News Center newsletter

Ruth A. Borcherding, 92, of Waukon died Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, January 5 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon, with Pastor Wayne Ellingson officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Ruth Alvina Borcherding was born March 5, 1926 in Waukon, the daughter of John and Lucia (Christ) Sieg. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ and attended rural Elk country school in Makee Township in rural Waukon. Ruth worked at a factory in Decorah during WWII making parachutes to be used in airplanes.

June 5, 1945, she married Arthur Louis Borcherding. Ruth and Arthur bought a farm north of Luana, where they farmed until Arthur’s death in 1979; she then moved to Waukon.

Ruth was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. She was a very caring mother and grandmother and enjoyed working in her vegetable and flower gardens. Ruth also always had a dog with her.

Ronald R. Mauss, 74, of Kentwood, MI, formerly of Waukon, died Friday, December 21, 2018 at his home in Kentwood, MI. Funeral services were held Saturday, January 5 at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon with Pastor Sue Klimstra officiating, and burial was in the church cemetery.

Ronald Raymond Mauss was born September 9, 1944 in Waukon, the son of Raymond and Leona (Selberg) Mauss. In 1962, Ron graduated from Waukon High School and then went on to receive an engineering degree from Iowa State University. After moving to California in 1966, Ron earned his Master of Engineering degree from California State University in Los Angeles in 1972.

Clay Clifton Yearous, 57, of Monona died Monday, December 31, 2018 at his home in Monona after a lengthy battle with cancer. Funeral Service was held Saturday, January 5 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monona with Rev. Erika Kielstrup as the officiant. Burial followed at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Clay was born February 21, 1961 to Clifton and Arlene (Timmerman) Yearous in Waukon. He attended Waukon High School.

Clay was united in marriage with Wendy Gress September 7, 2013. He was a long-haul semi driver, hauling cattle for Mihm Bros. in Ft. Atkinson. Clay enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, riding his Harley and working in his shop. He was known to carry on a conversation and do anything but sit still. Clay was a Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins fan. He was a part of the pit crew for his son’s Hornet car.

A large donation of a variety of toys was recently donated by Bob and Karen Fossum of rural Waterville through Thrivent. These toys have been made available in a variety of departments around the hospital for children visiting or being cared for in those departments. The donation was made by the Fossums to help ease anxiety and provide comfort for all children at the hospital. Bob and Karen are pictured above surrounded by toys they recently donated. Submitted photo.
 

Veterans Memorial Hospital physicians and staff will be awaiting the arrival of the first baby born at the hospital in the New Year 2019. This fortunate child and his or her family will receive a large number of beautiful gifts compliments of area merchants.

The first baby of the year will receive the following in cash and prizes:

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Thursday, January 3, from 12-5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Blood drives are held every month in Waukon. The LifeServe Blood Center of Iowa supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with their blood and blood products.

The LifeServe Blood Center of Iowa is seeking donors to ensure a safe and plentiful blood supply in Iowa. Because there is no substitute for human blood, the need for donors is continuous.  Many Iowans are encouraged to make donating blood on a regular basis their New Year’s resolution this year.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding their monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested Thursday, January 17. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if you are not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.

The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner if chosen. Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 if you wish to eat dinner.  Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is more than welcome to do so. The cost is $3 per person with all proceeds going towards the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital.  Prizes will be awarded.

Anyone interested in attending, but preferring to play Bridge is also welcome to join in. It is asked that you come with your table of four players.

The local Caregiver Support Group meets monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital. The meetings take place the third Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next meeting will be held Monday, January 21, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the ICN Conference Room, located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

This informal meeting is open to anyone who provides care and support for a family member or friend. Feel free to attend and bring a friend. This new Caregiver Support Group meets the third Monday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

The local Grief Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital Tuesday, January 8 at 5 p.m. in the Education Conference Room.

This informal meeting is open to anyone suffering from any type of loss whether it be death, divorce, illness or some other grief.

Feel free to attend and bring a friend. This support group meets the second Tuesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, January 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 diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or has a friend or loved one with diabetes. For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call  Angie Mettille, RN, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.