BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

     John Wayne Jones, 78, Boone. BHS-65. A victim of complications from a car accident. A proud Veteran, he knew everybody and everybody knew John, who always had a smile on his face and a Diet Pepsi in his hand. John found a great love for Alaska while working there. An ironworker, he taught his co-workers how to play poker at night after building parts for the U.S. Army during the day. His grandchildren were special and brought him much joy. Returning to Boone from Alaska, he moved in and took care of his mother, Mildred Steinick. She passed in 2022 of dementia. Survivors include his daughter, Tasha (Gabe) Lanz, a sister, Jacque (Steve) and brothers Jim (Carol) and Joe (Donna). A COL is planned for a later date.

     Herbert "Herbie" Dittmer Jr., 56, Ogden. Born in Boone. BHS-88. Attended Iowa Lake Community College and earned his Associates Degree in carpentry there. Married Lori Phipps in Boone in 1996. The couple made their home in Ogden. Herbie worked at Quinn's Foundry but then for 29 years, he worked for FMC Masonry Company. He enjoyed camping, cooking, barbequeing, the Boone Speedway and playing Santa. Survivors include his wife, Lori, of Ogden, his daughter, Hailey (Jonathan Kraus) Dittmer of Boone and seven sisters, Regina Wellendorf; Rebecca Kinning; Rhonda Guldenpfennig; Renee Scheuermann; Dr. Roxann Dittmer; Rachelle Flory and Rheann Uetz. Services in Ogden. 

     Carol Lee Pautsch, 54. Boone. Lived life on her own terms, bold, creative and full of heart. She was never one to follow rules or conform to societal norms. She loved country music, watching horror films, camping and working puzzles. Survivors include five children, her biological and adopted mothers, five sisters and two brothers.

     Janice Kay (Frohlin)  Peterson, 86, Stratford. 

A GOOD TRY.....BUT NO LUCK SO FAR

       As of this writing, 7/6/2025, it appears I've "struck out" with the Des Moines Register.........AGAIN.

       A week or so ago, there was a story in the Register about all the various swimming offers (pools etc.) available to Central Iowa area citizens. No Boone mention of our wonderful city pool.

       But even more disturbing is the fact that there has been no mention I've found  of our annual Boone Municipal Band Festival, which has thrived for the past 32 years.

       Despite my unsuccessful past history with the Register, I was riled enough that I contacted, by email, a young lady listed as a Register Trending Reporter.

       I submitted to her some history of the Boone Municipal Band, highlighting the upcoming 33rd edition of the Iowa Municipal Band Festival which will be held all day Saturday, July 12. The Register reporter did reply but with little encouragement.

       I mean, c'mon, this Festival has an impressive history. I don't know of other such Festivals in Iowa, it has certainly survived the test of time and it brings band players and fans from all over the state to provide them a great period of  music enjoyment.

      Starting at 10 a.m., the nine full bands involved perform for an hour each and two smaller groups fill in with offerings while the "change of bands" is occurring. Those breaks are also a good time for a snack from the food court.

     To further state my case for what should be a piece of very interesting and informative statewide news, I submitted the 2025 Festival schedule.

     10 a.m.  Ames Municipal Band (32nd appearance); 11 a.m. Collins Concert Band of Cedar Rapids (4th appearance); noon: Iowa Military Veterans Band (6th); 1 p.m. Glenwood Community Band (1st); 2 p.m: Zumbrota Minnesota Community Band, (4th); 3 p.m: Greater Waverly Municipal Band, (2nd): 4 p.m: New Jolly Germans Band of Des Moines, (2nd); 5 p.m: Ballard Community Band of Huxley (16th) and at 6 p.m., the Boone Municipal Band (33rd).

     Betrunken Messing of Des Moines will provide the break time music at 10:45 and 11:45 a.m. while the Boone Jazz Trio will play at 12:45; 1:45; 2:45 and 3:45 p.m..

     Normally, at this time of year, I have faithfully contacted the Register annually, with zero success, for some coverage of another historical event coming to our community.

     For the 37th consecutive year, the Boone Speedway will host the International Motor  Contest Association (IMCA) Super Nationals from Labor Day, Monday, September 1st to Saturday, September 6. National Championship Races right here in the heart of Central Iowa.

    As usual, thousands of race fans from all over our great U.S.A. and Canada will spend the entire week, or a portion thereof, right here in support of an estimated 800 or more entrants, drivers, friends and family members.

    BUT, for the first time in the past several years, the Register will not receive any advance word  from me about this terrific Iowa racing event. I have finally yielded. My previous annual attempts have always  been ignored Maybe somebody else will have better luck than me in securing ANY KIND of coverage from the Register about the Super Nationals, who always provide extensive material about the Knoxville Raceway.

    The two, the Boone Speedway and the Knoxville event, are not real competitors. Their formats and dates are different, their events are different and, mostly, their clientele are completely different BUT, these two great Iowa racing events are treated completely different by the Register and I've never understood why the Super Nationals don't deserve at least SOME coverage.

     With a week to go before the Band Festival, I still have hope the Register will, somehow, acknowledge it and if so, I would certainly thank them and apologize for my skepticism. 

    End of story. 

K-----K

     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4792. Phone number is 515-432-1530. Leave a message. To email stories/memories/comments/death notices........httsp://kelleyskorner1@blogspot.com. 

     

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

      
     Sandra (Sandy) Calvert Hansen, 79, Boone. Born in Bayard. She earned her GED in the early 80's and became a truck driver. Sandy took a break from truck driving to serve as a CNA before returning to her love for truck driving. Eventually, health issues forced her retirement. Sandy was passionate about music, the Iowa Hawkeye football team, camping, gardening, knitting and family time. She touched many with her humorous character and had an empathetic heart. Survivors include her four children and two brothers. A COL will be held at a later date. 

     Daryl L. Faust, 71, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-71. Married Joan Bass in Boone in 1973.The couple lived in Carroll until moving to Boone in 1980. Most of Daryl's working career was spent in the bowling industry. He managed Imperial Lanes for 30 years. He won many bowling honors himself and was inducted into the Boone County Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2003. After retiring from Imperial Lanes in 2015, he worked for HyVee. Daryl was passionate about fishing, the Cubs and Hawkeyes. Survivors include his wife, Joan, two children, Mike (Alison) Faust and Megan (Matt) Rigg, a sister, Barb (Alan) Sparks and a brother Paul (Tracy) Faust. Services in Boone and Sheldahl.

     Pamela Sue Grant Sassman, 61, Boone. Born in Iowa City. The David/Joan Grant family settled in Boone in 1966. BHS-82. Pam was an excellent student and in high school, was involved in several sports as well as participating in piano and violin. At the State University of Iowa, she studied broadcast journalism. After graduation, she worked in editing for a book publisher in Chicago. Moving to Los Angeles, she worked for a television producer and as a production assistant for the Chevy Chase Show. Later, as a teacher, she served the L.A. Unified School District before moving back to Boone and earning a Master of Education degree in School Counseling from ISU. "Miss Sassman" then had a long career as a primary school counselor in the Ames School District. While in L.A., Pamela was diagnosed with the first of three types of cancer that she overcame during a 22 year period. She married Philippe Derey and then Troy Sassman, a fellow Iowan. She and Troy had two daughters and remained close friends after their marriage ended. Survivors include her father, Dr. David Grant of Ames, her two daughters, two brothers, two sisters and three step siblings. Services in Boone and Mapleton.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

     Bart Edward Kennedy, 69, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-73. Bart was a successful high school wrestler, qualifying for the State Meet three times and being a placewinner twice. He earned a wrestling scholarship to Iowa Central Community College in Eagle Grove. Bart married Janice Shupe in 1993. She passed away in 2010. Bart worked for the Polk County Engineers for 36 years before retiring in 2010. A few years later, he returned to Boone. Survivors include his brothers, Todd (Debby) Kennedy of Moingona and Jeff (Patti) Kennedy of Colorado and a sister, Jana (Scott) Jones of Collins, IA. A COL will be held at a later date.

     Carol Wilson Alleman, 88, Madrid. Born in Ames. Survivors include two sons, Brad and Paul Alleman. Services in Alleman.

     Robert (Bob) Hunter, 84, Cedar Rapids. Grew up in Boone. Boone HS-59. Married Jeri Kay Peterson. A 40-year railroad veteran with service to the Chicago Northwestern and Union Pacific before retirement in 2003. A sports fan, he was elected into the Cedar Rapids Softball Hall of Fame in 2006 and enjoyed golf, swimming and pumpkin pie. Three children, a brother, Jerry Hunter, and a sister, Joann Beavers, survive. Services in Cedar Rapids.

     Dr. John Paul Kluge, 88, Ames. ISU vet medicine faculty member and following retirement and two years of rest, he served as a part-time pathologist at the National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames. He was an active member of the Moingona Hunt Board of Directors and served as the College of Vet Medicine Coordinator for the Iowa Games Equestrian Venue and Moingona Hunter Pace. Services in Ames. 

     Thomas A. Baty Jr., 90, Ames. Was a YMCA Secretary in Des Moines as well as serving as Assistant Director of the Boone YMCA Camp. A son, a daughter and brother survive. Services in Ames. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        D. Eldenna Graham Maro Fullerton, 75, Durant, formerly of Boone. Born in Webster City in 1949. WCHS-65. Married Anthony Maro in 1968. Then, married James Fullerton. James passed away in 2017. Three children survive. Services in Fort Dodge.

        Donna Erickson, 61, Stratford. Private family service at South Marion Cemetery.

        Daniel E. Pillow, 80, and Judith K. Patrick Pillow, 80, of Madrid passed away one day apart. Daniel was born in St. Louis and Judith was born in Madrid. The couple were married in Colorado in 1963. Daniel is a Viet Nam vet. The couple have made Madrid their home the last 10 years after living in Colorado and Iowa. Two children survive, including Dave (Brenda) Pillow of Woodward. Judith is also survived by a brother. A graveside service will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter.

        Jaden Kurt Smith, 17, Ames. Born in Ames. Gilbert HS-2025. Survivors include his parents, Fay and Patty Smith, and three siblings. A COL will be held at the Fareway Conference Center/Cobblestone Inn in Boone.