Obituaries Archive

Homer R. Fritz

Homer R. Fritz, 94, of Dubuque, passed away Monday, June 24, 2019 at Bethany Home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 27, 2019, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Msgr. Thomas Toale officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West, IA. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 26th, at Hoffmann-Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 3860 Asbury Rd.., Dubuque, where there will be a wake service at 4:30 p.m.

Homer was born November 13, 1924 in Benton, Wis., the son of LeRoy and Berniece Murray Fritz. On June 27, 1946 he married Mary M. Heavey at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Dubuque. She preceded him in death July 1, 2011.

He was employed with the U.S. Postal Service.

He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and the American Legion.

Those left to honor his memory include his daughter, Patricia Peterson of Mesa, AZ; three grandchildren, Kristin (Jim) Tate of Chandler, AZ, Robin (Brodie) Soare of Phoenix, AZ, and Erin (Mark) Lehman of Wichita, KS; 8 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; two brothers, Bill (Betty) Fritz of Dubuque and Tony (Carole) Fritz of Galena and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife he was preceded in death by his parents; one son-in-law, Dan, two brothers, and four sisters.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Bethany Home, Hospice of Dubuque, his nieces in California, especially Mary Ann Galassi.

Memorials may be made to Bethany Home or Hospice of Dubuque

Online condolences can be sent to www.hskfh.com

Ida Mae Matthiessen

Ida Mae Matthiessen, 74, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at the Jackson County Regional Health Center in Maquoketa, Iowa.

A natural journey farewell with cremation has taken place. There are no public visitation or services planned at this time.

Ida Mae Chorpening was born on July 20, 1944 in Muscatine, Iowa, to Melvin and Edna (Webb) Chorpening. She attended Letts, Iowa School. She married Kevin Matthiessen on March 28, 1987 in Muscatine, Iowa.

Ida had worked at Pizza Hut and Snackers in Muscatine. She most notably had delivered The Shopper in Maquoketa for 16 years.

Ida enjoyed bowling, visiting with friends, crocheting, collecting angels and camping.

Those left to honor Ida’s memory include her husband, Kevin Matthiessen of Maquoketa, IA; children, Sherrie Lett of Muscatine, IA, Marcia Colvin of Iowa City, IA, Paul (Wanita) Brewer of Grandview, IA, Lyle (Joy) Brewer of Divide, CO, Scott (Joanne) Brewer of Tucson, AZ, and Arnold (Robi) Brewer of Maquoketa, IA; 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; and a sister Carol Meeker Hayes of Wapello, IA.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, an Ida Mae Matthiessen memorial fund has been established.

The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family and online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.

Thomas L. Collum

Thomas L. Collum, 76, of Scotch Grove passed away peacefully in his sleep at his residence on Sunday, June 23, 2019.

Visitation will be held from 2 – 8 pm Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Monticello where a parish vigil service will be held at 2 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello. Rev. Paul Baldwin will officiate. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Brooklyn, Iowa where military honors will be accorded.

Tom was born July 22, 1942, in Grinnell, Iowa the son of Joseph and Mary (Snook) Collum. He graduated from Brooklyn High School in 1960 and served in the Army from 1964 – 1966. He married Terry Moore on Sept. 30, 1967, in Grinnell, Iowa.

He began selling feed in the Brooklyn area, and became a division manager in the Fairfield area for Walnut Grove Feed. In 1989, he took over Bob’s Feed in Monticello and changed the name to TC Feed Service, retiring in 2005.

He enjoyed being outdoors, coaching his children and watching his grandchildren in their activities.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Terry, four children: Angela (Victor) Fritz of Brighton, IA, Brian (Rachel) Collum of Roxas City, Phillipines, Christopher (Jill) Collum of Minneapolis, MN, Darin (Angela) Collum of Manchester, IA; eleven grandchildren: Brianna, Susan, Thomas, Mary, John, and Hanna Fritz, Allison (Zachary) Davis; Aaron Collum; James, Elizabeth and David Collum; siblings: Mary Ann Plants, Robert (Marilyn) Collum and David (Mary Jo) Collum, all of Brooklyn, Joyce (George) Watson of Marengo and Jim Collum of Grinnell; In-laws: Don Brau of Guernsey, Donna Collum of DeWitt and Marvin LaCaeyse of Montezuma.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings: John Paul Collum, Joseph Collum, Delores LaCaeyse and Patricia Brau, and a brother-in-law: Jim Plants.

Information available at www.kramerfuneral.com

Marie A. Kunau

Marie A. Kunau, 96, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday morning, June 19, 2019, at Crestridge Nursing Home in Maquoketa, Iowa.

A celebration of Marie’s life will be held at 11 A.M., Monday, July 1, 2019 at First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 A.M. until service time at First Lutheran church in Maquoketa. Burial will be at the Oakland Cemetery, Clinton, Iowa. The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family.

Marie Amelia Eyer was born on May 12, 1923 in Crawford County, Iowa, to Samuel and Minnie (Bruhn) Eyer. She attended a country school and high school and later took classes at Clinton Community College. She married Gustav “Gus” Kunau in 1942 in Preston, Iowa. He preceded her in death on November 11, 1997.

Marie was a homemaker and farmed with her husband. She had large vegetable and flower gardens, and taught Sunday school at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Preston for many years.

Marie was a member of First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa, and the Maquoketa Golf and Country Club. She enjoyed golfing, being outdoors, tending to her flowers, and playing bridge.

Those left to honor her memory include a son, Norman Kunau; 2 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son Ray Kunau, and brothers Gerald, LaVern and Alvin Eyer.

Online Condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.

Merlin E. Meyer

Merlin E. Meyer, 90, of New Vienna, Iowa, passed away Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 11:45 p.m. at Oak Crest Manor in Dyersville, Iowa.

Friends and relatives of Merlin may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 27, 2019 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 2:30 p.m. and a family rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friends may also call after 9 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Services for Merlin will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 28, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna, Iowa, with Rev. Dennis Conway officiating. Burial will be held at St. Boniface Cemetery in New Vienna, Iowa.

Merlin was born March 3, 1929 in rural New Vienna, Iowa son of Leo and Alvina (Bries) Meyer. He is a 1948 graduate of St. Boniface School in New Vienna, Iowa. On October 13, 1956 he was united in marriage to Kathleen G. Welling at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Luxemburg, Iowa. He was employed at the John Deere Dubuque Works as a machinery repairman until his retirement in 1987.

Merlin was a loving, selfless and faith filled man. He loved his time enjoying the outdoors either gardening or just sitting soaking up the warmth of the sun. He had a terrific sense of humor that he shared often. He loved spending time with his family, children and grandchildren.

He was a member of St. Boniface Parish in New Vienna, a member of the bowler’s league and the Teamsters Union.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Meyer of New Vienna, IA; seven children, Jean (Jim) Ward of Kempner, TX, Joan (Todd) Miller of Luther, OK, Daniel Meyer of Decatur, Marion (Rick) Kloser of Dyersville, Julie (Paul) Hunter of Hopkinton, Bill (Mary Kay) Meyer of Dubuque, and Kathy (Doug) Proctor of Dyersville; 19 grandchildren, Crystal (Bobby) Evans, Jimmy (Fallon) Ward, Stephanie (Alex) Graf, Moriah (Trevor) Winfrey, Jourdan and Ariel Miller, Cara (Nate) Burkum, Eric (Vanessa) Kloser, Morgan Kloser, Andrew Birt (& friend, Dani), Allen (Korri) Birt, Daniel Hunter, Olivia, Sadie, Meredith and Faye Meyer, Paul (Krystan) Proctor, Jonathan and Thomas Proctor; and 15 great grandchildren; a sister, Mary Ann Heinrichs Dyersville; brothers and sisters-in-law, Walter (Judy) Welling of New Vienna and Maribel Welling of Beetown, WI.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Alvin (Dorothy) Meyer and Leo (Ginger) Meyer; a sister, Darlene (Frank) O’Connor; his father and mother-in-law, Hugo and Mathilda Welling; a sister-in-law, Ilo Malik and a brother-in-law, Alois Welling.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com

The family of Merlin would like to thank the staff of Oak Crest Manor in Dyersville and the staff of Hospice of Dubuque for all the wonderful care given to Merlin.

Thomas L. Ryan

Thomas Leo “Tommy” Ryan, 60, of Manchester, formerly of Ryan, Iowa, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester. He was born on October 14, 1958, in Manchester, the son of William F. and Avis M. (Ruemmele) Ryan.

Tommy received his education at Lincoln School in Manchester, graduating in 1980. Following graduation, he attended Delaware County Vocational Services and then Unlimited Services for the past few years. He lived at the Howard House in Manchester and spent weekends at the home of his sister and her husband, Linda and Tom.

Tommy enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs as well as going to parties. He liked to write at his desk and attend 4:00 p.m. Mass on Saturdays. He loved to see his family. Tommy brought joy to everyone around him.

Tommy is survived by six siblings, Beverly (Mick) Burke of Walker, Rae Ellen Lyness of Ryan, Sandra (Al) Miller of Clarence, Linda (Tom) Scherbring of Manchester, Patricia Lyness of Ryan, and Jean (John) Avis of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces and nephews.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Dennis Ryan in 2007; and three brothers-in-law, Lester Lyness, Gerald Lyness, and Daniel Avis.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ryan, Iowa, with Reverend Gabriel Anderson officiating.

Visitation: 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester, Iowa. Friends may also call from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday at the church.

Interment: Calvary Cemetery – rural Ryan, Iowa

Juanita Guns

Juanita Guns passed away on June 20th, 2019 in Des Moines, IA. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m., Sunday at the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 JFK Road. Mass of Christian Burial we be held at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church at 10:30 am on Monday, June 24th.

Juanita was born in Dubuque, Iowa on August 9th, 1931 to Mildred and Howard Becker. She attended Dubuque Senior High School where she met her future husband Charlie Guns. Juanita and Charlie were married on May 24, 1951 at Sacred Heart Church in Dubuque. They were married for 59 years before Charlie’s passing on November 15, 2010. Together they raised five children – Pam, Steve, Cathy, Bob and Lisa.

Juanita loved to have fun, whether it was a formal dance, bowling, or golfing with friends. She enjoyed camping with her family and dear friends of the Dubuque Camper Club. Summers routinely included fishing in Minnesota or northern Wisconsin. Juanita and Charlie spent many winters in Casa Grande, AZ making new friends along the way. Her favorite times were holidays, where the whole family would descend on her house. Family gatherings were loud and chaotic with a lot of laughter – just the way she liked them.

Juanita’s children will tell you that they learned one thing from her – love. Each day she modeled consistent and deepening love for her life-long husband, unconditional love for each of her children, steady love for lifetime friends and relatives, and an unshakable love of God. Her life demonstrated this love every day, through which she taught her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren by her example. Our lives are better for having known and loved her, and she will be greatly missed.

Juanita is survived by her children – Pam Guns (John Nowlin) of Scottsdale, AZ, Steve (RaeAnn) Guns of Des Moines, IA, Cathy (Chris) Hough of Ooltewah, TN, Bob (Kelly) Guns of Northbrook, IL and Lisa (Scott) Rohlwing of Mechanicsville, VA, nine grandchildren – Elizabeth (Jason) VanGundy, Alex and Olivia Guns, Morgan, Charlie, and Sam Guns, Sydney and Kennedy Rohlwing and Lauren Hough, and two great grandchildren – Charlotte and Jillian VanGundy.

Nancy L. Dayton

Nancy Lee (Anger) Dayton, 68, of Menominee, IL, passed away surrounded by family and love on Friday, June 21, 2019 at Ennoble Manor Care Center in Dubuque, IA.

Services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at Crossroads Community Church, 900 Galena Square Drive in Galena, with Pastor Bill Longmore officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 and after 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. The Miller Funeral Home of East Dubuque is serving the family.
Nancy was born September 12, 1950 in Hazel Green, WI, the daughter of Robert E. and Dorothy (Fowler) Anger, Sr. She grew up in Galena, attending Galena High School, where she graduated in 1968.

On September 3, 1977, she married the love of her life, Durrell Dayton, at the Galena United Methodist Church. He preceded her in death on August 17, 2008.

Nancy’s many career choices took her down lots of different paths. Bartender, waitress, cook, semi-driver, school bus driver and even mail carrier. But her love for the food service industry was always close to her heart. In 1990 Nancy and her husband built a food truck, “The Lunch Mobile”. They, along with their two daughters, would travel to fairs, auctions and festivals serving their tasty treats.

In 1996 they decided to establish more permanent roots and opened Moonlight Reflections located between Galena and East Dubuque. They offered a full service bar/restaurant and in 2004 they expanded opening an event center with seating for 350 people. Nancy and her family ran the day to day operations of the Moonlight until the business was sold in 2008.

After selling the family business, Nancy went to work at Wal-Mart until her retirement in 2017.

Nancy enjoyed many things in life, like playing euchre, spending time with friends/family and camping. But the one thing that brought her the most joy was spending time with her grandchildren. From going to movies, swimming or roller skating, there wasn’t much she wouldn’t do for her grandchildren.

Survivors include two daughters, Renee (Frank) Reddington of Scales Mound, and Catherine “Katie” Nesteby of Dubuque; five grandchildren, Samantha Dayton, Hanna and Jonathan Reddington, and Skylar and Tucker Nesteby; two brothers, Robert Anger, Jr. of Staten Island, N.Y. and Ronald (Judy) Anger of East Dubuque; a sister-in-law Sharon (Jim) Stodden of Galena, along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Durrell, a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Anger and her mother-in-law Annella Dayton.

The family wishes to thank Medical Associates Oncology Dept. and Hospice of Dubuque. A special “big” thank you is extended to the Staff at Ennoble Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation of Dubuque. Your care and compassion through this most difficult of times is greatly appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Dubuque in memory of Nancy.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com.

Robert E. Frasher, Jr.

Robert E. “Bob” Frasher Jr., 72, of Epworth, was called home by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, June 19, 2019.

Friends and relatives of Bob may call from 2 to 8 p.m., Sunday June 23rd at the Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, Iowa. Friends may also call 9 to 10 a.m. Monday June 24th the funeral Home.

Funeral services for Bob will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 24th at Crossroads Church/Peosta Community Centre with Pastor Pete McCloud presiding. Burial will follow at the Highview Cemetery in Epworth, Iowa, with full Military Honors afforded by the Epworth American Legion John White Post #650.

Bob was born May 25th, 1947, the oldest child of the late Robert & Viola (Dehner) Frasher of Worthington, Iowa. He was a proud Western Dubuque Bobcat grad and went on to serve in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War from 1966-1968. On September 6th,1969, Bob married his love Sally McAndrew at St. John’s church in Peosta, Iowa. He spent his entire 42-year career at John Deere Dubuque Works, utilizing his many skills in the foundry, as a welder, and later as a pipe-fitter. Bob was a member of Crossroads Church and the Epworth American Legion John White Post #650.

Bob’s outgoing personality and caring nature made him a friend to many and a neighbor to everyone. He impacted the lives of countless kids with his passion for coaching youth baseball and his playful spirit, regularly engaging in water fights with generations of neighborhood youth.

When he wasn’t serving others, Bob enjoyed many outdoor hobbies including fishing, hunting, attending local stock-car races and the activities of his beloved grandchildren. They were the joy of his life. Bob was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend, leaving no doubt that he genuinely loved and cared for everyone who was blessed to know him.

Bob is survived by his wife of 49 years Sally; three children, Jennifer Frasher of Epworth, Jeff (Tiersa) Frasher of Delhi and Mark (Shelby) Frasher of Epworth; seven grandchildren, Madeline Frasher of Epworth, Landin, Brendin & Aidin Frasher of Delhi, and Sean, Katie & Will Frasher of Epworth; five siblings, Phil (Darlene) Frasher of Worthington, Janine (Gary Trimble) Frasher of Polk City, Pat (Sue Ann) Frasher of Worthington, Joan (Jack) Drees of Greeley and Janet Frasher of Davenport.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert & Viola Frasher, a brother Gary D. Frasher and in-laws Joe & Ethel McAndrew.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Mark Liaboe, and Nurse Trish, care takers at Hawkeye Care Center, and the wonderful Hospice of Dubuque Nurses for all the care and support they offered to Bob and his family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com

Kristen R. McClain

Kristen Rose “Tootie” McClain, 71 passed away on June 19th, 2019 at Dubuque Specialty Care.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 21st, 2019 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road.

Kristen was born on January 8, 1948 in Dubuque, Iowa the daughter of Eugene and Charlene (Blum) Frommelt. She married Dana R. McKinzie in 1966 and later married Jerry K. McClain.

She worked as a waitress at Rusty’s Chinese Restaurant in Galena and also in Dubuque. She then worked at the Casino Bell when it came to Dubuque and retired from the Diamond Jo Casino.

Kristen enjoyed gardening, her pets, and collecting fairies and angels. She was a sweet lady who especially loved spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter Heather L. Brothers; granddaughter Danielle L. (Deondre) Terry and their children Brielle, Hakiem and Amir. Her siblings. Karen H. Waller, Mark E. Frommelt, Wendy L. Renne and Gene P. Frommelt, she is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Kristen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jerry L. McClain; grandparents Helen and Herman Blum; and two brothers Craig S. Frommelt and Kent D. Frommelt.

Mary Lou (Haxmeier) Weis

Mary Lou (Haxmeier) Weis, 69, of Bellevue, passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at home surrounded by her family.

Memorial Visitation will be 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Sunday, June 23, 2019 at Hachmann Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue.

Mary Lou was born May 23, 1950 the daughter of Donald J. and Marilyn C. (Heiar) Haxmeier. She married Donald N. Weis on April 12, 1975 in Bellevue.

Mary Lou loved spending time with her family and grandchildren, crocheting, and watching hummingbirds. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors included her husband, Donald; children, Cindy (Scott) Kilburg, Tina Kilburg, Katie (Jason) Manning, Kevin (Nicole) Weis, and Kurtis (Jessie) Weis; 17 grandchildren and one on the way; siblings, Carol (Don) Bradley, Rita (David) Collison, Lorin (Lisa) Haxmeier; sisters in-law, Susie Haxmeier and Lois (Wayne) Kilburg; and a brother in-law, Tom Weis.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents; son in-law, Douglas Kilburg; a brother, John Haxmeier; a sister, Kathy Haxmeier; a sister and brother in-law, Janice and Wayne Ploeger; and her mother and father in-law, Nick and Marie Weis.

A memorial fund has been established in Mary Lou’s memory.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hachmannfuneralhome.com

Mary Jo Eaton

Mary Jo Eaton, 77, of Thornton, Colorado and formerly of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Sunday morning, June 16, 2019, at the Denver Hospice Inpatient Care Center in Denver, Colorado.

A graveside service and burial celebrating Mary Jo’s life will be held at 12 P.M., Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at East Iron Hill Cemetery, rural Maquoketa, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa, Iowa.

Mary Jo Willey was born on August 21, 1941 in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Oliver and Gwendola (Hute) Willey. She was a graduate of Maquoketa High School where she was an honor student and cheerleader. She married Richard Eaton on January 31, 1960 in Maquoketa, Iowa. To this union two children were born, Rusty and Renee.

Mary Jo had worked as a daycare toddler teacher for 17 years. Prior to that she was a vice president at Jackson State Bank in Maquoketa and held office positions for several years in Denver.

Mary Jo enjoyed numerous outdoor activities such as camping, boating, fishing, hiking, and golf. Most important to her was her family time with kids and grandchildren.

Those left to honor Mary Jo’s memory include her husband, Richard Eaton of Thornton, CO; children, Rusty Eaton of Green Bay, WI, and Renee Hanner of Parker, CO; 3 grandchildren, Baylee Hanner and Emily Hanner of Colorado Springs, CO, and JJ Hanner of Parker, CO; and a brother Dickie Willey of Ft. Myers, FL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister Janet Nims.

Online Condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.

Timothy P. Chaplin

Timothy P. Chaplin, 57, of Maquoketa, Iowa passed away peacefully at his home in Maquoketa.

Timothy Paul Chaplin was born on Dec. 10, 1961, in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Paul C. and Donna L (Patten) Chaplin. He was a 1980 graduate of Maquoketa Community High School.

He was an avid sports fan, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Bears and Cubs. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Those left to honor his memory include his brother Michael J. Chaplin of Maquoketa, Iowa and his sister Janel R. (Thomas) Miller of Cobb, Wisconsin.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Harry M. Chaplin.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be directed to T.C.’s Family in his honor.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.

A private service will be held.

Richard J. Klein

Richard J. “Dick” Klein, 77, of Cuba City, Wisconsin, died Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at home.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 24, 2019, at St. Rose of Lima Church in Cuba City with Rev. David Flanagan officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Elk Grove Township. Friends may call from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Casey Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Cuba City where the parish and Catholic Daughters of the Americas rosary will be at 1:45 p.m. Friends may also call from 9-10:15 a.m. Monday at the church before the service.

Dick was born on January 20, 1942, in Platteville, Wisconsin, the son of Alfred and Catherine (Reichling) Klein. He graduated from Cuba City High School in 1960 and attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He married Sarah J. Wedig on May 27, 1967, at St. Peter’s Church, Elk Grove Township.

Dick retired from John Deere Dubuque Tractor Works in October 1994 where he had worked for over 30 years. He served in the 389th Army Reserve Unit from 1959-1968. Dick and Sarah also farmed in the Cuba City area during the past 50 years.

Surviving are his wife, Sarah; two daughters, Suzanne (Jeffery) Bartels, Ham Lake, MN, and Pamela (Joe) Dregney, Reedsburg, WI; one son, Rick (Sue) Klein, Onalaska, WI; four sisters, Jean (Dennis) Albrecht, Hartford, WI, Joan (friend Nancy Wilsmann) Klein, Sun Prairie, WI, Gini (Rick) Nodolf, Madison, WI, and Ann (Jack) Meyer, Tiffin, IA; two brothers, Alan (Mary) Klein, Platteville, WI, and Ron Klein, Prescott Valley, AZ; a brother-in-law, Chuck Misky, Mt. Horeb, WI; and ten grandchildren: Abigail (Rasmus) Jorgensen, Elizabeth Bartels, Joshua Bartels, Caleb Bartels, Rachel Bartels, Tyler Dregney, Ryan Dregney, Jacob Dregney, Maxwell Klein, and Mara Klein.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Pauline Misky; and a sister-in-law, Shirley Klein.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque and the doctors that took care of Dick.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.caseyfuneralhome.net.

Donald L. Sexton

Donald L. (Buzz) Sexton, 83 of Asbury, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 16, 2019, at Hawkeye Care Center surrounded by his loving family. He battled effects of stroke and dementia for the past 13 years.

Visitation will be Friday, June 21, 2019, from 9 to 10:45 a.m., with Mass of Christian Burial following at 11:00 a.m. Both held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 1870 St. Ambrose Street.

Buzz was born in Dyersville, Iowa, on February 14, 1936, the fourth of five children of Francis L. and Mabel S. (Seliger) Sexton. His older sister Donna’s best attempt at saying “baby” sounded like “Buzz.” The name stuck and seemed to match his high energy and outgoing personality.
His love of basketball channeled some of his energy as he proclaimed himself a “Gym Rat.” The practice paid off as he excelled on the basketball court for Dyersville Xavier. He scored many points and played with a passion, occasionally fouling out of games. His love of sports also included the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bulls and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

After high school, Buzz worked for Dyersville concrete company that poured the cement for Dyersville’s first pool where he became one of Dyersville’s first lifeguards. In 1956, Buzz enlisted in the Air Force. He spent 4 years in California, Wyoming, Texas and England. In 1960 he began working for John Deere Dubuque Works as an electrician. Thirty-two years later, after working many hours of overtime, Buzz began his well-earned retirement.

Buzz married Darlene Childers-Smith, the love of his life, on December 4, 1965, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. They were dancing partners for 53 years.

Boating and water were his passions. Summer vacations were always spent at cabins on lakes in Minnesota and Wisconsin with his 4 daughters. Those were the heydays of fun, with sand between your toes, sunburns and bonfires.
Buzz and Darlene continued their love of boating into retirement on the Mississippi and traveling to Wisconsin. They wintered in Texas, where they enjoyed the Gulf of Mexico, along with traveling to Mexico.

His grandchildren meant a lot to him. He could often be seen attending many of their sporting events. He enjoyed grilling meals for his family on weekends and watching videos of their many activities. He was proud of his daughters and his grandchildren’s many accomplishments.
In his later years, Buzz often could be heard saying, “I’m a nice guy!” He also won the lottery in the hair department, not only keeping all of it but, keeping a full head of natural dark brown hair.

He never forgot his Dyersville roots. Every summer, Buzz would make his annual trip back for a visit.

Those left to cherish Buzz’s memory are his loving wife, Darlene of Asbury, his daughters Sandy (Tom) Ludescher, Cindy (Mike) Day, Nancy (William) Manning and Bonnie (Craig) Beecher. His grandchildren Lauren, Lindsey and Rob Ludescher, Grant, Brian and Andrew Day, Stefanie (Blake) Rogers and Natalie Manning and Kristin Gross, Brent Beecher and Trisha (Max) Huss. His great grandchildren Eli Gross, Claire, Nora and Baby Rogers due in September. His sisters Bev Fix of Madera, CA and Donna and Ed Harvey of Creston, IA. His brother Thomas Sexton of Dubuque and many nieces and nephews.

Buzz was preceded in death, by his parents, his in-laws F.W. and Rosella Childers, his brother John Sexton, brothers-in-law Leland Fix, Bill Wood, Wray and Earl Childers.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Hospice of Dubuque, American Cancer Society and St. Anthony’s Church.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Hillard Salas, “No Place Like Home” Senior In-Home Care and its special caregivers, along with staff at Finley Hospital, Hawkeye Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque for all the wonderful care they gave to Buzz.