Wednesday, January 30, 2019

WHEW.....ITS TOO COLD

     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Nanette Stumbo, 69, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-68. Also attending Boone Junior College. Married Frank Stumbo in 1969. Worked at Bourns in Ames and was a food product demostrator. Nan is survived by her husband, Frank, and two nephews, Ricky and Ritchie Conrad, all of Boone.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments.....
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.    

Saturday, January 26, 2019

BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS

     Sandy Crandell, BHS-61, wrote, "I just heard from Jim Buss, BHS-61, that his brother, George Buss, BHS-63, passed away in Texas of Parkinson's related problems."   
     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Brian Heun, 43, Columbia, MO. Former Stratford resident.........Harvey Fields, 86, Ogden. Formerly of Ames. Army vet. Married Phyliss Fleming in 1955. Worked for 26 years at the Animal Disease lab in Ames and was also known as the "Clock Doctor." Boone area survivor is his wife, Phyliss, of Boone. Four daughters also survive........Erma Belle Flygstad, 96. Born near Stratford. Married Kenneth Flygstad in 1954. He passed in 2004. Erma taught in country schools, and then at South Hamilton, until retirement in 1984. Was a teacher for 42 years and lived in the Jewell area for 60 years........David Arkovich, 72, Ames. Army vet. Married Ellen Friedman in 1975. Was a police officer in Iowa City and Ames for 25 years. Then, taught criminal justice classes at Southwestern Community College for four years, followed by teaching that subject at Boone Campus, Des Moines Area Community College. After retirement, came back to work for the Iowa State University police department. From 1977-2014, he operated Arkovich Real Estate in Ames. His final retirement was in 2010. Survivors include his wife, Ellen, of Ames, a son and two daughters.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments.......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

KRAFCISIN - HE'S A HAPPY BOONE GUY

     We're in the midst of the college basketball season and that spurs Final Four talk. The Kornerman is wondering how many viewers are aware that a Boone resident holds a very distinctive Final Four record?
     Des Moines Area Community College basketball coach Steve Krafcisin is the ONLY player in NCAA history to play and to score in two Final Four tournaments with two different teams.
     In 1977, he was a member of a North Carolina five and in 1980, a member of a State University of Iowa five that both participated in Final Four competition.
     This is coach Krafcisin's 14th season in Boone and at DMACC and recently, his team posted his 300th victory. He's coached four All American's here.
     Krafcisin certainly has an All American coaching resume. After his playing days, he served as an assistant coach at Loras College in Dubuque and as a member of both Johnny's Orr's and Tim Floyd's staff at Iowa State University.
     His head coaching career began at North Central Iowa Community College in Mason City and has continued at DMACC in Boone.
     After being in basketball's "bright lights" such as North Carolina, the University of Iowa and with basketball legends Johnny Orr and Tim Floyd, you'd have to wonder if Boone and DMACC provides "enough satisfaction." Obviously, in Steve's mind, it does.
     In the Monday edition of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, sports writer J. R. Ogden penned a great article about Krafcisin titled, "Steve Krafcisin finds joy in unexpected place."
     Ogden wrote, "He was on a trajectory to becoming a Division I men's basketball head coach when  his wife, Joanne, gave birth to their first son on Dec. 31, 1996. He heard regrets from colleagues who missed watching their children grow and made a life-changing decision. "I didn't want that," he said.""
     The story tells that Krafcisin had lots of opportunities to "move up" and even coach Floyd and others thought he was "nuts" for not pursuing them. Instead, he started a seven-year stint as a junior college men's coach at NCICC. His move to Boone and DMACC as a women's coach, followed.
     Krafcisin was quoted by Ogden as saying, "I've been able to coach, I've been able to affect young people's lives. That's what its all about."
     The switch from coaching men to women was different at first. Ogden wrote, "he (Krafsicin) had a lot to learn, like coaching women was more about teaching and less about emotions. "I really like the relationships," Steve said. "I love the interaction. Once the girls believe in you, they'll do anything for you. They've taught me as much as I've taught them.""
     Ogden concluded, "no regrets?" "I never wavered," Krafsicin answered. "This is the place I'm' supposed to be. I'm ecstatic and very humbled.""
     A wonderful story by Ogden about a great coach and an even greater person.
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     In a recent edition, the Kornerman joked, "I finally realized it, people are prisoners of their phone.That's why it's called a "cell" phone."
     Vern Modeland, BHS-50, had this reply. "One of my early and dear friends here in the woods and hills along the Arkansas border with Missouri (also defined as the Mason-Dixon line) was a fiercly independent named Fannabelle Nichole. She warned me early on about telephones and life,"just cause it rings, I don't have to answer it." Have a good 2019 Mo and keep the news coming."
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Jodie Holley Peel, 62, Des Moines. Born in Boone. Her parents were Ray and Ruth Holley..........Joe Caffrey, 88, Boone. BHS-48. Army vet. Colorado Business College. In 1956, he married Jane Scheerer McMullan. Joe served as a Boone city councilman and was involved in many other community activities. He was a business owner of Caffrey Wholesale, which operated in Boone for 107 years. Boone area survivors include his sons, Kelly McMullan and Jim Caffrey of Boone, Dan McMullan of Moingona and John Caffrey of Des Moines. One sister also survives.........Gladys Ripley, 100, Ames. Boone area survivor is a son, Merwyn Ripley and Merwyn's wife, Nancy Hicks Ripley, BHS-61, of Nevada.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
   
     
     
   
    
      

Saturday, January 19, 2019

BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS

     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Sharon Richmond Stark, 83, Bentonville, Ark. BHS-53............. Frede Keegan, 82, Des Moines. Boone area survivor is a sister, Jonnie Lennon of Boone........Jerad Tungesvik, 40, Story City. Formerly of Boone. Was an HVAC technician. Survivors include his parents, Loren and Mary Jo Tungesvik, a son, a daughter and a sister.........Jacqueline Seiser, 46, Boone. Formerly of Webster City. Webster City schools. Boone area survivors include her parents, Jim and Shirley Seiser, and a brother, Shane, all of Boone. A sister and another brother also survive.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

MORE ON COACHES

     A week ago in the Korner, the Kornerman reviewed those great days when, as a sports broadcaster and sports writer, I had the opportunity to meet and mingle with many great area high school coaches. That was in the late 1950's and into the 1960's.
     Via what memory I have left, I attempted to list the names and even some accomplishments of many of those coaches......realizing there may be some names "missing." Gary Knox, a United Community graduate, has helped "fill in" some of those blanks.
     However, much of Gary's "mention's" are of Richard Kimpston who was at United at the time of the Napier/Jordan merger. Richard actually left United after the 1958 season and my U.S. Army discharge, after two years of service, took place on May 31, 1957, so I never really had the opportunity to cover Mr. Kimpston's time there.
     Nevertheless, his work is well work mentioning. Gary wrote, "Coach Kimpston had some good teams. The girls basketball team dominated two seasons with records of 20-2 and 22-2 and 6-12. Both winning seasons they won the county and sectional tournaments but lost district tournament games to Odebolt, and then Cedar Valley of Somers. The boys teams he coached at records of 13-6, 10-9 and 19-1. The first season they lost to Urbandale and the third season they lost to Fort Dodge St Edmonds deep in tournament play. Coach Kimpston left after the 1958 season to complete work  on his PhD and held a position at the University of Minnesota. When Luther merged with UC, Gordon Severson was his assistant coach for basketball and continued coaching the very good girl's softball team."
     Gary added, I enjoyed the recent history about area coaches. Here are some more. Jerry Peterson was the baseball and basketball coach at Jordan. He coached a good boys team that included Dave Cottington. He also was Marilyn Johnson's coach from 7-9th grade."
     The Kornerman remembers the outstanding play of big Dave and Marilyn and also the fine work of Coach Peterson but, again, they were from a slightly different era than I was recalling.
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     The Kornerman thought that the Boone County Society of Southern California was dead as of a couple years ago.
     But, I was surprised to receive an update from the Moore boys, Max, BHS-46, and Larry, BHS-52, that showed some pictures of what appeared to be part of that gathering. Maybe they were old pictures of previous gatherings.
     Anyway, two of the Manriquez boys were shown and Karen Ingalls Lundien, BHS-55, appeared in one of them.
     In addition, a picture of the 1948 Boone Junior College men's basketball team was included. Max was a member of that unit and I recognized Dick "Moose" Anderson, BHS-47, Pat Healy, BHS-46, Bill Hullihan, BHS-45, Bob Erickson, BHS-42, and Clarence "Pete" Peterson, BHS-47. The squad was coached by Verne Elslager, who was the Kornerman's American Legion baseball coach in the mid to late 50's.
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     Wanted to tell Wendall, BHS-75, and Lori Condon that the German cookies they sent were a big hit. We had some visitors at the time and the ginger spiced cookies seemed to receive the most raves. In fact, we had enough to send some with them back to Colorado.
     Thanks again to Wendall and Lori for thinking about us from "across the sea."
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     That's an exceptional honor awaiting Nick Collison, the former NBA Oklahoma City Thunder player, who retired at the end of last season after a 15 year career.......all with that same franchise.
     Nick, of course, is well known in these parts.......lots of relatives in the area and his parents, Dave and Judy Peterson Collison. Both are Boone High graduates, BHS-72.
     Nick's jersey, number 4, will be retired in a ceremony next spring. Earlier, his jersey, number 4, had been retired at the University of Kansas where he was a four-year star, an All American and the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year as a senior in 2003.
     In high school at Iowa Falls and coached by his dad, Nick led his team to back-to-back state championships, 1998-99.
     The Des Moines Register quoted Nick as saying, "I started in cold gyms in small towns in Iowa and ended up playing in more than 1,000 games over 15 years in the best league in the world. I've had an incredible run. I'm proud of my career."
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Clifford Gliem, 69, Story City. Born in Boone. BHS-67. A machinist, he worked at Donnelley Publishing in Nevada. Survivors include his wife, Linda, three children, two step-children, two sisters and his former wife, Diana Strickland...........Marlyn  Anderson , 89, Stratford. Stratford HS-49. Married Dorothy Carlson, 1952. Worked the family farm. Also worked for McCullough Brothers of Webster City until 1974 when he went to Heinrich Envelope in Boone. He retired in 1995. Two sons and a daughter survive. Also surviving is a brother-in-law, Jim Carlson, of Boone..........Gary Wisecup, 73, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-63. Married Karen Rutter. Worked 40 years at the National Animal Disease lab in Ames. Boone area survivors include his wife, Karen, son, Gary, daughter, Cindy Flugstad, sister, JoAnn Ray, and sisters-in-law, Sharon and Mary Wisecup.
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     ATTENTION: If you have emailed the Kornerman and are expecting a reply.......you may not receive one. I've had a problem with that recently. I try to "send" but I know some of my replies aren't making it to the recipient.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments.......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.

Saturday, January 12, 2019

A NICE SURPRISE

     What a surprise! The Kornerman just received a USPS package from Germany. It is from Wendall, BHS-75, and Lori Condon who wrote, "hey, my wife, Lori, and I received a large tin of German Christmas cookies from our neighbor's and it was much more than we can eat. I thought you and Jo might like to enjoy a few. Hope this finds you doing well. Happy New Year."
     First of all.....thank you so much for thinking of the old guy and Jo as we begin another year. That is extraordinary.......a gift package from Germany.
     It comes at a wonderful time. We are having family visitors from Colorado here for a few days and I'm sure they will be happy to share the goodies.
     I don't know how many Korner viewers are versed in German but here are the names of the types of cookies received. Nurnberger Limts Terne; Brat Apfel Elise; Schoko Elisen-Duo and Schwarze Mini Elise.
     Guaranteed. We'll soon find out which ones are our favorites.
     Thanks again Wendall and Lori.
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     I'm wondering if any of you saw a very nice story about a Boone High School alum that appeared in the Des Moines Register, Monday, January 7?
     You may be familiar with the Register's Storytellers Project. It allows non-professionals who have true, first-person stories to tell on almost any subject, to simply tell them on stage.
     The Register story re-told, via print, a story that Sara Maniscalco Robinson, BHS-97, had once delivered.
     Her story was about her life as a wife, mom, sister, daughter AND first sergeant in the Iowa National Guard and her eventual establishment of a non-profit which relates in various ways.......talks, videos, interviews.......the stories of Iowa war veterans, with an emphasis on those who served time as prisoners of war.
     Sara's mission is to raise awareness about veteran specific issues.......recording and preserving our nation's history through the eyes and stories of our military veterans.
     That's a wonderful project.
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     We know you're just updating a new 2019 calendar. Here's an addition for those of you in Boone, classes of 1979. Your reunion dates have been set........July 26, 27, 28.
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     (1) I finally realized it, people are prisoners of their phone. That's why its called a "cell" phone. (2) If anyone tries to tell you biscuits and gravy are  not a meal, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in  your life.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Chris Kessler, 58, Boone. Worked construction and for carnivals. Survivors include three sons, three sisters and five brothers. Boone area survivors are two daughters, Jennifer Sarmiento of Ames and Melanie Kessler of Boone..........Candace (Candy) Sue Lawlor, 58, Rural Ames. Kirkwood Community College. Married Joseph Lawlor in Denison in 1981. Was  a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Joe, a daughter and two brothers, Ben and Rodney Bennett, both of Boone...........David Bennink, 63, Altoona. BHS-74. DMACC-76 in the diesel mechanic program. Was working for the DMACC Transportation Institute. Married Lynn Coffey in 1980. His dad was a teacher at BHS during their time in Boone. Survivors include his wife, his mother, Sophia Bennink, two daughters and three sisters.
K-----K
     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

AREA COACHES MADE AN IMPACT

     For several years in the 50's/60's, the Kornerman covered area high school athletic events for the News Republican and KWBG radio. That gave me the opportunity to meet numerous individuals who had devoted themselves to teaching/coaching young men and women through athletic practice and contest activities. Many of them had great personal success, including directing teams and individuals to conference and even statewide championships. Many became longtime friends.
     Boone and Boone Junior College/DMACC? I'm not even going to get into that. There were too many good ones and great ones to delve into. Maybe at a later date.
     But in the "outside" coverage area, down at Madrid there was John Mills and Randy Hinkel, Bob Norris, Bob Bowen and Tom Newell were at Ogden, Larry Hughes and Lee Arrowsmith over at Grand Junction/East Greene, Tom Nutt at United Community, Rex Browning and Derald Swisher at Boxholm/Grand, Dale Sorenson and Dick Rasmussen at South Hamilton, George Duvall at Stratford, Norm Kolberg and Don Stubbs at Dayton and Bill Hennessey at Story City/Roland Story. There certainly are some Hall of Famers in that group.
     Before there were football playoffs, Mills had some great Tiger teams and Hinkel practically owned his class in the state football playoffs for several years with title and runnerup finishes. Bowen led the Ogden boys to the state basketball tournament in 1952, Duvall's boys won a state basketball championship at Ames in 1973, Nutt guided United teams of 1970 and 1988 to the state boys basketball meet, Swisher coached the Grand girls to the state basketball tourney in 1960 while Sorenson and Rasmussen both had girls basketball success at South Hamilton and later, Rasmussen at Ankeny. Sorenson was a state champion coach at South Hamilton in 1965 and Rasmussen's Ankeny teams won three titles. Rasmussen also had Ankeny softball teams that won 13 state championships while Hennessey's Story City/Roland Story teams captured seven softball championships. That, my friends, is success and the Kornerman enjoyed riding alongside for a small portion of it.
      Lots of other area coaches, though, weren't real fancy, not real well known, statewide, but were simply "salt of the earth" type who, on a daily basis, gave all the hours, the knowledge, compassion and positive guidance they could muster to hundreds of  young people they encountered over a long period of time.
     One of those was Gordon Severson, who came to Boone County, liked it and stayed to teach and coach at Luther and United.
     Gordon is 94 years old, his wife is 88 and they still live in their Luther home. He and I have kept in contact through the years. In fact, I dropped him a note before the holidays and he has now replied with some very interesting comments.
     Gordon wrote, "In small schools, one coach was all that was needed; girls and boys both called me,"coach." I don't recall many Hall of Fame games. We played other schools, just our size, for the enjoyment of playing. Perhaps at specific moments we overstepped the fun and enjoyment. Quite sure there were situations during games that we forgot it was "only a game.""
     He talked about growing up with great sports experiences involving his parents and siblings, going to games and playing games "sometimes on a regular field and sometimes in an old cow pasture. We were lucky to have gloves, bats and rocks for bases. Those were the fun days."
     After finishing his career at United, Gordon enjoyed helping coach his grandsons at Madrid from Little League days on into high school.
     Gordon concluded, "the "old timers" who played years ago, their playing days then were as important as the games now being played. I think they were much more fun then than the games being played today. No million dollar signing bonuses then. Am I jealous? No, not a bit. We just played for the fun and enjoyment." No doubt Gordon and many others had that same philosophy during their coaching/teaching days......."just for the fun and enjoyment of it." But also with another purpose. Giving positive guidance to young people.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Chris Kessler, 58, Boone..........Louise Isenberg, 90, Boone. Worked for several airlines. In 1967, she and her husband, Wilbur, moved to Central Iowa. They opened a flight school in Nevada and operated that until the late 70's. Louise then worked for Donnelly's, the Ames Greenhouse and the Boone Walmart. A son survives..........Jayson Johnson,  40,  Fort Dodge. Two sons survive, including Caleb Dodd  of Boone........Carolyn Frederick, 77, Ogden. A University of Nebraska grad with a degree in medical records. Worked in the Chicago area. Moved to Ames 45 years ago and worked for Blue Cross..........Mary Jo Cady Dimmitt, 73, Boone. BSH-63. Furthered her education at DMACC. Married Robert Dimmitt in 1969. She worked at Heinrich Envelope and  at Sacred Heart school from 2009 until retirement in 2016. Boone survivor is a brother, Jim Peterson. Two daughters also survive..........Joyce Snowgren DeVoogd, 81, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-55. Married Harold DeVoogd in 1955. She served as a CNA/CMA at the Boone County Care Facility, Madrid Home and Eastern Star. Three sons and two daughters survive, including Tina Mourlam of Stratford and Alicia Van Cannon of Boone. Two sisters also survive,  including Claudia Armstrong of Ames.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
    
    

Saturday, January 5, 2019

PLUNGING AHEAD

     Wendall Condon, BHS-75, reported in from Germany this week. He wrote, "Wish you and Jo a very happy New Year. I just had quite an experience. On a USO tour, Major League baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, Randy Johnson, stopped by our Flight Simulation Facility. In fact, I flew  him in the Blackhawk simulater. He could hardly fit in the pilot seat (Johnson is 6-10). Thanks for taking your time and effort to keep your blog going."
      The Kornerman adds, "a very nice picture of Wendall and Johnson was included."
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     The California duo of the Moore brothers, Max, BHS-46, and Larry (Lefty), BHS-52, checked in with New Years greetings. Lefty had a couple things on his mind. He doesn't think its right for college football players to opt out of bowl game activity (example: Noah Fant at the State University of Iowa) and he wondered when that ritual of the engaged teams exchanging hand shakes after contests got started.
     The Kornerman says, "that last question has me buffaloed. I can't recall whether we did that in "our day" or not. Some people think its a sign of  good sportsmanship while others think, especially in a hotly contested game, it could be a troublemaker."
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     And, a very nice note from Jack Kelly, BHS-58, from Locust Grove, VA.. He wrote, "thanks for another year of great memories of Boone. Your good work is appreciated."
     The Kornerman knows that Jack has some great neighborhood memories of Boone because I've heard of many of those "adventures" from some of those neighbors. Those were good times I guess........though maybe a little dangerous at times.
     Anyway thanks so much Jack. Have a great 2019.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Retired Brigadier General John Tymeson, 73, Ogden. Spent 34  years in the U.S. Army and received numerous honors for his service. Survivors include his wife, Jodi, of Ogden, two daughters and a sister...........Ruth Hitsman, 87, Boone. Married Verne Hitsman in Napier in 1952. She was a house cleaner and day care provider. Boone area survivors include a son, Terry Hitsman, a daughter, Cindy Smalley, and a daughter-in-law, Jane Hitsman, all of Boone. A sister also survives........Teresa (Tabby) Biehn, 50, Newton. Among the survivors is a sister, Amy Vanderheiden of Pilot Mound.........Cora June Schmidt, 85.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. To email your stories/memories/comments.......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
    

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS

     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Elaine Anderson, 79, Boone. Terril HS and the State University of Iowa. Married John (Jack) Anderson in 1960. Survivors include her husband, Dr. Jack Anderson, of Boone, and two sons..........Richard Hayes, 82, Boone. Born in Boone. Army vet. Operated the Texaco station on Mamie Eisenhower Avenue and worked for KSP Trucking. Married Juanita Mitchell in 1961 and retired in 1998. Survivors include a son, Richard Eugene, an honorary son, Steve Cunningham, and a sister, Mary Francis, all of Boone........Kevin Stumbo, 50, rural Boone. Born in Boone. OHS-86. Was an auto body repair man. Survivors include his wife, Jodi, of rural Boone, sons, Cole of Grand Junction and Clay of Boone, a daughter, Kelsey Savits, of Ogden and a daughter, Maddie Anderson of Des Moines. Also surviving are his parents, Dean and Janice Lestina Stumbo, sister Kim Benshoof, all of the Boone area and a mother in law and brother-in-law..........Ruth Hitsman, 87, Boone..........Gary Johns, 79, Boone.........Kathryn (Katy) Jensen, 88, Madrid. MHS and the Chicago Art Institute. Worked at Meredith Publishing in Des Moines and married Ernest Anderson. The couple farmed in the Nevada/McCallsburg area before moving to California where Kathy worked for McDonald Douglas. A horrific earthquake sent them back home to Iowa. Her husband, Ernie, two sons, a daughter, four brothers and a sister survive.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments.......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.