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LaVonne A. Kruger, 87, of Waukon passed away at her home surrounded by family and friends Friday, September 27, 2019. Funeral services were held Monday, September 30 at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial was at the church cemetery.

LaVonne Adeline (Anderson) Kruger was born July 29, 1932 on the family farm in Waterville, the daughter of Alfred Oscar and Helen Geneva (Smedsrud) Anderson. She was baptized and confirmed at the West Paint Creek Synod Lutheran Church in rural Waukon and graduated from Waterville High School in 1950.

After high school, LaVonne began working at the Allamakee County Courthouse in the Treasurer’s office, which started her path to becoming a career woman. After two years, she did clerical work with the USDA-ASCS office; her position later became the Allamakee County Director and after 30 years, LaVonne retired.

Margie Elaine Ewing, 90, of Monona died Friday, September 27, 2019 at North Gate Care Center, Waukon. Funeral Services were held Tuesday, October 1 at the Living Faith United Methodist Parish in Monona with the Rev. Deb Parkison officiating. Burial followed in the Monona Cemetery, Monona.

She was born September 16, 1929 in West Chester, the daughter of Nellie (McFarland) Yoder. Margie graduated from Denver High School, Denver, CO.

Margie was united in marriage with Gene Ewing January 27, 1951 at Forest Mills Church. Four children were born to this union, Nancy, Sandy, Marsha and Rex. She worked at Elmer Marting TV and Repair Shop and Monona Wire. She loved going to auctions, garage sales and doing crafts. If Margie was bored, she would be at the table playing Solitaire. Margie liked to collect everything, especially Barbie Dolls, teddy bears and angels. She was a member of Living Faith United Methodist Parish, Monona.

The week of September 30-October 4 is Homecoming Week at Waukon High School, culminating in the Waukon Indians facing off against the Oelwein Huskies in the annual Homecoming football game Friday, October 4. The theme of “Harness the Huskies” has been chosen for this year’s Homecoming, and students and staff throughout the Allamakee Community School District will spend the week partaking in various activities and events, including dress-up days, pep rallies and the traditional “Burning of the ‘W’.”

The activity schedule for Homecoming Week is as follows:

Iowans interested in the care of trees, forests and natural resources should consider attending a forestry field day this fall, held by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and various public and private partners.

Topics will include how to manage a forest for profit, water quality, wildlife and the aesthetic value of trees. Additional topics will include forest establishment, tree protection and invasive species control, herbicide use, forest products, portable sawmills, timber marketing and the legal aspects of forestry.

“Trees, woodlands and forests are often vastly under-utilized by Iowa landowners,” said Billy Beck, assistant professor and extension forestry specialist at Iowa State University. “These forestry field days provide Iowans the knowledge and resources to harness the true power of their forests.”

In a late afternoon special session Friday, September 20, the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors approved the resignation of New Albin Elementary School Principal Chad Steckel from all of his duties of principal, driver’s education and coaching within the school district.

The vote was unanimous from all board members.

Steckel had just been approved as a driver’s education instructor for the fall at the board’s Monday, September 16 regular meeting. EACSD Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier was not available for follow-up Tuesday morning, September 24. No additional information was available at press time Tuesday morning for this week’s edition.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Half a million people die each year due to this disease. Many people develop symptoms of heart disease when they are in their 40s or 50s, interrupting a most productive time of life. Cardiac Rehabilitation is an important tool in the fight against heart disease. Rehabilitation involves monitored exercise, nutritional counseling, emotional support and education about lifestyle changes to reduce risks of heart problems.

Duwayne Rude of Lansing had his first heart attack September 14, 2018. He did the right thing and immediately called 911. The Lansing ambulance brought him to the emergency room at Veterans Memorial Hospital, where he was stabilized. He was then rushed by ambulance to La Crosse, WI where he was scheduled for open heart surgery the next day.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is offering flu shots every Wednesday afternoon during their regular immunization clinics. The next flu shot clinic will be held Wednesday, October 2, from 1-6 p.m. and again Wednesday, October 9, from 1-4 p.m.  The Community and Home Care Immunization Clinic is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Immunization clinics are held from 1-6 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month, and from 1-4 p.m. all other Wednesdays. Flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccines and tetanus vaccines will be available.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding their annual Pillow Perk Monday, October 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lower Level of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Kraft Pillow Service will be on site to make old pillows look like new.

Everyone is encouraged to bring in their feather pillows to the Pillow Perk to be cleaned, sanitized and given new ticking. Foam and Dacron pillows may also be renovated by this process. People are also encouraged to bring in their feather beds and have them made into new pillows.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will begin the next Prepared Childbirth Education classes (formerly called Lamaze) Monday, October 7, and those classes will continue for two more consecutive Monday evenings beginning at 6 p.m. in the Large Conference Room.

The Prepared Childbirth Education classes at Veterans Memorial Hospital are offered in three sessions that allow the expectant parents to choose which topics they wish to learn more on. They may choose to attend one, two or all three sessions.  Session 1 covers labor, delivery and the postpartum period following delivery; Session 2 includes relaxation, breathing and pain management; and Session 3 covers infant care. Tours of the OB Department are available with each session as well.

How many know that one in seven people entering the hospital will need blood?

Attend the next LifeServe Blood Center Blood Drive to be held Monday, October 7, from 12-5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Blood drives are held once per month. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

The LifeServe Blood Center is seeking donors to ensure a safe and plentiful blood supply in Iowa. Because there is no substitute for human blood, the need for donors is continuous.

Over half of the United States population is eligible to donate blood, yet less than four percent donate on a regular basis. A single donation of blood can be used to save up to three lives and help in treatment of cancer patients, accident victims, hemophiliacs and surgery patients.  The LifeServe Blood Center is committed to serving the needs of Iowans by saving lives through volunteer blood donation.