1933-2025

Dolores Marie Beck, oldest of the children of Earl Howard and Harriet Louella (Cameron) Beck, was born Aug. 7, 1933, in Guthrie Center. She passed away Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the New Homestead in Guthrie Center.

Dolores attended the Guthrie Center schools, graduating in 1951. She went on to attend the Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls for two years, earning a degree in elementary education. She began her teaching career in Scranton and taught fifth grade there for six years.

Following her resignation from Scranton schools, she began her teaching years at Guthrie Center Elementary School. While teaching at Guthrie Center, she continued her education at Drake University, earning her bachelor’s degree. She taught fifth grade in Guthrie Center for 42 years. She had a great memory for recalling the names of her former students.

During her teaching years and after retirement, Dolores was the Guthrie Center High School girls’ basketball chaperone and scorekeeper for both girls’ and boys’ teams for 56 years. It was a position she greatly enjoyed. She looked forward to the starters of the girls’ team and the coach riding with her to games in her customized van, and the girls and coaches appreciated the van’s comfort over the school bus.

In addition to keeping busy with basketball games, Dolores joined a women’s bowling league in 1959. She was a very competitive bowler and often had her name posted as a high scorer in the women’s league.

After retirement from teaching, Dolores was involved in a retired teachers’ organization, the Guthrie Center Women’s Club, where she served as the president for multiple years, and the Guthrie County Hospital Auxiliary. She was one of the first voluntary van drivers for the hospital, always willing to assist.

Dolores was preceded in death by her longtime friend, Dean Thaler. They made many trips to Colorado to go skiing over Dolores’ winter break from school. She and Dean also had a common interest in Shorthorn cattle. One year, Dolores showed one of their animals at the Iowa State Fair.

Dolores was so fortunate to be able to travel during the summers. She was able to boast that she had been to all 50 states and Canada, with most of the travel done by car or van, and she was behind the wheel — she never tired of driving.

Over the years, Dolores had several interests. She accumulated an extensive collection of more than 150 paper weights, which were all special to her. Her interest in Western artwork and Native American culture could be seen displayed throughout her home. She also had a collection of John Wayne memorabilia and paintings. And her interest in the Iowa Hawkeyes’ sports teams was significant — she tried never to miss a game.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Harriet; her sisters, Darlene Lacey and her husband, George, and Jody Hanna; her brother, Jim Beck; and her niece, Joselyn Lacey.

Left to survive her are nieces and nephews, Jason (Robin) Lacey, John (Beth) Hanna, Jr., Lori (John) Lowe, Chad (Jennifer) Hanna, Christina (Art) Dinkin, Quincy (Jennifer) Beck and Nathan (Stephanie) Beck. Brother-in-law, John Hanna, Sr., and sister-in-law, Nancy Beck, also survive.

Dolores’ surviving great nieces and nephews include Griffin and Kaelyn Hanna, Olivia and Luke Hanna, Jordan Johnson, Jacob (Tristan) Lacey, Jackson and Jamison Lacey, Dane Turner-Hein, Josh Lacey, Hayden, Cassidy and Kenzie Dinkin, Maxwell Beck, and Tyson and Trey Beck.

 Per “Doree’s” request to her family, “Loads of love to you all!”

 Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Twigg Funeral Home, Guthrie Center, with visitation one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Guthrie Center.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials will be designated to the Guthrie Center Elementary School at a later date.

1940-2025

Nickolas Lacey Nolan, 84, son of James and Dorothy (Clark) Nolan, was born July 5, 1940, at home in Guthrie County. He passed away Thursday, May 22, 2025, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, Des Moines.

Nickolas graduated from Panora High School in 1959. Following high school, he worked at Oscar Mayer in Perry and for Wiese Industries. In 1977, he married Teresa Crowl in Panora. They made their home in Panora for a short time before living in various communities in the Midwest while he worked building grain elevators. He then worked bridge and road construction for 20 years, followed by working for Majona Corp., Waukee, for 15 years, before retiring in 2005.  They have made their home in Redfield since 1987.

He enjoyed building play houses for his children, working on cars, gardening, puzzle books, and watching wrestling.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa Nolan of Redfield; children, Phil (Melynda) Nolan; Kevin (Natalie) Nolan; Sandy (Chris) Herron; Cindi Nolan; Lacey (Brad) Reynolds; and Andy (Hanna) Nolan; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren with two more on the way; sister, Juanita Bullard; brother-in-law, Dave Anthony; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Stephanie Herron; siblings, Donovan, Charlotte “Dixie,” Raymond, Jerome, Daniel, Susan and Curtis.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora.  Cremation will follow the services. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

1936-2025

Gerald (Jerry) August Suther, 88, of Panora, passed away Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Featherstone at Hickory Hill Senior Living in Iowa City in the presence of family.

Jerry was born Oct. 29, 1936, the son of Fred and Freda (Tegeler) Suther on a farm north of Frankfort, Kansas. He attended school at Reserville and later at St. Columbkille’s Catholic School in Blaine, Kansas. After graduating high school in 1954, he farmed with his dad, prior to joining the Army Reserves in 1956. He first learned to program computers at Automation, Inc. Tech School in Omaha, helping to launch a long career at Sperry Univac (later called Unisys) from 1962-1991, working as a programmer, systems analyst and district manager across many cities in Nebraska and Iowa. After retiring from Unisys, he worked as a recruiter for a data processing company and drove a limo for Brokers International to keep busy in his retirement years. Jerry married the love of his life, Doretha (Dee) Dekat, on Sept. 5, 1959, at St. Joseph Church in Flush, Kansas. 

Inspired by his dad’s singing at home after mass (and the many other musical members of his family), Jerry enjoyed cantering at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (Perry) and later at St. Cecelia in Panora. One of Jerry’s great joys was composing a song, “Our Heritage,” about his family with his sister, Mary, and her son, Damian Gerstner. He had it copyrighted in 1996.

His Catholic faith has always been very important to him. Jerry was dedicated to the Knights of Columbus, as a member in Blaine, Kansas, as well as Perry and Panora. He joined the Fourth Degree Assembly in Des Moines and was active in the honor guard. He held many leadership roles, including Deputy Grand Knight, Grand Knight and District Deputy.

Besides music and faith, Jerry loved golfing, boating, fishing, hunting and computer puzzles. He enjoyed spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Jerry is survived by eight children and their spouses: Tim (Peg) Suther of Winnetka, Illinois; Laurie (Mike) Masters of Waverly; Deanne (Curt) Reiter of Ankeny; Pat (Cindy) Suther of Waukee; Jerry (Jodi) Suther of Tiffin; Sheri (Patrick) Thesing of St. Charles, Minnesota; Mike (Kim) Suther of Marion; and Dave (Susan) Suther of Johnston; 26 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren. Additionally, he is survived by his brother, Joe, in Williamsburg, Kansas; sisters, Vera Strunk (Wamego, Kansas), Sr. Betty Suther (Concordia, Kansas) and Sr. Eleanor (Atkinson, Kansas); and brother-in law, Alvin Gerstner (Topeka, Kansas).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Doretha; his parents, Fred and Freda Suther; his brother, Ralph Suther; his sister, Mary Gerstner; his grandchildren, Mark and Marie Grebin; and his son-in-law, Jim Grebin.

A rosary service will be held Friday, May 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. with visitation starting at 10 a.m. and funeral service at 11 a.m. all at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Panora. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, rural Guthrie Center, following the services. Twigg Funeral Home, Panora, is entrusted with his services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Moments Hospice Foundation and St. Cecilia Catholic Church. 

1931-2025

Virginia H. Kinney, 94, of Yale and Perry, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines. Virginia’s visitation will take place on Sunday, May 11, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Perry Chapel. Her funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Panora. Interment will be in the Richland Cemetery in rural Bagley. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a future designation in Virginia’s honor. Online condolences can be shared at www.caldwellparrish.com.

She was born on January 1, 1931, in Valley Junction, the first of three daughters to Theodore and Frieda (Clausen) Lueders. Her sisters, Bernice and Marilyn, followed.

On Aug. 10,1957, Virginia married Dean Kinney, and together they raised a large and loving family. She was a devoted wife, a deeply loved mother, a cherished grandmother, and a true friend to all she met. Known for her warmth and kindness, Virginia was also a talented cook whose homemade jellies, caramels, cookies and popcorn balls will be fondly remembered and dearly missed.

Virginia lived a life of faith and service. She was an active member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Panora and participated in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), altar guild, quilting blankets for missionary events, bake sales, camp at Okoboji, Sunday School teacher and many more volunteer services.

A graduate of Dawson High School and a lifelong resident of the area, Virginia held many roles throughout her life, including sorting eggs, an operator at the telephone company, Yale Café, Yale Teen Center, Panora Craft Care Center, Perry Lutheran Home, and Perry Senior Citizens Meals, among others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Frieda Lueders; her husband, Dean Kinney; sons, Steve and Mike Woodley; daughter, Barbara Jenkins; grandson, Mikey Woodley; great-granddaughter, Kristin Hancock; sons-in-law, Wally Jenkins, Joe Bowen and Dana Bowman; brothers-in-law, Richard Mitchell, Truman Loudenback and Lee Kinney; and sisters-in-law, Velma Loudenback and Erma Kinney.

Virginia is survived by her children: Dorothy Funk, Cindy Bowen, Chris Kinney (Karole), Cheri Bowman (Greg), Janay and Jon Baumgartner, and Cathy and Cody Deakman. She is also survived by her sisters, Bernice Mitchell and Marilyn (Jerry) Schlemmer; 24 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; 24 great-great-grandchildren; four great-great-great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

1927-2025

Julia Ann Millhollin, 97, daughter of Earl and Dessie Vandevanter, was born Dec. 12, 1927, in rural Guthrie County. She passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at her home.

Julia graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1945. She married Clark Millhollin on Jan. 28, 1946, at the Christian Church parsonage in Guthrie Center, which was next door to where she lived. They lived a short while in Guthrie Center, Greenfield, Knoxville and Menlo before moving to California where they lived for 43 years. They moved back to Iowa in 1993 and made their home at Lake Panorama.

Julia is survived by her daughter, Deborah Berg of Florida; son, Mark (Jenny) Millhollin of California; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.  

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 70 years, Clark; daughter, Patricia Mahler; four sisters; and a brother.

Cremation has taken place, and no services are planned. Twigg Funeral Home, Panora, is entrusted with her services.

1944-2025

Kenneth B. “Ken” Crouse, age 80, of Panora, and formerly of Carroll, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll with Rev. Jeremy Poland officiating. Casket bearers will be Todd Crouse, Jeff Pruitt, Joe Suefurt, Steve Gawley, Bret Richards and Pat Holloway. Burial will be in the Carroll City Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday evening. Additional visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 9:30-10:15 a.m. prior to the service.

Memorials are preferred to Tori’s Angels or the American Truck Historical Society.

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

Ken was born on Oct. 2, 1944, in Boone and was the son of Paul and Ruth (Smith) Crouse. He lived as a child in Denison, moving to Carroll when the family relocated the family business. Ken was a proud member of what was to become the 1962 graduating class of Carroll High School and continued with the Alumni Association.

Ken met Sharon Holloway through a mutual friend, and it was to be a “forever moment.” They were united in marriage on Feb. 29, 1964. Ken had a lot of fun telling folks “he sure was lucky,” as he only bought anniversary gifts every four years! They were blessed with two sons, Scott and Matthew. Ken spent nearly 50 years dedicating his life’s work to Crouse Cartage Company. He took pride in helping prepare drivers for the truck rodeos both in Iowa and at national venues. He enjoyed being part of the Crouse bowling teams for several years. Following his retirement, Ken didn’t miss many “Wednesday Retiree Coffees.” Ken spent many years as a member of the American Truck Historical Society where he helped establish and attend several chapter groups as a regional vice president. He was very proud to have his own truck to drive to shows. For many years, Ken was a passionate follower of local dirt track racing, which led to an avid interest in NASCAR and some Indy races.

Ken is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shari Crouse of Panora; sons, Scott Crouse (Laura) of Panora, and Matthew Crouse of Carroll; four grandchildren: Andrew Crouse (Alyssa), Toni Curry (Kyle), Matt Crouse, and Shealor Crouse (Laci); two great grandsons, Emmit Crouse and Marty Curry; sister Jean Watt (Monte); brother Jeff Crouse; sisters-in-law: Dixie Crouse, Rose Crouse, Pat Gawley (Steve), Sandi Richards (Kent), and Becky Muhs (Dean); brother-in-law Bill Holloway (Jan); nieces, nephews, other relatives and friend.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, O.E. and Helen Holloway; and his brothers, George and Larry Crouse.