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The identity of the men pictured above in this photo that previously ran in the April 5, 2017 edition of The Standard in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the United States' entry into World War I has since been solved. The photo, simply labeled "WWI Veterans," hangs in the Vet's Club in Waukon, with no further details or names being listed with the photo. After publishing the photo earlier this year near the April 6 100th anniversary of the United States joining World War I by declaring war on Germany on that date in 1917, Jim Normann of Waukon recalled seeing such a photo in his family's collection of such items and came across the newspaper clipping of the same photo, along with the following photo caption:

Dave Herold, Superintendent of the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD), was the  guest speaker at the Allamakee Democrats’ monthly meeting held Thursday, May 11. He gave a presentation on school funding and how the restrictions and changes to Chapter 20 (Collective Bargaining) affect the local school district.

In light of the Republican-controlled State House and State Senate recently passing a school funding bill with a 1.1%  increase, which is the third lowest in Iowa’s history, and the cost of living index being listed at four percent, the result is a substantial budget shortfall for schools in Allamakee County. To address this shortfall, Herold outlined three options: cut staff, cut programs, or increase the property tax levy.

submitted by Cristina Smith

First Baptist Church in Waukon is planning a third mission trip to Brazil, South America June 2-18 of this year. Every four years, First Baptist Church, under the direction of Rev. Duane and Cristina Smith, plans an overseas missions trip open to the youth group and church family.

This upcoming trip is unique because the team of 13 people will be going to the Amazon Jungle of northern Brazil. The past mission trips, in 2009 and 2013, respectively, were to East-Central Brazil. The June 2017 mission trip will be a different and adventurous trip, taking the team to the Amazon Rainforest of northern Brazil.

The 2017 State Track Meet held at Drake Stadium in Des Moines Thursday through Saturday, May 18-20 marked the end of the 2017 Iowa high school track season, and the end of some decorated careers of three Waukon girls track seniors who competed in the season grand finale. Although neither of the two events the Lady Indians qualified for this year’s State Meet came away with any medal-winning hardware, the three Indian seniors who competed among this season’s five qualified competitors were able to end their careers where all Iowa high school athletes would have loved to, and where each of them have finished at least their last three seasons.

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The 2017 State Track Meet held Thursday through Saturday, May 18-20 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines brought to a close the Iowa high school track season, and an end to the high school track careers for half the Waukon boys track team members competing in the season grand finale. Seniors Tyler O’Neill, Blain Swenson, Brandon Regan and Hunter Jensen all made their final go-rounds on a high school track with completion of this season’s State Meet, but it was junior Mitchell Snitker who produced the track Tribe’s greatest highlight with his medal-winning finish in the 400 meter hurdles.

The 2017 State Track Meet at Drake Stadium in Des Moines Thursday through Saturday, May 18-20 put the icing on another historic cake for the core group of girls who seem to be involved in nearly every historic aspect of Kee girls athletics in recent times. That icing, however, may not have always tasted as sweet as those Kee track girls may have wanted.

The Lady Hawks were able to bring home a couple medals from their nine State Meet qualifications, but were also within a spot or two of doing so in many more, as the Kee tracksters were able to garner finishes within the top half of their respective event fields in all but two of their nine event efforts. A sixth-place medal won by sophomore Katie Brennan in the 3000 meter run and an eighth-place medal won by senior Courtney Cooper in the shot put were among the greatest highlights for the Hawks in this season’s final go-round.

Hedy R. Leas, 89, of Waukon died Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Guttenberg Care Center in Guttenberg. Memorial services will be held Friday, May 26 at 11 a.m. at Rossville Presbyterian Church in Rossville with Pastor Tim Rupert officiating. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, May 25 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon. Memorials may be made to the Rossville Presbyterian Church or to Veterans Memorial Healthcare Foundation.

Hedy Rose Leas was born November 23, 1927 in rural Clayton County, the daughter of Wilhelm and Emilie Theodora (Denninghoff) Buerger. Her parents lived on several different farms in northeast Iowa when she was young so she attended a number of different country schools before graduating  from Waukon High School in 1946. Hedy started her working career at the Dubuque battery factory and then worked at the Northwestern Bell Telephone office in La Crosse, WI before spending many years working in the Allamakee County Engineer's Office in Waukon.

Robert “Bob” Darling, 89, of Strawberry Point passed away Monday, May 15, 2017 at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Mason City. Funeral Service was held Friday, May 19 at the United Methodist Church in Strawberry Point, with Rev. Mary Green officiating. Interment with Military Rites was held in Cass Township Cemetery in Strawberry Point.

He was born June 4, 1927 in Jefferson, MN, the son of Lysander and Clara (Meyers) Darling. Bob attended high school in New Albin.

Bob was united in marriage to Dixie Mae Irons in 1951. Four children were blessed to this union. They later divorced. November 6, 1967, Bob was united in marriage to Dorothy Wilhelm. She preceded him in death in 2001.

Bob joined the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Following discharge from the Navy, he worked as an inseminator in the Charles City and Strawberry Point areas.

Gerald R. Blong, 83, of Waukon died Thursday, May 18, 2017 at his home. Funeral services were held Monday, May 22 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial was at St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Ft. Atkinson.
Gerald Raymond Blong was born October 11, 1933 at his parents’ home in rural Ft. Atkinson, the son of Edward and Vera (Kuhn) Blong. He was baptized October 14, 1933 and confirmed October 12, 1942 at St. John's Catholic Church in Ft. Atkinson. At the age of 14, Gerald quit school to operate the family farm so his brothers and sisters could continue their schooling and later attend college. Later, he earned his GED. Gerald was a lifelong farmer in the rural areas near Cresco and Harmony, MN, installed flooring and drove for Hawkeye Stages in Decorah for several years.

Gerald met Janette Monroe Ryder at a singles support group in Decorah; they were married November 2, 1990 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon.

Howard J. Solberg, age 86, died peacefully at his home in rural New Albin Sunday, May 14, 2017 surrounded by his family. Funeral services were held Thursday, May 18 at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Wheatland. Rev. Paul Burgess officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery with military honors by the VFW Post 5603, New Albin.

Howard Julius Solberg was born January 3, 1931 at home in Irish Hollow, rural New Albin to George and Martha (Rudnick) Solberg. He was baptized at St. Peter's Evangelical and Reformed Church in New Albin. Howard attended the Irish Hollow School through fourth grade, and then his family moved to Wheatland, also in rural New Albin, where Howard finished school through eighth grade. He was confirmed at St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church in Wheatland, rural New Albin.