Obituaries

Donald James Eslinger, 83, passed away peacefully May 31, 2023 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. A Memorial Service was held at the New Hampton Cemetery Saturday, September 9. Online condolences may be left for the Eslinger family at www.hugebackfuneralhome.com.

Born on the family farm near Reinbeck January 16, 1940 to Hattie (Glasner) and Vincel Barfels Eslinger, Don spent much of his youth on the family farm in Chickasaw County, north of New Hampton, where his love of nature and the outdoors began.

Charles E. Weipert, 74, of Waterville died Friday, July 21, 2023 at his home in rural Waterville. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, September 9 from 1-5 p.m. at Open Door to the Soul, formerly the Waterville Lutheran Church in Waterville. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.
 

Kerry Gene Nuehring, age 60, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2023. His life was celebrated Monday, September 4.

Kerry was born October 7, 1962 in Waukon to Betty and Oliver Nuehring. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon. In May 2022, Kerry accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Kerry lived in Waukon until he passed away.

For over 20 years, Kerry worked as a Supervisor for Agriprocessors out of Postville. He was an animal lover and had an astonishing green thumb for gardening. Kerry loved riding his Harley and spending time with his family. He always worked on tractors, cars, motorcycles or go-carts in his garage.

Kerry was a loyal friend and always ready to help anyone in need.

William “Bill” J. Walsh, 82, of Waukon died Thursday, August 31, 2023 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Graveside services were held Tuesday, September 5 at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled the arrangements.

William James Walsh was born March 5, 1941 in Waukon, the son of Ray and Alice (Plein) Walsh. He attended St. Patrick Catholic School, graduated from Waukon High School, and served his country in the United States Navy from 1959-1963.

Bill drove bus for Hawkeye Stages, served as a deputy sheriff for Allamakee County, and worked for the Allamakee County maintenance department. February 5, 1973, he married Doris Winters Clark in West Union. He enjoyed going for rides with Doris and going to coffee at Hardee’s with their friends.

Joan L. Walleser, 97, of Lansing passed away peacefully in her home August 11, 2023, surrounded by family. She was born October 8, 1925.

A celebration of life will be held October 13 from 4-7 p.m. and October 14 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing. The funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. October 14.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Walleser; a granddaughter, Emily Walleser; her sisters Helen, Cecelia and Rita; her brother, Joseph; five brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law.

Joan is survived by a brother, William Brouillet; and seven children: Terry Walleser of Ravalli, MT, Tim Walleser (Gwen) of Janesville, WI; Linda Hartwich (Roger) of River Falls, WI, Leo Walleser (Ruth) of Menomonie, WI, Anne Rundall (James) of Amboy, IL, Donald Walleser of Lansing and Josie Ehlert of Janesville, WI. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Jeremy J. Johnson, 48, of Waukon died Sunday, August 27, 2023 at his home. A prayer service was held Tuesday, September 5 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Private family graveside services were held at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Jeremy Joe Johnson was born September 29, 1974 in Waukon, the son of Virgil and Kathryn “Kay” (Cunningham) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Jeremy attended St. Patrick Catholic School, graduated from Waukon High School in 1993, and attended Vermilion Community College in Ely, MN, where he received a degree in forestry.

Jeremy worked as an independent carpenter for area contractors for several years. He was very instrumental in starting Sportsmen’s Unlimited in Waukon, which his brother, Justin, currently owns and operates.

Jay S. Schon, 69, of Waukon died Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services were held Saturday, September 2 at First Baptist Church in Waukon with Pastor Duane Smith officiating.

Memorials may be directed to the Humane Society of NE Iowa in Decorah (checkout.shelterluv.com/donate/hsni) or to Helping Services for Youth and Families serving Northeast Iowa (www.helpingservices.org/donate).

Robert P. “Rip” Reinke, 78, of rural New Albin passed away Monday, August 28, 2023 at Gundersen-Tweeten Care Center in Spring Grove, MN. Funeral services were held Friday, September 1 at St. John’s UCC (Wheatland Church). Pastor Michael McCann officiated and burial followed in the church cemetery.

Robert Paul “Rip” Reinke was born May 18, 1945 in La Crosse, WI at St. Anne’s Hospital to Henry and Irma (Kruse) Reinke. He was a tiny baby that fit in a shoebox and was kept warm behind the wood stove. It’s been a standing joke that his mother wanted to name him Romain - thank goodness his dad won that argument.

Robert James “Jim” Hegeman, 76, passed away peacefully August 19, 2023 in the presence of family in Redwood City, CA. Jim chose participation in the Stanford Brain Donation Program and cremation. Ashes are to be distributed at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Stanford Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (https://med.stanford.edu/adrc/gifts.html) or another charitable organization of your choice.

Diane Marie Seitz, 68, of Lansing died Saturday, August 26, 2023 at her home surrounded by family. Services for close family and friends will be held Tuesday, August 29 at 11 a.m. at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing with burial immediately following at Oak Hill Cemetery. A public Celebration of Life will be held from 1-5 p.m. Tuesday at TJ Hunters in Lansing.

Diane Marie Seitz, the daughter of LaVern and Florence (Sudol) Christoffer, was born July 31, 1955 in Waterloo. Diane graduated from Kee High School in Lansing in 1973. April 20, 1974, Diane married Roger Seitz at the Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Lansing and had two children, Tony and Terry. Roger passed away June 8, 1984.

Diane worked at the Learning Tree Daycare and enjoyed spending time with her many “daycare kids” and watching them grow over the years. Diane also worked at Blumenthal Lansing Company, retiring in 2016.