Some Happiness, Some Sadness

      It's the way of the world I guess...........happy news, sad news. It's simply a given that most days there will be a bit of each.
     Let's mention the happy first with more details to follow a bit later. This week, the Korner heard from a pair of viewers that hadn't been in contact for quite some time. In fact, I think it's the first time we've ever heard from old KWBG co-worker Mark Campbell. Mike Harris also checked in and it's been awhile since we had heard from him.......in fact, he was in Bangkok when he first came in contact. More about this later.
     In addition to our Boone Area Deaths listing which is always a sad part of our offering, we heard of some other deaths that we were unaware of until some of our viewers informed us.
     Marlene McAlpine Lind wrote a short note to let us know that her husband, Ron, who had been battling some health issues recently, passed away Sunday evening in Nebraska. She wrote, "Ron died at 9:45 p.m., March 23, after a long struggle with vascular dementia. We will have a celebration of life at a later date."
     Ron was a teammate, a good guy and a talented Toreador athlete in the mid-50's. He made a big name for himself later as a football player at Drake University where he held several school records as a receiver and kick returner.
     Here is the Lind email address.......ronlind@inebraska.com (Don't forget that little "i" in there.)
     The Kornerman, of course, had mentioned in an earlier edition the death of Sid Erickson. Mike Harris wrote, "I was saddened to hear of the passing of Sid. He was a huge part of the 1964 undefeated Toreador football team. I remember we were playing Tama-Toledo and between plays, one of the referees pointed at Sid and wanted to know "who that was." The ref went on to say Sid was the best tackle he'd ever seen. Sid was very strong and unbelieveably quick. I always thought I was pretty quick but in a 60-yard race, he would beat me by five yards."
     Mike added, "My wife and I moved from Bangkok to Cedar Rapids about three weeks ago and experienced a 104 degree temperature swing over 48 hours (90 in Bankok - minus 14 in Cedar Rapids). I love your blog and yes, I do read the "death" section every week."
     Then, Mark Campbell reported the deaths of two former KWBG co-workers. Jerry Sheeder passed away recently in Fort Dodge. He was a great announcer here in the mid-1960's and had been working at WMT in Fort Dodge for many recent years. Then too, according to Campbell, one of our former station managers, Dick Johnson, passed away quite some time ago while working at KWEY in Weatherford, OK.
      Eldon Schlenker was our station engineer for a period of time. Campbell reported that Eldon lives in Grimes, does engineering for Cumulus (KGGO, KJJY) and, in fact, both of those country music station towers sit on Eldon's land.
     The Campbell's lived in Boone for several years and the Kornerman asked Mark about his "real life." After leaving Boone, he worked for 31 1/2 years for the Iowa Department of Public Safety in Fairfield, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. He said he actually retired a while ago from his state job but works as a book shelver at Iowa's busiest library, the Franklin Avenue Library. He's been married 35 years, has three kids and six grandchildren. Mark's dad, a former United Community staffmember, passed away in 1993, his mother lives in Des Moines, his sister in Kansas City and his brother in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as a member of the diplomatic corps.
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     The Kornerman acknowledges the receipt of two messages from Ann Onymous. At this time of year, I always receive a pocket size Chicago Cubs baseball schedule from Mr. or Mrs or Ms Ann. Also, the Kornerman much appreciated the belated birthday wish from another MMM Ann. Thanks to both.
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     Boone Area Deaths: D. Wayne Ankenbauer, 80, Ogden..........Phyliss Broadie, 84, Kansas. Boone survivor is daughter, Lisa Cook of Boone.........Larry Firnhaber, 72, Boone.........LaVerna Hannum, 101, Boone. Sales person at Bowman Shoes and also worked at the Eastern Star Home..........Charles Johnson, 73, Boone and Mesa, AZ. Born in Boone. Worked at Firestone in Des Moines. Boone area survivors include his wife, Mary, his mother, Viola Johnson and brothers Tom and Dick Johnson all of Boone...........
Ted Ridgeway, 87, Omaha. Born in Boone. Burial in Ogden...........Toby Wilber, 68, Boone. Moved to Boone in 1979. Worked in the auto industry. Owned Boone Auto Supply for three years and Boone NAPA for eight years. Boone Area Survivors include his wife, Ann, son Scott, daughters Shellie Grabau and Christina Busch all of Boone.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 710 Aldrich, Boone, Iowa 50036-4703. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments.........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.