IN MEMORIAM
This page is dedicated to honoring and remembering the cherished members and community members related to the Iowa Funeral Directors Association who passed away in 2025 and 2026.
Their contributions, dedication, and spirit have impacted our community and profession. As we reflect on their lives and legacies, we express our deepest gratitude for their commitment and lasting impact on us all.
We invite you to read about and reflect on the lives of these remarkable individuals. May their memories be a blessing and their legacies continue to inspire future generations within the IFDA community.
2026
Julie K. McMillan
Licensed Funeral Director & IFDA Member
March 3, 1983 - September 23, 2026
Scott Sietsema
Former Funeral Director & IFDA Member
Brother and nephew of IFDA member’s Todd Sietsema and Patrick Sietsema.
May 14, 1984 – July 12, 2026
Paul Ascherl
Father of Retired IFDA Member, Matthew Ascherl
May 31, 1933 — July 3, 2026
Stanley “Stan” Amil Lawrence
Licensed Funeral Director & 60 year IFDA Member
April 22, 1932 — July 1, 2026
Thomas M. Aronson
Father of Sara Eldridge and Father in law of IFDA Member and Past President, Ben Eldridge
June 26, 1953 — June 15, 2026
Jolene Niehaus
Mother of IFDA Member, Lindsey Sherman
April 9, 1957 – June 13, 2026
Aaron Sanders
IFDA Member and owner of Sanders Funeral Service
June 18, 1952 – June 3, 2026
Joshua “Josh” Harry
Husband of IFDA member Jennifer Harry
November 22, 1977 — April 27, 2026
Janeth G. “Jan” (Holden) Peterseim
Mother of IFDA Member Meg Nagel
February 16, 1936 – April 25, 2026
Lori A. Vancura
Daughter and sister of IFDA Members Mike & Karen Schaaf and Brian & Mary Schaaf
January 20, 1963 – April 23, 2026
Steve Heckenbach
Father of IFDA Member, Sara Heckenbach-Wood
October 3, 1954 — April 7, 2026
Amy Jurrens
Wife of Jerry Jurrens of Jerry Funeral Homes
July 7, 1971 – March 22, 2026
Robert “Bob” Erickson
IFDA Member and Owner of Foster Funeral Home
June 10, 1941 – March 7, 2026
Roger Alan Redig
Father of IFDA Member Roman Redig
August 24, 1955 – February 12, 2026
Craig Eugene Hastings
Son of Chuck and Dina Hastings, Long-time IFDA Members
April 8, 1963 – January 21, 2026
Linda Carol Wilkinson
Grandmother of IFDA Member, Chris Novak
November 8, 1945 – January 17, 2026
Ronald Raymond Henkenius
Father of Chuck Henkenius & Grandfather of Noah Henkenius
August 10, 1941 – January 4, 2026
2025
Herman C. Theobald Jr.
Grandfather of IFDA member Nicholas Todd
December 26, 1930 – December 29, 2025
Lisa Wagler
Funeral Director and Long-time IFDA Member
March 12, 1952 – December 18, 2025
Leroy “Lee” Dale Willim
Long-time Funeral Director and Funeral Home owner
Febuary 3, 1942 – December 11, 2025
Alan Kruthoff
Funeral Director and Long-time Member of IFDA
May 5, 1942- December 11, 2025
Jerry Staton
Father-in-law of Michael L. Sytsma, CFSP, FSI Treasurer & Long-time IFDA Member
November 7, 1941 – November 13, 2025
Roger Ewing
Father of Long-Time IFDA Member Mike Ewing
March 4, 1945- November 4, 2025
Edward Charles Conway
Long-Time IFDA Member
November 17, 1939 – October 26, 2025
Adrienne Garry
Mother of Long-Time IFDA Member Vic Garry
September 12, 1942- October 6, 2025
Lambert Hoffman
Grandfather of IFDA Member Derek Hoffman.
December 28, 1930 – September 3, 2025
Richard Wagler
Former IFDA Member who served on FSI board for many years.
November 15, 1950 – August 3, 2025
Gordon Sietsema
Grandfather of IFDA Member Todd Sietsema
August 20, 1935 – July 20, 2025
Marlyce Jean Murdoch
Wife of former IFDA Member George Murdoch and mother of IFDA Members John Murdoch and Leigh Murdoch-Poe
January 6, 1931 – July 15, 2025
John E. “Jack” Reuter
Father-in-law of IFDA Secretary-Treasurer Brian White
March 4, 1949 – July 8, 2025
Lester Earl Goslar
Father of IFDA Member Darren Goslar
April 18, 1948 – July 2, 2025
Philip Lee Hawn
Father of IFDA Member Brad Hawn
October 28, 1938 – June 27, 2025
Anita Louise Fouts
Mother of IFDA member Paul Fouts
April 27, 1938 – June 16, 2025
Diane Marie Warhover
Mother of IFDA member Michell Morrow
June 13, 1934 – May 21, 2025
Charles William Wilkinson, Sr.
Grandfather of IFDA member Chris Novak
June 22 1943 – May 15, 2025
Sam Beaty
Former IFDA Member Firm Owner and 50-year milestone award recipient
April 2, 1942 – April 30, 2025
Stanton Brandt
Former IFDA member and owner of Brandt and Fritz Funeral Home
February 11, 1924 – April 2, 2025
Louis “Louie” Hagarty
Long-time IFDA member and owner of IFDA Member Firm Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service
January 9, 1945 – April 2, 2025