Obituaries

William Robert “Bill” Smith, 80, of rural Postville passed peacefully in his home Monday, February 17, 2025. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, March 30 from 1-4 p.m. at the Old Rossville Store.
 

Christine “Chris” A. Mooney, 63, of Cedar Rapids passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 26 from 4-7 p.m. where there will be a 3:30 p.m. rosary at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW.  Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday , March 27 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre will be assisting the family. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Christine Ann was born August 8, 1961 in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Eveard Carl and Marie Helen (Franc) Hartson. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1979. She was united in marriage to Pat Mooney September 22, 1979 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. She worked at the University of Iowa in the Orthopedic Department and retired in 2024.

Vern Leo McKee, 73, formerly of Lansing and Waukon, passed away at his home in Warrens, WI. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 29, from noon to 5 p.m. at River Run Pub and Grub in Harpers Ferry. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah, WI is assisting the family.

Vern was born to Cletus and Carolyn (Schlitter) McKee. He graduated from Kee High School in Lansing. Vern served in the Vietnam War, worked on the railroad and later went to school to become an industrial electrician.

Vern is survived by his son, Earl; his grandson, Ronin; his step-daughter, Amie (Derek) Adamson; his step-grandchildren, Noah (Snell), Jurnee and Kendall; his sister, Sharyn (McCormick); his brother, Dean; and many nieces and nephews.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents; his twin sister, Vicki; his nephew, Heath McKee; and his brother in law, Don McCormick.

Brayden J. Mathis, 22, of Lansing died Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 25 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing, with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial was at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery in Lansing. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing handled the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to honor Brayden’s memory.

Brayden was a vibrant soul who brought joy and laughter to everyone he encountered. His infectious sense of humor and comedic spirit could light up any room, making even the toughest days a little brighter.

Brayden James Mathis was born February 13, 2003, in La Crosse, WI, the son of Steven Mathis and Dana Welsh. He attended Kee High School in Lansing, where he graduated in 2022. Throughout his high school years, he enjoyed playing baseball, basketball, running track and cross country, and participating in speech and drama.

Betty R. Bechtel, 92, of Waukon died Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Friday, March 21 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Rev. Cathy Jurgens officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Betty Rose Bechtel was born July 11, 1932, in Waterville, the daughter of Ingvold and Isabelle (Hanson) Christianson. Isabelle passed away when Betty was young and Ingvold remarried to Mabel (Peterson) Christianson. She graduated from Waterville High School, where she enjoyed playing basketball.

While at a dance at Rainbow Gardens in Waterville, Betty met the love of her life, Calvin Bechtel. The two were married September 30, 1951, at Old East Paint Creek Church in rural Waterville.

Betty Lou (Ehde) (Nuehring) Halverson passed away Monday, March 10, 2025 at her home in West Union. It is my wish to have a “Celebration Of Life” only, it will be held Sunday, March 30 at 2 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Union, with Pastor Rusty Phillips officiating services. Inurnment will take place at a later date.

I was born October 24, 1935 to John and Mattie (Grotegut) Ehde from Dorchester. I was brought up on a farm north of Waukon, where I enjoyed riding horses and being outside. I went to country school and later Waukon Schools.

September 10, 1954 I married Oliver Nuehring. We farmed near Waukon. To this union four children were born. In 1979 Oliver and I divorced.

I worked at Northern Engraving in both Waukon and Spring Grove, MN, at Watlow Infrared in Decorah, and Cam Car in Decorah. I retired in 1999 when Watlow shut down.

Sheryl K. Peterson, 78, of Waukon died Friday, March 14, 2025, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 5 at 10:30 a.m. at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon with Pastor Karla Johnson officiating. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Saturday, April 5 at the church. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Sheryl Kay Peterson was born November 5, 1946, in Decorah, the eldest child of Alfred Conrad and Lorna Jean (Winke) Kruger. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon, where she remained a lifelong member. Sheryl attended Ludlow country schools before graduating from Waukon High School.

Arlene R. Lynes, 93, departed this life Saturday, March 8, 2025, while residing at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 29 at 11 a.m. at Center Baptist Church in rural Lansing with Pastor Matthew Majewski officiating. Burial will be at Willow Lawn, Plainfield at 3:30 p.m. Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church Saturday, March 29.

Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling the arrangements for the family. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Parkinson’s Association.

Arlene Ruth Griffin Lynes was born October 2, 1931, in Charles City, the daughter of Edward and Florence (Hanson) Griffin. Growing up in Charles City, she attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School and worked in Charles City and Manitowoc, WI.

Anita M. Welch, 89, of La Crosse, WI, formerly of Waukon, died Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Eagle Crest South in La Crosse. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, March 26 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Paulraj Sellam officiating. Inurnment will be at St. Mary’s Lycurgus Cemetery, in rural Waukon.

Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church Wednesday, March 26. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Anita Marie Welch was born February 18, 1936, in Waukon, the daughter of Leo and Anna (Laughlin) Welch. She attended country grade school and graduated from St. Patrick High School in Waukon as valedictorian.

Thomas Joseph Limbach, born June 24, 1952, of Lansing, passed away peacefully, while vacationing in the Florida Keys. Celebration of Life services will be held June 14, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, in Lansing. Memorials are not necessary but may be directed to family for later designation in Tom’s name.

Thomas was the beloved husband to Sue Limbach for 50 wonderful years. He was a loving father to Timothy (Adelle) Limbach, Peter (Lauren) Limbach and Sarah (Wade) Bibler, and a proud Papa to grandchildren Kaden, Ethan and Levi Bibler and Ashton Limbach.

Tom had a long and successful career at Terex Cranes, retiring in 2014 after 41.5 years of service. In his free time, he found joy in working with Friends of Pool 9, where he was a dedicated and passionate volunteer. He enjoyed helping clean up the Mighty Mississippi River, as well as educating children and adults about the river’s ecosystem.