Obituaries

Ruth Button Grau, 93, of Elkader, passed away Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, at MercyOne Hospital in Elkader. Ruth was born on Sept. 3, 1932, in Waterloo, to Henry “Harry” and Elena (Anderson) Button. She graduated as the valedictorian from East Waterloo High School, Waterloo, with the class of 1950. She went on to graduate from Iowa Teachers College in 1952 and Upper Iowa University in 1970 with a teaching certificate and a bachelor of arts in elementary education, respectively.

Nadine Marie (Langrehr) Dahling, 83, of Elkader, passed away peacefully listening to Christmas music, at the Elkader Care Center on Dec. 22, 2025, with her family by her side.

Betty Jean Breitsprecher, age 80, of Monona, passed away peacefully on Dec. 19, 2025, at the Great River Care Center in McGregor. Betty was born on Jan. 5, 1945, in Dubuque, to Clarance A. Oswald and LaVerne E. Regal. She grew up on a small farm near Garnavillo, where she found endless joy riding horses and soaking in the beauty of the outdoors. Those early days shaped the free-spirited, nature-loving woman she would always be.

On Dec. 15, 2025, Donna Mae Schminke was called home to rest in the presence of the Lord in her room at The Towers assisted living facility in Garnavillo. Donna was born 96 years ago on May 6, 1929, to Harry and Hannah (Julia) Conner in Delhi. Her mother died when she was nine years old, so her aunts and cousins were an important part of her childhood, helping her father and older brother.