Marlys Fink

Marlys Ardell Fink, 89, of West Union, Iowa died Friday, March 20, 2020 at Gundersen Palmer Hospital in West Union, Iowa. Marlys was born to Charlie and Florence (Yoeman) Halverson on July 26, 1930 in West Union, Iowa. She graduated from West Union High School and attended University of Iowa for three years, where she was a member of Scottish Highlanders.

Marlys was united in marriage with Kenneth Fink in 1951. Five children were born to this union. Marlys owned and operated West Union Hardware and Curious Goose Gift Shop. She was a member of the West Union Methodist Church and longest living member of Messiah Rotary Club. Marlys was a Master Gardener and enjoyed growing vegetables and flowers. Her hobbies included art and crafts and she loved working at the Hardware Store.

Dr. Dennis Schuldt

Dennis R. Schuldt, age 77, of Decorah, IA, passed away Sunday, March 15, 2020 at Wellington Place in Decorah, Iowa.

  Dennis was born December 23, 1942 in Sumner, Iowa, the son of Alfred and Pauline (Wendland) Schuldt.

  He graduated from Sumner High School in 1961, then attended the University of Iowa and earned his bachelor's degree in 1965 and he received his medical degree in 1969.

  After a one-year internship at the University of Washington, he worked in the emergency department of Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco for six years.  He then moved to Danville, California working as a radiologist from 1979 to 1992, after completing a three-year residency.

  Dennis moved back to Iowa (Decorah) in 1993 and worked for Gundersen Lutheran.  He covered radiology in hospitals in Waukon, Elkader, and Cresco.  Later his job evolved into four days a week in West Union and one day in Prairie du Chien, Wis. 

Marlys Fink

Marlys Ardell Fink, 89, of West Union, Iowa died Friday, March 20, 2020 at Gundersen Palmer Hospital in West Union, Iowa.

A Celebration of life will be held at a later date.

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

Thomas Baker

Thomas Norman Baker, 85, of Gunder, Iowa died Friday, March 6, 2020 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. Thomas was born August 17, 1934 to Albert L. and Audrey (Jacobs) Baker in Des Plaines, Illinois. He graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Des Plaines and attended two years at Layola Academy.

Ronald Kruger

Ronald G. Kruger, 65, of West Union, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Center in West Union. 

Memorial service will be held at a later date.

Ronald was born on December 5, 1954 to Kermit and Sally (Alexander) Kruger. 

He worked as a truck driver for many years.  Ron also enjoyed bass fishing on the Mississippi River and stock car racing.

Survivors include his son, Jason Kruger of Tennessee; siblings, Julie Rundle and Lori Alexander, both of California; one grandson, Austin Kruger; three nephews, Shane Goodman, Jeremy Alexander and Gavan Alexander; four aunts and his longtime partner, Betty Steinlage of West Union.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial donations may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.iowacremation.com under Obituaries. 

Gordon Kleppe

Gordon Lavern Kleppe, 81, of West Union, Iowa died Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union, Iowa. 

Gordon Lavern was born May 6, 1938 to Frederick Herman and Gladys Harriet (Helgerson) Kleppe on a farm near Ossian, Iowa in Fayette County. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church, rural Ossian and also grew up attending country school, rural Ossian, Iowa. He and his family spoke fluent Norwegian, a heritage for which he was very proud.

Donald Steil

Donald “Don” Steil, 86, of Fairbank passed away on Wednesday March 11, 2020 at Cedar Valley Hospice House in Waterloo with his family by his side. Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2020 at the Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home in Oelwein with a Fourth Degree Rosary at 3:45 on Monday. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday March 17, 2020 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein with Father Paul McManus officiating. Inurnment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein. For condolences, please visit www.geilenfeldfh.com

Lee Folsom

  Lee F. Folsom, 71, of Waukon, IA, died Thursday, March 12, 2020, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 17th, at 11 a.m. at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon, IA, with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial with military rites will be at Old West Paint Creek Cemetery. Friends called from 4 – 7p.m. Monday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

Jerome Einck

Jerome Einck, age 100 of Decorah, IA, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2020, at Wellington Place in Decorah, IA.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at the St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding.  Burial will be in St. Benedict Cemetery.  

Visitation was from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at the Church.  The Schluter-Balik Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Kermit Peterson

Kermit L. Peterson, 75, of Mason City, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at the Good Shepherd Health Center.

Per Kermit’s wishes, he was cremated. No services are scheduled at this time.

Memorials may be directed to the family of Kermit Peterson. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com

Kermit Len Peterson was born on May 27, 1944. to parents, Lenferd and Edna (Helgerson) Peterson, in West Union, Iowa.

He graduated from Valley High School in Elgin, Iowa in 1962.

Kermit was united into marriage to Shirley Jean Larson on February 14, 1965 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville, Iowa. To this union, four children were born.

In his free time, Kermit loved fishing, camping, motorcycles and gardening, and he cherished the time he spent with family and friends. He will be dearly missed.