Tharp Funeral Home

01/08/2026

01/07/2026

Nancy Diane Johnson, age 66, of Blakesburg, IA, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Harvest Acres Nursing & Rehab in Keota, IA.

Nancy was born on September 30, 1959, in Carroll, IA, to Alfred and Clarise (Jones) Weinbrandt. She grew up attending school in Omaha, NE. On December 8, 1979, she was united in marriage to Charles “Chuck” Johnson in Omaha, and together they shared 46 years of marriage.

Nancy lived the majority of her life in Omaha, NE, moving to Blakesburg, IA, in 2000. She was a salesclerk and worked at the C Store in Blakesburg for several years. Her most cherished role was that of a loving and devoted mother. She enjoyed being outdoors, especially flower gardening. She had a passion for raising and riding horses. She was very talented and enjoyed crafting, sewing, and quilting. Her true joy in life was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Chuck Johnson; a son, Alex (Meredith) Johnson; 6 grandchildren, Dean, Calliope, Kimber, Delilah, Warren, and Weston; a sister, Elaine Weinbrandt; and 2 brothers, Darwin (Leslie) Weinbrandt and Darrel (June) Weinbrandt. Nancy is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.

She is preceded in death by a son, Nicholas; her parents, Alfred and Clarise Weinbrandt; a sister, Monica Lovelace; a niece, Marsha Lovelace; and her parents-in-law, Carl and Alice Johnson.

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

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Ray Lyon officiating. A private family burial will be held at the Blakesburg Cemetery 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.

01/07/2026

Source: https://bit.ly/473ieID

01/06/2026

Unfortunately, scams targeting grieving families are on the rise. If someone suspicious calls you claiming to be a funeral home or cemetery and asks for money or personal information, do not give it.
You can always call our office directly — we’re here to protect and support our community.

01/05/2026

Donna Juanita Young, age 93, of Mystic, IA, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at MercyOne Medical Center in Centerville, IA.

Donna was born on January 20, 1932, at home on the farm southwest of Moulton, to Edwin and Eva (Swarts) Piatt. She grew up attending school and graduated from Moulton High School with the Class of 1949. In 1952, she was united in marriage to John W. Young, who preceded her in death on April 9, 1988.

Donna began her working career at Klum’ Furniture where she worked as a bookkeeper. She later worked in the Treasurer’s office at the Appanoose County Courthouse in Centerville. Her most treasured role was that of a homemaker and raising her children.

Donna was a member of the Moulton Christian Church as well as the Order of the Eastern Star. She was also active in PTO. Donna enjoyed playing cards with her friends, especially Phase 10. She was an excellent cook and baker, known for her pies. Later in life, Donna enjoyed traveling with the 18-80 Club. Above all else, Donna loved her family and cherished the time spent with them.

Donna is survived by 3 children, Tom (Connie) Young, Kayla (Jim) Montgomery, and Ted (Carolyn Daniels) Young; 3 grandchildren, Ryan Young, Krisy Young, and Jimmy (Erin) Montgomery; 4 great grandchildren, Jack Young, Ellie Young, Bradyn Montgomery, and Makenzie Montgomery; a great-great granddaughter, Westlynn Wayde Montgomery; 2 siblings, Larry (Cheryl) Piatt and Connie White; a brother-in-law, Sandy Young; and a sister-in-law, Janet Young. Donna is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents, Edwin and Eva Piatt; a grandson, John; and 4 siblings, Shirley, Sharon, Dorla, and Terry.

Per Donna’s wishes, her body has been cremated and a graveside service will be held at Elgin Cemetery in Mystic, IA, at a later date.

Cards of condolences can be mailed to Donna’s family at 1605 South 21st St., Centerville, IA 52544.

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

01/02/2026

Terry Ellen Ballard, age 75, of Albia, IA, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society in Ottumwa, IA.

Terry was born on October 9, 1950, in Oskaloosa, IA, to James T. and Evelyn M. (Martin) Hopkins. She grew up in Albia alongside her twin sister, Sherry, and graduated with the Albia High School Class of 1969. She went on to attend Ottumwa Heights, where she earned her LPN degree and began a lifelong calling of caring for others. On November 29, 1975, Terry was united in marriage to Jack Ballard at the First Christian Church in Albia. They were blessed with 50 years of marriage and 2 daughters, Christy and Cathy.

Terry dedicated her career to the health care field at Ottumwa Regional Health Center as an LPN, taking care of others with kindness and compassion for 34 years until her retirement in 2004.

Terry was a woman of deep faith and was an active member of the First Christian Church in Albia for several years where she enjoyed exercising and visiting with the Lady Fit group. She was later a member of the Living Hope Bible Church in Eldon. In her younger years, she enjoyed riding horses, was a member of the Saddle Club, and enjoyed roller skating. Terry enjoyed being outdoors, fishing, camping and gardening. In her free time, she enjoyed reading books, putting puzzles together, and visiting with friends and family over coffee. She loved her dog, Lizzy, and above all else, she loved her family and cherished the time spent with them.

Terry is survived by her beloved husband, Jack Ballard; her daughters, Christy (Mark) Hopkins and Cathy Ballard; 2 grandchildren, Elton and Grace Hopkins; a brother-in-law, Steve Gilland; a niece, Gina (Michael) Pastre; 2 great nephews, Wyatt (Ivy Garcia) Harner and Dominick Pastre. 3 sisters-in-law, Kay Ballard, Peggy (Ronnie) Logston, and Becky Ballard; 2 other nieces, Rebecca Holiday and April Moore along with many great nieces and nephews. Terry is also survived by many cousins and good friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Evelyn Hopkins; her twin sister, Sherry Gilland; her grandparents, William and Ellen Hopkins of Knox County, Kentucky and Clyde and Minnie Martin of Rose Hill, IA; a brother-in-law, Mike Ballard; several cousins; and her dog, Lizzy.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2025, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Terry’s family present to greet family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2025, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Mark Clark 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.

12/31/2025

David Lee Shelquist passed away on December 30, 2025, at Accura Health Care in Knoxville, Iowa, under the care of Suncrest Hospice.

David was born on February 13, 1947, to Ivan and Barbara (Gray) Shelquist. The family lived on a farm northeast of Albia at the time but later purchased a farm west of Moravia. David attended school in Albia and then Moravia, graduating from Moravia High School in 1965. He often attended both Albia and Moravia class reunions. David also served his country in the Iowa National Guard.

David was active in both 4-H and FFA, participating in local, county, and state events. David received the FFA Iowa Farmer degree in 1965 and enjoyed being a grandstand usher at the Iowa State Fair. David graduated from Indian Hills Community College and Iowa State University.

Most of his career was spent in agri-business and finance. David worked for Farmers Home Administration in both Waverly and Corning and then for Mahaska State Bank in Oskaloosa. In his later years, David worked for Henderson Implement and then as a driver for the Amish.

He married Mary Elswick Jamieson in 1976. The couple later divorced.

David enjoyed the cattle business, attending auctions, driving around the countryside, and watching old Western series and movies and anything on RFD-TV. A Saturday ritual in later years was watching the Mollie B Polka Party. He enjoyed collecting Heston belt buckles and John Deere memorabilia.

David is survived by a brother, Galin Shelquist of Albia; a sister, Marilyn Rowley of Albia; nephews, Tyler (Kourtni) Shelquist of Oskaloosa and Bobby Shelquist of Albia; a niece, Molly (Andy) Mullen of Albia and their children: Jace, Grady, and Hattie Shelquist, Gracie Shelquist, and Callen, Freya, and Makenzie Mullen. He is also survived by several cousins and many life-long friends and neighbors.

David is preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Barbara Shelquist; his grandparents; his brother-in-law, Jimmie Rowley; and other family members and close friends.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with David’s family present from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. to greet family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Mark Wagner officiating. Burial will follow services at Service Chapel Cemetery in Monroe County.

A memorial has been established to Service Chapel Cemetery.

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