News Center newsletter

Dianne K. (Straate) Blankenship, 66, of La Crosse, WI, formerly of Waukon, died peacefully with her family by her side Monday, September 4, 2017 at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services were held Friday, September 8 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, with Pastor Samantha Houser officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Dianne Kay (Straate) Blankenship was born September 28, 1950 to Herbert Fredrick and Marian Bernice (Hesse) Straate in Waukon. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from high school in 1968. She loved her childhood years and family life, and often talked about the virtues and joys of growing up in a rural environment. From her parents she developed a strong work ethic and self-discipline.

Paulette Bonwell, 74, of Lansing passed away Saturday, September 9, 2017 at the Thornton Manor Nursing Center in Lansing. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 14 at the Nashua United Methodist Church in Nashua with Pastor John Tunnicliff officiating. Burial will be at Sunnyside Memory Gardens in rural Charles City. Visitation will be at Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City Wednesday, September 13 from 5-8 p.m. and will continue one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church.

Paulette Kae (Rausch) Bonwell, the daughter of Paul and Evelyn (Miller) Rausch, was born December 28, 1942 in Charles City. She attended school in Nashua and was united in marriage to Lynn Bonwell August 26, 1960 at the Nashua United Methodist Church. The couple made their home in Nashua, where they raised their family.

Janice Elaine (Grahlman) Kurth, 77, of Waukon died Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at the Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, WI. In accordance with Janice's wishes, there will be no formal services. A Celebration of Life is being planned for Sunday, September 17 from 2-4 p.m. at the Farm Bureau building in Waukon, located at 14 First Avenue NE. Lunch will be provided.

Janice was born in Sumner to Clayton and Emerald (Sires) Grahlman. She attended New Albin and Waukon schools. Janice was united in marriage to Walter Kurth, Jr. September 15, 1956 at the First Presbyterian Church in Waukon and together they raised two children on the family farm south of Waukon.

Clara R. Rogers, age 87, of Prairie du Chien, WI passed away Friday, September 8, 2017 at Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie du Chien, WI following a short illness. Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 12 at the United Methodist Church in Prairie du Chien, WI with Pastor Barb Cook officiating.  Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Hanover, IL.

Clara was born December 9, 1929 in New Boston, IL, the daughter of Merle and Lema (Jackson) Kallenberger. She married William Rogers December 19, 1947 in Savanna, IL. They were married for 56 years before he passed December 19, 2003.

She is survived by her children, Ann (Monte) Steiber of Prairie du Chien, WI and Ben (Ellen) Rogers of Sharon, WI; six grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 12 step-great-grandchildren; her sister, Kathy Sue Mangler of Savanna, IL; and a brother, Danny Joe Mangler of Onalaska, WI.

Thursday afternoon, September 7, at approximately 2 p.m., the Allamakee County Sheriff's Dispatch Center received a 911 call for a farm accident at 2140 Mays Prairie Road just north of the Churchtown area off State Highway 9 between Waukon and Lansing. Two males were performing maintenance on a forage wagon in a farm field when they became entrapped in the equipment, one sustaining serious injuries and the other suffering fatal injuries.
According to a report from the Allamakee County Sheriff's Office, 55-year-old Richard Joseph Weber, Jr. of Lansing was pronounced deceased at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in the accident. Christopher Weber, age 52, of Lansing also became entrapped but was able to be freed by first responders. He was transported by MedLink Air ambulance from the scene to Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, WI for treatment of serious injuries sustained in the accident.

by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• September 1 – December 15: 2018 Margin Protection Program Sign-Up

Fall-Seeded Crops
For producers who have any fall seeded crops, such as hay and pasture, you have until December 15, 2017 to get those acres certified for the 2018 crop year. Failure to do so will result in a late file fee for each farm with hay or pasture. 

Managed Haying Requests
For those who have stopped in to request managed haying on your CRP ground, make sure the bales are off that ground by September 30. 

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that I don’t understand why Navy ships keep having accidents with commercial vessels at sea.

As a member of the air group aboard our carrier, I did not spend time on the bridge, but did visit a few times. Mostly it was to see how the air officer kept track of where our planes were aboard our carrier. But I was tangentially aware of radar operations.

We traveled with destroyer escorts, and they were usually visible from weather decks. But once in a while, we had to rendezvous with an oiler for transfer of fuels, and the two ships always seemed to find each other.

To the Editor:

Yes, it finally happened. RAGBRAI XLV hit Allamakee County and Waukon, and what a sight it was with thousands of people and bicycles everywhere. Not since Dick Sparrow and Ray Sweeney brought the 40-horse hitch to Waukon have so many strangers graced our streets - only this time they stayed for a while.

It was one of those “you almost had to be there” moments. I hope many pictures were taken for sharing with locals and others years from now. I was asked by a friend in another state, “What exactly is RAGBRAI?”.

To summarize it, RAGBRAI is a combination of a big tent chautauqua, a carnival (without big rides), a traveling road show, a smaller version of the Iowa State Fair, a food extravaganza - both local and mobile, an outdoor rock concert, and the summer Olympics, all rolled into one. The only thing missing was a religious revival, and maybe some of that took place also.

To the Editor:

I would like to make some clarifications. I am not a Democrat, I don’t think we should abolish capitalism, I have a copy of the Constitution on the bookcase next to my bed, I don’t want free stuff, and I don’t hate the military. Saying we spend too much on our military doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate everything our service men and women do for us every day.

I do believe government is a necessary part of living in a civilized society. We can’t be the greatest country in the world while letting our people die from lack of healthcare at the same time. In other countries they actually get things for the taxes they pay. The truth is capitalism (without regulation) is not bound to protecting people from corporate greed and the ability to profit off of our elderly, our sick, our vulnerable, our students, our incarcerated, and essentially everyone. Eliminating order to create more “freedom” doesn’t work.

To the Editor:

I want to express my appreciation to all Allamakee Community School students, staff, alumni and community members past and present for the honor bestowed upon me in naming the Waukon High School outdoor athletic area the “Richard Hermeier Sports Complex”. I am so proud of all the school facilities, staff and students that represent my humble beginnings.

This school and Waukon High School athletics have had a profound influence on my entire life and I am grateful to express my love and gratitude by continuing to contribute financially to the Waukon athletic facilities and programs. I ask that all of you find it in your heart to show your allegiance to Waukon High School and keep the Waukon Indians number one. No contribution is too small.