February 2017

Wed
01
Feb

'Run, Hide, Fight' training presented at SW

 

During last week’s teacher in-service at South Winneshiek, every district employee learned about the “Run, Hide, Fight” program from Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management services. The program was designed to provide a plan for school employees to follow in the event of an active threat on school property. Following the presentation, Kris Einck (far left), South Winneshiek superintendent and high school principal, and Jason Halverson (far right), elementary/middle school principal, discussed the districts plan of action with Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx, Winneshiek County Emergency Management coordinator Sean Snyder, and Calmar Police Chief Joe Ward (l-r). (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

'Run, Hide, Fight' training presented at SW

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

For the past five-plus years, the South Winneshiek school district, along with the majority of other area school districts, has turned to the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) program when it comes to preparing faculty for the instance of an active threat on school grounds. This year, however, the district is taking a different approach in learning to deal with a potential threat.

“’Run, Hide, Fight’ is a training program developed in partnership with the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office and Winneshiek County Emergency Management Services (EMS),” said Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx. “This program, which we began implementing in local government organizations, schools, and nonprofit organizations approximately a year ago, will better prepare employees for the unthinkable.”

Wed
01
Feb

39 years of putting the customer first

 

After owning and operating Bucheit Appliance in downtown Calmar for the past 39 years, Jim Bucheit is ready to pass ownership on to Amy Christensen (right) and her husband, Ryan. Bucheit originally bought the store in 1978 and over the years, he developed a one-of-a-kind relationship with each and every customer by taking great pride in providing excellent customer service to the business’s patrons. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

39 years of putting the customer first

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

Effective Jan. 3, Sims TV and Electronics, which has locations in West Union and Decorah, officially took ownership of Bucheit Appliance in Calmar.

Ryan and Amy Christiansen are excited to announce that the new location in Calmar, which will change its name to Bucheit Appliance, Inc., will allow the West Union and Decorah store locations to offer an expanded inventory of appliances.

Wed
01
Feb

Swenson excels at Tattoo Arts Convention

 

Brock Swenson, a native of Clermont and owner of Brock’s Tattoo in Decorah, recently took home top honors in the categories of Large Color and Medium Black and Gray at the Minneapolis Tattoo Arts Convention. Swenson, who has been tattooing since he was 19 years old, is pictured next to his trophies and the winning tattoo designs. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

Swenson excels at Tatoo Arts Convention

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

Confidence is key for Decorah’s Brock Swenson. The young tattoo artist, who was born and raised in Clermont, has developed a winning recipe when it comes to excelling in the tattoo industry, which has paid off with multiple awards over his 14-year tattooing career.

“When I enter a competition, I go in with the mindset that I am going to win,” explained Swenson, who first began his tattooing internship at the age of 16 and officially started his career at the age of 19. “I have been in enough competitions that I know exactly what needs to be done to please the judges and take home first place.”

Wed
01
Feb

Lady Devils lose fourth straight

 

West Central’s Braidyn Buhrow dribble drives toward the lane as she is defended by Central Elkader in a 57-26 loss.  Chris DeBack photo

 

Lady Devils lose fourth straight

 

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

The Blue Devils girls’ basketball team’s offense has become stagnant after two losses last week.

The Blue Devils traveled to Janesville on Thursday, Jan. 26, for a nonconference matchup with the undefeated Class 1A No. 11 Wildcats. The Wildcats held the Blue Devils to just 27 points of offense in the 64-27 loss.

Wed
01
Feb

West Central falters late against Central Elkader

 

 West Central’s Collin Kane scores a bucket off the glass in a close loss to Central Elkader on Friday, Jan. 27. Chris DeBack photo

 

West Central falters late against Central Elkader

 

 

By Chris Deback

 

cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

It wasn't looking very promising at the half for the West Central boys’ basketball team as it trailed Central Elkader, 23-10, on Friday, Jan, 27.

A 13-point deficit can be a lot for a team like West Central to overcome, because WC has struggled to put points on the board at times. Against a very beatable Central Elkader team, the Blue Devils rallied in the second half.

Wed
01
Feb

Mystery behind UIU's Graf trunks solved

 

Loyal and Norma McLean (pictured) recently donated a pair of steamer trunks to the University Archives on Upper Iowa University’s (UIU) Fayette campus. The McLeans discovered the trunks, originally owned by UIU alumna and accomplished stage actress Zinita Graf (’13), in their attic when they purchased their Charles City home in 1962. The mystery pertaining to how the two pieces of luggage came to be located in the attic was recently solved with the assistance of the daughter of another UIU alumna. (photo submitted)

 

Mystery behind UIU's Graf trunks solved

 

 

Cases closed – literally and figuratively. 

The five-decade-old mystery of how a pair of steamer trunks that once belonged to a talented stage actress ended up in the attic of a Charles City home has been solved.

Loyal and Norma McLean first discovered the two cases in 1962 in the attic of a Charles City home they had just purchased. The luggage remained largely untouched in the family’s attic for the next 54 years when, upon closer examination last year, family members noticed a C.A. Taylor Trunk Works manufacturer’s guarantee on one of the trunks. Dated Sept. 30, 1920, the document included the name Zinita Graf and an address in Fayette.

Wed
01
Feb

Phyllis Ruroden

Phyllis Ruroden

 

 

Phyllis Marian Ruroden, 86, of West Union, Iowa died Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Maple Crest Manor, Fayette, Iowa.

Phyllis Marian was born on July 24, 1930 to Elmer and Gladys (Burg) Pinney in Elgin, Iowa.

She graduated from Elgin High School and earned her teaching certificate from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa.

Phyllis was united in marriage with Dale Ruroden on July 20, 1951.

She was a lifelong member of Bethel Presbyterian Church and belonged to the local quilting group.

After retirement she enjoyed volunteer work, reading to the children at West Union Elementary School.

Wed
01
Feb

Ann Minger

Ann Minger

 

 

 

­­­ Valley Community school district of Clermont, Elgin and Wadena in 1962, as she continued her classes at Upper Iowa. She graduated from Upper Iowa in August of 1969.

She taught third grade and retired from teaching in 1987 with fond memories of students who kept in contact with her over the years. Her most memorable experience as a teacher was the visit by Governor Robert Ray, who came to plant trees at the Elgin grade school after one of her students wrote the invitation to the governor.

Ann had many interests and hobbies. When her children were young, she sewed a lot of their clothing.

When Ann retired, she was busy with many local organizations and activities. She was an active member of Holy Name Parish and the Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed teaching at the one-room schoolhouse during the Fayette County Fair.

Wed
01
Feb

Edward Harrison

Edward Harrison

 

 

Edward Eugene Harrison, 61, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, at Emery Place Living in Robins, Iowa, afer a long and brave battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Eddie was born June 11, 1955, to Raymond and Dorothy (Rogers) Harrison at St. Joseph’s Hospital in New Hampton.

He was baptized July 10, 1955, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg and confirmed June 22, 1969, at Stapleton Lutheran Church, rural Waucoma.

Eddie graduated from North High School in West Union in 1973.

Upon his graduation, he enlisted in the Navy, where he served our country until 1982. He loved being in the Navy.

He was then employed at Duane Arnold/Alliant Energy Nuclear Power Plant in Palo for 32 years. He was very dedicated to his work.

On May 18, 2002, Eddie was united in marriage with Bonnie Lawrence.

Wed
01
Feb

Eugene Thorson

Eugene Thorson

 

 

Eugene Thorson, 91, of Clermont, Iowa died Friday, January 27, 2017 at his home in Clermont.

Alf Eugene Thorson, the son of Alphie and Myrtle (Lien) Thorson, was born September 30, 1925 on a farm in rural Clermont. 

He graduated from Clermont High School in 1943.

Eugene was united in marriage with Anna Bachtell at the Ossian Lutheran Church in 1953. To this union five children, Catherine, Barbara, Pamela, Mark, and Evan, were born. 

Eugene and Anna farmed outside of Clermont for many years. He retired from farming about three years ago. In addition to farming, Eugene was a substitute rural mail carrier for several years. 

Eugene was a member of the East Clermont Lutheran Church and served on the church council.

He was also a board member of the Gunder Cheese Factory. 

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