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The boathouse discovered by Bill FitzGerald of Lansing after it had floated into his riverside property last fall - first reported about in the April 8 edition of The Standard after a months-long search process of trying to find its owner - finally had its rightful owner found recently. However, the structure also fell victim to the wrath of Mother Nature in the meantime, as strong winds that blew through the area Sunday, April 12 grabbed hold of the tied-up boathouse structure and left it as pictured in the accompanying photos. The family that owned the boathouse, however, was able to salvage much of the structure for different purposes, doing so within the past week.
FitzGerald had been trying to find the owner of the boathouse ever since it had drifted into his dock property on the banks of the Mississippi River along the north end of Front Street, Lansing during high water levels on the river late last fall.

Saturday, March 17, 1945, traffic drove across the Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing and the nearly three-mile dike between Iowa and Wisconsin much like it had done for the previous dozen years for jobs, school, shopping, entertainment, dating and all the other pastimes of busy lives. The next day that vital link over the Mississippi River would close for a decade.

Helping to break up ice on the river, the Coast Guard cutter Fern had passed Lansing on its way up the river the previous Thursday. The highest water in 25 years was predicted for that weekend, and by Sunday, March 18, the high water had arrived, pushing the broken, foot-thick chunks of ice under - and into - the dike bridges. The Big Slough and Winneshiek Slough bridges along the dike gave way that day, cutting off that traffic route between Wisconsin and Iowa.

by Alexis Johnson

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, April 20. The discussion centered around the consent agenda, transfer of funds, Marina report and Parks report.

Resolution #938 is a resolution approving the transfer of funds from the restricted gifts special revenue fund to the general fund. A motion was made and seconded to approve the transfer of funds to help finance the Splash Pad project.

With the current COVID-19 pandemic, the council discussed concerns regarding the City Marina. When the marina opens up May 1 the public bathrooms will remain closed due to the virus. New guidelines from the State of Iowa are now in place in this area to keep a six-foot distance from anyone who is not in a person’s own household.

The guidelines are dependent upon what the State decides is necessary following the current April 30 deadline expiration.

Steven John Thorsten of Lansing passed away peacefully at home Sunday, April 5, 2020 at the age of 68. Services and burial are tentatively being planned for mid-June.

Steven was born in Waukon December 12, 1951, the oldest child of John and Elinor (Luth) Thorsten. He grew up on the family farm just down the road from Church Town and graduated from Kee High School in 1970.  Steve was on the wrestling team and chosen for the all-state wrestling team in his junior year.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1972, serving three deployments on the USS Enterprise. While serving, he transferred from the Enterprise (CVN65) to the Naval Reactor Facility A1W Prototype in Idaho Falls, ID receiving training as a nuclear propulsion plant operator.  This training offered him the opportunity to work in the nuclear power field after being discharged from the Navy in 1978.

Sally Ann (Lipke) Johanningmeier, age 66, of Monona passed away peacefully April 17, 2020 at Mayo Franciscan Hospital in La Crosse, WI. A private service of Christian burial will take place in Monona. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date when COVID-19 restrictions allow. In lieu of flowers, memorials and cards in Sally’s honor may be sent to Bill Johanningmeier, 21982 Pleasant Ridge Road, Monona, IA 52159.

Sally was born July 4, 1953 in Prairie du Chien, WI. She attended St. Gabriel’s for elementary and middle school and graduated from Prairie du Chien High School. Sally married the love of her life, Bill, November 4, 1971. Together they farmed on the Yellow River outside Harpers Ferry for many years, later moving to rural Monona. Sally earned her nursing degree from Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and worked as a registered nurse at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital.

Larry Rice, 82, formerly of New Albin, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2020 at Premiere Estates in Toledo. No services are scheduled at this time. Condolences for the family can be left online at www.Iowacremation.com.

Larry was born May 24, 1937 to Delbert and Ila (Thompson) Rice in Vinton. He married Janet Noeller May 16, 1954. They lived in Elberon for about 20 years and then moved to New Albin in 1987 where Larry served as Police Chief for 10 years, on the City Council for two years, and then as Mayor for three years. They moved back to the Vinton area in 2008 due to health issues and to be closer to family. During his life Larry enjoyed trout fishing, camping, watching old westerns and professional wrestling, and Boston terriers.

Elizabeth “Betty” A. Zischke, 90, of La Crosse, WI passed away Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at Eagle Crest South. Private family committal service will take place in St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum in the Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse, WI. A public funeral mass will be scheduled at a later date. Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse, WI is assisting the family. Online condolences may be submitted at www.schumacher-kish.com.

Betty was born in March of 1930 to Thomas and Florence (Teeling) Lyons in Waukon. She married Donald G. Zischke January 8, 1955 in La Crosse; Don preceded her in death September 8, 1994. Betty was a legal secretary at Moen Sheehan Meyer LTD for several years before she retired from Western Technical College in 1990. She was a member of Mary, Mother of the Church parish.

Carol A. Bahr, 74, of Waukon died Monday, April 13, 2020 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. Arrangements are pending with Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.
 

Gwenn A. Bray, 85, of Waukon died Saturday, April 18, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Graveside services were held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. Condolences can be sent to Dr. Bruce Bray at N 4811 Rainbow Drive, Spooner, WI 54801.

Gwenn Anna Bray was born November 9, 1934 in Defiance, OH, the daughter of John and Rosemary (Ryder) Grogg. She grew up in Garrett, IN and after graduating from high school, Gwenn attended St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Evanston, IL. In 1955, she graduated as a registered nurse.

Margaret “Peggy” M. Hennessy, 65, of Waukon died Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at her home. Graveside services were held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. A memorial service will be at a later date. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Condolences can be sent to Jim Hennessy at 635 Ninth Street SW, Waukon, IA 52172.

Margaret Mary Hennessy was born May 16, 1954 in Waukon, the daughter of Cletus and Phyllis (Ryan) Schulte. She grew up in Dorchester and was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church; in 1972, Peggy graduated from Waukon High School.

February 23, 1974, she married James Hennessy at St. Mary’s in Dorchester. They made their home in Waukon and in addition to raising their children, Peggy worked various part-time jobs. A devout Catholic, Peggy belonged to St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon and the Daily Rosary Society and prayed for family and anyone in need.