A Celebration of Life for Kelvin “Kelly” J. Slagel, 68, of Wayland, IA, will be held Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 10:30 AM at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church south of Wayland, with Pastor David Boshart officiating. The service will be available via Livestream through the Sugar Creek Facebook page. Burial will follow at Sugar Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, September 4, 2023, from 1 – 7 PM at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church, where the family will greet friends from 3 – 5 and 6 -7 PM. Kelly died Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospital.

A memorial fund has been established for Wayland Mennonite Church and White River Cheyenne Mennonite Church. The Beatty Peterseim Funeral Home is assisting the family

Kelly Jay Slagel was born December 4, 1954, in Mt. Pleasant, IA, the son of Warren E. and Vernelda (Widmer) Slagel. He graduated from WACO High School and attended Hesston College in Kansas. On December 17, 1977, he was united in marriage to Veronica Boshart at the Sugar Creek Mennonite Church. Kelly worked at Wayland Feed Service, later becoming part owner with Randy Chalupa. Later in life Kelly worked as a part time pastor and part time painter. Kelly was a member of Wayland Mennonite Church and enjoyed playing cards, working in the yard, model trains and planes, and classic rock. Family was very important to Kelly, and he cherished time spent with his grandchildren and extended family.

Survivors include his wife Veronica of Wayland, IA; two children: Matt (Jen) Slagel of Washington, IA, Andrea (Drew) Larson of Waunakee, WI; four grandchildren: Gavin and Corinne Slagel and Paige and Sam Larson; his sister Wendy (Ron) Scarff of Wayland, IA; mother-in-law Ermadine Boshart of Wayland, IA; one sister-in-law Karla (Lamar) Roth of Hesston, KS; and two brothers-in-law: Merlin (Annie) Boshart of Kalona, IA and David (Shana) Boshart of Elkhart, IN.

Preceding Kelly in death were his parents; infant brother Kevin; brother Eric; nephew Ryan Scarff; and father-in-law Norman Boshart.

Vivian Madonna Stuekerjuergen, 92, West Point, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2023 with her family at her side.

Vivian was born to John and Eleanor (Rueter) Mertens on September 22, 1930. As a young girl, she loved playing with her siblings. She graduated from St. John’s Catholic School in Houghton, where she enjoyed her studies and her classmates. Her nickname at school was “Mert.”

Vivian’s first jobs after high school were at a bank and at the USDA extension office in Donnellson. She met her husband, Robert “Bob” Stuekerjuergen, at the Rose Garden in West Point. They were married at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, on July 29, 1952, after Bob returned from the Korean War. They enjoyed 61 years together.

After raising her family, Vivian worked at Merschman Furniture as a bookkeeper and salesperson, at which she excelled until her retirement.

Vivian took great pride in her five children and was an accomplished homemaker. In her later years, she thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Vivian loved the Fall. She relished drives in the country to enjoy the autumn colors and attend area harvest festivals. She was a voracious reader, and enjoyed crossword puzzles. Other interests included gardening, flowers, cooking, baking, and sewing.  She made delicious black raspberry pies.

Vivian looked forward to visits with close friends and hosting family gatherings, especially at Christmas. She greatly appreciated time with her morning coffee group at J&M, where she was known for weaving people together with graciousness and good conversation. Vivian was stylish and had a flair for fashion. She had sensible, solid values, but could also be fun and witty.

Vivian is survived by sons: John (Patrice) Stuekerjuergen and Brian (Judy) Stuekerjuergen; daughters: Joan (Steve) Conrad, Susan Skog, and Ann (Kirk) Garmager; grandchildren: Erik Stuekerjuergen; Jaclyn (Michael) Fackler; Dan (Alicia), and Brent Stuekerjuergen; Jeff and Evan Skog; and Allison and Lauren Garmager; great-grandchildren: Ella Stuekerjuergen and Heidi Fackler; siblings: Audrey (Henry “Hank”) Holtkamp, Joe Mertens, and Jerry (Dorothy “Dottie”) Mertens; and a sister-in-law: Mary (Richard “Dick”) Klesner.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Bob; brother: Francis Mertens and sisters: Mary Feik, Eileen Wheeler, Vera Carney, and Judy Moeller; and son-in-law: Jim Skog.

Mrs. Stuekerjuergen has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Homes for cremation.

Her family will greet friends on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at St. James the Less Catholic Church in St. Paul, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian burial will immediately follow the visitation, at the church with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.

Burial will be at St. James Cemetery in St. Paul.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. James the Less Catholic Church or to Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington. Donations may be directed to the family or to Schmitz Funeral Home, West Point.

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

Anna Lee Brown, 88, passed away Thursday, August 31, 2023, at her home in Mount Pleasant.

Anna was born January 13, 1935, in Port Huron, MI, the daughter of Leo and Madeline (Pemberton) Carnahan. She grew up in Michigan and moved to New London in 1951. Anna was united in marriage to Donald Brown on June 9, 1952, in Lake Port, Michigan. She was a very active member of the Church of Christ Restoration where she served as an Elder, and held many fundraisers so children could attend church camp. She served as a leader of her church Women’s Group and was a faithful prayer warrior. Anna volunteered for Henry County Head Start. She enjoyed reading, gardening, canning and spending time with her family.

Anna is survived by her 11 children: Carol (Greg) Franklin of Las Vegas, NV; Jeanette (Scott) Dillon of Winfield; Karen Hunter of Mount Pleasant; Theresa Warren of Lagrande, OR; MaryJo Crawford of Keosauqua; Robert Brown of Hubert, NC; Richard (Melissa) Brown of Mount Pleasant; Daniel (Melinda) Brown of Keosauqua; Charles (Jody) Brown of Wayland; Denise (Jeff) Dietrick of Mount Pleasant; Joe (Leea) Brown of Mount Pleasant; many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; four brothers: Mike Carnahan, David Carnahan, Steve Carnahan, Dennis Carnahan; and a sister Madeline Wilson.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Donald; her son Donald; two sisters: Rita Feek, Mary in infancy; and five brothers: Leo, Roger, Charles, Timothy and Patrick Carnahan.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 6, 2023, from 1-7 pm at the Olson Powell Chapel and Crematory where the family will greet friends from 5-7 pm. A private family funeral service will be held. Burial will be in the Brooks Cemetery in rural New London. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Fellowship Cup and Hospice Compassus. The Olson Powell Chapel and Crematory is caring for Anna and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com