Obituary

Shawn Anderson (64) of Gowrie, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and children on Sunday, December 1, 2024.

A visitation was held on Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at Laufersweiler Palmer and Sons Funeral Home, Gowrie. Private family services and burial were held.

Shawn was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Duane (Andy) and Oda Anderson on April 4th, 1960. He is the fifth of six children and has lived in Gowrie his whole life.

Shawn was part of the last graduating class of 1978 from Prairie Community School and attended Iowa Central Community College, where he attained a degree in Business Administration.

On January 14, 1983, he was united in marriage to JoAnn Lentsch at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Fort Dodge. The couple established their home in Gowrie, where they raised their three children. Shawn loved the outdoors, especially fishing, hunting and bird watching, as well as being an avid storm chaser. He enjoyed listening to music; including Drum and Bugle Corps, Molly B. Polka Party, and Big Band Music. But above all else, he enjoyed spending time with his family the most. The grandchildren especially liked his silly songs and still mimic them to this day. Shawn enjoyed being active in his community of Gowrie by serving on the 4th of July parade committee for many years, organizing the flyovers for Memorial Day, and serving on the city board and various other committees.

Shawn spent 50 years of his life working at Bruntlett Elevator. Beginning in 1974 at the age of 14, he was tasked with sweeping the floors and other custodial duties after school. From there he progressed to working in the office answering the phones and doing the ticketing for customer orders. He then went on to become Co-Owner of Bruntlett alongside his father Duane (Andy). After his father retired from the business in 1995, Shawn bought the business, becoming the President, CEO, and Manager and he worked as such until the day he passed; helping the business grow into the success it is today. Shawn proudly wore the Purina checkerboard every day of those 50 years and prided himself on being a Full Service Purina dealer. Under his leadership, Bruntlett Elevator earned numerous Chow Honor Council (CHC) awards over the years, including the prestigious Double Gold award in 2024, which is awarded to the top 25 Purina dealers nationwide. Shawn’s dedication and vision will leave an enduring legacy and he will be greatly missed.

Shawn is survived by his Wife of 42 years, JoAnn Anderson; Children, Christopher Anderson (Caitlin) of Littleton, CO, Amanda Sether (Lane) of Lake Park, IA, and Nicholas Anderson of Derby, KS; Grandchildren, Addison Anderson, Clint Sether, Brooke Anderson, and Hadley Anderson. Sister, Pam Anderson of Apple Valley, MN; and Brothers, Barry Anderson of Bettendorf, IA, Terry Anderson of Muscatine, IA, and Darin Anderson (Beth Ann) of Eldridge, IA, Mother-in-law Hazel Lentsch of Fort Dodge. Shawn is preceded in death by his parents, Duane (Andy) and Oda Anderson, and his brother, best friend and buddy, Steve Anderson, father in-law Jim Lentsch.

Shawn lived by his motto: “Smile, Be kind and Diplomatic and you will go far.” 

Douglas “Flash” Daniel Gustafson, the son of Ronald. and ClaraJo (Danielson) Gustafson, was born on July 4, 1971, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was raised and educated in Eagle Grove, graduating from Eagle Grove High School – “Class of 1990”. He then graduated from ICCC Diesel Mechanic’s Program in 1992, and after graduation Doug moved to his grandparents’ acreage in Harcourt. 

Doug was in a long-term relationship that later ended, but during which he had the honor and privilege to help raise and mentor a young boy, Drake, whom he called son.

On August 1, 2009, Doug married Roz Nelson at the Evangelical Lutheran Church Chapel in Eagle Grove. 

Flash – a nickname he gained while working for Smithway Motor Xpress/Western Express in Fort Dodge, until their closure in 2023. He currently worked for Georgia-Pacific.

Doug enjoyed hobby stock and vintage stock car racing and attending car shows – his favorite being the Vintage Torque Fest in Dubuque – a fundraiser for kids with congenital heart disease. He also had a fondness for collecting Ford memorabilia and rebuilt a 1952 Ford F100 in memory of his father and grandfather. Doug will always be remembered for the big role he played in their lives and the love he showed his nieces and nephew and helping them with their “Bucket of Junk” 4-H projects. He also adored spending time with his grandchildren. Doug will also be remembered for his kind, caring, generous, easy-going personality and what a conversationalist he was.

Doug died unexpectedly on Friday, November 29, 2024, at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, at the age of 53 years. He was preceded in death by his father, Ron; grandparents, Reuben and Gwen Gustafson and Everett and Helen Danielson; great-grandmother, Bertha Walgren; cousin, Bob Eich; uncle, Bart Danielson; grandparents-in-law, Gene and Marge Nelson and Marvin and Chloe Smith and beloved nephew, Arek “Ace” Asklund for whom he has built a die cast truck for every year since his death in 2001. 

Doug is survived by his wife, Roz; mother, Jo Gustafson; sister, Chrisann Hodson (Alan); nieces, HannahJo Gustafson-Hodson and Elizabeth Hodson (Wyatt Thornton); nephew, Adam Hodson; son, Drake Oldson (Makayla) and their daughter, Brynlee; step daughters, Josie Rivera and Jade Wozab; grandchildren, Atlis Rivera Walters and Athena Montgomery; in-laws, Mike Nelson and Kerrie Eivins; brothers-in-law, Ben Morford and Joe Morford; sisters-in-law, Reia Scearcy (Earl), London Nelson and Brittany Corkery and several other nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends who were like family to him.

Visitation is Wednesday, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at Evangelical Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Please consider making a donation to raise the much-needed funds to cover Doug’s funeral expenses. No donation is too small, and your support is greatly appreciated. Donations can be made at the bottom of Doug’s obituary on the www.foustfh.com website.

Foust Funeral Home, Eagle Grove. www.foustfh.com

Farnhamville - Rodney Peterson, 73, passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Stewart Memorial Community Hospital in Lake City.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, December 13, 2024, at First United Church, Farnhamville, with Pastor Kay Christie officiating. Burial will follow in Reading Township Cemetery in Farnhamville. Military Rites will be provided by the American Legion Peterson Post #431, of Gowrie. There will be a visitation from 9:00 AM until the time of services on Friday at the church. Laufersweiler Palmer & Sons Funeral Home of Gowrie is serving the family.

Rodney is survived by his wife, Barb; daughters, Monica (Mike Fetters) Peterson of Baxter, and Lindsey (Neil) Lundgren of Essex; son, Pat (Kate) Peterson, of Callender; grandchildren, Jake, Maggie, Blake, Alexis, Blaine, Cooper, and Wesley; sister, Linda (Dennis) Carlson, of Spirit Lake; and brother, Delmar Peterson of Knierim.

Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Elvera (Abens) Peterson, and his brother, Leon Peterson.

Rodney A. Peterson was born on June 4, 1951, in Fort Dodge and graduated from Manson High School in 1970. He proudly served in the US Air Force after high school for four years. Rod was united in marriage to Barb Hicks on July 21, 1972, and the couple established their home in Farnhamville. He worked at IBP in Fort Dodge, farmed in the area, and was a truck driver for Bruntlett Elevator in Gowrie. Rod was a member of First United Church in Farnhamville, American Legion Peterson Post #431, Dayton Wranglers, and the Harmony Brigade Barbershop.

AS ROD LOVED THE HOLIDAYS LETS CELEBRATE HIS LIVE WELL LIVED BY BREAKING OUT YOUR BEST CHRISTMAS ATTIRE FOR VISITATION.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.