December 2014

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31
Dec

Loving others during the holidays and beyond

 

Since October of 2013, Julie Lewis has volunteer nearly 1,000 hours at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette. Visiting almost daily, Lewis has become a familiar face for the residents who look forward to the time she spends with them. In front from left to right are Marion Rogahn, Julie Lewis and Margery Lau. In back stands Kenny Hecht. 

 

Loving others during the holidays and beyond

 

 

Megan Mohlis
Contributing Writer

 

 

“It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing.”-Mother Teresa

                  Life can often lead people down a path, helping them along in the direction they are meant to take. For Julie Lewis, that path led her to Fayette and through the doors of Maple Crest Manor, where she is now met at the door with smiles and hugs almost daily.

                  Lewis was a certified nurse’s aide in Independence for 11 years before she injured her back, forcing her to give up a job she loved and walk away from the passion she had found in caring for the elderly. Moving to Fayette in 2010, she decided she wanted to do something to help fill the void. So, she made a visit Maple Crest Manor to see if she could help out as a volunteer.

Wed
31
Dec

Dorothy Williams

Dorothy Williams

 

 

Dorothy A. Williams, 84, of Oelwein, Iowa died on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo.

Funeral Service:  10:30 A.M. Monday, December 29, 2014 at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein with Rev. Charis Combs-Lay officiating.

Visitation: 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. on Sunday and for one hour before the service on Monday at the funeral home.

Graveside Service: 1:30 P.M. Monday at God’s Acre Cemetery, Clermont, Iowa.

A Memorial Fund has been established for the American Cancer Society or to the family.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com.

Dorothy Anna Yauslin was born on July 17, 1930 in Clermont, Iowa, the daughter of Byron “Barney” & Ruby (Hader) Yauslin. 

She received her education at the Clermont Schools.

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31
Dec

Eldon Walz

Eldon Walz

 

 

Eldon Earl Walz, 77, of Strawberry Point, Iowa, died on Saturday, December 27, 2014, at the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home. 

He was born on June 26, 1937, in Springville, the son of Don Goodlove and Rachel (Batchelder) Walz. 

Eldon graduated from Garnavillo High School at the age of 16.  He later attended college under the GI bill while living in West Union.

Eldon served honorably in the United States Army for three years. 

On July 22, 1961, he was united in marriage to Clementine Mihm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Volga.  Seven children were blessed to this union.

Eldon was then recalled in the fall, after his marriage, to serve for a year during the Berlin Crisis.  After his return from the military they farmed near Arlington and St. Olaf.   In 1973 the family moved to their home near Strawberry Point. 

Wed
31
Dec

Germaine Winter

Germaine Winter

 

 

Germaine Winter, age 90, of St. Lucas, IA, died on December 22, 2014, at Allen Hospital in Waterloo, IA.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Luke Catholic Church in St. Lucas on Saturday, Dec. 27, with the Rev. Nick March as celebrant.

Interment was in the church cemetery.

Casket bearers were Jamie Schneberger, Russell Schneberger, Jim Winter, Loren Manderfield, Brady Kuennen, and Ron Kuennen.

Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Decorah.

Germaine Philomena (Schmitt) Winter was born on May 17, 1924, on the family farm one mile west of St. Lucas, IA, the oldest of two daughters born to Nick and Margaret (Blong) Schmitt. 

She attended school at St. Luke’s Catholic School. 

On May 8, 1951, she was united in marriage to Nick Winter at St. Luke’s Catholic Church. 

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31
Dec

Benjamin Hofer

Benjamin Hofer

 

 

Benjamin (Ben) Hofer, 85, of Marion, died at home, surrounded by his family, Friday, December 26, 2014.

Services: 11 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories by Certified Celebrant Jim Parton.

Interment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 pm at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Ben is survived by his children, Rosemary (Greg Mein) Steepleton of Cedar Rapids, James (Sheri) Hofer of Lisbon, Susan (Bob) Northrup of Marion and Wayne (Terri) Hofer of Hiawatha; 11 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; and 3 great great grandchildren; also surviving are several sisters and brother-in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Betty in 2013, brothers, John, Al, Paul, Sam, Clarence, Lewis, and sisters, Rose, Mary Ann, Helen and Bertha.

Wed
31
Dec

NFV football championship tops 2014

 

Members of the North Fayette Valley football team celebrate after beating Sioux center, 14-10, in the Class 2A championship game, Friday, Nov. 21, in the UNI-Dome. The TigerHawks went 8-1 in the regular season, won the District 3 title, and, capped the season with a 4-0 run in the playoffs. (Jerry Wadian photo)

 

NFV football championship tops 2014

 

 

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

With 2015 on the horizon, with everything that a new year promises, let us look back at 2014.

Naturally, the big story is the North Fayette Valley football team winning the Class 2A championship. It was the first title by any team in the school’s short history, and the first championship by either school’s football team since North Fayette won the 1992 title. 

As important as that story is, there were many other important stories to remember from what the Chinese calendar calls the Year of the Horse.

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31
Dec

New beginnings among top stories

 

Dillon O’Kones and Ava Wegner were helping contractors at the site of the Kaleidoscope Kids Childcare Center (KKCC) construction project in May. KKCC staff, North Fayette personnel, and local volunteers plan to soon begin moving supplies into the new facility. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

 

New beginnings among top stories

 

 

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

As in recent years, a dwindling population, recovering economy, and other socio-economic issues provided for both successes and setbacks in Unionland in 2014. Among the featured topics of public discussion and published in The Fayette County Union this past year were the following:

A number of businesses were introduced to the community or enjoyed new beginnings in 2014.

Among the grand openings and congratulatory celebrations held were for proprietors at Quillins, Concept by Iowa Hearing Aid Center, EZ Deal, West Union Dental Associates, 122, Unionland Feed & Supply, Top Hat Tavern, McJ’s Embroidery, Gus & Tony’s Town House, Crop Production Services, and Iowa Food Hub.

Meanwhile, construction of the new Kaleidoscope Kids Childcare Center began in 2014. Officials tentatively plan to move supplies and equipment into the building in the coming weeks.

Although news that ALCO filed for bankruptcy and was shuttering all 198 stores, including its West Union business, is a blow to the community, local officials are enthused by the number of local entrepreneurs and even residents who have inquired how to fill the soon-to-be vacant building with a new business model.

Wed
31
Dec

New police chief to be considered

 

Lt. Matt Walker

 

New police chief to be considered

 

The West Union City Council will consider appointing Lt. Matt Walker as the community’s new police chief during its regular Monday, Jan. 5, meeting.

If approved, Walker will replace outgoing Police Chief Brent Parker who resigned in December to accept his new duties as a Decorah police officer on Saturday, Jan. 10.

A Jacksonville, Fla., native, Walker has served the local police department since March 2014. He was previously employed as the K-9 officer in Fayette and with a Missouri police department.

Lt. Walker also serves as a taser instructor and drug recognition expert.

The Jan. 5 tentative agenda also includes an update on the Franklin Street Bridge Project. 

Wed
31
Dec

Making connections with others

 

Part of Pat Hunsberger’s responsibilities while volunteering at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City is to make sure that warming blankets are available for patients at the Infusion Center. Hunsberger volunteers there one day a week, splitting her time between the Infusion Center and the gift shop.

 

 

 

Making connections with others

 

 

 

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer

 

In the grand scheme of things, we are all much more connected to one another than we might think. Recognizing this is an important part of understanding others and ourselves; acting upon that realization then becomes second nature to us.

            Pat Hunsberger seems to understand this concept and is striving to cultivate and strengthen relationships with others through volunteering at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. She currently volunteers one day a week at the hospital’s gift shop in the morning, then moves over to the Infusion Center to provide services to patients in the afternoons.

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