Lucille Roth Swartzendruber

By Yorke Prough · Monday, November 20th, 2023 at 9:43 am CDT

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.

Leo Haines – Pending

By Yorke Prough · Monday, November 20th, 2023 at 7:56 am CDT

Leo E. Haines, 60, of Brighton passed away on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

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

Vehicle Rollover and Fire

By Yorke Prough · Monday, November 20th, 2023 at 6:43 am CDT

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.

Sports, November 20th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, November 20th, 2023 at 6:30 am CDT

Girls’ High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant will open their season with a road matchup against Pella tomorrow, November 21st. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will have the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

Mediapolis will travel to compete against Danville tomorrow at 6 pm. 

New London will host Calamus-Wheatland tomorrow at 6 pm. 

Central Lee and Winfield-Mt. Union competed in a close matchup over the weekend and despite being outscored 11 to 6 in the fourth quarter, the Wolves walked away with a 27-26 victory. Jayden Mueller led the way with 7 points for the Hawks. Winfield-Mt. Union will take on Lone Tree tomorrow at 6 pm in a road matchup. Central Lee will take on Mediapolis on November 28th on the road. 

WACO will open up conference play against Pekin tomorrow in a road matchup at 7:30 pm. 

Holy Trinity Catholic fell to Keokuk over the weekend 64-27. The Crusaders will take on WACO on November 27th in a road matchup at 6 pm. 

Van Buren County will host Cardinal on November 27th at 6 pm to begin their season. 

The boys’ basketball season will officially begin on November 27th. 

High School Wrestling

Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union competed at the Wilton Tournament over the weekend, finishing in 7th place. Quinn Smith, in the 130-pound weight class, Dakota Smith, in the 145-pound weight class, and Jada Moats, in the 190-pound weight class, all finished in third place for their respective weight classes. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will compete in an Invitational on November 27th at Fort Madison. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team’s next meet will be December 2nd at a tournament hosted by Wapello. 

WACO traveled to BGM over the weekend and was led by Rylee Rice’s first place finish for the 110-pound weight class. Elyssa Graber grabbed second place for the 105-pound weight class and Macy Bonebrake also took second place for the 190-pound weight class. 

The WACO girls’ team will compete tonight in a tournament hosted by West Liberty. 

College Football

Iowa State University held #7 Texas to just six points in the first half, but the Longhorns eventually found their stride to spoil the Cyclones’ senior night 26-16. Rocco Becht threw for 323 yards and two touchdowns, but the run game managed only nine yards. The Cyclones will end the regular season on Saturday, November 25th, against Kansas State in a road matchup at 7 pm. 

#20 Iowa has punched their ticket to the Big 10 championship after defeating Illinois 15-13 over the weekend to claim the West Division title. Kaleb Johnson rushed for a touchdown, while Deacon Hill tossed for 167 yards and a score in the winning effort. The defense has been unstoppable since their loss to Penn State, allowing just 9.7 points per game in their last seven games. The Hawkeyes will play on Friday, November 24th, at 11 am at Nebraska.  

For the Hawkeye broadcast, tune in to KILJ 105.5 FM. For the Cyclone broadcast, tune in to KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130.

College Basketball

The Iowa State men’s team is now 4-0 on the season after dismantling Grambling State yesterday 92-37. The Cyclones had five players finish with double-digit points with Tamin Lipsey leading the team with 17 points. Iowa State’s next game will be a Thanksgiving showdown against VCU in a road matchup at 4:30 pm. 

The Iowa State women’s team will host Southern tonight at 6:30 pm.

The #2 Iowa women’s team took down Drake yesterday 113-90. Caitlin Clark finished with a double-double, 35 points and 10 assists, while Kate Martin added another 25 points to the winning effort. The Hawkeyes will compete in the Gulf Coast Showcase on Friday, November 24th, at 6:30 pm against Purdue-Fort Wayne. 

The Iowa men’s team will face off against Oklahoma on Thursday, November 23rd, at 2 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1934 – Busher Jackson becomes  the first player in NHL history to score four goals in a period, notching all four in the third period of a 5–2 victory over the St. Louis Eagles.

1969 – Pelé scores his 1,000th goal.

1988 – The inaugural Emerald Isle Classic was held at Lansdowne Road in Dublin with a crowd of 42,524 in attendance. It featured a 2–7 Boston College team beat the 8–1 Army Black Knights, 38–24. The first major college football game played in Europe.

Documents Uncovered at Iowa Wesleyan Cause Community to Panic

By Yorke Prough · Monday, November 20th, 2023 at 6:06 am CDT

The closing of a business can impact many individuals in multiple different ways. The closing of a college that has been a staple in a small community for over 180 years? That can be devastating.  Iowa Wesleyan closed its doors for good in May, and as expected, it has taken many creative brains to help resident’s move on.

One way they did that is my opening up the college to “community days” which granted people the opportunity to enter some of the historical buildings one final time and walk around, reminiscing on days gone by. It is not that community members were only allowed to walk around. No, they were allowed to take home a souvenir to keep.

These community days yielded great success, with many returning to their homes with items that benefited them. Some took home mattresses, other desks, and few were lucky enough to become the new owner of a filing cabinet. Issues arose, however, when it was discovered that private information had been stored inside.

The problem is being attacked by the authorities, and it seems like this scary situation is soon to be resolved. Mt. Pleasant Chief of Police, Lyle Murray, commented “It’s being addressed and resolved. Everyone has been cooperative and helping.”

One of the great brains who has been working tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition for a town now without a college, Doug Moore, also offers words of reassurance. “They have been recovered. That’s all for now.” The people can rest knowing that the proper measures are being taken to protect these documents.

Arson in Winfield

By Yorke Prough · Monday, November 20th, 2023 at 6:01 am CDT

The Winfield Police Department responded to a house fire on Saturday, November 18th, at 4:56pm. After investigation by the State Fire Marshall, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, and the Winfield Police Department, an arrest was made.

Matthew W. Hesseltine of Crawfordsville was arrested and charged with Arson, Theft, Trespass, and Criminal Mischief. Reports suggest that the house, located at 100 Block N Olive St, was empty as the owner passed away earlier this month.

Mt. Union Fire and Rescue, Olds Fire and Rescue, Winfield Fire and Rescue, and Winfield Fire Department also responded to help fight this fire.

November 20, 2023 – November 26, 2023

By Allison Jacobs · Sunday, November 19th, 2023 at 4:48 pm CDT
11/20/23
Patricia Carson
11/20/23
Logan Dingman
11/20/23
Emily Jacobs
11/21/23
Marlin Ford
11/21/23
Michelle Krogmeier
11/21/23
Jo Wiegel
11/21/23
Makenzie Church
11/22/23
Melissa Crew
11/23/23
Rachel Litwiller
11/23/23
Rick Williamson
11/23/23
Alicia Whalen
11/23/23
Traci Spenner
11/24/23
Martha Mabeus
11/24/23
Kirk McPheron
11/25/23
Chad Fraise
11/25/23
Kathy Moothart
11/25/23
Mike & Kathy Moothart *Anniversary
11/25/23
Marilyn Scott
11/25/23
Kirsten Smith
11/25/23
Steve Murphy
11/25/23
Oden Rose
11/26/23
Larry Crill
11/26/23
Sam Reipi

Prep Wrestling: District Assignments for Postseason Wrestling

By Slaten Swords · Sunday, November 19th, 2023 at 1:03 pm CDT

IHSAA– The Iowa High School Athletic Association released the district assignments for the upcoming season. The board also approved changes to individual postseason by expanding the state tournament to 24 qualifiers for weight class in each classification and eliminating sectional tournaments. 

In Class 1A, WACO, New London, and Wapello will be competing in district 12, which will be hosted by Wilton. 

Van Buren County will be wrestling in district 8, hosted by Pleasantville. 

For Class 2A, Fairfield will be hosting district 3 with Burlington Notre Dame, Keokuk, Mediapolis, and Mt. Pleasant all competing.

Washington will be wrestling in district 12, which is hosted by Williamsburg. 

For Class 3A, Burlington and Fort Madison will be wrestling at Bettendorf for district 2. 

For Class 1A and Class 2A, the top two place-winners at each weight class will advance to state and for Class 3A it will be the top three place-winners. The district tournaments are scheduled for February 10th.