Obituaries

James “Jim” Keenan, 82, of Waukon, formerly of Lansing, died Monday, November 23, 2020 at his home peacefully surrounded by his family. Funeral services were held Saturday, November 28 at St. Mary’s Lycurgus Catholic Church in rural Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial was at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery, Lansing. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. Cards may be sent to Sandy Keenan at 307 Third Avenue NW, Apt. 101, Waukon, IA 52172.

James Raymond Keenan was born December 10, 1937 in Allamakee County to Matthew and Marcella (Hennessy) Keenan. He grew up in rural Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School. April 11, 1964, he married Sandra Cahalan, the love of his life, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing. He enjoyed farming and his work as a crane operator for Brennan Construction Company where he worked for 39 years.

John “Jack” F. Marsden, 95, of Waukon died Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. A private graveside service with military honors will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Cards for the family can be mailed to Annette Marsden at 409 Washington Street, Decorah, IA 52101. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Veterans Memorial Hospital or St. Patrick Catholic Church, both in Waukon. The family regrets that they are not able to celebrate Jack’s life together and share stories with everyone in this time of COVID.

Rita Kregel, 84, of Monona passed away Saturday, November 14, 2020 at her daughter’s home in Fayette surrounded by family. A Private Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Monona with Rev. Chris Podhajsky as the celebrant. Burial took place at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Monona.

Rita was born December 27, 1935 in Guttenberg to Albert and Lucille (Hefel) Jaeger. Rita graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Guttenberg.

Rita married Eldon Kregel June 29, 1954 in Elkader. Seven children were born to this union. Rita and Eldon farmed for 40 years. Rita was also an inspector at Northern Engraving in Waukon for 30 years. She was a past President of St. Patrick’s Rosary Society and former member of the Franklin Homemakers Society. Rita was also a member of American Legion Auxiliary and St. Patrick’s Service Society.

Garneth Nadine Hook, 87, of Manchester passed away Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at Marietta’s Place in Manchester. Private Family Funeral Service was held Saturday, November 21 at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester, with Rev. Kurt Pasko officiating. Interment was at Grant View Cemetery, Manchester.

Garneth was born September 5, 1933 in Edgewood, the daughter of Zepher Reade and Florence Ridenour. Garneth was raised by her grandparents, Glen and Ada Ridenour, in the Edgewood area, attended Edgewood High School and received her GED.

August 6, 1949, Garneth was united in marriage to Calvin Hook at the Methodist parsonage in Manchester. Four daughters were born to this union. After their marriage, Garneth and Calvin moved to St. Louis, MO.  They moved back to Iowa in 1959, where Garneth worked at Operation New View, Schultz’s and retired from Econo Mart.

Ruth Ellen Geilenfeld, 92, died Sunday, November 22, 2020 at Good Shepherd Health Center, Mason City. The family will have a private burial service at a later date. Memorials may be given to MercyOne Hospice of North Iowa and or St. James Lutheran Church, Mason City.

Ruth was born September 28, 1928, the daughter of Leslie and Sylvia (Damon) Anderson. She was a graduate of Upper Iowa University attaining an elementary teaching degree. In 1948 she married Eugene Geilenfeld and from this union two children were born.

She loved her 34 years of teaching, attending music events and Iowa Hawkeye football games. Her successful retirement was filled with traveling, reading and volunteering with Reading Buddies, St. James Lutheran Church and MacNider Art Museum. She also enjoyed her 65-year membership in Beta Sigma Phi sorority. An annual lunch with her Waterville High School classmates was also special to her.

Bernice Walleser, 91, of Lansing died Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, WI. A Private Mass of Christian Burial was held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing. Private Burial took place at Gethsemane Cemetery in Lansing. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service is helping the family with arrangements.

Bernice was born August 19, 1929 to Frank and Monica May (Hogan) Wagner. She attended country school and graduated from Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Lansing.

Daniel J. Hansmeier, 66, of Waukon, formerly of Rochester, MN, died Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Graveside services were held Saturday, November 21 at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon with Pastor Cathy Jurgens officiating. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Daniel J. Hansmeier was born June 3, 1954 in Waukon to Gordon and Marcella (Schlitter) Hansmeier. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School in 1972.

Dan worked at Counselor Realty of Rochester, MN, until he retired early 2020. He enjoyed sports cars, going to car races, and attending the Barrett Jackson auto show in Scottsdale, AZ every year. He was a sports fan and enjoyed going to Iowa Hawkeye games.

Delores A. Schellhammer, 92, of rural Lansing died Wednesday, November 18, 2020 following a brief illness. A private graveside service was held at Lansing Ridge Cemetery in consideration of concerns regarding COVID-19. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family asks that you make donations to the Seventh Day Adventist Church or Veteran’s Memorial Hospital, both in Waukon.

Delores Agnes (Shogren) Schellhammer was born March 18, 1928 at the rural home of her parents, Alden LeRoy and Agnes Victoria (Erickson) Shogren, in the Village Creek area of Center Township. She attended Center #3 rural school located adjacent to her family farm. Delores took the Normal Training curriculum at Waukon High School and graduated in 1948. She taught school at Center #3 from 1949-1951.

Julie Ann Christensen, 56, of Lansing died Saturday, November 14, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon surrounded by her loving family. Memorial services will be held Friday, November 20 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Hanover Cemetery in rural Waukon.

In consideration of concerns regarding COVID-19, social distancing and wearing of masks is encouraged. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is in charge of arrangements. Please join the family at 11 a.m. on the Martin-Grau Funeral Home Facebook page for live streaming of the service. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family asks that you make donations to Allamakee County 4-H, St. Patrick Catholic Church, the Lymphoma Leukemia Society, or UIHC Holden’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Doris Ann Berns, 79, of Harpers Ferry passed away Thursday, November 12, 2020 at Thornton Manor in Lansing. A private mass will be held at St. Ann-St. Joseph Catholic Church, Harpers Ferry. A private burial will be held at St. Joseph - Paint Rock Cemetery, Harpers Ferry. Cards or notes of condolences can be sent to: 1479 Dalby Hollow Road, Waterville, IA 52170.

Doris was born in New Albin July 26, 1941 to Bernard and Lucille (Troendle) Mauss. She attended New Albin Grade School and graduated from New Albin High School in 1959. Doris attended Wisconsin Technology College for accounting and data entry in La Crosse, WI after graduating from high school.

Doris met her husband, Charles Cletus Berns, in 1959 and they were married November 15, 1960. Charles and Doris owned and operated the family farm near Harpers Ferry, where they raised their family.