BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Ronette Alane Adams Bonnell, 66, Boone. BHS-79. Services in Boone. 

BOONE AREA RAILROADERS SERVED

       Iran? 

       Received some reminders of how fast time flies and how changes develop.

       Bob (Bobby) Atherton, BHS-65, recently dug through some of the informative memories of what his dad, Bob Sr., BHS-36, and many others endured during their World War II service.

       The elder Bob entered the military with 100 other guys from Boone County and many ended up in a military Railway unit in Iran for what resulted in a four-year tour there.

       As a Railway Operating Battalion, they hauled lend lease arms, trucks and planes across the desert and supplied the Soviet Union's effort to stop the Nazi's east front.

       Think of that now. 

       Iran hosting U.S. forces, including Boone railroaders, for a long period of time to help the Soviets battle the Nazi's. Remarkable.

       Several pictures and more detailed information about this U.S. service, including maps, was part of the information Bobby provided.

       To say the least, conditions for the soldiers were barely short of intolerable. Soldier Bob described some of it.......crammed in tents with eleven other guys, working in heat that hit 170 degrees and better in the sun, battling winter rains and mud and being rewarded with goat stew. Bob Sr. said, "after 21 consecutive mess kitfulls of goat stew, GI rations arrived and we got some honest to gosh Spam. Life was picking up." 

       The supply route from Iran to Russia was no picnic either. Some 300 trucks plodding along at 12 to 18 miles an hour through soft dust. It was defined as a "camel trail through the desert, unsurfaced, unfinished road partially hacked out of the mountains." 

       Despite all this adversity, these soldiers of the Persian Gulf Command, including more than its share of railroad men, provided almost 4.5 million tons of vital lend lease supplies to Russia. 

K-----K

       Worldwide Korner headquarters are still located in Boone, Iowa, 50036-4932. Telephone number is still 1-515-432-1530. Leave a message. To  email your stories/memories/comments/death notices......https:/kelleyskorner1@blogspot.com. 

 

        

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Barbara Ann Wills McKelvey, 83, Ames. Born in Boone. BHS-61. Her parents were Sterling and Eline Wills. The family lived in several communities, including Boone. Barbara enjoyed music, movies, travel, Cyclone sports and was a devoted church member. Survivors include three children and a brother, Barry Wills, BHS-58, of Madrid. A COL will be held in Ames.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

         Mary Jane Stumbo Haglund, 80, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Boone. Boone schools. Loved singing in her church choir. Had worked as a CNA at the Madrid Home and various food service establishments. Her favorite job was delivering newspapers. She enjoyed crosswords, music, riding her bike and all animals.Two children survive, David Haglund and Rebecca (Tracy) Anderson. A brother, Jim Stumbo, also survives. Services in Boone. 

       Benjamin Edward Franklin, 95, Boone. Born in Boone. National Guard vet. Married Lorene Clabaugh in Stanhope in 1951. She passed in 2017. The couple welcomed four children and lived on an acreage outside of Boone since 1958. Ben founded Franklin Construction Company in 1958. The company constructed brick work throughout Central Iowa, including several Iowa State buildings, Page Elementary and a portion of the Fareway warehouse. Ben retired in 2003 and his son, Tony, continued the business as FMC Masonry. Ben spent time restoring antique Packard and Hudson cars, as well as a rare 1923 Franklin sedan. He loved hunting mushrooms, nettles and enjoyed his coffee at the Whistle Stop and Hy-Vee. He lived to be the oldest surviving, founding member of the Hunt and Fish club. The surviving children are Dorine (Hall) Bloomberg of Ogden, as well as Boone residents Kim (Gary Riordan) Curell, LuAnn (Rob) Robinson and Tony (Mishelle) Franklin. Services in Boone. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Benjamin E. Franklin, 95, Boone. Services in Boone. 

       Dwight Fabian Nelson, 98, Platteville, Ws. BHS-46. Iowa State degree in Agriculture Engineering in 1950. Army vet. Married Mary Lou Aldene in Moline, IL in 1953. Worked as a product engineer for John Deere Wagon Works, which later became John Deere Industrial Equipment Works. Lived in Moline, then Dubuque until a move to Platteville in 1969. Retired in 1984. Taught at the University of Platteville, then worked at a funeral home. Was a county supervisor, very active with the Gideons, loved to fish and hunt, camping, refinishing old furniture and music. Five daughters survive. Services in Plattevlle.       

        Nancy Louise (Clare) Reeder, 79, Olathe, KS. Born in Illinois. Longtime service wife. Leaving the Army life, the family moved to Boone in 1975 and a daughter, Elizabeth Ann, was born in Boone in 1976. In 1980, the family moved to their permanent home in Olathe. Services in Olathe.

       Gary Lee Pruismann, 60, Stratford. Born in Britt. Northeast Hamilton HS-84. Earned a degree in Animal Science from Hawkeye Institute of Technology in Waterloo in 1986. Had a gift of working with animals. Survivors include his wife, Kristin (Kris) Klaver of Stratford, his parents, Kenneth and Mary Pruismann of Blairsburg, a son, two daughters, a sister and brother. 

HOSPITAL RUMORS CONTINUE......SLOWLY

       Rumors have lingered for some time and, finally, a small sliver of truthful news. 

       In what could eventually become a major local story, the Boone County Hospital Board of Trustees reported late this week that they have purchased land for future development. This announcement fuels stories that have been circulating for quite some time.

       The hospital's CEO Mikaela Kienitz indicates in a news release that "this is the logical next step as we plan for the future of the Boone County Hospital. We're purchasing this land as we plan for the future of our facilities and hospital campus. Boone County is growing, and healthcare is evolving. This land enables us to meet the needs of tomorrow's patients."

        Earlier this year, the assignment of a land option along Highway 30 by the Boone County Economic Growth Corporation to the Boone County Hospital was approved. BCH is now exercising the option and purchasing the land.

        So, its a very small start to what could eventually become a new site for Boone's major healthcare facilities. Some have wondered if Boone's two clinics, both the south side and north side facilities, would  be included in this move......solidifying the entire health package into one grand plan.

        The rumor mill continues with that small location hint "along Highway 30." Some have said, "across Highway 30, south of Bomgaars; others have said west of the Boone Speedway and others say further south along South Story. The only land amount we've heard mentioned is 40 acres.

       So, the wide conjecture continues until future announcements. 

       The news release indicates the Board of Trustees have not made any decisions regarding how the land will be developed and they promise to issue more details about potential developments at a later date.

       Exciting news for the Boone community. Personally, I, the Kornerman, hope to live long enough to see the promised progress, although it seems quite some distance away.

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

       Andrea Louise Stoneburner, 67, Boone. 

       Joshua "Hoss" Burns, 45, Boone.      

       Ardis Taylor Cazett, 87, Boone. Born in Minnesota. Married Clifford Cazett in 1976. Very family oriented, liked to read, watch her soap operas and enjoyed Mondays when she would run errands with her brother, Doug. Three daughters survive, Deb (Terry) Weber, Mindy (Dallas) Buck and Stacie McClure as well as three brothers, Rick (Phyliss) Taylor, Mike (Lynda) Taylor and Doug Taylor. Services in Boone.     

       Gary Wilson Cook, 86, Madrid/Accura Healthcare of Ogden. Born in Iowa City. His parents were Everette and Lucille Cook. BHS-58, where he was an accomplished trumpet player and vocalist. U.S. Navy vet. Married Georgianne Doyle in Missouri in 1972. The couple started their home in Boone, but moved to Hawaii, then Ames and in 1993, their current home near Madrid. Gary owned and operated Cook's painting and wallpapering business in Ames, then was employed at the maintenance department of a Hilton Hotel in West Des Moines. He officially retired as COVID struck. Gary enjoyed all types of animals. Survivors include his wife, Georgianne, a daughter, a son, and two sisters, Sharon Cook, BHS-62, Sindlinger and Mary Fairbank. No services planned.

       Darrell (Dinko) Dee Hunter, 74, Cambridge. Was a big race fan. Survivors include a daughter, Mindy Hunter, of Boone, and a brother, Renal (Ronald) Hunter of Boone. Services in Nevada.