Local News

Gowrie - Robert C. Craigmile, 89, passed away Thursday August 6, 2026, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Funeral services were held 10:30 AM Tuesday August 11, 2026, at First United Church, Farnhamville with Pastor Kay Christie officiating. Burial followed at Gowrie Township Cemetery. There was a visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday August 10, 2026, at Laufersweiler Palmer Funeral Home in Gowrie.

Robert is survived by his daughter, Diana Craigmile of Fairview Park, Ohio, several nieces, nephews, and cousins, including, Mary Jane Martinez, Mario Martinez, and Elena Mallett.

Robert is preceded in death by his wife, Nyra Craigmile, parents, Edwin and Nina Craigmile, biological parents, Edward and Alvena Williamson, brothers, Clark Williamson, LaVerne Williamson, Roger Williamson, and Boyd Williamson.

Robert C. Craigmile was born on December 24, 1936, in Independence, IA, and graduated from Farnhamville High School. He went on to attend Simpson College and graduated with his accounting degree. He was employed with Stokely/VanCamp for 10 years. Bob returned to the Farnhamville area to farm. On July 21, 1972, he was united in marriage to Nyra Roe in Las Vegas, Nevada. The couple established their farm in Farnhamville and Gowrie area. Retiring to Gowrie in 2002. He was a member of First United Church, Farm Bureau, and Jaycees.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

George Allan Anderson, age 96

George Allan Anderson, age 96, died May 1, 2026. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 15th at United Methodist Church, Gowrie. Visitation will be one hour prior, at the church, with internment following the service at the Gowrie Township Cemetery. Luncheon will follow at the church. Laufersweiler’s Palmer & Sons Funeral Home of Gowrie is serving the family.

George Anderson was born March 11, 1930, in Newman Grove, Nebraska, the son of Clarence E. and Wyllma Ruth Knapp Anderson. He attended school there and in Denison, Lytton, Yetter, and Gowrie, Iowa, and graduated from Gowrie Consolidated High School in 1947. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1948 and trained as an Air Controlman before he was appointed Midshipman in1949.

George attended Missouri University as a Midshipman, graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a BA (with Distinction) in History and was commissioned as an ensign in the U. S. Navy. He served in the Pacific as Assistant Navigator on the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany during the Korean War and later on the carrier USS Bon Homme Richard. George also received a Certificate in Political Economics from the University of Copenhagen where he was a Fulbright Scholar, studied labor economics at American University and George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and received a Master of Science in Education from the University of Southern California.

ln 1952 George married his high school classmate, Eleanor F. Pohl.

After his naval service, George joined the US Diplomatic Service in 1956. Overseas, he served as a labor, political and economic specialist at US Embassies in Copenhagen (1957-59), Oslo (1963-67), Brussels (1971-74), and Vienna (1974-1979), and as military-political affairs officer from 1968 to 1969 at the US Embassy in Saigon, Vietnam. While In D.C. (1960-63) he edited President Eisenhower’s Top Secret Daily Brief and then supervised European and Soviet Affairs in the Secretariat of Secretary of State Dean Rusk. Later, (1970-71) he joined Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird’s Vietnam Task Force at the Pentagon, receiving the Secretary of Defense’s Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, the highest award for civilian service at the Defense Department,.

Retiring from the Foreign Service in 1980, George worked as Vice-President of United Technologies (Europe) in Brussels, Belgium, then as President of Widcom International, for which he oversaw the marketing in Europe and the Middle East of the world’s first Videophones. He returned to the United States in 1987 where he joined the Arizona State Legislature’s Auditor General’s Performance Audit Division. 

After retiring in 1997, George and Eleanor divided their time between their homes in Gowrie and South Carolina, enjoying traveling and visiting far-flung friends for several years. In their eighties, they chose to simplify their lives, settling permanently in Gowrie where they had maintained a home and close connections with lifelong friends and family. They remained deeply involved in their church and community until relocating to Friendship Haven in February 2025.

George was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Eleanor, his parents, and by his brothers, Clarence Jr., Ruel, and Albert, and his sisters, Alyce, Betty, and Ardell. He is survived by five children, Travis, Miles, Greta, Jon and Grant, fifteen grandchildren and seven (soon ten) great-grandchildren, by his sister-in-law, Avis Pohl of Ames, and by many nieces and nephews.

William “Bill” James Richman, Sr 87William “Bill” James Richman, Sr 87 of San Benito, TX passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at his home. Memorial services will be 11:00 am Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at Zion Lutheran Church with Minister Beth Carion officiating. Visitation will be 10:00 am Wednesday at the church until the time of service. Burial will be at the Humeston Cemetery, Humeston, Iowa at a later date.  

Bill is survived by his wife Gail, sons Jim (Laura) Richman of Fort Dodge, Jerry (Nancy) Richman of Barnum, stepsons Terry (Barb) Wingerson and Tracy Wingerson of Fort Dodge, stepdaughter Tammy (Bob) Coiner of Marion. He had 21 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and 1 great- great-granddaughter, sisters Jean Larson of Gowrie and Karol (Tom) Nordstrom of Marion. He was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Oneda Mae (Roe) Richman, aunt/mother Clela Fern Richman, sons Jay Richman, Joel Richman, and stepson Tim Wingerson.

William James Richman Sr. was born August 13, 1938 on his grandparent’s farm near Humeston, Iowa. Bill spent many summers on his grandparent’s family farm. He grew up in southern Iowa, graduating from Numa High School in 1956. On April 25, 1980 he was united in marriage to Gail Wingerson in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Bill was the owner/operator of Richman Seamless Gutter Service in Fort Dodge for several years. He loved hunting and fishing before retirement. After retiring he loved spending time with family and friends. He loved traveling, playing games, and was an awesome craftsman. He will be missed by many.

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.