News Center newsletter

Irene L. Tweito, 90, of Waukon died Monday, June 28, 2021 at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines after being hospitalized at Iowa Methodist/Unity Point Medical Center, also in Des Moines. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 3 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial was at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Spring Grove, MN.

The service was live streamed and can still be viewed on Martin-Grau Funeral Home’s Facebook page. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon assisted the family with arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church, VMH Foundation or Allamakee Scholarship Fund, all in Waukon, or IPTV to support Lawrence Welk broadcasts, ABLE in Caledonia, MN, or other non-profits which you may care to support.

Kenneth D. Lough, 73, of Waukon died Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie du Chien, WI. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 3 at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Burial with military honors was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Kenneth Dean Lough was born March 27, 1948 in Estherville, the son of William Lyle and Leona (Klug) Lough; Kenny was so excited to join the world, he couldn’t wait until his mom got to the hospital and was born in the back of a taxi on the way there. He was baptized and confirmed at Estherville Lutheran Church and in 1968, graduated from Estherville High School.

Jane Schoh, 88, of Waukon, formerly of Dorchester, died Thursday, June 24, 2021 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Memorial services were held Monday, June 28 at Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church in rural New Albin with Pastor Paul Burgess officiating. Burial was at the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Veterans Memorial Hospital Health Care Foundation or to Mt. Hope Cemetery. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon assisted with arrangements.

Emma Jane Schoh was born January 13, 1933 at Hall’s Maternity Hospital in Waukon, the daughter of Earl and Myrtle (Sadler) Beardmore. She was baptized October 22, 1933 by Pastor H. J. Noeding at Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church in rural New Albin and confirmed on Confirmation Sunday, April 14, 1946 by Pastor Calvin Willemssen at Mt. Hope. Jane attended English Bench grade school in rural Dorchester and graduated as salutatorian of her class from Waukon High School in 1951.

Richard Allen Hanson, 71, of Lansing lost his battle with cancer June 17, 2021. He passed away peacefully at home. A Celebration of Life was held Thursday, June 24 at the United Methodist Church, Lansing with Military Rites at the church. Rev. Sedar Shako and Deacon Roger Lunsmann were the Officiants. In lieu of flowers, make donations to St. Jude’s children’s hospital in Rich’s name.

Rich was born to Melvin and Sylvia (Sandry) Hanson December 5, 1949 in Waukon. He spent his youth as the youngest of five children and attended Lansing school systems. In high school he began working at the Lansing fish market where he was mentored by Harold Verdon.

Rich was drafted into the Army in 1970 and sent to Vietnam, where he earned two bronze stars, multiple overseas ribbons and a combat infantry badge. He returned home and met his loving wife, Mary Troendle, and they were united in marriage June 30, 1972 at Wexford Catholic Church.

For those not yet vaccinated, Allamakee County Public Health does have a good supply of vaccine and is highly encouraging everyone to receive it. Vaccine clinics are readily available every Friday afternoon for both prime and boost doses for Moderna. Currently, Johnson and Johnson one-dose vaccine is also available. These clinics are held at the main entrance to Veterans Memorial Hospital. Call 563-568-5660 to schedule an appointment.

The risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. The COVID-19 vaccine, which is readily available locally, creates an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness.

Another generous donation to the new Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic was recently received by Norplex-Micarta of Postville. Pictured at right, left to right, are employees of Norplex-Micarta including Wilbeth Thomas, Erin Schultz, Scott Hagen (Director of Operations), Doreen Doerring and Teresa Loftsgard.

Appointments are now being scheduled by calling the new clinic phone number of 563-568-5530. Donations are still being accepted by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. All gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic has been open since May 3. The total raised to date for the clinic renovation project is very near $500,000, with a goal of a total of $600,000. Donations are still being accepted by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Health Care Foundation and are tax deductible.

by the Iowa Department of Public Health and Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care

The summer cookout season is officially underway in Iowa. Along with it comes the danger of under-cooked meat or meat that has been improperly prepared and the illnesses it can bring. Each year, many get sick either directly of indirectly from food items that haven’t been properly prepared. One of the major dangers when meat is improperly prepared is E. coli 0157. Iowa State Epidemiologist Dr. Patricia Quinlisk said there is one simple rule that can cut down on the number of E. coli 0157 illnesses. “Cook all ground meat patties and poultry until the center is gray or brown. All juices running from the meat should be clear, with no trace of pink or cloudiness.”

Veterans Memorial Hospital hosted its biennial Safety Day Camp Thursday, June 10, drawing a record crowd of 151 children ages seven to 14. The children were divided into 10 different groups and spent 20 minutes at each of the 10 safety stations throughout the day.

The campers each assembled their own first aid kits at the camp, receiving instruction on how to manage a bleed, perform CPR, as well as caring for other types of injuries. In addition, each camper was sent home with a goodie bag following the event, filled with additional safety and first aid supplies for the home, such as safety goggles, ace wraps, tourniquets, ear plugs, sun block and insect repellent.  Most all of these items were provided by grant dollars awarded to the Iowa State University (ISU) Allamakee County Extension Office from Iowa’s Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (I-CASH).

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Thursday, July 8 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church located in south Waukon. Blood drives are held once a month in Waukon, to allow for more donors to give. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

Blood centers across the United States see a decrease in blood donations during the busy summer months.  During the summer, people become more active, have busier schedules, spend more time outdoors and take vacations. While donations decline, hospitals see an increase in the need for blood. More driving can mean more automobile accidents. A person who has suffered severe injuries from an automobile accident can need up to 50 units of blood.

Leeta and Scott Votsmier of Waukon announce the birth of their son, Mace LeRoy Votsmier, born June 11, 2021 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. He weighed 7 lbs. 2 ozs. and measured 20 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins a sister, Henley (21 months).

Grandparents are Dan and Jane Sivesind and Chuck and Lois Votsmier, all of Waukon. Great-grandparents are Frank and Carol Sivesind of Waukon.