July 24, 2025

SPECIAL EDITION INSIDE celebrating the 200th Anniversary Norwegian Emigration

PUBLISHED

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Vol. 160, Issue 30 www.decorahleader.com

THURSDAY , JULY 24,

2025 BY

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Iowa AG decides to dismiss case against Sheriff Marx following face-to-face

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR Iowa’s top prosecutor announced Friday her office would dismiss a lawsuit against Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird filed the case in late March following a complaint from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds the previous month, saying a statement the sheriff’s office had posted to its social media page was at odds with a portion of Iowa Code. The governor specifically pointed to Chapter 27A, which prohibits law enforcement from discouraging cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Bird filed a lawsuit against Winneshiek County and its sheriff on March 26, seeking a court’s approval to withhold state funding from the county as outlined in Iowa law — Winneshiek County received

Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird

approximately $7.5 million in state funding during the 20232024 fiscal year, according to information from the Iowa State Association of Counties.

A hearing in the case was most recently scheduled for Sept. 12.

No trial date had been set as of Friday’s announcement, and the dismissal was filed in Polk County that afternoon.

“Recently, I had a face-to-face meeting with Attorney Gener-

al Bird,” Marx said in a statement released Friday. “During our meeting, I explained it was never my intent to discourage immigration enforcement. We have always complied with ICE detainers and will continue to comply with Iowa code section 27A and encourage

Case dismissed continued on page 12

South Winn prepares for bond to fund renovation of century-old high school

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR The South Winneshiek Community School District plans to propose a $13 million bond referendum this fall to fund renovations and improvements at the district’s high school in

Calmar.

The district had previously proposed a $19.1 million bond in 2021, which failed after gaining approximately 51 percent support at the polls — bond referendums require more than 60 percent support from the public.

South Winneshiek Superinten-

Pictured are 2025 Nordic Fest Board members (back row, left to right) Decorah Police Chief Tricia Thein, Dave Anderson, Steve Wilke, Sarah Brandt, Linda Wolfs, Chris Hick (middle row, left to right) 2025 Nordic Fest President Cole Steffen, Andi Hemeseth, Jessica Rilling, Nathan Todd, Chivone Marlow, Christopher Fassbender, (front row, left to right) Marcie Dodd, Cole Phillips, Sophie Nall and Ivy Riggs. Not pictured are board members Ariana Cervantes, Brian Solberg, Simon Cropp, Martha Griesheimer, Sam Boeke and Michael Thompson. (Photo submitted)

Nordic Fest to celebrate 200th anniversary of Norwegian emigration

BY ROZ WEIS STAFF WRITER Decorah’s 2025 Nordic Fest will celebrate the 200th anniversary of organized emigration of Norwegian immigrants to America. The fest, which will take place July 24-26, will include reflections on how the Scandinavians influenced the Decorah area.

Locals and visitors to the fest this weekend will soak in the traditions and culture of Nor-

way and other Scandinavian countries, all revolving around this year’s theme - Commemorating Crossings 1825-2025.

History Back in October of 1825, a 54-foot sloop called The Restauration sailed into New York’s

Nordic Fest continued on page 10

dent Kris Einck said the district could have proposed a new bond as early as September of 2022, but he said costs increased substantially by early 2022,

South Winn continued on page 12

Visit us online - www.decorahnewspapers.com Preliminary designs for renovations to South Winneshiek’s high school building in Calmar call for updates to the century-old portions of the structure. The school plans to propose a $13 million bond referendum in the fall to help fund what is expected to be a $23.5 million project.

The district plans to collaborate with various parties to finalize designs during the spring and fall of 2026 before potentially breaking ground on the project in the summer of 2027. (Concept rendering courtesy of South Winneshiek Schools/Emergent Architecture)

Brynn VanGerpen smiles as she makes her way through the arch formed by her fellow Nordic Dancers during the Grand March, which took place at the start if the local group’s pre-Nordic Fest performance the night of July 17 in front of the Winneshiek County Courthouse in Decorah. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

Iowa Environmental Council hears from public ahead of expected study

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR Half the hands in the room tend to go up when Kerri Johannsen asks who in the audience believes Iowans openly share their cancer diagnosis.

Johannsen is the senior director of policy and progress with the Iowa Environmental Council. She and her colleagues have been hosting a series of listening sessions across the state this summer in order to gather

perspective from the public on the topic of Iowa’s cancer rates.

Johannsen and others welcomed several dozen attendees to Decorah Middle School to hear their stories. She hopes open discussion of what she described as an often sensitive and personal topic will help build bridges within communities, which she indicated is a key stepping stone toward improvement. In addition, she said it’s important for the Iowa Environmental Council to understand

how Iowans are reacting to current cancer rates ahead of a study The Harkin Institute — a nonpartisan policy research organization established in 2015

by Iowa’s former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin and his wife — in-

tends to release on the subject later this fall. Adam Shriver, director of wellness and nutrition

Environmental council

continued on page 11

Several dozen people participated in a recent listening session the Iowa Environmental Council held last week at the Decorah Middle School. Representatives of the IEC and other groups hope to collect information and feedback from the public ahead of a study on the state’s cancer rates, which is expected to be released later this fall. (Photo by Seth Boyes)

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TOP- Grand Marshal Erv Glock waves from the back of a Ford Mustang convertible during Calmar’s 175th anniversary parade on Saturday. Fellow Grand Marshal Madonna Reisner (not picured) also appeared during the parade. (Photo by Zach Jensen) LEFT- Goldie Mae Hillesland, Calmar’s 1950 centennial queen, made an appearance during the town’s 175th anniversary parade. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

The community of Calmar gathered Saturday to celebrate 175 years since the city was established. The day included a parade along Clark Street, as well as other events like a 5K, games, live music, food and the crowning of Little Miss Calmar. (Photo by Denise Lana)

ABOVE- Ice cream was just one of the many treats available during Calmar’s 175th anniversary celebration July 19. (Photo by Zach Jensen) LEFT- Anders Jansen tests his muscle mettle at the high striker strength tester Saturday. (Photo by Denise Lana)

Little Miss Calmar 2025 contestants left to right: Nora Timp, Lindi Nelson, Reagan Gehling, Aunika Balik, Addison Gehling, Shea Henning, Gracie Tieskoetter and Brynlee Elsbernd.

Reagan Gehling was crowned 2025 Little Miss Calmar. (Photo by Denise Lana)

RIGHT- Dozens of hot rods, classic coupes, and vintage vehicles lined a downtown street during the Calmar car show Saturday morning.

(Photo by Denise Lana) LEFT- Local three-wheelers popped wheelies and performed other stunts near the end of Calmar’s 175th anniversary parade on Saturday.

(Photo by Zach Jensen)

Parade-goers of all ages braved heat and humidity Saturday for Calmar’s anniversary parade. (Photo

by Zach Jensen) LEFT- Lindi Nelson, 8, hooped it up prior to the Little Miss Calmar pageant Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Denise Lana)

Pickleball enthusiasts Lori Lechtenberg from Ossian (in foreground) and Izzy Kuboushek from Calmar teamed up during Calmar’s 175th anniversary celebration pickleball tournament Saturday, July 19. (Photo by Denise Lana)

Little Miss Calmar 2025 Reagan Gehling sat atop a classic convertible during Calmar’s anniversary parade. (Photo by Zach Jensen) RIGHT- Dozens of participants took to the Prairie This lucky lass really flipped for flapjacks as she caught a pancake Farmer Trail Saturday morning for Calmar’s 175th served up by Chris’s Cakes. More than 1,000 pancakes were pre- celebration 5K race. Find more 5K photos on page 15. pared and enjoyed by nearly 400 people. (Photo by Denise Lana) (Photo by Denise Lana)

NEWS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

A-3

Nordic Dancers charm at Lawn Chair Night Photo by Denise Lana

New municipal airport hangar delayed until September

The arrival of the Decorah Municipal Airport’s new maintenance hangar, which was expected to arrive the first of June, has been delayed until September, according to Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken.

Footings were poured in late May in anticipation of a June 2 hangar delivery, but hopes of installing the new structure faded after learning the building manufacturer misread the plans and built the hangar to accommodate a shorter door than specified.

The option of rebuilding the hangar was out of the question,

Goedken said at the time, noting the project had been delayed previously. The Decorah Airport Commission met and began devising a solution to accommodate the erroneous hangar build.

Two alternatives were considered at that time — raise the overall building height to make the shorter door reach the original height, or accept the smaller door.

“The aircraft stationed here don’t have the tail height that would prohibit them from using the hangar,” Goedken said in June. “However, on occasion,

we do get larger aircraft, but not often do the owners stay overnight and need to put their aircraft inside.”

The commission ultimately voted July 16 to fire the building designer and work with a different company to have a hangar door designed correctly.

The airport’s original Nov. 1 completion date has now been pushed back by months, but after more than three years of planning and challenges, Goedken said he hopes the builders will see the project through this time.

Kennedy Carlson leads Bentley Smith in dancing the Gammel Rhinelander during the Nordic Dancers’ performance during Lawn Chair Chair Night last week. (Photos

by Zach Jensen)

Carlton Nordschow shows his physical prowess during The Halling, a traditional Norwegian folk dance, as part of the Nordic Dancers’ pre-Nordic Fest show July 17.

Traffic, parking updates announced ahead of Nordic Fest 2025 The Nordic Fest Board of Directors and the Decorah Police Department are preparing for an influx of traffic during Nordic Fest 2025, which will take place July 24–26. Several temporary traffic and parking adjustments will be in effect throughout the downtown area during the festival, which organizers said will help ensure the safety and enjoyment of all attendees. In addition, Heivly Street is closed for construc-

tion from College Drive to Mill Street and will remain inaccessible throughout Nordic Fest.

Traffic and parking changes Attendees can expect road closures near the festival grounds. Official Nordic Fest grounds include: •Water Street between Mill Street and State Street •Mill Street between Water Street and Heivly Street

•Court Street between Water Street and Main Street •Main Street between Court Street and Winnebago Street •Winnebago Street between Water Street and Main Street •Washington Street between Water Street and the South Alley West Main Street, between Grove Street and Mechanic Street, will be open to westbound traffic only, with parking limited to the north side. No parking

will be allowed along the segments of Grove Street and Mill Street which fall between Main Street and Water Street. Parking will also be closed off along the north side of Water Street between Grove Street and Mill Street. Traffic will not be able to turn onto the 600 block of Main Street from Mill Street.

Additional handicap-accessible parking will be available along Court Street between the South Alley and Main Street as

Ha y Retirement!

well as Winnebago Street between Main Street and Broadway Street on the west side.

Free Luther College shuttle encouraged To ease congestion and improve access to the fest, visitors are encouraged to use the free Luther College shuttle, which will operate from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The shuttle connects Luther’s campus — with ample free parking

— and downtown fest activities.

The Nordic Fest Board and the Decorah Police Department expressed their thanks to the community for their continued support, flexibility and cooperation. The Nordic Fest Board encourages visitors to plan ahead, follow posted signage and take advantage of public parking and shuttle options. More event information, including maps and shuttle details, can be found at nordicfest.com.

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MEDITATION IN MOTION

NEI3A aging specialist to teach local seniors tai chi to improve arthritis, prevent falls

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER Decorah area seniors will soon have the opportunity to learn a martial art as a method to ease the effects of arthritis and help themselves stay on their feet.

Hallie Evans, an aging specialist in nutrition with the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging will be leading the class “Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention” from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays from Aug. 4 through Oct. 2 at the Vennehjem independent living community — 1102 Nordic Dr. in Decorah.

Traditional tai chi is a martial art dating back to 13th century China, which combines gentle physical movement, controlled breathing and meditation to promote physical and mental wellness, according to information from Harvard Medical School. It involves a series of slow, flowing movements and is often practiced for health benefits like improved balance, flexibility and stress reduction, Harvard’s information said. “‘Meditation in motion’ has been used to describe tai chi, because you are really focused on your body and what you’re doing, and your breathing is slow and relaxed, which helps with concentration,” said Evans, a 1997 Luther graduate and owner of Root River Yoga. “This class is evidence-based, which means if you follow the curriculum and participate in the class, it’s been proven to help with balance, mobility and stability.”

Prior to earning her certification in tai chi, Evans was a certified Iyengar yoga instructor for eight years.

“There are a lot of similarities between yoga and tai chi,” Evans said. “There’s awareness, control of movement, the mind-body connection and mindfulness. It’s been a fun journey of learning and becoming certified in different evidence-based classes.”

Evans began practicing yoga 13 years ago as a means of maintaining physical fitness and mental acuity as she herself ages.

“I used to run and bike, but after about 25 years of running, my joints were pretty sore and stiff, and I needed something that was more sustainable

NEI3A aging specialist in nutrition Hallie Evans demonstrates one of the movements she’ll be teaching seniors as part of a class entitled “Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention.” The class will be held Mondays and Thursdays from Aug. 4 through Oct. 2 at Vennehjem in Decorah. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

as I grow older,” she said. “I’ve always loved being active, and I was also a potter for 22 years, making wood-fired pottery, which is extremely physical and hard on the body.”

Evans became interested in tai chi as part of her job with NEI3A, and she said the practice was interesting to her because of how its similarities to yoga.

“It really does improve balance and stability, muscle strength and flexibility,” Evans said.

“One nice thing with tai chi is that people can really stay within their comfort zone — especially in a tai chi class for seniors for arthritis and fall prevention. Coming into it, we’re assuming that their bodies might hurt a little bit or might be in need of a little TLC. Tai chi really helps people, and you can do it seated, or you can do it standing.”

The only difference between seated and standing versions of tai chi, Evans explained, is the seated version doesn’t incorporate as much leg movement as standing. She said participants can remain seated throughout the session, use a chair for standing stability or sit down when they need to take a break from standing.

“The leg movements help teach weight transference and being aware of how you’re standing, how you’re moving, and that improves leg strength and balance overall,” she said. “In our movements, we work a lot with moving against a gentle resistance. So, instead of fast movements, there are slow, smooth and continuous movements, and that really strengthens the internal body structures like the deep stabilizer muscles — the muscles that support the spine — to help you stay upright. We focus on keeping an up-

right posture, which provides more space for the internal organs and helps you feel more mentally positive and stronger. That helps with mood, your emotions and a positive spirit.”

Evans said she’ll teach participants how to be more aware or mindful of how they move. She said people don’t often pay attention to how they walk, and as they age, that can lead to falls — especially if someone is distracted or trying to do too many things simultaneously.

“This style of tai chi involves smaller movements, so we never fully extend the joints,” she said. “Instead, we always maintain a slight bend in our arms and legs, which helps to prevent injury to the joints as well. Another nice thing about of this type of tai chi is that you can visualize yourself moving to that full position.”

Visualization refers to the process of creating visual images in one’s mind and is often used to rehearse a future event, improve performance or achieve goals, Psychology Today said.

“If you have an injury in your shoulder or knee, and you can’t quite do something fully, you can visualize your body fully extending,” she said.

“So, let’s say you have 50 percent range of motion in your arm, you can visualize the rest of that range of motion, and that has still been proven to be beneficial. So, through visualization, you’re staying within your comfort zone and protecting yourself from injury but still fully benefiting from that movement.”

Tai chi also helps practitioners improve their memory, Evans said.

“As we age, it gets harder to remember things, so there is a memory component of this as well,” she said. “Remembering forms so you can practice on your own strengthens your brain, which improves your quality of life, because we feel good when we can remember things.”

The tai chi class is sponsored by NEI3A and is offered for a $4 per class suggested contribution for participants age 60 and older and, for participants under age 60, each class will cost $4. To register, call Evans at 563-277-6014, or email hevans@nei3a.org by July 28.

“You get out of it what you put into it,” Evans said. “The only catch is that you have to keep doing it.”

Locals aim to keep iconic Highlandville Schoolhouse in shape amid water damage

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER A historically-iconic building in northern Winneshiek County is in need of some care after withstanding the test of time for the last 114 years.

A portion of the floor inside the Highlandville Schoolhouse, built in 1911, is sagging and in need of extra support, said Warren Shuros, an alumnus of the two-room school who attend fourth through seventh-grade classes at the schoolhouse until the mid-1960s, when the North Winneshiek School opened. The floor inside the former schoolhouse’s reception area, often used for coat and food storage during community events, is the only affected area, and Shuros said the entrance and the space which is now used as a dance floor are completely safe.

Previous flooding in the structure’s cellar left several inches of mud on the basement floor, which caused support beams under the reception area

to weaken, said Shuros, representing the Highland Township Trustees and the school’s alumni. At least one beam under that area of the school’s floor isn’t supported at all, he said.

“It’s a hazard,” said Shuros.

“There’s a lot of sentiment for the old school, and we’d like to preserve that.”

Shuros said the estimate to replace the affected floor and basement supports is $10,000.

Shuros said, thanks to a recent social media post by locally-famed music group The Foot-Notes — who have been known to perform at the Highlandville Schoolhouse — he received three checks totaling $5,200 as of Thursday morning which are to be put toward the repairs.

“That was very humbling,” he said. “The support in this community really is humbling.

God bless them.”

However, the schoolhouse’s floor isn’t the only watery threat to the building. A more expen-

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The Highlandville Schoolhouse, now a frequent spot for oldtime dances, needs a portion of its floor replaced. The erosion of the nearby Bear Creek’s north bank could pose a significant threat to the structure. (Photo by Zach Jensen) sive repair involves a stream bank stabilization project to protect the old school from the ever-encroaching Bear Creek.

Shuros said, due to erosion, the creek’s route has changed since he attended classes at the school.

Today, the southeast corner of the building is just 24 feet from the creek’s north bank, where tree roots are growing above the stream and are “barely holding the bank in place,” according to Shuros. He said the stream bank

Highlandville School alumnus Warren Shuros said the school’s floor project will include stabilizing and supporting at least one support post that doesn’t currently connect to the building’s basement floor. (Photo by Zach Jensen) stabilization project, estimated to cost $30,000, is needed to prevent the creek’s bank from further erosion and protect the schoolhouse as a result.

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a project designed by the Iowa DNR, similar to other recent projects on North Bear Creek,” a social media post for FootNotes fans reads. “Approximately 400 (feet) of bank will be graded back to add a bit of floodplain along with rock formations and riprap added to deter further erosion.”

Shuros said the stream bank project isn’t expected to begin until sometime in 2026.

“I grew up here, hunting and trout fishing, so this is very important to me,” Shuros said.

“We’re going to get it done, but we could use some help.”

For more information about either project, call Shuros at 612-616-7407. Donations may be mailed to Highland Township Board Members, c/o Highlandville General Store, 3497 Highlandville Rd., Highlandville, IA 52149.

OPINION

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

A-5

Let the record show

or how Iowa’s AG is like the Fonz Let the record show, the Friday news dump is a real thing.

Fans of Aaron Sorkin’s “West Wing” know the term refers to the flurry of press releases, statements, statistics and schedules government officials at various levels send out at the end of the week — sometimes in hopes their own announcement might be buried among all the others and ultimately overlooked by fatigued journalists ready to head out the door.

But Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird’s announcement Friday, saying she had decided to dismiss the case against Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx, didn’t exactly go unnoticed. Plenty of folks were watching that case pretty closely, including us here at the Decorah Leader (though I have to confess, dear reader, I did take that afternoon off after dipping my toe into the deep end of my timesheet during the county fair - so the Friday news dump had the upper hand for a few hours that day).

As most local readers are aware, our county sheriff locked horns with the governor and the AG earlier this year, when he released a statement responding to local concerns about potential immigration enforcement actions. He said he didn’t see the use of non-judicially vetted detainers as constitutional. Iowa Gov. Reynolds and Bird said his comments were an issue, and they pointed to a portion of Iowa Code which prohibits government officials from discouraging immigration enforcement actions.

It turned into an argument on paper over free speech vs. state law, but it’s over now. The case against Marx has been dismissed, and along with it the threat of potentially missing out on millions of dollars in state funding.

The AG’s statement on Friday wasn’t long, but it did cause

BY SETH BOYES News Editor

me to raise my eyebrow.

You might recall, dear reader, that I wrote a column back in April saying one particular word in Bird’s court docuements at that time stood out to me.

Well, I got a sense of de ja vu while reading her statement Friday.

“Given that Winneshiek County has now fully complied with (Iowa Code Chapter) 27A, the state law prohibiting sanctuary cities and counties from receiving taxpayer funds, the state is dismissing the lawsuit to enforce 27A,” Bird wrote.

Again, maybe our eyeballs lingered on the same word — now.

The word leads one to ask when the county was not in compliance.

The sheriff’s defense argued from the start that the county was in fact in compliance and that the sheriff’s authoring of criticism didn’t change that fact.

Plus, as reported elsewhere in this edition, we at the Decorah Leader asked what might have taken place between March 26 and July 18 that brought the county into compliance. The AG’s office chose not to provide any further details. I could just about hear the Winneshiek County Attorney shrug his shoulders over the phone, and he said the county’s enforcement policy is the same as it has been since 2018.

So, I think we can pretty easily divine what happened to bring the county into compliance — nothing.

And that’s what bothers me about Bird’s statement. It implies Winneshiek County did something to appease prosecutors and concede the validity of the state’s accusations. Let’s face it, if that’s all it would have taken to end this matter, we all could have saved ourselves a whole lot of drum-beating these last five months or so, not to mention lord only knows how much in legal fees.

It would seem that, unless there’s been some kind of policy change our county officials are unaware of, the AG is doing her best to back out of the spotlight without actually admitting Winneshiek County and its sheriff were in fact within their rights this entire time.

Again, I’ll let you divine why one would pursue such a case in court, dear reader. But I imagine to admit an error this late in the game would have been bruising.

To be fair though, that’s something we all struggle with as human beings. Even Arthur Fonzarelli famously had trouble uttering the phrase “I was wrong,” and found he could at best say “I was ruaaah…”

It’s not often a pleasant thing to admit when we’re wrong about something we fervently fought for, but being able to admit our mistakes is part of what builds trust between people — or in this case between the public and an elected official.

And I imagine refusing to do so will have the opposite effect for many people, especially in this county.

Agree with Seth? Think he’s got it completely backwards or he’s missed the point entirely?

Let your voice be heard. Letters to the editor may be emailed to editor@decorahleader.com or dropped off at 110 Washington St. Suite 4 in Decorah.

‘Haven’t they killed enough?’

Over 50,000 dead and millions starving in Gaza, Israel, soldiers shooting people trying to get food and water, where is the outrage? What does the Jewish community think of this?

Silence. They aren’t any better than the Nazis. I know it started with the October massacre, but haven’t they killed enough? Do they like seeing children starving to death? My heart is heavy.

I am 69, and I thought when young that when we got older we will have figured things out.

Wrong. Sad. Chuck Huber Decorah

Sheriff Marx is right no warrant, no help

Thank you to everyone who joined in the visitation of Iowa’s AG Bird, especially those who came to cast aspersions on her version of the USA Constitution.

The USA Constitution states that every person on USA land has the right to due process.

That means anyone seized has the right to defend themselves against that seizure, before they are incarcerated.

It also enumerates the right to no unreasonable search and seizure. No law enforcement officer can seize any person on the USA land without a court issued, judge signed warrant. Detainers are not warrants. They are a shopping list that the user fills in the name of the person after they ask the person his/ her name. Detainers state right on the form “persons already in the custody of the sheriff can be detained.”

Iowa’s 287(g) “law” is an unconstitutional law waiting to be

County smacked down by the courts. It conservation’s mandates local police engage in watchfulness indiscriminate targeting of anyreassuring to one they feel is illegal.

Sheriff Dan Marx is correctly reader interpreting the USA Constitution – no warrant, no help.

I do take issue with all the support “constitutional” sheriffs signs. Those are a scam foisted on us by CSPOA, an organization that feels sheriffs are the supreme law giver in their jurisdiction, like Boss Hogg. They feel they can do what they want regardless of federal laws. All too many people do not understand that difference between USA Constitution and “constitutional.” They feel Sheriff Marx is invoking the CSPOA “constitution” when he is invoking the USA Constitution.

I support Sheriff Dan Marx on warrants. No warrant, no help!

Dear editor, At the Winneshiek County Conservation Board’s monthly meeting, director Barb Schroeder brought up the tragedy of the flooding in Texas. She reported her practice of monitoring rainfall at our campsites near the Upper Iowa River. When it is raining in Minnesota, she sets her alarm clock during the night to check water levels in case they need to evacuate. Only one time have they gone out and not needed to evacuate campers. The 2008 flood was particularly dangerous. It was very reassuring to me that we have a staff so alert and responsive to weather conditions.

Dave Ameling Ossian

Joann Hagen Decorah

Yes, speak up and speak out, but with civility Iowa can benefit from a renewed focus on engaging more citizens in their government. That would please our Founders, too.

BY RANDY EVANS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - IOWA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COUNCIL Several dozen people gathered last month in Monticello for a citizen workshop the Grassroots Iowa Network organized to get more everyday Iowans engaged in the political process.

They spent the day listening to speakers* and exchanging ideas and observations, without fear or reprisal. They lunched and learned.

Former officeholders and current office-seekers were there, too. So were people who have spent countless hours working on issues or on behalf of candidates.

Although there were no knee britches or tri-corner hats in sight, our nation’s Founders were there in spirit. The Founders would take comfort knowing those Iowans were exercising liberties so important that they stitched them into our Constitution in the First Amendment — the rights to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the right to assemble peaceably and the right to petition our government for a redress of grievances.

Throughout our nation’s history, people have exercised those rights with passion and vigor. We saw that a month ago when hundreds of people gathered on the grounds of the Iowa Capitol. We saw that in recent weeks when people gathered outside courthouses, federal buildings and in other public spaces from Alaska to Florida and from Maine to Hawaii.

Their cause is unimportant to the broader point, because increasingly when people exercise their First Amendment freedoms, others quickly label them in negative ways because they disagree with the viewpoints being expressed.

Even so, those neighbors who march peaceably do not hate the United States. They are not left-

ist Commies or right-wing nut jobs. They are not hell-bent on destroying our nation.

Just like the colonialists of 250 years ago, the people marching through the streets of America these days do so to express their dissatisfaction with the course the nation is taking.

These people are willing to express their disappointment when government ignores, harasses or arrests people for what they think, how they look or what they say.

For me, it is a time we again should celebrate those who march in America, or meet in Monticello, as the patriots they are. They deserve our respect, just as we revere the women and men in our military who defend our nation, all it stands for, and its core ideals that they fight to protect, including the right to think and speak in support of a cause, or the right to voice their dissent.

History supports this.

For most of our nation’s life, being a patriot did not mean you came only from one side.

There were Revolutionaries, Continentals, Populists, Whigs, Agrarians and even contrarians, and each group walked the patriot walk and talked the patriot talk in their own way.

So, let’s encourage more citizen roundtables and community marches, because they provide one measure of hope that our nation still stands solid and that better days will come.

Let’s hope Iowans who are Republicans, Democrats, independents, political agnostics, and maybe even a Whig or two, can gather and talk about facts and ideas, policies and problems, solutions and challenges — all without resorting to the name-calling that spews from some politicians.

Let’s make it so words like morons, lunatics, scum, losers, traitors, crooks get left on the elementary school playground.

Our country does not benefit from such name-calling. But Iowa can benefit from a renewed energy of engagement.

We need people’s ideas. We need people who will step out of their comfort zone and respectfully disagree with the direction of our state and our nation. We need people who will stand up and demand answers from political candidates and especially from those already in office.

It does not matter who started this war of words. We must

return to the civility that used to be a hallmark of our political discourse, when political leaders traded ideas, not insults.

Nowadays, politicians scramble like Caitlin Clark with the basketball, except these leaders fall all over themselves to avoid answering questions.

Bipartisan carpool A shining example illustrating the change in civility and our political dialogue occurred 53 years ago in a car traveling from Washington, D.C., to Iowa.

It was in the summer of 1972.

Congressional redistricting after the census had thrown two incumbent members of the U.S. House into the same newly drawn congressional district.

One was Democrat Neal Smith of Altoona, and the other was Republican John Kyl of Bloomfield.

These two Washington veterans were campaigning against each other. One would win, and the other would be out of a job.

That summer, their wives wanted to escape the summer heat in Washington and get home to Iowa.

The way they did that is memorable — and a lesson for all of us. Their example of civility gets at the heart of Iowa values and respect for those with whom we may disagree on politics, but with whom we probably agree on many other matters. Think about this: Bea Smith and Arlene Kyl traversed half a continent by carpooling with each other.

I am not suggesting we must suppress our differences of opinions. Far from that. But it costs us nothing to treat those with whom we disagree as decent human beings, as neighbors and as potential friends.

We all need to do our part to restore civility to our political discourse. That applies to us as voters. It most assuredly applies to those we elect to lead us.

And, most of all, we need it to remain patriots ourselves. * A footnote: I was among the speakers invited by Grassroots Iowa Network to the Monticello event. My complete remarks can be found at tinyurl.com/ bdef5d23.

Randy Evans is a member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative and his columns may be found on his blog, Stray Thoughts.

Libraries and controlled education Libraries are like a goldmine to me, and I’ve yet to meet a crooked librarian. If you live on this complex planet and think we should control our children’s learning, you have your head in the sand. Children will explore their world and want your help in knowing how to do it. They will do so when you’re not

looking and after you’re gone.

If you tell them not to know something they will search out that secret on social media or in the restroom. Community and conscience grow deeper as we learn how to sort out the world.

Diversity is the core of education as we learn how to explore and contrast. Your child needs

a creative partner, not a hovering judge. Knowledge does not make you perfect, but it helps you venture through life. If something is controversial, talk and listen to their thoughts and feelings.

Don Fish Decorah

OBITUARIES/NEWS

A-6 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Victor Fye

Sept. 28, 1939 - July 5, 2025 Victor Fye, 85, of Decorah, died Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Wellington Place in Decorah.

Victor was born to Marshall and Mary (Voyna) Fye on Sept.

28, 1939. As the oldest of three children, he grew Victor Fye up in Cresco before graduating from Cresco High School in 1958. Throughout those years, he was part of the FFA and raised and sold purebred Hampshire pigs. Victor married Dianne (Otto) Fye on June 12, 1960, at Immanual Lutheran Church in Cresco.

Together they had a daughter, Julie.

His working career started at Davies Supermarket in Cresco until Victor and Dianne moved to Decorah in 1962 so he could work at Polly Meadows Dairy.

In 1967, he started working at Interstate Power, where he continued for the next 38 years until his retirement in 2005.

Victor was very involved in the community. He was on the

city council for 18 years, representing the 5th Ward. In 1994, he was elected as the Mayor of Decorah. He served as mayor for 10 years. During this time, Victor and Dianne greeted the King and Queen of Norway at the Decorah airport. They also met the Prince of Norway while he was visiting Decorah after he graduated from college in California. Projects completed while he was mayor included replacing Water Street, adding a third lane to Montgomery Street, replacing the bridge on 5th Ave., and building a new Walmart Supercenter. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, a member of Decorah Lutheran Church and served as an usher and money counter. He enjoyed greeting the people at the church’s Nordic Fest dinner.

Victor enjoyed starting most mornings with a coffee group at 6 a.m. He loved euchre, whist and many other card games. He enjoyed travelling, especially to Hawaii and Alaska, and spending some winters in Arizona.

Victor enjoyed camping, square dancing, doing crosswords and word searches, and watch-

ing Nascar, the Hawkeyes and the Vikings. He also enjoyed attending many high school sporting events and following his nephews’ wrestling careers from high school through the National tournaments.

Victor is survived by his wife, Dianne; daughter, Julie; brother, Galen (Lavon) Fye; sister, Elaine Gaul; sister-in-law, Marlys Dodd; brother-in-law, Wayne Otto; and many nieces and nephews.

Victor was preceded in death by his brother, Gerald Fye; parents, Marshall and Mary Fye; father and mother-in-law, Vernon Otto and Mercedes (Radke) Otto; brothers-in-law, La Vern Gaul and Delbert Dodd; and sister-in-law Carole Otto.

Funeral services were held Friday, July 11 at Decorah Lutheran Church with Rev. Eric Thiele presiding. Burial was in the New Oregon Cemetery rural Cresco.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family in memory of Vic and sent to Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water St., in Decorah.

Jan. 6, 1931 - July 15, 2025

Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Marlyce loved to play golf and bowl and was very competitive and excelled in both.

She and her husband George enjoyed spending time at their second home in Gulf Shores, Alabama as well as the Anderson family acreage in Decorah, Iowa. She loved to play cards with several groups both in Iowa and Alabama and never missed her daily word puzzles.

Marlyce was a huge animal lover. She had many dogs and cats over the years that were a very important part of the family.

She was also known for taking care of any strays and wildlife that found their way to her.

Marlyce was an avid reader and was extremely intelligent. People would continue to remark on how sharp she was all the way to her final days.

Marlyce will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Marlyce is survived by her son, John (Kim) Murdoch, of Marion; daughter, Leigh (Stan) Murdoch-Poe, of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren: Megan (Matt Ian) Enneking, Jaime (Daniel) Steward, Hailey Mur-

doch and Kyle Enneking; step grandchildren: Brock, Cody and Jordan Bickford; and seven great-grandchildren: Reagan, Maddyn, Campbell, Makinley, Alivia, George and Marlo; six step great-grandchildren; and nephews, Bob and Rick Anderson.

She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 50 years, George Murdoch; parents, Leonard and Marie Anderson; son, Kenneth Murdoch; grandson, Brett Murdoch; brother and sister-in-law, Leon and Rose Anderson; nephew, Ron Anderson; and former daughter-in-law, Kathy Rae Murdoch.

Funeral services were held Saturday, July 19 at the Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. A private family burial will be held at Linwood Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

Memorials in Marlyce’s memory may be directed to the Cedar Valley Humane Society at: 7411 Mt. Vernon Road SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.

Please share a memory of Marlyce at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under “obituaries”.

On July 7, 2018, Rita married her high school sweetheart, Chris Reilly. After 28 years apart, they reunited and built a life together filled with love, laughter and deep companionship.

Rita had a vibrant and creative soul. She loved decorating her home and painting her walls in bright, cheerful colors.

She never missed a birthday or anniversary and was known for her thoughtful, meaningful gifts. Rita cherished camping trips with her close-knit camping group and had a wonderful sense of humor that brought joy to those around her. Her calm demeanor, easygoing nature, and deep love for her family made her a steady and beloved presence in many lives.

Rita will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. She was patient, kind and proud of her family, and was deeply loved by all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband, Chris Reilly; sons, Jason (Bryanna) Grimes of Decorah and Cody (Aleya) Grimes of Waucoma; stepdaughters, Rachel (Jake) Greenslade of Cresco and Hanna Reilly of Ankeny;

cherished grandchildren: Blaire and Ryann Grimes, Levi Lanphier, Navy Grimes, Norah Greenslade, and one expected grandchild; parents, Arthur and Rosemarie Stika; sisters, Donna (Brian) Hotvedt and Linda (Nick) Gehling; mothers-inlaw, Cathy Reilly and Patricia (Jim) Sievers; and siblings-inlaw, Bridget (Brian) Tancos, Carrie (Jon) Doyle, Jimmy (Laura) Sievers, Sandra (Matt) Dieter, Sara (Ryan) Adams and Rachel (Kenny) Fleege. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, William and Alice Klimesh and Joseph and Philomena Stika; godfather, Ron Klimesh; and father-inlaw, Robert Reilly.

A memorial service was held Friday, July 18 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Eldorado with Rev. Daryl Schultz officiating.

Inurnment was at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery. A celebration of life luncheon followed at PIVO Brewery Event Center in Calmar.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for a memorial donation.

Rita Reilly

Sept. 19, 1966 - July 12, 2025 Rita Ann (Stika) Reilly, 58, of Decorah, died Saturday, July 12, 2025, at her home following a courageous battle with cancer.

Rita was born on Sept.

19, 1966, in Cresco to Arthur and Rosemarie Rita Reilly (Klimesh) Stika and grew up on a farm East of Protivin. Rita was baptized and attended elementary school at Holy Trinity Church in Protivin and graduated from South Winneshiek High School with the class of 1985 in Calmar. Rita married Kraig Grimes and together they had two sons, Jason and Cody. Though they later divorced, Rita remained deeply devoted to her children and family.

A nurturing and compassionate soul, Rita dedicated much of her life to caring for others. She provided loving childcare from her home for many years and later worked as a paraeducator at St. Teresa of Calcutta Preschool. Her kindness, patience and gentle spirit touched the lives of countless children and families.

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER For nearly two years, Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken and Information Technology Director Chopper Albert have been working to bring fast fiberoptic internet to Decorah businesses and residences, with support from the city’s Telecommunications Board.

And, with a pending contract between the city and network company Ascentek, Decorah is on the cusp of seeing the city staff’s work be put into action.

Currently, Decorah’s fiber service is limited to a fiber ring — dubbed the Metronet — which provides service to a group of five anchor entities, consisting of Luther College, city and county offices, Decorah Schools and WinnMed. The pending contract would allow residents and other businesses to access the fiber network, which provides signifi-

Service Notice

Marlyce Murdoch

Marlyce Jean (Anderson) Murdoch, 94, of Marion, Iowa, died Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa.

Marlyce was born on Jan. 6, 1931, in Monroe, Marlys Murdoch Wisconsin, the daughter of Leonard and Marie (Haefner) Anderson. She was a 1949 graduate of Franklin High School and went on to graduate from Coe College in 1953.

While at Coe College, she studied art under Marvin Cone and was a member of the Tri Delta Sorority. On June 26, 1954, Marlyce was united in marriage to George F. Murdoch in Marion. She was a longtime member of P.E.O. Chapter KJ and OOP Club for over 65 years, even being in attendance at this year’s spring dinner. Marlyce and George were also very active members at Indian Creek Country Club in Marion, Silvercrest Country Club in Decorah, and Cotton Creek Country Club in

Fiberoptic service for Decorah not yet confirmed, but close

DIETRICH MAX FABRICIUS, 74, died June 24, 2025, in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Funeral services were held Saturday, June 28 in at Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church in Hendersonville. Burial followed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hendersonville.

cantly higher and more reliable internet and phone speeds.

The total cost for this FiberTo-The Premises — or FTTP — project is around $12 million. Albert said most of that cost comes from the fiber and installation, with $1.5 million for engineering and project design.

“Fiber is the elite out there,” Albert said in a 2024 interview with the Decorah Leader. “It offers a better-quality product — quicker internet service and less buffering of television programs, and weather would not interfere like it does with the current coaxial service we have.”

Albert previously said the city was trying to be as proactive as possible, explaining that extra fiber strands would be installed for future use. Additionally, Alliant Energy and Black Hills Energy would be offered the option of piggybacking on the system, likely resulting in the removal of overhead power lines as the companies transfer their services underground.

Goedken stressed the maintenance cost of the proposed fiber network would not fall on taxpayers’ shoulders, as Iowa prohibits the use of tax dollars for telecommunications utilities.

“All of the actions taken are taken by the city’s telecommunications board, and they have to operate with their own revenues, which will come in from

fiber optic-connected subscribers,” Goedken said.

Subscribers to the fiber service will pay a monthly rate, which in turn will be used to maintain the utility.

The process of installing and providing fiber is a complicated one, according to Albert. Fiber would be installed using the existing network used by the city’s Metronet, and the city would be divided into 10-20 pockets.

“For example, the Flats would be one pocket,” said Albert, referring to the Decorah neighborhood within the curve of the Upper Iowa River and north of Water Street. “We would branch off the existing fiber where it is closest to the Flats. All the fiber lines will be buried in conduit and installed in the right of way and penetrate each home. It might take three to four months to connect all the residences in that pocket.”

The city plans to create two or three pockets per year.

“Our goal is to connect every home to fiber, even if the current resident doesn’t want to be a customer of fiber,” Albert said. “We want to be prepared for future residents.”

He also said there will be a major announcement by the city’s telecommunications board regarding the project in the first week of August, but an exact date has yet to be determined.

Marley (Steven Klutho), Tess (Daniel Blue), Jake/James J. IV (Samantha), Jonah Halvorson, Sydney (Conner Beaudoin), Max, Clara (Ryan Hilsgen), Kate and Owen; great grandchildren: Felix and Cleo, Bo and Wesley, Maeve and Milo; sister-in-law, Audrey Holien, brother-in-law, Laverne Massman; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Born in Ossian, Jean grew up there and in Lenora, Minnesota and attended Canton High School where she sang in a musical group and was homecoming queen, graduating in 1949.

She met Jim Malanaphy and married him in 1951, beginning an adventure that began with following him to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, where she worked in the Army Store and shared an apartment with Jim’s sister.

Once married, she moved to Lawton, Oklahoma while Jim completed his Army service, then lived on the Malanaphy family farm in Decorah, moving to Mason City in 1957 and on to 15 other homes/moves before ending up in her Hudson, Wisconsin house with her youngest son, Maury, as her neighbor.

She made a good life with Jim, raising eight children, cooking wonderful meals, baking, reading and sharing what she learned, contributing to several businesses as they were launched (all of which are still in business today), and finding time to travel and to stay connected with friends and family. She was truly interested in learning about the lives of people she met, and was a great listener, adviser and trusted confidante. She cherished every gift, every experience and every relationship. We will miss her counsel, support and graceful, caring and strength.

Funeral Mass will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 1 at Assumption Catholic Church in Canton, Minnesota with Father Nicholas Gawarecki officiating.

Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Canton. Visitation will be for one hour prior to services in the church Friday.

Memorials are preferred to Catholic Relief Services at www.crs.org or 228 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD, 21201.

The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.

where she built a career as a district manager for Avon while raising her children as a single mother.

There she met Richard Jerow, and they moved to Monticello, Iowa, where they welcomed a daughter, Bernadette (Bernie). They later divorced.

Some years later, Bonnie married Claude Andrews. Together they built their dream home on Lake Delhi, creating many joyful memories.

Bonnie was a loving and generous mother, wife and friend.

She had a gift for hospitality, bringing family and friends together for campfires, boat rides and celebrations. She loved her dogs, fishing, gardening and cooking. Bonnie was also a very talented artist and her creativity touched many lives.

She is survived by her daughters, Brenda (Ray Farell) and

Bernadette Jerow; grandchildren: Luke, Sam, Noah, Izabella, Beau and June; great-grandchildren: Stella, Henry and Vivian; sister, Sheila; and sonin-law, Ray Farrell. She is also remembered fondly by many dear friends and extended family.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, James and Lillian Meikle; husbands, Galen Barth and Claude Andrews; son, Jason Barth; and sister, Joanne Burreson.

A small family service will be held at a later date. Bonnie will be laid to rest in her home state of Iowa, reunited with her husband, Claude, and her son, Jason, at Lake Delhi.

Valley Funeral Home of Appleton is assisting the family with arrangements.

For online condolences, please visit www.valleyfh.com.

Jean Malanaphy

July 30, 1932 - July 16, 2025 Jean (Holien) Malanaphy died with grace and in peace on July 16, 2025, having said goodbyes to her family and friends.

She was just shy of 93 years, with her birthday coming up on July 30 Jean Malanaphy (1932).

She is now dancing with her husband, Jim Malanaphy, Jr., who has been preparing for her arrival since 2017, along with her beloved son David who passed over in 2002. Her parents, Mel and Clara Holien and her brother David Holien, Jim’s parents James Malanaphy Sr. and Dorothy (Marlow) Malanaphy and his siblings Joyce Lynch, Betty (Glen) Martin, John Charles (Jannan) Malanaphy, Dorothy (Jack) Kendall, Mary Lou (Leo) Manning, and Julia Massman have also preceded Jean in death.

She is succeeded by her children: James J. III, Toni Malanaphy-Sorg (Mike Sorg), Brennan (Peg), Seri, Joel, Stuart and Maury (Liz); grandchildren: McKenzie (Galen Poor),

Bonnie Andrews

April 28, 1943 - July 3, 2025 Bonnie Lou (Miekle) Andrews, 82, died July 3, 2025, in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Bonnie was born on April 28, 1943, in Waukon to James and Lillian Meikle. She grew up in Waukon, where her Bonnie Andrews family lived and worked at the Grand Hotel, creating many cherished childhood memories alongside her sisters, Joanne and Sheila.

Bonnie married Galen Barth and together they had two children, Brenda and Jason. Their family later moved to Northern Wisconsin for Galen’s work.

After some time, Bonnie and her two children made their home in Mercer, Wisconsin,

NEWS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Decorah School board reviews policy changes, new handbooks

A-7

School becomes first partner in Luther College preferred admission program

BY ROZ WEIS STAFF WRITER

Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx had reason to smile during his report to the board of supervisors meeting Monday morning. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird recently dropped the state’s lawsuit against the sheriff for allegedly violating a portion of the Iowa Code pertaining to immigration enforcement. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

Supervisors weigh options on former HHS building sale

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER There was some disagreement among the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors as to whether the county should proceed with plans to sell the former Health and Human Services building south of Decorah.

This past spring, the supervisors decided to move the county’s Health and Human Services office into the county’s recently-purchased Community Services Building at 607 Washington St., in Decorah, which was previously owned by the Spectrum Network. The move left the previous HHS location at 2307 U.S. Highway 52 South vacant, and the supervisors put up the building up for sale once HHS staff moved into the new location.

The supervisors unanimously approved a motion on May 19, authorizing Winneshiek County Development and Tourism to market the property, and a public hearing was to be scheduled upon receiving any reasonable offer. The supervisors held a closed session in June to discuss an offer it had received, but the supervisors voted against accepting the offer — the name of the bidder and the amount offered was not required to be made publicly available.

Supervisors Vice-Chairman Mark Vick proposed Monday morning that another public hearing on the sale of the property be held in three weeks time. Board discussion that day indicated no additional offer has been submitted for the vacant building.

“It’s been three or four weeks since we put it out there and, if we set a public hearing, it will still be another … ,” he said. “If we keep dragging this on, we’ll

lose the bid we got so far. That’s a little scary.”

Supervisor Steve Kelsay expressed concern, saying the property isn’t listed on a publicly-available webspace, which he said was agreed upon with Winneshiek County Development and Tourism.

“I thought that had been done by economic development, and it has not,” he said. “We have not done very well, in my opinion, on the marketing of this property.”

Supervisor Shirley Vermace questioned whether staff at Winneshiek County Development and Tourism might be waiting for additional information or action from the supervisors before actively marketing the property for sale.

Supervisors Chairman Dan Langreck supported the idea of setting a public hearing three weeks from the July 21 meeting.

“Every realtor and banker knows it’s for sale,” Vick said.

“But, we hired an out-of-town realtor to do the appraisal, (and) we wasted our money.”

Vermace proposed the supervisors continue with the board’s original plan to market the property through Winneshiek County Development and Tourism. Kelsay agreed, adding that in the meantime, Winneshiek County Engineer Michael Kueny should post the property for sale on various internet real estate websites.

Supervisor Mark Faldet made a motion, and the supervisors unanimously agreed to instruct Kueny to list the property as being for sale online and to also have Winneshiek County Attorney Andy Van Der Maaten work with Winneshiek County Development and Tourism to more-aggressively market the property.

Vick reiterated his original position, motioning to set a public hearing for Aug. 18.

“It’s been public since May 1,” Vick said. “I would just as soon get it out so people know.

Everyone’s been dragging their feet.”

Vick’s motion failed due to lack of a second.

In other business •Winneshiek County Attorney Andy Van Der Maaten and Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx reported to the supervisors that Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has dropped the state’s lawsuit against the county and the sheriff for allegedly violating a portion of Iowa Code relating compliance with immigration enforcement officers and policies. For a full report on the case’s conclusion, see page one of this edition.

•Following a closed session, the supervisors unanimously approved a motion to settle an unspecified personal injury claim for $48,000.

•A public hearing for a zoning amendment for A&A Cleaning was scheduled for 10 a.m., Aug. 11 in the courthouse annex.

•The Frankville Road resurfacing project will likely begin after work on Bridge 126 north of Highlandville has been completed. Winneshiek County Engineer Michael Kueny said the bridge project will probably be let in December.

•Winneshiek County Recycling Supervisor Jeff Kuboushek was approved to offer Derek Dietzenbach of Festina a position in the recycling department.

The next meeting of the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors will be held a 9:30 a.m. July 28 in the courthouse annex.

City officials hope for increased fundraising for proposed sports complex in wake of redesign

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER Fundraising for Decorah’s proposed sports complex is expected to pick up speed to help make up the project’s $1.3 million balance.

According to Decorah Parks and Recreation Director Marc Holtey, the project’s fundraising committee had garnered around $450,000 so far and anticipates the launch of an expansive fundraising campaign in anticipation of Nordic Fest.

“We have banners, signage, business cards and are prepped for a big Nordic Fest week,” Holtey told fellow parks board members during a July 17 meeting. “It’s definitely picking up pace, and we will possibly have members of baseball and softball teams march in the fest’s parade.”

The first phase of construction for Decorah’s future multi-purpose sports facility is

scheduled to begin this spring, but with $1.3 million of the estimated $2.6 million construction cost still looming, city staff have held numerous meetings to discuss various ways to raise the funds necessary to cover the balance.

Designs for the sports complex, which will be constructed near the dog park on Old Stage Road, originally included four multi-use ball diamonds, eight pickle ball courts and a 100-vehicle paved parking lot, as well as amenities like portable bathroom enclosures, batting cages and dugout structures.

However, these plans were revised after the city received and ultimately rejected a single bid for the first phase of the project, which came in more than $250,000 over the city engineer’s estimate for the project.

Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken took part in various meetings throughout the month of June with members

of the city council, parks and rec board and the project’s fundraising committee as well as the city engineer and a variety of city departments, as they collectively decided which elements of the project would stay and which would be cut to stay within budget.

Goedken said during a June 30 meeting he had met with Holtey and ISG, the engineering firm overseeing the project’s design, to finalize base and alternate items.

The first phase of the project will include two ball diamonds and eight pickleball courts, as well as a gravel parking lot in lieu of a paved one.

Bidletting for the revised project design is scheduled to open July 31, and the contract is expected to be awarded Monday, Aug. 4.

A special meeting is also scheduled for the evening of July 31 for the Decorah Parks and Rec Board to review the bid.

The Decorah Community School Board of Directors and faculty members are sifting through hundreds of pages as they finalize board policies, employee handbooks and student handbooks for the upcoming academic year.

“In addition to keeping board members informed of our policy and having this public meeting, its important for us to stay ahead on recent legislative changes both in the state of Iowa and federal level, and thankfully we have the support of the (Iowa Association of School Boards) to inform us of the changes and the cadence of the changes,” Decorah School Board President Cindy Goodner said. “It’s a lot to keep up with.”

Included in the new directives are steps to embrace a new Iowa law requiring all K-12 public schools to restrict cellphone use during instructional time.

The Decorah School District was ahead of the game when it came to cell phone guidance, according to board member Carole Sand. The district already had measures in place banning the use of cellphones — including wearable devices — during class time.

Decorah High School Principal Brad Hurst said the district will remain diligent in complying with the law, which is aimed at reducing distractions and improving learning environments.

The new handbooks also address dropping previously published language regarding gender identity. Last winter, Iowa became the first state to remove gender identity as a protected class from its civil rights code.

“Starting July1, that protected status was removed, and we will still try to protect and make every effort to uphold the rights of all students,” Hurst said.

The multi-page handbook also places parameters on how artificial intelligence may be used appropriately in school.

Hurst described the 95-page handbook as a total team effort by staff members, encompassing many hours of discussion and updates to keep in line with changes in Iowa laws impacting school attendance, curriculum and chronic absenteeism.

“It’s definitely a team effort putting something like this together,” Hurst said.

Luther College agreement In other business Monday night, the board approved the final draft of the Luther College Automatic Preferred Admission Partnership.

Through the partnership, eligible Decorah students who meet specific criteria will receive an automatic, expedited admission decision and financial aid information.

Luther College President Brad Chamberlain sat in on Monday night’s Decorah School Board meeting, while the board discussed a pilot program partnership between the college and the school district which would guarantee early admission to Luther for eligible Decorah students. (Photo by Roz Weis) “It will open up a wonderful door between the Decorah Community School District and Luther College,” Goodner said.

Participating high schools may sign a memorandum of understanding with Luther once admission criteria has been established. Student criteria includes a minimum high school GPA of 3.25 and successful completion of Algebra II by the end of a student’s junior year.

Students must also be in good standing with the school and be on track to graduate.

Hurst said many Decorah students would immediately qualify for expedited admission.

“There are just so many benefits. The biggest advantage is access and availability to information and access to admission,” Decorah High School Counselor Pat Trewin said. “We will have over half of each class qualify.”

Hurst agreed, saying there are many all-around benefits, and he added the partnership will likely prompt many Decorah students to stay within the community.

Luther selected the Decorah School District as the first active partner in the automatic admission partnership.

“We see (the agreement) as mutually beneficial,” Luther College President Brad Chamberlain said during Monday’s meeting.

Other action A special meeting was to have been held Wednesday afternoon, July 23 to name Joan Loew as interim director of business services and school board treasurer to replace Cathy Dietzenbach The board approved a oneyear agreement with the Grant

Wood Area Education Agency for Powerschool software and support at a cost of $25,028.62.

The license period is July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

In a continued effort to recruit and retain teachers to fill high-need positions requiring particular training, licensure and endorsement, the board approved a tuition reimbursement agreement — not to exceed $7,000 — with two special education teachers and one business teacher in the district.

Funds are to come from the teacher development fund.

The board also approved a new telephone system, transitioning from Lumen/CenturyLink and Mitel to Zoom Phone. Shawn Gordon, the school’s director of technology and information systems, said the new cloud-based voice system will integrate with the existing Zoom video platform at the school. He added it will provide flexibility for staff, improve accessibility on and off campus and reduce communication gaps across the district.

A $9,000 yearly savings is expected, as the district will no longer need to subscribe to a separate Zoom video platform.

Costs for the new system, which will be in partnership with Iowa Communications Network, is estimated at nearly $88,600.

Gordon indicated the ICN will serve as a primary contact for the system’s support. The estimated annual cost after the first year of service is approximately $37,500.

Cronin said architects are getting closer to rolling out drawings for the new $38 million school to replace John Cline Elementary. Bid opening for the expected project is scheduled Dec. 4.

Congratulations to ArtHaus on the new ArtHaus Tech Lab! Pictured is Studio Manager Oran Deen-Lester with chamber ambassadors Amanda McIntosh, Tade Kerndt, Marcia Madrigal, Nic Wilz, Ray Rinkol, and Heather Benzing.

507 W. Water St., Decorah 563.382.3990 decorahareachamber.com

NEWS

A-8 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Bliven trial date rescheduled College Drive bridge, Heivly Street Project contract awarded Work to begin in spring of 2026 for early November

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

The trial of a former Decorah High School band director has been rescheduled for this fall.

Dustin Harland Bliven was placed on leave in mid-February following allegations of what court records called a pattern of inappropriate behavior with a female student over several months. The Decorah School Board unanimously accepted Bliven’s resignation on March 10 — about three weeks after he was placed on leave.

The 48-year-old pleaded not guilty in early April to the charge of sexual exploitation by a school employee. He was previously scheduled to face a jury of his peers on Aug. 6.

Court documents filed last week show Bliven’s attorney requested more time to prepare for the case, and the court agreed to push the trial date back to Nov. 5.

A statement previously released by the Decorah Police Department said officers were informed of concerns involving Bliven on Saturday, Feb. 15, and an officer met with the student and her mother that Monday.

Investigators said the student and Bliven had been communicating regularly as early as October of 2024 via text messages, FaceTime and the mobile app Snapchat. The teen told police Bliven regularly initiated conversations with her — court records outlined a lengthy video call which occurred outside of the school day — and at times commented on her appearance.

Filings in the case show police seized at least three mobile devices belonging to Bliven on Feb. 18 as part of the investigation.

The student said she and Bliven at some point “made a plan to meet so she could get

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER

Dustin Harland Bliven music for her solo contest, but Bliven told her he was just using it as an excuse to see her.”

Court documents allege Bliven and the student met in his office on Saturday, Feb. 15 — the student had turned 18 earlier that month.

The teen claimed Bliven embraced her from behind before sitting beside her for several minutes, holding her hand at times and repeatedly touching her arm and legs. The student indicated to investigators she did not initially believe Bliven’s actions were wrong, but she also told law enforcement “she was thinking about what she was going to do if he did try to do something.”

Police notified the school district of the allegations and later released a statement saying they were working with school officials to “isolate the incident” and ensure student safety while conducting the investigation.

Bliven was placed on leave Feb. 18 — the first school day that week, following the district’s observance of President’s Day. Bliven was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail shortly before noon on Friday, Feb. 21, and he was released on bond the next day. A no contact order was also put in place.

Bliven faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

Construction on the College Drive bridge, which was originally slated to begin this fall, will more than likely be postponed until the spring of 2026, according to Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken. The announcement was made during the Decorah City Council’s July 21 meeting, where the bid for the project was awarded to local business Skyline Construction.

Skyline’s bid came in at $360,000, which was $30,000 below the city engineer’s estimate.

According to Goedken, the College Drive bridge will undergo repaving and bracket repair to alleviate a large gap in the joint where the bridge connects to the asphalt. Retrofitted concrete barriers will also be repaired, and damaged bridge notches will be replaced during the project. Crews will also address a damaged barrier railing on the bridge’s western side.

Construction at the intersection of College Drive and Heivly Street, as well as repairs on the College Drive bridge-originally slated to begin this fall-will more than likely be postponed until spring 2026. The bridge and intersection projects fall under the massive 2-year Heivly Street project, which includes utility construction, crosswalks, repaving, a roundabout at Heivly/ River/Claiborne, and the addition of a pedestrian pathway connecting Claiborne Street to the Trout Run Trail. Substantial completion of the project is required by August 1, 2027, to align with the opening of the new elementary school, which will be constructed on Claiborne Street across from the Decorah Municipal Building. (Photo by Denise Lana) Additionally, a new pedestrian crosswalk — including crossing signals and push buttons — will be installed, and the city’s oldest traffic signal switch will be replaced.

The projected costs include the repair of Fifth Avenue at some point in the future. Work there will include the removal of barriers and a right turn lane as well as the installation of a

new curb and gutter, in addition paving work.

The bridge will remain open during construction, but traffic may be restricted at times.

Winneshiek County 4-H announces 2025 scholarship recipients Winneshiek County 4-H recently announced the recipients of the 2025 Winneshiek County 4-H Scholarship. Organizers said this year’s honorees have demonstrated outstanding commitment, leadership and growth through their involvement in the 4-H program. Winneshiek County 4-H Youth Development Committee members congratulated recipients at the 2025 4-H/FFA Livestock Auction at the Winneshiek County Fair. The 2025 scholarship recipients were (front row, left to right) Samantha Williams, John Donovan, Addison Wicklund, Kinsey White, Derek Tieskoetter, Emily Myers, Kelsey Timp, Izzy Kuboushek, Grace Baker and Caylie Adam. Not pictured are recipients Kaden Barton Franzen, Ruby Timp and Karmyn Bakken. (Photo submitted)

Dean to hold writing Winneshiek County 4-H static exhibits advance to state fair workshop, author talk

Wisconsin author Tamara Dean will visit Decorah for two special events, exploring writing, sustainability and living in harmony with the land. The events are sponsored by the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation with support from ArtHaus, Pulpit Rock Brewing and Dragonfly Books.

Dean will lead a writing workshop entitled “Writing from a Changing Place” at 4 p.m.

Sunday, July 27 at the ArtHaus studio, located at 107 W. Broadway in Decorah. A suggested donation of $10 per person will go to ArtHaus for use of their space, and copies of Tamara’s book, “Shelter and Storm: At Home in the Driftless,” will be available for purchase through Dragonfly Books.

Participants in “Writing From a Changing Place” will be invited to use writing as a way to honor and reconcile with landscapes undergoing change.

Through guided exercises and discussion, Dean will help writers of all levels depict beloved places in vivid, compelling ways while exploring adaptations and futures that connect ourselves to our surroundings.

Dean will be joined by local author and literary advocate Keith Lesmeister at 7 p.m.

Monday, July 28 at Pulpit Rock

Brewing Company — 207 College Dr. in Decorah — for an evening of conversation, reading, Q&A and book signing.

The free event will center on Dean’s latest book, “Shelter and Storm,” which chronicles her efforts to live sustainably amid the environmental crises of the early 21st century.

Dean has been camping, fishing, hiking, and gathering wild foods from an early age, and her essays and stories have been published in “The American Scholar,” “The Georgia Review,” “the Guardian,” “One Story,” “Orion” and “The Progressive.” She teaches writing independently and through writing centers across the nation. Lesmeister, author of “Mississippi River Museum” and “We Could’ve Been Happy Here,” co-directs the Luther College Writers Festival, teaches writing and literature at Northeast Iowa Community College and is a 2023–2025 Rural Regenerator Fellow through Springboard for the Arts.

These events are part of the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation’s ongoing author event series, which brings writers of all genres to northeast Iowa to lead conversations about literature and writing.

St. Ann - St. Joseph Catholic Church

HAM + CHICKEN DINNER SUNDAY, JULY 27, 11am - 1pm

Menu: Baked Chicken (gluten free),

Baked Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Corn, Salad, Dinner Roll + Dessert RAFFLE

CASH & OTHER ITEMS

Tickets

ADULTS: $15 10 & UNDER: $6 5 & UNDER: FREE

DINE IN or CARRYOUT

307 W. Orange St., Harpers Ferry, IA

Winneshiek County 4-H hosted Static Judging Day on Wednesday, July 2 leading up to the 2025 Winneshiek County Fair. Judges evaluated 351 4-H exhibits, 80 Clover Kid exhibits, and five Pet Show entries.

The Bucket of Junk, Bucket of Tall Corn, Upcycle Flower Planter and Iowa Cut Out contests entries were evaluated, and the top three entries were recognized.

A total of 45 4-H exhibits evaluated on Static Judging Day were selected to advance to the 2025 Iowa State Fair. Exhibits which were selected will be on display Aug. 7-17 in the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair.

Youth advanced to the Iowa State Fair in the areas of agriculture and natural resources, creative arts, family and consumer science, personal development, and science engineering and technology.

2025 State Fair and Alternate State Fair honors were awarded to:

Agriculture and natural resources Emma McFarlane - State Fair Conservation, Environment and Sustainability Jadrienne Langreck - State Fair Veterinary Science Rylee Averhoff - State Fair Animal Science Karmyn Bakken - Alternate State Fair Veterinary Science Anders Wicklund - Alternate State Fair Animal Science Holden Monroe - Alternate State Fair Home Grounds Improvement

Creative arts Ellie Brincks - State Fair Photography Henry Lensing - State Fair Photography Hayley Baker - State Fair Photography Kelsey Timp - State Fair Photography Lauren Holthaus - State Fair Photography Jordan Sims - State Fair Photography Natalie Holthaus - State Fair Photography Karmyn Bakken - State Fair Photography Genevieve Melcher - State Fair Photography Brinley Linderbaum - Alternate State Fair Photography

Kelsey Timp - Alternate State Fair Photography Caylie Adam - Alternate State Fair Photography: Alexander Holthaus - State Fair Visual Arts Jaylah Dodd - State Fair Visual Arts Jayden Timp - State Fair Visual Arts Jadrienne Langreck - State Fair Visual Arts Henry Lensing - State Fair Visual Arts Jadrienne Langreck - State Fair Visual Arts Jayden Timp - Alternate State Fair Visual Arts Natalie Holthaus - Alternate State Fair Visual Arts Cloey Zweibohmer - Alternate State Fair Visual Arts Family and consumer science Brinley Lechtenberg - State Fair Child Development Silas Miller - Alternate State Fair Child Development Isabella Koenig - State Fair Sewing and Needle Arts Haylee Dahl - State Fair Sewing and Needle Arts Karissa Steines - State Fair Sewing and Needle Arts Karissa Steines - State Fair Sewing and Needle Arts

Congratulations to the Porter House Museum on their new exhibit room! Pictured are Porter House representatives with chamber members Nic Wilz, Marcia Madrigal, David Robinson, and Ray Rinkol.

507 W. Water St., Decorah 563.382.3990 decorahareachamber.com

Kelsey Timp - Alternate State Fair Sewing & Needle Arts Anelise Courtney - State Fair Food and Nutrition Henry Schmitt - State Fair Food and Nutrition Jadrienne Langreck - State Fair Food and Nutrition Henry Schmitt - State Fair Food and Nutrition Addison Wicklund - Alternate State Fair Food and Nutrition Adam Schmitt - Alternate State Fair Food and Nutrition Karmyn Bakken- State Fair Health Rylee Averhoff - State Fair Home Improvement Kelsey Timp - State Fair Home Improvement Harrison Schmitt - State Fair Home Improvement Addison Bentley - State Fair Home Improvement Eden Scheidel - State Fair Home Improvement Jadrienne Langreck - State Fair Thrifty Meal Challenge Personal development Karmyn Bakken - State Fair Self Determined Karmyn Bakken - State Fair Leadership Caylie Adam and Ruby Timp State Fair Leadership Addison Wicklund - State Fair Leadership Annika Schmelzer - Alternate State Fair Leadership Kinsey White - Alternate State Fair Leadership Karmyn Bakken - State Fair 4-H Poster Communication Addison Wicklund - State Fair 4-H Poster Communication Anders Wicklund - Alternate State Fair 4-H Poster Communication Science, engineering and technology Ryker Brincks - State Fair Woodworking Matthew Donovan - State Fair Woodworking Myles Green - State Fair Woodworking Kaden Kuboushek - State Fair Woodworking Paxton Brincks - State Fair Woodworking Anders Wicklund - Alternate State Fair Woodworking Clayton Kuboushek - Alternate State Fair Woodworking Jayden Timp - Alternate State Fair Woodworking

COMMUNITY

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Community briefs Questers to host antique show during Nordic Fest

The Day Spring Questers, a local historical preservation group, will sponsor an antique show during Nordic Fest. The show will be located at 106 E Water St. between the Hotel Winneshiek and Mabe’s Pizza. Antique dealers will showcase a variety of antiques and collectibles, some with Scandinavian styling. The Day Spring Questers will also have a booth, where they will sell items which have been donated by their members. All profits will be donated to the Winneshiek County Historical Society for their shutter project. The antique show will take place 6-8 p.m. Thursday evening, as well as from 9 a.m .to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Bargain seekers track the deals during Ridiculous Day Despite early-morning showers Saturday, shoppers were out early for deals, sales and clearance items at downtown Decorah businesses during the annual Ridiculous Day event. TOP: Kim Bonnet at Rubaiyat in downtown Decorah helped shoppers with gift card purchases and many special wine deals. A wine display at Rubaiyat featured some “ridiculous” deals.

RIGHT- Siri Steven shows off some of the Ridiculous Day bargains at The Getup, the “gently-loved” sustainable boutique on Water Street.

BOTTOM RIGHT- Beth Eggert displays a number of Ridculous Day sales at Jenny Wren Gifts on Water Street. BOTTOM LEFT- Libby Rolfs stands behind the counter at Modish, helping Kelsey Seabrooke with her Ridiculous Day purchases Saturday morning. (Photos by Roz Weis)

Cookbook to celebrate 100 years of 4-H in Winneshiek County

Local 4-H organizers are seeking recipe submissions for a cookbook celebrating 100 years of 4-H in Winneshiek County. Submissions are due by Aug. 1 and may be completed on a submission form available at bit.ly/100Winn4-H. Recipes may also be dropped off at the Winneshiek County Extension Office. Those interested in reserving a copy of the cookbook may also do so through the same link. Organizers hope to have the cookbooks printed in time for Christmas this year.

Questions may be directed to the Winneshiek County Extension Office at 563-382-2949.

WinnMed Auxiliary book sale to benefit Reach Out and Read

Milestones

90th birthday card shower 50th wedding anniversary Brad Hanson is turning 90

years old on Aug. 2. Please help wish Brad a happy birthday by sending cards to Bradley Hanson, 911 Ridgewood Dr., Apt. 214, Decorah, IA 52101.

Larry and Roxanne Hauber are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 2. They are the parents of Chris Hauber, Rachel Hauber, Keith Hauber, Chad Hauber and Kerry Tantillo.

Chamber Ambassadors welcomed Brent Willis - Financial Advisor at Principal Financial Group at 328 Washington Street.

Pictured at the ribbon cutting ceremony are Brent and his family with Financial Advisor Jeff Ulferts (Cedar Rapids), Regional Manager Clint Hinderaker (Cedar Rapids), and Chamber Ambassadors Adam Baker, Tade Kerndt, Amanda McIntosh, Chris Hick, Heather Benzing, Marcia Madrigal, Joanie Rollins and Dallas Steffen.

507 W. Water St., Decorah 563.382.3990 decorahareachamber.com

The WinnMed Auxiliary will be hosting a used book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19 in WinnMed’s lower-level conference rooms.

The Auxiliary is accepting donations of used books through Aug. 8 for the sale. Donations may be made at WinnMed’s main entrance or by calling Karla Bakken at 563-387-3036.

All genres of books are welcome. The sale will support Reach Out and Read, a national non-profit which partners with clinicians and “leverages the well-child visit, using books and shared reading to support caregivers in fostering early literacy and healthy relationships with infants and young children.” The WinnMed Auxiliary’s used book fundraiser will provide funds to purchase new books for families with young children who receive care at WinnMed. For more information about Reach Out and Read visit reachoutandread.org. For more information on the WinnMed Auxiliary, call Bakken in the Volunteer Services Department at 563-387-3036.

Registration for WinnMed Auxiliary card marathon opens next month

Both men and women are invited to join the WinnMed Auxiliary’s afternoon card marathon. The deadline for registration is Aug. 8. Bridge and 500 will be played from September through May. The cost is $10 per person or $20 per couple — couples are asked to register as such. Participants will play with a different couple each month.

Registrations may be sent to Gerry Sorenson at 502 Sunrise Blvd., Decorah, Iowa 52101.

Participants may also call 3822669 to register. Schedules will be mailed out in late August, and play will begin in September.

Hunter education course to be offered in Calmar

Winneshiek County Conservation staff will lead a hunter education course from 1-5 p.m.

Aug. 5 and 6 at the Calmar Fire Station. Participants must attend both days in full and pass the final test to receive certification. Registration is required, and space is limited.

Sign-up may be completed online through the Iowa DNR by visiting license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/Event/ViewEvent.aspx?id=3471. Hunter education is a required program to obtain an Iowa hunting license. The course is designed to introduce students to life-long skills, including basic survival, first aid training, water safety, wildlife identification, basics of wildlife management, hunting laws and firearm/archery safety. Hunter education courses also stress the importance of individual responsibility and outdoor ethics.

Learn more at www.winneshiekwild.com or by calling 563534-7145.

North Winneshiek churches to host joint worship and potluck

Rural north Winneshiek County churches will be hosting a joint worship service and potluck dinner on Sunday, July 27, at the Highlandville School in Highlandville. The multi-congregational service will begin at 10 a.m., which will be followed by the potluck meal, fellowship and children’s activities. The public is welcome to attend, and attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chairs, table service and a dish for the potluck. Grilled hotdogs, brats and hamburgers will be provided.

The purpose of the event is to enjoy old-fashioned fellowship while raising funds for local food pantries and the ELCA Young Adult in Global Mission.

The service will feature several hymns, a community choir and a special guest speaker who served as a young adult global missionary in Madagascar. Participants are invited to sign up for a door prize upon arrival. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held inside Big Canoe Lutheran Church’s fellowship hall.

Robey Memorial Library to host info session on pet adoption

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon invites the community to attend an informative session on pet adoption with “Homeward Bound: Pet Adoption Basics” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31 in the library’s lower level community room. The session is part of the library’s Live and Learn series.

The event, presented by the Northeast Iowa Humane Society, covers essential aspects of pet adoption, including the adoption process itself and available volunteer opportunities. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear success stories from local community members. Attendees will also discuss practical considerations, such as adoption costs, ongoing expenses and beginning care.

Registration is recommended but not required. For more information or to register, contact Robey Memorial Library at (563) 568-4424 or visit waukon.lib.ia.us.

WinnMed offering free Welcome to Medicare seminar

WinnMed will host a free “Welcome to Medicare” seminar from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5. The in-person, twohour seminar, offered by the WinnMed Senior Health Insur-

A-9

ance Information Program — or SHIIP — counselors, will be held in WinnMed’s lower-level conference rooms. The free seminar will cover Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, the prescription drug benefit — or Part D — Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplement insurance and Medicare fraud, errors and abuse. Participants should park in Lot E and enter through the E-1 door on the WinnMed campus. Registration is required by Monday, July 28.

Please register online at WinnMed.org/events or by calling 563-387-3036.

Fall registration for Decorah United Soccer Club Announces open

Registration for the Decorah United Soccer Club’s upcoming fall soccer season is open until July 31. Youth players of all skill levels are invited to join. Programs are available for players ages 4-18. New this fall, the club will also be offering training for high school age players during the week as well as an optional Sunday training session for students in grades seven through 12 who are enrolled in school athletics during the fall season. The fall season will kick off Aug. 25 and run through Nov. 8, with weekly practices and training sessions.

Competitive games may start as soon as Sept. 6 for U7 to U15 teams. Registration may be completed online at decorahunitedsoccer.com/club-progam.

lowa Airstream Club to hold August rally in Spillville

The lowa Airstream Club will hold a rally Aug. 8-9 in Spillville’s Riverside Park. The club holds monthly rallies around lowa during warm-weather months, and organizers said the August rally will be the first to be held in the region for many years — it is also the first to be held in Spillville.

Members will tour the Bily Clocks/Antonin Dvorak museum in Spillville and Vesterheim Museum in Decorah before touring Toppling Goliath Brewery in Decorah, where members will also have lunch. Saturday evening, club members will gather at the Riverside Park Shelter House 2 for a potluck meal with smoked pork provided my Spillville Mayor Paul Wermers. lowa Airstream Club is affiliated with Airstream Club International, which was founded 70 years ago by Wally Byam. Byam led International Caravans for Airstream travel trailer owners, including “around-the-world” caravans and caravan trips across all of North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Public invited to Dinosaur Detectives

Families are invited to dig into science during Dinosaur Detectives, a hands-on assembly program presented by the Science Museum of Minnesota. This event will take place at both 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5 at the Decorah Public Library mezzanine. Registration is required, and space is limited to 100 participants per session. The program is geared toward elementary-aged students and their families.

Through interactive demonstrations and fossil exploration, participants will uncover how paleontologists use evidence to learn about creatures that roamed the Earth millions of years ago. To reserve a spot in one of the sessions, visit or contact Decorah Public Library. For more information, visit decorahlibrary.org/events.

PUBLIC NOTICES/CLASSIFIEDS/NEWS

A-10 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT, IN AND FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY (JUVENILE DIVISION) IN THE INTEREST OF L.F. A Child.

JUVENILE NO. JVJV002028 NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY HEARING [CHILD IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE] TO: Putative Father YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a Petition alleging that the child named above is a child in need of assistance has been filed in the office of the clerk of juvenile court for the above-captioned county. A true copy of the Petition is attached hereto and made a part hereof.

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Court has entered an Order setting an ADJUDICATORY HEARING (CINA) and a Temporary Removal Hearing on the merits of the Petition on August 6, 2025 at 1:30 pm, in the designated Juvenile Courtroom of the Winneshiek County Courthouse in Decorah, Iowa.

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the child must be represented by an attorney and guardian ad litem, which may be the same person. The Court has appointed an attorney and guardian ad litem to represent the child.

If the parent has or will retain an attorney to represent the child as attorney and guardian ad litem, that attorney should be notified immediately. If the child is then represented by counsel retained by the parents and the Court determines there is a conflict of interest between the child and his parent, guardian or custodian and that retained counsel could not properly represent the child as a result of the conflict, the Court shall appoint other counsel to represent the child and set a hearing to determine payment for attorney fees to be assessed to the parent.

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that a parent, guardian or custodian in a child in need of assistance proceeding has the right to be represented by counsel at all hearings subsequent to the filing of a Petition. If you wish to privately retain counsel, you should immediately notify the attorney of these proceedings. If you desire representation but you cannot afford to hire and attorney, you should immediately contact the Clerk of the abovenamed Court and request from and file with the Clerk an Application for Appointment of Counsel and Financial Statement. If you are determined to be indigent, the Court may appoint counsel for you at minimal or no cost to you.

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that upon your request, the Clerk shall issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of papers at the adjudicatory hearing.

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the adjudicatory hearing may take place without your presence if you fail to appear after reasonable notification. If you wish to state your views to the Court, you must appear in person or by attorney or the Court may rule against you.

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that in the event the Court places a child in foster care, the child’s parent or guardian may be liable for all or a portion of the cost of foster care. Foster care includes all out-of-home placements except the State Training School at Eldora, the State Juvenile Home at Toledo, or the Mental Health Institute at Independence. The Iowa Department of Human Services will notify you of the amount of any recommended parental liability for the cost of foster care and there exists an administrative procedure if you object.

If you need assistance to participate in Court due to a disability, call the disability coordinator at (319)833-3332. Persons who are hearing or speech impaired may call Relay Iowa TTY (1-800-735-2942). Disability Coordinators cannot provide legal advice.

THIS CASE HAS BEEN FILED IN A COUNTY THAT USES ELECTRONIC FILING. You must register to eFile through the Iowa Judicial Branch website at https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/Efile and obtain a log in and password for filing and viewing documents in your case and for receiving service and notices from the court.

• For general rules and information on electronic filing, refer to the Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16 Pertaining to the Use of the Electronic Document Management System, available on the Iowa Judicial Branch website.

• For court rules on the Protection of Personal Privacy in court filings, refer to Division VI of the Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16.

• If you are unable to proceed electronically, you must receive permission from the court to file in paper. Contact the clerk of court in the county where the petition was filed for more information on being excused from electronic filing.

Iowa Judicial Branch Case No. JVJV002028 County Winneshiek You must file your Appearance and Answer on the Iowa Judicial Branch eFile System, unless the attached Petition and Original Notice contains a hearing date for your appearance, or unless the court has excused you from filing electronically (see Iowa Court Rule 16.302).

Register for the eFile System at www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/Efile to file and view documents in your case and to receive notices from the court.

For general rules and information on electronic filing, refer to the Iowa Rules of Electronic Procedure in chapter 16 of the Iowa Court Rules at www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ ACO/CourtRulesCourtRu/16.pdf.

Court filings are public documents and may contain personal information that should always be kept confidential. For the rules on protecting personal information, refer to Division VI of chapter 16 of the Iowa Court Rules and to the Iowa Judicial Branch website at www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/ representing-yourself/protect-personal-information/.

Scheduled Hearing: If you need assistance to participate in court due to a disability, call the disability access coordinator at (319) 833-3332. Persons who are hearing or speech impaired may call Relay Iowa TTY (1-800-735-2942). For more information, see www.iowacourts.gov/forthe-public/ada/. Disability access coordinators cannot provide legal advice.

Date Issued 07/01/2025 08:48:07 AM District Clerk of Court or/by Clerk’s Designee of Winneshiek County /s/ Sarah Trimble Decorah (Iowa) Leader July 17, 24 & 31, 2025 Board Minutes July 7, 2025 The Board of Supervisors met at 9:30am July 7, 2025 with Kelsay, Vick, Langreck, Vermace, and Faldet present. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited, and the meeting was called to order.

Mike Weis, County Engineer Assistant, met with the Board to give updates on road projects.

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Kelsay to approve the low bid of $79,770 by River City Paving for the County Road B32 project.

Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Vermace and seconded by Faldet to approve the consent agenda which includes the minutes of the last meeting, the claims filed with the Board, and to accept and file the monthly report of the County Recorder.

Motion carried unanimously.

Kelsay reviewed the Iowa Workforce Development proposed re-organization plan.

Moved by Kelsay and seconded by Faldet to proceed with the re-organization as proposed.

Motion carried with Kelsay, Vick, Langreck, and Faldet voting aye; and Vermace abstaining.

The Board discussed rental rates, expenses, and revenues at the Community Services Building. More discussion is expected at a future meeting.

Krista VandenBrink, Public Health Director, discussed space use and possible alternative storage areas. She also gave an update on the Advisory Committee that is working on the service delivery options for Public Health services. She expects a report from the Board of Health to the Board of Supervisors after the Board of Health August meeting.

Kim Murphy, Iowa Public Information Board, presented a training on Open Meetings and Public Records.

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Vick to adjourn to 9:30am Monday, July 21, 2025.

Motion carried unanimously.

ATTEST Benjamin D Steines, County Auditor Daniel Langreck, Chair Board of Supervisors Claims 07-07-2025 General Basic Fund AcenTek, Internet Service................. 511.78 AireSpring, Telephone Service.......... 414.96 Alliant Energy, Utilities................... 5587.56 Amazon Capital Services, Supplies.2105.18 Anderson Law Office,

Legal Services.............................. 3445.00 AT&T Mobility, Cellular Service.... 1088.83 Thomas Benda, Services...................575.00 C & D Oil Services, Services............ 255.00 Casper Plumbing & Heating, Inc, Services........................................ 1343.80 Cost Advisory Services, Inc, Services........................................ 4450.00 Court View Place LLP, Payment..... 2000.00 Croell Inc, Materials............................ 91.00 Culligan, Services..............................240.43 Decorah Ace Hardware, Supplies......441.78 Decorah Leader, Publications............ 289.33 Decorah Tire Service, Services......... 302.00 Drilling All Season Sports, Supplies...74.40 Valerie Erickson, Mileage.................177.80 Fareway Stores, Supplies................1458.63 John Fels, Reimbursement.................. 25.00 Fisk Farm & Home Inc., Supplies.......15.89 FMC Landfill, Services................... 5530.15 Galls, LLC, Supplies....................... 1870.00 Kayla Hageman, Reimbursement........25.00 John Halverson, Reimbursement.........25.00 Headington Repair, LLC, Services....980.27 Sally Herold, Mileage....................... 370.30 Howard’s Tire & Repair, Services.....775.45 Huber’s Store, Supplies.......................36.37 ImperialDade, Supplies..................... 393.06 Iowa DOT, Supplies..........................105.48 Iowa Prison Industries, Supplies....... 850.07 Iowa State Assoc Of Counties, Membership.................................. 6300.00 Ian Kemp, Services...........................506.00 Ethel Barbara Krueger, Services.........66.77 LA Communications, Inc, Advertising.....................................272.00 Leon’s Auto Repair, Services............454.00 Dr. Kevin Locke, Services................. 300.00 MacQueen, Equipment....................5751.03 Mail Services, Services.....................900.55 Martin Bros. Distributing, Supplies.1492.09 Marv Smith Electric, LLC, Services........................................ 1111.34 Nancy Marx, Services.........................50.00 MiBroadband, Services.....................210.00 Midwest Automatic Fire, Inspection.....................................1053.50 Midwest Computer Brokers, Inc., Services........................................1697.80 MiEnergy Cooperative, Utilities.......217.90 Brian Muth, Reimbursement............... 82.49 NE IA Comm Action, Services.......1921.41 Netsmart Technologies, Inc., Maintenance Agreement...............3446.71 Nomic Networks, Inc, Services..... 15111.00 North Slope Estate’s LLC, Rental.......84.00 Quadient Leasing USA, Inc., Lease Agreement............................978.66 Mary Raatz, Mileage...........................66.50 Racom Corporation, Services............586.00 Ricoh USA Inc, Services.................1050.00 Sanitation Resources, Inc, Services...722.50 Schilling Supply Company, Supplies........................................1008.26 Barb Schroeder, Reimbursement......... 54.83 Schumacher Elevator, Services......... 287.98 Timothy Smock, Reimbursement........25.00 Gordon Snitker, Reimbursement......... 25.00 Solutions Inc., Services................. 44763.20 State Medical Examiners Office, Services........................................ 2047.00 Ben Steines, Reimbursement............... 25.00 Storey Kenworthy, Supplies................ 67.24 John L. Storkamp, Reimbursement.....25.00 Sutton’s Car Wash, Services..............123.80 The Iowa Sportsman, Advertising.....300.00 The Spectrum Network, Payment....................................257500.00 Thryv, Advertising............................... 21.00 UniFide CST Scale Systems, Services..........................................523.67 Krista Vanden Brink, Mileage...........105.00 Morgan Walsh, Mileage...................... 83.30 Windstream, Telephone Service..........88.39 Wright Way Computers, LLC, Services........................................8012.93 Wright Way Trailers, Equipment... 16349.90 American Rescue Plan Winn Co Treasurer, Services....... 187966.67 General Supplemental Fund CIOIA, Inc, Insurance Fee............ 12000.00 Gessner Law Office, Legal Services.342.00 Herman Law Office, Legal Services.............................. 1379.60 ICAP, Insurance...........................392745.52 IMWCA, Insurance.........................5566.00 Winn Co Auditor, Postage................. 160.93 Winn Co Treasurer, Services..... 1219589.87 Rural Services Basic Fund Column Software PBC, Publications.129.43 Decorah Auto Center Inc, Services...178.23 Decorah Leader, Publications..............25.04 Everest Property Group, LLC, Site Rent......................................... 100.00 Tony Phillips, Reimbursement..........134.20 Van Diest Supply Company, Supplies........................................4372.00 Winn Co Auditor, Postage.................135.68 Winn Co Landfill, Fees....................2007.46 Secondary Road Fund AcenTek, Telephone Service.............265.66 Alliant Energy, Utilities..................... 845.15 Amazon Capital Services, Supplies.. 208.11 Arnold Motor Supply, Parts.................44.99 AT&T Mobility, Cellular Service......464.22 Black Hills Energy, Natural Gas Service.......................... 52.53 Bodensteiner Implement Company, Services........................................1520.50 Bruening Rock Prod, Materials...870564.28 Carquest Auto Parts, Parts...............1638.76 Central Service & Supply, Inc, Supplies..........................................883.83 City of Fort Atkinson, Roads...........2553.37 City of Ossian, Utilities......................... 5.77 City of Ridgeway, Utilities.............. 8086.58 City of Spillville, Road Use Tax.... 11259.58 County Materials Corp, Materials.33156.04 Croell Inc, Materials........................1377.50 Culligan, Services................................29.50 DeBauche Truck & Diesel, Parts.......675.55 Decorah Tire Service, Services.........732.65 Don’s Truck Sales, Inc, Equipment................................ 270846.51 Dust Busters Dust Control, Services.415.00 GeoSource Inc, Services.................2905.00 Hovden Oil Co, Fuel.......................8635.53 Huber’s Store, Supplies.......................61.20 Iowa DOT, Payment......................21034.00 Iowa Prison Industries, Signs........ 15928.60 Landon Kuennen, Reimbursement...... 20.00 Mabel Co-op Telephone, E911Service......................................98.57 Preston McCabe, Reimbursement.......20.00 MiBroadband, Services.....................169.08 Perry Novak Electric, Inc, Services.7486.45 Roger’s Lock & Key, Services............60.00 Sadler Power Train, Parts................1525.45 Sanitation Resources, Inc, Services...170.00 Shuck-Briston Inc., Services...........3579.75 Star Equipment LTD, Equipment....2006.33 Tri State Doors, LLC, Services....... 9046.00 Truck Country of Iowa, Services..... 1895.04 Winn Co Auditor, Postage................... 61.33 Co Conserv Capital Improv Fund Barb Schroeder, Reimbursement....... 335.53 County Assessor Agency Fund AT&T Mobility, Cellular Service........41.27 Riley’s Inc, Supplies............................99.90 Vanguard Appraisals, Services...... 11285.10 Winn Co Auditor, Postage.................551.68 E911 Surcharge Fund AcenTek, E911 Service.....................512.66 Alliant Energy, Utilities.....................172.89 American Tower Corporation, Rental........................................... 2009.04 Mabel Co-op Telephone, E911 Service...................................120.08 Mainstay Systems of Iowa LLC, Services..........................................185.00 Northeast Security Bank, Loan Payment...........................161617.32 Power Services Company, LLC, Services........................................2645.21 Emergency Management Comm Amazon Capital Services, Supplies.... 11.99 AT&T Mobility, Cellular Service...... 132.55 Capital One, Payment........................181.32 CentralSquare Tech, LLC, Service Contract...........................9536.65 Decorah Ace Hardware, Supplies........ 13.77 Midwest Card & ID Solutions, Supplies..........................................319.70 NE Iowa Metalworks, Inc., Equipment.................................. 13208.00 Racom Corporation, Services...... 913721.04 US Geological Survey, Services....21980.00 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service............ 14.04 Winneshiek Co Health Ins Fund Midwest Group Benefits, Health Insurance........................... 4337.77 Grand Total................................ 4661916.82 Decorah (Iowa) Leader July 24, 2025 RIDGEWAY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES July 15, 2025 The Ridgeway City Council met in regular session July 15, 2025, at the Ridgeway Community Center, at 5:45 p.m. with Mayor Pro Tem Linderbaum calling the meeting to order.

Council persons present were: Linderbaum, Engelhardt, Novotny, and Hauber. Absent: None.

Engelhardt made a Motion to approve the consent agenda, minutes, and claims, seconded by Novotny. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Engelhardt, seconded by Hauber to approve a building permit submitted by Winneshiek County Habitat For

Humanity to move a house onto the property at 555 County Street, Ridgeway, Iowa. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

Lucas Elsbernd from Fehr Graham was present to discuss the progress of the wastewater improvement project. He discussed some options to fix the problem with cell number two and will be at the next council meeting with more information and to discuss the matter further.

A Motion was made by Novotny, seconded

by Engelhardt to approve and adopt Resolution 7-15-2025, A Resolution Approving the 28E Agreement Between the City of Ridgeway and the City of Spillville for Library Services. A Roll Call Vote was taken: Hauber-yes, Engelhardt-yes, and Novotny-yes.

Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Novotny, seconded

by Hauber to approve the following bills to be paid out of the City Special Events Bank account at CUSB Bank. Ness Pumping Service $2,840.00, Driftless Marketplace $3,550.00, City Laundering $2,317.79, and Cresco Shopper $1,003.20. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Hauber and seconded by Engelhardt to remove Sue Schnur’s name as an authorized signature on all bank accounts, cds, and the safe deposit box for the City of Ridgeway at C US Bank including: the Business checking account, the Special events account, the Betterment account the Vet account, the Cemetery Bank Account, all CDs and the safe deposit box signature cards.

All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

The deadline for appointment a new Mayor was discussed.

A Motion was made by Hauber, seconded

by Novotny to approve the Amendments made to the new three year contract with Shimek Sanitation. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Engelhardt, seconded by Novotny to put $25,000.00 from the funds in the City of Ridgeway Betterment Account at CUSB into a six month CD. At the end of the six months, it will be decided to renew the CD for another six months or have the money deposited back into the Ridgeway Betterment Bank account at CUSB. All aye.

Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Engelhardt, seconded by Hauber to put $30,000.00 from the funds in the City of Ridgeway Special Events Account at CUSB into a six month CD. At the end of the six months, it will be decided to renew the CD for another six months or have the money deposited back into the Ridgeway Special Events Bank account at CUSB. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Hauber, seconded

by Novotny to approve the fund accounting journal entries. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

New work request forms for the maintenance man were presented and handed out to the council.

The maintenance man report was given.

A discussion was held regarding the Maintenance Man’s annual raise. A Motion was made by Novotny, seconded by Hauber to increase the Maintenance Man’s hourly wage by $.80 per hour equaling $26.60 per hour.

His paid vacation time, paid sick time, paid holidays, comp time, and his pay of $500.00 per month for health insurance will remain the same. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A discussion was held regarding the Clerk’s annual raise. A Motion was made by Hauber, seconded by Novotny to increase the Clerk’s hourly wage by $1.18 per hour equaling $24.75 per hour. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

The next City Council meeting will be August 12, 2025, at 5:45 p.m. at the Ridgeway Community Center.

Hauber made a Motion to adjourn, seconded

by Novotny. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.

Sharla Berns City Clerk WARRANTS FOR CITY OF RIDGEWAY – July 15, 2025 Alliant Energy, Utilities................ $3,411.20 Anderson Law Firm, Legal fees 5/1/25/-5/20/25.............$50.00 Black Hills Energy,Utility -shop.......$54.56 Cardmember Services, Shop-postage and supplies.........................................$580.95 City of Spillville, Library Services.$757.76 Cresco Fire Safety, Fire Extinguisher Updates............ $274.05 Dan Pitz, Insurance & phone reimbursement.............................. $550.00 Driveway Specialists, Street patching......................... $24,865.00 Engen Express, Shop fuel ...............$208.79 Enterprise Media, Publishing ......... $110.00 Farmers Win Co-op, Roundup – shop .............................$80.80 Hawkins, Chemicals........................$654.97 Iowa Association of Municipalities, Member Dues...............................$679.00 Iowa DNR, Annual Water Supply Fee...............$29.90 Mabel Telephone, Shop$108.98, Office$104.90,Hall$35.70............$249.58 Microbac, Lab tests.........................$128.75 Iowa DHS, Child Support payments............... $745.35 Iowa Inspection and Appeals, Gambling License–event................$16.50 IPERS, Ipers................................. $1,338.13 National Rural Water, Water meter loan autopayment..... $385.07 Pat Sands, Com. Cen. Cleaning....... $240.00 Payroll.......................................... $6,051.53 Payroll tax.................................... $1,775.85 Postmaster, Utility billing & office postage................................$577.00 Ridgeway Fire Department, Annual Pay................................$6,000.00 Sharla Berns, Reimbursement ........$100.00 Treasurer – State of Iowa, Sales tax........................................$653.52 Treasurer-State of Iowa, Withholding Quarterly tax.........$1,448.73 Shimek Sanitation, Garbage......... $2,202.30 Winneshiek County Sheriff, 28E Agreement................................. $1.00 Expenditure Accounts Summary to date: General Fund................................$9,945.67 Community Center..........................$431.02 Cemetery.........................................$100.00 Road Use.................................... $26,124.89 Water Fund...................................$1,913.69 Sewer Fund................................... $3,300.44 Revenue Accounts Summary to date: General Fund................................$2,343.27 Community Center............................$60.00 Road Use Tax............................... $9,822.51 Local Option Sales Tax Water Fund...................................$3,101.34 Sewer Fund................................... $6,105.22 Decorah (Iowa) Leader July 24, 2025 PUBLIC NOTICE City of Decorah, Iowa PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO EXISTING LEASE FOR COMMUNICATIONS TOWER The Decorah City Council will hold a public hearing on August 4, 2025, at 5:45 p.m. local time in Council Chambers at Decorah City Hall to hear comments for and against the proposal to amend an existing lease for communications tower.

WHEREAS, the City of Decorah, Iowa (“Landlord”) and Northeast Iowa Telephone Company (“Parent Company”) entered into that certain Site Lease With Option, dated November 6, 2000 (the “Lease”) for the “Premises,” located at 1005 Park Street Decorah, IA 52101, comprised of approximately 625 (25’ x 25’) square feet, and located within the following legal description: Lot 1 of 2 and Lot 2 of 2 of the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 21, Township 98 North, Range 8 West, City of Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa; WHEREAS, with the consent of Landlord, Parent Company and NEIT Properties, LLC (“Tenant”) (a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent Company) entered into that certain Assignment and Assumption of Lease Agreement, dated November 1, 2007, (the “Tenant Assignment”) by which Parent Company assigned to Tenant all of its right, title and interest under the Lease, and Tenant assumed all of Parent Company’s obligations and liabilities under the Lease; and WHEREAS, the City Council has directed publication of notice of the proposed amendment, as set forth below.

1. That the proposed First Amendment to Site Lease with Option includes, among other things, the following amendments to the Lease: a. Amends the size of the Premises of the lease area to approximately 627 square feet (22’x28.5’); b. Adds additional renewal terms to the Lease so that if the Lease is in effect on December 17, 2030, it shall automatically renew for five (5) additional five (5) year terms (each an “Additional Renewal Term”), unless Tenant provides written notice to Landlord at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the then-current

Additional Renewal Term. Unless terminated earlier, the Lease shall terminate on December 17, 2055. During an Additional Renewal Term, the terms and conditions will be the same as in the Agreement, except that rent shall be increased by ten percent (10%) of the rent paid over the preceding term, and except as otherwise provided in this Amendment; c. Tenant shall have the right to upgrade a fence on the perimeter of the lease area and the right to install an approximately 4’ x 4’ concrete pad and electronics cabinet on the Premises; d. Landlord approves Tenant’s sublease of a portion of the Premises to Upper Midwest Wireless, LLC , an affiliate of Tenant (“UMW”), which sublease is subject to the terms of the Lease; and (ii) Tenant may assign that sublease to a third party that acquires substantially all of the assets of UMW; and e. Landlord approves Tenant’s sublease of a portion of the Premises to NEIT Services, LLC, an affiliate of Tenant, which sublease is subject to the terms of the Lease.

2. That a full copy of the proposed First Amendment to Site Lease with Option between Landlord and Tenant is on file with the City Clerk for public inspection.

3. At said time and place, comments will be received at the public hearing by the City Council on the question of proposal to convey an interest in City owned real estate.

This notice is published at the direction of the Decorah City Council.

Keri Sand, City Clerk-Finance Officer Decorah (Iowa) Leader July 24, 2025 IN THE MATTER OF THE AMENDED & RESTATED E. JANE PAPE REVOCABLE TRUST DATED OCTOBER 8, 2015 NOTICE OF TRUST To all persons regarding E. Jane Pape, deceased, who died on or about June 5, 2025: YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Mary Madden is the Trustee of the Amended & Restated E. Jane Pape Revocable Trust dated October 8, 2015.

Any action to contest the validity of the Trust must be brought in the District Court of Winneshiek County, Decorah, Iowa, within the later to occur within four (4) months from the date of second publication of this notice, or within thirty (30) days from the date of mailing this notice to all heirs of the decedent settlor and the spouse of the decedent settlor whose identities are reasonably ascertainable.

Any suit not filed within this period shall be forever barred.

Notice is further given that any person or entity possessing a claim against the trust must mail proof of the claim to the trustee at the address listed below via certified mail, return receipt requested, by the later to occur of four (4) months from the second publication of this notice or thirty (30) days from the date of mailing this notice if required, or the claim shall be forever barred unless paid or otherwise satisfied.

Dated this 17th day of July, 2025.

AMENDED & REVISED E. JANE PAPE REVOCABLE TRUST DATED OCTOBER 8, 2015 Mary Madden, Trustee 10747 E Whitehorn Scottsdale, AZ 85262 ATTORNEY FOR TRUST: Daniel L. Fretheim ANDERSON, WILMARTH, VAN DER MAATEN, FRETHEIM, EVELSIZER OLSON, NOBLE, LYNCH & ZAHASKY 212 Winnebago P.O. Box 450 Decorah, IA 52101-0450 (563) 382-2959 dan.fretheim@andersonlawdecorah.com Date of second publication: July 31, 2025 Decorah (Iowa) Leacder July 24 & 31, 2025 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING JURISDICTION OF CITY OF DECORAH Decorah Athletic Complex Project Public Hearing on Proposed Contract Documents and Estimated Costs for Improvement.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: You are hereby given notice that a public hearing will be held by the City Council of Decorah on the proposed contract documents and proposed improvements for the Decorah Athletic Complex Project at its meeting at 5:45 P.M. on August 4, 2025, at City Hall in Decorah, Iowa.

The public hearing may be attended virtually using the meeting information provided in this notice and as posted in the City of Decorah City Council agenda.

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/85928863917?pwd=axnxT2bw4AQYjn8rbjCPiWbefCvg6N.1 Meeting ID: 859 2886 3917 Passcode: 495437 The scope of the project includes construction of ball fields, bleachers, pickleball courts, parking lot - General site improvements include landscaping, utilities, infiltration basin and site restoration.

The project location(s) is as follows: Lot owned by the City of Decorah, East of 1798 Old Stage Road and West of 1766 Old Stage Road; all in the City of Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa.

At the meeting the City Council will consider the plans, specifications, cost estimate, and contract proposals. The City Council will also act upon the contract proposals and decide whether to enter into a contract for the project improvements.

Any person(s) interested may attend the meeting for the purpose of expressing their opinion regarding the plans, specifications, cost estimate, or the contract proposals.

This Notice is given by authority of the City of Decorah.

Keri Sand, City Clerk-Finance Officer Decorah (Iowa) Leader July 24, 2025

Nordic Fest continued from front harbor. The sloop arrived after a grueling 14-week journey from Stavanger, Norway. The small ship had set sail July 4, 1825 - jammed with 52 passengers, often referred to as “the Sloopers.” Immigration for economic opportunity was prevalent, but there were also religious dissenters. Encouraged by reports of religious liberty in America.

This arrival of the Restauration was just the first in a large wave of Norwegian immigration.

Within a century, more than 800,000 Norwegians followed to the U.S. Their story of endurance and transformation is a bold one, inspiring generations today.

In Decorah, fest-goers will be able visit Vesterheim Restauration Plaza, which will feature a white stone outline marking the exact size and shape of the Restauration. To honor this anniversary of the voyage, families are invited to stand inside the outline and imagine making the same three-month journey across the ocean, with no cabin, no privacy – just hope and courage.

“Norwegian heritage is strong in the Decorah community, and we are excited to commemorate the 200th anniversary of that first crossing and the crossings that followed, at this year’s Nordic Fest,” said Nordic Fest President Cole Steffens.

Let the fest begin Live entertainment, food, artistic demonstrations, displays, sporting events, a parade and other events fill the schedule for this year’s three-day fest.

Opening ceremonies will commence at 6:45 p.m. Thursday in front of the county courthouse in Decorah. A pair of 2025 Nordic Fest honorees will be honored during the ceremonies – Grand Marshal Diane Ott-Whealy, an advocate for preserving agricultural heritage and fostering community; and Skal recipient Dave Smutzler, a dedicated public servant and fest supporter. The opening ceremonies will also feature the presentation of Scandinavian flags and bunad — or Norwegian folk costume — as well as performances by the Nordic Dancers and Orchestra, the Luren Singers and the introduction of the 2025 Nordic Fest Board.

Entertainment A multi-talented group of performers are scheduled to perform throughout the weekend.

Musical headliners taking stages under the three canopies situated along Water Street will include the Driftless Jazz Ensemble and JayR Brink Band on Thursday; Avey Grouws Band, Hutenanny, Inga Entheos, Jason Busniewski, Kismet Rendezvous, Maritza, Michelle Pta-

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cek, Mike Munson Trio, Rebels Without Applause, Weary Ramblers, Bad Dog 20/20, Driftless Jazz Ensemble, Crater City String Band, the Foot-Notes and Grassrun Bluegrass Band on Friday; and Drew Peterson, Javier Trejo Y Caballo Cosmico, John Till, A Little Too Short to be Stormtroopers, Marques Morel, Billy Bronsted, the Nola Jazz Band, Norwegian Bachelor Farmers, Tenessee Stiffs, Too Old Cat, Ezra Harman-Wood & Mack McElree and the Foot-Notes as well as Helen and her five-piece band on Saturday.

Sporting events Competitors in numerous sporting competitions of strength, stamina and endurance will take their marks at the fest again this year.

Friday’s highlight in the sports arena is the Kanolopet canoe race from the Pulpit Rock Campground to the Twin Bridges in eastern Decorah. A bags tournament will be held at the Decorah Middle School Field on Friday and Saturday.

The Elvelopet 5K run/walk and 15K will begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Decorah City Hall. The Nordic Rock Throw will follow the parade at approximately 1 p.m. near John Cline Elementary School. The lutefisk eating contest is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the courthouse square.

Festers participating in the three Saturday events — the Evelopet, the Rock Throw and the lutefisk eating contest — will have their results combined for a total score as part of the Ultimate Nordic Triathlon competition.

Youth activities From rides on the Troll’s Trolley — often known as Pokey Pete — to balloon art, caricatures, fishing games, coloring and crafts, young people attending the fest will be kept busy all weekend long.

A children’s entertainment tent will be set up on Winnebago Street and will feature several performances by Elsa of Arendelle from Disney’s Frozen, as well as the Jolly Pops, Kiddie Rave with BJ Bigstinkies, the Laura Ernst Stunt Show and Mr. Taylor Sings, a children’s performer, songwriter, musician and children’s librarian. Times for all of the youth events are listed in the official Nordic Fest program.

Food The savory treats and snacks offered during Nordic Fest are among the most popular items within the many booths set up in Decorah’s downtown area.

Joining the list of traditional Scandinavian favorites, such as lefse, rosettes, kringla, sandbakkels, krumkake, varme polse and rommegrot, are some new features, including Nordic Knots — giant pretzels — and cotton candy.

Food will also be available at St. Benedict’s parish hall, the Luther College cafeteria, the Decorah Fire Department and the VFW. Specific times and offerings are listed in the festival’s official program.

Vesterheim events Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum will be open daily for tours, special exhibitions, demonstrations of traditional Norwegian folk art and more. A long list of entertainers and artisans will be featured on the Vesterheim campus throughout the fest.

This year’s lineup includes Borderless Arts Tennessee, Erik Sessions and Joshua Vorvick, Janette Dragvold, Rochester Flute Choir, Skjaldborg Viking Encampment, Sylvsmidja, Dale Goodman, Darlene Fossum-Martin, Dave Ellingsen, Jennifer Kovarik and a traditional Norwegian Hymn Sing event.

Official Nordic Fest programs are available in the Decorah Visitor Center or online at nordicfest.org

CLASSIFIEDS/NEWS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Ernst to discuss latest Hanneke Bauer mystery novel

Environmental council continued from front with the Harkin Institute, said the study will be focused on environmental risk factors related to cancer.

Iowa has the second-highest rate of cancer per capita in the country, according to information from The Harkin Institute. The institute said Iowa is also one of only two states in the country with an increasing cancer rate. Information shared during last week’s listening session said more than 5 percent of Iowans are cancer survivors, and an estimated 21,200 new cases of cancer are expected to be diagnosed among Iowans in 2025 — a total greater than the current population of Winneshiek County. About 140 of those are expected to occur in Winneshiek County, according to organizers at last week’s meeting. They said Winneshiek County ranks 98th out of Iowa’s 99 counties in terms of cancer deaths, with an average of 112 deaths per 100,000 people each year — the national average sits at approximately 148. However, presenters said Winneshiek County also ranks 78th out of the 99 counties in terms of new cases of cancer per year — about 464 per 100,000, or more than 36 cases above the national average.

Tim Wagner of Decorah told the group he and his four siblings grew up on a farm in north-central Iowa. He said his sister Vicki retired in 2013 and was diagnosed with what he called aggressive bladder cancer approximately three months later. He said his sister underwent multiple surgeries as well

as chemotherapy, but her symptoms persisted.

“After about a two-hour examination, the doctor came out to the family, and he just shook his head,” Wagner recalled. “He said, ‘We’ve run out of tools.

There’s nothing we can do.’”

His sister ultimately passed away in 2016.

Wagner was contacted by the Iowa Environmental Council a few months later, and he was asked to review a study, which he said found a strong correlation between drinking water containing 5 milligrams of nitrate or less and the instances of certain cancers — such as bladder cancer — among approximately 35,000 post-menopausal women in Iowa. Information from Iowa State University said nitrogen is used in agriculture to boost crop productivity. The Iowa Environmental Council claims Iowa has a decades-long history of nitrate pollution in its rivers, lakes and groundwater “due to intensive farming practices and animal feeding operations.”

Wagner said he had to take a long walk after reading the study’s findings.

“I grew up on a farm — grew up thinking we were doing what we were supposed to do,” Wagner said. “And to suddenly realize that maybe this was partially what might have been responsible for my sister’s death, it was very hard-hitting for me. No one can prove that this is what caused my sister’s death, and I’m not going to stand up here and say that I know for certain, but it’s hard for me to ignore

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Tim Wagner of Decorah shared the story of his late sister’s cancer diagnosis during Thursday’s listening session. Wagner said he can’t be sure his sister’s cancer was caused by environmental factors on their farm, but he tries to keep himself informed on topics related to cancer in agriculture. (Photo by Seth Boyes) this kind of information.”

Jonathan Lawrence, education program director with the Iowa Farmers Union, said his organization has advocated for sustainable farming practices to protect the state’s natural resources and the well-being of its rural communities.

“Cancer is not just some distant, somewhere-over-there public health issue,” Lawrence said. “It’s a personal one for many of us. Too many of our farmer members, neighbors and loved ones have been affected, and we’re especially concerned about the rise in cancer rates in rural Iowa and potential links to agricultural chemical exposure. At the same time, we recognize that herbicides and other crop-protection tools are an essential part of many farmers’ operations. Farmers rely on these tools to be both safe and effective. That’s why we believe it’s so important that chemical products go through rigorous, transparent, scientific testing and regulatory approval.”

Lawrence went on to say the ability of Iowa’s farmers and other residents to legally hold what he called “negligent actors” accountable for the effects of their products should be protected. State legislation was introduced this year, which stated pesticides with labels issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would be considered to have sufficiently warned

users of the product’s affect on health and safety — such as cancer. The bill was approved in March by vote of 26-21 in the Iowa Senate, but it failed to progress in the Iowa House.

Wagner said he can’t be sure the nitrate levels in his sister’s drinking water caused her cancer — he noted she was one of the few members in his extended family to have developed cancer in recent memory. But he said he continues to keep himself informed on information about cancer and agriculture.

“We’ve got to keep talking about it,” Wagner told last week’s audience. “We’ve got to keep talking to our policy makers and leaders — local, state, governor, everybody — because we should be taking better care of ourselves and our planet than what we are doing.”

The remainder of the Iowa Environmental Council’s listening session schedule includes a stop in Waterloo on Aug. 12 and Tama on Aug. 13. A statewide virtual listening session is also scheduled for Aug. 14 and can be accessed online at iaenvironment.salsalabs.org/cancervirtuallistening/index.html.

FOR SALE For Sale: 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom house in Spillville. Call for showing. 563-419-5262. 28-7-LD-8

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GARAGE SALE Outdoor gear including backpacks, travel bags, and hiking poles. Clothing brands: Patagonia, Columbia, North Face, REI, Marmot, Spyder and many more. 217 Hilltop Dr. Decorah. Fri. July 25, 8am-5pm.

Sat. July 26, 8am-5pm. Sun. July 27, 9am-noon. 30-2-DL-2 Moving Sale: Friday and Saturday of Nordic Fest (July 25 and 26).

10:00-2:00 both days. 621 North Street in Decorah. Woodcarving tools, books, assorted items. Cash sales. 30-2-DL-2

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Author Kathleen Ernst will give an author presentation and Q&A session followed by a book signing at 1 p.m.

Friday, July 25 at the Viking State Bank Community Room, located at 321 W. Water St. in Decorah. The public is invited to this free event sponsored by the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation, with support from Viking State Bank and Dragonfly Books.

In Ernst’s book “A Most Perilous Journey,” Wisconsin widow Hanneke Bauer — a German immigrant and fervent abolitionist — steps into the shadows of the Underground Railroad, and agrees to help shepherd a Negro woman on her journey from slavery to freedom. She soon learns, however, that nothing could have prepared her for the perils waiting along the journey.

Ernst is a social historian, educator and bestselling author of more than 40 books, including mysteries, historical fiction,

poetry and non-fiction. Her latest work is part of the Hanneke Bauer historical mystery series about a newly arrived German immigrant, while her popular Chloe Ellefson mysteries feature a museum curator who uses her historical knowledge to solve present-day crimes.

Ernst has also written 20 children’s books for American Girl.

Her work has earned numerous honors, including an Emmy Award, multiple Agatha and Edgar nominations, a Lovey Award and recognition from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Council for Wisconsin Writers. She lives in Stoughton, Wisconsin, with her husband Scott and feline muse Eliza.

This event is part of Dragonfly Books and the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation’s author event series, which brings writers of all genres to northeast Iowa to lead in conversations about literature and writing.

Law Enforcement Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office Possible minor injuries were reported after a single-vehicle rollover last week along Quandahl Road. A report from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office said 22-year-old Dillon Michael Shives of Newton was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado north in the 1100 block of the road and “got too close to the edge” before “getting pulled into the ditch.” The report described the ditch as steep and said the Silverado rolled and struck a tree. Shives and a 21-yearold female both sustained minor injuries, according to the report, and were able to climb out of the vehicle. Damage to the Silverado was estimated at $4,500, and damage to a Yamaha TTR 230 dirt bike the truck was carrying was estimated at $500. Shives was cited for failure to maintain or use safety belts.

Dakota Troyna, age 23, of Decorah was arrested and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16 for failure to serve jail time. Information from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office said Troyna was transported from the Fayette County Jail and is to serve two consecutive days.

Dalton Hagen, age 27, of Cresco was arrested and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at approximately 8:09 p.m. Wednesday, July 16 on two warrants for violation of probation. Information from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office said he was transported from Cresco.

Amanda Swartzentruber, age 37, of Elma was arrested and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at approximately 10:23 p.m. Wednesday, July 16 on an arrest warrant for failure to appear. Information from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office said she was transported from Cresco.

Josie Swartzentruber, age 38, of Elma was arrested and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at approximately 10:23 p.m. Wednesday, July 16 on an arrest warrant for failure to appear. Information from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office said she was transported

from Cresco.

Possible minor injuries were reported following a rollover last week along Sand Road. A report from the Winnshiek County Sheriff’s Office said 26-year-old Kristen Diane Fravel of Waukon was driving a 2001 Ford Escape east along the road and failed to negotiate a curve before entering the east ditch. The report said the Ford briefly became airborne and rolled over upon landing. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $6,000.

Fravel reported back pain and was transported to WinnMed by ambulance. The report said the 26-yearold was driving too fast for the conditions but did not list a specific citation.

Loren Trappe, age 56, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 1:15 p.m. Friday, July 18 to serve two consecutive days.

Timothy Jon Dierks, age 33, of Decorah was charged with assault, child endangerment and first-degree harassment at approximately 5:58 p.m. Sunday, July 20 in the 3100 block of Highway 52. Court records said Dierks was arguing with a property manager and deputies reported Dierks appeared intoxicated. A criminal complaint said Dierks went to bed before law enforcement left the scene, but they were called back a short time later.

Court documents said Dierks had grabbed the leg of a juvenile male and had threatened to kill him. The juvenile locked himself inside his room, and Dierks allegedly kicked the door while making additional threats.

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To apply send resume to Trinity Lutheran Church, 116 W. Wilbur St., Hawkeye, IA 52147.

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NEWS

A-12 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

The prescribed retraction

Nearly 100 individuals gathered in support of Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx along the road near Xpedition Archery in Decorah, which Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird visited on July 14. Bird announced four days later she had decided to dismiss the case she had filed against Marx earlier that year, following a statement he made in February regarding the enforcement of immigration law. (File photo)

Case dismissed continued from front immigration enforcement under our written policies. Attorney General Bird has informed Winneshiek County that the lawsuit is no longer necessary, given compliance with Iowa code section 27A. After the face-to-face meeting, Attorney General Bird dismissed the state’s lawsuit.”

The sheriff went on to thank the community for its supporting him during the legal process.

“I am reminded daily of what a privilege it is to serve as your sheriff,” Marx said in a statement Monday. “Our county is full of ‘salt-of-the-earth’ people — honest, hardworking and reliable. You have consistently supported me and my office through numerous situations throughout the years. You have remained steadfast, resilient and engaged, and our county is stronger for it. I am humbled and blessed to serve the good people of Winneshiek County and thank you for your continued trust, support and friendship.”

The claims The lawsuit centered on a statement the sheriff had written on Feb. 4 in response to local concerns over potential immigration enforcement actions — the sheriff’s statement was posted to his office’s Facebook page and submitted to area news outlets for publication. The sheriff said in his statement that he views the use of non-judicially vetted detainers by agencies like the FBI or Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a violation of citizens’ rights under the Fourth and Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

“The only reason detainers are issued is because the federal agency does not have enough information or has not taken the time to obtain a valid judicial warrant,” Marx wrote.

Marx’s statement also expressed his office’s willingness to assist in verifying the legitimacy of any paperwork federal agents may have. However, Marx said, if a federal agent’s paperwork falls outside what he called constitutional parameters, “then we will make every effort to block, interfere and interrupt their actions from moving forward.”

The attorney general’s office looked into the complaint it received from Gov. Reynolds and concluded in a report released March 26 the sheriff had violated state law. Bird’s office instructed the sheriff’s office to remove the post by 5 p.m. that same day and replace it with a statement Bird had prepared.

County officials offered to replace the post with language which had been submitted to Bird’s office during the investigation, according to Winneshiek County Attorney Andrew Van Der Maaten, but that offer was declined. Bird’s office filed the lawsuit later the same day.

“Sanctuary counties are illegal under Iowa law,” Bird said in a statement the following day. “Sheriff Marx was given the chance to retract his statement, follow the law and honor ICE detainers, but he refused — even at a cost to his home county. He left us with no choice but to take the case to court to enforce our laws and ensure cooperation with federal immigration authorities.”

The sheriff’s office had removed the post as of March 27 in what a subsequent message called a demonstration of good

faith, but Bird’s office later claimed doing so was insufficient to prevent the matter from going to court.

The outcome Attorneys defending Sheriff Marx argued in previous filings that Bird’s lawsuit was “nothing more than thought policing,” and they cited Bird’s own investigation to show Marx has complied with each of the 21 detainer requests ICE has submitted to his office since November of 2018 — previous state law required local law enforcement agencies to formalize policies relating to the enforcement of immigration law

by Jan. 1, 2019. The sheriff’s attorneys also argued Iowa law does not allow Bird to require specific speech from the sheriff to rectify an alleged violation.

“The remedy the attorney general asks for — a public apology and retraction of his statement — is nothing more than an attempt to unconstitutionally compel Sheriff Marx’s speech,” the defense wrote in a June 27 filing. “Just as the First Amendment safeguards the right to speak freely, it also protects the right to refrain from speaking at all.”

Bird had claimed Marx was acting in his official capacity as an elected official when he released the Feb. 4 statement, and she argued the statement was not guaranteed protection as free speech under the First Amendment.

“Just as the state can prevent its attorneys from speaking about pending cases, so too can it prevent sheriffs from giving opinions about the constitutionality of immigration law and stating they will interfere with attempts to enforce detainers,” state prosecutors wrote in a June 6 filing.

Marx’s defense team countered in a later filing, saying Bird and the governor are both elected officials and “would likely bristle at the notion that they cannot take a stand on public issues to represent their constituents.” More recently, the defense cited Wood v. Georgia — a 1962 case in which the U.S. Supreme court found Bibb County Sheriff James Wood was unjustly cited for contempt by a district court after the sheriff released a statement criticizing a county judge whom the sheriff believed was contributing to the suppression of Black voters. The judge had instructed a grand jury to “investigate alleged bloc voting by Negroes and the rumored use of money by political candidates to obtain their votes.” Wood had released a statement, “urging citizens to take notice when their judges threatened political intimidation and persecution of voters under the guise of law enforcement.”

The Supreme Court overturned the lower court’s decision, saying Wood “had the right to enter the field of political controversy.”

“The role that elected officials play in our society makes it all the more imperative that they be allowed freely to express themselves on matters of current public importance,” the nation’s highest court decided.

Bird announced her decision to drop the lawsuit against Marx approximately three weeks after the defense renewed its request that a Polk County judge dismiss the case. Her announcement also came less than a week after dozens of area residents gathered on July 14 to express

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird previously instructed Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx to delete a statement posted to his office’s Facebook account on Feb. 4 and replace it with a statement prepared by Bird’s office in order to avoid a lawsuit which might jeopardize the county’s access to state funds. The original post was removed March 27 in what the sheriff’s office described as a show of good faith, but Bird’s office felt the post’s removal was insufficient to prevent the matter from going to court. Bird announced Friday she plans to dismiss the case. Marx’s original statement and Bird’s proposed statement are included below.

Sheriff Marx’s original statement - Feb. 4, 2025 People of Winneshiek County, With the recent news, chatter and happenings surrounding federal agents from three letter agencies including ICE, FBI and others, I have fielded a fair number of concerns about their tactics and questions regarding the level of involvement or role the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office would play during such a visit or operation. Given what we have seen from these agencies, I share your mistrust and many of your concerns with the legitimacy of how these federal agents conduct business. Hopefully, the following helps clear things up as to my position and the role of my office in these situations.

The elected sheriff (sheriff’s office) serves as the chief law enforcement officer/peace officer of each respective county.

You can (and should) always contact us, or the respective sheriff’s office of the county you are in, to help navigate these situations should you find yourself or others in an encounter with any federal agents. We are always willing to assist with verifying credentials and the legitimacy of any paperwork federal agents should have to make certain your rights are not being abused.

Our sole oath and allegiance are to the Constitution and the protection of an individual’s rights. Therefore, if the fed’s actions and paperwork are within constitutional parameters (such as proper and valid judicial warrants/court orders) we will assist if needed or requested to ensure their actions are carried out professionally and in the least intrusive fashion possible.

If their actions or paperwork are not within constitutional parameters (such as non-judicially vetted “detainers,” which are very different than warrants and are simply an unconstitutional “request” from ICE or other three letter federal agency to arrest or hold someone), then we will make every effort to block, interfere and interrupt their actions from moving forward.

The only reason detainers are issued is because the federal agency does not have enough information or has not taken the time to obtain a valid judicial warrant. Simply put, they are not sure they are detaining the right person and need more time to figure it out. For the person who could be held erroneously (or determined to be someone other than who ICE is seeking), there is a gross violation of rights at hand. Specifically, these detainers are violations of our 4th Amendment protection against warrantless search, seizure and arrest, and our 6th Amendment right to due process.

You may say, “Those who entered our country illegally are not US citizens and, therefore, are not afforded constitutional rights!” But what if the person being held is a US citizen who happens to have the same name or shares other similarities with the subject of the detainer? Are you willing to sit in jail or a federal prison on an unconstitutional detainer with no right to due process until ICE clears your name? Or, if it were you or a loved one falsely arrested and/or detained, would you feel differently?

My office’s actions and involvement will solely be based on constitutional standards. They will not be based on opinions, politics or emotions.

Bottom line – due to my long-time stance on not recognizing detainers, I have acquired two labels from opposing political parties – both intended to negatively impact my reputation as sheriff. The first is “Sanctuary Sheriff” and the second is “Constitutional Sheriff.” Regardless of labels that others impose on me, I am uninterested in political agendas or propaganda stunts by either side. My job is to be fair, impartial, just and constitutional. Period. That is what I have done and will continue to do.

Thank you for your continued trust and confidence in me and my office to protect and defend your rights and freedoms.

Respectfully, Sheriff Dan Marx Attorney General Bird proposed statement - March 26, 2025 People of Winneshiek County, The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office fully complies with all state and federal law. We cooperate with ICE, FBI and others under both state and federal law. Iowa law requires full and complete cooperation with federal immigration authorities. We follow that law. We will always comply with ICE detainers and, at least since Nov. 26, 2018, we have done so. This post serves as formal revocation of my earlier Feb. 4, 2025, post.

Since we adopted our official policy that we will comply with ICE detainers, we have complied with all 21 ICE detainers that ICE has made with our office. We will continue to comply with every ICE detainer request made in Winneshiek County.

On Feb. 4, I posted a message on Facebook that implied we would not fully comply with state and federal law. I have deleted that message, which I disavow. It was wrong. It made many incorrect statements regarding my office’s policies on ICE detainers. This message explaining that the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office has always complied with every single ICE detainer made and will continue to comply, as required by both state and federal law, replaces that message.

My office has a long-time stance on recognizing and complying with ICE detainers. We will continue to do so.

Respectfully, Sheriff Dan Marx support for Sheriff Marx outside a Decorah business which Bird was touring.

“Given that Winneshiek County has now fully complied with 27A, the state law prohibiting sanctuary cities and counties from receiving taxpayer funds, the state is dismissing the lawsuit to enforce 27A,” Bird said in a July 18 statement.

“Winneshiek County and Sheriff Marx are in compliance with 27A. They have committed to continue to honor ICE detainers and cooperate with federal immigration authorities.”

The Iowa Attorney General’s Office declined to provide further comment as to which specific actions taken by the sheriff, his office or the county may have brought the county into full compliance after the lawsuit was filed. Van Der Maaten said he is unaware of any changes in county policy, but he noted the Feb. 4 post was taken down the day after the lawsuit was filed.

“Beyond that, the county’s been continuing to follow the policy that it’s followed since 2018,” Van Der Maaten said.

South Winn adding the estimated $19.1 million project was soon estimated at roughly $23 million.

Einck said South Winneshiek’s school board chose to allow time for the economics of the situation to stabilize, while also working to lower the school’s tax rate and build up cash reserves before proposing another bond for the building improvements.

“We’ve been buying a bus or two the last few years, maintaining our transportation fleet, and so we were in a position where we could kind of back off and try to start putting some of that money away in anticipation of this project,” Einck said.

The district has put aside approximately $2 million of its own funds for the project, and school officials plan to seek voter support for a $13 million bond to help fund what is expected to be a $23.5 project.

The remainder of the necessary funding is expected to come from the state’s Secure an Advanced Vision for Education — or SAVE — funds as well as the school’s Voted Physical Plant and Equipment — or VPPEL — levy, which Einck noted is collected from tax payers, regardless of whether the upcoming bond measure is approved.

As part of the expected bond proposal, the district will be requesting approval for an additional $2.70 in property taxes to be collected per every $1,000 of assessed value, which will place the total tax rate at $15.03 — that amount is 9 cents more than the rate property owners in the district were paying in 2012 when the school made its final payment on a bond approved in the 1990s to improve both the elementary/middle school in Ossian and portions of the high school building.

Einck said South Winneshiek doesn’t have the bonding capacity to build an entirely new school, and he said attempting to pay for the upgrades with the school’s existing funds would leave the district unable to regular yearly expenses and unexpected costs.

“I think, to strategically place our district in a strong point moving forward, this is what we need to do,” Einck said of the upcoming bond referendum.

“We’re at the point where, to really best serve our students, we need to make an investment again.”

Portions of South Winneshiek’s current high school are about a century old — dating back to the 1930s. Other portions were constructed in the 1960s, while the newest portions were updated in the 1990s — Einck pointed out the additions and improvements to the building were each spaced about 30 years apart, and this fall’s proposal would fit the pattern.

The district’s current plans call for upgrading the 100-yearold portions of the structure, allowing the Calmar school building to largely remain within its current footprint. Einck said some of the building’s oldest portions are no longer efficient.

The building still uses a steam boiler, which Einck said is completely outdated today. The district plans to install a new HVAC system, which the superintendent said will be more efficient and will result in decreased maintenance costs. He also pointed out the current building’s large study hall is capable of seating nearly a quarter of the high school’s student body — a need which was better suited to past generations, the superintendent said. Einck said the planned renovations will create two new classroom wings, and a number of collaborative spaces for students.

“We don’t have those big study halls anymore,” Einck said. “It’s more about being efficient. It’s more about providing collaboration areas for the kids, especially between the different disciplines. It’s about being more efficient with time.

A hundred years ago – heck, 30 years ago – high school kids weren’t taking college courses,

continued from front

not during the high school day.

That’s happening a lot. We have kids that are graduating simultaneously with their high school diploma and their associate degree. So, it’s making a learning environment that better suits the 21st century.”

The new academic spaces are expected to include a STEAM — or science, technology, engineering, arts and math — wing as well as a humanities wing, which will focus on language arts, foreign language and social sciences. The renovation project also calls for a large student cafeteria commons area, which Einck said will accommodate a single lunch shift which in turn will provide more flexibility in student schedules. The district also aims to construct an additional, competition-sized gym with a walking track and new locker rooms as well as a new wrestling room and weight room — the walking track and weight room are expected to be available to the public.

Einck said he sees the additional gymnasium as a critical component of the project, noting the state’s Upper Iowa Conference is now expected to include a dozen school districts, as the Northeast Iowa Conference prepares to dissolve. Einck said the high school’s current gym will remain intact and be used as an auxiliary gym space.

“This allows us to run games simultaneously, therefore students can get home earlier at night,” he said.

The superintendent went on to say the larger gymnasium space will also allow more of the South Winneshiek’s competitions to be played at home.

“We’ve gotten to the point where some of our events have gotten so large we can no longer host them, so we have to go outside the district to different venues,” Einck said.

He stressed that, while students may not be learning stereotypical school subjects like math and geography in the gymnasium, important lessons are learned there.

“As far as your character, your integrity, learning work ethic, building friendships and that team camaraderie, and that discipline of listening to your coach or running through your drills, those are things that are life-long lessons and experiences that students and kids will use forever,” Einck said.

Einck said he expects the proposed renovations will help South Winneshiek remain an attractive option for the area’s students and families, which he said has been shown to help support local economic growth.

“While this is a good building and it functions, there’s not a lot of curb appeal here,” Einck said. “Again, whether we like it or not, we are competing against our neighbors for students, because there’s a lot of open enrollment in and out – and I’m not talking just South Winn. I’m talking all of our districts. So to provide that state-of-the-art facility and provide the best education possible is absolutely paramount.”

Petitions are currently circulating to place the bond referendum language on a future school board agenda — about 123 signatures are required, but the district hopes to collect at least 150. The signatures must be submitted to the school board secretary by Sept. 3, at which point the board is expected to place the matter on its Sept. 8 agenda. The district would then have until Sept. 19 to request the question of a bond be added to a ballot. The referendum will likely be placed on the Nov. 4 ballot.

If the vote is successful, Einck said district officials would spend the spring and fall of 2026 collaborating with interested parties and school employees to develop design elements. The district hopes to break ground on the project in the summer of 2027, with completion projected ahead of the 2028-2029 school year.

PHOTOS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

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Winners announced in debut Driftless Photography Contest The debut of the Driftless Photography Contest at the Winneshiek County Fair saw 56 entries. Jorgen Lee-Juve won the grand prize for her photo taken in rural Decorah. Her image was entered in the Driftless Wild category. The contest was sponsored by the Decorah Leader newspaper with assistance from The Perfect Edge Custom Framing and Art Gallery of Decorah.

Driftless Wild Nicole Schnitzler earned first place for her image of a horse in a pasture

under a colorful sky on Scenic River Road near Bluffton.

Lucas Rocksvold’s Driftless Wild entry featuring an insect on a flower and was named the runner-up in the Driftless Wild category.

Destination Driftless Nicole Schnitzler’s photo of the scenic Driftless area near Bluffton under a September sky won first place in the Destination Driftless category.

Michael Floy’s photo featuring the bridge at Dunning’s Spring Park in

Lucas Rocksvold’s Driftless Wild runner-up entry

January was runner-up in the Destination Driftless category.

Portraits and People of the Driftless A child digging into their Whippy Dip ice cream cone was the feature of Amy Grinna’s first place photo.

Kaitlin Kempel’s photo of a child on the farm in autumn was runner-up in the portraits category.

Watch for more photos in future publications and in the Driftless Shopper.

Jorgen Lee-Juve grand prize entry

Nicole Schnitzler’s Driftless Wild first-place entry

A little bling in the ring

Influencer Ryan Rash serves as guest cattle judge during county fair

A bleach blond, figure quietly made his way around a dusty Iowa show barn, which is otherwise typically filled with cattle and youngsters clad in plain dress shirts, jeans and cowboy boots.

Ryan Rash, of Crocket, Texas, served as guest judge of the Northland Classic competition held Wednesday, June 9, at the Winneshiek County Fair. A

livestock influencer and podcast host who gained online notoriety for using his “glitter slap” to mark the winning animal, Rash has judged competitions in 48 of the 50 United States.

The audience watched as Rash — clad in a vibrant neon pink tropical print shirt tucked into a pair of jeans held up by a bedazzled belt — studied the

cattle lined up before him. He chose the top bovine with a flick of his wrist and spoke into the microphone as he explained his selection — using phrase like ‘she’s the best looking, the best built, proportionally correct, presented exceptionally well.’

Rash also emphasized the importance of supporting youth in the cattle industry during one Guest Judge and livestock influencer Ryan Rash indicated his selection during the Northland Classic Beef Show at the Winneshiek County Fair.

of his online videos. He says, when judging a handler, he looks for eye contact and confidence.

“When you hit the gate, I want to know you’re in it to win it,” Rash said in the video, stressing the importance of being calm, smooth and presenting an animal to the best of one’s ability.

This year’s event at the Winneshiek Count Fair included dozens of exhibitors from age 5 to 21 years old.

NOW HIRING PART-TIME CLINIC COORDINATOR

The Decorah Community Free Clinic is seeking an RN/LPN or medical administrator for part-time work (10-12 hours per month) as the Clinic Coordinator.

26-12-DL-12

See Decorah Community Free Clinic FB site for full job description.

Send resume and letter of interest to: decorahfreeclinic02@gmail.com

A number of young exhibitors led their animals around the arena during the beef show on July 9.

Congratulations7

A-14 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Decorah Vikings NORTHEAST NO RTHEAST IOWA CONFERENCE

CHAMPS Members of the Decorah baseball team which went 16-0 in the Northeast Iowa Conference to win the league are pictured above (front, l-r) Landyn Quandahl, Patrick Gallagher, Nick Lowery, Nathan Wymer, Cash Riehle, Gavin Knutson, Clarence Nimrod; (middle) assistant coach Ryan Tyler, Keaton Riehle, Aiden Helgerson, Mason Avila, Austin Helgerson, Kasen Tyler, Caden Hubka, Elliot Berland, Carter Riley, head coach Alec Zwanziger; (back) assistant coach Josh Fenske, Trevor Kuennen, Ethan Kuennen, Henry Brynsaas, Caleb Krieg, Brayden Wemark, Kaden Alstad, Cain Monreal-Rice, Kyan Oftedahl, Bryce Elsbernd and assistant coach Ethan Pole. (Photo courtesy of “With it being the final Tami Bohr)

year for the NEIC, this one meant a lot. The boys made it one of their goals this winter during our initial team meeting, and I couldn’t be prouder as a coach watching them accomplish something that they’ve worked extremely hard for.”

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SPORTS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

A-15

UIC softball list honors SW, TV sb players

BY BECKY WALZ SPORTS EDITOR

A combined 11 athletes from South Winn and Turkey Valley softball teams were named to the Upper Iowa Conference allleague softball team.

South Winn had seven athletes while four from Turkey Valley were recognized.

Runners hit the trail in Calmar

Dozens of locals and visitors queued up Saturday morning for Calmar’s 175th Celebration 5K race, which took them along the town’s Prairie Farmer Trail.

LEFT- 5K participants and friends Jenna Dahl, #57 Tessa Phillips, and #12 Maddy Jansen wind down with a post-race race.

First team Unanimously named to the first team were South Winn’s Britney Hageman and Abby Wagner with Turkey Valley’s Madi McDanel joining the pair.

Making it four seasons in a row with a UIC nod, Hageman posted a .328 hitting average during her senior campaign.

She led the Warriors with 38 hits, 36 RBIs and seven home runs. The right fielder also collected six doubles and two triples to earn her second straight first team honor.

Sidelined with an injury during her junior season, Wagner returns to the All-UIC first team, an honor she also received as a sophomore. The center fielder knocked out 29 hits, including nine doubles, a triple and five home runs to drive in 28. Her senior season ended with a hitting average of .305 with a slugging mark of .579 and .981 on-base percentage with seven stolen bases.

Leading Turkey Valley with a .390 hitting mark, McDanel took over at first base for the Trojans to earn her first conference honor. The junior rapped out 30 hits, including eight doubles and a pair of home runs, driving in a team-high 24 runs.

Second team South Winn’s Addison Timp, Izzy Kuboushek and Bailey Kuennen, along with Trojan senior Morgan Vsetecka were honored on the second team.

Timp, who was a first team honoree a season ago, suffered an injury late in the season, missing numerous games and dropping her to the second team. Through her 28 games, the junior posted a .342 average and .829 on-base percentage for the Warriors. The left-handed hitter produced 25 hits, 11 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.

Standing in left field for South Winn, Kuboushek manufactured 25 hits and six RBI to finish with a .294 hitting mark.

On the base paths, the senior stole five bases.

For the second year in a row, Kuennen was named to the AllUIC second team with the lowest earned run average of the conference at 2.56 and a trio of saves in the pitcher’s circle. The freshman recorded a 7-10 mark with a trio of saves and was second in strikeouts with 98.

Kuennen also got the job done in the batter’s box with 12 doubles – second best in the UIC. She topped the Warrior hitting average column at .374 and a 1.076 on-base percentage.

Trojan shortstop Morgan Vsetecka picked up her second consecutive All-UIC nod with

ABOVE LEFT- #19 Beckett Swestka, 9, and #62 Jackson Einck, were only seconds apart, both finishing the race in just over 33 minutes.

ABOVE RIGHT- #26 Levi Feickert, 15, crossed the line just seconds behind #16 Jacob Rasmussen, 12, who finished the 5K with a time of 23:41.

(Photos by Denise Lana)

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Britney Hageman Senior, SW First Team UIC

Abby Wagner Senior, SW First Team UIC

Madi McDanel Junior, TV First Team UIC

Addison Timp Junior, SW Second Team UIC

Izzy Kuboushek Senior, SW Second Team UIC

Bailey Kuennen Freshman, SW Second Team UIC

Morgan Vsetecka Senior, TV Second Team UIC

Alyssa Holthaus Junior, SW Hon. Mention UIC

Adrienne Winings Senior, SW Hon. Mention UIC

Kendall Kuennen Sophomore, TV Hon. Mention UIC

Layni Schuchhardt Senior, TV Hon. Mention UIC a .302 average, .381 on-base percentage and .419 slugging mark. The senior produced 26 hits with seven doubles, one home run and 16 RBIs. Honorable mention Two athletes from each team were recognized with honorable mentions.

For South Winn, Adrienne Winings and Alyssa Holthaus were named.

Earning her second conference nod, Winings anchored the short stop position. A switch hitter, the senior garnered 27 hits and drove in six runs.

Holthaus earned her second UIC nod as the Warriors’ third baseman. The junior manufactured 21 hits and drove in 11 runs, finishing the season with a .287 hitting average.

Turkey Valley recognized sophomores Kendall Kuennen and Layni Schuchhardt both first-time honorees.

Kuennen had 90 at-bats that turned into 27 hits including, one double and 12 RBIs. She also had a team-high of 18 stolen bases.

Schuchhardt shouldered catching duties behind the plate during her senior campaign and earned her first UIC honor. At

the plate, she had 12 hits including three doubles and drove in eight.

All-UIC softball First team – Britney Hageman, Sr., South Winn; Abby Wagner, Sr., South Winn; Sarah Dean, Sr., North Fayette Valley; Hannah Schroeder, Jr., North Fayette Valley; Addison Winters, Jr., Kee; Lilly Kolsrud, Jr., Kee; Rylee Mudderman, So., Kee; Lilah Strong, So., Kee; Madi McDanel, Jr., Turkey Valley; Audrey Ostrander, Sr., Clayton Ridge Second team – Elena Schulte, Jr., Kee; Isabelle Mettille, Jr., Kee; Alexus Rowan, Fr., Kee; Addison Timp, Jr., South Winn; Izzy Kuboushek, Sr., South Winn; Bailey Kuennen, Fr., South Winn; Kadee Batterson, Fr., North Fayette Valley; Ella Sieck, So., North Fayette Valley; Alex Kent., Sr., North Fayette Valley; Morgan Vsetecka, Sr., Turkey Valley; Kacie Picha, Jr., MFL MarMac; Hannah Scott, Jr., West Central Honorable mention – Morgan Moh, Fr., Kee; Layla Mathis, 8th, Kee; Adrienne Winings, Sr., South Winn; Alyssa Holthaus, Jr., South Winn; Lexi McGowan, So., North Fayette Valley; Peyton McElree, Fr., North Fayette Valley; Kendall Kuennen, So., Turkey Valley; Layni Schuchhardt, Sr., Turkey Valley; Amyra Millard, Sr., Clayton Ridge; Karley Wille, Jr., Clayton Ridge; Macey Tellin, So., West Central; Faith Steinbronn, Sr., West Central; Garnett Niedziejko, Sr., MFL MarMac; Autumn Shaw, Sr., MFL MarMac; Reese Berns, Sr., Central Elkader; Savannah Orr, Sr., Central Elkader; Olivia Guese, So., Postville; Carlie Knudtson, Sr., Postville

UIC baseball knocking out seven doubles a triple and driving in 15 runs.

The junior also stole 16 bases.

Stepping up to varsity action, Einck threw 24-2/3 innings amassing a 3-1 record with a 4.26 ERA and 26 strikeouts.

The freshman was effective at the plate as well with a .206 hitting average with 20 hits and 16 RBIs. For the Trojans, Rausch could be found all over the field, including the pitcher mound where he threw nearly six innings. As the lead-off batter, the sophomore had 12 hits and drove in seven runs.

H. Kruse was also a utility player for Turkey Valley, spending 21-1/3 innings on the hill.

He struck out 24 and garnered a 2-3 record with a 6.89 ERA. At the plate he connected for 13 hits and had 10 RBIs. All-UIC baseball First team – Logan Busta, Jr.,

continued from page 16 Turkey Valley; Braiden Todd, Jr., South Winn; Parker Kuehl, Sr., MFL MarMac; Ben Krambeer, Sr., MFL MarMac; Jacob Schellhorn, Sr., MFL MarMac; Carter Seitz, Sr., Kee; Brayden Darling, Sr., Kee; Jordan Cota, Sr., Kee; Kahne Bolsinger, Sr., Clayton Ridge/Central; Max Neuhring, Sr., Clayton Ridge/ Central Second team – Trey Cota, So., Kee; Dalton Mudderman, Sr., Kee; Xander Martinez, Jr., Postville; Cain Rodgers, Fr., North Fayette Valley; Nolan Sabelka, Sr., South Winn; Carver Wenthold, Jr., South Winn; JD Kruse, Jr., Turkey Valley; Braydon Gordon, Sr., MFL MarMac;

Jordan Einck Freshman, SW Hon. Mention UIC

Jaxon Millage, Sr., MFL MarMac; Mason Loan, Fr., Clayton Ridge/ Central Honorable mention – Brody Feyen, Jr., Kee; Tanner Troendle, So., Kee; Kade Humble, Sr., MFL MarMac; Jaron Wille, Sr., MFL MarMac; Eric Greve, Jr., South Winn; Jordan Einck, Fr., South Winn; Carson Ruegnitz, Jr., Clayton Ridge/Central; Seth Kregel, Jr., Clayton Ridge/Central; Jayden Rausch, So., Turkey Valley; Hunter Kruse, Jr., Turkey Valley; Kenny Kerr, Sr., North Fayette Valley; Nick Hines, Sr., North Fayette Valley; Griffin Day, So., Postville; Cedric Navarro, So., Postville

Jayden Rausch Sophomore, TV Hon. Mention UIC

Hunter Kruse Junior, TV Hon. Mention UIC

SPORTS

A-16 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

Ten Vikings named to All-NEIC list

BY BECKY WALZ SPORTS EDITOR

Ten members of the Decorah baseball team were named all-Northeast Iowa Conference baseball selections after the season. Which was the final one for the league.

First team honorees include Brayden Wemark, Kaden Alstad, Cash Riehle, Kasen Tyler, Gavin Knutson, Mason Avila and Trevor Kuennen, while Cain Monreal-Rice, Henry Brynsaas and Keaton Riehle received second team nods.

First team accolades Going 7-1 on the hill, Wemark struck out 61 opposing batters to lead not only Decorah but the conference. Throughout the season, the senior had a 1.10 earned run average, the second-best in the NEIC. Receiving his third All-NEIC nod, Alstad led the conference with a .412 batting average and put up four home runs, 12 doubles, 33 RBIs. In all, the senior had 33 hits and scored 27 runs for the NEIC champs.

C. Riehle climbed the hill for 39-2/3 innings this season and finished with a 4-1 record as he notched 23 strikeouts and had a 2.47 ERA. He was a second team selection as a junior last year.

Tyler, a freshman, was a mainstay in the Viking infield, filling a variety of positions including pitcher for 24-1/3 innings. He struck out 26 and had a 4.60 ERA during the 2025 season. At the plate, he had 31 hits, including seven doubles, and drove in 19 runs for a .341 hitting mark with a .492 onbase percentage.

Earning his first conference honor, Knutson was second for the Vikings with a .380 hitting average (fifth-best in NEIC) and a .500 slugging mark. He knocked out 35 total hits this season, finishing third in the league, along with 11 doubles, second only to Alstad.

Earning his second nod on the NEIC first team, Avila was a mainstay in centerfield for Decorah and second to step into the batter’s box each game. Of his 78 total at-bats, the junior provided 20 doubles. Avila hit .308 and had a .467 on-base percentage as he drove in 16 runs.

Stepping up from a second team nod a season ago, Kuennen was behind the plate for the Vikings. In the batter’s box the junior garnered 27 hits, including five doubles and a triple, driving in 14 runs. He finished with a slugging mark of .472 and a .375 hitting average.

Second team honorees Receiving his first All-NEIC nod, Monreal-Rice produced a .343 hitting average with 23 hits including seven doubles and 22 RBI. In his 44 at-bats, Brynsaas connected for 12 hits with a trio of doubles and drove in 10 finishing the season with a hitting average of .273 and .341 slugging ark and .772 on-base percentage.

K. Riehle made nine appearances in games for the Vikings on the hill with a 4-1 record in his 22-2/3 innings of work striking out 14 with a 1.90 ERA. NEIC all-conference First team – Brayden Wemark, Sr., P, Decorah; Colton O’Neill, Jr., P, Waukon; Carter Cajthaml, So., C, New Hampton; Jaxon Eckley, Sr., IF, New Hampton; Kaden Alstad, Sr., IF, Decorah; Cash Riehle, Sr., IF, Decorah; Kasen Tyler, Fr., IF, Decorah; James Stigler, So., IF, Waukon; Gavin Knutson, So., OF, Decorah; Mason Avila, Jr., OF, Decorah; Braxton Bundy, Jr., OF, New Hampton; Trevor Kuennen, Jr., UT, Decorah Second team – Ethan Bergan, So., P, Crestwood; Landon Marr, Sr., P, New Hampton; Aidan Skoda, Sr., C, Crestwood; Caden Rochford, Jr., IF, New Hampton; Cain MonrealRice, Jr., IF, Decorah; Noah Bergan, Fr., IF, Crestwood; Holden McInroy, Jr., IF, Charles City; Zach Perkins, Jr., IF, Waukon; Vicent Benning, JR., OF, Charles City; Henry Brynsaas, Jr., OF, Decorah; Jacob Jones, Jr., OF, Waukon; Keaton Riehle, So., UT, Decorah

Five Warriors, four Trojans named All-UIC

BY BECKY WALZ SPORTS EDITOR

A total of nine local baseball players were named to the Upper Iowa Conference all-league team recently.

First team South Winn’s Braiden Todd and Turkey Valley’s Logan Busta were unanimous selections for the UIC first team.

It is Todd’s second season as a unanimous choice by the UIC coaches. He led the league with a .463 batting average, with a conference-high of five home runs and was second with 14 doubles. The junior was third

Braiden Todd Junior, SW First Team UIC

in RBIs with 39. On the mound, Todd struck out 77 batters, the second-best in the UIC in his 54 innings of work. Accumulating a 5-4 record, he had a 1.81 earned run average.

Busta, a second team honoree last season, was 3-3 on the hill with a 2.46 ERA and 52 strikeouts throwing 48-1/3 innings.

At the plate, the junior rapped out 23 hits, including four doubles and a triple to drive in 12. He concluded the season with a .287 hitting average and .767 on-base percentage with a team-high 13 stolen bases.

Second team South Winn’s Nolan Sabel-

Logan Busta Junior, TV First Team UIC

Nolan Sabelka Senior, SW Second Team UIC

ka and Carver Wenthold were named to the second team with Trojan junior JD Kruse joining the pair.

As the lone senior on the Warrior squad, Sabelka split his time between center field and the pitcher’s mound, where he was 1-1 with 13 Ks. Leading off the South Winn line up in the batter’s box, Sabelka knocked out 28 hits, finishing with a .295 hitting mark and drove in 14 runs. On the base paths he had a team-high 22 stolen bases.

Playing shortstop and pitching, Wenthold earned his first conference nod. On the mound, he went 4-2 with 47-1/3 innings of work with a 2.55 ERA and 40 Ks. The junior knocked out 22 hits, including a pair of doubles with 20 RBIs posting a .256 hitting average and .388 on-base percentage to go with 17 stolen bases.

JD Kruse collected 20 hits, including five doubles, a triple and a home run which tied him with teammate Jordan Kriener who had 14 RBI. The junior hit .278 and stole 11 bases. Throwing 19 innings on the hill, he struck out 18 and finished with a 4.79 ERA. Honorable mention Named honorable mention from South Winn were Eric Greve and Jordan Einck, while Jayden Rausch and Hunter Kruse represent Turkey Valley.

All four are first time honorees.

With 32 hits, Greve was second for the Warriors this season,

Carver Wenthold Junior, SW Second Team UIC

JD Kruse Junior, TV Second Team UIC

Eric Greve Junior, SW Hon. Mention UIC

UIC baseball continued to page 15

Brayden Wemark Senior, Pitcher First Team All-NEIC

Kaden Alstad Senior, Infield First Team All-NEIC

Cash Riehle Senior, Infield First Team All-NEIC

Kasen Tyler Freshman, Infield First Team All-NEIC

Gavin Knutson Sophomore, Outfield First Team All-NEIC

Mason Avila Junior, Outfield First Team All-NEIC

Trevor Kuennen Junior, Utility First Team All-NEIC

Cain Monreal-Rice Junior, Infield Second Team All-NEIC

NEIC baseball final standings Decorah New Hampton Waukon Crestwood Charles City

NEIC 16-0 11-5 7-9 5-11 1-15

Overall 23-8 22-10 11-16 8-18 1-27

Henry Brynsaas Keaton Riehle Junior, Outfield Sophomore, Utility Second Team All-NEIC Second Team All-NEIC

2025 Fair Fun Run Results

Runners were out early the morning of Saturday, July 12 for the 32nd annual Winneshiek County Fair Fun Run. Decorah Park and Recreation’s Blake Moen gave instructions at the starting line. (Photo by Roz Weis)

KIDS RACE (3/4 Mile) Male 6 & Under: Tyson Neubauer (5.08), Henry Strand (5.28), Trey Neubauer (5.50) Male 7-8: Patrick Beatty (4.19), Cash Stayskal (4.34), Arie Beatty (4.36) Male 9-10: Emmitt Quandahl (4.39), Abel Baker (4.40), Rambo Riemer (5.19) Male 11-12: Judah Mutsane (3.56), William Baker (3.59), Eli Lyon (4.00) Female 6 & Under: Josina Noble (5.47), Willow Kullen (6.04), Josie Kuennen (6.16) Female 7-8: Jolene

Riemer (5.09), Oaklyn Allison (5.37), Brooklyn Lyon (6:35) Female 9-10: Ada Lyon (5.05), Evie Kuennen (5.12), Ava Nielsen (5.31) Female 11-12: Keira Strand (5.17) 3 MILE RUN Male 14 & Under: Leonard Nimrod (18.43), Robbie Davis (19.21), James McConnell (19.38) Male 15-19: Mitchell Stemper (16.23), Clarence Nimrod (16.28), Garrett See (16.42) Male 20-29: Tylen Burrow (25.04)

Male 30-39: Jesse Lyon (19.31), Nathan Todd (24.16) Male 40-49: Jake Nimrod (22.23), Raymond Rinkol (26.23) Male 50 & Over: Dan Byrnes (23.49), Dave Farmer (24.44), Scott Henry (25.03) Female 14 & Under: Emma Kadlec (28.25) Female 30-39: Megan Lyon (22.50), Brittany Todd (24.17), Katelyn Nielsen (27.31) Female 40-49: Gwen Strand (23.55), Kerissa Smith (24.48), Sarah Christopher (52.35) Female 50 & Over: Beth Perry (30.30)

Five named to NEIC list for Decorah softball

BY BECKY WALZ SPORTS EDITOR

Five members of the Decorah softball team were honored by the Northeast Iowa Conference recently by being named all-conference.

The battery of Clara Hjelle and Lauren Luzum earned first team honors, along with second baseman Liz Bucksa and outfielder Dylin Thompson. Senior Lillian Olson was named to the second team.

Hjelle, the Vikings’ junior pitcher, has been on the All-NEIC list throughout her career as a second team member her eighth-grade season and first team honors as a freshman and sophomore. Twirling 29 games for the Vikes, Hjelle earned an overall 14-10 record with a 2.74 earned run average. She

had the most strikeouts in the conference with 165 and gave up 146 hits and 61 earned runs.

Hjelle was also productive at the plate with a .278 average for the season, connecting for 25 hits including five doubles and 16 RBIs. Anchoring the catcher spot, Luzum led Decorah with a .384 hitting average and .767 slugging mark — the best in the NEIC. Her eight home runs tied for the top of the conference as she led the team with 33 hits and drove in 28 runs. As a freshman, Luzum was a second team selection and has been named to the first team twice.

Second in total hits with 28, Bucksa earns her second nod on the NEIC first team. She knocked out one double and collected 17 RBIs to go with nine stolen bases.

Clara Hjelle Junior, Pitcher First Team All-NEIC

Lauren Luzum Junior, Catcher First Team All-NEIC

Earning her inaugural conference honor, Thompson sits on the first team with 19 hits and six RBIs. Most of her time was spent in centerfield with three appearances in the pitcher’s circle.

Pounding out 19 hits, Olson finished her career with a .258 hitting average and .348 slugging mark. The senior had six doubles, a triple and drove in

Liz Bucksa Sophomore, Infield First Team All-NEIC

Dylin Thompson Junior, Outfield First Team All-NEIC

14 runs.

UT, Crestwood

All-NEIC teams First team – Clara Hjelle, Jr., P, Decorah; Ainsley Teeling, So., P, Crestwood; Lauren Luzum, Jr., C, Decorah; Liz Bucksa, So., IF, Decorah; Payton Hadley, Sr., IF, Charles City; Mya Rimrod, Sr., IF, Charles City; Caycee Crawford, So., IF, New Hampton; Ella Bergan, Sr., IF, Crestwood; Emerson Bohlen, Sr., OF, Charles City; Dylin Thompson, Jr., OF, Decorah; Chloe Weigel, Jr., OF, New Hampton; Jordyn Fisk, So.,

Second team – Addison Ellis, Fr., P, Charles City; Kieman Ruppert, Jr., P, Crestwood; Jaeda Molstead, Fr., C, Charles City; Lillian Olson, Sr., IF, Decorah; Brooklyn Moliter, Sr., IF, Charles City; Kyra Butikofer, Sr., IF, Crestwood; Mari Delaney, Sr., IF, Waukon; Cora Schwickerath, Sr., IF, New Hampton; Makenzie Gallagher, Jr., OF, Crestwood; Isabella Schlatter, Jr., OF, Crestwood; Reese McCormick, Sr., OF, Waukon; Maici Weber, Jr., UT, New Hampton

Lillian Olson Senior, Infield Second Team All-NEIC

NEIC softball final standings Crestwood Charles City Decorah New Hampton Waukon

NEIC Overall 11-1 20-8 9-3 17-15 6-6 15-15 4-8 15-14 0-12 4-20

PUBLISHED THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 BY THE DECORAH LEADER

COMMEMORATING CROSSINGS 1825-2025 | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | DECORAH LEADER | PAGE B-2

Locals among those who witnessed launch of replica Restauration

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

F

lags representing Norway and the United States fluttered in the wind as a replica of the ship Restauration was launched from Norway earlier this month. The event commemorated 200 years since the original ship became the first in a historic migration of Norwegians to the United States.

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah led a group of 50 individuals on a trip to southern Norway to see the replica ship begin its trek across the Atlantic on July 4 — the original Restauration left the city of Stavanger, Norway, on

July 4, 1825, and arrived in New York about 14 weeks later. The replica is expected to retrace the path of the original Restauration, and Decorah residents Paul Scott and his wife Kate were among those who travelled to see the replica begin the first leg of its voyage. The event was well attended, according to Scott, and it even garnered a visit from Norway’s current king and queen.

“There was a mob of people,” Scott said.

“It was a major event. Everybody came out for it.”

Information from Vesterheim said the original Restauration was notably small for travel across the ocean, even at that time, yet it left Norway with 52 passengers and arrived with 53 in October of 1825. Scott said this year’s reenactment of the voyage is to be completed by the ship’s crew — no passengers — which numbered about 11 people by his estimate.

“Even then, 11 people, when you look at the boat, that’s pretty crowded,” he said.

Scott said it was easy to imagine the circumstances of those early immigrants while standing in the harbor near Stavanger. He noted it wasn’t uncommon during that era for families to have seven children or more, but laws at the time allowed only the eldest son to inherit family farm property, which he said likely made it difficult for some to feed every hungry mouth.

“The appreciation I came away with was the appreciation for all these people that would leave everything they had behind,” Scott said. “It was not a voyage that they knew how it was going to end either.”

The replica Restauration is expected to arrive in New York in early October — potentially on the exact day it’s predecessor landed 200 years ago.

Vesterheim in Decorah led a group of 50 people to see the launch of the replica Restauration earlier this month. While the original voyage carried dozens of passengers, Decorah’s Paul Scott, who attended the launch with his wife Kate, said this month’s commemorative voyage is expected to be completed by only the ship’s crew.

(Photo submitted)

The crowd waved Norwegian flags in celebration of this month’s launch commemorating the Restauration’s trek across the Atlantic from Norway to the United States. (Photo courtesy of Isaiah Solheim - Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum)

A U.S. flag was seen among the red, white and blue Norwegian flags present during the launch of the replica Restauration earlier this month. (Photo courtesy of Isaiah Solheim - Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum)

A replica of the Norwegian sloop Restauration left Norway on the exact date the small ship set sail from southern Norway in 1825, bound for the United States. The launch earlier this month commemorated the 200th anniversary of the original voyage. (Photo courtesy of Isaiah Solheim - Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum)

ON THE COVER The images used to create the collage on the front of this special section of the Decorah Leader were compiled from not only the newspaper’s own archives, but from displays at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum as well as images supplied by local historical entities and private residents. The Decorah Leader thanks all the individuals and organizations which supported this commemorative edition of the newspaper and helped make it a success.

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PAGE B-3 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | COMMEMORATING CROSSINGS 1825-2025

NORDIC FEST

Founding Nordic Fest Board member looks back on the now-famous festival

July 24-26, 2025 orah Fire Department was also involved in the first fests, hosting tug of war and water fights, the Decorah Journal reported.

The biggest challenge for the fest’s first year was feeding everyone, the Decorah Journal said. All vendors, restaurants and churches in the community ran out of food during that first celebration.

Aulwes admitted the first fest was overwhelming, and he joked that one of the reasons he and the Jaycees organized it was because they “didn’t have enough brains to be afraid of it.”

An editorial published by the Decorah Journal in 1972 said Nordic Fest continued to “grow in esteem and popularity,” receiving publicity statewide and into neighboring states.

“You don’t have to be Norwegian to enjoy the Nordic Fest, nor need you be to extend a warm hand of friendship to visitors and say ‘Velkommen til Nordic Fest,’” the Journal said.

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER

Jerry Aulwes, age 89, was one of six original Nordic Fest founders in 1967. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

An abridged biography of Jerry Aulwes

Sondra and Darrell Pierce pose for a photo with Jerry Aulwes and Mike Dahly during the first Nordic Fest held in 1976. (Photo submitted)

Steve and Julie Spilde’s daughters, Taylor Amundson (left) and Annie Halweg, smile for a photo which later appeared on the front of the 1998 Nordic Fest brochure. Julie is the daughter of Jerry and JoAnn Aulwes. (Photo submitted) WOLF MAYTAG AMANA ELECTROLUX SAMSUNG SPEED QUEEN KITCHENAID DANBY SUB-ZERO FRIGIDAIRE WHIRLPOOL BOSCH LG VIKING

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An estimated 37,000 people attended for the inaugural Nordic Fest in 1967, according to a report in the Decorah Journal.

That first fest, which lasted four days, featured Norwegian food and Scandinavian artistry, a parade and performances by the Luren Singers, Nordic Dancers and Decorah’s own drum and bugle corps as well as the Decorah Kilties, which was active from 1876 to 2004. The Dec-

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after just a few years, Aulwes said, but Decorah’s annual celebration has successfully continued for nearly six decades. Past organizers said they couldn’t have succeeded without the Luther College Women’s Club and especially then-president Phyllis Leseth.

“Without Phyllis, it would have crumbled long ago,” said Joe Pettit in a 1986 Decorah Journal article.

Founded in 1995 by Jim Casper, Casper Plumbing & Heating has remained a family-owned business, offering plumbing and HVAC commercial and residential installs, remodels and 24-hour emergency services to the area.

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An original Nordic Fest founder, Jerry Aulwes was raised in Guttenberg and graduated from high school in 1953, after which he joined the United States Navy. He met his wife JoAnn in 1956, and they married in 1957.

The couple first lived in Decorah from 1960-1968, and Aulwes worked as a draftsman for the Decorah architectural firm Altfillisch, Olson, Gray and Thompson. After 1968, Aulwes sought to be a chamber of commerce director, which led him to Tomah and Wausau, Wisconsin, as well as Marshall, Minnesota.

The couple moved back to Decorah in 1975 to buy the Coast to Coast hardware store at 121 West Water St. from Leo Tekippe. He moved the business several times over the years — to 110 Winnebago St., 110 Washington St. and finally to 200 East Main St., where his daughter, Julie Spilde, currently owns the Ace Hardware store.

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Longtime Decorah resident Jerry Aulwes hasn’t merely enjoyed Nordic Fest for the last 58 years — he, along with a handful of other Decorah Jaycees, founded the tradition which has attracted thousands of visitors every year in celebration of Scandinavian culture and traditions.

Nordic Fest’s 1967 founding fathers included Jaycees Aulwes, Harry Olson Jr., Joe Pettit, Mike Dahly, Darrell Pierce and Gary Svenson.

“The Jaycees started a lot of things from the tap room inside the old Hotel Winneshiek,” Aulwes said with a chuckle.

“We did a lot of thinking at the tap room, and fortunately, some of the thinking never got out the door. But, Nordic Fest did. The Jaycees were really active back then — not always intelligent — just active. So, we stuck our necks out.”

Aulwes, who will turn 90 years old at the end of August, laughed about the three primary motivators he and his friends had for starting the now-famous community celebration.

Firstly, they wanted to promote the Decorah community, but Aulwes quipped that they also wanted the idea flourish in the face of doubt from the local editor of the former Decorah Journal.

“I think one of the things that motivated us was the news guy in town — (L.) Dale Ahern,” Aulwes said. “He was so against it that it was unreal, and that was one reason we made sure it worked — just to irritate him. There were a lot of people who didn’t want it to happen.”

But professional jibes weren’t the only inspiration for the city’s now touchstone event.

The local Jaycees also knew a thriving Norwegian festival was being hosted in Junction City, Oregon, and Aulwes said “Decorah wouldn’t be outdone.”

“Our goal is to turn the Nordic Fest into a project supported by all community organizations and by all civic-minded Decorah and Minowa area people in the ensuing years,” the fest’s steering committee told the Decorah Journal in December of 1966.

The Oregon festival ended

COMMEMORATING CROSSINGS 1825-2025 | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | DECORAH LEADER | PAGE B-4

‘Mayflower of the North’ sparked mass Norwegian migration Sloop ship ‘Restauration’ left Stavanger harbor 200 years ago

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR More than 50 Norwegian immigrants spent almost 100 days at sea in 1825, hoping to reach the United States. The voyage of the small ship Restauration is considered the first ripple in what became a wave of Norwegian migration to the U.S. — this month marked 200 years since that first boatload of immigrants began their trek across the Atlantic Ocean.

Displays at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah said resources and opportunities in Norway were becoming increasingly limited during that era. Laws at the time limited inheritance of the family farm to the eldest son. And while improved sanitation, the introduction of a smallpox vac-

cine and an improved diet led to a healthier populace across Norway, such improvements also resulted in another issue — overpopulation.

“Official solutions to an expanding rural population, such as breaking up large farms into smaller units, proved to be only temporary,” information from Vesterheim said.

“Young persons, unable to secure a farm or even a job on a farm, migrated to urban centers where labor and craft persons were needed. Eventually even those opportunities declined.”

An estimated 800,000 men, women and children left their ancestral homes in Norway between 1825 and 1930 to pursue life in the New World, accord-

The voyage of the Restauration predated film cameras, but local newspapers published a drawing in October of 1975, showing what the ship was believed to have looked like. (File photo)

ing to information from Vesterheim — the total population of Norway at that time was estimated at approximately 1 million people, and a number of groups eventually settled in areas of the Midwest.

“And of course a good

A pair of commemorative bi-colored stamps were issued by the U.S. Postal Service in 1925 to commemorate the centennial anniversary of organized Norwegian migration to the U.S. The 2-cent stamp issued for the celebration depicted the Restauration, according to information from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, while the 5-cent commemorative stamp showed a replica of an ancient Viking ship which sailed from Norway to the area of modern-day Chicago around 1893. number of them found their way to this scenic area, that reminded them so much of their hilly homeland,” an editorial in the July 31, 1975, Decorah Journal said.

Visit Vesterheim during Nordic Fest on July 25-26 for fun activities!

Past/Present/Future of Folk Art exhibit, Skjaldborg Vikings, folk-art demonstrations, live music, activities for kids, engaging presentations, and more!

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In scenic Decorah, IA

The tale of Cleng Peerson Many local newspaper archives cited Norway’s Cleng Peerson as the man who sparked the mass migration. Peerson had traveled extensively in Eu-

rope and North America, according to accounts compiled by historian Amelia Johnson Bakken for the Decorah Public Opinion in 1943. Peerson eventually purchased a tract of land in the western portion of New York state, which was largely unoccupied territory at the time, according to Bakken.

“In looking at the wonderful beauty of the country, his thoughts went back to his

countrymen in Norway, and he thought what a great and good thing it would be for them if they could come here and procure some of this cheap and fruitful land,” Bakken wrote.

“Here they could make homes for themselves and their families, and he resolved to return

Restauration continued on B-5

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Prevent recyclable items from entering our landfill by recycling the following items:

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Recycling Reminders Winneshiek County Recycling cannot accept soft plastics or Styrofoam.

Don’t bag recyclable materials.

Ensure beverage containers are empty and the caps are removed when recycling.

Appliances and electronics are accepted at the recycling center during business hours (6AM-3PM Monday through Friday) and a staff member will need to assist with this. Do not drop off after hours.

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Celebrating 200 years of Norwegian history.

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PAGE B-5 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | COMMEMORATING CROSSINGS 1825-2025

Restauration continued from B-4 to Norway and try to persuade some of them to come to this country.”

Peerson’s proposition was met with enthusiasm, and on July 4, 1825, a group of 52 passengers — all said to be from Norway’s Skjold parish near the city of Stavanger — boarded the Restauration and set sail for the United States. Information from Vesterheim said those early immigrants were religious dissenters, including Quakers and followers of Hans Nielsen Hauge, whom the museum said led a Pietistic movement, which appealed to many as a personal and home-based practice — both movements were persecuted by the State Church of Norway at that time, according to Vesterheim.

Information from Vesterheim said the vessel — a type of small ship called a sloop — was originally christened Emanuel in 1801 and had been used to transport herring to Sweden and grain from Denmark before it was overhauled, enlarged and re-named Restauration. Museum displays said, even after the overhaul, the ship was “tiny by ocean-going standards,” measuring less than 68 feet in length, about 18 feet wide and 9 feet from keel to deck. Later accounts estimated the ship weighed about 45 tons — modern federal law places the maximum laden weight of a semi at about 40 tons, according to information from J.D. Power.

Restauration and its passengers — now numbering 53 after the birth of a baby girl at sea — arrived in New York on Oct. 9 that year, after 14 weeks on the ocean.

Trouble in paradise The ship’s arrival didn’t go

unnoticed, according to an account published in the New York Daily Advertiser, which was reprinted in the Decorah Republican in honor of the voyage’s centennial anniversary.

“The appearance of such a party of strangers, coming from so distant a country and in a vessel of a size apparently ill calculated for a voyage across the Atlantic could not but excite an unusual degree of interest,” the Daily Advertiser said.

The centennial article described the immigrants as “Norse pilgrim fathers and mothers who came over in this Mayflower of the North,” later saying they were hardworking, frugal and “were better Americans before they left Norway than some of those who have been trying to Americanize them after they came here.”

However, archives of the Decorah Journal said the group was first “arrested on the spot and the sloop seized for illegal entry.” The archives went on to explain a law had been passed in the United States approximately six years earlier, requiring each arriving ship to have at least 5 tons of capacity for every two passengers, and the Restauration was estimated to be a third of the required size.

The sloop was confiscated, and a fine of more than $3,000 was leveled against the passengers — more than enough to dash any hopes of resettling, according to an editorial in the July 31, 1975, Decorah Journal.

Bakken’s account of the Sloopers, as they became known, said the group had also hauled Swedish iron with them on the voyage, “intending to sell it in New York for a profit,” but the prospective settlers were said to have lost several

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hundred dollars on the sale.

Ultimately, it was the White House which came to the aid of the immigrants.

“By chance, the matter came to the attention of President John Quincy Adams, and only five days after the arrest of the Sloopers, at his order, they were freed and all fines dropped,” the Decorah Journal’s editorial said. “A month later, President Adams and his Secretary of State Henry Clay issued a formal pardon, forgiving the immigrants for their illegal arrival, based on ‘the said master and owners being foreigners and entirely unacquainted with the language and laws of the United States.”

The Journal’s staff went on to say early newspaper publicity seemed to help the pilgrims’ plight, noting they received gifts of money and clothing for their journey once word of the pardon spread.

An enduring legacy Peerson led the group to Orleans County, New York, where a number settled. Margaret Allen Larson, the child born aboard the Restauration, became known as the sloop baby and grew up in Rochester, New York, according to archives of the Decorah Public Opinion.

She eventually married a school superintendent named John Atwater in 1851, giving birth to nine children. Her wedding shawl was eventually gifted to what was then the National Norwegian Historical Museum at Luther College in Decorah in 1926. The shawl was later transferred to Vesterheim’s collection.

“We feel lucky at Vesterheim to have several objects that were brought on the Restaura-

tion and owned by some of the Slooper families,” said Laurann Gilbertson, chief curator at Vesterheim. “But even objects that came in the years of mass migration — between the Civil War and World War I — are important and help us better understand history and ourselves.”

Peerson himself continued to explore North America and headed toward the Fox River Valley in northeast Illinois before returning to his kinsmen in New York, according to Bakken’s compiled history.

“As the years went by, more of their countrymen came to this land of promise after receiving ‘American letters’ as they were called, and the letters were passed around from one to another until they were literally worn out,” Bakken wrote in 1943. “And every year, more and more of their countrymen came from Norway.”

Information from Innovation Norway, which oversees travel information for the country’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, said approximately

900,000 Norwegian emigrants had ventured west to the U.S. by 1920 — a total which would have nearly surpassed Norway’s full population less than 25 years before the Restauration set sail. And about half the citizens of the Sogn region in western Norway were said to have left Norway for the U.S. during the first 50 years of the immigration movement, according to archives of the Decorah Public Opinion.

But not every cross-Atlantic venture was as successful as that of the Restauration. Information from Vesterheim said disease, death and injury were ever-present on the seas, and storms sank many ships which attempted the voyage. Nearly 60 ships were believed to have been lost at sea between 1847 and 1853, according to information from Vesterheim.

Yet, the early travels of the Norwegian immigrants continue to draw interest from later generations.

Local news archives said a

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The wedding shawl of Allen Larson, the child born aboard the Restauration and who became known as the sloop baby, was gifted in 1926 to what was then the National Norwegian Historical Museum at Luther College. The shawl was later transferred to Vesterheim’s collection. (Photo courtesy of Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum)

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sailing crew consisting of professional theatre players and “a choir of costumed children” boarded the sloop Anna on July 4, 1975, in Stavanger for a token excursion. The more modern ship was outfitted to resemble the Restauration, and was said to be a quarter of the size of the pilgrim’s Mayflower.

Archives of the Decorah Public Opinion said a mounted policeman from Oslo, Norway, named Geir Petter Pettersen took to horseback in 1994 and followed Peerson’s path through the U.S. in May of that year ahead of the Sons of Norway centennial celebration — he also made a stop in Decorah during the community’s annual Nordic Fest that year. And a new replica of the Restauration, built in southwestern Norway, set sail earlier this month from Stavanger, according to information from Innovation Norway. The replica left on July 4 and is expected to retrace the path of the original sloop in honor of the 1825 voyage.

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g 200 years n i t a r b e l e C Happy Nordic Fest! — of Norwegian history!

Pictured are past (1950s) and present views of Decorah’s historic Water Street.

Celebrating the 200th anniversary of Norwegian emigration to the U.S.

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COMMEMORATING CROSSINGS 1825-2025 | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | DECORAH LEADER | PAGE B-6

The Restauration’s tale

Local resident’s ancestors were ‘sloopers’ on original voyage to United States

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER While many families in the United States have ancestral roots in a foreign country, it isn’t often that a person can trace their bloodline back to the very ship which carried their ancestors as they emigrated to America. But, Decorah’s Dale Goodman can do exactly that.

Goodman gave a presentation in June at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah and told the audience about his ancestors, who were passengers on the famous sloop known as the Restauration — the first organized group of Norwegian immigrants to travel across the Atlantic Ocean in 1825 to resettle in the United States.

“I’ve been sharing this story for a very long time, because very directly, it’s my family’s story,” said Goodman, a former Vesterheim board member. “Indirectly, it’s all of your stories.

You’ve heard it said that we are a nation of immigrants, and that is 100 percent true. Even the people we call indigenous or Native Americans migrated from Eurasia across the Bering Strait to what is now Alaska, and then they migrated both east and south from there.”

Religion a factor behind Norwegian migration Goodman said more than 800,000 Norwegians immigrated to the U.S. between 1825 and 1943. It’s estimated that 40 percent of the population of Norway moved to the U.S. in that timeframe, he said.

“Most immigrated for economic reasons,” Goodman explained. “Nearly two-thirds of Norway is rocky hillsides and bare mountains, and most of the remaining third is forests and bogs. Only about 3 percent of Norway is tillable land, and at the time, 95 percent of the country was trying to live off that 3 percent.”

The Decorah native noted the other reason Norwegians emigrated to America was for religious freedom.

“There were no religious assemblies outside the author-

ity of the state church,” he said. “This was not just the wish of the church but constitutional law. And, of course, there are always people who object to that sort of hierarchical nature of the church, and one of them was Hans Nielsen Hauge. He was a reformer of the church. He objected to its hierarchical nature, and he encouraged the leadership of women. And, he was imprisoned 14 times for his activities in the church. On top of that, he was an economic reformer, and that’s where he gets the most credit in Norway.”

Norway was governed by Denmark at the time, Goodman said, and he said it was therefore an enemy of England, who had been battling military advances by Napolean Bonaparte.

“There were a number of folks who tried to cross the North Sea for trade purposes, and many of them were captured by the English and taken back to England and held on prison ships,” he said. “The Quakers visited the people in prison and cared for them, and in the midst of a world at war, many of the prisoners were attracted to the Quaker religion of peace. So, at the end of the war in 1814, about 30 Norwegians, who were anxious to practice Quaker principles, returned to Norway, and among them was Lars Larsen Jeilane.”

Jeilane was a ship carpenter who was captured while crossing the North Sea, Goodman said. Jeilane became enamored with the Quaker religion while

Decorah resident Dale Goodman, a direct descendant of a couple who were aboard the Restauration in 1825, told his great-great-great-great-grandparents’ story during an early June presentation at the Vesterheim Museum in Decorah. ABOVE- Goodman points out that he is at the rudder of the Restauration in this photo of the sloop’s replica at sea, which he shared during his June presentation at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum on the first Norwegian immigrants to come to the United States in 1825. (Photos

by Zach Jensen) in prison, and he opted to stay in England to learn more about Quaker beliefs and the English language, Goodman said.

“He stayed in England another couple years, and he returned to Norway in 1816 and held a Quaker meeting in his home, which, of course, was against the law,” Goodman continued.

“So, now there are two dissenting religions against the state church — the Hauge Lutherans and the Quakers. The community in Stavanger and surrounding rural areas, made attempts to enact laws that would allow these religions to exist, but those laws didn’t pass.”

Both the Quakers and Hauge Lutherans were persecuted by the church, Goodman said. He gave an example of sheriffs kidnapping Quaker and Hauge children and forcing them to be baptized.

“There was one family that had twin girls, and both of those girls died, and (the parents) tried to get permission to bury them in the Lutheran graveyard and were denied, so they buried them on their own property,” he said. “But, when that was dis-

120+ Years of Hospitality The Hotel Winneshiek was constructed in 1904-05 by Chicago architectural firm Turnock & Ohrenstein.

The beautiful Beaux Arts-style building remains today, featuring elegant terrazzo floors, marble walls, cherry woodwork and grand staircase.

Opening ceremonies were held April 27, 1905.

Purchased in the 1930s by the Boss Hotel chain, the Winn’s turn-of-the-century ambiance was compromised in a remodeling effort that included covering up the stately atrium and octagonal lobby.

Theola Haugen and her husband purchased the building for use as apartments in the mid-1970s.

In 1997 the Haugens sold the hotel and the adjacent building to Decorah native Helen Basler who had a vision for restoring the property to its former glory. She began interior demolition in early 1998, with rehabilitation work following. The restored Hotel Winneshiek opened April 13, 2000, looking similar as on its opening date in 1905.

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The Hotel Winneshiek is one of few in the U.S. that boasts an Opera House.

Joseph B. Steyer built the stucture that now adjoins the hotel on its west side in December 1870.

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Falling into disrepair and abandoned until 1997, then hotel-owner Helen Basler purchased the property and began a two-year project to restore the opera house. Today, the space is used for private events, theatrical/musical performances and more.

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covered, they were fined very heavily until they exhumed their daughters and reburied them according to the rites of the church.”

In 1821, two English Quakers traveled to Norway to inform the Hauge Lutherans and Quakers that the United States allowed religious freedom, Goodman said, and they suggested moving there. Goodman said the two religious groups, upon hearing the news, sent two scouts to America to explore the possibility of emigration.

The voyage and the first settlements Cleng Peerson, known as the father of Norwegian emigration, and Knut Olson Eide headed to the U.S. in 1821 to investigate the climate for immigration and explore the potential for buying land. They returned to Norway in 1824 with a favorable report, Goodman said.

A man who would become one of the country’s early immigrants already owned a small ship, which he sold for $1,200 in order to help purchase another vessel for the group. Goodman said the sloop ship which became the Restauration was purchased for $1,800 after several families chipped in to make up the difference.

“If you wanted to emigrate from Norway, you’d need to apply for that, and they also needed funds for when they arrived in the U.S.,” Goodman said. “They sold their properties and possessions. Cleng Peerson recommended that they buy Swedish iron, because it was in high demand in the U.S., and they did that. They also had to … build a galley for cooking and say goodbye to family and friends. My fourth great-grandparents were one of the families on the Restauration.”

The sloop left Norway on July 4, 1825, with 52 people aboard.

The small ship was 54 feet long and just 16 feet wide, and in addition to carrying the Norwegians, it also carried enough

food, water and cooking fuel for their 98-day voyage. Goodman said the sloop was also hauling 3.25 tons of Swedish iron, which Peerson suggested they sell upon landing in America for a hefty profit. The metal also served as a ballast for the small ship, Goodman said.

Goodman added the “Sloopers,” as they were later called in New York City, were nearly arrested for illegal trading in England, and a second bit of drama occurred as the sloop neared the island of Madeira off the coast of Morocco, when they approached Funchal Harbor.

“They floated into the harbor of Funchal with no-one visible, no flag on the mast — just a ship coming their way,” he said.

“It was a time when there were plague ships… that’s what the people of Madeira thought this was, and Bertha Nelson stood on the bow of the sloop and waved her bright calico skirt to keep the cannons from firing at them.”

Goodman, a member of the Norwegian American Slooper Society, said he and other members meet for a potluck dinner every October, and he said “every year, we thank Bertha’s family.”

The Quakers and Hauge Lutherans stayed in Madeira for a week before setting sail again for 64 more days at sea, and Goodman said, despite “lots of sickness” and a baby being born, all 53 Sloopers arrived safe and sound on Oct. 9, 1825, in New York.

“It was a pretty novel sight to have this group of Norwegians show up in the sloop,” Goodman said. “However, it was a disastrous beginning, because they had overloaded the ship. According to the size of the ship, U.S. naval law said there shouldn’t be more than 16 passengers — not counting the seven crew members. So, the captain was jailed, and the ship was seized, and the Norwegians were fined $3,150, (with a) hearing set for Nov. 1.”

The immigrants had land waiting for them in Kendall, New York, Goodman said, so the group split up — with some traveling north to Kendall and Jeilane staying behind with the sloop’s crew in New York City, awaiting trial.

The rest of the Sloopers traveled by fairy up the Hudson River to Albany, where they headed out Oct. 26, 1825, upon the Erie Canal to their land in the northwest corner of New York, Goodman said. He said it was the same date the canal was opened.

In New York City, court proceedings ended in the middle of November, when President John Quincy Adams realized that, while the sloop was seriously overloaded, the Norwegians were already in the U.S., and a presidential pardon was issued. The captain was released, the sloop was sold, and its store of metal earned them all of $50.

“They had expected to sell the sloop for $4,000, and they only got $400,” Goodman said, noting the immigrants didn’t receive much from the sale of the Swedish metal either. “They had virtually no money to begin their life. They barely had enough money to get to their land, (which) was heavily forested and hard to clear. They had to borrow money to survive.”

On their way to join the rest of their party in Kendall that November, Jeilane and the crew ran into one more challenge.

They found the Erie Canal was completely frozen over, but Goodman said Lars Larson Jeilane acquired a pair of ice skates and skated 290 miles up the Erie Canal to rejoin his wife and daughter.

“Leave it up to the Norwegians,” Goodman said.

The Sloopers were in Kendall for nine years, and Goodman said he’s not sure they would have survived if it wasn’t for the Quakers in New York.

Cleng Peerson traveled to the Fox River Valley south of Chicago, where he found more fertile land near Ottawa, Illinois.

“All the remaining Sloopers abandoned Kendall, and most of them moved to the Fox River Valley,” Goodman said. “Kendall was the first Norwegian settlement, but the Fox River Valley was the site of the first permanent Norwegian settlement. My family sort of skipped the Fox River Valley and went down to Texas and up to Minnesota, and the youngest daughter … went all the way out to California and apparently was quite an astute businesswoman and ended up with quite a quantity of Napa Valley land.”

Goodman noted that Cleng Peerson continued to help Norwegians settle in New York, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri and Texas. His last home was in Clinton, Texas.

“Immigration goes on, and the story is much the same,” Goodman said in closing. “And, they deserve our compassion and welcome.”

How it started...

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PAGE B-7 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | COMMEMORATING CROSSINGS 1825-2025

Vesterheim exhibit tells the story of 19th century Norwegian-American women’s magazine

Nancy Coleman, hosted a presentation on the Kvinden og Hjemmet magazine during an exhibition in May at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER Norway boasted a literacy rate of nearly 100 percent in the 1800s — the highest rate in the world at that time. A number of publications printed in Norwegian were established after immigrants from Norway began to migrate to the United States in waves between 1825 and 1930 — providing hundreds of thousands of immigrant homes with reading material in their native language. Among them was Kvinden og Hjemmet — Norwegian for “The Woman and the Home.” The magazine, which was designed to help Norwegian women settle into their new homes and keep them informed of what was happening in their homeland, was established by Ida Jensen Hansen, her sister Mina Jensen and their grandfather Lars Jensen in the late 1800s.

Nancy Coleman of Brumunddal, Norway, helped the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah put together an exhibit dedicated to the publication, which will remain on display until May 2026.

“I had done research on the Jensen sisters and the Jensen family in Norway and had written about the magazine that the girls founded,” said Coleman, a retired high school teacher and textbook author raised in Lexington, Kentucky. “I approached Vesterheim about doing an exhibit, and this resulted in an article for Vesterheim

The magazine Kvinden og Hjemmet was founded in 1888 in Cedar Rapids. Its pages were geared toward working class women who had immigrated to the U.S. from Norway, and it also consistently advocated for women’s rights. (Image courtesy of Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum)

Magazine. The exhibit grew out of the article. I recruited two friends who have also done research on women’s literature and history in the 1800s, and we developed the article and exhibit together.”

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Coleman said the exhibit profiles Ida, Mina and Lars, whom she said was an important educator in the early 1800s in Rinsaker, Norway. The primary emphasis of the exhibit is the magazine itself, which

1990

in women’s rights through the last issue in August of 1947.”

Coleman said demands on resources during World War II, coupled with the fact that fewer Americans spoke Scandinavian languages as the 1950s drew near, likely contributed to the publication’s end.

“Despite paper shortages and increased costs for mailing during World War II, it survived this period,” she said. “But this strained the economy. By 1947, most Scandinavian American families had been in the U.S. for two or three generations, and many no longer learned Norwegian, Danish or Swedish, so it was not easy to read a magazine in that language. The family tells the story that Ida’s son Warren, who was the manager, was a gambler and had gambled away the printing equipment. We do not know whether this is true, but it is a good story in any case.”

Coleman said the magazine’s story is of particular importance to her, saying historians have generally downplayed the im-

portance of immigrant women.

“Women have traditionally not been of interest to historians, and their impact and contributions have most often been ignored,” she said. “This magazine documents that Scandinavian American women were knowledgeable — even though many of them never learned much English — that they had plans to improve their lives in America. They wanted the best future for their children, and they made important contributions to developing America, particularly the Midwest. I hope that the exhibit will help open the eyes of people who see it — that they will see the usually-invisible women, and that they will develop a more nuanced picture of the contributions of the Norwegian and Scandinavian American community to building American culture.”

For more information, visit vesterheim.org/exhibits, call 563-382-9681 or visit the museum in person at 520 W. Water St. in Decorah.

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was founded in 1888 in Cedar Rapids. The magazine was published for 60 years and had a circulation of 83,000 in 1907, Coleman said, adding that Hansen, the publication’s editor, saw a need for a magazine which would help hardworking Norwegian women learn about their new homeland and keep up with events happening back in Norway and Scandinavia — as well as topics of progress for women around the world.

“The audience was women on the prairie, working as shop girls in the towns and cities, and domestic servants,” Coleman said. “The magazine provided a wide variety of articles on practical subjects like food, including new foodstuffs like corn and sweet potatoes, clothing for women and their children, needlework, raising children, etc.

Most importantly, it followed progress in women’s rights and achievements and advocated for women’s suffrage from the first issue in May of 1888. It continued to oversee progress

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COMMEMORATING CROSSINGS 1825-2025 | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | DECORAH LEADER | PAGE B-8

Stavanger Stone Church still serving community after 150-plus years

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER In 1851, Norwegian Rev. Nils Brandt set out from his home country on a mission trip through the Decorah Circuit, a dedicated route of Norwegian-settled communities which traveling preachers would visit to minister to the people and offer guidance. About 18 years later, construction began on what would become Stavanger Lutheran Church south of Ossian.

Brandt delivered his first sermon outdoors on a farm in Ossian before continuing on the circuit, but he returned several

Construction on Stavanger Stone Church south of Ossian began in 1869 and continues to stand today. (Photos courtesy of Winneshiek County Historical Society)

times over the next two years to preach, baptize, marry and perform services as well as funerals for Norwegian settlers in

Plans for the current Washington Prairie Church south of Decorah were drawn up in 1865, according to information from the Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission. The church was previously housed in a frame building constructed about a decade prior. (Photo courtesy of the Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission)

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Winneshiek County. In 1852, area settlers wrote a letter to Norway, requesting a permanent preacher be called, and in late 1853, Rev. Ulrik Vilhelm Koren arrived. He made his home in Washington Prairie between Decorah and Waukon.

“Koren was the single pastor for the entire area, ministering to four counties — Winneshiek, Clayton, Allamakee and Fayette,” Irmgard Hein Ellingson, local historian and ministry professional, said.

Ellingson said many of the Norwegian settlers throughout northeast Iowa at that time haled from communities near Stavanger, Norway. They were described as very traditional, oriented to function, and they looked to Koren for guidance during his visits to their respective communities. Koren would hold services in residents’ homes or outdoor areas.

Information from the Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission said a frame building was created in 1855 to

house the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church.

“Under Rev. Koren’s leadership, the decision to build a nearby college in Decorah — Luther College — was made at this church in October of 1857, which would be the first synod meeting to be held west of the Mississippi River,” materials from the historic preservation commission said, adding plans for the current church building south of Decorah were drawn up in 1865.

Koren went on to assist in creating more than 50 churches, according to the commission.

Construction on Stavanger Lutheran Church began in 1869.

The church was built from quarried limestone dug out of the hills of nearby farms and larger rocks collected from the now abandoned Nordness Quarry located outside Decorah.

The church building, which cost $8,000 to construct, was completed in 1871, and Koren’s congregation continued to grow.

“Koren was highly respected due to his affiliation with the Church of Norway and commitment to the emigrant community in northeast Iowa,” Ellingson said.

The Stavanger Lutheran Church — often referred to as the Stavanger Stone Church, distinct from the Stavanger Frame Church — was a Norwegian-speaking church. Many of the settlers hadn’t been in the United States very long. Children attended country schools, and the communities remained tight-knit, having little interaction with English-speaking people.

“There was no pressure at the time for these churches to become American English. With the Stavanger Stone Church having a pastor direct from Norway, they were able to maintain Norwegian language and tradition,” Ellingson said.

“I am in my 70s and, in my lifetime, these churches were still known as Norwegian churches.

The people typically had a Nor-

wegian twist to their manner of speaking, and their familiarity of language was reinforced by pastors, Sunday schools and other events hosted at the churches.”

The Stavanger Stone Church established a fund which was used to prepare teachers and pastors at a foundational level, many of whom attended Luther College for their education.

Eventually Stavanger and other Norwegian-American congregations adopted use of the English language. Lutheran denominational mergers in the United States loosened and ultimately ended official ties with the Church of Norway.

Despite the changes, the Stavanger Stone Church continues to serve the community.

Today's congregation is much smaller than the 60 to 70 families who attended during Koren’s tenure, but it continues to draw community members, and information from the church indicated it is seeing an uptick in attendance among youth.

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Longtime Nordic Fest Bunad Show organizer shares her passion for Norwegian costume

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER

M

idge Kjome has surrounded herself with all things Norwegian her entire life, and it’s that experience, insight and love of her ancestral home that she’s drawn upon to organize Nordic Fest’s Bunad Show for the last 27 years.

“The people who are participating in our bunad show take a great deal of pride in their costumes and in their heritage,” Kjome said. “No matter how young or old they are, when they put on that costume, they feel special, elegant and connected to their ancestors.”

Kjome first became interested in bunads, the costumes typically worn

by Norwegians during festivals and celebrations, when she participated in a May festival in fifth grade. For the occasion, she and her female classmates donned bunads, which consist of a specially-embroidered skirt and vest, white blouse and an embroidered bonnet. Years later, while she was a student at Luther College, that childhood interest became her motivation to travel to Norway in 1967 to learn how to make the Buskerud bunad her ancestors wore.

“I grew up Norwegian, so I wanted to learn the language, and I wanted to go to Norway, and I wanted to have a bunad that represented the places my family came from,” she said. “That was one of my goals when I went to Norway — to find out which bunad I should have and then to make one myself, because I wanted one with lots of embroidery on it so I could do all the stitchery.”

Every county in Norway can claim at least one unique bunad, Kjome said, while cities like Bergen and Oslo have what are called “city bunads.”

“My family came from Numedal in Buskerud,” she said. “And, I also have roots in Trondelag

and Tydal and Aalen. So, I had my choice of several bunads, and the one I liked best was from Buskerud, which is the one my Kjome relatives had in Numedal, and it had lots of embroidery to do, and that’s what I wanted.”

And her crafted clothing was distinct.

During Norway’s 1971 celebration of Syttende Mai — often equated to Norway’s independence day — Kjome was walking down the street in Trondheim, wearing her bunad, and she had a chance encounter.

“A car came by, and as it passed me, it slowed down and stopped, and a man stuck his head out the window and said ‘Aren’t you Kjome from Decorah?’” she said with a chuckle. “It was the editor of the Decorah Posten. The Posten was just closing up at that time, and he was home that summer. He happened to be in Trondheim that day, and he recognized me from behind in my dress.”

Kjome said all bunads, save for those from Hardanger, Gudbrandsdalen, Telemark and Hallingdal are “new constructions” made in the 20th century, while the other four bunads are the most authentic in her opinion — dating back to before the Norwegian Separatist Movement.

In the mid 1800s, the Norwegian people, who were previously governed by both Denmark and Sweden, wanted to establish their own country with its own traditions, language and culture, Kjome said.

“There was a real effort to make the language Norwegian, rather than Dano-Norwegian,” she said, “and to make the names of places Norwegian, and the clothing and costumes were to represent Norway, and the songs and stories should be Norwegian. They wanted to build an independent Norway.”

To that end, Kjome said 19th century Norwegians worked together to collect their culture’s stories, songs, art and dance, and Norwegian folk culture advocate Hulda Garborg designed a costume to be worn by Norwegian folk dancers. Hence, the bunad was born.

“The story of the bunad is really the story of how Norway became Norway in the new, modern sense,” Kjome said. “The women who were dancing thought this was really great — to have a costume that represented Norway, and the first bunad that was most commonly worn was based on the Hardanger bunad — red vest, black skirt, white blouse and white apron.

ABOVEMidge Kjome models the Nedre Buskerud bunad she made.

The embroidery and broach are unique to the Nedre Buskerud design. (Photos by Zach Jensen)

LEFT- The silver broach on Midge Kjome’s Nedre Buskerud bunad is unique to that specific bunad.

Bunads from other locations incorporate different design elements into the broaches and clothing.

Bunads continued on C-5

COMMEMORATING CROSSINGS 1825-2025 | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | DECORAH LEADER | PAGE C-2

Bible born over by Restauration is part of Luther College collection

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR The waves of immigrants who left Norway for the United States between 1825 and 1930 were known to bring any number of items with them during their oceanic voyages.

Information from Vesterheim Norwegian-American Muse-

um in Decorah said many families packed household items, and heirlooms — museum displays said others even packed stones, having heard prospective farmland in the Americas was devoid of rocks.

And a number of families were sure to bring their Bibles across the ocean as they sought a new life. Some aboard the

Restauration — the ship recognized as the first arrival in the eventual mass migration from Norway to the U.S. — were no exception. A man named Ole Johnson, who was among the 52 original passengers to voyage across the Atlantic on the small sloop vessel, brought along his copy of the Good Book, and it is now part of the

Andi Beckendorf, research and instruction librarian at Luther College, displayed some of the inside pages of a Bible which came to the U.S. aboard the Restauration in 1825.

The Bible is part of Luther College’s rare books collection and was on display during a special viewing in March of 2025. (Photo by Seth Boyes)

rare books collection at Luther College in Decorah.

The Bible had been passed down through Johnson’s family, according to documents in Luther’s possession, and it was eventually obtained in June of 1938 from a woman living in Hollywood, California, before being given to Luther for safe keeping.

Andi Beckendorf, research and instruction librarian at Luther, said the Bible’s presence in the collection is significant in multiple ways.

“Each time I have shown it, people recognize it as a tangi-

LEFT- The Bible which was aboard the Restauration during the 1825 voyage is believed to have belonged to a man named Ole Johnson. It and other rare books were on display in March of 2025 as part of a special event.

(Photo by Seth Boyes)

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Koren was called as the first pastor of the Washington Prairie congregation in 1852. He and his wife boarded the Norwegian steamship “Constitution” on Sept.

15, 1853 and arrived at his new parish on his 27th birthday, Dec. 21, 1852. Just prior to departure from Norway, Koren married Elisabeth Hysing Koren, age 21.

Ulrick had just graduated from the University of Christiania before traveling to Iowa. He was expected to have a bright future in the powerful state church of Norway, but instead turned it down for the parish he was about to serve for 57 years. He built the first small parsonage in 1854 and began plans for building a church. Washington Prairie Church was completed in 1873.

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Koren was later joined at Washington Prairie by his son, Rev. Paul Koren in 1888.

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Pictured are U.V. Koren and Elisabeth Hysing Koren

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Stories of the Koren’s trip to from Norway and their first years in this country are recorded in “The Diary of Elisabeth Koren,” recognized as one of the few examples of literature written by an early pioneer woman. Elisabeth noted, “Wednesday, Dec. 21, 1853 It was probably close to six in the evening when we reached the first Norwegian house in Iowa. With Mr. Johnson in the lead, we set out as on parade, over stump and stubble. I have never seen such a road.”

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The first house in which they made their home with the Eric Egge family can be seen today at Vesterheim.

The Korens are the great-great-grandparents of our owner, Kate Scott.

ble connection to the objects immigrants chose to bring with them when they came to America,” Beckendorf said. “I typically get ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ when I explain that it was published in 1819 and was brought over on the Restauration just a few years later in 1825. To Ole Johnson, it was still a new book. Nowadays, for those who may no longer have family artifacts from previous generations, the Bible allows them to imagine what their ancestors might have brought with them. In other cases, viewing this Bible prompts people to share stories about books and Bibles and other treasured items that are still in their families. The Slooper Bible is not only representative of artifacts that came to America, but it also provides a personal connection for people to consider how their own ancestors became part of the fabric of America.”

Johnson’s Bible was one of several items on display during a special presentation Luther College hosted in March. Beckendorf said community members and students at Luther sometimes find their own family is connected to artifacts, like the various Bibles in the college’s rare book collection.

“I would count myself in the group of folks who no longer have any tangible items from my immigrant ancestors, and I am grateful for the fact that I can provide people with an opportunity to experience a tangible connection through objects in our rare book collection,” Beckendorf said.

“The fact that these items still have relevance to contemporary people and events offers a way to connect more directly to historical events.”

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Once known as the Winneshiek County Care Facility, the care center became a private institution in 1988 and became the Oneota Riverview Care Facility. In 2002, Healthcare of Iowa became the management consultant for the facility, which remained under the operations of a board of directors.

Pictured above are pieces of Wellington Place history, showing Oneota Riverview Care Facility Assisted Living building construction in 2002, and an aerial of the facility located on the site of the former Winneshiek County “Poor Farm” at 2479 River Road, Decorah.

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The remodeling at Wellington Place’s main building included new carpeting, painting, wallpapering and furniture upgrades. The assisted living building is connected by a vestibule to the existing facility.

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PAGE C-3 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | COMMEMORATING CROSSINGS 1825-2025

‘Ther ar fe place whic tak bette car of Norwegia heritag i America’

Norwegian King took pleasure in visiting Decorah

INSET- Rachel Smedsrud, daughter of Luther College campus minister Gordon Smedsrud, presented Norwegian King Olav V with flowers on May 4, 1968, during the king’s second visit to Decorah. (Republished with permission - Copyright 2025 The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa)

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR Nearly 10,000 people were said to welcome Norway’s King Olav V on Oct. 14, 1975, during his third visit to Decorah. The king was accompanied by then Iowa Gov. Robert Ray as well as other elected officials, and archives of the Decorah Journal described the event as “another miniature Nordic Fest.”

“The historic day for this Norwegian-American community will begin dramatically with the arrival of the king and the royal party in four helicopters, which will land on the athletic field at Luther (College) near the fieldhouse,” the Oct. 14, 1975, Decorah Public Opinion said.

The king’s 1975 stop in Decorah was part of a U.S. tour in observance of the 150th anniversary of organized Norwegian migration to America. Olav had been crowned king of Norway in 1957, but he had visited Decorah while still the country’s crown prince in 1939, according to archives of the Decorah Journal, and he received an honorary degree from Luther College. He visited again in 1968, just over a decade after he was crowned king.

“It is a great pleasure for me to again visit Decorah with its many links to the Norwegian immigration into the United States, which started 150 years ago,” Olav said during his 1975 address in Decorah. “There are few places which take better care of Norwegian heritage in America than this area.”

The king went on to praise lo-

cal entities such as Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum and events like Decorah’s annual Nordic Fest. He also briefly lamented the end of the Decorah Posten — the local newspaper began printing in 1874 and was published in Norwegian for many years. It ceased publication just three years before the king’s visit in 1975.

However, the king also highlighted other pillars of the Decorah community. He participated in a ceremony during the laying of the cornerstone for Luther College’s Center for Faith and Life that same day, calling Luther “an institution with great vitality and hope for the future.” College officials placed not only copies of local newspapers inside the stone, but other items such as a Norwegian hymnal which was gifted to the college by King Olav and a tape recording of the day’s ceremony.

The college itself was founded by the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the first students — numbering just three — began classes in 1858 at Concordia College and Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, according to information from Luther. The outbreak of the American Civil War led to disorder in St. Louis, according to the college’s history, and the church decided to establish its own college site when Concordia closed in April of 1861. Luther College was initially established that September in Halfway Creek, Wisconsin — a building in Decorah had already been rented and

partially renovated a month earlier. The college, which served 16 students at that time, was transferred to Decorah the next year.

“It is gratifying to see the emphasis Luther College puts on its Institute for Scandinavian Educators,” King Olav said during his 1975 address. “Many are the teachers from Norway who have benefitted from this unique program. The many visits of your college band and your choir to Norway have also served to strengthen the links between your fine college and Norway. Such exchanges represent ‘hands across the sea’ in mutual friendship and understanding, based on a common heritage.”

The king’s visit to Decorah was also marked by a parade along Water Street, and Olav toured Vesterheim, which had recently completed a $550,000 improvement project to restore

ABOVE- The image of King Olav V appears on a 1976 Norwegian krone. The country had minted commemorative currency the previous year in honor of the 150th anniversary of organized Norwegian migration to the U.S., and Olav visited Decorah that same year as part of a U.S. tour. (Photo by Seth Boyes)

three interior rooms to what archives of the Decorah Public Opinion called their original appearance.

The king stayed in Decorah for only about two hours that day, flying to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where he was to board a jet bound for Chicago to continue on the next leg of his U.S. tour.

Norway’s King Olav V was photographed waving to crowds during a 1968 visit to Decorah. He rode through downtown Decorah seated next to Iowa Gov. Harold Hughes, while retired Vice Consul for Iowa B.B. Anundsen rode next to driver Al Etteldorf. (File photo)

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COMMEMORATING CROSSINGS 1825-2025 | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | DECORAH LEADER | PAGE C-4

David Judisch reflects on 50 years as Luren Singing Society director

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER The Luren Singing Society of Decorah has arranged for a song to be written by a world-renowned Scandinavian composer in honor of David Judisch’s 50th year as director of the local chorus.

Following a 2024 Christmas concert performance in St. Lucas, Judisch was informed the all-men’s chorus had commissioned Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen of Trondheim, Norway, to write the new song in Norwegian. The work is to be based on the “Aftensang” — or “Evening Song” — which the Luren Singers perform at the end of each concert and rehearsal. The new piece is expected to be finished this fall, Judisch said, and the Luren Singers hope to perform it during a 2025 Christmas concert.

Judisch, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, was raised on a farm southwest of Sumner and graduated in 1964 from Wapsie Valley High School in Bremer County. He earned his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and his doctorate of musical arts degree from the University of Iowa.

After completing the coursework for his doctorate, Judisch applied for music teaching jobs around the state, but he was often deemed to be overqualified and was turned down for open positions — until the famed Weston Noble of Luther College called and offered him a job as a vocal music instructor.

Judisch and his wife moved to Decorah in 1974. He began directing the Luren Singers the following year, after Luren Singer Jack Nelson and the group’s then-director David

Greedy, who was on sabbatical at the time, invited him to fill the role. “ T h e y came to me, and they said, ‘We know you’ve been a conductor at Decorah Lutheran Church, so would you like to be the director of the Luren Singers?’” Judisch recalled. “I assumed that David would come back to Luther and take over again. But, by the end of that year, he said, ‘No, I have resigned. It’s up to them who they want as their director.’

So, they asked me, and I’ve been the director ever since.”

The Luther College Professor Emeritus of Music has now conducted 19 Sangerfests — a gathering and festival of Norwegian male choruses organized by the Norwegian Singers Association of America in celebration of Norwegian music and culture. He was also the 2024 recipient of Luther College’s Weston Noble Award.

The men’s chorus has traveled to Norway and other Scandinavian countries multiple times.

The Luren Singers’ most recent trip to Norway took place in 2023, and they plan to go again in 2027 to visit the city of Trondheim and perform Arnesen’s new song for the composer.

Celebrating Norwegian Immigrants and the 200th anniversary of emigration to the United States

The Luren Singers performed a number of songs in front of the Winneshiek County Courthouse during the 2024 Nordic Fest opening ceremonies. (File Photo) David Judisch (Photo courtesy of Peterson Photography)

Judisch himself has flown to Norway 10 different times — he joked he is somehow still not Norwegian — and he was also honored by royalty in 2016, when King Harald V of Norway awarded him the prestigious St. Olav Medal.

The award is given in recognition of “outstanding service in promoting Norway abroad or strengthening ties between Norwegians abroad and their home country.”

“Somebody asked me why I was awarded the St. Olav Medal from the king of Norway, and I said, ‘Four words: I moved to Decorah,’” Judisch said with a laugh.

And members of the Luren Singers are glad he did.

“Fifty years of service is an incredible accomplishment,” said Luren Singers Assistant Director Doug Poppen. “I believe

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Luren is what it is today mainly because of Dr. Judisch. He led the group through countless concerts and many tours and was able to find ways to keep us singing together in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID (pandemic).”

The Luren Singing Society dates back to 1868 and belongs to the Norwegian Singers Association of America — Judisch has been the NSAA’s director in chief since 1984. A number of NSAA choruses met their end during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Judisch found a way to keep the local singing group afloat.

“In March 2020, everything shut down for a while, and after a week or two, I decided we could get together online,” Judisch said.

Judisch said singing together online was challenging and sounded "like mush" because of the delays associated with streaming video. He opted to play a musical selection and have chorus members sing to the music on their own. He estimated the group learned three-and-a-half songs that year. However, he indicated the remote rehearsals were critical during that time.

“I would play recordings so they could sing along,” Judisch said. “That’s how we rehearsed, and that’s kind of what saved us, because the real benefit

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wasn’t necessarily musical but that the guys could get online and see 50 guys they knew.”

Judisch said later that year, when social distancing was recommended to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the men’s chorus rehearsed in the lower-level parking area of the Decorah Public Library.

Their director used red tape to mark 8-foot distances on the pavement between each singer.

“And, they would bring their own chair, and they would sit where the tape was,” he said.

“At first, we wore face masks to rehearse. And, at that first rehearsal, we sang through a song, and at the end, everybody clapped. It was an emotional moment.”

Judisch said the importance of performing music, be it through singing or an instrument, is immeasurable.

“We know from science that one of the best things you can do is make your kid take piano lessons because of how it affects their brain,” said Judisch, a father of two sons. “Music — especially playing an instrument like the piano — utilizes nearly every part of the brain.

It’s even just a little better than athletics. That’s been demonstrated time and again.”

Judisch said the members of the Luren Singers are the reason he continues to direct the group.

“It’s the people,” he said.

NORDIC FEST PERFORMANCES Thursday 6:45p Friday 6-6:30p Courthouse Square “Those folks are terrific folks.

They really are, and it’s really a Luren family, because ‘family’ means more than ‘chorus’ does.

If we have a member or former member who passes away, we sing for their funeral if we’re asked. And, on these trips, I would see 100 acts of kindness every single day.”

Judisch said the men don’t hesitate to help each other carry luggage or overcome mobility challenges while traveling.

“That’s just common courtesy in some ways,” he said, “but in other ways, that’s how these guys are all the time, and it’s been that way for 50 years. We do two things in Luren Singers: we rehearse, and we share our music. I think maybe the rehearsal time is more valuable, because that’s where we interact.”

Judisch quipped that he’s thought about retiring from the Luren Singers for the last decade, but he’s just not ready yet.

“I could quit if I wanted to,” he said. “But, there are things that are important to the group, and so long as I can still wave my arms, I’ll keep doing it.

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PAGE C-5 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | COMMEMORATING CROSSINGS 1825-2025 A small purse was also crafted to go with the Nedre Buskerud bunad Midge Kjome made for herself. Kjome did all the embroidery on her bunad herself, and it took her two years to complete the costume. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

NORDIC FEST BUNAD SHOW Saturday 2p Steyer Opera House in the Hotel Winnesehik

Bunads continued from C-1 That’s what they call the national costume of Norway.”

Kjome said the Norwegian Separatist Movement grew quickly, and Norwegian communities wanted their residents to find clothing their ancestors might have worn — to be representative of their communities.

“So, they were digging in their attics and their old trunks and finding aprons and caps and shawls and purses,” she said. “They studied the embroidery and decorations on them, and they’d get together and decide what was most typical that would represent their area. So, now, there are 300 to 400 different costumes.”

Kjome said if the word “bunad” is deconstructed, “bu” translates as “home,” and “nad” means “inventory” — which, when put together, could mean “inventory of your home.”

“It would have to do with everything you have within your house,” she said. “Like your cooking, textiles and things like that.”

The bunad also features a silver broach, often found on women’s costumes.

“Silver is very traditional in Norway,” she said. “The silver that goes with my bunad is only made for my bunad. The silver for my bunad is different than

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for any other bunad. It’s unique to this Nedre Buskerud bunad.”

Kjome said the broaches worn with bunads today are likely more recent designs but are based on old silver pieces, noting silver has been mined and used in Norway for six centuries.

Kjome lived in Norway from 1979 to 1989 and began modeling for Decorah’s Nordic Fest Bunad Show in 1990. She took over organizing the show in 1998.

“I grew up with traditions from the old world that came from Norway, and I learned early in my childhood the sound of the language that my ancestors spoke, because my aunts and uncles and my dad all spoke it,” Kjome said. “I was always very proud of my Norwegian heritage and very proud of my ancestors, and I wanted to know more about the ones who didn’t come to America — where they came from and what it was like.

So, I spent the rest of my time learning about that, and I’m still learning.”

Kjome said she enjoys the opportunity to participate in Nordic Fest, calling it a fun event for the entire family.

“We’ve lost things like playing,” she said. “Children don’t know how to play. They’re sitting and using their thumbs to

Enjoy Nordic Fest!

text each other, while the other person that they’re texting is across the table from them.

They don’t know what play really is, and they don’t communicate the same way. So, they’re losing something that Nordic Fest provides — an opportunity to experience something different and cultural that everyone can participate in. At Nordic Fest, there are things for the children to do, for the teenagers to do and for the adults to do, and part of that is dressing up for it — putting on your costume and getting out there and dancing in the street.”

Nordic Fest Garden Tours feature three sites and a fundraiser The Town and Country Garden Club will sponsor three yard and garden tours for the public during this year’s Nordic Fest.

The sites can be viewed on Friday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to noon; and Saturday, July 26, from 2 to 4 p.m.

There is no charge, but freewill donations are accepted and will be used for garden club projects. The following sites are on this year’s tour: Scott and Ann Ulring 117 N. Mill Street The Ulrings designed their yard to complement the beauty of Vesterheim’s Heritage Park located just across the street.

Over 100 sun-loving perennial flowers, shrubs and trees were planted in gardens surrounding the house and bordering front and back patios and fire pit. A striking feature is a pathway that meanders through a grove of quaking aspen.

Dale & Joleen McCarty 709 East Main Street A Second Empire historic brick home provides the backdrop for an array of gardens highlighted by several varieties of hydrangeas mixed with colorful perennials and potted annuals. A majestic burr oak provides shade for hostas, astilbe and much more, while sunny areas flourish with hydrangeas, weigela and heirloom peonies.

Amy Wrightsman 209 Fifth Avenue Amy experiments using interesting and colorful flower pots to enhance her porch, deck and landscaping along with

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various perennials and annual plantings. Her house, built in the 1860s by T.W. Burdick, features a wrap around porch and large back yard. Her whimsical designs include touches of childhood memories.

Plant fundraiser on Mill Street Funds raised from the plant event during the upcoming event will support Decorah’s Town and Country Garden Club.

Organizers said a $10 donation by interested Fest-goers will get them a white 3 inch

Early 1920s view looking southwest toward the Water Street business district.

CELEBRATING 200 YEARS OF NORWEGIAN HISTORY!

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ceramic pot to decorate with acrylic paint markers, and they may select a succulent to plant in their painted pot. They'll also receive a miniature paper bag with handles to tote their masterpiece around the fest. Folks will have the option to choose a pot which has already been painted if they prefer not to paint one themselves. Volunteers will be on hand to provide assistance. All ages are welcome to participate.

The plant event is scheduled at the 117 N. Mill Street garden tour site during the same hours as the tours.

Photo courtesy Kevin Lee

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COMMEMORATING CROSSINGS 1825-2025 | THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025 | DECORAH LEADER | PAGE C-6

Echoes of the Past 1975 Nordic Fest promises much excitement

BY ROZ WEIS STAFF WRITER Back in 1975, excitement was brewing for the approaching ninth annual Nordic Fest.

An estimated 60,000 people were expected to visit. That figure was based on the turn-out for the previous year’s festival.

Organizers disclosed all local hotels and motels had capacity reservations for the threeday Scandinavian celebration.

Private housing was available through a special subcommittee on the fest board. Norway’s most popular television personality of that era, Erik Bye, was the featured guest artist at the Fest Folk Musical Festival, which was held at the Viking Theater. Another publicized “major highlight” of the 1975 fest was the reopening of Vesterheim Museum after an extensive remodeling project. The renovation promised to “greatly impress all the fest visitors.”

Among the other features that year was a special display of special tools used by Bert and Grace Porter in the cleaning and grinding of the stones surrounding the Porter House Museum, which was built in 1867 and owned by the Winneshiek County Historical Society back in 1975. The popular arts and crafts fair opened that year, and several lectures focusing on Norwegian immigration to a new land were part of the celebration. Another big attraction all those decades ago was Trolls Trolley – aka Pokey Pete. The train rides had families lined up for blocks as it went zinging along Water Street during the fest. Some things never change.

Now on to other headlines from the past …

80

YEARS AGO 1945 The AAA office was crowded with farmers filing applications for the new federal dairy feed subsidies. A total of 337 checks are expected to go out – adding up to about $16,000. One local man said, “We don’t have any breadlines in Winneshiek County, but we sure have subsidy lines!” The subsidy payments are passed on amounts of milk and butterfat sold during the preceding quarter and are designed to stimulate production while holding down ultimate cost to the consumer. …Twenty Decorah Boy Scouts will leave this week on a chartered bus for their annual outing to Camp Ingawanis near Waverly. …More than 100 spectators gathered at the Louis Loesch farm near Spillville last week to watch a new method of ditching with dynamite called “propagation method.” …There is a new airplane at the Tatro Air Field. The Aeronca Chief is the third plane of Dewey Tatro. It features side-by-side seating and is a wheel-controlled plane to be used for cross-country flying.

It has a red fuselage and blue wings. …Opening day for the Winneshiek County Fair is August 16. Harness racing, a bouncing act, a show with trained dogs, some girl acrobats and musical acts are planned this year.

70

YEARS AGO 1955- Dr. Phillip Bernatz of Decorah is one of seven physicians recently named as new members of the staff at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. …The Washington Street Improvement Project is progressing on schedule. The street, which is now 46 feet wide, will be completed after installation

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of a new storm sewer. …Carl Bostrom of nearby West Union has announced his plans for constructing a brand, new supermarket north of the Green Parrot on Decorah’s West Side. A complete line of nationally known grocery products will be sold.

60

YEARS AGO 1965 Luther College’s bulging enrollment for 1965-66 has created a student housing problem.

With an expected enrollment of more than 1,625 students, the college is seeking additional off-campus housing options for 345 students. …Chicago boys and girls, between the ages of 6 and 11, are visiting Winneshiek County. There are 13 Windy City kids in town, and most have only known cement streets and asphalt playgrounds. Host families in the area are sponsoring the program through the Lutheran Student Center in Ames.

The children are here July 10July 24. …Campers and persons traveling and camping out with various types of portable equipment have been making great use of the town’s campsite behind City Hall this summer.

50

YEARS AGO 1975The Nordic Fest Committee for the big celebration later this month includes Mrs. Cliff Natvig, Jan Berg, Darryl Landas, Hub Christen, Roger Kittlesby, Gary Svenson, Phyllis Leseth and Jan Moothart. …Winneshiek Saddle Club is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The group was started back in 1935, when seven people met in the old board room of the Decorah State Bank. …Dr. Keith Hughet, M.D., is establishing a private practice of psychiatry here in Decorah later this summer. …Winneshiek County Supervisors approved purchase of a new $27,606 end loader for the

ANTIQUES 200 Celebrating rwegian years of No appy History. H !

Nordic Fest

Past Nordic Fest presidents served as grand marshals of the 2000 Nordic Fest Parade. Those who served in this special leadership role up until that time, many of whom gathered for this keepsake photo in that year included: Harry Olson, Jr., 1967-1968; Gary Svenson, 1969-1971; Paul Hexom, 1972; Dennis Roseland, 1973; Phyllis Leseth, 1974; Hub Christian, 1975-1977, 1979; Marilyn Roverud, 1978, 1980; Sue Miller, 1981; Joellyn Howell, 1982; Barbara Amundson, 1983; Chris Haugen, 1984; Julie Wurtzel, 1985, 1990; Cam Forde, 1986; Maureen Yahr, 1987, 1992; Cindy Wolmedorf, 1988; Nancy Ruen, 1989; Jane Bullard, 1991; Gary Rustad, 1993; Cindy Johnson, 1994; Chuck Lore, 1995; Clark Goltz, 1996; Jill Amdahl, 1997; Julie Ahrens, 1998; Karen Worden, 1999.

Photo from 2000 Decorah Newspaper. district 4 shop at Locust. …Total taxable personal property in Winneshiek County for 1975 is $31,280,674. …A public open house is planned in August for the new junior high school in Ossian.

40

YEARS AGO 1985The theme Christmas in July (Glad Jul I Juli) is the focus of the 1985 Nordic Fest. …Emily Kamm and Jason Brown were the first-place girl and boy to finish under the checkered flag in the 8-9-yearold division of the community’s Big Wheel “500” race last week. The race was sponsored

by Decorah Parks and Recreation Department at the junior high playground. Seventy young Big Wheel riders participated. Other winners were Daniel Solum and Greta Nelson, 4-year-old division; Brandon Livingood and Lisa Hatting in the 5-year-old division; Charles Christopher and Lori Jennings in the 6-7-year-old division.

Ribbons were presented to winners in various divisions. …The 8th annual Elvelopet river run will be held during Nordic Fest. Entry fee is $6.

All contestants will receive coupons for free food and drink from local merchants. …The Winneshiek Saddle Club Horse Show was recently held at the local fairgrounds.

HOORAY

FOR 200 YEARS OF NORDIC PEACH BLISS HERITAGE!

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Nancy seeks out and sells high-end furniture pieces and items with a Norwegian flare.

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Among the winners were Cristy Benzing and her horse Dawn; along with Kelly Schrandt, Barb Schrandt, Mark Schrandt and Chad Benzing.

30

YEARS AGO 1995This year’s Nordic Fest theme is Trolls Are Alive in ’95. An appearance by the famous Budweiser Clydesdales is among the highlights. …Craig Spilde has been officially sworn in as the new Decorah Postmaster. …The Decorah Viking baseball team is seeking its 4th state title. They are making their 6th state tourney appearance in the last seven years. The team captured district and substate championship honors this summer.

20

YEARS AGO 2005Syttende Mai in July (God Jull Juli) is the theme for the 39th annual Nordic Fest.

Pipes & Drums, a bagpipe group, is among the highlights for this year’s parade. Elliott and Bev Christen are grand marshals. The flag recipients this year are Paul and Bev Nichols. …Featherlite Inc., of Cresco, will collaborate with Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum by becoming the primary corporate sponsor of the museum’s Featherlite Pioneer Immersion Program. …Another large crowd is expected for this year’s Light up

the Bluff concert in Bluffton.

Joe Diffie is the headliner for the 13th annual event.

10

YEARS AGO 2015- The theme “Dancing with the Trolls” is sure to please Fest visitors this year. All are invited to be a part of the World’s Largest Schottische on Water Street at this year’s Fest. …A severe thunderstorm the other morning took down the eagle’s nest at the Decorah Fish Hatchery, but all adult eagles and their offspring are accounted for. …Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson recently drew a standing-room-only crowd to Chase the Adventure in rural Decorah. …Distinguished service awards at the Winneshiek County Fair were recently awarded to Albert and Donna Ashbacher and Bob and Sadie Sersland. …New Minowa Players will present the 2015 Young People’s Production of ‘Urinetown” in August. Among the cast members are Gara Lonning, Steven Holkesvik, Montana McCabe, Ayla Carbonell, Garret Baumler, Kyna Henson, Eva Gemlo, Miles Wilkie, Ali Voigt, Jacob Voigt, Kaylee Nicoll, Jordyn Hussain, Tyler Irwin, Paul Fadness, Gillian Constable, Jenna Alstad, Parker Fretheim, Richard Weis, Gable Lonning, Ervin Yahr III, Shai Shay, Madison McCabe, Amber Hussain and Emma Rolfs.

COMMEMORATING 200 YEARS OF NORWEGIAN HISTORY!

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