BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

     Akemi Howell, 46, Colo, formerly of Lake View. Born in Boone. BHS-96. Akemi loved riding her Harley and spending time with her dog. She was a member of District 8 A.B.A.T.E in Lake View. Survivors include her son, Kayden (fiancee Megan Meyer) Howell and two uncles, Rick (Karen) Howell of Boone and Dave Howell. A grandson and cousins also survive. Akemi was preceeded in death by her mother, Sheryl Howell and her grandparents, Dixie and Robert Howell.

     Mary Ellen Carlson, 87, Ogden. Born in Oelwein. Grew up near Maynard, Iowa. MHS-56. Married Gaile Carlson in Maynard in 1958. Earned a B.A. degree from Upper Iowa in 1962 and took additional classes at Marycrest in Davenport, Drake, Iowa State and the Heartland Area Education Agency 11. Taught in Baxter, West Union/North Fayette and Guttenberg before completing her teaching career in the Ogden schools prior to retirement in 1997. Mary Ellen loved her church, had a lifelong love of learning, enjoyed tending her flower gardens and refinishing furniture. Was active in numerous community and civic organizations, Cubs Scouts, Lincoln Highway Questers, Ogden Fun Days, the Boone County Historical Society, Battin Chapel, the Leonard Good Library and various education groups. She and her late husband hosted five foreign exchange students. Two sons, James and Michael Carlson, and daughter, Jennifer Carlson survive. Services in Ogden. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

         Harry O. "Bud" Smith, II, 80, Boone. Born in Pennsylvania. Lived in Baltimore and Illinois. Bremen HS-64. All-Conference football player in high school and at Westmar College in LeMars. He was offered a contract with a semi-pro team but declined. Married Sandie Hartman in 1969 and started coaching and teaching in Colfax. The couple settled in Boone in 1972 and Bud spent the next 34 years as a teacher-coach at BHS. Along the way, he earned a Master's Degree from Drake University. Bud painted houses with fellow teachers each summer and was very tech-savvy. He served his church, Augustana Lutheran, for 52 years. He loved to travel, grill, garden, fish and ride his Harley. More than anything, he loved his family. Survivors include his wife, Sandie, and a daughter, Shannon (Matt) Jones both of Boone and his son, Tyler (Megan) Smith of Reno, NV. Services in Boone.   

         Michael L. Miller, 73, Boone. Born in Boone. Panora-Linden HS. Worked at Oscar Mayer in Perry before returning to school. Worked at Todd's LTD in Des Moines, Roberts Dairy in Omaha and Mrs. Clark's Foods in Ankeny in Purchasing Management positions. He loved the outdoors, fishing, biking, motorcycling, golf and enjoying his '55 Corvette. Sisters and brothers survive. Services in Boone. 

GREAT BOONE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL CONTINUES

     I, the Kornerman, am always sorry  to see the Boone baseball/softball season move toward completion. However, when its been a great season, the blow is softened somewhat. 

     The Toreador boys, against a competitive schedule, finished up at 23-10 AND made their first State tourney appearance in some time. A loss to the number one rated team in the state in their class, Dubuque, Wahlert, 3-1, ended their season in first round state play. But the team, guided by Coach Charley Eastlund, provided local fans with lots of excitement all season.

      The BHS girls showed great improvement during the long season. North Polk defeated them, 10-0, in a game early in the season. Then, one game away from a state tourney berth, number one rated North Polk, 33-5, had a very stiff challenge from the Boone team, winning, 6-5, in a come from behind effort. Boone's season finished at 21-14.

     The Boone Slammers, a 14 U team, coached by Tony Eckard, Kurt Hilsabeck, Jon Strabley and Nathan Ross, became a State Tournament champion with six straight wins. Congratulations to them.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

      Harry O. Bud Smith, II, 79, Boone.    

      Gary Floyd Weaklend, 73, Boone. Born in Osceola. Employed by Iowa State University for 44 years. Married Vickie Quayle Weakland after meeting her via a blind date. They were married 52 years. One of Gary's passions was restoring his 1942 Dodge Power Wagon. He loved showing it at car shows and in parades. His six grandchildren brought immeasureable joy into his life. Survivors also include his wife, Vicki, three daughters including Cari, BHS-93, (Brian) Engleen of Boone. The other surviving daughters are Kelli, BHS-96, (Chris) Wood and Courtney, BHS-98, (Chris) Vessely. A brother also survives. A COL will be held in Boone.      

      Robbie Stuehmer, 86, Boone.

      Ollie Mae Bramlett Merritt, 91, Ames. Two sons survive, including David (Retta) Merritt of Boone and a brother. Services in Gilbert. 

      Diane H.L. Hoover Neal, 93, Ames. Earned a DMACC Associates Degree from Boone Campus. Services in Ames.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Jo Schechinger, 74, Ankeny. Died of endometrial cancer. Born in Carroll. Carroll Kuemper HS-69. She attended DMACC in Boone on scholarship from 1977-79 before transferring to Iowa State where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in sociology, psychology and journalism in 1981. A Master's Degree was earned in education and counseling from Pan American University in 1983. For a brief time, she lived in Los Angeles working for Goodwill Industries before returning to Iowa. In 1984, Jo started her career with the State of Iowa as a vocational rehabilitation counselor. In 1991, she suffered a serious neck injury which fractured her vertebra. She recovered, was introduced to ESL, English as a second language, and began teaching that at DMACC in Boone, Ames and Des Moines. Later, she moved to Ankeny and worked as a substitute teacher. Jo loved animals, plants, crossword puzzles and writing. Survivors include her children, Justin and Sara Weeces, and six siblings. No word on services.

       James Louis Buche, 98, Huntington Station, NY. Born on a farm home east of Madrid. Sheldahl HS-43. Army vet. Married Helen Marie Sole in Earlham. The couple lived in Des Moines where James worked as an airline mechanic and as a machinist at Globe Hoist. Also studied at Drake University. Moving to Waterloo, James took a job at John Deere, writing technical manuals.The couple was transferred to East Moline in 1974 as James was promoted to technical editor for service publications. He retired in 1984. In 2020, he moved to New York to live with his daughter Ruth Davidowitz. She and a brother are survivors. Services in East Moline and burial in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter. 

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Daniel Tungesvik, 46, Ames. Born in Boone. BHS-98, where he participated in athletics and band. Dam earned a degree in political science and history from the University of Northern Iowa. He enlisted in the Iowa National Guard while a senior in high school and was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq for a year. For his military service, Dan was awarded several decorations. After service time, Dan attended William Mitchell College of Law in Minnesota, worked in family law and served as a magistrate for Boone County. He was a Rotary member and served on the Boone Community School Board for several years. Survivors include his wife, Karen, four step-children, his sister, Jennifer, BHS-89, (David) Hamel and brother, Mike, BHS-96, (Jaclyn) Tungesvik of Boone. Dan loved live music, history and watching sports. A COL will be held in Boone. 

       James B. Short, 71, Boone. Born in South Dakota. Survivors include his daughters, Wendy (Mike)  Roeder and Amanda O'Brien, step-sons, Nick and Aaron Feigen and three brothers, Harold, William and John Short. Services in South Dakota. 

        Lori Cook, 60, Madrid. Known for her work as a cook in the Madrid community. She spent many years as a paralegal in Iowa and Florida. Lori loved painting and music, especially playing the guitar. Survivors include her son, Grant Stalker, a daughter, Carly (Paul) Hanes, and four siblings. A private service will be held. 

        Laverna Holtkamp Larson, 99, Iowa City/Ames. Born in Fort Madison and lived in St. Paul, Hampton and Williams. Grew up working on the farm near Williams. Earned Drake University Bachelors and Masters degrees. Was a teacher for 32 years and started an award-winning ECO program for junior high students, highlighted by a conservation minded week long trip to the Ledges State Park. Two daughters and two siblings survive. Services in Iowa City and Ames.

BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

     Alice Kirwin King Woody, 93, Eastern Star. Born in Minnesota. Grew up in Winona and Ames. Married Marshall King and the couple lived and farmed in the Boone area. They divorced and Alice married Delmar Woody. Alice and Delmar lived in Newton. Alice was a 4- H leader, active in Cowbelles and the Farm Bureau. An excellent cook, she was honored to cook a home-cooked meal for President Gerald Ford who the Kings hosted on their farm during a campaign stop. Alice drove a school bus for the Boone and Newton school districts until age 84. She enjoyed music and creating many crafts and sewing projects that were sold at the Living History Farms. Survivors include her children, Randy (Kathi) King, Nancy Thompson, Jon (Peg) King, Lori (Dennis) Schultz and Kathy King. A private service will be held.

     Sharon Jean Kendall Elsberry Engel, 87, Wasilla, Alaska. Born in Boone. BHS-56. Married Bill Kendall, BHS-52, in 1956. Bill passed away in 1983 and in 1991, she married Richard Engel. Sharon worked at the Boone County Courthouse, Iowa State University, the Ames Police Department and the Iowa Methodist Medical Center. She loved her cats, gardening and traveling. Survivors include son Steve (Alisa) Kendall, a brother, Michael (Cindy) Elsberry, and a brother-in-law, Jerry Hand. Services tentatively set for early October in Ames.