May 22, 2025

A salute to Beef included with this edition! Celebrating

MAY IS BEEF MONT H

Beef Makena Hovden ’s 2022. The young first cow, Desy, was purchased exhibitor entered during a cattle Fair just a few Desy in a competi sale in the months later spring of tion during and took third the Winnesh place. (Photo iek County

by Denise Lana)

Half-pint cattle exhibitor displays winning know-how

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITE R

to be a family fourth-generatio affair. Makena is now While many a 6-year-old girls 4-Hers Club. n member of the Madison their downtim Kia’s grandpa might fill e by playing rents ers of the boys ing arts and games, doand girls clubs were leadcrafts days, and Kia’s in its early Decorah kinderga or playing with dolls, own mother rtener Makena and aunts were members of balances her the club before Hovden schoolwork and eventual she herself — with taking of thousand ly Kia care -pound calves From the time — joined. herself for cattle and preparin Makena was g shows around born, she beyond.

Iowa and Makena Hovden Makena began showing cattle was 3 years when she old continued on award-winning and has since blazed B-4 an trail and from Colorad from Iowa to Missour i Makena is o to Kentuck the recipient pictured of a vast collectio y. Already showing her miniature which some Hereford steer exhibitors could n of awards, achieve during only hope to Marshall at the 2025 Nacattle exhibito their lifetime, the young tional Western r is just beginnin Stock her mark in g to make Show in the arena.

Colorado.

With her mother (Photo courtesy Kia Knutson Legaa nationally -Hovden, cy Livestoc recognized cattle k Imaging) exhibitor and 4-H and FFA veterinarian at Postville Clinic, and father Vet er of numerou Mitch Hovden, the holds titles, Makena national stock car racing ’s drive to compete seems

PUBLISH

ED THUR

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Vol. 160, Issue 21 www.decorahleader.com

SDAY, MA Y 22

, 2025

Decorah, Iowa 52101 email: editor@decorahleader.com

Two Sections

Price $1.50

phone: 563-382-4221

Frigid fun for an ‘inclusion revolution’ Decorah High School hosts polar plunge fundraiser in support of Unified Champions program

Bruce Ayati of Iowa City heats metal with a furnace inside Vesterheim’s new forging studio, which was dedicated Friday morning as part of the local museum’s Syttende Mai celebration. (Photo by Seth Boyes)

New metal forging studio to aid in preserving folk art traditions

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR Several furnaces were already giving off a red-orange glow as a crowd gathered for the dedication of Vesterheim’s new forging studio Friday in downtown Decorah — and the clang of hammers soon followed.

Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, purchased a building at 418 West Water Street — just a few hundred feet from the museum’s main building and campus — in January of 2024, according to information on Vesterheim’s website. The building formerly housed the local Montessori School, and was repurposed to house Vesterheim’s newest folk

art classroom after the school relocated.

Chris Johnson, president and CEO of Vesterheim, said a number of officials with the museum’s folk art education team worked over approximately a year to transform the lower level of the building to serve as a forge capable of holding courses for years to come. Johnson said Vesterheim officials are still considering options for the building’s upper level.

“When this property first came up for sale, we had some discussion about it from the perspective of fitting into our campus, but once we saw this bottom area, it became clear

Forge

continued on page A-16

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR The sound of water splattering against concrete was met with applause time and time again last week in the parking lot outside Decorah High School.

Students, staff, community members and even a representative of a National Guard unit leaped into a tank of chilly water — their reward after helping raise more than $15,000 in support of Special Olympics and the school’s Unified Champions program.

The Decorah High School program supports Special Olympics events and also pairs special education students with their peers as they compete in local athletic events such as flag football, basketball and relay races, according to John Dunt, who serves as the school’s Special Olympics and Unified Champions coordinator. He said approximately 15 Decorah High School students participate in Special Olympics, and he feels the school’s Unified Champions program has built a greater sense of community within the school in relatively a short time.

“We started it last year with the unified basketball game with varsity players,” Dunt said. “The entire school was cheering. Everybody was smiling when they walked out of the gym.”

Sierra Jump-Gerleman, a junior at DHS and participant in the Unified Champions program, said she has seen continued school-wide support for the program. She recalled waves of congratulations being given to Unified Champion participants as they returned from a half-time event during a state basketball competition in Des Moines.

“I think it is a really good thing to

help and include the special ed kids, because sometimes they just get overlooked and they aren’t seen as well,” Jump-Gerleman said. “I think it is a boost, and it helps school spirit. A lot of people in the school really enjoy it and love to see them being included.”

Dunt said students in the high school’s Unified Champions program previously set the goal of attaining national recognition within the Special Olympics organization, which he said requires the students to meet about 10 different criteria, such as school wide involvement, a unified physical education course and self-sustaining funding efforts.

Dunt said that’s what led the group to host last week’s fundraiser — a Cool School Polar Plunge in partnership with Special Olympics Iowa.

Nearly 50 individuals raised funds for the cause, with the promise they would take the plunge over the lunch hour on Thursday, May 15. Dunt said, while students and staff made up most of the names on the day’s list of plungers, numerous community organizations had also participated in the fundraiser and made a literal splash

P I C TURED C L O C K WISE FROM TOP LEFT- Student Cash Riehle curled into a ball and plummeted into the water amid cheers from the crowd gathered outside the high school’s doors. | Sixth grader Andria Dibble was the first to take the plunge during last week’s fundraiser event, and dozens of students, staff and community members followed her to make waves that afternoon. | Students Gabe Monroe, Oak Pasche and Nate Rhodes leaped into the cold water together in a triple-cannon-ball formation during last week’s polar plunge fundraiser. | Andy Carlson, CTE and reading instructor at Decorah High School, reacted to the cold as he emerged from the waters Thursday. | Andria Dibble (left) and Decorah Community School staff member Shanna Putnam-Dibble — two members of the Team Dibble fundraising group — reacted to the chilly water during last week’s polar plunge fundraising event. | Decorah High School sophomores Margaret Hahn (left) and Teagan Menke (right) donned pink wings before jumping into the cool waters.

Both students participate in the school’s Unified Champions program, and they hope fundraisers, games and other events supporting the program will become more consistent occurrences at the school. (Photos by Seth Boyes)

Visit us online - www.decorahnewspapers.com

Cops and Rodders car show raises $2,065 for Police K-9 unit The fourth annual Cops and Rodders car show was held Saturday, May 17, in downtown Decorah. This year’s show attracted 110 show vehicles from the tri-state area and raised $2,065 for the Decorah Police Department’s K-9 unit. Ralph Abbott’s 1957 Ford Thunderbird, pictured here, stood out from the pack on East Water Street.

(Photo by Zach Jensen) More photos inside.

Polar plunge

continued on page A-12

Hurry! Don’t Wait!

Best Sale Prices Now! Huge Inventory!

Generous Rebates!

Locally Owned!

A business built on service...since 1973!

PHOTOS

A-2 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Decorah celebrates Syttende Mai a day early

DON’T LET T IM PASS YOU B E Y! GET YOUR HE AR CHECKED TOD ING AY! Call (563) 275 -7448

Or Book Your Appo intment Online!

Over 35 years in

the Hearing Indu Officials at Vesterheim in Decorah elected to celebrate stry!

Calvin Trepp Syttende Mai — or Norwegian Constitution Day — a bit Hearing Instrume nt Specialist early this year. The holiday, which Vesterheim President and CEO Chris Johnson described as similar to the Fourth of July in the United States, is traditionally celebrated on 911 S. Mill St., Su May 17. Johnson said the day marks Norway's declaring ite 3 • Decorah, IA 52101 www.NorthIowaH itself independent from Danish rule on that day in 1814. earing.com Vesterheim hosted a number of events Friday, May 16 in ©2025 Starkey Labora tories, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

4/25 164351606 honor of the holiday, including a children's parade, a mu4 sical performance by Vidar Skrede, free ice cream and performances by Decorah's Nordic Dancers. ®

Area grade school students and members of Decorah's Nordic Dancers joined Vidar Skrede (left) a folk musician from Norway who currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Vesterheim President and CEO Chris Johnson (right) during a children's parade through Vesterheim's Heritage Park in celebration of Syttende Mai. (Photo by Seth Boyes)

Senior members of the Nordic Dancers strode in circles during a number of their performances Friday along Mill Street during the annual Syttende Mai celebration. (Photo

by Seth Boyes)

Two-year-old Sophie Smock enjoys a cup of Culver’s custard during Decorah’s Syttende Mai celebration on Friday, May 16 at Vesterheim Museum. Culver’s provided free custard to museum visitors in celebration of Norway’s Constitution Day. Sophie is the daughter of Erin and Corey Smock of Decorah.

Vidar Skrede, a folk musician from Norway who currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, performed a number of musical pieces Friday inside Bethania Church, which is owned by Vesterheim, as part of the museum's Syttende Mai celebration. (Photo by Seth Boyes)

Members of the crowd were invited to learn simple dances alongside members of the Nordic Dancers.

(Photo by Seth Boyes)

Decorah grade school students waved Norwegian flags enthusiastically during Friday's parade through Heritage Park. (Photo by Seth Boyes)

Members of the Nordic Dancers gave a thumbs up as they prepared to take their marks along Mill Street during Friday's Syttende Mai celebration. (Photo by Denise Lana)

Dunk tank bash at St. Ben’s Students at St. Benedict School in Decorah lined up to test their aim while principal Justin Johnson sat in a dunk tank outside.

Students of various ages hoped to hit the target which would trigger the mechanism and drop their principal into the water below. A number of students’ aim was true, and Johnson plunged into the tank a number of times during the event. LEFT- St. Benedict School Principal Justin Johnson was a good sport as students and staff took turns propelling him into the dunk tank on the school playground last week. ABOVE- St. Ben’s first graders were thrilled to see their principal fall into the big tub of water. (Photos by Roz Weis) (563) 379-3951|

G It’s Fresh greenhouses |2059 County road W-14, Calmar, IA

SILK FLOWER SERVICE Offering service to all Winneshiek Co. cemeteries

Visit our Facebook page to view Floral Arrangement options @SolacedLovedOnes

563-419-6478 • solacedlovedones@gmail.com

G

It’s Fresh GREENHOUSE

We enjoy growing high quality plants for you!

NEWS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

A-3

Former NICC president’s case against college gets trial date

Recent court documents detail concerns preceding termination

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR A trial date has been set in one of the two civil cases brought against Northeast Iowa Community College by its former president.

Herbert Riedel began his role as NICC’s president in March of 2022, and the community college’s board of trustees provided him written notice of their intent to terminate his contract in November of 2023.

The college’s board of trustees had decided to implement what was described as a performance action plan to address concerns related to Riedel’s work as president. Riedel alleged in subsequent court documents that NICC’s board of trustees had discussed the plan during a closed session on June 19, 2023, which he argues may have been a violation of Iowa Code. He asked a court in December of that year to void the implementation of the board’s plan.

That case has recently been scheduled for a June 10 trial in Winneshiek County District Court.

Riedel’s attorney said in a document dated Aug. 4, 2023, that Riedel believes several administrators who were asked to evaluate him “may have been unfairly influenced by personal grudges they hold against him,” before claiming “a cabal of administrators” had approached NICC Board Chair Jim Anderson in December of 2022 with complaints regarding Riedel’s behavior. Other documents entered in the court record claim Riedel retaliated against invididuals who filed complaints against him.

Riedel also filed a separate case against the college in July of 2024, asking the court to reverse the trustees’ decision to terminate him and requesting a judge order he be reinstated — online court records have yet to show a scheduled trial date in that case, and an administrative law judge had previously decided NICC had cause to fire Riedel.

One trustee reprimanded, decision on second complaint pending Approximately five months after Riedel was terminated, he filed a complaint with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, accusing NICC Trustee Wendy Knight of providing consulting services to NICC while employed by the college, without going through a competitive bidding process — the consulting services in question totaled tens of thousands of dollars, according to the complaint.

The state board authorized an investigation in October and found Knight had directed the college’s marketing strategies and acted as liaison to the college’s foundation as vice president of institutional effectiveness and advancement while, as a consultant, she “provided board management and consulting services to area nonprofits through ongoing contracts managed and paid for

by NICC.” Knight had at one point ended her employment at NICC, but the board’s decision found Knight’s work on what it called a major marketing campaign with the NICC Foundation overlapped with her time as a college employee by three months — the ethics board noted, under Iowa Code, executive employees must wait at least two years after their employment ends before receiving financial benefit stemming from actions in which they were directly involved.

The state ethics board officially reprimanded Knight as part of decision in March and ordered her to pay a total of $400 in penalties. A separate complaint had also previously been filed by Riedel’s wife against NICC Board Chair Jim Anderson, claiming Anderson

Herbert Riedel

Wendy Knight

inappropriately sought signatures of support from college employees — including Riedel — ahead of Anderson’s bid for reelection. A decision from the state ethics board on that complaint was still pending as of press time.

Attorneys representing Northeast Iowa Community College said in filings submitted in late April of this year that “Riedel could be preparing to argue that Anderson had a ‘personal vendetta’ against him,” following “a conversation with Riedel and his wife in which Riedel’s wife state she listened to the politically conservative Glenn Beck podcast” and over emails Riedel sent in July of 2023, “questioning Anderson’s solicitation of interested persons to run for an open board seat.”

Recent filings in Riedel’s case for reinstatement included numerous evaluation forms, internal emails and other documentation alleging actions which allegedly prompted donors to withhold funds from the college, and mishandling of policies which some NICC employees worried could place the college in legal jeopardy.

Financial friction According to accounts included in the court documents, Riedel allegedly told the NICC Foundation Board in August of 2023 that “people only give to the college because of the president,” and he allegedly interjected himself into a later funding presentation to say the foundation board it should “just give the president the money and let him spend it the way he wanted.”

“Riedel’s relationship with the foundation became so fraught that a committee moved to withdraw funds from the school until its relationship with the president improved,” an administrative judge wrote in a decision signed May 20, 2024.

Anna Berns, the college’s development officer, also alleged in documents now filed in the case that Riedel had attended a visit with individuals described as “loyal, large-dollar donors to the college” in September of 2022, during which Riedel “likened the differences between Luther College and NICC to that of the political differences between Bernie Sanders’ supporters and Donald Trump supporters.” The filing went on to allege Riedel also attempted on another occasion to advise a land donor on methods of donation which would be most beneficial to the donor.

“The donor felt, after this visit, that they would not be comfortable participating as a feature in an upcoming donor impact report,” the development officer said.

The recent court fillings also included numerous signatures from NICC faculty members, expressing confident in Riedel’s competence and effectiveness as president. And Riedel cited the support and other positive evaluations as evidence he was unfairly judged by certain officials prior to being fired. Other employees indicated in their evaluations that they felt Riedel had created a sort of hierarchy of importance within the college, generally valuing faculty above staff members — documents in the court records said, at times, Riedel’s communications included the phrase “faculty and non-faculty,” rather than the recommended phrase

Jim Anderson

“faculty and staff.”

Concern over legal risks Filings in the case also claim Riedel took issue with posters which were hung in multiple campus locations during the fall of 2022. The posters featured the image of a young male and text discouraging sexual harassment and discrimination — specifically in written messages and digital platforms.

The then-college president later instructed that the posters be removed.

“Riedel testified at (a) hearing that he observed the posters hung around ‘male dominated’ education programs on the NICC campus, and he considered them to be a microaggression towards males,” attorneys for the college noted in recent court filings. “Riedel did not consider whether taking the posters down could be interpreted as a microaggression or other message to other groups on campus.”

Accounts in the court record also said Riedel allegedly authored a memo to members of the NICC’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee — as well as three external community members — in October of 2022 instructing them to “refrain from controversial or divisive programs, teachings, trainings or surveys” and that the committee would report directly to Riedel effective immediately.

“This left our committee feeling discouraged, confused and micromanaged,” Flannery Cerbin-Bohach, the college’s wellness and life stage program manager, wrote in a letter to the NICC Board of Trustees which was recently entered in the court record. “We did not know what was considered controversial and what the consequences would be if we misstepped.”

Other recent court filings show Riedel himself claimed an initial draft of the college’s performance action plan “included a Communist-style ‘re-education’ for me in the form of mandated DEI training.” Riedel also referred to NICC Executive Director Of Risk Management And Compliance Kelly McMahon as “a far-left ideologue,” and some at the college expressed concern the then-president’s actions might result in legal issues.

“Unfortunately, there is evidence that he sees himself as an expert in areas where he is definitely not an expert, and he is putting us at legal risk,” NICC’s Executive Director Of Human Resources Connie Kuennen wrote in documents entered in the court record, later adding. “Dr. Riedel has made statements that lead me to believe he prioritizes the rights of political speech over the rights of the speech of those in legally protected classes. This is a legally dangerous platform for a community college president to lead from and is not in line with NICC’s mission and values.”

The NICC Board of Trustees received a letter from compliance coordinator Zachary Hodgerson dated Oct. 9, 2023, echoing Kuennen’s sentiments.

“I am certain that it is not a matter of if Dr. Riedel takes action which places the college in legal jeopardy, but when,” Hodgerson wrote.

Riedel was placed on leave the same day and was given notice of his termination the next month.

A beautiful morning to drive tractors to school Dawn broke and tractors made a path to Decorah High School early May 15 for the annual “Drive Your Tractor to School Day.” Students drove the tractors as part of an annual parade down Water Street prior to the start of the school day. During the day, a multitude of old and new models were displayed in the parking lot next to other students’ cars. The tractor drivers agreed it was a great way to mark the impending end of the school year.

(Photos by Roz Weis)

City officials hope to reduce proposed Decorah sports complex costs by $500K

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER Officials with the city of Decorah continue to discuss possible options to reduce the expected cost of constructing a new sports complex along Old Stage Road. The city has received approximately $300,000 in what were described as soft commitments, and Decorah Parks and Recreation Director Mark Holtey said approximately $250,000 was recently promised as part of a fundraising initiative in which donors may name one of the ball fields in the facility — leaving a remaining cost of approximately $1.2 million.

The site of the proposed 30acre sports facility is located next to the city dog park on Old Stage Road. It was originally designed to include two multiuse ball fields, four pickleball courts and two batting cages, along with a 100-stall parking lot, a portable restroom enclosure and other features. City officials are now looking at line items which may be removed without dampening the parks’ public purpose.

“If you take something away, like lowering the number of fields or courts or shortening the fence distance, that changes playability,” Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken said.

“We need to look at those items that aren’t necessary for game play.”

The list of potential items to cut includes the removal of drain tiles for a reduction of $70,000 and doing away with curb and gutter structures or 6-foot fencing for a potential savings of around $50,000 each. A number of smaller cost

reductions were also proposed, including the removal of a sidewalk leading to the dog park, which could yield a savings of around $10,000, and getting rid of fundraising paver bricks to potential save $13,000.

Skyline Construction also increased its in-kind contribution from $50,000 to $100,000.

When the company’s contribution is combined with the other proposed cuts, the total expected cost could drop by more than $500,000.

Goedken noted the removal of any of the features doesn’t necessarily mean city officials can’t add them to the project if funding becomes available.

The parks and recreation board, city staff and fundraising organizers have set a meeting for May 29 to evaluate the proj-

ect’s finances and discuss which specific items could be slashed from the sports complex. City officials expect to put the project out for bid by early June.

M em

orial Day

Ham

Dinner

drive-thru Burr Oak Methodist Church Burr Oak, Iowa

Monday, May 26 Serving 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

$15 per meal

Ham, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw, roll and dessert

Decorah Leader

(USPS# 151-000) is published weekly by Enterprise Media Inc., 110 Washington Street, Suite 4, Decorah, IA 52101. Periodicals postage paid at Decorah, IA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Enterprise Media Inc., P.O. Box 350, Decorah, Iowa 52101-0350.

Phone: 563-382-4221

News: editor@decorahleader.com Advertising: megan.warner@decorahleader.com Publisher: Christopher Hall Editor: Seth Boyes Subscription Rates ....................... One Year ...................... Six Months 521 zip codes ................................. $57.00 ..............................$35.00 Elsewhere. ...................................... $72.00 ..............................$44.00 Single copies $1.50, mailed $3.50.

Official publication for Decorah and Winneshiek County, Iowa.

Periodicals postage at Decorah, Iowa.

Enterprise Media Inc. DEADLINE POLICY Decorah Leader display advertising: 12 Noon Monday.

News, submissions: 12 Noon Tuesday.

Publisher reserves right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time.

OPINION

A-4 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Saddle Club member takes issue with recent DHPT letter

The cancerland between two rivers

Bearing the responsibility for a 747 The cancer rate continues to Flying Palace

increase in the land between two rivers. Today, someone else will learn they have — the dreaded word —cancer. It could be you, it could be your neighbor. It could be an Iowan caught in this toilet between two rivers.

The state is slugging its way through a disease that’s not giving up. It appears cancer research and medical practice are doing all they can to help. Are we side-stepping other issues that may lead us to the cause?

Human waste has been forever regulated. Animal waste has not. The sheer number of animals has created a population density that overwhelms our land.

You don’t have to be a skilled scientist to know there has to be runoff into our waters. Iowans continue polluting the Mississippi and intensify the Gulf of Mexico’s dead zone. Our contaminated water will not make anybody down-stream healthier.

Lastly, more than one chemical trying to enrich the tired soil must also be a factor with cancer. These chemicals leach the soils and go into our water supply. Let’s face it, land and water all have breaking points which are being pushed to the limit.

We must not be first-place in the nation with this cancer epic.

No state should. This dreaded word need not emerge in your life. Cancer can be beaten.

John Carver Decorah

Dear Editor ‘Four hundred million dollars’ and ‘jet airplane’ are phrases outside my experience. An interaction between an uncle and his niece are in my experience.

An uncle is given a luxury vehicle that holds the idea of success for himself. When I own a vehicle like that, I know am successful. He sees luminous shining royal blue paint, a supple leather interior and hears a powerful engine in his imagination.

To an observer aware of reality, the paint has faded to a dusty grey, the upholstery has duct tape holding cracks together and there is a clinking sound in the engine.

A flash of insight brings the uncle to reality. Something must be done to bring his vehicle to its original glorious appearance.

He assumes his niece will bring his iconic image into reality without criticism or comments.

All invoices for work done on the vehicle are to be sent to his niece Ms. Tax Payer.

Invoices from auto mechanics, paint shops and upholstery businesses begin appearing in Ms. Payer’s mail box. She is dismayed and angry because she knows financing Uncle Sam’s dream vehicle is not her financial responsibility.

May all citizens be keen observers of reality with comments.

Elaine St. Clair Decorah

When it comes to Decorah Human Powered Trails, I would strongly encourage city leadership and interested parties do their own research and fact checking. Below are corrections and clarifications on DHPT Vice President Jesse Reyerson’s recent letter to the editor.

The DHPT states it has “a $2 million liability insurance policy on file with the city of Decorah, along with a memorandum of understanding and liability waivers for the work we do.”

This is correct. The DHPT memorandum of agreement includes “trail maintenance workers” and states their roles include “plan, design, construction and maintenance of the trails,” “the DHPT shall control what work the trail maintenance worker(s) perform and how it is performed,” the “DHPT may hire an independent contractor to perform the work of the trail maintenance workers,” “the city shall have the discretion and option of approving an expenditure to DHPT to provide certain trail maintenance, such as trimming, grooming, brush removal and chain saw work” for their maintenance workers, which is separate from the work of their volunteers. It therefore makes sense the DHPT would be required to have a $2 million liability insurance policy with the city.

The proposed Saddle Club MOA only includes “volunteer labor for trail maintenance” and therefore should only require the same volunteer liability waiver required for DHPT volunteers.

DHPT states “equestrian trails are outside the scope of DHPT’s mission statement”.

DHPT MOA states they “shall not have any responsibility regarding non-human powered trails, such as trails that are primarily for horse, dirt bike or ATV/UTV purposes.”

DHPT is able to use all of the trails equestrians have access to, but do not have to help maintain them. While the Winneshiek County Saddle Club is agreeing to help maintain the trails they share with DHPT. Equestrians do not have a single trail the DHPT does not have access to.

The DHPT states they pay “the hourly wages for three to four trail maintenance staff.”

And that equestrian trails “would require maintenance and costs above and beyond that of a human powered trail.”

As one of the Parks and Recreation Board members point-

ed out at a meeting, the Saddle Club has ridden these trails for 50 years and they required very little maintenance. If equestrian trails require maintenance and costs “above and beyond that of DHPT,” then why does DHPT require 3-4 trail maintenance staff to maintain their trails?

Reyerson states, “While individuals may have opinions, DHPT as an organization has not asked for horses to be banned.”

Parks and Rec Board member Brian Fuhrman is a member of DHPT and their previous vice president. At the September 2024 Parks and Rec meeting, Fuhrman said he would like horses banned from all city trails. At the following October 2024 meeting, Fuhrman confirmed he would like horses banned from all city trails.

Despite multiple requests, both Fuhrman and Benji Nichols, who also serves on the Parks and Rec board and is a member of DHPT, refused to recuse themselves from voting on this issue due to conflict of interest.

Reyerson states, “Horses were never kicked off any trails they’ve previously had access to. ” The previous rule allowed horses on trails as long as it wasn’t marked “no horses.”

With the Wellmark grant, new signage was added throughout the parks and horses were not included on signage at all. The rule was then changed so that horses were only allowed where it says “horses allowed.” And that’s how equestrians unknowingly got eliminated from trails they’ve been riding for over 50 years in Palisades, Dunning Springs and Ice Caves Parks.

Many of which the Winneshiek County Saddle Club created for the citizens of Decorah at the request of then Parks and Rec Director Bob Hunt. Some of our members responsible for making those trails are still riding. We have regained access to some of those trails, but not all.

Reyerson states the majority of single track in Van Peenen, Ice Cave and Dunning Springs has been built in the last 20 years by DHPT. These trails did not exist previously and horse users were not kicked off these trails, because they were never allowed on them in the first place.

Correct. The Saddle Club has never requested to use any of these trails.

Reyerson states “Dr. Van Peenen had no issue with bikes in Van Peenen Park…In No-

vember of 2005, as the sport of mountain biking was growing, the park board did their due diligence and asked the parks and rec director to reach out to Dr Van Peenen to inquire how he felt about biking in Van Peenen park. The director talked with him about this new thing ‘mountain biking’ and asked if he had any issue with this user group being added to the Van Peenen Park. His response was that the city of Decorah is now the steward of the park and that he personally had no issue with mountain bikes as long as the trails could be built sustainability and responsibly.”

Here is the factual timeline.

Oct 20, 2005 — PNR board minutes state that “Before more trails were added, board members felt Van Peenen should be consulted. They also would like his approval in writing that mountain biking would be an acceptable use for the park.”

Motion by Fullerton to have Edwards (then director Rick Edwards) contact Van Peenen and update him on the parks trails and use by mountain bike riders, if he approved, get it in writing to serve as an amendment to his original stipulations.” Seconded

by Bakken. Motion passed 5-0.

Once approval is received from Van Peenen, the board said the DHPT could proceed with their new trails.”

Oct. 30, 2025 — Email response from Dr. Van Peenen to PNR Director Rick Edwards includes: “I have nothing against mountain biking as such, but it does degrade trails and promotes erosion, which may or may not affect wildlife habitat.

Parts of the land in question are already interlaced with so many trails (people are always making new ones and taking short cuts), and such steep ones that many are barely negotiable on foot. I know that bikers like to ride loops and fear they would end up creating all sorts of new trails which will make the problem worse…If even hiking and cross country skiing have already laced the habitat with far more trails than it originally had, mountain biking can only make it worse…If they can be kept from damaging a small and fragile environment, I would have no objection, but I really don’t think there is a way the Park Commission can control overuse…Of course, the land is no longer mine and belongs to the Park Commission which must decide on its best use for the Decorah community, but

you have quite properly consulted me and, hence, this is the answer. I think the park is already taking just about all the use it can safely tolerate and am reluctant to agree to more.”

The Dec. 15, 2005, PNR Board minutes state “The board would like to get a legal opinion on the restrictions first set by Mr. Van Peenen when donating the land to the Decorah ParkRec Dept.”

Feb. 15, 2006 — City Attorney Richard Zahasky’s opinion stated “In reviewing Dr. Van Peenen’s response to you, he may not have an objection to the use of mountain bikes if you can assure ‘that there is no damaging of the environment and you can control overuse.’ However, if you develop additional trails for that purpose, I feel that it might become objectionable to Dr. Van Peenen.”

Needless to say, his original stipulations were never amended, but mountain biking trails were added anyway.

We work in close collaboration with the parks and rec director, the parks supervisor and trail supervisor on all of our projects. We develop and present plans to the board each time we have a new project.

Nov. 17, 2022, PNR Board meeting minutes state “Parks Superintendent Ihde noted that many of the trails were built without permission.”

Reyerson states a Winneshiek Saddle Club representative has referred several times to standard rules for horse parks across the country and that “there are no city parks in Iowa or nearby surrounding states that allow horses on their city trails.”

Sunderbruch City Park in Davenport, Iowa is an example of another city park that offers equestrian trails. We have referred several times for standard rules and regulations, but we are fair. We want mountain biking trails to have to adhere to these same set of rules. At the November 2024 PNR public hearing, board member and DHPT member Brian Fuhrman stated mountain bikers have a trail they have to crawl up on their hands and knees. To which board chair Richard Gard questioned if we should even have those types of trails in the park and suggested perhaps some sort of inspector should come in.

Aimee Hilgerson Former Decorah resident Current Elgin resident

Echoes of the Past Teacher shortage evident here

BY ROZ WEIS STAFF WRITER The nationwide teacher shortage made headlines back in May of 1945; illustrated by the announcement that eight of the members of the 194445 faculty at Decorah Public School had handed in their resignations. Other headlines from the era suggested a significant farm labor shortage as well. Instructors at the high school, in charge of surveying high school and upper grade students, were hard at work finding new and innovative ways to interest the young people in farm work or teaching opportunities in their future endeavors. Even though the salaries for teachers back in the 1940s were considered “low” (especially for women) compared to some professions, the job was seen as a reliable source of income, especially during the Great Depression.

A sample salary from the mid1940s for an educator was approximately $1,100 annually.

Such incentives as tenure were considered to attract talented individuals to the teaching profession. The end of the war was a signal for a turn-around in the farm labor shortage, with military servicemen making plans to return to farming in the late 1940s.

Here are other headlines from days gone by.

80

YEARS AGO: 1945 – Fire of an undetermined origin broke out in the Canoe Number 5 rural school (called the Wilson School) the other afternoon and leveled the structure, despite all efforts of Decorah Firemen to save it. The school is situated a quarter mile northwest of the Wes Wicks farm on U.S. Highway No. 9 between Decorah and Burr Oak. …Winneshiek County’s streak of new war casualties has grown to include PFC Morris Kloster of Ossian and Sgt. Donald Rima and Eugene Sanderson, both of Decorah. …Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wolfe

of Ossian have received word their son, First Lt. Joseph Bernard Wolfe, age 23, a fighter pilot, has been missing in action over Germany. His brother, Zeno, is also in military service. …John Wheatman of Decorah is confined to his bed after getting caught in a planter mechanism while planting corn.

His life was saved thanks to a team of gentle horses.

70

YEARS AGO: 1955 – More than 700 people visited the Brown Zoo during the first annual grand opening of the venue. Contributions to the Crippled Children’s Society of Winneshiek County totaled nearly $100 at the grand opening. …Students at Luther College have pledged a total of $41,333 to the new Science Hall Fund Drive. …The Decorah Kilties will be one of more than 30 musical units parading in Toma, Wisconsin, later this month. …Seven heifers in the Brown

Future teachers The Froebel Club at Decorah High School, under the direction of Mrs. Hazel Hunt, provided training for students interested in becoming future teachers back in the mid 1940s. Club officers were Evelyn Yocum, Lucille Arneson, Vernelle Ellingson, Ruth Flaskerud, Gloria Ann Lee and June Fulsaas. The officers and their teacher are pictured in this photo from the 1946 Viking yearbook.

Swiss herd owned by Louis Elpert (who farms 10 miles north of Decorah on Highway 52) are being shipped to South America.

60

YEARS AGO: 1965 – A crowd of more than 1,100 people attended “Barbershopping Collegiate Style,” the third annual Barbershop

Parade of Quartets at the Luther College Fieldhouse recently.

The Raising Kings and the Dechorders were the two quartets representing Iowa. The Dechorders are the local Decorah quartet. …The pond behind the Decorah High School was the perfect spot for the girls physical education classes to learn all

about canoeing. Their instructor is Miss Korns. The canoes were loaned by Erickson Service Station, George Knudson and Decorah Lutheran Church. …The theme for the prom at Decorah High School this spring is “Cloud Nine.” Music

Echoes

continued on page A-16

NEWS/OBITUARIES

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Local advocate aims to prevent abuse by shining spotlight on signs of strangulation

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER The use of strangulation by abusive individuals isn’t as uncommon as most in the region might assume it to be, according to Trish Johnson, a bilingual domestic abuse advocate with Helping Services for Youth and Families in Decorah. Johnson, a 12-year veteran of the Domestic Abuse Resource Center recently completed an advanced course on the topic and methods to prevent such abuse, and she hopes to make the public aware of how prevalent such abuse is.

She said, in her line of work, the best approach is often to assume strangulation has occurred and rule it out, rather than incorrectly assume it never occurred at all.

“In a small town, you feel safe,” said Johnson, a Decorah native. “You feel like things like this don’t happen, or they don’t happen to people you know, or it doesn’t happen to the good people in town. You would be shocked to know how prevalent strangulation is.”

Johnson explained choking and strangulation are not synonymous — choking occurs inside the throat while strangulation occurs when pressure is applied to the outside of the neck. She went on to say that pressure can be dangerous even if it doesn’t constrict a person’s airway, noting the carotid artery and the jugular vein are located in the neck.

“The arteries are bringing blood to our brains, and the veins are bringing it away,” Johnson said. “All it takes is 4 pounds of pressure, which is like squeezing a straw. It doesn’t take much at all. So, you can put pressure on either the carotid artery or the jugular, and all it takes is an average of 6.8 seconds to lose consciousness.”

She said a victim can lose

Trish Johnson bladder control in approximately 15 seconds and bowel control after 30 seconds — Johnson said, on average, a victim in a fatal case of strangulation dies between about a minute and 2.5 minutes after losing consciousness.

“If you don’t remember wetting yourself, it’s probably because you lost consciousness,” she said. “You’re going to have memory issues, and you’re not going to remember things in chronological order. When you’re unconscious, you’re not making new memories, because your brain is dying, so you’re losing brain cells. Losing consciousness isn’t good.”

Johnson said that, for years, professionals in her field had noticed clients who had a difficult time remembering things or who seemed what she called flighty.

“We knew the correlation, but now we have the causation,” she said. “Probably, it was either repeated concussions, or it was from strangulation or other injuries sustained during an assault.”

She said strangulation is often used by abusive individuals in an attempt to gain power or control over their partner. She described it as a tool used by abusers — like financial depen-

dence, isolation, manipulation and other forms of abuse — and she indicated abusive behavior can sometimes shift from one form to another.

“Strangulation is used to show their partner they have the ability to kill them — whether they take advantage of that or not,” Johnson said. “Most homicides by an intimate partner are committed with firearms, however the chance of eventually being killed by your partner increases by 750 percent if you’ve been strangled by that partner just one time.”

Johnson and other professionals in her position work closely with law enforcement on domestic abuse cases. She said internal structures like the hyoid bone, trachea and voice box can be damaged by strangulation, yet about 40 percent of strangulation victims won’t show visible signs of the abuse.

“It’s important for people to get medically evaluated,” she said. “The chances of someone dying from strangulation are actually pretty low, but we don’t want to miss that. It’s just like a car accident. The (EMTs) put collars on the victims just in case they have a spinal injury, and they keep it on until that has been ruled out. We need to be treating strangulation victims the same way. They’ll probably walk away just fine, but we could save a life.”

The visible signs of strangulation can include bruising and petechiae, which are small, pinpoint red or purple spots which appear on the skin due to broken blood vessels. Johnson said victims also experience tinnitus, headaches and soreness. She said a victim might not necessarily think these symptoms are serious, but they could be signs of a more critical injury which could contribute to their death several months later.

“That’s how a lot of perpetrators are not being held responsi-

ble for these injuries,” Johnson said. “Because they can say ‘Anything could have happened between now and then,’ and that’s why being medically screened after it happens is so important. A very high majority of victims choose not to get medical care, because in the moment, they feel okay.”

Johnson said that because of the symptoms of strangulation, law enforcement could mistake someone who has been strangled for someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Law enforcement plays a really important role, and they’re amazing partners with us,” she said. “All of our partners and everyone I’ve told I’m doing this class — they’re all excited to get the information too so we can all do better.”

Johnson said advocates as well as law enforcement should look for facial drooping, areas of hair that have been pulled out, scratches on an individual’s neck, incontinence and slurred speech as signs of possible abuse. She also recommended officers use specific screening questions when responding to domestic abuse calls — especially if strangulation is happening during intercourse.

“It’s happening with a lot of younger adults, because they’re seeing it in pornography and social media, and they think it’s normal, but it’s not,” Johnson said, noting numerous accidental deaths occur each year due to strangulation during sex.

“A lot of times, it’s not really consensual. They’re being persuaded or coerced into trying something they’re really not comfortable doing and not knowing what could happen.”

For additional information on Helping Services for Youth and Families, call 563-387-1720 or visit helpingservices.org.

Service Notices JAN KRUEGER, 63, of Decorah, died Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at WinnMed in Decorah surrounded by family. Funeral services were held Saturday, May 17 at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church in Decorah with Pastor Kim Smith presiding. Burial was in Washington Prairie Cemetery.

Photo submitted

Goosechase returning to Decorah Hatchery The Friends of the Decorah Hatchery invite the public to attend the return of the Goosechase from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 24 at the hatchery.

This scavenger hunt-inspired event uses a free, web-based app to engage teams in competitive missions. Teams explore and learn about the hatchery and the natural environment of the Driftless Region. Snacks and prizes will be provided.

Last fall, the Friends Group piloted a Goosechase event in which 23 teams and almost 100 participants competed to answer trout trivia, boast the best fish face, identify geological features and complete other hatchery-driven missions. The Memorial Day Goosechase will kick off a season of Goosechase events at the hatchery for folks all summer.

Goosechase events are a collection of missions in which participants complete for points and share images over a live stream. The missions may in-

volve taking and posting photos or videos, answering questions via text and mapping locations via GPS — for example, a mission might ask a participant to take a picture of a specific type of plant, make a sculpture with found objects or take a video of the coolest bird they see and mark the location with a GPS. Entries are then shared in a live stream for all participants to see. The hunts are built for all ages.

Plans are underway to hold a sponsored chase once a month this summer, during which teams nay compete for prizes.

In addition to the sponsored events, the Hatchery’s summer teaching intern Emily Neal will be creating ongoing Goosechase experiences which any visitor to the Decorah Hatchery may enjoy all season long. For more information and to stay updated on Goosechase events at the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery, email hatcherygoosechase@gmail.com.

Brett Rickard

Dec. 18, 1975 - April 30, 2025 Brett Andrew Rickard, 49, died April 30, 2025 at his home, in Springville.

Brett was born Dec. 18, 1975 in Cresco to Richard and Diana Rickard. He liked to work on cars and was an aniBrett Rickard mal lover. He liked to make TikToks and enjoyed game nights with family at home. His favorite place to eat was Mabe’s Pizza in Decorah.

He is survived by his mother, Diana Rickard; brothers: Bryant (Luis) and Barry (Liz) Rickard; children: Katlyn (Ram), Kaden, Kylen and Keiran; as well as three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Rickard, and his wife, Genera Humbert.

No services are planned at this time.

DAVID (DAVE) SWEET of Decorah died April 8, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. A happy hour will be held to celebrate the life of Dave on Friday, May 23 from 4-7 p.m. at T-Bocks Upstairs in Decorah.

A private family service will be held.

A-5

Wanda Soland

Sept. 16, 1937 - June 15, 2024 Wanda Mae (Gish) Soland lost a hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia on June 15, 2024.

She died peacefully at Cascade Creek Memory Care in Rochester, Minnesota.

Wanda was born eight miles from the Mexico border in Weslaco, Texas. She was welcomed into the world on Sept.

16, 1937, by Bruce and Zelma Gish and her half-brother Elmer Michael (Mike) Gish. Wanda attended school at Weslaco High School. While there she was very active in Band, particularly marching band and her senior year was encouraged to be a majorette where she became the Drum Majorette. Upon Graduation from Weslaco High School, she enrolled and graduated from Baptist School of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas and earned a B.A. at Trinity University in San Antonio. During this time, she became the Trinity school Nurse. From this experience she applied and was accepted as one of 160 young professionals of many fields of expertise from around the country to embark on a new program called Operation Crossroads Africa. They travelled to Nigeria where they spent time creating medical outposts, digging wells, creating roads and building schools.

Operation Crossroads still exists as a non-profit, non-government organization while the success of Operation Crossroads helped to motivate the start of the Peace Corp.

Wanda returned to San Antonio to teach Surgical Nursing.

Wanda was introduced to Air Force Brain Researcher Eugene (Gene) Soland and by her roommate and longtime friend Susan Burbank at the home of Gene’s Aunt Elsie and Uncle Col. Leonard Burbank who happen to be Susan’s parents. Wanda married Gene on Nov. 4, 1961, in Weslaco. They resided in San Antonio where she taught Nursing. They started their family with the birth of their son, Robert (Bob).

Wanda and Gene moved to Minneapolis upon Gene entering the Lutheran Seminary there.

Wanda began employment as a nurse at Fairview Hospital.

At Fairview she was part of a small group of nurses that started the first Intensive Care Unit.

Soon they moved to Milwaukee to begin Gene’s internship and welcome another son, Ronald (Ron). The young family then moved to Glenwood City, Wisconsin for Gene’s first call to ministry. There they welcomed their daughter Brenda who was born in New Richmond, making their family complete. Gene’s ministry brought the family to Sioux Center, Iowa and then to Elk Horn, Iowa where Wanda was able to engage in many church activities. At Elk Horn,

Wanda resumed her nursing career by first working at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa and then becoming the Director of Nurses at Salem Lutheran Homes in Elk Horn.

They were very good at taking family road trips not only to Texas but also to discover the country from coast to coast and visit family and friends. Once the children had moved out of the house, they decided to move back to San Antonio. Wanda became Director of Nursing at Manor Care Nursing Home. At Manor Care she was in charge of the first Alzheimer’s ward in San Antonio. In 1990, Wanda was runner up for Director of Nursing out of over 1,000 applicants for the honor. Upon Wanda’s retirement the couple enjoyed life in San Antonio and their cabin along the Arroyo in Colorado. The couple spent the warmer five months of 2004 and 2005 visiting Brenda in Nome, Alaska while Gene was interim Pastor at Our Saviors Lutheran.

They moved to Kasson, Minnesota to be closer to their children. Wanda enjoyed being there for her grandchildren Eric, Rachel and Laura Soland. Their house became a great place for Brenda and her daughter Brianna to visit on their journeys back from Alaska. In retirement, Wanda was a very proud and active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) This organization is very active in helping immigrants obtain citizenship. She was a lifetime member of the RNC. As Lewy Body and Parkinson’s started to take their toll Wanda moved into Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center, Minnesota where she spent a couple magical years and was well looked after by their wonderful staff. While at Fairview, she survived the COVID shutdown with grace. Wanda then moved to Cascade Creek Memory Care as her dementia progressed even more where she was well looked after by compassionate staff. Wanda spent her last days surrounded by her family.

Throughout Wanda’s life she was always well loved and highly thought of because she loved well and thought highly of others. Although she lived an amazingly adventurous life, the most important thing to Wanda was her family, her friends and God. Wanda was a strong woman of faith and will be reunited with her parents Bruce and Zelma Gish, her son Ron and her brother Mike.

Wanda’s ashes will be spread after a short service at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Decorah at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 24. A memorial service was held June 22, 2024, at the Dibble Funeral Home Chapel in Kasson.

cialist, and trained new teachers in the district. She also instructed education majors at Fresno Pacific University and Cal State Stanislaus. In 2002, she retired after 32 years in the classroom and in that time impacted hundreds if not thousands of Central Valley students and teachers.

Muriel and David were avid distance runners, often waking early to train before work. They ran marathons across California, and in 1982, Muriel was ranked the 97th fastest 10k female runner in the U.S. Muriel was gentle, kind and had a contagious laugh. She supported her children’s interests, even joining them in the local production of “The Sound of Music”. Once the kids were grown, she pursued abstract watercolor painting with mixed media.

After moving to Louisville, Colorado, in 2013, Muriel embraced her role as “Mimi” and enjoyed regular visits to Pasadena, California with David to spend time with grandchildren.

Muriel approached her Par-

kinson’s diagnosis with determination, participating in exercise programs with the Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies, including dance, boxing and cycling.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, David; sisters, Kathy Berg and Lois (Noren) Smith; brother, Steven (Deb) Bigler; daughter, Merritt (Todd) Onsa and their children Madison and Collette; son, Chad Olsen (Brian Duck) and their children Anne and Magnus.

Muriel was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Myrtle (Ellingson) Bigler, and her sisters, Lorraine Houck and Evelyn Sersland.

A celebration of life will be held in Broomfield, Colorado, on June 21, 2025 – Muriel’s 81st birthday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support scholarships for students entering their third year of teacher training via: M/M Retired Teachers Association, Merced/Mariposa Division, 1203 Billie Ct., Merced, CA 95340 or to the organization of your choice.

Muriel Olsen

June 21, 1944 - May 16, 2025 Devoted wife, loving mother and passionate educator, Muriel (nee Bigler) Olsen, 80, of Broomfield, Colorado, died Friday, May 16 at home after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

A Decorah farm Muriel Olsen girl, Muriel was born June 21, 1944. She moved into town at age 16 where she completed high school while working as a waitress at Ostrander’s. There she met David, who tutored her in chemistry. They married in August 1963, and despite advice that education would be “wasted” on a married woman, she attended Luther College for one year and graduated in 1967 from Augustana College with a degree in elementary education.

In 1969, they moved to Merced, California where Muriel devoted her teaching career to advancing literacy in children.

She earned a masters degree in literacy, became a reading spe-

A-6 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

!

to all area

EMERGENCY RESPONDERS Staying humble to be helpful

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER

660 County St. Ridgeway, IA

563-737-2221

Monona • Cresco • Decorah

Corey Shuman, like most people, never aspired to be a 911 operator or dispatcher.

But, he said it seems like everything he did earlier in life primed him for his current role as a 911 telecommunicator for Winneshiek County.

“Basically, my job is to help people solve problems, so I was unwittingly set up with great foundations for this line of work, including the deep, calming voice,” he said.

Shuman, who was raised in Canton, New York, moved to Decorah with Kyra, his partner of 21 years, in 2010. He admitted that until he began working as a 911 operator for the county, he didn’t know much about the area.

“For eight or nine years, I traveled for work, and I drove everywhere in the Midwest, but I knew nothing about Winneshiek County,” he said. “I knew more about the state of Wisconsin than I did about here. So, when I started as a dispatcher in the fall of 2018, I didn’t even know how to pronounce Ossian. So, it was a very different mindset shift — having driven through towns but never needing to know their names before I started working as a telecommunicator.”

Prior to becoming a telecommunicator, Shuman was building high/low “challenge courses” — often called “ropes courses” — rock-climbing towers and zip lines around the United States, and although he enjoyed the work, he was away from home about 200 nights each year.

Then, in 2018, Kyra suggested he consider becoming a 911 telecommunicator for Winneshiek County.

“She thought it would be something I’d be good at, given my previous work history,” he said. “The challenge of the ropes course field was convincing people to do things that they didn’t feel they were capable of. 'You’re up there.

You’re sitting on the edge of the platform. Do you want to go on the zip line, or do you want to come down a different way?’”

Shuman also worked in the overnight camping industry, in which a significant portion of his duties involved encouraging people to step outside their comfort zones — like hiking a distance in the dark of night with no flashlight.

“When I interviewed for this position, a concern of mine was that I had too much of a positive outlook,” he said.

“I see through rose-colored glasses a lot. I brought that up during my second interview with the police chief and the head of the department — if that attitude concerned them, and of course it didn’t, and that put me at ease about it.”

Shuman recalls that shortly after he started as a telecommunicator, he received a challenging call from another county, but the Winneshiek County deputies helped him remain calm and focused.

“I was by myself, overnight in the dispatch center, and this call included a car chase and firearms and law enforcement presence, and all I was hearing on the radio was ‘This is coming your way,’” he said. “That made me feel frozen in the moment, and what helped me with that were the deputies on the radio telling me to ‘keep it simple’ and ‘here’s

k County Winneshie r mmunicato 911 teleco t one man sits a Corey Shu ons tching stati a p is d e re of th nt enforceme in the law ecorah. center in D (Photo by

n)

Zach Jense

804 Pole Line Rd., Decorah 563-382-0642 www.casperdecorah.com

Roger’s Lock & Key Roger Hamilton

309 Montgomery St. Decorah, IA 52101 Phone: 563-382-3374/419-2174 (cell)

Sports Bar & Grill 309 W. WATER ST., DECORAH | 563-277-1317

206 W. Water St., Decorah 563-382-5970

EITZEN 507-495-3326 CHATFIELD 507-867-4910 HARMONY 507-886-2255 321 W. Water St. & 1801 Old Stage Rd., Decorah 563-387-0191 • vikingstatebank.com

HammellEquipment.com

RUSHFORD 507-864-2845

Excavating FOLLOW US Septic ➤ Demo Buildings ➤ Dozer/Grading ➤ Tiling w/GPS 152 S. West St., Postville, IA ➤ Ponds 563-864-7515 ➤ ➤

108 W. Water St., Decorah 563-382-8440 www.hammeljewelers.com

Decorah

563-382-4302 511 W. Water St., Ste. C

Lansing

563-538-4673 267 Main St.

moellersdentistry.com

Inspiring Senior Living Options for Everyone aasehaugen.com 563-382-3603

110 Court St., Decorah 382-3227 friest.com 2191 US Hwy 52, Decorah | (563) 382-2901

Kelly Reagan, D.C. • 563-382-4411 Perry Numedahl, D.C. • 563-382-1085

300 East Water St., Decorah

what we need to know.’ I was very impressed with the law enforcement’s readiness and professionalism and how they took positions of defense for the local public.”

The telecommunicator said he appreciates that the local and officers and deputies return to the law enforcement center after a call and help him better understand what happened so he’s better prepared for the next time a similar call comes in.

“I think of how proud I am of the people who go out in the field — the officers, deputies, troopers, EMS responders and the firefighters,” Shuman said. “When they handle something, and they all come back safe. That feels good to me, because whatever it was, we got it handled and got it resolved. I know they train for everything, but it’s really impressive to see it in action. Maybe they don’t hear that a lot, so I don’t mind telling them.”

Unlike the old days of 911 call centers, when operators wrote everything down in notebooks, Shuman said everything is now done on a computer, which he indicated makes 911 dispatching much more efficient and effective.

“We follow a set of protocols for medical calls that involves our Computer Aided Dispatch,” he said. “CAD helps us be better at our jobs — to be more detailed and dynamic. And, integrated with that is the Emergency Medical Dispatch, which basically says, ‘Okay, I’ve sent help, but what can I do now, audibly, to assist somebody?’ It basically tracks me through a series of questions to help me identify the problem more specifically and how to address it before responders get there.”

Shuman said when a 911 call comes in, he does about a half-dozen different things in rapid succession in an effort to help the caller — beginning with saying in a calm voice, “I’m glad you called.”

“When I receive a 911 call from someone needing a medical response, I take pertinent information and get the appropriate ambulance district and first responders rolling to that — as well as law enforcement,” he said. “Then, depending on what type medical it is, we may also get the appropriate fire department district rolling as well. While they’re en route, I continue to collect information to help them, and I update those units while they’re on the way — like ‘There’s a family member on scene’ or that best access is through the side garage door.”

The telecommunicator said a lesson from his former high school basketball coach helps him do his job and keep cool under pressure.

“He used to talk about things that were important beyond the game,” Shuman said. “He’d include ‘be humble,’ and that is something that proverbially rings in my ears when I’m on a call. That helps me not have an attitude. If you’re humble, you can be more helpful.”

Winneshiek County Emergency Management and 911 Coordinator Sean Snyder said Corey “brings a stable calm to the job,” but Corey’s best quality is his ability to want to learn more after each call.

“Corey can be found discussing each call with the people involved,” Snyder said. “That makes me proud.”

Shuman noted that he’s proud of all of Winneshiek County’s first responders and how much they care about their neighbors.

“Our people are really great, and they always seem to be in the right place at the right time,” he said. “I have always felt supported by all of them.”

Community Insurance of Iowa, Inc. dba Bushman Insurance “Where Honesty Is Our Business” Ossian • 563-532-9207 www.cioia.com

Country Garden Flowers & Gifts

Your Downtown Full Service Florist 113 W. Water St., Decorah • 563-382-1148 www.thecountrygardenflorists.com

LAW OFFICES OF ANDERSON, WILMARTH, VAN DER MAATEN, FRETHEIM, EVELSIZER OLSON, NOBLE, LYNCH & ZAHASKY 212 Winnebago St., Decorah 563-382-2959

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221 | A-7

Because somebody needs to do it

go out in the bitter cold or in the oppressive heat to help their neighbors, friends and those just traveling through the community.” He said EMS providers also sometimes help care for their patients’ children or animals and have helped ensure patients’ families are also well cared for.

“The EMS agencies in Winneshiek County are one of our biggest customers here in the dispatch center,” said Winneshiek County Emergency Management and 911 Coordinator Sean Snyder. “The added annual call volume for EMS in Winneshiek County is consistently in the thousands of calls each year. EMS plays a vital role and without our local boots on the ground’ volunteers, who will respond to assist you during your time of need.”

Vanden Brink said everyone gets into EMS for a reason: they want to help.

“Even if it is just showing up and giving a warm hand to a very cold situation,” he said. “We have great responders throughout the county, but there are areas that are really underserved, so we really want to be sure people start talking about it and learn how to get involved.”

Vanden Brink said he enjoys his EMS work, adding it allows him to help people he’s never met before.

“It’s so rewarding to have the basic medical knowledge and use that knowledge maybe 10 percent of the time,” he said. “The rest of it is just being a good person to my neighbor — to somebody I might not even know.“ For information on how to volunteer for Winneshiek County EMS, call Snyder at 563-387-4095 or Vanden Brink at 563-387-3049.

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER

Winneshiek County EMS Association President Steve Vanden Brink

Winneshiek County Emergency Management Coordinator Sean Snyder

Emergency Medical Services Week runs from May 18 to May 24, and Winneshiek County EMS Association President Steve Vanden Brink said he hopes area residents take the time to consider the importance of EMS volunteers.

“This week is really about the EMS responders, both paid and who volunteer,” he said. “The people who go to the scene and help with the patient. The WinnMed ambulance crew may volunteer as well in their communities.”

Vanden Brink said the county is currently home to 40 EMS providers, which is down from 100 in 1987.

“EMS hasn’t really promoted itself as a profession, and volunteerism has declined,” he said. “Who wants to go to class for 160 hours and possibly have to pay for it out of their pocket? Right now, that’s anywhere from $800 to $1,600 for the class, and then, you have continuing education every two years, and you get nothing to wake up in the middle of the night.”

Vanden Brink has served in EMS since 1988, and although he’s now a WinnMed employee, he still volunteers his time to provide emergency medical services out of his personal commitment to serve the community. And, although the industry has made numerous technological advances, oftentimes it helps just have another person on scene.

“We’ve made a lot of advances throughout the years, and yet the number-one thing that really makes a difference is having somebody there when that person needs help,” he said. “Maybe it’s just holding their hand or holding the door. They might not be putting on a tourniquet, stopping the bleed or doing chest compressions. They might just be there to help any way they can.”

Vanden Brink said he and Winneshiek County Emergency Management Coordinator Sean Snyder are looking for eight people to take an Emergency Medical Responder course — a 60-hour class which covers the first step in working in emergency medical services. But, Vanden Brink said such a role isn’t for everyone.

“EMS is not for the faint of heart,” he said. “Many times, people ask, ‘How can you do this? How can you go out and help the stranger and see all those bad things?’ The average EMS responder will say ‘We do it just because somebody needs to do it.’”

Vanden Brink said EMS has responded to births, motor vehicle crashes, medical and trauma emergencies and deaths. He noted EMS providers wake up in the middle of the night and “leave their warm bed to

The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors proclaimed May 18-24 National EMS Week during its regular meeting the morning of May 19. Pictured left to right are Winneshiek County Emergency Management Coordinator Sean Snyder, first responder Chopper Albert, Supervisor Steve Kelsay, Supervisors Vice-Chairman Mark Vick, Supervisors Chairman Dan Langreck, Supervisor Shirley Vermace and Supervisor Mark Faldet. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

LG

VIKING WOLF

VIKING

BOSCH

ROCKWEILER RROCKWEILER OCKWEILER

LG

WHIRLPOOL

Home of of Quality LowestPrice PriceGuarantee Guarantee* ** Home QualityService Service& & The The Lowest

BOSCH

1789 Hwy. 9 East Decorah, IA (563) 382-9000

Downtown Waukon, IA

(563) 568-3888 APPLIANCE AP PLIANCE & &TV TV T V Downtown APPLIANCE Prairie du Chien

M

!

rockweilerappltv.com

1789 Hwy 9 East, Decorah (563) 382-9000 M-F 8:30 - 6 Sat: 9-4; Sun: 11-4

1100 E Lapointe St, Prairie du Chien (608) 326-8788 M-F: 9-6, Sat: 9-3; Sun: Closed

17 W Main St, Waukon (563) 568-3888 M-F: 9-5, Sat: 9-2; Sun: Closed

123 S Main, Viroqua (608) 637-7347 M-F: 8-6, Sat: 9-3; Sun: Closed

rockweilerappltv.com o n ey

Let Rockweiler’s Save You

WHIRLPOOL

MAYTAG AMANA ELECTROLUX SAMSUNG

FRIGIDAIRE

Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-5; Sat 9-5; Sun 11-4

* with approval **Low price guarantee anywhere you can walk in and see it!

(608) 326-8788 Downtown Viroqua (608) 637-7347

*Low price guarantee anywhere you can walk in and see it!

Laying the groundwork for your community

BRUENING ROCK PRODUCTS, INC. Serving Northeast Iowa since 1932 900 Montgomery St., Decorah, IA 563-382-2933 | www.brueningrock.com

SPEED QUEEN KITCHENAID DANBY SUB-ZERO FRIGIDAIRE

NEWS

A-8 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Alternate routes encouraged during Heivly Street improvements

Supervisors approve changes to zoning ordinance 4-1

Vermace concerned move The city of Decorah recently close for several days, during notified residents of upcoming which crews will install mains could make street closures related to the and a fire hydrant east of the supervisors initial phase of construction on intersection. Signs indicating the Heivly Street improvement road closures will be posted, ‘more political’ project. and motorists are encouraged Work during the week of May 19 will involve installation of water mains near city hall.

Claiborne Drive will be closed north of the River/Heivly/Claiborne intersection at that time.

The nearby 48-hour parking lot will be closed to through traffic for safety reasons. Recycle bins in the lot will remain accessible. Access to Claiborne Drive west of the high school and John Cline Elementary will be available via North Mill Street and Goose Island Drive.

City officials said eastbound and westbound traffic on Heivly Street will remain open as much as possible during the initial phase of construction but will

to use alternate routes during those periods.

Driveway entrances and exits to the Post Office and BMO Bank drive-thru will not be affected during spring construction.

After work on the water main is complete, the intersection will reopen, and Skyline Construction will install large-diameter storm sewer intakes near the high school pond as well as along Goose Island Drive and the north side of Claiborne Drive.

Work on the initial phase of construction is expected to last two to three weeks. City officials said construction updates will continue throughout the course of the project.

City now accepting applications for Downtown Economic Development Grant Program The city of Decorah recently announced applications are now being accepted for the FY2026 cycle of the Downtown Economic Development Grant Program.

A total of $100,000 has been allocated to support projects which contribute to the revitalization and economic vitality of Decorah’s downtown district.

The program offers financial assistance to property owners and qualified tenants undertaking exterior renovations and upper-story residential conversions within the designated downtown area. Eligible projects may include facade improvements, structural and accessibility repairs and the conversion of upper-story spaces into residential units. Grant awards are subject to a 3-1 ap-

plicant match and are capped at $10,000 for exterior improvements or $25,000 for upper-story residential conversions.

Applications must be received by 4 p.m. Monday, June 9 to be considered by the Decorah City Council during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, June 16. Interested applicants are encouraged to schedule a pre-application consultation with city staff to review project eligibility and submission requirements. Full program guidelines, eligibility criteria and application forms are available on the city of Decorah website or by contacting Decorah City Hall. For more information, contact Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken at 563-382-3651 or citymanager@decorah.iowa.gov.

Free home energy audits now available to incomequalifying households The Winneshiek Energy District recently announced a new program offering free comprehensive home energy audits to income-qualifying households in Decorah and Winneshiek County. This initiative is designed to help residents reduce their energy bills, improve home comfort and identify practical steps toward energy efficiency and home upgrade opportunities.

Homeowners and renters can receive a detailed home energy audit at no cost, thanks to recent grant funding. The assessment includes a thorough inspection of the home’s insulation, heating and cooling systems, lighting and appliances. It also includes a blower door test to assess air leakage. Participants will receive a personalized report outlining recommended improvements, potential savings and opportunities to make

their homes healthier, more comfortable and more energy-efficient.

“An energy audit can identify cost savings that aren’t always apparent,” said Paul Cutting, energy auditor for Winneshiek Energy District. “Reducing air infiltration and increasing insulation levels can lower energy costs by upwards of 25 percent, resulting in real savings.”

To be eligible for a free energy audit, households must have incomes less than 150 percent of the area’s median income — or about $112,000 for household of two. Full details, including eligibility requirements and application information, are available at energydistrict.org/ services/comprehensive-energy-assessment.

For more information, contact Paul Cutting at 563-3340538 or paul@energydistrict. org.

PROPOSED PAVEMENT REPLACEMENT ON IOWA 9 IN WINNESHIEK COUNTY

9

from U.S. 52 to East of Pleasant Avenue in Decorah

SHARE YOUR INPUT: Available MAY 20, 2025 to JUNE 2, 2025

Go to https://bit.ly/iowadotreg6627

View the online video Leave an online comment CONTACT US: Pete Hjelmstad, Field Services Coordinator, Iowa DOT District 2 Office 428 43rd Street SW, Mason City, Iowa 50401 641-423-7584 | 800-477-4368 pete.hjelmstad@iowadot.us Iowa DOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other nondiscrimination statutes. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Iowa DOT Civil Rights at 515-239-1111 or by email at civil.rights@iowadot.us

County Supervisor Steve Kelsay objected to comments made by fellow County Supervisor Shirley Vermace, which eh indicated he saw as an implication the board had made a mistake in appointing its chair, Dan Langreck, to the Winneshiek County Conservation Board. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Monday to approve changes to language in the county’s zoning ordinance, including wording which allows the board of supervisors to remove members of the zoning commission “for cause upon written charges and after a public hearing.” The board also approved the addition of two new uses under the A2 zoning designation.

Although the wording of the specific ordinance was rewritten to match the language already adopted by the county’s board of adjustment, Winneshiek County Supervisor Shirley Vermace was concerned that, without a more specific definition of cause for removal, the rewritten section could allow the supervisors to remove a zoning commission member simply because they dislike that specific member. The ordinance’s new language also specifies a vacancy on the planning and zoning commission is to be filled by the board of supervisors for the remainder of the term.

“I would like to suggest, in discussion, to add some wording to the part about eliminating P&Z members and have it say something closer to ‘The P&Z commission will make an evidence-based recommendation to the board of supervisors for removal of a P&Z commission member, and the board of supervisors will discuss and take action on that recommendation,” Vermace said County Supervisor Steve Kelsay objected to Vermace’s suggestion, noting no other Winneshiek County commission employs the wording she recommended.

Vermace responded, saying the supervisors should look at the wording used by all the county’s commissions to ensure “the ultimate power isn’t in just one branch” and “that the commission and the board together make that recommendation, so it’s a two-level checks and balances, and it keeps politics out of the scenario.”

“The change was issued to make the verbage of the P&Z

membership match the verbiage of the board of adjustment membership,” said Winneshiek County Planning and Zoning Administrator Tony Phillips, who authored the change.

Phillips went on tosay the wording is very close to language used in the Iowa Code, “but it uses all the words that Shirley finds objectionable.”

Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors Vice-Chairmain Mark Vick said the board has never voted a member out of a commission, and Winneshiek County Auditor Ben Steines said he couldn’t remember any commission members who were removed mid-term, aside from those who had resigned or relocated.

Vermace pointed to former planning and zoning commission member Melissa O’Rourke and former Winneshiek County Conservation Board President Bill Ohde as examples. However, in those instances, the members’ terms had expired and, instead of renewing their terms, the board of supervisors voted to appoint other individuals to the positions. Supervisors Board Chair Dan Langreck took the seat previously filled by Ohde on the conservation board, and Paul Lillegraven was appointed to fill the seat O’Rourke previously held on the a planning and zoning commission.

“I just want to make sure that the optics of what we do, as the board of supervisors, does not become political or playing favorites with people …,” Vermace said. “This is a completely new day, and I’m afraid it will become political.”

Supervisor Mark Faldet voiced his support of Vermace’s suggestion, but Kelsay indicated he wasn’t convinced.

“We have two issues here,”

Kelsay said. “One is we have a renewal of a volunteer committee member, and we have removal for cause. Removal for cause falls within the legislative power of this body, which has the overall responsibility.

It’s five elected officials as the CEO’s of the county. We have (approximately) 20,000 citizens in this county, and we have this number of commissions. These are not lifetime appointments.

So, if we decide, and it becomes a majority decision, that’s how all decisions have been made.”

Kelsay went on to say he objected strongly to what he saw as an implication on Vermace’s part that Langreck’s appointment to the county conservation board was a mistake.

“When you say we made a bad decision for the conservation board, I take exception to that,” he said. “We have a right to be on that committee, on that board, according to state law.

We may have a sitting member of the board of supervisors on any of those three boards — conservation, public health and veterans.”

Vermace motioned for the board to adopt her proposed language for the ordinance, specifying a recommendation to remove a planning and zoning commission member would come from the planning and zoning commission. That motion failed due to lack of a second.

The first reading of Phillips’ proposed ordinance changes was approved, and the second and third readings were waived as allowed before the board gave the change final approval — each vote passed 4-1, with Vermace casting the lone dissenting vote each time.

Included in the changes was the addition of “Forest prod-

ucts concentration yards with processing, not including sawmills” under the county’s A2 Agricultural District zoning.

The addition of the “allowed principal use” is a new designation in the county’s zoning districts and was hotly contested during two previously meetings. Jim, Ned and Caleb Ulring, owners of Northern Timber Company, insisted their business — a timber cutting, concentration and shipping yard — was strictly agricultural.

No discussion took place during Monday’s meeting on the new additions to the A2 zoning district.

In other business: • The supervisors proclaimed May 18-24 as National Emergency Medical Services Week, with the slogan “We care. For everyone.”

• Earth moving on the site of the Neste Valley Recreational Area occurred the week of May 12.

• Culvert replacement has begun on Winneshiek County Road B32, which will be Otta sealed from Fort Atkinson to Festina and from Festina to Ossian. The project will likely occur in late July or early August.

• Following a closed session, the supervisors unanimously approved a motion to authorize Winneshiek County Development and Tourism to market the property at 2307 U.S. Highway 52 S. in Decorah, which was previously occupied by Winneshiek County Health and Human Services. A public hearing is to be scheduled upon receiving any reasonable offer.

The next meeting of the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 27 in the courthouse annex.

Construction underway for overdue maintenance hangar City to seek compensation for door design error

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER After three years of planning and financial preparations, ground has finally been broken at the Decorah Municipal Airport as part of a maintenance hangar project. Footings were poured last week for the new hangar.

The new hangar will replace an antiquated maintenance structure built in 1972. The existing hanger has become too small for the growing airport and was fraught with issues, such as cracked concrete, weather leaks and outdated wiring. The $2 million upgrade will create a larger hangar, which will also house a new pilots lounge and offices for the airport’s fixed-base operator.

According to Decorah City Manager, Travis Goedken, eight grants will cover most of the project’s funding, in addition to a $300,000 match by the city. Originally slated for 2024, the project was put on hold after the single contractor’s bid received by the city

came in substantially over the engineer’s estimated cost — the city wouldn’t have had enough funds to cover the difference had it moved forward with the project at that time.

“Even if we would have applied for an additional grant to help cover the higher cost, we still would have been $400,000 shy of meeting the higher estimated bid,” Goedken said. “We rejected, regrouped, did some slight changes to the overall design, and an entire years’ worth of additional grant funding was secured.”

The city also received extensions on grants issued by the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration, and although Goedken says he had hoped work would start earlier this year, he is happy construction is finally underway. But smooth seas never made a skilled sailor, and a design error with the new hangar, combined with uncertain federal funding scenarios, have kept the project in the foreground for Goedken and other city officials.

The new maintenance hangar was designed with an 18-foottall door to facilitate the entrance of larger aircraft with taller tail heights. However, city officials said the building manufacturer misread the plans, and the hangar building was designed and manufactured to accommodate a shorter door. The option of rebuilding the structure is out of the question, according to Goedken, who said the project has been delayed long enough already.

Instead, he said two alternatives remained for the city — raise the overall building height to compensate for the design flaw and reach the intended height or live with the smaller door.

“Raising the building height would require an airspace study, recalculating and redesigning the building’s footing and altering the door’s footing as well,” said Goedken. “Those things would change so many parts of the project and jeopardize funding.”

Goedken discussed the options with the Decorah’s Airport Commission as well as the

airport engineer, who collaboratively settled on a final door measurement of 16.5 feet — 1.5 feet below the original design.

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

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

Goedken said the city intends to seek some form of compensation for the error.

“We won’t have enough clearance to handle everything that comes into the airport, because of this door — it’s unfortunate this error occurred, but we will deal,” Goedken said, adding, “We are pursuing a credit since we didn’t get the 18-foot door we asked for.”

With substantial completion of the project slated for early November, Goedken predicts he will have more than few sleepless nights over the next six months while he keeps a weather eye on the hanger project.

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

A-9

May 26, 2025

‘Almost a civilian’

Memorial Day Grand Marshal Jim Bolson reflects on his career in the Marine Corps

Jim Bolson, age 90, of Decorah, served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps, including two tours in Vietnam.

(Photo by Zach Jensen) Bolson moved from Decorah to the family farm, where he lives today, when he was 12 Winneshiek County farmer years old. He graduated from Jim Bolson has worn lots of hats Decorah High School in 1952 in his 90 years, but the one he — after which he began studyloved most was the standard-is- ing pre-engineering at Luther sue cover he was issued in the College until Jan. 24, 1954, United States Marine Corps — when his whole life changed afa hat he still hasn’t completely ter a game of pool. taken off 51 years after he retired “I was in the pool hall, and a from USMC service. Bolson couple of the guys I was playing was selected as grand marshal with said they were going to the for this year’s Memorial Day pa- draft board to see if they could rade in Decorah. volunteer for the draft, so I went “I’ve gradually become al- with them,” he said. “There was most a civilian,” Bolson said. “I a six-month waiting list to volmissed the people when I left. I unteer for the draft.” missed the Marines. It was difThe draft board suggested ferent being around civilians. I Bolson and his friends talk with just missed the cohesiveness of the Marine recruiter, who had a everything. We had a job to do, small desk under the stairwell in and we did it.” the Winneshiek County Courthouse.

“There was a bunch from the Decorah class of 1953 there,” Bolson recalled.

“Then there was another group and my group, 10 a.m. parade begins at so there were College Drive Bridge 13 of us that all Memorial Day program at the enlisted in the Veterans Memorial at Mary Marine Corps at Christopher Park the same time. I Dinner follows at Decorah’s was just caught All Vets Club up in the crowd, and when I came 4 p.m. Quilts of Valor program home and told dad, at All Vets Club

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER

Decorah’s Memorial Day events

he asked ‘Why’d you pick the hardest one?’ and I said ‘I don’t know. That’s just the way it is.’”

Shortly thereafter, Bolson entered basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, after which he stayed in San Diego to go through communications school for 16 weeks — he received a good amount of dental work.

“I had been selected for flight training when I was still in boot camp, but before I did that, I had 28 fillings and two extractions done in the same week,” he said, laughing. “I went from the dentist’s office to sick bay to start my physical, and my blood pressure was too high because of all the dental work I’d just had done, so I failed the physical. I didn’t think anything of it.”

After comms school, Bolson was sent to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina in October of 1954.

He worked in a communications center — before transferring once again to the communications center at Headquarters Marine Corps in Arlington, Virginia for three years.

“I had some good experiences there and some scary ones,” Bolson said with a chuckle. “We had a young Black boy — nice kid — John Winston was his name, and he was from Detroit. One night, we asked John to come downtown with us. So, there was six of us, and we went down to this country western bar in Georgetown, and when we got in there, they said they couldn’t serve us because of the ‘Black guy.’ We said ‘You’ll serve us, or we’ll tear this place apart.’ So, they served us, but John would never go out with us again, because he was so embarrassed.”

After three years in Arlington, the Marines gave Bolson his choice of assignments — either Vietnam or Naval Security in Germany, and he chose Germany. During that assignment, he had temporary additional duty on both the U.S.S. Saratoga and the U.S.S. Forrestal — two U.S. aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean Sea.

www.newalbinsavingsbank.com 321 W. Water St. & 1801 Old Stage Rd., Decorah 563-387-0191 • vikingstatebank.com

“That was enjoyable with the different ports that we got to go into,” he said. “And, I enjoyed Germany, too. A case of beer would cost a dollar-and-a-half at the PX for 24 bottles.”

Following his three years in Germany, Bolson returned to Cherry Point and was later assigned to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina from 1964 to February 1965.

“The whole Second Marine Division — 20,000 people — all went aboard ship at one time to Spain for exercises,” he said. “I guess it worked out well, because after I left, they had a problem in the Dominican Republic (the Dominican Intervention), and it went just like clockwork.”

In February of 1965, Bolson entered the Warrant Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, as a staff sergeant and he left as a warrant officer.

“After that, I went to what we called ‘Knife and Fork School’ for 10 weeks,” he said, adding the term was another name for Officer Training School.

Bolson left OTS to join up with the Third Marine Division in Okinawa for three months before being assigned as a second lieutenant to division headquarters in Da Nang, Vietnam, where he worked in specialized security communications for 13 months, which was considered his first tour in Vietnam at that time.

“That was my job,” he said. “I didn’t really like it, but I understood it. A lot of people usually did their tours and got out, but career people had it a little different. At least the ones I knew did — ‘This is our job, let’s go do it.’”

After his first tour in Vietnam, Bolson was stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay, casually called “K-Bay,” for three years with the First Radio Battalion.

“That was a three-year party,” he said. “The people there had either been to Vietnam and were going back, or they hadn’t been, but they knew they were going.

We probably partied six nights a

State Sen. Klimesh to be guest speaker at Decorah Memorial Day program Decorah Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1977 will host its annual Memorial Day program on Monday, May 26, beginning on the College Drive Bridge. Those marching in the parade are asked to assemble on the north side of the bridge at 9 a.m. and the parade will begin at 10 a.m. with the presentation of a wreath and the playing of taps.

Participants will then march down Water Street to the Veterans Memorial at Mary Christopher Park, where a program will take place. The schedule of events includes the reading of General Orders No. 1. The National Anthem will also be played, and a sermon will be given by a local minister. In addition, yellow ribbons will be presented, and a prayer will be given for local troops who will soon be deployed. A list of service members who have passed in the last year will also be presented, and Iowa State Sen. Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, will be the day’s guest speaker.

Following the program at the memorial, a pork loin dinner will be served to all vets and their families free of charge at the All Vets Club — 104 State St. in Decorah. A Quilts of Valor program will also be held at 4 p.m. at the All Vets Club.

week, and we took the night off on Sunday.”

Bolson returned to Da Nang in 1969 for his second tour of duty with the First Marine Division. Bolson said, during that tour, the Fifth Marines in An Hoa had a private first class who’d been captured in what they called Antenna Valley — a valley southwest of Da Nang which earned its nickname from the many USMC radio operators who were killed and wounded in that area. Bolson asked a couple connections at Fire Support Base Ryder, 28 miles southwest of Da Nang, to keep an eye out for the missing private. A short while later, he received a radio call from the base saying they’d seen “a guy in black pajamas running out of a hooch,” but the villagers grabbed and beat him and dragged him back into the hut.

Several hours later, after speaking with a general, Bolson joined a rifle company and helicopter assets on a mission to rescue the captured private.

“We went in there, and we were on the ground, and we took a good amount of fire, but no one got hurt too bad,” he said. “All of a sudden, the fog came in, and the squadron commander said ‘We got to get out of here.’ So, we all got back on the choppers, and he set his down at LZ Ross.

He said, ‘They’re going to have to come get this one, because I’m not flying back there.’ That chopper had a few holes in it.”

Although the rescue mission was unsuccessful, Bolson said the captured private was released in 1973 and stayed in the Marine Corps — passing away with the rank of major just a few years ago.

“He said he heard the choppers and gun fire,” Bolson said.

“He said that at the time, they had him in a hooch with a gun to his head.”

Bolson completed his second tour and was assigned to the Second Radio Battalion at Camp Lejeune. He retired from the Marine Corps as a captain in 1974 and returned to his family’s farm east of Decorah.

To this day, Bolson farms about 100 acres of crops, and he served two terms as commander of American Legion Post 163 — totaling 32 years in office.

“At one time, I think I had about 150 head of beef cattle,” he said. “But, I suppose about 10 years ago, I decided I don’t move as fast as I used to, so it’s probably wise to stop doing that, because they move faster than I do.”

Bolson said he values his time in the Marine Corps for the same reason enlisting might be a good decision for today’s young people.

“You learn discipline — how to apply yourself,” he said.

“And, you learn that, if there’s an obstacle in your way, you move it. It’s easier sometimes to ask for forgiveness than permission.”

Supplier of agriculture, commercial and industrial petroleum products

110 Court St., Decorah 382-3227 friest.com

118 Main St. NE, New Albin, IA 563-544-4214 • 1-888-689-1898

Ridgeway • Decorah • New Albin • Cedar Rapids

BRUENING ROCK PRODUCTS, INC. Laying the groundwork for your community

Your local contractor since 1932

Caring for your family before, during, and after the loss of a loved one

SPECIALTIES

AG LIME SPREAD RIP RAP CRUSHED STONE PRODUCTS SITE DEVELOPMENT

900 Montgomery St., Decorah, IA 563-382-2933 www.brueningrock.com

Great service with experienced crews!

A-10 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221 | A-11

LEFT- Britney Hageman smiled as she shook hands with South Winneshiek School Superintendent Kris Einck after receiving her diploma Sunday. BELOW- John Donovan shook hands with South Winneshiek School Board President Wendy Mihm-Herold as Donovan received his diploma Sunday.

FAR LEFT- Paternal pride was evident as DHS Associate Principal Adam Riley embraced his daughter, co-valedictorian McKenzie Riley, after presenting necklets to her and fellow valedictorians during DHS’s commencement ceremony Sunday, May 18. LEFT- Gwenyth Thompson (left) and Elsa Johnson rosined up their bows for a last pre-graduation performance – “Adventure on Bainbridge Island” – with the DHS orchestra during Sunday’s commencement ceremony. BELOW- DHS 2025 graduate Elliana Brodbeck was all smiles as she and her mother, Cheryl Johnson embraced after Sunday’s commencement.

s s a l C

With Ezra Vorvick on bass and Liam Chamberlain on drums, the DHS concert choir wrapped up Sunday’s commencement ceremony with a hand-clapping performance of “I Sing Because I’m Happy.”

OF

5 2 20

South Winneshiek High School’s class of 2025 stood Sunday following the conferring of diplomas.

SOUTH WINN SENIORS TURN TASSELS More than 50 South Winneshiek High School students graduated Sunday, after crossing the floor of the gymnasium in Calmar. Senior class president Kali Kleve encouraged her fellow graduates during a speech, saying that, while the term fate may often seem to refer to a mysterious force beyond their control, each of them has and may continue to shape their own lives — be it through the first steps taken toward uncertainty or through the lessons each of them learns through both triumph and failure. South Winneshiek High School Principal Brennan Williams noted two 2025 graduates were named valedictorian this year — typically the school recognizes one valedictorian and one salutatorian — and he said the distinction of two valedictorians spoke volumes about this year’s class.

Julia Carnesi, one of the 2025 valedictorians, initially joked that she had considered using an artificial intelligence program to write her speech that day, but she said the graduates’ ability to achieve was beyond the means of any algorithm, and their futures were equally unfathomable to an AI bot. Her fellow valedictorian Karissa Wenthold challenged the graduates to pursue their own goals and seek new experiences, savoring the moments in life with the knowledge such moments soon become memories.

(Photos by Seth Boyes)

The Decorah community gathered in the high school auditorium Sunday to watch as the class of 2025 received their high school diplomas. The graduating class was represented by four valedictorians and three salutatorians. A number of the graduates — still in cap and gown — took part in musical performances during the commencement ceremony, and a number of hugs were had as the now-alumni ended their high school careers in preparation for their next chapter.

(Photos by Denise Lana)

5

202

5

202

DIPLOMAS AWARDED TO DECORAH SENIORS

LEFT- Lauren McConnell shakes hands with DCSD Superintendent Tim Cronin as she makes her way to collect her diploma.

McConnell was one of 40 DHS graduates who completed the school’s Career and Technical Education Program, which offers training in four programs: agriculture, food and natural resources, applied sciences, and technology, engineering, and manufacturing. ABOVE- Bryce Elsbernd (right) shook hands and greeted DCDS Superintendent Tim Cronin before continuing his walk across the stage to collect his diploma.

ABOVE- Kali Kleve, president of South Winneshiek High School’s class of 2025, encouraged her fellow graduates to shape their own fate, rather than allow fate to passively shape their future. LEFT- Hugs and smiles were in no short supply as families, friends and community members congratulated South Winneshiek’s class of 2025 on Sunday.

Co-Valedictorian Natalie Goodner addresses her fellow 2025 graduates as her mother, Decorah School Board President Cindy Goodner, looks on. The elder Goodner – a guest speaker at this year’s commencement – took a personal moment to praise her daughter’s kindness and strength in addition to her academic achievements.

ABOVE- Braydin Rausch was quick to peek at his diploma and show its signatures off after commencement wrapped up at Turkey Valley. RIGHT- Junior class representative Hunter Kruse handed a red rose, the class flower, to each graduate as they exited the stage with their diploma Sunday, including Kinsey Reicks as shown. FAR RIGHT- Morgan Vstecka, Brooklyn Kuennen and Layni Schuchhardt (left to right) are all smiles with Turkey Valley diplomas on display.

Grace Baker and her fellow graduates received congratulations from the community while the class of 2025 stood in a receiving line outside South Winneshiek High School following Sunday’s commencement ceremony.

COMMUNITY APPLAUDS TURKEY VALLEY GRADUATES

A number of students who graduated Sunday decorated their mortar boards for the occasion.

TOP- Emma Brincks and Ella Drilling smiled with excitement before Turkey Valley’s commencement Sunday afternoon. ABOVE- Calen Franzen grinned ear-to-ear as he received his diploma from Turkey Valley board vice president Katie Stika Sunday afternoon. LEFTSophia Rivera (left) and Luella Reicks lit up with a smile as they entered the Turkey Valley gymnasium Sunday prior to receiving their diplomas.

Turkey Valley High School's class of 2025 entered the gymnasium in cap and gown Sunday to receive their diplomas. Family, friends and community members attended the commencement ceremony to witness the students complete the last step in their high school career. The graduates were also given red roses in honor of the occasion, and smiles were wide as the young adults were congratulated on their accomplishment.

(Photos by Becky Walz)

The 65th class of Turkey Valley gathered for one final group photo prior to Sunday’s commencement.

PHOTOS

A-12 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Head of the class Cops and Rodders car show Bluffton resident Keith Donlon’s 1966 raises $2,065 for black on chrome Ford Mustang turned many heads during the show.

Decorah Police K-9 unit The fourth annual Cops and Rodders car show

was held Saturday, May 17, in downtown Decorah.

This year’s show attracted 110 show vehicles from the tri-state area and raised $2,065 for the Decorah Police Department’s K-9 unit.

This year’s Cops and Rodders car show was the last show its founder, Vick Pinckney of Decorah, helped organize.

Pickney, known for his dedication to the Decorah community, passed away in the early morning hours of Monday, May 19, due to a prolonged illness. He owned a fully-restored 1966 Mustang, 1961 Cadillac convertible, 1964 Thunderbird and a 1932 Ford Coupe — the second love of his life — the first being his wife, Peggy.

The annual event’s organizers and friends said Pinckney did anything he could to give back to Decorah, described him as “a first-class guy” and said he will be very missed.

Vic and Peggy Pinckney’s “Indian Red” 1965 Ford Mustang. (Photos by Zach Jensen)

At the helm of Decorah High School’s Class of 2025 was a quartet of valedictorians whose academic achievements were commensurate with one another. Pictured are (from left to right) Natalie Goodner, Lily Sandhorst, McKenzie Riley, and Grant Zilka. Decorah High School commencement ceremony was held Sunday, May 18.

Jesse Burroughs of Cresco showed this 1998 custom go-cart, which Burroughs said is comprised of lawnmower parts, snowblower parts and scrap iron. He also said the go-cart can travel up to 65 mph — which prompted the inclusion of a full racing harness and arm straps.

Pictured are Decorah High School’s Class of 2025 salutatorians (from left to right) Davis Coppola, Kellen Roffman and Mason Myers. (Photos by Denise Lana) Gary Fairchild of Decorah showed his 1938 Chevy Master Deluxe.

The headlights and grill on a 1930s coupe make for an iconic design. This 1931 Chevy Coupe is owned by Eversyn and Casey Panos of Decorah.

This V8 engine was installed in Mike Leistkow’s 1969 Mercury Cougar.

Decorah High School Special Education instructor Felecia DeJong was one of many staff members who took part in last week’s polar plunge fundraiser. DeJong had allowed herself to be duct-taped to a wall in the school cafeteria if she was able to raise at least $1,000 for the cause — she had raised more than $1,700 the afternoon of the plunge.

She fulfilled her promise and was duct-taped to the wall May 14, and DeJong crafted a mask and cape from what she referred to as “the duct tape carcass” of used material.

Decorah ninth-grade student Derek Hrdlicka (left) couldn’t quite keep ahold of his whimsical floatation device as he jumped into the water Thursday alongside John Dunt, Special Olympics and Unified Champion coordinator with Decorah Schools. (Photos by Seth Boyes)

Polar plunge continued from front that morning. The total funds raised broke $14,000 soon after officials with Special Olympics Iowa welcomed the day’s first jumpers — the grand total eventually reached $15,781. Half of the money raised will support Special Olympics Iowa’s regional and state events, while the remainder will remain with

Decorah’s inclusive programs.

“I’m so proud of the whole school coming together and being able to do this, because our main goal was to become a Unified School, and this year we hit that,” said DHS senior and Unified Champions participant Amelia Pankow. “We are the biggest Special Olympics Uni-

fied Champions program in all of northeast Iowa, so that’s really exciting to not only be able to incorporate just our school, but the other grades and other people around us.”

Pankow went on to say, when her own father attended Decorah High School decades ago, the school’s special education

Upper Explorerland Regional Housing Authority is hiring a

StySlHeOW Spring Open House h 6:00PM wit makeover reveal

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28 5-8PM

LEUTHOLDS

Hair | Salon Synergy Makeup | Hair Co.

Flowers | Plantpeddler Presentation | Tailwind Acres Snack & Drink | Ox & Wren Samples

ASSISTANT FINANCE MANAGER

This position will work under the direction of the Finance Department Head to prepare accounts payable vouchers, payroll, timesheet distribution, and general ledger accounting. This candidate should have an education in accounting or equivalent experience in accounting.

The candidate must have strong accounting principles, attention to detail, ability to organize work, determine priorities and meet deadlines, manage, and work harmoniously with employees and interact with the general public in a tactful and courteous manner, good verbal and written communication and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Upper Explorerland offers a full benefit package including health insurance, dental, vision, retirement, short term and long-term disability.

A full job description and application may be found at www.uerpc.org. Email a resume, cover letter and three references to rhowe@uerpc.org EEO/EEP employer.

MEN’S & WOMEN’S FASHIONS

MON, TUE, THU, FRI: 9AM-5:30PM WED: 9AM-7PM | SAT: 9AM-4PM

21-2-DL-12

(563) 382-6171 325 Washington St, Decorah, IA 52101

classes were held in an entirely separate building, but today she said program participants continue to pursue what she called an “inclusion revolution,” and she said support from the entire student body can be felt during events like unified athletics.

“No matter our physical or mental disabilities, we are all people who just like to have fun,” Pankow said. “Honestly, I think it’s more fun when we’re all together instead of separated — look at everyone here today, right? It’s so boring when you have your own little group of people who are just like you.”

DHS freshman Derek Hrdlicka, another participant in the Unified Champions program, said the school’s efforts demonstrate a dedication to providing equal opportunities for all students — a commitment he said has been important to him for some time. Hrdlicka explained his brother Donnie is enrolled in the school’s special education classes, and Hrdlicka feels inclusive athletic events offer his brother and others

Polar plunge continued on page A-13

COMMUNITY

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

A-13

Community briefs Decorah yard waste site open for the season

Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors Chair Dan Langreck and Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission Chair Steve Johnson, presented the certificates of appreciation to Vicky Hinsenbrock and Ted Wilson. (Photo submitted)

Historic Preservation Commission recognizes Hinsenbrock, Wilson The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors, in partnership with the Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission, recently proclaimed May as National Historic Preservation Month. The Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission, in recognition of Historic Preservation Month, presented its 2025 certificates of appreciation to Vicky Hinsenbrock and Ted Wilson.

The commission recognized Hinsenbrock for her efforts in preserving the Hinsenbrock-Bakke farm on Norske Road in Frankville Township.

The farm dates back to 1859, when Norwegian immigrant Peder Bakke bought the land from his stepfather and mother.

For almost 100 years, the farm stayed in the Bakke family. Hinsenbrock purchased the farm in 1993 and has invested much

time and effort in its careful restoration. The farm includes a restored 1878 barn featured on the Iowa Barn Foundation’s All-Iowa Tour. The property also includes a limestone spring house, dated circa 1880. Hinsenbrock’s home on the farm was built in 1882-83, and its original limestone hitching post dates from the same era.

Wilson, an accomplished stone mason from Pleasant Township, was recognized for his efforts and expertise in helping to preserve a host of Winneshiek County stone structures. Wilson, a native of Great Britain, honed his skills helping restore Wells Cathedral — which dates to the 13th century — in Somerset, England. Wilson has worked on Spillville’s St. Wenceslaus Church, Vesterheim’s Jacobson Farm, the Frankville School, the Schulze Kiln in Decorah’s Phelps Park,

the Locust School and the grotto at Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Festina, along with many other public and private projects. Designing and building the Stone Arch Bridge at Dunning’s Spring was the capstone project of Wilson’s long and productive career.

The nine-member Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission was formed in August 1985, and was one of the earliest historic preservation commissions in Iowa. Current WCHPC members include chair Steve Johnson, treasurer Donald Arendt, Roger Bergan, secretary Ashley Christensen, Kim Glock, Dennis Karlsbroten, Elizabeth Lorentzen, Ronald Novak and Greg Vanney. Winneshiek County supervisor Steve Kelsay serves as the the board of supervisors’ liaison to the commission.

Canines and companions invited to B.A.R.K. ranger kick-off Dogs and their human companions are invited to visit the Lake Meyer Campground for the kick-off of the Winneshiek County B.A.R.K. Ranger Program on Wednesday, May 28.

The B.A.R.K. Ranger Program guides pet owners in a positive, safe experience at Winneshiek County parks.

Visitors may check in at the campground shelter from 10 a.m. to noon and receive a free B.A.R.K. Ranger Training Brochure before embarking on an adventure around the trails and the 33-acre lake.

The first 20 families to attend will also receive a free B.A.R.K. Ranger swag bag filled with goodies donated by local businesses.

Complimentary drinks will be provided by Euphoria Coffee in Calmar, and the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa will provide information on adopting pets.

B.A.R.K. participants are expected to bag their pet’s waste, keep pets on a leash, respect wildlife and know where they are allowed to go.

The event is free and open to all ages. No registration is re-

The city of Decorah’s yard waste site will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. A key will not be needed to access the site during these hours. Those wishing to access the site outside of open hours must check out a key from staff at Decorah City Hall. No garbage in any form is allowed to be deposited at the yard waste site and only yard waste which originates from within Decorah city limits may be deposited. However, residents and non-residents are welcome to take wood chips, compost and/ or firewood from the site. Questions may be directed to city hall at 563-382-3651.

ArtHaus announced ‘The Leaf Has a Song In It’ ArtHaus in Decorah recently announced “The Leaf Has a Song In It,” a solo exhibition of new botanical prints and mixed-media works by Minnesota artist and educator Stephanie Hunder. The show will open with a public reception at 6 p.m.

Friday, June 6 and will remain on view in the Doyle G Heyveld Gallery at ArtHaus through June 28. Hunder’s workd combines collagraphic printmaking, cyanotype photography and digital imaging. Leaves, branches and other organic textures are physically pressed into the print surface, creating tactile impressions. These traces are then layered with scientific diagrams, encouraging viewers to reflect on ways empirical knowledge and lived experience intertwine.

“Spending time in nature engages all the senses,” says Hunder. “I want my prints to evoke that immersive feeling while also acknowledging the diagrams and data that shape our understanding of ecology today.”

Hunder holds a BFA and MA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and an MFA from Arizona State University. She teaches at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and the University of Minnesota, and she was recently honored with the 2025 McKnight Fellowship in Printmaking.

Tapscott to speak on food pantry happenings

Photo submitted

quired. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.

For more information, visit winneshiekwild.com/ bark-rangers.

The Decorah Lions Club will be meeting at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 27 at the All Vets Club in Decorah. A program will be presented by Decorah Community Food Pantry Director Matt Tapscott, who will talk to the group about current happenings at the food pantry. Tapscott will be the guest of Lion’s Club member Charlie Smock.

The Decorah Lions Club meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the All Vets Club on State Street in

Polar plunge continued from page A-12 opportunities which weren’t available just a few years ago.

“He always talked about how he wanted to be in sports and stuff,” Hrdlicka said. “Back then they didn’t really have that, and then once we started it, it started to spread around.

When we noticed how many people are actually wanting to help and raise money — it’s really important to show that we

care.”

Hrdlicka said a number of students with special needs have a passion for sports, and offering inclusive athletic events — often with members of the school’s varsity roster participating — shows how much the overall student body cares about including students with special needs in regular school activities.

“When we do other sports like basketball, football and stuff like that, it’s really an opportunity for them to have joy and have fun in high school like they should,” Hrdlicka said.

Pankow said last week’s polar plunge is the largest fundraiser the Unified Champions group has been able to organize so far, and fellow Unified

Champions participants Margaret Hahn and Teagan Menke, both sophomores, said they hope fundraisers, games and other inclusive events supporting the program will become regular occurrences at the school.

“It shows that we’re not two separate schools,” Hahn said.

“We’re one school as a whole.”

Decorah. For more information or a membership application, contact Lion’s Club member Brad Schwartz by email at beschwartz@salamander.com or text 563-419-4020.

Robey Memorial Library to offer bullet journaling session Robey Memorial Library in Waukon is inviting community members to delve into the world of time management and organization during “Bullet Journaling and Beyond,” part of the library’s Live and Learn series. The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 29 in the lower level Community Room. Bullet journaling is a organization system which allows individuals to create personalized planners and journals.

During this session, participants will learn the basics of bullet journaling, discover essential supplies, explore sample pages and have the opportunity to start their own journals.

“We’re excited to share this creative and effective organizational tool with our community,” said Chris Kerndt, adult programming coordinator at Robey Memorial Library.

“Whether you’re new to journaling or looking to enhance your skills, this event promises something for everyone.”

Registration for the class is recommended but not required.

To register or for more information, contact Robey Memorial Library at 563-568-4424 or visit www.waukon.lib.ia.us.

Kids Lunch Club to begin next month Kids Lunch Club is returning for the summer of 2025.

All area children and youth — age 18 and under — are invited to pick up a free “grab and go” style lunch on weekdays throughout the summer, starting Monday, June 2. Meals will be available from 12:10-12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Freeport Park, as well as from 12:45-1 p.m. Monday through Friday at John Cline Elementary School. The Decorah United Church of Christ will also be distributing meals from 6-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the church — 209 West Broadway Street in Decorah. This summer, the Kids Lunch Club is expanding and will not only be providing lunches, but will also provide a variety of activities for student and family engagement. Financial donations to the Kids Lunch Club may be made online at decorahucc.org/kidslunchclub/ as well as dropped off or mailed to the Decorah UCC — Kids Lunch Club should be listed in the memo line on checks.

For more information or to inquire about volunteering, contact Kids Lunch Club Director Shanna Putnam Dibble at decorahkidslunchclub@gmail. com.

WinnMed to offer free ‘Welcome to Medicare’ seminar WinnMed will host a free “Welcome to Medicare” seminar from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 3. This in-person, twohour seminar, offered by the WinnMed Senior Health Insurance 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 — Part D — Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplement insurance and Medicare fraud, errors and abuse. Participants are asked to park in Lot E and enter through the E-1 door on the WinnMed campus. Registration is required by Friday, May 23 and may be completed online at WinnMed.org/events or by calling 563-387-3036. SHIIP is a service of the State of Iowa.

SHIIP counselors are trained by the state and do not sell or promote any insurance companies, policies or agents. WinnMed is a local sponsor for SHIIP in Winneshiek County.

Waucoma to kick off Mill Pond Music and More series A series of summer events are underway in Waucoma as part of the new Mill Pond Music and More events hosted by the Waucoma Booster Club.

The monthly events include live music, food, children’s activities and more. From 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 13, attendees may participate in the first-ever fishing derby at Waucoma’s Mill Pond. “Band Practice” will entertain visitors with live music while attendees can enjoy food from M&S Vending and see the crowning of Miss Waucoma. From 5-8 p.m. Friday, July 11, “Patsy and the Plum Street Band” will entertain and food from STRKR BBQ will be available. This all-ages event will feature bingo, carnival games and bouncy houses.

Additional Mill Pond Madness events are planned for Aug. 8 and 9.

WinnMed Auxiliary to hold Nutman sale The WinnMed Auxiliary will be hosting The Nutman Company for a sale featuring nuts, chocolates, snack mixes and candies. The two-day sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday, May 20 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 21 at the WinnMed Gift Shop. Proceeds from all Auxiliary fund raisers will benefit WinnMed by supporting program and equipment needs, as well as funding the Auxiliary Health Care Career Scholarship. For more information on the WinnMed Auxiliary, call Karla Bakken in the Volunteer Services department at 563-387-3036.

• TRIMMING • REMOVAL • STORM DAMAGE DECORAH BASED • UTILITY FULLY INSURED LINES FREE ESTIMATES • CLIMBERS dotzenrodtreeservice@gmail.com AVAILABLE 319-361-6856

PUBLIC NOTICES

A-14 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 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 B.S. and B.S. A Child.

JUVENILE NO. JVJV002023 and JVJV002024 NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY HEARING [CHILD IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE] TO: Robie Eugene Shindelar 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) on the merits of the Petition on June 18, 2025, at 9:00 am, 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 her 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. Attorney Gregory Schiller has been appointed to you and may be contacted at 563-539-2175. 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. JVJV002023 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 a www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ ACO/CourtRulesChapter/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/.

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/for-the-public/ada/. Disability access coordinators cannot provide legal advice.

Date Issued 05/09/2025 03:47:59 PM District Clerk of Court or/by Clerk’s Designee of Winneshiek County /s/ Sarah Trimble Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 15, 22 & 29, 2025 Board Minutes May 12, 2025 The Board of Supervisors met at 9:30am May 12, 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.

Dan Marx, County Sheriff, met with the Board to request the promotion of Byron Hook to Lieutenant Deputy. Moved by Vick and seconded by Kelsay to adopt resolution 25-37 approving the appointment as requested. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

Moved by Vick and seconded by Vermace to open the continued public hearing on the proposed Zoning Amendment changes. Motion carried unanimously. Several comments were received mostly pertaining to the changes related to Forest Products Concentration Yards. Moved by Vick and seconded by Kelsay to close the public hearing. Motion carried with Kelsay, Vick, Langreck, and Faldet voting aye; and Vermace voting nay. Reading and possible action will take place at a future meeting.

Steve Johnson, Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission, met with the Board to present a proclamation and certificates of appreciation. Moved by Kelsay and seconded by Faldet to proclaim May as Historic Preservation Month and to present Certificates of Appreciation to Ted Wilson and Vicki Hinsenbrock. Motion carried unanimously.

Having received no bids on the sale of the old DHS Building, moved by Faldet and seconded by Kelsay to cancel the public hearing.

Motion carried unanimously. The Board will discuss a strategy for selling the building, in closed session at a future meeting. Faldet and Kelsay will coordinate with the Economic Development Director and report back to the Board.

Andy Van Der Maaten, County Attorney, met with the Board to discuss county issues.

The Peel settlement agreement will be discussed more at a future meeting.

Michael Kueny, County Engineer, met with the Board to give updates on road projects.

Moved by Kelsay and seconded by Faldet to approve the amended FY25 Secondary Road Construction Program. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Vick to adopt resolution 25-36, approving the up-

dated Solid Waste Management Plan for the Winneshiek County Landfill. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

Ben Steines, County Auditor, reviewed the proposed budget amendment requests from the various departments. Complete report will be published before the public hearing scheduled on May 27th.

Moved by Kelsay and seconded by Faldet to approve the consent agenda which includes the minutes of the last meeting and the claims filed with the Board. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Vick to enter closed session to discuss pending litigation with counsel authorized under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c). Motion carried unanimously and the closed session was held. Moved by Faldet and seconded by Vick to enter back into open session. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Vick to enter into the informal resolution agreement for the public records complaint to the Iowa Public Information Board. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

Langreck read the following statement: “This governmental body acknowledges there are sufficient facts to demonstrate this governmental body failed to produce records in compliance with Iowa Code Chapter 22.

Specifically, this governmental body failed to charge a reasonable fee for production of records based on actual costs and exhibited unreasonable delay in production of records.”

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Kelsay to refund Steve St Clair the $200 charged for the public records request in question. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Vick and seconded by Faldet to adjourn to 9:30am Monday, May 19, 2025.

Motion carried unanimously.

ATTEST Benjamin D. Steines, County Auditor Daniel Langreck, Chair Board of Supervisors Claims 05-12-2025 General Basic Fund AcenTek, Telephone Service............. 511.96 Air Chek, Inc., Supplies.................... 180.00 AireSpring, Telephone Service.......... 426.54 Alliant Energy, Utilities...................3384.10 Amazon Capital Services, Supplies.1955.60 Anderson Law Office, Legal Services..............................3420.00 AT&T Mobility, Cellular Service.... 1577.29 BDH Technology LLP, Maintenance Agreement................. 250.00 Bruening Recycling, Services........... 595.00 Lynne Bullerman, Reimbursement.... 474.42 Calmar Motors, Services.....................95.00 Capital One, Payment.......................... 20.78 Carquest Auto Parts, Parts...................49.13 CDW Gov’t, Software..................... 3108.00 CenturyLink, Telephone Service.......824.35 Column Software PBC, Publications.337.82 Court View Place LLP, Payment.....1970.00 Culligan, Services..............................179.04 Dan’s Standard Service, Services...... 527.88 Decorah Ace Hardware, Shipping.......52.07 Decorah Leader, Publications............770.43 Decorah Tire Service, Services......... 498.13 DecorahNews.com, Advertising........689.00 Valerie Erickson, Mileage................... 87.50 Fareway Stores, Supplies................1222.09 Farm & Home Publishers, LTD, Publications.................................... 464.80 Hageman Cleaning, Services............. 463.00 John Halverson, Reimbursement......... 25.00 Healthcare First, Services.................. 111.02 Sally Herold, Mileage.......................244.30 Heron Consulting, Inc., Services..... 1800.00 Holiday Inn Des Moines Airport, Lodging.......................................... 806.40 Hovden Oil Co, Fuel......................... 187.55 Huber’s Store, Supplies.......................28.91 IACVS, Membership...........................50.00 ICIT Treasurer, Membership............... 50.00 Inovalon Provider, Inc., Services...... 352.46 Iowa Prison Industries, Signs.......... 1114.97 Fatimetu Jatri Emhamed, Reimbursement.................................25.00 John Deere Financial, Supplies....... 1056.11 Johnson County Sheriff, Sheriff Fees.....................................200.00 Mike Johnson, Camp Host................ 113.00 Ian Kemp, Services........................... 828.00 Ethel Barbara Krueger, Services.........86.41 Kwik Trip Extended Network, Fuel...............................................5306.19 Kwik Trip Inc, Fuel...........................977.05 LA Communications, Inc, Advertising.....................................288.00 Chuck Lensing, Services.................1850.00 Leon’s Auto Repair, Services..............95.25 LetterWerks Sign City, LLC, Signs.....35.00 Dr. Kevin Locke, Services.................380.00 Logistics Recycling, Inc., Services...264.60 Mail Services, Services..................... 853.95 Anna Mark M.D., Services................150.00 Martin Bros. Distributing, Supplies.1184.79 McKesson Medical Surgical, Supplies..........................................177.33 MH Equipment, Services................ 1634.05 MiBroadband, Services.....................286.05 Microbac Laboratories, Inc., Services..........................................172.25 Midwest Automatic Fire, Inspection.349.00 MWSCO, Supplies..............................69.00 Northeast Iowa RSVP, Appropriation.............................12000.00 O’Reilly Automotive, Inc., Parts....... 163.02 Owens-King Company, Storage........269.10 Brittany Provost, Reimbursement... 1023.09 Carrie Quandahl, Services................. 470.00 Quill LLC, Supplies............................23.74 Mary Raatz, Mileage...........................72.10 Roger’s Lock & Key, Services..........292.00 Gregg Rude, Services...................... 2271.00 Rydell of Independence, Services...1062.61 Sanitation Resources, Inc, Services...722.50 Schilling Supply Company, Supplies..........................................191.00 Shawver Well Company, Inc., Services..........................................525.00 Timothy Smock, Reimbursement........25.00 State Medical Examiners Office, Services........................................2194.00 Ben Steines, Reimbursement............... 25.00 Steve’s Car Care, Services..................16.50 Storey Kenworthy, Supplies............ 2360.02 Sutton Electric, Services.................1299.85 Thryv, Advertising............................... 21.00 Truck Country of Iowa, Services.........32.72 Krista Vanden Brink, Mileage........... 293.92 Morgan Walsh, Mileage...................... 40.60 WCDI, Inc., Appropriation............95000.00 Windstream, Telephone Service.......... 98.68 Wright Way Computers, LLC, Services........................................9507.68 General Supplemental Fund Gessner Law Office, Legal Services.156.90 Iowa Secretary of State, Services...... 244.71 North Iowa Reporting, Services........275.00 Winn Co Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Fees.......................................72.10 Water Testing Grant Fund Sherri Carolan, Plug Well..................700.00 State Hygienic Laboratory, Services.510.00 Rural Services Basic Fund Jed Becker, Meeting............................50.00 Teresa Berg, Meeting...........................50.00 Roger Bergan, Meeting.......................50.00 Loren Broszeit, Meeting...................... 50.00 Column Software PBC, Publications.. 17.29 Everest Property Group, LLC, Site Rent......................................... 180.00 Jeff Feickert, Meeting.......................... 50.00 Ted Frana, Meeting..............................50.00 Harmony Enterprises, Inc, Equipment.................................... 5901.00 Carleton Haugen, Meeting..................50.00 Dale Johnson, Meeting........................50.00 John Lubke, Meeting...........................50.00 Rodney Ollendieck, Meeting............... 50.00 Tony Phillips, Reimbursement............25.00 Kelvin Rue, Meeting...........................50.00 Byron Schultz, Meeting.......................50.00 Winn Co Landfill, Fees....................1893.92 Secondary Road Fund AcenTek, Telephone Service.............266.04 Alliant Energy, Utilities...................1533.91 Amazon Capital Services, Supplies..504.35 AT&T Mobility, Cellular Service......467.74 Becker Hardware, Inc., Supplies.......102.95 Bodensteiner Implement Company, Services........................................5754.07 Carquest Auto Parts, Parts...............1971.87 Central Service & Supply, Inc, Supplies.......................................... 119.65 County Materials Corp, Supplies.... 8925.76 Croell Inc, Materials.......................... 436.75 Culligan, Services................................83.00 Decorah Ace Hardware, Supplies..........7.99 Decorah Leader, Publications............325.00 Decorah Rental & Sales, Equipment Rental.............................40.00 Don’s Truck Sales, Inc, Equipment... 896.33 Fisk Farm & Home Inc., Supplies..... 104.26 Housby Heavy Equipment, Equipment...................................... 664.96 Iowa DOT, Payment........................8250.00 Iowa Prison Industries, Signs............203.40 LetterWerks Sign City, LLC, Signs...297.50 Mabel Co-op Telephone, E911 Service.....................................98.65 Martin Equipment of IA/IL, Inc, Supplies..........................................350.94 Metal Culverts, Materials..................196.33 MiBroadband, Services.....................210.38 Moellers Trucking, Services............1400.00 MWSCO, Supplies............................420.31 Napa Auto Parts, Parts.......................353.47 NE Iowa Metalworks, Inc., Services.625.96

Norsolv Systems, Supplies................253.95 Beth Novotny, Reimbursement........... 36.40 Precision Overhead Door, Services...855.00 Sadler Power Train, Parts..................452.16 Safety X-treme, LLC, Supplies......... 131.54 Sanitation Resources, Inc, Services...170.00 Shuck-Briston Inc., Services......... 14319.00 Storey Kenworthy, Supplies................ 48.46 Truck Country of Iowa, Services..... 1062.88 Verizon, Cell Service....................... 1142.17 Weis GMC, Inc, Services................ 1124.04 Dana Williams, Reimbursement..........40.60 Opioid Abatement Fund UCS Healthcare, Funding.............19000.00 County Assessor Agency Fund Amazon Capital Services, Supplies....77.75 AT&T Mobility, Cellular Service...... 613.67 E911 Surcharge Fund AcenTek, Telephone Service.............512.66 Alliant Energy, Utilities.....................202.85 American Tower Corporation, Rental...........................................2009.04 Mabel Co-op Telephone, E911 Service...................................120.08 Emergency Management Comm Amazon Capital Services, Supplies....60.41 AmericInn Newton, Lodging............369.60 AT&T Mobility, Cellular Service...... 215.09 Decorah Ace Hardware, Supplies..........9.52 Alexandra Dombrowski, Reimbursement...............................339.40 Elan Financial Services, Payment..... 503.00 Leon’s Auto Repair, Services............102.72 Olson Explosives, Fuel........................ 55.40 Racom Corporation, Services............ 165.00 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service............14.04 Festina Sewer Sinking Fund Winn Co Treasurer, Services........... 7916.80 Frankville Water District Winn Co Treasurer, Services......... 16430.00 Winneshiek Co Health Ins Fund Midwest Group Benefits, Health Insurance......................... 12655.06 Wellmark, Insurance.................... 136749.38 Grand Total.................................. 439045.72 Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 22, 2025 Public Meeting: The Winneshiek County Area Solid Waste Agency is holding a public meeting to discuss the development of a new Comprehensive Plan at 5:00 pm, June 9th, 2025, at the Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill, 2000 140th Avenue, Decorah.

Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 22, 2025 IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WANITA A. RUEN, DECEASED PROBATE NO. ESPR 016396 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, OF APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Wanita A. Ruen, Deceased, who died on or about April 27, 2025: You are hereby notified that on May 7, 2025, the Last Will and Testament of Wanita A. Ruen, deceased, bearing date of October 4, 2018, was admitted to probate in the above-named Court and that Julie Hale and Robert B. Ruen have been appointed Executors of the estate. Any action to set aside the Will must be brought in the district court of said county within the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice to all heirs of the decedent and devisees under the will whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, or thereafter be forever barred.

Notice is further given that all persons indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned, and creditors having claims against the estate shall file them with the Clerk of the above named district court, as provided by law, duly authenticated, for allowance, and unless so filed by the later to occur of four months from the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice (unless otherwise allowed or paid) a claim is thereafter forever barred.

Dated May 16, 2025.

Julie Hale, Co-Executor of Estate 72563 200th Street Grand Meadow, IA 55936 Robert B. Ruen, Co-Executor of Estate 7943 Buschborn Road Peyton, CO 80831 Sandra Benzschawel, ICIS#: AT0013038 Attorney for Co-Executors Meyer, Lorentzen & Nelson 101 1/2 E. Water Street, P.O. Box 126 Decorah, IA 52101 Date of second publication: May 29, 2025 Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 22 & 29, 2025\ IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DONALD RAY BUHR, DECEASED PROBATE NO. ESPR 016395 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Donald Ray Buhr, Deceased, who died on or about April 27, 2025: YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the 7th day of May, 2025, the Last Will and Testament of Donald Ray Buhr, deceased, bearing date of June 25, 2019, was admitted to probate in the abovenamed Court and that Russell Smith was appointed executor of the estate. Any action to set aside the Will must be brought in the district court of said county within the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice to all heirs of the decedent and devisees under the Will whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, or thereafter be forever barred.

Notice is further given that all persons indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned, and creditors having claims against the estate shall file them with the Clerk of the abovenamed district court, as provided by law, duly authenticated, for allowance, and unless so filed by the later to occur of four months from the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice (unless otherwise allowed or paid) a claim is thereafter forever barred.

Dated this 9th day of May, 2025.

Russell Smith Executor of Estate 3903 N. River Blvd.

Independence, MO 64050 Jana Evelsizer Olson ANDERSON, WILMARTH, VAN DER MAATEN, FRETHEIM, EVELSIZER OLSON, NOBLE, LYNCH & ZAHASKY 212 Winnebago P.O. Box 450 Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-2959 Email: jana.olson@andersonlawdecorah.com Date of second publication: May 22, 2025 Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 15 & 22, 2025 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE WINNESHIEK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS To change the use of the land at the following described property: The East 300 feet of the North 500 feet of lot 2 in the Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter, in Section 28, of Township 98 North, Range 9 West of the 5th P.M. Winneshiek County, Iowa.

The Parcel is located at 2601 State Hwy 9, Decorah. Parcel will encompass approx. 3.6 acres.

The application is made by: Joshua Adams The following change in the zoning ordinance is to permit the operation of a seed sales business.

From the present zoning classification of: A-1 Agricultural District To the proposed zoning classification of: A2, Agricultural District.

A public hearing will be held by the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors on Monday, Jun 2nd, 2025 at 10:00am. in the Board of Supervisors Office, Courthouse Annex Building, 201 West Main St. Decorah, Iowa, at which time you may appear, if you so desire, either in person or by agent or attorney in opposition to or support of the proposed request. If you would prefer not to attend in person please contact the Auditor’s office at 563-382-5085 for remote log in information and link.

Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 22, 2025

Decorah Community School Board Public Hearing Meetings Minutes Central Administration Office Monday, May 12, 2025 5:30 p.m.

Present: President Cindy Goodner, Directors: Brad Darling, Ron Fadness, Carole Sand, and Aaron Zander. Superintendent Dr. Tim Cronin, Director of Business Services Cathy Dietzenbach, Board Secretary Darlene Woodhouse, Staff, News Media, and Guests.

Director Fadness arrived at 5.55 p.m. Director Darling participated virtually and left the meeting at 5:40 p.m.

President Goodner called to order the public hearing at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing was to hear comments oral or written concerning the 2024-2025 amended school budget. There were no comments written or orally. President Goodner adjourned the public hearing at 5:31 p.m.

Decorah Community School Board Regular School Board Meeting Minutes Central Administration Office Monday, May 12, 2025 5:31 p.m.

President Goodner called to order the regular school board meeting at 5:31 p.m. Director Zander read the mission statement.

There was no old business.

Motion: Director Zander moved, seconded

by Director Sand to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Zander moved, seconded Director Sand to approve the consent items: April 14 & 28, 2025 minutes, bills and personnel as listed below, except Activity fund claim #23 to Brad Darling. Motion carried by all voting aye.

New Hires: a. Megan Gates (High School Community Club Sponsor) Level I, Step 1 b. Kara Trettin (High School Business Teacher) MA, Step 3 c. Richard Hollenbeck (High School Night Custodian) d. New position-hourly van driver for student pickup Transfers: a. Kim Underbakke (Carrie Lee Nurse/Library Para to Classroom Para) b. Ellice Stammeyer (West Side to High School Night Custodian) c. Alec Zwanziger (Varsity Assistant Football Coach) Resignations: a. Katie Woodhouse (7” Grade Volleyball Coach) b. Chelsey Kephart (High School Associate) Approval as a Volunteer/Volunteer Coach a. Isaac Alexander (High School Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach) b. Ethan Pole (High School Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach) Motion: Director Sand moved, seconded

by Director Zander to approve Activity fund claim #23 to Brad Darling. Motion carried by three votes. Director Darling abstained. There was no communication from the public. Director Darling left the school board meeting virtually at 5:40 p.m.

Presentation: Brad Hurst, High School Principal, Pat Trewin and Brigit Storhoff, High School Counselors, Maddie Putnam Keck, NICC Project Coordinator, and BraydenWemark, high school student, presented the Decorah CSD District Career and Academic Plan. The District Career and Academic Plan (DCAP) is a roadmap for implementation of the career and academic planning process required by the State of lowa. Staff reviewed the 2024-2025 implementation and set goals for the 2025-2026 school year. Schools are ranked each year using a matrix that changes each year. The district received a perfect rubric score last year. The career program is a work-based learning experience for students that can be involved in the classroom along with learning organizations outside of school.

Director Fadness arrived at 5:55 p.m.

New Business: Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded

by Director Sand to approve the 2024-2025 amended school budget as presented. Adjustments included additional salaries, increased food costs, roof projects, device payment, and an error in last year”s budget in support services for an overall increase of $8,496,403.

Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Sand moved, seconded by Director Zander to approve the District Career and Academic Plan as presented. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded

by Director Zander to approve the 2025 Decorah High School graduation list as presented, except Natalie Goodner, pending meeting all graduation requirements. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Zander moved, seconded

by Director Sand to approve graduate Natalie Gooder pending meeting all graduation requirements. Motion carried by three votes.

President Goodner abstained. There are one hundred thirty-nine graduates listed.

Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded by Director Zander to approve the bid of $218,864 from Northern Cedar Service Co, Inc for the Decorah High School roof replacement Section 11, the bid of $109,445 from Northern Cedar Service Co., Inc. for the Carrie Lee Elementary School roof replacement steep roof, and the bid of $70,480 from Northern Cedar Service Co., Inc for the Decorah High school roof replacement section.

Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Zander moved, seconded

by Director Fadness to approve the 20252026 Keystone Service Agreement.

Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Sand moved, seconded by Director Fadness to approve the Contract for AEA Transfer of State Funding.

Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded

by Director Sand to approve the University of lowa Nursing Agreement.

Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Sand moved, seconded by Director Zander to approve the Upper Iowa University Agreement.

Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded

by Director Zander to approve School Café as the district’s nutrition accounting system.

Motion carried by all voting aye. There is a one-time implementation fee of $2,995 with an estimated annual price of $5,370.00.

Motion: Director Zander moved, seconded

by Director Fadness to approve the summer hours for the Central Office, Principals, Administrative Assistants, and Directors. The proposed summer hours are consistent with last year’s summer hours. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Superintendent Dr. Cronin updated the board on the design development process for the new elementary school. Last week, staff met with the architects for the second of three meetings to discuss details and potential changes in design. Discussion around the mechanical systems will take place on Friday, May 16, 2025. The third set of meetings with staff will be Monday and Tuesday, May 19 & 20, 2025.

Motion: Director Zander moved, seconded

by Director Sand to go into an exempt session per lowa Code Chap 20.17(3) for bargaining strategy and negotiations session for union employees and strategy session for non-union employees.

Motion carried by all voting aye. The School Board of Education went into an exempt session at 6:51 p.m. and came out of the exempt session at 8:04 p.m.

Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded

by Director Zander to approve the 2025-2026 Tentative Agreement (TA) with the Decorah Education Association (DEA) and the issuance of contracts to the Certified staff. Motion carried by all voting aye. The package is a 4.36% increase which the board stated they support and value the certified staff. The proposal includes $150.00 added to the base, Schedule B changes, and additional use of days.

Motion: Director Zander moved, seconded

by Director Sand to approve the 2025-2026 compensation agreements for classified and administrative staff and issuance of contracts.

Motion carried by all voting aye. The starting wage of the classified schedule was raised to $16.10 per hour.

Superintendent report: Superintendent Dr. Cronin updated the board on the twenty-four hour parking lot and LP fueling station costs.

Open Enrollment In: Kenalynn Meyer, Transitional Kindergarten, from Turkey Valley Decorah CSD. Olivia Snitker, Kindergarten, Postville to Decorah CSD. Director of Business Services, Cathy Dietzenbach, presented the monthly financial reports for April 2025.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Cindy Goodner, Board President Darlene Woodhouse, Board Secretary Claims for April 2025 Food Service Fund Anderson Erickson, Dairy.............. 9,664.37 Country View Dairy, Dairy................470.00 Decorah Activity Fund, Produce....... 142.75 Decorah Electric Inc., Repairs........... 210.00 EMS Detergent, Supplies................. 698.35 Gillette Pepsi Co., Ala Carte.......... 1,293.60 Iowa Food Hub, Produce/Dairy........471.41

Joe’s Restaurant Equipment, Repairs............................................ 696.51 Kingsley Mercantile, Repairs............779.00 Kwik Trip, Ala Carte........................... 81.00 Martin Brothers, Food/Produce/Supplies..............38,691.49 Pan-O-Gold, Bakery.......................... 901.49 Rapids & Affiliates, Supplies............296.60 Total Food Service Claims.......$54,396.57 Claims for April 2025 – Activity Fund Adachi, Daigo, HS Boys/Girls Soccer Off..............154.28 Albers, Cindy, Additional Pay B/G BBall................75.00 Alfonso Ferrandez, Raul, HS Soccer Off. ..............................120.00 Anderson, Matt, Reimburse Court Rental.................420.00 Apple Awards, HS Supplies.............. 694.05 Archer, Julie, HS Boys Soccer Official................120.00 Armel, Ray, Boys/Girls Track Official...............840.00 Bentley, Courtney, Refund AP Test Fee..........................50.00 Birdsell, Michelle, Refund AP Test Fee..........................50.00 Bollinger, Michael, Refund AP Test Fee..........................50.00 Bound, HS Track Registration Services........60.00 Bruening, Vicki, Refund AP Test Fee.. 50.00 BSN Sports, HS Baseball Pants/Jerseys........... 5,115.76 Burkholder, Effie, Refund AP Test Fee..........................50.00 Caton, Brian, Refund AP Test Fee.......50.00 Cedar Rapids CSD, HS Girls Track..125.00 Cedar Valley Catholic School, Tennis Entry......................................45.00 Christensen, Barry, Refund AP Test Fee..........................50.00 Clark, Kyle, HS Boys/Girls Soccer Official....... 148.56 Coaching Budde, HS Supplies.......... 100.00 Concord Theatricals, HS Performance Fee.......................745.00 Country Garden, FFA Banquet Flowers.......................50.50 Darling, Brad, Refund AP Test Fee.....37.00 DCSD Food Service, Spec. Olympic Lunch..................... 330.46 DCSD General Fund, Supplies.......... 165.00 Decker Sporting Goods, HS Supplies................................. 2,145.00 Dubuque Senior High School, Girls Track......................................125.00 Ewing, Andrea, Refund AP Test Fee... 50.00 Gallery of Tops, HS Tri State/Lego Shirts............. 2,516.52 Game One, Bowling State Qualify Banner....... 110.00 Gopei, Ivan, HS Boys Soccer Official................ 283.52 Grimstad, Ann, Refund AP Test Fee....50.00 Hahn, Amanda, Refund AP Test Fee... 50.00 Hanson, Debbie, Refund AP Test Fee.50.00 Hawthorn, Elyse, Refund AP Test Fee..........................50.00 Hicken, Lisa, Refund AP Test Fee.....100.00 Hoyme, Jackie, Meals for All-State Spch.............1,446.00 Hudson CSD, HS Soccer Tournament Fee............ 200.00 Huinker, Amanda, Reimburse Court Rental................. 440.00 IBA, IBA Membership Fees..............160.00 IHSAA, HS Swimming/Bowling Plaque..... 137.00 IHSMA, Solo/Ensemble/Instrumental ...... 3,070.00 IHSSA, HS District Large Speech Group.2,742.00 Iowa Bandmasters Association, Member.......................................... 150.00 Iowa FFA Association, FFA Conference .............................934.00 Iowa Sports Supply, HS Supplies........79.93 Jostens, HS Cap & Gowns..................72.64 Kangas, Tim, HS Girls Soccer Official................. 139.82 Kelly, John, Refund AP Test Fee.........50.00 Kemp, William, HS Boys/Girls Soccer Off.............. 159.72 King Pin Entertainment Center, HS Supply...................................... 757.37 Ko, Haewon, Refund AP Test Fee.......50.00 Kuennen, Nicholle, Refund AP Test Fee..........................50.00 Leitz, Jeremy, Refund AP Test Fee......50.00 Leliefeld, Rona, Refund AP Test Fee.. 41.00 Letterwerks, HS Supplies............... 2,356.00 Lore, Chuck, Speech Contest Worker.80.00 Lore, Elaine, Speech Contest Worker.. 80.00 Luther College, Dorian Band Festival Fees............. 738.00 Mabe’s Pizza, FFA Meeting Pizza..... 151.00 Martin, Claire, Refund AP Test Fee....50.00 McGrath, Miranda, HS Unified T-Shirts........................ 380.00 Miculinich, Michael, Refund AP Test Fee..........................50.00 Nalean-Carlson, Doug, Refund AP Test Fee..........................50.00 Moran Paredes, Alejandro, Soccer Official................................ 385.00 Myers, Mindy, Refund AP Test Fee.. 147.00 NEIBA, Registration-Member Dues... 30.00 Nimrod, Jake, Refund AP Test Fee...... 50.00 Olson, Jana, Refund AP Test Fee........50.00 Pasche, Yarrow, Refund AP Test Fee...50.00 Potvin, Susan, Refund AP Test Fee.....50.00 Raabe, Jessica, Refund AP Test Fee....50.00 Rhodes, Mark, Refund AP Test Fee....50.00 Riley, Adam, Reimbursement HS Golf................199.99 Riley, Jessica, Refund AP Test Fee......50.00 Roseland-Cline, Erin, Refund AP Test Fee..........................50.00 Rowe, Tim, HS Boys Soccer Official................450.38 Schiltz, Isaac, HS Boys/Girls Soccer Off..............312.16 Schleis, Joey, HS Boys Soccer Official................168.96 Searcy, Kelly, Refund AP Test Fee......50.00 Soccer.com, HS Soccer Socks........... 669.60 Spahn & Rose Lumber, HS Supplies.860.32 Stockman, Maureen, Refund AP Test Fee..........................50.00 Subway, HS Boys Soccer Meals.......960.00 Trewin, Karen, Speech Contest Worker.................... 80.00 Trophies Plus, HS Supplies............1,031.40 U-2 BBQ & Catering, FFA Program Meal......................3,750.00 Volz, Bethany, Refund AP Test Fee.....50.00 Wadsworth, David, Refund AP Test Fee..........................17.00 Waukon High School, HS Track Entry Fee........................ 180.00 West Delaware High School, HS Boys Track...............................100.00 Wilkins, Luke, Refund AP Test Fee....50.00 WinnMed, HS Supplies.....................136.70 Yeomans, HS Soccer Shirts............1,480.00 Total Claims:.............................$41,448.64 Claims for May 2025– General Fund Prepaids: Acentek, Internet............................... 540.00 Alliant Energy, Electricity............ 16,996.33 Amundson, Taylor, Reimbursement.... 30.00 Century Link (Lumen), Telephones-dist............................... 612.70 Decorah CSD Gen. Fund BMO, CC ............................................... 9,967.02 Johnson, Kirk, Reimbursement........... 30.00 Knaack, Wes, MS TAG Student Trav Meals.........672.00 McConnell, Laura, Reimbursement.... 29.00 Stammeyer, Ellice, Reimbursement.... 29.00 Total General Fund Prepaid Claims..................................... $28,906.05 General Fund Payables: Ace Hardware, Supplies-district........ 137.76 Ahlers Cooney, Legal Services......... 550.00 Albers, Justin, 2nd Semester Mileage.90.00 Bach Company, HS Supplies............. 374.70 Beacon Athletics, HS Supplies....... 5,314.00 Bockman, Dana, 2nd Semester Mileage...................... 90.00 Boland, Jim, Travel Reimbursement... 16.34 Brecke Mechanical Contractors, MS Rep........................................ 2,023.24 Bruening Rock Products, HS Dirt..... 621.40 Bruvold, Joni, Reimbursement for Fuel................... 62.75 Carquest, Supplies-district.................. 73.33 Clinicare Corporation, Tuition... 134,452.84 Cody, Matt, 2024-2025 Mileage.......... 42.36 Courtney, Blake, Reimbursement for Fuel...................54.00 Cronin, Timothy, 2024-2025 Mileage ....................1,000.00 Culligan Water Conditioning, Water-Bus......................................... 64.50 Culver Hahn Electric Supply, District Sup..................................... 149.50 DeBauche Truck & Diesel, Bus Repairs.................................1,038.40 Decorah Electric, HS Repairs......... 7,103.59 Decorah Mobile Glass, Repairs......... 310.00 Decorah Leader, Advertising/Publishing................1,405.32 Decorah Rental & Sales, HS Rental Equip............................... 96.90 Dept. of Education, Bus Inspection Fee......................2,150.00 DHS Cashier 1st Floor, Medicaid Direct ........................ 19,530.63 Dietzenbach, Cathy, 2024-2025 Mileage.......................... 35.00 Discovery Education, CL Books.......999.00

Dragonfly Books, HSAP Books..........27.20 Dutcher, Eric, Reimbursement for Art Sup............280.00 Eggland, Chauncy, 2024-2025 Mileage..........................35.00 Elsbernd, Sarah, 2nd Semester Mileage.................... 180.00 Fairchild, Gary, 2024-25 Cell Phone Stipend...........270.00 Fareway, District Supplies...................54.97 Farmers Win Coop, Diesel............. 1,073.99 Fastenal, HS Repairs...........................53.80 Fisk Farm & Home, Supplies-district.51.44 Forestry Suppliers, HS Supplies........590.46 Fray Fitness, HS Equipment........... 1,937.81 Glock, Kerry, 2024-2025 Cell Phone Stipe........... 270.00 Gopher, HS Supplies......................1,145.41 Gordon, Shawn, 2nd Semester Mileage.................... 180.00 Green, Emily, Community Student Work................ 13.12 GreenLawn, District Lawn Application........... 1,698.08 Gulrud, Denise, 2024-2025 Mileage... 35.00 Haasco Ltd., JC Repairs.................... 435.00 Hadley, Chris, Mileage 2024-2025......42.36 Headington Repair & Sales, Repairs-district............................... 343.60 HillYard, District Cleaning Supplies........... 4,286.20 Horton, Shannon, Mileage Reimbursement.................. 42.36 Howard-Winneshiek CSD, Tuition....................................... 10,562.86 Hoyme, Jackie, 2024-2025 Mileage.... 35.00 Hrdlicka, Donnie, Community Student Work................ 17.50 Hurst, Brad, 2nd Semester Mileage.... 90.00 IASB, Supplies – CAO...................... 312.00 Institute Excellence in Writing, HSAP Curr......................................108.90 Iowa Communications Network, Teleph..........................................1,882.50 Iowa Reading Association, Conference Reg.............................. 130.00 Jacobs, Danyce, 2024-2025 Mileage...42.36 Jaymar Business Forms, CAO Supplies.............................. 1,335.96 Johansen, Brad, Reimbursement for Fuel................... 26.26 John Deere Financial, District Supplies/Rep........................ 91.24 Johnson, Kirk, 2024-2025 Cell Phone Stipe........... 270.00 Johnson, Kurtis, 2024-2025 Cell Phone Sti.............. 270.00 J.W. Pepper, MS Supplies................... 57.48 Keystone AEA, HSAP Supplies..........61.12 Kinderhaus, 4 Year Old Preschool Prog..........2,808.40 Kirchner Collision, Vehicle Repairs.. 117.80 Kirkeby Welding, WS Repairs............70.00 Knight, Stacy, 2024-2025 Mileage......42.36 Kwik Trip, Fuel-district................ 13,312.49 Letterwerks, HS Supplies....................37.00 Lippe, John, Community Student Work................ 16.32 Malcom Enterprises, Garbage/Cardboard..................... 1,022.00 Mann, Carly, Community Student Work................ 29.90 Marco, Copier Expenses/Repairs... 3,682.06 McDonald Supply, District Supplies.......................... 1,244.84 McIntrye, Paula, 2024-2025 Mileage.. 35.00 Mercy One Occupational Health, Drug Test........................................386.00 Midwest Alarm Services, HS Repairs................................... 2,479.93 Midwest Group Benefits, Flex Benefit Fee............................. 406.00 Moss Roofing & Insulation, HS Repairs...................................... 985.00 Multisensory Learning Associates, Supplies............................................ 54.00 Napa Auto Parts, Misc. Vehicle Repairs.................. 4,605.04 Nimrod, Cristy, Reimbursement for Fuel................... 30.21 Nimrod, Jake, 2nd Semester Mileage.. 90.00 Nisse Childcare/Pre., 4 Year Preschool..........................7,622.80 North Central International, Vehicle Parts................................ 5,384.73 Northeast IACC, HS Driver Education...................... 379.00 Northeast IA Montessori, 4 Year Pre....................................2,407.20 Novak Electric, District Repairs........342.00 O’Hara, Kari, 2024-2025 Mileage......42.36 Pitney Bowes, Postage-district..........248.13 Pitsco Education, MS Supplies...........69.09 Pleggenkuhle, Wyatt, Community Student.......................... 16.08 PLTW, Online Course.....................2,400.00 Pronschinske, Chris, 2024-2025 Cell Phone.................... 270.00 Putnam Dibble, Shanna, 2nd Semester Mile..............................9.00 Quadient Finance, HS Postage....... 1,000.00 Quandahl, Selina, 2024-2025 Cell Phone.................... 270.00 Quandahl, Shannon, 2024-2025 Cell Phone.................... 270.00 Ramstad, Braden, Community Student Work................12.03 Respondus, Licensing Renewal-District.........3,195.00 RevTrak Inc., April Transaction Fee.................. 2,212.21 Riddell, HS Equipment..................4,247.76 Riley, Adam, 2nd Semester Mileage... 90.00 Riley, Jessica, 2024-2025 Mileage......35.00 Roffman, Kristine, 2024-2025 Mileage........................408.00 School Bus Sales, Bus Repairs/Parts........................2,846.83 School Specialty, HS Supplies.......1,005.05 Schultz Strings, MS Instrument Repairs................... 590.75 SDI Innovations, CL Supplies...........875.51 St. Benedict School, 4 Year Preschool .........................8,024.00 Stinson, Haley, Community Student Work.................. 7.25 Stortz, Theresa, 2024-2025 Cell Phone.................... 270.00 Sunflower Childcare Center, 4 Year Pre.................................... 8,024.00 Tandem Tire, Vehicle Repairs............200.23 Tangen, Jessica, Mileage 2024-2025... 46.58 ThingLink, HS Contract Renewal..... 417.00 Timberline Billing Service, Medicaid .....................................2,071.71 Toledo Physical Education, HS Supplies....................................737.27 Truck Country, Vehicle Repairs......9,335.35 Tyler Technologies, Contract Renewal........................ 3,712.00 UltiMaker, MS Supplies.................... 286.91 Varney, Rick, 2nd Semester 2024-25Mileage......... 90.00 Verizon Connect, Bus Garage Internet.....................1,128.22 Waskow, Brian, Fuel Reimbursement.20.00 Watson, Tori, Reimbursement...........531.82 Winneshiek County EMS Ass., H.S.A.P...........................................860.00 Woodhouse, Darlene, 2024-20245 Mileage......................166.86 Woodhouse, Katie, 2024-2025 Mileage..........................29.51 ZB-Zaner-Bloser, CL/JC Math Kits.........................2,729.32 Zep Sales & Service, Bus Supplies...224.85 Zwanzinger, Alec, 2024-2025 Cell Phone ................... 270.00 Total GENERAL Fund Claims................................... $313,017.52 PPEL Fund Payables: Bradfield’s, Inc., District Smart Boards.............. 150,870.00 CEC, CL Network Refresh Down Payment..................................... 25,514.15 School Bus Sales, 2026 Bluebird 77 Bus.............. 146,809.00 ShiveHattery, CL Roof/HS Areas Payment........ 6,000.00 VanWall Equipment, District Equipment.................... 20,990.00 Total PPEL Fund Payables:...$350,183.15 MANAGEMENT Fund Payables Assured Partners Great Plains, Policy Change................................ 104.00 Total MGMT. Fund Payables....... $104.00 SAVE Fund Payables Emergent Architecture, Consultant Expense................. 275,533.98 Total SAVE Fund Payables.... $275,533.98 Total Add’t May GENERAL Fund Payable Bouska, Casey, Reimbursement Fuel.. 40.20 Casper Plumbing & Heating, Repairs-dist.................................. 9,403.40 Dean’s Repair, Purchased Service.. 1,837.50 Decorah CSD Activity Fund, Online Payment.............................. 728.00 Decorah CSD Nutrition Dept., Catering-CAO................................ 528.22 Dragonfly Books, MS Books............136.61 Level’n Up Construction, HS Building Rep.........................8,125.00 Pitney Bowes Reserve Acct., Postage........................................1,000.00 School Specialty, CL/JC Supplies..........................24,226.32 Tri-City Electric Company of IA, Repairs............................................ 865.25 Total Add’t GENERAL Fund Payables..................................$46,890.50 Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 22, 2025

CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

Malcom Enterprises

GARBAGE PICK-UP ALL MEMORIAL DAY (MAY 26) CUSTOMERS will be picked up on

FRIDAY, MAY 23

2-bedroom apartment on W Water Street, Decorah. Available June 1st. $850/month. NS/NP. Water, garbage, snow removal included.

563-380-4959. 20-tf-LD-9

WANTED TO RENT Want to rent garage in Decorah for small 1997 S10 Chevrolet Pickup.

Call 563-382-5316. 20-6-DL-10

HELP WANTED

FOR SALE

RECREATIONAL BUSINESS FOR SALE

­

The Decorah Community School District is an EEO/AA employer.

HELP WANTED

Public Notice Winneshiek County is accepting applications for the appointment of Commissioner Board Member of the Winneshiek County Commission of Veterans Affairs Board. An applicant must be a veteran as defined in Iowa Code Section 35.1. Board Member applications available at winneshiekcounty.org, Winneshiek County Veterans Affairs Office or Auditors Office. Please return application and copy of all DD214’s to Winneshiek County Veterans Affairs or Auditors Office. Courthouse - 201 West Main, Decorah, IA 52101.

Applications are due by May 29th.

Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 8, 15 & 22, 2025

The Towers, LLC proposes to build a 359foot Guyed Communications Tower. Anticipated lighting application is medium intensity dual red/white strobes. The Site location is 1321 State Hwy 9, Decorah, Winneshiek County, IA 52101. Lat: 43-14-23.0, Long: -91-39-33.0. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Antenna Structure Registration (ASR, Form 854) filing number is A1304702. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS – Interested persons may review the application (www.fcc.gov/asr/applications) by entering the filing number. Environmental concerns may be raised by filing a Request for Environmental Review (www.fcc.gov/asr/ environmentalrequest) and online filings are strongly encouraged. The mailing address to file a paper copy is: FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554. HISTORIC PROPERTIES EFFECTS - Public comments regarding potential effects on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Lisa Skeens, l.skeens@trileaf.com, 1821 Walden Office Square Suite 500, Schaumburg, IL, 60173, (630) 227-0202 ext. 554.

Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 22, 2025

HELP WANTED:

SEMI DRIVER

Decorah Community Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year:

Certified Special Education Teacher

Full Time or Part Time • To Haul Grain Home Every Night • Monday - Friday

Instructional Strategist 1 - Mathematics Co-Teacher (Decorah High School)

WHY DECORAH HIGH SCHOOL? • Educational Excellence: Ranked consistently among lowa’s top five high schools by U.S. News & World Report, we earned our second National Blue Ribbon Schools Award in 2024, reflecting our dedication to academic achievement and equity.

• Inclusive Practices: We embrace a non-categorical approach to special education, focusing on each student’s strengths and unique needs. Our inclusive classrooms ensure all students receive the support and opportunities to thrive academically and socially.

• Holistic Support: Beyond academics, we prioritize the social-emotional wellbeing of every student. Our counselors and teaching staff collaborate to foster a $1,000 SIGNING BONUS safe and supportive learning environment that nurtures the whole child.

• Extracurricular Excellence: With over 85% of students participating in sports, clubs, or activities—including Special Olympics and Unified Champion programs—Decorah High School offers a vibrant community where every student feels connected and valued.

Enjoy working outside and looking At Decorah Highfor School, our commitment to inclusivity is deeply ingrained in a change?

We provide on the our policies, practices, culture.

By collaborating joband training!

Class A or B CDL with colleagues, leveraging technology, and implementing interventions, you will play an desirable. No data-driven CDL, no problem, we integral role in ensuring will all students help youwith get IEPs one. succeed in mathematics and beyond. This dedication to individualized support and high expectations sets IA exceptional • 563-382-2953 Decorah High SchoolDecorah, apart as an place to teach, learn, and grow. www.olsonexplosives.com info@olsonexp.com RESPONSIBILITIES

FULL TIME POSITIONS

Call Larry Orvella 563-380-0322 or 563-382-9804

HELP WANTED

­

Decorah RiverTubes 20-8-LD-12

Decorah High School seeks a dedicated and collaborative Special Education Teacher for the 2025-2026 school year. This position offers a unique opportunity to join one of Iowa’s top-ranked schools, where inclusivity, academic rigor, and a commitment to meeting the diverse needs of all learners are foundational to student success.

As a Special Education Teacher, you will be vital in supporting students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in co-taught high school mathematics courses. Partnering with general education teachers, you will provide targeted instruction and accommodations to ensure students access rigorous, grade-level math content. Your work will emphasize developing foundational math skills, problem-solving strategies, and confidence in mathematics. Using evidencebased practices, personalized interventions, and a student-centered approach, you will help students overcome challenges and achieve their academic goals.

21-4-LD-12

20-8-LD-1

Decorah RiverTubes

21-2-LD-12

21-2-DL-17

PUBLIC NOTICE

46-2-JPS-17

ANNOUNCEMENT

$1,000 SIGNING BONUS

FULL TIME POSITIONS

Decorah, IA • 563-382-2953 www.olsonexplosives.com info@olsonexp.com Equal Opportunity Employer

Enjoy working outside and looking for a change? We provide on the job training! Class A or B CDL desirable. No CDL, no problem, we will help you get one.

9-8-DL-12

Accounting Assistant Wanted

Instructional Support Equal Opportunity Employer -code• Co-teach mathematics courses aligned with lowa Core standards and gradeReilly Construction Co., is looking for an level expectations. energetic Accounting Assistant to handle • Develop and implement accommodations, modifications, and instructional multiple accounting functions. strategies to support students with IEPs. • Provide small-group and one-on-one interventions for students needing Applicant must be detailed oriented, additional support in math. analytical and able to multitask.

• Collaborate with general education teachers to deliver engaging, inclusive, and differentiated instruction.

For consideration please complete an Student Growth application online at • Monitor and assess student progress toward IEP goals, adjusting strategies and supports as needed. www.reilly-construction.com or call Reilly • Foster positive relationships with students to build confidence, motivation, Construction’s main office at 563-532-9211. $1,000 SIGNING BONUS and engagement.

• Communicate regularly with families to ensure consistency and alignment between home and school support.

Collaboration and Professionalism Seeking applicants for Tired of losing miles and money by waiting to load and unload?

FulltoTime • Participate actively in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) alignMechanic position.

This dedicated run is what you teaching practices and interventions.

Decorah, IA • 563-382-2953 are looking for! Minimal wait www.olsonexplosives.com • Work collaboratively with paraprofessionals, counselors, and administrators to times and high miles await you.

20-4-LD-12 info@olsonexp.com support student success.

Home every weekend.

• www.reilly-construction.com • Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all student, family, andOpportunity staff Equal Employer Ossian, Iowa Apply at Olson Explosives, Inc. interactions -code1837 Trout Run Rd, Decorah Professional Development www.olsonexp.com info@olsonexp.com • Engage in ongoing training to enhance knowledge of special education practices, co-teaching strategies, and evidence-based math interventions.

Equal Opportunity Employer -code• Contribute to the school’s culture of continuous improvement by sharing successful strategies with colleagues.

MECHANICS

A-15

OTR CDL

DEDICATED RUN

563-532-9211

QUALIFICATIONS

21-2-DL-12

Required: • Valid lowa teaching license (or willingness to obtain).

• 5-12 Instructional Strategist |: Mild/Moderate (261) Endorsement (or willingness to obtain).

• Strong communication and organizational skills.

• Commitment to ongoing professional development and collaboration.

Preferred: • Prior co-teaching experience, ideally in mathematics • 5-12 Mathematics (143) Endorsement (or willingness to obtain).

• Familiarity with technology integration to enhance math instruction and interventions.

Decorah High School welcomes and encourages diversity in the workplace and is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. If you are passionate about supporting the unique needs of students with intellectual disabilities and behavioral disorders, we encourage you to apply.

To Apply: Please email your resume and cover letter to Brad Hurst, Decorah High School Principal, at brad. hurst@decorah.school by the end of the day on May 28, 2025, or open until the position is filled.

The Decorah Community School District is an EEO/AA employer.

20-4-LD-12

The Spillville City Council held a regular meeting at the Spillville City Hall at 6:00 PM. on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Mayor Wermers called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM with the following councilmen present Kelsay, Straube, Schmitt, and Backes, absent: John Taylor, and Joe Honings and Greg Brennon from Iowa Geological Survey and Matt Frana from FPAC-NRCS were present.

Motion by Kelsay, second by Schmitt to approve the consent agenda. Voice vote, Ayes; unanimous, Nayes; none, Abstained: Straube.

Motion carried.

Joe Honings and Greg Brennon from Iowa Geological Survey and Matt Frana from FPAC-NRCS were here to discuss findings and recommendations on Well 1.

Matt Frana presented on purchasing nitrate and chlorine testers along with doing an algae test. Larry Phillips and Matt Frana will work together on what we need. This will be reimbursed through the grant.

Motion by Backes, second by Kelsay to approve the Billy Clocks Rain Garden Project with funding from the RC&D and Winneshiek County Soil & Water Conservation District. Voice vote, Ayes; unanimous, Nayes; none. Motion carried.

The Council discussed the new security system at the Bily Clocks and grant check from Depot Outlet to put towards the project.

The mayor updated the Council on the Water Project and the Precontractor’s Meeting held today.

The council discussed employee wages and will approve at the next Council Meeting.

Motion by Schmitt, second by Reed to approve payment for fireworks for Spillville 4th of July Celebration with request for past balance sheets and an invitation to meetings in the future. Roll call vote, Schmitt, Kelsay, and Backes, unanimous, Nayes; none; Abstained; Straube. Motion carried.

Motion by Straube, and second by Schmitt to approved the Spillville Fireworks Permit with South Winn Area Community Group for July 5, 2025 with rain dates for July 6 and July 7. Voice vote, Ayes; unanimous, Nayes; none. Motion carried.

Motion by Straube, second by Kelsay to approve Resolution 25-5-6 Approve Adoption of Comprehensive Solid Waste Reduction Program by Winneshiek County Solid Waste Agency. Roll call vote, Schmitt, Straube, Kelsay, and Backes, unanimous, Nayes; none. Motion carried.

Council discussed rental rates at campground and will table it until next meeting.

Motion by Backes, second by Schmitt to close the meeting and adjourn. Voice vote, Ayes; unanimous, Nayes; none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned 7:50 pm Attest: Lynette Andera, City Clerk May Meeting Claims Type, Date, Name, Memo...............Amount Paycheck, 04/30/2025, Andera, Lynette C, Payroll .......................................-1,735.85 Paycheck, 04/30/2025, Bodender, Lalanya S, Payroll .......-150.06 Paycheck, 04/30/2025, Craft, Susanna-Virginia, Payroll .............-358.91 Paycheck, 04/30/2025, Elsbernd, Sandra A, Payroll ..........................................-561.54 Paycheck, 04/30/2025, KUHN, RUTH, Payroll ..........................................-711.29 Paycheck, 04/30/2025, KULISH, JOANE, Payroll .......................................-1,502.15 Paycheck, 04/30/2025, PHILLIPS, LARRY J, Payroll...-5,690.26 Paycheck, 04/30/2025, Thompson, Linda M., Payroll.......-131.02 Check, 05/05/2025, Origin Design, Water Engineering ...................-20,451.20 Check, 05/06/2025, CITIZENS SAVINGS BANK, Pay off Loan #59300 - Pleasant View Dr & Wonder Creek Water Main ..............................-16,416.81 Check, 05/06/2025, DRIFTLESS SECURITY, Library Alarm – Inv 000395-R-0006 ........................-70.00 Check, 05/06/2025, DRIFTLESS SECURITY, Clocks Security System – half Down - Inv 000458 ............-1,823.74 Check, 05/06/2025, Marv Smith Electric, Plbg & Htg, Sewer - Ran Inspection Camera Inv. 17943 .......................-189.00 Check, 05/06/2025, BADGER METER......

Water Maintenance & Fix Network Serv. Unit - Inv 80193546 ............-123.00 Check, 05/06/2025, ACE HARDWARE & RENTAL, Oil & Wax For Clocks #211515 ..............................-92.94 Check, 05/06/2025, TASTE OF HOME, Library Serials ................................-27.82 Check, 05/06/2025, FISHER WHITING MEMORIAL LIBRARY, Library Books ...................................-8.00 Check, 05/06/2025, MICROMARKETING Library Books .................................-48.19 Check, 05/06/2025, Stanhope Public Library Book - Inv 202501.............-15.00 Check, 05/06/2025, STRAUBE, THOMAS, Weed Control - Granular Weed Prevention Baseball Field – Preemergent ..................................-230.00 Check, 05/06/2025, STRAUBE, THOMAS, Weed Control - Broadleaf at Park and 23 Acres Fertilize Library, Clocks, Baseball Field ...........................................-2,025.00 Check, 05/06/2025, US CELLULAR, Alarm Autodialer/Cell Phone .......-177.30 Check, 05/06/2025, Decorah Leader, Publications ..................................-435.40 Check, 05/06/2025, VISA, City Supplies .............................-1,705.92 Check, 05/06/2025, Transferring From Library T & A Fund - Amazon Bill $138.96 - $25.00 Donation from D Ungs..........................................-113.96 Check, 05/06/2025, SHIMEK SANITATION, Shimek Sanitation Contract .....................................-2,979.95 Check, 05/06/2025, FARMERS UNION COOPERATIVE, Fuel...............-1,290.57 Check, 05/06/2025 FENCL OIL & LP CO., Fuel ...............................................-946.47 Check, 05/06/2025, JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL, Shop Supplies .......-138.57 Liab. Check, 05/06/2025, IPERS, IPERS ........................................-2,143.28 Liab. Check, 05/06/2025, United States Treasury, Federal Taxes .............-2,837.56 Check, 05/08/2025, GIGFIRE, Internet Service...............................-70.00 Check, 05/08/2025, CENTURYLINK, City Telephones ............................-234.26 Check, 05/08/2025, CENTURYLINK, Clocks Telephones ........................-147.49 Totals ..........................................-65,582.51 Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 22, 2025 NOTICE OF MEETING AND ACTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF NORTHEAST IOWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE ON THE MATTER OF THE PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $2,500,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NORTHEAST IOWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE INDUSTRIAL NEW JOBS TRAINING CERTIFICATES (2025-1 MULTIPLE PROJECT) IN ONE OR MORE SERIES Public Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of Northeast Iowa Community College will meet on the 10th day of June, 2025, at 12:00 P.M. (Noon) electronically, originating in the Calmar Board Room, Northeast Iowa Community College, 1625 Highway 150, Calmar, Iowa, at which meeting the Board proposes to institute proceedings and take additional action for the authorization and issuance in the manner required by law of not to exceed $2,500,000 of Northeast Iowa Community College Industrial New Jobs Training Certificates (2025-1 Multiple Project) to be issued for the purpose of providing education and training of workers for new jobs at the following facilities located at the following locations within the Merged Area: Henderson Products, Inc. 1085 South 3rd Street Manchester, Iowa 52057 Kunkel & Associates, Inc. 401 Data Court Dubuque, Iowa 52003 Transco Railway Products Inc. 300 7th Avenue NW Oelwein, Iowa 50662 Western Smokehouse Partners, LLC 2800 West Avenue Burlington, Iowa 52601 At the above meeting, the Board of Directors shall take additional action for the issuance of the industrial new jobs training certificates or will abandon the proposal to issue the certificates.

At any time within fifteen days after the publication of this notice a person may by action in the District Court of a County in the area within which the Community College is located, appeal the decision of the Board of Directors in proposing to issue the certificates. The action of the Board of Directors in determining to issue the certificates is final

and conclusive unless the district court finds that the Board of Directors has exceeded its legal authority. An action shall not be brought which questions the legality of the certificates, the power of the Board of Directors to issue the certificates, the effectiveness of any proceedings relating to the authorization of the Project(s), or the authorization and issuance of the certificates from and after fifteen (15) days from the publication of this notice of intention to issue.

This Notice is given by order of the Board of Directors of Northeast Iowa Community College as provided in Section 260E.6(5), Code of Iowa, as amended.

Dated at Calmar, Iowa, this 19th day of May, 2025.

Heather Groth Secretary of the Board of Directors of Northeast Iowa Community College Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 22, 2025 RIDGEWAY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 13, 2025 The Ridgeway City Council met in regular session May 13, 2025, at the Ridgeway Community Center, at 5:45 p.m. with Mayor Schnur calling the meeting to order. Council persons present were: Linderbaum, Engelhardt, Novotny, Schnur and Hauber. Absent: None.

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

Motion carried.

This being the date and time for a public hearing on the proposed Amendment to City Budget for FY24-25, the public hearing was called to order by Mayor Schnur.

A discussion was held. There were no objectors or public comments written or oral received. The Mayor declared the public hearing closed.

Resolution No. 05-15-2025-1, a Resolution Approving the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Amended City Budget, was read aloud by Mayor Schnur. A Motion was made by Engelhardt, seconded by Schnur to approve and adopt Resolution No. 05-13-2025-1, a Resolution Approving the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Amended City Budget. A Roll Call Vote was taken: Linderbaum-yes, Hauber-yes, Engelhardt-yes, Novotny-yes, and Schnur-yes.

Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Linderbaum, seconded by Novotny to pay Derek Spalla $124.93 for a 12 inch gauge cable for the June, 2025 City event. The check is to be written out of the City of Ridgeway Special Events account at CUSB Bank. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Novotny, seconded by Hauber to pay the bill from All Flags in the amount of $376.08 for new flags out of the City of Ridgeway Vet Memorial Bank Account at CUSB Bank. All aye. Nay: none.

Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Engelhardt, seconded by Linderbaum to approve a $146.00 check payable to the Postmaster, for postage for the City event to be held in June, 2025, to be paid out of the City of Ridgeway Special Events account at CUSB Bank. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Engelhardt, seconded by Schnur to approve and adopt Resolution 5-13-2025-2, the 2025 Winneshiek County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan Update. A Roll Call Vote was taken: Linderbaum-yes, Hauber-yes, Engelhardt-yes, Novotny-yes, and Schnur-yes.

Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Engelhardt, seconded by Hauber to approve to pay Partial Pay Estimate, Application and Certificate For Payment number nine from JB Holland Construction, Inc. for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements project in the amount of $91,361.50. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion to approve the Wastewater Plant Improvement Project Change Order Number 3 was made by Engelhardt, seconded by Hauber. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Novotny, seconded

by Schnur to approve the renewal of the cigarette permit for Engen Express. All aye. Nay none. Motion carried.

The next City Council meeting will be May 28, 2025, at 5:45 p.m. at the Ridgeway Community Center.

Engelhardt 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 – May 13, 2025 Alliant Energy, Utilities ...............$1,652.21 Black Hills Energy, Utility -shop ... $219.29 Cardmember Services, Shop-postage and supplies ............$91.06 CIA Insurance, Roof rate revision ........................ $704.00 Dan Pitz, Insurance & phone reimbursement .............................$550.00 Engen Express, Shopfuel ............... $333.76 Enterprise Media, Publishing ........$294.96 Hawkins, Chemicals ....................... $321.10 Iowa DHS, Child Support payment................$596.28 Iowa Finance Authority, Annual water loan payment ..........................$20,810.00 Iowa Finance Authority, Wastewater Im provement loan payment ........$67,158.70 IPERS, Ipers ................................$1,253.67 JB Holland Construction, Inc., Wastewater Improvement Project-IA Fin ..$45,680.50 JB Holland Construction, Inc., Wastewater Improvement Project-CDBG.. $45,681.00 Mabel Telephone, Shop$109.04, Office$104.96,Hall$35.76 ........... $249.76 Micronac, Lab tests .......................... $58.25 Pat Sands, Com. cen. cleaning ....... $120.00 Payroll .........................................$5,753.64 Payroll tax.................................... $1,680.23 Ruppert, Shop Paint/bolts ................. $23.54 Sharla Berns, Reimbursement ....... $100.00 Shimek Sanitation, Garbage ........ $2,213.59 Treasurer – State of Iowa, Sales tax....................................... $515.10 Winneshiek County Extension, Lincoln Leaders - Easter............. $239.98 Expenditure Accounts Summary to date: General Fund ............................... $4,104.94 Community Center ......................... $155.76 Road Use ..................................... $1,216.67 Water Fund ................................$21,691.28 Sewer Fund ................................ $91,692.42 Revenue Accounts Summary to date: General Fund ............................... $9.061.01 Community Center ........................... $75.00 Road Use Tax .............................. $1,789.12 Local Option Sales Tax Water Fund ..................................$3,634.65 Sewer Fund .................................. $6,982.32 Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 22, 2025 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE WINNESHIEK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS To change the use of the land at the following described property: A Southerly portion of Lot 1-1 in the Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter, and a Southeasterly portion of lot 2 in the Northeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter in Section 4, of Township 98 North, Range 7 West of the 5th P.M. Winneshiek County, Iowa.

The Parcel is located on the South side of Hidden Falls Road across from 2744 Hidden Falls Rd, Decorah. Parcel will encompass approx. 5 acres.

The application is made by: Licia Hewitt, Hannah & Elsa McCargar The following change in the zoning ordinance is to permit the construction of a single-family residence.

From the present zoning classification of: A-1 Agricultural District To the proposed zoning classification of: AR, Agricultural Residential District.

A public hearing will be held by the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors on Monday, Jun 2nd, 2025 at 10:15am. in the Board of Supervisors Office, Courthouse Annex Building, 201 West Main St. Decorah, Iowa, at which time you may appear, if you so desire, either in person or by agent or attorney in opposition to or support of the proposed request. If you would prefer not to attend in person please contact the Auditor’s office at 563-382-5085 for remote log in information and link.

Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 22, 2025

COMMUNITY

A-16 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Echoes will be furnished by the George Krumm Orchestra. A grand march will be held at 9 o’clock in the evening, followed by a dance until midnight. …Mrs. Mary Ann Gloe has been hired as a 1st year primary teacher for the 1965-66 academic year at the Decorah Community Schools.

50 Local PEO chapter celebrates centennial

Members of Decorah’s PEO chapter GO celebrated the club’s 100th anniversary during an April 10 gathering at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Among the members present were Joan Amundson, who has been part of the organization for 77 years, and Vonnie Linnevold, who is herself 100 years old. PEO began in Mount Pleasant in 1869 and now has 5,800 chapters in the United States and Canada. Local organizers said the Decorah chapter of the philanthropic organization has given thousands of dollars to young women in the area to support education. Pictured are Decorah PEO members (front row, left to right) Kris Erickson, Jane Busch, Lisa Lien (second row, left to right) Betsy Hadley, Jan Anderson, Vonnie Linnevold, Joan Amundson, Julia Sollien, Marion Patton, Betty Hoff, Kelli Courtney, (back row, left to right) Faith Robinson, Kendra VanSlotten, Julie Chamberlain, Sarah Iverson, Connie Buresh, Diane Rarick, Gerry Lee, Mary Docken, Jen Anderson, Erin Anderson, Sharon Drew, Kerry. Johnson, Carol Hagen and Ali Bishop. (Photo submitted)

Adam among award winners at 4-H State Recognition Day Iowa 4-H youth showcased their leadership, communications and college and career readiness skills during the annual State 4-H Recognition Day interviews in late March, and 4-H members in grades nine through 12 applied and were interviewed for various state and national leadership opportunities, trips and awards.

Caylie Adam of Winneshiek County was recently honored as one of 50 youth in the state selected to win project-based awards — Adam’s was honored for her communication project.

Organizers with 4-H said each of the 50 project award winners demonstrated mastery, leadership, communication and

Caylie Adam service in a specific project area throughout their 4-H ca-

reer. Each winner will receive an Iowa 4-H Foundation cash award of $125 with the support of project area award sponsors Glen and Mary Jo Mente.

The State 4-H Recognition Day coordination team worked with 4-H volunteers to review written applications and conduct panel interviews, delivering an engaging, skill-building experience for 4-H participants.

“Each year, youth from across the state showcase their 4-H experiences through a resume and cover letter, evaluated by dedicated volunteers and industry experts,” said Madeleine Bretey-Smith, 4-H leadership and civic engagement specialist with ISU Extension

and Outreach. “This recognition process not only celebrates their achievements but also equips them with essential career skills, such as resume writing, crafting cover letters, and participating in panel interviews — valuable preparation for future college and career opportunities.”

Approximately half the participating youth were interviewed in person, while the rest chose to be interviewed virtually using video teleconference platforms.

For more information on Iowa 4-H State Recognition Day, contact Madeleine BreteySmith at mbretey@iastate.edu.

Law Enforcement Decorah Police Department Justin Amos Pritchard, age 43, of Decorah was charged with disorderly conduct, — loud or raucous noise — obstruction of prosecution or defense — altering evidence — and possession of a controlled substance — third or subsequent offense at approximately 2:07 a.m. Saturday, May 10 in the area of Mill Street in Decorah. Criminal complaints said the Decorah Police Department received a report of Pritchard “banging on the walls and doors” of his apartment building, and falling down the stairs — an officer located Pritchard in the build-

ing’s north stairwell. The complaint went on to say Pritchard was “chewing on an object that had a wrapper on it,” which the complaint said appeared to be bud marijuana and field tested positive for THC. “The complaint said Pritchard “appeared to be chewing on this in an attempt to eat it so officers would not locate it.”

He was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 2:15 a.m. the same day, and he was additionally charged with possession of contraband in a correctional facility — law enforcement found a pipe with residue on it in Pritchard’s pocket.

Kyle Cody Bergquist, age 35, of Des Moines was charged with public intoxication — first offense — at approximately 12:53 p.m. Sunday, May 11 near the intersection of Water Street and Winnebago Street in Decorah. He was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 1:15 a.m. the same day.

Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office Lexus Briann Six, age 27, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 8:25 a.m. Wednesday, May 14 to serve two consecutive days.

Dawn Peterson, age 23, of Sumner was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 8:20 p.m.

Thursday, May 15 on an arrest warrant for failure to serve jail time. She is expected to serve two consecutive days.

Michale Jefferson, age 28, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 20 on a pair of arrest/bench warrants.

All people listed may face charges and should be presumed innocent until their case is reviewed through the legal process.

Forge continued from front

that this might be the place to do what we’ve been looking to do — which is a new forging studio,” said Brian Rude, chair of Vesterheim’s board of trustees. “And how fortunate that it’s adjacent to our campus. It was a perfect space size-wise, so it’s almost as if it were made to be here.”

Information from Vesterheims said the museum first began offering a knifemaking course in the 1980s, and the museum’s forging classes gained notable success around 2015 — however, the museum noted only a small number of courses could be held in Decorah, due to space limitations, and a number of courses were held off-site in locations like South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Rude said the new forge classroom makes way for the return of the medium on Vesterheim’s campus — a handful of metalworkers began plying their trade approximately an hour after Friday’s dedication ceremony.

Jessica Rilling, executive director of the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, said Vesterheim’s folk arts school plays an active role in preserving traditions.

“Today is an especially poi-

gnant moment for the active teaching of these amazing traditions and skills,” Rilling said, ahead of a ceremonial ribbon cutting outside the new classroom. “Thank you for not just being a caretaker and a steward, but thank you to Vesterheim for teaching and creating spaces where people can learn new things, have that become part of their identity and have it become part of what they think of for Decorah.”

Peter Tokheim (left) of St. Paul, Minnesota, used tongs to remove heated metal from a furnace during a forging class held under the supervision of instructor Paul Nyborg (right) from the Osseo area of Wisconsin. The class was held Friday following a dedication of the new forging studio.

40

YEARS AGO: 1985 – Ozzie Quandahl, owner of the Quandahl Food Ranch at Waukon, has donated two electronic scoreboards for use in the Luther College Fieldhouse.

Jim Juve of Decorah has plans to develop a public golf course with a driving range. …A ban on open trash burning is being considered by the Decorah City Council. Leaf burning is another issue still unresolved.

30

YEARS AGO: 1995 – Magnus Hellmark, a freshman golfer at Luther College, has been selected to play in the 1995 NCAA Division III Golf Championship in Indiana. …A large billboard celebrating Julie Wurtzel’s 40th birthday is now displayed in Decorah. …Following the trail of the stork from 1995: A boy was born May 12 to Pete and Linda Blodgett of Decorah; and a girl was born May 10 to Jeff and Barb Wettach of Decorah. …Several local mountain bike riders are among the best in a 213-person field at the 1995 Decorah Time Trials recently.

Top local individual finishers included Todd Folkedahl, David Lepa, Ron Brohmer, Ralph Handerson, Nate Evans, Joel Smeby, Dave Kester, Marc Folkedahl, Terry Lepa, Jed Miller, Mike Folkedahl and Gunnar Schwarz. …The new $1.4 million-dollar Northeast Iowa Mental Health Center on Montgomery Street in Decorah will host an open house early this month.

Services include outpatient counseling, evaluations, outreach, 24-hour emergency, consultations, day treatments and community support.

20

YEARS AGO: 2005 – Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) has a record number of spring graduates. A total of 418 students will receive their degrees/diplomas this month. …Dr. Peter Blodgett and Dr. Jon Hart have purchased a lot off Fifth Avenue where they plan to construct a new office facility for their dental practice.

In addition to providing offices for Hart and Blodgett, the facility will house the office of Dr. Chris Wyse. …The fine and court cost for not stopping for a school bus when the bus’s stop arm is ex-

tended has been raised to $152. …Bev Schuman and Shirley Neubauer were recognized recently for more than 1,000 hospital volunteer hours. …The Decorah/North Winn boys soccer team has not lost a home game in two years. The Vikes closed out the regular season with a 4-1 victory over rival Waverly the other day.

Standouts for the local squad included Adam Baker, Juel Teslow, Mitch Cornelius, Kevin Freund, D.J. Mello and Jerry Jaeger. …Decorah has a new elementary principal. Rick Varney, in his third year as principal at Central in Elkader, has been hired to oversee John Cline and West Side Schools at a starting salary of $70,000. …Bev and Elliott Christen have been named 2005 Nordic Fest Parade Grand Marshals. …Cottonballs Poultry Barns has withdrawn an application for a chicken confinement facility in Bloomfield Township. …Decorah City Council has approved a 3.75 percent wage increase for supervisory and non-union city employees.

Salaries are as follows: City Administrator Jerry Freund, $67,475; City Clerk/Treasurer Wanda Hemesath, $43,251; Chief of Police Tom Courtney, $51,663. …Three Decorah High School students are National Merit finalists: Richard Edwards, Marguerite Moeller and Nora Bailey. …The Winneshiek County Historical Society raised $1,500 with a recent antique appraisal event at the fairgrounds in Decorah. …Megan Kuennen was recently crowned Miss St. Lucas.

She is the daughter of Daryl and Patrice Kuennen.

10

YEARS AGO: 2015 – DHS boys soccer team had a great effort over the weekend recently picking up three victories. In a win over Postville, DHS goals were scored

by Spencer Weis and Zach Lee. In a victory over Webster City, goals were scored by Garrett. Nordheim, Zach Lea, Jake Muhlbauer, Spencer Bulman and Isaac Marquardt. …Doug Schroeder recently began his duties as superintendent of Decorah’s Pulpit Rock Campground. …The Foot-Notes will play at the Syttende Mai Celebration at Vesterheim this spring. …Iowa Governor Terry Branstad recently toured Seed Savers Exchange’s Heritage Farm in Decorah. …A reception is planned on May 14 to welcome new WCDI Director Stephanie Fromm. …There will be no slide at the Decorah Municipal Swimming Pool this summer. Once the old slide is removed, work can begin on a new slide. …From the society pages of 2015: Doug and Kendra Van Sloten announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Bethany, to Dustin Noble, son of Bob and Jayne Noble of Riceville. They will be married June 27. …HELP WANTED: General laborers at several area construction companies: Wages start at $14 per hour, depending on experience.

AUCTION CALENDAR WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 - Live Virtual Auction being broadcasted using Proxibid.com and Equipmentfacts.com.

RETIREMENT CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT Kamm Excavating Corporation.

Equipment. Marketers and Appraisers 3826 Cedar Heights Drive, Suite 7 • Cedar Falls IA 50613 www.equipmentmarketers.com • office 319 266 3578 • mobile 319415-9850.

Tools stood at the ready inside Vesterheim’s new forging studio as the public gathered inside to view the workspaces and glowing furnaces ahead of Friday’s dedication. (Photo

by Seth Boyes)

YEARS AGO: 1975 – The local Knights of Columbus will host a community circus here this summer as a fundraiser. …Shop Jack & Jill Food Store for these May 1975 bargains: ground beef, 65 cents per pound; cottage bread, 49 cents per loaf. …Kathy Huber has received the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary health career scholarship this year.

continued from page A-4

CLOSING TUESDAY, MAY 27 4:00 p.m. Large Online Only Boats, Antique, Collectible & Household Auction. Auction Preview: Friday May 23 9:00 A.M. to 12 Noon.

Sell held At Sweeney Auction Center Waukon IA Sweeney Auction

Service Waukon IA 563-568-2464 www.sweeneyauctionservice.com CLOSING THURSDAY, MAY 29 - 9:00 a.m. “Mini-Premier” Gun Auction. Kramer Auction Service.

Prairie du Chien, WI. 608-3268108. www.kramersales.com SUNDAY, JUNE 1 - 10:00 a.m.

Coin Auction. Community Center, Protivin, IA. Shindelar Auction Service, LLC. Protivin, Ia 563-5698235. www.auctionsgo.com WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4 - ONLINE ONLY. Real Estate Closing at 1 p.m. and All Other Items Closing at 4 p.m. Roy Piper Estate.

Tim Piper, Executor 1503 380th

St, Decorah, IA. Sweeney Auction Service. www.sweeneyauctionservice.com Waukon, Ia 563-5682464.

SATURDAY JUNE 7 - 9:30 a.m.

Country Tractor, Toys & Misc Auction. Ron & Norma Bullerman 1647 227th Ave Calmar IA. Sweeney Auction Service. www.sweeneyauctionservice.com Waukon, Ia 563-568-2464.

TUESDAY, JUNE 17 - 8:30 a.m.

Machinery Consignment Auction.

Sale held at Sweeney Auction Service Waukon IA. Sweeney Auction Service. www.sweeneyauctionservice.com Waukon, Ia 563-5682464.

NEWS/SPORTS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

A-17

Bodensteiner moves on to regional finals; Trojans fifth

By Kelly Terpstra sports@nhtrib.com

Photo submitted

Family Fishing Clinic to be held at Lake Meyer

Winneshiek County Conservation will host the annual Stan Shevik Family Fishing Clinic from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 7 at Lake Meyer Park and Campground. An optional fishing time will take place from noon to 1 p.m. that day. June 7-9 is Free Fishing Weekend,

during which all Iowa residents may fish without a license.

The free annual family fishing clinic is open to all ages. All registered youth will be eligible for a door prize. Youth under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult throughout the program. Participants may register

online at winneshiekwild.com/ events/stan-shevik-family-fishing-clinic-2025. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will also be assisting with the clinic. For more information, contact Winneshiek County Conservation at 563-534-7145.

Turkey Valley students visit state capitol

State Rep. Michael Bergan gave a capitol tour to fifth grade students from Turkey Valley School in Jackson Junction. (Photo submitted)

State Rep. Michael Bergan met with sixth grade students from Turkey Valley during a field trip to the Iowa State Capitol on April 24. (Photo submitted)

Clear your mind, and the rest will follow.

Turkey Valley’s Annika Bodensteiner took that concept to heart when she attempted to conquer a nine-hole golf course during the Class 1A opening regional round on Friday.

The site of the meet was at Lone Pine Country Club in Colesburg, and Bodensteiner wouldn’t mind a return trip back to the course which allowed her to advance to the regional finals.

Bodensteiner made the long trek down to the city of Wyoming on Wednesday in an attempt to crack the state field at that qualifier hosted by Midland. Results of the meet were unavailable at press time The TV junior was one of six individuals who moved on to play for the chance to compete at the state tournament, which will be held next week from May 29-30 at the American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown.

“It was good. We just played the same, tried to relax and did what I usually do,” Bodensteiner said of her team’s performance. “My drives were good. I didn’t think too hard about it.”

While TV did not advance on to the next round – the top two teams qualify for regional finals – it was still a good day for the Trojans, who fired a fifth-place total of 445.

“We came a long ways from last year. We improved a lot,” said Bodensteiner.

TV qualified for the regional finals last year with a 451 under longtime coach John Reicks. Steve Hoffert took the reins of the TV girls golf program this year – he also coaches Trojan girls hoops. Hoffert talked about the strides made by his Trojans throughout the spring.

“It’s a tough course. It’s long, fast. The wind didn’t help much today,” said Hoffert. “I thought the girls played well despite the windy conditions. I just like the way the girls improved throughout the whole year – every one of them.”

The state allows the top six golfers individually to advance to the regional finals. The drive from Jackson Junction to the regional final course is just a tad over two hours south.

“I think it will be fun. I’ve never golfed there before,” said Bodensteiner about the regional final meet at Wyoming.

Nashua-Plainfield won the regional opener at Colesburg with 382 and South Winneshiek also advanced to the state qualifier with a 396. Host Edgewood-Colesburg was a distant third with a 427.

TV senior Morgan Vsetecka shot a 113 in her final high school meet of her career. TV junior Karstyn Lukes fired a 118 and senior Brooklyn Kuennen (121), along with sophomore Miyah Byrne (118) wrapped up TV’s scoring.

Logan Busta spews a cloud of sand from a bunker during last week’s sectional at South Winn Golf Course and Country Club near Calmar. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Bernhard becomes first TV boys golfer to play at state

By Kelly Terpstra sports@nhtrib.com The sport of golf can be a meat-grinder at times, where it chews up would-be title contenders and spits them out.

But Nicholas Bernhard can finally breathe again.

The Turkey Valley sophomore overcame adversity and rose to the challenge during the biggest golf meet of his career at the Class 1A district meet on Monday at Highland Golf Course in Mason City.

Bernhard was one of two individual qualifiers – alongside Starmont’s Sawyer Schlee (82) – who survived to play another day at the state meet, which will be held next week (May 27-28) at South Hills Golf Course in Waterloo.

Bernhard – who came up just short of cracking the state field last year as a freshman – fired an 81 at districts and in the process became the first TV boys golfer in school history to compete at state, according to former longtime Trojan golf coach John Reicks.

Reicks stepped down this season, and Bernhard’s father Nick Bernhard took over as TV the boys head coach.

The father/son duo shared a special moment in the clubhouse when they found out they would be traveling to Waterloo next week to compete for a state championship.

“He wanted to go to state so bad. When he found out, we were standing there – he broke down and cried,” said the elder Bernhard. “It just meant that much to him that we were right there together.”

Bernhard entered Monday’s state qualifier as the Upper Iowa Conference champion and sectional medalist winner as he fired an even-par 72 last week Wednesday at the South Winn Golf and Country Club.

With those accolades came some lofty goals and substantial nerves once the district meet rolled around.

The playing conditions at Mason City were not ideal, as rain and wind made the 18-hole course a challenge.

“It was pretty exciting. It was a tough day. They actually had to play a couple holes in the rain, and it came down pretty good,” said the TV head coach.

“It was pretty wet there for quite a while and then the wind picked up. The greens were pretty slick – they were tricky.”

Nick Bernhard feels that his

son can play even better and kick his game up a notch on Tuesday – the first day of the small-school class two-day state meet that will be comprised of 36 holes.

“I think actually at state it’s going to be quite a bit easier playing for him, and you’re going to see better scores out of him down there than what you did here just because of the pressure that was on him as far as all the expectations that were put on him,” said the TV head coach.

Bernhard fired a 40 on the front nine at Highland and put together a 41 on the back nine.

“It was just a lot of weight on him. He had to grind the whole day – nothing was really given to him,” said Nick Bernhard.

The state takes the top three teams to district and state competition and the top two individuals from non-qualifying teams, unless there is a tie.

South Winneshiek was crowned district champ at Mason City with 319, and South Hamilton placed runner-up with a 335. West Fork was the final team to qualify for state as the Warhawks fired a 340 – two strokes better than Starmont’s 342.

Turkey Valley failed to qualify for districts. The Trojans ended the team portion of their season with a 350 – which was good for fifth place. TV sophomore Brady Blong carded an 87 and junior Logan Busta finished his sectional 18-hole round with 93. Trojan senior Calen Franzen put a wrap on his TV golf career with a 98.

The TV boys and girls golf programs have never qualified for state as a team. The Trojans made school history last year as each squad made it to the final state qualifying round.

Calen Franzen eyes the cup as he prepares to put during the sectional meet. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Coming up in area varsity sports Photo submitted

Goodner honored as ‘Best of the Class’ Natalie Goodner of Decorah High School was recently honored as a member of the 2025 Best of the Class.

KWWL and the University of Northern Iowa recognized valedictorians or top graduat-

ing seniors from across eastern Iowa during a celebration on Saturday, May 3 at Maucker Union on the UNI campus.

Best of the Class students had the opportunity to be photographed with KWWL news

personalities. During its 41 years of recognizing academic excellence, KWWL’s Best of the Class has honored more than 5,000 top graduating seniors.

May 22-24 – Dec/SW/TV g/b tr at State (Des Moines), TBD May 23 - Dec g soc at Regionals (Charles City), 7 p.m.

May 24 – Dec g ten at Team State Quarterfinal (TBA), 9 a.m.

May 26 – Dec bb vs. Kee, 5 p.m.

May 27-28 – SW/TV b golf at state (Waterloo), 10 a.m.

May 27 – Dec g ten at Team State (TBA), 9 a.m.; Dec b ten at State Singles/ Doubles (Waterloo), 10 a.m.; TV bb vs. MFL MarMac, 4 p.m.; Dec sb at South Winn, 7 p.m.; TV sb vs. Starmont, 7 p.m.

May 28 – Dec b ten at State Singles/Doubles (TBA), 10 a.m.; Dec b soc at Substate (TBA), 6 p.m.

May 29 – TV bb vs. North Fayette Valley, 4 p.m.; Dec bb vs. Crestwood, 5 p.m.; Dec g soc at Regionals (TBA), 6 p.m.; Dec sb at Turkey Valley, 7 p.m.

SPORTS

A-18 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

So close; Viking boys edged out at districts by three strokes

Oh, so close After all the scorecards had been turned in Monday at Pin Oak Links, there was a nail-biting wait — over an hour — as coaches, players and athletic directors discussed the play of an individual on the course. As the golfers and fans waited and wondered, the Viking boys waited in the wings to see if a card from a West Liberty golfer would stand or if it would be tossed out, sending Decorah to the Class 3A state golf tournament.

In the end, the play held and the Vikings finished three strokes out of the final qualifying spot. Advancing to state from the West Delaware district

were the host Hawks with a 321, Solon with a 323 and West Liberty with a 327. Decorah finished the day with a combined 330 in fourth.

Jackson Naber led the Vikes with an 80, finishing sixth overall. Freshman Jacob Stevens carded an 82 in 11th, while Jackson Pipho carved out an 83 in 15th. Completing Decorah’s scoring was Carter Dlhy with an 85. Tommy Sexton (25th, 85) and Caden Hubka (28th, 87) were also on the course.

Squeaking out third Two strokes separated the second, third and fourth place teams at the Class 3A sectional meet at the Gardner Golf Course in Marion last Wednesday, as Decorah secured the third and final qualifying spot for the district meet.

West Delaware won the day with a 296, but it was Marion taking second with a 314, just ahead of Decorah’s 315.

Entering the limelight on time, the 4x400 team posted a third-place time of 4:09.57, earning a 16th seed for the Friday prelims. Members of that relay include Riley, Wilson, Eden Northup and Pole.

Decorah’s entries will wrap up the list of competitors with the sprint medley relay Saturday. Essa, Stammeyer, Pole and Riley put together a time of 1:41.95 to enter the finals seeded 20th.

Williamsburg was one stroke back in fourth with a 316. Other teams traversing the course were Mount Vernon (327), Vinton-Shellsburg (333), Maquoketa (351) and Anamosa (354).

Aidan Zirtzman of West Delaware was the medalist of the meet with a 70, followed by Marion’s Grady Oleson (73).

Decorah’s Pipho finished in a four-way tie for third with a 74.

Naber and Stevens each fired 79s with Dlhy carding an 83 to finish the Viking scorecard.

Sexton (85) and Bucksa (90) also competed for Decorah.

Viking senior Jackson Pipho follows his ball after teeing off Monday at the 17th hole in Manchester. (Photo by Becky Walz)

One final home meet After taking third in the sectional meet, the Vikings had one more regular season 18-hole dual, hosting Winona Senior Thursday, May 15. The visitors edged out Decorah 322 to 325 at Oneota Golf and Country Club.

Stevens set the pace with an 80, while Naber came through

Class 3A State Qualifying boys’ team scores 1. Waverly-Shell Rock 150; 2.

Decorah 135; 3. Clear Lake 126; 4. Center Point-Urbana 116; 5.

Charles City 55; 6. Marion 53; 7.

Independence 48; 8. Hampton-Dumont-CAL 39

with an 81. Pipho and Dlhy fashioned 82s to complete the Viking scorecard.

Others on the course for Decorah included Bucksa (82), Sexton (84), Caden Hubka (85), Evan Roe (85), Jack Turner (86), Bryson Wemark (86), Bradan Darling (93) and Andrew Olson (101).

Class 3A State Qualifying girls’ team scores 1. Marion 152; 2. Clear Lake 145; 3. Decorah 128; 4. Waverly-Shell Rock 93; 5. Center Point-Urbana 87; 6. Charles City 50; 7. Hampton-Dumont-CAL 43; 8. Independence 21

Nieman, Stika qualify for individual events at Ed-Co qualifier

By Kelly Terpstra sports@nhtrib.com Bella Stika and Hazel Nieman are no strangers to the state meet in Des Moines.

The Turkey Valley Trojan standout sophomores will also bring a little company with them when the TV girls track squad hits the famed blue oval on the hallowed ground of Drake Stadium.

TV sent five events to state during the windy state qualifier last week in Edgewood, a meet hosted by Edgewood-Colesburg.

While wind hampered competitors from across state during the biggest meet of the season, TV made do and will have a nice representation of athletes in the 4x400, sprint medley and distance medley relays as they attempt to strut their stuff in front of packed house at state. Nieman will run in the open 400-meter dash and Stika cracked the state field in the 800-meter run.

Coach Sarah Bakula said all the events headed to state represent the team’s full potentioal. “Obviously, with the wind – that put another variable into it.

Ultimately, yeah it was windy, but the qualifying times were faster than what they typically are in year’s past,” Bakula said.

Those times were good enough to extend TV’s season in the sprint medley, despite finishing sixth in their qualifying meet with a time of 1:57.36.

That clip is the 21st-fastest qualifying clip in the smallschool class. The sprint med foursome is made up of sophomore Kendall Kuennen, junior Jenna Throndson, Nieman and Stika.

The 4x400 relay did the same as it also slipped into the state field with the 22nd-fastest clip in Class 1A with a season-best run of 4:17.58, which saw them cross the finish line in fifth place. That relay is comprised of Kuennen, Stika, freshman Alexis Gruenberg and Nieman.

There was no doubt about TV’s distance-medley as it did what it expected to do by winning the event in 4:30.11 with the grouping of Nieman, freshman Brynlee Hayek, Kuennen and Stika. That’s the 11th-quickest qualifying time.

Nieman placed fourth in the 400-meter dash in a time of 1:02.16 – a career PR. Nieman is listed as the 15th-quickest qualifying time.

Stika – who has battled shin splints all year – finished third in the open 800 in 2:29.78. She sports the 23rd-fastest clip in that event out of 24 entrants.

During the small-school class

Boys’ results High jump – 1. Peyton Webb 6’1” Long jump – 7. Dakota VanGundy 18’7.25”; 10. Zander McConnell 16’7.25” Shot put – 1. William Hahn 50’0.5”; 9. Luke Franzen 42’7” Discus – 2. Hahn 144’2”; 8. Henry Brynsaas 126’8” 100m – 6. Grant Remington 11.56; 7. Kade O’Hara 11.62 200m – 10. O’Hara 23.53; 11.

Jace Buddenberg 23.94 400m – 6. Kyle Pattison 56.24; 12. Brayden Miculinich 1:01.35 800m – 1. Mitchell Stemper 2:04.30; 2. Thomas Hammel 2:04.69 1600m – 2. Garrett See 4:30.57; 3. Grant Zilka 4:41.82 3200m – 2. Clarence Nimrod 10:54.16; 3. Davis Coppola 11:21.81 110m hurdles – 4. Joshua Adam 15.29; 10. Carter Riley 17.46

400m hurdles – 6. Ashton Saltou 59.85; 7. Pattison 1:01.10 Shuttle hurdle – 6. Riley, Miculinich, Kyan Oftedahl, Thomas Davis 1:13.23 4x100 – 2. Landon Quandahl, Adam, Zachary Driscoll, Webb 42.87 4x200 – 3. Driscoll, Remington, Saltou, Webb 1:34.35 4x400 – 4. Trevor Kuennen, Max Grimstad, Mason Avila, Stemper 3:27.19 4x800 – 1. Bill Fullhart, Hammel, Zilka, Stemper 8:25.55 Distance medley – 1. Quandahl, Adam, Kuennen, Bennett Coppola 3:43.29 Girls’ results High jump – 2. Renee Wilson 5’4” Long jump – 5. Ava Holthaus 15’10”; 7. Jerikah Dodd 15’5.25” Shot put – 2. Lauren Luzum 41’5”; 3. Grace Tangen 39’10” Discus – 2. Tangen 127’5”; 4. Annika Schmelzer 112’10” 100m – 3. Cassandra Stammeyer 12.44; 11. Caylee Malanaphy 13.58 200m – 5. A. Holthaus 27.54; 9.

Malanaphy 28.22 400m – 4. Eden Northup 1:04.28; 10. Dodd 1:09.80 800m – 7. Eva Hurley 2:44.74; 10. Brinlee Courtney 2:53.04 1500m – 5. Olivia Volkmann 5:26.51; 6. Lily Sandhorst 5:27.85 3000m – 7. Riley Christopher 12:30.44; 8. Courtney 12:53.55 100m hurdles – 1. Wilson 14.77; 8. Addisyn Ivy 17.27 400m hurdles – 7. Raelyn Newhouse 1:15.87; 8. Lauren Holthaus 1:20.97 Shuttle hurdle – 2. Kelby Kerndt, Ivy, Kennady Riehle, Wilson 1:10.55 4x100 – 2. Ivy, Stella Pole, Stammeyer, Audrey Essa 49.52 4x200 – 2. Pole, McKenzie Riley, Stammeyer, Essa 1:45.15 4x400 – 3. Riley, Wilson, Northup, Pole 4:09.57 4x800 – 5. Lillian Olson, Sandhorst, Volkmann, Newhouse 10:19.77 Sprint medley – 3. Essa, Stammeyer, Pole, Riley 1:51.95 Distance medley – 4. A. Holthaus, Ella Stille, Olson, L. Holthaus 4:39.90

Trojan junior Addison Steinlage keeps pace with the front runners early in last week’s 4x800 relay at the Ed-Co state-qualifying meet. (Photo by Leah Kruse) qualifiers, the state of Iowa welcomes the winner of each event to state as they automatically qualify from the 10 different sites in 1A. The rest of the state field is filled out in each event with the best f the next 14 times, throws or leaps.

Class 1A girls team scores 1. Maquoketa Valley 124; 2.

Wapsie Valley 92.5; 3. Ed-Co 86; 4.

South Winn 85.5; 5. East Buchanan 62; 6. Kee 57; 7. North Linn 41; 8.

Turkey Valley 39; 9. Starmont 34; 10. Clayton Ridge 29; 11. Marquette Catholic 28; 12. Central Elkader 24; 12. Dunkerton 24; 14. West Central 14 Class 1A boys team scores 1. Wapsie Valley 148; 2.

Maquoketa Valley 111; 3. South Winn 79; 4. North Linn 66; 5. Ed-Co 65; 6. Dunkerton 64; 7. Starmont 48; 8. Central Elkader 37; 9. Clayton Ridge 36; 10. Marquette Catholic 33; 11. Turkey Valley 21; 12. East Buchanan 18; 13. Kee 13; 14. West Central 2

Jayden Rausch (left) and Hugo Busta (right) took turns carrying the baton in several relays for the Trojan boys at Ed-Co last week. (Photos by Leah Kruse)

Continued from page A-20

Decorah sophomore Brylee Hanson goes for the opening height during the Class 3A state-qualifing meet in Decorah last Thursday. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Carter Dlhy (above left) tees off from toward the 17th green at Pin Oaks Links Monday, while Tommy Sexton (above right) sends his ball toward the 18th green from the fairway. (Photos

by Becky Walz) Hitting the postseason, the Decorah boys golf team looked primed to make a run with a NEIC title while advancing to district action. However, three strokes cut the Vikes dream of returning to state for the first time since 2013 short Monday.

Headed to state

Girls results Shot put – 15. Ellaney Bodensteiner 30’6.75”; 19. Nora Chicken 28’8.75” Discus – 8. Bodensteiner 95’3”; 13. Jenna Throndson 78’7” 100m – 19. Chicken 15.00; 24.

Raelen Manderfield 15.92 200m – 11. Alexis Gruenberg 29.15; 24. Manderfield 33.93 400m – 4. Hazel Nieman 1:02.16; 8. Gruenberg 1:06.81 800m – 3. Bella Stika 2:29.78; 17.

Courtney Ball 3:30.93 100m hurdles – 10. Brynlee Hayek 18.24; 16. Jocelyn DeSloover 21.36 400m hurdles – 12. DeSloover

1:34.65 Shuttle hurdle – 6. Hayek, Throndson, Gruenberg, DeSloover 1:20.10 4x100 – 5. Kendall Kuennen, Hayek, Emersyn Hoffert, Throndson 55.04 4x200 – 10. Hoffert, Addison Steinlage, Chicken, Manderfield 2:11.83 2:11.83 4x400 – 5. Kuennen, Stika, Gruenberg, Nieman 4:17.58 4x800 – 7. Steinlage, Hoffert, DeSloover, Ball 13:08.31 Sprint medley – 6. Kuennen, Throndson Nieman, Stika 1:57.36 Distance medley – 1. Nieman, Hayek, Kuennen, Stika 4:30.11 Boys results Long jump – 16. Dawson Humpal 10’0.5” Shot put – 20. Cole Fencl 28’8.5” Discus – 14. Tucker Reicks 94’0” 100m – 21. Tyler Forbes 13.94; 25. Fencl 15.00 200m – 10. Dairean Keyes 24.98; 22. Jacob Wurzer 28.06 400m – 6. Kaden Schmidt 55.83 800m – 8. Domminick Reicks 2:18.31 1600m – 11. Jayden Rausch 5:10.18; 20. Brayden Hoffert 6:05.65 110m hurdles – 7. Caleb Kriener 19.39 400m hurdles – 7. Kriener 1:04.46 Shuttle hurdle – 7. Wurzer, T. Reicks, Levi Kruse, Kriener 1:19.93 4x100 – 10. Schmidt, Hugo Busta, Isaiah Wheeler, JD Kruse 48.17 4x200 – 12. T. Forbes, Fencl, Humpal, Hoffert 2:01.50 4x400 – 6. Schmidt, Busta, Wheeler, JD Kruse 3:43.70 4x800 – 3. Busta, Wheeler, Schmidt, JD Kruse 8:52.80 Sprint medley – 8. L. Kruse, Rausch, D. Reicks, Keyes 1:49.17 Distance medley – 8. Wheeler, JD Kruse, Keyes, Rausch 4:09.74

Luke Franzen ended his junior campaign with a throw of 42 feet, 7 inches, good for ninth last week at Decorah’s state-qualifying meet. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Top-ranked Cyclones run over Decorah girls

Making the decision to rest some starters for this week’s playoff game, the Decorah girls soccer team (1-13-2) suffered was handed a 10-0 loss by the Class 1A Denver Cyclones (15-0) last Thursday on the road.

“We’ve had some nagging injuries and didn’t want to risk further injury to those players. Maybe not the best choice for our egos, considering we were playing the top-ranked team in Class 1A. They are a very good team, no question. The players we had gave their best, but it wasn’t good enough on this night,” said coach Loren Hendrickson.

Taylor Sloan-Dahl came up with six saves in the goal while the Vikings failed to have a shot on the goal.

Friday’s playoff match Decorah will be at Charles City (5-6-1) for the Class 2A Region 1 quarterfinal at 7 p.m on Friday, May 23.

SPORTS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

A-19

Decorah girls tennis team looking to earn state team bid

Decorah’s top player Olivia Huinker was leading 6-1 and 5-0 when the meet was called and the Vikes were declared the winners Friday over Western Dubuque in regional team action. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Western Dubuque was no match for the Vikings on the Luther College courts Friday as Decorah blanked the Bobcats 5-0 to advance to the Class 1A Region 4 semifinals against Oelwein.

Wet weather postponed the regional semifinal and final rounds to Wednesday. The Vikes were back on those familiar courts against the Huskies in the morning semifinal. If Decorah won they advanced to play the winner of the Aplington-Parkersburg and Waverly-Shell Rock semifinal in the afternoon for the regional champion title. Results of the matches were unavailable at press time.

The first round of the state team tournament will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 24 at the highest remaining seed with round two Tuesday, May 27.

The finals will be held on Monday, June 2 at Pella High School.

Opening team postseason Playing under clear skies and warmer weather Friday, the Vikings took care of Western Dubuque 5-0 in the quarterfinals. All rounds of state team tournament play are dictated by the first team to reach five team points, which were earned in singles action by Decorah.

Kaitlyn Bjork shut out Carly Vogel in a pair of 6-0 sets at No. 2. Grace Huinker and Jaidyn Duvel also had double bagels. Huinker, playing a No. 3, defeated Kendall Kotz, while Duvel won over Maggie McGovern at No. 5. Playing in the No. 4 slot, Leah Holland topped Cate Horsfield 6-0, 6-3. Dylin Thompson closed out the meet with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Myra Kotz at No. 6. Decorah’s No. 1 Olivia Huinker was well on her way to a win over Audrey Recker as the meet was called. O. Huinker was leading 6-1, 5-0.

Dylin Thompson, Decorah’s No. 6 player, dives toward the net to send the lob back over during Friday’s team regional match versus Western Dubuque. (Photo by Becky Walz)

SW girls send six events to state track, boys four Joining the junior duo on the oval with be four relays.

The 4x800 relay of Addy Conway, Annie Hageman, Karissa Wenthold and Ava Franzen finished four at the qualifying meet. The quartet will compete as the 22nd seed with their time of 10:44.88 during Thursday’s final.

On the track Friday will be the 4x200 and 4x400 relays. Katie Shimek, Alexis Johanningmeier, Zweibohmer and Jansen will team up in the 4x200 as the 22nd seed with their time of 1:51.54. In the 4x400 it will be Shimek, Johanningmeier, Conway and Jansen trekking around the oval with a seventh seed.

They qualified with a time of 4:11.80 as the third-place team at the state-qualifying meet.

Saturday morning, the sprint medley quartet of Shimek, Allison Hageman, Zweibohmer and Jansen will compete. Their time of 1:54.44 has them seeded 10th in Class 1A.

Finishing second at the Class 1A Region 5C meet, the Warrior girls golf team of Julia Carnesi, Mya Lensing, Abby Wagner, Bailee Frana, Aubrey Hageman and Claire Becker advanced to the regional final.

Lady Warriors advance to regional final golf The South Winn girls golf team took the first step toward the Class 1A state tournament

Claire Becker watches as her putt nears the cup during Friday’s regional. The freshman finished second overall with a 91. (Photos by Kelly Terpstra/New Hampton Tribune)

Friday with a runner-up finish in the first regional.

Swinging the clubs at Lone Pine Country Club in Colesburg Friday, the Warriors finished second in the Class 1A Region 5C regional. Nashua-Plainfield took the top honors with a 382 as South Winn combined for a score of 388.

The Warriors will now compete in the regional final at Little Bear Country Club near Wyoming, hosted by Midland School Wednesday, May 21.

Freshman Claire Becker took second overall with a 91.

Joining Becker on the Warrior scorecard were Maya Lensing (101), Julia Carnesi (102) and Abby Wagner (102). Seniors Aubrey Hageman and Bailee Frana also toured the course with Hageman carding a 107 and Frana a 113.

Season rolls on for Vikings

The Decorah boys soccer team (5-7-4) kept its season alive Tuesday with a decisive win over Clear Lake on the road, gelling at just the perfect time after a final regular season win over Denver.

The Vikings will now travel to Webster City to play the Lynx in the substate semifinal Tuesday, May 27.

put one in the goal during the second half as well but couldn’t recover from Decorah’s first half tallies.

Ian Giddings put two of the Vikes’ goals in the net with three shots on the goal. Will Larson, Liam Huang and Noah Milburn all scored once. Jameson LaBelle had eight saves in the goal.

Substate action Taking on Clear Lake (8-81) Tuesday on the Lions’ home pitch in the Class 2A Substate 2 action, the Vikes got the job done in the wet conditions to win 5-2.

Decorah scored four of its goals in the first half, putting three in the back of the net within a period of four minutes to hold a 4-1 lead at halftime. The Vikes added an insurance score in the second half. The Lions

Ending with a win The Vikings put a tally in the win column in the final match of the regular season last week with a 2-0 victory over Denver (6-8-1) on the road, recording both of their goals in the second half.

Taking three shots on the goal, junior Giddings scored both goals for Decorah. Standing in the goal, Garrison Grinna came up with 12 saves for Decorah.

Junior Ian Giddings breaks away from the Clear Lake defense with Will Larson (in background) on the move during Tuesday’s substate match. (Photocourtesy of Chanse Hall/ Clear Lake Mirror)

With the bar at 6 feet, 2 inches, senior Kaden Barton-Franzen was the lone winner at Ed-Co last week for South Winn.

(Photo by Leah Kruse) The South Winn girls and boys track teams will once again be represented at the state track and field championships following last Thursday’s Class 1A qualifying meet hosted by Edgewood-Colesburg.

Representing the boys The Warrior boys claimed third place in the team standings with 79 points, qualifying just one event automatically with a win. Wapsie Valley won the meet with 148 points, well ahead of second place Maquokete Valley who garnered 111 points.

After times were submitted for state review, South Winn added three more events to this week’s state championships in Des Moines.

Senior Kaden Barton-Franzen cleared the high jump bar at 6 feet, 2 inches to win the event and punch his second straight

Izzy Kuboushek led off the Warrior shuttle hurdle relay and finished eighth in the 400-meter hurdle event.

(Photo by Leah Kruse)

ticket to the state meet.

Hugh Conway will be on the blue oval twice, earning spots in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter runs. Fellow freshman Cameron Einck will also compete in the 3200-meter run.

In the 3200-meter run, Conway finished second at Ed-Co is seeded 14th with his qualifying time of 10:26.03, while Einck enters the big meet with a time of 10:45.55 as the 23rd seed after finishing fifth last week in the qualifying race. Conway’s time of 4:34.89 has him seeded fourth in the 1600-meter run after the freshman was the runner-up at the qualifying meet.

In the 4x100 relay prelims Friday it will be Irving Flores, Brennan Franzen, Lukas Weiss and Eric Greve taking the track.

Their time of 44.84 seconds have the Warrior quartet seeded 20th.

Girls to send six A half-point pushed the SW girls into fourth place with 85.5 points in the team standings behind first place Maquoketa Valley with 124. With 92.5 points, Wapsie Valley was the runner-up with Ed-Co finishing third with 86 points.

While no girls events won an automatic bid to the state meet, six were later added based on time.

Cloey Zweibohmer’s fourthplace time of 13.28 seconds in the 100-meter dash earned her a 20th seed in the prelims this week, while fellow junior Maddy Jansen will compete in the 400-meter dash as the sixth seed. She had a qualifying time of 59.65 seconds as the runner-up at Ed-Co.

Class 1A girls’ team scores 1. Maquoketa Valley 124; 2.

Wapsie Valley 92.5; 3. Ed-Co 86; 4.

South Winn 85.5; 5. East Buchanan 62; 6. Kee 57; 7. North Linn 41; 8.

Turkey Valley 39; 9. Starmont 34; 10. Clayton Ridge 29; 11. Marquette Catholic 28; 12. Central Elkader 24; 12. Dunkerton 24; 14. West Central 14 Class 1A boys’ team scores 1. Wapsie Valley 148; 2.

Maquoketa Valley 111; 3. South Winn 79; 4. North Linn 66; 5. Ed-Co 65; 6. Dunkerton 64; 7. Starmont 48; 8. Central Elkader 37; 9. Clayton Ridge 36; 10. Marquette Catholic 33; 11. Turkey Valley 21; 12. East Buchanan 18; 13. Kee 13; 14. West Central 2 Girls’ results High jump – 6. Alyssa Holthaus 4’6” Long jump – 9. Charlotte Moonen 12’9.5”; 12. Hayden Steffans 9’7.75” Shot put – 8. Emily Hovden 32’5.25”; 14. Jayden Timp 30’8.5” Discus – 5. Kelsey Timp 100’5”; 9. McKenna Looby 86’1” 100m – 4. Cloey Zweibohmer 13.28; 13. Jena Peters 14.02 200m – 3. Katie Shimek 27.80 400m – 2. Maddy Jansen 59.65; 10. Tessa Phillips 1:10.31 800m – 4. Addy Conway 2:31.42; 13. Karissa Wenthold 2:42.68 1500m – 3. Ava Franzen 5:28.03; 4. Annie Hageman 5:28.77 3000m – 3. Phillips 12:36.10; 5.

Lauren Ondrashek 13:28.35 100m hurdles – 14. Izzy Kuboushek 18.74; 17. Moonen 22.25 400m hurdles – 8. Kuboushek 1:17.50; 9. Vanessa Bullerman 1:19.01 Shuttle hurdle – 7. Kuboushek, Bullerman, Moonen, Britney Hageman 1:21.98 4x100 – 4.

Zweibohmer, Holthaus, Allison Hageman, B. Hageman 53.58 4x200 – 2. Shimek, Alexis Johanningmeier, Zweibohmer, Jansen 1:51.54 4x400 – 3.

Shimek, Johanningmeier, Conway, Jansen 4:11.80 4x800 – 4. An. Hageman, Wenthold, Franzen, Conway 10:44.88 Sprint medley – 3. Shimek, Al. Hageman, Zweibohmer, Jansen 1:54.44 Distance medley – 9. Emmy Gehling, B. Hageman, Kuboushek, Bullerman 5:02.96 Boys’ results High jump – 1. Kaden BartonFranzen 6’2”; 7. Lukas Weiss 5’6” Long jump – 10. Gavin Feickert 17’7.25”; 13. Levi Feickert 16’2” Shot put – 16. Shayde Wermers 32’8”; 17. Kyle Kuboushek 31’1” Discus – 8. Landen Schnuelle 112’3”; 9. Tristen Bodensteiner 105’5” 100m – 8. Camden Bullerman

ABOVE, from top to bottom: Katie Shimek, Brad Dahl and Addy Conway made their way around the track in relays last week. (Photos by Leah Kruse) 11.74; 15. Irving Flores 12.09 200m – 3. Eric Greve 23.34; 6.

Brennan Franzen 24.18 400m – 13. Brad Dahl 59.90; 17.

Andy Acahua 1:01.11 800m – 5. Dahl 2:14.79; 21.

Caden Tieskoetter 2:37.43 1600m – 2. Hugh Conway 4:34.89; 8. Cameron Einck 4:58.67 3200m – 2. Conway 10:26.13; 5.

C. Einck 10:45.55 110m hurdles – 2. BartonFranzen 16.66 400m hurdles – 4. Livingood 1:02.45; 8. J. Einck 1:04.49 Shuttle hurdle – 3. BartonFranzen, Jordan Einck, G. Feickert, Landon Livingood 1:11.51 4x100 – 3. Flores, Franzen, Weiss, Greve 44.84 4x200 – 9. K. Kuboushek, Bullerman, Schnuelle, Livingood 1:41.03 4x400 – 9. K. Kuboushek, BartonFranzen, Schnuelle, Franzen 4x800 – 9. Dahl, Acahua, Clayton Kuboushek, Tieskoetter 10:10.02 Sprint medley – 13. Yahir Macario, Landon Humpal, Adam Schmitt, L. Feickert 1:55.18 Distance medley – 4. Greve, Weiss, Franzen, Conway 3:52.37

SPORTS

A-20 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

Decorah boy netters qualify five to state

ABOVE: Tristan Hunter (right) and Elliot Berland knocked out a tough semifinal win to face teammates Liam Chamberlain and Caleb Krieg in the finals, qualifying both doubles teams to state for Decorah. LEFT: Aitor Cuevas finished third in singles action, coming up just short of a state bid.

(Photos by Becky Walz) Decorah boys’ tennis members are headed back to state.

Five of the six netters punched a ticked to the state individual and doubles tournament, which is Wednesday and Thursday, May 28-29, at Byrne’s Park Tennis Complex in Waterloo.

The Vikings also advanced to the Class 1A team substate final against Waterloo Columbus, which was played Wednesday, May 21. A win would earn Decorah a trip to the state meet as part of the elite eight. Results of the match were unavailable at press time.

The state team tournament will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, June 3-4, at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Center in Iowa City.

“It was a long week of quality tennis and the boys came ready to play and all the hard work showed, so proud of all the guys and how they competed,” said coach Matt Anderson.

Sweet doubles, individual champ Hosting one of the individual and doubles district meets on the Luther College courts Wednesday, it was nearly an all-Viking showdown. Keaton Nalean-Carlson and Aitor Cuevas competed in the singles division, while Liam Chamberlain and Caleb Krieg battled alongside Tristan Hunter and Elliot Berland in the doubles competition.

Nalean-Carlson seemingly cruised to the single district title with a pair of 6-0 sets over

Hayden Pals of Clear Lake and a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Clear Lake’s Leif Lundberg. He then earned double bagels over Evan Bingman of Grundy Center and defeated Jarin Camlin of Osage 6-1, 6-1 in the finals.

As the other singles player, Cuevas’ his quest to state included wins over Dayton Myers of Grundy Center (6-2, 6-0), Kaidyn Purdy of Aplington-Parkersburg (6-3, 6-0) and Osage’s Jarin Camlin (6-4, 7-5). His lone loss was to Lundberg of Clear Lake 7-5 and 6-0 in the semifinals.

“Aitor (Cuevas), who plays No. 6 for us, had a great day having to play opponents that play much higher in their teams’ lineups, including a tough semifinal loss to the top seed from Clear Lake,” said coach Anderson.

The doubles came down to which Viking team could outplay the other for the district title, while both qualified for state.

Hunter and Berland earned double bagels over Union’s Hayden Hemsath and Stratton Wood and moved on to win 6-0, 6-1 over Clear Lake’s Levi Reynolds and Walker Williams.

It took a third set for the younger Viking sophomore duo to win over Tyler Wedeking and Keegan Bolhuis of Aplington-Parkersburg, 6-1, 4-6, 10-7.

For the senior duo of Chamberlain and Krieg, it was a 6-1, 6-0 win over Union’s Bryar Hall and Zach Griswold, along with a pair of 6-0 set wins over

Oelwein’s Cooper Reisner and Landon Rechkemmer. Grundy Center’s Carson Laube and Elias Cakerice posed a threat; however, the Vikings prevailed 6-3 and 7-5 to advance to the all-Decorah doubles final.

With the Vikings taking on each other, the senior pair triumphed 6-3, 6-4 over Hunter and Berland.

Substate action Team substate action began for the Vikings with a pair of wins Saturday. Decorah defeated Hampton-Dumont-CAL 5-0 in the morning and notched a 5-1 victory of Aplington-Parkersburg in the afternoon on the Luther College courts. In team competition, a squad needs to accumulate five team points (wins) to end the meet for the win.

There was little contest against the Bulldogs of Hampton-Dumont-CAL as Hunter, Nalean-Carlson, Berland, Krieg and Cuevas all picked up double bagels before Chamberlain could finish his match.

Saturday afternoon, Hunter suffered the lone loss for the Vikings as they battled Aplington-Parkersburg to reach the substate final. Chamberlain won 6-1, 6-0 over Keegan Bolhuis, with Nalean-Carlson winning by the same scores over Kaidyn Purdy. Berland defeated Sam Janssen 6-2, 6-3. Krieg topped Noah Harbaugh 6-1, 6-0 and Cuevas picked up the 6-1, 6-3 sets over Jonah Carney.

For the second year in a row the South Winn boys golf team qualified for the state meet, topping the district competition Monday. Members of the winning Warrior squad are (l-r) Carson Streeter, Matson Winings, Jackson Goltz, Braiden Todd, Cale Kleppe and Carver Wenthold.

(Submitted photo)

SW earns district title, Kleppe individual champ

The scorecards are tallied, and once again the Warriors are in.

The South Winn boys golf team will return to the Class 1A state tournament for the second year in a row after winning the district title Monday and crowned the individual district champion.

The Warriors will play next at the Class 1A State Tournament Tuesday and Wednesday, May 27-28 at South Hills Golf Course in Waterloo.

Sectional champs The Warriors took the first step in their return trip to state as hosts of a Class 1A 18-hole IHSAA sectional golf meet held on Wednesday, May 14 at South Winn Country Club in Calmar.

New this season is the ad-

Carver Wenthold chipped the ball on to the third green and into the cup at South Winn Golf Course last week during the Class 1A sectional. (Photo by Becky Walz)

vancement of the top three teams at the sectional to the district. South Winn wasn’t fine with just moving on but won the sectional with a 322. Starmont was a close second with a 328 with Wapsie Valley the third team to progress to the district meet with a 347.

Other teams competing at the South Winn sectional included Central Elkader (349), Turkey Valley (350), Clayton Ridge (372), Edgewood-Colesburg (381) and West Central (381).

Turkey Valley’s Nicholas Bernhard fashioned a par 72 to win medalist honors. South Winn Matson Winings fired a 72 as the runner-up.

Behind Winings it was Braiden Todd with an 81 with Carson Streeter, Cale Kleppe and Carver Wenthold carding 83s.

Jackson Goltz was also on the course, finishing with an 84.

“Winning this sectional is a really big deal. There were a lot of very strong individuals and teams, so being able to come out on top really shows that we can compete with the best of them,” said coach Mike Wenthold. “A lot of our guys responded well to some shaky first rounds and played much better on the back.

All of our guys are capable of going low at any time, so they are never out of any tournament. Matson (Winings) had an incredible day, getting second as an individual in the strongest sectional field I’ve been a part of in my time as coach.”

State bound Conditions were less than

ideal Monday as the Warriors competed in the Class 1A district tournament held at Highland Park Golf Course in Mason City; however, South Winn blew away the competition.

The Warriors topped the 12team field with a 319 to earn their second straight bid to the state golf tournament next week. Other team also moving on were South Hamilton with a 335 and West Fork with a 340.

“I am absolutely blown away by the performance of the guys today. The conditions were not very suitable for scoring. The course was in great shape, but the wind was absolutely pumping. However, our guys showed great mental toughness and maturity in their golf games. They didn’t let the wind bother them, and they came in with one of the best rounds of the year,” said coach Wenthold.

Kleppe carved out a two under par 70 to finish as the district champion. Streeter fashioned an 82 to finish eighth overall while Todd garnered 10th with an 83. Carding an 84, Wenthold completed the scorecard in 13th, just ahead of Winings in 14th who also finished with an 84. Goltz completed the Warrior line-up in 25th with an 86.

“Cale’s round of two under par was absolutely absurd. He was dialed in from the beginning and never slowed down.

All six guys played very respectable rounds, especially given the conditions. I’m extremely proud,” concluded the coach.

Vikings ready to finish season at state with 33 events competing this week There will be plenty of red and blue on the Drake oval this week as the Decorah girls and boys track and field teams combined to qualify for 33 events at last week’s Class 3A qualifying meet hosted by the Vikings.

The boys picked up 135 points during Thursday’s meet on the way to a runner-up finish to Waverly-Shell Rock who accumulated 150 points. The

Lily Sandhorst carried the baton in the 4x800 relay last week, teamming up with Lillian Olson, Olivia Volkmann and Raelyn Newhouse.

(Photo by Becky Walz)

girls finished third in the team standings with 128 points, behind Marion (152) and Clear Lake (145).

In Class 3A the top two finishers in each event earned an automatic bid to the 2025 state track and field championships, with the next fastest eight times also qualifying from across the state.

12 events for boys A total of 12 events are headed to the big stage for the Viking boys.

Three field events will take the centerstage for Decorah.

Peyton Webb will make his third trip to state in the high jump as the 16th seed after winning the qualifying meet at 6 feet, 1 inch. He will be jumping Thursday morning.

Ready to compete in both the shot put and discus is William Hahn. The senior won the shot put with a throw of 50 feet, 5 inches to make his second appearance Friday morning in the event at state as the 16th seed.

As the runner-up last week, Hahn also qualified for the discus and is seeded 22nd for Thursday’s event.

In the individual running events, Clarence Nimrod will be the first on the track for the Viking boys as he competes in the 3200-meter run Thursday morning as the 24th seed with his time of 10:54.16 as he finished as the runner-up last week.

Joshua Adam will also com-

pete at Drake. He finished fourth in the 100-meter hurdles in 15.29 seconds, earning his inaugural trip in the event as 22nd seed in the event that will take place Friday morning.

Two Vikings will compete in the 800-meter run after going 1-2 in the qualifying race last week. Mitchell Stemper took first in 2:04.30, edging teammate Thomas Hammel at the line who clocked in at 2:04.69.

The duo are seeded 22nd and 23rd for the Saturday morning event.

Finishing second in the 1600-meter run, Garrett See will make his individual debut Saturday afternoon. His time of 4:30.57 has the junior seeded sixth.

Four relays will also compete on the Blue Oval. The 4x800 one of two gold medal winners. Bill Fullhart, Hammel, Grant Zilka and Stemper won the race Thursday in 8:25.55 and are seeded 20th. They are set to track the track Thursday morning.

The 4x100 relay stopped the clock in second place at 42.87 seconds, with team members Landon Quandahl, Adam, Zachary Driscoll and Webb.

They are seeded ninth in the Friday afternoon prelims.

Finishing fourth in 3:27.19, the 4x400 relay of Trevor Kuennen, Max Grimstad, Mason Avila and Stemper made the Friday’s preliminary state field with the 15th fastest time.

Quandahl, Adam, Kuennen

and Bennett Coppola also broke the tape, combining for a winning time of 3:43.29 in the distance medley relay last week.

The quartet enters Friday’s state race as the 18th seed.

Girls to Drake Eleven events will be in the spotlight for the Decorah girls this weekend.

Last Thursday started with a bang for the Vikings with a trio of field events scoring runner-up finishes to qualify for the big meet. Renee Wilson was the first to earn a ticket with her leap over the high jump at 5 feet, 4 inches. The Drake Relays qualifier enters Thursday’s event as the fourth seed. The junior later broke the tape in the 100-meter hurdles in 14.77 seconds, putting her as the second seed for Friday’s prelims.

For the second year in a row, Lauren Luzum will make her way to state in the shot put, heaving the weight 41 feet, 5 inches at the qualifier. She will compete alongside teammate Grace Tangen whose throw of 39 feet, 10 inch earned her an at-large bid. The duo will compete Friday morning as the third and fifth seeds.

Crossing the finish line third Thursday in 12.44 seconds in the 100-meter dash, Cassandra Stammeyer also earned an atlarge bid and is seeded eighth for Thursday afternoon’s preliminary race.

Five relays will step onto the Blue Oval beginning with

Davis Coppola (left) and Clarence Nimrod battled it out for the second qualifying spot in the 3200-meter run last week.

In the end, Nimrod ran away with the runner-up spot. (Photo

by Becky Walz) the state-qualifying runner-up shuttle hurdle relay. The Viking quartet of Kelby Kerndt, Addisyn Ivy, Kennady Riehle and Wilson put together a time of 1:10.55 for a 24th seed in the opening event Thursday.

Thursday, three Viking relays will be in action at Drake Stadium. As the runner-up last week, the 4x200 relay of Stella Pole, McKenzie Riley, Stammeyer and Audrey Essa will be

the first on the track. Their time of 1:45.15 has the quartet as the 10th seed.

Then it will be the seventh-seeded 4x100 relay of Ivy, Pole, Stammeyer and Essa competing. The Vikings posted a runner-up time of 49.52 seconds last week at the qualifier meet.

Headed to state

Continued to page A-18

MAY IS BEEF MONTH

Celebrating

Beef Makena Hovden’s first cow, Desy, was purchased during a cattle sale in the spring of 2022. The young exhibitor entered Desy in a competition during the Winneshiek County Fair just a few months later and took third place. (Photo by Denise Lana)

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER While many 6-year-old girls might fill their downtime by playing games, doing arts and crafts or playing with dolls, Decorah kindergartener Makena Hovden balances her schoolwork with taking care of thousand-pound calves and preparing herself for cattle shows around Iowa and beyond.

Makena began showing cattle when she was 3 years old and has since blazed an award-winning trail from Iowa to Missouri and from Colorado to Kentucky. Already the recipient of a vast collection of awards, which some exhibitors could only hope to achieve during their lifetime, the young cattle exhibitor is just beginning to make her mark in the arena.

With her mother Kia Knutson-Hovden, a nationally recognized cattle 4-H and FFA exhibitor and veterinarian at Postville Vet Clinic, and father Mitch Hovden, the holder of numerous national stock car racing titles, Makena’s drive to compete seems

to be a family affair. Makena is now a fourth-generation member of the Madison 4-Hers Club. Kia’s grandparents were leaders of the boys and girls clubs in its early days, and Kia’s own mother and aunts were members of the club before she herself — and eventually Kia — joined.

From the time Makena was born, she Makena Hovden continued on B-4

Half-pint cattle exhibitor displays winning know-how

Makena is pictured showing her miniature Hereford steer Marshall at the 2025 National Western Stock Show in Colorado.

(Photo courtesy Legacy Livestock Imaging)

PUBLISHED THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025

B-2

BEEF EDITION Decorah Leader | Thursday, May 22, 2025

Winneshiek County Beef Royalty ready to reign

McKinnley

Alayna nn y l e d a M

Organizers with the Winneshiek County Cattlemen said the 2025-2026 royalty are already busy tending to their realm.

A total of six youth were named to their respective roles in March, during the cattlemen’s annual banquet. Since then, the royal court has assisted at area fundraisers and other events, and their regal schedules are expected to become increasingly busy as the summer months arrive.

Haylee

Gavyn

Tianna

Winneshiek County Beef Queen Haylee Hanson, the 2025-2026 Winneshiek County Beef Queen, is a junior at Turkey Valley High School. She is the daughter of Morrie and Jess Monroe and Scott and Chena Deutmeyer. She is actively involved in student senate, FFA, 4-H, basketball, Junior Auxiliary, IJBBA, the Iowa Holstein Association and ICA. Hanson has a strong passion for the beef industry, which she nurtures through Winneshiek County Beef Queen Haylee Hanson is pictured with her hands-on experience on her family’s farm. She fellow royalty Gavyn Hageman, Winneshiek County Little Mr. Cowhand, and McKinnley McConnell, Winneshiek County Little Miss enjoys caring for her cattle, as well as helping her Cowgirl. (Photo submitted) father and uncle with their cattle operations. She helps with daily tasks on the farm, such as administering vaccinations, sorting and feeding cattle and maintaining the show cattle.

In addition, she works as a certified nursing assistant at a local nursing home.

Hanson is committed to promoting the beef industry by expanding her knowledge and working with local producers and agricultural businesses. Her goal is to increase awareness of the beef industry’s importance in Iowa’s economy and to engage local schools and communities. Looking ahead, Haylee plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa to pursue a graduate degree in athletic training while continuing to support her family’s beef farm.

Winneshiek County Beef princess

Thank You

to all Area Beef Producers

Congratulations

Alayna Hageman, the 2025-2026 Winneshiek County Beef Princess, is a junior at South Winneshiek High School in Calmar. She is the daughter of Trevor and Tori Hageman.

She serves as vice president of the Winneshiek County Winneshiek County Beef Princess Alayna Hageman. (Photo Youth Beef Team and has been recognized by the Iowa Cat- submitted) tlemen’s Foundation at the Iowa State Fair for her efforts in promoting the beef industry. In 2022, she received the Winneshiek County Cattlemen Beef Opportunity Grant, which allowed her to start her own beef herd. Hageman is also involved with the Iowa Simmental Association, Winneshiek County Saddle Club, Co-Champions 4-H Club and South Winneshiek FFA, while also excelling in volleyball and maintaining honor roll status.

Hageman aims to represent her community and advocate for the beef industry. As Beef Princess, she plans to organize a grilling event at her school to engage peers and promote beef. Hageman’s family operates a farm near Ossian, where they raise 100 cow-calf pairs, 150 market beef and 50 dairy steers. She also manages her own Sim Angus herd. Hageman is dedicated to her family’s farm, assisting with chores, cattle care, vaccinations and harvest tasks. She plans to pursue an ag business degree at Northeast Iowa Community College while continuing her involvement in agriculture.

THANK YOU, BEEF PRODUCERS!

2025 Winneshiek County Beef Royalty!

Pictured front (l-r): Little Miss Cowgirl McKinnley McConnell, Little Mr. Cowhand Gavyn Hageman and Little Miss Cowgirl Tiana Yoder. Back: Winneshiek County Beef Princess Alayna Hageman, Winneshiek County Beef Queen Haylee Hanson and Winneshiek County Beef Princess Madelynn Dahl.

321 W. Water St. 1801 Old Stage Rd. Decorah, IA 563-387-0191

“Come Grow With Us”

www.vikingstatebank.com

We salute all area

BEEF PRODUCERS New & pre-owned equipment for all of your farming, custom operations, lawn care & snow removal needs

Residential • Agricultural • Commercial

1014 Maud Road, Waukon, IA

kellyconcretewaukon.com

Call 563-535-7649 for a free estimate!

• Knowledgeable, factorytrained service department • Extensive parts department

BAUMLER IMPLEMENTS, INC. 1306 Hwy 150 S, West Union • 563-422-3835 www.baumlerimplements.com

Decorah Leader | Thursday, May 22, 2025

BEEF EDITION B-3

Winneshiek County Beef princess Madelynn Dahl, the 2025-2026 Winneshiek County Beef Princess, is the daughter of Mike and Carri Dahl. She is a sophomore at Decorah High School is an active member of FFA, Youth Beef Team, Luther League and the Hesper Helpers 4-H Club. She has earned multiple awards in FFA, including recognition in livestock judging and agronomy. She has also received diamond and gold-level honors through the Youth Beef Team from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation. Dahl is passionate about promoting beef production, educating others about the industry and connecting with local farming communities. She hopes to raise awareness of beef production and continue developing her leadership skills.

Dahl has hands-on experience in agriculture, owning a Foundation Simmental cow purchased through the Winneshiek County Cattlemen Beef Opportunity Grant and managing daily farm responsibilities. In addition to her agricultural pursuits, she works at Sunflower Daycare and has been a dance instructor for four years, developing strong leadership skills. Dahl plans to pursue a degree in ag business or animal science and aims to continue growing her beef herd while furthering her involvement in the agricultural industry.

Winneshiek County Beef Princess Madelynn Dahl.

(Photo submitted)

Winneshiek County Little Miss Cowgirl Tianna Yoder, the 2025-2026 Winneshiek County Little Miss Cowgirl, is a 9-year-old student at Mabel Canton Schools. She is the daughter of Steve Yoder, Nichole and Kevin Hotvedt. Yoder enjoys taking care of calves, shopping and dancing. She is involved in 4-H as part of the Hesper Helpers and has a strong passion for the beef industry, as it has always been a part of her life. Yoder loves cows and is excited about the opportunity to teach others about beef production.

Yoder’s goal this year is to promote the beef industry by visiting schools to educate students about beef and its importance. She is already actively involved in her family’s cow-calf operation, where she helps with bottle calves and assists with sorting and checking cows and calves. Yoder is excited to continue growing her knowledge of the beef industry and share her love of cows with others.

Winneshiek County Little Mr. Cowhand Gavyn Hageman.

(Photo submitted)

Winneshiek County Little Mr. cowhand Gavyn Hageman, the 2025-2026 Winneshiek County Little Mr. Cowhand, is a 9-year-old student at St. Teresa of Calcutta in Ossian and the son of Trevor and Tori Hageman.

Hageman enjoys farming, playing baseball and basketball, driving tractors, working with his fair cows, watching hockey and spending time with his cousins on the farm. He is an active member of the Winneshiek County Co-Champions 4-H Club and the Winneshiek County Saddle Club.

Hageman is passionate about the beef industry and wants to share his love for farming with others.

This year, Hageman plans to promote the beef industry and engage with schools and communities. He proposes schools serve beef sticks as a snack to help educate others about the importance of beef. Hageman is involved in his family’s farming operation, where they have 100 cow-calf pairs, feed 150 market beef and 50 dairy steers. He helps with feeding calves and cats, vaccinating cattle, cleaning pens, bedding cattle and assisting with harvest tasks. Hageman dreams of having his own beef farm and planting his own crops in the future.

Tianna Yoder, Winneshiek County Little Miss Cowgirl.

(Photo submitted)

We salute you, Beef Farmers!

Winneshiek County Little Miss Cowgirl McKinnley McConnell, the 2025-2026 Winneshiek County Little Miss Cowgirl, is a 9-year-old student at St. Benedict Catholic School and the daughter of Regan and Tara McConnell. McConnell enjoys gymnastics, riding horses, dancing and farming with her dad. As a Clover Kid with the Hesper Helpers 4-H club, McConnell is already developing a strong passion for agriculture, particularly the beef industry. She enjoys spending time on the farm and is eager to teach others about the importance of beef and agriculture in our daily lives.

McConnell’s goal this year is to educate her peers about beef production and the role it plays in the community. She is involved in her family’s farming operation, where they custom feed cattle and have a small herd in addition to growing and harvesting both corn and hay. McConnell helps with various farm tasks, including feeding her steer, cleaning and bedding cattle, opening gates and hauling bales. She dreams of starting her own beef herd and looks forward to sharing her passion for agriculture with others.

May is beef month Thank you, beef farmers!

Country Garden Find us on Flowers & Gifts 113 West Water Street, Decorah • 563-382-1148

152 S. West St., Postville, IA 563-864-7515

WE SALUTE YOU...

local farmers and producers!

We honor your continuous hard work and dedication.

McKinnley McConnell Winneshiek County Little Miss Cowgirl.

(Photo submitted)

www.newalbinsavingsbank.com 118 Main St. NE, New Albin, IA 563-544-4214 • 1-888-689-1898

Your Downtown Full Service Florist

Have you herd?

May is BEEF MONTH!

SOUTH WINN

Vet Clinic Services for animals of all sizes!

THANK YOU BEEF FARMERS!

315 Fisher Ave., Ossian | 563-532-9650 | 800-537-3527

We’re udderly thrilled it’s National Beef Month!

Proud Supporters of Local Beef Producers!

BRUENING ROCK PRODUCTS, INC.

Thank You

Beef Producers!

Laying the groundwork for your community

Your local contractor since 1932

900 Montgomery, Decorah, IA 563-382-2933

B-4

BEEF EDITION Decorah Leader | Thursday, May 22, 2025

Burger season gets fired-up

Barbecue Chipotle Burgers

As the mercury rises, the opportunities to cook a greater number of meals on the grill increases. For many people, there’s nothing like the smoke-kissed flavor of meats, poultry and vegetables seared over an open flame.

Hamburgers are a grilling staple in many households. Burger flavors and toppings are only limited by a home cook’s imagination.

For those who may need a little burger inspiration, this recipe for “Barbecue Chipotle Burgers,” courtesy of the Iowa Beef Council, features a beer-based homemade barbecue sauce and is best served on Texas Toast for an extra burst of flavor.

Serves 4 1

pound ground beef (93 percent lean or leaner) 1⁄2 cup beer 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespons ketchup 1 tablespoon minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 4 slices frozen Texas Toast 2 spears pickled okra, sliced

To prepare barbecue sauce, combine beer, brown sugar, ketchup, chipotle peppers and Worcestershire sauce in saucepan; bring to a boil. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes until sauce is thickened; set aside.

Lightly shape ground beef into four 1⁄2-inch thick patties. Place patties on grill over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 8 to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 7 to 9 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160 degrees F, turning occasionally. (Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef.

Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Color is not a reliable indicator of doneness.)

Meanwhile, prepare Texas Toast according to package directions. Cut each piece of toast in half.

Fresh Texas Toast, buttered, may be used instead of frozen product.

For each sandwich, spread 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce over one toast half. Top with burger, another tablespoon sauce and okra slices. Close sandwich.

Cook’s Tip: Dill pickle chips or pickled jalapeño peppers may be substituted for pickled okra.

WE’RE SO PROUD OF YOU

Young Makena Hovden continues to learn how to care for her animals through hands-on experience on the farm. (Photo by Denise Lana)

Makena Hovden continued from front

was surrounded by cattle at her grandparents’ farm — the same farm where her mother Kia lived and began showing baby calves when she was 3.

Today, when Kia is not working or helping Makena prepare for shows, she cares for a dozen or so breeding cows on the family’s farm — a job which Makena is learning to take on by watching her mom. In fact, the budding breeder began showing cattle after following in her mother’s footsteps.

“When my mom asked if I wanted to show cattle, I said yes,” Makena said. “I wanted to do the same thing she did when she was little.”

In the spring of 2022, the aspiring show-woman joined her parents at a cattle sale, where there were more than 80 calves from which to choose. Makena’s father recalled the process as being tedious, choosing a docile and manageable heifer for his daughter. But, about a third of the way through, Makena found the calf she wanted — a 14-month-old,

Makena Hovden!

POSTVILLE VET CLINIC

Makena Hovden is pictured with her parents Kia and Mitch. (Photo courtesy Legacy Livestock Imaging)

1,300-pound Simmental which she named Desy.

“I kind of look at their body and face,” Makena said of her selection process.

“There were a lot of cows, but she was pretty.”

Just a few months later, Makena and Desy participated in their very first show

Thanks Beef Producers!

NORWEGIAN MUTUAL Find your nearest agent at INSURANCE ASSOC. norwegianmutualins.com

Makena Hovden continued on B-5

Cresco | Rushford 800.432.2285 www.MiEnergy.coop

212 Winnebago St., Decorah | 563-382-2959 www.andersonlawdecorah.com

WE APPRECIATE OUR BEEF PRODUCERS!

only one show at that year’s fair, due to Makena being so young and Desy being what she called a big heifer.

“She was very tired when she got done!” Kia said with a laugh as she recalled her

A Salute to our Beef Producers

TM

CELEBRATE NATIONAL BEEF MONTH

2333 Millennium Road, Decorah 563-382-9695

— a classic held at the Winneshiek County Fair, where they won third place.

“I was nervous,” said Makena. “I am okay now — now I just do it — but I had butterflies in my tummy the first time.”

Kia said the family entered Makena and Desy in

PROUD SUPPORTER OF OUR AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY! Big enough to serve you - small enough to know you!

bankingwithcsb.com

Decorah Leader | Thursday, May 22, 2025

BEEF EDITION B-5

Great job Makena Hovden!

Makena Hovden has earned numerous awards exhibiting cattle during competitions both inside and outside the state of Iowa, including a number of purple championship ribbons — purple happens to be the 6-yearold’s favorite color. (Photos by Denise Lana)

414 Montgomery St. Decorah, IA 563-382-3607 Mon-Fri: 7:30AM-5:30PM Sat: 7:30AM-12PM

www.napaonline.com

We’re proud to support localBeef Farmers!

Makena Hovden continued from B-4

daughter’s Winneshiek County Fair debut.

But Makena wasn’t done. The young competitor amped up her number of shows and amount of travel over the next two years as she showed her miniature Hereford steers, Chase and Marshall. She and her animals garnered numerous grand champion and champion awards in Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky and Colorado. And she’s collected a number of belt buckles along the way.

Makena is now in her fourth season of showing, and she will compete later this month in Oklahoma with Marshall by her side. The 6-year-old said she is now mostly looking forward to showing at the Iowa State Fair, adding she really enjoys the hotdogs there and her grandma previously bought her lots of toys at the fair.

“I also really like my buckle with the flowers and purple gems, and I like the purple ribbons from the fair,” she said, with a youthful smile. “Purple is my favorite color.”

Iowa’s Beef Cattle Industry Statistics Total Cattle Inventory in Iowa (Jan. 1, 2025) ........................... 3,500,000 State Rank All Cattle and Calves (Jan. 1, 2025) ................................Eighth Cattle on Feed in Iowa (Jan. 1, 2025) ........................... 1,210,000 State Rank Cattle and Calves on Feed (Jan. 1, 2025) .........Fourth Yearly Fed Cattle Marketings (2023) ........................... 1,624,000 Number of Feedlots (2022 Census) ......... 4,102 Number of Cattle Operations (2022 Census) ....... 21,750 Number of Farms with Beef Cows (2022 Census) ........ 17,214

We salute you, beef producers!

24-Hou r Pump Service Call Becker Hardware for all your plumbing, heating, electrical and 24-hour pump service

563.532.9120 • 101 W. Main St., Ossian • Serving the area since 1885

FARM • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL

We Salute our Beef Producers!

SPECIALIZING IN: ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) Decorative Concrete Bin Pads • Curbs Minor Excavation Work Poured Walls • Patios Floors • Driveways Sidewalks • Parking Lots

FOR A FREE ESTIMATE CALL

GARY HUBKA AT 563-735-5524

HUBKA CONSTRUCTION 2456 Co. Rd. A-14 Decorah

Beginning Farmer Loans

Livestock & Equipment Loans

Building and Land Loans

Long-Term Fixed Rate Loans

Robust Digital Banking

Financial Strategies and Tools

CONNECT with our Ag and Business Bankers who strive to help you be successful and achieve your financial dreams.

We salute all area

BEEF PRODUCERS

Number of Beef Cows (Jan. 1, 2025) ............................. 825,000 State Rank Number of Beef Cows (Jan. 1, 2025) ................................Twelfth Sources: Department of Economics, Iowa State University; Iowa Agricultural Statistics, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 2024 Cattle Report and 2022 Census of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, United States Department of Agriculture.

r e p s Ca

PLUMBING & HEATING INC. www.casperdecorah.com

804 Pole Line Rd. Decorah, IA 563-382-0642

Ag and Business Bankers (Back row l-r): Josh Giddings, Dave Krieger, Doug Van Sloten, John Schroeher, Brendon Kacher, Greg Meirick and Cole Phillips. (Front row l-r): Mike Ludeking, Karen Henning, Donna Thomas, Leslie Sivesind, Erin Ludwig and Andy Ludeking.

B-6

BEEF EDITION Decorah Leader | Thursday, May 22, 2025

MAY IS BEEF MONTH

Brothers Austin (left) and Riley Snell received the Junior Cattlemen Awards in March at the Winneshiek County Cattlemen’s Beef Banquet.

Pictured are (back row, left to right) 2024 Little Miss Cowgirl Emma Drahn, 2025 Beef Princess Alayna Hageman, 2025 Beef Queen Haylee Hanson, 2024 Beef Queen Lauren Holthaus, 2025 Beef Princess Madelynn Dahl, 2024 Beef Princess Keira Myers (front row, left to right) 2024 Little Mr. Cowhand McCoy McConnell, 2024 Little Miss Cowgirl Eloise Lechtenberg, 2025 Little Miss Cowgirl McKinnley McConnell, 2025 Little Mr. Cowhand Gavyn Hageman and 2025 Little Miss Cowgirl Tianna Yoder. (Photos by Becky Walz)

Beef

C

elebrating

New titles were bestowed on prospective candidates during the annual banquet of the Winneshiek County Cattlemen’s Association held in March. The association announced the selection of its 2025 royalty during the banquet, and a number of other individuals also earned awards from the association.

Jake Kach was joined by wife Bailey and son Ford as he was honored with the Winneshiek County Cattlemen’s Herdsman Award at the March Beef Banquet.

Recipients of the Beef Opportunity Program included (left to right) Lane Koch, Jayden Timp and Brinley Linderbaum.

Members of the Winneshiek County Youth Beef Team are (front row, left to right) Isabella Schnitzler, Kamyrn Werges, Mylee Hageman, Brinley Linderbaum, Jayden Timp, Natalie Holthaus; (back row, left to right) Kennedi Vagts, Hanna Vagts, Kelsey Timp, Madelyn Dahl, Lauren Holthaus, Alayna Hageman and advisor Amy Rediske. Not pictured is Mara Lovstuen.

Debbie Reicks, owner/operator of K-Town Tap in Kendallville, was surprised as the recipient of the Steak Knife Award. Joining her was son Taylor Reicks.

Scholarship awards were presented at the Winneshiek County Cattlemen’s Banquet in March to (front row, left to right) Kelsey Timp, Isabella Kuboushek, Katrina Hageman; (back row, left to right) Kamryn Werges, Derek Tieskoetter, Jordan Sims and Jeramiah Rediske.

THANK YOU BEEF PRODUCERS for your hard work and dedication to the industry!

The Cow-Calf Award was presented to Danny Tollefsrud at the 2025 Winneshiek County Cattlemen’s Beef Banquet.

BEEF PRODUCERS!

DuTrac is proud to support our agricultural community!

Ridgeway Office: 563-737-2710 or 800-280-6600 Decorah Office: 563-737-2710

Supplier of agriculture, commercial and industrial petroleum products

120 West Main St., Calmar, IA 121 N. Vine St., West Union, IA 563-562-3623 563-422-5751 Since 1979

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

Decorah Branch: 915 Short Street, Ste 105 | P: 563.387.8061 | DuTrac.org