Ruth Ann Schaben was born on March 14, 1932, in Earling, Iowa, to Anton and Edith (Kobold) Schaben. Ruth’s mother passed away shortly after her first birthday, her father later married Lucile (Morrisey). Ruth grew up in the faith at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance, where she remained a lifelong member. A 1950 graduate of St.

Janet Ann (Martens) Jensen passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025, at the Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, Iowa.  She was born on September 11, 1937 in Carroll, Iowa to Viola (Ohde) and Gilbert Martens. 

Sylvan Alfred Kenkel was born to William and Anna (Wingert) Kenkel on May 24, 1939 on the family farm outside of Panama, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church where he remained a lifelong member. Sylvan graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School with the class of 1957. In December of 1961, Sylvan was enlisted in the United States Army where he proudly served until December of 1963.

Rita Jane Whiteley was born on February 11, 1952, near Jacksonville, Iowa, to Gilbert and Arlene (Nissen) Hoogensen. She was baptized and later confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church near Jacksonville. Rita graduated from Harlan High School and went on to attend Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Nebraska, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She later attended Medical Technology School in Lincoln.

A Celebration of Life for Ruby A. Christoffersen will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026 at 11 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton, Iowa, with Rev. Tim White, Officiating.
Honorary Urnbearers will be Abbi Forshier and Adam Forshier. The Urnbearer will be Aaron Forshier.  Inurnment at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Kimballton.

Tina Louise Thielen was born on July 26, 1965, in Topeka, Kansas, to Robert and Janice Dickinson. Tina spent 44 years working as a Certified Nurse’s Aide, and later as a Certified Medication Aide. She was dedicated to her work and found great purpose in caring for others. Her kindness, patience, and gentle approach touched the lives of many people over the course of her career.

Lucky Duck - I’m not sure how many people want to arrive on the hottest day in Nebraska history, July 13, 1934, but I was born into a loving railroad family and lived a long, charmed life. My older brother Bill and I had two terrific parents. My grandparents lived nearby and were part of our home. I felt awfully lucky. 

Darlene Mae Rasmussen was born on June 12, 1927, in Harlan, Iowa, to Celius and Matie Marie (Hansen) Larson. She graduated from Harlan Community High School with the Class of 1944.
On January 16, 1948, Darlene was united in marriage to John Harold Rasmussen in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Two children were born to this union: Diane and Ricky.

Richard “Pete” Petersen was born on August 19, 1931, in rural Harlan, to Harry and Luella (Rold) Petersen. After graduating high school in 1950, he entered the U.S. Army, serving as a Sergeant and rocket launcher gunner in North Korea during the Korean War. He returned home in 1954 a PROUD veteran with numerous honors, including the Combat Infantry Badge.

Larry Raymond Wingert was born on December 15, 1953, in Harlan, Iowa to the late Anthony “Tony” and Rosemary (Freund) Wingert. The second of seven children, he grew up on the family farm outside Portsmouth and graduated from Harlan High School in 1972 where he was active in the Future Farmers of America (FFA). In 1978 he married Shirley Hipsher, and they were blessed with one son, Kenneth. 

Lloyd Charles Carlson, 86, formerly of Ricketts, Iowa, passed away on November 28, 2025. Lloyd was born on October 24, 1939, to Charles and Clara (Zobel) Carlson in Charter Oak, Iowa. He graduated from Charter Oak High School with the Class of 1958. After graduating, Lloyd served in the United States Army from April 6, 1959, until his honorable discharge on May 4, 1962.

Verdell May Jensen was born September 9, 1930 to Folmer and Bonnie (Andersen) Jensen in Clay Township. Verdell was baptized and confirmed at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. Verdell attended school at Clay #5 country school. In 1943 her family moved to a farm outside of Kimballton, Iowa. She then attended school in Elk Horn, Iowa and would go on to graduate in the year of 1948. Verdell worked at Twenstrup and Lund in Kimballton in high school.

Jane Mary Henscheid was born on September 19, 1932, in Westphalia, IA, to Joseph “Joe” and Marie “Mary” Henscheid. Jane was very proud of her Westphalia roots. She graduated from St. Boniface High School in 1950. She then became a Franciscan nun and served as the cook for the religious in the communities of La Crosse, WI; Spencer, IA; and Bozeman, MT.

Karen Kay Dant, age 83, of Walnut, Iowa, and formerly of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Salem Lutheran Homes in Elk Horn, IA.

Kenneth John “Narv” Schwery, 65, died at his home in Panama on Friday, November 21, 2025. He was born on June 13, 1960, in Harlan, Iowa, to James and Carolyn (Carl) Schwery. He was raised on the family farm outside of Panama, Iowa. After graduating in 1978, Narv worked at the elevator and for Harlan Builders and spent many years doing siding and guttering. Narv raised cattle for the last several years and farmed with his dad.