News Center newsletter

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering “Kids in the Kitchen - Easter Cookies” Wednesday, March 31 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW. Kids ages seven to 14 are invited to learn how to decorate Easter cookies by practicing with a pastry bag.

To register online for “Kids in the Kitchen - Easter Cookies” (#80343) or for more information, visit www.nicc.edu/solutions/80343, or call 844-642-2338, ext. 6700. Registration deadline with payment is March 24.
 

Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) has announced the availability of NEICAC Scholarships supported solely by employees and friends of Community Action. The application and criteria for eligibility are available through the County Family Service Offices or the Administrative Office in Decorah (563-382-8436), online at https://www.neicac.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-Scholarship-Filla..., or at high school guidance counselors’ offices. Applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 23 to be considered.

Nature lovers are needed to help maintain and plant trees throughout Iowa and Illinois; volunteers can sign up now for virtual training through Trees Forever’s TreeKeepers classes. The course is designed for people who want to become more knowledgeable about urban tree planting and care and will empower attendees to become effective environmental volunteers.

The next class series will be held Tuesday evenings in March. This three-class series will take place March 16, 23 and 30 from 6 - 8 p.m.

“Trees help our communities in so many ways - from cleaning our air, soil and water to providing beauty and a sense of home,” said Patty Reisinger, Trees Forever Field Coordinator. “When you take care of a tree, you’re also taking care of your community, and TreeKeepers gives you the knowledge and opportunity to do just that!”

A pair of Class 3A State Tournament semifinalist teams from each of the last two seasons took to the court in the opening round of this year’s Class 3A Girls State Tournament Monday, March 1 when the 14th-rated and seventh-seeded Waukon girls basketball team returned to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines following its 2019 semifinals run to take on a second-rated and second-seeded Clear Lake team that was returning from that same result just last season. With remnants of each of those previous squads, along with new supporting cast members, taking the floor against one another vying for a return trip to that same round at this year’s season grand finale, it was the more recent experience of Clear Lake that eventually shined through in a 45-24 Indian defeat.

The Waukon boys and girls bowling teams both wrapped up 2020-2021 campaigns that were right around average in regard to their respective season win-loss records. The Waukon boys finished the season with a 3-5 overall season record while the Lady Indians rolled their way to an even 4-4 season mark that included a 3-1 record in their North Central Bowling Conference to place them atop the Eastern Division of that larger conference for the second consecutive season.

“We had very successful seasons for both of our programs this season,” Waukon bowling coach Jerry Keenan said. “We set several new individual high games and series along the way.”

This season’s greatest accomplishments, however, were likely not measured by those win-loss numbers. Completing just the fifth year of the program’s existence, Coach Keenan continues to enjoy the growth that he witnesses both in his overall program, as well as within the individual bowlers throughout each season.

The 2020-2021 wrestling season saw the Waukon mat team battle well through a variety of things, both on and off the competition mat. The Tribe wrestled to a 2-20 overall record in dual meet competition this season, getting one of those wins against a Northeast Iowa Conference in a late-season victory over Oelwein.

One of those battles off the mat was one all teams had to deal with this past season, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced teams into adjustments in their practice regimen and competition schedule. The Indians fared well throughout that pandemic battle, not having to make any severe or sudden adjustments forced by the virus, as some teams had to do throughout the season after the virus hit members of those squads.

Pamela K. Haney, 52, of McGregor passed away peacefully February 24, 2021 after a long illness. The family will have a private service in the spring at Big Canoe Lutheran Church, Decorah.

Pamela Kay Haney was born September 15, 1968 to Reginald and Ann (Lunde) Haney. She graduated from Kee High School in Lansing. Pam worked in Lansing and McGregor and also in the east as a nanny. She was an amazing artist, loved nature and was the kindest person.

She was preceded in death by her father, Reginald Haney, along with all of her grandparents and many aunts and uncles. Survivors include her mother, Ann; her brothers and sisters, Regina (Kevin) Ashbacher, Steve Haney, Dave Haney, Brian Haney and Karen (Lynn) Henning; her nieces and nephews, Taylor and Tanner Haney, Gary, Scott and Brett Gibbs, and Khloe Henning; and her longtime friend and partner in life, Ronald “Shawn” Kleinow; along with great-nieces and great-nephews.

Kenneth Storla Wendel, 91, of Postville, our dearest husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully with his family by his side Friday, February 26, 2021. Funeral services were held privately at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville, with interment immediately following at Postville Cemetery.

Kenny was born  November 8, 1929 to Earl G. and Olga S. (Storla) Wendel on the family farm just south of Churchtown. In 1934 the family moved to a farm north of Waterville. Kenny graduated from Waterville High School in 1948. He also began working on the farm with his father, learning to farm and milk cows.

September 16, 1950, he was united in marriage to Marcella A. Cowell at the Volney Methodist Church. Kenneth and Marcella moved to a farm in the Postville area in 1963. Kenneth’s parents also moved at that time and his father continued to assist with work on the farm.

Pamela A. Norton, age 71, of Windsor, WI passed away peacefully Friday, March 5, 2021. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon Friday, March 12 at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 623 Jefferson Street in DeForest, WI, with Fr. Kumud Nayak presiding. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass Friday at the church. Burial will be at St. Olaf Catholic Cemetery, also in DeForest, WI.

Pam was born May 16, 1949 near Waterville to Joseph and Eunice (Gavin) Norton. She graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Waukon in 1967. Pam worked at Colonial Manor Nursing Home for 20 years and retired from St. Mary’s Care Center as an office manager in 2011.

She was a devout Catholic and faithful member of St. Olaf Catholic Church.

Janet L. Snitker, 83, of Waukon died Friday, March 5, 2021 at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 9 at Salem United Church of Christ with Pastor Sue Klimstra officiating, and burial was in the church cemetery in rural Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Janet Lucille Snitker was born July 27, 1937 in Waukon, the daughter of Herbert Palmer and Clara (Olson) Larsen. She was baptized and confirmed at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church, attended Jefferson #1 country school in rural Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School in 1955.