County Emergency Responders Called Out Twice Monday Morning

By Theresa Rose · Monday, August 24th, 2020 at 3:27 pm CDT

Monday morning at about 9:30 Olds and Wayland emergency responders were called to Hwy 218 at the St. Avenue Stop for a crash.  KILJ received information that a car and semi were involved and it wasn’t known at the time of the call whether or not there were any injuries.  The southbound lanes of traffic were closed for a period of time.

At 10:15 Monday morning emergency responders were called to Remington Seeds on North Cherry in Mount Pleasant.  Initial reports indicate a 42 year old man fell 20 to 30 feet into a corn dryer. No other details were available as of 10:20 am.

IDPH Confirms First Child Death from COVID-19

By Theresa Rose · Monday, August 24th, 2020 at 11:49 am CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is saddened to confirm the first death of a child due to complications from COVID-19. The child was under the age of five, and had significant underlying health conditions.

The death occurred in June and the case investigation was completed on August 6 by the State Medical Examiner. The child’s death was publicly reported this weekend after ensuring the individual’s identity would remain protected and notifying the family. When any pediatric death occurs, which includes any individual under the age of 17, due to disease or other unnatural circumstances, the medical examiner performs a number of routine tests.

The investigation to confirm cause of death includes extensive pathology, metabolic and other tests that can take months to complete and certify, depending on the complexity of the case. In this case, the Medical examiner performed a full range of testing, given the complicating factor of the child’s health history. Ultimately, COVID-19 was deemed the cause of death.

We have made every effort to protect the identity of this child, while the family grieves this devastating loss. Again, we send our sincerest condolences.

Dorothy Welcher

By Theresa Rose · Monday, August 24th, 2020 at 11:14 am CDT

Dorothy Welcher, 79, of Mount Pleasant died Saturday, August 22, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family and friends.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant.  Rev. Paul Connolly will officiate.  Burial will be at a later date in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery. According to Dorothy’s wishes, her body will be deeded to the University of Iowa College of Medicine following the service.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church with the family present.  A Rosary will be recited at 4:30 PM followed by a Vigil Prayer Service.  The Funeral Mass will be live streamed on St. Alphonsus YouTube channel: “St. Al’s MP Livestream.”  Masks are required for attendance of the visitation and funeral mass.  A memorial fund has been established for Notre Dame High School and St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.  The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Dorothy and her family.  Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Dorothy was born July 13, 1941 in St. Mary’s, Iowa in Warren County, the daughter of Ignatius and Nelle (Ryan) Gehringer.  On July 9, 1966 she was united in marriage to Gary Welcher in Burlington.  They made their home in the Mount Pleasant community, where Dorothy worked as a medical secretary for Dr. Garrels and Dr. Nichols.

She was a very active member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.  Dorothy volunteered many places in the community, including Hospice.  She was always giving of her self to others through plasma donations and with Women’s Health Initiative.

Survivors include her husband Gary; 6 children: Elizabeth (Andrew) Kapust of Olympia, WA; Lesley (Brett) Holgorsen of Houston, TX; Kathleen (Jason) Fry of Mount Pleasant; Michael Welcher of Mount Pleasant; Mary (Robert) Rasmussen of Baltimore, MD; Dave (Lynn) Foulke of Eden Prairie, MN; 11 grandchildren: Ryan and Ella Kapust, Clayton and Garrett Holgorsen, Katelyn, Kirstin and Jacob Fry, Erik, Adam and Tyler Rasmussen, Brianna Foulke; 2 great grandchildren: Malachi Foulke and Chloe Rasmussen; and a sister: Louise Christian of Williamston, MI; and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers: David and Joe Gehringer; and a sister: Geneva Morrison.

 

Mary Lou Braun Smith

By Theresa Rose · Monday, August 24th, 2020 at 11:11 am CDT

Mary Lou Braun Smith, age 84 of Mt. Pleasant died Saturday, August 22, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family.

Mary was born October 3, 1935, in Burlington, Iowa. Mary was the daughter of Joseph and Agnes (Moehn) Braun. She graduated from Burlington High School and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from St. Ambrose College and her Master of Arts degree in Nursing from the University of Iowa. On February 12, 1966, she married Jack Edward Smith at St. John’s Catholic Church in Burlington, Iowa.

Mary began her career as a registered nurse at Sylvania Electric in Burlington. She then worked at several area hospitals including the Mental Health Institute, Mercy Hospital, Burlington Medical Center, Henry County Health Center and the Veteran Administration Hospital. After completing her graduate studies, she was a clinical instructor and assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Nursing and Indian Hills Community College.

In 1985, she began working for the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, where she was a health facilities surveyor until her retirement in 1998. She was named the 1990 DIA Surveyor of the Year. Mary also helped her husband operate the family farm.

Mary was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and served on their parish council. After retirement she was an active volunteer and enjoyed golfing, bowling and traveling, especially by train. She liked to play cards and games and have coffee visits with friends. She also loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Smith of Mt. Pleasant, IA; son, Michael Smith of Iowa City, IA; brothers Richard Braun of Burlington, IA; James Braun of Dubuque, IA; sisters Carol Brandt of Burlington, IA, Sr. Kathy Braun of Burlington, IA, and Kris Cooper of Tempe, AZ.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, her parents, and brothers Daniel Braun, John Braun, and Michael Braun.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, August 27, 2020, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant.  Rev. Paul Connolly will officiate.  Burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 7:00 PM on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. The family will not be present. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed on St. Alphonsus YouTube channel: “St. Al’s MP Livestream.”  Masks are required for attendance of the funeral mass.  A memorial fund has been established for Midwest Old Threshers and St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.  The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Mary and her family.  Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Mary Clark

By Theresa Rose · Monday, August 24th, 2020 at 11:07 am CDT

Mary Clark, 84, of Fairfield passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2020, at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice House in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

 

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.

Ronald Lee McIntosh

By Theresa Rose · Monday, August 24th, 2020 at 11:05 am CDT

Ronald Lee McIntosh, 78, of Farmington, Iowa, passed away at 11:40 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at Sunnybrook in Fairfield, Iowa.

Ronald was born on October 26, 1941, in Clark County, Missouri, the son of Therman Odell and Thelma Oleva (Gares) McIntosh. On June 18, 1961, he married Sandra Lee Troutman at the Methodist Church in Farmington, Iowa.

Ron graduated from Farmington High School and the Minneapolis Drafting School.  He was a drafting engineer and carpenter. He also took lessons as a blacksmith. Ron was a member of the Farmington United Methodist Church, the American Legion, The Ottumwa Kennel Club and Farmington Jaycees and Auctioneers.

Ron served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1967 as a Staff Sergeant. Ron and Sandra raised dogs, American Quarter Horses and Appaloosas for many years. Ron showed Yorkshire Terriers and he had several champion dogs. He loved mushroom hunting, antiques, going to auctions, and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife: Sandra; one son: Todd McIntosh; two daughters: Gina Lanman and Tina Hattan; one sister: Donna Hamberg; seven grandchildren: Brian McIntosh, Daniel McIntosh, Deborah Adam, Jessica Messier, Mark Lanman Jr., Taryn Hattan, Timmy Hattan and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one great-grandchild.

His body has been in trusted to Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

A memorial has been established in his memory for the Farmington EMT’s and can be mailed to the family at: Schmitz Funeral Home, P.O. Box 56, Donnellson, Iowa 52625.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Early Morning Accident

By Theresa Rose · Monday, August 24th, 2020 at 10:58 am CDT

On August 21, 2020, at approximately 3:21AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Mount Pleasant Police Department were notified of a female subject walking eastbound in the westbound lanes of traffic near Mount Pleasant. The subject was located north of the Pilot Truck Stop on an exit ramp. After an investigation it was found that the female subject, Mary Cecilia Wegmuller of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, had been operating a white, 2006, Toyota Sienna traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 34. Mary made admission statements of using a cellular device while operating the vehicle. Due to Mary using a cellular device while driving, she drove off the roadway into the median and lost control. Mary over corrected the vehicle, crossed both lanes of westbound traffic, and wrecked into a guardrail located next to an overpass. Mary wrecked the vehicle near the intersection of Hickory Avenue and U.S. Highway 34. Mary did not sustain injuries. Mary was given a citation for failing to maintain control of a motor vehicle. The vehicle was a total loss.

Car vs. Deer

By Theresa Rose · Monday, August 24th, 2020 at 10:56 am CDT

On August 22, 2020, at approximately 6:11AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a car vs. deer near the intersection of Racine Avenue and U.S. Highway 34 south of New London, Iowa. It was determined Justin William Curran of Burlington, Iowa, was driving a silver, 2016, Kia Sportage eastbound in the above-mentioned location. Justin struck a deer causing possible totaling damage to the vehicle. The estimated damages to the vehicle were anywhere between $5,000-$8,000. Justin did not sustain any injuries.