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Derry Hick

Mar 18, 2025 | Obituaries

1959-2025

With love and remembrance, we announce the passing of Derry Gene Hick, born on Oct. 14, 1959, who peacefully passed away on Feb. 19, 2025, in Honolulu, Hawaii, with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two daughters, Melissa and Erika, by his side. He was 65 years old.

Born in Guthrie Center, Derry joined the U.S. Air Force after high school, serving his country with honor. After leaving the service, he lived a life defined by acts of service and generosity to others. Known to so many as a kind and generous man, Derry left a lasting impact on all who knew him. His love for music, movies and cross-country driving brought him joy throughout his life.

While on military leave after a deployment in Korea, Derry met Elizabeth, a nursing student and his sister Debbie’s friend, during a visit to his family in Des Moines. They married in 1983 in Los Angeles and had two daughters, Melissa Ann and Erika Elizabeth. Derry and Elizabeth spent more than 41 years together, building a lifetime of cherished memories. Both Derry and Elizabeth served in the United States Armed Forces, sharing a deep sense of duty, service and love for their country.

Derry and Elizabeth were blessed with four grandchildren: Cameron and Gisele, children of their daughter, Melissa, and her husband, Stephen; and Henry Wyatt and Jane Lillian, children of their daughter, Erika, and her husband, James. Derry loved being their “Papa” and cherished every moment with them.

Derry is survived by his beloved wife of more than 41 years, Elizabeth Hick; his two daughters, Melissa and Erika; his four grandchildren; his mother, Joyce; and his brothers, Dan and Michael, along with their spouses and children. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend with a legacy of kindness and generosity that will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Derry will be laid to rest at the VA National Cemetery in Riverside, California.

A Celebration of Life will be from 1-3 p.m. in the basement at First Baptist Church, 113 N. Fifth St., Guthrie Center, on April 12.

Randol joins Farmers State Bank

Mar 18, 2025 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

Jeramy Randol was hired by Farmers State Bank (FSB) as their newest loan officer. Randol joined the FSB team on Feb. 26, bringing a strong background in banking, a passion for customer service, and deep local roots in the community.

Randol is a 2017 graduate of Panorama High School, making his return to Guthrie County even more special. After high school, he pursued his education at Simpson College in Indianola, where he played football and earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and sports administration in 2021. His educational journey continued at the University of Northern Colorado, where he received a master of science in sport and exercise science in 2022.

Following graduation, Randol and his wife, Zoe, moved back to the Des Moines area, where he began his career in banking. He worked with Iowa Trust in Panora and Clive, starting as a customer service representative and working his way up to credit analyst. In his new role at FSB, he is helping customers with their lending needs and financial goals.

Randol is glad to be part of Farmers State Bank’s tradition across Guthrie County. He and his wife, Zoe, and their son, Canyon, are settling into the community and building lasting relationships.

“I am extremely honored to be entrusted with the role of loan officer and am eager to be a part of the great culture and community that is Farmers State Bank,” Randol says. “I look forward to serving you for years to come.”

More than just books

Mar 18, 2025 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

On Monday, March 10, Library Director Jerri Hawkins and Library Aide Karen Kelly headed to Avoca for some exciting STEM Fair training with the State Library of Iowa. They enjoyed a morning filled with inspiring ideas and activities from presenters representing the State Library, local libraries, and Iowa Public Television — all aimed at bringing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) to life for our young library patrons. Jerri and Karen came back buzzing with new ideas to make our library programs even more engaging.

One fun activity we are looking to introduce involves using Hot Wheels cars and tracks for some hands-on engineering fun. If you have any gently used Hot Wheels cars or tracks that you would like to donate, we would absolutely love to hear from you. Please reach out to the MJB Library, as we would be thrilled to take them off your hands. Thank you for your support.

The library is bursting with activity as spring is beginning. We are offering Cribbage every Monday morning from 9-11 a.m. and Bridge Club each Wednesday morning from 9-11 a.m. for anyone who has an interest in joining.  

Thursday, March 20, card making class will be held from 9-11 a.m. in the Taylor Meeting Room. The classes are $5 to cover the cost of all supplies and materials. At 6:30 p.m., the Cookbook Club will meet in the Taylor Meeting Room to enjoy a potluck of recipes selected from the “Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.” Anyone who would like to join the cookbook club can stop in the library and choose a recipe to make and share with the group.   

The Reads Well with Others evening book club will meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25. “All the Colors of the Dark” by Chris Whitaker will be the topic of discussion. Copies are still available for checkout at the library. Join us for a good chat about an interesting book. Between the Covers book club members can stop in and check out a copy of “James,” which is their April book club book.

Friday mornings at 10 a.m., Preschool Story Hour is available to all preschool children and caregivers. March 21 will focus on the alphabet. Bugs will be the theme of story hour on March 28.  

We are working on some exciting new programs for our youth. On Wednesday, April 9  at 2 p.m., the library will host a Lego STEM afternoon. We will host youth activities on Monday, April 21. Beginning at 12:30 p.m., we will be showing “Moana 2.” Following the movie, there will be a STEM activity at 3:30 p.m. On Wednesday, April 30, the library will have a youth craft at 2 p.m. because of an early out. Put these dates on your calendar. We will have more details as we get closer to the events. 

Little Caden is enjoying the interactive tree in the newly renovated children’s area at the MJB Library.

Karen Kelly was the guest reader at Story Hour on March 14. The group read stories about Leprechauns and St. Patrick’s Day.

Nancy Smith and her granddaughters enjoy drawing the face on a leprechaun color sheet for the story hour craft.

Chargers start season at IATC Indoor Girls Championships

Mar 18, 2025 | Sports

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

The ACGC girls track and field team placed 28th out of 56 1A teams at the IATC Indoor Girls Championships on Friday, March 14 in Ames. St. Albert Council Bluffs placed first with 44 points. Ava Campbell had the best individual performance for the girls. She placed third in the 800-meter run in 2:24.14. Two relay teams had top-10 finishes. The 4×400-meter relay team of Savannah Akers, Nora Langgaard, Cadence Petersen and Ava Campbell placed eighth in 4:29.88. The 4×100-meter relay team of Meranda Gruber, Savannah Akers, Lillie Lauzon and Nora Langgaard placed 10thin 54.41 The Chargers’ next meet will be the 2025 Central College Girls Indoor meet on Friday, March 21. ACGC will compete against 40 other schools.

FULL ACGC RESULTS

  • 60-meter prelims: Nora Langgaard placed 23rd in 8.78.
  • Savannah Akers placed 24th in 8.78.
  • Elizabeth Drake placed 45th in 9.52.
  • 60-meter hurdles prelims: Meranda Gruber placed 17th in 10.97.
  • 400-meter dash: Lillie Lauzon placed 16th in 1:08.54.
  • Cadence Petersen placed 18th in 1:09.68.
  • 800-meter run: Ava Campbell placed third in 2:24.14.
  • Brooklyn Schafer placed 23rd in 2:52.43.
  • Shot put: Becca Littler placed 18th throwing 29-10.
  • Shot put: Caydence Boals placed 22nd throwing 28-02.75.
  • Shot put: Olivia Mahaffey placed 28th throwing 26-07.00.
  • 800-meter spring medley: Meranda Gruber, Savannah Akers, Nora Langgaard and Brooklyn Schafer placed 28th in 2:07.77.
  • 4×100-meter relay: Meranda Gruber, Savannah Akers, Lillie Lauzon and Nora Langgaard placed 10th in 54.41.
  • 4×400-meter relay: Savannah Akers, Nora Langgaard, Cadence Petersen and Ava Campbell placed eighth in 4:29.88.