Udell Cason Jr.
Jan 24, 2026
Udell Cason Jr., a dedicated educator, esteemed community leader, and beloved father, passed away on January 24, 2026, at the age of 85. He devoted more than thirty years to shaping the future of Des Moines Public Schools, serving his first position as a math teacher at Nash Elementary, then as Principal of Longfellow, Logan, Oak Park, Madison, and Moore...
Christina Garner
Jan 21, 2026
Christina Paulina Garner was born on July 4, 1956, to loving parents Richard Don Carter and Deloris Elliot. She was a cherished sister to three sisters and five brothers. After a brave and lengthy battle with illness, Christina found eternal peace on January 21, 2026. Christina's life was a tapestry of love, service, and joy. In the early 80s, Christina...
Thomas Smith Sr.
Jan 20, 2026
Thomas Theodore Smith passed away at the age 69 on January 20, 2026, at Broadlawns. Memorial services are pending.
Larry Allen, Sr.
Jan 19, 2026
Larry Wilburt Allen Sr. was born on February 7, 1944, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Thomas Allen and Helen Rowland. He graduated from Tech High School in Des Moines and proudly served in the United States Air Force in Bedfordshire, England. Following his military service, Larry pursued his studies at Grandview College for approximately two years. In 1965, Larry and...
Phoebe Blankenship
Jan 11, 2026
Phoebe Ann Blankenship was born on January 8, 1939, in Peoria, Illinois, to Margaret (Young) and Ernest Woerner. From an early age, her life was shaped by faith, family, and a deep sense of compassion. She held her childhood memories in Illinois close to her heart, even after her family moved to St. Charles, Iowa. Phoebe's faith guided her life's...
Marilyn Taylor
Jan 9, 2026
Marilyn Ann Thomas-Taylor was born March 30, 1939, in Laclade, Missouri. The second eldest daughter of nine children, Marilyn held a unique perch in the family dynamic- she was a precocious, strong-willed child who often had to look after her younger sisters, while finding her own voice and overcoming poverty. In many ways, Marilyn was ahead of her time- Marilyn...
Pedro Salinas
Jan 9, 2026
Pedro Salinas Jr. passed away on January 9, 2026, at the age of 64, at his residence. Memorial services are pending.