Ruth Ann Spaulding Hesse, age 88, of Mapleton, passed away on Monday, August 18, 2025, at Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove.
    A Visitation was held from on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at St. John's United Methodist Church of Mapleton.
    A Funeral Service was held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 25, 2025, at St. John's United Methodist Church of Mapleton. Pastor Curt Copple officiated. Committal services followed in Mount Hope Cemetery of Mapleton.
    The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, was in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com
    Ruth Ann Hesse, the daughter of William "Bill" and Doris (Kendall) Gregerson, was born on April 29, 1937, west of Mapleton. She was the fourth of seven children. Ruth grew up in rural Mapleton and graduated from Mapleton High School with the class of 1955. After graduating, she moved to Omaha and began working for Mutual of Omaha.
    She was baptized into the Methodist faith in April of 1955 and confirmed as a member in May of 1955. On December 4, 1955, Ruth was united in marriage to James "Jim" Spaulding at the St. John's Methodist Church of Mapleton. The couple was blessed with four children: Brett, Becky, Gina, and Mona.
    Ruth and Jim farmed in the Schleswig and Ricketts areas before moving to their family farm outside of Mapleton where they farmed together for 31 years. In the mid 90's Ruth reentered the workforce as a telemarketer for QAT Telemarketing in Soldier and then MCI in Sergeant Bluff, until she retired.
    James passed away in February of 2001. In September of 2002, Ruth married their longtime friend, Virgil Hesse. The couple continued to live on the family farm until Virgil's passing in 2008.
    Ruth was a loving mother and proud grandmother. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, embroidering, gardening, planting flowers, and bird watching. Most of all, she enjoyed mowing her lawn every chance she got.
    She was a faithful member of St. John's United Methodist Church of Mapleton where she was involved in the Ladies Aide. Ruth was also a member of the Royal Neighbors and Mapleton Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed playing BINGO and attending Ram football games with her sister-in-law Susie Maas.
    Left to cherish her memory include her children Brett (Debbie) Spaulding of Onawa, IA, Gina (Marshall) Hauptman of St. Edward, NE, and Mona Spaulding of Omaha, NE; 15 grandchildren: Jessica, Austin, Sam, Dylan, Courtney, Mac, Tanner, Tori, Norman, Landon, Lillian, Andi, Skye, Pieper, and Kapreese; 25 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
    She was preceded in death by her parents William and Doris Gregerson; late husbands James Spaulding and Virgil Hesse; daughter Becky; grandson Andrew; siblings Lois, Catherine, Doyle, Kay, Howard, and Mary.

    Janice M. Jacobson, age 73, of Mapleton passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at home surrounded by her loving family after a long battle with several ailments.
    A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 22, 2025 at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton.
    A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton. Beth Vogt will officiate. Committal services will follow in the Little Sioux Township Cemetery of Smithland.
    The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com
    Janice Marie "Jan" Jacobson, the daughter of Alvin and Irene (Kollbaum) Johnson, was born on September 6, 1951, in Ida Grove. She was the youngest of five children.
    On May 15, 1971, Jan married LeRoy Jacobson. To this union four children were born: Tracy, Randy, Travis, and Tammi. She was gifted with eight grandchildren that she loved and spoiled.
    Jan had a passion for collecting items from all 50 states including state spoons, shot glasses, back scratchers, t-shirts, and key rings. She loved to travel whenever it was possible. Jan always made time for her loved ones, offering support and a listening ear.
    She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Jan lived a life filled with love, kindness, and unwavering dedication to her family. She will be remembered for her love of everything Elvis and her unwavering love for family and friends. She never met a stranger. Jan also loved playing computer games.
    Left to cherish her memory include her loving husband LeRoy Jacobson of Mapleton; sons Tracy (Suzie) Jacobson of Schleswig, Randy (Karin) Jacobson of Chanute, KS, and Travis (Jennifer) Jacobson of Sheldon; daughter Tammi Tarr of Battle Creek; grandchildren Kenneth, Noah, Ian, Ander, Rebecca (Trent), and Suzanna Jacobson, and Alexis and William Tarr; brother Larry (Audie) Johnson; sister-in-law Mary Johnson; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
    She was preceded in death by her parents Alvin and Irene Johnson; in-laws LeRoy T. and Susie Jacobson; brothers Ron and Delmar (Pat) Johnson; sister Diane (Larry) Schmidt; and nephew Stuart Johnson.

    Joel Fitzpatrick Barry, age 35, of Sioux City, formerly of Danbury, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
    A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 15, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Danbury.
    A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury. Father William A. McCarthy and Father Richard D. Ball will officiate. Committal services will follow in the Danbury Catholic Cemetery of Danbury.
    The family kindly requests that you wear attire representing one of Joel's favorite sports teams or opt for casual dress, in honor of his memory.
    The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com
    Joel Fitzpatrick Barry was welcomed into this world on May 10, 1990, by his mother, Jean Barry. In April of 1992, Joel was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma. He endured a year of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries, ultimately becoming a childhood cancer survivor.
    Joel's adventurous spirit began early, traveling with his grandpa to deliver vehicle parts and trucks, often visiting various establishments along the way. He attended Danbury Catholic School and graduated with the Class of 2009 from MVAO High School. While in high school, Joel participated all four years in choir and wrestling, likely the only wrestler who had to gain weight to compete at 103 lbs. all four years.
    Joel continued his education at Western Iowa Tech Community College, studying retail sales. He was employed at Walmart and Hy-Vee before beginning his career with Old Dutch Foods. He initially worked out of Cedar Rapids, traveling to fill empty routes.
    In 2020, Joel moved to Sioux City to run his own route with Old Dutch Foods. Always ready for an adventure, Joel loved attending concerts, golfing, traveling, and cheering on his favorite teams the Green Bay Packers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Iowa State Cyclones, Minnesota Twins, and Iowa Hawkeyes. If it meant an outing with friends, Joel was all in.
    Joel was a friend to everyone and made lasting connections wherever he went. Along with countless friends, he was blessed to gain several sets of surrogate parents who loved him as their own.
    Survivors include his mother Jean Barry of Danbury, IA; his uncle Bob (Pam) Barry; aunts Betsy (Larry) Hubert, Kathy (Rick) Friedman; cousins: Clayton (Randi) Hubert, Michael (Kiki) Hubert, Kelsey (Aaron) Hagan, Charlie (Tessa) Hubert, Dani (Andrew) Block, Ross (Chey) Friedman, Barry Friedman, Meg (Rob) Hill, Pat (Monica) Ferdig, Lindsey (Jeremy) Cisco, "Uncle Chops" (Jean) Barry, and Brian Barry.
    Joel was preceded in death by his grandparents Tom and Pat Barry; and Uncle Dan Barry.

    Herman John Arndt, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones at the age of 87. Born a "late Christmas present" on December 26, 1937, to Herman Edward and Arnot (Butler) Arndt, he grew up in the family home southwest of Onawa in Franklin Township.
    As a boy, John's childhood was filled with adventure — from "running the Missouri River with Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett" (at least in spirit) to trapping gophers for ten cents apiece. Many of the history lessons he passed down to his children and grandchildren came from his time on the river and other adventures. This instilled an eternal love for history in them.
    He attended Country School #7 through the eighth grade; a building now proudly displayed at the Kiwanis Museum Complex for future generations to see. During his time in country school, John wore a pair of corduroy pants to school in the winter. Unfortunately for him, he fell through an icy pond at recess and soaked these pants. Corduroy is known not to dry, so he was forced to sit in the back of the school wrapped in his teacher's scarf while his britches hung out to dry by the wood stove. He never wore corduroy again.
    During high school, John worked at the local farmers' store for sixty cents an hour and helped on the family farm. He graduated from Onawa High School in 1956, then worked for the Agriculture Stabilization Commission scooping corn for a dollar an hour.
    John loved roller skating and often helped at Nevin's Skating Rink in Onawa — sometimes picking people up off the floor after they fell. It was there he met the love of his life, Ruby "Dolly" Docken. Dolly would purposely take a tumble just so the muscular, handsome John would scoop her up, a playful beginning to a lifelong love. In true adventurous fashion, John hitchhiked across the country while serving in the U.S. Army to marry her on July 4, 1960. They were married for 43 years.
    He enlisted in 1959, serving proudly as an artillery coastal guard until his honorable discharge in 1965. Afterward, he furthered his education at WITCC to become a power lineman, beginning a 33-year career with the Ida County REC and later IPS/MidAmerican Energy, where he served as a power lineman, gas serviceman, and local manager. He retired in 2000 to his beloved farm, "Sleepy Hollow," tucked away in the Loess Hills.
    John loved the outdoors, enjoying the company of his loyal farm dog Bailey, and the simple pleasure of sharing a cup of coffee at the Beef ‘N Brew with the local "old timers" — eventually becoming one himself. He volunteered with the Charter Oak and Mapleton Fire Departments, served as a Boy Scout leader, and was a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church for 40 years.
    He is survived by a large and loving family, many dear friends, and countless memories that he treasured deeply.
    He is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Carl, Maurice, and Richard; his sister Julia; his wife Dolly; his son Johnny; and several beloved in-laws, Helen Butler, Kenny Butler, Willard Docken, Steven Docken, Patsy McArthur, and Monte Butler.
    John believed in working hard — a value he instilled in his children and grandchildren — but also in the wisdom of his favorite Winnie the Pooh quote: "Doing nothing often leads to the very best of something."
    In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to share a cup of coffee and a story with someone, in John's honor.
    A funeral service in honor of John's life was held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ute, Iowa with Reverend Nathan Peitsch, officiating. A recording of the service was posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with John's obituary. Burial followed in the Onawa Cemetery, Onawa, Iowa with Military Honors provided by the United States Army and the David McNeill American Legion Post #129 of Onawa, Iowa. A visitation was 6:00 P.M.8:00 P.M. Monday, August 11, 2025 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Ute, Iowa with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service. Arrangements were under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.
    Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com