Obituary

Marcella “Sally” Woods, 96

Marcella “Sally” Woods, 96, formerly of Gowrie, passed away August 21, 2025 at Rolling Meadows Senior Living in Carroll, Iowa.

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 1, 2025 at Laufersweiler’s Palmer & Sons Funeral Home, Gowrie. (Please note the date). A visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Lost Grove Township Cemetery, Harcourt.

Survivors include her sisters Mary Page and Nancy Hartwigsen; children Bill (Tylene) Woods, Mike (Jan) Woods, Kent (Meg) Woods and Terry (Pat) Rabbitt; grandchildren Damon (Stephanie), Cory (fiance Stephani), Derek, Alicia (Chris), Josh (Tiffany), Kevin (Toni), Kurt (Andrea), Maureen (Andy), Brittany (Chris), Abbey (Cale), Ellen, Colin, Crista, Rebecca, Hannah (fiance Tadgh), Joshua (Whitney), Chivaun, Nicholas; 25 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Mary Byrns; husband William (Bill) Woods; son Steven; siblings George, Irene, Vava and Robert.

Sally Woods was born September 5, 1928 at home on the farm in the Bagley area, Greene County, Iowa. After graduating from Cooper High School in 1945, Sally attended Drake University for one year and continued living in Des Moines working at a doctor’s office until marrying Bill Woods on February 20, 1949.

Bill and Sally lived in Lorimor for a short time, then moved to their “cozy” south of Lorimor. In the spring of 1952, they moved to the farm in Webster County where they lived until moving to Gowrie the summer of 2006. She moved to Winterset in 2016 with her daughter Terry and husband Pat. Sally’s final move was in 2020 to Swan Place Senior Living Center (now Rolling Meadows) in Carroll, Iowa.

Sally was active in the Lanyon Covenant Church. She was an avid quilter and was often found with a needle and thread in her hand whether she was embroidering, quilting, or making clothes for her grandkids. She knew everyone’s favorite meal by heart and was a cookie baker extraordinaire. Sally and Bill liked to travel and go on fishing trips. She loved having her family home, enjoying a game of cards or board games (was a perpetual Clue winner) with the kids and grandkids. Sally encouraged everyone to join in on activities and festivities at Rolling Meadows. 

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

Janice L. Blunt, 78

Gowrie- Janice L. Blunt, 78 passed away Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at her home.

Graveside services were at NOON Saturday, October 4, 2025 at North Lawn Cemetery. A visitation was held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Saturday at Laufersweiler’s Palmer & Sons Funeral Home, Gowrie. 

Janice is survived by her son, Shaun (Jana) Blunt of Rockwell City; daughters, Annette (Scott) Zinnel of Farnhamville and Janelle (Neal) Wallace of Altoona; grandchildren, Timothy (Stephanie) Blunt, Josh (Whitney) Zinnel, Cassie Zinnel, Brett (Haley) Wallace, Kyle (Emily) Wallace, Zach Wallace, Jaci (David) Pratt, Jessica McDonald, Kelli (Brad) Oliver, Kayla McDonald, and Ryan McDonald; 18 great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Eunice (Gustafson) Grove; grandsons, Marcus Blunt, David Wallace and Bryce Wallace; and brother, Larry Grove.

Janice Lorraine Grove was born October 20, 1946 in Fort Dodge. She graduated Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1965. Janice was employed with the Gowrie Care Center for several years. She loved her horse, being outdoors, and her grandchildren.

Memorials may be left to family discretion.

Graydon Gustofson

On October 8, 2025 Graydon Gustofson of Callender peacefully traded in his tools and tackle box for a set of angel wings and better fishing and hunting spots after a life well-lived, well-loved, and filled with laughter.

Born on August 18, 1942, to Carl and Lydia (Ault) Gustofson. Graydon grew up with a love of mischief, machines, and making people laugh — in roughly that order. After graduating from Cedar Valley High School, he attended Dunwoody Technical College in St. Paul, where he honed the skills that would serve him throughout his career. He worked for many years with Fort Asphalt and proudly served in the Iowa National Guard.

On July 3, 1965, Graydon married his sweetheart, Nancy Schultz. Together they built a beautiful life and shared many years of love and laughter until her passing in 1998. Their greatest joy was their daughter, Amy Maguire, who continued to bring light into Graydon’s life through her children.

Graydon was happiest in the great outdoors or in a good conversation. He was known for being an entertainer through stories, songs, and jokes. He loved hunting, fishing, singing with friends and family, and restoring old guns, cars, and airplanes. His teasing and humor were always offered with love — a reminder to not take life too seriously and to cherish the moments that truly matter.

He is survived by his daughter, Amy Maguire, Callender; grandchildren Caden Maguire, Ames, Keeley Maguire, Callender and Carrick Maguire, Callender; siblings Gordon (Juanita) Gustofson, Carrol Carmen (Brian) Schrad, Lake City Sister-in Law Sue Dean Gowrie; many nieces and nephews; and his dear friend and longtime companion, Jan Lindquist. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Nancy.

Per Graydon’s request, he donated his body to science — one final act of generosity, true to his spirit. A private service for friends and family will be held at a later date.

Those who knew Graydon will remember his laughter, his stories, and the way he made life a little brighter for everyone around him. His love and humor will live on in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know him.