First Baby of Year 2026 born at Veterans Memorial Hospital
First Baby of the New Year ... Pictured above are Nevaeh and Karson Lubben of Waukon holding their newborn son, Kolter Joel Lubben, the First Baby of the Year born at Veterans Memorial Hospital for 2026, with delivery physician Dr. Dave Schwartz also pictured. Kolter and his family will enjoy many gifts thanks to local merchants who helped celebrate the First Baby of the Year born at Veterans Memorial Hospital in 2026. Submitted photo.
Veterans Memorial Hospital physicians and staff announce that the First Baby of the Year born at the hospital for 2026 is Kolter Joel Lubben, son of Karson and Nevaeh Lubben of Waukon. Kolter was born January 1, 2026, at 4:40 a.m. He weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and was 20-1/2 inches long at the time of his birth. Dr. Dave Schwartz was the provider assisting with the delivery.
Grandparents are Judd and Shelly Lubben, Danny Bushau, Chasity Bushau, and Addie and Donnie Copeland. Great-grandparents are Rose Schaffer, Francis Lubben, Ray and Cathy Peterson, Randy and Karen Bushau, and Dave and Christine Enyart. Gordon and Karen Anderson are great-great-grandparents.
As the First Baby of the New Year, Kolter and his family received the following gifts compliments of these area merchants:
• $100 Cash from Moellers and Moellers Family Dentistry, Lansing;
• One-Year Subscription to The Standard newspaper from The Standard/Finger Publishing;
• $25 Gift Certificate from Outdoor Creations, Monona;
• Free Haircut & Style from the Hair, Body and Mind Salon and Day Spa, Kim Sylvester;
• $40 Gift Card from Dollar Fresh;
• $20 Gift Certificate from the S&D Café;
• $15 Gift Certificate from St. Pat’s Thrift Store, Waukon;
• $10 Gift Certificate from Village Farm and Home, Waukon;
• Tastefully Simple Gift Basket from consultant Jan Baumler;
• $25 Gift Certificate from Sycamore Floral;
• Sterling Silver Mother/Child Pendant on an 18” chain from Elliott Jewelers;
• Insulated Grizzly Travel Mug and Piggy Bank from Freedom Bank;
• 10-Punch Pass from the Waukon Wellness Center;
• Breakfast Burritos, Lasagna Cups and Beef Sticks from Recipes from French Creek;
• Baby Quilt from the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital;
• Mary Kay Hand Cream from Debbie McGeough, Mary Kay Consultant;
• Diapers, Wipes and Laundry Basket from Veterans Memorial Hospital.
All other babies born at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the year 2026 will receive a Baby Coupon Book coordinated by the hospital through coupon donations from nearly 60 area businesses in Harpers Ferry, Lansing, Monona, Postville and Waukon. The hospital coordinates this in an effort to assure all babies born at the hospital are treated extra special and to encourage shopping locally.
