Author: Theresa Rose

Lea Ann Cardoni, 61, of Danville, Iowa, was called home to heaven on February 24, 2021 at Great River Hospice House in West Burlington from cancer. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM, June 12th at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant with a Celebration of Lea’s life to follow from Noon until 3:00 at Old Thresher’s Museum B, Mt. Pleasant. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be expressed at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Great River Hospice House or Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. She was born on February 6, 1960, to Thomas and Geraldine Graham in Newton, Iowa. She graduated from Newton Senior High School with the class of 1978 and Iowa State University in 1982.
Lea found and married her soul-mate, Bob Cardoni, in 1988. They shared a love deeper than life itself. Lea was a humble, dependable, hardworking woman; always ready to help friends, family, and her community, including Old Threshers and Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant. Lea set high expectations for herself and inspired others to reach their full potential. She had a quick wit and fun sense of humor that brought joy to everyone around her. She enjoyed gardening, camping, reading, and spending time with her friends and family. Lea thoroughly enjoyed working the last 21 years at TDT CPAs and Advisors.
Lea is preceded in death by her father, Tom Graham; Grandparents Dwight and Thelma Monroe, Ruth Larson, Harold Graham; and infant twin brothers, Timothy & Terry.
Survivors include her mother Gerry Graham; loving and supportive husband, Bob Cardoni; daughters Jen Woods (Clay) and Anne Becker (Dan); step-daughter Liz Cardoni Quinn; step-son Matt Cardoni (Beazley); adorable and forever loved grandchildren Caitlin, Emily, Alex, Sebastian, and Lara; sisters Jodi Feddema (John), Mary Snow (Kevin), and Jeane Keplinger (Scott); and nieces and nephews Rick, David, Miranda, Anna, Ellen, and Graham.

Michael Duane Polka, 71, of New London, died Friday, June 4, 2021 at Great River Medical Center, West Burlington. He was born December 19, 1949 in Cedar Rapids to Paul John and Doris June Brown Polka. He married Connie Konicek Weaver and then on July 30, 2007 he married Lori Jo Wasson Poe in New London.
He was baptized in the Catholic church and was of the Christian faith. Following high school, he served in the United States Marine Corp in Vietnam earning the rank of Lance Corporal. Michael worked two years as a realtor, owned his own construction business for 18 years, and retired after 17 ½ years at the Mt. Pleasant Treatment Center where he held several union positions including union president. He was a member of the Donald Wasson VFW Post #7641 in New London.
Survivors include his wife Lori (Lena) Polka; his father Paul; children Michael D. Polka and Mindy Frazier both of Memphis, Tennessee, Derrick Poe of Mt. Pleasant and Justin (Josie) Poe of Bonaparte; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister Patti (Bob) Youngman of Tama, brothers Dan (Teri) Polka of Tama, Bill (Brendie) Polka of Carlisle and Marty (Lori) Polka of Norwalk. He was preceded in death by his mother; sister Angela (Dolan) Van Nevel and one great-granddaughter.
A Celebration of Life will be held June 26th from noon until 3:00 at the Tama Civic Center. A local Celebration will be held at the Donald Wasson VFW at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Lori (Lena) Polka to help with funeral expenses. Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Gerald A. Dunn, 66, of North Liberty, died Sunday, June 6, 2021 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.

Norman Lee Westerbeck, a military veteran, gourmet cook, gardener, a stylish dresser, golfer, fisherman, coin collector, watcher of sports, jokester, a ladies’ man and known to be stubborn at times, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2020 in Turlock, California.
A graveside service with military rites by the Henry County Honor Guard will be held at Burge Cemetery, rural New London at 3:00 pm on Saturday, June 12, 2021 with his grandson, Nicholas Charles Crabb officiating.  The family will greet friends for refreshments at the New London VFW Post #7641 immediately following the service.  The full obituary may be viewed at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Richard M. “Dutch” Chaney, 90, of Mt. Pleasant died Sunday, June 6, 2021 at University of Iowa Hospital. Services are pending at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel.