Anna Raylene Donnolly, 90, of Mt. Pleasant and formerly of Adel, Iowa passed away on Sunday, December 31, 2023, at Savannah Heights in Mt. Pleasant.

Anna Raylene was born on September 20, 1933, in Gorin, Missouri the only child of Carl Howard and Nellie Leone (Dyer) Keach.  Anna was a 1951 graduate of Fort Madison High School.  On December 15, 1951, she was united in marriage to Marlin V. Donnolly, at the First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant.  He preceded her in death on January 7, 2020.  Raylene worked for Skel Gas in Mt. Pleasant, then later in Adel before her retirement.  

Raylene is survived by her sister-in-law, Marilee Donnolly, her niece, Barbara Donnolly, her three nephews, Michael Donnolly and Robert Donnolly of Mt. Pleasant and Steven Donnolly of Tennessee, along with several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

A family graveside service will be held at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Mt. Pleasant at a later time.  Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for her arrangements.

Leslie I.  Decker, 70, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Friday, December 22, 2023.

Les was born on July 18, 1953, in Kenton, Ohio the son of Junior Irvin and Ruth Alice (Smith) Decker.  He graduated from Cory-Rawson High School and later from Lima Technical College in Limo, Ohio with a degree in Mechanical Design Engineering. Les was united in marriage to Cynthia May Lippi in 1981, in Van Wert, she preceded him in death on July 11, 2014.  He was an avid outdoorsman.  He enjoyed fishing, camping, hiking and traveling. Les had a strong faith, a caring heart and a wonderful sense of humor.  He was a member of the Round Prairie Baptist Church rural Lockridge, where he helped with the children’s ministry.  Les was working for Cornerstone Building Brands of Mt. Pleasant.   His family and grandchildren were a vital part of his life.

Those thankful for sharing in Les’s life include his children, Tracey Miller, Jamie Miller, Casey (Phil) New, Les Decker II, Tammy Decker and Angelstar (Michael) Bell, his grandchildren, Law Decker, Scarlett Bell and Violet Bell, his sisters, Pam Longlott, Sherry Amstutz and Lori (Dan) Diller and his brother, Kenneth (Susan) Decker along with his nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

A celebration of Les’s life will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 2 p.m. at the Round Prairie Baptist Church, rural Lockridge, Iowa, with Pastor Kevin Dice officiating.  The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from noon until time of the service.  Those considering an expression of sympathy, stories and photo’s may direct them to memories@lesdecker.com

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for his arrangements.

Jean Logan, 70, of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, December 30, 2023 at the Taylor House (Unity Point Hospice Facility) in Des Moines, IA.

Jean was born July 12, 1953 in Burlington, IA. She was the daughter of Lawrence Wilbert and Betty Jane (Coleson) Logan. She grew up in Burlington and Mt. Pleasant. She was united in marriage to Bob Hill. The couple later divorced but maintained a good relationship following their divorce.

Jean was a longtime homemaker. For many years, Jean was the Sexton of Forest Home Cemetery and lived in the home on the cemetery grounds. Following her position as sexton, she worked several different part-time jobs. Jean completed her working career as a cook for the Van Vorhies Haus in Mt. Pleasant, where she truly enjoyed cooking for the residents.

Jean enjoyed Bingo, jigsaw puzzles and feeding and watching the hummingbirds and squirrels. She was a loyal fan of the Chicago Cubs.

Those thankful for sharing in Jean’s life include her 2 children – Rob (Nicole) Hill of Urbandale, IA and Lori Hill of Mediapolis, IA; 4 grandchildren – Kennedy Hill, Jaxon Hill, Lexie (Chase) Miller and Bowen Glaha; a great granddaughter – Saylor Miller and her 4 grand-dogs, – Phinnie, Jordi, Tice and Cash.

            Her parents and a brother, Stacy Logan, precede Jean in death.

            A visitation with the family present to receive friends will be held from 4-6 PM on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, IA.

Those considering an expression of sympathy in Jean’s memory may direct memorials to the family. On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.

Karen Ann Wenzel, 77, of Mount Pleasant, died Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Savannah Heights.

Karen was born April 1, 1946, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the daughter of Ledru and Wanda (Bonser) Beaber. She graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1964. On July 14, 1990, Karen was united in marriage to Gene Wenzel in Mount Pleasant. She provided in home care for several elderly women. Karen attended Calvary Baptist Church. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, shopping with Angie, eating out, walking and going to the casino.

Karen is survived by her husband Gene; son Todd Smith of Mount Pleasant; daughter Angie (Charlie) Boecker of Ames; step daughter Janice (Mike) Gatliff of Indianapolis, IN; stepsons, Stephen (Stephanie Robl) Wenzel of Wrentham, MA, Blake (Shelly) Wenzel of Bouton; and nine grandchildren; Rollin and Kellan Boecker, Michael Gatliff, Olivia, Isabella, Matthew, Gabriella, Malcolm and Ramona Wenzel, and one on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents, a granddaughter Heidi Gatliff, and two brothers Tony and Terry Beaber.

A memorial service will be held 3:30 pm Friday, January 5, 2024, at the Olson-Powell Chapel where the family will greet friends beginning at 2:30 pm until time of service. Private burial will be in the White Oak Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to All God’s Creatures. The Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory is caring for Karen and her family.

Roberta Jean Vorhies Mattson, 88, went home to be with Jesus on December 28, 2023 at Parkview Home in Wayland with her family by her side.

Funeral services celebrating her life will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield with Pastor Jason Christensen officiating. Burial will be at Vorhies Cemetery, Lockridge. Visitation will be 4:00 -7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 2^nd at the funeral home. Memorials in Roberta’s honor may be made to the Carnegie Historical Museum or Vorhies Cemetery in care of Lori Fry, 2566 Stockport Road, Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

Roberta was born October 31, 1935, the oldest of six children to Sam and Marie (Graf) Vorhies on the family farm east of Four Corners. She attended Victory #8 Country School, Lockridge High School and Parsons College where she received her teaching degree.

She married Paul Mattson, July 23, 1961 at Hope Lutheran Church in Germanville, Iowa. They made their home on a farm about a mile down the road from where she was born. Paul passed away in 1998. She continued to live on that farm until she moved to the Van Vorhies Haus in 2021.

Roberta was a teacher at heart, even to the very end of life. Even though she suffered with Dementia, she could still recall things about teaching. She taught for 30 years, 3 in Galesburg, Illinois and 27 at Lockridge Elementary School. After retiring in 2001, she still continued to mentor students and be involved in lives of many.

Roberta stayed active in her church, New Sweden Methodist, Retired Teachers and PEO Chapter OO. She even made it in to the gym twice a week. Roberta loved to sew, making hundreds of school bags and hospital gowns. She always enjoyed time with her siblings and their families, mission trips, following her grand children’s activities and watching her great grandchildren play.

Roberta is survived by her children, Lori (Greg) Fry of Fairfield, and Craig (Becky) Mattson of Lockridge; grandchildren, Danielle (Brady) Hill, Brittney (Matt) Tiller, Colton Fry (Mackenzie Harwood), Dillon (Nikia) Fry, Gunnar Mattson and Sam Mattson; great-grandchildren, Adelynn, Lora and Eden Hill, Malachi, Emerson and Quinn Tiller, and Abel Fry; siblings, Stanley (Mary) Vorhies of Dallas City, Illinois, Lea Bradley of Mt. Pleasant, Thelma (Max) Smiddy of Macomb, Illinois, Juanita (Bill) Griest, and Karen Milks, all of Mt. Pleasant; and many nieces, nephew, and great-nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was proceeded in death by her parents; brothers-in-law, Phil Zihlman, Larry Milks, Jerry Bradley, Sidney Mattson and Wade Hill; and sisters-in-law, Irene Hill and Mary Mattson.

Roberta’s family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the wonderful care she received while at the Van Vorhies Haus and the Parkview Home.