BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Brenda Lee Steuerwald McMahon, 67, Boone. Born in Fort Dodge. Stratford HS-77. Married Steve McMahon in Boone in 1980. Started work at the Stratford Nursing Home but in 1979, she joined Fareway as a secretary and was, later, promoted to Assistant Buyer. She retired from Fareway in 2021 after 42 years of service there. Brenda was a loyal Hawkeye fan, a bowling team member and when the couple purchased a speed boat, she loved water activities such as skiing and fishing. With a positive attitude and kind heart, Brenda found the best in everyone. Survivors include her husband, Steve, daughters Erin (Brad) Kleinwolterink and Tory (Lane) McKay as well as sisters, Carol, Donna and Lynn. Services in Boone.

FACING THE FINAL CURTAIN

     Perhaps we knew it was coming.........but didn't know when.

     And now, it appears, the time HAS come. 

     Two longtime Boone County newspapers will apparently shut down their operations for good in very short order. In fact, the end of publication of both the Ogden Reporter and Madrid Register News will be this coming Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

      The Ogden and Madrid newspapers are not alone. Small town newspapers in 15 Iowa counties are affected. All of the affected newspapers have been guided by an Iowa based publishing company, Mid America Publishing of Hampton, which has announced its permanent closure.

      The Ogden/Madrid editor for those two publications has indicated that no one has expressed interest in buying them, thus, the difficult decision to conclude operations.

       Madrid editor Craig Schultz was quoted as saying, "there's still a chance if someone wants to come in on the 11th hour to buy the publications, it's possible. But, as it stands, this is the end." A few other newspapers are still hopeful of survival also, due to pending discussions of possible purchase.

       Many of these newspapers have been in operation for many years, some since before 1900.

       A Mid-America Regional Editor said that dwindling readership and advertising revenue have taken their toll on newspapers across the country. He said it was " a sad time for both our company and the communities we have served."

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       Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone Iowa, 50036-4892. Phone number is 515-432-1530. Leave a message. To email stories/memories/comments/death notices........https:/kelleyskorner1@blogspot.com. 

        

        

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Pamela Sue Blaskey Farris, 63, Des Moines. Born in Boone. BHS-81. Married Thomas Farris. Pamela spent many years working in the food industry as well as other jobs. She was known for a strong work ethic, determination and with a caring heart and gentle spirit. Survivors include her husband, Thomas Farris, a son, Jason Blaskey, her mother, Sharon Loehr Blaskey of Boone and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her father, Harold Blaskey, who passed away on February 6, 2026. COL in Des Moines    

        Karen Kay Anderson Lind, 83, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-60. Earned an Associates of Art Degree. Married Lyle Jim Lind in 1960. An active church member, she taught piano to many students in the Boone area and enjoyed working as an administrative assistant at Iowa State for over 15 years. Three children survive, Lisa, Jeff and Steve. A sister, Dianne, of Boone also survives. Services in Boone.       

       Glenda Jean Hall Monson, 89, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Webster City. Stratford HS-55. Married James Ernest Monson in 1955 in Stratford. The couple farmed north and south of Stratford. Jim passed in 2016. Glenda enjoyed watching the orioles and hummingbirds, caring for her flowers, decorating for the holidays and watching college sports.Survivors include three children, including Michael (Sandra) Monson and Kendra (Mark) Stumpenhorst both of Stratford. Son Steve also survives. A private family graveside service will be held.

GREAT NEWS....THEN, NO CBS NEWS?

       Great news for Boone, courtesy of Fareway.

       On Monday, the Iowa grocery legend, which began in Boone in 1938, broke ground on a 105,000 square foot expansion of the freezer building at the company's distribution center at the east side of town.

        Reynold's Cramer, BHS-87, CEO of Fareway Stores Inc. said, "this project reflects our continued commitment to remain the best in meat and grocery, by ensuring we have the infrastructure to support our current locations and future growth. This is also an investment in Boone and in our employees that call the Boone area home. Finally, we want to thank the Boone County Supervisors, City of Boone, and other local leaders for their support of this important project."

         It was explained that, "the freezer expansion would deliver substantial improvements, by nearly doubling pallet capacity, increasing pallet facings by 33-percent, improving functionality in dual temperature environments, adding additional dock space, and allowing current freezer space to be repurposed into additional storage space. The freezer expansion is also foundational for future investments in technology and automation at the Fareway distribution center."

         The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2027 and will increase Fareway's distribution capabilities to accomodate up to 200 additional stores as the chain grows.

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         Some interesting news Korner viewers might have missed concerns the approval of a merger between communication giants, Nexstar and Tegna, that could result in some Iowa television changes.

          Thursday, March 19, the $3.5 billion deal was approved by the Federal Communications division and Department of Justice.

          Two well know Central Iowa television stations are involved. Tegna has been the owner of WOI-TV, channel five, formerly of Ames but more recently of Des Moines, while Nexstar has owned WHO-TV, channel 13 of Des Moines.

          This sale could, possibly, move the two stations into the same studio and produce various other changes. The new owners have pledged to increase the amount of local news and programs offered by these stations.

          Good friend and former Boone resident Vern Modeland, BHS-50, who, prior to retirement, had a long career in the broadcast field, which included radio and TV time at WHO and KWBG in Boone among others.

           Vern has his opinions about the changing broadcast landscape. He thinks broadcasting is on its way into the dark ages. He wrote, "podcasting has made everybody who has an ego into a specialist in something. And that thinly veiled attempt to put an end to AM broadcast radio in vehicles to get rid of the annoyance to them to have to clean up all this solid state dashboard stuff."

           What? No more AM radio in are cars?  

           To add to all this......CBS News Radio is set to cease operations on May 22, 2026, marking the end of nearly a century of service. The decision is said to be part of a restructuring effort, which includes significant layoffs.

           Reasons given for the closure are the difficult economic conditions affecting the media industry and the fact there has been a shift in how radio stations approach programming, making it unsustainable for CBS News Radio to continue.

          CBS News has had a rich history, having been established in 1927, and featuring notable journalists like Edward R. Murrow. The service has provided news updates to some 700 affiliate stations across the country. 

          No more CBS News breaks "on the hour" and etc. Change can be good......sometimes but, on occasion, sad news also.

K-----K

          I would be remiss if I didn't publicly thank all of you who were so kind in reminding me I'm getting older. My 91st birthday brought many kind comments in many ways. I started listing those that I had heard from in various ways.......but decided if I took the chance of listing responders, I would surely miss some. 

          So, simply.....thank you all so much and let's plan to do this again next March 18.

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

       Late Addition: Quentin C. Klinkefus, 81, South Fulton, Tenn. passed away December 11, 2026. BHS-62. He had retired from 24 years of service with the U.S. Navy. A COL will be held in Boone at a later date.       

       Kay Ava Ginter Wulf, 83, Altoona. Married Frederick Wulf in South Dakota in 1958. Earned a degree from DMACC, Boone Campus. The couple had moved to Boone in 1966 and Kay stayed until 2025 when she moved to Altoona. Three children survive, including Gary (Diane) Wulf and Bob (Denise) Wulf of Boone. Three sisters and two brothers also survive. A COL will be held in Boone.

        Sharon D. Savits, 83, Waukee. Grew up in Stratford, married Dennis Savits and the couple moved to Ogden. They eventually divorced. A daughter survives, as well as a son, Mike (Lisa) Savits of Ogden. A private family graveside is planned. Burial in Ogden.

         Patricia Peterson, 86, Jefferson. Two brothers survive, including Robert Peterson of Madrid. Two sons and a daughter also survive. A graveside service will be held. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Karen Kay Anderson Lind, Boone. BHS-60. Services in Boone.   

       Loren Edward "Ed" Mondt Jr., 86, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Boone. BHS-58. Earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arizona in 1962. Iowa National Guard Vet.  Worked in the family business, Mondt Hotel and Restaurant. The original business was destroyed by fire and a new Mondt Townhouse was built. Ed remained  involved in that business until 1985. He retired in 2002. He was very active in the Boone Historical Society and Mamie Eisenhower Birthplace and enjoyed and contributed to local history and geneology his entire life. Survivors include first cousins John McPherson, Joyce Jensen, Pam Jones and Karen Johnson. A graveside service will be held.   

       Margaret Ellen Johnson, 86, Story City. Five children survive, including Mark (Tammi) Quillen of Madrid. Graveside service in Story City. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Laura E. McConkey Herrig, 92, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Storm Lake. Married Fred Herrig in Omaha in 1949. Fred died in 1990. Laura always took pride in "looking her best" and in the 1980's and 90's, she worked at Marla's House of Larger Fashion. Eventually, she owned and operated Marla's House of Larger Fashion in Storm Lake before retiring in Boone. She became a well known door greeter at Walmart in Boone. Laura loved the outdoors, especially fishing, and she had a warm heart for animals. She and Fred were the parents of four daughters, including Judy, BHS-68, (Bill) Haberman of Spencer who survives. The deceased daughters are Barbara, BHS-69, Susan and Linda. Services in Boone.

       Charlotte Mae Anderson, 97, Boone/Eastern Star since 2019. Earned a GED in 1989. Married Ralph Anderson in 1947. Ralph passed in 2001. Charlotte was the head cook at the Imperial Inn Restaurant, then worked as a telephone operator at ISU. Retired in 1991. An active and faithful church member, she enjoyed cooking, baking, crocheting, floral arranging, reading, playing Bingo and Chinese Checkers. Survivors include a daughter, Alana (Lana) Russell of Boone, and two sons, including Darrell Anderson of Ogden. Services in Boone.

         Mary Margaret Neikirk, 80, Santa Fe, NM. Died January 14, 2026.  Born in Texas. BHS-64, where she excelled in academics and athletics. University of Texas in Austin and again excelled academically. Earned a B.S. in Physical Education. Taught at Brown University and then, earned a Master of Science degree at the University of North Carolina. Worked as a teacher/coach in Wisconsin and enrolled in the doctoral program at the University of Georgia and earned a Doctor of Education in P.E. in 1985. A lifelong learner, she studied gardening, horticulture, history, religion and learned Spanish and German. Moved to Santa Fe in 1983 and taught at Southwestern College and for various other programs. Mary loved animals and gardening while grappling with bipolar disorder most of her adult life. Four siblings survive and a COL is scheduled for May 2, 2026 in New Mexico.