BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Mary Marlene Mindeman Pentico, 74, Boone. Born in Des Moines. Her parents were Nadine Eckley Williams and Albert Mindemann. Grew up in Boone surrounded by horses. She took care and showed horses (mainly Half-Arabians) and competed in numerous local, regional and national events. Her national spotlight was in the Half-Arabian Park Horse Division. In 1979, she rode Cognac to a top ten finish at the U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian championship in New Mexico. Mary started work in cosmetology but eventually started working for the USDA with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. In 1985, Mary married Doug Pentico and the couple spent many years riding horses on the trails around Boone and traveling to Palm Springs and Venice Beach. Doug passed away after the couple had been married for 36 years. A son, Josh Tracy, (BHS-93) of Boone survives. Mary always followed his various sporting events and celebrated his hunting and fishing successes. A brother and two step-sons also survive. A COL will be held in Boone.       

       Donald W. Johnson,  93, Ames/Accura Health Care. Born in Ogden. His parents were Lester and Ruth (Dahlberg) Johnson. Ames HS. Iowa State and the University of Iowa where he studied to be a teacher and coach. U.S. Army vet. Married Janet Ihlene Johnson who survives. A daughter and step-son also survive. Graveside services in Ames.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Bonnie Nelson Sorenson, 82, Pilot Mound. Born in Fort Dodge. Her parents were Virgil and Alta (Cibert) Nelson. FDHS-62. Iowa State veterinarian labs. Married Ronald "Larry" Sorenson in Fort Dodge in 1962. She worked as a Vet Technician for James Lawton DVM and also artificially inseminated cattle, horses and hogs. She was later employed by Lundberg Seed Farm near Pilot Mound/Boxholm and Gates in Boone. She retired in 2008. Bonnie enjoyed horseback riding and made western shirts for her family. She was inducted into the 4H Hall of Fame, served on the Boone County Fair Board, the Youth Committee and was a Boone County Fair Parade Marshal. She enjoyed cooking and baking and making wedding cakes. Three children survive, Troy and Trent Sorsenson and Cindy Davisson, all of Pilot Mound. Six siblings, including Barb (Jay) Williams of Pilot Mound, also survive. Services in Pilot Mound.    

       James E. Casey, 69, Ames, formerly of Boone. Born in Boone. His parents were James and Gwen (Wilcox) Casey. He worked as a semi-truck driver for Des Moines Asphalt, Manatts and over the road. James married Vicki Gibson in 1991. She passed away in 2018. James owned numerous Harley's and enjoyed riding them and driving fast cars. Survivors include three sons, Mark and Matt of Madrid and Dan (Lynn) of Nevada. Also surviving are a sister, Jo Ellen (James) Wells of Boone and brothers, Chris (Jo) Capps of Ogden and Edward. Service in Boone.

       Joan LaVonne Hicks, 81, Madrid. Born in Perry. Worked at the Woodward Resource Center for 40 years. In recent years, Madrid became a special place as she truly flourished there. She became an active part of the Madrid Home and served as President of the Resident Council. Service in Perry. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

         David Owen Hadaway, 72, Lewisville, Tx. Born in Story City. BHS-72. Grew up on a family farm and played football for the Toreadors.His parents were Willard and Helen (Gibson) Hadaway. David moved to Texas and worked in construction for Camino Construction for 35 years before retiring. Five siblings survive, Richard (BHS-68) (Teresa) Hadaway; Susan (BHS-69) Franey; Catherine (BHS-74) (Thomas) Misfeldt; Teresa (BHS-81) Cummings and Joseph (BHS-83) Hadaway. A COL in Texas and burial later in Iowa.      

        Richard Larson, 92, Iowa Falls/Scenic Manor. Born in Mason City. BHS-52. Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) 56. Army vet. Married Ruth Buechler. After discharge, the couple moved to Mitchellville where he taught science and coached football, track, girls basketball and softball. In 1968, they moved to Iowa Falls where Richard taught biology, physiology, anatomy and ECC Nursing at Ellsworth Community College and was the track coach. Dick was instrumental in starting the Ellsworth women's basketball and softball programs. He coached those sports for 10 years and in 1977, his softball team won the National Championship. In retirement, the couple wintered in Florida and took many trips to Europe. Dick loved golf and was a member of the Elks, Lions and Jaycees. Two daughters survive. Services in Iowa Falls.      

       Adeline Evelyn  Frodl Wagner, 84, Ogden/Friendship Haven, FD. Born in Wisconsin. Newman Catholic HS-60. Married Alois T. Wagner in Wisconsin in 1961. The couple lived in several Iowa communities and traveled throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South Korea and Japan.She enjoyed quilting, embroidery, painting, crafts, hiking, cross country skiing and traveling. She was involved in numerous sewing groups in different states and loved playing games. A sister and five children survive. Services in Ogden.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Sandy Ann Sawyer, 72, Boone. Born in Fort Dodge. Twin Rivers/Bode HS-72. Was class president. Army vet. Returning to Iowa after service, she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Buena Vista college. She taught at Boone Sacred Heart for several years and received the Good Shepard Award given to a school employee who is admired, respected and held in high regard by her peers. Her faith was very important and she did lots of volunteering, especially at two food banks in Boone. She was an avid follower of the Cubs and Cyclones. Survivors include a sister, two brothers and several nieces and nephews. Services in Boone and Livermore Iowa. 

        Nicholas "Nick" Blackburn, 77, Jefferson. Born and lived his life in Jefferson. Worked at several jobs. His last job was at the Fareway Warehouse in Boone. He loved fishing and one of his favorite spots was a farm pond near Ogden. Services in Jefferson.

       Jacob Eli Parnell, 21, Jefferson. Born in Boone. His parents are Aimee Reeser Parnell and Jason Parnell. Greene County HS-23. Services in Jefferson.

       Lillian M. Hughes, 87, Versailles, Mo. Survivors include a son, David Hughes, of Boone. A COL will be held later. 

HOT STUFF

       About the time you think the discussion is over......you find out it isn't.

       Tom Hokel, BHS-65, has provided additional information about the heat in the Iranian desert. His source is a document by HistoryNet.

        This discussion began when Robert Atherton, BHS-36, who spent a four-year stint in Iran in military service during World War II, said something about, "guys working in heat that hit 170 degrees and even better in the sun." That descriptive quote came from a publication, the U.S. Weekly.

         Jim Pratt, BHS-71, chimed in that the highest temperture ever recorded, worldwide, was the 134 degree mark in Death Valley California on July of 1913. Second place went to a location in Tunisia. That figure was supported by Wikipedia and others.

         Following is a portion of the new info Hokel discovered via HistoryNet.

         Summer shade temperatures in southern Iran regularly surpassed 120F to 130F with historical weather stations recording extreme highs near 168F. Metal bodies of locomotive absorbed the desert sun, turning the cab structure into a literal oven before the engine was even fired up.

        The massive uninsulated steel wall of the boiler inside the cab radiated intense, constant heat directly at the engineer and fireman. Every time the fire door was opened to shovel coal or adjust oil-firing, a blast of heat reaching over 2,000F hit the crew directly.

         While moving at speed created a breeze through the open cab windows, crawling up steep desert grades meant slow speeds, trapping stagnant, superheated air inside the workspace.

         The heat was so debilitating for Allied train crews along the Trans-Iranian Railway that military authorities largely shifted heavy train runs to nightime hours to prevent heatstroke and equipment failures.

         Tom concluded, "ya, our WWII soldiers were some tough cookies."

        P.S. He added, "I worked five summers at Percival Manufacturing in the "Plant Growth" section on the sides of the main assembly line. A few times, my workstation was near the end of the oven opening, where refrigeration sides and panels were sprayed and baked. One afternoon my boss came over and showed me a temperature gauge.....it read 135F. I don't know how we worked in those temperatures.." 

        Loren Frazier, BHS-58, summarized this entire discussion pretty well. He said, "not that it matters, but when its hot, its hot."

K-----K

        Regarding our recent blurb about AM radio, Vern (BHS-50) wrote, "thanks for keeping the AM radio situation alive. I hope you have stirred others to be aware of the circumstances too. On the financial side, I'd hope thinking about it will stir our less vocal and active friends into action. On the local side, that means to support their "home town" stations by feedback to advertisers who support its very existence. I'd hope too that attention would stimulate station owners to see to more aggressive programming (and pay) which could lead them back to those Golden Days of AM radio when The Shadow knew what to do."

K-----K 

       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......https:/kelleyskorner1@blogspot.com. 

         

        

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Carla Jean Menough Alban, 91, Orland, Ca. Born in Boone. Her parents were John and Marie Menough. Attended school in Boone. BHS-53. Married Ron Alban in 1954. In 1956, the couple moved to Orland, Ca. Carla had a strong faith, worked at a library, loved to garden, sew, craft, bake, play cards, read and go to the Opera. However, RVing was what she loved most. Survivors include three children, Sherry, Brian and Brenda, and two brothers, Gerry Menough, BHS-57, and John Menough, BHS-67. Preceding Carla in death, among others, were sisters, Judy Menough, BHS-63, and Karen Menough, BHS-55, and brother, Ron Menough, BHS-61. Services in Orland.

SOME EXPLANATION OF THE AM RADIO CRISIS

        Some time back in the Korner, Vern Modeland, BHS-50, and Mark Campbell, BHS-67, had shown their disdain for the story that continues to erupt about the demise of AM radio. Both, of course, have experience in that type of communication and simply "aren't likin' that continuing talk" about their old gigs.

        They, of course, are not alone. Many long-time listeners and "old-timers" are deeply upset by the rapid closure of AM radio stations because these frequencies serve as an irreplaceable lifeline for emergency information, local news and community connection.

       Unfortunately, there are legitimate concerns for these closures and, of course, money, money, money is one of the main evils. Hundreds of AM stations are suffering from severe economic pressures and declining ad revenues as well as the impact created by interference issues from all of these modern devices, even such as electric vehicles.

       Being ignored are several positives that AM frequencies supply, information that was needed and supplied. Perhaps most important is the fact that local AM stations are the soul of many communities, particularly farm towns and isolated frontier areas. 

       This community bulletin board provides local crop pricing, high school sports coverage, local obituaries and weather reports all tailored to the exact area.

       Unlike FM signals or cellular data, AM radio waves travel incredible distances by bouncing off the atmosphere, especially at night. This allows a single transmitter to cover an entire region, reaching people who are completely cut off from other networks.

       In severe storms, floods, or grid failures, cell towers and internet routers routinely fail. AM transmitters are heavily armored with backup power, making them the primary source for emergency broadcasts and severe weather updates. 

       AM has, also, historically, been a low cost haven for foreign language programming, religious broadcasts and talk formats that streaming platforms largely ignore.

       Automakers are increasingly removing AM radios from new electric vehicles due to electromagnetic motor interference. For older drivers, the dashboard AM dial is a decades-long habit that is deeply ingrained in their daily commute or long distance travel routine.

       So, what's the end game here? As my dear mother used to say, "wait and see." 

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