Obituaries

Nicky A. O’Neill, 67, of Waukon died Saturday, October 28, 2023, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 1 at 11 a.m. with a lunch to follow at St. John’s The Baptist Catholic Church - West Ridge, 178 West Ridge Drive in rural Waukon.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.
 

Robert (Bob) P. Maxson, age 75, was born December 14, 1948, to Marian and Paul Maxson in Richfield, MN. He graduated from Richfield High School in 1967 and began his college career at Eastern Illinois University where he received a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). He enjoyed being involved in many sports,  playing football in both high school and college. In college, he found his niche in  student government.

After college, he worked for a time as a bank examiner, but because he wanted to be closer to family, he moved back to Richfield, where he met Paulette Brutger. They were married and had two children, Erin was born in 1983 and Michael was born in 1988.

Ronald Wayne Ashbacher, age 76, formerly of Waukon, went home to be with the Lord Monday, December 5, 2022. His interment service will be held at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon Saturday, June 8 at 11 a.m. All are invited to attend.

Ronald was born May 15, 1946 in the French Creek area of rural Waukon, the son of Harold and Louise (Scharping) Ashbacher. He was the youngest of the children. His sisters were Arlene and Dorothy, and his brothers were John A. and Richard.

They lived on a farm between Waukon and Lansing. He attended Waukon High School, after which he was a student at the University of Iowa.

Ronald was a veteran of the Vietnam War and served in the U.S. Army in Germany. Following the war he worked for the Goodyear Company in Topeka, KS. He retired to Lead Hill, AR where he enjoyed fishing and boating. He was also dedicated to visiting family across the country.

Patricia A. Powell, 90, of Luana died Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. A private burial will be held at a later date in Smithfield Cemetery, rural Luana. A celebration of life will also be held at a later date. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Patricia Ann Powell was born November, 24, 1933, to Emeroy and Garnet (Lockwood) Bowen. She graduated from Anamosa High School and received her Bachelors in Education for teaching from the University of Northern Iowa. While on a blind date, Pat met the love of her life, Lawrence Powell.

The two were married May 30, 1954, in Monona.

Throughout her life, Pat loved teaching. She taught for a few years at Waukon High School before teaching first and second grade in Monona for eight years. She later substitute taught before becoming a full-time farm wife.

Garvin Keene Larson, 90, of Ankeny passed away May 16, 2024. He was born May 26, 1933, the son of Floyd and Helen (McClintock) Larson, in Waukon. A private graveside service will be held at Ankeny Memorial Gardens. In lieu of a funeral, a celebration of life will be held on Garvin’s birthday, May 26, at his daughter, Shelly Larson’s, house from 2-5 p.m.

Full obituary can be found online at www.MemorialServicesOfIowa.com.

Sarah Christine Welsh, 91, of Waukon joined eternity surrounded by her family Monday, May 13, 2024. Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 21 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial was at St. Mary’s Lycurgus Cemetery, rural Waukon. Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick Catholic School ini Waukon, Veterans Memorial Hospital, and Good Samaritan Society - Waukon.

Sarah was born June 1, 1932, in Globe, AZ, the daughter of Frank and Christine (Tovey) Teeling. She was baptized in Tucson, AZ, and when she was 18 months old, her family moved to Waukon, where she was confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church. In 1950, she graduated from St. Patrick High School and in 1953 she received her nursing degree from St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse, WI.

Virgil L. Opfer, 91, of Waukon died Monday, May 6, 2024, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 25 at 11 a.m. at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon with Pastor Sue Klimstra officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may greet the family from 9 a.m. until the time of services Saturday, May 25 at the church. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Virgil Leonard Opfer was born in Postville May 11, 1932, the son of Leonard and Viola (Koehring) Opfer. He was baptized and confirmed at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon, and graduated from Waukon High School in 1950. June 25, 1951, he married Betty Henning at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon.

Throughout his life, Virgil farmed and drove bus, which he enjoyed very much. He enjoyed playing baseball, bowling, playing cards, and dancing.

MaryEllen Politowitz, age 83, of Waukon, formerly of Gays Mills, WI, died in her home December 7, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 25 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon. Lunch will be served following the service.

Laurel Jean Nordheim, age 66, of Decorah passed away Friday, May 10, 2024, at Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare in New Hampton. Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 14 at Helms Funeral Home in Decorah. Burial will be at a later date in the Big Canoe Cemetery. The Helms Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Laurel Jean Nordheim was born in Decorah. She graduated from Waukon High School in 1975.

She moved around after high school, making her home for a time in Wisconsin, Mississippi, Colorado, and Alaska. She returned to Decorah after her 40-year trek through life.

She was employed in the telecommunications industry for many years and worked at The Depot in Decorah for several years.  During her three years in Alaska, she worked on a large soil remediation project.

Richard James Plein, 75, of Marion passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Living Center West in Cedar Rapids. A Graveside Service was held Monday, May 13 at Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion.

Richard was born April 9, 1949, in Waukon, the son of James and LaVerne (O’Donnell) Plein. He was a 1967 graduate of St. Patrick Catholic School in Waukon. Richard worked in construction for Delaney and Kelley Concrete until his retirement in 2008. He was an avid sports fan, especially of the Chicago Cubs, and enjoyed listening to music. In his earlier years, he enjoyed hunting. His greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. Richard will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.