Obituaries

Paul L. Horsfall Sr., 93, of Lansing died Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Memorial services were held Wednesday, September 9 at United Methodist Church in Lansing with Pastor James Buckhahn officiating.

Paul Leland Horsfall Sr. was born September 11, 1932, in Bloomington, WI, the youngest of 11 children of Roy and Pearl (Ball) Horsfall. He graduated from Bloomington High School, where he was the pitcher of the baseball team and also led his conference in basketball all four years. Following school, Paul worked as a farmhand.

At age 18, Paul underwent an emergency appendectomy, but then came down with a lovesickness for his beautiful nurse. He and Maxine Schwartz were married August 14, 1952, in Prairie du Chien, WI. In 1953, Paul was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Camp Atterbury in Indiana. The Korean War ended just a few weeks into his basic training; he finished his two-year stint in Chicago, IL as a MP.

Sharen Kaye Roth, age 79, went to be with the Lord August 27, 2026, surrounded by her husband and children at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church in Waukon Friday, September 4 at 11 a.m. with visitation at 10 a.m.

Sharen was born January 18, 1947, to Ben and Lydia (Lubben) Gruis in Forest City. She attended school and graduated in 1965 from the Buffalo Center School. After high school, she attended cosmetology school in Mason City.

Sharen met her future husband, Russell Roth, while he was working for her father. Their love story had a memorable beginning - Sharen was not impressed with Russell at first and thought he was trouble. Her first impression clearly didn’t have the final say, and April 9, 1966, Sharen and Russell were married, beginning a life together filled with family, love, and many treasured memories. They were blessed with four children, Peggy, Jill, Michael and Dawn.

Barbara J. Thorstenson, 53, of Waukon passed away unexpectedly Sunday, August 23, 2026, at her home in Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Barbara Jean Thorstenson was born September 1, 1972, in Decorah, the daughter of Orlando and Donna (Gelo) Moen. She was baptized and confirmed at Glenwood Lutheran Church in rural Decorah. Barb grew up on a farm with horses and with her siblings Lori and Robert. She graduated from Decorah High School where she excelled in Flag Corps, represented DECA at the State Convention, and later received first place at the National Convention in San Francisco, CA. She also attended McConnell School of Business in Minneapolis, MN.

October 18, 1991, she married Bradley Thorstenson at the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon. They had two daughters, Jessica and Rebecca.

Sophia Izabel Ghegan, 16, of Waukon died Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI, from injuries sustained in a Sunday, August 16 automobile accident. Memorial services will be held Friday, September 4 at 11 a.m. at Iron Ridge Church in Waukon with Bryan Mincks officiating. Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, September 3 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.

Patrick Joseph “Pat” Connelly, 87, of Lansing passed away August 23, 2026, at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Private family services were held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing Saturday, August 29. The family asks that memorials be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Pat was born March 17, 1939, in La Crosse, WI, to Joseph and Regina (Barry) Connelly. He grew up on the family farm in Rising Sun, WI, and attended country school before graduating from Viroqua High School. Following high school, Pat entered the Army National Guard, where he served in the heavy weapons infantry for three years and was honorably discharged in 1962.

November 15, 1969, Pat married Kathy Conway in Lansing. Together they made their home in Lansing, where they raised their three sons, P.J., Tim, and Steve, and shared 56 years of marriage.

Wilfred C. Ament of Waukon passed away Friday, August 14, 2026, after a lengthy illness. He was born April 26, 1938. A memorial to celebrate Will’s life will be held at the Empty Nest Winery Friday, October 16, 2026, to remember our friend who will be greatly missed. A full obituary along with details of the celebration will follow.
 

Mary Charlene “Charlie” Peiffer, 89, of Urbandale passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, Saturday, August 1, 2026, at MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center. A Mass of Christian Burial was held August 10 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Urbandale.

Inurnment will take place at a later date at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Wexford, near Lansing. There will also be a Mass Intention in her honor Monday, August 31 at 8 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Wexford.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Heart Association, or Immaculate Conception Church in Wexford. Cards and other correspondence may also be sent to Ben Peiffer, 2729 82nd Place #329, Urbandale, IA 50322.

Alice (Schwartzhoff) Brown died August 12, 2026. A celebration of life will be held Friday, September 4 at 1 p.m. at Holy Family Hall in Caledonia, MN with a visitation one hour before. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Dorchester.

Alice was born March 22, 1948 and raised in Dorchester. She went on to be an artist and will be remembered for her beautiful floral arrangements, wedding decorations, and her gentle kindness.

We cherish her memory, along with her parents Clarence and Winifred Schwartzhoff; her siblings Dale Schwartzhoff and Marie Ellestad (Don); her sisters-in-law Rita and Pat Schwartzhoff; her son Nathan Brown; her daughter-in-law Kristen Brown; and her beloved granddaughter Evie Brown.

Jodie A. Manning, 52, of Waukon passed unexpectedly Monday, August 10, 2026, at University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics in Madison, WI, with her loved ones by her side. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, August 22 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Zion United Church of Christ fellowship hall in Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family.

Jodie Ann Manning was born January 28, 1974, in Waukon to James and Julie Halverson. Jodie grew up on the farm, where she was always by her dad’s side, helping out and soaking up everything he taught her. She carried those lessons with her into adulthood, always finding a house project to take on with the skills she learned from him.

Jodie dedicated her entire career to nursing, working hard throughout her life to care for others while at Good Sam and Northgate in Waukon, treating every resident and coworker as if they were her own family.

Gary L. Gelo, 84, of Waukon passed away Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services were held Thursday, August 13, at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Tom Hollmann officiating. Burial followed at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Gary Lee Gelo was born November 3, 1941, in Waukon to Arthur and Eunice (Krousie) Gelo. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1959, and married Gloria Heins November 19, 1962, in Luana. Together, they farmed in Jefferson Township, rural Waukon, raising beef cattle, crops, and dairy cows. Farming was Gary’s lifelong passion; a gifted tradesman and steward of the land, he took immense pride in his farm and meticulously cared for his equipment.

Gary and Gloria enjoyed motorcycle trips across the country and riding with the Wednesday Night Riders. He also cherished his classic 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback.