BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Travis Lee Hughes, 54, Lamoni. Born in Leon. Survivors include a sister, Heidi (Rusty) Hicks, of Boone. A COL will be held later.        

        Richard Lincoln Handy, 96, Ames/Green Hills. Services in Ogden.     

        Larry Ross "Butch" Boersma, 85, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Boone. BHS-58. Married Kathleen Deal in 1962. Butch was a drywaller, owning and running his own business. He retired from that work in Ames. In 1994, the couple moved to Fraser after purchasing the Damn Site restaurant. For over 20  years, they were snowbirds in Texas. When returning in the Spring, Butch enjoyed mowing at the Don Williams Golf Course until final retirement in 2020. He loved hunting and fishing, mushroom hunting, golfing, swimming, woodworking and bowling, especially going to state tournaments. He was a 60-year member of the Moose Lodge #104 in Boone and was involved in every aspect of it. Survivors are is wife, Kathy, and daughters, Kelle Cook and Chris Duncan. A COL will be held at the Moose Lodge.   

        Kelly Lee Zimmerman Moore, 64, Ogden, Cancer victim. Born in Lake City. Married Larry Moore. She dedicated her life to healthcare, with over 35 years as a nurse and six years as Director of Nursing at Kennybrook Village in Grimes. Kelly loved making jewelry, music and playing the guitar. Survivors include her husband, Larry, three children, including Erin Finley of Boone, and three siblings. A COL is planned for the spring.

         Susan Marie Judge Lawler, 92, Ogden/Westhaven. Born in Boone. Boone Sacred Heart-1951. Married Charles "Chick" Lawler in Boone in 1952. The couple lived and farmed south of Ogden for many years. They moved into Ogden in 1998 and Chick passed away in 2010. Susie dedicated her life to her faith and family. Survivors include a son, Steve, and three daughters, Laurie, Amy and Jenni. Services in Ogden. 

BUSY, BUSY

      The fact that RAGBRAI, in Boone, in July of 2026, will be a prominent part of the 53rd annual event is great news for the community. However, since that's been a "heavy" part of the most recent Iowa news cycle , we'll give you viewers a brief respite by making that item the last part of this Korner. P.S. Even then, however, we may find a few interesting tidbits that have been overlooked.

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       Here's something I found interesting and it probably hasn't secured the attention it should have.

       In mid-January, Elite Power Tumbling and Trampoline hosted an AAU meet at Boone High School that played host to eight Iowa clubs and one from Kansas. During the day, 185 athletes competed in 625 events. Boone's Elite team had 44 athletes involved and they dominated the meet with 39 first place finishes and 28 seconds. In addition, that team won a team high nine high point awards.

        Elite will be hosting the 2026 USTA State Meet in April. That will bring 24 Iowa teams, over 650 athletes and 2000 events for the two-day event here. 

        Sounds like a busy year ahead with this event, the return of the Farm Progress show in August, RAGBRAI and the Super National races, Pufferbilly and all the other usual attractions that lie ahead.

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         Ice skating is back in Boone and just the mention, should bring back lots of memories for youngsters of every era.  

         This oldtimer, although never participating, remembers the popularity of this event all the way back to pre-television days as a winter time pleasure.

         The John Hansen Memorial Skating Rink and Shelter held a grand opening earlier this month with the help of the Iowa Wild, the Des Moines based professional ice hockey team which is an affiliate of the National Hockey League Minnesota Wild.

          This is the third year of a program which makes rinks available for Iowa communities. The Wild have been committed to growing hockey in the state and Boone is the 13th community to receive this assistance. 

          On a more personal note......John Hansen was a friend and I'm biased BUT the guy did so much during his time here for our park system and, in particular, the skating pond. There's a very small sign hanging on a tree at the entrance to the ice skating area as a tribute to John. That's nice, but to me, its never been enough?

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          Verne Schmickley, BHS-64, recalls some memories of a past Iowa winter.

         He wrote, "in the late 60's, I was carpooling back from ISU to Boone and, at that time, U.S. 30 was still two-lane only. Ahead of us, due to whiteout conditions, someone ahead slowed down and the road drifted shut. Many cars, as well as ours, were stuck for the night. Behind us was a Greyhound bus that had enough diesel to keep it running and heated all night. I spent the night on a luggage rack."

          Yes, there have been Iowa winters like that but its ironic that Verne ended up in North Carolina, which he probably thought was "safe." However, this winter, even those areas down south are experiencing REAL winter weather.

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          Back to some news and notes about RAGBRAI. 

          This year's route is the shortest of the event's history, 391.4 miles in length. It begins in Onawa July 18 and ends in Dubuque on July 25 and there's 16,027 feet of climb involved. Sixty percent of the riders come from other states and 20 foreign countries.

           Historically speaking, Boone was an overnight stop in 1975, 1988, 1998 and 2011 while there were pass-throughs in 1973, 1976, 2008 and 2018. Here's the difference and the financial implications to the communities. The pass-through riders may just grab a drink or sandwich and get back on their way. The overnight stop will mean the riders will spend much more time here and, thus, spend more money locally.

           P.S. The Boone County Fair will end less than 48 hours before the swarm of RAGBRAI riders reach Boone.

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

           

     

           

           

          

         

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Donald Sondall, 84, Boone. Born in Story City. Roland HS-59, where he excelled in baseball and basketball. Army Reserve veteran. Married Judy Paris in Roland in 1970. Don worked at Fareway, Casey's and ISU. He always enjoyed using his Lawn Boy to mow for his neighbors. He was a coin and baseball card collector at one time, loved spending time with his dogs, watching birds, gardening, working puzzles and scratch tickets and listening to Elvis. Don was also a sports fan and drank strawberry Kool Aid by the gallon, always adding extra sugar. Survivors include his son, Michael (Natasha) Sondall of Boone, a daughter, Deb Saeveit, his brother, Steve, and two Boone sisters-in-law, Linda Patterson and Donna Paris. Services pending.

       Rickey Howard Sr., 64, Ames. COL in Madrid       

       David L. "Dave" Ross, 82, Washington, IA. Victim of a two-year illness. Born in Mason City. BHS-62. Married Cathy Bell, BHS-64, in Boone in 1964. A resident of Washington since 1981. Prior to that, the family lived in Boone, Manchester and Fort Dodge. Dave was the manager of the Washington Fareway from 1981 until retirement in 2006. He was a Fareway Board of Directors member from 1995-2000. Following retirement, he worked at Ace-N'More from 2008 to 2025. Dave loved riding his John Deere mower and visiting with friends and neighbors. Survivors include his wife, Cathy, two sons, David (Rebecca) Ross and Thomas Ross, and sisters, Marilyn Dee, BHS-55, of Stratford, Carol (Jerry) Zanker and Judy (Daryl) Zanker. Service in Washington and burial at a later date in Boone's Linwood Park.   

       Delores Elaine "Dee Dee" or "Dee"  Couchman Sprecher, 74, Boone. Born in Centerville. Wayne Community HS in Corydon-69. Was active in sports and school activities. Married Gary Sprecher in Ames in 1979. Was a forklift driver for 3M until time off to raise her three children. Volunteered at United Community and then returned to secretarial work for Community Family Resources in Ames, the Richmond Center, until retirement in 2020. A woman of faith and service, she was a devoted church and American Legion member. A wonderful singer, music was important to her. She also loved the Chicago Cubs and Caitlin Clark. Survivors include her husband, Gary, sons Joshua and Adam Sprecher, and daughter Sara (Shawn) Everson. Services at St. Paul's.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Phyllis Lorraine Fleming Fields, 90, Boone. Formerly of Story City. After the death of her mother, she was adopted by Iver and Alice Stevens. In 1955, she married Harvey Fields. He passed in 2019. The couple moved frequently, making their home in several different states. Still, Iowa was always home at heart, Boone was the last place they lived together and Iowa is where Phylliss spent her final years. She loved crocheting, playing the keyboard and reading. She was also an avid sports fan. Four daughters survive. A graveside service will be held in the Story City area.
      

BULLETIN.....BOONE WILL BE THE HOST FOR THE THIRD DAY OF 2026 RAGBRAI   

        Mark Eugene Coy, 57, Ames. A cancer victim. Born in Boone. His parents were Ron and Linda Coy. Mark loved simple pleasures, Okoboji, camping and being outdoors, music, and the ocean, lakes, sunsets and sunrises. Survivors include a brother, Troy Coy, a  daughter, Cheyenne Wheeler, his former wife, Brenda Ordones, an aunt and uncle.

        Cecelia Astrid Horner, 88, Ames. Was an English/Speech instructor for DMACC at the Boone and Ames campuses. A COL will be held later.       

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Carol Faith Fisher Swift, 85, Buford, GA. Born in Boone. Moved to Georgia in 1975. Worked for Primerica Financial Services before becoming President of Georgia Right to Life. An active church member, she is survived by two daughters. Services in Dracula, GA.       

        David Romitti, 59, Oshkosh, WI. Madrid HS-84, where he participated in all sports. He briefly attended DMACC in Ankeny and spent much of his working life in retail. He also devoted himself to caring for his father, who passed last March. David enjoyed NASCAR, the Packers, the Cyclones, Cincinnati Reds and the San Jose Sharks. He loved music, movies and was known for his quick wit, sharp humor and the ability to provoke laughter. Survivors include two siblings, Teresa (William) Van Aacken and Jarrod Romitti. Services in Oshkosh.

        Mary Jo Reetz, 66, Ogden. A COL in Ogden. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

         Daniel Allen Kim Hudson, 40, Boone. No services.         

         Randy Dean Johnson, 71, Boone. Born in Creston. Attended school in the Waterloo Area. Married Bronda Hensen in 1970 and the couple settled in Boone. Randy drove for Great Plains Gas, UBC and Wilson Transfer. Later in life, he found joy in serving as a foster grandparent for the Boone schools. Randy loved music, westerns, camping, fishing, family barbeques and traveling with his wife. Survivors include sons Travis (Katie) Johnson and Chad (Amanda) Johnson, a brother Richard "Buck" (Ronda) Johnson and sisters Linda Ray, Brenda (Bill) Davisson and Cindy (Herb) Bishop. Services in Boone.       

         Keith Bloomquist, 79, Marshalltown. BHS-64.

         Mary Margaret Neikirk, 79, Santa Fe, NM. BHS-64. COL in Santa Fe.

         Michael Guy Haws, 79, Ankeny. Born in McCallsburg. Grew up in Colo. Married Joyce. The couple lived in Roland, Reinbeck, Colo, Washington and then Ogden, where they lived on an acreage outside of town. Eventually, a move was made to Ankeny. Mike will be remembered for his wisdom, humor, generosity and entrepreneurial spirit. He did everything with a purpose, putting others first and always willing to listen and mentor others. Survivors include two sons and two daughters. Services in Ankeny and Runnells. 

          Merlin Calmer Sr., 87, Boone. Twenty year Army vet and Purple Heart Medal honoree. Married Linda Thacker in Omaha in 2013. He enjoyed riding his Harley, camping, traveling and following NASCAR. Survivors include his wife, Linda, of Boone and several Boone children/step-children, Kevin (Jayne) Calmer, Merlin "Tad" Calmer Jr., Kimberly (Kelly) Buck, Sheila (Mike Sotter) Thompson, Jeff and Dean Hill. Two other step-children also survive. A COL will be held later.

          David Allen Sahr, 88, Eastern Star. Born in North Dakota. Two sons, Eric and Rock, survive. No services planned. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

         Mary Margaret Neikirk, 79. BHS-64. COL planned for Santa Fe, NM.

         Keith Bloomquist, 79, Marshalltown. BHS-64.      

         Pamela Sue (Pam) Ober Heun, 69, Columbia, MO. Born in Boone. Attended school in Stratford. Married Dennis Eugene Heun in 1974. Earned a nursing degree from Iowa Central Community College in 1981. Her career led her to Columbia in 1981. Until retirement, worked with the neo-natal intensive care unit at the University of Missouri Hospital. Pam loved animals, gardening, crafting, cooking and singing. The Heun couple had two sons. Survivors include Pam's husband, Dennis, and a son, Kevin Heun. Services in Dayton.

        Don Wyman Hart, 88, Boone. Born in Illinois. Waverly HS. Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL. Married Joyce Madden in Boone in 1963. Don joined the Boone Police Department, worked up the ranks and became Police Chief. After 30 years of police work, he moved to real estate sales. Don was a real community asset. A Rotary Club member, he and Joyce were active in the Chamber of Commerce and the Community Betterment Foundation, he worked on the Woodward Academy Board and was a Boone City Council member. Survivors include a son, Mark (Greta)  Hart, a daughter, Angela (Dave) Kolker, grandchildren and brothers and sisters-in-law. Services in Boone.

        Connie Johnston, 79, Jefferson. Survivors included a brother-in-law, Larry (Mary) Johnston of Boone.