1963-2024

Janet Kay Baker, 60, daughter of Norman “Red” and Caryl (Anderson) Morrell, was born Dec. 13, 1963, in Perry. She passed away Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at her home near Linden.

Janet attended Panora-Linden schools. Following high school, she was employed at Sunny Fresh Foods in Panora and then Midland Tile in Redfield. In 2003, she went to work at United Brick and Tile in Adel. On May 13, 2005, she married Doug Baker in Adel. Following working for United Brick and Tile, she went to work for the United States Postal Service at the mail center in Clive. She retired from there in 2022.

Janet enjoyed mushroom hunting, canning, gardening, visiting the casinos, shopping and taking care of her family.

Janet is survived by her husband, Doug Baker of Linden; daughter, Amber Baker of Redfield; sons, Scot Baker of Adel, Trevor Baker of Redfield, J.R. (Ashley) Putney of Linden, and Chad Putney of Oakland, California; eight grandchildren, Nikki Baker, Sadie Spooner, Dylan Baker, Devyn Baker, Timothy Putney, Lydia Baker, Heimie, and Monte Todd; siblings, Cathy Morrell of Guthrie Center, Karen Barney of Utah, Thomas Morrell of Des Moines, and Susan Morrell of Guthrie Center. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Jim Morrell and Michael Morrell.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora. Burial will be in West Linn Cemetery, near Linden. Visitation will be Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

1954-2024

Laureen (Laurie) Beth Hansen was born Jan. 9, 1954, at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, to Harvey Dean Hansen and Sydna Alberta (Petty) Hansen. She grew up on a farm southeast of Perry. She spent an idyllic childhood playing with her brother, Brian, and her cousins, reading and riding horses.

Laurie graduated from Perry High School in 1972 and from Iowa State University in Food and Nutrition – Dietetics in 1976. She was a clinical dietitian at Iowa Lutheran Hospital, then Mercy Hospital Medical Center, becoming a certified NSP while there. She finished out her career at Iowa Heart Center in the Lipid Clinic.

In 1977, Richard Lee Mills and Laurie were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Perry. To this marriage was born Mark Lee Mills in 1983, Katherine Anne Mills in 1989, and Scott Richard Mills in 1991. Richard and Laurie spent their lives farming and raising cattle on their farm northwest of Redfield. Laurie never lost her passion for flower and vegetable gardening, traveling and riding horses. Her love of nature and all things that God created has been passed down to her children and her grandchildren. Laurie found new passions with her grandchildren like riding the Gator through the farm and pastures, picking up walnuts for Brian’s squirrels, feeding bread to the cows, reading books, planting and picking flowers, and teaching God’s Word. Most of all, her greatest passion was serving and loving others. She was a longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church in Adel.

Laurie was preceded in death by great-grandparents, Jerry and Kate Fredrichsen; grandparents, Carl and Emelia Hansen, and William and Sydna Petty; parents, Harvey and Alberta Hansen; and husband, Richard. She is survived by her children, Mark (Sarah), Katherine (Alan) Kent, and Scott (Taylor); grandchildren, Tate, Reese and Chloe Mills, Lily, Owen and Cole Kent, and Parker and Baker Mills; brother, Brian Hansen (Cindy); and many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends.

Laurie died on Feb. 1, 2024, surrounded by her children holding her hands. She fought a long, hard battle with ovarian cancer but ultimately won that battle and joined Jesus in Heaven.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, at Faith Lutheran Church in Adel. Funeral Service will take place at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at Faith Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in the West Linn Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family and will be split between Laurie’s favorite local charities, Faith Lutheran Church, ovarian cancer research, and ataxia research, unless specified.

1941-2024

Karen Kay Kraft Pierce, 82, beloved daughter of Dwight and Elvina (Petersen) Kraft, was born on Oct. 11, 1941, in Carroll. She peacefully passed away on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, at Taylor House in Des Moines.

Karen attended the Gardner Store country school in Audubon County for grades K-9 before graduating from Audubon High School in 1960. She was a loving mother to her two sons, Tim and Jon.

For 36 years, Karen dedicated her time and compassion as a certified nursing assistant at Guthrie County Hospital. She also selflessly volunteered for six years, driving the hospital van. Karen found immense joy in supporting her grandson’s activities and cherishing precious moments with her two great-grandsons. Showing her love through cooking meals for her family was one of her greatest joys. Family gatherings were always a delight, especially the fond memories of Christmas Eve at Grandma’s house, where they often played poker and Grandma seemed to win every year.

Karen held her family and friends dear to her heart. She possessed a selfless nature, always putting the needs of others before her own. Karen was known for her willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone who asked, and even to those who didn’t. She respected the privacy of others and was a patient teacher, whether it was guiding someone in the kitchen or imparting her knowledge on patient care at the hospital. Her absence will be deeply felt, but her legacy of compassion and service will continue to inspire.

Left to cherish her memory are her two sons, Tim (Christi) Pierce of Grimes, and Jon Pierce of West Des Moines; her grandson, Nathan (Amy) Pierce of Grimes; her two great-grandsons, Bennett (3) and Cameron (1); her sister, Connie (Randy) Steffen of Griswold; her niece, April Steffen (Tony Sorensen); her nephew, Blaine (Julie) Steffen; as well as great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Dwight and Elvina Kraft.

Karen’s wishes were to be cremated. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Guthrie County Hospital Foundation.

1969-2024

Sonja Leann “Louie” Hambleton, 54, daughter of Harley and Melba (Ray) Moore, was born May 2, 1969, in Des Moines. She passed away Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Sonja was raised in Carlisle with her five siblings. She graduated from Carlisle High School in 1987. She worked in banking and then went into annuities. She worked for DNA in Des Moines for about 10 years before going to work for Brokers International in early 2000s, where she continued to work as a marketing consultant up until her death. On July 20, 2002, she married Todd Hambleton at the First Christian Church in Guthrie Center. To this union, two children were born, Trent and Zoey. They made their home north of Guthrie Center.

Sonja enjoyed golfing, playing slow pitch softball with her sisters and playing cards. She was very competitive in all she did. She enjoyed watching her children in their sporting events and Zoey in her dance competitions and recitals. She was a “Dance Mom.” She loved her Busch Lights, watching her movies and hanging out at home. She also looked forward to Black Friday Shopping and loved her cats.

Sonja is survived by her husband, Todd, son, Trent, and daughter, Zoey, all of Guthrie Center; sister, Kim (John) Cataldo of Carlisle; brother, Harley Scott (Stephanie) Moore of Overland Park, Kansas; mother-in-law, Barb Hambleton of Guthrie Center; sisters-in-law, Tracy (Corey) Welberg of Panora and Kelli (Dave) Lemke of Guthrie Center; along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; father-in-law, John Hambleton; and her three sisters, Rhonda Hook, Pam Vitiritto and ArLynn Baber.

Cremation has taken place, and visitation will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, from noon until 2 p.m. followed by a short service and then a luncheon at the Lake Panorama Conference Center, Panora.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

Services entrusted to Twigg Funeral Home, Panora.

1939-2024

Lou Ann Huggins, 84, daughter of Roy and Muree (Miller) Ahrens, was born Dec. 24, 1939, in Sac City. She passed away Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 at the New Homestead in Guthrie Center.

Lou Ann graduated from Osceola High School in 1958. On May 31, 1958, she married Donald Huggins in Osceola. They made their home for a short time in Osceola. They then lived in several communities around Panora until 1977, when they moved to Missouri. Lou Ann worked as a CNA for many years before retiring in 1989. In 1990, they moved to Panora, and on April 1, 1991, they opened up Don’s Bait & Tackle Shop and operated this for the next 11 years.

Lou Ann enjoyed being with her family, especially her grandchildren, working with the public at the bait shop, doing puzzle books, going on Branson trips in the summer and watching the Kansas City Chiefs football and St. Louis Cardinals baseball games.

Lou Ann is survived by her daughter, Kim Huggins of Panora; sons, Steve Huggins of Forsyth, Missouri, and Jeff (Linda) Huggins of Guthrie Center; 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Cindy Huggins; sister, Kay (Dennis) Chaney of Osceola; and sisters-in-law, Marilyn Ahrens, Wanda Chase, Joanne Huggins, and Sandra Huggins; along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; sons, Kelly and Kevin; granddaughters, Emily Mae and Taylor; great-granddaughter, London Ann; and brothers, Don and his wife Doris, and Pete.

Funeral services were at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora. Burial in the West Linn Cemetery, near Linden. Visitation was one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.

Memorials may be left to the family.

1934-2024

William John “Bill” Weddingfeld, 89, son of William and Frances (Brandt) Weddingfeld, was born Jan. 18, 1934, in Pender, Nebraska. He passed away Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, at the New Homestead in Guthrie Center, three days short of his 90th birthday.

Bill graduated from Pender High School in 1952. He then received his B.A. degree in education from Wayne State College in 1958 and then his M.S. degree in secondary administration from Northern Colorado University in 1963.  Bill also took advanced classes in education at the University of Nebraska, Omaha.  

Bill was an United States Army veteran, serving from 1954 until 1956. He was a member of the Frank Grubb American Legion Post No. 372, Panora. On Aug. 18, 1957, he married Paula Jean Fowler in Omaha, Nebraska. Paula passed away after complications following surgery on Jan. 13, 1967. On Oct. 28, 1967, Bill married Shirley Sue Sundermann.   

Bill served as a classroom teacher, coach, high school principal and superintendent for a total of 37 years devoted to education, retiring in 1995. He served on the Iowa High School Athletic Association, and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Representative Councils. He was a member of Iowa School Administrators and the American School Administrators.

Bill was a member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Panora and served as president of the congregation for several years.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Shirley Sue Weddingfeld, of Panora; daughters, Lisa Ann Longwell Prendergast (Terry) of Omaha, Nebraska; Susan Marie Jensen (Brent) of Bellevue, Nebraska; and son, Michael John Weddingfeld (Shelley) of Ankeny; five grandchildren, Jeremy Alan (Nicole) Longwell, Riley Marie and Maci Jae Jensen, and Caden John and Ashton Michael Weddingfeld; two great-granddaughters, Vivienne Marie Longwell and Ella Dee Longwell; along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Paula; sisters, Myra, Genene, Betty, Violet and Madeline; and brothers, Merlyn and Wilbur.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Panora. Burial will be in the West Cemetery, Panora. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

 Services entrusted to Twigg Funeral Home, Panora.