Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory

02/27/2026

Rallon L. Messer

Rallon L. Messer, 85, of Mount Pleasant, died Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Rallon was born at home December 28, 1940, in North Dakota, the son of Monroe and Evelyn (Anderson) Messer. He graduated from Hannaford High School. Rallon served in the North Dakota National Guard. On April 27, 1968, he was united in marriage to Carol King in Mount Pleasant. Following their marriage the couple moved to Jamestown, North Dakota, before returning to Mount Pleasant in 1974, where they made their home ever since. Rallon farmed and worked at Goodyear for 27 years. He was a member of the Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. Rallon enjoyed playing cards and square dancing with friends, doing word search puzzles, and tending to his garden. Rallon took pride in meticulously caring for his lawn.

Rallon is survived by his son Bryan of Mount Pleasant; three sisters Nita (Arden) Saxberg, Joyce McCarthy, Carolyn (Phillip) Messer Grage all of North Dakota; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Carol; siblings Marvin Messer, Maynard Messer, Bernice Baker, Romaine Messer, Rodney Messer, Lyle Messer, and Connie Messer.

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Olson-Yoder Funeral Home, with Pastor Jeff McPheron officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Home Cemetery. Visitation will be held 1:00-6:00 p.m. Friday, March 6, at the Olson-Yoder Funeral Home, where the family will be present to greet friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for Mt. Pleasant Veterans Hall. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home is caring for Rallon and his family.

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01/21/2026

Leo Steven Prottsman

Leo Steven Prottsman, 74, of Mount Pleasant, died Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at his home.

Leo was born July 25, 1951, in Mount Pleasant, the son of Donald W. and Leola W. (Hummell) Prottsman. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1969, and continued his education at Northeastern Missouri State. While in college, Leo was highly involved in the ROTC. After receiving his diploma, Leo joined the United States Army. Leo was honorably discharged as a Captain following 11 years of service. He then worked for the United States Government while living in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Leo returned to Mount Pleasant following his retirement. He enjoyed collecting coins and stamps.

Leo is survived by his sister Jane Prottsman of Mount Pleasant. He was preceded in death by his parents.

According to his wishes his body will be cremated and burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home & Crematory is caring for Leo and his family.

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01/12/2026

William Daniel Ledlow

William Daniel Ledlow, 45, of Hillsboro died unexpectedly Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant.

Will was born October 8, 1980, in Hohenwald, Tennessee, the son of Levi and Barbara (Eddington) Ledlow. He worked construction before moving to Iowa. He has lived in Hillsboro for the last 18 years and worked for West Liberty Foods for 10 years and most recently Lomont Molding. He loved to cook and was always coming up with his own recipes. Will enjoyed spending time with family and friends, bonfires and cheering on the Pittsburg Steelers.

Will is survived by his fiancé Sara Burns; four children, Nick (Mahala) Bur-Cart, Jamen (Hayden Durall) Ledlow, Trevin Burns-Ledlow, Ziggy Burns-Ledlow; his mother Barb Ledlow; a brother Christopher (Shelby) Ledlow, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and an aunt Mary Jane.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Will and his family. Messages may be sent to the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com.

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01/10/2026

K*m Yea Phelps

K*m Yea “Kay” Phelps, 96, of Eagan, Minnesota, formerly of Mount Pleasant, passed away Thursday, January 8, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Eagan.

K*m Yea was born August 27, 1929, in Osaka, Japan, the daughter of Boon Chang and Il Boon (Chun) Lee. On August 19, 1960, she was united in marriage to Thomas “Tom” Phelps in Seoul, Korea at the American Embassy. They lived in Chicago, Illinois, before moving to Mount Pleasant. K*m Yea worked for Lomont and then Motorola for 17 years before retiring. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. K*m Yea enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, going on country drives, embroidery and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

K*m Yea is survived by her daughter Patricia Tinder of Eagan, Minnesota, son Thomas “Tim” Phelps IV (Maggie) of Irvine, California; five grandchildren Matthew Tinder (Christy), Alexa Tinder, Thomas “Martin” Phelps V, Serena Phelps, Melody Phelps; great grandchildren Leo Tinder and Eileen Tinder, a sister Kie Boon Han and a brother Seung Boo Lee, both of Chicago, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Thomas “Tom” Phelps III, a sister Sue Em, and three brothers Han Chul Lee, Han Sook Lee, and Katsuwa Lee.

A celebration of K*m Yea’s life will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Calvary Baptist Church. Inurnment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Mount Pleasant Library or Calvary Baptist Church. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for K*m Yea and her family.

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01/07/2026

Marjorie Thomas

Marjorie L. Thomas, 96, of Arlington, Texas, formerly of New London, died Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Colonial Oaks Memory Care in Arlington.

Marjorie was born on September 23, 1929, in Mount Pleasant, the daughter of Orville and Anna (Swailes) Messer. She attended the White Oak School. In 1985, Marjorie made her home in New London and was a housewife. She was a member of Congregational-Universalist Church and the Trenton American Legion Auxiliary. Marjorie enjoyed cooking for family and friends, caring for her family and playing cards on weekends, (pitch), traveling, and watching her favorite TV show, Gunsmoke.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Anna Messer, sister Dorothy Hite, brother Pete Messer, and her husband, David S. Thomas.

Marjorie is survived by her son Dennis (Peggy) Thomas of Arlington, Texas; daughter Diane (Mike) Nye of New London; two grandchildren Marjorie and Matthew both of San Antonio, Texas; and six great grandchildren.

Graveside memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in the Burge Cemetery, New London. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Joseph's Indian School, PO Box 100, Chamberlain, SD 57325. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home & Crematory is caring for Marjorie and her family.

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01/07/2026

We will be starting Grief Share the last Tuesday in February. Please call us with any questions or to register.

01/07/2026

Stephen Burden

Stephen Burden, 67, of rural Mount Union died Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.

Stephen was born October 31, 1958, in Mount Pleasant, the son of Robert F. and Patricia J. (Mathews) Burden. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1977. Stephen attended the University of Iowa, then later on attended Indian Hills Community College and received a degree in Robotics and Automation. On December 14, 1985, Stephen was united in marriage to Dianna Wagner in Denmark, Iowa. He began working for local farmers, then a seed company, worked on cars and Kubota tractors for Jerry and Doris Boeddeker, then for Arlo Raid Scrap. He worked for 25 years at Henry County Health Center as maintenance, bio-med technician and boiler operator. He then worked at Mount Pleasant Water Treatment Plant, followed by COBO in Burlington. He went on to be a boiler operator at Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility, worked for West Liberty Foods, then Sigma in Mount Pleasant before retiring.

Stephen and Dianna were former members of New London Christian Church and current members of Harmony Bible Church in Danville, where Stephen was very active. He volunteered in all aspects at Midwest Old Threshers along with Midwest Central Railroad, and City Hope.

Stephen is survived by his wife Dianna; daughter Corliss Burden (Tyler Blind) of New London; sister Jane Burden; and many other family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Paul Robert Burden.

Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Harmony Bible Church in Danville. Burial will follow in the Trinity Cemetery in rural Mount Union. Visitation will be held 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 16, at the church where the family will be present. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Harmony Bible Church and Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home & Crematory is caring for Stephen and his family.

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01/02/2026

Martha D. Vanderham

Martha D. Vanderham, 87, of Mount Pleasant died Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Savannah Heights.

Martha was born September 21, 1938, in California the daughter of Marcel and Agnus (Beorsma) De Leenheer. She was a homemaker and raised her sons.

Martha is survived by her sons, Bill (Deb) Vanderham of Mount Pleasant, Jim (Kim) Vanderham of Texas, sister Marcella and twin sister Mary of California. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Bill.

According to her wishes her body has been cremated and no services will be held. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Martha and her family.

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12/29/2025

Barbara Ledbetter

Barbara Jean Ledbetter, 90, of Salem died Sunday, December 28, 2025, at her home.

Barbara was born February 14, 1935, in Henry County, the daughter of Jack and Eva (O’Conner) Vicker. On June 14, 1953, she was united in marriage to Walter Ledbetter. She served as a military wife living in Washington, Iowa, Fort Riley Kansas, Germany, Georgia, Illinois and Texas before moving to Salem in 1974. Barbara worked as a Dietary Supervisor for Southeast Iowa Area Agency of Aging for many years. She was a member of the Salem Auxiliary. Family was very important to Barbara, and her grandchildren were the love of her life. She enjoyed quilting, dancing, and being outdoors fishing and camping.

Barbara is survived by her eight children, Michael (Carol) Ledbetter of Mount Pleasant, Ronald “Tony” Ledbetter of Edwardsville, Kansas, Randy (Tracy) Ledbetter of Mount Pleasant, Kathy (Kenny) Hawkins of Salem, Rhonda (Mumbles) Foss of Salem, Robert (Diane) Ledbetter of Salem, Connie (Scott) Young of Mount Pleasant, Gail Ledbetter of Lone Tree; 27 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren; and five siblings, Jack Vicker of Fort Madison, Jerry Vicker of Mount Pleasant, Ronald (Barb) Vicker of Omaha, NE, Susan (Steve) Gholson of Mount Pleasant, and Holly (Rick) Stewart of Coal Valley, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters Kay Hudson, Linda Thabus and two grandsons Aaron Anderson and Evan Ledbetter.

According to her wishes her body has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Barbara and her family.

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12/26/2025

Velma Billingsley

Velma Verlee (Hummel) Billingsley, age 92, passed away at her daughter’s home in Lowell, Iowa, on Friday, December 26, 2025.

Velma was the daughter of George Decatur (Dee) and Muriel Long Hummell and a lifelong resident of Mount Pleasant. She married Raymond Billingsley on December 13, 1952, in Mount Pleasant, they were married for 57 years. Together they raised their children Deanna, Julie, Johanna, and Darren on the family farm west of Mount Pleasant.

Velma was a loving mom who was very patient with her children and grandchildren. One of her greatest gifts was passing on her knowledge of cooking, canning, sewing, and life skills in general. Velma knew Jesus as her personal savior and made sure her children went to church. She was a very early member of Calvary Baptist Church on Green Street in Mount Pleasant and was involved in working to create the new church building on Mapleleaf Drive. Velma taught Sunday school and helped other church ladies with church social family functions.

A favorite topic was working at STAATS as a secretary, before becoming a mother. Later years saw her working at Voss Petroleum and Iowa Wesleyan College. Velma did enjoy the secretarial jobs and had good memories of them.

She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond, a granddaughter Iris Billingsley, her parents, and nine brothers and sisters.

Velma is survived by her children Deanna (Marty) Wellman of Weaver, Iowa, Julie (Dave) Schneider of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Johanna (Richard) Doggett of Lowell, Iowa, and Darren (Bibiana) Billingsley of Fairbanks, Alaska; 9 grandchildren Tim Wiley, Josh Wiley, Brandon Wiley, Justin Wellman, Elise Swanson, Megan Schneider, Hannah Lennie, Hayden Chapman Jared Billingsley; 12 great grandchildren; and brother Kenneth (Karen) Hummell of Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Calvary Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 9:30 until the time of service. Burial will follow in the Hillsboro Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for the Calvary Baptist Church. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home & Crematory is caring for Velma and her family. Condolences may be left to the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com

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12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

12/23/2025

Patricia Doak

Patricia Iola Doak, 83, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, passed away on Monday, December 22, 2025, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.

Pat was born on July 29, 1942, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the daughter of Harry and Alice (Norberg) Bryant. On December 27, 1964, she married Gary Doak in Mount Pleasant. They later divorced.

Pat is survived by her four children: daughter Deb (Tony) Canby; sons Bryan (Brenda) Doak, Chad (Shelley) Doak, and Raymond Doak; eight grandchildren: Patrick (Hannah) Edgington, Olivia (Jordan) West, Tanner, Payton, Raegyn and Rylee Doak, Samantha and Sydney Doak; great grandchildren: Kaden Edgington and Maize West, Brooklinn and Addisin Cooper; sister Harriet Lenarz; very loved special niece Trisha Lenarz-Garmoe. She was preceded in death by her parents and granddaughter, Mallery Doak.

Pat graduated from Mount Pleasant High School and earned her nursing degree from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Davenport, Iowa. She was a dialysis nurse at Henry County Health Center, a psychiatric nurse at the Mental Health Institute in Mount Pleasant and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and a nurse at Park Place. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant, Questers, the Old SOTS, bridge club and the Red Hat Society. Pat enjoyed gardening and hosted garden parties at her home, traveling abroad with her sister, and spending time outdoors. She most cherished time spent with her family and friends, including a final family vacation in July to Breckenridge, Colorado.

Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Olson-Yoder Funeral Home for cremation.

A celebration of Pat’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 26, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church, Mount Pleasant. Rev. Court Fischer will officiate. The family will greet friends following the service. A memorial fund has been established for Oakland Mills.

Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory of Mount Pleasant is caring for Pat and her family.

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