Obituaries for Monday January 5th

Marilon Anne Annegers Smith, age 70, of Gladstone, Illinois passed away at 9:42 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2026 at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa.  She was born June 2, 1955 in Burlington, the daughter of Raymond and Marilon McCollum Annegers. On August 6, 1983, she married Maurice A. Smith Jr. in Stronghurst.

Anne was a 1973 graduate of Stronghurst High School.  She received a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education and later received an Associate Degree in Office Management from Southeastern Community College in West Burlington.

Anne taught school at the Indian Reservation at Cherry Creek, South Dakota from 1979 through 1983.  Later, she worked for Super 8 Motel and was the front desk clerk at Pzazz in Burlington for 15 years.  Over the years, she hosted ten foreign exchange students. She was a member of the Burlington Professional Women, Phi Beta Kappa at SCC, and the Bethel Lutheran Church of Stronghurst.  She loved growing up on the farm near Stronghurst.  Her hobbies included quilting, crocheting, knitting, reading books, and spending time with family.

Anne wanted to express her deep appreciation for Henderson County Home Health Care, her dear friend Ann Kirk, and her sisters-in-law Sharon Annegers and Linda Annegers, for all they have done for her over the years.

Survivors include her husband, “Mo”,  sisters-in-law, Sharon Annegers, Linda Annegers, Bobbi Scovern, and Cheryl Noble, brother-in-law, Marty (Laurie) Smith, nephew, Adam (Melanie) Annegers, nieces, Amanda (Tony) Bolte, Alicia (Chad) Anderson, Whitney Finley, and other nieces and nephews. Also surviving are her special children, Max and his wife Tanya, and their children Mark and Milana, from Russia. Cheissa Gee and her husband Austin, and their children, Mariska, Myah, Makyha, David, and Olivia, of Cedar Rapids, IA, and her dear friend, Ann Kirk, of Burlington, IA (currently residing in Arizona).

She was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Annegers, her mother, Marilon Annegers Stewart, who passed away December 31, 2025, three brothers, Leon and Joe Annegers, and Mason Stewart, one sister in infancy, Nancy Annegers, and grandparents, Casey and Gladys McCollum and Herb and Edna Annegers.

The funeral service for Anne will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst.  Burial will follow in the Stronghurst Cemetery.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Banks & Beals.  A memorial fund has been established for the Bethel Lutheran Church of Stronghurst.  Please visit banksandbeals.com to leave a condolence.

Phyllis Marie Johnson, of New London, died Sunday, January 4, 2026 at River Valley Place, Ft. Madison on her 79^th birthday.  She was born January 4, 1947 to Kenneth W. and Anna Belle Lott Ricketts.  She attended Wapello High School and was a member of New London Christian Church where she was treasurer for many years.  On May 22, 1980 she married Robert Johnson at the Burlington Christian Church.

Phyllis began her employment career at IAAP as a machine operator, then in 1970 at Champion Spark Plugs/Iowa Industry where she retired.  She was a lifetime member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.  She was an avid reader; enjoyed bowling; spending time with her kids and grandkids; sewing, crocheting, and embroidery; her rose bushes; and painting ceramics.  She and Bob delivered Meals on Wheels for many years and she donated over nineteen gallons of blood in her lifetime.  She was president of the New London Country Club where she and Bob enjoyed camping and she loved Thanksgiving and Christmas especially when all the grandbabies were there.  Phyllis dearly loved every dog she ever had.

Survivors include her husband; her children, John (Carma) Seitz of Wayland, Kenny (Kim) Seitz of New Boston, Illinois and Robert (Rhonda) Seitz of Des Moines; stepsons Michael and Denny Allan Johnson both of Mt. Pleasant; thirteen grandchildren, Christina, Lesley, Gina, Kelsey, Kylie, Stephanie, Kristopher, Kourtney, Daniel, Joe, Kayla, Nikki and Zoey; many great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and her precious maltipoo Sammy.  Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter Joanne Sourwine; a daughter in infancy; brothers Billy and John Ricketts and sister Anna Lee Simpson.

According to her wishes, her body has been cremated and there will be a private family graveside service at Burge Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of River Valley Place for the amazing care Phyllis received the last few months of her life.  A memorial has been established for the Memory Care Unit at River Valley Place.  Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Jean Louden, 102, of LaHarpe, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington, Iowa.

Jean was born the fourth of nine children May 26, 1923 in LaHarpe, the daughter of Lewis “Skimmer” and Eva (Laybourne) Link. She was raised on a farm southeast of LaHarpe and graduated from LaHarpe High School. Following high school, she attended nursing school in Burlington, Iowa, becoming a registered nurse. During her schooling, she completed her residency at the Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.  On January 15, 1945 she married Harry Franklin Louden in LaHarpe. Frank was enlisted in the Navy allowing the couple to honeymoon in San Diego.  He preceded her in death on October 20, 1992.

Following her nursing school, she returned to LaHarpe for a 30 year career under Dr. Mueller; all while raising her family and being a beloved farm wife. Following their retirement in 1989, the couple relocated from their farm into LaHarpe.

Jean was a member of the LaHarpe Union Church and local women’s organizations. She was an avid reader and enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs.

Survivors include four children: Jim (Dee) Louden of Middleburg, Florida, Richard (Sandy) Louden of Camp Point, Illinois; one daughter: Janice Louden of Palm Springs, California, Harry (Sherry Carpenter) Louden of LaHarpe; seven grandchildren: Abby (Chris) Johns of Cleveland, Texas, Adrienne (Brandon Bennett) Louden of Burlington, Abe (Lyndsay Fraser) Louden of Sara Toga Springs, Utah, Alyse (JJ Myers) Louden of Burlington, Iowa, Emily Louden of Ft. Madison, Katie Nelson of Overland Park, Kansas, Erin (Josiah) Neff of LaHarpe; 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by one daughter: Beth Ann Nelson, one step-grandson: Jeff Land and 8 siblings: Louise Boren, Bob Link, Luella Bowen, Donald “Soup” Link, Dorothy Kern, Wendell Link, Wayne Link and Leah Belle Hicks.

The funeral service for Jean will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, January 5, 2026 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe with Rev. Rick Goettsche officiating. Burial will follow at the LaHarpe Cemetery.

The family will receive friends form 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.

A memorial fund has been established to the Southeastern Iowa Regional Hospice House. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit Jean’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.

Mark Edwards, beloved husband, father, brother, friend, and musician, passed away in Iowa City on Saturday, December 27, 2025. To know Mark was to know laughter, music, and a life lived with relentless creative spirit.

From touring and playing in bands to owning a recording studio and later working in video production, Mark pushed his creativity to its limits. He didn’t just hear music-he felt it. Whether shaping a song, filling out a sound with the perfect lick, or leaving just enough space for emotion to land, he chased the emotional core of every project. In his video work for families, he often said his goal was simple: To move them to tears by capturing how deeply they loved and were loved.

Mark was happiest with family, listening to or making music together. He loved jam sessions, the sound of a real Leslie speaker filling a room, and the comfort of familiar rituals from Christmas traditions to Skip-Bo marathons. And perhaps his greatest gift was his humor: Perfectly timed zingers that turned ordinary moments into unforgettable stories and left people belly-laughing long after.

Mark faced health challenges with quiet strength and determination. Rather than dwell on hardship, he chose to fill his days with what mattered most-music, family, and laughter.

Mark leaves behind a family who loved him, friends who treasured him, and a legacy of music, creativity, and laughter. Though his absence is deeply felt, his spirit lives on in every shared laugh, spontaneous jam session, and memory that brings a smile through tears.

Mark is survived by his wife Kim Edwards; mother, Betty Edwards; three children, Brett Edwards, Aaron Luttenegger, and Brooke Edwards; three grandchildren, Margo, Phoenix, and Gable; three siblings, Mike Edwards, Diane Gibbs and Matt Edwards; and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Eldon Edwards and brother Jonathan Edwards.

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.

There will be no formal services at this time

Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Mark’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.

Jerry Lee Sims, 77, of New London, Iowa, formerly of Burlington, died Monday, December 29, 2025, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington. He was born October 22, 1948, in Galesburg, Illinois to Forrest Laverne Sr. and Dorothy Jane Lane Sims. He married Connie Baughman on July 20, 1968, in Galesburg and she died February 27, 2023.

Jerry graduated from Galesburg High School and started his career with Hi-Lo Grocers in Galesburg. In 1973 he went to work for the Burlington Northern Railroad, where he retired in 2008. He was of the Christian faith and enjoyed traveling with his wife in their RV, camping, woodworking, genealogy, spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; he especially loved making calendars for his family at Christmas.

Jerry is survived by daughters Julie (Ed) Earhart and Brenda (Bruce) Hunter, both of Burlington; six grandchildren; Breanna Purvis, Brittany Earhart, Lorraine Emde, Matthew Earhart, Zach Hunter, and Abby Hunter; seven great grandchildren; Charli Connor, Alexis Emde, Finley Emde, Emma Purvis, Bowden Schier, C.J. Purvis and one on the way, Ivy Lee Schramm. He was preceded in death by his wife, brother Forrest Jr. and sister Joyce Lufkin.

Visitation will be from 9am-2pm, January 17 at Elliott Chapel, New London with the family receiving friends from 1pm-2pm and a graveside service immediately following at Burge Cemetery, rural New London. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for family expenses.

Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com