Obituaries

Melvin “Mel” K. Breeser, 82, of La Crescent, MN, formerly of New Albin, went to Heaven in Jesus’ arms February 22, 2025, after his courageous battle with cancer. He passed in the warmth of his home with his loving daughters by his side.

An intimate gathering of family will be held at Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church in rural New Albin. Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Caledonia Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be offered to Mel’s family at www.FredricksonFuneralHomes.com.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; daughters, Dawn and Lisa (Todd); and son, Jamie; six grandsons, Eric (Peyton), Drew, Blake (Kate), Austin (Raynee), Cody and Wyatt; five great-grandchildren, Elijah, Berkeley, Oliver, Addy and Blair. Mel is also survived by his brother, Randy (Diane); his sister, Lila (Larry); and his sister-in-law, Luise.

Lawrence “Larry” Ewing, age 69, of Elma died Monday, February 24, 2025, at his home. A private family burial will be held at a later date at the Rossville Cemetery in Rossville.

Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton has been entrusted with all of Lawrence’s funeral arrangements.

Lawrence Joseph Ewing was born December 7, 1955 in Waukon, the son of William and Anna Marie (Billmyer) Ewing. He graduated from Waukon Senior High School in 1974.

Lawrence worked in the autobody and auto mechanics field during high school and after graduation. He made his home in Des Moines for many years where he worked for Anderson Erickson Dairy, the Marriott Hotel, Aamco Transmission and Dee - Zee. In 2012 he returned to northeast Iowa, where he made his home in Elma. He was employed by Sparboe Farms and held a few other odd jobs until his retirement.

Raymond George Riek, 79, of Waukon died Monday, February 24, 2025, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services with military honors were held Friday, February 28 at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon. Burial will be at a later date in the church cemetery.

Raymond George Riek was born March 4, 1945, the son of George and Alida (Aure) Riek. He was baptized and confirmed at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church and graduated from Waukon High School in 1963. Raymond served in the U.S. Air Force from 1963-1967, serving three years in France and one year in Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX.

Marjorie Grace Swanson passed away peacefully February 9, 2025 at the Cortland Healthcare Center in Cortland, OH. Funeral Service was held Saturday, February 15 at United Church of Christ in Chamberlain, SD with Rev. Jim Oleson officiating. Interment was in Pukwana Cemetery, Pukwana, SD.

Marjorie Grace Swanson was born March 1, 1934 to Russell Sr. and Myrtle (Caylor) Moline. Marjorie was the second of eight children and the oldest girl. She grew up as a farm girl, helping with the gardening, canning, cooking and other chores involved in taking care of a large family. She loved style and was a very talented seamstress, designing and sewing her clothes. She was also a talented artist with pencil and watercolors.

Deborah “Deb” Sickles, 76, of Dorchester passed away February 24, 2025 at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family.

Deborah Sue Johnson was born to Harlan and Elinor Kannenberg-Johnson June 30, 1948 in Waukon. Deb graduated from Waukon High School in 1966. She worked at the Lansing Button Factory while going to school at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) to become a beautician,  graduating in 1969. She then pursued her career at Althea’s beauty shop in Waukon for 30-plus years, later owning and operating the salon until she retired in 2004.

Raymond G. Riek, 79, of Waukon died Monday, February 24, 2025, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 28 at 11 a.m. at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial will be held at a later date. Friends may greet the family Thursday, February 27 from 4-7 p.m. at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.
 

William Robert “Bill” Smith, 80, of rural Postville passed peacefully in his home Monday, February 17, 2025. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Bill was born July 13, 1944 in Waukon, the son of Ivan C. and Esther (May) Smith. He grew up in the Forest Mills area and attended both the Forest Mills and Red School. April 18, 1975 Bill married his forever love, Marlene Parker, and instantly became a father of four children.

Bill’s working years took him to a saw mill in Oregon, working for farmers and doing custom work in Iowa, and building condos in Virginia. He was always employed, and in his last days stated, “I love working!”

His favorite topic of conversation was who bought, sold or traded cars, tractors and guns. After retiring, he enjoyed scrapping metal, knapping arrowheads, porch sitting, cars, puzzles, and following “Gold Rush” Friday evenings.

Carol (Hermeier) Stockdale passed away peacefully at her home in University Place, WA, surrounded by her family, January 26, 2025. A celebration of her life in a memorial service will be held Friday, March 7 at 2 p.m. at University Place Presbyterian Church, 8101 27th Street West, University Place, WA. Remembrances can be made to the General Fund at the ARK Institute of Learning.

Carol was born on a farm in Waukon in 1934. Although her home lacked electricity and running water until she was in high school, Carol had many fond memories of life on the farm. She attended a one-room schoolhouse in rural Iowa through the 8th grade and her graduating class at Waukon High School was fewer than 20 students.

Lawrence L. Powell, 101, of Luana died Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at home in the very same room he was born in. Private graveside services will be held in Smithfield Cemetery in rural Luana. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Lawrence Leroy Powell was born August 27, 1923, at his parents’ home in rural Luana, the son of William and Mabel (Carney) Powell. After attending school, he worked at John Deere in Dubuque for a short time and also helped his aunt Lessie and uncle Kurt at their picture framing store in Chicago, IL.

He was a farm boy at heart, so after moving home, Lawrence soon met the love of his life, Patricia Bowen, on a blind date. They were married May 30, 1954, in Monona. After purchasing the Powell family farm, he spent many years with Pat by his side milking cows, raising pigs, and putting in crops.

Marvin G. Petersen passed away at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon February 14, 2025.  He was 83. A Memorial Service will take place at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Manly Saturday, May 17. In April, check the church’s Facebook page for time and further details.

Marvin was born at home on a farmstead in Worth County, Iowa in July 1941.  He attended school at Manly, played football, and was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church where he married Anita (Dahl) in September 1961. They resided in Mason City until the mid-1970s when the family moved to Rockford and then on to Waukon where they resided for nearly 50 years.

Marvin loved to hunt and passed those skills to his sons. He loved to garden, and many families, friends and neighbors benefited from his harvests. In later years, Marvin and Anita took frequent road trips through the west and mid-west.