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Returning from the holiday break to add a first win of 2021 to a three-game win streak, the Waukon basketball team followed that weekend win with a split of its two games this past week, both against Northeast Iowa Conference opponents. The Indians opened this past week with a 53-47 loss at Decorah Tuesday, January 5 to end up with a season split against the Vikings but then bounced back with an 80-54 home win over New Hampton Friday, January 8.

Mari Sue Glassmaker, age 63, unexpectedly passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2021 in Superior, WI. A celebration of Mari’s life will be held at a later date to be announced.

Mari was born July 15, 1957 in Waukon, the daughter of Kenneth and Margie (Anderson) Howe. Mari was united in marriage to David Glassmaker May 12, 1979 in Waukon.

Mari graduated from Waukon High School and went on to receive her LPN license through St. Mary’s nursing school in 1977. She worked as a nurse and caregiver through many communities and most recently at Mount Royal Pines in Duluth, MN.

After moving to Solon Springs, WI in 2012 with her husband, Mari learned to greatly enjoy the outdoors and especially loved fishing and four-wheeling. She also loved spending time doing crafts, reading, playing games, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Roberta “Bobbie” J. Becker, 88, of Waukon died Sunday, January 10, 2021 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, January 13 at 11 a.m. at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon. In consideration of concerns regarding COVID-19, social distancing and wearing of a masked is required.

Cards may be sent to Jason Becker at P.O. Box 392, McGregor, IA 52157. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Roberta “Bobbie” Jacqueline Becker was born December 25, 1932 in the village of Myron in rural Postville, the daughter of Stiner Joseph “Joe” and Rose Mary “Mae” (Harris) Evans. She attended the Myron country school for three years, went to school in Postville for three years, and graduated from Waukon High School in 1950.

Gary Lawrence Welper (i.e., Gare-Bear), 65, of Laramie, WY passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family. Gary fought valiantly over the past six years with end stage renal disease.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 13 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Gillette, WY with Father Cliff Jacobson officiating; interment to follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette, WY. Visitation will take place from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, January 12 at Walker Funeral Home in Gillette, WY.

Gary was born October 11, 1955 in La Crosse, WI to Harold and Joan Welper. He spent his early years growing up on a farm near Dorchester. He became a big brother a few years later when his little sister, Beverly, joined the family. While living on the farm, he learned the value of hard work doing chores and milking cows before he would head to school in the morning. He also enjoyed being raised around many cousins and family.

Dean L. Bechtel, 73, of rural Monona died Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services with military honors will be held Friday, January 15 at 1:30 p.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Rev. Cathy Jurgens officiation. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. until the time of services Friday at the church. In consideration of concerns regarding COVID-19, social distancing and wearing of masks is required. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

A full obituary will appear in the January 20 edition of The Standard. You can subscribe to The Standard's print edition or e-edition by clicking here.

Delores Jean Kroack, 76, of Waukon died Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, January 9 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser, Fr. Joseph Schneider and Rev. Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg officiating. Burial was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.

Memorials may be made to St. Patrick School, Veterans Memorial Hospital or Good Samaritan Center, all in Waukon. Cards may be sent to Joe Kroack at 503 Third Street SW, Waukon, IA 52172. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Delores Jean Kroack was born April 16, 1944 in Monona, the daughter of George and Marjorie (Molitor) Topel. She attended Figgie Country School in rural Allamakee County and graduated from MFL High School in 1962.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
February 12: CRP Signup
March 15: 2021 ARCPLC Signup

USDA to Open General Signup for the Conservation Reserve Program in January 2021
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the signup periods for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in 2021. Signup for general CRP will be open from Jan. 4, 2021, to Feb. 12, 2021. This program is competitive and provides annual rental payments for land devoted to conservation purposes.

Three-part series for women involved in the dairy industry begins January 22

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host Boots in the Barn virtually, a program for women dairy producers. Boots in the Barn is a three-part series for women involved in a dairy operation or industry and will be held as a webinar series.

The webinars will be held January 22 and 29, and February 5, via ZOOM from noon to 1:15 p.m.

The January 22 session will feature Sarah Adcock, assistant professor in animal welfare research/teaching at the University of Wisconsin. Adcock will discuss pain management for disbudding and steps producers can take to stay ahead of consumer concerns and changing industry standards for this procedure.

Understanding trusts can help guide your farm transition

Depending on your family situation and the value of your estate, forming a trust can be an important addition to your farm transition plan.

A will gives basic assurance of where farm and personal assets will go at death, but a trust can provide more detail and instruction, with the flexibility to transition your farm the way you want it to go.
In an article written for the December Ag Decision Maker, two experts with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach give an overview of what a trust is, the different kinds of trusts, who they benefit and what a person should consider before forming a trust.

“The trust is a very useful and flexible tool for estate planning, yet it is probably the most underused estate management technique,” according to Kelvin Leibold and Melissa O’Rourke, farm management specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

A group of volunteers in Allamakee County ended 2020 – a difficult year, by any estimation – on a positive note, by donating $4,500 to organizations that serve their communities, as well as awarding scholarships to a pair of local high school graduates.

The volunteers, organizers of the third annual Driftless Half-Marathon (DHM) held October 10 between Harpers Ferry and Lansing, recently presented checks to the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department K9 Fund; the Lansing Volunteer Fire Department; Lansing Volunteer EMS; the Lansing Police Department Kindness Campaign; and the Harpers Ferry Volunteer Fire Department and EMS.

“The majority of our donations (totaling more than $13,000 since the race’s founding) go to those who help make the race safe,” says DHM Founder and Director Amanda Hess. “Our medical volunteers are out on the course before and after the runners.”