Dennis Copp

Dennis W. Copp, 66, of Sumner, and formerly of Hawkeye, died unexpectedly, Monday, June 3, 2019, at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics in West Union. 

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 8, 2019, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner with Rev. Tracy Hinkel officiating. Burial was held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday at Hawkeye Cemetery with military rites conducted by Thomas E. Woods Post #223, American Legion of Sumner. Visitation was held from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, June 7, 2019 at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com. 

Victoria Schmitt

Victoria Anna Schmitt, 90, of West Union, Iowa died Friday, June 7^th, 2019 at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in West Union surrounded by her family. Victoria was born on the family farm on February 6^th, 1929 in rural St. Lucas, Iowa to Nick and Frances (Schaufenbuel) Kuennen. Victoria was baptized on February 7^th, 1929 in St. Luke’s Church in St. Lucas. She received her education at St. Luke’s Catholic School and graduated in 1947. Victoria attended one year of nurse’s training at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Dubuque, Iowa. Victoria left nursing school prior to completion to marry her childhood sweetheart.

SW hit a sharp line drive to NFV shortstop Alyssa Bohr who promptly flipped the ball to second baseman Emma Ney. After stepping on the bag to get the lead runner, Ney quickly pivoted to see if there was a double play possibility. The TigerHawks went on to win game one, 10-3, on Monday, June 3 in West Union. (Jerry Wadian photo)

Softball sweeps South Winn

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

TigerHawks softball swept its only conference games this week, but went 1-3 at the Jesup Tournament over the weekend.

The conference games were at home against South Winn. In both games, the visitors scored in the top of the first only to have the TigerHawks come back to win, 10-3 and 12-8.

In the opener, SW scored twice on a two-out single. The TigerHawks’ D was a little shaky early on, but made some nice plays later, including an alert force at second by Emma Ney. The NFV second sacker speared a hard-hit grounder near the bag, and alertly tagged the lead runner for a big out.

NFV would take the lead for good in the bottom of the second with a four-run explosion. Julie Mackey drove in a run on a fielder’s choice and Alyssa Bohr and Natasha Guenther had RBI singles.

The TigerHawks went on to score two more in the third, a solo run in the fourth and capped the game with a three-run outburst in the fifth.

The full team Blue wears the medals they won at the last Special Olympic event two weeks ago in Dubuque. The athletes (and their medals) include (front, l-r) Darinnesha Baldwin (gold in 400 dash), Kassidy Lenhart (gold in 25 meter walk with me), and Shelby Holden (gold in 400 dash); (back) Carter Schlawin (silver in 100 dash), Adam Ryan (silver in the softball throw), and Raven Green (fifth in the softball throw). (submitted photo)

Special athletes succeed at NFV

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

Whether it be North High, North Fayette, Valley, or NFV, there has been a steady parade of quality athletes representing the school. However there has been a group of athletes who have racked up a distinctive record in comparative quiet. The group is the NFV Special Olympics TigerHawks.

  This year 12 athletes were involved following the oath said at any opening ceremony: “Let me win, but if I cannot, let me be brave in the attempt.”

  The mission of Special Olympics is “to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.”

NFV has had a group of Special Olympians for over 25 years. Current sports include track, bowling, and snowshoeing. The team has been to Ames, Cedar Falls, Dubuque, Sherrill, and Waterloo. Current track activities include running, walking and the softball throw. In the past, the shot put and mini javelin have also been events NFV athletes have competed in.

Among the 12 athletes competing as NFV Special Olympic TigerHawks are six, who call themselves Team Blue. I was fortunate enough to interview five of them about their experiences. Their collective thoughts about their experiences show considerable insight and a textbook for any competitive team.