Obituaries

Bruce Douglas Straub, 65, of Shellsburg, passed away, June 12, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, June 21, 2025, at The Church of Grace, 301 Grove St. NW, Shellsburg, IA 52332. Bruce was born on October 23, 1959, in Maquoketa, IA, the son of Paul D. Straub and Wanda Lee (Rich) Blake. He graduated from Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School in 1979.

Betty Kemp McKinney, a woman whose life was a testament of resilience and compassion, went to be with her Lord and Savior in her Heavenly home on June 12th, 2025, at the remarkable age of 99. At the time of her passing, Betty resided in Mars Hill, North Carolina, where she continued to touch other people’s lives with her unwavering spirit and love.

Thomas “Tommy” Gene Koeppen, 65 of Belle Plaine, passed away on May 25, 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospital of COPD. He was born on August 31, 1959.Some knew “Tommy” as “Mini-Man” or “Tommy Turtle”. He enjoyed doing his building replicas of bridges, gas stations, and Lefty’s Bar in Keystone, etching on glass or collecting cars, etc.Tommy is survived by his daughter, Sara (Josh) Stokes of Chatsworth, Georgia; grandchildren, Skyler, Karlee, Ryan Stokes, and Austin Vanderweide; sister, Diana Ealy (Pat Wedmore); nephew, Billy (Emily) Kent; great-nephew, Ashton Kent; great friends Josh (Kelsey) Wolf; and many cousins.

Marlene Jones, 83, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Virginia Gay Hospital, Vinton.  Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Friday, June 20, at Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home.   Marlene was born October 7, 1941, in rural Brandon, the daughter of Mearl and Lillian (Alcott) Jones.  She was a graduate of Brandon High School.

Betty Grace Seeger, 45, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family. There will be no service at this time. A visitation will be held at 4 - 7 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion.Betty was born on May 4, 1980, in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Darryl and June (Rothrock) Hassinger.

Loretta Lucille Nading, 91, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the UnityPoint St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church: 201 1st Ave, Hiawatha, Iowa 52233. A visitation will begin at 10:00 AM at the church.Loretta was born April 26, 1934, in Luzerne, Iowa, the daughter of Everett and Kathryn (Kluss) Koehn.

Robert John Meyer, age 78, of Hannibal, MO, formerly of Hiawatha, died Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at Hannibal Regional Hospital.Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 3:00 PM, Monday, June 16, 2025, at the Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone.  Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM, Monday, also at the Funeral Home.  Interment with graveside military rites will be held at the Keystone Cemetery.

Pauline C. (Marquardt) Grovert, 78, passed away peacefully at Heritage Specialty Care in Cedar Rapids on Thursday, June 12, 2025.The visitation will be Monday, June 16th from 4-7:00 PM at The Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street), Vinton.  A funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Tuesday, June 17th at 11:00 AM with Rev.

Frances Ciesielski, 90 years old, of rural Independence, Iowa, died of natural causes, Monday, June 9, 2025, at Lexington Estate at Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. – Friday, June 13, at St. John Catholic Church, Independence, with Very Rev. David M. Beckman, celebrant. Burial will follow at St.

Robert (Bob) Lee, age 85, died Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at his rural Norway farm, surrounded by his loving family.      Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM., Friday, June 13, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walford with Rev. Craig Brown officiating.  Interment will be held at the Norway Cemetery, with the visitation being held from 4-8 PM, on Thursday, also at the church.