News Center newsletter

The Waukon and Kee boys basketball teams got the new year off to an early competition start when the Indians traveled to the home of the Hawks Saturday, January 2 for a non-conference match-up to start the 2021 portions of their respective schedules. Although the host Hawks had the leading scorer in the contest, with junior Dalton Dibert pouring in 23 points, the Indians had five players finish in double figures and nine players score overall on the way to an 88-42 win over Kee.

The Waukon girls and boys bowling teams are scheduled to resume their post-holiday competition schedule Friday, January 8 by hosting North Fayette Valley. The Waukon wrestling team will get action back underway on the mat following the holiday break with a Thursday, January 7 dual at Oelwein before competing at the Crestwood Tournament Saturday, January 9.
 

Darwin Ellis, 92, of Postville died Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Good Samaritan Society in Postville. Private family services will be held a later date.

Darwin Gene, the son of Clifford “Kip” and Dorothy (Schlitter) Ellis, was born February 21, 1928 in Postville. He was baptized April 12, 1936 at the United Brethren Church and confirmed November 29, 1953 at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Darwin attended Postville Schools. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in January of 1946 and served until December of 1948.

October 15, 1950, Darwin was united in marriage with Marilyn Backhaus of Postville at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Their marriage lasted 69 years. Darwin and Marilyn worked for Marilyn’s parents’ family farm until 1961, they then moved to Postville to start an appliance and electrical service business.

Lori Donelle Knutson, 60, of Viroqua, WI passed away unexpectedly December 24, 2020. A visitation was held Sunday, January 3, 2021 at the Coulee Region Cremation Group Gathering Place in Onalaska, WI. Mail memorials to Heather Medd at 1606 Caroline Street, La Crosse, WI 54603.

Lori was born November 2, 1960 to Donald and Doris (Ingvalson) Pothast in Waukon. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon. She married Ron Tallman in August of 1980 in La Crosse, WI, and they later divorced. She then married Jeff Knutson in Onalaska, WI, and they later divorced.

Lori’s happiness was found by serving all of the people that were in her life. She had a unique and special bond with each and every person she knew, and all she wanted was to spread joy into everyone’s life.

Maureen A. Becker, 85, of Waukon passed away peacefully at her home Friday, January 1, 2021. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, January 6 at 11 a.m. at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon with Pastor Keith Selberg officiating. In consideration of concerns regarding COVID-19, social distancing and wearing of masks is required.

The service will also be live streamed on Martin-Grau Funeral Home’s Facebook page. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to Neil Becker at 704 Makee Drive NE, Waukon, IA 52172.

Maureen Ann Becker was born June 4, 1935 in Waukon, the daughter of Ora and Viola (Moe) Smith. She was baptized at First Presbyterian Church, confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, and received education at Waukon Elementary and High School. Over her lifetime, Maureen worked at Cote Theaters, Waukon Newspapers and the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office. She was also an active member at Zion United Church of Christ.

Robert “Bob” M. Oden, 88, of Waukon died peacefully in his sleep Sunday, December 27, 2020 at his home. Memorial services were held Monday, January 11 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Steve Oden officiating. Inurnment was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Condolences may be sent to Steve and Robin Oden at 309 First Street NW, Waukon, IA 52172.

Robert “Bob” Miles Oden was born November 28, 1932 at St. Ann’s Hospital in Chicago, IL, the son of John Selby and Agnes Muirhead Jack (Duff) Oden. In 1951, he graduated from Theodore Roosevelt Senior High in Des Moines. He then attended Drake University for one year. While young, Bob had a myriad of interests including but not limited to: bronc riding in rodeos, modeling, competitive diving, and drumming for a band.

Violet M. Beneke, 93, of New Albin passed away surrounded by family Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Private family funeral services will be held at Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Home, Caledonia, MN. Burial will be in St Peter’s Cemetery in New Albin.  Date of services are pending at this time. Pastor Dick Wohlgemuth of St. Peter’s Church will be the officiant.

Violet was born January 31, 1927 to George and Martha (Rudnick) Solberg in Caledonia, MN. She married Alvin G. Beneke September 18, 1945. Together they farmed and raised their family on the farm on Pool Hill in rural New Albin.

Violet was an active member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in New Albin. She enjoyed working outdoors with her yearly large garden and yard to tend. She loved baking her special caramel rolls and bread for her family. When Violet moved to assisted living in 2017, she continued to bake bread, sending the delicious aroma throughout the facility.

After a brave and long fight against cancer, Thomas L. Boots, 54, of Harpers Ferry passed away peacefully at 7 a.m. Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, January 6 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque.

A celebration of life will then be held from 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, January 6 at the Portside Bar and Supper Club in Harpers Ferry. In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated for the American Legion Post #722, 118 North Fourth Street, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family.

Thomas Lee Boots was born February 9, 1966 to Kenneth and Carmelita (Cahill) Boots. Though Tom did live in La Crosse, WI for a short period of his life, and was born in Dubuque, he was a lifelong resident of Harpers Ferry and loved the “Mississippi River Rat” life.

Ness Pumping and Porta Potty Rentals, along with Monroe Auction Service, hosted its fourth annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk Saturday, October 24 in the Waukon City Park to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and detection. Breast Cancer survivors were asked to sign a pink porta potty sporting the breast cancer ribbon, t-shirts were distributed and refreshments served.

The two families awarded the proceeds raised from that walk to Veterans Memoria Hospital to be used towards the 3D mammography machine at the hospital.  The $3,200 donation helps Veterans Memorial Hospital finance this 3D mammography machine, which is clinically proven to significantly increase the detection of breast cancers, while simultaneously decreasing the number of women asked to return for additional testing.

The statistical benefits of digital 3D mammography include the following:

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Thursday, January 7, from 12-5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Blood drives are held every month in Waukon. The LifeServe Blood Center of Iowa supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with blood and blood products. Many Iowans are encouraged to make donating blood on a regular basis their New Year’s resolution this year.

The need for blood does has not stopped during COVID-19 and is in even higher demand, so the local blood drives continue to be held. Life Serve team members only report to work if they are healthy and only healthy donors are eligible to give blood. Blood drives are essential medical services and not considered mass gatherings. The number of donors is limited to ensure donor separation, and staff has strict cleaning and disinfection schedules. Other measures are also in place to ensure the safety of the blood supply so these lifesaving donations can continue during COVID-19.