Obituaries

Lynne M. Kruse, 60, of Seattle, WA, formerly of Eitzen, MN, died Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Swedish Hospital, Cherry Hill Campus in Seattle, WA. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 16 from 1-4 p.m. at the Eitzen Community Center. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Lynne Marie Kruse was born December 8, 1963, in Waukon, the daughter of Delton and Margaret “Maggie” (Herman) Kruse. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke’s Church in Eitzen, MN, graduated from Caledonia High School in 1982, and received a master’s degree in public health from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA.

She loved to travel and after college Lynne joined the Peace Corps. She taught cultural English in Japan for several years and worked in refugee camps in Thailand. Lynne moved to Seattle, WA, where she worked at the Polyclinic for several years as a medical assistant.

In Loving Memory of Connie Kay Hobson
June 2, 1955 - February 25, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Connie Kay Hobson, age 68, of Waterloo. Connie passed away February 25, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home. A gathering of family and friends was held Sunday, March 3 at Locke at Tower Park in Waterloo. Memorials may be directed to Connie’s family for later designation.

Arrangements were entrusted to Locke at Tower Park in Waterloo. For those wishing to share memories and condolences, please visit LockeFuneralServices.com.

Born June 2, 1955, to Ronald and Darlene (Flage) Winkie in Waukon, Connie’s life was a testament to love, kindness, and unwavering devotion to her loved ones.

Our Angel on Earth is now an Angel in Heaven. Jane Marie Smerud-Beseler passed away suddenly, unexpectedly at St. Francis/Mayo Health System Saturday, February 24, 2024, at age 68. Memorial services were held Thursday, February 29 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Albin with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial was at St. Joseph Cemetery, New Albin. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing handled arrangements.

Jane was born July 1, 1955, at St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse, WI, the youngest daughter of Alfred J. and Lorna (Darling) Smerud of New Albin. She attended school in New Albin until the family moved to La Crosse, WI in 1966, when she attended and graduated from Aquinas High School with the Class of 1973.

Damian D. Copp, 44, of Waukon died suddenly Friday, February 23, 2024, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 1 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 4-7 p.m. Thursday, February 29 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.

Damian Dennis Copp was born December 14, 1979, in Waverly, the son of Dennis and Janet (Warnke) Copp. Damian grew up in Hawkeye and later lived in West Union. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawkeye and attended Hawkeye Elementary School. In 1998, he graduated from North Fayette High School in West Union and was involved with 4-H and FFA, serving as officers and on several committees. Damian went to NICC in Calmar for welding classes.

Cyril A. Hawes, 93, of Wexford died Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Gunderson Health System in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 24 at Immaculate Conception Wexford Catholic Church in rural Lansing, with Fr. Donald Hawes, Fr. John Moser and Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial with military honors was at Wexford Cemetery.

Cyril Anthony Hawes was born in Wexford October 10, 1930, the son of John and Ellen (Conway) Hawes. He attended the one-room Wexford rural school. He graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Lansing. Cyril served his country honorably in the United States Army from August 26, 1955 to January 18, 1958 in Greenland.

Todd Michael Godden, 77, of Elkader passed away Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at Strawberry Point Lutheran Home in Strawberry Point. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. with a visitation from 10-11 a.m. Thursday, February 22 at First Congregational Church in Elkader with Pastor Linda Hauschild as the officiant. Inurnment with Military Rites will be held at Eastside Cemetery in Elkader.

He was born October 18, 1946 to Theodore “Ted” and Edith (Fairweather) Godden in Edgewood. Todd graduated from Central High School in Elkader and proudly joined and served in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Germany.

Cyril Hawes, 93, of Lansing died Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services will be held this Saturday, February 24 at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Wexford Catholic Church, Lansing. Burial will be at Wexford Cemetery.

Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. this Friday, February 23 at Thornburg - Grau Funeral Home in Lansing. Thornburg -Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling arrangements.
 

Michael J. Snitker, 64, went to be with Jesus, his Lord and Savior, Thursday, February 15, 2024 at his home in Waukon. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 20 at the Waukon Banquet Center with Pastor Lynn Furrow and Pastor Micah Roraff of Adoration Church in La Crosse, WI, officiating. Burial will be at St. John The Baptist-West Ridge Cemetery, rural Waukon.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. Memorials can be directed to Veterans Memorial Hospital, Crossing Rivers Hospice, or Missionary Ventures International.

Roland A. Genz, 91, of Harpers Ferry died Sunday, February 11, 2024, at his home. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 17 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Kim Gates officiating. Burial with military honors was at Sixteen Cemetery, rural Monona.

Roland Alfred Genz was born December 21, 1932, in Postville, the son of Herbert and Carrie (Schlitter) Genz. He grew up in Allamakee County and attended school through eighth grade. When Roland was nine years old, his family moved to the Quad Cities.

From 1951-55, Roland served in the U.S. Navy as an aircraft mechanic. October 11, 1952, he married Ilene Marie Shoemaker in Camanche. After being honorably discharged, Roland moved to Clinton and worked various jobs: as a garbage man, pouring concrete, and working in a scrapyard. He then worked for Farmall in Rock Island, IL, before going to John Deere in the early 1970s, at which point he and the family moved to Le Claire.

Karen D. Weber, 64, of New Albin died Sunday, February 11, 2024, at her home. Funeral services were held Friday, February 16 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Albin with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating.

Karen Diane Weber was born February 26, 1959, in Waukon, the daughter of Thomas and Jean (Phillips) O’Hare. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Hanover Catholic Church in rural Waukon. Karen attended Waukon schools, later receiving her GED from NICC in Calmar.

September 4, 1976, she married Randy Weber at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. They farmed with his parents and later on their own in the Gruber Ridge area, rural Lansing, milking cows and raising crops.