News Center newsletter

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, March 20, at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.

This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or has a friend or loved one with diabetes.  For more information about the Diabetes Support Group, call Angie Mettille, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Gary Schulte by Bernard and Eileen Berns, Bill and Ellie Collins, Larry and Bonnie Kipper and Richard and Sue Schulte; in memory of Roger Stock by Ron and Nancy Adam, Ken and Rose Beardmore, Mary Ann Hager and Larry Snitker; and in memory of Francis Stortz by Mary Fink and an anonymous donor.

Memorials were also received in memory of  Bernice Thies by Chuck and Lois Votsmier, Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Sigurd and Barb Ness, Dave and Gail Prestemon and Diane Regan; in memory of Dale Tieskoetter by James Morritz and Barbara Tieskoetter; in memory of Mike Tierney by Tom Tierney; in memory of Otto and Eleanor Thorstenson by Sandy and Dennis Deal; in memory of Joe and Alberta Troendle by Jerry and Marilyn Troendle; in memory of Tom and Tony Urell by Kate Urell; and in memory of Thomas “Tommy” Thomson by Steve and Chris Weymiller and Marilyn Clark.

Why Lent?

We are just about to begin the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which lasts for 40 days (not counting Sundays). It seems like every year I hear comments from different people who don’t like Lent, such as, “It just makes me feel sad” or “It’s hard to hear so much about the suffering and death of Jesus,” and “Why can’t we focus on more pleasant things?” Today, I want to address some of these concerns and explain why Lent, though a somber and penitential a season, is truly a great comfort for every Christian.

Lent is a somber season. Ash Wednesday reminds us that God created man from dust and one day to dust we shall return. It reminds that we are not invincible. We will not live forever. “The wages of sin is death.” Death is proof of our sin. It makes it clear that we need a Savior.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
March 31: Deadline to request Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) for prior year harvested wheat, barley, canola, crambe, flaxseed, honey, oats, rapeseed, and sesame.
March 31: 2025 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC)  Program Sign-up deadline
April 15: 2025 Agriculture Risk Coverage & Price Loss Coverage Program (ARC/PLC) Signup deadline

Water Quality
by Eric Novey, NRCS
In a recent article by Brian Dougherty, Understanding Ag consultant, titled “Busting myths on the road to water quality” he discussed the significance of nitrogen source and how plants obtain nutrients in healthy soil. He notes that ammonium and nitrate are both inorganic forms of nitrogen, with nitrate being the most likely to leach because of its negative charge and higher water solubility.

Melvin “Mel” K. Breeser, 82, of La Crescent, MN, formerly of New Albin, went to Heaven in Jesus’ arms February 22, 2025, after his courageous battle with cancer. He passed in the warmth of his home with his loving daughters by his side.

An intimate gathering of family will be held at Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church in rural New Albin. Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Caledonia Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be offered to Mel’s family at www.FredricksonFuneralHomes.com.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; daughters, Dawn and Lisa (Todd); and son, Jamie; six grandsons, Eric (Peyton), Drew, Blake (Kate), Austin (Raynee), Cody and Wyatt; five great-grandchildren, Elijah, Berkeley, Oliver, Addy and Blair. Mel is also survived by his brother, Randy (Diane); his sister, Lila (Larry); and his sister-in-law, Luise.

Lawrence “Larry” Ewing, age 69, of Elma died Monday, February 24, 2025, at his home. A private family burial will be held at a later date at the Rossville Cemetery in Rossville.

Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton has been entrusted with all of Lawrence’s funeral arrangements.

Lawrence Joseph Ewing was born December 7, 1955 in Waukon, the son of William and Anna Marie (Billmyer) Ewing. He graduated from Waukon Senior High School in 1974.

Lawrence worked in the autobody and auto mechanics field during high school and after graduation. He made his home in Des Moines for many years where he worked for Anderson Erickson Dairy, the Marriott Hotel, Aamco Transmission and Dee - Zee. In 2012 he returned to northeast Iowa, where he made his home in Elma. He was employed by Sparboe Farms and held a few other odd jobs until his retirement.

Raymond George Riek, 79, of Waukon died Monday, February 24, 2025, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services with military honors were held Friday, February 28 at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon. Burial will be at a later date in the church cemetery.

Raymond George Riek was born March 4, 1945, the son of George and Alida (Aure) Riek. He was baptized and confirmed at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church and graduated from Waukon High School in 1963. Raymond served in the U.S. Air Force from 1963-1967, serving three years in France and one year in Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX.

Marjorie Grace Swanson passed away peacefully February 9, 2025 at the Cortland Healthcare Center in Cortland, OH. Funeral Service was held Saturday, February 15 at United Church of Christ in Chamberlain, SD with Rev. Jim Oleson officiating. Interment was in Pukwana Cemetery, Pukwana, SD.

Marjorie Grace Swanson was born March 1, 1934 to Russell Sr. and Myrtle (Caylor) Moline. Marjorie was the second of eight children and the oldest girl. She grew up as a farm girl, helping with the gardening, canning, cooking and other chores involved in taking care of a large family. She loved style and was a very talented seamstress, designing and sewing her clothes. She was also a talented artist with pencil and watercolors.

Deborah “Deb” Sickles, 76, of Dorchester passed away February 24, 2025 at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family.

Deborah Sue Johnson was born to Harlan and Elinor Kannenberg-Johnson June 30, 1948 in Waukon. Deb graduated from Waukon High School in 1966. She worked at the Lansing Button Factory while going to school at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) to become a beautician,  graduating in 1969. She then pursued her career at Althea’s beauty shop in Waukon for 30-plus years, later owning and operating the salon until she retired in 2004.

This month, Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Community and Home Care - Allamakee County Public Health is joining forces with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) to raise awareness about the risks of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and encourage Iowans to talk with their healthcare providers about vaccines available to protect against serious illness. Each year, RSV leads to thousands of emergency department visits and hospitalizations, particularly among infants, young children, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems.

“RSV can cause severe complications, but vaccines offer a critical opportunity to reduce illness and save lives,” said Sheryl Darling-Mooney, Public Health Supervisor. “By talking to your healthcare provider, you can ask questions and learn which vaccines are recommended for you and your family, helping everyone stay healthy and safe.”