2023 Memorials

Margaret Mary Klein was born on February 2, 1928 in Earling, Iowa to Eleanor (Assmann) Kramer and Joseph Kramer. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa, where she remained a member until her marriage in 1949. She then attended St. Mary’s of the Assumption in Panama, Iowa until 2003 when she moved to Harlan, Iowa and became a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church.

Margaret found the love of her life when she met Otto Joseph Klein. They were united in marriage by Otto’s brother, Rev. Eugene Klein, on May 3, 1949 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa. To this union, seven children were born: Jo Ann, Irene, Larry, Edna, Leona, Dean, and David. Margaret was a lifetime homemaker, attending daily mass when possible. In 1999, Margaret and Otto celebrated their 50th anniversary. They were lucky enough to share four more wonderful years together before Otto passed away in November of 2003.

Margaret had many hobbies. She loved to cook for her family and friends, square and round dancing, attending her grandkids activities, playing cards, and visiting friends and family at Little Flower Haven and Elm Crest. She was also a member of the Golden Age Club and Friendship Club.
Margaret passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 attaining the age of 95 years, 8 months and 22 days. She is preceded in death by her parents, Eleanor and Joseph Kramer; husband, Otto Klein; children, Irene Buckley and Dean Klein; siblings, Jack Kramer, Albert Kramer, Ruth Freund, Alfons Kramer, Leonard Kramer, and Robert Kramer.

She is survived by her children, JoAnn (Gary) Kenkel of Harlan, IA; Larry Klein of Earling, IA; Edna (Mike) Keenan of Storm Lake, IA; Leona (Ed) Grace of Omaha, NE; David (Sara) Klein of Omaha, NE; daughter-in-law, Connie Klein of Panama, IA; son-in-law Rex Buckley of Harlan, IA;18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brother, Leo (Marj) Kramer of Omaha, NE; sister-in-law, Madonna Kramer of Earling, IA; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

February 2, 1928 - October 24, 2023

Rita Sue Epperson, age 63, of Council Bluffs, passed away September 14, 2023 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Rita, the daughter of the late Richard H. and Pola Ann (Ericksen) Peters was born February 6, 1960 in Harlan, Iowa. She graduated from Shelby-Tenant High School in 1978. After high school, Rita attended Iowa Western Community College, where she played basketball. Following Iowa Western, Rita accepted a position at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in the Nursing Services department – she worked for the Methodist Health Systems for over 40 years. She met Kevin of Council Bluffs through mutual friends playing softball. They were married June 19th, 1982 at the Lutheran Church in Shelby, Iowa. Rita loved to be active and took many small actions to better her community – she took many long-winding walks with her beloved dog Berkley all over Council Bluffs, making friends with many neighbors and picking up roadside trash along the way. Rita donated blood every chance she had, giving upwards of 12 gallons over her adult life. She was an avid runner – running her first marathon, she qualified to run the Boston Marathon – which she did in 2014. The Jennie Edmundson Foundation honored Rita as a Spirit of Courage recipient in 2023. She was endlessly proud and supportive of her children and grandchildren.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Judy Peters, and her brother, Steve Peters.

Rita is survived by her husband, Kevin, children Heath (Kristin) of Bellevue, Neb., Brett of Hastings, Neb., Ryan (Colleen Rink) of Council Bluffs, and Amy (Makaveli Gresham) of Omaha, Neb.; grandchildren Allie, Luke, Levi, Kate, and Seth of Bellevue; sisters Carol Brigandi of Omaha, and Becky (Richard) Udron of The Villages, Florida; sister-in-law Joyce Peters of Humboldt, Iowa, brother-in-law Keith (Rhonda) Epperson of Plymouth, Minnesota, mother-in-law Joyce Epperson of Council Bluffs, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, neighbors, and friends.

Visitation with the family will be Sunday, September 17, 2023 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Saint John Lutheran Church, 633 Willow Ave in Council Bluffs. Funeral service will be Monday, September18, 2023 at 11AM, at Saint John Lutheran Church. A lunch will immediately follow the service in the Faith and Life Center at Saint John Lutheran Church. Interment in the Shelby, Iowa Cemetery. 

Memorials are suggested to Saint John Lutheran Church, the Jennie Edmundson Foundation, or the Midland Humane Society.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rita, please visit our floral store.

LeRoy Patrick Grieder age 88, Council Bluffs, passed away August 6th 2023 at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital. LeRoy was born, March 16, 1935 in Council Bluffs to the late Clifford "Pat" and Hazel E.(Twomey) Grieder. He was united in marriage to Marilyn (Lear) on April 26, 1952 and to this union three children were born, Tim, Carol and Dan. LeRoy was a conductor for over 43 years with the Milwaukee and Burlington Northern Railroads retiring in 1997. He also owned and operated his own painting company and was known as a jack of all trades. A member of Eastside Christian church loving husband and caregiver to wife Marilyn. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife of 68 years, Marilyn in 2020, brother Ralph, sisters Joanne Barrier and Connie Shriver.

Survivors include son Tim, Omaha, daughter Carol Grieder , son Dan(Mary) Grieder both of Council Bluffs, grandchildren Jonathan (Kristi) Grieder, Michael(Spring) Grieder, David Grieder, Christopher (Ashley) Grieder, great-grandchildren Nora, Kate, Amelia, Luca and Sonnie Lee, sisters Mary Pat Schierbrock, Neola, Rosezita (Tom) Adams Chickasaw, OK; Pauline Roll, Dewey, AZ; many nieces and nephews, special friend Goldie Welch and her family.

Visitation Thursday 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral Friday 10 a.m. all at funeral home. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery with luncheon to follow at the Walnut Hill Reception Center. Memorials to the Jennie Edmundson Foundation. Grieder family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Jennie Edmundson for their wonderful care their father received.

March 16, 1935 - August 6, 2023

Kim Elder, age 67, passed away at Nebraska Medicine on May 19, 2023. He was born on July 11, 1955, to the late Elwood and Loretta (Cahill) Elder in Council Bluffs, IA. Kim graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School with the class of 1974. He was very active in the metro classic car and racing scene.

Kim is survived by his wife of 41 years, Carol Elder; daughter, Sheila (Matt) Naylor; grandson, Cale Naylor; sisters, Connie Leaders and Trudy Johnson; mother-in-law, Joan B. Hatfield; nieces; nephews; cousins; and a host of other family and friends.

One of Kim's favorite events was Classic Cruise In at the Quaker Steak and Lube, so to CELEBRATE his LIFE, there will be a VISITATION beginning at 2pm, and the CELEBRATION will continue into the evening at Quaker Steak and Lube on Thursday, May 25. In lieu of flowers, the family will direct memorials in Kim's honor.

Sharon J. Uhl, age 78, passed away March 9, 2023. She was born September 26, 1944, to the late Marion and Margaret (Hartigan) Torgerson, in Ute, Iowa. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by spouse, Norman Uhl; infant sister, Norma Torgerson. Sharon is survived by her children, Terry (Renita) Uhl, Larry (Heather) Uhl, Tammy (Todd) Frank and Melissa (Kenneth) Gwennap; sisters, Carol Aronson and Marlene Head; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; a host of other family and friends. Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m., at Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home, Sunday, March 12, 2023. Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., at Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home, Monday, March 13, 2023. Memorials are suggested to the Jennie Edmundson Foundation - Breast Cancer.

Bounma Latisha Hanstein Age 82 passed away February 10, 2023. She married Robert Hanstein on March 25, 2013 in Las Vegas. She was a baseball fan, especially the Boston Red Sox. Bounma was preceded in death by her step-son, Kevin.

Bounma was preceded in death by her stepson, Kevin. She will be missed by her husband, Robert "Bob"; step-son, Chris (Amy); step-daughter, Adrienne Shepherdson (Eric); grandchildren, Elle, Maranda, Kayla and Emily; other family and friends.

Visitation with the family Friday, February 17, 2023 from 5:00 to 6:30 PM Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home, 1221 N. 16th St.

In Lieu of flowers memorials are designated to Jennie Edmundson Foundation or St. Croix Hospice.

We are sad to announce that on January 11, 2023 we had to say goodbye to Mary Jean Frost of Council Bluffs, Iowa, born in Omaha, Nebraska. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Mary Jean Frost to show support.

She was predeceased by : her parents, John Sparks and Mollie Sparks (Grasmick); and her children, Jeff Frost and Julie Taylor. She is survived by : her son John Frost (Teresa); her son-in-law Sean Taylor of Danbury, CT; her grandchildren, Ashley Smith (Kevin) and Chris Frost; and her great grandchildren, Trenton of Council Bluffs, Noah Faust of Council Bluffs, Ella of Council Bluffs, Jerzie of Council Bluffs and Harlie Smith of Council Bluffs.

M. J. was a member of the Jennie Edmundson Alumni Association, she volunteered for the RSVP program with the Red Cross and was also involved with Iowa Cookie Crumbs.

The family has suggested memorials to Jennie Edmundson Alumni Association, Jennie Edmundson Foundation, Wings of Hope, or to Make-A-Wish Foundation.