Hard to the hoop ... Kee boys basketball senior Tyson Cota takes the ball hard to the basket in the Hawks’ 60-53 loss at Edgewood-Colesburg in the Class 1A District Semifinals Thursday, February 17. Cota finished the game with a team-high 21 points, his second consecutive 21-point game for the Hawks in postseason tournament play. Photo courtesy of the Kee High School Yearbook. View and find out how to purchase this photo and many more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this webpage.
The Kee boys basketball took one step down its postseason tournament road this past week before that road came to an end later in the week. The basketball Hawks opened their Class 1A District 6 Tournament with a 72-67 win at home over South Winneshiek Monday, February 14 and then gave Class 1A 12th-rated Edgewood-Colesburg a hard-fought battle before surrendering a 60-53 loss at Edgewood Thursday, February 17 to have their season brought to a close.
The Hawks’ 2021-2022 season came to completion with an even 12-12 overall record that includes a 9-7 mark in Upper Iowa Conference (UIC) play that placed the Hawks in a tie for fourth place in the final UIC standings with South Winneshiek. With the season-ending loss the Vikings handed the Hawks, Edgewood-Colesburg advanced on to the Class 1A District 6 championship game Tuesday, February 22 to be played at Starmont High School against Wapsie Valley.
Mary “Genice” Easton, 66, of Waukon passed away Friday, February 18, 2022 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN from complications with Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome. Visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, February 27 at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on West Ridgeway in Waterloo with a memorial service at 2 p.m.
Mary was born December 15, 1955 in Lake City to James and Mary (Kalous) Nelsen. Mary and Cletus Althoff II married April 30, 2016.
Mary graduated from Lohrville High School in 1974. She studied nursing at Hawkeye Community College and graduated with her LPN. She was employed at Mercy Medical and retired from Life Serve Waterloo.
Cardiac Rehab at VMH: Then and now ... February 13-19 is National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week. Veterans Memorial Hospital began its own Cardiac Rehabilitation program over three decades ago to help fulfill a need in the community - a need that has been and continues to be well utilized. Pictured above is the original Cardiac Rehab unit in the early 1990s. The current unit is pictured below, along with cardiac rehab nurses Amy Rolfs, RN, at left, and Diann Weymiller, RN, at right, with current cardiac rehabilitation patient Dave Bell of Waukon, seated on the center’s NuStep machine. This Cardiac Rehabilitation program is essential for the fullest recovery of a victim of a heart disorder and continues to be well utilized. Submitted photo.
Veterans Memorial Hospital began its own Cardiac Rehabilitation unit over three decades ago to help fulfill a need in the community. Jane Butler of Waukon, who had originally retired from nursing at Veterans Memorial Hospital in 1988, was asked if she would return just a year later to help begin the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program along with fellow nurse, Traci Heidelbauer McGraw.
“It took us over a year to get the service off the ground with Medicare requirements and our training,” adds Jane. “We took out a wall between two patient rooms on the third floor and made that our cardiac rehab department. Our first patient was DuWayne Dietrich, Jane’s husband. Dr. Withers was our Chief of Staff. We had some stair steps and a tread mill, so it was pretty antique compared to what they do now, but it was a start.”
The unit was moved into the Rehabilitation Department during the hospital expansion on 2000 and continues to fill a huge need in the community.
“Welcome to Medicare” Seminar ... Local Senior Health Insurance Information Program volunteers, Russ Hagen and Nancy Schoh will be hosting a “Welcome to Medicare” seminar for all those soon enrolling in Medicare, Monday, February 21, from 5-7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital. These two volunteers also hold regular meeting times at the hospital to meet with anyone regarding their Medicare coverage. To register for this seminar, call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411. Submitted photo.
“Welcome to Medicare” is a free, two-hour seminar offered by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselors. This program will be held Monday, February 21 from 5-7 p.m. in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.
“Welcome to Medicare” will cover Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, the prescription drug benefit (Part D), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement insurance.
SHIIP, the Senior Health Insurance Information Program, is a service of the State of Iowa. Local SHIIP counselors Russ Hagen and Nancy Schoh are trained by the State and do not sell or promote any insurance companies, policies or agents. Veterans Memorial Hospital is a local sponsor for SHIIP in Allamakee County.
Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health will continue to offer walk-in clinics for all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, each Friday afternoon in February from 1:30-3:45 p.m. in the ICN Conference Room located on the southeast side of the hospital. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available.
Parking is available by the orange cones along the golf course for easy access to the vaccine location. Flu shots will also be available and can be safely administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Be sure to wear a mask and bring an insurance card and vaccination card if coming for a second or booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Both Hartig Drug and Nightingale Pharmacy in Waukon have vaccine available for ages 12 and older. Parental/guardian consent is required. Call them ahead to schedule an appointment for a vaccination.
Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Jay Runice by Sherry Halvorson, Lollie Hirth, John and Sheryl Prestemon, and Chuck and Lois Votsmier; and in memory of Bethel Sylvester by Ken and Gloria Krambeer and Bev Krambeer.
Memorials were also received in memory of Tom Schofield by Jim and Jill Kiesau and in memory of Terry Lang by Kris and Jason Eulberg, Juanita Lang, Michael and Tari Moody and Brian and Jean Ann Dillman.
In addition, the Foundation received a donation in honor of George Pickett for his long-time contribution to the St. John’s Church Music Program by Sandy and Dennis Deal.
Memorials and donations are greatly appreciated by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. The Foundation is a 501C3 organization. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. Memorials and donations can be sent to 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA 52172.
Kiel and Kaylee Fritz of Monona announce the birth of their daughter, Kamdyn Jo Fritz, born February 3, 2022 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 6 lbs. 13 ozs. and measured 19-1/2 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins siblings, Kestyn (6) and Krayten (4).
Grandparents are Larry and Rachel Fritz of Garnavillo and Joe and Linda Zuercher of Postville.
Brenen and Stephanie Steele of Luana announce the birth of their daughter, Saffron Lee Steele, born February 5, 2022 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 7 lbs. 3 ozs. and measured 20-1/2 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins a sister, Sienna (20 months).
Grandparents are David and Mona Schultz of Luana and Jerry and Shelby Steele of Eitzen, MN.
Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
Feb. 25: Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program
Mar. 11: General CRP Signup
Mar. 15: ARCPLC Program Deadline
Mar. 25: Dairy Margin Coverage Program
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages eligible farm owners to apply for the 2022 Century and Heritage Farm Program now. The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to recognize families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.
“The Century and Heritage Farm Program recognizes the strength and resiliency of Iowa’s multi-generation farm families,” said Secretary Naig. “I always look forward to celebrating with the families and hearing stories about their incredible farming legacies. I am grateful for the investments they make to protect our rich farmland and their continued commitment to our state’s agriculture community.”
To apply, download the application on the Department’s website at iowaagriculture.gov/century-and-heritage-farm-program.
