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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.

Dennis D. Kruse, 63, of Lansing, formerly of Cedar Falls, died Monday, November 4, 2024, at his home in rural Lansing. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Dennis Dean Kruse was born September 3, 1961, in Waterloo, the son of Dean and Mildred (Voss) Kruse. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls and graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1979. September 15, 1979, he married Mary Livingston at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls.

Dennis worked at Land of Lakes in Hudson, he did construction work in the Cedar Falls area, and was a CNC operator for Bertch Cabinet in Waterloo. Dennis, Mary and their son Marshall moved to the Lansing area in 2006.

World War I has been referred to as “The Great World War” and “The War to End All Wars”. The end of the fighting in that war of more than four years in length came November 11, 1918 when an armistice was signed to end the combat hostilities in the war, with that November 11 date still being observed to this day as Veterans Day each year.

As a means to honor the many Veterans who have served the United States - whether in war time or in times of peace - as this year’s Veterans Day observance approaches this coming Monday, November 11, The Standard is reprinting below a listing submitted by rural New Albin resident Max Marzen of Allamakee County residents or natives who served in that “Great World War,” the war that ultimately led to the modern day observance of the day that the people of this nation officially honor those who have served it - Veterans Day.

by Brianne Grimstad

Saturday, October 26, Effigy Mounds National Monument celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a variety of events that took place at the monument site. The National Monument was created by President Harry S. Truman when he signed a proclamation October 25, 1949.
Initially, the monument was made up of 1,000 acres encompassing what is today known as the South Unit and North Unit. Over the years, there were several donations and transfers of land leading to the national monument of today that protects over 200 conical, compound and effigy mounds located on the property.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, November 4 to address a full agenda of matters. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members Steve Wiedner, Nicholas Engrav, Dave Blocker, Kevin Johnson and John Lydon all present.

The council approved an amended meeting agenda including the removal of the Closed Session: Strategy meeting regarding employee union contract negotiations - exempt from Iowa open meetings law by Iowa Code Chapter 20.17 (3).

During Public Comment, resident Maura Jones confirmed with Hatlan and the council that public comment would be welcome during the Public Hearing on the Ordinance changing rates for service and rates of storm and surface water drainage system service.

R.W. Pladsen, Inc. in Waukon recently completed its Fill-A-Truck promotion held annually throughout the month of October to benefit the Allamakee County Relief Office in its efforts to help those less fortunate in the community. Individuals could donate a non-perishable food item to help “fill a truck” and also have their name entered into a weekly Friday drawing during the month of October for prizes that included gift certificates, t-shirts, mugs and other items donated through the generosity of Allamakee County businesses much appreciated by R.W. Pladsen, Inc. and all those benefiting from the promotion. Pictured above at the presentation of the donated food items to the Allamakee County Relief Office are, left to right, Allamakee County Relief Office Director Rebecca Hawes, R.W. Pladsen, Inc. owner Steve Pladsen, R.W. Pladsen, Inc. Finance Manager Carli Mellick and R.W. Pladsen, Inc. Sales Manager Curt Mann. Standard photo by Joe Moses.

The auditorium at Waukon High School is slowly being transformed into a magical wonderland for the Waukon High School fall musical production of “Mary Poppins.” The production stars Waukon High School seniors Molly Peake and Dekota Bechtel, along with sophomores Michael Koester and Dani Mason and middle schoolers Connor Buhl and Sophia Pommersheim, in addition to numerous other students within the Allamakee Community School District, all pictured here.

The “Mary Poppins” musical follows the adventures of a magical nanny who transforms the lives of the Banks family. With her whimsical charm and enchanting abilities, she teaches the children valuable life lessons, bringing joy and love back into their home. The story emphasizes themes of family, imagination, and the importance of embracing life’s wonders.