Obituaries

Richard (Dickie) Wilkins, age 84, of Germany, and formerly of Decorah, died June 29, 2024 at his home. A private military service will take place in Germany Wednesday, July 17.

Dickie was born August 26, 1939 to Wilbur and Nina (Cahoon) Wilkins at home near Rossville. April 3, 1962 Dickie married Wilma (Susie) Rebmann in Germany.

Dickie enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1960, and he retired March 1, 1980. He continued to make his home in Germany, working for a German construction company, building roads and bridges.

Lotus Wenona (Huffey) Bulman, age 93, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus, her beloved Lord and Savior, the evening of July 9, 2024 at Gundersen Hospital, with family by her side. A private burial with the family was held Thursday, July 11 at the Trinity Cemetery near Spring Grove, MN.

Memorial services were held Sunday, July 14 at Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Spring Grove, MN with Reverend Tommy Case officiating. Roble Funeral Home of Spring Grove, MN assisted the family with arrangements.

Lotus was born at home, near Waterville, January 10, 1931 to Walter and Tilda (Olson) Huffey. She was the youngest of ten children. She had four brothers and five sisters: Lloyd, Vinton, Vernon, Shirley, Merle, Greta, Leatrice, George, and Esther. The family moved to Decorah when she was quite young and Lotus attended grade school there until the age of ten when the family moved back to the farm near Waterville.

Veronica Marie (Lakers) Baxter Egli passed peacefully July 8, 2024, at the age of 89, into her heavenly home. Her family and friends will miss her dearly but are comforted that she is with the Lord.

A memorial service was held Monday, July 15 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Waverly with Pastor Mark Anderson officiating. Burial of Cremains was held in Harlington Cemetery, Waverly.

Memorials may be directed to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Alzheimer’s Association, or to the Winneshiek County Celebration of Life. Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly assisted the family.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Lou Iva H. Stober, 83, of Lebanon, CT. She passed away peacefully during the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at L&M Hospital in New London, CT while being surrounded by her loving family. A Celebration of Life service will be held August 10 from 1-4 p.m. EDT at the American Legion Hall, located at 567 Exeter Road in Lebanon, CT.

Affectionately known as “Lou”, she was born October 30, 1940, in Lansing to her parents, the late John and Myrta Protsman. She spent her young life there in Lansing with her family and graduated from Lansing High School in 1958.

She went on to work in Iowa City, which is where she met the love of her life, Jeffry Stober. Lou and Jeff married July 8, 1962. They shared 62 wonderful years together, traveling the world and raising their three sons. She will affectionately be remembered as a proud Navy wife, mother, grandmother, seamstress, and businesswoman.

Robert (“Bob, Papa, Stuey”) Sturch, 74, of Harpers Ferry, formerly of Waterloo, passed away Saturday, June 29, 2024, at his home in Harpers Ferry. A military honors service will be held Saturday, August 3 at 1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Harpers Ferry with a luncheon to follow at the Legion Hall. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family.

Robert Norland Sturch was born July 3, 1949, to Richard and Maizie (Odet-Dalzick) Sturch; he had two sisters, Kim and Andrea, and two brothers, Jerry and Ryan. Bob served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Intrepid. He also served as a Shriner, helping children, and was a member of the Masonic Temple. Bob worked at and retired from John Deere.

Abby Michelle Theisen, age 30, passed away Thursday, July 4, 2024 at home with her family by her side. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 12 at Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street, Decorah. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the start of the service at the church.

Abby was born November 12, 1993 in Decorah to Michelle Gilson and Tim Theisen. Abby attended school in Decorah, graduating high school in 2012. She continued her education at NICC where she received her Associate of Arts degree. She also studied Forensic Psychology through Southern New Hampshire University.

At the age of 16, Abby was a passenger in a car with an unlicensed driver and two other friends. They were on their way to their soccer picnic, but, they didn’t make it there. Unfortunately, they were involved in a tragic car accident. The other girls received minor injuries, however, Abby was badly hurt.

Nicole M. McGeough, of Prescott Valley, AZ, 28, formerly of Waukon, died Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at her home in Arizona. A prayer service will be held Saturday, July 20 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at St. Pius Cherry Mound Cemetery in rural Harpers Ferry at a later date.

Friends may greet the family from 9 a.m. until the time of the prayer service at the church Saturday, July 20. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.
 

Randy J. Brainard, 65, of Luana died Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Randy Joe Brainard was born November 5, 1958, in Postville, the son of Clarence and Sharon Kay (Rubendall) Brainard, Jr. He attended Waukon High School. Randy worked as a meat cutter for many years, traveling around the United States. He also worked as a custodian for Ascension Public School before he retired.

Randy lived in Louisiana until 2017, before moving to Luana. He was a member of Forest Mills United Methodist Church in rural Postville. Randy enjoyed fishing and collecting rocks.

Survivors include his mother, Sharon Goeke of Waukon; his siblings: Dixie Schnuelle of Holmen, WI, Janet (Kevin) Halweg of Decorah, Scott (Linda) Brainard of Luana, and Lori (Rod) Luebbers of Sumner; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A Celebration of Life for Lisa Joan Everson is being planned for this Sunday, July 7. Lisa was born July 7, 1959 and passed away April 6, 2024. That Celebration of Life will take place from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at the De Soto Community Center. There will be a short welcoming and meal blessing at 11:30 a.m.

On what would have been Lisa’s 65th birthday, we invite you to her celebration of life. She requested one more party, and as such, we look forward to sharing all of our happiest stories, memories and laughter with her friends and family. Enjoy pulled pork sandwiches and our best attempt at Lisa’s famous Hee Hee potatoes. Some beverages will be provided (soda, lemonade, water, and beer), but if you want something specific, bring your favorite flavor.

Children are welcome, and assuming Cottonwood Park isn’t flooded, there should be ample room for them to play. We look forward to seeing everyone at this celebration!
 

Dustin J. Lewey, 41, of Monona, formerly of Waukon, died Monday, July 1, 2024, at his home in Monona. Memorial services were held Monday, July 8 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Rusty Phillips officiating. Burial followed at Sixteen Cemetery in rural Harpers Ferry.

Dustin James Lewey was born May 26, 1983, in Waukon, the son of Michael R. Lewey and Cindy (Beisker) Topel. He was baptized at St. Patrick Catholic Church and attended Waukon High School. Dustin was a welder at Gencor in Marquette and owned Lewey Mobile Welders with his son, Jese, as well. July 4, 2014, he married Erica Rose McGeough in Las Vegas, NV, and they made their home in Monona.