News Center newsletter

William “Bill” P. Ferring, 81, of Waukon passed away peacefully with his family by his side Thursday evening, September 17, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Private family services were held Monday, September 21 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church, St. Patrick Catholic School, Veterans Memorial Hospital or Winneshiek Hospice. Condolences can be sent to Karen Ferring at 1010 Second Street SW, Waukon, IA 52172.

Vincent John Duffy, 70, passed away at his home in Spring Grove, MN Monday September 14, 2020. Vince was born in Waukon November 22, 1949 to William and Norma (Kostman) Duffy.

After attending school in Waukon, he soon married Donna Smith and had two sons, Jay and Jayson. Vince later married Linda Bresnahan and the two had a daughter, Lena.

Vince initially worked at Northern Engraving in Waukon. In 1977 he started his own company, Duffy Construction. He and his family lived in Waukon until 1987 when they then relocated to Berlin, WI. Here he took a new job at Leach Farms, Inc. as a maintenance mechanic.

In 1997 Vince and Linda moved closer to their family and built a home in rural La Crescent, MN where he worked at Torrance Casting until he retired. Vince met his life partner, Barb Mannel, in 2007 and the two made their final move to Spring Grove, MN.

Thomas “Tom” E. Dolan, 73, of New Albin, formerly of Waterloo, died Monday, September 14, 2020 at his home in New Albin. Funeral services were held Thursday, September 17 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Albin with Fr. Sean Smith officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice or New Albin Fire Department and Rescue.

Thomas Edward Dolan was born May 3, 1947 in Waterloo, the son of Thomas Wayne and Mayburne Ruth (Norton) Dolan. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and graduated from Columbus High School in 1965, both in Waterloo. Tom started working with his father at Tom Dolan Concrete and Masonry in Waterloo until he took over the business in 1973.

Veterans Memorial Hospital has reopened most all outpatient services, including mammography, since the onset of COVID-19.   Routine screening is so important when it comes to mammography and early detection of breast cancer. Mammograms are very important because they look for breast cancer in women who do not have any symptoms and can detect breast cancer long before it can be felt.

Darci Engelhardt of Luana has regular mammograms at Veterans Memorial Hospital to screen for breast cancer. She recently visited the hospital for her annual screen - her first one since the onset of COVID-19.

The Caregiver Support Group meetings that were held monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital continue to be held through conference calls during COVID-19. Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) is offering weekly Caregiver Support Group conference calls every Monday from 10-11 a.m.

To join a call, just dial 1-800-264-8432. Then enter the participant code 961847# to be connected to the support group conference call, joining other caregivers.

The local COVID-19 numbers are again on the rise. Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care declares that “masks are a must” when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and should be worn by everyone whenever outside the home.

Sheryl Darling-Mooney, RN of Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Public Health Department states, “We can still enjoy those outdoor, fall activities, but we must follow the safety guidelines outlined by the CDC. Masks really do work to stop the spread of COVID-19 so please wear them in public places, especially the grocery and convenience stores.”

Mooney adds, “Always physically distance from one another, even when you are wearing a mask and wash your hands frequently. No one wants to be quarantined for two weeks, so please always take these precautions to keep yourself and others safe.”

Below are the recommendations on how to stop the spread of COVID-19  from the Iowa Department of Public Health.

The members of the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital are actively recruiting new and returning members to join them during their annual membership drive.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital is devoted to providing the hospital and its patients and visitors with many services. The Auxiliary also holds annual fundraisers, such as the Women’s Health Day Luncheon each fall, the Pillow-Perk in early November, the Masquerade sales and their annual membership drive each July. (Note:  The Women’s Health Day will not be held this year due to COVID-19.) All the money the Auxiliary receives goes back to the hospital for equipment.

The LifeServe Blood Center reported yet another very successful blood drive held in Waukon Thursday, September 3. Each and every blood drive held in Waukon since the start of COVID-19 has successfully recruited many first-time donors who are all encouraged to continue giving blood regularly. The LifeServe Blood Center continues to be amazed with this turnout. A total of 33 units were collected and five new donors joined the donor list.  These 33 units of collected blood will save 99 lives.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Carol Bahr by Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Ann Fossum, Darlene and Gordy Kaeser, Jr., and Bob and Karen Fossum. Memorials were also received in memory of both Gary and Carol Bahr by Mary Ann Hager, Jane Dietrich, John and Sheryl Prestemon, Kay Carter, Patsy Kerndt, Maury Mooney, Audrey Angel, Brad and Judy Herman, Linda Thompson, Jan Brandsmeier, Dave and Laurie Martin, Jean Hagen and family and friends of Gary and Carol Bahr.

In addition, memorials were received in memory of Pearl Schmitt by Brad and Erin Berns, in memory of Lawrence Larson by Jerry and Linda Siegrist and Joanne Larson and family, and in memory of Mary Bresnahan by Pat Pettingill, Marv and Marge Strike and Frank and Patty Goltz.

A gift was also given in honor of the Veterans Memorial Hospital Nurses by Jerry and Linda Siegrist.

Zack and Chelsey Woodbeck of Waukon announce the birth of their son, Braxton Zackery Woodbeck, born September 2, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 8 lbs. 14 ozs. and measured 20-1/2 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins siblings, Kinley (5) and Greyson (3).

Grandparents are Robert and Peggy Woodbeck of Waukon and Richard and Kathy Speicher of New Hampton. Great-grandparents are Dean Bigalk of Cresco and Dana Waters of Waukon.