Obituaries

Jean A. Gander, 94, of Waukon died Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette. Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 6 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Paulraj Sellam officiating. Burial was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Send donations to St. Patrick School in Jean’s memory.

Jean Ann Gander was born April 17, 1931, in Waukon, the daughter of Thomas and Florence (Fahey) O’Malley. Jean was baptized into the Catholic faith. Her Catholic faith remained an important part of her life. She attended St Patrick School in Waukon, graduating in 1949. Jean was the last surviving member of her graduating class.

June 29, 1949, she married the love of her life, Earl Joseph Gander of Lansing. In 1951 they started farming near Lansing. In 1955 they moved to a farm in Hanover township of Allamakee County until purchasing and moving to a farm near Frankville. In 1987 they retired and moved to Waukon.

Steven “Steve” L.  Morarend, 73, of Lansing died Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI, after a tough battle with cancer for 15 years. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Shep’s Riverside Bar and Grill in Lansing with military honors taking place at 12 p.m. A lunch will be served.

In honor of Steve, please wear Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs apparel, or anything camo. Thornburg - Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is assisting with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the Lansing VFW.

Steven L. Morarend was born in Guttenburg July 21, 1951, the son of Earl and Phyllis (Noack) Morarend. He graduated from Guttenberg High School in 1969, and served in the U.S. Navy from 1969-1973. August 9, 1975, he married Mary Schluetter at her parents’ home.

Gary Lee Hammond was born May 8, 1942, in Elkader, the son of Raymond and Beulah Hammond, and he passed away April 9, 2025. He was married to Nancy March 15, 1983, and later moved to Waukon, where the couple has made their residence for many years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First Baptist Church of Waukon Thursday, May 8 at 11 a.m. Family and friends are invited. A meal is to follow.

Gary liked to stay busy and worked at RISE Ltd. in Elkader, TASC, Inc. in Waukon, helped with recycling pop bottles in Waukon, delivered the “Extra,” and mowed lawns for Jack Sweeney.

The couple considered First Baptist Church of Waukon to be their home church at the invitation of Larry and JoAnn Gelo, the couple’s friends. Nancy is appreciative of her church family who helped the couple for many years, in particular, Pastor Duane Smith and Arthur Clocksin; and friend, Jack Sweeney.

Douglas Sharp, 83, of Lansing passed away peacefully Friday, February 14, 2025, at the home of Donovan and Stephanie Sharp in Fertile, surrounded by their loving family. Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 3 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Christian Community Church in New Albin, with Rev. Dick Wohlgemuth officiating.

Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service. Interment will be at the church cemetery.

Douglas Conrad Sharp was born September 30, 1941, in Waterloo, the son of William (Bill) and Carmen Sharp.

Howard Dale Spinner, 99, of Bakersfield, CA, born and raised in Waterville, passed away September 11, 2024.  Howard was the last “Spinner” of his generation. A service is being held for Howard and his wife Iris June 27 at 11 a.m. at St. Pius V Oratory, Cherry Mound in Harpers Ferry with a reception to follow.

He is survived by his children, Jeff (Hiromi) Spinner, Daniel (Tina) Spinner and Sherri (Bill) Malotte; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Howard was born in Waterville June 19, 1925. He graduated from Waterville Consolidated School. He enlisted in the Air Force and served in the Korean War in the Intelligence Division. During one of the Air Force dances, he met his future bride, Iris Brooks.

He served his tour with honor and then was accepted to attend Iowa State University (formerly Iowa State College) where he received his Bachelor of Science in Agronomy.   Howard and Iris shared an adventurous life together.

Janet B. Miller, 90, of Waukon died Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 26 at 11 a.m. at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, with Pastor Kim Gates officiating. A luncheon will be served at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Waukon following the celebration of life service.

Burial will be held at a later date at Sixteen Cemetery, rural Harpers Ferry. Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the funeral home.
 

James “Jim” C. Ripp, 93, of De Soto, WI, made his journey to Heaven Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 17 at 1:30 p.m. at Saint Charles Church in Genoa, WI. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to the charity of your choosing.

James “Jim” Cornelius Ripp was born February 28, 1931, in Watertown, WI, to Christian and Elizabeth (Geraths) Ripp. He was the eighth of 11 children. The family moved to Cross Plains, WI, and Jim attended Middleton High School, graduating in 1949.

After high school, Jim joined the United States Army. He served three years, was honorably discharged, and returned to Cross Plains. He attended University of Wisconsin Extension School for Engineering to become a civil engineer.

Mary H. Wachter, 89, of Harpers Ferry died Friday, April 11, 2025, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 17 at 11 a.m. at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Fr. Paulraj Sellam officiating. Burial will be in St. Pius Cherry Mound Cemetery, rural Harpers Ferry. Friends may greet the family from 9 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the funeral home.

Mary Helen Wachter was born October 18, 1935, the daughter of Maple and Veronica (Muench) Moody. She was baptized and confirmed in McGregor and graduated from McGregor High School in 1953. June 13, 1953, Mary married the love of her life, Jim Wachter, at St. Pius Cherry Mound Catholic Church in rural Harpers Ferry.

Norlin “Abe” R. Meiners, 78, of New Albin died Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Luther Manor at Hillcrest in Dubuque. Visitation was held Saturday, April 12 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.

Norlin “Abe” Richard Meiners was born March 24, 1947, in Minnesota, the son of Arthur Meiners and Olga (Meyer) Meiners Thimmesch. He attended St. John’s School in Caledonia, MN, and went to high school in New Albin. Norlin moved to Wisconsin, hauling milk in Ontario, working at Schweigers Industries in Jefferson, and working in Westby at the sawmill.

December 2, 1972, he married Karen Johnson at Koshkonong Lutheran Church in Cambridge, WI. In 1985, they moved to New Albin and Norlin took over the family furniture upholstery business. Later, Norlin worked for Wiebke Fur and Trading Company in Eitzen, MN.

Mary Lou Bublitz, 84, of Waukon died Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Monday, April 7 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Burial was held at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Mary Lou Bublitz was born August 17, 1940, in Waukon, the daughter of Edward A. and Mattie E. (Winke) Becker. She was baptized at Zalmona Presbyterian Church and graduated from Waukon High School in 1958. Over the years, she worked at Good Samaritan Society, Northgate Care Center, and Mosaic as a nurse’s aide, making many lifelong friends.