July 2013

Wed
31
Jul

The ghostly dragon’s teeth of Halong Bay

 

CUTLINE: One of the many kinds of fishing boats the ply the waters of Halong Bay heads out for a night's work.

 

 

The ghostly dragon’s teeth of Halong Bay

By Jerry Wadian
Contributing Writer

jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

Halong Bay is an almost surreal experience.

The UNESCO site can be hard to get to since it is located over three hours north of Hanoi, and the only way to get there is over some rough, narrow roads. You go through not only rural Vietnam, but also the country’s coal-producing province.

However, the seven-hour round trip is worth it. Halong Bay covers 580 miles of some of the strangest landscapes you will ever see.

Wed
31
Jul

Mr. and Mrs. Darren Kraus

 

Mr. and Mrs. Darren Kraus

…married recently…

Marcy Amundson of Clermont and Darren Kraus of Elgin were united in marriage on Saturday, July 6, at East Clermont Lutheran Church, rural Clermont. The Rev. Bob Oelson of Omaha, Neb., officiated at the 4 p.m. ceremony.

Marcy is the daughter of John and Heidi Amundson of Clermont. Darren is the son of Curtis and Diane Kraus of Postville.

Escorted by her father, the bride wore an ivory A-line gown of metallic taffeta. The bodice, which featured a sweetheart neckline, was asymmetrically ruched and accented with a handmade ivory floral sash embellished with crystals, which were also scattered throughout the pickup skirt. The gown was finished with a corset closure in the back. Marcy carried a clutch bouquet of light and dark coral roses.

Wed
31
Jul

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Baker

 

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Baker

…newlyweds…

Gayle Bishop and Jacob Baker of Towanda, Ill., exchanged wedding vows in a 4 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, July 6. The Rev. Lee Boleyn officiated at the wedding, which was held at the Ramada Hotel in Galena, Ill.

Parents of the couple are Gary and Sandy Bishop of West Union and Ed and Marie Baker of Kirkwood, Ill.

Given in marriage by her father, Gayle wore a vintage-inspired ivory sleeveless, A-line gown with a netting overlay adorned with Venice lace appliqués. The gown featured wide Venetian lace straps leading into a V-neckline, sparkling beaded embroidery detail at the empire waist, and a keyhole back. Her bouquet, trimmed with gray ribbon, was comprised of yellow daisies and lilies with assorted pink and orange flowers.

Wed
31
Jul

Former West Union woman dies July 12

 

Former West Union woman dies July 12

Violet O. Thompson, 85, formerly of West Union, died Friday, July 12, 2013. 

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at Saint Andrew Christian Church in Olathe, Kan. 

A private interment will follow at a later date in Springfield, Mo.

Violet Ornellia “Vi” (Landsgaard) Thompson was born July 30, 1927, in Lansing to Norwegian immigrants Vebjorn and Olga Landsgaard. 

She graduated from West Union High School and obtained her teaching certificate from Upper Iowa University in Fayette. Before she was married, Vi taught in a two-room schoolhouse in Frog Hollow, between West Union and Fayette.

On June 2, 1947, she was united in marriage with Glen Thompson in Gunder. They were married for 56 years.

Throughout their lives, Vi and Glen lived in several cities, including Clarinda, Ia.; Saint Joseph, Mo.; Manhattan, Kan.; and Oklahoma City, Okla.

Wed
31
Jul

Services held for former longtimeValley secretary

 

Services held for former longtime Valley secretary

Lillian L. Habeger, 94, of Elgin died Sunday, July 21, 2013, at the Good Samaritan Center – West Union. 

Funeral services were held Friday, July 26, at First Baptist Church in Elgin with the Rev. Lee Boleyn as the officiant.

Burial was in God’s Acres in Clermont.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin was in charge of arrangements.

Lillian Lavanda (Krueger) Habeger was born Oct. 28, 1918, to Edwin and Marietta “Metta” (Miller) Krueger in Elgin. 

She was baptized at First Baptist Church in Elgin as a young girl. 

She graduated from Elgin High School in 1936.

On Feb. 26, 1937, Lillian was united in marriage with Abraham Habeger at First Baptist Church in Elgin. Three children were born to this union. 

Lillian was a homemaker and a secretary at Valley High School for 22 years before retiring in 1979. 

Wed
31
Jul

Memorial service set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday

 

Memorial service set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday 

Judy D. McGuire, 54, of Fayette died Saturday, July 27, 2013, at Palmer Lutheran Health Center in West Union.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at First United Methodist Church in Fayette with the Rev. Jason Princer officiating.  

Inurnment will follow at Grandview Cemetery in Fayette. 

Visitation will be for one hour preceding services at the church on Thursday.

Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Fayette is assisting the family. 

Judy Darlene (Junge) McGuire, daughter of John and Glenola (Westendorf) Junge, was born Sept. 12, 1958, in Waterloo. 

She graduated from Fayette High School and later earned her C.N.A. certification. 

On March 8, 1986, Judy married Donald J. McGuire.

A longtime resident of Fayette, Judy had been employed for over 20 years as a C.N.A. at Palmer Lutheran Health Center in West Union. 

Wed
31
Jul

John L. Williams, 66

 

Williams visitation planned for Thursday

John L. Williams, 66, of Hawkeye, formerly of Oelwein, died suddenly at his home on Saturday evening, July 27, 2013.

No services are planned; inurnment will be held at a later date. 

However, visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein.

John Leo Williams was born Feb. 8, 1947, in Oelwein. He was the son of Rufus and Ella (Taylor) Williams.

In 1968, he graduated from Oelwein Community High School in Oelwein.  

On Dec. 21, 1979, John wed Julie Lynn Mott at the Methodist church in Hazleton. 

John was employed at Atwood in West Union for many years.  

He enjoyed fishing, watching the birds, and visiting with people.  

Preceding him in death were his parents; a daughter, Sarah Williams, in 1981; and two brothers, Jim Williams and Jerry Williams.

Wed
31
Jul

James A. “Jim” Lensing, 77

 

Mass of Christian Burial celebrated in Festina

James A. “Jim” Lensing, 77, of Festina died Thursday, July 25, 2013, at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Monsignor Cletus Hawes on Tuesday, July 30, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina.

Interment was in the church cemetery. Military rites were conducted by Halverson Giesen American Legion Post 266 of Calmar.

Casket bearers were Dr. Dale Lensing, Roger Hageman, Richard Kipp, Allan Franzen, Neil Hageman, Travis Frana, Shane Baumler, and Marcus Baumler.

Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Calmar.

  James Aloysius Lensing was born May 6, 1936, in Festina to Hugo and Mathilda (Schrandt) Lensing.  

He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Festina. 

Jim entered the U.S. Army and proudly served his country in the Korean Conflict from Aug. 25, 1953, to Aug. 4, 1956.  

Wed
31
Jul

Services held for Coranel Frieden, 95

 

Services held for Coranel Frieden, 95

Coranel Frieden, 95, of Elgin died Monday, July 15, 2013, at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Center in Waverly.  

Funeral services were held Saturday, July 20, at Illyria Community Church, rural Elgin.

Burial was in the church cemetery.

Arrangements were handled by Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Elgin.

Coranel (Rothlisberger) Frieden was born Jan. 1, 1918, to Walter Simon and Jessie Nell (Probert) Rothlisberger in their stone house in Illyria Township in Fayette County.  

She was baptized and confirmed at Illyria Community Church, rural Elgin. 

Coranel was the salutatorian and president of her Elgin High School graduating class of 1934. 

After high school, she attended Iowa State Teachers College and graduated in 1936. She taught country school and also taught in Maynard until she was married.

Wed
31
Jul

Orlin Knickerbocker - birthday

 

Orlin Knickerbocker

…90th birthday…

Orlin Knickerbocker of Arlington will celebrate his 90th birthday on Friday, Aug. 9, with a family dinner.

His family includes children Sandy (Jay) Thede of Mason City, Terry (Mary) of Strawberry Point, Randy (Joyce) and Tom (Kelli), both of Arlington; five grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Friends, neighbors and relatives are also invited to join in a card shower being held  in Orlin’s honor (no gifts, please).

Birthday wishes can be sent to Orlin at 547 James St., Arlington, IA 50606.

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