Robert Wenger

Robert Frey Wenger, 95, of Downers Grove, Ill., and formerly of Elgin, Iowa, died Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 at Country Meadows Retirement Community in Mechanicsburg, Penn.  

He was born on Aug. 12, 1923 to Chris and Sophia (Frey) Wenger on a farm near Elgin, Iowa.  

Robert attended a country school and graduated from Elgin High School in 1940.  

After a year at the University of Iowa, he served over three years in the Army during World War II with the 66^th Black Panther Infantry Division in the European Theater.  Before returning home, he studied one semester at Biarritz American University in Biarritz, France. 

Following his discharge in 1946, he enlisted in the newly formed United States Air Force Ready Reserve; he retired from the Air Force Reserve in 1983 with the rank of Major and a total military service of over 40 years.  

Regina Begman

Regina M. Bergman, 92, of Allen, Texas, and formerly of Maynard, Iowa, died Wednesday morning, Dec. 5, 2018 at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Allen, Texas.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11 A.M. Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein, Iowa with Father Ray Atwood officiating.

Interment: Long Grove Cemetery, Maynard.

Memorials may be directed in her name to the Maynard American Legion Auxiliary or Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com.

Regina Marie Kisner was born Nov. 12, 1926 at Oelwein, the daughter of Peter Frank and Mabel Lucille (Hensch) Kisner.  

She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1944. 

On Aug. 28, 1954, she was united in marriage to Robert Nugent Bergman at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein.  

Kris Hanson

Krisinda “Kris” Hanson passed away on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 58. Kris died at her West Union home surrounded by her family. 

She was born on July 7, 1960 to Harry and Elaine Henry of West Union. 

Kris graduated from North High in 1978. 

On June 23, 1990, she and Blaine Hanson were united in marriage at Zion Lutheran Church in West Union. This marriage was the beginning of a wonderful life.

As we celebrate Kris’ wonderful life, it is only fitting that the house resonates the sounds of her beloved Hallmark movies, as the tree with the meticulously placed ornaments twinkles in the window. The sound of “A Clay Aiken Christmas” serenades in the background, much to Blaine’s disdain. Her love of Christmas, while impressive, did not come close to her love of family.

Donna Cowles

Donna Mae Cowles passed away on Nov. 28, 2018 at the age of 83 at Chandler Regional Medical Center. Donna was an Arizona resident for 45 years and had lived in Chandler since 2004.

Donna was born on June 26, 1935. 

She married Stanley Park Cowles on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1955 at Bethany Lutheran Church in rural West Union, Iowa.

  Donna worked at Humphry Dairy and Interstate Power Company, both in West Union, Iowa. 

After moving to Arizona in 1973, she worked for Valley National Bank, Bank One, and Arizona Federal Credit Union. During her career in banking, Donna received numerous superior service awards. 

Anthony Durnan

Anthony Patrick Durnan Sr., age 62, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018. 

Tony was born in Oelwein, Iowa to Leo Sr. and Grace (Stahr) Durnan on July 30, 1956. 

Tony grew up on a dairy farm and graduated from Valley High School, Elgin, IA in 1975. 

He married Tammy (Grenert) Durnan on Sept. 12, 1992, and together they have six children, Anthony Jr., Yesenia, Cristian “Bud,” Jason, Austin, and Spencer.

Tony was raised Catholic, and his faith was always important to him. He was loved by all and was always willing to help in any way he could, which spoke to his character tremendously. 

Tony was an avid outdoorsman; he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Tony also enjoyed helping family on the farm as well as collecting and restoring antique tractors. He loved to entertain, cook, spend time with family, and cheer on the Iowa Hawkeyes. 

Mary Billmeyer

Mary Billmeyer, age 87, of rural West Union, IA, died on Monday, Nov. 19, 2018 at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union, IA.

A Celebration of Life was held Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 at Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel, in Fort Atkinson with Rev. Don Best presiding. 

Mary Margaret Billmeyer was born on Oct. 3, 1931 the daughter of T.R. and Grace (Winter) Alton in Hawkeye, Iowa.  

She graduated from Alpha High School in 1947. 

Mary’s teen years (in Alpha) were spent assisting new mothers with Doc Friehle and tending the family cattle. Her remaining hours of the day were in Grandpa Winter’s grocery store (currently Alpha Tap), fighting off banana spiders and tending the pickle barrel.  

Vonna Buchholz

Vonna “Sally” I. Buchholz (Bishop) of Fitchburg, Wis., formerly of Beloit, Wis., and West Union, Iowa died peacefully Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 in her home. 

The twins, Vonna and Bonna, were born June 5, 1931 to the late Clifford and Agnes Bishop (Saltsgiver) at their grandparents’ Saltsgiver farmhouse.

 Vonna married Marvin Buchholz on Jan. 1, 1950, at which time they began their farming life together. Believing in lifelong learning, they graduated with teaching degrees from the “original” Upper Iowa University in 1965.   

As her 28-year teaching career in Beloit, Wis., ended, she continued taking SLU classes at Beloit College. 

Vonna had a passion for writing, which allowed her to leave a legacy of family stories. Although family came first, her other special interests were gardening, walking, piano, reading, sewing and discussing politics.  

Sister Ignatia Rosenbaum

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Sister Ignatia (Helen) Rosenbaum, age 90, at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, 2018 in Francis Chapel, Dubuque, Iowa. The Reverend Ron Friedell presided. 

Sister died Monday, Nov. 12, 2018 at Clare House in the 69^th year of her religious life.

Sister Ignatia, daughter of the late John and Louisa (Bucheit) Rosenbaum, was born July 31, 1928 on a farm near Ossian, IA.   

She was baptized and confirmed at St. Francis DeSales in Ossian, IA.  

She was one of five children. Her mother died when she was age 8, and she and her four siblings did their best to help their father with the farm work.  

She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Dubuque from St. Francis DeSales on Aug. 25, 1949. She was received with the name Sister Mary Ignatia on Aug. 12, 1950 and made her final profession of vows on Aug. 12, 1955.

Margery Lau

Margery F. Lau, 87, of Oelwein, Iowa died Friday morning, Nov. 23, 2018 at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa.

Funeral Service:  10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018 at Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein with Rev. Kent Leydens officiating.

Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, and one hour before the service on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein.

Memorial Fund: Alzheimer’s Association.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com.

Margery Faye Majors was born July 22, 1931 in Boone, Iowa, the daughter of Robert and Goldie Faye (Patterson) Majors.  

Margie was raised in Boone, where she received her education at a country school.  

She moved to Waterloo, where she worked as a waitress at Morg’s Lunch.  It was there that Margie met Roland Lau.  

Robert Hennager

Robert G. “Bob” Hennager, 95, of Fayette, formerly of Maynard, Iowa, died Thursday evening, Nov. 15, 2018 at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa.

Funeral Service: Monday, Nov. 19, 2018 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Maynard with Rev. Tracy Hinkel officiating.

Inurnment: At a later date in Long Grove Cemetery, Maynard.

Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Maynard handled the arrangements.

Memorials may be directed in his name to St. Croix Hospice, Maynard Community Library or the Maynard Fire Department.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com.

Robert George Hennager was born Feb. 11, 1923 at Racine, Minn., the son of Conn and Lona (Milligan) Hennager.  

In 1933, Bob’s family moved to Maynard, where he graduated from Maynard High School in 1941.