TENNANT -- Jamie and Kristi Hockett of Tennant will celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary on April 12.    The couple’s children and their spouses are Jessica and Derek Woellhof, Portsmouth, VA; Angela and Ryan Avis, Treynor; and Joshua and Jodi Hockett, Kansas City, MO. The Hocketts have six grandchildren. 

    HARLAN – Myrtue Medical Center announced the addition of Sarah Mgonja, DNP-FNP, a Nurse Practitioner.  Sarah will join Myrtue on August 1, 2016.    Sarah Mgonja received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Creighton University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Upper Iowa University.

    HARLAN – The Harlan Fire Department has been named Fire Department of the Year by the Iowa Fire Association.    The presentation of a plaque in the department’s honor was made at the Harlan City Council meeting this week.    Nominated by Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees, the Harlan department was honored for being well respected, well trained and a great example of Iowa’s fire service.

    HARLAN – Harlan Cub Scout Pack 90 and Boy Scout Troop 90 will conduct their annual Scouting for Food drive Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

    DES MOINES -- Msgr. Gerald J. Stessman, 83, Des Moines, died Monday, April 4 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston.    Services will be held Monday, April 11 at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Des Moines with burial in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Earling at approximately 4:30 p.m. following the funeral.  Visitation will be from 2-7 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Richard L. Andersen, 82, Harlan, died Monday, April 4 in Harlan.    Services were held Thursday, April 7 at 11 a.m.

    KIMBALLTON -- Jacqueline Grace Denton, 78, Kimballton, died Saturday, April 2 at her home.    No services are planned at this time.    She is survived by son Denver (Shari) Hansen of Kimballton; daughter Robyn Runkle of Warren, IL; 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, three brothers and seven sisters. 

    AVOCA -- Roy Garvin, 69, Avoca, died March 31 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.    Services will be held Friday, April 8 at 1 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca.  Visitation is Friday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

ELK HORN -- Kindergarten and first grade students at Exira-EHK Elementary School recently learned about different types of careers. In Mrs. Jordan Webster’s first grade class, nine of her 14 students want to work with animals or be a veterinarian when they are older.