Obituaries

Frank Velasco

Frank Velasco

Jun 9, 2025

Frank Daniel Velasco was born on December 16, 1945, the son of Pete and Mary (Dominguez) Velasco in Julesburg, Colorado. He was baptized and later confirmed in the Catholic faith. He attended Ogallala High School in Nebraska and graduated with the class of 1964. After completing his education, he held various jobs before beginning a long-standing career with Union Pacific,...

Sharon Loeffelholz

Sharon Loeffelholz

Jun 5, 2025

Sharon Rae Loeffelholz was born on March 28, 1957, in Le Mars, Iowa, the third of four children of Francis and Mary (Wenzel) Loeffelholz. During her childhood, the family moved frequently due to her father’s career relocations, eventually settling near Minden, Iowa. Sharon attended Lewis Central Community High School in Council Bluffs and graduated with the Class of 1975. An...

Myrna Poldberg

Myrna Poldberg

May 15, 2025

Myrna Gwen Poldberg was born on April 16, 1930, the daughter of Ellis and Bonnie Blanche (Kemp) Gearhart at the family home in rural Shelby County, Iowa. She was baptized and later confirmed her faith at the First United Methodist Church in Harlan, Iowa. Myrna began her education at Center #7, also known as Windy Knoll, a country school near...

Philip Heller

Philip Heller

May 11, 2025

Philip Albert Heller was born on March 11, 1937, the son of Henry and Frances (Gubbels) Heller in Portsmouth, Iowa. Phil was baptized and confirmed in his faith at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth, where he remained a lifelong member. He attended St. Mary Catholic Schools in Portsmouth and began working full-time for his father...

Galen Boeck

Galen Boeck

May 2, 2025

Galen William Boeck was born on December 30, 1964, the son of Hugo Dwain and Freda Maxine (Peterman) Boeck in Harlan, Iowa. He received his education at Harlan Community High School, graduating with the Class of 1983. He went on to attend Lincoln Technical Institute in Des Moines, where he earned his certification in mechanics.

In 1993, Galen married Cindi Burger,...

Darrell "Goose" Gross

Darrell "Goose" Gross

Apr 25, 2025

Darrell Charles “Goose” Gross was born on June 9, 1951, in Shelby County, Iowa, to Leo and Ruth M. (Feser) Gross. He graduated from Harlan High School in 1970 and spent his entire career working in agriculture.

Darrell had a passion for vegetable gardening and loved sharing his harvest with friends and neighbors. He also enjoyed visiting casinos with friends and...

William "Bill" Bissen

William "Bill" Bissen

Apr 23, 2025

William “Bill” Bissen, age 66, passed away at his home in rural Defiance on April 23, 2025. In addition to his parents, Leonard “Bud” and Bernice (Kenkel) Bissen, he was preceded in death by brother-in-law, Gail Foxhoven.

He is survived by sisters, Betty Foxhoven of Earling, IA and Barb Doran of Plano, TX; nieces and nephews: Tammy (Greg) Bladt of Harlan,...

Daniel Velasco

Daniel Velasco

Apr 8, 2025

Daniel Frank Velasco was born on October 30, 1990, the son of Frank Daniel Velasco and Kim (Johnson) Marples in North Platte, Nebraska. He was raised in Elk Horn, Iowa and attended the Baptist Church. He graduated from Elk Horn Kimballton High School with the class of 2009. He continued his education at Iowa State University, earning a bachelor's degree...

John L. Andersen

John L. Andersen

Mar 30, 2025

John Lynn Andersen was born on June 1, 1960, in Harlan, Iowa, to Lynn and Mary Lou (Reeves) Andersen. He grew up in Jacksonville and graduated from Harlan Community High School with the Class of 1979. John joined the United States Army in 1980 and was medically discharged later that year.

After high school, John spent some time landscaping, but primarily...

Thomas "Tom" Rihner

Thomas "Tom" Rihner

Mar 16, 2025

Thomas “Tom” LeRoy Rihner was born on February 4, 1935, in Shelby, Iowa to Wilbur L. “Roy” and Bertha “Bertie” (Messerschmidt) Rihner. He attended Shelby Consolidated School and graduated with the Class of 1953. During high school, Tom drove a school bus on Route 4 and helped his father with his trucking business. In 1953, he worked for the Rock...

Erik P Rasmussen

Erik P Rasmussen

Mar 10, 2025

Erik Paul Rasmussen was born on November 20, 1964, at the hospital in Harlan, Iowa to Franklin “Fraz” and Doris Rasmussen.

He lived in Council Bluffs with his friends, where he enjoyed outings, shopping trips, and simply spending time together. He especially loved grocery shopping.

Erik had a deep love for music, particularly country music, and cherished car rides around town—especially trips...

Marlin Petersen

Marlin Petersen

Mar 8, 2025

Marlin Leslie Petersen was born on April 18, 1957, the son of Melvin L. and Evelyn M. (Michaelsen) Petersen at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. He was raised on the farm near Redline. He attended Irwin Kirkman Community Schools and graduated with the class of 1975. Marlin was a lifelong member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church near Jacksonville.

From a young age,...

Tim Gross

Tim Gross

Feb 17, 2025

Timothy Joseph Gross was born on December 16, 1949, the son of Leonard and Marie Katherine (Kaufman) Gross in Des Moines, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling. Tim received his education from St. Joseph Catholic School until the 11th grade and graduated from Harlan High School with the class of 1968.

On August 29,...

John Haas

John Haas

Feb 17, 2025

John Kenneth Haas was born September 1, 1928, on the family farm located SW of Jacksonville, Iowa to Adolph and Johanna (Nielsen) Haas as the 6th of 7 children (Ruby, Edna, James, Russell, Amy, John and Donald) who have all passed. John was baptized and confirmed in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Jacksonville and attended Jackson #9 country school through...

Joyce Fah

Joyce Fah

Jan 14, 2025

Joyce Elaine Fah was born on September 28, 1937, to Earl and Inez (Clinton) White in Creston, Iowa. Joyce received her education from Creston High School, graduating in 1955. Joyce moved to Omaha and worked as a telephone operator. 

On December 21, 1956, Joyce married Joseph Fah in Omaha, Nebraska. The couple made their home in Harlan, IA. They were blessed with...

Luke Clark

Luke Clark

Dec 30, 2024

Luke was born November 11, 1954 in Oskaloosa, Iowa the son of Gerald and Shirley (Lamere) Clark. Luke received his education from Harlan Community High School and graduated with the class of 1973. After graduation Luke attended Dunwoody Technical College in Minneapolis, MN.

Luke loved canoeing on the Nish, all things outdoors, riding his Harley and a good cold Budweiser.

Luke is...

Hazel Emma (Bauer) Muller

Hazel Emma (Bauer) Muller

Dec 8, 2024

Hazel Emma Marie (Bauer) Muller, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, was born on February 27, 1926, on a farm near Buck Grove, Iowa, to John and Theresa (Lindner) Bauer. At the age of one, her family moved in with John’s mother and brothers near Portsmouth, Iowa, and a year later settled near Persia.

Hazel began her education at Pleasant Ridge...

James "Jim" Hytrek

James "Jim" Hytrek

Dec 8, 2024

James “Jim” Lewis Hytrek Jr. was born on May 28, 1960, the son of James Lewis Sr. and Sharon Marie (Peterson) Hytrek.

Jim spent his life working as an auto body repairman, a career that allowed him to channel his deep love for muscle cars, especially enjoying the restoration process. He had a special place in his heart for a good...

Joseph Stein

Joseph Stein

Nov 29, 2024

Joseph Micheal Stein, son of Micheal Ambrose and Isabelle Mary (Foxhoven) Stein, was born on January 13, 1942, on the family farm in rural Portsmouth, Iowa. He attended country school, along with his 8 siblings, and graduated from Harlan High School in 1959. He was a longtime member of St. Michael's Catholic Church.

Joe left the farm, after the death of...

Eugene "Gene" Travis

Eugene "Gene" Travis

Nov 28, 2024

Eugene “Gene” Dale Travis, a beloved brother, uncle, and friend, was born on November 21, 1977, to Jessie A. and Roberta J. (Brock) Travis in Fairfax, Missouri. Gene grew up in Craig, Missouri, where he attended Craig R-III Public Schools. He earned his certified welding degree before graduating with the Class of 1997. Gene was known for his dedication, determination,...