Author: Allison Jacobs

Diana “Dee” Ruth Johnson, 78, of Danville, died Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Medical Center Downtown, Iowa City. She was born January 13, 1947 in Kansas City, Mo. to Harold Bamford and Virginia Ruth Snelson, and raised by her mother and adoptive father Charles McCabe.

She attended grade school in Kansas City and high school in Danville, where she graduated in 1967. She attended Lincoln Christian College in Lincoln, Illinois for 1 year. On July 26, 1968, she married Wayne Johnson in Middletown, Iowa; then later that same day in Henry County!

Dee worked at F&M Bank, Kirlin’s, Hobby Lobby, the Christian Bookstore, the Kum & Go in Middletown, housekeeping at the post office in Danville and cleaned the West Burlington Christian Church and sold Avon. She attended West Burlington Christian Church, and later became a member of the New London Christian Church, she was in several BSF Bible Study groups between New London, Mt. Pleasant and Iowa City

She was a member of the Danville Lion’s Club, The Moose in Burlington, and the Red Hat Society and volunteered at Old Threshers main ground and campground for over 50 years. She and Wayne enjoyed many camping trips over the years. She was a collector of Angels, Precious Moments, teapots, and anything Disney. She loved to crochet and was an avid reader of Christian novels and devotionals. She loved snow and everything Christmas. We learned very early Christmas presents were never opened until the Christmas Story from Luke was read.

Dee was always encouraging and loved to hug everyone. She attended all of her children’s events as a chaperone or spectator. She was a devoted wife, mom, gram Dee and known as “even better gram Dee” to her great grandkids. She saved and made copies of EVERYTHING she liked on Facebook so she could share with her friends.

Survivors include her husband; sons Michael Johnson of Austin, Texas; Joshua (Brandi) Johnson of Burlington; daughters Michelle (Troy) Warth of St. James, Missouri; Johanna Hand of Clarksville, Tennessee. 19 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and birth father.

Visitation will start at 12 P.M. on Friday, February 28 at Elliott Chapel with the family present from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, March 1 at the New London Christian Church with Pastors Rod and Nathan Cooper officiating. Interment will be held at Prairie Grove Cemetery, rural West Burlington.

Memorials have been established for Be There Ministries, the New London Christian Church, and Shiloh Children’s Camp.

Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Karen R. Chapman, 85, of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, February 21, 2025 at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.

Diana “Dee” Ruth Johnson, 78, of Danville, died February 20, 2025 at Medical Center Downtown, Iowa City.

Services are pending at Elliott Chapel in New London.

Wendell Dean Linder, 84, of West Burlington, died February 21, 2025 at Arbor Court, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

Services are pending at Elliott Chapel in New London.

Kathy G. Baker, 65, of Keosauqua and formerly of Fairfield, IA, died Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at MercyOne Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services in her honor will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield, with Pastor Court Fischer officiating.  Burial will be in the Fell Cemetery near Libertyville, IA immediately following the service.  Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  Memorial contributions in Kathy’s honor may be directed to Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation of Jefferson County or to the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center.  Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Kathy was born March 18, 1959, to Kenneth and Ava (Weyeneth) Hix in Fairfield, Iowa, the youngest of five children, Gail, Joyce, Duane, and Dan.

Kathy was united in marriage with Paul “Tom” Baker December 18, 1976. They celebrated 48 years of marriage in 2024.

Kathy worked in healthcare with Jefferson County Health Center, Dr. Jim Watson, and the Fairfield Clinic before retiring from Dexter Laundry in 2018.

Family was the most important thing in Kathy’s life. Her home was a safe place for whatever you needed. Friends became family and she went out of her way to make sure she was welcoming and nurturing to all that visited. Her husband, children and grandchildren lit up her soul just by coming by. Her caring and loving spirit will be missed by so many. She also loved and adored her 8-year-old dog, Hailey Jean.

Left to honor her memory are her husband of 48 years, Tom, her sons Sean (Jacque) Baker of Mount Pleasant, IA and Brad (Amy) Baker of Cedar Falls, IA. Grandchildren Kyler Rogers, (Denver, CO), Brayden Baker, Grant and Jillian Baker. Special family members Cole (Katie) Boatright, honorary grandchildren Benett, Brice, and Balen Boatright (Fairfield, IA). Sisters Joyce Brodie (Des Moines, IA), Gail (Joe) Gevock (Coralville, IA), and Brother, The Rev. Dr. Duane (Medora) Hix (Cary, NC). Sisters in law Diana (Kevin) Morris (Clinton, IA) and Renee (Jeff) Burtlow (Delta, IA). Many nieces and nephews also survive to honor Kathy’s memory.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Ava Hix, brother, Dan Hix, and her maternal and paternal grandparents.

Jeane Grossman, 98, of River Valley Place in Fort Madison, Iowa formerly of Farmington, passed away at 8:20 a.m. Friday, February 21, 2025 at River Valley Place.

She was born February 25, 1926 in Rural Farmington, Iowa the daughter of Grover and Hazel (Grimm) Rohdy. On December 2, 1945 she married Paul Grossman at the Sharon Presbyterian Manse. He preceded her in death on October 8, 2022.

She is survived by three children: Dennis (Diane) Grossman of Farmington, Iowa, LeAnn (Jeff) Jones of Donnellson, Iowa, and Charles (Cheryl) Grossman of Colleyville, Texas; seven grandchildren: Denise (Jason) Evans, Dawn (Eric) Conklin, Dana (Justin) Huling, Steve (Billi) Jones, Leslie (Ryan) Benner, Jennifer Grossman, and Jake (Ellen) Grossman; 13 great grandchildren; sister Betty Jury; and sister-in-law Alice Rohdy. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Paul; siblings: Ruth, Dale, Helen, Bob, Charles, and Don.

Jeane graduated from Farmington High School, She was a member of Sharon Presbyterian Church, and the  Presbyterian Women. She taught Sunday School and Bible School. She was also a member of the Farmington Quilt Club. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, flower and vegetable gardening, and baking. Jeane always made the best Christmas candy. She also loved working on the farm.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 24, 2025 at Sharon Presbyterian Church in Rural Farmington, Iowa with Pastor Katrina Bergman officiating.

Burial will be in Sharon Cemetery, Rural Farmington, Iowa

A memorial has been established in her memory for Sharon Presbyterian Church or Compassus Hospice.

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