1940-2024

Judith “Judy” Darlene Nelson, aged 83, passed away peacefully at Pine Acres Facility on Monday Aug. 5, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Judy was born Nov. 10, 1940, in Knoxville. After graduating, she began a career with many talents. She spent her years waitressing, owning bars in several locations, and obtaining her CDL certification. One of Judy’s greatest achievements and hardest work was redesigning and operating the Hudson House in Panora. 

Her greatest joys were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In her free time, Judy enjoyed watching sports and crafting: painting, knitting and sewing. She loved to be in her flower garden at Pine Acres. It was joy, not work, for her. Judy was also known for her quick wit. She was an active member at the West Des Moines Christian Church and of the community. 

Those left to cherish her memory are Deb and Joe Milewsky of McGregor and her sons Michael (Bonnie) and Mitch (Josh) Ryan; Denise and Lon Seemann of Woodward and their children Brock Seemann with his sons Karter and Klayton and Brittany (Jordan) Allsup with their daughters Harper and Hadley; and Cozy and Rod Nelsen of Guthrie Center with their children Kennedy (fiancé Hudy), Jazlyn, and Noah Nelsen. Additional loved ones entrusted to honor her memories are many cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Proceeded in death by her mother, Margaret; stepfather, Orlin; brother, Bud Headrick; and sister, Linda Vestal. 

A funeral service will be held for family and friends on Saturday Aug. 10, at 11 a.m. with an hour visitation prior at the West Des Moines Christian Church (4501 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines). Her final resting place will be the Liberty Cemetery north of Woodward. Memorial contributions can be directed to the family in Judy’s honor.

The family would also like to thank the staff at Pine Acres for their love and care of Judy these past years.

1924-2024

Mamie Barr Hafner, 99 years and 11 months, was the youngest child of Samuel and Zada (McMerty) Barr. She was born Sept. 2, 1924, in rural Clark County.  She passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Community Care Center in Stuart.

Mamie went to country school in rural Clark County and attended high school in Osceola. On Aug. 6, 1942, Mamie married Dwight Hafner at the Jamboree Celebration in Murray. To this union, four children were born. Dwight and Mamie were in North Carolina while Dwight was in the Army. They moved back to Iowa and farmed with family in rural Guthrie County. In 1948, they bought a farm southeast of Panora where they farmed, milked cows and sold Grade A milk until 1979 when they built their house in Stuart.

Mamie enjoyed gardening and the many flowers she planted around the house. Inside, Mamie enjoyed sewing, making quilts, and rag rugs, anything to keep busy. She and Dwight always worked together after their retirement from the farm until he passed in 2014. Mamie moved to the Stuart Community Care Center in November 2017.

Mamie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dwight, of 72 years; two sisters; a brother; son-in-law, Walter Craft; and grandson-in-law, Reggie Koop.

Mamie is survived by her children, Ernie (Nancy) of Fairfax, Missouri; Derald (Margot) of Franklinton, North Carolina; Earl (Ronda) of Panora; and Gail Craft of Mineral City, Virginia. Mamie was blessed with 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Mamie will be missed by family and friends.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora. Burial will be in Morrisburg Cemetery, rural Stuart. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.

1945-2024

Peggy Kay Simmer, 79, of Rock Island, Illinois, died Friday, July 19, 2024, at Silver Cross Pavilion at Friendship Manor. A funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 26, 2024, at St. James Lutheran Church, 3145 31st Avenue, Rock Island. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island. Cremation will take place following the funeral service. Memorials may be made in care of JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).

Peggy was born in Jefferson on May 3, 1945, the daughter of Keith and Dorothy Schoonover Brutsche. She married Larry L. Simmer on Jan. 15, 1963, in Guthrie Center. 

Peggy retired after years of clerical work for Herman’s Hosiery, Montgomery Elevator, John Deere and Company and Simmer Chiropractic. 

She was an active member at St. James Lutheran Church, Rock Island. She enjoyed reading, hunting with family, attending as many of her grandchildren’s events as possible and gatherings with family and friends.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Larry Simmer, Rock Island; sons, Rodney (Jill) Simmer and their children, Austin, Lauren, Rachel and Hannah, L. Scott (Jeanine) Simmer and their children, Jared (Kelcy), Kelan, Drew, Malerie, Sam and Seth and Todd (Angela) Simmer and their children, Seth and Cole; great-grandchildren, Ila, Kayden and Remi; and sister, Carol (Gerald) Schlieman, Granger.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Online condolences, memories and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com

1956-2024

Craig Allen Wedemeyer, age 67, of Adair, passed away on Friday, July 12, 2024, at Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s Specialty Care Center in Urbandale.

Craig Allen Wedemeyer was born in Audubon on Sept. 21, 1956, to Leland and Marjorie (Frederick) Wedemeyer of rural Audubon County. He was their second child. Ten years later, a third son, Alan Dean “AJ” Wedemeyer, was added to the family.

Craig grew up with a love for all things mechanical and had hoped to own his own semi one day.

During his senior year of high school, he worked as the night manager for the Happy Chef Restaurant in Adair and gradually added working for Keith Gilliland at the Standard Station next door to the restaurant.

Craig graduated from Anita High School in 1975 and continued working for Keith until the business was sold to Ben Morris. The business became known as Morris I-80 Standard. He worked long and late hours for Morris, taking technical training at DMACC and was a fully certified ASE mechanic. His love was really for the towing (wrecker) business.

In March 1981, Craig was called out to tow in a drunk driver. This call would change the rest of his life. This is where he would meet his future wife, Brenda. It was love at first sight for both. (Note: Brenda was NOT the drunk driver!) They would share this story of how they “met by accident” many times through the years.

Craig and Brenda Lee (Deschler) were united in marriage a year later, on March 6, 1982. To this union, one son, Timothy John, was born. Tim would be the driving force behind his dad’s realization of the dream to one day own his own trucks.

A favorite story from the shop was the day an unknown contractor driving on Interstate 80 inadvertently dropped a case of nails on the highway. This began a mad rush in the shop as car after car pulled in to get their tires patched or put on new tires. As Craig told it: “You should’ve seen it! We were out there running every air hose we had changing or patching tires!”

Craig was always proud of the work he did in conjunction with the Iowa State Patrol, from taking gas out to stranded motorists (boring, but part of the job!) to accident recovery. He had a camaraderie with the officers that was much appreciated. After these instances, there was always a fresh, hot cup of coffee waiting back at the station and, occasionally, homemade chili made by his wife, Brenda.

We would be remiss not to mention his love for cats! They were ALL named “Fred,” even the females. 

Craig also greatly enjoyed his three terms serving on the Adair City Council and had a hand in the new Adair Community Center building project.

Craig was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents and his brother, Mark, who died in infancy.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda; his son, Timothy John, Tim’s wife, Amanda, and their children Emmett, Violet, and Cooper; his brother, “AJ” and his wife, Annette; niece, Rachel Wedemeyer, and nephew, David Wedemeyer; his mother-in-law, Norita Gour; and “Fred.”

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at the Adair Community Building. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, and a luncheon will follow the service.

Interment will be held at Sunnyhill Cemetery following the luncheon.

Memorials may be directed to the Craig Wedemeyer Family, to be designated later to many of his favorite local organizations and charities. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

Services are handled with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Adair.

1947-2024

Karen Kay Nemitz was born on June 11, 1947, in Menlo, the daughter of Edward and Jennie (Miller) Avey. She graduated from Guthrie Center High School. Karen devoted most of her adulthood to working as a bookkeeper and legal assistant for various accountants and lawyers.

Throughout her life, Karen touched the hearts of those around her with her kindness, wisdom and gentle spirit. Her dedication to her family was unwavering, and she leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. She had a keen interest in spending quality time with her friends and her family, especially her grandchildren. Karen was an avid reader and enjoyed a good movie.

Karen actively worked and volunteered for Our Savior Lutheran Church and Gracewell-Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison. Her commitment to helping others and making a positive impact on those around her was admirable. Karen will always be remembered for her laugh and her radiant smile that had the power to brighten up any room she entered. She had an ability to spread joy and positivity wherever she went, touching the hearts of everyone she met.

Karen passed away suddenly on Monday, June 24, 2024, at her home in Denison attaining the age of 77 years and 13 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Doug Hummel; brother, Norman Avey; and sisters, Carol Lebeck and Connie Avey.

She is survived by her son, Luke Long, and his wife, Cheri, and their children, Oliver and Eleanor Long, all of Omaha, Nebraska; Doug’s children: Ashley Kempf (Hummel) and her husband, Mitchell, of Jamaica and Cole Hummel of Des Moines; brother, Lyle Avey and his wife, Karen, of Lubbock, Texas; sister, Pat Cisler of Centerville; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Graveside Services were held 11 a.m., Monday, July 1, 2024, at Union Cemetery in Guthrie Center with Rev. Steven Daiker officiating. Following the service, the family invited everyone to the United Methodist Church for a time of fellowship and lunch. Services were provided by the Huebner Funeral Home in Denison.

1947-2024

Margie Irene Readinger, 76, of Bettendorf, passed away Sunday, April 7, 2024, at the Summit of Bettendorf. Her body has been cremated. A graveside memorial service will be held July 12, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Monteith Cemetery southeast of Guthrie Center. A luncheon will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Guthrie Center, after the service. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Margie was born July 12, 1947, in Adair, to Victor Wayne and (Edith) Marie (Heckman) Readinger. She graduated in 1965 from Guthrie Center High School and then attended Grand View Junior College in Des Moines.

In her sophomore year, she transferred to Central College, Pella. She spent her senior year at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France; she received graduation diplomas from both the Sorbonne and Central College.

Margie retired from the Guthrie Center Schools after 40 years of dedicated service in the school libraries. She enjoyed living on the family farm where she helped with the garden, assisted with the animals, and loved walking down the road on beautiful sunny days. Margie also kept busy with quilting, creating Swedish hearts decorations, reading books/magazines, memorizing poetry, and music. She gave loving care to her mother in her mother’s final years. While enjoying living at the Summit for two and a half years, caretakers and other residents always remarked about her lovely smile.

Margie was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Marie; her brother, Keith, and sister, Colene Wrzesinski. Survivors include her sister, Cathy Gomez, Bettendorf; niece, Jennifer Hug, Woodlawn, Illinois; nephews, James Wrzesinski (Shana), Centralia, Illinois, Jeffrey Wrzensinski, Radom, Illinois, and Jorge (Tres) Gomez III (Kari) of Bettendorf. She is also survived by three grand-nephews, six grand-nieces, one great grand-nephew, and two step grand-nephews. In addition, she is survived by a special aunt, Ruby Anderson of Des Moines, and many, many cousins.

Margie’s family thanks God for blessing them by having Margie in their lives.