away gently surrounded by her family on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.

Beloved mother, and cherished wife of nearly 67 years, Lois was born December 7, 1935 in Garber, Iowa to Emil and Dorothy (Wistrick) Jaster.  After Dorothy’s death (1943) Emil married Marie (DeSotel) Jaster, and together they raised Lois and her younger brother Ed Jaster (Margaret).

Lois married her high school sweetheart Conley Strand on November 27, 1954.  From the valleys of Tickletown, Iowa to the top of Cadillac Mountain, Maine, to Chicago and Cartersville, what an amazing life they shared.  Life’s journey is all about valleys and mountaintops and they have seen and lived them both.  Their devotion to each other exemplified love in action and Lois’ presence will be sorrowfully missed.

Catherine Loftsgard

Catherine Ann Loftsgard, 88, of Elgin, Iowa, passed away Saturday, March, 20, 2021 at Good Samaritian Home in West Union, Iowa. Catherine was born January 12, 1933 to Phil and Ruey (Regan) Boland. She was baptized on January 29, 1933, received her first communion on June 2, 1945 and was confirmed on April 15, 1945 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Elkader, Iowa.

Catherine married Bernard G. Loftsgard on March 31, 1951. They were blessed with 4 children, Jerry, Larry, Marilyn and Bernard Wayne. She and Bernard lived in Northeast Iowa their entire life, farming the Loftsgard homestead and a trucking business. 

Paul Fichtel

Paul Douglas Fichtel was born April 16, 1958 in Oelwein, Iowa and passed away at sixty-two years old on March 8. 2021 of natural causes in his home in West Union, Iowa. Paul, also known as PF by those who grew up with him, was a fun spirited loving man who cared deeply for his family and friends. Paul worked as a plumber at Gage in Gage until his retirement a few years ago. Paul enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his weekend trips to the cabin.

Paul is survived by his children; daughter, Kimberly and her husband Danny, daughter, Tyra and her husband Kyle and son, Travis and significant other Jess; his eight grandchildren, Damon, Bree, Joslyn, Owenn, Addie, Cub, Charlie and Axel; his sister, Peggy and her husband Frank; his brother, Pete and his wife Kathleen; his niece, Debbie and nephew, Lance. 

Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Molly Fichtel and his grandparents. 

Alice Mae Anderson

Alice Mae Anderson, age 100, formerly of Ridgeway, Iowa passed away on Friday, March 5, 2021 in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Alice was born on the family farm near Ridgeway, Iowa to Herbert and Lena Anderson on October 17, 1920.  She was baptized at the Orleans Lutheran Church in Winneshiek Country where she was a life –long member.  She attended school in the Ridgeway and Cresco area.  Alice received her teaching degree from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa and went on to get her master’s degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa

Alice began her teaching career in a one-room school house in rural Iowa and then continued her career in the Ridgeway and West Union School Districts. She moved to the Des Moines area in 1963 where she became an accomplished school counselor at Lincoln High School for 23 years, retiring in 1986.

Marion Stillman

Marion Stillman, 80, of Mason City, Iowa formerly of West Union, Iowa died Wednesday, March 3, 2021. She was born April 21, 1940 to George and Amy Irene (Harrington) Alton in Hawkeye, Iowa. Marion graduated from Fayette High School.

On March 10, 1962, Marion was united in marriage with Paul James Stillman. Three children were born to this union, Greg, Randy and Christine. Throughout the years she worked several longtime cleaning, cooking and caregiver jobs.

Surviving Marion are her children, Randy Stillman of Fayette, Iowa and Christy (Jerrel) Schott of Mason City, Iowa; grandchildren, Amber (Nate) Wendel, Becky Odegard, Karissa Schott and Kaylee Schott; great-grandchildren, Shelby and Eleanor Wendel, Kayden Know and Kayn Schroeder; siblings, Janet (Ray) Potratz and Mildred Crain.

Cordell Westphal

Cordell Lloyd Westphal, 83, of West Union, Iowa died Saturday, March 6, 2021 at his home in West Union. He was born June 14, 1937 to Glenn and Josephine (Sohm) Westphal in Canistota, South Dakota. Cordell graduated from Washington High School, Sioux Falls, in 1955 and the University of Sioux Falls in 1961.

Cordell was united in marriage with Kathryn Wiswell on July 12, 1958. Five children were born to this union, Patricia, Christine, Sheryl, Michael and Cordell Lee. Cordell was a teacher for thirty-nine years, he spent twenty-nine years at North Fayette. He coached and officiated multiple sports. Cordell also owned and operated Westphal Small Engine Repair for forty years. He was also a Volunteer EMT for fifteen years.

Cordell loved sports, old cars, camping, traveling and really enjoyed visiting with people at his shop.

Dorothy Killoran

Dorothy June (Barney) Killoran, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Sachse, TX on February 26^th 2021. 

A Rosary service was held at 10:30 a.m., with a funeral mass to follow at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Wylie, TX. A burial service will be held in Fayette, IA at St. Francis of Assisi cemetery on March 13^th at 11 a.m., a celebration of life meal is to follow. 

Stanley Cowles

Stanley Park Cowles passed away on February 21, 2021 at the age of 87 at his home in Chandler, AZ. Stanley was an Arizona resident for 48 years and had lived in Chandler since 2004.

Stanley was born in 1933 and grew up on a farm in Ossian, IA. He continued farming in rural West Union, IA where he married Donna Demory on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1955 at Bethany Lutheran Church.

In 1966, he moved his family to Bowman Woods in Northeast Cedar Rapids, IA where he worked at Collins Radio and Nash Finch Company.

In 1973, the family moved to Tempe, AZ where he was employed by Smitty’s Marketplace as the Transportation Supervisor, keeping 22 stores stocked with groceries and general merchandise.

Keary Joe Keehner

Keary Joe Keehner, 50, of Luana, Iowa died Saturday, February 27, 2021. Keary was born August 20, 1970 to Robert and Rebecca (Guyer) Keehner in Postville, Iowa. He graduated from M.F.L. High School and attended Kirkwood Community College, earning his degree as a Diesel Mechanic.

On July 3, 2003, Keary was united in marriage with Remy Kirkeberg on the Keehner home farm.  Keary worked as a Heavy Machine Operator for Szabo Construction in Postville, Iowa. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, tractor pulls, going on drives, and spending time with family, friends, and his best boy Boone. Keary is probably best known for his skills behind a grill, mass feeding his neighbors, and his warm and welcoming smile. 

Larry Daniels

 Larry N. Daniels passed away peacefully at Maple Crest Nursing Home in Fayette, Iowa on March 5, 2021. A private family service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in West Union, Iowa.