Obituaries

Jean Ann (A’Hearn) Prestemon, 86, of Cary, NC, passed away December 28, 2024. A short prayer service was held Saturday, January 4 at Brown Wynne Funeral Home in Cary, NC. A service in Iowa is planned for spring 2025. In lieu of flowers feel free to donate to the Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA 50010.

Jean was born January 15, 1938, in Waukon to Norbert and Theresa A’Hearn, the oldest of five children, with one younger sister and three younger brothers. She was preceded in death by her parents (Theresa in 1984, Norbert in 1986) and three brothers: Patrick A’Hearn (2015) and Joseph (2017).

Ruth H. Hartley, 84, of Postville died Monday, December 23, 2024, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Private family services will be held Saturday, December 28 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Matthew Majewski officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 3-7 p.m. Friday, December 27 at the funeral home.

Ronald D. Brandt, 94, of Waukon died Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Memorial services were held Saturday, December 28 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial with military honors was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Ronald Dwayne Brandt was born August 7, 1930, in Waukon, the son of Alvin Benjamin and Alvina Bertha (Bechtel) Brandt. He was baptized and confirmed at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon, graduated from Waukon High School in 1948, and enrolled at Luther College in Decorah.

Rupert “Cabby” Caballero, 94, of Waukon died Monday, December 16, 2024, at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Memorial services will be held Saturday, December 21 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Military honors will follow the memorial services. Friends may greet the family from 4-6 p.m. Friday, December 20 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon where there will be a 3:30 p.m. scripture service.

Rupert “Cabby” Caballero was born March 27, 1930, in Oelwein to Braulio (Mike) and Anita (Ramirez) Caballero. He was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein. Rupert graduated from Oelwein High School in 1948.

Ray Allen Gordon, age 72, of rural Dorchester passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2024 in his home. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Ray is the son of John and Viola (Hammond) Gordon and was born October 18, 1952 in Waukon. He was the second oldest of 11 children that included Lawrence (deceased), Susan Worth of West Union, Becky (Russ) of Oelwein, Judy Ross of La Crosse, WI, Patty (Daryl) Decker of Texas, and five half-siblings, Grace, John, Elmer, David and Billy (deceased).

Ray was married to Deborah (Christianson) in La Crosse, WI April 19, 1986, and they had one son together, Travis. Ray was also a father figure to Deb’s children, Lisa (deceased), Robert, Mark (Maggie) and Jayne (Ray).

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, John and Viola; his brother, Lawrence; his brother, Billy; three nephews, Robert, Billy and Josh; and a step-daughter, Lisa.

Virginia M. Marzen, 89, of rural New Albin died peacefully surrounded by her husband, daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren Friday, November 29, 2024, at her daughter’s home in Buchanan, ND. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Albin with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery.

Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Friday, December 13 at the New Albin Community Center, where there will be a 7 p.m. scripture service. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling arrangements.

Virginia Mary Marzen was born April 9, 1935, in rural New Albin, the daughter of Irvin G. and Claudia (Donovan) Meyer. Virginia was a graduate of New Albin High School. She then graduated as a Registered Nurse at St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse, WI. Virginia worked as a nurse in La Crosse until she retired in 2009.

Albert “Bert” Milton Fellows, 91, of Mesa, AZ, passed away November 19, 2024, from congestive heart failure and end-stage kidney disease. Services will be held in conjunction with his wife Jan’s (upon her passing), in Boise, ID at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or a charity of your choice.

Bert was born September 15, 1933, to John R. Fellows and Dorothy M. Minteer Fellows in Chicago, IL. His siblings included Nancy (Don) Larson of Kirkland, WA, Linda (Jerry) Siegrist of Waukon, and John Robert “Johnny” Fellows. Johnny tragically died in a bonfire when he was four years old. His death was a painful reminder of the fragility of life.

Clem B. Schulte, 59, of Lansing died Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Monday, December 2 at St. Ann’s-St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating.

Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing handled arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family or Harpers Ferry/Waterville Rescue.

Clement Benedict Schulte was born November 24, 1965, in Prairie du Chien, WI, to Clem and Arlene (Gavin) Schulte. He was baptized and confirmed at St Ann’s-St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry. Clem graduated from Waukon High School in 1984, and then received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa in 1990.

Barbara Ann McCormick, 81, of Harpers Ferry peacefully passed away surrounded by family at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon November 21, 2024. Funeral Service will be held Thursday, December 5 at 11 a.m. at St. Pius Cherry Mound Oratory, 699 State Forest Road, Harpers Ferry, with burial to follow in Cherry Mound Cemetery. Visitation will also take place at St. Pius Cherry Mound Oratory from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

Barb was born November 10, 1943 to Ancil Herman McCasland and Barbara Ophelia (McDaniel) McCasland in Bridgeport, TX. Barb met Donald McCormick after graduating from The Odd Fellows in 1962, and the two were married in 1963. They have two children, Matthew and Janean.

Gwendolyn Mary Waldron, 64, of Scottsdale, AZ passed away November 13, 2024 at Hospice of the Valley Lund Home after having complications from a stroke. The American Legion is hosting a Celebration of Her Life Sunday, December 8, beginning at 2 p.m., at American Legion Post 2 in Tempe, AZ, located at 2125 South Industrial Park Avenue. Gwen’s family will also have a Celebration of Life at a later date this summer in Waukon.

Gwen was born July 19, 1960, in Waukon, the daughter of Bill and Marge Waldron. She was baptized and confirmed in the St. Patrick’s Church in Waukon. She attended St. Patrick’s School through sixth grade and graduated from Waukon High School in 1978.