Sophia Ghegan

Sophia Izabel Ghegan, 16, of Waukon, IA, died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services will be held Friday, September 4th, at 11:00 AM at Iron Ridge Church in Waukon with Bryan Mincks officiating. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Thursday at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.

Sophia Izabel Ghegan was born July 4, 2010, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA, the daughter of Charles Ghegan and Tiffany (Dotzler) Ghegan. Currently a student at Waukon High School, she played on the football team for a year and wrestled, until dislocating an elbow, and still enjoyed weight lifting. Sophia took welding class, which made her contemplate that as a possible career choice, but was also considering the nursing profession. For the past year and a half, Sophia worked at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon and was just selected as Employee of the Month for September 2026.

Work was her life and the Good Sam residents were her heart and soul; she often came in to visit them off-the-clock and traveled to see them if they were transferred to a different care center. Outside of work, Sophia was a typical teenager-spending time with friends, driving around, and going to barn dances. She enjoyed a variety of music, particularly Queen, loved Chinese food, and had a great sense of humor; you never knew what might come out of her mouth. Her 2002 Chevy Silverado was her “pride and joy”, the vehicle she had her eye on before she even got her permit.

Sophia is survived by her mom Tiffany Ghegan, dad Charles Ghegan, and two brothers Frankie and Carmine, all of Waukon; grandparents Donna Dotzler and Kenneth Kerr of Waukon; aunts and uncles: Nikki Dotzler and her children Dexter and Miciah of Hawaii, Derek (Rachel) Dotzler and their son Gage of Waukon; Devian (Wade) Lenth and children Kooper, Piper, and Sawyer of Waukon, Paige (Kevin) Durnan and children Stella and Arlo of Waukon, and Alaina (Andy) Foley and their daughter Ashlynn of Massachusetts; great-grandma Lenore Quinn of Massachusetts; her “adopted grandparents” Willis and Marlene Livingood of Postville, IA; and her beloved dog Tallulah.

She was preceded in death by grandfather Wayne Dotzler; great-grandparents Edith and Dale Remke; and great-uncle David Remke.