LeRette Funeral Chapel, Inc.

10/19/2026

Beverly Jane Mirts, age 92, of Red Oak, Iowa, passed away Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. Beverly was born November 1, 1933, the daughter of Eldon and Edna “Pearl” (Dobbs) Colvin. She was raised in Red Oak and graduated from Red Oak High School. Bev moved to Omaha where she worked for Mutual of Omaha Insurance for several years. She was united in marriage to Gene Mirts on November 12, 1954, in Blair, Nebraska. They made their home on the farm for many years. Beverly also worked at Safeway, owned the Yarn Tree Craft Store in Red Oak, and sold Beanie Babies in Essex, Iowa. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, enjoyed crafts and participating in craft shows, sewing, gardening, baking and cooking. Beverly and Gene also enjoyed wintering in Apache Junction, Arizona for twenty years.

Preceding her in death were her parents; son: Tom Mirts; grandson: Chad Harold; great grandson: Rylan Mirts; and sister: Shirley Elwood. Survivors include her husband: Gene Mirts of Red Oak; daughter: Paula Harold and husband Keith of Red Oak; son: Kevin Mirts (Alicia Royer) of Red Oak; grandchildren: Scot Harold and wife Carolyn of Essex, IA; Brent Harold (Rosa Andres) of Omaha, NE; and Kaleb Mirts and wife Heather of Red Oak; great grandchildren: Emily Johnson and husband Grady of Holdrege, NE Camryn Wallace and husband Brock of Essex; Kyle Harold of Red Oak; Cash Harold of Red Oak; and Kyler, Blake, and Bristol Mirts of Red Oak; sisters: Pauline Chadwell of Omaha and Darlene Beck and husband Don of Santa Ana, CA; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, October 26, 2026, at the LeRette Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the funeral at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Red Oak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association.

LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

10/18/2026

Eleanore V. “Ellie” Kasch, age 92, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, passed away Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the Prairie Gate Senior Living Community in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Ellie was born October 2, 1934, in Brush, Colorado, the daughter of Gordon John and Sarah Margaret (Leavitt) Kingston. The family lived in Humboldt, Nebraska, for a few years before moving to Omaha where Ellie was raised. She graduated from North High School in 1953 and worked for several years at Mutual of Omaha. On March 17, 1958, Ellie met Gordon Kasch on a blind date at a friend’s home. They were married May 29, 1958, in Logan, Iowa. Gordon and Ellie lived in many different places over the years including Omaha, Nebraska; Minden, Iowa; and various places in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. They moved back to Minden, Iowa, in 2002 and Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 2011. Ellie’s hobbies included reading, knitting, baking, dancing, playing cards, crossword puzzles, and she enjoyed w**e and dark chocolate.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband: Gordon Kasch; and brothers: Fred and Rolland Kingston. Survivors include her children: Tonya Meyer and husband David of Kingsland, GA; Tamra Ruff and husband Bruce of Emerson, IA; and Jeffrey Kasch and wife Grace of Angelis City, Philippines; grandchildren: Anna Kasch of Bremerton, WA; Elizabeth Kasch and husband Joel Perdue of Orting, WA; Melanie Kasch of Port Orchard, WA; Charlie Ruff and wife Megan of Glenwood, IA; and Natalie Meyer and husband Steven Carver of Ogden, UT; great grandchildren; Maddison, Isaiah, Graham, Brooks, and Palmer; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at the Salem United Methodist Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with a luncheon to follow in the fellowship hall. Visitation with the family will be held from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM at the church. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery at Elliott, Iowa.

LeRette Funeral Chapel of Red Oak, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.

10/17/2026

Ronald Earl Lynam, age 86, of Corning, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Vintage Park Assisted Living in Lenox, Iowa. Ron was born May 7, 1940, in rural Corning, Iowa, the son of Louis and Ruth (Ridnour) Lynam. He was raised near Corning and graduated from Corning High School in 1958. He then attended Clarinda Junior College for a year. Ron farmed with his dad before moving to Denver, Colorado where he met Ruth Nicolaison who became his wife on April 6, 1968, in Arvada, Colorado. He worked for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad in Colorado. Ron and Ruth moved back to southwest Iowa in 1970 and Stanton, Iowa in 1971. They farmed for a short time and Ron worked for many years at Eaton Corporation in Shenandoah, Iowa. Ron also served in the National Guard for 37 years and was a member of the Corning American Legion. He was always involved with military honors for veterans and delivered many memorial and veteran’s day speeches. Ruth passed away in 2004, and Ron got reacquainted with a childhood classmate, Marge Mueller. They were married on November 4, 2006, in Carbon, Iowa. Ron enjoyed participating in community theater, Stanton’s Santa Lucia, reading westerns and war novels, and was a contributing writer for the Adams County Extension. Ron also loved animals especially his cat “Whiskers”.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife: Ruth Lynam; daughter: Jennifer Lynn Lynam; and sister: Betty Beavers. Survivors include his wife: Marge Lynam of Corning, Iowa; children: Lorrie Yoakum and husband Kevin of Phoenix, Arizona; Andrew Lynam (Milacha Bevins) of Omaha, Nebraska; Christine Heidebrecht and husband Dale of Temple Hills, Maryland; Debbie Engelton of Des Moines, Iowa; Re Nae Fulton and husband Jeff of Guss, Iowa; and JR Reynolds and wife Anita of Marshalltown, Iowa; grandchildren: Aidan, Erick, and Carston Yoakum; Nicholas Lynam; Nancy Storm and husband Steve; Christopher Wright; Charles Wright; Andrew Bartenhagen and wife Megan; and Audra Larison and husband Steve; sister: Ramona Lynam and husband Bud Schaffer of Creston, Iowa; brother: Leslie Lynam and wife Susan of Overland Park, Kansas; and many other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the LeRette Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in the Arlington Cemetery near Stanton, Iowa, at a later date.

LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

10/15/2026

Gerald Francis “Jerry” Shellberg, age 90, of La Vista, Nebraska, formerly of Red Oak, Iowa, passed away Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha, following a month-long battle with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Born January 8, 1936, in Griswold, Iowa, Jerry was the son of Edwin Samuel and Alice Catherine (Quinn) Shellberg. He graduated from Elliott High School in 1953 and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University in 1957. While attending college, he participated in ROTC and was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

In December 1959, he married Barbara Louise Miller in Griswold, Iowa. Together, they made their home in Red Oak for most of their married life before relocating to La Vista, Nebraska, in 2014.

Jerry began his professional career with the Iowa Department of Transportation and later served as Montgomery County Engineer. After many years with HGM and Associates, he founded JFSCO Engineering, which he eventually sold to his longtime business partner, Pete Crawford. His passion for engineering never faded, and he continued consulting on special projects until 2023.

An active and dedicated member of the Red Oak community, Jerry was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a lifetime member of the Red Oak Elks Lodge. He also served on the Red Oak City Council, Community School Board, Acorn Development Group, and Chamber of Commerce. His commitment to civic involvement reflected his desire to contribute to and improve the community he called home for so many years.

Outside of his professional and community commitments, Jerry enjoyed golf, skiing, tennis, running, crossword puzzles, and, most of all, working on “projects” with his children. He also shared a special bond with Morris, a kitten he rescued from the Nebraska Humane Society and affectionately nicknamed “Baby Cat.” Morris quickly became his devoted companion and best friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Alice Shellberg; brothers, Tom and Gail Shellberg; sister, Nancy Williams; grandson, Daniel Antrim and daughter-in-law, Susan Shellberg, both family members of his son, Jeff.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Barbara Shellberg of La Vista, Nebraska; five children, Julie Shellberg of La Vista, Nebraska; Jeff Shellberg (Yvonne) of Punta Gorda, Florida; Jeanne Stahlman (Richard) of Greenville, South Carolina; Jay Shellberg (Susie) of Elkhorn, Nebraska; and Jennifer Hoevet (Howie) of La Vista, Nebraska. He is also survived by nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister-in-law, Shirley Shellberg of Windsor, Colorado; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Visitation with the family will begin at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 23, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Red Oak, Iowa, followed by a funeral Mass at 3:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Red Oak Elks Lodge following Mass for a reception and light dinner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Red Oak Heritage Foundation.

LeRette Funeral Chapel of Red Oak, Iowa, is overseeing the funeral arrangements.

10/12/2026

Nina Irene (Loghry Thorn) Cristofano was born on March 10, 1934 in Hepburn, Iowa, the daughter of John and Lena (Burns) Loghry. She passed away on Saturday October 10th, 2026 at Chapters Living in Council Bluffs, Iowa at the age of 92 years and 7 months.

Nina married Tommy A. Thorn on April 17, 1949. They were blessed with 3 children, Tommy L, Patricia I. and Christine A.

Nina retired from Union Carbide in Red Oak, Iowa in 1986 after over 25 years of service. Since retiring, Nina enjoyed many things including spending time with family, quilting, sewing and traveling. She was very proud of getting her GED later in life. She enjoyed visiting family around the US and traveled to Hawaii, Germany, Israel, Alaska and Italy. She never sat still and always had a project she was working on.

Nina married Daniel R. Cristofano on October 1, 2005. They lived in Denver Colorado and enjoyed going out to eat and traveling around the Denver area. With her husband, Nina served on the board of the BNSF Railroad Credit Union and the Golden Spike. Dan passed away on March 4, 2020. In January 2022, Nina moved back to Council Bluffs to be close to family.

Nina was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lena Loghry; her husbands: Tommy A. Thorn and Daniel R. Cristofano; Son Tommy L. Thorn; Grandson Nicholas A. Mutchler; sister Haroldene Howard and brothers Leland, Eldon, Harold, Leo and Virgil Loghry. She is survived by her daughters Patricia Kult and husband Ken of Omaha, Nebraska; Christine Pope and husband Tim of Underwood, Iowa; step-children Daniel D. Cristofano and wife Diane of Keller, Texas; Deborah Cristofano and John Cristofano of Denver, Colorado; daughter-in-law Carla Failor and husband Mike of Inman, South Carolina; grandchildren: Benjamin Kult (Nuttawee) of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Megan Hollibaugh (Josiah) of Omaha, Nebraska; Jonathan Kult (Allie) of Omaha, Nebraska; Steve Mutchler (Ruby) of Cypress, Texas; Tyler Thorn of Omaha, Nebraska; Joseph Failor (Allie) of Duncan, South Carolina; Bryan Pope (Jocelyn) of De Soto, Kansas; Justin Pope (Riley) of Cloquet, Minnesota; Amy Pope and Natalie Pope of Underwood, Iowa; great grandchildren: Karlee, Olivia, Brianna Hudson, Ethan, Liam, and Max; step-grandchildren: Daniel P., Sarah, Amy, and Julia; brothers: Leland Loghry (Evelyn) of Coin, Iowa, and John Eldon Loghry (Norma) of Thurman, Iowa, many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends

The family is thankful for the wonderful care that Nina received from the staff at Chapters Living memory care in Council Bluffs, Iowa and from the wonderful people of St Croix Hospice. In lieu of flowers, they request donations to be made to support others in need of hospice care at https://www.hospicesupportfoundation.org/donate/ Hospice Support Foundation, 1175 Centre Pointe Circle, Mendota Heights, MN 55120

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, October 16, 2026, at the LeRette Funeral Chapel in Red Oak. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah, Iowa, at 1 PM on Friday, October 16, 2026. Visitation with the family will be held from 5-7 PM Thursday, October 15,2026, at the LeRette Funeral Chapel in Red Oak, Iowa.

LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

10/11/2026

Catherine Norah Wearin

Catherine Norah Wearin, 72, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, died at her home on August 25, 2026 after a five-month struggle with cancer. She was born April 28, 1954 in Council Bluffs, to Edward Anderson and Helen (Cochran) Wearin of Red Oak, Iowa. Their new daughter was welcomed to their farm home by three other children, Elizabeth (T***k), Edward Anderson, Jr. (Andy), and Sarah. Horses and a pony in the pasture, and dogs, pigs, cattle, and neighbor kids kept them busy.

Catherine attended Red Oak Community Schools in Red Oak, Wales, and Coburg. She was a member of the Garfield-Go-Getters 4-H Club where she learned to sew. Her seamstress skills were refined with assistance from her mother and grandmother, Beatrice (Thomes) Cochran. She attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, then graduated from Sophie Newcomb College, a part of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, majoring in history. Later she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Kansas City Art Institute, where she lived near the former home of her Thomes great-aunts in Kansas City, Missouri. She studied painting, woods, and furniture design and construction, learning to make beautiful furniture and decorative wooden objects

After graduation, Catherine moved to Jackson, Wyoming where she worked in an art gallery and continued to make furniture and lathe-turned bowls and candlesticks. She learned to frame art sold at the gallery, which fit nicely with her love of art and woodworking. One autumn, Catherine also worked for a hunting outfitter in the mountains near Jackson, packing in supplies on a mule train. After a few years, she moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming and opened a custom framing shop and earned picture framing certification from the Professional Picture Framers Association. While living in Cheyenne, Catherine lived with her brother, Andy, and often traveled with him when he participated in steer roping competitions.

Catherine subsequently moved to Colorado, where her picture framing expertise led her to work as a salesperson for a framing supply company, selling supplies to frame shops in Colorado, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. After several years, she began working in home remodeling, repair, and construction in the Denver area.

Catherine decorated her home with her own paintings and those of her friends, woodworking, and sewing. She made many of her own clothes, sewed exquisite quilts, and knitted beautiful sweaters. Catherine remodeled two homes with creative features that made them more livable and inviting. During her free time, she enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, reading, and riding horseback.

Catherine moved to Nebraska in 2004 and for many years worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a switch person in the Bailey Yard in North Platte. She then moved back to Wyoming and continued to work for the Union Pacific as a conductor on freight trains out of Cheyenne. After retirement, she moved to Hyannis, Nebraska. Following an accident in her home in 2023, she moved to Council Bluffs, to be near her family.

Catherine made many friends wherever she lived—New Orleans, Kansas City, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa. She recently celebrated nine years of sobriety with support of friends and family. She completed her life where she started—Council Bluffs.
Her sister-in law, Georgeann Wearin, described her as, “brazen, yet classy, eclectic, and smart. A wonderful seamstress and avid reader. She told it like it was and was unapologetically unique.” During her last weeks, her caregivers described her as “kind and polite.”

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Andy; her brother-in-law Leo Smith; her niece Olive Salmon; and her Wearin and Cochran grandparents, aunts, uncles, and several cousins.

She is survived by her sisters, Elizabeth (T***k) Wearin and Sarah Smith of Red Oak, and sister-in-law, Georgeann Wearin of Hyannis. She was a loving aunt to her nieces and nephews: Abigail Salmon (Del Cobb) of Tacoma, Washington; Isabelle Salmon (Steve Wick) of Bellingham, Washington; Alex (Jennifer) Smith of Prairie Village, Kansas; Riley (Tracy) Smith of Guam; Elliot (Ashleigh) Smith of Shenandoah, Iowa; Tucker (Melissa) Sheets of Hyannis; Coy (Mikaela) Sheets of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming; and Trey (LaTasha) Sheets of Hyannis.

Catherine also loved her great-nieces and nephews, Eleanor, Millie, Seth, Lulu, Kai, Merida, Teddy, Avery, Elsie, Lyle, David, and Lydia." She was close to her cousins: Joe Wearin (Karin Hofmann), Jane (Bill) Lieb, Priscilla Wagener, Mary Cochran (Robert) Wolk, Janet (Bill) Mitchell, John (Sun) Cochran, Bruce (Linda) Cochran, Bea Schomp, and Claudia Steele-Roos. Catherine was also grateful for her many friends.

An informal memorial open house, with refreshments, will be held for Catherine Wearin on Sunday, October 18 at The McAlpin Place, 109 East Washington Avenue, Red Oak, Iowa from 9:00 AM-12:00 noon. A brief remembrance ceremony will be held at 10:00. Relatives and friends may come and go at any time.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Sandhills Fire and Rescue, PO Box 330, Hyannis, NE 69350.

Catherine’s ashes will be interred in the Wearin family plot at the Malvern (Iowa) Cemetery next to her parents in a private family service.

LeRette Funeral Chapel, Red Oak, is handling arrangements for Catherine’s memorial service and burial.

10/08/2026

Lisa Marie Bruce, age 63, of Red Oak, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. Lisa was born July 16, 1963, in Creston, Iowa. She was the daughter of JR and Mary (Dodd) Franks. The family moved to Red Oak when Lisa was very young, and she graduated from Red Oak Community High School in 1982. She then attended beauty school in Shenandoah, Iowa. Lisa was a hairdresser in Red Oak for many years and was currently working at Double Take Hair Design. She was united in marriage to Todd Bruce on May 1, 2013, in Cancun, Mexico. Lisa’s hobbies included camping, fishing, taking care of her flowers, and baking. She was also quite artistic and enjoyed crafts including quilling.

Preceding her in death were her mother and granddaughter: Amelia. Survivors include her husband: Todd Bruce of Red Oak; children: Eliot Douthit of Council Bluffs, IA and Lydia Walker and wife Trisha Walker of Council Bluffs, IA; grandchildren: Gabbie Schneider, Monroe Ward, McKinzye May, and Leelan May; father: Levi “JR” Franks of Red Oak; brother: Randy “Maynard” Franks and wife Mary Jane of Red Oak; sister: Christy Cruth and husband Shane of Cullowhee, NC; parents-in-law: Allen and Elaine Bruce of Stanton, IA; brothers-in-law: Scott Bruce and wife Danelle of Red Oak and Ryan Bruce of Omaha, NE; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held 11 AM Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the First Christian Church. Memorials are suggested to the LaLa Project.

LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

10/07/2026

JoAnne Vivian “Jo” Wegler, age 93, of Red Oak, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the CHI Hospice House in Omaha, Nebraska. Jo was born March 24, 1933, on the Shogren family farm near Stanton, Iowa, the daughter of Roland and Goldie (Shogren) Mudd. She attended Maplehurst Country School and Stanton High School. She was united in marriage to Gerald “Jerry” Wegler on March 30, 1949, in Stanton, Iowa, and they made Red Oak their home. JoAnne was a familiar face to many as she worked at the Driftwood Floral, The Crest, Mode O’Day, Thos D. Murphy Co., and the Red Oak Greenhouse. As a young girl, she was confirmed at Mamrelund Lutheran Church in Stanton and was currently a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak.

Jerry preceded her in death on April 19, 2018, after 69 years of marriage. Survivors include her daughters: Lyanne and Lynda; grandchildren: Joe, Chris, Nicky, Mitch, and Jarrod; great grandchildren: Ellie, Ryan, Jamison, and Stella; brother: David Mudd and wife Sandy; and many other relatives and friends.

A private family graveside service will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery in Red Oak.

LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

10/05/2026

Carol Ann Lewis, age 84, of Villisca, Iowa, passed away Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Villisca Good Samaritan Society. Carole was born July 26, 1942, near Brooks, Iowa. The family moved to the Nodaway area when Carole was 5 years old and she graduated from Nodaway High School. Carole was united in marriage to Wesley Lewis on December 31, 1975, after meeting at the stock car races with good friend Dave Guffey and his wife. Carole worked for many years at the Clarinda Printing Company. She was a member of the Advent Christian Church where she served on many different committees including as secretary and at the conference and regional level. Carole also played piano and loved serving Thanksgiving meals at the church.

Preceding her in death were her parents; son: Clinton; and husband: Wesley. Survivors include many friends and her church family at Advent Christian Church.

A celebration of life service will be held at the church at a later date.

LeRette Funeral Chapel of Red Oak, Iowa, is assisting the family with cremation services.

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09/30/2026

Russell Ralph “Rusty” Williams, age 43, of Red Oak, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Rusty was born January 15, 1983, in Hamburg, Iowa, the son of Danny and Patsy (Shaver) Williams. He was raised in Red Oak graduating from Red Oak Community High School in 2003. He lived all his life in Red Oak Iowa. Russell was united in marriage to Jennifer Johnson on March 18, 2008, in Red Oak, Iowa. Two children were born of this union: Keegan and Logan. Rusty worked for Casey’s General Store for over 16 years. In high school, he was known as the class clown, and he was quite a jokester. He had many nicknames over the years including “Railroad”, “White Thunder”, and “Wheels”. His joy came from playing video games and spending time with his boys.

Preceding him in death were his father: Danny Williams; and grandparents: Richard and Juanita Shaver; Virginia and Wayne Lillie; and Raymond Williams. Survivors include his sons: Keegan and Logan Williams of Red Oak, Iowa; their mother: Jennifer Williams of Clayton, Georgia; his mother: Patsy Williams of Red Oak, Iowa; siblings: Julie Williams Mburu of Bellevue, Nebraska; Rick Williams of Boise, Idaho; and Troy Williams and wife Lahoma of Red Oak, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life visitation will be held from Noon until 3 PM on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at McAlpin Place.

LeRette Funeral Chapel is assisting the family with cremation services.