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David Merrill Stolp 

Jun 9, 2026 | Obituaries

1940-2026

David Merrill Stolp, 86, passed away on June 4, 2026, at The Bridges in Ankeny. He was born on May 9, 1940, the son of  Merrill and Geraldine (Richman) Stolp in Rochester, Minnesota.

When he was 5, David’s family moved to Jackson, Minnesota, after his father returned from World War II. As a young man, David (Dave) was active in Boy Scouts where he earned the Eagle Scout award. He enjoyed playing football and basketball in high school and was a member of DeMolay. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1958. After completing his freshman year at Iowa State University, Dave enrolled at the University of Minnesota. 

In 1960, Dave married Janet Nielsen, also from Jackson. After Dave graduated in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Minnesota, he and Jan moved to Jackson where he worked for his father at the Jackson Millwork Company. They raised their four sons in Jackson.

Dave’s professional career was in the millwork and building materials industry in Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. In addition to Jackson Millwork, he worked for Rodman Industries, Moehl Millwork and Millard Lumber. Dave was president of Moehl Millwork and president of the Millwork Division of Millard Lumber. He was a member of Hoo-Hoo, an international fraternal order of lumbermen.

In 1976, Dave and his family left their hometown of Jackson and moved to West Des Moines, where he worked at Moehl Millwork. Dave was an active committee member in the Boy Scout troop that his sons attended and enjoyed watching his sons compete in sporting events.

When Dave accepted the position at Millard Lumber, he and Jan moved to Omaha, Nebraska. While living there, they converted their one-story ranch home into a stately two-story home. The Omaha World Herald published a feature article on their renovation.

In 2002, Dave and Jan retired and moved into their custom-built lake-front home on Lake Panorama in Panora. As with all of the places they lived, Dave and Jan enjoyed entertaining family, friends and neighbors, creating many happy memories.

After Jan’s death in 2016 as a result of Alzheimer’s, Dave moved to Guthrie Center. In 2023 he moved to the Mill Pond retirement community in Ankeny.

For leisure activities throughout his life, Dave enjoyed doing home improvement projects, reading (Westerns and history were favorite subjects) and playing golf. He served as president of the Jackson Golf Club. He was also active in the Republican party where he served in various volunteer positions in Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa at the county, congressional district and state levels.

Dave became a Mason in 1964 and was a member of the Masonic Lodge 121 in Panora.

Raised as a Presbyterian in Jackson, Dave was a practicing Christian throughout his life. He was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Jackson where he was married. He attended worship services at Lutheran or Methodist churches in West Des Moines, Omaha, Panora, Guthrie Center and Ankeny.

Those left to cherish David’s memory include his sons, Greg (Laurie Kusek) Stolp, Tim (Heidi) Stolp, Jon Stolp and Steve (Maura Theisen-Stolp) Stolp; grandchildren, Kathryn (David Hayman) Stolp, Megan (Ben) Steinheimer, Dylan (Sydney Mock) Stolp, Hannah (Theo) Harris, Samantha Stolp and Jack Stolp; great-grandchildren, Noah Steinheimer, Hayes Harris and Jude Hayman; brother, Rich (Holly) Stolp; and many other loving relatives and special friends.

David was preceded in death by his wife, Janet (Nielsen) Stolp; parents, Merrill and Geraldine (Richman) Stolp; brother, Gary, and sister-in-law, Phyllis (Maguire) Stolp; and daughter-in-law, Lori (Mortenson) Stolp.

No services are planned at this time. Interment will be at the Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Jackson, Minnesota, at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) in memory of Dave and Jan.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Clarks honored with Yard of the Month

Jun 9, 2026 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

Curtis and Angie Clark at 105 North 12th St. in Guthrie Center are the winner of $100 in chamber bucks from the Guthrie Center Lions Club and the Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce for the Yard of the Month contest for May. These two organizations have teamed up to award citizens who maintain and take pride in their yard with this monthly contest.

Panora Citizen of the Year nominations are now open

Jun 9, 2026 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

The Panora Citizen of the Year nominations are now being accepted. The Panora Chamber of Commerce has recognized an outstanding member of the Panora/Lake Panorama community since 1989. The year 2020 was the only year the recognition did not take place.

Criteria for Citizen of the Year:

  • Any service performed for the betterment of Panora that the nominator deems worthy.
  • No restrictions on the number of years a person can be nominated.
  • Winners cannot be considered again for 10 years.
  • Nominees must be a citizen of Panora or Lake Panorama.
  • Nominees must be nominated in writing, signed by the nominator.

Paid city employees are eligible, but their nomination must not be for their regular duties.

The following statement applies to all nominees:  Anyone who works for the promotion and betterment of our community rather than excellence in profession or job.

Nominations must be received by July 10, 2026.  Please mail nomination letters to the Panora Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 73, Panora, IA 50216.

The 2026 Citizen of the Year will be announced at Panorama Days on Friday, July 31.

Whiterock Conservancy awarded Big Grove for Good Grant

Jun 9, 2026 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

Whiterock Conservancy announced it was recently awarded the Neighborhood Beer Micro-grant on behalf of the Big Grove for Good Foundation. The grant will help fund the Whiterock Conservancy project and further the mission of Big Grove for Good by investing in neighborhoods and communities. Whiterock Conservancy says this partnership will provide opportunities for the public to experience and learn from this rare and unique landscape.

The grant provides significant improvements to the Whiterock team and volunteer safety for habitat restoration capacity that will provide opportunities to increase efforts to restore and preserve Iowa’s natural resources.

Fire is heavily utilized for habitat management at Whiterock. The management of aggressive non-native species through fire will help encourage the growth of a healthy woodland and remnant prairie area with native plant species through these varied methods. These native plant species will boost the quality of contiguous habitat and wildlife at Whiterock and improve the number of species of greatest conservation need in the area.

Whiterock boasts many rare and sensitive communities throughout its 5,500-acre land trust including rare sand prairies, prairie remnants, prairie pothole region and oak savannas. Land protection and management efforts in Iowa should continue to focus on the preservation of rare and sensitive ecological communities, which, in turn, support rare wildlife species.

Call the Whiterock Conservancy office at 712-790-8221 or email executivedirector@whiterockconservancy.org for more information.

Free STEM summer adventures at Whiterock Conservancy

Jun 9, 2026 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

Whiterock Conservancy announced it is offering free STEM summer adventures as new ways to learn and grow. Saturday, June 20, is the next STEM Adventure of 2026 with Eco Explorers. Adventure goers will learn about leave not trace and participate in a nature scavenger hunt. The program is for students ages 6-12 and must be accompanied by an adult or babysitter. Join in for some science fun. Register for one or more of these FREE events by calling 712-790-8221 ext. 1 or emailing guestinfo@whiterockconservancy.org.