Barbara J. Hollinrake
Barbara Jean Hollinrake died, shortly after a cancer diagnosis, on June 1, 2011.
She was born on August 11, 1955 to Joseph Michael and Jean Kathryn Durbala Hollinrake of Weller. she was the oldest of eight children and grew up on the farm near Weller. Barb grew up in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Weller. She was a godmother, catechist, confirmation sponsor, and role model to many young people.
Her education began with elementary at Lovilia and graduation with the Albia High School class of 1973. Her interests were with academics, music, and 4-H. She attended Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Missouri and earned a bachelor’s degree in business education. She began teaching business classes when a priest recognized her gift for counseling students. As a result, she returned to school and earned a master’s degree in counseling and human development.
In 1983 she began as a guidance counselor at Maquoketa Valley Community School district in Delhi. She enjoyed all that entailed from career days, college visits, proctoring ACT tests, student council adviser, and track meet timekeeper. She also developed a scholarship program that she served on its board for 20 years.
She is survived by her parents, sister Mary Kay Henderson (Rick), brother Steve (Kim), brother Robert, brother Marty (Kristy), sister Laura (Pat Finan), brother John (Cami) and sister-in-law Suzanne.
Preceding her in death were her brother, Ed and niece Gabrielle, and nephew Elijah, maternal and paternal grandparents and others.
Mass of Christian burial was June 6, 2022 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Albia and burial at Weller Cemetery, Weller, Iowa. May she rest in peace.
Lawrence “Larry” Edward Beary
Larry, age 91, passed away June 21,2022 at the West Rideg Specialty Care Center in Knoxville, Iowa.
He was born in Cedar Township near Weller on Sept. 4,1930 to Walter E and Mary Garnet Hackathorn Beary. He was the first born of seven children.
His education was at Oak Dale country school and then he graduated from Lovilia High School with the class of 1948. For a while he lived and worked with his uncles, Jim and Leo Beary on their farm. As soon as he graduated, he went to Albia airport and signed up for flying lessons. Larry earned his private pilot’s license in 1949 and loved to fly.
August 9,1952 at St. Mary’s Church in Albia, Iowa he married Joan Marlin. They shared 70 years of marriage and were blessed with five children: Kathleen, David, Chistine, Randy, and Scott.
He served in the U. S. Air Force from 1951-1955. Larry was promoted to the rank of Staff Sgt. After his service he returned to Iowa and farmed. He was a good steward using conservation practices, raised animals but especially liked his cow/calf herd. He was active in square dance club, Albia American Legion and the Catholic Church in Weller and Albia. He was always proud of his Irish heritage.
Larry enjoyed flying, card playing, dancing, and roller skating.
He is survived by his wife, and children: Kathleen (Bruce) Baumbaugh, David Beary, Christine (Bill) Lanphier, Randy (Tina) Beary, and Scott Beary. Family includes 16 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren,
A mass of Christian burial was held June 27, 2022 at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Albia, Iowa and burial with military honors at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Weller, Iowa. A memorial has been established to St. Mary’s Cemetery Weller. May he rest in peace.
Wilmer Junior Blomgren
Junior passed away in Ottumwa at his daughter Lana’s home in the care of EveryStep Hospice on June 22, 2022.
November 29, 1938 he was born in his Lovilia home to Wilmer and Susie Blomgren. His family included five siblings: Mary Sue, Sharon, Sherry, Jerry, and Judy.
He attended school in Lovilia and graduated with the class of 1957. Junior was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War and served as a medic from 1961-1963.
He worked at Maytag as a journeyman carpenter until his retirement in 1998.
On Dec. 12, 1969 he married Barbara Orr and they were blessed with one daughter, Lana. His interests included: dancing, road trips with Lana, carpentry projects, gardening, and time with friends at the Legion.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Albia and attended weekly with his stepmother, Edith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, wife, stepmother, infant sister (Marilyn), sisters (Mary Sue and Sharon), nephew (Kevin Bunch), in-laws (Robert Clark and Corrine Blomgren).
Junior is survived by: daughter, three grandchildren (Donovan (Kat) Helm, Connor Helm, and Taylor (Jordan)Boyenga; sisters (Sherry and Judy), brother (Jerry) and other family and friends.
Funeral services were July 2, 2022 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Albia and burial with military honors were provided by the American Legion Albia at Oak View Cemetery in Albia.
The family will donate all memorials to Welcome Home Soldier Memorial in Albia and EveryStep Hospice of Centerville. May he rest in peace.
Murder/Suicide in Lovilia
These paragraphs are taken from the posted Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation report: On July 3, 2022 deputies with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and agents from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation began an investigation into a body found in rural Monroe County. The body has been identified as 33- year-old Betty Werner of Lovilia.
The investigation into Betty’s death began after Ankeny police officers were told of a potential homicide in Monroe County. Ankeny police shared the information with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, and Department of Natural Resources. Using the information provided to Ankeny police, law enforcement officers in Monroe County found Betty’s body, covered with bedding and debris, off of 505th Street.
Betty’s husband, 41-year-old Nathan Werner, was identified as the sole person responsible for her death. Nathan was found, armed and holed up inside his residence. Over several hours, Iowa State Patrol negotiators and tactical team members attempted to persuade Werner from his home. Werner refused to leave and ended negotiations. Before law enforcement entered his house, Nathan took his own life.
An autopsy conducted by the Office of the State Medical Examiner showed that Betty died as the result of multiple gunshot wounds. Her death has been classified as a homicide.
An autopsy conducted by the Polk County Medical Examiner confirmed that Nathan died as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death has been classified as a suicide.
Bates Funeral Chapel of Oskaloosa, Iowa said no services were planned for Nathan Werner. Nathan was born on July 5,1981 and died on July 4,2022. May he rest in peace.
Betty Ann Garden (Werner)
Betty was born on July 6,1988 at Mahaska County Hospital, Oskaloosa, Iowa to Randy and Jacquelene (Schippers) Garden. She went to school in Oskaloosa and earned a CNA certificate from Indian Hills Comm. College in Ottumwa, Iowa.
She worked as a nurse’s aide at Pleasant Park in Oskaloosa and then worked at Vermeer’s in Pella as a forklift driver. Her interests were fishing, kayaking, camping, hiking, grilling, and campfires. Her son, Zane, was cherished by her most of all.
She is survived by her son, parents, siblings: Stephanie (Logan) Cavan, Denise (Mark) Bower, and Clayton (Maddi) Garden and other family and friends.
Her celebration of life was July 23,2022 at Lake Miami in Monroe County. Betty’s family encouraged all to come enjoy things Betty loved to do: fishing, kayaking, and outdoor fun. May she rest in peace.
Gwen Chance Shepard
Gwen (Lemaster) Chance Shepard, age 96, of Albia, Iowa passed away on September 12, 2022, at the Monroe Care Center in Albia.
She was born on February 20, 1926 in Albia Iowa to H. Ray Lemaster and Flossie Hamilton. On June 5, 1943 she married Raymond Chance and they farmed outside of Lovilia, Iowa until he passed away on August 4, 1976. They were blessed with two children, Sharon and Steve.
Gwen also worked at several businesses in the Lovilia and Albia area. On March 21, 1981 she married Sam Shepard. He passed away on November 27, 1997.
She is survived by her, sister (Marlene), daughter, Sharon Robb of Des Moines, her son Steve (Carol Emal) of Lovilia, and three grandchildren: Lisa, Matt, and Mitch, and many other family and friends.
Preceding her in death were both husbands, her brothers, and son-in-law, Charles Robb and a stepson.
Funeral services were held September 17, 2022 at Trinity United Methodist church in Albia, Iowa. A private family burial will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia at a later date. There is an open memorial. May she rest in peace.
Karen Kay (Farrington) Bain
Karen, age 52, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, died suddenly at her home on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Karen formerly lived in Lovilia, Iowa with her husband, John and two daughters.
Arrangements are pending at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia. May she rest in peace.
Congratulation to Rylee Dunkin and her Twin Cedar Team
Their team won the 1A State Softball tournament and Rylee was chosen for the 1st Team All State. Congratulations on winning this honor! Rylee is the daughter of Kurt and Heather Dunkin who live near Lovilia.
New Recycling manager for Monroe County
Doug Anderson has recently accepted the job and is also busy working as a vice-president of People’s Bank in Albia, Iowa. Welcome aboard and thanks for continuing our recycling services in Lovilia.
NEW LOVILIAN BORN
TJ Post and Jacquelyn Post are the proud parents of a baby girl born Sept. 13, 2022. She weighed in at 7 pounds 8 ounces and measured 20 inches. They have chosen the name Kinsley Sue. Welcome to this bundle of joy!
Raffle winners for St. Peter’s Picnic are:
$50 Rich Plum, $50 Bernie Kurimski, $100 Kirk McAninch, $100 Jane Kamerick, $200 Murph Robinson, and $500 Justin Rosenboom. Thanks to everyone who helped us by buying tickets! says St. Peter’s Church.
40TH
Congratulation to Bob and Loita Williams on the celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary! May you enjoy many more years together!