Senator James Hahn Obituary

Senator James Hahn, 89, of Muscatine passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Lutheran Living.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2025 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services, 2907 Mulberry Avenue Muscatine, Iowa.   Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 400 Iowa Avenue Muscatine, Iowa. Private family burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.  Following the service, a time of food and fellowship will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church.  Memorials have been established for Wesley United Methodist Church, It Takes A Village and Lutheran Living in Jim’s name.  

James Fredrick Hahn was born on October 25, 1935 in Muscatine, the son of Fred and Louise (Blass) Hahn.  Jim graduated from Muscatine High School in the class of 1953.  On February 21, 1954, Jim was united in marriage to Beatrice Arlene Figg at Wesley United Methodist Church in Muscatine.  Jim was a lifelong farmer in the area also working in farm management, as an insurance adjuster, in real estate and serving as a Politician.  Jim served in the House of Representatives for seven terms and also spent two terms in the Iowa Senate.  He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, the Elks Lodge and Geneva Golf and Country Club.  In his free time, Jim could often be found skiing, snowmobiling or out on the golf course; but more than anything in the world, Jim enjoyed spending time with his four daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren and attending their many activities. 

Jim will be deeply missed by his children, Linda (Cory) Berry of Muscatine, Lori (Michael) Phelps of Muscatine, Lana (Mike) Kaufmann of Wilton and Lezlie (Denny) Mahoney of Nichols; grandchildren, Lucas (Whitney) Phelps, Dustin (Allison) Phelps, Hunter (Spencer Shalla) Berry, Taylor Berry, Seth (Lindsay) Kaufmann and Caleb Kaufmann; great-grandchildren, Beckham, Camden and Leighton Phelps, Kane and Louie Phelps, Hudson Kaufmann and another one on the way and sister-in-law, Pat Hahn.   

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Beatrice and brother, George Hahn. 

PATRICIA ‘PATTY’ ANN LANGE

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Patricia ‘Patty’ Ann Lange, 68, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at Lutheran Living.

Celebration of Life will be from 4 until 7 p.m., on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Wine Nutz, upstairs at 208 West 2nd Street, Muscatine. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to It Takes a Village. 

Patty was born on September 5, 1956, in Iowa, the daughter of Delane and Carole Thompson Hildebrandt.

She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and enjoyed going to the beach. She loved her cats but mostly loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Patty is survived by her daughters, Alana (Joe) Honts and Ariel (Alex) White; two grandchildren, Avery and Asher White; mother, Carole Hildebrandt; two brothers, Michael and Douglas Hildebrandt; and cousin, Jennifer (Joe) DuBurg.

She is preceded in death by her father, Delane.

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Cathy Ann Deters, the world traveler, embarked on the last great journey on June 5, 2024, surrounded by her family and faithful dog PeeWee. She had traveled to exotic destinations  and appreciated many diverse people groups and cultures, but made her homes in Muscatine, Iowa and Honolulu, Hawaii.  

Cathy was born on July 15, 1950, in Willmar, MN, the daughter of Ernest and Dorothea (Peterson) Petersen. She was united in marriage to her traveling partner LeRoy E. Deters on March 8, 1969, in Duluth, MN. 

Cathy took great joy in caring for others. Her handmade cards communicated love and appreciation. She enjoyed cooking for others as a way of saying “I love you”.  She was known locally and abroad by the name “Oma”.  

It has been said that Oma was the perfect amount of love and sass. She was silly and fun with just enough naughty to earn her the title “Shenanigator in Chief”. She loved people and learning about the world through travel. She had an open mind and a kind and generous heart. 

Cathy’s professional life focused on service to others. Trained as a nurse, she specialized in elder care. She was the Director of Senior Circle and the Lutheran Homes Memory Care Unit, which she helped design and develop.  She earned the Governor's Volunteer Award in 1998 for her work with the Commission on Aging and founding an Alzheimer's support group.  After retirement, she volunteered as a docent with Hanauma Bay Program (HBEP), It takes a Village Animal Rescue, her church Faith United and several other organizations.

She is survived by her devoted husband, LeRoy; children, Cheryl (Larry) Mann, Karen (Mike) Hartman, and James (Becky) Deters; grandchildren Dylan (Alyssa) Mann, Ashelyn Mann, Cheyenne Mann, Madeline (Evan) Sinnott,  Allison Hartman, Gabby Hartman, Zuzu Hartman, Joseph Deters, Hannah Deters, and Jonathan Deters; great granddaughter, Tahlia Sinnott; siblings, Alan (Shirley) Petersen, Susan (Bruce)  Milton,  Donell (Bob) Beaulieu, Kristen (Arnie)  Grimstrup, and Sonja (Willard) Ario; numerous nieces and nephews; and her dog, PeeWee.  

She is preceded in death by her parents, and two nephews, Paul Beaulieu and Wally Macomber.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m.,  Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Faith United Church of Christ in Muscatine, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Aloha wear is preferred.  Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to It Takes a Village Animal Rescue and Resources, the ALS Association, or Faith United Church of Christ. 

LUCAS W. REED

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Lucas Reed, 49, passed away on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at his home.

Visitation will be from 4 until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Micaela’s Hope or in memory of his beloved dog, Tobias, It Takes a Village Animal Rescue.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at Calvary Church. Pastor Dan Schoepf will officiate. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com

Lucas was born on April 25, 1975, to Paul and Carol Reed in Watseka, IL. He lived in Cissna Park, IL until age 9 and had many favorite memories from growing up around his cousins in his early years. After moving to Muscatine, he began making lifelong friends at both Grant Elementary and Central Middle Schools.

Lucas is a graduate of Muscatine High School, class of 1993. He was brilliant, insightful, always up for a good debate, and overly loquacious in all topics. While he graduated from MCC with his associates degree, one of Lucas’s regrets was not furthering his education to his full capacity.

Throughout his adult life, Lucas held several different jobs and made many friends along the way. He was a friend to everyone. Whether asking about your life and family or engaging in some witty banter, he truly cared when he asked how you were doing. He was an active member of multiple gaming communities over the years, enjoyed random trivia about literally anything, loved precise vocabulary words, and was an avid blood donor. 

In 2016, Lucas married Kira Ulch in Muscatine and became stepfather to Maddox & Ash Ulch. Lucas and Kira remained close despite separating earlier this year.

He is survived by his parents, Paul and Carol Reed, wife Kira and stepchildren Maddox and Ash, sister Autumn (Reed) Kinsey and brother-in-law Bob Kinsey, nephews Max and Finn, and nieces, Zoie and Mae.

Lucas was very open about his mental health struggles throughout the years. His family would encourage anyone needing help to please reach out to someone. Please.

ARLEN ELLIOTT

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Arlen R. Elliott, 96, of Muscatine, passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2024, surrounded by family at Lutheran Living Senior Campus in Muscatine.  Private services will be held at a later date. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.

Arlen was born to Rector P. Elliott and Lula T. Elliott on May 19, 1928, in Terre Haute, Indiana.  He graduated from Wiley High School in Terre Haute, class of 1946, and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Rose Polytechnic Institute in 1949.  After graduation, he served in the US Army at the Chemical Center in Maryland.

Arlen married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Mae Powers, on October 5, 1950.  They enjoyed 65 years together raising their four children.

In 1956, Arlen joined Grain Processing Corporation.  Over his almost forty-year career with GPC, Arlen held a variety of positions in departments from Research and Development to Sales.  He retired in 1993 as Vice President of Commodities.

In his younger years, Arlen owned and restored numerous antique autos.   Favorites included a 1946 Ford Deluxe; a 1949 Ford Custom; and the award winning 1948 Chrysler Town & Country “Woodie”.  Arlen was active in Ramblin’ Rodders and Muscatine Antique Car Club and passed his love of cars on to his sons.

In his later retirement years, Arlen rekindled his boyhood interest in model planes.  He assembled well over one thousand models during his lifetime, meticulously researching each one.  His knowledge was encyclopedic, and he loved to answer questions about design characteristics, battles flown, and production details.

Arlen was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy (2015); and two youngest children, Christopher Arlen Elliott (Edina, MN; 2024) and Mary Gail Donovan (LeClaire, IA; 2018):  He is survived by his daughter Linda Susan Streuber and her husband, Jeff (Jewell, IA); son, Marc Alan Elliott and his wife, Nancy (Muscatine, IA); son-in-law, Kevin Donovan (LeClaire, IA); eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Arlen is also survived by his cherished companion, a calico cat named Abigail.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Muscatine Humane Society or It Takes a Village Animal Rescue, in Arlen’s memory. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com

SHELLY LYNETTE BEAN

Shelly Lynette Bean, 60, of Muscatine Iowa, passed away peacefully on September 24th, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics.

A celebration of life will be held to honor her at the Muscatine Armory on October 26th from 12-4pm. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Shelly’s love for animals – especially her fur babies Crowbar and Bella- remembrances can be made out to It Takes A Village Animal Rescue and Resources or online at https://givebutter.com/ShellyBean

Shelly was born in Muscatine Iowa to Robert and Sherry Wagner on June 19th, 1964.

She was a lifelong resident of Muscatine and graduated from Muscatine High School class of 1982.

After an eight-year courtship, she finally gave in and agreed to marry Bruce Bean on April 3rd, 1993. Together they lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures. She enjoyed taking vacations with family and long weekend fall road trips to her favorite festivals. Shelly delighted in decorating their home – especially during the holidays. She also loved shopping…shopping…and shopping. It was a sure bet that most days you would see her out and about with her mom, the two of them grabbing lunch, popping by their favorite stores or at the nail salon – always chatting it up with everyone. They shared such a unique and admirable bond as mother and daughter. It goes without saying that Sherry not only lost her daughter – but her best friend.

Out of everything she loved, Shelly treasured her family the most. And as families go – there are several “sides”. But through Shelly, we all became united as one from the beginning. In her final days as we gathered together around her – it was so moving to see her surrounded by - not just people that loved her, but because of HER – loved each other. Though all weren’t biologically related – we have always considered each other family. How lucky we are that she bestowed us the blessing of each other and together we’ve shared our lives as family.

Shelly will be forever remembered for her loyalty, dependability and selflessness. She consistently went out of her way to take care of her family – and her definition of “family” extended to anyone she loved…always doing little thoughtful things to make everyone feel special…thinking first of everyone else before herself.

Though Bruce and Shelly didn’t have children of their own, they played an immeasurable role in the lives of their many nieces and nephews. To say that Shelly devoted herself to the role of “Aunt” doesn’t begin to scratch the surface. She was cherished like a second mother and shared such an unrivaled sweet love with each of them. Her door was always open, her time unwavering whenever they needed her. They all were her fiercest love…and even though she is physically gone -her love for them extends beyond the stars and will always find them wherever they are.

Shelly always considered herself lucky that she had so many siblings and loved them all. Even though she never came right out and said so – we all knew she held such a special place in her heart for her two youngest brothers – Michael and Sean. She adored them always and was the kind of older sister we all wish for. Their devotion for her was equally matched… Their commitment steadfast to her always..but their tenderness, love and vigilance to their sister and their mother in her final days was a beautiful reflection that they were raised in the arms of queens.

With unshakeable certainty Shelly would want a special mention to her “bonus”parents – Mike and Julie. She cherished your love so much and considered herself blessed to have you as parents. May you always know how much she loved you and cherished the love you had for her.

We would like to extend tremendous and heartfelt thanks to the exceptional staff at the University Of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Medical Intensive Care Unit & Palliative Care Unit for their care of Shelly and to us as her family.  To the extraordinary team at Compassus Hospice Care Cedar Rapids – may your kindness, compassion and humanity find its way back to you for the rest of your days. You ALL are a gift to your field.

Shelly is survived by her husband and love of her life, Bruce Bean of Muscatine. Her Mother and Stepfather, Mike and Sherry Boynton of Muscatine. Her stepmother, Julie Wagner of Muscatine; Siblings, Michael (Jamie) Boynton of Muscatine; Sean (Angie) Boynton of East Moline; Amy (Fred) Levinson of Muscatine; Andrea (Mark) Salmonson of Muscatine; Eric (Jeanne) Wagner of Wapello; Megan (Tom) Treptow of LaGrange, GA; Owen (Felicia) Wagner of Juliet, TN.

She is preceded in death by her father Robert Wagner and her brother Blaine Wagner.

Dennis Wayne Morgan Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dennis Wayne Morgan (Muscatine, Iowa), who passed away on August 11, 2024, at the age of 72, leaving to mourn family and friends. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Dennis Wayne Morgan to pay them a last tribute.

He was predeceased by: his parents, Donald Morgan and Frances Martin Morgan; and his siblings, Mike Morgan and Janice Noll. He is survived by: his wife Sherry Morgan of Muscatine; his children, Amy Baker (Kerry) of Washington, Jody Morgan of Sigourney, Ashley Crumly (Gary) of Florence, Tricia Bedenbender (Bill) of Muscatine, Tina Green (Randy) of Muscatine and Jim Davis (Amy) of Manassas, Virginia; his grandchildren, Tehya Hudson, Harley, Sierra Baker, Riley, Carter Kaufman, Jenna, RJ Davis, Logan, Paige Bedenbender, Ella, Annie Green and Jakob Carter; his great grandchildren, Kaislyn and Kinsley Hudson; his brother Douglas Morgan (Kathi); and his sister-in-law Kathy Morgan.

Memorials may be made to It Takes a Village Animal Rescue and Resources.

Catharine Ann Leggins, 82, passed away Thursday, November 3, 2022 at her home in Moscow.

No services are planned.

Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Oakdale Cemetery, Wilton.

Memorials may be made to: It takes a Village Animal Rescue & Resources in Muscatine

Catharine was born October 25, 1940 in Muscatine County the daughter of John S. and Juanita (Maurer) Smith. She was a graduate of Wilton High School in 1959. On October 28, 1960 she was united in marriage to George Leggins in Wilton.

For several years Catharine had been employed with the Moscow Post Office, later at Tri-Co in Wilton and Pioneer in Durant. She was a member of the Moscow United Methodist Church and Stitch and Bitch Club.

She is survived by her husband George of Moscow, two children: Jerry (Siara) Leggins of West Liberty and Jennifer (Patrick) Willson of Wilton, one brother Doug (Connie) Smith of Muscatine as well as four grandchildren: Zoey Grunder, Ellie Grunder, Alex Torres and Samantha Leggins. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers: Jerry, Joe, Bob and Bill and a sister Mary Laucamp.