At 5:04 pm on November 16, 2023. The Burlington Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire at 217 Barret St. Burlington, IA. 52601. Burlington firefighters arrived approximately four minutes later and located flames showing from a second-story window.
217 Barret St. Is owned by Trenton Furnald who was not home at the time of this incident. Mr. Furnalds dog was rescued from the fire and taken to the local animal shelter. The residence had no working smoke or carbon monoxide alarms present.
The property was insured and damage is being assessed at this time.
At 1:57 am on November 17, 2023, Burlington firefighters responded back to 217 Barret St., and arrived approximately four minutes later to find flames showing from a second-story window. At the time of this fire, there were no occupants inside.
Ten firefighters responded to the initial alarm. Burlington Fire Department was assisted by West Burlington Fire Department, Burlington Police Department, and Alliant Energy and Gas.
There were no reported injuries by civilians or firefighters.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Additional information relating to this incident will be made available by the Fire Marshal.
Kenneth C. Burden, 94, of New London passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.
Friends may call at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant on Friday, November 24, 2023 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.. A private family graveside service will be held with full military honors. A memorial has been established in his memory to the White Oak Cemetery.
Dolores Jean Witte, 89, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 9:55 p.m. Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington, Iowa.
She was born on July 16, 1934, in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of Glenn C. and Juanita L. (Bailey) Poland. On February 8, 1953, she married Robert B. Witte at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fort Madison, Iowa.
Survivors include her two sons: Mike Witte of Fort Madison, Iowa, Greg (Nancy) Witte of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; two daughters: Diana (Bill) Hawkins of Nebraska, Becky (Lloyd) Fraise of West Point, Iowa; seven grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; two sisters: Karen Belcher of West Burlington, Iowa and Bev Myllo of Oklahoma. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Robert; brothers: Chuck Poland, Clarence Poland; sisters: Carol Brissey, Marilyn McGinity, Joy Brown and Shirley Poland.
Dolores was a member of Joy Baptist Church in Fort Madison. She worked at Sylvanas, Benners Groceries, Bruns Meat Market and B&D seamless Gutters.
A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at Joy Baptist Church in Fort Madison.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at Joy Baptist Church in Fort Madison with Reverend Earl Beal officiating.
Burial will be at Claypoole Cemetery rural Fort Madison, Iowa.
Memorials have been established in her memory for Joy Baptist Church or West Point Fire and Rescue.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
Everybody has different pass times that they look forward to. Some enjoy watching football in the crisp fall air, others flock to concert halls to enjoy live music, and some find themselves listening to political candidates. Presidential candidates often make Iowa their second home as they go town-to-town in an attempt to win over voters. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is just one county shy of visiting all 99 in Iowa, and he spent the weekend in the Hawkeye state.
Supporters gathered in Ottumwa on Saturday afternoon to listen to the candidate speak on a variety of issues. While his wife, Casey, addressed the crown, Ron played football with his son in the parking lot. He recently received the endorsement of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, which many think will propel his campaign forward. He mentioned multiple times during his visit to Vine Coffee Shop that Iowa is a great state and has a great Governor.
One of the main current issues he discussed was education in our country, and how he believes certain schools indoctrinate children. “Universities should not be about indoctrination; they should be about education.” This was received by loud applause.
It’s hard to think about 2033, yet Governor DeSantis asked the crowd to picture his farewell address after two-terms of presidency. He wants to be able to say that the United States of America will be a sovereign nation once again, and that the government works alongside we the people. He rounded it off by quoting Ronald Reagan Farewell Adress, “[I]n my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here.” Ron DeSantis believes it is our responsibility to carry this torch, and we should not pass up the opportunity.
Governor DeSantis reminded constituents in attendance that Former President Trump is restricted to just four years, since he already served one term. “It’s a low reward because he’s (Donald Trump) gonna be a lame duck on day one.”
Burlington/West Burlington Area United Way has launched it’s Inaugural United in Service Scholarship. This is a distinctive opportunity for high school seniors demonstrating exceptional commitment to community service. This scholarship aims to recognize and support up to five individuals who have made a positive impact through their dedicated volunteerism.
The award ranges between $500 and $2500, and the application deadline is January 31, 2024. Henry County students are eligible for this scholarship. For more information, visit burlingtoniauntiedway.org/united-in-service-scholarship.
Lucille Elizabeth (Roth) Swartzendruber was born on May 25, 1929 in the family home near Wayland, Iowa and died on September 24, 2023 at Schowalter Villa, Hesston, Kansas. Lucille was the 9th child of Ben R. and Mary Roth. She attended the country school located in the Roth neighborhood, known as Douglas and from there, graduated from 8th grade. Unlike any of her siblings, she was determined to continue her education by attending Wayland High School, graduating in 1946. Following graduation, she attended a summer course at Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls, IA, earning a temporary teaching certificate and then taught one year of country school at Douglas, her alma mater.
She married Edwin Swartzendruber, a friend from church, on June 6, 1948, on the lawn of her parents’ home. They were married for 55 years and lived nearly their entire married life, farming in Henry County, Iowa. In 1982 they moved to Olds, Iowa where they resided until relocating to Hesston, Kansas in 2003. In 1980, Lucille opened the Coffee Cup Café in Olds, Iowa, and remained in the restaurant business for 14 years until her retirement in 1994. Lucille and Edwin were lifetime members of the Sugar Creek Mennonite Church where they were involved in numerous activities and leadership positions. Following Edwin’s passing in 2003, Lucille continued to be active at Whitestone Mennonite Church, Hesston, Kansas. Lucille and Edwin were blessed with 3 daughters: Connie Sue (married to David Ganger) Elkhart, Indiana, Donna Jean (married to Dick Swartzendruber) Wellman, Iowa and Debra Ann (married to Clark Roth) Hesston, Kansas. Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, all eight of her siblings, and two infant grandchildren. Lucille is survived by her three daughters, 7 grandchildren: Michael Ganger, Amy Drayfahl, Kip Ganger, Rachel S. Miller, Alex Roth, Eyan Roth, Garrett Roth. And 14 great-grandchildren: Jackson, Carson, Halle, Oliver, Cannon, Sadie, Cade, Hannah, Ames, Emmitt, Preston, Treyton, Lucy, Kollyns. She was known as Aunt Lucille to forty-four nieces and nephews.
Graveside service will take place at 9:00 am at the Sugar Creek Cemetery, Wayland, Iowa, on Saturday, November 25, 2023, followed by a time to greet the family at the Sugar Creek Mennonite Fellowship Hall from 9:30 – 11:00 am. Memorial donations may be made to the Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund, 200 W. Cedar, Hesston, KS 67062.
The Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory in Mount Pleasant is in charge of local arrangements.
There was a motor vehicle accident on Saturday afternoon which involved a rollover. At 2:35pm on November 18th, at 270th St and Benton Avenue, a multiple vehicle accident occurred. Multiple occupants were involved, and the vehicle caught fire. A multitude of agencies responded, including Mt. Pleasant Fire and Rescue, Henry County Health Center, Henry County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol. There is no further information released at this moment.
