Marjorie Smith, 94, passed away peacefully in her Fort Collins home December 22, 2014. Born in Oakville, Iowa February 2, 1920 to Samuel and Susanna (Goss) Wykert, Marjorie was the youngest of six children. Ethyl, John, Pearl, Ernest and Howard all preceded her in death. On May 31, 1941 she was united in marriage to De Los Russell Smith. After De Los returned from serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, they made their home in Oakville and later in Burlington, Iowa where they raised their only daughter, Margaret.
Margaret married Robert (Rob) Cieslicki in 1980, and they owned and operated Sunchase Tours Inc. in Fort Collins for 25 years. In 1999, Marjorie and De Los relocated to be close to them. De Los passed away in January 2001.
Marjorie graduated from Columbus Junction High School in Columbus Junction, Iowa and received her teaching certificate from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She began her teaching career in a one-room school house close to the family farm near Oakville. Later she worked as a teacher’s aide and office assistant at Sunnyside Elementary School in Burlington for twenty two years before retiring at age 72.
She is survived by their loving daughter, Margaret and her husband Rob, sisters-in law Joan Smith Rice (John) and Jean Smith Nelson (the late Joseph), twelve nieces and nephews and their families.
We wish to thank the loving and compassionate caregivers from Vitality Home Healthcare, Gentiva Hospice, and Rocky Mountain Senior Care for their complete devotion. The constant support from her devoted family, friends and neighbors will never be forgotten.
The family invites you to share in celebrating Marjorie’s life at the Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home. Visitation will take place Thursday, January 1 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., and the funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 2. Rev. Sue-Ellen Sherman will officiate. Burial will follow at the Parsons Cemetery, rural Wapello.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial gifts are encouraged to contribute to United Methodist Church in Oakville and Gentiva Foundation Patient Care.
Visit www.allnutt.com or www.dudgeonmcculley.com to view the full obituary and offer condolences.
John Kuisle, age 92, formerly of Mediapolis, died Thursday, December 25, 2014, at Sunrise Terrace Nursing Home in Winfield. The son of Conrad and Teresa Phluger Kuisle, he was born on May 4, 1922 in Wiedergeltingen, Germany. He married Pearl Bain on April 8, 1988 in Kahoka, Missouri. She preceded him in death on April 24, 2013.
As Kuisle Masonry Construction, he was a master stone mason with a unique skill in crafting fireplaces. He was an artist who was well-known for the work he did throughout southeast Iowa in his favorite medium of marble.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mediapolis. John had served in Germany during WW II with the German military. He was a gentle farmer, loved cooking and bread-making, and enjoyed wood working projects.
His family includes five children, Hans Kuisle of Boulder, Colorado, Margaret Mazur of Loveland, Colorado, Ursula James of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Andy Kuisle of Mediapolis, and John Kuisle, Jr. of Morning Sun; thirteen grandchildren; and a step daughter, Erika Hudson of Houston, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pearl; his first wife, Elizabeth Mauer; a stepson, Gary Foster; and two sisters.
The funeral ceremony for John Kuisle will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 2, 2015, at the Hagele and Honts Funeral Home in Mediapolis with Rev. Ken Peterson officiating. Burial will follow at the Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington. The family will meet friends from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Thursday at the Hagele and Honts Funeral Home.
A Memorial Fund has been established for the benefit of the Mediapolis Community Ambulance Service.
Condolences may be given and viewed at www.hageleandhonts.com.
Thomas Robert ‘Tom’ Fletcher, age 67, of Wapello, died at his home on Saturday, December 27, 2014. The son of Robert Jones and Idella Dukek Fletcher, he was born on March 29, 1947 in Muscatine.
Tom graduated from Wapello High School in 1965. Along with farming, he worked and retired from Monsanto after 33 years. He later worked part time at Grimm Bros. Plastics in Wapello and owned the Outlaw Ranch Trailer Shop.
He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wapello. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and especially his grandchildren and their sporting activities. He had a great time with people and especially loved his dog, Rowdy.
His family includes three sons, Dave & Deb Fletcher of Cedar Rapids, Bobby & Holly Fletcher of Morning Sun, and Kenny & Connie Fletcher of Wapello; a daughter Sammy Fletcher & Josh Boyce of Muscatine; his significant other, Sue Fletcher and her children Alex and Katie Rollinger; four grandchildren, Charlie Fletcher, Robbie Fletcher, Courtney Fletcher, and Lucy Boyce; two step grandchildren, Stephanie & Brad Shutts and Mickey & Kimberly Sprague; two step great grandchildren, Kane and Karson Shutts; a brother, Danny Fletcher of Wapello; and two step sisters, Carla McDowell of Hartville, Ohio and Lynne & Daryl Behrens of Muscatine. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Judith; a step grandson, Kirk Massey; and two step great grandchildren, Evan Massey and Laikyn Shutts.
The funeral ceremony for Tom Fletcher will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 31, 2014, at the Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home in Wapello with Rev. Sue-Ellen Sherman officiating. Burial will follow at the Columbus City Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday at the Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home where the family will meet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
A Memorial Fund has been established for the benefits of the Wapello Community Ambulance Service and the Wapello Rescue Unit.
Condolences may be given and viewed at www.dudgeonmcculley.com.
James Leroy Carkhuff, 85, of Davenport, Iowa, died at Unity Point Health – Terrace Park Hospital, Bettendorf, Iowa, on Saturday evening, Dec. 20, 2014.
Born on Jan. 15, 1929 in Marshalltown, Iowa, he was the son of Arthur C. and Eunice R. Crawford Carkhuff. He married Emily Ann Vansice on Sept. 21, 1991 in Burlington, Iowa.
James served in the Navy during World War II. He was a radiator repairman for Quinn Radiator Shop, Marshalltown, Iowa, for 36 years.
He was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses, Davenport, Iowa.
He is survived by his wife, Emily; three sons, James L. Carkhuff Jr. of Visalia, California, Timothy D. Carkhuff of West Des Moines, Iowa and Michael T. Carkhuff of Grinnell, Iowa; one daughter, Theresa Adkins of Nebraska; five step-daughters; two step-sons; 27 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Richard Carkhuff of Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by two infant children, Loretta C. and Jeffrey Carkhuff; his parents; and one brother, Art Carkhuff.
Funeral services for James Carkhuff will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses, 3801 Hillandale Road, Davenport, Iowa. Thomas Pilcher will officiate. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, West Burlington, Iowa.
No formal visitation is planned; cremation has been entrusted to the loving care of Prugh Funeral Service. A memorial has been established for Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses. Condolences may be left at www.prughfuneralservice.com.
