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The Waukon football team continued to try and find its way through another challenging non-district schedule this fall, dropping down a couple classes in school size from its non-district season opener a week ago but moving several steps up in how their opponent is perceived in its class. Playing in front of their hometown fans for the first time this season, the Indians were hosting Class 1A second-rated MFL/MarMac Friday, September 1, having their hands full with another experienced and talented non-district opponent that had played its way to the Class 1A State Play-Off quarterfinals last season, with the Tribe ending up on the short end of Friday’s scoreboard result with a 34-12 defeat.

The Waukon volleyball team played to another split of its matches played this past week, this time putting two each of its four matches in the win and loss columns with splits of double-dual action on separate nights. The net Tribe first played to an even result of two home matches Monday, August 28, falling to Riceville in two straight sets before dealing that sweeping fate to Kee. The Indians suffered a similar fate in another pair of matches played in a quadrangular event played at South Winneshiek Thursday, August 31, first sweeping Central Elkader in two straight sets before falling to the host Warriors in a three-set battle.

The Indians were next scheduled to travel to Waverly-Shell Rock to begin Northeast Iowa Conference play Tuesday, September 5 before playing in the Kepros Tournament hosted by Crestwood High School in Cresco Saturday, September 9. The Tribe netters will then prepare to host their own home tournament Saturday, September 16.

The Kee volleyball team opened its 2023 season with a pair of matches on the same night, coming out on the short end of both of those matches but not without some early-season fight Monday, August 28 in a Waukon double-dual event. The Hawk netters first fell to Riceville by identical final scores of 25-11 and 25-11 in two sets before giving the host Indians a strong battle on the way to falling by just a 25-21 result and a 25-12 tally in another two-set defeat. Riceville also swept its match with Waukon in a pair of sets by scores of 25-20 and 25-19.

Kee’s net squad is next scheduled to play again this Saturday, September 9 in the Kepros Tournament hosted by Crestwood in Cresco. The Lady Hawks will then open their home schedule Tuesday, September 12 when they host Postville before taking part in the Waukon Tournament Saturday, September 16.

Facing a second consecutive State Play-Off team from last season in another road contest Friday, September 1, the Kee football team once again paid little heed to anything its opponent had accomplished in previous years and continued to prove what it can do this year. Getting a full taste of just what this year’s grid Hawks can do in Friday’s Eight-Player District 3 opener was a Turkey Valley host squad the Hawks have plenty of grid iron history with, including some classic State Play-Off battles, as the two teams waged war to what turned out to be a 68-56 Kee triumph.

The Hawks are scheduled to play their first home game of the season when they remain in Eight-Player District 3 to host Waterloo Christian in a rare Thursday evening contest September 7. The Regents are in their first year of eight-player football and have opened their 2023 campaign with consecutive losses, 57-14 at Springville and 44-39 at West Central this past Thursday, August 31.

Donald James Eslinger, 83, passed away peacefully May 31, 2023 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. A Memorial Service was held at the New Hampton Cemetery Saturday, September 9. Online condolences may be left for the Eslinger family at www.hugebackfuneralhome.com.

Born on the family farm near Reinbeck January 16, 1940 to Hattie (Glasner) and Vincel Barfels Eslinger, Don spent much of his youth on the family farm in Chickasaw County, north of New Hampton, where his love of nature and the outdoors began.

Charles E. Weipert, 74, of Waterville died Friday, July 21, 2023 at his home in rural Waterville. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, September 9 from 1-5 p.m. at Open Door to the Soul, formerly the Waterville Lutheran Church in Waterville. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.
 

Kerry Gene Nuehring, age 60, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2023. His life was celebrated Monday, September 4.

Kerry was born October 7, 1962 in Waukon to Betty and Oliver Nuehring. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon. In May 2022, Kerry accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Kerry lived in Waukon until he passed away.

For over 20 years, Kerry worked as a Supervisor for Agriprocessors out of Postville. He was an animal lover and had an astonishing green thumb for gardening. Kerry loved riding his Harley and spending time with his family. He always worked on tractors, cars, motorcycles or go-carts in his garage.

Kerry was a loyal friend and always ready to help anyone in need.

William “Bill” J. Walsh, 82, of Waukon died Thursday, August 31, 2023 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Graveside services were held Tuesday, September 5 at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled the arrangements.

William James Walsh was born March 5, 1941 in Waukon, the son of Ray and Alice (Plein) Walsh. He attended St. Patrick Catholic School, graduated from Waukon High School, and served his country in the United States Navy from 1959-1963.

Bill drove bus for Hawkeye Stages, served as a deputy sheriff for Allamakee County, and worked for the Allamakee County maintenance department. February 5, 1973, he married Doris Winters Clark in West Union. He enjoyed going for rides with Doris and going to coffee at Hardee’s with their friends.

Joan L. Walleser, 97, of Lansing passed away peacefully in her home August 11, 2023, surrounded by family. She was born October 8, 1925.

A celebration of life will be held October 13 from 4-7 p.m. and October 14 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing. The funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. October 14.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Walleser; a granddaughter, Emily Walleser; her sisters Helen, Cecelia and Rita; her brother, Joseph; five brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law.

Joan is survived by a brother, William Brouillet; and seven children: Terry Walleser of Ravalli, MT, Tim Walleser (Gwen) of Janesville, WI; Linda Hartwich (Roger) of River Falls, WI, Leo Walleser (Ruth) of Menomonie, WI, Anne Rundall (James) of Amboy, IL, Donald Walleser of Lansing and Josie Ehlert of Janesville, WI. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Jeremy J. Johnson, 48, of Waukon died Sunday, August 27, 2023 at his home. A prayer service was held Tuesday, September 5 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Private family graveside services were held at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Jeremy Joe Johnson was born September 29, 1974 in Waukon, the son of Virgil and Kathryn “Kay” (Cunningham) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Jeremy attended St. Patrick Catholic School, graduated from Waukon High School in 1993, and attended Vermilion Community College in Ely, MN, where he received a degree in forestry.

Jeremy worked as an independent carpenter for area contractors for several years. He was very instrumental in starting Sportsmen’s Unlimited in Waukon, which his brother, Justin, currently owns and operates.