1937-2025

Patricia Kay Trent, 87, daughter of Carson and Wilma (Howell) Downing, was born Oct. 21, 1937, at home near Monteith. She passed away Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at her home near Monteith.

Patricia graduated from Panora High School in 1955. In 1955, she married William Kinsey, and to this union four children were born: Julie, Trudy, Kathy and Kurt. They made their home on a farm south of Panora. Patricia spent her time raising her children and being a farm wife. In 1975, Patricia and Bill divorced. On Dec. 31, 1979, she married Merle Trent, enlarging her family with Debra and Sandy Trent. Just five months after they were married, Pat and Merle were caring for Sandy’s 6-week old and 2-year old girls while she recovered from a stroke.  

Patricia was a cook for congregate meals for a short time following the divorce. Then later, she found her passion as a volunteer for EveryStep Hospice for the past 22 years.  

Grandma “Cookie,” as she was known to her grandchildren, was always prepared for a visit with cookies. Pat was well known as an excellent baker making hundreds of beautiful wedding cakes and much-loved, cute kid’s birthday cakes. Spending time with grandchildren was the greatest joy of her life, putting a huge smile on her face.

She enjoyed time spent with friends playing cards. Many, many people received birthday and anniversary cards from her annually; she rarely missed one.  She also enjoyed spending time with her lifelong friends “The Butt Sisters.” When together, it was always a “hoot.”

Being outside and tending her garden was important to Pat. She would always say, “Unfortunately, mostly pulling weeds.”  

She was a member of the Sunshine Club and the Morrisburg Church.

She is survived by her daughters, Julie (Doug) Davis of Panora; Trudy (Ed) Woolman of Stuart; Kathy (Dave) Olson of Delta, Colorado; and Sandy Trent of Waukee; 15 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; brother, Robert Downing of Linden; and sister Jeri Jean (Doyle) Motsick of Panora. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merle; son, Kurt Kinsey; step-daughter, Debra Trent; and sister-in-law, Mary Lou Downing.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora. Burial will be in the West Cemetery, Panora. Visitation will be Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

1944-2025

Judith Ann (Clifton) Murphy, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, gi gi, sister and friend, peacefully passed away at the age of 81 on Sept. 5, 2025, after a brief but courageous battle with aggressive liver cancer. Surrounded by her loving family at her home in Menlo, Judy’s legacy of love, kindness and service to others will forever be cherished.

Born June 11, 1944, in Jefferson to Todd “Red” and Darlene (Batcheller) Clifton, Judy was raised in Stuart and graduated from Stuart High School in 1962. On Nov. 10, 1963, she married Gene Murphy, and together they built a family. Judy and Gene were blessed with three children: Jodie, Marty and Tricia. The family spent 14 years on a farm located between Stuart and Menlo on County Line Road before moving to a ranch north of Menlo in 1979, better known as “Fort Menlo” to family members.

Judy’s passion for beauty and service to others led her to the Americanna Academy of Beauty of Des Moines, where she graduated in 1963 and went on to work at Ceila Reynold’s beauty shop in Menlo. She eventually opened her own beauty shop, Judy’s Country Curl, in her home. During her time as a beautician, she created lasting friendships with many loyal customers who quickly became her close friends. In addition to her work in beauty, Judy also spent years working in the office at the Stuart Sale Barn, where she greeted everyone with a smile and handled tickets and transactions.  Many commented on her beautiful penmanship. She made so many fun memories and friendships with coworkers, business owners, local farmers and their wives. She enjoyed contributing her time to the Menlo Parks and Recreation, organizing Easter Egg Hunts and Christmas activities for local children, leaving an enduring legacy of joy in her community. Judy’s spirited nature earned her one of the most recent notable achievements, winning the World Title for Husband Calling during the Menlo Sesquicentennial celebration in 2019, with her own version of yelling “GeeeeeeeNE!!!” During that same celebration, Gene and Judy enjoyed dancing, as that was a favorite pastime.

An avid gardener, Judy took great pride in her flower beds and loved to share her plants with family and friends. Her love for canning was unmatched, and her shelves were always stocked with jars of pickles, jams, salsa, peaches, pears, applesauce, horseradish and more. These delicious gifts were shared far and wide to family, friends and neighbors. Judy poured her love and care into each jar, a testament to her nurturing spirit.

Above all, Judy’s greatest joy in life was her family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an unwavering source of love, encouragement and pride for them all. She was especially grateful for her daily phone calls from her grandson, Hayden, checking in after school.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Todd and Darlene Clifton; mother-in-law, Margret (Jessop) Murphy; father-in-law, Rex Murphy; brother-in-law, Jack Deskin; sister-in-law, Joy (Murphy) Bassett; brother-in-law, Don Bassett; sister-in-law, Marilyn (O’Mara) Murphy; and brother-in-law, Bob Edgington.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Gene Murphy; her children, Jodie (Roger) Riche of Junction City, Kansas, Marty Murphy of Dawson, and Tricia (Dustin) Foster of Stuart; her grandchildren, Micheal (Renae) Riche, Kristina Riche (Didi Dautovic), Louden Foster, Ashlynn Foster and Hayden Foster; her great-grandchildren, Hunter, Lilee, Daveion, Mikel, Riley and Kyson; her sisters, Sheryl Deskin of Des Moines, Marilyn (Jack) Matthews of Stuart, and Georgia (Denny) Coon of Haines City, Florida; her sisters-in-law, Dixie Murphy of St. Charles and Faye (Murphy) Edgington of Casey; her brothers-in-law, Keith Murphy of St. Charles and Leo Murphy of Prescott Valley, Arizona, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews.

For those lucky enough to know Judy, they know she was one of a kind with a generous heart and a good laugh. Judy’s love for hair curlers, kindness, generosity, free-spoken candid comments, and dedication to her family and community will be deeply missed by all who knew her. A celebration of life service will be held at the Menlo Community Building on Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow.

1988-2025

With deep sorrow, we announce that our beloved Alena passed away far too soon, on June 25, 2025, at the age of 36.

She was born on July 21, 1988, in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. She began preschool in Handlová, where she grew up surrounded by music, dance, mountains and forests. At the age of 15, she moved with her family to the historic town of Trenčín, which became very dear to her heart and where she always loved to return. For more than 10 years, she devoted herself to piano and dance, both of which accompanied her throughout her childhood and teenage years. Her academic path led her from high school in Handlová, through the Secondary Medical School in Trenčín, and finally to the Catholic University in Ružomberok, where she earned a degree in journalism.

Alenka was full of courage and adventure. Although as a child she could not imagine life outside Slovakia, destiny led her across the ocean. She first traveled to Hawaii as a student with three of her dearest friends through a Work and Travel program. There, fate brought her together with her future husband, and, soon after, their precious daughter Leila was born.

After seven years on the Hawaiian Islands, the family briefly lived in Oregon before settling in the charming town of Panora, Iowa. Even after her 12-year marriage ended, Alena remained in Panora with her beloved daughter, Leila, creating a home in the little house of her dreams.

Throughout her life, Alena worked in many corners of Europe and the United States — from Starbucks in London, to McDonald’s and Turtle Bay in Hawaii, to The Lake Panorama Pizzeria in Panora, and finally to Target in Des Moines, where she worked in recent years. Wherever she went, she shared kindness, dedication, humility and joy.

She will be forever remembered for her love of life, her generous heart and, above all, her devotion to her cherished daughter, Leila. She loved the sea — in Italy, where she had traveled since she was a little girl, in Rhodes during her teenage years, and in Hawaii, which became her second home. Alenka knew how to embrace life, no matter how difficult, and faced every challenge with remarkable bravery.

For the past five years, she fought the most aggressive form of cancer and an unseen evil — a battle she endured with extraordinary strength, courage and gratitude for each day.

She is survived by her beloved daughter, her Slovak family — including her parents, sister and godchildren — and her American family — including her ex-husband and his mother — as well as her extended family and many friends in Slovakia and the United States.

Alenka was a loving mother, daughter, sister, godmother, friend, patient partner supporting other cancer patients, and a wonderful person with a sensitive soul and a bright sense of humor. Her passing leaves an emptiness that nothing can ever fill.

The Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. with Holy Mass at the Methodist Church, 119 E. Main St., Panora. A Celebration of Life will follow at Crafty’s Café Panora, 102 W. Main St, Panora, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Alena bravely carried the heavy burden of her illness, which ended here on Earth so tragically for all of us. Yet, her spirit remained unbroken. She will live on forever in our memories and hearts.

One day, in another life, we will share a coffee together in Hawaii, orange chicken in Panora, Caesar salad in Rhodes, Parmesan with balsamic in Lido di Jesolo, fresh bread rolls (rožok) in Bratislava and drink Vinea in Trenčín.

Her light, her laughter and her love will never fade.

1947-2025

Dennis Ray Wailes, age 77, of rural Scranton, passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames surrounded by his family.

Dennis was born on Sept. 7, 1947, on a farm north of Bayard, and he was the son of George and Margaret (Dargon) Wailes. His father passed away when he was a young boy, and his family moved into Bayard where he graduated from Bayard High School in 1965. Dennis was drafted into the United States Army in 1966 and served two years during the Vietnam Conflict. Upon his return from Vietnam, he lived in Des Moines where he met the love of his life, Leannah Simpson. They were married on Nov. 21, 1969, at the First United Methodist Church in Des Moines.

The couple lived in Des Moines for a short time before moving to DeSoto where he worked for Booneville Gravel as a heavy equipment operator. They later moved to Mechanicsville where he worked for Orkin Pest Control out of Cedar Rapids. In 1976, they moved to their current home south of Scranton and Dennis began employment with West Central Cooperative, retiring in 2003. He also had a home business, sharpening chainsaw blades. “Double Aught” continued to drive truck for the coop and always looked forward to helping his son-in-law and sister during harvest.

Dennis enjoyed traveling, collecting project vehicles, chatting with his family and friends on the telephone, watching Fox news, tracking his family members on Find My iPhone, and, most of all, spending time with his family — especially his grandchildren.

Dennis is survived by his wife Leannah of 55 years; his children and their families: son Jason Wailes (Marlene) of Council Bluffs, son Brett Wailes (Andrea) of Scranton, daughter Heather Schoenherr (Dan) of Glidden, daughter Jennifer Wailes (Kris Foster) of Pleasantville, and bonus son Steve Kennel (Christine) of Youngstown, Ohio; 13 grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; two sisters: Beverly Lorenzen (Mike) of Dallas Center and Kathryn Hunter (Richard) of Scranton; his in-laws: Dorothy Biondi (Dan) of Sheldahl, Linda Moore (Andy) of Moravia, Dale Simpson (Joan) of Poway, California, George Simpson (Miriam) of Ventura, and Janice West of Wesley; many nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

Dennis was preceded in death by his father George Wailes; his mother Margaret McDonald; his step-father Scott McDonald; his in-laws: Louis and Ruth Simpson; a brother Harold Dean Wailes; two sisters: Shirley Imler (Dean) and Clara Johnson (Marvin); and brothers-in-law: Donald Simpson and Richard Fox.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at the Church of Christ in Bayard followed by inurnment at the Willow Township Cemetery near Bayard with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Bayard American Legion.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com.

1933-2025

Marilyn Ann Burns, daughter of Harry and Lucille (Sawyer) Bingaman, was born Nov. 6, 1933, in Greenfield. She passed away Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, at the Guthrie County Hospital, Guthrie Center, at the beautiful age of 91.

Marilyn graduated from Greenfield High School in 1951. She then set out for New York and found employment with MaBell Telephone Company. She moved back to Iowa and worked at the Des Moines Annex Post Office, Milwaukee Railroad Agent in the 1960s and for 23 years at the Perry State Bank, Jamaica branch.  

Raising her children and grandchildren were the center of Marilyn’s life. Her favorite pastime was birdwatching and annual bird counts she and husband Gene would attend every year. They bird banded Kestrels for the National Audubon Society. She loved her work with the genealogy group at the Jamaica Library and many other various community organizations.

She was a member of the Faith Bible Church in Panora.

Marilyn is survived by her daughters, Chris (Cameron) Sutherland of Yale and Kim (Jeff) Bauer of Bagley and her stepchildren, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by many of her family members including her husband, Gene, and daughter, Hallie Burns.

Funeral services will be at noon on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora, with visitation starting at 10 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Richland Township Cemetery, rural Guthrie County.

1948-2025

Patrecia Emley, age 76, of Slater, passed away Friday, Aug. 22, at the Israel Family Hospice House.

Patrecia Ann (Hodges) Emley was born at Guthrie Center on Nov. 12, 1948, the eldest daughter of John and LaVaun Hodges. She grew up on a farm near Yale and graduated “Class Valedictorian” from Yale-Jamaica-Bagley Consolidated High School in 1967. Pat was an accomplished musician, active in band and high school state competitions. Her talents went beyond music, attending a ballet school of dance instructed by the internationally renowned Betty Mae Harris in Boone. Pat attended Drake University, majoring in music.

Pat was united in marriage with her high school sweetheart, William Emley, at the “Little Brown Church” in Nashua on March 16, 1968. They made their first home in Long Beach, California, while Will served in the U.S. Navy. She was the proud mother of one son, Troy Matthew.

While Will was serving in the U.S. Navy, Pat found employment in a clerical position with the County of Los Angeles in the Department of Social Services. She advanced to the position of “Supervisor.”

Pat and Will moved to Ames in 1974. While Will attended Iowa State University, Pat found employment as a Budget Analyst with the Ames Laboratory on campus. She was employed with the Ames Laboratory for 40 years, retiring in 2015.

Pat and Will joined the North Grand Church of Christ in 1975. Pat used her God-given talents at the church. She played the piano, organ and keyboard regularly for 39 years.

As a hobby, Pat knit and crocheted. For a few years, she entered many of her creations in the Iowa State Fair, earning a showcase full of ribbons. In 1994, the Iowa State Fair offered the “Fastest Fingers in Iowa” competition. Pat was crowned the very first “Champion.” She was the reigning champion for several more years. Later in life, she crocheted hats for babies in hospitals and the annual North Grand Christian Church garage sale.

Pat enjoyed traveling and camping. She and Will traveled all over the United States, exploring historical sites, observing natural wonders and experiencing regional cultures. They visited most of the national parks in the United States and Canada, and many state parks. She enjoyed the cultural experiences. When the grandchildren were old enough, they became involved in the explorations.

Pat enjoyed retirement, with more time for the activities she wanted to do. She operated her life at the pace she enjoyed.

Mourning the loss of Pat is her husband, Will Emley; son, Troy (Jordan) Emley; grandchildren, Nolen Emley, Elizabeth (Brandon) Venneman and Spencer Emley; brother, Mike (Susan) Hodges; sister, Joy (Alan) Barnhart; and several beloved church sisters, brothers and family friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 29 at North Grand Christian Church with a visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the North Grand Christian Church Music Ministry.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.adamssoderstrum.com

Adams Funeral Home in Ames is assisting the family with arrangements.