Obituaries

Janette Jerrine Ryder-Blong, 87, died Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser, Fr. Joseph Sevcik, and Rev. Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg officiating. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.

Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, August 13 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon where there will be a 4 p.m. scripture service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church.
Janette was born April 20, 1937, at her parents’ home in rural Castalia. Her father had gone to find the midwife for delivery, but by the time he had returned home Janette had already been born.

Patrick Vincent Mooney, 64, of Cedar Rapids passed away Thursday, August 1, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass was Tuesday, August 6 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids.

Patrick was born October 28, 1959, in Waukon, the son of Vincent and Rosemary (O’Brien) Mooney. He graduated from Kee High School with the class of 1978. Patrick worked at Coca-Cola for over 36 years, retiring in 2022. He was united in marriage to Chris Hartson September 22, 1979, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.  He enjoyed fishing, watching the Hawkeyes, Cubs and Steelers, traveling, but most of all spending time with his friends and family, especially his grandchildren.

Those who knew Pat knew well his infectious personality and ability to brighten the room’s mood.  He will be greatly missed.

Jason M. Williams, 51, of Onalaska, WI, formerly of Lansing, died Thursday, July 25, 2024, at his home in Onalaska. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Jason Mark Williams was born September 26, 1972, in Waukon, the son of Mark and Barbara (Teff) Williams. He was baptized at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dorchester and confirmed at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and graduated from Kee High School in 1991, both in Lansing. He lived in Onalaska, WI, where he worked at Midwest TV and Appliance as a service technician for several years.

Jason liked the Halloween season and enjoyed being outside, whether it was hiking, biking, or grilling. He was an avid Hawkeye fan and loved attending games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

Jacqueline (Jackie) Marie (Johnson) Keller, 78, wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away July 16, 2024 in her home in Reedsburg, WI after experiencing a long illness. A private service will be held at a later date.

She is survived by her husband, Robert; her two children, Brenda (Ben) Poller of Verona, WI and Tim (Sara) of Yuma, AZ; five grandchildren, Zach and Jake Poller, Issac Keller, and Lexi and Tawny Felix; and three brothers, Carl (Julie) and Jeffery (Diana) of Waukon, and David (Robin) of Carroll.

Jackie was born in Cedar Rapids March 29, 1946 to Olaf and Doris (O’Brien) Johnson. She and her younger brother, Carl, with their  parents remained in Cedar Rapids until moving to Waukon in 1955 to the family farm at West Ridge. She attended Union Prairie #2 country school through 8th grade before receiving her high school diploma from St. Patrick’s High School in 1964. Jackie finished her education from St. Francis Nursing School in La Crosse, WI.

Gregory Alan Welsh was born September 22, 1958 to Esther and William Welsh, the oldest son of eight children. Raised on the family’s cattle farm in rural Lansing, Greg’s investment in small family farms started early. He graduated from Kee High School in Lansing in 1977.

He went on to major in Business at Loras College in Dubuque, graduating in 1981. After graduating, he worked for Iowa State University to help start their organic program. This work was the kick start to his career as a mentor and pioneer in the organic industry. He spent time traveling, finding himself, and further concreting his commitment to organic food production. He landed in California for a while working for Wonderlife Organics.

Sharon L. Gordon, 83, of Waukon died Friday, July 26, 2024, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Private family graveside services will be held in Rossville Cemetery. Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Sharon Lea Gordon was born August 9, 1940, in Waukon, the daughter of Leo Vernon and Pearl Margaret (Sires) Ehde. She graduated from Waukon High School in 1958. June 4, 1958, she married Ervin Fred Gordon at St. Mary’s Lycurgus Catholic Church in rural Waukon. Sharon and Ervin farmed in Jefferson Township, rural Waukon, and she also worked for Northern Engraving in both Waukon and Lansing.

Sharon was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Waukon and the women’s bowling league. She enjoyed fishing, working in her garden, watching the birds, and collecting bird figurines. Sharon also liked painting, doing puzzles, sewing, playing games with her grandchildren, and watching parades.

Arlene Campbell Rooney, 102, of Waukon died Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, July 31 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 9 a.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the church. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Mary K. Brandt, 99, of Atkins, formerly of Waukon, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at home in Atkins. Funeral services will be Friday, August 2 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.

Friends may greet the family from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church Friday. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Mary’s spirit and strength lives in each of us and in the lives that she touched. She lives in all those who have been touched by the love, strength, conviction, wisdom, and the beauty of her soul. She was truly a special woman. Mary was a dear mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend; she has left behind a legacy of love, kindness, warmth, and strength. Mary was a gentle soul who touched so many lives in unforgettable grace.

Ralph L. Hicks, 91, of De Soto, WI, died Friday, July 19, 2024, at his home in De Soto. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 25 at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. There will be a 9 a.m. rosary with the visitation following until time of the services at the church Thursday. Burial will be held in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Hokah, MN. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling the arrangements.

No one knows where or when Ralph’s life began. A childless couple, Elbert and Stella (Hill) Hicks, adopted him from The Home for Little Wanderers in Saint Joseph, MO - now Noyes Home for Children. With no birth record, his Certificate of Adoption stated he was born “on or about June 7, 1933.”

Lyla M. Hanson, 81, of Waukon died Monday, July 15, 2024, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 27 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 9 a.m. until the time of services at the church.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. The service will also be livestreamed on the funeral home’s facebook page: facebook.com/martinfunerals.

Lyla Marlene Hanson was born June 23, 1943, to Jerald and Irene (Erickson) Runice. She was baptized August 15, 1943, at West Prairie Hauge Church in Crawford County, WI. She graduated from De Soto High School in 1961. September 8, 1962, Lyla married Alvin Hanson in La Crescent, MN.

Throughout her life, she worked retail at many places, including Kwik Trip, Ioco, Quick Draw’s, and Quillins - from where she eventually retired.