News Center newsletter

River Bluff Daze is returning to Ferryville, WI this Saturday, July 24. Full details of all the activities and opportunities planned during the event can be found at www.visitferryville.com.

A guided nature hike at Sugar Creek Bluff will kick things off at 8:30 a.m. Participants can meet at the Ferryville Boat Landing to carpool up to Sugar Creek Bluff. Hikers will see birds, wildlife, wildflowers and experience the panoramic view of the Mississippi River Valley, sponsored by the Ferryville Tourism Council.

John Weymiller, current resident at Thornton Manor in Lansing and long-time resident of Eitzen, MN, was asked by the Eitzen Lions Club to be the Parade Marshal for the Eitzen Lions Family Fun Fest that took place during the Fourth of July weekend in Eitzen, MN. Weymiller, age 91, is pictured above in the 1912 Model T Touring Ford owned by Bryan and Lori Ann St. Mary that he was privileged enough to ride in while being honored throughout the parade. Weymiller, himself, was a collector of Model T Fords, and has been a member of the Eitzen Lions Club for over 40 years.

Weymiller also claims the honor of being the “second oldest man living in Eitzen,” and says he is humbled by being asked to serve as this year’s Parade Marshal. “I am deeply moved and highly honored,” he said. “I met so many nice people, and old friends greeted me along the route. The old Ford performed ‘flawlessly,’ especially since it is over 10 years older than I am!”

The Waukon baseball team had its 2021 campaign brought to a close this past week with a split of two Class 2A District 8 Tournament games, but not before venturing farther than any diamond Tribe has in postseason play since 2011, when the Indians made their last State Tournament bid, and providing Waukon baseball fans with some thrilling memories and hope along the way. After posting a 10-0 first-round district triumph over a winless Postville squad more than a week ago, this year’s postseason surge continued against two much stronger squads in games played at Jesup, the baseball Tribe first waging war against Waterloo Columbus (21-12) Tuesday, July 13 to pull out a 9-7 triumph in 11 innings before then battling eighth-rated Jesup (25-3) right to the very end of just a 3-2 loss at the home of the highly-regarded J-Hawks Saturday, July 17 to have the 2021 diamond season brought to an end.

The Kee baseball team’s postseason path would end up crossing this past week with a pair of teams the Hawks had fallen to in back-to-back games nearly three weeks earlier. Fortunately, Kee’s diamond dwellers would avenge both of those regular season losses with a pair of two-run triumphs at home that have now pushed the Hawks to their first District Championship and Substate berth since the 2017 season.

Waukon Park & Recreation is excited to be offering a tennis program for the first time this summer, teaming up with instructor Aaron Gentes to provide this opportunity. The program is for girls and boys ages seven to 17.

Participants will gain a better understanding of the sport along with learning basic tennis technique and form. The classes will be divided by age groups as follows:

• 7-8 year olds (5-5:50 p.m.)
• 9-10 year olds (6-6:50 p.m.)
• 11-17 year olds (7-7:50 p.m.)

The tennis program will be held Monday evenings at the times listed above, taking place at the Waukon Tennis Courts (across from the Wellness Center) starting July 26 and running for five weeks. Program dates are July 26, August 2, August 9, August 16 and August 23. In the event of rain, a make-up date will be determined at that time.

Delores C. Fetketter, 91, of Caledonia, MN, formerly of Eitzen, MN, went home to be with her Lord, surrounded by her family, Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at Claddagh Senior Living in Caledonia, MN. A celebration of life will be held from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, July 24 at the Eitzen Community Center, Eitzen, MN.

Delores was born January 12, 1929 in Waukon to Arthur and Adeline “Lena” (Welper) Kasten. She was a 1948 graduate of Waukon High School, a proud moment for her as she was the first child in their family to graduate from high school. She then worked at the La Crosse telephone company, a job she loved.

Robert “Bob” D. Thompson, 77, of rural Waterville passed away Thursday, March 26, 2020 at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. A Celebration of Life is being held Saturday, July 31 at 10:30 a.m. at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church, 1779 Elon Drive, Waterville.

There will be a service with Holy Communion followed by a brunch in the church basement. The family requests no gifts, only your presence is needed.
 

Gary Lee Flage of San Angelo, TX passed November 30, 2020 of complications from COVID-19. He was 78 years old. Due to COVID-19, there will be no service. Gary’s ashes will be scattered on his family’s farm in Iowa.

Born March 8, 1942 in Waukon, Gary grew up on his family’s farm. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and studied Russian linguistics. While at Goodfellow AFB, Gary met Marilyn Treadwell, whom he married March 19, 1966.

Their daughter, Karon, was born when stationed at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska. Being honorably discharged in 1968, the family returned to San Angelo, TX in 1970, where son Bruce was born. Gary graduated from Angelo State University (ASU) in May 1972 and worked at Nathan’s Jewelers for over 20 years.

Robert “Bob” Grover, formerly of Lansing, was celebrated for his love of life, Christian faith and military service by all of his children, grandchildren and their families at Fairview Cemetery in his hometown of Cedar Falls last week following his death in 2020.

Friends can continue to celebrate his love of laughter, music, sports and the great outdoors by honoring all those who serve others in need and those who help preserve nature.
 

James Louis McKee, 76, of Necedah, WI passed away at the Tomah VA Medical Center Friday, July 16, 2021. Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, July 20 at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Necedah, WI. Burial with full military honors took place Wednesday, July 21 in the Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery in Lansing. The family has asked that memorials be given in memory of James to their charity of choice.

Jim was born August 3, 1944 to Richard James and Evelyn M. (Knopf) McKee in Churchtown. Following high school, Jim enlisted with the United States Army where he served for several years. December 17, 2016, he married Donna Mae (VanHoof) Hirt. Together they made their life in Necedah, WI and were active members of the St. Francis Catholic Church.