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In addition to Waukon boys track and field senior Abe Schwartz being a State Meet qualifier in the 4x200 for the Indians this season, he also showed an overall balance of athletics and academics by also earning Academic All-State honors from the Iowa Association of Track and Field Coaches. To earn such recognition, a senior track and field athlete must have achieved a 3.8 or higher grade point average (GPA) and a cumulative score of 28 or higher on the ACT, and be a participant in the Iowa High School State Track and Field Meet in at least one event during his or her year of application.
 

The Waukon baseball team posted a winning week on the field this week, winning two of three games played but remaining in search of its first Northeast Iowa Conference (NEIC) victory this season. The baseball Tribe opened the week with a 13-5 home triumph over Sumner-Fredericksburg Monday, June 4 before falling by a 4-0 count at Oelwein Tuesday, June 5 but bouncing back with a 6-5 victory at Turkey Valley Wednesday, June 6. A Friday, June 8 home doubleheader with Decorah was postponed by rainy weather until Tuesday, June 19.

The Waukon softball team put together its first win streak of the 2018 season in winning two of three games played this past week to currently hold a 4-9 overall record that includes a mark of 2-5 in Northeast Iowa Conference (NEIC) play. The Indians scored back-to-back NEIC wins, 9-6 Monday, June 4 at Decorah and 10-2 at home over Oelwein Wednesday, June 6, before having that streak ended by a 7-4 loss at New Hampton Thursday, June 7. The softball Tribe was also supposed to play in the Riceville Tournament Saturday, June 9 but that event was canceled due to stormy weather.

Marjorie “Margie” Jean (Binns) Elvig, age 84, of Minneapolis, MN, formerly of Grand Rapids, MN, went to be with Jesus June 7, 2018 after a 12-year struggle with Alzheimer’s. A celebration of Margie’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 14 at GracePoint Church, 2351 Rice Creek Road, New Brighton, MN, with visitation one hour prior to service. Inurnment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.

Margie was born in Newark, NJ October 1, 1933 to John William Binns and Martha Helen (Boothby) Binns. Her sister, Marilyn, joined them and they grew up with music lessons, much reading and faithful church attendance. The Lord Jesus called Margie at an early age, and He became her Lord and Savior at Evangel Baptist Church in New Jersey.

Keith W. Schacht, 71, of Waterville, formerly of Lockport, IL, died Sunday, June 10, 2018 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. A private burial was held at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. Memorials can be given at americangreyhound.org.

Keith W. Schacht was born September 13, 1946 in Rock Rapids, the son of Raymond and Susan (Ely) Schacht. Keith received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University. Wanting to work for a small animal practice, Keith moved to Illinois and practiced at VCA Joliet Animal Hospital. He loved his job and poured his life into being a veterinarian, leaving room for little else other than his wife, Kathy, and their various pets.

Lyle Bechtel, age 83, died in his home in Seabrook, TX of Parkinson’s Disease June 1, 2018. A Memorial will be held June 18 in Seabrook, TX. Lyle was born in Waukon and graduated form Waukon High School in 1953. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Eleanore Bechtel, and his sister, Jalee.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnn; his daughters, Kim of League City, TX and Debbie of Seabrook, TX; his sons, Kim of Denmark and Jeff of Roswell, NM; his sister, Janice, of Burns, TN; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
 

Jean Edna O’Hare, 93, of Waukon died Saturday, June 9, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, June 12 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Waukon. The Rev. Mark Osterhaus was the Celebrant and Concelebrant was the Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg. Interment was at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Cemetery, Hanover.

Jean Edna Phillips was born March 28, 1925 in Conover, part of Winneshiek County. She was the daughter of Edward and Mollie (Hines) Phillips. She married Thomas Francis O’Hare, Jr. April 7, 1945 in Decorah. Jean and Tom lived in Cedar Rapids where they worked at Collins Radio for a short time before returning to Decorah and eventually Waukon. They farmed in French Creek Township, Hanover area and in 1968 moved to Waukon.

Helen Kubitz, age 82, of Sparks, NV died Thursday, November 30, 2017 at Northern Nevada Hospital with family members present. Services will be held Friday, June 15 with an 11 a.m. Mass immediately followed by a luncheon, both at The Church of the Visitation, 1028 Middle Road, Camanche. Burial will follow the luncheon at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 401 South 18th Street, Clinton.

Helen Jean Henry was born February 21, 1935 in Waukon to Theodore and Lillian Henry. She was a homemaker and assisted her husband, Allen (Bud), in building homes in the Camanche area.

Helen and Bud were married for 63 years and retired to Sparks, NV where they were members of Holy Cross Church. Fr. Jose Isaac said a Memorial Mass.

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... on this day on which Memorial Day is observed, even though it isn’t the “real” Memorial Day (that’s May 30) I am thinking about weather.

If forecasts came true, the first few days of June were about 20 degrees cooler than the last few days of May.

This morning, May 28, as Iowa forecasts predicted another high in the upper 90 degree range, I was watching reporters for the weather channel along Florida’s gulf cost wearing North Face parkas in middle 70s temperatures!

And I was thinking about weather yesterday (May 27) afternoon when my home was involved in a power outage, which lasted a couple hours.

When the utility, in response to my contact, said it could take that long to have power restored, I figured I was in serious trouble.

Two hours on one of the warmest days on record with no air conditioner. Not even juice for fans. No electric range. No television.

Goodbye, cruel world.

To the Editor:

During Memorial Day weekend I visit many cemeteries and there is always a flag on our veteran’s grave. Someone had to place the flag there. Appreciation goes out to all of the unseen volunteers.

On Memorial Day I went to the Oakland Cemetery for the program where we heard Sean Liddiard give his “Voice of Democracy” essay. Good job, Sean! Also, appreciation goes out to the ladies that presented their “Quilts of Valor” to some area veterans.

I then went to the Vets Hall for chicken dinner where I found many Boy Scouts volunteering. Many of the volunteers are the next generation and will do a great job.

It takes a lot of volunteers on Memorial Day to put up a beautiful Avenue of Flags, and the Boy Scouts helped with that also. Thanks to all who turned out to help, Veterans and all.

A senior citizen,

Ada Marie Kerndt
Waukon