A COACH REMEMBERED

     We've been a small group, seldom more than seven, that met early mornings at McDonald's for a bit of chit-chat. Then COVID hit and several life changes resulted.

      McDonald's operating schedule changed and our group moved to the Kelley's garage where it continues today......each Tuesday at 1 p.m..

       We lost one of our regulars last week. The "coach," John Smith, 87, passed away rather quickly from a blood disorder. John had battled and partially won a form of cancer that struck a few years ago but had been a regular participant at our meetings ever since, seldom showing any distress. 

       Although he had retired from his baseball duties at Boone Campus, DMACC a few years back, this National Hall of Famer's achievements were well documented and admired......over 700 wins, over 600 young participants, over 80 players good enough to sign professional contracts and three who earned Major League promotions. As his reputation grew through the years, young players from many different locales in this country and even outside our borders came to Boone, Iowa to seek his guidance......and got it, full measure.

       I, the Kornerman, have never understood why the Bears baseball diamond wasn't tabbed with great emphasis, "John S. Smith Field." There is a small plaque in his honor but I never felt that was near enough of a tribute to what he gave, for many successful years, to his program, those young men lucky enough to be involved, his college and his community.

      John always reminded that he was a Dakota boy who loved his family, church and baseball above all else. He loved dancing with Connie, all sports, especially ISU, and following the major horse races each year. And politics? Well, let's not get into that. He definitely did have his opinions.

      I know I speak for our entire group when I say, "we're hurting," his absence will be greatly missed. John was a strong advocate for whatever he believed in and had no fear in expressing those beliefs. Agreed or not, we admired his stance and his willingness to share his thoughts.

     And let's not forget, John was not just a successful coach and family man, he was an educator who took as much pride in his classroom student's success as his baseball player's success. Just like all great hitters, he sprayed his success to all fields with discipline, dedication and devotion.

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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 DEATH NOTICES

     Rita Kathleen Zeman Vaughn, 80, Dayton. Born in North Dakota. Married Phillip Allen Vaughn in California in 1961. Rita held several jobs over the years but retired from Preferred Risk in 1997. The couple moved to Dayton but wintered in Texas. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ogden. Survivors include her husband, Phillip, of Dayton and four sons, including Jason (Elaine Wheeling) and Andrew Vaughn of Dayton and Anthony "Tony" (Sandi) Vaughn of Frasier. A sister also survives. Services in Dayton. 

     Virginia Maxine Ball Gordon, 98, Madrid. Born near Woodward. WHS-45. While still in high school, she worked at Brenton State Bank in Woodward. After graduation, worked at Banker's Life in Des Moines but returned to Brenton Bank when a full-time position opened. Married Ronald Roy Gordon in 1947. The couple lived in Woodward, then Des Moines when she started working for Valley Bank. After three years living in Des Moines, the couple bought 40 acres southeast of Madrid. The couple farmed and Ronald also worked at John Deere in Ankeny. The couple traveled and Virginia enjoyed having a large vegetable garden and canning lots of fruits and vegetables. She enjoyed all sports and TV game shows and was an avid reader. Survivors include a son, Darwin Gordon, daughter-in-law Janice Gordon and grandchildren. Services in Madrid.

     Matthew Aaron Hamilton, 59, Cedar Rapids. Born in Mason City. Until 2013, Matthew lived in the Boone, Ames and Des Moines areas. He then moved to the Cedar Rapids area. Was a member of the Boone Kiwanis Aktion Club and loved going to Camp Courageous. He won many bowling trophies and awards in the Special Olympics. Matthew loved going to church, bible studies and witness trips to Arizona. Pizza Ranch, Scooters and Theisen's were among his favorite places to visit. His mother, Margie Mitchell, and a brother, all of Cedar Rapids, survive. Services in Cedar Rapids with burial at Fairview, north of Madrid.

BOONE/AREA DEATH NOTICES

      Daniel Eugene Bollig, 59, Huxley. Born in Estherville. Algona Bishop Garrigan HS-84. DMACC. Earned a Powerline diploma at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon. Had a 30-year career in the electrical utility field, working first as a lineman for Midland Power in Boone, then, as a sales manager for Cahoon Sales and Border States Electric. Married Ranne Hilsabeck, BHS-88, in 1992 in Jamaica and repeated their vows at Boone Sacred Heart. The couple lived in Boone for 12 years before moving to Huxley in 2008. Dan enjoyed biking, gym work and being outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. He loved Lake Okoboji, sports of all kinds and watching his daughters in their activities, dance, theatre, band and choir. He was a proud Knights of Columbus member. Survivors include his wife, Ranne, his daughters, Andrea and Katie, and his siblings. Services in Ames, Ankeny and burial in Algona.   

      John S. Smith, 86, Boone. Born in South Dakota. Army vet. Married Connie in 1961. Earned a B.S. of Education from South Dakota State Teachers in 1961 and a Master's in Education from the University of Northern Colorado in1964. Both John and Connie were high school teachers in South Dakota while also working together on their Master's Degrees. In 1967, John became one of the first DMACC Boone Campus faculty members. He taught business and accounting until retirement in 2007 but worked as an adjunct instructor until 2017. From 1974-2007, he taught the Bears baseball team, guiding over 600 players, with 85-percent of them going on to earn degrees from four-year colleges. Three out of 78 of his players who were drafted or signed by professional teams earned positions on Major League rosters as his Bears teams earned 876 total victories. John was inducted into the National Junior College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Iowa Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995. A very devout Christian, he served his church in numerous capacities and for 58 years he and Connie have been dedicated supporters of the Boone DMACC Campus. Survivors include his wife, Connie, and sons, John Paul and Scot. A brother also survives. Services in Boone.

      Donald Raymond Hagge, 86, Des Moines. Grew up with four other siblings on the family farm near Ogden. OHS-56. Iowa State. While attending ISU, he worked for Meredith Publishing in Des Moines as a forklift mechanic. Finished school in 1960 with three engineering degrees and worked for Meredith for over 35 years. Don also married Barbara Ann Rinker in 1960. When retired, he was employed as the Facility Engineer. Through the years, he worked on building a 42-foot sailboat in his backyard. Don and Barb traveled extensively around the country and the globe taking thousands of pictures along the way. The couple retired in Florida and lived on their sailboat. Active in church, he loved singing in the choir and building or repairing anything that was needed there. Barb passed in 2016. Survivors include two sons, Tim and Jeff, in Des Moines. Three brothers and a sister also survive. Services and burial in Des Moines.

BOONE/AREA COMMUNITY DEATHS

     Robert C. (Bob) Williams, 78, Boone/Hearth Stone Memory Care Unit. Born in Fort Dodge. BHS-65. Married Kathleen K. Flynn in Boone in 1974. Bob was a member of the Boone Elks and American Legion. He had a passion for snowmobiling, stock car racing, working on cars, reading and family vacations at the lake. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen, three sons, Mike (Shari), Chris (Angie) and Kelly (Amie) Williams all of Boone. Services in Boone. 

     Jacquelyn Joanne Ehrhardt Stecker, 94, Boone. Born in Fairfield. Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) graduate. Married Stanley J. Stecker in Fenton, IA in 1952. Jacky was a dedicated teacher and teacher's aide. A Pilot Mound church member, she was a past member and president of the Lakota and Boone American Legion Auxiliary and the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine Ladies Auxiliary. Jackie was also an RSVP volunteer as well as helping at the IMPACT Food Pantry and Boone County Hospital Gift Shop. A fanatical gardener, she enjoyed camping, the Iowa State Fair and Chrismas. Was known to many as Grandma Stecker and GiGi. Survivors include five children, Mike (Becky) and Tom (Maggie) Stecker, Deb Potter, Sue Howell and Michele (Scott) Hull. Services in Pilot Mound and Boone and burial at Linwood.

     LATE REPORT: Dr. John Ray Addy, 80, Canton, MI. Former Boone resident. Passed away February 2, 2025. Born in Perry. Adel HS-63. Medical degree from Drake/University of Iowa. Married Cathy Briley in 1970. Later, they divorced. Married Sue Neal in 1993. Survivors include his wife, Sue, three children, Jennifer, Mark and John, and a step-son.

BOONE/AREA COMMUNITY DEATHS

      David Andrew Skei, 82, Slater. Survivors include three daughters, including Tasha (Owen) Lasher of Boone and a Boone grandson, Austin Brincks. Services in Slater.   

      Patricia Lundgren Bennett, 92, Ames/Boone. BHS-50. Her faith was an important part of her daily life, living with grace, humility and a quiet strength from trusting in God's promises. Patricia had a special fondness for collecting chickens and making irresistible caramel corn. Family members remember the themed parties, bingo, Sunday roast dinner, sewing lessons and adventures with kids and grandkids. Survivors include seven children, Randy, Steve, Becky, Jeff,  Jenny, Patty and Elizabeth. Services in Boone.  

      Thomas Richard Rouse, 69, Boone. Born in Jefferson. Attended Boone schools and worked in construction. He enjoyed watching movies, riding motorcycles, shooting pool, bowling and playing softball in his earlier years. Tom also did woodworking and could "fix anything." Survivors include a son, three sisters, including Kay (Bob) DeVoogd of Boone, five brothers, including Jim, John (Theresa) and Paul of Boone and a brother-in-law. A COL is planned for later. 

     Larry Sly, 68, Des Moines. Larry's wife, Toni Aldrich, raised in Boone, BHS-64, passed away in 2023. Toni was the daughter of Jane Aldrich, deceased. She and Larry were married in 1981. Larry was a well known realtor in Des Moines for 48 years and Realtor of the Year in 1995. Toni was also a realtor, mortgage loan officer and Mary Kay consultant. Larry is survived by a step-son and five siblings. Services in Des Moines.

BOONE/AREA COMMUNITY DEATHS

       Marianne Gardner Stotts, 92, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Bagley. Earned an RN degree from Iowa Methodist School of Nursing. Married George Stotts in Bagley in 1953. They farmed north of Boone until moving to Courtyard Terrace Senior Assisted Living at Eastern Star in 2012. George passed away in 2016. Marianne was a Sunday School teacher, sang at church services and was a dedicated volunteer. She enjoyed sewing, traveling and feeding the cardinals and humming birds. Four children, including two Boone residents, Charles, BHS-73, (Gayle) and Jim, BHS-79, (Lynn Ann) Stotts, survive as well as Joyce Steck, BHS-74, and Steve, BHS-69, Stotts. A sister also survives. Services in Boone.  

        Douglas Dean Cox, 59, Boone. Born in Ohio. BHS-84. Doug loved his Harley, was a lifelong fan of the band KISS and was a big fan of NASCAR. A sister. Sarah (Cox) Costa, survives. A COL is planned in Boone and burial at Rose Hill.     

        Betty Woolsey Malloy, 88, Boone/Westhaven. Born in Indianola. Raised in southern Iowa. Was employed for a number of years as a Ward Clerk at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Married Richard Woolsey in Des Moines and he passed away. Then, married Bill Malloy and he passed away. Was a member of Cornerstone Alliance Church in Boone. She loved being outdoors with daily walks, gardening and spending time with her granddaughter, Gina. Other survivors include a son, a son-in-law, step-children and two sisters. Services are pending.

WINNERS - FOUNDATION RECIPIENTS AND CONEYS

     Here's a recent news item that may be just "news" to some but highlights very anxious information for beneficiaries.

     For 20 years, the Boone County Community Foundation has engaged in grantmaking. The first year, 2006, ten grants were awarded, totaling $42,883. This year, the Foundation Board has awarded $169,388 to 30 local organizations. That brings the 20 year total to over two million dollars distributed to Boone County organization requests.

     Actually, there were 39 grant applications requested this year for a total of $288,885, if all had been granted. The funds are received from the County Endowment Fund legislation and since 2015, the county has also received funds from Grow Greene County, a philanthropic associate of the Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson. This year, that  amount was $51,500.

     The biggest winners this year were the Boone County Fair Board that received $20,000 for a wash rack renovation; the Iowa Arboretum $15,000 for an accessable walkway and $10,000 each to the Boone County Veterans for the Veterans Center; Boone baseball for a storage shed and the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad for depot ADA updates.

     In scanning the list of 2025 recipients, I noticed the Boone Main Street Arch Project was awarded $5,421. Previously, that project had received, via unanimous consent, $30,000 from the Boone City Council. The estimated cost for the project is in the $135,000 to $145,000 range with arch materials to be purchased from Boone companies and its assembly performed by local professionals.

     A regular Korner contributor, Karen Anderson, has added some information on the original arch sign which spanned Story Street in the Ninth Street area. That original was later torn down and its metal parts were sold for scrap to help the World War II war effort. 

     Karen wrote that starting in 1915, through World War II, visitors and residents were welcomed to downtown Story Street by this impressive steel arch that said, "Try Boone, You'll Stay and later became just "Boone." The sign was completed by the end of 1915 and stood 32 feet high with a 25 foot clearance. The posts on either side of the arch were designed similar to railroad bridge construction. Each post was topped with a light surrounded by a 16-inch globe. The words themselves used 400 electric bulbs. The completed sign cost $750 and was paid for by the Iowa Railway and Light Company. 

     The original motto came from the winner of a 1913 contest to find a slogan for the city. Mrs. Laura Carswell won the contest winner and received $10 for her motto, which was then adopted by the Commercial Association, the forerunner of the Chamber of Commerce. According to a Boone News Republican article, the motto was chosen because, "it was an invitation to outsiders to cast their lot with us. It was a sermon in four words. It said to the home seeker, "Come to Boone. Our home life is ideal. We know; we live here. We tried Boone, we were pleased and we stayed." It was felt that it also spoke to factories and merchants, to choose Boone over other possible locations to settle."

K-----K

     Ah......baseball season is underway and what do we think of?..........great pitching, home runs and, of course, hot dogs and coneys.

     The Kelley's celebrated the other night with a typical baseball meal, the dogs and chips. Jo's taste is celebrated with the standard dog and mild additions while I have to go beyond with the addition of a layer of chili, along with onions, pickle relish and mustard.

     The meal was highlighted by lots of memories of the Kokanakis family's Coney Island Cafe, southeast corner of Eighth and Keeler.

      Jo worked for the Boone Credit Bureau in that same area and for her lunch break, usually chose between the Maid Rite and the Coney Island Cafe. "Oh, I'd watch Mrs Kokanakis cutting those onions and didn't know how she could do that without crying her eyes out. But, whatever, it was always a treat to smell and then consume those wonderful hot dogs/coneys that have never been duplicated."

      Nikki Kokanakis Wittmer and her husband, Mike, both BHS-65, could probably add lots of stories about growing up in the days of Nikki's parents and their beloved cafe in Boone. The Wittmer's reside in Ames.

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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.