BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       
       Debbie Jean Dennis Doran, 70, Boone. Passed away unexpectedly. Born in Fort Dodge. BHS-74. Married Rich Gustafson and they divorced. Married Gregg Elsberry. In 2012, married Daniel Montgomery Doran. She worked at the Boone Movie Theatre, Fareway, provided in-home daycare, Gates, Members 1st Community Credit Union and Vison Bank. Retired in 2020. Debbie loved unconditionally and found joy in the simple things, gardening, crafting, a good book and she and Dan met new friends as they traveled the world. Her patience and kindness were unmatched and above all, she cherished her family. Survivors include her husband, Daniel, her mother, Loretta Bass, both of Boone, several siblings, including Wes (Jennifer) Bass and Rick Dennis of Boone, and daughters, including Tonya (Kelly) Lyons and Courtney Rose (Kelly Tapper) of Boone and Lexus (Damian) Davidson of Ogden. Services in Boone. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       James Marvin Wilhite, 79, Boone. Born in Mason City. MCHS. Attended drafting school. Married Helen (Trask) Wilhite in Mason City in 1965. James drove a Fareway truck for many years prior to retirement in 2019. Before Fareway, he had worked for Star Equipment, Woodford Wheeler, Hansen Steel, a drafting company and a concrete company. He loved snowmobiling, fishing, gardening, canning, grilling, cooking, working on cars and, in his younger years,  racing them. Jim was a Little League Board Member and was happy helping his friends build, whether it was homes or garages. A daughter, Tori Wilhite, of Boone survives as do a sister and brother.        

        Annette Rae Olson Kelley, 84, Grinnell, formerly of Boone. Born in Sioux Rapids. SRHS. Earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Buena Vista and later, a Master's Degree in Education from the State University of Iowa. Married John Roy Kelley in Sioux Rapids in 1966. The couple lived in Virginia before returning to Iowa. Annette dedicated her professional life to education. She taught in the Sibley, Sioux Rapids and Boone school districts, retiring in 2000 after 32 years of teaching. A Sunday school teacher and Little League softball coach, she loved the outdoors. She also enjoyed playing gin, cheering for the football Hawkeyes and Minnesota Vikings. John died in 2014 and Annette is survived by a son and a daughter. Graveside service near Sioux Rapids.     

         Connie "Connie Sue" Lande Hopkins, 78, Ames. Madrid HS. Was a homemaker. In 1972, met Russell Houser and he survives, as do grandchildren and nieces. Connie found joy in life's simple pleasures. Was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and enjoyed puzzles. Cremation rites have been accorded.

WHO KNOWS THE FUTURE?

       An exciting time. 

       When you're staring at 92 and something positive occurs that limits your lounge time or those dreaded TV reruns, yes....you do get a special "rush" that something different and better may be occurring.

       For several coming months now, in the 900 block of South Jackson, we'll have something to study and criticise and the ability to exercise our personal opinion of the proceedings.

       A new house is being built across the street, at almost arms length. I know we'll appreciate any blockage of snow or wind next winter but we'll also miss the beautiful view of the golf course the other times of year. We couldn't have it both ways could we?

       We met the occupying couple, who are coming from the Ames/Nevada area the other day and the lady of the house made comment, "the view is what sold us," while the male was especially impressed with the "wonderful meal we had" at one of our local restaurants.

       That type of adoration for this community I've lived in and promoted for 80 years was, of course, music to my ears BUT my moment became giddy when they added, "Ames is just too big and that daily South Duff fight is too much."

       Those comments added to my recent thought that, perhaps, they're a sign of new times, that a reversal may, slowly, be underway.

       The 2020 census showed that Ames had a population of 66,427 and was the ninth most populous city in Iowa. Good for them.....and we appreciate the many good and varied  opportuities they present from just 15 miles away. P.S. almost half of that 66 plus are students at ISU.

       But then, I remember, my dad, Clint, an Ames High graduate of 1929, telling me that he delivered papers to a portion of the 10,000 residents, 10,261 to be exact. 

      In that 2020 census, Boone was credited with 12,460, a handful more than the 11,886 of 1930. I'm inclined to think its more than that today.

      Look, I don't expect Boone to EVER romp to 60,000 residents or even 50 or 40,000 or much less AND Ames will, no doubt, continue to grow even more as time passes.

     But to me, it is interesting to dream of any kind of substantial population increase in Boone's future with, perhaps, the addition of some of those Ames folks or others who have "had it" with the large city "feel" in comparison to our much slower but pleasant "laid back" Boone existence.

     Just wonderin'.  

        

        

 

          

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

     Neill Stark, 50, Pilot Mound.       

     Judy Loehrer, 83, Ames. Born in Boone. BSH-61. Earned an Associates of Arts degree from Boone Junior College. Her parents were Lawrence and Maxine (Dickerson) Loehrer. Judy was a long time employee of Principal Park Financial. She was an avid Iowa State Cyclone fan and deeply devoted to her family, especially her nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Survivors include a brother, Mike (Ann) Loehrer of  Dublin, Ohio and a sister, Kathy Lassen of Bluffton, South Carolina as well as several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass will be held, June 19, at Boone Sacred Heart and inurnment will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

       Harriet Marie Sharnweber Sprouse, 93, Camas, Washington. Born in Boone. 

       Eugene "Gene" Francis Mitchell, 79, Cherokee/Accura Health. Born near Winterset. United Community HS-65. His parents were Dale Leroy Sr. and Francis (Diehl) Mitchell. Army vet. Was an auto mechanic for John Deere in Ankeny. Then, in Denison, he worked for Peterson Manufacturing selling and installing livestock waterers. Eventually, he became an insurance agent. Gene enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and bowhunting especially. He also had a passion for wildlife photography and loved muscle cars. His main hobby was being a Ham radio operator and gaining friends all over the world. Survivors include three children, a brother, David (Cherylin) Mitchell, nephews Tim (Lori) and Jake Mitchell and a niece Kristin Mitchell all of Boone. Services have been held in Denison. 

SCHOOL SIZE DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE

       If you happened to read the recent Korner story, "Boone Man "Saves" the IHSAA", you may have noticed that some 80 years ago, at the organization's beginning, mention is made of  1300 or so schools in Iowa that claimed earliest membership in the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

        My, my, times do change and a look at current IHSAA membership, in comparison, shows, in graphic detail, how much Iowa's educational platform has changed through the years. 

        The very latest membership figures show that today there are not 1300 members, not close at all. These days, there are  just 363 total members, thanks or no thanks to school consolidation. However, only 286 of the 363 have 100 students or more in their senior grades.

        Those last 100 include the final two, Diagonal and North Iowa Christian of Mason City, with just 20 students each. 

        Its that wide disparity in numbers, 1 to 363, that result in the IHSAA dividing its membership into classes,......5A, 4A etc...... in various state tournament offerings, an effort to "even out the field"....making the competition more fair, more realistic.

        Yes, admittedly, the excitement of the "little guy" upsetting his much bigger opponent was thrilling..... Dunkerton stopped Des Moines Roosevelt, 22-20, to win the state basketball championship in 1933 and in '37, it was Melrose topping Marshalltown, 35-17. However, those instances were few and far between and today, such outrageous results would be even more limited, if not completely impossible.

        We'll dazzle you a bit now with some current figures you may find interesting.

        Here are the enrollment figures of the "top ten" largest schools in Iowa .......and, perhaps, surprisingly, nine of the ten are in the Des Moines metro area. 

        Number one has made that claim for many years.....and it isn't close......West Des Moines Valley with 2,236 students. Johnston is second at 1,796, 440 fewer students, and that brings up some "talk" that is always mentioned but never seems to completely end.

        The skeptics say, "with that much of an advantage, that many more potential athletes to choose from, they (Valley) should win every championship, every year. Or, why doesn't the Valley district split into two or more schools, like Waukee or Ankeny have?" That, of course, is a local decision.

        Here's the remainder of the Top Ten. Southeast Polk, 1,757; Linn-Mar, Marion, 1,692; Des Moines Lincoln, 1,692; Waukee Northwest, 1,599; Ankeny Centennial, 1,511; Des Moines Roosevelt, 1,494; Waukee, 1,432 and Des Moines East, 1,425.   

        Its with pride and yet, great sadness, oldtimers like me lament the fact that the old six team Central Iowa Conference, which began in 1927, had a very successful run until the late 60's before things started falling apart.

        In its prime, that old CIC held its head high with fierce competition within, numerous sparks of domination outside and a widely circulated reputation as one of the best leagues in Iowa.

        Today, those proud six members are, oftentimes, disparaged more than cheered, simply unable to match their larger competitors and their current enrollment figures show the discrepancy.

        Marshalltown was and is the biggest of the six but just 17th largest in the state with 1,242 students. Ames is 26th with 1,076; Newton 53rd with 654; Boone 63rd with 515; Oskaloosa 65th with 490 and Grinnell 73rd with 408. 

         At random, here are a few schools, not previously mentioned, and their current standing. Ankeny, 11th with 1,385; Dowling Catholic 27th with 1,071; Urbandale 33rd with 980; Indianola 37th with 900, Dallas Center Grimes 42nd with 817 and Norwalk 44th with 801.   

         Ogden is the 184th largest with 179 while Madrid is 227th at 149.

         After an earlier run in the Little Hawkeye Conference, in 2024, the Boone School Board rejected an invitation to join the Heart of Iowa Conference and their current league affiliation is the Raccoon River Conference. Those members are, from largest to smallest, Bondurant-Farrar 54th with 653; Carlisle 59th with 573; Boone 63rd with 515; Adel, ADM 64th with 499; North Polk 67th with 467; Ballard 69th with 438; Winterset 78th with 399; Gilbert 80th with 391 and Carroll 90th with 359. 

         Through the years, the enrollment numbers do change......some schools bigger, some smaller. The result, oftentimes, is the change of conference affiliation in an effort, along with the IHSAA Class system, to pair, when possible, member schools in a more fair, more balanced chance for success.

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

       Cecil R. Barnes, 79, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Boone. BHS-65. Worked for Walters Sanitary Service. At 25, Cecil suffered a work accident which resulted in amputation of both legs. After the accident, good friend Howard Van Cannon welcomed Cecil into his home. Then, in the 80's, Cecil lost his vision. Despite these setbacks, Cecil never let it stop him from "having fun." He was known for his quick wit, his love for cars, his stubbornness and perfectly timed one-liners. Nothing much held him back and he loved following Iowa State sports, especially women's basketball. Due to his calling in sale items and friends birthdays on KWBG, he became known as "The Godfather of Tradio." Survivors include many members of the Van Cannon family. Services in Boone and Moingona.

       Daniel Earl Larson, 75, Stratford. Services in Stratford.

       Beverly Deanna Jensen, 87, DeWitt. Born in Boone. Services in DeWitt/Clinton. 

       Denise Susan Miller, 71, Mt. Joy, PA. Earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Boone Campus, DMACC. Was a Registered Nurse who worked at several area hospitals. Services in Pennsylvania. 

       Thomas Eugene Shaeffer, 88, Omaha. Born in Boone. Huxley HS. 

       Judge Victor Glen Lathrop, 76, Ames. Was a racing enthusiast and loved spending time at the Boone Speedway.

       Mark James Kean, 63, Des Moines. Born in Boone. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Herman Junior Bruxvoort, 90, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Born in Boone. Services in Grand Rapids.       

       Richard "Dick" Lee Carr, 94, Ames. Born in Boone. Services in Ames.      

       Susan "Susie" Louise Erickson Holliday, 84, Des Moines. Born in Nebraska. She and her husband, Bob spent one week each summer at the Boone YMCA Camp. Services in Des Moines.

       Charlotte "Char" Tjello, 80, Boone/Eastern Star. Services in Dayton.

       Robert Joseph Batty, 74, Boone/Rolling Green Village, Nevada. 

       King Robert Paschell, 71, Bouton. Survivors include a nephew, Jon (Shannon) James of Boone. Services in Perry.