June Lowe, 98, of Mount Pleasant, formerly of Cedar Rapids and Ottumwa, died Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at the Henry County Health Center.

June was born on September 30, 1926, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the daughter of Floyd R. and Linnie (Murphy) McDaniel. She graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1944. She continued her education at the University of Iowa, where she received a bachelor’s degree in commerce in 1948. June went on to earn a master’s degree in education in 1967, from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College, now known as Truman State University. On November 30, 1948, she married Henry E. Freeman of Clear Lake, they resided in Galesburg, Illinois, and Mason City where their three daughters were born. The couple divorced in 1960.

June and her daughters moved back to Ottumwa where she became a teacher for the Ottumwa Community School District for 27 years. On December 26, 1962, she was married to Bill J. Lowe who was also a teacher. After retiring in 1989, she moved to Cedar Rapids to be near her daughters and grandchildren. Early in her retirement was involved with childcare and volunteering in her grandchildren’s schools. Additionally, she volunteered in medical records at Mercy Medical Center. She was an active long-standing member of Cedar Christian Church, the fitness facility, and her card playing group. June moved to Mount Pleasant in 2018 to be close to her daughter Karen.

At the age of 9, she expressed the desire to be Street Commissioner because she wanted to keep God’s world to be clean of litter so it was only natural for her to be a volunteer with the Cedar Rapids City Spring Cleanup.

June is survived by her three daughters, Karen (Jim) Kurtz, Nancy (Jim) McGough, and Diane (Joe) LaFontaine; six grandchildren: Traci Gardner, Alisha Hileman, Tiffany Ray, Tami Kurtz, Derek Kielkopf, Dustin Kielkopf; seven great grandchildren: Falon Gardner, Cairys Gardner, Hayleah Carlo, Noah Hileman, Maddie Hileman, Kerissa Kielkopf, Bentley Kielkopf; step great granddaughter Alena Lopez; sister-in-law Patty McDaniel; nephew Mike (Robin) McDaniel, and a niece Sue (Aaron) Votroubek. She was preceded in death by her parents, former husbands, infant sister Donna Jean McDaniel and a brother Keith McDaniel.

According to her wishes her body has been cremated and there will be no formal services. Burial will in the Ottumwa Cemetery at a later date. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for June and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Floyd Eugene Shafer, 95, of Fairfield, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Monday, February 24, 2025 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. Funeral services celebrating his life will begin at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield. Memorials may be made to the Jefferson County Fair and sent to the family at 2722-255^th Ave. Montrose, Iowa 52639.

Floyd was born July 20, 1929 in Fairfield, the son of Glenn and Florence (Clapp) Shafer. He was a 1947 graduate of Fairfield High School. Floyd married Ramona Bonar on July 23, 1950 at the Bethesda Church in Fairfield. Floyd and Ramona were very much a part of the rural youth groups in the late 1940s.

Floyd was active in 4-H and served many years on Jefferson County Junior Agricultural Show board of directors. He was also an active member of FFA and received the Sate Farmer Degree. Floyd placed second in the state tractor rodeo competition. He and his brother Keith owned a wire tie baler and custom baled hay in the neighborhood for several years. Floyd loved the farm life and could repair any farm implement. He was a good mechanic and an excellent welder.

Floyd also ran the scales at the sale barn for years – from beam scales to electronic digital weighting arenas.

In later years, he restored many antique tractors and referred to himself as a tractor nut. He belonged to the Wayland Tractor Club and participated in many tractor rides sponsored by the club. Floyd rode in the first WHO tractor ride on his 1929 Farmall Regular and continued to participate on the rides for many years.

In his early life he had a small dairy herd and sold his milk to Farmer’s Creamery in Keosauqua and served on their board of directors. Later he was part owner of South Iowa Dairy and distributed milk under the Bordens milk label. He raised sheep for more than 50 years, starting with some Corriedale ewes purchased from Montana.
Floyd moved to the family farm in 1931 with his father, mother, and brother Keith. Over the course of the next 90 years, he experienced monumental changes in agriculture, going from horse drawn highly labor intensive to reduced tillage highly mechanized operations. Floyd was an early adaptor of conservation planting techniques starting in 1976 with no till planting and processing to ridge till to minimize costs.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and a good neighbor to all. He didn’t shy away from hard work and passed on that good work ethic to his children and grandchildren.

Those left to honor his memory include his children, Joe (Judy) Shafer of Davenport, Iowa, Marla Shafer of Montrose, Iowa, Wayne (Michele) Shafer of Fairfield, and Gail (Nancy) Shafer of Orcutt, California; grandchildren, Sarah (Shawn) Mills, Joanna (Joe) Willemkens, Rachel (Nick) Springer, Jonathan (Paige) Shafer, Kenyon, Simone, and Halla Shafer, and Timothy and Alexandra Shafer.

Floyd was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and brother, R. Keith Shafer.

Online condolences may be made to Floyd’s family by viewing his obituary at www.behnerfh.com.

Brenda Diane Neeley, 73, of Keosauqua formerly of Bonaparte, passed away at 4:40 A.M. Friday February 14, 2025 at River Hills Village in Keokuk.

She was born September 27, 1951 in  Keosauqua, Iowa the daughter of Raymond “Tip” and Martha (Smith) Counts. On November 7, 1969 in Farmington, Iowa she married Jack W. Neeley. He preceded her in death on September 22, 2007.

Survivors include two sons: Jeremy (Pam) Neeley of Bonaparte, Josh (Emily) Neeley of Bonaparte. Two daughters: Jill (Robert Quick) Simmons of Keosauqua and Jeannie (Brad) Cochenour of Revere, Missouri. Grandchildren: Kory (Mariah), Isabel, Anna, Clay, Faith, Bryce, Taylor, Kayden, Jayce, Tiffany (Sterling Barnes) and Jacklyn (Jackson Fett). Great grandchildren: Mason, Jameson, Paxton, Jake and Remy. Also surviving is one sister Lois (Gary) Mellinger and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Kent Counts, son-in-law Joe Simmons, and brother-in-law Jim Neeley.

Brenda was a 1969 graduate of Harmony High School. She held several offices in the Fox River Little League. Brenda enjoyed quilting, crocheting and crafting. Most of all she enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren play sports.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Thursday, February 20, 2025 at the Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington. The family will not be present during this time.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 A.M.  to 11:00A.M. Friday February 21, 2025 at the Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday at the Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington with Cork Battey officiating

Burial will be at a later date in the Bonaparte Cemetery in Bonaparte.

A memorial has been established in her memory.

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

Maribeth Oetken Moravec, 79, of New London, died Friday, February 14, 2025 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  She was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on May 8, 1945 to Vernon Floyd and Mary Esther Morris Oetken.

She was a 1963 graduate of New London High School and attended the University of Dubuque where she met the love of her life, Theodore Lawrence “Larry” Moravec, Jr.  They were married September 3, 1966 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Burlington.  They then quit college, returning home to help with Maribeth’s family’s business.  He died August 3, 2021.  Maribeth was a member of Burlington Baptist Church and worked as a teller at New London State Bank; as bookkeeper for Oetken Inc.; and retired as admissions secretary for Iowa Wesleyan College.

She enjoyed reading, especially biblical mysteries; loved watching mystery medical shows, and action and adventure movies with her sons; she loved food and family dinners; and spending time in Florida with her parents.

She is survived by her sons, Brett (Kristy) Moravec of Danville and Drew (Andi) Moravec of St. Louis City, Missouri; two grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Mike Michener, Brian Cox, Tami Simon, Joy Oetken and Rodger Oetken.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Scott, sister Linda, and brother Jim.

A memorial service for Mrs. Moravec will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at Elliott Chapel, New London with Pastor Kendall Adams officiating.  Visitation will begin at 10:00 with the family greeting friends from 1:00 until the time of the service.  According to her wishes, her body has been cremated and will be inurned at a later date at Burge Cemetery, New London, next to her beloved husband and son.  A memorial has been established for Burge Cemetery.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.