1937-2024

Theodore Eric Erickson, 86, son of Eric and Dorothy (Morlan) Erickson, was born April 21, 1937, in Des Moines. He passed away Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lakeside Village, Panora.

Ted graduated from Des Moines Lincoln High School in 1955, where he played baseball, basketball and football. He married his high school sweetheart, Elaine, and three children were born to this union. They later divorced. Ted worked as a barber for more than 30 years on the south side of Des Moines. He also was a high school basketball and football official for more than 20 years. On Aug. 15, 1970, he married Janet Lee Dorsett (Monroe) in Des Moines. They made their home in Des Moines before moving to Lake Panorama in 1973.

Ted served six years on the Lake Panorama Association Board where he was a vice president, served on the Guthrie County Hospital Board, Lake Panorama Water Board, was a Lake Panorama Chairman, and volunteered at Timber Creek Charities in rural Guthrie Center. In July of 1999, Ted started working for Brokers International as a corporate driver for many years.

Ted enjoyed traveling, golfing and was an avid Hawkeye fan.

Ted is survived by his children, Ted (Cindy) Erickson, Kim (Lynn) Clayton, and Kathy (Mike) Woods, all of Des Moines; step-sons, Bill (Denise) Dorsett and Brian (Beth) Dorsett, both of Panora; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janet; and sister, Jean Porner.

Per his wishes, cremation will take place and no services will be held. Burial of his cremains will be in the Brethren Cemetery, Panora.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to Timber Creek Charities, Panora EMS, or the Panora Fire Department.

The family would like to thank the staff at Lakeside Village and the nurses with UnityPoint Hospice for the wonderful care they provided to Ted.

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

1948-2024

Joan Ann Miller, 76, daughter of Folmer and Frances (Andersen) Walters, was born Feb. 28, 1948, in Carroll. She passed away Sunday, March 10, 2024, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, Des Moines.

Joan was baptized June 27, 1948, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Audubon. She attended rural school then when they moved into Audubon, attended high school there, graduating in 1966.

After graduating, she met her husband, Gary Lee Miller, and they were married Sept. 23, 1967, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. They moved to Guthrie County, having Michelle in 1968, and in 1972 bought a farm and having Jill in 1973 and residing there until till their deaths.

Joan did various jobs throughout her married life, ending her last job for 21 years as being self-employed so as to be able to help her husband on the farm when needed. She loved farm life.

Joan was a member of the First Christian Church in Guthrie Center. She had a love for the outdoors, going camping, swimming and hiking, but her favorite was her horse riding and showing. She passed this on to her girls and grandchildren, spending good times with them showing at IASC and trail-riding as a great family sport. Her dogs and cats were also a big part of her family as anyone who knew her would agree. She was active in 4-H and taught dog obedience classes for 10 years and also announced for the 4-H Horse Show for many years. But her greatest love was for her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gary; sister, Kathy Boust; brother-in-law, Bill Boust; and sister-in-law, Delores Walters.

Joan is survived by her daughters, Michelle Kay (Kevin) Heckman and Jill Mary (John) Thompson; grandchildren, Chris (Carly) Heckman, Colton Heckman, Clairissa Thompson, Katelyn Thompson, and Kaden Thompson; and great-granddaughter, Lainey Ann Heckman, all of Guthrie Center; brother, Gary (Sandy) Walters of Atlantic; sister, Judy (Gary) Duffield of Fort Dodge; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Union Cemetery, Guthrie Center. Joan’s wishes were for those attending the graveside service to bring one of their favorite flowers to place on her grave, if you wish. Following the graveside services, a celebration of life and luncheon will be held at the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall, Guthrie Center.

Twigg Funeral Homes is entrusted with her services.

1926-2024

Jeanette R. Wetzel, age 97, of Bayard, passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the United Methodist Church in Bayard with Carolyn Schwartz officiating. Organist for the service will be Martha Wolf. Casket bearers will be Jennifer Maskel, Nisa Newgard, Erin Kossow, Julie Wilson, Laura Tesch and Molly Wetzel. Honorary casket bearers will be Matthew Wetzel, Eric Wetzel, Luke Wetzel, Brett Wetzel, Nicholas Wetzel and Paul Wetzel. Burial will be in the Highland Township Cemetery near Bayard.

Visitation will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids from 5-7 p.m. on Friday.  The casket will be moved to the United Methodist Church in Bayard at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday where visitation will resume until 10:15 a.m. prior to the service.

Memorials are suggested to the Bayard United Methodist Church.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids, and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com  

Jeanette was born on May 16, 1926, near Bayard. After graduating from high school in 1943, she attended Iowa State Teachers College until certified to teach country school. She taught for two years until her marriage to Albert Wetzel on Sept. 22, 1946. She lived more than 77 years in the same home, raised four children and assisted in farming. Jeanette also lived her entire life within three miles of her birthplace. After retirement, she and Albert traveled, visited children and grandchildren, and continued to be active in the Bayard United Methodist Church, a church she attended all her life. She lived an independent life in her home, which was her desire and for which we are most grateful. Her farm legacy is a part of all of us.

Jeanette is survived by her two sons and their families: Jim Wetzel (Linda) of Olathe, Kansas, and Steve Wetzel (Ly Bibiana) of Bradenton, Florida; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, Maurice Nielsen (Marylin) of Mukwonago, Wisconsin; two daughters-in-law, Bonnie Wetzel of Cedar Falls, and Sue Wetzel of Fleming, Florida; a brother, Philip Miller of Waterloo; and other extended family members.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Wetzel; her daughter, Linda Nielsen; her son, David Wetzel; her parents, Clive and Jennie Miller; and a brother, Wayne Miller.

William Edward Littler III, 68, of Adair, passed away Saturday, March 2, at his home in Adair, surrounded by family.

Bill was born May 29, 1955, in Greenfield, the son of W. E. Littler Jr. and Joanne Johnson Littler. He graduated from Adair-Casey High School in 1973.

Bill started work for his parents at The Adair News at a young age and became a full-time employee at the newspaper in 1973, learning the Linotype and hand-fed presses. He continued working until his death. Bill spent a lot of time behind a camera at school and community events but especially liked to photograph his kids and grandkids.

On June 1, 1974, he married Connie Jo Carritt at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manilla. This union was blessed with four children: William Edward IV, Ella Maria, Andrew Joseph and Benjamin Thomas. Bill and Connie would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June this year.

In 1991, Bill and Connie purchased The Adair News from his parents. The paper has been in the family since 1937. He served as publisher of the paper from 1991 until his death and enjoyed writing his “Seems to Me” column.

Littler was active in the community. He was a member and past president of the Adair Chamber of Commerce; a member of RIADA, Inc.; member of the Iowa Newspaper Association; member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; member and past president of the Southwest Iowa EMS Association; and past president of Adair County Fire and EMS.

He was named Adair’s Citizen of the Year in 1988 and again in 2005. In 2022, Bill and Connie were named “Master Editor-Publisher” by the Iowa Newspaper Association.

He served his community for 35 years as a member of Adair Fire and Rescue, joining the department in 1979 and retiring in 2014, and held various positions during those 35 years. He became an EMT in 1980 and took on the role of Ambulance Captain for more than 30 years. He received his EMT-I certification in 1992 and his Paramedic certification in 2005. To his closest EMS friends, he was referred to as “Doc.”

Survivors include his loving wife Connie; children, Bill (Amy) Littler, Andy (Suzi) Littler and Ben Littler; grandchildren, Bryce (Chelsea) Littler, Brock Littler (Cloe Hoyt), Becca Littler, Madden Littler, and Caden Littler; sisters, Mary Beth (Kevin) Petty and Diane Littler; brother-in-law, Ray (Mary) Carritt; sister-in-law, Caroline Carritt (Dave Reinke); father and mother-in-law, Gordan and Lillian Carritt; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his unborn daughter, Ella.

Public visitation with family will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024, from 4-7 p.m., at the Adair Fire Hall in Adair.

The funeral service will be at noon, Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the Adair Fire Hall in Adair, with Pastor Kyle Fever officiating the service. A luncheon will be held following the funeral service also held at the Adair Fire Hall. A private interment will be held at Sunnyhill Cemetery in Adair.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Adair Fire and EMS for EMS education, The Adair Public Library, or the Boys & Girls Club in Adair, in memory of Bill. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Adair is handling the arrangements for the Littler Family.

1949-2024

Paul Homer Miller, 74, son of Homer and Cecelia (Dietrich) Miller, was born June 14, 1949, in Sigourney. He passed away Saturday, March 2, 2024, after a short battle with esophageal cancer. 

Paul attended schools in rural Kansas and What Cheer. In 1966, Paul began working as a union traveling iron worker for the next 20 years. In 1988, he married Kathryn Brandt in Adel. They made their home in DeSoto for a short time before achieving one of his life’s dreams by buying land worthy of hunting and fishing south of Panora, where they have been ever since. Paul then worked for Ironworkers Local 67, Des Moines on many notable projects, including 801 Grand in Des Moines and Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines, commuting daily from Panora until his retirement in 2009.

Paul enjoyed outdoor recreation immensely including both bow and shotgun hunting for deer, turkey hunting, fishing in any form whether river, lake, pond, or ocean, camping and in later years gardening. Paul was always willing to share his knowledge of the outdoors with any family kids.

A primary philosophy of Paul’s was to work smarter, not harder, and while he saw evidence of the opposite everywhere, he was always willing to teach and let people learn in their own way. A quiet giant to his family, he was well-versed in colorful language, a vibrant personality and set in his ways. He would always helped Kathy in her projects in any way he could.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathryn Miller of Panora; step-daughter, Ann (Paul) Stough of West Des Moines; step-son, James Riceman; grandchildren, Andy (Sara) Thomas and Ali (Alex) Ernst; great-grandchildren, Gabriel Paul Goodson and Lenyx Ernst; sisters, Clare Miller of West Des Moines and Barbara (Raymond) Oleson of Waukee; brothers, Jim (Cheri) Miller of West Des Moines; Randy Miller of West Des Moines; Pat (Betty) Miller of Winterset; and Mark Miller of West Des Moines; along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Elaine Gillaspey and Kathy Day; and his wonderful dog, Sam.

Cremation has taken place and memorial services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

1949-2024

Patricia Ann Steensen, 74, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2024, at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center in the presence of family.

Pat was born Nov. 28, 1949, to Beryl and Grace (Blood) Berkenbosch. She attended Adel High School during which she served as a historian for 4-H. Pat graduated from high school in 1968. After high school, she pursued an education as a beautician in Des Moines at Iowa School of Beauty.

Pat married Dallas Lee Steensen on May 7, 1976. Together they had two children, Donald Patrick and Katherine Annette.

Pat learned the skill of embroidery at an early age from her mother, Grace. Her artwork was displayed on numerous pillowcases and dish towels.

One of Pat’s hobbies was playing music on the piano and organ. Pat loved hymns the most. She would sometimes encourage her son, Donald, to play duets with her on his baritone.  Pat shared her talent with the public, as she was an organist for her church family and later she played for residents at The New Homestead.

Pat enjoyed writing poetry. While most of these writings she kept private, there were a couple that she had published. Her favorite topics to write about were her Christian faith and family. Pat also wrote about aspects of her life in an autobiography called, “Growing Pains, I Believe in Miracles.”

Pat liked to make recordings of her music and poetry on cassette tapes and give them to her children when they were young.

Pat was proud of her family. She happily introduced visitors to her children and grandkids any time she had the chance to do so. She enjoyed making crafts with Levi and Olivia.

Character traits that will be remembered about Pat are her bright, beautiful-eyed smile, spunky attitude, and fun sense of humor. Pat was not afraid to say what she was thinking, and sometimes those comments would catch people off-guard. She had a sweet, loving personality that will truly be missed.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Dallas; father, Beryl; and mother, Grace. Pat is survived by children, Donald (Valerie) Steensen of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Kathy (CJ) Leaf of Des Moines; sister, Charlotte (George) Hunt of Guthrie Center; brothers, Paul (Christy) Berkenbosch of Adel, and Lyle (Sue) Berkenbosch of Bettendorf; grandchildren, Levi and Olivia Steensen; step-children, Karen (Larry) Fiebelkorn of Des Moines and Ron (Nova) Steensen of Guthrie Center; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Friday, March 8, 2024, at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Guthrie Center. Visitation will be Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.