Kathy Ann Garrison, 74, of Burlington, died peacefully on Monday, October 10, 2022, at the Klein Center.Her family was able to surround her with love in her final days.
Born May 29, 1948, in Malden, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of Warren Francis and Barbara Lois (Streck) Ford.
She married Mickey A. Garrison on November 18, 1967 in Malden, Massachusetts.
Kathy worked in Human Resources at General Electric until her retirement in 2006. She was of the Catholic faith.
Kathy loved spending time near the water enjoying the peace of lighthouses and a full cup of coffee. She was known to make others feel valued, loved and always had a listening ear or wise words of advice. Kathy shared a deep love for her family and enjoyed spoiling her grandkids, especially at Christmas time.
She was an avid supporter of the G.E. Elfuns, March of Dimes walk, Tri-State Special Needs Rodeo and the annual G.E. picnics. She was known to volunteer her time and talents consistently helping G.E. retirees, navigating their benefits and helping with their planning.
She is survived by her husband Mickey A. Garrison of Burlington; three children, Kerri (Michael) Upton and Jodi (Aaron) Childs both of Vancouver, Washington and Cindy (Chris) Sawyer of Anderson, South Carolina; eight grandchildren, Kelsie, Lyndsie, Jaden, Jackson, Garrison, Autumn, Hannah and Mollie; one brother, William Francis Ford of West Burlington, Iowa and one sister Nancy Jean Lubinski of Salem, New Hampshire.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
The funeral service for Kathy will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 15th at Lunning Chapel. Pastor JudyAnn Morse will officiate. Interment will be at Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services on Saturday.
A memorial has been established for the Tri-State Special Needs Rodeo Fund.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Sharon Kay Harper, 74, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of New London, died Monday, October 10, 2022 at Park Place, Mt. Pleasant. She was born August 17, 1948 in Davenport to James and Rose Hurt. She was a graduate of Davenport West High School. On December 7, 1979, she married David Harper in Winfield; they later divorced.
Sharon was a member of the New London Christian Church and was a homemaker. She enjoyed doing crafts and playing games and bingo at Park Place, which has been her home for the past five years; baking; and arts and crafts. When she won at bingo, she saved the prizes for her grandchildren, whom she loved spending time with.
Survivors include her children Melissa Bryan of Mt. Pleasant and Walter (Jessica) Harper of Moberly, Missouri; four grandchildren; and her sister Linda Martin of Bettendorf, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents and ex-husband David.
A graveside service will be held Friday, October 14, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Burge Cemetery, New London, with Pastor Rod Cooper officiating. A memorial has been established. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Pamela Sue Elder Morrison, 67, of Mount Pleasant, died Saturday, October 8, 2022 at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rockford, Illinois. She was born November 25, 1954 in Burlington to Lewis Fay and Frances M. Whatley Elder. She was a 1973 graduate of New London High School. Pam married Tim Morrison; they later divorced.
She worked in housekeeping at various care centers and Henry County Health Center. She enjoyed antiques, P Buckley Moss prints, shopping, and especially loved her cat “Liberty”.
Survivors include her sisters, Janice Thornburg of New London and Judy (Ron) Fye of Mt. Pleasant; brother Bruce (Barb) Elder of St. Regis, Montana; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Larry.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM October 22, 2022 at Elliott Chapel, New London with Pastor Nathan Cooper officiating. Visitation will begin at noon with the family receiving friends beginning at 1:00 until the time of the service. Inurnment will follow at Burge Cemetery, rural New London. A memorial has been established. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Laverne Gary Dowell, 82, of Burlington, passed away Saturday, October 8, 2022, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.
Gary was born May 2, 1940, in Sperry, Iowa, the son of Leon and Lois (Granaman) Dowell.
Gary grew up on a farm in Southeast Iowa and attended Sperry High School. He was a route sales representative for Mid Continent Bottlers for several years before becoming a route sales rep with Continental Baking Company/Wonder Bread. He worked for Wonder Bread for 25 years before retiring at age 62.
In his spare time and retirement, Gary loved being outdoors, spending time hunting and fishing. He liked gardening and took immense pride in his many flowers and the hummingbirds he fed. He took immaculate care of his yard, and was awarded the Burlington Realtors Pride in Property Award. His Christmas light displays were also well known in the neighborhood. He liked to play keno and to visit with his friends at Jerry’s, where he was a regular for breakfast.
He was a devoted son, caring for his mother for many years. He was also a devoted father. Left to cherish his memory are his three children: Todd Dowell and his wife, Janice, of Independence, MO; Dawn Thurman and her husband, Kim, of North Liberty, IA; and Wendi Flatt and her husband, Scott, of Middletown, IA.
Other survivors include five grandchildren: Teara Dowell of Burlington; Savannah Dowell of Mediapolis; Caleb Thurman of North Liberty; Todd Stewart of Dallas, TX; and Abby Enhörning of Gothenburg, Sweden; along with seven great grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Larry Dowell, and his wife, Dorothy, of Lakewood, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Monte Dowell.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
Honoring Gary’s wishes, there will be no visitation or services.
Memorials may be directed to the Des Moines County Humane Society.
Malisa Scott, 48, of Burlington, died Saturday, October 8, 2022, in Burlington.
Born January 17, 1974, in Burlington, she was the daughter of David Wayne Bowman, Sherri Adams and Harry Adams.
She graduated in 1993 from Union High School in Biggsville, Illinois then attended Dayton College.
Malisa worked at Winegard for three years as an assembler.
She enjoyed reading books and baking. She especially loved to spend time with her family and friends.
Survivors include her mother, Sherri Adams of Stronghurst, IL; father, Harry Willis Adams; two sons, Dakota Michael Willis Scott and Daniel Dean Scott of Burlington; daughter, Jazzmen Eileen Dameron of Burlington; four grandchildren, Jamie, Zaelynn, Kyeson, and Nakai; six brothers, Michael Adams (Cindy) of Fort Dodge, David Adams (Heather) of Davenport, Jason Adams of Burlington, Ruben Bowman, Sr. of Burlington, Justin Adams (Dena) of West Burlington, and Jesse Bowman of Davenport; four sisters, Tina Adams-Garcia (Rob) of Springfield, MO, Julie Bowman-Andries (Matt) of Burlington, Anita Nichols of North Carolina, and Brandy Amber Adams (Billy Kerr) of Oquawka; and 21 nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her father, Dave Bowman, maternal grandparents, Earlene Bowman-Costilla and Richard Bowman, and paternal grandparents, Harold and Easther Bowman.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
The memorial service for Malisa Scott will be 1:00 PM Friday, October 14, 2022, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Rev. Nathaniel Bridges and Deacon Tim Robinson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made directly to Prugh Funeral Service.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Malisa’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Patricia Susan Oberman Darbyshire, age 81, of rural Yarmouth, died Friday, October 7, 2022, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington. Born January 26, 1941, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Jack and Wilma Kepper Oberman. On December 14, 1962, in Yarmouth, she married Larry Darbyshire.
She was a 1959 graduate of Yarmouth High School and a 1962 graduate of Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in Des Moines, Iowa. Pat practiced her nursing degree at Burlington Medical Center, Morning Sun Care Center, Morning Sun Clinic, and upon retirement she was the school nurse at Morning Sun Elementary and substitute nurse at Mediapolis.
Pat was a Sunday School Teacher, 4-H leader of the North Corner Cloverettes 4-H Club, president/director of the Des Moines County Fair Board, Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame inductee, and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She was of the Methodist faith and enjoyed attending her children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughters’ events; knitting; reading; sports, more specifically the Iowa Hawkeyes and the St. Louis Cardinals; and spending time with her family. Pat was, in every part of her being, a caregiver.
Survivors include two daughters: Mary Steffener of Sperry and Pam (Dan) Massner of Mediapolis; a son, Tom (Sheila) Darbyshire of Morning Sun; nine grandchildren; two-step grandsons; six great granddaughters; five step-great grandchildren, two sisters: Claudia (Robert) Eldridge of New London and Peggy Linder of Dixon, Illinois; one brother, George (Cindy) Oberman of Dexter; sister-in-law, Dixie Hauswirth of Morning Sun; and several nieces and nephews.
Pat was preceded in death by her husband Larry, her parents, son-in-law David Steffener, brother-in-laws David Linder and Lawrence Hauswirth, and nephew Curtis Hauswirth.
Family will meet with friends from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 13, 2022, at Snyder and Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services in Mediapolis.
The funeral ceremony for Patricia Darbyshire will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 14, 2022, at Yarmouth Community Church. Burial will follow at the Trinity Cemetery in rural Mt. Union.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Mediapolis Library Children’s Programs and the Yarmouth Fire Department/EMS.
Lorene Rose Ellerhoff, 74, of Middletown, IA, passed away on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at Hospice House, in West Burlington, IA. Born in Fort Madison, IA, on September 17, 1948, Lorene was the youngest child of William and Loretta (Hellweg) Jacobsmeier.
She was a 1966 graduate of Aquinas High School. She earned an Associate of Arts degree from Southeastern Community College in 1968 despite meeting and becoming smitten with the love of her life, Ron Ellerhoff, on her very first day of classes. They had married one year later on August 19, 1967. They had three children (Jena (Mahmoud Ahmed) Ellerhoff of Middletown, Lea (Colin) McCormick of Mt. Pleasant, and Jared Ellerhoff of Marion).
She held jobs at Iowa Wesleyan College in the mailroom and telephone switchboard, as a Realtor, and Secretary/Bookkeeper for the City of Burlington’s Planning Department before beginning her 25-year stint as the Director of the Des Moines County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Later, she spent 12 years as the Activity Director at Prairie Ridge Care Center before retiring. Over the years, she was involved with numerous organizations, especially as part of her RSVP Director duties.
Faith was also very important to Lorene. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Burlington and Middletown Presbyterian Church for many years. Later, she attended West Burlington United Methodist Church, and most recently, Burlington’s First Congregational Church. She also deeply appreciated time with family and friends.
Lorene had a profound love of music! She directed the St. Mary’s Singers (later The New Spirit Singers) choir. She was the founder and Director of the Silver Singers choir, of which she was later a member. Additionally, she directed or sang in West Burlington United Methodist and St. Alphonsus Catholic Church choirs in recent years.
She loved singing, dancing, watching and performing musical theatre, playing guitar and piano, and watching movies, especially classical ones with plenty of romance or adventure. She was a stickler for correct grammar as she loved the English language, but also loved puns. She was known to handwrite flowery heartfelt letters to her friends and loved ones. She treasured her cat Freddie. She enjoyed reading romance novels, baking, flowers, knitting, needle point and latch hook, listening to music, playing cards, vacationing with Ron/family, and genealogy.
Lorene was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, parents, and brothers Wendell, Justin, and Martin (Donna) Jacobsmeier. She is survived by her children, seven grandchildren (Braden Glasgow; Nicholas, Katie, Natalie, and Olivia McCormick; and Odyn and Chloe Ellerhoff), and great-grandchild (Nova Glasgow); sisters Luanne (Jim) Pruett, Lillian (Stanley) Helling, and Laura Hyatt, all of Fort Madison; sisters-in-law Elyce Riney of Middletown and Becky Davis of Burlington; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews in addition to many beloved friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 17th at First Congregational Church, 313 North Fourth Street, Burlington, IA, with Pastor Jim Francisco officiating.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 16th at Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends.
In lieu of flowers, Lorene’s family requests memorial gifts be given toward a yet undesignated cause that was close to Lorene’s heart.
According to her wishes, cremation after the service has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel. Private inurnment will be held later in Middletown Cemetery.
Carol Dane (Kelley) Burr, 87, of Burlington, died Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, West Burlington, Iowa. Born on October 27, 1934 in Milan, Missouri, she was the daughter of Platte Chester and Fern (Warren) Kelley.
She married Robert Burr on November 23, 1983 in Burlington. Carol was a teacher in the Burlington School district for many years. Carol loved travel, reading and playing cards with friends and family.
Survivors include one step-daughter, Lisa (Brent) Corman of Joplin, Missouri; two step-sons, Harley (Angela) Burr of O’Fallon, Missouri and Wesley Burr of Fort Madison, Iowa; four grandchildren, Lindsey (Brendan) Moore, Alexander Burr, Elaina Burr and Benjamin Burr; three great grandchildren and several cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
The memorial visitation will be Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at Lunning Chapel. Cremation has been entrusted to Lunning Chapel. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Des Moines County Humane Society.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Wayne Newell Johnson, 82, of Burlington, finally got his wish to join the love of his life in heaven, on Sunday, October 2nd, 2022 after battling a long illness and a broken heart.
Born April 12, 1940 in Burlington, he was the son of Warren and Rayne (nee Stevenson) Johnson. On April 8, 1961, he married his best friend and love of his life, Judith Ann Garnant in Burlington.
Wayne was a gifted and talented craftsman. He loved and supported his growing family as first an apprentice, then a tool and die maker at the Winegard Company, where he would retire after decades of loyal and faithful service, and where he made some very good friends.
Wayne was a member of SS. Mary and Patrick’s Catholic Church, where he attended faithfully until he was no longer able to safely do so. He loved the outdoors and treated Judy and the kids to decades of endless fun boating, camping, swimming, skiing and fishing on the Mississippi River. In addition to these activities, Wayne enjoyed tending to his garden, feeding the birds and fighting with the squirrels, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, and keeping up with all of his kids’ favorite sport teams and their local weather. He was an avid coin collector, an amazing wood worker who loved making beautiful keepsakes for his family, and an all-around simple yet gentle soul who loved telling jokes, drinking a PBR and sharing laughter and stories. Above all, he loved and valued his family that continued to grow and produce grandchildren and great grandchildren that he was so proud of. When Wayne lost Judy, he never quite recovered, but he did his best to go on and remain the loving patriarch of his family.
Wayne is survived by three daughters, Joni (Mitch) Smith of Big Canoe, GA, Kimberly (Carlos) Capdevila of Burlington, and Amy (Grant) Bonta of Belleville, IL; three sons Jeff (Morgan) Johnson of Overland Park, KS, Rick (Kelly) Johnson of Marion, IA, and Randy (Debbie) Johnson of Cedar Rapids, IA. 19 grandchildren, Jami (Shaun), Lindsey, Nicholas, Kelsey (Clinton), Brayden, Blake, Courtney (Morgan), Kyla (Arron), Payton, Elle, Nicole (Blake), Ryan, Jordan (Bridgette), Meagan (Colten), Caitlyn, Carter, Chandler, Camden and Ethan. Ten great grandchildren, Ryan, Chloe, Logan, Caden, Mason, Raylin, Alyvia, Oliver, Charlotte and Leo. Wayne also had one great grandchild on the way (Kelsey and Clinton’s baby boy) Also left to cherish Wayne’s memory are his brother Wally (Becky) Johnson of Amana, IA, sisters-in-law Laurie Johnson, Clara Johnson and Cheri (Joe) Stewart, several dear nieces and nephews, and special friends Phil and Cynthia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Judy, his three brothers Warren, Wesley and Wendell, his father/mother-in-law John and Kathleen Garnant, and two granddaughters, Kristal Smith and Alejandra Capdevila.
Wayne loved animals and the many pets he had throughout the years. Later in life, his dogs were his source of companionship, and his last dog was rescued from a breeding situation. Bonnie Boo was a faithful companion until the end. Wayne’s story can’t possibly be told without relating the love of music that he instilled in his six children. One of his favorite phrases was “music makes the world go round”. His children were raised on music, from listening to the 50’s around the campfire, to hearing Elvis Presley blaring from the living room after a night out with Mom, to Christmas music and requests made by Dad to have his kids sing and “act out” our silly 70’s song and dance numbers. Music was always a special thread that Dad wove through us, and it connected us to him and Mom in ways that are joyfully impossible to describe.
The leader of the band was tired, and his eyes had grown so old…but his blood runs through our instruments, and his song is in our souls. Our lives have been a poor attempt to imitate the man….We are just the living legacy to our leader of the band.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of arrangements.
Cremation has been entrusted to Prugh Crematory.
Visitation will be from noon until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM Friday, October 14, 2022 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home in Burlington.
The memorial service for Mr. Johnson will be 10:00 AM Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home in Burlington. with Rev. James Flattery officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Buffalo Tavern in Burlington following the burial.
Memorials have been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society and P.A.W.S. Animal Shelter in Fort Madison.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be left for the family by visiting Wayne’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
