Richard Leibold

Richard Frederick “Dick” Leibold, 78, of Ossian, Iowa died Tuesday, September 24, 2019at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Richard, the son of Leo H. and Charlotte (Lewis) Leibold, was born March 17, 1941 in Decorah, Iowa. He graduated from De Sales High School in Ossian. Dick served in the US Army with the 101^stAirborne from 1959 through 1962.  When Dick returned from the service, he worked at Schmitz Furniture Store as a carpet layer. He then partnered with Jim Skillings in D & J Carpeting for several years. Dick then worked for Mr. Carpet in Decorah. After his retirement, Dick worked as a custodian for De Sales School.

Dick was united in marriage with Susan Numedahl on October 2, 1965 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar.  To this union, five children were born.

Donald Backes

Donald G. Backes, 82, of Decorah, Iowa passed away Sunday, September 29, 2019 at the Barthell Eastern Star Home in Decorah, Iowa.  Donald George, the son of George and Viola (Kurash) Backes was born May 13, 1937, in Jackson Junction, Iowa.  He was baptized and confirmed at Saint Lukes Catholic Church in St. Lucas, Iowa and graduated from Saint Lukes Parochial School in 1955.

Don followed his father and grandfather into the masonry business and worked with his father into his mid-twenties. Drafted, Don served with the United States Army from 1961-1963 as a mechanic and as an artillery Forward Observer.  During the Cuban missile crisis, his Ft. Sill, OK, artillery unit was mobilized to a Gulf Coast shipyard and loaded onto ships in anticipation of invading Cuba.  After Don scowled fiercely in the direction of Cuba, the whole affair became resolved.

Eugene Boie

Eugene F. Boie, 84, of West Union and formerly of Hawkeye, died Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at Stoney Brook Village in West Union.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 5, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawkeye with Rev. Ron Roberts officiating. Inurnment will follow at Hawkeye Cemetery. A visitation will precede the service at the church beginning at 9 a.m. Memorials may be made to the family for later designation. Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Hawkeye is assisting Eugene’s family.

Walter "Wally" Hermen

Walter “Wally” R. Herman, 58, of Hawkeye, died Monday, September 23, 2019, at his home in Hawkeye, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Floyd Stensland

Floyd Arlie Stensland, 93 of West Union, Iowa died Thursday, September 19, 2019 at Stoney Brook in West Union, Iowa. Floyd was born August 16, 1926 on the home farm one mile west Of Eldorado, Iowa, on the north side of the Turkey River. His parents were Andrew O. and Lyla (Duland) Stensland. He lived on the farm all his life, except when he served his country in the Korean War from 1950 to 1952. Floyd was a member of the United States Army Artillery. After returning home, Floyd carried on farming with his father until his marriage on August 25, 1962 to Florence Elizabeth Muncie. He then purchased the farm and his parents moved to town. 

Wanda White

Wanda White, 73, of Palo, Iowa, died Wednesday, August 28, 2019, under hospice care at The Bird House in Iowa City, Iowa, following a ten-year battle with cancer. A Vigil Service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 27, 2019, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Visitation will follow from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, September 27, 2019, at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will take place at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 28, 2019, at St. Jude Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Private family entombment will take place at a later date at Linwood Cemetery Mausoleum, Cedar Rapids.Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Eugene Boie

Eugene F. Boie, 84, of West Union and formerly of Hawkeye, died Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at Stoney Brook Village in West Union.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 5, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawkeye with Rev. Ron Roberts officiating. Inurnment will follow at Hawkeye Cemetery.

A visitation will precede the service at the church beginning at 9 a.m. Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.

Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Hawkeye is assisting Eugene’s family.

Ruth Kenney

Ruth Elaine Zurbriggen Knight Kenney, 97, of West Union, Iowa formerly of Postville, Iowa passed away on Friday, September 13, 2019, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Elaine was born February 8, 1922, at Korn Hill Farm in rural Fayette, Iowa, to Mattias and Marguerite (Wirz) Zurbriggen. Elaine grew up in rural Fayette County and Elgin, Iowa. She graduated from Elgin High School in 1939. After graduation, Elaine worked in her father’s bakeries both in Elgin, Iowa, and Sumner, Iowa. After World War II started, she worked for the Gudeman Company in Chicago, Illinois, as a riveter. The Gudeman Co. made air and oil compressors for military airplanes. 

Gerald Gehring

Gerald David Gehring, 91, of Des Moines, IA, passed away July 15, 2019.

Memorial Services will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, October 5, 2019, at the Hawkeye United Methodist Church in Hawkeye.

Gerald, Jerry, was born on a farm in Elgin, IA on July 11, 1928 to Lawrence and Edna Gehring. Jerry was the second oldest of seven children. He was an excellent athlete, including being an All-State Honorable Mention in basketball his senior year of high school (1946). He earned the nickname “The Swan” for his graceful hook shot. After High School, he enlisted in the Army, which included being on a military championship basket team. After the army, he attended Upper Iowa University where he played football. Jerry married Marilyn McIntyre of Hawkeye, IA, November 14, 1949. Most of Jerry’s professional life was in sales. He was a true people person enhanced by his sense of humor.

Floyd Stensland

Floyd Arlie Stensland, 93 of West Union, Iowa died Thursday, September 19, 2019 at Stoney Brook in West Union, Iowa. 

Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 27, 2019 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, West Union, Iowa with Pastor Rusty Phillips as the officiant.

Burial West Union Cemetery, West Union, Iowa

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