Obituaries

Feb 8, 2026

Carol was born on August 23, 1943, at Spencer Municipal Hospital to Faye and Joe White. She grew up in Spencer alongside her brothers, Joe and Tom White, and spent her entire life in the community she loved.

Carol was a proud graduate of Spencer High School and one of her most memorable accomplishments was being selected to play in the...

Feb 3, 2026

Beatrice “Bea” Iona Wede, age 97, of Peterson, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at The Heritage at Sterling Ridge in Omaha, Nebraska. In accordance with Bea’s wishes, her body has been donated to Creighton University. A funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer, Iowa. 

Beatrice Iona Albers was born on May 31,...

Feb 10, 2026

Feb 8, 2026

John Richard Chapman, age 97, of Emmetsburg, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

John was born on March 19, 1928, in Marathon, IA to John Edward Chapman and Pearl Ruby Franksain.

John grew up on the farm with seven siblings. In 1950, John married Donna Marie Stephenson and together they raised five children.

They made their home in Marathon until 1983....

Feb 5, 2026

   Janice Kay Roghair, 88, of Spencer, IA, peacefully passed away on February 5th, 2026. She was surrounded by family.

   Janice was born in Hartley, IA on April 15, 1937. Her early years were spent with her parents, Henry and Orva Jaeger, sister, Darlene, and brothers, Dennis and Dean, in Hancock, MN. Janice graduated from Hancock High School in 1954.

 ...

Feb 5, 2026

Judy Ann (McCarty) Pingel was born on August 24, 1943, in Hartley, Iowa, the daughter of John and Seraphine (Zensen) McCarty. She grew up in the Sanborn area, graduating high school from Sanborn with the Class of 1961. She worked various jobs in the Spencer, area, residing there with her 3 boys. In the early 90’s, Judy & Lee moved...

Jan 29, 2026

Donald Wayne Nelson was born October 17, 1930 in Alta, IA to Albert & Ellen (Sundberg) Nelson. He moved to the Rossie, IA area with his parents in 1936 and attended school in Rossie, graduating from Greenville-Rossie in 1948.

After graduation, Don started farming with his father. Don served in the Army from February 1952 until January 1954, 16 months serving...

Jan 27, 2026

    Gerald “John” Davis Johnston, the son of Col. Wallace and Annie Mae (Davis) Johnston, was born on September 15, 1931, in Rock Hill, SC. He was raised and attended School there.

    On November 11, 1948, he entered into U.S. Armed Forces, serving in the Coast Guard. He served for four years during the Korean Conflict. He was...

Jan 22, 2026

It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of Irwin Edward Martin of Spencer on January 22, 2026, at the age of 84 years + 1 day. Irwin was born on January 21, 1942, in Wesley, Iowa, and was a devoted husband, father and friend to all who knew him.

Irwin dedicated thirty years of service to the City of...

Jan 15, 2026

Joyce (Kruse) Lemke was born in Denver, Colorado in 1951. She attended college at her beloved Nebraska Wesleyan University. She was very intelligent, always getting perfect grades and graduated magna cum laude. Also, she was a proud sorority sister of Alpha Gamma Delta. During college, she backpacked through Europe with complete strangers. She joined Vista Volunteers, now known as Ameri...

Jan 14, 2026

Jerry Fredrick Groenewold of Spencer, IA passed away on January 14th, 2026, surrounded by loving family.

Jerry was born on February 22nd, 1946, to George and Helen (Blass) Groenewold in Spencer, IA.

Jerry spent his childhood on a farm near Everly, IA and participated in various activities including serving as county 4-H president and raising a grand champion hog for the Clay...

Jan 10, 2026

    Karen Ann Cross was born on May 11,1943 in Emmetsburg, Iowa to Gilbert and Edythe (Kirsch) Wilbur. She grew up and graduated from Webb, Iowa.

    On February of 1962, she married Ronald Cross. To this union a son was born, Todd. They later divorced.

    Karen held many jobs but being a supervisor at Eatons was her...

Jan 10, 2026

Norma Jeanne Nagel, the daughter of Walter and Leota (Bailey) Heick, was born on June 22, 1932, in Peterson, IA. She received her early education at Peterson Consolidated School. After graduation in 1949 she pursued a career in Early education at Buena Vista in Storm Lake, IA, where she received her degree in 1951.

Early in her career she taught at...

Jan 8, 2026

Melvin Lloyd “Mike” Banks Jr. was called home on January 8, 2026, at St. Luke Nursing Home in Spencer, Iowa. He was born December 1, 1944, in Storm Lake, Iowa, the son of Melvin and Gladys (North) Banks.

Mike was a man who lived life on his own terms, guided by hard work, loyalty to family, and a deep appreciation for...

Jan 6, 2026

Doris Ann Dirksen, 93, passed away peacefully at Spencer Post Acute Rehabilitation Center in Spencer. Born on November 14, 1932, to Theodore and Johanna Anna (Ringering) Dirksen.

In Doris’s younger years, she attended country grade school up until the eighth grade. Doris continued her education at Spencer High School graduating in 1950. The family said that was a big shock for...

Jan 5, 2026

Franklin “Fritz” George Groat was born on February 22, 1941, in Badger, Iowa, and lived a life deeply rooted in love, honesty, creativity, and the great outdoors. On January 5, 2026, Fritz completed his earthly work and left behind a family—and a patch of land—forever changed by his presence.

Fritz loved his family unconditionally. Not loudly or showily, but steadily, faithfully,...

Jan 4, 2026

Services are pending

Jan 3, 2026

Delores Hazel Barringer, the daughter of John and Eda (Rasmussen) Clemenson was born August 9, 1928 in Graettinger, IA. Her childhood years were spent in the Graettinger area, where she attended school and graduated from Graettinger High School in 1946. She continued her education at Iowa State Teachers College, then University of Northern Iowa, and University of Colorado.

Delores married Robert...

Jan 3, 2026

Thelma Virginia Wicks started her 90 years in a Kansas City, Missouri Hospital and was adopted by her parents, Estill and Babe Elliott. She grew up in Kansas and was the Head Cheerleader, Homecoming Queen and Drum Majorette in a class of eight! She was the Drum Majorette at Southern Illinois University where she met Richard (Dick) Wicks, fell in...

Jan 2, 2026

Hannah Marie Thiesse, age 35, died unexpectedly due to complications from emergency surgery on new years day. She was born on August 30, 1990, in Rochester, MN to Jim and Theresa Thiesse. Hannah was one year old when she moved to Spencer where she spent most of her life.

Hannah attended Spencer High School from 2004 to 2008. She had a...