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.

William (Bill) Langreck

William (Bill) Langreck, age 77, died Monday January 15, 2024, at Gundersen’s Health System in Lacrosse WI from complications due to a chronic lung condition.                 

Mary Jane Wagner

Mary Jane Matilda Wagner age 79, of Millersburg, Iowa formerly of West Union, Iowa, passed away on Friday, January 19, 2024 at English Valley Care Center in North English, Iowa.

Mary Jane was born on November 5, 1944 in New Hampton, Iowa at New Hampton Hospital to Herman and Hilda (Gerleman) Elmer and attended St. Lucas High School graduating in 1963. On June 20, 1970, she married Carl Wagner at Holy Name Catholic Church in West Union, Iowa. To this union, one child was born.

Mary Pitcher

Mary Beth (Trewin) Pitcher passed away at age 85 on November 9, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Her son Stan was with her.  Beth was born on December 9, 1938 to Ronald and Frances (Burke) Trewin in Alpha, Iowa.  She was predeceased by both parents and her brother, Richard.

Beth graduated from Alpha High School where she was an excellent student.  She loved sports, especially basketball.  She excelled on her high school team at a time when there weren’t many opportunities for girls.

She attended Iowa State University for a year before heading to Minneapolis and later Chicago to work.  In Chicago she met Jim Pitcher who she married in 1963.  She is survived by three children, Mary (Hock) Szczepaniak, Stanford and Christopher, and four grandchildren: Bobby (Lucy), Bradley, Garon and Theresa Szczepaniak.     

Marion Julia Heying

Marion Julia Heying, age 89, passed away peacefully at The Good Samaritan Center in West

Union Saturday, January 20, 2024. She was surrounded by her loving family. Marion was born on November 30, 1934 to Ben and Rose (Rausch) Bodensteiner on the family farm in St. Lucas, Iowa. She graduated from St Luke’s High School.

Through her love for dancing, she met the love of her life, Dennis Henry Heying at Inwood Dance Hall in Spillville, Iowa. On October 25, 1955 she married Dennis at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. To this union nine children were born.

Everything Marion did started with love. She had a huge heart and an insatiable love of giving. She loved everyone and it was more than evident that everyone loved her back. It warmed her heart to find that special item and give it to those she loved. Marion was one of a kind and devoted her life to spreading joy and laughter. She has inspired us all to “Love Like Marion”.