Author: Allison Jacobs

Karen Ann Wenzel, 77, of Mount Pleasant, died Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Savannah Heights.

Karen was born April 1, 1946, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the daughter of Ledru and Wanda (Bonser) Beaber. She graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1964. On July 14, 1990, Karen was united in marriage to Gene Wenzel in Mount Pleasant. She provided in home care for several elderly women. Karen attended Calvary Baptist Church. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, shopping with Angie, eating out, walking and going to the casino.

Karen is survived by her husband Gene; son Todd Smith of Mount Pleasant; daughter Angie (Charlie) Boecker of Ames; step daughter Janice (Mike) Gatliff of Indianapolis, IN; stepsons, Stephen (Stephanie Robl) Wenzel of Wrentham, MA, Blake (Shelly) Wenzel of Bouton; and nine grandchildren; Rollin and Kellan Boecker, Michael Gatliff, Olivia, Isabella, Matthew, Gabriella, Malcolm and Ramona Wenzel, and one on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents, a granddaughter Heidi Gatliff, and two brothers Tony and Terry Beaber.

A memorial service will be held 3:30 pm Friday, January 5, 2024, at the Olson-Powell Chapel where the family will greet friends beginning at 2:30 pm until time of service. Private burial will be in the White Oak Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to All God’s Creatures. The Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory is caring for Karen and her family.

Roberta Jean Vorhies Mattson, 88, went home to be with Jesus on December 28, 2023 at Parkview Home in Wayland with her family by her side.

Funeral services celebrating her life will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield with Pastor Jason Christensen officiating. Burial will be at Vorhies Cemetery, Lockridge. Visitation will be 4:00 -7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 2^nd at the funeral home. Memorials in Roberta’s honor may be made to the Carnegie Historical Museum or Vorhies Cemetery in care of Lori Fry, 2566 Stockport Road, Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

Roberta was born October 31, 1935, the oldest of six children to Sam and Marie (Graf) Vorhies on the family farm east of Four Corners. She attended Victory #8 Country School, Lockridge High School and Parsons College where she received her teaching degree.

She married Paul Mattson, July 23, 1961 at Hope Lutheran Church in Germanville, Iowa. They made their home on a farm about a mile down the road from where she was born. Paul passed away in 1998. She continued to live on that farm until she moved to the Van Vorhies Haus in 2021.

Roberta was a teacher at heart, even to the very end of life. Even though she suffered with Dementia, she could still recall things about teaching. She taught for 30 years, 3 in Galesburg, Illinois and 27 at Lockridge Elementary School. After retiring in 2001, she still continued to mentor students and be involved in lives of many.

Roberta stayed active in her church, New Sweden Methodist, Retired Teachers and PEO Chapter OO. She even made it in to the gym twice a week. Roberta loved to sew, making hundreds of school bags and hospital gowns. She always enjoyed time with her siblings and their families, mission trips, following her grand children’s activities and watching her great grandchildren play.

Roberta is survived by her children, Lori (Greg) Fry of Fairfield, and Craig (Becky) Mattson of Lockridge; grandchildren, Danielle (Brady) Hill, Brittney (Matt) Tiller, Colton Fry (Mackenzie Harwood), Dillon (Nikia) Fry, Gunnar Mattson and Sam Mattson; great-grandchildren, Adelynn, Lora and Eden Hill, Malachi, Emerson and Quinn Tiller, and Abel Fry; siblings, Stanley (Mary) Vorhies of Dallas City, Illinois, Lea Bradley of Mt. Pleasant, Thelma (Max) Smiddy of Macomb, Illinois, Juanita (Bill) Griest, and Karen Milks, all of Mt. Pleasant; and many nieces, nephew, and great-nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was proceeded in death by her parents; brothers-in-law, Phil Zihlman, Larry Milks, Jerry Bradley, Sidney Mattson and Wade Hill; and sisters-in-law, Irene Hill and Mary Mattson.

Roberta’s family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the wonderful care she received while at the Van Vorhies Haus and the Parkview Home.

Dorothy E. Holtkamp, 94, of Salem, Iowa, passed away at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, December 28, 2023, at River Hills Village in Keokuk, Iowa.

She was born on February 20, 1929, near Salem, Iowa, the daughter of Lawrence and Agnes (Holtkamp) Box. On April 22, 1950, she married Dennis C. Holtkamp at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton, Iowa. He preceded her in death on April 5, 1990.

She is survived by her daughter: Jeanne Fedler of New London, Iowa; son: Rick (Christine) Holtkamp of Keokuk, Iowa; granddaughter: Sara (Adam) Burden of Solon, Iowa; grandson: Clint (Wendy) Fedler of the Virgin Islands; two great grandchildren: Addison and Beckett Burden; two sisters: Marcella Holtkamp of West Point, Iowa, Eileen (Dave) Pranger of West Point, Iowa; two brothers: Edward Box of Burlington, Iowa, Norbert (Karen) Box of West Point, Iowa and sister-in-law: Carol Box of Burlington, Iowa. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Dennis; son: Randy Holtkamp; son-in-law: Kenny Fedler and brother: Adrian Box.

Dorothy was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Houghton and the Altar and Rosary Society of the church. She enjoyed gardening, quilting, cooking and baking pies for the church. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday, January 1, 2024, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Houghton, where a rosary will be recited at 1:30 p.m. and a Christian wake service will be held at 3:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Houghton with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.

Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery in Houghton.

Memorials have been established in her memory for St. John’s Catholic Church or St. John’s Cemetery.

Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Nettie Sorensen, 91, of Wapello, passed away Thursday, December 28, 2023 at Arbor Court Nursing Home in Mt. Pleasant.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  The Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Service of Wapello is caring for the family.  A general memorial has been established.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Nettie Jean Blanchard was born on February 12, 1932 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph and Edna (Lange) Blanchard. On October 18, 1951, she was united in marriage to Donald Sorensen in Burlington, Iowa.  She worked as a bookkeeper at the Danville Elevator and Wapello Republican for many years.  Nettie was a 50-year member of the Good Hope Rebecca Lodge #267 of Wever, also serving as the Assembly President of Iowa in 1987-1988.  She was member of the Denmark Congregation Church and attended the First Presbyterian Church of Wapello.  Nettie enjoyed gardening, fishing, playing cards, telling jokes, baking for family and friends and loved flowers.

Nettie will be deeply missed by her husband, Donald Sorensen of Wapello; children, Sharon (Darwin) Fritz of Fremont, Nebraska, Michelle (Ben) Heckart of Danville, Dawn (Jon) Oliver of Martinsburg, Douglas Sorensen of North Little Rock, Arkansas; 8 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; siblings, Donald ‘Squirt” (Nancy) Blanchard of West Point and Roberta (Jack) Stout of Alabama.

Nettie  was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Herbert ‘Doc” Blanchard.

Stewart Linder Kinney, 81, retired long time Fire Chief for the city of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Thursday, December 28, 2023 at his residence.

Stewart was born March 9, 1942 in Mt. Pleasant. He was the son of Raymond Wilson and Elsie Attelabelle (Smith) Kinney. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1960. He was united in marriage to Susie Parker. The couple later divorced. In 1993, Stewart married Shirely Mae Parker Crawford. Mrs. Kinney died December 28, 2012, 11 years to the day prior to Stewart’s death.

Stewart owned and operated Kinney Masonry. He did brick work and general masonry for an untold number of structures in the area. For 52 years, Stewart was a firefighter, and served 32 years as the Fire Chief of the Mt. Pleasant Fire and Rescue Department.

Stewart was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was a “hot-rod” building and was an overall car enthusiast. He spent many hours at Payne’s Street Rod Fabrication, where he loved participating in various projects of the shop. He was a fan of the music group “Boston.”

Those thankful for sharing in Stewart’s life include his children – Chuck (Kelly) Kinney of Ashville, NC, Brian Kinney of Mt. Pleasant and Jeremy Crawford of Mt. Pleasant; a brother – Stephen Kinney Of Milaca, MN; grandchildren – Karlie Grace (Landon Taylor) Kinney, Parker Paul Kinney, Samantha Jo (Braden Holtkamp) Crawford, Danielle Marie Crawford, Van Stephen Crawford and Allie Mae Crawford; a niece – Edith Celine (Matt) Cannon and a grandnephew – William Galen Cannon;

His parents, wife Shirley, sister-in-law Lorna Kinney and nephew Kane Karl Kinney precede Stewart in death.

The funeral service for Stewart will be 1:30 PM Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The Rev. Court Fischer will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 8 PM on Wednesday, January 3 at First United Methodist Church. The family will be present to receive friends from 4-7 PM.

The funeral will be livestreamed on the First United Methodist Church’s YouTube Channel. Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Mt. Pleasant Fire and Rescue Department.

The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, is caring for Stewart and his family. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com