Monona Spotlight

North Iowa Times February 12, 2014 Page 5

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By Pam ReinigClayton County Register Editor

Elmer Marting has a special connection to the room that links the Monona museum and the adjacent history center.

The 20-by-20-foot space is a showcase for hundreds of hand-carved chains made by his father, Elmer Marting, Sr. The display includes 385 finely crafted works of art carved from dozens of different species of wood. The smallest chain was carved from toothpicks and measures just a few inches. One of the longest is a stunning 20 feet in length.

“We knew we had something pretty special here so we contacted the folks at the Guinness Book of World Records to see if we could get mentioned there,” said Marting. “They don’t have a category that fits but they did say we could rightfully call my dad’s work the World’s Largest Known Display of Hand-Carved Chains.”

The elder Marting died in 1992, the week before the woodcarving room that bears his name was dedicated. All of the works in the room were done over just a 17-year period, Elmer said.

“While he was on the farm, he was always whacking at a piece of wood,” Elmer recalled. “When he

Museum has carved a unique nicheleft the farm in ’61, he just didn’t like being idle. Some guys play cards. Some go to ballgames. He liked to carve.”

Elmer Sr. passed the love of carving and the talent for doing it along to his son. The younger Marting has several creations of his own to his credit but none of them are displayed at the museum. The space there is restricted to his father’s work.

Elmer, the son, also carries his father’s legacy forward by promoting interest in the hobby to other Monona-area folks. The Marting Woodcarving Room is open Tuesday afternoons to carvers of all skill levels.

Despite their one-of-a-kind nature, the elder Marting’s chains are not the only unique items in the Monona Historical Museum. The Victorian structure was a private residence for nearly seven decades before the local historical society acquired it in 1971. It’s now filled with turn-of-the-century furnishings and clothing, artwork by Monona people, kitchenware and war relics. Additional artifacts and research materials, including every issue of the Monona newspaper dating back to 1892, are housed in the adjoining Willa Helwig History Center. Built in 2006, the center

is a rich resource for people with genealogy interests. It’s named for a charter member of the Monona Historical Society who served as the museum’s first curator and provided substantial financial support for the research center.

“The woodcarvings and genealogy research are the top two reasons people come here,” Elmer said.

The Monona Historical Society is the museum’s governing body. Marting has been its president since 1992. His wife, Carol, is the museum’s unpaid curator. She is responsible for overseeing a collection that boasts nearly 7,000 items from more than 430 donors. Dedicated volunteers like Diane Wirkler, Hardin, help Carol with her myriad duties, which now include converting detailed paper records to computer-based files. Others who volunteer who devote significant hours to the museum are Suzanne Kaber, Giard; Gym Montgomery, Monona; and Don Klotzbach, also of Monona.

The Monona history complex is open weekday afternoons from 1-4 pm and weekends by appointment. Groups are encouraged to hold meetings there. There’s no admission fee to the museum but donations are accepted to help defray the cost of

operating expenses. The museum receives some money from the county and city but, Marting said, it’s largely dependent on private funds.

“We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished here,” he said. “Lots of museums are

Elmer Marting, above, works on a project during an open woodcarvers’ meeting in a room in the Monona Historical Museum that honors the talents of his late father. Elmer’s wife, Carol, is the unpaid curator of the museum, which has nearly 7,000 items from more than 430 donors. The museum is open weekday afternoons.

Register file photo

recognized as places where artifacts are stored. What makes us unique is our great number of artifacts and the carving room.”

More information on the museum is available at www.mononamuseum.org.

Page 6 North Iowa Times February 12, 2014

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By Audrey Posten,North Iowa Times Editor

For 105 years, Monona families have had an intimate relationship with their local funeral home, allowing a glimpse into some of their most vulnerable moments, entrusting them with the task of celebrating their loved ones’ lives. That responsibility was something Carl Schultz took seriously when he founded Schultz Funeral Home and Furniture Store in 1909, and it’s something Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service Owner and Funeral Director Joshua Grau and his staff take seriously today.

“People live an entire lifetime to get to this point,” Grau said. “They come to us to celebrate the life that was lived. We have a responsibility to carry that out for the family. We feel honored that the families have chosen us.”

Grau and his wife, Annette, took over the Monona funeral home in 2002 with Brian and Margaret Leonard, becoming just the fourth family to manage the funeral home in its lengthy history. The funeral home was owned and operated by the Schultz family until 1986, then by the Sexton family until 2002, when the Grau and Leonard families took over.

Grau’s interest in the business was sparked by the Leonards, who are family friends. He is from Elkader and his wife hails from Monona, so Grau said they are fortunate to be a part of her hometown community.

Joshua and Annette Grau took over the Monona location in 2002 with Brian and Margaret Leonard. Here, they are pictured with children Rose, Joseph, Clare, Julia, Emma and Leo.

“The people are kind and good,” Grau said of Monona.

Whether the families he works with are friends, acquaintances or strangers, Grau said that, by the end, an intimate relationship has been forged and a level of trust built.

Grau said people can also trust Leonard-Grau Funeral Home to be there for them, no matter the hour.

“There’s somebody available at every moment,” he explained. “There are not many professions out there that do that. It’s not something people are usually forced to think about, so they can take comfort in knowing we’ll be there.”

Although dealing with grief is difficult for anyone, Grau said he and his staff put themselves in the families’ shoes and think about how they would like to be treated in that situation.

“You have to have compassion,” Grau said. “If not, then you’re in the wrong profession.”

Along with that compassion, the staff also helps families make plans specifically tailored to their wishes.

“We get an idea of their wants and what’s affordable, then guide them to a place where it’s not a burden,” he said.

The Monona location is one of eight Grau Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, with other locations in McGregor, Prairie du Chien, Postville, Lansing, Ossian, Elgin and Clermont. They also offer assistance to the Leonard Funeral Home in Elkader when needed.

Grau Funeral Home builds relationship, trust with local families

Submitted photo

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The Monona community is passionate about basketball.

When the boys play at home, the MFL MarMac high school gym is packed with students, parents and other fans. Fans follow the team to most of their away games, too, and carloads of them made the trek to Des Moines in the spring 2012 and ’13 when the boys earned a state tournament bid.

The level of fan support, which remains strong year after year, is something that neither coaches nor players take for granted.

“The atmosphere it creates for kids is second to none,” said long-time coach Eric Dettbarn. “It makes them feel good about what they’re doing and really pushes them to win”

“I can’t say enough about the fans and parents who make sure the kids get to

MFL MarMac basketball has loyal fan base

The members and coaching staff of the current MFL MarMac boys’ basketball team are: front row, left to right: Adam Greener, Austin Schoulte, Liam Ruff (sitting) Nathan McGlaughlin, Tristen Kautman, DJ Ammons (sitting), Andrew Zeeh, Logan Dickman and Assistant Coach Mychal Moon; back row, left to right: Assistant Coach Adam Simon, Manager Robert Reichard, Jordan Talbot, Landon Schultz, Cody Mason, Brandon Schneider, Sam Pfeiffer, Noah Schultz and Head Coach Eric Dettbarn.

Photo by Blaker Photography

Submitted photoFormer University of Kansas and NBA standout Raef LaFrentz played prep basketball in Monona.

practice and also support us by attending games.”

Dettbarn had high praise for his players, as well. “The kids get a lot of credit, too,” he continued. “They’re willing to sacrifice their time during the season and off-season, and work on their skills, sometimes from elementary school up. ”

Dettbarn has been the Bulldogs’ head coach for 27 seasons. He grew up in eastern Iowa, playing ball at both Linn-Mar and Central City High Schools. He was a two-sport athlete at Upper Iowa University (basketball and baseball), where he earned an undergraduate degree in education. MFL MarMac has been his professional home since completing his studies at UI. In addition to coaching, he teaches fourth grade.

A benchmark of Dettbarn’s coaching success is a record that includes more than 300 victories, eight conference

championships in the last 10 years and nine district championships since 1992. His most illustrious former player is Raef LaFrentz, who was a member of ’93 and ’94 teams that went to the boys’ state basketball tournaments. LaFrentz, who went on to play at the University of Kansas and later played 10 years in the NBA, still holds nine school records: Most Points in a Season (828), Most Points in a Career (2,148) and Most Points in a Single Game (50).

A basketball legacy doesn’t happen by accident nor does it happen overnight. Dettbarn and his current assistants, Adam Simon and Mychal Moon, spend hours scouting opposing teams and creating plays to confound them.

“Two things stand out about Coach Dettbarn,” said Dan Berns, a local radio announcer who has called high school games for more than 25 years. “First, his teams are always prepared and fundamentally

sound. I know he spends a time researching opponents, and defensively they get after it. His teams have won with different styles of play throughout the years, as well.”

Dettbarn can’t imagine doing anything than teaching and coaching, and he can’t imagine doing either job anywhere else. He and his wife, Andy, have raised their two children—Dalton, an MFL MarMac graduate, and Lexi, a high school senior—in the area.

Dettbarn has built powerhouse teams by utilizing every kid who comes out for the sport. He makes room for any kids who want to play.

“Whether they’re the best player or the 15th man, there’s a place here for any kid who wants to work hard,” he said. “Every kid can take something away from this game. Being part of a team teaches life lessons that these kids will use years from now.”

Page 8 North Iowa Times February 12, 2014

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By Audrey Posten,North Iowa Times Editor

Freshman orientation is an intimidating day for incoming college students, as they tour the campus, figure out class schedules and meet dozens of new faces. For 2013 MFL MarMac graduate Hannah Wright, her orientation day at the University of Iowa last summer had an extra 15-minute challenge in the form of a marching band tryout. During that time, Wright performed a section of a solo and sight-read some marching band music. Two weeks later, she received news that she had been selected as a member of the 250- to 260-member Iowa Marching Band.

Although Wright has played the trombone since fifth grade and enjoyed her band experience, she said she was leery of trying out for the marching band as a freshman. It wasn’t until a friend suggested that they try out together that Wright decided to give it a go.

Speaking in January, after the completion of her first marching season, Wright said she doesn’t regret taking that chance.

“It was a lot of fun. You make 250 friends fast,” she said, explaining that it was a good way to meet new people since only five of her Bulldog classmates attended Iowa.

“Everyone’s so welcoming. There’s no way you can’t like them,” Wright continued, mentioning that the band also has a close relationship with the director and the teaching assistants.

Wright said she appreciated

Wright enjoys first year with Iowa Marching Band

Hannah Wright (left) played the trombone in the University of Iowa Marching Band this past fall.

In addition to playing pre-game songs and performing at halftime, the marching band also played a steady stream of cheers and tunes throughout each game.

the workout too.“You don’t have to worry about

the freshman 15 because you get so much exercise,” she said. “[Band camp] is very rough. It’s considered boot camp for band.”

Wright said band camp took place at the end of August, the week before classes began, during a stretch of 100 degree days. The band was on the field from 9 or 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with few breaks. They ran laps around the football field and marched continuously, all while trying to learn their first halftime show.

“They drill how you march into your head,” Wright said. “They told you that you didn’t need marching experience because you would be re-taught.”

Wright said learning the techniques was especially difficult for her because she did not march in high school, but was a flag twirler.

After that first, tiring week, the band began regular rehearsals. Each week during the football season, Wright said the band had Mondays off. Tuesday through Friday they practiced from 3:40 to 5:30 p.m., and sometimes had music rehearsal from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays. Some Fridays were off days, if there was no home game the next day. They sometimes had as little as one week to prepare a new routine. Other times they had up to three.

When the Hawkeyes played at home, Wright said Saturdays were even busier and more exhausting. The band arrived at the stadium at 6:30 a.m. to get in some extra practice before an 11 a.m.

start. During the pre-game, they played three school songs and the national anthem. During the game, they played a steady stream of cheers and tunes.

“We were constantly busy,” Wright said. “We were not allowed to sit. I guess you could, but you would get yelled at.”

Then came the halftime show. The marching band played a different show for each home game, except for one week, where they re-did one of their favorite routines. They also played at two away games—one at Iowa State and another in Florida, at the Outback Bowl.

Wright said the shows featured a huge variety of music. For the Halloween performance, the band played “Time Warp” from Rocky Horror Picture Show and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” For “Thriller,” they even put down their instruments and did the famous dance. Another show featured pop hits from acts like Lady Gaga and the band Fun, while one included songs from the Doobie Brothers.

While being in the marching band was a big time commitment, Wright, who has not yet declared a major, said it wasn’t a big change from high school, where she was involved in a lot of extra-curricular activities.

“It’s like if you play a sport in high school,” she explained. “You practice, eat and do homework.”

Now that the second semester has started, Wright said it will be a “nice break” from marching. However, she’ll be ready to get back to work in August, when the new season begins.

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Nothing’s routine at vet hospitalBy Audrey PostenNorth Iowa Times Editor

Growing up in Cedar Rapids, Dr. Chris Jensen’s father bred Labrador retrievers. Watching his father work on and deliver the puppies, Jensen’s interest in veterinary medicine was sparked. During that same time, he also frequently visited McGregor, falling in love with the area.

After graduating from Iowa State Vet School, Jensen spent three years working in Fayette. When a job became available at the Monona Veterinary Hospital in 1996, Jensen jumped at the chance to get back to the area. In 1999, Dr. Pfalzgraf retired and Jensen took over the practice.

Throughout Jensen’s tenure, the clinic has transitioned to more of a small animal clinic,

although Jensen does work on a few beef cattle and horses. Jensen and his staff of two secretaries and a groomer offer pet owners a full set of services, including preventative care, diagnostics, full surgery, laser surgery and therapy, boarding, grooming and private cremations.

Some people might not be aware that, for the last seven to eight years, the Monona Vet Hospital has also done stem cell therapy. Jensen said it is predominantly used in joint cases, helping patients with arthritis or those undergoing ACL repairs or hip replacements. Once he determines if the patient is a good candidate, and has the owner’s approval, Jensen said he harvests stem cells from the animal’s fat, then sends the stem cells to a lab in California where they are

processed. They are then sent back to Jensen, who injects them into the patient during surgery.

Although Jensen said he does have to send some severe orthopedic cases to a different hospital, he said some people are surprised to learn that most everything related to their pet’s health can be done right in Monona.

“We’ve invested in the equipment to do these procedures and we’ve made an effort to be competitive based on the services offered,” he said. “We help all pets and clients. We understand financial situations and do things to make it work.”

Some other important services the clinic offers are a feral cat program, which, in April and September, offers people a discounted price to have farm or feral cats spayed or neutered.

Jensen said they also do their best to help stray or abandoned animals, kenneling the animal for up to seven days and making attempts to contact an owner. If those attempts fail, they work with area shelters to see if the animal is adoptable. If health, temperament or even breed make adoption impossible, Jensen said, unfortunately, the animal is euthanized.

“We do the best we can with the resources we have, but sometimes it’s difficult because of the cost,” Jensen said, explaining that, ultimately, the animal is the responsibility of the person who picks up the animal. “It’s unfortunate to lay that burden on them because they’re a good citizen and trying to help.”

Jensen said witnessing the interaction between owners and their pets is his favorite part of the

job.“I enjoy the strong bond.

People in the Midwest are very compassionate,” he said. “When their pets need assistance or are in trouble, they do what they need to do.”

Jensen said it is especially humbling to see individuals who are suffering from ailments (and the financial burdens that go with them) themselves make sure their pets receive care.

“They say, ‘This [animal] is our therapy,’” Jensen explained. “We always do our best, but that certainly brings home that emotion and opens your eyes to a person’s needs and wishes.”

No matter the case, Jensen said he and his staff treat each case individually.

“It’s not a routine spay or diabetes case,” he said. “Nothing’s routine.”


“For great service, selection and price shop Fisk Farm & Home” is the motto that Curt and Julie Fisk have lived by since 1977 when they purchased their family-owned and operated business from Evans Hardware. Today along with their five children, they operate two successful retail locations that meet the needs of the farm and town communities. The downtown Monona store moved out to the Highway 18 location in 2006 where daughter, Laura Whittle, and son, Peter, work. The Cresco store, added in 1996, is where you will find daughter, Janelle Regan, along with sons, Phil and Paul. Also in the family operation is Curt’s brother, Tim, along with his wife, Diane.

Curt and Julie are very proud that the children have remained in the family business to continue what they began 36 years ago.

Not only are Curt and Julie proud of their children but also of their 11 grandchildren. They, too, want to be a part of the action by volunteering for special events at the store such as serving milk shakes during June Dairy Month.

Fisk Farm & Home has contributed to the economic development of the communities they serve. Not only do they purchase local services, support community causes but they also employ 30 people to help run

the stores. “We are very lucky to have a good group of employees to make both stores run smoothly and to provide the service that the customers have grown to expect,” boasts Julie.

The Fisk family and their employees work especially hard at being receptive to their customers’ needs. Both stores serve their respective towns but customers come from all over the area because of the stores’ reputation of carrying a wide variety of products and excellent service. Customers can choose from an expansive inventory that includes hardware, tools, paint, electrical, plumbing, automotive, farm supplies, animal health, pet supplies, lawn and garden items, housewares, clothing, toys and much more. Services in both locations include key cutting, custom-made hydraulic hoses, cut and thread pipe, purchase and exchange propane tanks and digital photo processing. The Monona location also offers a rental department, glass and screen repair, hunting and fishing licenses, UPS shipping and a live bait station.

Fisk’s have been around long enough to see the generations change but what hasn’t changed is that the families still shop at Fisk Farm & Home. They appreciate the customer loyalty and will continue with “Great Service, Selection and Price” in both the Monona and Cresco stores.

All in the family

Submitted photoCurt and Julie Fisk, front center, are flanked by their daughters Laura Whittle and Janelle Regan. The couple’s sons are, left to right: Paul Fisk, Peter Fisk and Phillip Fisk.

Here, Dr. Chris Jensen is pictured with two of his “alternative staff,” dogs Molly and Dixie. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

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