Ronald Thompson

Ronald E. Thompson, 74, of Fayette died Friday, April 13, 2018, at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Fayette with Rev. Herbert Mueller III officiating. 

Burial followed at Grandview Cemetery in Fayette. 

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation. 

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

Ronald Eugene, son of Tilmer and Ethel (Nelson) Thompson, was born Aug. 16, 1943, in Clermont. 

He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith in Clermont. 

Ronald received his education in the Clermont Schools. 

On Aug. 21, 1966, he was united in marriage with Sandra Miller at Grace Lutheran Church in Fayette.

Judy Hovden

Judy Hovden, age 80, of West Union, Iowa, formerly of Cresco, Iowa, died Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union. 

Funeral Services were held Monday, April 16, 2018 at Madison Lutheran Church in rural Ridgeway, IA, with Rev. Jeff Hansen officiating.

Burial was in Madison Lutheran Cemetery. 

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah assisted the family.   

“Every one to whom much has been given, much will be required in return.” (Luke 12:48) Judy was a woman with many talents. Alton has always said there isn’t anyone with more talents than she had. With a wrench and a hammer or a needle and thread, she could fix about anything.

Judith “Judy” Vivian Anderson was born to Raymond A. and Florence M. (Brobst) Anderson on June 25, 1937 in Janesville, Wis.

Ethan Guyer

Ethan Guyer Sr., 81, of Postville, Iowa, formerly of Elgin, Iowa died Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics, West Union, Iowa. 

Ethan Grant was born June 23, 1936 to Aubrey and Mabel (Christianson) Guyer on the family farm near Elgin, Iowa. 

He was baptized and confirmed at West Clermont Lutheran Church in Clermont, Iowa.

Ethan was a jack-of-all-trades. He farmed the family farm for most of his life, he was a Pride Seed dealer, an Archer Oil Dealer and District Manager, he ran a sawmill and repaired chainsaws, and he did custom round baling. 

Ethan was united in marriage with Vivian Anderson on Sept. 30, 1961 at West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont, Iowa.  

He was a member of West Clermont Lutheran Church, N.F.O., Farm Bureau, and the Toastmasters.

Debra Dessel

Debra A. "Deb" Dessel, 65, of West Union, Iowa died Saturday, March 31, 2108, at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital, West Union, Iowa.

Deb was born Nov. 8, 1952, to George “Mick” and Lillian “Lil” (Halverson) Schroyer in Mason City, Iowa. 

She graduated from North High School in 1970, attended Coe College for four years, and earned her teaching degree from Upper Iowa University.

Deb was united in marriage with John Dessel on May 12, 1978, at Holy Name Catholic Church in West Union, Iowa. One daughter was born to this union. 

Deb worked as a third-grade teacher at West Union Elementary School until her retirement. In 1993 she was awarded the Iowa Conservation Teacher of the Year. 

Dale McFarlane

Dale McFarlane, 68, of Waucoma, IA, died Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at Freeport Memorial Hospital, Freeport, Ill.
 

A Celebration of Life was held Monday, April 9, 2018 at the Waucoma Event Center. 

Private family interment will be held at a later date.
 

  Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home in Waucoma was entrusted with arrangements.  

Online condolences for Dale's family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com.
 

Dale Duane McFarlane was born Jan. 30, 1950 in Oelwein, Iowa, the son of Clyde and Thelma (Landsgaard) McFarlane. 

He attended rural country school and graduated from North High School in West Union in 1968.

He met Judy Phillips, his future wife, at Matters Ballroom outside of Decorah in 1969 at a dance. They were introduced to each other through a mutual friend.
 

Gaynal Anderson

Gaynal May (Ramage) Anderson began her life on July 21, 1925 in Pleasant City, Ohio, a little village nestled among the Appalachian hills and coal mines of southeastern Ohio.  Her parents were Bill and May Ramage. Her father was a coal miner, and as a child she lived among the mines and miners.

On Oct. 15, 1934, Gay and her sister, Laura, were in school when the mine whistle blew loud and long. There had been an accident in one of the mines. They were soon told their father had been injured in the mine where he worked. He died a week later of his injuries. 

These were also the years of the Great Depression, of hardship and troubled times. 

Gay attended schools in Ohio and worked wherever she could find a job.  

Janet Keefe

Janet Marie (Weston) Batterson Keefe, 69, of West Union, passed away April 4, 2018 at Gundersen Palmer Hospital, West Union, Iowa. 

She was born March 6, 1949 in Volga, Iowa to Dale Franklin and Minnie Marie (Hill) Weston.  

Janet attended school in Elkader, Valley High School, and Starmont High School where she graduated May 25, 1967.  

She married Dale LaVern Batterson July 27, 1968 at Arlington Methodist Church, Arlington, Iowa and made their home in rural Elgin, Iowa. To this union four sons were born, Adam Lyle, Dan Wade, Jed Owen, and Drew Alan.  

Janet and Dale were married 25 years until he passed away Oct. 4, 1993.  

After Dale’s passing she met Wallace (Wally) Friedly.  They were together for 15 years until he passed away May 12, 2012.  

At one of the many dances she attended she met her husband, Gary. They were married June 3, 2017.  

Debra Dessel

Debra A. "Deb" Dessel, 65, of West Union, Iowa died Saturday, March 31, 2018, at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union, Iowa.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 5, 2018, at Holy Name Parish Hall, West Union, with a brief Service of Remembrance at 4 p.m.

Inurnment will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Palmer Memorial Foundation, West Union Recreation Foundation or Fayette County Soil and Water Conservation.

Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, West Union, is helping the family with the arrangements.

Dale McFarlane

Dale McFarlane, 68, of Waucoma died Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at Freeport Memorial Hospital in Freeport, Ill.

Friends may greet the family from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 9, at the Waucoma Event Center in Waucoma.  

A Celebration of Life will be held there at 6:30 p.m. that evening. 

Private family interment will be held at a later date.

Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home of Waucoma is entrusted with arrangements.