Obituaries
James Allen Meyer
James Allen Meyer, our loving Father and Grandpa, age 77, passed away on Sunday November 22, 2020 with his children by his side following a brief battle with Covid 19. Due to Covid restrictions a public memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials and condolences may be sent to 2911 320th St., Chelsea, Iowa 52215 Jim was born April 19, 1943. George L. Eckhart
George L. Eckhart, 92, passed away Monday, November 23, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids.George will be buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date at the First Christian Church in Vinton.George was born May 4, 1928, in La Porte City, Iowa, the son of Morris and Delia Lacross Eckhart. He attended a one-room country school until he was 12 years old and then attended Vinton schools. Cynthia Ann (Holmes) Ohlen
Cynthia Ann (Holmes) Ohlen, 79, of Blairstown, died unexpectedly on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids.Private memorial services will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at Grace Lutheran Church in Blairstown with Rev. Jeff Schanbacher officiating. Interment will be held at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Blairstown. Ruth Ann Richardson
Ruth Ann Richardson, 96, died peacefully at the Vinton Lutheran Home Saturday, November 21, 2020.Ruth was born on December 30, 1923 in Vinton, Iowa, the eldest child of Ashley and Elsie Richardson. She grew up in Vinton and graduated from Vinton High School. She graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) in 1946 with a bachelors’ degree in English. Thelma Esther Belknap
Thelma Esther Belknap, 83, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 21, 2020 at the Ft. Dodge Villa Care Center following an extended illness.Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton. Masks are required and social distancing must be observed. Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton with Pastor Matt Hantz officiating. JoAnn R. Piebenga
JoAnn Ruth Piebenga was called home to Heaven on July 16, 2020. She drew her last breath surrounded by her husband, Wayne, and her daughter, Kathy.JoAnn was born on June 23, 1938 in Vinton, Iowa to Milo and Dorthea Offt. JoAnn grew up with loving parents and siblings who all helped around the farm at a young age.After moving from Iowa to South Dakota, JoAnn spent her days as a Safeway checker. Laura Townsend-Edler
Laura Townsend-Edler, 55, of Gladbrook, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, at Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center, Iowa. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown, Iowa. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until the time of the services. Due to concerns regarding COVID-19, the family encourages the use of Anderson Funeral Homes livestream to view the service. Dorothy Marie (Selken) Ellis
Dorothy Marie (Selken) Ellis, 96, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at Westridge Care Center in Cedar Rapids, IowaPrivate family Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul Catholic church in Newhall, with Rev. Craig Steimel as Celebrant. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Van Horne. Dorothy was born August 28, 1924 to Henry and Mary (Junge) Selken in Keystone. Frances "Fran" Betty Foxen
Frances "Fran" Betty Foxen, 77, of Anamosa, passed away Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. Her memorial service will be held graveside at 1 p.m. Dec. 5 at Holy Cross Cemetery in Anamosa. The service will be officiated by Father Nick March.Fran was born Aug. 21, 1943, in Vinton, Iowa. She enjoyed reading and the outdoors. She was a great mentor and enjoyed helping others. Bernadine Nelson Barr
Bernadine Nelson Barr, 93, passed away on Tuesday, November 17 at St Luke’s Hospital after a brief illness. Interment and ceremony will take place for family and friends on Friday, November 20 at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton at 11 am. The ceremony will be officiated by Pastor Leonard Ranson of Salem United Methodist Church, Van Horne. Bernadine was born on the family farm northwest of Van Horne on February 5, 1927 to Frank and Minerva (Grimm) Nelson.