The 2024 Winneshiek County Dairy royalty were crowned and capped on Friday night in Festina as the Winneshiek County Dairy Promotors hosted their 61^st annual celebration. The new royalty include (front, l-r) Little Mr. Herdsmen Henry Balk, Kolton Gallagher, Jared Schmitt; and Little Miss Squirt Marian Elsbernd; (back) Dairy Princess alternate Hanna Vagts and Dairy Princess Kelsey Timp. Check out next week’s Ossian Bee for more award winters from the banquet. (Zakary Kriener photo)

On behalf of the West Union Fire Department, fire chief Rory Starks recently presented retiring firefighter Don Baumler with the commemorative plaque recognizing Baumler’s 40 years of service to the local fire department and community. Community members can share their appreciation for the service provided by Baumler and the entire fire department during the annual Pancake and Sausage Supper in West Union Thursday, April 18. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

WU fireman answering final calls after 40 years

By Mike Van Sickle

      After 40 years of serving the community, Don Baumler is hanging up his gear and shutting off his pager as a member of the West Union Fire Department. With his retirement, the local fire department knows they will have some big boots to fill.

      “I have had the privilege of serving with Don for 37 years, including seven years as his fire chief,” West Union Fire Chief Rory Starks said. “He is a man that everyone can look up to due to his dedication to our community. This includes 40 years on the West Union Fire Department, his dedication to his church, in addition to running a very successful business (Baumler Implement) in our town. Don is proof that a person is never too busy to help their community. We wish him well and thank him for being a part of our fire department.”

      Don was asked to become a member of the local fire department in 1984 by his neighbor and West Union firefighter, LeRoy Soppe. He would join the department alongside his brother, Mark, and since 2013 he’s had the opportunity to serve alongside his son Kurt.

The MercyOne New Hampton’s Nursing Honor Guard was among those leading the procession at the funeral of longtime Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital nurse Rose Goerend Tuesday, April 2. The ceremony at St. Luke Catholic Church in St. Lucas was the first tribute conducted by the recently organized local honor guard. (Jerry Wadian photo)

Goerend revered for her inspirational service
MercyOne Honor Guard pays tribute to Gundersen nurse

By Mike Van Sickle

      MercyOne New Hampton’s Nursing Honor Guard joined family, friends and community members Tuesday, April 2, in paying tribute at the funeral service of one of Gundersen Palmer Lutheran’s longest serving nurses. The mass for Rose Goerend at St. Luke Catholic Church was the first tribute conducted by the recently organized local honor guard.

      Thirty years ago, Rose and her daughter, Vicki, also a Gundersen Palmer nurse, attended the funeral of a young nursing colleague whose sudden death left a hole in the hearts of the fellow nurses.

      “We wanted to express the respect and gratitude we felt for our friend and her passion as a caregiver, so we organized a huge group of Palmer nurses to wear their white uniforms and hats and sit as a group at her funeral,” Vicki recalled. “Mom and I were emotional seeing that overwhelming sea of white honoring our friend. After relating that story to my siblings, they were enthusiastic about honoring mom the same way.”

Production of “The Straight Story” took place in Clermont from Oct. 6-19, 1998. Among the scenes shot in Clermont was when Alvin Straight entered the lives of the community along Highway 18. The Clermont Fire Department recreated their role in the story by burning down a home as part of a fire department practice session. (Reprint of file photo)

Meet and greet with actor Thursday
Hollywood memories returning to Clermont

By Mike Van Sickle

      While not as iconic as “Field of Dreams” filmed in Dyersville, “The Straight Story” holds a special place in the memories of many residents in Fayette County and beyond.

      Filmed in 1998, the movie is based on the true-life story of Alvin Straight's expedition from Laurens, Iowa, to Blue River, Wisconsin, to see his ailing brother. Straight drove his lawnmower along the route after he was denied a driver's license due to his failing eyesight. The 73-year-old man remained in Clermont for approximately 10 days after a belt broke on his mower and he waited for it to be repaired.

Clermont council approves speed cameras

By Vicki Rowland
Contributing writer

      The Clermont City Council reviewed a speed camera agreement from city attorney David Hanson Monday. The decision was made to have his office type the proposed ordinance, with changes inserted, for the council to consider at its next regular meeting.

      A motion to move forward with the establishment of speed cameras in Clermont was passed 4-0, with councilmembers Greg Larson, Troy Schott, Amy Cummings, and Richard Mitts voting aye. Councilwoman Kaylene Schrader was absent.

Gundersen Palmer awarded $1.1 million for OB project

By Mike Van Sickle

      Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics in West Union is among the entities to receive funding as part of the recently approved federal government funding package for the first half of fiscal year 2024 appropriations. The local health facility is to receive $1.1 million for upgrades to its OB Department.

      “For over 50 years, expectant mothers have been delivering their babies in West Union, proudly growing their families in this beautiful corner of northeast Iowa,” said Patrice Kuennen, MSN, RN, FAB, administrator, Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics. “As we dive into this new adventure, I look forward to updating our OB department’s look and feel, along with purchasing updated equipment. This is great news for Gundersen Palmer and our community.”

North Fayette Valley approves fiscal year budget

By Sharon Drahn
Contributing Writer

      A special meeting of the North Fayette Valley Board of Education opened Monday evening with all members present as a public hearing concerning the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 was held. With there being no written or oral comments received and no one present wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed and the meeting was adjourned.

      Following the public hearing, the budget was approved unanimously. In addition, the budget guarantee was approved. It was reported that with the supplemental state aid growth percentage set at 2.5% and the reduced certified enrollment numbers in the fall of 2023, NFV will be eligible to take advantage of the regular program budget adjustment for the upcoming fiscal year. The amount available at 2.5% is $117,575.

Summit discusses pipeline plans for Fairbank

By Mira Schmitt-Cash

Oelwein Daily Register

      The Summit Carbon Solutions liquefied carbon dioxide capture and storage pipeline, which agreed to connect to POET Bioprocessing ethanol plants like the one in Fairbank, will have three phases, CEO Lee Blank reported Thursday.

      First is the capture phase at ethanol plant biorefineries, and 57 are signed up now. Second is transport, moving the CO2 to North Dakota. Third will be sequestration in North Dakota under a cap rock substructure, something Iowa doesn’t have, Blank explained during the Zoom call.

      The company has released maps which include a path from Bremer County through Fayette County to POET in Fairbank, a lateral branch.

      Plans call for an 8-inch pipe in Fayette County, said Sabrina Zenor, director of communications for Summit Carbon.

Supervisors approve budget and amendment

By Kaci Maire

      A public hearing for the proposed Fayette County fiscal year 2024-25 budget was held Monday. Fayette County Auditor Moellers presented a comprehensive 24-page packet of information illustrating all proposed expenditures and revenues for Fayette County to those in attendance. These were further broken down by department with information pertaining to the proposed general and special fund activity noted.

      As previously noted in a mailing sent to Fayette County residents, the general fund levy will remain the same. However, because of an increase in valuations, the fund will generate more revenue.

For the last 50 years, Ron Franzen has dedicated countless hours of service to the Fort Atkinson Fire Department as fire chief. Franzen first joined the department in 1971 and was elected as chief in 1974 and will be honored with a special celebration on Sunday, April 21. The celebration will also recognize the 125^th anniversary of the local fire department. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Fort Atkinson FD to celebrate pair of milestones

By Zakary Kriener

      The Fort Atkinson Firefighter’s Association will celebrate a pair of notable milestones next weekend, including its 125^th anniversary and the 50^th year of service for Ron Franzen as chief.

      “I think the biggest thing that’s kept me around is the people and the support,” said Franzen, who will be stepping down from his role as chief this year, but not stepping away from his volunteer service to the area fire department. “I’ve made a lot of good friends over these years here and have also appreciated the teamwork that we have achieved from our own department and with the other area fire departments and emergency responders. That’s an important part of making a small-town fire department work.”

      To honor both Franzen’s tenure and the department’s history, the Fort Atkinson Firefighter’s Association will hold a celebration from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, at the Fort Atkinson Community Center. Established in 1987, the Fort Atkinson FD has officially been around for 127 years, but was unable to celebrate until now due to challenges from the pandemic and its aftermath.