1944-2026

Joyce Ann (Stephenson) Groom, 81, of Panora, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Her visitation will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2026, from 2-4 p.m. at Hendersons Funeral and Cremation Care in Des Moines. Her funeral service will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Hendersons Funeral and Cremation Care at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in the Des Moines Masonic Cemetery.

She was born on Sept. 3, 1944, in Adair to Wayne and Ruby (Tibben) Stephenson. Joyce grew up in Brayton and graduated from Exira High School in 1962. Shortly after graduation, she began working for the federal government at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. It was there that she met a young Marine, Richard “Dick” Groom. Their meeting quickly became family legend. Dick famously “put out her fire and lit her fire in one motion” when he rescued her after her hair caught fire while she leaned over a gas stove at a party. That unforgettable moment sparked a love story that would last a lifetime.

Joyce and Dick were united in marriage on May 25, 1963, beginning a partnership that spanned more than 62 years. Together, they were blessed with two sons, Richard “Rick” Jr. and Jon. The couple eventually made their home in Des Moines where they raised their family. Joyce was a devoted and involved mother, serving as a Cub Scouts Den Mother and supporting her boys in every endeavor. After holding several part-time positions, she began her long career with Northwestern Bell (now AT&T) in the early 1970s, where she served as National Account Executive until her retirement in 2006. In retirement, Joyce and Dick moved to Lake Panorama, a place that brought her great joy. She loved golfing, boating and, most of all, creating a fun, welcoming environment for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the heart of family gatherings, the true matriarch whose strength, warmth and steady presence shaped generations.

Joyce is survived by her devoted husband, Dick; her son, Jon (Carmen); her grandchildren, Richard “Rick” Groom III (Stephanie), Tanya Foster (Nick), Dallas Groom (Amanda) and Nathan; and her cherished great-grandchildren Mitch Foster, Kennedy Foster, Olivia Groom, Hattie Foster, Anna Groom, Nash Foster, Coen Foster and Asher Groom. She is also survived by her sisters, Janice Clark of Johnston and Jolene Schmidt (Rod) of Waukee, along with many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her eldest son, Richard “Rick” Jr.; and her brother-in-law, John Clark. Joyce’s legacy lives on in the family she loved fiercely and led faithfully. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

1952-2026

Darrell Carl Shook, 73, of Panora, died Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at home surrounded by his family, just as he wanted. 

Darrell was born in Guthrie Center to Carl and Lennie Shook on April 3, 1952. He graduated from Panora-Linden High School and was a lifelong resident of Guthrie County. 

A retired farmer, he had also worked for the City of Panora and Des Moines John Deere Works/Ankeny. He married Cindy Marchant in 1971. 

He was a member of Panora First Christian Church, Panora Lions, UAW Local 450, Road Runners Motorcycle Club and ROMEO’s (Retired Old Men Eating Out). He served and volunteered on many committees and boards in and around Guthrie County. 

He is survived by Cindy; daughter, Darnell (Glenn) Blacklock; son, J.R. (Terri) Shook; four grandchildren, Hannah, Noah, Liam and Sean; brothers-in-law, Chuck Varcoe and Craig Peterson; sister, Kathi Maben; and cousins, niece and nephews, plus good neighbors Clifford and Melissa Jensen. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his sisters, Joyce Varcoe and Lori Peterson. 

No services will be held now. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for June 7, 2026, at Panora First Christian Church. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Panora First Christian Church and Panora Public Library.

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

1934-2026

Patricia Norine Flynn Caslow, 91, died Thursday, Feb. 19 in Hudson, Illinois. She was born July 30, 1934, in Panora. Her parents were Edward Francis Flynn and Lillian Winifred Dudley Flynn.

Pat married her high school sweetheart, Dean Caslow, immediately after his return from a two-year Air Force tour in Japan. They had two children, David Dean and Dr. Kimila Sue Caslow Brown; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Pat skipped fourth grade and was valedictorian of her high school class. She graduated from Drake University with a degree in elementary education, and had a master’s degree from University of Illinois.

She taught elementary school for 53 years, mostly in special education.

Pat was proceeded in death by her parents, brother, husband, son and daughter.

Memorials may be made to one’s own choice.

1951-2026

Dennis Forest Kunkle, aged 74, was the son of Forest and Beverly (Sloss) Kunkle. He was born on Aug. 16, 1951, in Iowa and passed away Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center in Des Moines.

Denny graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1969, then earned his degree at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. On Aug. 22, 1970, he married his high school sweetheart, Pam Priestley, at the First Christian Church in Guthrie Center. The couple lived in Maryville while Dennis attended school, and, after graduating, they returned to Guthrie Center. Dennis and his father ran Central Motors, a car dealership in Guthrie Center. When the dealership closed, Dennis worked at NAPA in Guthrie Center before joining Guthrie County State Bank as a computer technician, where he remained until his retirement in 2016.

During his younger days, Dennis enjoyed golfing and won a few tournaments at the Panorama Golf Course during its early years before it had a clubhouse. He also served as Mayor of Guthrie Center for an impressive 36 years, from 1983 to 2019. Dennis cherished Guthrie Center and always maintained his youthful enthusiasm for driving around its streets to see what was happening.

Dennis was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church in Guthrie Center and spent many years volunteering with the Guthrie Center Fire Department.

He is survived by his wife, Pam Kunkle of Guthrie Center; his sons, Matthew (Kari) Kunkle of Corinth, Texas, and Mark Kunkle of Guthrie Center; four grandchildren, Zachary, Jake, Elizabeth and Austin; his brother, Doug (Vicki) Kunkle of Wichita Falls, Texas; and his sister, Debra (Joel) Hade of Indianola. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Dennis was cremated, and memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at the First Christian Church in Guthrie Center. Visitation is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, at Twigg Funeral Home in Guthrie Center. His cremains will be privately buried at Union Cemetery in Guthrie Center.

Memorial donations may be made to the Guthrie Center Christmas Lights fund, in care of Guthrie County State Bank — a beloved project Denny started with his city team more than three decades ago.

1940-2026

Jean Bireline, age 85 of Adair, died on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Exira Care Center in Exira. She was born Jean Annette Noland on March 16, 1940, at the Adair Hospital to Charles and Dora (Hall) Noland. She grew up on a farm south of Adair and attended schools in the Adair area and in 1957, was crowned the first ever FFA Sweetheart at the Adair High School. She would marry her high school sweetheart, James (Jim) Bireline on Nov. 23, 1957. Jean and Jim lived on the Bireline family farm in the “little house,” where they farmed in partnership with Jim’s parents for many years. In 1970 they moved to the “big house” where Jim and Jean raised their family and took over the farming operation. In addition to growing row crops, they fed and finished cattle for decades. Although Jean loved the cattle business, she complained that the feedlot was too close to the house and spent hours “swatting flies” to keep her home pristine as always. She and Jim remained on the family farm until a few years ago when they sold their home in the country to next-generation Birelines — Alex and Emma. The Bireline family farm will be a Heritage family farm in 2027, carrying on its proud family farming tradition.

Jean was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church until it closed, hosting Sunday noon family meals at her home after church for many years. She is currently a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Adair. Her passion was her family and the farm. She worked alongside Jim in the fields — disking, field-cultivating, chopping hay, driving tractors and grain carts, and combining. Son, Steve, claimed she was “one of the best grain cart operators around.” Later in life, she loved preparing meals and snacks to take to the field during spring planting and fall harvest. The Bireline farmers were amongst the few who “put on weight” during their busy season because Jean fed them so well.

Jean and Jim were avid Adair-Casey Bombers fans. They attended countless sporting events and other activities — enthusiastically cheering on their children and grandchildren. Jean was the family historian. She compiled every article and picture for every grandchild and lovingly created a scrapbook chronicling their school years, which she gifted to each of them at high school graduation.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, James Bireline; parents, Charles and Dora Noland; parents-in-law, Art and Emma Bireline; brother, Rex Noland; sisters-in-law, Connie Noland and Marilyn Chesnut; brothers-in-law, Neil Lundy and Ray Chesnut; niece, Melodie Rubel; great-nephew, Aaron Rubel; and great-niece, Stacey Carney.

She is survived by her sister, Sandra Lundy; children, Steve Bireline and wife, Tammy, Linda Mackrill and husband, Kurk, and Lori Westergaard, all of Adair; grandchildren, Wes and Jenny Mackrill of Waukee, Jason Huss and Amanda Bireline of Casey, Tracy Mackrill, Marcus and Stef (Bireline) Fagan, Chris and Tessa Bireline, Andrew and Rebecca Mackrill, all of Adair; Brett and Taylor Westergaard of Casey, Alex and Emma Bireline of Adair, Brett and Brenna (Westergaard) Trecker of Roselle, and Connor Westergaard of Ankeny. She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Cydney Shriver and husband, Eric, of Harlan; Saige Huss and fiancée, Dustin Engel, of Avoca; Hauper and Sayer Bireline-Huss of Casey; Monroe, Nixon and Lettie Fagan, Reu and Beau Bireline, Banks and Benson Bireline, all of Adair, Blaire Trecker of Roselle and Hank Westergaard of Casey; great-great-grandchildren, Ezra and Enzo Shriver and Reini Engel; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Jean was about to welcome two more great-grandchildren into the Bireline fold.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Adair with burial following at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery north Adar. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, from 5 p.m. till 7 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Adair with the family present.

Memorials can be made in her name and will be designated at a later date and can be left or mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

1928-2026

Mona Jean (McLuen) Sellman was born on Dec. 11, 1928, to John and Bessie (Dupuy) McLuen in Dale City, Guthrie County Iowa. She passed away on Feb. 17, 2026, at the New Homestead in Guthrie Center.

Mona grew up in the Dale City area until they moved to Guthrie Center once her dad became the first manager of the Guthrie REC. She attended Guthrie Center schools and graduated in 1946. Family enjoyed hearing stories of her years in school and playing girls 6-on-6 basketball. Her senior year, they played at the State Tournament at the Drake Field House and ended up fourth in the tournament. The story was also told that she had a suitor who came to all of her games that had fallen in love with her.  

She married that suitor, Ronald Sellman, on April 4, 1947, in the Kansas City area. To this union, three children were born. Mona and Ronnie lived in a few other places in the state but ended up most of their lives in Guthrie County, Iowa. Mona and Ronnie enjoyed planting big gardens so they could freeze food for the winter months. 

Mona worked many jobs as a farm hand, babysitter and in 1972 she started working as a home health aide. She started with New Opportunities, then Department of Human Services and finally Guthrie County Public Health. When she “retired” in 2004 from Guthrie County, she continued to work for Fiedler Home health in Scranton for three more years. She loved working with her “old folks” and helping them stay in their home as long as possible. There were many times some of her “old folks” were younger than she was, but she loved them and was so caring.  

She spent several years traveling with the Guthrie County State Bank Heritage Club with her traveling buddy, Neva Langgaard. They traveled the United States and shared so many laughs and good times. She enjoyed watching sporting events on TV and in person. She attended many Iowa Hawkeye Football games in Iowa City with friends and family, especially in the years when tickets were inexpensive. She attended her last one in her late 1980s with her three children at the coldest game in Hawkeye current history. Every year, both Mona and her family took the trek to the Iowa State Fair along with family and friends to enjoy all the fair had to offer along with her famous tailgate lunches. 

Mona was a member of the First Christian Church of Guthrie Center and was the financial secretary for the board and helped with many Harvest suppers. She was also a 50-year Eastern Star member of chapters in Guthrie Center and Linden. 

She celebrates her life with her children, Nick (Marilyn) Sellman of Stuart, Pam Rumelhart of Guthrie Center, and Jo (Ken) Rasmussen of Guthrie Center; grandchildren, Niel (Veronica) Sellman, Kristine Rogers, Tim (Jen) Rogers, Catherine Rogers, Joseph Rasmussen, Amanda Rasmussen and partner Brandon Schade, Chelsie Rumelhart, and Ben Sellman and partner Rachel Long; great grandchildren, Ashton (Gary) Blohm, Kaylee Sellman, Kierra Rogers, Kaden Rogers, Kinnick Rogers, Jaylynn Sellman, Coralynn Sellman, Theo Schade and Sam Schade; great-great grandchild, Eli Blake Blohm; and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Preceding her in death were her parents, parents in law, her one and only Ronald, brothers and sisters-in-law Don and Darlene McLuen and Wayne and Mildred McLuen, and two great grandchildren, Devon and Eli Sellman. 

Mona would tell us to not cry for her as she lived a very long life. We should celebrate her life with smiles and memories. At the end of the day, she would offer to pack up some of that food for us, tell us to go and take care of our families and remember her love for us. 

Funeral services will be Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at 2 p.m. at The First Christian Church in Guthrie Center with a visitation one hour prior to services. Interment will be at Morrisburg Cemetery in Stuart.