News Center newsletter

Donald A. Vonderohe, 90, of New Albin passed away Friday, May 15, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society, Waukon. A visitation will be Wednesday, May 27, beginning at 9 a.m., and concluding promptly at 12 noon at the New Albin Community Center, New Albin. A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Wheatland. Pastor Allen Hanson will officiate.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors by the Kenneth Casey VFW Post 5603 of New Albin.

Donald A. Vonderohe was born August 31, 1935 in Caledonia MN. Along with his parents Henry and Marie (Hahn), he and his twin brother Ronald lived in rural New Albin. Donald graduated from Waukon High School and then served in the Army.

Donald married Helen (Banse) October 21, 1961. They farmed and lived on the family farm until 1987 when they moved to New Albin.

Dorothy Kluth, 93, of Rochester, MN, formerly of Farmersburg, died Monday, May 4, 2026 at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester, MN. A Funeral Service was held Saturday, May 23 at St. John Lutheran Church in Farmersburg with Rev. Jeremy Wolfe as the officiant.

Inurnment followed in Farmersburg-Wagner Cemetery, rural Farmersburg. Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, Farmersburg-Wagner Cemetery and Farmersburg Fire Department and EMS. Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Monona helped the family with the arrangements.

She was born in Bloomfield Township in Iowa to Helmuth and Amanda (Block) Schutte. Dorothy graduated from Postville High School in 1951. She worked in bookkeeping and secretarial jobs at the bank, Huinker Chevrolet and Interstate Power Company.

Sandra L. Hesse, 77, of Waukon died Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Memorial services were held Thursday, May 21 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial was in Salem Cemetery, Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Sandra Lynn Hesse was born January 4, 1949, in Waukon, the daughter of Edwin and June (Landro) Leiran. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon, where she later taught Sunday School. She attended Waukon High School.

June 14, 1968, Sandy married Wayne Runice. To this union three children were born: Jay, Shelle, and Heather. Wayne passed away July 4, 1986. She then married Orville Hesse March 6, 2002. Orville passed away October 21, 2008. One day while at a thrift store, Sandy met John Troendle. The two were married April 15, 2023.

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) invites caregivers to join its new in-person Caregiver Support Group, meeting twice a month in Decorah. Sessions are held the first and third Mondays of each month from 10-11 a.m. at NEI3A’s new office located at 915 Short Street, Suite 169. Upcoming meetings are set for January 19, February 2, and February 16.

This free support group provides a welcoming space for caregivers of individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities to share experiences, exchange ideas, and connect with others who understand the challenges of caregiving. New caregivers are especially encouraged to attend.

No reservations are required to participate in the Caregiver Support Group. For more information, contact Kelly Kuennen, Family Caregiver Specialist, at 563-277-6024.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory Jane Butler by Beth and Bill Shafer and Linda Siegrist; in memory of Walter Kurth, JR, by an anonymous donation, Ronnie and Nancy Adam, Tom and Joan Fritz and Jim and Jill Kiesau; in memory of Dale Osterhaus by Arlyn and Lois Fossum and Frank and Jean Weymiller and in memory of Bill Moody by Ronnie and Nancy Adam, Dan and Traci Byrnes, Steve and Sheryl Evanson, Dave and Gail Prestemon, Diane Regan, Linda Siegrist, Frank and Jean Weymiller and Patricia Moody.

Memorials were also received in memory of Lorna Bjerke by the family of Lorna Bjerke; Ozzie Quandahl by Lyle and Mary Ellen and Steve Mohwinkle; in memory of Mary Reierson by Bob Reierson and Becky Meyer; in memory of Mary Severson by Brad and Erin Berns; in memory of Frank Sivesind by Bill and Linda Halvorson; and in memory of Alan West by Beth and Bill Shafer.

Jim and Jan Pfiffner of Harpers Ferry will be celebrating both of their birthdays Sunday, May 31 from 2-4 p.m. at the Calmar Lutheran Church basement, 200 North East Street in Calmar. Jim will be celebrating his 80th birthday May 31 with Jan celebrating her 70th birthday which will be later this year, October 12.

For those not able to attend the celebration in Calmar, cards and well wishes may be sent to 1239 Lansing Harpers Road, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146.

Reese and Grace Reisinger of Waterville announce the birth of their son, Elliott Arlen Reisinger, born May 1, 2026 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 6 lbs. 7 ozs. and measured 20 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins siblings, Josie Reisinger (3) and Chet Reisinger (1).

Grandparents are Pat and Tara Reisinger of Waterville and Steph and Ron Liddiard of Mabel, MN. Great-grandparents are Linda Thompson of Waterville, Debbie Heldt of Sumner, Jerry and Patty Reisinger of Quasqueton and Arlen and Genette Halverson of Mabel, MN.

Merle and Laureen Yoder of rural Waukon announce the birth of their son, Ethan Devon, born May 4, 2026 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 7 lbs. 12 ozs. and measured 21 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins siblings, Cheryl Elaine (9), Jaydon William (6), Adalyn Rose (4) and Mckayla Jolene (2).

Grandparents are Clarence and Ada Borntrager of Waukon and Darryl and Susan Yoder of La Grange, IN. Great-grandparents are William Schmuckee of Lavalle, WI and Neal and Lydia Borntrager of Centerville.

Marissa Carlo of Waukon announces the birth of her son, Kolson Dennis, born May 4, 2026 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 6 lbs. 12 ozs. and measured 18 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins siblings, Brielle (10), Nixon (6) and Brodi (3).

Grandparents are Cheryl Mullikin of Waukon, Mark and Becky Martins of Waukon and Dennis Carlo of Cedar Falls. Great-grandparents include Gladys Triggs of Waukon and Joann Martins of Waukon.
 

Lady Indians have 14 different young ladies qualify in total of nine events for season grand finale

An extensive weather delay full of lightning and rain that pushed the finish of the Class 2A State Qualifying Meet at North Fayette Valley Thursday, May 14 into more than an eight-hour ordeal that ended just past midnight certainly proved to be worth the wait for the Waukon girls track and field team to accomplish something that had not been done in 40 years.