Under the Water Tower Lovilia News

2013 Albia High School trap shooting team competed at a state trap shoot championship in June. Three young men with Lovilia ties were on the junior varsity team. Hunter McAninch hit 172 out of 200 targets. His parents are Kirk and Susan (Wynn) McAninch of rural Lovilia. His local grandparents are Jerry and Camilla Wynn.
Case Scieszinski hit 175 out of 200. His mom is Julie (Gansman) Scieszinski who grew up in Lovilia at her grandmother’s house, Stephana (Papich) Larson.
Ryan Romanco hit 159 out of 200 targets. His dad is Kelly Romanco of the Albia area and his grandparents are Tom and Donna Romanco of Lovilia.

Members of the Albia Track Team  Went to State Track Meet

Luke Sarver and Ryan Sarver sons of Mary (Flahive) Sarver and grandsons of Joe and Wanda Flahive were part of the 4×800 meter relay. Running with them was Tanner Wynn, son of David Wynn and grandson of Jerry and Camilla Wynn.

The Sarvers also ran in the 4×100 relay, the 4×200 relay and the 4×400 relay.  All these people live in Albia but Jerry and Camilla but have Lovilia roots.

Michelle Manser of Lovilia ran in 4×800 meter relay.  She is the daughter of Harold and Brandi Manser.

Softball all-stars in the 11-12 year old age team from Lovilia

Makenna Ross, daughter of Ken and Anna Ross is on the team along with Stacie Etcher. Laura Etcher and Scott Etcher are two of the four team coaches.  They competed in the state tournament in Des Moines July 10-14.

Team Wins a State Title

The team was the Albia Blue USSSA10AA.  Blake Chance was on the team and his dad, Mitch Chance was a coach.  Blake’s grandfather is Steve Chance of Lovilia.

Also on the team was Nathaniel Wynn, son of Marc Wynn who was also coaching. Nathaniel’s grandparents are Jerry and Camilla Wynn.

Congrats to all these athletes!

Lovilia Lions T-Ball Team

The Lovilia mascot of years ago was revived to serve the t-ball team.  Coaches this year were William and Sadie Dykstra, Melissa Hood, and Lindy Ellis.  Members of the team out to learn the game were:  Aliyah Hood, Landrie Carlson, Conner Cook, Aiden Aldridge, Payton Smith, Bridget McIntyre, Kyra Taft, Preston Nichols, Carson Rankin, Carson Dykstra, Titus Smith, Jocelyn Nichols, Hannah Smith, Angelina Rodriguez.

This is the only team left in Lovilia and it is fun to have them. Go Lions!

Chamberlain Graduates at William Penn

Jennifer Chamberlain, daughter of Calvin and Pam Chamberlain, graduated from William Penn Univ. in Oskaloosa, Iowa with her bachelor’s degree in Business Management.  She is making her home in Lovilia. Congratulations!

60th Wedding Anniversary

Ernest and Loretta Beary Corso celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 23.  They were married in 1953 at St. Mary’s Church in Weller, Iowa.  They have seven children and 16 grandchildren and one great grandchild.  They live south of Albia. Congratulations!

New Lovilia Baby Arrives July 10

Adalyn Marie Pettyjohn was born July 10, 2013 to Nikolas Pettyjohn and Alexis Sheely. Grandparents are Janis and Jeremy Aldridge and Chris Pettyjohn.  Great Grandparents are Ben and Charlotte Pettyjohn.  Great great grandmother is Janis Summers.  Welcome to our world little one!

Weller Picnic July 20

The crowd was somewhat smaller than in years past but all enjoyed the great picnic food, the Irish music and country music, and most of all the visiting with all the old friends of days past.  Bob Crumley, who grew up in Lovilia, and Tom Welsh of Lovilia helped supply the music that all enjoyed.  Jim McGinn and friends and relatives did a lot of the prep work.  So thanks to all who helped make it a fun day!

Lovilia Headstart Registration Time

This Pre-school is free for eligible families. This includes persons with disabilities.  This is for children who are 3 or 4 years old by Sept. 15, 2013.

To sign up call Lovilia 641-946-8125 for an appointment.  To be eligible bring the following to your appointment:

1. proof of income for the past 12 months

2.  copy of your child’s birth certificate

3.  proof of residency

4. copy of your child’s immunization record

David succumbed to cancer at age 66. His birth was Sept. 24, 1946 to Vernon and Darlene (Atkins) Steckelberg in Carroll, Iowa. David earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in marine biology from Utah State University. He served 8 years in the US Air Force. In 1979 on May 26th he married Dixie Lee Kendall of Lovilia. She died in 2003. He was a chemist for Ajinomoto at Eddyville, Iowa and retired from there in 2010.

Local survivors are his step children: Clyde and Brian Williams of Albia and Lynn Anne DesPlanque of Lovilia. Burial was at Marysville cemetery.  May he rest in peace.

Clarence Baayen dies June 23, 2013

He was 90 years old when he died. His parents were Arthur J. and Bessie (Gray) Baayen and he was born on Oct. 16, 1922 in West Cliff, Colorado.  He used the nickname “Dutch” and graduated from Albia High School with the class of 1941.  He joined the US Army air force and served in WWII.  His wife was Marjorie Van Dorin whom he married June 24, 1945 in Des Moines, Iowa.  She passed away in 2002 after 56 years of marriage.

He owned Baayen grocery in South Des Moines, Iowa and later sold it and entered the real estate business until he retired.  The last several years he has lived in Lovilia.  He leaves behind a daughter in Des Moines and two children in Colorado.  May he rest in peace.

Cheryl Ann Allison dies June 29, 2013

Cheryl age 64 passed away due to cancer.  Cheryl was born on September 3, 1948 in Knoxville, Iowa to Ralph and Darlene (Courtney) Kirtley.  She married Ronnie Allison on November 26, 1965 in Lovilia.  They were blessed with two daughters, Angela and Sarah.

Cheryl served the Lovilia community for many years as a first responder for the Lovilia Fire and Rescue.

She is survived by her husband Ronnie of Lovilia and her two married daughters and four grandchildren.  She has one sister, Cindy Carlson of Knoxville and Cindy’s family.  May she rest in peace.

Dennis Comstock dies July 5, 2013

Dennis died of cancer at the age of 64.  Born Nov.1, 1948 to Robert and Lorraine (Tice) Comstock in his grandmother’s home in Albia.  He graduated from Albia H.S. in the class of 1966.  Dennis enlisted in the US Army and served six years and was honorably discharged in 1976.  He worked in several factories and retired from 3M.  He married Cinda Stocker in 1995.  He is survived by six children:  Jessica, Deseree, Jenisha, Dara, Cade and Melisa.  He also adopted three children.  Dennis has 7 living siblings and 5 deceased siblings.  Living in Lovilia are his sister Barbara and brothers Jeff and Milo.

As per Dennis’ wishes he was cremated and memorial services were at his home south of Albia with military rites provided by Albia, Lovilia, and Melrose.  May he rest in peace.

Lovilia Student Makes the Dean’s List

Andrew Kurimski, son of Mark and Pam Kurimski, made the spring dean’s list at the University of Northern Iowa, at Cedar Falls.  Congratulations on the excellent grades.  We are proud of your efforts!

In 2014 a Hydroelectric Plant Will Be Built at Red Rock

Breaking news in the Des Moines Register tells us the plant will be built at a cost of $260 million dollars.  Who is paying the bill?  A group of municipal utilities from four states (Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota) working together to build this plant will be selling bonds to cover the cost.  Expected electricity output is enough to serve 18,000 homes. Expected construction work is to be completed by 2016 and the plant is automated to the point that only two employees will be needed to run the plant.

Only the hydroelectric plant at Keokuk will be larger in the state of Iowa.  The CEO of the group says the plant is expected to be on line for 60-80 years producing renewable energy that is not a carbon footprint maker.

A model of the proposed plant is on display at the reservoir’s visitors center at Lake Red Rock located on the south side of the dam.

This will be a significant change for the area.  We will all be interested to see the stages of construction unfold.

St. Peter’s Cemetery Donation

In June Mr. Irvin Massick of Knoxville made a generous donation of $500 in memory of the Bodnar and Massick families to the St. Peter’s cemetery perpetual care fund.  The parish thanks him for his generous gift.

Ed Kamerick Will be Ordained a Deacon in the Catholic Church

We will celebrate his ordination on Sunday, July 14, 2013 at St. Patrick’s Melrose.  Mass will be at 10:30 a. m. in Melrose with an open house and reception following.  We congratulate Ed and his perseverance through several years of education to prepare for this day.  He is married to the former Jane Hollinrake who grew up just west of Lovilia.  He will be helping most likely in the Monroe County Catholic churches and perhaps in Centerville also.  He will be a great addition to serve along with our priests.

Weller Picnic on Saturday, July 20, 2013

Everyone is welcome whether you have Weller roots or not.  Lunch is served starting at 11:30 a. m.  The menu is expected to be:  pork loin, brats, side dishes, and beverages (soda, iced tea, or lemonade).  There will be some live music both country and Irish.  Raffle prizes.  Please bring your own lawn chairs and personal coolers are fine.  People expected to come to celebrate from 11 a. m. to 5 p.m.  Good folk and good times!