Local News

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Tue
01
Sep

Earl F. 'Spike' Olson

Earl F. “Spike” Olson, 97, of Ottumwa, passed away at 8:07 p.m. on Aug. 30, 2020, at Centerville Specialty Care  in Centerville.

He was born Aug. 9, 1923, in McGregor, to Severn and Frances Flatt Gutheil Olson. Spike moved to Ottumwa his senior year of high school and graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1942. He entered the Army Air Corps, where he learned to fly and became a flight instructor.

He married Deloris Kathryn Gustaveson on Dec. 25, 1945, and she preceded him in death on Aug. 26, 2018.

Spike worked for Neiderhauser Airway and the Ottumwa Municipal Airport as a flight instructor. He joined his father-in-law at Gustaveson Insurance, where he was an insurance agent. He sold the company to Noel Insurance, where he worked until his retirement.

Mon
31
Aug

Dale E. Dettman

Dale Edwin Dettman, 81, died at his home in St. Olaf on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020. He was born Nov. 13, 1938, on the family farm near National, to Edwin “Eddie” and Lois Schmidt Dettman. Dale attended Pioneer Country School, then transferred to Monona High School, where he graduated with the Class of 1956. After high school, he joined the National Guard, where he served for a time. He was then transferred to the United States Army, serving his country for four years in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Fort Riley, Kan.

He was united in marriage to Mary Vorwald on July 6, 1968, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Garnavillo. Dale and Mary farmed together near St. Olaf. He loved grandchildren, farming for over 60 years, animals, especially his cats, daily routine visiting and keeping a notebook in his pocket.

Mon
31
Aug

Thomas J. 'Joe' Bergan

Thomas Joseph “Joe” Bergan, 85, of Elkader, passed away Aug. 28, 2020, at the Elkader Care Center. He was born March 6, 1935, in Fayette County, the son of Thomas Sr. and Nelly (Kelly) Bergan. He grew up in rural Elkader, graduating from St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957, reaching the rank of Specialist Third Class before discharging.

He was united in marriage to Phyllis Marilyn Walz on Sept. 17, 1957, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Volga. Together, they raised six children: Cindy, Jerry, Craig, Brad, Julie and Mary. Joe and Marilyn lived on their farm on Chicken Ridge, where they farmed for 40 years before retiring to a home in Elkader. Along with farming, he was a long-time Elkader Cooperative board member and a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

Fri
28
Aug

Suzanne J. Dahling

Suzanne Jeanette Dahling, 60, of Elkader, departed on her final journey Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. She spent her final days in the hands of the caring and supportive staff at Elkader Care Center.

Sue was born Oct. 5, 1959, at University Hospital in Iowa City, and is the daughter of Marvin and Annette (McKay) Dahling. She attended Central Community Schools (Elkader) and Garnavillo Special Education.  Sue was a resident in the RISE group home for over 30 years and worked at their sheltered workshop. Sue was a lifetime member of Hope Lutheran Church of Littleport.

Tue
25
Aug

DNR plans virtual public meeting for Supreme Beef, LLC nutrient management plan

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a virtual public meeting on Monday, Aug. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m., to gather public comment on the nutrient management plan (NMP) recently filed by Supreme Beef, LLC.

The Supreme Beef, LLC facility will be located along U.S. Highway 18, in Giard Township, in Clayton County. It’s the same site as the once-proposed Walz Energy facility, a cattle feedlot and biogas operation that, with the use of anaerobic digesters, planned to turn manure from 10,000 cattle into natural gas.

Tue
25
Aug

Elkader Cinema reopens


After being closed five months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Elkader Cinema reopened Friday night, under health and safety guidelines from the National Association of Theater Owners. (Photo by Willis Patenaude)

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

“Closing our doors was a shock,” Lee and Diane Akin said. The owners of Elkader Cinema since 2003, when they purchased it during a career change in the pursuit of “something new, fun, and more fulfilling,” have withstood some hard times before, like the flood of 2008, but this was something different entirely. 

Instead of preparing for movie nights and bringing entertainment to the small town they love, they spent the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic “communicating with banks and applying for state and federal programs designed to help businesses during the pandemic.” 

Tue
25
Aug

MFL MarMac welcomes over a dozen new staff members


Jake Wilke (left), Kaitlyn Stone-Strock, Brandi Folsom and Curtis Goodman are among the new staff members at MFL MarMac High School. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

Aug. 24 didn’t just mark the first day of school at MFL MarMac for some students. For over a dozen staff members, it was also their first official day of classes with the district. 

Joining MFL MarMac this year at the elementary school are teacher Monica Peterson, guidance counselor Kurt Gaylor and paraprofessional Kristine Novey. The McGregor Center welcomes teachers Chessie Andrist, Riley Bodley, Caitlin Giles, Colton Lueck, Madyson Walker and Sheri Glawe; paraprofessional Darla Keehner; and Matthew Steven, who will serve in a guidance support role. Teachers Brandi Folsom, Kaitlyn Stone-Strock, Jake Wilke, Curtis Goodman and Jan Stavroplus will be at the high school.

Tue
25
Aug

CAMPAIGNING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: Michael Bergan (R), House District 55

In the midst of an election year, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted how political candidates typically connect with voters. Over the next few weeks, the Times-Register will share how some local candidates have adapted—how they’re “meeting” constituents and continuing to share their ideas.


By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

It started with a commitment to serve, community service and the value of working together, and it has led to Michael Bergan seeking a third term as a member of the Iowa House, serving District 55. 

Tue
25
Aug

Airport board, council discuss need to increase Monona Airport funding

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

Members of the Monona Airport Board went before the Monona Council Aug. 17, concerned about an Oct. 1 deadline that challenged them to develop options to increase funding at the airport before the council determines if the property should be put up for sale. 

A potential buyer approached the city about purchasing the airport property, which is located three miles southeast of Monona, earlier this summer. Declining revenue and a drop in use has forced the council to seriously consider the idea.

Tue
25
Aug

Luana Daze planned for Aug. 29-30, with safety measures in place


The parade will be one of the highlights of the annual Luana Daze celebration held this Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29 and 30. (File photo)

The Luana Community Club will hold its annual Luana Daze celebration this Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29 and 30. 

“Our goal is to have as much fun as possible, while being as safe as possible,” the group said in a Facebook post. 

Numerous hand sanitizer stations will be provided at the event, and there are plans in place for social distancing. All food servers will wear gloves and masks, according to the post.

“We believe, with the cooperation of those who attend, Luana Daze will be a safe, welcome time of almost-normalcy,” the planning committee stated.

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