A NICE TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND

       I, the Kornerman, absolutely feel I must give a "shout out" to a long time great friend, Gary Long, BHS-73.

       Scanning the internet the other day, much to my surprise, I,  came across a tribute to Gary.

       What I discovered in my internet travels was a video that featured Joe Gibbons. He was one member of the Gibbons family, who became very well known for their success in the sport of wrestling. Brothers Joe, Jim and Jeff Gibbons won 10 state high school championships and had one runnerup finish in the late 70's and into the early 80's. The threesome had a combined state tournament record of 40 wins and one loss.

        Joe led the way with four state championships, two representing Ames High and two as a Waterloo Columbus entrant. As an Iowa State Cyclone, he became a two-time Big Eight Conference champion and in 1985, won an NCAA title.

         The video I witnessed featured Joe reviewing his wrestling career while speaking from the Waterloo Columbus wrestling facility.

          What caught my Boone eye was the fact he mentioned that his coaches there were Dennis Getz and Gary Long. In his younger days, Gary, himself, had been a pretty good wrestler, making a couple state tournament appearances as a Toreador and then competing in the sport at Coe College. He spent part of his career in education at Columbus.

          I immediately wondered if Gary was aware of this "notice." He was. I caught up with him at the Villages in Florida where he spends winter time. By phone, he felt very "humbled" by the reference from one of Iowa's greatest wrestlers.

          P.S. When we talked, Gary was enroute to a Detroit Tigers spring baseball training game WITH Pat Olofson, BHS-69, another former Toreador, who also escapes the Iowa winter with residence in the Villages.

          ONE MORE THING: Gary Long will return to Boone in a week or so to again fulfill an obligation he has enjoyed for a number of years. This will be the 49th consecutive YEAR he has worked in the statistics crew at the Iowa Boys High School State Basketball tournament. Yup, he tells me he's hoping to return for at least one more year....his 50th in 2027.  

K-----K

        Vern Modeland, BHS-50, is always a good resource for "the way things used to be" in Boonetown.In fact he noted that, "I'm now older than Boone history." 

        Reporting from his Ozarks destination, Vern wrote, "I had a flash, particularly about the ice skating that was the winter occupation with the then-old Fred Crary gliding along with hands folded behind him among those of us who packed the backed-up creek at McHose Park from first freeze to last, circa 1940's and 50's era."

        Referring to another mention we've made in the Korner recently, Vern had this to say, "the very first airport after World War II was on Division Street, just north of the big Ripley barn on the way to the city dump. It was a flying school started by a World War II returned flyer with his military bonus money. His name was  "Bud" St. John. I cut the very ample grass around the house he and his wife shared and helped out any other way I could. In return, I got my very first flight in any airplane and some early lessons. He had a green Piper J-3 and a yellow Piper L-4 that had been an observation plane for the Army in an earlier life. The airport featured a runway of pasture grass, not the fancy runways out there east of town now."

K-----K

       For some reason, I received a copy of a Boone News Republican sports page from many years ago that I found interesting. Unfortunately, I have no idea what year it was. But, right there, before these old eyes was a Kelley's Korner, which I have to assume was sometime between 1962 when the Korner was started and 2010 when we went strictly online. It appears to be from the late 60's.

      The main topics were an "I" Club meeting attended in Fort Dodge by Boone fans and some Toreador football talk. 

       But the real attraction was........"a Bon Appetite advertisement, chicken and noodles at 85-cents, baked swiss steak $1.00 and fried filet of Perch, 85-cents." 

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. 

        

        

        

        

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Naomi Anyelin Castaneda-Sosa, 12, Boone. Born in Boone. Was a seventh grade student at Boone Middle School. She played the flute in the school band, enjoyed singing, volleyball, playing Roblox and shopping. Her parents, Ana Sosa and Christian Castenada, of Boone survive as do her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, godmothers and godfathers and many close school friends, including her best friend, Mia Randolph. Services in Boone and burial in Mexico.      

        Margaret Ann Grabau Carter, 78, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-66. Married Dennis Carter in 1972. Margaret was a stay-at-home mom until 1991 when she started part time work as a dietary aide at the Evangelical Free Church Home. She was a life church member and belonged to the Red Hats group. Survivors include her husband, Dennis, of Boone and three children including Pam, BHS-1997, (Mike) Baumgardner, of Boone. Services at a later date.

       Carroll "David" Wilson, 72, Boone. Born in Oklahoma. Omaha North HS-72. Navy vet. Married Karen Matthies in 1974 in Omaha. The couple moved to Boone in 1975. Davd worked a short time at the Woodward State Hospital, the Iowa State University mail room and the Urbandale Post Office until health issues evolved. He enjoyed fishing, putting model kits together, was a master at trivia, telling stories and early on, helping his son with scouting. David enjoyed nature, birds especially, with the Baltimore Oriole, his favorite.Survivors include his wife, Karen Wilson, three children, Jared, Kaylene and Carolyn Wilson, and four siblings. Service in Stratford.

BOONE/AREACONNECTED DEATHS

       Carroll David Wilson, 72, Boone. Services in Stratford.      

        Debra Davis-Pooley, 69, Boone. Born in Chicago. Morrison, ILHS. Married Phillip Pooley in Clinton in 1990. Attended Sauk Valley Community College and worked at CNA for over 25 years. She loved playing cribbage, skip-bo, rummy, spades, playing dice, using puzzle books to put puzzles together, camping, fishing and drag racing. Several Boone survivors including two daughters, Tammy (Dennis) Benton and Tina (Lucas Sauer) Stuart, two granddaughters, Caroline (Austin) Cristobal, of Madrid and Maria Cabrera of Boone and three grandsons, Mac Cristobal, Michael Cabrera and Brandon Stuart all of Boone. No services are planned.

       Darlene "Dar" Pate Evenski, 71, Boone. Born in Minnesota. The family moved to Madrid and Dar worked at her mom's cafe, Min's Cafe. Madrid HS-73. After a stay in Minnesota, Dar returned to Madrid, then moved to Boone in 1994. Started work at the Woodward Resource Center but spent most of her working years at the Madrid Home and helping with the family business, Pate's Produce. Dar retired from the Madrid Home. She loved Bingo, enjoyed word search puzzle books, traveling and country music. Two children, Lisa (Tyler Davis) Anderson and Willis Evenski, both of Boone, survive. Five grandchildren, including three from Boone, Michelle Dickerson, Connor Anderson and Paige Anderson, also survive as well as a bonus grandson, Timothy Sheridan Jr., also of Boone. A COL at a later date.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Dorothy C. "Char" Sawyer Millard, 88, Boone/Westhaven. Born in Boone. BHS-56, Boone Junior College and Drake University. Married Gerald "Jerry" Millard in Boone in 1960. Char found joy in playing the piano, painting, reading, teaching and tutoring children. She was dedicated to education and service. Survivors include her husband, Jerry, of Boone, the couples children and grandchildren. Services at Linwood Park later.      

        Nadene Marie (Meyer) Kirton, 79, Woodward. Survivors include a son, Bryant Alan Kirton, of Ogden and two other children. A COL will be held.       

       Jennifer "Jeni" Leigh Betten Wilson, 51, Redfield. Born in Alabama. BHS-93. She loved Spanish, piano and golf while in high school. Lived in Spain for a year as a Foreign Exchange Student. Attended the University of Iowa, majoring in International Business and minoring in Spanish. She owned the Rock Star Bar and Grill in Des Moines where she shared piano and singing talents. Jen also performed in small groups at Prairie Meadows and sang with local bands. She displayed many talents, as a translator, personal chef and in customer service at Des Moines Firestone, in charge of dealers in Central and South America. She enjoyed cooking, planting, gardening and was a prolific painter. Jen worked five years at TL Snyder Corporation, a consulting firm for Stine Seeds. Survivors include her parents, Linda (Paul) Millis and Lonnie (Cathy) Gaumer and sister, Jessie Gaumer, all of Boone. Two sons and a brother also survive. Services in Boone.       

       Jo Ann Weyer Ruther, 88, Ogden/Eastern Star. Born in Monticello. Woodward HS-56. Married Alan Ruther of Boxholm in 1960 in Boxholm. Worked 20 years at Ogden Manor/Acura and six years at the Iowa DOT before retirement. The couple enjoyed attending the Knoxville races and listening to country music. Jo Ann also enjoyed crocheting, knitting and reading. In early life, she was a "practice baby" in the Home Economics program at Iowa State where students cared for infants from orphanages until she was adopted by Orville and Dorothy (Frazier) Weyer of Woodward. Jo's husband, Alan, and four children survive. A COL will be scheduled at a later date.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Sarah Maria Kraayenbrink, 2 1/2 months, Boone/Children's Hospital/Omaha. Born in Boone. Survivors include her parents, Gerrit (Rakel) Kraayenbrink, and several other Boone residents, siblings Lydia, Martha, Julia, Titus, Stephen, Anita, Daniel, Andrew and Matthew Kraayenbrink and paternal grandparents, Jake (Betty) Kraayenbrink all of Boone. Several Boone based aunts and uncles also survive including Jacob, Jane, Grace, Cornelia, Janell and Ellen Kraayenbrink.Services in Stratford.

       Randy Lee Alber, 70. Born in Postville, IA. Married Linda in 1975 and spent time working for Schwan's and then, the Union Pacific Railroad. He enjoyed music, cooking and classic TV. Survivors include his wife, Linda, sons Chevy (Sarah) and Quincy (Julia) Alber and his siblings, Jeffrey, Tad and Chad Alber, Joy Miller and Kristi Rupprecht. Graveside service in Ossian, IA.   

        Evelyn Bohrer Henry, 79, Luther/Boone Hospital. Born in West Virginia. Twenty year U.S. Navy vet. Married Marvin Henry in 1964 and the couple made their home in Luther. Survivors include her husband, Marvin, a son, James, a daughter, Virginia, a brother, Paul Bohrer and four sisters, Edna, Ernestine, Gladys and Wilma. Services in Madrid and Ridgeway, MO.     

       Sandra Trow Peters, 78, Story City. Was a hairdresser for 42 years. Among the survivors is a son, Jeffrey Peters of Boone.

       Judith Ann Bennett Aschehoug, 82, Granite Bay, CA. Survivors include a sister, Jean Engstrom, of Stratford. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATH

       Brian James Bushore, 58, Boone. Died of lung NSIP. Born in Boone. BHS-85. He pursued a degree in computer science at DMACC and Iowa State University. Worked several years at Barilla and since 2007, bravely fought NSIP. He was passionate about reading and loved helping others in need, be it family or friends. When he could, he cared for his father and extended family and was a donor for the Iowa Donor Network. Survivors include his mother, Patricia (Knight) Bushore, and his brother, Chris (Cindi) Brunette Bushore and their three children. Services in Boone.

        Roberta Maxwell Olson, 87, Boone/Eastern Star. U.S. Navy vet. Married Willis Olson in California. The couple moved to Boone in 2017. A sister, Lois (Jim) Magee survives. 

        Darlene Rozella Olson Patterson, 92, Story City/Bethany Life. Born in rural Stratford. SHS-51. Played basketball for the Indians. Married Wendell Patterson in Stratford in 1952. The couple lived briefly at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas but returned to Stratford in 1955. Moved to Story City in 1962. Darlene worked as a bookkeeper at Cargill and, eventually, for Professional Property Management in Ames until retirement in 1999. The couple loved to travel and when Wendell passed in 2009, Darlene's life at Timberland and Bethany Life brought out the best in her, visiting with residents and staff members. Survivors include her five children, several foster children and a foreign exchange student. Three sisters also survive. Services at St. Petri Lutheran Church 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

        Jack E. Balcom, 94, Boone/Westhaven. Born in Iowa City. Owasa HS. Married Sherill Barstad in Boone in 1958. Army vet. Jack was an avid sports fan, watching college and NBA basketball. He also loved the outdoors, camping, boating and gardening. Survivors include his wife, Sherrill, a daughter, Brenda Pipes, two sons, Curtis and Clark Balcom, and two brothers, Bob and Paul Balcom. A COL will be held at a later date.

        Thomas Earl Tilley, 77, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-66. Married Jean Carlberg in Boone in 1971. Worked at Pritchard Brothers and Percival Manufacturing in Boone, followed by 33 years at the 3M company in Ames. He had started in the warehouse, became a Production Team Leader, Maintenance Supervisor and retired in 2006 as an Outsourcing Administrator. Tom was an avid gardener and outdoorsman, enjoyed tending his large garden space and freely shared with others. He also loved  hunting and fishing. Survivors include his wife, Jean, a daughter, Robyn (Paul) Greteman of Carroll and a son, Derek (Donette) Tilley of Stratford, a brother, Jeff, and sister, Karen (Nile) Richey both of Stratford and an aunt, Arlys Westrum, of Boone. Services in Boone.

        Denise Zunkel Van Pelt, 69, Ogden. OHS-75. Married Steve Van Pelt in Ogden in 1977. Steve passed away in 2016. Deb is one of six girls and the middle child of the famous Boone County Zunkel triplets. Worked at Gates for 31 years until it closed. Did some kitchen work at Pizza Ranch and Whatcha Smokin. In 2011, started working at ISU in janitorial services and finished her work career in Food Service for the Boone schools. Retired January 1, 2026, due to a health issue. Denise loved family gatherings with the Zunkel and Van Pelt clan. Following their daughters sports activities was a must and she loved mowing her lawn and following Cyclone sports. Survivors include her daughters, Amy (Lindsy) Van Pelt, and Boone resident, Nicole (Troy) Showers and four sisters, Debbie (Rick) Gustoff of Boone and Patty, Vicki and Cindy. Services in Ogden.