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The 2022 Waukon girls golf season will feature an unprecedented situation in the fact that there will be just one young lady taking to the course for the Lady Indians this spring. Freshman Alyssa Connelly makes up the entire roster for this season’s golf Tribe, as no golfers returned from previous seasons for this spring campaign.

“The census of the team is down considerably, but my individual is working hard, is excited about the game, and has personal goals that she wants to achieve,” Waukon girls golf coach Kathy McMillan said.

Even though her team size may be the smallest it has ever been, Coach McMillan will continue to provide the tutelage she has for all golfers who have gone through her program. “I want to teach my individual good course management skills and establish solid fundamentals,” she explained.

Mary V. Waters, 56, of La Crosse, WI, formerly of Waukon, died Sunday, April 3, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services were held Saturday, April 9 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial was at St. Mary’s Hanover Cemetery, rural Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled the arrangements.

Mary Veronica Waters was born June 22, 1965 in Mitchell, SD, the daughter of Floyd and Florence Glade (Spainhower) Waters. She graduated from Waukon High School in 1984, and attended Loras College in Dubuque for a degree in secretarial and word processing in 1986. For many years, she worked at Northern Engraving in Waukon. Mary was a loving mother to her son, Cori, and cherished their times together.

George D. Pickett, 92, passed away at his home in Waukon March 28, 2022. Memorial services will be held Friday, April 8 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Services will be live-streamed on the Martin-Grau Funeral Home Facebook page.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 7 at St. John’s Fellowship Hall and also one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at a future date at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery in Preston, MN. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family. The family asks that no flowers be given; memorials can be made to The Allamakee Music Boosters (P.O. Box 215, Waukon, IA 52172), Robey Memorial Library in Waukon, or your favorite charity.

Karen J. Hermeier, 76, of Waterloo, formerly of Waukon, died Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at her home with her husband by her side. Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 5 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Duane Smith officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Karen Jean Hermeier was born April 15, 1945 in Waukon, the daughter of Lloyd and Neva (Deal) Bechtel. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ, attended Jefferson #7 grade school, and graduated from Waukon High School in 1962. After high school, Karen received additional education for office work and went to Washington, D.C. to work for the Navy Department.

In May of 1964, Karen returned to Waukon and married Terry Hermeier, who was on leave from the U.S. Army. The couple then went to Fort Huachuca, AZ for two years, where she worked for the Army Department.

Ryan Thomas Jon Helgerson was born the son of Kae Jeanne Helgerson and Gary Helgerson January 1, 1990, being the first child to be born in northeast Iowa that year. Ryan died March 18, 2022 in Eagle River, AK. Funeral Services were held Wednesday, March 30 at Norway Lutheran Church, rural St. Olaf with Rev. Marshall Hahn officiating. Inurnment was at Norway Lutheran Cemetery, rural St. Olaf.

Ryan was quite a surprise for his family, being 16 years younger than his oldest brother, Erik, and 13 years younger than his brother, Joel. He was baptized at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkader and Confirmed at Norway Lutheran Church in St. Olaf. Ryan graduated from Central High School in Elkader in 2008.

Hazel Alida Kolsrud, age 95, passed away March 28, 2022 at the Haywood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Waynesville, NC. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 9 at 1 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 785 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, NC. The family requests that masks are optional due to COVID-19 guidelines. A private graveside service will be held later in the spring in Waukon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Our Savior Lutheran Church (785 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, NC 28721); Four Seasons Hospice (571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731); or Givens Great Laurels (80 Candler Street, Waynesville, NC 28786).

Veterans Memorial Hospital will sponsor a Babysitting Seminar Saturday, April 9. This class will be broken down into two different sessions to allow for better spacing of the students. The morning session will be held from 9 a.m. to Noon and the afternoon session from 1-4 p.m. The same information will be taught at both sessions, so students can sign up for one or the other. A total of 20 students will be allowed in each session.

Both classes will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. The entrance for the class will be the hospital shipping/receiving entrance located on the east side of the building near the MRI truck, across from the golf course. Signs will be posted.

by Jill Fleming, MS, RD
Veterans Memorial Hospital

Each year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics celebrates the month of March as National Nutrition Month. The focus of this campaign is to help you make informed food choices and encourage healthy lifestyle habits. Ideally, you will be reducing your risk of chronic disease and enjoying optimal health.

Since there are so many different diets being talked about in the media, knowing which one is the best can be confusing. Should you avoid all carbohydrates? Do you need to count calories? Should you eat six small meals daily or eat only once per day?

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, April 4 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.  The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

Here are some interesting blood facts from the Blood Center of Iowa:

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health will be offering all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at their weekly immunization clinics each Wednesday throughout the month of April. These vaccinations are by appointment only.  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.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Be sure to wear a mask and bring an insurance card and vaccination card if coming for a second or booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Both Hartig Drug and Nightingale Pharmacy in Waukon have vaccine available for ages 12 and older. Parental/guardian consent is required. Be sure to call them ahead of time to schedule an appointment.

Since Veterans Memorial Hospital is a health care facility, the CDC does require that masks are still required to be worn by every patient and visitor to the hospital.