News Headlines for November 13, 2026

CHARLES CITY — Janet Lea “Jan” McGovern, 81, of Charles City, a longtime Howard County supervisor whose political career included a notable Democratic National Convention vote and two decades of service to Northern Iowa residents, died Thursday, November 12, 2026, at her home after living with cancer.

Visitation will be held Friday, November 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Riceville. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Saturday, November 21, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville.

CHARLES CITY — Cynthia “Cindy” Marie Thornton, 51, of Charles City, a lively and outspoken woman whose quick wit, contagious laughter and love for her family left lasting memories with those who knew her, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at her home.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, November 15, at 3 p.m. at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, 1205 South Main Street in Charles City, with Pastor Matt Howlett of First Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, immediately before the service. Burial will be held at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City.

DICKENS — Phyllis Ann Krukow, 97, of Dickens, a devoted mother and grandmother, former school cook and award-winning community volunteer whose generous spirit touched generations of Iowa families, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the Ruthven Care Center.

Funeral services will be held Monday, November 16, at 11 a.m. at Geelan Funeral Home, 403 11th Street SE, in Spencer. Visitation will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. before the service. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Poland Township Cemetery near Marathon. The funeral will also be livestreamed through the funeral home’s website for those unable to attend.

MASON CITY — Gordon C. Kammrad, 97, formerly of Mason City, whose long working life, devotion to his family and involvement in the Lions Club reflected a lifetime of dedication and service, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the Sheffield Care Center.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 17, from 10 to 10:30 a.m. at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Avenue, in Mason City. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor Jani Dahlin officiating. Gordon will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery in Sheffield. Memorial contributions may be directed to his family.

ROCKFORD — Janice Earla Fullerton, 85, whose life was filled with devotion to her family, decades of hard work on the farm and a kitchen where nobody ever left hungry, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the Rockwell Care Center, surrounded by her loving family.

Visitation will be held Saturday, November 14, from 10 to 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 21 3rd Street NW, in Rockford. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church, with burial immediately afterward at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.

KENSETT — George Melvin Dokken Jr., 86, a longtime Northern Iowa ironworker, National Guard veteran and devoted family man whose determination, craftsmanship and love of the outdoors shaped a life filled with hard work and treasured memories, passed away Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 21, at 11 a.m. at Elk Creek Lutheran Church, 4108 Killdeer Avenue, near Kensett. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at the church, with a time of fellowship following the service. George will be laid to rest at Elk Creek Lutheran Cemetery in rural Kensett.

ROCKWELL — Jody J. Sundvold, 58, of Rockwell, a hardworking handyman and devoted father whose sense of humor, energetic personality and love for tinkering made him memorable to family and friends, passed away Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at his home.

A celebration of Jody’s life will be held Monday, November 16, from 10 a.m. until noon at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Avenue, in Mason City. A time of sharing will begin at 11:30 a.m., officiated by Pastor Linda Johnson-Prestholt.

SUMNER — Carol Janice Kent, 86, of Sumner, whose steady presence behind the wheel of a school bus, remarkable sewing skills and devotion to family made her a familiar and valued member of her community, passed away Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at her home.

In accordance with Carol’s wishes, no formal funeral or memorial services will be held. Family members and friends may share memories and offer condolences through Becker & Son Funeral Homes in Sumner.

ALGONA — Lester Lynn Pesicka, 59, of Algona, a longtime truck driver who found happiness on the open road and enjoyed sharing laughter with those closest to him, passed away Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in Mason City, Iowa.

A private family burial will be held at a later date. No public services have been announced.