1957-2024

Karla Kramer, 67, formerly of Panora, died Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at Good Samaritan Care Center in Davenport after several years of declining health.

Karla Sue Bryan was born on Aug. 9, 1957, to James and Dorotha (Estell) Bryan in Winterset. She grew up on the family farm near Guthrie Center. She graduated in 1975 from YJB High School. On Jan. 26, 1980, she was united in marriage to John Lynn Kramer in Des Moines. He preceded her in death on Nov. 7, 2008.

Karla was employed for most of her adult life at Homesteaders Life Company in Des Moines. She enjoyed the work she did and the relationships she built with her colleagues. Karla took pride in the farm she lived on, spending many hours taking care of the property and providing a place where her sons and their families could enjoy during their visits. Karla loved hosting family, preparing delicious meals and baked goods for the holidays.

Karla was a member of a bowling league in Guthrie Center and was active in politics. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, gardening, doing puzzles and spoiling her grandkids.

She is survived by her children, James (Kate) Kramer of DeWitt; Donald (Zane) Kramer of Owatonna, Minnesota; and Kimberly Kramer-Rodriguez (Randy) of Long Beach, California; grandchildren, Michelle, Jonna Rae, AJ, Tena, Kathryn, Logan, Sofija, Roman, Kora and Asher; great-grandchildren Jayden, Xander, Mykah, Izabella, Ethan, Elijah, Lorelai, Danika, Viviane, Gabriella and Malcolm; brothers-in-law, Leverne Seversike and Chuck Vlasity; sisters-in-law, Bette Koeff and Mary Kramer-Long (Steve); and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lynn; her parents; her sister, Carole Seversike; sister-in-law, Jean Vlasity; brother-in-law, Bill Koeff; and two great-grandchildren, Isaiah and McKenzie.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora. Burial will be in the Brethren Cemetery, Panora. Visitation will be Thursday, Dec. 26, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

1938-2024

Betty Lou (Wetzel) Thompson, 86, daughter of Ralph Merle Wetzel and Sarah (Guss) Wetzel, was born July 24, 1938, in Manilla in Shelby County, Iowa.  She passed away Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, at Thomas Rest Haven, Coon Rapids.

Betty grew up on a farm in southwest Iowa and had eight siblings. Betty went to school and graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1955.

Betty married Jackie Cornell, and to this union a daughter, Tammy, was born. They later divorced. Betty married Gary Thompson, and to this union, a son and daughter, Brandon and Metinka, were born. They later divorced.

Betty went to DMACC and earned a small business management degree all while having young children.

Being a single parent, Betty worked hard to take care of her children. She worked at the local cable company, County Wide Plumbing & Heating, Dutler Construction, Thompson Electric, Mr. Bills Foodland, Wild Abstract Office, Guthrie Center Times and various jobs in accounting and office management and payroll. She also sold Avon and Hoda.

Betty traveled a lot in her younger years and liked staying close to home later in life. 

She enjoyed flowers, gardening, birds, her cats, collecting knick knacks, oil painting, sewing, and writing.

She is survived by her children, Tammy Cornell, Brandon (Geri) Thompson and Metinka (Brian) Slater; grandchildren, Kierra Cornell, Abigail Thompson, Tishara Lane, Talyn Slater, Devan (Dwayne) Seeck, and Misean (Fidel) Hernandez; and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Roseanna Leib of California; Connie Hansen of Nebraska; and Marjorie (Mike) Crabbs of Guthrie Center; along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Burton (Martha) Wetzel, Donald (Doris) Wetzel, Ralph G. Wetzel, Charles (Nancy) Wetzel; and sister, Elnora Purcell.

Cremation has taken place, and private graveside services will be held at a later date in Union Cemetery, Guthrie Center.

Twigg Funeral Home, Guthrie Center, is entrusted with her services.

1930-2024

Vernon L. Bane, 94, passed away Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Prairie Vista Village in Altoona.

A Celebration of Life was held Thursday, Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. at Mitchellville Christian Church, 210 Third St., N.W., Mitchellville, Iowa.

Vernon was born Aug. 1, 1930, to Merle and Opal (Wagner) Bane on a small farm near Bagley. The family farmed on several farmsteads around the area. Vernon graduated from Bayard High School in 1950. He then attended AIB Business School in Des Moines for a year before being drafted into the Army in 1952. In the Army, he served in Alaska during the Korean Conflict.

He was joined in marriage to Esther L. Bull in 1957. They started their family with Jim, followed by Diane, while living in Des Moines. In 1967, they moved to Mitchellville and completed their family with Cynthia. When the nest was empty in 1992, they moved to a small acreage near Glidden. They resided there until 2021 when they moved to Prairie Vista Village in Altoona.

Vernon worked many jobs in his life; working on the farm, serving at Younkers Tea Room, and driving taxi for Ruan Cab were just the start. The bulk of his time was spent working at Dico Mfg. in Des Moines for 35 years until retirement. After working his way through most of the production jobs in the plant, he retired as shipping and receiving clerk. After retiring he continued working various jobs. He was a groundskeeper for an apartment complex, helping on farms in Carroll County, working for Bomgaars and reading meters for the REC. Finally, he settled on a part-time job with APQS wiring quilting machines. He FINALLY retired from employment at age 82 to pursue his real job of mowing the yard. He truly enjoyed mowing. When he was not working or mowing, he enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, canoeing, bicycling, motorcycling and square dancing. After moving to Prairie Vista, he enjoyed playing Bean Bag Baseball and was not happy if he had to miss a game or practice.

Vernon is survived by Esther, his wife of 67 years; son, Jim (Jan); daughters, Diane (Scott) Benjamin and Cynthia Bane (Chris Haymaker); grandchildren, Miranda (Nick), Carissa (Andy), Sarah, Jenny (Kyle), Joel (Katie), Haile and Mae; great-grandchildren, Sullivan, Elsie and Cooper; and his brother, Virgil (LaVonne).

In addition to his parents, Vernon is preceded in death by his sister, Vaneta Moore, and brother, Larry.

Vernon was a Charter Member of the Mitchellville Lions Club and a 70-year member of the Bayard American Legion.

Memorial contributions can be made in Vernon’s name to the Mitchellville Lions Club, the Bayard American Legion or Pleasant Ridge Evangelical Free Church-Youth Activities Fund.

Interment will be at Orange Township Cemetery, Coon Rapids, Iowa, at a later date.

1947-2024

Carol Jean (Kloppenburg) Trent Dorsey, a beloved mother, wife, friend and educator, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at UnityPoint Health Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Carol was born on June 8, 1947, in the Bristow House in Massena, Iowa, to Kermit and Virginia (Raasch) Kloppenburg.

Carol spent her early years in Anita, where her family lived behind Smither’s dairy and then moved to the end of Rosehill Avenue. She graduated from Anita High School in 1965 and soon after pursued her passion for healthcare by attending the Career Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she became a lab technician. She worked diligently in cardiology at Creighton University and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Omaha.

In 1971, Carol married LaVerne Owen Trent, and together they had five children: Lori, Carolyn, Owen, Cody and Dawn. Carol faced the sorrow of losing LaVerne in 1989. She found love again and married Lynn Dorsey on July 1, 2001, in a beautiful ceremony in her parents’ flower gardens. Carol and Lynn shared a life full of farming and community service.

Carol was a lifelong learner, returning to education at Des Moines Area Community College, where she was recognized in Who’s Who Among American Junior College Students in 1995. Carol continued her education at UNI, where she graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts in elementary education and a minor in English/language arts in 1997. Her dedication to education led her to earn a master’s degree in behavioral disorders/learning disabilities from Morningside College in 2009.

A passionate educator, Carol taught at several schools, including Panorama, Guthrie Center, Anita, Atlantic and Adair-Casey. She was a dedicated speech coach, leading more than 250 students to state competitions and 10 to All-State. Her excellence in education earned her numerous accolades, including Teacher of the Year by Wal-Mart in 2007 and nomination for State of Iowa Teacher of the Year in 2009. 

Carol was deeply involved in her community, serving as district president of the Lutheran Missionary League, a lifetime member of the Lutheran Church, and superintendent of Rabbits, Poultry and Pets at the Guthrie County Fair. Her commitment to youth was recognized in 2013 when she was inducted into the 4-H State Hall of Fame.

Carol is survived by her devoted husband, Lynn Dorsey; her children, Lori Erickson and Cody Trent; son-in-law, Jon (Jamie) Banks; stepchildren, Becky (Bernard) Vais, Sally (Terry) Kloppenburg, and Dan Dorsey; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and brother, Richard. She also leaves behind cherished valued friends and extended family.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Kermit and Virginia; her children, Carolyn, Dawn and Owen; her brothers, David and Gary; her sister-in-law, Sandy Kloppenburg; and her grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Carol’s unwavering dedication to education, her faith and her family leaves a lasting legacy that will be cherished by all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic with Rev. Ted Weishaupt officiating. 

A luncheon will be held in the Schmidt Family Funeral Home Community Room following the service. 

Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita. 

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic. 

Memorial Contributions may be directed to the family for future designation and can be sent in care of Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O Box 523, Atlantic, Iowa 50022.

1943-2024

Janet Irene Simmons, 81, daughter of James and Betty (Negal) Crawley, was born July 19, 1943, in Guthrie Center. A lifelong resident of Guthrie Center, she passed away Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, at the New Homestead in Guthrie Center.

She was the oldest of five daughters, graduating from Guthrie Center High School in 1961. From there, she went on and graduated from McConnell Airline School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1964. She then had her two daughters, Jannette Jewel in 1965 and Patricia Lynne in 1967. She worked for Farm Bureau Insurance for 30 years before her retirement.

She is survived by her two daughters, Jannette Rankin of Adel, and Patricia (Jack) Williams of Jefferson; granddaughter, Jennifer (Lyle) Schmitz of Dexter; grandson, Davin (Brett Carlson) Rankin of Chicago; step-granddaughter, Jennifer (Travis) Lee of Jefferson; step-grandson, Jack J. (April) Williams of Jefferson; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and sisters, Peggy (Gerry) German of Winterset and Karen (Albert) Maben of Linden. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Pam Jesse and Nancy (Donald) Finnell.

A private family burial of her cremains will be held Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Union Cemetery, Guthrie Center, with a Celebration of Life held at Jannette’s home immediately following the burial.

Twigg Funeral Home, Guthrie Center, is entrusted with her services.

1953-2024

J Randy Siedelmann was born on April 24, 1953, to Eldonn and Shirley (Hocamp) Siedelmann in Guthrie Center. He was raised in Casey and graduated from Adair-Casey High School with the class of 1973.

J worked several jobs throughout his life, his last being at Schafer Systems in Adair. It was while working at Schafer Systems he met Olivia Nino. The couple married on July 26, 1998, at The Little Brown Church in Nashua. J took in Olivia’s children as his own. He loved being a step-dad, teaching and helping them any way he could.

He loved telling and pulling jokes, doing his “Thomas Kinkade” puzzles and telling stories and sharing his experiences. J also enjoyed vacationing with his family and especially his “roadtripping” with Olivia and sightseeing.

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share this sad news that our beloved J Randy Siedelmann passed away on Nov. 19, 2024. J will always hold a special place in our hearts. He was one of a kind, a selfless man who loved helping and visiting his friends whenever he could.

J will be remembered by his wife, Olivia; daughter, Cathy (Ross) Burkman; sons, Matthew Nino and Lucas Nino; granddaughters, Destiny Burkman (Justin), Raidan (Carson) Rhoads and Ella Nino; siblings, Lee (Yolanda) Siedelmann and Lori Siedelmann (Dwight); nephews, Neal (Brooke and kids) Siedelmann, Alan (Katie and kids) Siedelmann and Jason Hastings; and his best friend, Tillie; along with many other relatives and friends.

J was preceded in death by his parents, Eldonn and Shirley; sister-in-law, Dennise Siedelmann; nephew, Aaron Newton; and mother-in-law, Jennie Nino.

Public visitation with the family present will be from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Adair.

Family burial will be at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to The Animal Rescue league of Iowa or The American Cancer Society and can be sent in care of Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, Iowa 50022.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Adair is caring for the Siedelmann family at this time.