Obituaries

Frances Ann Larson, 77, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away at the Regional Medical Center Wednesday, December 23, 2015. She was born on April 1, 1938, in Waukon, the daughter of Dan and Mary (Sweeney) McCauley. Ann was a 1956 graduate of St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Waukon, and continued her education in Cedar Rapids.
Ann was united in marriage to Robert Larson April 25, 1958, in Waukon. They made their home in Manchester since 1970. Ann was employed at West Delaware Lambert Elementary school for 44 years, the last 20 years as Computer Lab Associate. She retired in May 2015.
Ann loved spending time with her family, especially following her grandkids’ many activities. She loved her job and the staff and students of West Delaware and always embraced new technology.

Delpha D. McCormick, 89, of Harpers Ferry, Iowa, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Center in Postville, Iowa. Delpha Darlene, the daughter of John and Clarice (Kohl) Knapp, was born November 1, 1926 in McGregor, Iowa.
Delpha was united in marriage with Dale McCormick on October 2, 1950 at St. Pius Catholic Church (Cherry Mound), rural Harpers Ferry, Iowa. To this union two daughters, Barb and Joann, were born. Delpha and Dale lived on the McCormick family farm on Sunshine Hill north of Marquette, Iowa from 1950 until 1986. They continued to live on the acreage at Sunshine Hill until Delpha entered the Good Samaritan Center in Postville. Delpha took great pride in caring for her family and home. She also loved spending time with her family and friends.

George H. Smrcina, 83, of rural Waterville, IA, died Sunday, December 27, 2015, at his home. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 31, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, IA, with Rev. Msgr. Cletus Hawes and Fr. Donald Hawes officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Calvary Cemetery in Prairie du Chien, WI.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:45 p.m. scripture service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Patrick School in Waukon to purchase a new mixer.

David Lee Beisker, 81, of Monona died Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at Northgate Care Center, Waukon. Funeral Services were held Friday, December 18 at Living Faith United Methodist Parish, Monona, with the Rev. Dennis Hopes officiating. Burial followed in Council Hill Cemetery, rural Monona.
David was born to George and Alice (Ewing) Beisker August 22, 1934 near Waukon. David was baptized December 19, 1944 at St. John Lutheran Congregation in Waukon. He attended country schools, Jefferson #3 and #5, until the eighth grade and graduated high school from Waukon in 1954.

Milton “Mike” Harlan Saewert, 89, of Kenosha, WI, formerly of Lansing, died December 11, 2015 at Brookside Care Nursing Home in Kenosha, WI. Graveside funeral services were held Friday, December 18 at Lansing Ridge Cemetery in Lansing, with full military rites.
Mike was born December 27, 1926 to Carl and Lydia (Reutkemeier) Saewert in Allamakee County. He attended Lansing Country Schools. In May of 1951, Mike enlisted into the United States Army, served in the Korean War, and was honorably discharged in April of 1953.
Mike was united in marriage with Ruby McLain February 22, 1964, and she preceded him in death January 11, 1991. He worked as a welder in Kenosha, WI, moved to Ferryville, WI for four years and in 2004 he moved to Lansing.

Margaret E. Dahlstrom, 97, of Waukon went home to be with the Lord Thursday, December 17, 2015 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. A Celebration of Life Service was held at Center Baptist Church in rural Lansing Tuesday, December 22 with Pastor Matthew Majewski and Danny Volbreacht officiating. Burial was at Center Baptist Church Cemetery.
Margaret Elizabeth (Lomen) Dahlstrom was born May 24, 1918 at Decorah Hospital in Decorah. She was the oldest of three children born to Arthur and Emma (Teske) Lomen. Margaret grew up on the family farm and enjoyed helping her dad work the horses in the fields, feed the farm animals, and split the wood for the fire. When she was not busy outside, Margaret enjoyed helping her mom with the cooking, baking and household chores.

Mark Francis O’Malley, 59, of Lansing died Wednesday, December 16, 2015 in Decorah. A celebration of life was held Sunday, December 20 at Milty’s in Lansing.
Mark was born September 11, 1956 in Waukon to Dennis and Kathleen (Spinner) O’Malley. He graduated from Kee High School in 1974.
Mark was employed by O’Malley Insurance and then worked for Kerndt Brothers Insurance. He enjoyed gardening, canning tomatoes and tomato juice, watching sports and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He was a very loyal Vikings football fan and his infectious laugh will be remembered by all.

Mary Lou Buege, 75, of Evansdale, formerly of Waukon, died Monday, December 14, 2015 at Cedar Valley Hospice House in Waterloo. Funeral services were held Thursday, December 17 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Rev. Msgr. Cletus Hawes, Fr. Donald Hawes and Deacon Mike Ward officiating. Burial was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.
Martin Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick School, 106 Second Street SW, Waukon, IA 52172, or Cedar Valley Hospice House, 2101 Kimball Avenue Suite 401, Waterloo, IA 50702.
Mary Lou Buege was born August 14, 1940 at Catherine Hall’s Home Hospital in Waukon. She was the daughter of Kermit and Dorothy (Duggan) Sunderman. She was baptized at St. Patrick Catholic Church and in 1958 Mary Lou graduated from St. Patrick School in Waukon.

John R. Beardmore, 60, of Waukon died Sunday, December 13, 2015 at his home in Waukon. Visitation was held Sunday, December 20 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon followed by a memorial service officiated by Pastor Paul Burgess. Burial of ashes will be at a later date in Mt. Hope Cemetery in rural New Albin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Hope Cemetery.
John Richard Beardmore was born May 23, 1955 in Waukon, the son of Glenn Earl and Rae Joan (Holthusen) Beardmore. He was baptized at home and confirmed at Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church. John attended the English Bench rural school and Dorchester School before graduating from Waukon High School in 1973. He continued his education at North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND, where he earned a technical degree.

Milbourn H. Johnson, 87, of Waukon died Monday, December 14, 2015 at his home. Funeral services were held Saturday, December 19 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, with Deacon Jeff Molitor officiating. Burial with military honors was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.
Milbourn Horace Johnson was born October 16, 1928 at his parents’ home in the Forest Mills area of rural Postville. He was the son of LeRoy and Ruth (Ralston) Johnson. He attended Jefferson Township #8 rural school. Milbourn’s father died when he was 15, and in 1944 the family moved to California to work in the war effort.
While in California, Milbourn worked in a plastics factory, as a pinsetter at a bowling alley and at a filling station. In 1946 he moved back to Iowa with his family, and helped run the family filling station and did odd jobs. In 1950 he moved to Cedar Rapids and worked at Fruehauf Trailer.