This Thanksgiving, Diane and Rodney Wagner are thankful for Diane’s new kidney she received on Sept. 9. Since 2014, Diane had been on peritoneal dialysis, and this new kidney will allow her to return to a more normal life. The Wagners are especially grateful for all the support they have received from friends, family, and members of the Clermont community.  Chris DeBack photos

Wagner thankful for return to normalcy

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

Diane Wagner has a lot to be thankful for. 

Like most people she is thankful for her family, especially her loving husband, Rodney, and three children, Dawn, Stephanie, and Nathan.  

However, what she is most thankful for is her new kidney, which has allowed her to lead a more normal life.   

In 1984, Wagner wasn’t feeling very well, so she and Rodney made a trip to Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis. After some blood work, the doctors diagnosed her with acute nephritis of the kidneys, formerly known as Bright’s disease. There are three types of acute nephritis: pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, and interstitial nephritis. The doctors never gave her a specific diagnosis other than acute nephritis. 

“My kidneys were maybe functioning at 35 to 40 percent, so the doctors put me on a heavy dose of Prednisone,” Wagner recalled. “The doctors thought the Prednisone would bring [my kidney function] back up and wanted to stop the disease.”

Diane was hospitalized for a couple weeks while the medication did its job. After the doctors sent her home, she continued to use Prednisone for a few years but was slowly weaned off it. While Wagner’s kidneys did eventually get back up to 80 percent function, the Prednisone took a toll on her body. A major side effect of the drug is bone softening, which she experienced. She had to have her hips replaced a couple of times. 

Although kidney function had returned, Rodney noted that it gradually decreased over the next couple of decades. Diane had regular checkups in LaCrosse every six months; finally, in September 2014, her doctors became concerned with her kidney function once again. 

Robert Kime

Robert K. Kime, 79, of Fayette died Monday, Nov. 13, 2017 at Mercy Hospital of Franciscan Sisters in Oelwein.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fayette with Rev. Don Komboh celebrating.

Burial followed at the church cemetery with military rites provided by American Legion Post #339 of Fayette. 

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation. 

Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Fayette assisted Bob’s family. 

Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com.  

Robert Keith, son of Byron and Pearl (Richardson) Kime, was born Nov. 29, 1937, in Waterloo. 

He was baptized in the Lutheran Faith in Waterloo and later confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawkeye. 

Three North Fayette Valley students participated in the 601-member All-State Choir at the annual All-State Music Festival Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 16-18, in Ames. It is the first time since 1991 that North Fayette and now North Fayette Valley has had three students performing in the choir. The students who performed were (l-r) Weston Fantz, Marin Ehler, and Bethany Merkle. They are pictured with Doug Poppen, NFV chorus director. Submitted photo

Hitting the right note

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

Three North Fayette Valley students participated in the 601-member All-State Choir at the 71st Annual All-State Music Festival Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 16-18, in Ames.

The three students selected were junior Bethany Merkle and senior Weston Fantz, who were both accepted following the first round of auditions, and senior Marin Ehler, who was accepted following the recall rounds. It was the second year in a row that Merkle was selected to participate.