BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Vicki Zunkel Harper, 76, Rockwell City. Born in Boone. Grew up in Ogden. OHS-68. Married Steven Harper in 1978 and they made Boone their home. Vicki worked for Iowa State and TriLite Window Company, retiring in 2012 from CID in Fort Dodge. She then worked for the South Central Calhoun School District until 2017. She also served as a bookkeeper for the family business. The couple enjoyed spending time at Twin Lakes and they bought a cabin there in 1989, and built a duplex in 2001. In 2010, they moved to their current home on the lake. Vicki enjoyed golf, bridge, crafting, sewing and spearheaded the Twin Lakes "Welcome Wagon." Survivors include her husband, two daughters, Staci (Aaron) Castillo and Kelli (Aaron) Graeve. Services in Rockwell City.        

       Dorothy Irene Moll Condon, 95, Boone/Westhaven. Born in Garner. GHS-48. Grew up on the family farm. After graduation, went to Florida to spend time with relatives and found work in a department store. Returned to Garner and worked at a cafe before joining the ASC office. She met LaVern there and they were married in 1957. Vern worked in construction for R.H.Grabau of Boone and traveled for job after job. Eventually, the couple settled in Boone. Vern passed away in 1992, the result of a car accident. Dorothy was always active, working in her garden, growing flowers, was a PTA officer, school cook and church treasurer. At Westhaven, she recovered from surgeries, including cancer. Dorothy loved puzzles, playing Bingo, going to DQ, rides in the Ledges and following the grandchildren's activities. Two daughters, Connie Weuve and Carla (John) Murphy survive. Services in Boone.

       ImaLee Lucille Bechard Erickson, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Kansas. The family farmed near Grand Junction. GJHS-1950. Attended Fort Dodge Business College. Married LaVerne Weldon Erickson in 1951. A daughter and four sons survive. A member of Boone Sacred Heart Church, services will be held there with burial near Grand Junction. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Vicki Harper, 76, Rockwell City. Formerly of Boone. A victim of a car accident in Missouri, Saturday, May 16. Services are pending. Laufersweilers Palmer and Swank Funeral Home of Rockwell City is handling the arrangements.     

        Donald Paul Neely, 72, Des Moines. Born in Boone. Army vet. Cubs fan, enjoyed gardening and taking care of his lawn and his cars. Greg was a special lifelong friend. Survivors include his wife, Jenny, a brother and a sister. A memorial service is planned.

        Judith "Judy" Spiert, 87, Boone/Eastern Star for the past four years. Services at Eastern Star. 

       Lyle Edward Dingman, 79, Davenport, formerly of Scranton. Born in Boone. His parents were Robert Arden and Vera Mae (Bennett) Dingman. Services in Glidden and Scranton. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATH

       Paul "Lindy" Lindahl, 82, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Boone. BHS-62. DMACC. Married Mary Wolfgram in Ames in 1977. He was a machinist for John Deere until retirement in 1996. While at Deere, he was active in UAW Local 450 in various positions. He also owned Lindy's Guns, where he made friends with every law enforcement officer and gun enthusiast in town. That business was sold in 2022. Paul participated in Za-Ga-Shriners, Mount Olive Lodge 79 and enjoyed cars, building engines, flipping cars of all types, just driving around and watching races at the Boone Speedway. He loved his '57 Chevy Corvette. Close to his mom, he would call her every night and enjoy a special supper with her each Wednesday. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Mary, of Boone and a daughter, Heather Cross. Several Boone in-laws, including, Louis and Kathy Wolfgram, Teresa Wilcox and Maynard Melchert. also survive. Services in Boone.

       Myron Eugene Rinker, 88, Rippey. Born in Jefferson. Raised on a farm south of Beaver. Grand Junction HS-55. Eight year Boone National Guard vet. Married Maralynn in 1956 and the couple moved to Boone. Myron took a job with First National Bank of Rippey in 1960 and worked in banking and insurance for 38 years. He was a bass drummer, sang in vocal groups and participated in the Boone County Fair. A long time member of the Rippey Lions Club, the Rinker family was active in the Beaver Baptist Country Church where Myron often played the piano. In 1993, the Rinkers bought a small cabin at Okoboji and spent the next 25 years splitting time between the cabin and Rippey. Both Myron and Maralynn retired in 2000. Survivors include his wife, Maralynn, a daughter and a son. Services in Rippey.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Tragic news from Missouri. A former Boone resident, Vicki Harper, of Rockwell City, was the victim of a vehicle crash on a Missouri highway. Two other women were also killed. Vicki Harper's husband, Steve Harper, another former Boone resident, was seriously injured. Another passenger in the Harper vehicle, Marcine Usher, 67, of Harlan was killed as was the driver of the other involved car, Marries Garrett, 59, of Carthage, Texas.  It was reported that the Garrett driven vehicle crossed the center line and struck the car driven by Steve Harper head on. Both vehicles caught fire from the impact.    

        Alexander "Alex" James Buckles, 39, Boone. Death due to complications of cerebral palsy. Born in Boone. Attended BHS. He loved the outdoors and music. Survivors include his parents, Denny and Gina Buckles, his maternal grandmother, Jean Blanshan, his aunt and uncle, Paula and Bruce Conlin, his cousin, Sean Conlin and his wife, Lyndsey, all of Boone. A sister also survives. A private graveside service and burial in Boone. 

       Jenny Cheville Bassett, 89, Ames/Napier. Ames HS-54. Worked at Mutual Benefit in Ames and then the Seed Lab in Napier before retirement. After marriage to Fritz Bassett, the couple settled on a farm and Jenny managed the business. She loved gardening, canning, crocheting and fishing trips. Jenny was practical in nature, had a strong work ethic, provided great generosity and had a salty sense of humor. Survivors include her husband, Fritz Bassett, a sister, Kathy Ashburn, sons Bill (Roxanne) and Vick (Ann) and a daughter Connie (Lance) Benton. Services in Boone and burial near Luther.

       Greg "Sach" Stevens, 68, Born and raised in Ogden. Grew up on a family farm. Married Bonnie in 1980. Greg was a lifelong musician who found joy in playing guitar and singing with local bands. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie, his children, Corey, Jess and Jake. Greg, who battled a series of medical issues will be remembered for his passion for music, his humor, determination, and his unwavering devotion to his family. A COL will be held at a later date.

        

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Jo Ann Bullard Durlam, 89, Ames. Born in Ogden. Lived in Beaver until 1950, then moved to a farm near Cooper. HS at Franklin Consolidated in Cooper. Jo was active in sports and music, a talented pianist. Received a teaching certificate from Morningside. Married Mike Durlam Jr. in 1956 and moved to Grand Junction, then Jefferson. The family moved to Ames in 1964 so Mike could expand Durlam and Durlam Clothing. Jo worked in the store, served the community in many ways and following retirement, she was her church's Business Manager for 12 years, retiring again in 2015. An avid reader, excellent cook and baker, she enjoyed staying active. Jo was a devoted fan of the Cyclone teams and Reiman Gardens. Two daughters and a brother survive. Services in Ames.    

       Jenny Bassett, 89, Boone. Services in Boone.       

       Paula Holmgren Silvey, 76, Lenexa, Kansas. The family lived in Boone in Paula's early years. Her parents were Paul and Edna Holmgren. A family move to Des Moines took place in 1959 and Paula attended Grandview College and Drake University. Several other moves were made before settling in Lenexa. Survivors include a son, daughter and brother. Services in Lenexa.

        Bonnie Mae Dirksen Troe, 90, Vinton. Six children survive, including David (Terri) Troe of Boone. Services in Vinton.

        Marjorie Ann Daft, 94, Cedar Rapids. Survivors include a grandson, Jacob Studt of Boone. Services in Cedar Rapids. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Joyce Moorman Elsberry, 89, Boone. Born in Ralston, IA. BHS-55. Married Raymond Elsberry in Nashua in 1958. She worked at Bourns for 20 years and retired from Besser Quinn in Boone. Joyce was a member of the Tall Corn Antique Car Club and Klassy Kruiser Car Club. She enjoyed cruising with friends on weekend trips to states around Iowa. Survivors include her five children, Mike Elsberry of Ogden and Karla (Mark) Ashby of Boone. Also, Cindy (Dwight) Powers, Lori (Tom) Lyon and Tammi Guldenpfennig (Hal Fallert). Sibling survivors are Ron (Donna) Moorman, Jack (Betty) Moorman, Janice (Ed) Swain, Donna Myers and Dennis Moorman. A private graveside service will be held.

      Connie Lou Thom Pesta, 89, Long Prairie, MN. Born in Boone in 1936. Her parents were Martin and Honey Thom. Services in Long Prairie.

      Nancy Marie Stockman Edwards, 86, Clarksville, Tennessee. Born in Boone in 1940. Her parents were Rutherford W. Stockman and Helen Adams Stockman Swanson. 

      Patricia Lea "Tricia" Hoffman, 72, Elm Creek, Nebraska. Born in Boone in 1953. 

      Marvin L.Schieltz, 85, Dubuque. Three children survive, including Randal (Emily) Schieltz of Boone. Services in Dubuque. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED EATHS

        Richard Wayne Silver, 81, Tampa, FL. Born in Kansas. BHS-63, where he excelled in diving. Married Barbara Jipp in 1965 in Boone. Army vet. After service, Richard completed college and worked as an engineer. He enjoyed rehabbing sailboats and sailing around Tampa Bay. His goal was to live on a sailboat and see the world from the ocean. He worked on fixing boats and building the cabintry. Wife Barbara died in 2019. Survivors include a son, a daughter and siblings, Carla (BHS-79) (Jeff) Toms, Ron (BHS-64) (Mindy) Silver and Roger (BHS-86) (Michelle (Shelly) Currier (BHS-88) Silver. Richard's parents, both deceased, were Don and Vivian Silver. Services in Boone.        

        Carol Sue Bentley, 68, passed in Ames due to pancreatic cancer. Born in Ames. Grew up on a dairy farm south of Ames. United Community HS-76, and was active in sports, band, chorus.....virtually, every offering. Earned a B.A. degree from Central College in Pella in 1980. Had also graduated from the Florida School of Massage in 1979 and massage therapy became her life's calling, practicing for over 30 years in five states. Carol loved the outdoors, was very artistic, an excellent cook, loved animals and music. A free spirit, Carol, in the 90's, was very involved in the mountain biking scene, especially in Utah. Her ex-husband, Bob Owen, preceded her in death. Five siblings survive, Dennis and Scott Bentley, Becky Christiansen, Jane Weaver and Mary Wills. A COL will be held in Ames.   

       Diane Lee Ryan Mitchels, 62, Ogden. Passed due to surgery complications. Born in Boone County. Diane loved motorcycle rides, camping, baking and sitting around a campfire. She was in charge of starting the fire and had her own fire poker. Both as an employee and manager, Diane spent 20 years at Boone and Ogden Casey's. She had worked earlier at the Woodward State Hospital and Hilltop Greenhouse. Survivors include her husband, Bill Mitchels, and her mother, Marilyn Ryan, both of Ogden, four sons, Justin, Nick, Max, and Adam Watts, and a sister, Tammy Watts, all of Boone. Services in Boone.