Memorial Day 2024 services in Hancock County

Memorial Day 2024 services in Hancock County

by Ben Hassebroek

Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 27. Services at Garner, Klemme, Britt, Kanawha, Corwith, and Goodell are as follows:

Garner

Services at garner will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Central Park with the arrival of the ceremonial unit. After the GHV middle school band plays the national anthem and Rev. Kristen Peters from the United Methodist Church recites the invocation, Gerald Edgar, American Legion Commander John Tammen, and VFW Commander Herman Robinson will welcome the audience.

GHV delegate to Boys State Brandon Roberts and Girls State delegate Jayclynne Piper will lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Dr. Bruce Schupanitz, DVM, will give the Memorial Day address. Edgar will perform the reading of the departed veterans. Girl Scout Troop #105 will perform the floral tribute alongside the Legion and VFW Auxiliaries. Music will be provided by the GHV middle school band.

Rev. Peters will perform the benediction before the program’s conclusion of the ceremonial 21-gun salute and Taps. In case of rain, the program will be held in the high school auditorium. There is limited seating, so bringing chairs is recommended.

Garner area veterans who passed away in the past year are: Roger Muth, Army Reserves; George Van den Heuvel, Army; Marvin Schoneman, WWII Marines; Marvin Engstler, Korea; James Walter Brooks, National Guard Army; Ronald Bogle, Army (Vietnam) Bruce Sankey, Army (Korea); Donald Larson, National Guard; Francis Young, Army (Korea,); Harold Nielson, Army (Korea); Jim Deibler Jr., Army Reserves; Joe Lagasse, Army (Peace time); David Glenn Lange, (Korea).

Klemme

The annual Klemme Memorial Day Service, hosted by the Klemme American Legion Post 625, will be at Klemme United Methodist Church, 9:30 a.m., Monday, May 27. Sergeant Mara Budweg, of the Iowa National Guard will give the Memorial Day address. She will speak briefly about how her Army experiences have opened many doors and given her numerous opportunities that she has taken advantage of to enhance her military career, her personal life, and her community.

Pastor Deb Devine will assist in the service and the Belmond/Klemme band and chorus will perform patriotic music. Graveside services, starting at approximately 10:30 a.m. in Ell Township cemetery, will follow. 

The Legion is asking for community help to assist in erecting the Ell Township cemetery flags on Thursday May 23 at 1 p.m. with a rain date of Friday May 24 if necessary and taking down the flags on Tuesday, May 28 at 1 p.m.

Britt

Memorial Day services at Britt are hosted by the VFW Post 347, American Legion Post 315, and their Auxiliary organizations. Thye program will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery. Reverend Anna Wolf from First Lutheran Church will lead the invocation.

Two patriotic readings will be given by West Hancock students Kellen Smith and Sydney Tue.

American Legion Chaplain Gene Guenther will read the names of the departed.

Rev. Kevin Boss, the pastor of the Britt Christian Reformed Church, will deliver the Memorial Day address.

Music will be provided by the West Hancock high school band.

The audience is encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. In case of inclement weather, the service will be held in the high school.

Memorial Day program at Kanawha will be held at the Amsterdam Township Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Monday May 27. American Legion Commander Dean VanDeWiele will be the Master of Ceremonies. Pastor Jason Semans will give the invocation and benediction.

The program includes the laying of wreaths on graves of unknown soldiers. Readings will be given by Faith Steenblock and Damaris Guido. Patriotic songs will be sung by the audience.

Since Memorial Day 2023, one veteran has been added to the list of honored dead: Kimberly Martinez (Marine USMC Vet.)

The program will conclude with the ceremonial 21-gun salute and “Taps” by Carl Anderson and the Kanawha Severson Post #77. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at the fire station in Kanawha.

Corwith

Memorial Day observance at Corwith will be at 10:30 a.m. at the Corwith Cemetery east of the city on Monday, May 27. Pastor Denise Group from the Wesley Community Church will lead the service. Poppies will be laid on the graves of deceased veterans. Music will be provided by local community members.

The annual alumni dinner will be served following the service at 12 p.m. at the Corwith Community Center. Price of admission is $12.00. Call Leona Welter for reservations at 515-583-2106 or 515-570-8292.

Goodell

Goodell American Legion Family Memorial Day Service will be held on May 27 at the Goodell Community Hall at 10:30 a.m. The service will start with Commander Perry Green giving the welcome.

Guest speaker this year will be veteran Laurel Degelau, a volunteer service coordinator for the Veterans Home in Marshalltown. A 21-gun salute will be by the Goodell Post 420 and the American Legion Riders Post 183.