Kathleen “Kay” Prior, 93, of West Burlington, died at 11:22 AM Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.
Born July 25, 1926, in Dodgeville, she was the daughter of Roy and Mary Jane Beckman Riffel. On October 25, 1947, she married Francis X. Prior in Dodgeville, IA. He passed on April 7, 1997.
She worked as a office worker for IRC/TRC for 18 years, retiring in 1981.
She graduated in 1944 from Sperry High School.
Kay was a member of Divine Mercy Parish – SS. Mary and Patrick Catholic Church, West Burlington. She also was a member of their Altar and Rosary Society, and the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, and Legion of Mary Auxiliary. Kay also organized the Widows Luncheon Group in 1997 and served as the leader for several years.
Survivors include her four daughters, Peg Speed of Burlington; Teresa Prior of Bothell, WA; Kathleen Prior of Stevens Point, WI; and Carol Wheeler of Altoona, IA; one brother, Francis “Jim” Riffel of Jasper, IN; numerous grandchildren, great-granchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, three daughters Mary, Barbara and Beth, one son, Michael, six brothers, Mark, Dan, John, Del, Ralph, and Wilbur Riffel, two sisters, Lenora Flaherty and Isabel Vance.
A Rosary Service will be 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM followed by a visitation from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Thursday October 31, 2019 at Divine Mercy Parish – SS. Mary and Patrick Catholic Church, West Burlington.
The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Mrs. Prior will be, 1:00 PM Thursday, October 31, 2019 at SS. Mary and Patrick Catholic Church, West Burlington with Father Dan Dorau as the Celebrant. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the fellowship hall of SS. Mary and Patrick Catholic Church following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Kay’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
Shirley Ann Wiley, 76 of Burlington, died at 8:44 p.m. Monday, October 28, 2019 at Great River Medical Center.
Born February 22, 1943 in Burlington, IA, she was the daughter of Herbert and Myrtle (Bannier) Specketer. She married Don Wiley June 6, 1975 in Oquawka, IL. He died July 1, 2016.
Shirley attended Argyle and Burlington Community Schools. She worked for I.A.A.P., Head Start in food service for 5 years, and Burlington Community Schools in food service for 12 years until her retirement in 2005.
She was of the Christian faith.
Her pastimes included volunteering for RSVP and the Welcome Center at Starr’s Cave, gardening, baking, traveling, photography, and entering her baked goods in the fair. She loved spending time with her son and family.
Survivors include one son, Tod Schwerin and fiancée Chris Inman of Burlington; two step-grandsons, Jason Schmitz and Noa Schmitz; one step-great-granddaughter, Bristol Schmitz, all of Burlington; two sisters, Mary Grelk of Donnellson, IA and Charlotte Hovanec of Freedom, PA.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two brothers, Rocky and Jim Specketer.
The celebration of life for Mrs. Wiley will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 1st at Lunning Chapel. Pastor Dean Graber will officiate. Family will receive friends one hour prior to service.
According to Shirley’s wishes, cremation has been entrusted to Lunning Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society.
Darlene Martha Hueschen, 92, of Burlington, formerly of Danville, IA, died Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Great River Klein Center, West Burlington, IA.
Born August 25, 1927 in Lucas, IA, she was the daughter of Terry and Gladys (Niswender) Pennington. She married Arthur J. Hueschen on July 26, 1947 in Centerville, IA. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers, and one sister.
Darlene was a homemaker, and was a member of Peace Lutheran Church. She was also a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles – Aerie #150.
Darlene was an avid nature lover, but especially enjoyed her family, flowers, pets and all her friends at the Klein Center.
Survivors include two daughters, Alicia (Lennis) Kelley of Burlington and Marie (Robert) Richards of New London, IA; one son, John Hueschen of Burlington, IA; six grandchildren, Scott Geisler, Stefanie Bailey, Russell Richards, Ryan Richards, Jonathan Hueschen and Katrina Steward; and nine great-grandchildren.
A private prayer service for Mrs. Hueschen with family, residents and staff of Klein’s will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 9th at the Klein Center, with Reverend Melisa Bracht-Wagner officiating. Inurnment will be held in Prairie Grove Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the “Prairie Grove School Restoration Memorial”.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
