Obituary for Jimmie "Jim" Narber March 1, 1939-September 12, 2026

 

Jimmie “Jim” Dean Narber, 87, of Grand Island, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Friday, September 18th. Burial will follow at Grand Island City Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Navy and the Hall County Veterans Honor Guard.
Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Thursday, September 17th, at All Faiths Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to First National Bank Omaha in Grand Island to the "Jim Narber Memorial Fund." Donations will be put towards a future planned memorial in Grand Island.
Jim was born March 1, 1939, in Lovilia, Iowa, to Reed and Lucille (Mosley) Narber. Jim attended school in Chariton, IA, and Sioux Valley, MN, graduating in 1957 from Sioux Valley High School.
On November 8, 1961, Jim entered the United States Navy (Seabees). During his service he did construction work in eight different countries including Puerto Rico (Island of Culebra), Greece, Naples Italy, Sicily, Spain, Antarctica, and Newfoundland. He was honorably discharged on March 8, 1966, as an E-5 Second Class Petty Officer.
On June 16, 1962, Jim married Donna Reynolds. They had four children, Conn, Shannon, Heidi and Tiffany.
After military service, Jim worked for Shriver Construction of Jefferson, IA as project superintendent, overseeing the construction of motels, restaurants, clinics and apartment housing. In 1974 Jim moved his young family to Grand Island to work for Chief Construction as a project manager in the construction division.
In 1983, Jim started his own construction company, Jim Narber, Inc., a Construction and Development company, and in 1997 purchased the Floor to Ceiling Store. Jim continued working until August 2025. A motto Jim lived by, “It’s the Journey, Not the Destination.”
Jim was proud of his military service and took great joy designing and building the Freedom Rock display and pergola cover located at the Grand Island Veterans Club.
Those who cherish his memory include his wife of 64 years, Donna; his children, Conn (Karen) Narber, Shannon (Vicki) Narber, Heidi (Kent) Richter, and Tiffany (Todd) Johnson; grandchildren, McClain (Ty) Botsford, Adyson (Garrett) Staten, Cal (Laine) Narber, Judah Narber, Daniel Narber, Jillian Narber, Sydney Richter, Will Richter, Jack Richter, Edward Johnson, Charles Johnson, and Sophia Johnson; and two great-grandchildren, Beaux and Otto Botsford.
He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Joann Narber and Louise Narber; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Doyle and Marilyn Reynolds, and sister-in-law, Dixie Dursky; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jerry Narber and Gene Narber; his parents-in-law, Lyle and Wilma Reynolds; and brother-in-law, Steve Dursky.

Patricia Blubaugh Obituary November 9, 1937 - August 23, 2026

Patricia Louise Blubaugh, 88 of Chariton, Iowa, passed away peacefully at the Clarke County Hospital on August 23, 2026, surrounded by her family. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Patricia was born on November 9, 1937, in Lucas County, to Asa and Edith (Casner) Etter. She was the youngest of 9 children and grew up alongside Dora, Wyoma, Bob, Bruce, Betty, Bill, Lucille and Helen. She graduated from Chariton High School with the class of 1956.

On August 4, 1956, Patricia Louise Etter married Leo Joseph Blubaugh, beginning a loving marriage that spanned seven decades. Together they built a life centered on faith, family and hard work.

Patricia began her career working for Dr. Herman and Dr. Egly for several years. Several years later she started their family, and she spent her time as mother to Debra and Jim.

Pat was dedicated to the Catholic Church for years and was always available to set up for weddings and events held at the church. She was obsessed with cleanliness, whether it was her home or her vehicles, everything had to be spotless. She enjoyed a good story and would have her kids and grandkids absolutely in tears by the end of the story.

Over the years Pat had many jobs working at K-Bar Packaging, Mother Nature's Pantry, Lake Vista Supper Club and Hy-Vee as a cake decorator. When she retired from Hy-Vee, she became the manager for Lake Vista Motel (Country Cabins) from 1992-2000. After officially retiring in 2000, she and Leo moved to a nice home in Chariton and continued to travel to their favorite destinations, mostly to Lake of the Ozarks and Branson. They made several trips to the Mega Mall in Minneapolis with their grandkids. Pat was also the go-to person to make cakes for all the special family occasions.

Patricia’s greatest pride was her family. She is survived by her children: Debra (Nick) Cattell and Jim (Liz) Blubaugh; seven grandchildren: Heather (Thad) Michael, Brad (Kelly) Cattell, Morgan (Alan) Kane, Bridget Blubaugh (David Rivera), Kyle Blubaugh, Dillan Blubaugh (Katie Paine), Jordan Blubaugh (Anthony Davis); 18 great grandchildren: Mercedes (Bryce), Cheyenne (Brandon), Tucker, Khloe, Issac, Max, Annalyn, Abel, Whitney (Adam Goudeart), Christopher, Poppi, Leo, Harper, Ryleigh, Adaleigh, Colter, Ellie and Asher; along with one more great great grandchild on the way. Pat also leaves many nieces, nephews, extended family members and countless friends.

Her passing came just one month after the loss of her beloved husband, Leo. While their family has experienced tremendous loss in such a short time, they find comfort in knowing that after more than sixty-five years of marriage and a lifetime of memories together, Patricia and Leo have been reunited once again. Patricia is also preceded by her parents, Asa & Edith; an infant brother, James Donald; three brothers, Bob, Bruce & Bill; five sisters, Dora, Wyoma, Betty, Lucille and Helen.

Patricia will be remembered for her strong work ethic, quiet devotion to her family, her love of traveling and babysitting the grandkids, and the simple joys she found in spending time with those she loved. Her kindness, dedication, and steady presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Vincent Pelzek Obituary May 13, 1963 - September 1, 2026

 

Vincent Timothy Pelzek, 63, of Russell, IA, passed away on September 1, 2026, after a short and courageous battle with cancer. Vince was born on May 13, 1963, in El Paso, Texas, to Thomas Pelzek and Victoria Hubbard. He was raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and spent most of his adult life in Iowa. For 25 years, Vince was the beloved and devoted partner of Terri Jones. He loved his family fiercely and deeply, and those he loved knew that beneath his strength and opinions was a heart that cared deeply. Vince was a man of many talents and passions. He was an educator, musician, artist, photographer, cook, and avid reader. He loved meaningful conversations and was never afraid to have the hard conversations about life, encouraging others to think deeply and speak honestly. Vince was proud of his Lakota spiritual path and carried a deep respect for Native American teachings. He believed in honoring and protecting those teachings and traditions, and his spiritual journey was an important part of the man he was. Vince had a deep and abiding love for nature and the animals he shared his life with. He loved his farm and found joy in spending countless hours tending his garden and caring for his flowers. Throughout his life, he opened his heart and his home to many stray animals, giving them love, safety, and a place to belong. Vince is preceded in death by his mother, Victoria Hubbard; his father, Thomas Pelzek; his grandmother, Anita Krystoff; and his cousin, Anna Marie Kelly. Vince is survived by his partner, Terri Jones; his son, Nik Pelzek; his stepchildren, Ian (Stacie) Holmgren, Jena (Emanuel) Otero, and Mick Jones; and his beloved grandchildren, Amelia, Cooper, Jacari, and Mila, who lovingly called him Papa Vin. Vince will also be dearly missed by Terri's Mom, Patty Pottorff; his sister, Colette (Ron) Stricklett of Blair, Nebraska; their son, Gage Stricklett; and his niece, Emily, her husband, Chance, and their children, Drew and Holly Williams. He is also survived by his sister, Wendy (Rob) Wheeler of Rockwall, Texas, and their daughter, Montana. He is also survived by Terri's brother, Lonny Snook, along with his nieces and nephews, Tristan, Trisha, and Shelby Vince's uncles and aunts also survive him: Tim and Mary Kelly of New Braunfels, Texas, and Alpherie and Linda Krystoff of Pleasant Hill, California, as well as many more family members and friends who loved him dearly. Vince also leaves behind a community of caring hearts within the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). He will be deeply missed by the families he came to know, the staff and colleagues who had the privilege of knowing him, and the many members of the TAPS community whose lives he touched A memorial and celebration of Vince's life will be held on October 17, 2026, at Jester Park Nature Center from 4 to 6 pm. A graveside memorial will follow on October 18, 2026, at Mt. Zion in Chariton, Iowa. at 3:30 pm Though his time with us ended far too soon, Vince's love, spirit, and the lessons he shared will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

 

Richard Dittmer Obituary - December 30, 1960-September 2, 2026

 

Funeral services for Richard Dittmer, 65, of Russell, will be held Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Interment will be at the Russell Cemetery.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 8, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Russell Volunteer Fire Department in Richard’s memory.

Richard passed away on September 2, 2026. He will be greatly missed by his companion and friend of 26 years, Jo Carroll; his boys, Devon (Ashley) Carroll and Cody (Pahri) Carroll; grandchildren: Trent, Finn, Aislin, Sully, Layhla, and Avery; siblings: Jake (Kathleen) Dittmer, Tony Dittmer, Sue (Bonnie Hodson) Dittmer, Roger (Theresa) Dittmer, Sally (John) Kennedy, Greg (Shelly) Dittmer and Lisa (Johnny Schnathorst) Dittmer; Jo’s father, Jim Carroll; Jo’s siblings: Janet (Denny) Behrhorst, Jim (Tracy) Carroll, Jeri (Keith) Bowen, Joyce Carroll, Pat (Jenny) Carroll and Pete (Donna) Carroll; along with a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Mary Dittmer; Jo’s mother, Dolores Carroll; and brothers: Sam Dittmer, Leon Dittmer, and Joe Dittmer.