BE SAFE OVER THE NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY

     When I, the Kornerman, was covering sports for the Boone News Republican in the 1960's, I had the pleasure of watching Rita Peterson compete in the back court, that's at guard in the six-on-six days, for the Grand Community basketball team.........a team that earned its way into the 1960 Iowa State tournament.
      Looking back over 60 years or so of watching lots of area athletic teams and players, I've found its easy to think about certain ones who's achievements were just a bit more SPECIAL. Rita Peterson fit that category.
      She attended the Boxholm/Grand Community schools, graduating in 1960 and was named a first team all-stater. Cat quick, she earned a well-deserved nickname, a "5-5 pepperpot."
      I was sorry to see that Rita Peterson Thompson, 77, passed away recently. Services will be in Eldora Monday. Rita was an R.N., working at various places during a career that ended with retirement in 1998. Survivors include her husband, Paul, two daughters, a sister and two brothers.
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      BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Doris Majors Paris, 94, Boone. Earned a GED at DMACC. Married Lyle Paris in 1942. Worked at Bourns in Ames for 29 years. Survivors include five daughters, two sons and three sisters-in-law........Penny Jo Runge, 53, Dayton. Worked as a Quality Control Specialist at the State Forest Nursery in Ames. Survivors include her partner, two daughters, two sisters including Peggy Yost of Boone, a brother, Jimmy Yost, of Boone and a brother-in-law, Albert Bitz of Boone..........Ruby Wisecup Johnson, 91, Fort Dodge...........Jo Von DeBok, 89, Boone,  Russell HS-49. AIB. In early years, worked for Iowa U.S. Congressman, Karl LeCompte. She and her husband, Chuck DeBok, farmed in Lucas County. She worked as hospital administrator at the Lucas County Hospital. In later years, she moved twice to Boone. The last time was as a resident at the Eastern Star Home. Survivors include her husband, her daughter Dee McKnight and Dee's husband, Carl McKnight, 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

MERRY CHRISTMAS

     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Ruby Bassett, 93, Boone. Survivors include her husband, Charles, a son and four daughters including Marcia Hurst of Boone.........Dennis Sebring, 56, Pleasantville. Son of the late Jerald and Ruth Sebring of Boone. BHS-81. DMACC. Navy vet. Survivors include three brothers and two sisters including JulieWatson of Boone.........Marilyn Freel Frampton, 90, Boone. Married DeWayne Frampton in Boone in 1947. Was an underwriter for a Davenport Insurance firm prior to retirement in 1986. Two sons survive..........Delores (Dody) Buss Sansgaard, 90, Story City. Born in Boone. BHS-46. Worked for an employment agency. Married Reuben Sansgaard in 1948 and the couple farmed. Survivors include a son, two daughters, a daught-in-law and a son-in-law.........Marvin DeWitt, 78, Kamrar. Survivors include his wife, Christine, and three sons including Richard DeWitt of Boone.........Beverly Overstreet, 92, Indianola. Survivors include a great grandson, Felix Gallagher Jr. of Boone.........Penny Jo Runge, 53, Dayton.
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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.

PLEASE ENJOY THE BEST HOLIDAY SEASON EVER

     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Rodney Ullestad, 64, rural Boone. Roland-Story HS-73. Earned a business degree from DMACC and a finance degree from Iowa State University. Worked as Purchasing Manager for Parr/Mahle Manufacturing. Married Susan Moeller in 1974. Survivors include his wife, Susan, of Boone, son Luke and daughter Rachel, four sisters, including Rita Gilbertson and JoAnn Boothe both of Ames and two sisters-in-law..........Ninnette Beningsdorf, 94, Boone. Charter Oak HS-44. Earned a teaching certificate from Drake and taught at county schools and in Charter Oak. Married LaVerne Benningsdorf in 1953. The couple lived in the Charter Oak area until moving to Boone in 1967. Ninette worked for the DOT until retirement in 1988. Survivors include two daughters, Diane Lange of Ames and Lois Powers of Boone. A sister-in-law also survives..........Norma Mae Lister, 77, Ankeny. Survivors include her husband, LaVerne, and two daughters, including Laura Nadler of Madrid..........George Hagaman, 91, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-47. Army vet. Married Signe (Betty) Anderson in 1953. Betty died in 1988. George then married Beverly Crouthamel in 1990. Worked for the railroad for 43 years prior to retirement in 1989. Survivors include his wife, Beverly, of Boone, an out-of-state son, three step-sons, including Curt and Scott Crouthamel and  a stepdaughter, Helen Crouthamel, all of Boone. Two sisters survive including Virginia Wilson of Ames..........Murlin Iles, 83, rural Stratford.........Margene Scott, 96, Boone. Born in Madrid. MHS. Married Paul Scott in 1945. The couple farmed in Boone County. Four daughters, including Sandra Indvik of Boone survive............Adam Blyth, 56, Cedar Rapids. Born in and grew up in Ogden. OHS-81. Earned a degree in graphic design from ISU and worked his lifetime for Stamats and Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids.........Maureen Walter, 91, West Des Moines. Formerly of Boone. Keokuk HS and attended both ISU and the State University of Iowa. Married Kenneth Walter in 1949. He passed in 2018. Was Office Manager for Schultz Laboratories of Boone. Survivors include a sister, four sons and two daughters, all residing out-of-state........Jim Haberer, 68. Born in Perry. OHS-69. National Guard vet. Farmed, worked at Perry pork processing plant, tanning plant in Boone and then, as a driver for Madden Ltd for 18 years. Married Marlene Jenkins in Boone in 1971. They divorced. He married Linda Brandt Goudeau in 1993. Survivors include his wife, Linda, of Boone, three sons and two daughters and three sisters.
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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.

STAY SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Jim Haberer, Boone/Ogden..........Gordon Severson, 95, Luther.........Mary Jane Harvey Stoneburner, 88, Boone. Born in Boone. Married Herald Stoneburner in 1947. Worked at Gates Rubber and in housekeeping at both ISU and Mary Greeley. Survivors include three sons, including Denny and Lyle, of Boone, a daughter, Connie Lebo of Madrid and a brother.........Paul Angell, 90, Stratford. Formerly of Tucson, AZ. He married Beverly McCubbin in 1995 and the couple moved to Stratford in 2017. Survivors include his wife, Beverly, of Stratford, three sons, a daughter-in-law, and step-children including Terry Frazier of Stratford. Two brothers 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.

BOONE HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPROVEMENT

     The latest on the Boone Historical Society: In their recent publication, the Board President, Jessica Stanley, wrote regarding the society's 2019 year. "We started out with a bleak situation; closed museums, past due bills, a lawsuit, and a board walkout. But our members gathered and worked together on actions to go from an uncertain future to being able to have our two main sites open for business, all bills paid, and a solid business plan for the future. Our main exhibits are looking great and our lower level meeting room looks amazing with its new makeover."
     Its reported that since its reopening on June 29, Mamie's birthplace has had approximately 425 visitors from numerous cities in Iowa, 35 states, British Columbia, Canada, Bejing, China and Adelaide, Australia.Work is underway to restore the birthplace basement, with plans to have the Mamie museum completed when the site is reopened.
     The newsletter pays tribute to Joan Logsdon Hamilton, BHS-52, for her 27 years as a docent at the birthplace. In addition, for the past seven years, Joan has scheduled two docents per day, six days per week.
     It was announced that plans are underway to design and set up new exhibits at the History Center and the first new exhibit will honor Fareway Stores Inc.
     This is all wonderful news. HOWEVER, financial support and volunteerism is still a dire need for the complete "rebirth" of both the birthplace and History Center. Membership and a willingness to help in various other ways will go a long way toward this goal. Boone County Historical Society, P.O. Box 172, Boone, Iowa 50036.
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     Charlie Lind, BHS-65. A name out of the Kornerman's past and perhaps your past as well.
     Charlie was an important member of the Boone Babe Ruth all-star team that was so successful in 1962........winning the Iowa and seven-state Regional championships and advancing to one of only eight teams in the world participating in the Ruth World Series in Bridgeton, New Jersey. The Kornerman was lucky enough to be the manager of that team.
     I recall so vividly a very important home run that Charlie hit. I believe it was in the state championship game played in Hampton or was it New Hampton? Anyway, Charlie's homer was a vital part of our victory.
     Shortly after college, Charlie moved to Missouri and has been a resident of Mexico, MO ever since. He's retired now after many years as the high school Athletic Director there.
     Classmate Bob Atherton provided us with this information. Bob wrote, "Mexico is about the size of Boone and as you would expect, everyone in town knows and loves Charlie."
     Bob added, "I can't help but remember how we all grew up together and played all the sports...John Morton's Duffy Braves trying to beat the Rotary Club Pirates for our only victories of the year. And, I'll never forget Saturday's at the YMCA shooting hoops in that old basement gym."
     On a more personal note, Bob wrote, "We were in Boone November 11 for my mom Betty Atherton's 98th birthday. She is doing well and always reads your Korner. You are a lifeline to the ones like me who are a long way from Boone but want to stay connected. Tim Croxen,  BHS-59, Roger Dutton, BHS-63, and Tom Peterson, BHS-67, have all reached out with visits to mom and she was thrilled.......thanks to you."
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Clem Quinnett, 83, Stratford..........Jeanette Gutterridge Wright, 97, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-41. Married Floyd Gutterridge in 1943 and Floyd passed in 1969. Married Hayverd (Bud) Wright in 1983 and he died in 2002. Jeanette moved to the Eastern Star home in 2008. Her favorite job was being the librarian at Lincoln school. Survivors include  a daughter and son, Jim Gutterridge, of Boone..........Brian Loehr, 79, Boone. Survivors include his wife, Mary, and three sisters, including Sharon Blaskey of Boone........Cleta Murtle, 84, Madrid. Married Rodney Murtle in 1955. Served as a clerical worker, including work for the Madrid schools and  the Jordan Mahoney law firm. Survivors include a daughter, son and two brothers.........Anna Carlson, 93, Clarinda. Formerly of Ogden. Born in Ogden. OHS-43. Married Jay Carlson in 1945. Was a legal secretary and owned her own upholstery business. Survivors include three daughters, a son and a sister.
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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
    
    

BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS

     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Jack Martin Ferguson, 86, Boone. Born in Nevada. AHS. Military vet. Was a law enforcement officer for ISU. Married Joyce Ann Holt and the couple had four children. They, eventually, separated. Jack then married Darlene Delores Shellenberger. He was a talented musician and won several vocal and instrumental awards. Survivors include his wife, Darlene, of Boone, a sister and two sons..........Brian Loehr, 79, Boone..........Jerry (Buck) Monen, 76, Boone. BHS-62. Survivors include his wife, DeAnn Fatka Monen, a son, Jay, step-daughter, Heidi Bryant and brother, Bill, all of Boone........Trenton Dakin, 47, Boone. Formerly of Ames. Worked at 3M and Walmart. Married Rhonda McFadden at Don Williams Park in 2009 and the couple lived in Boone. Survivors include his wife, his parents, Jerry and Pat Dakin, of Ames and two brothers, including Travis Dakin 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.

BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS

     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Trenton Lee Dakin, 47..........Marlene McFate Burkheimer,  69, Ames but a resident of Hearth Stone Memory Care in Boone for several years. South Tama HS-68, UNI-72. Married Dennis Burkheimer, BHS-70, in 1988. Worked in human resources her entire career, Job Service of Iowa and then at ISU. Survivors include her husband, Dennis, a step-son, a step-daughter, Angela Condon of Boone, two brothers and a sister.........Betty Lou Richter, 70, Madrid. Born in Boone. United Community-67. Worked as a claims representative. Survivors include a son, Eric Long, of Madrid and a sister........Betty Jean Pepper, 94.........Melvin Kipp, 72, Ames. Born in Boone. Grew up in Ogden, OHS-66. Worked in Tipton, Iowa City and at Old Main in Ames. Two brothers survive.........Martin Scott, 58, Des Moines. Survivors include a sister, Sarah Schultz, 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.
    

BAD NEWS BUT THEN GOOD NEWS

     Starting with the bad news. Yes, its time to admit, it is necessary for the Kornerman to lean more and more on a cane. I held out a long time but returning symptoms of a bout with polio/spinal meningitis 70 years ago, plus more recent broken hip and knee replacement surgeries, finally forced the required decision. And, what the heck!! This drama is nothing, nothing, compared to negative health stories I hear about and see, via other folks, on a daily basis. I still feel blessed over and over again that I can do what I can do.......and, even better now, with a cane by my side.
     How about the good news? In the short time I've "caned," I've changed my perspective about the tenor of, at least, a portion of our population. Sure, there are lots of "bad apples" out there but I've come to understand not nearly as many as I may have anticipated earlier.
     This experience has sparked me to the realization we have lots of very good people on this planet, worldwide, in the good old USA, in Iowa and right here in Boone County Iowa as well.
     I know, Boone Iowa is a very small microcosm of a gargantuan world but, on an almost daily basis recently, good deeds I've been offered have provided me with a personal "awakening" about people's goodness, specificially, those here, close to home.
     My benefactors have come in various sizes and ages, some are known friends but many others were strangers. Some have been dressed to a "T" and others have shown the wear and tear of less than an easy life but so many friendly greetings, offers of aid at doorways, nasty curbs and various other obstacles have brought a smile to an 84-year old face. Truthfully, many wouldn't have even been necessary but "they," apparently, felt there might a need and followed up with an unsolicited and genuine offer of aid.
     Its been enlightening, encouraging etc. etc. etc.
     Just let me say it again, I've rediscovered that there are still lots of very good, caring people "out there."
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     No particular reason for this.....and I, the Kornerman, can't remember what it came from. I simply like it.
     "If you put effort in and you don't get the desired result, people may think you lose.....but  you don't. Your glory is delayed, it is not denied. You decide when its over, and if you don't get it in your lifetime, the kids you raise, the neighbors who see you.....will be inspired by you and you can revel in  their success."
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     John, BHS-64, and Linda Hinz, BHS-67, are this year's "early birds." Christmas card number one has been received......and is much appreciated.
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     Mike Loehrer, BHS-64, has some comments on recent Korner talk. He wrote, "I went to BJC, spring semester, of my frosh year, in '65. Surprisingly, one of my favorite college subjects ever was taught by Bill Ryan and it was botany. Who would have thought a guy who only pounded basketballs and threw baseballs would find flowers that interesting?"
     On another subject, he was talking about all the upcoming football bowl games...."I remember when Parsons College (Fairfield) played in the Mineral Bowl game. The name Nate Craddock comes to mind," Mike remembered.
     The Kornerman says, "Oh yes, Parsons College had a nice run in Fairfield and I remember that Dr. Millard Roberts was the President and  main "pusher" of that institution, which closed in 1973. During that time, I also recall that Dr. Roberts came to Boone as the main speaker at some community event, perhaps the annual chamber meeting. Craddock reminds me of a good football player who was originally a Des Moines North high product."
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     BOONE CONNECTED  DEATHS: Edwin Barker, 91, Iowa City. Simpson, Iowa State Teachers college. Spent 27 years in the education field starting at Stanhope for two years. He was the Boone Junior Senior high Principal from the summer of 1964 to December of 1967 when he moved to Iowa City to become the Principal of a brand new Iowa City West High School, which opened in 1968. Survivors include his wife, Ethel, two sons and two daughters..........Jean Richard Ahrens, 89, Stratford.
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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.