Obituaries

Walter Kurth, Jr. passed away Wednesday morning, February 11, 2026, at his granddaughter Emily (Clay) Rathbone’s home, where they cared for him the last several days of his life. A Celebration of Life was held Monday, February 16 at Iron Ridge Church, officiated by Bryan Mincks.

Memorials may be directed to Deb Funk at 28402 Hemlock Road, Elkader, IA  52043, and Dave Kurth at 420 Columbus Street, Arlington, IA 50606.

Walter Kurth Jr. was born to Walter and Florence (Schiff) Kurth, in a farmhouse south of Waukon on New Year’s Day 1937. Junior walked to country school in Franklin township, then graduated from Waukon High School in 1955.
September 15, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart, Janice Grahlman. They were married 61 years until Janice passed away September 5, 2017.

Andrea Beryl Deters Iwen was born February 3, 1943, in a snowstorm so severe a county plow had to lead her parents, Harold and Carol (Burton) Deters, to the hospital in Caledonia, MN, where she was delivered. She grew up on the Deters family farm in the rolling hills of northeastern Iowa, along with her younger twin brothers, Michael and David. She loved the land so much that she initially intended to be a farmer but was eventually discouraged from doing so by others who didn’t consider it an appropriate career for a woman.

Mary A. Severson, 81, of Lansing died Monday, February 2, 2026, at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Funeral services were held Monday, February 9 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial was at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery, Lansing. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing handled arrangements.

Mary Alice Severson was born September 29, 1944, in Lansing to Odean and Gladys (Sweeney) Sandry. She was the fifth child in a family of five, growing up with four older brothers. Lansing was always home, and it was there that Mary built a life rooted deeply in family, friendship, and community.

Ward Thomas “Tom” Williams of Harpers Ferry passed away peacefully January 31, 2026 at his home. Services were held at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Traer Saturday, February 7.

Tom was born May 11, 1965 in Waterloo to Ward Arlen and Judith Williams of Traer. March 6, 1993, he married AnnMarie Gallacher in Waterloo. They welcomed a son, Alex, August 3, 2000. Most recently they made their home on the Mississippi River in Harpers Ferry; a place of beauty and peace they all cherish.

In 1983, Tom graduated from North Tama High School in Traer. He later attended Hawkeye Tech to study Police Science. Many of his friends would comment on what a great guy Tom is. He often left people lightened with his witty sense of humor.

Judith A. Lonning, 75, of Waukon died Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family.

Judith Ann Lonning was born August 21, 1950, in Waukon, the daughter of Leslie and Helen (Sweeney) Smorstad. A lifelong resident of Waukon, she was baptized, confirmed, and a member at St. Patrick Catholic Church, and graduated from St. Patrick High School. Judy worked for WinnMed Hospital in Decorah. Family was Judy’s whole world and she loved everything her grandchildren did, taking pride in all their accomplishments.

Judy is survived by her children, Todd and Darrin Lonning and Liza (Willy) Frenzel; her grandchildren: Charlie and Leona Frenzel, and Carson, Kreaton, Raleigh, and Sloan Lonning; and two brothers, Wayne (Lana) and Len Smorstad. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Darwin Weiss, 91, of Charles City passed away Friday, January 9, 2026, at the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City. A funeral service for Darwin Weiss was held Wednesday, January 14 at Trinity United Methodist Church with Pastor Don Preston officiating. Burial was at Sunnyside Memory Gardens in rural Charles City. Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.

Darwin was born May 13, 1934 (Mother’s Day) to Roy and Olive (Momberg) Weiss. He was joined by his brother, Verlon (Chuck), September 26, 1935. Darwin attended Washington School and graduated from Charles City High School (CCHS) with the Class of 1952.

Paul Melsha, 89, of Harpers Ferry, passed away peacefully at home January 15, 2026, with his family at his side. Services were held Saturday, January 24 at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories, Cedar Rapids. A Celebration of Life was held Sunday, January 25 at the Old Rossville Store. A private ceremony for his family will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to the Harpers Ferry Fire Department, Harpers Ferry Library, or Eastern Iowa Honor Flight. Online condolences may be left for the family at cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Stella Jeanine (Spalla) Weber, 82, of Lansing passed away peacefully at home with family Friday, December 26, 2025. A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 7 at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing. A celebration of life will be held at the Kerndt Brothers Community Center in Lansing from 12-3 p.m.

Stella was born November 20, 1943, to Herbert and Rosalie (DuCharme) Spalla and was raised on the Spalla Family homestead in De Soto, WI along with 12 of her siblings. Stella graduated from De Soto High School in 1961.

January 12, 1963, John “Jack” Weber and Stella were married. They celebrated 61 years wed and together raised six children, including sons Francis, Anthony, John, and Thomas, and daughters Marie and Amy. Stella enjoyed snowmobiles, bowling, sewing, collecting all things cats, and gardening. She enjoyed reading, and when she liked an author, read every book they wrote.

William M. Moody, 82, of Harpers Ferry died Thursday, January 8, 2026, at his home. Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 17 at 11 a.m. at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Lynn Moody officiating, and will also be livestreamed on the funeral home’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/martinfunerals.

Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Friday, January 16 at the funeral home. A celebration of life will then be held at Portside in Harpers Ferry Saturday, January 17 from 2-6 p.m. A private family burial will take place at a later date in St. Joseph’s Paint Rock Cemetery in Harpers Ferry. With Bill’s love of the Iowa Hawkeye football, wrestling, and basketball teams, the family requests that everyone wear your Iowa black and gold gear to both the memorial service and the Celebration of Life.

Mark “Bob” Wagner  was born February 13, 1947 in Waukon to Mark and Mary Dougherty Wagner. He passed December 19, 2025 from a long illness.

A memorial will be held at a later date. Memorials can be made to: Wexford Foundation, c/o Mary Egan, 1296 Great River Road, Harper’s Ferry, IA 52146.

Bob was raised on a farm in Lansing and attended St. George High School, Lansing and Rock Valley College, Rockford, IL. He served in the U.S. Army and deployed to Vietnam.  He worked for what originally was Barber Colman Company in Loves Park and their subsidiaries for over 52 years. He and his wife of 55 years, Karen Schott Wagner, moved to Virginia with the company for 13 years and returned to work back in Rockford for a few more years before he retired.