News Center newsletter

Eugene Van Fleet Jr., pillar of the family and our hero of the “Greatest Generation,” died March 21, 2020 at the age of 94 at Applewood Place Assisted Living in Lakewood, CO. In light of recent health advisories, it has been decided to postpone services until a later date. Updated information will be posted when services are able to be rescheduled.

A Colorado native, Eugene was born in Denver January 18, 1926 to Eugene Sr. and Rebecca (Blunt). His parents owned a tailor/hat-making/dry cleaning shop in downtown Denver, where he learned the tricks of the trade.

Eugene attended East High School. When the attack of Pearl Harbor occurred, Eugene, then 15, was too young to defend his country. He waited until the age of 17, in his senior year, to join the U.S. Merchant Marines, with his parents’ permission. He later enrolled in the U.S. Naval Construction Force, the Seabees, where he was based in the Philippines as the company tailor.

Robert “Bob” D. Thompson, 77, of rural Waterville died Thursday, March 26, 2020 at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, WI from complications of the Coronavirus. A private graveside service was held at Old East Paint Creek Cemetery, rural Waterville. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Condolences can be sent to Linda Thompson, 1831 Elon Drive, Waterville, IA 52170.

The family requests in lieu of gifts please give to the Veterans Memorial Hospital Foundation in Waukon, Old East Paint Creek Church, or help someone that may be struggling during these uncertain economic times.

Robert Davis Thompson was born June 14, 1942 in West Union, the son of Arthur and Pearl Irene (Helgerson) Thompson. He graduated from North High School in West Union in 1961 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves from 1963-1969. He worked as a pipe fitter at Wilson’s Meat Packing Plant in Cedar Rapids.

Virginia Lou (Ashbacher) Roe, 82, of Waukon died Thursday, March 26, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Private graveside services were held at Old West Paint Creek Cemetery, rural Waukon. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences can be sent to Sue Schulte at 303 Eighth Street SW, Waukon, IA 52172. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Virginia Lou Roe was born July 26, 1937 on her parents’ farm near the French Creek area of rural Lansing. She was the daughter of John Raymond and Florence Alice (Ehrhart) Ashbacher. Virginia was baptized and confirmed at the French Creek Methodist Church and attended French Creek #2 Schoolhouse.

Allamakee County Public Health (Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care) has currently been notified of a total of 7 positive cases of COVID 19 in Allamakee County. Unfortunately we have received notice of a death of one our 7 cases. This case is a male between the ages of 61-80 years of age. 3 cases have already recovered and have been released from isolation and 3 are recovering at home under isolation. We do expect to see more positive cases in the coming days.

Allamakee County Public Health and our other area health partners can not stress enough the importance of STAYING HOME. This does slow the spread. Staying home does not mean you can’t go for a walk or be outside as long as you maintain social distancing. 6 feet physical distancing is about the length of a twin bed.

Richard “Dick” E. Gearhart, 89 of Waukon passed away March 26, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Graveside services will be held at a later date in Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone. Condolences can be sent to Anna Gearhart, at 4511 Cornwall Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family with arrangements.

Richard “Dick” Edward Gearhart was born January 3, 1931 in Dubuque, the son of Glenn and Lois (Ruxton) Gearhart. He attended Nevada High School, graduating in 1949. Dick continued his education at Drake University graduating with a degree in History in 1953. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity and a member of Drake’s track and cross country teams. While at Drake, he met a beautiful Delta Gamma girl, Anna Sunstrom of Boone. The two married in 1952. Together they shared 68 years of marriage.

Editor’s Note: Olivia Opat is a senior at Waukon High School and the editor-in-chief of the Waukon High School student newspaper, The Tribune, that prints monthly in The Standard during the school year. With schools being closed until mid-April at this point due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the likelihood of no April edition of that student newspaper and the uncertainty of what the remainder of this school year will bring, Olivia wanted to share the following perspective on behalf of her fellow seniors:

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in alignment with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for public health and safety, Effigy Mounds National Monument has closed the Visitor Center and all indoor facilities to the public, effective immediately.

Park trails will remain open, including the North Unit trail system to Fire Point and Hanging Rock, and the South Unit trail system to the Marching Bear Group. All trails are open daily from dawn to dusk.

Rangers will be present at various times during the day to answer questions, weather and staffing permitting. Visitors can also call the Visitor Center at 563-873-3491 for additional information.

Staff at Gundersen Health System Medical and Eye Clinic in Waukon received their own special dose of treatment when they arrived to work Monday morning, March 22 as they were greeted by some special messages chalked on to the clinic’s entrance sidewalk over the weekend. A pair of elementary-age cousins, Braelyn Zuercher and Mila Mathis of Waukon, provided the messages, making the most of getting out of the house during a time when their schools are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak to write and draw colorful messages with sidewalk chalk that included such sentiments as “Doctors and nurses are superheroes!” and “Thank you, have a good day,” along with smiley faces, hearts and other drawings and short messages of appreciation and thoughtfulness in an effort to brighten the day of some of the local healthcare providers who find themselves on the frontlines of the current battle against COVID-19.

Local health officials advising individuals to follow prevention guidelines and to stay at home unless absolutely necessary

by Lissa Blake

Those who don’t want to be the next person diagnosed with the coronavirus should stay home, self-isolate and wash their hands.

That was the message from Veterans Memorial Hospital Administrator Mike Myers Friday afternoon, March 20 following the diagnosis of the third person testing positive for COVID-19 in Allamakee County. Since then, however, three more county residents have been reported as testing positive, bringing the county’s total to six as of Monday, March 22, adding to the current (Monday) total of 105 positive cases in Iowa affecting more than two dozen counties.

Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker shared the following information and perspective concerning local efforts in combating the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak:

Hi, and I hope everyone is doing well as we deal with the coronavirus known as COVID-19. I wanted to let everyone know that Allamakee County Emergency Management and Allamakee County Public Health are working together and have been able to also include other agencies and organizations within the county, as well as working with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Iowa’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.  We are also working with city and county government, our county emergency responders, long term care facilities and the hospital.