Once again, thanks for all you do keeping our class together.
In response to your retirement query, I think the most important thing you can do is keep busy with something, part time work, hobby- etc. I have been retired since 2013 and thought I would keep busy playing golf. I didn’t realize the 110 degree heat in Phoenix wouldn’t be that much fun to play in…hence our move to the 5300 ft elevation in Prescott.
As you know, I did return to coaching runners in 2016 at Embry Riddle University but got tired of the covid B.S. and re-retired in 2020. I helped out as a volunteer this summer and early fall at Embry Riddle again with pre-season training but they hired a full time assistant coach so I stepped down and am back on the links!
I am learning to work on old cars, have a ’55 Ford and a ’28 Model A that I am “practicing on”. Our son is a mechanic so he can fix anything I screw up! Tami (Thompson ’78) and I also spend quite a bit of time at our cabin near the Grand Canyon as well as spoiling our two grandkids.
Life is good! And, after 34 years working in the public sector, the best thing I can say about retirement is that you don’t have to be nice any more to people you can’t stand!!!
Doris Lucille Barnes, 94, died Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at Mercy Hospital following a short illness.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM, Monday, July 19, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Iowa City, with Father Stephen Witt officiating. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 AM, Monday, prior to the Mass. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Coralville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s Church or Iowa City Hospice.
Doris was born on May 24, 1927, in Oxford, the daughter of Robert and Helen (Klein) Meade. She was a graduate of Cosgrove High School, attended Mt. Mercy College and received an associate degree from Kirkwood Community College.
Doris married Albert L. Barnes, Sr. on January 27, 1946, in Clinton, Iowa. They resided in Oxford until 1960 when they moved to Coralville.
Doris was employed in data input at ACT, retiring in 2011. She was a member of St. Mary’s Church, the Iowa City Women’s Bowling League, and the Coralville American Legion Auxiliary.
Doris enjoyed knitting and time spent with her family. She was proud to reside in and be a part of the Coralville community. Doris recently rode in the Coralville July 4th parade.
Doris is survived by her six children, Al Barnes (Lori Schultz) of Sunrise Beach, MO, John (Marianne) Barnes of Swisher, Bonnie (Guy) McFarland of Iowa City, Jim (Jan) Barnes of Riverside, Deb (Bob) Rogers of Iowa City, and Kevin (Lisa) Barnes of Iowa City; 15 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren; her siblings, Thelma Kolar of Oxford, Jane Dostal of Grinnell, and Bob (Lee) Meade of Oxford.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, 4 grandchildren, and her sister, Miriam.
Well, I’ve been on a whirlwind trip to Colorado Springs and back – 17 days by my Rav 4. My son was rear ended last late October. He wasn’t feeling up to par and decided to continue some therapy with a chiropractor. After 4 months of seeing him and not feeling any better, and in fact worse, he requested an MRI. The doctor who was caring for him said OK.
Well, the MRI didn’t happen after nearly 40 days and Mike complained royally. The doctor basically said, well, 2 out of 3 problems fixed isn’t all that bad, just resume your normal activities and you’ll probably feel better. Mike did, and on May 3 called me crying in pain, saying his left leg had collapsed under him, he was on the floor, dragging himself to the front door to unlock it so he could get to the ER somehow – by EMS/ambulance or a friend. He said mom, you need to come out.
Mom and I packed our bags and off we went in my Rav 4 to Colorado. We arrived by noon on the 5th. Mike couldn’t walk at all on the left leg and was using crutches and was in a lot of pain and very disoriented. First thing I did was get his meds, put alarms in his phone for what he was to take when, how much and with or without food. 24 hours later he was a very different person already. I couldn’t believe it. I’m sure us being there was part of it, but he wasn’t taking good care of himself due to the amount of pain he was in.
I had picked up a deluxe air mattress on the way because I knew he didn’t own a bed, he sleeps in a hammock. Well, 18″ off the floor wasn’t good for mom at 86 and I had to gait belt her and get her to her feet each time she needed to get up for any reason, which was sometimes four times a night. That wasn’t working after several nights, including getting her up from his low couch, so I rented a firm recliner and a queen bed and a frame. That saved us both!
Long story short, a week later I had to take him to the ER and he ended up having emergency surgery – a discectomy, where they shave bone upper and lower and then trim the herniated disc. The procedure took 35 minutes, and the next day when I went to sit with him until released, when I got to the hospital, he was walking the hallway with a walker with the PT person. I stood there and cried. I never dreamed he would be walking by the time we had to leave.
He’s been unemployed since November, so I did a lot for him while there. Got him a different pair of crutches that works better for him and easier on his arm pits, a shower stool, an office chair since he couldn’t use his balance ball, a tall swivel chair with padded seat and back for sitting at the kitchen counter to prep foods or at the stove to cook, filled his freezer with meats and vegies, and cleaned his apartment and took care of him until he was good to be on his own. All he can’t do is laundry because of the bending. He’s got BLT regulations, no bending, lifting or twisting. His neighbor is taking his garbage out for him. He sees the surgeon Tuesday again, an attorney Wednesday for negligence with the chiropractor who told him to resume and never got the MRI, and another attorney Friday who was working his case from the person who rear ended him back in October. I’m just glad he’s walking and will get better with a lot of PT in his future, some for life.
Because of covid and many other things, we hadn’t seen him for 2 years and 4 months, so it was long overdue. He hated to see us leave, but yesterday he sent me a photo of a kitty – he got a kitty from the shelter and is feeling better mentally and emotionally. It’s very lovey dovey and he’s thrilled to own a cat again. He makes rent and groceries refurbishing Wii machines which he can still do, thank goodness.
My mom celebrated her 87th birthday out there. God bless her – she did better than I expected, but has a long haul of getting some strength back now that we are home 17 days later. If anyone would have said I was going to Colorado at the end of a pandemic, I would have said they were crazy – if they said I was driving it I’d say they were nuts, and if they said I was taking my 87 year old mother with me, I’d call them insane. It sure challenged me in many ways but we made it and Mike is on the road to recovery. Many blessings to be grateful for. Feel free to post. I’m exhausted yet and just taking good care of myself this week until I get my senses back from it all. What a whirlwind!!!
Glad Isaiah has so much support – it’s so important.
Matthew J. Stasi, 58 of Austin, Minnesota passed away on May 17, 2021 after a battle with cancer.
Matthew James Stasi was born on July 27, 1962, in Oelwein Iowa, the son of John and Norma Stasi. On June 30, 1984, Matt married Kristi Scott at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Iowa City, Iowa.
Matt earned his degree from the University of Iowa in Industrial Engineering and started his career with Hormel Foods in January 1985. He worked for Hormel 36 years as an Industrial Engineer, Manager, and then Director of the Industrial Engineering Department.
Matt was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin. He served on the parish council and he and Kristi participated in a pilgrimage to Italy in 2019. Matt was also a member of the YMCA where he loved to workout and served as a board member for 8+ years.
In addition, he was a member of the Austin Country Club where he spent many hours playing golf with his family and friends. Matt loved Hawkeye sports as well as the Chicago Bears, Cubs, and Blackhawks. However, Matt’s true passion was pheasant hunting. He was introduced to pheasant hunting by his brother, John, and spent nearly every fall weekend since then hunting from dusk to dawn with a pit stop at Casey’s for pizza.
Matt is survived by his wife, Kristi; three children, Courtney (Zach) Lundquist, Jordan Stasi (fiancée Natalie Pascutoi), Lauren Stasi (fiancé Andrew Huff), and grandson, Haakon Lundquist; father, John Stasi; siblings, Mark (Renee) Stasi, John (Lori) Stasi, Ann (Stephen) Phillips, Amy (Bob) Forte, Jennifer (Dennis) Beaver, Jacqueline (Matt) Kienzle.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Norma Stasi, and father-in-law, Richard Scott.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 21st at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father James Steffes officiating. Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Augustine Catholic Church, Pheasants Forever, and the Austin YMCA.
David Bruce Hackmann, 91, of Iowa City, went home to be with his Savior Friday, May 7, 2021. A memorial service will be held at Good News Bible Church, Iowa City, June 17, 2021 at 10:30 A.M. with fellowship to follow. Private burial will be held in Unity Cemetery in rural Iowa City.
David was born June 22, 1929 to Gustav and Carrie (Freiburghaus) Hackmann in West Union, Iowa. He grew up in Clermont and moved to Maywood, Illinois during the Depression. He graduated from Elmhurst College and Denver Seminary. On July 10, 1954, he married Barbara Jean Robinson. Following seminary, he worked for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association as part of the Executive Committee (1958-68) while also pastoring in Minneapolis. He was recruited by NCS/Pearson, where he worked until being called back to the pastorate in 1971. He pastored Parkview Evangelical Free Church (then in Coralville). In 1973, he became the founding pastor of Good News Bible Church of Iowa City, serving from 1973-1997. He retired to Maine, where he built his own log house and continued to pastor various churches. He returned to Iowa City in 2014.
David and Barbara loved camping and traveling and visited 49 of the 50 states, and 19 foreign countries. He loved all things mechanical and technological and was an avid woodworker. Living in Maine, David became a rabid New England Patriots fan. However, his greatest passion was to share Jesus Christ with everyone he met.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Rosemarie and two grandsons. He is survived by his wife Barbara, children Daniel Hackmann (Marion), Cynthia Johnston, Carol Arch (Chris), and Sara Arnold, 19 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
Memorial gifts may be directed to the Good News Bible Church Building Fund or Samaritan’s Purse. To share a thought, memory or condolence with his family please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.
Vera “Dayle” Martin, age 94 formerly of Coralville and North Liberty died peacefully on March 4, 2021 at Rehabilitation Center of Hampton in Hampton, Iowa
Private family services are planned for May 3rd at 1pm with burial to take place at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. These services may be viewed by family and friends through the livestreaming feature on the funeral home website at Dayle’s page under obituary. Donations in Dayle’s name can be made directly to MercyOne North Iowa Hospice, 232 2nd Street SE, Mason City IA 50401 To share a thought, memory or condolence with Dayle’s family please visit the funeral home website.
Vera Dayle Martin was born December 28, 1926, in Sweetland Township of Muscatine County, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph S. and Lois R. (Darting) Martin. Following graduation from Columbus Junction High School in 1945, Dayle attended nursing school in Grand Island Nebraska. Later she worked at the Sheaffer Pen Company in Mt. Pleasant.
After her marriage to Donald Martin in 1947 the growing family lived in Mt. Pleasant then later in Des Moines County. Following the birth of the 3 children, the family relocated to North Liberty where they constructed a home on West Cherry Street. In 1984 Donald, Dayle and daughter Jane moved to Coralville where they built a home on 18th Avenue. In 1987, Dayle retired from Procter & Gamble after 23 years.
After Dayle and Donald raised their children they enjoyed more time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After retirement, Dayle volunteered at the Johnson County Senior Center for several years. She was a regular at the nearby recreation center in Coralville for swimming and exercises. Dayle was known as an avid flower and vegetable gardener. Likewise her expert cooking was a big attraction for family events she hosted.
Her mastery of complex board games and puzzles was legendary. Dayle revived her talents for arts and crafts. She completed and distributed a book of her lifetime of memories dedicated to her parents. Dayle was an out-going and energetic member of her community and active in her church. She was among a group of parents who successfully promoted educational services for Jane and other disabled children when none existed in Johnson County.
Increasingly, Dayle cared for her husband and daughter at home until Donald’s 2005 move to Lantern Park Care Center and Jane’s 2006 death. In 2008 Dayle moved nearby to independent living in Coralville. In 2011 she relocated to Hampton where she resided until her death.
Dayle is survived by her children, Dan Martin (Deb), Gaye Janssen (Rick), 5 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and brother Bill Martin (Elaine).
Dayle was preceded in death by Donald, her husband of 63 years, her daughter Jane, 6 sisters and their spouses, 1 infant sister, 2 brothers and their spouses, her parents and one grandson-in-law
Brian MacQueen passed suddenly this week at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City surrounded by his family and friends. It was a peaceful, graceful departure in keeping with Brian’s beautiful heart and deep spiritual confidence in the Life Eternal. He was 63 years old.
Brian was the youngest of six children of Dr JC MacQueen and Gertrude MacQueen, both longtime residents of Iowa City. He grew up in Iowa City graduating from West High School as class president in 1976 and then graduated from the University of Iowa in Theatre in 1980. Brian worked for the Transcendental Meditation movement in Washington DC with his wife Kristel Bach who he married in 1982. They later divorced. For years, on his own time Brian wrote, designed, directed, produced, and engineered a number of radio plays that were featured on National Public Radio playhouse as well as his charming children’s radio show “Chip the Squirrel” written for his beloved nephew Will. For this work at NPR, Brian received an International Award for Radio Theatre, an achievement he was understandably very proud of.
Brian also trained as a paramedic and served in that capacity for some years before being accepted to the Yale School of Drama where he graduated with an MFA in Technical Design in 2000.
Brian worked in a number of prominent theatre houses around the country as head sound designer and teacher until he returned to teach at Yale for a few years. After Yale, he went to South Korea to teach at Dongguk University in Seoul. He was an outstanding teacher and deeply loved by his students for his passionate interest in the development of their artistic skills. He taught from a level of enthusiasm and encouragement.
In 2009 Brian generously returned to Iowa City to help care for his aging parents until their deaths and then moved to Fairfield Iowa where he became Technical Director at the Sondheim Center. He then began a journey of cycles of poor health from which he would miraculously recover, determined to carry on with his life and work much to the amazement of his family and friends. The last few years of his life were filled by his theatre work at the Walton Performing Arts Facility in Fayetteville, Ark., the Coralville Arts Center, caregiving jobs in Fairfield, and his deep participation in the life of his family. He had just been rehired at the Sondheim Center when he became ill for the last time.
Endowed with great humor, a brilliant mind and creative genius, Brian was always a standout personality and we will miss him in all the large and small ways he touched us. Brian loved kayaking, biking, reading (especially Shakespeare) and celebrations of all kinds. He was a tender-hearted person who always sought to protect the feelings of others and lived deeply from his spiritual life that was a more private miracle that shown on those of us near him.
Brian leaves a bereaved family: Jennifer (Doug) Hamilton of Fairfield, Debra (Stephen) MacQueen of Kneeland California, John (Nancy) MacQueen of Palm Springs, California, Susan MacQueen of Davenport Iowa. Nephews/nieces: Will (Lizzy) Hamilton of Fairfield, Mila Hamilton of Minneapolis, MN, Dr John (Lori) Hartman of Bettendorf, IA, and Gabriel (Reiko) Hartman of Davenport, IA and six great nieces/nephews. He was preceded in death by his oldest sister Candace MacQueen and his parents.
Donations in Brian’s name can be made to the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center in Fairfield Iowa.
Joan Overholser Houghton, 96, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, January 23, 2021 surrounded by her family.
Joan was born August 2, 1924 in Red Oak, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph and Alice (Sprague) Overholser. At age 13, she won the Iowa State spelling contest correctly spelling words such as “syzygy” and “phthisis”, going on to compete in the National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. where she met and shook hands with FDR.
She is a graduate of Red Oak High School, attending Cornell College through her sophomore year. She transferred to the University of Iowa where she received her bachelor’s degree in journalism, serving as assistant editor of the Daily Iowan, a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board, the president of Theta Sigma Phi, and a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.
On September 12, 1946 Joan married Clark “Bud” Houghton in Red Oak. The couple moved to Iowa City following Bud’s graduation from Iowa Law School and acceptance of a position with First National Bank. Joan’s four children were her pride and joy: Steve, Connie, Jim and Cathy. She supported them during their educational years and cheered them on in their sports and extracurricular activities.
Joan was a 75-year member of the First United Methodist Church. She was also a 75-year member of PEO Chapter HI, for which she served as president.
Joan was a strong believer in volunteer work and lived out that passion at Mercy and University Hospitals. She also served as President of University Club, playing hostess and greeter for many functions. For many years Joan was the UNICEF coordinator for card sales in Iowa City and she was so proud of the support they could offer children around the world.
She enjoyed playing golf, tennis, dancing, reading, laughing, and socializing with her bridge club friends. Most of all, she loved vacationing at their rustic family cottage in Door County, Wisconsin on Lake Michigan. Joan appreciated the small things in life: a sunset, the beauty of nature, and giggling uncontrollably at a fun game of charades or a family “Gong Show”.
In her later years as a widow, she moved to Melrose Meadows Retirement Community in Iowa City. Great affection was evident for the caretakers who tended to Joan, especially Sue Chase who was her loyal attendant for many years. During her 80’s and 90’s she enjoyed writing essays on her computer expressing her opinions and sharing memories through the years. These were printed in 3 books which were distributed to her friends and family.
But most important of all to Joan were her 4 children and their spouses: Steve and Leora Houghton, Connie and Bill Nelson, Jim and Judy Houghton, Cathy Miller and John Miller; her 13 grandchildren: Cari (Bob) Everhart, Jeff (Michelle) Houghton, Jon (Annie) Houghton, Scott Houghton (Charissa Laisy); Alissa (Jim) Struble, Krista (Shaun) Arnold, Brad (Kelsey) Nelson; David Houghton, Laura Houghton, Heather Houghton; Kyle (Daniela) Miller, Bryan Miller, Carolyn Miller; and 17 great-grandchildren: Ella, Cole, and Oscar Everhart; Kylie, Nick, Raelyn, and Lucy Houghton; Elias and Rew Houghton; Lydia, Colette, Brynn, and Alex Struble; Will and Linnea Arnold; and, Berit and Ingrid Nelson.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bud of 57 years; her grandson, David Houghton; and her brother Richard Overholser.
I’ve attached a couple of photos. My granddaughter, Kairi, who will be 18 months soon. Her baby brother will be born Feb. 5th by C section – that is also the date my Tom and my best friend of 44 years, Jan Riley Morton (also classmate) passed away. It will be nice to have 3 wonderful lives to celebrate that day, especially one being a birth!
Ruth and Kairi
Chris and family only wanted baby stuff, so the tree was surrounded with big packages of cases of diapers and wipes and garage sale bargain clothing for both kids. Our Christmas together was a week ago. We video chatted with Mike in Colorado for an hour and 10 minutes today and opened presents to one another during the video chat.
Ruth Noth’s Christmas Tree
Brought Mom’s favorite painting upstairs and hung it in her bedroom. She lost her mother at age 11 and poppies were her mother’s favorite. Mom was pretty touched to have it closer by her. She’s 86 1/2 and as you know, has lived with me now 3 years. Glad she’s here in more ways than one!!!
Mom and her Poppies
Take care dear friend. Momma and I have been alone as well, but it’s been a great day.
