Clayton County Register

Carl Duane Hakert, 75, of Elkader, passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2019, at the Elkader Care Center. He was born April 2, 1944, in Wadena, to George M. and Esther C. (Fritz) Hakert. Carl attended Central Community School, graduating with the Class of 1962. He served in the United States Air Force, stationed in Europe.

He was united in marriage to Sandra Kay Burlingame on April 14, 1984, in Calmar, IA. Carl was Parts Manager at Red Country and Windridge for many years and also farmed. He enjoyed playing softball, hunting, fishing and playing cards. In the fall Carl would love to go squirrel hunting and was very good at it. For several years he had an annual squirrel fry for several men.

Carl was an instigator—he loved to “stir up” people—then walk away and laugh!

Mabel M. Pettlon-Elvers, 83, died Sunday, August 25, 2019, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was born June 27, 1935, at home, in Hazleton, Iowa, to Leslie E. and Eleanor M. (Satterlee) Davis. Mabel was baptized on April 12, 1936.
Mabel was a 1952 graduate of Stanley Consolidated High School at the age of 16. She was united in marriage to John Strawn in June 1956. John Jr. and Janell were born to this union. She married LeRoy Pettlon in November 1980. Growing up she worked hard on family farms and eventually moved to Cedar Rapids. She worked as an accountant for many years at Maurice T. Breen Co, CPA, in Cedar Rapids, Bezdek’s Floral–Garden Center in Marion, Parker Hannifin Corporation in Hiawatha. She found joy in working with numbers.

Clair Francis Tschirgi, 76, of rural Elkader, passed away Tuesday, August 13, 2019, at Mercy One Elkader Medical Center. Clair attended school at St. Joseph’s through 8th grade, then transferred to and graduated from Central High School with the Class of 1962.
He was a farmer and mechanic – farming the family farm south of Elkader. He had the title of the “Neighborhood Mechanic.” If he did not have time to fix a vehicle for you, he would tell you how to do it. He loved tractors and attending the annual Plagman Barn event. Clair loved all Fords and Ford Tractors; he especially enjoyed his Ford pickup.

Clair was an avid animal lover who enjoyed feeding the birds and turkeys. He dearly loved his farm cats. His greatest joy was the time spent with family and friends chatting at the kitchen table over cookies and a Pepsi.
Clair was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a Board Member of the George Maier Rural Heritage Center and Museum.