EL_05 1-13 - Eldora Newspapers

Obituaries
Evelyn Mooney Briden, 93
Evelyn Marie Briden, 93, of Eldora,
passed away at Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center, Iowa on
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015 while under the
care of Cedar Valley Hospice. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12,
2015 at the Community Church in Union,
Iowa. Burial followed at the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Marshalltown, Iowa. A
visitation was held one hour prior to the
funeral service at the church. Memorials
may be directed to the family. Creps-Abels
Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at
www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.
Evelyn Marie was born on December
10, 1921 in Marshall County the daughter of Elmer and Ada (Bartlett) Anselme. She attended country school near her home and later graduated from
Marshalltown High School in 1939. In July of 1939 she was united in marriage to James Benton Mooney. They lived on several farms throughout the
Marshalltown area, and while they were living in the town of Gifford, Iowa,
James was killed in car accident in 1960. Evelyn had just started working
as a cook for the Eldora Community Hospital and continued to work there
until January 31, 1971, when she married Richard C. Briden and the couple
moved to Dick’s farm near Janesville. The couple retired from farming in
1983. Richard passed away on October 2, 2009.
She was very active with the Janesville Legion Auxiliary. She had more
than 500 hours of service at the Veterans Home in Marshalltown. She was a
member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Janesville.
Evelyn enjoyed quilting, sewing, traveling and spending time with family
and friends.
Evelyn is survived by her children; Donald (Marilyn) Mooney of Gladbrook, DeLores (Robert) Vasey of Eldora, Ada Sizemore of Eldora, Ardis
Mabe of Eldora; daughter-in-law Joan Mooney of Gifford; step-children,
David (Jane) Briden of Janesville and Edna (Melvin) Haskovec of Waukon;
13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands; son, Floyd
Mooney; grandson, Eddy Sizemore; great-grandson, Mathew Platt; four
sisters, Eva Walker, Stella Wheeler, Cecelia Rosine and Nettie Leohr; one
brother, Arthur Anselme.
Robert J. Schmitz, 84
Robert J. Schmitz, 84, of Luverne, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015 surrounded by his family
at his home. Mass of Christian Burial was
Friday, Jan. 9, at 1:30 p.m., with visitation
beginning at noon, at Holy Rosary Church
in Kranzburg, South Dakota. Burial with
military honors followed in the parish cemetery. Visitation was also held Thursday,
Jan. 8 from 2-8 p.m., with a prayer service
at 7:30 p.m., at Hartquist Funeral Home
in Luverne. Arrangements are through the
Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. To
view a video tribute or sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
Robert Joseph Schmitz was born on August 21, 1930 to John and Kathreyn (Bohls) Schmitz in Codington County,
South Dakota. He was baptized at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kranzburg, South Dakota, and later confirmed in Vinton, Iowa. His farming parents
moved the family often during his youth, and Bob attended nine different
schools during the 12 years of his education. He was drafted into the United
States Army on January 8, 1952, and proudly served his country during the
Korean War. Bob was honorably discharged on September 8, 1953. Upon
his return, he went to work for the City of Independence, Iowa. In 1959 Bob
began his career with the United States Postal Service. He was united in holy
matrimony to Betty Hind at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence,
Iowa, on October 8, 1960. The couple lived in Independence and began their
family, raising four children. The family moved to Eldora, Iowa, in 1977,
and later to Sheldon, Iowa, in 1988. After 33 years with the postal service,
Bob retired in 1992. The couple moved to Lake Park, Iowa in 1998. Betty
passed away in January of 2003. Bob married Linda McGinty on August 19,
2007, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne, Minnesota. He moved to
Luverne to join Linda in 2008. On Monday, Jan. 5, 2015 Bob died peacefully
surrounded by his family at his home at the age of 84 years, four months and
15 days.
Bob was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. Over
the years he had been a member of the Catholic churches of his residence.
He also served as President of the Parish Council while the family lived in
Eldora, Iowa. He was a member of the Luverne American Legion Post 123,
and both the Rock County Sportsmen Club and the Garretson, South Dakota,
Sportsmen Club. His hobbies included shooting sports and gardening.
Bob will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Linda; his four children,
Mark Schmitz and his wife Jean Liles of Ames, Iowa, John Schmitz and his
wife Josie of Eldora, Iowa, Lisa Dingel of Knoxville, Iowa, Lori Parr of
Hillsborough, New Jersey; two step children, Julie Lanoue and her husband,
Tony of Garretson, South Dakota and Ann Pommer of Brandon, South Dakota; nine grandchildren, Brendan Porter, Kyle Porter, Brody Dingel, Jinni
Dingel, and Jonna Dingel, Mat Schmitz, Kelsey Schmitz, Liza Parr, and William Parr; four step-grandchildren, Peter Fatka, Abigail Jean Lanoue, April
(Andy) Westlake, Tara (Mike) Etheridge; two great-grandchildren, Teagan
and Riley Porter; and two step-great-grandchildren, Maxwell Westlake and
Hannah Etheridge.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty; parents, John and
Kathreyn; three sisters, Florence (Ted) Ries, Laurine (George) Mack, Edna
(Harry) Mack; and a brother, Donald (Anna Mae Luloff Hansen) Schmitz.
Legals
ORDINANCE 836
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
SECTION 17.04
OF THE ELDORA MUNICIPAL CODE
BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the
City of Eldora, Iowa:
Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to amend Section 17.04 of the Eldora
Municipal Code.
Section 2. Section 17.04(1) of the Eldora
Municipal Code is hereby amended by deleting
the present section and inserting in lieu the following:
Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of
the Council are on the first Tuesday evening of
each month in the Council Chambers at City
Hall. If such day falls on a legal holiday or on
a day when other events may conflict with the
regularly scheduled Council meeting, the meeting is held on such day as may be determined
by the Council.
Section 3. Effective Date. This ordinance
and the Eldora City Code shall be in full force
and shall take effect, from and after the adoption and publication of this ordinance.
Passed and approved by the City Council of
the City of Eldora, Iowa this 6th day of January,
2015.
James R. Brown, Mayor
SEAL:
ATTEST:
Carol Williams, Interim City Clerk
(Ledger – Jan. 13, 2015)
Public Record
Second Quarter/First Semester Data Summary – 2014-2015
by Randy Fahr
South Hardin High School
Principal
The examination of data is crucial
at South Hardin High School. The
majority of the data collected points
in a positive direction at SHHS. Listed below is a summary of the data
gathered for the first semester of this
school year.
Academics
The second quarter honor roll
showed 57 percent of students attained at least a 3.0 gpa, 33 percent
of students attained a 3.5 or higher
gpa required to be on the “A” honor
roll, and 15 students earned a 4.0
gpa. The first quarter honor roll
showed 63 percent of students attained at least a 3.0 gpa, 33 percent
of students attained a 3.5 or higher
gpa required to be on the “A” honor
roll, and 18 students earned a 4.0
gpa. These percentages are very high
and encouraging to staff, students,
and parents. Overall, 28 of 279, or
10 percent of students received a
second quarter failing grade. The
percentage of students recording
either a D or an F is also relatively
consistent with past years. However,
one negative trend we do need to
monitor is the number of these students with multiple D or F grades, as
well as attendance issues.
Numerous opportunities exist for
students wishing to explore postsecondary options at South Hardin.
Many students are already getting a
jump-start on their post-secondary
education by enrolling in one of
seven college level classes taught in
Eldora. A record 475 college credits
were earned first semester by SHHS
students. Most of these credits were
earned at classes taught at SHHS,
including; 24 students in Public
Speaking, 30 completing both Western Civilization and Psychology, 17
in English Composition I and II, 10
in Computer Systems, and five in
Math Statistics. In addition to these
students, other students are taking
Advanced Placement, on-line college level classes, and/or attending
classes on the ECC/MCC campus.
Our building goal is to continue to
strive to expand these opportunities. The 07-08 year is the benchmark year, with 69 percent of seniors earning some form of college
credit during the school year. Last
year 58 percent of SHHS seniors
graduated with some form of college
credit. Currently 63 percent of this
year’s senior class is registered for
some form of college credit. Most of
these students are registered for 15
or more hours of credit. There are
also 13 junior registrations for dual
credit courses this year. The decline
in the number of students accessing
college credit since 2008 can be tied
directly to the Senior Year Plus Act
passed in 2009, and to recent class
size caps instituted by EEC, both of
which limit student eligibility for
these opportunities.
Assessments
The Fall 2014 MAP tests were
taken in mid September by 9th, 10th
and 11th grade students. More analysis of this data is needed, especially
on an individual basis, but it is safe
to say that SHHS students overall
did very well on these tests. Each
grade level took three tests: math,
reading, and science. SHHS students
exceeded national norms on the eight
tests for which a norm comparison
is available. No norm comparison
is available on junior level science.
SHHS students greatly exceeded
yearly growth expectations in all
tests for which a growth comparison
is available. Growth comparison is
not available for freshman or junior
science. SHHS student growth was
actually double or greater than yearly growth expectations on all tests
taken. Students will take the Iowa
Assessments, which are state mandated, in mid February.
Activities
A review of first semester activities shows good numbers of students
participating, and positive experiences occurring in each activity. The
number of students participating in
vocal music remains at nearly 100
students, and the number of students
in band is similar to recent years.
Students presented two performances of the Fall Musical “Hairspray”
in early November. Two SHHS students were chosen for the All State
Music performance in late November. The music programs presented
their annual concert to the public just
prior to the holidays, and numerous
small group performances occurred
at area nursing homes and other venues. The Student Council arranged
for numerous holiday gifts for those
in need and organized the most successful can drive ever at SHHS
prior to Thanksgiving. Football, volleyball, and girls’ and boys’ Cross
Country all experienced numerous winning events, with Football
reaching the playoffs and girls cross
country qualifying for the state meet.
The Cheerleaders provided leadership throughout, in particular during
homecoming week. The South Hardin FFA continued its strong tradition of State and National involvement, with several students traveling
to Indianapolis for the National convention. Basketball, Wrestling, and
Cheerleading are all in full swing
with winning records for all teams
during the first half of the season.
The revived SHHS Dance team recently gave their first performance in
numerous years. Speech is preparing
for its competition season that begins
in January. The South Hardin FFA is
also preparing for competition at the
district level. The Academic Decathlon is preparing for their fourth year
of competition, hoping to qualify for
the state competition for the third
consecutive year.
Attendance
The first quarter of this school
year marked some of the best attendance on record, with 95.67 percent ada [average daily attendance].
However, ada dropped to 93.58 percent for quarter two. The state goal
is 95 percent ada. The first semester
of 2012-13 was the best semester
on record, at 94.99 percent ada, and
also had the best yearly total at 94.27
percent. For 2014-2015 the first semester average was 94.55 percent.
Thus, while many students excel,
there is still room for improvement
on this issue, especially for a small
group of students and families. For a
frame of reference, each percentage
point in average daily attendance is
equal to about 100 total student absences in a semester. Thus, we had
nearly 200 more absences during
the second quarter than the first, or
nearing one absence per day, per student more during the second quarter
than the first quarter. The pattern of
poorer than normal second quarter
attendance has repeated itself for
several years. During this year’s
second quarter, 40 SHHS students
[15 percent] had perfect attendance
and 168 [61 percent] had no reported incidents of tardiness. Of these
students, 29 [11 percent] had both
perfect attendance and no reported
tardiness. For comparison, during
this year’s first quarter 68 SHHS
students [25 percent] had perfect attendance and 192 [69 percent] had
no reported incidents of tardiness.
Of these students, 57 [20 percent]
had both perfect attendance and no
reported tardiness. For the semester,
19 SHHS students [7 percent] had
perfect attendance and 128 [45 percent] had no reported incidents of
tardiness. Of these 19 students, 18
had both perfect attendance and no
reported tardiness. For the semester, 57 percent of SHHS students
were in attendance 95 percent of the
time and another 30 percent were
above 90 percent attendance. Of the
remaining 36 [13 percent] SHHS
students, 27 were absent just below
the 90 percent figure and 8 of the 27
had life events that made all of their
absences explainable. Nine of the 36
students have more significant issues, with an ada below 85 percent.
While some of their absences are legitimate, many are questionable. All
of these families received letters and
contacts in accordance with our at-
Easy as A, B, See!
Dr. Dan R. Dye
Optometrist
Eldora
641-939-2020
students. The type of discipline dealt
with at school seems to have shifted
from traditional issues [swearing,
argument with teachers or other students] to issues mostly related to students refusing to do homework, or in
some cases, even having a willingness to do any work while at school.
We did encounter an increase in
classroom discipline issues, mostly
with freshman, during quarter one,
but that has been managed and returned to a normal level. It is highly
likely the change in discipline issues
is connected with MVP. MVP stands
for Mentors in Violence Prevention,
which is a gender violence, bullying, and school violence prevention
program that encourages young men
and women to take on leadership
roles in their schools and communities. SHHS is in the third year of this
program. Mentors had specific training last spring, this summer, and this
fall to prepare for this task. A variety
of mentors and student leaders have
attended anti-bullying and leadership conferences this year, including; MVP mentor training in August,
the Ed Thomas leadership training in
early October, and the Hall of Pride
training in October.
Christmas Greetings commission
Bethany Broer, left, with the Eldora New Providence Elementary School Art Department takes the kids’ share of the
proceeds from this year’s Christmas Greetings project. Every
season the Eldora Newspapers and the kids work together to
fashion ad-greetings for participating businesses who support the campaign. The children earn the school some money,
this
year a$170,
which
always goes
to the art department
for
Losing
friend
or relative
is devastating.
The
projects.
Eldora
Newspapers
ad
director
Pam
Warren,
right,
sadness can truly overwhelm you. We can’t
made the presentation.
A Time of Loss
take away your pain, but we hope to make
things a little easier for you. Our professional
staff will be sensitive to all your needs.
Eldora Library
eldora – Here’s some events Toddler time is each Tuesday at
coming up at the library. January 10 a.m. Preschool storytime is each
26 will be the Imagination Library Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.
bridge game (all levels) fundraiser New Books: Cold Cold Heart by
starting at 1 p.m., February 8 will be Tami Hoag and The Gin & Chowder
Joy
Fisher’s
bodybuilder
storyIAat 2 Club by Nan Rossiter. Check the on905
Edgington,
Eldora,
p.m., 641-858-2181
February 9 the Material Girls line catalog hot list for all new titles.
Quilt
Club meets at 7 p.m., and Feb- Regular hours: Monday, Wedneswww.abelsfuneralhomes.com
“Professionals
Care”
ruary 14 features a Valentine’s Day day
9 a.m. to 8Who
p.m.;
Tuesday, Thursparty for fourth and fifth grade stu- day, Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdents at noon (lunch and show, res- day 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
9/19, 10/17, 11/14, 12/12/06, 1/9/07
ervations required, call ahead 939- Trivia Question: Martha
2173). All events are free except for Stewart has a basic hot chocolate
the Imagination Library fundraiser recipe. In addition to milk there are
costing $5, which goes towards the three more ingredients. What are
purchase of books for young chil- those three ingredients? The answer
dren in the Eldora area.
can be found on the classified page.
Creps - Abels Funeral Home
and Monuments
#1
The Mystery of Life
Creps - Abels Funeral Home
“Clear Vision begins with
healthy eyes”
Ackley
641-847-2183
Callusatoneofour
twolocations
Run every other Tuesday
tendance policy, and many absences
were labeled as unexcused. There are
encouraging statistics existing within a study of tardiness. During the
second quarter 168, or 61 percent of
students were never reported tardy.
35 percent of the students had only
one or two instances of tardiness.
Only 12 students had more than three
instances of tardiness. Eight students
have more than three. Those eight
students combined for 44 instances
of tardiness. For the semester, 128,
or 47 percent of students were never
tardy and another 28 percent were
tardy only once. Many first block
absences and tardy instances would
have been excused by the family in
previous years. However, the new
attendance policy overrides parental excuses in numerous situations,
causing these students to often serve
detention time.
Discipline
Discipline figures for the first
semester were encouraging overall,
and continue to run close to record
low levels, as they have in almost all
areas for the past three years. Truancy is the obvious exception. However, truancy incidents revolve around
a very small and select subgroup of
We never really know what lies ahead.
Life’s twists and turns promise new
challenges. Sometimes life’s mysteries
leave us asking, “Why?”
We understand these struggles, and
we’re here to help when you need it.
• Diagnosis & Treatment of Eye Diseases
• Complete Family Vision Care
• Contact Lenses • Children’s Vision
Email addresses at Eldora Newspapers
Advertising – ads@eldoranewspaper.com
Editor – editor@eldoranewspaper.com
General Manager/Sports – sports@eldoranewspaper.com
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015 • page 5
2x3
and Monuments
905 Edgington, Eldora, IA
Chad Johnson, Funeral Director
641-858-2181
www.abelsfuneralhomes.com
“Professionals Who Care”
#3 2x6