News Center newsletter

After making plans for its 2020 River Clean-Up, the Board of Directors of Friends of Pool 9 (FOP9) has voted to cancel the clean-up for the present time, based on the coronavirus danger to all participants. It may take place at a later date this spring, if the opportunity is available.

The board had selected Saturday, April 18 for the annual FOP9 clean-up of the 90 square miles of Pool 9 of the Mississippi River. Volunteers were to meet at the VFW building adjacent to the ball diamond in Lansing at 7:15 a.m. to sign the Release of Liability form and receive instructions to collection sites, with collecting to take place from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

Coley C. Foster, 52, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2020 at his home in Wasilla, AK. Services will be held at a later date.

Coley was born July 21, 1967 in Oelwein. He graduated from Postville High School in 1985 and then joined the U.S. Army. Coley traveled all over the United States and abroad throughout his military career.

Coley received his bachelor’s degree of applied science in business management with a minor in aviation operations, among his education accomplishments. While in the service, he received the Army Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal from Operation Iraqi Freedom, just to name a few of the many honors he received.

Dale Nicholas Colsch, age 81, of Plainfield passed away peacefully November 12, 2019 at the Waverly Health Center in Waverly following a courageous, private and prolonged battle with cancer. There will be no formal services. Per his wishes, Dale’s body was cremated. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society in Dale’s memory.

Dale was born December 20, 1937 to Nicholas and Charlotte Ann (Theobald) Colsch. He grew up on a farm southwest of New Albin along with seven brothers and a sister. He attended Iowa Township #3, otherwise known as the Sand Cove School, until it closed. Dale attended New Albin Elementary until eighth grade when he chose to quit school in order to farm with his older brothers, Robert and Harold. When Harold was drafted in January 1952, it became Dale’s responsibility to help manage the farm along with his brother, Robert.

Eugene Van Fleet Jr., pillar of the family and our hero of the “Greatest Generation,” died March 21, 2020 at the age of 94 at Applewood Place Assisted Living in Lakewood, CO. In light of recent health advisories, it has been decided to postpone services until a later date. Updated information will be posted when services are able to be rescheduled.

A Colorado native, Eugene was born in Denver January 18, 1926 to Eugene Sr. and Rebecca (Blunt). His parents owned a tailor/hat-making/dry cleaning shop in downtown Denver, where he learned the tricks of the trade.

Eugene attended East High School. When the attack of Pearl Harbor occurred, Eugene, then 15, was too young to defend his country. He waited until the age of 17, in his senior year, to join the U.S. Merchant Marines, with his parents’ permission. He later enrolled in the U.S. Naval Construction Force, the Seabees, where he was based in the Philippines as the company tailor.

Robert “Bob” D. Thompson, 77, of rural Waterville died Thursday, March 26, 2020 at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, WI from complications of the Coronavirus. A private graveside service was held at Old East Paint Creek Cemetery, rural Waterville. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Condolences can be sent to Linda Thompson, 1831 Elon Drive, Waterville, IA 52170.

The family requests in lieu of gifts please give to the Veterans Memorial Hospital Foundation in Waukon, Old East Paint Creek Church, or help someone that may be struggling during these uncertain economic times.

Robert Davis Thompson was born June 14, 1942 in West Union, the son of Arthur and Pearl Irene (Helgerson) Thompson. He graduated from North High School in West Union in 1961 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves from 1963-1969. He worked as a pipe fitter at Wilson’s Meat Packing Plant in Cedar Rapids.

Virginia Lou (Ashbacher) Roe, 82, of Waukon died Thursday, March 26, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Private graveside services were held at Old West Paint Creek Cemetery, rural Waukon. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences can be sent to Sue Schulte at 303 Eighth Street SW, Waukon, IA 52172. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Virginia Lou Roe was born July 26, 1937 on her parents’ farm near the French Creek area of rural Lansing. She was the daughter of John Raymond and Florence Alice (Ehrhart) Ashbacher. Virginia was baptized and confirmed at the French Creek Methodist Church and attended French Creek #2 Schoolhouse.

Allamakee County Public Health (Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care) has currently been notified of a total of 7 positive cases of COVID 19 in Allamakee County. Unfortunately we have received notice of a death of one our 7 cases. This case is a male between the ages of 61-80 years of age. 3 cases have already recovered and have been released from isolation and 3 are recovering at home under isolation. We do expect to see more positive cases in the coming days.

Allamakee County Public Health and our other area health partners can not stress enough the importance of STAYING HOME. This does slow the spread. Staying home does not mean you can’t go for a walk or be outside as long as you maintain social distancing. 6 feet physical distancing is about the length of a twin bed.

Richard “Dick” E. Gearhart, 89 of Waukon passed away March 26, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Graveside services will be held at a later date in Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone. Condolences can be sent to Anna Gearhart, at 4511 Cornwall Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family with arrangements.

Richard “Dick” Edward Gearhart was born January 3, 1931 in Dubuque, the son of Glenn and Lois (Ruxton) Gearhart. He attended Nevada High School, graduating in 1949. Dick continued his education at Drake University graduating with a degree in History in 1953. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity and a member of Drake’s track and cross country teams. While at Drake, he met a beautiful Delta Gamma girl, Anna Sunstrom of Boone. The two married in 1952. Together they shared 68 years of marriage.

Editor’s Note: Olivia Opat is a senior at Waukon High School and the editor-in-chief of the Waukon High School student newspaper, The Tribune, that prints monthly in The Standard during the school year. With schools being closed until mid-April at this point due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the likelihood of no April edition of that student newspaper and the uncertainty of what the remainder of this school year will bring, Olivia wanted to share the following perspective on behalf of her fellow seniors:

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in alignment with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for public health and safety, Effigy Mounds National Monument has closed the Visitor Center and all indoor facilities to the public, effective immediately.

Park trails will remain open, including the North Unit trail system to Fire Point and Hanging Rock, and the South Unit trail system to the Marching Bear Group. All trails are open daily from dawn to dusk.

Rangers will be present at various times during the day to answer questions, weather and staffing permitting. Visitors can also call the Visitor Center at 563-873-3491 for additional information.