Clayton County Register

By Pam Reinig

Register Editor

Five local artists have been working since last August on something they hope will become a signature event for Elkader. The women are planning an “Art in the Park” weekend August 22 and 23 in Founders Park. 

Ione Dennler, 85, of Elgin, Iowa, died Monday, March 30, 2015, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota.  Borghild Ione, the daughter of William and Luella (Benson) Torkelson, was born September 21, 1929, on the family farm in Clayton County, Iowa. After Ione’s mother, Luella, passed away in 1934, she lived with her aunts and uncles until her father married Elsie Butikofer in 1938. Ione graduated from Elgin High School in 1947 and received her teacher certification from Upper Iowa College in Fayette. She taught in a country school near Volga, Iowa until she was united in marriage with Albert Lee Dennler on September 26, 1948, at the Highland Lutheran Church, rural Elkader, Iowa. Albert and Ione farmed southeast of Elgin for many years. After Albert’s death on November 30, 2010, Ione continued to live on the farm until 2013.

Zala Pauline Schultz Baade was born December 19, 1936, on a farm near Garber. She passed away at home on April 1, 2015. Zala attended country school through eighth grade and graduated from Garnavillo High School. She was the only child of Art and Edna (Kruse) Schultz. Zala was baptized and confirmed at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Elkport. She loved music and learned to play the guitar, piano and accordion by ear. She never needed or read a note of music. She and her dad had a band called the Turkey River Rangers and entertained many people! Her love of music has been passed on to her family.

By Pam Reinig

Register Editor

The custom of setting aside a day for playing harmless pranks on family, friends and co-workers stretches back to the Middle Ages. References to it can be found in most cultures. Since the mid-20th century, elaborate practical jokes have be printed in newspapers and broadcast on TV and radio. Computer technology, especially the Internet, has made it possible to fool and embarrass a wider audience than ever before.