A GOOD FRIEND, LOST

       Please, excuse me.

       I'm going to be fudgin' slightly today.

       As regular Korner viewers know, obituaries are an important part of our service but restrictions are required. We scan a large Central Iowa area for information and anytime we see ANY connection to Boone, Ogden and Madrid, plus any other immediate areas in our "circle" we include that.

        Today is an exception. 

        A very good friend has died. Don Allen Uker of Denison passed on Monday. He does not fit our normal obituary criteria, However, he does leave a host of statewide friends, including several from the Boone area.

         A few months past, Don hosted a get together of good friends in Denison and Jo and I attended. In addition, Boone residents, the Wulkow's, Rick and Barb, and the Anderson's, Dave and Sandy, were there. 

         Also in attendance was Father Craig Collison, BSH-70, of Carroll and many other friends of "Uke" from various areas of the state.

         You may have noted a connection there. Yes, it was the Iowa High School Athletic Association that resulted in this alliance. Specifically, the Iowa Boys State High School Basketball Tournament.

          Rick Wulkow, Dave Anderson and I, as well as Father Craig and Uker, shared many years working, on behalf of the Association, during numerous state tournaments.

          While I was assigned the task of "mike duty," honoring teams and individuals, "Uke" and Father Craig were the Public Address announcers for all the games, for thirty years or more.

          Don Uker and I have weaved a rather similar path during our lifetimes. Don was a long time radio man at KDSN in Denison, eventually becoming the station owner. "Uke" and I, at KWBG in Boone, both aired hundreds, if not thousands of high school athletic events, play-by-play or event-by-event.

           Don was born in September of 1934 and I was born in March of 1935, both 91 years of age but Don, about half a year older.....and much smarter and more wise.

           That's probably where any similarity ends. Don authored some books, including, "Don Uker's Joke Book." And yes, he was quite the banquet speaker and story teller, true or untrue and naughty or nice. 

          Older folks will remember Donna Reed, a Denison girl who starred, with Jimmy Stewart, in that long time favorite holiday movie, "It's A Wonderful World,"  as well as "From Here to Eternity" and the Donna Reed TV show. "Uke" was a prime motivator for establishment of the Donna Reed Festival, which was held annually in Denison for many years and provided the impetus for the Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts which provided scholarships for potential artists.

           With Don's presence, laughter and hilarity was always expected.......but despite various problems of  age related health issues, he refused to bend until now. His numerous good friends and admirers in Iowa are left, simply with sadness but also great memories of his many years of wonderful companionship.

           Don was preceded in death by his wife, Constance, and a son, Kevin. Survivors include his partner, Phyliss Harms, two daughters and a sister. Service information is pending. 

          

          

          

           

           

          

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Steve Jay, 72, Boone. Born in Ames. His parents were Wayne and Millie (Cox) Jay. Steve and his wife, Theresa, lived in Arizona and Western Colorado, spending time camping, fishing and hiking. Steve had an adventurous heart and loved being a dad. He worked as a concrete finisher for many years and in 1993, started work with the Chicago and Northwestern and Union Pacific Railroads as a locomotive engineer until retirement. Survivors include his children,  Molly Jay of Boone and Alison Jay, his ex-wife and friend, Theresa Jay of Boone, two brothers, including David (Gloria) Jay of Boone and two sisters, including Jamie Jay Blomgren, BHS-66, of Ankeny, formerly of Boone. A private graveside service will be held. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Tommy (Tom) Maurice Kendall, 77, Boone. Passed after a long battle with cancer and its lasting effects.Born in Jefferson and grew up on a farm in that area. Earned a B.S. degree in Industrial Education from Iowa State University. Married Phyliss Magner in Mason City in 1971. Iowa National Guard vet. Tom spent his entire 45-year career working for Skarshaug Testing Laboratories in Ames where he served as Production Manager until retirement in 2014. A faithful church attendee, he taught Sunday School for many years. He enjoyed woodworking, square dancing and making home and yard improvements. Survivors include his wife, Phyliss, two sons and two brothers. Services in Boone and Sheffield.

        Dennis Lee Hughes. 77, Decatur County IA. A lifelong farmer, he dedicated his life to the land that he loved. In later years, he was a truck driver. Dennis was happiest when he was outdoors, hunting, fishing, looking for arrowheads, target shooting and taking his grandkids for a tractor ride. He loved sharing these single moments, never lingered indoors or sit still for long. Four children survive, including Heidi (Rusty) Hicks of Boone. Two sisters also survive.

       Mary Joanne Standley Roberts, 95, West Branch.  Born in Boone. BHS-49. Boone Junior College. Iowa State Teacher's College (now UNI) Active in Toreador band and drum and bugle corps. Taught kindergarten at Aplington and in 1954, married Leonard Roberts when he was on military leave. The couple taught in Cedar Rapids, Hudson, Jewell, Maquoketa as well as Lombard and Bloomington, IL. Jo had an infectious laughter and claimed she seized every chance to laugh that life presented. Leonard passed in 2017. Four children survive. Services in Kalona.

         Ronald B. Bell, 87, Clinton. Born in Boone. Army vet. After Korean War service, he started  five years of work with the railroad and married Kathleen Scanlan. In 1963, became a salesman for a Clinton firm for the next 35 years. After retirement, worked five more years for a plumbing company. Ron's wife, Kathleen, and four children survive. Services in Fulton and Clinton. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Joseph A. Shadle, 79, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Ogden. Married Jane Williams in Zearing in 1978. She passed in 1997. The couple made their home in Boone. Joe worked for the Department of Transportation for 42 years. He was a fan of racing, NASCAR, Formula One, drag and boat. He also enjoyed attending car, gun, art and craft shows. Attending flea markets, thrift stores and garage sales, he collected a bit of everything. Joe was also a good photographer/videographer. Survivors include a daughter, Bethany (Chris Dudney) Shadle of Boone, and a son, Kyle. A COL and graveside will take place in Boone and Cambridge.    

        Rex Davis, 99, Harlan/Elm Crest Senior Living. Born in Boone. Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson HS. Marine vet. Service in Avoca.

       Arlene Jane  Chally, 86, Stratford. Born in Webster City. Her parents were Sidney L.Q. Westrum and Geraldine Edna Speck. Grew up on a farm east of Stratford. Attended Iowa State University and was an avid Cyclone fan.. Married Jerold Lee Chally, who is a big Hawkeye fan, in 1962. The couple spent their lives farming. A homemaker, Arlene also worked at ISU in the Employee Benefits Office for 15 years before retirement. She was a talented seamstress and baker with quilts and delicious apple pies being her passion. Arlene was also a talented singer and skilled pianist. Survivors include her husband, Jerold, three children, including Bill (Dawn) Chally of Sratford. A private graveside service is planned.

       Terry Roy "Chief" Fitz Randolph. Ranier, MN. Spent time living in Stratford. Services in International Falls and Guthrie Center.

THEY REMEMBER, THEY SPEAK

        This is great.

        Some fellow oldtimers showing a little love for, a bit of respect to their past.

        A couple of recent Korner columns "woke them up" a bit, got them thinkin' about some things and, to add more meat to the plaudits, they're coming from a pair just a slight bit older than the Kornerman, 
BHS-53, That's important.....that doesn't happen too often anymore.

        Old buddy Stanley Moffitt, BHS-52, called with a reply to the Kornerman about substitutes, a role he said he was well versed in.

        Oh yes, I remember those Toreador football teams of yore when, as substitutes, we were all vying for playing time.

        Stan said that he and his buddy, Bob Sunstrom, a pair of lineman, wanted to show their "stuff" but "it didn't happen often enough." "I was always so jealous of those guys who got into the games and it showed, uniforms stained and sweaty." "Meantime, my uniform was as clean and neat  as it could be," he chuckled.

        Actually, Stan was just happy to "be there." He had tried the cornet but said that he and the instrument didn't get along well. "Finally, when I was a sophomore, Don Green, the BHS band director, suggested that I give football a try......and I did."

        As time has passed, there have been many opportunities to shine by simply being a good teammate, in school and beyond, and Stanley has not only been a great leader of the Boone business community, he has served over 50 years as a Board Member of the S.L. Moore Foundation and as the Boone representative on the Des Moines YMCA Camp board located northwest of town. He's also President of the BHS class of '52 but admits meeting attendance is dwindling.

        Stan mentioned his admiration for the "Y" spokesperson, Ray Pugh, who many Booneites recall as one of the best motivational speakers ever. He rambled about various other Toreador athletic teams and their achievements including  great fan and cheerleader support from Doris Krug, Sue Sovereign and many others.

        Like many of the rest of us, the voice isn't as strong and various devices are used for getting around but the will and spirit are still very much "alive" and it was wonderful to hear that a Korner column actually encouraged him to "speak out" and relive some fun moments of a wonderful 90 plus years.

K-----K

        Then there's Vern Modeland, BHS-50.

        A faithful Korner participant, he enjoyed our recent column about the Boone/Ames connection.

        He wrote, "I couldn't agree more with your observation as Boone becomes the bedroom and perceived scenic escape route to college town over east of you and creeping. I remember at about 13, riding my bicycle over to Ames on a personal adventure "just cause I could." Fifteen miles on the two paved lanes of the Lincoln Highway, where I probably didn't encounter a half dozen cars as I pedaled along parallel to the railroad and up next to one of those curbings that marked the cement limit. Society was mostly corn and cows. When I got home, my mother just asked casually, "where have you been?" I said, "Riding my bike." No worry about dangerous traffic or being attacked or much else other than how painful my seat got. It was a kinder and gentler world. Thank you Boone for letting me grow up in it."

K-----K

        Tom Peterson, BHS-67, enjoyed the column about Lindy's and added, "strawberry flavor was my favorite, especially with vanilla ice cream."

K-----K

         Loren Frazier, BHS-58, sent these.....quotations.

         Prince Philip - When a man opens a car door for his wife, it's either a new car or a new wife; Arnold Schwarzenegger - Having more money doesn't make you happier. I have 50 million dollars but I was just as happy as when I had 48 million; Johnny Carson - If life were fair, Elvis would still be alive today and all those impersonators would be dead; John Glenn - As I hurtled through space, one thought kept crossing my mind. Every part of this rocket was supplied by the lowest bidder; Howard Hughes - I'm not a paranoid, deranged millionaire. Actually, I'm a billionaire; David Letterman - America is the only country where a significant portion of the population believes professional wrestling is real but the moon landing was fake.

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

         Robert Donald Rinehart, 83, Ames. Formerly of Boone. Victim of a tragic accident. While walking, Robert was  hit by a car in Ames and succumbed of his injuries at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Born in Boone. BHS-61.Bob married Theresa Lowry in Grand Junction in 1965. They divorced. He earned degrees from Southwest Missouri State University and a Masters in Education from  the University of Northern Iowa. Taught high school accounting in Wisconsin for 20 years. He was also an over-the-road truck driver. After retiring from trucking, he worked at Boone Hy-Vee as a floral and pharmacy delivery driver. He enjoyed camping, fishing and going to casino's. Survivors include his three children, Mark, Jennifer and Nick as well as siblings Jolene Martin, Joanne Coy, Jackie Rinehart and Marty (Gayle)  Rinehart. No service is in plan at this time.  

        LATE INFORMATION: Dixie Lee Howard Knight, 81, Palm Beach Garden, FL. passed away May 2, 2026 after  a long battle with dementia. Born in Iowa. Was the fifth of 10 children. BHS-62. At age 19, married Dean Knight. Dixie was a devoted wife and mother who enjoyed domestic travel. When Dean's work took him away from home, she loved homeschooling daughter Jessica so they could travel along with him and see more of the U.S. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren. She enjoyed making pancakes for Ivan on weekends before his baseball games and she never missed any of Bella's musicals or ice skating competitions. Dixie and Dean had four children, Jennifer, Jason and Jerrica and, Chantelle, who passed away in 1964. Services in Boone, July 11, with a graveside service and luncheon.

       Arlene J. Chally, 86, Stratford. A graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery. 

       Julie Renee Nelson Howard, 63, Ogden. Born in Boone. BHS-82. Her parents, now deceased, were Larry D. and Karen (Bass) Nelson. Worked at the former Tic Toc Restaurant and then for many years at Thermomass (Leviat) in Boone until retiring due to failing health.She married Alan Howard in Boone in 1988. Julie loved cooking and baking. Her family especially enjoyed her ham balls and cheesy potatoes. Survivors include her husband, Alan, two sons, Christopher and Matthew Howard all of Ogden, her two daughters, including Lindsay (Dustin Hanson) Howard of Logansport and a sister, Lorie (Larry) Ealy of Boone. Services in Ogden and Boone.

       Darci Lynne Shell Munford, 59, Des Moines. Death due to a long battle with breast cancer. Born in Boone to Leland and Alma Calhoon Shell. Grew up in Madrid. Very academic and involved in band, sports and 4-H. Was class valedictorian. Baptized in Boone at Trinity and confirmed at St. John's in Madrid. Earned a degree from Iowa State in Family Resource Management. After marriage and a move to southeast Iowa, she became a tax preparer, a rural mail carrier and sold vegetables from her garden. She also had a long career in finance, beginning as a teller at the Madrid branch of Commercial Federal Bank. She retired as an Assistant Vice President and Private Banker for Morgan Stanley. Darci loved road trips, hiking, camping, kayaking and spending time outdoors. Three daughters, her mother and two sisters survive. Services in Madrid. 

JUST NOT THE SAME

       I'm so sorry.......but I don't like it.

       Maybe I'm in a whiney stage but, in most cases, I declare I simply don't like most substitutes.

       There, I've said it and I'm glad.

        BUT WAIT.......just like you and you and you, I, myself, have been a substitute. Whether it was on my eighth grade basketball team, becoming chairman of the Boone County United Way board or replacing two of the best speakers this state has ever known, I, was a substitute, a replacement.

         Oh goodie, I've been looking for a way to use that word, oxymoron, sometime and this must be it. 

        There were various other sports teams along the way that forced me to "wait my turn." Then, one year when the REAL United Way head man's illness forced a change, being number two, I was the "next in line."  Most notable of all, I guess, were two different times when it was my obligation to fill in for two of Iowa's most renowned speakers......my old boss Bernie Saggau and the revered Jim Duncan, best known for his brilliance as the Drake Relays announcer. I know, filling in for greatness, isn't always easy but is oftentimes required.

         BREAKING NEWS......has anyone noticed Iowa's Caitlyn Clark has been in the news lately?? Oh my gosh. What has happened to important stuff like high gas prices or the attacks on ICE and that war thing involving Iran? All have been overshadowed by an Iowa girl's inherited throat problem.

         Back to my original thought. Here's the gist of my complaint. It really bothers me to have five days (usually) of good television news, sports and weather reporting, followed by a weekend or holiday of ...........substitutes. Its just not the same and I realize we all need a break on occasion. While we're at it, how about the times when the "normal" TV schedule is turned upside down by some replacement brouhaha.

         But, there's more. Blue Bunny has discontinued one of my favorite ice cream flavors, butter brickle and I can't find a good enough substitute. Then there's Boyd's malts, the Eighth Street coneys and the Lincoln Restaurant's fried chicken. They can never be adequately replaced. Good luck finding an equal substitute. Surely some number "2s" are lurking and hoping,.

         The other day, at a local establishment, I was waited on by a young man wearing a very colorful shirt with four-inch high "DORS" staring at me. Yup.....a poor replacement for the much more classy Toreadors. I tried, but it was hard to ignore. I love my town and my school and all its teams but I still don't care for this particular "substitute."

          Finally there's this.........a feeling of great sadness for Jeri Ann Ritter, WHO-TV, and Janice Dean, Fox News. Both are television meteorologists and both have been diagnosed with similar life-altering illnesses, Jeri Ann with ALS and Janice with MS. The illnesses have forced early retirements for both, who have served their constituents for 20 years plus. Numerous replacements are  there to choose from and some will be very good I'm sure, but that special "something" will be missing.

         C'mon now, admit it. Surely I'm not the only one. We've all seen "both sides".....there's that oxymoron thing again..... and have our varied opinions about these "things."

         Come to think of it......maybe this one-time substitute, the old Kornerman, can thank my lucky stars for the many opportunities I've been given in my lifetime to reach for better and higher opportunities. I'm extremely thankful.

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.