Obituaries

Elliott Marshall Wolfson, 87, of Waukon passed away Monday, December 14, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon from COVID-19. A private graveside Jewish service was held Tuesday, December 15 in Chicago, IL. There will be a public celebration of life at a later date. Cards and condolences may be sent to Dean and Mary Jackson at 1213 Park Road, Waukon, IA 52172.

Elliott Marshall Wolfson was born September 17, 1933, the son of Benjamin and Rae Wilson Wolfson in Chicago, IL. He attended school in Chicago and graduated from high school with the distinction of the only student with perfect attendance and no tardiness for all four years. He also graduated from Herzel Business College in Chicago.

Elliott joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. Following his honorable discharge, he lived in Europe for nine years, in Germany, France, England, Spain and Switzerland, selling insurance with his friend, Stuart.

Daniel Wilford Buege, 71, rural Lansing, passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at his home in rural Lansing following complications related to COVID-19. A private funeral was held at the Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, followed by a private burial at Center Baptist Cemetery, rural Lansing. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trees Forever (www.treesforever.org) and the Veterans Memorial Hospital Nurse Council in Waukon.

Daniel was born July 29, 1949 in Waukon to Wilford “Bill” and Dorothy (West) Buege. He graduated from Waukon High School with the class of 1968. In adulthood, he graduated with an Associate’s Degree from NICC in Calmar, focusing on horticulture.

Daniel served his country honorably in the United State Air Force during Vietnam. During his time serving in the military, he was an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist and Mechanic.

Orrin H. Grangaard Jr., 80, of Waukon died Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Gundersen Tweeten Care Center in Spring Grove, MN. Private family memorial services were held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to Veterans Memorial Hospital or St. John’s Lutheran Church, both in Waukon, or to Gundersen Tweeten Care Center in Spring Grove. Condolences may be sent to Nan Grangaard at 508 Fourth Street SE, Waukon, IA 52172.

Robert “Bob” Duane Grover, 91, of Lansing died Thursday, December 10, 2020 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. There are no services planned at this time.

Robert was born August 26, 1929 to George and Emma “Louise” (Fox) Grover in Cedar Falls. Emma later married Andrew Adamsen.

After graduating from high school, Bob attended junior college in California. He served in the United States National Guard, retiring from the Iowa National Guard as Lieutenant Colonel. He had a long career with Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. (later AT&T) in the Cedar Falls area.

Bob was united in marriage with Jo Schmidt and had three children before they divorced. Bob later married Darlene Peeper McDonald, who died in 2011. Bob was then united in marriage with Julie Smethurst.

Shirley Beardmore Lynn, 96, of Woodstock, VA passed away Sunday, December 6, 2020 at Greenfield in Woodstock. A private graveside service was held in Fairview Cemetery in Buchanan, VA. Pastor Kate Rascoe officiated.

Shirley was born September 12, 1924 in Allamakee County, daughter of the late Arthur A. and Hazel Johnson Beardmore. She graduated from Waukon High School and attended Waukon Junior College. Before her marriage, she worked in Washington, D.C., and later for the USDA in Elkins, WV, the Northern Virginia Daily in Strasburg, VA and Farm Credit in Woodstock, VA.

She was a member of Woodstock Presbyterian Church and active in the Women of the Church. She volunteered at the Clothes Closet, Food Pantry and the Woodstock Museum. She was a member of Randolph Chapter #74, Order of Eastern Star in Elkins, WV.

Matthew Schellsmidt

Matthew Peter Schellsmidt, age 59, of Caledonia, MN entered his eternal rest November 29, 2020. A private family viewing was held Monday, December 7 at McCormick’s Funeral Home, followed by a military burial at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN.

As Matt was a distinguished member and veteran of the USMC, in lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Veteran’s Administration, The Wounded Warrior Project or other veterans charities in his memory.

Matt was born in rural Caledonia January 30, 1961. He was a wrestler and football player while attending high school and graduated from Caledonia High School in 1979. Matt joined the United States Marine Corps (USMC) June 28, 1979. He retired from the military with the rank of Sergeant June 30, 1999, having traveled the world and receiving several distinguished medals.

Esther D. Reinke, 87, of rural Eitzen, MN passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI due to complications from a recent surgery. Private family funeral services were held Saturday, December 12 at St. John’s U.C.C., Wheatland with Pastor Paul Burgess officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Esther was born February 24, 1933 in New Albin to William and Martha (Meyer) Gade. Esther was a graduate of New Albin High School. She then attended Winona State University, graduating with a teaching degree. Esther taught in Chatfield, MN and New Albin until she retired to raise her family.

August 19, 1953, she married Merlin Reinke at St. John’s U.C.C. in Wheatland. They lived the first five years of their marriage in New Albin. In 1959, they purchased the Reinke Homestead where they made their home and farmed until 1997. They then moved to Eitzen, MN. Merlin preceded Esther in death February 28, 2020.

Delores C. Fetketter, 91, of Caledonia, MN, formerly of Eitzen, MN, went home to be with her Lord, surrounded by her family, Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at Claddagh Senior Living in Caledonia, MN. Private funeral services for Delores’ family were held. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and may be given to ABLE of Caledonia or the Eitzen Volunteer Fire Department.

She was born January 12, 1929 in Waukon to Arthur and Adeline “Lena” (Welper) Kasten. Delores was a 1948 graduate of Waukon High School, a proud moment for her as she was the first child in their family to graduate from high school. She then worked at the La Crosse Telephone Company, a job she loved.

Dale A. Kiesau, 90, of Waukon died Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 17 at 11 a.m. at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Karla Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Bethlehem Presbyterian Cemetery in rural Postville.

In consideration of concerns regarding COVID-19, social distancing and wearing of a mask is required. Cards may be sent to Steve Kiesau at 215 North Kingston Street, Caledonia, MN 55921.

Daniel “DM” M. Ryan, age 83, of Waukon died Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon from COVID-19. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family with arrangements. Dan enjoyed attending funerals, and we know he would have loved to have everyone gather for his own funeral, but due to COVID-19 the family has decided against an in-person gathering. The family will hold a private prayer service with inurnment to be held at a later date.

Daniel Michael Ryan was born August 25, 1937 in La Crosse, WI, the son of Daniel Joseph and Mary Alice (Mellick) Ryan. DM lost his parents at a young age and he and his younger brother, Dale, were raised by their aunt Marcella (Mellick) Johnson. As a child, the doctors said that he wouldn’t live past 45 due to epilepsy.