Obituaries

Eric S. Smith, 55, of Waukon (formerly of Postville), passed away Sunday, December 28, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Eric Steven, the son of Leslie and Jessie (Schultz) Smith, was born March 19, 1959 in Postville. He graduated from MFL High School in 1977. Eric farmed with his brother on the family farm near Luana and worked as a farm hand for several area farmers. He then worked as a welder for Guttenberg Industries in Guttenberg and Bituma in Marquette. He retired from Bituma when his health started to decline.
Eric enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking and he loved to spend time with his family.    
Eric is survived by his two sons, Cory Smith of Decorah and Joshua (Alicia Hirth) Smith of Waukon; and his cousin, Nola (Norbert) Palmer of Waukon.     
Eric was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Jessie Smith; three brothers, Leighton, Richard and John Smith; and one sister, Kathleen Smith.

Dorothy F. Slifka, 95, of Waukon, died Monday, December 29, 2014, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Sunday, January 4 at 1 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon with Deacon Mike Ward officiating. Burial was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.
Dorothy Frances Slifka was born January 27, 1919 in Cresco to Samuel and Ida (Bergman) Kratz. She was raised on her family’s farm in Howard County and received her education in a country school. Dorothy married the love of her life, Clarence W. Slifka May 26, 1939 at Assumption Catholic Church in Cresco. Dorothy and Clarence farmed in Cresco until they moved to Waukon in 1960. They owned and operated Slifka Café where Dorothy prepared and cooked fresh donuts every morning for 15 years. After closing the café, she continued as a cook at local diners and performed cleaning duties for a local business.

Gertrude A. Larick, 87, of Decatur, AL, formerly of Waukon, died Thursday, January 1, 2015 at Decatur General Hospital in Decatur, AL. Funeral services were  held Tuesday, January 6 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Jim Dubert officiating. Burial was at Wexford Cemetery, Lansing. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Loretta M. Sorum, 90, of Waukon, formerly of Decorah, passed away peacefully Friday, January 2, 2015 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon, where she was a resident for several years. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 7 at 11 a.m. at Glenwood Lutheran Church with Pastor Stacey Nalean-Carlson officiating. Burial will be at Glenwood East Cemetery, rural Decorah. Friends may call one hour before services at the church. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Family requests memorials be given to St. Jude's Hospital, Good Samaritan Home or Glenwood Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund.

Richard L. “Butch” Winke, 80, of Waukon, died Saturday, December 27, 2014 at his home in rural Waukon. Memorial services will be held Friday, January 2 at 11 a.m. at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Tom Buresh officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Zalmona Cemetery. Friends may call from 2-5 p.m. Thursday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

Greg “Rosie” Rosendahl, 61, of Waukon, lost his battle with cancer Sunday, December 28, 2014 at his home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 3 at 11 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon with Rev. Lynn G. Groe officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Waterloo Ridge Cemetery, Dorchester. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

Gerald K. Myers, 71, of Waukon, died Saturday, December 27, 2014 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN. A sharing time was held Saturday, January 3 at 2 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

Donald “Jim” J. Hyde, 76, of New Albin, formerly of Dubuque, died Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, WI. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, December 31 at 11 a.m. at the Edgewood City Cemetery, Edgewood. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Mike Lechnir passed unexpectedly at his home and long time family farm December 20, 2014. He was born in Luana. He was 76 and is survived by a son, one grandson and two granddaughters. There will be a gathering January 3 at his home.

Carrieanne L. Larson, 41, of Waukon, died Thursday, December 25, 2014 at her home. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 31 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Burial will be at Frankville Cemetery, Frankville.