Obituaries
Obituaries for Pauley Jones Funeral Home
In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones
Thomas Joseph Schmitz
Feb 11, 2026
Thomas Joseph Schmitz was born to Vincent Schmitz and Dolores (Leinen) Schmitz on June 6, 1946 at their home in Panama, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama, IA. Tom attended school in Panama from grade school until high school graduation. After graduating, he attended a 2 year technical school in Des Moines...
Donald Scheffler
Feb 11, 2026
Donald Edward Scheffler, son of Herman and Olga (Jacobsen) Scheffler, was born on July 31, 1928, on a farm east of Hancock. Don attended country school and graduated from Hancock High School with the class of 1945, where he was a student athlete playing basketball. He attended Iowa State University and then came home to farm. He married his high...
Walter Sonksen
Feb 8, 2026
Walter “Walt” Ferdinand Sonksen, was born on April 22, 1932, at the family farm in Mapleton, Iowa to Richard and Frances (Ruchti) Sonksen. He attended country school through the 8th grade and graduated from Mapleton High School in 1950 and was united in 65+ years of marriage to Marilyn Schluter on November 27, 1955. They had two children: Randall, born...
Fr. Leonard Anthony Kenkel
Feb 7, 2026
Father Leonard Anthony Kenkel was born on May 28, 1934, in Panama, Iowa, to William and Anna (Wingert) Kenkel. He grew up with his sisters, Lauretta and Sister Sylvia, OSB, and his brothers Michael, Sylvan, David, Damian, and Eugene.
He was educated at St. Mary’s School in Panama, graduating from grade school in 1948 and high school in 1952. He earned...
Trent Nielsen
Feb 6, 2026
Trent Allen Nielsen, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026 at the age of 40. Trent was born on April 4, 1985, at the Cass County Hospital in Atlantic and died at home with his family. He is survived by his parents, Richard and Vicki Nielsen, his sisters Erin(Doug) Owen of Gretna, Nebraska and Tiffany (Nate) Parrott of Morton, Illinois,...
Robert E Jensen
Feb 5, 2026
Robert Eugene Jensen was born to Niels “Nels” Jensen and Kirsten “Katherine” (Hjornet) Jensen on October 25, 1930 at a farmhouse in James Township, Pottawattamie, Iowa. He grew up alongside his five siblings: Elsie, Elmer, Betty, Carl, and Ellen.
On December 19, 1954, Robert was united in marriage to Ellen Marie Smith. To this union, four children were born: Randal, Dennis,...
Sharon Kay Pebley
Feb 1, 2026
Sharon Pebley, 84, of Harlan, Iowa passed away peacefully on February 1, 2026 in Greenfield, Iowa. She is preceded in death by her parents, Shorty and Etna Mosher; husbands, Erik Claude, John Beckel, and Al Roller; siblings, Pat Guysinger, Terry Mosher, Gary Mosher, and Bubby Mosher.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Ervin (Vicki) Claude, Alvin (Teresa) Claude, John...
Barbara Jean Sorensen
Jan 30, 2026
Barbara Jean Sorensen, 85, formerly of Corley, Iowa died on Friday, January 30, 2026 at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa. Barb was born to John and Johanna (Andersen) Madsen on June 29, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois. She was married to Christian Peter Sorensen.
She is survived by her children, Ann Hammer of Harlan, IA; John (Shannon) Sorensen of Denver,...
Patricia Lee Schmidt
Jan 30, 2026
Patricia L. Schmidt was born on May 27, 1943, to Dell and Ruth (Hartwig) O’Day in Dunlap, Iowa. She began her education at a country school in Grove Township and later attended Dunlap Public School starting in the fifth grade. Pat graduated from Dunlap High School in May of 1961.
Following high school, she worked at Bonsall Appliance in Dunlap before...
John James Kelly
Jan 29, 2026
John James Kelly, the son of Geraldine (Roberts) and James Kelly, was born on July 11, 1947, in San Bernardino, California. He grew up in California and discovered early on the value of hard work, starting his working life at the age of 16 with a variety of jobs.
In August of 1967, John was united in marriage to Sue Kelly....
Charles "Gene" Hansen
Jan 28, 2026
Charles "Gene" Hansen - January 23, 1940 - January 28, 2026
Charles "Gene" Hansen was born on January 23, 1940, in Logan, Iowa, to Charlie and Vivian (Berger) Hansen. He grew up in the area and graduated from Woodbine High School in 1958. On August 24, 1961, he was united in marriage to Judith Kay Brown, and the couple soon began...
Jason Roger Chisholm
Jan 27, 2026
Jason Roger Chisholm was born February 29, 1972 in Ida Grove, Iowa to Roger and Mary (Hollander) Chisholm. He spent his youthful years as a rambunctious boy. He loved to be outside or taking apart any machine just to see how they worked. This was when he developed his love for anything with a motor. He graduated from Schleswig High...
Geraldine Russmann
Jan 25, 2026
Geraldine “Jerry” Mary (Hicks) Russmann, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, was born in Omaha, Nebraska on August 9, 1936, to Ivan J. and Ruth (Johnson) Hicks. She passed away on January 25th at the age of 89.
She is survived by her life partner, Dennis Loland; children Ellen Holtz, Judy Griffin, Laurie (Tim) McNeil, James (Patricia) Russmann, Tom (Marita) Russmann...
Phillip Q Jones
Jan 25, 2026
Phillip Quenton Jones, 87, of Schleswig, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at Crawford County Hospital in Denison, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Madolyn (Richardson) Jones. Phillip is survived by his wife, Pat Wood of Schleswig, Iowa; children, Mark Jones, Leah Jones, Kristine Jones and Danna Miller; siblings, Stephen (Elizabeth) Jones of...
Vera Joan Moeller
Jan 21, 2026
Vera Joan Moeller was born to Otto and Marie (Petersen) Paulsen on April 13, 1933, in Denison, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. Vera graduated from Denison High School where she met her high school sweetheart, Darrell Moeller. Following graduation, she went on to attend Nursing School at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa...
Beverly Jean Barratt
Jan 19, 2026
Beverly Jean (Duke) Barratt, lovingly known as Bev - and to so many simply as Grandma Farmer - was born on February 14, 1931, in Harlan, Iowa, to Max and Fern (Fick) Duke. From the very beginning, her life was rooted in family, faith, and quiet devotion. Bev grew up attending Douglas Country School through fifth grade and later Kirkman...
Roger Sharp
Jan 15, 2026
Roger is survived by the love of his life Mary Albano. His 5 niece’s and nephew and 5 great niece’s and nephew’s.
Roger was born in Council Bluffs, IA to Donald F. Sharp and Helen (Jacobsen) Sharp. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Dorothy J. Stanosek and his brother Donald M. Sharp.
Roger graduated from Walnut High School,...
Patricia Jens
Jan 15, 2026
Patricia Ann Jens, daughter of Herman and Edna (Maassen) Woltmann, was born on August 19, 1937. She attended Avoca schools and following graduation went to Mercy Nursing School in Council Bluffs, where she obtained her RN degree. She was united in marriage to Herbert Jens on October 19, 1958 at the English Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa. Together they raised...
Randy Hargens
Jan 15, 2026
Randy Lee Hargens was born in Manning, Iowa on November 7, 1954, to Lester and Thelma (Winsor) Hargens. He was one of 5 boys: Richard, Russell, Roger, and Rodney. He attended Manning Schools and then the family moved to Avoca in 1967 and he finished his education at Avoca High School.
Randy was united in marriage to Martha Sampson on January...
Rita Mary Doran
Jan 14, 2026
Rita Mary (Goetz) Doran was born on June 5, 1927, at the Goetz family farmhouse east of Westphalia, Iowa, to Joseph Bernard Goetz and Antonia (Schechinger) Goetz. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, where her faith was nurtured and remained an important part of her life.
Rita attended St. Boniface Catholic School through the eighth...
Thomas Joseph Schmitz
Feb 11, 2026
Thomas Joseph Schmitz was born to Vincent Schmitz and Dolores (Leinen) Schmitz on June 6, 1946 at their home in Panama, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama, IA. Tom attended school in Panama from grade school until high school graduation. After graduating, he attended a 2 year technical school in Des Moines...
Donald Scheffler
Feb 11, 2026
Donald Edward Scheffler, son of Herman and Olga (Jacobsen) Scheffler, was born on July 31, 1928, on a farm east of Hancock. Don attended country school and graduated from Hancock High School with the class of 1945, where he was a student athlete playing basketball. He attended Iowa State University and then came home to farm. He married his high...
Walter Sonksen
Feb 8, 2026
Walter “Walt” Ferdinand Sonksen, was born on April 22, 1932, at the family farm in Mapleton, Iowa to Richard and Frances (Ruchti) Sonksen. He attended country school through the 8th grade and graduated from Mapleton High School in 1950 and was united in 65+ years of marriage to Marilyn Schluter on November 27, 1955. They had two children: Randall, born...
Fr. Leonard Anthony Kenkel
Feb 7, 2026
Father Leonard Anthony Kenkel was born on May 28, 1934, in Panama, Iowa, to William and Anna (Wingert) Kenkel. He grew up with his sisters, Lauretta and Sister Sylvia, OSB, and his brothers Michael, Sylvan, David, Damian, and Eugene.
He was educated at St. Mary’s School in Panama, graduating from grade school in 1948 and high school in 1952. He earned...
Trent Nielsen
Feb 6, 2026
Trent Allen Nielsen, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026 at the age of 40. Trent was born on April 4, 1985, at the Cass County Hospital in Atlantic and died at home with his family. He is survived by his parents, Richard and Vicki Nielsen, his sisters Erin(Doug) Owen of Gretna, Nebraska and Tiffany (Nate) Parrott of Morton, Illinois,...
Robert E Jensen
Feb 5, 2026
Robert Eugene Jensen was born to Niels “Nels” Jensen and Kirsten “Katherine” (Hjornet) Jensen on October 25, 1930 at a farmhouse in James Township, Pottawattamie, Iowa. He grew up alongside his five siblings: Elsie, Elmer, Betty, Carl, and Ellen.
On December 19, 1954, Robert was united in marriage to Ellen Marie Smith. To this union, four children were born: Randal, Dennis,...
Sharon Kay Pebley
Feb 1, 2026
Sharon Pebley, 84, of Harlan, Iowa passed away peacefully on February 1, 2026 in Greenfield, Iowa. She is preceded in death by her parents, Shorty and Etna Mosher; husbands, Erik Claude, John Beckel, and Al Roller; siblings, Pat Guysinger, Terry Mosher, Gary Mosher, and Bubby Mosher.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Ervin (Vicki) Claude, Alvin (Teresa) Claude, John...
Barbara Jean Sorensen
Jan 30, 2026
Barbara Jean Sorensen, 85, formerly of Corley, Iowa died on Friday, January 30, 2026 at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa. Barb was born to John and Johanna (Andersen) Madsen on June 29, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois. She was married to Christian Peter Sorensen.
She is survived by her children, Ann Hammer of Harlan, IA; John (Shannon) Sorensen of Denver,...
Patricia Lee Schmidt
Jan 30, 2026
Patricia L. Schmidt was born on May 27, 1943, to Dell and Ruth (Hartwig) O’Day in Dunlap, Iowa. She began her education at a country school in Grove Township and later attended Dunlap Public School starting in the fifth grade. Pat graduated from Dunlap High School in May of 1961.
Following high school, she worked at Bonsall Appliance in Dunlap before...
John James Kelly
Jan 29, 2026
John James Kelly, the son of Geraldine (Roberts) and James Kelly, was born on July 11, 1947, in San Bernardino, California. He grew up in California and discovered early on the value of hard work, starting his working life at the age of 16 with a variety of jobs.
In August of 1967, John was united in marriage to Sue Kelly....
Charles "Gene" Hansen
Jan 28, 2026
Charles "Gene" Hansen - January 23, 1940 - January 28, 2026
Charles "Gene" Hansen was born on January 23, 1940, in Logan, Iowa, to Charlie and Vivian (Berger) Hansen. He grew up in the area and graduated from Woodbine High School in 1958. On August 24, 1961, he was united in marriage to Judith Kay Brown, and the couple soon began...
Jason Roger Chisholm
Jan 27, 2026
Jason Roger Chisholm was born February 29, 1972 in Ida Grove, Iowa to Roger and Mary (Hollander) Chisholm. He spent his youthful years as a rambunctious boy. He loved to be outside or taking apart any machine just to see how they worked. This was when he developed his love for anything with a motor. He graduated from Schleswig High...
Geraldine Russmann
Jan 25, 2026
Geraldine “Jerry” Mary (Hicks) Russmann, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, was born in Omaha, Nebraska on August 9, 1936, to Ivan J. and Ruth (Johnson) Hicks. She passed away on January 25th at the age of 89.
She is survived by her life partner, Dennis Loland; children Ellen Holtz, Judy Griffin, Laurie (Tim) McNeil, James (Patricia) Russmann, Tom (Marita) Russmann...
Phillip Q Jones
Jan 25, 2026
Phillip Quenton Jones, 87, of Schleswig, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at Crawford County Hospital in Denison, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Madolyn (Richardson) Jones. Phillip is survived by his wife, Pat Wood of Schleswig, Iowa; children, Mark Jones, Leah Jones, Kristine Jones and Danna Miller; siblings, Stephen (Elizabeth) Jones of...
Vera Joan Moeller
Jan 21, 2026
Vera Joan Moeller was born to Otto and Marie (Petersen) Paulsen on April 13, 1933, in Denison, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. Vera graduated from Denison High School where she met her high school sweetheart, Darrell Moeller. Following graduation, she went on to attend Nursing School at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa...
Beverly Jean Barratt
Jan 19, 2026
Beverly Jean (Duke) Barratt, lovingly known as Bev - and to so many simply as Grandma Farmer - was born on February 14, 1931, in Harlan, Iowa, to Max and Fern (Fick) Duke. From the very beginning, her life was rooted in family, faith, and quiet devotion. Bev grew up attending Douglas Country School through fifth grade and later Kirkman...
Roger Sharp
Jan 15, 2026
Roger is survived by the love of his life Mary Albano. His 5 niece’s and nephew and 5 great niece’s and nephew’s.
Roger was born in Council Bluffs, IA to Donald F. Sharp and Helen (Jacobsen) Sharp. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Dorothy J. Stanosek and his brother Donald M. Sharp.
Roger graduated from Walnut High School,...
Patricia Jens
Jan 15, 2026
Patricia Ann Jens, daughter of Herman and Edna (Maassen) Woltmann, was born on August 19, 1937. She attended Avoca schools and following graduation went to Mercy Nursing School in Council Bluffs, where she obtained her RN degree. She was united in marriage to Herbert Jens on October 19, 1958 at the English Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa. Together they raised...
Randy Hargens
Jan 15, 2026
Randy Lee Hargens was born in Manning, Iowa on November 7, 1954, to Lester and Thelma (Winsor) Hargens. He was one of 5 boys: Richard, Russell, Roger, and Rodney. He attended Manning Schools and then the family moved to Avoca in 1967 and he finished his education at Avoca High School.
Randy was united in marriage to Martha Sampson on January...
Rita Mary Doran
Jan 14, 2026
Rita Mary (Goetz) Doran was born on June 5, 1927, at the Goetz family farmhouse east of Westphalia, Iowa, to Joseph Bernard Goetz and Antonia (Schechinger) Goetz. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, where her faith was nurtured and remained an important part of her life.
Rita attended St. Boniface Catholic School through the eighth...
