News Center newsletter

James (Jim C.) Gruber, 91, of Lansing passed away peacefully the morning of April 2, 2024 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held Sunday, April 14 at TJ Hunter’s Banquet Hall from 4-7 p.m.

There will be a private family burial Monday, April 15 at Oak Hill Cemetery. Pastor James “Buck” Buckhahn is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Oak Hill Cemetery.

James Clifford Gruber was born November 13, 1932 to Clifford and Esther (Thompson) Gruber in Lansing. He attended country school until fifth grade and then continued his education in Lansing. He graduated from Lansing High School in 1950. After graduation he farmed with his parents.

Jim was united in marriage to his dancing partner, Jean Wurtzel, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Lansing February 10, 1963. From their union three sons, David, Dennis and Daryl, were born.

Captain Walter Allen Verdon, Ph.D., age 85, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, February 21, 2024, at Hospice of Dayton, Inc. in Dayton, OH. A memorial service to celebrate Walter’s life will be held at Lansing United Methodist Church, 490 Center Street, Lansing May 11, 2024. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. CT. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the veterans’ charity of your choice.

Walter was born Saturday, May 14, 1938, to Harold Edward and Grace Estell (née Larson) Verdon in Stevens Point, WI. He lived a life characterized by dedication, intellect, and service. He will be remembered for his distinguished career as a Professor of Economics and his service as an officer in the United States Navy and United States Navy Reserves. Walter’s courage and commitment were exemplified during his service aboard the U.S.S. Nobel during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Thomas (Tom) James Schulte, age 83, entered eternal life April 1, 2024. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, April 6 at Sacred Heart Parish in Horicon, WI. A private burial will be held later. Memorials for Tom can be made to  https://www.givetossmhealth.org.

Tom was born March 1, 1941, to Vincent and Rose Schulte in Spring Grove, MN, the first of seven children. Tom grew up on the family farm in Dorchester, attended rural schools, and graduated from Waukon High School in 1959. After graduation, Tom enlisted in the Army Reserve. Soon after that, he began his career in the farm cooperative industry at Waukon Equity Cooperative.

In 1965 he was united in marriage to Carole Olson at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waukon. Together they raised five children in Iowa and Wisconsin. His career spanned 40 years, and he retired from United Cooperative in 2003.

For the second year, Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) will reunite in Waukon for another night of musical entertainment to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.  This year will also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Toe Tappers, as part of the night’s musical line-up.

The event will again be held Friday evening of Mother’s Day Weekend, May 10, from 6-11 p.m. This year the event will be held at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion to allow for more room to enjoy the show, dancing, expanded seating and additional food options to be available this year.

“Over 50 years for The Toe Tappers, and over 45 for a number of our BBF guys.  What an honor to share the night with them,” states Bill Withers Jr., event coordinator.  “I hope everyone comes out to celebrate around a great cause!”

by Tami Gebel, Occupational Therapist at Veterans Memorial Hospital
 
At Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH), the Occupational Therapy Department is celebrating national awareness of its profession throughout the month of April. As occupational therapists, our role is to help people regain function following injuries and illnesses.  We treat people who have hip or knee replacement surgery, heart attacks, pneumonia, strokes, diabetes, generalized weakness, skin burns and joint contractures, breathing difficulties, and many other diagnoses.

by VMH Community and Home Care and the Iowa Department of Public Health
 
Public health plays an important role in Iowa’s high standard of living. The goal of public health is helping to create an environment where people can live in good health. Public health helps make good health happen in Iowa’s homes, neighborhoods, schools and workplace.

Public health is more than just state and local government agencies. The public health community works together to fight disease and promote healthy lifestyles through the use of nutrition education, physical activity, immunization clinics, disease surveillance  and home nursing and home care aide visits.

by Carol Gaunitz, RN, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
 
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted.

At Veterans Memorial Hospital, we have specially trained nurses who can provide confidential, compassionate, holistic care and support after a sexual assault. Exams are free of charge and can include a head-to-toe exam to look for injuries, medication to treat and prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy and forensic evidence collection. Patients can participate in as much or as little of the exam as they choose.

The local Grief Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Tuesday, April 9, at 5 p.m. in the Meditation Healing Center, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital.

This informal meeting is open to anyone suffering from any type of loss, whether it be death, divorce, illness or some other grief.

Feel free to attend and bring a friend. This grief support group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, April 18, at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.

This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or who has a friend or loved one who has diabetes.  For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call  Angie Mettille, RN, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon at 563-568-3411.
 

Veterans Memorial Hospital Speech - Language Pathologist Steven Mazzafield will offer the next Stroke Support Group for individuals who have experienced a stroke, as well as caregivers and family members affected by stroke, Thursday, April 4 at 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH). The meeting will be held in the ICN Conference Room at the hospital.

The Stroke Support Group provides opportunities to share tips, tricks, or trials among participants, offer support for caregivers, and provide an opportunity for socialization.

While strokes can happen at any age, risk of stroke is greatest as people get older with the majority of strokes occurring after the age of 70. Risk factors for stroke include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, binge drinking, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

It is important to know the signs of a stroke. “BE FAST” is a handy acronym to help remember the following: