News Center newsletter

“Back-to-school” has happened for most public schools - a joy for parents and a concern for most of the kids. I, too, will be attending continuing education events in October, so I’m reminded that we are never too old to learn something new.

One of the reasons graduation is referred to as “commencement” is because you’re moving on to commence upon the next level of education - whether that means a degree program or just living life in the “real world.”

When it comes to our relationship with God, there will never be a time when you “graduate” with all the knowledge and answers to life’s questions. When young people are Confirmed into membership that doesn’t signal the end of their Christian education, it is to be a “commencement” to the next level of learning and relationship.

To the Editor:

My father, Vic Schwartzhoff of Dorchester, Iowa, ran the General Store there in the 1950s and 1960s, and he had a book on World War II which I would go through many times. I don’t know what it was called, but it was hardback and maybe four inches thick.

Someone borrowed it, and like things go, it wasn’t brought back.

I am just wondering if anyone might have the book laying around and could give me the name and numbers on it so I might be able to find another volume. Please contact me at my email, wpell@myyahoo.com.

Thank you,

Winifred (Schwartzhoff) Pell
 

Dwight “Blackie” Lawson, 84, of Waukon passed away peacefully Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Marshalltown after a long period of declining health. Due to a scheduling conflict his funeral service will now be held graveside at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Waukon at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 12. A celebration of his life will be held at The Old Rossville Store following the funeral. Born March 29, 1942, in Waukon to Howard and Janet “Bub” (Tepesch) Lawson, Dwight was a proud graduate of the Waukon High School Class of 1961. He later attended the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls where he studied Accounting. Throughout his life, Dwight worked mainly as a meatcutter and salesman. After retirement, he spent much of his time helping people fix up their homes, generously putting his skills to work for others. He also gave to his community, volunteering at local food pantries and with the American Red Cross, including hurricane relief efforts in Georgia.

Beth D. Kerndt, 73, of Waukon passed away Saturday, September 5, 2026, at her home in Waukon. She was surrounded by her loving and devoted husband Tom and her children.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, September 12 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Philip Agyei officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 4-8 p.m. Friday, September 11 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:30 p.m. scripture service.

Beth Diane (Lange) Kerndt was born March 10, 1953, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, the daughter of Duane and Kathleen (Gordon) Lange. She was raised in the Monona area with her two brothers on her parent’s century farm. Beth graduated from MFL High School in 1971.

April 20, 1996, she married the love of her life, Tom Kerndt, at Giard Methodist Church in Giard. Together they enjoyed many adventures and made many happy memories along the way.

Duane H. J. Martins, 88, of Waukon, formerly of Luana, passed away after a brief illness Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Memorial services were held Saturday, September 5 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Daryl Schultz officiating. The service was live streamed on the funeral home’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/martinfunerals.

Paul L. Horsfall Sr., 93, of Lansing died Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Memorial services were held Wednesday, September 9 at United Methodist Church in Lansing with Pastor James Buckhahn officiating.

Paul Leland Horsfall Sr. was born September 11, 1932, in Bloomington, WI, the youngest of 11 children of Roy and Pearl (Ball) Horsfall. He graduated from Bloomington High School, where he was the pitcher of the baseball team and also led his conference in basketball all four years. Following school, Paul worked as a farmhand.

At age 18, Paul underwent an emergency appendectomy, but then came down with a lovesickness for his beautiful nurse. He and Maxine Schwartz were married August 14, 1952, in Prairie du Chien, WI. In 1953, Paul was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Camp Atterbury in Indiana. The Korean War ended just a few weeks into his basic training; he finished his two-year stint in Chicago, IL as a MP.

Measles cases are on the rise and are highly contagious.  Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.   The best way to prevent measles is to get the measles-mumps-rubella shot (called MMR). The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.

Two doses of MMR are required for elementary and secondary school entry in Iowa. The first dose should be given at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose is usually administered as part of the kindergarten shots given between 4-6 years of age. Generally, persons who started elementary school in Iowa after 1991 and were up-to-date on all school entry vaccine requirements have received two doses of MMR vaccine.

Conversations about suicide can be deeply uncomfortable, yet they’re often essential. This is especially true when speaking with older adults, who may be quietly struggling with emotional pain, isolation, or a sense of hopelessness.

Many people hesitate to ask an older parent, grandparent, neighbor, or friend if they’re having suicidal thoughts. It can feel intrusive, awkward, or even frightening. But asking the question - directly and compassionately - can be a powerful act of care.

Older adults, particularly those aged 75 and older, have the highest rates of suicide of any age group, according to a recent study by Harvard researchers. Suicide risk increases with age, and factors like chronic illness, loneliness, grief, and reduced independence contribute to a mental health crisis in later life, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Podiatry Department has a new podiatry chair thanks to the generosity of donors supporting the Veterans Memorial Health Care  Foundation with memorial donations.  This new chair is used regularly for all podiatry patients during appointments with Dr. Kristina Thompson, and offers the patients and the provider a variety of advantages.  

“I am very grateful to the Foundation for providing our specialty clinic with a procedure chair. This chair has greatly benefited my patients by providing comfort while receiving podiatric care locally,” states Dr. Thompson, Podiatrist. “We are able to use the procedure chair to perform numerous in-office procedures, from basic toenail cutting to minor surgical procedures to treat ingrown toenails and hammertoes.”

by Katy Maker, Nurse Midwife and Nurse Practitioner, Veterans Memorial Hospital and Clinics

Gynecologic cancers include cervical cancer, endometrial, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and vulvar cancers. Of these cancers only cervical cancer is preventable in 90-percent of cases. Screening for gynecologic cancers is important despite feelings of embarrassment.  With an awareness of how personal these exams are, I would strongly recommend establishing care with a healthcare provider that you feel comfortable with, who is respectful, and understands trauma-informed care and that you are sure will answer your questions and respect your concerns.