Obituaries

Dale L. Osterhaus, 80, of Waterville died Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at his home surrounded by family. Memorial services will be held Monday, March 2 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Pius Cherry Mound Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry with Fr. Martin Coolidge and Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Jane Angela (Cronin) Butler, age 88, of Carver, MN, formerly of Waukon, died peacefully Friday, February 20, 2026, at Carver Ridge Senior Living, Carver, MN. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date yet to be determined at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waukon.

Jane Angela Cronin was born January 6, 1938, to Joseph and Florence Cronin in Chicago, IL. At the age of 12, Jane and her family moved to Waukon. Jane attended Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church and High School, graduating in 1956. Following graduation, she attended Mount Mercy School of Nursing in Dubuque where she received her registered nurse degree in 1959.

MaryEllen McCabe Plein of Cedar Rapids passed away peacefully February 25, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering faith, quiet strength, and deep devotion to her family and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held later in the Cedar Rapids area, and a Burial Ceremony will be held at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Waukon. In honor of her love for daisies and her vibrant spirit, flowers are welcome, or donations may be made to Antioch Church of Marion.

A woman firmly rooted in her Christian beliefs, MaryEllen lived her life guided by love, service, and compassion. Her faith shaped who she was - steady, gracious, and always willing to lend a hand. She didn’t just speak of kindness; she practiced it daily.

Lela Marie (Schaub) Wenig, 76, of Dorchester died after a brave fight with pancreatic cancer Saturday, February 14, 2026. A visitation will be held Sunday, February 22 from 3-6 p.m. at the Four Seasons Community Center, 900 N. Kingston Street, Caledonia, MN. A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, February 23, with a service at 11 a.m., and lunch to follow. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at St. John’s United Methodist Church Cemetery in Dorchester.

Lela was born May 8, 1949, to Henry and Juanita (Lowe) Schaub in Lincoln, IL. She graduated from Richland Center High School in 1967. In 1970, she graduated as part of the last class of the Saint Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse, WI.

Angela Lager, 91, passed away peacefully February 6, 2026 at the Golden Horizons in Worthington, MN. She was comforted and supported by her longtime friend, Wayne Scholtes.

Angela donated her body  to the University of Minnesota. There will be no visitation or services at this time.

She was born July 14, 1934, in New Albin, the daughter of Floyd Pottratz and Rita (O’Donnell) Pottratz. She graduated from New Albin High School.

She married Bill Lager after graduation in 1952. They lived in West Union, where she graduated with a teaching degree in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa. Several years later they moved to St. Peter, MN.  Angela continued teaching first grade in St. Peter and eventually took a job teaching first grade at Monroe Elementary School in North Mankato. At this time she pursued a Masters in Education. After over 30 years at this school she retired.

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.