Obituaries
Obituaries for Pauley Jones Funeral Home
In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones
Nancy Deruby
Mar 10, 2023
Nancy Sue DeRuby, daughter of Nicholas and Marcella (Pauley) Schmitz was born on December 20, 1958 in Harlan, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, Iowa. She attended grade school in Westphalia and graduated from Harlan High School with the class of 1977. She received her associates degree in Arts and Science from Iowa...
Grant Thomas Gaer
Mar 9, 2023
Grant Thomas Gaer was born August 27th, 2002 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA. He was welcomed into the world by his parents (Greg and Tanya Gaer), and older sister (Grace Gaer), extended family and friends. Grant grew up in Irwin, IA surrounded by a community of people who loved watching him grow. Grant enjoyed the small town...
Dianne Ehlers
Mar 8, 2023
Dianne was born April 30, 1948, to Delmon and Dorothy (Michaelsen) Jacobsen in Council Bluffs, Iowa and raised in Avoca, Iowa. She went to the last country school in Avoca before joining the Avoca High School and graduating in 1966. Dianne met Larry Ehlers at a dance in the dance hall at the Avoca Fairgrounds in 1965 and has never...
Mary Jane Peterson
Mar 6, 2023
Born January 15, 1935 in Missouri Valley, Iowa to Marvin and Cecile (Hutchison) Johnson. Was the 3rd oldest of 5 children and grew up on a family farm in Persia, Iowa. She graduated from Persia High School in 1953. After high school she stayed with Aunt Cora and worked for City Hall in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She married Keith Peterson...
Roland "Rollie" Eugene Hansen
Feb 28, 2023
Roland Eugene Hansen, son of Clifford and Emma E. (Rattenborg) Hansen was born on April 24, 1936, on a farm near Audubon, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Audubon. He attended country school and graduated from Audubon High School. After high school, Rollie joined the United States Army. On May 28, 1955, he was...
Lonnie Lee Benson
Feb 22, 2023
Lonnie Lee Benson Lonnie Lee Benson, son of Edwin and Connie (Elmquist) Benson was born on October 3, 1962 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irwin, Iowa, where he remained a lifetime member. He attended and graduated from Irwin-Kirkman High School before attending Hawkeye Tech in Waterloo, Iowa....
Donald R. Dotzler
Feb 21, 2023
Donald "Donnie" Ralph Dotzler Donald "Donnie" Ralph Dotzler, son of Joe and Leona Dotzler was born on May 21, 1937 in Defiance, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed in St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa. Donnie graduated from St. Paul's Catholic School in 1955. After graduation he attended Barber School and barbered in Council Bluffs, Iowa for a short...
Michelle "Shelli" Renae Mortensen
Feb 21, 2023
Michelle Renae Mortensen was born at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, Iowa, on March 5,1969. She was a tiny little girl weighing in at 3 1/2 lbs. Shelli was baptized at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Harlan and made her first communion at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Avoca, IA. She attended Concerned in their little pink house at the age...
Richard Raymond Book
Feb 19, 2023
Richard Raymond Book passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at the age of 84 on February 19, 2023. Rich was born on December 29, 1938, in Harlan, Iowa to Leo and Leora Book. He excelled in basketball and track in high school, while balancing daily chores on the family farm. Rich attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and...
Twyla Grabill
Feb 19, 2023
Twyla Mae Grabill, daughter of Mamie and Henry Plagmann, was born on August 13, 1931. Twyla attended Center Township Country School and graduated in 1949 from Harlan Community High School. On August 14, 1950 Twyla married Charles Grabill at the Little Brown Church in the Vale at Nashua. When recently asked, Twyla shared that the thing she was most proud...
Don Bruck
Feb 13, 2023
Father Don Bruck Father Don Bruck was born to Joseph and Orvelyn Bruck on April 27, 1942 at the Behrendt farm north and west of Panama, Iowa. He was the oldest of 3 sons; Marvin and Allen (Punk) and their wives Jan and Bev. He attended country school the first eight years of his education. He then went on to...
Virginia Petersen
Feb 13, 2023
Full Obituary Pending. All Services are Private. Survivors include her sons Craig Petersen, Dennis (Mary) Petersen, grandson, Dylan (Katie) Petersen, great grandsons Jack & Tyler Petersen all of Jacksonville, Iowa.
Alfred "Sonny" Wede Jr.
Feb 11, 2023
Alfred “Sonny” Wede, Jr. Al “Sonny” Wede, Jr. was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa May 9, 1948 to Alfred Wede, Sr. and Velda (Greer) Wede. He attended elementary school in Persia, Iowa and the rest of schooling in Harlan, Iowa. He worked various jobs early on. These were at Mickel’s Restaurant and car garages in Harlan. He then worked full-time...
Kathy Jacobsen
Feb 10, 2023
Kathy Jean Jacobsen, daughter of Warren and Joyce (Schuning) True, was born on April 2, 1950 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She attended grade school and high school in Avoca and graduated with the Class of 1968. She was confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Avoca and eventually after she was married attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca. On October...
John Walter Christensen
Feb 7, 2023
John Walter Christensen, the son of Walter and Margaret Christensen, was born on August 25,1937 in Jackson Township, Shelby County. Growing up John enjoyed going fishing with his family and traveling to Minnesota for the annual summer Christensen get-together. He liked being the lone brother to his two sisters, who he loved dearly. In high school, John was a track,...
David Miller
Feb 5, 2023
David Franklin Miller, son of the late Donald E. Miller and Marietta Kobold Miller, was born June 26, 1949 in Harlan, Iowa. He attended grade school at St. Michael's Catholic Church before going on to graduate from Harlan Community Schools in 1967. The following year he enlisted in the United States Army attending basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington and...
Carolyn Rose Oldenburg
Feb 5, 2023
Carolyn Rose Oldenburg, daughter of Wilbur and Mildred (Schearer) Saemisch was born December 14, 1938 in Elliott, Iowa. She attended Montgomery County Country School and graduated from Walnut High School in 1957. On June 7, 1958, Carolyn was united in marriage to Dean Oldenburg in Avoca, Iowa. Together they worked at Dean’s Texaco for 25 years and she also worked...
Lavern Eugene Holtmyer
Feb 3, 2023
LaVern Eugene Holtmyer LaVern Eugene Holtmyer, son of Vernon and Mary (Rasmussen) Holtmyer was born September 23, 1937 at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. He lived on a farm in Pilot Grove Township, Montgomery County, Iowa. When approximately four years old, the old farm house burnt down due to a lightning strike and his parents lost everything. Vern attended Pilot...
Mia Lin Schwieso
Jan 31, 2023
Miss Mia- Born July 2nd, 2009 in Harlan, Iowa. To Ann and Chris Schwieso, big sister Aubrey and little sister Kendall Schwieso. As a toddler you could already see her silly spirit and unforgettable dimples brighten every room. She had the sweetest voice that can still be heard in the hearts of those that love her. She constantly looked up...
Betty Lucille Stamp
Jan 31, 2023
Betty Lucille (Becker) Stamp Betty Lucille Becker was born to Herbert William Becker and Esther Amelia (Davis) Becker on July 6, 1933 in Melrose, Iowa. Betty lived in Melrose, Iowa until 1945 then moved to her grandparents ( Raymond & Maude Davis) 2 1/2 miles northeast of Persia. Two years later in 1947 the family moved to the Petersen farm...
Nancy Deruby
Mar 10, 2023
Nancy Sue DeRuby, daughter of Nicholas and Marcella (Pauley) Schmitz was born on December 20, 1958 in Harlan, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, Iowa. She attended grade school in Westphalia and graduated from Harlan High School with the class of 1977. She received her associates degree in Arts and Science from Iowa...
Grant Thomas Gaer
Mar 9, 2023
Grant Thomas Gaer was born August 27th, 2002 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA. He was welcomed into the world by his parents (Greg and Tanya Gaer), and older sister (Grace Gaer), extended family and friends. Grant grew up in Irwin, IA surrounded by a community of people who loved watching him grow. Grant enjoyed the small town...
Dianne Ehlers
Mar 8, 2023
Dianne was born April 30, 1948, to Delmon and Dorothy (Michaelsen) Jacobsen in Council Bluffs, Iowa and raised in Avoca, Iowa. She went to the last country school in Avoca before joining the Avoca High School and graduating in 1966. Dianne met Larry Ehlers at a dance in the dance hall at the Avoca Fairgrounds in 1965 and has never...
Mary Jane Peterson
Mar 6, 2023
Born January 15, 1935 in Missouri Valley, Iowa to Marvin and Cecile (Hutchison) Johnson. Was the 3rd oldest of 5 children and grew up on a family farm in Persia, Iowa. She graduated from Persia High School in 1953. After high school she stayed with Aunt Cora and worked for City Hall in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She married Keith Peterson...
Roland "Rollie" Eugene Hansen
Feb 28, 2023
Roland Eugene Hansen, son of Clifford and Emma E. (Rattenborg) Hansen was born on April 24, 1936, on a farm near Audubon, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Audubon. He attended country school and graduated from Audubon High School. After high school, Rollie joined the United States Army. On May 28, 1955, he was...
Lonnie Lee Benson
Feb 22, 2023
Lonnie Lee Benson Lonnie Lee Benson, son of Edwin and Connie (Elmquist) Benson was born on October 3, 1962 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irwin, Iowa, where he remained a lifetime member. He attended and graduated from Irwin-Kirkman High School before attending Hawkeye Tech in Waterloo, Iowa....
Donald R. Dotzler
Feb 21, 2023
Donald "Donnie" Ralph Dotzler Donald "Donnie" Ralph Dotzler, son of Joe and Leona Dotzler was born on May 21, 1937 in Defiance, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed in St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa. Donnie graduated from St. Paul's Catholic School in 1955. After graduation he attended Barber School and barbered in Council Bluffs, Iowa for a short...
Michelle "Shelli" Renae Mortensen
Feb 21, 2023
Michelle Renae Mortensen was born at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, Iowa, on March 5,1969. She was a tiny little girl weighing in at 3 1/2 lbs. Shelli was baptized at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Harlan and made her first communion at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Avoca, IA. She attended Concerned in their little pink house at the age...
Richard Raymond Book
Feb 19, 2023
Richard Raymond Book passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at the age of 84 on February 19, 2023. Rich was born on December 29, 1938, in Harlan, Iowa to Leo and Leora Book. He excelled in basketball and track in high school, while balancing daily chores on the family farm. Rich attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and...
Twyla Grabill
Feb 19, 2023
Twyla Mae Grabill, daughter of Mamie and Henry Plagmann, was born on August 13, 1931. Twyla attended Center Township Country School and graduated in 1949 from Harlan Community High School. On August 14, 1950 Twyla married Charles Grabill at the Little Brown Church in the Vale at Nashua. When recently asked, Twyla shared that the thing she was most proud...
Don Bruck
Feb 13, 2023
Father Don Bruck Father Don Bruck was born to Joseph and Orvelyn Bruck on April 27, 1942 at the Behrendt farm north and west of Panama, Iowa. He was the oldest of 3 sons; Marvin and Allen (Punk) and their wives Jan and Bev. He attended country school the first eight years of his education. He then went on to...
Virginia Petersen
Feb 13, 2023
Full Obituary Pending. All Services are Private. Survivors include her sons Craig Petersen, Dennis (Mary) Petersen, grandson, Dylan (Katie) Petersen, great grandsons Jack & Tyler Petersen all of Jacksonville, Iowa.
Alfred "Sonny" Wede Jr.
Feb 11, 2023
Alfred “Sonny” Wede, Jr. Al “Sonny” Wede, Jr. was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa May 9, 1948 to Alfred Wede, Sr. and Velda (Greer) Wede. He attended elementary school in Persia, Iowa and the rest of schooling in Harlan, Iowa. He worked various jobs early on. These were at Mickel’s Restaurant and car garages in Harlan. He then worked full-time...
Kathy Jacobsen
Feb 10, 2023
Kathy Jean Jacobsen, daughter of Warren and Joyce (Schuning) True, was born on April 2, 1950 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She attended grade school and high school in Avoca and graduated with the Class of 1968. She was confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Avoca and eventually after she was married attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca. On October...
John Walter Christensen
Feb 7, 2023
John Walter Christensen, the son of Walter and Margaret Christensen, was born on August 25,1937 in Jackson Township, Shelby County. Growing up John enjoyed going fishing with his family and traveling to Minnesota for the annual summer Christensen get-together. He liked being the lone brother to his two sisters, who he loved dearly. In high school, John was a track,...
David Miller
Feb 5, 2023
David Franklin Miller, son of the late Donald E. Miller and Marietta Kobold Miller, was born June 26, 1949 in Harlan, Iowa. He attended grade school at St. Michael's Catholic Church before going on to graduate from Harlan Community Schools in 1967. The following year he enlisted in the United States Army attending basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington and...
Carolyn Rose Oldenburg
Feb 5, 2023
Carolyn Rose Oldenburg, daughter of Wilbur and Mildred (Schearer) Saemisch was born December 14, 1938 in Elliott, Iowa. She attended Montgomery County Country School and graduated from Walnut High School in 1957. On June 7, 1958, Carolyn was united in marriage to Dean Oldenburg in Avoca, Iowa. Together they worked at Dean’s Texaco for 25 years and she also worked...
Lavern Eugene Holtmyer
Feb 3, 2023
LaVern Eugene Holtmyer LaVern Eugene Holtmyer, son of Vernon and Mary (Rasmussen) Holtmyer was born September 23, 1937 at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. He lived on a farm in Pilot Grove Township, Montgomery County, Iowa. When approximately four years old, the old farm house burnt down due to a lightning strike and his parents lost everything. Vern attended Pilot...
Mia Lin Schwieso
Jan 31, 2023
Miss Mia- Born July 2nd, 2009 in Harlan, Iowa. To Ann and Chris Schwieso, big sister Aubrey and little sister Kendall Schwieso. As a toddler you could already see her silly spirit and unforgettable dimples brighten every room. She had the sweetest voice that can still be heard in the hearts of those that love her. She constantly looked up...
Betty Lucille Stamp
Jan 31, 2023
Betty Lucille (Becker) Stamp Betty Lucille Becker was born to Herbert William Becker and Esther Amelia (Davis) Becker on July 6, 1933 in Melrose, Iowa. Betty lived in Melrose, Iowa until 1945 then moved to her grandparents ( Raymond & Maude Davis) 2 1/2 miles northeast of Persia. Two years later in 1947 the family moved to the Petersen farm...
