Lester Strunk

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 at 3:26 pm CDT

Lester Walter Strunk, 75, of rural Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 12:39 p.m. Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison. 

He was born on November 24, 1948, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Frank Adam and Laverne (Nolte) Strunk. On May 21, 2005, he married Christine Jeffers on their farm near Donnellson.

He is survived by his wife: Christine; children: Stacey (Jeremy) Good of Burlington, Elizabeth (Gabe) Orth of Burlington, Sara Mills of Mt. Pleasant, Jenel Wesselink of Burlington; John Robert (Sarah) Howell of Mt. Pleasant; daughter-in-law: Kimberly Strunk of Dallas City, Illinois; twenty-two grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; siblings: Melvin (Jo) Strunk of Donnellson, Dorothy (Dennis) Copeland of Copperas Cove, Texas, Willis (Sheila) Strunk of Rockford, Ohio, Alice (Ben) Milander of Reno, Nevada, Louise Ballard of Fort Madison and Dennis Strunk of Fort Madison. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son: Brian; brother: Marvin and brother-in-law: Ronnie Ballard.

Lester was a 1968 graduate of Fort Madison High School. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He farmed all his life and worked at J.I. Case Company for thirty years. Lester was a member of the Donnellson American Legion Gillaspey – Moodie Post #474, the Southeast Iowa Beekeepers Association and he volunteered at the Donnellson Library and Lee County Speedway. He enjoyed gardening, being around his hound dogs and his beloved cat “Tipper”. Most of all, Lester enjoyed spending time with family and friends at everyone’s happy place “the farm”.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, February 4, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, February 4, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson with Pastor Mary Hart officiating.

Burial will be at Oakland Sand Cemetery in Vincennes, Iowa, with full military rites presented by the Donnellson American Legion.

Memorials have been established in his memory for the Donnellson American Legion or PAW Animal Shelter.

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

Teenager Arrested for Robbery in Burlington

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 at 11:02 am CDT

A teenager was arrested in Burlington on Monday due to his involvement in a robbery. According to the Burlington Police Department, at 9:12pm on January 29th, officers were dispatched to the 600 block of McKinley Avenue for a robbery. During investigation, it was found that a firearm was involved, and the person of interest was identified as 16-year-old Rashon Thomas.

The next day, detectives with the police department placed Thomas under arrest and charged him with Robbery 1st Degree.

The facts and circumstances surrounding this incident remain under investigation.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Mt. Pleasant FFA Attends 39th Legislative Symposium

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 at 10:57 am CDT

Members of the Mt. Pleasant High School FFA spent the day on Tuesday in Des Moines at the Legislative Symposium. Seven members, as well as the instructor Mr. Martin, had the chance to ask questions to their state senator and representatives.

More than 700 high school students from 118 schools visited the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines on January 30th. Here, they visited with legislators, exhibited skills that they have learned in the agriculture classroom, and learned the importance of citizenship. This was all part of the 39th Annual Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol.

During the morning, FFA members gathered at the Downtown Embassy Suites and enjoyed a brief message from Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, who then presented the FFA Week Proclamation. The proclamation officially declares February 17-24 FFA Week in Iowa.

The morning program provided opportunities for FFA members to hear from Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, about the importance of agriculture in Iowa and abroad. Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President, Brent Johnson, then delivered a message about the importance young agriculturalists can play in the agriculture industry.

Successful Emergency Response Drill at New London Community Schools

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 at 10:44 am CDT

The New London Community School District took part of a successful emergency response drill on Wednesday. The cooperation displayed by everyone was of utmost importance in order to have a successful drill.

The purpose of this drill was to ensure that students and staff are prepared for any emergency situation. The students and staff practiced exiting the buildings or remaining in their classrooms with their teachers.

This successful drill could not have happened without the support and collaboration of the New London Police Department and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.

Christmas Tree Pickup in Mount Pleasant

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 at 9:29 am CDT

The City of Mount Pleasant has announced that they are now able to pickup Christmas Trees from residences. The Public Works Department is caught up after all of the snow and adverse weather, so they are able to make this happen. If you have a Christmas Tree you would like to part with, contact City Hall at 319 385 1470.

Now Accepting Nominations for Citizen of the Year

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 at 6:06 am CDT

Each year the members of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce are invited to nominate a person for Citizen of the Year.  Nominees should be citizens living and/or working in the Mount Pleasant area who have had a significant impact on the community through their volunteer and charitable activities.

Also seeking nominations for Community Impact Award.  Nominees for the Community Impact Award should be a business, non-profit organization, or event in the Henry County area. The award will be given on the basis that made Henry County community a better place to work, live and play in the past 12 months.

Both awards will be presented at the MPACC’s Annual Banquet on March 21, 2024. If you would like to nominate someone for either award, please contact the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance office by February 15, 2024.

Last year’s recipients were Tim and Sally Olson.

Four New Directors for Harlan-Lincoln House

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 at 4:47 pm CDT

Following incorporation and re-opening last October, the Board of Directors of the Harlan-Lincoln House, Inc. 101 West Broad, Mount Pleasant held its first annual meeting January 30, 2024. The Board elected four new directors. These are Kimn Hassenfritz, Debra Rodgers, Dr. John Bennett and Amy Frantz. Continuing directors are Tricia File, Pat White, Lea Bradley, Paul Juhl, Lynn Ellsworth and Elizabeth Garrels.

One of the responsibilities of the Board of Directors is to share with the public the relevant heritage of the Senator James Harlan and President Abraham Lincoln families. With that meaningful legacy in mind, the first event of the new year will be in Mount Pleasant’s downtown Union Block (111 W Monroe) on Presidents’ Day, February 19. To accommodate attendees’ schedules, the same presentation “Conversations with a Lincoln Collector” will be at noon and 6:30 p.m. by Lincoln researcher, Ethan Afshani from Buffalo, NY. He will share Lincoln knowledge, interspersed with his experiences and artifacts as a Lincoln collector.

The Harlan-Lincoln House, Inc., P.O. Box 251, Mount Pleasant, IA is a designated 501[c](3) public charity also listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.