Obituary
Norman Allen Vote, 82
Norman Allen Vote, 82
Norman Allen Vote, 82, of Melrose, Iowa, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on the morning of Sunday, June 8th, 2025.
Norman was born on September 20th, 1942, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Darold and LaVera (Biskeborn) Vote. He spent his formative years outside of Somers, Iowa. His high school days were colored with numerous legendary tales, adventuring with his solid group of friends. Though he had no siblings, his cousins, Kay (Stringer/Williams) and Charlene (Vote/Peterson), were like sisters to him, sharing in his childhood. Norman’s lifelong passion for farming and mechanical ingenuity blossomed early, cultivated by helping his father on the family farm.
After graduating from Somers High School, he pursued his mechanical interests at Dunwoody, a Mechanics Training program in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was there that his cousin Kay introduced him to Charlene L. Cooper, a student at the University of Iowa, who would later become his beloved wife. Norman and Charlene married on January 4th, 1964, at the United Methodist Church in Manson, Iowa.
After, they settled in Farnhamville, where they raised three daughters. There, he also established his own successful tractor repair shop, Vote Garage. However, the call of the land was strong, and he soon began farming again alongside his father, managing his mechanical business with his agricultural pursuits. Norman dedicated approximately 30 years of service to the Farnhamville Fire Department, admirably serving as fire chief for half of that time.
In 1998, a new chapter began when the rental property that Norman had farmed his entire life became unavailable. Driven by a lifelong dream of owning his land, he and his wife embarked on a courageous move to Melrose, Iowa. At the age of 59, they bravely established themselves in a new community, quickly adapting to the challenges of the region’s hillier terrain and new farming standards.
He was known for his warm and inclusive volunteeristic spirit, always extending a welcome to others and offering a helping hand. Norm formed legendary friendships and served as a sage mentor to many.
He later found a loving companion in Joyce of Seymour, Iowa. They married in September of 2014 and together, they enjoyed a wonderful decade of cherished golden years filled with happiness and shared experiences.
Norman is survived by his wife, Joyce Vote of Melrose, Iowa; his two loving daughters and their spouses, Valerie and Randy Castle of Promise City, Iowa, and Melanie Vote and Julien Gardair of Brooklyn, NY; his step-daughter, Kim and Hoss McKay of Creston, Iowa; his only grandson, Jeffery Comegys of Oregon; as well as several granddaughters and great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, LaVera and Darold Vote of Farnhamville; his late wife, Charlene; his daughter, Natalie Carter; and grandson, Jacob Comegys.
Visitation took place Monday, June 16, 2025 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville with the family greeting friends from 4:00PM-5:00PM. Funeral services were held at 5:00PM at the funeral home directly following the visitation. Per wishes, cremation followed the service, and burial will take place at a later date in Gowrie Township Cemetery. Memorials have been established to the Iconium Community Church, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Vote Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
Rita K. Hammar, 85
Rita K. Hammar, 85
Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at Laufersweiler’s Palmer & Sons Funeral Home, Gowrie with Pastor Kay Christie officiating. Burial will be in Gowrie Township Cemetery. A visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the funeral home.
She is survived by her husband Gary, daughter Kelly (Kevin) Black of Gowrie, son Chad of Waterloo, son Greg (Jan Shull) of Indianola, grandchildren Bart Black, Lindsey (Eric) Hjelle, Rebecca (Adam) Greiner, Stephanie (Tommy) Halligan, Anna (Sabian) Hammar-Tetreault-Smith, Isabelle (Brian Cespedes) Hammar, 11 great-grandchildren, siblings Terry Hendricks of Cedar Rapids, Linda Hanes of Boone, Vicky (Roger) Christensen of Spirit Lake.
She was preceded in death by her parents Wilbur and Katherine (Knapp) Hendricks and sister-in-law Geraldine Hendricks.
Rita Kay Hendricks was born July 19, 1939 in Rockwell City. She graduated from Lohrville High School in 1957. While Rita was waitressing in Lohrville at the Polka Dot Drive In, she met Gary Hammar. After just two weeks, the couple were engaged and on December 1, 1957 Rita and Gary were married. Rita then traveled overseas to Germany, where Gary was stationed in the Army. Germany was their home for two years. In their 67 years of marriage, they have made homes in Lohrville, Farnhamville, Slifer, and Gowrie.
Rita was a wonderful wife, mother, grandma, and great grandma. Her advice to us often seemed outdated or even down right silly. But when the modern ideas or cures weren’t working her advice is exactly what we needed. We were always amazed. Grandma was better than Google.
Rita was known for her out of the blue hilarious one-liners. She always made us laugh. Even the staff at Grandview was subject to her humor.
Throughout Rita’s life, she enjoyed sporting events, coffee and cocktail gatherings, card clubs, bowling, and golfing. Rita had been a member of T.T.T in Farnhamville.
Rita took great pride in being a homemaker her entire life. She will be greatly missed not only as a wife, mother, grandma, sister but also as a truly great friend.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
Dale A. Brandt, 80
Dale A. Brandt, 80
Dale A. Brandt, 80
Callender- Dale A. Brandt, 80, passed away Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Friendship Haven.
Funeral services were held 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 9, 2025, at United Methodist Church, Gowrie. Burial will follow at the Gowrie Township Cemetery. A visitation was held from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Monday at the church.
Laufersweiler’s Palmer & Sons is serving the family.
Dale is survived by his children Tracy (Dan) Crew of West Des Moines, Troy Brandt of Urbandale, grandchildren Abby Crew, Josh Crew, Hayley Roth, Kylie Kane-Brandt, Noah Brandt, and Addison Brandt, and great grandson John Roth.
He was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Inez (Cormack) Brandt, wife Ann Brandt, and brother Bruce Brandt.
Dale Brandt was born March 30, 1945, in Fort Dodge. He was raised and educated in Callender, graduating from Prairie High School in 1963. He was united in marriage to Ann Wooters on January 16, 1965. The couple made Callender their home. Dale farmed his entire life and worked for Webster County Road Crew for 45 years until retired in 2013. He continued to farm until 2023. Dale was a member of United Methodist Church, Gowrie.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
Local News
Dayton Community Grocery to Close After Over Two Decades of Service
Dayton’s community owned grocery store announced that it will soon be closing its doors for good.
The Dayton Community Grocery, 22 North Main Street, has been community-owned since 2001 and is led by a board of local leaders. But the board announced Thursday that despite cutting costs, ordering alongside other stores, and limiting store and employee hours, they are at a crossroads that leads to closure.
“The store is just not able to compete with big box stores to generate the income necessary to keep going at this rate,” the board announced in a Facebook post. “The board doesn’t want to be any further in debt than we currently are, and we feel like the responsible thing to do is to go out debt-free. While everyone wants to see the store continue, we feel that to meet the greater responsibility to the community, we need to close the store.” Read More...
Reviving Harcourt: Kelly Blair Leads Community-Driven Renewal Effort
What began as a vision shared by a few determined residents is now transforming the landscape—and spirit—of Harcourt. At the heart of this movement is Kelly Blair, a local leader whose commitment and collaboration with neighbors are breathing new life into this southern Webster County town. One of the most striking examples of this transformation lies at the corner of Ash and 1st. Street. Once home to an abandoned gas station, long believed to have last operated in 1967, the sit had become a hazard. The property, turned over to the county after years of unpaid taxes, posed a serious risk due to a collapsing concrete slab above a neglected basement.
But thanks to local determination, the hazardous foundation was excavated and refilled with layers of clay and rich black dirt. Now, in its place, a beautiful green space is blossoming—complete with natural stone walkways, native prairie grasses, and plantings. Plans include restoring a vintage 1930s-style gas pump and vehicle display, bringing a nostalgic charm to the space. Read More...
Junior Hereford Breeders Shine at 2025 IJHA Preview Show in Fort Dodge
The 2025 Iowa Junior Hereford Association (IJHA) Preview Show, held June 6-8 at the Webster County Fairgrounds, brought together top young Hereford breeders for a weekend of competition, camaraderie, and celebration of Hereford excellence. Exhibitors from across the state showcased high-quality Hereford cattle, competing in various categories that highlighted their dedication to breeding, showmanship, and livestock management. The event, hosted by the Iowa Hereford Breeders Association, drew a strong turnout, reinforcing the growing enthusiasm for youth in agriculture.
The Junior Association, led by Advisors Anthony and Katie Monroe, is supported by nine junior directors, including Spencer Suchan, who has served in this role for four years. Throughout the year, the association holds meetings to plan key aspects of the show, including loc Read More...
Sports
Jaguars Heat Up with 9-4 Victory Over Eagle Grove at Iowa Central Invite
6/12 Eagle Grove @ Harlan Rogers 9-4 W (6-6)
A hot June day saw the Jags travel to Fort Dodge and take part in the Iowa Central invite. The Jags faced off against the Eagles from Eagle Grove. With senior Lenix Allbee on the mound they kept Eagle at bat until the third inning where Eagle scored three runs taking a 3-1 lead. It would be the very next half inning the Jags would come back with their own two runs off a triple from Logan Jaeschke unfortunately Ryan Stewart missed third base but the damage was already done with a tie score going into the fourth inning. Lenix pitched admirably, striking out three and making some huge full count pitches. Fellow senior Cale Vansickle would relieve Lenix in the fifth with runners on second and third. Cale came in and kept the Eagles off balance with his curve and got out of the jam allowing no runners to cross the plate securing the win for the Jags who had increased their lead to nine before the final inning. Everyone was hitting but key hits was the big thing on the day for the Jags. Casey Hanson had a double which scored a runner. Dawson Tuel would hit a Sac Fly, scoring a runner with one of his early varsity at bats. Karson Roper had a single, scoring a runner. Brady Hanson had one hit but hit a shot on his second at bat right at the second baseman. Colin Johnson would courtesy run and play left field once Van Sickle went into pitch. Landon Vote earned himself a walk which eventually scored. Mason Bahr added a double while Logan Jaeschke hit a triple rounding out the hits today for the Jags. A nice win on a hot day for the Jaguar baseball team increasing their win total to six on the season. Read More...
Jaguar Softball Dominates West Bend-Mallard with 8-0 Run-Rule Victory
By Coach Zeka
The Jaguar softball team defeated the Wolverines from West Bend Mallard in Harcourt on June 9 in Harcourt by a score of 8-0 in five innings of play.
The Jags scor ed early in the bottom of the first inning, plating three runs. Karley Rae Smith, Chloe Lambert, and Rian Schlief would all reach base and score for the Jags. Brooke Peterson and Rian Schlief would record the only hits in the innings (Peterson with one RBI) while the rest of the lineup would reach safely on walks.
The second inning would tally three more runs in favor of Southeast Valley making the score 6-0. Smith would record her first hit of the game, a double to the right center gap, followed by back to back to back singles from Lambert, Lauren Eslick, and Rian Schlief. Lambert would score Smith from second and Schlief would rack up two RBIs scoring Lambert and Eslick.
Lambert and Schlief would score the final two runs of the game to seal the run rule victory over the Wolverines in the fourth inning after hitting a pair of singles to the left side. Brooke Peterson would also land inches short of a home-run, but earning a solid double off the left field fence scoring Schlief. Read More...