CONNECTIONS

     The Kornerman received a very nice call this week.......a "thank you" call from Florida.
     It seems that our recent story about Boone native Steve Sellers, BHS-66, resulted in some folks re-connecting.
     We provided his phone number and Steve indicated he had received some calls. In addition, Judith Otte, speaking from Tampa, said she had spoken to Steve for the first time in awhile.
      Judith had received a copy of the Korner story about Steve from her aunt, Betty Atherton, BHS-40, of Boone and followed up with a call to Steve.
      Judith is a daughter of Steve's uncle, Walt Sellers, BHS-38. She said she grew up in the Stratford/Boone area but the family moved to Missouri when she was entering seventh grade.
      Her call to the Kornerman was simply a "thank you" for providing the story and phone number.
     As we've said many times before, we get a wonderful "worthwhile" feeling when our effort becomes a conduit for our readers.
K-----K
     The Kornerman received a very nice letter from Delores Severson, the wife of our good friend, Coach Gordon Severson, who passed away recently.
     Delores wrote, "he always wanted to be a coach and thanks to the G.I. bill, he was able to attend college and become one. His days at United Community were happy, eventful years. He went fast just as he wished. He talked to me while sitting in a chair next to me. Got up, walked three steps to his bed and as soon as his head hit the pillow he was gone"
     Delores sent a copy of the funeral program, which featured some great pictures of Gordon and she said, "the last song was "Take me out to the ballgame" sung by the congregation.
     One more thing: included also was a copy of a terrific note titled, "The last inning - The last out" written by Gordon 10 years ago. A great read.....about his life and life in general.
K-----K
     Early news of a possible class 80th birthday celebration in 2020.
     The class of 1958, at their 60-year reunion in 2018, had discussed this possibility.
     Nashville was mentioned as a possible site but then it was determined good old Boone would probably attract more attendance.
     The likely dates are September 15, 16, 17 and rooms have been "blocked" at the Cobblestone Inn and Suites. Specific plans will be determined at a later date.
     In the meantime, Loren Frazier, lorenlfrazier@cox net, would like to hear from classmates who plan to attend and any ideas they may have regarding the celebration.
K-----K
     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Linda Mayfield, 73, Radcliffe. Married Donald Mayfield in 1969 and the couple spent most of their time in the Boone area. Linda cleaned houses, worked at The Rose in Ames and managed some properties. Survivors include her husband, Donald, three daughters and two sisters.........Delbert Peterson, 92, Boone. Born in rural Stratford. Stratford HS-45. Married Naomi Faith in 1949. The couple farmed north of Ridgeport from 1952-2008 before moving to a home in Stratford. Delbert moved to the Eastern Star home in 2014. He was a DeKalb dealer for 40 years. Survivors include three daughters, including Gaylene Andrews of Stratford, and one son.........LaVern "Durn" Lindgren, 78, Ogden. Born in Ogden. A military vet. Married Carol Jean Launderville in 1965. He was a welder and worked for Ogden municipal utilities for many years. Survivors include a son and a brother, Gary Lindgren, of Ogden............Bob North, 79, Boone. Ar-We-Va HS at Westside. ISU grad. Worked for the DOT for 39 years. Survivors include two sons, a daughter and his longtime significant other, Kelli Bennett, and Kelli's daughters, Elizabeth Matthies and Kathy Boon both of Boone........William Shere, 64, Granger. Survivors include sisters, Susan Houseman of Ogden and Shelly Nagel of Stratford.........Robert Brayton, 77, Madrid. Dallas Center HS-60. Navy vet. Worked at John Deere in Rock Island and Firestone in Des Moines. Retired from Emco Enterprises in Des Moines in 2004. A sister survives.
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.