Obituaries

Michael John DeGroote, age 63, of New Hartford, Iowa, was born the son of Marion and Hannah Mae  (Gersema) DeGroote on October 31, 1962, in Bremer County, Waverly, Iowa. He received his education and  graduated May 17, 1981, from Parkersburg High School.    Mike made his home on an acreage near

Patrick J. Hagarty, 66, of Waterloo, Iowa, passed away peacefully at his home on December 16, 2025, following a courageous battle with brain cancer. Surrounded and held  tight by his wife and children, Patrick took his final breath as music filled the room - John Denver’s, ‘Fly Away’ playing softly

Kathy Ann (Schwestka) Kitzmann, 78, passed away on December 20, 2025, in  Modesto, California.   Born on August 27, 1947, in Waterloo, Iowa, Kathy was a proud graduate of Orange High School. She furthered her education and was a licensed barber through the Iowa State Journeymen Barber Division as well as

Donna Jean Engel, 94, of Waterloo, passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at  Wellspring Living Health Center at Friendship Village surrounded by her family.  Donna was born on January 19, 1931, in Waterloo, to Gerald P. and Euarda M. (Kline) Lichty. She graduated from Orange High School in 1949.

Betty L. Brandhorst, of Cedar Falls, passed away Monday, January 5, 2026 at UnityPoint Allen Hospital at age 83 years. She was born December 13, 1942 in Waterloo, IA,  the daughter of Everett and Barbara (Tiller) Kern.   She married Rodger L. Brandhorst on December 2, 1961. They celebrated 63 years

Mitchell "Mitch" Gates, 38, of Evansdale, died Thursday, January 1, 2026, at  MercyOne Hospital in Waterloo. He was born September 27, 1987, in Waterloo, son of Rhonda and Craig Gates. He married Cora Spooner on July 29, 2017, in Bremer County.   Mitch was the regional facilities director for