Area Obituaries

Born July 26, 1930, in a tenant farmhouse in Delphos, Iowa, Doris Marguerite Pratt arrived as one half of a mischievous twin pair alongside brother Donald Marvin – the youngest of Clark and Effie Pratt’s family of five boys and five girls. Her father’s response became family lore: “It’s time to quit when they start…

Kenneth Eugene Stephens was born to Eileen Pritchett Mason and Donald Stephens on March 5,1952, in Mt. Ayr, Iowa. He peacefully passed away December 24, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family and friends. When Ken was young, he and his family, along with younger sister Kathy, moved to Longmont, Colorado. In his early…

Robert “Bob” D. Richardson passed away on November 23, 2025, in New London, IA. He was born on October 14, 1926, to Homer and Florence (Bean) Richardson at home in Mount Ayr, Iowa. He married Pauline Toland on November 25, 1950. Bob was a farmer in Ringgold County, Iowa. He also worked for Maynes Realty.  Bob…

Preston Loring Hayse was born February 7, 1942, to John Robert Hayse and Virginia Estella LaShier Hayse in Mitchell, South Dakota. He was named after his two uncles on either side. The family moved back to Sioux City, Iowa to be closer to other family before Preston started kindergarten. He grew up hunting with his…

Merry Ann (Nichols) Swank was born in Creston, IA on January 19, 1948, to Arthur Franklin and Wilma Charlene (Borrusch) Nichols. She joined an older brother and sister. The family lived on a farm near Tingley for more than fifty years. She attended school at Tingley and Mount Ayr. On August 24, 1964, Merry Ann…

A memorial Service for Barb Swank, 74, of Lenox, Iowa will be held Friday, December 19, 2025 at the Lenox Presbyterian Church, at 11 a.m.. The visitation will be held Friday, December 19, 2025 at the Lenox Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m. until service time. Inurnment will be held at North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox.…

Lois Anne Sobotka, was born July 27, 1935, to Cecil and Lois Allen. She passed away at the age of 90 on Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Clearview Nursing Home in Mount Ayr Iowa. Lois Anne grew up on a farm near Knowlton northwest of Diagonal. She attended the Knowlton School and the Jefferson…

Pauline Leveta Murphy passed away at her home in Inspirations of Mesa senior living in Mesa, Arizona, on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Pauline was born on July 16, 1925, in Osage City, Kansas, to Joshua “Joker” and Merzetta (Fender) Hillebran. The family, including Pauline’s two older sisters, moved to Iowa, where the girls grew up…

Jo Ann Maguire, age 97, passed away on December 11, 2025. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Born on April 5, 1928, Jo Ann was a lifelong resident of Rockwell City, IA. She married Delmar Erin Maguire on February 28, 1948. In her early adult years she was a secretary, first for…

Preston Loring Hayse was born February 7, 1942, to John Robert Hayse and Virginia Estella LaShier Hayse in Mitchell, South Dakota. He was named after his two uncles on either side. The family moved back to Sioux City, Iowa to be closer to other family before Preston started kindergarten. He grew up hunting with his…

Joyce Elaine England, born November 26th, 1942, in Ringgold County, IA to Paul and Veneta Dukes. Joyce departed this life on December 11, 2025, at the Clearview Nursing Home with family by her side. Joyce was welcomed home by her older brother John Philip Dukes on their family farm near Diagonal, Iowa. She attended country…

Mayme was born August 28,1918 to Joseph V. and Josephine Prohaska Skarda in Bolivar, MO. She had an older brother and sister Richard and Anna. She also had 2 younger brothers, Harry and Elbert. When Mayme was quite young, the family rode the train to Iowa. Josie and the 3 children as passengers and Joe…