December 2014

Wed
03
Dec

Walter C. Scholbrock

Walter C. Scholbrock

 

 

Walter C. Scholbrock, age 93, passed peacefully in the morning hours of November 21, 2014 at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Rice Lake, WI.

He lived a long and successful life.  He was born to Herman and Regina (Thuente) Scholbrock on November 16, 1921 in Festina, IA. 

He attended St. Mary’s School in Festina, IA and Wadena High School, Wadena, IA.

On July 2, 1942 Walter enlisted in the Navy and was shipped to the Great Lakes Training Center in Chicago, IL.  He often said that was one of the happiest days in his life.  He did his basic training and advanced training there and was then assigned to Naval Aircraft Training in Florida.  He served in anti-submarine warfare from 1943-45 in Brazil, Cuba and Brunswick, ME.

While doing his basic training at the Great Lakes Training Center in Chicago, he met Mary Ludvigsen.  They courted, were engaged in February 1943 and married on November 7, 1944. 

Wed
03
Dec

Ralph B. Henderson

Ralph B. Henderson

 

 

Ralph B. Henderson, 45, of Boulder, Colorado formerly of Clermont, Iowa died in an aviation accident in New Mexico on Wednesday, November 12, 2014.

He was born on November 2, 1969, at Palmer Lutheran Hospital, West Union, Iowa, the son of Bert O.  and Zelpha K. (Stringham) Henderson.

Ralph attended the Valley schools, graduating in 1988 as president of his senior class. He continued his education at Iowa State University, graduating with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering in 1992. He was employed as an engineer in Colorado and Iowa, eventually owning his own software company.

Ralph married Nikki Petersen in 2004. To this union three children were born: Bert, Oscar and Vera. They were later divorced.

Wed
03
Dec

Volunteer closes a chapter in his life

 

While he has stepped down after 36 years as a West Union Community Library board member, it is assured that outgoing President Blake Brown will continue to faithfully utilize the local library and the many services it has to offer. Brown is pictured standing alongside the Donor/Memorial Recognition Books in the Heiserman Annex of the local public library.

(Mike Van Sickle photo)

 

Volunteer closes a chapter in his life

 

 

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

For a lifetime, retiring West Union Community Library Board President Blake Brown has believed that reading is knowledge and broadens each individual’s outlook on life.

“My mother (Lucille Brown) was a voracious reader, so I grew up enjoying to read,” he chuckled while relaxing at the local library last week. “Although while growing up my initial passion was reading and collecting comic books, I have also always enjoyed historical fiction.

“In fact, when I was in junior high, we could test out of English class and into a reading class. I read so many books that year. I would check one out in the morning and read it day and night and start in on the next one,” smiled the Fort Dodge native.

After serving in the U.S. Army, Brown moved to West Union in 1958, where he initially taught and coached at the school.

A 36-year member of the local library board, Brown received his invitation to join the board from Sally Falb.

Wed
03
Dec

Report cards in transition period

Report cards in transition period

 

 

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

Getting a report card at the end of a grading period will soon look different for students at North Fayette Valley High School and Middle School, as well as North Fayette and Valley elementary schools. In an effort to make grading more reflective of actual standards or competence in certain skill areas, the schools will be implementing new grading practices beginning this school year.

“We plan to use a four-point scale for competence, with 4 meaning that a student has exceeded the standard, 3 meaning that he or she has met the standard, 2 is improving or needs work, and 1 indicating that little evidence of meeting the standard exists,” explained Duane Willhite, shared superintendent of the North Fayette and Valley districts.

Wed
03
Dec

Council accepts resignation of police chief

Council accepts resignation of police chief

 

 

 

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

The West Union City Council accepted the resignation Monday of Police Chief Brent Parker. Parker’s resignation is effective Friday, Jan. 9, and he will begin his new duties as a Decorah police officer on Saturday, Jan. 10.

“It was a very hard decision to make,” Parker stressed from his office at the West Union Police Department on Wednesday, Nov. 26. “My wife (Bridget) and I have thought about this for a couple of months. We weighed all of the options – the good, the bad, the pros and the cons. It all came down to what was best for my family and my profession in law enforcement.”

Tue
02
Dec

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