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John E. Theis, 95, of Macomb, IL passed away Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at the Lamoine Assisted Living in Macomb, IL. Graveside services will be held Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

John Everett Theis was born July 26, 1928, in Riceville to Harry and Hazel (Marr) Theis. He first married Myrtle Marie Ahlstrom July 30, 1948. She preceded him in death March 6, 1964. He later married Janice Forey June 30, 1973. She preceded him in death July 31, 2023.

John worked for Theis Mens Clothing Stores, which was owned by his father, Harry Theis. He was a Drug Representative for J.W. Edgerly and McPike Drugs. After his retirement from McPike Drug Company, he worked part time for Nelson’s Clothing Store in Macomb, IL.

Dorothy J. Theis, 85, of Macomb, IL passed away Monday, July 31, 2023, at the Lamoine Retirement Living in Macomb, IL. Graveside services will be held Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Dorothy Janice Theis was born November 23, 1937, in Plover to Francis and Veronica (Miller) Forey. She married John Everett Theis June 30, 1973, in West Bend.

Jan graduated from Buena Vista College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She taught in West Bend, Twin Cities, MN, the country of Venezuela, and in Macomb, IL. She owned and operated Kids Korner Preschool in Macomb, IL for 19 Years. Jan was a member of the St. Paul Catholic Church where she had served as an usher and as a Eucharistic Minister. She was also active in St. Paul Women’s Guild.

Mary Jo Wolcott, 72, of Harpers Ferry passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at the home she and Jim built themselves in rural Harpers Ferry, which she dearly loved along with being surrounded by wildlife. Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 30 at St. Ann’s - St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial was at Wexford Cemetery in rural Lansing.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Ann’s-St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the Wexford Catholic Church, or the Harpers Ferry Rescue Squad.

Mary Jo (Valley) Wolcott was born December 26, 1951, to Joseph and Marian (Davies) Valley. She attended grade school in Harpers Ferry, 7th-8th grade in Waterville, and graduated from St. George High School in Lansing. During her senior year, she met Jim Wolcott and they began dating.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 22 to address a full agenda of matters including the Public Hearing for the proposed Fiscal-Year 2025 Allamakee County Budget, the consideration of Adopting the Resolution approving Fiscal-Year 2025 compensation increases for elected officials and the discussion and consideration of a potential solar project at the County Farm. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present.

Waukon High School seniors Ethan Kelly (left) and Ava Bossom (right) were selected as the 2024 Waukon High School Prom King and Queen at the annual event held Saturday, April 20. Bossom was selected from a Queen court that also consisted of fellow seniors Kaitlyn Krambeer, Ashlin O’Neill and Breckan Stewart. Kelly was chosen from a King court that also included fellow seniors Mason Wasson, Gabriel Weighner and Drew Weymiller.
 

Kee High School seniors Ava Mahr (left) and Brendan Croft (right) were selected as the 2024 Kee High School Prom Queen and King at the annual event held Saturday, April 20. Mahr was selected from a Queen court that also consisted of fellow seniors Evie Clemments, Anissa Stanley and Riley Troendle. Croft was chosen from a King court that also included fellow seniors Cadan Evanson, Jack Schweitzer and Austin St. Mary. Photo by Danielle Potter.
 

Brandon Kasemeier, the now 40-year-old man from Waukon charged in the January 21 death of his estranged wife, Jami Kasemeier, will be changing his plea in the case, according to a Motion for Further Proceedings filed by his attorney and an order issued by Iowa First Judicial District Court Judge Alan Heavens Friday, April 19. Kasemeier was scheduled for jury trial in the case on a charge of First Degree Murder May 15 of this year, with a pre-trial conference scheduled for Monday, April 22, but both proceedings were canceled following Friday’s filing of his change in plea by Kasemeier’s public defender, Aaron Hawbaker of Waterloo.

Elections 101 will be a weekly series of articles offering a variety of information regarding elections in Iowa and Allamakee County prior to this year’s June 4 Primary Election. The information is being provided courtesy of Allamakee County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Denise Beyer.

As evident in the surrounding photos on this page, the Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing was opened to traffic by Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) officials Saturday, April 20 at approximately 11 a.m., bringing to an end a nearly two-month closure that involved an extensive repair process and rigorous safety testing and inspection. The bridge had been closed since February 25 of this year after discovery of an unexpected buckling of the bridge that was then determined to be the result of two of the bridge piers shifting on the eastern end of the structure.

“Our contracting partner, Kraemer North America, worked diligently to replace the piers,” Iowa DOT officials said. “The new piers are supported by steel pipe pilings reaching more than 100 feet into bedrock compared to the previous pilings that were placed more than 90 years ago and reached approximately 40 feet deep.”

The Toe Tappers will be celebrating their 50th anniversary at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon Friday, May 10, beginning at 6 p.m. They will join Bandmates, Brothers and Friends, members of several former local bands who are reuniting for their second consecutive year to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. This year the event will be held at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon to allow for more room for dancing, additional seating, food (cash sales), and beverages.

The Toe Tappers have been entertaining the tri-state area for over 50 years, but due to COVID never had the opportunity to celebrate that milestone, until this event. They will take the stage first, at 6 p.m., followed by two different sets of the 11 musicians who are once again reuniting for the night, forming Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF).