Obituaries

Betty J. Jennings, 94, of Chippewa Falls, WI passed away peacefully Monday, November 20, 2023 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Chippewa Falls with family by her side. Funeral Mass was held Monday, November 27 at Notre Dame Catholic Church, Chippewa Falls, WI with Fr. Jesse Burish officiating. Interment was in Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

For those unable to attend, the service was recorded and is available to view at https://www.pedersonvolker.com/obituaries/betty-jennings. In Lieu of flowers, please plant a tree or perennial in your yard or another place of significance to you, in remembrance of Betty, as she so enjoyed planting, tending and viewing her own flower gardens. Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, Chippewa Falls served the family.  Please share your memories and condolences online at pedersonvolker.com.

Laurel M. Gulla, 54, of Waukon passed away peacefully surrounded by family Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at WinnMed in Decorah. Memorial services were held Friday, November 24 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. In memoriam, Laurel wishes for you to give back to the nature she loved so much; plant a tree or grow a garden. Laurel would want us to appreciate the simpler things in life.

Laurel Mary Galanda Gulla was born May 2, 1969 near Pittsburgh, PA, the daughter of Joe and Mary Alyce (Winkler) Galanda. Laurel began her education at John F. Kennedy Catholic Elementary School in Washington, PA. She then moved on to attend Trinity High School, also in Washington, graduating in 1987. After high school, Laurel attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1991.

Rita Catherine Schulte, 94, of Dorchester passed away Thursday, November 16, 2023 at her home in Dorchester. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 24 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dorchester with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Friends may offer condolences prior to the funeral mass from 9:30-11 a.m. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Rita was born September 21, 1929 to John and Mary (Burke) McCormick in Hanover, rural Waukon. She grew up in Hanover and was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hanover. She attended and graduated from St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Waukon in 1947. After graduation, Rita worked as a telephone operator at Northwestern Bell Phone Company in Waukon until 1949.

Lucas Gerald Palmer, age 39, passed away October 26, 2023 at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, La Crosse WI. He was an organ donor.

The public is invited to a “Celebration of Life” for Luke Saturday, November 25 from 1-5 p.m. at the home of his mother. His ashes will be interred at the Odd Fellows Cemetery near Rossville in the family lot.

Lucas was born November 25, 1983 to Gloria Moose and Scott Palmer in Iowa City. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Waukon. He graduated from Waukon High School in 2002. He was married to Heather Tribbit and later divorced after having two children.

Lucas worked many places, including Agriprocessors with his stepfather Kerry, Capco Products with his grandfather Allan, and several positions milking and farming; his favorite being at Buddenburg Farms where he would take care of his “babies,” the calves.

Nicky A. O’Neill, 67, of Waukon died Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Memorial services will be held in the spring of 2024. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Nicholette Ann O’Neill was born 67 years ago, a sweet little Down’s Syndrome baby, to parents Eleanor and Leo O’Neill of Harpers Ferry. Nicky lived with her parents and two older brothers, Dan and Greg, on what was known then as the “Hart” farm on the Mississippi River just north of Harpers. In 1959, when Nicky was three years old, she moved with her family to the “Joyce” farm on the bluff overlooking the Hart farm.

Nicky overcame a lot of adversity in her life, which started out with her having to be fed from an eyedropper to get her started.

Lillian Louise Greiner, 94, of Independence passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, November 15, 2023. Funeral services were held Tuesday, November 21 at St. John Catholic Church, Independence. Burial immediately followed at St. John Catholic Cemetery, Independence.

Visitation also began with the recitation of the Rosary Monday, November 20 at White Funeral Home, Independence, where public visitation continued and a parish vigil service was held. Visitation was also held for an hour before services Tuesday at the funeral home.

Lillian was born October 1, 1929 in New Vienna, the second of ten children born to Herman and Marie (Foxen) Schwers. Upon graduating eighth grade she continued working on the home farm and for others in the farming community.

Gisela Emma Hartley, 81, of Eitzen, MN passed away peacefully in her home November 6, 2023 and was welcomed into the presence of God. A visitation will be held at the Fredrickson Funeral Home in Caledonia, MN Friday, November 24 from 3-5 p.m. with a time of memory sharing at 4:30 p.m.

Gisela’s funeral will be held Saturday, November 25 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church, rural New Albin. A light lunch at the church will follow the service and interment. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church, 2574 Church Road, New Albin, Iowa 52160.

Doris Meyer of Waukon died Monday, November 13, 2023 at her home. A celebration of life will be held at a later date with burial at the Dorchester Methodist Cemetery. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Doris Ann Meyer was born June 24, 1930 to George and Vienna (Wiitala) Shefelbine in Waukon. She grew up in Dorchester where she attended Dorchester school through the eighth grade, and graduated from Waukon High School in 1948. Following high school, Doris continued her education, receiving her nursing degree from Finley Hospital School of Nursing in Dubuque.

Doris met Norbert Meyer and the two were wed October 20, 1951 at St. John’s Methodist Church in Dorchester. From this marriage, Doris and Norbert raised three children: Larry, Laina and Kenneth.

James “Jim” B. Ward, 92, of Waukon died Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Winn Med Hospital in Decorah. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, November 16 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Fr. John Moser officiating, and burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, both in Waukon.

Friends may greet the family from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church Thursday. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick Catholic School.

James Bernard Ward was born May 26, 1931 in Waukon, the son of George S. and Gertrude E. (Riley) Ward. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Lycurgus Catholic Church. Jim attended French Creek #5 through the eighth grade and graduated from St. Patrick High School in 1949.

Daryl Cooper, 75, of Waukon was called home to the Lord November 8, 2023 at Garden View Place in Monona while surrounded by his loving family. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon Saturday, November 25 from 3-7 p.m.  There will be a meal provided.

Daryl James Cooper was born January 1, 1948 in Monona, the son of Harmon and Marion (Henderson) Cooper. He attended country schools and graduated from Waukon High School. November 21, 1970, he married Inez Normann at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon. He worked for the State Highway Commission (DOT) for 33 years, serving as Supervisor for three counties during his last 16 years.