Obituaries

Melvina Delores Pearson, 81, of Waukon, formerly of Postville, died Saturday, February 21, 2015 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Memorial Services were held Wednesday, February 25 at Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Postville, with Rev. Gary Catterson as the officiant. Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Postville Cemetery, Postville.
Melvina Delores was born February 11, 1934 in Farmersburg to Orville F. and Emily E. (Schultz) Nuehring. She was baptized and confirmed at Luana Lutheran Church. Melvina was united in marriage with Ralph V. Pearson June 18, 1954 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua.
Melvina attended Luana School, Luana. She worked as a nanny in Dubuque, she worked for Iowa Turkey Products in Postville and for Monona Wire in Monona for over 20 years. Melvina lived on the Pearson family farm in Hardin Township all of her life until she moved to Northgate Care Center in Waukon.

John P. Berg, 72, of Marshall, WI died Thursday, February 26, 2015 at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, WI. Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, March 2 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing, with Rev. John Moser as the Celebrant. Burial followed at Gethsemane Cemetery, Lansing.
John Peter, the son of Barney and Bernice (Albright) Berg, was born July 27, 1942 in Minneapolis, MN. He graduated from high school in 1960. John was united in marriage with Colleen Guider in 1971 in Kansas City, MO. He was a supervisor with Winnebago Industries for several years before becoming employed with Ruan Transportation and retiring in 2006.

Timothy Raymond Troester, 43, of McGregor died Monday, February 16, 2015 at Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie du Chien, WI. Funeral Services were held Friday, February 20 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona, with the Rev. Erika Kielstrup officiating. Burial followed in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, McGregor.
Timothy was born November 20, 1971 in Dubuque to Raymond and Janis (Hamann) Troester. Timothy was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church, McGregor. He graduated from MarMac High School in 1990 and continued his education at UW-Platteville and then transferred to Upper Iowa University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in business. Timothy was united in marriage with Darcy Winters March 9, 2011.
Timothy was a valet at Lady Luck Casino in Marquette for 14 years. He also worked at The Tractor Supply and Universal Forest Products in Prairie du Chien, WI. He enjoyed working the family farm, raising cattle and growing corn.

Merlin W. Gesing, 56, of Waukon passed away peacefully at his home Saturday, February 28, 2015 surrounded by his family following a long, courageous battle with cancer. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, March 4 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Rev. Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, rural Waukon. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:45 p.m. scripture service.

Gladys V. Flage, 97, lifetime resident of Waukon, departed her earthly life and went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, February 17, 2015 with family at her side. She lived in Cedar Rapids briefly before her death.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, February 28 at 2 p.m. at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Tom Buresh officiating. A private burial will take place earlier in the day Saturday. Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. Friday, February 27 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Zalmona Presbyterian Church.
Gladys Viola Flage was born July 17, 1917 in Waterville, the daughter of Albert G. and Karen M. (Leyse) Hagen. Her family and involvement at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church laid a foundation for her Christian faith. Gladys graduated from Waterville High School and Waukon Junior College. She taught elementary school in the Waukon area for several years.

Clem Dinger, age 99, of Decorah died Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Wellington Place Nursing Home in Decorah. A Celebration of Life and Memory was held Saturday, February 21 at Glenwood Lutheran Church, Decorah, with Rev. Stacey Nalean - Carlson officiating. Interment was in Pontoppidan Cemetery, Decorah.
Clem Richard Dinger was born June 25, 1915, the son of Richard and Clara (Madson) Dinger, in Bluffton.  Clem attended rural country schools and farmed. He was united in marriage to Tina Invick October 14, 1935. He worked at Rath Packing in Cedar Rapids for a short time and for 45 years he was the Watkins Dealer in Allamakee and Winneshiek Counties.  He farmed in Glenwood Township for many years and loved spending time in the woods. Clem also helped to dig many graves in the area by hand and mow at Phelps Cemetery.

Lorna J. Winters, 88, of Waukon died Thursday, February 19, 2015 at her home. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 24 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, with Pastor Samantha Houser officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.
Lorna Jean Winters was born July 24, 1926 in Waukon, the daughter of Edward and Ella (Miller) Hermeier. She was baptized and confirmed at Zalmona Presbyterian Church, attended rural elementary schools and graduated from Waukon High School, where she took the normal training curriculum.

Donna Fink, 68, of Novinger, MO passed away Monday, February 9, 2015 at Boone Hospital in Columbia, MO. Funeral services were held Friday, February 13 at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Kirksville, MO. Burial was in Morelock Cemetery north of Novinger.
Donna, the daughter of Floyd and Dolly (Stanley) Billington, was born February 22, 1946 in Shibleys Point, MO. She was united in marriage to Richard Sells (deceased), and to this union three children were born. Donna married Lee "Joe" Fink in August 1990.
Donna grew up and attended school in Shibleys Point, MO and Waterloo. She later moved to New Albin and then retired back to Missouri. She worked for Rath Packing and owned and operated a tile business. She enjoyed gardening, being a homemaker, wall papering, and taking care of her dog, Pocket. She loved her family and enjoyed family gatherings.

Richard Hansmeier

Ronald E. Gavle, 79, of Waukon died Thursday, February 12, 2015 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services were held Monday, February 16 at the Waukon Banquet Center in Waukon, with Rev. Ronald Pederson officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Big Canoe Cemetery, rural Decorah.
Ronald Eugene Gavle was born September 19, 1935 in Decorah, the son of Norris and Frances (Osmundson) Gavle. He grew up on the family farm north of town, attended rural elementary schools and Decorah High School. Ron later earned his GED while in the service. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 until 1956 seeing some of that duty as a helicopter mechanic in Germany.