Obituaries Archive

Diane M. Lynch

Diane Mary Lynch, 75, of Dubuque, died Monday, March 14, 2022, in Dubuque.

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Diane will be 10:00 am Friday, March 18, 2022, at St. Anthony Catholic Church with Father Steven Rosonke as the Celebrant. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque.

Diane was born October 5, 1946, in Dubuque, the daughter of Irwin J. and Marcella B. Galle Hirsch. On September 9, 1967, she married Edward Joseph Lynch in St. Patricks Catholic Church in Dubuque. He died October 23, 2021.

She graduated from Wahlert High School.

Diane worked in the insurance department at Grand River Medical Center.

Survivors include four sons, David (Sarah Wheeler) Lynch and his children: Hailey, Paige and Megan, Michael (Sarah) Lynch and their children: Brandon, Alec, Noah and Zoey, Mark (Chris) Lynch and her children: Melissa, Matt, Kami and Kim and Chad (Holly Martin) Lynch and his son: Landyn, all of Dubuque; one great-grandson, Kai; two sisters, Jan Hirsch of Dubuque, and Ann (Richard) Winger of Bernard; in-laws, Jackie Kenniker of Dubuque, Linda Morgan of Naples, FL, Jan (Chuck) Scott of Dubuque and Pam (Dean) Roth of Dubuque, Al (Gayle) Lynch of Ankeny and Jim Jones of Asbury.

Besides her husband she was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, David, in infancy.

Special thank you to Care Initiatives Hospice and Ennoble Nursing Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Care Initiatives Hospice and the Wendt Regional Cancer Center.

Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Crematory is in care of the arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Diane’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.

Richard F. Bushman

Richard Franklin Bushman “Dick” age 81, completed his earthly journey, Friday, March 11, 2022, peacefully, sitting in his reclining chair at home.

A private service was held with his family and siblings with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West, Iowa, in the Bushman family plot.  Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, Dubuque, Iowa assisted the family.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring when brother Joe makes it back to Iowa from Arizona.  Joe warned all of us at our family picnic this fall…. “Don’t any of you    @#$*&%*   go and die this winter…” Dick did not listen this time; neither did Gary last February (2021), or Howard, January (2017).

Dick was born January 30, 1941, in Dubuque, Iowa.  He was the second son of Joseph E. and Mae F. (Gerleman) Bushman.  Six additional boys and two girls would follow.

Dick graduated from Loras Academy in 1959 where he was proud to play varsity football all four years.  He was also involved in ROTC. He married Barbara Lombardi at St Catherine’s Church, St. Catherine’s, IA in 1961.  They had met when Barb needed a ride home from the Melody Mill.

He and Barb had four children; Sherrie Bushman, Christine (Kevin Stuart) Bushman, Brian Bushman and Gina Bushman who will miss him terribly.  Also left to cherish Dick’s memory are 8 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, his good friend Joe Vandermillen and his black, blind cat, “Kitty”.

Surviving are the following siblings and in-laws; Joseph “Jackie” (Sandy Breitbach) Bushman, David Bushman, Rosean Schromen (John “Pete” Wilson), Steve (Sue Schulte) Bushman, Gene Bushman and Mary “Treci” Bushman (Jim) York, sisters-in-law Barb (Coates) Bushman and Diane (Schaller) Bushman and 18 nieces and nephews.

Dick worked for forty-two years at Rafoth Roofing and Sheet Metal as Rafoth’s roofing supervisor.  After his retirement he assisted other roofing companies in the Dubuque area if they had problems to solve.  He was very proud of his work and would recount with ease the history of some of the biggest jobs he was most proud of, be it John Deere in Dubuque or Moline or Dubuque Senior High School.  Dick was obviously loyal and could be generous to a fault, especially with his children and grandchildren.  He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family and siblings.  His seven brothers were his best friends. He tolerated his two YOUNGER sisters fairly well.  Dick was a content, kind soul with lots of grit and common sense.  He rarely spoke ill of anyone.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and three of his brothers; James, Gary and Howard (none of whom saw the inside of a nursing home, we have been lucky so far), a niece, Elizabeth Schromen, and Barbara Lombardi Bushman.

Online condolences may be left at www.leonardfuneralhome.com; memorial donations may be made in Richard’s name and mailed to Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road Dubuque, IA 52003

Walter J. Pitz

Walter J. “Wally” Pitz, 92, of Dubuque, passed away Sunday, March 13, 2022 at MercyOne Dubuque surrounded by his family.

Family and friends may gather from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 John F. Kennedy Road.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Church of the Nativity with Msgr. James Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery.  Military honors will be rendered by the American Legion Post 6.

Wally was born January 10, 1930, in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Waldo and Coletta (Germain) Pitz.  He was united into marriage on November 22, 1956, Thanksgiving Day, to the love of his life, Doris Anthony at SS Peter & Paul Parish in Sherrill, Iowa.

Wally honorably served his country during the Korean Conflict as a member of the US Air Force earning rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a member of the American Legion Post 6.

Wally was employed at A.Y. McDonald Manufacturing, retiring in 1993 after 45 years of service.  He was a lifetime member of the Machinist Union Local 1238, having served as President. After retirement, he joined Doris and volunteered for Mobile Meals on Wheels and parish festivals and events.

In his retirement years, he enjoyed golf and achieved the ultimate “hole in one”.  Contrary to what others may have thought, he was a St. Louis Cardinals fan and he rooted for the Chicago Cubs too (because he always wanted to make Doris happy).

He loved his family more than anything. He was a quiet man who saw the good in everyone and always had a kind word and helping hand.  He made the world a better place because he was in it.  He will be missed beyond measure until we meet again.

Those left to honor his memory include his daughter, Michelle (Jay) Johanningmeier, a brother, Dorrance Pitz and extended family member Kris Latham all of Dubuque, sisters-in-law Geri Anthony, Jane Anthony, Mary Jane Anthony, Carol Anthony and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, daughter Marla, parents and stepfather, Sylvester Kamm, brother, Ronald Pitz, extended family member, Mark Johanningmeier and in-laws, Loretta Pitz, Wilfred Anthony, Herbert Anthony, Jack & Doris Anthony, Melvin Anthony, Charles Anthony, James Anthony and Merlin Anthony.

In lieu of flowers and other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Nativity Catholic Church or Ennoble Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation activity fund.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and medical staff at MercyOne Dubuque for the exceptional care they provided to Wally and a special thank you to the staff at Ennoble Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for their loving care over the years.  He loved all of you……and so do we.

Tori M. O’Meara

Tori Mildred O’Meara, 56, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on March 11, 2022.

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday, March 18, 2022, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2295 Rockdale Rd., where a funeral service will be held at 7:00 pm.

Tori was born on July 10, 1965, in Dubuque, Iowa the daughter of Donald and Katherine (Parkins) O’Meara. She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1983.

Tori worked for FDL, Rite Hite, Nordstroms, it–M and lastly at Hormel Foods.

She was an avid Harley enthusiast, she enjoyed sewing and doing seamstress work and spending time with her dogs.

Tori is survived by her father; Donald “Ducky” O’Meara, a brother; Timothy (Janell) O’Meara; a niece, Myranda O’Meara; a nephew, Shane O’Meara and a great niece, Marcella.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Katherine O’Meara on February 23, 2019.

Luis A. Valentin

Luis A. Valentin, age 74, of Dubuque,  passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at home.  To celebrate Luis’ life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m., on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Funeral services will follow at 6:00 p.m. at Behr Funeral Home, with Deacon John Stierman officiating.  Burial will be in Dubuque Memorial Gardens at a later date following cremation.

Luis was born on March 27, 1947, in Camuy, Puerto Rico,  son  of Luis and Elba (Iris) Valentin.
He was the oldest of 8 children and came to the U.S. with his mother at an early age.

He attended school in Chicago and joined the US Army as an Airborne Ranger serving in Viet Nam.
Luis married Beverly Spahos in Beloit, WI, and together they had two children.  They later went their separate ways.  He met Sharen Miller in 1973 in East Dubuque while he was working as a traveling salesman.  They had two children together and were eventually married in 1998 at Grandview Methodist Church in Dubuque.
Luis was a very hard worker and took much pride in any job he did.  He worked for John Deere and FDL Foods in Dubuque as well as the Brass Ring and at Swiss Colony.
Luis was an avid hunter, fisherman and morel hunter.  He was known to fish anywhere and for anything whether it was a river, stream, lake or even a bucket if it had a fish in it.  He most enjoyed fishing for Bass and Walleye.  Luis was a very competent “tinkerer” who enjoyed working on cars, creating his own inventions and making a tool for about any function.  Whatever the project, it would include at least a small amount of black tape.

Those left to cherish Luis’ memory include

his wife,
Sharen Valentin, Dubuque;

his mother,
Elba Lytle, Davie, FL;

his children,
Kimberly Taylor, of Sanborn, IN,
Luis Taylor, of Boonville, IN,
Tessa Sigwarth, Dubuque
and Navin Valentin, Dubuque;

his 7 grandchildren;

and several nieces and nephews.

Luis was preceded in death by his father; and 2 nephews, Jeff Erschen and Gary Houy.

Luis’ family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Hospice of Dubuque for their care and support these last few weeks.

The family will thankfully receive your support through greeting cards and memorials in Luis’ memory which may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Luis Valentin Family.

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

Effie I. Schloz

Effie I. Schloz, 99, of Dubuque, died Saturday, March 12, 2022, at the Stonehill Care Center in Dubuque.

Private Funeral Services for Effie will be held Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery in Dubuque.

Effie was born June 21, 1922, in Gram, IA, the daughter of James and Isabelle Parson Cole. On June 7, 1950, she married Allan C. Schloz in Sherrill, Iowa. He died June 6, 1992.

Effie was a teacher in a one room schoolhouse in Rickardsville, Iowa. She had also worked at Mount Carmel in Dietary and volunteered as a foster grandparent at Marshall School.

A few things Effie loved in life were embroidery, playing euchre, bird watching and her cat, “Pumpkin”.

Survivors include one son, Clark (Ann) Schloz of Dubuque; one daughter, Alice (Steven) Hoth of Dubuque; two grandchildren, Katherine (Andrew) Kelly, and Daniel (Dawn) Hoth; four great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Kelly, Macaylah Hoth, Derek Haas, and Dominick Haas; her close friends, Vicki Woodyard and Georgeann “Rusty” Felton; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Allan, two brothers, Russell and Oscar Cole, and two sisters, Grace Meyers and Susan Billmeyer.

A memorial has been established for Hospice of Dubuque, and Stonehill Care Center.

The family thanks Hospice of Dubuque and the staff at Stonehill Care Center, especially Peggy, Norma, and Zander.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Effie’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.

Violet A. Jennings

Violet Ann (Kress) Jennings, 69, of Dubuque, passed away on, Thursday, March 10, 2022 at Luther Manor Care Center in Dubuque.  Funeral Services will be 11:30 am, Saturday, March 19, 2022 at St. John Lutheran Church in Bellevue.  Family will greet friends 10:00 am until service time also on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the church prior to services.  Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery.  Local arrangements entrusted with Hachmann-Mier Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue.

Violet was born November 17, 1952 in Guttenberg, Iowa, she is the daughter of Edmund and Laura (Johnston) Kress.  She graduated from Guttenberg High School in 1971 as class Salutatorian.  Vi was part owner of Jennings Agri-Center, and worked there for many years.  She worked at Seedorff Masonry in Strawberry Point, for a short time.  She loved to water ski, especially slalom skiing.  She was an excellent seamstress, loved to travel and enjoyed cooking for everyone.  Vi enjoyed her sweets, especially rhubarb pie, and anything from Dairy Queen.  Vi enjoyed the outdoors while camping, fishing, and mushroom hunting.  She enjoyed listening to music and her favorite musician, Blake Shelton.  Family and friends meant the world to her.  She enjoyed their visits, especially the hugs and kisses.  Vi was a loved Mother of Shiloh and Tiffany and welcomed her younger brother Ed (Junior) to her home and family through his teen years.

She is survived by her children, Tiffany Helmrichs and Shiloh (Angie) Jennings; siblings, Wanda Kress, Don Kress, Sue Kress, Bob Kress, Linda Hertenstein, Rosaleta (Lynn) Heins, and Kathy (Kyle) Wander; sisters in-law, Rita Kress and Renee Kress; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Violet was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Carl Kress, Wayne Kress, Willie (Susan) Kress, Carol Latson, and Ed Kress, Jr.; and a niece, Lindsey Steward.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Violet’s memory.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.hachmannfuneralhome.com

Donna M. May

Donna Mae May, 85, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away at home on March 10, 2022.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 14th at the Church of the Resurrection with Father Steven Garner officiating. A private family burial will follow on a later date at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Family and friends may gather after 9:00 a.m. until time of Mass on Monday at the church. The Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, is overseeing arrangements.

Donna was born on May 17, 1936, to Ralph and Dorothy (Walsh) Hillard in Dubuque, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Thomas May on April 19, 1958, and enjoyed almost 64 years together.

Donna was a loving stay at home mom. She loved her family, garage sales, gambling, cooking, baking, and spending time with her family and friends. She was a selfless angel of a person who loved everyone unconditionally.

Donna is survived by her husband, Tom; children Kevin (Terri) May, Robert (Janice)

May, Pam (Dean Groom) May, Pat May, Thomas (Cheryl Davis May) May Jr., and James May; as well as 11 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Dorothy Hillard, and brothers Ralph Hillard Jr. and Richard Hillard.

Thank you to Marvin Ney with Paramount, Hospice of Dubuque, and her granddaughters Amber McKinley and Brittany May.

Imelda I. Rife

Imelda I. (Wunderlich /Brimeyer) Rife, 82, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on March 9th, 2022, at Luther Manor Garden Meadows.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 13, 2022, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale where a funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m. with Deacon John Stireman officiating. Committal prayers will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 14th, 2022, at Linwood Cemetery with Fr. Steve Garner officiating.

Imelda was born on February 22, 1940 in Dubuque, Iowa the daughter of Oran and Eleanor (Schmid) Wunderlich. She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School. She married Donald Brimeyer and he preceded her in death; she later married William Rife and he also preceded her in death.

Imelda worked at various businesses, which include Walmart, Mario’s Italian restaurant, Apple River Chemical plant & A.Y. McDonalds Manufacturing. 

She was a member of the Bowling Association, Rec Volleyball, and Alpine Tennis Club; volunteered at Grand Opera House and Bell Tower, Colts Drum and Bugle & Junior Sing Out.

She loved to take her grandkids to Galena Candy Kitchen, hanging out at the casinos, enjoyed spending time with her dogs and playing the piano. Loved visiting her niece Rachel Page in Canada and helping with Shenanigans Veterans Freedom Center benefits.

Survivors include her children: Gail (Dan) Kuhle, Jan (Randy Robey) Brimeyer, Jerry “Sliver” (Gail) Brimeyer, Gary (Lynn) Brimeyer, Jo Lynn (Eric) Pike and John (Danielle) Brimeyer. Her grandchildren: Jennifer (Isaiah McGee) Kuhle, Nicholas Kuhle, Kimberly (Chris) Reisetter, Alex Neisewander, Maloree Brimeyer, Chance Brimeyer, Josh (Kerry) Brimeyer, Shelby (Riley) Duehr, Sami Jo (Jonathan) Gentry, Austin Peter, Madalyn Peter, Tyler Pike, Aiden Pike, Olivia Brimeyer Conner Brimeyer and Ella Brimeyer; along with eleven great grandchildren and her sister Lee (Bill) Latham.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband’s Donald Brimeyer & William Rife; mother & father-in-law Gladys & Edward Brimeyer; her brother, Rann Wunderlich; her sister, Janann (Wunderlich) Page and a bother-in-law Benoit` Page

The family would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque & the staff at Luther Manor Grand Meadows with a special thank you to Rena and Connie for all the wonderful care, kindness and compassion.

Carlton L. Mauer

Carlton L. “Butch” Mauer, age 88, of Dubuque, passed away at 9:15p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at home with his loving family by his side.  To celebrate Butch’s life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m., on Monday, March 14, 2022, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, at St. Patrick’s Church, 1425 Iowa Street, with Msgr. Thomas Toale officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Butch was born on June 7, 1933, in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Carl and Dora (Zuber) Mauer.

Butch attended school in Dubuque before joining the workforce with Dubuque Stamping and Manufacturing.  He was employed in quality control with the company and devoted 47 years to them retiring in 1997.  Butch was united in marriage to the love of his life, Dorine Rettenmeier, on June 2, 1962.  They have been truly blessed with 3 sons and 59 wonderful years of marriage.  Butch was also a faithful member of St. Patrick’s Church for the last 59 years.  In his free time you could find him outside working in the garden or taking care of the lawn and his flower beds.  Butch and Dorine also traveled the country on Amtrak, he loved riding the train.  He also loved to spend time with his family, they truly meant the world to him.  Butch was an excellent example of what it means to be a devoted husband and hard worker.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish Butch’s memory include

his loving wife,
Dorine Mauer, Dubuque, IA;

3 sons,
Loras Mauer, Balltown, IA,
Bill (Judy) Mauer, Dubuque, IA
and Mark (Kelly Bleggi) Mauer, Palm Beach, FL;

his siblings,
“Rusty” Felton, Dubuque, IA,
Tim (Joanne) Mauer, Dubuque, IA
and Diane (Harold) Hetzler, Grays Lake, IL;

a sister-in-law,
Janet Entringer, Dubuque, IA;

and his in-laws,
Ronnie Rettenmeier,
Bill (Bev) Rettenmeier,
Linda (Mike) Kelly
and Eileen Rettenmeier.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Stan Mauer, Ernest (Martha) Wilson, Rosemary (Jim) Glenn, Gloria (Dusty) Potter, Betty (Lee) Soppe, and Joe Felton; and his in-laws, Donna Rettenmeier and Bob Rettenmeier.

Butch’s family would like to thank all of his doctors and the nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque for all of their kindness and the outstanding care they have provided for Butch.

The family will thankfully receive your support through greeting cards and memorials in Butch’s memory which may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Carlton “Butch” Mauer Family.

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

June B. Paar

June B. (Smith) Paar, age 87, of Ramsey, MN, died peacefully in her sleep, on March 7, 2022.  To celebrate June’s life, family and friends may visit from 1:00 until 4:00p.m., on Sunday, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Funeral services will be held at noon, on Monday, March 14, 2022, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, with Rev. Jonathan Crawford officiating.  Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery.

June was born on June 26, 1934, to Samuel and Barbara Smith of Dubuque IA.  Preceded in death by her parents, her sister Helen, her brother Ken and her husband Col. Donald F. Paar.  Survived by daughter Pamela (Dale) Parvi, grandchildren Sean, Dean (Brooke) and Erika.

June grew up in Dubuque Iowa and married Donald Paar on July 1, 1950.  They initially moved to Chicago, IL where Donald finished law school and June worked as a health care volunteer.  While in Chicago, June discovered her love of live theatre and music.  She was fortunate to see Nat King Cole perform from the front row.  Don and June moved back to Dubuque where Don practiced law.  Don was then called back to active duty in the US Air Force as a JAG officer.  Don and June traveled extensively during their 20 years in the Air Force.  June found her love of travel during this time as they lived in Germany and later Japan.  While stationed in Germany they were blessed with the birth of their daughter Pamela.  They were stationed back in the states where Don retired as a Colonel in the US Air Force.  The couple then moved to St Anthony MN where Don worked as an Assistant US Attorney.  After retiring from the US Attorney’s office Don and June moved back to Dubuque.  They spent their years in Dubuque getting re-established in their church and spent time volunteering and entertaining friends and relatives.  June became quite the hostess in her years as an officer’s wife and this was a passion the rest of her life.  She loved to pamper her guests, with no one leaving her house hungry.  Don and June moved back to Minnesota to be close their daughter Pamela and grandchildren.  After Don’s passing in 2005, June stayed in her home for a couple of years.  She found there were many obstacles to living alone after Don’s passing.  It was with great joy that she was able to live with her daughter Pamela’s family for 13 years.   Even though it was difficult to continue her passion for entertaining in her later years she loved watching the Food Network and classic movies on the Turner  Classic Movies channel.  She also was an active member in her church with many being comforted by her faithful prayers and acts of kindness.  After a fall and broken hip, June moved into her own apartment in an assisted living facility a few miles from Pamela.  She lived there for 2 years prior to her passing.

June’s family would like to thank the staff and care givers at Stoney River Care Facility, Ramsey, MN, for all their care and support for June and her family.

The family will thankfully receive your support through greeting cards and memorials in June’s memory which may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. June Paar Family.

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

Jennifer J. Lenstra

Jennifer J. Lenstra, 45, of Dubuque, died Sunday, March 6, 2022, at her home.

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm Sunday, March 13, 2022, at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory.

The Funeral Service for Jennifer will be 10:30 am Monday, March 14, 2022, at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory with Sliver Brimeyer officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque.

Jennifer was born June 22, 1976, in Dubuque, IA, the daughter of Ronald Charles and Joanne Agnes Herrig Lenstra.

She was a 1995 graduate of Hempstead High School.  She received her CNA certificate and worked for many years at Mercy Hospital. She was currently working for Rite Hite and formerly worked at Andersen Window and Door.

She enjoyed baking, cooking, fishing, playing games, cards, camping, motorcycle rides, traveling, and listening to music.  She was always there for people and planned all the family gatherings.  Most importantly she cherished time with her boys.

Survivors include two sons, Justin (Berkley Lyon) Scherf and Tyler Scherf both of Sageville; her parents, Ron and Joanne Lenstra of Dubuque; her fiance’ John David Hauptli of Dubuque;  maternal grandmother, Irene Herrig of Dubuque; two brothers, Jeff Lenstra of Dubuque, and Jason (Katie Recker) Lenstra of Center Junction.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, LaVerne and Phyllis Lenstra and maternal grandfather, Julian Herrig.

Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Crematory is in care of the arrangements.

A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences sent to the family by visiting Jennifer’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.

Lawrence C. Russett

Lawrence C. “Larry” Russett, age 96, of Bradenton, FL and formerly of Dubuque, passed away on Sunday, February 27, 2022, at Windsor of Bradenton with family at his side.

Private family services will be held at the Behr Funeral Home with entombment in  Mt. Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

Larry was born on June 25, 1925, in Bloomfield Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa, son of Clarence and Lorraine (Schroeder) Russett.

He graduated from Decorah High School in 1942, and was a World War II Navy Veteran. On his return from service, he met the love of his life,
Marian Darling. They were married on April 18, 1949.
Larry and Marian raised a large family in Dubuque, and had 58 wonderful years together before Marian passed away on May 19, 2007.  Larry was employed with Deere & Company for 35 years retiring in 1985.

Larry was an outstanding father and provided well for his family and will be greatly missed.

Those left to cherish Larry’s memory include
his 9 children,
Judith Russett, Bradenton, FL,
Debbie Krug, Dubuque, IA,
Deanne Fitzgerald, Dubuque, IA,
James (Renee) Russett, Decorah, IA,
David (Kathy) Russett, Asbury, IA,
Steven (Dawn) Russett, St. Paul, MN,
Jon (Kris) Russett, Clayton, IA,
Laurie Russett, Bradenton, FL
and Thomas (Wanda) Russett, Dubuque, IA;

14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren;

and his brother,
Robert Russett, Waterloo, IA.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Marian Russett; an infant daughter, Ann Marie Russett; son-in-law, David Fitzgerald; grandsons Mackenzie Russett and Jared Hammell; and a sister-in-law, Darlene Russett.

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

Donna S. Suthers Hardin

Donna Scott Suthers Hardin passed away Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the Davenport Lutheran Home, one day shy of her 95th birthday.

She was born March 6, 1927, the daughter of Lester and Grace (Schocker) Scott. They lived in rural Jackson and Clinton counties as she grew up. She attended Mt. Ida and Watson rural schools, Baldwin H.S. and graduated from Maquoketa H.S. in 1944. She married Leon Suthers in 1946. They had one daughter, Connie Suthers Patridge. After Leon’s death in 1986, she married William “Bill” Hardin in 1988.

She was too young to start teaching when she graduated high school so she worked at the Fishing Tackle Company in Maquoketa for one year before attending Mount St. Clare College the summer of 1945 after which she began teaching at Mt. Ida, the one-room school near Lost Nation, IA; the school she had attended until 5th grade. She then taught at North Bend near Maquoketa, where her grandfather, August Schocker, had taught 60 years earlier.  After a short time teaching at the rural Maquoketa #8 school, she taught three years at Hurstville and seven years at Fulton, IA. At Hurstville and Fulton, she had as many as 40 students in grades K-8. She negotiated with the school boards until she was the highest paid one-room school teacher in the county. When the rural students were brought into Maquoketa, she taught third grade, one year in the library basement, one year at the Youth Center and then 28 years at Briggs Elementary, retiring in 1989.

For twenty years she attended college classes, summers, nights, and weekends, to earn her BA degree in 1965. She earned enough credits after that to equal another year of college.

She and Leon were members of the DeWitt Area Road Runners Camping group, the National Campers and Hikers Association, and the Joinerville Boat Club. They were in square dancing groups and bowled.  They played cards with neighbors and friends.  They traveled and camped extensively for years.

She and Bill also were members of those groups, played euchre whereever they were, and traveled extensively.  She made it to Hawaii twice, Europe, Mexico, Canada and most of the 50 states. For 26 years she wintered in Donna, Texas. There she earned a shelf of trophies for playing shuffleboard. She always loved to go fishing. The last few years, blindness, curtailed her life considerably.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Don Patridge of Davenport, IA; grandsons, Daniel (Kristin) Patridge and their son, Alex, and Adam (Laura) Patridge and their son, David, and their daughter, Allison.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Grace Scott, husbands, Leon Suthers and William Hardin, and brother, Dale Scott.

A celebration of Donna’s life will be held at 11 A.M., Saturday, March 19, 2022, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa.  Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. at the funeral home.  Burial will be at the Union Cemetery, rural Maquoketa, Iowa.

The family requests that masks be worn during the visitation and services.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Camp Courageous of Iowa, Alzheimer’s Association or the Maquoketa Schools Education Fund.

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

Donna M. Morhardt

Donna M. (Falancer) Morhardt, 82, of Scales Mound, IL, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2022 at the Galena Stauss Senior Care Community in Galena, IL.

Graveside services will be at the Scales Mound Twp. Cemetery.  A Celebration of Life will be held later in the spring. The Miller-Steinke Funeral Home of Scales Mound is serving the family.

Donna was born on November 18, 1939 in rural Hanover, IL, the daughter of Kenneth H. and Mary E. (Lyden) Falancer.  She was united in marriage to Gerald P. Morhardt, on September 16, 1961 at St. Michael’s Church in Galena.  He preceded her in death on October 14, 2020.

She was a graduate of Galena High School, the class of 1957. She and Gerald farmed in rural Scales Mound. Donna also spent many countless hours working at the SonShine Center
in Schapville. Her service and dedication to the community was treasured by many.

Surviving are seven nieces and nephews and their families; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Richard and Marjorie Morhardt of Scales Mound.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Mary; brother, James (Mary Ann Pask) Falancer; a nephew, David Hesselbacher; a niece, Michelle Robertson; and a great-nephew, Andrew Trebian.

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