Teresa Clara (Pfeifer) Kruse, the 10th of 13 children of Clara (Weber) and Leo Pfeifer was born on November 29, 1925, on the family’s homestead near Spalding, Nebraska.  Teresa attended 1st through 8th grade at a country schoolhouse near Spalding, earning straight A’s.  Following graduation in the midst of the Great Depression, rather than attend high school, Teresa was needed more at home.

Theresa Mildred Kramer, the daughter of Frank and Cecelia (Schechinger) Kramer, was born on September 2, 1928, and was the middle child of 17 children. The family lived on a farm near Defiance, IA. Theresa was baptized, had first communion, confession, and confirmation at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance.

Harry James Sawyer was born to Connie Scholl and Harry Nelson Sawyer on July 4, 1963, in Norfolk, Virginia. In his younger years, Harry’s family moved to Belton, Missouri, where he attended school and later graduated from Belton Senior High School. As a child, Harry enjoyed spending time with his family, especially going bowling and watching movies together.

Paul “Osgood” Adolph Schaben, age 86, of Carroll, IA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Gracewell in Denison, IA.

James “Jim” Michael Kloewer was born on March 25, 1929, the son of Gottlieb and Eleanor (Rau) Kloewer in Westphalia, Iowa, the second of ten children. He was baptized, confirmed and attended St. Boniface Catholic School. He graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Panama with the class of 1947. After completing his education, he began working for Shelby County in road maintenance. In 1951, he was drafted into the United States Army.

Sister Sylvia Kenkel, OSB, 86, a Benedictine sister of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kan., died Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the monastery. The vigil service will be Thursday, March 5, at 7 p.m. in the monastery chapel, and the Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated there Friday, March 6, at 10:30 a.m. 

Peggy Lou (Andersen) Hansen, daughter of Earl “Speenie” and Leota (Harris) Andersen was born on March 16, 1937.  Later a brother Jerry completed their family.  Baptized and confirmed at Jacksonville Lutheran Church, Peggy’s strong foundation of faith guided her throughout her life and shaped the way she cared for others.

Conrad John Sorensen (Connie) was born to Earhard and Esther Sorensen in Des Moines, Iowa on January 24, 1931 and was welcomed into his heavenly home on February 22, 2026.

Scott Gau passed on February 22, 2026.  He was a man who loved the land and worked hard to protect it for future generations. Scott was a gifted farmer coming from four generations of Iowa farmers who ran a successful grain farm operation outside Portsmouth, Iowa. To those who knew him, they enjoyed his infectious energetic personality, and his love of animals and antique farm equipment, which showed his gentle sentimentality.

Sheila Weis Mikkelsen, age 73, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family and her devoted companion, Ron.

Father Leonard Anthony Kenkel was born on May 28, 1934, in Panama, Iowa, to William and Anna (Wingert) Kenkel. He grew up with his sisters, Lauretta and Sister Sylvia, OSB, and his brothers Michael, Sylvan, David, Damian, and Eugene.

 John Allan Olson passed away Thursday, February 12, 2026, after a two-year battle against occupational related cancer.

Rita Mary (Goetz) Doran was born on June 5, 1927, at the Goetz family farmhouse east of Westphalia, Iowa, to Joseph Bernard Goetz and Antonia (Schechinger) Goetz. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, where her faith was nurtured and remained an important part of her life.

Becky Lynn Kleffman was born on August 25, 1958, in West Point, Nebraska, to Robert Ahlers Sr. and Geraldine Thompson. She was baptized at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Orchard, Nebraska, and later attended St. Mary’s Catholic Parish in Portsmouth, Iowa. Becky graduated from Wisner-Pilger High School.

La Verne Charles Smith was born May 5, 1929, near Oconto in Custer County, Nebraska, the son of Donald William and Veva Doris (Headley) Smith. He attended country schools in Custer County and graduated as valedictorian of Arnold High School in 1947.