News Center newsletter

Bob and Carol (Schlake) Hanson are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. They were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon by Rev. Nelson Preus June 22, 1952.

The couple has fond memories of growing up in the Waukon area. As a boy, Bob rode his bicycle delivering newspapers, working at the Skelly gas station and other jobs in the post-depression years. Carol grew up on a farm south of Waukon and attended country school through eighth grade before moving on to Waukon High School, where she would meet Bob during her junior year. Bob graduated in 1951 and Carol the following year.

Steve and Rita (Walleser) Thom are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. The couple exchanged vows June 27, 1992 at the Salem Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI. Friends and family are invited to join them July 1 for a celebration at their home at 3575 County Road 5, Eitzen, MN 55931, three miles outside of New Albin. The celebration begins at 1 p.m., with food from 2-8 p.m.

After 31 years with Quad Graphics in Pewaukee, WI, Steve, originally of Milwaukee, WI, retired to focus on farming and building the couple’s new home. Rita, originally of Lansing, formerly worked for Bruening Rock Products in Decorah and is currently employed by Kwik Star in Lansing and City Meats in New Albin.
 

Elmo and Sheryl Hagen of Waterville will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The Hagens were united in marriage June 24, 1967 at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church.

They will be celebrating the occasion with their three children, Marcie (Hugh) Givens, Erik (Lisa) Hagen and Jon (Amy) Hagen, and their families, which include seven grandchildren, Jenn (Bill) Hubal, Amanda (Tom) Fischer, and Michael, Katherine, Hannah, Mark and Nolan Hagen, and two great-grandchildren, Hannah and Aaron Hubal.

In honor of the occasion, cards and well-wishes may be sent to 1129 Chimney Rock Road, Waterville, IA 52170.
 

Virgil and Betty (Henning) Opfer of Waukon are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. The couple was married June 25, 1952 at Salem Reformed Church in Ludlow.

Virgil and Betty have four children, Jeanie Opfer of Canton, GA, Deborah McCabe of Waukon, John Opfer of Waukon and Douglas Opfer in Georgia. They have eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

In honor of the occasion, a celebration will be held June 25 at their home at 203 W. Main Street, Waukon, IA 52172 from 2-6 p.m. The couple requests no gifts.
 

Jessica Heins and Rick Dahlstrom of Monona announce the birth of their daughter, Renezemae Anna Marie Dahlstrom, born June 5, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz. and measured 20 inches long at the time of her birth.

She joins a brother, Bentley Heins(2).
 

In lieu of exchanging gifts at Christmas time this past holiday, the students at St. Patrick School all chose to donate an item for a new family in honor of Jesus’ birthday. Many packages of diapers, infant clothing, toys and supplies were all collected and divided into the family baby bundles pictured above. The school then donated these goods to Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon for families who may have quickly arrived at the hospital without everything they need or other families who could benefit from these items. Pictured above, left to right, is Amy Bowden, RN, Maternity Services Supervisor, with the St. Patrick School students who delivered the special, generous gift, including Claire Schulte, Eva Whalen and Garner Lange. Submitted photo.
 

For those who may not know how much blood is needed by certain patients, here are some facts from the LifeServe Blood Center:

• Cancer patients can use up to eight units of blood a month.
• Bone Marrow Transplant patients can use up to two units a day.
• Cardiovascular Surgery patient can use between two and 25 units.
• Liver Transplant patients can use up to 100 units.
• Auto/Trauma Accident patients can use from five to 100 units.
• Premature infants can use from one to four units.
• Burn victims can use up to 20 units of platelets.
• Heart surgery patients can use up to four to eight units of red cells and one to 10 units of platelets.
• Organ transplant patients can use 10-30 units of blood.

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Thursday, July 6 from 12:30-5 p.m. The blood drive will be held at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. 

from the American Institute for Cancer Research and Veterans Memorial Hospital

Most skin cancers are linked to sun exposure, a risk factor that almost everyone can control by heeding a few common-sense precautions. While many have seen or heard these “sun safety” tips before, the fact remains that there will be approximately one million new cases of  skin cancer this year in America. This means that not everyone’s listening yet.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will begin the next Prepared Childbirth Education classes (formerly called Lamaze) Monday, July 10, and will continue those classes 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.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for health care providers (those working in health related fields such as physicians, nurses, EMTs, etc.) Monday, July 10, beginning at 5:30 p.m. This “Health Care Professional” CPR class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of the hospital.

The cost of the class, for certification or recertification, 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 two years.

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