Obituaries

Donna L. Wurtzel, 85, of Waukon died Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 18 at 11 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon, with Rev. Lynn G. Groe officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, February 17 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.
Donna Lou Wurtzel was born July 23, 1929 in Waukon, the daughter of Hubert and Edna (Reeder) Hermanson. She was baptized at Rossville Presbyterian Church in Rossville and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon. Donna graduated from Waukon High School.
August 29, 1948 Donna married Truman Edward Wurtzel at St. John's Lutheran Church. She and Truman owned a milk hauling business, Truman Wurtzel Bulk Milk Hauling, which they operated together for many years. Donna did the bookkeeping, she would run after parts, and was a relief driver when she was needed.

Catherine Lucille Mullarkey Dowd, age 86, departed this life Friday, January 30, 2015 at her home in Waterloo surrounded by her family. Services were held Wednesday, February 4 at St. Edward Catholic Church with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, all in Waterloo.
Catherine was born to Mike and Mary (Brennan) Mullarkey April 12, 1928 on the family farm near Wexford. She was one of eight children, and one in a second set of twins.
Kate (as she was affectionately known to her friends) attended Wexford Country School. She moved to Waterloo and held various jobs including secretary at Rath Packing. She met Dan Dowd, the love of her life, at a country dance. She married Daniel Patrick Dowd September 20, 1956 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wexford.

Irving “Irv” S. Walsh, 85, of Waukon died Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 14 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Jim Dubert and Deacon Mike Ward officiating. Burial with military graveside rites was at St. John the Baptist-West Ridge Cemetery, rural Waukon.
Irving Stephen Walsh was born August 16, 1929 at his parents’ home in Fairview Township in rural Waterville, the son of Stephen and Marjorie (Molitor) Walsh. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Pius Cherry Mound Catholic Church in rural Harpers Ferry. Irv attended schools in Allamakee County.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from January 3, 1952 to December 14, 1955. Irv was a Boatswain’s Mate Third Class and served as a loader on a 50-caliber gun and as a gun captain on a five-inch turret gun.

John G. Forbes, Jr., 46, of Waukon died Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at his home. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 14 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, with Rev. Lynn Groe officiating.
John Gary Forbes, Jr. was born September 30, 1968 in Waterloo, the son of John and Shirley (Allen) Forbes. He married Sarah Gambrell; they later divorced. John was self-employed and owned his own trucking company. He also worked for Canton River Towing and ADM Barge, where he worked his way up to captain. John adored his family and loved doing fun things with his children. He also liked NASCAR, fishing, and riding his motorcycle.

George J. Hammell of rural Caledonia, MN died peacefully at Thornton Heights Assisted Living in Lansing February 2, 2015, his 93rd birthday. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, February 6 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, New Albin, with Rev. John Moser as the celebrant. Burial followed in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, New Albin.
George was born in rural New Albin to George and Elizabeth (Wall) Hammell February 2, 1922 (2-2-22). He was married June 19, 1947 to Mary E. Manning, who passed away January 12, 2008.
George was a life-long farmer in the New Albin area and was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. He served on the Jefferson Township Board for many years, was a Fire Warden and served as a weather observer for the U.S. Weather Service.  George’s family and community were very important to him.

Shirley Clark, 80, of Columbia, MO died peacefully Friday, February 6, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 11 at Parker Funeral Service, 22 North 10th Street, Columbia, MO. Visitation is from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, February 11 at the funeral home.
Shirley was born January 13, 1935 in Wadena to Chester and Marian Oelberg Adams. She married Robert J. Clark October 7, 1955 in Ames. Shirley graduated from Arlington High School in Arlington. She attended the University of Dubuque and received her Bachelor of Science degree from Upper Iowa University and her masters degree from the University of Iowa. She taught high school Physics, Chemistry and General Science from 1956 to 1995 in several high schools, including Waukon and Lake Mills.

Orville D. Duvel, 79, of Postville died Thursday, February 5, 2015 at his home. Memorial services will be held Thursday, February 12 at 11 a.m. at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon, with Pastor Sue Klimstra officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, February 11 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.
Orville Dean Duvel was born June 27, 1935 at his home in rural Postville, the son of Albert and Minnie (Klein) Duvel. He was baptized October 6, 1935 and confirmed April 10, 1949 at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon. Orville attended country school at Ludlow #4 and then went to work for area farmers.

Alice J. Harkreader, 87, passed away at 1:25 p.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at P.A. Peterson Home in Rockford, IL. Services were held Tuesday, January 27 at Sundberg Funeral Home, Ltd., Rockford, IL, with Rev. Chuck Olson officiating. Burial was in Scandinavian Cemetery, Rockford, IL.
Alice was born June 23, 1927 in Waukon, the daughter of Fred and Florence (Klein) Hermeier. She married  Robert B. Harkreader in St. Petersburg, FL October 6, 1966. She was formerly employed for 15 years at The Broadway Restaurant.
Alice was a member of Navy Club Ship #1. She enjoyed working in her garden, reading and visiting her hometown in Iowa. Throughout her life she exercised the good values she learned in childhood from her mother.

Richard “Dick” Aschom, 73, of Brookfield, WI passed into eternal life January 9, 2015 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. Services were held January 14, 2015 in New Berlin, WI.
Dick attended St. George High School in Lansing. He was manager of Midwest Audio Visual Equipment in Chicago, IL for many years. After retirement, he spent time doing the things he loved; fishing, golfing and living life to the fullest with his beloved wife, Barbara.

Michael “Mickey” Aschom, 71, peacefully entered into his heavenly home January 22, 2015 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford, MN. Services were held Saturday, January 24 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford, MN, with Pastor Roger Michaelson officiating. Internment will be at Gethsemane Cemetery in Lansing.
Mickey was born October 19, 1943 to Norbert and Catherine (Hawkins) Aschom in La Crosse, WI, one of eight children. He attended Immaculate Conception School in Lansing.
Mickey met the love of his life in La Crosse, WI and October 17, 1992 he made Marion his wife. The couple moved to Rushford, MN in 2001.