Obituaries

James “Jim” Michael Mackey, 73, of Le Mars, died Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. James Michael Mackey was born Oct. 8, 1946, in Akron, the son of Francis and Frances (Scott) Mackey. He attended school in Akron and graduated from Akron High School in 1964...

Randy Ruggles, 66, of Le Mars, died Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, at his home in Le Mars surrounded by his family. Randy Ruggles was born April 6, 1954, in Santa Ana, California, the son of Raymond and Edith (Kunchick) Ruggles. As a young child, he moved with his family to Michigan where he attended school in Newaygo...

Mary Ann Kestel, 66, of rural Marcus, died unexpectedly on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at MercyOne in Sioux City. Abiding by her wishes, Mary’s body has been donated for medical research. A Memorial Mass will take place at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 26, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Marcus. Rev. Eugene Murray will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Holy Name Cemetery in Marcus...

Sandra Gay Vint, 70, of Marcus, formerly of Sioux City, died Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, at MercyOne in Sioux City. Private family services will be held. The Earnest – Johnson Funeral Home in Marcus is assisting Sandra’s family with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be directed through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com...

James “Jim” Mackey, 73, of Le Mars, died Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Visitation with the family present will be from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Le Mars Church of Christ. Social distancing and wearing a mask is required. Interment will be in the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska...

The Rev. Curtis Herman Miller, 73, died peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, at home surrounded by his family in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Curtis was born May 3, 1947, in Le Mars, to Herman and Verna Miller. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Remsen-Union High School in 1965. He attended Wartburg College, graduating in 1969...

Ronnie G. “Huggy” Hargens, 62, of Le Mars, died Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Ronnie Gene Hargens was born on Jan. 7, 1958, to Virtus and Lois (Joens) Hargens in Denison. He graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 1976...

Hyla Olson, 81, of Akron, died Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at the Akron Care Center. Hyla Jane Sherard was born on Aug. 21, 1939, in Turner County, South Dakota, to Merritt and Mary Ann (Wipf) Sherard. She was raised on their farm and graduated from Parker High School in Parker, South Dakota. She then attended and graduated with an associate teaching degree from General Beadle Teachers College. Her first teaching job was in Canton, South Dakota...

Mary Ann Kestel, 66, of Remsen, died unexpectedly on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at MercyOne in Sioux City. To abide by her wishes, Mary has donated her body for medical research. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at a later date. The Earnest – Johnson Funeral Home in Marcus is assisting Mary’s family with arrangements...

Jean L. Koenig, 97, passed peacefully into death, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. As Jean wished, she died at home in Brevard, North Carolina, under the care of Hospice and with family present. Jean, (Koenig Real Estate and Insurance), was an active and well-respected member of the Le Mars community. In later years, she moved to North Carolina to be close to her sister. She was a loving and generous daughter, sister, aunt, friend and neighbor...

Keith Kilker, 49, of Le Mars, died on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, at UnityPoint Health in Sioux City. Keith Alan Kilker was born on May 29, 1971, in Le Mars, the son of Edward and Mae (Lundquist) Kilker. He attended school in Le Mars, graduating from Le Mars Community High School in 1989. During high school, Keith worked at the Fareway Grocery Store. He later worked at Wells Dairy...

Bernard Louis “Bernie” De Boer, 97, of Le Mars, died on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, at Accura Healthcare in Le Mars. Bernard Louis De Boer was born on Oct. 14, 1922, on the family farm near Doon, to Gossom and Henrietta “Hattie” (Scholten) De Boer. He attended country school and later graduated from Hull High School at age 16. ...

Bernie De Boer, 97, of Le Mars, died on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, at Accura Healthcare in Le Mars. The Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars is assisting Bernie’s family with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be directed through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com...

Keith Kilker, 49, of Le Mars, died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, at UnityPoint Health in Sioux City. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 11, at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Le Mars. Rev. Chris Meier will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. ...

Betty Rolfes, 83, of Le Mars, died Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, at her home near Le Mars. Betty Ann Schroeder was born Aug. 15, 1937, southeast of Le Mars, the daughter of Frank and Anna (Wengler) Schroeder. She attended school in Le Mars and graduated from Le Mars Central High School...

Pauline Marie (Groth) Bonderson, 91, of Le Mars, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. Pauline Marie (Groth) Bonderson was born on March 18, 1929, in Cushing, the daughter of Le Roy and Aurelia (Dandurand) Groth. The family lived in Cushing and Correctionville prior to moving to Sioux City. Pauline graduated from East High School in 1947...

Tonya Sue (Risinger) Bruscher, 29, of Brunsville, died Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, following a motor vehicle accident near Jefferson, South Dakota. Tonya Sue (Risinger) Bruscher was born on Jan. 12, 1991, in Longmont, Colorado, to Lyle and Christina (Rocha) Risinger. She grew up in Iowa City before moving to Le Mars in 2003. She graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 2009...

Tonya Sue (Risinger) Bruscher, 29, of Brunsville, died Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, following a motor vehicle accident near Jefferson, South Dakota.  Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. ...

Patricia Ritzema, 99, of Le Mars, embraced her Savior and lovingly looked into His eyes at 1:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020. Pieterke Land was born on July 7, 1921, to Derk Jan and Geertruida Hoiting Land in her home in Aduard, Groningen, the Netherlands. She was the oldest of seven children...

Tonya Sue (Risinger) Bruscher, 29, of Brunsville, died Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, following a motor vehicle accident near Jefferson, South Dakota. The Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars is assisting Tonya’s family with funeral arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be directed through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com...

Orville Arthur Wiese, 70, of Kenesaw, Nebraska, died Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, at his home. Orville was born Feb. 26, 1950, to Howard Orville and Bertha Lucile (Wynia) Wiese in Le Mars. He graduated from Le Mars High School in 1969. He married Kathleen Woitaszewski Wagoner on June 18, 1988, in Hastings, Nebraska...

The family of Richard Taylor would like to invite all friends of Rich to join them in a celebration of life. Richard died on March 30, 2020. Richard’s celebration of life will be on Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Corner Cafe in Brunsville. The gathering will begin at 3 p.m. Friends and family are encouraged to come and share their cherished memories and stories of Rich, who was loved by so many...

William “Bill” Stuart Lancaster, died Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Springfield, Missouri. He was born Nov. 26, 1927, at rural Le Mars to M.J. and Rosabelle Lancaster. He graduated in 1945 from Le Mars High School. He and Leona farmed near Seney and moved to Le Mars in the early 60’s. Bill remodeled and built many new homes...

Robert “Rob” Hughes, 52, of Akron, died Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, at his home surrounded by his family.  Robert Lee Hughes was born Jan. 10, 1968, in Akron, the son of Richard and Donna (Boettger) Hughes. He attended school in Merrill and Le Mars. Following his schooling, he began working for Wells Enterprises in Le Mars. Rob worked for over 36 years for Wells, most recently as a crew leader...

Diane Franzen, 83, of Le Mars, died Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s in Sioux City after a brief illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 29, at All Saints Catholic Parish – St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. Reverend Bruce Lawler will celebrate Mass. Social distancing and wearing a mask are required. Private family burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars...