ABOUT US

History

Powell Funeral Home's History

For over a century, families have placed their trust in Powell Funeral Home. With an unwavering commitment to outstanding service, we are honored to support families in their most difficult times.

A Tradition of Service Since 1911

In 1911, Lewis J. Powell, Sr. founded Powell Funeral Home in South English, Iowa, with a simple but profound vision: to provide compassionate, personalized funeral care to local families. At a time when roads were unpaved, hearses were horse-drawn, and funeral directors often ran multiple businesses, Lewis was also the owner of a pump and repair service and a hardware store. His dedication to the community and service set the foundation for what would become a multi-generational family business.

In 1946, Lewis and his wife Ida expanded their commitment to families by purchasing the Bidwell Funeral Home in Wellman. Their son, Lewis Powell, Jr., a graduate of Goshen College and funeral director, returned to South English with his wife Rachel and their children to work alongside his parents in the family business. The South English funeral home continued to serve families independently until 1991, when it merged with the North English facility established in 1957, after the purchase of Mahannah Funeral Home.

Growth and Expansion: A Family Affair

The Powell family's dedication to expanding their reach and service continued when Lewis and Rachel Powell moved to Keota in 1955, to purchase the Marsh Funeral Home. Their son, Jared (Jerry) Powell, the third generation of the Powell family, graduated from Goshen College and the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science before joining the business in 1964, with his wife Jacque (Conrad). In 1999, they relocated to Williamsburg, further expanding the Powell legacy.

The Fourth Generation: Carrying the Torch

The Powell family's legacy carried on by Kimberly Powell Doehrmann, the fourth generation to serve as a licensed funeral director. After earning her degree from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, Kim took over the management of the Uhlmann-Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg in 1989. As the daughter of Jared and Jacque Powell, Kim and her husband Kenton continue the dedication to the Powell family’s commitment to funeral service.  

Continued Excellence and Service to New Communities

Robert Huber, graduate of the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science, joined the team in 1972. As the licensed funeral director and manager of Powell Funeral Home in North English, Robert’s commitment to excellence further solidified the funeral home’s reputation for personalized, caring service. Although officially retiring in 2014, Bob occasionally still helps as a licensed funeral director when needed. Samantha Lown graduated from Des Moines Area Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science and joined Powell Funeral Homes in March 2009. Upon Robert’s retirement, she took over as manager and director at the North English location.



In 1993, Powell Funeral Home expanded again, establishing the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona. Charles Yoder, a graduate of the Worsham College of Mortuary Science, serves as the licensed funeral director and manager of Kalona and Wellman, continuing the tradition of compassionate care that defines Powell Funeral Home.

Lyle Donald joined Powell Funeral Homes in October of 1999, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience after graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1993. Today, Lyle continues to serve as the manager and licensed funeral director of the Sigourney and Keota locations, a role he’s held with dedication for over 20 years.

The legacy of Powell Funeral Homes expanded with Bowen Yoder, who graduated from Des Moines Area Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science in 2020. As the 5th generation of funeral directors in the Powell family, Bowen and his wife Katelin (Healey) are committed to upholding the values of his predecessors. In April of 2025, Bowen took on the responsibility of managing the Marengo location following Powell Funeral Homes’ acquisition of Kloster Funeral Home. The Kloster family had served the community since 1994.

The story of Powell Funeral Homes also intersects with the history of Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory, a well-respected funeral service provider in Mount Pleasant. In 1998, Tim Olson and Jerry Powell founded the funeral home, which became a trusted name in the community. Ten years later, Tim Olson became the sole owner and continued to lead with integrity until his retirement in 2020. Powell Funeral Homes was honored to acquire Olson-Powell, ensuring the legacy of this respected funeral home would continue.

In 2022, Morgan Yoder, the daughter of Charles Yoder, joined him after graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Now, alongside her father, Morgan manages the Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory, continuing a strong tradition of care and service to families in Mount Pleasant and the surrounding communities.

Our Commitment to You

At Powell Funeral Home, we believe in offering more than just professional funeral services—we offer support, compassion, and care during life’s most difficult moments. Our dedicated staff is here to assist you and your family, providing personalized attention to ensure every detail is handled with the utmost respect.

Each of our locations is designed with your needs in mind, offering comfortable consultation rooms, family reception areas, and chapels for meaningful services. If there is any way we can support you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here for you, just as we have been for over 110 years.