Obituaries

Jerry K. Weipert, 65, of Waukon died Saturday, June 3, 2023 at his home. At his request, a private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In light of his passing, please feel free to share your favorite memory of him, something that would encapsulate who he was; there would be no better way to honor him.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.

Jerry Keith Weipert was born March 5, 1958 in Wauzeka, WI, the youngest child of Leonard and Ruth (King) Weipert, with two older brothers and two older sisters. When asked about his childhood, it was tough, but one he didn’t make excuses for as an adult.

Our wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Carolyn Alice Smith of Postville, passed away peacefully with her family by her side Sunday, June 4, 2023 at Mayo Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN after a short battle upon the reemergence of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She was 79.

Her funeral services were held Saturday, June 10 at Community Presbyterian Church in Postville with Pastor Karla Johnson as the officiant. Burial followed at Postville Cemetery.

A life-long resident in the Postville area, she was born August 11, 1943, the third of four children of Richard and Evelyn (Dugstad) Olson. Carolyn was well-loved by her community. She had a long-standing relationship with God, baptized November 14, 1943 and confirmed May 25, 1958, both at West Clermont Lutheran Church in Clermont. Carolyn earned her diploma in 1961 from Valley High School.

Our loving mother and dear friend Marlene (Molly) Mae Habhab, age 86, passed away June 1, 2023 in Waukon. A celebration of Marlene’s life will be held later this summer.

She was born January 26, 1937, daughter of Dewey and Mabel (Herman) Miller, and grew up on a farm in Ludlow Township. She married in 1955 and a son, Darwin Allen Hanson, was born November 7, 1956; he passed away December 10, 1956.

Marlene later remarried and had three children.  Musty, Abby and Mimi were her pride and joy. She devoted her last 60 years to the care and upbringing of her children, guiding and fully supporting them through every step of their lives.

Marlene worked tirelessly to provide her children with a safe home and food on the table. In doing so, she often worked multiple jobs at one time. In the 1960s when the Old Stage Road in Ludlow was being black-topped, she hauled hot mix and was recognized as one of the best drivers in the road crew.

Margaret “Maggie” E. Welch, 86, of rural Lansing died Friday, June 2, 2023 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 6 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 Veterans Memorial Hospital in memory of Maggie. Cards/condolences may be mailed to Suzy Leiran at 2054 Lycurgus Road, Lansing, IA 52151.

Margaret Elizabeth Welch was born May 12, 1937 in La Crosse, WI, the daughter of Arthur and Margaret (O’Neill) Bakewell. She grew up in Lansing and attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where she was baptized, confirmed and married. In 1955, Maggie graduated from Immaculate Conception High School as the president of her class.

Arthur “Art” G. Berns, 84, of Waukon died Sunday, May 28, 2023 at his home in rural Waukon. Funeral services were held Friday, June 2 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial was held Saturday, June 3 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.

Arthur Gordon Berns was born February 1, 1939 in Union Prairie Township, rural Waukon, the son of Bernard “Verni” and Eleanora (Taake) Berns. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church-West Ridge. Art attended Union Prairie country school, a one room schoolhouse where his mother taught, and he graduated from St. Patrick Catholic School in Waukon where he met his future wife.

Timothy J. Thesing, age 62, passed away Monday, May 22, 2023 surrounded by his family. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 12 at 18 and 8th Event Center, located at 1802 8th Street in Monroe, WI. Visitation will take place from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Bishop Luis Rivera will officiate. Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Argyle, WI, where military graveside rites will be accorded.

He was born May 21, 1961, the son of James and Colette (Kaczorowski) Thesing in Lanesboro, MN. Tim and his family later moved to Waukon, where he graduated in 1980 from  Waukon High School.

Richard Francis Data, 74, of New Albin was called home to God Friday evening, May 19, 2023, suddenly at home. Rich’s wishes for a private final disposition were pre-arranged and are being handled by Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, La Crosse, WI.  Celebration of Life Memorials will be held in the future in both New Albin and the Chicago South Suburban Area.

He is survived by his wife, Lily Joy Data; a brother, Stanley (Karen) Data; a sister, Maria (Steven) Vaslef; his nephews, Alex and David Vaslef; his step-son, Michael Joy; his step-daughter, Anne (Michael) Joy-Pesavento; his dearest friend of 60 years, Jim (Kathy) Szeszol; and many cousins and friends in Iowa, Chicago and around the country.

Carolyn Jane (Thomas) Kiesau passed away from an aggressive form of cancer May 21, 2023. A memorial service for Carolyn will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3 at Hemer-Pickerign Funeral Home, Medford, WI with Pastor Daniel Iwinski officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. Visitation will take place at Hemer-Pickerign Funeral Home, Medford Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m.

Carolyn was born May 28, 1947 to Edward and Jane Thomas in Olney, MD. After graduating from Sherwood High School in 1966, Carolyn enlisted in the U.S. Navy, completing basic training in Bainbridge, MD. Her duty station for her entire enlistment was at the Naval Station, Long Beach, CA where she met her future husband, Curtis Kiesau, April Fool’s Day in 1968.

Donald Stanley Straka, 89, of Dorchester passed away peacefully Sunday, May 21, 2023 at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, WI surrounded by family. His funeral service was held at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church Friday, May 26 with Pastor James Glesne officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. Roble Funeral Home of Spring Grove, MN assisted the family with arrangements.

Don is survived by his wife, Judy (Haugse); his daughters, Ana (Kevan) Larive of Grimes, Stacy (Luther) Linderbaum of Dorchester and Amy (Brian) Lenning of Ogden; his grandchildren, Jayme Lenning of Perry, Jacob Lenning of Boone and Lily Lenning of Ogden; and one sibling, Darlene Lerch of Marion; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Emily; his parents, Paul and Libbie (Vojt) Straka; his sister, Vera Kucera; and his brothers, Clyde and Joseph Straka.

Harold “Ike” F. Colsch, 92, of Waukon passed away Sunday, May 21, 2023 at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon with his wife and family by his side. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 27 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial with military honors will be at St. John The Baptist-West Ridge Cemetery, rural Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 26 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:30 p.m. scripture service.

Harold “Ike” Francis Colsch was born April 14, 1931 to Nicholas and Charlotte (Theobald) Colsch at the family farmhouse on Sand Cove, just a few miles southwest of New Albin. He attended the Sand Cove country school through eighth grade.