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After opening this season’s unique State Play-Off format with a first-round victory last Friday, the Kee football team’s reward was a trip to Janesville Friday, October 23 to face a highly-regarded Wildcat team that was on a seven-game winning streak after a single, season-opening loss nearly two months ago. Despite that formidable task, the Hawks battled the host Wildcats to just a 14-point deficit before a series of unfortunate events right before the halftime break helped a 34-20 Kee deficit at that point snowball into a 62-20 hole by the end of the third frame.

“Give Janesville credit, they are a great football team that is peaking at the right time of the year,” Kee football coach Chad Winters said. “After their season-opening loss to Easton Valley where they dug themselves into a 20-0 hole, they have absolutely rolled everything in their path.”

A mild drought ended at the Class 2A State Qualifying Cross Country Meet at Jesup Thursday, October 22, but it had little to do with the rain that fell during that evening’s competition. After three consecutive seasons of missing out on qualifying for the season grand finale State Meet, the 12th-rated Waukon boys cross country team was able to bring an end to that high-end dry spell with a second-place team finish, scoring 100 team points to finish between the championship effort of second-rated Tipton and the final qualifying third-place team finish of 11th-rated North Fayette Valley, both of those teams also qualifying for this year’s season grand finale.

The Kee cross country teams had to wait a day to see if their 2020 season would be extended yet another week, as the Hawks’ Class 1A State Qualifying Meet hosted by Clayton Ridge High School at Guttenberg was postponed from Thursday, October 22 to Friday, October 23 due to rainy weather. That postponement proved to be well worth the wait for the distance Hawks, as they will once again have both their girls and boys programs represented at the State Meet season grand finale after earning full team qualification for the Lady Hawks for the fourth consecutive season and the boys having senior Chris Wagner also qualify among the state’s elite for the second consecutive season.

The first step down the Class 2A State Play-Off road proved to be a continuation of the journey the Waukon football team has traveled through all of its Class 2A opponents this season, as the Indians opened their postseason trail with a 56-14 home win over the  Forest City Indians Friday, October 23. The grid Tribe used a well-balanced offensive attack helped along by five turnovers secured by the defensive side of the ball that were all taken advantage, with five of the host Indians’ seven scoring drives in the contest covering 35 yards or less and another touchdown coming on a special teams play to complete a well-rounded home Indian effort overall.

Genevieve M. Rude, age 88, of Decorah died Thursday evening, October 22, 2020 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. In consideration of concerns regarding COVID-19, a Private Family Celebration will be held from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, October 29 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah. A Private Family inurnment will be held at St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery in Decorah at a later date.

Genevieve Mary (Larson) Rude was born December 5, 1931 in Waukon, the daughter of Marguerite Gertrude (Blake) and Henry Larson. She attended country schools and later graduated from Waukon High School. Shortly after high school she moved to Rock Island, IL and worked for Modern Woodman Insurance.

She later returned to Decorah where she met her husband, Charles Rude, while working at the Cozy Tea Room. They were married February 19, 1955 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah. They moved to Cedar Falls, where they lived for 11 years, and then returned to Decorah.

We are rejoicing that Lester Clair Shogren is now in heaven singing with his Lord and Savior following his passing October 24, 2020. There will be a memorial service Saturday, October 31 at Center Baptist Church in Lansing. Friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m., with the service following at 11 a.m. and lunch at the church afterward. Interment will be in Center Baptist Cemetery.

Lester was born June 26, 1933 to Clarence and Lillian Shogren in Waukon. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1951, and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955.

Lester married June Godfrey April 1, 1963 in Iowa City. He worked for Western Electric for 13 years, during which time the family moved frequently. They settled in Allamakee County to farm from 1973 until 1987. Lester also worked for the telephone company, Dee Implement, Bituma Corporation and Systems Equipment Corp.

Robert “Bob” Dean Hilleshiem, 67, passed away peacefully October 13, 2020 at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. Memorial services will be held Saturday, October 31 at 1 p.m. at Waterville Lutheran Church in Waterville with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Waterville Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be at 12 p.m. Saturday at the church before services. Condolences can be sent to Bill and Jackie Hilleshiem, Paint Creek Gifts, 82 Main Street, Waterville, IA 52170.

Robert Hilleshiem was born December 30, 1952 in Waukon. He was the son of Mervin and Frances (Van Winkle) Hilleshiem. After graduating from Waukon High School, Bob enlisted to serve in the Navy. He was discharged in 1972 after one tour of duty in Vietnam.

He went on to work construction and also farmed with his dad. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Daniel J. Metzdorff, formerly of New Albin, passed away October 17, 2020 at his home in Minneapolis, MN. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, no services are taking place at this time.

Dan was born in LaCrosse, WI in 1948 and graduated from St. George High School in 1966. Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Hiller (Pete) and Ann Metzdorff; and his siblings, Jack Metzdorff, Thomas Moore, Robert Moore and Elizabeth (Betty) Jordan. Dan  is survived by his siblings, Jane (Dexter) Domahoski and Collene (Polly) Nichols.
 

Constance “Connie” T. Luster, 92, of Harpers Ferry died Monday, October 19, 2020 at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Funeral services were held Saturday, October 24 at St. Ann’s - St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry with Fr. Sean Smith officiating. Burial was at St. Joseph’s Paint Rock Cemetery, Harpers Ferry.

Memorials can be made to Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter, Harpers Ferry Fire or Rescue Squad, Harpers Ferry American Legion Auxiliary, or St. Ann’s - St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled the arrangements.

Constance Theresa Luster was born September 27, 1928 in West Allis, WI, the daughter of Arthur and Blanche (Woodberry) Richards. She attended South Division High School in Milwaukee, WI and later received her GED.

Ann A. Gallagher, 70, of Waukon, formerly of Lansing, died Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to Mike Gallagher at P.O. Box 359, Waukon, IA 52172.

Ann Althoff Gallagher was born May 12, 1950 in Dubuque, the daughter of Cletus C. and Ivy Nell (Kurdelmeier) Althoff. When she was a child, her family moved to Waukon. Ann grew up with a love for horses, engaging in frequent trail rides with her sister, Cheryl. Later, she went on to show Quarter Horses, earning many trophies for her efforts. Animals and the land always came first for her and she loved all of her pets she had throughout her life.