Obituaries

Margie Nell (Olson) O’Brien 96, of Elkader, Iowa, died peacefully on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the Kingston Court Assisted Living in Elkader. She was born September 8th, 1928, in rural St. Olaf, Iowa, to Millard and Valdene (Wettleson) Olson. She was baptized and confirmed at the Norway Lutheran Church near St. Olaf, Iowa.

Margie was educated in rural St. Olaf, Iowa and completed high school at Postville High School, graduating in 1946.

Jerry Clarence Hilgerson, 65, of Waukon, Iowa, passed away on July 21st, 2024 peacefully in his home with his wife and family by his side.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 12th from 2-5pm at the Waukon Banquet Center.

Joan Gisleson, 89, of Luana, passed away on July 25, 2024 at Hiawatha Care Center in Hiawatha, Iowa. Joan was born on October 27, 1934 in Postville, Iowa. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith in 1935 and confirmed in 1949. She graduated from Postville High School in 1952. It was love at first sight when she saw Romandus Jordan Gisleson and after a short courtship they were engaged and were married on November 28, 1954. They were married for 66 years. Sam and Joan raised four children who were involved in the day-to-day farming operation. Joan’s primary role was as a wife and mother.

CEDAR RAPIDS – Norma Jean Starks of Cedar Rapids, IA passed away on July 10, 2024, after a brief illness. She was born on May 26, 1952 to G. Norman and Beulah Amundson in Postville, IA, graduating from Postville High School in 1970 and nursing school in 1973. Norma was married to Kenneth Starks on October 12, 1974 in Cedar Rapids, the city she would make her home.