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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tracy Lee Jones-Gerstenberger, 56, of Clive, Iowa passed away peacefully on December 9, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on February 19,1969 in Cedar Falls, Iowa to James Leroy Fattig and Doris Evelyn (Stanton) Fattig.   Tracy was full of life, known for her humor and her ability to make others smile. She enjoyed visiting the casino, thrift shopping and spending time with family and friends. She was a retired daycare provider and a devoted friend to m

Timothy David Sweet, 79, was born on August 8, 1946, in Spencer, Iowa, to Homer Charles and Mary Jean Sweet. Tim passed away peacefully at home on December 11, 2025, in De Soto, Iowa. The oldest of five children, Tim learned early how to take charge of any situation—something that served him well throughout his life. He handled the Navy, sales, fatherhood, and even cancer with strength and determination. Tim was a 1964 graduate of Centerville High School. That same year, he e

Robert John Brechtel, 95, of Des Moines, Iowa was welcomed home to Heaven on November 26, 2025. Robert, known and loved by all as Bob, was born December 14, 1929, to John and Gladys Brechtel in Weldon, Iowa. Bob spent his early years in Weldon before moving to Des Moines with his family during the early years of WWII. Bob often related the story of being a rebellious youth, including dropping out of school, before his life was dramatically transformed when he was Born Again (

August 28, 1962 – December 5, 2025 With heavy hearts, we announce the final ride of our beloved cowboy, Curtis Jay Arends, on December 5, 2025. The son of Rodger and Martha Arends, Curt began his journey on August 28, 1962, in Webster City. Curt graduated from South Hamilton High School in 1982, where he was active in 4-H. He left the family farm in 1989 and headed to the Des Moines area when Prairie Meadows opened. There, he worked the track and spoiled the horses for 10 yea

Connie Fay (Tschetter) Lovell, 86, passed away peacefully in the early morning on December 8th. Connie was born May 6, 1939, to Ferd and Mary (Hofer) Tschetter in Huron South Dakota. She was raised on a farm, in Doland South Dakota with siblings Pam Dawn (Hoganson) and Monte Lynn. Being from a large family, she had 49 first cousins and many were in the area as well. Connie and her family attended the Ebeneezer Mennonite church in Doland. She was baptized as a young adult, and

Dolores (Dolly) Perlas Silverio was born February 18, 1937, in Pasay City/ Manila Philippines passed away December 4, 2025, at age 88, at Harmony West Des Moines.    Dolly graduated in Chemistry from Adamson University in the Philippines. She followed her family to Iowa in 1962. She worked at Lutheran Hospital as a laboratory technician for 48 years.    Dolly was preceded in death by her parents, Domingo and Vicenta Silverio; her brother Ernesto, and her sister Raymunda Silve

Ruth E. Klotz was born on August 13, 1932 to Albert and Ella (Stieneke) Hartwig in Cherokee, IA. She passed away at the Mill Pond Community Care Center in Ankeny, IA on November 25, 2025. After graduation from Aurelia High School, she attended the American Institute of Business in Omaha, NE. She had a long successful career working as an executive secretary for American Bakeries in Chicago.   Ruth was married to William (Bill) Klotz for 64 years, cherishing their life togethe

Martin Stevenson was born on September 23, 1937, in Moulton, Iowa. He was raised and educated there, graduating from Moulton High School before beginning a life centered around family, hard work, and community. Martin passed away on November 30, 2025, at Arbor Springs in West Des Moines, Iowa. On September 1, 1957, Martin married L. Kay Barnett in West Grove, Iowa, and the two made their home in Des Moines. Together they lovingly raised two children: Melanie and Shawn. Kay pr

In Loving Memory of Barbara Jean Natera September 30, 1949 – November 10, 2025         Barbara Jean Natera, 76, of Ottumwa, Iowa, was born on September 30, 1949, in Trenton, New Jersey, to George and Rose Lukais. She attended parochial schools and, after graduating from high school, enrolled in a program to become an X-ray technician. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Ray, who was serving in the Army as a medical corpsman.   Barbara eventually left X-ra

Wayne Kenneth Whitmer, 76, of Perry, IA, peacefully passed away at home and surrounded by his family on December 1, 2025.   Born on July 22, 1949, in Eagle Grove, IA, Wayne spent his youth in Fort Dodge, IA.  As one of twelve children, he came from a large family and always treasured the time he spent with his siblings.  In 1968, Wayne married his beloved wife, Phyllis, and moved to Perry, IA. He was a devoted father to Amy, Ben, and Emily and an active and fun grandfather to

Joseph Michael Kellar, 36, of Waukee, Iowa, passed away on November 17, 2025. Joe was born on May 24, 1989, in Des Moines, Iowa, and grew up with a deep appreciation for the outdoors. His passion revolved around fishing — a hobby that brought him joy, peace, and countless memories. Joe especially cherished his trips to Canada and took pride in crafting his own fishing jigs. Joe’s family was central to his life. He is survived by his parents, Rick and Arvalla Kellar; his siste

Dr. Robert William Carithers, passed peacefully on November 11 th , 2025 at the age of 93. He was born on August 19 th , 1932, in Des Moines County, IA. Bob was raised on the family farm, later enrolling at Iowa State University where he fell in love with Jeanine Rutherford and married. He studied veterinary medicine, graduating in 1956, and served in the US Army Veterinary Corps until 1958. Bob and Jeanine raised three sons, with the eldest (Jeff) born during veterinary sch