Curtis Staff

     Curtis Stanley Staff, 76, of Monona, Iowa died Sunday, August 4, 2019 at his home with his loving family at his side, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born March 5, 1943 in West Union, Iowa to Alton and Lila (Larson) Staff. Curtis was baptized and confirmed at the Elgin Lutheran Church and attended Valley Community School. At an early age Curtis worked for farmers in Elgin area and also worked at Neiman Quarry. Curtis started his mechanical career working for Torkelson’s, Wilbur, and Owens Auto Dealerships.

Gary Smith

Gary Linn Smith, 77, died August 7, 2019 at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital after a short illness. He was born March 3, 1942 to Harold and Elsa (Scheelhasse) Smith in West Union, Iowa. 

After graduating from North high school in West Union, Gary attended Milwaukee Institute of Technology and became a baker, working in Iowa Falls for ten years. He joined his brother, Allan farming in partnership for fourteen years until 1987. He then worked as a home health aide in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin until his retirement in 2004. After a medical emergency, he spent the last three years at Great River Care Center Assisted Living in McGregor, Iowa. 

James "Jim" Kamaus

James “Jim” L. Kamaus, 69, of West Union, Iowa died Monday, August 5, 2019 at Gundersen Palmer Hospital, West Union, Iowa.

James was born April 5, 1950 to Lloyd and Deloris (Thompson) Kamaus in West Union, Iowa. He was baptized at First Lutheran St. Olaf Parsonage and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Ossian, Iowa on May 24, 1964. James graduated from North High School in West Union, Iowa in 1969.

In 1965, Jim started working with Bernell Kleepe and in April 1971 he left to go work for Deerings until he started farming in Eldorado on Bill Pape’s farm in the fall of 1977. On January 7, 1997 they had a farm sale. Right after the farm sale he started Kamaus Trucking Grain hauling for two years. He then went to work and drove semi for D& J Trucking until his health failed. Jim loved tractors, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.

John Rutt

Memorial services for John R. Rutt, 68, of Des Moines, will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2019, at Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines. Rev. Gary Nims will officiate the service with assistance from Deacon Ralph W. Agar.

Visitation with the family will take place an hour before the service.

Private family burial was conducted at Grandview Cemetery in Fayette prior to the service.

John Rutt

Memorial services for John R. Rutt, 68, of Des Moines, will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2019, at Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines. Rev. Gary Nims will officiate the service with assistance from Deacon Ralph W. Agar.

Visitation with the family will take place an hour before the service.

Private family burial was conducted at Grandview Cemetery in Fayette prior to the service.

Pearl Schmitt

Pearl Amelia Schmitt, 91, of Ossian, Iowa died Saturday, August 3, 2019 at Aase Haugen Senior Services, Decorah, Iowa. Pearl was born on a farm west of Ossian on January 8, 1928 at home in Winneshiek County Ossian, Iowa, the daughter of Andrew and Frances (Bullerman) Timp. She was baptized and confirmed at St Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, Iowa. She attended De Sales Grade School and graduated from De Sales High School of seven girls in 1946. After graduation, she worked in Chicago, Illinois, for several years doing house work. 

On June 3, 1954 Pearl was united in marriage to Fidelis F. Schmitt by Father Ed Frost at De Sales Catholic Church Ossian. After their marriage, they made their home in Ossian. They became the parents of three children; a son, Daniel B. Schmitt, and twin daughters, Carol Mary and Connie Ann.

Dagne Klingman

Dagne Klingman, 89, of Ossian, Iowa, died Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, Iowa. Dagne Minerva was born October 5, 1929 to Fridtjofand Anna (Johnson) Tinderholt on the family farm outside of Ossian, Iowa. She spent her childhood years in Ossian and graduated from Ossian High School. Dagne went on to earn her teaching certificate at the University of Northern Iowa. She spent the preceding three years teaching in rural schools near Luana.

On May 31, 1953 Dagne was united in marriage to Carroll Klingman. The couple spent many wonderful summers road tripping around the continental United States. Carroll and Dagne farmed near Elgin for years before an injury made farming difficult for Dagne and they decided to leave the farm. Carroll and Dagne then moved to Calmar, Iowa, and both found work at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. During her time at Luther, Dagne worked primarily with student loans.

Gerald Olson

Gerald Olson, 77, of West Union, Iowa died Saturday, July 27, 2019 surrounded by his loving family at his home in West Union, Iowa. Gerald Lee was born August 11, 1941 to Glen and Viola (Miene) Olson in McGregor, Iowa. Gerald attended school in Elkader through the 9^th grade. 

Gerald proudly served in the United States National Guard from 1964 to 1970. He was blessed with three children over the years; Laurie, Jeff and Scott. 

Gerald’s work history included driving semi for over 30 years, carpentry and construction. He was a member of the National Rifle Association (N.R.A.), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Norway Lutheran Church in St. Olaf, Iowa. Gerald loved flying his plane, camping, hunting and fishing.

Mildred Steinbronn

Mildred E. Steinbronn, 87, of Fayette, died Wednesday evening, July 31, 2019, at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, August 5, 2019, at Grace Lutheran Church in Fayette with Rev. Herbert Mueller, III officiating.  Interment followed at Grandview Cemetery in Fayette. Visitation was held from 1 - 4 p.m., Sunday, August 4^th, at Grace Lutheran Church in Fayette and for one hour preceding the service on Monday. Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Fayette is assisting Mildred’s family. Memorials may be made to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com.  

Shirley Barness

Shirley Barness, 78, of West Union, Iowa died Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at Gundersen Palmer Hospital in West Union, Iowa. Shirley Ann was born November 18, 1940 to Willard and Zenita (Holtzman) Ash in West Union, Iowa. In 1958 she graduated from North High in West Union.

Shirley was united in marriage with Lloyd Barness on June 14, 1958, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ossian, Iowa. Two children were born to this union. They lived on the farm for seven years before moving to town in 1965. Shirley worked at a hamburger shop, Lilac Motel, H & H Distributing and for the school lunch program. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s events, playing cards and board games and watching television. Shirley was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa Cyclones and UNI.