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A strong start behind an even stronger running game allowed the Kee football team to break a recent grip the Springville football team has had on the Hawks. Having surrendered six of their past seven match-ups to the Orioles over the past nine seasons, including the past four in a row by no closer than a three-touchdown margin, the football Hawks jumped out to a 34-0 headstart over the Orioles through the first quarter-plus and then played nearly even football on the scoreboard for the game’s remainder to remain undefeated on the season with a 66-39 home victory Friday, September 10.

Despite snapping that four-game skid against a traditionally-strong Springville squad that is winless yet this season, Kee football head coach Chad Winters would still like to see a more focused complete-game effort from his now 3-0 squad. After bolting to their 34-0 early edge, the Hawks were outscored by a 39-32 result over the game’s nearly entire three final quarters.

Rodney Duane Bloxham, age 81, passed away September 9, 2021 in Lansing. Visitation will be Sunday, September 19 from 1-4 p.m. at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Monday, September 20 at 11 a.m. at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Masks are encouraged. Burial will be at a later date.

Rodney “Rod” Duane Bloxham was born December 20, 1939 to Robert V. and Elvera J. (Svebakken) Bloxham. Rod spent most of his youth living with his grandfather, Peter S. Svebakken, on his farm near Waterville. Rod was baptized and confirmed at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church, where he remained a lifelong member.

Richard “Lee” Hinkel passed away Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon, surrounded by his wife, Kymm, and his daughters, Sarah and Brooke. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 21 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon from 9:30-11 a.m. Funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. following the visitation, with Fr. John Moser officiating. There will be a celebration of life at Green Valley Getaway in Waukon following the service.

Lee was born April 8, 1949 to Richard and Kathryn Hinkel of Marquette. After graduating from MarMac High School in 1967, he joined the Navy. He then attended Upper Iowa University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and taught at MarMac Schools in McGregor. He also coached girls varsity basketball and softball and was named Upper Mississippi Valley Conference Coach of the Year his last two years of coaching.

Emmett A. Kruger, 90, of Postville died Monday, September 6, 2021 at Good Samaritan Society in Postville. Funeral services were held Saturday, September 11 at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon with Pastor Sue Klimstra officiating. Burial was at the church cemetery. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Emmett August Kruger was born December 31, 1930 at home in Frankville Township, Winneshiek County, the son of William Henry and Lydia (Hesse) Kruger. He was baptized and confirmed at Salem Reformed Church (now Salem United Church of Christ [UCC]) in rural Waukon.

Amber Lee Mary Regan, 38, of West Des Moines passed from this world Wednesday, September 1, 2021. Friends and family were received September 12 at Ankeny Funeral Home & Crematory in Ankeny. A funeral service and Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 9 at 9:30 a.m at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Lycurgus in rural Waukon.

Amber was born May 18, 1983 in Waukon, the daughter of Ron and Mary Regan. Amber had the most beautiful smile that brought joy to everyone who experienced it. She loved her family and friends fiercely and always took the extra time and effort to ensure they knew how important they were to her, with a phone call to stay in touch, a text, a beautifully crafted letter, or a gift she took the time to create herself.

Amber loved to write poetry, paint and knit blankets, scarves and hats. Her timeless beauty and personal style and taste could not be matched as her life-long goal was to make the world a beautiful place for everyone.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, together with Elliott Jewelers of Waukon, will be hosting their 16th annual Women’s Health Day wellness event and luncheon Tuesday, September 28 at the Waukon Banquet Center. All ages are invited to attend any part of this educational event, beginning at 11 a.m. with a wellness fair offering a variety of free health tests and information, and a salad luncheon and program held from noon to 1 p.m.

Due to COVID-19, attendees will be asked to wear masks at the event until they sit down for the meal and again when finished eating. Fewer vendors will be on site at this year’s event in order to more safely distance the tables with fewer attendees sitting at each table.

For over 30 years, both Lawrence and Marsha Benda of Waukon have been on duty for ambulance calls every Monday and Tuesday night, plus numerous weekends and most any other time when needed. They both retired last spring and have left big shoes to fill in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) community. When asked why they began their volunteer EMS careers, they both simply stated they wanted to help their community, being there for people when they really needed them - and that, they did.

Their interest in EMS began back in 1989 when Lawrence, who was Boy Scout Master at the time, had the Scouts on a weekend camping trip, when one scout broke his leg. Neither Lawrence nor the other chaperon had any medical training. Soon after, Lawrence signed up to take the First Responder Course so he would know how to help in the case of another emergency. He then began driving the ambulance for emergency calls and transfers.

“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, September 20 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 counselor Russ Hagen is trained by the State and does not sell or promote any insurance companies, policies or agents. New volunteer Nancy Schoh  is now also available for SHIIP counseling at Veterans Memorial Hospital, which is a local sponsor for SHIIP in Allamakee County.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Allamakee County Public Health Office is receiving numerous phone calls requesting a booster, or third dose, of the COVID-19 vaccine. At this time, only those being treated for cancer or who have a transplant history or an immunosuppressive disorder may be due for a booster. Allamakee County Public Health asks that everyone else hold their phone calls at this time and they will announce when the dose is available and the order in which it will be given.

Last week Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon rolled out the new patient portal, called My Care Corner. Patient portals allow patients online, easy access to their personal medical record. The hospital emailed out a notification to all patients directing them to register on this new app.

Patients are instructed to click on the register link, then hit continue to create a new account or log in with current patient portal credentials, if the patient has already set an account up.

Anyone having difficulty with this new program is advised to create a new account in the My Care Corner application. All previous data will transfer into this new patient portal.

Anyone who may need assistance with their account is encouraged to call Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon at 563-568-3411.