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Hat’s Off… is a place to honor and remember loved ones through death service notices, obituaries, memorial tributes, and meaningful remembrances shared with family, friends, and the community.

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Grau Funeral Homes: Paul L. Horsfall, Sr, 93, of Lansing, IA, died Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA.

Memorial services will be held Wednesday, September 9th, at 11:00 AM at United Methodist Church in Lansing with Pastor James Buckhahn officiating. Friends may greet the family from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Tuesday, September 8th, at Martin – Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.

Marie Sobolik, 82, of Cresco, reunited with her family and friends in heaven on August 31, 2026.

Marie Jane Pecinovsky was born to James C. and Georgina Pecinovsky on December 6, 1943. She grew up on a farm between Cresco and Protivin with her brother Jerry.

On August 31, 1963, she married her next-door neighbor (one mile down the road), Arthur Sobolik, at Holy Trinity Parish in Protivin. They built their forever home in Cresco in 1966, raised three daughters, enjoyed dancing, bowling, playing cards, and entertaining their friends and family. They were married for 35 years.

Marie’s life revolved around raising her family, and her jobs revolved around cooking. She loved to cook and bake, and she was amazingly good at it. She cooked at the Cresco Bowling Alley, Cresco Care Center, both Notre Dame and Crestwood school kitchens. She co-owned two Cresco restaurants, Prime and Dine and Friends Diner and ended her cooking career at the Cresco Sales Barn just before her 80th birthday. She also loved cooking for friends and family. Having people over for a meal was one of her favorite things to do. She was a kolache queen and made many ice cream pails full of potato salad for people!

Playing cards with family and friends, going to Bingo and the casino, and listening to the Polka Party on Saturday mornings were also things she enjoyed. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren. She took them all to the casino and bingo and beat them at euchre most of the time (some think she cheated). She would call and text them just to see what was going on in their lives. She had a special, unique relationship with each one of them that they will always cherish. Even though she didn’t get to attend all of the ceremonies, she was so proud that each one graduated from college!

Marie will be forever missed by her children and grandchildren: Jan and Terry Bigalk and Ryan and Rachel and Blake; Julie and Steve Joerger and Logan and Rachael and Jenna; and Lisa and Myron Holt and Derek and Heather, Abby and Brett and Justin. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Quinn Holt and Drew Joerger, who both have a brother or sister arriving soon; brother and sisters-in-law Jim and Sharon Sobolik, Mary Jarvis, Evie Sobolik, and Margaret Sobolik, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her very special bonus kids who grew up next door, Scott and Krissy, also mourn her loss.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur, in 1998, her parents, and her brother, Jerry; parents-in-law, Edward and Olivia Sobolik, brothers-in law Joe, Martin, George, and Dick Sobolik, a nephew, Dan, and her aunts and uncles.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00AM Friday, September 4, 2026 at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 223 2nd Avenue East, Cresco, with Fr. Francis Anane officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, September 3, 2026 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home, where the Rosary will be prayed at 5:00PM. There will also be visitation one hour before the service at the church. 

Grau Funeral Homes:

Brian Philip Rodenberg, 61 of McGregor, Iowa passed away Saturday, August 29, 2026 at his home surrounded by loved ones.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, September 4, 2026 at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in McGregor, Iowa.

Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in McGregor, Iowa with Rev. Brent Keller as the officiant.

Inurnment will follow at St. Pius Cherry Mound Cemetery, Harpers Ferry, Iowa.

Reiff Famaily Center Funeral Home:

Darlene A. Beatty, 91, of Independence, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Lexington Estates in Independence.

Darlene was born on September 10, 1934, in Independence, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas “Eddie” and Lelia A. (Beyer) O’Brien. She grew up in rural Otterville and attended the Otterville County School before continuing her education in the Independence Community Schools.

On December 31, 1950, Darlene was united in marriage to Alfred G. Beatty at the First Presbyterian Church in Independence. Together, they built a loving family and shared many years of marriage.

Darlene was a devoted mother and grandmother who took great pride in caring for her family. She was very particular and took care in everything she did. She especially loved feeding her grandchildren and spending time helping with them. Family Sundays were made special with the pies she lovingly made for everyone to enjoy. She also had a special place in her heart for her dogs.

Darlene enjoyed swimming with friends in Jesup, selling Avon, cooking, flower gardening, and talking on the telephone with family and friends. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and watching Walker, Texas Ranger. Above all, Darlene treasured the time she spent with the people she loved and the simple moments shared with family.

Darlene is survived by her three daughters, Debra (Donald) Magasamen, Vickie Jetmund, and Cheryl (Steve) Birchard, all of Independence; four grandchildren, Lori Rouse, Allen Magasamen, Emily Parks, and Matt Birchard; four great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Richard O’Brien of Independence and Patrick (Karen) O’Brien of Prescott, Arizona, sister-in-law, Nancy O’Brien of North Carolina; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie and Lelia O’Brien; her husband, Alfred G. Beatty; two sisters, Iva Fratzke and Mary Lou “Tootie” Melka; and two brothers, Harvey “Bud” O’Brien and Floyd “Bink” O’Brien.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the Reiff Family Center in Independence, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery at a later date.

Reiff Family Center Funeral Home:

Francesca A. Brockmeyer, 96, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Corridor Crossing in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Francesca (Fran) Brockmeyer was born in Hastings, Nebraska, on May 1, 1930, to Gregorio and Marta Natividad (Soto) Berver, who immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. She was the youngest of seven children.

Fran and John farmed for several years in Clayton and Delaware Counties until eventually settling in Independence, Iowa to raise their six children. She worked as a cook at the A&W and The Villager, eventually retiring from Davidson’s Fashions after 15 years of customer service.

While living in Independence, Fran faithfully attended St. John’s Catholic Church, where she was honored to be part of the Rosary Society and Catholic Daughters.

After retiring in 1991, John and Fran moved to Mountain Home, Arkansas and lived there for 34 years. Before John’s passing in 2004, they spent their time fishing, camping, and traveling all over the United States with the Good Sam Camping Club. They spent most winters in Texas and Arizona, where they enjoyed spending time with their oldest two granddaughters.

While in Mountain Home, Fran was a member of St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, where she attended Mass several times a week. Fran was always there to lend a hand, bring baked goods, or prepare a meal whenever called upon, and she was adored by many. She was lovingly known for being a sharp dresser and was easily recognized on Sunday mornings sporting a classy hat!

On Fran’s 93rd birthday, she stopped driving and retired, for the final time, from Dr. Vester’s Dental Office, where she had been the “Hospitality Director” for many years. In 2025, she moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to be closer to more family. Her greatest joy came from her seeing and visiting with her children, and especially her many grandchildren.

She was the most loving, caring, and nurturing mother that her children could have asked for. She believed wholeheartedly that “family” wasn’t by blood alone, and she welcomed ALL.

When asked, she often told people she was four feet, ten and a half inches tall, although her children knew that “half inch” was just wishful thinking on her part.

She came in a tiny frame, but by leaving her earthly presence, she left a HUGE hole in our hearts.

Visitation will be held from 4 PM until 7 PM on Monday, August 31, 2026, at the Reiff Family Center – Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence, IA. a Rosay will be said at 3:40 PM. A Mass of Chirstian burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday September 1st at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence, IA. Burial will be held at Floral Hills Memorial Garden in Hazelton, IA at a later date.

Helms Funeral Homes:

George Tupy, age 86, of Fort Atkinson, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at Wellington Place in Decorah, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 201 Oak Street, in Fort Atkinson, IA, with Rev. Tyler Raymond presiding. Burial will be in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Fort Atkinson, IA, with military honors.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Fort Atkinson, IA 52144. Rosary will begin at 8:45 a.m.

Helms Funeral Homes:

Theresa Teslow, age 96, of Frankville, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at her home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E Water Street, Decorah, Iowa, with Pastor Karla Johnson presiding. Private family burial will be held in the Glenwood East Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.

Helen Schwartzhoff’s sister, Alice….

Alice (Schwartzhoff) Brown died on August 12, 2026. She was born on March 22, 1948 and raised in Dorchester, IA. Alice went on to be an artist and will be remembered for her beautiful floral arrangements, wedding decorations, and her gentle kindness. We cherish her memory along with parents Clarence and Winifred Schwartzhoff, siblings Dale Schwartzhoff and Marie Ellestad (Don), sister-in-laws Rita and Pat Schwartzhoff, son Nathan Brown, daughter-in-law Kristen Brown, and beloved granddaughter Evie Brown. She is survived by her son Aaron Brown, daughter in-law Kaylee Brown, friend Mark Young, siblings Gerald (Darlene), Earl (Lynn), Gary (Nancy), Joe (Kathy), and Helen (Bob Boyd) Schwartzhoff, and sister-in-law Marie Schwartzhoff along with many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held Friday September 4th, 1:00 PM at Holy Family Hall in Caledonia, MN with a visitation one hour before. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Dorchester, IA.