Local News

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.

Sandra L. Conrad, 86, of Fort Dodge, IA, died Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the Marian Home. Graveside services will be held at 4:00 PM on Sunday, June 27, 2027, at North Lawn Cemetery 2201 N. 15th Street, with Pastor Dale Harlow of Northfield Church officiating. Arrangements are with Historic Bruce Funeral Home of Fort Dodge. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.brucesfuneralhome.com

 Sandra was born July 19, 1940, in Fort Dodge, the daughter of Leo and Loris L. (Denny) Giocomarra.  She graduated from Gowrie High School in 1958, and later continued her education at Iowa Central Community College where she graduated in 1968. Sandra worked as a bookkeeper before her retirement in 2000. Sandra enjoyed scrapbooking, crocheting, and playing with her companion dog: “Ted E. Bear”. She also enjoyed being in the sunshine. Sandra was a member of Northfield Church of Christ.  

 Sandra is survived by her son: Jim Beletti and wife Nancy of Mansfield, TX; daughter: Julie (Beletti) Griffin of Fort Dodge; 2 step-children: Teri White of Fort Dodge and Kelli Cervene; 7 grandchildren: Tony Beletti of Shakopee, MN, Mike Beletti of Fairmont, MN, Nathan Beletti of Glencoe, MN, Lindsay Beletti of Young America, MN, Dylan Beletti of Hutchinson, MN; Jesse Wilson of Fort Dodge and Joe Conrad of Fort Dodge; 7 step-grandchildren: Deanna Rees of Fort Dodge, Shane Brundage of Fort Dodge, Traci Conrad of Fort Dodge, Mallory Clark of Fort Dodge, Jamie Conrad of Fort Dodge, Madeline Cervene, and Sophia Cervene; 8 great grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; half-sister: Marcia VanTassel of Alabama; and half-brother: Steven Lawrence of Alabama.  

 She was preceded in death by her parents; brother: Jerry McKain; step-son: Allan Conrad and half-sister: Diane Koberstein. 

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.