News Center newsletter

Elaine E. Knuppe, 76, of Waukon died Monday, May 1, 2023 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon surrounded by her family. Funeral services were held Friday, May 5 at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating and burial was in the church cemetery.

Elaine Esther Knuppe was born September 28, 1946 in Waukon, the daughter of Emil and Bernita Ruth (Kloke) Hanson. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School in 1964. January 9, 1965, Elaine married Edward Charles Knuppe at St. John’s and they farmed together in Paint Creek Township.

The annual “Family Wellness Fair” will be held Wednesday, May 10 from 3:30-6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon. Health and wellness testing, exhibits, activities and refreshments will all be providing a complete evening of entertainment and education for families of all ages. This year, masks will not be required and the fair will be back to a full-size event with refreshments and taste testing. Everyone in the area communities is welcome to attend this free event.

Original members of four local bands will be reuniting as “Bandmates, Brothers and Friends” Friday evening, May 12 from 6-10 p.m. at Goodfella’s in downtown Waukon. This benefit event features a reunion of 11 musicians from local bands including Rising Sun, Horizon, Jackson Junction and Deep River, sharing songs from the ‘50s through the ‘90s, both country and rock, from classic bands and individual artists like Elvis, the Beatles and Alabama, to name a few.

Many of the returning musicians are from Waukon including brothers Bill, Jim and John Withers, along with Gary Hesla, Bob Bechtel, Dave Dougherty, Brad Prestemon, Todd Pickett and Joel Anderson.  They will be joined by Keel Clemmens and Jamey Lideen, long-time band members over the years. Of the original 12 musicians, the late Pat Dougherty, will also be remembered during the event, with his brother, Dave, joining the band at times throughout the evening.

This is National Nurses Week. At Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH), two- or four-year degree Registered Nurses (RNs) are welcome to help fulfill the hospital mission of “Our Family Caring for Your Family.” The career of nursing offers many opportunities right here in this small critical access hospital.

Nurses are needed to not only care for the patients who are admitted into the hospital, but are also needed in the Emergency Room, Birthing Center, Surgery, Medical Clinics, Infection Control, Education, Informatics, as well as out in the homes through Community and Home Care.

As of May 6, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon will again be suspending the current weekend Urgent Care services for the summer months and will reopen again September 9, in time for fall respiratory illnesses. During this time, patients seeking immediate or emergency care should visit the VMH Emergency Department (ER). For all other needs, patients can utilize either of the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinics located in Waukon, at 105 East Main Street, or in Postville, at 124 West Green Street.

The Waukon Medical Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, this clinic offers early access hours Mondays beginning at 7 a.m., and evening appointments are available Thursdays until 7 p.m. The Postville Medical Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, call the hospital at 563-568-3411 or visit www.veteransmemorialhospital.com.

Who knew that one pint of whole blood can save up to three lives? The next local blood drive will take place Thursday, May 4 from Noon to 5 p.m. at Waukon High School. Blood drives are held every month in Waukon, allowing for more donors to give. LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

Anyone who lives to the age of 72 will have a 95-percent probability of needing blood or blood products at sometime in their life, so blood donors are greatly needed.

Regular blood donors may donate blood as often as every 56 days. First-time donors will find that donating blood is a safe and easy way to save lives and make a difference in the community. One single blood donation can save the lives of up to three sick or injured hospital patients. On average, 90-percent of first-time donors give at blood drives in their community. This is a great opportunity for first-time donors to see how easy the blood donation process is.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Speech-Language Pathologist Steven Mazzafield is now offering a Stroke Support Group for individuals who have experienced a stroke, as well as caregivers and family members affected by stroke. The next Stroke Support Group meeting will be held Thursday, May 4 at 2 p.m. in the Large Conference Room.   Monthly meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

The Stoke Support Group provides opportunities to share tips, tricks or trials among participants, offer support for caregivers, and provide an opportunity for socialization.

While strokes can happen at any age, risk of stroke is greatest as we get older with the majority of strokes occurring after the age of 70. Risk factors for stroke include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, binge drinking, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon Tuesday, May 9 at 5 p.m. in the Meditation Healing Center, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital.

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 Tuesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

Katie and Alex Berns of Waukon announce the birth of their daughter, Adeline Rose Berns, born April 18, 2023 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 7 lbs. 7 ozs. and measured 20-1/2 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins siblings, Brooklyn (4) and Kashton (1).

Grandparents are Jane and Wayne Meyer of New Albin and Nancy and Gene Berns of Postville. Georgiana Gavin is a great-grandparent.

Shea and Paige Gavin of Waukon announce the birth of their daughter, Dorothy Leigh Gavin, born April 18, 2023 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 8 lbs. 10 ozs. and measured 21 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins a brother, Francis Gavin (2).

Grandparents are Kelly Cook of Waukon, Loran Waters of Churchtown, and Larry and Chris Gavin of Waukon. Great-grandparents are Dennis and Corinne Cook of Frankville.