Obituaries

Christina Kay Peterson was born March 2, 1967, to Allan and Patricia Peterson of Spring Grove, MN. Sunday, August 3, 2025, after a short but spirited fight with cancer, Christina Kay Waters rode into Heaven’s wide-open pastures.

Family and friends are invited to join in celebrating Christina’s life Saturday, August 30 from 4-7 p.m. at Empty Nest Winery in Waukon. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the college scholarship fund established in her honor at Waukon State Bank.

Christina was one of the hardest workers you could ever meet - keeping an immaculate home, creating beautiful landscaping, and somehow remembering every phone number and miner’s employee number without ever writing them down. She had a way of making people feel seen and cared for, never needing the spotlight but always shining in her own way - much like the sunflowers she loved, standing tall and bright in the yards she tended so well.

Thomas “Tom” J. Hodina, 77, of Waukon passed away peacefully Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. There will be a private graveside service at the Czech National Cemetery in Cedar Rapids at a later date. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Thomas James Hodina was born June 22, 1948, in Cedar Rapids to parents Lester and Mary (Regan) Hodina. Tom grew up in Cedar Rapids and graduated from Jefferson High School. Shortly after graduation, Tom joined the Navy and served four years on a submarine. After his time in the Navy, Tom moved to Colorado and spent over 30 years of his working career as the maintenance supervisor at Coors Brewery in Golden, CO.

Ronnie Paul Knopf, 66, of Pleasant Plains, AR departed this life Saturday, July 26, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Ronnie was born in Monona October 16, 1958 to Paul Knopf and Helen Budal. He worked on farms and also worked at the Iowa turkey plant.

Ronnie enjoyed watching old Western movies, being outdoors, listening to rock music - especially AC/DC, spending time with family and friends, and taking road trips with friends on weekends. He also loved being with his two dogs, Blue and Copper.

He is survived by his sons, Matt Doda and Jerrad (Sabrina) Zeimet; his daughters, Jesse (Jake) Golly,  Elisha Rudolph and Megan Doda; his grandchildren, Adam, Braxton, Morgan, Hannah, Brandon, Cadie, Laine, Nate, Kaitlyn, Adian, Allison, Ashlyn, Jarrad, Joanna, Janessa, Brooklyn, Carson, Heileigh and Raelynn; his brother, Iverson Knopf; his sisters, Shirley Tanguay, Carol Morse, and Sally Blackford; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Curtis O. Steele, 86, of Waukon died Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 5 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Curtis Orvold Steele was born May 10, 1939, in Decorah, the son of Raymond and Gertrude (Ramsay) Steele. He attended Glenwood rural school. August 21, 1960, he married Shirley Elaine Roffman at Glenwood Lutheran Church in rural Decorah. Curtis helped his father on the farm and over the years had several other jobs: worked for Wapsi Produce in the packing department, hauled milk, and dug wells for the Nelson Brothers. He also drove gravel truck, drilled dynamite holes, and operated a rock crusher for R.J. Cooney Quarries as well as for Billy Bresnahan. Curtis then went to work for Agri-Processors, was a janitor at Northern Engraving, and helped out at Pop’s Produce.

Theresa Elizabeth Anderson was called to Jesus July 24, 2025. A funeral mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon and burial of ashes at Mt. Olivet Cemetery will be scheduled for this fall.

Theresa was born to Aloysius “Louis” and Sarah Wetzel in Cincinnati, OH December 9, 1921. She was the fifth child in a family of 11 brothers and sisters. Her patron saint was Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, known as the “little flower”.

She attended the Regina all girls Catholic high school. After high school she worked in different businesses in Cincinnati, one of which was P. Goldsmith Sporting Goods which manufactured baseballs, gloves, and shoes, and also golf clubs. In 1942 she asked her father if she could move to Miami to live with a girlfriend, and her father said, “You are 21, you can do anything that you wish.”

CSM Joseph Leo Delaney of Choctaw, OK, age 88, passed away July 11, 2025 at the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center. Services were held July 18 at St. Teresa of Avila in Harrah, OK with Father Carson Krittenbrink officiating. Interment followed at Arlington Memory Gardens with military honors.

Joseph was born May 4, 1937 in Harpers Ferry. He was the son of John Joseph Delaney and Cecilia (Conway) Delaney. Joseph graduated from Harpers Ferry High School in 1955. He married Hannelore Walter November 4, 1958.

Joseph joined the U.S. Army September 13, 1955 and retired July 31, 1979 as a Command Sergeant. He was with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and served for 24 years with two tours in Vietnam. He was a very proud veteran supporting many veteran organizations.

Anita (Dolly) Ann (Murphy) Ward, 77, of Denver passed away Monday, July 14, 2025 at her home. In keeping with Dolly’s wishes there will be no formal visitation or funeral services. Memorials can be directed to Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Project or any organization of your choice.

Dolly was born October 13, 1947, in Waukon, the daughter of Charles and Anita Murphy. She graduated from Waukon in 1965 and later graduated from The University of Northern Iowa in accounting and got her CPA. Dolly was married to the love of her life, Gary Ward, for 59 years.

Dolly was Vice President of internal auditing for Waterloo Savings Bank for 17 years. Dolly loved working in her garden, feeding the wild birds and animals in her yard, and spoiling her cats. She especially enjoyed spending time with her four grandchildren.

Mary Lou Moritz, 81, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Maquoketa, passed away peacefully surrounded by family July 12, 2025, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf. The family will have a small service at a later date.

Mary was born November 11, 1943, to John and Bertha (Cole) Hill. She graduated from Waukon High School in 1961. She met the love of her life, Don, when she got a job at the Waukon County Home, which was managed by her future in-laws.

She married Don July 15, 1961, and they went on to have six children. Mary was happiest when she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved playing cards, especially Canasta, and was very competitive, even when playing against family. She loved to go to casinos and always came home with more than she went with.

Nancy A. Wortman, age 73, passed away Friday, July 11, 2025, in La Crosse, WI, with her loving husband, Darrel, by her side. Celebrations of Nancy’s life will be held at later dates in Lansing, Milwaukee and Sun City. Dates and times will be planned and announced.

Nancy was born April 29, 1952, in Milwaukee, WI, the daughter of Richard “Dick” and Mary (Fritz) Konen. She had worked for many years managing several travel agencies, and she loved to travel. Nancy was married November 12, 1983, to Darrel Wortman. Together they had many adventures and wonderful times, and made many wonderful friends over 42 years.

She enjoyed travel, music, entertaining, socializing, maintaining close friendships, organizing parties and BLING! Nancy was gracious, elegant, compassionate, generous, effervescent, fun loving, and always full of joy and optimism. She could engage with anyone and make them feel comfortable.

Bonnie Lou Andrews, age 82, passed away peacefully July 3, 2025, in Appleton, WI. A small family service will be held at a later date. Bonnie will be laid to rest in her home state of Iowa, reunited with her husband, Claude, and her son, Jason, at Lake Delhi.

Valley Funeral Home of Appleton, WI is assisting the family with arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.valleyfh.com.

Bonnie was born April 28, 1943, in Waukon to James and Lillian Meikle. She grew up in Waukon, where her family lived and worked at the Grand Hotel, creating many cherished childhood memories alongside her sisters, Joanne and Sheila.