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