Obituaries

Larry Gene Dawson of St. Paul, MN died March 23, 2024, at the age of 82, from complications of Lewy Body Dementia, a disease that he endured for five and a half years. His family will honor Larry with a private celebration of life later this year. Memorials may be given to local EMTs or libraries.

Larry was born in Hamburg April 12, 1941 to James and Doris (Wynn) Dawson. He was raised on a farm in Riverton near the West Nishnabotna River.  He graduated from Northwest Missouri State University.

Larry settled in Monona where he taught Social Studies and coached girls athletics for ten years. He married Sherie Henderson August 6, 1971. After starting his family, he worked for the Land O’Lakes/Cenex Farmers’ Cooperative in Monona for 32 years. Upon retiring in 2009, he and his wife relocated to St. Paul, MN.

Sandra Jean (Ellefson) McCoy passed away peacefully at home, following an illness, Friday, March 29, surrounded by her family. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 20 at the Waukon Event Center (formerly Waukon Banquet Center) from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. A private burial will be held at the IOOF (Odd Fellows) Cemetery, Rossville.

Sandy was born June 7, 1951 to Junice (Ellefson) Bolsinger. She attended high school in Lansing, graduating from St. George High School. She married Ronald Smerud, and the couple had a daughter, Kelly. They later divorced. Sandy worked in housekeeping at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon for a time. After that, she worked at Walmart in Prairie du Chien, WI and retired from there.

James (Jim C.) Gruber, 91, of Lansing passed away peacefully the morning of April 2, 2024 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held Sunday, April 14 at TJ Hunter’s Banquet Hall from 4-7 p.m.

There will be a private family burial Monday, April 15 at Oak Hill Cemetery. Pastor James “Buck” Buckhahn is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Oak Hill Cemetery.

James Clifford Gruber was born November 13, 1932 to Clifford and Esther (Thompson) Gruber in Lansing. He attended country school until fifth grade and then continued his education in Lansing. He graduated from Lansing High School in 1950. After graduation he farmed with his parents.

Jim was united in marriage to his dancing partner, Jean Wurtzel, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Lansing February 10, 1963. From their union three sons, David, Dennis and Daryl, were born.

Captain Walter Allen Verdon, Ph.D., age 85, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, February 21, 2024, at Hospice of Dayton, Inc. in Dayton, OH. A memorial service to celebrate Walter’s life will be held at Lansing United Methodist Church, 490 Center Street, Lansing May 11, 2024. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. CT. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the veterans’ charity of your choice.

Walter was born Saturday, May 14, 1938, to Harold Edward and Grace Estell (née Larson) Verdon in Stevens Point, WI. He lived a life characterized by dedication, intellect, and service. He will be remembered for his distinguished career as a Professor of Economics and his service as an officer in the United States Navy and United States Navy Reserves. Walter’s courage and commitment were exemplified during his service aboard the U.S.S. Nobel during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Thomas (Tom) James Schulte, age 83, entered eternal life April 1, 2024. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, April 6 at Sacred Heart Parish in Horicon, WI. A private burial will be held later. Memorials for Tom can be made to  https://www.givetossmhealth.org.

Tom was born March 1, 1941, to Vincent and Rose Schulte in Spring Grove, MN, the first of seven children. Tom grew up on the family farm in Dorchester, attended rural schools, and graduated from Waukon High School in 1959. After graduation, Tom enlisted in the Army Reserve. Soon after that, he began his career in the farm cooperative industry at Waukon Equity Cooperative.

In 1965 he was united in marriage to Carole Olson at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waukon. Together they raised five children in Iowa and Wisconsin. His career spanned 40 years, and he retired from United Cooperative in 2003.

Dennis (Denny) James Curtin died March 8, 2024. Denny’s celebration of life will be held at Curtin’s Arena, located at 1747 O’Neill Ridge Road, northwest of Waukon, Saturday, April 6, from 2-6 p.m.

There will be a brief prayer service at 2 p.m. Friends and family are invited to join in honoring and celebrating his life as he lived it, with food, music, and drinks.
 

Marilyn A. Bulman, 90, of Waukon died Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 13 at 11 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ (UCC) in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Zion UCC or Veterans Memorial Hospital, both in Waukon.

Marilyn Adele Bulman was born June 9, 1933, at her grandparents’ home in Rossville, the daughter of Lawrence and Kathryn (Wiedenmann) Ricker. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, where she remained a lifelong member. In 1951, Marilyn graduated from Waukon High School and went to work at the Allamakee County Treasurer’s office.

Sandra Jean (Ellefson) McCoy passed away peacefully at home, following an illness, Friday, March 29, surrounded by her family. Arrangements are pending. A full obituary will be available in next week’s edition of The Standard.

Marcella A. Hansmeier, 89, of Waukon died Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 4 at 2 p.m. at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Cathy Jurgens officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Friends may greet the family from 1 p.m. until the time of services Thursday at the funeral home.

Marcella Adel Hansmeier was born May 8, 1934, in Waukon, the daughter of Fredrick and Geneva (Cahoon) Schlitter. She attended the Jefferson Township “Maple Dale” rural school and graduated from Waukon High School in 1951.

August 18, 1951, she married Gordon “Gordie” Hansmeier at Zion United Church of Christ. Marcella and Gordie farmed east of Waukon, where she raised her three sons and helped with some of the farming chores. After her sons were grown, she worked as a waitress at The Landmark Supper Club in rural Waukon.

Joanne Groth, 89, passed away peacefully Monday, March 25, 2024 at Woodlands Creek Senior Living Center in Clive. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 11 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville with Rev. Lynn Noel as the officiant. Inurnment will follow at St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery in Luana.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 12 at St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Urbandale. Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona is assisting the family with services.

Joanne June Grotegut was born June 27, 1934 in Ludlow Township, in rural Waukon. Upon graduating from Waukon High School in 1952, Joanne moved to Cedar Rapids and worked as a secretary at Collins Radio. She returned to Ludlow and married Carlton Martins August 16, 1953. They made their home on Carlton’s family farm until his death in November 1965, at which time she and their four children moved to Postville.