Rodney (Rod) Eugene Hope, 66, of West Burlington, formerly of New London and Mt. Pleasant, died at 9:28 pm on January 9, 2026 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.

He was born on November 19, 1959 in Winterset, Iowa to Larry Eugene and Myrna Marie Little Hope. On April 24, 1982 he married Sherry Blow at the Open Bible Church in Mt. Pleasant. Together, they raised two sons.

He was a 1978 graduate of Winterset High School and a 1980 graduate of Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny. He began working at the Fareway Grocery in Winterset during high school. In 1981 he moved to New London to work for Continental Telephone Company as an install and repairman. He then worked for Alliant Energy (Iowa Southern Utilities), retiring in 2016 after thirty-two years.

Rod made two meaningful trips to Juarex, Mexico and helped Broken Heart Ministries working on construction projects. He was a member of the 20th Century Car Club in Mt. Pleasant.

Survivors include his wife Sherry; sons Clint (Megan) Hope of West Burlington and Spencer (Katty) Hope of Des Moines; grandchildren Carson, Callie, Corbin, Hayden, Myra, Lainey and Baby Hope on the way; sister Rhonda Shoafstall (Tom Switzer) of Liscomb, Iowa; step-sister Sheryl Moore of Mt. Pleasant; niece Brandi Morris and nephew Brandon Richards; step-nephew Justin McDonald; step-nieces Krista McAllister and Jamie Krogmeier; great-niece Bailee Richards, Mariah Richards and Denim Morris; great-nephew Dayton Morris; many cousins and beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father Jim Moore; paternal grandparents Ralph and Gwendolyn Hope; maternal grandparents Charles and Geneva Little; great-nephew Dallon Morris; and his close friend Tom Brown.

According to his wishes, cremation has been entrusted to Elliott Chapel, New London and there will be no services. A memorial has been established to be determined later. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

The family would like to thank Amy, Amber and the staff at Southeast Iowa regional Hospice House for their compassionate and meaningful care to Rod during this time.

William Daniel Ledlow, 45, of Hillsboro died unexpectedly Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant.

Will was born October 8, 1980, in Hohenwald, Tennessee, the son of Levi and Barbara (Edington) Ledlow. He worked construction before moving to Iowa. He has lived in Hillsboro for the last 18 years and worked for West Liberty Foods for 10 years and most recently Lomont Molding. He loved to cook and was always coming up with his own recipes. Will enjoyed spending time with family and friends, bonfires and cheering on the Pittsburg Steelers.

Will is survived by his fiancé Sara Burns; four children, Nick (Mahala) Bur-Cart, Jamen (Hayden Durall) Ledlow, Trevin Burns-Ledlow, Ziggy Burns-Ledlow; his mother Barb Ledlow; a brother Christopher (Shelby) Ledlow, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and an aunt Mary Jane.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Will and his family. Messages may be sent to the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com.

Kum Yea “Kay” Phelps, 96, of Eagan, Minnesota, formerly of Mount Pleasant, passed away Thursday, January 8, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Eagan.

Kum Yea was born August 27, 1929, in Osaka, Japan, the daughter of Boon Chang and Il Boon (Chun) Lee. On August 19, 1960, she was united in marriage to Thomas “Tom” Phelps in Seoul, Korea at the American Embassy. They lived in Chicago, Illinois, before moving to Mount Pleasant. Kum Yea worked for Lomont and then Motorola for 17 years before retiring. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. Kum Yea enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, going on country drives, embroidery and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Kum Yea is survived by her daughter Patricia Tinder of Eagan, Minnesota, son Thomas “Tim” Phelps IV (Maggie) of Irvine, California; five grandchildren Matthew Tinder (Christy), Alexa Tinder, Thomas “Martin” Phelps V, Serena Phelps, Melody Phelps; great grandchildren Leo Tinder and Eileen Tinder, a sister Kie Boon Han and a brother Seung Boo Lee, both of Chicago, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Thomas “Tom” Phelps III, a sister Sue Em, and three brothers Han Chul Lee, Han Sook Lee, and Katsuwa Lee.

A celebration of KumYea’s life will be at Calvary Baptist Church in the spring. Memorials may be directed to the Mount Pleasant Library or Calvary Baptist Church. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Kum Yea and her family. Messages may be sent to the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com.

Larry John Raid (86) of Denmark, Iowa, died peacefully at home January 9, 2026 after surviving 10 years with dementia.Larry was born March 18, 1939 in Fairfield, Iowa the son of Arlo J. and Leontina D. (Schlecht) Raid. On May 28,1966 he married Mary Elizabeth Petsche at St. Alphonsus Church in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

Larry graduated from Denmark Academy High School in 1957. He then attended Bluffton College in Ohio for two years and was inducted into their football Hall of Fame as “Rocky.” In 1962 he graduated from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (Truman State University) with a Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Education. After graduation he returned to Denmark to found Pry Plastics Incorporated.

On the night of July 17, 1964, by a stroke of luck, Larry met Louis Armstrong, and by a stroke of fate, he also met his future wife Mary Petsche. Together, Mary and Larry built their family and community in Denmark. Larry served as volunteer fireman, coached softball and little league, and operated Pry Plastics for 55 years. He and Mary traveled with their children across the United States teaching them about the world. Larry found no greater joy than helping others discover and learn.

Larry led a big life. Owning a short line railroad, patenting a cap rack, collecting and showing antique gas engines, and establishing Linotype University, an annual pilgrimage for printers from around the world, there was not a person or machine he would not befriend. His impact on this earth will be forever felt from the thousands of bookmarks he printed, the hand he was always willing to lend, and for the cards he would endlessly play with his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; his children, Michelle (Barry) Tuller, John (Linda) Raid, Laura (Chad) Witthoeft; his grandchildren, Zachary (Christine Isaguirre) and Rachel Tuller, Ethan and Jenna Raid, Elizabeth, Anna and, David Witthoeft; one sister, Kay Gingrich; two sisters-in-law, Margaret Petsche and Janet (Tom) Erickson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers-in-law, Marvin Gingrich and Eugene, Donald, William and Neil Petsche; two nephews, Troy and Tod Gingrich.

Visitation will begin at 11:30 am, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Barr Memorial Chapel, Ft. Madison, Iowa, with funeral services following at 1:30 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be at Denmark Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Midwest Old Threshers Foundation and Denmark Academy Fund.

The Raid Family would like to thank Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice. A special thanks to Phyllis Hinds, RN, for her care of Larry.Barr Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the Raid family and an online guest book may be found at www.barrmemorialchapel.com.