News Headlines for July 24, 2026

NORTHWOOD, IOWA — Sharon Kay Holstad, 87, of Northwood, died Wednesday, July 22, 2026, following a life centered on faith, family, caregiving and service to others.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at Elk Creek Lutheran Church in Kensett. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church, with Pastor Linda Johnson-Prestholt presiding. Burial will take place at Elk Creek Cemetery.

CLEAR LAKE, IOWA — Harlan Dean Helps, 75, of Clear Lake, died Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center while surrounded by his loving family.

A memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 24, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Avenue North in Clear Lake. A funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at Zion Lutheran Church, 112 North Fourth Street in Clear Lake, with Pastor Al Berge and Pastor Mike Daley officiating.

CHARLES CITY, IOWA — Mary Downing, 77, of Charles City, died peacefully Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Floyd County Medical Center while surrounded by her loving family.

A visitation was held Thursday, July 23, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. A Mass of Christian Burial followed at the church, with the Rev. Ray Atwood officiating. Inurnment took place at Sunnyside Memory Gardens in rural Charles City.

MASON CITY — Diane Mae Bartusek, a lifelong Mason City woman whose life was marked by a long career in the local automotive industry, a deep love for her family and animals, and remarkable strength during a years-long battle with cancer, died Monday, July 20, 2026. She was 54.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2026, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. NE in Mason City.

SUMNER — Lois J. Borcherding, 92, a lifelong Sumner resident whose life was marked by faith, community service, music and devotion to her family, died Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Cobblestone Court Assisted Living in Sumner.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, at Cobblestone Court Assisted Living, 3187 140th Street in Sumner, with Hugh McIntosh officiating. Visitation will be held at Cobblestone from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

CHARLES CITY, IOWA — Jeffrey Paul Sisson, 70, of Charles City, died peacefully Tuesday, July 21, 2026, leaving behind decades of leadership, mentorship and service to the community he loved.

Visitation was held Thursday evening, July 23, at the Riverside Cemetery Chapel in Charles City. An outdoor memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 24, at Victory Park near the suspension bridge. Riverside Cemetery in Charles City is listed as the cemetery.

CRESCO, IOWA — Charles Harrison “Charlie” Miller, 94, of Cresco, died peacefully Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the Evans Home in Cresco.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at Peace Lutheran Church, 745 County Street in Ridgeway. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cresco. Family and friends may also gather Saturday afternoon at the Ridgeway Community Center for a celebration of Charlie’s life.