Obituaries

Error message

  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).
Tue
01
Sep

Earl F. 'Spike' Olson

Earl F. “Spike” Olson, 97, of Ottumwa, passed away at 8:07 p.m. on Aug. 30, 2020, at Centerville Specialty Care  in Centerville.

He was born Aug. 9, 1923, in McGregor, to Severn and Frances Flatt Gutheil Olson. Spike moved to Ottumwa his senior year of high school and graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1942. He entered the Army Air Corps, where he learned to fly and became a flight instructor.

He married Deloris Kathryn Gustaveson on Dec. 25, 1945, and she preceded him in death on Aug. 26, 2018.

Spike worked for Neiderhauser Airway and the Ottumwa Municipal Airport as a flight instructor. He joined his father-in-law at Gustaveson Insurance, where he was an insurance agent. He sold the company to Noel Insurance, where he worked until his retirement.

Mon
31
Aug

Dale E. Dettman

Dale Edwin Dettman, 81, died at his home in St. Olaf on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020. He was born Nov. 13, 1938, on the family farm near National, to Edwin “Eddie” and Lois Schmidt Dettman. Dale attended Pioneer Country School, then transferred to Monona High School, where he graduated with the Class of 1956. After high school, he joined the National Guard, where he served for a time. He was then transferred to the United States Army, serving his country for four years in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Fort Riley, Kan.

He was united in marriage to Mary Vorwald on July 6, 1968, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Garnavillo. Dale and Mary farmed together near St. Olaf. He loved grandchildren, farming for over 60 years, animals, especially his cats, daily routine visiting and keeping a notebook in his pocket.

Mon
31
Aug

Thomas J. 'Joe' Bergan

Thomas Joseph “Joe” Bergan, 85, of Elkader, passed away Aug. 28, 2020, at the Elkader Care Center. He was born March 6, 1935, in Fayette County, the son of Thomas Sr. and Nelly (Kelly) Bergan. He grew up in rural Elkader, graduating from St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957, reaching the rank of Specialist Third Class before discharging.

He was united in marriage to Phyllis Marilyn Walz on Sept. 17, 1957, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Volga. Together, they raised six children: Cindy, Jerry, Craig, Brad, Julie and Mary. Joe and Marilyn lived on their farm on Chicken Ridge, where they farmed for 40 years before retiring to a home in Elkader. Along with farming, he was a long-time Elkader Cooperative board member and a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

Fri
28
Aug

Suzanne J. Dahling

Suzanne Jeanette Dahling, 60, of Elkader, departed on her final journey Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. She spent her final days in the hands of the caring and supportive staff at Elkader Care Center.

Sue was born Oct. 5, 1959, at University Hospital in Iowa City, and is the daughter of Marvin and Annette (McKay) Dahling. She attended Central Community Schools (Elkader) and Garnavillo Special Education.  Sue was a resident in the RISE group home for over 30 years and worked at their sheltered workshop. Sue was a lifetime member of Hope Lutheran Church of Littleport.

Thu
20
Aug

Harlan Backhaus

Harlan Lester Harvey Backhaus was born April 19, 1930, on the family farm in Clayton County, near Garnavillo, to Ernie and Georgene (Mohning) Backhaus. His mother died when he was only three years old, and his father married Evangeline (Mohning), his stepmother. Harlan passed away on Aug. 18, 2020, at the Good Neighbor Home, in Manchester, at the age of 90.

He received his education (grades 1-8) in country school, then later graduated from Garnavillo High School in the class of 1947. He would brag to his children and grandchildren that he was the top of his class through the eighth grade (because he was the only one in the class).

Fri
14
Aug

Ivon H. Ihlenfeldt

Ivon was born May 29, 1923, in rural Clayton Center, to Ernst and Alma (Heuer) Ihlenfeldt. He lived all his life in the Clayton County area and attended rural Wagner Township grade school and graduated from Farmersburg High School. He was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Farmersburg.

Mon
10
Aug

Bruce C. Bushkofsky

Bruce C. Bushkofsky, 66, of St. Cloud, Minn., died July 16, 2020, at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minn.

Bruce was born Nov. 24, 1953, in McGregor, to Robert and Dorothy (Baade) Bushkofsky. He attended and graduated from Central Community High School in 1972, where he was on the state champion basketball team. After high school, Bruce worked as a meat cutter at the local grocery store and served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT for the Elkader Volunteer Fire Department. Bruce was married to LaVonne Thorson on May 1, 1982, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkader. They later moved to Lincoln, Neb., where Bruce began working as a meat counselor for Nash Finch. Their family moved to St. Cloud, Minn., in 1991, where he still worked as a meat counselor with Spartan Nash, a career he held for over 30 years.

Fri
07
Aug

Clair 'Bub' Kruger

Clair “Bub” Kruger, 74, of Strawberry Point, formerly of Littleport, passed away on Monday, July 27, 2020, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on March 9, 1946, in Greeley, the son of Calvin and Etna (Fierstine) Kruger. Clair was raised in Greeley and Edgewood and was a 1964 graduate of Edgewood-Colesburg High School. In 1965, he was drafted into the United States Army and served honorably until his discharge in 1967. 

On Feb. 11, 1967, Clair was united in marriage to Maxine Kruse at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elkport. Two sons were born to this union. Over the years, Clair worked as a parts manager for several implement dealers and retired from the Bodensteiner Implement Company in Elkader.

Fri
07
Aug

Lyle D. Klingman

Lyle Dean Klingman, 77, of Volga, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Lyle was born Nov. 1, 1942, to Lee Emerald and Mildred (Hansel) Klingman. He graduated from Volga High School at the age of 16.

Lyle was united in marriage with Karon Buhr on Sept. 21, 1963, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Garrison. Karon passed away on Aug. 10, 2009. Lyle was then united in marriage with LaTeresa Music on Aug. 21, 2010. She passed away Nov. 17, 2012. 

Thu
06
Aug

Raymond Siegele

Raymond Siegele, 90, of Marquette, died Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, at his home in Marquette. Ray was born on Oct. 9, 1929, the eldest son to Harry Elmer and Ann Marie (Carlson) Siegele in McGregor. He graduated from McGregor High School. Ray served in the National Guard as a drill sergeant and later joined the United States Army.

Pages