Obituaries

Shirley Larkin, 89, of Waukon died Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 12 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Shirley Jean Larkin was born December 7, 1935, in Waukon, the daughter of Merrill Henry and Leone Eunice (Bacon) Gruber. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, attended rural Eells Country School and graduated from Waukon High School in 1954.

February 27, 1960, she married Cyril Larkin at St. Mary’s Hanover in rural Waukon. Shirley and Cyril farmed in Union Prairie Township in rural Waukon, where they raised beef cattle, hogs, sheep and crops. She loved working on the farm, especially driving tractor, doing the field work, and caring for the animals.

Dale T. Leikvold, age 64, of Sheldon passed away Friday, May 16, 2025, at his residence. A celebration of life will be held August 2 at the Eagles Club in Sheldon, from 3-8 p.m. His family welcomes everyone from near and far to join them in remembering Dale. Arrangements are under the care of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

Dale “Smear” Thomas Leikvold, the son of Lloyd and Theresa (Kelly) Leikvold, was born May 1, 1961 in Waukon. He received his education from Waukon Schools.

Richard “Dick” Berns, 81, of Postville passed away peacefully July 3, 2025 after a brief illness. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 8 from 3-7 p.m. at St. Bridget Catholic Church, Postville. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 9 at St. Bridget Catholic Church with Rev. Martin Coolidge as the Celebrant. Burial will follow at Smith Cemetery, Postville with Military Rites.

Born June 17, 1944, to Leo and Lucille (Koerperick) Berns, Dick spent his entire life doing what he loved, farming with his family. Dick graduated from Postville High School in 1962 and shortly after was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in Panama from 1964-1967. Upon returning from the service, Dick farmed with his dad and two brothers, Gene and Chuck, as Leo Berns & Sons. Additionally, Dick helped run a Vermeer Equipment business off the farm for 30-plus years, selling and servicing many balers in northeast Iowa.

Gaylord “Pete” R. Peterson, 83, of Dorchester passed away peacefully June 29, 2025, due to heart failure, at Decorah Aase Haugen Home in the care of St. Croix Hospice. A Celebration of Life Open House will be held at the Eitzen Community Center, Eitzen, MN, Saturday, July 19, from noon to 4 p.m. Dress is casual, and there will be enjoyable food, reminiscing and sharing the memories of Pete through laughter and tears.

He was born October 9, 1941, in Lisbon, WI, the son of Gaylord Sr. and Rose (Rumshas) Orsbourne. His Mom later divorced and married Raymond Peterson.

Pete was united in marriage to Delores Beardmore in 1964, and they had two children together: Dawn and Wayne. They later divorced and Pete married Carol Blegen in 1974. They had three children together: Bob, Alan and Patrick.

Phyllis L. Quandahl, 94, of Waukon died Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 5 at 11 a.m. at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville with Pastor Abraham Faugstad officiating. Burial was at Waterloo Ridge Cemetery, rural Dorchester.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Veterans Memorial Hospital, Waukon.

Phyllis Lila Quandahl was born October 31, 1930, at home in Ludlow Township, Waukon, the daughter of Alfred and Esther (Sanderman) Snitker. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Reformed Church in rural Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School.

Beverly S. Johnson, 83, of Waukon passed away peacefully Monday, June 30, 2025, at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Funeral services were held Monday, July 7, at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Interment followed at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials are preferred.

Beverly Suzette Johnson was born July 7, 1941, in Postville to Norman and Beulah (Bray) Starkey. She was baptized and confirmed at Forest Mills United Methodist Church and attended Evergreen Country School through the 11th grade before later fulfilling a lifelong goal by earning her GED in 2009.

September 25, 1959, she was united in marriage to Dale Robert Johnson at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. The two shared a marriage of deep love and partnership. Beverly worked at Deco Products in Decorah and then devoted nearly four decades to Northern Engraving in Waukon.

Wendell Albert Watts, age 98, formerly of Waukon, passed away June 23, 2025. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, August 16 at Abounding Joy Lutheran Church, 6000 County Road 120, St. Cloud, MN 56303. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., with the Service scheduled for 11 a.m.

Wendell was born September 17, 1926 to his parents, Albert and Bertha Watts. He grew up on their dairy farm known as “Watts’ Brothers” close to Preston in southeastern Minnesota. He attended District 67 country school for eight years followed by high school in Preston, MN, graduating at 16 years of age. After graduation, Wendell farmed in partnership with his dad, Albert, and his uncle, George, on their 320-acre diversified dairy farm.

Wendell and Verna Sorum were married June 6, 1948. They set up housekeeping on the home farm.  Their first two children, Kristine and Karen, were born in 1950 and 1951.

Mary Lou Garin, 93, of Lansing passed away Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, surrounded by her loving family. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday, June 26 at Immaculate Conception Church in Lansing with Father Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial was in Gethsemane Cemetery in Lansing.

Memorials may be directed to Gethsemane Cemetery. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling arrangements.

Mary Lou Garin was born August 31, 1931, to Harold and Leona (O’Donnell) Troendle. She was the eldest of three children and graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in 1948. February 15, 1950, she married the love of her life, Leo Garin, at Immaculate Conception Church in Lansing.

Carol Jane (Klocke) Weiland, 84, of Cedar Rapids passed away peacefully Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the Hiawatha Care Center.  A celebration of life will be held at The Uptown Grill in Waukon Saturday, June 28 from 2-4 p.m.

The family would encourage you to bring favorite photos of Carol to share at the celebration! Donations can be made to your favorite charity in Carol’s name.

Austin Joseph Bennett, age 37, passed away June 21, 2025, in La Crosse, WI. Immediate family will honor Austin with a private Celebration of Life at a later date.

Others wishing to honor Austin’s memory may do so by advocating for mental health reform, helping someone in need and hugging loved ones every chance you get. Condolences may be sent to Sue and Doug Kubitz.

Austin was born April 21, 1988, to Kirk and Sue Bennett. He was known for his quick wit, charm, and genuinely kind heart. He attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Waukon High School in 2006.

He spent his adult life learning new trades and perfecting old ones. He enjoyed spending time with friends, finding ways to make a quick buck, and introducing everyone he met to the one person he knew loved him unconditionally: his mother.  Austin’s proudest accomplishment was fathering a daughter, Brooklyn Bennett.