Obituaries

Donald H. Ewing, 84, of Lansing died peacefully at his home in rural Lansing Thursday, May 4, 2023 with his loving wife by his side. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 3 from 2-5 p.m. at Shep’s Riverside Bar & Grill in Lansing. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Donald Harry Ewing was born March 17, 1939, the son of Harry and Charlene (Webster) Ewing. He was baptized and confirmed at Forrest Mills Methodist Church in rural Postville and graduated from Waukon High School in 1959.

July 11, 1959, he married Karen Kruger at Forrest Mills United Methodist Church; they had three children: Steven, Dawn and Deneen. They started out farming in Ludlow Township and then moved to Waterloo. Don worked for a Ford dealership where he did alignment on semi trucks and body work on cars, spending his free time working on stock cars and attending the races.

Mary Kathleen “Katie” Melde-Donnelly Reninger, age 46, passed away April 18, 2023 in Heath, TX. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 27 at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing with Fr. Daniel Knipper officiating. Visitation will take place May 27 from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church.

Katie was born May 29, 1976 in La Crosse, WI to Michael Melde and Helen Boland Melde. She graduated from Edgewood College in Madison, WI with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology.

Katie is survived by her husband, George Reninger; her son, Kylan Donnelly; her daughter, Keelee Donnelly, her son, Micah Reninger; her son, Noah Reninger; her parents, Michael and Helen Melde; her sister, Ann Melde-Rahe; her brothers, Steven (Sherry), Andrew, Christopher (Erin), Mark and Robert Melde; 17 nieces and nephews; and many friends.

James Lynn Halverson, 77, of rural Monona died Saturday, May 6, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 13 from 1-3 p.m. at the Zion United Church of Christ fellowship hall in Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family.

Jim Halverson (also known as Gramps) was born December 26, 1945 at the Hall House in Waukon, the son of Lynn Charles and Virginia Maxine (Winter) Halverson. Jim was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville and graduated from Postville High School in 1963. In 1965, he moved to Cedar Rapids and worked as the night supervisor at Weyerhauser Company.

Lynn Ordell Bjerke, age 68, of West Union, formerly of Waukon, died January 19, 2023 after suffering a stroke. A Celebration of Life is scheduled to take place Saturday, May 13 at the Elgin Golf Club from 1-4 p.m. Refreshments will be served and all are invited to share memories.

Gerry V. DeBuhr, 74, of Waukon died Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at his home. Private family graveside services were held at Salem Cemetery in rural Waukon with Pastor Sue Klimstra and Pastor Jeanyne Slettom officiating. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled the arrangements.

Gerald “Gerry” Victor DeBuhr was born November 27, 1948 in Waukon, the son of Victor and Betty (Selberg) DeBuhr. He was baptized and confirmed at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School in 1967, where he played football, basketball and golf.

Elaine E. Knuppe, 76, of Waukon died Monday, May 1, 2023 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon surrounded by her family. Funeral services were held Friday, May 5 at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating and burial was in the church cemetery.

Elaine Esther Knuppe was born September 28, 1946 in Waukon, the daughter of Emil and Bernita Ruth (Kloke) Hanson. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School in 1964. January 9, 1965, Elaine married Edward Charles Knuppe at St. John’s and they farmed together in Paint Creek Township.

Ronald G. Schultz, 79, of Lansing died Monday, April 24, 2023 at Gundersen Lutheran Health System in La Crosse, WI. Burial with military honors will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, May 9 at Thornburg - Grau Funeral Home in Lansing.

Ronald G. Schultz was born September 11, 1943 in Waukon, the son of Richard and Ruth (Iseli) Schultz. He was baptized and conformed at E.U.B. Church in Lansing. Ron attended country school in the Churchtown area and graduated from Lansing High School in 1961. He served in the U.S. Army for 11 years including during the Vietnam War from 1963-1964, where he escorted deceased military members returning home.

Lynn Ordell Bjerke, age 68, of West Union, formerly of Waukon, died January 19, 2023 after suffering a stroke. A Celebration of Life is scheduled to take place Saturday, May 13 at the Elgin Golf Club from 1-4 p.m. Refreshments will be served and all are invited to share memories.
 

Toni K. Kolsrud, 75, of Waterville died peacefully Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI, with her beloved family beside her. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 6 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.

Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 5 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:30 p.m. scripture service and a 5:30 p.m. American Legion/VFW Auxiliary service.

Toni Kathryn (Goltz) Kolsrud was born July 6, 1947 in Decorah, the daughter of Dale and Mary “Sis” (Campbell) Goltz. She was baptized at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon and grew her strong, humble faith throughout her 75 years.

Kenneth “Sam” J. Hill, 84, of Harpers Ferry passed away Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Thornton Manor Nursing Home in Lansing after a spirited and courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 2 at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service with Lisa Dalziel officiating. Burial was at Oak Hill Cemetery, both in Lansing.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Harpers Ferry Fire Department or the Mississippi Valley Sportsman’s Club.

Kenneth “Sam” J. Hill was born March 13, 1939 in Lansing, the son of John and Bertha (Cole) Hill. He was one of 10 children raised on a farm with a strong work ethic. Sam graduated from Waukon High School in 1957 and moved to Cedar Rapids.