UPDATE: Body of Missing NEIA Kayaker Found

The search for a northeast Iowa man who went missing while kayaking over a week ago is over.

39-year-old Justin Limkemann of Frederika was first reported missing to the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) on May 19th. Limkemann was alone when he launched his kayak onto the Upper Iowa River around 2 pm on May 18th and his last known location was on the river near the Freeport area, east of Decorah, about 6 pm that night. 

Authorities found a capsized kayak and several items belonging to Limkemann in the middle of the river just below the Upper Dam on May 19th.

WCSO, Decorah Fire Department, Winneshiek County Emergency Management, and Iowa DNR continued search and recovery efforts, but they were unsuccessful despite the use of a jet boat, sonar, and drone technology. The Christian Aid Ministries Search and Rescue Team of Illinois also aided in the search.

Shortly before 2:30 pm Monday afternoon, WCSO says the DNR reported seeing what they believed was a body in the Upper Iowa River near Lundy Bridge in Winneshiek County. A short time later, the Decorah Fire Department was able to confirm the sighting and recover the body of Limkemann. 

A Facebook post on Monday from Sarah Klages, Limkemann’s sister, indicated the family had been notified a body had been located and they were able to identify him by tattoos on the body. 

She added, “A HUGE Thank You to the entire law enforcement, search and rescue, DNR, and Fire Department for the last 9 days of non-stop searching.”