Charles W. Everett, 84 passed away on July 9, 2021.
    Charles (Chuck) was born on July 7, 1937, in Castana.
    Charles entered into the United States Army in 1956 and retired as a Master Sergeant in 1979, completing over 22 years of honorable service. While serving in the military he's visited 44 different countries during his career.
    Charles served two combat tours in the Republic of Vietnam. After his military service he continued serving his country as a Department of Defense Civilian. Charles served in multiple operations; Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Somalia, and South Africa as a civilian advisor to the United States Military Forces.
    Charles was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 oak cluster, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palms, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Vietnam Service Medal with four battle stars, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal 7th award, Meritorious Unit Citation with 2 oak leaf clusters, Republic of Vietnam Signal Medal, Department of Defense Medal Desert Shield Desert Storm.
    During his retirement years he enjoyed fishing and spending time with his friends. He especially liked spending time with Leon Watters. Sundays with him were his favorite.
    He is survived by his children Scott J. Everett of Colorado, Cheryl L. Szommer (Kenneth) of North Carolina and Roger C. Everett of Sierra Vista, AZ; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Carole Hebel of Iowa and his brother Lonnie Everett of Florida.
    He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Marilyn M. Everett and his daughter-in-law Debbie Everett.
    He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
    A service was held on Wednesday, July 21st at 11:00 a.m. at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel, Sierra Vista, Arizona.

    Elaine Edna Ahlwardt, formerly of Danbury quietly passed away on May 30, 2021, while at Holy Spirit Retirement Center in Sioux City.
    A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be directed to meyerbroschapels.com.
    Elaine was born to Edna and Elzie Ahlwardt on June 10, 1938. She graduated from Danbury High School in 1956. While in high school she played clarinet, winning first place at the state competition. She moved to Shessler Hall in Sioux City and worked at Cargill.
    Elaine was never afraid to profess her love for her Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. She was an active member of Danbury UMC, First UMC and was a founding member of New Hope Community Church in Sioux City. For 25+ years, Elaine and her friends, "The Prayer Pals" have gathered to pray for each other and the community.
    Elaine loved music and gardening. She delighted in hosting and decorating for parties, but her passion was in creative writing. She won many awards for her amazing gift of poetry, including a humorous one entitled, "A Wrinkle In My Retina." As a world traveler, Elaine enjoyed talking about her favorite trip to Israel. Elaine loved her family and spent hours creating beautiful scrapbooks that showcased her family history.
    She was past president of Sioux City Women's Club, a member of Bible Study Fellowship, numerous church circles, and Red Hats Society.
    Elaine survived cancer, numerous surgeries, and endured dialysis for many years.
    Elaine was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Ella, Elzie Jr. and Elmer.
    Elaine will be missed for her joyful spirit and friendly sense of humor.

    Ron Wessling, 76, died peacefully on June 30, 2021, at his home in Forestville, CA, surrounded by his family. He had battled Renal Cell Carcinoma for the past year.
    Ron was born in Iowa and was the youngest of 6 children. He graduated from Danbury Catholic High School and then St. Louis University with a bachelor's degree in Accounting.
    Ron moved to San Francisco during the "Summer of Love" and got a job at Security Bank. On April 2, 1977, he married Becky (she refused to be married on April Fools Day). Ron and Becky moved to Forestville where Ron realized a life-long dream of owning his own business. He has had several careers including Bank Auditor, Tax Preparer, and Database Programmer, but most fondly remembered his 10 years as owner of Forest Hills Market at the Hacienda Bridge.
    Ron and Becky have two children, Adam and Keri, of whom he was very proud and loved dearly! Upon retirement, Ron and Becky enjoyed traveling throughout the United States in their motorhome. Ron was an avid bicyclist and participated in the grueling 450-mile bike ride across Iowa (RAGBRAI) three times. For the past 30 years, you would see Ron walking the West County Trail (even before it was "the trail") to the town of Forestville, rain or shine. Every family gathering included a "walk to town." The family is hoping to place a memorial bench on that part of the trail. He loved having pool parties and barbecues in his backyard and looked forward to the family's annual Christmas party every December. Besides his home in Forestville, his favorite places included The Sea Ranch or anywhere there was an ocean.
    Ron was a passionate, very genuine, and considerate man.
    Ron is survived by his wife, his children, his son-in-law Jeff, his four brothers, one sister, and many nieces and nephews.
    The Celebration of His Life will be held July 31, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at the Community Church of Sebastopol.

    Richard "Dick" Hamann, age 72, of Battle Creek passed peacefully away on Sunday, July 11, 2021, surrounded by family at his residence of Battle Creek.
    A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove. Father William McCarthy will officiate. Military Rites will be conducted by the McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the Ida Grove American Legion. Committal Services will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa. A Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove.
    The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com
    Memorials in Dick's name may be made to Battle Creek Ambulance, Horn Home Health/Hospice in Ida Grove or the McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion-Ida Grove.
    Richard "Dick" Bernard Hamann, the son of Bernard "Benny" and Cecelia (Rosch) Hamann, was born on December 31, 1948, in Ida Grove. He attended school at St. Mary's Catholic School in Danbury and graduated with the class of 1967. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army serving most of his time in Germany. Upon his honorable discharge he returned home to Ida Grove.
    On February 24, 1973, Dick was united in marriage to Connie Collins in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mapleton. To this union two daughters were born, Stacy and Amy. The family made their home in Ida Grove before moving to Battle Creek in 1979. Dick wore many different hats. He was previously employed in sales, worked at Midwest Industries, and managed the Home Elevator in Battle Creek.
    Dick enjoyed woodworking, playing cards, traveling, fishing, and watching Fox News. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. The most important thing to him was spending time with and supporting his children and grandchildren. As his grandchildren would say, he could build or fix anything.
    Left to cherish his memory include his wife Connie Hamann of Battle Creek; daughters Stacy (Matthew) Sieperda of Spirit Lake and Amy (Jed) Steele of Sioux City; grandchildren Regan, Taylor and Madison Sieperda, Emma and Cash Steele; sister Linda Crom of Holdrege, NE, and Judy Uhl (Murel Miller) of Ida Grove; brother Don (Jane) Hamann of Battle Creek; sister-in-law Ann Collins of Mapleton; brothers-in-law Tom (Deb) Collins of Cushing and Joe (Chris) Collins of Danbury; very special card playing friends Rick (Val) Ladwig of Ida Grove; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
    He was preceded in death by his parents Benny and Cecelia Hamann; in-laws Marvin and Lois Collins; infant brother Thomas Hamann; granddaughter Mia; brothers-in-law Greg Uhl and Paul Crom; and special nephew Matt Hamann.

    Margaret Golightly passed peacefully from this life on May 2, 2021, at home in Keller, TX. To her family and friends, Margaret will be remembered as a beloved wife; loving mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother; caring daughter, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter; and faithful friend and coworker to many others.
    Margaret was born on October 7, 1951, in Sioux City to Robert and Louise McElwain. She graduated from Tempe High School in 1970, and then from Arizona State University with, as she liked to say, her EE (Elementary Education) in 1974.
    She married Steven Golightly in December 1975. In their 45 years of marriage, Margaret and Steven worshipped with many dear Christian friends throughout the United States and abroad. Margaret also worked for nearly 20 years in the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District, during which she impacted the lives of many students and made many precious friends.
    Margaret is survived by her husband, Steven; son Jonathan and his wife Melissa and their children Cannon and Emma; daughter Amy and her husband Nathan and their son Mason; and sister Terry and her husband Steve and their children Mark, Melissa and Brandon.
    She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Louise McElwain, and brother, Bruce McElwain.
    A graveside service for immediate family was held on May 15 at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home.
    The family planned a Celebration of Life in June for extended family and friends, and will provide notification of these arrangements through Facebook.
    In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Sacred Selections (www.sacredselections.org) or to the "Margaret Golightly Scholarship Fund" through the Cy-Fair Education Foundation (www.thecfef.org). Online condolences may be made by visiting the Bluebonnet Hills website.

    Shirlee Irene Petersen, age 89, of Ames (formerly of Danbury) passed away on Sunday, June 20, 2021, at the Mary Greeley Medical Center of Ames.
    A Private Family Graveside Service was held at the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery - Midway of rural Battle Creek. Rev. Randy D. Cormeny officiated.
    The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Anthon was in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
    Shirlee Irene Petersen was born September 5, 1931, in South Sioux City, NE, the daughter of Clarence F. and Margaret M. (Gill) Hungerford. In 1933 the family moved to Littleton, CO. Shirlee attended a country school until the family moved to Englewood, CO, where she attended St. John's School for five years. Because of WWII, the family moved to Fresno, CA. In 1946 they returned to Nebraska and she graduated from Waterbury Public High School in 1949.
    She married Orville L. Petersen in 1950. The couple farmed near Danbury for many years and retired there. Shirlee held many church offices, but her love was teaching preschool at The Tottery in Anthon and Battle Creek and later was director of Sealed with A Kid Day Care in Ida Grove.
    Survivors left to cherish her memory include her children Valarie Petersen of Ames, Jim & LoJean Petersen of Ames, Jane & Keith Petersen of Carroll, and Vonise Petersen of Salt Lake City, UT. Grandchildren include Sarah & Nathan Buss, Josh Petersen & Ioana West, Hannah & Drew Eanes, Tera & Chris Petersen and 11 great-grandchildren.
    Shirlee was preceded in death by her husband Orville Petersen; son Garth Petersen; sister Mary Sweem; and brothers Joseph, John "Jack," Mark and James Hungerford.
    Condolences may be sent to Jim & LoJean Petersen, 2814 Duff Avenue, Ames, IA 50010, and Valarie Petersen, 1103 Johnson Street, Ames, IA 50010.