BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Marvin H. Holmberg, 93, Boone/Westhaven. Born near Ogden. BHS-51. Navy vet. Married Sharon Jackson in Boone in 1959. Sharon passed in 2024. Marv worked for the city as a meterman and then, a police officer. He retired as a Captain from the Boone Police Department in 1990 after over 30 years as an officer. A former member of the American Legion, Marv and Sharon volunteered for a number of years, from the time the Boone and Scenic Valley gift shop first opened. An active church member, he loved sports, umpiring and coaching young participants for many years. Survivors include his son, James Marvin, and daughter, Leisa (Joe) Passet. Services in Boone.

       Gloria Ann Lindley Capps, 79, Boone. Born in Anamosa. AHS-64, where she was valedictorian. Attended State College of Iowa (UNI) and in 1965, was a past Grand Chaplain in the Iowa Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Married Gary Taylor Capps in 1966. An entrepreneur, Gloria was an Avon  Lady for 30 years, was involved in Eastern Star activities and served youth via Cub Scouts and 4-H. In church, she was involved in Sunday School Bible School, women's groups, the choir and a singing trio. Survivors include her children, Phillip (Ginger) Capps and; Michelle (Robert) Burke. A brother also survives. Services in Boone and Pilot Mound.

A TRIBUTE TO THE BIRDS

       I, the Kornerman, love this......."the birds don't just sing on the good days, they sing each and every day." 

       I've been around for 90 years now.....that's many year end holidays.....but, for some reason, this particular one seems "harder." Maybe its the age realization or the recent loss of too many great friends or the loss of several spouses of great friends.

       And, wouldn't you know, my first winter cold of the season, with all the trimmings, knocked me out of my good friend Gary Irvine's final services. Hard to believe the bad timing involved.

        Despite all this, as we're often been told, "today is a gift. Life isn't perfect. We simply must react or respond to setbacks and keep hope alive in our hearts."

       SO, onward, with lots of catching up to do.

       The Bernie Saggau family spent several years as Boone residents during his time as Executive Director of the Iowa Boys High School Athletic Association here.  Bernie passed on May 10, 2025, just shy of his 97th birthday.

       In November of '25, Bernie's alma mater, Buena Vista University, dedicated the Saggau Family Court in Siebens Fieldhouse on the BV campus to the entire Saggau family. . Bernie and his late wife, Lois Kretzinger Saggau, were 1950 Buena Vista graduates. 

       Daughter Rebecca "Becky" Saggau, BHS-73, son Dr. David Saggau, BHS-77, and the late Jeff Saggau, BHS-71, were also included as was David's wife, Kris, and Becky's partner. 

       Buena Vista President Brian Lenzmeier commented, "the fact it's Saggau Family Court reminds us that Bernie, one of our greatest graduates, knew what mattered most: His family."

K-----K

       I see that the annual meeting for the Ledges State Park was held recently and a report on the campground usage caught my eye. It was reported that for the first time in the park's history, campers from ALL fifty states registered for overnight stays at the campground.

K-----K

       In city news, you may or may not know that preliminary work is being established for a new million gallon water tower to accommodate the Daisy Brand processing facility now under construction south of the airport.

       Also, Visit Boone County Executive Director Kris Blocker and Ames Regional Economic Alliance Senior Vice President Brenda Dreyer reported some positive news. 

      Several large events, the Pyrotechnical convention, the Iowa Firefighters Convention and the 2005 NJCAA Division II Women's Golf Championships, held here in '25 provided some encouraging news. With that assistance, Hotel/Motel tax dollars are up about $11,000, there is a $273 million increase in the city's taxable valuation over the past five years and there's been an increase of 204 new housing units the past two years. 

K-----K 

       A regular contributor sent me 15 celebrity thoughts about golf. I won't list them all but there are a few that produced a good chuckle.

       Great actor Jack Lemmon said, "if you think its hard to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf ball."

       Billy Graham said, "the Lord answers my prayers everywhere except on the course."

       Baseball Hall of Famer George Brett said he had a "three over" today. One over the house, one over the patio and one over a swimming pool."

       Sports writer Jim Murray said, "the only time I took out a one-iron was to kill a tarantula and I took a 7 to do that." 

K-------K

       Worldwide Korner headquarters are still located at 928 South Marshall, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. Leave a message. To email your stories/memories/comments/ death notices........https://kelleyskorner1@blogspot.com. 

        

        

        

  

        

        

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Richard "Lumpy" Lundstrom, 80, Perry. Born in Boone. BHS-63. Eagle Scout. Worked alongside his father laying brick and concrete. Iowa National Guardsman for six years. Worked as a lineman for Iowa Electric (Alliant Energy), retiring after 44 years. Lumpy had married Patricia (Pat) Lundstrom in 1972. The couple chose Perry as their home and both became very active citizens. Part time jobs in retirement included delivering flowers, furniture and working as an usher at funeral services. Richard was a school board member, Little League coach and officer, a Perry Jaycee member and volunteered concrete and woodworking for numerous projects, including a dozen habitat homes. He was preceded in death by his sister, Shirley Ross, of  Boone and is survived by his sister, Doris, and brother-in-law Harold "Junior" Stotts of Boone. A cancer victim, services are in Perry.

       Larry Spenla, 92, Woodward. Four children survive. They are Kathi (Randy) Craven, Randy (Eileen) Spenla, Julie Spenla and Cheri Nickolay. Services in Madrid and Woodward.

       Anna Deskins, 94, Boone. Three children survive. Services in Boone.

       Gloria Ann Capps, 79, Boone. Services in Boone and Pilot Mound. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

      Larry Mackie, 75, Boone. Born in Eldora. Grundy Center HS-68. Married Marie Sturtz in 1976 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in rural Boone. Grew up  on a farm near Grundy and after high school, helped his father and brothers farm there. Worked for 37 years as a machinist at Sauer-Danfoss. Larry loved his kids and grandkids birthdays and holidays and loved spoiling their dogs. His hobbies included gardening, car repairs and restorations, trapping, shopping for collectibles, attending gun shows and the annual National Trappers Association convention. Survivors include his wife, Marie, three children, Brett, Mollie and Audra, and four siblings. Services at St. Paul's. 

       Dan Bagley, 76, Nevada. Born in Woburn, MA. Boys Town in Omaha. Earned a Bachelor's Degree from Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire and a Master's Degree from Ball State University in Indiana. Army vet. Married Cathy in 1981 in Omaha. Dan worked primarily as a locomotive engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad, which took the family to Boone, Ogden and Wyoming before settling in Nevada. A daughter and son, brothers and sisters survive. Services in Ames.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Richard Allen. Jones, 79, Ogden/Stratford Care. Born in Boone. OHS-60. Bachelor's Degree from ISU. Army vet. Was a mail carrier until retirement. Richard enjoyed tinkering in his garage. He was curious,  loved learning, respected nature, was funny, intelligent and lived life on his own terms. Survivors include his son, Tony, daughter, Tari, a brother, Bob, and two Boone sisters, Myra Shadle and Pati Bartholomew. Private services later. 

       Ruth Ione Sprague Schilling, 81, Boone/formerly of Casper, WY. Born in Liberal, KS. LHS. B.A. degree from the University of Colorado. Married Larry Don Mead in 1962. They divorced. Ruth taught in Portland and Klamath Falls, Oregon, and subbed in Washington state before over 20 years of teaching in Casper. She enjoyed participating in Al-Anon and sponsoring others for 30 years. Ruth wrote a memoir detailing her experience recovering from the trauma of loving an alcoholic. She enjoyed tennis, golfing, bowling, spoke some German and was a talented piano and violin player. Moved to Boone in 2017 to be closer to her children. Survivors include Sam Mead and Robin (David) Wright both of Boone. No services.

       Rhonda Ja Helm Weber, 69, Madrid/Boone Hospital. Born in Fort Dodge. Greene HS-75. North Iowa Area Community College, then earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1979. Married Leon Anthony Weber in Greene in 1982. The couple lived in Charles City, Roland and, for 28 years, on a Madrid acreage. Rhonda operated Day Cares in Story City and Madrid and was proud of her 12 years as a Special Education Assistant with the Boone schools, a role she cherished until retirement in 2012. A wonderful singer, she appeared in several starring roles in community theatre productions in Charles City and Story City. Rhonda enjoyed sewing, loved garage sales and decorating her home. She will be remembered for her joy and kindness, even in hard times during a long illness. Survivors include her husband, Leon, and sons, Benjamin, and Colby Weber. A COL is pending.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Clinton Homer Mantz, 84, Ogden/Eastern Star. Born in Perry. Dawson schools and then, OHS-60. Farmed west of Ogden until the early 80's. Then worked for Oscar Meyer and Firestone until retirement. He served as a Union Steward for both companies. He helped local farmers in retirement and was an avid toy tractor collector. Loved decorating for the holidays, attending tractor pulls and he also owned several collector automobiles. Four children survive, including Amanda (Dan) Lass of Ogden. A brother, Richard Mantz, of Ogden and grandchildren also survive. Services in Ogden and Dawson.

       Doteen Loray Peterson Dessel, 62, Madrid. Born in Des Moines. Was a dietician at The Cedars Assisted Living in Madrid. She loved Harley's and riding with her life partner, Scott Hein. The couple owned custom bikes and frequently attended motorcycle and car shows. Doteen loved nature, camping and grill-outs.The Fourth of July gathering was special, she enjoyed her morning coffee and was an avid collector of dolphins and gnomes, and, admittedly, spent far too much money on crossword puzzles. Four children survive, including Roy (Lindsey) Hein of Boone. Scott, her life partner, and  her mother, Gale Peterson, of Madrid also survive. Services pending.

       Betsy Laurel Johnson, 30, Chicago. Born in Boone. Attended Park Christian school in Minnesota, Turtle Bay and Shasta HS in California. Earned a B.A. in Cinema and Media Arts from Biola University in 2016. Worked as a videographer, editor and creative director on numerous projects. Known for her creativity, she always challenged herself, in sports, playing the violin or trumpet, performing in musicals,  or running marathons.Survivors include her parents, Craig and Laurel Johnson, two siblings and grandparents. Services in Fargo, North Dakota. 

 

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BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Mildred Joan Joann Wirtz McDonald, 91, Indianola. Born on a farm north of Boone. BHS. Iowa State Teachers College. Married Frank A. (Mac) McDonald in 1955. Lived in numerous communities while Frank served the U.S. Army. Joann was a talented pianist and learned to play duplicate bridge, becoming a Life Master. After Mac's retirement, the couple returned to Boone and Joann owned and operated the "Craft Patch." The couple divorced in 2003 but Joann still took care of Mac when his health failed, and up to the time of his death. For 15 years, she turned her attention to real estate development and, even in her later years, she helped those in need of assistance through home care services. Joann was know for her humor, energy and creativity. Four children survive. A graveside memorial will be held later.  

       Thomas Hugh Welch, 12, Topeka, KS. Parents surviving are Joshua and Suki Welch and stepmother Laura. Burial in Sparks Cemetery near Boone.

        Kimberly K. Bowe, 52, Maquoketa. Born in Boone to Richard and Mary Kay (Schnoor) Anderson. 

       Charles Palmateer, 88, Ames. There are Boone connections. Charles was preceded in death by a sister, Rosella (Robert) Hawk of Boone. Among the Boone area survivors are Rosella's daughter, Rosalie (Daryl) Petty of Boxholm, and Rosella's sons, Richard (Bev) Sebring and Roger (Lori) Sebring, both of Boone.