Obituaries

Our brother, uncle, cousin and friend James Paul Scott, 71 years 10 months, passed peacefully October 25, 2022 at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. A graveside service will be held for family and close friends at Grandview Cemetery in Austin, MN with military honors Saturday, November 12 at 11 a.m. A light lunch will follow the services at the American Legion in Austin, MN.

Born and raised in Austin, MN to Earl and Deloris (Fisher) Scott December 8, 1950, Jim grew up alongside two sisters and one brother. A rebel rouser at heart, Jim particularly enjoyed engaging in the typical shenanigans of youth alongside his brother, resulting in many stories and laughs to last his lifetime.

Frances J. Luther, 94, of Kasson, MN, formerly of Waukon, died peacefully Tuesday, November 1, 2022 with her loving son and daughter-in-law, Dave and Brenda, at her side at Prairie Meadows Senior Living in Kasson. Funeral services were held Monday, November 7 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

October 17, 2022, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, Jeanne Needham quietly passed away at the age of 89. In lieu of flowers or gifts, contributions may be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 S Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

Jeanne was born August 7, 1933 in Waukon, the sixth of seven children to Leo and Florence Burns. She is preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; her daughter, Kim; and her son, Lyle, as well as her siblings, Don, Dorothy, Marylou and Bill. She leaves behind her daughter, Renee Johnson; her son-in-law, Craig Johnson; her son, Todd Needham; her daughter-in-law, Kat Needham; her brother, Ray; her sister, Ruth; and her brother-in-law, Tom (Dorothy) Collins.

As a young girl, Jeanne grew up on the family farm in northeast Iowa. As a young woman she met Leonard at a dance when he was on a short leave from the Navy. She fell instantly in love and they courted long distance for some time.

Alan Frederick Steiber, born August 17, 1948 in Waukon and residing much of his life in Lansing, passed away October 7, 2022. A Celebration of Alan’s life will be held this Sunday, November 6 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at The Old Rossville Store, 851 Volney Road, rural Waukon. In lieu of flowers, the Alan Steiber Memorial has been established.

Alan was a 1966 graduate from Kee High School, and he attended WWTC and Winona State University. During his lifetime he owned and operated a Lansing service station and worked 42 years at the Lansing Interstate Power Company. Since his retirement, he has enjoyed raising dogs with his wife, Terisa.

His infectious smile and robust personality live on through his friends and family. An ever-present member of the Lansing community, notably seen driving RV-sized cars, he enjoyed camping and horseback riding, particularly if those activities led him to South Dakota.

Donald B. Hartley, 83, of rural New Albin passed away surrounded by his family Monday, October 31, 2022 at his home where he was raised. Funeral services were held Saturday, November 5 at Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church in rural New Albin with Pastor Paul Burgess officiating. Burial with military honors was in the church cemetery.

Donald “Don” Benjamin Hartley was born February 27, 1939 in Caledonia, MN to Allen and Ella (Thies) Hartley. Don attended Allamakee country school through eighth grade and graduated from Waukon High School in 1957. After graduation, Don served in the U.S. Army, first stationed at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas; he also served in the Army National Guard and ended his military service at Fort Lewis, Washington, where he was honorably discharged.

Larry J. Magner, 71, of Waukon died surrounded by his family Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Memorial services were held Friday, October 28 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in West Ridge Cemetery, rural Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home, Waukon handled arrangements.

Lawrence “Larry” Joseph Magner was born September 18, 1951 in La Crosse, WI, the son of Urban and Lillian (Howes) Magner. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John the Baptist - West Ridge Catholic Church and attended St. Patrick School in Waukon, graduating in 1969. January 8, 1972, he married Alice Folsom Riley and to this union three sons were born, James Riley and Darren and Kevin Magner, along with an infant daughter, Dana.

Leone I. McKee, 92, of Waukon died Monday, October 24, 2022 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Friday, October 28 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Memorials can be made to the Good Samaritan Society or St. John Lutheran Church, both in Waukon. Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled the arrangements.

Leona Ida McKee was born September 14, 1930 in Postville, the daughter of William and Louise (Krueger) Miller. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville and attended country school through the eighth grade.

June 3, 1952, she married Edwin Lyle McKee at St. Paul Lutheran Church. They farmed together in rural Waukon and Luana until they retired in 1986. Leone also waitressed at The Old Rossville Store. Ed passed away in 1998 and Leone moved to Waukon shortly after.

Rosaria Einck, age 94, of Festina died Saturday, October 15, 2022 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday, October 20 at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina with Rev. Henry Huber officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Born December 22, 1927, Rosaria Barbara (Wurzer) Einck was the ninth child born to Barbara (Kuennen) Wurzer and Konrad Wurzer in a family of 12 children. She was baptized in her faith by the late Msgr. Schuh of St. Lucas and received her education by attending St. Luke’s grade school and high school. After graduation she worked as a nurse aide at St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse, WI and as a “hired girl” around home for a few years.

Barbara Catherine Richards, age 81, passed away peacefully July 12, 2022. She was born May 27, 1941 to Charlie and Virginia (Eason) Pridgen in Wilmington, NC.

She will be remembered for her faith in God and church, her love of family, as a devoted wife to Jim, her generosity to others in need, her many crocheted afghans, her love of shopping, true crime and mystery novels, and as an awesome cook and a wicked card player.

James “Jim” Peter Richards, age 86, joined his beloved wife, Barbara, September 11, 2022. He was born September 26, 1935 to Ernest and Marie (Roth) Richards in Caledonia, MN.

He will be remembered for his faith in God and church, his unconditional love for his family, his unique sense of humor, and his enjoyment in reading, gardening, and his evening shot of whiskey. Jim served in the U.S. Air Force from 1956 to 1973. It was while he was stationed in Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina that he met and married Barbara.

Gilbert Leroy Roderick, born August 18, 1933 in Waukon, died Sunday, October 16, 2022 in St. Anthony, MN. A Celebration of Life will be held in Waukon in June of 2023.

Known locally as Leroy or Roy, Gilbert attended one-room schools until middle school. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1951. Gilbert was the fifth child born to Anne Marie Huffman and William Gilbert Roderick.

After graduating high school, he worked at odd jobs helping farmers, demolishing a school, etc. until he was called up for military duty. He was sent to Korea and, for fans of the television show “MASH”, he was the Radar O’Reilly of his unit. When his tour with the Army was completed, he enrolled in the Iowa State College of Engineering. After completing his degree, Gilbert (Roy) worked for the Bureau of Reclamation where he was involved in the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam.