Obituaries

Robert F. Heimer, age 87, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus January 19, 2023 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.

Robert was born July 13, 1935 in Stacyville, the son of Marvin and Agatha Heimer. He attended St. Augustine High School in Austin, MN, where he met Shirley A. Hobbs. They wed June 5, 1954. Through this union, he was blessed with having seven children: Cheryl (Steve) Kiesau of Champaign, IL, Scott Heimer of Gillette, WY, Lynette Corkery of Muscatine, Susan (Dean) Burroughs of Waukon, Mary (Joel) Anderson of Waukon, the late Martin (Dawn) Heimer of LaCrescent, MN and Catherine (Jim) Gelo of Postville.

Ronald Wayne Ashbacher, age 76, formerly of Waukon, went home to be with the Lord Monday, December 5, 2022. Interment service will be in Waukon at a later date.

Ron was born May 15, 1946 in the French Creek area of rural Waukon, the son of Harold and Louise (Scharping) Ashbacher. He attended elementary school and graduated from Waukon High School in 1964.

He farmed with his father, Harold, until attending college at University of Iowa. He was drafted and served in the U.S. Army in Viet Nam. He graduated from Washburn University in Topeka while working  for  Goodyear Tire company in Topeka, KS.

In retirement, Ron lived in northwest Arkansas and later in St. Louis, MO. Ron loved fishing and water skiing, and was a nationally ranked Bridge card player.

Sylvia Mae Huffman, 89, of Denver, formerly of Waterloo, went to be with the Lord the morning of Tuesday, January 17, 2023. Funeral services were held Saturday, January 21 at Waterloo First United Methodist Church with Rev. Hojin Shin officiating. Sylvia was laid to rest at the Waterloo Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed in Sylvia’s name to her family which will be later designated to the church or Unity Point Hospice Care of Waterloo. For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.hagartywaychoffgrarup.com. Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service West Ridgeway location in Waterloo is caring for Sylvia and her family.

Diane M. Moose, 77, of Waukon died Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, January 14 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 handled arrangements.

Diane Marie Moose was born July 16, 1945 in Waukon, the daughter of Gerald E. and Inez E. (Bechtel) Kurth. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, where she was a lifelong member and later joined the ladies circles. Diane attended Maple Dale country school in Franklin Township and graduated from Waukon High School.

Deloris Lorraine Winters passed away December 30, 2022. There will be a celebration of her life held in one of the many outdoor locations she enjoyed, Mt. Hosmer in Lansing, May 6 at 1 p.m. We will gather with stories, snacks, games and laughter, like she would have wanted.

Deloris was born December 10, 1945 in Correctionville, the youngest of 11 children from Goldie and Fred Waugh. Her childhood stories always included the farm and her family. She spent her lifetime being a loving mother and homemaker and held various jobs ranging from housekeeping to heavy equipment operator.

One of Deloris’ favorite past times was traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada with her husband, Gary, and family. Her favorite destinations were the mountains. Family was very important to her and at every gathering her infectious smile and details to entertainment were evident. Deloris never turned down playing cards, board games, or a good glass of wine.

Carlton H. Christianson, 84, of Waukon died Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Memorial services were held Monday, January 9 at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating and burial at the church cemetery. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Carlton Horace Christianson was born October 20, 1938 in Waterville, the youngest child of Ingvold and Isabelle (Hanson) Christianson. He became a confirmed member of Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville and remained so throughout his life. In 1957, he graduated from Waterville High School.

Connie K. Mettille, 78, of Lansing died Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Monday, January 9 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial was at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery in Lansing. The service was also live streamed on Martin-Grau Funeral Home’s facebook page (www.facebook.com/martinfunerals). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon or for mass intentions for Connie.

Dale F. Mathis, 77, of Harpers Ferry died Sunday, January 1, 2023 at his home in rural Harpers Ferry. Funeral services were held Friday, January 6 at St. Ann’s - St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial with military honors was at St. Joseph’s Paint Rock Cemetery in rural Harpers Ferry. Martin – Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled the arrangements.

Dale Frederick Mathis was born April 24, 1945 in rural Lansing, the son of Willis “Buster” and Myrtle (Steiber) Mathis. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Paint Rock Catholic Church in rural Harpers Ferry. Dale attended Waterville School, graduated from St. George Catholic School in Lansing in 1963, and served in the National Guard from 1965 to 1971.

Brian M. Garin, 48, of Waukon died Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, surrounded by family and friends after a long, two-year battle with pancreatic insulinoma. Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 7 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Lycurgus Cemetery in rural Waukon.

Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Friday, January 6 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:30 p.m. scripture service. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials can be made to the family or Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Brian Michael Garin was born April 28, 1974 in Waukon, the son of Raymond and Maureen (McGeough) Garin. He received his religious education at Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Lansing and St. Patrick Catholic School in Waukon, and he graduated from Waukon High School in 1992.

Deborah M. Volker, 72, of Lansing died Thursday, December 22, 2022 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Memorial services will be held at a later date at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling arrangements.

Deborah Margaret Ann Volker was born August 19, 1950 in Waverly, the daughter of Francis Carroll and Marcella (Kramer) Cagley. She was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waterloo and graduated from East High School in Waterloo in 1968. August 18, 1972, Deb married Kim Volker at St. Nicholas Parish in Evansdale.