Obituary

Sherry McCarty Johnson, age 86, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at her home in Meeteetse, Wyoming where she had lived since 2009.

She was born May 5, 1936, in Sibley, Iowa to Mr. & Mrs. W.S. McCarty. She was a 1954 graduate of Sibley High School and went on to graduate with an X-ray and lab technician certificate in St. Paul, Minnesota. While working in the radiology department at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Dodge, Iowa, she met Thatcher Johnson. In March of 1956 they were married and settled in Gowrie, Iowa. Later, she reentered the medical field as an X-ray technician at Perry Hospital in Perry, Iowa, and then became a rural mail carrier in Madrid, Iowa from which she retired in 1996.

She had always dreamed of being a pilot, so after her husband died in 1986, she earned both her private pilot’s license (PPL) with an instrument rating (IR). She also became certified to land an aircraft with skis, and later became part owner in two small aircraft, an Aeronca Champ and Piper Cherokee. She also became Squadron Leader for the B-24/B-29 Squadron of the Commemorative Air-force, based in Midland, Texas. She was responsible for organizing summer tours of the aircraft, and at one point flew the B-29 Superfortress Bomber, also known as “Fifi”, which at the time was the only B-29 flying worldwide.

A committed Christian, throughout her life, Sherry had an active faith-life, and took part in a mission trip to Estonia. She has also been proactive in the Republican Party, most recently serving as State Committeewoman for Park County, Wyoming, and was a local contact for Harriett Hageman’s successful campaign for Congress.

She is survived by three of her children: Tyra Lynn Moe of Wasilla, Alaska, Kelly Lane Ullom of Meeteetse, Wyoming, Shane Thatcher Johnson of Wilmington, North Carolina; and by grandchildren Hudson Moe of Anchorage, Alaska, Tommy Moe of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Mike Moe of Anchorage, Alaska, and Teri Moe of Salmon, Idaho. She will be interred in Gowrie, Iowa next to her husband and her daughter Courtney McCarty Johnson, both of whom predeceased her.

A local celebration of life will be held by the family at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Park County Animal Shelter in Cody, Wyoming for the spay and neuter program. Card and sympathies may be sent to Kelly Ullom at PO Box 391, Meeteetse, Wyoming 82433. Condolences can also be left on Sherry’s memorial page at www.BallardFH.com

Farnhamville - Joyce J. Babcock, 92, passed away Monday, September 5, 2022 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home. 

 Memorial services were held at 2:00 PM Saturday, September 10, 2022 at Palmer Funeral Home, Gowrie. Chaplain John Briley officiated. Private family burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Fort Dodge. A visitation was held at 12:30 PM Saturday until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be left to family discretion. 

 Joyce J. Savage was born November 20, 1929 on a farm near Lake City to Charles and Carrie (Daisey) Savage. She was raised in the Woodlawn Church of Christ and graduated from Lake City High School in 1950. Joyce was united in marriage to Herbert Babcock of Farnhamville in 1950 where they made their home. 

 Joyce worked at Carter’s Drug Store, Lake City and then Friendship Haven, Fort Dodge for 26 years. She was a devoted member of the United Methodist Church, Farnhamville serving in the UWF and the Lunch Bunch as well as teaching Sunday and Bible school. Joyce was a Campfire Leader and active member of the American Legion Auxiliary where she enjoyed displaying the Veteran’s Christmas Tree. She was also part of the Past District Governor’s Wives Club. She was passionate about crafting and playing cards with family and friends. 

 Joyce is survived by her daughters Terri (Herb) Mahler of Sac City, April Elsberry (Ed Rossmanith) of Boone, and Darla Babcock of Farnhamville; grandchildren Jaime (Norman) Herrera of OK, Ryan (Lisa)Mahler of KS, Megan (Matt) Goedken of IL, Josh (Niki) of IA, and Emily ( AJ) Myers of IA; 9 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Maryann Savage and brother-in-law Cleon Babcock both of IA. 

 Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, husband Herbert Babcock, siblings; Clifford Savage, Beaulah VeerHusen, Evelyn Reitmeier, Charles Savage, and Pete Savage, and sister-in-law Jean Babcock. 

Randy S. Nissen, 63, of Dayton, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday morning, September 10, 2022, while vacationing in Hill City, South Dakota, with his wife.

Visitation was held Friday, September 16, 2022 at Carson ~ Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the United Methodist Church in Dayton. Pastor Kay. Christie officiated. Following services, Randy will be cremated. Private family burial will be at a later date at the Pilot Mound Cemetery. For online obituaries and condolences visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com 

Randy Scott Nissen was born on April 16, 1959, in New Hampton, Iowa, the son of Werner and Twila (Snider) Nissen. He graduated with the Grand Community High School with the class of 1978. Following his graduation, Randy worked for 10 years at Chicago Northwestern Railroad.

On May 26, 1979, Randy was united in marriage to Denise Sundine at the Pilot Mound Church in Pilot Mound, Iowa.

Randy worked for Oscar Mayer/IBP in Perry before he began his career as a welder at Mid-States Steel Corporation in Boone. Randy retired from Mid-States on November 1, 2021.

He was a member of Dayton United Methodist Church and was a life member of the Hunt & Fish Club in Fraser.  

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Kelly Joe Nissen and his nephew, Kelly Joe, Jr.

Survivors include his loving wife of 43 years, Denise Nissen of Dayton, Iowa; children, Amanda (Brandon) Osborne also of Dayton, Shannon (Jeff) Fitzgerald and Hollymae (Ryan) York both of Boone, Kenny (Holly) Nissen of Dayton; eight grandchildren, Teighan, Rozalyn, and Mekenah Osborne, Hailey, and Nathan Fitzgerald, Delanie, Lillian, and Maddison Nissen; his brother, Jay Kelly (Joellen) Nissen of Pilot Mound; aunts and uncles, Linda and Francis Fisher of Lawler, IA, Verlaine and Bailey Frye of Buckeye, MO; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Doug (Laura) Sundine of Boone, IA, Dwain (Regina) Sundine of North Liberty, IA; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Debbie (Rockie) Smith of Davenport, IA; many nieces and nephews; and his faithful puppy, Lucy-Lu.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.