News Center newsletter

The Waukon girls track team was able to get its full slate of competition in this past week, although the second of those meets didn’t actually involve a full slate due to wet conditions causing the field events to not take place at the Thursday, April 28 MFL/MarMac Invitational. Regardless, the Lady Indians still won that MFL/MarMac meet after finishing fourth at their own Indian Relays two nights earlier, Tuesday, April 26, with the Indians not having two point-scoring sophomores in the competition mix this week due to injury.

The Waukon girls were next slated to compete in the Edgewood-Colesburg Invitational Monday, May 2 before taking part in the Northeast Iowa Conference Meet at Waverly-Shell Rock Thursday, May 5. The track Tribe will then prepare for its Class 2A State Qualifying Meet scheduled for Thursday, May 12 at Osage.

James Forrest Barthell Sr. was born May 2, 1935 to Billie Long (Mann) and Charles Grant Barthell, Sr. in Fort Worth, TX. He passed away Sunday, April 17, 2022 in Duncan, OK at the age of 86.

As an appropriate caution, Jim has requested that there be no Witness to The Resurrection service or other memorial gathering of friends and family in his honor. He has asked for prayers for Sally and the family.

Memorial gifts may be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Duncan, OK or to BOYS TOWN, by mail at P.O. Box 8000, Boys Town, NE 68010 or online at www.boystown.org/gift.

Jim grew up in southern California and in rural northeast Iowa, where he attended a one-room, all-grades country school. He finished his public education years graduating from Burbank High School in southern California in 1953.

James F. Rossi, age 95, of Lansing passed away November 28, 2021. There will be a memorial for Jim at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing May 14 at 10:30 a.m. A light lunch will follow. Please come and share your memories of Jim. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or the local Veteran Legion in Jim’s honor.

He is survived by his son, Anthony (Julie) Rossi of Lannon, WI; his daughter, Michele (Rossi) Juul of Two Rivers, WI; his grandchildren, Ryan, Michael, Gia, Guy and Nathan; and six great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Delores (Lind) Rossi; and three children, Dennis, Denise and Deanna.

Jim was active in his church. Before COVID-19 hit, he would usher every week at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing. You could also find Jim sitting in his garage making birdhouses.

Meryle S. Honn, 89, of Waukon died Friday, April 29, 2022 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 3 at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon with Pastor Sue Klimstra officiating. Burial with military honors was in the church cemetery.

Meryle Swenson Honn was born December 30, 1932 in rural Allamakee County near Forest Mills, the son of Roy Louis and Pearl Ann (Swenson) Honn. He attended rural country schools in Allamakee County and graduated from Waukon High School in 1952. Meryle served in the United States Air Force from 1952 until 1956 during the Korean War, where he did bomb demolition; after the war, he was involved in testing of atomic bombs.

by Caty Bruening, MT, Laboratory Supervisor

In most people’s opinion, having blood drawn is not the highlight of a doctor’s appointment, emergency room (ER) visit, or hospitalization; yet, lab results from these blood samples play a considerable role in the diagnosis and care plan of a patient’s health. It is said that 70% of a patient’s medical record is composed of lab results.

The laboratory technicians at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon consider themselves fortunate to collect blood, so that they can have that connection with patients that larger hospital laboratorians don’t experience. The lab staff at VMH ensure each blood draw is performed with care, comfort and quality in mind. However, the blood draw is only a small part in the series of the care given by a lab tech.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital’s “Family Wellness Fair” will finally return after three years and be held Wednesday, May 11, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Free health testing, exhibits and interactive activities will all be providing a complete evening of entertainment and education for families of all ages.

All those attending the fair are asked to enter through the new Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic entrance, then proceed through the various booths and displays, and exit the event at the main hospital entrance. Everyone will also be asked to wear a mask. Extra masks will be available at the main entrance, if needed.

This would be the 25th annual event sponsored by Veterans Memorial Hospital and will include many attractions for all ages. Everyone in the area communities is welcome to attend this free event.

by Tami Gebel, Occupational Therapist, Veterans Memorial Hospital

Springtime has finally arrived, and many people will be anxious to be out in the yard planting their gardens. Gardening can be a very rewarding hobby or pastime, even therapeutic to the mind and soul. However, when the physical tasks become too painful or difficult, many people find that having a garden is more of a chore.

Occupational therapists work daily with people to ensure that no matter the physical limitations, disabilities, disease, or injury that those people have, they can still participate in the activities that they love and enjoy. One of the roles of an occupational therapist is to develop strategies, compensations, or modifications so that people are not hindered by their aches, pains, or physical limitations in order to participate in their favorite activities.

Here are some tips to help make gardening less of a chore:

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health will be offering all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, plus the additional booster dose, at their weekly immunization clinics each Wednesday throughout the month of April. These vaccinations are by appointment only and are held each Wednesday afternoon, with extended hours available the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

These vaccinations will be available at the main entrance of the hospital in the Meditation Healing Center. To make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination in April and beyond, call Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care at 563-568-5660.

Thanks once again to the efforts of the Christensen family, the second annual Julie Christensen Memorial Blood Drive will be held this Friday, April 29 at the Waukon Wellness Center from 1-5:30 p.m. in the Senior Center in cooperation with Life Serve Blood Center.

Julie Christensen was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia November 27, 2019 and was in the hospital until February 14, 2020. She was then able to come home for a short while before she was admitted back into the hospital March 7, 2020 for more chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor in Germany. It was a perfect match. Julie’s stem cells grafted well and she became Leukemia free. During this time, Julie received 45 units of blood and 38 units of platelets.

Helping Services for Youth & Families’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center has implemented a Domestic Abuse survivor chat line, which can be reached at HelpingServices.org/chat. There is also the option to call a 24/7 resource phone line at 800-383-2988, but during social distancing Helping Services advocates noticed a decline in calls.

The agency responded by implementing a secure chat option for anyone in need of reaching a local advocate. Whether chatting or calling, a trained Advocate will respond 24 hours a day.

Helping Services’ Domestic Abuse Advocates work alongside survivors to achieve their best outcome. All services provided are at no cost and are confidential.

For more information about Helping Services’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center call 800-383-2988 or chat with someone at HelpingServices.org/chat.