HARLAN -- Arrangements are pending at Pauley Jones Funeral Home, Harlan, for David Behrens, Harlan.    Behrens died Saturday, July 2.  He is survived by his wife, Hattie Behrens, of Harlan.    Call the funeral home at 1-800-831-6805 or visit www.pauleyjones.com for more information. 

    HARLAN -- Arrangements are pending at Pauley Jones Funeral Home, Harlan, for Clifford Kruse, 59, Harlan.    Kruse died Monday, July 4.  He is survived by his children Jennifer (Chris) Rasmussen, Kevin (Sam) Kruse, and Jeff Kruse (fiancee Shelby).    Call the funeral home at 1-800-831-6805 or visit www.pauleyjones.com for more information. 

    OMAHA, NE -- Clark Gary Mathisen, 81, Omaha, formerly of Elk Horn, died July 1.    Services will be held Wednesday, July 6 at 11 a.m. at Morning Star Lutheran Church in Omaha with a graveside service Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Atlantic Memorial Cemetery in Atlantic, with military honors.  Family will receive friends Tuesday, July 5 from 3-7 p.m.

    DEFIANCE -- Bill and Louise Ahrenholtz of Happy Hill Farm, Defiance, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 28.    Their children and spouses are Steve “Barney” and Judy Ahrenholtz, Harlan; Paulette and Rick Rasmussen, Nancy and Rick Kloewer, Jerry and Connie Ahrenholtz and Keith and Brenda Ahrenholtz, Defiance.

HARLAN -- Neil and Diane Hansen of Harlan announce the engagement of their daughter, Haley Nicole to Caleb Paul Bissen both of Harlan. He is the son of Eugene Bissen, Earling; and Lyle and Carol (Fuhs) Obrecht, Harlan.    The couple plans to marry on July 9 at the Fresh Encounter Fellowship in Harlan.

COUNTY -- “Ordinary people working together can do extra-ordinary things,” is Ron Chamberlain’s, member of Western Iowa Pioneer Cemetery Association (WIPCA), favorite saying.    WIPCA attempts to do extra-ordinary things while restoring multiple cemeteries and hidden grave sites, especially in Shelby County.    WIPCA celebrated John McIntosh Day with approximately 55 community members during the unveiling of new grave stones they replaced for

    AVOCA -- As part of a project tour organized to demonstrate innovative downtown revitalization efforts, state economic development leaders visited downtown Avoca on June 21.    Hosted by representatives of Avoca Main Street, Inc., Main Street Iowa State Coordinator Michael Wagler was joined by Iowa Economic Development Authority Community Development Administrator Tim Waddell, and IEDA Division Coordinator Leslie Leager. 

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Municipal Airport will be updating its runway lights as part of an effort to increase its eco-friendly technology.    “It keeps our municipal airport up-to-date with facilities, equipment and a reliable airport for pilots to fly in and out,” said Gene Gettys, Harlan mayor.    Last year new pavement was put in, and this year’s lighting project continues to modernize the airport.

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Municipal Utilities Board of Trustees has voted to accept low bids for labor and materials toward installing fiber to the premises in parts of Harlan, with work to begin in late July or August of this summer.    Projected as a $2.1 million project, bids came in lower by more than $100,000, and the end of 2016 should complete this project phase.