The Danville City Council will meet in regular session on Monday, December 15th at 5:15pm in Danville City Hall, 105 W. Shepherd Street. Items on the agenda include department reports among other items. This meeting is open to the public.
The New London City Council will meet in special session on Monday December 15th at 7pm at city office, 112 W. Main Street. This meeting is open to the public.
Brenda George (nee Begalske), age 66, passed away on December 11, 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospice following a four year long battle with breast cancer, surrounded by loved ones.
Local survivors include a sister, Linda (Mark) Kimzey of Mount Pleasant and their children Rebekah Kimzey of Norwalk, IA and Aaron (McKenzie) Kimzey of Monmouth, IL.
Vigil Service 3:30 PM and Visitation: 4:00-6:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, 1844 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 18, 2025, St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1790 14th Street, Marion, IA. Burial: Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion.
Memorials may be made to Unity Point Hospice.
Those unable to attend are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Brenda’s tribute wall and share your support and memories with her family at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries. Announcement courtesy of Mt. Pleasant’s Kimzey Funeral Home.
Floyd J. West, 90, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, surrounded by his loving family.
Visitation for family and friends will be 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. with a time for sharing at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 17th at St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield with Fr. Ross Epping as celebrant. Burial will be at Fell Cemetery in Libertyville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Four Oaks Foster Care, supporting foster care programs throughout Iowa — a cause close to Floyd’s heart. Donations may be mailed to Melanie Dill, 7797 Belo Dr., Unit 1, Peosta, Iowa 52068.
Floyd was born January 2, 1935, the son of Glen and Faye (Singleton) West. Floyd was a devoted husband to Elizabeth and a loving father to Kathy and Melanie.
Floyd was a hardworking man whose life was rooted in dedication to his family, friends, and community. He spent much of his career as a skilled carpenter and as the operations manager for West Excavating, where he was known for his attention to detail, steady work ethic, and reliability. Though he never sought recognition, Floyd lived a life that spoke through actions — marked by integrity, kindness, and unwavering faith. He left a meaningful impact on all who knew him.
He enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, and time spent with those he loved. A man of few words, he showed his love through consistency, generosity, and presence. Floyd was a member of the Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and St. Mary Catholic Church, and he proudly served in the Iowa National Guard for 17 years.
Floyd and Elizabeth also devoted part of their retirement years to fostering children, opening their home and hearts to more than ten kids — a testament to their generosity and compassion.
Floyd is survived by his daughters, Kathy (Harold) Cubbage and Melanie (Mark) Dill; grandchildren, Jason Cubbage, Amy Scotton, Joshua Dill, Gabriel Dill, and Shelby Dill; great-grandchildren, KatieJo Scotton, Livia Dill, Maxwell Dill, and Madison Utterback; great-great-grandchild, Wayde Stutzman; and his special friend, Joyce Countryman.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth West; his parents, Glen and Faye West; and his brothers, Cloyce West and Homer West.
We find comfort in knowing that Dad’s legacy lives on in the lessons he taught us, the love he gave so freely, and the memories we will hold close forever.
Michael Ray “Mike” Baxter, 72, of Nixa, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at his home.
Mike was born on September 21, 1953, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of James and Lois (Bauer) Baxter. Mike was united in marriage to Namora Schaefer on May 19, 1984, in Mount Pleasant. Mike owned and operated Green-Co Pest Control Business for several years. In his spare time, he enjoyed swimming and boating and drinking beer with friends and family at the cabin. He attracted dogs and kids everywhere he went. Everyone loved Mike.
Those thankful for sharing in his life include his wife of 41 years, Namora, his step-daughter, Sonja (Mike) Ruhland, and his two grandsons, Josiah (Billie) Ruhland and Max Ruhland, along with his brothers and sisters, Jimmie (Donna) Baxter, Joe Baxter, Dianne (Chuck) Sutter, Judy (Denny) Bozarth, Greg Baxter, Lynda (Ron) Crawford, Sherry Nelson, and Brian Baxter, along with many nieces and nephews.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Jerry Baxter, Raymond Baxter and Randy Baxter, his sister-in-law, Vivian Baxter and his brother-in-law, Mark Chrisinger.
Graveside Services will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at the Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant where the family will be present that evening from 4 to 7 p.m. A memorial has been established in his memory.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com
The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of Mike Baxter.
Xenia S. Hemsworth, 81, of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Birkwood Village of Ft. Madison, IA.
Mrs. Hemsworth, the former Xenia (Oksana)Svitlana Mirza, was born April 24, 1944 in Odesa, Ukraine. She was the daughter of Michael and Maria Mirza. Her family emigrated to Europe and then to Australia, escaping the ravages of World War II. With family connections in the United States, Xenia emigrated to St. Paul, MN. She graduated from Humboldt High School as a member of the Class of 1961. Xenia was selected to be Miss St. Paul. On July 21, 1968 in St. Paul, Xenia was united in marriage to Terry Laurence Hemsworth.
Xenia and Terry were entertainers, headlining at the Edgewater Inn, located on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Paul. They also took their act on the road, performing in many supper clubs and night clubs. They resided in St. Paul, then Bemidji, MN before returning to St. Paul. In 1982, the couple moved to make their home in Mt. Pleasant.
Once in Mt. Pleasant, Xenia owned and operated Curtain Call Draperies. She created curtains for stages and entertainment venues, shipping them all around the world. Xenia retired from curtain production and closed her business in 2019.
Xenia was a member of the Hope Lutheran Church. She had been active in the Mt. Pleasant Community Theater, having roles in many plays and musicals. Xenia will be lovingly remembered for “always willing” attitude, never complaining about her challenges.
Those thankful for sharing in Xenia’s life include her husband of 57 years, Terry of Mt. Pleasant; 3 children – John (Amanda) Hemsworth of Mt. Pleasant, Brydie Marie (Brent) Criswell of Shueyville, IA, and Daniel Hemsworth of Rome, IA, and 6 grandchildren – Henry, Violet and Munro Criswell and Ben, Cecelia and Gabriel Hemsworth.
Her parents and two brothers, George and Sviatoslav Mirza, precede Xenia in death.
The funeral service for Xenia will be 10:30 AM on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Hope Lutheran Church, 1465 Walnut Ave., rural Brighton, IA (in the Old Germanville area). The Rev. Ryan Dexter, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Hope Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12 Noon to 7 PM on Friday, December 19th at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM.
Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
Jennifer Cisco Riepe died unexpectedly at age 55 on November 10, 2025. She is survived by husband Sam Riepe, son Tiber (Marqui) Cisco, brothers Brad (Sarah) Cisco and Matthew Cisco, nephew Elliott Cisco and niece Elinor Cisco.
Jen was born in Mt Pleasant, Iowa, but her family moved several times through her childhood. They eventually resettled in Salem, Iowa, in her junior year of high school.
Jen and Sam dated throughout her senior year. After graduation Jen spent many years exploring many new homes in New Mexico, Florida, Colorado, Washington state and England before returning to Mount Pleasant.
Jen and Sam never lost contact with one another, and in 2011 rekindled their relationship. They married in 2013, and in 2016 she realized a long-time dream when she opened her own antique store.
In 2017 Jen began what was truly her life-long dream: creating The Vintage Raven Kitten Haven. With the help of friend Kate Ridinger, Jen took in hundreds of displaced kittens and young cats, nursing them to health and finding them homes. She did this despite days, weeks and even months of sleepless nights due to bottle feeding and tending to wounds. It became a quiet joke in the Riepe house whenever a kitten was adopted because Jen would cry tears of joy and sorrow simultaneously. She loved them all.
Jen was a person of deep and passionate love and devotion. Her laughter and wit were contagious, her convictions were fiercely defended, and she will live forever in the hearts of those who knew her.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Pleasant on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jen’s name to All God’s Creatures, the animal shelter serving Henry County.
The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St. Mt. Pleasant, is assisting with arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
Fort Madison Fire & Rescue responded yesterday, Thursday, around 4:15 p.m. to a structure fire at 1817 Avenue F after dispatch received a 911 call reporting smoke coming from the roof of the residence.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke coming from the home and active fire in the kitchen area with extension into the attic space.
Conditions at the time were snowy and extremely slick road conditions.
Crews made an interior attack to knock down the kitchen fire while additional firefighters worked from the exterior to address flames within the attic and roofline. As conditions deteriorated and portions of the roof began to sag, crews were withdrawn from the interior for safety and suppression continued from the exterior.
The fire was brought under control at approximately 5:15 p.m.
Utility crews from Alliant Energy and MidAmerican Energy responded to secure electrical and natural gas services.
One dog was safely removed from the residence prior to the fire department’s arrival by a passerby who noticed smoke coming from the home. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is believed to have originated in the kitchen, in a toaster located on the stovetop. The residence did not have active homeowner’s insurance.
Fire crews remained on scene into the evening performing overhaul and checking for hot spots. All units were cleared from the scene by 6:30 p.m.
Units responding included: 9400, 9411, 9415, 9442, 9454, and 9473, along with the Fort Madison Police Department, Lee County EMS, and LeeComm Dispatch.
Fort Madison Fire & Rescue would like to thank responding agencies, utility partners, and the members of the public for their assistance.
Holiday plants bring color and life to our homes during the winter months. From the scent of a fresh-cut Christmas tree to the bright bracts of poinsettias and the bold blooms of amaryllis, these plants are a big part of seasonal decor.
Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist at Iowa State University, offers care tips to keep holiday plants healthy and appealing throughout the holidays and beyond.
Keep cut trees watered
A fresh-cut Christmas tree is often the centerpiece of holiday decorating. When choosing a tree, look for green needles that bend easily and stay attached when you shake the branches. Before placing the tree in its stand, cut about half an inch off the base of the trunk. This helps the tree absorb water. Keep the stand filled with water at all times. A tree can absorb a gallon or more in the first day.
Additionally, place the tree away from fireplaces, radiators and sunny windows to prevent it from drying out too quickly. “Checking the water level daily is the most important thing you can do to keep your tree fresh,” said Steil.
Live wreaths stay fresh outdoors
Live wreaths are another holiday favorite. To keep them looking fresh, start with greenery that is not dry or losing its needles. “The ideal conditions for wreaths are moist and cool,” Steil noted.
In most cases, live wreaths will only last a week indoors before drying out; however, in outdoor winter temperatures, they can remain green for months. Keeping wreaths out of direct sunlight and heat can also further their longevity. Additionally, an anti-desiccant spray can help slow moisture loss, keeping them fresher for a longer period.
Don’t overwater poinsettias
Poinsettias are known for their colorful bracts and deep green leaves. They thrive in bright, indirect light and temperatures between 65 F and 75 F. Keep them away from drafts and heating vents to avoid leaf drop. Water them only when the top of the soil feels dry, and avoid letting the plants sit in water.
If your plant is wrapped in decorative foil, drain the excess water. “Most poinsettias do not need abundant watering through December,” said Steil. “Overwatering might be the number one reason why poinsettias die before the end of the year.”
Amaryllis makes an easy-to-care-for gift
Amaryllis bulbs produce large, showy flowers that brighten any space. Plant the bulb in a pot with the top third of the bulb above the soil. Water lightly until growth starts, then keep the soil moist. Next, place the pot in bright light so the stalk grows strong. “When growing in low light, the stalk may get quite tall and lean. By placing it in abundant light, flower stalks will stay shorter and are less likely to tip over,” mentioned Steil.
Waxed amaryllis bulbs have become popular for their convenience and ease. They require no soil or watering. Simply place the bulb in a bright location and enjoy the blooms. “Waxed bulbs are a great low-maintenance option, making them a great gift,” Steil said.
Save plants at the end of the holidays
After the holidays, don’t throw your holiday plants away. While poinsettias and waxed amaryllis bulbs are intended to be composted at the end of the season, they can be saved and even rebloom with the right care. After the flowers fade on amaryllis bulbs, cut the stalk, but leave the leaves. Continue watering and fertilizing to allow the bulb to store energy for next year. “Amaryllis can bloom year after year if you care for the bulb properly,” Steil explained.
Evergreen branches from wreaths and trees can also be composted or chipped for mulch. Trees can be set outside for the remainder of winter for birds and animals to use as shelter, or branches can be laid over perennial garden beds to provide additional protection from the cold. “With a little attention, holiday plants will stay fresh and add beauty to your celebrations,” said Steil.
