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OBITUARIES
Obituaries - Des Moines area
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Bernard “Ben” Julien Von Ruden
Bernard “Ben” Julien Von Ruden, aged 86, passed away on January 9, 2026, at Edencrest at Tuscany Care Center in Altoona, Iowa. He was born July 30, 1939, in Traill County, North Dakota to Victor John “Jack” and Othilda “Tillie” Von Ruden. Ben attended Morgan #4 Country School, Mayville High School, Mayville, North Dakota, and North Dakota State School of Science in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He married Joyce Dragland in 1959, to that union children Michael “Mike” (Sandy), Jo
1 day ago


John David Harlan
John David Harlan, 82, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away peacefully at the Des Moines Veteran’s Administration Community Living Center on December 13, 2025. John was born on January 22, 1943, in Newton, Iowa. He grew up on a farm with his parents, Ellis and Julia (Blount) Harlan, grandfather, Samuel Blount, and his two sisters, Mary and Jane. John shared many stories about growing up on a farm, including arduous early morning chores, attending a one room schoolhouse, and his
3 days ago


Helen Elaine Beach
Helen Elaine Beach, born July 8, 1953, in Lansing, Michigan, passed away on December 16, 2025, in Marshalltown, Iowa. Helen was a free spirit who lived life on her own terms. She had a deep love for animals and especially enjoyed raising tropical birds, including her beloved parrot. Helen spent most of her life in Michigan before moving to Missouri and eventually settling in Iowa. She is survived by her sons, Ezra (Mistie) Beach and William Beach; grandsons Dakota (Sam) Beach
5 days ago


Patricia Elizabeth Skinner
Patricia Elizabeth Skinner, age 71, was born on April 6, 1954, in Des Moines, Iowa, and passed away on December 30, 2025, at St. Luke’s UnityPoint Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa. Patricia was a lifelong resident of Des Moines and a graduate of Saydel High School. She was truly a ball of fire and the life of the party—a jack of all trades with a big heart. Above all, she loved her children and grandchildren and was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She is survived by her child
5 days ago


Eugene Roscoe “Beaner” Hulgan
Eugene Roscoe “Beaner” Hulgan, age 65, of Altoona, Iowa, was born on May 31, 1960, in Des Moines, Iowa. He passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on December 18, 2025, in Altoona. Beaner took his final lap around the track, leaving behind a community of family and friends who loved him deeply and are heartbroken by his passing. Those who knew Beaner knew that his greatest joy came from time spent with his family, his friends, and at the racetrack. Racing was more than a passio
7 days ago


Abbey Cathleen Williams
1952–2025 Abbey Cathleen Williams, age 73, passed away on December 30, 2025. A woman of singular focus, remarkable skill, and immense courage, Abbey will be remembered as a lifelong “workaholic” who found her greatest purpose in the mastery of her craft and in helping others through her expertise. Abbey’s life was a journey of transformation. After living her first 52 years as a man, Abbey spent the past 21 years living authentically as a woman. This transition was a testamen
Jan 3


Donald Ivan Craun
Donald Ivan Craun, age 89, of Boone, Iowa, passed away on December 30, 2025, at the Boone County Hospital in Boone, Iowa. Donald was born on September 25, 1936, in Randalia, Iowa, to Melvin and Lavon (Clemons) Craun. On August 16, 1958, he was united in marriage to Joyce Martin in Omaha, Nebraska. Together, Donald and Joyce built a loving home in Boone, Iowa, where they raised their six children. Donald worked for Boone Freight Lines, dedicating many years of service before r
Jan 3


Judyanne (Baumann) Moore
Judyanne Moore (Baumann), loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on December 22, 2025, at Westview of Indianola Care Center. Judy was born on February 15, 1944, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Gottlieb and Margaret Louise Baumann. A devout Christian, Judy lived her faith through service to others. She fostered many children in Des Moines and later worked as a CNA and activities director in various nursing homes, where her compassion and kindnes
Jan 2


Carol M. Briggs
Carol Briggs (83) passed away peacefully on December 28, 2025, at Kavanagh House in Des Moines. Her family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date. Born on a very cold day, January 3, 1942, in Oak Park IL, Carol was the only child of Arthur and Ruth (Clish) Rehn. In lieu of siblings, she had numerous cousins and maintained and cherished those relationships throughout her life. This included planning the inaugural biennial Clish family reunion in the late 19
Dec 31, 2025


Kevin Michael Tena
Kevin Michael Tena, lovingly known as Honey, Dad, Papa, Bro, and Son, was born on July 16, 1968, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Irma and Robert Tena. Kevin met the love of his life in 1986, and together they welcomed their first son in 1987. Though life took them in different directions and each married others, fate had different plans. They were reunited in 1998 following the passing of his step-father, LeRoy, at which time they blended their families and raised seven childr
Dec 29, 2025


Richard C. "Dick" Cayot
Richard C. "Dick" Cayot was born on November 6, 1934, in Kansas City, Kansas and passed Friday Dec 26, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Des Moines. Iowa Dick grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. He served in the Army from 1955-1957 and settled in Des Moines in 1965. He worked several jobs in his lifetime and was very handy. He enjoyed building dollhouses and train sets with his children one piece at a time. He was a talented carpenter, painter, and builder. He loved to da
Dec 29, 2025


Tammy L. Campbell
Tammy L. Campbell , age 63, passed away on December 21, 2025, at Taylor House in Des Moines, Iowa. Tammy was born on August 10, 1962, in Dayton, Ohio, the beloved daughter of Nancy Allen and Robert Pearce. Throughout her life, Tammy’s faith was central to who she was. She loved the Lord deeply and found comfort and purpose in reading her Bible. Tammy enjoyed crocheting, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. Those who knew her will remember her gentle spirit, her
Dec 26, 2025


Ricky Gene Templeton
Ricky Gene Templeton was born on April 15, 1956, and passed away peacefully on December 21, 2025. Ricky lived in Des Moines most of his life; he grew up on a farm. He was a mechanic at Asplundh, and later he did flooring installation. Ricky enjoyed horses, loved his dog Sonny, and loved cooking, camping, and fishing. He also loved to ride motorcycles in his younger years. Most of all, he loved his family. Ricky married his high school sweetheart Connie in 1975, they divorced
Dec 26, 2025


Donna J. Kinsey
August 28, 1946 – December 22, 2025 Donna J. Kinsey passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Monday, December 22, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. Donna was born on August 28, 1946, to Donald and Dorothy Bell of Marengo, Iowa. She was a graduate of Iowa Valley High School. On January 1, 1967, she married the love of her life, David Kinsey. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, kindness, and hard work. She was a devoted mother
Dec 26, 2025


Beverly (Bev) Hinshaw
Beverly (Bev) A. Hinshaw of Marshalltown, passed away December 22, 2025 due to complications with Alzheimer’s at the age of 93. Bev was born in Mason City, Iowa. A few years later, her family moved to Waterloo, where she and her sister Mary grew up. She graduated from West Waterloo High School and went on to attend Iowa State University. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority. After graduating from ISU, she married George W. Hinshaw, an attorney in Marshalltown. Bev wor
Dec 24, 2025


Steven James Wegmann
Steven James Wegmann, 66, of Elkader, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, December 20th, 2025, at Vintage Hills of Indianola surrounded by family. Steve was born on February 22, 1959, at Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Manchester, Iowa. He was raised in the Strawberry Point area and was a graduate of Starmont High School. Steve married Alicia Howard in 1980 (d. 1998), and three children were born into this union. A multi-generational Northeast Iowa farmer, Steve was an avid o
Dec 23, 2025


Donald D. Baker
Donald Dwight Baker was born on November 24, 1952, in Des Moines, Iowa, and passed peacefully on December 19, 2025, at University Park Nursing Home in Des Moines, Iowa. Don served in the United States Air Force as a cook and worked in supply. Throughout his life, he held many jobs, including working at King’s Restaurant and Country Kitchen, the Northwestern Railroad, as a DJ at Hard Times, at a cement plant, and at a horse stable alongside his brother Bob. He was also the coa
Dec 22, 2025


Paul Martin Lange
Paul Martin Lange, 77, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2025, at Taylor House. He was born on February 4, 1948, in Ottumwa, Iowa, where he grew up and built the foundation of a life centered on family, hard work, and humor. Paul spent his childhood in Ottumwa with his three younger sisters—Jeanne, Karen, and Marcia. Together, they created countless memories, often finding trouble but doing their best to stay out of it, forming a close bond that lasted a lifetime. Paul at
Dec 17, 2025


Karen Ann Marasco
Karen Ann Marasco (1942–2025) Karen Ann Marasco, 83, passed away on December 13, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa, the city where she spent the majority of her life and built a loving home. Born on July 24, 1942, in Austin, Minnesota, Karen moved to Iowa in her youth and was a proud graduate of the Valley High School Class of 1960. Throughout her life, Karen had many talents. She worked professionally as a skilled tailor and later as a dedicated real estate agent. However, she consi
Dec 17, 2025


Susan Elizabeth Tong
Susan Elizabeth Tong, age 71, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2025, at EveryStep Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa. Susan was born on September 3, 1954, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, Illinois, to John and Marie (Rockinger) Nash. She was raised in Clifton, Illinois, where the roots of her caring and compassionate nature were first formed. A loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Susan’s heart was always centered on those she loved most. She treasured tim
Dec 15, 2025
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