Obituaries

Randy L. Ahrendsen, 62, of Belle Plaine, IA passed away December 26, 2021 at Grinnell Reginal Hospital, Grinnell, IA.Services are pending.

Nellie A. Cobb, 98, died peacefully Sunday, December 26, 2021 at Hospice of Mercy, Hiawatha, IA.Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 3, 2022 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Vinton. Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 2, 2022 at Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home, Vinton. Masks are encouraged. Inurnment will be later at the North English Cemetery, North English, IA.

Pamalia Mae Brubaker, 78, of Pekin, Illinois passed away at 12:45 a.m. on Monday, December 27, 2021, at UnityPoint Health in Pekin. She was born January 20, 1943 in Pekin to Enrico and Maelta (Kincaid) Crociani. She married the love of her life, Richard Brubaker on December 5, 1970. He survives.Also surviving are her three sons, Kurt (Pam) Brubaker of Vinton, Iowa, Kent (Michelle Mason) Brubaker of Chicago and Kyle (Claire) Brubaker of Omaha, Nebraska; one daughter, Chris (John) Walsh of Pekin; six grandchildren, Zach, AJ, Austin, Felicia, Hunter and Margo; one brother, Larry (Barb) Crociani; and three sisters, Jackie Hargrove, Nancy (Bill) Perry and Norma (Dennis) Bisans.

Michael "Nutster" D. Noe, 63, of Rowley, Iowa, died Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, at MercyOne Medical Center in Waterloo, Iowa.Michael was born on Aug. 7, 1958, in Freeport, Ill., to Roger D. and Helen L. (Diehl) Noe. At the age of 2, he moved with his family to Garrison, and in 1972 the family started farming near Rowley. He was a 1976 graduate of the Independence High School.

 Wally Embretson, age 82, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 24, 2021, at the Keystone Nursing Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall with Rev. Steven Rempfer officiating.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 PM, Tuesday, also at the church.

Howard R. Cole, 74, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Manchester, Iowa, died Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Burial will follow at Dunkard Cemetery in Midway, Iowa.Howard was born Nov. 12, 1947, in Iowa City, the son of Howard and Ida (Holthaus) Cole.

Kevin Jay Simnacher, 61, of Cedar Rapids passed away on Wednesday, December 22, 2021. He was born to Robert and Phyllis (Martin) Simnacher in Vinton, Iowa. He graduated from Vinton High School in 1979 and obtained a graphics arts degree in 1981 Hawkeye Community College. He married the love of his Danielle on November 16, 1990, in Waterloo, Iowa.

Juanita Louise (Carlisle) DeNeut, daughter of James and Goldie Carlisle, was born on July 20, 1932, in Waterloo, Iowa. Juanita stepped into eternity on December 15, 2021, in Lebanon, Missouri.Juanita was married on September 1, 1950, in LaPorte City, Iowa, to the love of her life, Jack DeNeut and to their union was born two children, Michael and Jackie.

Wayne A. Simnacher, age 84, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 23, 2021, at his home in Vinton.Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Sunday, December 26, 2021 at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street) in Vinton.  Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, December 27, 2021 at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton.

Walter J. Nelson, 90, of Vinton, formerly of Springville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, from a long illness.Born the son of Fred and Katherine (Nyman) Nelson on Jan. 15, 1931. Walt worked for years in construction with his father until he left for the U.S. Army in 1950. He served his country in the Korean War 1951-52. He married Doris Lee White on July 9, 1955 in Rutland, Vermont.