Obituaries

Phyllis Jean Verdon, age 81, of Lansing passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family Saturday, February 10, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

A visitation and service is being planned for Saturday, February 24 at the Lansing United Methodist Church in Lansing. The service will take place at 11 a.m. with visitation prior. A luncheon will follow the service.

Funeral arrangements are being made through Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home of Lansing. Memorials can be directed to the family and will be split between the charitable organizations that Phyllis was passionate about.

Phyllis Jean was born December 23, 1942 to parents John F. and Marguerite D. (nee Gibbs) Beck at home in Lansing. She was the third child in a family of five.

Judy L. Byrnes, 78, of Waukon died Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at her home. Funeral services were held Monday, February 12 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial was at St. Mary’s Hanover Cemetery in rural Waukon. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St Patrick School or Veterans Memorial Hospital, both in Waukon.

Judy Luvern Byrnes was born April 17, 1945 in Spring Grove, MN, one of 12 children born to Emmett and Lillian (Doubek) Schwartzhoff. In 1963, she graduated from Waukon High School. November 9, 1963, she married Dennis James Byrnes and together they raised seven children.

Gary H. Russell, 79, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Waukon, passed away January 20, 2024. A private family gathering will be held at a later date.
 

John P. Morgan, 102, passed away unexpectedly February 2, 2024. He was the son of Francis B. Morgan and Anna (Bakewell)Morgan. Condolences may be sent to: Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, 7405 Mullan Road, Missoula, MT 59808.
 

Dwight David Bacon, 69, of Decorah passed away Thursday, January 25, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family. Funeral Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 17 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville with Rev. Lynn Noel as the officiant. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Postville Cemetery, Postville.

A Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. Friday, February 16 at St. Paul Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Postville. There will also be a one-hour visitation before services at the church Saturday.

Dwight was born August 5, 1954 to Allan Lloyd and Beverly Jean (Nelson) Bacon in Postville. He was baptized and confirmed at the Luana Methodist Church. Dwight graduated from Postville High School with the class of 1972 and proudly joined the United States Navy. He served from 1972 to 1975.

Wilhelmine Rose (Walleser) Finkral, 94, of Lansing peacefully passed away surrounded by her family January 26, 2024. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 9, with visitation one hour prior at Immaculate Conception Church in Lansing. A luncheon will follow the services at T.J. Hunters.

Born December 2, 1929 in Manitoba, Canada, Wilhelmine, fondly known as “Willi,” was the daughter of John and Anna Walleser. She grew up on a small dairy farm near Lansing, one of 12 children. Willi received her education at Immaculate Conception High School in Lansing before attending Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, where she earned a degree and teaching certificate. She dedicated almost 40 years to teaching at Sioux City public and parochial schools, before retiring.

Mary Lou Blaschke, 82, of Sumner died Saturday evening, January 27, 2024 at Copper Creek Senior Living in West Union. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 3 at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner with Rev. Tracy Hinkel officiating. Burial followed at Union Mound Cemetery in Sumner.

Memorials may be made in Mary Lou’s name to St. John Lutheran Church or SEMS, both in Sumner. Becker & Son Funeral Home in Sumner assisted Mary Lou’s family. Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com.

Mary Lou, daughter of Louie and Nellie (Biermann) Wedemeier, was born March 22, 1941 at the family’s home, rural Tripoli. She was baptized April 20, 1941 at St. Peter’s Evangelical and Reformed (now Faith United Church of Christ) in Tripoli and confirmed April 3, 1955 at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner. Mary Lou received her education in the Sumner Schools and graduated from Sumner High School in 1958.

Julie Ann Ryan, 75, of Cedar Rapids passed away Sunday January 28, 2024 at St. Luke’s Hospital. Celebration of Life gathering will be from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, February 10 at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW.  The family asks that everyone attending please wear casual attire.

Julie was born July 24, 1948 in Postville, the daughter of Lynn and Lillian (Russell) Winters. She graduated from Waukon High School, class of 1966. Julie was united in marriage to Raymond “Spike” Ryan May 13, 1967 in Waukon. She worked at Rockwell Collins and retired from Intermec.  Julie enjoyed baking, reading, boating, dancing, but most of all spending time with her family and spoiling the grandchildren.

Tommy W. Thomson, 80, of Waukon died Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 3 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon.

Friends may greet the family from 3-7 p.m. Friday, February 2 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to Veterans Memorial Hospital or Northgate Care Center, both in Waukon.

Thomas William Thomson was born June 26, 1943 in Waukon, the son of Lester “Bill” Earl and Ann Laurayne (Guider) Thomson. A lifelong farmer, Tommy farmed with his parents in the Waterville area while attending Waterville School; in 1961, Tommy graduated from Waukon High School and went on to attend Iowa State University’s winter quarter farm operation program.

Jami R. Kasemeier, 39, of Waukon died unexpectedly Sunday, January 21, 2024 in Waukon. A service will be held Thursday, February 1 at 7 p.m. at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Friends may greet the family from 3 p.m. until the time of services Thursday at the funeral home.

Jami Rachel Kasemeier was born January 7, 1985 in Des Moines, the daughter of Roger and Julie (Beckman) Jones. She attended school in New Hampton and Cresco, and later received her GED. Jami moved to Waukon in 2014 and worked at Good Samaritan Society as lead cook and at Kwik Star as a guest service leader.