News Center newsletter

Flu and Covid shots continue to be offered throughout various locations in Allamakee County during the month of October by Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care/Allamakee Public Health. 

Walk-In flu shot and Covid shot clinics will continue to be offered all remaining Wednesdays in October, including October 21, and 28. These walk-in clinics will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. at the main entrance of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Appointments can also be made for afternoon immunizations these same days by calling 563-568-5660.  These afternoon by-appointment vaccines will be administered at the Community and Home Care office located at 12 E. Main Street in downtown Waukon.

Flu shots are recommended for all those who have not yet received the vaccine and will be effective throughout the rest of the flu season.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be holding its first ever retail scrub sales at Veterans Memorial Hospital Monday, October 26, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. located in the ICN Conference Room on the Lower Level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

The Scrub Rack uniform shop from Dubuque, will be on site showcasing numerous brands and varieties of scrubs for shopping and taking home that same day. Scrubs, lab coats, student uniforms and also a wide variety of medical accessories will all be on sale in a variety of sizes. The Scrub Rack is also willing to order and send any items that may not be on hand that day.

These sales are open to anyone who works in any kind of medical setting and/or wears scrubs to work.

Parking for the scrub sale will be easily accessible on the east side of the hospital, along the golf course. Signage will be marking the entrance with the sales conveniently located right inside the door.

by Renee Stokman, Mammographer, Veterans Memorial Hospital
 
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are some recent breast cancer statistics:
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers.
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, second to lung cancer.
• It is estimated that this year, approximately 30% of all new female cancer diagnoses will be breast cancer.
• On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.
• Approximately 66-percent of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage, before cancer has spread outside of the breast, when it is easiest to treat.
• The 5-year relative survival rate for cancer diagnosed at the localized stage is 99%.

October brings shorter days, changing weather, and shifts in familiar routines. For some older adults, this time of year may also bring changes in mood, sleep, energy, or interest in usual activities.

An older adult may begin spending more time alone, withdrawing from social activities, sleeping more or less than usual, or finding less enjoyment in hobbies. Paying attention to patterns can help families and caregivers recognize when additional support may be appropriate.

Regular routines, time outdoors during daylight hours, appropriate physical activity, enjoyable hobbies, and connection with others can support emotional well-being throughout the season.

When sadness, worry, isolation, or low energy persists and affects daily life, talking with a health care provider or mental health professional may be a helpful next step.

Local farmers can support Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) while potentially reducing their tax burden by donating grain or other commodities directly to the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.

For eligible farmers, donating grain before it is sold can provide tax advantages compared with selling the grain and donating the cash.  Because the donated grain is transferred directly to the Foundation, the farmer may avoid recognizing the grain’s sale as income, potentially reducing both income and self-employment taxes. 

The Foundation sells the grain and the proceeds go to support local health care needs at Veterans Memorial Hospital and Clinics.

Here’s how it works:  Before the grain is sold, the farmer instructs the elevator to transfer ownership to Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.  The Foundation then handles the sale and provides the donor with acknowledgement of the gift.

Memorial donations were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Frances “Franny” Byrnes by Tom and Joan Fritz, Randy and Lori Hover, Marilyn Larson, Walt and Peggy Martin, Diane Regan, Tom and Karen Regan, Meg Schaller, Keith and Patrice Schulte, Chuck and Lois Vostmier and Betty White.

Memorials were also received in memory of Jean Huffey by Steve and Sheryl Evanson and Mavis Berns-Mathes; in memory of Gary Johanningmeier by Patsy Kerndt; in memory of Gayle Larkin by Ron and Nancy Adam, Dan and Traci Byrnes, Patsy Kerndt and Dean “Beanzy” Schellhammer; and in memory of Bob Livingston by Tom and Joan Fritz and Linda Siegrist.

Additional memorials were also received in memory of Sandy Hesse by John Bauercamper, Mary Ann Burke and Don and DiAnne Haler; in memory of Jane Butler by Lisa and Fred Mathews; and in memory of Monica Monserud by Linda Siegrist and Chuck and Lois Votsmier.

Roger John Valley, 84, hit a grand slam over the gates of Heaven October 7, 2026, on his baseball sun porch in Lansing. The home run ball fell at the feet of Bill Hogan, one of Roger’s teammates and best friends. On the bases were the Harpers Ferry Hawks, Kenny Williams, Pim Williams, and Dick Delphey. Watching this sacred event were former baseball legends and stand-outs, Gus Rethwisch, John Rethwisch, Joe Hogan, Kevin Keenan, along with his bonus sons, Brian, Nathan, and Damian Imhoff, and Dustan and Jordan Duffy, and many other Lansing and Harpers Ferry area legendary players.

Darrell “Bud” D. Mitchell, 93, of Monona died Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at his home. Funeral services were held Wednesday, October 21 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Laura Gentry officiating. Burial with military honors will be held at IOOF Cemetery in Rossville.

Darrell Dean Mitchell was born October 10, 1933, in rural Monona, the son of Dennis and Dorothy (Bleitz) Mitchell. He graduated from Waterville High School and served in the United States Army from 1953-1956, during the Korean War, and was stationed in Germany as a medical aid. He lived on Big Foot Road and in the Volney area his entire life. He was given the nickname of “Rosebud” by his aunt that later changed to “Bud” and it stayed with him his entire life. August 22, 1981, he married Mavis Irene Otteson and became a husband, father, and grandfather.

Ben and Faith Scott of Maynard announce the birth of their son, Walter Michael Scott, born October 10, 2026 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 9 lbs. 14 ozs. and measured 22 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins siblings, Harlan (3) and Mabel (1-1/2).

Grandparents are John and Meghan Palmer of Waukon and Mike and Kathleen Scott of Westgate. Great-grandparents are Becky Gesing of Waukon, Greg and Marlene Palmer of Waukon, and Wesley and Marlys Foster of Waverly. Great-great-grandparents are John and Sheryl Prestemon of Waukon.

Donald Richard Brown, 84, of Ballwin, MO, formerly of Waukon, passed away at home Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Funeral services were held Monday, September 7 at St. John United Church of Christ (UCC), Manchester, MO, and a Celebration of Life was held at the VFW Post in Ballwin, MO that afternoon.

Donald Richard Brown was born February 17,1942, in Long Prairie, MN, the son of Donald S. Brown and Dorothy E. (Beneke) Brown. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1960. He was part of an early Army JROTC-type program during high school and immediately after graduation reported to active duty. He served stateside during the Vietnam War. He graduated from AIB Business School in Des Moines and began a career in accounting and computers, ending as Vice President of Delta Life.