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OBITUARIES
Obituaries - Des Moines area
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Carol Elizabeth (Jordan) Altenbern
Carol Elizabeth (Jordan) Altenbern, 95, a long-time resident of Dubuque and Asbury, Iowa, died peacefully on January 24, 2026, in West Des Moines, Iowa. Her husband, John Edward (Ed) Altenbern, passed away in 1995. She is survived by her three children, Anita Pesses (Mark) of Fairfax Station, Virginia; John Altenbern (Sandra) of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Claudine Altenbern of Hinsdale, Illinois, along with seven grandchildren: Sarah (Pesses) Hash, Jordan (Pesses) Lieberman,
Jan 26


Larry Peltier
Larry Peltier was born on October 20th, 1954, in Arizona and has passed away on January 19th, 2026, in his sleep peacefully. Larry was many things in his life. He was in the military, a trucker, a mechanic, and a stand in Santa Claus to any small child who ever met him in public. No matter how busy he was, he always stopped for every little kid who saw his beard with wonder. Larry also always had patience and compassion for his grandchildren, raising them when necessary. Larr
Jan 23


Pearl Mae Newton
Pearl Mae Newton of Des Moines, IA, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 16, 2026 at the age of 96. Mae was born on March 17, 1929 in Peru, IA. She was born to Alonzo and Myrtle Silliman, the 2 nd of 8 children. In 1949 she was united in marriage to Gene Newton. They made their home on the south side of Des Moines and raised their 3 children: Marcia (Greg) Eveland, Marty Newton, Marilyn (Gary) Culver. She is survived by 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren,
Jan 21


Russell Myers
Russell Ray Myers was born on October 17, 1949, in Sheldon, Iowa, and passed away on January 13, 2026, in Clive, Iowa. Russell proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. Following his military service, he worked at Oscar Mayer in Perry, Iowa, and later completed his career as a U.S. Postal Carrier, retiring in 2009. He devoted much of his life to his family and community, spending his years as a father coaching both his daughter’s and son’s teams. Russell continued to
Jan 20


Arletta Raye Cicotte
Arletta Raye Cicotte, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, was born on December 1, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan. She passed away peacefully, in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 15, 2026, after a short illness. Arletta was the definition of strength and love. She was hardworking, kind, determined, and resilient, with a generous heart and a fierce spirit. Family meant everything to her, and nothing brought her more joy than time spent with her children, grandchildr
Jan 19


Betty Jean Doerfler
Betty Jean Doerfler, Urbandale IA, passed away peacefully Monday, January 12 at the age of 95. Born June 21, 1930, in Newcastle, WY to George and Ella (Kudlock) Pzinski, she was the youngest of three children, and raised on the family ranch near Four Corners, WY. Following graduation from Newcastle High, she attended Colorado Women’s College in Denver, Colorado, where she met Harry Doerfler. They were united in marriage at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Denver, April 10,
Jan 15


Linda Lee Avey
Linda Lee Avey was born on October 25, 1948, at Clarke County Hospital in Osceola, Iowa, and passed away on January 8, 2026, at Adel Acres Nursing Home in Adel, Iowa. Linda enjoyed traveling, gardening, and was an avid reader. She is survived by her daughter, Cinde (Mark) Ihle of Boone, Iowa, and her son, Robert Pritchard of Des Moines, Iowa. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. A celebration of life and private committal services will be
Jan 12


Teresa Cairns
Teresa Louise Cairns was born on August 23, 1961, in Des Moines, Iowa. She passed away after a long fought illness on December 25, 2025, at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Teresa spent 25 years working at CDS, where she was known for her dedication and strong work ethic. She was married to her beloved husband, Mark Cairns, for 47 years. Teresa was a devoted mother and grandmother who cherished her family deeply. She was proud of her two children and found great joy in her
Jan 12


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
Jan 10


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
Jan 8


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
Jan 6


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
Jan 6


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
Jan 5


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
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