Marlene Kay Goss

Marlene Kay Goss, 64, of Waterloo, Iowa, died Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital of cancer. She was born May 31, 1951 in West Union, Iowa, the daughter of Levere and Marjorie Granger Wenthe.

She graduated from North Fayette High School in 1969 and Gates Business College. Marlene worked in banking and accounting for several businesses over the years.

Marlene married David Goss on June 12, 1999 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

She was an active member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church where she was active in the Fellowship committee, Circle Group, Offerings Counter, and Community Meals.

Marlene enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She liked to travel, go shopping and going out to eat. She liked to attend her grandkids' events, go for walks and take care of her flowers.

Rhonda Pape

Rhonda Lea Pape, 77, of West Union passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at Palmer Lutheran Health Center in West Union.

Rhonda was born on April 4, 1938 to Floyd and Mayda (Hoppe) Donaldson on the family farm in Webb, Iowa.

Rhonda graduated from Webb High School and attended UNI.

She was united in marriage to Lee Charles Pape on March 2, 1958 at the Methodist Church in Webb, IA.

The couple resided in West Union where Rhonda raised three children and worked for the West Union School District in food service.

In 1985 the couple moved to Sun City, Arizona, where Rhonda worked as Director of Food Service Programs for various facilities.

In 2009 the couple returned to West Union where they lived ever since.

Rhonda loved playing bridge in her many clubs. She also enjoyed cooking and was very good at it. 

She was a member of the Bethel Presbyterian Church in West Union. 

NFV players hold the state semifinal trophy they won in the UNI-Dome in November high as they and their managers sing the fight song to a large crowd appreciative of the spirit and effort the team showed during a 49-34 loss to eventual champion Spirit Lake. It is the third trophy, including last year’s championship trophy, in as many years for TigerHawk football. (Jerry Wadian photos)

Year of the Ram good for area sports

According to the Chinese New Year, 2015 was the Year of the Ram (also called the sheep or goat, depending upon the source), and it was a pretty good year for area sports.

Nearly 15 years ago, Steve Metcalf of West Union told his son, Rory, and wife, Melva, that the next time Iowa made it to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, that they would take a family vacation to Pasadena to watch the Hawkeyes. On Wednesday, Dec. 30, Rory’s girlfriend, Morgan Streif, Rory, Mel, and Steve (l-r) will fly to California to watch as the Hawkeyes take on Stanford on New Year’s Day. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Metcalf keeps promise to Smell the Roses!

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

“Before the first game of the season, I looked at the schedule and thought to myself that the Hawks have a decent shot of winning most of their games,” recalled West Union native Rory Metcalf, reflecting on the magical 12-0 regular season recently wrapped up by the Iowa Hawkeye football team. “I never dreamed that they would actually pull it off.”After Iowa’s stellar 2002 season, there was speculation that Iowa would play in the Rose Bowl game after winning the Big Ten Conference championship and going 11-1 on the season. However, the Hawks were selected to compete in the Orange Bowl game, which was a more prestigious bowl game at the time.
“I think many Iowa fans were a little upset to not be playing in the Rose Bowl,” shared Rory, referring to the traditional association of the Big Ten champion playing in the game. “I remember exactly where I was when I found out that they would be playing in the Orange Bowl instead. It was bittersweet, but Dad told us that the next time the Hawks made it to the Rose Bowl, the family would go, no matter the circumstances.”
Fast-forward 13 years over several years of mediocre football seasons for the Hawkeyes and they have finally made it back to the Rose Bowl game!