West Union Cemetery

Wayne Earl Havenstrite, West Union, Iowa, May 13, 2021 Wayne Earl Havenstrite, 83, of West Union, Iowa died Thursday, May 13, 2021 at his home in West Union, Iowa. He was born May 14, 1938 to Earl and Irene (Jacobs) Havenstrite on a farm east of Clermont, Iowa. Wayne graduated from Valley High School in 1956. After graduation, Wayne served in the United States Army.... On October 18, 1957, Wayne was united in marriage with Carolyn Anderson. Four children were born to this union. After Carolyn passed away, Wayne later married Kay Brownell on May 25, 2019. In the early years, Wayne started doing autobody work for Wilbur Ford and managed it for fifty-five years. He then bought into and owned Wilbur Ford for ten years. Wayne sold the dealership nine years ago and then owned J &W Autobody and Wayne and Del’s Electronics. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, V.F.W and American Legion. Wayne was an EMT and was on the West Union City Council for many years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting deer, hunting mushrooms, gardening, watching stock car racing at Fayette Co. Raceway, and attending his grandchildren’s activities. He certainly was their biggest fan. Surviving Wayne are his wife, Kay Havenstrite of West Union, Iowa; his four children, Nancy (Tom) King of Waterloo, Iowa; Jeff (Janie) Havenstrite of Springville, Iowa; Teresa Hougen (Chris Wolf) of Rockford, Illinois; and Tim (Michelle) Havenstrite of Prairie City, Iowa; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; nine step-children, Jay (Lorie) Farmer, Jeff Farmer, Julie (Brad) Andreae, Jill (Mike) Ries, Jeanette (Bruce) Riniker, Janice (Doug) Martins, Joe (Carrie) Farmer, Jerry (Lori) Farmer and Isaac (Alana Platte) Brownell; twenty-three step-grandchildren; ten step great-grandchildren; sister, Betty Hofer of Wadena, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Havenstrite on April 4, 2017; his parents, Earl and Irene Havenstrite; brothers, Roger Havenstrite and Donnie Havenstrite; and one brother-in-law, Sam Hofer. Visitation will be Sunday, May 16, 2021 from 2-6 pm at Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home, West Union, Iowa and one hour before services at the church on Monday. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 am on Monday, May 17, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church, West Union, Iowa with Rev. Duane Miller as the Officiant. Burial will follow at West Union Cemetery, West Union, Iowa with Military Rites. Due to Covid-19, masks and social distancing are required. Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home, West Union, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.

Carolyn Doscher Orvis Carson City, NV, May 25, 2020 Carolyn Doscher Orvis, 85, of Carson City, NV died Memorial Day, May 25, 2020 at her residence in Carson City after a lengthy illness. Graveside Services will be held in the West Union Cemetery on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Carolyn was born May 09, 1935 in West Union, Iowa the daughter of Herman and Pauline (Blunt) Doscher. Carolyn attended West Union High School and graduated in 1953. After High School she con...tinued her studies at the University of Iowa and graduated in 1957 with a degree in Dental Hygiene as a Certified Dental Hygienist. She was active in many social activities including being the First Chair of the Bagpiper group, The Scottish Highlanders of the University of Iowa. Throughout her life she was proficient in music also playing the clarinet, piano and singing. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church her entire life. After graduating from the U of I, she practiced Dental Hygiene in Iowa City before moving to California where she worked as a Dental Hygienist until 1991. At social gathering in California, she would lend her talents by singing the music she grew up with around the piano with her husband and friends. She met her husband Chuck in 1972 and they were married for 45 years in living in California and Nevada. Carolyn enjoyed sailing, travel, sightseeing, different cultures and many other activities. The couple also enjoyed collecting Native American Art. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother and sister in law (Ted and Arlys Doscher). She is survived by her husband Chuck, Nephews and a Niece: Mike and Karen (Story) Doscher of Mechanicsville, Iowa, Steve of Lake Andes, South Dakota, Bill and Janise (Baier) of Davenport, Iowa and Linda (Doscher) Murphy and Dan of Brighton, Colorado. Great Nieces and Nephews and Great Great Nieces and Nephews also survive her.

Gary Leo Halva, West Union, Iowa, May 19, 2021 Gary L. Halva, 75, of West Union, Iowa died Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at Mayo Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. He was born September 29, 1945 to Rudy and Dortha (Garlick) Halva. Gary graduated from Vinton High School in 1963 and went on to earn his BA in Elementary Education and his Master’s in Elementary Counseling from the University of Northern Iowa.... On June 8, 1968, Gary was united in marriage with Karen Gulick in Vinton, Iowa. Throughout the years, Gary was a 5th and 6th grade science teacher at North Tama, worked as an Elementary Counselor at Benton Community Schools, and retired in 2007 after 29 years as a consultant with Keystone AEA. After retiring, he enjoyed teaching reading to ESL students at Upper Iowa. He was active in the West Union United Methodist Church, and was Lay Speaker in Hawkeye, Alpha, and several other area churches. Gary enjoyed camping, vacationing, birdwatching and taking his children & grandchildren to Echo Valley. He loved gardening and growing flowers, and exhibited his flowers and plants at the Fayette County Fair for many years. He also loved decorating for every season, especially Christmas at home, at work, and at church. Gary’s biggest love was his family. Although he was devastated by the deaths of Kerry & Tracy, he was deeply appreciative of the 35 years he gained with his heart transplant. Surviving Gary are his wife of 53 years, Karen Halva of West Union, Iowa; daughter, Jessica Salvo of Scottsdale, Arizona; four grandchildren, Danny Halva (Coltn Benson) of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Tracy Halva of West Union, Iowa, Savannah Halva of Ames, Iowa and Caroline Halva of West Union, Iowa; son-in-law, Mathew Krull of West Union, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Kathy (Carlton) Root of Clermont, Florida; Mary Halva of Amana, Iowa; and Thera Colvin of Lodi, California; Aunt Rosemary (Les) Kampman of Vinton, Iowa. and several nieces and nephews. Gary was preceded in death by two children, son Tracy Halva in 1990 and daughter Kerry Halva in 2010; his parents, Rudy and Dortha Halva; two brothers, Carroll Halva and Loren Halva; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Wayne and Jeanne Gulick. Visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Monday, May 24, 2021 at United Methodist Church in West Union, Iowa. There will also be a one hour visitation before services at the church on Tuesday. Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at United Methodist Church in West Union, Iowa with Rev. Rick Burns as the officiant. Those who are able to attend are asked to wear bright colors to help celebrate Gary’s life. Inurnment will be held at a later date. Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.

Susan Schmit, West Union, Iowa, May 17, 2021 Susan Lynn (Schrage) Schmit, 59, of West Union, Iowa went home to Jesus Monday, May 17, 2021 at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin due to medical complications alongside cancer, which she fiercely battled for the last year. She was born April 12, 1962 to Darwin and Barbara (Negan) Schrage in West Union, Iowa. Susan graduated from North High School, West Union in 1980, followed by Hawkeye Technical Institute, Waterloo in ...Continue reading

Dean F. Bark WATERLOO-Dean F. Bark, 86, of Waterloo died March 13, 2021. Survivors wife Zoe Bark, son Rodney Bark (Rashel), daughter-in-law Vicki Bark, many grandchildren. Private family services will be held.