Funerals

Honoring Our Own

When a person dies, we should mourn their passing but also celebrate the life they lived and reflect our belief in an eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Through Baptism, a Catholic begins their faith journey with the belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds forged in life. Since the Mass is the central source and summit of our faith, Catholic Funerals generally include Mass. The Mass is planned to incorporate the wishes of the deceased and provide opportunity for loved ones to reflect.

If you have recently lost a loved one please contact the Church office 515-964-1278. If you are calling after hours or on the weekend, when you reach the office phone recording, press 1 and you will be directed to Father Ken.

If you have a loved one in danger of death please call the Church office immediately 515-964-1278 so there is time for a Priest to come and administer the anointing of the sick, hear confession and your loved one can receive Holy Communion.

For help in planning a funeral, please contact the office at 515-964-1278.

Funeral Announcements

2022

Dolores Ann Stall passed away on Sunday, December 25, 2022 at the age of 93. Visitation and a funeral Mass were held at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Church in Ankeny on February 2, 2023.

Debbie Deneff Mehlhop, 69, passed away on November 22, 2022. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, November 30, at 10:30 AM at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ankeny with burial at Highland Memory Gardens in Des Moines. Visitation with the family will take place the night before at the church from 5 to 7 PM; with a 7 PM prayer service.

Stephanie M. Maher passed away on Saturday August 27 , 2022 at the age of 65. Visitation was held Friday, September 2, 2002 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home in Des Moines. Funeral services were held 10:00am Saturday, September 3, 2022 at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church.

William Dean Hammer passed away on Friday, July 22, 2022 at the age of 62. Visitation was held Wednesday, July 27, 2002 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Urbandale. Funeral services were held 10:00am Thursday, July 28, 2022 at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church.

Norman Jay Nickel passed away on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at the age of 74. A Celebration of Life Open House will be held July 23, 2022 at the Legion Post in Polk City.

Marilyn Elizabeth Blanchard passed away on Monday, January 10, 2022. Funeral services were arranged by Counsell Woodley Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. A funeral Mass was held at St. Mark Catholic Church in Iowa Falls on January 18, 2022. Marilyn was 73 years old.

Larry Edwin Pitts, husband of parishioner Kim Pitts, passed away on January 11, 2022 at the age of 72. Visitation was held at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church on Sunday, January 16, 2022. Funeral services were held 10:00am Monday, January 17, 2022 at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church.

2021

Phillip A. Larkins, husband of parishioner Doris Larkins, passed away September 14, 2021 at the age of 81. Funeral services were held October 2, 2021 at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church.

Craig Robert Hand, passed away September 8, 2021 at the age of 66. Visitation will be held 2-4pm at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Maxwell. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 13, 2021, at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church.

Mark Stephen Engler, father of parishioner James Engler, passed away July 24, 2021 at the age of 72.

Visitation will be held July 28, 2021 from 4-6pm at Memorial Services of Iowa in Ankeny. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 29, at St. Luke The Evangelist Catholic Church.

Dennis Joseph McClain passed away May 15, 2021 at the age of 64.

Visitation will be held May 23, 2021 from 1:00 - 4:30 PM at Ankeny Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church on May 24, 2021 at 10:00 AM.

Richard Paul Payne, passed away January 1, 2021 at the age of 82.

Visitation will be held January 4, 2021 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church. A funeral mass will be held January 5, 2021 at 10:30 AM at the same location.

2020

Frances June Brady, passed away on December 2, 2020 at the age of 96.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 7th 2020 at 9:30 AM at the St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, December 7th 2020 at 10:30 AM at the same location.

Judith Niedergeses, infant daughter of Jordan and David Niedergeses, passed away on September 29, 2020. Judith was only 4 days old.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held on October 5, 2020, at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church with burial to follow at Beaver Catholic Cemetery in Granger.

Richard "Dick" Martin passed away Thursday, August 13, 2020 at home.

Mass of Christian burial will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church (Ankeny, Iowa), with burial to follow at Ankeny Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the mass. Dick was 89 years old.

Margaret Kaprich passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at her home in Ankeny. Funeral services were arranged by Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville and held at our own St. Luke's on Saturday, April 25, 2020. Margaret was 89 years old.

Kevin J. Doty died peacefully at his home in Ankeny, on Saturday, April 18, 2020, following a courageous battle with acute cancer. Kevin was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at Corpus Christi Church. Kevin was 66 years old.

Marlene Jane Maire, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2020. A private family burial will take place at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery with a memorial service being planned for a later date. Marlene was 79 years old. Arrangements are being made by Ankeny Funeral Home.