Clayton County Register

Iva McClimon, 82, of Channahon, IL, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 3, 2019, at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center. Iva was born on the family farm in Clayton County, IA, where she lived for almost 30 years, before residing in Channahon for over 40 years. She retired from Rittof’s Restaurant in Channahon in 2003 and was formerly employed as a dental assistant in Muscatine, IA. Iva is a founding member of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Channahon, where she was actively involved. She also made blankets and pillows for active duty service personnel as well as veterans, and was a member of TOPS Illinois #297. She enjoyed gardening, canning, baking and sewing.  

Charles (Chuck) A. Holmes, 84, of Elkader, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, surrounded by his family. Charles was born in Ames, Iowa on September 25, 1934, to Robert and Grace (Sowerwine) Holmes.  

He graduated from Ames High School in 1952. Following high school, Chuck attended Iowa State University. In 1954, Chuck enlisted in the U.S. Army serving until 1956 as an artillery fire controller in Augsburg, Germany. After service, he attended the University of Iowa where he graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 1960. After practicing pharmacy, he enrolled in the College of Dentistry graduating in 1968. Charles practiced dentistry from 1969 to 2004, primarily from his North Main Street office in downtown Elkader, Iowa.  

Chuck was united in marriage to Winnafred Thiessen of Clinton, Iowa, on August 13, 1968, in Downers Grove, IL.

Wayne Allan Bacon, 64, was born on February 21, 1955, the last of five children born to Walter and Wanda (Sandhagen) Bacon. He passed away peacefully at home on May 24, 2019. The family moved around quite a bit in Wayne’s younger years, finally setting up home on a farm just South of Garnavillo. He graduated from Garnavillo High School with the class of 1973. On August 17, 1974 Wayne married Becky Werges. Two daughters were born to this union.

Wayne had a place for everything and everything had a place. This was true of the dishwasher, his tools and the ever-favorite pen, which was tied to his desk. He shared his smart-wit ways with his daughters who loved to torment him a little, cutting the string of his pen shorter and shorter until he couldn’t use it. Wayne’s love for carpentry began as a high schooler. He enjoyed being a carpenter all of his working years. Wayne was a member of the Garnavillo Fire Department for 38 years.

By Pam Reinig
Register Editor

If you’re in the mood for a good mystery, the Carter House Museum in Elkader is the place to be. This year’s theme is “Mysteries at the Museum,” and it covers everything from unsolved murders to UFO sightings to a Wells Fargo heist
Board members credit their colleague Marge Costigan for inspiring this year’s special exibits. “She always has the most intriguing stories about Clayton County,” said Mary Lammers. “It just sort of grew from that.”

LaVonne Auguston gives a nod to Lammers, Barb Chandler and others for doing much of the research that was used to create storyboards about each mystery. The cards and a few props are placed in rooms throughout the 18-room Greek Revival mansion. Moving through the museum is both fun and informational.

An open house to celebrate the new season and the new theme will be held Friday, May 31, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served; there is a $10 admission fee.