Howard Heath

Howard Elton Heath, 78, of Douglas, Ga., formerly of Maynard, Iowa died Tuesday Jan. 2, 2018 at his residence.

A memorial gathering will be held Sunday, Jan. 14, from 2 to 5 pm at Cedar Court Senior Living Apartments at 111 Lilac Ave., West Union.

Howard was born Aug. 20, 1939 in Berrier County, Ga. to Clifton Edward Heath and Rosa Beatrice Fender Heath.

He was united in marriage with Donna Kuhens on Jan. 4, 1978. 

He worked as a custodian at West Central School District for many years. 

He enjoyed working in his garden for Farmers Market in Oelwein, Independence, and West Union. He looked forward to having his grandchildren help with Farmers Market and working in the garden.

June Flaskerud

June C. Flaskerud, 82, of Sumner, formerly of West Union, died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, at Hillcrest Home in Sumner.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Chapel in Hawkeye.

Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home preceding the memorial service.

Becker-Milnes Funeral Home, Sumner, is handling the arrangements.

Marie Langreck

Marie Magdalen Langreck, 97, of St. Lucas, Iowa died Monday, Jan. 1, 2018 at Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare in New Hampton, Iowa. 

Marie was born April 21, 1920 to John J. and Lena (Mihn) Langreck. She was the second of 13 children.

Marie attended St. Luke’s School in St. Lucas, Iowa through the eighth grade.

Marie worked for families in homecare in the West Union area. After moving back home she cared for her grandmother and then her parents. 

After the death of her parents, Marie farmed with her brother Louie on the farm Southeast of St. Lucas. Marie suffered an injury and moved to Linn Haven, where she lived until her death.

Marie enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking and entertaining in her home. 

She was member of the Rosary Society at St. Luke Catholic Church and a longtime member of Catholic Daughters.

Joan Zell

Joan J. Zell, 76, of West Union and formerly of Hawkeye, died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, at the Good Samaritan Society in West Union.

A private family graveside service will be held at Lima Cemetery at a later date. 

Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com. 

Joan Joyce, daughter of Joe and Clotildis (Goerend) Noel, was born Nov. 26, 1941 in Minneapolis, Minn.

She attended country school in rural Hawkeye and would later receive her G.E.D. from Northeast Iowa Community College.

Joan was united in marriage with Lloyd Zell in West Union in 1958. To this union four children were born, Deb, Scott, Andy, and Jennifer. The couple would later divorce. 

Joan lived in Hawkeye for most of her life and worked at Palmer Lutheran Health Center in West Union for 30 years retiring on Nov. 3, 2010.

In 2014, she moved to West Union. 

Linda Yauslin

Linda L. Yauslin, 70, of West Union, Iowa died Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union. 

Linda Lou, the daughter of Irvin and Lucille (Otters) Holder, was born Feb. 24, 1947 in West Union.  

She was baptized and confirmed at Holy Name Catholic Church in West Union. 

She attended Holy Name Parochial School and North High School.

Linda was united in marriage with Roger Lee Yauslin on Sept. 12, 1964 at Holy Name Catholic Church. 

She worked at Elsheimer Meat Packing Plant, Anderson Variety Store, and she was a cook at North High School for many years. 

Linda lived in the West Union area her entire life.

Linda was a lifelong member of Holy Name Catholic Church.  

Walter Wagner

Walter Edwin Wagner, 63, of Ossian, Iowa died Saturday, December 23, 2017 at his home in Ossian, Iowa. Walter Edwin was born October 28, 1954 to Edwin and Genevieve (Crabtree) Wagner in Decorah, Iowa. He attended and graduated from Decorah Schools. After graduation, Walter joined the police academy.

Walter was united in marriage with Melodie Hall at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, one daughter was born to this union. They divorced in 1989. Walter was united in marriage with Karen Olszewski on October 3, 1993 at the Ossian Community Center.. He was a Police Officer in Ossian, Iowa for twenty years, retiring in 2000 due to health issues. Walter was a gun enthusiast and enjoyed target shooting, hiking and exploring the area, reading and was an amazing cook and baker. He was a mentor for many and was firm but always fair. His greatest joy was his grandchildren.

James Farmer

James “Jim” Ormus Farmer, 90, of Gunder, Iowa died Saturday, December 23, 2017 at his home. James Ormus was born June 18, 1927 to Lee and Ruby (Trudo) Farmer in Clermont, Iowa. He attended Grand Meadow Country School near Clermont through the ninth grade and attended one year of high school in Postville.

Meredith Granger

Meredith LeWayne Granger, 59, of Indianapolis, Ind., passed away Dec. 17, 2017.  

He was born Dec. 18, 1957, in West Union to the late Wayne and L. Darlene (Wolfe) Granger.  

Meredith was a 1976 graduate of North High School in West Union, and he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa.  

Meredith married Toni J. Morris in 1994.

He was a radio producer and announcer for the Fine Arts Society from 1991 until 2015.  

He was a member of All Souls Unitarian Church, American Mensa and The Illustrious Clients.  

Meredith enjoyed singing in his church choir; he was a professional caroler during the holiday season.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. at All Souls Unitarian Church, 5805 E. 56^th St., Indianapolis, with visitation to follow.

Meredith will be inurned in the church’s Memory Garden.

Rev. Dale Rausch

Rev. Dale Rausch, 75, of West Union, Iowa, died on Tuesday morning, Dec. 19, 2017 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis.

Mass of Christian Burial:  11 A.M. Friday, Dec. 22, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oelwein, with Primary Celebrant Archbishop Michael Jackels, Concelebrant Pastor Ray Atwood, Deacon Jim Patera and the priests of the Archdiocese of Dubuque celebrating the funeral mass.

Interment:  Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, Iowa.

Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein, assisted the family with arrangements.

A Memorial Fund has been established.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com.

Dale Joseph Rausch was born on April 30, 1942 in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Clarence John “C.J.” and Florine Magdaline (Decker) Rausch.