Delora Faye Fraise

By Yorke Prough · Monday, November 27th, 2023 at 4:39 pm CDT

Delora Faye Fraise, 91, of Fort Madison, Iowa, passed away peacefully at 6:40 a.m. Monday, November 27, 2023 at the West Point Care Center in West Point, Iowa.

She was born on August 4, 1932, in Eubank, Kentucky the daughter of Everette and Bertha (Osborne) Pumphrey and moved with her family to the Denmark area when she was three years old. She married her true love, Gene, on December 31, 1949, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point, Iowa.

She is survived by three sons: Mike (Abby) Fraise of Wever, Iowa, Ron (Kim) Fraise of Fort Madison, Iowa, Larry (Dawn) Fraise of Wever, Iowa; one son-in-law: Paul (Betty) Mohrfeld of Fort Madison, Iowa; fourteen grandkids: Tim (Tammy) Mohrfeld, Jason (Mindy) Mohrfeld, Amy (Mark) Kellerman, Brian (Sara) Mohrfeld, Jerry (Stephanie) Mohrfeld, Julie (Darin) Astor, Todd (Erin) Fraise, Nick (Maria Scott) Fraise, Heather Fraise, Stacey (Jason) Dixon, Evan (Ashley) Fraise, Adam Fraise, Nathan Fraise, Brent (Trent) Fraise; thirty-two great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Shirley Martin of West Point, Iowa, Faye Fraise of West Point, Iowa; one brother-in-law: Marvin (Marcia) Fraise of West Burlington, Iowa. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

Faye was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter: Rita Mohrfeld; granddaughter-in-law: Laurie Mohrfeld; brother: Jess (Karlene) Pumphrey, two sisters: Vola (Junior) Weisinger and Ethel (Marvin) Junkins, sister-in-law: Topsy; brothers-in-law: Albert “Sonny” Fraise, Andrew Fraise, Keith Fraise, and Wayne Martin.

Faye grew up with her three siblings and went to school in the Denmark area. In high school, she caught Gene’s eye at the roller rink and as they say, “that’s all she wrote.”  After a whirlwind courtship, they married and eventually established roots in the West Point area to farm and raise a family. They had four children of which she was immensely proud. She was relentlessly by Gene’s side. She drove tractors when in the fields and propped up the babies in a car seat in the barn when Gene was milking cows just to spend time with him. She was unyielding in her support of Gene’s political career and clerked for him in the Iowa Senate for several years.

Faye hosted many holiday gatherings for her family. She made a killer cherry delight and the BEST ham balls. One of her favorite past-times was doting on her grandkids. But she also loved playing cards and gambling at the casino (penny slots!) with Lucy and all her Red Hat friends. She did have an ornery side and could be a little feisty, especially at coffee (If that coffee pot could talk!). She had a particularly special relationship with her niece, Vicki, with whom she shared many laughs and a few tears.

She is mostly remembered for her capacity to love her husband and family. She was an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother and friend. Her beautiful smile will be greatly missed.

A visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A parish rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 1, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.

Burial will be Fairview Cemetery, rural Fort Madison, Iowa.

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

Mary Keller

By Yorke Prough · Monday, November 27th, 2023 at 4:36 pm CDT

Mary Gwynn Keller, 92, of Donnellson, Iowa, went home to Heaven at 5:13 p.m. on Friday, November 24, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Ft. Madison, Iowa.

She was born on March 2, 1931, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the daughter of James and Effie (Cone) Johnson. On January 21, 1949, she married John Ronald Keller in Billngs, Montana. He passed away on March 22, 2018.

Survivors include their six children: Rhonda (Tom) Shouf of Palatine, Illinois, Stanley (Kathleen) Keller of Brookville, Indiana, Mickey (Rebecca Wright) Keller of Ft. Madison, Iowa, James Keller of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Calvin (Kimberly) Keller of Morning Sun, Iowa, and Teddy Ann (Paul) Van Velzer of DuBois, Wyoming; one sister: Sharon Stockton of Owatonna, Minnesota; fifteen grandchildren and forty-seven great grandchildren; 1great- great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband: Ron; her son: Mark; her daughter-in-law: Cyndi Keller; great granddaughter: Sarah Dane and grandson: Micah Keller.

Mary attended Embury United Methodist Church. She enjoyed Bible study and her faith was in the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior. She enjoyed studying the genealogy of her family. The highlight of her year was being part of the Pioneer Village at the Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. She especially loved interacting with people as she sat on the log cabin porch playing her dulcimer.

Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Homes for cremation.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Embury Methodist Church, rural Donnellson, Iowa with Pastor Nancy Sinclair officiating.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her memory for Backpack Ministries at Embury United Methodist Church.

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

Kathy Alter

By Yorke Prough · Monday, November 27th, 2023 at 4:32 pm CDT

Kathy Kay Alter, 70, of Mount Pleasant died on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at Savannah Heights in Mount Pleasant.

Kathy was born January 11, 1953, in Muscatine, Iowa, the daughter of Robert and Gloria (Vanzyle) Buster. She married Scott Alter on July 7, 1973. Kathy lived in Mount Pleasant most of her life, except five years in Muscatine where she enjoyed spending time with friends at Hershey Manor. Kathy was an avid Mount Pleasant Panther Athletic supporter, enjoyed listening to Iowa basketball and football on the radio, car rides, dinner out to eat and to the casino with family, going to Oakland Mills to watch the eagles, she loved cats, and she especially enjoyed time with her grandkids.

She is survived by two sons, Chase (Rita Hartman) Alter of Burlington and Rusty (Sashae) Alter of Mount Pleasant, three grandchildren, Jahmal, Jaiya, Maverick, a brother Rick Buster, a sister Pam Buster, cousins, and numerous nieces and nephews. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents and Scott Alter.

The family would like to thank the staff of Savannah Heights and EveryStep Hospice for the care they provided Kathy. Visitation will be held, Friday, December 1, 2023 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. with family present from 4:00-6:00 at Olson Powell Chapel and Crematory. A memorial has been established for funeral expenses. Contributions may be given online at powellfuneralhomes.com on Kathy’s obituary page.

Burlington House Considered Total Loss After Sunday Afternoon Fire

By Yorke Prough · Monday, November 27th, 2023 at 8:54 am CDT
At 12:43 PM, on Nov 26th, 2023, the Burlington Fire Department and West Burlington Fire Department responded to a reported house fire at 325 Concord Dr. Burlington, IA. Firefighters arrived 4 minutes later to find heavy smoke coming from a single-story home.
325 Concord Dr. is owned by Tomas and Judy Burner. The fire was found by a Burlington Police officer on routine patrol, the homeowners were not home at the time of the fire. The family dog was safely rescued from the home.
There were working smoke detectors in the residence.
The property is insured. Damages to the structure are being assessed at this time. However, the structure is considered a total loss.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
There were no civilian injuries reported. Firefighters cleared the scene at 4:23 PM. 11 Burlington firefighters responded to the incident initially and were assisted by WBFD, Superior Ambulance, and Alliant Energy.

Keokuk Man Sentenced to Over 4 Years in Prison for Possession of Firearm

By Yorke Prough · Monday, November 27th, 2023 at 8:26 am CDT

A Keokuk man was sentenced yesterday to 57 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon.

According to public court documents, Octavius Sergio Dion Whitaker, 28, stole two firearms from the Farm King in West Burlington on October 27, 2022. Both firearms were later recovered by law enforcement in possession of other individuals.

After completing his prison term, Whitaker will be required to serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), as well as the West Burlington Police.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

West Burlington Man Arrested After Assaulting and Stalking Woman

By Yorke Prough · Monday, November 27th, 2023 at 6:55 am CDT

On November 22, 2023, at approximately 5:50 PM Des Moines County deputies were dispatched to Timberline Estates at 14876 Washington Road Lot# 65 in reference to a disorder and violation of a no contact order.  Deputies were informed by a resident at Lot #65 that Kendrell Rogers had attempted to enter the residence through a window, and then fled on foot. Rogers had an active no contact order with a resident at that location. Deputies attempted to locate Rogers but were unable to find him at that time.

Then, just 37 minutes later, deputies were dispatched once again to 14876 Washington Road Lot #65 after they were advised by a complainant that Rogers had returned. At this time, he was pounding on the door. Deputies located Rogers at the residence, where he took off on foot, attempting to elude deputies.

Rogers was apprehended a short time later at a nearby trailer lot, where he was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to the Des Moines County Jail.

Kendrell Rogers, age 31, of West Burlington, IA was charged with Stalking (D-Felony), 2 counts of Violation of a No Contact Order, and Interference with Official Acts.

Rogers was previously found at this residence with another male. In September, Rogers assaulted a victim and choked her.

At that time, he was charged with Burglary 1st degree, Aggravated Domestic Abuse/Assault, Violation of a No Contact Order, and Trespass.

MPCSD School Board Meeting This Evening – All Are Welcome

By Yorke Prough · Monday, November 27th, 2023 at 6:43 am CDT

The Mt. Pleasant Community School Board will meet in special session tonight for what is essentially an organizational meeting. Members who were elected on November 7th will take the oath of office and officially become a part of the board for their length of term. A school board president will be elected, as well as a vice president, board secretary/treasurer, and determine the committee assignments.

Representative Jeff Shipley will be in attendance and provide insight from the Iowa House of Representatives. He is scheduled to be the first “big item” on the agenda.

This meeting will take place at 6:00pm in the Highschool media center. This is open to the public, as are all of these meetings, and usually lasts around an hour.

The Superintendent, John Henriksen, will join me for the 12 o’clock news to provide updates from the school board and happenings around the district. You can tune in to 105.5FM, 98.5FM, AM1130, and KILJ.com to hear that full interview around 12:20pm.

Man Killed in Traffic Accident in Keokuk County

By Yorke Prough · Monday, November 27th, 2023 at 6:42 am CDT

An 82 year old was killed in a motor vehicle accident in Keokuk County on Saturday, November 25th.

A vehicle was traveling northbound at the 31500 Block 323rd Avenue, and crossed the center line, striking a second vehicle head on. The first vehicle came to rest in the west ditch, while the other vehicle ended up on the east shoulder.

Marsha Patterson, 79 of West Chester, and Kathy Wagamon, 47 of Brighton, were injured as a result of this accident. Both women were wearing their seat belts. Marsha was transported to the University of Iowa Hospital by air-care, while Kathy was transported by Keokuk County Ambulance.

There were two additional injuries due to the accident, but seat belts were used, and these two individuals were transported to the University of Iowa Hospital, one by air-care and one by ambulance.

Multiple ambulance services provided attention at the scene.

Frank Patterson of West Chester was transported to Keokuk County Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.