2013 Memorials

Kathleen K. Jordan, age 52, of Tabor, Iowa, passed away on April 22, 2013, in Council Bluffs after recurring bouts of cancer.

Kathy was born March 7, 1961, in Beatrice, Neb., to William C. and Phyllis M. (Young) Jordan.
Kathy is survived by husband, Andy Griffin, of Tabor; sister, Judy (Jordan) Sekera, of Fort Wayne, Ind.; brother and sister-in-law, Steven and Kathy Jordan, of Council Bluffs; sisters and brothers-in-law, Vicki and Tom Wooster, of Sidney, Iowa and Debbie and Tom Tobinson, of Hamburg, Iowa; mother, phyllis Jordan, of Council Bluffs; father and step-mom, William and Beverly Jordan, of Sidney; nieces and nephews; many friends including dearest friends, Sandy and Earl Karas, of Warrensburg, Mo.

Funeral Services will be Friday, April 26, 2013, at 11 a.m., at Kahler-Dolce Mortuary.  Visitation Friday from 10 a.m. until service time.  Donation to Anatomical Board following the services.  In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Tree of Memories, c/o Kahler-Dolce Mortuary or Spirit of Courage-Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation, Council Bluffs.

Julie Ann Nickolisen, age 47 of Council Bluffs passed away April 12, 2013 at Hospice with Heart’s Hospice House in Glenwood.  She was born in Council Bluffs on August 24, 1965.

She graduated from Carson-Macedonia High School and then earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Iowa State University and then a Master’s Degree from Creighton University.  Julie had worked for Boy’s Town for the past 20 years as a manager in education training.  Julie was also a recipient of the Spirit of Courage in 2012.

Julie is preceded in death by her father-in-law, Bernard Nickolisen.

Julie is survived by her husband, Keith Nickolisen to whom she’s been married for 25 years; son, Tyler Nickolisen; sisters and brothers-in-law, Rhonda and Tom Kupke, Jill and Bobby Dean Huckaby; brother and sister-in-law, Steven and Kathy Brumley; brothers-in-law and their wives, Brad and Cheri Nickolisen, Chad and Jewel Nickolisen; sister-in-law and her husband, Chris and Rich Timm; niece, Chloe Nickolisen; nephew, Jack Nickolisen; mother-in-law, Phyllis Nickolisen; a host of other family and friends.
Visitation is Sunday 6:30-8PM at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home.  Memorial service is Monday 3PM at the funeral home followed by a reception in the community room at Hoy-Kilnoski.  Memorials are suggested to Hospice with Heart’s Hospice House in Glenwood or the Spirit of Courage.

Kenneth P. Petersen, age 89, of Council Bluffs, passed away March 16, 2013 at his home after a long battle with COPD. Ken was born January 10, 1924 in Council Bluffs to the late Elmer N. and Rose Marie (Miller) Petersen. He graduated Abraham Lincoln High School in 1942 and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII.

Ken married Doris Nelson on July 4, 1948 in Council Bluffs. He retired from Enron, Inc. in 1984 after a 28 year career. Ken was a giant among men. He spent his life in service to our country, as a husband, a father and later as a volunteer. Ken was recognized at the Iowa State Fair last year as Iowan for the Day.  His many activities included: Legislative Chairman and volunteer for Jennie Edmundson Hospital; board member of IHA and helped create many educational programs for all the hospitals and volunteers in Iowa; board member of Wings of Hope Cancer Center; AEA13, American Cancer Society Iowa Advisory Council and Commissioner for the Iowa State Department of Aging.  Ken has been involved in the Pottawattamie County Tobacco Coalition, UPRR Museum, Chanticleer Theatre, Bluffs Art Council, Kiwanis, Rotary Club, Toastmasters, IWCC-VIP, American Red Cross, American Legion Post #2 and his church, Our Savior’s Lutheran. He received the honor to represent Council Bluffs as ambassador for the Relay for Life nationwide event, held in Washington, D.C. in 2006. Ken was a dedicated and active volunteer for the Council Bluffs Community School District. He was on the Board of Education for nearly 20 years and facilitated a Youth Leadership Academy for 7th and 8th grade students.

In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Petersen and 2 infant children. Ken is survived by three daughters, Roseanne (Bruce) Bates, Davenport, IA., Suzanne (Jay) Robinson, Omaha, NE., Joanne (Allan) Hull, Papillion, NE., 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandson.

Celebration of Life Service, Saturday, 11:00 a.m. at Cutler-O’Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel. A lunch will immediately follow at Tish’s Restaurant. Visitation with the family one hour prior to the service. Memorials are suggested to Wings of Hope or Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation.

Ila M. Leach, age 89, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, passed away March 19, 2013, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital.

Ila was born October 24, 1923, in Shelton, Neb., to the late Jay and Emma (Oglevie) Shultz.  She attended Ansley, Nebraska High School.  Ila moved to Council Bluffs in 1958 and managed the sewing department of Sears & Roebuck for 28 years, retiring in 1985.

In addition to her parents, Ila was preceded in death by her sisters, Alma Price, Donna Parkinson; and brothers, Francis “Pat”, Alvie “Bud” and Dickie Shultz.

Ila is survived by her sons, F.A. “Pat” (Penny) Leach, of Omaha, Neb., Edd (Donna) Leach, of Council Bluffs; 6 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Visitation with the family Friday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Cutler-O’Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel.

Funeral services Saturday, 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation.

Heather A. Roberts, age, 41, of Council Bluffs, passed away January 30th, 2013 in Des Moines, Iowa.
She was born June 29, 1971, in Davenport, Iowa. Heather has resided in Blair, Neb., Omaha, Neb. and Council Bluffs. Heather was a member of Ne Herp.org, which is concerned with snakes, reptiles and amphibians and work to learn about these creatures' needs and sometimes trade, sell or rescue them from people who cannot continue to care for them. Heather excelled in all her studies and served her practicum in Albany, N.Y., at Stony Brook College and various hospitals in that area and worked in labor and delivery and became an M.S.N. in midwifery in 2000. Heather was also first chair oboist when attending the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Heather was preceded in death by her grandmother, Helen M. Shearer.

She is survived by her daughters, Katelyn Hinojosa, of Bellevue, Neb., Izabella Genoways, of Scottsbluff, Neb.; step daughter, Brittany Stephens, of Council Bluffs; parents, de Wolff and Salli roberts, of Blair, Neb.; brother, Ryan Roberts of Blair, Neb.; grandchildren, Kamari Hinojosa and Sophia Hinojosa; and special friend, Blaise Stephens.

Memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 7, 2012, at Sievers-Sprick Funeral Home, Fort Caljoun, Neb. Private Burial will be held. Memorials may be sent to Jennie Edmundson Breast Health Center in Council Bluffs.