BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Jennifer "Jeni" Leigh Betten Wilson, 51, Redfield. Born in Alabama. BHS-93. She loved Spanish, piano and golf while in high school. Lived in Spain for a year as a Foreign Exchange Student. Attended the University of Iowa, majoring in International Business and minoring in Spanish. She owned the Rock Star Bar and Grill in Des Moines where she shared piano and singing talents. Jen also performed in small groups at Prairie Meadows and sang with local bands. She displayed many talents, as a translator, personal chef and in customer service at Des Moines Firestone, in charge of dealers in Central and South America. She enjoyed cooking, planting, gardening and was a prolific painter. Jen worked five years at TL Snyder Corporation, a consulting firm for Stine Seeds. Survivors include her parents, Linda (Paul) Millis and Lonnie (Cathy) Gaumer and sister, Jessie Gaumer, all of Boone. Two sons and a brother also survive. Services in Boone.       

       Jo Ann Weyer Ruther, 88, Ogden/Eastern Star. Born in Monticello. Woodward HS-56. Married Alan Ruther of Boxholm in 1960 in Boxholm. Worked 20 years at Ogden Manor/Acura and six years at the Iowa DOT before retirement. The couple enjoyed attending the Knoxville races and listening to country music. Jo Ann also enjoyed crocheting, knitting and reading. In early life, she was a "practice baby" in the Home Economics program at Iowa State where students cared for infants from orphanages until she was adopted by Orville and Dorothy (Frazier) Weyer of Woodward. Jo's husband, Alan, and four children survive. A COL will be scheduled at a later date.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Sarah Maria Kraayenbrink, 2 1/2 months, Boone/Children's Hospital/Omaha. Born in Boone. Survivors include her parents, Gerrit (Rakel) Kraayenbrink, and several other Boone residents, siblings Lydia, Martha, Julia, Titus, Stephen, Anita, Daniel, Andrew and Matthew Kraayenbrink and paternal grandparents, Jake (Betty) Kraayenbrink all of Boone. Several Boone based aunts and uncles also survive including Jacob, Jane, Grace, Cornelia, Janell and Ellen Kraayenbrink.Services in Stratford.

       Randy Lee Alber, 70. Born in Postville, IA. Married Linda in 1975 and spent time working for Schwan's and then, the Union Pacific Railroad. He enjoyed music, cooking and classic TV. Survivors include his wife, Linda, sons Chevy (Sarah) and Quincy (Julia) Alber and his siblings, Jeffrey, Tad and Chad Alber, Joy Miller and Kristi Rupprecht. Graveside service in Ossian, IA.   

        Evelyn Bohrer Henry, 79, Luther/Boone Hospital. Born in West Virginia. Twenty year U.S. Navy vet. Married Marvin Henry in 1964 and the couple made their home in Luther. Survivors include her husband, Marvin, a son, James, a daughter, Virginia, a brother, Paul Bohrer and four sisters, Edna, Ernestine, Gladys and Wilma. Services in Madrid and Ridgeway, MO.     

       Sandra Trow Peters, 78, Story City. Was a hairdresser for 42 years. Among the survivors is a son, Jeffrey Peters of Boone.

       Judith Ann Bennett Aschehoug, 82, Granite Bay, CA. Survivors include a sister, Jean Engstrom, of Stratford. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATH

       Brian James Bushore, 58, Boone. Died of lung NSIP. Born in Boone. BHS-85. He pursued a degree in computer science at DMACC and Iowa State University. Worked several years at Barilla and since 2007, bravely fought NSIP. He was passionate about reading and loved helping others in need, be it family or friends. When he could, he cared for his father and extended family and was a donor for the Iowa Donor Network. Survivors include his mother, Patricia (Knight) Bushore, and his brother, Chris (Cindi) Brunette Bushore and their three children. Services in Boone.

        Roberta Maxwell Olson, 87, Boone/Eastern Star. U.S. Navy vet. Married Willis Olson in California. The couple moved to Boone in 2017. A sister, Lois (Jim) Magee survives. 

        Darlene Rozella Olson Patterson, 92, Story City/Bethany Life. Born in rural Stratford. SHS-51. Played basketball for the Indians. Married Wendell Patterson in Stratford in 1952. The couple lived briefly at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas but returned to Stratford in 1955. Moved to Story City in 1962. Darlene worked as a bookkeeper at Cargill and, eventually, for Professional Property Management in Ames until retirement in 1999. The couple loved to travel and when Wendell passed in 2009, Darlene's life at Timberland and Bethany Life brought out the best in her, visiting with residents and staff members. Survivors include her five children, several foster children and a foreign exchange student. Three sisters also survive. Services at St. Petri Lutheran Church 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Jack E. Balcom, 94, Boone/Westhaven. Born in Iowa City. Owasa HS. Married Sherill Barstad in Boone in 1958. Army vet. Jack was an avid sports fan, watching college and NBA basketball. He also loved the outdoors, camping, boating and gardening. Survivors include his wife, Sherrill, a daughter, Brenda Pipes, two sons, Curtis and Clark Balcom, and two brothers, Bob and Paul Balcom. A COL will be held at a later date.

        Thomas Earl Tilley, 77, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-66. Married Jean Carlberg in Boone in 1971. Worked at Pritchard Brothers and Percival Manufacturing in Boone, followed by 33 years at the 3M company in Ames. He had started in the warehouse, became a Production Team Leader, Maintenance Supervisor and retired in 2006 as an Outsourcing Administrator. Tom was an avid gardener and outdoorsman, enjoyed tending his large garden space and freely shared with others. He also loved  hunting and fishing. Survivors include his wife, Jean, a daughter, Robyn (Paul) Greteman of Carroll and a son, Derek (Donette) Tilley of Stratford, a brother, Jeff, and sister, Karen (Nile) Richey both of Stratford and an aunt, Arlys Westrum, of Boone. Services in Boone.

        Denise Zunkel Van Pelt, 69, Ogden. OHS-75. Married Steve Van Pelt in Ogden in 1977. Steve passed away in 2016. Deb is one of six girls and the middle child of the famous Boone County Zunkel triplets. Worked at Gates for 31 years until it closed. Did some kitchen work at Pizza Ranch and Whatcha Smokin. In 2011, started working at ISU in janitorial services and finished her work career in Food Service for the Boone schools. Retired January 1, 2026, due to a health issue. Denise loved family gatherings with the Zunkel and Van Pelt clan. Following their daughters sports activities was a must and she loved mowing her lawn and following Cyclone sports. Survivors include her daughters, Amy (Lindsy) Van Pelt, and Boone resident, Nicole (Troy) Showers and four sisters, Debbie (Rick) Gustoff of Boone and Patty, Vicki and Cindy. Services in Ogden.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Daryl Lynn Schoenberger, 76, Ames/Madrid Home.       

       Ronald L. Lynch, 83, Natchez, MS. Formerly of  Pleasant Hill. Born in Boone. His parents were 
George M. and Pearl L. (Ford) Lynch. Saydel HS-61. Army vet. Married Patty Jo Faber in 1965.Worked for Titan Tire and retired to New Mexico in 1996. Three children and two siblings survive.        

        Dean Russell Walker, 72, Ames. Formerly of Boone. Born in Estherville. Graettinger HS-71, where he enjoyed participating in track and basketball. U.S. Army vet serving during Viet Nam. After returning from service, Dean worked at a grain elevator in Minnesota before returning to Iowa for sales work for Wonder Bread, Novelty Inc. and Commonwealth Brands. He enjoyed golfing, single action shooting, casinos, and eating and visiting with friends at the Whistle Stop Cafe in Boone. Survivors include his wife, Carol Walker, son, Robert Walker, step-children Heather (Joe) Schaffer and Heath Cline and his sister, Gloria (Rich)  Stearns. A trusted companion, Dean was known for his kindness and being a trusted companion, always playing practical jokes and bringing a smile to those around him. He was an active member of the community and a dedicated member of his church. Service in Ames, burial at Squire Boone cemetery.   

       Brian James Bushore, 58, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-86. Services pending.       

       Lester "LeRoy" Ross, 77, Boone. Passed unexpectedly. BHS-67. DMACC and earned a Business degree from Western Illinois University. Army Viet Nam vet. Later, served with the Iowa National Guard. In total, he dedicated more than thirty-three years to military service, retiring as a Master Sergeant. Active in his church, he was also a member of the Moose Lodge and VFW, serving in many leadership roles. LeRoy volunteered to sit with shut-ins and hospice patients and devoted many hours supporting Honor Flights for veterans. A sports lover, he umpired countless Little League baseball and softball games. Above all, LeRoy will be remembered for his steady kindness, his humility, and his unwavering devotion to his faith, he country and family. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the generations he inspired. Survivors include three sons, Joseph, BHS-98, (Amy Joslin) Ross; Dustin, BHS-2003, (Erica) Ross and Nathan, BHS-2008, (Rachel) Ross, six grandchildren and special friend, Jane Brunette. Services in Boone.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Harold Dean Blaskey, 86, Boone. Born in Ogden. BHS-58. Married Sharon Loehr in 1961. Iowa National Guard vet. Delivered the Boone News Republican as a young man. Worked for Dean Snyder Construction, Quinn Foundry for 16 years and the city of Boone for 26 years. Harold enjoyed bowling, fishing, doing puzzles, playing bingo and card games. He also enjoyed operating his small lawn-mowing business, 23 residential properties and two radio tower properties. Survivors include his wife, Sharon, four children, Pamela, BHS-81; Deborah, BHS-85; Curtis, BHS-89; and Nicole, BHS-98; and a sister, Claudia. Five grandchildren also survive including Cole Houseman of Madrid. Services in Boone. 

        Jesse Austen Gaskill, 36, Ames. Born in Boone. BHS-2007. Earned an Associates in Arts degree from Des Moines Area Community College. Married Kylee Gildersleeve in Ames in 2020. Jesse was willing to try anything new, whether it was creating new recipes, trying eccentric food challenges or traveling anywhere with his family, looking for Bigfoot in Washington to watching the Cyclones play football in Ireland. He loved Iowa State, tailgating and meeting new people. Fishing, golfing, coffee, craft beers, board games and video games were also favored. He had a hunger for knowledge. Survivors include his wife, Kylee, his father, Gary Gaskill, of Boone, step-mother Teresa Gaskill, of Boone, his step-father, Bob Weldon, two brothers, Chris (Sam) and Ben Weldon of Boone and two sisters, Shayna Weldon and Delaney (Jakob) Crook of Boone. Services in Boone.

        Francis Daryl "Fred" Griffin, 95, Carroll. Born in Paton. Paton HS-49. U.S. Air Force vet, 1950-71. Returning to civilian life, he was employed in Boone as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 17 years, retiring in 1992. Married Deloris Shorey in Jefferson in 1958. The couple enjoyed fishing, music, visiting friends in several states and walking through the woods hunting for berries. Deloris passed in 2006. One sister survives. Service in Jefferson pending. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Reverend Ronald W. Nelson, 78, Ames. Born in Oregon. Raised in Minnesota, graduated high school in 1968. Earned a B.A. from the University of Minnesota, Morris, MN in 1970. Earned his Master of Divinity from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque. Married Christine in Fort Madison in 1974. Was ordained  as a Lutheran pastor in 1980. Served numerous congregations, mainly in Iowa. A gifted communicator and writer, he authored numerous articles, stories, poems and The Lutheran Message. Contiunued serving, even in retirement. He enjoyed fishing, drawing, writing, painting, music and technology as an active member of the ham radio community. Survivors include his wife, Christine, four children and a sister. Services in Boone and Shenandoah.       

       Lloyd E. Settle, 94, Boone/Westhaven. Born in Boone. BHS-49. Music was his passion. In high school, he played the trombone and excelled as first chair in the orchestra, advancing to state competition all four years. University of Illinois grad in 1953. Army vet, where he performed with a Division Band and other musical groups. Coming home to Iowa, he was a band director at Adel, and both Meredith and Hoover schools in Des Moines. He married Terry Settle in 1965. In 1982, the couple moved to Boone while Lloyd continued his career as music director at Hoover High School until retirement in 1994. During retirement, the couple enjoyed attending musical performances and sporting events in Ogden as real Bulldog fans. His wife, Terry, is a survivor. The couple had no children but considered all students "their" children. Services in Boone.

        William E. "Billy" Eatock, Jr., 63, Boone. BHS-81. Married Deb Rutledge in 1987. Golf was his passion. At age 12, he rode his bike to the Boone Golf and Country Club looking for a job but was told to return when he was 14. He did, and started a long career there as a permanent part of the greens keeping crew. Eventually, he became assistant greenskeeper and finally, golf course superintendent. His crew earned "Best nine hole course" in the state and in 1993, he was awarded Golf Club Superintendent of the Year. He closed out his work career as a salesman for LaCrosse Seed. Bill was his dad's helper in the repairing of cars or houses and learned to hunt and fish with his dad. The Eatock couple were staunch advocates for their kids, friends and grandkids and unselfishly cared for his folks, Bill and Millie, in their last years. Survivors include his wife, Deb, three children, Josh, Tyler and Abby, a brother and two sisters. Services in Boone. 

        Kathern Kay Sears Harrngton, 74, Ogden. Born in Des Moines. Married David Lee Harrington in 1968 in Des Moines. Kathy loved knitting, reading and creating art, especially with watercolors and graphite. Her husband preceded her in death. Survivors include a son, Kane Harrington, and two sisters, Myrtle Miller and Shirley (Bob) Ingersoll. Service in Madrid, burial in Boone.

        Jo Ann Nelson Wilkinson, 92, Nevada/Eastern Star. Services in Nevada.