1939-2025

Lillien Pauline Gilson, age 86, of Guthrie Center, died on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, at her home and surrounded by loved ones. She was born on March 30, 1939, in Monteith.

Lillien is known throughout the community for her quiet servant heart and hard work. From baking pies in her busy kitchen to leading considerable fundraising efforts or serving as a caregiver for many friends and family members who needed an extra hand, she diligently cared for the needs of others and always put them first. She spent her entire life loving those who needed it most.

She will always be remembered for her superior card-playing abilities, her excellent eye for finding just the right piece in tricky puzzles and her great love for children. She had a gentle way of making every child feel valued and treasured, as her lap was always full of children being rocked to sleep, reading a book, doing a craft or playing a game of pretend. As they grew older, she continued her commitment to them by being their biggest cheerleader at sporting events, music concerts, plays and other activities.

Lillien is survived by one sister, Mabel (Mike) Hamling of Granger; sister-in-law, Jeanie Michaelson of Guthrie Center; daughter, Peggy (John) Byrd and daughter-in-law, Roberta Gilson, all of Guthrie Center; grandchildren, Penny (Kory) Schramm of Johnston, Travis (Karla) Gilson of Grimes and Tara Reed of Guthrie Center; step grandchildren, Lee (Ali) Byrd of Ankeny and John (Kim) Byrd of Bloomfield; 14 great grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews who affectionately referred to her as “Auntie.” Lillien is preceded in death by her parents, seven brothers and two sisters, her loving husband of 42 years, John, and her son, Rick.

Because of her love of children and helping those in need, Lillien requested that memorials be directed toward St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

1927-2025

Neva June Langgaard (Brady) born on Sept. 8, 1927, to Harmon O. and Georgia Anna (Passmore) Brady.

Neva attended school in Guthrie Center. She enjoyed basketball during her high school days and often told stories of her days of playing. She told of only going to school for half a day when she graduated from high school due to the end of World War II. Neva worked in the grocery store in her younger years. After graduation, she had taken Normal Training in high school and upon testing and passing, she was able to teach school. She earned her teaching certificate and started teaching country school in August of 1945. She had 14 pupils — two kindergarteners, three second-graders, four third-graders, three fifth-graders, one seventh-grader and three eighth-graders. Neva taught for eight years in four different schools: Bear Grove No. 1 for two years, Bear Grove No. 5 for two years, Seeley No. 7 for 1 year, and Seeley No. 8 for three years.

Neva and Erwen went on their first date in February of 1949. The two went on a double date where they went rolling skating. The following June, Neva took a trip to California to visit relatives for four weeks, and Erwen sent her a letter each week anxiously awaiting for her to come home. Their courtship continued upon her return, and the two were married on June 18, 1950, at the First Christian Church in Guthrie Center. Together, they lived in Guthrie Center with Neva’s dad after they were married. In 1951, they moved to the farm where Neva continued to reside. To this union, three children were born, Edward Erwen, Elizabeth Anna, who died at childbirth, and Tommie Eugene. Neva continued to live on the farm, watching the farm equipment, neighborhood traffic and the birds out the kitchen window every day.

Erwen and Neva loved to play cards and were in several card clubs. Neva continued to play cards after Erwen passed. After all the years of having chores with the chickens, goats and cows, Neva and Erwen took to traveling. They traveled to Florida, eating oysters right from the coast. Together, they took many trips to Denmark to visit Erwen’s family, maintaining strong relationships with their family overseas, even celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in Denmark the Danish way. Neva and Erwen took Tom and Janelle and then Ed and Kim on trips to Denmark, making sure they also knew their Danish family. After Erwen passed, Neva and her travel partner, Mona Sellman, traveled with the Heritage Club, going several places and one last trip to Denmark by herself. Neva always said travel when you can. 

Neva belonged to the First Christian Church, Victory Ladies Club and the Eastern Star. She loved watching basketball during March Madness and going to the grandkids’ sporting events. She was a great cook, always cooking for family gatherings as well as those who helped doing anything on the farm, including remodeling projects in the house. Neva was also a gardener and took great pride in her well-producing garden. She loved family gatherings, especially when the grandkids and great grandchildren came to visit. Neva’s kitchen table was always open to many visitors, and all were greeted with fresh rolls each morning.  Neva was always sending cards. She was great at saying thanks and wishing you a happy birthday.

Neva was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Erwen; children, Edward and Elizabeth; sisters, Ruth Brady and Francis Wasson; and brothers-in-law, Norman Langgaard and Dwight Wasson.

Left to mourn Neva is her son, Tom (Janelle) Langgaard, and daughter-in-law, Kim Langgaard of Guthrie Center; grandkids, Katy (Jason) Victora of Grimes, Kris (Sarah) Langgaard of Guthrie Center, Neil (Alicia) Langgaard of Missouri Valley, Brady (Jessica) Langgaard of Guthrie Center and Jami (Trevor) Jorgensen of Casey; great grandkids, Landon and Nolan Victora, Nora, Aaron, Ryan and Logan Langgaard, Michael Zane Langgaard, William and Eli Langgaard, and Boone and Blakely Jorgensen. Also left to mourn her is our Denmark family.

1940-2025

Charles “Chuck” Mason Hawley, 85, son of Merle and Alice (Underwood) Hawley, was born Nov. 7, 1940, in Anamosa. He passed away Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, at his home surrounded by family.

Chuck graduated from Olin High School and Upper Iowa University. On July 20, 1963, he married Karen Manley in Springville. In 1963, he started his teaching career at Mormon Trail, Humeston, for four years. He then went on to teach two years at Wayne of Corydon. In 1969, he started his long career teaching and coaching at Panora-Linden, which later became Panorama Schools. Along with teaching general science, biology, speech and drama, he coached girls track, softball, cross country and basketball through the years. In 1997, he retired from teaching. Chuck received his school bus driver’s license when he was 16 and drove bus for himself and the other students while still in school. He also drove the bus for his teams while he was coaching. Following his retirement from teaching, Chuck would drive the bus for Panorama until 2013.

Chuck enjoyed fishing, hunting, softball, camping, four-wheeling and motorcycle riding. He also was the camp host at Nations Bridge for 15 years. Chuck was an avid St. Louis Cardinal and Iowa Hawkeye fan.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the First Presbyterian Church in Guthrie Center where he served two terms as church Elder and was a very active member. He was a former member of the United Methodist Church. He was also listed in the Who’s Who of the Methodist Church.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Karen Hawley of Panora; sons, Todd (Liz) Hawley of Maryville, Tennessee, and Tim (Rosana) Hawley of Urbandale; daughters, Jyl (Cliff) Willoughby of Roxboro, North Carolian, and Debra Lemke of Guthrie Center; grandchildren, Emily (Ty) Cramp, Tarah (Gary) Smith, Lou Hawley, Kellyn Hawley, Eryn (Tyler) Moff, Devon (Hannah) Lemke and Lexi (Derek Wilson) Lemke; great-grandchildren, Mason and Kaitlyn Cramp; brother, Dale Hawley of Manhattan, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Fran Hawley; sisters, Ruth (Marvin) Clark, Laura Lee (Glen) Thumma, Wilma (Gene) Delancey, Linda (Ken) Gravert and Irene Hawley; brother, Wayne Hawley; and a sister-in-law, Jan Hawley. 

Memorial services will be 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church, Guthrie Center. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church. Lunch will be served following the services at the church.

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

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

1960-2025

Robin Sue Leib, 65, daughter of Roger and Rose Mary (Heckman) Leib, was born Oct. 12, 1960, in Sioux City. She passed away Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at her home in Panora.

Robin graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1980. She started working at Craft Care Center, later Panora Specialty Care, in 1977.  She retired on Oct. 10, 2025, after almost 48 years of working at the care center.

Robin was in a bowling league in her younger days. She loved to spend time with family, especially with her nieces. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends and her church family and enjoyed traveling.

She is survived by her son, Jason Leib of West Des Moines; brother, Randy (Tina) Leib of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; sister, Rhonda Leib of Germantown, Maryland; and nieces, Natalie (Jesse) Weedman, Lindsie Mills, Darcie Leib and Audrie Leib. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial services will be 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora, with visitation starting at 5:30 p.m. Burial of her cremains will be in Union Cemetery, Guthrie Center, at a later date.

1940-2025

John Lynn Heiland, 85, peacefully passed away on Nov. 15, 2025. John was a devoted husband, father and friend whose life touched all who knew him. John’s journey was marked by a deep sense of family, service and an unwavering spirit of adventure that defined the way he lived and loved.

Born in 1940 in Panora, John was the son of Helen Knowlton Heiland and Billie B. Heiland and was raised within the close-knit Panora community.

John graduated from Panora High School, where he forged lifelong friendships. Following high school, John attended Northwest Missouri State and graduated from Drake University.

Answering the call to serve, John joined the United States Army in 1963 and was stationed at Fort Sherman defensive base in the Panama Canal, where he was a Hawk Missile launch controller.

John’s greatest joy was his family. In 1965, he married the love of his life, Susan Teale, and together they raised five children, building a home filled with laughter, warmth and adventure. As a devoted father, John cherished every moment with his loved ones, from cross-country road trips to days spent boating on Lake Panorama, creating treasured memories and many funny stories. John and Susan were happily married for 48 years until her passing in 2013.

John built his career in finance and sales and was a member of the Masons and the Elk organizations.

As we remember John, we honor his legacy of joy and love. He leaves behind fond memories and a grateful family. John will be dearly missed, but his warmth, wisdom, sense of humor and memories of his contagious laugh will live on.

John is survived by a loving family — daughters, Leza (Charles) Woods of South Carolina, Mari (Jason) Wolf of Lake Panorama, and Kayla Parker of Adel; sons, Ryan Heiland of Maryville, Missouri, and Cody (Jewelyn) Heiland of Rockford, Illinois; 11 grandchildren; sister, Joan Millhollin (John) of Yale; brothers-in-law, Frank (Sandi) Teale of Panora, John (Kris) Teale of Maryville, Missouri; and sister-in-law, Sheri Heiland (Jim) of Guthrie Center. He was preceded in death by wife, Susan; his parents; and his brother, James Heiland.

Visitation is Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, at 1 p.m., with the funeral immediately following at 2 p.m. Services will be held at the Twigg Funeral Home in Panora. Burial to follow services at the Brethren Cemetery in Panora.  

Memorials to be donated at the discretion of the family.

1934-2025

Verdell Louise Fehr, age 91 of Guthrie Center, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at The New Homestead Assisted Living in Guthrie Center. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Saturday at the Apostolic Christian Church in West Bend. Burial will take place at the Apostolic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Services are entrusted to Lentz Funeral Home of West Bend.

Verdell Louise Greinert was born on Aug. 21, 1934, to Edwin and Lydia (Meyer) Greinert on a farm near Fenton. A few years later, the family moved to a farm near Whittemore. She attended the Lutheran School in Whittemore and graduated from the Whittemore Public School in 1953. On July 25, 1954, she married Eldon Alfred Fehr at the Lutheran Church in Whittemore. The couple lived on a dairy farm near Rodman. Eight children were born to Verdell and Eldon while living there. In 1969, the family moved to a farm near West Bend. Another move was in 1975 to a farm in Curlew where they raised Holstein cattle and sheep. Verdell always helped with milking and caring for the calves. The last move was to Guthrie Center in 1986. Eldon took a truck-driving job, and Verdell went with him many times. They saw a lot of places together.

She is survived by sons and daughters: Alfred; Linda (Gary) Garloch; Sheila (Bob) Larson; Dale (Shelli) Fehr; Shannon (Jamie) Fehr; Marlene (Brad) Chalfant; and Diane (Duane) Abbott, as well as 11 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; two sisters, Barb Zaugg and Betty (Bill) Fandel; and sister-in-law, Mary Greinert. Verdell was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon; her parents, Edwin and Lydia; an infant son, Richard; daughter-in-law, Annette Fehr; brother, James Greinert; and brother-in-law, James Zaugg.

Family was always important to her, and she especially loved when her grandchildren and great grandchildren came to visit. She felt extremely blessed to have such a loving family and friends. She enjoyed going to church in West Bend on Sundays, as it gave her the opportunity to visit with other friends and relatives.

The family would like to thank you for your many acts of kindness and expressions of sympathy.