2017 Memorials

Betty Reeves Jensen, age 91, passed away December 3, 2017, at Bethany Lutheran Home. 

Betty was born April 3, 1926, in Council Bluffs to James and Ellen Reeves and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1944. She was united in marriage to Leslie Jensen on February 1, 1947 in Omaha, Nebraska. Betty worked for Jennie Edmundson Hospital for over 23 years as a secretary and receptionist and served on the Jennie Edmundson Auxiliary. She was also a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, husband, Leslie in 1998, sons, Matthew and Gary Jensen, and grandson Jason Jensen. 

Survivors include daughter, Linda Zimmerman and husband Tom, daughter-in-law, Tammy Jensen all Council Bluffs, 8 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 3 great great-grandchildren.

Alfred H. Tiedemann, age 82, of Council Bluffs, passed away October 16, 2017 at his home after a courageo

Alfred was born August 12, 1935, in Treynor, Iowa, to the late Adolf and Albertine (Brandt) Tiedemann. He married Sharon L. Phillips on April 19, 1959. They were blessed with daughter, Roxanne. Alfred was a long-time concrete paver and finisher for Henry Sudbeck Construction Co. in Millard, Neb., retiring in 1997. He proudly served his country in the National Guard. 

us battle with lung cancer. 

In addition to his parents, Alfred was preceded in death by his brothers, Adolf, Arthur and Albert; sisters, Irene Clark, Alvena Sorenson and Ann Triano. 

Alfred is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sharon L. Tiedemann; daughter, Roxanne (Dave) Montgomery all of Council Bluffs; 3 grandchildren, Mike Montgomery, Jen (Joe) Wilson, Dylan Montgomery; 1 great-granddaughter, Sydney Wilson; nieces and nephews.

Norman Kruse, 94 of Glenwood, IA, passed away June 30, 2017 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 3, 2017 at St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola, IA. Burial will be in the Mineola Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday, July 2, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Memorials: In Norman's name to St. John Lutheran Church or Jennie Edmundson Foundation.

Norman William Kruse, one of two sons of Friedrich Wilhelm and Johanna Carolina (Loof) Kruse, was born on February 13, 1923 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He graduated from the Glenwood High School in 1941. Following school, he worked at the bomber plant in Bellevue, Nebraska and worked for the railroad, all while he helped out on the farm. Norman farmed until his retirement.

Norman and Vernita Mae Johnson were united in marriage on December 31, 1943 at the Presbyterian Church in Glenwood, Iowa. They made their home on the farm and were blessed with four sons, Judd, Gary, Gregg, and Todd.

Norman was a faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola, Iowa. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Norman will be truly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Norman passed away on June 30, 2017 at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, at the age of 94 years, 4 months, and 17 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Robert Kruse and wife Marvel; and two grandsons.

Norman is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Vernita Kruse of Glenwood; sons, Judd Kruse and wife Anne of Corydon, IA, Gary Kruse and wife Lori of Glenwood, Gregg Kruse and wife Diane of Gladstone, MO, and Todd Kruse and wife Amy of Papillion, NE; 18 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great granddaughter; other relatives and many friends.

William A. "Bill" VanBibber, age 73, of Council Bluffs, passed away at his home on July 3, 2017.

He was born in Omaha, Neb., on September 24, 1943, to the late Edgar and Roma (Klenk) VanBibber.  Bill retired from Redfield Printing in 2009.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Paul VanBibber.

Bill is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lynn VanBibber; children, Cheri McLaughlin, Kim Boyle (Paul), Susie Baier (John); brother, Dan VanBibber (Suzy); 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Visitation is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Memorial service is 10 a.m., on Thursday, at the funeral home.  Inurnment is in the Garner Township Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Methodist Jennie Edmundson 

William "Bill" Fajen, 65, of rural Carson, IA passed away at his home on June 23, 2017.

Funeral service is at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Carson. Burial in the Wheeler Grove Cemetery. Visitation is on Monday, June 26, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Carson.

Memorials: Jennie Edmundson Spirit of Courage

William Robert Fajen was born in Council Bluffs, IA on January 29, 1952, one of five children born to Frederick and Arline (Kroenke) Fajen. He attended Carson-Macedonia Community School and graduated in 1970. Following graduation he began his career in farm fencing while helping his father on the family farm west of Carson.  In 1986, he moved his family to the farm to continue in his father's footsteps while growing the fencing business.  Bill worked with several partners until 2003 when Bill and son James joined together to create Fajen Fence Construction. Over his 45 years of fencing he built approximately 1800 miles of fence across Southwest Iowa. 

On September 17, 1972 he married Carol Sue Spohn at the United Methodist Church in Carson. The couple was blessed with three children, Robert, Bethany, and James. Bill enjoyed riding horses, camping with his family, fishing, deer hunting, and most importantly being a loving husband, father, and grandpa.   

Bill passed away at his home at the age of 65 years, 4 months, 24 days.  He was preceded in death by his parents. Bill is survived by his wife, Carol of Carson, IA; children, Robert Fajen of Oakland, IA, Bethany (Matthew) Barnes of Waxahachie, TX, and James (Jamie) Fajen of Henderson, IA; grandchildren,  Jolie, Joshua, Tyler, Barrett, Ryan, Hailey, and Marshall; siblings, Larry (Jan) Fajen of Elk Horn, IA, Linda (Don) Perdue of Carson, IA, Wilma (Tom) Laughlin of Red Oak, IA, and Mary Lou (John) Copenhaver of Oakland, IA; other 

Jimmie H. Matzen, age 83, of Council Bluffs, passed away January 14, 2017.
He was born in Macon County, Missouri, on July 23, 1933, to the late James H. and Claudia H. (Rothwell) Matzen. Jimmie proudly served his country in the United States Army and retired from the Union Pacific Railroad after 40 years of service. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his 2 brothers, Jack and Tom Matzen.
Jimmie is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marjorie Matzen; son, Douglas Matzen; granddaughter, Michelle Savick and her husband, Nick; special great-grandchildren, Gavin “Buddy” and Madison Savick; brother, William Matzen and his wife, Frances.

Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Funeral service is 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Interment is in Cedar Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral or the Jennie Edmundson Foundation.

Dallas G. Johnson, age 78, of Council Bluffs, passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at Select Specialty Hospital in Omaha. 

Dallas was born on November 2, 1938 in Rapid City, South Dakota to Howard and Jessie (Roethler) Johnson. He graduated from Brandon High School in 1957 where he was an All-State football player. Dallas was united in marriage to Kay Schulze on May 5th, 1962. Purchased in 1985, Dallas was the owner of Dallas Johnson Greenhouses in Council Bluffs, IA. Dallas loved his family, his business and playing golf.

He is survived by his wife, Kay; son, Todd Johnson (Kymm); daughter, Shannon Willadsen (Kent), all of Council Bluffs; eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild; brother, Russell Johnson (Susan) of Red Oak, IA; sister, Maxine Woods (Marty) of Glenwood, IA; brother-in-law, George Schulze (Marlene); numerous nieces, nephews, friends and family dog, Molly. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Shawn T. Peters-Sorenson; and sister, Connie.