Obituaries

Doris A. (Smalley-Wood) Pippert, age 95, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at the Vinton Lutheran Home. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton with Pastor Anne Williams officiating.Doris was born in Mount Auburn on April 15, 1929, the daughter of Harold and Ella (Struve) Smalley.

Gary Ray Vander Heyden of Belle Plaine, Iowa, passed away Monday, September 30, 2024 at the age of seventy-six. Cherished son of the late Charles and the late Florence Vander Heyden, beloved brother and brother-in-law of the late Sandra Hartin and Edwin Hartin, loving uncle to Heather (Brett) Cothran, Monica (Charles) Nicastro, and Brennan (Gina) Hartin, and cherished great-uncle to their children Elodie Doyle, Mia, Alexandra, and Ava Nicastro, and Johanna Hartin.

Cheryl K. (Brandenburg) Kramer, age 85, of Vinton, IA, passed away at the Vinton Lutheran Home on Sunday, October 6, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.A visitation will be held at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home on Thursday, October 10, 2024, from 5 to 8 PM, and also at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories on Friday, October 11, 2024, from 10 AM until service time at 11 AM with Chaplain Justin Gordon officiating.

Randy L. Speake, age 63, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 4, 2024, at his home in Vinton with his family by his side.A Celebration of Randy’s life for friends and family will be held in Western Iowa at a later date.  The family suggests planting a tree in Randy’s memory.Randy was born August 8, 1961, in Missouri Valley, Iowa, the son of Herbert “Lyle” and Barbara Ann (Dillinger) Speake.

Gary Ray Vander Heyden of Belle Plaine, Iowa, passed away Monday, September 30, 2024 at the age of seventy-six. Cherished son of the late Charles and the late Florence Vander Heyden, beloved brother and brother-in-law of the late Sandra Hartin and Edwin Hartin, loving uncle to Heather (Brett) Cothran, Monica (Charles) Nicastro, and Brennan (Gina) Hartin, and cherished great-uncle to their children Elodie Doyle, Mia, Alexandra, and Ava Nicastro, and Johanna Hartin.

Jacqueline Marie Rhinehart,77, of Blairstown, passed away at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids on September 30, 2024 after a short two week battle with an aggressive cancer. Services will be at Grace Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 5, at 10:30am with Pastor Jeffrey Schanbacher officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service with a light luncheon to follow.

Dorothy Ann Blackburn, 87, of Norway, IA entered eternal life October 1, 2024 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Dorothy was born January 9, 1937 to Leo and Marjorie (Pease) Farber in Marcus, IA. She graduated from Pierson High School, class of 1955 and earned a degree in elementary education at Wayne State Teachers College in Nebraska.

Nicki Sue Purdy, age 72, of Mt. Auburn, IA, passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at her home with family by her side.She was born April 22, 1952, in Vinton, IA, the daughter of Robert and Betty (Rosekrans) Dales. Nicki graduated from high school and on March 18, 1972, she married Gary Purdy at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA.Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Gary Purdy; one daughter, Amy Purdy; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren with one on the way; one brother, Jon Dales; step-daughter, Kari (Dwaine) Brown; step-son, Robert (Angie) Purdy; sister-in-law, Diane Newman and brother-in-law, Lee Purdy.

Gary Everett Harrison was born July 10, 1943, in Vinton, Iowa, the son of Ray and Nina (Geiger) Harrison. He graduated from Washington High School in Vinton in 1961 and began working at Wilsons Meat Packing plant. On December 18, 1965, Gary was united in marriage to Karen Sue Backes, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton. After Wilsons closed, Gary and Karen farmed together until 1984.

William H. Schlue, age 87, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Van Horne, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at his home at Grand Living in Cedar Rapids.Memorial services will be held at 1:00  PM, Thursday, October 3, 2024,at Salem United Methodist Church in Van Horne, with Rev. Carol Kress officiating.  Visitation will be held from 11:00  AM until service time, also at the church.