Celebrating North Iowa-area engagements, weddings, anniversaries and birthdays
We’re excited to celebrate your achievements.
The Cerro Gordo County Republican Party has new leadership.
Julie Watson Billings, of Clear Lake, was elected chair on Feb. 8 to replace the outgoing Barbara Hovland.
Other newly elected board members include Scott Miller, of Clear Lake, as co-chair; Don O’Connor, of Mason City, as treasurer; and Jan Groff as secretary of the committee.
Billings has been a central committee member since 2016 and a delegate.
Miller has dedicated service to the community as a long-time Rotarian and most recently as president of the North Iowa Fair Board.
O'Connor started attending central committee meetings in 2018 and has been a register Republican his entire adult life.
Groff served as a volunteer at the local GOP Victory Office last year.
You can follow the committee on its Facebook page, Cerro Gordo Iowa GOP.
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin
Dixie Lee Kraft
Carolyn King
From Sharon and Richard Kloberdanz
Happy Anniversary Ron and Karen Knudtson
From the Family of Gordon Morse
Congratulations Aden Stroup
Happy Anniversary Jerry and Arlene Christensen
Congratulations Britta Elsbernd
Prayer to St. Expedite
Congratulations Matthew Craighton
Thank you to Heritage Care and Rehabilitation Center
Happy Birthday Marion Mahony Griffin
The Charles City Lions Club is holding a public contest to design a new flag to represent the community. The winning design(s) will receive up to $250, and will be on public display in the park for the foreseeable future.
In celebration of its 100th anniversary, the Lions Club replaced the old single flag pole memorial in Central Park this past year with a larger, 3-pole memorial complete with landscaping, surrounding pavers and benches. The U.S. and Iowa flags will be displayed on two of the poles, but the third is being reserved for a new Charles City flag.
Anyone can enter the flag design contest, with entries to be accepted through March 12, 2021. All entries must include a color design, preferably on an 8.5”-by-11” sheet of paper, as well as the entrant’s name, address, phone number, email address (optional), a description of the flag colors and why, along with an explanation of what your flag design signifies. There is a $5 entry fee required with each entry, made payable to Community Revitalization which is working with the Lions Club on this project.
There is no limit to how many entries an individual or group may submit. Entries should be dropped off in a sealed envelope or mailed to the Community Revitalization office at 401 North Main St., Charles City IA 50616. You can also email pdf formats to info@charlescitychamber.com. All entries must be received by 5 p.m. on, or postmarked by, March 12.
Once the entries are all received, a committee of community representatives will sort through and select its top five designs. Those will then be displayed in the windows at 401 North Main St. for the public to view over the course of one week and vote for their favorites by emailing their choices to info@charlescitychamber.com. The selection committee will then tabulate the votes and consider them in choosing the winning design(s). The new Charles City flag will then be unveiled at the flag pole memorial ceremony in the park on May 3.
For more information, please contact Community Revitalization at (641) 228-2335 or email the address above.
The Lifelong Learning Institute at North Iowa Area Community College will start the spring semester off with a kickoff event and a chance to meet new members, potential members, and faculty.
NIACC President Steve Schulz and Darshini Jayawardena, director of the Lifelong Learning Institute, will host a coffee on Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. in the Muse Norris Conference Center at NIACC. There will also be an option to attend online.
Spring classes will be discussed and faculty introduced. Anyone interested in learning more about Lifelong Learning Institute classes and opportunities is encouraged to call 641-422-4358 to register, free of charge, for the spring kickoff. This semester, a new format will be introduced. While the conference center will be limited to a 50 percent capacity, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy coffee in their own homes while virtually attending the event. When registering, you can indicate which method of participation will be most comfortable for you.
Several new classes will be introduced in the subject areas of history, literature, and culture and cooking. The first day of classes will begin on Feb. 18. Registration can take place at any time throughout the semester.
Membership and registration in the Institute requires a yearly fee of $99, which allows a member to register for any or all classes for two consecutive semesters without additional tuition. The spring semester is from February - June and the fall semester is from September- December. Each semester offers more than 30 classes to choose from.
Lutheran Services in Iowa will host a virtual information session for Iowans interested in making a positive impact for individuals with disabilities.
The information session will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 16, with two time options from noon to 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7 p.m. It will be presented by LSI’s Host Homes program, supporting Iowans with disabilities who thrive with more one-on-one care. The session is open to anyone across the state who is interested in learning more about the program.
By moving into a private family home with a specifically-selected “mentor,” individuals in this program will receive more personalized care than others who find success in supported group living. The information session will focus on how Iowans can become a mentor.
Those interested in attending the virtual session can register at LSIowa.info/HH0221. More information on the Host Homes program is also available at LSIowa.org/HostHomes.
Clear Lake Bank & Trust announces the promotion of three employees.
Mackenzee Ebeling has transitioned from her role as customer service supervisor in the Clear Lake location to a personal banker working in the Mason City West location. Ebeling started with CLB&T in 2016 as a customer service representative and was promoted to customer service supervisor in 2017.
Ashley Pieper has been promoted to personal banker/teller position in the Garner location. She will be dedicating half of her time as a personal banker, along with her teller operation supervisor duties. Pieper came to CLB&T nearly three years ago, where she was a personal banker/teller at a different bank.
Jessica Story was promoted from teller to senior teller in the Garner location. Story started her career with CLB&T in 2018.
Founded in 1934, Clear Lake Bank and Trust Company is a locally owned, full-service bank with four offices in Clear Lake, Garner, and Mason City.
Young Construction has hired Kativa Weitzel as the company’s marketing manager. Weitzel will be responsible for increasing brand awareness, implementing marketing strategies, and enhancing the YC Cares program.
Weitzel was previously the program director and band festival coordinator at the Mason City Chamber of Commerce. She is a Mason City native, who holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in event management and graduated cum laude.
Since 2001 Young Construction has been specializing in residential roofs, new construction roofs, re-roofing, preventative maintenance and roof repairs. Our team is also skilled in siding, gutters, windows, and insulation.
Happy Birthday Betty Janssen Hermanson
Happy Anniversary Danny & Lois Knudtson
Thank You from the Family of Mark Everett
Happy Anniversary Alvin and Phyllis Opkis
The University of Northern Iowa announced its fall 2020 graduates.
The following North Iowa students received degrees. NOTE: A * preceding a name indicates "graduated with honors," ** means "graduated with high honors," and *** means "graduated with highest honors"
Britt
*Bailey Eisenman, Bachelor of Arts Physical Education; Maria Gonzalez, Bachelor of Arts Movement & Exercise Science.
Charles City
Alexis Clough, Bachelor of Arts Elementary Education; Regan Connell, Bachelor of Arts General Studies; *** Brady Girkin, Bachelor of Arts Elementary Education; *** Kennedi Lipke, Bachelor of Arts Family Services; Cassidy Flory, Bachelor of Arts Gerontology: Social Sciences.
Forest City
*Cheyanne Chapin, Bachelor of Music Music Education; Sarah Nelson, Master of Arts Counseling;
Garner
Kayla Stoychoff, Bachelor of Arts Art
Kanawha
Victor Martinez, Bachelor of Arts Communication
Mason City
Kaylah Godfrey, Master of Arts Speech-Language Pathology; *Kennidy Kemna, Bachelor of Arts Elementary Education; Ashley Klouse, Bachelor of Arts Elementary Education;
Mitchell
Courtney Huebsch, Bachelor of Arts History
Nora Springs
Noah Harris, Bachelor of Arts Comm/PR; Grace Shanks, Bachelor of Arts Elementary Education.
Osage
Brett Barker, Bachelor of Arts Management; Thatcher Goodale, Bachelor of Arts Middle Level Science Teaching Dual; Joslyn Perrin, Bachelor of Arts Management; Jacob Roalfs, Bachelor of Arts Psychology
Rockford
*** Fallon Marth, Bachelor of Arts Elementary Education
Saint Ansgar
Grace Heimer, Bachelor of Arts Marketing;
Ventura
David Cook, Bachelor of Arts Movement & Exercise Science
Ventura, IA Chase Theobald
Bachelor of Arts Finance: Financial Management
Real Estate
Wesley, IA ** Landen Studer
Bachelor of Arts Accounting
Mercy College of Health Sciences released the names of its December 2020 graduates.
Mercy College is the only Catholic college in Central Iowa and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The following students earned degrees: Rachel Enright, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Tiara Van Gerpen, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, both of Garner; Cody Elphic, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, of Hampton; Samuel Sharp, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, of Parkersburg.
United Way of North Central Iowa has appointed Michael Green of Arkema as the board president and Jenna Sheriff of Jane Fischer and Associates as vice president.
Green and Sheriff will be joined by new board members Tammy Hertzel from Hosmer Honda & Hosmer Toyota, Marc Younge of Clear Lake Bank and Trust, Amber Hill from IMP, and Alicia Weaver from Prestige Estate Services.
Jeannette Adamski of Mercy Medical Center joins as the new Community Impact chair and Kara Ruge of Clear Lake Bank and Trust will continue to serve as past president.
For more information about United Way of North Central Iowa or if you wish to volunteer, please contact us at 641-423-1774 or visit our website at www.unitedwaynci.org.
Diana Symonds of McQuaid Agency has been installed as 2021 president of the Greater Mason City Board of Realtors and Mason City Multiple Listing Service.
The oath of office ceremony was conducted virtually through Zoom web-conference.
Other GMCBOR Board of Directors members installed were:
• Jenna Sherriff, vice president, affiliated with Jane Fischer & Associates LLC, Mason City.
• Jennifer Ramaeker, secretary/treasurer, affiliated with River City Iowa Realty, Mason City.
• Ryan Ketelsen, 1st year director, affiliated with Century 21 Preferred, Mason City.
• Troy Hanson, past president, affiliated with EXIT Realty, Mason City.
GMCBOR serves more than 100 area Realtors, appraisers, and affiliated businesses in the North Iowa area.
The University of Northern Iowa released the names of the students on its fall semester Dean's List.
To be included on the list, a student must have earned a grade point of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, while taking at least 12 hours of graded work during the semester.
Students from the following communities were honored:
Britt
Maria Gonzalez, Sydney Householder, Alyssa Tegtmeyer
Charles City
Ashlyn Bauer, McKayla Cole, Marissa Deeter, Allyson Effle, Autumn Gerber, Samantha Heyer, Kara Hoffman, Karissa Jensen, Tangela Jensen, Morgan Kellogg, Justin Knutson, Derek LaBarge, Kennedi Lipke, Nicole Loftus, Nolan Loftus, Abby Milligan, Kristyn Pellymonter, Payton Reams, Jalissa Snyder, Ciana Sonberg, Adam Stewart, Rachel Sullivan, Genevieve Wandro, Mackenzie Wilson, Isaac Wink, Sierra Wyborny.
Clear Lake
McGuire Adams, Jarod Anderson, Ashley Archer, Carter Backhaus, Katie Boehnke, Isaac Branstad, Ashlin Cooper, Riley Drewelow, Drew Enke, Erica Griffen, Kennedy Kallenbach, Abigail Kraft, Elizabeth LaKose, Torian Lee, Nicholas Matthews, Katelyn Moore, Hunter Nielsen, Carter Olk, Jared Penning, Stephanie Penning, Trevor Penning, Kristina Peterson, Mitchell Raber, KaraAnn Reineke, Lucy Schmidt, Andrew Stevenson, Madison Wendel, Sean Wendel, Savannah Williams, Reva Winkelman.
Forest City
Caleb Barker, Treyton Blaser, Darrylle Bruns, Avery Busta, Sarri Happel, Sarah Hovinga, Lyndee Jones, Kelsey Koch, Micaiah Krutsinger, Spenser Larson, Jessa Loges, Sydney Olson, Gabriel Staudt, Ryan Theel, Vanessa Van Slyke.
Garner
Breanna Billings, Ray Cataldo, Samuel Childress, Candie Cueva, Madeline Hinz, Emily Howke, Ryan Meyers, Tyler Obermann, Abigail Riley, Cherrice Risius, Colton Schroeder, Alaina Scott, Macey Spilman, Jacqueline Van Oort.
Kensett
Kaylee Parks, Cole Willert
Manly
Nathan Cordle, Madison Daily, Kathleen O'Keefe, Aricka Oppman, Kelli Wilson
Mason City
Avery Allen, Robert Beery, Sarah Betz, Cassey Bly, Daisy Boehmer, Madison Braun, Paige Braun, Marcus Buttweiler, Trevor Carr, Bria Crooks, Andrew Deets, Sydney Eaton, Ayanna Eckblad, Lily Fabian, Anthony Fitzgerald, HayleyJo Fransen, Jessalyn Frenz, Brianna Grooters, Samira Haberman, Isaac Hackman, Maranda Harrison, Abby Ihlenfeldt, Samuel Lala, Richard Latham, Stephanie Lau, Natalie Lindsay, Kathleen Lorence, Molly Lorence, Kaylee Meyer, Ryan Mulkey, Rebecca Munson, Heather Nelsen, Peyton Paulson, Sarah Penn, Luke Peterson, Jimmy Pham, Taylor Pruisman, Abigail Read, Thomas Rowe, Grace Sanchez-Gannett, Sydney Shatek, Rylie Smith, Beau Stubbe, Xander Tierney, Adisyn Walker, Kelsey Walswick, Allison Wilson.
Nora Springs
Noah Harris, Ava Shafer, Erin Smith
Northwood
Coltn Benson, Allissa Carman, Mackenzie Costello, Paige DeArmoun, Josie Einertson, Kailey Eskildsen, Emily Follmuth, Jamie Steinman, Ethan Welch, Lucas Pistek.
Osage
Joan Grimm, Nicholas Hoppel, Noah Krabbe, Annmari Milbrandt, Erin Miller, McKenzie Mohl, Hanna Mullenbach, Matthew Olson, Megan Schmidt, Coryssa Tucke.
Plymouth
Zander Ketchum, Sunni Martin, Katlynn Roney
Rockford
Kelsey Andersen, Haleigh Reicks, Christina Susk
Rockwell
Kennedy Maske
Saint Ansgar
Siera Henaman, Hannah Patterson, John Patterson, Julie Rogerson, Ryan Wagner, Abigail Wold
Ventura
James Betz, Matthew Heinemann, Carlie Knutson, Abigail Sokol, Robert Storbeck.
Clear Lake Bank & Trust, along with Lamont Financial Group, has promoted Ivy Pruisman.
A Clear Lake native and graduate of University of Northern Iowa, Pruisman has returned to Clear Lake and recently earned her title as Wealth Advisor at Lamont Financial Group, an investment center within Clear Lake Bank & Trust. After a year of studying for and passing her license & insurance exams and researching the industry, she is now accepting new investment clients.
Founded in 1934, Clear Lake Bank and Trust Company is a locally owned, full-service bank with four offices in Clear Lake, Garner and Mason City.
Mount Mercy University has released its Dean's List for the fall semester.
Mount Mercy offers baccalaureate and graduate education to 1,800+ enrolled students.
The following students were honored: Samantha Doughan, of Britt; Macy Ross, of Charles City; Molly Jenkins, of Osage; Courtney Hoffman, of Shell Rock.
Allen College has released its Dean's List for the fall semester.
Bachelor’s and sssociate’s students named to the Dean’s List must complete at least 12 semester hours and achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or above.
Allen College is Iowa’s second-largest college of nursing.
The following local students were honored: Kaylee Millard-Maulsby, of Clear Lake; Joslin Dillavou and Halle Hickman, both of Forest City; Dustin Schlawin, of Garner; Hannah Faklor, of Mason City; Tegan Cotter, of Northwood; Taylor Spitz and Ellen Witt, both of Osage; Alli Arndt, of Sheffield.
Happy Birthday Leroy Francis Olson!
Thank You from Earl Opheim
Happy Birthday Dorothy Oppermann!
Happy Birthday Mickey O'Connell!
Happy Birthday Dolores Brunsvold Hanna!
Lutheran Services in Iowa was recently awarded $5,000 from First Citizens Bank to support LSI Early Childhood Services in Cerro Gordo and Floyd counties.
The programming connects families with an LSI parent educator, who provides guidance and support for raising children in a safe, loving home. Parents are also connected to important resources in their community, including affordable housing, job training, food pantries, and more. This service is provided at no cost to Cerro Gordo and Floyd counties' families and is available for parents until their child is five years old.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, LSI home visits have been provided virtually, with families receiving digital resources or contactless delivery of important items.
LSI is one of Iowa’s largest human services agencies that provides child abuse prevention, services for families and youth in crisis, services for people with disabilities, and refugee services. To learn more, visit LSIowa.org. Join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/LSI.iowa.
Thank You from Mick Maassen
Thank You from The Family of James Polsdofer
