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The Allamakee County Conservation Foundation (ACCF) is offering scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors who will be attending a college or university pursuing a degree in natural resources or a related field.  One $500 scholarship will be offered to a senior from each of the area high schools in Allamakee County; Postville, Waukon and Kee.

Students who would like to apply for the scholarship are encouraged to visit www.allamakeecountyconservation.org, the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center, or their school’s guidance counselor for an application.  Applications will be accepted until April 3 of this year and recipients will be notified by May 1.

The Driftless Half Marathon (DHM) is offering scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors who will be attending a college or university this fall. One $500 scholarship will be offered to a senior graduating from each of two local high schools, Kee High School in Lansing and Waukon High School. Students must be a part of their respective school’s scholarship fund.

Students who wish to apply for the scholarship are encouraged to contact their school’s guidance counselor for more information. Applications will be accepted until April 1 of this year. Recipients will be awarded during their respective school’s senior awards night this spring.

The Driftless Half Marathon Scholarship is made possible by generous sponsors and loyal runners. The race committee believes in giving back to the community those who live here are fortunate enough to call home. The committee also hopes to make a positive impact while also motivating people to be active.
 

A new resource for parents of students in eighth through 12th grades launched in early January. Iowa Student Loan® developed Student Planning Pointers for Parents, a twice-monthly email service, as an expansion to the free resources and tools it offers to families as part of its nonprofit mission.

Known as SP3, the service is available to parents who would like to help their students proactively prepare for postsecondary education and training. Parents and guardians can register each of their students’ grade levels for free online at www.sp3.org to receive seasonal and grade-specific information through email.

“This service empowers parents with the information they need to engage in planning with their students,” said Steve McCullough, CEO at Iowa Student Loan. “Studies show that students with engaged parents are much more successful in high school and college.”

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.

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.