Obituaries

Naoma F. Humphreys, 92, of Waukon, formerly of Lanark, IL, passed away to her heavenly home Saturday, January 8, 2022 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Family graveside services will be held at a later date in Clinton, IL.

Memorials may be sent to Rock River Christian Camp, 16486 W. IL Route 64, Polo, IL 61064. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family.

Naoma, along with her twin brother, Ned, were born May 14, 1929 to Oran and Hilda (Wright) Wade of rural Clinton, IL. Naoma went to country school until her family moved into Clinton, and in 1948 she graduated from Clinton High School. She worked at the local drug store and then later took a job as a cashier with the power company.

October 20, 1950, she married the love of her life, Boyce Humphreys; they raised five children and were longtime residents of Lanark, IL. Naoma worked at Elkay Manufacturing and then later worked at Rolling Hills.

Irv “IJ” Peterson, 71, of Harpers Ferry passed away at his home January 3, 2022. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 29 at The Spillway in Harpers Ferry from 1-4 p.m. Memorial donations may be directed to the family.

Irv John Peterson was born December 3, 1950 to Irving and Donna (Aldrich) Peterson in Waterloo. IJ attended East High School in Waterloo. He was united in marriage to Sylvia Darlyne Shepard July 2, 1968 in Kirksville, MO.

IJ worked at John Deere for 29 years. He served on the safety committee at John Deere for many years. He was also a member of the UAW Local 838. IJ enjoyed golfing, fishing and spending time with friends at the local hangout. But most importantly, he loved spending time with his family.

Douglas D. “Doug” Shaffer, age 71, of Janesville died Thursday, December 23, 2021 at the Denver Sunset Home in Denver after a brave battle with cancer. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 15 at First United Methodist Church in Cedar Falls. Memorials may be directed to the family or Cedar Valley Hospice.

Doug was born August 9, 1950, the son of Donald and Lenora (Heinmiller) Shaffer in Sioux City. He graduated from Postville High School in 1969. He earned a BA in music and percussion from the University of Northern Iowa in 1973.

Doug was married to Julie Ball in August of 1974 and had two daughters, Trina (#1) and Kristi (#2). They were divorced in 1991.

Doug was united in marriage to Vera “Vee” McCormick February 15, 2003 in Lansing and gained daughter (#3) Lisa. Vee preceded him in death July 2, 2014.

Wendy Sue Gress- Yearous, 60, of Monona died Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at her home in Monona. Funeral Service was held Tuesday, January 11 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona with Rev. Erika Lenth as the officiant. Burial followed in the Oakland Cemetery in Waukon. Memorials may be sent to the MFL Ambulance, P.O. Box 65, Monona, IA 52159.

Wendy was born September 9, 1961 to John “Jack” William and Gale Marie (Kurth) Bissell in Guttenberg. She graduated from MFL High School in 1979 and attended NICC in Calmar for a brief time for Nursing.

Carol (Nichols) Hageman touched many lives. One of her joys was giving, and she gave so much joy to family, friends and more. Bright eyes, warm smile, helping hands. Carol loved keeping up a lively correspondence with the people in her life. Her notes, cards, emails and phone calls let people know she was thinking of them.

Speaking of cards, Carol played a range of games with her husband, family, and several clubs that were dear to her. She loved to reminisce about her high school years. She loved her class reunions and having coffee with her classmates on Wednesdays at Java John’s before the pandemic. Carol was a great planner who loved incorporating many favorite things and foods into special events.

And Carol loved her family. She was a devoted wife, a dedicated mother, and a really fun grandma. The good life for Carol was a life of heartfelt care and connection with others.

Stella M. (Thorstenson) Karges, 105, of Fargo, ND died Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at JB Homes Assisted Living in Lakeville, MN. Graveside services were held Tuesday, January 11 at Old West Paint Creek Cemetery in rural Waukon with Rev. John Brecount officiating. Celebrations of life will be held at later dates. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Stella Marie Karges was born May 3, 1916 in Brinsmade, ND, the daughter of Edward O. and Ida Sophia (Gjefle) Thorstenson. She grew up in the Minnewaukon, ND area, was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church, and in 1936, graduated from Minnewaukon High School. Stella then earned her beautician license, owned and operated New Image Beauty Salon in Fargo, ND, and did hair for 70 years before retiring at the age of 92. She was married to James C. Karges, but they eventually divorced.

Neil E. Becker, 87, of Waukon died Saturday, January 8, 2022 at his home. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 13 at 11 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Rev. Cathy Jurgens officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.
Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, January 12 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon. The family requests that no live plants be sent.

Neil Edward Becker was born November 24, 1934 in Waukon, the son of Edward A. and Mattie E. (Winke) Becker. He attended the rural Ludlow Krumme grade school and Waukon High School. In 1952, Neil enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving four years.

From late 1956 through 1972, he worked for Quandahl Hardware and Pladsen Hardware; from 1973 through 2000, Neil was the Allamakee County Sheriff, retiring after 28 years of service. In 1971, Neil married Maureen A. (Smith) Stock.

Marian Shafer, 93, formerly of Waukon but most recently living with her daughter in Clifton, VA, passed away December 24, 2021 of a heart attack at Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, VA. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 11 at 1 p.m. at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon with Pastor Sue Klimstra officiating.

Friends may greet the family one hour before services Tuesday, January 11 at the church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Masks are 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.

Gene Johnson, 82, of Waukon passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon due to complications of COVID-19. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, January 12 at 1 p.m. at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Duane Smith officiating.

Friends may greet the family from 11 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home Wednesday, January 12. Burial of ashes will be held later this coming summer at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lansing, with military graveside honors.

Alton Eugene Johnson was born March 10, 1939 in Lansing, the son of Hjalmer and Irene (Slindee) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Lansing and graduated from Lansing High School.

Stella M. (Thorstenson) Karges, 105, of Fargo, ND died Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at JB Homes Assisted Living in Lakeville, MN. Graveside services at Old West Paint Creek Cemetery in rural Waukon are pending.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.