Dakota "Toad" Ness

Dakota "Toad" C. Ness, 22, of Waukon, IA, died Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at his home. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 15th, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus and Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial will be at Old West Paint Creek Cemetery, rural Waukon. Friends may call from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sunday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon. Memorials can be made to Kenleigh Ness, c/o Farmers and Merchants Bank, PO Box 9, Waukon, IA 52172.

Dakota "Toad" Christen Ness was born August 2, 1995, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA, to Scott and Karen (Fink) Ness. He made their family complete when he joined big brothers Dan and Dylan. Dakota was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon and was also active at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon. He attended Waterville Elementary and in 2014, graduated from Waukon High School.

From a young age, Dakota loved farm life and was a hard worker. He was an active member of Elon PMC 4H Club, FFA, track, wrestling, and football. He was co-captain and member of the 2013 runner-up state champion football team and was also named all-state linebacker. Dakota loved spending time and hunting and fishing with his brothers, cousins, and friends. He also loved Allis-Chalmers tractors.

After graduation, he was employed by J.B. Holland as a heavy equipment operator, by the city of Waukon, and was currently a maintainer operator for Allamakee County. In addition, Dakota was actively engaged in farming at Ness Ridge Nurseries. He was a friend to everyone and always willing to help neighbors, family, and friends with farm work. Most of all, Dakota was a loving and devoted father to his daughter Kenleigh Anne; she brought so much joy to his life.

Dakota is survived by his parents Karen and Scott of Waterville, IA; daughter Kenleigh; brothers: Dan (Kari) of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Dylan of Waterville; grandparents: Barbara and Sigurd Ness and Mary Fink, all of Waukon; great-grandmother Joyce Kuhse of Postville, IA; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his precious niece Makaela Ness; grandfather Rodney "Occo" Fink; and great-grandparents: Lester and Meta Ness, Donald L. Snitker, Dale Kuhse, Floyd and Florence Waters, Velma Mack, and Freeman Fink.

Honorary casketbearers are Toad's first cousins. Casketbearers are Dominick Mellick, Garth Cooper, Brent Johnson, Frank Mahr, Chad Jones, and Dave Bakke.