Tharp Funeral Home

01/31/2026

Karen Ruth Coatney, age 67, of Mystic, IA, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Golden Age Care Center in Centerville, IA.

Karen was born on May 16, 1958, in Iowa City, IA, to Phillip and Donna (McCaulley) See. She grew up in Albia, Centerville, and Mystic. On December 8, 1992, she was united in marriage to Jerry Coatney who preceded her in death on June 17, 2022.

Karen devoted her career to the restaurant business, owning and operating the Albia Café. She loved being outdoors, especially fishing and feeding the birds. She was extremely talented and enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and knitting. She was also an exceptional cook and baker, well known for her delicious pies. Cooking brought her joy as she believed that “a person well fed with a full stomach is a happy person.” Above all else, Karen’s greatest joy in life was the time spent with family and friends.

Karen is survived by 3 children, Angela (Chad) Jones, Brian (Cynthia) Templeton, and Phillip (Rachel) Templeton; her stepchildren, Jerry Michael (Kristy) Coatney, Kimberly Coatney, and Nicholas Coatney; 12 grandchildren, Brandon Jones, Brett Jones, Corey Jones, Kaleb (Lexie) Templeton, Ellie Templeton, Riley Hawkins, Kyera Hawkins, Cody Templeton, Emily Templeton, Asher Templeton, Lainey Templeton, and Brynlee Gladbach; 6 step grandchildren, Noah Coatney, Abbey Coatney, Ross Vander Hayden, Jessica Coatney Fowler, Deagan Coatney, and Remi Coatney; 11 great grandchildren; and her siblings, Phillip (Susan) See, Mike (Patty) See, and Rhonda Sipe. Karen is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Coatney; her parents, Phillip and Donna See; and 3 sisters, Mary Kay See, Martha See and Carol Radden.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Karen’s family present to greet family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Holly Oden officiating. Burial will follow services at Haines Cemetery in Centerville, IA.

An open memorial has been established to the family.

Condolences and memories to the family may be left online at www.tharpfh.com.

01/31/2026

Rose “Lorraine” Cooper, age 80, of Albia, IA, passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loved ones, under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice.

Lorraine was born on December 4, 1945, in Albia, IA, to Earl and Zelma (Bowman) Chapman. She grew up attending school in Albia and graduated with the Class of 1964. On May 15, 1964, she was united in marriage to Gary Cooper at the First Christian Church in Albia and to this union, 3 children, Steve, Erik, and Jenmi, were born. Lorraine and Gary were blessed with 61 years of marriage prior to her passing.

In her early career, Lorriane was a photographer for JC Penney’s and later for Sears. Her most cherished role was that of a homemaker, devoting herself to raising her children.

Lorraine enjoyed being outdoors, especially tending to her rose garden and tomato plants. In her younger years, she enjoyed league bowling and riding motorcycles with Gary. She was an excellent cook and baker, well known for her fudge, and enjoyed preparing food for family gatherings. She was an extremely talented seamstress, making her daughter’s homecoming dresses and wedding dress. She collected Napoleon roses and enjoyed putting together puzzles and playing games, especially Skip Bo, Yahtzee, and Pegs & Jokers. Above all, Lorraine loved her family deeply and cherished the time spent with them.

Lorraine is survived by her husband, Gary; her children, Steve Cooper, Erik Cooper, and Jenni Johnston; 2 grandchildren, Cora and Sean Johnston; 2 sisters, Eleanor Hackett and Carol McDaniel; and siblings-in-law, Larry (Genny) Cooper, Kim Bacon, and Nikki (Paul) Ammons. Lorraine is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, Earl Chapman; her mother and stepfather, Zelma and Melvin Pilkerton; 3 sisters, Evelyn Ramey, Janice Teno, and Judith Hackett; and 2 brothers-in-law, Tim Cooper and Doug Bacon.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Lorraine’s family present from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. to greet family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Danielle Smith officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

An open memorial has been established to the family to be determined at a later date.

Condolences to the family may be left online at www.tharpfh.com.

01/30/2026

Joan Eloise Runyan Celebration of Life Service

01/30/2026

01/29/2026

Bret Michael Major, age 25, of Albia, IA, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 26, 2026.

Bret was born on January 2, 2001, in Ottumwa, IA, to Harold and Amy (Lundstrom) Major. He grew up attending school in Albia. During high school, he began working for John Ballard at JB Fencing. He later worked at Iowa Aluminum in Albia, then at Little Sabers Day Care in Bussey. Bret most recently worked at Elite Flooring and Construction.

Bret was always full of life. He had an infectious smile that would light up any room. He loved being outdoors, especially riding 4 wheelers and dirtbikes, and going mudding with the Make It or Break It group. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed joking around with his friends. He also liked boxing and playing video games. Bret’s greatest joy came from spending time with his family- especially his brothers and sister and nieces and nephews, whom he adored. He was deeply loved by his family and friends, who will forever cherish the memories they created with him.

Bret is survived by his parents, Harold and Amy Major; his siblings, Rebekah (Julian Lee) Major, Justin (Jessica) Manser, Bradley Hughes, and Micheal Piehl; his nieces and nephews, Logan, Brooklynn, Trayton, London, Lukas, Paisley, and Roland; his grandpa, John V. Lundstrom; and his uncles, John Lundstrom, Kris Lundstrom, David Major, Ed Major, Raymond Frueh; and Shawn James. Bret is also survived by many great aunts and uncles, cousins, and good friends.

Bret is preceded in death by his grandparents, Judy Lundstrom and Mary Ann and Don Schramm; an uncle, John Major; and great grandparents, Harold and Della Ruth Parker, James and Lois Chidester; and Vernon and Sharon Lundstrom.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Bret’s family present to greet family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor John Sowers officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

An open memorial has been established to the family.

Condolences and memories to the family may be left online at www.tharpfh.com.

01/27/2026

Through every blizzard and every storm, they remain at their post.
Honor. Duty. Remembrance.

01/24/2026

Joan Runyan, age 84, of Albia, IA, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loved ones, under the care of EveryStep Hospice.

Joan was born on July 22, 1941, in Marshalltown, IA, to John and Eloise (Ryan) Krumm. She grew up on a farm and graduated from Brooklyn High School. She later continued her education by taking Comptometer classes. On December 11, 1960, she was united in marriage to Michael Runyan in Brooklyn, IA, and to this union, 2 children were born: Michael II and Stacie. Joan and Mike were blessed with 65 years of marriage prior to her passing.

In her early career, Joan worked for Standard Oil where she ran a comptometer and managed all of the tank wagons. She later devoted her time to being a homemaker, staying home to raise her children. In 1975, the family moved to Albia, where Joan became the Director of Housing (HUD), a position she held for many years until her retirement.

A woman of strong faith, Joan was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia where she was active in the United Methodist Women’s group. She was an extremely talented sewer and knitter and often made her children’s clothing. Joan loved spending time outdoors, especially flower gardening and fishing. She was an animal lover of all kinds, but especially of her dogs, cats, and sheep over the years. She cherished traveling with her grandchildren and enjoyed fishing trips to Lake Churchill in Canada. Joan was also deeply involved with the Trap Team, writing numerous grants for the program and helping design and build the shooting range and clubhouse. Above all, Joan loved her family and cherished the time spent with them. She loved attending her grandchildren’s events and proudly displayed the numerous poems her grandchildren wrote for her.

Joan is survived by her husband, Michael; children, Michael Runyan II and Stacie (Mike) Gibler; 3 grandchildren, Sara (Morgan) Dowdall, Michael (Emma) Runyan, and Gracie (Jordan) Green; 4 great grandchildren, Fallon and Gibson Runyan and Cooper and Cleo Green; 4 sisters, Anedra (Skeeter) Sherwood, Linda Ryal, Renita (Doug) Meredith, and Deanna Barnes; and a sister-in-law, Marianne Barrett. Joan is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Eloise Krumm; her in-laws, Raymond and Dorothy Runyan; and 3 brothers-in-law, John Ryal, Dean Barrett, and Bob Barnes.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Albia Trinity Church in Albia, IA, with Pastor Neil Montz officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

A memorial has been established to the Albia High School Trap Team.

Condolences to the family may be left online at www.tharpfh.com.