Paul "Butch" Reimer, age 86, of Danbury passed away on June 15, 2026, at Burgess Health Center in Onawa.
    Visitation with a Rosary and vigil service were all held on Sunday, June 21st, in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury.
    A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 22, 2026, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury. Father William A. McCarthy and Father Richard D. Ball officiated. Committal services followed in Danbury Catholic Cemetery in Danbury.
    The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton was in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
    Paul "Butch" Reimer was born on February 9, 1940, on the farm place he called home his entire life, to Albert and Bernice (Boysen) Reimer. He graduated from Danbury Catholic School in 1958. During his school years he enjoyed 4-H, which is now proudly a 3rd generation tradition he started in his family. Butch also enjoyed basketball, but his favorite sport of choice that carried on long after school was softball. First a part of a fast pitch team, the Reimer Colts, he eventually settled into slow pitch softball where many memories were made, including asking his girlfriend Kay to marry him with a proposal and ring telling her, "There is a ring in the glovebox if you want to wear it." She said, "Yes," and they married in Granville on September 4, 1965. They were blessed with four children: Dan, Tim, Kim and Sandy. Butch and Kay taught their kids the importance of family, faith, and farming.
    Butch loved having extended family visit; it always meant a helping of Kay's famous potato salad followed by her banana split dessert. He equally loved showing everyone his love of farm life whether on his tractor, giving four-wheeler rides, or making a trip to the pasture to check cows.
    Butch's hobbies included work, church, and playing cards. On the Reimer farm, we chuckle that the kids and grandkids learned to play cards before they could read. His favorite games with them were Euchre and Up & Down the River, and you learned early that all friendship ceases at the card table. He enjoyed cards with family to the very end and still managed a smile saying, "Oh, I've seen sicker cats than that get well" when the game score wasn't in his favor. Butch also enjoyed putting puzzles together and following the grandkids in their interests: talking sports with Nate, watching Cody play ball, watching Alley show cattle, and sharing with Courtney the care and keeping of animals on summer visits.
    Butch lost his wife in 2017 which changed everything, and family and friends stepped up to fill the void. Through the past few years, his health challenges taught him that he may never throw a punch but he was one heck of a fighter, always keeping the faith that one day he would get back to the farm he had come to cherish.
    Butch moved to Maple Heights Nursing Home where he was cared for, treated, and loved like a grandpa, and they became like family. He was still expected to be to dinner on time, do chores in the kitchen peeling potatoes, keeping his faith and taking part in giving thanks, and saying the Rosary. He still made trips to the farm to see his son Dan, his lifelong farming partner, to see the farm and how the cattle and crops were doing.
    The highlight of 2026 was getting to meet his only great-grandchild, Lainey James, who, from the get go, put a smile on his face and a reminder of love in his heart.
    We will remember Butch in a song by Holly Dunn titled "Daddy's Hands." We will remember daddy's hands folded silently in prayer. You could read quite a story in the calluses and lines; years of work and worry had left their mark behind. Daddy's hands weren't always gentle, but we've come to understand there was always, always love in daddy's hands.
    Those left to cherish his memory are his children Dan (Brenda) of Danbury, Tim Reimer (Angie Lawless) of Lawson, MO, Kim (Ron) Boyle of St. Charles, IA, and Sandy Rice (Pat Duffy) of Poynette, WI. Grandchildren include Riley Kafton (Dan TenEyck) of Dunlap, Sam Kafton of Sanborn, Cody and Alley Boyle of St. Charles, Nate Rice of Marshall, WI, Courtney Rice of Green Bay, WI, and great-grandchild Lainey TenEyck. He also has one sister Lois Ekarius of Danbury; other close family friends include Tammy, Sam, and Charlie Nelson of Anthon.
    He was preceded in death by his wife Kay; his parents Albert and Bernice Reimer; sisters Marilyn "Tootie" Boyle and Arlene "Punk" Reimer; and parents-in-law Gerald and Edna McCarthy.
    Butch was blessed to be a true farmer until the end, leaving with crops in the field and cows in the pasture at 86.

    Marilyn M. Palmer, age 90, of Smithland passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at her residence.
    Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, at the Little Sioux Township Cemetery of Smithland. Pastor Clifton "Mick" Struble will officiate.
    The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
    Marilyn Maxine Palmer, the daughter of Walter A. and Isabelle M. (Gorseth) Kirkpatrick, was born on June 24, 1935, in Sergeant Bluff. She received her education from Hornick High School and then went on to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College.
    On June 27, 1953, Marilyn married Paul J. Palmer in Dakota City, NE. Together they raised a family of nine children: Jeffrey, Curtis, John, Kris, James Sr., Kevin, Bryan, Carla, and Debra. Although the family lived in several communities over the years, they spent most of their lives in the Washta and Smithland areas. Marilyn worked for a variety of businesses throughout her life, but her most cherished and important role was that of a devoted homemaker, caring for and supporting her family.
    In her free time, Marilyn enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including crafting, bowling, and supporting charitable causes. She spent many hours quilting, crocheting, and knitting, taking special pride in the beautiful afghans she created for family and friends. Marilyn also loved baking—especially cookies—and treasured every opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.
    Left to cherish her memory included her children Curt (Vicky) Palmer of Whiting, Kris (Fred) Barge of Whiting, and Carla Palmer of Schleswig; 33 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandson; brother Terry (Anne) Kirkpatrick of Mineral Wells, TX; along with extended relatives and friends.
    She was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Isabelle Kirkpatrick; husband Paul Palmer; sons Bryan Palmer, John Palmer, Kevin Palmer, James Palmer Sr., and Jeffrey Palmer; daughter Debra (Brent) Kroll; grandsons Robert Palmer, Donald Palmer, and Cory Theeler.

    Jill Ellen Karhoff, age 53, of Glendale, AZ (formerly of Danbury), passed away on May 16, 2026, at her residence.
    A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Danbury. Father William McCarthy will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Danbury Catholic Cemetery.
    A Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Memorial Mass from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., on Friday, June 12, 2026, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Danbury.
    The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
    Jill Ellen Karhoff, the daughter of William "Bill" and Mary Jean (Schimmer) Karhoff, was born on July 13, 1972, in Sioux City. She grew up on a farm near Danbury. Jill started her education at the Danbury Catholic School where she attended K-8th grade and graduated from Maple Valley High School with the class of 1990. After high school, Jill went on to attend the American Institute of Business (AIB) in Des Moines.
    After graduating from AIB, Jill stayed in the Des Moines metro area, where she built a career as an executive secretary for a variety of companies. In 2000, she relocated to Arizona to enjoy the warmer climate. Over the next 25 years, she made her home in the Scottsdale and Glendale areas, continuing her work as an executive secretary.
    Always passionate about fitness, Jill enjoyed running and hiking, even accomplishing the impressive feat of completing in marathons in Hawaii and Arizona. She was also an avid football fan who loved cheering on the Arizona Cardinals and treasured spending time with her friends, especially Tami and Kat. Although she never had children of her own, her beloved cat, Savannah, held a very special place in her heart and was like family to her. Jill will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
    Left to cherish her memory include her mother Jean Karhoff of Sioux City; sister Jana (Mick) Bauer of Moville; nephew Tyler J. Grames of Sioux City; step niece Hailey Bauer of Sioux City; and aunts and uncles Betty Meier of Sioux City, John Schimmer of Napa, CA, Shirley Burmeister of Storm Lake, Nadine Plautz of Danbury, and Cecelia Karhoff of Anthon. Other survivors include many cousins, extended family, and friends.
    She was preceded in death by her father William "Bill" Karhoff; maternal grandparents Clem and Mary Schimmer; paternal grandparents Tom and Betty Karhoff; uncles Father Bob Schimmer, Tom (Joyce) Schimmer, Leo Meier, Jim Karhoff, Don Burmeister, and Verdette Plautz; aunts Catherine Schimmer and Jean Marie Pokorny; and cousin Dan Karhoff.