BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Dennis Kay Klute, 90, South Bend, IN. Born in Boone. BHS-50. Married Marilyn "Mary Jo" Joan Olson, BHS-50, in Boone in 1954. Earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Iowa State. Career began with three years with the Wisconsin Highway Department. In a move to Hawaii, Dennis then worked for the Bureau of Yards and Docks as a construction management engineer for nine years. During this time, Mary Jo developed a severe mental illness, which resulted in her death. In 1968, Dennis and a small group, mostly family members, established an Iowa chapter of the American Schizophrenia Foundation. It later became the Iowa Schizophrenia Association and ultimately, the Iowa Alliance for the Mentally Ill. In 1978, in Ames, he married Jean Highbarger. With a passion for aviation, Dennis piloted and even built several planes. In 1994, near the end of his  37-year career with FHWA, his wife Jean suffered a debilitating cerebral hemorrhage. Dennis provided tireless care and advocacy for her during all his remaining years. Survivors include his wife, Jean, and three sons. Services in Ames.

      Connie Illene Welch Mullin, 77, Ogden. Born in Boone. BHS-65. Married Larry Mullin in 1964 in Boone. The couple lived in Webster City, Boone and settled in Ogden. She was a baby sitter, detassler, was in charge of the Ogden pool and enjoyed many years of driving a school bus. In addition, she supervised Senior Class trips to Washington D.C., had a cleaning business and took care of the cemetery lawn at Sweet Valley. Connie enjoyed stamp collecting, canning fruits and vegetables from her garden, quilt making, reading and traveling. Survivors include her husband, Larry Sr., and a son, Larry (Mary) Jr. both of Ogden and two daughters, Mary Hunter, and Pamela Thomas, both of Boone. A Celebration of Life will be held later.    

     Paul Francis Bartley, 88, Boone. Formerly of Jefferson. Born in Jefferson. JHS. Air Force vet. Married Joy Iola Hedges in Scranton in 1957. The couple moved to Jefferson in 1959. A guardsman for over 20 years, Paul worked at a gas station and then was a lifetime utility foreman with Iowa Electric/Alliant Energy. Paul was active as a coach in youth sports, was a member of the city council and volunteered for many years for the Johnny Appleseed project in Boone. Survivors include two sons, Nick Bartley, of Boone and Lance Bartley as well as a daughter, Lea Bartley. Services in Jefferson.

     Helen Jean Reynoldson Mattson, 88, Boone. Passed away December 6, 2023. Born in Chickasaw County. Was raised north of Boone. BHS-53. Married Lyle Milton Mattson Jr. in 1953. As a youth, worked at A and W Drive In. Then became a telephone operator at Northwestern Bell and a switchboard operator at the Boone County Hospital. Frugal and generous, she lived a full and rewarding life with special attention to her three children, encouraging their education and helping them with their financial planning. Survivors include her children, Jeffrey (Lori Ann) and Richard (Julie) Mattson and Lori (Gary) Clark, two sisters, Carolyn Webb and Nancy (Michael) McInerney and three brothers, Roger (Betty), Ronnie (Dottie) and Denny (Janice) Reynoldson. A Celebration of Life will be held in July.

    Myron Lee Sandvick, 67, Boone/Eastern Star.

    Richard Duane Angrove, 87, Ames.

    Lisa Ann Clark, 68, Ames. Was an educator for 37 years starting in Boxholm.