Obituaries

Heather K. Peck, 29, of Waukon died Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services will be held Friday, December 8 at 11 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Rev. Cathy Jurgens officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Friday at church. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Heather Kay Peck was born September 8, 1994 in Waukon, the daughter of Kelly Lee and Corene Kay (Bechtel) Peck. October 16, 1994, Heather was baptized at Zion United Church of Christ, where she was a lifelong member. After attending Waukon schools, Heather participated in activities at TASC.

Michael T. Zeimet, 71, of New Albin passed away unexpectedly Monday, November 27, 2023 at his home. A sharing time will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 6 at the New Albin Community Center in New Albin. Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until time of services at the community center. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling arrangements.

Michael Thomas Zeimet was born July 27, 1952, the son of Thomas and Goldie (Thimmesch) Zeimet. Upon graduation from St. George High School in Lansing, Mike enlisted in the U.S. Navy, reaching the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He entered the Silent Service (submarine forces). While stationed at the U.S. Naval submarine base in Groton, CT, he met his first wife and the mother of their three sons while traveling to different duty stations around the country.

Harry “Sonny” Lavern Kessel, 90, formerly of Caledonia, MN, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 29, 2023. He was born August 22, 1933 in Iowa City to Harry and Anna (Afstad) Kessel.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, December 7 at Faith Lutheran Church on 1407 Main Street, La Crosse, WI for family and friends. Visitation will be at 11 a.m., with services held at Noon. A luncheon will be served afterward at the church. To view full obituary, visit www.schumacher-kish.com.
 

Linda Ann Smerud, 72, died November 8, 2023 at Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse, WI. No services are being planned at this time.

Linda was born in La Crosse, WI to Donald and Delores Brumm May 28,1951. She grew up near Eitzen, MN and graduated from Caledonia High School in 1969. Linda then went on to get her LPN in Winona, MN.

Linda married Carver Smerud November 12, 1971. They then moved to San Diego, CA where she served as a Navy wife. Linda was a private, but caring woman who focused on her loved ones. She and her family eventually settled in New Albin, where she lived until her death.

Linda is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Carver; her daughter, Stacy (Chad) Serres; her brother, Gerald Brumm of New Albin; her aunt, Gladys Tegtmier of Caledonia, MN; her brothers-in-law and sister-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

Karen Hermann of State Center, age 70, passed November 21, 2023 at State Center Specialty Care. Per her wishes, no formal services will be held. Memorials may be directed to cancer research and/or the Animal Rescue League.

Karen (VanHorn) Hermann was born June 15, 1953 in Waukon to parents Bill and Delores VanHorn. After graduating from Waukon High School, Karen attended college for fashion merchandising.

March 22, 1980, she married Joe Hermann. Karen and Joe went on to own the West Marshall Hardware store in State Center. For the next 19 years she worked at the Drake University Law School, where she ran the law library book store. Karen enjoyed outdoor activities such as gardening and spending time with her pets.

She is survived by her husband, Joe Hermann; her brothers, Neal (Nancy) VanHorn of Wadena and Kevin (Chris) VanHorn of Spillville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Betty J. Jennings, 94, of Chippewa Falls, WI passed away peacefully Monday, November 20, 2023 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Chippewa Falls with family by her side. Funeral Mass was held Monday, November 27 at Notre Dame Catholic Church, Chippewa Falls, WI with Fr. Jesse Burish officiating. Interment was in Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

For those unable to attend, the service was recorded and is available to view at https://www.pedersonvolker.com/obituaries/betty-jennings. In Lieu of flowers, please plant a tree or perennial in your yard or another place of significance to you, in remembrance of Betty, as she so enjoyed planting, tending and viewing her own flower gardens. Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, Chippewa Falls served the family.  Please share your memories and condolences online at pedersonvolker.com.

Laurel M. Gulla, 54, of Waukon passed away peacefully surrounded by family Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at WinnMed in Decorah. Memorial services were held Friday, November 24 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. In memoriam, Laurel wishes for you to give back to the nature she loved so much; plant a tree or grow a garden. Laurel would want us to appreciate the simpler things in life.

Laurel Mary Galanda Gulla was born May 2, 1969 near Pittsburgh, PA, the daughter of Joe and Mary Alyce (Winkler) Galanda. Laurel began her education at John F. Kennedy Catholic Elementary School in Washington, PA. She then moved on to attend Trinity High School, also in Washington, graduating in 1987. After high school, Laurel attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1991.

Rita Catherine Schulte, 94, of Dorchester passed away Thursday, November 16, 2023 at her home in Dorchester. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 24 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dorchester with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Friends may offer condolences prior to the funeral mass from 9:30-11 a.m. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Rita was born September 21, 1929 to John and Mary (Burke) McCormick in Hanover, rural Waukon. She grew up in Hanover and was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hanover. She attended and graduated from St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Waukon in 1947. After graduation, Rita worked as a telephone operator at Northwestern Bell Phone Company in Waukon until 1949.

Lucas Gerald Palmer, age 39, passed away October 26, 2023 at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, La Crosse WI. He was an organ donor.

The public is invited to a “Celebration of Life” for Luke Saturday, November 25 from 1-5 p.m. at the home of his mother. His ashes will be interred at the Odd Fellows Cemetery near Rossville in the family lot.

Lucas was born November 25, 1983 to Gloria Moose and Scott Palmer in Iowa City. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Waukon. He graduated from Waukon High School in 2002. He was married to Heather Tribbit and later divorced after having two children.

Lucas worked many places, including Agriprocessors with his stepfather Kerry, Capco Products with his grandfather Allan, and several positions milking and farming; his favorite being at Buddenburg Farms where he would take care of his “babies,” the calves.

Nicky A. O’Neill, 67, of Waukon died Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Memorial services will be held in the spring of 2024. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Nicholette Ann O’Neill was born 67 years ago, a sweet little Down’s Syndrome baby, to parents Eleanor and Leo O’Neill of Harpers Ferry. Nicky lived with her parents and two older brothers, Dan and Greg, on what was known then as the “Hart” farm on the Mississippi River just north of Harpers. In 1959, when Nicky was three years old, she moved with her family to the “Joyce” farm on the bluff overlooking the Hart farm.

Nicky overcame a lot of adversity in her life, which started out with her having to be fed from an eyedropper to get her started.