Iowa Living Magazines

Donald Opperthauser

Donald Opperthauser, 80, of Grimes, died Aug. 24, 2021, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. A celebration of life service was held Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Grimes. Burial followed the service at Sunny Hill Cemetery in Grimes.
He was born March 2, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, was a 1959 graduate of Cass Technical High School in Detroit and was a graduate from Baptist Bible College in 1963. He married Donna in Springfield, Missouri, that same year. He was involved in missions and the church. For a full obituary, visit https://www.caldwellparrish.com.

Michael Lee “Mike” Holmes

Michael Lee “Mike” Holmes, 70, died at home with his wife, Shari, at his side on Aug. 19, 2021, of esophageal cancer. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1970 where he was vice-president of his senior class. He served in the United States Army as a Pershing Missile crewman while serving in Germany. After returning home, his career was as a master mechanic. In later years he worked for AAA.
A committal service with Military Honors will be on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, at 2 p.m. at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel. A celebration of life will be held Saturday Oct. 9, 2021. Information regarding time and location coming soon. Full obituary is available at https://www.caldwellparrish.com/.

Calvin A. Tyer

Calvin A. Tyer, 96, of Polk City, originally of Winterset, died at home Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. He graduated from Winterset High School in 1942 and served in the Marine Corps. After the war, he returned to Winterset and worked in underground construction. He was married to Audrey Juanita Miller for 66 years. She preceded him in death. He is survived locally by son James Ray Tyer of Polk City.
A Celebration of Life was held Monday, Aug. 23, at the First United Presbyterian Church in Winterset with burial in the North McDonald Cemetery, northeast of Winterset.

J. William “Bill” Mitchell

Family and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Bill Mitchell at Adel United Methodist Church on Aug. 29 at 2 p.m. A time of fellowship will follow and all are welcome to join. Gifts in his memory can be directed to Adel United Methodist Church, 115 S. 10th St.; Adel, Iowa 50003 or to Lumicare Hospice, 220 N.W. R.D. Mize Road, Blue Springs, Missouri 64014. Bill died March 23, 2020.

Mary Ann Dawson

Mary Ann Dawson, 92, of Dallas Center died Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. A funeral service was held Monday, Aug. 16 at the Caldwell Parrish – McCalley Chapel in Adel. Burial followed at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter.
She graduated from Van Meter Consolidated Schools in 1947. In 1948, she married Eddie Dawson. He preceded her in death. They had three children, Dennis, Denise, Debra and Deanna. She worked as an office assistant for a tax preparer. She sang at the homecoming for her cousin, Bob Feller, at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand, for KRNT Radio and at Hoyt Sherman Auditorium. Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrish.com.

Kirk Greenslade

Posted 8/9/21
Kirk Greenslade, 50, of Grimes (formerly of Adel) died at his home on Aug. 1, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Hayley Greenslade; children, Kolby (Megan) Greenslade, Luke Greenslade, Raquel Greenslade, and Maleah Greenslade; step-children, Sydney, Karsten and Jacob; grandchildren, Kipton and Korver; brothers, Bret Greenslade, Nick Greenslade, and Justin Greenslade; sisters, Lindsay Koons, Danyelle Walls, and Kimberly Wyckoff; father, Steve (Marcia) Greenslade; mother, Debbie Nixon; and grandmother, Bettie Nixon.
Kirk attended Adel-De Soto High School in 1989 and excelled in wrestling and football. After high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corp. Following his service in the Marines, he joined the United States Army Reserves as a recruiter. He owned and operated many different businesses, his most recent being Iron Men Construction.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, with family receiving friends from 4-7 p.m. at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home — McCalley Chapel. Funeral service will take place at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home — McCalley Chapel. Burial will be held in the Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery in rural Van Meter at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Wounded Warriors Project.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.

Douglas Lee Brown

Posted 8/9/21
Douglas Lee Brown, 75, formerly of Dexter, died at his home on Thursday, July 29, 2021. A Celebration of Life will be held from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home – McCalley Chapel in Adel. A private family burial will be held at a later date.
He graduated from Dexter High School. He worked as a supervisor for Parker Brothers Games and then as a courier for FedEx for 28 years. He married Ruth James on April 5, 1985, in Redfield.
Doug is survived by his wife, Ruth; his children, Kim (John) Wright, Shawn (Andy) Knoernschild, and Jenny (Dave) Marks; his step-children, Eric (Heather) Cronk and Alissa (Phill) Miller; his grandchildren, Bonnie, Johnny, Melissa, Clayton, Gabe, Zoe, Finn, Wyatt, and Morgan; his great grandchild, Manaath; his brother, Dan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrish.com.

Floyd E. Benson

Posted 7/19/21
Floyd E. Benson, 88, died at home on March 13, 2021, surrounded by family. Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 22 at Lutheran Church of Hope, 1335 N.E. Beaverbrooke Blvd, Grimes. Burial will take place the following day at 11 a.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska. The service will be livestreamed with a link that can be found on his obituary page at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Charles Beech

Posted 7/8/21
Charles “Charlie” Beech, 94, of Adel, died July 5 at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center. A Celebration of Life will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, July 10 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home – McCalley Chapel in Adel. His family will hold a private family burial prior to his Celebration of Life.
He served in the United States Navy, 1945-1947, then attended the University of Denver. He was a driver’s license examiner then, from 1955 to 1989, worked for United Airlines. He and his wife, Mary, have lived in Adel since 2004.
For a full obituary, visit www.caldwellparrish.com.

Albert Wesley “Wes” Watson

Posted 7/1/21
Albert Wesley “Wes” Watson, 82, longtime resident of Dexter, died June 25, 2021, at the Community Care Center in Stuart. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 10, at Caldwell Parrish McCalley Chapel in Adel. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The family requests everyone to dress in casual clothes.
Wes graduated from Adel High School in 1956. He worked for the Meredith Publishing Company and retired from there after 43 years of service. He volunteered for Boy Scouts and was a firefighter for the Dexter fire department for several years. He was the Dexfield Bossler Club Fan of the Year in 1993 and, in 1996, was recognized for his outstanding support of West Central student activities. He is survived by wife Helen, son David and other relatives and friends.

Carroll Morrison

Posted 7/1/21
Carroll Morrison, 89, of Minburn, died June 24, 2021, at Kennybrook Village in Grimes. Funeral services were Thursday, July 1 at Brandt Funeral Home, Dallas Center, with visitation one hour prior to services. Burial was at Elmwood Cemetery in Minburn.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, drove truck for Briggs Transportation for 30 years, and was a member of the Teamsters Union Local #147.

Raymond G. Mikulan

Posted 7/1/21
Raymond Gerald Mikulan, 87, of Polk City died June 26, 2021. Visitation was held June 29 at Assumption Catholic Church in Granger with Mass of Christian Burial held June 30 at Assumption Catholic Church. He had a professional hockey career as a goalie in the IHL and AHL. Later, he managed the Des Moines Ice Arena and owned and operated Ray’s Restaurant and the Carousel Lounge in Des Moines.
Ray met Sharon Leopold at the Carousel, and, in 1976 they became owners/operators of Mary’s Cafe in Polk City and renamed it the Landmark Restaurant. They enjoyed 33 happy years at the Landmark, retiring in 2009. His wife of 44 years, Sharon, survives him, along with other relatives and friends. For a full obituary, visit www.MemorialServicesOfIowa.com.

Evelyn Dowell

Posted 7/1/21
Evelyn Laura Linkvis Dowell, 92, of Waukee died at her home on June 22, 2021. She worked for Brenton Bank for 30 years while raising a family. She was married to Donald Dean Dowell for 66 years before his death in 2014. She was a member of the Neighborhood Club, Garden Club and Tuesday Club. She was in leadership roles at Waukee Christian Church, such as Sunday School teacher, treasurer and CWF. Further, she was actively involved in volunteering in various local booster clubs.
Visitation was June 29 at Waukee Christian Church in Waukee. Funeral services were June 30 at Waukee Christian Church. Burial followed at Waukee Cemetery. Iles Brandt Chapel in Dallas Center was in charge of arrangements.

Gary L. Parker

Posted 7/1/21
Gary L. Parker, 81, died June 25, 2021. A memorial service was held July 1, 2021, at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Burial followed the service at Waukee Cemetery. His wife, Karen, preceded him in death.

Donald Hubbard

Posted 7/1/21
Donald Hubbard, 57, of Adel, died at home after a short battle with cancer. He is survived by his mother, Norma Hubbard, and children Kelsie Hubbard and Sean Hubbard, as well as other relatives and friends.

John F. Moller, Sr.

Posted 6/28/21
John Frederick Moller, Sr., 75, of Johnston died unexpectedly on Sunday, June 20, 2021, as he celebrated a special Father’s Day surrounded by his family. He had 50-plus years of service in the funeral industry. Following in his grandfather Lee Hamilton’s footsteps, as well as his father’s footsteps, he became a third-generation co-owner of Hamilton’s Funeral Homes along with his brother, Bill Moller.
A Celebration of Life was held June 25, 2021, at West Des Moines Christian Church. Funeral services were Saturday, June 26, at the church with burial following at Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines. For a full obituary and to express condolences, go to DyamondMemorial.com.

Berneice H. Friesz

Posted 6/28/21
Berneice H. Friesz, 100, of Dallas Center, died Saturday, June 26, 2021, at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center. During wartime, Berneice worked at an ordinance plant packing 50 caliber machine gun bullets into cartons. After that, she worked at Hiland Potato Chips; however, she spent most of her working years at Meredith in Des Moines in hand bindery. She retired from Meredith after 32 years and eight months of service.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 29 at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery in Des Moines. Arrangements were handled by McLarens Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary.

Nancy Suzanne Wilson

Posted 6/28/21
Nancy Suzanne (Walrod) Wilson, 72, of Dallas Center, died Thursday, June 17, 2021, at MercyOne Johnston Hospice Care after an 18-month battle with cancer. Nancy is survived by her husband, Gary, of 50 years.
A Celebration of Life will be held on July 1, 2021 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Dallas Center. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 30, from 5-7 p.m. at the church. Guests are invited to wear their Cyclone and Hawkeye gear to the visitation in remembrance of Nancy. Arrangements are handled by Brandt Funeral Homes - Dallas Center.

Carl J. Lock

Posted 6/28/21
Carl J. Lock, 87, of Johnston, died June 21, 2021. Hamilton’s Funeral Home, Westown Parkway, is in charge of arrangements.

Teresa L. Poller

Posted 6/28/21
Teresa L. Poller, 56, of Grimes, died June 22, 2021. Graveside services were June 25 at Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery. Ames Monument & Cremation Center was in charge of arrangements.