Obituaries

Gwendolyn Mary Waldron, 64, of Scottsdale, AZ passed away November 13, 2024 at Hospice of the Valley Lund Home after having complications from a stroke. The American Legion is hosting a Celebration of Her Life Sunday, December 8, beginning at 2 p.m., at American Legion Post 2 in Tempe, AZ, located at 2125 South Industrial Park Avenue. Gwen’s family will also have a Celebration of Life at a later date this summer in Waukon.

Gwen was born July 19, 1960, in Waukon, the daughter of Bill and Marge Waldron. She was baptized and confirmed in the St. Patrick’s Church in Waukon. She attended St. Patrick’s School through sixth grade and graduated from Waukon High School in 1978.

Cleone Arvin Snitker, 84, of Postville passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at WinnMed in Decorah. Funeral Service was held Monday, November 25 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville, with Rev. Lynn Noel as the officiant. Inurnment followed in the Postville Cemetery, Postville.

Cleone Arvin was born June 19, 1940 to Willard and Esther (Kruger) Snitker on a farm near Frankville. He was baptized August 18, 1940 at Salem Reformed Church and confirmed December 20, 1953 at the Community Presbyterian Church.

Cleone started working for local farmers when he was 12 years old and in high school Cleone worked at the filling station. He attended and graduated from Postville High School with the class of 1958.

Sylbert “Bert” Arleen Holly, 87 years old, of Jesup, formerly of Harpers Ferry, died Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Oak Park Estates in Cedar Falls. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 20 at the American Lutheran Church, Jesup, with burial at St. Athanasius Cemetery in Jesup.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, November 19 at the White Funeral Home in Jesup and will continue for an hour before services Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Sylbert was born January 16, 1937, in Luana, the daughter of Paul Kunkat and Alice (Smith) Kunkat. She graduated from high school in Harmony, MN, with the class of 1955. During high school she participated in band, vocal and drama and was also a nanny for a couple of kids she adored. With the money saved from being a nanny she went on to become an RN graduating in 1958 from the Methodist Kahler School of Nursing.

Ronald “Ron” Orrin Roe, age 79, of Carroll passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll. Funeral services were held Sunday, November 3 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lidderdale with Pastor Paul Ferderer officiating.

Burial will be in the Old West Paint Creek Cemetery near Waukon December 1 at 1 p.m. with military honors conducted at the cemetery by the Waukon VFW. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following the burial service at the Old Rossville Store, 851 Volney Road, Waukon. All family and friends are welcome.

Wayne V. Schmieden, 91, of Waterville died Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at his home in rural Waterville. Funeral services were held Monday, November 18 at King of Grace Lutheran Church in Waukon, with Pastor Abe Faugstad officiating. Burial was at East Paint Creek Synod Cemetery, rural Waterville.

Wayne Victor Schmieden was born April 21, 1933, on the family farm in Waterville, the son of Victor and Violet (Anderson) Schmieden. He was baptized and confirmed at East Synod Lutheran Church in Waterville. Wayne attended Dalby Country School through the fourth grade and graduated from Waterville High School in 1951.

Wayne spent his life as a hardworking farmer and lived on the family farm his entire life. While out dancing one day, he met a beautiful woman named Lillian, and the two were married September 25, 1999.

Kenneth Karl Budzik, known affectionately as Ken to his friends and family, passed away November 1, 2024, at the age of 81 in La Crosse, WI, due to complications from COVID-19. A Celebration of Life is scheduled to be held Wednesday, November 20 from 3-5 p.m. at Jet’s Cafe in Waukon.

Born in Chicago, IL July 20, 1943, to Steve and Marie Budzik, Ken was a man whose life was marked by a deep love for his family, a passion for the outdoors, and a commitment to his community.

Duane Roland Franks, 79, of Waukon died Friday, November 8, 2024, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 14 at 11 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Pastor Cathy Jurgens officiating. Burial will be at Taylorsville Cemetery in Arlington.

Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church Thursday. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Dale M. Byrnes, 75, of Waukon passed away Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon surrounded by his family. Memorial services will be held Friday, November 15 at 12 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr.  Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial with military honors will be at St. Mary’s Hanover Cemetery, rural Waukon.

Friends may greet the family from 4-7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 14 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:30 p.m. scripture service. The service will also be live streamed on the church’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stpatswaukon/.

Shirley E. Weymiller, 96, of New Albin died Wednesday, November 6, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 13 at 11 a.m. at the New Albin Community Center with Pastor James “Buck” Buckhahn officiating. Burial will be at New Albin City Cemetery.

Friends may greet the family from 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, November 12 at the Community Center. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Shirley Elane Weymiller was born August 26, 1928, in New Albin, the daughter of Earl H. and Alice (Child) Reiser. She was baptized and confirmed at Grace United Methodist Church in New Albin, where she was a lifelong member, and attended New Albin schools. August 8, 1947, Shirley married Robert “Bob” J. Weymiller, Jr. at her parents’ home. They farmed on Bob’s home farm with Shirley milking cows and raising kids.

Gary Lee Hesse, 75, died Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at his home in Cedar Falls after a brief illness. Funeral services were held Friday, November 8 at St. John Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls. Interment with military honors was at Fairview Cemetery in Cedar Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. John Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, or a charity of choice.

Gary was born November 30, 1948, in Decorah to Roger and LaVonne (Geving) Hesse. He attended a one-room country school through eighth grade and graduated in 1967 from Waukon High School. He married Mary Ann Schanz, the love of his life, May 10, 1968, and they were blessed with 56 years of togetherness and three wonderful children.