Betty J. A. Wilson, 87, of Burlington died Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at The Kensington in Fort Madison.
Born July 6, 1935 in West Burlington, she was the daughter of Roy A. E. and Eva M. (Stephenson) Nelson.
She graduated from Burlington High School. She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church.
Betty married Charles “Slats” D. Wilson on July 17, 1960 in Burlington. He died March 24, 2014.
Betty was a homemaker. She enjoyed traveling, crocheting and spending time with her family.
Survivors include her daughter Pam (Mike) Kempker of West Point; four grandsons Dusty Roe, Michael A. Kempker, Brian J. Kempker and Timothy L. Kempker all of Fort Madison; 19 great grandchildren; sister Doris Siverly of Burlington and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Tony Wilson, brother Richard Young and brother-in-law Jerry Siverly.
According to Betty’s wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel and there will be no services.
Memorials have been established for Lee County Hospice in care of Lunning Chapel 2620 Mt Pleasant St, Burlington IA 52601.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Norma Jean Zelsdorf, 94, of Burlington, died Monday, November 21, 2022, at the Klein Center in West Burlington.
Born December 28, 1927, in Goodell, IA, she was the daughter of Lee Rueben and Mildred Marie Fuller Robbins. On July 29, 1950, she married Robert Thomas “Tom” Zelsdorf in Palatine, IL. He died on September 14, 2001.
Norma graduated from Goodell High School then attended Hamilton Business College in Mason City, Iowa. She worked as a secretary for General Mills in Belmond, Iowa and later worked for the Pullman Company in Chicago, Il. After moving to Burlington, she worked for Younkers until retirement.
Norma was a selfless woman with a strong faith that believed in the power of prayer. She recited the rosary many times for her family and friends over the years.
Norma enjoyed cooking, working in her yard, and was well known for her chocolate chip cookies and Blarney Stones. She dearly loved her family and was very involved with their lives.
Survivors include her son, Robert Thomas “Bob” (Mary Lou) Zelsdorf, Jr. of Davenport; two daughters, Paula Kiesel of Burlington, Mary (Charles) Buhmeyer of Burlington; 10 grandchildren, Lisa Goeman, Tyler Carlson, Travis (Jacquelyn) Buhmeyer, Julie (Mitch Straw) Buhmeyer, Taylor (Courtney) Buhmeyer, Adam Zelsdorf, Amanda (Keith) Beck, Scott (Julie) Doup, Seth (Sarah) Doup, Luke Doup; 20 great-grandchildren and one on the way; sister, Maxine Johnson of Leland, IA and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband of 51 years, she was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Lee and Gene Robbins, and one sister, Jan Pascaly.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
The Graveside Committal Service for Mrs. Zelsdorf will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at Sacred Heart Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh Funeral Service following the burial.
A memorial has been established for the Klein Center Memory Care Unit.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Norma’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
A special thank you goes out to the staff at the Klein Center in West Burlington for the years of excellent care they provided to Norma as well as the care provided by Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice.
Roger F. Hingst, 66, of Burlington, died Monday, November 21, 2022, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
Born November 4, 1956, in Burlington, Iowa, he was the son of Paul and Alice (Bright) Hingst.
He was a graduate of Burlington Notre Dame and of the Catholic faith.
Roger “Frank the Tank” worked as a prison guard for the Fort Madison Penitentiary for over 30 years.
He was a wonderful father and a tremendous help to his children throughout their lives. He was the best grandpa and enjoyed taking his grandchildren to school and attending all of their sports activities. He was very giving to his family and always put himself last.
Survivors include his three children; Jeromy Hingst of Alabama and Aimee Hingst and Greg Hingst both of Burlington; five grandchildren, Xavior, Xander, Quinn, Nadiya and Jeffrey; siblings, Mary Bright-Hingst, Barbara Hingst, Mark Hingst, Sally Hingst, David Hingst, Becky Hingst, John Hingst, Eric Hingst, and Michelle Turnbull and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Gregory Hingst and Tom Hingst and four sisters, Melissa Hingst-Standard, Christal Hingst, Christina Hingst and Jane Hingst.
The memorial funeral service for Roger will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 28th at Lunning Chapel. Father Paul Appel will officiate. Inurnment will be held in Sacred Heart Cemetery, following the service. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service.
According to his wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
A memorial has been established for the family.
Sally May (Vass) Patton, 64, of Dallas City, IL, died Saturday, November 19, 2022, at the Blessing Hospital in Quincy.
Born August 24, 1958, in LaHarpe, IL, she was the daughter of Ward DeHart and Doris Louise Torbet Vass. On November 27, 1982, she married James “Jim” E. Patton at the Colusa United Methodist Church in Colusa, IL. They shared 26 years together before he passed on December 9, 2008.
She was a graduate of Dallas City High School and later Iowa Wesleyan University where she obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing.
Sally worked for over 40 years as a third-shift night nurse. She began her career in Galesburg at the psychiatric facility, where she met her husband and the love of her life, Jim. Over the years, Sally also worked at Montebello HealthCare Center in Hamilton, IL, LaHarpe Nursing Home, the Keokuk Convalescent Center (later known as Lexington Square) Dave’s Place and River Hills Village in Keokuk, IA and finally at Heartland Manor in Macomb, IL. Sally was proud to be an RN and was a strong advocate for the importance of residents’ quality of life and practicing resident centered care. During med pass, she would sometimes offer residents chocolate, as a special treat. She was known for always having a sweet or salty snack on hand during her shift.
Sally loved to shop, read, and travel – pretty much in that order! Affectionately known as “The Spoiling Aunt”, she loved spending time with family. She liked to make fleece tie blankets, and spent many weekends traveling to craft fairs with her sisters and nieces. At least once a year, she would get together with her sisters to take a special weekend trip. Sally and Jim enjoyed collecting cow and frog figurines which they displayed throughout their home. She liked musicals, especially anything by Andrew Lloyd Weber or Rogers & Hammerstein, and often went to see performances at the Muny in St. Louis. She also enjoyed attending the Iowa State Fair each year. At family gatherings, Sally could always be counted on to provide a delicious relish tray and, at Thanksgiving, a special cranberry salad that was enjoyed by all.
Survivors include her three brothers, Neal (Danita Sendelbach) Vass of Pearl, MS, Carl (Elaine) Vass of Danville, IA, and Clay (Janet) Vass of Canton, IL; three sisters, Ada Vass of Colusa, IL, Verla (Ken) Custer of Jackson, MI, and Norene (Bill) Ault of Greenup, IL; nieces and nephews: Ruth (Lee) Getchius, Rachel (Daniel) Vass, Jenny (Solomon) Conrad, Mindy (Bill) Hoover, Kenneth (Stephanie) Vass, Lorrie Page, Jake Vass, Jill (Patrick) Moore, Charley Ault, Kierstan (Craig) Hensley, and Victoria Ault; great-nieces and nephews: Grace and Isaac Conrad, Andrew Vass, Mason Moore and Tobias Hensley; and best friend Kim Milligan.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM, Saturday, November 26, 2022 followed by a 3:00 PM Celebration of Life at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division St., Burlington, IA, with Carl Vass and Verla Custer co-officiating. A time of food and fellowship will be held at Danville Congregational United Church of Christ in Danville, IA following the service. Burial will be in Byler Cemetery at a later date.
A memorial has been established.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Sally’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Sally Rae Rynott, 84, passed away at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington Iowa on Monday, November 21, 2022 after a lengthy battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Sally’s passions in life were her Miniature Schnauzers and music education/director of bands.
Sally was born January 14, 1938 in Burlington, Iowa to Robert and Frances Rynott. She was always very proud of her Swedish/Danish ancestry. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, sang in the church choir, belonged to Luther League and remained a life-long Lutheran.
“Sal” graduated from Burlington High School in 1956. She described herself as athletic (a member of the volleyball, basketball, and track teams and she played semi-pro softball for the Burlington Merchants team); musical (performing in a variety of vocal ensembles, as well as playing oboe in band, orchestra and the Southeast Iowa Symphony); and fun-loving.
Sally graduated from the State University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1960. She was an instrumental music instructor in Grinnell Community Schools, Grinnell, Iowa; and School District #110 in Deerfield, Illinois before obtaining a Master of Science in Education from Western Illinois University in 1968. Sally was then Director of Bands and Coordinator of Music Education for School District #205 in Galesburg, Illinois for 17 years before advancing her education with an Education Specialist degree from Western Illinois University in 1986.
In 1988, Sally was appointed the Music Specialist Consultant for the New Mexico State Department of Education, advancing to become Assistant Director, Professional Licensure and Nonpublic School Accreditation, and finally State Director, management Support and Intervention, before retiring in 2000.
Professional memberships include the National Band Association, National Education Association. Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Mu.
Besides her accomplishments as an educator, Sally had an interest in dogs, owning six Miniature Schnauzers in her life; cars- she raced a TR3, loved driving convertibles and growing roses. Sally almost received her pilot’s license, however, she did not complete her Cross Country because she was not allowed to take Gus, her Miniature Schnauzer, on the trip.
Throughout Sally’s life, family was of great importance. In 2020 Sally wanted to “go home” and she moved back to Burlington, Iowa where she and her siblings grew up.
Survivors include soulmate Cynthia Leonard; sister Joanne Magdefrau; brother James Rynott; six nephews and nieces; nine grandnephews and nieces; Misty the Miniature Schnauzer, and hundreds of Sally’s Galesburg High School (GHS) Band Kids.
She was preceded in death by her parents, five Miniature Schnauzers and several GHS Band Kids.
The funeral service for Sally will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 29th at Lunning Chapel. Pastor Ryan Cosgrove will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the funeral service.
Donations in Sally’s memory may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association Research, 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Suite 205, Lilburn, GA 30044 or Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice.