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Alvina H. Sickels, 92, of Waukon died Friday, September 28, 2018 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were Thursday, October 4 at Waterville Lutheran Church in Waterville with Pastor Tim Rupert officiating. Burial was at Waterville Lutheran Cemetery.

Alvina Harriet Sickels was born June 29, 1926 at home in Waterville, the daughter of Otto Cornelius and Martha Elizabeth (Asleson) Nelson. She was baptized and confirmed at Waterville Lutheran Church and attended Waterville school.

September 17, 1944, Alvina married Arthur Andrew Sickels at Waterville Lutheran Church. The couple farmed for a few years in Waukon Junction until they were flooded out too many times. In addition to raising her five children, Alvina also babysat for a few families in the area. Alvina worked for Capco Products in Volney for 13 years and cleaned houses for several years after that.

Two new options are now available locally at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon to help people with chronic joint pain or soft tissue/musculoskeletal pain.  These new procedures provide patients with another option for pain control instead of only traditional means, such as surgery or pain pills. Both procedures involve injections, and have been successful in reducing or relieving pain, making it possible for many patients to enjoy benefits like being able to resume their normal activities or delay surgery. However, because insurance companies view these procedures as new and “experimental”, they are an out-of-pocket expense, and will not be turned into insurance.

By Jill Fleming, MS, RD/LD, Dietitian, Veterans Memorial Hospital

Most people know that an apple is a better choice than a donut for good health.  And everyone knows that taking a walk is a healthier choice than sitting on the couch watching television.  So why do so many people struggle to break free from these bad habits? It is simply a matter of repetition. Your body craves what you give it, whether it is your choice of foods or your daily activities.

Getting healthy and losing excess body fat does not require you to go on a restrictive diet and start running marathons. It just requires you to choose a few new habits in the areas of nutrition, movement, stress reduction and sleep. Each new choice should be approached as a permanent addition to your life, not a short term fix for quick results.

Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon will sponsor a Babysitting Seminar Saturday, October 13 from 8:30 a.m. - Noon. The class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Intended participants are individuals 10 years of age and older who are responsible for their own care after school until their parents come home from work, and individuals who care for other children in or outside of their own home. Girls are not the sole babysitters in this society. Boys are also welcome and encouraged to attend.

Topics to be covered include fire and personal safety, accident prevention and emergency actions, nutritious snacks and basic care of children.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be holding its annual Pillow Perk Monday, October 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lower Level of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Kraft Pillow Service will be on site to make old pillows look like new. Everyone is encouraged to bring in their feather pillows to the Pillow Perk to be cleaned, sanitized and given new ticking. Foam and Dacron pillows may also be renovated by this process. People are also encouraged to bring in their feather beds and have them made into new pillows.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will begin the next Prepared Childbirth Education classes (formerly called Lamaze) Monday, October 8, and those classes will continue for two more consecutive Monday evenings, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Large Conference Room.

The Prepared Childbirth Education classes at Veterans Memorial Hospital are offered in three sessions that allow the expectant parents to choose which topics they wish to learn more on. They may choose to attend one, two or all three sessions. Session 1 covers labor, delivery and the postpartum period following delivery; Session 2 includes relaxation, breathing and pain management; and Session 3 covers infant care. Tours of the OB Department are available with each session as well.  

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Deb Tweedy by Carol Paus, Jeff and Janet Jannsen, Marv and Marge Strike, Bill and Sue Blagsvedt, Randy and Patty Nordheim, RW Pladsen, Inc., John and Mary Stavnes, Bob and Julie Rotach, Dan and Traci Byrnes, Dan Lyons, Wayne and Nona Sawyer, Regi and Denise Tysland, Cy and Mona Nelson, Classic Design/Julie Snitker, Mike and Becky Kramer, Jean Huffey, George Pickett, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Ken and Rose Beardmore, Ken and Jill Lampman, Dennis and Linda DeBuhr, Dr. Arlen and Karlene Wonderlich, Brian and Denise Wullner, Mike and Michaela Shupe, Jeff and Amy Sommer, Pat and Darlene Schlarmann, Russ and Mary Jo Meyer, Walter and Lorraine Teslow, Dave and Brenda Dougherty, Sue Kratz, Frank and Carol Sivesind, Marlys Leiran, Chuck and Marcy Fritz, Dave and Sandy Lyons, Dennis and Sherri Lyons, Joel and Teresa Sommer, Eric and Stephanie Palmer, M.K.

The family of Connie Luster will be hosting an open house celebration in honor of her 90th birthday Saturday, October 13 from 12-3 p.m. The open house will be held at the Legion Hall in Harpers Ferry.

Connie’s 90th birthday is September 27. Cards and well wishes may sent to Thornton Manor, P.O. Box 700, Lansing, IA 52151.
 

The Waukon High School Class of 1958 will be holding its 60-year class reunion September 29 at Green Valley Getaway in Waukon.

The event begins with registration and happy hour at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Those who have additional questions about the event may contact Sharon Pratte at 563-568-2742.

The Waukon High School Class of 1961 will meet September 28 at 11:30 a.m. at Gus & Tony’s for lunch. All classmates are invited to attend.