Obituaries

Bonnie Lou Andrews, age 82, passed away peacefully July 3, 2025, in Appleton, WI. A small family service will be held at a later date. Bonnie will be laid to rest in her home state of Iowa, reunited with her husband, Claude, and her son, Jason, at Lake Delhi.

Valley Funeral Home of Appleton, WI is assisting the family with arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.valleyfh.com.

Bonnie was born April 28, 1943, in Waukon to James and Lillian Meikle. She grew up in Waukon, where her family lived and worked at the Grand Hotel, creating many cherished childhood memories alongside her sisters, Joanne and Sheila.

Shawn M. Darling, 45, of New Albin died Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 2 from 3-7 p.m. at the New Albin Community Center in New Albin. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling arrangements.

Shawn Michael Darling was born April 7, 1980, in La Crosse, WI, the son of Tracy Darling and Dennis Sickles. Shawn graduated from Kee High School in Lansing and worked in a factory. Shawn enjoyed hunting and fishing on the float by Dresbach, MN, where he met many good friends. He also enjoyed telling stories with the regulars at the High Chap in New Albin.

Survivors include his mother, Tracy Darling; his father and step-mother, Dennis and Heidi Sickles; a step-brother, Jessie; a step-sister, Samantha; his grandmother, Vera Darling; a special friend, Steve Thesing; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and good friends. He is preceded in death by grandpa, “Chief” Darling; and an uncle, Kerry Darling.

Wallace Garhard Pladsen of Waukon, born July 9, 1951, passed away July 4, 2025. Visitation will be held Friday, July 18 from 1-3 p.m. at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church, rural Waterville, with services to follow.
 

Gary L. Leiran, 80, of Waukon, formerly of Frankville and formerly of Decorah, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, July 23 at 11 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Pastor Cathy Jurgens officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 22 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.

Gary Lee Leiran was born June 23, 1945, in Waukon to Edwin T. and June (Landro) Leiran and graduated from Waukon High School. Growing up, Gary was a pin setter at the Waukon Bowling Alley. He helped his dad at the family-owned gas station as well as helped haul milk on his dad’s route.

Sandra L. Baures, 65, of Onalaska, WI died peacefully at her home Thursday, July 10, 2025. Per Sandra’s wishes, private services will be held at a later date. An online guestbook can be found at www.fossumfuneralhome.com.

She was born August 8, 1959 in Dodgeville, WI to Norman and Shirley (Allbee) Reger. Sandra was employed as a screen printer at DuraTech Industries in La Crosse, WI until her retirement in 2024. Per Sandra’s wishes, private services will be held at a later date. An online guestbook can be found at www.fossumfuneralhome.com.

Sandra is survived by her husband, Joe Baures of Onalaska; a son, Dr. Tim Baures of Boise, ID; one grandson; and two brothers, Denny Reger of Monona and Dan Reger of Prairie du Chien, WI.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Nick and Brian; and a brother, Rick Reger.
 

Raymond “Ray” C. Busness, 81, of Marion, formerly of Waterville, passed away Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. A Memorial Service was held Tuesday, July 15 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Marion. Inurnment will be held at a later date at East Paint Creek Cemetery in Waterville.

Ray was born March 6, 1944, in Waukon, the son of Holger and Julia (Sanderson) Busness. He was a 1962 graduate of Waukon High School and went on to serve his country in the United States Army Reserve.

December 9, 1967, Ray was united in marriage to Karen Kay Phelps in Strawberry Point. He worked as a Forecast Analyst at Rockwell Collins for 46 years, until his retirement in 2008. After retirement, he also worked for Dental Prosthetic Services in Cedar Rapids for 15-plus years. Karen and Ray were members of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Ray will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Shirley Larkin, 89, of Waukon died Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 12 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Shirley Jean Larkin was born December 7, 1935, in Waukon, the daughter of Merrill Henry and Leone Eunice (Bacon) Gruber. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, attended rural Eells Country School and graduated from Waukon High School in 1954.

February 27, 1960, she married Cyril Larkin at St. Mary’s Hanover in rural Waukon. Shirley and Cyril farmed in Union Prairie Township in rural Waukon, where they raised beef cattle, hogs, sheep and crops. She loved working on the farm, especially driving tractor, doing the field work, and caring for the animals.

Dale T. Leikvold, age 64, of Sheldon passed away Friday, May 16, 2025, at his residence. A celebration of life will be held August 2 at the Eagles Club in Sheldon, from 3-8 p.m. His family welcomes everyone from near and far to join them in remembering Dale. Arrangements are under the care of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

Dale “Smear” Thomas Leikvold, the son of Lloyd and Theresa (Kelly) Leikvold, was born May 1, 1961 in Waukon. He received his education from Waukon Schools.

Richard “Dick” Berns, 81, of Postville passed away peacefully July 3, 2025 after a brief illness. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 8 from 3-7 p.m. at St. Bridget Catholic Church, Postville. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 9 at St. Bridget Catholic Church with Rev. Martin Coolidge as the Celebrant. Burial will follow at Smith Cemetery, Postville with Military Rites.

Born June 17, 1944, to Leo and Lucille (Koerperick) Berns, Dick spent his entire life doing what he loved, farming with his family. Dick graduated from Postville High School in 1962 and shortly after was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in Panama from 1964-1967. Upon returning from the service, Dick farmed with his dad and two brothers, Gene and Chuck, as Leo Berns & Sons. Additionally, Dick helped run a Vermeer Equipment business off the farm for 30-plus years, selling and servicing many balers in northeast Iowa.

Gaylord “Pete” R. Peterson, 83, of Dorchester passed away peacefully June 29, 2025, due to heart failure, at Decorah Aase Haugen Home in the care of St. Croix Hospice. A Celebration of Life Open House will be held at the Eitzen Community Center, Eitzen, MN, Saturday, July 19, from noon to 4 p.m. Dress is casual, and there will be enjoyable food, reminiscing and sharing the memories of Pete through laughter and tears.

He was born October 9, 1941, in Lisbon, WI, the son of Gaylord Sr. and Rose (Rumshas) Orsbourne. His Mom later divorced and married Raymond Peterson.

Pete was united in marriage to Delores Beardmore in 1964, and they had two children together: Dawn and Wayne. They later divorced and Pete married Carol Blegen in 1974. They had three children together: Bob, Alan and Patrick.