Candi Thompson, Mary Morgan, Carrie Dideriksen, Becky Bonker, Dana Tews, Patrick Moylan, Dave Carstens, Robyn VanZee, Kathleen Chalfant and Colette Keith.
Special to the Times Vedette
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 124 Guthrie Center presented a $750 check on June 10 for the Brushy Creek Honor Flight golf fundraiser.
Special to the Times Vedette
Panora Masonic Lodge No. 121 awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Ryan Cogil, a senior at Panorama High School who will be attending John Deere Tech program at Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar. This is a two-year program, and on its completion, Cogil will have earned John Deere’s Level 2 Certification for hydraulics, electrical and service advisor.
Members of the 2024 Guthrie Center Lions Club. Front row: Shawna Nelson, Steve Smith, Joe Hanner, Kristen Crouthamel, Diane Flanery, Kelly Bast, Bill Sheeder, Mark Benton, George Hemmen and Darwin Hughes. Back row: Rex Schoonover, Chris Stipe, Dennis Flanery, Dwayne Seeck, Dale Behrends, Larry Brandt, Josh Rasmussen, Ed Wright, Roger Underwood, Gary Rees, Mike Underwood, Barry Monaghan and Kris Langgaard.
By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette
The Guthrie Center Lions celebrated on June 10 to recognize 100 years of service. The event was held at the Events Center at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds and honored many people and organizations.
The program for the evening was presided over by the club president, Joe Hanner, and included a welcome by Guthrie Center Mayor Mike Herbert, as well as recognition of Leo members, other clubs in attendance, past presidents and years of service awards. Mary Porter provided history on the club, and Ardie Klemish of Anita was the keynote speaker.
Chris Stipe was officially installed by Dawn Goodsell as a new member.
The Indianola Noon Lions Club, which was sponsored by the Guthrie Center Club, presented a $500 donation to the fundraising efforts for the evening.
Becky Wahl provided updates on the Little Charger Early Learning Center, which was the recipient of the funds raised during the program. Dennis Flanery presided over numerous fundraising efforts for the evening and shared the names of the winners of the contests.
The Guthrie Center Lions Club was founded on June 16, 1924, and was sponsored by the Audubon Lions Club. It was officially chartered during a dinner meeting held in the basement of the Presbyterian Church. The original charter listed 26 members with F.W. Vorhies installed as the first president.
The 100th Anniversary Committee included Kris Langgaard (chairman), Joe Hanner, Steve Smith, Dennis Flanery, Diane Flanery, Kristen Crouthamel and Rex Schoonover.
Officers and board members for 2023-2024 are Joe Hanner (president), Kris Langgaard (first vice president), Josh Rasmussen (second vice president), Kelly Bast (third vice president), Kristen Crouthamel (secretary), Mike Underwood (treasurer), Ed Wright (co-tail twister), Roger Underwood (co-tail twister), Gary Rees (lion tamer), Steve Smith (immediate past president and director), Barry Monaghan (director), Darwin Hughes (director) and Ed Wright (director).
The club has a longstanding tradition of supporting causes including youth programs, diabetes education and awareness, and sight conservation.
The Guthrie Center Lions meet the second Monday of each month at noon at either the Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church or First Christian Church. New members are welcome. Reach out to any Lion for more information or email guthriecenterlionsclub@gmail.com.
Board members and officers of the 2024 Guthrie Center Lions Club. Front row, Mike Underwood, Kristen Crouthamel, Joe Hanner, Kris Langgaard and Josh Rasmussen. Back row: Barry Monaghan, Steve Smith, Ed Wright and Darwin Hughes. Darwin Hughes was recognized for 55 years of service in the Guthrie Center Lions Club. John Akers, president of the Indianola Noon Lions Club, presented a plaque and a check for $500 to Joe Hanner in recognition of the club’s 100-year anniversary and to support the fundraising efforts. Dennis Flanery received a “Perfect Attendance” award from President Joe Hanner. Mike Underwood, Steve Smith, Rex Schoonover and Gary Rees received awards for years of service from President Joe Hanner. Chris Stipe and Mike Underwood Pat Subbert and Pat Clayton Brian Sauser, Josh Rasmussen, Tandem Eischeid and Kelsey Eischeid
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the regular meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors on June 11, the supervisors discussed appropriating funds to the various departments for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. It was noted that the supervisors have generally appropriated 50% of the funds to each department before the start of each fiscal year, and then in November, the remaining 50% has been appropriated.
Supervisor Mike Dickson suggested using that formula for all departments except the Sheriff’s department. For that department, he suggested appropriating the first 25% now, and then checking in again in the fall.
“I am thinking just 25% for the Sheriff’s department,” Dickson said.
Supervisor Steve Smith asked about the rationale behind this change.
“It really puts it back on us, as well, to make sure that when we do appropriate a certain percentage of funds that we are helping the departments across the board to stay within that range,” Supervisor Maggie Armstrong said.
Supervisor Brian Johnson shared his opinion that he doesn’t like singling out a specific department.
“This is the only power we have, the power of the purse,” Dickson said. “We have asked for documents from that department, and we don’t get them.”
Supervisor Steve Smith shared that he could agree to Dickson’s motion but feels the board must be prepared to treat other departments in the same way when necessary, in order to be equitable.
“I don’t think we’re in an equitable situation right now,” Armstrong said.
After discussion, the supervisors voted to approve the appropriations as suggested in Dickson’s motion. Brian Johnson was the sole vote against.
Agenda item No. 9 involved a possible land donation of a parcel owned by Norma Stetzel. The supervisors voted to table the matter.
The supervisors canvassed the June 4 primary election results.
The next regular meeting of the supervisors will be Tuesday, June 18. The public is welcome. Attendees may participate in person or by calling 323-792-6123 and inputting conference ID 547029216#.
1933-2024
Effie Dorothea Wristen, known affectionately as Dorothea to her friends and family, passed away peacefully from natural causes on June 9, 2024, in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Born on Sept. 16, 1933, in Linden, Dallas County, Iowa, to the late Jennie Parton Knapp and Carl Knapp, Dorothea’s life was a tapestry woven with love, dedication and a passion for the simple joys of life.
Dorothea’s journey began in the heartland of Iowa, where she was raised on a century farm that would shape her love for nature and the outdoors. Her formative years in Linden were marked by the strong bonds she formed with her family, who remember her as a spirited and thoughtful presence in their lives.
Throughout her life, Dorothea was known for her culinary talents, which she shared generously with those around her. Her career included stints as a cook at the former Oscar Mayer plant in Perry and at the police academy in Des Moines. Dorothea’s delectable treats were the highlight of family gatherings, and her knack for creating warmth and community around the dinner table was unparalleled.
Dorothea was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She is survived by her son-in-law, Dave Shelley; daughter, Gina DeLong; granddaughter, Nicole Ford; granddaughter, Shaelynn Shelley; and her brother and sister-in-law, George and Judy Knapp. She was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Audrey Knapp; her sister, Joan Pottroff; and her ex-husband, Robert Wristen. Her legacy will also live on through her numerous nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews, who will forever cherish her memory.
Dorothea’s interests were as varied as they were heartfelt. In her later years, she relocated to Sierra Vista to live with her niece, where she became the beloved lap of special needs and foster cats and dogs. Her recliner by the window became her sanctuary, a place where she could indulge in her love for the natural world, observing the beauty of the yard with its trees, flowers, birds, and the antics of an ornery squirrel. Dorothea’s caregivers often marveled at her keen eyesight and remarkable memory, as she meticulously counted and reported on the various avian visitors, with a particular fondness for the cardinals, pyrrhuloxia, and the numerous hummingbirds that frequented her view.
The words that best describe Dorothea are spirited, thoughtful and gentle. Her spirit was a beacon of joy and kindness, touching the lives of all who knew her. She approached life with a thoughtfulness that endeared her to many, always taking the time to listen, to care, and to offer a helping hand. Her gentle demeanor was a testament to her inner strength and grace, qualities that remained with her until her final days.
Graveside services will be 3 p.m., Sunday, June 16, 2024, at West Linn Cemetery, near Linden. Visitation will be Sunday, June 16, 2024, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora.