January 12, 1939 - December 2, 2024

  Karen K. Murley, 85, of rural Aurora, Iowa, died Monday, December 2, 2024, at Edgewood Convalescent Home in Edgewood, Iowa. A private family service will be held. Interment: Madison Township Cemetery, rural Aurora, Iowa. Fawcett-Schmitz Funeral Home, Winthrop, is assisting the family. 

  Karen Kay Reed was born January 12, 1939, in Manchester, Iowa, the daughter of Robert Ernest & Jean Viola (Smith) Reed. She graduated from Lamont High School in the class of 1956. Karen was united in marriage to Harlan Arthur Murley on November 12, 1956, at a U.S. Army Base in Japan while Harlan served. They made their home south of Aurora where they farmed together for many years. She operated Karen’s Custom Computing, a computerized farm record keeping service for many years. Karen also operated Murley Quality Pork, selling pork largely through farmers markets and throughout northeast Iowa. Karen had been attending Prairie Lakes Church in Independence. She was a member of the Lamont Methodist Church and Eunice Circle for many years. Earlier in life, Karen was a Cub Scout Den Mother, was a member of the 4-H Extension Council, Buchanan County Pork Producers, Farm Bureau and the 4T Neighborhood Club. Karen enjoyed planning her family educational vacations throughout the USA, gardening, sewing her young children’s clothing and Barbie doll clothes, hosting family events, genealogy, and providing her elder family members with caregiving. She also enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Karen’s eyes would always light up when she saw her grandkids and great grandkids. Above all, Karen placed her faith in her heavenly father, knowing the promise of eternity. 

  Karen is survived by her Husband: Harlan Murley of Edgewood; 3 Children: Larry (Pam) Murley of Aurora, Sherylynne Murley-Allen of Greenacres, Washington & Kent Murley of Sequim, Washington; 4 Grandchildren: Melissa (Ed) Ludt, Kelly (Markie) Murley, Mark (Christa) Murley and Rebekkeh Allen; 11 Great Grandchildren; 2 Brothers: Jon (Diane) Reed of Marion & Doug (Pam) Reed of Urbandale and Nieces & Nephews. 

  Karen was preceded in death by her parents; sister: Lynne (Lee) Bowden, and son-in-law: Lon G. Allen

 Memorials may be directed in her name to Prairie Lakes Church of Independence, Grace United Methodist Church of Lamont or Care Initiatives Hospice.   Memorials and Condolences may be mailed to Larry Murley 1516 Slater Avenue Aurora, Iowa 50607. 

May 11, 1942 - May 17, 2024

  Jon R. Downer, 82, of Lamont, Iowa, died Friday morning, May 17, 2024, at the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home in Strawberry Point, Iowa.  Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Grace United Methodist Church in Lamont, with Pastor Lisa Schroeder officiating. Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00. P.M. Wednesday, May 22, 2024, and for one hour before the service on Thursday at Grace United Methodist Church in Lamont. Interment: Union Cemetery, Putnam Township, rural Aurora, Iowa. 

  Condolences may be directed to the family at: 3486 30th Street, Lamont, Iowa 50650. Fawcett-Schmitz Funeral Home in Winthrop is assisting the family. Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com  

  Jon Richards Downer was born May 11, 1942, in Oelwein, Iowa, the son of Harold and Mary Maxine (Richards) Downer.  In 1960, he graduated from Lamont High School.  On January 25, 1964, he was united in marriage to Kaye Annette Reiling at Grace United Methodist Church in Lamont.  This union was blessed with three children, Lisa, Gregory and Steven.  Jon was a longtime farmer in the Lamont area.  For many years he milked Holstein cows.  He served on the AMPI Board and Arlington Coop Board.  He was a proud member of the Lamont Coffee Shop Group and Grace United Methodist Church, both in Lamont.  Jon enjoyed milking cows, checking crops, discussing farming machinery, traveling, short winters in California, going out to eat, music and most of all his family.  

  Jon is survived by his wife: Kaye Downer of Lamont; daughter: Lisa (Keith) Douglas of Byron, Minnesota; son: Greg (Katy) Downer of Lamont; 1 grandson: Carter Jon Downer of Lamont; 2 step grandchildren: Austin (Jenny) Bissell of Blaine, Minnesota and Dakotah Bissell (Michael Hursey) of Oelwein; 2 great grandchildren: Sterling and Rosalie Hursey; nephew: Jim Downer of Lamont; and 2 cousins: Jim Humphry of Omaha, Nebraska and Dave Humphry of Dallas, Texas.  

  He was preceded in death by his parents: Harold and Maxine Downer; son: Steve Downer on November 10, 2021; and brother: Dick Downer. 

June 28, 1935 - February 16, 2024

  Ida Mae Harford, 88, of Ely, passed away on February 16, 2024, at Sunrise Hill Nursing Home in Traer, Iowa. Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at St. John Lutheran Church in Ely.  Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Interment will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery, in Cedar Rapids.  Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids is in charge of arrangements.

  Ida was born on June 28, 1935, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Howard and Jean (Wescott) Bye.  She was raised in Cedar Rapids, where she attended Kenwood Park Grade School, graduated from Franklin High School in 1953.  Ida Mae was united in marriage to Lauren Leo Harford on November 7, 1953, in Cedar Rapids.  They lived in Cedar Rapids for several years until moving to Hudson, Wisconsin for a year, then Dundee, Iowa, and later to Lamont, Iowa in October 1966.  Following she moved to Ely, Iowa in August of 2022.  Lauren passed away January 11, 2001.  She belonged to the Grace United Methodist Church in Lamont, where she served as secretary for UMW, Ruth Circle, Staff Parish Relations Committee, helped with the Mobile Food Pantry and other church fundraisers. She was the President of Lamont Federated Garden Club. She was a member of the Ely Book Club and Quilting Club, and the Jolly Homemakers Club in Lamont.  Ida also volunteered at the Common Grounds Coffee House in Lamont, Lamont Legion Fish Fries.  She enjoyed NASCAR, attending races with her son Doug in Newton and Kansas City, watching professional football.  She loved horses and along with her daughter Charlie attending the Midwest Horse Fair in Madison and Breyer Fest in Lexington, Kentucky.

  Ida is survived by her children Raymond Harford, George (DeVonne) Harford, Charlotte “Charlie” (James) Zach and Doug Harford; six grandchildren Jennifer Witte, Justin Harford, Julie (Cass) Dietz, Maria (Paul) Yuska, Missy Harford and Pat (Misty) Harford; eight great-grandchildren Caitlin, Noah, David, Katarina, Gavin, Lincoln, Lilly and Sawyer; a great-great-grandchildren Easton; and her sister Carol Olver.

  She is preceded in death by her parents Howard and Jean Bye, her husband Lauren, a daughter-in-law Marian Harford, a special aunt Peggy Hergert, and a brother-in-law Jim Olver..

  In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Lamont Volunteer Fire Department Foundation or Common Grounds in her name.