Karen Halva

Karen Halva, 78, of West Union, Iowa died Friday, January 26, 2024 at Gunderson Palmer Hospital in West Union, Iowa. She was born October 28, 1945 to Wayne and Jeanne (Kephart) Gulick. Karen graduated from Vinton High School in 1963 and went on to earn her BA in education from University of Northern Iowa in 1967.

On June 8, 1968, Karen was united in marriage with Gary Halva in Vinton, Iowa. They celebrated fifty-three years together before Gary passed in 2021. Karen was also preceded in death by two children, son Tracy Halva in 1990 and daughter Kerry Halva in 2010; her parents Wayne and Jeanne Gulick; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law Rudy and Dortha Halva. 

Dwight David Bacon 

Dwight David Bacon, 69 of Decorah, Iowa passed away Thursday, January 25, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family. Dwight was born August 5, 1954 to Allan Lloyd and Beverly Jean (Nelson) Bacon in Postville, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at the Luana Methodist Church. Dwight graduated from Postville High School with the class of 1972 and proudly joined the United States Navy. He served from 1972 to 1975.

On September 1, 1973, Dwight married Barbara Rekow, two daughters were born to this union. They later divorced. Throughout the years Dwight worked in Farm Supply Management at Postville Farmers Co-op and Waukon Feed Ranch for forty plus years and Malcom Enterprises as a Sanitation Engineer in Decorah, Iowa. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville, Iowa, the AmVets in Monona, Iowa and the American Legion in Postville, Iowa.  On June 10, 1994 Dwight was united in marriage with Lisa Marie Loftsgard.

Donald Eugene Iliff

Donald Eugene Iliff went to his heavenly home on Sunday, January 28, 2024 in his home with his loving wife by his side. Friends and family may celebrate Don’s life on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at the American Legion Hall in West Union, Iowa from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. A family funeral will be held at a later date.

Don was born on September 28, 1938 in West Union, the son of Warren and Dorothy (Smith) Iliff. Living the majority of his life in West Union, Don loved to talk about growing up there and the wonderful times had with friends and family. He graduated from West Union High School in 1956 and enlisted in the Army as a 17- year-old. He was stationed in Berlin, Germany for 2.5 years and loved his time spent there having many stories of adventures.

Diane Kay Weston

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Diane Kay Weston, 76, on February 1, 2024. She left this world peacefully after a courageous and brief battle with cancer at Western Home Communities in Cedar Falls, Iowa surrounded by her loved ones.

Father Richard W. Kuhn

With great sadness and tremendous pride in a pastoral life well lived, the family of Fr. Richard (Dick) William Kuhn regret to announce his peaceful death. Fr. Kuhn died at the age of 95 at Stonehill Health Center in Dubuque, on Friday, January 26, at 4:50 p.m. The fourth of eight children, and oldest son, Fr. Kuhn was born at the family farm in Osage, IA, on March 18, 1928.

William “Bill” Joseph Huinker, Jr. 

William “Bill” Joseph Huinker, Jr. was born on April 29, 1931, in Seneca, Wisconsin, to William J. and Ida Anna (Einck) Huinker. At the age of 10 months, he moved with his family to the Ossian/Festina area, where he spent his younger years. He graduated eighth grade from St. Francis de Sales School. Since his father died the year before, he then stayed home and farmed the rented farm.

On April 28, 1958, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Burbach at SS. Philip and James Catholic Church in St. James, Nebraska. To this union nine children were born.

They spent five years farming at Ossian and in 1962 they bought a farm in Postville and moved there in 1963.

Michael "Mike" Schmitt

             Michael "Mike" Schmitt, 63, of Waucoma, died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, at the Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union.

Keith Harlen Anderson

Keith Harlen Anderson, 59, of West Union, passed away Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer.

Keith was born on January 28, 1964, in West Union to Harlen Anderson and Sharon (Hilgerson) Anderson. He graduated from North High in 1983. While in school, he participated in football and wrestling. Keith was married, later divorced, and has a son, Keith Jr.

Keith entered the U.S. Army in March 1992, and after training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, as a combat engineer and was stationed in Baumholder, Germany, for almost two years. Attaining the rank of specialist, Keith returned to Fort Moore, George, and was discharged in October 1994. Keith was twice awarded the Army Achievement Medal and also received the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon. He qualified as an expert marksman with rifle and grenade.

Elaine Marilyn Noggle

Elaine Marilyn Noggle, 87, of Clermont died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at her home in Clermont. She was born January 15, 1937 to Clarence and Helen (Pratt) Tatro in West Union. Elaine was confirmed at the Presbyterian Church in West Union on April 2, 1950. She graduated from Clermont-Elgin Consolidated School in 1955, attended one year at University of Dubuque, and graduated from NEITI, Calmar, in the clerical department.

Elaine was united in marriage with Gene Louis Westby on January 4, 1958, and was later divorced. She then married Paul Ernest Noggle on April 1, 1962, and three children were born to this union, Lynne, Michelle and Tamara. They were later divorced.

Bonnie Joyce Farr

Bonnie Joyce Farr joined her Savior in heaven in the early morning of Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. It was Bonnie's passion to selflessly care for her family and friends. Bonnie would often be found cooking and canning for her loved ones, oil painting, crocheting, or spending time camping and listening to bluegrass music .

Bonnie was a special woman who was born to Dave and Myrtle (Kleepe) Woodson on Feb. 22, 1938, in West Union. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Eldorado, and graduated from North High in West Union. Bonnie was employed by Atwood Automotive in West Union for many years and after retirement she enjoyed her time at Rainbow Land Daycare in Fayette. Bonnie was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Hawkeye, and a member of the Backbone Bluegrass Association.