BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       
       Terri Burkhart McDonald, 68, Raymond IA. Born in Boone. Her parents were Layton (deceased) and Phyliss Carter Burkhart. After graduating from Iowa State, she worked for many years as a Materials and Logistics Manager. Terri married Michael McDonald in 2020 in Raymond. She was known for being selfless, creative, adventurous, loyal and with a dry sense of humor. A problem solver, she enjoyed the sunshine, riding motorcycles and quads, boat rides, traveling and crafting. Survivors include her husband, Michael, her mother, Phyliss Burkhart, and two siblings. A COL is planned for later. 

BROGAN AUSTIN CONTINUES TO EXCEL

       Once it got started.......it just kept coming. Success that is.

       The Kornerman is writing today about a trio of sometimes overlooked athletic events that our Boone High School athletes consistently basked in during the 2020's.

        Whether it was our water, great coaching by Hall of Famer Gary Achenbach and others, or just darn hard work, Toreador athletes in the distance running events during that time were a model of consistency.......earning numerous honors in statewide competition.

        First, a couple deserved mentions before the main focus of our story.

        Virgil Byerly, back in 1949, won the state class A 880-yard run, perhaps a forerunner to what could be that later Toreador success.

         Then too, Pete Kostelnick, BHS-2005, also deserves mention for his many years now of extremely competitive ultra-marathon feats on the world stage. He's been one of the best.

         But then we get to the crowded part.....the consistency of our Boone High program.

         In 2005, Logan Gonzales became the first BHS runner to become a state champion twice, winning both the 800 and 1600 class 4A championships. 

         In 2010, another two-time champion as Brogan Austin took both the class 3A 1600 and 3200 events. But, a few more paragraphs about him will be coming later. 

         In 2012 and 2013, Chandler Austin won the 3A 5,000 meter event and in 2013, he had also taken the 1600 meter run.

         It was also 2013 when Albert Meier won the 3A 3200.

         What a year 2013 was for those Toreador runners.

         In addition to those individual honors earned in the Spring season, Boone High, in the fall feature event, captured the class 3A State Cross Country title with individual runnerup Chandler Austin and Meier leading the way. Meier, individually, was actually a two-time runnerup.

         Other members of that state championship team were Jacob Runninghorse, Killian Toro and Jordan Murray.

         But, back to Brogan Austin who, collegiately, ran for Drake University.

         Now, based in Boulder, Colorado, Brogan is a member of a running team, Tinman Elite. The team's web site describes, "we are not a group, social movement, or track club. We are a team that pursues and cares about each other in pursuit of establishing ourselves as one of the most respected and recognized teams in the world."

         The team's goal is to raise the standard of elite distance running by training a wide range of successful athletes covering distances from 800m to the marathon. We work to bring out the best in ourselves, to inspire runners and make running accessible and relatable.

         Brogan is described on the site, "as one who has weathered the storm of ups and downs that running can bring more than most but his  staunch self-belief, insatiable work ethic and pure love for running have always won out in the end. After a tumultuous collegiate career, he quickly found himself running at an entirely new level. His newfound confidence and knack for late-in-the-race heroics were on full display at the USATF Marathon championships, where he stormed into the lead in the final few miles and never looked back.

          In his latest competition, Brogan, representing the team champion USA, finished ninth in the individual results in Ames, (that's right) Ames Spain. There were entries from 44 countries, including 147 men.

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         Regarding our recent talk about the Pufferbilly name, it was mentioned that Tolly Boyd, BHS-63, deserved credit for pursuing that name.  

         Now, Tolly's sister, Linda Boyd Bravard, BHS-61, has verified with her comment, "my sister, Tolly, has told me for years that she named Pufferbilly Days. So, I guess it's true."

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         The Korner pridefully continues to shout that viewers will find in our releases material, including numerous Boone and area death notices, that are "no-shows" from any other area news outlet.

         We love reporting the good news about our community and it's people AND those death notices that don't appear anywhere else. 

         We're always looking for news "tips" and more viewers.....so pass the word. It's all free for the looking.

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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@gmail.com. 

 

 

            

         

         

          

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Elizabeth "Ann" Jordan Umbaugh, 75, Atlanta, GA. Born in Boone. Raised on a farm east of Boone. Her parents were Richard "Dick" and Kathleen "Kate" Pepper Jordan. BSH-69. University of Iowa grad. After college, Ann and her lifelong friend, Rita Rolfes, moved to Atlanta so Ann could pursue her 30-year career as a special needs educator. Ann and her husband, Peter Umbaugh, also became the parents of two children. She was a dedicated parishioner, volunteer and pet enthusiast. At church, she was a piano accompanist, interim choir director and member of the finance committee. She also worked as a volunteer for an animal hospital and Saint Vincent DePaul. She never forgot her Midwest roots and was a frequent visitor to friends and relatives in Boone and Lake Okoboji. Survivors include her husband, a son and two brothers, John (Marilyn) Jordan and Mike (Leslie) Jordan. Services will be held at a later date in the Atlanta area. 

       Kathleen "Kathy" R. Deal Boersma, 83, Boone. Born in Fort Dodge. Her parents were Bud and Viv (Snyder) Deal. BHS-61. She married Larry "Butch" Boersma in 1962. He died last January. The couple made Boone their home and Kathy worked at Archway. In 1994, they purchased the Damn Site Restaurant and moved to Fraser. For over 20 years, they wintered in Texas and in the spring, managed the kitchen at the Don Williams Golf Course. Kathy loved crocheting, cooking, bowling, coloring and camping. When their two daughters were growing up, the family would camp at various spots all over Iowa every weekend of the summer with the camp club, "The Weekend Wanderers." Survivors include two daughters, Kelle Cook and Chris Duncan, two sisters, Donna (James) Fyte and Sheila (Dave Madden) Gibbons and two brothers, Ted (Lynn) Deal and Donnie (Dawn) Deal. Services in Boone, burial in Ogden.

      Barbara Lynn Venema, 65, Boone. 

PRIDE THAT WILL NOT DIE

       It shows........

       They've still got IT. 

       That memorable 1976 Boone High School Toreador football team boasts an unending pride in their accomplishment/s. An overall record of 8-1 and the first BHS football championship in fifty years.

       But, there's much more to this story..........

       That pride we mentioned has lingered for ten, twenty, thirty, forty and now fifty years, never to be forgotten, even as time has passed amidst good times and bad, through various ups and downs and many memories which, oftentimes, yield much too easily.

       But at least a portion of this group was determined to not "let go" and an idea erupted into an explosion few could possibly see coming. A fifty year reunion.

       Sure, 1976 was the year, but also remember there were participants from a year or two prior and after  that were just as important to this team's success.

       Here's the astounding result. Of this 36 man team, at least 22 have said, "I'll be there." Three of that original 36 are deceased and two others are battling serious health issues. So, 22 of 31 is quite an impressive number of attendees for its fifty-year celebration. Again.....we call that pride.

       Coaches Harris and Bud Smith are deceased but there will be family representatives on hand, as well as five cheerleaders.

       ADM (Adel) will be the 2026 Toreador football opponent on Friday night at Goeppinger Field at 7 p.m. and the '76 team members will be attending and introduced at halftime of the game.

       And, starting at 9 p.m., later that evening, lots of stories, maybe some unknown until today, will be told as the group gathers at the Adobe Restaurant.

       Saturday will be a big day.....the Boone County Historical Society will host the group starting at 10 a.m.. There are numerous exhibits highlighting the team's success and coffee and cookies will be available. 

        But the main thing will be the reuniting of great memories of fifty years gone by and an opportunity to see many friends, perhaps many that have not been available since those days on the gridiron fifty years ago.

        P. S. This is NOT a private party. It will be assumed  that many, many old friends from those school days of the 70's or more will join in the festivities. They're all welcome.

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       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. 

  

        

        

        

        

        

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Theodore "Ted" Hugh Welch Sr., 79, Iowa Vets Home/Marshalltown. Born in Mason City. Raised in Boone. His parents were Frank and Juanita Welch. BHS-65. Air Force vet. In 1968, Ted was born again and saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. After military service, Ted attended Baptist Bible College in Missouri, earning a graduate of Theology degree. In 1979, he was ordained into Pastoral Ministry and began serving various churches until his retirement in 2017. He enjoyed fishing, photography, collecting antiques and using his snow blower. He is remembered for his fearless evangelism, patience, gentleness and love for Oreo cookies and fried chicken. Survivors include his wife, Janet, a son, Matthew, a daughter, Heather Kern, and step-sons Ronald (Joanne) Garvey, Jeffrey (Tami) Garvey and Thomas (Teresa) Whiteman. There will be a graveside service in Sparks Cemetery with a COL planned later. 

       Philip Darren Jensen, 71, Madrid. Born in Boone. His parents were Theodore "Teddy" and Colleen Jensen. MHS-84. He attended DMACC's Auto Collision Repair Program. In 1990, he became a maintenance worker for the DOT, doing roadwork, plowing snow and finally, electrical work. Due to his illness, cancer, he reluctantly retired in 2025 after 35 years of dedication. He loved the trips to the family cabin in Clear Lake in his early years. He worked for Gene Morning at Madrid Body and Fender and then Dave Anderson at Dave's Garage. Classic cars were his passion. He had many cars and was a proud member of the Pacers Car Club in Madrid. Cruising was his favorite hobby, as well as camping at the Iowa State Fairgrounds for the Good Guys Car Show. He and Linda dated for six years before their wedding in 1998. The couple made a home for many fur-babies, dogs, cats and horses, through the years. Darren was a great music fan, the Kansas City Chiefs and the State Fair foods. He was a resilient person, learning to walk again after meningitis at age 18 months and was tested a second time due to a work accident at age 45 which required multiple surgeries, long hospitalizations and much physical therapy. Survivors include his wife, Linda, sisters Piper and Polly, a brother, Dave, and some beloved pets.

WHO NAMED "PUFFERBILLY DAYS?"

       Before another year, it's 50th, (oh, my gosh) of  Pufferbilly ends, let's try to answer a question proposed by Thomas Hokel, BHS-65. 

      Tom said he and his brother, Gary, Stanhope HS-60, were reminising about the event and Gary wondered, "who came up with the name, "Pufferbilly Days?"

       Tom admitted he had no idea but Gary answered, "Tolly Boyd, Gary's wife's best friend, Carol Hurty, BHS-63."

        Curious, Tom said he couldn't confirm that with an internet search but thought it must have been a joint agreement with the Chamber of Commerce.

        Gary thought it may have come from the Four Preps rendition of the song, "Down by the Station."

        "Down by the station, early in the morning. See the little puffer bellies, all in a row. See the station master pull the little handle, Chug, Chug! Toot, Toot! Off they go."

        Anyway, Korner viewers can tell we're grasping for an answer. We simply don't know. DO YOU?

        On another subject.

        Robert Atherton, BHS-65, referred to our recent talks about the railroads in Iran during World War II and said he and Tom Hokel talk often about trains."He's an absolute expert on trains and his  recent mention of working at Percival's reminded me of my "worst" job one summer on the railroad.

        Bob described, "One summer, Merle Long got Charlie Lind and I jobs on the section. Two-fifty an hour, big money. We drove every morning to Eagle Grove and worked with a "chain gang" of laborers who lived in a boxcar. We shoveled ballast under a tamper all day long in the Iowa heat. Needless to say, we didn't last and our return to college and Lawson's grocery as a sacker was never a problem. I have a feeling that your entire Boone network has similar life changing jobs to remember. Thanks for your efforts....we all enjoy staying connected to our home town."

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       Mark Campbell, BHS-67, is still in a funk about this AM radio situation.

       Mark, a former KWBG colleague of mine wrote, "the stations who will survive this MUST program for the community, not simply keeping the station's programming going. Yes, much of the satellite-driven shows are interesting, but there's nothing like local info. I used to listen to a station from Russellville, KY with local information. One segment featured a car dealership with the announcer chatting with a salesman. Do you remember Jimmy Wester of Wester Furniture? Locals enjoyed that.....as well as hospital admissions and dismissals. Ah, no longer possible."

        The Kornerman adds, "at 11 a.m. each morning Signa Shaler would report ALL the local news in great detail and, if I remember correctly, Wester Furniture was the sponsor of that report."

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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.    

 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Alta Smith Soderstrum, 95, Luther/Eastern Star. Born near Perry. Washington Township school - 1948. Married Vernon Soderstrum in Luther in 1960. Vern passed in 2020. The couple farmed and had an egg laying operation north of Luther. They also ran Vernie's Egg and Produce from their farm and  included sweet corn and pumpkins. Alta was a faithful church member and enjoyed the fellowship of neighborhood clubs, the Las Amigas and the Worthwhile Birthday Club. Alta was an excellent cook, baker, enjoyed reading and loved the outdoors. Alta's life was filled with love, laughter and a profound impact on all those fourtunate enough to know her. A daughter, Cheryl (Mark) Randall, and a son, Kurt (Peg) Soderstrum survive. Service in Boone and Squire Boone Cemetery.