2015 Memorials

Lucy Beall Graeme, age 91, passed away November 10, 2015.  She was born May 27, 1924.
Member, First Congregational Church in Council Bluffs; PEO Chapter IQ Past President, Chapter LR charter member and Past President, Chapter MF charter and current member and Past President; member VNA Board of Directors, twice serving as President; board member of Council Bluffs Library Foundation; served on the New Library Building Committee; served with the General’s Ladies of the General Dodge House; belonged to garden clubs and was an active bowler until the age of 89; gave numerous slide shows of travels throughout China, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

Preceded in death by parents, Donald B. and Florence K. Stoufer; brothers, William K. Stoufer and Richard K. Stoufer.  Survived by husband, Richard B. “Dick” Graeme; son, William Scott Graeme (Tamara); daughter, Alice Margaret Rohrssen (Craig); grandchildren, Megan K. Rohrssen (Benjamin Harrison) and Charles O. Rohrssen; many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Friday, 6pm to 8pm at Cutler O’Neill Chapel.  Services Saturday, 10am, First Congregational Church, 611 1st Avenue in Council Bluffs; officiant, Pastor Jim Goodenberger and eulogist, Rev. Dr. Anthony Paff.  Private Interment, Fairview Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation, Council Bluffs Library Foundation, First Congregational Church, or charity of your choice.

Margaret L. Knott, age 90, of Council Bluffs passed away at her home on July 21, 2015.  She was born in Council Bluffs on May 10, 1925 to the late George L. and Mabel L. (O’Brien) Sluyter. Margaret graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School with the class of 1944 with a 4.0 grade point average. During her high school experience, she first dated Jim Knott, the man she would later marry.

Having always wanted to be a nurse, she entered the U.S Cadet Nurses Training Corps. at Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha. She graduated from there in 1948 with the highest grade point average of her class. Margaret was chosen as Miss Methodist in 1947 by the instructors and staff. She also was chosen to model the new student nurses uniforms. Margaret’s first nursing position was on the floor as an R.N. at Methodist Hospital. It was while she was finishing school that she and James Knott were married December 23, 1947 in a semi-secret ceremony after gaining permission as it was prohibited for nurse trainees to be married at that time.

Margaret and Jim owned and operated the Pleasant Home for Convalescents and lived there as well. Margaret worked around the clock providing complete and total care for the patients. Many of their family holiday functions were even held there because of her commitment to those patients. This commitment included caring for their children. After eight years of being solely committed to the facility and patients, the couple had their first opportunity to socialize and travel. So while pregnant with their third child, they finally took a “honeymoon”.

Margaret was known for being very candid, honest and putting others first. She was deeply involved in the community. She and Dr. Knott loved to dance and made lifelong friendships with people they’d met. She was active in the Newcomers Club and was a past president. Some of her other memberships include: the United Fund, March of Dimes, The Pott-Mills County and State Medical Societies Auxiliary, Xi Beta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Social Sorority and became President of the Sorority City Council. She was on the Visiting Nurses Association Board and the Pottawattamie County Landlord Association to name a few. After helping establish the General’s Ladies in 1972, she served as its president for the first three years. Margaret chaired the Dodge House Cook Book that was published in 1976. She’d served on both the board of directors and the board of trustees. In total, she had more than 28 years of devoted service to the General Dodge House. Another organization that she served was the Council Bluffs Senior Center. She and her husband have co-chaired a number of fundraisers. She was also been inducted into the Thomas Jefferson High School Hall of Fame.

Margaret was not only involved in organizations within the community but in her husbands practice as well, working there fourteen years. After Dr. Knott was medically retired, she closed his practice in July of 1993. Together in July of 1994 they purchased the Westwood Apartments. Their business was JAMA Management, LLC. Margaret was responsible for the general management that included sales, bookkeeping, advertising and collecting. They sold the apartments in 2011 and that brought her retirement at age 86.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her sisters, Jeanette Crom and Charlotte Schroeder; great grandson, Carter Kelly.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 67 years, James L. Knott M.D; sons, James R. Knott D.D.S and his wife Stella, David Knott, Paul Knott and his wife Katheryn; sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and David Velasco; 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

A celebration of her life will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2015 at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the foundation of either Jennie Edmundson Hospital or Mercy Hospital, the Dodge House, The Senior Center or charity of your choice.

Karen Ann Stein, September 19, 1942 – July 7, 2015, age 72, died peacefully surrounded by family and friends at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA. Karen was born in Parkston, S.D., the daughter of Paul and Mary Thury. She attended grade school as well as high school in Parkston. She received a diploma from St. Catherine’s School of nursing in 1963, then received a Bachelors degree from Creighton University in Omaha, and a Masters of Art in Health Services Administration from the College of St. Francis.  Karen was employed at Methodist Jennie Edmundson hospital for 40 years, first as a nurse, and then as Senior Vice President of Patient Services for 30 years before retiring in 2008. Karen worked part time after retirement as an Employee Health nurse.  She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau and was nominated as Iowa Nurse Executive of the Year. She served as president of the Iowa Organization of Nurse Leaders and as a member of the Goodwill Board of Directors and Iowa Donor Network Board. She was a member of St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Weston, IA. Karen was an avid cook and insisted birthday cakes be made from scratch! She enjoyed traveling, playing bridge, and was very fashion oriented.

She loved spending time with her grandkids which included time in Okoboji and occasionally spoiling them.  Karen is survived by daughter Cristy Daniel and husband Nick; son-in-law James Nigro; beloved grandchildren: Alex, Noah, Aaron Daniel and Sophia, Giancarlo, Giovanni, and Luca Nigro; three sisters: Betty Fergen, Ethan, of S.D., Joan Fideler, of Tucson, Ariz., Jean Severin, of Omaha, Neb.; two brothers: Rev. Gerald Thury, Dimock, of S.D., Clarence Thury, Parkston, of S.D.; former husband Ralph Schaefer; many nieces and nephews; “adopted” family member Kim Hansen. Preceded in death by husband William P. Stein; daughter Carla Jean Nigro; parents Paul and Mary (Polreis) Thury; seven brothers: William, Louis, James, Leonard, Donald, Joel, and Fred Thury; one sister: Dolores Eisenbraun.  VISITATION will be at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Council Bluffs, IA. Family will receive friends on Thursday, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., with Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be Friday at 11:00 a.m., at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, with Fr. Raphael Masabakhwa, officiating.  INURNMENT will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Council Bluffs, IA. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to Karen’s favorite charities. 

Kathleen V. Jay, age 99, passed away June 24, 2015, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital. Kathleen was born September 21, 1915, in Chelsea, Iowa to Frank Jay and Ollie (Upah) Jay and moved to Council Bluffs at the age oftwo. She retired from Jennie Edmundson Hospital in 1980 after 46 years of employment as Business Office manager. Kathleen is a life member of Women Christian Association, 50 year member of Harmony Chapter #25 of O>E>S., past member of Iowa Branch of Ostomy Visitation program. Former member of Business and Professional Women Club and Credit Women Breakfast Club and New Horizons Presbyterian Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Grace Jennings, brothers Leon Sr., and Larry Jay, nephews Donald and Leon (Skip) Jay, and niece Donna Jay Wilson. Survivors include her nieces,  Kay Ann Jay, Glenna Gallagher and husband Tim, nephew Frank Jay, great nieces and nephews, and great- great nieces and nephews. Visitation Saturday 10:00 am to 11:00 am followed by funeral services at 11:00 am all at Cutler-O’Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel. Interment Cedar Lawn Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the Walnut Hill Reception Center. Memorials to Jennie Edmundson and New Horizons Presbyterian Church.

Thelma Linehan Herrington age 83, Council Bluffs, passed away April 16, 2015. Thelma was born in Council Bluffs on November 11, 1931 to Elmer “Pat” and Edith (Lane) Colwell and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. Thelma worked for JC Penney in the Human Resources and Training and later at Council Bluffs Savings Bank and Firstar Bank also in Human Resources. She was an avid reader and is preceded in death by her parents, husbands Tom Linehan in 1971 and Bill Herrington in 1982, siblings, sisters Pat (Bud) Siebert, Marilyn (William) Tilley, Charlotte (Chuck) Wells, and Marge Showers, brother Sonny Colwell. Survivors include Thelma’s daughters Kathleen (Steve) Tisher, Laurie Linehan Kruse, all Council Bluffs,  son Mike (Marilyn) Linehan of Oceanside, CA; grandchildren, Sarah, Tarah and Marcus, great-grandchildren Sydney, Zachary, Tanner, Paxton, Logan, Ally, Baily and Carly, brother in law LeRoy Showers, Council Bluffs, nieces and nephews. Visitation Sunday 12noon to 2:00pm, at Cutler-O’Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial Monday 10:30am, followed by a luncheon all at Corpus Christi-Queen of Apostles Church. Private family interment. Memorials to Council Bluffs Library and Jennie Edmundson Foundation.

Dr. Duane D. Warden, age 90, passed away of natural causes on December 15, 2015, in his home in Dallas, Texas.

Duane Warden was born on April 18, 1925, in Grant City, Missouri, to Fay and Helen Warden. He was raised on the family farm and attended Central Missouri State University. Inspired by the example of the country doctor in Grant City, he entered an accelerated program for a medical degree at Washington University in Saint Louis. This is where he met his first wife, Shirley Wiegand. He completed his residency and served two years in the Army at Little Rock, Arkansas and Fort Eustis, Virginia. In 1955 he began his medical practice with Dr. Robert Collins in Council Bluffs. Over his thirty-five year medical career, he delivered more than 6,500 babies. In 1990, he retired from his medical practice to focus full-time on breeding Angus cattle. As a pioneer in this area, he tested his bulls for feed efficiency and sold top bulls as early as 1972. In 1997 his wife, Shirley, passed on. He married his second wife, Carol Spetman, in 2002. In 2012 he sold his herd and retired a second time and moved to Dallas, Texas, where his cowboy hats and boots fit in well. He lived there with his daughter, Susan and son-in-law, Les Porter, until his passing.
He is survived by his second wife, Carol Spetman, who is residing at Hanson House in Council Bluffs; his children, Jon Warden, of Fort Collins, Colo., Susan Warden, of Dallas, Craig Warden, of Los Angeles, Calif.;  his four grandchildren; and  his sister, Marilyn Hass, of Chesterfield, Missouri.

Cremation is being performed in Dallas. A memorial service will be held in the spring of 2016 for family and friends in Council Bluffs. In lieu of flowers, make donations in Duane's name to the Methodist Hospital Foundation , the Angus Foundation or the charity of your choice.

Duane Warden delivered more “bundles of joy” to parents in the Council Bluffs area than anyone except Santa. If you were one of those parents, you may remember his kindness and professional care. If you were one of those bundles, you probably don’t remember his gentle touch welcoming you to this world. If you were among his friends, you remember his love of wine, cooking and Aberdeen Angus cattle. If you were one of his children, you remember his generosity and farm-bred work ethic. Now, all we have are our memories, but they are enough.