ALGONA — Patricia Ann “Patti” Lauck, 73, of Algona, a loving mother and grandmother remembered for her humor, optimism and kindness, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, August 1, 2026.

Graveside services are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026. Additional service and burial details will be announced when arrangements are finalized.

SPIRIT LAKE — James Richard “Jim” Beaver, 95, of Spirit Lake, a hardworking Iowa native, devoted family man and avid fisherman who became a familiar sight along the waters of Spirit Lake, died Saturday, August 8, 2026, at his home.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, August 14, at Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel, 401 N. Seventh St. in Estherville.

NORTHWOOD — Rose Marie “Rosie” Kruger, 90, of Northwood, a devoted mother, longtime church choir member and gifted gardener whose kindness touched generations of family and friends, died Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society in St. Ansgar.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 8, at First Lutheran Church, 309 N. Ninth St. in Northwood, with Pastor Becky Sogge officiating. Visitation was held for one hour before the service at the church. Rosie was laid to rest at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City.

LIME SPRINGS — Mark Leonard Tieskotter, 77, of Lime Springs, a hardworking family man who spent years farming, working in manufacturing and serving his community, died Friday, August 7, 2026, at WinnMed Hospital in Decorah.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, at Notre Dame Parish, 223 Second Ave. E. in Cresco, with the Rev. Jon Seda celebrating the Mass.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 11, at Notre Dame Parish, with a Rosary beginning at 4 p.m. Visitation will continue for one hour before the Mass on Wednesday.

MASON CITY — Elaine Le Nore Honeck, 102, a former Mason City resident whose long life was marked by hard work, faith, family and an enduring desire to stay active, died peacefully Thursday, August 6, 2026, at StoneBridge Senior Living in Chillicothe, Missouri.

Funeral services were held Saturday, August 8, at Lindley Funeral Home in Chillicothe.

Elaine’s final resting place will be Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, 1224 South Washington Avenue in Mason City.

GRUNDY CENTER — David Hamlin Leonard, 86, of Grundy Center, died Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at his home.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, August 10, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave. N. in Clear Lake. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., immediately before the service at the funeral home.

ORCHARD — Gary Dean Hyland, 82, of rural Orchard, an Army veteran, longtime auto body professional and classic car enthusiast who shared his skills with younger generations, died Thursday, August 6, 2026, at his home surrounded by loved ones.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 15, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 702 State Street in Osage. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., immediately before the service at the church.

Gary’s final resting place will be Orchard Cemetery, where inurnment will follow the memorial service.

GREENE — Donna Jean Spratt, 91, of Greene, a longtime caregiver, devoted mother and grandmother, avid gardener and active member of her community, died Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 11, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 324 E. Traer St. in Greene. A public visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, August 10, at Woodley Funeral Home, 519 N. First St. in Greene.

ALGONA — Rick Rodney Bitterman, 75, whose life was shaped by deep faith, devotion to family and a generous spirit of service, passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at MercyOne in Des Moines.

Visitation will be held Saturday, August 8, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 520 N. Garfield Street in Algona.

A funeral service will be held Sunday, August 9, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, with lunch immediately following the service.

A private family burial will take place at a later date.

RICEVILLE — Darlene Grace (Kruger) Kephart, 92, formerly of Riceville, a longtime educator whose life centered on family, faith and helping generations of young students, died Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell following complications from a stroke.

A private family service will be held in Riceville, with burial at Riverside Cemetery in Riceville.

MASON CITY — Shane Eugene Ward, 48, a lifelong Mason City resident who enjoyed fishing, motorcycles, snowmobiles and time with those closest to him, died Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.

Services for Shane will be private.

MASON CITY — Sarah Elizabeth (Gaffney) Novacek, 45, of Mason City, died peacefully Sunday, August 2, 2026, at her home, surrounded by the love of her family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 7, 2026, in Mason City.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, August 6, at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street NE in Mason City.

MILFORD — David A. “Dave” Langel, 63, of Milford, a longtime military veteran, hardworking provider and devoted family man, died Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the VA Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 15, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, August 14, at the funeral home. A private burial will take place at Merle Hay Memorial Cemetery in Glidden.

OSAGE — Ruth Elizabeth Sponheim, 96, of Osage, a respected educator, librarian, musician and devoted church member, passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 7, 2026, at Rock Creek Lutheran Church, 3269 Foothill Avenue near Osage. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the service begins.

Ruth will be laid to rest at Rock Creek Cemetery.

WEST BEND — Glenagene Joy Fehr, 82, of West Bend, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother whose life centered on faith and family, passed away Monday, August 3, 2026.

Funeral services were held Friday, August 7, 2026, at the Apostolic Christian Faith Church in West Bend. Visitation was held Thursday at the Apostolic Christian Faith Fellowship Center and continued at the church before the service.

MASON CITY — Lyle C. Quam, 93, a devoted husband, father, military veteran and longtime Mason City worker remembered for his helpful hands and playful sense of humor, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 7, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City, with Pastor Beverly Butler officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, August 6, at Major Erickson Funeral Home. The family will also receive visitors for one hour before Friday’s service at the church.

FOREST CITY — Sharon Kay Renshaw, 89, a devoted farm wife and mother whose life was grounded in faith, family and love, passed away Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Good Samaritan Society in Forest City.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 5, at Schott Funeral Home, 505 North Clark Street in Forest City, with Harlan Nyhus officiating. Visitation will begin one hour before the service.

GREENE — James Peter Nixt, 89, of Greene, died Monday, August 3, 2026.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, August 7, 2026, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Greene.

Burial will follow the service at Rose Hill Cemetery in Greene.

A public visitation will be held before the funeral. Additional service information is available through Woodley Funeral Home.

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.

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.