1934-2024

Joan Kathryn Staver, 89, daughter of William and Agnes (Lynch) Breitbach, was born on Sept. 30, 1934, in Bankston. She entered into Eternal Rest on Saturday, April 6, 2024, in her home at Lakeside Village, Panora.

Joan graduated from high school in 1952 in Bankston. She moved to Dubuque, where she met Donald Joseph Staver; they married on June 23, 1956. They raised a family of five children. In 1991, they retired to Lake Panorama in Panora.

Her greatest joys were family and faith. She loved hosting family gatherings, spending time with friends, playing golf, games and euchre, and traveling.

Joan is survived by her daughters, Kathy (Don) Berryman, Lynn (Dave) Breitbach, Donna (Steve) Brody, Laurie (Jim) Knight, and son, Donald (Jenny) Staver, Jr; 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.  She is also survived by three of her seven siblings, Rose (Fran) Brune, Dorie (Wayne) Dodds and William (Jeanne) Breitbach.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Joseph Staver, and four of her siblings: Jim Breitbach, Ramona Kluesner, Edward Breitbach and Thomas Breitbach.

Memorial Mass services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Panora, with visitation starting at 10 a.m. A luncheon will follow the services at the church. Burial of her urn will take place in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for the loving care provided by Lakeside Village and Hospice of the Midwest, the faithful guidance of Father Higgins of St. Cecelia Catholic Church, and the overwhelming support of family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics Iowa at website: www.soiowa.org

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

1989-2024

Jacob Miller, age 34, of Panora died on Jan. 31, 2024, at the Gulf Coast Medical Center in Panama City, Florida.

Jacob was born on Sept. 7, 1989, to Scott and Sherri Miller in Des Moines. Jacob was a 2008 graduate of Perry High School and attended the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs and Iowa State University.

He loved sharing his passion for basketball with coaching in Des Moines and pickup games with his nephew, Lincoln. He especially loved teaching finer points of the golf game and swimming to Lincoln and was looking forward to doing the same with his nieces, Ellie and Rylee. He loved his Iowa Hawkeyes and Green Bay Packers, and he also loved to argue with anyone who wasn’t a fan of these two teams!

Jacob is survived by parents, Scott and Sherri Miller; brothers, Eric (Darcy) Miller and Josef (Kayla) Miller; brother-in-law, Matt Bryan; nephew, Lincoln; and nieces, Ellie and Rylee.

Jacob was preceded in death by his sister, Sarah Bryan; and his grandparents, Joan and Warren Miller, Jimmy Miller and Carol Sprott.

A Celebration of Life will be held on April 20, 2024, at the Perry Golf and Country Club, from 2-4 p.m.

Memorials can be made directly to the family, University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City (he loved that wave!) or Tori’s Angels.

Online condolences can be given at www.caldwellparrish.com.

1927-2024

Marilyn (Molly) Jane Gerlich, 96, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2024, at the New Homestead in Guthrie Center. She was the daughter of Paul and Gladys Adams and was born April 22, 1927, in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Molly graduated from Galena High School in Galena, Illinois, in 1945.

On June 10, 1946, Molly was united in marriage to Irvin Gerlich in their hometown of Galena. To this union, five children were born. In 1964, The Gerlich family moved to West Des Moines. Molly was a homemaker and loving mother, always placing the needs and happiness of her children and family above her own. After Irv’s retirement, the couple moved to Lake Panorama where they made their home in 1979. They developed Boulder Cove Colony and Clover Ridge, then leased Lake Panorama National Golf Course to construct the Conference Center. Before his passing in 1997, Molly and Irv made significant contributions to the foundation of what Lake Panorama is today.

At age 78 and while at a 60th class reunion, Molly reunited with her childhood friend, Jim Hartman. Their friendship grew, and they were married on Dec. 31, 2005. They lived at Lake Panorama and then moved to a retirement community in West Des Moines for 12 years until Jim’s death in 2018.

Molly is survived by her son, Jay (Karen) Gerlich of Panora; daughter, Jule (Ted) Reynolds of Des Moines; daughter, Lonna (Kevin) Nauman of Panora; son-in-law Stan (Kim) Thornberry; special nieces Ellen (Dave) Elliott, Jane (Bob) Frazier; and nephews Jack (Jackie) Lickes and Keith (Donna) Gerlich; her deeply loved eight grandchildren, Ann Stutler, Curt Thornberry, Maggie Armstrong, Mari Brown, Erin Gerlich, Adam Reynolds, Liz Ratcliff and Wyatt Nauman; nine great-grandchildren; and her amazing life-long friends, Norma Clegg and Marilee Rice.

She was proceeded in death by her parents; her husband, Irv Gerlich; infant daughter, Lora Lee; daughter, Lynn Thornberry; second husband, Jim Hartman; sister, Carmen; and brother, Jack.

Molly was very active and enjoyed life to the fullest. There was seldom an empty day on her calendar. She loved dancing, big band music, golf, bridge and many long-lasting friendships. She was a member of PEO Chapter BY, Questers, United Methodist Church, and Lake Panorama Women’s Golf League.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Friday, April 12, 2024, at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Brethren Cemetery, Panora.

Memorial contributions can be made in Molly’s memory to the Panora United Methodist Church.

1925-2024

Wilma Doris Shelley Horman, 99, died Sunday, March 24, 2024, at the New Homestead Care Facility in Guthrie Center.

She was born Feb. 6, 1925, at her parents’ farm home near Booneville in Madison County.

She was the fifth of 12 children born to Allison Glenwood and Mable Hessie Hadley Shelley. Her family moved to rural Menlo in Guthrie County when she was 3 years old, and she received her education at a rural country school until she finished eighth grade. Her religious education was in the Quaker Faith.

As a teenager, she went to Takoma Park, Maryland, to live with her sister, Neva, and family. While there, she met Harry F. Horman, who was working there after serving in the military. They moved to Iowa in 1946.

Preceding her in death were her children, Mable Alice (Richard) Clark, John Roger Hormann and Michael “Mickey” Gilbert Hormann; grandson, Allison “Willie” Wilhelm Hormann; sisters: Neva Stearns, Evelyn Landon, Erma Aswegan, Carol Tharp and Martha Shelley; brothers: Dale Shelley, Dean Shelley, Paul Shelley and Allan Claire Shelley.

Survivors include daughters, Carol Ann (Dennis) Davis and Judith Marie (Bob) Zimmerline; son, Allan Harry (Darleen) Hormann and daughter-in-law Corine Hormann; grandchildren, Shelley (Tim) Payne, John (Raquel) Downing; Jim (Tammy) Zimmerline, Shawn (Wayne) Peterson, Gordon (Carrie) Clark, Jami (Kevin) Rafter, Jacob (Stephanie) Hormann, Melissa Grycan, Korissa Hormann, Kayleigh Hormann, Elias (Kimberley) Hormann; sisters, Ruth Camerson and Esther Kelley; sister-in-law, Vera Shelley; several great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, numerous relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 12-4 p.m. at the 100F Lodge Hall, 121 North Gaines, Stuart.

1935-2024

Iva Joan Pottroff, known affectionately as Joan by all who knew her, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2024, in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Born on July 13, 1935, in Linden to the late Jennie Parton Knapp and Carl Knapp, Joan’s journey through life was marked by a deep-seated love for her family.

Joan spent her formative years in Iowa, where she attended high school before venturing into her career as an airline ticket agent. This was not just a job but a gateway to the world. Joan’s passion for travel was ignited during this time, and she delighted in using her travel vouchers to explore new places. One of her most cherished recollections was taking her brother, Joe, who predeceased her, on a trip after his military service, a testament to her caring nature and the special bond they shared.

Joan’s family was her pride and joy. She was a loving sister to Joseph (Audrey) Knapp (deceased), Dorothea Wristen of Arizona and George (Judy) Knapp Panora. Though her marriage to her first spouse, Eldon Enyart, ended in divorce, it blessed her with two devoted children, Carla Enyart Luallin (David) of Sierra Vista, Arizona, and John Enyart (Tina) of Punta Gorda, Florida. Her legacy continued with her adored grandchildren, Jan Spevack, John Spevack, Brandon Enyart and Eric Enyart (Angela), and her cherished great-grandchildren, Aubrie Adams, Angel Gibson, Citori Spevack, Jacob and Sarah, all of whom brought immense joy into her life. Joan’s family circle expanded with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren who came into her life when her daughter Carla married David Luallin.

In her retirement from Equitable, Joan found pleasure in simpler joys. She had a knack for finding treasures in thrift shops, garage sales and dollar stores. She was known for ensuring that her grandkids and great-grandkids were always well-dressed and had all the accessories they needed. At her home and later her residence at Lakeside Village, she enjoyed when family and friends visited.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents; her brother, Joe Knapp; and her spouse, Clifford Pottroff. Joan’s legacy of love, kindness and the joy she found in life’s simple pleasures will continue to live on through her family and all who knew her.

Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 8, 2024, at West Linn Cemetery, near Linden. Visitation will be Sunday, April 7, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to any local hospice locations. The hospice care givers both at Lakeside Village and Valor Hospice of Sierra Vista, Arizona, made a huge difference to her and her family would like to see that available to others in need.

1933-2024        

Lola Jean “Jean” Gibson, 91, daughter of Preston and Letha (Logsdon) Spillers, was born Jan. 13, 1933, in Des Moines. She passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at UnityPoint Health – Methodist West Hospital, West Des Moines.

Jean met her future husband, Charles “Dick” Gibson, in the fourth grade, and from that day forward, knew they were meant for each other. Jean graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1951. She went on to graduate from the Iowa Teachers College after two years. On May 15, 1953, she married Charles “Dick” Gibson at the Presbyterian Church in Guthrie Center. Jean and Dick had four children together and fostered 59 infants and 10 older children. After Dick’s military service in Bermuda, the Gibson family moved around Iowa, eventually settling in Clive until 1974, when they moved to the family farm in Dallas County near Linden. In 2018, they moved into Linden from the farm.

Jean enjoyed attending her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s events, knitting and making dish cloths, researching family history, and watching her soaps and game shows. She was an avid Chicago Cubs and Iowa State Cyclones fan and loved cribbage, bingo, going to the casino, family reunions and getting everyone together to take a picture.

Jean was a member of the Linden United Methodist Church, where she volunteered for many activities and functions. She was also a very involved member of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as secretary, treasurer and was a past Worthy Matron.

Jean is survived by her children, Linda (Mark) McQuistan of Clermont, Florida; Douglas (Julie) Gibson of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Luann “Dee” (Randy) Olson of Linden; Dennis (Darla) Gibson of Adel; special foster daughter, Mary Ann Killin; and nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dick; great-grandson, Nolan Wilson; and sister, Jane Simon.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Monday, April 8, 2024, at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora. Burial will be in West Linn Cemetery, near Linden. Visitation will be Sunday, April 7, 2024, from noon until 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Unity Point Hospice, Jefferson, or the Eastern Star of Panora.