Obituaries

LaVonne Ludeking Larson, from Fernandina Beach, FL, passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at the age of 93 from complications with pneumonia.

LaVonne grew up in Waukon and graduated with the Class of 1947. After high school, she went to Washington, DC and worked for the FBI, where she met her husband, Fred Larson. They raised their family together and retirement took them to a quiet house in Virginia.

After Fred’s passing in 1998, LaVonne moved to Florida where her daughters lived. She enjoyed her life in Florida, where she lived in her own home until her death.

LaVonne is survived by her children, Jon (Debbie) Larson of Manassas, VA, Shari (Tim) Powell of Steinhatchee, FL and Lori (Rich) Billie of Fernandina Beach, FL; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and her brother, Bervene Ludeking of Decorah.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Larson; and her sister, Mary Jo Beghtel.
 

Helen Marie McCormick, age 76, of Cole, OK died Friday, August 12, 2022 in Norman, OK. A Memorial Mass is being held Friday, October 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Pius Cherry Mound Catholic Church, rural Harpers Ferry.

Helen married Earl James McCormick July 3, 1968 in Wichita Falls, TX. Online obituary is available at www.eisenhourfh.com.
 

Bruce D. Langland, 66, of Prairie du Chien, WI, formerly of Waukon, died Saturday, September 24, 2022 at Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie du Chien, WI. Graveside services with military honors will be held at Iowa River Cemetery in rural Decorah Friday, October 7 at 1 p.m. with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Bruce Dean Langland was born December 28, 1955 in Waukon, the son of Charles Edgar Hille and Adaline Lois (Nesheim) Langland. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1975 and served in the United States Navy from 1975 until 1981.

Bruce worked as a mechanic in his earlier working life, and later as a trusted caregiver. He enjoyed woodworking and restoring cars and vans.

Geoffrey “Jeff” John FitzGerald completed his earthly journey September 26, 2022. A celebration of life will occur at a later date.

Jeff was born October 4, 1955 to the late Christopher James FitzGerald III and Margaret Dell (Daly) in Evanston, IL. Jeff’s younger years were lived out amongst the water, woods and treehouses of Evanston, Cincinnati, and his family’s longest-held home of Oak Park, IL. The fourth of nine children, Jeff became known to his siblings as “Adventure Boy,” due to his intrepid spirit.

He attended Oak Park River Forest High School and Harrington College of Design. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Marie (Riggs), for 29 years. They shared homes and businesses in McGregor and Minneapolis, MN, before a houseboating trip led them to small-town living in Lansing. There, they opened FitzGerald’s Inn Bed & Breakfast and completed their family of four children, before settling in Dubuque in 1997.

Roger W. Campbell, age 80, of Stromsburg, NE passed away September 20, 2022 as a result of a car accident. A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Memorial donations may be directed to Robey Memorial Library, 401 1st Avenue NW, Waukon, IA 52172.

Roger was born October 17, 1941 to Lloyd and Mary (Maloney) Campbell in Waukon. He attended school and graduated from Waukon High School in 1960. Following high school, he joined the Wisconsin National Guard. Roger started work at New Holland in Grand Island, NE.

March 24, 1979 he was united in marriage to Ila Mae Werner in Lakewood, CO and in March of 1979 he moved to Denver, CO where he began his career with Sundstrand. In September of 1994, they moved to Stromsburg, NE and Roger continued working at the York Sundstrand location until he retired in 2004. He continued living in Stromsburg, NE until his passing.

Janet Ruth Deeney, 85, of Marion, formerly of Postville, died Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at her home in Marion. Graveside Service was held Sunday, September 25 at Postville City Cemetery in Postville with Pastor Karla Johnson as the officiant.

Janet was born May 1, 1937 in Postville, the only child of Harry L. and Ann E. (Anderson) Overeen. She attended school in Postville and continued her education at Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. Upon graduation in 1957, Janet became a kindergarten teacher in Keystone.

She would meet the love of her life, Richard F. Deeney, at the Hiedelberg in Luana in the summer of 1959. They were united in marriage in 1961 and settled and raised a family in Marion. Janet eventually returned to the education community, working as a librarian and media aide specialist for Mentzer Elementary and Marion High School, retiring in 1993.

Esther C. Walleser, 96, of Waukon died Saturday, September 24, 2022 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon, surrounded by her loved ones. She was a prominent community member of the New Albin, Harpers Ferry, Waukon and Lansing communities in which she lived for 96 years.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 29 at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing, with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery in Lansing. Friends may greet the family from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, September 28 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon where there will be a 3:30 p.m. scripture service. There will also be a  visitation one hour before services at the church Thursday.

Stanley C. Bahr, 67, of Caledonia, MN died Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at his home with his wife, Linda, by his side. A Funeral Mass was said Monday, September 26 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Caledonia, MN with Fr. Matt Wagner and Fr. Greg Leif officiating. Burial was in the Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia, MN.

Stanley Charles Bahr was born February 13, 1955 in Waukon to Charles and Helen (Miller) Bahr. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon. Stan attended Ludlow #1 Country School through the third grade, and then graduated from Waukon High School in 1974. July 3, 1976, he married the love of his life, Linda Gruber, and together they built a home and family in Caledonia, MN.

Larry Bruce Evans, age 80, of the Solway Community in Knoxville, TN passed away Saturday morning, September 17, 2022 at Parkwest Medical Center (Knoxville). He was surrounded by his family as he was welcomed into the arms of his Savior and Lord.

The family will receive friends from 1-2:15 p.m. Wednesday, September 21 at the Click Funeral Home Middlebrook Chapel in Knoxville, TN with a Celebration of Life to follow at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Clay Harrington officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Child Advocacy Center of the Ninth Judicial District of Tennessee, www.kidsfirsttn.org.

Larry was born October 16, 1941 in Waukon. Of the four brothers, he was the second oldest. Larry played all sports throughout his formative school years and was a talented athlete. He was an avid golfer and loved bowling. For many years, Larry served as a walking score keeper for the Knoxville Open on the Nike Tour.

Inez Mae Watson, 90, of Postville died Sunday, September 11, 2022 at Good Samaritan Society in West Union. Funeral Service was held Thursday, September 15 at Community Presbyterian Church in Postville with Pastor Karla Johnson as the officiant. Burial followed at the Postville Cemetery in Postville.

Inez was born August 26, 1932 to George and Bertha (Segrist) Ewing in Postville. She attended country schools in Allamakee County.

For over 46 years, Inez worked as a Veterinary Assistant at the Postville Veterinary Clinic in Postville. She was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church and volunteered at the Postville Public Library for many years. Inez enjoyed playing cards with the card club, spending time with her family and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up.