Grace E. Ford, age 88, of Mapleton passed away on Friday, September 5, 2025, at Maple Heights Nursing Home of Mapleton.
    A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, September 12, 2025, at St. John's United Methodist Church of Mapleton. Pastor Nikki Ahart will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Grant Township Cemetery of rural Rodney.
    Visitation will be held one-hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., on Friday, September 12, 2025, at St. John's United Methodist Church of Mapleton.
    The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.armstrongfuneral.com.
    Grace Ellen Ford was born on March 19, 1937, in Steelville, MO, the youngest of twelve children of Georgan and Rosa (Waugh) Gilmore. Sadly, she lost her mother when she was just two years old and her father when she was eight. Grace was lovingly raised by her siblings and went on to attend Cocoa High School where she graduated with the Class of 1954.
    In 1954, Grace met the love of her life, Jack Ford, who was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and stationed in Cocoa, FL. The couple was married on July 31, 1954. Grace lived with Jack's parents in Rodney until his honorable discharge from the service in 1955. The couple called Mapleton their forever home where they raised their six children: Steve, Terri, Vicki, Cathy, Sandy, and Diane.
    In her younger days, Grace enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom. She was active in church activities, ceramics, bowling league, and served as a Boy Scout leader. The family enjoyed taking summer vacations to Missouri and Florida to visit Grace's siblings. Grace and Jack enjoyed square dancing and motorcycle rides with their Thursday night bike club. When the children had all grown, Grace worked at Van's and Ben Franklin and was fondly known as the local Avon lady.
    In December 2021, the couple moved into Maple Heights Nursing Home together. They shared 70 wonderful years of marriage until Jack's passing in August 2024. Grace was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who cherished her family above all else. She found joy in the time spent with her loved ones and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
    Left to cherish her memory include daughters Terri (Louis C.) Reed of Castana, Vicki (Don) Dorn of Sioux City, Sandy Gripp of Sioux City, and Diane (Dean) Lansink of Danbury; daughter-in-law Joan Ford (Daryl Ingram) of Mapleton; son-in-law Les Rodenburg of Mapleton; 13 grandchildren: Nikki Ford, Kyle Ford, Louis P. (Mindi) Reed, Renae (Adam) Nichols, Clint Dorn, Lexy (Ken) Deemer, Nathan Rodenburg, Clayton Gripp, Darren Gripp, Austin Gripp, Mikayla (Tanner) DeVries, Brenna Lansink, and Collin Lansink; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-laws Gwen Gilmore and Verna Gilmore; and extended family and friends.
    She was preceded in death by her parents Georgan and Rosa Gilmore; son Steve Ford; daughter Cathy Rodenburg; in-laws Lee and Wanda Ford; seven brothers and four sisters; and many other extended family.

    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.