1937-2024

Charlotte Belle Thorp, 87, daughter of Glen and Edna (Putnam) Thorp, was born March 3, 1937, near Panora. She passed away Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at the Community Care Center in Stuart.

Charlotte was raised around Panora and graduated from Panora High School. She went on to Drake University and earned her master’s degree in education. She was a teacher for 41 years, 37 of those years teaching third grade at S.E. Polk. She retired in 1999 and moved back to Panora into her childhood home. She lived there until July 2016, when she became a resident of the Community Care Center.

In retirement, she was a master gardener and was a member of the local garden club.

Charlotte is survived by nieces, nephews and numerous great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Edwin; and two nephews.

Graveside services were held 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, at the West Cemetery, Panora.

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

1965-2024

Joseph John Wanninger III, known as Joe to his friends and family, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer at his home in Panora on Oct. 11, 2024, at the age of 59. He was surrounded by his family and friends.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Jill; children, Brooke (John) of Churdan, and Luke (Jenna) of Panora; grandchildren, Brenna and Kade Smith, Lucy and Ruby Wanninger; sisters, Sheri Lebeck (Dave) of Atlantic, Sandi (Harry) Callahan of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Debbie (Leroy) Lane of Omaha, Nebraska; mother and father in-law, Dale and Karen Knights; brother in-laws Jeff (Amy) Knights, Brent (Jana) Knights, Brian (Lori) Knights; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph John Jr. and Louella Wanninger, and nephew, Jesse Knights.

Joe was born on March 13, 1965, in Audubon. He was raised in and around Audubon, graduating from Audubon High School in 1984. After graduation, he attended Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg. He was united in marriage to Jill Knights on April 12, 1985. After marrying, the couple established their home in Omaha, Nebraska. They then relocated with their children to Jefferson in 1988, where he established his businesses, Joe’s Body and Paint and Joe’s Autos, in 1992. After moving from their acreage in Jefferson, they relocated to town, where they became fast friends (family) with the Hagen family. Nearing retirement, in 2018 the couple moved full time to Lake Panorama, which was a lifelong dream of Joe’s.

Joe enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, providing his grandchildren with all the toys he could think of, buying and selling anything he thought was a deal, and traveling to anywhere warm, especially Hawaii. He loved interacting with all children, and he had an innate ability to make a friend and make you feel welcome in his presence.

Joe was witty and loved to give anyone he met a good-hearted hard time. He could be often heard saying “Work Smarter, Not Harder!” The world would be a better place if we all had a little Joe in us, with his unwavering commitment to his family, his enormous heart, and his generosity to those he felt needed it most. Rest in peace, Joe; you will never be forgotten.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson. Burial will take place at Jefferson Cemetery, Jefferson. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson. Memorials are suggested to the William R. Bliss Cancer Center in Ames.

Online condolences may be left at www.sliningerschroeder.com.

1940-2024

Bertha Sue Seeman, 84, of Waukee, peacefully passed away on Oct. 4, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. 

Sue was born on Sept. 29, 1940, the youngest daughter to Acel and Lola Maggard at home in rural Ringgold County. After graduating from North High in 1959, she went on to study nursing at Broadlawns School of Nursing.

After graduation, Sue began her  first job as a nurse at Broadlawns Hospital, beginning her 30-year career in nursing at many Des Moines hospitals and finally at Dallas County Hospital. Sue was passionate about nursing and loved helping people through the joys and challenges of life, especially delivering babies.

In 1965, she met Hansie Seeman, and they wed June 11, 1966, going on to have four children. Sue and Hansie enjoyed attending the many school and sporting events their children were involved in and presenting at Marriage Encounter weekends.

After retiring from nursing in 1991, Sue  spent many years helping Hansie run their furniture and flooring business in Panora until they both retired in 2007. They spent many years as hospice volunteers and visiting the shut-ins through church.

Sue enjoyed traveling with Hansie around the United States, Mexico, Jamaica and a month in Italy and Germany. They had many adventures together with friends and family over the years.  

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Acel and Lola Maggard; her in-laws, Hans and Rita Seeman; sisters, Julia Lane, Ann Maggard and Louise Barnard; sister-in-law, Jean Maggard; and nephew, Barry Lane.

She is survived by her loving husband, Hansie, of 58 years; their four children, Mary (Dan) Breyfogle of Grundy Center, (Deb) Seeman of Waukee, Jeff ( Lisa) Seeman of Yorkville, Illinois, and Eric (Kris) Seeman of Boone; their 13 grandchildren, Maxwell (Dana), Zachary (Traci), Madelyn, Samantha, Katrina, Sydney (Bobby), Mackenzie, Delaney, Preston, Andrew, Isaac, Paxton and Hattie; and their five great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Cecilia, Johnathan, Eleanor and Jayda. Sue is also survived by her brother, Jim Maggard of Kansas, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Adel, officiated by Fr. Michael Hutchison, with burial held at 1:30 p.m. at Beaver Catholic Cemetery, near Dallas Center.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Every Step Hospice, Tori’s Angels, or Catholic Charities.

1949-2024

John Howard Woodvine, 74, son of Keith and Ursula (Pittman) Woodvine, was born Oct. 28, 1949, in Perry. He passed away Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, at the Alive Hospice in Nashville, Tennessee.

 John graduated from Panora High School in 1967. He then enlisted into the United States Marine Corp., serving from January 1970 to January 1972. He then went to Drake University and earned his master’s degree. He moved to Tennessee and worked for the United States Postal Service.

John enjoyed doing leather work, bird watching, being out in nature, and working outside with his plants.

He is survived by his sisters, Sharon Miller of Boone and Debbie (Jim) Stephens of Johnston; along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, James Woodvine.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at the West Linn Cemetery, near Linden,.

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

1931-2024

Nancy Ann Turner, 92, of Linden, daughter of James “Bert” and Helen (Wasson) Kerr, was born Dec. 17,1931, in Panora. She passed away Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, at the Community Care Center, Stuart.

Nancy was a 1949 graduate of Panora High School. Upon completion of high school, she attended Mercy Nursing school in Des Moines until her marriage to Harold Turner. Nancy and Harold began their courtship after standing up for Harold’s older brother (Forrest) and Nancy’s cousin (Barbara) at their wedding. Nancy and Harold were married the following year on Aug. 11, 1951, at the Panora United Methodist Church. Close relatives did not believe the marriage would last, as they were both so darn stubborn.

After their marriage, Nancy moved to Georgia where Harold was stationed in the Army. When Harold was assigned overseas for the Korean War, Nancy moved back to Panora to live with her folks until Harold’s return and discharge from the army. Upon Harold’s discharge, they made their home on the family farm north of Linden. Nancy loved the farm life. She could be found tending large vegetable and flower gardens in the summer and canning produce to enjoy in the winter. There were always cookies and coffee available whenever anyone stopped by. She and Harold raised purebred Hereford cattle for many years and enjoyed going to cattle sales and shows. Nancy lived 72 years on the beloved family farm.

Besides farm work, Nancy also served as a school cook in Linden for several years in the 1960s, and, later in life, she worked several more years at the nursing home in Panora.

In retirement, Nancy had several hobbies that kept her busy, her favorite being quilting. She and her husband were fond of camping with friends and spending winters in Arizona during this time. They enjoyed 20 winters in Apache Junction, where they made many friends. They also loved to host their children and grandchildren over the holidays there.

Nancy was a member of the Iowa Hereford Auxiliary and the Linden United Methodist Church.

Nancy is survived by her son, Mike Turner of Panora; daughters, Kathy (Rick) Frees of Riverside and Karen (Jeff) Kennedy of Stuart; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold; and son, James.

Cremation has taken place. The family invites those who knew Nancy for an open house at the Linden Methodist Church on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, from 1-4 p.m. Twigg Funeral Home, Panora, is entrusted with her services.

Memorials may be directed to St. Croix Hospice.

1934-2024

Dorothy Maxine Kuper was born on March 21, 1934, in her family’s home near Ackley to John and Marie (Kannegieter) Kuper. Dorothy attended country school through the eighth grade. She then went to high school in town, graduating from Ackley High School in 1952. 

During the summers after high school, she worked in the Marshalltown Hospital as a nurse’s aide. Following high school, Dorothy enrolled in Ellsworth Junior College in Iowa Falls and graduated with a teaching degree in 1954. She taught her first year in a country school while living at home with her parents. She then moved to Sheffield where she taught third grade for two years.

During college, Dorothy was encouraged by a girlfriend to write letters to a young man, Clifford Leib, from Guthrie Center, who was encouraged by an Army buddy to write to her. They corresponded and met in person in Des Moines when Clifford was on leave before going to Germany to finish his stint in the Army. After Clifford came home in 1955, they continued to date, and on Feb. 10, 1957, Clifford proposed to Dorothy and she accepted. They went to a movie that night, and she spent a great deal of time admiring her engagement ring instead of watching the movie.

On the very warm evening of Sunday, Aug. 11, 1957, Miss Dorothy Kuper became the bride of Mr. Clifford Leib in Ackley at St. John’s United Church of Christ.

After the wedding, they made their home on a farm north of Guthrie Center. Dorothy taught third grade in the Guthrie Center Community School District for one year after which she focused her attention on their growing family. In June 1958, they welcomed their first daughter, Mary Ellen, and in June 1959, Ann Marie joined their family. Beth June followed in June 1962. In December of 1962, they moved up the road to the house that became their home for the next 46 years. In February 1967, Sara Jo arrived and completed their family. Clifford and Dorothy bought their current home on Oak Street in August 2007 on the very day their 50th Anniversary was celebrated. They moved to town in January 2008.

Dorothy was a stay-at-home mother for many years gardening, canning, sewing the girls many outfits and doing some substitute teaching along the way. She raised and sold broilers and eggs for many years also. That money helped pay for piano lessons for the girls. In the 1960s, she taught a preschool class during the summer for children with learning challenges. During the 1972-73 school year, she had a long-term substituting job. The following year, she began teaching at Tiger Tykes Preschool, which she did for 24 years followed by two years at Jack and Jill Preschool in Panora. She also taught basic life skills at Country View Estates for several years. She helped cook the evening meal at Guthrie Grove several summers and at the Bar-L Ranch one summer through the years.

As a devoted member and elder of the First United Presbyterian Church in Guthrie Center, Dorothy helped provide the family a faith foundation that is important to this day. She was involved with other organizations including the Seeley Creek Club, the Association for Retarded Children/Citizens, United Presbyterian Women (UPW), GCHS Band Parents, Valley Dreamers 4-H Club, Association of Churches, Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), Guthrie County Hospital Auxiliary and the local food pantry to name a few. She was honored to receive an Honorary 4-H Membership award at the 1989 Iowa 4-H State Conference in Ames. And in 1997, she was honored to receive a Hardee’s Hometown Hero award at the Iowa State Capitol after being selected by WHO Radio. Both Clifford and Dorothy were awarded a “Faithful Through the Years” award by the Presbytery of Des Moines in 2016. In 2018, Dorothy received the PW Purpose Award from the Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Des Moines.

In retirement, Dorothy and Clifford found joy in traveling to see family and friends across the United States. Being present for special events of grandchildren and supporting family and community continued to be important to Dorothy until recent health issues hindered her involvement.

A treasured family custom that began with the Kannegieter family, passed down to the Kuper family and Dorothy passed along to her own family is enjoying a cone or bowl of ice cream. Even when life gets challenging, it is always better with ice cream.

After a life very well lived and health challenges faced over the last six years, Dorothy passed away peacefully into the arms of her Heavenly Father on Sept. 16, 2024, at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center. She has been restored in the presence of her Lord and Savior.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Clifford; four daughters, Mary (Steve) Fogleman, Douglas, Arizona, Ann (Lewis) Polito, Hartford; Beth Leib (Lori Requist), Urbandale, and Sara (David) Hughes, New Virginia; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Isaac) Chavez, Stockton, California, Trevor Polito, Hartford, Brandon Polito, West Des Moines, Rebekah Fogleman, El Paso, Texas, Joshua Hughes (Jack Ave), Des Moines, and Jacob Hughes, New Virginia; and four great-grandchildren, Neva Rose, Kaylee Elise, Olivia Joy and Nathaniel John Chavez, Stockton, California, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by parents, John and Marie Kuper; siblings, Mildred (Lawrence) DeWalt, Kenneth (Annie) Kuper and Ruth (Bud) Murphy; niece, Debra (DeWalt) Peyton; nephews-in-law, Alois Vitasek and Craig Jensen; in-laws, Ottis and Ruth (Moreland) Leib, Roger and Rosemary Leib, Beverly and Max Uhlman, Joy and William Scarbrough; and nephew-in-law, Alvin Sheeder. 

Family members will be present for a visitation to be held on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 701 State St., Guthrie Center. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. also at the church with a luncheon following.

Memorials will be distributed at the discretion of the family.