John Whalen, Dubuque, Iowa

John A. Whalen, 97, Dubuque, Iowa, formerly of Mitchell, died Sunday, April 19, 2009, after a short illness.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday in Dubuque.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hoffmann Schneider and Kitchen Funeral Home, Dubuque.

He was born on April 24, 1911, in Elma, Iowa, to William and Nellie (Griffin) Whalen.

He graduated from high school in Elma in 1929 and attended Loras College, Dubuque.

On Aug. 14, 1939, he married Gen Whalen at Nativity Church, Harmony, Minn.

He worked for The Witness and The Catholic Daily Tribune in Dubuque before becoming managing editor of the Mitchell Daily Republic from 1943 until 1959.

He was the publicity director for former Gov. Ralph Herseth for two years.

Later, he and his wife owned and published weekly newspapers in Tyndall and Springfield, Nora Springs, Iowa; Popular Bluff, Mo.; and Madelia, Minn.

He retired and they moved to Stevens Point, Wis.

His wife died on Nov. 5, 1999.

He moved back to Dubuque in 2004.

He authored three books.

He is survived by four children: Mary T. Whalen, Dubuque; Kay Boeckenstedt and husband Pat, Dyersville, Iowa; John and wife Peggy, Brookings; and Mike and wife Jane, Mankato, Minn.; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, an infant granddaughter, his parents and his siblings.

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