In addition to family, friends and people across the country, Lois and Kim Dummermuth of Elgin are especially grateful to the donor and all the medical staffs who have helped Kim along his heart transplant journey, which began with a helicopter ride from Gundersen Palmer in West Union to Gundersen in La Crosse, Wisconsin. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

 Transplant recipient continues recovery during Heart Month

By Mike Van Sickle
Editor

      Kim and Lois Dummermuth, their five adult children and spouses, and 24 grandchildren have August 29 circled on their 2024 calendars. This date marks the one-year anniversary of Kim’s successful heart transplant at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester.

      Reaching the one-year plateau will not only mean he will most likely have been weaned off many of the powerful drugs he is on, but the family has also been told the percentage of survival increases significantly at that time.

North Fayette Valley High School manufacturing and design class students (l-r) Leslie Graves, Reid McIntyre, Sebastian Grocholski and Decklyn Heins display a lazer engraved QR code plaque and a portion of the “The Spirit of NFV” song measures and notes they created to be displayed on the wall adjacent to the school’s band and choir rooms. Project team member Anden Starkweather is not pictured. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

Students exhibit ‘NFV Spirit’ in class project

By Mike Van Sickle

Editor

      A small group of North Fayette Valley students have ensured that the “The Spirit of NFV” will now be visibly exhibited throughout each year. Under the direction of industrial tech teacher Neal Bentley, students Decklyn Heins, Leslie Graves, Reid McIntyre, Sebastian Grocholski and Anden Starkweather have created a decorative wall and website celebrating the school district’s fight song.

      Bentley noted each of the students are part of the top-level manufacturing and design class, which requires the completion of a student brainstormed, community/school-partnered, design and fabricated project. He stressed the success of the completed assignment lies solely on the shoulders of the participating teenagers.

Wyatt, 5, Charlotte, 8 months, and Sawyer, 3, the children of Isaac and Christa Jacobson of Postville, are all smiles as they display the books they recently received from The Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Based in Arlington, the Robert and Ruth Walker Charitable Foundation recently announced it is now sponsoring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) in Fayette County. (Sharon Drahn photo)

Children learning to read with some ‘Imagination’ 

By Sharon Drahn

      With ties to the area, the Robert and Ruth Walker Charitable Foundation is excited to sponsor the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) in Fayette County. The family foundation is dedicated to the rural health care needs and the vitality of Fayette County by funding projects that benefit its residents.

      “The Robert and Ruth Walker Charitable Foundation was created in 2008 to honor my aunt and uncle,” explained Susan Da Corte, president of the charitable foundation. “Based in Arlington, our mission is to improve health care in Fayette County. We work closely with the Fayette Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. We have funded numerous initiatives in the county and are thrilled to partner with the Dolly Parton Inspiration Library.

      “We had originally hoped to make a positive impact on reducing childhood obesity, but with our passion for these kids, other avenues have opened up,” she continued. “The Dolly Parton Imagination Library fits our goals perfectly as the DPIL will definitely help Fayette County kids build a good foundation in their most formative years.”

West Union resident and Echo Valley Friendship Trail supporter Frank Olson (standing) addressed the city council and those attending Monday’s regular meeting. The bids for the project are proposed to be opened Thursday, March 21, and after the required approval of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Council is expected to review and potentially approve bids at its Monday, April 1, meeting. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

City prepares for trail bid letting

By Mike Van Sickle

Editor

      In preparation for bid letting, Jon Biederman, Fehr Graham Engineering and Environmental branch manager, provided the West Union Council an update on estimated construction costs and funding sources for the Echo Valley Friendship Trail Monday.

      Biederman’s latest estimated construction cost is approximately $962,650, with an additional $135,000 in design and engineering expenses. The estimate comes in approximately $116,000 higher than the estimate provided to the council in July 2023.

      When asked by councilman Randy Tope for the reason of the increase, Biederman replied one cause is a decrease in in-kind construction due to contractors no longer being involved with the project. With nearly $930,000 in grants, donations, and in-kind labor and equipment, the estimated cost to the City of West Union is approximately $253,660.

      Prior to Biederman’s presentation, West Union resident Frank Olson addressed the council and those citizens and city employees attending the meeting. Olson reminded the council that the trail project originated approximately 20 years ago with the creation of the Jensen Trail at Echo Valley State Park. Jensen’s vision included the trail’s expansion and connection to West Union.

      After sharing over 900 signatures of people in and outside of the community who support the trail have been collected, Olson noted the project has been discussed at length with, by and previously supported by the West Union City Council.

Ralph and Erica Kauten of Madison, Wis., have provided a contribution to Upper Iowa University which will be used to award annual scholarships to 10 qualifying students from each of the two incoming classes. A native of rural Fayette County and student at UIU in the late 1960s and early 70s, Ralph has committed $500,000 to establish the Kauten Scholars program at UIU. (Photo submitted)

Scholarship to lessen tuition for 20 incoming UIU freshmen

      An Upper Iowa University (UIU) education will become even more affordable for 10 members of each of UIU's next two incoming classes due to the ongoing support of Ralph and Erica Kauten.

      The contribution will be used to award annual scholarships to 10 qualifying students from each of the two incoming classes. The Kauten Scholars recipients will receive up to $24,000 in tuition aid funded by this program during their four-year educational journey at UIU, provided they remain in good academic standing.

FFA Week celebrates 95-plus years of tradition

The area FFA chapters are celebrating National FFA Week through Saturday, Feb. 24. In 2024, National FFA Week embraces more than 95 years of FFA traditions while looking forward to the organization’s future. Information on the North Fayette Valley, South Winn and West Central FFA chapters can be found in the special FFA section of this week’s Union Echo Leader.

With the help of the $9,794 recently awarded by the Fayette County Community Foundation, the Elgin Public Library building will soon receive improvements to help improve and sustain accessibility to the building and further its efficiency. Among those happy to announce the capital improvement project are (front, l-r) Friends of the Elgin Public Library Board members Sue Patterson, Trudy Hanson, Karen Bement, Carol Katsumes; (back) Elgin Library Board Trustee members Leon Griebenow, Steve Kittelson, Amanda Pasket, and Fayette County Community Foundation Committee member Pat Hunsberger. (Courtesy photo)

FCCF funds to provide Elgin Library improvements

      The Friends of the Elgin Public Library have announced their intentions to use the funds recently received from the Fayette County Community Foundation (FCCF) to help with capital improvements to the library building. The proposed improvements include automatic doors for better handicap accessibility, more insulation in the roof of the building to lower energy costs, and new lighting fixtures to further improve energy efficiency.

Elgin sets dates for public hearings

By Brian Smith

Contributing Writer

   The Elgin City Council considered dates and times for upcoming public hearings regarding property tax levies and a loan agreement proposal during its meeting Monday. Resolutions for both public hearings were passed unanimously.

   The public hearing for proposed property tax levies for fiscal year 2025 will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 1. Iowa Code requires that a city hold a public hearing which allows Elgin taxpayers to present objections or arguments in favor of use of tax dollars before a budget is adopted and certified. Comments for or against the proposed property tax rate may also be presented by Elgin residents and taxpayers at the hearing.

Clermont Downtown Housing Project funding progressing

By Vicki Rowland

Contributing Writer

      The Clermont City Council voted Monday to authorize the State of Iowa to make full payment of $180,000 for the Downtown Housing Grant Project at the former Brick City Bar and Grill on Mill Street/Highway 18.

      Councilmembers Amy Cummings, Rich Mitts, Greg Larson, and Kayleen Schrader voted aye on a roll call vote. Councilman Troy Schott was absent. The City of Elgin has not had to make payments up front on the project but can send expenses directly to the State.

Jeff Kleppe (right) reenlisted for the fourth time on Dec. 1, 2023. Pictured with the Valley graduate was his commanding officer, Commander Keith King, at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash. (Submitted photo)

Seven combat tours to the Middle East

By Jerry Wadian
Contributing Writer

      “Join the Navy and see the world” has been a slogan of the U.S. Navy for many years.

      Valley High graduate Jeffrey Kleppe has seen much of the world during his 18 years in the Navy.  In all, he has been in 16 different countries. Strangely enough, he has never served aboard a ship. Sometimes one of the old-line sailors will kid Kleppe with a line like, “You need more salt in your diet.”