News Center newsletter

A winning week for the Waukon baseball team saw the diamond Tribe win three of five games played this past week, book-ending the week with victories to improve to a 10-11 season mark that includes a 6-8 record in Northeast Iowa Conference (NEIC) play. The Indians swept a varsity doubleheader at Crestwood Monday, June 13 by scores of 12-4 and 14-1 in six innings, before falling at home to Osage Thursday, June 16 by an 11-1 result. The baseball Tribe then played to a split of a varsity doubleheader at Waverly-Shell Rock Friday, June 17, falling in game one by a 6-0 result before battling back to earn the split with a 6-5 win in the nightcap. A non-conference game at South Winneshiek Wednesday, June 15 was canceled due to stormy weather.

Scott Theodore Spinner died May 6, 2022 peacefully in his home of natural causes. Scott will be cremated and laid to rest in his family burial plot at Cherry Mound Cemetery, Harpers Ferry. Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 2 at 8:30 a.m. at Cherry Mound Cemetery. Following the services, doughnuts and coffee will be served at the Waterville Community Center.

Scott was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Peter Spinner and Helen Frances Spinner (née Bogue).

Mary Lynn (Harding) Ghelf, age 60, loving mother of three and adoring wife to husband Kirk, passed away peacefully at home in De Soto, WI surrounded by family Friday, June 17, 2022 after a courageous battle with uterine cancer. A visitation will be held Wednesday, June 22 from 1-4 p.m. at the De Soto Lutheran Church, where a prayer service will be held at 3:45 p.m. led by Rev. Lori Kleppe. Burial will follow in the Walnut Mound Cemetery, Retreat, WI. A Celebration of Mary’ s Life will be held at a future date, which will be announced.

Mary was born September 24, 1961 in La Crosse, WI to Vernon “Brady” and Marie (Dybvig) Harding. She graduated from De Soto High School in 1979 and attended college through WTC. Mary married her husband, Kirk, in 1986 and became an excellent farm wife. Mary was employed by G. Heileman Brewing Co., Coulee Children’s Center and worked the majority of her career at Gundersen Health System.

JoAnn Marie O’Hara, 86, of Castalia passed away peacefully surrounded by her children Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union. Funeral Service were held Friday, June 17 at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia. Burial followed at Pleasant View Cemetery in Castalia.

JoAnn was born September 2, 1935 to Edwin and Anna (Stee) Engelhardt in Castalia. She graduated from Postville High School in 1953.

JoAnn was united in marriage to Leo O’Hara June 19, 1953 in Decorah. Seven children were born to this union, including Michael, Lynn, Scott, Mark, Traci, Lisa and David.

JoAnn began her working career as a cashier at the Castalia grocery store. During her years as a stay-at-home mom, while her kids were in school, she was an at-home babysitter. JoAnn then furthered her career by working throughout her life as a server and bartender at many food and local gathering establishments in northeast Iowa.

A hot-mix asphalt pavement resurfacing project on Iowa Highway 76 South from the Clayton/Allamakee County line to Allamakee County Road X-32 (Dry Hollow Road, located east of Waterville Road) will require intermittent lane closures that are scheduled to begin Monday, June 20 and last until mid-November, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (DOT) New Hampton construction office. During this project, motorists will be directed through the work zone with flaggers and pilot cars when workers are present. The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts. The latest traveler information is available anytime through the DOT 511 system.

by Brittney Snitker, Pharm. D., BCPS

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) now offers a Meds-to-Beds program to all patients admitted to our facility. This program was developed in coordination with Hartig Drug and Nightingale Drug to help ease the discharge process, which can be very stressful for patients and family members. There are many items to organize at discharge including equipment needs, new medications, arranging home caretakers, and countless other accommodations.

Meds-to-Beds helps facilitate a smooth transition home. Rather than rushing to the pharmacy before closing or planning how to maneuver into the pharmacy to pick up medications after an illness or painful surgery, patients no longer have to present to the pharmacy. Both Waukon pharmacies will deliver medications to the patient’s hospital bed prior to going home.

Every three years, Veterans Memorial Hospital is required to survey the residents of Allamakee County and the surrounding area served by the hospital to collect a list of the health needs residents feel are most important. Community Health Needs Assessments gather information to help guide and direct health planning activities. The hospital is still conducting that survey from now through June 30 and more input is needed from all the area communities.

Information from this survey is compiled and used to update and improve the health plan for the entire service area of the hospital. The hospital encourages everyone to take a few minutes to complete this important survey so the results can be used to develop a plan to address the outlined health needs. The survey can be accessed through the QR code at right, or on the home page of the Veterans Memorial Hospital website at www.veteransmemorialhospital.com.

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation annual Three Person Best-Shot Golf Tournament will be held Monday, June 20 at the Waukon Golf and Country Club. Teams of three will begin the day with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. and play 18 holes of golf. Breakfast rolls, lunch, dinner and prizes for everyone will all be provided for a donation of $75.

The 29th annual tournament will be sponsored by the following businesses who have committed to being hole sponsors: Brickl Brothers, Casper Plumbing and Heating, Eide Bailey, Fidelity Bank, Finholt Construction, FreedomBank, Gundersen Waukon Clinic and Vision Center, Hacker Nelson & Co. CPAs, Kerndt Brothers Bank, LTI Water, LaMair-Mulock-Condon Company, New Albin Savings Bank, Nightingale Drug, People’s State Bank, RW Pladsen, Inc., Systems Equipment, Torkelson Motors of Waukon, Waukon Dental and Waukon State Bank.

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

“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.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, June 16 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room. Masks will be required to be worn.

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.