Obituaries

Michael W. Moore, 79, of Ames, passed away on May 24, 2023 at Israel Family Hospice House. Michael was born on June 20, 1943, to Dorothy (Schumm) and Walter Moore in Muscatine, IA. His family relocated to Ames in 1960, where Michael graduated in t...

James Marlin Hennings, 81, passed away May 17, 2023, at UnityPoint Hospice – Taylor House in Des Moines, Iowa. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Ankeny Presbyterian Church (317 SE Trilein Dr). Visitation ...

Lorris (Nelson) Barkema, 91, died Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Israel Hospice House in Ames, IA. Private burial will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery, Jewell, IA at a later date. Lorris Joan was born February 8, 1932, near Jewell to Sterling and Est...

Leila Mae Apland, 86, passed away peacefully at home on May 13, 2023. She was born on January 16, 1937, in Grundy Center, Iowa, to Ralph and Lelah Dinnes. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Memorial Services ...

Keith Alan Woodward, 68, of Ankeny, passed away unexpectedly at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, on May 12, 2023. Keith was born July 11, 1954, in Evansville, Indiana, to Lee and Edna (Bradley) Woodward. Keith was a 1972 graduate...

Joseph “Joe” F. Ausan, 94, of Ankeny Iowa, formerly of Baltic, South Dakota, passed away on May 5, 2023 surrounded by his family. Joe was born April 23, 1929 to Joseph and Clara (Solbak) Ausan at the family farm near Baltic, South Dakota. Joe ...

Kimberley Jane Mitchell, 75, died peacefully at home on April 27, 2023. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 1, 2023, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd). A funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May ...

Bryan A. Ver Ploeg was born on September 6, 1951, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was the third child born to Alonzo and Geraldine (Van Wyk) Ver Ploeg. Bryan grew up on a farm north of Pella. He attended Bunker Hill country school through the fourth grade. Af...

Patsy Ann Brazelton, 81, of Ankeny, passed away April 21, 2023, at The Bridges at Ankeny. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd). Celebration of Life will be he...

Helen Marie Bishop, 93, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away at her son’s home on April 21, 2023, after a recent diagnosis of cancer, surrounded by her children. Services will be held at Ankeny First United Methodist Church (206 SW Walnut St.) on Fr...

Joseph Henry Vanderah, age 69, was born on November 23, 1953, in Alexandria, VA and died on April 20, 2023, in Des Moines, IA from natural causes. Joe lived in Ankeny and Des Moines his entire life.  He graduated from Ankeny High School in 1972 a...

Gale Fredrick Mendenhall, age 87, of Bondurant, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, April 18, 2023, in Des Moines, surrounded by his family. Gale was born July 31, 1935, in Des Moines Iowa to Guy and Florence Mendenhall. He graduated ...

Roberta Kay Holland, age 84, passed away on April 18, 2023. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2023, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd.) with a graveside service at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at F...

We celebrate the life of Steven Dino Righi, 66, who passed away on April 17, 2023. He was born on July 20, 1956, in Des Moines, IA, to his parents, Dino and Anne (Vignaroli) Righi, the youngest of 3 children. Steven was a devoted family man and lived...

Tyler Elliot Brandt, son of Gary and Marcia (Saylor) Brandt, passed away unexpectedly April 15, 2023, at his home in Ankeny, Iowa. Tyler was born July 28, 1968, in Ames, Iowa. A celebration of Tyler’s life will be held on Friday, April 28, 2023,...

Ole "Gene" Olson, Ankeny, IA, was born on April 9, 1944, to Ole G. and Alvina (Hovick) Olson in Ames, IA, and died on April 12, 2023, at the age of 79. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Holy Trinity Lu...

Cecil F. Calkins, 87, of Johnston, Iowa, passed away peacefully, April 11, 2023. A Private viewing and prayer service was held on April 13, 2023. Cecil was born June 1, 1935, in Manly, Iowa, to Forrest and Marcella Calkins. He graduated from Ma...

Bob Kayser, 74, of Ankeny, IA, passed away peacefully Monday, April 10, 2023, at Methodist Hospital surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 17, 2023, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (517 SW Des Moin...

George Richard and Charles Leonard Dvorak, twin sons of Daniel and Ashley Dvorak, were born on April 8, 2023, and passed away on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023. On the birth of Jesus, we found out Jesus gave us an extra special Christmas gift of two ba...

James William “Billy” Shafer II, 21, of Ankeny passed away unexpectedly on April 8, 2023. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, April 21, 2023, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd.).  A memorial service will be...