News Center newsletter

Jennifer L. Sletten, 42, of Waukon died suddenly Friday, February 4, 2022 in Cresco. A celebration of life will be held Monday, February 14 from 4-6:30 p.m. at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, with a remembrance service that includes a time of sharing starting at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to bring a memory of Jennifer to share.

Jennifer Lynn Sletten was born December 12, 1979 in Iowa City, the daughter of Dale and Cris (Bjerteness) Snow. She grew up in Ridgeway and graduated from Crestwood High School in Cresco in 1998. Jennifer later received her associate’s degree in criminal justice from NICC.

Ronald H. Roese, 79, of Waukon died Saturday, February 5, 2022 at his home. Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 12 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Waukon with Pastor Kim Gates officiating. Military honors will be held outside of the church following the service. Burial of ashes will be held at a later date in Pomeroy. Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Friday, February 11 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.

Ronald Harold Roese was born January 6, 1943 in Omaha, NE, the son of Fredrick W. and Florence Ida (Petty) Roese. He grew up in Pomeroy, where he graduated from high school in 1961. Ron married Loretta Peters June 6, 1965 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Pomeroy and they had one daughter, Dawn Elizabeth.

Ronald D. Quanrude, 77, of Waukon died Friday, February 4, 2022 at VA Central Iowa Health Care in Des Moines. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 8 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial with military honors was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.

Ronald Duane Quanrude was born December 5, 1944 in rural Allamakee County, the son of Harold and Ursula (Becker) Quanrude. He graduated from St. Patrick High School in Waukon in 1962. After graduating, Ron enlisted in the United States Air Force serving from 1963-1967. In 1964, Ron graduated from the technical course as a photographic repairman, which included photographic devices at Lowery AFB in Colorado.

John A. Regan, Jr., 74, of Waukon died suddenly Monday, January 31, 2022 in rural Waukon. Funeral services were held Monday, February 7 at St. Mary’s Lycurgus Catholic Church in rural Waukon with Fr. John Moser and Rev. Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg officiating. Burial with military honors took place in the church cemetery. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

John Arthur Regan, Jr. was born July 8, 1947 in Decorah, the son of John A., Sr. and Kathleen (Hovden) Regan. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Lycurgus Catholic Church, rural Waukon. John attended Howard Elementary School and graduated from Waukon High School in 1966. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army for three years.

November 27, 1970, he married Diane M. Mathis at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry; they had three children: Jack, Marlene and Jacob. John farmed with his dad and his brother, Jim, all his life.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
Feb. 4: Organic and Transition Education Certification Program (FY20, FY21)
Feb. 18: Dairy Margin Coverage Program
Feb. 25: Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program
Mar. 15: ARCPLC Program Deadline

Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program
Are you a producer or handler of agricultural commodities that are certified organic? Or, are you transitioning your operation to certified organic? You may be eligible for financial assistance to cover expenses paid during the 2020, 2021, and 2022 fiscal years through USDA’s Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). This new program is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.

Variety of methods to access farm bill education in 2022

Crop farmers have until March 15 to make their annual election for Price Loss Coverage or Agriculture Risk Coverage (at the individual or county levels) under the 2018 Farm Bill.

This annual decision impacts the 2022 crop year, consistent with the 2018 Farm Bill. Similar annual decisions, for the 2023 crop year, will coincide with the final year of the bill.

In order to help Iowans understand their options for 2022, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is holding a variety of upcoming meetings, with support from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency.

To the Editor:

The editorial page citations on whether humans are the main cause of climate change should include the observations of writers like Peter Brennen who, in “The Ends Of The World”, notes that past extinctions have “frightening echoes in our own world - which is undergoing changes not seen for tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions, of years.”

“Welcome to Medicare” is a free, two-hour seminar offered by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselors.  This program will be held Monday, February 21 from 5-7 p.m. in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.

“Welcome to Medicare” will cover Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, the prescription drug benefit (Part D), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement insurance.

SHIIP, the Senior Health Insurance Information Program, is a service of the State of Iowa.  Local SHIIP counselors Russ Hagen and Nancy Schoh are trained by the State and do not sell or promote any insurance companies, policies or agents.  Veterans Memorial Hospital is a local sponsor for SHIIP in Allamakee County.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health will continue to offer walk-in clinics for all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, each Friday afternoon, continuing through the entire month of February, from 1:30-3:45 p.m. in the ICN Conference Room located on the southeast side of the hospital. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available.

Parking is available by the orange cones along the golf course for easy access to the vaccine location. Flu shots will also be available and can be safely administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. 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. Call ahead to schedule an appointment with them.

During the winter months, blood donations are especially needed to help prevent a critical blood shortage. Local hospital patients rely on life-saving blood donations from volunteer blood donors. Help is needed to guarantee an adequate blood supply is available at all times.

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, February 7, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The blood drive will be held at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.