Obituaries

Jeffrey Walter Middendorf passed away peacefully at his home Saturday, May 17, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was 74 years old.

A Celebration of Jeff’s life will be held from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, July 2 at Elsie’s Bar and Grill in Caledonia, MN. Jeff will be laid to rest at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN July 11, 2025.

Jeff was born July 9, 1950, to Junior and Carmen (Anderson) Middendorf in La Crosse, WI. He grew up on the family farm in Winnebago Valley. Jeff attended grade school at the District 615 Country School in Winnebago Valley, and then attended Caledonia High School graduating with the class of 1968. After graduation, he attended Winona State College graduating with a Bachelors Degree of Science.

Martha Jane Jenkins was born in Mattoon, IL to V. Lucille (Thompson) and Wayne Jenkins. At the age of two, the family moved to northeast Iowa where her father farmed in rural Lansing and Waterville until his death in 1963. The family then moved to Waukon.

Martha graduated from Waukon High School as part of the Class of 1965. She then attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where she earned a teaching degree.

Her first teaching position was in rural Wisconsin. She later earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin and American University. In total, she was an educator for 37 years including nine years at the Philippines Clark Air Force Base and the Frankfort International School in Germany. She then continued her teaching career at Stone Middle School in Centreville, VA until retirement.

Lucille O. Smock, 95, beloved daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully May 22, 2025, at Wellington Place in Decorah. Funeral service was held Tuesday, June 3 at Decorah Lutheran Church with Pastor Peter R. Kowitz presiding. Burial was held at the Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah. Memorial gifts may be sent to Decorah Lutheran Church.

Lucille Tollefson was born June 11, 1929, in Decorah, the daughter of Emma and Theodore (Leo) Tollefson. Lucille was the oldest of 12 children. Her eight surviving siblings include Elaine Wanless, Sandra Langfitt, Leonel Tollefson, Darlene Stoen, Ardyce Wolrab, Jim Tollefson, David Tollefson, and Julie Lubahn.

Michael “Swede” D. Johnson, 69, of Waukon died Sunday, May 25, 2025, at his home surrounded by family after a three-plus year battle with cancer. Funeral services were held Saturday, May 31 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Father Paulraj Sellam officiating. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery at Hanover.

Donations may be made to Kathleen Johnson. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Michael is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Kate Farley) Johnson. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
 

John G. Forbes Sr., 77, of Harpers Ferry, formerly of Waterloo, died Thursday, May 22, 2025, at his home in Harpers Ferry. Friends may greet the family from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 31 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon. Burial of cremains will be held at a later date in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Waterloo.

John Gary Forbes, Sr. was born November 29, 1947, in Waterloo, the son of Lemuel and Mary (Abeln) Forbes. He attended Waterloo Schools. John worked at John Deere Tractor Works in Waterloo for 30 years before retiring.

In 1968, John married Shirley Allen in Waterloo. After he retired from John Deere he drove semi for Mihm Trucking, L&M Trucking and Pat Carolan. John owned and operated his own semi since 2015. He loved spending time in the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. John and Shirley loved to travel and spent several winters in Texas.

Donald “Don” K. Buhl, 72, of Waukon died Monday, May 19, 2025, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services were held Saturday, May 24 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Rev. Cathy Jurgens officiating. Burial will be at a later date in St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery, Sherburn, MN.

Donald Keith Buhl was born March 2, 1953, to Jerome and Violet (Cebulla) in Estherville. He attended school in Dunnell and Sherburn, MN, graduating with the class of 1971. He then attended Mankato Technical School. Don started his career at Interstate Power Company in their coal fired plant as an assistant operator and then an operator.

Ronald Eugene Erb of Prairieville, LA, and formerly of Waukon, passed away March 16, 2025. Memorial Services will be held Thursday, May 29 at 11 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, Luana, followed with burial in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, McGregor.

Born January 15, 1940 in Postville to Elmer and Arlene (Larson) Erb, Ronnie and his two sisters, Shirley and Janet, grew up on the family farm south of Luana. He graduated from Luana High School, Class of 1957 and worked at his parents’ Luana Tap and drove truck for Duane Wolter Trucking. He married Nyla DeSotel in 1958 and the couple later moved to the Waukon area with their six children.

Ronnie worked for a short time at Feuerhelm Manufacturing before becoming an LP gas salesman for Northeast Farm Service, where he was employed for 25 years. The couple also had a successful woodworking business, The Cradle Shop, that specialized in custom doll cradles. Ronnie and Nyla moved to Baton Rouge, LA, where they divorced.

James Roger Schlitter, 84, of Waukon passed away May 16, 2025, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. A funeral service was held Thursday, May 22 at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home in Monona, with Deacon Patrick Malanaphy officiating the service. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

James, known as Jim, was born October 10, 1940, at home in Linton Township in rural Allamakee County, Iowa to Lester and DeLillia (Bollman) Schlitter. He attended country school #6 in Linton Township through the sixth grade, completed eighth grade, and graduated from Waterville High School.

Jim spent many years hauling milk for the Volney Cheese Factory before opening his own antique shop, called Jim’s Antiques, in Postville. Later, he became an over-the-road truck driver, owning his own semi and trailer, and continued that work until his retirement.

Raymond P. Steinhart, 88, of Platteville, WI, went to his eternal resting place surrounded by family Tuesday, May 13, 2025. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, May 19 at St. Rose of Lima Church, Cuba City, WI, with Rev. David Flanagan and Deacon Bill Bussan officiating. Burial was in St. Patrick’s Church Cemetery, Hanover in rural Allamakee County. Memorials in Ray’s name may be sent to the funeral home at 123 North Jackson Street, Cuba City, WI 53807.

Ray was born May 8, 1937, in La Crosse, WI, the son of Oswald and Mary (Byrnes) Steinhart. He was one of four children. He was united in marriage to Margaret Baxter June 23, 1956 at St. Patrick’s Church in Waukon. To this union, six children were born: Joan, John, Mary, Joseph, Gerald and Janet.

A Celebration of Life honoring the life and legacy of Dave Duncklee will be held Saturday, June 7 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Waukon Middle School cafeteria. He passed away earlier this year at the age of 84.

Mr. Duncklee dedicated over 30 years to teaching and shaping the lives of countless individuals in the local community. This will be an informal gathering where friends, family, former students, and colleagues can come together to share memories and honor Dave’s life. Around noon, we will invite those who wish to share a story or reflection.

Memorials may be given to the following:
• Allamakee Community Schools
• Veterans Memorial Hospital
• Allamakee Driftless and Educational Center.