Obituary
Gary S. Hall, 79
Gary S. Hall, 79
Farnhamville - Gary S. Hall, 79, passed away on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 20, 2026, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Farnhamville with Pastor Aaron Zimmerman officiating. Burial will follow in Reading Township Cemetery in Farnhamville. There will be a visitation from 10:00 AM until the time of the service on Friday. Laufersweiler Palmer & Sons Funeral Home in Gowrie is serving the family.
Gary is survived by his daughters, Denise (Ryan) Moore of Gowrie, Darci (Jeff) Nemmers of Fort Dodge, grandchildren, Breann Moore (Tyler Price and Ashley Bates), Blair (Damon) Wynes, Baylee Moore (Blake Richmond), Jeff (Charity) Nemmers Jr., Trey (Kaylin) Thiele, Madeleine (Elliot) McLarty, John Nemmers, 15 great-grandchildren with 4 on the way, brother, Mike Hall of Cedar Rapids, sister, Shelly (Bill) Berger of Jefferson, brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard and Pamela Goodrich of Pleasant Hill, George and Paula Henry of Salem, VA, and nieces and nephews.
Gary is preceded in death by his wife, Sheila, parents, Raymond and Roberta (Schumann) Hall, grandchild, Catherine Nemmers, and sister-in-law, Vicki Hall.
Gary S. Hall was born on February 7, 1947, in Holstein, Iowa, and graduated from Prairie Community High School in Gowrie. Gary was united in marriage with Sheila Bowers on October 10, 1969, and the couple established their home in Farnhamville. He was employed with Farmers Co-op in Farnhamville for 35 years, retiring in 2009. Gary loved watching NASCAR and attending car shows. He was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
Evolue Eleanor Baxter, 103
Evolue Eleanor Baxter, 103
Evolue Eleanor Baxter, 103, passed away Monday, February 9, 2026, at West Ridge Care Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A celebration of life will be held at Windsor Heights Lutheran Church on Monday, March 23, 2026 at 1:00 PM.
Evolue was born November 29, 1922, in Gowrie, Iowa to Roy and Etta (Soderbeck) Carlson. She graduated in 1940 from Gowrie High School and moved to Des Moines where she attended the American Institute of Business. She met Loren Baxter at AIB and in 1944 they were married. They welcomed their first son Craig, who passed away at age eight. A second son, Rodd, was born three years later. Evolue retired from the West Des Moines School District.
She was devoted to her Lutheran Faith, as a former member of Zion Lutheran Church, Gowrie, Iowa, and First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Des Moines, Iowa, and Windsor Heights Lutheran Church.
Evolue enjoyed gatherings with friends, dining out, playing cards, bridge and pitch were her favorites. She enjoyed attending local sports, I-Cubs, and cheering on the “Lovable Losers”, the Chicago Cubs, as well as the Iowa Hawkeyes.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Loren and son, Craig. Evolue is survived by her son, Rodd and daughter-in-law Kerstin Braun, along with her many relatives and friends.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.iowacremation.com under Recent Obituaries.
Jennifer Sue Sorenson Morrill, 80
Jennifer Sue Sorenson Morrill, 80
Jennifer Sue Sorenson Morrill, 80
Jennifer Sue Sorenson Morrill, aged 80, went to be home with the Lord on March 4, 2026, after a long health battle. She passed away peacefully, in her sleep, on her birthday. Being with her Lord and Savior Jesus - what a wonderful birthday present for her.
She was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and grew up on a farm with her three sisters. She later graduated from Luther College in Iowa, where she met her future husband, Bill Saetveit. They married in 1968, moved to Indiana, and then to Denver, Colorado.
Jennifer was a stay-at-home mom to two beautiful daughters, Amy and Stacy. She then eventually worked as an Administrative Professional in the Pulmonary Division at the University of Colorado Medical Center.
She is survived by her two daughters: Amy and Stacy; her four grandchildren: Logan, Blake, Simon and Alex; her two sisters: Jeri Peffer and Jane Mosher; and many other loved ones. She is preceded in death by her parents Alvin and Bethel Sorenson, and her sister Judy Sorenson Paski.
Jennifer enjoyed time with family, traveling, sewing, painting, and other crafts, and loved shopping on QVC!
The family will be having a small, private service, and thanks you in advance for your thoughts and prayers.
If so led, those wishing to honor Jennifer’s life can make a donation to the Alzheimer’s research organization of their choice.
Local News
Terry and Bruce Towne Retire After Decades of Service to Southwest Webster Ambulance
After a combined 47 years of service, Terry and Bruce Towne have officially retired from the Southwest Webster Ambulance, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, compassion, and community impact that will be felt for years to come. On Wednesday, April 1, the Southwest Webster Ambulance Crew and board members honored the couple with commemorative plaques recognizing their years of service. In addition, Terry was awarded a medal from the Webster County Essential Service Committee, acknowledging her exceptional contributions to emergency medical services throughout the region.
Terry Towne began her EMS journey 30 years ago with a simple desire: “I wanted to have some knowledge with first aid, and it just grew from there,” she said. That small spark evolved into a lifelong commitment to caring for others. Reflecting on her three decades of service, she shared, “It has been such an honor to have been involved with so many people. It truly was a big part of my life.” Read More...
Gowrie Community Easter Egg Event Thrives Indoors Thanks to Record‑Breaking Community Donations
The Gowrie Community Easter Egg Event celebrated an extraordinary year on Saturday, April 4th, even as harsh weather forced the event indoors. With temperatures at 38 degrees and a wind chill of 19, organizers moved the hunt to the Gowrie Fire Station, where families gathered for a warm and festive afternoon.
This year marked a record‑breaking level of donations from individuals, families, businesses, and organizations throughout Gowrie and surrounding communities. Thanks to this overwhelming generosity, volunteers were able to prepare 175 Easter baskets one of the largest totals the event has ever offered. Read More...
Local Advocate Awarded One of Army’s Highest Civilian Honors at Iowa National Guard Ball
What began as a night of volunteering and quiet support turned into an unforgettable moment for local resident Katelyn Johnson, who was unexpectedly awarded the Public Service Commendation Medal during the Enlisted Association of the Iowa National Guard Ball on March 28, 2026.
Johnson, known across Iowa for her work with Swingin’ Fore Soldiers, believed she was attending the annual event simply to help decorate, host a social table, and deliver a short message of gratitude to the enlisted members in attendance. Instead, leadership had a surprise waiting one that left her, in her own words, “at a total loss for words.”
The Public Service Commendation Medal is the fourth-highest public service decoration the United States Department of the Army can award to a civilian. According to Guard leadership, the honor has not been presented to anyone in Iowa in more than three decades. Read more...
Sports
Area Jags Compete in Helping Hands 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
HELPING HANDS held their 39th annual 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament Saturday, March 28, in the South Hardin Middle School gym in Hubbard. There were 54 teams from second graders to adults entered in 8 divisions. It was a long day for the Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers that worked the tournament but there were lots of smiles and positive comments that made the long day pass quickly and smoothly.
The goal of HELPING HANDS is to give back to our communities so that they will be great places to live and raise a family. Over the 41 years this volunteer student group has been organized, they have given $180,000.00. They should be recognized because that is $180,000.00 that would not have been given to and used by local groups, organizations, fundraisers, and in some cases, by seriously ill peers or tragic incidents. Applaud these current and the past HELPING HANDS volunteers.
Results:
2nd-4th GRADE BOYS
Consolation 1st -Dax Balvanz, Boone Pfantz (H-R Elementary), Jax Maas (ENP Elementary)
2nd - John Danielson, Hank Ulicki, Memphis Murphy (Southeast Valley)
3rd - Ernie Donald, Jensen Schimmer, Emmett Schimmer (South Tama County
2nd-4th GRADE GIRLS
Bracket 1
Champion -Kendal Johnson, Kaley Green, Casey Ploeger (Southeast Valley)
2nd - Maddy Blome, Lila Carpenter, Nola Gehrke (Iowa Falls-Alden)
3rd - Anna Smalley, Brooklynn Smith, Emma Wing (Nevada)
4th - Emma Dubberke, Maise Meineke, Hanna Bolson (Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary) Read More...
SV Girls Track Team Competes in SCC Early Bird Meet
By Coach Swieter
The girls track team opened their outdoor season at Lake City on March 30th and it was a great night to run. Not too many times have the girls ever run in 80 degree weather in March but they took advantage of it and had a great night and a lot of success.
The night started off with the field events. Macy Mundt had a great night throwing the shot put. She placed 3rd and her throw got her a top 10 performance all time at Southeast Valley. She also got a top 10 with her disc throw.
Hanna Wicklein also got tops 10’s in the shot and disc for Southeast Valley
Madelynn Miller placed 4th in the Long Jump and her jump put her 4th all time for Southeast Valley.
The 4x800 placed 3rd and placed them 4th all time for top 10. This relay was Charlotte Blair, Tenley Kastendieck, Emily Wilson and Goldie Davis. Read More...