BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Judith Kay (Judy) Johnson, 72, Boone/Hearthstone Memory. Services in Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-71. Judy was a renowned trap shooter, winner of numerous state and even Midland championships. She won 15 patches shooting 25-50 birds in a row. She married John Scott Cherveny in 1971 and he passed away in 1974. In 1976, she married Jerry Dean Johnson and he passed away in 2011. Judy worked at the Cattlemen's Association in Ames, Crop Production Services  in Boone, along with her husband Jerry at J and J Concrete in Boone and then worked at Iowa State until retirement in 2014. She was an Iowa Hawkeye season ticket holder in both basketball and football. Two daughters, Ginger (Bill Riehl) Wiebers of Boone and Jo (Chris) Capps of Ogden plus a step-daughter, Nona (Terry) Schwand, survive. She was preceded in death by her brother, Allen Walker, and most recently, her sister, Mary Jane Walters. A Memorial Visitation will be held in Boone. 

       Richard (Dick) Bengtson, 94, Grimes. Services in Ogden and Boxholm.      

       John Fitzsimmons, 66, Boone. Born in California. He participated in Civil Reenactments with the Army of the Southwest as their "Battle Artist." Was a member of the Lincoln Highway Association and a true hotrodder at heart. A vagabond road artist, Johnny had many journeys along this country, detailing its characters and sights in his artwork and crafting stories for any who might listen. Survivors include his wife, Linnea, his children, Amber and Sean (Taylor) Fitzsimmons, and his sisters, Sandi and Patti. An COL will be held later. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Betty May Peter Paulson, 95, Story City. Born in rural Boone County. BHS-48. Baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church in rural Boone and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boone. Married Duane Paulson in 1949 at Trinity. The couple moved to rural Story City where Duane farmed for 10 years. They then moved to Des Moines for Duane to attend AIB. In 1959, they moved to Ames and then to Roland in 1960. From Roland they moved to a rural area before settling in Story City in 2000. Betty enjoyed quilting, was a good cook and seamstress. She loved working outside in her garden and canning green beans and sweet corn. Three sons and her brother, Wilmer (Gladys) Peter of Story City, survive. Services in Roland.

        Marjorie L.Tilley Fitzgerald Dixon, 93, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-50. Married Leo Fitzgerald in 1952. As a couple, they worked in the first-ever Casey's General Store in Boone for 10 years. They then owned and operated L and M Gas and Grocery in Boone for 28 years. Leo passed in 1986. In 1993, Marjorie married Clarence Dixon. They enjoyed many bus trips. Clarence passed in 2015. Marjorie enjoyed watching the Hallmark channel and spending time with her family members. Four of her five children, who all spent time working at Casey's and L and M, survive. They are Cheryl Ahrens, Denise Fitzgerald, Mike (Tami) Fitzgerald and Diane (Joe) Davis. Services in Boone.

       Florence Loraine Lee, 92, Perry. Survivors include a son, Kenny (Lori) Anderson of Luther. Private burial in Perry. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

 

       Delmer Creighton Husmann, 89, Boone/Westhaven. Minburn HS-53. Married Margie Smiley-Hodgson of Boone in 1960. Delmer retired from Bridgestone/Firestone in 1985 but then worked for the city of Boone as a library custodian and for Boone County Transportation as a HIRTA bus driver. Delmer was often seen tending to his lawn, gardening, watching people go by and chatting with neighbors and friends. He enjoyed jigsaw puzzles. His greatest joy was sharing his faith as a Jehovah's Witness with others. Survivors include Margie's two children, Georgette Hodgson-Overton of Boone and James Hodgson (Kathryn) of Saipan.     

        Patricia Rinehart Sternquist, 88, Boone/Mason City IOOF Home since July. Born in Boone. BHS-55. DMACC Nursing Program. Married Leonard Sternquist in Boone in 1956. Worked as a nurse's aide. Then, as a stay-at-home mom. Returned to nursing and worked as a school nurse and with students with disabilities. An active church member, she was involved in PTA and was a Camp Fire Girls troop leader for many years. Patricia and her late husband, Leonard, fell in love with ballroom dancing while taking lessons with their daughter, Susan, and her soon-to-be husband, Scott,  before their wedding in 1981. They went on to teach, compete and enjoy the international style of Ballroom Dancing for many years. Survivors include her daughters, Susan (Scott) Moorman, and Laura Sternquist, sisters Joleen, Joanne and Jackie and brothers, Bob and Marty. Patricia lived with happiness, kindness and grace. An amazing cook and baker, she was also known for her crafts and the fun old-fashioned games she always had ready for her grandchildren. A COL at a later date. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

      Dennis Ray McCool, 83, Boone. Born in Marshalltown. BHS. Married Mary Jane McCool in 1963. He worked for the U.S. Navy for over 28 years combined civil service and active duty on nuclear submarines. He ended his career as a Chief test nuclear engineer at Mare Island Naval Station in California. He was proud to be a member of the armed forces and always had a U.S. flag flying in front of his house. Dennis always supported his family and enjoyed being in his basement doing different woodworking projects with his brother and best friend, Gary McCool. He had a passion for the outdoors and loved fishing. Favorite times were car rides in the park, deer watching and band concerts. He was a great father to his sons, Michael and Christopher, who are survivors. 

       Susan Kay "Suz" Welch, 85, Johnston/Boone. Born in Van Meter. Played basketball, was a cheerleader and Valedictorian at Earlham HS. Was heavily involved in Camp Fire and spent many memorable summers at Camp Hantesa. Began her lifelong dedication to camps as a Hantesa Apprentice and joined the summer staff in 1959. Iowa State Teachers grad (UNI) earning a B.A. in Physical Education. Taught at Clinton HS before joining the Camp Fire Staff in 1965. In 1972, Suz joined Camp Hantesa as Director and in 1982, she started serving as Executive Director of the camp. She was an Adjunct Professor at UNI from 1982-85. It was her innovative spirit that led to the expansion of Camp Hantesa programs and facilities, including a new swimming pool. Suz served on local and national boards of the American Camp Association (ACA) and lended her expertise to programs and camps across the country. Her spouse, Carolyn Hudgens, preceded her in death. Survivors include a brother, nephews, step-children and step-grandchildren. Memorial service will be held at Camp Hantesa.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Sherryl Ann Ellingson Dighton, 84, Boone. Born in Hampton. Grew up on family farm. Popejoy HS. Earned a degree in Education from the State College of Iowa (UNI). Married Lyndon Dighton in Popejoy while in college in 1963. The couple moved to Hawarden to begin teaching careers. Moved to Boone in 1968. After being a stay-at-home mother to three children, Sherryl returned to teaching. She taught fourth grade for 24 years. Her family was everything. Very active in church, she also served on Little League and Boone Booster Club boards. She enjoyed coffee groups and playing bridge. Survivors include her daughter, Sally (Ian) Overland and sons, Dan (Sally) and Jeff (Ammie) Dighton all of Boone. Services in Boone.  

        Patricia Lynette Sternquist, 88, Boone/Mason City IOOF Home. A COL later.     

        Ruth Ann Johnston Anderson, 78, Dayton/Grandview Health Center. Born in Jefferson. Confirmed at Trinity Lutheran in Boxholm. Grand Community HS. Married Marvin Dean Anderson in Boxholm in 1965. The couple lived in Blairsburg prior to moving to Harcourt in 1968. She was a homemaker, farm wife and later, the Librarian at Dayton Library. Ruth enjoyed bowling, artec painting, fishing and was a very active church member. Survivors include her husband, Marvin, two children, including Mark Anderson of Boxholm and a sister. A COL in Dayton and burial in Jewell.

       Joyce LaVonne Frohwein Haws, 78, Ogden/Ankeny. Born in Eldora. Lived in Roland, Reinbeck, Colo and Washington before settling in Ogden where the couple lived on an acreage outside of town. Later, the couple moved to Ankeny. She had a way of making things happen. Remembered for her warmth, generosity and entrepreneurial spirit. Survivors include her husband, Mike, two sons and two daughters. Service in Ankeny, burial in Runnells. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

          Rodney Scott Ferguson, 67, Great Lakes Area. Passed away Oct. 13, 2025. Rod grew up in Boone. BHS-76. Drove truck for Fareway, owned a bar, was a logging foreman in Texas, a realtor, car salesman and antique dealer. He loved dining in restaurants in the Okoboji area. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. Survivors include his former wife, Sandy Ferguson, and his son, Chane, by marraige. COL was held in Arnold's Park.     

           Rosalie Marie Baldus Kelso, 79, Ames. Born in Boone. Daughter of Irene and Victor Baldus. Ames HS-64. Attended ISU briefly before moving to Lancaster, CA. Returned to Ames and married David Kelso in 1971. Was an insurance clerk at the ISU Student Health Center until retirement. She loved spending summers at a lakeside refuge in Waterville, MN. and summers in Apache Junction, AZ. Rosalie enjoyed bingo, flea markets, fishing, playing solitaire and reading. She was active in the Ames High Alumni Association and the American Business Women's Association. Three daughters and two sisters, including Mary Ann Baldus of Ames, survive. A COL will be held in Ames. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

      Wendi Lea Culbertson Tolan, 53, Ogden. Born in Perry. Panorama HS-91. Spencer School of Business. Married Shawn Tolan. They divorced. Wendi worked for Grand Junction as the City Clerk. She was a professional wrestling fan, loved her two dogs, working jigsaw puzzles and reading. Survivors include her children, Austin (Taylor) Tolan; Tyler Tolan (Addison Adcock)  and Katie Lea Tolan. Three sisters also survive. Services in Ogden.  

      Joyce Elaine Kitchen Bimbi, 83, Madrid/Eastern Star. Born in Ames. Lived in Madrid for over 60 years. Eastern Star resident since 2023. Preceded in death by her husband, Leo Bimbi, her parents, Mabel and Loyall Kitchen, and a granddaughter, Melissa Neely.  Survivors include three children, three grandchildren, including  Sarah (Chris) Turbes of Pilot Mound and Justin Neely of Boone, great grandchildren, Madison and Olivia Neely of Boone, and a sister, Jean (Steve) Duffy of Boone. No services are planned. 

       Diane Marie Wiggins, 82, Ames. Children surviving are Matt Wiggins of Boone and Janine (Daryl) Tellinghuisen of Ames. COL in Boone.