Obituaries

Rita Kern, age 83, of Decorah died Friday, January 25, 2019 at her home in Decorah. A Celebration of Life and Memory was held Saturday, February 2 at Decorah Lutheran Church, Decorah with Rev. Allen Vik officiating. Interment was in Decorah Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah.

Rita Ramona Kern was born May 16, 1935, the daughter of Louis E. and Sylbert C. (Smith) Christofferson, in rural Allamakee County, near Luana. She was baptized by Rev. Van Neys in Waukon and was confirmed at the Frankville Presbyterian Church by Rev. William Niles. In 1958, she joined the Decorah Lutheran Church.

Rita attended the Birdsell Country School (Frankville #4) and graduated from Decorah High School in 1954.  Rita helped on the family farm near Frankville until moving to Decorah in 1956.  She had worked for K & S Super Value, Grahams Store and for 35-1/2 years at the Decorah Creamery and then Foremost Farms. She retired in 2001.

Norman Duane Miller, age 89, passed away January 24, 2019 at the Heights of Alamo in Alamo, TX, where he had been a patient for 2-1/2 months. Memorial Cremation Center of Edinburg, TX assisted the family with arrangements.

Norman was born October 9, 1929 to Dewey and Mabel (Herman) Miller in Waukon. He married Mary Ann Klocke and they later divorced. After helping his father take care of the crops in the fall, he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army, with a tour of duty from 1953 until 1955.

Following his discharge, he farmed for a few years and then started his career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He was transferred from Waukon to Missouri Valley and then to McAllen, TX. While employed with the USDA in McAllen, he attended classes at University of Texas-Pan American. He also served part time as a Deputy Sheriff Reserve while employed by the USDA. His duties included back-up and flying prisoners to new locations.

Barbara A. Leathers, 88, of Waukon died Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Barbara Ann Leathers was born May 2, 1930 in Macon, MO, the daughter of Otho and Magdalene (Richards) Miller. She graduated from Macon High School and worked at the county extension office there.

July 18, 1952, Barb married Alfred Lowell Leathers in Macon, MO. The couple moved to St. Louis, MO, then to San Diego, CA and Hawaii during Al’s service in the Navy, before settling in Iowa for Al’s music teaching career. They lived in Seymour and Guthrie Center before moving to Waukon in 1966.

Jeremiah Thomas Hayes, 80, of La Habra, CA, formerly of the Chicago, Detroit and Flint, MI areas, passed away December 21, 2018. A funeral Mass was celebrated December 27 at St. Bruno’s Catholic Church in La Habra, CA. Jerry was laid to rest at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL January 4.

Jerry was born in Oak Park, IL July 12, 1938, spent many summer days at his grandparents’ (Devitt) farm in Hanover, graduated from Chicago’s St. Ignatius High School and Loyola University, and served in the U.S. Army. In 1963 he married his sweetheart, Virginia Ann Dean (Susie) and later welcomed their son, Tom, into the family. They lived in Illinois and Michigan during Jerry’s long career with General Motors. Susie and Jerry later retired to California.

Betty A. Brandt, 95, of Waukon died Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 5 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.

Elizabeth “Betty” Byrnes Brandt was born February 21, 1923 in Jefferson Township, Allamakee County, the daughter of John Francis and Eleanor Link Byrnes. She grew up on the family farm and was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. In 1940, she graduated from Waukon High School and April 22, 1946, Betty married Kenneth “Cod” Brandt at the St. Patrick rectory.

Lester R. Delaney, 93, of Waukon died Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 1 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial with military graveside rites will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, January 31 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:45 p.m. scripture service.

Lester Raphael Delaney was born August 30, 1925 in Lafayette Township in rural Lansing, the son of John “Joe” and Cecilia (Conway) Delaney. He was baptized and confirmed at Immaculate Conception Wexford Catholic Church in rural Lansing. Lester attended elementary school at Wexford and Russell country schools and graduated from Harpers Ferry High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.

Phyllis J. Dahlke, 90, of Waukon died Thursday, January 24, 2019 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Thursday, January 31 at 12 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Wayne Ellingson officiating. Burial will be at a later date in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Chaseburg, WI. Friends may call one hour before services Thursday at the funeral home.

Phyllis June Dahlke was born November 24, 1928 in Viroqua, WI, the daughter of Jay and Elsie (Snell) Warner. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Chaseburg, WI, graduated from Viroqua High School in 1946 and attended a year of Normal school. August 7, 1948, she married Donald Dahlke in Viroqua, WI.

Jacquelyn M. Regan, 92, currently of Cedar Rapids but a lifelong resident of Waukon, died Friday, January 25, 2019 at The Gardens of Cedar Rapids living center. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 30 at 11 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, January 29 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

Robert John (Bob) (Earl) Wellendorf, 68, of Lansing passed away unexpectedly at his home January 18, 2019. A Mass will be offered for the repose of Bob’s soul Sunday, February 3 at 9 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Lansing. Funeral services are being scheduled for a later date and will also be held in Lansing.
Bob was a lifelong resident of Lansing. He was born November 28, 1950, the third-born son of Bernard (Sonny) and Frances Rita (Curtin) Wellendorf. Bob attended Immaculate Conception grade school and graduated in 1969 from Kee High School in Lansing. Bob attended and graduated from North Iowa Community College in Mason City and continued with his education graduating from Winona State University in Winona, MN.

Lawrence O. Murphy, age 72, of Belton, MO passed away Wednesday, January 2, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. A Celebration of Life Service will be held from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, February 23 at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Drive, Raymore, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to HELP Humane Society, 17122 Bel-Ray Pl, Belton, MO 64012.

Lawrence was born September 2, 1946 in Easton, MD. He was the son of Charles Murphy and Anita Byrnes. Lawrence was one of five children, including Chuck, Dolly, Brian and Cindy.

After high school, Lawrence served his country in the United States Marine Corps for four years. Lawrence was a proud veteran and a lifetime member of the Shawnee, KS Post 10552 VFW. Lawrence was joined in marriage with his late wife, Alice Murphy, June 7, 1968. They were blessed with three sons, Martin, Michael and Patrick. Lawrence was an avid golfer and a loving family man who left an incredible impression on everyone he met.