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.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Jerry Ray Augustine, 75, Boone. Born in Minnesota. Raised in Moorhead, MN and Overland Park, KS. Shawne South Mission HS.Worked in the optical field. Jerry was an avid fisherman, even dedicating  a room in his home to his favorite hobby. A son, Travis, survives. Burial in Boone, followed by a COL in Boone. 

       Robert Eugene "Bob" Gohn, 77, Madrid. Born in Missouri. His parents were Mary and Paul Gohn. MHS-68. Bob married Rene Morgan in 1994 in Adel. The couple made Madrid their home. Army vet. He worked at Parkview Manor, Oscar Meyer, United Brick and Tile and Hy-line International. Bob was a jack of all trades and enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, mushroom hunting, searching for arrowheads and being outdoors. Survivors include his wife, Rene, and four children, two of them, Amy (John) McCormick and Jamie (Mandy) Morgan, are Madrid residents.Three sisters also survive, Kathy, Loretta and Connie. Services in Madrid. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Gaylord Paulson, 98, Boone/Westhaven. Born in South Dakota. Married Mary Neilsen in 1955 and she passed in 1999. Married Audrey Powers Jensen in 2000 and she passed in 2023. Survivors include four step-daughters, Marcia (John) Bade, Laurie (Jerry) Wright, Annette (Jeff) Nading and Kristin (Paul) Reimann. Private family graveside service in Sioux Falls, SD.       

       Gary Grosnickle, 90, Bella Vista, AK area. A former Boone resident. BHS-53.        

       Diana "Di" Weddell, 82, Boone. Born in Clarion. ISU and Eagle Grove Community College. Married James "Jim" Weddell in 1963. The couple moved to Boone in 1966. Diana worked at Hawkeye Savings and Loan and then as office manager for Pollard Family Dentistry. She appreciated nature, time at the family cabin in Minnesota and traveling. She was also a dog lover. Di suffered through some dementia challenges but was always known as "the sweetest, kindness" lady. Two children survive, Michael (Jamie) Weddell of Alaska and Jana (Randy) Stambaugh of Boone. A sister, Sue (Jim) Snider of Boone also survives. A COL is planned.       

       Rebecca Lou  "Becky" Johnson, 76, Colo. Survivors include a son, Dennis (Rita) Stoeffer of Boone. A COL in Nevada and burial in Colo. 

EMERGENCY.......

       At Kelley's Korner we seldom interrupt regular service with special notifications BUT.....

       THIS IS THE TIME AND THE PLACE........IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE LEDGES STATE PARK.....SOON.

        THE ROADS ARE GREAT SINCE THE LATEST PAVED WORK ON THEM AND THE WEATHER, OF COURSE, THIS TIME OF YEAR......FANTASTIC.

         JO AND I JUST FINISHED A TRIP THROUGH.....AND THE BEAUTY OF THAT PARK CANNOT BE ADEQUATELY DESCRIBED. IT HAS TO BE THE BEST OF ALL IN IOWA.

         AND, THE PLACE WAS OVERLOADED WITH PEOPLE OF ALL SIZES AND SHAPES AND BACKGROUNDS ENJOYING A WONDERFUL DAY

         YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED BY A QUICK TRIP.......SUCH BEAUTY AND UNBELIEVABLE ACTIVITY BY PEOPLE AND CARS FROM.......EVERYWHERE.

         FIND A WAY TO GET THERE AND THEN TELL ME LATER, "YOU WERE RIGHT. THANKS FOR LETTING ME KNOW"

          

 

 

          

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Steven Wesley Shaler, 85, St. Cloud, MN. Born in Boone. BHS-59. His parents were Signe and Wesley Shaler. Air Force vet. After service, he moved to Minneapolis to work for Northwestern Federal Savings. There, he met and in 1969, in Des Moines, married Wendelyn (Wendy) Gilman. Steve built a career in savings, loan and financial services. In 1975, he became President of First Federal Savings in Grand Rapids, MN and in 1995, he joined AgStar Financial Services in St. Cloud, retiring in 2008. A participant in several sports at Boone High, he became a lifelong runner, completing 13 marathons, including the famous Boston Marathon. He enjoyed reading, was a dapper dresser, loved cherry marshmallow malts and 1950's music. Every April, Steve met several of his high school teammates and lifelong friends, including Chuck McGrifff and Tim Croxen,, at the Drake Relays. Survivors include his wife, Wendy, daughters, Sara and Stephanie, and sisters, Sara, (BHS-55) Sally Harwood, Mary, (BHS-61) Day and Emily, (BHS-62) Osam. Service details pending.

       Barbara Ann "Barb" Hunt, 76, Newton. Born in Arkansas. Her parents were Clarence and Mildred (Nelson) Hunt. BHS-68. DMACC. Barb worked 10 years as an NFL seamstress before driving a special needs van for the Ogden school district for six years. She retired in 2017. Barb enjoyed knitting, crocheting, crafts, bird watching, gardening and yellow flowers, especially yellow roses and lily of the valley. Survivors include two daughters, Traci Wilcox of Newton and Jennifer West of Alaska. Three brothers, Jerry, James and Roger Hunt also survive.       

       Beth Ellen Meyer Stockton, 74, Diamond Bar, CA. Born in Boone in 1952. Her parents were Reuben and Rosella Freie Meyer. South Hamilton HS. Private family service.