Penny Marshall's death: Co-star Cindy Williams, Tom Hanks, stars ...

Penny Marshall's death from complications relating to diabetes moved the Hollywood community to grieve on social media.

Marshall was best know to millions as Laverne DeFazio on "Laverne & Shirley," the gravel-voiced, gangly Milwaukee brewery worker with the tough act, soft heart and the big “L” on her sweater.

Cindy Williams, who played the Shirley to Marshall's Laverne, mourned her old co-star.

"What an extraordinary loss," she said in a statement to USA TODAY. "My good friend, Penny Marshall is gone one in a million. Utterly unique, a truly great talent. And, oh what fun we had! Can't describe how I'll miss her."

Director and actor Rob Reiner tweeted that he was "so sad" about Marshall's passing. The two were married from 1971-1981.

"I loved Penny," he continued. "I grew up with her. She was born with a great gift. She was born with a funnybone and the instinct of how to use it. I was very lucky to have lived with her and her funnybone."

Fellow "Laverne & Shirley" co-star Michael McKean was left speechless following the news of Marshall's death. "I don't know what to say," he tweeted.

Aside from acting, Marshall became one of the most successful female film directors of all time, with hits such as "Big," "Awakenings" and "A League of Their Own" to her credit.

Tom Hanks, who starred in "Big" and "A League of Their Own," said his final "goodbye" to Marshall: "Man, did we laugh a lot! Wish we still could. Love you. Hanx."

Geena Davis, who starred in the film about a women’s baseball team during World War II, wrote, “Penny brought so much joy to so many and will be sorely missed. I will be forever grateful to her for letting me be a part of ‘A League of Their Own.’”

Rosie O'Donnell, another star of "A League of Their Own," said she was "simply heartbroken. She shared an ad she did with Marshall.

Madonna, who also starred in "A League of Their Own," shared a photo from set of herself and Marshall.

"So Lucky to have known you and worked with you Penny Marshall!!" she wrote in an Instagram post. "Your Talent was as BIG as your Heart! and you were a Trailblazer For Women In Hollywood!"

The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League said without Marshall and "A League of Their Own," "the AAGPBL would still be 'the best kept secret in baseball.'"

“RIP to a beautiful friend,” wrote NFL great-turned-"Good Morning America" host Michael Strahan. “You will be missed but you were definitely loved and appreciated when you were here. Prayers and love for you and the family!"

Fellow director and basketball fan Spike Lee, who was often spotted sitting courtside next to Marshall at NBA games, simply posted the New York Daily News' cover tribute.

"Rest in peace to my great friend, Penny Marshall," wrote Lakers icon Magic Johnson. "We shared a lot of laughs and good times together."

Donyell Marshall, who transitioned to collegiate-level coaching after leaving the NBA, wrote, "Still remember when you asked me for my game Jersey. You said you would go around telling people I was your nephew. We always talked before and after games when we played against the Lakers."

Ron Howard, whose career track mirrored Marshall's, noted, "She made the transition from sitcom star to A List movie director with ease & had a major impact on both mediums. All that & always relaxed, funny & totally unpretentious. I was lucky to have known & worked with her."

"Thank you for what you contributed to us girls," wrote Viola Davis. "Grateful to have worked with you. Rest well you great Broad!!!"

Barbra Streisand tweeted that she was "so sorry to hear" about Marshall's passing.

"I have great memories of attending many of her birthday parties with Carrie Fisher in the early days... and she came to so many of my concerts," she continued. "May she rest in peace.

Bette Midler said it is the "end of an era." "The Marshall family grieves again as the great #PennyMarshall dies at age 75. What an extraordinary family they were and continue to be, and how much love and sympathy my family and I send their way," she tweeted.

Danny DeVito remembered her as a "sweet woman."

"I was very fortunate to spend time with her," he tweeted. "So many laughs. She had a heart of gold. Tough as nails. She could play round ball with the best of them."

Actress Olivia Munn called Marshall "one of the most important trailblazers. Her comedic talents brought success & fame, but she truly broke the mold with her directing."

Josh Gad celebrated Marshall and her impact.

"At a time when men dominated, #pennymarshall broke barriers as a director, giving us hit after hit," he tweeted. "A League of their Own, Awakenings, & Big aren’t simply great movies. They (are) classics made by a director who was simultaneously setting up shots while breaking down walls."

"Farewell to the lady I imitated as a kid before becoming her neighbor years later, legendary sitcom star and BIG director Penny Marshall," wrote Kevin Smith. "I got to tell Penny that LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN is one of my favorite films when we recorded 4 epic podasts at my house."

Hollywood wasn’t the only institution to pay tribute. Major League Baseball paid tribute to the director, tweeting, "We join the baseball community in mourning the passing of Penny Marshall, director of 'A League of Their Own.' "

Larry King also remembered Marshall on Twitter, sharing a memory of her sports memorabilia collections.

"So saddened by Penny Marshall's passing. Her work entertained us for years — what a remarkable woman! One thing I'll always remember about Penny — & maybe some people don't know this — she had one of the best sports memorabilia collections I've ever seen," he wrote.

Trisha Yearwood thanked Marshall in a tribute tweet.

"RIP Penny Marshall. You were my childhood, and forever after. Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world. xoxo," she wrote.

Mark Wahlberg shared a photo with Marshall along with a sweet message.

"Rest in peace, Penny. Such a wonderful, funny and talented lady," he wrote, adding a broken heart emoji. "Without her support and encouragement, I would not be where I am today. She will be missed."

"Seinfeld" star Jason Alexander fondly recalled auditioning for Marshall.

"Penny Marshall had me audition 6 times for a role and then I didn’t get it. She didn’t know that I would audition for her forever," he wrote. "It was a treat to be in the room.

"Brady Bunch" actress Maureen McCormick wrote to Marshall: "Your comedic talent and gift for directing have forever inspired me."

Rapper Bow Wow remembered taking in "plenty of Laker games" with Marshall, a noted basketball fan.

"Great woman with a great soul!" he tweeted.

"Crazy Rich Asians" actress Awkwafina simply tweeted: "Rest in Power, Penny Marshall."

Billy Crystal recognized Marshall as “a great comedienne, a terrific director and a dear friend.”

“Oh Rest In Peace dear Penny Marshall,” actress Rosanna Arquette posted, “we have had many laughs through the years. This is very sad news.”

George Takei remembered her as a person who "brought us great laughter and truly broke new ground as a director."

He added: "Neither a schlemiel, or ever a schlimazel, she shall be missed by her many fans."

Journalist Dan Rather dubbed Marshall a "funny, poignant, and original American voice."

"Penny Marshall was a pioneer in television and the big screen who understood humor comes in many forms and some of life's deeper truths require a laugh," he tweeted. "She will be missed."

“Googled this and realized after all these years ... I Remembered every word,” tweeted “Today” co-anchor Hoda Kotb, sharing the opening to 'Laverne & Shirley.'

“We will miss you,” Kotb continued.

Russell Crowe tweeted that just yesterday, he held a Golden Globe award from the 1930s that Marshall gave to him.

"Hadn't seen it in years. Then today's news..." the actor wrote. "She was kind, she was crazy, so talented and she loved movies."

Comedian Kathy Griffin tweeted a photo of herself with Marshall.

"Penny Marshall was a loyal friend, a pioneer for women in film, and true supporter of women in the industry," she wrote. "Rest In Peace my friend."

"I Dream of Jeannie" actress Barbara Eden tweeted that she was "such an admirer of (Marshall's)."

"She and a her wonderful brother are reunited," she continued, referencing director Gary Marshall, who died in 2016.

William Shatner hailed her “a true treasure!”

Director Ava DuVernay expressed gratitude to Marshall "For the trails you blazed. The laughs you gave. The hearts you warmed."

Busy Philipps was brokenhearted over the news.

"Rest In Peace and thank you for everything," the talk show host tweeted.

Lin-Manuel Miranda joined those in mourning, tweeting "#RIPPennyMarshall."

Actor Sean Astin said he was reflecting on "so many of her brilliant moments."

Mayim Bialik referred to Marshall as "Comedy gold" in a tweet.

"I grew up wanting to be as funny as Penny Marshall," she wrote, "and had the pleasure of meeting her a few times."

Actor James Woods, who was featured in Marshall's 2001 film "Riding in Cars with Boys," remembered her as one of his "dearest friends."

"I loved her," he continued. "Funny, warm, a true individual and remarkable talent."

"Blockers" actor Ike Barinholtz reminded his followers, " 'A League of Their Own' is such a great movie and if you haven't seen it you should."

"Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" actress Melissa Joan Hart thanked Marshall for being a "special role model for female comedians."

"The Marshall family holds a special place in my heart for being so kind and creative and encouraging to other artists," she wrote in an Instagram post.

Justine Siegal, the first woman to coach for a Major League Baseball organization, praised the filmmaker for “A League of Their Own.” Marshall directed the 1992 flick.

“Your movie... inspired others to play baseball," Siegal wrote. “You made a difference. Thank you.”

Comedian Christopher Titus shared, "This news hits with amazingly deep sadness. The world lost a lot of funny today."

"Men in Black" actor Vincent D'Onofrio recalled Marshall inviting him over to discuss a movie she was working on. "She was so kind to me," he tweeted. "She was so smart and funny. I will never forget that afternoon. My heart goes out to her family and friends."

"The Simpsons" producer David Silverman remembered Marshall as the long-time cartoon's first guest star in the Season 1 finale. "Great comedic actor and director," he wrote.

CNN anchor Jake Tapper simply tweeted "RIP Penny Marshall" with a GIF.

Actor Albert Brooks remembered Marshall as "so talented and funny."

"A big loss," he added.

Writer Matt Oswalt, brother of comic Patton Oswalt, lauded Marshall as one of the top directors.

"Her movies blended comedy and drama better than anyone," he posted.

Blogger Perez Hilton shared with followers his heart was "heavy" since learning the loss of the "TV legend".

"I grew up watching 'Laverne & Shirley,' like so many," he reminisced.

Olivia Newton John, singer and actress, dead at 73 | CNN

CNN —

Olivia Newton-John, the Australian singer whose breathy voice and wholesome beauty made her one of the biggest pop stars of the ’70s and charmed generations of viewers in the blockbuster movie “Grease,” died on Monday, according to a statement from her husband. She was 73.

“Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time,” her husband, John Easterling, wrote in a statement on the singer’s verified Instagram account. “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer.”

The singer revealed in September 2018 that she was treating cancer at the base of her spine. It was her third cancer diagnosis, following bouts with breast cancer in the early ’90s and in 2017.

Her rise to fame

Thanks to a string of country and soft-rock hits, Newton-John was already a popular singer by the late 1970s. But her co-starring role opposite John Travolta in 1978’s “Grease,” arguably the most popular movie musical of all time, lifted her to a new level of stardom.

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in 1978 in 'Grease.' Paramount Pictures/Fotos International/Getty Images

Although she had little acting experience (and turned 29 during filming), Newton-John gave an indelible performance as Sandy, a sweet-natured Australian transfer student who romances Travolta’s alpha greaser Danny at a Southern California high school in the 1950s.

Their onscreen chemistry as mismatched lovebirds who undergo final-act makeovers to win each others’ hearts – she ditches her frilly dresses for heels, leather, spandex and a cigarette – anchored the movie and inspired repeat viewings by legions of fans.

“I don’t think anyone could have imagined a movie would go on almost 40 years and would still be popular and people would still be talking to me about it all the time and loving it,” Newton-John told CNN in 2017. “It’s just one of those movies. I’m very lucky to have been a part of it. It’s given so many people pleasure.”

Newton-John sang on three of the movie’s biggest hits: the duets “You’re The One That I Want” and “Summer Nights” with Travolta, and her swoony solo ballad, “Hopelessly Devoted To You.”

Born in Cambridge, England in 1948, Newton-John moved with her family to Melbourne, Australia, when she was five. After winning a talent contest on a TV show, “Sing, Sing, Sing,” as a teen she formed an all-girl group and began appearing on weekly pop music programs in Australia.

Newton-John recorded her first single in England in 1966 and scored a few international hits, but she remained largely unknown to US audiences until 1973, when “Let Me Be There” became a top-10 hit on both the adult contemporary and the country charts.

A series of No. 1 easy-listening hits followed, including “I Honestly Love You,” “Have You Never Been Mellow” and “Please Mr. Please.”

Then came “Grease,” which was 1978’s top-grossing movie and became an enduring cultural phenomenon.

The movie gave Newton-John an opportunity to change her squeaky-clean image. The cover of her next album, “Totally Hot,” featured the singer in black leather, while its songs had an edgier, more contemporary pop sound.

Her singing success

In 1981, she took her new, sexier persona a step further with “Physical,” a dance number with such suggestive lyrics as, “There’s nothing left to talk about unless it’s horizontally.” Banned by several radio stations, it became her biggest hit, spending 10 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.

Olivia Newton-John performing on the BBC TV music show 'Top Of The Pops' in 1974. Michael Putland/Getty Image

She also appeared in several more big-budget movies, including the musical fantasy “Xanadu” with Hollywood legend Gene Kelly in his final screen role. The film bombed, but its soundtrack sold well and spawned “Magic,” a No. 1 hit.

In 1983 she teamed with Travolta again for “Two of a Kind,” a romantic comedy-fantasy, but it failed to recapture their “Grease” spark.

Over a lengthy career Newton-John won four Grammy Awards and sold more than 100 million albums.

Olivia Newton-John waves goodbye in the 1978 movie "Grease." CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images A young Newton-John is seen in front here with her father, Brin; her brother, Hugh; her mother, Irene; and her sister, Rona. Newton-John was born in Cambridge, England, in 1948. She moved with her family to Australia when she was 5. Family Photo Newton-John and singing partner Pat Carroll pose for a photo in London in 1966. Newton-John recorded her first single in England in 1966 and scored a few international hits, but she remained largely unknown to US audiences until 1973, when "Let Be There" became a top-10 hit on both the adult contemporary and the country charts. Wattie/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images After "Let Be There," a series of No. 1 easy-listening hits followed, including "I Honestly Love You," "Have You Never Been Mellow" and "Please Mr. Please." King Collection/Avalon/Getty Images Newton-John is held by police officers in Brighton, England, where she was rehearsing for the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. PA Images/Getty Images Newton-John films her first music video for her 1975 single "Follow Me." Anwar Hussein/Getty Images Newton-John performs in Detroit in 1975. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Newton-John stars in the 1978 musical "Grease" with John Travolta. "Grease," 1978's top-grossing movie, became a cultural phenomenon. Paramount/Rso/Kobal/Shutterstock Although Newton-John had little acting experience when she starred in "Grease," she gave an indelible performance as Sandy, a sweet-natured Australian transfer student who romances Travolta's alpha greaser Danny at a Southern California high school in the 1950s. Paramount Pictures/Fotos International/Getty Images Newton-John is interviewed on the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of "Grease." George Rose/Getty Images Newton-John appears in London to announce a series of concerts in 1978. Bandphoto/Starstock/Photoshot/Everett Collection Newton-John appears with Andy Gibb in the 1980 film "Xanadu." The musical fantasy bombed at the box office, but its soundtrack sold well and spawned "Magic," a No. 1 hit. Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock In 1981, Newton-John displayed a new sexier persona with her song "Physical." The song, which was banned by several radio stations for its suggestive lyrics, became her biggest hit. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Newton-John stars with Travolta again in 1983's "Two of a Kind." Evertt Collection Newton-John holds her daughter, Chloe, as she arrives at a Sydney airport with her first husband, Matt Lattanzi, in 1987. News Ltd/Newspix/Getty Image Newton-John is interviewed by Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show" in 1990. Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images Newton-John promotes her album "Indigo: Women Of Song" at a store in Sydney in 2004. Patrick Riviere/Getty Images Newton-John appears as a judge on the TV competition "American Idol" in 2007. Everett Collection Newton-John performs at a Pride event in New York in 2011. Michael Stewart/WireImage/Getty Images Newton-John is held by Nick Adams, Tony Sheldon and Will Swenson while attending the Broadway musical "Priscilla, Queen of The Desert" in 2011. Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic/Getty Images Newton-John celebrates at a charity walk in Melbourne in 2013. The event raised money for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre. Scott Barbour/Getty Images Newton-John receives a ceremonial key to the Las Vegas Strip in 2014. She was launching a residency show that month. Ethan Miller/Getty Images Newton-John poses with her second husband, John Easterling; her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi; and Chloe's fiance, James Driskill, in 2015. They were attending an event celebrating the 35th anniversary of "Xanadu." Bryan Steffy/WireImage/Getty Images Newton-John appears on an episode of "Dancing With the Stars" in 2015. Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images Newton-John shaves the head of Greg Chase, director of guest experience at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, during a fundraiser in Las Vegas in 2015. Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic/Getty Images Newton-John performs at a festival in Viña del Mar, Chile, in 2017. Esteban Felix/AP Newton-John and Travolta attend a 40th anniversary screening of "Grease" in 2018. Mario Anzuoni/Reuters Newton-John performs with John Farnham at a fundraiser in Sydney in 2020. Cole Bennetts/Getty Images People in Ptuj, Slovenia, watch "Grease" at a drive-in movie theater in 2020. Milos Vujinovic/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/AP Olivia Newton-John's life in pictures Prev Next

“I’ve had many lives in music. I’ve had country when when I started, then I crossed over into pop,” she told CNN. “I had ‘Xanadu’ and ‘Grease,’ many songs in between. I feel very grateful. I have such a large repertoire to choose from.”

Overcoming tragedy

But Newton-John also faced her share of troubles and tragedy. Her breast cancer diagnoses forced her to postpone and cancel several tours.

And in 2005 Newton-John’s then-boyfriend, Patrick McDermott, disappeared at sea while on a fishing trip off the coast of California. He was never found – an unsolved mystery that haunted the singer for years.

“It’s very hard to live with that,” she told CNN’s Larry King in 2006. “It’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced, and I’ve been through a lot of things.” Although her career profile dimmed in her later years, Newton-John never stopped recording and performing. Among her highlights were guest appearances on “Glee,” a long-running “Summer Nights” residency at the Flamingo Las Vegas and a dance-club hit, “You Have to Believe,” recorded with daughter Chloe.

“I love to sing, it’s all I know how to do,” she told CNN in 2017. “That’s all I’ve ever done since I was 15, so it’s my life. I feel very grateful that I can still do it and people still come to see me.”

Leslie Jordan, beloved actor and social media star, dead at 67 | CNN

CNN —

Leslie Jordan, beloved comedian and actor known for his work on “Will and Grace,” has died, his agent announced.

He was 67.

“The world is definitely a much darker place today without the love and light of Leslie Jordan. Not only was he a mega talent and joy to work with, but he provided an emotional sanctuary to the nation at one of its most difficult times. What he lacked in height he made up for in generosity and greatness as a son, brother, artist, comedian, partner and human being. Knowing that he has left the world at the height of both his professional and personal life is the only solace one can have today,” Sarabeth Schedeen, Jordan’s talent agent, said in a statement to CNN.

“Beyond his talents, Leslie’s gifts of bringing joy to those he touched, his ability to connect with people of all ages, his humility, kindness and his sweetness will be sorely missed by all,” his attorney Eric Feig said in a statement.

Jordan was involved in a car accident on Monday morning in Hollywood and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the LA County coroner, who identified Jordan, and a spokesperson for the LA Fire Department.

Jordan’s move to Hollywood

In his 2009 book “My Trip Down the Pink Carpet,” Jordan documented his move from Tennessee to Hollywood in 1982. He “boarded a Greyhound bus bound for LA with $1,200 sewn into his underpants and never looked back,” a publisher’s description of the book read.

The actor found work on television in shows like “The Fall Guy,” “Designing Women” and “The People Next Door.”

Jordan originated the role of Earl “Brother Boy” Ingram in the award-winning play “Sordid Lives,” which he reprised in the 2000 independent film adaption.

Megan Mullally and Leslie Jordan in "Will and Grace." Tina Thorpe/NBC/Getty Images

He was a fan-favorite for his recurring role as Karen’s friend Beverley Leslie on “Will & Grace.” He also appeared in “American Horror Story” and “The Cool Kids.”

His star shone even brighter during the height of the pandemic when his social media presence took off on Instagram, garnering him millions of followers.

Video Ad Feedback Leslie Jordan talks internet fame with Anderson Cooper 21:32 - Source: CNN

The platform also became a place where Jordan shared about his struggles, memories and family stories (many about his beloved mama) through the prism of humor.

Jordan talked to CNN’s Anderson Cooper about his past substance abuse and being sober for more than 20 years.

“People say ‘Well how do you get sober, what’s the best way,’” Jordan said. “Yeah, well 120 days in the jailhouse in Los Angeles. That will sober you up.”

In one post, Jordan recalled a guard who took pity on how much Jordan disliked incarceration and informed him that they had Robert Downey Jr. (who decades ago made headlines for a few brushes with the law) in custody and would be releasing Jordan and giving Downey Jr. his bed.

“Pod A, cell 13, top bunk,” Jordan recalled. “I feel responsible for most of Robert Downey Jr.’s success. Honey, I gave him a bed.”

His last posting on Instagram was him singing a hymn with artist Danny Myrick on Sunday.

Lisa Respers France Chloe Melas
Lisa Respers France
Chloe Melas

Lewy body dementia: What Robin Williams' widow wants you to ...

CNN —

After Robin Williams died by suicide in August 2014, his widow, Susan Schneider Williams, would soon learn about a disease she had never heard of, but one that had haunted both of their lives.

That disease is Lewy body dementia, with which the actor was diagnosed in October 2014 following an autopsy on his brain. “A few months before he passed, he was given a Parkinson’s (disease) diagnosis,” said Schneider Williams, an artist and advocate for LBD awareness and research, at the Life Itself conference, a health and wellness event presented in partnership with CNN. “But that was just the tip of the iceberg.”

The misdiagnosis occurred in May 2014 after Robin had been experiencing severe memory, movement, personality, reasoning, sleep and mood changes.

The comedian had undergone multiple tests to identify his problem, most of which were negative. “None of the doctors knew that there was this ghost disease underlying all of this,” Schneider Williams told CNN in an interview. “When that was revealed, that was like essentially finding out the name of my husband’s killer.”

Schneider Williams and Robin dine at a restaurant to celebrate her 50th birthday in 2014. Susan Schneider Williams

Dementia is a disorder of mental processes marked by memory dysfunction, personality changes and impaired reasoning due to brain disease or injury. The exact cause of LBD, which affects about 1.4 million Americans, is unknown. But the disease is associated with the accumulation of the protein alpha-synuclein, which is typically present in the brain and in small amounts in the heart, muscle and other tissues. Alpha-synuclein might help regulate neurotransmitters. But when this protein accumulates and forms masses (called Lewy bodies) within the brain, the effects are devastating.

Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease dementia are the two types of Lewy body dementias, which are the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

Because LBD initially presents similarly to Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, it’s often misdiagnosed. And since Lewy body proteins can’t be tested like Alzheimer’s proteins, LBD cases are often diagnosed after death when families request autopsies for closure or more details, or to donate a loved one’s brain for research.

Typically for undiagnosed LBD patients who initially exhibit movement issues, doctors first diagnose them with Parkinson’s disease since it is a movement disease. If those patients later develop dementia as well, they are often diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease dementia. More specific changes in cognitive function, too, over time can lead to the diagnosis “dementia with Lewy bodies.” Although Lewy bodies are common with Parkinson’s disease, not all Parkinson’s patients will develop LBD.

Misdiagnosis and overlapping symptoms can lead to a world of confusion for patients and their families, so for Schneider Williams, finally learning the truth behind her husband’s “pain and suffering” was a “pinprick of light,” she said.

“That’s when my own healing started to begin,” she said. “We had this experience with something that was invisible and terrifying, truly. And then on the other side of it, I’m left to find out the science underneath it that helped explain this experience. Robin wasn’t crazy. That was one of his biggest fears.”

So that other patients and caregivers can experience the same truth, understanding and healing, Schneider Williams has been in a “rabbit hole of discovery” and advocacy for eight years now. She has served on the board of the American Brain Foundation for six years, helped establish the Lewy Body Dementia Fund and its $3 million research grant award aimed at finding an accurate biomarker, and contributed to the documentaries “Robin’s Wish” and “Spark: Robin Williams and His Battle with Lewy Body Dementia.”

Schneider Williams speaks about LBD awareness and research at the 2021 BioHive Summit in Utah. Katelin Roberts

“I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t tell this story,” Schneider Williams said. “I had no idea the journey I was about to begin on. But I had to go there.”

Doctors and researchers wanting to mitigate the kinds of experiences her husband endured “have a tall order,” she said, “but progress is being made.”

‘Chemical warfare in his brain’

Lewy body dementia has more than 40 symptoms that can randomly appear and disappear, Schneider Williams said. Categorically, the signs include impaired thinking, fluctuations in attention, problems with movement, visual hallucinations, sleep disorders, behavioral and mood issues, and changes in bodily functions such as the ability to control urinating.

What “marked the beginning of a cascade of symptoms” was when her husband started experiencing never-ending fear and anxiety, Schneider Williams said. It began to happen in 2012 when Williams started to pull back from engaging with people at the Throckmorton Theatre in California, where he would try new material out and riff with other comedians just for fun, she added.

The anxieties persisted beyond what Williams had experienced in the past and what is normal for a beloved actor living with the pressures of being on a world stage.

Eventually, paranoia was another significant symptom, Schneider Williams said. “It was the amygdala region of his brain that had a ginormous amount of the Lewy bodies. So that area of the brain is really our ability to regulate our emotions, particularly fear and anxiety. And Robin’s was basically broken.”

Toward the end, Williams also experienced delusional looping. “Your brain is concocting a story of what you think reality is,” Schneider Williams said. “And the people around you are unable to rationalize with you and bring you back into what is actually real. So it’s incredibly scary for everyone around someone who’s deluded as well as the deluded person.

“As a caregiver, you feel incredibly powerless when you realize, ‘Oh my gosh, nothing I say or do anymore can bring him back to what’s real.’ And that’s a very scary place,” she said. “Lewy body – it really takes over.”

Williams was stressed by work, his sudden forgetfulness and changing personality, and insufficient sleep – which progressed to severe insomnia that removed the separation between day and night in the couple’s home. “Our house was like ‘Night at the Museum’ at night,” Schneider Williams said. Pulling him back from nighttime delusions would take hours, sometimes days, she added. “Imagined fear on fire – that is what it is.”

Hallucinations are “a key hallmark of LBD that can really help in identifying the disease,” Schneider Williams said, but also a tough symptom many LBD patients don’t want to discuss. She didn’t know about her husband’s hallucinations until her conversation with a medical professional who had reviewed his medical records. A delusion involves a storyline with people who can deconstruct it for you – but a hallucination is something only you see and therefore is easier to hide.

“Lewy body is neurological; it’s a circuitry problem. So the chemical and structural changes happening in Robin’s brain were responsible for the psychiatric symptoms that he was experiencing,” Schneider Williams said at Life Itself. Those included depression.

The doctors Schneider Williams met with after learning of his diagnosis “indicated his was one of the worst pathologies they had seen. He had about 40% loss of dopamine neurons,” she wrote in her 2016 article “The terrorist inside my husband’s brain” for the journal Neurology. “The massive proliferation of Lewy bodies throughout his brain had done so much damage to neurons and neurotransmitters that in effect, you could say he had chemical warfare in his brain.”

Antipsychotic medications were dangerous for him and made some symptoms worse, as they do for some LBD patients, Schneider Williams said.

If people experiencing neurodegeneration can still do some routines such as work or walk their dog, those “usual, well-worn pathways can provide comfort,” Schneider Williams said. When people can no longer do those things, symptoms can worsen and lead to devastating feelings of isolation.

‘Every yard gained matters’

Nearly eight years after the diagnosis that catalyzed Schneider Williams’ research journey, she is “just now starting to really pick up the pieces of my own life,” she said.

“I kind of need to go underground for a while and relocate my inspiration and my true passion, which is art and painting,” Schneider Williams said. She plans for a portion of all her future print sales to go to LBD research, and she will stay in touch with efforts related to the documentaries and the Lewy Body Dementia Fund, where she remains lead chair.

Schneider Williams paints at her home in Marin, California, in 2019. Richard Corman

As Schneider Williams widens her focus while leaving her door open for LBD advocacy, experts continue their research efforts.

“We’re always learning more and more about the disease, from the basic science studies looking at cells and test tubes, to animal models, to human observational studies,” said Dr. James Galvin, a professor of neurology and director of the Comprehensive Center for Brain Health at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Recent highlights include the introduction of at least two new diagnostics, Galvin said: a spinal fluid test from the company Amprion and a skin biopsy test from CND Life Sciences. The spinal fluid test tracks misfolded synuclein and helps doctors diagnose brain diseases, including LBD. The skin biopsy test aims to help doctors distinguish between serious neurologic disorders.

“To have diagnostics – that can confirm in life that someone has Lewy body disease – goes a long way both toward confirming the diagnosis and advancing research,” Galvin said. “The earlier you can start people on treatments, the easier to enroll people in clinical trials to test new medications.”

The National Institutes of Health has awarded Galvin and the company Cognition Therapeutics a $29 million grant for studying whether a new drug, CT1812, is safe and effective for patients with LBD.

To treat LBD, doctors “borrow medicines from Alzheimer’s to treat cognitive symptoms, from Parkinson’s to treat motor symptoms, from narcolepsy to treat attention deficits and from psychiatry to treat behavioral symptoms,” Galvin said in a news release. CT1812 could help the brains of LBD patients clear toxic proteins and protect against functional loss.

“When I wrote that editorial ‘The terrorist inside my husband’s brain,’ I was convinced that a diagnosis wouldn’t matter anyway, because there is no cure,” Schneider Williams said at Life Itself. “But my thinking since then has completely changed. Diagnosis is everything – not just for the patients and caregivers, but for the doctors, clinicians and researchers. If we had an accurate diagnosis, we could have sought specialized care.”

The Lewy Body Dementia Association has formed a Research Centers of Excellence Program, with 22 sites across the United States, to collaborate on clinical trials, assess needs for resources and infrastructure, and develop better measures of clinical symptoms, said Angela Taylor, the association’s interim executive director.

“We can’t undo changes that have already occurred,” said Dr. Samantha Holden, an associate professor of neurology at the University of Colorado and director of the Memory Disorders Clinic at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. “But if we catch people early enough, can we prevent it from progressing?”

Research progress is being made in baby steps. When asked whether there has ever been a point when she felt like giving up, Schneider Williams said, “Oh, my God. Pick a day.”

“It’s very overwhelming when you look at all the millions and bazillions of dollars that are spent on research and you think, ‘Oh my God, have we really progressed at all?’ ” she added. But with how complex LBD is, “every yard gained matters.”

“Whoever has hope has many days of feeling the darkness,” Schneider Williams said. “But the thing about hope is that no matter what, you dust yourself off, you pick yourself up and you go forward. And you don’t do that alone.”

Barbara Walters, legendary news anchor, has died at 93 | CNN

CNN —

Barbara Walters, the pioneering TV journalist whose interviewing skills made her one of the most prominent figures in broadcasting, has died, her spokesperson confirmed to CNN. She was 93.

“Barbara Walters passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones. She lived her life with no regrets. She was a trailblazer not only for female journalists but for all women,” Walters’ spokesperson Cindi Berger told CNN in a statement.

Walters began her national broadcast career in 1961 as a reporter, writer and panel member for NBC’s “Today” show before being promoted to co-host in 1974. In 1976, Walters joined ABC News as the first female anchor on an evening news program.

At that network, Walters launched “The Barbara Walters Specials” and “10 Most Fascinating People” before becoming a co-host and correspondent for ABC News’ “20/20” in 1984. Along the way, she interviewed every US president and first lady since Richard and Pat Nixon.

For more than five decades, Walters was a name to reckon with, whether speaking with world leaders on news programs, in celebrities’ homes for her regular “Barbara Walters Specials” or on “The View,” a daytime talk show in which a diverse panel of women discuss the latest headlines.

Barbara Walters sits on the set of NBC's "Today" show in New York on April 23, 1976. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Her shows, some of which she produced, were some of the highest-rated of their type and spawned a number of imitators. Indeed, “The View” – which debuted in 1997 – paved the way for American talk shows “The Talk” and “The Chew,” as well as such entries as Britain’s “Loose Women” and Norway’s “Studio5.”

Walters left “The View” in 2014, but remained a part-time contributor to ABC News for two years.

“I knew it was time,” Walters told CNN’s Chris Cuomo at the time. “I like all the celebration, that’s great, but in my heart, I thought, ‘I want to walk away while I’m still doing good work.’ So I will.”

Looking upon the numerous women who had looked up to her throughout her career, Walters said they were her legacy.

“How do you say goodbye to something like 50 years in television?” she said in conclusion. “How proud when I see all the young women who are making and reporting the news. If I did anything to help make that happen, that is my legacy. From the bottom of my heart, to all of you with whom I have worked and who have watched and been by my side, I can say: ‘Thank you.’ “

Walters was married four times, to business executive Robert Katz, producer Lee Guber and twice to entertainment mogul Merv Adelson. The second marriage to Adelson ended in 1992. She is survived by her daughter, Jackie, whom she and Guber adopted in 1968.

Walters’ big ‘get’ interviews

Walters was born September 25, 1929, in Boston. Her father, Lou, was a nightclub owner and theatrical impresario, and young Barbara grew up around celebrities – one reason she never appeared fazed by interviewing them.

Walters earned her college degree from Sarah Lawrence College in 1953.

Barbara Walters is seen at a news conference on September 30, 1976, in New York. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Notoriously competitive, Walters was dogged in her pursuit of big “get” interviews, so much so that there were long-standing reports of rivalry between her and another of ABC’s news stars, such as Diane Sawyer, who joined the network in 1989. That included, most recently, jockeying to land the first interview with Caitlyn Jenner, which Sawyer conducted in 2015.

Walters, though, was no slacker in terms of landing major interviews, including presidents, world leaders and almost every imaginable celebrity, with a well-earned reputation for bringing her subjects to tears. Highlights included her 1999 interview with Monica Lewinsky – which was watched by an average of 48.5 million viewers – and a historic 1977 joint sit-down with Egypt’s Anwar Sadat and Israel’s Menachem Begin.

Walter’s first job on air was on NBC’s “Today” show in the 1960s, where she reported what were then perceived as “women’s stories.” In 1974, she was officially named co-anchor of the show. Two years later she became, for a time, the best-known person in television when she left “Today” to join ABC as the first woman to co-anchor a network evening newscast, signing for a then-startling $1 million a year.

Though her term in that position was short-lived – co-anchor Harry Reasoner never warmed to her – she had the last laugh, staying at the network for almost four decades and co-hosting the magazine show “20/20” (with her old “Today” colleague, Hugh Downs), “The View” and countless specials.

She was both mercilessly parodied – on the early “Saturday Night Live,” Gilda Radner mocked her as the sometimes mush-mouthed “BabaWawa” – and richly honored, with multiple Emmys, a Peabody and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Sometimes seen as brash, usually by men questioning her forthright demeanor, she could only shrug at the criticism.

“If it’s a woman, it’s caustic; if it’s a man, it’s authoritative. If it’s a woman it’s too pushy, if it’s a man it’s aggressive in the best sense of the word,” she once observed.

Todd Leopold Emma Tucker Jamiel Lynch
Todd Leopold
Emma Tucker
Jamiel Lynch

COVID-19 in Iowa has killed more than 6,100; we remember those lost

Des Moines Register

The numbers associated with Iowa’s coronavirus pandemic come regularly. They appear in our inboxes and on our feeds like clockwork, sandwiched between big box store discounts and emails from friends.

4,706 positive cases one day.

40 deaths another.

Over 400,000 recovered to date.

More than 6,100 lost.

In the routine of it all a callus grows, a protection against what these numbers actually stand for — people.

Behind these figures are storytellers and hard workers, Cubs fans and pie bakers, mothers and daughters, fathers and sons. Behind these numbers are our fellow Iowans.

The Iowa Mourns project is a result of months of research to reveal the stories of neighbors and friends lost to the pandemic. In writing about them, we focused on the light of their lives instead of the darkness of their diagnoses, and sought to chronicle who they were, what they did and how they’ll be remembered.

Iowa Mourns was made possible by an unprecedented partnership of nine daily newspapers across Iowa’s two premier newspaper organizations — the Register, Ames Tribune, Burlington Hawk Eye and Iowa City Press-Citizen of the USA TODAY Network; and the Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil, Mason City Globe Gazette, Quad-City Times, Sioux City Journal and Waterloo Courier of Lee Enterprises. Journalists from all over the state contributed, ensuring we painted a true picture of how Iowa has changed from river to river.

We remain committed to telling these stories. If you would like your loved one remembered in this way, email me at ccrowder@dmreg.com or submit their name here.

Together, we can make certain the Iowans lost will always be more than a number.

— Courtney Crowder

REMEMBERING:

A

Connie Abegglen, 74, Merrill. Loved the color red whether on clothes or cardinals.

George Abodeely, 83, Marion. Competed in Special Olympics.

Alonzo Adams II, 95, Davenport. Creator of the Slim Jim.

Clifton Adams Jr., 76, Cedar Falls. Raised English springer spaniels and Brittany spaniels at Ada's Kennels.

Doris Adams, 93, Riceville. Enjoyed gardening and hunting mushrooms.

Duane Keith Ahrens, 83, West Des Moines. Served at least four Iowa school districts as an award-winning counselor.

Forrest Alcott, 65, Waterloo. Loved spending time with his great-grandchildren.

Geoff Amble, 61, Cedar Falls. Often found tinkering in his garage, whether working on his Jeep or building furniture for his wife.

Tyler Amburgey, 29, Dubuque. A Texas native who played hockey with the Dubuque Fighting Saints.

Marilyn June Andersen, 90, Center Point. Spunky with a penchant for everything leopard-print.

Paul Andersen, 78, Sioux City. Active in Via de Cristo for more than 40 years, often serving as rector.

Annabelle Anderson, 79, Council Bluffs. Worked for Congressman Jim Ross Lightfoot for 12 years.

Edith Elida Anderson, 95, Coralville. Proud of her Swedish heritage.

Joan Anderson, 89, Quad Cities. Knit hats for newborn babies at the Bettendorf hospital.

Keith Wayne Anderson, 73, Kalona. Served in Vietnam as a sergeant during the Tet Offensive.

Martha Anderson, 89, Cedar Falls. Worked at the University of Northern Iowa's Rod Library for 31 years.

Leora Andorf, 92, Cedar Falls. Contributed her finest homegrown plants to organizations for annual plant sales.

Gene Andrews, 83, Anita. Owner and editor of the Anita Tribune for half a century.

Mitchell Andrews, 90, Iowa City. A pianist who played solo, with orchestras and as a chamber musician across the U.S. and abroad.

Patricia Androy, 58, Dunlap. Worked as a registered nurse at a nursing home.

Jose Andrade-Garcia, 62, Marshalltown. Was days away from retiring from JBS Swift & Co. meatpacking plant.

Siddiq Mohamed Arab, 83, Waterloo. Worked as a ship's surgeon sailing the eastern coast of Africa before becoming a pediatrician.

Darla Arends, 58, Charles City. A special education instructor at Charles City High School.

Peter Anthony Armatis, 54, West Des Moines. Coached his son's soccer team.

Jose Ayala, 44, Waterloo. Would open his Atari and VHS player to see its internal mechanics.

B

David Backus, 74, Ventura. A master bonfire builder who always shared his ice cream.

Lonnie Bailey, 61, Fertile. Took a family trip to the Mississippi river and apple orchards every October, rain, snow or shine.

Mark Bailey, 63, Fort Madison. Department of Corrections inmate.

Robert Lee Bailey Jr., Oakland, 56. Ran the Las Vegas half-marathon with his youngest daughter Katelyn in 2018.

Jeanette Marie Baldwin, 88, Mingo. Former postmaster at the Mingo Post Office.

Larry Ball Sr., 78, Des Moines. Fielded cars from 1985 to 1995 in the 410 division at Knoxville Raceway and other tracks throughout the Midwest under Ball Racing Inc.

Shirley Rae Barbieri, 88, Des Moines. Advocated developing more group homes for special-needs adults.

Tom Barnabo, 57, Des Moines. Original member of the Grand View University football program's coaching staff. Also a physical education teacher at Dowling Catholic.

Faye Ann Barr, 79, Cedar Falls. Managed produce at Red Owl Food Store and IGA Supermarket.

Patricia Pat Bartels, 86, Oelwein. A switchboard operator and union steward for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co.

Shirley Louise Barton, 75, Ankeny. Enjoyed crocheting, cross-stitching and attending stock car races.

Joan Bauer, 86, Manilla. Taught Catholic classes at Sacred Heart Church for over 30 years.

Kenneth "Ken" Baxa, 77, Cedar Rapids. A devotee of country and gospel music.

Theodore "Butch" Bean Jr., 81, Cedar Rapids. Built flag display boxes for families of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dorothy Beaton, 92, Iowa City. A world traveler who searched for faeries in the woods and walked along the Great Wall of China in her 80s.

David Bedard, 78, La Porte City. Made his stockcar racing debut in the early 1960s driving his '57 Plymouth with "Dirt-track Dave" lettered on its tailfins.

Jack Beghtol, 92, Des Moines. Charter member of the Des Moines Ski Hawks waterskiing team known for his trick skiing.

Ronald "Beans" Behrends, 86, Monticello. Helped bring the DuTrac Credit Union to Monticello, and later worked on its board.

Ruthmarie Beisner, 87, Readlyn. Sang German songs for her family during the winter holidays.

Aylo Bell, 100, Marion. An expert seamstress known around the Coggon area for her fine alterations.

David Belluchi, 57, Des Moines. Coached his sons and nephews at Plaza Lanes and AMF in Des Moines.

Diane Bennington, 80, Cedar Rapids. Spent childhood Saturday nights roller-skating with her sister, Nancy.

Patricia Berends, 84, Parkersburg. Worked at Lad's and Lassie's in Black's Dept. Store.

Elaine May Bergan, 91, Lake Mills. Known as the "town historian" for writing books on the histories of Lake Mills and Joice.

Gail Berggren, 85, Iowa City. An avid tennis player who won several club doubles championships.

Janet Marie Besh, 80, Cedar Falls. Managed the Besh Trucking office with her family.

Jacqueline Lucille Biber, 89, Des Moines. Volunteered with the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society and at Temple B'nai Jeshurun.

Brandon Biddle, 43, Tripoli. Traveled the state for bowling, even competing in the Iowa state tournament.

Danny Ray Bierman, 61, Muscatine. A passionate St. Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings fan.

Eugene Bird Sr., 85, Dubuque. Started his own business, Sign Service, with just a pick-up truck, ladder and toolbox.

Phil Birk III, 83, Middle Amana. Enjoyed trains and collecting railroad memorabilia.

Staci Birmes, 50, Hawarden. Loved crafting in all forms, regularly finding fun, new things to create.

Diana Bixenman, 74, Le Mars. Instilled a great appreciation for cards and golf in her family.

Gerald Bixler, 83, West Des Moines. A Union Pacific "railroader" for 40 years.

John Johnny Bjornsen, 68, Cedar Rapids. Avid cyclist and garage sale bargain hunter.

Janice Blake, 79, Waterloo. Enjoyed studying the Bible, baking and crocheting.

Todd Blanford, 63, Cedar Falls. Served his community as Cedar Falls Human Rights Commissioner.

Juanita Blaser, 88, Cedar Falls. An avid seamstress who made countless outfits, costumes and beautiful quilts for each member of her family.

Delores Block, 91, Cedar Rapids. Worked as church secretary at Bethany Lutheran Church for two decades.

Bernette Bloomquist, 97, Estherville. Made amazing Norwegian lefse, kringla, krumkake and rosettes.

Jeryle Gene Blubaugh, 88, Des Moines. Loved telling corny jokes and sharing fun history facts.

Michael "Mick" Blubaugh, 65, Des Moines. Emceed karaoke nights at the Iowa State Fair.

Carole Jeanne Blumberg, 86, Clinton. Owned and operated Clinton Tobacco and Candy.

James F. Boesen Sr., 87, Des Moines. Started family florist business after serving in the Marines.

Vernelle J. Bonar, 89, Treynor. A fervent cheerer at Treynor school events.

Donna Boomershire, 86, Ames. Survived scarlet fever as a child.

Daniel Lee Boon, 69, Rock Rapids. A car aficionado who carefully restored a 1957 Chevy police cruiser to pristine condition.

Rudolph Boonstra, 86, Orange City. Owned an expansive collection of classical music.

Beverly Jean Bousseta, 85, Sioux Falls. Loved dancing and dining out.

Lee E. Bossom, 83, Blairstown. Mayor of Quasqueton for 10 years.

Gilbert Bovard, 93, Clear Lake. Served on the Iowa District Court bench for 22 years.

Donald Bowlin, 74, Des Moines.

Warren Coleman Bowlus, 90, Davenport. Served as Athletic Director for Davenport City Schools.

Shirley Bowman, 95, Marshalltown. Opened the Yarn Barn with her sisters to teach others to knit.

Mary Boyd-Doehrmann, 94, Coralville. Bowled a 189 in a single game in November 2020.

Robert Boyle, 84, Dexter. Received a Quilt of Valor for his Army service in 2017.

Mary Ann Bradford, 91, Iowa City. Held lifelong passions for birds, dachshunds and women's rights.

Kenneth Eugene Bratney, 94, Urbandale. In his basement, started the Ken Bratney Co., which has branches around the country and in Argentina.

Robert Brecht, 69, Keystone. A loyal fan of the Watkins Mudhens, attending games whenever possible.

Norma Breitbach, 93, Charles City. Spent hours on a weekend traveling in search of the perfect crock or jar.

Brenda Brewer, 60, Chariton. Remembered for her uniquely painted fingernails and delicious desserts.

Bill Bride, 77, Bloomfield. Involved with the area Johnny Poppers Two-Cylinder Club, riding around with his "tractor buddies."

Dale Bright Sr., 83, Waterloo. A member of the Local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 288.

Milo Brokaw, 65, Monticello. Cheered for Kevin Harvick while watching NASCAR.

Nancy Brokaw, 89, Monticello. Held Order of the Eastern Star membership for a half-century.

Carol Bronson, 83, Council Bluffs. Enjoyed a long career at Union Pacific Railroad.

Darla Eileen Brown, 54, Sioux City. Loved playing with her family members' dogs.

David Brown, 76, Wilton. A fifth-generation farmer and true steward of the land.

Donald Brown, 82, Independence. Proud 58-year member of IBEW.

Kyle Brown, 54, Marshalltown. Won awards for perfect attendance at TPI Composites.

Richard W. Brown, 93, Des Moines. Made three cross-Atlantic trips aboard naval ships to bring troops home after World War II.

John Pearson Brucher, 81, Cedar Rapids. Sang in the Janesville United Methodist Church choir.

Marie Brumbaugh, 40, Davenport. Loved being a caregiver, both as a medical assistant and mother.

Bill Brunsmann, 85, Manchester. Famous for his growing his own tomatoes and making his own blood sausage.

Marilyn Ann Brunsvold, 77, Mason City. Often found with a word search puzzle book nearby.

Timothy Christopher Bryant, 59, Anamosa. Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

Tom Warren Buchacker, 77, Des Moines. A passionate fly fisherman, who tied his own flies and passed along his knowledge through Boy Scouts lessons.

Joy Buchan, 93, Waterloo. Longtime art teacher at West High School in Waterloo.

Douglas Doug Lee Budd, 61, Sioux City. Received a U.S. Army expert marksmanship badge for use of hand grenades.

Walter Budde Jr., PhD, 95, Iowa City. World-renowned in peroxygen chemistry, especially the formation of peroxyacids and their use for the synthesis of epoxides.

Forrest Buffington, 80, Mason City. Loved rocks and "anything with wheels and a motor."

Sedika Buljic, 58, Waterloo. Came to the United States as a refugee from Bosnia.

Jane Bullard, 87, Decorah. Never wore a bigger smile than when making fresh tracks on a snowy hike.

Raymond Gayle "Coach" Burgett, 86, Des Moines. Coached teams at schools in Leon, Urbandale and Des Moines.

Patricia Burrage, 72, Des Moines. Favorite adventures were to the Carribean and Europe.

Frank Burton, 92, Des Moines. Loved jazz and classical music.

Ronnie Butler, 67, Montrose. Drove and competed in classic car shows.

Joe Butterfield, 84, Marion. Led Marion park improvement projects, including getting the city a swimming pool, senior center, farmers market, and softball complex.

Bruce Byerly, 70, Marion. Lived his dream career as a model designer working for Mattel, Tomy and more toy and model companies.

C

James Quinten Cahill, 91, West Branch. Wrote the Cahill Cooperative Newsletter, which covered history and current events for those connected by the Cahill surname.

Paul Wesley Calhoun, 85, Atlantic. Ran a concession stand at the Vais Auction House with his wife, making popcorn with his popcorn machine.

Charles Callahan, 77, Bettendorf. Worked for UPS for 33 years in New Jersey, Illinois, Massachusetts, Kansas and Nebraska.

Elaine Callahan, 98, Sheffield Village. Spent her time on arts and crafts projects making gifts for family and friends.

Jean Calligan-Salmons, 71, Sioux City. Managed her family's restaurant, Tastee Inn and Out.

Janice Campell, 83, Sioux City. Retired from Farmland Insurance Companies after 25 years.

Cynthia Carey, 63, Council Bluffs. Worked for Physicians Mutual Insurance for 22 years.

Carol Carlson, 79, Quad Cities. Spent summers boating and waterskiing at her family's Mississippi River cabin.

Michael Carr, 59, Fairfield. A two-time kidney transplant recipient.

Loretta Caruthers, 64, Keokuk. Loved watching television with her husband — even when they argued about programs.

Ruth Casteel, 95, Maquoketa. A 4-H leader who loved quilting, baking and traveling.

Thomas "Snappy" Catron, 65, Adel. Founded Snappy's Stick Fire BBQ.

Louis Cauterucci, 70, Des Moines. Started his decades-long music career at the tender age of 14.

Richard Allan Chamney, 65, Charles City. Could recite the lines of his favorite movie, "The Wizard of Oz."

Doris "Jo" Chandler, 93, Cedar Rapids. A fierce competitor at cards, frequently besting family members.

Joe Chastain, 81, Afton. A ham radio operator and member of the Amateur Radio Relay League.

Judy Chastain, 74, Afton. An active member of her community, she led the establishment of the New Afton Community Building.

Marvel Chapman, 74, Des Moines. Collected Elvis Presley memorabilia.

Lou Christiansen, 84, Manchester. Worked on the Apollo program at Collins Radio.

Rodger Christensen, 92, Union. Read to children as a volunteer at Union Library.

George Christoffersen, 68, Missouri Valley. Absolutely loved Dunkin Donuts' hazelnut iced coffee and its chocolate cake donuts with chocolate frosting.

Steven Joe "Chromey" Chramosta, 61, Cedar Rapids. An outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt.

Marvin Maynard Clark, 84, Carson. A collector of marbles, John Deere toys and beer steins.

Ruth Clark, 102, Des Moines. Gave tours of the Flynn Mansion at Living History Farms.

Terri Lynn Clark, 60, West Des Moines. Loved photography, fishing and road trips.

Dorothy Clausen, 93, Lake View. A member of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary for more than 50 years in Soldier and Wall Lake.

Elmer Clausing, 96, Parkersburg. A lifelong farmer in Bremer County.

Arlene Clement, 103, Washington. Loved dancing, participating in the Neighborhood Social Club, and having weekly lunches with friends.

Dorinda Coates, 65, Cedar Rapids. Famous for penning birthday cards to her fellow residents at Heritage Specialty Care.

Roger Coe, 86, New Sharon. Loved bowling.

Mary A. Cole, 93, Cedar Rapids. Known for her delicious baked goods and her Schnauzers.

Keith Danny Conrad, 65, Cedar Rapids. Taught Sunday school and led Ashram Group retreats.

Darrin L. Cook, 57, Atlantic. Loved playing slots and keno.

Willie Eva Cook, 85, Waterloo. A nurse at Allen Memorial Hospital for more than three decades.

Larry "Cookie" Cookman, 71, Coralville. Always had a need for speed, enjoying Harley Davidson, Corvettes and NASCAR.

Jerome Coolidge, 60, Mason City. Always remembered a person's face, even if he forgot their name.

Elizabeth Coovert, 82, Fort Madison. Grew up with six siblings on a family farm at String Prairie.

Rebecca Copple, 86, Iowa City. Lived with her husband in Japan for two years and visited Turkey, Mexico, China and many places in Europe.

Reents Cordes, 73, Cedar Falls. An avid gardener.

Raymundo Corral, 64, Sioux City. Worked at Tyson Fresh Meats beef plant in Dakota City, Nebraska.

Roger Cory, 72, Elkhart. Served a year as Grand Chaplin of the Order of Eastern Star.

Andrew Cousineau, 57, Sioux City. Loved grilling out for family get-togethers.

James Craig, 88, Pocahontas. Built and repaired clocks of all kinds.

Harriet "Joan" Crandell, 88, Marion. Taught second and third grade, as well as opening and directing Kiddie Korner Preschool.

Ken Crane, 77, Atlantic. A school bus driver for Atlantic Community Schools who referred to the students as "his kids."

Michael Croft, 52, Perry. Moved to Utah and became an avid biker, skier, hiker and camper.

Jennifer Crawford, 53, West Des Moines. A special education assistant at Indian Hills Junior High School.

Thomas Cross, 82, Ankeny. Loved flying and obtained a pilot's license.

Raymond L. Curl, 83, Washington. Worked at the Washington County Developmental Center.

Cynthia Curran, 73, Marion. Enjoyed listening to the "oldies."

Ivan Current, 64, Maquoketa. Loved riding his Harley Davidson with his wife and friends.

D

Cherie Dandurand, 53, Moville. Loved teaching about the history of ancient Egypt and Europe in the Middle Ages to her middle school students.

Jay S. Daniels, 92, West Des Moines. An active member of the Za-Ga-Zig Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite.

Alvin Darling, 88, Decorah. Worked as a maintenance man at Luther College and as a truck driver for Featherlite.

Robert "Scott" Darrah, 57, Council Bluffs. Loved all things Disney and often took his family on trips to Disney World.

Ruth David, 91, Ames. Avoided a concentration camp through the Kindertransport and came to Iowa years later.

Edison James Davis, 94, State Center. Awarded the Purple Heart after getting wounded in action in Okinawa.

Ronald Davis Sr., 73, Perry. A Juvenile Probation Officer who loved hearing about the new lives of his former clients.

Dixie Deitchler, 90, Glenwood. Published poems and prose in Cappers Weekly.

John DeMarco, 73, Coralville. Longtime football coach at Iowa City's Regina High School.

Margaret "Peggy" Demke, 87, South Sioux City. Always cheered on the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Patrick Deutmeyer, 63, Manchester. Lived his whole life on his family farm, loving to quiz his grandchildren on agriculture.

Howard DeVore, 78, Council Bluffs. An avid woodworker and carver, who always had several projects going at once.

Larry Dewell, 83, Clarence. A 50-year member of the Eastern Star and the Masonic Lodge.

Delbert Dittman, 66, Hospers. Loved older International tractors as much as the Albert City Threshing Bee he attended every year.

Beverly Dixon, 83, Lucas. Kept the books for her son's business for two decades.

James Dixon, 93, Waterloo. Put himself through college working as a metallurgist at John Deere.

Richard Doerr, 67, South Sioux City. Opened Dicky G's restaurant.

Thelma Doescher, 91, Mason City. A "from-scratch" baker who handwrote dozens of Christmas cards every year.

Harry Delmar Donald, 87, Bennett. Served his community as a volunteer fireman and treasurer for the Bennett Fire Department for more than four decades.

Kadene Donlon, 46, Cedar Falls. Always looked for koala trinkets too add to her collection.

David N. Dontje, 84, Forest City. Inducted into the Forest City Bowling Hall of Fame.

Shirley Doornbos, 85, Coralville. Lucky, especially when playing bingo.

Betty Dorenkamp, 89, Belmond. Skilled with a butcher knife, expertly cutting corn off the cob and carving chicken for frying.

Patricia Dorn, 88, Runnells. A retired nurse who loved anything about ancient Egypt.

Duane Dostal, 93, Dysart. Prided himself on his corn and soybean yields, once winning second place in the state for his corn yield.

Robert Dotson, 97, Urbandale. Proudly served on the USS Oconto in the Pacific Theater during WWII.

Henry Earl Drake, 47, Des Moines. A diehard Oakland Raiders fan who watched games every week.

Gene Edward Dryer, 72, Clarinda. Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

Richard Duclos, 89, Muscatine. Took a boat across the Mississippi River each day to attend grade school.

Anna Dudgeon, 93, Durant. Former president of the Liedertafel Ladies.

Kenny Duke Jr., 87, Keosauqua. Helped students get their GED diplomas through decades of work at Indian Hills Community College.

Harold Arthur Duncan, 89, Coralville. Iowa Department of Correction inmate.

Verl Fredrick Duncan, 73, Hubbard. Known by family members as the "Baby Whisperer” because he could soothe a wailing infant, having them snuggling contently within minutes.

Mary "Lorraine" Dunne, 91, Council Bluffs. Worked as director of the Lewis Central school food service program.

George L. Dyer Sr., 78, Ottumwa. Served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a U.S. Marine.

Marian Dyer, 87, Davenport. Worked as a secretary at Augustana College.

E

Bob Eatock, 86, Centerville. An educator who loved musical theater and horror fiction.

Bonnie Ebel, 79, Cherokee. Farmed with her husband for two decades in the Mt. Olive area.

Julie Ebel, 44, Hartley. Fought cancer and beat it twice.

Carlene Suzanne Edwards, 68, Cedar Rapids. Member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Marion.

Abbie Irene Eichman, 36, Des Moines. Built Legos and tackled corn mazes with her husband.

Sandra Sue Eick, 85, Denver. Longtime employee at Denver Saving Bank.

Christine Ellis, 65, Rockwell City. A crafter who always had a project, whether making flower arrangements or crocheting scarfs, blankets and dog sweaters.

Shirley Elsberry, 90, Waterloo. A snowbird who camped in Weslaco, Texas, every winter with her husband Chuck.

Florence "Mary" Emrick, 97, Iowa City. Awarded the Governor's Volunteer Award in 1999.

Nancy Emery, 72, Savanna.

Jason Englert, 38, Belmond. In his first year of teaching in the Belmond-Klemme Talented and Gifted program.

Kristi Jo Ernst, 66, Eldridge. Loved to spoil her children with homemade scotcheroos.

Gary Lee Eschen, 69, Cedar Rapids. Enjoyed making bracelets and necklaces.

Dorothy M. Etzen, 94, Forest City. A member of the women's American Legion Auxiliary.

Kathy Jo Everett, 60, Fairfax. Volunteer extraordinaire with the Fairfax Lions Club.

Stephen Evert, 77, Prairie du Chien. An out-patient counselor who worked in hospitals in Las Vegas, Nevada, Modesto and Sacramento, California, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin., and Des Moines.

Michael Everhard, 65, Fonda. Served in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam and Guam and did tours in India and Cambodia.

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Mary Fain, 88, Cedar Falls. A classical piano prodigy who became director of classical music and senior fine arts producer for KUNI/KHKE.

Shirley Farley, 83, Sioux City. Proud of her membership with Catholic Daughters of America.

John Fellenzer, 74, Waterloo. From musician to realtor, car salesman to locksmith, a man of many trades.

Isidro Fernandez, Waterloo. Left behind a wife and children.

Judith Ann Fetters, 82, West Des Moines. Met her husband at a Des Moines skating rink.

Barbara Finch, 104, Battle Creek. Farmed with her husband for 41 years, and went on to work another 16 at Ida County Bank.

Duane Fisher, 95, Pacific Junction. Stood honor guard for President Franklin Roosevelt at Pearl Harbor.

William Flaherty, 80, Des Moines. Finished every sentence with "and everything."

Robert Michael Flanders, 63, Muscatine. A radar designer and engineer.

Delores Flesner, 80, Cedar Falls. Loved reading the Waterloo Courier and Parkersburg Eclipse.

Dorthe J. Flick, 97, Clinton. Learned to read in a one-room schoolhouse.

Doris L. Flynn, 96, Cedar Rapids. Worked in the Roosevelt Junior High cafeteria for 21 years.

Estle Foster, 94, Clarinda. Relished raising his family on his Century Farm.

Joseph Robert Fouts, 57, Onawa. Nicknamed "Joe Dirt" for starting his business with just one dump truck.

Eugene Fraise, 88, Fort Madison. Passionate about his community, serving as Lee County Supervisor for seven years as a state senator for 27 years.

Goldie Frank, 88, Sioux City. Crocheted a baby blanket to celebrate the birth of each grand- and great-grandchild.

Ronald Frantz, 84, Mount Vernon. Friends and family raved about his chili and beef and barley soup.

Glenn William Frazier, 81, Des Moines. Downhill skied in the snow, golfed in the sun.

M. Patricia Pat Freeland, Bondurant. Advocated for building Anderson Elementary School and Bondurant High School on her family's land.

Mark Friedow, 71, Jefferson. Raised Poland China hogs with his grandfather and uncles.

Judi Frondle, 74, Hiawatha. Enjoyed doing puzzles, painting and playing computer games.

Daryl Fuller, 59, Waterloo. Loved American muscle cars.

Jean Fuller, 96, Mount Pleasant. Raised show horses with her husband.

Judy Fuller, 76, Blue Grass. Listened to pastor Joel Osteen and shopped from the QVC network.

Richard Fust, 84, Des Moines. Coached youth ice hockey for many years.

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John Galles, 83, Kingsley. The voice of Kingsley Panthers baseball and softball teams.

Marguerite Ganoe, 102, Stuart. Loved playing with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Judith Garbers, 79, Keystone. Taught as a teacher for 30 years, and spent the next 20 years as a substitute teaching her former students' children.

Roberta Jean Gardner, 100, Des Moines. A green thumb, who loved caring for her flower and vegetable gardens.

Blas Chavarria Garcia, 48, Marshalltown. A hobby mechanic with a garage full of tools.

Reberiano Garcia, 60, Waterloo. Father of 10 who lost his wife to cancer in 2019.

Betty Garner, 76, Sioux City. Loved to wear sparkly blouses and hats.

Donna Garvey, 75, Bettendorf. Enjoyed bingo, shopping and playing with her grandchildren.

Terry Geistler, 56, Osage. Volunteered his time to take residents of the Faith Lutheran Home on motorcycle rides, to family events and fishing.

Duane Charles Gettler, 74, Adair. Loved telling people his favorite stories, such as the abundance of twins in his family.

David Gierlus, 67, Iowa City. Served as a doctor at the University of Iowa and taught Respiratory Therapy at Black Hawk College.

Sharon Gile, 75, Creston. An avid bowler who passed her love for the sport to her children.

Raymond Gill, 95, Coralville. Opened the Coralville's first dental practice in 1956.

Shawna Elaine Gilleland, 44, Burlington. A graduate of Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids.

James Nicholas Gillman, 93, Marshalltown. Honored for his work in veterans affairs.

Darlene Catherine Goddard, 95, Iowa City. Worked in the Oral-B laboratories until 1987.

Leroy Goeden, 70, Sergeant Bluff. Volunteered with the Sergeant Bluff Fire Department, EMT Service and as president of the Northeast Nebraska Handicap Group.

John Z. Gomez, 70, Mason City. Worked as a diesel mechanic at National Byproducts.

Jessie Gonzales, 67, Fort Dodge. Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

Mary Gorsh, 84, Iowa City. Sang as a member of the Sweet Adelines for years.

Joyce Gould, 63, West Des Moines. Worked in West Des Moines' human services department.

Ron Graf, 72, Waterloo. A farmer who so loved learning new trades that he got certified as a master electrician and a pilot.

Genevieve M. Gray, 91, Evansdale. Worked at West High School in Waterloo.

Jeannette L. Green, 92, Davenport. Studied home economics, but excelled at chemistry.

Chad Greening, 48, Ankeny. An "arm-chair manager" with immense statistical knowledge and enthusiasm for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Jerry Grings, 80, Moscow. Known for his iconic black flat top.

Jane Gronert, 89, Cedar Rapids. Worked as a teacher's aide in Alburnett Community Schools.

Norris Gronert, 90, Cedar Rapids. Earned many awards for service with Otter Creek Lions Club and American Legion of Toddville.

George Grubb, 68, Des Moines. A "sweet-spirited" man.

Lois Gruis, 93, Sioux City. Taught more than 100 private lessons in piano, organ and vocal music each week.

John Grzybowski, 76, Urbandale. Loved puttering with his bonsai trees and playing video games with his sons.

Gary Guehrn, 76, Marengo. Loved all things tractor, including buying, selling, collecting and, most importantly, driving his Dad's restored 1950 International M.

Victoria Gutierrez, 57, Des Moines. Loved spending time with family and her little dog, Chico.

Jason Gwin, 42, Sioux City. A collector of Superman comics who loved the DC Universe.

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Wilma Haberkamp, 90, Fairbank. Ran Jo's Thread and Thimble in Fairbank with her sister after retiring from teaching.

Duane Hagberg, 87, Orion. Maintained a Cubs vs. Cardinals rivalry with his Heartland Health Care Center roommate, Jim Dodd.

Eldon Haines, 90, Quad Cities. A proud member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 25.

David "Doug" Hall Jr., 80, Cedar Rapids. A professor of art at Kirkwood Community College.

James Lynn Pete Hall, 72, Wapello. Delivered meals to the elderly.

Marian Hankner, 89, Waterloo. A homemaker and mother of three.

Paul N. Hanson, 82, Cedar Rapids. Born in a log cabin.

Marina Harbit, 88, Iowa City. Met her husband as a telephone switchboard operator at the University of Iowa.

Robert Harle, 77, Kanawha. A perfectionist in the fields who farmed in Norway Township for more than 50 years.

Donna Harman, 94, Waterloo. Established veterinary scholarships at Iowa State University.

Glenda Harms, 58, Fort Dodge. A fierce and passionate champion for her students in the Fort Dodge public school system.

Mildred M. Harmon, 108, Windsor Heights. A master floral artist who decorated the Epworth United Methodist Church's altar.

Therese J. Harney, 73, Iowa City. Organized Iowa City's first recreational basketball league.

Marilyn Harnish, 84, Hiawatha. Worked as a licensed practical nurse until her retirement in 2000.

Helen Louise Harrison, 98, Muscatine. Worked at Kelly Field supporting B-17 bomber production in San Antonio during World War II.

Michael Harrington, 61, Adel. Co-owned Cool Beans Coffee Bar, serving as "Chief Turkey Roaster."

Ann Harris, 63, Cedar Rapids. Deeply passionate about preserving Iowa's history.

Gary Harris, 87, Waterloo. Managed Younkers department stores around Iowa and Minnesota.

Charmeda Harrison, 91, Cedar Rapids. Enjoyed attending church and going to the Milestones senior club.

Harold Haskin, 80, Denver. Made delicious lefse and maple syrup for his church family.

Roy Allen Hassman, 77, Parkersburg. Enjoyed drinking coffee at Willie’s Feed Store, Sinclair Elevator and in Darwin’s shed.

Paul G. Haywood, 62, Waterloo. A union pipefitter and welder for 40 years.

Geraldine Hearn, 93, Marion. Owned and operated Vickroy Jewelry in Montezuma for a decade.

Tom Heath, 61, Iowa City. Drove a cab and worked as an accountant.

Marie Heiar, 51, Dubuque. Ran a home daycare with her mother for many years.

Rachel Heller, 87, Grundy Center. A hard-working woman who started her career at the Grundy Center Richelieu factory.

Merlyn Helm, 84, Clear Lake. The mayor of Crystal Lake for several years.

Maurice Helt, 84, Burlington. A lifelong race car enthusiast, starting with a young fandom of Bob Riddle's stock car crew and races at the 34 Raceway.

Mark Henry, 64, Davenport. Took mission trips to Zimbabwe, Moldova and the Philippines.

Tom Henry, 88, Waterloo. A machinist, gauge inspector and gauge repairman at John Deere.

Geraldine Gerry Marie Hearn, 93, Marion. 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star, a Masonic organization.

Richard Heggen, 72, Des Moines. Had a deep interest in vehicles, photography and good music.

Roger Henn, 73, Forest City. Retired in Arkansas to fulfill his dream of golfing year-round.

Owen Henning, 90, Latimer. Founded a grain handling business while running his father's construction company.

Manfred Joseph Hepke, 84, Manchester. Loved sharing stories about his early life in Germany.

James Dale Herbert Sr., 77, Muscatine. Worked at HON Industries and enjoyed a good casino.

David Herndon, 61, Des Moines. A collector of toy helicopters and cars who always sported a fancy hat and belt.

Lucille Herndon, 91, Des Moines. Made fried chicken every Saturday night.

Arlyn Hesse, 87, Johnston. Loved volunteering, gardening and birdwatching.

Gilbert Hewett, 85, Cedar Falls. A lifelong teacher at high schools, colleges and education organizations across Iowa.

Fred Hickman, 78, Evansdale. Achieved the rank of lance corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Jerry Hicks, 86, Sioux City. Met Babe Ruth in Sioux City when he was 7 years old.

Thelma M. Hidlebaugh, 93, Muscatine. Loved crafting, cooking and baking.

Velma Hildebrandt, 93, Sumner. Farmed on four different farms with her husband in the 1960s.

Marlan Hill, 83, Sioux City. Loved motorcycles, corvettes and horses.

David Hindal, 64, West Des Moines. Played trumpet and French horn in the ISU Alumni Band and in pit orchestra for Urbandale Community Theatre, among others.

Harold D. Hinderaker, 80, Forest City. Earned his GED and became a born-again Christian in his middle age.

Ann Hinkhouse, 74, Tipton. Worked as a parish nurse for Zion Lutheran Church.

Michael Hinton, 49, Cedar Rapids. A perfectionist who enjoyed playing darts.

Doris Hintz, 92, Urbandale. Had a special talent for making costumes for the Urbandale 4th of July parade.

Clarence "Jack" Hird, 100, Farley. Established the Senior Citizen Meal Sites of Farley and Epworth, setting up the weekly meal service and delivering meals to people who couldn't leave the house.

Carl Hoffman, 84, Cedar Rapids. Sold his family insurance business after 13 years to pursue his boyhood dream of driving an "18-wheeler" across the country.

Benedict Howard Hofmann, 91, Iowa City. Childhood neighbors with his wife.

Donald Hohnbaum, 89, West Des Moines. Put himself through law school by playing drums.

Sharyl Hohnecker, 70, Marion. Her Maquoketa home was known as the "Christmas House" because of how many lights and decorations she and her husband put up each winter.

Ronald Eugene Holdsworth, 62, Fort Dodge. Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

Louis Holly, 86, Cedar Rapids. An active member and "guest speaker" at his local coffee club.

Scott Holtan, 62, Thor. Volunteered at Davenport's All Saints Lutheran Church food pantry every Saturday.

Sister Annelda Holtkamp, 102, St. Paul. Served as a nun for 77 years.

Delbert Holtkamp, 82, West Burlington. Always requested lasagna at meals.

Wayne Holst, 81, LeClaire. Farmed all his life and drove a dump truck for 40 years.

Larry Hon, 78, Des Moines. Drove the 24, 21 and 42 buses for Johnston Community Schools.

Irwin "Red" Horsfield, 80, Epworth. Drove slowly on highways he helped build as a superintendent with Tschiggfrie Excavating.

David Hosier, 61, West Branch. Knew he liked you if he made fun of you.

Allen Lee Houang, 59, West Liberty. Immigrated to the United States in December 1981 as part of the Southeast Asian Refugee settlement program.

Myron James Houghton, 78, Ankeny. Earned two bachelor's degrees, three master's and three doctorates.

Adrienne Eugina Doolin Howard, 75, Cedar Rapids. Cooked soul food.

Thomas Howes, 74, Dubuque. A longtime fast-pitch softball catcher who had scars on his legs to prove it.

Marcella Hubbard, 86, Anamosa. A member of the Anamosa Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Dorothy Mae Hubert, 90, Salix. Wrote for the Sioux City Journal, drove school buses and sold Mary Kay cosmetics.

Dianne Huddleson, 63, Fort Madison. Always called the students her husband taught and coached "our kids."

Gary Hudgens, 74, Altoona. Worked as a pressman for the Des Moines Register for more than 20 years, and retired, along with the presses, when the company automated.

Harry Huebbe, 91, Baldwin. Sold hand-carved wooden toys at flea markets.

Richard Hunt, 96, Cedar Falls. Traveled to the Black Hills in the summer to camp with his family.

Donald Hunter III, 60, Council Bluffs. Worked as a United States Postal Carrier for more than three decades.

Kevin Huss, 54, Des Moines. A volunteer firefighter and EMT for the Northern Warren Fire Department.

Donald Husted, 77, Davenport. Drank chocolate malts with his brother Frank as they drove around the Quad Cities in Frank's vintage Camaro.

Ann Scannell Huxol, 93, Iowa City. A Scrabble enthusiast who played to win.

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Gayle Muggs Isaac, 71, Des Moines. Told his wife every day how much he loved her.

Dorothy Irene Iseminger, 93, Des Moines. Sold Avon for 30 years, earning many President's Club awards.

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Peggy Ann Jackson, 86, Des Moines. Co-owned Research Industries with her husband, Paul, hauling for Alter Metal Recycling for 30 years.

Katie G. Jacobs, 96, Council Bluffs. Lived on her family farm her entire life.

Gloria Eileen Jacobsma, 68, Rock Rapids. Loved her family, her country, the Twins and Vikings, and eagles, two of which soared over her burial.

Allan Jacobson, 89, Cedar Falls. Never missed one of his sons or grandsons' performances.

June Marie Jaehnel, 92, Des Moines. Taught piano and participated in women's circles at church.

Husen Jagir, 56, Sioux City. A Sudanese refugee who worked at the Seaboard Triumph Foods plant.

Margaret James, 81, Monticello. Always up to attend a Hawkeye tailgate and enjoyed following the Hawks to bowl games.

John Steve Jansen, 74, Sioux City. Trained, bred, raced and bet on thoroughbred horses.

Daryle Jass, 84, Ankeny. Tried to retire twice, but couldn't sit still.

Raymond Jennings, 77, Muscatine. Taught his grandchildren the bounty of catfish ponds and how to keep their eye on the ball.

Christine Jensen, 67, Des Moines. Loved to sing songs with her twin sister, Andrea.

Barbara Johnsen-Earlanson, 75, Dubuque. Enthusiastically spent hours preparing meals for families and friends.

Alene Johnson, 79, North Sioux City. Raised chickens and other animals on her acreage.

Brian Johnson, 63, Waterloo. A pool player who made many friends through his time in the Waterloo and Cedar Falls leagues.

Carroll Johnson, 81, Mason City. Always cheered on her favorite NASCAR drivers, Dale Earnhart and Dale Earnhart Jr.

Duane Bud Johnson, 86, Merrill. Enjoyed his corn shelling and custom combining business.

Everett Johnson, 82, Boone. Grew up surrounded by music, which eventually led to his role as executive secretary of the Iowa High School Music Association.

Larry Johnson, 83, Charles City. Student council president at Harvard.

Leonard Johnson, 89, Tama. Danced at the annual Meskwaki pow-wow.

Mark Johnson, 57, Cedar Falls. Worked for Blue Diamond in warm seasons and at Godfather's Pizza in cold.

Mark Johnson, 64, Maurice. Laid to rest near his family farm in rural Hinton where he can always watch over his herd.

Melvin Johnson, 84, Packwood. A gifted cattleman who farmed his whole life.

Barbara Jones, 56, Monticello. Sold her baked goods, including her famous monster cookies, at the Hiawatha Farmers Market.

Dorothy Jones, 77, Grinnell. Bought her younger sister her first tube of lipstick in seventh grade.

Gladys "Jeannie" Jones, 91, Eldridge. Hosted a WOC Radio talk show about her business on Saturday mornings.

Kenneth "Kenny" Jones, 60, Storm Lake. The ultimate fan of every Chicago sports team.

Randall Jones, 63, Cedar Rapids. Brought people together with a good meal and a strong Grey Goose martini.

Marie Jordan, 88, Urbandale. Survived polio, breast cancer and a few broken legs and hips.

Pamela Jane Juhl-Mennes, 76, Atlantic. Specialized in making soups and cakes as an amazing cook and baker.

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Axel Kabeya, 35, Waterloo. Was a French interpreter at Tyson Fresh Meats after immigrating from the Congo.

Alice Kauten, 73, Jesup. Taught and counseled students in New Hampton and Jesup.

Nicole Keller, 76, Waukee. Instrumental in taking Principal Financial Group public on the New York Stock Exchange.

David Kelley, 64, Stratford. Spent his free time playing and listening to bluegrass.

Harold "Gary" Keplinger, 77, Mount Ayr. Earned his doctorate in education, helping students learn math in high school, adult education and college.

Donald Kerker, 90, Newhall. Toured over 30 countries with his wife while working in Germany.

Darlene Kern, 94, Johnston. Died with her husband, Donald, by her side.

Donald Kern, 99, Johnston. Died with his wife, Darlene, by his side.

Viengxay Khuninh, 69, Sioux City. Framed his certificates from 37 years at Tyson Fresh Meats.

Jim Killam, 70, Des Moines. Passionate about teaching, whether through church or through soccer.

Doug King, 69, Mason City. Called Bompa by his grandkids.

Beverly Kinnander, 87, Estherville. Worked as a cleaner for several local businesses and Fairmont Hospital.

Everett Kintzel, 97, Blairstown. Farmed at his "home place" in Olin and Luzerne with his wife, Doris.

Jim Kirkendall, 75, Sloan. Took many friends and family on their first hunting and fishing trips.

Jerry Robert Kilpatrick, 84, Davenport. Took two mission trips to Honduras building a hospital.

James Kleppe, 79, Coralville. Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

Larry Klindt, 76, Sac City. Spent free time collecting model trains and guns.

Elizabeth Betty Kline, 81, Iowa City. Traveled the country in a motor home.

Mary Kline, 93, Chariton. Moved from Pennsylvania to Iowa as a child, where she remained in rural Chariton her whole life.

Jack Klingborg, 83, Cherokee. An activity therapist and teacher at Cherokee Mental Health Institute.

Ruth Klotz, 98, Des Moines. An inspiration and mentor to two generations of women in the law in Iowa as an attorney and judge.

Raymond Klyn, 94, Pella. Served as an elder and deacon at Second Christian Reformed Church.

Norma J. Knight, 93, Des Moines. Loved her two great-great-grandchildren.

Donald Knudsen, 87, Dike. Helped move his community forward as mayor for 44 years

Ellen Koch, 74, Maquoketa. Coached speech, taught drama and directed school plays as an English teacher in many Iowa school districts.

John "János" Kokity, 92, Quad Cities. Member of the Over 50 Ballroom Dance Club.

Irene Konecny, 89, Cedar Rapids. A 50-plus year member of Soroptimist International of Cedar Rapids.

Betty Sonner Kooker, 78, Altoona. Volunteered with prison ministries.

Louie Kopsas, 89, Doon. Took the train from Doon to Sioux Center on weekends to see movies as a child.

Marjorie Ann Kramer, 86, Shell Rock. An avid bird watcher and skilled seamstress.

Marlyn Kramer Sr., 86, Maquoketa. Worked as a powder coater in Collis Inc. in Clinton for many years.

Rhonda Krantz, 63, Des Moines. Fond of the mountains from her time living in Colorado.

Chad Kuehl, 45, Garber. Chief of the Garber Fire Department and member of the Garber City Council and Iowa Firefighters Association.

Herman Kurk III, 94, South Amana. Enjoyed wandering the Iowa countryside to visit his neighbors.

Michael Kurylo, 85, Bettendorf. Born in Ukraine and grew up on a German Farm alongside Allied prisoners of war during World War II until an an American flyer landed to tell them they were liberated.

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Evelyn Lacock, 102, Cedar Rapids. Loved supporting her family as a classroom volunteer, carpool driver and cheerleader-in-chief.

John Laflen, 84, Buffalo Center. Won awards for his research on the development of a new generation of erosion prediction technologies.

Wade Lampe, 46, Readlyn. Spent his free time outdoors or in the garage working on his family's used car collection.

Jerry Lang, 74, Waterloo. Started Lang's Home Maintenance.

LeRoy "Puttball" Lanxon, 88, Cherokee. Known as "everyman's friend, everyman's confidant and everyman's best buddy" in Cherokee.

Richard Larsen, 77, Des Moines. Loved classic cars and going to the races.

Tricia Larson, 55, Fort Dodge. Devoted her life to teaching at Manson Northwest Webster Elementary.

Sarah Latimer, 98, Iowa City. Trained in a segregated Black unit at Fort Des Moines for the Women's Auxiliary Army Corp.

Geanell Shavon Latimore, 38, Des Moines. Loved books so much she would read one while listening to another.

Keith Lawrence, 95, Decorah. An ISU-certified master gardener who inspired his children's love for horticulture.

Cloris Leachman, 94, Des Moines. An actress who won eight Primetime Emmy Awards and an Oscar.

LaVirta Lee, 91, Mapleton. Cherished the Eastside Homemakers Club and the Soldier Lutheran Ladies Aid.

Lorne Lee, 54, Independence. Helped organize ATV trails in Buchanan County and served as president of the Trailblazers Off Road Club.

Stuart Lefstein, 86, Quad Cities. Successfully argued a patent law case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1987.

Antonia C. Leon, 94, Valley Junction. Adored her 24 nieces and nephews and her Shih Tzu, Hamilton.

Kay Lenox, 79, Davenport. An avid collector of Lenox figurines and ornamental pigs.

Willie Levi, 73, Waterloo. Freed from a decrepit Iowa bunkhouse by a Des Moines Register investigation.

Frederick William Lewis, 68, Anamosa. Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

Chester Franklin Lief Jr., 75, Wyoming. Enjoyed mushroom hunting.

Kenneth Lien, 101, Nora Springs. Awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star after being wounded in 1944 in Italy.

Nelda Lindhorst, 88, Council Bluffs. Worked as a Medical Transcriptionist for Mercy Hospital.

Bernard Bernie Lee Lindstrom, 80, Wheatland. A handyman who could fix almost anything.

Bill Lingle, 64, Davenport. Coached coached Friendly House basketball, travel basketball, Little League and Pony baseball, and helped form the Quad City Bronco League. the Quad City Heat baseball club and Davenport Youth Football League.

Phyllis Link, 90, Estherville. Raised chickens and sold eggs from her farm in rural Swea City.

Phyllis Liston, 86, Granger. Could read a 500-page book easily in two days.

Cindy Litwiller, 65, Fort Dodge. Helped many small businesses through her work with Professional Developers of Iowa and other economic development groups.

Emma Lohmann, 97, Wheatland. Won the women's club championship at Wapsi Oaks Country Club.

Mary Jill Long, 79, Dubuque. Her husband stood outside her nursing home window in the rain as she died.

Lucy Lorence, 96, Oskaloosa. Found time for P.T.A., Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and raising money for the debate team while working two jobs.

Patricia Loter, 87, Keokuk. Enjoyed going on bus trips with friends.

Helen Lowery, 97, Davenport. A part of the "Groovy Girls," a women's lunch group.

Dwayne Lucht, 66, Council Bluffs. Worked many jobs, including remodeling homes and farming.

Jim Luensman, 43, Atkins. Worked as a paramedic in Monticello, North Benton and Atkins.

Louis Luiken, 79, Radcliffe. Served his community as city council member and mayor.

Mary Lund, 59, Davenport. Loved going to concerts, especially to see Bon Jovi.

E. Joe Ann Lutz, 84, Des Moines. Taught real estate ethics.

Edward "Jazzman Joe" Lynch, 86, Ankeny. An accomplished tenor sax and harmonica player with an expertise in Traditional Dixieland Jazz.

Donald Lyons, 74, Boone. Ran his family's farm while serving as a Boone County Farm Bureau agent for more than 20 years.

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Maurice Maakestad, 95, Osage. A card shark who often won at 500 with wild bids.

Jimmie Lee Maclin, 66, Cedar Rapids. An entrepreneur who lived in Cedar Rapids for over 40 years.

Randall Magee, 64, Cedar Falls. Devotedly followed Ricky "the Rooster" Rudd in NASCAR.

Jerry Parsons Mahacek, 76, Waverly. Volunteered with Iowa Missions of Mercy, a community dental clinic, after health problems forced him to retire from his practice.

Jeffrey Duane Mahrt, 64, Spencer. A proud, founding member and head coach of the Spencer Cardinals baseball team.

Barbara Malone, 65, Dunlap. Enjoyed watching rodeos on television.

Arlene Duggan Maloney, 92, Cedar Rapids. Proud of her volunteer work at Whitwer Senior Center.

Melvin Manternach, 87, Monticello. Proud member of "Table of Knowledge" at Darrell's family diner.

Marilyn Louise Markman, 90, Des Moines. An artist who made beautiful painted rice paper collages.

John Marks, 61, Urbandale. Worked as an independent contractor for the real estate division at the U.S. Postal Service.

John Marino, 68, Clear Lake. An avid rider of both bicycles and motorcycles.

Gary Marple, 83, Mount Pleasant. Chief inventor and co-founder of Lessac Technologies Inc., which developed text-to-speech software for expressing a wider vocal range of emotions.

Bill Martin, 72, Boone. Stayed lifelong friends with people in his high school marching band, forming the Bill Martin Group to keep playing music.

Jose Gabriel Martinez, 58, West Liberty. Did impressions while telling stories to his family.

Willene "Willy" Marvin, 90, Ames. Used his "gift of gab" to talk with anyone and everyone.

Bart Mason, 52, Coralville. Came back every year to his hometown of Slater to help his dad with the Fourth of July Fireworks.

Nancy Chilton Maxwell, 92, Des Moines. Loved playing the lottery and the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes.

Harry McBride, 89, Anamosa. An active member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association, directing funerals for over 60 years.

Ed McCliment, 86, Iowa City. Traveled the world as a physics professor.

Charline Lorraine McDermott, 86, Toddville. The best baby whisperer.

Walter McDonald, 84, Nevada. Devoted his career to safety research and special projects with the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Kevin McDonnell, 63, Newton. Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

Sang Hae McDowell, 92, Davenport. Grew up under Japanese occupation of Korea.

Roy McElfish, 68, Leon. Enjoyed tractor pulling competitions.

Timothy Louis McGhee Jr., 48, Fort Dodge. Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

Christine McGowan, 70, Washington. Treasured her four guide dogs.

Barbara McGrane-Brennan, 61, Fairbank. A garage sale fanatic with a collection of blankets and stuffed animals.

James "Bert" McGrew, 92, Cedar Rapids. A "numbers" man who loved Sudoku.

Beverly McGuire, 92, Cedar Rapids. Sent visitors off with a homemade jar of jam, pickles or fresh tomatoes.

Lucy McKenzie, 91, Des Moines. Her front yard was featured on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

Earnest McKeown, 89, Sioux City. An accomplished woodworker.

Claudie Mclain, 83, Marshalltown. Could be seen walking every day, often on his way to his daily visit to the YMCA.

William Mclaughlin, 89, West Des Moines. Started his own engineering, urban planning and construction business in 1971.

John McMahon, 78, Newton. Never without a story to tell about his years hunting, fishing and working in law enforcement.

Garold McMeins Jr., 67, Urbandale. Volunteered at the Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Association.

John Allen McMurchy, 76. Charles City. A farmer and expert hay baler.

Joyce McMurrin, 82, Cedar Falls. Loved playing bingo, cards, and going to the casino.

Terie McNamara, 70, Waterloo. A supervisor at Osco Drug/CVS.

Janice L. McNelly, 79, Cedar Falls. Served as the Iowa president of the League of Women Voters.

Darlene McWhirter, 91, Traer. Learned to cook on a farm, helping her parents feed seemingly countless siblings, cousins and threshers.

Betty Jean Meis, 89, Cedar Rapids. Worked at Collins Radio as a graphic artist.

Phil Menke, 72, Algona. Enjoyed doing the finish carpentry in new homes.

Wilma Merritt, 84, Maquoketa. Enjoyed life on the farm, caring for her family, animals and plants.

Barry Mertes, 65, Des Moines. A member of the VFW and Adventure Life Church in Altoona.

John Mertz III, 60, West Bend. Loved the color green and anything John Deere.

Roy Wendell Messerschmidt, 94, West Des Moines. Always looked forward to playing in the father and son golf tournament with his sons, Rick and Bill, at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club.

Cecelia Meyer, 90, Iowa City. Worked for 24 years at the University of Iowa College of Education.

Corinne Meyer, 26, Sioux City. Loved her trips to Disney World with her family, where she met all her favorite characters.

Fred Meyer, 78, Wheatland. Enjoyed having coffee with friends at the Blue Grass McDonalds.

Richard Meyer, 82, Davenport. Ran a wholesale grocery business.

Lee Mickey, 79, Cedar Falls. Retired from Cedar Falls Community School District to run a Bed and Breakfast with his wife in Vermont.

Marilyn Millage, 82, Sioux City. Collected souvenir spoons and memorabilia of Mickey Mouse, her favorite character.

James "Jim" Lowell Miller Jr., 64, Cedar Rapids. An expert handyman and bonfire builder.

Eric Ridgway Miller, 83, Waterloo. Held himself and the law to high ethical standards as a lawyer and community leader.

Gary Miller, 64, Coralville. A reverend at Grace Fellowship Church in Iowa City.

Ray Miller, 43, Sioux City. Loved making people laugh.

Rick Miller, 62, Ankeny. Started his salesman career at age 7 by selling flowers.

Sherry Miller, 65, Britt. Worked side by side with her husband at Miller & Sons Golf Cars.

Stephen Miller, 77, Marquette. Had fun rituals with his children from Friday family nights at the YMCA to group outings to Badgers basketball and football games.

Lyle Minnick, 86, Kellerton. Met his wife at the Mount Ayr skating rink when he was 16 years old.

Judy Minnick, 84, Kellerton. Drove go-carts and four-wheelers around the farm with her children and grandchildren.

Judy Mohr, 69, Boone. Loved crocheting, crafting and playing Bingo.

Shirley Ann Mommsen, 83, Maquoketa. Worked as a nurse's aide at the Jackson County Public Hospital.

Jeffrey Mondry, 61, Mason City. Often found fixing and tending to problems for his friends and family, no matter how small.

Norman Montgomery, 64, Waterloo. Led the Ferguson Field Youth Baseball Team to a city championship as a coach.

Olive Morris, 100, Cedar Falls. Loved her 5 children, 16 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Craig Morris, 55, Shenandoah. Defeated Hodgkin's Lymphoma twice in 2013 and 2015.

Richard Morris, 81, Indianola. Took over the family business, Indianola Memorial Works.

Phyllis Jean Morrison, 96, Clear Lake. Percussionist in high school and college.

Jerry Morrow, 63, Cedar Rapids. Died less than 12 hours apart from his wife, Rosie with family saying their love was a true meaning of “until death does us apart.”

Rosie Morrow, 81, Cedar Rapids. Died less than 12 hours apart from her husband, Jerry with family saying their love was a true meaning of “until death does us apart.”

Donald Mott, 96, Paullina. Registered for the draft as a conscientious objector and did Civilian Public Service work from 1944 to 1946 in five states.

Marietta Muchow, 86, Clear Lake. Lived in Oklahoma, Texas and Iowa as her husband's career as a commercial pilot took them across the country.

Wanda M. Mullan, 94, Des Moines. A homemaker devoted to her husband of 73 years.

Patricia "Pat" Craven Mulvihill, 99, Des Moines. A dancer who loved volunteering at local recitals.

Mark Munday, 61, Le Mars. Born the day the Dodgers won the 1959 World Series and remained a lifelong fan.

Terry Munyon, 65, Kellerton. Asked his wife three times to marry him while they were growing up and each time she said no. They spent 43 years together after she asked him to marry her and he said yes.

Ricky Murga, 53, Quad Cities. Enjoyed Mexican art, culture and vintage automobiles.

Elizabeth "Bette" Murphy, 93, Silvis. Enjoyed her great-grandchildren's baseball games and playing euchre with friends.

Melinda Mutti, 55, Pella. Taught as a substitute teacher in Knoxville and Pella schools.

L. Merle Deke Myers, 90, Iowa City. Recruited at the Packwood train stop to work for the FBI.

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Carla Naeve, 82, Le Mars. Loved to golf and birdwatch.

Lynn Charles Naibert, 83, Cedar Rapids. Married his wife six months after their first coffee date.

Sanford Naiditch, 97, Ankeny. Knew the Ohio State University fight song by heart.

Linda Nassif, 76, Cedar Rapids. A role model to her sixth-graders at St. Pius Grade School.

Kenneth G. Nations Sr., 73, Wapello. Took his grandchildren to see Old Threshers Reunion.

Marjorie Nearmyer, 84, Marion. A resident of Winslow House Care Center.

Charlie Nehl, 38, Cedar Rapids. Iowa's state champion for "Magic: the Gathering" who loved spray painting, the Cubs and hosting LAN parties with friends.

Sister Marianne Nehus, 67, Johnston. Honored by Gov. Tom Vilsack for her service on the Disabilities Policy Council in 2006.

Chris Nelson, 58, Indianola. Active in the United Auto Workers, he fought for union members to receive a livable wage and be treated with dignity and respect.

Joe Nelson, 88, Cedar Falls. Served as the finance officer, commander, and state chaplin at Cedar Falls AMVETS Post #49.

Lola Nelson, 86, Ollie. Taught Sunday school at the Ollie United Methodist Church.

Dwight Nernes, 76, Leon. Once sang at the Grand Ole Opry.

Beth Neubaurer, 77, Ankeny. Nicknamed Gramcracker, or Cracker for short, by her older grandkids.

Brent "Ben" Newton, 50, Fort Dodge. Studied his Native American heritage.

Hong Cuc Thi Nguyen, 87. Sioux City. Helped refugees from Vietnam, Bosnia and Africa resettle in Iowa.

Dewey Nielsen, 74, Oxford. Enjoyed visiting with campers and community members as he ran Sleepy Hollow Campground.

Mark Nielsen, 69, Battle Creek. From Little League T-Ball to pro-basketball, loved watching and attending sporting events.

Ray Buster Nielsen, 93, Des Moines. Served in the Army's Occupational Forces in Japan after World War II.

Russell A. Nielsen, 96, Cedar Falls. Maintained an optometric practice for 41 years.

Diane Norelius, 85, Denison. A practical joker who always joined in on the fun with her children and grandchildren.

Eunice North, 80, Boone. Drove the Boone County Educational Library bus.

Dorothy Norton, 98, Iowa City. Worked for Great Western Railroad while her husband served in World War II.

Eugene Norton, 89, Clive. Collected cars and repaired lawn mowers.

John Novy, 88, Greenfield. An Iowa State Patrol trooper known as "Big John."

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Betty Jean O'Connor, 86, Des Moines. Started a Red Hat group and monthly card club.

Bradley Ohl, 64, Oelwein. Loved his annual trips to deer camp at the Circle B Ranch with family and friends.

Joyce Ann Ohl, 72, Lennox. Led the Sioux City Steppers Drill Team in dancing for decades.

Vincent Olson, 71, Nevada. Served his community as assistant fire chief.

Cheryl Jean Ord, 48, Glenwood. Planted banana trees in her yard each year, bringing them inside during the cold months.

James M. Orr, 53, Charles City. Resident of Comprehensive Systems.

Jim Orvis, 65, Waterloo. Worked at Cedar Falls' Ice House Museum.

Oscar P. “Swede” Ostrom Jr, 93, Des Moines. Delighted in giving tours of his Minnesota boyhood school, which subsequently became a historical museum.

Mary Anne Otte, 93, Davenport. Wooed her husband at local dances.

Kimberly Outlaw, 55, Waterloo. Worked as an export clerk at Tysons.

Zachary Scott Overy, 35, North English. Passionate problem solver at Vivint Home Security and Automation.

Nancy Owen, 89, Des Moines. Worked at General Casualty Insurance.

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Duane Palmer Sr., 92, Cedar Rapids. Repaired lawnmowers and small engines as a hobby with his best friend, Norm.

Stephen Palmer, 69, Des Moines. Served people with intellectual disabilities by his 20-year involvement with Special Olympics.

John N. Paricka, 41, Waterloo. Played football for the Cedar Valley Vikings.

Frank Parks, 91, Ottumwa. Former president of the ISU Parents Association.

Patrick C. Parks, 85, Sergeant Bluff. Flew as an Air Force fighter pilot in Vietnam.

Stanley Eugene "Stan" Patrick, 85, Bussey. Traveled to Chicago regularly to see his favorite team, the Cubs.

Lesley Paulsen, 74, Des Moines. Enjoyed a good mystery novel and a strong cup of coffee.

Jean Smith Payne, 88, Mason City. Gave a handmade quilt to every family member.

Matt Peiffer, 64, Grinnell. Loved to smoke meats for family gatherings.

Tim Perez, 52, Cedar Rapids. Received a kidney transplant in 2020.

Vicki Perez, 66, Cedar Rapids. Enjoyed going to casinos and spending time with "the girls."

Harry Perkins III, 73, Des Moines. Practiced in civil litigation and trial law for 45 years.

Norma Jean Perry, 88, Des Moines. Spent 41 years as a foster grandparent.

Harvey Louis Peters, 92, Parkersburg. Board member and volunteer at Beaver Meadows Golf and Country Club.

Randy Peters, 71, Waukee. A post master in Truo.

Richard Leroy Peters, 77, Coralville. Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

Eleanor Moody Pettit, 90, Cordova. Traveled the country with her friends but was never allowed to drive.

John Pettit, Des Moines. Served as chief operating officer and vice president for the Iowa Barnstormers since 2008.

Sandra Sue Phillips, 84, Cedar Rapids. Spent her childhood traveling across the United States and Canada with her father, an entertainer and acrobat.

Rick Pianca, 62, Davenport. Made detailed personalized itineraries for friends and family member's vacations.

Leonard Andy Anderson Pierce, 75, Ottumwa. A regular at Arabian horse shows.

Cleo 'Bud' Ping, 88, Sloan. Loved reading Westerns and historical novels.

Norma J. Pint, 90, Davenport. Operated a local telephone company in Hanlontown.

Warren Pohl, 68, Waterloo. Played electric guitar in a country-rock band.

Russell Lolo Porter, 47, Cedar Rapids. Loved his friends and the staff at New Horizons and REM.

Scott Powell, 56, La Porte City. Piloted helicopters in the U.S. Army and National Guard for two decades.

Barbara Prenosil, 101, Nevada. Worked for the Department of Environmental Quality in Iowa.

Gabriella Michelle Price-MacCormick, 24, Cedar Rapids. Competed in track and field, bowling and basketball skills in Iowa Special Olympics.

Virginia Prince-Renner, 91, Whiting. Sang with the Women's Club Chorus and played the organ for Christy-Smith Funeral Home.

Robert Probasco, 69, Des Moines. Served the U.S. Army in Germany from 1971 to 1974.

Susan K. Prohaska, 65, Dysart. Ran a preschool in Evansdale.

Marilyn Elizabeth Prouty, 92, Marion. The youngest supervisor ever at the Marion Telephone Co.

Evon "Gus" Puetz, 97, Le Mars. Farmed his entire life with his family: first his father, then brother-in-law, son, and grandson.

Bonnie Pugsley, 95, Des Moines. Server as an elder and deacon in the Presbyterian Church.

Roger Puls, 73, Grinnell. A competitive bowler in the Grinnell Bowling League.

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Seretha Quinn, 46, Eldridge. Had an infectious smile and was always willing to help those in need.

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Jose Dolores Guevara Ramirez, 89, Marshalltown. Made fresh lime ice cream for his Iowa grandchildren.

Edwin Roy Raymond, 54, Sioux City. Enjoyed going to the Special Olympics.

Marilyn Reams, 75, Des Moines. Never missed a softball game, swim meet, baseball game or soccer game for her grandchildren.

Michele Recanati, 47, Oelwein. Worked with her twin sister, Cynthia, at MercyOne.

Robert Ellsworth Reeder, 74, Mason City. Passed days trout fishing in the streams of northeastern Iowa with his brothers.

Gail Rees Jr., 78, Greeley. Spent almost every weekend at the Bandimere Speedway track with his family, winning many trophies along the way.

Day Reh, 85, Waterloo. Earned his U.S. citizenship in Des Moines.

Gregg E. Reisinger, 75, Eldora. Owned one of the largest horse farms in Iowa, raising more than 1,700 registered horses.

Virginia Renner, 91, Sioux City. Served as the first woman chair of the worship committee at Redeemer Lutheran.

Susan C. “Susie” Rhum, 88, Danville. Spent 30 years working at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant.

Rev. Ralph Rice, 67, Sioux City. A member of the Order of the Arrow who once earned the God and Country Award.

Kelli Jo Richards, 57, Cedar Rapids. Loved to drive around in her Camaro.

Virginia Richardson, 97, Cedar Rapids. Baptist pastor's wife and mother to eight children.

Jean Marie Rickelman, 89, Fort Madison. Proud to be both a farmer's daughter and a farmer's wife.

Leslie Rish, 80, Mason City. Served in the Army in Virginia, Washington, South Korea and Germany.

Harriett Risse, 92, Oelwein. Chosen as "Readlyn's Old Grump" in 2012.

F. Alberta Ritter, 95, Des Moines. Spent retirement traveling by motorhome to Florida, Arizona and Texas.

Ronald Roberts, 81, Chariton. A sociology professor at the University of Northern Iowa for three decades.

Pedro Cano Rodriguez, 51, Columbus Junction. Never resisted the urge to pull pranks and crack jokes.

Joan Roepke, 83, Le Mars. A huge country music fan who met Johnny Cash multiple times.

Ben Rogers, 67, Quad Cities. Boy Scouts of America leader in Iowa and Illinois.

Mary Louise "Kitty" Rolfes, 90, Johnston. Nicknamed for the precocious little girl in the Kitty Higgins comic strip.

Minerva Rosales, 62, Le Mars.

Fred Roquet, 78, Mt. Auburn. Worked for John Deere and Exide Batteries.

Aaron Rubashkin, 92, Postville. Fled a Hasidic Jewish enclave in Russia to survive the Holocaust.

Heidi Ruhrer, 63, Moville. Loved the family's summer trips to Minnesota.

Loretta Faye Wenner Rundlett, 90, Vinton. Enjoyed crafting, sewing and knitting.

Beverly Russell, 82, Newton. Always ordered chocolate Cokes at Bigelow’s restaurant.

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Darrell Salmons, 82, Cedar Falls. A proud Cedar Falls Firefighter.

Brenda Samaniego, 23, Sioux City. Special Olympics athlete for the past 11 years.

Juan Jose Jauregui Samudio, 60, Storm Lake.

Floyd Sanders, 86, Storm Lake. A master of Dad jokes.

Lyle Sannes Sr., 86, Marion. Known as the "Road Dog" for all of the miles he traveled for work, hunting and fishing.

Chris Sasina, 69, Monticello. Co-owner and production manager of Commander Buildings for 30 years.

Nancy Saunders, 64, Des Moines. Made great pies and enchiladas.

Phillip Saunders, 80, Cedar Rapids. A firefighter for three decades.

Gerald Schlies, 77, Lawton. An artist who created stained glass windows.

Anita Schindler, 58, Iowa City. Always wanted to help others, be they friend, family, stranger or animal.

Esther Schipper, 91, Parkersburg. Taught Sunday school and catechism at Bethel Reformed Church.

Donald "Spook" Schnackenberg, 80, Council Bluffs. A Navy veteran who retired as a boilermaker.

William Schroeder, 84, Johnston. Longtime chaplain for Mercy Hospital and Mercy West Lakes Hospital.

Marilyn Schornack, 89, West Des Moines. Taught Sunday school, Bible school, sang in the choir at Windsor Heights Lutheran Church.

Patsy Schotanus, 84, Grafton. Had a talent at connecting with young people, many of whom considered her family.

Robert Schuldt, 67, Climbing Hill. Habitually surrounded by pets, big and small.

Edward Schultz, 73, Muscatine. A detective and police officer for the Iowa City Police Department.

Shirley Ann Schultz, 86, Cedar Rapids. Loved her cat, Queenie.

Arthur Scott, 51, Waterloo. Rebuilt his life after serving time in prison.

Alice Yvonne Sea, 84, Sioux City. Directed a traveling Children's Theatre.

Lois Marguerite Sedgwick, 93, Dundee. Enjoyed refinishing antiques and quilting.

Jackson Selk, 74, Cedar Rapids. Appointed to the Juvenile Justice Advisory Council for the state of Iowa.

Larry Sellers, 85, Pleasant Hill. A volunteer coach, officer and mentor for Grandview Little League who served four generations of players for more than 60 years.

Glenn A. Sels, 84, Mason City. Sketched intricate pictures of war machinery while growing up during the World War II era.

Jerry Selover, 86, Des Moines. Accomplished carpenter and member of Des Moines Woodworkers and Turners Club.

Franklin Delano Seitzinger, 86, Sioux City. Known in the agriculture industry for wearing his "big deal boots."

Jack Sexton, 87, Cedar Rapids. Sang and played guitar in the Dave Dighton Band for more than 30 years.

Michael Sharer, 78, Marshalltown. Loved his Angus calves and cows and always enjoyed attending the Iowa Winter Beef Expo.

Joyce Sharp, 95, Johnston. An avid gardener, knitter and winemaker.

Retha Elizabeth Contri Sharp, 98, Johnston. Helped at poll sites during elections and loved to talk politics.

Gary Sharum, 68, Sioux City. Helped students beat their personal records as coach of the AZ Flames Track Club.

Alexa Sheeder, 32, Davenport. Met her husband, an Army soldier, putting together a care package for troops overseas.

Barbara Jean Sherman, 85, Cedar Rapids. Led three presidents through Cedar Rapids' National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.

Gerald Shook, 76, Davenport. Challenged visitors to a game of chess, always played on the set handcrafted by his brother, Bill.

Colleen M. Shumaker, 61, Des Moines. Woke up early to celebrate St. Patrick's Day every year.

Charlene Shurtz, 68, Cedar Rapids. Enjoyed spending time with her bird, Tammy.

Jessica Siegert, 40, Urbandale. Loved spoiling her family, friends and her adored cat, Diego.

Wilfred Willie Jay Sikkema, 81, Fulton. Had a "good heart and a warm smile."

Ruthanne Silverstein, 91, Des Moines. A prolific creator of handmade clothes.

Robert William Sirovy, 62, Anamosa. Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

John Skaggs, 76, Quad Cities. Attended the Secret Service training center in Maryland.

Eugene Skinner, 95, Dubuque. A former president of the Iowa Bowling Association and member of the association's Hall of Fame in multiple categories.

Gail Slack, 91, West Des Moines. Held Minnesota Vikings tickets for 40 years.

Kevin Slaybaugh, 50, Guthrie Center. A faithful member of Waukee United Methodist Church, who loved visiting with the congregation and goofing around with attending kids.

Robert Lee Slezak, 83, Des Moines. Loved folding laundry at the Rowley Masonic Home in Perry.

Larry Smalley, 87, Tripoli. Sang in the River City Barbershop Chorus in Mason City.

Bill Smith, 90, Moulton. Served in an English medical base during the Korean War.

Rochelle Smith, 80, Des Moines. Worked as a telephone operator for U.S. West/Qwest Communications.

Shirley Ann Smith, 83, Ames. Could never resist stopping at an antique shop.

Volney Smith, 92, Ames. Loved genealogy, reading and watching Jeopardy.

Victoria Vicki Ann Snarzyk, 61, Cedar Rapids. Enjoyed swimming, fishing and gardening.

Betty Laverne Sniffin, 96, Oelwein. Translated for her deaf and mute parents as a child.

Judith Solecki, 65, Cedar Rapids. Loved watching Hawkeyes basketball games.

Harrison Harry Solliday, 85, West Des Moines. Spread the Christian gospel in Iowa correctional facilities.

Luciano Soloman, 57, Des Moines. Graduated from Colegio Cotzumalguapa in Saint Lucia, where he earned a degree in accounting.

Larry Sonner, 84, Urbandale. Provided seminars and counseling for pastors and their families across Iowa.

Jay Elmer Spoonhaltz, 90, Des Moines. Served four years in the U.S. Navy.

Mary Soukup, 89, Windham. Loved when her favorite birds, Cardinals, stopped to eat from her bird feeders.

Barbara Springer, 75, Sioux City. Buried on her birthday, her six children loved the days she took them to the park for fishing and fun.

Harold Spurgeon, 100, Ottumwa. A triplet, joined the Navy Seabees and served in the Philippines during WWII.

Joan Stabenow, 81, Waterloo. Loved taking trips to Florida, Mexico and Branson, Missouri.

Melvin "Mel" Stahmer, 68, Coralville. Beloved union postman.

Larry Stalter, 73, Iowa City. Received his medical education at the University of Iowa before opening a medical museum in Cullom, Illinois, with his wife.

Glen Roger Stancliff, 79, Iowa City. Served as Andover, Illinois fire chief for more than three decades.

Donald Gene Starcevich, 83, West Des Moines. An avid boater who loved exploring the Mississippi River.

Dwight Stearns, 64, Earlham. The first full-time transport officer for Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.

Tom Stephenson, 77, Norwalk. Built race cars and personal vehicles for friends and family.

Henry "Hank" Steinwandt, 84, Mason City. Loved John Wayne Westerns.

Anne Stevens, 74, Stuart. Was told she would need a ventilator and feeding tube for the rest of her life in 2018. Was able to remove both in 2019.

Judy Stevens, 77, Cedar Rapids. Won awards as a successful real estate agent.

Gary Stevens, 82, Cedar Rapids. Loved his old Plymouth car, a 1970½ Monte Carlo.

Elmer "Skip" Stoddard, 72, Sioux City. Gave the best hugs.

Carole Stohlmann, 80, Sioux City. Honored as Professional Horsewoman of the Year by the Arabian Horsemen's Association.

Jerry Dean Stoffregen, 79, Waverly. Worked in the banking industry for over 25 years.

Vera Mae Stoltze, 89, Sioux City. Played cards with friends and a good game of Yahtzee with family.

Leon "Stoney" Stone, 83, West Des Moines. Loved to going to see the Packers play with his friend Pat.

Donna Storey, 72, Waterloo. Enjoyed baking with her sister, Judy.

Ila Mae Storm, 98, Pisgah. Well-known for her yodeling skills.

Jonathan William Strain, 59, Anamosa. Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

Barbara Strait, 84, Cedar Rapids. A member of Good Sam's Camping Club.

David Streets, 70, Anamosa. Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

William Strothkamp, 77, Quad Cities. Started his own business because he "never could find a boss he liked."

Nina Stull, 89, Centerville. Loved showing off her great-grandchildren to other residents in her nursing center.

Nathan Stupka, 48, Elkhart. An All-State pitcher for the Bomber Baseball team.

Delores Sturgeon, 79, Sioux City. Taught first aid to many Cub Scouts and operated several first aid stations.

Dolores Suchomel, 93, Mount Vernon. Once named University of Iowa’s Mother of the Year.

Zola Marie Summerson, 93, Perry. Farmed with her husband until his death in 2005.

Richard Sundermeyer, 78, Marion. Sang with the Older Hymns at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection.

Arthur Svaldi, 82, Cedar Rapids. Served on the Good Neighbor Home Society board and the Manchester Bowling League.

Robert Svoboda, 50, Sioux City. Enjoyed working with his hands in the tile and construction industry.

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Donald "Bones" Taylor, 75, Cedar Falls. Raced in his Silver 1963 Corvette Stingray at the NEITA Raceway and in Byron, Illinois.

Judith Taylor, 76, Waterloo. Worked all around Waterloo's dining establishments: El Mecca Shrine Club, Washington Street Café, Allen Hospital Café, Corner Tap, Vernie's, Pinkies Tap as well as operating the Flame Room.

Robert Frank Taylor, 72, Coralville. Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

Janet L. Temple, 79, Newell. Ran a day care center and owned Temple Hardware.

Lyle Thayer, 82, Le Grand. Worked in upholstery, enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Judy Thenhaus, 81, Cedar Rapids. Spent her early life as a stay-at-home mother with her children, then became a "house mom" at St. Luke's Hospital.

Ricky Thies, 60, Marion. Made shelving, a sewing table and a nativity scene as a talented woodworker.

Margaret Thing, 84, Springville. Sang and played in the bell choir at Springville Methodist Church.

Regina Marie Thiry, 62, Waterloo. Sewed masks for friends at the University of Iowa College of Public Health.

Gary Thomas, 56, Des Moines. A natural horseman with a love for blazing his own trails.

Raymond “ Tom” Thomas, 78, Ankeny. A captain who worked in the Des Moines Fire Department for 36 years.

Sharon Thomas, 58, Davenport. Member of the Goldwing Road Riders in Davenport with her husband, Steve.

Dorothy "Dot" Thompson, 105, Seymour. Baked award-winning lemon meringue pies.

Robert Bob D. Thompson, 77, Waterville. Won awards for the quality of his dairy and hog farming.

Randy Tilley, 64, Granger. Always had a car or motorcycle project going in his driveway.

Lowell Titus, 93, Des Moines. Hitchhiked through national parks after returning from U.S. Navy service.

Lynda Tomkins, 62, Coralville. An animal lover who enjoyed cooking and gardening.

Dorothy Topping, 78, Cedar Rapids. Raised the four children of Dr. Dean and Bonnie Bemus, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Megan Trilk, 56, Sioux City. An award-winning photographer who chronicled her children's live in pictures.

Casey Tweedy, 34, Algona. Loved riding his bike, lifting weights and playing basketball.

Roald Tweet, 87, Quad Cities. Beloved Augustana College English professor, Quad-City cultural icon and longtime radio personality.

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James Urbatsch, 80, Osage. Designed and fabricated much of his own farm equipment.

Lisa Upah, 56, Keystone. Lived just a few houses away from her daughters and grandson.

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John A. Valukskas Jr., 76, Sioux City. Appointed International Coordinator of Carnival Ministries by St. Pope John Paul II.

Phyllis Vander Sluis, 86, Primghar. Kept “Build Your Vocabulary” books next to her easy chair.

Harlan James VandeZandschulp, 68, Sioux City. Traveled to Israel, Mozambique and Nigeria

Ben Van Hove, 86, Steamboat Rock. Enjoyed flipping pancakes for his Boat Club for Sunday breakfast gatherings.

Ray Allen Vanlengen, 71, Fort Dodge. Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

Ruth Ann Lass Van Meter, 90, DeWitt. Served as both choir director and organist for Grace Lutheran Church.

Raymond Van Dyk, 91, Pella. Constructed handmade wooden toy cars for indigenous children in dozens of countries.

Alice Van Hoozer, 102, Waterloo. Loved the challenge of a thousand-piece puzzle.

Steven James Van Riper, 93, Coralville. Iowa Department of Corrections Inmate.

John Van Weelden, 78, Albia. A master woodworker who crafted everything from cabinetry to custom birdhouses.

Ronald Versluis, 79, Cedar Falls. Worked at John Deere in Waterloo for 30 years.

Gale Vetter, 69, Hartley. Long-time driver on the Hartley Emergency Ambulance Rescue Team.

Robert Vidimos II, 58, Ames. Shared his love for singing, slapstick movies and competitive board games with his children.

Dale Viers, 58, Fort Madison. Iowa Department of Corrections Inmate.

Donna Vinson, 91, Oelwein. Could "cut a rug" with the best of them.

Tom Vint, 72, Marshalltown. Covered Omaha sports for the Associated Press.

Bernice Vogel, 94, Blairstown. Walked fields weighing corn and soybeans for customers as her husband's business partner at Pioneer Seed Corn.

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Don Donny Wachal, 74, Davenport. Owned the Filling Station, an iconic Davenport bar.

Susan Wagner, 54, Waverly. Avidly watched shows about current events and nature.

Michael Wahl, 69, Norwalk. A gearhead who loved to drag race and street race.

John Wait, 60, Council Bluffs. An inventor who helped create and perfect aviaton technology.

Caroline Waits, 96, Centerville. Worked to provide a loving environment for her husband and six children.

Jeanette Wakeman, 74, Ireton. Talented at floral designs and decorating.

Catherine Waldmann-Murphy, 66, Council Bluffs. Served in the Air Force for four years after high school.

LaVonne "Bonnie" Wallace, 92, Cedar Falls. Enjoyed fishing and traveling with her husband.

William "Bill" Wallace, 90, Manchester. A Shriner who drove area families to Minneapolis’ Shiners Hospital.

Leona Wallbaum, 104, Parkersburg. A faithful, active member of Bethel Lutheran Church for more than 80 years.

Marilyn Jean Wallen, 86, Sioux City. Operated the Wallen Stables and Riding School for over 55 years.

Daryl Walters, 71, Bettendorf. Went by the nickname Daryl Camaro.

JoAnne Walther, 74, Cedar Falls. Owned and operated Grandma's Treasures antique shop.

Cornie Wassink, 70, Alton. A charter member of the Northwestern Athletic Hall of Fame, established endowment scholarships as Director of Planned Giving and a part of every major capital campaign at Northwestern College.

Anne Weaver, 87, Des Moines. Literally went to Timbuktu just so she could say the name "Timbuktu."

Betty Webb, 77, Le Mars. Went all-out celebrating and decorating for the holidays.

Michael Wisehart, 66, Cedar Rapids. Worked as a California Park Rangers for many years and always supported the Hawkeyes.

June Welsch, 83, Muscatine. Could be found most days at local cafes visiting with friends.

Ruth Welscott, 73, Mason City. Traveled across the country in an RV for 19 years finding her family roots.

Rita Weiden, 98, Raymond. Most remembered as a waitress at Bishop’s Cafeteria in Waterloo.

Robert Wensel, 83, Sioux City. Served aboard the USS Jasper during the Bay of Pigs.

Elizabeth Westcott, 84, Cedar Rapids. Graduated from the John Roberts Powers Modeling School in Minneapolis.

Janet Westhoff, 85, Manchester. Crocheted and quilted blankets for many charitable causes and for all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Paul Werger, 88, Urbandale. Former bishop of the Iowa Synod of the Lutheran Church in America.

Larry Whaley, 64, Anamosa. Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

James "Choo-Choo" Whetsler, 77, Rome. Beloved by many for telling stories of his long career in the railroad industry .

Carroll White, 100, Ottumwa. Among first troops in Hiroshima after its bombing.

Dennis White, 81, Mount Pleasant. Coached little league baseball and junior bowling.

Jerry Wayne Wieter, 68, Muscatine. Devoted Hawkeye fan.

Jo Ann Wilch, 89, Cedar Rapids. Loved a good book, a glass of chardonnay, her transistor radio and Sonny Rollins.

Clellan Wildes, 87, Marion. A master apple pie baker and cribbage player.

Bonnie Wilberding, 87, Mitchell County. A fierce spirit with a penchant for witty conversations.

Joseph Wilhelm, 82, Davenport. Enjoyed target shooting and deer and moose hunting.

Carol Williams, 93, Ottumwa. Part of the group who pushed to equip Ottumwa with audible outdoor warning sirens.

Florence Williams, 86, Springville. Gave back to her community by volunteering with 4-H, the Springville Public Library and Meals-On-Wheels.

Bryce Wilson, 31, Des Moines. Played football internationally in Brazil and Hungary.

Sharon Rae Wilson, 73, Merrill. Always cared for her family cats as well as strays.

Claude "Sid" Winchell Jr., 87, Atlantic. A consummate volunteer who served as mayor of Atlantic for four years.

Betty Winterfeld, 87, Hawarden. The quilts she and her friends made now warm people around the world.

Darleen Witzel, 46, Des Moines. A nurse who loved her St. Bernard, Tank, with all her heart.

Wiuca Iddi Wiuca, 36, Des Moines. Came to Iowa as a refugee in 2019, fleeing war in the Congo.

Michael "Mike" Wolfe, 66, Allerton. Played Santa during the holidays.

Max Wolfgram, 84, Manchester. Loved hunting elk in Colorado, backpacking the Boundary Waters in Minnesota and hiking the Backbone State Park in Iowa.

Terry Lou Wood, 70, Waterloo. Worked at John Deere for 30 years.

Robert Worth, 93, Des Moines. Attended a one-room school house, graduating as salutatorian of his class in 1945.

David M. Worthington, 74, Des Moines. Enjoyed skiing on water and on snow.

Deborah Wright, 50, Keokuk. A teacher who also wrote grants for Lee County to obtain K-9 officers.

John Wright, 61, Des Moines. Drove buses for Southeast Polk Schools for 13 years.

Larry Wright, 78, Northwood. Loved to fly the wild blue yonder in his Cessna 182.

Sherry Wright, 74, West Des Moines. A devout Christian known for her bright laugh.

Steven Wright, 64, Solon. Elected mayor of Solon from 1980 to 1987 and retained the lifelong nickname "Mayor Steve."

Phyllis Wrobel, 98, Muscatine. Crafted quilts and gifts for her great-grandchildren.

James Wubbens, 56, Cedar Rapids. Married his love, Shelia, Little Brown Church in Nashua.

Chuck Wyatt, 83, George. A veterinarian caring for many farm animals across Iowa.

Y

Elvin "Al" Yoder, 77, Iowa City. Always juggled several woodworking projects.

Delbert Van Young, 59, Ames. Was a ticket-taker at Hilton Coliseum.

Donald Young, 83, Viola. Always ready to explore the roads on his motorcycle.

William Roy Young, 65, Ames. Owned and managed local JARCO Stores with his father.

Z

Michael Zawitowkski, 100, Des Moines. A paratrooper during World War II.

Frank Zieser, 78, Walker. Helped his community by building furniture and donating it to the Sacred Heart Church every year for their church raffle and for use in the church.

June Zirkelbach, 96, Monticello. Played the organ at Scotch Grove Presbyterian Church.

Winton George Znerold, 97, Windsor Heights. Was offered a semi-professional baseball contract in his youth, but couldn't accept it after being drafted in World War II.

Sharon Zumbrunnen, 67, Monticello. A staple at the local library, reading and working on the computer.

AND THE MORE THAN 5,300 IOWANS who died before August 4, 2021.

Roger E. Mosley, 'Magnum, P.I.' star, dies at 83 after a car crash | CNN

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Chuck Johnston
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Loretta Lynn, coal miner's daughter turned country queen, dies at 90 ...

CNN —

Loretta Lynn, the “Coal Miner’s Daughter” whose gutsy lyrics and twangy, down-home vocals made her a queen of country music for seven decades, has died. She was 90.

Lynn’s family said in a statement to CNN that she died Tuesday at her home in Tennessee.

“Our precious mom, Loretta Lynn, passed away peacefully this morning, October 4th, in her sleep at home in her beloved ranch in Hurricane Mills,” the statement read.

They asked for privacy as they grieve and said a memorial will be announced later.

Lynn, who had no formal music training but spent hours every day singing her babies to sleep, was known to churn out fully textured songs in a matter of minutes. She just wrote what she knew.

She lived in poverty for much of her early life, began having kids by age 17 and spent years married to a man prone to drinking and philandering – all of which became material for her plainspoken songs. Lynn’s life was rich with experiences most country stars of the time hadn’t had for themselves – but her female fans knew them intimately.

“So when I sing those country songs about women struggling to keep things going, you could say I’ve been there,” she wrote in her first memoir, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” “Like I say, I know what it’s like to be pregnant and nervous and poor.”

Lynn scored hits with fiery songs like “Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind)” and “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man),” which topped the country charts in 1966 and made her the first female country singer to write a No. 1 hit.

Her songs recounted family history, skewered lousy husbands and commiserated with women, wives and mothers everywhere. Her tell-it-like-it-is style saw tracks such as “Rated X” and “The Pill” banned from radio, even as they became beloved classics.

“I wasn’t the first woman in country music,” Lynn told Esquire in 2007. “I was just the first one to stand up there and say what I thought, what life was about.”

She grew up dirt-poor in the Kentucky hills

She was born Loretta Webb in 1932, one of eight Webb children raised in Butcher Hollow in the Appalachian mining town of Van Lear, Kentucky. Growing up, Lynn sang in church and at home, even as her father protested that everyone in Butcher Hollow could hear.

Loretta Lynn wears a cowboy hat and a fringe western style jacket while holding an acoustic guitar as she poses for a portrait in circa 1960 in Nashville, Tennessee. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Her family had little money. But those early years were some of her fondest memories, as she recounts in her 1971 hit, “Coal Miner’s Daughter”: “We were poor but we had love; That’s the one thing that daddy made sure of.”

As a young teenager, Loretta met the love of her life in Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn, whom she affectionately called “Doo.” The pair married when Lynn was 15 – a fact cleared up in 2012, after the Associated Press discovered Lynn was a few years older than she had said she was in her memoir – and Lynn gave birth to their first of six children the same year.

“When I got married, I didn’t even know what pregnant meant,” said Lynn, who bore four children in the first four years of marriage and a set of twins years later.

“I was five months pregnant when I went to the doctor, and he said, ‘You’re gonna have a baby.’ I said, ‘No way. I can’t have no baby.’ He said, ‘Ain’t you married?’ Yep. He said, ‘You sleep with your husband?’ Yep. ‘You’re gonna have a baby, Loretta. Believe me.’ And I did.”

The couple soon headed to Washington state in search of jobs. Music wasn’t a priority for the young mother at first. She’d spend her days working, mostly, picking strawberries in Washington state while her babies sat on a blanket nearby.

But when her husband heard her humming tunes and soothing their babies to sleep, he said she sounded better than the girl singers on the radio. He bought her a $17 Harmony guitar and got her a gig at a local tavern.

It wasn’t until 1960 that she’d record what would become her debut single, “Honky Tonk Girl.” She then took the song on the road, playing country music stations across the United States.

After years of hard work and raising kids, telling stories with her guitar seemed like a break.

Loretta Lynn performs in 2016 during South By Southwest in Austin, Texas. Rich Fury/Invision/AP Lynn poses for a picture with three young boys in her hometown of Butcher Holler, Kentucky. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Lynn wears a cowboy hat and a fringe western style jacket while holding an acoustic guitar in Nashville circa 1960. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Lynn hugs a man while holding a record outside the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, circa 1960. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Lynn shows how she had to practice walking in high heel shoes at a home in 1962. She wanted to be able to run onto the Grand Ole Opry stage without stumbling. The singer prefers boots, but the Wilburn Brothers, her managers, insisted she wear high heels. Jack Corn/The Tennessean/USA Today Network Lynn performs on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in the '60s. Hulton Archive/Getty Images Lynn, left, joins fellow female country singers on stage as Dottie West, fourth from right, sings "Born To Be A Country Girl" at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in 1970. Jimmy Ellis/The Tennessean/USA Today Network Comedian Flip Wilson joins Lynn and Mike Douglas on "The Mike Douglas Show" in Los Angeles in 1974. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Lynn accepts the award for Entertainer of the Year from Marty Robbins at the 1976 Academy of Country Music Awards. Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images Lynn holds up a commemorative plaque at the dedication of a star honoring her at the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles in 1978. AP US President Jimmy Carter kisses Lynn during an evening of country music at the White House in 1978. Dennis Cook/AP Lynn stands with Kermit the Frog on the Muppet Show in 1978. Henson Associates/Everett Collection Lynn and Conway Twitty pose for a portrait circa 1979. From 1972 to 1975 Twitty and Lynn won the Country Music Association's vocal duo of the year award. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Lynn, center, arrives at the Belle Meade Theater for the movie premiere of "Coal Miner's Daughter" with her mother, Clara Butcher, left, and her husband, Mooney Lynn, in 1980. Frank Empson/The Tennessean/USA Today Network Johnny Cash welcomes Lynn into membership of the Country Music Hall of Fame during the 1988 CMA Awards at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Callie Shell/The Tennessean/USA Today Network From left, Lynn, Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette perform during the 1993 Country Music Awards. John Barrett/Globe Photos/Zuma Lynn exits her tour bus for a New York show in 1999. Globe Photos/Zuma Lynn poses for a portrait in Nashville in 2000. Christopher Berkey/AP George W. Bush, then a Republican presidential candidate, is joined on stage by Lynn during a rally in Little Rock in 2000. Eric Draper/AP Lynn, second from left, is inducted as a Kennedy Center Honoree along with, from left, James Brown, Carol Burnett, Mike Nichols and Itzhak Perlman in 2003. Scott Suchman/WireImage/Getty Images Jack White gives a kiss to Lynn after winning a Grammy together for best country collaboration in Los Angeles in February 2005. White produced her album "Van Lear Rose." Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images Lynn and Garth Brooks perform in Nashville during the Grammy Salute to Country Music Honoring Loretta Lynn in 2010. Rick Diamond/WireImage/Getty Images US President Barack Obama awards Lynn the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room at the White House in 2013. Win McNamee/Getty Images Lynn accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting at the Americana Music Association Honors and Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in 2014. Rick Diamond/Getty Images From left, Tanya Tucker, Lynn and Crystal Gayle perform at Lynn's 87th birthday tribute at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville in 2019. Al Wagner/Invision/AP Loretta Lynn's life in pictures Prev Next

“Singing was easy,” Lynn told NPR’s Terry Gross in 2010. “I thought ‘Gee whiz, this is an easy job.’ ”

The success of her first single landed Lynn on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and, soon, a contract with Decca Records. She quickly befriended country star Patsy Cline, who guided her through the fame and fashion of country stardom until her shocking death in a plane crash in 1963.

Cline “was my only girlfriend at the time. She took me under her wing, and when I lost her, it was something else. I still miss her to this day,” Lynn told The Denver Post in 2009. “I wrote ‘You Ain’t Woman Enough to Take My Man,’ and she said, ‘Loretta, that’s a damn hit.’ It shocked me, because you don’t expect somebody like Patsy Cline to tell you that you have a hit. Right after she passed, I put the record out, and it was a hit.”

Her best-known songs drew from her life and marriage

Lynn’s struggle and success became the stuff of legend, an oft-repeated story of youth, naivete and poverty.

From “Fist City” to “You’re Lookin’ at Country,” Lynn always sang from the heart, whether she was telling off a woman interested in Doo or honoring her Appalachian roots. But her music was far from conventional.

She rankled the conservative country establishment with songs like “Rated X,” about the stigma fun-loving women face after divorce, and “The Pill,” in which a woman toasts her newfound freedom thanks to birth control – “They didn’t have none of them pills when I was younger, or I’d have been swallowing them like popcorn,” Lynn wrote in her memoir.

She documented her upbringing in the bestselling 1976 memoir “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” co-written with George Vecsey. A 1980 biographical film by the same name won an Academy Award for actress Sissy Spacek and brought Lynn wider fame. Lynn’s success also helped launch the music careers of her sisters, Peggy Sue Wright and Crystal Gayle.

Lynn’s legend faced questions in 2012 when The Associated Press reported that in census records, a birth certificate and marriage license, Lynn was three years older than what most biographies stated. It didn’t mar Lynn’s success, but did make the oft-repeated tales of her teen marriage and motherhood less extreme.

“I never, never thought about being a role model,” Lynn told the San Antonio Express-News in 2010. “I wrote from life, how things were in my life. I never could understand why others didn’t write down what they knew.”

Lynn always credited her husband with giving her the confidence to first step on stage as a young performer. She also spoke in interviews, and in her music, about the pain he caused over their nearly 50 years of marriage. Doolittle Lynn died in 1996 after years of complications from heart problems and diabetes.

In her 2002 memoir, “Still Woman Enough,” Lynn wrote that he was an alcoholic who cheated on her and beat her, even as she hit him back. But she stayed with him until his death and told NPR in 2010 that “he’s in there somewhere” in every song she wrote.

“We fought one day and we’d love the next, so I mean … to me, that’s a good relationship,” she told NPR. “If you can’t fight, if you can’t tell each other what you think – why, your relationship ain’t much anyway.”

Lynn won numerous awards throughout her career, including three Grammys and many honors from the Academy of Country Music. She earned Grammys for her 1971 duet with Conway Twitty, “After the Fire is Gone,” and for the 2004 album “Van Lear Rose,” a collaboration with Jack White of the White Stripes that introduced her to a new generation of fans.

Then President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Loretta Lynn in 2013. Win McNamee/Getty Images

She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988, and her song “Coal Miner’s Daughter” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. She received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010, and in 2013, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

President Barack Obama said Lynn “gave voice to a generation, singing what no one wanted to talk about and saying what no one wanted to think about.”

Her career and legend only continued to grow in her later years as she recorded new songs, toured steadily and drew loyal audiences well into her 80s. A museum and dude ranch are dedicated to Lynn at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.

“Working keeps you young,” she told Esquire in 2007. “I ain’t ever gonna stop. And when I do, it’s gonna be right on stage. That’ll be it.”

Lynn was hospitalized in 2017 after suffering a stroke at her home. The following year she broke a hip. Her health forced her to quit touring.

In early 2021, at the age of 89, she recorded her 50th album, “Still Woman Enough.”

The title song, which she sang alongside successors Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire, sounded like a mission statement that captures the ethos of her career:

“I’m still woman enough, still got what it takes inside;

I know how to love, lose, and survive;

Ain’t much I ain’t seen, I ain’t tried;

I’ve been knocked down, but never out of the fight;

I’m strong, but I’m tender;

Wise, but I’m tough;

And let me tell you when it comes to love;

I’m still woman enough.”

Jamie Gumbrecht Scottie Andrew
Jamie Gumbrecht
Scottie Andrew

Michael J. Fox (literally) fell into despair. Here's what he learned

Three images are visible on the wall behind Michael J. Fox as he sits in his New York City office during a Zoom call.

One is a photo of the star embracing his wife of 32 years, Tracy Pollan. Another is a painting by his 25-year-old daughter, Schuyler, of a stone arch in Utah. And the third is a portrait of the actor's rescue dog, Gus.

"That's the wonder dog," Fox quips before his wife asks off-camera whether Gus can come in and say hi. It's not long before the black-and-white mutt lumbers into the office with a smiling Pollan beside him.

"I didn't rescue Gus," Fox, 59, writes in "No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality," his latest memoir, out Nov. 17. "You can argue that he rescued me, but he'd be too modest to make that claim."

This is the beloved canine who, along with Fox's wife and four adult kids, supported the actor as he recovered from a risky spinal surgery in 2018 that forced him to relearn how to walk, as well as a devastating fall shortly after that left the "Back to the Future" star stranded on his kitchen floor with a broken arm.

"I was lying on the floor in my kitchen with a shattered arm waiting for the ambulance to show up," Fox tells USA TODAY. "I kind of went, 'What an idiot. All this time you've been telling everybody to be optimistic, chin-up, and you're miserable now. There's nothing but pain and regret. There's no way to put a shine on this.'"

It's this fall that kicks off Fox's book, in which the actor goes on to detail his harrowing recovery from spinal surgery, insights from his battle with Parkinson's disease and his return to positivity after, quite literally, falling into despair.

"That was a real breakthrough moment for me, because I realized that I've been selling that optimism to people for so long," he continues. "I believe it's true to my core, but it struck me that at that point I questioned it, and I questioned it really severely. And so the rest of the book is this journey through finding my way back with gratitude. And I think gratitude is what makes optimism sustainable."

Fox didn't know what health challenges awaited him when he first started writing "No Time Like the Future," which he originally intended to be about discovering his love of golf in middle age, decades after being diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 29.

That plan changed when the actor learned he had a tumor on his spine, which, left untreated, could cause him to lose feeling in his legs. A surgery to remove it also carried risk: The slightest of errors and Fox could have woken up paralyzed.

Of all the trials detailed in his book, Fox says waiting for this surgery was the scariest.

"I had this fear of waking up and my life being severely different," he says. "A lot of surgeons didn't want to touch it, because it just seemed like a no-win. It was very risky."

Despite conflicting advice from medical professionals, Fox decided to have the surgery and even used his sense of humor to help him pick the person for the job.

Michael J. Fox says tumor almost had him 'heading for paralysis,' reflects on his 'darkest moment'

"I said, 'You know, a lot of doctors don't want to do this.'" Fox recalls of his meeting with Dr. Nicholas Theodore, director of the Neurosurgical Spine Center at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. "And he said, 'I understand why.' And then he leaned in and he said, 'Who wants to be the one who paralyzes Michael J. Fox?' And I said, 'If you have the balls to say that to me, you're gonna need to be my surgeon.' "

Despite the dark situations in his book, Fox never loses his sense humor, something the actor says he and his wife have used to cope with challenges throughout their marriage.

"We deal with what's funny in the situation at first," Fox says. "We laugh about it and then we deal with it. But always humor. Humor is the filter for everything."

Through his recovery, falling and then needing to recover again, Fox says he realized the importance of being realistic while still optimistic. In fact, the actor says acknowledging bleak realities is the first step to improving your state of mind.

"I think the first thing you have to do is accept if you're faced with a difficult situation," he says. "And once I do that, that doesn't mean I can't ever change it. I can change it, but I have to accept it for what it is first, before I can change it. And I have to be real about it. And once I do that, then it opens all doors."

It's a message he hopes resonates with Americans in the midst of an ongoing pandemic and a political climate that feels increasingly divided. After all, as Fox learned after his fall, "life gets better the more you decide to take it easy on yourself."

"Just give yourself a break, and, by that token, give the people in your life a break," he adds. "Give your neighbor a break. Give the person who bags your groceries a break. Just give everybody a break. Give them the benefit of the doubt and move on."

Since the surgery, Fox gets his spine monitored twice a year. His arm has healed, and the tumor shows no signs of coming back.

And, if the book does well, Fox jokes there may be a place for Gus' visage on more than just his office wall.

"We'll see how the book does," Fox says when asked if it's true he'll get a tattoo of Gus, something the actor alludes to in his book's acknowledgements section. Fox surprised fans in January 2019 when he showed off his first tattoo at age 57 after his tumultuous 2018.

"If there's reason to celebrate, then, yeah, I think I will," he says before holding up the sea turtle on his right forearm to the webcam. "I just need to talk Tracy into it. She wasn't a big fan of this one."

Elsa Raven, 'Back to the Future' actress, dies at 91; Michael J. Fox reacts

Michael J. Fox gets first tattoo at 57, a 'significant' sea turtle

Vicky White: A respected officer turned into a fugitive who allgedly ...

CNN —

At 56, Vicky White was on the brink of retiring from an illustrious career as a corrections officer.

“She was a model employee,” said Rick Singleton, the sheriff in Lauderdale County, Alabama, where Vicky White worked for nearly two decades.

“All of her co-workers, all the employees in the sheriff’s office, the judges, all (had) the … utmost respect for her,” he said.

White, who was the county’s assistant director of corrections, was so well respected that “some of the older guys looked up to her as a mother figure,” Singleton added.

But despite Vicky White’s stellar reputation, the jail boss apparently helped “mastermind” a plan to flee with inmate Casey White, the sheriff told CNN on Tuesday.

After 11 days on the run, authorities found the pair Monday in Evansville, Indiana. Casey White was arrested. Authorities say they believe that Vicky White fatally shot herself. “We believe that she may have taken her own life,” said Dave Wedding, the sheriff in Vanderburgh County, Indiana.

Here’s what we know about what led up to Vicky White’s apparent transformation and death:

Officials believe the pair had a ‘special’ relationship

Vicky White, a widow with no children, and Casey White, a 38-year-old convicted felon and murder suspect, had a “special relationship,” Singleton said last week.

“We have confirmed through independent sources and other means that there was in fact a relationship between Casey White and Vicky White outside of her normal work hours – not physical contact – but a relationship of a different nature,” the sheriff said.

He said interviews with other inmates helped confirm a personal relationship between Casey White and Vicky White, who were not related. “We were told Casey White got special privileges and was treated differently while in the facility than the other inmates,” Singleton said.

Inmates said Casey White “was getting extra food on his trays” and “was getting privileges no one else got. And this was all coming from her,” Singleton said.

Confirmation of the relationship came from “other sources outside the detention center,” according to Singleton.

Investigators have traced the relationship back to early 2020. Casey White, who had been serving a 75-year sentence in a state prison for a series of crimes in 2015, was brought to the Lauderdale County jail in 2020 for his arraignment on murder charges in the death of Connie Ridgeway.

“As far as we know, that was the earliest physical contact they had,” the Lauderdale County sheriff said.

After the arraignment, Casey White returned to state prison. But Singleton said the officer and inmate kept communicating by phone.

Casey White was brought back to the Lauderdale County jail in February to attend court hearings related to his murder charges.

Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly said he was stunned that Vicky White may have been romantically involved with an inmate. “I never would have thought that in a million years,” said Connolly, who spoke with Vicky White almost every day for 17 years.

He said Vicky White was “the most solid person at the jail.”

“I would have trusted her with my life,” he said.

Vicky White funded the escape after selling her house

Shortly before her disappearance, Vicky White sold her home for $95,550 – less than half the current market value. County records list the total parcel value of the property at $235,600.

She also purchased a 2007 Ford Edge, one of several vehicles the pair used to flee. The Ford was found abandoned in Williamson County, Tennessee, hours after the prison escape.

Vicky White purchased a 2007 Ford Edge before disappearing. From US Marshals Service

“Clearly lots of planning went into this,” Connolly said.

During her time on the run, Vicky White became a fugitive with an arrest warrant in her name. She was accused of permitting or facilitating escape in the first degree, identity theft and forgery.

Singleton said he believes Vicky White “was basically the mastermind behind the whole plan.”

“He (Casey White) was behind bars. He really couldn’t plan too much behind bars. Personally, I think she was the one to put the plan together,” the sheriff said.

But former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker said he believes Casey White may have manipulated Vicky White. “This is not terribly unusual, that you have this guard falling in love with a prisoner who’s probably groomed her over a period of time,” Swecker said.

“So he obviously needed her. You would think someone with law enforcement experience – an assistant director of corrections in that county – would have thought a little bit farther down the line,” he said.

“She obviously lost all judgment over the last few months or so.”

She talked about retiring and going to the beach

The day Vicky White disappeared was supposed to be her last day at work, Singleton said.

She had worked at the department for almost two decades and submitted her retirement paperwork at the end of April, though the retirement papers had not yet been finalized.

Singleton said Vicky White had talked about retiring for three or four months prior to her disappearance. He said she talked about moving to the beach.

But Vicky White didn’t mention her retirement to her mother, Pat Davis, the mother told CNN affiliate WAAY.

Vicky White used her position as a boss to violate jail policy, sheriff says

As the second in command at the detention center, Vicky White used her position to execute the escape plan on April 29, Singleton said.

Vicky White said she was taking Casey White to a courthouse for a mental health evaluation and would then go get medical care because she wasn’t feeling well.

Authorities later discovered no hearing or evaluation was scheduled for Casey White that day. And Vicky White never arrived at the medical facility.

Video Ad Feedback Video shows the moment an Alabama inmate escaped 03:24 - Source: CNN

Vicky White violated jail protocol when she removed Casey White from the detention center by herself, Singleton said. The policy required Casey White to be escorted by two sworn deputies.

Her patrol car was later found abandoned in a shopping center parking lot, less than a mile from the detention center.

Officials obtained video showing the patrol car the pair left in. The video shows the car stopped at an intersection eight minutes after it left the jail. The intersection is about two blocks from the shopping center parking lot where the car was later found abandoned, Singleton said.

“It’s obvious from the evidence we have gathered that this was not – that he didn’t kidnap her or force her or anything as far as in the car once they left the facility,” Singleton said.

“She scheduled the van transport that morning, made sure all the other armed deputies were out of the building and tied up in court. Knew the booking officer wouldn’t question her, the assistant director when she told her she was going to take him to court and drop him off with other employees,” the sheriff said.

“She arranged – purchased the getaway car, she sold her house, got her hands on cash, she went shopping, bought clothes for him,” Singleton said Tuesday.

Not ‘the Vicky White we know’

Loved ones and former colleagues have been grappling with a barrage of emotions since Vicky White’s unexpected disappearance.

Davis, Vicky White’s mother, told CNN last week that they last spoke on April 29 – the day Vicky White disappeared.

“The whole thing has been a nightmare. I just want my daughter to come home. And to come home alive,” Davis said.

Davis said she had no idea about her daughter’s plans to flee with an inmate.

“She would come home after work, eat supper at my house, and pick up her dog. She’d walk her dog and that was her routine every day,” Davis said.

Singleton said the Vicky White who fled with an inmate is not “the Vicky White we know.”

“Vicky White was a member of our family. That’s why it was so hard in the first few days to grasp that she could actually do something like this because it was so out of character for her,” the sheriff said.

“In spite of what she’s done, Vicky was a friend to every one of us,” he said. “It has been an emotional roller coaster for our employees.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story had an outdated value for Vicky White's home; the most recent value was $235,600. It also included the wrong age for Connie Ridgeway; she was 59 when she died.

Alaa Elassar Holly Yan
Alaa Elassar
Holly Yan