Obituaries

Leon Fye Leach, 73, of Waterloo, formerly of Fredericksburg, died Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer. He was born August 16, 1952, in Sumner, to Derwood and Maxine (Potratz) Leach. He graduated from Fredericksburg High Schoolin 1970 and attended Upper Iowa University.Leon married RobbieJo Fye on September 22, 1979, on the family farm in Chickasaw County.

David Brunko, 86, of NorthCrest Specialty Care in Waterloo, passed away Sunday, August 24, 2025, at MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center.He was born May 28, 1939, in Vinton, son of Rolland and Merna Hiler Brunko. David married Eileen Fitzpatrick on January 16, 1964, in Miami Beach, Florida. She preceded him in death on August 11, 2009.David worked as an iron worker for G.

Mary Jane Karr Mether, 93, formerly of Maquoketa, Iowa passed away August 20, 2025 at Stonehill Health Center in Dubuque, Iowa.Mary was born July 24, 1932, in La Porte City, Black Hawk County, Iowa, and was the only child of Monroe and Lillian (Lamos) Karr. A 1950 graduate from La Porte City School where she was active in vocal and instrumental music and cheerleading.

Betty Lou Stern, after 90 years, was called home by her Savior on August 20, 2025.Betty was born August 16, 1935, in Corydon, Iowa to Alva and Jennie Myers. She was blessed with six children: Marian (Jack) Cowels of San Diego, CA, Patricia (Mike) Nieland of Belle Plaine, Barbara (Jack) Griffith of Cedar Rapids, Daniel Bussey of Belle Plaine, Merlin (Julie) Ealy of Belle Plaine, and Theresa Axler of Newton; 14 grandchildren: John (Karen) Reynolds, Tamara (Tom) Wanless, Melissa (Michel) Vis, Tony Nieland, Mark Nieland, Rachel (Darric) McLeod, Melinda Crane, Darcy Griffith, Garrett (Kasey) Landuyt, Mallory (Josh) Francis, Jessica (Thomas) Kacena, Jennifer Ealy (Ryan), Kyle (Angel) Ealy, Paige Axler; 24 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Mary Lee (Kenney) Vogt, 83, died Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at her son’s home in rural Garrison.A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, August 28, 2025 at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6thStreet) in Vinton, with Rev. Dean Bostian officiating.  Interment will be held at the Garrison Cemetery.  The family will greet friends from 9:00 AM until service time on Thursday, also at the funeral home.

Betty Lou Stern, after 90 years, was called home by her Savior on August 20, 2025.  Betty was born August 16, 1935, in Corydon, Iowa to Alva and Jennie Myers. She was blessed with six children: Marian (Jack) Cowels of San Diego, CA, Patricia (Mike) Nieland of Belle Plaine,  Barbara (Jack) Griffith of Cedar Rapids, Daniel Bussey of Belle Plaine, Merlin (Julie) Ealy of Belle Plaine, and Theresa Axler of Newton; 14 grandchildren: John (Karen) Reynolds, Tamara (Tom) Wanless, Melissa (Michel) Vis, Tony Nieland, Mark Nieland, Rachel (Darric) McLeod, Melinda Crane, Darcy Griffith, Garrett (Kasey) Landuyt, Mallory (Josh) Francis, Jessica (Thomas) Kacena, Jennifer Ealy (Ryan), Kyle (Angel) Ealy, Paige Axler; 24 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Rose Marie Swails and lifelong resident of Coralville, IA, peacefully passed away August 14th, 2025, at home with her family at 95 years of age.A funeral service will be held Friday August 22, 2025, at 12 PM at Lensing’s Oak Hill, 210 Holiday Road, Coralville, Iowa where her family will greet friends prior to the service from 11 AM until 12 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to her family to be distributed to organizations that were important to her.

Marc David Mahood, 23, of La Porte City, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family at his home on Friday, August 15, 2025, after a 3 ½ year hard fought battle with brain cancer. He was born on January 28, 2002, in Waterloo, the son of Marc K. Mahood and April McClain. Marc was a 2020 graduate of Union Community Schools in La Porte City, where he was active in football, soccer, and basketball.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Marvin Wayne Andrews, age 80, of rural Vinton, Iowa. Marvin died on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 PM, Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at Prairie Creek Church (2745 55th StreetHwy 150) Vinton.

Alyce Marie Sindt, 93, formerly of Belle Plaine, IA passed away August 12, 2025 at Compass Memorial Healthcare, Marengo, IA.Alyce was born March 27, 1932 to John and Olive (Fowler) Thede in Tama County, IA. She attended country school and graduated from Hartwick High School. Alyce was married and widowed twice; through these unions she was blessed with seven children.