David Franklin Brown, 78, of Danville, died Monday, March 31, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington. Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.
Karen Hollingsworth, 85, of Mediapolis, passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Mediapolis. Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025 at the Mediapolis Global Methodist Church. Burial will be in Kossuth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Mediapolis Global Methodist Church and Kossuth Cemetery Association. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.
Karen Sue Wright was born on October 17, 1939 to Gay and Mildred (Springsteen) Wright. She grew up in Morning Sun, Iowa where she enjoyed the finer things of a small-town life…riding bikes, roller skating at her dad’s skating rink in town, sledding down the old grade school hill, and shooting baskets on the M.S.H.S. girl basketball team. She earned her way to the state tournament for her free throw shooting skills, winning many trophies along the way. She was also active in the Morning Sun Methodist Church and 4-H in those early years. After graduating from MSHS in 1957 she went to nursing school in downtown Burlington from 1957-1958.
Karen married Ronald G. Hollingsworth on September 5, 1958 and together they started their life in Mediapolis. Karen was active in many community activities along with starting a painting business with her sister-in-law, Joyce. She loved Jesus and was active in the Global Methodist Church, attending faithfully for 65 years. She sang in the choir, helped make greeting cards, and her church and church family held a special place in her heart.
In 1982 Karen went back to nursing school at S.C.C. and earned her R.N. Her nursing career had her at Burlington Medical Center on the surgical floor, Mediapolis Care Center, Morning Sun Care Center and at Dr. Miller’s chiropractic office in Mediapolis.
Through the years Karen was also a Girl Scout Leader, a member of Kings Daughters, loved taking family vacations and road trips with her sisters, and attended many of her kids and grandkids school and sports events. She loved sitting down at the piano to play a hymn or two and invited anyone around to sit down and play a duet of chopsticks with her. She could be seen most recently cruising up and down the main street sidewalks with her shiny red scooter!
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Karen loved her children well: Christy and Kim Robb, Randy and Joni Hollingsworth and Rhonda and Kory Klenk.
She loved her grandchildren more: Levi (Maddie), Caleb (Paige) and Noah (Gabby) Robb; Tanner (Cassie), Maddie (Casey), Samuel (Hope) and Joseph Hollingsworth; Chase (Stephanie), Bryana (Marcus Walton) and Bryce (Emma) Klenk.
But the 13 great-grandkids were her delight! Dorothy, Eloise, Theo and Silas Robb, Zander, Ansel and Luna Hollingsworth, Kavik, Tavi and Kreed Walton, Russell, Kashton and Khoen Klenk.
She is also survived by her sister, Ruth and James Oetken, her brother, Ed (Jody) Wright, a special niece, Cindy and Ken Miller, many other nieces, nephews and cousins, and many good and faithful friends.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ron in 2009; sister, Phyllis and Warren Stineman; niece, Shannon Stineman; in-laws: J.K. “Holly” and Marcella Hollingsworth, Shirley and Vaughn McCants and Don and Joyce Hollingsworth.
Greta Ann Goodman, 85, of Burlington, died Sunday, March 30, 2025, at the West Ridge Care Center in Cedar Rapids.
Born April 1, 1939, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Kornelius and Gertrude Hauber Vahl. On February 7, 1960, she married Gary Lee Goodman in Burlington. He preceded her on December 15, 2002.
She was a graduate of Burlington High School. After high school, she attended the Iowa Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls.
Greta worked as book keeper for the family car dealership, Import Motors. She later worked as an office manager for multiple real estate agencies over the years. Her most important job was being a beloved mother and wife.
In Greta’s early years, she enjoyed gardening and caring for her family. She could be found reading or working on needlepoint and embroidery projects. Most of all, Greta loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Survivors include two sons, Greg (Beth) Goodman of Washington and Todd (Chris) Goodman of Hiawatha; three grandchildren, Christopher (Whitney) Goodman, Tyler Goodman, and Nicole (Doug Duke) Goodman; two sisters, Karen Barnes of Ames and Sheila Goben of Overland Park, KS; three nephews, and several cousins.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers-in-law, Keith Barnes and Jerry Goben.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
A private graveside service will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Burlington Public Library.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Greta’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Randy was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome after birth. A few weeks before Randy’s second birthday, a near tragic event happened to his home. Randy had been in his crib for the night; a very short time later, the large, two story house was racked by a huge gas explosion, the explosion blew out all the downstairs windows along with other parts. Randy’s crib alongside his parents’ bed, only inches from a window, did not receive a shred of broken glass in it. Randy was picked up safely by his mother that night and carried out of the darkened house through a doorway blown out and lined with large nails protruding from it. All lights in the neighborhood were knocked out by the blast. Morning revealed broken glass from three windows and a large broken mirror had covered the floor and large bed in the bedroom where Randy’s bed was located. Since he was so miraculously kept safe, we knew God had a special purpose for Randy’s life.
He grew up as an active, healthy child. He attended preschool classes at five years old and later was enrolled in classes at Hope Haven School. This school was located in a private residence on North Hill in Burlington, when it was first organized by parents of handicapped children. Later, a new school building was built on Douglas Street, named Hope Haven, where Randy attended through age 18. He then entered into a work training program at Hope Haven Development Center. At age 24, he was accepted at Glenwood State Resource Center for extended training and care. He resided there 25 years, and received very helpful services and experiences.
His parents decided he enjoyed being home so much over all those years that it was time for him to return back to Burlington to enjoy his life with family and, especially, long-time friends at the Hope Haven Development Center. Randy always enjoyed many community activities; roller skating was one activity he enjoyed for many years along with being on a Burlington Special Olympics swim team, which won several gold medals. The Burlington Team was a pioneer in the swim division when the Special Olympics of Iowa was first started. Randy has enjoyed a collection of miniature farm toys and trucks which he displayed many ways. Favorite pastimes of his were going to visit the farm for a tractor hay rack ride or to take a pony ride and see the farm animals.
Randy had the pleasure of taking several trips. He’s been across the Canadian border, as well as, the Mexican border to visit border cities. He attended summer camps during his teen years while he was a resident at Glenwood Resource Center. In later years, he enjoyed winter months at a south Texas RV Resort with his parents. Visiting the music shows, swimming, sight seeing and viewing the Pacific Ocean for the first time were great, fun experiences for Randy.
Visitation will be from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street.
The funeral service for Randy will be 1:00 PM Thursday, April 3, 2025, at First Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Larry Dodds officiating. Burial will be in Sharon Cemetery.
Memorials have been established for Imagine the Possibilities (formerly Hope Haven) and the Special Needs Foundation.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Randy’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
