News Center newsletter

The Waukon girls track and field team of 2025 will benefit from more than half of its squad returning with varsity letterwinning experience from previous seasons. Within that collection of 20 returning veterans this spring lies seven young ladies who bring back that veteran experience from the ultimate level of competition, the State Track & Field Meet.

Junior Addison Winters breaks 20-year-old long jump record with victorious leap of 17’1”

The Kee girls and boys track teams got their competition season underway indoors at the annual Upper Iowa Conference (UIC) Indoor Meet held Friday, March 21 at Luther College in Decorah, scoring some event victories and already setting a new school record. In their respective team races, the Lady Hawks battled to a runner-up finish in their nine-team field and the Hawk boys finished in sixth place.

Both Kee teams are next scheduled to start their outdoor season at the Tuesday, April 1 Sumner-Fredericksburg Invitational. The Hawk boys will then compete in the Waukon Early Bird Invitational Thursday, April 3, with the girls to compete in the North Fayette Invitational Friday, April 4.

William Robert “Bill” Smith, 80, of rural Postville passed peacefully in his home Monday, February 17, 2025. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, March 30 from 1-4 p.m. at the Old Rossville Store.
 

Neilah Alexis Mae Nobles, age 4, of Waukon died Sunday, March 23, 2025, at University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center in Iowa City. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 29 at 11 a.m. at Iron Ridge Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Mincks officiating. Friends may greet the family from 3-7 p.m. Friday, March 28 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.
 

Christine “Chris” A. Mooney, 63, of Cedar Rapids passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 26 from 4-7 p.m. where there will be a 3:30 p.m. rosary at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW.  Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday , March 27 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre will be assisting the family. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Christine Ann was born August 8, 1961 in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Eveard Carl and Marie Helen (Franc) Hartson. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1979. She was united in marriage to Pat Mooney September 22, 1979 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. She worked at the University of Iowa in the Orthopedic Department and retired in 2024.

by Steven Mazzafield, Speech Language Pathologist at Veterans Memorial Hospital

In recognition of Brain Injury Awareness Month, I would like to talk about traumatic brain injury and the vital role of speech therapy in the recovery process.

Brain injuries fall within one of two different categories: acquired or traumatic. Acquired brain injury occurs when someone has a stroke, seizure, infection, tumor, or lack of oxygen that affects the brain. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), on the other hand, occurs after a sudden blow to the head - examples include from a car accident, sports injury, or fall.

A hospital social worker helps patients and their families navigate the healthcare system, access resources, and improve their well-being. Responsibilities can include patient education, crisis intervention, advocacy for patients and their rights, case management, knowledge of community resources and social welfare systems, discharge planning and helping patients navigate the financial implications of hospitalization.   They also work closely with the medical team to develop care plans to ensure patients receive the best possible care.

Tatum Iverson is the full-time social worker at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon. Her role is very large, touching most every patient’s care who enters and leaves the hospital, working closely with hospital staff, patients, their families and their insurance companies to coordinate the proper levels of care needed and being sure these are approved.

March is National Athletic Training Month. Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) has three athletic trainers on staff including Brad Krambeer, ATC, LAT; Austin Troendle, DPT, ATC, who is a Doctor of Physical Therapy; and Shelly Valley, PTA, ATC, who is also a Physical Therapist Assistant. These trainers use their variety of skills to rehabilitate athletes, often communicating with the physicians to help coordinate the best recovery.

Athletic trainers help treat and prevent injuries for people of all ages from athletes to laborers. They specialize in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of physical injuries to the muscle, ligament and bone, as well as rehabilitation following surgery. Athletic trainers are also key in teaching injury prevention by explaining flexibility exercises, proper use of equipment and applying prevention devices such as tape, bandages and braces.

National Doctors Day is celebrated March 30 each year to honor the contributions of physicians across the U.S. The date commemorates its conception March 30, 1933, and date of the first use of general anesthesia in surgery by Dr. Crawford W. Long in 1842. It became an officially recognized day of appreciation when President George H.W. Bush signed it into law in 1990.

National Doctor’s Day serves as a tribute to these professionals and the commitment they demonstrate, often under extraordinary circumstances.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will sponsor its next Babysitting Seminar Friday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 12 Noon.  The class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Intended participants are individuals 10 years of age and older who are responsible for their own care after school until their parents come home from work, and individuals who care for other children in or outside of their own home. Girls and boys are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Topics to be covered include fire and personal safety, accident prevention and emergency actions, nutritious snacks and basic care of children.

Pre-registration is required by April 14. Online registration is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/babysittingregistration or may be taken by phone by calling the hospital at 563-568-3411.