Obituaries

Douglas Donald Larson, 56, of Elkader passed away on Monday November 26, 2018, at his residence. Doug was born on May 6, 1962, at Central Community Hospital of Elkader, Iowa, to Donnie and Rita (Farmer) Larson. Doug was baptized at Highland Lutheran Church and was confirmed at Peace United Church of Christ.  He attended Central Community Schools in Elkader.

Doug was married to Sue Ann Boots and to this union one daughter, Alison, was born. They were later divorced.

After high school, Doug was employed by Korte Implement in Elkader. He later started working at Auto Collision Specialists for Bud Miller and was still enjoying his work at the time of his death.

At family gatherings, Doug was considered the instigator. He loved getting all the little great nieces and nephews wound up by telling his crazy stories. They all loved him so dearly.

John Johnstone passed away November 23, 2018, at Elkader Care Center after a long illness. John was known for loving photography, having a dry wit and always wearing loafers. John majored in piano at Chicago Music College in the 1940’s, where he met his first wife, Joan. John had six children and two stepchildren, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. During his younger years John enjoyed throwing parties for his work friends at A.C. Nielsen, smoking cigars, drinking martinis and correcting his children’s grammar. He is preceded in death by his second wife of 35 year, Yvonne (Swedo) Johnstone.  

His family would like to thank the exceptional nurses at Crossing Rivers Hospice, the caring and attentive staff at Elkader Care Center, the staff at Central Community Hospital during respite stays, and the friends he made at Kingston Court Assisted Living for caring and asking about him.

Per Mr. Johnstone’s wishes there will not be a service.

Susan JoAnn Wilke, 62, of Dubuque, Iowa, formerly of Monona, Iowa, died Tuesday, October 30, 2018, surrounded by family. Susan was born August 26, 1956, to Thomas and Mary Jo (Iverson) Wilke in Decorah, Iowa. She graduated from MFL High School with the class of 1974 and attended Luther College earning her B.A. in 1978. Throughout the years, Susan was an art teacher, owned and operated five Hallmark Stores, and currently owned and operated Ink & Stamp with Sue in Galena, Illinois.

From an early age, Susan took great pride in her role as a big sister. The four siblings shared a love of their grandma’s caramel suckers and cranberry cake, and could be brought to tears laughing over Susan’s infamous Chippewa Flowage spill on water skis.

William Franklin “Bill” Kramer, 77, of Elkader, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 4, 2018, following a long battle with SCA (Spinal Cerebrum Atrophy) at the Elkader Care Center surrounded by his family. The family made the decision to donate his body to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program.

Bill was born to Alfred and Charlotte (Dohrer) Kramer May 15, 1941, in Elkader. He was baptized and confirmed at Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader. He attended Elkader Central Schools, graduating with the Class of 1959. After graduation, he worked for Commercial Wire Products in Rockford, IL. In 1963, he was instrumental in establishing another plant location in Elkader called Elkader Wire Display Company, where he became the plant foreman.

In 1964, he joined the Army National Guard serving six years and was honorably discharge in 1970.

He was united in marriage to Sandy Burgett on February 17, 1968, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader.