Obituaries

It is with full and loving hearts that we share the passing of Gene Richard Sweeney, 86, of Houston, TX, February 25, 2026. Visitation will be held at Cashner Funeral Home, 801 Teas Road in Conroe, TX, Saturday, March 14 from 1-2 p.m. to receive family and friends. Service to follow at 2 p.m. and interment immediately after in Garden Park Cemetery.

Born March 2, 1939, in New Albin, Gene grew up along the Mississippi River which shaped the values he carried with him throughout his life. He served in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) during high school and after graduation, he also served in the United States Navy and Navy Reserve.

Roger Dean Butz, age 89, of Guttenberg passed away peacefully March 2, 2026, with his loving wife by his side. Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:15 a.m. Saturday, March 21 at Morris Funeral Home in Guttenberg.

Funeral Services will commence at 11:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Guttenberg. Burial will follow at Ceres Cemetery with military honors accorded. Rev. Neil Hofer will officiate. A luncheon will follow services at United Methodist Church basement.

Roger was born February 4, 1937, in Ridgeway to Morris and Edith Butz (Ellingson). Raised in the community where he was born, he carried with him the strong values of hard work, humility and devotion to family throughout his life. He proudly served his country in the United States Army for two years.

Stanton “Stan” Paus, 75, of Waukon, formerly of Eitzen, MN, passed away February 26, 2026, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. A private service will be held at St. Luke’s Cemetery in Eitzen to honor his life and service. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Stanton L. Paus was born March 14, 1950, and grew up in northeast Iowa, graduating from Waukon High School. He was then drafted into the United States Army, serving his country from 1969 to 1971. March 25, 1969, Stan married Betty Kohnen and together they welcomed two children. The two later divorced, but their shared years and the family they created remained an important part of his life story.

Gene E. Schultz passed away at home peacefully February 23, 2026, in the comfort and care of his wife of 44 years, Julie (Heiderscheit) Schultz. Whether you knew him as Gene, Mr. Schultz, Geno, or Coach, he will be remembered as a loving husband, proud dad and papa, and a devout Catholic.

Although his family would have loved to celebrate his life and legacy with everyone he touched, his family is honoring Gene’s final wish for a private service. Coulee Region Cremation Group, Onalaska, WI, is assisting his family.

Alan West, 46, of Waukon, formerly of San Francisco, CA, died Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 3 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Mark Oehlert officiating.

Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Lewis Friday, March 6 at 12 p.m. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Kenneth Alan West was born June 20, 1979, in Iowa City, the son of Kenneth and Charlene (Jahnke) West. He lived in West Liberty for a short time before his parents took teaching jobs in Waukon. Alan graduated from Waukon High School and then received his bachelors degree in electrical engineering from the University of Iowa. He stayed in Iowa City for a few years, then moved to San Francisco, CA, to work for Workday.

Dale L. Osterhaus, 80, of Waterville died Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at his home surrounded by family. Memorial services will be held Monday, March 2 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Pius Cherry Mound Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry with Fr. Martin Coolidge and Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Jane Angela (Cronin) Butler, age 88, of Carver, MN, formerly of Waukon, died peacefully Friday, February 20, 2026, at Carver Ridge Senior Living, Carver, MN. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date yet to be determined at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waukon.

Jane Angela Cronin was born January 6, 1938, to Joseph and Florence Cronin in Chicago, IL. At the age of 12, Jane and her family moved to Waukon. Jane attended Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church and High School, graduating in 1956. Following graduation, she attended Mount Mercy School of Nursing in Dubuque where she received her registered nurse degree in 1959.

MaryEllen McCabe Plein of Cedar Rapids passed away peacefully February 25, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering faith, quiet strength, and deep devotion to her family and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held later in the Cedar Rapids area, and a Burial Ceremony will be held at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Waukon. In honor of her love for daisies and her vibrant spirit, flowers are welcome, or donations may be made to Antioch Church of Marion.

A woman firmly rooted in her Christian beliefs, MaryEllen lived her life guided by love, service, and compassion. Her faith shaped who she was - steady, gracious, and always willing to lend a hand. She didn’t just speak of kindness; she practiced it daily.

Lela Marie (Schaub) Wenig, 76, of Dorchester died after a brave fight with pancreatic cancer Saturday, February 14, 2026. A visitation will be held Sunday, February 22 from 3-6 p.m. at the Four Seasons Community Center, 900 N. Kingston Street, Caledonia, MN. A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, February 23, with a service at 11 a.m., and lunch to follow. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at St. John’s United Methodist Church Cemetery in Dorchester.

Lela was born May 8, 1949, to Henry and Juanita (Lowe) Schaub in Lincoln, IL. She graduated from Richland Center High School in 1967. In 1970, she graduated as part of the last class of the Saint Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse, WI.

Angela Lager, 91, passed away peacefully February 6, 2026 at the Golden Horizons in Worthington, MN. She was comforted and supported by her longtime friend, Wayne Scholtes.

Angela donated her body  to the University of Minnesota. There will be no visitation or services at this time.

She was born July 14, 1934, in New Albin, the daughter of Floyd Pottratz and Rita (O’Donnell) Pottratz. She graduated from New Albin High School.

She married Bill Lager after graduation in 1952. They lived in West Union, where she graduated with a teaching degree in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa. Several years later they moved to St. Peter, MN.  Angela continued teaching first grade in St. Peter and eventually took a job teaching first grade at Monroe Elementary School in North Mankato. At this time she pursued a Masters in Education. After over 30 years at this school she retired.