Obituaries

Robert E. Bulman, 89, of Waukon, formerly of New Albin, died Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 5 at 11 a.m. at the New Albin Community Center with Pastor Paul Burgess officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, rural New Albin.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the community center. Wearing of masks and social distancing are required. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Memorials may be made to Mt. Hope Cemetery Fund.

Robert Edward Bulman was born December 2, 1931 in Preston, MN to Alton and Helga (Sadler) Bulman. He was baptized and confirmed at Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church in rural New Albin, attended English Bench country school and graduated from Waukon High School in 1951, where he was active in vocal and drama productions. During high school he was honored to be selected to attend Boys State in Des Moines.

Devoine “Dee” Marvin Meiners, age 76, of Eitzen, MN passed away Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Rochester, MN. Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 4 at St. Luke’s Church, Eitzen, MN with Pastor Michael McCann officiating. Burial followed in the St. Luke’s Church, North Cemetery with military honors by the Kenneth Casey VFW Post 5603 of New Albin and the United States Navy Funeral Honor Guard.

Devoine was born September 5, 1944 in Caledonia, MN to Marvin and Ella Mae (Schroeder) Meiners. Dee was a 1962 graduate of Caledonia High School. In 1962, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served three years on active duty as an electrician. April 9, 1966, Devoine married Barbara Jean Hagen at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, MN, and they have shared 55 years of marriage.

Earl G. “Butchie” Fullmer, age 64, of rural Lansing died suddenly at his home Thursday, April 29, 2021. A Memorial Service will be Thursday, May 6 at 1 p.m. at the Garrity Funeral Home Chapel in Prairie du Chien, WI. Military honors will be accorded by the Prairie du Chien Honor Guard. Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of services.

Earl was born February 28, 1957 in California, the son of Earl and Charlene (Manwill) Fullmer. He served in the U.S. Navy.

Earl married Diana Steiber June 18, 1994 at Pikes Peak State Park in McGregor. He was a longtime care worker for Lori Knapp Inc. Butchie was a renowned string musician playing at area taverns, nursing homes, county fairs, and also for weddings and funerals. He served as a hunter’s education instructor, a Boy Scout leader and belonged to the Prairie du Chien Masonic Lodge.

Wanda F. (Neel) Downing, 65, of Amelia, VA, who recently moved to Waukon, died Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 30 at 11 a.m. at the Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Steve Oden officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of services Friday at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon. The service will also be live streamed on Martin-Grau’s Facebook page and accessible afterwards at www.martinfunerals.com.

Verna Katherine Massman, 87, of Lansing died Monday, April 19, 2021 at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Rochester, MN. Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, April 24 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Ossian with Msgr. Carl L. Schmitt as the Celebrant. Burial followed at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church Cemetery, Ossian.

Verna was born August 29, 1933 to Joseph J. and Anna J. (Blong) Schmitt in St. Lucas. January 21, 1952, Verna was united in marriage with Albin Massman at St. Luke Catholic Church in St. Lucas. Fourteen children were born to this union. Shortly after their marriage, Albin left to serve in the Army during the Korean War. After his return, they started farming and spent the next 46 years building their dairy farming operation together.

Lucy Dora (Puddephatt) Inger, 94, of Clarksville, AR went to be with our Lord April 2, 2021. Funeral service was held Thursday, April 8 at the Prairie View United Methodist Church in Subiaco, AR with Pastor Jeff Henderson and Pastor Aaron Madden officiating. Burial followed in Ware Chapel Cemetery in Arkansas.

She was born April 22, 1926 at Whelphey Hill in Buckinghamshire, England to the late John and Evelyn Myra (Young) Puddephatt. Lucy met the love of her life, Doug (Wilbur) Inger, during WWII. Lucy and Doug married January 25, 1947 in Waukon.

In March of 1951 Lucy became a United States citizen. After Doug retired, they settled in Scranton, AR in December of 1981. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Extension Homemakers Club, and a member of the Good Sams Camping Club. She enjoyed gardening and fishing. Lucy always loved making cookies for her friends and phoning her friends often.

Daniel W. Howe, 43, of Waukon died Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at his home. A public memorial service will be held Thursday, April 29 at 4 p.m. at the Frankville Fire Department with Pastor Lynn Noel officiating. Visitation will follow at the fire department until 7 p.m. Wearing of masks and social distancing is encouraged. A private family memorial service will also be held at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.

Daniel Wayne Howe was born June 16, 1977 in Waukon, the son of Wayne and Janice (Beisker) Howe. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School and graduated from Waukon High School in 1995. Dan served in the U.S. Army Reserves with active duty at Guantanamo Bay as a military policeman.

Nancy Kay (Pape) Wirkler, 52, of Waukon passed away Monday, April 19, 2021 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Thursday, April 22 at the Gospel Hall in Garnavillo. Burial followed in Garnavillo Cemetery.

Nancy was born December 12, 1968 to Gerald and Marilyn (Dickman) Pape in Prairie du Chien, WI. She was raised on a dairy farm in Hickory Creek valley and graduated from MFL Community School in 1987.

Nancy was united in marriage to Robert Wirkler February 12, 1988 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Luana. She milked cows and raised cattle with her husband for 12 years before they made the tough decision to move on to other occupations. Nancy loved children and enjoyed her years providing care to her nephew until he started school and nieces when needed. She was most recently employed at TASC in Waukon.

Larry Patrick Lamborn, 72, of Luana died Friday, April 9, 2021 peacefully in his sleep at his home in Luana. Funeral Service was held Thursday, April 15 at Living Faith United Methodist Parish in Monona with Rev. Deb Parkison as the officiant. Burial with Military Rites followed at Smithfield Cemetery, Monona.

Larry was born March 17, 1949 in Waukon to Lloyd and Noraline (Borcherding) Lamborn. He graduated from MFL High School with the class of 1967 and attended college in Calmar for Farm Management.

Larry was united in marriage to Jane Clark June 27, 1970 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Waukon. Three children, Alan, Lori and Mark, were born to this union.

Walter Robert Hammell, 96, of Caledonia, MN died April 17, 2021 at his home. Visitation will take place Wednesday, April 21 from 4-7 p.m. at the Four Seasons Community Center, 900 North Kingston Street, Caledonia, MN. A private family funeral will be held Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Caledonia. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia.

The family kindly asks that face masks be worn and social distancing be practiced. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Caledonia.

Walter was born May 11, 1924. He attended Iowa #5 School in Allamakee County. June 25, 1946, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth (Betty) Byrnes at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Hanover. They farmed on the Sand Cove near New Albin until they moved to Minnesota in 1969 where he farmed on Jefferson Ridge, outside Caledonia. Later in life, he moved into Caledonia.