Obituaries

LaVanda R. Thornton, 90, of Waterloo died of natural causes Saturday, September 19, 2009 at Cedar Valley Hospice Home. Graveside Services were held Thursday, September 24 at the Smithfield Rural Cemetery, Monona. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family at Mary Holman, 1657 Longfellow Ave, Waterloo, IA  50703.
LaVanda was born November 7, 1918 in Winneshiek County to Richard and Sophia Mechlenberg Suckow. She married Lloyd Robert  Thornton December 21, 1938. He died January 22, 1981. LaVanda was a homemaker in her own home.

Cornelius G. “Nig” Troendle, 96, of Lansing died Thursday, September 17, 2009 at Thornton Manor Care Center in Lansing following a short illness. Funeral services were held Monday, September 21 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with burial in Gethsemane Cemetery, both in Lansing.

Eileen B. Hammon, 79, of Waukon died Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, September 19 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial was held in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Brent Ronald Blietz, 24, of Monona died Friday, September 11 in Prairie du Chien, WI from injuries sustained in a work-related accident. Funeral Services were held Wednesday, September 16 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monona. The Rev. Allen Bidne officiated. Burial was in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Monona.
Brent was born March 26, 1985 in Waukon to Rickey Blietz and Penny (Stouffer) Blietz. He graduated from MFL/MarMac High School with the Class of 2003. Brent attended NICC in Calmar for two years majoring in communications.

Paul H. Van Brocklin, 52, of New Albin died suddenly Monday, September 7, 2009 at Gundersen-Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse, WI. Funeral services were held Friday, September 11 at the New Albin Community Center in New Albin, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Lansing.

Janet L. Thias, 76, of rural Lansing died Saturday, September 12, 2009 at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse, WI. Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 17 at 11 a.m. at Rossville Presbyterian Church in Rossville, with Pastor Tom Buresh officiating. Burial will be at Maple Hill “Bigfoot” Cemetery, rural Rossville.
Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, September 16 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, and for one hour before the service at the church Thursday.

Sena Marie Downing, age 25, of Clarksville, TN died Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at her home. Funeral Service was held Saturday, September 12 at Big Canoe Lutheran Church, Decorah, with Pastor Dave H. Andreae officiating. Committal was in the Iowa River Cemetery.

Brent Ronald Blietz, 24, of Monona died Friday, September 11, 2009 at Prairie du Chien, WI from injuries sustained in a work-related accident. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, September 16 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monona. The Rev. Allen Bidne will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Monona.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 15 from 2-8 p.m. at the Leonard Funeral Home, Monona, and one hour before services at the church on Wednesday.

Rachel D. King, 73, of Waukon died Monday, September 7, 2009 at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in LaCrosse, WI. Funeral services were held Friday, September 11 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon, with Rev. Lynn G. Groe officiating. Burial was held in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Luana.

Judith M. LaPrell, 64, of Dubuque died Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at ManorCare Health Services. Funeral services were held Saturday, September 12 at the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dubuque. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Dubuque.
Judith was born January 14, 1945 in Dubuque, the daughter of Clarence and Dorothy (Zoll) Murphy. In her early years, she operated “The Pump” tavern and later owned and operated Tri-State Credit Services.