Janet Holterhaus Ditzman, 69, of Burlington, formerly West Point, died Monday, June 19, 2023 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington. She was born September 14, 1953 at Ft. Madison Sacred Heart Hospital to Raymond Donald and Goldie Belle Anderson McGregor. She married Warren Blint; they later divorced. She was then married to Edwin H. Menke and Larry J. Holterhaus who both preceded her in death. On June 28, 2021 she married Ken Ditzman who survives.
Janet was a 1971 graduate of Ft. Madison High School and worked thirty years for Sheaffer Pen Co. She loved working with her hands doing crocheting, quilting, crafting, and card making; fishing, gardening, yard work, doing things with her kids, and baking cookies with her sister. She was a member of Harmony Bible Church and was very active working in the HBC prison ministry in Mt. Pleasant, and loved working with the children’s Christian Bible Study. She and her husband, Ken, were leaders of a Grief Share group and she was a member of the Optimist Club serving as President and Chairman at the district level.
Survivors include her husband, Ken and grandson Hayden William Ditzman who lived with them in Burlington; one daughter Lori (Mike) Hasenclever of Ft. Madison; one son Michael W. Blint of West Point; five step-daughters; Sandra Houk of Soddy-Daisy Tennessee, Lisa Wingler of Wayne, Michigan, Jessica Brinkman of Dyersville, Dartania Ditzman of Burlington, and Erica Ditzman of Ottumwa; three stepsons; Jon Ditzman of Osco, Illinois, Stephen Ditzman of Bettendorf, and Thaddeus Ditzman of Burlington; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nineteen step-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandchild; five brothers; David (Charlotte) of New London, Marvin of West Point, Dennis (Cathy) of West Point, Carl (Mary) of Lake Villa, Illinois, and Donald of Burlington; one sister Sandra M. (Bill) Klesner of West Point; nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; one brother Michael McGregor; one grandson Jacob Michael Hasenclever; and one sister-in-law Janet McGregor.
Funeral services for Mrs. Ditzman will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Harmony Bible Church, Danville, with Pastor Chris Carr officiating. Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery, rural Ft. Madison following the service. Visitation with the family will be from 9:00 until 11:00 Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Harmony Bible Church Missions or Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Patricia Ann Weld, 76, of Burlington, passed away June 16, 2023 with her loving family by her side at the Granite VNA Hospice House in Concord, NH after a courageous battle with stage four cancer.
Pat was born on December 9, 1946, to John E. and Wanda I. (King) Weld in Burlington, Iowa. She graduated from Burlington High School and attended Blackhawk Community College and graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s degree.
Pat began her career in advertising in Denver and Dallas, then worked as a paralegal in Chicago and her favorite city of Boston. Upon retirement she returned to Burlington to care for her aging mother.
Pat was an avid reader and loved to play tennis, bake and most importantly spend time with her high school friends and her family.
Pat is survived by her brother James (Sandy) Weld of Franklin, NH, niece Jessica (Eric) Cole of Boscawen, NH, nephew Brandon Weld of Loudon, NH, great-nieces Emily and Haley Weld of Concord, NH, and great-nephews Brady and Logan Cole of Boscawen, NH.
The Graveside Committal Service for Ms. Weld will be 2:00 PM Friday, June 30, 2023, at Aspen Grove Cemetery with Reverend Tamara Wirt officiating.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Breast Cancer Center of your choice.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Patricia’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Maureen A. Schneider, 58, of Burlington, formerly of Muscatine, died Monday, June 19, 2023 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.
Born August 19, 1964 in Bad Cannstatt, Germany, she was the daughter of Larry Protsman and Mary (Dahl) Protsman Leonard.
Maureen graduated from Muscatine High School. On August 12, 1993 she married Richard “Dick” Schneider in Muscatine. He died April 6, 2014.
Maureen was a homemaker. She was a motorcycle rider and she loved nature. She enjoyed drawing, listening to music, and she loved spending time with her grandkids.
Survivors include her children Jared (Jamie) Shilling and Amber Shilling both of Burlington; three grandchildren Zach, Ariyanna and Cordeilya Shilling; two sisters Mary Phillips and Kathryn Patton; four brothers David Protsman, Willard “Bill” Protsman, Mark Mulford and Brian Patton.
She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, her parents and grandmother, Ellen Dahl.
According to her wishes, cremation has been entrusted to Lunning Funeral Chapel. There will be no services at this time.
A tree has been planted in Danqwardt Park in Maureen’s honor.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Sondra “Sammy” Kathleen (Goldsmith) Morrow, 67, of Burlington, Iowa, died Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at her residence.
Born September 1, 1955, in North Hollywood, California, she was the daughter of John Patrick and Sheri A. (Maison) Goldsmith. She married John Patrick Morrow, they later divorced, and he passed away recently on November 24, 2022.
Sammy founded and was the director of the Effie Sue Sober Living House in Burlington for seven years until its closure due to Covid in 2020. During her time there, she helped countless families and individuals in the Burlington area and beyond. She worked with many social agencies and was very involved (and a former graduate of the first class) of the Building Bridges program.
She was a member of New Life Family Church in Burlington.
She enjoyed making jewelry, cooking, playing Backgammon and other card games, laughing, listening to music and singing and spending a lifetime helping others. Her love in life was being a grandma and spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include her five children; Carmine Morrow of Chicago, Illinois, Angela Morrow of Burlington, Gianna Morrow of Port Richey, Florida, Michael Morrow of Mount Pleasant, Iowa and Jeffrey McCabe of Burlington; ten grandchildren, Malachite, Talon, Elijah, Amiah, Jayanni, Giovanni, Kirah, Easton, Owen and Baby Michael; two brothers, Skip Goldsmith and Bobby Goldsmith and her best friend Jeannine Harrison of Burlington.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother John Goldsmith.
A celebration of life service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, June 22nd at the New Life Family Church, Burlington, Iowa. Pastor Richard Dutzer will officiate. All family and friends are invited to attend. A time of food and fellowship will follow the service at the church.
A memorial has been established for the family to help with funeral expenses.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Gary Lee Duckstein, 71, of Burlington, died Sunday, June 18, 2023.
Born March 4, 1952, in Burlington, he was the son of Robert Arthur Duckstein Sr. and Harriet Mae Dowell. On August 24, 1974, he married Valentina Sereda at West Ave. Baptist Church of Burlington, Iowa. She died on September 28, 2022.
He was a 1970 graduate of Burlington High School.
Gary worked at Hobby Craft, Wareco Gas and worked in quality control at General Electric for 38 1/2 years.
He was a member of G.W.R.R.A Association, Gold Wing Road Riders of Burlington, formally Chapter E, since 1995. He loved spending time with his family, grandkids and great-grandkids. He enjoyed camping, fishing, woodworking, and Ronald McDonald Fundraisers in Iowa City. Gary was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and he also loved going to the Burlington Bees games.
Survivors include his daughter, Tammy Meyer of Burlington; two grandchildren, Zachary (Nicolle) Determan of NE and Grant (Alyssa) Jones of Burlington ; one great-grandchild, Brielle Determan; one brother, Robert A (Beverly) Duckstein of AZ; and two sisters, Sharon (Larry) Krieger of Mediapolis and Joella Magorian of Marion, IA.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and one great-granddaughter, Trisslyn Marie Jones.
Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Friday, June 23, 2023 at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street.
The funeral service for Mr. Duckstein will be 11:00 AM Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Prugh Funeral Service with Reverend Shane A. McCampbell officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh Funeral Service following the burial.
A memorial has been established for the Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City and the family also invites everyone to bring in pop/beer tabs to donate in memory of Gary.
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 Gary’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Thomas Bledsoe, 74, of Burlington, died Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at his home in Burlington, Iowa.
Born February 12, 1949, in Kansas City, MO, he was the son of Raymond Nelson and Della Ruth Bledsoe.
Tommy loved his TV shows, movies, reading, collecting comic books and baseball cards. Tommy was an avid KC Royals and Chiefs fan. Tommy often could be found enjoying Star Wars and old westerns.
Tommy was the recipient of the Patriotic Citizen Award by the VFW for displaying the American Flag without fail.
Survivors include two brothers, Raymond (Angelia) Bledsoe of KY and James (Kim) Bledsoe of Barstow, CA; and niece, Ricci (Andy) Neilson of Burlington, with whom he resided; five additional nieces, five nephews, and several great and great great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister Cyndi Mahoney.
A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM, Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street. Tommy will be laid to rest with his family in Kansas City, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice, and Special Needs Foundation of Des Moines County.
Cremation has been entrusted to Prugh Crematory
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Tommy’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Dennis Lee Zegarac, 80, of Burlington, died Thursday, May 25, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.
Born February 5, 1943, in Waterloo, IA, he was the son of Nick and Irene Delores Aldrich Zegarac.
After high school, Dennis served in the United States Air Force from November 1961- November 1965 and then received his Bachelor’s Degree in English.
Dennis was employed with the Southeast Iowa Agency on aging, serving as their Executive Director in Council Bluffs.
Survivors include nephew Scott Zeharac of Waterloo, IA, and friend, Glen (Roxanne) Hupp of Wever, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Nicholas.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory, and no services will be held at this time.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Dennis’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Kevin Bryan Francis, 62, of Burlington, died Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.
Born May 19, 1961, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, he was the son of Bruce Robert “Bob” and Miriam (Elmore) Francis.
Kevin was a Respiratory Therapist for Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland and for Clarinda Regional Health Center in Clarinda, Iowa. He more recently worked part time as a bus driver for the Burlington School System and loved working with the children.
Kevin’s passion was music. In his younger years, he worked as a D.J. and that experience fostered his love for music. He enjoyed playing fantasy sports games and golfing, but more importantly, he enjoyed his time spent with his family.
He is survived by his mother, Miriam Francis of Burlington; two brothers, Dannie (Joyce) Francis of Wever and Marc Francis of Burlington and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, sister Kathy and her husband Craig Titus, and nephews Trent Francis and Mike Menke.
The memorial visitation for Kevin will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Friday, June 23rd at Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends.
According to his wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
