Michael Stokka, 78, BHS-62. A Celebration of Life planned later.
Robin Brown, 55, Boone. Born in Boone. Battled cancer. Spent time with her pets and loved decorating for holidays. A long-time member of the Salvation Army, she donated her time to that church in many ways. A son, Nathanial Brown, survives. Services in Boone.
Donald Eldon Reese, 91, Madrid/Boone Eastern Star. Married Velma Buche in 1954. The couple lived on a farmstead east of Madrid starting in 1996. Survivors include a daughter, two sons and two brothers. Graveside services in Polk City.
Marvin Gengler, 89, Boone. Born in Remsen. Remsen St. Mary's HS. Air Force vet. After overseas duty, he was assigned to a Dallas Center IA radar station. Married Anna Marie Giese in 1962 in South Dakota. Member of Lion's Club, Elks Lodge, American Legion and loved time at Okoboji. He had a quick sense of humor and was quite a conversationalist. Survivors include his wife, Ann, of Boone, three sons, a daughter and a son-in-law, Roger Davidson, of Boone. Marv learned recently he had a daughter, Cindy McMillen, prior to his marriage and she was universally welcomed by the entire family. Services in Boone.
Mary K. Northway Van Cannon, 101, Boone/Ogden Accura Healthcare. Born in Boone. BHS. Married William Van Cannon in Madrid. Was a stay-at-home mother and housewife until starting a career at the Woodward State Hospital in the early 60's. She retired in the late 70's. She enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, crocheting, building and making doll houses and feeding the birds and squirrels. Survivors include her four adult children, Ronald, Jerry and Larry Van Cannon and Kathleen (Bruce) Maier. Services in Boone and Madrid.
Robin Brown, 56.
Rosalie Ann Hasstedt Johnson, 82, Boone/Westhaven. Born in Ogden. OHS-58. Lived and worked in Garner for a time. Returned to Ogden in 1963. In 1965, married Roland (Rollie) Johnson in Ogden. Started bookkeeping work for City State Bank in 1963 and served in several bank positions until retirement in 2001 as Vice President. Was a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church, served on the Boone Humane Society Board and opened their home for the Christmas Tour of Homes for many years. The couple enjoyed flea markets and with Rollie's restored sprint car, they traveled the Midwest to attend Old Timer's races. Survivors include her daughter, Cathleen (Leslie Den Ouden) Carlson and a grandson, both of Boone. Services in Ogden.
Nathan Joe Saetveit, 43, Ames. Born in Minnesota. New London-Spicer HS-98. Concordia-2002 with a double major in chemistry and Spanish and a double minor in math and music. Married Deb Sondall, BHS-96, in 2006. Nathan earned his PhD in analytical chemistry from ISU in 2008. For 14 years, was a senior scientist at Elemental Scientific Inc. in Omaha. He loved choral music and enjoyed performing with the Omaha Chamber Singers, Resonance and Capital Avenue Baroque. Survivors include his wife, Deb, and twin sons, his father-in-law, Don Sondall, and his brother-in-law, Mike (Natasha) Sondall, BHS-93, both of Boone. His mother-in-law, Judy Sondall, of Boone was among those who preceded him in death. Services in Omaha.
Edward D. Baldwin, 53. Boone. Born in Nevada. Collins-Maxwell HS-87. DMACC. Worked at John Deere as a mechanic and for Webb Farms in Mitchellville until suffering some health problems. Later, worked at Bomgaars in Webster City after moving to Boone. Was a big fan of baseball and NASCAR. He was also a trivia buff. Survivors include his mother, Sondra Baldwin-Lyons of Boone. A sister and brother also survive. Services in Mingo.
Betty Ione Price, 93, Ames. Born in Slater. Slater HS-46. Married Harry Price in 1950. Was the head baker at Friley Hall on the ISU campus for 25 years before retirement. Four adult children survive. Other survivors include one grandchild, Christina (Andy Stuart) Johannes, of Boone and two great grandchildren, Lucas and Raven Stuart of Boone.
Lets talk about the "old" Boone YMCA. Now, for some of you, the "old" Y was located on Carroll Street, just east of Boone High School. No.......not this time. This time we're talking about the "real old" or Railroad YMCA on the north side of Eighth Street, approximately where the O'Reilly Auto Parts store, 735 Eighth Street, is now located.
We received a very nice "old" picture of that "old" RR YMCA this week and, talk about conjuring up some old memories........wow.
Marsha McCoy Wilson, BHS-64, had some memories.....Carl Saubert, Barry Wills, Vi German, Grid, flag football, concrete gym floor, hockey game using a stick and checkers, ping pong....great times!!! She said, "add your own" which we will a bit later.
She also said, "what an amazing time and place in which to grow up. We all had pretty ideal childhoods. Driving up and down Story Street over and over hoping to see friends doing the same, piling a few of us into a car's trunk to sneak into the drive-in.....too many more memories to mention."
Without too much investigation (I, the Kornerman, is retired remember) I think (?), originally, it was a viable cooperation between the railroad and a YMCA. Boone was a stopover for many railroad employees in those days. Those employees had a place to go to shower and stay and spend time between "runs," while there was also enough "space" to provide some recreational activities for the young people of Boone.
Personally, I, the Kornerman, remember Executive Director Carl Saubert and also Al Jaggard, who I remember showing us "kids" how to shoot free throws, two-handed, under-handed. Who could forget Barry Wills and others who had the enviable job of allowing good standing members entrance to the lower portion of the building while keeping non-members away while moaning and groaning. Decisions were all made by the simple tap of a buzzer that magicially opened the door to worlds of fun in the gym and other downstairs areas.
There was a small pool at one time but it was bathroom size and, eventually, became non-existent. The concrete basketball arena though........that was the ultimate. Gee, I wish I had a nickel for all the hours spent by all in that gymnasium. There was a running track above as I recall, the lighting wasn't the best and a shower and change of clothing were badly needed after each visit, but to many of us.......it was our home away from home.
Friday night Grid and the dancing it provided was a popular venue for after most Toreador games and, even today, there are probably couples who started a lifelong romance in that, somewhat, dingy gymnasium. Several table games were available upstairs with stiff competition determining the champions in ping pong etc.
They weren't railroaders, but I do recall at least a pair of individuals, Leo Hall and Red Ritchie come to mind, who lived in the upstairs apartments.
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Referring to our recent News Republican talk, Tony Crandell, BHS-59, wrote, "I always tried to sit next to Jim (Tex) Anderson, on the floor under the baskets in the BHS gym. I always thought his 4 x 5 Speed Graphic was the neatest camera I had ever seen. So, I had Chuck Lainson buy me a 4 x 5 Crown Graphic (the same, but no focal plane shutter) and I talked Jim into showing me how to use it. Whenever I came upon an accident or any other newsworthy incident in the Boone area, I would shoot four negatives (two film holders) and drop them in the BNR mail slot in the front door. Jim would then process the film and my pic(s) would be in the next edition. For that, I got my film holders back with four sheets of fresh film and the "byline" under the printed picture. Jim always had time to help/teach me. It was always fun to see one of my pictures turning on the photo-engraver that was on a cabinet along the south wall."
Mark Campbell, BHS-67, added, "my grandfather was a linotype operator at the Register. At his 100th birthday, he said he personally bankrupted the Typographical Union's retirement fund by outliving everyone. But his most poignant remark came as he sat with his grandchildren, my cousins. "I'm 100. I've outlived two wives, all my friends and colleagues. I can't hear. I can't see and I can't walk. Time is my burden." Then he lived 2 3/4 more years."
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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......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
Lewis William Stahl, 79, Ogden. Born in Chicago Heights, IL. Married Esther Lucille Medlin in 1975 in Oklahoma. The couple lived in Olathe, KS and in 1998, moved to Ogden. Lewis worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for many years until his retirement. Survivors include his two sons, including Douglas Young of Ogden. Services in Kansas.
Dr. John Louis Duffy Jr., 89, Walker, IA. Born in Boone. BHS-50. University of St. Thomas, ISU, Indian Extension in South Bend, IN., Drake University, University of Iowa, University of Wisconsin, internship at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines and psychiatric residency at Mental Health Institute in Independence. Married Sandra Kay LaPole in 1999 in Walker. He taught latin at Notre Dame, worked at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis, the Hastings State Hospital in Hastings, MN, the Wyoming State Hospital in Laramie, the Forest City Hospital in Forest City, the Anamosa State Penitentiary and as a clinical psychiatrist in Mount Pleasant. He then served in private practice in psychiatry and neurology in St. Paul, MN. Survivors include his wife, Sandra, and six adult children. Services in Walker.
Alicen Rose Morley, 36, Ames. Originally from New York. Ogdensburg, NY HS.Clarkson University, 2008. Earned two Bachelor Of Science degrees and received a Master of Science degree in teaching from SUNY Potsdam. Later, earned a Masters of Arts degree in Political Science from Syracuse University. In 2012, Kristopher Michael Lee took a position in the math department at ISU. Alicen soon moved to Iowa and the couple married in 2016. In 2014, she had become a social studies teacher at Boone High School, serving a total of five years and earning many honors, including an Iowa Social Studies Teacher of the Year award in 2017 and a National Social Studies Teacher of the Year honor in 2018. In 2019, she enrolled at ISU, where she anticipated earning her Ph.D in Education in 2024. Survivors include her husband, Kris, her mother and stepfather, Susan and Mitchell Shannon, her father, Thomas Morley, a brother, a sister and in-laws. Services in Ames.
Jay Allan Runestad, 84, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in South Dakota. Hiremore, SD HS. Married Judith Anne King in 1959. Attended the South Dakota School of Mines, the University of Wyoming and South Dakota State University, where he earned graduate degrees in physics, chemistry and engineering. He also earned a Professional Engineer's license. Jay taught in country school and high school before the family moved to Boone in 1975 when he began working for Portland Cement Association. Eventually, he took a position as Executive Director of the North Central Cement Promotion Association. He retired in 2003. During his employment years, he taught classes at DMACC and after retirement, he was active in the engineering and cement industries, belonged to professional organizations and did consulting work. Survivors include his wife Judith, adult children, including Cheryl Runestad and Carrie Runestad of Boone. A sister also survives. Services in Boone.
Donald William Nelson, 83, Sioux Falls, formerly of Ogden. OHS. Attended AIB in Des Moines. Married Judy Van Pelt in 1961. Very active in his church. Was on the Madrid Lutheran Home, Valborg Lutheran Home and Boone County Hospital boards. Announced all home football games from 1958-2002. Worked at City State Bank from 1958 until retirement in 2002. Started as bookkeeper and, eventually, became vice president and a member of the board. At retirement, the couple moved to Sioux Falls. He sang in the church choir there and worked part time for Enterprise Car Rental, moving cars from Sioux Falls to surrounding communities. He enjoyed golf, fishing and woodworking. Survivors include his wife, Judy, and a daughter, Pam. Services in Ogden.
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.....
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
Scott A. Russell, 61, Kutztown, PA. Formerly of Boone. Born in Boone. Attended Boone schools. Married Teresa Burch in 1983. They later divorced. Married Rhonda R. Bowes in 1992 in Boone. Scott worked as a plumber and pipe fitter and the family moved to Pennsylvania for new opportunities, most recently at Kutztown University. Scott loved football and NASCAR. Survivors include his wife, Rhonda, his mother, Mary Russell, of Boone, two sons and a sister. Also surviving are brothers James and Randy Russell and his in-laws, Fred and Ruth Bowes all of Boone. Services in Boone.
Robert Warren Pink Sr., 90, Boone. Des Moines Tech HS 1950. While in high school, Bob installed the first TV in Des Moines. Married Norma Noland in 1951. Air Force vet. Bob worked for RCA in Rapid City, continuing to work as a civilian contractor at Ellsworth Air Force Base where he taught radar. He also became a partner with a radio station and owned a communication company that assisted with installing the first sound system at Mount Rushmore. A move was made to Fargo and then, after nine years, the family moved to Boone and Bob began working for the DOT. Bob left the DOT after 22 years and went to work for ISU as the Assistant Director for Telecommications. He retired from ISU in 1997. Bob had a repair shop and enjoyed repairing TV's and radios. He also did some work for Sounds Record Store and Montgomery Ward. The last radio station he helped put on the air was the Latin World Broadcasting station in Des Moines. He loved to travel and had an interest in photography. Having a home in Bradenton, the Pink's wintered in Florida. He was a member of the American Legion, the Ham Radio Club and for 60 years, the First Presbyterian church. Survivors include his wife, Norma, and a daughter, Deb Prouty, both of Boone. Three sons and a sister-in-law also survive. A Celebration of Life will be held later in Boone.
Susan Elaine DeWitt Osburn, 70, Lake Panorama. Grew up in Jordan. Attended United Community. Humboldt HS-70. Air Force vet. Married Jerry Osburn in Grimes in 1993. Worked at Farm Bureau Insurance for 37 years. Retired from full-time in 2008 and from part-time in 2014. She enjoyed fishing, camping, animals and nature. Survivors include two daughters, a son-in-law, a brother and three sisters. Also surviving are granddaughter Reanna Rogers and great grandson Jace Gittings, both of Boone. Services in Panora.
Katherine Rose Vespestad Saveraid, 88, Cambridge. Huxley HS-51. Married Paul Saveraid in 1953 in Kelley. Three daughters survive including Sandra (Bill) Harleen of Madrid. Services in Huxley.
Michael Newbold, 83, Boone. Born in Centerville. BHS-57. BJC-60. The family had moved to Boone while Mike was in junior high. Married Mary Jo McLeod, BHS-60. They later divorced. Married Lynn Eaton in 1992. Mike owned and operated Cardinal Cleaners for over 50 years. He chose not to retire as he considered his business to be his hobby. Loved coffee with the guys there each morning and working alongside his daughter. He was story teller, a Hawkeye fan, youth coach, Toreador fan patriotic and an active community member. The VFW honored him for many years of cleaning USA flags for them and most recently, he was awarded the 2022 Community Dedication Award. Survivors include his wife, Lynn, son Coby (Paulette) and a daughter, Kristin Selby, all of Boone. A son, Lance, also survives. A Celebration of Life and burial in Boone.
Gary James McCool, 81, Boone. BHS-59. Air Force vet. Married Karen Newland, BHS-60, in 1961. Attended DMACC. Gary worked for various telephone companies many years as an engineer before retiring. In retirement, he worked for Boone County Transportation. He loved making model railroads, creating woodworking projects, reading and watching John Wayne movies. Survivors include his wife, Karen, of Boone, a son, two daughters and a brother. Services in Boone.
Gregory John Schaefer, 52, Garner. Garner-Hayfield HS-89. Northwestern College (Orange City), ISU and earned a degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Construction Management. Married Michelle Martin in 2011. The couple established their first home in Ames but then settled in Madrid. Greg worked for Con-struct in Ames for over 20 years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing but especially enjoyed reading stories, playing games and saying prayers with his children. Survivors include his wife, Michelle, a son, a daughter, five siblings, his parents-in-law and brother-in-law. Services in Garner.
Dixie Lee Jensen, 95, Ames. Formerly of Ogden. Born in Arkansas. OHS-45. Earned a degree in education from ISU. Taught school in Iowa and Minnesota. Married Paul Jensen in Ames. The couple built their home in Ogden in 1996 and remained there until moving to Ames in 2016. Dixie loved puzzles, reading, golfing, painting, traveling, camping and square dancing. Survivors include four adult children and a sister. Services in Ames and burial in Ogden.
Patti Louise Kruse Beckman, 80, Ogden. Born in Boone County. Married Terry Beckman in Ogden in 1961. Survivors include her husband, Terry, of Ogden, a son, Todd Beckman of Ogden, a daughter, Kim Garland, of Ridgeport, a brother and a sister. Services in rural Ogden.
Jeanine Treman Wing-Grant, 85, Ames. Born in Rockwell City. RCHS-55. Grinnell College-59. Married Bill Wing in 1960 and the couple lived in several communities, some out-of-state. Bill passed in 2001 and in 2003, she married Dr. David Grant, a longtime Boone resident. Jeanine loved reading, playing tennis and pickle ball, cooking, watching sports, listening to good music and working on creative projects. Survivors include husband David Grant, three adult children, a sister and David's six children. Services in Boone with burial in Rockwell City.
Robert Dean. Price, 80, Georgetown, TX. Born in Boone. BHS-60. Air Force vet. Married Kathleen (Kathy) Roberts, BHS-62, in 1963. Was a lifelong employee of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. He began as a night clerk while obtaining his Associates Degree from DMACC. For the Chicago and Northwestern, he became an Assistant Train Master, then Train Master before becoming a Safety Instructor, spending much of the couple's time in Illinois. Later, he joined the Federal Railroad Administration in California, managing accident and infringement cases. In retirement, the couple moved to Georgetown, TX. Bob had a strong Christian faith and enjoyed music, golf and trivia. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen, three sons, a daughter and a sister. Services in Boone Saturday.
Edward J. Goeppinger, 97, Riverside, CA. Born in Boone. Army vet. UCLA and UC Berkeley educated and was licensed as a Professional Mechanical Engineer in the State of California. Began working at Bournes in Pasadena before the company moved to Riverside in 1950. He worked for Bournes for 40 years. Married Trudy in 1949. Survivors include a daughter and sisters-in-law. Services in Riverside.
Eldon Luke Carlson, 95, Palmyra, PA. Born in Ogden. OHS-43 at age 16 and as class president. Also began a ministry at age 16. Retired at 70, having served eight United Methodist appointments in Pennsylvania, spanning almost 50 years. His wife, Louise, passed in 2017. Three adult children survive. Services in Pennsylvania. In 1926, his parents single-handedly built a new church in Ogden. Of seven brothers who lived to adulthood and were brought up in the Ogden Gospel Tabernacle, three became United Methodist ministers.
James Lee Hedden, 73, Des Moines. Attended classes at Boone Junior College in the late 1960's.
Karen Patrice Reinberg Shepard, 64, Boone. Born in Louisiana. Earned a Radiologic Technologist degree from Iowa Central Community College. Married John James Shepard III in 1984. The couple resided in Mississippi until 1991 when they moved to the family farm near Boxholm. Worked at Mary Greeley until retirement in 2020. She moved to Boone in 2012. Karen was fun loving and adventurous. Loved traveling by motorcycle or Jeep. Enjoyed gardening. Survivors include three adult children, including Adam Shepard of Boone, two step-daughters and a brother. Services in Ogden.
Becky Victoria Whattoff Soukup, 64, Roland. Born in Ames. United C-HS-76. Attended DMACC. Married David Joseph Soukup in 1978. The couple formed David J. Soukup Construction where Becky would perform the architectural and accounting duties and David would build the houses. She was a lifelong artist, musician and animal lover. Becky had a company, Rebecca's Decorative Painting. She also authored and illustrated several children's books. Survivors include her husband, David, three adult children and six siblings. Services in Ames and Story City.
Company graduates, Richard Longworth and I, Mo Kelley, both BHS-53, still have the Boone News Republican on our mind. We've exchanged several emails recently that contain memories of our days at 812 Keeler Street. I have a feeling a bit of disorganization will occur but I'm just going to "ramble" about some of the things we've visited about concerning those great BNR days.
Before that, Richard commented on what I had posted about what appeared to be the "final days" of the BNR as we knew them. Richard wrote, "You're right, it looks like the Boone News Republican is finally dead, in name and spirit. I did as you suggested and googled on the BNR and up popped the Ames Tribune, with almost no Boone news at all. Does this mean that Boone is now no more than just a suburb of Ames, with no more interest or existence than, say, Jordan? Over the years, the News Republican defined Boone and its history. Go back into the files and the legend of Boone, as a place, as a community, as a civilization, emerges. All the tragedies and triumphs are there, with the people that lived and created this history. This is what a good local newspaper does. So what now? Boone is still there but there's nobody with the job of writing this daily chronicle, leaving future residents with no real picture of the place where they live. Without this past, there's no understanding of the present, or grasp of the future."
Richard's BNR history actually goes beyond the late 50's and early 60's. He was actually there a decade earlier. His first byline in the BNR, coverage of a high school track meet, appeared in 1949 and he wrote regularly for the paper through his high school years until graduation and, occasionally, after that, in the mid-50's. I, the Kornerman, started splitting my work day between KWBG and the News Republican after being discharged from the service in 1958. From then, until 1970, I had my hands in both, starting with sports and ending with a time as KWBG Station Manager and BNR Managing Editor.
Referring to the BNR building itself, Richard wrote, "I do hope they'll always keep the News Republican name on that old building. There's a lot of history in that old place. It has to be a pretty solid structure. Every afternoon when the printing press in the basement revved up, the whole building shook." I, the Kornerman, remembers those little steps that separated the news department from the "back shop" and, of course, those long stairs that led up to the second floor where Mary and Harold Garvey had their offices. I think, Harold also had the proper furniture available upstairs for a nap in the afternoon if he desired. Irma Hines, the Society Editor, also had her office upstairs.
I, the Kornerman, will never forget one of my few trips up that long stairway to Mary Garvey's office. Sometime in 1969, I suddenly realized I had probably reached my BNR-KWBG zenith and should attempt a move forward. For a very short time, I left the BNR-KWBG gig and went to work for KASI radio in Ames. It wasn't long after, that Mary Garvey contacted me and wanted to talk about the Managing Editor's job at the BNR.
I traveled up that stairway into her office and, basically, she told me "we have never offered any employee the money we're willing to pay you if you would return as BNR Managing Editor. We'd offer $10,000. We do pay Rollie (Peterson) more than that, due to his sales commissions." I, of course, accepted but it was just a few months later when Bernie Saggau, Executive Secretary of the Iowa High School Athletic Association, said he wanted to visit with me. He offered a starting salary of $11,000 to join the IHSAA and I accepted the $1,000 raise in April of 1970.
Our BNR "back shop" was a union shop, while the rest of the building employees were not union members. A call for a new contract, including pay increase askings would come up every so often from the union and after negotiations, a percentage settlement was reached. I always admired the fact that Mary Garvey always countered the union's increase with an identical percentage settlement for ALL of the remaining employees. She thought that was "only fair."
Dick Longworth was surprised to hear of the $10,000 offer. He wrote, "I can't imagine Mary offering anybody $10,000. I started with UPI in Chicago for $65 a week, which was enough to get married on. It helped that my bride was teaching school for $72 a week. I don't think I cracked the $10,000 level until the late 60's. UPI was pretty tight-fisted but, on the other hand, I was overseas a lot of this time and the dollar in those days went a long ways."
We'll call a halt, at this point, for this time, but in upcoming editions of the Korner, Richard and I will continue our memories of our time at the Boone News Republican.
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I, the Kornerman, had mentioned that I was certain there were probably some "misses" on our list of BNR employees who worked there during the time Dick Longworth and I did. I knew of one person, for sure, that remained nameless on our list. It was a very kind lady who did some work in bookkeeping and I knew she had a familiar Boone name. Suddenly, the other day, her name just "popped" into my head...........Pauline Uthe. Such a nice person and I'm so happy I finally remembered her. She needed to be on our BNR Hall of Fame list.
Max Moore, BHS-46, wrote, "I had a paper route, plus a car route to Ogden, Woodward, Madrid and Luther. I remember Bill Kerr who was in sports and my wife, Ramona Tingwald Moore, in advertising." The Kornerman says, "those two were a bit before the time Dick and I spent there." Tom Peterson, BHS-67, sent a snappy picture from the early 1930's of his dad, Merrill, standing by a neat little Dodge coupe in front of the BNR office. Tom wrote, "he drove that car to drop bundles of the BNR papers for the boys to deliver to Stratford, Ogden, Beaver and Grand Junction." The Kornerman says, "isn't that amazing to think about.....the Boone News with such a wide circulation.?"
Loren Frazier, BHS-58, added to all those Boone citizens who are in mourning over the passing of Larry Adams, BHS-65. Loren wrote, "I was so sorry to hear of Larry's death. He was definitely a valuable member of the Boone community. Like Gretchen Caldwell Otis, BHS-52, he, too, is irreplaceable. There are too few people, any longer, that care enough about the past that they are willing to sacrifice their time and treasure to protect and preserve it. Larry was one of those people. RIP."
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June Arlene Allen Eckhart, 96, Ogden/Accura. Born in Guthrie County. Bayard HS. Married Emery Lawrence Eckhart in Missouri in 1947. Was a homemaker while Emery was trucking. He passed in 2000. She was a member of the Eagles and the couple were dedicated Boone Speedway fans. Survivors include a daughter, Louise Carlson of Boone, a son and a brother. Services pending.
Dixie L. Jensen, 95, Ames. Formerly of Ogden.
Ann Marie Tripp Ask, 87, Ames. Born at the Boone County Hospital. Graduated from Camron United Community HS in 1953. Married Merrill (Mel) Ask in Rock Island in 1960. The couple moved to Missouri and purchased the Hale Missouri Leader newspaper in 1971. Mel passed in 1982. Ann continued to operate the newspaper until 1986 when she moved back to Boone. She worked as a bookkeeper and office staff member before attending DMACC where she earned her Associates Degree in accounting at age 55. She enjoyed crafts, sewing and loved to sing. Survivors include her son, Andy, and a sister, Janet (Stan) Miller. Service in Story City and burial in Missouri.
The recent purchase and potential renovation of the Boone News Republican building at 812 Keeler Street has kept a pair of old former occupants of that building awake many recent nights as memories flowed from an initial shock to complete mesmerization. We're still finding new things to laugh and/or cry about.
Richard Longworth and Morris Kelley, both BHS-53, spent lots of time in the earliest part of their media careers in, primarily, the late 50's into the 60's, in that historical building, which was built in 1912.
Today, we'll begin this "trip back in time" to honor all those great people we can think of that were co-workers during those wonderful days. Let's say we're proclaiming this the News Republican Hall of Fame. We fully understand that there may be some "misses." The list is primarily from memory and you know how late '80's human memories can be. Hopefully, if any viewers catch some names we've missed, please let us know. No attempt is being made to list newspaper carriers.
In no particular order, here we go.......
Mary and Harold Garvey, Harlan Weeks, Earl Senholz, Wayne Messerly, Warren (Doc) Routh, Ed Anderson, Walter Curry, Roger Dee, Tom Fleener, Kathy Ferry, Mary Deering, Mary Alice Anderson Niederjohn, Bernard Hohanshelt, Terry Johnson, Irma Hines, Bill Endress, Walt Handy, John Deardorff, R.P. Brown, Rollie Peterson, Dick Lynes, Ed Bomberger, Melvin Howell, Ben Mesenbrink, Grace Berl, Pauline Uthe, Jeannie Eytcheson, Tex Anderson, Buck Huffman, Marv Lestina, Boyd Van Meter, Don Garrett, Herman Ninneman, Virgil Dummett, Peg Hohanshelt, Vivian Wirtz, Tammy Hougham, Lester Hohanshelt, Wayne (AH) Shaw, Harry Quantz, Jack Branscom. Oh yes, there's also Richard Longworth and Mo Kelley.
The plan is to, in future editions, get into the "heart" of our memories. Its our hope that OUR memories will shake up some of your BNR memories, whether they be as staff members or news carriers.
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Its coming! Sometime......probably soon......the Boone News Republican will no longer exist. It still may be delivered each Thursday, at least for a time, but the familiar BOONE News Republican nameplate will be replaced by an AMES Tribune nameplate. In some ways, that's already occurred.
Until a week or two ago, when entering "Boone News Republican" on the internet, we still received access, BNR nameplate and all. However, there's been a change. Try it yourself. Today, I entered Boone News Republican, as usual, but received a Boone News Republican - Nevada Journal - Ames Tribune nameplate which quickly reverted to Ames Tribune. I also entered Business News in Boone and received that same beginning nameplate.
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Dora (Dodie) Lawrence, 68, Ames. She enjoyed attending the car races at Boone Speedway and sponsored cars there over the years.
Steve Gustafson, 75, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-65. Married Jody Lawler in Ogden in 1971. Worked for Alliant Energy for 45 years until retirement. Steve enjoyed hobby farming, snowmobiling and fishing in Okoboji and Canada. Survivors include his wife, Jody, of Boone, two sons and a sister-in-law, Ann Gustafson, of Boone. Services in Boone.
Sadly, the Boone community lost a prominent member via an auto accident near Granger Monday, October 10. Larry Don Adams, 75, BHS-65, was killed as a passenger in a car that collided with a truck. Adams was riding in a car heading south on Highway 17 and that vehicle was struck by a semi traveling north on Highway 17 but turning onto Broadway Street. Larry had just completed another year as the curator of the William R. Higgins Jr. Foundation Inc. National Bank Note Museum and Library in Okoboji and had returned home to Boone. From 1980 to 2006, Larry served as the curator of the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace and "forever," he's been very active in the Boone Historical Society and numerous other local events and organizations. Whereas the late Gretchen Otis could be remembered as, "Ms. Boone Iowa Historian," Larry could certainly be called "Mr. Boone Iowa Historian." His death is a loss to our community.
P.S. Larry was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other passengers in the car were the driver, Adam Choruzek, 43, and Kathy O'Brien, 48, both of Grand Junction. Both suffered injuries and were air-lifted to hospitals from the crash scene.
John Frederick Bolton, 82, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Des Moines. Raised in Boone and Polk County. Madrid HS. Married Evelyn Jebron in 1960. Farmed all his life and retired from John Deere in Ankeny. He loved traveling and was a member of the two-cylinder club. Survivors include two sons, Steve Bolton and Jeff (Rochelle Woodard) Bolton, both of Boone and two siblings, including Mary Lou Sigmund of Madrid. Services in Madrid.
Bruised and bullied but still standing after 110 years. That's our Boone News Republican building at 812 Keeler Street.
Folks have been wondering, because, basically, its been vacant since 2004, ignored and unloved these last 18 years, except for brief ownership in 2017 by a group hoping to establish a new Elks Club in Boone.
Gene Rollin Miller, 87, Perry Lutheran Home. Mount Ayr HS. Graceland College and Drake. Participated in several sports in high school and at the two colleges. Earned his degree in education from Drake. Married Wanda Fears, a classmate at Graceland. Gene was a well known coach statewide but particularly in Dallas and Boone Counties where he coached various sports for some 26 years. Later in his life, he worked for President Homes and in retirement, Gene and Wanda worked together in house building jobs. The couple were married for 67 years and were parents of a son, John, and a daughter, Michele Jolene who survive. Services in Perry
Linda Jo Kuhfus Pickering, 69, Story City. Survivors include three adult children, including Cara Hammer of Boone. Services in Story City.
Beverley Ann Vander Broek Rose, 84, Ogden/Madrid. Born in Orange City. OCHS-56. Attended Northwestern College in Orange City. Married Clifford Rose in Ogden in 1959. The couple lived in Ogden their entire married life. After Clifford's death, Beverley remained in Ogden until moving to Madrid in 2021. She worked for Eastern Star as a bookkeeper and administrative assistant until retirement in 2000. Enjoyed reading, visiting casinos and polka dancing. Loved the Cubs, playing cards, doing puzzles and spending time with grandchildren.Survivors include a son, Tim, a daughter, Peggy Nardini, and two sisters-in-law.
Wallace (Wally) Edwin Loudon, 92, Boone. Born at rural College Springs, IA. Educated in Mount Ayr and Diagonal. Married Gladys Gibson in 1949. The couple farmed near Diagonal for seven years. They moved to Moingona in 1956 and then to Boone. Wally drove trucks, worked at ISU and spent 11 years at Boesen Greenhouse in Boone. Later, for 21 years, he worked for the DOT. He loved the outdoors and he spent many hours there. After retirement, he spent the summers at Don Williams Lake. He and Gladys divorced after 31 years of married life. He married Jacquie Reeves Tesdal Bollenbaugh in 1983 but they separated in 2003. In 2008, he met Mary Wirtz and they became companions. Survivors include Mary, as well as a step-daughter, Dawn Molle, of Boone and a step-son, Ron Tesdal, of Boone. Services in Boone and at Bass Point.
Kenneth Thomas, 89, Kimberling City, MO. Born in Boone. Married Bonnie Peel, BHS-51, in Boone in 1951. Taught social studies in Ogden Junior High and drivers education in Ogden for 17 years. He 1976, he and Bonnie purchased Four Seasons Resort in Kimberling City. It was the first of several lodging and vacation properties they operated around the Branson area. Survivors include a son and daughter. Services in Branson.
Marjorie Clare (McCrickard) Burkhead, 92, Boone. Born in Missouri Valley. Grew up on a farm and graduated from Missouri Valley HS-48. Worked in Omaha for two years and in 1949, married Junior Henry Burkhead. Was a homemaker while her husband had a long military career. The couple lived in Sheldon and Sioux City before settling in Boone in 1971. She enjoyed flowers, gardening, baking and playing bridge. Was a long time member of Sacred Heart Church. Survivors include seven adult children, including Lori Burkhead of Boone and Cheri Sorber of Ogden. A sister also survives. Services in Boone.
Timothy (Tim) Vodenik, 65, Ogden. Born in California. OHS. Was married and then divorced. He farmed until 1985 before moving back to California where he worked in road construction. Moved back to Iowa in 2014 and worked for Wisecup Trucking. Was a volunteer Ogden fireman, loved hot rods and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Survivors include three siblings. A Celebration of Life will be held later.
Jerry Lee Barrett, 83, Luther. Born in Luther. Luther school graduate. Married Sandy Sue Wenzel in Perry in 1988. He worked at Ledges State Park as a custodian and at Firestone in Des Moines. He enjoyed biking, working on cars, fishing and buying and selling various things such as antiques and lawn mowers. Survivors include his wife, Sandy, three adult children and two siblings. Services in Perry.
