Obituaries

Lorna J. Winters, 88, of Waukon died Thursday, February 19, 2015 at her home. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 24 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, with Pastor Samantha Houser officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.
Lorna Jean Winters was born July 24, 1926 in Waukon, the daughter of Edward and Ella (Miller) Hermeier. She was baptized and confirmed at Zalmona Presbyterian Church, attended rural elementary schools and graduated from Waukon High School, where she took the normal training curriculum.

Donna Fink, 68, of Novinger, MO passed away Monday, February 9, 2015 at Boone Hospital in Columbia, MO. Funeral services were held Friday, February 13 at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Kirksville, MO. Burial was in Morelock Cemetery north of Novinger.
Donna, the daughter of Floyd and Dolly (Stanley) Billington, was born February 22, 1946 in Shibleys Point, MO. She was united in marriage to Richard Sells (deceased), and to this union three children were born. Donna married Lee "Joe" Fink in August 1990.
Donna grew up and attended school in Shibleys Point, MO and Waterloo. She later moved to New Albin and then retired back to Missouri. She worked for Rath Packing and owned and operated a tile business. She enjoyed gardening, being a homemaker, wall papering, and taking care of her dog, Pocket. She loved her family and enjoyed family gatherings.

Richard Hansmeier

Ronald E. Gavle, 79, of Waukon died Thursday, February 12, 2015 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services were held Monday, February 16 at the Waukon Banquet Center in Waukon, with Rev. Ronald Pederson officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Big Canoe Cemetery, rural Decorah.
Ronald Eugene Gavle was born September 19, 1935 in Decorah, the son of Norris and Frances (Osmundson) Gavle. He grew up on the family farm north of town, attended rural elementary schools and Decorah High School. Ron later earned his GED while in the service. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 until 1956 seeing some of that duty as a helicopter mechanic in Germany.

Donna L. Wurtzel, 85, of Waukon died Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 18 at 11 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon, with Rev. Lynn G. Groe officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, February 17 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.
Donna Lou Wurtzel was born July 23, 1929 in Waukon, the daughter of Hubert and Edna (Reeder) Hermanson. She was baptized at Rossville Presbyterian Church in Rossville and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon. Donna graduated from Waukon High School.
August 29, 1948 Donna married Truman Edward Wurtzel at St. John's Lutheran Church. She and Truman owned a milk hauling business, Truman Wurtzel Bulk Milk Hauling, which they operated together for many years. Donna did the bookkeeping, she would run after parts, and was a relief driver when she was needed.

Catherine Lucille Mullarkey Dowd, age 86, departed this life Friday, January 30, 2015 at her home in Waterloo surrounded by her family. Services were held Wednesday, February 4 at St. Edward Catholic Church with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, all in Waterloo.
Catherine was born to Mike and Mary (Brennan) Mullarkey April 12, 1928 on the family farm near Wexford. She was one of eight children, and one in a second set of twins.
Kate (as she was affectionately known to her friends) attended Wexford Country School. She moved to Waterloo and held various jobs including secretary at Rath Packing. She met Dan Dowd, the love of her life, at a country dance. She married Daniel Patrick Dowd September 20, 1956 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wexford.

Irving “Irv” S. Walsh, 85, of Waukon died Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 14 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Jim Dubert and Deacon Mike Ward officiating. Burial with military graveside rites was at St. John the Baptist-West Ridge Cemetery, rural Waukon.
Irving Stephen Walsh was born August 16, 1929 at his parents’ home in Fairview Township in rural Waterville, the son of Stephen and Marjorie (Molitor) Walsh. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Pius Cherry Mound Catholic Church in rural Harpers Ferry. Irv attended schools in Allamakee County.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from January 3, 1952 to December 14, 1955. Irv was a Boatswain’s Mate Third Class and served as a loader on a 50-caliber gun and as a gun captain on a five-inch turret gun.

John G. Forbes, Jr., 46, of Waukon died Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at his home. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 14 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, with Rev. Lynn Groe officiating.
John Gary Forbes, Jr. was born September 30, 1968 in Waterloo, the son of John and Shirley (Allen) Forbes. He married Sarah Gambrell; they later divorced. John was self-employed and owned his own trucking company. He also worked for Canton River Towing and ADM Barge, where he worked his way up to captain. John adored his family and loved doing fun things with his children. He also liked NASCAR, fishing, and riding his motorcycle.

George J. Hammell of rural Caledonia, MN died peacefully at Thornton Heights Assisted Living in Lansing February 2, 2015, his 93rd birthday. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, February 6 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, New Albin, with Rev. John Moser as the celebrant. Burial followed in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, New Albin.
George was born in rural New Albin to George and Elizabeth (Wall) Hammell February 2, 1922 (2-2-22). He was married June 19, 1947 to Mary E. Manning, who passed away January 12, 2008.
George was a life-long farmer in the New Albin area and was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. He served on the Jefferson Township Board for many years, was a Fire Warden and served as a weather observer for the U.S. Weather Service.  George’s family and community were very important to him.

Shirley Clark, 80, of Columbia, MO died peacefully Friday, February 6, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 11 at Parker Funeral Service, 22 North 10th Street, Columbia, MO. Visitation is from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, February 11 at the funeral home.
Shirley was born January 13, 1935 in Wadena to Chester and Marian Oelberg Adams. She married Robert J. Clark October 7, 1955 in Ames. Shirley graduated from Arlington High School in Arlington. She attended the University of Dubuque and received her Bachelor of Science degree from Upper Iowa University and her masters degree from the University of Iowa. She taught high school Physics, Chemistry and General Science from 1956 to 1995 in several high schools, including Waukon and Lake Mills.