1945-2024

 Larry Lloyd Laughery,  the youngest son of Lloyd and Ila (Hayes) Laughery, was born on March 6, 1945, in Carroll. He passed away Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at the Guthrie County Hospital, Guthrie Center.

Larry attended Guthrie Center Community Schools through 12th grade, graduating in 1963.He married his high school sweetheart, Sherry Smiley, on June 21, 1964; to this union, three children were born: Deena, Danny and Danae.

After high school, Larry attended Wayne State College in Nebraska and graduated with a BS in business. After college, they moved back to Guthrie Center where he worked at the Guthrie Livestock Auction. In 1974, the B&L Feed and Grain Elevator was born, and Larry became the manager until they sold in 1994. Larry went back to work at Guthrie Livestock Auction, which was his true passion. He loved working with family all the way up until he retired.

He was a Guthrie County Supervisor for 12 years and also enjoyed being a Mason and Shriner.

Some of his favorite lifetime joys involved fishing, Christmas with family, traveling, Guthrie County Fair, Iowa State Fair, camping, fireworks, family barbeques, turkey hunting, raising cattle, and his Dallas Cowboys football team. He also loved following all his grandkids’ activities, hosting lifelong hunting friends from Arkansas, and drinking beer with friends and family in his sports bar.

Survivors include his wife, Sherry Laughery of Guthrie Center; daughter, Deena (Dan) Wells of Greenfield; son, Danny (Michelle) Laughery of Bagley; and daughter, Danae (Charlie) Baumert of Bayard; five grandchildren, Dylan (Kenzie) Laughery, Gavin (Ashley) Laughery, Leigan (Grant) Cleveland, Ilana and Andrew Baumert; three great-grandchildren, Mayer and Motley Laughery, and Lyla Rose Laughery; and brother, Jim (Mary Jo) Laughery of Guthrie Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Ila Laughery, and niece, Tawny Stetzel.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church, Guthrie Center. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Guthrie Center. Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, from 4-7 p.m. at the Guthrie County Events Center, Guthrie County Fairgrounds, Guthrie Center. Twigg Funeral Home, Guthrie Center, is entrusted with his services.

Memorials may be left to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Shriners Children’s Hospital, or Wounded Warriors Project.

Larry’s final words would be, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!”

1946-2024

Janice K. Sheley, 77, daughter of Glenn and Genevieve (Van Landingham) Jacobsen, was born Oct. 26, 1946, in Perry. She passed away Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center.

Janice graduated from Perry Community Schools in 1964. She made her home in Perry and worked at the Dallas County Hospital. On Nov. 13, 1993, she married Mel Sheley at the First Christian Church in Guthrie Center. They made their home in Guthrie Center. In 2003, Janice retired from Dallas County Hospital.

Janice enjoyed watching Tess’s softball games and following the games, she had a bag full of bubble gum to give to everyone. She also enjoyed keeping the stats for the games.

Janice was a member of the card club, the Monteith Community Club, she helped with Harvest suppers, funeral meals, the Wednesday After School Program at the church, and Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and quilting especially for the grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was a member of the First Christian Church in Perry and Guthrie Center, where she served as the financial secretary for many years.

Janice is survived by her husband of 30 years, Mel Sheley of Guthrie Center; daughters, Tess (Mike) Jaspering of Grimes and Lisa (Randy) Ahrenholtz of Defiance; step-sons, Chad (Deanne) Sheley of Casey and Casey (Katy) Sheley of Huntington, Maryland; grandchildren, Brooke, Alex, Chase, Kylea, Katelynn, Zach, Katie, Ty, Maddy and Isabelle; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, and two sisters.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, at the First Christian Church, Guthrie Center. Burial will be in the Monteith Cemetery, rural Guthrie Center. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the services at the church.

Memorials may be left to the First Christian Church, Guthrie Center or Hospice of the Midwest.

Services entrusted to Twigg Funeral Home, Guthrie Center.

Randall Laverne Nickel, affectionately known as Randy to his friends and family, passed away peacefully in his hometown of Guthrie Center after a courageous battle with cancer. Born to Oliver and Laura Nickel, Randy was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend who left an indelible mark on the hearts of those he touched. Randy’s journey began in Guthrie Center where he was born and raised, and where he attended Guthrie Center High School with the class of 1971. His sense of duty and patriotism led him to join the Marine Corps in 1970, where he started his career during the evacuation of the Vietnam War. Over the years, Randy’s exceptional leadership and dedication saw him rise through the ranks, taking on roles such as Ammunition Tech, Drill Instructor, Company Gunnery Sergeant and, eventually, retiring as a Company First Sergeant in 1990 in Quantico, Virginia.

After a distinguished military career, Randy continued to serve his country as a security manager, special police officer and firearms instructor for the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. His commitment to public safety was unwavering, and he approached his work with the same passion and integrity that he did in the Marines.

In 2005, Randy’s love for his roots brought him back to Guthrie Center, where he became a self-employed carpenter. His craftsmanship and attention to detail were evident in his work restoring historic buildings, contributing significantly to the communities revitalization. His efforts did not go unnoticed, as he was honored with the Main Street Guthrie Center Volunteer of the Year award in April 2018, presented by the Governor in recognition of his dedication to his hometown. Randy was not only a committed serviceman and community advocate but also a successful businessman. Alongside his loving wife Kathleen, he opened a business in 2011, which further demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit and his desire to give back to the place he called home.

Randy’s life was rich with interests and hobbies. He had a passion for restoring old trucks, a testament to his mechanical ingenuity and creative vision. He was also a true master of all trades, a skill he applied to every facet of his life. His two goldendoodles, Rifle and Remmington, were a source of joy and companionship, and his adventurous spirit was matched by his courageous and passionate approach to life.

Randy’s legacy is carried on by his loving wife, Kathleen Nickel; his children, Andria Nickel of Hobe Sound, Florida, Gwen Nickel of Guthrie Center, and Randy (Billie) Lueder, Bridget (Walter) Oba, Beverly (Shanna) Lueder of Oahu, Hawaii, and April (Joseph) Hansman of Waukee. His grandchildren, Layla Greene Devonne Bell, Reef Alban, Tehya Lueder, Randi Lueder, Reese Lueder, Autumn Boyd, Ellamae Boyd and Tate Hansman will miss his guidance and warmth. He is also survived by his brother, Clayton (Lineen) Nickel, and sisters, Della Rutherford and Debbie Waits, as well as many extended relatives and close friends who will cherish his memory. Preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Laura Nickel, and brothers-in-law, Bill Rutherford and Mark D. Waits, Randy’s spirit will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him. His adventurous nature, courageous heart and passionate soul will remain a guiding light for all who loved him.

As we bid farewell to a remarkable man, we remember Randy’s life not with sorrow but with gratitude for the time we shared and the lessons he taught us. His legacy will live on through the lives he touched, the community he helped build, and the memories etched in the hearts of his family and friends. Rest in peace, Randy, your journey was one of honor, love and unwavering commitment, and you will be deeply missed.

Services were Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Twigg Funeral Home in Guthrie Center with visitation one hour prior to services. Inurnment immediately followed memorial services at Seeley Township Cemetery.

1933-2023

Edgar Franklin Peterson “Pete,” 90, son of Carl and Marie (Campbell) Peterson, passed away peacefully on Dec. 27, 2023, at the Lakeside Village in Panora with his wife of 68 years by his side.

He was born Jan. 22, 1933, in Gilman where he attended school. As a child growing up, Ed was adventurous at times and once got stuck in a tree and his mom had to climb up to get him down. Living on a farm, they had an outhouse that Ed didn’t like his mom going out to in the dark, so he ran electricity to the outhouse. In high school, Ed excelled in baseball and basketball. After graduation, he had the opportunity to play minor league baseball but was drafted into the United States Army in March 1953.

Ed spent 18 months on the front lines of Korea as a forward observer for the artillery. He was released from active duty service on Jan. 1, 1955.

In 1952, Ed met the love of his life, Belva “Bi” Colbert, who was teaching kindergarten in Gilman. They were engaged in 1953 before he left for Korea. After returning home from the services in Korea, they were married on March 6, 1955, and lived in Guthrie Center where she was teaching and Ed was a mechanic at the Ford garage. To this union, two sons were born, Brad and Mike.

During this time, he was a 10-year member of the Guthrie Center Fire Department, which two of those years, he was fire chief. He also was on the county board of Veterans Affairs for 29 years.  

Later in life, Ed and Belva bought a farm southwest of Guthrie Center, and Ed transitioned as a farmer.

Ed enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family and many friends. Ed will be greatly missed by so many.

Ed is survived by his wife, Belva “Bi”; sons, Brad Peterson and Mike (Terri) Peterson; two grandchildren, Brandon (Becky) Peterson and Bailey Peterson (Ryan Ecklund), all of Guthrie Center; five great-grandchildren, Piper, Kyla, Lucy, Otto and Jett; siblings, Roger (Dorothy) Peterson of Grinnell and Marilyn Postal of Fallbrook, California; along with many other nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bob; sister-in-law, Joanna Peterson; sister, Carol Sandberg; and brother-in-law, Bob Postal.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church, Guthrie Center. Visitation was Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at the Twigg Funeral Home, Guthrie Center. Burial was at 2 p.m., Thursday, at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, near Van Meter.  

Memorials may be left to the Guthrie Center Fire Department.