Obituaries

Dwight “Blackie” Lawson, 84, of Waukon passed away peacefully Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Marshalltown after a long period of declining health. Due to a scheduling conflict his funeral service will now be held graveside at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Waukon at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 12. A celebration of his life will be held at The Old Rossville Store following the funeral. Born March 29, 1942, in Waukon to Howard and Janet “Bub” (Tepesch) Lawson, Dwight was a proud graduate of the Waukon High School Class of 1961. He later attended the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls where he studied Accounting. Throughout his life, Dwight worked mainly as a meatcutter and salesman. After retirement, he spent much of his time helping people fix up their homes, generously putting his skills to work for others. He also gave to his community, volunteering at local food pantries and with the American Red Cross, including hurricane relief efforts in Georgia.

Beth D. Kerndt, 73, of Waukon passed away Saturday, September 5, 2026, at her home in Waukon. She was surrounded by her loving and devoted husband Tom and her children.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, September 12 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Philip Agyei officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 4-8 p.m. Friday, September 11 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:30 p.m. scripture service.

Beth Diane (Lange) Kerndt was born March 10, 1953, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, the daughter of Duane and Kathleen (Gordon) Lange. She was raised in the Monona area with her two brothers on her parent’s century farm. Beth graduated from MFL High School in 1971.

April 20, 1996, she married the love of her life, Tom Kerndt, at Giard Methodist Church in Giard. Together they enjoyed many adventures and made many happy memories along the way.

Duane H. J. Martins, 88, of Waukon, formerly of Luana, passed away after a brief illness Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Memorial services were held Saturday, September 5 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Daryl Schultz officiating. The service was live streamed on the funeral home’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/martinfunerals.

Paul L. Horsfall Sr., 93, of Lansing died Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Memorial services were held Wednesday, September 9 at United Methodist Church in Lansing with Pastor James Buckhahn officiating.

Paul Leland Horsfall Sr. was born September 11, 1932, in Bloomington, WI, the youngest of 11 children of Roy and Pearl (Ball) Horsfall. He graduated from Bloomington High School, where he was the pitcher of the baseball team and also led his conference in basketball all four years. Following school, Paul worked as a farmhand.

At age 18, Paul underwent an emergency appendectomy, but then came down with a lovesickness for his beautiful nurse. He and Maxine Schwartz were married August 14, 1952, in Prairie du Chien, WI. In 1953, Paul was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Camp Atterbury in Indiana. The Korean War ended just a few weeks into his basic training; he finished his two-year stint in Chicago, IL as a MP.

Sharen Kaye Roth, age 79, went to be with the Lord August 27, 2026, surrounded by her husband and children at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church in Waukon Friday, September 4 at 11 a.m. with visitation at 10 a.m.

Sharen was born January 18, 1947, to Ben and Lydia (Lubben) Gruis in Forest City. She attended school and graduated in 1965 from the Buffalo Center School. After high school, she attended cosmetology school in Mason City.

Sharen met her future husband, Russell Roth, while he was working for her father. Their love story had a memorable beginning - Sharen was not impressed with Russell at first and thought he was trouble. Her first impression clearly didn’t have the final say, and April 9, 1966, Sharen and Russell were married, beginning a life together filled with family, love, and many treasured memories. They were blessed with four children, Peggy, Jill, Michael and Dawn.

Barbara J. Thorstenson, 53, of Waukon passed away unexpectedly Sunday, August 23, 2026, at her home in Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Barbara Jean Thorstenson was born September 1, 1972, in Decorah, the daughter of Orlando and Donna (Gelo) Moen. She was baptized and confirmed at Glenwood Lutheran Church in rural Decorah. Barb grew up on a farm with horses and with her siblings Lori and Robert. She graduated from Decorah High School where she excelled in Flag Corps, represented DECA at the State Convention, and later received first place at the National Convention in San Francisco, CA. She also attended McConnell School of Business in Minneapolis, MN.

October 18, 1991, she married Bradley Thorstenson at the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon. They had two daughters, Jessica and Rebecca.

Sophia Izabel Ghegan, 16, of Waukon died Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI, from injuries sustained in a Sunday, August 16 automobile accident. Memorial services will be held Friday, September 4 at 11 a.m. at Iron Ridge Church in Waukon with Bryan Mincks officiating. Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, September 3 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.

Patrick Joseph “Pat” Connelly, 87, of Lansing passed away August 23, 2026, at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Private family services were held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing Saturday, August 29. The family asks that memorials be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Pat was born March 17, 1939, in La Crosse, WI, to Joseph and Regina (Barry) Connelly. He grew up on the family farm in Rising Sun, WI, and attended country school before graduating from Viroqua High School. Following high school, Pat entered the Army National Guard, where he served in the heavy weapons infantry for three years and was honorably discharged in 1962.

November 15, 1969, Pat married Kathy Conway in Lansing. Together they made their home in Lansing, where they raised their three sons, P.J., Tim, and Steve, and shared 56 years of marriage.

Wilfred C. Ament of Waukon passed away Friday, August 14, 2026, after a lengthy illness. He was born April 26, 1938. A memorial to celebrate Will’s life will be held at the Empty Nest Winery Friday, October 16, 2026, to remember our friend who will be greatly missed. A full obituary along with details of the celebration will follow.
 

Mary Charlene “Charlie” Peiffer, 89, of Urbandale passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, Saturday, August 1, 2026, at MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center. A Mass of Christian Burial was held August 10 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Urbandale.

Inurnment will take place at a later date at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Wexford, near Lansing. There will also be a Mass Intention in her honor Monday, August 31 at 8 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Wexford.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Heart Association, or Immaculate Conception Church in Wexford. Cards and other correspondence may also be sent to Ben Peiffer, 2729 82nd Place #329, Urbandale, IA 50322.