We're Glad to Know

     And.......the Golden Apple goes to........our area death notice segment.
     John Kueck wrote, "As a child, I was a good friend of Kay Wiley. Her parents and mine were good friends and we went places together. I had completely lost track of Kay since leaving Boone. If not for your recent area deaths piece I would not have known any more about her or her passing. I was sad to read of her death, but so glad to know about her life after Boone. Thanks."
     The Kornerman says, "thanks for letting me know that segment of our Korner is important to viewers."
     While we're thanking, thanks to Lou Oxenford for the nice email card welcoming us back to business.
      Also, a thanks to Gary Irvine who provided some interesting info about this year's terrific Iowa State Cyclone men's basketball team.
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     Speaking of basketball, while scouring the internet one day, the Kornerman came across an interesting story about Boone's own Steve Krafcisin, who coaches our Des Moines Area Community College women's basketball team.
     One thing about his personal basketball career hovers above all else and, perhaps, some of our viewers are unaware. You fans are sure to know that many, many college players have appeared in multiple (that's more than one) Final Four tournament games. BUT ONLY ONE, Steve Krafcisin, holds the unique distinction of being the ONLY player to score a point or more in the national semifinal game for two different teams. In 1977 he played in the big dance with North Carolina and in 1980 he played there as a member of the Iowa Hawkeyes.Two Final Fours, two different teams and a unique piece of history.
     Steve is 56 and in his 10th year as the head coach of the DMACC women's team. His teams have won over 300 games and he has produced three All-American players. He was an assistant college coach for a time but decided he didn't want to be a father who worked 15-hour days, traveled all the time and never saw his family. He left Division 1 college coaching, served at North Iowa Community College as men's coach for seven years and then came to DMACC with his wife and three kids, a site closer to his wife's family.
     He was quoted as saying, "I can't think of doing anything else. Everyone asks if I'll get another job and coach the boys again. I have no desire to do that. My goals are to keep doing what we're doing and keep doing it a little better every year."
     Boone folks are mighty happy to hear that. Sounds like he's contented and happy to be a fellow resident of Boone, Iowa.
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     A little history of the Ericson Public Library is provided by Larry Lindmark. He wrote, "upon graduating from BHS in 1963, I headed to Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. I discovered during the football season that Augustana and Boone had a mutual benefactor. Ericson Public Library was named for State Senator Charles J. A. Ericson. That same Ericson donated funds to Augustana to be used for purchasing land that later became the football field. Thus, Ericson Field became the site for many Augustana football games over the years. Ericson had hunted and fished on this parcel of land while he lived in Moline, before moving to Mineral Ridge, IA at the age of 19.  Through the years, some big donors have contributed to the Augustana football complex and I have worried that Ericson Field would be lost. I kept asking the Athletic Director, "will Ericson Field be retained?" I'm happy to report that the Boone connection is still there. On the college website, under football facilities, the history of Ericson Field and it's Boone benefactor is still there."
     According to Larry, the entire football complex is known as the Austin E. Knowlton Outdoor Athletic Complex but the field within is still Ericson Field.
     Now, the Kornerman is wondering about this Mineral Ridge, IA. I haven't had time to explore this but maybe some of our viewers can add some info. I assume there is a connection to what is now known as Ridgeport???
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     Boone Area Deaths: Erna Simmer, 99, Grimes. Boone area survivor is her sister, Pauline Silke of Boone...........Richard Begg, 77, Ames. Boone area survivor is his brother, Gary, of Boone........John Nimmo, 78, Boone. 42 years of service with the Iowa DOT. Boone area survivor is his wife, Florence.........Donald Blomgren, 74, Ames, Formerly of the Luther area. Luther school and then United-58. Was a farmer. Boone area survivors are his wife, Jamie, of Ames and sister-in-law June Blomgren of the Boone area.........M. Geneva Nay, 104. Moved to Boone in 1976. Boone area survivors include her late nephew, Richard Schultz wife, Joan, and family..........Anna Larson, 80, Boone. Attended Boone schools. Worked at Donnelley's in Nevada and Archway Cookies. Boone area survivors include her husband, Dale, and daughter Vicki Rosine both of Boone..........Harold Reed, 90, Urbandale. Boone area survivor is a brother, Lester Reed 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/support.........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.