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Gregory Alan Welsh was born September 22, 1958 to Esther and William Welsh, the oldest son of eight children. Raised on the family’s cattle farm in rural Lansing, Greg’s investment in small family farms started early. He graduated from Kee High School in Lansing in 1977.

He went on to major in Business at Loras College in Dubuque, graduating in 1981. After graduating, he worked for Iowa State University to help start their organic program. This work was the kick start to his career as a mentor and pioneer in the organic industry. He spent time traveling, finding himself, and further concreting his commitment to organic food production. He landed in California for a while working for Wonderlife Organics.

Sharon L. Gordon, 83, of Waukon died Friday, July 26, 2024, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Private family graveside services will be held in Rossville Cemetery. Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Sharon Lea Gordon was born August 9, 1940, in Waukon, the daughter of Leo Vernon and Pearl Margaret (Sires) Ehde. She graduated from Waukon High School in 1958. June 4, 1958, she married Ervin Fred Gordon at St. Mary’s Lycurgus Catholic Church in rural Waukon. Sharon and Ervin farmed in Jefferson Township, rural Waukon, and she also worked for Northern Engraving in both Waukon and Lansing.

Sharon was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Waukon and the women’s bowling league. She enjoyed fishing, working in her garden, watching the birds, and collecting bird figurines. Sharon also liked painting, doing puzzles, sewing, playing games with her grandchildren, and watching parades.

Arlene Campbell Rooney, 102, of Waukon died Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, July 31 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 9 a.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the church. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Mary K. Brandt, 99, of Atkins, formerly of Waukon, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at home in Atkins. Funeral services will be Friday, August 2 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 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church Friday. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Mary’s spirit and strength lives in each of us and in the lives that she touched. She lives in all those who have been touched by the love, strength, conviction, wisdom, and the beauty of her soul. She was truly a special woman. Mary was a dear mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend; she has left behind a legacy of love, kindness, warmth, and strength. Mary was a gentle soul who touched so many lives in unforgettable grace.

Allamakee County Fair 2024 Royalty ...  Coronation of the 2024 Allamakee County Fair Royalty took place Wednesday, July 17 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon, kicking off the 171st Allamakee County Fair that was held July 17-21. Five area young ladies were vying for this year’s Allamakee County Fair Queen crown, which was bestowed upon Mallory Berns (second from left in photo above), daughter of Mark and Kristin Berns of Harpers Ferry. Molly Peake (third from left in photo above), daughter of Jeremy and Jodi Peake of Waukon, was crowned the 2024 Allamakee County Fair Princess. All five of this year’s candidates served as the 2024 Allamakee County Fair Royalty Team, assisting at various events and activities that took place throughout this year’s Allamakee County Fair.

A documentary on the history of Lansing’s Black Hawk Bridge and the process of replacing it will be shown at the Kee High School gymnasium in Lansing at 4 p.m. Saturday, August 10, coinciding with this year’s Lansing Fish Days celebration, August 9-11.

The Waukon Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers to assist with the serving of the meal associated with the annual Waukon Corn Days celebration scheduled for August 2-3 this year. The meal portion of the event is scheduled for Friday, August 2 from 4-8 p.m., and volunteers are being sought to help with serving the meal or handing out drinks during any of a trio of hour-and-a-half time-slot shifts of approximately 3:45-5:15 p.m., 5:10-6:45 p.m. or 6:40-8:10 p.m., with volunteers also needed for a clean-up shift following the street dance, from 11:15-11:45 p.m.

Those wishing to volunteer their time can either call the Waukon Chamber of Commerce office at 563-568-4110 or email waukonchamber@gmail.com.

The American Pickers plan to film episodes of The History Channel television series throughout the state of Iowa in September 2024. The documentary series that explores the world of antique “picking” on The History Channel is looking for leads to explore for hidden treasure.

The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, they want to meet characters with amazing stories and fun items.

Anyone who has, or knows someone who has, unique items, stories to tell, and would consider making a deal is asked to contact American Pickers. It should be noted that the television show does not “pick” stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums, or anything else open to the public.

The Allamakee County Engineer’s Office is replacing a large box culvert on Lansing Harpers Road (County Road X42) approximately 0.8 miles north of its intersection with Lafayette Ridge Drive, about four miles south of Lansing. The project will involve a full road closure (as outlined in orange in the map at right) at the project location (between Columbus Road/Doehler Drive to the north and Lafayette Ridge Drive to the south). The project began Monday, July 22 and is anticipated to end August 23 of this year at 5 p.m., depending upon weather. There is a signed detour in place (as highlighted in red in the map image) that will include the use of Lafayette Ridge Drive and Great River Road (County Road X52). Map image courtesy of the Allamakee County Engineer’s Office.
 

The Waukon Quarry location for Bruening Rock Products, Inc. and all the operations that stem from that location throughout Allamakee County are now under new management following a recent leadership transition. Brandon Mahr, a 2005 graduate of Waukon High School, brings his 19 years of experience with Bruening Rock to that management role.

Mahr said he began construction work right out of high school with Fred Carlson Co. out of Decorah, working with that company for about one year before he got a call from Bruening’s Decorah headquarters offering him a job. It was shortly after his employment began with Bruening Rock that he was then transfered to his home county of Allamakee, working out of the Waukon Quarry location.