News Center newsletter

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for the 2023 Century and Heritage Farm Program now through June 1.

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 - for the Century Farm designation - and for 150 years - for the Heritage Farm designation, respectively.

“Iowa’s multi-generational farm families are the backbone of our state and the Century and Heritage Farm Program recognizes their hard work, strength, resilience and perseverance,” said Secretary Naig. “Each year I look forward to recognizing these families, hearing their stories, and celebrating their legacies at the Iowa State Fair.”

To the Editor:

Trump and his supporters in attendance exhibited a new low at the New Hampshire town hall telecast by CNN this past week.  Trump was found guilty of sexual abuse and defamation by a New York district judge and jury of his peers, per the requirements of the U.S. Constitution. Trump lied to millions of people on the telecast stating he didn’t know E. Jean Carroll, called her a “wack job”, the verdict a disgrace and a continuing “witch hunt”.

To the Editor:

Recently my wife and I went to Waukon to renew our drivers licenses. I had heard appointments were no longer needed. Not true in Waukon. We were told we couldn’t be served without an appointment, and they are going to keep it that way.

To me, it feels like more power over the people. I thought our county officials were there to serve the people. In my opinion, the time spent taking phone reservations and keeping a log could be better spent just doing the job.

I called the Elkader drivers license office and they said welcome, walk right in. They were the nicest people and the service was quick. We left feeling great. The Elkader office is on Gunder Road in the Supervisors building across from the Elkader Golf Course.

Leigh Rekow
Postville
 

To the Editor:

The saying “old is often considered obsolete” bears little fruit and is not only costly to the environment but also to the taxpayer. A prime example of contradicting that saying was an excellent event and showcase of young people in action in the production of the classic musical “Grease” held in the old Waterville High School gym a couple weekends ago.

It not only was entertaining with great, enthusiastic energy and drive, but it was performed under the same roof as the famed Waterville High School girls basketball team played under 60-70 years ago. This was an excellent example of how repurposing is supposed to work.

The old Waterville School District, the mayor, the city council and involved area residents should all be commended and applauded for their work and foresight in preserving and repurposing such a fine, solid rural facility. This may well be another hidden gem in the driftless area of tourist attractions.

Donald Stanley Straka, age 89, of Dorchester passed away Sunday, May 21, 2023 at Gundersen Health Systems in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 26 at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. with Pastor James Gesne officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call at the church Friday from 9:30-11 a.m. Roble Funeral Home of Spring Grove is assisting the family with arrangements.
 

Harold “Ike” F. Colsch, 92, of Waukon passed away Sunday, May 21, 2023 at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon with his wife and family by his side. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 27 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial with military honors will be at St. John The Baptist-West Ridge Cemetery, rural Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 26 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:30 p.m. scripture service.

Harold “Ike” Francis Colsch was born April 14, 1931 to Nicholas and Charlotte (Theobald) Colsch at the family farmhouse on Sand Cove, just a few miles southwest of New Albin. He attended the Sand Cove country school through eighth grade.

Jean A. Gallagher, 81, of Marietta, GA died Saturday, May 20, 2023 in her home with her beloved daughter, Dawn Criswell, at her side. Wednesday, May 24 at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Marietta, GA, the following will take place: Visitation at 10:30 a.m.; a Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m.; and a reception at 12:30 p.m. Following the reception, burial will take place at Kennesaw Memorial Park in Marietta, GA.

For those unable to attend the Funeral Mass and who would like to see it live-streamed, go to: https://transfiguration.com/.

Jean Ann (Martindale) Gallagher was born February 5, 1942 in Burlington to John (Jack) and Dorothy (Dasher) Martindale. She was raised in Waukon and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1960.

Mary L. Anderson, 77, of Prairie du Chien, WI, formerly of Waukon, died Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at her home in Prairie du Chien. Funeral services were held Monday, May 22 at Center Baptist Church in rural Lansing with Pastor Duane Smith officiating, and burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association.

Mary Louise Anderson was born October 13, 1945 in Elkader, the daughter of Homer Moritz and Donna (Oelke) Moritz Radloff. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School in 1963. June 8, 1963, she married Kenneth Robert Anderson at Zion United Church of Christ. They farmed together in rural Waterville, where they operated a dairy herd and raised pigs and grain.

Richard “Dick” H. Jensen, age 87, passed away peacefully May 15, 2023, surrounded by family at the Good Samaritan Society, Waukon from complications of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. At his request, there will be no funeral services. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the McGregor Historical Society, 256 Main Street, McGregor, IA 52157 and to the Harpers Ferry Fire & Rescue Squad, 1050 Great River Road, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Richard Harvey Jensen was born January 26, 1936 in West Branch to Parvin J. and Mabel (Christensen) Jensen. The family moved to Cedar Rapids in 1946. Dick attended Cleveland Grade School and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1953. He graduated from Iowa State College in civil engineering in 1958. While attending Iowa State, he was a member of the Air Force ROTC Rifle Team and a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity.

Janice J. (Duvel) Winter, 86, of Waukon died Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Services were held Saturday, May 20 at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon with Pastor Sue Klimstra officiating, and burial was in the church cemetery. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Janice Jean Winter was born June 8, 1936 at Lizze Sherman Nursing Home in Waukon, the only child of Edwin and Leona (Snitker) Duvel. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem United Church of Christ (UCC). She attended country grade school at Bell School and continued on to graduate from Waukon High School in 1954.