Obituaries

Ellen Christine Ericson, 93, of Belle Plaine, IA passed away Monday, January 18, 2021 at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, IA surrounded by family.Ellen was born November 20, 1927 to Ivar and Emelie (Qualey) Ostby in Minnesota. She lived many places through her life, spending many years in Big Falls, MN and St. Cloud, MN. Ellen met Andrew in Nevada while working as a slot manager at the casino.

Francis (Mac) McAtee, 81, of Brooklyn, Iowa passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family, and his 2 dogs Shilo and Cali.Francis worked over thirty years at Emerson / Fisher Controls and in 1997 he retired. He also served 6 years with the Iowa National Guard and received an Honorable Discharge in 1964.Those left to cherish his loving memory are his wife Cynthia McAtee, of Brooklyn, IA; daughters Tracy (Donald) Roudabush of Brooklyn, IA and Christine (Michael) Klosterman of Brooklyn, IA; grandchildren Ashley Roudabush of Grinnell, IA, Ryan (Jessie) Roudabush of Farmington, MN, Brittany Klosterman of Marshalltown, IA, Aurelia Roudabush of Brooklyn, IA, and Shane Roudabush of Vinton, IA; great-grandchild Rebecca Turner of Boone, IA; brother Ken (Mary) McAtee of Gilman City, MO; sister-in-law Jenny Mahlow of Ankeny, IA; several nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Our beloved David "Dave" A. Pickart passed away in his sleep on his 72nd birthday, Jan. 14, 2021. At his request, there will be no services at this time. A memorial service is planned for the Spring of 2021. Cremation has taken place and burial will be in the Norway Cemetery next to his father. The family requests please no flowers or plants as a memorial fund has been established.

William C. “Bill” Nelson, 85, passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at the Belle Plaine Specialty Care in Belle Plaine, Iowa.Private family services will be held followed by burial in Maplewood Cemetery, Vinton.Bill was born July 5th, 1935 in Garrison to Charlie and Eathel Nelson. He grew up on a farm near Newhall and attended Newhall High School, graduating with the class of 1953.

Christine Lynette McGowan, 70, passed away to a better place on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, of complications from COVID-19. She was born at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Nov. 12, 1950. She resided in Washington, Iowa, at the time of her death. She attended the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton, Iowa,  where she graduated in 1968.

 Danelle (Rauch) Short, 55, passed away unexpectedly, in her home, on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Danelle was born January 7, 1966 in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Dana and Patricia (Elliott) Rauch. On August 17, 1988 she was united in marriage to Hershel Short in Mishawaka, Indiana.  Together they built and ran Short’s Concrete successfully in Plymouth, Indiana then moving to Blairstown, IA for 27 years.

Obituary for Judith K. StoddardJudith K. Stoddard, 77, of Belle Plaine, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at her home. The family will greet friends from 11a.m. – 1p.m. on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. A Funeral Service will begin at 1 p.m. at the funeral home on Tuesday conducted by Pastor Brody Tubaugh.

Ryan Dale Lawing, 31, passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at his home in Blairstown.Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Grace Lutheran Church in Blairstown with Rev. Jeffrey Schanbacher officiating.  Memorials may be directed to the family.Ryan was born on July 11, 1989 in Flagstaff, AZ, the son of Rodney Dale and Karen (Kolb) Lawing.

Allan Donald King, 93, passed away peacefully at his home in Ahwahnee, CA, on January 6, 2021. Always a gentleman, he had a warm smile, a strong work ethic, and a lifelong devotion to serving others inspired by his Christian faith.Allan was born January 20, 1927, to Forrest and Bertha King, farmers in Vinton, Iowa. In 1951, he married Barbara Decker of Mason City, Iowa, and they took up farming.

Margaret E. Jensen, 54, of Urbana, Iowa, died Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. A visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Center Point, Iowa. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. All guests are respectfully requested to wear a mask and practice social distancing.