Obituaries

Elizabeth (Betty) Lucille Hammell, 100, of Caledonia, MN died October 29, 2026, at Mayo Hospital, LaCrosse, WI. Visitation will be Sunday, November 8, from 3-6 p.m. at St. Mary’s Holy Family Hall, Caledonia. Visitation will also take place Monday, November 9 from 10-10:45 a.m. at Holy Family Hall, prior to an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Caledonia.

Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. A funeral luncheon will be served in St. Mary’s Holy Family Hall. McCormick Funeral Home, Caledonia, MN is assisting the family.

George C. Miller, 89, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Waukon, died Friday, October 23, 2026, at Corridor Crossing in Cedar Rapids. Funeral services were held Saturday, October 31 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Kim Gates officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

George Curtis Miller was born April 11, 1937, in Waukon, the son of Frank and Eunice (Klocke) Miller. He was baptized and confirmed at Forest Mills United Methodist Church in rural Postville, and he attended Waukon Schools.

May 10, 1953, he married Lorna Bloxham at Forest Mills United Methodist Church. George worked on the family farm and for Luana Creamery before moving to Cedar Rapids in 1966, where he worked at Wilson Meat Packing Plant. In 1971, he became a member of IBEW 405 Union and worked as an electrician until he retired in 1999. George enjoyed fishing, hunting, and traveling throughout the United States with his 5th-wheel camper.

Clark Roger Folsom, age 67, of Waukon passed away October 25, 2026. A celebration of life will be held at a later time.

Clark was born July 28, 1959, in Waukon to Charles and Pearl (Kuhse) Folsom. He grew up in Waukon and attended Waukon High School. June 22, 1996, he married Tina Stone, though they later divorced. Together, they had a daughter, Brandi, whom they welcomed in 1997.

Throughout his life, Clark was known for his mechanical mind. He worked as a mechanic for many years, and he used his knowledge to build new things in his spare time. He also enjoyed surrounding himself with friends, and he cherished the time he spent with them.

Clark is survived by his daughter, Brandi (Jordon) Olson; one grandchild, Damon Boose; his siblings, Leo (Joann), Marie (Ralph) Plein, and Sandy (Pat) Blake; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Alice Riley Magner, Lee Folsom, and Lynn Folsom.
 

Richard William Welch, age 86, of Edgewood passed away peacefully October 25, 2026, surrounded by his amazing, large family, whom he loved dearly. Per Richard’s wishes, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Richard was born May 24, 1940, in Allamakee County. A hardworking man with a heart of gold, Richard dedicated his life to his family, his work, and the many things that brought him joy. He was a man who would give the shirt off his back to help someone in need and never hesitated to lend a hand to anyone who needed it.

Carol L. Hinrichs, 72, of Waukon passed away peacefully at Thornton Manor in Lansing Wednesday, October 21, 2026, surrounded by family. A celebration of life and graveside services will be held at a later date. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Carol Lee Hinrichs was born November 12, 1953, in Waukon, the daughter of Gayhard James and Mary Elizabeth (Ferring) Reppe. She grew up on the family farm located in the Lycurgus area, rural Lansing. She attended Waukon High School. After earning her CNA (Certified Nurse Aide) certification, Carol moved to Waterloo, where she lived most of her adult life.

December 28, 1993, Carol married Donald Dean Hinrichs at St. John’s Catholic Church in Waterloo. While they did not have children of their own, Carol and Don were blessed with two great dogs, Luke and Mitsy.

Roger John Valley, 84, hit a grand slam over the gates of Heaven October 7, 2026, on his baseball sun porch in Lansing. The home run ball fell at the feet of Bob Hogan, one of Roger’s teammates and best friends. On the bases were the Harpers Ferry Hawks, Kenny Williams, Pim Williams, and Dick Delphey. Watching this sacred event were former baseball legends and stand-outs, Gus Rethwisch, John Rethwisch, Joe Hogan, Kevin Keenan, along with his bonus sons, Brian, Nathan, and Damian Imhoff, and Dustan and Jordan Duffy, and many other Lansing and Harpers Ferry area legendary players.

Darrell “Bud” D. Mitchell, 93, of Monona died Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at his home. Funeral services were held Wednesday, October 21 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Laura Gentry officiating. Burial with military honors will be held at IOOF Cemetery in Rossville.

Darrell Dean Mitchell was born October 10, 1933, in rural Monona, the son of Dennis and Dorothy (Bleitz) Mitchell. He graduated from Waterville High School and served in the United States Army from 1953-1956, during the Korean War, and was stationed in Germany as a medical aid. He lived on Big Foot Road and in the Volney area his entire life. He was given the nickname of “Rosebud” by his aunt that later changed to “Bud” and it stayed with him his entire life. August 22, 1981, he married Mavis Irene Otteson and became a husband, father, and grandfather.

Donald Richard Brown, 84, of Ballwin, MO, formerly of Waukon, passed away at home Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Funeral services were held Monday, September 7 at St. John United Church of Christ (UCC), Manchester, MO, and a Celebration of Life was held at the VFW Post in Ballwin, MO that afternoon.

Donald Richard Brown was born February 17,1942, in Long Prairie, MN, the son of Donald S. Brown and Dorothy E. (Beneke) Brown. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1960. He was part of an early Army JROTC-type program during high school and immediately after graduation reported to active duty. He served stateside during the Vietnam War. He graduated from AIB Business School in Des Moines and began a career in accounting and computers, ending as Vice President of Delta Life.

Wilfred Cyril Ament of Waukon passed away Friday, August 14, 2026, after a lengthy illness. A celebration of life will be held at the Empty Nest Winery in Waukon Friday, October 16 from 4-7 p.m. A time of remembrance and sharing of memories will be held at 5 p.m.

It is with deeply saddened hearts we announce the passing of Patrick (Pat) Joseph Burke Saturday, October 3. Funeral Mass was held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Waterloo Monday, October 12.

Memorials may be made to the family and/or Hope Lodge at 750 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52246-2505, or cancer.org/HopeLodgeIowaCitydonate.

Pat joined humanity August 13, 1951, one of seven children born to James and Rita (Hancock) Burke. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1969. He went on to earn an AA degree from NIACC in Mason City in 1974 and a Bachelor of Science degree from UNI in 1976.

Pat was a proud Veteran, joining the Army in August 1969 in Fort Polk, LA. He was discharged from Negarsulm, Germany as a Sergeant March 17, 1972.

For 31 years, Pat was employed as a Mail Handler for the United States Postal Service, retiring April 1, 2008.  He was the Administrative Vice President of Local 333 Mail Handlers for most of his time at the Post Office.