Marie "Tootie" Willson, age 86, of Danbury passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at her residence.
    A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Danbury. Father William A. McCarthy will officiate. Committal services will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery of Danbury.
    A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 4:45 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 6:45 p.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Danbury.
    The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.armstrongfuneral.com.
    Marie Alice "Tootie" Willson, the daughter of Hugo and Margaret L. (Fleischmann) Wieling, was born on January 21, 1940, in Danbury. She received her education at St. Mary's Elementary School and St. Patrick's Academy, graduating with the class of 1958.
    Following high school, Tootie pursued her passion for cosmetology at the Nebraska Beauty School where she completed her training and graduated in 1959. Tootie worked as a hairdresser for many years at Franco Beauty Salon in Omaha, NE. She later obtained her Iowa cosmetology license in 1983 and worked as a hairdresser at Willow Dale Wellness Village in Battle Creek.
    On January 21, 1974, Tootie was united in marriage to Walter Thomas "Tom" Willson, Jr. To this union two daughters were born, Michelle and Kimberly. The family made their home outside of Danbury.
    Tootie had a variety of interests and hobbies that brought her great joy, including painting, crafting, tending to her garden, and raising peacocks. She was a devoted member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury where she was actively involved in the Rosary Society and assisting with funeral luncheons. Above all else, Tootie treasured her family, who held a special place in her heart. Her love for her family was unwavering, and she took great pride in each of them.
    Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters Michelle (Andy) Ortner of Danbury and Kimberly Willson of Charter Oak; grandchildren Danielle, Joseph, Erica, and Brandon Ortner, Chelsea Johnson, and Emily, Chloe, and Abigail Wanberg; and great-grandchildren Vanessa and Mason Mesenbrink. She is also survived by sisters Betty (Robert "Bobby") Schumacher and Helen "Punky" Schumacher both of Battle Creek; extended family and friends.
    She was preceded in death by her parents Hugo and Margaret Wieling; husband Walter "Tom" Willson, Jr.; sister Delores "Dude" Lewis; brother Paul "Joey" Wieling; and brothers-in-law Lawrence Lewis and Arthur Schumacher.

    Thomas J. LeFebvre, age 76, of Mapleton passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at Sanford USD Medical Center & Hospital of Sioux Falls.
    A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton.
    A Private Family Graveside Service will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery of Mapleton. Father Richard D. Ball will officiate. Military Rites will be conducted by the Loren Hollister Post No. 496 of the American Legion of Mapleton, Iowa.
    The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
    Memorial contributions may be directed to the family, who will make a donation in Thomas' memory to support the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in honor of their nephews who are courageously battling this disease.
    Thomas "Tom" Joseph LeFebvre was born on September 20, 1950, to E.J. and Germaine LeFebvre in Mapleton where he spent his entire life. He proudly served his country for six years in the U.S. Army and the Iowa National Guard. Tom later retired from the Mapleton Utilities Department after serving the community as utilities manager for 42 years.
    Tom was always generous with his time and willing to help his community, but his family was the most important part of his life. He especially enjoyed attending the many sporting events, school programs, and other activities of his children and grandchildren. He was a constant and supportive presence in their lives.
    Tom is survived by his wife, Susan LeFebvre; sons, Nick (Amanda) LeFebvre, Nate LeFebvre, and Garret (Michaela) LeFebvre; grandchildren, Alonna, Treyton, Emerson, Rylan, Graham, Benjamin, Grayden, Coralynn, and Blakelyn. He is also survived by his sister, Suellen (Richard) Thompson of Dripping Springs, TX; brothers, Eddie (Lois) LeFebvre of Omaha, NE, Andy (Tina) LeFebvre of Oceanside, CA and Rich (Amy) LeFebvre of Glendale, AZ; sisters-in-law, Connie LeFebvre of Prescott, AZ and Dawn LeFebvre of Mapleton; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
    Tom was preceded in death by his parents, E.J. and Germaine LeFebvre; and his brothers, Michael LeFebvre, Wally LeFebvre, and Mark LeFebvre.

    Marlene Phillips, age 90, of Mapleton passed away peacefully on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Rancho Vista Senior Care Center in Vista, CA.
    A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on October 23, 2026, in the St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Mapleton. Pastor John Stacy will officiate. Inurnment will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Mapleton.
    The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
    Marlene Dorothy Carstens was born on January 17, 1936, in Fremont, NE, to Friedrich and Alma (Koepke) Carstens. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church and attended public schools in Fremont. She was awarded membership in the Fremont High School Chapter of the National Honor Society and graduated in May 1954.
    Marlene attended and earned her teaching credential in high school home economics at Wayne State Teachers College in 1958. Her extracurricular activities included being a member of the college's synchronized swimming team. She worked as a lifeguard at the Fremont public pool during the summers.
    After graduation, Marlene was hired by the Maple Valley School District in Mapleton where she taught high school students from 1958-1962. In addition to supporting her professionally, her principal, Mr. Hansen along with his wife convinced her to help the very nice, widowed local jeweler set up his booth at the annual Mapleton Home Show in the armory. On June 3, 1962, Marlene married Vernis W. Phillips (that jeweler) at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. They were blessed with a son in 1965, Scott, on Valentines Day who was welcomed by his sisters Gloria and Margo as the best Valentine ever!
    Marlene retired from teaching and entered the retail world as partner with Vernis in Phillips Jewelry, assisting customers, ordering merchandise, decorating seasonal displays, bookkeeping, and engraving trophies, name plates for flag poles on Mapleton's Avenue of Flags, and items of jewelry, to name just a few of her contributions. She and Vernis represented the store as members of Mapleton's Retail Committee. She worked with Vernis for over 55 years, serving the community and other retailers on Main Street.
    In addition to work, Marlene taught Sunday School and led Vacation Bible School at St. Matthew and was active in the church quilting group. She taught piano lessons, was a Girl Scout Troop Leader, and headed up the Girl Scout Day Camp in Mapleton's park. Her other activities included making crafts to decorate the store and home, reading, golfing, sewing, playing bridge, and cooking. Marlene was a member of Mapleton Club, Rotary, and the Maple Heights Nursing Home Women's Auxiliary.
    Marlene and Vernis loved to travel and shared their enthusiasm with their children, including them on several memorable family trips. On their own, Marlene and Vernis enjoyed annual trade show trips throughout the country and took a trip to Switzerland in 1976 for Vernis' professional development as a watchmaker. They enjoyed other domestic and international vacations throughout their marriage.
    Most important to Marlene was her family. She would say that she was so blessed with the children God had provided her. She was a blessing to her family and will be dearly missed by all who loved her.
    Survivors include daughters Gloria (Steve) Sorensen of Omaha, NE, Margo (John) Redford of Oceanside, CA, and son Scott (Yvonne) Phillips of Dillon, MT; grandchildren Mark Sorensen of Omaha, Ian, Alan and Lauren Redford of Oceanside, and Carsten Phillips of Billings, MT; great-granddaughter Abby Phillips of Billings; several nieces and nephews; and other extended family members and friends.
    Marlene was preceded in death by husband Vernis Phillips, her parents Friedrich and Alma Carstens, her parents-in-law Ruby and Edward Phillips, and her siblings Adele Tabor and Bill Carstens.