1952-2026

 

G. Norman Thomas 74, was born January 5, 1952, in Denver, Colorado. He passed away Sunday, July 12, 2026, after a fall at home, at Unity Point-Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa.

 

Norman graduated from Creston High School in 1970. He then went on to Southwestern Community College in Creston for two years and another two years at Northwest Missouri State University, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in 1974. Norman worked in maintenance for the West Des Moines school system for over 20 years. He then continued his career in maintenance for the Guthrie County Hospital, Guthrie Center, Iowa. He retired in his mid sixties and enjoyed spending time with family and friends, staying busy with his church and local community. He married former college-sweetheart Melody Ann Johnson in 2004.

 

Norm enjoyed attending all his step-daughters’ school activities and was a huge Iowa Hawkeye fan. He was a very active member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Guthrie Center and was a former member of the Casey Volunteer Fire Dept.

 

Norman is survived by his wife, Melody Thomas of Yale; brother, Michael Thomas of Des Moines; sister, Mary (Eric) Hovelson of Clive; step-daughters, Marcia (Kevin) Johnson of Des Moines; Danielle (Dustin) Evans of Linden; Rachel Johnson of Ames; and Christina (Xavier) Johnson of Las Vegas; 5 grandchildren: Kailee Trotter and daughter Beverly; Garrett Johnson, Brooklyn Evans; Eli and Ivan Martinez. Niece, Emily (David) McCullough and daughter Mariella of Coralville; Nephew, Nicholas Howard (Janea) of Colorado Springs, Co.; Four Great Nieces, Ariel Howard and daughter, Nancy Howard, Kristin Pettinari and family; Evelyn Howard (Cody) and family; three Great Nephews, Nicholas Howard, Samuel Howard, and Gavin Holt.

 

He was preceded in death by his mother Nancy Jane Bauman and step-father Harold, brother Samuel Howard, and a niece Brooklyn Howard.

 

Graveside services will be 11:30 A.M., Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at the Malvern Cemetery, Malvern, Iowa. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, July 25, 2026 at the First Christian Church Fellowship Building, Guthrie Center, Iowa, with a light meal served.

 

Norman was a great son, brother, uncle, step-father, grandfather and friend. He will be missed by all of us.

 

Twigg Funeral Home, Panora, is entrusted with his services.

1946-2026

Linda Lee Richey, 80, daughter of Leland Eugene and Marjory Bess (McLaughlin) Gilmore, was born Jan. 27, 1946, in Des Moines. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Unity Point-Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines.

Linda grew up in Linden, where she learned the value of hard work at an early age. As a young girl, she walked beans, babysat and helped at Gilmore’s Garage, the family business.

On Sept. 3, 1966, Linda married the love of her life, William “Bill” Richey. Together, they built a life centered on love, family and faith, sharing many wonderful years together.

Throughout her life, Linda was known for her strong work ethic and friendly smile. She worked at Look Magazine, Farm Bureau, Teale Insurance, the Panora-Linden Schools, Casey’s, Panora Oil, Jubilee and Ben Franklin. No matter where she worked, Linda formed lasting friendships and was admired for her kindness, dependability and willingness to help others.

More than anything, Linda cherished her family. She found her greatest joy in spending time with those she loved, celebrating holidays, attending family gatherings and making memories with her children and grandchildren. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend whose gentle spirit and caring heart touched countless lives.

Linda grew up in the Linden Methodist Church and then later became a member of the Panora Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School, Bible School and was a longtime member of UMW. She was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader. She enjoyed flowers in her yard, family vacations, going to Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball games, helping her children and grandchildren with band and their sporting events, going to their ball games and concerts.

Linda is survived by her husband, Bill Richey; her children, Bryan Richey; Jennifer (Tim) Hochstetler; and Kevin (Julie) Richey; her cherished grandchildren, Levi, Madelyn, and Laicey Richey; Spencer, Meridith and Sarah Hochstetler; Olivia and Grace Richey; and Samuel (Natalie), Nicholas, and Christopher Compiano; her great-granddaughter, Mia Compiano; her siblings, Lee (Carol) Gilmore and Carolyn Van Pelt; and many extended family and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Kathy Dever; along with other cherished family members who welcomed her home.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 11, at the Panora United Methodist Church, Panora. Burial will be in West Linn Cemetery, near Linden. Visitation will be Friday, July 10, from 5-7 p.m. at the Twigg Funeral Home in Panora.

Memorials may be left to the Panora United Methodist Church or Tori’s Angels.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has offered love, prayers and support during this difficult time.

Though she will be deeply missed, Linda’s love and the many lives she touched will never be forgotten.

1942-2026

LaVerne Leroy Jensen, son of Christian Peter and Elena (Christoffersen) Jensen, was born on Feb. 5, 1942, in Kimballton. He passed away on July 1, 2026, in Guthrie Center at the New Homestead.

LaVerne attended Audubon Community School and graduated in 1960. He had many professions, including working at Southside Welding driving trucks with his brother-in-law, Dale Madsen, and his brother, Jerry. He married Eileen Marie Madsen on July 6, 1963, at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. Three sons were born in this marriage: Craig, Gary and Brian. In 1988, they bought McBride’s Resort in Protem, Missouri. During that time, LaVerne also worked during the winter months at Bass Pro Shop, building trailers.

He married Janice (Williams) Anderson on Feb. 24, 1996, and lived in Fairgrove, Missouri. They moved to Des Moines in June 2000, and he worked at Seneca in Des Moines, building vacuum pumps for trucks. In June 2010, they moved to Lake Panorama, where he enjoyed woodworking and tinkering in his garage.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jerry; his wife, Leanna; brothers-in-laws, Jerry A Jensen, James Anderson and Alan and his wife, JoAnn Haskins.

He is survived by his wife, Janice; sister, Dianne Furne (Wesley); his children, Craig (Julie) of De Soto, Gary (Linda) of Carroll, Brian (Brandi) of Earlham, Jeff Anderson of Panora, and Loni Anderson of Shelby. He had 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Roger (Butch) Williams, his wife Sally of Spirit Lake; sisters-in-law, Rosalie Jensen of Hamlin, Bev and Terry Rikter of Panora, Dee Anderson of Cedar Rapids, Nancy and Dwight Huffman of Terril, and Joy Anderson of Johnston, as well as many nieces, nephews, and loved ones.

His favorite pastime was being a grandpa and great grandpa — he loved every minute of it!

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, July 6, 2026, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, with Rev. Sean Dougherty officiating. Burial will follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. A reception took place following the committal service at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. A family visitation was held on Sunday, July 5, 2026, from 4-6 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon. Memorials can be made to the family and will be designated at a later date.

1942-2026

LaVerne Jensen, age 84 of Panora, and a former Audubon resident, died on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, July 6, 2026, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, with Rev. Sean Dougherty officiating. Burial will follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. A reception will take place following the committal service at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. A family visitation will be held on Sunday, July 5, 2026, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon. Memorials can be made to the family and will be designated at a later date.

1961-2026

Michael Lee Clouse, 65, son of Vernon and Betty (Stewart) Clouse, was born Jan. 22, 1961, in Guthrie County. He passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at his home in Guthrie Center.

Michael graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1980. Following high school, he worked in Jefferson at a Shelter Workshop. He then worked at the grocery store and Dollar Store in Guthrie Center. On June 16, 1988, he married Brenda Jackson in Guthrie Center, where they made their home. Michael took over the lawn care business from his father, Vernon, at this time. Michael continued working before turning the business over to his son, Curtis, when his health wouldn’t let him continue.

Michael enjoyed fishing and riding his tractor.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Clouse, and son, Curtis Clouse, both of Guthrie Center; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Ross; brother, Greg; and sister, Nancy Trumm.

Cremation has taken place, and visitation will be held Friday, July 10, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.. at the Twigg Funeral Home, Guthrie Center, with graveside services following at Pleasant Hill (Bowman) Cemetery, rural Guthrie Center.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

1944-2026

Karen (McCool) Anfinson, 81, of Guthrie Center, passed away suddenly on May 7, 2026. She was born Nov. 20, 1944, in Guthrie Center, to John Clark (J.C.) and Ruth McCool.

Karen grew up in Guthrie Center. She attended school there and graduated in 1957. The highlight of her senior year was that her girls basketball team won the Iowa state tournament. Karen was known for her famous hook shot and still holds some scoring records. She was eventually inducted into the Iowa High School Girls Basketball Hall of Fame.

On Dec. 4, 1966, Karen married Rudolf Johnson. This marriage ended in divorce in the spring of 1984. On June 1, 1984, she married Robert Anfinson. They spent most of their married life in Missouri, where they first owned and operated a Dairy Queen and eventually managed a series of motels.

After Robert’s death in 2008, Karen remained in Springfield, Missouri, until 2024, when she moved to Minnesota to be closer to her brother, Robert.

Karen is survived by her brother, Robert, and his wife, Susan, who live in Circle Pines, Minnesota. Karen’s niece, Kristin Walls, and family live in Columbia, Missouri, and her nephew, Dan McCool, and family live in Overland Park, Kansas. Karen’s three step-nieces and step-nephews and their families live in Minnesota, California and Wisconsin.