Obituaries

Robert “Bob” John Lier, 85, passed away Friday, August 15, 2025, at his home in Shelbyville, KY surrounded by the unconditional love of his beloved wife of 60 years, Jacquie Lier, and only child, Christy Lier. A “Celebration of Life” service and reception will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 6 at First Christian Church (1000 Eminence Pike, Shelbyville, KY).

Casual attire is welcome. Bob was a huge fan of #3 Dale Earnhardt Sr., John Force Racing, University of Iowa Hawkeyes, Green Bay Packers, Boston Celtics, and the Chicago Cubs. If you own any of this fan gear, or attire in the colors of his favorite teams, we’d love for you to wear it and help us honor Bob’s sporting spirit.

The family will be presiding over the Celebration Service and will open the microphone to invite guests to share stories/memories/thoughts about Bob with us! He had a big personality, a great sense of humor, and was a gifted storyteller!

Juliann “Julie” E. Halverson, 78, of rural Monona passed away peacefully Friday, August 15, 2025, at the home of family, with those she loved by her side. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 23, from 1-3 p.m. at the Zion United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall in Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Juliann Ella Halverson was born July 26, 1947, at the Hall House in Waukon, the daughter of Ervin and Mildred (Brandsmeier) Miene. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ and graduated from Waukon High School in 1965.

Through 4-H, Julie met the love of her life, Jim (Gramps) Halverson. They were married June 11, 1966, at Zion United Church of Christ. The couple began their married life in Cedar Rapids before returning to their farming roots and building a home together on their farm near Monona; a place that became the heart of their family’s story.

Frances Jones, 81, of Dubuque, passed away August 16, 2025 at Stonehill Health Center. A funeral service was held Wednesday, August 20 at Summit Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC), Dubuque. Burial followed the service in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Fran was born September 30, 1943, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Frank and Beatrice (Lovadiro) Doeppke. She attended The Little Red School House in Allamakee County for eight years. She went on to attend and graduate from Waukon High School.

She was united in marriage to Everett Jones February 23, 1962. They shared 63 wonderful years together. From their union, they were blessed with four children, Darwin, Brenda, Scott, and Brian, who passed away in infancy.

Fran worked with special needs students for many years in the Dubuque Community School District and at Area Residential Care. Later she worked in administration at Bethany Home, and Volunteered at Finley Hospital as a patient escort.

Sheila C. Link, age 86, of LaGrange Park, IL passed away peacefully August 12, 2025. A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the 10 a.m. Funeral Mass Saturday, August 23 at the Alexine Chapel, 1515 West Ogden Avenue, LaGrange Park, IL. Interment to follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Nazareth Academy or The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside, IL.

Jean F. Kirby, age 86, of De Soto, WI passed away August 7, 2025. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua, WI. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Jean will be laid to rest in the De Soto Cemetery.

Online condolences may be offered at vossfh.com. Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Jean’s family.
 

Arlene Martin, 94, of Waukon died Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Services were held Saturday, August 16 at 11 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with burial to follow in Oakland Cemetery. The service was also streamed on the funeral home’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/martinfunerals.

Arlene Inez Martin was born in Waukon December 29, 1930, the daughter of Ottenus and Clara Amanda (Knudtson) Bakke. She was raised on the family farm in the Elon area east of Waukon and was baptized and confirmed at the West Paint Creek Synod Lutheran Church. Her early schooling was at the rural Fan School not far from her farm and she liked to tell stories of cutting across the fields, climbing fences, trudging through snow, and avoiding a local bull to get there.

Betty A. Engrav, 91, of Waukon died Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Friday, August 15 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Betty Ann Engrav was born December 21, 1933, in Vernon County, WI, the daughter of Oral and Lillian (Dahl) Selin. Betty graduated from Viroqua High School in 1952, and received a teaching degree from Vernon County Teachers School in 1954. May 24, 1955, she married the love her life, Walter Alfred Engrav. She taught for several years before dedicating herself to raising her family.

Betty grew up with a love for learning and music and, together, she and Walter built a home filled with faith, love, and music, and lived in several communities over the years, including Stoddard, WI, Marion, Decorah, Richland Center, WI, Waukon, Pea Ridge, AR, and then returning to Waukon.

Richard K. Hermeier, 88, of Waukon died Saturday, August 2, 2025, at his home in Waukon. Richard donated his body to the University of Iowa. Memorial services were held Monday, August 18 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in Bethlehem Cemetery, rural Postville.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Veterans Memorial Hospital, both in Waukon.

Bernadette “BB” Becker, 87, of Lansing died Friday, August 8, 2025, at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 14 at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery in Lansing.

Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 13 at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing, where there will be a 6:30 p.m. scripture service, and also starting at 10 a.m. until the time of services at church Thursday.

Bradley Alan Bucknell, age 72, of Waukon, passed away August 7, 2025, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services will be held at Iron Ridge Church in Waukon. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 13, from 4-8 p.m., and the funeral will take place Thursday, August 14, at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, gifts, or memorials, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Postville Booster Club in honor of Brad’s lifelong dedication to Postville High School students and athletes. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.iowacremation.com under Obituaries.

Brad was born September 22, 1952, in LeRoy, MN, to Virgil and Shirley Bucknell. In 1971, he married the love of his life, Jeannie Alberts. Together they built a beautiful life and raised two sons, Shannon (born in 1972) and Wade (born in 1977).