Obituaries

Patricia “Pat” Winter, 72, of Le Mars, died Thursday, July 18, 2019, at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s in Sioux City. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 25, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. in Le Mars. The Rev. Chris Meier will officiate. ...

Harlan Kleihauer, 61, of Elk Point, South Dakota, died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Akron. Visitation with the family present will begin at 4 p.m., Monday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Rexwinkel-Schroeder Funeral Home in Akron...

James Malcolm Hughes of Silver Spring, Maryland, died peacefully on Thursday, July 11, 2019, at 75 years of age, surrounded by his family as they shared laughter and memories. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, James’ life would take him on a journey from his city boy roots to the wide open spaces of our western lands and eventually land him in our Nation’s Capital, instilling in him, not just a love of America, but of the great history and tradition of the American West. ...

Curtis H. Ross, 82, of Le Mars, died Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at his home. Curtis H. Ross was born on Jan. 5, 1937, in Le Mars, to Curtis H. and Irene (Bradley) Richey. His parents divorced and Irene married E. C. “Bud” Ross, who adopted Curt. He graduated from Le Mars High School in 1955. ...

Linda Marie Nelson, 65, of Sioux City, died Friday, July 5, 2019, at Holy Spirit Retirement Center after a long courageous battle with cancer.  Make no mistake, tobacco killed her. The Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars is assisting Linda’s family with arrangements...

Betty M. Swalve, 89, of Le Mars, died Monday, July 8, 2019, at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. Betty Maxine Petersen was born on June 23, 1930, to Henry and Grace (Bauman) Petersen on the family farm near Graettinger. She attended country school through 8th grade and graduated from Graettinger High School in 1948. She worked for a year in Spencer at a print shop before attending and graduating from Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Sioux City, in 1952...

Gene Russell Mattiesen, of Fort Pierce, Florida, died Friday, June 28, 2019. Gene Russell Matthiesen was born Feb. 15, 1933. He was raised on a farm in Le Mars, and graduated from Union Consolidated School. After graduation, he attended Westmar College in Le Mars. Gene served in Sioux City, Air Guard. He enlisted in the Army and served in Korea with the Third Division. After Korea, he attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota, where he graduated in 1959...

Samuel "Sam" Philips, 82, of Akron, died Sunday, July 7, 2019, at the Akron Care Center in Akron. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Friday, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. in Akron. The Rev. Eric Alm will officiate. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Akron. ...

Ryan Michael Toel, 37, of Struble, died Wednesday, July 3, 2019, following injuries suffered in an automobile accident. Ryan Michael Toel was born on June 3, 1982, in Le Mars, the son of Wayne and Jean (Peters) Toel. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Ryan attended Le Mars Community Schools, graduating from high school in 2001...

Ryan J. Bubke, 13, of Kingsley, died Thursday, July 4, 2019, at his home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at the Kingsley-Pierson Middle School in Pierson. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery, Pierson. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m., Tuesday, with a prayer service to follow at 7 p.m., at Rohde Funeral Home in Kingsley...

Virginia Merrigan Hartmann, 87, of Akron, died Saturday, July 6, 2019, at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s in Sioux City. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Akron.  The Rev. Paul Bormann will celebrate Mass with Deacon Richard Port assisting. Burial will be in the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota, with her husband Ed. Visitation with the family present will be from 10 a.m., until service time on Thursday at the church...

Ryan Michael Toel, 37, of Struble, died Wednesday, July 3, 2019 following injuries suffered in an automobile accident. The Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home is assisting Ryan’s family with funeral arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be directed through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com...

Robert “Bob” Lias, 87, of Akron, died Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City. He was wrapped in love with family by his side as he completed his journey home. it was a peaceful sight to behold. Visitation with the family present will be at 10 a.m., Monday, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Akron. ...

Bonnie Waag, 72 of Akron, died Sunday, June 30, 2019, at the Akron Care Center in Akron Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Akron. Burial will be at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 5-7 p.m., today (Tuesday) at Rexwinkel-Schroeder Funeral Home in Akron...

Pamela Gayle Moberg, of Elk Point, South Dakota, died Tuesday, June 25, 2019, following a long illness. Pam was born June 27, 1950, in Le Mars, to Leonard and Betty Halweg and grew up in the Craig area. Pam graduated from Le Mars Community High School where she is remembered as a pianist and cheerleader. She attended Wayne State College until she met and married Carl Moberg in 1971...

Paul P. Mueller, 78, died peacefully at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Monday, June 24, 2019, surrounded by family. He was born to Roman and Elizabeth (Bohlke) Mueller on Nov. 6, 1940. He was a 1959 graduate of Gehlen High School in Le Mars, and attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesot and Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska...

Lois M. Mayer, 91, of Marcus, died Sunday, June 23, 2019, at the Heartland Care Center in Marcus. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Marcus. The Rev. David Doellinger will officiate. Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. ...

Lillian “Lil” Berkenpas, 99, of Le Mars, died Friday, June 21, 2019, at Accura Healthcare of Le Mars. Lillian Rosina Plueger was born March 11, 1920, on the family farm in Preston Township, rural Akron, the daughter of Will and Fannie (Weber) Plueger. She was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church, Grant Township, rural Le Mars. She attended country school in Preston Township...

It is with great love and deep sorrow, we share that our beloved brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle, nephew, and son, Duane Allen Clearwater, passed, on the morning of Tuesday, June 18, 2019.  Duane was born in Fort Dodge, on May 23, 1959, to Bruce and Louise Clearwater of Farnhamville, Iowa. ...

Janice Fern Stabe Janice Fern Stabe, 82, of Merrill, died Friday, June 21, 2019, at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. Janice’s wish was to have a private family service. The Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars is assisting Janice’s family with arrangements...

Lois M. Mayer Lois M. Mayer, 91, of Marcus, died Sunday, June 23, 2019, at the Heartland Care Center in Marcus. The Earnest – Johnson Funeral Home in Marcus is assisting Lois’ family with funeral arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be directed through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com...

Lillian “Lil” Berkenpas, 99, of Le Mars, died Friday, June 21, 2019, at Accura Healthcare of Le Mars. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. in Le Mars.  The Rev. Chris Meier will officiate. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memory Gardens in Le Mars.  Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m., Wednesday, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. ...

Robert “Bob” Cyril Niehus, 62, of Remsen, died Friday, June 21, 2019, at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen with the Rev. William McCarthy officiating and Deacon Rick Roder assisting. ...

Elliott Lee Bogenrief, sweet and perfect infant son of Laura Prescott and Joel Bogenrief of Le Mars, was born sleeping on June 18, 2019, at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. While his time with us was incredibly short, we know God has bigger plans for him than we could possibly imagine. He surely has gotten more hugs, kisses, and treats in heaven already...

Rita Marie Krause, 98, of Kingsley, died Saturday, June 22, 2019, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m., today (Monday) at First Lutheran Church in Kingsley.  The Rev. Jason Letsche will officiate. Burial will follow at the Kingsley Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will begin at 10 a.m., Monday at the church...