Obituaries

Joyce J. Hanson, 95, of Waukon died peacefully Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Memorial services were held Monday, October 28 at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating and burial at the church cemetery.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Old West Paint Creek general fund.

Joyce Joan Hanson was born February 15, 1929, in Union Prairie Township, Waukon, the daughter of Alfred and Esther (Sanderman) Snitker. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem United Church of Christ (UCC) in Waukon, graduated from Waukon High School, and received her teaching certificates from the La Crosse teaching college. For a couple of years, Joyce taught at area country schools before working as a dental assistant, starting in 1950.

Lorna A. Bjerke, 97, of Waukon died Friday, October 18, 2024, at her home surrounded by family. Funeral services were held Friday, October 25 at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon with Pastor Karla Johnson officiating and burial at the church cemetery. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Lorna Arlene Bjerke was born August 28, 1927, in Waukon, the daughter of Arthur and Edna (Adam) Grotegut. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon, where she was a lifelong, active member. Lorna graduated from Waukon High School in 1945, and completed one year of junior college.

December 18, 1946, she married Ernest “Ernie” Bjerke at her parents’ home. They farmed together in Frankville Township and she also upholstered furniture for several years.

Sister Mary Francine Quillin, PBVM, 87, died Sunday, October 20, 2024, at the Sisters of the Presentation (Mount Loretto), 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque.

Friday, October 25, friends may call from 4-7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Chapel, Sisters of the Presentation, where there will be a vigil service at 7 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be Saturday, October 26, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Chapel. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West.

The Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of the Presentation, 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque, IA 52001, or online at www.dbqpbvms.org.

Sister Mary Francine, daughter of Edward and Anna “Grace” (Ronan), was born Maureen Louise Quillin August 25, 1937, in Waukon. She entered the Sisters of the Presentation September 8, 1955, and professed her perpetual vows August 21, 1963.

Roger W. Stock, 85, of Waukon died Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, October 19 at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Karla Johnson officiating. Burial with military honors was at the church cemetery.

Roger Wayne Stock was born May 9, 1939, in Waukon, the son of Reuben Simon and Luella Caroline (Nagel) Stock. He was baptized and confirmed at Zalmona Presbyterian Church, where he was a lifetime member. Country school started as a challenge for him, as his family only spoke German at home and Roger did not know English; his teacher made him stand in the corner until he learned.

Michael “Mike” Edward Quillin, 74, of Waterville died Monday, September 9, 2024, at his home after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 18 at 10 a.m. at St. Ann’s/St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry. A Celebration of Life will follow at 12 p.m. at Village Creek Bible Camp in rural Lansing with time for visitation and an open house luncheon starting at 12:45 p.m.
 

David LeRoy Bangs, 83, passed away Monday, October 14, 2024 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. “Bangs” was born August 15, 1941 on a dairy farm in Allamakee County to parents Irvin Cavers and Arkley Karina (Blilie) Bangs.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 19 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 610 15th Street, Ames. Visitation will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a luncheon immediately following the service at the church.  Burial of ashes will be held at a later date in Gilbert Cemetery in Gilbert.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family and will be given to the Gilbert Athletic Department in loving memory of “Bangs”.

Fr. John A. Moser, 65, of Waukon passed away Friday, October 11, 2024, at UW Health University Hospital in Madison, WI. The Mass of Resurrection will be held Thursday, October 17 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Archbishop Thomas Zinkula officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Elkader.

Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, October 16 at the church in Waukon, where there will be a 3:30 p.m. scripture service and 7 p.m. vigil service. Visitation will also continue from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church Thursday. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

There are very few humans on the planet that embodied love and joy like Rosie Caldwell. She saw people for who they are and loved them. She didn’t see their wrongdoings first, she saw them as humans first. True to her faith, she loved fiercely, just as she felt God intended us to do.

Rocella Pladsen arrived here November 2, 1949 into a large family. Rosie was born into a family with six brothers (Arlyn, Roger, Cletus, David, Ken, and Gary) and life on the farm with all these ornery personalities left Rosie always up for a time of laughs. The stories of growing up always entertained any audience member. Rosie left the farm life, but the farm never really left her. She was never scared to get her hands dirty, and her work ethic left a lasting impression on her children.

Marlin “Little Coop” Cooper, 71, of Waukon passed away October 9, 2024 at the Northgate Care Center in Waukon. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon Sunday, October 20 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Marlin Lee Cooper was born June 7, 1953 to Harmon and Marion (Henderson) Cooper in Postville. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1972. After high school, he worked a short time for Gary Lonning Construction.  “Little Coop” was a very talented carpenter. He was self-employed for many years. Later in life, he worked at Iowa Rotocast Plastic in Decorah.

He loved hunting and fishing. He looked forward to his fishing trips to Canada with family and friends. He enjoyed being on the go, visiting with friends or playing cards. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, whether it was making the morning coffee for the residents at South Ridge or being the lead on any construction project.

Leona E. Gesing, 90, of Waukon passed away peacefully Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 18 at 1 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Daniel Knipper officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 12 p.m. until the time of services at the church.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Memorials can be made to St. Patrick Catholic School, 200 2nd Street SW, Waukon, IA, 52172.

Leona Elizabeth Komarek was born December 20, 1933, to William and Agnes (Pecinovsky) Komarek near Protivin. She attended Catholic school in Protivin. April 30, 1951, she married Joseph Gesing at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin.