2024 Memorials

Maxine E. Mether, age 101, of Council Bluffs passed away November 3, 2024, at Prairie Gate. 

She was born October 10, 1923, to Charles and Clara (O’Hara) Shockey. Maxine graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1941 and married William F. Mether December 5, 1948. Maxine had been a member of Broadway Christian Church since 1931, a member of the Jennie Edmundson Auxiliary for over 30 years, served on the Red Cross board and was Dr. Rosalie Neligh’s office manager for 14 years before retiring in 1988.

In addition to her parents and husband, Maxine was preceded in death by her sister, Virginia Taylor, and brothers-in-law, Arthur Taylor and Rev. Asa Jenson.

Survivors include her sons, Larry (Diana) and Steve (Nancy); grandsons, Gram (Katy), Alex (Jenna) and Derek; great-grandchildren, Eastyn, Cash, Aven and Elle, and sister, Ione Jenson.

Funeral Service Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at Cutler-O’Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel. Interment in Cedar Lawn Cemetery. 

Memorials are suggested to Broadway Christian Church or Jennie Edmundson Hospital Auxiliary.

October 10, 1923 - November 3, 2024,

Patricia Jean Boucher, age 92, of Council Bluffs, passed away August 5, 2024, at her home.

Patricia was born June 24, 1932, in Logan County, NE, to the late Rolla C. and Frances A. (Schreyer) Hickenbottom. She graduated from Arnold, NE, High School with the Class of 1950 and earned her nursing degree from Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in 1954. Patricia married Joel Boucher on February 10, 1955, in Bellevue, NE. They were blessed with three children, Janet, Daniel, and Karen. Patricia was a registered nurse at Jennie Edmundson Hospital from 1955 to 1995. She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and the Jennie Edmundson Auxiliary.

In addition to her parents, Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Joel Boucher in 2017; grandson, Andrew Jones and 10 siblings.

Patricia is survived by her children, Janet Boucher, Daniel (Lisa) Boucher, Karen Jones; grandchildren, Matthew (Shantel) Boucher, Meghan Boucher, Malinda Jones; great-grandchildren, Sebastian Joel Boucher, River Rose Boucher; four stepgreat-grandchildren, Serenity, Bryton, Scarlett, and Guinevere Kruse; nieces and nephews.

VISITATION with the family, Sunday, 3 to 5 p.m., at Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel. FUNERAL SERVICE: Monday, 11 a.m., at the funeral home with last call honors tendered by the Jennie Edmundson Nurse Honor Guard. INTERMENT: Memorial Park Cemetery with a lunch following at the Masonic Temple, 130 S. 6th St.

Memorials are suggested to the Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

June 24, 1932 - August 5, 2024

In Loving Memory of Karla Kay Smith

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Karla Kay Smith. She passed away peacefully on May 24, 2024 at the age of 80. It was Karla wish to donate her body to science at the University of Iowa Medical School. 

Karla was born on June 10, 1943 in Charles City, Iowa. She grew up in a loving home with her mother Leona, father Norman, and three sisters, Karen, Kathleen, and Kristeen. She graduated from Charles City High School in 1961. Upon graduation she enrolled in the Michael Reese School of Nursing in Chicago, IL. She later went on to pursue a career specializing in Labor and Delivery.

Upon graduation from nursing school, Karla felt the tug of servant leadership and joined the Peace Corps. Her service in the Corps took her around the country for training and, ultimately, to Brazil, where she lived and worked in local villages for 3 years, assisting the local doctors as a Labor and Delivery nurse.

Once her commitment to the Peace Corps came to an end, Karla returned to the United States to marry the love of her life, Bill Smith on December 30, 1967. Together, she and Bill would raise four sons, Steven, Scott, Kirk and Kent, who were her absolute pride and joy. In 1981, Karla joined the Labor and Delivery department at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs where she would work for 30 years before retiring in 2011. Over the years, she assisted in the delivery of thousands of babies, and it wasn't uncommon for her to run into someone she had cared for, or delivered, while running errands around town.

Karla was an incredibly dedicated and hardworking woman, who always put her family first. She was a pillar of strength and support for her husband, children, grandchildren, sisters, nieces, nephews and friends. She was first in line to help a family member in need, and she was always there to listen, offer advice, or just provide a shoulder to lean on.

She had a passion for gardening, game playing, traveling and, most of all, her family. She loved spending as much time as possible with all of the members of her family, both immediate and extended, and always made sure at least a few games were played during visits. Karla particularly enjoyed spending time with her sisters and made it a point to see them anytime the opportunity presented itself.

She also took great pride in her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, relishing the opportunity to share the bounty of her harvest with neighbors, friends, and her church congregation. Rarely would a week in the summer go by that she didn't have tomatoes to offer to anyone who would take them.

Karla is preceded in death by her mother, Leona Hallberg, her father, Norman Hallberg, her sister, Kristeen Boyd, and her grandson, Gabriel Smith. Her memory will live on through her husband, Bill Smith, children, Steven (Michelle), Scott, Kirk (Teresa) and Kent (Nikki), her grandchildren, Nicklaus (Andrea), Tylar (Danzel), Peyton, Mia, Cara and Alyssa, her great-grandson Coen, her sisters, Karen and Kathy (Mel), her great-aunt JoAnn, and her beloved nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be held from 9:00am - 10:00am, Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Council Bluffs, IA. 

Celebration of Life will be at 10:00am, Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Council Bluffs, IA. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Council Bluffs or the Methodist/Jennie Edmundson Labor and Delivery Department through the Jennie Edmundson Foundation in Karla's memory.

June 10, 1943 - May 24, 2024

Jere Ann "Jake" Powers, age 62, of Council Bluffs, passed away on March 26, 2024, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital, after a long courageous battle with cancer. 

Jake was born on September 4, 1961, in Council Bluffs, to the late Jerry and Betty Raygor. She was a lifelong resident of Council Bluffs. Jake graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1979. 

She married Timothy Powers on September 14, 1984 and they had two daughters. They always had a few pets running around, and Jake had a special place in her heart for all of them. She worked at Risen Son Clinic for 17 years, before taking medical leave. Jake loved her job, working at the front desk where everyone knew her. She was very active in the volunteer community. She held positions with Green Hills AEA, Kiwanis Club, Council Bluffs Historical Society, Jennie Edmundson Foundation, Volunteer Director of Red Cross, Jennie Edmundson, Arthritis Foundation, and the Union Pacific Museum. She was there when they opened the doors for the Union Pacific Museum. Jake was a force to be reckoned with, up until medically required, she was out doing what she loved to do: helping those around her and spending time with her family, friends, and pets. 

In addition to her parents, Jake was preceded in death by brother, Tom Raygor; grandparents, Carl and Bernice Raygor. She will be remembered by her husband of 39 and a half years, Tim Powers, of Council Bluffs; daughters, Beth (Kyle Detweiler) Powers, of Sidney, IA and Julia (Collin) Williams, of Council Bluffs; grandchildren, Jackson, Richard, and Gabriella; brother, Mike (Sherri) Raygor; sister, Marcy Hamsa; fur babies: Elmer and Fudd; many other nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and other relatives. Visitation, Tuesday, 4 to 6 p.m., at Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel. Funeral Service, Wednesday, 10 a.m., also at the funeral home. Jake will be laid to rest in Flint Cemetery, Griswold, IA. Luncheon at the Eagles Club, 1530 Ave. F, following the burial. 

Memorials are suggested to the Jennie Edmundson Foundation.

September 4, 1961 - March 26, 2024