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Founded on Oct. 1, 2010

News & Entertainment for Mason City, Clear Lake & the Entire North Iowa Region
News Archives

Author: Matt Marquardt

Charles City remembers devoted family man and outdoorsman Gerald “Jerry” Meyer, 81

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

CHARLES CITY — Gerald “Jerry” Meyer, 81, of Charles City, died Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City, surrounded by his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, August 7, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Charles City.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, August 6, at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City. A Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. Visitation will continue for one hour before Friday’s service at the church.

Cecelia J. Waskow, 88, of Sumner, remembered as devoted wife, mother and grandmother

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

SUMNER — Cecelia J. Waskow, 88, of Sumner, died Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the Hillcrest Home in Sumner, surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 6, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner, with the Rev. Tracy Hinkel officiating.

Interment will follow at St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Sumner.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 5, at St. John Lutheran Church and for one hour before Thursday’s service at the church.

Rick Hartwig, 62, of Spirit Lake, remembered as larger-than-life family man and community friend

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

SPIRIT LAKE — Ricky Bill “Rick” Hartwig, 62, of Spirit Lake, died Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Accura Healthcare of Spirit Lake following complications from ALS.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Inurnment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in Spirit Lake.

Following the service, family and friends are invited to attend a luncheon at Gilbert Park.

Richard “Dick” Christensen, 75, of Nashua, remembered as devoted family man and lifelong outdoorsman

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

NASHUA — Richard “Dick” Christensen, 75, of Nashua, died Saturday, August 1, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his family and the familiar comforts of the life he had built.

A celebration of Dick’s life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, August 30, 2026, at the Nashua Town and Country Club in Nashua. The gathering will take place on what would have been Dick and his wife Sandy’s 56th wedding anniversary.

ACLU targets police presence in Iowa schools, demands districts eliminate resource officers

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

DES MOINES — The ACLU of Iowa is demanding that schools eliminate their resource-officer programs, a sweeping proposal that would remove armed law enforcement officers from campuses despite concerns that doing so could leave children and school employees less protected during a violent emergency – and good kids and teachers at the mercy kids no better than Scooby Doo villians.

Trump administration probes “transgender dolls” aimed at children as young as 4 in Minnesota schools

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

MINNEAPOLIS — A controversial project offering gender-identity dolls with interchangeable body parts to educators working with children as young as 4 has triggered a federal investigation and renewed concerns that radical gender ideology is being pushed into classrooms without parents’ knowledge or consent.

The U.S. Department of Education announced July 29 that it had opened an investigation into the Minnesota Department of Education following a complaint submitted on behalf of parents by Defending Education.

At the center of the controversy are “MyGender Dolls,” described by their creators as a play-based therapeutic resource for transgender and “gender diverse” children between the ages of 4 and 10.

Iowa, a deep-red state, is so far holding these types of programs outside our borders…

Estherville mourns the loss of Lori Gilbert, remembered for her caring heart and love of family

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

ESTHERVILLE — Lori Gilbert, 76, of Estherville, passed away Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Avera Holy Family Hospital, leaving behind a life marked by service, compassion and a deep love for her family and community.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 5, at Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville.

Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral chapel.

Manly mourns the loss of Karen Marie Severson, remembered for her quiet kindness and devotion to family

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

MANLY — Karen Marie Severson, 88, of Manly, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Hospital in Mason City, leaving behind a legacy of love, faith and selfless service to her family and community.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Manly.

A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with Pastor Linda Johnson Prestholt officiating. A luncheon will follow before burial at Woodbury Cemetery in Lyle, Minnesota.

Spencer bids farewell to adventurous nurse and devoted family woman Mary Ann Olson, 85

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

SPENCER — Mary Ann Olson, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and nurse whose adventurous spirit carried her from Iowa farm life to the Grand Canyon, RAGBRAI and countless journeys with her husband, died Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Spencer Hospital. She was 85.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, August 2, at the Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel, 401 North Seventh Street in Estherville.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 3, at Wallingford Lutheran Church, 221 Saint James Avenue in Wallingford.

Richard George Reed, 80, of Manly, remembered as devoted family man, Army veteran and lifelong outdoorsman

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

MANLY — Richard George Reed, 80, of Manly, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, July 30, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. He is remembered as a devoted family man, proud U.S. Army veteran and lifelong outdoorsman whose love for family, fishing and friendship touched those around him.

The family will hold a celebration of Rich’s life at a later date.

Completely befuddled Indiana Fever coach says she isn’t ‘educated enough’ to define women’s sports

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

INDIANAPOLIS — Beleaguered Caitlin Clark, the former Iowa Hawkeye phenom, had to endure her Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White bloviate through a press conference where she declared she is not “educated enough from a scientific standpoint” to answer whether biological males should be allowed to compete in women’s sports – and folks are scratching their heads in disbelief at how far society has fallen.

“I don’t ever believe exclusion is the answer, I just don’t,” White said in a deep, masculine voice.

ICE brings curtain down on Latvian “Dancing With the Stars” performer accused of building violent criminal record in America

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

WASHINGTON — A former reality television dancer from Latvia who allegedly overstayed his visa and accumulated a violent criminal history in California has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, federal officials announced.

“This illegal alien from Latvia may have once had a career as a professional dancer on TV, but has turned into a career criminal with a rap sheet that includes aggravated assault with a gun, sexual battery, and drug possession,” a Homeland Security spokeswoman said.

Charles City moves forward on Cambrex expansion expected to create 143 jobs, invest $150 million

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

CHARLES CITY — One of the largest economic development projects in recent Floyd County history took another step forward on July 20, 2026, as the Charles City Council advanced the incentive process for Cambrex Charles City’s massive manufacturing expansion.

The council approved Resolution No. 94-26, setting an Aug. 3 public hearing to consider a formal development agreement with Cambrex Charles City Inc. The agreement would provide tax increment financing incentives to support a project expected to bring approximately $150 million in capital investment and 143 new full-time jobs to the community.

Clear Lake approves incentives for $10 million Gabrielson Clinic expansion, new surgery center

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

CLEAR LAKE — The Clear Lake City Council has approved a development agreement supporting a major expansion of Gabrielson Clinic that city leaders say will bring new medical services, millions of dollars in private investment and dozens of new jobs to the community.

The council approved the agreement at its July 20, 2026 meeting following the required public hearing and amendment to the city’s Consolidated Urban Renewal Area Plan.

Algona mourns Myrna Teeter, 87, whose caring heart and gracious hospitality touched many lives

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

ALGONA — Myrna Mary Teeter, 87, of Algona, died Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society in Algona, leaving behind a life defined by devotion to family, service to others and a welcoming spirit.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, August 3, at Grace Church in Algona. Visitation will continue for one hour before the funeral service Tuesday.

Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, at Grace Church. The service will also be livestreamed through the church.

Roland “Ron” Gene Barlow, 82, of Clear Lake, remembered as devoted family man and outdoorsman

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

CLEAR LAKE — Roland “Ron” Gene Barlow, 82, of Clear Lake, passed away Friday, July 31, 2026. He is remembered as a devoted family man, loyal friend and outdoorsman who treasured time spent with those closest to him.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Clear Lake Cemetery, N. 20th Street in Clear Lake.

Visitation will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at the Clear Lake VFW, 219 Main Avenue in Clear Lake.

Iowa Falls bids farewell to devoted church servant and loving family matriarch Lois Mumm, 92

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

IOWA FALLS — Lois C. Mumm, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother whose deep faith guided decades of service to her church and community, died Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Hansen Family Hospital. She was 92.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 3, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 313 Lee Lane in Iowa Falls.

Funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church. Lois will be laid to rest at Union Cemetery.

Forest City bids farewell to devoted nurse and hospice caregiver Anna Harringa, 95

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

FOREST CITY — Anna Harringa, a devoted nurse who spent decades caring for Northern Iowa patients and their families, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2026, at her Forest City home while under hospice care. She was 95.

A service celebrating Anna’s life will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, August 3, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, with Pastor Zech Anderson officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM and continue until the service at the church.

Burial will take place at Linden Lutheran Cemetery in rural Thompson.

Federal fugitive hunters sweep across Iowa in ‘Operation Heatwave,’ nab 61 wanted suspects

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

DES MOINES — Federal fugitive hunters joined Iowa law enforcement officers for an aggressive four-day sweep that put 61 wanted suspects behind bars and cleared 97 felony arrest warrants.

The U.S. Marshals Service Southern Iowa Fugitive Task Force began planning and identifying targets for “Operation Heatwave” on June 29, 2026. Teams then fanned out across central Iowa from July 21 through July 24.

The operation focused on violent offenders and alleged gang members wanted in connection with crimes including homicide, robbery, sexual assault, aggravated assault, weapons violations and other serious felonies.

Charles City Council advances plan allowing backyard chickens within city limits

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

CHARLES CITY — Charles City residents moved one step closer to being allowed to keep chickens in their backyards after the City Council approved the first reading of a proposed urban chicken ordinance Monday, July 20, 2026.

The council advanced Ordinance No. 1202, which would create a new chapter of the Charles City Code governing the keeping of chickens on qualifying residential properties.

The proposal would allow residents to keep as many as six hens on permitted properties. Roosters would remain prohibited.

Fostoria’s Ronarae Arlene Riemenschneider, 51, remembered for her creativity, adventurous spirit and love of family

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

FOSTORIA — Ronarae Arlene Riemenschneider, 51, of Fostoria, passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Spencer Hospital, surrounded by her family and friends. She is remembered for her caring heart, creative talents and the deep love she shared with her family throughout her life.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. A time of remembrance will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family to honor Ronarae’s life.