News Center newsletter

Devoine “Dee” Marvin Meiners, age 76, of Eitzen, MN passed away Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Rochester, MN. Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 4 at St. Luke’s Church, Eitzen, MN with Pastor Michael McCann officiating. Burial followed in the St. Luke’s Church, North Cemetery with military honors by the Kenneth Casey VFW Post 5603 of New Albin and the United States Navy Funeral Honor Guard.

Devoine was born September 5, 1944 in Caledonia, MN to Marvin and Ella Mae (Schroeder) Meiners. Dee was a 1962 graduate of Caledonia High School. In 1962, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served three years on active duty as an electrician. April 9, 1966, Devoine married Barbara Jean Hagen at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, MN, and they have shared 55 years of marriage.

Earl G. “Butchie” Fullmer, age 64, of rural Lansing died suddenly at his home Thursday, April 29, 2021. A Memorial Service will be Thursday, May 6 at 1 p.m. at the Garrity Funeral Home Chapel in Prairie du Chien, WI. Military honors will be accorded by the Prairie du Chien Honor Guard. Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of services.

Earl was born February 28, 1957 in California, the son of Earl and Charlene (Manwill) Fullmer. He served in the U.S. Navy.

Earl married Diana Steiber June 18, 1994 at Pikes Peak State Park in McGregor. He was a longtime care worker for Lori Knapp Inc. Butchie was a renowned string musician playing at area taverns, nursing homes, county fairs, and also for weddings and funerals. He served as a hunter’s education instructor, a Boy Scout leader and belonged to the Prairie du Chien Masonic Lodge.

The new Veterans Memorial Hospital Waukon Clinic received a very generous donation of $50,000 from the Alice Hermeier Foundation.  This donation will be used for telehealth technology and behavioral health services. Dr. Richard (Rick) Hermeier of Waukon established the Alice Hermeier Foundation in memory of his sister.

“This gift is a way to give back to the community that my family grew up in and that contributed immensely to my own personal success,” stated Dr. Hermeier. As a retired child psychologist, Dr. Hermeier defined the goal of this gift as to improve the mental health of the Waukon community and surrounding area. Adding behavioral health services to this clinic meets that goal.

Allamakee County Public Health officials has announced they are now offering the COVID vaccine to anyone age 18 and over. These vaccines will now be offered at walk-in clinics only and will be administering the Moderna vaccine.  The online sign-up previously used to schedule vaccination appointments will be discontinued; however, anyone on that list will be contacted for an appointment for a vaccine.

The COVID Walk-In Vaccination Primary/First Dose Schedule for Allamakee County is as follows:

Allamakee County Public Health weekly clinics for both prime and booster doses are held at Veterans Memorial Hospital. Call 563-568-5660 to schedule.

Monday, May 3: Walk-In Vaccination Clinic in Postville, 4:30-7 p.m., at the Northeast Iowa Wellness Center. No appointments for anyone age 18 and over. The booster clinic for these vaccinations only will be held Tuesday, June 1 from 4-7:30 p.m.

The Rehabilitation Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital is providing Astym treatment technique for patients who have experienced a traumatic or overuse injury resulting in chronic pain, weakness and limited motion. Astym is an evidence-based treatment technique developed by physicians and therapists at Ball Memorial Hospital, Ball State University, Purdue University and Central Indiana Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

Tami Gebel, Occupational Therapist at Veterans Memorial Hospital, is certified to perform Astym treatments on individuals who have experienced an injury in the past and had minimal success at getting rid of the pain, had a lingering achiness, weakness or limited ability to complete daily activities and sports.

The family of Irene Allison is celebrating her 100th birthday May 2 with a card shower. Her children are Janice Williams of Tampa, FL, Jim Allison of Waukon, Jack Allison of Waukon, Jerome Allison of Jackson, MS and Jill Teslow of Decorah.

In honor of the milestone occasion, cards and well wishes may be sent to her attention at Good Samaritan Society, 21 East Main Street, Waukon, IA 52172.
 

The need for blood does has not stopped during COVID-19 and is in even higher demand, so the local blood drives continue to be held. LifeServe team members only report to work if they are healthy and only healthy donors are eligible to give blood.

Blood drives are essential medical services and not considered mass gatherings. The number of donors is limited to ensure donor separation, and staff has strict cleaning and disinfection schedules. Other measures are also in place to ensure the safety of the blood supply so these lifesaving donations can continue during COVID-19.

The next blood drive will be held Thursday, May 6 from Noon to 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Waukon.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15-August 1: Primary Nesting Season
July 15: Crop Certification

Good yields begin with proper seed emergence and stand, and to help producers understand how to check for both, the crops team at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has developed a new YouTube channel with timely updates.

The first four videos focus on stand assessments, poor stand and uniformity, assessing emergence and conducting stand counts.

Each video is recorded in a recently planted field, with instruction by Mark Licht, assistant professor in agronomy and cropping systems specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Stand assessment is important every year and should be done for each field, according to Licht. He said it’s even more important this year, for those who planted early and experienced cold, wet conditions soon after that planting.

If problems are found, the producer may be able to correct the issue for this year, or if not, make a note of what needs to be corrected for next year.

To the Editor:

To the parched audience at Waukon High School auditorium so long denied group gatherings, West Side Story was a cool drink of water in a July hayfield. Just to be back in the seats, hear the rustle of programs and the nervous murmur of moms and dads was a draught, soothing the soul of our community.

Set in the mean streets of New York, this retelling of Romeo and Juliet has the most gripping and lyrical music of any musical put on stage. To attempt to tell this story in Waukon took courage, vision and dedication from Waukon High staff/volunteer crew of Sarah Bieber, Louise Wild, Adam Hooten, JoAnn Sherman, Sarah Hagen and Katie O’Regan.