1932-2025

Ruby Iola Krakau, 92, of Guthrie Center, daughter of Albert and Florence (Nelson) Clausen, was born May 8, 1932, in Cass County. She passed away Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at the New Homestead in Guthrie Center.

Ruby graduated from Exira High School in 1950. On Oct. 22, 1950, she was united in marriage to Floyd Mervin Krakau in Brayton. To this union, five children were born. Ruby and Floyd spent almost 73 loving years together. They made their home in Grand Junction until moving to Guthrie Center in 1959. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Guthrie Center and the Iowa District West Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML).

Ruby was a busy and social homemaker and an excellent cook and baker for her family and friends. A few favorites were her cranberry pudding cake, Danish coffee cake, and, of course, her secret lemonade recipe. She was an active community member, volunteering with the Guthrie County Hospital Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels and Guthrie Center Women’s Club. Her hobbies included porcelain classes, playing cards and bowling league. She enjoyed the annual Exira Fourth of July celebration, the Guthrie County Fair, especially the bingo stand, and always attended the Iowa State Fair on opening day. Most of all, Ruby loved spending time with and spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ruby is survived by her children, Merv (Barb) Krakau of Guthrie Center; Teresa (Doug) Kent of Guthrie Center; Tamela (Jeff) Booth of Guthrie Center; Bill (Mary) Krakau of Roland; and Tonya (Brad) Messner of Springfield, Missouri; 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Floyd; brother, Robert, and his wife, Leona; sisters, Marjorie, and her husband, Orville Krakau, Harriet, and her husband, Henry Alff, and twin sister, Ruth, and her husband, Jack Large.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Guthrie Center. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Guthrie Center. Visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at the Twigg Funeral Home in Panora.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Immanuel Lutheran Church’s LWML, Guthrie Center.

1959-2025

Randal Dean Rogers, 65, son of Everett and Dorothy (Searl) Rogers, was born July 12, 1959, at the Guthrie County Hospital in Guthrie Center. He passed away Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at his home.

Randal graduated from Yale-Jamaica-Bagley High School in 1977. During high school, he worked at the foundry in Perry. He then became the town police officer in Bayard his last two years of high school. In May of 1977, the city of Coon Rapids hired him as their town police officer. In June of 1977, he and two other officers were in a vehicle accident after responding to a call. Randal was in the back seat of the patrol car when they were hit by a drunk driver. The two officers in the front were killed. Randal spent the next year and a half recovering at the hospital in Omaha. After his recovery, he returned home and started working as a janitor for Greene County Hospital. It was during this time he put himself through the Law Enforcement Academy. Unfortunately, because of his injuries, he wasn’t able to work full-time as a police officer. He was the first reserve deputy for Guthrie County. After retirement from Greene County Hospital, he worked as a security guard for Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson. He then worked security for Lake Panorama. He retired for good when he was 60.

During his teenage years, he started Civil War reenacting, then he later participated with WWI and WWII reenacting. He received the rank of Sergeant with the Civil War reenacting. He participated in many reenactments through the years for all three war periods. He also taught at Living History Farms where he learned blacksmithing. He volunteered at Living History Farms for around 12-15 years. 

Randal is survived by a daughter, Stephanie, and son, Randal Rogers II, along with his brother, Robert Rogers of Bayard, and nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Raymond.

Cremation has taken place, and graveside services will be held at a later date in the Brethren Cemetery, Panora. 

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

1957-2025

Jeanine Rae (Stanley) Chaloupka, 67, of Yale, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at Iowa Methodist Hospital in downtown Des Moines. A service is being planned by the family for a later date. 

Jeanine was born Oct. 23, 1957, in Herndon, the daughter of Arthur and Eleanor (Moore) Stanley. She was their only daughter and has two brothers, Dean and Mark. 

Jeanine married her husband, Randy, in 1980 and they had a son, Samuel, in 1984. Jeanine was a hard worker and had many jobs while growing up, such as walking soybeans and detasseling seed corn, as well as helping at home. She was also active in high school activities such as NHS and lettered as a cheerleader.

Following high school, Jeanine entered DMACC in Ankeny to study bookkeeping and accounting. Following her graduation, she was employed at WIESE Corporation in Perry. After several years of employment there, she took a short break to start a family and help her husband with crop farming and raising cattle. When her son was a toddler, she went back to work at Farmers State Bank of Yale and a law firm in Guthrie Center. Health problems forced her into retirement in later years.

Jeanine was proceeded in death by her parents, Arthur and Eleanor. She is survived by her husband, Randy; her son, Samuel, and his wife, Jennifer; four grandchildren; and her brothers, Dean of Panora and Mark in Washington state. 

1944-2025

 Judy Kopaska, 80, passed away peacefully on Jan. 10, 2025. She was born on May 9, 1944, in Adair to Clyde Hallie “Hal” Kinman and Genevieve Marie (Hayes) Kinman. Judy graduated from Adair-Casey High School in 1962 and married the love of her life, Larry Kopaska, later that year at the Methodist Church in Adair.

Judy and Larry built a beautiful life together in rural Guthrie Center where they raised their family and worked side by side. Judy’s days were filled with love and dedication as a homemaker, farmhand and community member. Her passions for gardening, quilting, baking and camping showcased her creative and nurturing spirit. She also had an adventurous side, evident in her love for motorcycle rides and her time as a “snowbird” in Arizona and Florida, where she embraced new friendships and experiences.

Judy was a woman of many talents and roles. She touched countless lives as a high school cook and as a dedicated 4-H leader for the U.S. Sunbeams. Her warmth and kindness made her a friend to all — she truly never met a stranger. Judy’s faith was a big part of her life, and she was a devoted member of the United Methodist Church. Above all, she cherished every moment spent with her family and friends, treasuring the laughter, love and memories they shared. 

Judy’s memory will be lovingly cherished by her three daughters, Mechiel (Kurt) Kalbach of Chattahoochee, Florida; Melinda (Monte) Jorgensen of Guthrie Center; and Melissa Kopaska of Rogers, Arkansas; her three grandchildren, Michaela (Tyler) Kinman, Madisyn (Ross) Wasson and McKlain Jorgensen; and her four great-grandchildren, Addy and Layton Kinman, and Kroy and Lyla Wasson, who were her greatest pride and joy. She is also survived by her sisters, Diana Jens and Janice (Veryl) Ticknor; her sister-in-law, Andrea (Steve) Brubaker; as well as nieces and nephews and their families.

Judy is now reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Larry; her parents, Clyde and Genevieve Kinman; her in-laws, Arnold and Lois Kopaska; her brother-in-law, Carl Jens; and her niece, Cathy Sadler. Though her absence leaves a void that can never be filled, we find comfort in knowing she is at peace and surrounded by those she loved.

A visitation to honor Judy’s life will be held on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Guthrie Center. A funeral service celebrating her extraordinary life will take place at the same location on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New Homestead Activities Fund to continue supporting the community she held dear.

Judy Kopaska was known for her kindness, generosity and joyful spirit. Her loving presence will remain in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her. She leaves behind a legacy of love that will be carried forward by her family and friends. Judy, you will be profoundly missed, but your light will shine in our hearts forever.

1942-2024

Sharon Louise Smith, age 82, of Panora, and formerly of Bayard, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at Panora Specialty Care Center.

Sharon was born on Nov. 24, 1942, in Yale, and she was the daughter of Delbert and Dorothy (Bollerman) Deardorf. She grew up on her family’s farm near Yale and graduated from Yale High School. Sharon was married to Darwin L. Smith on April 7, 1963, in Guthrie County. She worked for several local businesses over the years. She loved her flowers, her rock garden, tending to her yard, her pets and traveling by motorcycle in her younger years.  

Sharon is survived by a daughter, Shannon Anderson (John) of Guthrie Center; a son, Joel Smith (Mary) of Bayard; four grandchildren, Jordyn (Melanie), Justyn, Chase and Traci (Andrew); three great-granddaughters, Payton, Keeley and Ruby; two sisters, Nadine Allen (Ron) and Sharol Rhoades; a brother, Bert Deardorf; and several nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Delbert and Dorothy Deardorf; a brother, Dale Deardorf; a sister, Pam Lynam; and a son, Darrin, in infancy.

According to Sharon’s wishes, no services will be held.  

The Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids assisted the family, and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

1941-2024

Marian McQuaid died peacefully on Dec. 23, 2024, at Halcyon House, after a lengthy illness.

A Funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Richmond, Iowa, with Fr. Bill Roush officiating. Interment will take place at the Calvary Cemetery in Benton County, Iowa. Memorials have been established for Hospice of Washington County or to St. James Catholic School for their lunch program. The Jones and Eden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for Marian’s family at www.jonesfh.com.

Marian Catherine (Nolan) McQuaid was born to Emmett and Lorna (Cox) Nolan in Cedar Rapids on Sept. 5, 1941. Marian graduated from Regis High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. Marian married Paul “Corky” McQuaid. They later divorced. Marian worked as a special education teacher, and later, a special educational consultant for Heartland AEA.

Throughout her life, Marian was involved in volunteer activities. In 2017, she was honored as Iowan of the Day at the Iowa State Fair for her involvement in bringing the Main Street program to Guthrie Center. She was also a founding member of the Guthrie Center Arts Council and was active in Friends of the Mary J. Barnett Library in Guthrie Center. Marian was a lifelong learner. She was especially proud of becoming a Master Gardener in her retirement.                                         

Marian will be deeply missed by her daughter, Mary Catherine “Katie” Mitchell; son-in-law, Mark; grandchildren, Cecelia and Conagher Mitchell, of Riverside; and step-daughter, Julia McQuaid of Coralville. She was preceded in death by her parents. 

The family would like to give their profound thanks to the staff at Halcyon House and Hospice for their devotion and commitment to caring for Marian in her last days.