Area Obituaries

Marie Jean Burmeister was born March 25, 1946 in Creston, IA to her parents Marion and Ruth Euritt of Mount Ayr where Marie grew up and ultimately spent most of her life. Marie attended school and graduated from Mount Ayr along with her close friends, Camille, Marie, Joen, Martha and Suzie, along with her sister,…

Jeffrey Wade Collier, son of Wayne and Alberta (Ruckman) Collier, was born September 16, 1963 in Mount Ayr, IA. Jeff grew up and attended school in Mount Ayr. Jeff served his country for eight years in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Germany. After his discharge, Jeff worked several years as an electrician. He…

Roland Alvin Buck was born February 20, 1928, in Mount Ayr, IA to Dorothy (Stafford) and Raymond R. Buck. He graduated from Mount Ayr High School in 1945. Roland was united in marriage to Mildred Greene. To this union five children were born, Robert, Melody, Marjorie, Ann and Mary Lee. They made their home in…

Leo Elbert Banner of Des Moines, IA passed away April 13, 2021. He was born October 16, 1938 in Union County, IA to Vurl Banner and Marie Twombley Banner. Leo is survived by his wife Sara Joan and children and grandchildren: Leigh Ann Arthur (Ed), Sarah, Thomas, Mary and Rachel; James Banner, Breanna and Alana;…

Verla Louise (Adams) Repp, daughter of Samuel and Lucille (Hellyer) Adams, was born November 9, 1934 in Iowa. Verla graduated from Mount Ayr High School. Verla was united in marriage to Harold B. Repp on November 29, 1953 at the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr. They were married for 58 years with many adventures.…

Wanda Lyddon Sobotka, 76 of Glade Valley, formerly of Hickory, NC passed away unexpectedly Thursday, April 8, 2021 at Alleghany Memorial Hospital. Born in Council Bluff, IA, on May 4, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Donald Wayne and Mary Melissa Smith Lyddon. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death…

Kristine Emma Heyer Browne was born September 21, 1936 in Illinois to Claire and Hazel Heyer. She graduated from Milledgeville High School in 1954. Kris attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in English from Washington University in St. Lewis in 1959. She married James McCrea on June 16,…

Cathy Rose (Riggs) Mason was born December 20, 1951 to Marilyn Estelle (Palmer) and Carl Gordon Riggs in Bloomfield, IA. She attended Mount Ayr Schools and graduated in 1970. She later was a student at Grandview College. Cathy married Leonard Mason in 1971 and had two children, Kelli D and Regan W. Cathy worked at…

Judy Ann Dillenburg, daughter of Cecil and Inez (Marshall) Kneedler, was born at home on August 5, 1948 in New Virginia, IA. The family moved to various small towns in Southwest Iowa and then finally settled in the Mount Ayr area where Judy graduated from Mount Ayr Community High School in 1967. She later attended…

Helen R. Shay, 92, passed away March 23, 2021, with her family by her side at Taylor House Hospice. Helen was born September 4, 1928 in Moulton, IA to Homer and Diamond Ruckman. She enjoyed working at Metz Baking for many years as well as making cakes for Baskin Robbins. Helen was a homemaker most…

Beverly Ruth Buchanan, daughter of John and Wilma (Hammond) Buchanan, was born August 18, 1929 at Tingley, IA. The family moved to Diagonal and Diagonal would be Beverly’s “hometown” for most of her adult life. Beverly graduated from Diagonal High School with the class of 1947. On June 18, 1948, Beverly was united in marriage…