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Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Curtis Kruger by Duane and Sue Vorseth and Mary Fink, in memory of Gene Wilder by Hannah and Brandon Teslow and in memory of Earl and Vivian Iverson by Dave and Laurie Martin, Robert and Kristi Campbell and Dan and Sharon Iverson.

Memorials were also received in memory of Gary Nolting by the Bernard Welsh Family, in memory of Loren Bulman by Jerry and Linda Siegrist, in memory of Tom Duggan by Mae Jean Bakke, and in memory of Verdon “Bud” Swenson by Larry and Jane Lamborn, Mary Ann Hager and Larry and Nancy Straate.

Memorials and donations are greatly 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 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA  52172.
 

The local Grief Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital Wednesday, December 13 at 2 p.m.

This informal meeting is open to anyone suffering from any type of loss, whether it be death, divorce, illness or some other grief.

Feel free to attend and bring a friend. This grief support group meets the second Wednesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.
 

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will not be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon in December, due to the busy holiday season. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center and will resume in January.

For more information on the monthly Euchre marathons, call Auxiliary President Nona Sawyer at 563-568-3105.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will not be offering a CPR course in December. The next class available will be offered in January.

The cost of all CPR classes, for certification or recertification, at Veterans Memorial Hospital is the same and all registrants should bring along their own pocket mask. The card received with the course does certify attendants in CPR for a two-year period.

Pre-registration plus a minimum of three participants is required to hold the class. For more information and to register for the CPR Course, call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

Adam and Megan Martin of Des Moines announce the birth of their son, Boden Adam Martin, born August 6, 2017 at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. He weighed 6 lbs. 6.6 ozs. and measured 19-1/2 inches in length at the time of his birth.

Grandparents are Duane and Beth Holthaus of Ossian and Jeff and Lori Martin of Waukon. Great-grandparents are Dr. B.E. and Judy Vagts of Ossian, the late Ralph and Olivia Holthaus, Francis and the late Janet Martin of Waukon, and Francis and Joyce Lyons of Waukon.

Funeral services were held Thursday, December 7 at Atonement Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, MN for Alf Thorson Odegaard, age 101, of St. Cloud, MN, who passed away Sunday, December 3, 2017 at home with his family by his side. Rev. John Gabrielson officiated and interment was at Old East Paint Creek Church, Waterville Friday, December 8. Arrangements were entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN.

Alf Thorson Odegaard was born June 12, 1916 on the family farm in Center Township, Allamakee County, Waterville. He was the third of three children born to Otto Albert (Hanson) Odegard and Barbara Oline Thorson Odegard. He attended rural school located at the corner of his home farm. He graduated from Waterville Consolidated High School as salutatorian in 1932 at the age of 15. He had scholarship offers to Luther and St. Olaf, but because of his young age and lack of money during the Depression, he stayed home and worked on the farm with this father.

Nick and Brittany Tilleraas of Waterville announce the birth of their son, Wade Richard Tilleraas, born November 21, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 7 lbs. 3 ozs. and measured 20-1/2 inches at the time of his birth. He joins a sister, Dallas (4).

Grandparents are Jim and Michele Wood of Waukon, Troy and Niki Tilleraas of Waverly, and Tracy and Christina Waters of Belfry, MT. Great-grandparents are Larry and JoAnn Gelo of Waukon, John and Sharon Wood of Harpers Ferry, Julie Wood of Lansing, DuWayne and Laurayne Snitker of Waukon, Dana Waters of Waukon, Ray and Patricia Kirchmeyer of Arbor Vitae, WI and Mary Peterson of Rochester, MN.

Benjamin and Nicole Lampert of Brownsville, MN announce the birth of their son, Noah Charles Lampert, born November 26, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 7 lbs. 11 ozs. and measured 22 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins a brother, Paul (2-1/2).

Grandparents are Charles and Alta Lampert of Brownsville, MN and Craig and Vicki Trytten of Harris, MN. Great-grandparents are Wilbert Schuldt of Brownsville, MN, Ruth Drost of Duluth, MN and Carla Trytten of Gregory, SD.

Anthony and Samantha Ledesma of Postville announce the birth of their daughter, Annalise Elizabeth Ledesma, born November 28, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 8 lbs. 9 ozs. and measured 20-1/2 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins siblings, Ariana (3), Aaliyah (2) and Zane (1).

Grandparents are Sandy Bellmer of Oelwein and Michelle Ledesma of McAllen, TX.

The Allamakee Ecumenical Choir will present its 41st annual "Festival of Lessons and Carols" service this Sunday, December 10 at 7 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, located at 8 Fifth Street SW in Waukon. Area clergy will read the lessons, and carols will be sung by the choirs and congregation. Choral numbers will be presented by the Ecumenical Choir, Ecumenical Men’s Choir, Ecumenical Women's Choir and Ecumenical Children’s Choir. Musical selections will also be presented by a Brass Ensemble and the St. John’s Lutheran Church Youth and Senior Handbell Choirs.

The Bixby Children String Quintet will also perform and accompany some of the choral selections. They are the grandchildren of James Bieber, who first organized and continues to prepare and direct the Allamakee Ecumenical Choir for this annual community celebration of Christmas that is open to the public. He will once again be assisted by his daughter, Sarah Palmer, this year.