Lester Kenneth Reed, 93, Boone/Eastern Star. BHS-50.
John L. Romitti, 89. Born in Madrid. MHS-53. Army vet. Married Judith A. Novak in 1966. While attending Drake, he worked for Firestone for six years. Worked for John Deere for over 30 years and also for Cub Foods and Target until retirement at age 83. He loved sports, the Packers and St. Louis Cardinals. Three children survive. Services in Oshkosh and Hayward, WI.
I, the Kornerman, have been gifted with 90 years of life, thus, 90 years of memories, some good, some bad, some of importance and many that have little or no significance.
If you have no time for the latter, simply turn away and get back to something that really matters.
You have to be pretty elderly (that's old) to fully appreciate one of my most recent memories. It goes back to the 1940's.
Ah yes, the 40's. No television. Few opportunities to witness, in person, many games "away from home." Girls basketball was still six-on-six and the boys who played that sport were unaware of a shot clock, a three-point play, video replays or even extra tall opponents. AND, all local games were played in a very old BHS gymnasium that featured a slanted balcony up top and steel supporting poles right under the baskets at each end.
I swear, those poles were an important part of our play......so close to the playing floor they were like a sixth man on defense and a helpful screener offensively. We actually had and used that advantage. They were part of our game plan. Just run your opponent into that pole. Seriously.
But, back to my memory. At this time of year, toward the end of the basketball seasons, a big time promoter, a Bobby Grund, took advantage of basketball fans who were yearning "to get out of the house" for any night of excitement after a long Iowa winter.
Grund, a short gentleman loaded with spitfire, definitely knew how to promote, how to pry on folks desires and "make a few bucks as well."
He formed a basketball team, the Iowa All-Stars, and the roster consisted of senior players who had just completed their season competing for various Iowa colleges. There was a player or two from Iowa and Iowa State and one from Northern Iowa and Drake and even the smaller schools like Central or Simpson provided players. Most of them had stellar careers, various team or league honors, breaking school records etc. Stats Grund could brag about as promotion "tools."
That team would travel the state playing in several communities against local opponents.......perhaps, the school faculty, or county all-stars. The matchups weren't that important. Just the "awe" of seeing current Iowa college stars "in person" was the main draw.
Then too, every so often, Grund would have a "special" attraction. Anybody remember Bombo Johnson?. He was a really big guy, probably a hefty seven footer or close to it. Truthfully, Bombo wasn't really wasn't much of a basketball player but he was big and Grund promoted him as kind of a cult figure. The younger generation, especially, got "caught up" in the Bombo hype. I know, I was probably one of them.
Remember, in those days, NIL, Name, Image and Likeness, and its endless thousands and even millions of dollars available for college athletes now were completely non-existent then. Grund provided his all-stars with a few bucks per game and they were glad to obtain even the paltry handout.
The gyms were usually "sold out" for these attractions, concessions were probably part of the "deal," the all star players received those few bucks each and the facility rent was cheap so guess who became the financial winner of the night....Bobby Grund ........and maybe Bombo?
It was a fun memory....... way back when life wasn't so serious.
K-----K
In a recent Korner we talked about the revitalization of that Boone welcome sign near Ninth and Story.
Loren Frazier, BHS-48, reminded of another sign that once "spanned Fourth Street, a little bit west of the Story Street intersection."
Loren wrote, "I think it said "Business District" and had an arrow pointing north, directing Highway 30 travelers to downtown Boone."
Lo and behold, Loren recalled a circa 1960 video of a trip on Highway 30 through central Iowa. Inspection of that video clearly showed the sign in question. It did say, "Business District - Boone" and had an arrow pointing north.
Once I saw the picture, I, the Kornerman, did remember that sign. Loren is wondering if it still exists, perhaps in someone's garage or barn?
K-----K
Andy D. Anderson, BHS-62, was in town recently for a classmate's funeral. He said four other classmates attended AND he added that 38-percent of his class has passed. It made him wonder how that compares to other classes?
While in town, Andy dropped off at the Boone County Historical Society a 33 1/3 record of Christmas Carols by the BHS chorus directed by Sterling Mische. He concluded, "I have no idea how I ever gained possession of that record."
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.
Mary L. Conard, 91, Boone/Eastern Star. Born in Marathon, IA. Married Howard Franklin Conard in 1952. Earned a GED in the late 60's and worked at Bethany Manor, H and R Block and assisted her husband on their farm. Howard passed in 2018. Mary found joy in decorating cakes, crafting, crocheting and knitting. She was a familiar face at farmers markets and craft shows and was an egg delivery lady at a dollar a dozen. Survivors include two daughters, Mary E. (David) Conard-Long and Suzann M. (Tom) Blair. Services in Mackey and Ridgeport.
Harrie Ray Buswell, 6, Owensboro, KY. Born in Carroll. Churdan HS-57. Air Force vet. Earned Bachelor's and Masters degrees from ISU and a PhD from the University of Georgia. Was a teacher, with service at ISU, Georgia Tech and Berea College. From the mid-70's to early 80's, he and his wife, Katy, owned and operated an appliance, electrical retail and service business in Ogden and Grand Junction. Survivors include his wife, Katy, and three daughters, including Laurie (Kris) Cook of Boone. A sister also survives.
Donald Buckley Dodd, Sr., 93, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-51. Army vet. Married Karen Finley, BHS-55, in Nashua in 1954. Earned an Associate's Degree from Boone Junior College. Was a U.S. Postal employee, worked as a draftsman part-time and served 37 years in the Iowa Army National Guard, ending as a Recruiter and Staff Sergeant. Don was a singer and enjoyed Big Band music. He was also a voracious reader and loved roller skating, bowling, pool, poker and golf. He maintained a large garden of vegetables and berries and the couple spent 18 years as snowbirds in Texas. Survivors include his wife, Karen, his children, Pam, Deb, Laura, Donna, Don Jr., Bill, Heidi and Bob. Pam is an Ogden resident while Deb and Laura reside in Boone. A brother, Ken Dodd, of Boone also survives. A private family service is pending.
Richard Charles Francis, 88, Boone. Born in Minnesota. Married Connie James in Waterloo in 1959. Richard was an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and riding motorcycles. Survivors include his wife, Connie, a daughter, Lori, and a son, Todd. Services in Boone.
Doris A. Berglund, 94, Boone/Courtyard Terrace. Born in Boxholm. Boxholm HS-48. Married Edward Berglund in Boxholm in 1949. An ISU graduate in 1969. She taught at Lincoln Elementary in Boone until retirement. Doris was an avid fan of ISU sports and was also involved in bridge clubs, quilting and needlework and traveling. She and Ed especially enjoyed visiting their daughter, Kathleen, in Sweden. Four children survive, including Mary Howe of Boone. Services in Boone and Boxholm.
Kathryn Elizabeth (Kit) Chance, (Pearson-Jaekel), 69, Boone. Born in Omaha. Kit found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She loved to read, cook and spend time with friends. Survivors include her husband, Douglas K. Chance, BSH-75, and daughters. Services pending.
Cynthia Ann Shadle Staebler, 86, Ogden/Madrid Home. OHS-57. Married William (Bill) Staebler in Ogden in 1957. Worked as a bookkeeper at Medical Associates Pharmacy in Boone for over 30 years. A frequent community volunteer, she loved to decorate their home and St. John's Church for the catholic holidays. Was also a member of Questers and enjoyed travels she and Bill made, especially to Portugal. Survivors include her husband, Bill, of Ogden and her brother, Joe Shadle, of Boone. Services in Ogden.
Susan Maureen Pendegraft, 71, Des Moines. Survivors include a sister, Diana (Tim) Shehan, of Boone. Services in Perry.
Melanie Ann Lee, 73, Ames. Survivors include a brother, Christopher Cottrill, of Boone. A family picnic will be held.
Janet Elizabeth Thomas Tait, 88, Boone/Westhaven. Born in Hollywood, CA. Minneapolis S.W. HS-54. Grinnell College-58. Taught briefly in Cedar Rapids. Married James Tait in Minneapolis in 1958. The couple lived in Minnesota until moving to Boone in 1973. Janet worked at ISU in the Biology Program for 25 years until retirement. Very active, she was the secretary for the Boone Habitat for Humanity for 24 years, secretary for the board of the Boone County Historical Society for 10 years and for a short time, was president of the History Center Board until 2019. She was also an active member of the
Episcopal Church where she served as organist for nearly 10 years. Janet loved to read and sew, work puzzles and watch Hallmark movies. Husband Jim died in 1991.Survivors include her daughter, Kathie (Kevin) Cottrell of Boone and son, Scotty (Pam) Tait of Dayton. Services in Boone.
Judy Elizabeth Sorenson, 76, Dayton. Four children survive, including daughter Jill (Dan) Smith of Boone. Services in Dayton and Pomeroy.
Lynne P. Schnoebelin, 66, Madrid. Formerly of Riverside, IA. A COL will be held in Riverside.
Roger D. Leininger, 84, Ames. Born in Story City. Gilbert HS-58 after early years at United elementary. Married Patricia Forsythe in Cherokee in 1962. They've been living his lifetime on the family farm near Ames. The couple farmed and raised livestock until the early 1980's. Roger then went to work at the ISU AG450 farm for 30 years. In retirement, he worked for Design Homes and the AG450 farm. He enjoyed woodworking and the couple always enjoyed their trip each year to Okoboji. Survivors include his wife, Patricia, of Ames, three children and a brother. Roger was a member of the Iowa Army National Guard in Boone for six years. Services in Boone and Ames and burial at Saint Peter and Paul's Catholic Cemetery.
Doris Harris Winebrenner, 80, Des Moines. School in Beaver and Ogden. Married Clifford Winebrenner in 1967. Worked as a telephone operator in Illinois, loved being a mom, cooking and crochet. Survivors include a son, David, and daughter, Denise, and brothers Don and Dennis Harris. A COL will be held in Ogden with burial in Van Meter.
Brian Edward Tolle, 68, Ogden. Born in Harlan. Irwin Kirkman HS-74. Married Theresa Kauffman in 1976 but the couple divorced. Married Linda Kay Reighard at the Iowa Arboretum in 1999. Brian was an over the road truck driver. However, declining health forced him into working for Kuehl Brothers in Woodward until retirement. He loved his family, dogs and his faith and he could keep you up to date on the latest news topics and tech gadgets. Survivors include his wife, Linda, of Ogden, three children and a sister. Services in Jefferson.
