Obituaries

Darlene H. Wedo, 90 of Urbana passed away February 17 at the Hiawatha Care Center.Darlene was born November 27, 1934, and married Arthur Wedo on May 30, 1952.Darlene is survived by her grandsons Ben (Tiffany), Bradley (Jessi), BJ (Ashley), great-grandchildren Brian, Jordan, Kellen, Broderick, and Jordan Rose. Darlene is also survived by her daughter-in-law Laura (Jimmy), her dear friend Sue and many people who knew and loved her.

Elissa Fiferlick, 44, passed away on February 17th, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held in April by the family. Elissa was known as kind, generous person with a big, radiant smile that could brighten anyone’s day. She looked forward to any time she got to spend with her family and cherished the life of her beloved son Cristian “CJ”.She is survived by her parents: Tim Fiferlick & Donna Fiferlick, sister: Melia (Josh) Zaruba, brother: Blake (Steph) Fiferlick, grandmother: Illa Nelson, of Vinton, nieces: Lily, Sophie & Emmi Zaruba, nephews: Max & Jordy Fiferlick, and boyfriend: Doug Cavalier, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Charles Allen Morrison, 80, of Belle Plaine, IA passed away February 16, 2025 at Sunny Hill Care Center, Tama, IA. Charles was born December 9, 1944 to Daniel and Ruth (Struve) Morrison. Charles attended Belle Plaine High School. Following school, he worked various jobs around Tama County. Charles enjoyed hunting in his youth and loved to fish, especially at his favorite place Holiday Lake.

Nicholas T. Mokas, 74, passed away peacefully on February 15th, 2025 at his home in Blairstown, surrounded by his loving family. Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, Feb. 21st from 4pm-7pm at the Blairstown American Legion Hall.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 22nd at 1pm at St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Cedar Rapids, IA, followed by burial at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Blairstown, IA at 3pm.

John Clifford Gates, 82, of Belle Plaine, IA passed peacefully Friday, February 14, 2025 at Belle Plaine Speciality Care, Belle Plaine, IA.John was born on August 2, 1942 to JC and Bessie (Halopeck) Gates, at Cornbelt Hospital in Belle Plaine, Iowa. John, an only child, went to Gopher Hill Primary School and graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1961.

Gerald Martin Stewart, 99 of Cedar Rapids, IA formerly of Luzerne, IA passed away Sunday, February 16, 2025 peacefully at his home.A funeral service is Friday, February 21, 2025 at St. Michaels Catholic Church, Belle Plaine, IA, with Deacon Joe Behounek officiating. Burial is at Oak Hill Cemetery, Belle Plaine with military honors. Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church.

Tarina Maria Sparks, 49, of Belle Plaine, IA passed away of medical complications February 9, 2025 in Belle Plaine, IA. Tarina was born September 8, 1975 to Wayne A. and Susan K. Sparks and attended Belle Plaine High School. Tarina enjoyed fairies, kittens, and loved to color.  She was a loving mother who was kind, gentle, and cared deeply for people.

Gerald Selken, 82, passed away peacefully Friday, February 14, 2025, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 21, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Garrison, with Tim Bickel officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 20, at Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home, Vinton, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Norma Jean VanErsvelde, age 85 of Brooklyn, passed away Friday, February 7, 2025 at her home under Essence of Life Hospice. Funeral Mass: 11:30 A.M. Wednesday, February 12, 2025, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Brooklyn, with Father Scott Foley officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7  p.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at Kloster Funeral Home in Brooklyn.

Darlene Ica Wright, 97, of Coggon, Iowa, passed away on Monday, February 3, 2025, at her daughter's home in rural Vinton. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on her birthday, Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Anchor Bible Church in Center Point, Iowa. The family will greet friends from 10:00 am until the service. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date at Blodgett Cemetery, rural Central City.