BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Marlys Anderson Carlson, 60, Stratford. SHS-64. Born in Boone. Attended DMACC, Boone Campus. Married Greg Lee Carlson in Stratford in 1986. She was an ISU employee, a Secretary Extraordinaire for 38 years, most recently with the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. A healthy, never-smoker, she was diagnosed in 2023, at age 58, with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer which, eventually, took her life. A lifelong church member, she enjoyed family trips to Leech Lake, baking, caring for her flowers and following the Cyclones. Survivors include her husband, Greg, a son, Brandon, and a daughter, Stephanie (Tim) Clouser. Services in Stratford.    

        James West, 67, Madrid. Born in Albia. AHS-76. Married Judy Sanders in Missouri in 1979. The couple made their home in Madrid. James worked for 35 years at the Woodward Resource Center. He coached youth sports for many years, was a volunteer fireman and a huge supporter of Madrid athletics. He operated a sports card shop and was a fan of the Hawkeyes, Cardinals and Commanders and enjoyed traveling. Survivors include his wife, Judy, a son, Brian (Cory) West, and a daughter, Jessica (Wayne) Thompson.Services in Madrid and Polk City.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Linda Lou Stolte Olson, 77, Ames. Born in Boone. United Community HS-66. A talented basketball and softball player, she continued playing slow pitch softball with her sisters on her father's team, the Stars. Worked at Iowa State and married Martin Olson in 1973 in Ames. The couple raised their family on farms in the Boone area. After staying home raising her three children, she returned to work at ISU as a clerk at the Veterinary Diagnostic lab until retirement at 70. At her kids events, she was an enthusiastic cheerleader and also a stats keeper. She especially enjoyed Christmas, animals, going to movies, backing the Cyclones and was an excellent bowler, an important member of a competitive league. Survivors include her husband, Marty, three children, Eric, (Melanie);  Nathan (Sonya) and Amanda, as well as two siblings, Larry (Sue) Stolte and Carla (Kevin) Houston. Services in Boone. 

        Joanne Tesdahl, 66, Boone. Survived by her husband, Richard.

        Roger James Grove, 95, Madrid/Kennybrook Village/Grimes. Born in Jewell. Marine Corps vet. Started farming in 1957 and retired in 1995. He enjoyed gardening, playing cards, attending grandkids activities and spending coffee time in Slater. Five children survive, including Barb (Lance) Rampton of Madrid and Deb (Gary) Reinhart of Slater. A brother also survives. Services in Madrid and Sheldahl. 

        John Ivan Hill, 64, Ogden. Born in Texas. Dysart/Geneseo HS-79. National Guard vet.  Married Penny Jean Richards in Boone in 1985.Worked in construction and at Quinn's Machine and Foundry in Boone prior to serving the Union Pacific Railroad as an engineer until retirement. John enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and riding his motorcycles. He was a Salvation Army member. Survivors include his wife, Penny, his step-mother, Joyce Hill, step-father, Butch Graves, and six siblings, Kelli Edson, Matt (Penny) Hill, Kevin Hill, Debbie (Scott) Hinde, Vicki (Dave) Stover and Mary (Ron) Smith. Graveside service at Rose Hill.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

     Larry Dean Nelson, 91, Woodward/Thomas Rest Haven/Coon Rapids. Born in Boone. Woodward HS-52. Married Janice Bristle in 1953 in Bloomfield. Larry was well known for his mechanical talents. He would resurrect an old bike back to working order and then find a deserving young person to enjoy it. The couple worked around Woodward to improve ball fields, take down old trees and do about anything else they could handle. Larry was never without an opinion, a union supporter and the couple enjoyed traveling in retirement. He was a lifetime member of American Legion Post #211 and served in many capacities, including as commander. Survivors include his wife, Janice, and a daughter. Services in Woodward.

     Linda Olson, 77, Ames. Services in Boone. 

     John Ivan Hill, 64, Ogden. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Jeff Lindgren, 65, Ogden. Grew up in Ogden. OHS-78. Active in athletics. Married Deborah Busch Highland of Ogden in 1999. Worked for Fareway for 42 years prior to retirement in 2020. Jeff enjoyed driving race cars, racing three-wheelers, riding motorcycles, playing soft pitch, following the Chiefs and Cyclones, watching NASCAR, hunting, traveling and golf. He also loved coaching his sons in various sports activities. Survivors include his wife, Deb, two stepsons, Austin Highland of Ogden and Mason (Ashley) Highland of Grinnell, his brother Jim Lindgren, stepmother, Donna Lindgren, of Boone, a half-sister and half-brother. A COL will be held in Ogden.  

       Akemi Howell, 46, Colo, formerly of Lake View. Born in Boone. BHS-96. Akemi loved riding her Harley and spending time with her dog. She was a member of District 8 A.B.A.T.E in Lake View. Survivors include her son, Kayden (fiancee Megan Meyer) Howell and two uncles, Rick (Karen) Howell of Boone and Dave Howell. A grandson and cousins also survive. Akemi was preceeded in death by her mother, Sheryl Howell and her grandparents, Dixie and Robert Howell.

        Mary Ellen Carlson, 87, Ogden. Born in Oelwein. Grew up near Maynard, Iowa. MHS-56. Married Gaile Carlson in Maynard in 1958. Earned a B.A. degree from Upper Iowa in 1962 and took additional classes at Marycrest in Davenport, Drake, Iowa State and the Heartland Area Education Agency 11. Taught in Baxter, West Union/North Fayette and Guttenberg before completing her teaching career in the Ogden schools prior to retirement in 1997. Mary Ellen loved her church, had a lifelong love of learning, enjoyed tending her flower gardens and refinishing furniture. Was active in numerous community and civic organizations, Cubs Scouts, Lincoln Highway Questers, Ogden Fun Days, the Boone County Historical Society, Battin Chapel, the Leonard Good Library and various education groups. She and her late husband hosted five foreign exchange students. Two sons, James and Michael Carlson, and daughter, Jennifer Carlson survive. Services in Ogden. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

         Harry O. "Bud" Smith, II, 80, Boone. Born in Pennsylvania. Lived in Baltimore and Illinois. Bremen HS-64. All-Conference football player in high school and at Westmar College in LeMars. He was offered a contract with a semi-pro team but declined. Married Sandie Hartman in 1969 and started coaching and teaching in Colfax. The couple settled in Boone in 1972 and Bud spent the next 34 years as a teacher-coach at BHS. Along the way, he earned a Master's Degree from Drake University. Bud painted houses with fellow teachers each summer and was very tech-savvy. He served his church, Augustana Lutheran, for 52 years. He loved to travel, grill, garden, fish and ride his Harley. More than anything, he loved his family. Survivors include his wife, Sandie, and a daughter, Shannon (Matt) Jones both of Boone and his son, Tyler (Megan) Smith of Reno, NV. Services in Boone.   

         Michael L. Miller, 73, Boone. Born in Boone. Panora-Linden HS. Worked at Oscar Mayer in Perry before returning to school. Worked at Todd's LTD in Des Moines, Roberts Dairy in Omaha and Mrs. Clark's Foods in Ankeny in Purchasing Management positions. He loved the outdoors, fishing, biking, motorcycling, golf and enjoying his '55 Corvette. Sisters and brothers survive. Services in Boone. 

GREAT BOONE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL CONTINUES

     I, the Kornerman, am always sorry  to see the Boone baseball/softball season move toward completion. However, when its been a great season, the blow is softened somewhat. 

     The Toreador boys, against a competitive schedule, finished up at 23-10 AND made their first State tourney appearance in some time. A loss to the number one rated team in the state in their class, Dubuque, Wahlert, 3-1, ended their season in first round state play. But the team, guided by Coach Charley Eastlund, provided local fans with lots of excitement all season.

      The BHS girls showed great improvement during the long season. North Polk defeated them, 10-0, in a game early in the season. Then, one game away from a state tourney berth, number one rated North Polk, 33-5, had a very stiff challenge from the Boone team, winning, 6-5, in a come from behind effort. Boone's season finished at 21-14.

     The Boone Slammers, a 14 U team, coached by Tony Eckard, Kurt Hilsabeck, Jon Strabley and Nathan Ross, became a State Tournament champion with six straight wins. Congratulations to them.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

      Harry O. Bud Smith, II, 79, Boone.    

      Gary Floyd Weaklend, 73, Boone. Born in Osceola. Employed by Iowa State University for 44 years. Married Vickie Quayle Weakland after meeting her via a blind date. They were married 52 years. One of Gary's passions was restoring his 1942 Dodge Power Wagon. He loved showing it at car shows and in parades. His six grandchildren brought immeasureable joy into his life. Survivors also include his wife, Vicki, three daughters including Cari, BHS-93, (Brian) Engleen of Boone. The other surviving daughters are Kelli, BHS-96, (Chris) Wood and Courtney, BHS-98, (Chris) Vessely. A brother also survives. A COL will be held in Boone.      

      Robbie Stuehmer, 86, Boone.

      Ollie Mae Bramlett Merritt, 91, Ames. Two sons survive, including David (Retta) Merritt of Boone and a brother. Services in Gilbert. 

      Diane H.L. Hoover Neal, 93, Ames. Earned a DMACC Associates Degree from Boone Campus. Services in Ames.