Stories from Wednesday, December 29, 2010

For Dickinson County and the Iowa Great Lakes region, 2010 was definitely filled with many triumphs and a little tragedy, it included a great number of individual accomplishments and some incredible teams feats. While '10 was another great year in the realm of sports, here are 10 of the moments that stood out...

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is the goal that many strive to achieve. But sometimes, it can become an uphill battle. Take for example former Emmetsburg wrestling coach and current Iowa Lakes Housing Coordinator Bob Roethler. For him, it became a lifelong goal to achieve...

TOP STORY OF 2010 : OPERATION 'BROKEN ARROW' 'Broken Arrow' investigation culminates in county, results in charges against 25 individuals COMPILED BY ANDREA KEMP FROM DCN REPORTS A multi-agency undercover drug investigation culminating in more than 50 felony charges against 25 individuals in the Lakes area sent shock waves through the community in the spring of 2010...

Spirit Lake's Donovan named 'Honorary Colonel' for Branstad Inauguration Vergene Donovan of Spirit Lake is one of 26 individuals or couples listed as Honorary Colonels of the Militia and the 2011 Inaugural Committee. Throughout history, Honorary Colonels have been described as: "...individuals...always highly respected in their community; capable, honest and willing people who could not turn down a request for assistance at any time that their state, nation, or liberty was threatened."...

To lead in to this column, I'm going to have a start with a few confessions. First, to me, there are few small thrills in life on par with that of a McKeen's cheeseburger. Next, my affinity for hanging on to leftovers is the stuff of legends. Those two facts being spilled, it will come as no surprise to you, surely, that when I arrived back at my apartment after my Christmas weekend with the family, I opened my fridge, and was confronted with the odor that can only come from that perfectly fermented, long-forgotten leftover.. ...

Gary and Arlys Schuett of Sioux Valley, Minn., will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Dec. 30. Well wishes can be sent to them at 38616 720th St., Lakefield, MN 56150.

They gave selflessly of their time to benefit the community in areas including local leadership, nature preservation, and youth athletics. This week, The Dickinson County News picked five of the many notable figures who left us in 2010. Their impact will last well beyond the end of the calendar, through their commitment to their communities, families and friends....

July 25, 1949 -- Dec. 17, 2010 Funeral services for Sheri Best, 61, of Spirit Lake, were held Friday, Dec. 17, 2010 at the Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Sheri Ann Best was born July 25, 1949 in Carroll, the daughter of Jerome Best and Erma Ridgeway. In 1967, she graduated from Boone High School where she was a cheerleader...

March 14, 1940 -- Dec. 20, 2010 Joel Evan Skaar, 70, a former Ironworker and Boilermaker who was a member of Spirit Life Fellowship Church in Spirit Lake since moving to the area in 1993, passed away on Monday, Dec. 20, 2010 at Lakes Regional Hospital...

Jan. 31, 1935 - Dec. 22, 2010 Richard Hansmann was born on Jan. 31, 1935, in rural George on the family farm. He was the son of Ludwig and Minnie (Althaus) Hansmann. He was baptized in 1935 and confirmed in his faith on April 10, 1949. He lived his youth in rural George, where he attended country schools. He served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1963 and was honorably discharged. He received his GED while he was in the service...

March 24, 1925 -- Dec. 22, 2010 Mary Burgers, 85, of Hawarden passed away Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 at the Hudson Healthcare Center. A memorial service was held Monday Dec. 27, at 9:30 a.m. at the Carmel Reformed Church of rural Rock Valley with interment to follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. The Rev. Mark Heijerman officiated...

Oct. 1, 1951 - Dec. 22, 2010 A funeral service for Jerry Hentges, 59, of Spirit Lake, was held Monday, Dec. 27, 2010 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. Burial was at St. Margaret's Cemetery in Spirit Lake. Jerome Francis Hentges was born October 1, 1951 in Waterloo, the son of Francis Jerome Hentges and Myrna Mae Costigan. ...

Sept. 5, 1916 - Dec. 22, 2010 Harold U. Dirks, age 94, of Spirit Lake, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake. He was born on Sept. 5, 1916, in Palmer, to Dick and Gretchen (Aherns) Dirks. Harold was united in marriage on Aug. 2, 1941, in southeast Iowa. He and Florence worked all of their lives farming. When Harold was not farming, he enjoyed fishing and working on clocks and radios...

Nov. 28, 1934 - Dec. 21, 2010 Elaine Joan Wacker, the daughter of Harry and Nora (Holtgrewe) Tesch, was born Nov. 28, 1934, in Paullina. Elaine passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 21, at the age of 76. She was baptized on Dec. 9, 1934 at the Evangelical St. John's Lutheran Church in Paullina and confirmed on May 16, 1948 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Paullina. Elaine graduated from Primghar High School in 1952...

Jan. 3, 1915 - Dec. 23, 2010 A funeral service for Dale Lundstrom, 95, of Spirit Lake was held Monday, Dec. 27 at the Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Burial was at Memory Gardens in Spirit Lake. Dale Allen Lundstrom was born in the Loon Lake area of Jackson County, Minn., on Jan. 3, 1915, to Alfred and Mable Lundstrom...

July 10, 1919 -- Dec. 23, 2010 Funeral services for Allan McClain were held Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010 at the United Methodist Church in Lake Park. Burial was at the Silver Lake Cemetery in Lake Park. Allan Willard McClain was born July 10, 1919 in Parkston, S.D. ...