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Robert Forde, age 65, of Decorah died Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. A Celebration of Life and Memory was held Saturday, August 7 at Big Canoe Lutheran Church, Decorah with Rev. Waldemar Gies officiating. Interment was at Iowa River Cemetery.

Robert Odell Forde was born August 7, 1955 to Omer and E. Shirley (Berge) Forde at the Smith Memorial Hospital in Decorah. He was baptized and confirmed at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church. He attended grade school at Pleasant #1 through eighth grade. Robert was a member of the FFA at the Decorah High School and graduated from there in 1973.

Sharon A. Neises, age 78, of Patch Grove, WI passed away Thursday, July 29, 2021 at home surrounded by her family. A Memorial Mass of Resurrection was held Friday, August 6 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Patch Grove, WI with Father John Meinholz officiating. Inurnment was in Patch Grove Cemetery.

Sharon was born July 9, 1943 in Waukon, the daughter of Edward and Jean (O’Neill) Liddiard. She graduated from Waukon High School. Sharon married Arthur Neises, Jr. October 26, 1963 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon.

Sharon worked as a Bank Manager for Peoples State Bank in Patch Grove for numerous years. She loved to read, listen to music, go camping, boating and ride her UTV around the area. Most importantly, she loved spending time with family.

Ruth O. Hamm, 89, of Waukon, formerly of Dubuque, died Friday, August 6, 2021 at her daughter’s home in Holmen, WI. Per Ruth’s wishes, no services are planned at this time. A burial of ashes will be at Sixteen Cemetery in rural Monona. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, please send a donation in Ruth’s name to Tina’s K-9 Rescue at 8838 County Highway I, Sparta, WI 54656. Tina’s K-9 Rescue took in Ruth’s dog, Jed, when she moved away from the farm and wasn’t able to care for him.

Ruth Olive Hamm was born February 29, 1932 in rural Harpers Ferry, the daughter of Andrew Nathan and Floy Olive (Clausen) Jones. At age 14, she left home to become a nanny so she could attend high school in Luana. She played basketball and in 1950, her high school team went to State. She made the three-pointer at the last second to get them to the State game.

Dorothy M. Klocke, 97, of Waukon died Thursday, August 5, 2021 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Monday, August 9 at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in rural Postville with Karla Johnson officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Memorials may be made to Good Samaritan Society or Veterans Memorial Hospital, both in Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Dorothy Marie Klocke was born February 16, 1924 in Jefferson Township, rural Waukon, the daughter of Edward and Caroline (Wacker) Schoenthal. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, attended Jefferson #1 country school, and graduated from Waukon High School.

Mary Malanaphy Schrandt Manning, age 91, of Decorah passed away Thursday, July 29, 2021 at Wellington Place in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial was at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah Friday, August 6 with Rev. Daniel Knipper and Deacon Pat Malanaphy officiating. Interment was at St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery, Decorah.

Beginning CPR right away whenever someone goes unconscious and has no pulse is so important for all ages to know and understand. Greg Fink of Harpers Ferry is living proof of just how important immediate CPR is.

Greg and his young neighbor, Trevor Peiffer, age 13, have enjoyed playing ping pong and basketball together the past few years. October 1 of last year, Trevor had gotten home from school and decided to see what Greg was up to. Greg was outside and invited him to play some ping pong. As they were playing a game, Greg suddenly stopped and stared at Trevor, then collapsed. Trevor yelled for Greg’s wife, Lori, to come and told her he was running home to get his mom, Julie, who is a nurse. Julie and Trevor returned right away and Julie began CPR as Trevor called 911.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be sponsoring its 29th annual 5K Cardiac Classic Run/Walk Saturday, August 21 in conjunction with the Waukon Corn Days celebration.  This year, the event again welcomes a shorter walking route with an optional 5K to offer distances that will please everyone of any age or ability that wishes to participate.

The event will begin and end at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon with a start time of 8 a.m. and registration beginning at 7:15 a.m. Again this year, costumes are encouraged to be worn at this event by adults and youth, with the top costume in both categories earning a prize.

A generous donation of $5,000 was recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation from Joe and Mary Cunningham in support of the new Waukon Medical Clinic. Pictured above, left to right at the main entrance of the new clinic is Laura Baxter, RN, Clinic Director; Mary and Joe Cunningham; and Michael Coyle, CEO of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Joe Cunningham states, “We are very pleased and grateful that we have additional providers in our community and now convenience to utilize the services at both our local clinic and hospital.” The new medical clinic opened May 3 and has already experienced over 1,500 visits to date.  Appointments can be scheduled by calling the new clinic phone number of 563-568-5530. Appointments are available each day for those with an acute health issue who need to be seen right way. Donations are still being accepted by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. All gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible.

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon Tuesday, August 10 at 5 p.m. in the Meditation Chapel Room, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital. Masks will be required. 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, and be sure to wear a mask. All attendees will be able to physically distance during the meeting.  This grief support group meets the second Tuesday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, August 19 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 in Waukon. Masks will be required to be worn.

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