Thomas Joseph Thiel died in his home on May 4, 2022, at the age of 88.
    Tom is survived by his children, Kevin, Lynne, Todd, Tim, Jeff, and Amy.
    He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen.
    Tom was born in Greeley, NE, in 1934. He was one of 14 children born to Joe and Clara Thiel. His family moved to Mapleton when Tom was 10 years old. He graduated from Mapleton High School in 1952. He met Helen Weber from Danbury, and they married in 1960. Tom worked as a truck driver hauling cattle and was co-owner of the world famous Mapleton pool hall, then known as Thiel's Recreation. He trained as a Refrigeration Mechanic and started his own HVAC business. There was not much work in a town of 1,800 people, and he considered buying his own farm to support his growing family. He heard The Boeing Company was hiring, so he went to Kansas, interviewed, and was offered a job on the spot. He seized the opportunity and moved with his wife and four children to the wild unknown of Renton, WA. After a few more years, the family grew to include six children. Tom was a steadfast provider who modeled loyalty, dedication, humility, and hard work.
    Summer weekend getaways were important to Tom. He took his family camping where he taught his kids to fish and cook hot links. He took delight in driving up windy, dusty, gravel logging roads with his kids rolling around in the back of the truck. Every other year, the eight of them made a road trip back to the Midwest to see their extended family. When one child threw a teddy bear out the back, Tom let himself be swayed by the tears of his little boy, and turned around to get the battered bear. Tom continued to work for Boeing and retired at 60, because he knew he wanted time to really enjoy this next chapter of life.
    In retirement, Tom and Helen visited family in Nebraska, Iowa, and California. They traveled to every state in the Union as well as Europe. Most of all, Tom loved to stay close to home and enjoyed visits with his children and eventually his eleven grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. He was a committed member of St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Kent from the time of its groundbreaking. In his later years, he volunteered for its landscaping crew. He was fond of woodworking and enjoyed watching any old-time Western from his recliner with a beer in hand.
    The funeral mass for Tom was scheduled for 11 o'clock on Wednesday, May 11th at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church in Renton. Visitation and Rosary began at 10 o'clock, immediately preceding Mass. Father Ed White officiated.

    Evon V. Blakely, age 90, of Mapleton passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at the Maple Heights Nursing Home of Mapleton.
    A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton. Pastor Karen Handke will officiate. A Visitation will be held one-hour prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., on Saturday May 7, 2022.
    The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.

    Betty Jean Wood, 70, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center of Omaha after a brief battle with cancer.
    A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation held one-hour prior on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Mapleton. Rev. Richard A. Salcido officiated.
    The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton was in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
    Betty, daughter of Calvin and Bonnie Swagerty, grew up near Wakefield, NE. She attended Park Hill Elementary School as a child and later graduated from South Sioux City Community High School. She went on to graduate from Stewart's School of Hairstyling and had a business out of her home for 10 years. She later went to work as a correctional officer at the Monona County Jail for 20 years, from where she eventually retired.
    She met Michael Wood in 1969 at a party at Eric's Bar (but as far as her mother knew, they met at the grocery store across the street) and they were inseparable ever since, marrying on July 18, 1970. Mike and Betty spent 52 years loving and teasing each other and had four boys that they raised together in the same humor in Mapleton.
    Betty best spent her time floating in her pool while reading a book, tending to her many flowers, traveling with her close friends, and making us all laugh with her quick wit and jokes that some may argue she probably shouldn't have shared.
    She is survived by her father, Calvin Swagerty; her husband Mike Wood and their four sons Shawn, Rob (Bobbi), Terrance (Brenda) and Nick (Mark); brother Terry (Ann); grandchildren Jordan (Nick), Jessen (Keegan), Aidan, Connor, and Clare; great-grandchildren Keagan, Soren, Haden, and Kaeson; five nieces and nephews, cousins and many very special friends.
    She was preceded in death by her mother, Bonnie Swagerty; and her mother and father-in-law, Lola and Glen Wood.

    Carla Jean Handke, 73, beloved mother of Marvin, Paul "Wally" and Craig Handke, was welcomed into her eternal home on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's Hospital of Sioux City.
    Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service following at 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Anthon.
    A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 29, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Anthon. Father Randy L. Schon will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Mount St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery of Anthon.
    The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Anthon was in charge of arrangements and condolences may be sent online at www.armstrongfuneral.com.
    Born on August 3, 1948, in Anthon, Carla was the daughter of Marvin P.H. and Evelyn M. (White) Umbach. A lifelong resident of Anthon, she grew up and attended the local Catholic school. Carla was united in marriage to Leonard "Butch" Handke and to this union three sons were born: Marvin, Paul "Wally" and Craig. The couple later parted ways but would remain friends.
    Throughout her life, Carla worked outside of the home as a CNA at the Correctionville Nursing Home, as a clerk at the Correctionville and Anthon convenience stations, and tending bar at the Anthon Golf Course. She was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Anthon and with a heart of gold, she always thought of others. Whether it was a handwritten card or a helping hand, her thoughtfulness will be greatly missed by all those she has blessed over the years.
    She will be fondly remembered for her witty sense of humor "It is what it is boys!", her happy hours, a gracious hostess of the holiday seasons especially Christmas which was her favorite. Carla treasured being a mother and grandmother. She always enjoyed attending all of her grandchildren's activities, bowling, lending her yard yearly during the Anthon Kids Day Parade, and donating her time for the Wild Angels cancer fundraiser and golf tournament.
    Left to cherish her memory are her sons: Marvin (Gina) Handke of Correctionville, Paul "Wally" (Kim) Handke of Anthon, and Craig (Lori) Handke of Anthon; grandchildren Kolby (Caitlyn) Handke, Brooke Handke, Cy Handke, and Collyn Zang all of Anthon; brother Ed (Christina) Umbach of California; sisters Janice (Gary) Adkins of Oto, Marilyn (Steve) Horton of Sioux City, Shelia (Paul) Lansink of Anthon, and Becky (Todd) Verschoor of Anthon; dear friend Wayne Fundermann of Anthon; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.
    She was welcomed home by her parents Marvin and Evelyn Umbach; brother Tom (Janice) Umbach; and sister Diane Fundermann.

    Julie Marie (Wolterman) Burroughs, age 46, of Des Moines passed away on Friday, April 15, 2022, at her residence.
    Visitation was held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory located at 8201 Hickman Road in Urbandale.
    A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2022, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Danbury. Father William McCarthy officiated. Visitation will resume from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2022, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Danbury. Committal services will follow in the Danbury Catholic Cemetery of Danbury.
    The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton was in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
    Julie Marie Burroughs, the daughter of Paul and Judy (Seuntjens) Wolterman, was born on July 18, 1975, in Sioux City. She grew up on a farm near Danbury where she attended school at Danbury Catholic and graduated from Maple Valley High School with the class of 1993. In her high school years she was active in volleyball, basketball, softball, golf, and 4-H.
    Notably her favorite time of the year was fair week where she enjoyed showing calves. In her younger years she held the 1993 Iowa State Fair Queen title. She transitioned from winning the title of Iowa State Fair Queen to serving as the State Fair Queen director for over a decade.
    Julie furthered her education at Iowa State University where she obtained her degree in Child & Family Services and was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority. She would start her career at Orchard Place in Des Moines, but you may also remember Julie's smile from Schaffer's Bridal Shop, Wakanda Golf Course, or the Fleur Cinema.
    In 2001 Julie married Mike Butterworth and the couple were blessed with a daughter Emma. The couple later parted ways and in 2010 she married Tony Burroughs. The couple welcomed three daughters together: Lily, Brynn, and Avery.
    Julie's entrepreneurial spirit led her to start up many successful businesses, most notably Farm Baby Foods and Fleetwood at Saylorville Lake. This past February she also opened The Lodge at Saylorville Lake. In her past time, Julie enjoyed running marathons, completing full and half marathons from Houston to Chicago. She loved spending time with her family and friends, her dog Grey and being on the lake. Julie was known for her inner and outer beauty, great sense of humor and her trademark blue eyes.
    Left to cherish her memory are her husband Tony Burroughs of Des Moines; daughters Emma Butterworth, Lily Burroughs, Avery Burroughs and Brynn Burroughs; parents Paul and Judy Wolterman of Danbury; nieces Gabbrielle and Dannielle Mellot; extended family and friends.
    Julie was preceded in death by her sisters Marlys Wolterman and Cheryl Wolterman; maternal grandparents Andy and Ann Seuntjens; and paternal grandparents Marc and Mary Wolterman.
    Memorials may be directed to the family.

    Joseph "Joe" W. Harbaugh, age 88, of Anthon, passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at his daughter's residence in Anthon.
    A Celebration of Life and Visitation will be held at a later date.
    The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Anthon, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online: www.armstrongfuneral.com.

    Kenneth Lee "Hobby Dobby" Dykes, age 53, of Danbury passed away on Monday, April 11, 2022, at his residence.
    A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m., on Friday, April 22, 2022, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton. Father Richard D. Ball will officiate.
    A Celebration of Life will be held on April 30, 2022, at Schrank's Bar & Grill in Danbury at a time to be determined.
    The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
    Kenneth Lee Dykes was born on April 26, 1968, in Tacoma, WA, to Kenneth Evans and Mary Jean Dykes. When he was in grade school he moved with his mother to Hayfork, CA. There he graduated with the class of '86 from Hayfork High School.
    Kenny then started his journey as a self-employed carpenter/handy man, moving first to Washington where he worked installing flooring. His next stop was Las Vegas, NV, where he met Hannah Green and became father to his sweet daughter, Tyler Nicole. While in Vegas Kenny worked in high-end clothing and enjoyed going to concerts and playing video poker. He then moved to Omaha, NE, near his grandmother, Nana Dykes, and resumed his self-employment as a carpenter. His next move was to Onawa, then he finally settled in with his daughter in Danbury.
    Kenny loved being part of the Danbury community and being there to help anyone with whatever they needed, whether it was putting up the nativity scene or crawling under the bar to fix some plumbing. He enjoyed playing golf, tubing, fishing, and going to auctions and garage sales. Kenny also loved socializing, hosting bonfires, and gambling. His friends were very important to him, especially Janet Pithan, Russ Treiber, and the entire Allen Family. Kenny had a very special bond with his granddaughter, Amelia, and his two dogs Sammy and Baby Girl.
    Left to cherish his memory are his mother and stepfather Mary Jean Dykes and Paul McQueen of Blencoe; daughter Tyler Dykes Skidmore (Cooper Morrow) of Danbury; two grandchildren Amelia Skidmore and Oliver Morrow of Danbury; brother Gregory Hall of California; good friend Justin Allen of Danbury; a loving family and a host of friends.
    He was preceded in death by his grandparents Roy and Annette Dykes; sister Korri Turkelson; aunt Annette Hundley; and great uncle Dwight McCory.