Celebrating North Iowa-area engagements, weddings, anniversaries and birthdays

Jul 22, 2021
Jul 22, 2021 Updated Jul 22, 2021

We’re excited to celebrate your achievements.

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North Iowa students graduate University of Northern Iowa

Jaci Smith
Jul 19, 2021

New alumni were added to the roster of graduates of the University of Northern Iowa recently.

The following North Iowa students graduated as part of the spring Class of 2021. An * indicates graduate with honors, ** graduate with high honors, and *** graduate with highest honors:

CHARLES CITY: Monique Concepcion, Bachelor of Arts Communication; Allyson Effle, Bachelor of Arts Communication Disorders; ** Karissa Jensen, Bachelor of Arts Psychology; Morgan Kellogg, Bachelor of Arts Communication Disorders; Hannah Menken, Bachelor of Arts Family Services; * Abby Milligan, Bachelor of Arts Graphic Design; Madison Moothart, Bachelor of Arts Family Services; Rachel Page, Master of Arts in Education Elementary Education; Kristyn Pellymonter; Bachelor of Arts Psychology; Jalissa Snyder, Bachelor of Arts Philosophy Study of Religion; Adam Stewart, Bachelor of Arts Marketing: Sales Management.

CLEAR LAKE: Genevieve Wandro, Bachelor of Arts Communication; Sarah Enke, Master of Social Work; ***Abigail Kraft, Bachelor of Arts English Teaching; Torian Lee, Bachelor of Arts Elementary Education; Kristina Peterson, Bachelor of Arts Graphic Design.

FOREST CITY: Samantha Rodningen, Bachelor of Arts Psychology; Darrylle Bruns, Bachelor of Arts Art; Chet Chapin, Bachelor of Science Technology and Engineering Education; Sarri Happel, Bachelor of Arts Movement and Exercise Science; Sydney Olson, Bachelor of Arts Social Work; Emmalee Swanson, Bachelor of Arts Social Work; Vanessa Van Slyke, Bachelor of Arts English.

GARNER: ** Candie Cueva, Bachelor of Arts English Teaching; Kyle Hansen, Bachelor of Arts Finance; Colton Schroeder, Bachelor of Arts Movement and Exercise Science.

HAMPTON: Taylor Baltes, Bachelor of Arts Management; Mikyla Rodriguez, Bachelor of Arts Social Science Teaching; Alexander Sackville, Bachelor of Arts History.

LAKE MILLS: Autumn Lauen, Bachelor of Arts Computer Science; Samantha Soni, Bachelor of Arts Marketing.

MANLY: Kathleen O'Keefe, Bachelor of Arts Family Services; ** Kelli Wilson, Bachelor of Arts Elementary Education;

MASON CITY: Kathryn Baltierra, Bachelor of Arts Supply Chain Management; Trevor Carr, Bachelor of Arts Criminology and Criminal Justice; Andrew Dolphin, Bachelor of Arts Physical Education-Teaching; Sydney Eaton, Bachelor of Arts Biology; Benjamin Faktor, Bachelor of Arts Movement and Exercise Science; Isaac Hackman, Bachelor of Arts Marketing; Samuel Lala, Bachelor of Arts Earth Science; Morgan Leider, Master of Arts in Education Elementary Education; Valerie Linderman, Master of Social Work; Luke Peterson, Bachelor of Arts Criminology and Criminal Justice; Jimmy Pham, Bachelor of Liberal Studies; ** Abigail Read, Bachelor of Arts Communication/Public Relations: Special Events; Carter Roberts, Bachelor of Arts Movement and Exercise Science: Exercise Science; Thomas Rowe, Bachelor of Arts Management: Business Administration; Nebraska Thorson, Bachelor of Science Manufacturing Engineering Technology: Metal Casting; Xander Tierney, Bachelor of Arts Management: Business Administration.

MITCHELL: Bailey Johanns, Bachelor of Arts Marketing: Sales Management.

NORTHWOOD: Emily Christianson, Bachelor of Arts Psychology; ***Mackenzie Costello, Bachelor of Arts Biology; Kailey Eskildsen, Bachelor of Arts Early Childhood Education; Miranda Stambaugh, Bachelor of Arts Management: Business Administration.

OSAGE: Hayden Halbach, Bachelor of Arts Biology; Nicholas Hoppel, Bachelor of Arts Communication: Digital Media Production; Annmari Milbrandt, Bachelor of Arts Marketing: Sales Management; ***Taylor Spitz, Bachelor of Arts Individual Studies.

ST ANSGAR: ***Julie Rogerson, Bachelor of Arts Elementary Education; Holbrook Schutjer, Bachelor of Arts Finance: Financial Management.

VENTURA: Carlie Knutson, Bachelor of Arts Biology; Shelby Rayhons, Master of Arts Speech-Language Pathology.

Iowa State University spring semester dean's list

Jaci Smith
Updated Jul 19, 2021

CORRECTION: This list has been changed to add in several communities that were not part of the initial press release.

Iowa State University recently released its spring semester dean's list.

Students named to the Dean's List must have earned a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded coursework.

The following North Iowa students were honored:

BELMOND: Alexander Michael Buseman, Stefany Ann Naranjo, Kobe Joseph Negrete, Colby Owen Schumann, Isaac Zane Sorenson, and Allison Mae Wessels.

BRITT: Keifer James Carlson, Anna Kay Chizek, Marissa Kate Eekhoff, Riley Rachael Hiscocks, Ryleigh Breanne Hudspeth, and Sydney Lynn Hudspeth.

CHARLES CITY: Michael Anthony Andrews, Emilee J. Bilharz, Jennifer Abigail Buehler, Alec Daniel Elsbernd, Cassandra Alexis Foxen, Jackson Robert Friedrich, Joseph Andrew Hansen, Cade Hemesath, Dylan Troy Koresh, Leis Lauterbach, Jenna R. Page, Isaiah Jay Tilton, Carter James West and Isabelle Jane Worrall.

CLEAR LAKE: Jacob Alan Baalson, Josiah Robert Bartlett, Lewis J. Callaway, Luke R. Eggers, Nicholas Michael Eggers, Madison Taylor Finstad, Carter Bradley Garrington, Aaron Andrew Hickman, Ryan Thomas Leisure, Zachary Layne Lester, Nathan William Matthews, Carson Dean Meyer, Chloe Michelle Mueller, Jenna Esther Nelson, Corrigan Michael Ouverson, Parker John Pitzen, Kaila Sheree Savage, Benjamin David Stroup and Chloe Sky Toyne.

FOREST CITY: Jaden Juda Alamsya, Jericho Jacob Baker, Hannah Rae Buffington, Christopher W. Jermeland, Dominic Ray Keeper, Kalin Corella Knudtson, Benjamin Arthur Marmaras, James Scott Riggen, Jordan David Spooner, Cody James Stricker, Paige Ruthann Swearingen, Shaden John Tweeten and Jonathan D. Warren.

GARNER: Mara Renae Anderson, Katelyn Elaine Bierle, Andrew James Dornbier, Taylor Dawn Gerdes, Droste Hennings, Adyson N. Hook, Hannah Claire Lau, Jacob Michael Leerar, Micah John Wacker and Jordan Charles Wright.

HAMPTON: Isabella Foster, Jacob Dean Foster, Joshua Lee Knipfel, Patricia I. Koch, James Matthew Minardi, Erin Elizabeth Plagge, Abe Bradley Scheideman, Trinity Pearl Shirk, Rachel Soderberg, Kylie Kay Voy, and Samuel Todd Wragge.

MANLY: Brooke Marie Mueller, Mya Nicole O'Connell,

MASON CITY: Emmit Tyler Benitez, Mason William Berg, Carolyn Faye Bernemann, Malik Ronald Loder Brown, Jared Scott Bunn, Lillian Mae Castle Business, Yahan Chang, Alexia Mae Davis, Beth Christine Degraw, Maria Grace Determan, Mackenzie Jeane Dettman, Julia A. Dunlavey, Jillian Alice Dunn, Alec Michael Frey, Jacob Charles Frieden, Riley Ginapp, Bailey Marie Gunderson, Cade C. Hansen, Tiffany Leanne Hanson, Alexander Jeffrey Harm, Zachery John Hendrickson, Ian Dave Holmgaard, Henry Jerald Klatt, Jack Douglas Lander, Nathan O'Rourke Lassise, Skyler Garet Lee, Jace Adam Leininger, Blake Joseph Martinez, Braden Michael Petree, Melanie Reichter General Preveterinary, Lucas Derek Reidel, Jacob Maxwell Riesen, Joseph John Scholl, Carly J. Seeck, Emily Lavonne Shatek, Steven Kevin Streets, Benjamin Robert Swegle, Joshua Thomas Thilges, Hannah Jane Thomas, Lucas John Udelhofen, Emma Marie Verstegen, Gabe Gene Wetter, Trey L. Wiegmann, Derek R. Wurth.

MITCHELL: Macy Marie Ott

NORTHWOOD: Brooke Marie Hoeppner, Molly Grace Hunchis, Julia Lynn Quisley.

OSAGE: Breana J. Barker, Sidney Jean Brandau, Klaire Chisholm, Ty Jeffrey Creger, Zachary John Duren, Kaylee Jo Klaes, Emma Carney Klapperich, Nicolas Dean Klein, Adam Joseph Koch, Chloe Madison, Garrett Maakestad, Katelyn Rose Maliszewski, Anna Elaine Miller, Tyler Keith Mork, Jenna Rae-Popp Plotzke, Joseph James Popp, Noah D. Sletten, Joseph Timothy Sullivan, Alex James Swenson, Joshua E. Woolfolk.

RICEVILLE: Matthew Michael Green, Cole Steven Hale, Sarah Elizabeth Klaes, John Joseph Miller.

ROCKFORD: Max Thomas Rooney, Shana Joycelynn Wood.

SAINT ANSGAR: Gabrielle Marie Finberg, Abby L. Hansen, Avery Rose Hendrickson, Lauren Frances Kisley, Noah James Kisley, Sarah Linda Phelps and Sophia Daria Wold.

SHEFFIELD: Ian Latham, Samantha Kay McGuire, Collin Joseph Meints, Kyle James Rooney, Keturah Marie Sauke, Conner Matthew Schulz, Grace E. Shreckengost, Jonah Brenton Van Horn and Erika D. Wogen.

SHELL ROCK: Macy Anne Janssen, Jon T. Taylor, and Brooke Ann Willson.

STACYVILLE: Sophia Florence Merten

North Iowa students graduate Kirkwood College

Jaci Smith
Jul 18, 2021

Kirkwood Community College held its graduation ceremony on May 15.

The following North Iowa students graduated:

CLEAR LAKE: Alan Shackleton

MASON CITY: Josh Fitzgerald, Merritt McCardle

MITCHELL: Kate Mostek

OSAGE: Kelsey Cahalan

Marie Weiss, 100

Jul 12, 2021

Happy Birthday Marie Weiss

Celebrating 50 Years

Jul 12, 2021

Happy Anniversary Joel & Peggy Hanson

Clear Lake Bank & Trust promotes three

Jaci Smith
Jul 11, 2021

Clear Lake Bank & Trust (CLB&T) has promoted several employees: Paula Spilman to vice president/retail branch manager in the Garner location, Ashley Upmeyer to business banking officer/credit analyst and Tyler Weigel to insurance officer in the Clear Lake location.

Spilman has been with CLB&T since 2006. She began her career in teller operations and moved to CLB&T’s Garner office in 2012, when she accepted a personal banking position. In 2019, she was promoted to assistant vice president/retail branch manager in Garner and has recently expanded her responsibilities by accepting the consumer lending role.

Ashley Upmeyer is a credit analyst in the Business Banking department. Upmeyer began her career with CLB&T in 2011 as a loan assistant. She was promoted to a credit analyst in 2017. Ashley manages a business loan portfolio and was a critical asset in CLB&T’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) efforts over this past year.

Tyler Weigel has been with CLB&T Insurance & Financial Services as an insurance agent since 2013.

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.

Gallardo hired by Lichtsinn RV

Jaci Smith
Updated Jul 10, 2021

Jimmy Gallardo has recently joined Lichtsinn RV in Forest City in the RV Finishing and Quality Control department. Lichtsinn is a graduate of Lake Mills High School and attended North Iowa Area Community College, studying business.

Gallardo was previously employed at DeAngelo Brother Inc. services in Albert Lea, Minnesota, where he spent his time traveling across Iowa for weeks at a time working with railroad crossing maintenance as a chemical applicator. Before that Gallardo spent three years as a manager at David’s Grocery in Lake Mills.

Mason City attorney elected to state bar board of governors

Jaci Smith
Updated Jul 10, 2021

The Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA) begins a new fiscal year in July 2021 with new leadership representing District 2A. Parker Thirnbeck, an attorney in Mason City, was elected to serve on the Board of Governors.

Thirnbeck is a local public defender with the state public defender’s office, practicing in criminal defense and juvenile delinquency. He previously served in leadership positions within the ISBA Young Lawyers Division.

The Iowa State Bar Association represents approximately 7,500 lawyers from all practice areas across the state and is governed by a Board of Governors elected from each of the state’s 14 judicial election districts, led by an elected slate of officers.

New hire, promotions at First Citizens Bank

Jaci Smith
Updated Jul 10, 2021

First Citizens Bank has hired one new employee and promoted two others in its Wealth Management office.

Erin Trask has joined First Citizens as a trust operations specialist in our Mason City office. With more than 20 years of banking experience, Trask most recently worked as a compliance officer/assistant cashier.

Brad Dummett was recently promoted from associate investment officer to trust investment officer. Dummett is a chartered financial analyst level II exam candidate and serves on the Wealth Investment Strategy Committee and the Trust Investment Committee. Dummett started his career at First Citizens in 2013.

Chelsea Frederick was recently promoted from trust administrator to trust officer. In this role, Frederick is responsible for administration of trust, conservatorship, and estate accounts. She also serves on the Trust Administration Committee. Chelsea started her career at First Citizens in 2019.

First Citizens Wealth Management, a division of First Citizens Bank (Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender), has offices in Mason City and Charles City bank locations and offers virtual and telephone appointments.