Obituaries

Douglas Sharp, 83, of Lansing passed away peacefully Friday, February 14, 2025, at the home of Donovan and Stephanie Sharp in Fertile, surrounded by their loving family. Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 3 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Christian Community Church in New Albin, with Rev. Dick Wohlgemuth officiating.

Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service. Interment will be at the church cemetery.

Douglas Conrad Sharp was born September 30, 1941, in Waterloo, the son of William (Bill) and Carmen Sharp.

Howard Dale Spinner, 99, of Bakersfield, CA, born and raised in Waterville, passed away September 11, 2024.  Howard was the last “Spinner” of his generation. A service is being held for Howard and his wife Iris June 27 at 11 a.m. at St. Pius V Oratory, Cherry Mound in Harpers Ferry with a reception to follow.

He is survived by his children, Jeff (Hiromi) Spinner, Daniel (Tina) Spinner and Sherri (Bill) Malotte; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Howard was born in Waterville June 19, 1925. He graduated from Waterville Consolidated School. He enlisted in the Air Force and served in the Korean War in the Intelligence Division. During one of the Air Force dances, he met his future bride, Iris Brooks.

He served his tour with honor and then was accepted to attend Iowa State University (formerly Iowa State College) where he received his Bachelor of Science in Agronomy.   Howard and Iris shared an adventurous life together.

Janet B. Miller, 90, of Waukon died Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 26 at 11 a.m. at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, with Pastor Kim Gates officiating. A luncheon will be served at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Waukon following the celebration of life service.

Burial will be held at a later date at Sixteen Cemetery, rural Harpers Ferry. Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the funeral home.
 

James “Jim” C. Ripp, 93, of De Soto, WI, made his journey to Heaven Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 17 at 1:30 p.m. at Saint Charles Church in Genoa, WI. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to the charity of your choosing.

James “Jim” Cornelius Ripp was born February 28, 1931, in Watertown, WI, to Christian and Elizabeth (Geraths) Ripp. He was the eighth of 11 children. The family moved to Cross Plains, WI, and Jim attended Middleton High School, graduating in 1949.

After high school, Jim joined the United States Army. He served three years, was honorably discharged, and returned to Cross Plains. He attended University of Wisconsin Extension School for Engineering to become a civil engineer.

Mary H. Wachter, 89, of Harpers Ferry died Friday, April 11, 2025, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 17 at 11 a.m. at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Fr. Paulraj Sellam officiating. Burial will be in St. Pius Cherry Mound Cemetery, rural Harpers Ferry. Friends may greet the family from 9 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the funeral home.

Mary Helen Wachter was born October 18, 1935, the daughter of Maple and Veronica (Muench) Moody. She was baptized and confirmed in McGregor and graduated from McGregor High School in 1953. June 13, 1953, Mary married the love of her life, Jim Wachter, at St. Pius Cherry Mound Catholic Church in rural Harpers Ferry.

Norlin “Abe” R. Meiners, 78, of New Albin died Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Luther Manor at Hillcrest in Dubuque. Visitation was held Saturday, April 12 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.

Norlin “Abe” Richard Meiners was born March 24, 1947, in Minnesota, the son of Arthur Meiners and Olga (Meyer) Meiners Thimmesch. He attended St. John’s School in Caledonia, MN, and went to high school in New Albin. Norlin moved to Wisconsin, hauling milk in Ontario, working at Schweigers Industries in Jefferson, and working in Westby at the sawmill.

December 2, 1972, he married Karen Johnson at Koshkonong Lutheran Church in Cambridge, WI. In 1985, they moved to New Albin and Norlin took over the family furniture upholstery business. Later, Norlin worked for Wiebke Fur and Trading Company in Eitzen, MN.

Mary Lou Bublitz, 84, of Waukon died Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Monday, April 7 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Burial was held at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Mary Lou Bublitz was born August 17, 1940, in Waukon, the daughter of Edward A. and Mattie E. (Winke) Becker. She was baptized at Zalmona Presbyterian Church and graduated from Waukon High School in 1958. Over the years, she worked at Good Samaritan Society, Northgate Care Center, and Mosaic as a nurse’s aide, making many lifelong friends.

Gail E. Dunning, 72, of Omaha, NE, formerly of Waukon, died Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Omaha. Memorial services will be held Thursday, April 10 at 6 p.m. at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Cathy Jurgens officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 4 p.m. until time of services at the funeral home Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Omaha Music Teachers Association, c/o Jan Zimmerman, 8585 Keystone Drive, Omaha, NE 68134. Please write in Gail Dunning Memorial in the memo line. You may also make a donation to your favorite charity in memory of Gail Dunning.

Gail Elaine Dunning was born April 4, 1952, in Waukon, the daughter of Robert Logan and Olive (Herman) Dunning. She grew up on a dairy farm and always maintained an attachment to the farm. However, it was soon evident that Gail would not remain there as she began playing the piano at the age of four.

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.

Beverly S. Bakkum, 62, of Decorah died Thursday, March 20, 2025, at home in Decorah. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, April 2 at 11 a.m. at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for distribution to causes close to Bev’s heart, or given in her memory to a charity of your choosing. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Beverly Sue (Wolfe) Bakkum was born December 17, 1962, in Glendale, CA, to Fred and Sandy (Yochum) Wolfe. After graduating from high school in Ohio, she attended Kent State for a brief time before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1980. She served honorably for eight years, achieving the rank of Sergeant.