BOONE CONNECTED DEATH

     John Deal, Boone.

BOONE CONNECTED DEATH

     Anna Mary Sunstrom Gearhart, 89, Waukon. Born in Boone. BHS-51. Drake, ISU and Western Colorado University, with an emphasis on music. Taught elementary school in Lamar, CO. while playing in symphonies in various locations, including Des Moines. Was nominated for Miss Drake during her freshmen year. Also met her husband Dick Gearhart there. In 1970, the couple moved from Lamar to Waukon where she became director of the Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation based in Decorah, serving there for 25 years. She then went to work for 13 years at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the physical therapy department. The couple loved attending sporting events, especially the Drake Relays. She was a 60 year member of P.E.O. and was very active, musically, in Waukon's St. John's Lutheran Church. Survivors include three daughters and a son. Husband Dick passed away in 2020. Services in Waukon. Burial in Boone.

BOONE CONNECTED DEATH

     Arlene Lathrop, 89, Des Moines. Survivors include a granddaughter, Jeniffer (Roman)  Verbeck, of Boone.

BOONE CONNECTED DEATH

     Christine Marie Doran, 70, Boone. Born in Boone and raised on a farm north of Boone. BHS-71. Earned a nursing degree from DMACC and worked as an LPN for 36 years, including at Washington Care Center and the Boone County Hospital.  In 1971, married Dennis Brooks. In 1985, they separated amicably. In 1994, Christine moved to Mount Pleasant. She met and married Kelley Hummell and his son Tommy in 2008. The couple returned to Boone in 1999. They enjoyed music concerts, art festivals, vacations in Florida and attending the Iowa State Fair. Chistine was an avid gardener and plant collector. Survivors include her husband, Kelley Hummell, of Boone, three daughters, a son, a sister and a brother. A service will be planned at a later date.

LOOKING AHEAD

     Always interesting to see if the city fathers have some future goals that coalesce, somewhat, with the thinking of their constituents. At one of their most recent meetings, the Boone City Council identified some goals they have for the next fiscal year, beginning in July of 2023.

     Dealing with nuisance abatement and the demolition of some properties were among the items discussed. Most recent focus in that area has concerned residential properties but at least one council member, Eli Stines, wanted to include vacant and blighted commercial property as well.

    The city owns some property located on South Linn Street across from the Goldwaite-Garvey Family Resource Center and, a time or two, that has been mentioned as a possible site for a proposed Wellness Center. Anyway, the Council suggested as a goal, finding some good use for that "open" property.

    There was a discussion about the city's many parks and their usage. There was some talk about discussing with the Park Commission whether all of the parks were needed and it was mentioned that Franklin Park does have some federal funding ties available and there should be discussion about a plan for using those funds.

    There was some concern about the need for the installation of some new sidewalks in some residential areas and even the repair of existing sidewalks that need some help.

    According to City Clerk/Finance Officer Ondrea Elmquist the city is in a good position in regards to their five-year financial plan, though things such as legislative action could change that plan. She reported that Hotel-Motel Tax receipts and Local Option Sales Tax receipts have seen increases. However, she warned that there has been discussion in the state legislature about possible changes to that Local Option Tax. That tax was installed in 1990 and it stated that 75-percent would be used for capital purchases and projects, 20-percent for property tax relief and five-percent for human service programming. Of course, changes by the legislature can always have an effect on city property taxes.

K-----K

     Once a Minnesota Viking fan...........always....

    And could there ever be one like old friend, good guy Gary Long, BHS-73?

    Some may remember a years ago Viking star, Karl Kassulke. He was a Drake football star in college and in the summertime, played on one of Ev Long's (Gary's dad) good fast pitch softball teams.

    Kassulke played several years for the Vikings in the NFL and Gary became a devoted fan due, mainly, to their acquaintance. 

    For 40 years.....that's 40 YEARS......Gary has had season tickets for Viking home games but that's not all. He also attends their OUT-OF-TOWN games......regardless. Not much of a challenge now since he's in retirement. However, even when he was working, he would alter his schedule so in times when the Vike's had games in New York or California, he could leave a little early on Friday for the longer trips.

    I, the Kornerman, would be remiss if I didn't mention his great devotion also to the Iowa High School Athletic Association. A statue of the guy should be established on the IHSAA grounds here.

    When I was working at the IHSAA, I hired Gary, when he was a young student, to work with the stat (statistics) crew at the Boys State Basketball Tournament. These many years later, he's still there. Many co-workers have come and gone, but its believed Gary is the longest serving Boys State Basketball tournament staff official.......over 40 years.

    He's worked the State Football Playoffs for the IHSAA for over 20 years and has helped with the State Class 1-A Tennis Tournament in Waterloo for over 30 years. Oh yes, he is the Public Address Announcer for all the high school football games played at Brady Stadium in Davenport, runs the clock for St. Ambrose football games and does P.A. work for wrestling, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball involving area schools. 

    Gary's mother, Marilyn, and sisters are longtime Boone residents.

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.....

kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.

BOONE AREA DEATHS

     Jessie Berhow, 49, Stratford. Born in Mason City. South Hamilton HS-92. Was married to Stacy Bryne from 1996 to 1999. Married Jaclyn Angstrom in Stratford in 2003. He worked as a railroad conductor and more recently, as a heavy equipment operator for Hamilton County Secondary Roads. He loved pool, dart leagues, hunting and fishing and kayaking. Survivors include his wife, Jaclyn Berhow, of Stratford, three children, including Brock and Brooklyn Berhow of Stratford, his parents, a brother, his in-laws, Craig and Pat Angstrom of Stratford and three sisters-in-law, including Tessa (Scott) Angstrom of Stratford. Services in Dayton and rural Stratford.

     David Gathercole, 78, Arizona. Formerly of Madrid. Born in Iowa City. Saydel HS-62. Served in the Navy from 1962-66. Married Phyliss Jagerson in 1986. Started working at Firestone in 1966 and retired in 1999 after 32 years of service. David and Phyliss had a business, Dave's TV and Video. They loved going on vacation, playing cards, dancing and attending car shows. David was a member of the AMVETS and American Legion. He also enjoyed gardening, golfing, biking, hiking, walking, camping and boating.....anything outdoors. Survivors include three daughters, two sons, a brother and sister. Services in Madrid.

     Judy Gillis Bennett, 79. Born in Arkansas. Her father was a military man so Judy lived in Japan in the early 50's and later, in Germany. When he retired, the family settled in Kelley. Judy graduated from Ballard HS, then attended Faith Bible College before working at ISU. She married Steve E. Bennett in 1969 and the couple settled in Des Moines. In 1977, they moved to the family farm near Madrid. A devout Christian, Judy was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Madrid, sang in the choir and helped lead youth ministry, AWANA. When her children went to school, Judy worked at the Evangelical Free Church Home in Boone in the Activity department. An avid cook, she enjoyed PBS cooking shows and also shopping and going on vacations, especially to Hawaii. Three sons survive including Matthew (Jana) of Madrid. A brother and brother-in-law also survive.

BOONE CONNECTED DEATH

     Robert (Bert) Kemp, 56, died at Boone County Hospital. Born in Des Moines. Grew up in Atlantic. AHS-84. He "put up" steel buildings and later, worked as an Industrial Painter at Mid-States Steel. Married Sherene Ann Anderson in 1999. He loved being outdoors, mushroom hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and tinkering in the garage. Survivors include his wife, Sherene Kemp, sons Kaleb and Sam, his mother-in-law, Sue Benshoof, four siblings, two brothers-in-law, a sister-in-law and an aunt. Services in Boone.