Author: Theresa Rose

JoAnn Gail Ostby was born on December 24, 1944 in Fergus Falls, MN, the daughter of Myrtle (Fronning) and Morris Baasen. At age 2, her mother passed away. Her father married Avis (Pikop) in 1954. She was baptized and confirmed at rural Rock Prairie Lutheran Church, Elbow Lake, MN. JoAnn graduated from Elbow Lake High School, and she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD in 1966. She peacefully entered into eternal rest February 5, 2023 in Winfield, IA at Sunrise Terrace Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

The family welcomes donations as an expression of sympathy instead of flowers. Please make contributions to the Family of JoAnn Ostby and mail to Cheryl Crawmer, 3723 147^th St., Urbandale, IA 50323. The contributions will be split between the three county public heath nursing services where JoAnn worked.

JoAnn met Frank Ostby during her senior year at Augustana and they were married on June 8^th, 1968 at Rock Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Elbow Lake, Minnesota. They were married 52 years. They set a great example of how to love your spouse in good times and bad. Frank and JoAnn had three children, Cheryl, Kris and Paul.

JoAnn worked for 42 years in various fields of nursing, with the last 17 in public health. She worked as an RN for Rochester Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN, Palmer Memorial Hospital in West Union, IA, NIACC as an LPN instructor in Calmer, IA, Craft Care Center in Panora, IA, and Dallas County Hospital in Perry, IA. JoAnn also worked in public health nursing in Guthrie County, IA, Redwood County, MN and in Worth County, IA. In her last years of nursing, she supervised the home care for the elderly who were able to remain in their own homes. Once retired, JoAnn and Frank spent time at Orangewood Shadows in Mesa, AZ for the winter.

JoAnn was very active in the various churches where she was a member. Her involvement included choir pianist, organist, Stephen Ministry and circle (bible study) to name a few. JoAnn had a huge heart and was a dedicated servant for God. JoAnn used her talents and passions to serve others. She loved to knit, sew, quilt and bake. Most of the items she made were for various missions of her churches. Her grandchildren’s favorites were her donuts and sugar cookies. She always had a tin of them in her freezer. She loved music; she played the organ and piano at church and the clarinet in bands in Mason City, IA and at Orangewood Shadows (Mesa, AZ). In addition to the church, JoAnn volunteered often with various medical clinics (blood donation, flu clinics, etc.).

JoAnn also loved spending time outdoors: hiking, walking, canoeing, tube floats, golfing and biking. Many of these were incorporated into camping and family trips. She also liked to travel. Frank and JoAnn traveled to Norway twice, they took a Panama Canal cruise, an Alaskan Cruise and they went to various places around the US. JoAnn liked to play cards and other games with her family and friends.  With cards, she always said she had a bad hand, but then seemed to win. She loved to read, which is one of the few things she was able to continue to do despite her Parkinson’s. She was very proud of her three kids, and her grandchildren brought her great joy.

JoAnn was known for her faith, kindness and huge heart for service. She will be greatly missed.

JoAnn is survived by her children Cheryl (Travis) Crawmer of Urbandale, IA, Kris Davis (Mike Scheidt) of Van Meter, IA and Paul (Julie) Ostby of Mount Pleasant, IA; her sister Carlyn (Ron) Nordby of Wilmar, MN and brother Eugene Baasen of Hutchingson, MN. There are eight grandchildren: Justin and Madison Crawmer, Jacob and Emma Davis, Brittan, Zachary (Brianna), Anna and Kolbein Ostby; sister-in-law, Eldora (Jack) Kelly of Springfield, VA and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, her parents and various other relatives.

A funeral service for Mrs. Ostby will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 11 at the Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor Jeffery A. McPheron will officiate. Burial will be at later date in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Albert Lea, MN. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 7 PM on Friday at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family will receive friends from 10-11 AM Saturday morning at the church.

On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Joyce A. Newton, 73, of Oquawka, Illinois, formerly of Farmington, Iowa, passed away at 2:57 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

She was born on May 7, 1949, in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of Don Eugene and Betty (Hedden) McBride. On April 9, 1971, she married John Newton in Dallas City, Illinois.

Survivors include her husband: John; one daughter: Julie (Jeff) Sims of Oquawka, Illinois; one son: Jeff (Resa) Newton of Hillsboro, Iowa; five grandchildren; Alonzo and Citlally Morales, Auset Sims, Jasmine Seitz and Sebastian Newton; one brother: Darrell (Christine) McBride of Farmington, Iowa and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter: Joanna Newton.

Joyce was a 1967 graduate of Harmony High School. She worked as a waitress at Country Kitchen and the Bridge Cafe. She also worked for Riverside Plastics. Joyce was an avid reader and enjoyed ceramics, watching television shows and movies.

A visitation will be held with the family receiving friends from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington, Iowa.

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 8, 2023, with Pastor Chad Welch officiating.

Burial will be at Greenglade Cemetery, Farmington, Iowa.

A memorial has been established in her memory for the Epilepsy Research Foundation.

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

Laverne Messer, 79, of Wayland died Friday, February 3, 2023, at Parkview Manor in Wellman.

Laverne was born May 14, 1943, in Merrimac, the son of Perl and Betty (Brewster) Messer. He graduated from Richland High School in 1961, and Iowa Wesleyan in 1967, with a degree in mathematics and a minor in physics. Laverne began teaching math and physics at WACO in 1967. While teaching, he also coached girls’ basketball and raised three children and spent 53 wonderful years together with his wife Linda (Miller). He was a member of the Cottonwood Methodist Church. In 1975, he went to work for Messer Oil Company, where he served as business manager. The business was sold to Cobb Oil, and Laverne worked there until his retirement in 2007. After retirement Laverne drove school bus and was a substitute teacher.

Laverne was a dedicated member of the Washington and Wayland Masonic Lodges, KAABA Shrine, and Order of Eastern Star. He was appointed by the Worthy Grand Matron of the Order of Eastern Star to be the Grand Representative of Alberta, Canada in 2010. Laverne served as the Eastern Star Grand Warder of the State of Iowa for 2013-2014.

In his younger years, Laverne was very active in fastpitch and slowpitch softball. He enjoyed playing cards and watching Hawkeye sports. He always had a special place in his heart for dogs. Laverne loved his family and treasured the time he was able to spend with them.

Laverne is survived by his wife Linda; three children Roni (Craig Glover) Messer of Cedar Rapids, Jodi (Pat) Pelkowski of Derby, Kansas, Marc (Brittany) Messer of Williamsburg; three grandchildren Shae (Karen) Pelkowski, Brin (Ken Shockley) Pelkowski, Aubree Messer; one great granddaughter Eliza Pelkowski; mother Betty Messer; three brothers Gene (Darla) Messer, Gary (Lori) Messer all of Wayland, Dan (Terry Kirk) Messer of Washington and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in the Cottonwood Cemetery near Wayland. Pastor Gerard Muller will officiate. Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 7, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. The family will be present to greet friends from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. A Masonic Service and Eastern Star Service will begin at 7:00 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors), Kids Cancer Charity, and Cottonwood Cemetery. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Susan R. “Susie” Breazeale, 69, of Sherrard, Illinois and formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, February 3, 2023 at her residence in Sherrard.

A memorial service will be held in April at the Trimble Funeral Home in Moline, IL. Interment will take place also in March at the Cedar Creek Cemetery, rural Mt. Pleasant. A complete obituary will be published at a later date.

The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, is assisiing Susie’s family with the local arrangements.