Obituaries

Coley C. Foster, 52, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2020 at his home in Wasilla, AK. Services will be held at a later date.

Coley was born July 21, 1967 in Oelwein. He graduated from Postville High School in 1985 and then joined the U.S. Army. Coley traveled all over the United States and abroad throughout his military career.

Coley received his bachelor’s degree of applied science in business management with a minor in aviation operations, among his education accomplishments. While in the service, he received the Army Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal from Operation Iraqi Freedom, just to name a few of the many honors he received.

Dale Nicholas Colsch, age 81, of Plainfield passed away peacefully November 12, 2019 at the Waverly Health Center in Waverly following a courageous, private and prolonged battle with cancer. There will be no formal services. Per his wishes, Dale’s body was cremated. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society in Dale’s memory.

Dale was born December 20, 1937 to Nicholas and Charlotte Ann (Theobald) Colsch. He grew up on a farm southwest of New Albin along with seven brothers and a sister. He attended Iowa Township #3, otherwise known as the Sand Cove School, until it closed. Dale attended New Albin Elementary until eighth grade when he chose to quit school in order to farm with his older brothers, Robert and Harold. When Harold was drafted in January 1952, it became Dale’s responsibility to help manage the farm along with his brother, Robert.

Eugene Van Fleet Jr., pillar of the family and our hero of the “Greatest Generation,” died March 21, 2020 at the age of 94 at Applewood Place Assisted Living in Lakewood, CO. In light of recent health advisories, it has been decided to postpone services until a later date. Updated information will be posted when services are able to be rescheduled.

A Colorado native, Eugene was born in Denver January 18, 1926 to Eugene Sr. and Rebecca (Blunt). His parents owned a tailor/hat-making/dry cleaning shop in downtown Denver, where he learned the tricks of the trade.

Eugene attended East High School. When the attack of Pearl Harbor occurred, Eugene, then 15, was too young to defend his country. He waited until the age of 17, in his senior year, to join the U.S. Merchant Marines, with his parents’ permission. He later enrolled in the U.S. Naval Construction Force, the Seabees, where he was based in the Philippines as the company tailor.

Robert “Bob” D. Thompson, 77, of rural Waterville died Thursday, March 26, 2020 at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, WI from complications of the Coronavirus. A private graveside service was held at Old East Paint Creek Cemetery, rural Waterville. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Condolences can be sent to Linda Thompson, 1831 Elon Drive, Waterville, IA 52170.

The family requests in lieu of gifts please give to the Veterans Memorial Hospital Foundation in Waukon, Old East Paint Creek Church, or help someone that may be struggling during these uncertain economic times.

Robert Davis Thompson was born June 14, 1942 in West Union, the son of Arthur and Pearl Irene (Helgerson) Thompson. He graduated from North High School in West Union in 1961 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves from 1963-1969. He worked as a pipe fitter at Wilson’s Meat Packing Plant in Cedar Rapids.

Virginia Lou (Ashbacher) Roe, 82, of Waukon died Thursday, March 26, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Private graveside services were held at Old West Paint Creek Cemetery, rural Waukon. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences can be sent to Sue Schulte at 303 Eighth Street SW, Waukon, IA 52172. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Virginia Lou Roe was born July 26, 1937 on her parents’ farm near the French Creek area of rural Lansing. She was the daughter of John Raymond and Florence Alice (Ehrhart) Ashbacher. Virginia was baptized and confirmed at the French Creek Methodist Church and attended French Creek #2 Schoolhouse.

Richard “Dick” E. Gearhart, 89 of Waukon passed away March 26, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Graveside services will be held at a later date in Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone. Condolences can be sent to Anna Gearhart, at 4511 Cornwall Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family with arrangements.

Richard “Dick” Edward Gearhart was born January 3, 1931 in Dubuque, the son of Glenn and Lois (Ruxton) Gearhart. He attended Nevada High School, graduating in 1949. Dick continued his education at Drake University graduating with a degree in History in 1953. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity and a member of Drake’s track and cross country teams. While at Drake, he met a beautiful Delta Gamma girl, Anna Sunstrom of Boone. The two married in 1952. Together they shared 68 years of marriage.

Sandra Pauline Schlitter, 71, of McGregor died Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Mayo Health Systems in La Crosse, WI. Due to the recent suggestion by the Centers for Disease Control with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, a Private Family Funeral Service will be held at Living Faith United Methodist Parish in Giard with Rev. Deb Parkison as the officiant. A celebration of life will be held for Sandra Schlitter at a later date.

A Private Family Visitation will be held at the Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona. Burial will be at Giard Cemetery, Giard.

Sandra Pauline was born November 20, 1948 to Harvey and Carlotta (Moen) Standorf in McGregor. She attended country school through the eighth grade and then attended Mar-Mac Community School.

Jean Lenore Wiedenmann, 88, of Monona died Monday, March 16, 2020 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. A Private Memorial Graveside Service will be at a later date.

Jean was born November 1, 1931 on the family farm near Waterville to Ben and Hulda Kolsrud. She was baptized and confirmed at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in Waterville. Jean was a member of Faith Lutheran N.A.L.C. Church in Monona.

June 3, 1950, Jean was united in marriage with Charles L. Wiedenmann at the Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church, Waterville. They made their home on the family farm south of Monona, where they farmed for 35 years before moving to Monona. Three children were born to this union, Garry, Kent and Lori.

Donald D. Duggan, 69, of Waukon passed away March 3, 2020. A memorial service will be held at a later date and announced at that time. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to the Robey Memorial Library in Waukon.

Donald Dennis Daniel Duggan was born February 10, 1951 in Waukon. He was the son of Clare and Harriet (Curtin) Duggan. Growing up, he spent much time on the golf course and in his parents’ restaurant, the S&D Cafe. He graduated from Waukon Public High School in 1969 and briefly attended the University of Iowa before starting a career in business and sales. He spent most of his career as an executive recruiter and enjoyed “talking to people for a living.”

Margaret “Marge” A. Bulman, 90, of Spring Grove, MN, formerly of Dorchester, passed away peacefully surrounded by her three daughters Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. She was looking forward to being reunited with family and other loved ones in Heaven.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Condolences can be sent to the family of Margaret Bulman, P.O. Box 491, Spring Grove, MN 55974.

Margaret Ann Bratrud Bulman was born March 9, 1930 in the Village Creek area of Allamakee County to Ingvald and Inga (Olson) Bratrud. At age 3-1/2, Marge began school in Village Creek; she lived across the road from the school and wouldn’t stay away, always wandering over there until the teacher finally told her to start officially attending. In 1947, she graduated from Waterville High School and started at Luther College in Decorah in 1948 for teacher’s training.