Obituaries

Honoring the Lives of Those We've Lost in Dysart and Traer, Iowa

Betty Jane (Snow) Coleman

Betty Jane (Snow) Coleman

Jan 4, 2026

Betty Jane (Snow) Coleman, formerly of Traer, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the age of 86 in Marshalltown, IA. She was born on April 22, 1939, in Carlton Township, Tama County, Iowa, to Harvey and Norma (Sievers) Snow.

Betty graduated from Dinsdale High School in 1956 and furthered her education at Gates Business College in Waterloo, where...

Keith Eugene Wendt

Keith Eugene Wendt

Apr 21, 2026

Keith Eugene Wendt, 94 of Traer Iowa, passed away on Tuesday April 21, 2026 at Sunrise Hill Care Center. Full obituary is opening. There will be Celebration of Life at a later date.

Gregory Lee Drajna

Gregory Lee Drajna

Mar 25, 2026

Gregory Lee Drajna, a cherished soul whose life was marked by service, love, and unwavering kindness, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Cedar Falls Health Care Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa. At the age of 76, Greg left behind a legacy rich with memories that will be treasured by all who knew him.

Born on November 24, 1949, in...

Corrine Luella (Hulme) Mauderer

Corrine Luella (Hulme) Mauderer

Mar 23, 2026

Corrine Luella (Hulme) Mauderer, a cherished mother, devoted wife, and steadfast member of her community, peacefully passed away on Monday, March 23, 2026, At Unity Point Hospital, surrounded by the loving presence of her family. She was 97 years old.

Born on August 8, 1928, in Tama, Iowa, Corrine was one of six children to Merritt and Nellie (Lyman) Hulme. Her...

Renate Schons

Renate Schons

Mar 4, 2026

Renate Schons was born March 20, 1943, in Wiesbaden, Germany, daughter of Theresa Mertz. She was married to Gerald Schons, which brought her to Iowa, they later divorced. Most of her life, Renate was a caregiver and a homemaker. She enjoyed playing bingo and going to the casino with her girlfriends. Renate spent precious time with her very good friend,...

Jeffrey John Cizek

Jeffrey John Cizek

Feb 20, 2026

Jeffrey John Cizek, 71, of Traer, IA, passed away peacefully at home on February 20, 2026, surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was a man of great character, known for his resilience, kindness, and an unwavering dedication to his family and work.

Born in Waterloo, IA, on March 1, 1954, to Ellsworth and Marlys (Wacha) Cizek, Jeff grew up...

Vicky Lea Tanner

Vicky Lea Tanner

Feb 1, 2026

Vicky Lea Tanner was born May 23, 1954, in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Donn and Patty (Tanner) Lewis. She graduated from North Tama High School in 1972. Vicky worked at Traer Manufacturing, then attended Hawkeye Community College, where she earned her degree in Accounting. She worked at Quest Communications, until working at the Meskwaki Casino. Later, Vicky was...

Ronald Marlyn Dengler

Ronald Marlyn Dengler

Jan 31, 2026

Ronald Marlyn Dengler, a beloved figure in the Dysart community, passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at MercyOne Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was 77 years old at the time of his passing. Ronald's life, marked by unwavering strength and spirited joy, was a testament to the love he shared with those around him.

Born on November 2, 1948,...

Rachelle Yvonne Heichel

Rachelle Yvonne Heichel

Jan 16, 2026

It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Rachelle Yvonne Heichel, who left us on January 16, 2026, in Waterloo, IA, at the age of 22, after a brief but serious illness. Rachelle was born on November 5, 2003, and throughout her life, she was a gentle, radiant soul whose spark for life touched...

Phyllis Brandt

Phyllis Brandt

Jan 12, 2026

Phyllis Jean (Mauser) Brandt died on Jan. 12, 2026, at Harmony in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Phyllis was born on Monday, Feb. 13, 1928, at her parents’ farm home near New Haven, Iowa. She was the youngest of Lawrence and Esther (Merkel) Mauser’s three daughters. She was raised on the family farm.

Phyllis attended the Douglas #6 country school through 8th grade....

Dixie Lee Christian

Dixie Lee Christian

Jan 9, 2026

Dixie Lee Christian, 86, of Vinton, formerly of Dysart, passed away peacefully, on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Birdee Cottage in Waterloo.

Dixie was born on September 10, 1939, in Del Norte, Colorado, daughter of Howard and Betty (Greever) Glasener.

On August 28, 1959, Dixie married the love of her life, Duane Christian, he preceded her in death on May 15, 2025....

Martha Ann Winkelpleck

Martha Ann Winkelpleck

Jan 7, 2026

Martha Ann Winkelpleck was born June 4, 1969, in Modesto, California, daughter of Jessie and Annabelle Gorsuch Riley. She married Randy Winkelpleck on May 20, 2000, at their home in Dysart; he preceded her in death on November 3, 2012. Martha was very creative. She would use unused furniture around her home and make tables, spice racks and shelves.

Martha passed...

Daniel Mead Bradley

Daniel Mead Bradley

Jan 7, 2026

Daniel Bradley was born on August 16, 1954. The son of Albert and Florence (Yohn) Bradley. He graduated from North Tama High School in 1973. He worked for John Deere for 25 years and retired at the age of 44. He then started a construction business with his son and built homes for eight years. He worked out in his...

Mark "Bushy" Daniel Fehr

Mark "Bushy" Daniel Fehr

Jan 5, 2026

Mark “Bushy” Daniel Fehr, of Clutier, IA, peacefully passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was 74 years old and had touched the lives of many throughout his journey.

Born in Waterloo, IA, to Clarence and Elsie (Wieck) Fehr on April 14, 1951. He graduated from Dysart High School in 1969 and soon after enlisted in...

Mariel Jean Brubaker

Mariel Jean Brubaker

Dec 26, 2025

Mariel Jean (Staker) Brubaker of rural Traer, was called home in the early hours of December 26, 2025. Mariel practiced dental hygiene in the Reinbeck and Cedar Falls area for many years and concluded her career as a teaching adjunct in the Hawkeye Community College Dental Hygiene program. Mariel is survived by her husband, Randy Brubaker, her two children, Leisa...

Patricia Catherine Clark

Patricia Catherine Clark

Dec 13, 2025

Patricia Catherine Clark, 93, of Traer, Iowa, passed away on December 13, 2025, at Sunrise Hill Care Center due to Cancer.

Born on September 5, 1932, in Boone County, Nebraska, she was the first born of eleven to Louis and Bernadette (Magsamen) Koch.

A graduate of Lamont High School, she married Robert Clark on October 25th, 1951. The family lived in Lamont,...

Jerry Dvorak

Jerry Dvorak

Nov 26, 2025

Jerry Anthony Dvorak, a cherished member of the community, was born on February 8, 1957, at Mercy Hospital in Marshalltown, Iowa, to George and Marcella (Wacha) Dvorak. He passed away peacefully at home on November 26, 2025, following a courageous battle with cancer. Jerry left this world at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy filled with love, hard...

Sondra Ann Fitzgibbon

Sondra Ann Fitzgibbon

Nov 19, 2025

Sondra Ann Fitzgibbon was born January 14, 1956, in Iowa, the daughter of George and Lottie (Ramsdell) Moore. She is survived by a son, George Fitzgibbon; daughter, Sarah Fitzgibbon of Kansas; brother, Randy (Nancy) Moore of Woodridge, Illinois and a sister, Sandy Moore of Aurora, Illinois.

Sondra passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at St. Luke's in Cedar Rapids, at...

Arlene J. Schlichting

Arlene J. Schlichting

Nov 18, 2025

Arlene Schlichting was born September 13, 1934, near Clutier, Iowa, daughter of Otto and Emma (Linhart) Smolik. She attended Oneida #5 Country School in Clutier, Iowa. Arlene married Allen Schlichting on January 31, 1953, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa; he preceded her in death on March 11, 2000. She worked at Kozy Korner Kafe, Nissen Bakery and...

Kaitlyn Louise Cross

Kaitlyn Louise Cross

Oct 1, 2025

Kaitlyn Louise Cross, age 17, of Traer, Iowa, passed away on October 1, 2025. Born on April 28, 2008, at MercyOne in Waterloo, Iowa, she was the cherished daughter of Jeff and Reianna Cross.

Kaitlyn’s vibrant spirit shined brightly throughout her life. She embraced many passions, including shopping, gaming, and traveling with her mother. Their bond grew even deeper when Kaitlyn...