Obituaries

Harry L. Brickman, 94, of Waukon died Friday, August 11, 2023 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 18 at 10 a.m. at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial will be at Garden of Memories in Waterloo Friday at approximately 2:30 p.m. Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, August 17 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.

Harry Lee Brickman was born November 27, 1928 in Oelwein, the son of Robert and Laura (Huebner) Brickman. He attended Fairbank schools and farmed with his parents. May 28, 1950, Harry married LaVon Linda Linder at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank. They made their home in Evansdale and for 37 years, Harry drove truck for Rath Packing Company, retiring in 1985. In 1992, he and LaVon moved to Harpers Ferry, and then to Waukon in 2015.

Donna Ruth Shuler died August 5, 2023 at her home in Soldotna, AK surrounded by family. Services were held at Kenai Bible Church in Kenai, AK Saturday, August 12. Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai, AK.

Donna was born February 13, 1933 in Waukon to Melvin J. and Ruth (Selberg) Anderson. Donna grew up as the oldest of nine children. Her mothering skills started early as she was the primary caregiver for her siblings after her father died.

Donna loved children. She hoped to train to be a teacher, but health issues prevented this. Donna worked with children in residential treatment homes before her marriage.

Donna married Lyle Shuler July 3, 1959 and had four children (Mark, Carol, Gordon and Joyce) and two stepchildren (Michael and David). Donna’s family was very important to her, and she especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Scott Adrian Shew, 61, of River Falls, WI died July 31, 2023 surrounded by family at United Hospital in St. Paul, MN. A Celebration of Life  will be held for family and friends Saturday, August 12.

Scott was born August 24, 1961 in Milwaukee, WI, the son of Marlene and James Shew. He graduated from Arcadia High School, served in the U.S. Army, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at UW-River Falls and started his own business, Shew Consulting.

Scott married Carol Prine (Tronnier) December 19, 1992. The couple lived in Eagan, MN when they started their life together. They moved to River Falls, WI in 2000 and built their forever home and have lived there for 23 years. They were blessed with four children: Heather of San Diego, CA, Gus of River Falls, WI, Rachel of San Diego, CA and Madyson of River Falls, WI.

Arlene H. Yearous, 87, of Waukon died Sunday, August 6, 2023 at her home. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 14 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Waukon with Pastor Duane Smith officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Friends may greet the family from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, August 13 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon. Memorials may be directed to Veterans Memorial Hospital and First Baptist Church, both in Waukon.

Arlene Henrietta Yearous was born May 24, 1936 in the Monona area, the daughter of Grover and Hazel (Schlitter) Timmerman. She attended Waukon schools and August 31, 1954 Arlene married Clifton Alfred Yearous at the St. Paul’s United Methodist parsonage in Waukon. They farmed near Churchtown until selling the farm in 1982, and moved closer to Waukon.

Chad O. Johnson, 55, of Davenport, formerly of Waukon and Decorah, died Friday, August 4, 2023 at Genesis Medical Center East in Davenport. Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 12 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Waukon with Pastor Duane Smith officiating. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church Saturday. Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Chad Obert Johnson was born December 19, 1967 in Waukon, the son of Obert and Jane (Schlitter) Johnson. Because of a very difficult birth, after age three Chad was diagnosed by a group of doctors that he had suffered trauma and a brain injury from the delivery.

Jeffry “Jeff” Kelly, 68, of Waterville died Friday, August 4, 2023 in rural Lansing as the result of a UTV accident. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 19 at 11 a.m. at St. Pius Cherry Mound Catholic Church in rural Harpers Ferry with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 3-7 p.m. Friday, August 18 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon where there will be a 2:30 p.m. scripture service.

Jeffry Francis Carl Kelly was born February 21, 1955 in Waukon, the son of Cletus and Mildred (Busness) Kelly. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Pius Cherry Mound Catholic Church in rural Harpers Ferry, attended Waterville School, and graduated from Waukon High School in 1973.

Donald P. Larsen, 88, of Waukon passed away Friday, July 21, 2023 at Northgate Manor in Waukon. Per Don’s wishes, a small family graveside service at Old West Paint Creek Cemetery and a celebration of life are planned at a later date. Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Donald Palmer Larsen was born April 25, 1935 to Herbert Palmer and Clara (Olson) Larsen. He was born at the home farm on Sherman Ridge, Jefferson Township, rural Waukon. His birth certificate was never signed, which caused interesting issues later in life when filing for social security. Don was baptized and confirmed at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon. He attended Jefferson #1 School and then graduated from Waukon High School in 1953.

Evelyn B. Staggemeyer, 88, of Eitzen, MN passed away July 31, 2023 at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, WI. A funeral service was held Monday, August 7 at Saint Luke’s Church in Eitzen, MN with Pastor Michael McCann officiating. Burial followed in the Saint Luke’s North Cemetery. Memorials are preferred.

Evelyn was born October 30, 1934 in Allamakee County to Truman and Leona (Bulman) Wenig. She attended Bear Creek School in Quandahl for four years, then Waukon Grade School and Waukon High School where she graduated in 1953. After graduating from high school she worked for two years at Mansfield Industries in Spring Grove, MN.

In 1955 Evelyn married Milton Staggemeyer. The remainder of her life she worked beside her husband, Milton, at the grocery store until she retired. Evelyn enjoyed going to garage sales with her friends, going out for coffee and playing cards. She was also a great animal lover, cats being her favorite.

Larry J. Gavin, 61, of Waukon died Sunday, July 30, 2023 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services will be held Thursday, August 10 at 11 a.m. at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home Thursday.

Lawrence “Larry” Joseph Gavin was born January 25, 1962 in Waukon, the son of Joseph and Mary Ann (Schulte Tierney) Gavin. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church and graduated from Waukon High School in 1980. August 8, 1986, he married Chris Harris at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Larry was a meat cutter for several years and also managed Paddy McQ’s Bar and Country County Clothing Store, both in Waukon.

Larry was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, fishing, hunting and collecting Civil War era items.

Lester E. Mahlstedt, Jr., age 68, of Ionia died Saturday, July 29, 2023 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN. A funeral service for family and close friends was held Monday, August 7 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton with Rev. Scott Smith presiding.

Lester Ernest Mahlstedt was born May 12, 1955 in Waverly. He was the son of Lester Mahlstedt, Sr. and Marian Mellmann and spent his formative years in Fredericksburg, where he attended school and graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1973.