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Dale Lee Grove

Jan 27, 2026 | Obituaries

1937-2026

Dale Lee Grove, son of Walter John Grove and Hazel Marie (Barnhouse) Grove, was born on Mother’s Day, May 9, 1937, on the family farm, 2½ miles north of Guthrie Center. He was raised alongside 16 brothers and sisters. Dale rode a horse to Seeley No. 7 Country School through the eighth grade before attending Guthrie Center High School, where he graduated in 1955. Following graduation, Dale enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He proudly served from 1956 to 1959 at Twenty-Nine Palms, California, as an Artillery Weapons Repairman, attaining the rank of Corporal (E-4). 

Upon returning home, Dale met his beloved wife, Dorothy Marie French. Truth be told, Dale was Dorothy’s school bus driver, and fellow students quickly learned that the first seat on the bus belonged to her. Following Dorothy’s graduation, the two were united in marriage and shared more than 62 wonderful years together.

As the son of a farmer, Dale spent his early years working on the family farm, learning the values of hard work, responsibility, and perseverance. From a young age, he helped with daily chores and was always willing to fix or repair whatever needed attention. His dedication to doing things right was evident throughout his life. Perhaps best illustrated by winning the Pinewood Derby for and with the help of his sons Eric and Daryl and his nephew Eldon, not once, not twice, but four times! When Dale was involved, things were done to perfection; there was simply no other option.

Dale enjoyed working alongside family and friends, remodeling the family home as well as the homes of his children and grandchildren. His unwavering dedication and devotion to family became the foundation of his life and the legacy he left behind, one of service above self. Dale did not raise his voice to seek attention; he was a gentle giant of a man who spoke softly, unless he was cheering at his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was the center of his family’s world and the pillar by which they measured the standard of human kindness. Dale’s dedication to his family, faith and community will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. As he faithfully served his church as an Elder, Trustee and Sunday School teacher of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Guthrie Center and devoted 40 years of service to the Guthrie County Road Department. There was no job he wouldn’t do himself. If Dale asked you to do something, he was right there alongside you. He never shied away from hard work.

Dale is faithfully survived by his wife, Dorothy Marie Grove; son, Eric Lee Grove (Linda) of Guthrie Center and grandsons, Dalton Lee Grove (Kayla) and Spencer Grove (Becca Renslow); daughter, Sheila Grove Kearney (Alan) of Guthrie Center; daughter, Nicole Grove Lyall (John) of Guthrie Center and granddaughters, Erica Grove and Elissa Grove, and great-grandson, Corser; grandson, Colby Dale Grove (Mryia Boodry) and great-granddaughters, Milly, Cora Lee and Ida; and son, Daryl Grove (Marta) of Fayette and grandchildren, Makenna, Gavyn and Brody Grove. He is also survived by his sisters, Beverly Bowman of Des Moines, Patricia (Gary) McCool of Mt. Vernon, and Janice Grove of Jefferson; sister-in-law, Virginia Grove; brother-in-law, Stewart (Mary) French of Jefferson; along with many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Richard and Agnes French; infant sisters, Fern Mildred and Mary Joann; sisters, Evelyn (Erven) Pohl, Esther (Wally) Bohlender, Marguerite (Lyle) Pickle, Marie Jarrell Grove, Bethene Phillips, Gladys (Gene) Rasmussen and Beulah (Leland) Andersen; brothers, John (Lillian), Arthur (Jean), Gerry (Fran), Lawrence, Delbert and Jerry Grove; brother-in-law, Max Bowman; sister-in-law, Kathleen (Merle) Whetstone; and his beloved son-in-law, John Lyall. 

Craig Eugene Hastings

Jan 27, 2026 | Obituaries

1963-2026

Craig Eugene Hastings passed away due to complications from a sudden heart attack on Jan. 21, 2026, at the age of 62. Born on April 8, 1963, in Riceville, a few minutes after his twin brother, Craig came as a surprise to his parents, Verdina and Charles Hastings. 

Craig is survived by his devoted wife, Kerry; his daughters, Corinne and Libby; his parents, Charles and Verdina; his brothers, Curt and Chris (Trudy); and many nieces and nephews. Craig was preceded in death by his brother, Chuck; his grandparents; and relatives.

Craig grew up in Jefferson and was a high school wrestling state qualifier. He went on to wrestle at Buena Vista College where he majored in math and chemistry. During his time at BV, Craig was also student body president, in the school band, and managed to meet and fall in love with his wife, Kerry. Craig went on to get his master’s degree in molecular biology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He spent the majority of his career working for Pioneer Hy-Brid Seed Company, focusing his time on genetic engineering. Research he contributed to was published multiple times throughout his career, and Craig was proud to improve crops in countries that struggled with famine and food insecurity. 

Craig was an avid reader and an advocate for access to education. He spent his free time working with St. Patrick Catholic School in Perry, where his children both attended, as the president of the school board, the secretary-treasurer for the St. Patrick’s Church Foundation, and as a counselor for families seeking financial aid as well as a member of the Des Moines Diocese School Board. Craig believed that anyone and everyone who wanted to learn deserved an education. 

Craig was also a loving father and uncle. He would drop everything to be there for those he loved — all they had to do was ask. From attending every single event for his children to moving them in and out of never-ending apartments, he was always there. He was a seasoned storyteller, known for elaborating on a few details here and there, but he knew how to hold your attention. He loved rules and structure — more than his children or wife enjoyed at times. 

Before succumbing to complications from his initial heart attack, Craig had a few days where he was able to share some final moments with his family. Between funeral home stories and funny memories, he raved about his daughters, his wife and his great, big family that he loved so dearly.

Craig donated organs that saved three lives, made tissue donations that will save countless others, and gave his heart to research. He was generous in life and in death, which brings his family light in the midst of this awful tragedy. 

Craig’s family would like to thank the nurses, first responders and doctors that supported and cared for him in his final weeks. The family would especially like to thank Halli Weddle, Craig’s niece and an EMT who went out of her way to provide him additional care.

“The ones that love us never really leave us.” – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Iowa Public Radio in Craig’s honor.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Perry.  Burial will be at 2 p.m. at the Jefferson Cemetery, Jefferson. Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora.

Whiterock Conservancy wins Resilient Iowa Community Awards

Jan 27, 2026 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

Whiterock was honored to accept recognition in 3 categories for the Resilient Iowa Communities Awards on Jan. 21 at the Iowa State Capitol, presented by the University of Northern Iowa. These awards recognize the team effort it takes to strengthen sustainability, environmental health and quality of life in our community.

Whiterock received GOLD Status for 2 categories: Land Use and Environmental Management.

Whiterock received SILVER Status for 1 category: Buildings and Energy.

Whiterock has worked to focus on long-term planning, completing a Strategic Plan in 2025 and finalizing a first-ever Master Site Plan in early 2026 that will help guide land use and conservation priorities for the next 20 years. Current efforts include identifying and mapping ecological sensitive and remnant native landscapes to prioritize protection, restoration and interpretation.

Whiterock also implements hands-on land management practices, including prescribed burns, invasive species removal and habitat restoration to support native plant and wildlife communities. As one of Iowa’s only non-profit land trusts, Whiterock provides public access to conservation land and engages volunteers and community partners in stewardship and educational outreach activities that strengthen regional conservation efforts.

Improving the sustainability and diversity of our organization is always a top priority. In 2025, Whiterock focused on updating all lighting across 5,500 acres to low-wattage LED lighting to reduce light pollution through the use of dark sky-friendly fixtures.

“Whiterock is proud to continue to cohesively connect our conservation efforts with our outdoor recreational opportunities to continue to help advocate for healthy, sustainable landscapes that educate through active practice, while we protect and restore”, says Executive Director Kate Compton.

Accepting the awards are Whiterock Executive Director Kate Compton, Green Iowa AmeriCorps member Analisa, Whiterock Board Members Todd Coffelt and Nate Reagen.

State and district officers visit ACGC FFA 

Jan 27, 2026 | News

Officers teach the members and students about how trusting in each other and working equally can make an effective team.

Special to the Times Vedette

The ACGC FFA Chapter welcomed Iowa FFA State Officer Kesley Greenslade and District Officer Lauren Comes to a chapter visit on Jan. 8. While at the high school, they discussed opportunities in FFA, and the students participated in leadership-building activities. This opportunity was open to any students who were interested in attending. Throughout the morning, the officers highlighted the importance of working together, being a leader and learning to communicate effectively through many of the activities that they presented to the two different groups.

After the two morning sessions, the officers then met with the ACGC Officer team to work on team-building activities, as well as how to balance their responsibilities by leaning on each other for support.

During a year of service to the organization, Iowa FFA officers serve as ambassadors for agriculture and the FFA. They travel to FFA chapters throughout the state to connect with members and talk about the many opportunities available to students enrolled in agricultural education.

Agricultural education incorporates three aspects of learning. The classroom provides basic knowledge. FFA develops leadership and personal skills. A Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) provides hands-on learning while working or in an agricultural business.

The Iowa FFA Association comprises 270 local chapters preparing more than 20,000 students for future career opportunities. FFA activities and award programs complement instruction in agricultural education by giving students practical experience in applying agricultural skills and knowledge gained in classes. Through agricultural education, FFA makes a positive difference in students’ lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.

Officers explain to members and students about problem solving skills and how communication helps with that.

Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office Weekly Report — Jan. 19-25, 2026

Jan 27, 2026 | Guthrie County Sheriff's Report

1-19-26 

  • 8:30 a.m. Stuart Fire and Rescue, Redfield Fire, Panora Fire, and Guthrie County Deputies responded to a report of a structure fire in rural Redfield
  • 8:56 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of property damage
  • 9:22 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted an individual in rural Panora
  • 9:50 a.m. Stuart Police investigated a crime and referred the victim to the proper agency
  • 1:05 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy followed up on an investigation
  • 3:45 p.m. Panora Ambulance and Guthrie County Sheriff and Deputies responded to a medical call in rural Guthrie Center
  • 3:50 p.m. Stuart Police followed up on an investigation
  • 5:55 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Adair
  • 6:02 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy provided traffic control for a disabled vehicle in rural Guthrie Center
  • 6:32 p.m. Panora Ambulance Unit 2 and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center
  • 6:45 p.m. Stuart Police took a theft report
  • 8:36 p.m. Stuart Police responded to an animal complaint
  • 8:45 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a vandalism and trespass complaint in Guthrie Center
  • 9:45 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy followed up on an investigation in Guthrie Center
  • 10:10 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a commercial alarm in Guthrie Center
  • 10:57 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Bayard

 

1-20-26

  • 1:04 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in Casey
  • 7:23 a.m. Stuart Rescue responded to a medical call in Stuart
  • 8:35 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted an individual in Guthrie Center
  • 9:05 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to locate an individual in Bayard for a welfare check
  • 10:35 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted an individual in Guthrie Center
  • 12:05 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy transported one inmate to prison in Mitchellville
  • 1:55 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted an individual in rural Guthrie Center
  • 2:25 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy followed up on an investigation in Guthrie Center
  • 2:38 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve a civil paper in Panora
  • 2:45 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served a civil paper in Panora
  • 3 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served a civil paper in rural Linden
  • 3:10 p.m. Guthrie County Sheriff attempted to serve a civil paper in rural Bayard
  • 3:29 p.m. Guthrie County Sheriff attempted to serve a civil paper in Bayard
  • 4:25 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a theft in Casey
  • 4:41 p.m. Stuart Rescue responded to a medical call in Stuart
  • 6:20 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served a civil paper in Bayard
  • 6:30 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served a civil paper in rural Bayard
  • 8:01 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Fort Dodge
  • 9:40 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a complaint and assisted an individual at Casey’s

 

1-21-26

  • 12:37 a.m. Stuart Rescue responded to a medical call in Stuart
  • 2:49 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy and Stuart Police responded to a complaint in Menlo
  • 3:40 p.m. Stuart Police and Guthrie County Deputy checked on an abandoned vehicle in Stuart
  • 5:35 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a complaint
  • 8:54 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a lost item
  • 9:05 a.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital back to Stuart 
  • 9:35 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy transported 
  • 11:02 a.m. Stuart Police assisted a motorist 
  • 11:49 a.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital back to The New Homestead 
  • 12:36 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a report of an assault in Guthrie Center 
  • 12:58 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a pedestrian on Highway 4
  • 1:20 p.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Fontanelle
  • 2:40 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served two subpoenas in Panora
  • 4:20 p.m. Menlo Fire responded to a report of a brush fire in Menlo
  • 5:55 p.m. Menlo Fire responded to a brush fire in rural Menlo
  • 11:27 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Des Moines

 

1-22-26

  • 7:45 a.m. Panora Police responded to a car vs. deer accident at the north edge of town
  • 12:22 p.m. Stuart Police responded to an animal complaint
  • 12:52 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a car vs. deer accident in rural Guthrie Center
  • 2:11 p.m. Stuart Police provided a civil stand by
  • 2:16 p.m. Stuart Rescue responded to a medical call in Stuart
  • 2:40 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy removed debris from the roadway in rural Guthrie Center
  • 5:15 p.m. Stuart Rescue responded to a medical call in Adair
  • 6:14 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in Guthrie Center
  • 6:37 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a car vs. deer accident in rural Guthrie Center
  • 7 p.m. Panora Police assisted a motorist
  • 9:01 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy followed up on an investigation in Bayard
  • 10:33 p.m. Stuart Police assisted an individual attempting to locate a cell phone

 

1-23-26

  • 12:38 a.m. Stuart Rescue responded to a medical call in Stuart
  • 5:20 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a residential alarm in rural Panora
  • 5:21 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Panora
  • 6:45 a.m. Menlo Fire, Stuart Fire and Rescue, and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a field fire in rural Menlo
  • 6:50 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy checked on two motorists in rural Guthrie Center
  • 9:31 a.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Stuart
  • 9:59 a.m. Panora Police responded to a parking complaint 
  • 10:21 a.m. Stuart Police performed a welfare check 
  • 10:45 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a possible theft in Guthrie Center
  • 1:25 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a lost item in Guthrie Center 
  • 5:40 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted Dallas County attempted to locate a subject in rural Stuart
  • 8:15 p.m. Stuart Police responded to an animal complaint 
  • 7:55 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a welfare check in Menlo

 

1-24-26

  • 12:10 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a parking complaint 
  • 1:54 a.m. Menlo Fire, Stuart Fire and Ambulance responded to a single vehicle accident on I-80
  • 7:19 a.m. Stuart Fire assisted Dexter Fire with a foreign odor in Dexter
  • 8:28 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center 
  • 11:13 a.m. Panora Police responded to a complaint 
  • 12:10 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center
  • 3:52 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Lutheran
  • 4:03 p.m. Guthrie County Sheriff and Deputy responded to a report of a suspicious person in rural  Guthrie Center 
  • 4:48 p.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Stuart 
  • 5:05 p.m. Guthrie County Sheriff and Deputy responded to a driving complaint on Highway 141
  • 8:14 p.m. Guthrie County Sheriff and Deputy responded to a report of a theft in rural Dexter 
  • 8:39 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Mercy 

 

1-25-26

  • 4:59 a.m. Panora Fire and Ambulance responded to a commercial fire alarm in rural Panora 
  • 7:40 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Bagley 
  • 8:17 a.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Casey
  • 12:40 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy followed up on an investigation in Guthrie Center
  • 3:25 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to an animal complaint in rural Panora
  • 4:11 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Des Moines
  • 4:19 p.m. Stuart Rescue responded to a medical call in Stuart
  • 8:50 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a complaint 
  • 9:08 p.m. Stuart Police and K9 assisted Dallas County with a search in Redfield
  • 11 p.m. Stuart Police followed up on an investigation