Breast Cancer Awareness Month at VMH ... October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer survivor, Kathy Hager, believes in prevention for all types of cancer and advises ‘using all the tools in your toolbox” when it comes to your own health. Pictured above, next to the mammogram machine at Veterans Memorial Hospital are mammographers, left to right, are Audrey Fahey, Kelly Baxter, Kathy Hager and Amanda Leiran. Submitted photo.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Mammograms are a common test for breast cancer. A regular, annual mammogram is encouraged for all women over the age of 40 to help detect the cancer early for the best outcome.
Kathy Hager of Waukon became a Mammographer in 2016 and in 2024, is now a breast cancer survivor. She believes that preventative screenings, in all areas of health, is the key to longevity.
“This was only my second mammogram since turning 40 years old. When I received the results on my ‘My Chart’ report, I was shocked. I knew the facts that approximately 80% of breast cancer patients have no family history, like me, but you never think it will happen to you” explains Kathy.
SHIIP volunteers at VMH ... Medicare open enrollment is going on now through December 7. According to the Iowa Insurance Division, there are a number of changes for Medicare beneficiaries to be aware of occurring in 2025. For questions on Medicare drug coverage, call the local SHIIP counselors, Nancy Schoh and Jim Johnson, pictured here, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411. They provide a valuable, confidential free service to anyone needing assistance with their Medicare plan. Submitted photo.
Every fall, Medicare beneficiaries are provided an opportunity to review and change their Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) from October 15 to December 7. It’s important for Medicare beneficiaries to remember that Prescription Drug Plan and Medicare Advantage Plan costs, benefits, and providers can change each year, so evaluating your options could help you find better coverage, and even save money.
The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, October 17 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital. This month the topic with be focusing on Medicare open enrollment which is October 15 - December 7.
“I feel it is so important for everyone with a diagnosis of diabetes to stay informed about the importance of making sure you are enrolled in the best possible insurance plans for 2025 that will cover your needs,” states Angie Mettille, RN, Diabetes Educator. “You will all probably receive spam phone calls from insurance companies trying to get your business over the next month or two. Please only enroll in an insurance plan with someone you trust… never over the phone to a stranger,” she advises.
Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
October 31: Deadline to apply for Organic Certified Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
November 29: Deadline to apply for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP)
December 2: Deadline to return COC ballots to FSA Office
December 15: Deadline to report fall seeded grains with the intended use of Grain or Seed. *Note: Although cover crops can be reported at any time, we encourage you to do it this fall (2024)
As fall harvest starts across Iowa, the risk of wildfires in crop fields increases. Iowa is seeing dry conditions for this fall with relative humidity dropping down to dangerous levels for wildfires and ignition sources in the fields. Higher afternoon temperatures are also expected with the National Weather Service issuing both Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches across Iowa.
Michael “Mike” Edward Quillin, 74, of Waterville died Monday, September 9, 2024, at his home after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 18 at 10 a.m. at St. Ann’s/St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry. A Celebration of Life will follow at 12 p.m. at Village Creek Bible Camp in rural Lansing with time for visitation and an open house luncheon starting at 12:45 p.m.
David LeRoy Bangs, 83, passed away Monday, October 14, 2024 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. “Bangs” was born August 15, 1941 on a dairy farm in Allamakee County to parents Irvin Cavers and Arkley Karina (Blilie) Bangs.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 19 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 610 15th Street, Ames. Visitation will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a luncheon immediately following the service at the church. Burial of ashes will be held at a later date in Gilbert Cemetery in Gilbert.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family and will be given to the Gilbert Athletic Department in loving memory of “Bangs”.
Fr. John A. Moser, 65, of Waukon passed away Friday, October 11, 2024, at UW Health University Hospital in Madison, WI. The Mass of Resurrection will be held Thursday, October 17 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Archbishop Thomas Zinkula officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Elkader.
Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, October 16 at the church in Waukon, where there will be a 3:30 p.m. scripture service and 7 p.m. vigil service. Visitation will also continue from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church Thursday. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.
There are very few humans on the planet that embodied love and joy like Rosie Caldwell. She saw people for who they are and loved them. She didn’t see their wrongdoings first, she saw them as humans first. True to her faith, she loved fiercely, just as she felt God intended us to do.
Rocella Pladsen arrived here November 2, 1949 into a large family. Rosie was born into a family with six brothers (Arlyn, Roger, Cletus, David, Ken, and Gary) and life on the farm with all these ornery personalities left Rosie always up for a time of laughs. The stories of growing up always entertained any audience member. Rosie left the farm life, but the farm never really left her. She was never scared to get her hands dirty, and her work ethic left a lasting impression on her children.
Marlin “Little Coop” Cooper, 71, of Waukon passed away October 9, 2024 at the Northgate Care Center in Waukon. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon Sunday, October 20 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Marlin Lee Cooper was born June 7, 1953 to Harmon and Marion (Henderson) Cooper in Postville. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1972. After high school, he worked a short time for Gary Lonning Construction. “Little Coop” was a very talented carpenter. He was self-employed for many years. Later in life, he worked at Iowa Rotocast Plastic in Decorah.
He loved hunting and fishing. He looked forward to his fishing trips to Canada with family and friends. He enjoyed being on the go, visiting with friends or playing cards. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, whether it was making the morning coffee for the residents at South Ridge or being the lead on any construction project.