AN ENJOYABLE LIFE IN MEXICO

   Some time back, Nancy Jean Westfall Gurrola, BHS-60, provided some memories from her high school days. Much of her adult life has been spent in Mexico and as a part of that initial offering, she went into great detail about her years there. It provides some interesting material and, in this edition, we will highlight information from those years she spent beyond our southern border.

   Nancy enrolled at Iowa State University after her high school graduation but was there just one year. Her mother, Jeanette, had decided that a trip to Mexico would provide an opportunity for Nancy to "get to know a bit more of the world.". Her dad, Dr. Bill Westfall and brother, Fred (Fritz), BHS-63, joined the two for several weeks of travel in Mexico. Nancy said, "I found our southern neighbors so intriquing and fascinating I decided to spend a year abroad studying Spanish and Mexican culture." In Acapulco, she met Juan Ramon Gurrola and the couple, eventually, married in 1965.

   Nancy graduated from Mexico City College and continued on to graduate school for a Master's Degree. "During my academic career, I was privileged to teach Mexican history and Mexico/U.S. Relations to over 3,000 students until retirement in 2016. Through the University of North Carolina's Center for International Understanding, I coordinated a unique program to build networks of state and local educators and leaders in North Carolina and Mexico to address the challenges raised by the rapid growth of immigration in that state."

   Still a non-resident member of Boone's Chapter JL of the P.E.O. sisterhood, she has three children. Son Juan works in Mexico City and spent one semester at Boone Junior High in 1982 as an exchange student in the home of Will Schaub. Another son lives in San Diego and a daughter lives in Mexico City.

   Nancy concluded, "my life in Mexico has been exciting, living in a developing nation and in one of the largest cities in the world is challenging but also stimulating and rewarding. Sadly, my husband passed away last October after 55 years of marriage. He always enjoyed visiting Boone and was impressed with how friendly everyone was. Yes, Boone is a very special place."

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   TWO CALENDAR ITEMS: A graveside service will be held for James Henry Kennedy Jr., 96, of Boone on May 14, 2022, at Oakwood Cemetery in Moingona, Iowa at 11 a.m.. A luncheon will follow the service in Moingona AND

   Doug McLeod's Celebration of Life will be held May 10 at Cedar Pointe with a service at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch.

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   BOONE CONNECTED/AREA DEATHS

   Darla Grace Miller Wahl, 88, Urbandale. Born in rural Stratford. BHS-51. Worked at Fishers Shoes and Priebe Hatchery. Married George Wahl in Boone in 1958. The family moved to Urbandale in 1960. She was a teacher associate at an Urbandale Elementary. The couple traveled all 50 states and Canada. Survivors include her husband, George, two daughters and a brother-in-law. Services in Johnston/ Grimes.

   Mary Jane Kreuscher Maybee, 92, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Whitewater University. Married George Maybee in 1951.  Mary was a lover of the arts, nature, her family and her community. Girl Scout leader over 25 years. Gardening was her favorite hobby. For several years, she operated a women's clothing store. She and George were founding members of the Pufferbilly Days celebration. After railroad retirement, George served as Boone Mayor for over a dozen years. A volunteer with several organizations, Mary had a special fondness for the community theatre. In 2012, she was honored as Iowan of the Day at the Iowa State Fair. Survivors include two sons and two daughters. Services in Boone.

   Catherine Rose Smith, 99, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Boone County. BSH-40. Worked with her dad on the farm and the store and locker in Mackey. Back to school at Boone Junior College-54-56, then summer classes at Iowa Teachers (now UNI). Starting in 1956, she taught lower elementary grades in the Boone schools. A sister-in-law and nieces and nephews survive. Services in Boone.

   W. Dean Carlson, 92, Boone. Born in Boone. Married Helen in 1952 and the couple resided on the Carlson family farm until her passing 68 years later. The Mackey community was an important part of his life. Survivors include a daughter and two sons. Services in Boone and Mackey.

   Allen Lee Davis, 81, Boone. Born in Boone. OHS-59. Married Veronica Staebler in 1962. They divorced in 1981. Worked as a meat cutter at ISU for 32 years until retirement in 1998. He was devoted to his mother, knew no strangers and was always a social butterfly around town. Survivors include a son, Steve, and his mother, Velma Davis, of Boone. Services in Boone.

   Nicholas Andrew Melton, 35, Boone. Born in Ames. Was home schooled and earned a college Bachelor's Degree. An Army vet, he attended many military schools and was deployed overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan seven times. Survivors include his mother, Marti Melton-Streeter, stepfather Mark Streeter, five brothers, a sister and his former spouse, Hanna Lynn Lewis.  Services in Boone.

   Dr. Marion Anthony Romitti, 88, Altoona. Born in Madrid. MHS-51. Army vet. Earned degrees from Drake University and worked at Firestone. Was a skilled baseball player at Drake. Married Linda Heithoff in 1965. In 1961, he taught at Twin Cedars/Bussey and then starting in 1964, at Centerville Community College (now Indian Hills). In 1973, returned to Madrid as Superintendent of Schools. Retired in 1998 after 25 years. Survivors include his wife, Linda, sons Barry and Marty and brother John. Services in Madrid.

   Virgil Short, 83, Ames. Born in Des Moines. Lived in Granger, Redfield and Perry. Married Mona Kay Loudenback in Madrid in 1959. Worked for Safeway Grocery in Mason City and then in Boone where daughter, Deanna, was born. Had a 30 year career as an Ames city employee. Survivors include his wife, two daughters, a brother and three sisters-in-law. Services in Ames.

   Raymond Leroy Hovick, 101, Story City/Ames/Eastern Star.

   Robert (Bob) Leon Patterson III, 39, West Union. Survivors include a sister, brother, nieces and nephews. Celebration of Life in Madrid.

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   Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. Leave a message. To email your stories/memories/comments/death notices.....

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