News Center newsletter

The final week of the Kee baseball team’s regular season came to a close even earlier than what the Hawks had anticipated, as the final three games on the Kee schedule this past week were all canceled due to concerns with COVID-19 exposure and waiting for COVID-19 test results for precautionary measures. The Hawks’ Wednesday, July 8 doubleheader at MFL/MarMac and a lone game at Riceville Thursday, July 9 were both erased from the schedule during that wait-and-see period, but as it turns out, all test results came back negative for the baseball Hawks, as noted in the following statement released by Kee High School Activities Director Danny Love Friday, July 10:

“After confirmation of zero positive cases of COVID-19 among student athletes, Kee High baseball and softball teams will participate in the postseason. School officials report they will continue to be very mindful of athlete health and safety protocols.”

Thomas A. “Tom” Bulman, 51, of Decorah died Sunday, July 5, 2020 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. A celebration of life worship service will be held Saturday, July 18 at 11 a.m. at Stone Ridge Community Church in Decorah with Pastor Ed Krawczyk officiating; friends may greet the family at church one hour before the service.

A meal and visitation will follow from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, July 18 at the Waukon Banquet Center. A private burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, rural New Albin. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Coley C. Foster, 52, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2020 at his home in Wasilla, AK. A Celebration of Life is scheduled to be held this Saturday, July 18 from 1-4 p.m. at Bob’s Bar in Prairie du Chien, WI. To honor Coley’s love for Jimmy Buffet, those attending are invited to wear their finest Parrot Head attire.
 

Kathleen (Kay, Kate, Nama) Wankel of Rantoul IL, Evansdale, Woodville, TX, McGregor and Chicago, IL died June 28, 2020 at the age of 78 years. Due to the current Covid-19 Pandemic, a small service with immediate family was held. The family hopes to have a memorial service at St Joseph’s in New Albin at a future date.

Kathleen was born December 28, 1941 in LaCrosse, WI to Harold and Evangeline (Smerud) McKenna. She was raised in Caledonia, MN and New Albin. She moved to Chicago, IL, where she met and married Robert Wankel. They had a daughter, Dianna, and son, Robert. They retired to McGregor.

After Bob’s passing in 1990 Kay moved to Woodville, TX. The past few years she lived near family in Evansdale and the final stay was in the care of Dianna and Robert at Robert’s home in Rantoul, IL. Like her entire life, her end, she did it her way. She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, which gave her much joy, happiness and comfort.

William (Bill) Lyndon Evans, 56, of Waukon died April 12, 2020 at Gundersen Health in La Crosse, WI. A celebration of life is being held this Saturday, July 18 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon.
 

Leon E. Schoh, 91, of Waukon, formerly of Dorchester, died Thursday, July 9, 2020 at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Private family memorial services will be held at Iron Ridge Church in Waukon with Pastor Marlan Mincks officiating and burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in rural New Albin. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Please join the live stream of the service viewable on Martin-Grau Funeral Home’s Facebook page this Saturday, July 18 at 11 a.m. Condolences may be sent to Jane Schoh at 25 First Street, Apt. 108, Waukon, IA, 52172.

Donald Richard Mettille, 92, of Dubuque passed away peacefully July 7, 2020 surrounded by his family at his home in Dubuque. Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, July 11 at the Church of the Nativity in Dubuque with Rev. Andy Upah officiating. Entombment followed in Mount Olivet Chapel Mausoleum in Dubuque.

Don was born April 3, 1928 in Dubuque, the son of George and Irene (Murphy) Mettille. He helped support the family after attending school in Lansing by working on the family farm and other jobs throughout northeastern Iowa.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Laboratory in Waukon has returned to full services following the slowing trend of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though the Laboratory remained in service throughout the spring months, the entire list of services is now once again available and all offered in a safe setting.

The hospital Laboratory sees many repeat patients on a regular basis for a large variety of blood tests that are ordered by physicians locally and from out of town. If a test is ordered that can’t be run at the local hospital, the Lab can draw the blood and send the sample for more advanced testing, saving the patient valuable time and money.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Laboratory is open in the very early morning for fasting labs. Lab technicians are on site for a blood draw before a patient goes to work. INR testing can also be completed by the hospital’s Lab.

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation annual Three Person Best-Shot Golf Tournament that was scheduled for June 22 has been restructured for this unprecedented year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Foundation has partnered with the Waukon Golf and Country Club to offer an alternative “COVID-Classic” tournament which includes a round of 18 holes of golf and a $10 drink voucher to use anytime between now and October 15, 2020.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care has availabilities for immunizations which are now held on an appointment-only basis. During COVID-19, the walk-in immunization clinics will remain on hold, but for those who want to call ahead and make an appointment, they can do so by calling 563-568-5660. When the appointment is made, instructions are given for the private location the immunizations will be administered.

With school right around the corner, the Community and Home Care public health office advises families to make their appointments now to be sure all needed immunizations are received before school begins. Immunizations are extremely important. They have eradicated Small Pox, eliminated polio from the Americas, and they have almost eliminated Tetanus, Diphtheria and Rubella.  Immunizations have also greatly reduced the occurrence of Measles, Pertussis and Meningitis. Millions of deaths and other tragedies have also been prevented by vaccines.