Obituaries

Austin Joseph Bennett, age 37, passed away June 21, 2025, in La Crosse, WI. Immediate family will honor Austin with a private Celebration of Life at a later date.

Others wishing to honor Austin’s memory may do so by advocating for mental health reform, helping someone in need and hugging loved ones every chance you get. Condolences may be sent to Sue and Doug Kubitz.

Austin was born April 21, 1988, to Kirk and Sue Bennett. He was known for his quick wit, charm, and genuinely kind heart. He attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Waukon High School in 2006.

He spent his adult life learning new trades and perfecting old ones. He enjoyed spending time with friends, finding ways to make a quick buck, and introducing everyone he met to the one person he knew loved him unconditionally: his mother.  Austin’s proudest accomplishment was fathering a daughter, Brooklyn Bennett.

Thomas F. Nierling, 85, of Sterling, CO, formerly of Waukon, died Friday, June 13, 2025, at Benefis Peace Hospice in Great Falls, MT. Funeral services were held Friday, June 27 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, with Conrad Rosendahl officiating. Burial was at Lycurgus Cemetery, rural Waukon.

Thomas Floyd Nierling was born April 26, 1940, the son of Anton and Lenora (Spores) Nierling. He attended numerous northeast Iowa schools. Throughout his life, Thomas worked as a railroad conductor for Union Pacific Railroad based out of Denver, CO, and traveled all over the western United States.

He was a member of the Moose Lodge. Thomas enjoyed golfing, coming back to Iowa for family gatherings and spending time with his nieces and nephews.

Barbara Ann (Kuehl) Amundson, 86, of Livingston, WI, formerly of Elkader, was surrounded by family when she passed away Sunday, December 15, 2024 at Upland Hills Health in Dodgeville, WI. A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, June 30 at 10:30 a.m. at Highland Lutheran Church, rural Elkader. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of services.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local animal shelter or to Grant County Humane Society, 222 South Roosevelt Street, Lancaster WI, 53813, or online at https://www.grantcountyhumanesociety.com in memory of Barbara.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Elkader is assisting the family with arrangements.

Barbara was born July 26, 1938 to Edward V. and Phyllis E. (Wikan) Kuehl in rural Elkader. She was baptized and confirmed at Highland Lutheran Church, rural Elkader.

Sharifah K. Hagen, 58, of Waukon died Sunday, January 5, 2025, at her home in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 28 at 11 a.m. at Decorah Congregational United Church of Christ with Duane Fenstermann officiating.

Family and friends may greet the family at the church  Saturday, from 10 a.m. until time of services. Inurnment will be held at Mabel Lutheran Cemetery in Mabel, MN. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon will be handling the arrangements.
 

“If laughter is the best medicine, then I should live another 20 years.”

Jack McCormick departed this world December 13, 2024 and wrote this before he passed:

“Born during the Great Depression in Marquette, Iowa on July 26th, 1932, I was the 5th of 8 children born to Leslie and Bernice (Ryan) McCormick. Soon after, our family moved to Waukon, IA.

After graduating St. Patrick’s High School in Waukon in 1950, I joined the Navy. I attended Radio School in San Diego and was then assigned to the Amphibious Branch, serving on the USS Andromeda and later the USS Montrose. During the Korean War I had four tours to the far East including Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

After discharge from the Navy, I settled in Spokane with my brothers, Bill and Jim, working at the Kaiser Aluminum plant. In 1956, I proudly helped my brother Bill’s successful campaign for election to the House of Representatives where he served until his death in 1968.

Jeffrey Lee Roggensack entered into the presence of his Lord Jesus Christ June 18, 2025. A time of visitation for friends and family will be held Thursday, June 26, from 4-7 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia, TN. The Funeral Mass will be held Friday, June 27, at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Columbia, TN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Christ the King Chapel Renovation - Jeff Roggensack Memorial. Memorials can be mailed to: Franciscan University of Steubenville, Jeff Roggensack Memorial, 1235 University Boulevard, Steubenville, OH 43952. Or give online at: https://encounter.franciscan.edu/register/roggensack.

Robert Henry Thimmesch, 92, of Marion passed away June 13, 2025. A Memorial Service will be held at 12 p.m. Thursday, June 26 at the New Albin Community Center. Inurnment will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Thursday, June 26 at the New Albin Community Center. Iowa Cremation is assisting the family.

Robert was born September 28, 1932, in New Albin, the son of Henry and Helen (Arndt) Thimmesch. He received his GED from Kee High School in Lansing in 1963. Robert was united in marriage to Donna Hurley at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ Church in New Albin September 22, 1962.

He served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1949-1953. Robert then served in the United States Navy from 1953-1970 and in the Reserves until 1979. After his service in the military, he worked as a machinist at Trane Company in La Crosse, WI, retiring in 1994.

Edward P. Blake, 77, of Waukon passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. A funeral mass was held Monday, June 16 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dorchester with Fr. Jerry Blake officiating. Burial with military honors followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Dorchester.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. Please consider a donation to the “Tyler Blake Scholarship Fund”, a cause that is near and dear to the Blake family’s heart.

Edward Patrick Blake was born May 3, 1948, in Decorah to Patrick and Margaret (Hammell) Blake. He was raised in the scenic hills of Dorchester, along Bear Creek, where he grew up with his 12 siblings. Ed attended a rural country school through the eighth grade before graduating from St. Patrick’s High School in Waukon.

Richard Anthony Corrigan, age 88, a proud U.S. Army Veteran, retired Cedar Rapids Firefighter and devoted family man, passed away peacefully June 11, 2025. Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, June 17, at St. Patrick’s Church in Cedar Rapids, and Richard was laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Born September 23, 1936, in Harpers Ferry, Richard was the 10th of 11 sons born to James and Rose (McCormick) Corrigan. Raised on the family farm filled with faith, resilience, and strong family ties, Richard lived by the values instilled in him from an early age.

After graduating from Waterville High School in 1954, Richard enlisted in the United States Army, serving honorably until 1956. He and all but one of his ten brothers proudly served their country in the U.S. Army, a testament to the Corrigan family’s deep patriotism and commitment to service.

Karen Jean Milton, age 89, of Lansing passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Thornton Manor Nursing Center in Lansing with family by her side.

A visitation for Karen will be held Thursday, June 19, beginning at 9 a.m. and followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 204 West Main Street, Waukon. Graveside service at Lansing Ridge Cemetery will take place following a church luncheon.

Karen was born January 22, 1936, in Woodstock, WI, to Emmet Lee and Ruth Augusta (Fairbrother) Barnhart. She graduated high school and went on to further her education at Madison Business College in Madison, WI for two years. July 28, 1956, Karen married Dennis Edward Milton in Portage, WI.

She was employed as a secretary to various companies, WI Inheritance Department and Wisconsin Journal, both in Madison, WI, and Lansing Methodist Church in Lansing. She was even a bartender at Knight Club in Lansing.