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The Waukon girls basketball team played its way to an undefeated week in a busy three-game slate this past week that took them on the road and back home, and in and out of the Northeast Iowa Conference. That week’s worth of wins improved the Tribe’s current win streak to four games and started with consecutive nights on the road that included a 59-51 triumph at previously undefeated North Fayette Valley Monday, January 11 followed by a Tuesday, January 12 win at Crestwood, 64-40. The Indians wrapped up the week with a 55-23 home win over Oelwein Friday, January 15.

Senior Creed Welch becomes “most helpful” player in program history as he surpasses career assist record of 252 assists held by 2000 WHS grad Ed Frick

The Waukon boys basketball team played a busy week of three games this past week and put all three games in the win column by increasingly convincing results to extend what has now amounted to a four-game win streak. The Indians opened the week pulling out a 67-64 victory at home in overtime against a previously undefeated North Fayette Valley team Monday, January 11 before notching another close victory at home, 61-53, Tuesday, January 12 over a Crestwood team that had beaten them earlier in the season in another close battle. The bucket Tribe wrapped up its week-long success with a 72-37 road win at Oelwein Friday, January 15.

The Waukon girls and boys bowling teams hit the road for the first time in the new year and came home with a split of their meet results at Waterloo Columbus Friday, January 15, coming within less than 35 pins of recording a complete meet sweep of the host Sailors. The Indian girls fell just shy of that sweeping effort, having a Baker round comeback surge not be enough to avoid the short end of a 2095-2128 final result against their Columbus counterparts, while the Indian boys took control of their dual early before holding on late for their second victory of the season, 2361-2203.

Scott Allen Sharp, age 36, previously from Decorah, passed away suddenly at his home in Des Moines after a short non-COVID related illness. A Celebration of Life Service was held Thursday, January 21 at Iron Ridge Church in Waukon.

Scott was born November 10, 1984 in Decorah to Linda and Larry Sharp. Scott grew up enjoying all the fun things of the era including Ghostbusters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, professional wrestling, video games and Legos. His family believes his love of Legos inspired his lifelong admiration and fascination with architecture and skyscrapers.

Scott worked at Aase Haugen and later Walmart during high school. He graduated from Decorah High School in 2003 and went on to graduate from NICC as an Electrician.  Scott worked in this field for a short time until he relocated to Des Moines. Scott worked in Des Moines at Johnson Brothers, the State of Iowa, and most recently for Ruan.

Dean L. Bechtel, 73, of rural Monona died Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services with military honors were held Friday, January 15 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Rev. Cathy Jurgens officiating. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Dean Lloyd Bechtel was born April 24, 1947 in Waukon, the son of Lloyd and Neva (Deal) Bechtel. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon and in 1966 graduated from Waukon High School. Dean was drafted into the U.S. Navy and on the day of his high school graduation, he took the bus to Des Moines for his service physical. He served for four years during the Vietnam War on the USS Sterett DLG-31 and the USS Wainwright as a radioman with Top Secret Clearance.

John Hadley Steffenson, 83, of Plainview, MN and formerly of Rochester, MN passed away at the hospital Tuesday, January 12, 2021. Due to the pandemic and restrictions on gatherings, the January 16 funeral service was private for immediate family members only. A recording of the funeral is available on the Facebook page: Macken Funeral Home, River Park Chapel. Memorials are preferred to Bethel Lutheran Church.

John was born February 20, 1937 in Makee Township, Allamakee County to Nennor and Mildred (Aure) Steffenson. He was baptized April 25, 1937 and confirmed December 9, 1951 at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon. John attended country school and then graduated from Waukon High School in 1955. Following graduation, John served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1959 and was stationed in France for a while.

Helen C. Quillin, age 92, of Eau Claire, WI passed away peacefully January 10, 2021 at Luther Hospital, Mayo Health System in Eau Claire, WI after several months of declining health, including a bout with COVID-19. Due to COVID-19, a private ceremony will be held for her interment at Calvary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum in Eau Claire, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Helen’s name to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Eau Claire, WI or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Helen was born August 11, 1928 in Waukon to Fred and Mathilda (Hoffman) Hammell as the youngest of five siblings. After spending her early years on the family farm, she graduated from Lansing High School in 1946. She found work as a nurse’s aide in La Crosse, WI, which she loved and would talk about decades later.

Walter “Wally” H. Johnson, 86, of Waukon died Saturday, January 16, 2021 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. A private graveside service was held at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon in consideration of concerns regarding COVID-19. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. Condolences may be sent to Cindy Schellhammer at 1274 Highway 9, Lansing, IA 52151.

Walter Harold Johnson, Jr. was born February 21, 1934 in Newell to Walter and Della (Santage) Johnson. He attended Newell Community Schools and graduated from Newell High School in 1951. Wally attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon for one year before transferring to Drake University in Des Moines to finish his college education. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism in 1955. During his junior year, in 1954, Wally married Carole Melberg (from the Iowa town of Norway). They later divorced in 1981.

William “Billy” R. Amunrud, 66, of Dorchester passed away surrounded by his family Friday, January 15, 2021 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Private family memorial services will be held at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Condolences may be sent to Terry Amunrud at 114 Dorchester Drive, Dorchester, IA 52140.

William Robert Amunrud was born December 19, 1954 in Spring Grove, MN, the son of Obert and Doris (Patterson) Amunrud. Bill was raised in Mabel, MN and graduated from Mabel-Canton High School in 1973. After high school, Bill worked for Northern Engraving in Spring Grove for many years before moving on to Croell Incorporated as a truck driver.

While at Northern Engraving, he met Theresa “Terry” Mahr. They married June 4, 1983 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dorchester and had three children, Joshua, Chelsea and Jordan.

Leo Anthony Garin, 90, of Lansing died Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. A Private Graveside Service was held in Gethsemane Cemetery in Lansing with Rev. John Moser as the officiant. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gethsemane Cemetery in Lansing.

Leo was born July 5, 1930 to Cyril and Viola (Guider) Garin in Harpers Ferry. He attended Immaculate Conception Catholic High School and graduated in 1948. Leo continued his education by attending Bayless Business College in Dubuque.

February 15, 1950, Leo was united in marriage with Mary Lou Troendle. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary February 15, 2020. Together they bought farms on Whalen Hill Road in 1953. In 1965, their barn burnt down, so Leo got a side job at Trane in La Crosse, WI.