Dakota "Toad" Ness
Dakota “Toad” C. Ness, 22, of Waukon died Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at his home. Funeral services were held Monday, January 15 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus and Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial was at Old West Paint Creek Cemetery, rural Waukon. Memorials can be made to Kenleigh Ness, c/o Farmers and Merchants Bank, P.O. Box 9, Waukon, IA 52172.
Dakota “Toad” Christen Ness was born August 2, 1995 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon to Scott and Karen (Fink) Ness. He made their family complete when he joined his big brothers, Dan and Dylan. Dakota was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon and was also active at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon. He attended Waterville Elementary and in 2014 he graduated from Waukon High School.
From a young age, Dakota loved farm life and was a hard worker. He was an active member of Elon PMC 4-H Club, FFA, track, wrestling and football. He was co-captain and member of Waukon High School's 2013 Class 2A State Runner-Up football team and was also named an All-State linebacker. Dakota loved spending time and hunting and fishing with his brothers, cousins and friends. He also loved Allis-Chalmers tractors.
After graduation, he was employed by J.B. Holland as a heavy equipment operator, by the City of Waukon, and was currently a maintainer operator for Allamakee County. In addition, Dakota was actively engaged in farming at Ness Ridge Nurseries. He was a friend to everyone and always willing to help neighbors, family and friends with farm work. Most of all, Dakota was a loving and devoted father to his daughter, Kenleigh Anne; she brought so much joy to his life.
Dakota is survived by his parents, Karen and Scott of Waterville; his daughter, Kenleigh; his brothers, Dan (Kari) of Cedar Rapids and Dylan of Waterville; his grandparents, Barbara and Sigurd Ness and Mary Fink, all of Waukon; his great-grandmother, Joyce Kuhse of Postville; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his precious niece, Makaela Ness; his grandfather, Rodney “Occo” Fink; and his great-grandparents, Lester and Meta Ness, Donald L. Snitker, Dale Kuhse, Floyd and Florence Waters, Velma Mack and Freeman Fink.
Honorary casketbearers were Toad’s first cousins. Casketbearers were Dominick Mellick, Garth Cooper, Brent Johnson, Frank Mahr, Chad Jones and Dave Bakke. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
