Obituaries

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

Rose Annette Ellis

Rose Annette Ellis

Aug 31, 2026

Rose Annette Ellis, lovingly known to many as “Nettie,” 70, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2026, at Pinnacle Specialty Care Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa, under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

In her final moments, Rose was surrounded by love, with her daughter, Brittany Goken; Brittany’s fiancé, Matthew; and Rose’s best friend of many years, Mary Cormaney-Peters, by her...

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...

Raleina Louise Abe

Raleina Louise Abe

Sep 7, 2026

Raleina Abe of Waterloo, passed away on Monday September 7, 2026. Full obituary is pending,. 

Norman Edward Chizek

Norman Edward Chizek

Sep 6, 2026

On September 6, 2026, Norman Edward Chizek, 90, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, passing away peacefully at his home in Traer.

Norman was born July 11, 1936, on the family farm (RR2) in Traer, Iowa, the son of Peter Paul and Marie Veronica (Zmolek) Chizek. He attended Crystal #7 Country School and graduated from Traer High School...

James Kopriva

James Kopriva

Aug 21, 2026

Jim was born in Iowa City and grew up on his parents' dairy farm, where farm life became a part of him from an early age. He graduated from Traer High School in 1971 and began his working life at Tama Pack. Before long, however, he found his way back to the farm, doing custom work including spraying and applying...

Wynnfield Scott Catron

Wynnfield Scott Catron

Aug 16, 2026

Wynnfield Scott Catron, of Traer, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at the age of 74. Born in Waterloo, Iowa, on November 21, 1951, to Russell and Zola (Holst) Catron, Wynnfield’s journey through life was marked by warmth, dedication, and a boundless love for the people who surrounded him.

A proud member of the North Tama High School...

Barbara Therese Novotny

Barbara Therese Novotny

Aug 6, 2026

Barbara Therese Novotny, of Traer, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the age of 95. Her long and meaningful life was defined by warmth, devotion, and a lifelong pursuit of beauty—in her work, her faith, and the relationships she cherished.

Barbara was born on June 14, 1931, to Frank A. and Emily (Martinek) Novotny on their beloved...

Rachael Ann Tasseff

Rachael Ann Tasseff

Aug 3, 2026

Rachael Ann Tasseff of Traer, Iowa, passed away on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the age of 51. Born on April 5, 1975, in Waterloo, Rachael was the beloved daughter of Wynnfield and Teresa (Howe) Catron. Her warm spirit and sincere kindness made her presence a true gift to those blessed to know her.

Growing up in Traer, Rachael thrived among...

Wayne Eugene Rosauer

Wayne Eugene Rosauer

Jul 21, 2026

Wayne Eugene Rosauer, 77, of Dysart, Iowa died at his home on July 21, 2026 of end stage kidney failure complicated by cancer and heart disease. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Wayne was born September 12, 1948 to Margaret (Farrell) and Eugene Rosauer of rural Dysart. Wayne graduated from Dysart-Geneseo High School and then went on to The...

Debra Ann Elliott

Debra Ann Elliott

Jul 4, 2026

Debra Ann Elliott of Dysart, Iowa, passed away surrounded by her loving family on July 4, 2026, at the age of 69. Born on September 25, 1956, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Eugene and Eleanor (Gonnerman) Elliott, Debbie was a cherished daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, soon to be great grandma, aunt, and friend whose warmth and spirited nature touched all who...

David Leonard Papesh

David Leonard Papesh

Jun 30, 2026

On June 30, 2026, the city of Traer lost a loving and well-known citizen. David Leonard Papesh went home to be with his Lord and Savior.

As a young man, David proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. Most of his working years he was employed in various sales positions.

David was well known throughout Traer for his service...

Roger Alan Peters

Roger Alan Peters

Jun 26, 2026

Roger Alan Peters of Dysart, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 26, 2026, at the age of 64. Roger’s sudden departure has left a quiet ache in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. 

Born in Waterloo, Iowa, on September 27, 1961, to Keith and Darlene (Taylor) Peters, Roger was shaped by the land and the people of...

Richard "Dick" Wendell Hein

Richard "Dick" Wendell Hein

Jun 21, 2026

Richard “Dick” Wendell Hein, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to so many, peacefully passed away at the age of 89 on June 21, 2026, at Sunrise Care Center in Traer, Iowa. Born on September 3, 1936, in Fairbank, Iowa, to William Hein and Elizabeth (Beehner) Hein, Dick lived a life full of warmth, laughter, dedication, and the...

Brian Christopher Anniss

Brian Christopher Anniss

Jun 5, 2026

Brian Christopher Anniss, a devoted family man, cherished friend, and dedicated agricultural business professional, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2026, at his beloved ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Born on July 22, 1974, in Waterloo, Iowa, Brian's life was marked by commitment, generosity, and a profound connection to both his roots and the land he so dearly loved.

Brian was the...

Teresa Ann Degner

Teresa Ann Degner

Jun 1, 2026

Teresa Ann Degner, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026, just one day shy of her 76th birthday. Born on June 2, 1950, at St. Francis Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa, Teresa’s life was a testament to love, dedication, and a spirited embrace of life’s many joys.

Growing up on the family farm in...

Victoria Lee Huebner

Victoria Lee Huebner

May 21, 2026

Victoria Lee Huebner, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a beacon of boundless love and faith, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2026, at the age of 78, surrounded by her beloved family. Born on December 26, 1947, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Eli and Beatrice (McDermott) Uhlenhopp, Victoria’s life was a testament to devotion, resilience, and warmth.

A proud graduate...

Delmar "Frog" W. Dreessen

Delmar "Frog" W. Dreessen

May 15, 2026

Delmar “Frog” W. Dreessen, age 90, passed away on May 15, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of stories, laughter, friendship, and unforgettable memories shared with all who knew him.

Delmar was born on January 15, 1936, in a rural farmhouse on the county line between Tama and Black Hawk Counties in his beloved home state of Iowa. Growing up in the...

Carol Ann Waltemate

Carol Ann Waltemate

May 9, 2026

Carol Ann Waltemate was born on December 18, 1941, in Waverly, Iowa, to Earnest and Zenetta (Hack) Waltemate. She graduated from Plainfield High School in 1960 and attended beauty school in 1961. In 1962, she opened a beauty shop in Traer with Marlys Stuart. She later worked with Donna Franklin before moving her shop, Countryside Beauty Salon, to her home...

Charles "Chuck" Raye Larsen

Charles "Chuck" Raye Larsen

May 8, 2026

Charles “Chuck” Larsen passed away on May 8th, 2026 in Peoria, Illinois, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and devotion to those he loved most.

Chuck was born in Waterloo, Iowa, to Raymond Larsen and Frances (Kanis) Larsen, and was the eldest of two siblings. Following high school, Chuck attended Iowa State University before pursuing a career as a machinist and...

Marjorie Ann Kriz

Marjorie Ann Kriz

May 4, 2026

Marjorie Ann (Kopriva) Kriz, a cherished soul who touched the lives of many, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the age of 98. Surrounded by her loving family at Sunrise Hill Nursing Center in Traer, Marjorie's departure marked the conclusion of a life rich with devotion, kindness, and enduring love.

Born on October 20, 1927, in Dysart, Iowa,...