Obituaries

Marion Jean Smith (nee McCoy), 81, died in Eagle Grove Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016. The Funeral Mass was offered by her son, Fr. Scott Archer, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eagle Grove Thursday, March 31, with burial in Rose Hill Cemetery in Eagle Grove.
Marion was born December 3, 1934 in Des Moines, the daughter of the late Carl H. McCoy and the late Bessie H. McCoy (nee Burgin). She grew up in Des Moines and graduated from high school in 1952. She was employed as a secretary for Northwestern Bell in Des Moines from 1952 until 1956.

Roland “Rollie” Frederick Grotegut, age 87, of Decorah died Saturday, March 26, 2016 at his home in Decorah. Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 30 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, with Pastor Samantha Houser presiding. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.
Rollie Grotegut was born January 18, 1929, the son of Simon and Lydia (Rolfs) Grotegut in rural Waukon. Rollie was baptized at Salem United Church of Christ and attended there the first eight years of his life. The family moved closer to Waukon and he became a member of Zion United Church of Christ, where he was confirmed April 18, 1943 and remains a member today.
Rollie attended school in the Waukon area. At a very early age, Rollie started working for several local farmers; from 1951 to 1974 he worked the family farm, one and a half miles west of Waukon. After that he worked as a yard man for 18 years at the Northeast Iowa Sales Commission, near Waukon, retiring in 1992.

Anita A. Goebel, 92, of La Crosse, WI died Thursday, March 31, 2016 at the Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse, WI. A Prayer Service for family and friends was held Tuesday, April 5 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon. Burial followed in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.
Anita was born May 19, 1923 in Waukon to Albert and Anna Marie (Hermanson) Goebel. She had worked at the Tosa Club in La Crosse, WI for many years. She was a gifted poet and enjoyed stitching and creating her own fiber artistry. Anita was very intelligent with a great sense of humor and positive attitude. She is survived by several cousins and a special friend, Patricia Mattie.
Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of La Crosse, WI assisted the family. Online guestbook is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.

A Celebration of Life for Donald H. Sires has been scheduled for Saturday, April 9 at the New Albin Community Center in New Albin. An informal program will begin at 1 p.m. with light lunch served at 2 p.m., and sharing may continue until 4 p.m.
A native of New Albin, Sunday, January 24, 2016, Don accepted God’s invitation to come home.

Phyllis J. (Hull) Wilson, 81, of Brookfield, WI passed away March 18, 2016. Private family services were held.
She was the loving mother of Deb (Mike) Hanley and Tom Wilson, and beloved grandmother of Aimee and Steven. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, David, and her parents, Louis and Helen Hull, former owners of the newspaper in Waukon, where Phyllis grew up.

Beth Ann Otting, age 51, formerly of Albuquerque, NM and Waukon, died Friday, January 29, 2016 in Fishtown, Liberia, Africa. A memorial mass and dinner will be held in her honor Saturday, April 2 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon. The rosary will be said at 9:30 a.m. and mass will take place at 11 a.m., with the dinner and her funeral video to follow in the church basement.
A memorial fund has been established at Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank, 201 W. Main Street, Waukon, IA 52172. Donations in Beth's memory will be given to St. Patrick's School music department and the Waukon swimming pool.

Kathleen Frances Martin, age 76, of Marion lost her battle with Alzheimer’s disease surrounded by the love of her family March 25, 2016. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 31 at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, located at 4200 First Avenue NE in Cedar Rapids.
Kathleen was born in Prairie du Chien, WI August 10, 1939 to Joseph and Leona Wachter. She graduated from Waukon High School in 1957, and she worked at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids before retiring after 28 years of service. In those years, she developed loving and lasting relationships with all of her dear friends.

Loretta Marie Balekos, 82, of Monona died Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home in Strawberry Point. Funeral Services were held Tuesday, March 29 at Living Faith United Methodist Parish in Monona, with Rev. Dennis Hopes as the Officiant. Burial followed at Monona Cemetery, Monona. Loretta was born December 20, 1933 to Carl and Selina (Leiran) Busness. She graduated from Luana High School. Loretta worked at HJ Smithy in Washington, D.C. and at Union State Bank in Monona and Luana Savings Bank in Luana, and she also served as the City Clerk in Monona. Loretta was united in marriage with George Balekos June 19, 1952 in Waterville. Four Children were born to this union, Terri, Todd, Jill and Kristy. Loretta enjoyed teaching and making ceramics, and most of all she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren; traveling to their out-of-state homes, as well as spending many summers at the cabin in Harpers Ferry on the Mississippi River.

Oliver “Ollie” J. Emerson, 96, of Waukon died Friday, March 25, 2016 at his home in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 30 at 11 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, with Pastor Samantha Houser officiating. Burial with military graveside rites will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 29 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

Joan M. Dahlstrom, 64, of Waukon died Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Memorial services were held Tuesday, March 29 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.

Joan Marie Dahlstrom was born February 21, 1952 in Waukon, the daughter of Ralph and Wanda (Neverman) Anderson. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church and graduated from St. Patrick Catholic High School in 1970, both in Waukon. Joan worked at the Good Samaritan Center as a nurse's aide.