Richard L. “Rick” Holtkamp,

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, December 30th, 2024 at 5:24 am CDT

Richard L. “Rick” Holtkamp, 72, of Keokuk, Iowa, formerly of Salem, passed away at 12:58 a.m. Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa.

He was born on May 19, 1952 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Dennis and Dorothy E. (Box) Holtkamp. On June 25, 2011 he was united in marriage to Christine Cetta at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Riverside, Iowa.

He is survived by his wife Christine; sister Jeanne Fedler of New London; two nieces: Sara (Adam) Burden of Solon, Iowa and Maria (Joe) Harding of Greenwood, Indiana; two nephews: Clint (Wendy) Fedler of the Virgin Islands and Michael (Hanna) Glover of Blue Springs, Missouri; two great nieces and nephews: Addison and Beckett Burden; two sisters-in-law: Mary (Gary) Glover of Blue Springs, Missouri and Patty Bencivenga of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania;  Also surviving are several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Randy; and brother-in-law Kenny Fedler.

Rick was a 1970 graduate of Mount Pleasant High School, he graduated from the University of Iowa with his masters degree, he was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, the Houghton Knights of Columbus, and he attended the All Saints Catholic Church. He worked thirty five years at Pilot Grove Saving Bank, he retired as President and CEO.

He was cherished and respected by all who knew him. Rick lived his faith in every aspect of life. He was kind, caring, and a humble man, and the personification of love, integrity, and hard work. He enjoyed his farm, family, friends, and the Iowa Hawkeyes, Rick was an avid woodworker making heirlooms for all his family.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point (the family will not be present). The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 2, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at St John’s Catholic Church in Houghton. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 10:00 a.m.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Houghton with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.

Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa.

A memorial has been established in his memory for PAWS Animal Shelter, Keokuk Catholic School, or St. John’s Catholic Church.

Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. On-line condolences to the family may be left at www.sbbfuneralhome.com.

December 30, 2024 – January 5, 2025

By Allison Jacobs · Sunday, December 29th, 2024 at 1:51 pm CDT
12/30/24
Weston Barton
12/30/24
Aiden Humble
12/30/24
Wayne Klopfenstein
12/30/24
Chancey Miller
12/30/24
Samantha Rosell
12/30/24
Madisyn Szewczyk
12/30/24
Mayzie Szewczyk
12/30/24
Alecia and Ron Clouse 57th anniversary
12/30/24
John and Lori Leichty anniversary
12/31/24
Blaise Milks (5)
12/31/24
Aric Alexander
12/31/24
Sharon Armstrong
12/31/24
Ann Mallams
12/31/24
April Cowan
12/31/24
Lynda Sanderson
12/31/24
Judy Warning
12/31/24
Derek & Melissa Wellington *Anniversary
12/31/24
John & Judy Warning
12/31/24
Brandon and Megan Oetken
01/01/25
Gary Thompson
01/01/25
Oat Baccam
01/01/25
Karen Noble
01/01/25
Mary Parker
01/01/25
Carole Scott
01/01/25
Quella & Jim McCain *Anniversary (64)
01/02/25
Warren Burns
01/03/25
Leonard Goettsche
01/03/25
Shawn Shroyer
01/04/25
Rick Thomas
01/04/25
Pamela Tipton
01/04/25
Kathy Menke
01/04/25
Marie Jacobsmeier
01/04/25
Jennifer Millard
01/05/25
Laura Noble
01/05/25
Christina Tipton
01/05/25
Jennifer Boyer

Foggy Conditions = Headlights While Driving!

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, December 28th, 2024 at 7:08 am CDT

Using automatic headlights in fog is generally a good idea; however, they may not always activate in foggy conditions because the light sensor might still detect enough brightness outside the vehicle.  It’s important to manually turn on your low beams and fog lights when driving in heavy fog as automatic headlights might not be sufficient in such situations.

If in doubt turn your headlights on: see and be seen!

 

HCHC Clinics: Schedule for Next Week

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, December 28th, 2024 at 7:06 am CDT

The Henry County Health Center Clinics in Mt. Pleasant, New London, Wapello and Winfield have different hours next week.  On Tuesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve), the clinics will be open from 8:00am – NOON, and will be CLOSED on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, New Year’s Day.

Scholarships Available for H.S. Seniors

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, December 28th, 2024 at 7:03 am CDT

Access Energy Cooperative has announced the availability of six $1,500 scholarships.  Qualifying High School Seniors who will be going on to post-secondary education and whose parents or legal guardians are members of the cooperative are eligible.  The application deadline is March 15, 2025, and you can visit www.accessenergycoop.com for more information.

Sports, December 28th

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, December 28th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

Taking a quick look at our conference standings as the season looks to return from a two-week hiatus, starting with the Southeast Conference (SEC).

Starting on the girls’ side, Fort Madison sits atop the SEC with a 3-0 record as they have kept all conference foes under 40 points for the season. Burlington, Keokuk, and Washington are all tied for second with 2-1 records, but the Grayhounds did pick up a last-second win against the Chiefs. Fairfield and Mt. Pleasant are still looking for their first win in conference play.

On the boys’ side, Washington is the only undefeated team in the SEC, while Fort Madison’s win over Burlington evened their records at 2-1. Keokuk defeated Fairfield, leaving the Trojans and Mt. Pleasant at the bottom of the standings looking up at 0-3.

For a full breakdown and stat leaders, follow this link: SEC Standings

Moving over to the Southeast Iowa Super Conference (SEISC), the girls’ North division is headlined by Columbus, who is 6-0 to start the year in the SEISC with five of their wins coming by double-digits. 

The boys’ North division has WACO looking to reclaim the crown after two years with a 5-0 record in conference play, including two one-possession victories. Winfield-Mt. Union is right behind with a 4-1 record.

Moving over the South Division for the boys, West Burlington is again proving to be the team to beat with an unblemished record to start the season, but threatening their top spot is Holy Trinity Catholic and Burlington Notre Dame, who have each only dropped one game. 

 For the girls’ teams of the South, Holy Trinity Catholic won’t receive any style points but the Crusaders will certainly accept a perfect conference record. Also undefeated in SEISC play is Mediapolis as the Bulldogs have five wins by 40 points or more this season. The two are set to face off on January 7th.

For a full breakdown and stat leaders, follow this link: SEISC Standings

High School Wrestling

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and Mediapolis boys’ teams will participate in the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont tournament on January 4th.  

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will host an invitational on January 2nd with New London in attendance. 

The Van Buren County boys’ team will compete at the Ottumwa Invitational on January 11th. 

WACO will compete in a dual tournament on January 4th at BGM. 

Fairfield will host a quad on January 7th with Wapello making the trip. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will travel to Highland for the Gary Curtis Invitational on January 11th. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will compete in the Megan Black Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Invitational on January 3rd. 

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will host Washington on January 9th. 

Southeastern Community College

The #20 men’s basketball team will take on Western Iowa Tech at home on January 8th with tip-off scheduled for 7 pm. 

College Football

#18 Iowa State will face off against #15 Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl today at 2:30 pm in Orlando. 

Iowa will take on #19 Missouri for the Music City Bowl on Monday, December 30th, in Nashville at 1:30 pm. 

College Basketball

The #3 Iowa State men’s team will start conference play against Colorado on Monday, December 30th, at 8 pm on the road. 

The Iowa men’s team will take on New Hampshire on Monday at 6 pm at home. 

The #22 Iowa women’s team will compete at home on Sunday, December 29th, against Purdue at 2 pm. 

The Iowa State women’s team will face off against Kansas on Wednesday, January 1st, at home at 2 pm.  

This Day in Sports History

1905 – Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States is founded. Later renamed to the NCAA.

1958 – “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” The Baltimore Colts win the 26th NFL championship against the New York Giants 23-17 at Yankee Stadium in the first ever sudden-death overtime playoff game in NFL history. 17 future members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame were involved in the game.

1975 – “The Hail Mary,” with 32 seconds left in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game, Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach throws a legendary 50-yard touchdown pass to Drew Pearson to defeat the Minnesota Vikings, and the “Hail Mary” play is born.

Anneliese Bihn

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, December 27th, 2024 at 4:08 pm CDT
Anneliese Bihn, 89, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 3:33 p.m. Thursday, December 26, 2024 at her home.
She was born on June 16, 1935 in Dohren, Germany, the daughter of Anton and  Helene (Meyer) Schene. On April 23, 1966 she married William Joseph Bihn Jr. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Quincy, Illinois.
Survivors include her son Paul Bihn; two daughters: Delores Ulbricht and Mary Batley; eight  grandchildren: Caleb, Michael, Elisabeth, Makayla, Teresa, William, Joseph, and Colton; and three great grandchildren: Matthew, Novalynn, and Charolette.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband William; and two grandchildren: Rylan Bihn; and Matthew Ackley.
Anneliese was a member of St, Boniface Catholic Church in Farmington, and the St. Boniface Altar and Rosary Society. She enjoyed crocheting, cooking, and spoiling her grandchildren.
A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2025 at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Farmington.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2025 at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Farmington with father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Fort Madison.
Memorial have been established in her memory for St. Boniface Catholic Church or Southeast Iowa Regional Home Health and Hospice
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com

Halvor Lensgraf – Pending

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, December 27th, 2024 at 3:40 pm CDT

Halvor Lensgraf, 91, of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, December 27, 2024 at his residence.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com