Obituaries

Chris "Digger" J. Ahles, 47, of New Albin, IA, died Friday, April 19, 2024, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services will be held Friday, April 26th, at 11:00 AM at Christ Community Evangelical Free Church in New Albin with Pastor Tommy Case officiating. Friends may greet the family from 9:00 AM until the time of services on Friday at the church. Lunch will follow at the New Albin Community Center. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Lisa Everson made the world’s best mashed potatoes.

Yes, she accomplished many other things but the quality of her potatoes (fondly known as “he he” potatoes) cannot be overstated - seriously. Unfortunately, if you’ve never had “he he” potatoes, you’ve sadly missed out because April 6, 2024 Lisa Joan Everson passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family.

A private family ceremony was held for Lisa Saturday, April 13. A Celebration of Life for all family and friends to attend will be held on her birthday, July 7, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Blackhawk Park near De Soto, WI.

Kathy Ann Cox, age 74, of Waukon passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. According to Kathy’s wishes, a cremation will take place and a graveside service will be held in the summer of 2024 at Postville Cemetery, Postville.

Kathy was born April 30, 1949 in Postville to Allard and Jacqueline (Lane) Nyberg. She graduated from Postville High School. Kathy married Robert Hartman and they had two sons, Dustin and Troy. They later divorced. She loved to laugh, spend time with family and socialize. Kathy also loved animals, playing bingo and cards, reading, and having her nails and hair done weekly.

Kathy is survived by her children, Dustin (Diane) Hartman and Troy (Lucy) Hartman; a grandson, Chad Seiberling; and a great-grandson, Chase Seiberling; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Sandra “Sandi” Lou Reinke, 74, of New Albin died Friday evening, April 12, 2024 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be held to honor Sandi’s life at St. John’s UCC Church (Wheatland Church) in rural New Albin Thursday, April 18 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Allen Hanson officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday evening, April 17 from 4-8 p.m. at the New Albin Community Center and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at the church.

Chester Schlake, 85, of Waukon died Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. A private family celebration of life will be held on Chester’s 86th birthday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. A private burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Chester Schlake was born June 23, 1938, weighing only three pounds, at his parents’ home near Waterville, the son of Victor John and Viola Mae (Noack) Schlake. He was baptized and confirmed at Waterville Lutheran Church. In 1957, Chester graduated from Waterville High School. Chester taught Sunday school at Waterville Lutheran, which shared a pastor with Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lansing; the two churches had joint Sunday school outings and get-togethers.

Gary D. Lane, 82, of Waukon died Sunday, October 16, 2022, at his home in Waukon. Memorial services will be held this Saturday, April 20 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating; burial of ashes will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

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.