Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest

By Theresa Rose · Monday, May 15th, 2023 at 6:26 am CDT

Backyard chefs across Iowa are invited to showcase their culinary skills and compete for the title of “Grand Champion” at Iowa Farm Bureau’s 59th Cookout Contest.

The event is held Tuesday, Aug. 15 during Farm Bureau Day at the Iowa State Fair. The Cookout Contest is a celebration of Iowa farmers who raise real meats with animal care and sustainability as their number one priority.

First priority for competition spots are given to grilling and smoking enthusiasts who are named the overall winner of a county Farm Bureau Cookout Contest. Iowans who cannot make a county Cookout Contest qualifying event but are interested in competing in lamb, poultry, turkey or the youth division (ages 13-18) at the Iowa State Fair are encouraged to sign up online. Spots for these specialty categories are limited, and participants will be notified of their selection by July 25.

Each first-place category winner will win $400. The Grand Champion will take home an additional $1,000 prize. The winner of the youth division will receive $300 and a gas grill valued at $1,000, courtesy of the Iowa Propane Gas Association.

For rules, county contest locations or specialty category sign ups, visit IowaFarmBureau.com/CookoutContest.

Great River Bridge Lighting

By Theresa Rose · Monday, May 15th, 2023 at 6:25 am CDT

Burlington, IA- The Greater Burlington Partnership has announced that the Great River Bridge in Burlington will be lit on Monday, May 22nd.

The SCC jazz band will bring the entertainment starting at 7:30pm followed by a program at 8pm and then the lighting.

The Great River Bridge Lighting was designed by Energyficient Systems, Inc. and installed by Frank Millard Company both of Burlington, IA. This project has been done in cooperation with the City of Burlington. The new lighting involves LED lighting which will save on energy costs.

 

 

Backyard chefs across Iowa are invited to showcase their culinary skills and compete for the title of “Grand Champion” at Iowa Farm Bureau’s 59th Cookout Contest.

The event is held Tuesday, Aug. 15 during Farm Bureau Day at the Iowa State Fair. The Cookout Contest is a celebration of Iowa farmers who raise real meats with animal care and sustainability as their number one priority.

First priority for competition spots are given to grilling and smoking enthusiasts who are named the overall winner of a county Farm Bureau Cookout Contest. Iowans who cannot make a county Cookout Contest qualifying event but are interested in competing in lamb, poultry, turkey or the youth division (ages 13-18) at the Iowa State Fair are encouraged to sign up online. Spots for these specialty categories are limited, and participants will be notified of their selection by July 25.

Each first-place category winner will win $400. The Grand Champion will take home an additional $1,000 prize. The winner of the youth division will receive $300 and a gas grill valued at $1,000, courtesy of the Iowa Propane Gas Association.

For rules, county contest locations or specialty category sign ups, visit IowaFarmBureau.com/CookoutContest.

ADC Task Force

By Theresa Rose · Monday, May 15th, 2023 at 6:12 am CDT

Mount Pleasant ADC Task Force Announces Website

MOUNT PLEASANT – The Mount Pleasant Area Development Commission recently appointed a task force to represent the community for Economic Development efforts for the campus of Iowa Wesleyan University.

The appointed task force wants to hear from the community on ideas, questions, and concerns on the future use of the campus.  Please submit questions and thoughts using:  www.imaginemp.co

Rachel Lindeen, Mount Pleasant Chamber Alliance stated, “The website was created as a portal for the community to express their wishes and concerns.  It is important for the community to have a voice in the process.  The information will be gathered and shared with all involved.”

For additional information, please contact the Mount Pleasant Chamber Alliance office.

James H. Strickler

By Theresa Rose · Monday, May 15th, 2023 at 5:52 am CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT – James H. “Jim” Strickler, 86, of Mount Pleasant, passed away on Friday, May 12, 2023, at the Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant.

Jim was born January 5, 1937, in Cincinnati, Iowa, the son of Howard and Wilma (Green) Strickler. He graduated from Rockwell High School in 1955, and then attended Chicago Business Institute for two years. On July 13, 1968, Jim was united in marriage to Ann Patton at the Congregational Church in Mason City, Iowa. He served in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, during peacetime in the Vietnam era. He later served in the Air National Guard.

Jim farmed in the Rockwell area until 1966, then moved to Mason City and worked as a salesman and credit manager. He was employed by Boise Cascade Lifetime Motor Homes as a parts manager. Following a move to Tucson, Arizona, Jim worked at Hughes Aircraft until 1976. He completed his working career at Arizona Electric Power Coop as an assistant chemical engineer. Jim and Ann moved to Mount Pleasant in 2008.

Family was a priority for Jim. A member of First Baptist Church in Mason City and First Lutheran Church in Wilcox, Arizona. Jim enjoyed bird watching, traveling and visiting with family and friends. He was a member of the American Legion.

Jim is survived by a son, Dr. Michael (Peggy) Strickler and grandson, Nathan Strickler, all of New Haven, Connecticut.

Along with his loving wife, Ann, of 49 years, Jim was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and a sister.

 

Visitation will be held from 3:00 – 7:00 pm on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel in Mount Pleasant where the family will greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Military Rites by the Henry County Honor Guard will be conducted at 7:00 pm. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City. A general memorial fund has been established. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Donald W. Mathews

By Theresa Rose · Friday, May 12th, 2023 at 1:54 pm CDT

Donald W. Mathews, 73, of rural Danville, went home to be with the Lord May 4th, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Health Center Hospice house.

Born June 19th, 1949, Donald was the son of Ralph E. and Vera I. Stevenson Mathews. Don was a graduate of Danville High School class of 1967.  He also attended Burlington Junior College and Iowa State University.  Don held those school relationships in very high regard throughout his life.  From a young age Donald was deeply rooted in the Danville community.  He helped on his parents’ farm and eventually took over management when his father passed.  Recently the farm has been transferred to its fifth generation.  Don was a founding member of the Des Moines County Corn Growers and the Danville Jaycees.  Along the way he has been a member on the boards of the Des Moines County Pork Producers, the Des Moines County Farm Bureau, the Danville Mutual Telephone Company and Jaggar Cemetery.  Don started No-till farming in 1979 and spent the rest of his life promoting the benefits of progressive farming.  Conservation and providing for the next generation were always his top priority.  Don started at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant during the farm crisis and ended up staying for 25 years.

Hobbies largely took over after Don retired.  He was a member of both 3 Rivers and Big Creek tractor clubs.  He participated with numerous tractorcades and rides of all sizes across Eastern Iowa.  Don was an avid presenter at Midwest Old Threshers, cherishing his participation in the parades and daily cavalcade of power.  He was very much anticipating the 2023 reunion as Allis Chalmers is the featured tractor.  Don was a near constant presence at Danville High School events and was especially devoted to boys and girls basketball.  He took great pleasure in sharing his knowledge with the FFA chapter at school and had been a 4-H member himself.  Most importantly Don delighted in the connections and friends he made everywhere he went.

Above all, Don loved his family.  Don and Cindy were married in August of 1982 and together they raised Cora (Steve) Beltramea of Fairfield, Jessica (Justin) Boecker of Danville, and David (Alaina) Mathews of Danville.  Don and Cindy have four grandchildren.  Don always had his camera in hand, which has yielded a stockpile of memories to be shared for generations to come.  He could fix just about anything, was a constant support and had patience as wide as the day is long. His vast knowledge, tight hugs and thumbs up are already greatly missed.

A joyous celebration of life for Don Mathews is planned for May 26th (5/26/23) from 3-6 pm at Elliott Chapel in New London, family will receive friends throughout.  This date was picked specifically as no other seems more appropriate for one who so loved his Danville, Iowa (52623) community. The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Hadden and Danielle at Family Medicine, the ALS clinic at the University of Iowa, and the amazingly kind SEIRMC Hospice staff, especially his nurse Dawn.

Memorials have been established at some of Don’s favorite places: Danville Station, the FFA chapter or athletic department at school, and Jaggar Cemetery.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Structural Fire 214 S 10th St

By Theresa Rose · Friday, May 12th, 2023 at 1:41 pm CDT

At 5:33 PM on Thursday, May 11th, the Burlington, and West Burlington Fire Departments
responded to a reported house fire at 214 S 10th St. in Burlington. Des Moines County Sheriff’s
Department arrived first and reported the structure on fire. Burlington Firefighters arrived
within 1 minute of being dispatched to a two-story duplex with extensive fire showing from the
first-story windows of one of the apartments. An active self-rescue took place from a first-story
roof upon fire department arrival with assistance from a DMC Sheriff Officer. A box alarm was
struck calling in off-duty Burlington firefighters as well as bringing Danville and Mediapolis
firefighters closer to Burlington. The structure sustained significant heat and water damage,
with smoke throughout. The fire was extinguished at approximately 5:47 PM.

The property is owned by Dennis Wilson. The property is insured. Damage estimates are still
being assessed.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Burlington Fire Department in
conjunction with the Burlington Police Department.

Firefighters were assisted at the scene by Burlington Police, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office,
The Red Cross, and Alliant Energy. One victim was transported to SEIRMC-WB. Two animals
were rescued in the incident as well. Firefighters cleared the scene at 8:24 PM.

Crash at IA Highway 92 and L Ave

By Theresa Rose · Friday, May 12th, 2023 at 1:38 pm CDT

On May 8th, 2023, a crash between a passenger vehicle and a pickup truck occurred on IA HIGHWAY 92 and L AVE just before 1pm. The car attempted to pass a Semi-truck heading east, when a pickup truck heading the opposite way struck the vehicle. Both units came to rest north of the roadway in a field. There were three deceased and two injured due to this accident.

As of May 12, the names of the passengers are now available. The deceased are as follows. William Stewart, age 52, of Tipton. Jean Munanga, 41, of Palatine, Illinois, and Mireillie Mulanga Muluila, 45, also of Palatine, Illinois.

The injured are Lori Stewart, 51, of Tipton, and Musong Kizaba, of Palatine, Illinois. Both were transported to the University of Iowa Hospital.

This accident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.

Wilma J. Wellman

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, May 11th, 2023 at 4:52 pm CDT

 

Wilma J. Wellman, 78, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 4:45 a.m. Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

Born February 28, 1945, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Philip and Helen (Greiner) Schwartz. On June 25, 1966, at Saint Mary of the Assumption in West Point, Iowa, she married Marvin B. Wellman.

She is survived by her husband: Marvin; three children: Kerry (husband Kenny) Cooper of Fort Madison, Chris (wife Cory) Wellman of Springfield, Illinois and Kim (husband Mike) Fullenkamp of Donnellson; grandchildren: Kole and Kameron (MaKenzie) Cooper, Caleb, Kendall and Cade Wellman and Gage and Shaylin Fullenkamp; great grandchild: Layne Cooper and sister: Judy (Glenn) Neuweg of Kirksville, Missouri. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister: Mary Ellen Williams and brother: Nick Schwartz.

Wilma was a member of the St. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, Holy Family Parish in Fort Madison, where she taught CCD. She graduated from Saint Mary’s High School. Wilma retired as the executive secretary for Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Mount Pleasant. She enjoyed sewing, working in her flower gardens and her cats. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family.

Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

Family will will meet with friends from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m Monday, May 15, 2023, at Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 15,  2023, at Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point, with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.

Burial will be at a later date in Calvary Cemetery. A memorial has been established in her memory for P.A.W. Animal Shelter or West Point Fire and Rescue. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements.