Author: Yorke Prough

Neal Edward Krieger, 79, of New London, died Monday, September 2, 2024 at his home. Neal was born July 2, 1945 in Burlington, the son of Edward and Florence Lorenz Krieger.  He attended school in Sperry through the 11^th grade and graduated from Burlington High School in 1963.  Neal was in the Army Reserves and attended Harmony Bible Church.  On April 6, 1968 he married Barbara Hallgren in Burlington.

Neal bought his farm in New London in 1979 while still employed as a sheet metal worker for Brockway and then Frank Millard and Company, both in Burlington, retiring at 55. He then began his fulltime passion and love, farming.  He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports, farming, mushroom hunting, deer hunting, and joking around with everyone.  He would say, “I love it when people smile!”

Neal is survived by his wife Barbara; son Mark (Vicki) Krieger of Muscatine; daughters Michele (Justin) Johnsen of Heyworth, Illinois, and Gina (Mark) McSorley of New London; grandchildren Bailey and Carly Krieger, Addison, Ellery and Aven Johnsen, Carson, Isaac and Ashlyn McSorley; brothers Jerry (Barb) Krieger of Mediapolis and Roger (Jan) Krieger of Burlington; nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, September 6, 2024 at Elliott Chapel, New London.  Visitation will begin after 9:00 AM at the Chapel with the family receiving friends from noon until time of the service. Burial will be held in Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington.  A memorial has been established to Heart Song Day Services, Burlington, Iowa.  Online condolences may be left for the family at elliottfuneralchapel.com

Janet Shipman, 90, of Mediapolis, passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at her home.    Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Mediapolis.  Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at the Oakville Christian Church.    Private family burial will be in the Wapello Cemetery.   Memorials have been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice or Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.  Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. 

Janet Lee Gerst Shipman was born in Oakville, Iowa to Hattie Frances Hardin and David William Gerst in 1934.  Janet was one of 12 siblings whom she loved dearly.  At the age of 4, Janet almost lost her leg, she was proud to tell the story of how Dr. Cappy Russel saved her leg many times over the years.  She was also proud that she was the valedictorian of her class, graduating from Oakville High School in 1952.  After high school she worked for Dr. Hulsey in Burlington for a few years.  She then went on to work for Kent Feeds in Oakville in 1955 becoming the company’s second employee.  She dedicated more than six decades and retired from TriOak Foods.  After retiring, she donated her time to TriOak and the Oakville Community for several more years.

In 1956, Janet married Wayne Dale Shipman and he blessed her with four mischievous, inquisitive and active children that they raised on the family farm.  She loved all of her children dearly.  Her children blessed her with 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren with one on the way.

Janet enjoyed the little things in life, weekly hair appointments, reading and working her crossword puzzles while drinking her coffee, going to the races and spending time with her family and friends.   Janet and her late husband, Wayne were avid Ducks Unlimited supporters and loved to travel the world for DU conventions making friends everywhere they went.  Up until the flood of 2008, Janet enjoyed hosting regular Sunday family meals at the family farm.

With the loving care of Bob and Tammy she was able to remain with them at home until she passed peacefully in her sleep on August 31, 2024.

Janet was preceded in death by her sister, Judith Ellen, her parents, her dear husband, Wayne, her sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Street and brothers, Roger and Raymond Gerst.

Janet is survived by siblings, Richard (Diane) Gerst, Carol Hartman, David (Joyce) Gerst, James (Donna) Gerst, John (Joann) Gerst, Don (Connie) Gerst, Ruthann Schroeder, Kathy (Dave) Brown and MaryLynn Grooms. Her children; Tammy (Robert) Shipman-Decker, Tara (Steve) Poggemiller, David (Dawn) Shipman and Jana (Rich) Poe.  Her grandchildren; Jaymi (Steven Blanchard) Putnam, Josey (Geovanny) Lomeli, Jake (Paige) Poggemiller, Clayton Poggemiller, Kelsey (Austin) Twinam, Hattie (Luis) Garrison, Dalton Shipman, Alizanndra (Alec) Askey, Elijah, MagDalen and Issac Poe, Elizabeth and Brandon Decker and Jackie (Robert Hall) Poe.  Great-Grandchildren, Gray, Garner and Geordy Lomeli, Tauren Poggemiller, Rowan, Lorelei and Beckham Garrison, Evelyn Mindham, Edith Blanchard and Adalynn, Jovi and Bennett Hall. And lastly her beloved dog Stella.

Marjorie Joyce “Johnny” Foster, 92, of Burlington, died Saturday, August 31, 2024 at her home.  She was born in Lowell, Iowa on November 30, 1931 to William Lee and Laura V. Thornburg Pickle.  She attended Denmark High School.  She married Carl Foster and they later divorced.

She was a Grand Lodge Representative for the International Association of Machinists for many years.  Johnny was very active in the Democratic party; enjoyed cooking, visiting friends, and especially loved her family.  She had an incredible knack for knowing what a person wanted and thoroughly enjoyed gifting you with it.

Survivors include her sons Clinton Daniel (Julie) Foster and Scottie Foster, both of Burlington; daughter Laurie (David) Bawidamann of Burnsville, MN; four grandchildren; and two sisters, Karen Putnam of West Burlington and Mary Gohr of Burlington.  She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; six sisters; grandson JD Foster; and granddaughter Jessica Wiegard.

According to her wishes her body has been cremated and there will be no services.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneral.com.

Lawrence “Larry” Perry Geils, 83, of Branson, Missouri, formerly of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away Friday, August 30, 2024, peacefully at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born on April 30, 1941, the son of William and Maire (Anderson) Geils and his stepfather Frank Bideaux who was a huge part of his life. 

On August 28, 1960, he married Carolyn L. Young, who survives.  They recently celebrated 64 years of marriage.  

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Teresa (Mike) Pollpeter of Walnut Shade, Mo, Dean (Kate) Geils of Bradford, Pa.  Four grandchildren, Brandon (Shelby) Pollpeter, Cory (Chandler) Pollpeter, Kiera Geils, and Zoe Geils and one great grandchild Monroe Pollpeter, one sister Roberta Bynum and one brother James Bideaux.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather, and sister Sylvia “Jean” Geils.

After high school he and Carolyn remained in Donnellson and were active in their community and owned several businesses.  They were members of the Donnellson United Methodist Church and Larry served a term on the city council. He also served as the president of Iowa Oil Jobbers.

In 1993, he and Carolyn moved to Branson, MO and eventually had a successful condominium management company. He was a member of the Branson United Methodist Church.  

Larry enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren and traveling with friends.  His travels took him on many adventures his most loved of which was cruising.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 6, 2024 at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson.  

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 6, 2024 at the Argyle Memorial Gardens in rural Argyle, Iowa with Carolyn Pundt officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of the donor’s choice.

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

Marilyn Williams Reed, 95, of Danville, died Sunday, August 25, 2024 at Klein Unit, West Burlington, Iowa.  She was born January 6, 1929 in rural Danville to Clair A. and Helen Howard Williams.  She was a 1946 graduate of Danville High School; a 1949 BA graduate of the University of Iowa; and a 1976 MA graduate of the University of San Francisco.  On August 16, 1951 she married Joseph Doyle Reed in Taft, California.

Marilyn taught elementary classroom and vocal music for thirty-seven years, most of those in Antioch, California.  After retiring from teaching, she was a trained volunteer at the Lodi Women’s Center serving women victims of domestic violence and rape.  She was a member of the Union Baptist Church in Rio Vista, California where she taught Bible studies and sang in the choir.  She had a strong faith in her Lord Jesus Christ which drove her passion to serve others.  Later she was a member of Harmony Bible Church, rural Danville where she was involved in the choir, Burlington Jail, and Mt. Pleasant Women’s Prison Ministries.  She also enjoyed reading, gardening, and traveling in the United States and abroad.

She is survived by her husband of seventy-three years of Danville; sons Rock (Angela) Reed of Alpharetta, Georgia and Russ (Diane) Reed of Danville; six grandchildren, Amy, Ben, Paul, Alex, Brook and Lindsey; and nineteen great-grandchildren.  Her parents and sister Frances Carson preceded her in death.

According to her wishes, her body has been cremated and the family will gather at a later date to celebrate her life.  Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.