Cancer Center Moves Forward After Court Awards $10 Million Bequest to FCMC

After a five-year legal battle, a cancer center at Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City can begin to take shape.

That’s FCMC CEO Dawnett Willis on the cancer center being made possible following the recent Iowa Supreme Court ruling in favor of FCMC regarding $10 million from the estate of Herman Stille.

The Nashua-area farmer passed away in 2021, with his will identifying FCMC as beneficiary of the money, intended for the construction of a cancer center. However, the secondary beneficiary, Mayo Clinic of Rochester, claimed FCMC was unable to meet the conditions of the will.                                                                                       

Mayo then began legal proceedings, but even after a Chickasaw County District Court judge ruled in favor of FCMC in June 2025, Mayo appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court, which upheld the lower Court’s decision that the $10 million from Stille’s estate be awarded to FCMC.

Willis says FCMC had great support to get through the extensive legal battle.        

Willis says the FCMC was always hopeful of a favorable ruling.

Once operational, Willis says cancer services will be available only on an outpatient basis.

Willis thanks the FCMC legal team for their perseverance throughout the litigation process.