Travis Cooley

Travis Cooley, 41, of Hawkeye, Iowa,  died Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital, West Union, Iowa.  He was born March 20, 1978 to Ronald and Cheri (Holtberg) Cooley in West Union, Iowa. Travis was baptized at Zion Lutheran in West Union, Iowa and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran in Hawkeye, Iowa. He graduated from North Fayette High School in 1996 and attended NICC in Calmar for Welding and Hawkeye Community College for Automotive Technology.

Craig Mundt

Craig Henry Mundt, age 70 of Ossian, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on Thursday, February 13, 2020, at his home. A Celebration of his Life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 21, 2020 at the church from 4 to 8 p.m. and 1 hour before the service on Saturday. 

Craig was born September 27, 1949, in Decorah, Iowa, the son of Leslie and Leora (Bloxham) Mundt. Craig graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1967. He then attended NIACC in Mason City, Iowa. He was united in marriage to Linda Martie on December 7, 1973 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia, Iowa.

Craig and Linda farmed with his parents on the family farm for 22 years at which time he went on to work at Camcar - Stanley Black and Decker for another 22 years. Craig then became ill with esophageal cancer, which he has battled for the last 4 1/2 years.

Margaret Halverson

Margaret E. Halverson, 87, of Waukon, IA, died Wednesday, February 12th, 2020, at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 18th, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Sterling Lutheran Cemetery, Mt. Sterling, WI. Friends could call from 4-7 p.m. Monday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

Johanna Amundson

Johanna H. Anderson Amundson died peacefully early on February 4, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Center in West Union, IA just 10 days before her 91^stbirthday. 

Richard Bishop

Richard Allen Bishop, Randalia, Iowa, passed away in the early morning hours on Friday, January 3, 2020 at the age of 68 at his winter residence in Florida. Richard (Rich) was born on December 10, 1951 in Atlantic, Iowa to parents Richard Bishop, Sr. and Lois Jean (Juhl) Bishop. He graduated from Griswold High School in 1970 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Buena Vista College in 1974. He had a long career working in the agricultural field as a grain merchandiser, broker, and manager. He met his wife, Bonnie (Anderson) Bishop while attending Buena Vista College and they were united in marriage on June 14, 1975. On June 17, 1977, they were blessed with identical twin daughters, Jennifer and Jessica.

Merle Lahey

Merle Joseph Lahey of West Union, IA died on February 6, 2020.  

He was born on October 21, 1938 in Dubuque County to Cyril and Mary (Kiernan) Lahey.  Merle was united in marriage to Eileen (Leick) on September 28, 1957.  Four children were born to this union.    

He is survived by his wife, Eileen; daughter Sue (Kevin) Brockway of West Union, IA, son Steve “JJ” Lahey of West Union, IA, daughter Michelle (Mike) Gonzales of Salt Lake City, Utah and daughter Jill Krambeer of West Union, IA; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren; brothers Jim (Phyllis) Lahey, Tom Lahey, and Dan (Cathy) Lahey; sisters Mary Ellen (Bill) White and Margie Skahill; step sister Karen (Kevin) White; step brother Merle Koltes; and step mother Alberta “Babe” Lahey.  

Merle was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Stephanie Brockway.  

Betty Spies

Betty Mary Spies, 90, of West Union, Iowa died Thursday, February 6, 2020 at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa. Betty was born September 9, 1929 to George and Edna (Bloomfield) Schmelzer in West Union, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Holy Name Catholic Church in West Union, Iowa. Betty graduated from West Union High School in 1949 and attended Upper Iowa University for one year.

Betty was united in marriage with Harold Henry Spies on September 28, 1950 at Holy Name Catholic Church. Five children were born to this union. Betty was a lifelong member of the Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters and Swinging Squares Square Dance Club. She helped with Meals on Wheels for over twenty years. Betty enjoyed gardening, square dancing, reading and cooking. Her cheesecake was legendary at reunions. Betty loved animals, especially her cats and dogs, helping nurse many animals back to health.

Merlin Crain

Merlin Crain, 75, Louisiana, MO (formally of Cresco, Iowa), died at 1:31 p.m. on January 31, 2020 at his daughter’s home in Louisiana, MO.

   Merlin was born on May 10, 1944, in Elgin, IA, the son of Lester and Leta Voshell Crain.  He married Linda Schutte on July 28, 1965, in West Union, IA; she preceded him in death.  Four children were born to this union, Janetta, Sandra, Michelle, Michael.  The couple raised their family in the surrounding Decorah area, finally landing in Cresco where they resided for 40 years.  

Karen De Vore

Memorial services for Karen De Vore, 76, of Indianola, who passed away Saturday, January 25, 2020, will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, February 9, 2020 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola. Visitation will be held prior to services starting at 1 p.m. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at Newton Memorial Park Cemetery, Newton, Iowa, followed by a gathering for family and friends in Newton. Please contact the family for details.

Karen was born to Benjamin and Leona Klouda in 1943 in Newton. She graduated from Newton High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Simpson College. She married Charles De Vore in 1964.