Obituaries

Patrick Joseph “Pat” Connelly, 87, of Lansing passed away August 23, 2026, at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Private family services were held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing Saturday, August 29. The family asks that memorials be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Pat was born March 17, 1939, in La Crosse, WI, to Joseph and Regina (Barry) Connelly. He grew up on the family farm in Rising Sun, WI, and attended country school before graduating from Viroqua High School. Following high school, Pat entered the Army National Guard, where he served in the heavy weapons infantry for three years and was honorably discharged in 1962.

November 15, 1969, Pat married Kathy Conway in Lansing. Together they made their home in Lansing, where they raised their three sons, P.J., Tim, and Steve, and shared 56 years of marriage.

Wilfred C. Ament of Waukon passed away Friday, August 14, 2026, after a lengthy illness. He was born April 26, 1938. A memorial to celebrate Will’s life will be held at the Empty Nest Winery Friday, October 16, 2026, to remember our friend who will be greatly missed. A full obituary along with details of the celebration will follow.
 

Mary Charlene “Charlie” Peiffer, 89, of Urbandale passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, Saturday, August 1, 2026, at MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center. A Mass of Christian Burial was held August 10 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Urbandale.

Inurnment will take place at a later date at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Wexford, near Lansing. There will also be a Mass Intention in her honor Monday, August 31 at 8 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Wexford.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Heart Association, or Immaculate Conception Church in Wexford. Cards and other correspondence may also be sent to Ben Peiffer, 2729 82nd Place #329, Urbandale, IA 50322.

Alice (Schwartzhoff) Brown died August 12, 2026. A celebration of life will be held Friday, September 4 at 1 p.m. at Holy Family Hall in Caledonia, MN with a visitation one hour before. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Dorchester.

Alice was born March 22, 1948 and raised in Dorchester. She went on to be an artist and will be remembered for her beautiful floral arrangements, wedding decorations, and her gentle kindness.

We cherish her memory, along with her parents Clarence and Winifred Schwartzhoff; her siblings Dale Schwartzhoff and Marie Ellestad (Don); her sisters-in-law Rita and Pat Schwartzhoff; her son Nathan Brown; her daughter-in-law Kristen Brown; and her beloved granddaughter Evie Brown.

Jodie A. Manning, 52, of Waukon passed unexpectedly Monday, August 10, 2026, at University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics in Madison, WI, with her loved ones by her side. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, August 22 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Zion United Church of Christ fellowship hall in Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family.

Jodie Ann Manning was born January 28, 1974, in Waukon to James and Julie Halverson. Jodie grew up on the farm, where she was always by her dad’s side, helping out and soaking up everything he taught her. She carried those lessons with her into adulthood, always finding a house project to take on with the skills she learned from him.

Jodie dedicated her entire career to nursing, working hard throughout her life to care for others while at Good Sam and Northgate in Waukon, treating every resident and coworker as if they were her own family.

Gary L. Gelo, 84, of Waukon passed away Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services were held Thursday, August 13, at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Tom Hollmann officiating. Burial followed at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Gary Lee Gelo was born November 3, 1941, in Waukon to Arthur and Eunice (Krousie) Gelo. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1959, and married Gloria Heins November 19, 1962, in Luana. Together, they farmed in Jefferson Township, rural Waukon, raising beef cattle, crops, and dairy cows. Farming was Gary’s lifelong passion; a gifted tradesman and steward of the land, he took immense pride in his farm and meticulously cared for his equipment.

Gary and Gloria enjoyed motorcycle trips across the country and riding with the Wednesday Night Riders. He also cherished his classic 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback.

Vivian F. Andregg, 95, of Waukon died Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Funeral services were held Thursday, August 13 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, with Pastor Kim Gates officiating, and burial followed at Oakland Cemetery, both in Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Vivian Florine Andregg was born February 7, 1931, in Forest City, the daughter of Leland and Florine (Medin) Leach. She graduated from Orchard High School and then graduated from La James Beauty School in 1960, in Mason City. October 9, 1949, she married Kenny Hoisington and their marriage was dissolved in 1957.

In August of 1960, she and her children moved to Waukon, and Vivian bought a beauty shop. January 19, 1963, she married Otto Andregg; the marriage dissolved in 1983. Vivian owned and operated her beauty salon well into her 80s, and she worked at Kwik Trip and Hubba Hubba as well over the years.

Matthew “Matt” W. Howe, 39, of New Albin passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, August 7, 2026, at Emplify Health in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 12 at 1 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Ben Valentine officiating. Burial will be at St. Patrick Cemetery-Hanover, rural Waukon, with a celebration of Matt’s life to follow at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds.

Friends may greet the family from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 11 at the church, where there will be a 3:30 p.m. scripture service. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ellene Rita Smith, 86, of West Union passed away peacefully at her home Tuesday, August 4, 2026. A private graveside service will be held.

Ellene Rita Troendle was born June 9, 1940, in Lansing to Carl and Rita (Schulze) Troendle. She graduated from high school and later worked as a dietary cook in a hospital.

April 29, 1961, Ellene married Virgil Duane Smith at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing. To this union, three children were born: Lisa, Leslie, and Kelly. Ellene was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved baking and faithfully made Christmas treats every year for her family and friends. She also enjoyed gardening.

Frances “Franny” L. Byrnes, 91, of Waukon passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus at the Good Samaritan Society in Waukon Monday, July 27, 2026, with family around her. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 8 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Ben Valentine officiating. Burial will be at St. Patrick Cemetery Hanover, rural Waukon.

Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church Saturday. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family with arrangements.

Frances Lois Peterson Kelly Byrnes was born the youngest of six children August 6, 1934, in Decorah, the daughter of Albert and Hattie (Dinger) Peterson. Franny graduated from Decorah High School. In school, Franny was quite the roller-skater, spending hours at the rink, and even made homemade root beer at the drive-in where she worked.