Obituaries

LCDR Dean Allan Engelhardt, U.S. Navy, Retired, 70, of Hertford, NC, died Saturday, March 22, 2025, in his home after a brief battle with sarcoma cancer.

A memorial service was held Monday, March 31 at Cann Memorial Presbyterian Church, Elizabeth City, NC, conducted by his pastor, the Rev. Don Morris. His life will again be celebrated in August at a ceremony at his beloved cabin in Iowa.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to curesarcoma.org or to this Go Fund Me (https://gofund.me/9c19d909) to support a future donation to Future Farmers of America (FFA) at Waukon High School. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.

Janice Illene Lunde Treffinger, 78, of Connelly Springs, NC passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Magnolia Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation in Morgantown, NC. Born March 12, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Arnold Orlando Lunde and Olga Galstad Lunde.

Janice had a true passion for gardening, she could grow just about anything, from flowers and herbs to vegetables and trees. No matter where life took her, she left a little piece of herself behind in the form of a garden or a tree, and chances are, something she planted is still thriving today.

She was also a book lover through and through. Her collection was filled with treasured reads, and she knew each book she owned. Gardening, cookbooks, biographies, and politics were among her favorite topics, and she was always eager to learn something new.

Neilah Alexis Mae Nobles, age 4, daughter of Barry and Breanna Nobles of Waukon, died Sunday, March 23, 2025, at University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center in Iowa City. Funeral services were held Saturday, March 29 at Iron Ridge Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Mincks officiating.

Neilah Alexis Mae Nobles was born to Barry and Breanna Nobles November 16, 2020. Neilah had the most beautiful big blue eyes and an infectious smile. She was very social, cheerful, warm spirited, mischievous, energetic, sassy, innocent, joyful, witty, expressive, and curious.

Her favorite activities were swimming, fishing, puddle stomping, boating, walking her dog Zuma, playing with her best friends, going to the park, playing dress-up, reading books, painting nails, playing with Play-Doh, and snuggling.

William Robert “Bill” Smith, 80, of rural Postville passed peacefully in his home Monday, February 17, 2025. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, March 30 from 1-4 p.m. at the Old Rossville Store.
 

Christine “Chris” A. Mooney, 63, of Cedar Rapids passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 26 from 4-7 p.m. where there will be a 3:30 p.m. rosary at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW.  Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday , March 27 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre will be assisting the family. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Christine Ann was born August 8, 1961 in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Eveard Carl and Marie Helen (Franc) Hartson. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1979. She was united in marriage to Pat Mooney September 22, 1979 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. She worked at the University of Iowa in the Orthopedic Department and retired in 2024.

Vern Leo McKee, 73, formerly of Lansing and Waukon, passed away at his home in Warrens, WI. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 29, from noon to 5 p.m. at River Run Pub and Grub in Harpers Ferry. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah, WI is assisting the family.

Vern was born to Cletus and Carolyn (Schlitter) McKee. He graduated from Kee High School in Lansing. Vern served in the Vietnam War, worked on the railroad and later went to school to become an industrial electrician.

Vern is survived by his son, Earl; his grandson, Ronin; his step-daughter, Amie (Derek) Adamson; his step-grandchildren, Noah (Snell), Jurnee and Kendall; his sister, Sharyn (McCormick); his brother, Dean; and many nieces and nephews.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents; his twin sister, Vicki; his nephew, Heath McKee; and his brother in law, Don McCormick.

Brayden J. Mathis, 22, of Lansing died Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 25 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing, with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial was at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery in Lansing. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing handled the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to honor Brayden’s memory.

Brayden was a vibrant soul who brought joy and laughter to everyone he encountered. His infectious sense of humor and comedic spirit could light up any room, making even the toughest days a little brighter.

Brayden James Mathis was born February 13, 2003, in La Crosse, WI, the son of Steven Mathis and Dana Welsh. He attended Kee High School in Lansing, where he graduated in 2022. Throughout his high school years, he enjoyed playing baseball, basketball, running track and cross country, and participating in speech and drama.

Betty R. Bechtel, 92, of Waukon died Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Friday, March 21 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Rev. Cathy Jurgens officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Betty Rose Bechtel was born July 11, 1932, in Waterville, the daughter of Ingvold and Isabelle (Hanson) Christianson. Isabelle passed away when Betty was young and Ingvold remarried to Mabel (Peterson) Christianson. She graduated from Waterville High School, where she enjoyed playing basketball.

While at a dance at Rainbow Gardens in Waterville, Betty met the love of her life, Calvin Bechtel. The two were married September 30, 1951, at Old East Paint Creek Church in rural Waterville.

Betty Lou (Ehde) (Nuehring) Halverson passed away Monday, March 10, 2025 at her home in West Union. It is my wish to have a “Celebration Of Life” only, it will be held Sunday, March 30 at 2 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Union, with Pastor Rusty Phillips officiating services. Inurnment will take place at a later date.

I was born October 24, 1935 to John and Mattie (Grotegut) Ehde from Dorchester. I was brought up on a farm north of Waukon, where I enjoyed riding horses and being outside. I went to country school and later Waukon Schools.

September 10, 1954 I married Oliver Nuehring. We farmed near Waukon. To this union four children were born. In 1979 Oliver and I divorced.

I worked at Northern Engraving in both Waukon and Spring Grove, MN, at Watlow Infrared in Decorah, and Cam Car in Decorah. I retired in 1999 when Watlow shut down.

Sheryl K. Peterson, 78, of Waukon died Friday, March 14, 2025, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 5 at 10:30 a.m. at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon with Pastor Karla Johnson officiating. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Saturday, April 5 at the church. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Sheryl Kay Peterson was born November 5, 1946, in Decorah, the eldest child of Alfred Conrad and Lorna Jean (Winke) Kruger. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon, where she remained a lifelong member. Sheryl attended Ludlow country schools before graduating from Waukon High School.