Obituaries

Jeanne Wright, 90, of Dorchester died Sunday, January 31, 2021 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. A private burial of ashes will be held later this spring at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Cemetery in rural Dorchester. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family.

Donna Jeanne Wright was born January 23, 1931 in Winona, MN, the daughter of Martin and Mildred (Strand) Gilberg. She was raised on a farm and attended country schools before graduating from high school in Arcadia, WI. Jeanne received her teaching certificate from Luther College in Decorah and taught at country schools in Ridgeway and Dorchester.

Norbert L. Kruse, 79, of Dorchester passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, Thursday, January 28, 2021 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. In consideration of COVID-19, a private family memorial service will be held at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. A private inurnment will take place at a later date at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Dorchester.

Condolences may be sent to Kathy Kruse, 691 Juniper Drive, Dorchester, IA 52140 or shared online at www.martinfunerals.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Norbert Lester Kruse was born May 31, 1941 in Dorchester, the son of John and Gladys (Dresselhaus) Kruse. Norbert attended grade school in Dorchester and graduated from Waukon High School in 1959. When he was 21, his father passed away unexpectedly and Norbert took over the family farm.

Dorothy Dittman, age 85, living most of her life in Clinton but most recently of Waukon, died Thursday, January 28, 2021 at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Dorothy Ann was born January 8, 1936 to Herbert L. A. and Esther M. (Benzing) Schlitter in Waukon.

A Celebration of Dorothy’s life will take place at a later date. Burial will be at Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Lemke Funeral Homes of Clinton assisted the family with arrangements.

Lois M. Beneke, 70, of Waukon passed peacefully Wednesday, January 27, 2021 surrounded by her family in Ankeny. Funeral services were held Monday, February 1 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Rev. Cathy Jurgens officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to Loren Beneke at 505 Fifth Avenue SW, Waukon, IA 52172.

Lois Marie Beneke was born August 6, 1950 in Waukon to Ordell and Virginia Bjerke. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ. After graduating from Waukon High School, Lois earned her degree in cosmetology from Calmar Community College. Her first job was in Cedar Rapids where she worked in banking for nearly two years before coming back to Waukon to open her own hair salon, Skyline.

At the age of 73 years young, Lloyd David John Newton passed on Tuesday January 26, 2021 at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, WI, surrounded by his friends and family.

Funeral Mass was held Monday, February 1 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Waukon. Graveside services along with military honors were held in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon following Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family and a future contribution will be made in Newt’s honor.

Dave, or Newt (as his friends called him), was born Saturday, November 8, 1947 at the Old Hospital in Waukon to Lloyd and Helen (Shingledecker) Newton. As a child, he spent much time outdoors, hunting and fishing at every available opportunity.

The Angels are smiling today. Some of them are smiling because Larry finally got to Heaven after teasing those angels a few times before that he might be on his way. And a few angels are smiling because they were surprised that Heaven was his final destination.

Larry Daniel White was born February 13, 1949 in Waukon to Uvonne “Vonnie” and James “Bob” White. He went to sing with the angels January 26, 2021. Services for Larry were held Tuesday, February 2 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be directed to Veterans Memorial Hospital and Good Samaritan Home in Waukon or to the family for other local memorial gifts. Condolences may be sent to Barb White at P.O. Box 99, Waukon, IA 52172.

Shirley J. Arneson, age 89, of Decorah died Thursday morning, January 14, 2021 at Barthell O.E.S. Home in Decorah. Private Family Services were held at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah with Rev. Kurt Bockoven officiating. Burial was in Big Canoe Lutheran Cemetery.

Shirley June (Albertson) Arneson was born January 22, 1931 to Herman and Ada (Hove) Albertson on a farm in Sumner Twp. Winneshiek County, rural Ridgeway. She was baptized and confirmed at the Lincoln Lutheran Church by Rev. D.C. Jordahl. She attended country school through eighth grade and graduated from Ridgeway High School.

Shirley was united in marriage with Ralph E. Arneson August 15, 1949 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They were blessed with one daughter, Linda.

Marilyn Jean Moose, 80, of Monona died Monday, January 18, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Society in Postville. A private family funeral was held at Living Faith United Methodist Parish, Monona with Rev. Deb Parkison as the officiant. Burial took place in the Smithfield Cemetery, Monona. Condolences and memorials may be sent to 14023 Dolphin Avenue, Luana, IA 52156.

Marilyn Jean was born July 7, 1940 in Luana to Theodore and Pearl (Wilke) Timmerman. She was baptized May 22, 1942 by the Rev. Harvey W. Radwege at the Pilgrim E.U.B. White Church in Monona. Marilyn attended the Figi Country School through the eighth grade and Monona High School in Monona.

Marilyn was united in marriage to Albert Moose January 19, 1957 by the Rev. A.W. Ebert at the Pilgrim E.U.B. White Church in Monona. Four sons were born to this union. Over the years she took a great amount of pride in preparing home cooked meals for family and friends.

Lorna E. Thune, 87, of Waukon died Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Private family funeral services were held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial was at Big Canoe Cemetery in rural Decorah.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. John’s Lutheran Church Radio Ministry at P.O. Box 104, Waukon, IA 52172 or Good Samaritan Society at 21 East Main Street, Waukon, IA 52172. Cards may be sent to Chester Thune at 25 First Street SE, Waukon, IA 52172. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Lorna Elaine Thune was born May 12, 1933 in Waukon, the daughter of Edgar and Lenora (Tangen) Nelson. She was baptized at the Iowa River Lutheran Church in rural Waukon and was confirmed at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah. Lorna attended country schools in Hanover and Pleasant Townships and graduated from Decorah High School in 1951.

Clifton O. Christianson, 86, of Waukon died Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Private family graveside services along with military honors were held in Bethlehem Cemetery in rural Postville with Karla Johnson officiating. Cards may be sent to Charlotte Christianson at 603 First Street NE, Waukon, IA 52172. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Clifton Ordel Christianson was born December 8, 1934 in Center Township, rural Elon, the son of Andrew and Hilma (Larson) Christianson. He was baptized and confirmed at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville and attended Fan school. When he was 16 years old, his father died and Cliff took over the family operation for his mother. Cliff served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1957; while in the Navy, he received his GED.