Trust from Des Moines woman supports libraries, senior centers and local programs statewide, including Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library in Guthrie Center.

By Gracie Kayko | Special to the Times Vedette

When the time comes to draft a revocable trust, most clients want to ensure their families are cared for, Ross Barnett, managing partner at Abendroth Russell Barnett Law Firm, says. But Norma Jean Warner’s trust looked a little different.

Warner, of Des Moines, left 15% of her significant financial assets to 485 Iowa public libraries and 15% to 128 senior community centers in towns with fewer than 7,000 residents. She instructed her attorney to make the gifts to individual libraries and community centers, rather than to an executive board, giving each establishment the freedom to use the money as it wishes.

The rest of her assets were given to other medical and educational charities, as well as West Des Moines Christian Church.

Warner died May 12, 2023, at age 85, about 12 years after her husband, Waldo Warner, died of Alzheimer’s disease. They had no children. She and her husband lived frugally and saved their money.

Barnett described Warner as a uniquely generous woman and an example of a client with a passion for giving back to the community.

Warner and her attorney reviewed the 2020 census and compiled a comprehensive list of Iowa towns with fewer than 7,000 residents, cross-referencing those with senior centers and public libraries. Barnett is now working to contact the establishments to inform them that “somebody they did not know has left them a gift,” he says.

“It’s just been remarkable — the feedback, the sense of appreciation, and the universal gratitude and surprise,” Barnett says.

When Library Director Jerri Hawkins of the Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library in Guthrie Center learned of Warner’s donation, she was excited.

“It’s not very often that we receive donations or are thought of in such a capacity,” she says. “Especially from someone with so many resources to help smaller libraries throughout the state, it’s very exciting to be recognized and to be thought of.”

Warner’s donation will give the Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library the ability to fund new and existing programs, support the summer reading program and generally strengthen the library’s efforts to energize and educate the community.

“In small communities, libraries are kind of the community cornerstone. It’s a place where kids can go that is safe. It’s a friendly environment. For adults, it’s a social environment,” Hawkins says, reflecting Warner’s focus on the dignity of aging with support and connection, as emphasized in letters sent to beneficiaries of her gift.

The sentiment is as valuable as the dollars, Barnett says. Warner’s firm belief in the power of education will continue to impact small towns across Iowa.

“It was so unexpected,” Hawkins says.

“We were not expecting this donation,” said Pastor Randy Ehrhardt of West Des Moines Christian Church.

Warner had many conversations with Ehrhardt after her husband’s death.

“She was always looking for opportunities to help people, and she appreciated what our church did for helping families and youth,” he says.

West Des Moines Christian Church is exploring programming it can create to support Warner’s passion for helping families and youth.

“It just shows you that she was a very humble woman, very kind — and her husband was that way — and they wanted to make a difference,” Ehrhardt says. “That’s why all of the libraries are getting help. She was just a very gentle, humble woman.”

The sense of appreciation has been remarkable, Barnett says. Since sending out letters notifying each establishment of its upcoming donation, he has received multiple calls from library directors expressing gratitude for being able to plan activities and programs they previously could not fund.

“It highlights the fact that libraries are vital,” Barnett says.

“Norma was known for her quiet strength, sharp intellect and deep compassion for others. Throughout her life, she believed firmly in the power of education and the dignity of aging with support and connection. These values guided her personal life and her remarkable acts of giving,” the letter to establishments read.

Warner’s donations may be modest when divided among 613 beneficiaries, but they emphasize the need for community, connection and education across Iowa.

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Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Matt Losee reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on April 22 at 2:10 a.m. on Yellow Avenue. Hunter Ray Kress, 16, of Guthrie Center was driving a 2022 Case Magnum Tractor north on Yellow Avenue when the manure tanker started to fishtail before rolling into the east ditch. The tank emptied approximately 5,000 gallons of manure onto the gravel road. Estimated damage to the tank is $100,000. No citations were issued. DNR was contacted. 

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Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Matt Losee reported a two-vehicle accident occurring on April 22 at 6:30 p.m. on Highway 4. Reid Thomas Huntley, 21, of Panora was driving a 2019 Chevy Silverado K2500 pickup south on Highway 4 when he rear-ended Ted Douglas Reeve, 68, who was driving a 2010 Toyota Tundra Double Cab pickup southbound. Estimated damage to both vehicles is $3,000. No citations were issued.

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Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Josh Armstrong reported a two-vehicle accident occurring on April 26 at 8:10 p.m. on Highway 141. Blake Ryan Heckman, 17, of Panora was driving a 2016 Jeep Cherokee Latitude between Victory Avenue and Herndon Road when he rearended the 2022 Ford F-150 SuperCrew driven by Steven Louis Anthofer, 50, of Carroll, heading west. Estimated damage for both vehicles is $1,501. Heckman was given two citations for leaving the scene of the accident and for following too closely.

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On April 24, a total of 10 players participated. Chet Vaughan got a 16; Clint Malbon got a 17; Dave Richter got one 16, one 17 and one 18.

On April 27, a total of 11 players participated. Dennis Betts got two 16s; Wayne Nickel got a 16 and a 21; Dave Kading and Robert Klever both got a 16; and Clint Malbon and Rhonda Titus each got a 24.

The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library, 400 Grand St., on Mondays at 8 a.m. and at the New Homestead independent living dining hall, 2306 State St., at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays and at 1 p.m. on Fridays. Organizers say there is always room for more, and they will be glad to teach you how to play. They play for quarters on Wednesday and Friday.

Fourth annual Red, White and Blue (RWB) Cruise is set for Saturday, May 16.

By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, April 2026

Some are called ATVs. Some are UTVs. Some are called quads or side-by-sides or offroad vehicles. But whatever they are called, many rural Iowans call them fun to ride. And a group of local riders has found a way to merge that fun with fundraising. 

Preparations are underway for the fourth annual Red, White and Blue (RWB) Cruise in Guthrie and Adair counties. The event is held by the Omar B. Shearer American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 124 of Guthrie Center. The cruise is set for Saturday, May 16, departing at 10 a.m.

Auxiliary members (and event organizers) Robyn Van Zee, Amy Brummer and Carrie Dideriksen are not veterans, but they come from families that include veterans. All three also enjoy riding ATVs for fun.

“I ride side-by-sides, but not like these two,” Brummer said. “Not as often or traveling out of state like they do. When they first brought this idea to our Auxiliary, it was kind of scary, but everything worked out.”

“We’ve ridden in Nebraska, South Dakota, the Black Hills, Wisconsin, Arkansas twice, Colorado twice, Tennessee, and about a year from now, we’re going to Moab, Utah,” Van Zee said. 

Van Zee explained the timing of the local event.

“We want to have it before Memorial Day, in honor of Memorial Day,” she said. “We are the American Legion Auxiliary. Our main focus is to honor the veterans and active service members and serve our community.”

When the first cruise was held in 2023, the Auxiliary was unsure how much participation the event would attract, but they were overwhelmed when approximately 250 people participated. The past two years have seen more than 100 riders each year. With that level of participation, and with the generosity of local sponsors, the Auxiliary raises funds to support many worthy causes in the area. 

Many of the causes funded through the ride are veteran-related, but others are scholarships and helping citizens in need.

One of the reasons for the success is that participation comes from well outside the local area.

“We’ve had people come from Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas. They’re willing to travel. The weather’s just starting to get nice,” Van Zee said.

The organizers have tweaked the event over the years based on what riders prefer. They added that the event’s success depends on the many local volunteers who make everything run smoothly. 

 

“The first year it seemed like we all went to one stop together. Now we spread it out, for dust control, for one thing,” Dideriksen said. Safety is also enhanced by spreading out the riders.

Van Zee said most of the riders enjoy the freedom of choosing a path rather than being told to follow a certain route. After all, the point is to get out in the country to enjoy fresh air and socialize with friends and neighbors.

“And, in an attempt to not bombard the businesses with 150 people all at one time, we’ve made it so the riders can go wherever they want to go in whatever order they want,” Van Zee said. 

The three organizers said warming weather seems to be part of the event’s success.

“This is the first big event after the winter months,” Dideriksen said. “We always kind of compete with graduations and things. It’s for anybody and all ages. Our group continues to enjoy doing it.”

The cruise welcomes riders on side-by-sides, quads and other vehicles to register and join in the fun. The ride begins at the Guthrie County fairgrounds in Guthrie Center. Six destinations are participating in the cruise, including Blue Goose Tavern (Adair), Rustic Tap (Fontanelle), Wreckers or Checkers (Fontanelle), Tin Lizzie’s Sports Bar (Casey), Casey Creamery (Casey) and Short’s Place (Menlo). 

Registration will be 8:30-9:45 a.m. prior to the ride. Cost is $25 per participant. There will be a poker run option, a 50/50 raffle and other raffles. Door prizes and poker hand prizes will be given at 5 p.m. when riders return to the fairgrounds. 

Common stops along the ride are the Freedom Rocks on the route. Van Zee pointed out a very fortunate timing that occurred during a prior year’s ride, when riders were able to watch one of the Freedom Rocks being painted. 

“We just happened to be going by while artist and Iowa State Representative Ray ‘Bubba’ Sorensen II was painting it for Memorial Day,” Van Zee said.

Camping is available at the fairgrounds for those interested. Questions about the event can be directed to Robyn Van Zee at 402-740-9804 or alapost124@gmail.com.