Obituaries

Shannon Max Meister, 44, of Belle Plaine, Iowa, formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Family and friends will gather to celebrate Shannon's life from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at Checkers Tavern, 3120 6th Street SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404.

Charles “Charlie” J. Vesely, 86, of Keystone, IA passed away Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the Keystone Care Center.A Funeral Service is 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 9, 2023 at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service, Belle Plaine, with Deacon Joe Behounek officiating. Burial will be at National Cemetery, Vining, IA.Visitation is 4-6 p.m., Sunday, October 8th at the funeral home.

DeVonna M. Pratt, 89, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. Graveside services are set for Thursday, Oct.5, 2023, at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from noon until 12:45 p.m.Survivors include her children, Juanita Lara of Blessings, Texas, Sandra J. (Ed) Callan of Shellsburg, Iowa, and Matthew Pratt of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her siblings, Boyd (JoAnn) White of San Antonio, Texas, and Carma Harris of Waukon, Iowa; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Kenneth S. Stahnke, 86, of La Porte City, died at La Porte City Specialty Care on Monday, October 2, 2023 of natural causes.Kenneth was born in Benton County on the family farm and arrived on Mother's Day, May 12, 1937. He was the only son of Harold and Addie (Ballheim) Stahnke.He attended country school south of the farm. Kenneth graduated from La Porte City High School with the class of 1955.

Valyda Sharron Shada, 80, of Walker, Iowa, passed away on Monday, October 2, 2023, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Private family services will be held with inurnment at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Walker, Iowa. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion is assisting the family with arrangements.Valyda was born on October 20, 1942, in Austin, Minnesota, the daughter of Edward and Etta Valyda (Eckert) Goodew.

An afternoon of remembrance to celebrate the life of Jackie Grimm Behounek Seitz, will be held from 2-5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at Berry's Lanes, 1115 West 1st St. in  Vinton. Please come and join friends and family for a time of sharing fond memories of our dear friend Jackie. Any memorials may be directed to the Hope Lodge in Iowa City.

Pearl "Tiny" Iva Stickels 80, gained her wings and entered heaven joining the love of her life, Charles A Stickels, on September 9, 2023, surrounded by family and friends at Parkview Care Center in Fairfield, Iowa.She was born June 10, 1943, in Minnesota to Phyllis and Eugene Phelps of Vinton, Iowa. Her fondest times were spent with family and friends.

Dan Lee Behaunek, 68, of Belle Plaine passed away on Saturday, September 30th, at his home surrounded by family.Dan was born on February 3, 1955, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Fred and Nadine Behaunek.  Growing up in the country east of Belle Plaine, he attended Buckeye Country School and then Belle Plaine schools, serving as senior class president, the 1973-74 Iowa State FFA Vice President, and the 1974-75 Iowa State FFA President.

Geraldine F. “Jerry” Rinehart Healy, 100, of Vinton, Iowa, died Monday, October 2, 2023, at Belle Plaine Specialty Care in Belle Plaine, Iowa. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Center Point, Iowa, with a visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow at Center Point Cemetery.

Lloyd J. “Dude” “Butch” Lovell, 75, of Salisbury, passed away Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, with his wife, Ann and friend, Lonnie by his side.He was born May 1, 1948 in Benton County, Iowa to the late Lloyd and Barbara Lovell. He served in the United States Army and is a Vietnam Veteran. He loved fishing, woodworking, making friends and helping anyone he could.