Obituaries
Obituaries for Pauley Jones Funeral Home
In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones
Mildred "Mick" Goeser
Jun 5, 2026
Mildred “Mick” Elizabeth Goeser, daughter of Joseph Theodore and Olga Ann (Zimmerman) Goeser, was born on August 10, 1933, in Panama, Iowa. She was baptized at St. Mary’s Church in Panama and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, where she remained a life-long member. She attended St. Boniface School in Westphalia.
After school, Mick stayed home and helped around...
Phyllis A. Meyer
Jun 5, 2026
Phyllis Alayne Meyer was born October 8, 1928 to Elmer & Dosena (Nielsen) Brown. She graduated from Avoca High School in 1946 & taught country school for a short time. She married Eldon Chaney January 18, 1948 and they raised three daughters; Laraine (Robert) Scott of Avoca, Denice Duus of Omaha, NE and Patti (Davey) Weirich of Avoca. After Eldon's...
Jim Joseph Dotzler
Jun 3, 2026
Full Obituary Pending...
James "Jim" Dotzler, 60, of Defiance, Iowa, passed away peacefully at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska attaining the age of 60 years, 11 months and 18 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Janet (Backhaus) Dotzler. He is survived by his brother, Dan (Cindy) Dotzler of Ida Grove, IA; nieces and...
Frank Rueschenberg
May 31, 2026
Francis “Frank” Rueschenberg, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on May 31, 2026, at the age of 63.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 6th at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia. Friends may greet the family for visitation on Friday, June 5th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at St. Boniface Catholic...
Delbert Andrew Bruck
May 29, 2026
Delbert Andrew Bruck was born to Mary (Bissen) and Tony Bruck on May 25, 1937, in Earling, Iowa. He attended school at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Earling, where he graduated with the class of 1956. He served in the Army after graduating from high school and then in the Army Reserves.
On May 25, 1961, Delbert married the love of...
Carolyn Schroder
May 29, 2026
Carolyn Schroder, daughter of George and Helen (Schuning) McKnabb, was born on December 23, 1932, at home in Earling, Iowa. She attended rural country school in Earling, Iowa and graduated from Harlan High School in 1950. Following high school graduation, Carolyn attended JEMH and graduated with her nursing degree in 1953. She was baptized at the Harlan Methodist Church and...
Kirk Douglas Byars
May 27, 2026
Kirk Douglas Byars passed away peacefully at his home in Harlan, Iowa on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 attaining the age of 69 years and 14 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irene (Samouris) and Arnold Byars. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Kathy Byars of Harlan, Iowa; children, Christopher Byars of Des Moines, Iowa, Matthew...
Jim Ryan
May 25, 2026
James “Jim” Kevin Ryan, 71, passed away on May 25, 2026, in Avoca, IA. He was born on September 20, 1954, to Robert and Joyce (Fisher) Ryan in Lincoln, NE.
Jim was a hard worker, putting in countless overtime hours at Lincoln Electric System as a Gas Turbine operator. After 44 years at LES, he retired and looked for new projects...
John Schoemann
May 25, 2026
John Schoemann, son of Chris and Sophia (Blum), was born Sept. 1, 1935 in Harrison County. He was baptized, received First Holy Communion, and was confirmed at St. Mary’s Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth, IA. John attended 1st through 3rd grade at Pleasant Ridge Country School in Harrison County and then 4th through 8th grade at Cass...
Terri G Thompson
May 24, 2026
Terri G. Thompson, was born on January 15, 1952, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Gene and Shirley (Schwensen) Quirk. From an early age, Terri exhibited a sharp intellect and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She graduated as Valedictorian from Tri-Center High School in 1970, a testament to her dedication and scholastic prowess. Eager to pursue her passion for healthcare, she...
Delores Mae Nordby
May 21, 2026
Delores Mae (Petersen) Nordby was born in Marne, IA on May 20, 1933 to Clinton and Carrie Petersen.
Delores and her brother Bud were raised in Jacksonville, IA. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville. She attended country school at Jackson #6 and graduated from Harlan High School. Delores worked at the Harlan Telephone Office during her...
Sally Irene Nairn
May 19, 2026
Sally Irene Nairn was born in Sioux City, Iowa on December 21, 1946 to Howard Glen and Anna Irene (Herbold) Michaelsen. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in rural Correctionville, Iowa. Sally lived her childhood and early adult years in Pierson, Iowa. She attended Pierson Consolidated School. Her high school years were spent at Kingsley-Pierson Community High...
Greg Becker
May 16, 2026
Gregory Robert Becker, age 63, of Avoca, Iowa, passed away on May 16th, 2026. Born on November 19th, 1962, in Columbus, Mississippi, Greg lived a life defined by love, devotion, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to family. Above all else, he was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, and guiding presence to all who were blessed to know him.
Greg graduated...
Joleen Bandow
May 13, 2026
Joleen Bandow, was born on March 24, 1946, in Manning, Iowa, to George and Bernice (Schroeder) Justice. Joleen lived a life marked by dedication to both her profession and the people around her. Joleen’s educational journey began in Jefferson #2 grade school in Botna, Iowa, and continued through to her graduation from Manning High School. Early in her career, she...
Wayne Franklin
May 13, 2026
Wayne Franklin was born on June 24, 1949, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Leo and Mary (Kelly) Franklin. He attended Marshalltown schools and graduated with the Class of 1967. Following high school, Wayne continued his education at a two-year college where he earned his Associate’s Degree in electronics.
Wayne was a lifelong sports fan and especially loved cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes....
Marcine "Marti" Margaret Usher
May 9, 2026
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Marti was preceded in death by her parents, Lowell and Marcia (Barnard) Harper; husband, Dennis Usher and sister-in-law, Vicki Harper. She is survived by her daughter, Mackenzie Usher of Thornton, CO; siblings, Elizabeth (Ron) Buck of Harlan, IA, Steve Harper of Rockwell City, IA, Nancy Yockey of Carroll, IA, Mary...
Linda Wageman
May 6, 2026
Full Obituary Pending
Survivors include her husband Gene Wageman of Hancock, IA; children Christine (Dion) Nepper of Manilla, IA; Tina (Dan) MacGregor of Shelby, IA; Brian (Shannon) Wageman of Hancock, IA; 10 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and one on the way; siblings Larry (Tessa) Frank of Mesa, AZ; Traci (Mike) Wilwerding of Harlan, IA
Jacquelyn Jean Lewis
May 6, 2026
Jacquelyn Jean Lewis, daughter of Albert Leo and Laura Natalie (Newby) Luther, was born on April 30, 1926, in Columbia, Missouri. She spent her childhood in Memphis, MO near her grandparents Senator John E. and Lois Irene (Milliken) Luther. Jackie graduated from Memphis High School in 1944. During WWII she worked at a hatchery in Memphis and later at an...
Maureen Veronica Jensen
May 4, 2026
Maureen Veronica Jensen was born on July 5, 1951, in Manilla, Iowa, to Vernon and Eleanor (Chrastil) Lueth. She was baptized at the Manilla Catholic Church and attended grade school in Manilla and Irwin. She graduated with the class of 1969 from Irwin High School.
On August 2, 1969, Maureen was united in marriage to Alan Jensen at the Elk Horn...
Rebecca "Becky" Ann Miller
Apr 30, 2026
Rebecca "Becky" Ann Miller was born on December 11, 1960, in Harlan, Iowa, to Lavern and Colleen (Schwiesow) Daeges. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael's Catholic Church and graduated from Harlan Community Schools in 1979. While in school, she competed in gymnastics and began working at Harlan National Bank through the school's T&I program-sparking what would become a...
Mildred "Mick" Goeser
Jun 5, 2026
Mildred “Mick” Elizabeth Goeser, daughter of Joseph Theodore and Olga Ann (Zimmerman) Goeser, was born on August 10, 1933, in Panama, Iowa. She was baptized at St. Mary’s Church in Panama and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, where she remained a life-long member. She attended St. Boniface School in Westphalia.
After school, Mick stayed home and helped around...
Phyllis A. Meyer
Jun 5, 2026
Phyllis Alayne Meyer was born October 8, 1928 to Elmer & Dosena (Nielsen) Brown. She graduated from Avoca High School in 1946 & taught country school for a short time. She married Eldon Chaney January 18, 1948 and they raised three daughters; Laraine (Robert) Scott of Avoca, Denice Duus of Omaha, NE and Patti (Davey) Weirich of Avoca. After Eldon's...
Jim Joseph Dotzler
Jun 3, 2026
Full Obituary Pending...
James "Jim" Dotzler, 60, of Defiance, Iowa, passed away peacefully at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska attaining the age of 60 years, 11 months and 18 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Janet (Backhaus) Dotzler. He is survived by his brother, Dan (Cindy) Dotzler of Ida Grove, IA; nieces and...
Frank Rueschenberg
May 31, 2026
Francis “Frank” Rueschenberg, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on May 31, 2026, at the age of 63.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 6th at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia. Friends may greet the family for visitation on Friday, June 5th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at St. Boniface Catholic...
Delbert Andrew Bruck
May 29, 2026
Delbert Andrew Bruck was born to Mary (Bissen) and Tony Bruck on May 25, 1937, in Earling, Iowa. He attended school at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Earling, where he graduated with the class of 1956. He served in the Army after graduating from high school and then in the Army Reserves.
On May 25, 1961, Delbert married the love of...
Carolyn Schroder
May 29, 2026
Carolyn Schroder, daughter of George and Helen (Schuning) McKnabb, was born on December 23, 1932, at home in Earling, Iowa. She attended rural country school in Earling, Iowa and graduated from Harlan High School in 1950. Following high school graduation, Carolyn attended JEMH and graduated with her nursing degree in 1953. She was baptized at the Harlan Methodist Church and...
Kirk Douglas Byars
May 27, 2026
Kirk Douglas Byars passed away peacefully at his home in Harlan, Iowa on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 attaining the age of 69 years and 14 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irene (Samouris) and Arnold Byars. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Kathy Byars of Harlan, Iowa; children, Christopher Byars of Des Moines, Iowa, Matthew...
Jim Ryan
May 25, 2026
James “Jim” Kevin Ryan, 71, passed away on May 25, 2026, in Avoca, IA. He was born on September 20, 1954, to Robert and Joyce (Fisher) Ryan in Lincoln, NE.
Jim was a hard worker, putting in countless overtime hours at Lincoln Electric System as a Gas Turbine operator. After 44 years at LES, he retired and looked for new projects...
John Schoemann
May 25, 2026
John Schoemann, son of Chris and Sophia (Blum), was born Sept. 1, 1935 in Harrison County. He was baptized, received First Holy Communion, and was confirmed at St. Mary’s Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth, IA. John attended 1st through 3rd grade at Pleasant Ridge Country School in Harrison County and then 4th through 8th grade at Cass...
Terri G Thompson
May 24, 2026
Terri G. Thompson, was born on January 15, 1952, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Gene and Shirley (Schwensen) Quirk. From an early age, Terri exhibited a sharp intellect and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She graduated as Valedictorian from Tri-Center High School in 1970, a testament to her dedication and scholastic prowess. Eager to pursue her passion for healthcare, she...
Delores Mae Nordby
May 21, 2026
Delores Mae (Petersen) Nordby was born in Marne, IA on May 20, 1933 to Clinton and Carrie Petersen.
Delores and her brother Bud were raised in Jacksonville, IA. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville. She attended country school at Jackson #6 and graduated from Harlan High School. Delores worked at the Harlan Telephone Office during her...
Sally Irene Nairn
May 19, 2026
Sally Irene Nairn was born in Sioux City, Iowa on December 21, 1946 to Howard Glen and Anna Irene (Herbold) Michaelsen. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in rural Correctionville, Iowa. Sally lived her childhood and early adult years in Pierson, Iowa. She attended Pierson Consolidated School. Her high school years were spent at Kingsley-Pierson Community High...
Greg Becker
May 16, 2026
Gregory Robert Becker, age 63, of Avoca, Iowa, passed away on May 16th, 2026. Born on November 19th, 1962, in Columbus, Mississippi, Greg lived a life defined by love, devotion, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to family. Above all else, he was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, and guiding presence to all who were blessed to know him.
Greg graduated...
Joleen Bandow
May 13, 2026
Joleen Bandow, was born on March 24, 1946, in Manning, Iowa, to George and Bernice (Schroeder) Justice. Joleen lived a life marked by dedication to both her profession and the people around her. Joleen’s educational journey began in Jefferson #2 grade school in Botna, Iowa, and continued through to her graduation from Manning High School. Early in her career, she...
Wayne Franklin
May 13, 2026
Wayne Franklin was born on June 24, 1949, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Leo and Mary (Kelly) Franklin. He attended Marshalltown schools and graduated with the Class of 1967. Following high school, Wayne continued his education at a two-year college where he earned his Associate’s Degree in electronics.
Wayne was a lifelong sports fan and especially loved cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes....
Marcine "Marti" Margaret Usher
May 9, 2026
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Marti was preceded in death by her parents, Lowell and Marcia (Barnard) Harper; husband, Dennis Usher and sister-in-law, Vicki Harper. She is survived by her daughter, Mackenzie Usher of Thornton, CO; siblings, Elizabeth (Ron) Buck of Harlan, IA, Steve Harper of Rockwell City, IA, Nancy Yockey of Carroll, IA, Mary...
Linda Wageman
May 6, 2026
Full Obituary Pending
Survivors include her husband Gene Wageman of Hancock, IA; children Christine (Dion) Nepper of Manilla, IA; Tina (Dan) MacGregor of Shelby, IA; Brian (Shannon) Wageman of Hancock, IA; 10 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and one on the way; siblings Larry (Tessa) Frank of Mesa, AZ; Traci (Mike) Wilwerding of Harlan, IA
Jacquelyn Jean Lewis
May 6, 2026
Jacquelyn Jean Lewis, daughter of Albert Leo and Laura Natalie (Newby) Luther, was born on April 30, 1926, in Columbia, Missouri. She spent her childhood in Memphis, MO near her grandparents Senator John E. and Lois Irene (Milliken) Luther. Jackie graduated from Memphis High School in 1944. During WWII she worked at a hatchery in Memphis and later at an...
Maureen Veronica Jensen
May 4, 2026
Maureen Veronica Jensen was born on July 5, 1951, in Manilla, Iowa, to Vernon and Eleanor (Chrastil) Lueth. She was baptized at the Manilla Catholic Church and attended grade school in Manilla and Irwin. She graduated with the class of 1969 from Irwin High School.
On August 2, 1969, Maureen was united in marriage to Alan Jensen at the Elk Horn...
Rebecca "Becky" Ann Miller
Apr 30, 2026
Rebecca "Becky" Ann Miller was born on December 11, 1960, in Harlan, Iowa, to Lavern and Colleen (Schwiesow) Daeges. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael's Catholic Church and graduated from Harlan Community Schools in 1979. While in school, she competed in gymnastics and began working at Harlan National Bank through the school's T&I program-sparking what would become a...
