Obituaries

Helen Kelleher, 98, of Lansing died Monday, August 8, 2016 at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, August 16 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Lansing. Burial followed at Gethsemane Cemetery, Lansing.

Helen was born November 10, 1917 to Frank and Elizabeth (Strub) Plagge in Lansing. She graduated from Lansing High School in 1935. After high school, she taught country school for a few years.

Helen was united in marriage with Kern Kelleher in September of 1938 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Lansing. Four children were born to this union, Joan, Dorothy, Tim and Kathy. Helen was a homemaker most of her life. She was a lifetime member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing, where she was a Sunday School Teacher, Eucharistic Minister, Lector and a member of the Rosary Society. Helen loved playing cards, bowling, golfing, and was an avid walker and a great seamstress.

James Hatlan, 54, of Ferryville, WI died Tuesday, August 9, 2016. Funeral services were held Saturday, August 13 at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua, WI. Pastor Jim Aniol officiated, with burial following in the West Prairie-Hauge Cemetery.

Jim was born February 14, 1962 to Archie and Evelyn (Lee) Hatlan. He was baptized and confirmed at the Hauge Lutheran Church. Jim graduated from Seneca High School in Wisconsin.

He was united in marriage to Tracy Brodhead and they had two kids and later divorced. After his divorce, Jim met Barb Czarnik and they spent 20 years together.

Jean Ann Stahl, 83, of Lansing died Saturday, August 6, 2016 at Thornton Manor, Lansing. Funeral Services were held Thursday, August 11 at United Methodist Church, Lansing, with Pastor Kevin Smith as the Officiant. Burial followed at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lansing.

Jean was born December 20, 1932 to Franklin and Violet (Thorpe) Middendorf in Lansing. She graduated from Lansing High School in 1950.

Jean was united in marriage with Everett Stahl February 18, 1955 at the Presbyterian Church in Lansing. Five children were born to this union, Pam, Tim, Mark, Doug and Tom. Jean stayed home to raise her children. She then did office work for Thompson and O’Malley Insurance and Kerndt Insurance. She retired to stay home and help watch her grandchildren.

Eugene (Gene) Neil Mahr, age 89, of Lime Springs  died Friday, July 29, 2016 in Cresco. Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, August 1 at Notre Dame Parish, Cresco, with Father Dennis Cain officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Cresco. The Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home of Cresco assisted the family.

Eugene was born November 1, 1926 in Spring Grove, MN to Walter and Mayme (Schwartzhoff) Mahr. He attended school and was raised on the farm near Dorchester.  There he met the love of his life, Juliet (Judy) Sollien, and they married July 21, 1947 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dorchester. To this union 11 children were born: Michael (Gwen) Mahr, Beverly (Dale) Alstat, Barbara (Bill Tieskotter) Mahr, John (Deby) Mahr, Thomas (Janet) Mahr, Neil (Janelle) Mahr, Gregory (Joyce) Mahr, Donna (Kelly) Thomas, Marlene (Pat) Ollendieck, Sharlene (Don) Hruska and Debra (Kirk) Novak.

Maxine Waldron Howell, age 84, of Fort Worth, TX died peacefully Thursday morning, July 28, 2016 surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, August 1 at St. Andrew Catholic Church with interment at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Her memory may be honored with a gift to St. Andrew's Food Pantry Outreach.

Maxine Waldron was born November 3, 1931 in Waukon to James and Amanda Bodendorfer Waldron. She married Milo Howell February 26, 1952 and they moved to Fort Worth, TX in 1959.

Maxine and Milo were longtime members of St. Andrew Catholic Church. Maxine sang in the choir, and was a eucharistic minister and nursing home minister. She was happiest when feeding people at her table and she carried that ministry on with many years of service at the St. Andrew's food pantry. Anyone who met Maxine was instantly touched by her honest, straightforward, loving nature.

Nicholas James Curran, age 39, of San Diego, CA died peacefully surrounded by family May 7, 2016 at the Kaiser Permanente Hospital in San Diego, CA. A celebration of life will be held Friday, August 26 at the Community Center in Lansing from 4-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 4 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Wexford Saturday, August 27 at 11 a.m. with burial in the church cemetery and dinner to follow in the parish hall.
 

Hazel Ann Flynn, 74, of Lansing died Saturday, August 6, 2016 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. There will be a private family service at a later date. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Lansing is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Hazel was born October 23, 1941 to Otto John and Verna (Cole) Schobert in Iowa City. She graduated from St. George High School in 1959.

Hazel was united in marriage with James Lyle Flynn November 9, 1963 in Waukon. Three children were born to this union, Mike, Deb and Jason. Hazel worked at the Button Factory in Lansing for over 40 years. She enjoyed watching country westerns and doing puzzle books.

Remington D. Whalen, four-month-old son of Christa Hammel and Paul Whalen of Decorah, was welcomed into the arms of the Lord and his heavenly family Thursday, August 4, 2016. Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 9 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial was at St. Mary's Hanover Cemetery, rural Waukon.

Remington David Whalen was born March 14, 2016 in Decorah and was baptized June 14 at St. Mary’s Hanover Catholic Church in rural Waukon. He was a precious little boy with the most beautiful eyes who was always smiling. Remington loved people, especially his siblings, and liked watching them play. He also liked being outside, going for lawn mower rides, and watching the leaves blow and rustle. Recently, Remington discovered he loved the taste of watermelon and sweet corn. He was a happy baby and was always very content amid a busy household.

Earl Franklin Sass, age 83, of Portland, OR died July 9, 2016 at home after an almost year-long battle with cancer. A memorial celebration was held Saturday, July 23 at Lynchwood Christian Church in Portland, OR.

Earl was born June 28, 1933 in Waukon to Charles V. and Eugenia (Ralston) Sass; he was the oldest of eight children. Earl graduated from Waukon High School in 1951. He joined the U.S. Air Force and served eight and a half years; he was stationed in Japan, Presque Isle, ME and Mountain Home, ID.

June 20, 1964, he married Evelyn Holderby in Nampa, ID; they recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. They moved to Portland, OR in 1967, where he worked as a truck mechanic for United Parcel Service, a position he held for 28 years. He was a member of Machinists' Union Local #1005 for 48 years.

Frances I. Busness, 89, of Waukon died Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 8 at 10:30 a.m. at East Paint Creek Synod Lutheran Church in rural Waterville, with Rev. Ronald Pederson officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery.

Friends may call from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, August 7 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the East Paint Creek Synod Cemetery fund.
Frances Irene Busness was born May 6, 1927 in Decorah, the daughter of Gust and Amanda (Hanson) Budahl. She was baptized at Hauge Lutheran Church in rural Decorah and confirmed at Decorah Lutheran Church. In 1945, she graduated valedictorian of her class from Decorah High School.