News Center newsletter

River Valley Panthers 4-H Club members made and donated a number of hand-tied fleece blankets for the young patients at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. The two that coordinated this project are pictured above, left to right, Natalie Byrnes and Memphis Miller.

Byrnes remembers receiving a fleece blanket herself when she was younger and had come into the hospital for care and decided years later that she wished to give back so other children could have that same help and comfort. They received a $100 donation for fabric from the Waukon Lions Club to help fund this project. Their 4-H Club, the River Valley Panthers, then helped them cut and tie the fringes for the blankets over the course of a couple meetings.

These numerous blankets were donated to Veterans Memorial Hospital as well as the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department. Submitted photo.
 

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested Thursday, July 19. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.

The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner, if chosen.  Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 if choosing to eat dinner. Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is more than welcome to do so. The cost is $3 per person with all proceeds going toward the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Prizes will be awarded.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Lois Wiedenmann by Pat and Donna Bresnahan, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Jean Huffey, Wayne and Mary Lou Leidahl, Nyles and Ruby Herman, Dean “Beanzy” Schellhammer, Patsy Kerndt, Harold and Shirley Marti, Gayle Larkin, Lois Evans and Dave and Laurie Martin.

Memorials were also received in memory of Joel Kuhse by Delora and Monte Dundee and Dennis and Nancy Turner, and in memory of Daniel Donovan by Joe and Patti Wild Strobel.

Memorials are appreciated by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. The Foundation is a 501C3 organization. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. Memorials and donations can be sent to Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation, 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA  52172.
 

The local Caregiver Support Group meets monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. The meetings take place the third Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next meeting will be held Monday, July 16 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

This informal meeting is open to anyone who provides care and support for a family member or friend. Feel free to attend and bring a friend.  This new Caregiver Support Group will continue to meet the third Monday of each month at VMH.
 

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will not hold a regular meeting in July. The group will begin holding its regular monthly meetings again in August. For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Angie Mettille, RN, Diabetes Educator at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

Wayne and Sandra Fish of Waukon will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary July 20. Wayne Fish and Sandra Shafer were united in marriage July 20, 1958 at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon.

They have two daughters, Debra (Mark) Palmer of Waukon and Wanda (Dan) Brown of Madrid. The couple has five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, Lars (Jen) Palmer and Henry, Lane (Eric) Rich and Knightley and Natalie, and Lindsey (Tim) Lund and Ella, all of Waukon, and Shannon (Joe) Knudsen,  Breanna and Claire of Madrid and Donald (Kayla) Brown and Carson of Decorah.

Cards and well wishes may be sent to 1171 Old Stage Road, Waukon, IA 52172.
 

Don and Mary Jane McGraw of Waukon are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. Don McGraw and Mary Jane Ryan exchanged vows July 14, 1953 at St. John The Baptist Church, West Ridge. The couple celebrated their anniversary with family.
 

Gloria Larson of Cresco will be celebrating her 90th birthday with an open house Saturday, July 14, 2-5 p.m. at the Cresco Country Club. Family and friends are invited to this surprise celebration.

Cards and well wishes may be sent to 1004 North Elm Street, Room 306, Cresco, IA 52136. No gifts are requested.
 

The descendants of Gulbrand and Agnet Hagen will be meeting this Sunday, July 15 at the Hagen Pond two miles west of Waterville on Highway X32.

Gulbrand and Agnet sailed to America in July 1854 with their young daughter, Martha. Their son, Peter, was born in a box car near Chicago before they were able to reach their destination of the “Paint Creek Prairies”.

Their children included:

The Dundee reunion is scheduled for Saturday, July 28 at 11 a.m. and will take place at the Waukon City Park Jaycee shelter. Surnames of families related to the Dundee family include Bray, Ewing, Powell, Hastings, Beall, Baker and Snitker, among others. Those attending are asked to bring a dish to share.

For more information, contact John Dundee at dunder76@gmail.com or 608-290-7355.