Ricky W. Brown, age 70, of Sioux City (formerly of Anthon) passed away on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare of Cherokee.
    A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Anthon Community Methodist Church of Anthon. Pastor Karen Handke will officiate. Committal services will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery of Anthon.
    A Visitation will be held one-hour prior to the service from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Anthon Community Methodist Church of Anthon, Iowa.
    The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Anthon is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com
    Ricky Wayne Brown, son of Harold R. and Joyce M. (Lafreniere) Brown, was born on June 10, 1955, in Sioux City. As an infant, he lived in Anthon for a few years before his family relocated to California to be nearer to his mother's family. It was there that Ricky grew up and attended school.
    After high school, Ricky began his career as a welder and fabricator at an ornamental ironworks company in California. In his twenties, he returned to Iowa, living briefly in Anthon before settling in Sioux City. Over the years, Ricky held a variety of jobs—he worked as a farmhand for Mick Drea Farms, as a carpenter alongside two of his uncles, and as a semi-truck driver for North American Van Lines. He also spent time with several contractors and construction companies. Most recently, Ricky served as a maintenance manager for a hotel chain, a role he proudly held for several years.
    Ricky was blessed to be the father of two children, Krista and Ryan. In his free time, he enjoyed remodeling projects, boating, fishing, and hunting. He also loved playing pool—a pastime he picked up in childhood when his family kept a pool table in their garage. Ricky will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
    Survivors include his children Krista (Shane Shearer) Peterson and Ryan (Melissa) Brown both of Wisconsin; 11 grandchildren: Lonale (Brock), Blake (Breckyn), Jaelyn, Braelee, Oakley, Bentley, Brady, Jolissa, Lexi, Cody, and Janessa; great-granddaughter Blakelyn; siblings Doug (Tina) Brown of Lake, MI, Steve Brown of Anthon, Kelly (Dani) Brown of Escondido, CA, Darlis (Gary) Bailey of Springfield, MO, and Cheryle Brown of Escondido, CA; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
    He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Joyce Brown; paternal and maternal grandparents; brothers Dennis Brown and Ronald Brown; sisters-in-law Carol Brown and Juanita Brown; along with extended family members.

    Marvin C. Hanson, age 101, of Anthon passed away on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
    Visitation, a Masonic and Eastern Star service, and a prayer service were held on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the Anthon Community Methodist Church of Anthon.
    A Funeral Service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the Anthon Community Methodist Church of Anthon. Lay Speaker Shirley Nelson officiated. Committal services followed in the Oak Hill Cemetery of Anthon with Military Rites conducted by the McNiff Post #389 of the American Legion of Anthon.
    The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Anthon was in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com
    In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Anthon Community Methodist Church or the McNiff Post #389 American Legion.
    Marvin Clifford Hanson, the son of Irving and Rossie (Sealey) Hanson, was born on April 25, 1924, in Meckling, SD. In 1937 the family moved to east of Anthon where Marvin graduated with the class of 1942 from Anthon High School. On August 7, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country until his honorable discharge on December 28, 1945. He spent most of that time on the USS President Jackson.
    On February 14, 1946, Marvin married his high school sweetheart, Donna Weathers. They lived in Alta where Marvin worked as a hired hand until they moved to a farm west of Anthon in 1948. In 1964 the family moved into Anthon where Marvin took over the Weathers Locker Plant, renaming it Hanson Lockers.
    Marvin was an active member of the Anthon Community Methodist Church, where he served in various roles throughout the years. He was also a dedicated member of the Masonic Lodge, serving as Master and in other capacities, and of the Order of Eastern Star, where he was Worthy Patron for many years. In addition, he belonged to the McNiff Post #389 of the American Legion, serving as Chaplain until his passing, and played clarinet with the Anthon City Band.
    Marvin enjoyed gardening and woodworking. For many years he oversaw the Avenue of Flags during the all-school class reunion, passing the torch on to someone else at age 99. Each Memorial Day, he was deeply honored to read the names of his fallen comrades at cemeteries throughout the Anthon area.
    Left to cherish his memory include his children Barbara Wood of Anthon, Clifford (Arlene) Hanson of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Janet Boehm of Blaine, MN and Dale (Wendy) Hanson of Centennial, CO; 9 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren; and brother Verne (Bonnie) Hanson of Yankton, SD.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Donna; brothers Francis "Bub" and Clayton Hanson; sons-in-law Mike Wood and John Boehm; and great-grandson Patrick Hudson.

    Elizabeth A. (Hahn) Brooks, age 95, of Colorado Springs, CO (formerly of Mapleton and Des Moines) passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025, at the Bear Creek Senior Living of Colorado Springs, CO.
    A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., with a Visitation held one-hour prior from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton. Pastor Curt Copple will officiate. Committal Services will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery of Mapleton.
    The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
    Memorials in Elizabeth's name can be made to either the Iowa State Fair Foundation at https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/ways-to-give or the Alzheimer's Association at https://www.alz.org/
    Born Elizabeth Anne Hahn on September 10, 1930, in Mapleton, she was the sixth child of Herbert Max Hahn and Jenny Lucile (Hall) Hahn. Elizabeth grew up with four brothers and four sisters and often said she "loved growing up in a mob". Each of her siblings held a special place in her heart, and was spoken of often with love and admiration. She always enjoyed telling stories of her childhood years spent in small town or rural Iowa.
    Elizabeth graduated as Valedictorian from Mapleton High School in 1948 where she not only excelled in academics but was also a cheerleader, played on the girls' basketball team, and even played the bass drum in the band. She continued her education at the University of Iowa. On August 16, 1952, she married the love of her life, Richard D. (Dick) Brooks and moved with him to Honolulu, HI. After several more moves and the births of four children, she finished a Bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Iowa in 1963.
    The bulk of Elizabeth's career was spent at Meredith Publishing Co. in Des Moines, writing and editing copy for several publications, including Better Homes and Gardens. One of her tasks at this job was to convince writers that incorrect grammar was not acceptable as "my personal style." She created a Style Book for the magazine to help streamline and standardize language usage.
    Elizabeth never subscribed to BH&G, but she was a charter subscriber to MS. Magazine. She was a first wave feminist and a firm believer in civil rights.
    Elizabeth loved great literature (Faulkner was one of her favorites), music (she favored Beethoven), and art (especially Van Gogh). She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, often traveling some distance to attend birthdays, graduations, weddings, and other special events. She didn't care for card games but loved to play Scrabble with anyone who would take her on.
    Although she lived her last 12 years in Colorado, Elizabeth always considered Iowa to be home. One of her greatest joys was going to the Iowa State Fair where she volunteered for several years.
    Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings; her husband Richard D. Brooks Sr.; and her son Richard D. Brooks Jr.
    She is survived by three daughters: Myra Brooks (Marc Olson) of Colorado Springs, CO, Paula (Michael) Pahl of Thornton, CO, and Lonna Brooks (Joel Winograd) of Rio, WI; 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, plus numerous nieces and nephews. We will miss her sharp wit and wisdom, and her fierce love for her family.

    Janet M. Crum, age 71, of Mapleton passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at her residence.
    A Visitation was held with a Rosary and a Vigil Service on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton.
    A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Mapleton. Father William A. McCarthy officiated. Committal services followed in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery of Mapleton.
    The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton was in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com
    Janet Marie Crum, the daughter of Robert and Nelda (Miller) Weber, was born on December 17, 1953, in Mapleton. She grew up on a farm between Mapleton and Oto and attended Anthon-Oto High School, graduating with the Class of 1972. She went on to study at St. Joseph School of Nursing in Sioux City where she earned her RN in 1974. Following graduation, she began her nursing career at Marian Health Center, where she worked for several years.
    On July 15, 1978, Janet was united in marriage to Robert "Bob" Crum at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Oto. The couple made their forever home in Mapleton and were blessed with two children: Sara and Luke. Janet continued her nursing career at the hospital before spending a few years with Monona County Home Health Care. She later joined the Burgess Clinic in Mapleton, where she worked until her retirement in 2021.
    Janet was a devoted member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mapleton where she was active in the Ladies Guild, served as a lector, and participated in the prayer circle. She enjoyed working on puzzles, knitting, and shopping. Janet also had a passion for photography; particularly capturing images of vintage and historic subjects. She and Bob loved taking scenic drives together in search of photo opportunities, often ending their outings with a stop for ice cream.
    Christmas was Janet's favorite time of year. The tree was always decorated the day after Thanksgiving, and she began shopping for the next Christmas as soon as December 26 arrived, carefully choosing a unique wrapping paper for each family member. She also made it a heartfelt tradition to decorate her in-laws' gravesites with each change of season, a gesture her family will forever treasure. Janet will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.
    Left to cherish her memory include her husband Robert "Bob" Crum of Mapleton; children Sara (Cory) Beyer of Elkhorn, NE and Luke (Jennifer) Crum of Omaha, NE; grandchildren Brayden and Jakob Beyer, Blake, Harper, and Quinn Crum; sisters Nancy (Mark) Hahn of Mapleton, Lana (John) Stoll of Mapleton, and Marla (Rob) Gorshe of Boone; uncle Jerry (Willie) Weber of Oto; nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
    She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Nelda Weber; paternal grandparents Frank and Margaret Weber; maternal grandparents Hans and Clara Miller; aunts and uncles Lillian (Clifford) Reed, Raymond (Mary Ellen) Miller, Shorty (June) Miller, Violet (Willis) Steckeberg, Fern (Harry) Carter, George Miller, Richard (Floretta "Tet") Weber, and Paulesca "Toots" (Bud) Crilly; as well as extended family.