Local News

Sally Ann Ackerson, 77, of Gowrie, passed away Saturday, October 31, 2026.

Visitation was held from 6 – 8 PM, Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Fort Dodge. A Celebration of Life was held at 10 AM, Friday, November 6, 2026, at Lighthouse Ministries, Fort Dodge.

Sally was born June 9, 1949, to Beryl and LaVanne (Wilson) Vinchattle. She graduated from Prairie High School in 1968 and later attended Bernal’s Beauty School. On November 29, 1969, she was united in marriage to Gary Ackerson. Two children were born to this union. The couple later divorced.

Raised in Gowrie, Sally remained a lifelong resident of the community. Throughout her working years, she provided in-home daycare, served as the food service supervisor at Gowrie Care Center, and most recently worked as a respite care provider for LifeWorks Community Services. She especially enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside her granddaughter and made a difference in the lives of those she cared for.

Sally had a love for Elvis, traveling, and scrapbooking with her sister. Above all, her grandchildren were her greatest joy. She rarely missed an opportunity to attend their activities and was proudly their number one fan. They were her world and gave her countless reasons to keep going. Her love and support for them will be remembered always.

Sally is survived by her children, Jeff (Jenny) Ackerson and Kimberly Ackerson; grandchildren, Jaiden Ackerson, Mason (Morgan) Ackerson, Jaxon Carlson, Ethan Ackerson, Graycee Carlson, Bo Ackerson, Henry Ackerson, and Sheyanne Ackerson; her sister, June Bacon; brother, Dean (Vicky) Vinchattle; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Dan Vinchattle; sister-in-law Jan; and nephew Corey Bacon.

Memorials may be directed at the family’s discretion.After more than ten years of battling cancer, Debbie Halligan, 64, Fort Dodge, IA, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at Friendship Haven. Friends and family are welcome to gather at the Friendship Haven Celebration Center, 420 Kenyon Road, Fort Dodge, from 1-3pm on Saturday, October 17th, 2026, with a Celebration of Life Service at 3pm. A private family inurnment will take place at Fulton Township Cemetery, Moorland. Memorials may be directed to the family. Arrangements are with Historic Bruce Funeral Home of Fort Dodge. Online condolences may be left for the at www.brucesfuneralhome.com

 Debbie was born February 16, 1962, to Pat and Phil Halligan and grew up in Moorland, where she graduated from Prairie Community School, followed by an Iowa Central Community College degree. While working for 32 years at Electrical Materials Company she met countless customers. There she also made numerous life-long friends who held a special place in her heart. Later she started work at Central Iowa Eye Care where she made more great friends that became family to her. She retired in 2025.

 Her adult years brought lots of bleacher time cheering on her nieces and nephews at all their activities and clapping during all of their holiday concerts. As the next generation of great-nieces and great-nephews came along, she showed the same support for all of them. Debbie was the kind of aunt who was simply there.

 Debbie loved a good road trip. She went with her parents to flea markets, antiquing and craft shows. There were many adventures with her sister Shelley, including Ireland, Hawaii. and Canada. A special vacation included her brother Jeff to Colorado.

 Spending time with family was the most important thing in Debbie’s life. Daytrips to a pumpkin patch or an afternoon of coloring and board games would have been on her to do list. She also cherished family holiday gatherings at her brother Randy’s house when she often brought her famous pumpkin bars.

 Debbie will be deeply missed by those friends and family that were lucky enough to have known her. Survivors include: Siblings, Shelley (Allen) Jensen, Jeff Halligan, Randy (Staci) Halligan; Nieces and Nephews, Brooke (Ben) Beschorner, Heidi (Jason) McGuire, Cassie (Sade) Barrett, Chance (Lydia) Halligan, Ross Halligan, Will Halligan; Great-Nieces and Great-Nephews, Gavyn McGuire, Declan McGuire, Ina McGuire, Bristol Beschorner, Ka’Reena Barrett, Kayanna Barrett and Kamaree Barrett.

 We celebrate her life, her spirit and the love she brought into this world.

Farnhamville - Carole A. Hicks, 84, was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday November 3, 2026.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 AM Friday November 6, 2026, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Farnhamville with Pastor Aaron Zimmerman officiating. Burial followed in Reading Township Cemetery in Farhnamville. There was a visitation on Thursday November 5, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the church. Laufersweiler Palmer & Sons Funeral Home of Gowrie is serving the family.

Carole is survived by her husband, Larry, daughters, Sherri (Rodney) Silvey of Ankeny, Diane (Larry) Bickford of Fort Dodge, Patti (Jay) Anderson of Gowrie, grandchildren, Megan (Nour) Aly, Curtis (Courtney) Anderson, Brittany (Sam) Harris, Lukis (Zoe) Anderson, Grace Silvey, step grandchildren, Brooke Bickford, Bill Bickford, 6 great grandchildren, 3 step great grandchildren and sister-in-law, Sandy (Norm) Seil Knoke.

Carole is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Pauline (Nahnsen) Seil, brother, Steven Seil, father and mother-in-law, Clifford and C. Leona Hicks, and brother and sister-in-law, Roy and Marcia Hicks.

Carole Seil was born on August 11, 1942, in Lake City. She graduated from Lohrville High School in 1960 and went on to business school in Minneapolis. She worked for Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines. Carole was united in marriage to Larry Hicks on November 10, 1962. When she was not working at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church as the secretary, she could be found helping on the farm until the couple retired. Carole loved to go on the family vacations and quilting. She would make quilts for her family and the church. She was a member of Holy Trinity Circle, and Ladies Aid.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

Gowrie - Gregg Richard Norine, age 75, peacefully passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2026 surrounded by his loving family at home after courageously living with ALS for the past few years.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday Oct 17, 2026 at Zion Lutheran Church in Gowrie with Lay Pastor Beth Carlon officiating. Burial will follow at Gowrie Township Cemetery. There will be a visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Friday October 16, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church in Gowrie.

Born on May 16,1951, to Raymond and Phyllis Norine, Gregg was raised in Gowrie, Iowa, alongside his two brothers and two sisters. He remained a proud, lifelong resident of Gowrie, dedicating his time and heart to the community he loved. Gregg graduated from Prairie High School in 1969 alongside his high school sweetheart, Martha. The two were united in marriage on July 25, 1970, and went on to raise three children: Jennifer, Jodi, and Brian. Gregg later attended Iowa Central Community College, where he earned his Associate Degree in Accounting.

Deeply rooted in his hometown, Gregg was an active and dedicated member of both the community and Zion Lutheran Church. Over the years, he volunteered his time with the Gowrie Ambulance and the annual 4th of July parade, served on the board of the Gowrie Municipal Swimming Pool and Roller Skating Rink, taught Sunday School, and was dedicated to the Prairie Valley “Chain Gang” for many years.

From his family he learned the value of hard work, perseverance and always giving his best. As a young boy he took on his first job delivering newspapers and worked at Hasty’s Cafe while attending high school. After graduating high school, he worked for Nordstrom and Schill Construction and Gowrie Utilities. From 1975 to 1980 he owned and operated Norine Grocery. His last 37 working years were spent as a bookkeeper for Bruntlett Elevator until his retirement in 2017.

Outside of his work and community service, Gregg was a true handyman who was always involved in a home project-whether it was an improvement on his own house or helping out with one of his children’s homes. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s many activities, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, fiddling in the yard, and listening to his favorite music.

Gregg was known for his storytelling, generous advice, and ability to lend an empathetic ear. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a way of making everyone feel welcome. He truly never met a stranger and his genuine kindness made people feel like they mattered. Those same qualities were evident even with the challenges and uncertainty that ALS brought. He faced each day with incredible courage, never allowing fear to overshadow his faith or joy. He continued to smile, laugh, encourage others and find reasons to be grateful. He was especially grateful for his wife Martha. He often spoke of how lucky he was to have her steadfast love and care. He was also grateful for the “Fantastic Four” Friday support group. They were a great source of comfort to him over the last year of his life.

Gregg is preceded in death by his grandparents Albin and Hannah Norine, Laurence and Irene Richardson, his parents Raymond and Phyllis Norine and his brother in law Kees Van Zelderen.

Gregg is survived by his wife of 56 years, Martha Norine, and their three children: Jennifer Carlson (Dale) of Port Washington, Wisconsin; Jodi Jensen of Smithton, Illinois; and Brian Norine (Kara) of Gowrie, Iowa. He is also survived by his ten beloved grandchildren: Miles Carlson, Drew Carlson, Olivia Carlson, Jack Peterson, John Jensen, Lillian Jensen, Brock Norine, Kiley Norine, Ava Brunner, and Ian Brunner; his brothers: Ron Norine (Bernita) and Brian Norine (Karen); his sisters: Shelley Van Zelderen and Lori Peterson (Rick); his in-laws: Mary and Tom Larson, and Marcia and Michael Anderson; along with many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Gregg will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Memorials will be left to the family’s discretion.