BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

     Craig Douglas McDowell, 64, Des Moines. Born in Des Moines. Was employed by EFCO in Des Moines as a shipping clerk for 29 years. He enjoyed model railroading, cruising, watching Western movies and the Kansas City Chiefs. Survivors include a brother, David (Christine) McDowell, of Ogden and a nephew, Garrett (Katie Peterson) McDowell, of Boone. A niece and three aunts also survive. Services in Ogden and Rippey.

     John Irving Riker, 74, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-69. John worked for Hallet Construction and the Union Pacific for a time before retiring from Fareway after 30 years, mainly, driving a truck. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. He was a friend of  Bill W. for 42 years. Survivors include a daughter, Melia Desher, of Boone , a son, John Ethan Riker, and a brother, Stephen Riker, of Boone. Services in Boone.

SOME NEWS AND MEMORIES

      Here is some information that, at least, those living away from Boone, might find newsworthy. Locally, there have already been lots of whispers but no official announcements that I, the Kornerman, am aware of.

      Dennis and Terri Van Hemert, after many years of service to the community, have sold their Dutch Oven Bakery and quietly retired.

      We're told that the new owners intend to proceed with very few changes, if any.

      The Kornerman got to thinking about the various bakeries I can recall during my almost 80 years of Boone residency........Dutch Oven, Olsen's, Barstad's, Bricky Johnstones, across from the city hall, and Saba's bakery, across the tracks, on the north side of town.

       Speaking of the north side, another recent retirement of note is the departure of John Greiner who has owned and operated the Whistle Stop restaurant, northeast corner of 11th and Story streets for uno years.. He was honored with a retirement open house just a day or two ago.

       Again, any other pertaining news to these developments is very limited.

K-----K

     While we're in a memory mode, I must report that I had an epiphany that resulted in a torrent of laughter in the middle of a recent night. 

      For some odd reason, out of the blue, I got to thinking about the good times by good friend and classmate, Gary Grosnickle, and I had, frequently going to the Bide-A-Wee tavern to shoot pool while we were supposedly being educated at Boone Junior College. Yes, we did attend class (most of the time) but in our off-hours, we managed to spend time "behind the eight ball" at Hugh Courter's place. His son, Lloyd, was also a classmate and good buddy.

     We enjoyed playing the game but the environment had as much to do with our interest as anything. Kind of reminds me of the popular TV show "Friends." The same characters, Morg and "Parrot" and the guy with the baseball cap and bib overalls, who they said, "owned half of Boone County farmland," were always there, adding to the festive atmosphere.

     I couldn't help but chuckle, in the middle of the night, as I relived those "fun" moments.

     Boone Junior College began having classes in 1928 and I still have, thank you Miss Slosson,  not only my diploma but happened to keep the 27th school bulletin, 1953-54. 

     There were two year offerings in liberal arts, pre-commerce, dentistry, engineering, law, medics, nursing and teaching.

     Some of the instructors were college Dean Dale Peer, Dean Emeritus J.R. Thorngren, nurse Carolyn Carlson, and instructors Harold Cunningham, William Hartley, John Fitzgerald, James Hess, C.J. Martindale, John Shadle, Marguerite Skilling, John Smoot, Howard Stutzman and librarian Jack Tillson.

     Scanning the student roster, there were 13 sophomores and 27 freshmen and do I need to say, most all were Boone natives, with a few from the close surrounding area.

     Also offered was Adult Evening Classes and that drew 79 students. Again, primarily, very local residents.

     There were pictures of the BJC quartet and the Bears basketball team. Grosnickle and I played basketball for the Bears but we won't delve deeply into that. Again, it was mostly area guys and we weren't too good.

     Through the years I've seen many rosters of Boone Junior College students and have always been amazed at the number of those who have not only led successful lives and careers, but the many who have gone "way beyond" and made quite an impressive name for themselves nationally in business, sports, politics and other facets of life.

     Boone Junior College was a great community asset in its time and now, of course, Des Moines Area Community College, Boone Campus, has added to that mantle of greatness.

K-----K

     Worldwide Korner headquarters  are still 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.......https://kelleyskorner1@blogspot.com.

     

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

     
      Charles "Chuck" Earl Lee, 75, Boone. Born in Cedar Falls. CFHS-67. Married Patricia Anne Bingaman in 1968. Started work at Iowa State for three years before becoming a programmer at Sundstrand (Danfoss) in Ames. After early retirement from Sundstrand, he worked for the State of Iowa in the Department of Personnel. Preceding another retirement was a 20 year career at the DOT in Ames. The couple lived in Nevada for a time, following children's sports and coaching youth bowling at Sports Bowl. They moved to Boone in 1990 and Chuck helped out at Imperial Lanes with the youth bowling program. His hobbies included bowling, fishing, golfing and camping. Survivors include his wife, Patricia, a son, a daughter, and three brothers. Services in Boone.

      Michael Oberender, 65, Huxley. Was born in Des Moines but, at the time, the family lived in Madrid. Later they lived in Ankeny and on a farm near Sheldahl. After marriage, he and his wife, Connie Ann Purcell, moved to Huxley. A COL is planned at a later date.

     Michael Terance Nepereny, 84, Stratford. Born in Fort Dodge. Webster City HS-58. Iowa Central and ISU. Married Linda Bell in Stratford in 1960. Mike served as Mayor of Stratford, 2001-2017. Boy Scout leader and 4H volunteer and a lifelong learner who studied everything from gardening to geology to Fjord horses, beekeeping, rock collecting and beyond. He worked for Maudlin Construction for over 20 years before joining Chuck Becker for C and M Sand and Gravel in 1983. Was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star and a devoted church goer. Survivors include his wife, Linda, his children Melinda and Patrick and a brother. Services in Stratford.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Dennis Michael Fisher, 79, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Des Moines. DMTech-64. Worked at Quinn Manufacturing until retirement. Married Mary Kay Rusnak in 1966. She passed away in 2022. He enjoyed reading, playing dice, darts and cards and watching old westerns. He coached baseball and softball and worked as a D.J.. Three adult children, Davis Fisher, Kristi Henigan and Boone resident Cindy DeVoogd survive. Two brothers also survive. Services in Boone.   

         Eugene Leroy Lass, 94, Greenwood Village, CO. Lived near Ogden most of his life. Army vet. Married Phyliss Lois Harmon. Active in Zion Lutheran church. The couple moved to Colorado in 2016 to be closer to their daughter. His favorite pastime was walking and visiting along the way. His three adult children, Mark and Duane Lass and his daughter, Sherri Claycomb, survive. Three brothers also survive. Memorial services will be held in the spring in Ogden. 

        Robert (Bob) Gene Ausborn, 85, Ames. Survivors include his daughter, Melanie (Billy) Olesen of Ogden. Services in Ogden.     

       Donald J. Tucker, 88, Denver. Born in Minnesota. Detroit Lakes HS-55. North Dakota State University, Pharmacy degree in 1959. Was an outstanding athlete in high school and college. Married Donna Lia in 1957. The family lived in Billings, MT, Veblen, S.D. and eventually, in Boone, where he owned Medical Associates Pharmacy. In Boone, Don served on the Park Board, School Board, Country Club Board and was an active member of the Elks, Shriners, Lions Club and Masons. He was a passionate golfer and he and Donna loved dancing. The couple left Boone for Denver to be closer to adult children and grandchildren. They enjoyed winters in Sun City, Arizona and summers at their cabin in Northern Minnesota. Survivors include his wife, Donna, and their four children, Greg, BHS-77, Jeff, BHS-79, Kevin, BHS-80, and Lisa, BHS-85. No formal services. A COL will be held in Minnesota next summer.

     Victor A. Johnson, 92, Ames.