Exhibit 24



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



          KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature 
appears below constitutes and appoints Michael E. Sproule and James A. 
Smallenberger, and each of them, her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and 
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for her and in her 
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign a registration 
statement on Form S-8 relating to the Class A Common Stock of AmerUs Life 
Holdings, Inc. and any and all amendments (including post-effective 
amendments) to such registration statement, and to file the same, with all 
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission, and any documents relating to the 
qualification or registration under state Blue Sky or securities laws of such 
states, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, 
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 
requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all 
intents and purposes she might or could do in person, ratifying and 
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or 
their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done 
by virtue hereof.  

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has signed her name this
25th day of August, 1997.  


                                        /s/  Maureen M. Culhane
                                        --------------------------
                                             Maureen M. Culhane




                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



          KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature 
appears below constitutes and appoints Michael E. Sproule and James A. 
Smallenberger, and each of them, her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and 
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for her and in her 
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign a registration 
statement on Form S-8 relating to the Class A Common Stock of AmerUs Life 
Holdings, Inc. and any and all amendments (including post-effective 
amendments) to such registration statement, and to file the same, with all 
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission, and any documents relating to the 
qualification or registration under state Blue Sky or securities laws of such 
states, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, 
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing 
requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all 
intents and purposes she might or could do in person, ratifying and 
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or 
their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done 
by virtue hereof.  

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has signed her name this
25th day of August, 1997.  


                                        /s/  Ilene B. Jacobs
                                        -------------------------
                                             Ilene B. Jacobs