BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Eric Allen Wiederholt, 53, Ankeny. Born in Ames. His parents are Bob and Pat (Adkins) Wiederholt. BHS-92. Eric was a true homebody who found comfort in familiar places, meaningful friendships and the simple joys of everyday life. He had several jobs, including 22 years as a Warehouse Manager for Spectrum Lighting in Urbandale. He had a passion for trains, spent hours model railroading and was a past member of the Central Iowa Railroad Club at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. A dressed up black Ford F-150 was a special dream truck he owned. He was also animal friendly and a registered organ donor. His parents were his main survivors. Visitation in Des Moines.

A PERSONAL OBIT; A LIFELONG FRIENDSHIP

        Well, I've done it! I've put it off long enough.

        I mean......let's face facts......I've had a wonderful 91 plus years and hope to move on to 92 in March and even beyond that.

        But, I've never wanted the thought of leaving this world with remaining relatives trying to piece together my life's story.......

        As a result, I've finally addressed those concerns, one less task facing their imput.

        There are some things I'm especially proud of and I don't want them diminished. I'm hopeful this will make things easier for survivors who would face a helter-skelter task of trying to put something together at a last minute.

        Then too, I guess I'm urging Korner viewers to follow the same script. Time does pass and, especially those older folks, must think about the inevitable too. A previously written obituary should make things much easier on those survivors.

        So, think about it.

K-----K

        Gary Richard Grosnickle (1936-2026). 

        In all our years, I never heard a word about that Richard part.

        Another great friend gone. The Kelley family moved to Boone as their lone son, that's me, was set for entrance into seventh grade, and, somehow, Gros and I connected in those earliest days. Who ever thought this would become a lifelong, almost 80 year friendship?

        We were classmates, BHS-53, we were both north siders and both Crawford Street residents.

        Yes, sports probably had the most to do with our togetherness. We were avid participants in whatever sports were provided in those days. If you saw Gros, you probably saw me and reverse.

        I was always awed by his many achievements. I don't think I've ever known a  tougher competitor. I always cited something I witnessed at the very older (two times ago) YMCA where, in those days, was a somewhat limited place to spend our spare time.

       Various contests were always made available and I'm sure Gros had never devoted much time to table tennis until a tournament in that event was set up. He breezed to the championship. Apparently had the skill set to quickly master such competition against many who had spent hours devouring that skill.

       Of course, at Boone High School, there was football, basketball and track and then, don't forget, at 13 years of age, the only baseball available was the Junior Legion variety which leaned toward 17 or 18 year olds. Gary was an exceptional athlete in all those sports AND, he took up golf in his later years and, of course, performed well at that as well.

       To make a long story shorter, Gary became an excellent young baseball catcher, good enough to sign a professional contract with the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He gave it a good shot....playing a few years in the minor leagues at Ardmore, OK., Paducah, KY. and a couple other places before he became a victim of a complete Cardinal "cleansing" of all of their upcoming prospects. Thus, he gave his pro ideas up, coming home, to Boone, Iowa, where he grew up.

      Perhaps the most important thing I ever did for my partner was to take credit for urging him to pursue what became a lifelong marriage. 

     Gary had indicated he had his mind set on a young lady but needed a "push" in that direction which I happily provided. I'll never forget it. We were in downtown Boone one evening and I talked him into calling Delores McNaughton, BHS-52, from one of those outside telephones that always seemed available.

     He hesitated but followed up and, eventually, I was honored to be the Best Man at the wedding that, eventually, followed.

    The couple remained in Boone for some time but then, a permanent move was made to Bella Vista, Ar. and our long friendship became more limited to the traditional holiday cards, a note or two now and then and some phone calls every so often.

     Those Boone times were good times....actually, great times.....never to be forgotten, especially with so many of them being closely involved with Gary RICHARD Grosnickle.

K-----K 

     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 1-515-230-0267. Leave a message. To email your stories/memories/comments/death notices.....https:/kelleyskorner1@blogspot.com. 

     
 

         

        

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Randy Glen Cartee, 67, Boone. Born in Denver. His parents were Bernard and Sally Cartee. Randy worked at a diner and in a home improvement business in Alabama. A move was then made to Minnesota and Fort Dodge to be closer to family. Randy worked for Archway for 20+ years and when that facility closed, he worked for PDM until retirement. He married Jean Hopkins in Boone in 1986. He loved animals, hunting, fishing, trapping and traveling to Vegas, where he was an avid gamer, especially at video poker. Randy was also a good cook and found joy in flying drones and watching movies. Survivors include his wife, Jean, three sons and three sisters. Services in Boone.     

       Keith Wyn Nielsen, 74, Boone/Eastern Star. Retired in 2018 and later, moved to Boone to near his sons. Three sons survive, including Mark Nielsen of Boone. Services in Waverly and Tripoli.     

       Bryan W. Milam, 64, Boone. No services planned. 

       James Fredrick Scheuerman, 86, Boxholm. Born in rural Grand Junction. GJHS-58. Iowa National Guardsman for several years. Married Sandra Murphy. Then, was married to Janice Hulebus in Des Moines in 1976. Janice passed in 2008. Jim worked for Underground Constructors of Minnesota, installing gas pipelines. Was a hog buyer for Wilson Foods of Dubuque and served Boxholm as the Mayor for 12 years. Jim enjoyed fishing trips, keeping his lawn immaculate and his biggest passion  was Modified Dirt Racing. Survivors include two sons, including James Brett "Charlie" Scheuerman of Boxholm, a daughter and two siblings. A COL in Dayton followed by burial in Boxholm.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Stephan M. Lang Sr., 81, Moline, IL. Survivors include two daughters, one daughter is Joyce Baldwin of Boone.

       Margaret Karol Weigel Fitzgerald, 88, Wichita, KS. Born in Boone. Her parents were Leonard and Gladys (Wood) Weigel. With her dad's early passing, she was raised by stepfather Jessie and Gladys Jordstad. McCallsburg HS-56. Survivors include her husband, Eugene Fitzgerald, and a brother, Roland (Deloris) Weigel of Ames among others. Services in Kansas.

       Albert Byron Little, 82, Waterloo. Married Gloria Graves in 1972 at the family home in Boone. After early Air Force service, Albert worked as an ENT and then owned his own business, "Appraisal Associates" from 1982-2006. A COL will be held later.         

       Patricia (Patty) Joy Burns, 86, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Perry. PHS-58. Married Richard (Dick) Burns in 1959 in Granger. Dick passed in 2004. Patty worked for John Clark Realty and then owned her own, Patty Burns Realty. She loved ISU athletics, scrolling on facebook, playing games on an I-Pad or computer, going to casino's and in earlier days, golfing. Survivors include a daughter, Andrea (Robert) (BHS-87) Cook, a sister and brother. A COL in Boone and burial near Granger.

       Helen Thorson, 91, Clarinda. Survivors include a grand-daughter, Talia (Toni) Monroe of Boone. Services in Clarinda and Humboldt. 

A SAD ENDING

       Strange.....but I think its just because our travels recently took us to the Ninth and Story area.

       Anyway, the memories started flowing about all the activity there in much earlier days. Specifically, I'm referring to the northeast corner of the Ninth and Story location. 

       The highlight of that area was Mrs. Fox popcorn stand........and watching her operate, using up to the elbow, special gloves and viewing that popper in action, which had, seemingly, never been completely cleaned (that was the secret to the wonderful popcorn). I recall it being  a darkish, almost blackened popper with lots of buttery substance surrounding it in abundance.

       Some might remember the near-by ornamental city water fountain at waist high and flowing. Unfortunately, not the most sanitary condition, it could and did attract thirsty dogs or even horses, on occasion, as well as the normal patrons. 

       Just a bit north of the popcorn stand was a stairway to the stars. A rather lengthy jaunt up to a small booth sitting high above the railroad tracks. In those years, a regular employee's job, from that booth, was to command the railroad crossing signals when trains approached. None of this automatic stuff like we have these days.

K-----K

       Regarding our recent report on the Ledges, an individual answered with, "we used to go to the Ledges to look at the girls. Now, its the leaves"

       And, regarding our talk about the loss of land line phones, Ann Onemus wrote, "so many people are disconnecting. Its a different time in the communications industry." Was wondering about any alarm system or medical monitoring systems and if providers of these services do have wireless or wifi capability? Question asked is, "how robust is your cellular network in an emergency such as an outage or tornado?" Hard lines are for the most part buried, automatically redundant and self powered with large battery backups." 

K-----K

       CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BOONE HIGH GIRLS SWIM TEAM.......WINNING THE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE NORTH CENTRAL IOWA CONFERENCE MEET.

       I, the Kornerman, also want to recognize Jill Lutz, who authored a great and complete story on this great swim team success.

       For COMPLETE details, take a look at her story on the KWBG website.

       I must admit, it sickens me to take a look at the very limited Boone News Republican coverage of our Boone High School athletic events and all the young people involved. Its subscribers are just being fed a few bones. Nothing very serious and/or detailed.

       O.K. I know, I'm an old dog referring, somewhat, to the "old days" when I, for many years, was Sports Editor of the REAL Boone News Republican.   

       I hear it all the time......about those former players, still hanging on to scrapbooks of articles and pictures of their successes.......and wanting their kids to have the same long time memories.of a great portion of their lives.

      That's it.....enough....I'm done......to me its just sad, very sad.

K-----K

       Worldwide Kelley's Korner is still located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. NEW PHONE NUMBER is 1-515-230-0267. Leave a message. To email your stories/memories/comments/death notices......https:/kelleyskorner1@blogspot.com

       

        

        

        

        

       

       

        

        

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Ann E. Reiter, 86, Ames/Green Hills. Married Ken Reiter who served United Church of Christ in several locations in Iowa, including in Madrid. Three children survive. Services in Ankeny. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Gary Richard Grosnickle, 90, Springdale, Arkansas. Born in Boone. BHS-53. Attended Boone Junior College.His parents were Arthur and Amy Grosnickle. Gary married Delores McNaughton in Boone in 1957. He enjoyed family and friends, entertaining, traveling and their family pets. Gary began his professional career in sales and became an insurance agent for 20 years. He and Delores have spent their retirement years in Bella Vista, Arkansas. An avid sportsman, Gary made his mark as an outstanding Toreador athlete in football, basketball, baseball and track. As a baseball catcher, he signed a professional contract with the St. Louis Cardinals organization and spent several years in minor league play. He had a passion for golf and played every chance he got. He'll be remembered for his outgoing personality, sense of humor and love of life. Survivors include his wife, Delores, a niece, Dianna Anderson and brother-in-law, Glen McNaughton, both of Boone and a sister-in-law, Glenda McNaughton (John) Okland of Kelley.     

       Daryl G. Boelman, 93, Boone/Westhaven. Born in Belmond. University of Dubuque. Masters degree at Northern Colorado. Married Ruth Candelaria in 1954. Taught elementary for the first eight years of a long career in education. Became an elementary principal in 1963 and moved to Boone in 1965 where he remained until retirement in 1994. Daryl will be remembered for his little shake of your elbow while visiting, his gentle teasing and sense of humor. He had a great memory, even during his time at Westhaven, where he still remembered the names and faces of students and families he had worked with. An active church member, he volunteered for various organizations, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and others. Two daughters survive, Dara, BHS-76, (Gary) McLeod and Joleen, BHS-78, (John) Kile. A graveside service will be followed by church services.

       Susan "Sue" Mary Garland McIntosh, 78, Chillicothe, MO. Her parents were James and Lois (Banford) Garland. BHS-67. She worked in customer service at Golden Corral and McDonald's. A devoted mother, her family was her pride. She had a passion for shopping and found immense happiness in the simple pleasures of life, especially when surrounded by her loved ones. Survivors include two daughters, Chelsa (Darlene) McIntosh and Michelle (Herman) Pipes, grandchildren and a brother, James, BHS-70, Garland. Services in Chillicothe.