Obituaries

Theodore James Recker, 48, of Le Mars, died unexpectedly at his home on Friday, March 27, 2020. Due to the current public health mandate, A Celebration of Life Service will be scheduled at a later date. Theodore gave the gift of life through organ and tissue donation...

Bernetta (Wanderscheid) Ernst, 100, of Le Mars, was called home by God on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at her home in Le Mars. Bernetta Marie Wanderscheid was born Sept. 22, 1919, in Jeffers, Minnesota, the daughter of Martin and Cecelia (Schiltz) Wanderscheid. She was the third child to be born out of 11 brothers and sisters. During her younger years, Bernetta lived in Dell Rapids, South Dakota, and moved to Le Mars when she was a teenager...

Norma Wendt, 74, of Akron, as a long-time believer and follower of Jesus Christ, met him face to face on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at her home surrounded by family. Norma Kay Siebens Wendt was born in Akron, on Dec. 18, 1945, to John and Caryl (McCorkell) Siebens joining her brother Daryl, who was eight years old, and two cousins Phillip and Virginia Whitaker...

Norma Wendt Norma Wendt, 74, of rural Akron, died Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at her home near Akron. Due to the mandated health care precautions, a Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron...

Gloria Verleen Reed, 85, of Des Moines, and former Le Mars resident, died Friday, March 13, 2020, after an extended illness. Gloria was born Jan. 13, 1935, in Ellston, Iowa, to Jonathan and Violet (Trower) Grose. She married Joe Reed and together they had two children, Kevin and Kellie. She supported her husband, Joe, who was the principal of Le Mars Community High School...

Jarold Dean Sorgdrager, 83, of Le Mars, died Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Accura Healthcare in Le Mars. Jarold Dean Sorgdrager was born on Jan. 7, 1937, to Kenneth and Marguerite (Stinton) Sorgdrager along with his twin brother, Darold, during a blizzard on the family farm west of Le Mars. He attended country school until eighth grade and at that time went to work on the family farm. Cows, pigs, chickens and lambs were the family pets...

Fern A. Boever, 95, of Sarasota, Florida, formerly of Dickeyville, Wisconsin, was called home to be with her beloved Lord on Thursday, March 12, 2020, in Sarasota. Fern was born on Oct. 18, 1924, to Frank and Christina (Ruhland) Sitzmann in Kingsley. She was the last surviving child of their 12 children...

Dale R. Vander Kooi, 86, of Merrill, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, March 20, 2020. Dale Richard Vander Kooi was born on Oct. 24, 1933, in Le Mars, to Peter and Katherine (Weber) Vander Kooi. He attended school in Hinton. At a young age he began work as a farmhand for local farmers...

Mildred L. Harms, 94, of Marcus, died Thursday, March 19, 2020, at Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen.  Due to the current public health mandate, the family will have a private graveside service. The Earnest-Johnson Funeral Home in Marcus is assisting Mildred’s family...

Dan Urban, 52, of Le Mars, died Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City. Daniel John Urban was born on Nov. 9, 1967, in Le Mars, the son of John and Betty (Kleene) Urban. He attended Le Mars Community Schools, graduating in 1987. During those years he played football and worked at the Fareway Grocery Store...

Duane Arthur Zalme, 72, of Ireton, died Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City. Duane Arthur Zalme was born on Jan. 14, 1948, in Hawarden, to Fred and Eva (Vander Pol) Zalme. He graduated from high school in Hawarden and enlisted in the United States Army on Jan. ...

Evelyn Mae Kallsen, 91, of Le Mars, died Sunday, March 15, 2020, at Accura HealthCare in Le Mars. Evelyn Mae Downing was born Oct. 20, 1928, in Le Mars, the daughter of Elmer and Frieda (Tanner) Downing. She attended school in Le Mars and graduated from Le Mars Central High School in 1946. Following high school, she worked for an insurance company in Sioux City...

Duane Arthur Zalme, 72, of Ireton, died Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City. Due to the public health concerns, a Celebration of Life Service will be scheduled at a later date. Private family services with a burial at Hillside Cemetery in Merrill, will take place in the near future. Prayers and sympathies may be shared with Duane’s family at this time by visiting www.mauerjohnsonfh.com...

Dan Urban, 52, of Le Mars, died Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City. The Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars is assisting Dan’s family with funeral arrangements. Expression of sympathy may be directed through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com...

Evelyn Mae Kallsen, 91, of Le Mars, died Sunday, March 15, 2020, at Accura HealthCare in Le Mars. Due to the present mandated healthcare precautions, this will be a private funeral. Burial will be in Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. ...

Doris “Dickie” Brooks, 96, of Le Mars, formerly of Brunsville, died Monday, March 9, 2020, at the Good Samaritan Society-Le Mars. Services have been postponed to a later date. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com...

Jarold Dean Sorgdrager, 83, of Le Mars, died Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Accura Healthcare in Le Mars. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. The Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars is assisting Jarold’s family with arrangements...

Doris “Dickie” Brooks, 96, of Le Mars, formerly of Brunsville, died Monday, March 9, 2020, at the Good Samaritan Society-Le Mars. Doris K. Dickman was born March 16, 1923, in Brunsville, the daughter of Floyd and Katherine (Harms) Dickman. She attended country school in Brunsville and later graduated from Le Mars Central High School in 1940. She attended Sioux Valley Hospital Nursing School and graduated in May of 1944...

Jean Jelken, 76, of Le Mars, died Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s in Sioux City. Jean F. Harms was born on Nov. 24, 1943, to Frederick and Emma (Kleihauer) Harms on their family farm in Grant Township, rural Plymouth County. She attended a local country school until her family moved into Le Mars. She then attended Franklin School and graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 1962...

Janet M. Baack, 68, of Le Mars, died Monday, March 9, 2020, at Accura Healthcare in Le Mars with her son and daughter-in-law at her side. Janet Marie Delperdang was born on June 28, 1951, at St. Joseph Hospital in Sioux City to William and Verda (Heiden) Delperdang, who were residing in Merrill. ...

Paul L. Pick, 84, of Remsen, died Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at his home near Remsen. Paul was born March 11, 1935, at Remsen, the son of Andrew and Mary (Poeckes) Pick. He was raised in the Remsen area and graduated from Remsen St. Mary’s High School in 1953. He served in the Armed Forces from 1955-1957...

Norman F. Utesch, 92, of Le Mars, died Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at Happy Siesta Care Center in Remsen. Norman Frank Utesch was born on Sept. 27, 1927, in Le Mars, the son of Frank August and Ella (Wetrosky) Utesch. He attended country school near his home by Merrill. Following his education, Norm assisted his family with farming...

Charles Louis “Chuck” Dumas, Sr., 63, of Hudson, South Dakota, died Monday, March 9, 2020, at his residence. Charles Louis “Chuck” Dumas, Sr. was born Feb. 11, 1957, in Le Mars, the son of Homer and Phyllis (Bleil) Dumas. He graduated from the Akron High School. He farmed with his dad on the family farm near Akron...

Lois I. Wichers, 78, of Sioux Center, died Monday, March 9, 2020, at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center. Lois I. Wichers was born Jan. 14, 1942, in Sioux Center, to John and Tracy (Van Bruggen) Vander Schaaf. She was raised on a farm west of Sioux Center and attended Western Christian school...

Viola Gertrude Johansen, 97, of Le Mars, died Sunday, March 8, 2020, at Accura Healthcare in Le Mars. Viola Gertrude Warren was born Jan. 22, 1923, in Merrill, the daughter of Charles and Gertrude Warren. Viola attended school in Merrill along with her little sister, Muriel Edith Warren, and worked on the family farm. The family moved to Le Mars when Viola was a teenager...