Hilaria Kipp

   Hilaria Kipp, age 94, of Decorah, IA, died on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at Wellington Place in Decorah, Iowa.

     Hilaria Clara (Hackman) Kipp was born on February 9, 1923 the daughter of Henry and Clara (Rausch) Hackman on the family farm near St. Lucas, Iowa.  She attended St. Lukes Catholic School.  Hilaria married Edwin Kipp on September 16, 1941 at St. Lukes Catholic Church in St. Lucas.  Together they had three children: Milton, Joyce and Gene.  Hilaria spent her time raising her children and helping Edwin around the farm.  She liked music and even played the accordion for a while.  She enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren, doing crossword puzzles, reading and she prayed the rosary every day.

Elgin firefighter Steve Gisleson retired from the Elgin Fire Department on Jan. 4, after 35 years of service to protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Elgin. (Chris DeBack photo)

Otter Creek flood, comradery highlight Gisleson's long tenure

Shane Butterfield
Contributing Writer

When the sun set on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, Steve Gisleson quietly concluded his tenure with the Elgin Fire Department, a period of service that began in 1983, when a Dodge Ram cost under $6,000 and “Return of the Jedi” was the summer blockbuster of note. 

“I figured 35 was a good number,” said the understated Elgin native and resident about the timing of his resignation. 

A carpenter by education, a longtime postal carrier by trade, Gisleson’s dedication has made him a pillar of his community, one whose service spans eras.

Gisleson’s affiliation with the fire department began by chance, springing from a conversation that occurred during a routine event involving Chris, his son.

West Central’s Mary McDonough as her shot contested by two Janesville defenders on Senior Night, Thursday, Jan. 25. Chris DeBack photo

WC close against No. 11 Wildcats

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

On Senior Night, Jan. 25, the West Central girls’ basketball team came up short of an upset of the Class 1A No. 11 Janesville Wildcats, 47-41. 

There was a little extra motivation on Senior Night with it being the final home game for the five starting Blue Devil seniors. Senior Jalyn Brownell got West Central on the board first when her shot fake caused the defender to leave her feet, giving Brownell a clear path to the basket. Every time Janesville took the lead, West Central countered with a bucket of its own. Down, 4-3, senior Kenzie Squires hit a jumper to grab the lead back, 5-4. She then hit two 3-pointers in a row to tie the game, 8-8, and then give the Blue Devils the lead, 11-10. However, Janesville scored one more bucket before the end of the first quarter. 

Upper Iowa University President Dr. William R. Duffy (left) and Northeast Iowa Community College President Dr. Liang Chee Wee display the recently signed Bridge to Success parternship agreement between the two institutions. (Zakary Kriener photo)

'A visionary and innovative program'

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Upper Iowa University (UIU) in Fayette and Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) in Calmar signed a Letter of Understanding Tuesday, Jan. 23, that will create a new Bridge to Success Program for first-year college students. The four-year private university and community college agreement, which is set to begin this fall, is believed to be the first such scenario in the nation.

Through the Bridge to Success Program, first-year students who have not met entrance requirements for Upper Iowa University will enroll as NICC students. While attending classes at UIU, the students will complete general education requirements, enhance their college-ready skills, and complete college credits that fully transfer to Upper Iowa University. Students in the cohort will live on the university’s Fayette campus, receive academic and advising services from both institutions, and attend classes taught by visiting NICC faculty.